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Building upon the success of the market-leading Skypod range of PVC-U skylights, Eurocell is launching its latest model – Skypod Acute. As the name suggests, the new addition features a steeper pitch: 350 in fact, a full 150 more than the current design.
The new 350 pitch is visually very different to the standard 200, making it suitable for more commercial applications such as schools, colleges, hospitals and offices, where this pitch degree is better suited to larger, multi-storey buildings. This market tends to be dominated by aluminium products, so the arrival of the new Skypod provides an aesthetically pleasing and cost-effective alternative.
Skypod Acute sports the same stylish, narrow glazing bars and generous sightlines for residential properties as the rest of the Skypod range and in its square format it now fits an even smaller aperture, allowing even more light into parts of the home that previously was not possible. In addition, no sidebars are needed on sizes up to 1.5m x 2.75m, so further improving sightlines and letting in more natural light. Skypod Acute is supplied with self-cleaning, temperature controlled glass in Blue, Neutral, Bronze and Clear as standard, with a U-value of 1.0W/m²K achievable.
Skypod’s success in the market is due in no small part to its good looks and aesthetics 
especially when compared to other PVC-U systems. Plus, it offers better value for money than aluminium alternatives. Its contemporary design means that Skypod is the most effective means of boosting headroom and volume, while welcoming extra natural light into otherwise drab flat-roofed rooms. It is very easy to fit, with even screw holes pre-drilled for accuracy and convenience; and everything needed is supplied ‘out of the box’.
As with all Skypod products, Skypod Acute has a 10-year guarantee and is available in the full colour range of Anthracite Grey, Moondust Grey, Golden Oak, Rosewood and White – with a white interior finish as standard to maximise the light and airy feel. A further 30 colour options can be made to order in just three weeks.
Skypod Acute it available to buy in kits or bar length for Eurocell fabricators and is available to order now. Call 0800 988 3045 or visit eurocell.co.uk/skypod-acute
Dales diary of Eurocell enhancements
Eurocell – the UK’s leading manufacturer, distributor and recycler of window, door, conservatory and roofline products – has reconfigured its popular Dales Collection range of composite doors to increase and improve aesthetic choice, security and resilience.
First, the company has introduced three new panel designs – the Elton, Hartington and Newhaven – which deliver ‘on trend’ farmhouse and contemporary styles. The three designs are complemented by six further glass patterns to further increase choice for the specifier, developer and end-user.
The additional door and glass introductions bring the total of Dales Collection front and back composite door combinations to 15 styles in 15 colours and 18 glazing options, from modern ‘chic’ to traditional Edwardian or cottage style.
The colours are in three groups: Contemporary, e.g. Anthracite Grey, Slate Grey and Moondust Grey; Standard, e.g. Rosewood, Golden Oak, Frost White and Berry Red; and Heritage, e.g. Eurocell Cream, Chartwell Green and Duck Egg Blue (all made to order). Dales Collection doors are also available with colour-matched weather bars.
Security assured
Second, with security and peace of mind very much on the agenda, not least following the introduction of Approved Document Q (AD Q) of the Building Regulations in October 2015, Eurocell has improved both the structural stability of its door panels and its locking hardware.
AD Q sets out what it says are “reasonable standards for doors and windows to resist physical attack by a casual or opportunist burglar by being both sufficiently robust and fitted with appropriate hardware” and effectively excludes non-PAS 24 products from the new build sector.
A new accredited five-point multi-locking system with adjustable keeps has been introduced, providing an improved weather rating that can now achieve up to a massive 1200 Pascals – a 50% improvement on previous tests. The new improved design also includes an increase of the outer GRP skin thickness from 2mm to 4mm.
The collection is now fitted with the Tri-Sis glazing cassette which can be deglazed internally without damaging the door panel or affecting the security performance of the door overall.
The locking system, plus the thickness and glazing modifications, means that the new doors are all now compliant with the requirements of AD Q; achieving PAS 23/24:2016 accreditation, which includes the challenging PAS 24:2016 ‘Cut Through’ test.
Low maintenance design
GRP door leaves obviate splits or cracks and are less prone to scratching and denting than steel-faced doors. A high-quality triple-seal frame system ensures Dales Collection doors can give outstanding performance for many years and two brush seals and a gasket seal prevent drafts and rain causing problems.
In terms of energy efficiency and sustainability, The Dales Collection composite doors range is ‘B’ rated as standard but ‘A’ rated is also available.
GRP-faced PVC-U composite doors continue to dominate the UK entrance doors sector; made popular by their greater security, thermal performance, fire resistance and aesthetic variety. The Dales Collection is the acme of these products: offering specifiers, housebuilders, social landlords and homeowners superb choice, performance and looks.
InSite will enable timber frame manufacturers to install fully glazed, fully finished windows into wall panels as part of the factory production process, thereby reducing on site disruption and labour costs while saving time on build programme schedules. There are also significant health and safety benefits with factory fitting and reduction in manual handling, as well as an estimated 30% improvement in transportation yields because the windows are fully recessed, allowing panels to be stacked flush when loaded.
InSite comprises market-leading PVC-U window performance with an innovative fixing method that allows factory fitting of the window directly into the wall panel. Once the timber wall panel has been erected on-site, the windows are checked to ensure they are plumb and square and then simply secured to the first fix position by pushing the frame outwards to lock it into position. An intelligent design modification enables cills to be simply clipped on and mechanically secured once the windows are locked into position. The whole panel assembly can be made watertight within one day so interior trades can begin work immediately, saving time on programme.
As part of its development, the InSite system has been fully tested, including resisting wind load pressures well in excess of 200mph – significantly beyond the highest Category 5 hurricane winds rating (156mph+). Design calculations have been verified by independent timber frame structural engineers. Owing to the controlled nature of manufacture, the installed windows offer leading energy efficiency performance, with a U-value of just 0.8 W/m2 possible, a level that far exceeds current Building Regulations requirements.
