Pro Installer November 2019 - Issue 80 | Page 13

NOVEMBER 2019 | 13
News
Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk
THE SINCEREST FORM
It’s said that ‘imitation is the sincerest form of
flattery’ and today’s PVCu Vertical Sliders really pay
homage to their traditional timber counterparts.
As it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish
between these modern models and traditional sash
windows, VEKA UK Marketing Director Dawn Stockell
discusses the many benefits that come with PVCu.
For me, PVCu ticks all the
boxes no matter the project; there
is no system other than PVCu that
can top timber with exceptional
energy efficiency, minimal mainte-
nance and unsurpassable security,
while still very much looking the
part. It can just as easily emulate
timber as it can achieve the ultra
sleek ‘Grand Designs’ look of alu-
minium, but at a more affordable
price point.
Consider the heritage market;
sliding sash windows are often
the norm, but it is usually the case
with historic properties that the
aesthetics of an original feature
are far more attractive than the
performance.
Vertical sliding sashes were
introduced from France in the mid
17th Century and it’s easy to see
why they were soon associated
with wealth, style and sophistica-
tion; prominent early examples
appeared in prestigious buildings
like Chatsworth House and White-
hall Banqueting House.
I imagine they were ‘a breath of
fresh air’ compared to the wide,
short mullion style windows
favoured previously. Their vertical
emphasis allowed light to flood
in, and sliding sashes provided
versatile ventilation. However,
they could be draughty, rattly, and
required regular maintenance.
Sash windows continued to
grow in popularity for Georgian,
Regency and Victorian properties
and some of Britain’s most belov-
ed listed properties feature these
sophisticated systems.
When it comes to listed buildings
and stately historic homes, of course
we wouldn’t advocate anything but
careful repair, or faithful replace-
ment of the timber originals.
However, many (non listed) her-
itage homes and public buildings
© Chatsworth House Trust
have had their traditional timber
windows replaced with PVCu over
the decades.
PVCu vertical sliders tackled
many of the common problems
associated with traditional sash
systems, such as decay due to rot,
sashes sticking due to overpaint-
ing or distortion, and broken sash
cords. Energy-efficient PVCu win-
dows can be around 40% cheaper
than timber versions, they will not
swell, rot or warp due to weather
– and they don’t need sanding or
painting.
However, the PVCu windows
that were fitted 30 or 40 years ago
didn’t quite live up to their tradi-
tional timber predecessors in the
high style stakes. These anachro-
nistic frames didn’t do justice to
the traditional properties in which
they were installed.
Thankfully, many of our in-
stallers are now replacing these
replacements, and suppliers like
VEKA UK are delighted to provide
PVCu systems that are incredibly
close in aesthetics to those historic
timber originals. Thanks to sym-
pathetic design and development,
state-of-the-art systems like our
‘next generation’ Imagine Vertical
Slider can help older properties to
regain their authentic style.
These modern systems tackle the
shortcomings of early PVCu ver-
sions, with slimmer sightlines, more
options for colour and woodgrain
effects, better security, increased
longevity and far more style.
As well as minimising the
amount of maintenance required
by the end user, the Imagine VS
also reduces the workload for fab-
ricators; the outer balance cham-
ber is co-extruded in black, which
means there’s no need to mask
and paint. This saves time, reduces
the likelihood of quality defects
and ensures the finish is extremely
durable and professional.
The Imagine VS can be specified
in a myriad of ways to suit any
property, including with or with-
out ‘horns’ which – on a tradition-
al sash – often signals the period
in which a property was built. The
VS can also be fabricated with or
without mechanical joints.
As consumers become increas-
ingly aware of the options availa-
ble to them, the industry becomes
ever more competitive, and being
able to provide a mechanically
jointed VS (echoing the style of
traditional timber joints) will stand
installers in very good stead when
it comes to securing high value
heritage contracts.
The versatile Imagine Vertical
Slider also has two choices of
cill, a new ‘invisible’ approach to
coupling windows and a stunning
sculptured finish on both sash and
outerframe. I’m confident that it
can be specified in such a myriad
of ways, that it is absolutely per-
fect for virtually any project.
Specifiers and property owners
can achieve a classic heritage look,
but with all the energy efficiency,
thermal performance and insula-
tion against noise pollution of an
ultra-modern product.
The best of both worlds.
www.vekauk.com