12

Lasting designMulti-award winning, pioneering, innovative the PowerGen HQ in Coventry was built 20 years ago with VELFAC windows we take you back in time and re-visit one of the first VELFAC projects in the UK.

26

18

the worLds simpLest windowInspired by modernism and the beautiful, simple steel framework of Bauhaus, VELFAC 200 was created, back in 1982, led by design and simplicity.

A commitment to personal relationships

VoL. 2 SPRING 2013 // a magazine

about dayLight, fresh air and

window design //

WindoWs for life

6 | Fortrose House has never looked better 10 | Sustainable reasons 12 | 1-2-1 with VELFAC Business Managers 16 | Fittings that make a difference 18 | VELFAC is built to last we take you

back in time

22 | Smart, contemporary refurbishment in Cambridge

26 | Inspired by Bauhaus, VELFAC claims slim sightlines

30 | Book a CPD 31 | Famous buildings feature VELFAC

p. 12

Take a sTroll down memory lane

Better heaTing and Better looks

p. 18

2 | VELFAC | Contents

Extensive refurbishment, including new VELFAC windows, has made life so much better for residents at Fortrose House in Glasgow.

p. 6

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VeLFAC ReVIsIteD

relationships maTTerMeet two VELFAC Business Managers and learn more about their views on service and support.

Shortly after launching in the UK, VELFAC was specified for one of the decade's most famous projects.

keep iT green

VELFAC continuously delivers windows to zero-energy houses,

passive houses and active houses.

Uw = AgUg + AfUf + lgg

Ag + Af

3

p. 22

p. 30

The Cambridge property market is very competitive, but by using

the best products, 'ordinary' buildings can be transformed into

premium accomodation. Read about Crossways Gardens,

a project to be completed later

this year.

From ordinary to premium

p. 26 window technology

The window is a complex building component, not just four pieces of

wood and one piece of glass.p. 10

VelFaC and Wimbledon

VELFAC windows are installed in millions of buildings around the

globe including famous landmarks.

| 3

p. 6

Windows for Life Published by VELFAC LtdThe Old Livery, Hildersham, Cambridge, CB21 6DRT: 01223 897100E: post@VELFAC.co.ukwww.velfac.co.uk

Executive Editorial TeamAndy CookChristina Hauberg Rasmussen

Editorial TeamAngela MurrayKevan WoolfAnine Drivsholm BrtenChristina Haugsted Gemmer

Design EditorDaniel Dalsgaard-Jensen,Datagraf Communications

4 | VELFAC | eDItoRIAL

PrintOberthur TechnologiesCirculation: 5.000 copies

PublishedBi-annually

Front coverVELFAC Business Manager Kevin Bonnar

PhotosCraig Auckland, Timothy Soar, Fokus Foto and VELFAC archives

03.437-03.13 2013 VELFAC A/S VELFAC and VELFAC logo are registered trademarks used under license by VELFAC Group. HELO is a registered trademark belonging to VKR Holding A/S. FSC-C111486, www.fsc.org

welcome to the spring 2013 edition of windows for life, our magazine for construction professionals, looking at daylight, fresh air and window design.

in this edition we focus on refurbishment, a sector showing significant growth despite the current economic climate. refurbished projects provide an ideal showcase for environmentally sustainable, low energy products, whether the aim is to update an existing building or repurpose an unused property. as a result, VelFaC windows and doors have been used to dramatically improve thermal efficiency, update exterior faades, increase interior light levels, and add value overall by replacing old and outdated windows with sleek, stylish, modern units.

Two case studies show how this is done: at Fortrose house, glasgow, on page 6, residents in an unprepossessing, 1960s block now live in a warm and stylish building, while at Crossways gardens in Cambridge (see page 22) VelFaC is helping transform sheltered accommodation into high value apartments.

refurbishment can be challenging, however, when unexpected developments (inevitably) happen. expert technical and product support is therefore essential, and on page 12 two members of the VelFaC sales team explain more about the added

value VelFaC support represents from pre-specification to post-installation.

we also look back at one of our earliest installations, completed when VelFaC was relatively new to the uk, and which has since become iconic in terms of energy efficiency, passive heating and natural ventilation. originally the hQ for energy company powergen, the building now owned by e.on - is still referenced today as one of the best examples of its kind. read more about it on page 18.

we hope you enjoy reading this edition of windows for life, which also includes the latest industry developments, product updates, and Cpd information. For more information on any article, or to book a Cpd course, call us on 01223 897100 or send an email to post@VelFaC.co.uk for more details.

we look forward to hearing from you.

andy cookNational Sales Director

in refurbishmentadded value

| 5

Not just a

refurbishmeNt

6 |

A housing block in Glasgow was in serious need of new windows to improve thermal efficiency.

But the residents got much more than that.

Today, the building looks and feels-

brand new.

Not just a

refurbishmeNt

Built in the 1960s, Fortrose House in Glasgow is a nine storey housing block comprising 48 maisonettes and five one-bedroom flats, owned by Partick Housing Association. Flat roofed with balconies and external access corridors, the building was in serious need of updating, not least to improve thermal efficiency and satisfy the latest Scottish Housing Quality Standard.

As well as a range of internal improvements, our strategy was to fully reclad the building using insulated render, zinc panels and VELFAC glazing, explains Gary Pinkerton, project architect at Grant / Murray.

| 7 FoRtRose HoUse, GLAsGoW, sCotLAnD | VELFAC | 7

The original windows had been replaced 15 years ago with standard upVC units; these had come to the end of their lifespan but had also been badly fitted and so were draughty and no longer watertight. replacing these windows with VelFaC units made a significant contribution to the increased thermal efficiency we wanted to achieve.

Impressed with performanceVelFaC had already been used by partick housing association in other projects and, impressed with the systems performance, the client was keen to achieve the same step up in quality at Fortrose house.

The clean, minimal VelFaC frame design ideally complemented the overcladding we planned to use, explains gary, while the slim frame lets more light into each flat, further reducing energy bills while also maximising views for residents. The association also knew that VelFaC glazing is very low maintenance and so future budgets for cleaning and scaffolding can be reduced; in addition, he adds, although partick homes manages the building, there are 11 owners / occupiers within the block, who agreed to have VelFaC windows installed within their properties as part of the common upgrade.

Refurbishment, residential property

Location: GLASGOW, SCOTLAND

Year: 2012

Window System: VELFAC 200

Opening functions: Tophung projecting, reversible, patio doors, fixed light and entrance doors

VELFAC Business Manager Steven Parker +44 7780 992659 / spa@VELFAC.CO.uk

Project Summary

8 | VELFAC | FoRtRose HoUse, GLAsGoW, sCotLAnD

Window replacement in 24 hoursThe refurbishment project took a year to complete and included new kitchens, wiring and a central heating system but had to be done with the residents in situ, which meant windows had to be removed and installed on the same day.

luckily we could use two empty flats to trial the planned works, which enabled us to iron out most problems in advance, comments gary. however, although window installation was theoretically simple - as all the flats are identical - installation was not as straightforward as originally thought.

The new faade emphasises the vertical and horizontal lines which characterise the old building, but achieving the levels required was challenging as the building had sagged over the years and so regular adjustments to cladding details had to be made to ensure the lines were maintained.

Not just a refurbishmentThe end result is a real improvement and the client is delighted with both the look of the build and with the level of thermal efficiency achieved. anecdotally, residents are already commenting on how warm the flats are, with no more draughts or damp, says gary, while the windows and cladding make it look like a new building not just a refurbishment.

The clean, minimal VELFAC frame design ideally complemented the overcladding we planned to use.Gary Pinkerton, project architect at Grant / Murray

| 9

Its really quite simple: for VELFAC, sustainability is about how to produce windows that positively contribute to a buildings energy balance, and how to keep energy consumption as low as possible during window production and decommissioning.

VELFAC sustainability programme

1. Sustainable Forestry We produce our windows using wood from FSC certified forests.

2. Denmarks first certified sustainable building We are vision partner and window supplier for Denmarks first carbon-neutral building, Green Lighthouse at the University of Copenhagen. Green Lighthouse is certified according to the American LEED standard.

3. We have windows that match the passive house standard VELFAC continuously delivers windows to zero-energy houses, passive houses and active houses. Its about producing windows that contribute more energy to a building than they loose.

4. Life Cycle Analysis VELFAC has conducted a Life Cycle Analysis of our VELFAC 200 window system, with documentation to show the environmental impact of production, use, disposal and recycling of VELFAC 200 windows. Download the analysis here: www.VELFAC.co.uk/Projects/Sustainable_Design

4 great sustaINable reasoNs

to coNsIder VelFac

At the time of writing, VELFAC will be exhibiting at Ecobuild, the worlds

largest sustainability event for the building industry. A total of 1,500 companies exhibit at the event, which takes place in London from

5 - 7 March. Aimed at professionals in the construction industry,

architects, engineers and contractors will be visiting the show to get the latest updates on future trends in sustainable building and to gain inspiration from the event conference, and from the many seminars taking place.

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2013

42 dB. This is the level of noise reduction you can achieve with VELFAC 200 Helo windows. The VELFAC 200 Helo system, the latest, energy-optimized generation of the original VELFAC 200 design, has recently undergone a sound test which demonstrates that a triple glazed window can reduce noise by up to 42 dB.

THE SOUND OF SILENCE

VelFac test programme:

sustainability at ecobuild

10 | VELFAC | ARoUnD VeLFAC

We have something

specialHave you seen the bi-parting sliding door in the original VELFAC 200 design? Slim profiles, a free, unobstructed opening of 2.6 meters and competitive energy performance ... these are just some of the many advantages offered by the bi-parting sliding door which is available in wood / aluminium or composite frames.

Should it be double or triple glazing? Side- or tophung? As specialists when it comes to windows we focus on optimising price, functionality and quality. In particular, we believe that windows are a dynamic element that interacts with the other components in the faade.

Contact us as at the earliest planning stage and let us give you the best possible input.

Please call us on 01223 897100.

TAkE our AdViCE

Did you know that VELUX windows and VELFAC are sister companies dedicated to providing solutions for both faades and roofs?

Both companies are subsidiaries of VKR Holding, a worldwide group of companies that supply materials which bring daylight, fresh air and a better environment into peoples everyday lives.

The roof solutions from VELUX windows and the VELFAC faade windows come in a whole array of shapes, sizes and styles.

VELFAC and VELuX windows

| 11

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Joined VELFAC: 26 April 2004

Region covered: South East England

KEVIN BONNAR

A commitment topersonalrelationships

12 | VELFAC | sALes teAM PRoFILe

every VelFaC window comes with comprehensive service and support. Two members of the VelFaC sales Team rob ingle and Kevin Bonnar explain whats on offer to architects and contractors, and how to make the most of the expertise VelFaC can supply.

What does the VELFAC Sales Team do at the start of a project?RI: ahead of formal specification, the sales Team has already initiated detailed discussions with architects and clients in order to identify project needs, from environmental criteria to interface solutions and performance characteristics, and of course budget considerations. These discussions can take up to 12 months and allow us to act as a bridge between architect and contractor when the project is out for tender, especially providing the value for money analyses necessary to show that cheaper alternatives will prove more costly in the longer term.

KB: during this stage, clients can also exploit our experience of similar projects, and draw on our extensive library of literature and samples, including technical

information not openly available. having someone with in depth VelFaC knowledge assist in the early planning stage can ensure a design remains cost effective and efficient.

How does this level of support compare with the competition?RI: in the current economic climate many window suppliers have reduced their sales function and focused on centralised, telephone based support. we continue to invest in our sales Team as it is an integral part of our product offering, and so we continue to operate a network of regional Business managers who work with clients from specification to post-installation. although we are price sensitive we are not price driven, unlike many others in this industry, and our confirmed investment in service and support bears this out.

W

We can meet the architect or contractor on site, assess the scope of works required, generate

the tender, and launch our own detailed survey and design process all in under four weeks.

VeLFAC Business Manager Kevin Bonnar

| 13

KB: sales and support is core to our business model; it adds value to our product and enables all major decisions to be made at the right time and with the right information to hand, saving clients time and money and helping deliver great looking projects.

does the refurbishment sector require different support strategies?KB: refurbishment projects are usually much shorter, so we can meet the architect or contractor on site, assess the scope of works required, generate the tender, and (if it proves acceptable) launch our own detailed survey and design process all in under four weeks. This last stage generates considerable savings for refurbishment clients who usually do not need to generate their own detailed architectural drawings as we take responsibility for window sizing, design and manufacture.

RI: refurbishment projects can also prove more complicated than originally thought if unknowns are discovered as building works begin. our expertise is invaluable in these circumstances, and we draw on past experience to help our clients to resolve issues as they arise.

How will the VELFAC service evolve in future?KB: we currently spend more time with clients than 10 years ago, but this may change as technology evolves and as energy regulations become more stringent. For example, specifiers now have instant access to technical drawings and support, no longer having to wait days or even weeks for a response to a specific query and so i can see our already comprehensive website playing an even greater role in future. no matter what changes in the future however, people will still sell to people - we want to maintain the personal investment of time with our clients to ensure we continue to build the markets trust in us.

RI: a commitment to personal relationships will certainly remain, enhanced by new technology (such as the ipad) which enables us to give our clients much more information every time we meet. in the future, we hope that clients will know much more about VelFaC products and services, such as our aesthetic as well as technical capability. such service adds even greater value to the VelFaC brand.

VELFAC BUSINESS MANAGERS, REGIONS AND CONTACT DETAILS

Scotland & North England. Business Manager Steven Parker. Email: spa@VELFAC.co.uk. T: 07780 992659

Central England & Midlands. Business Manager Rob Ingle. Email: ri@VELFAC.co.uk. T: 07768 856525

Wales & South West England. Business Manager Lee De Grey. Email: ldg@VELFAC.co.uk. T: 07769 652446

East Anglia & South East London. Business Manager Ollie Chisman. Email: oci@VELFAC.co.uk. T: 07768 856520

South England & South West London. Business Manager Kevin Bonnar. Email: kbo@VELFAC.co.uk. T: 07747014543

Surrey & Central London. Business Manager Georginna Summers. Email: gs@VELFAC.co.uk. T: 07881 913294

Central, North & West London. Business Manager David Gladwin. Email: dg@VELFAC.co.uk. T: 07785 702124

14 | VELFAC | sALes teAM PRoFILe

Joined VELFAC: 1 March 1995

Region covered: Northern England

ROB INGLE

Many window suppliers have reduced their sales function and focused on centralised,

telephone based support. We continue to invest in our Sales Team as it is an

integral part of our product offering from specification to post-installation.

VeLFAC Business Manager Rob Ingle

| 15

all VELFAC window systems have espagnolette handles with three locking points

VELFAC 200 and VELFAC 200 Helo systems place the glazing bead on the inside, making each window virtually impossible to open by force

VELFAC windows are certified by Secured by Design, the flagship initiative to design out crime from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).

new3The number of VELFAC 200 Helo opening functions continues to increase. Now we offer a bottom hung window for smoke ventilation, a top hung window for rescue openings in very small windows, and the bi-parting sliding door. The more opening functions, the more options. The windows must match the building not vice versa!

ways to open a window

VELFAC fittings are all developed at the VELFAC Innovation Center and

so are 100% compatible with all VELFAC window units. The three

quality parameters of VELFAC fittings are: durability, security

and strength.

Velfac fittiNgs stand

out

16 | VELFAC | ARoUnD VeLFAC

specifyiNg Velfac HAs neVeR Been eAsIeR

It couldnt be more convenient. Visit the VELFAC website to download 3D BIM objects and import them directly into your drawing software, or

visit the portal where 3D BIM objects from a number of different industries are available: http://bimobject.com

The VELFAC standard colour range is expanding all the time in the new

VELFAC 200 Helo system. With its slim profiles and exceptional

energy performance, VELFAC 200 Helo is now available as

standard in eight VELFAC HELO colours and four VELFAC Granite colours. If you want a colour that is not part of the standard palette, please contact us on 01223 897100 or email post@VELFAC.co.uk.

WIth aN ImpressIVe colour raNge!

VelFac 200 heloWe gIVe You the raINboW

VELFAC will be exhibiting at the National Homebuilding & Renovating Show in Birmingham, from 21 24 March. Dont forget to recommend a visit to our stand to any of your private clients who are considering new windows.

doNt forget

| 17

18 | VELFAC | PRoJeCts In PeRsPeCtIVe

Open plan office areas

feature distinctive

coffered ceilings,

and taper towards

glazed faades

deliberately designed to

maximise natural

daylight.

multi-award winning, pioneering, innovative the powergen hQ in Coventry has been described as one of the most influential office buildings of the 1990s, not only revolutionising workplace design but also showcasing natural ventilation as a part of low energy construction.

now hQ for energy company e.on, the purpose-built structure comprises two parallel office wings separated by an atrium, a solid concrete core, and concrete floor plates. open plan office areas feature distinctive coffered ceilings, and taper towards glazed faades deliberately designed

re-visited

In 1994, shortly after launching

in the UK, VELFAC was

specified for one of the decades

most famous projects we

take a look back

| 19

POWERGEN HQ

to maximise natural daylight. The concrete core works in tandem with automatic windows to help control the internal environment and modify peak temperatures.

expertise in microclimate control we were specified because we were one of only a few window manufacturers with expertise in the use of windows for microclimate control, says current VelFaC sales director andy Cook; The client and contractor wanted a company which knew what it was doing when installing windows as part of a naturally ventilated system.

crucial uniform sightlinespowergen also approved of the clean, composite VelFaC frame as uniform sightlines were crucial to the external

faade design. as architect Brendan oneill explained, just after the installation: The frame section remains uniform whether the sash is an opening or fixed light a constant section was critical as the faade had to appear flush and uniform. in addition, VelFaC was the only company that offered a built-in window mechanism, again reducing the bulk in the frame design.

award winning buildingsince completion, the project has won many accolades, including a riBa architecture award, British Council for offices award, the British institute of Facilities management award, and uk lighting and construction awards. VelFaC also received much praise from architect, contractor and client; as project manager Tim pugh said at the end of

VELFAC and its product range

performed particularly

well we were impressed

Project Manager Tim Pugh

20 | VELFAC | PRoJeCts In PeRsPeCtIVe

New build, commercial property

Location: Coventry

Year: 1994

Window System: VELFAC 200 with concealed electric motor for automatic air circulation

Information: VELFAC National Sales Director Andy Cook 7979 745842 / ajc@VELFAC.co.uk

Project summary

The PowerGen HQ in Coventry has been described as one of the most influential office buildings of the 1990s.

the project: VelFaC and its product range performed particularly well we were impressed ... we all feel a great deal of satisfaction with the end result.

powergen set future standardpowergen was one of the first major naturally ventilated buildings, adds Cook. it set the standard for future similar projects and also established our reputation in this specialist area. The same qualities that won us the contract then exceptional energy efficiency, stylish and uniform frame design, and expert support continue to make VelFaC a leader in the field, as architects still need this combination of high performance glazing and real industry knowledge to ensure complex installations are successful.

PowerGen was one of the first major naturally

ventilatedbuildings. It set the standard for future similar

projects and also established our reputation in this specialist area.'

national Sales Director Andy Cook, VeLFAC

| 21

VELFAC business manager Ollie Chisman, in the foreground,

studies the plans for Crossways Gardens with project manager

and developer Paul Harney.

When Crossways Gardens in Cambridge came onto the

market, project manager and property developer Paul Harney realised its refurbishment potential, and is now converting the 1970s sheltered

accommodation block into high quality apartments.

From ordinary to premium

22 | VELFAC | CRossWAYs GARDens, CAMBRIDGe

| 23

We want to create a new residential building designed for young professionals

living in Cambridge, explains harney. To achieve this we have re-designed the interior and improved thermal efficiency, while dramatically increasing potential value by using high quality materials and finishes.

Full height windows supply lightThe forty one-bedroom apartments

are now being transformed into a mix of over 50 studio flats, two-bedroom apartments, and a three-bedroom penthouse. and as quality is so important, VelFaC has been specified throughout, as harney explains: every apartment has an exterior wall to the living area and kitchen which was constructed from upVC glazed units and panels. These are dated in design and starting to buckle - they could be re-used but would compromise external and internal finish quality.

as a result, weve decided to specify VelFaC full height windows for the living area, including French doors and Juliet balconies, and to use VelFaC glazing in the kitchens.

Quality windowsThe larger window area, and slim VelFaC frames, bring extra light into each apartment and also feature internal pine framing always popular in residential developments. excellent thermal performance ensures minimal

Forty one-bedroom apartments are being transformed into

a mix of over 50 studio flats, two-bedroom apartments, and

a three-bedroom penthouse.

The drawing shows how Crossways Gardens will

look when the conversion is completed later this year.

Proposed Refurbishment & Internal AlterationsCrossways Gardens, Anstey Way,

Cambridge

Typical Window Detailsscale 1:50 June 2012

RevisionRef. Date Details

dwg. no. CG/Windows/05

Note:

Solar control glass to be used in all south facing elevations

Preliminary

heat loss, despite the generous use of glass, with solar gain controlled by blinds and - on south-facing aspects specialist glass coatings. VelFaC also features in stairwells and entrances, with the dark grey external aluminium framing creating a stylish yet low-maintenance exterior ideal for shared accommodation. we did look at cheaper alternatives, admits harney, but none could deliver the level of quality and performance we wanted in a building where windows are such a major feature.

pre-sales supportharney was also impressed with the level of pre-sales support VelFaC provided, and the effort made to ensure the technical specification was correct. we have to deliver a smart, contemporary, uniform exterior in order to transform the building but, as in many refurbishment projects, initial works showed that the structure

was not built square and that every apartment was different. The VelFaC team worked hard to determine the type of window openings, and pre-preparation required, to achieve the uniform finish we want. i was very impressed by this level of service which is not something offered by every window company.

premium accommodation The new apartments should be ready for sale by summer 2013, less than a year since work began. The Cambridge property market is very competitive, with many apartments being built, says harney. however, products such as VelFaC can turn an ordinary development into premium accommodation, while the skill and expertise of the VelFaC team ensures that even a challenging refurbishment project keeps to schedule and to budget, further maximising initial investment.

24 | VELFAC | CRossWAYs GARDens, CAMBRIDGe

Products such as VELFAC can turn an ordinary development into premium

accommodation, while the skill and expertise of the VELFAC team ensures that even a challenging refurbishment

project keeps to schedule and to budget, further maximising initial investment.

Project manager and property developer Paul Harney

| 25

26 | VELFAC | WInDoW teCHnoLoGY

th

e origin

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| 27

over the last 40 years, the window

has evolved from a relatively simple

structure consisting of four pieces of

wood and a piece of glass to an advanced building component.

snce the mid-1980s, the window has been through a major industrial development, with insulation, light inflow and design markedly improved, says VelFaC engineer eirik Bjoern :

Back in the 1980s we mainly focused on the design of the frame and sash, and up until 2005 it was primarily the closing mechanisms and fittings that were continuously improved.

The big change in window evolution happened following the kyoto protocol in 2002 and the subsequent eu energy efficiency directive. one goal of the directive is that by 2020, only zero-energy buildings will be constructed. Currently, each eu country is taking a different approach and working at a different pace in order to achieve the directives requirements, but this has clearly influenced window design.

more light, better design and greater insulationin the 1980s, VelFaC reduced it's window frame from 115mm to 55mm. This meant not only a visual improvement with a slimmer profile and a larger inflow of light, but it also meant a better energy balance, as Bjoern explains:

state of the artwindow technology. The latest energy efficient window from VELFAC features a specially designed composite material which combines extremely efficient insulation with extraordinary strength, despite totally eliminating the use of thermally conductive

metals such as aluminium from the frame. The challenge to date has been

to maintain the characteristic slim VELFAC profile while maintaining excellent insulation, as slim frames have always been synonymous with aluminium. In previous generations of the VELFAC 200 system it was not possible to avoid using aluminium in the sash, but in

our latest design VELFAC engineers have exchanged aluminium for a new

'HELO' material formed from fine glass threads injected with Polyamide glue.

This has allowed the creation of a composite window with an internal wood frame, and a low-maintenance non-metal external sash significantly improving the thermal properties of the whole window.

28 | VELFAC | WInDoW teCHnoLoGY

By increasing the glass area, and with a narrower frame and sash, we significantly increased the inflow of light. moreover, glass has better insulating capabilities than the sash and the frame, regardless of whether the window is double or triple glazed, and since 2005 we have doubled the level of insulation of the window as a whole frame, sash and glass.

composite is the route aheadToday, standard VelFaC frame and sash development has reached the point where it is difficult to make insulation values noticeably better.

however, the new VelFaC 200 helo window system uses glass-reinforced polyurethane. satisfying VelFaCs demanding specification for high quality surface finish, excellent insulation and structural rigidity, this makes helo the composite window material of the future, says Bjoern.

energy savings elsewherewith composite materials, the insulation value of the sash and frame are approaching those of the glass, adds Bjoern, but we will probably see the continuing development of the sash and frame in order to improve insulation even further, perhaps by adjusting their shape, although this

simpleIn 2010, the latest generation of VELFAC 200 was launched, featuring a sash comprising the highly insulating, specially developed HELO composite material.

When many different materials are used together in a window, it can pose a major challenge because each material will have different thermal properties and will therefore respond differently to cold or heat with one expanding more than others when the sun shines, or contracting more when it snows, says Development Manager Tommy Kammersgaard from the VELFAC Innovation Center. As this can cause imbalances in the frame structure simplicity is key, and something specifiers should consider in more detail when evaluating window options.

Keep it

| 29

will provide relatively little additional insulation compared to the heat savings that can now be gained elsewhere in a building.

a more significant contribution to reduced energy consumption and associated heat loss is the adoption of active house principles, for example the use of self-adjusting windows to regulate solar gain and insulation capacity depending on environmental conditions.

comfort and energyoverall, great progress has been made in the energy efficiency of windows, but for many manufacturers this

has diverted attention away from improvements in aspects such as indoor climate, security, ventilation and shading. so in future, window development should also be about comfort, argues soren aggerholm, research director of the danish Building research institute:

Comfort and energy balance should have a higher priority. its not just a matter of maximising light but also controlling solar gain, especially when its not wanted. Therefore, window developers must improve solar shading and ventilation in summer, and also in spring and autumn in new houses. in these new buildings, mechanical ventilation in winter will probably become more common, especially by 2020 when the eu energy requirements come into force..

The VELFAC 200 window system is inspired by the simple

steel framework of Bauhaus.

VeLfaC 200 the worlds simplest window. Inspired by modernism and the beautiful, simple steel framework of Bauhaus, VELFAC 200 was created, back in 1982, led by design and simplicity, but also as the ideal modern window. Many competitors have tried to imitate the VELFAC 200 design but it remains unique, as Tommy Kammersgaard from the VELFAC Innovation Center explains: Since VELFAC 200 was launched, we have managed to preserve a frame thickness of only 54 mm, despite various structural changes.

The second generation VELFAC 200 system featured standard lock handles the espagnolette handle was not yet developed and a pure aluminium external frame. Since then, VELFAC 200 has been continually updated and a polyamide thermal break was integrated into the sash in 2009 to disrupt the thermally conductive properties of aluminium.

30 | VELFAC | ARoUnD VeLFAC

VelFac desIgN oFFIce leNds a helpINg haNd

VELFAC provides more than just windows we can deliver all the advice you need to make sure a project is a success. Specifying windows can be a complex task, if the right balance of energy efficiency, technical performance and aesthetic impact is to be achieved why not let us help you? Its all part of the value the VELFAC brand represents.

Upload a set of drawings and get a qUote

VelFaC and WimbledonMillions of VELFAC windows are installed in buildings around the globe including some famous landmarks. Here are a few examples from the UK: Did you know, for example, that there are VELFAC windows in the entrance foyer of the Royal Albert Hall - Londons famous concert hall? Or that there are VELFAC windows in the commentary box at Wimbledon Centre Court, where Caroline Wozniaki and all the other tennis celebrities play?

And here are just a few more , you might have heard of; Liverpool FC Academy Glasgow Rangers Training Ground J K Rowling's Edinburgh home The British Embassy in Moscow

Go to our website and upload up to five files describing your window tender (we can handle all common document formats). In return we will send you a quote within 24 hours. Upload drawings and get a quote: www.VELFAC.co.uk/Homes/GetAQuote

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The VELFAC espagnolette handle is manufactured from a non-conductive composite material which makes it comfortable to touch and easy to operate regardless of external weather conditions, unlike all-metal handles.

Book the VELFAC CPD presentation on energy balance and efficient window design.

The content briefly comprises:

The basis of U-value calculations for windows

Heat flow paths in window design

Measures to improve window U-values

Window and glass technologies

Optimising window frame designs and glazing configurations

Comparisons of performance

Regulatory requirements

Solar heat gains through glass

Efficient building design and window optimisation

Basic solar shading mechanisms

Installation and air permeability

BookingPlease contact us on 01223 897100 to book a presentation for your team

Target GroupArchitects, engineers, and building professionals

DurationApproximately 45 minutes

LocationIn-house or at the VELFAC office in Cambridge

Practical detailsVELFAC will provide all relevant equipment and refreshments

UP To DATe

VelFaC lTd / T: 01223 897100 / e: posT@VelFaC.Co.uk / www.VelFaC.Co.uk

VelFac 200The original slim frame window design

VelFac 200 heloThe original slim frame design with improved thermal properties

Why compromise?

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With slim, uniform sightlines for both opening and fixed lights, and attractive internal wood frames, VELFAC 200 offers the design quality expected of a premium window, and delivers exceptional energy performance.

Low energy windows which also look good read more about the VELFAC 200 window system at www.VELFAC.co.uk

When you can have cutting edge window technology and great design