NOVEMBER 2019 | 33
Products
Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk
UPVC MECHANICAL JOINTS –
THE BEST OF FORM AND FUNCTION
Mechanical joints hold a certain aes-
thetic appeal for an increasingly savvy
customer base that expects the best when
choosing windows. Though traditionally asso-
ciated with traditional wooden window join-
ery techniques, technological developments
have allowed installers to offer this attractive
jointing option in uPVC. Clare Higgins, Prod-
uct Manager at REHAU, explores how this
gives customers the best of both worlds – the
attractive look of the joints, alongside the
efficiency and total cost of ownership benefits
associated with the newer material.
More so than ever, customers are demand-
ing the best possible windows at the most
reasonable price. With windows enhancing
a building’s kerb appeal, it is understanda-
ble that property owners are taking such a
detailed approach to specifying a solution,
right down to how the sash is jointed and
what material is used.
Of the many options available, timber-look
frames tend to stand out as a customer’s
preferred choice. This is because timber
window systems provide a distinct, attrac-
tive look and are associated with traditional
window joinery techniques, giving them a
certain aesthetic appeal. It stands to reason,
then, that installers who can offer high-qual-
ity uPVC windows with the appearance of a
timber-look frame would be set to profit.
Prioritising visuals
The inferiority of plastic frames to those
made of traditional materials such as wood
is a long-held yet mistaken belief in the
windows market. Indeed, with the evolution
of durable, high-quality uPVC materials,
installers can be more confident than ever
when recommending plastic-based solutions
to their customers.
However, when uPVC became more pop-
ular in the market, fabricators began to con-
sider traditional jointing methods too costly
and time-consuming. Welding joints for the
mullions, transoms and flush sashes were
increasingly favoured for uPVC products, as
they were easier to manufacture and were
less expensive to produce.
This choice, though understandable and
cost-effective in the short-term, could stand
at odds with the increasing value property
owners place on authenticity when specify-
ing windows. Because welding joints are less
visually appealing, products jointed in this
way could therefore be overlooked in favour
of authentic-looking timber alternatives. As a
result, installers that prioritise costs over look
Central Mullion
Area Outside
may find themselves missing out on business
– especially in a market where every product
detail is heavily scrutinised.
Beyond appearance
Beyond the window’s appearance, con-
sumers also expect a solution that requires
little to no maintenance and guarantees
long-term performance. The jointing method
is vital to this – for example, tightly sealed
joints will reduce a property’s heating costs
and provide excellent protection against the
elements, including the wind and rain.
So, while mechanical joints provide a
realistic and authentic look that result in
great kerb-side appeal, they also help create
a strong, durable window. Products such as
REHAU’s Rio Flush Fit window give install-
ers a high-performing solution that’s easy to
fit using either a MechWeld joint solution or
mechanical joint blocks.
Mechanical Joint
Inside copy
Many well-established window com-
panies provide products that work with
both mechanical and welded joints. As a
result, installers can offer a wider array of
window joints that meet the needs of the
customer for their specific property. Via this
range of jointing solutions, modern uPVC
window systems such as the Rio Flush Fit
can replicate the finer details of a tradi-
tional timber flush fit window in line with
customer expectations. The MechWeld joint,
for example, gives the look of a mechani-
cal-style timber joint on the outside with a
fully welded detail inside.
Finer details
In conclusion, advancing and innova-
tive uPVC technology has allowed for the
creation of windows that perfectly replicate
their timber frame counterparts. However,
this is only possible through the considera-
Mechanical
Joint outside
tion of finer details, including the choice of
jointing method.
To fully realise the benefits of uPVC,
installers must then consider fitting prod-
ucts that make use of mechanical joints
alongside welded joints. By doing so,
installers can provide customers cost-effec-
tive solutions with a high-quality, authentic
look that compliments a wide array of
properties and building projects. Due to
the continued evolution of the technology
and the growing provision of these reason-
able, resilient and long-lasting products,
the market is increasingly shifting toward
uPVC flush fit windows as the solution that
offers the best of both worlds – form and
function.
For more information about the Rio
Flush Fit window by REHAU and jointing
options available, visit www.rehau.uk/rio