Material innovation and creative architectural façades designs play a significant role in achieving greater building performance as well as green buildings and were highlighted at a recent conference held in Dubai, UAE.

Some of these latest sustainable solutions for windows and façade were highlighted by Reynaers Aluminium, a leading European aluminium systems provider, at the Windows and Façade Technical Conference held last month (March 3).

The event was co-hosted by tremco illbruck, a provider of high-performance sealing, bonding, flooring, waterproofing, and passive fire protection for the construction and manufacturing sectors; Guardian Industries, a US-headquartered industrial manufacturer of glass, automotive and building products; and Alpolic, a US-headquartered leader in aluminium composite materials (ACM).

Current fire safety codes and building regulation requirements were also highlighted by the speakers at the event, including government officials and consultants.

At the conference, Reynaers focused on its latest innovative, sustainable and fire-rated technologies and products.

Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Ali Khalaf, managing director of the Bahrain-based Reynaers Middle East, told Gulf Construction: “I believe such events add more value to the building industry. Our focus is on fire-rated products and new products like MasterLine 8, a highly sustainable product which has just been launched.”

Reynaers Middle East, the regional office of the Belgium-based Reynaers Aluminium, started operations in 2004 and is growing year-on-year, expanding and hiring more people.

“We started with two to three people and today employ 60 staff. Each year, we add more products and are increasing our footprint in the region,”
he added.

Sara De Herdt, product manager Safety and Security Systems for Reynaers, said: “Keeping track of the latest trends especially in energy efficiency is an important aspect of our business and so are the safety aspects. Recently, there have been a few fire incidents and we wanted to spotlight our wide range of certified products and also the engineering services we combine with the products. Also, we offer a total package.

“These include fire-resistant solutions as well as some of the novelties in our curtain-wall range and two new window systems, which we recently launched.

“Our new products support the current trends towards bigger and heavier glass panes while offering high performance.”

One of Reynaers’ latest innovations is MasterLine 8, a new ground-breaking aluminium window system that promises maximum comfort and security for the end-user. “The product offers enormous architectural freedom with numerous design variants and scores high in terms of energy-efficiency.

De Herdt addresses the conference.

“With the development of the new system, special attention was paid to the manufacturing and installation of the windows. Therefore, we can find the innovative features of MasterLine 8 in an optimised production process, an efficient assembly of the components and a simplified installation of the finished elements,” she said.

She also spoke about Slim Line 38, a unique window system featuring ultra-slim profiles and improved energy efficiency.

“Combining comfort with a unique design, this special slender steel profile is the perfect solution for modern architecture and renovation of steel-framed windows. The system is available in three different minimalistic design variants – Classic, Ferro and Cubic – to match the architecture of the building. The windows and doors can be provided with double- and triple-glazing without losing the ultra-slim look,” she said.

Other products highlighted during the presentation included Curtain Wall 50 (CW50), a façade and roof system that offers unlimited design freedom and allows maximum transparency, a fireproof curtain-wall system (CW 50-FP) and an innovative fireproof door and fixed window solution based on the system CS 77.

“Reynaers offers a complete range of fireproof solutions, compliant with European standards. All these solutions can be used in combination with all other Reynaers products,” she added.

The extensively enhanced CS 77-FP combines superior fire-proofing solutions for doors and partitions with vast design and aesthetic potential and ease of production and installation, says Khalaf.

“This highly integrated state-of-the-art solution offers two ranges to retard fire for 30 and 60 minutes, both designed for inside and outside application,” he says.

The CS 77-FP provides a high-quality flush door and partitioning system that combines elevated requirements with regard to fire resistance, stability, safety and thermal insulation, while offering the comfort of the use of standard profiles and components. In addition to its fire-resistant qualities, it also incorporates features that enhance burglar resistance, access control, panic and emergency exit functionalities and smoke-tightness, he says.

Meanwhile, Stuart Wakeham, sales director Middle East/Africa/India for tremco illbruck, said: “The aim of the conference was to educate and explore with developers, architects and consultants the challenges, opportunities, regulations and innovative sustainable solutions available for windows and façades.”

Key issues addressed were the challenges that window and façade construction present in the Middle East – including design, climate, weatherproofing  and compliance to current fire safety code and building regulation requirements – through a series of keynote presentations by reputed speakers from major consultants and local governments.

tremco illbruck’s presentation focused on helping architects and contractors to select the right weather- and fire-sealing solution for window and door applications.