Clearview National February 2020 - Issue 219 | Page 28

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DOORS&WINDOWS
Trending: 2020 windows and doors
» THE FENESTRATION INDUSTRY WAS
overwhelmed with the desire for coloured,
smart, composite windows and doors in
2019. While these are expected to still be of
importance for many homeowners in 2020,
there are new trends ready to take off in the
year ahead. Here, Nick Cowley, managing
director of PVCu and composite window and
door manufacturer Euramax, explains what
lies ahead in 2020.
MORE GLAZING, LESS FRAME
With an increased demand for modern
interior and exterior styles, windows and doors
have the ability to make a huge impact on the
appearance of a home.
Modern and clean frames allow for a wider
expanse of glazing, compared to traditional
and thicker window surrounds. Windows
create the impression of space in a home, all
while increasing natural light sources and
bring a sense of the outside, in. This desire
for larger panes of glass means that windows
themselves are becoming larger, while the
frames become smaller.
As modern and sleek styles continue to
inspire and influence homeowners, future
designs could remove the frame completely,
creating stylish floor to ceiling windows.
HYBRID IS HERE
Composites have become an increasingly
popular material choice for effortless and
stylish windows and doors. However, some
of the issues that can arise from using
composites, including warping, swelling,
bowing and discolouration in changing
temperatures, has been widely reported.
Hybrid doors, which combine both PVCu
and composite materials, provide a welcomed
solution to these problems. They are designed
to combine the functionality of PVCu and
the stylish woodgrain finish of composite,
ensuring that homeowners get the best of both
worlds. In 2019, Euramax launched a range
of PVCu and composite hybrid doors that
are available in a range of design finishes and
colours.
Though composite materials are still a
popular choice, hybrid doors could prevent
the need for premature maintenance when a
door becomes discoloured or warped — all
while maintaining the popular woodgrain style
that so many homeowners now look for.
28 » F EB 2020 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
Thermal performance and energy
efficiency have become noticeably important
requirements for windows and doors. While
this trend is set to continue into 2020 and
could also see sustainability as a potential
industry requirement.
Reducing energy consumption, and
subsequently energy bills, has been a major
driver in what people look for when updating
the windows and doors in their home. The
integration of more sustainable materials could
further increase environmental awareness and
associated benefits across the industry.
By manufacturing windows and doors
from sustainable materials such as composites
and new hybrid materials, manufacturers can
ensure that their products are beneficial to
both the environment and their customers.
THE SMART REVOLUTION
Technology is evolving in every aspect of
our lives, and the fenestration industry is no
different. From SMART window and door
locks that are controlled from a smartphone
app, to sensors that can alert homeowners
when a window or door has been left open —
SMART technology has numerous benefits
that are now being realised across the window
and door industry.
While
there was
an increase
in the
integration
of SMART
technology across the
industry in 2019, it’s not always convenient
to implement SMART locks and sensors
after windows and doors have been installed
to their final location. Doing so can often
cause disruption to the property owner and
additional, costly maintenance to be needed.
These inconveniences leave room for
improvement with how SMART technology
is initially installed. Options include
implementing technology at the factory stage,
making the technology easier to install and
set up and could result in more homeowners
to making the decision to purchase SMART
enabled products in 2020.
As people become more invested in
the options available when selecting their
windows and doors, the need for stylish, smart
and energy efficient windows and doors is set
to rise. Like all trends, they come and go, but
some in the fenestration industry are likely to
be here for a little bit longer yet.
www.euramaxuk.com