Windows and doors

Noise pollution can have a significant impact on resident quality of life, so should housing associations and commercial contractors be doing more? HA Magazine reports...

Noise pollution was recently listed as second only to air pollution by the UK’s Chief Medical Officer for its negative impact on public health. Studies show that exposure to unwanted noise can contribute to sleep disturbance, hypertension and even diabetes and heart disease.

So, given this, should housing associations and their supply partners be re-thinking their approach to move beyond requirements in Approved Document E to deliver a step-change in acoustic performance - particularly in future developments?

Despite reports of shortages of some raw materials in the window and door industry, Rapierstar’s deep UK stocks of specialist fasteners and 30 years of sourcing and supply chain experience has enabled it to guarantee supplies of fasteners to its fabricator customers and support the industry as it recovers from lockdown.
The company continues to hold £4m of window screw and fixings stock and more than one billion items at its 100,000 sq. ft. warehouse and distribution centre in Cheshire, from where it serves window and door manufacturers across Great Britain and Ireland, as well as growing exports across mainland Europe. By holding many months of stock, the warehouse absorbs the short term impacts of disrupted global trade of the kind caused by the pandemic.

Titon has introduced an online video library to offer support and help to customers, particularly now that so many are working from home.  The new online videos cover both the Ventilation Systems and Window & Door Hardware divisions. Available on both the company’s website and YouTube channel, the new library features educational film clips and provides customers with a central hub of essential information.

With more than 85 years’ experience, Sidey is in the top 10 of the UK’s biggest fenestration companies. With all round expertise in commercial, new build, trade and domestic windows, doors, glazing and offsite construction, Sidey works with Local Authorities & Housing Associations across the UK to provide best value solutions.

With more than 85 years’ experience, Sidey is in the top 10 of the UK’s biggest fenestration companies. With all round expertise in commercial, new build, trade and domestic windows, doors, glazing and offsite construction, Sidey works with Housing Associations around the UK to deliver affordable homes to rent and buy.

Windows and doors are the entry ways to your home, so when it’s time to replace them, it’s important to choose durable and resistant materials that will stand the test of time. The argument of which material is better to use for windows and doors between PVCu and aluminium has been in debate ever since aluminium became a popular window manufacturing material.

Recent figures[1] suggest that the number of PVCu window and doors fabricators are declining, or have begun to offer aluminium systems, with a massive 40% increase in firms who offer both PVCu and aluminium products. In 2015, almost 60% of bifold doors in the UK were made of aluminium, compared to only 27% made from PVCu, showing the rise and popularity of aluminium in UK households. However, both materials have been trusted for use in construction for decades due to their durability and resistance.