passivehouse+ | Issue 3
News Installation as important as window quality, says Ecohaus Internorm Quality window installation is a crucial part of any low energy build, yet it is often overlooked compared to a window's technical performance, according to leading passive house window specialists Ecohaus Internorm. "Rarely does a site manager or airtightness champion sing the praises of the installation of supply only windows into a passive house or low carbon build,” said Mark Lineham of Ecohaus Internorm. “These builds require windows manufactured and installed to exacting standards and yet the majority of window manufacturers supply only. Architects and clients are rightly preoccupied with window performance and meticulous detailing of junctions but can only hope and pray this is executed correctly and accurately at the point of installation. Why introduce risk?" Lineham warned that the current standard of workmanship by many UK tradespeople may fall short of their European counterparts. "Incorrectly installed windows will result in failed air tests, subsequent disruptive rework and additional costs,” he said. “This is a direct result of inadequate training, poor understanding of passive house principles and an underlying assumption that such installations are easy. "EcoHaus Internorm take full ownership of the supply chain and installation of the marketleading Internorm windows. The combined use of Illbruck airtightness tape, window seal foam and Compriband tape has BBA Certification and is subsequently included in our 10 year
installation warranty,” he said. “Couple this with Internorm's 30 year quality assurance warranty on all products, and our clients benefit from an unrivalled overall warranty package." According to Lineham, EcoHaus Internorm has yet to fail an airtightness test on a passive house project. "Our insistence that installations must be done by our Internorm technicians continues to resonate with our architect, main contractor and self build clients,” he said. “We also have a technician on site for air tests as standard procedure for passive house builds.
We see it as our professional obligation to Internorm and our clients to provide a seamless service and single accountable point of contact. "Other high performance window manufacturers should reconsider their warranty obligations and extend this to not only to the product but the installation also. Clients are investing heavily in high performance windows and they shouldn’t be shortchanged." EcoHaus Internorm was awarded Internorm’s No 1 UK Partner for 2012.
Advanced Timbercraft ‘bucks trend’ with expansion & innovation engaging with progressive forward-thinking clients and developers," Orr said.
Leading Northern Irish timber frame manufacturers Advanced Timbercraft (ATC) has welcomed new multi-disciplinary design practice McGurran Associates to their new office complex. Practice principal Kevin McGurran and ATC managing director Neil Orr have had a "longstanding and successful working relationship over a 15 year period".
"The individual client today likes the idea of a one-stop shop in regards to the building process with a high performing comfortable and healthy home as the result. It is also a very exciting to work alongside new housing developers who share our passion to build future-proof new homes for all."
"This more formal trading relationship will allow ATC to offer full planning and architectural services to clients attracted to the concept of a ‘one-stop shop’ for their new bespoke home or to developers who wish to future-proof their housing stock," explained Neil Orr. He said that ATC has always pushed the boundaries of innovation and development, and has continually incorporated new ideas and products into its systems to improve performance and longevity. "We are now awaiting the installation of a new timber frame manufacturing line which will allow
Kevin McGurran added: "Having identified the forward thinking nature of ATC and found it struck a chord with own ethos for sustainable building design, we felt that a closer working relationship would benefit everyone. How better to do this than to be located on site where we can now promote a more streamlined building process?" us to maintain our excellent quality and increase production capabilities. To accommodate this new line we are also expanding our factory. This growth has been stimulated as we have been
(pictured: l-r) McGurran Associates principal Kevin McGurran pictured with Advanced Timbercraft MD Neil Orr