There will be new prerolled foam in the sash , and additional insulating foams underneath the glazing cavity . There will also be centre seal gaskets to improve the thermal performance . In addition to that though , there will also be a brand-new material used for the low lamda thermal break which will deliver enhanced thermal performance .

Product Manager Peter Willard explained : “ All of our product development around Part L has centred around achieving compliance through U-Values , but always with the needs of the fabricator firmly paramount .

“ That ’ s why we are minimising the additional processes required for the new 58BD HI door and delivering a solution which achieves real innovation with a new thermal break . The material we ’ re using is new to the doors and windows market but widely proven in other sectors so it ’ s a no risk option .”

Alongside the launch of the 58BD HI , AluK is also delivering another enhancement to its Part L compliant 58BW HI window system , with a new bracket for the cruciform joint which fits more easily into the cavity created by the new thermal breaks .

Peter Willard added : “ We ’ re on this Part L journey with our customers , so when they told us the cruciform bracket was taking longer to fit because of the upgraded polyamide in the system cavity , we responded straightaway .

“ We ’ ve run a pilot with a number of customers to make sure this new bracket minimises any additional time on fitting and does everything they need , and the feedback has been very good .”

AluK ’ s fabricator-focused approach to Part L helped it

to win the G-22 Customer Care Initiative of the Year award . Prior to redesigning the bracket , it had already responded to the changes to the tolerances allowed in the U-Value assessment methodology and introduced a value engineered solution for the thermal foams in the 58BW .

At the start of 2023 , AluK replaced the two thermal foams which were originally required between the sash and frame in its 58BW HI and 58BW ST HI window systems to achieve a U-Value of 1.4 with one single length of thermal seal . This change reduces costs and stockholding and saves time on fabrication because the new seal is inserted in the non-locking side of the window meaning there is no need to cut around hardware .

Peter Willard again : “ Feedback from the industry shows an increase in the number of installations being turned down by FENSA because installers couldn ’ t prove compliance ; Part L remains high on the agenda for many . We ’ re doing our bit to make sure that anyone fabricating or fitting AluK products can achieve and crucially demonstrate compliance with ease .”

Wayne Heath , AluK ’ s Sales Director added : “ We ’ re now seeing how Part L is playing out in the real world and listening to our customers all the time . We ’ ll continue to support them with these kinds of technical innovations , but also of course with communication updates and sales and marketing support to help them sell even more Part L compliant products .”

uk . aluk . com

14 MAY 2023

CLEARVIEW-UK . COM