Clearview North August 2014 - Issue 153 | Page 34

DOORS&WINDOWS The Triple Glazing Debate As triple glazing continues to grow in popularity, Neil Ginger, CEO at Origin, discusses the implications to the glazing industry. Over the last five years, Origin has seen a steady rise in the demand for triple glazing as building regulations become more stringent and homeowners become increasingly conscious of the thermal efficiency of their homes. But while the thermal and acoustic benefits are widely reported, triple glazed units are not without issues. The first issue, faced by manufacturers, is production. Origin has been offering the choice of triple glazing in its bespoke aluminium bi-fold doors for the last three years, so understands the main issues faced by manufacturers of doors and windows. Whether a window unit or a bi-folding door, the product must be designed to accommodate triple glazing. This can be done by changing the gasket or the bead size. The manufacturer will also have to review the tolerances of each component to make sure they are capable of bearing the extra weight, which will involve product testing. This may also lead to product development and alterations for stronger components. 34 AUG 2014 As a British manufacturer that has complete control over the design, manufacture and fabrication of all its bi-folding doors and windows, we are able to meet the requirements of customers on a bespoke product with a zero lead time service. However, for system companies that outsource fabrication, this will not be as simple. A larger amount of space and stock, such as different beads and gaskets, will be required to produce the triple glazed units, while operations and processes will have to be seamless if errors are to be avoided as the order moves along each process. For installers, consideration must be given to the weight implications of triple glazed units as the extra glass will mean the sets will be significantly heavier. This will mean fewer units can be delivered at any one time due to the maximum weight loads for vans or lorries. This can also affect the number of journeys an installer must make to site with the units. A glass lifter may also be required if large expanses of glass have been specified, which may again increase the cost of installation. Bi-folding doors create a view of the garden and let in the maximum amount of natural daylight. However, due to the additional weight of triple glazing, the maximum panel size available for a bi-folding door is smaller than a double glazed alternative. This is because larger triple glazed doors would be too heavy to operate and would not be fit for the end user. By reducing the maximum panel size, an additional door is also required, which increases the amount of aluminium door frame interrupting the view. In some cases, the efficiency of high performance double glazed doors is almost as good as, if not better than, that of a triple glazed unit. Origin’s double glazed bifolding doors can achieve 1.67 W/ (m2K) using 24mm units which is superior to some manufacturers’ triple glazed products. In essence installers need to ensure consumers understand that the U Value can vary greatly across folding sliding doors and that simply asking for triple glazing isn’t always going to be the answer, the manufacturer matters too. For instance Origin’s aluminium triple-glazed bi-folding doors have a certified U Value of 1.3W/(m2K), surpassing the British Building Regulations by an industry leading 27 per cent. Triple glazed bi-folding doors and windows can cost up to double the amount of a double glazed alternative. As it will be the homeowners who benefit from the energy savings made from triple glazing, it will have to be assessed whether the value added to the property will outweigh the high initial cost of triple glazed units. Despite the issues currently in debate regarding triple glazing, each project is different and it is clear that triple glazed units can be beneficial to the thermal efficiency of homes. The versatility and strength of aluminium bi-folds means complex layouts, such as moving corner posts and bay set ups, can incorporate triple glazing without being too heavy. By weighing up the pros and cons of triple glazing, it is clear that more consideration must be given to the issues if people are to be offered triple glazing as a viable alternative to double glazing. To read more, visit www.clearview-uk.com