This is a guest post circulated by Purplex for Dekko Window Systems
Dear Editor,
If you’re a window industry veteran like me, chances are you’ll remember the ‘pinking profile’ issue that arose during the late 80s and early 90s. As systems companies fought for better margins they ‘value engineered’ their formula, taking out essential components that resisted UV attack. The net result was profile discolouration and it severely damaged the reputation of the uPVC window and door industry, costing installers millions in the process.
Next came the ‘pitted’ letter-plates and handles fiasco when ‘shiny’ new PVD plated hardware arrived in the UK on mass from China. Six months after these products were installed, the plating started to pit and homeowners demanded their money back – costing installers millions once again.
Neither product had been properly tested before being sold into the market in large volumes and unfortunately, history is now repeating itself thanks to the growing number of fabricators preaching the ‘benefits’ of buying non-glass-bonded, unglazed Residence 9 windows. Yet the fact is Residence 9 has been designed, fully tested and is trusted as a glass-bonded system, integral to its performance and longevity.
Residence Collection windows achieve industry-leading U-Values through smart design. The frames and sashes are deeper than conventional systems, there are more thermal chamber pockets and the chamber webs and external profile walls are much thicker. But most crucially, Residence 9 profiles are bonded to the glass unit, strengthening the mechanically jointed frame and eliminating the need for traditional steel reinforcements. Glass-bonding also prevents movement and bowing in a system designed without large steel reinforcements.
Steel reinforcements have been used since the advent of uPVC windows to give the window strength, in particular, the lateral ‘I Value’ in the sash. When it’s windy, steel reinforced frames stay rigid and when it’s hot, the steel keeps the uPVC in shape and resists any bowing, ensuring the window will close and seal properly.
The downside of steel reinforcement is that it reduces the thermal performance of the window, so eliminating it through glass-bonding is really smart – the window is just as strong but offers significantly improved performance.
So, when I hear that fabricators are promoting Residence 9 windows unglazed and without glass-bonding my knees begin to tremble. Are we going to see product warranty issues with the best premium window in the industry, due to out of specification manufacturing processes? I have personally seen the consequences of non-glass-bonded welded Residence 9 sashes in a dark foiled finish and it’s not a good outcome! The net result is call backs, replacements, unnecessary costs and customer disappointment – a terrible outcome considering all installers rely on recommendations.
It’s true to claim that unglazed ‘timber welded’ and welded Residence 9 will be cheaper to buy, a bit easier to handle and if a glass unit does fail, then the IGU will be a bit easier to change. But in reality, a window that isn’t factory glazed and glass-bonded can cause major problems once it’s installed into a home, when it’s fundamental design is based on this trusted glazing process – just like ‘pink’ profiles and ‘pitted’ letter plates from back in the day.
If you choose to buy unglazed Residence 9 you have to glass-bond on site, but how practical is that? Glass-bonding should be carried out in a dry factory environment and allowed to cure and set for a specified period – you simply cannot guarantee these conditions when out on site.
We have highlighted the issue with the team at the Residence Collection, and they agree that unglazed, unbonded Residence 9 is simply not manufactured to current specification. To be fair to them, they are currently researching and testing all of the new welding technologies in conjunction with glass bonding, as part of a diligent process as a premium systems company. We also know that they are in communication with the machinery companies and to their knowledge, no product testing has been carried out on unglazed Residence 9 windows, therefore, any product warranties will fall purely to the fabricator or installer. Would any installer want to install a product without the backing of the systems house?
Sarah Hitchings, sales and marketing director at The Residence Collection adds: “We recommend fabricators follow the Residence technical manual and glass bond all units whether welded or mechanically jointed. Glass bonding is an integral part of the design. We are in the process of further evaluating the impact of some of the latest welding methods as well as weather and security performance.”
We understand just how tough it is for installers at the moment, facing fierce competition at both local and national level, as well as external forces already making it harder for consumers to commit. The promise of one of the industry’s hottest products at a cheaper price is of course incredibly attractive. However, it’s a false economy – an inferior R9 window creates more problems than it solves and you can’t be sure your supplier will support you when things do go wrong.
Dekko have achieved PAS24 accreditation across the entire Residence Collection range -including R7, R9 and the aluminium lookalike R² – meaning if you’re installing on new-build, self-build or renovation site you can be assured of a safe and secure product.
Whilst some fabricators are cutting corners to drive down prices, we have always been committed to doing things right. We employ a dedicated Residence Collection team and have a separate manufacturing facility to ensure absolute quality. We simply won’t cut corners and provide our customers with products we know to be below-par. It’s a crying shame that more fabricators don’t share our ethos.
In short, you need a fabricator you can trust to deliver Residence 9 to the highest standard. At Dekko we have an incredible history with R9, starting out as one of the launch partners in 2013 and growing to become the UK’s largest Residence Collection fabricator manufacturing 700 quality frames each month. We will continue to make our R9 windows ‘The way they’re meant to be.’
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The systems company is responsible for ensuring that adequate training is delivered to the fabricator to ensure that they are then capable of making the system to the required specification consistently and understand any additional requirements to meet enhanced specifications such as PAS24. However, unfortunately it is more difficult to police this on an ongoing basis. It’s inevitable that once a niche, high margin product becomes more mainstream the market becomes more competitive and people try to lower their cost base by cutting corners to give them a commercial advantage. With a product such as R9 where there is a… Read more »
Phil had you considered the way the window may be fabricated unglazed , if it’s fully welded for instance it would not be an issue. More to consider in the eyes of the industry if you buy components of a product to produce a complete item you become the manufacturer , duty of care in these matters is yours for instance CE marking and Energy Rating . Further consideration would be the product is slow to produce , restricting the fabricators capacity to expand and meet the clients expectations on lead time , changing to unglazed is not an effort… Read more »