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win.door
REHAU commercial uPVC window and door designs enhance
thermal performance with style and colour options
Special to the Canadian Design and Construction Report
REHAU is helping Canadian window and door manu-
facturers to improve thermal performance and respond
to a growing demand for colour options.
As a leading provider of polymer-based
solutions in construction, automotive and
industry, the company has combined
strong development capabilities with de-
centralized sales and service excellence to
become one of the top global providers of
uPVC window and door designs.
Helmut Grohschaedl, director of
REHAU’s window and door business unit,
says the U.S. market experienced a strong
year in 2013, with double-digit growth,
through a focus on commercial projects. He is anticipat-
ing a similar development in Canada this year.
“The commercial window and door segment has
been dominated by aluminum, but with higher code re-
quirements and the demand for better thermal perform-
ance, Canadian manufacturers still have work to do to
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offer products that are environmentally friendly, save
money and create energy savings,” he said.
To encourage growth of uPVC in the commercial mar-
ket, in 2013, REHAU launched a certified commercial
manufacturer program. The program pro-
vides additional support and benefits.
REHAU has had a lot of success in the
U.S. through continuing education pro-
grams such as an AIA (American Institute
of Architects) initiative, showcasing fea-
tures and benefits of uPVC versus alu-
minum windows and doors, while
addressing designers' specific needs.
“That’s what we’re working to get Cana-
dian manufacturers into more – what
does the architect need?”
Grohschaedl further explains that colour is a big topic,
so REHAU has placed emphasis on a new stock program
to react to the demand. “The ability to provide colour
profiles is part of what leads to success in the commer-
cial market. Providing options like silver exterior, wood
grain interior and bronze on either side helps architects
envision using these kinds of products,” explains
Grohschaedl. Another trend is toward passive homes. Grohschaedl
says while the west coast from B.C. to California has
been pioneering the market, he has seen projects pop-
ping up elsewhere as well. To meet the trend, REHAU
has introduced its GENEO product, which is passive
house certified in both Europe and the U.S.
Performance demands go beyond passive homes to
basic lifecycle. “At the start of a project, it is important
to sit with the architect and engineer to discuss how win-
dows fit into the envelope, to calculate the energy con-
sumption looking at windows and HVAC and to see how
all the pieces fit.”
Grohschaedl says REHAU has had products installed
in the field for more than 50 years, so he has confidence
in their durability and performance. He adds that vinyl
stacks up very favourably against wood and particularly
aluminum in terms of footprint.
REHAU continually updates it products' performance
and styling. The company’s current focus on its System
2200 Patio Door, introduced last year, and on a contem-
porary upgrade of its casement system due out later this
year. “The upgraded casement will feature flat lines and
surfaces for the modern look architects want,” he says.
And what comes after? “Still much more,” Grohschaedl
says. For more information, visit
www.na.rehau.com/commercialwd.