5 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT PVCU

Sarah Hitchings from door and window specialist e Residence Collection discusses why this material is a great option for homes

PVCU has come a long way; gone are the days of plastic-looking, white, wornout windows and doors. Modern PVCU units offer a range of benefits, from sleek aesthetics through to boasting excellent thermal performance, helping you to save money on energy bills. Here are some of the main advantages this material can offer your home’s fenestration:

1 Virtually maintenance free Keeping your windows looking fresh and tidy all year round can be a laborious process, but it doesn’t need to be. PVCU units require very little upkeep; when it comes to cleaning, a simple wipe does the trick. Look for products that come with additional, intelligent features – for instance, our PVCU window frames come with a simple hinge and no sharp corners or deep grooves that can attract dirt.

2 Superb performance You don’t need to make compromises when it comes to specifying this material. Modern PVCU windows should have an energy rating (WER) of at least A, so they’ll offer superior thermal performance – as well as good security and acoustic properties. Having double or triple glazed units will enhance performance and help to meet the low U-values needed for excellent energy efficiency. If you’re going for Passivhaus, look for a product with an A+ rating and a U-value (a measurement of heat loss, where lower numbers mean better performance) of 0.8 W/M2K.

3 A modern timber alternative The latest enhancements in tech mean you can have a classic timber aesthetic whilst also benefitting from a modern window system. You can use PVCU units for listed buildings and in conservation areas. For instance, our Residence 9 collection offers an eclectic blend of traditional aesthetics, following conservation guidelines and replicating historical timber manufacturing techniques.

4 Greener than you think With consumers becoming ever more conscious of their daily impact on the environment, you can be assured that PVCU windows and doors are greener than you realise. Achieving a good thermal performance will help to lower energy bills and also potentially reduce your use of fossil fuels. When you come to replace your windows in the future, they can be fully recycled, too. You could even go as far as using products that have been created using recycled materials and that don’t need toxic paints, primers, preservatives or fungacides for maintenance, either.

5 Various styles & colours The advantages of PVCU fenestration are not just about practicality and functionality, as they also come in a range of aesthetics. A huge variety of styles, shapes, sizes, glass options and colours are available – even timber woodgrain or aluminium effects. Windows and doors can be made to your exact specifications, too, from modern new builds right through to country cottages.

Sarah Hitchings is the sales and marketing director at The Residence Collection and has been working in the fenestration sector for over 12 years. The firm brings together a suite of versatile premium window and door systems, designed and made in the UK.

For more information about The Residence Collection call 01452 341805 or visit www. residencecollection.co.uk.

Above: White PVCU windows offer a clean and neutral look for your interiors, as these Residence Collection R7 double glazed windows in chalk white demonstrate

Far left: This material can be used on traditional homes, too, thanks to modern conservation options. Shown here are the R9 windows in Painswick timber effect foil. Left: PVCU with a timber appearance offer the characteristic of wood with the low maintenance performance of plastic. These R2 units are finished in silvered oak timber effect foil