Gulf Construction Online - Reynaers makes an airtight case

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A detailed view of the CS 104 and an inward opening position (below).

Reynaers makes an airtight case

01 April 2011

REYNAERS Aluminium, a leading European provider of high-quality and innovative aluminium systems, is poised to launch on the Gulf market its latest offering that will facilitate the region’s drive towards energy-efficient buildings.

With the launch of the new CS 104 window and door system, Reynaers claims to achieve unparalleled insulation values for aluminium profiles in the building industry, introducing a solution for passive buildings.

“This will promote the use of aluminium systems to meet the growing demand for low energy and passive buildings globally; all European countries will enforce zero energy housing regulations for all new buildings by 2020,” says Ali Khalaf, managing director of Reynaers Middle East, the regional office for the aluminium systems provider.

The CS 104 is a new solution within the existing CS product ranges adding the benefits of enhanced insulation values down to 0.88 W per sq m K (Uf), thereby providing windows and doors fit for passive buildings.

The improved insulation levels are achieved by employing an insulation technology (patent-pending), which contains a special foam, firmly fixed in the chambers of the insulation strip, making the normal handling, processing and composing of the window and door profiles possible, he explains.

“A special set of gaskets assures not only the insulation, but also the wind- and water-tightness of the system. After insulation, air-tightness is the most important factor determining the energy-efficiency of a window or door,” Khalaf adds.

The increased built-in depth – the vent is 104 mm deep – contributes to the profiles’ strength and stability, giving architects and builders the design benefits of large, expansive glass surfaces combined with strong frames to allow them the freedom to work with innovative, energy-efficient and sustainable design alternatives.

He continues: “The very high stability of the CS 104 allows it to support triple glazing for 1,400 mm by 2,400 mm window surfaces. This feature allows architects to design even larger glass surfaces, also with the highest insulated glazing available. In addition to the high insulation values, the CS 104 performs exceptionally well in terms of water-tightness. With values of up to 900 Pa for windows and 300 Pa for doors, the system is suited for extreme conditions such as coastal areas, and can be applied at extreme heights.

“While its ultimate insulation performance allows architects to use the system in low energy and passive houses, thereby reducing the use and cost of energy, the economic benefits of the system extend further into the domain of building management. Compared to other passive window alternatives, aluminium profiles offer long-lasting functionality. They are not damaged by ultraviolet (UV) rays or moisture and do not rust, rot or bend. Moreover, due to their smooth finish, they do not attract dust and sand, making them truly maintenance-friendly.”

Aluminium’s most important characteristic as a sustainable construction material is its recyclability. More than 90 per cent of the aluminium from construction and demolition waste is already being recycled, and 40 per cent of the world’s aluminium is now derived from aluminium scrap or ‘secondary aluminium’.

Erik Rasker, chief technology officer, Reynaers Aluminium says: “Durable construction is about recyclability and energy-efficient manufacturing. In addition to that, the manufactured products have to contribute to energy-efficient buildings. Sustainable architecture is one of the most important themes in all of the developments that Reynaers has implemented in recent years, with the CS 104 representing a major new step in energy-efficiency.”

CS 104 has also been selected by a Belgium team participating in the Solar Decathlon – a biennial event hosted by the US Department of Energy that challenges 20 collegiate teams from all over the world to design, build and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient and attractive. A combination of affordability, consumer appeal and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency will be the basis for selecting the winner.
A Belgian team of architecture students from the University of Ghent was selected this year to participate, with Reynaers Aluminium as partner and sponsor, supporting their project with its expertise and providing them with its latest technology.

Reynaers’ CS 104 has been selected to be used in the team’s ‘E-Cube’, an affordable, do-it-yourself building kit for a solar-powered residence that is pre-engineered, factory-built and easily assembled without special skills. E-Cube is designed to show that living small can be comfortable and practical. It contains all of the technical components and modern amenities used in everyday life.

Reynaers, headquartered in Duffel (Belgium), offers a wide variety of window and door systems, curtain-walling, sliding systems, sun screening, conservatories, skylights, screens and systems to incorporate blinds and ventilation grids. Its Middle East headquarters was established in Bahrain at the end of 2004 to provide hi-tech aluminium architectural solutions for the growing construction needs in the region.