PVC-U window

BENEFITS OF EUROCELL’S LOGIK WINDOW SOLUTION CLEAR TO SEE IN THE STUDENT ACCOMMODATION SECTOR

Building Products Index Ltd January 26, 2023 PVC-U, Windows Leave a Comment

Eurocell’s Logik PVC-U window solution has been specified across a number of schemes being developed by student accommodation provider, Study Inn. As an aesthetically pleasing and high performing alternative to aluminium frames, Logik is also delivering sustainability and cost efficiency benefits.

Summary

Over 3,500 Logik windows specified across five refurbishment and conversion schemes
Tangible cost efficiencies using PVC-U alternative compared to aluminium specification
Fit for purpose, stylish and Logik PVC-U windows delivering strong thermal performance
Greener product choice using PVC-U profile that is sustainably manufactured

Study Inn specialises in the development and design of high-quality student accommodation projects, creating the living spaces that students want to live in at locations that suit them.

Doncaster-based window system designer and installer, Nu Openings Ltd has been working with Study Inn on a series of building refurbishments and conversions that have transformed existing office spaces into attractive, highly specified student accommodation solutions in Nottingham, Exeter, and Loughborough, with new developments currently underway in Leeds.

The right solution

Central to the service Nu Openings offers is its long-term commercial relationship with Eurocell which has been in place for the past decade. With strong knowledge of the performance, aesthetic, and sustainability merits of the Logik window solution, Nu Openings had no hesitation in recommending its specification for the exciting Study Inn schemes.

Gary Driscoll, Sales & Commercial Director at Eurocell, commented: “As a national business, Eurocell can ensure product supply, which helps with planning and timescales. We also work with a UK-wide network of fabricators, so can provide access to conveniently located resources close to the development sites. This has ensured operational efficiencies are maximised as the schemes have progressed.”

Steve Carvell, Managing Director for Nu Openings, added: “We have a long-term working relationship with Eurocell and have used many solutions from its extensive product range over the years. They are specified widely in the commercial market and once we were approached to become involved in supporting the build ambitions of the Study Inn projects, we recognised that Eurocell’s Logik PVC-U windows would be ideal for a number of reasons.”

Many architects specify commercial work for student accommodation schemes in aluminium when it comes to the window solutions. This tendency is something Steve and the Nu Openings team worked hard to reverse for the Study Inn schemes. He continues: “We do come across initial concerns from architects and specifiers who opt to choose aluminium for the window frames. However, thanks to our knowledge of the Eurocell solution we strongly advocate the range of benefits clients can access if they convert to a PVC-U alternative. It is fit for purpose, looks stylish, delivers strong thermal performance, and provides the finish they are seeking, whilst the client can also enjoy tangible cost efficiencies when compared to aluminium specification.”

Over 3,500 Eurocell Logik PVC-U windows have now been specified across the five Study Inn refurbishment and conversion schemes and Eurocell’s ability to assist with good lead supply times is helpful in keeping the construction timetables on track.

Leading the way

With sustainability credentials now an increasingly key factor in building material specification, Eurocell’s commitment to delivering product solutions that support a greener future resonates with clients such as Nu Openings and Study Inn.

Thanks to a market-leading recycling operation that enables the company to transform old plastic window and door frame waste into new PVC-U extrusions for the manufacture of attractive and sustainable products, clients who specify a PVC-U product from Eurocell can feel confident about its sustainable approach.

Steve Carvell concludes: “We continue to enjoy an effective collaboration with Eurocell and the success of the student accommodation schemes for Study Inn is an example of the strength of the ongoing partnership within the student accommodation build sector. Aside from the aesthetic, thermal, sustainability, and cost benefits that products such as the Logik window delivers, we also value the all-round support and technical expertise we can call upon from Eurocell when required.”

For more information about Eurocell please visit www.Eurocell.co.uk or call the team on 03301 737 159

Collaboration critical if the right mix of homes are to be built, say consumers

Building Products Index Ltd February 22, 2020 Doors, PVC-U, PVC-U, Windows Leave a Comment

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Almost half (49%) of consumers believe greater collaboration between local councils, property developers and social housing associations is critical if the UK is to build the right mix of properties in future.

That’s according to a research report published by Eurocell plc, the UK’s leading manufacturer, distributor and recycler of PVC-U window, door, conservatory and roofline systems.

Other factors identified by respondents as critical to ensuring the right mix of homes is built included providing more opportunities for public consultation during planning decisions (35%), more powers being given to local planning authorities for better local oversight (29%) and more strategic leadership at a national level (21%).

The findings are part of a report by Eurocell that explores how the communities of the future may look. It includes insights from five architects from practices BDP, Stanton Williams, TOWN and Urbanist Architecture.

When asked about the current mix of homes being built, half of the 1,000 respondents reported that they felt not enough affordable homes for first time buyers were being built, while an almost identical number (49%) said they believed not enough social housing was being built. This fell to 31% when asked about the amount of private rental (PRS) options being built, while 37% said that not enough homes in general were being built.

As a result, two fifths of respondents, who were equally split between private renters, home owners and social housing tenants, said that PRS, social housing and homes to buy should be of equal priority as more homes were built. However, 28% identified social housing as the priority, 17% said homes to buy and 10% said PRS options should be the priority.

Analysing the findings, Doriano Chiarparin, architect at Stanton Williams, commented: “Unless there is a push towards more social and affordable housing in city centres, land values alone tend to create socially segregated cities. In any productive environment, you need different levels of skill, different types of people and levels of affordability – so there definitely needs to be more support towards affordable residential and social housing in order to keep cities working.”

The public’s view on their preferred housing mix for the communities of the future certainly provides food for thought. The UK has typically been a nation of aspiring property owners. However, these findings suggest that there could be a shift towards more continental attitudes towards homeownership where renting is far more common. As the construction sector continues to design, plan and build the communities of the future serious consideration will need to be given towards this issue to ensure that the needs of consumers are being met.

The research is part of Eurocell’s ‘Future Communities’ report which can be downloaded in full here.

Eurocell PVC-U conservatory PVC-U doors PVC-U roofline system PVC-U window

UK consumers: “We need communities, not just homes”

Building Products Index Ltd December 17, 2019 Doors, PVC-U, PVC-U, Windows Leave a Comment

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Two-thirds of UK residents feel that too much focus is placed solely on the construction of new homes, as opposed to rounded communities with supporting infrastructure, new research has found.

The Future Communities Report has been published by Eurocell plc, the UK’s leading manufacturer, distributor and recycler of PVC-U window, door, conservatory and roofline systems. It draws on the findings of a survey of 1,000 UK adults with an equal split between homeowners, private renters and social housing occupants.

Almost seven in 10 (69%) of respondents said that they felt not enough consideration is given to the provision of educational, health and sport facilities during the current planning process for homes.

A further 32% of people believe that not enough has been done to support the development of doctors, dentists and hospitals, with a further 31% saying that not enough had been done to support the development of schools and nurseries. Respondents also said that a lot more should be done to provide parks (28%), leisure facilities such as sports and craft centres (26%) and amenities such as cafes (21%).

As a result of this, 55% of respondents said they felt that quickly building a high volume of homes negatively impacts community spirit. In addition, 44% identified a failure to extend existing services (for example, doctors’ surgeries and schools) to allow for an increase in the number of residents as having the biggest impact on the integrations of new and old communities.

When asked to identify the top factors in ensuring that enough supporting infrastructure is developed in the communities of the future, 37% highlighted providing more opportunities for local residents to input on planning decisions while 36% said there was a greater need for collaboration between planners and service providers. Other factors highlighted included more focus on the design and build of multi-use buildings (31%), more powers over services being passed to local government for better local oversight (27%), and more strategic leadership at a national level (22%.)

The report also includes expert input from architects at leading studios BDP, Stanton Williams, Urbanist Architecture and TOWN. It reveals insight into the communities that people hope to live in and current trends in the built environment sector.

Find out more by downloading the full report here.

Eurocell PVC-U conservatory PVC-U Door PVC-U Roofline systems PVC-U window The Future Communities Report

Get off-site InSite from Eurocell at Ecobuild 2018

Building Products Index Ltd January 29, 2018 PVC-U, Windows Leave a Comment

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Eurocell is promising to deliver a whole host of benefits to the timber frame and off-site construction sectors with the launch of its new InSite window solution. 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. The new system can be viewed at Ecobuild 2018 on stand G22.

There are also significant health and safety benefits with factory fitting and the 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.

A 10-year product guarantee* on InSite windows provides customer peace of mind, as does full product traceability, thanks to a simplified supply chain and centralised documentation.

Talking about the launch, Chris Coxon, Group Head of Marketing at Eurocell, said: “InSite is an engineered solution that gives off-site construction specialists an opportunity to increase efficiencies and quality at key stages of the manufacturing and building process, so they receive the benefits they promote to their clients and streamline the construction process further, resulting in a safer, faster build time.”

“Since there is no need to store windows on site there is no danger of damage or theft and the reduction in manual handling also significantly cuts the number of health and safety issues to be dealt with. Programme time is not affected by issues like scaffolding obscuring the installation of windows, especially as preparing InSite for external cladding and internal plastering can all be done from the inside. Similarly, site traffic is reduced because there are no window deliveries,” he adds.

Sounds appealing? Find out more by visiting www.eurocell.co.uk/insite or calling the Eurocell Customer Care Team directly on 0800 988 3049.

Ecobuild 2018 takes place between March 6^th and 8^th at the ExCel centre in London’s Docklands. Eurocell’s stand no. is G22. To register visit: https://www.ecobuild.co.uk/

* including 5 years on glazing units and two years on internal window hardware.

Ecobuild 2018 Eurocell fully glazed windows InSite window solution PVC-U window timber frame