ALUMINIUMextra
Proud sponsor of Aluminium Extra
Let ’ s be honest …
We made a simple promise on thermal performance . That all our products would meet the upcoming tightened Part L regulations introduced in the 2022 revision to Building Regulations .
We achieved this by developing our own thermal break technology , Thermlock ®.
Wider , multi-chambered and less conductive than legacy polyamide systems , Thermlock ®, which sits at the heart of all Sheerline products enabled our customers to sell an easily understood range with consistent U-values that met these new targets with straightforward glazing requirements .
Our values are calculated to the EN14351 and BRFC standards , at the prescribed sizes and simulated with realistic combination of profiles and glazing that our customers actually use . All to give anyone choosing Sheerline aluminium products complete confidence .
Previously having operated in the PVCu market – this straightforward approach , this ‘ honesty ’ comes as second nature to us . In fact , when we started operating in the aluminium sector , we were a bit aghast at how murky , obfuscating and sometimes downright dishonest some claims were .
It ’ s time to change all that . That ’ s why we are calling for a tightening of standards and want to challenge our fellow systems companies to make their U-value reports publicly available , as we have . It ’ s time people know clearly what they are buying , as it ’ s their necks on the line .
Our challenge to the industry
• Publish independently verified U-value reports . As well as having two BRFC accredited thermal simulators in house , Sheerline also gets its U-value reports independently verified , which should be the gold standard across the industry . It ’ s time industry bodies and building regulations made this compulsory .
• Stop selling products that don ’ t conform . The market tells us that many aluminium systems companies are paying lip service to these tighter thermal standards – claiming U-values based on a very ‘ niche ’ specification that rarely or never gets manufactured , then blithely carries on selling products they know don ’ t conform . It ’ s time that stopped too .
• Be honest and take responsibility . From systems companies ‘ fabricating ’ their U-value reports , to turning a blind eye to what their fabricators are making , to fabricators claiming U-values based on a spec of product they aren ’ t actually making . Everyone involved needs to take ownership and responsibility , making sure the companies supplying them are being honest and have the evidence to back up their claims .
We are heartened that other voices in the industry are beginning to pay at least lip service to bringing clarity to the subject of U-values in aluminium . Although as the tighter new standards came in over two years ago now , you do have to wonder how compliant their products were during that time .
Misrepresenting what you are selling can have disastrous consequences , just ask the Volkswagen group about its emissions scandal , or much more seriously the residents of Grenfell , and we are beginning to see window and door companies being taken to court for claiming one thing and supplying another . Pleading ignorance just won ’ t cut it .
Building inspectors and specifiers alike are increasingly adamant about seeing the evidence that backs up the thermal performance claimed . Those who get caught out can face compensation claims and legal bills that could cripple an otherwise healthy business .
Against these increasingly serious consequences , why take the risk ?
Our U-value reports can be viewed on our website : www . sheerline . com . We don ’ t have anything to hide , if your systems house isn ’ t doing the same , ask yourself why .
Complying honestly doesn ’ t have to be complicated , it sometimes just needs a different way of thinking , or perhaps a different aluminium system supplier .
www . sheerline . com
42 NOVEMBER 2024 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM