Green and Secure

Aluminium's green credentials are impressive. Approximately 70% of building industry scrap in the UK is recycled. Recycled aluminium uses only 5% of the energy needed for primary production and 75% of current ingot production is from re-melt and recycled sources. Unlike some other metals aluminium keeps its original strength characteristics. Year on year aluminium producers are reducing energy costs and noxious emissions. After extraction, large companies such as Norsk Hydro, have a strict agenda to re-forest or restore the land appropriate to local needs.
Comprising nearly 10% of the earths crust, aluminium is one of the most commonly occurring natural elements. Architect Nicholas Grimshaw says: "By 2020 aluminium wont be mined anywhere in the world. It's a recylable material. There will be enough for constant remoulding and it would be a great waste not to use it."
The temperature used in a primary aluminium smelter is significantly lower than the melting point of steel, copper or glass. Over half of the world's aluminium is produced using hydroelectric power which does not involve emissions of carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide or nitrogen oxide. Aluminium doors, facades and windows wont crack, warp or discolour. This minimises maintenance and maximises security and although initially it may cost a little more, over the life cycle of the product it is a better choice by far.  In todays sophisticated market place security, energy efficiency, noise reduction and product sustainability are important buying considerations.The lowest price is not the cheapest option when total life cycle costing is applied.
Both window and screen technology has become more sophisticated with increased expectations from specifiers on performance and delivery programmes. The Centre for Window and Curtain Wall Technology at Bath University was founded in 1989 to improve the UK window and curtain wall industry. Since then progress has been made in the design and manufacture of systems and improved installation techniques. Thermal break technology and the use of double glazing to increase facade performance is widespread.
SAS, a major player in the domestic housing market, has taken its Reale residential door through several development stages to make one of the most elegant yet secure on the market. Reale doors look slim but deeply recessed frames discreetly incorporated into the natural appearance of the door keep them safely anchored. Specially designed to withstand forced entry, security hinges and Yale 3 point deadlocks come as standard fittings.
Four different tests needed to be carried out to satisfy the requirements of BS7950:1997 specification for enhanced security performance.
The Reale sample was a side hung thermally broken casement window, after 3 minutes on each attack no entry was gained and it passed BS7950.
Next the Reale residential door went through the indicative test PAS 24-1 1999'ENHANCED SECURITY PERFORMANCE FOR DOOR ASSEMBLIES'.
From the outset SAS wanted its products to be the best on the market. Senior knew it could use its many years of experience gained from designing commercial systems to develop quality domestic systems.
Seeing is believing. Aluminiums appearance after 25 years bears close scrutiny. It holds the finish better and requires very little maintenance. Aluminium can accept a variety of coatings in virtually any colour so this allows far greater choice to the building owner.

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