Aluminium advancements

This year has seen terrific interest in aluminium for fenestration. Fabricators see it as a new market area where specification is a strong consideration, not just price. Due to its strength and light weight, aluminium is able to cover a vast area of the glazing market. Applications range from high end domestic to local authority, to curtain walling, roof glazing, entrance systems and other commercial projects. Aluminium has embraced offsite construction methods, and seems to be winning the sustainability argument. In short, aluminium has a lot going for it.

Metal Technology has all of this covered and more. Founded in 1985 by Brian McKnight, this County Antrim based supplier specialises in aluminium products, and has the advantages that go with being a privately owned systems house that is focused on the UK and Irish markets. Besides the general design features of thermal performance and aesthetics, a key point for customers is the range of products that are relevant to the home market, such as vertical sliding windows and dual colour systems. Crucial from a supply point of view is the level of stockholding at the Antrim headquarters – typically to a value of £2 million.

Early promise

The company’s first range was a basic suite of aluminium windows and ground floor treatment, which it launched from its first site in a converted copper store within the famous Harland & Wolff ship yard. This early promise was backed by an commitment to technical excellence and training, demonstrated by membership of the Council for Aluminium in Building (1994) and the Centre for Window & Cladding Technology (1997). Today, the company has two RIBA approved CPD seminars available for architects, as well as regular courses for trade customers and specifiers. Metal Technology is a CWCT approved training centre and has qualified over 180 fabricators and installers on its window installation course over the last 15 months. This course is an essential part of an installer’s now-compulsory Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), which promotes best practice.

Thermal performance

In 2002, Building Regulations Document L presented a watershed for construction. Metal Technology had actually developed compliant systems a year earlier, which were introduced with U-value estimation software from Business Micros.

‘We’ve sourced products that are fit for long term use’, says Calvin Wilson, Sales & Marketing Director. ‘The range of systems we developed in 2001 is 40 per cent of what we do now, and business has grown by 75% since.’

Curtain walling

The range of products extends to curtain walling: System 17 high rise and System 8 low rise systems have been tested, and meet, the requirements of BS6375 and BS4873 and CWCT dynamic tests. Latitude offers a wide range of profiles for ultra-contemporary curtain walling, while for flush glass aesthetics, the Structural Silicone Bonded system (SSB) is a competitive alternative to structural glazing assemblies.

Metal Technology is extending its customer base, helped by the fact that transit times to the UK mainland are generally two days from despatch. Similarly, a fast response is promised for bespoke products for particular customers and projects. ‘We’ll design things specifically for fabricators that are trying to set themselves apart’, adds Calvin Wilson, Sales & Marketing Director. Typically, these might be cappings, security features or internal panelling.

In its 20th anniversary year, Metal Technology can celebrate its market coverage with a variety of recent projects. These include: Jury’s hotel in Leeds; Next Generation sports centre, Hatfield; Asda at Poole Harbour; and the new media centre and weighing room at Aintree racecourse. Completed installations are in excess of £500m, and rising.