News: In detail

NorDan standard range earns its NTech colours

Date: 03/12/2009

NorDan will be offering a U-value of 1.2 W/m2K as standard meaning the manufacturer's standard window range has earned the name that's synonymous with low-energy performance – NTech.

The improvement in performance has been achieved through the addition of a new higher performance low-emissivity coating, a warm edge spacer and Argon gas filling. These factors combine to improve NorDan's standard products with a whole window double glazing U-value to 1.2 W/m2K (based on sample size 1230mm x 1480mm according to EN ISO10077-1+2), a substantial improvement on the current Building Regulations standard for timber windows of 1.8 W/m2K, so all of the manufacturer's standard products will now carry the NTech name, superseding the previous NTech Low Energy range.

Another alteration to the standard design is that all NTech products are to be supplied without trickle vents as standard, improving air tightness and energy efficiency. NorDan can still supply units with integral trickle vents on products over a certain width, if required.

In addition to improved energy efficiency, the NTech range's new glazing construction with 6mm float glazing externally (previously 4mm float), and with no ventilator as standard, has the benefit of enhanced soundproofing, with sound reduction levels improving from 31 dB Rw with the previous design, to 37 dB Rw with the new NTech glazing. Further glazing specifications are available to match the project.

And to ensure all window designs benefit from the improved U-values and soundproofing of the new NTech design, additional gaskets have been incorporated into NorDan's outward opening windows, also improving weathertightness.

Where even higher levels of performance are required, NorDan's NTech Passive triple glazed range offers an exceptionally low U-value of just 0.7 W/m2K. This industry-leading design has been specified in major projects such as the Kingspan Lighthouse and the Barratt Green House, where its exemplary energy efficiency has helped specifiers to achieve Level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

Ross Leishman, NorDan's technical market and systems manager, comments: "These changes to upgrade our standard range to NTech level are great news for specifiers and architects. They will make product specification straightforward and help to achieve high levels of energy efficiency as standard".