Members of the Steel Window Association (SWA) have invested further in the development of the W40 system in order to keep pace with the expected revisions to Part L of the Building Regulations.
It is anticipated that the requirement for the energy performance of windows will be further reduced, meaning that to demonstrate compliance for certain applications manufacturers of steel windows are now ready to fit triple glazed units within the rugged, but elegant steel frames.
The IG unit for a Building Regulations compliant W40 steel window would feature a 4-8-4-8-4 make up with two soft-coat Low-E panes, plus warm edge spacer bars and argon gas filling.
Alan Hart, Works Manager for London based SWA member, West Leigh, explains: “The W40 profiles which members have been utilising for a number of years are able to accommodate triple glazed units as a possible solution to meeting Part L with a U-value of 1.5W/m2K.
“Contracts which have already gained approval under the previous edition of the Building Regulations will not be affected, but the SWA is again demonstrating that steel windows will remain fit for new-build applications as well as the like-for-like refurbishment market.”
The Steel Window Association has a continuing programme of product development which has seen the energy performance, weather-tightness and security of its W40 and other systems steadily improved over the years. The SWA also engages with bodies such as the BFRC to ensure the various options meet specifier’s requirements for a wide variety of applications.
