Providing expert support from the off, the Commercial Window Group and Emplas are helping developers to optimise specifications, reduce costs and deliver compliant high-rise projects with greater confidence
As performance demands rise, regulations tighten, and financial pressures persist, housebuilders and developers must deliver new homes to the highest possible standards, while keeping costs in check.
But in post-Grenfell Britain, it is vital that ‘value engineering’ does not come at the expense of build-quality, compliance or safety, especially when it comes to high-rise developments.
Providing a service that extends far beyond just window and door supply, the Commercial Window Group, backed by its parent company, Emplas Group, assumes the role of trusted technical partner from the project’s very start.
Offering housebuilders and developers assistance with energy efficiency performance, ventilation requirements, fire safety and more, early engagement is key to successfully navigate the complexities of modern specification.
“Having our own commercial in-house team with technical knowledge of how these projects work, day in, day out, means we’re able to support our customers in terms of things like G-values, U-values and acoustics,” says Stanley Richardson, Commercial Sales Manager for the Commercial Window Group.
“We can draw on the support of Emplas, as one of the UK’s largest and longest established window and door manufacturers, and that really helps to get our customers’ projects moving.”
Working collaboratively with its clients to ensure that windows and doors meet both design intent and regulatory standards, engagement at the pre-construction stage creates opportunities to reduce costs without compromising compliance. For developers managing tight margins across multiple plots, small refinements can translate into substantial savings.
“I was on site yesterday, with a customer that’s been using us for the last five years, and we identified probably three or four different value engineering options for them,” explains Stanley.
“The site is being sold off to a Housing Association. So, the customer is looking for ways that they can make the job cheaper for both themselves and their client.
“If we are able to support our customers in doing that, then we’re delivering real value for everyone involved.”
For developers working on high-rise residential projects, structural loads, exposure conditions, access constraints and stringent compliance requirements bring additional complexity that some suppliers are keen to avoid. But not the Commercial Window Group.
“We specialise in being able to deliver on high-rise projects that other companies might shy away from,” adds Stanley.
“When you’ve got windows that were originally designed to be composite rather than PVC-U, we’re able to help customers change those specifications and offer one of our compliant high-rise systems, such as our flush tilt and turn, or fully reversible window. It gives them a more cost-effective but equally suitable alternative to what they originally planned for that project.”
With windows and doors comprising just one element of a whole building, successful delivery also depends on considered coordination with other contractors to ensure full integration.
“We can liaise with the metal workers to look at the support plates, flashings, and all the other bits that interface with our windows,” Stanley explains.
With a complete solution approach that extends beyond window manufacture and supply, the Commercial Window Group can also assist with aspects of the build, such as EPDM works, for an added value service.
“We’re giving the customer a complete solution, rather than just supplying and installing windows,” confirms Stanley.
“That starts with early-stage collaboration, and combined with technical knowledge and high-rise expertise, we’re helping housebuilders and developers optimise specifications to deliver cost-effective, compliant projects with confidence.”
For more information on the Commercial Window Group’s next generation high performance window and door ranges and our regional delivery partners call 01234 567890 or email [email protected]
