Ask the Expert – Reynaers

November 1, 2023

As a leading supplier of high-quality aluminium window, door and facade systems, Reynaers is committed to sustainability within the glazing industry, explains Terry Ledwith, Head of Sales

With further changes for the industry predicted in the Future Homes Standard in 2025, Reynaers UK wants to make residential architects, installers, contractors and homeowners aware that future proof solutions are already in place, what the changes might mean in practice – and why this is important.

Tell us more about Reynaers Aluminium UK…

Reynaers Aluminium is a global aluminium systems house manufacturing high-quality windows, doors, and facades.

With a cutting-edge research and development centre in Duffel, Belgium, it supplies a number of key markets across the world – including the UK where Reynaers’ systems have been used on some of the highest profile projects.

Reynaers Aluminium UK has its headquarters in Birmingham and provides dedicated aluminium solutions to the UK market. Known for its stylish, slimline systems that deliver high performance in security, acoustic insulation and thermal efficiency, Reynaers is committed to supporting sustainable building design.

From your extensive range of products, which stand out most for new build properties?

With the lower U-value requirements introduced last year through changes to Part L of the Building Regulations, doors and windows in new buildings need to be highly thermal efficient but homeowners also want a slimline look along with high performance.

We’ve seen a massive rise in the popularity of slimline sliding doors, while the demand is still there for bi-folding doors we have seen demand really ramp up for our sliding doors, where Reynaers is recognised as a leader in the field.

Our flagship sustainable sliding door MasterPatio is absolutely a standout product for the new homes market along with our next generation slimline windows – SlimLine 38 (SL 38), MasterLine 8 (ML 8) and MasterLine 10 (ML 10).

What makes MasterPatio a leading sliding door?

MasterPatio is a genuinely fantastic sliding door system that is ready for the current thermal efficiency regulations – and for the future regulations we expect to see in the Future Homes Standard in 2025.

It offers leading performance in air, wind and water testing. Interestingly the water performance achieves an impressive 1200Pa, which is a pressure measure equivalent to a 98.9 miles per hour wind! MasterPatio has really lifted the bar for performance and set it extremely high, achieving test results three times higher than some other sliding door systems currently available.

Its sustainability credentials are excellent, it is supremely thermal efficient achieving U-values as low as 0.8W/m²K and is Cradle to Cradle certified, using recycled materials and minimising waste in production.

MasterPatio is also PAS 24 compliant, which is not easy to obtain for slimline sliding doors. The new generation of Reynaers sliding doors are tested to PAS 24, which is an incredibly robust security test, and remains the most rigorous testing in Europe.

This is a remarkable product – when you do a spot analysis it wins on every point.

What makes Reynaers windows a great fit for new build properties?

Minimal frames and slimline styling have led the trend for housing – and this looks set to continue into the foreseeable future.

Homeowners want slimline frames that perform well – bringing together the best in form and function. Our windows deliver that – and by being available as part of a suite that includes doors, equal sightlines can be achieved across the home.

Reynaers SlimLine 68 (SL 68) is a very popular choice in new builds where, again, the driving force behind this is high performance matched with slimline looks. Meeting the current building regulations SL 68 continues to be a frame of choice.

Looking to the future and the anticipated introduction of lower u-values, our SlimLine 38 window, along with MasterLine 8 and MasterLine 10 will be excellent ‘future proof’ choices.

The SlimLine 38 system can achieve a whole window U-Value of 0.9W/m²K, while MasterLine 8 can achieve 0.8W/m²K and MasterLine 10 is a certified Passive House System achieving a U-value as low as 0.8W/m²K.

Designed to accommodate any demand for increased thermal efficiency, these systems reach incredibly low U-values while maintaining the slimline aesthetics along with high performance in air, wind and water testing.

What is Reynaers Heritage Range?

Reynaers Heritage Range has been specifically developed to help homes achieve a traditional aesthetic, which is ideal for refurbishments but also new homes looking for a character finish.

The demand for the slimline steel look is not going away, homeowners love the aesthetic as well as the fact that this style of frame lets in lots of natural light. Reynaers’ Heritage Range allows homes to achieve that classic look while enjoying the high performance that aluminium frames deliver.

Aluminium frames are known for the slim sightlines they can achieve but with the Heritage products, additional detail allows the frames to have heritage styling.

Heritage versions of some of Reynaers’ main products are available within the range including SL 38 and SL68 – again these are offered as a suite of products to achieve a complementary finish across the property.

Reynaers products combine comfort, design and security. How is this achieved?

Testing and research are the key to the quality that Reynaers’ products deliver. We are a global company and have the benefit of cutting-edge facilities along with almost 60 years of experience.

With 200 engineers across the world, Reynaers puts in the research and development to make sure its products offer excellent performance. All products are put through robust testing for water, wind and air along with security and thermal efficiency. We never rush products to market, they have to be proven in testing.

The challenge is not only to make good looking windows and doors – it is to make good looking windows and doors that meet the highest standards. As we also work extensively on big commercial projects that need to meet very specific demands in terms of performance backed up by rigorous testing, many of the products that we create have been through testing for extreme circumstances.

We enjoy a strong and established reputation when it comes to product testing.

What is Reynaers doing to keep up with the growing demand for sustainability?

Sustainability and helping to create a better future are of the utmost importance to Reynaers, and we have taken a leading stance on this, both from an operational standpoint and in raising awareness of change and how that will impact the industry.

We already have a number of products that are seen to be fit for the future, as mentioned, with MasterPatio, SlimLine 38, MasterLine 8 and MasterLine 10. These products are all Cradle to Cradle certified as many of our other products are – and we have a number of new products in development.

In the near future, we are looking to introduce a new sliding door specifically for the new build market as well as a high-end folding door that will support the need for increased thermal efficiency.

We are constantly updating our products to enhance performance where possible, researching and testing solutions that improve ventilation and insulation, and continue to feed into the Government consultation, working closely with trade bodies, such as the Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB) and Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), to keep a track of legislative changes coming down the line.

What is Reynaers Act?

Reynaers Act is the company’s sustainability strategy, which sets out our commitment to creating circular products, operating sustainably and cutting the carbon footprint of the company and its wider supply chain.

By setting out the facts clearly, architects, builders and homeowners have access to as much information on the sustainability of products as possible, including U-values, Passive House certification, Cradle to Cradle certifications and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).

It also sets out what Reynaers is doing to make its own operations more sustainable. We have set a target to cut the company’s direct carbon emissions by 46%, and indirect carbon emissions by 55% by 2030, as well as to source low carbon aluminium. This includes using energy saving measures, electric vehicles, alternative energy and using thermally efficient solutions in our buildings.

The company has signed up to the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to set clear, sustainability targets within Reynaers Act and to make sure these are actioned across the organisation.

How can Reynaers help housebuilders to create energy-efficient homes?

Glazed systems play an important part in creating more thermally efficient buildings, which cuts energy use to save on fuel costs and, in turn, helps to lower carbon emissions. Lower U-values in the windows and doors makes it easier to achieve better thermal efficiency across the building as a whole.

To help maintain the slim sightlines that homeowners want to see, newer systems for windows and doors have been created in a way that allows part of the frame to be hidden in the substrate of the building. This allows the glazed area to be maximised and supports the demand for minimal frames.

Due to the nature of the installation, this solution is targeted directly to the new build market, also encompassing larger extensions.

What makes Reynaers a top choice for smart buildings?

Products within the Reynaers portfolio include the option to add smart home technology, and through the technical support that we benefit from in Europe and here in the UK, we have been able to add in specialist components that make upgrading windows and doors through the use of smart home technology as simple as possible.

Our systems have been tested with the leading plug and play software to support access control on panel doors, sliding doors and lift and slide solutions. This enables remote locking and allows homeowners to double check their security remotely – and can be added seamlessly.

What can you tell us about your virtual showroom?

While Reynaers has a comprehensive showroom at its Birmingham headquarters, featuring many of its windows, sliding and bi-fold doors, and curtain walling systems, the virtual showroom makes viewing the finished product easier for architects, and homeowners across the country.

We want to make it as easy as possible to access information about our products – and having a strong digital presence is part of that. In addition, it helps to cut down fuel usage from visiting showrooms as well as being convenient and time saving.

Anyone interested in Reynaers doors and windows can navigate around the interactive showroom, seeing the different solutions, then click on ‘hotspots’ for more information.

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