Keep sun rays, draughts and burglars where they belong with these door and window products, which also include high-speed industrial doors and one-way mirror film. Plus, all the latest industry happenings

Product innovation

Timber specialist Paragon Joinery has launched a product that could give the PVCu window industry sleepless nights. It combines the maintenance-free virtues of PVCu with the green credentials of timber. Called Virtuoso, it is a laminated timber section faced with a vinyl foil. Paragon says it is undergoing accelerated weather testing in Germany and has lasted for 75 years without water ingress.

Laminated timber has other advantages over PVCu and ordinary timber, in that it can take up to seven times as much stress as ordinary timber, and is up to 40% more dimensionally stable than plain wood. These qualities make it ideal for specialist applications: for instance, Paragon products were used for bombproof windows at the Scottish parliament (above). This was the first timber bombproof window: up until now such windows were made from metal. At Holyrood, European oak sections were laminated together to create a window that can resist a force of up to 13.9 kN. The company has taken this experience and developed a bulletproof window, made from layers of beech ply interlaced with resin and placed under extreme pressure.

But PVCu makers will be watching the more everyday Virtuoso. The threat is that Paragon will make window sections to supply to fabricators in the same way as PVCu suppliers do. Paragon says that fabricators can make windows on the same equipment as PVCu.

Paragon Joinery
www.paragonjoinery.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 301

Rust-proof locks

PVCu door and window maker Sash UK is to fit corrosion-resistant locks as standard on its doors. The company says that up to 90% of UK doors and windows suffer from corrosion, so is using stainless steel components in all its locks.

Sash UK
www.sashuk.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 302

Versatile limit-stay

Zeroplus has launched a telescopic limit-stay for doors and windows. Four sizes are available, ranging from 216 to 516 mm. The range covers everything from small windows to full-sized doors. The stays are available in simulated stainless steel, polished brass, white and silver grey. The stays are intended for outward-opening applications, but an inward-opening bracket is supplied as standard.

Zeroplus
www.zeroplus.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 303

Bluetooth-controlled sliding doors

Kaba Door Systems has launched a system called SLX for operating automatic sliding doors. Kaba says the motor, scanner and controls are contained within one small unit positioned at the top of the door. The product is aimed at design-led installations and is suitable for operating conventional and telescopic door wings of all sizes and weights. The SLX can be operated using Bluetooth from up to a distance of 10 m. This means that Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones, personal digital assistants or Kaba key fobs can all be used to control the system, as well as the company’s BEDiX portable control unit or its C-BEDiX wall-mounted unit. This provides access by means of a password.

Kaba Door Systems
www.kaba.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 304

Fire safety doors

Fireco has brought out a version of its Dorgard door hold device that is suitable for noisy environments. The system works by placing a transmitter with a 30 m range of a fire bell or sounder. When this goes off, the unit sends a signal to the receiver unit attached to the fire door that is being held open by the Dorgard device. This releases the door so that it closes automatically. The company said the transmitter could operate any number of doors.

Fireco
www.dorgard.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 305

Multipoint window locking

Nico Manufacturing has launched a multipoint locking system for windows, said to be suitable for replacement and new-build installations. It conforms to BS 7950, the security standard for Secured by Design accreditation. The lock is available in a choice of finishes including a versions resistant to salt, spray and corrosion.

Nico Manufacturing
www.nico.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 306

Privacy window film

CPFilms has introduced a privacy window film called Llumar RN07G that works as a one-way mirror. The film has low light transmission, which makes it is easier to see through it to the outside world under general lighting conditions. CPFilms says the product cuts unwanted solar energy by up to 80% and reduces glare by 90%.

CPFilms
www.llumar.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 307

Stainless steel runners

Glazing system specialist DR Services has introduced a range of stainless steel running gear. The Terra system enables glass doors to move on a hemispherical section rail set into the floor. Other systems work by suspending the doors from wall or ceiling-mounted rails, and Twin is for doors that extend to the ceiling.

DR Services
www.drservices.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 308

Quick-opening industrial doors

Industrial doors specialist Crawford Amber has launched a range of high-speed industrial doors suitable for external applications. The Crawford 855 range has an opening speed of up to 2.5 m/s. It features a facility that automatically resets the door after a collision and has a wireless optical leading edge to eliminate trailing cables. The company says the door is suitable for use in exposed, windy locations.

Crawford Amber
www.crawfordamber.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 309

Hidden door closer

GU/Ferco has launched a concealed door closer for timber, aluminium or composite doors. It is fitted into a rebate in the top of the door and can be used with square, sloping and round door heads. Closing force, speed and latching power are adjustable. Two versions, FTS20 and FTS24, fit doors 1100 mm to 1250 mm wide.

GU/Ferco
www.g-u.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 310

Movers and makers

  • The Energy Savings Trust has announced that the British Fenestration Rating Council window energy ratings scheme has been incorporated into its energy efficiency recommended scheme. In use for several years on white goods, the scheme is designed to allow consumers easily to identify energy-efficient products. The BFRC rating is based on the total energy efficiency rating of windows, including how much heat the window gains and loses, and awards it a mark of A to G. Windows with a C rating or above will now qualify for an energy efficiency recommended logo.

  • The Loss Prevention Certification Board has approved the first commercial window to meet the LPS 1175 standard specification for testing and classifying the burglary-resistance of components, strong points and security enclosures. The window that passed the standard is the Selectaglaze Series 50 secondary glazing unit, a side-hung casement unit. LPS 1175 rates windows on a scale of one to six. The Series 50 achieved levels one and two.

  • The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers has published guidance that clears up the clash between Part M of the Building Regulations, which covers disabled access, and Part B, which covers fire safety. The conflict was between the need to ensure doors are easy to open by all users, but have sufficiently powerful closers to shut securely afterwards. Another difficulty caused by Part M was the degree of visual contrast needed between door furniture and surrounding surfaces. The GAI has worked with the Construction Products Association and the ODPM to clarify these discrepancies. The guidance is available as a technical update at www.gai.org.uk.

  • The British Standard for door locks, BS 3621, has been revised, but locks conforming to the original standard can still be sold and used. The new standard, BS3621: 2004 replaces a 1988 version. Manufacturers must make locks to the new standard by the end of this year. The Door and Hardware Federation said it did not expect the insurance industry to demand that locks already fitted should be changed to locks conforming to the new standard. The DHF has published a best practice guide to help specifiers select appropriate locks, latches and locking plates following publication of the latest European Standard, BS EN 12209.

    Doors and Windows