Engels External Joinery: Durable & Easier to Maintain - 16/12/2008
Infinite Technical Possibilities
Over the years, wooden joinery has seen considerable change. From the Seventies until the middle of the Eighties standard-sized frames were the "by word". Later, until about 1995, made to measure largely replaced standardisation. Since then, a new trend appeared, showing a more and more enlightened aesthetic approach. Project managers are increasingly aware that the external joinery allows individuality. In fact the windows can be described as the "eyes of a house" and determine the character of its "look".
No longer does anyone question the fact that external joinery needs to comply with a set standard for acoustic and thermal insulation, watertightness and wind resistance, as well as burglar-proofing. It is the styles and colours that allow individuality and can introduce specific architectural characteristics.
Contrary to popular belief style and technology are not incompatible. Engels as a manufacturer of windows and doors has managed to combine the two in such a way that the technical possibilities in both new buildings and renovations are practically unlimited. We are never more at ease than when faced a with challenging design, involving technical difficulties. This in turn allows enterprising project managers the opportunity to be more creative.
A Range of Some 400 Shades
Colours are the determining factor in the look and final touch of a building. Some 80% of Engels' customers choose painted external joinery at a time when the market average is only 30%. The fact that Engels offers a choice of some 400 shades and has the ability to mix and apply colours is probably a contributing factor to its success. Its paint application process, using electrostatic spraying, also explains the success of natural finishes, leading to considerably reduced maintenance requirements.
In recent years a new trend has appeared in external wooden joinery: the combination of various colour shades in the same house. In this way, the internal and external surfaces of a window frame can be in contrasting shades. The pastel tones are increasingly popular and give a special radiance to woodwork.
Ease of Maintenance
There was a time when plastic and aluminium appeared to offer easier upkeep than timber. In 1987, Engels initiated an in-depth research programme overseen by Professor Stevens of the Timber Research Laboratories at Ghent University on the various factors which affect wood finishes. In short, how to make timber easier to maintain.
The study enabled us to isolate three major factors. Firstly, the quality of raw material - the timber - is of paramount importance. Engels uses 7 types of timber (Sipo, Oregon, Afzelia Doussie, Movingue - like Oak, Merbau, Moabi and Afromosia - like Teak) which, thanks to their inherent qualities, are ideally suited for external joinery. Quality timber is practically indestructible, amply shown in churches and houses built centuries ago.
Making the wood workable is the second vital factor. Engels has its own kilns where the timber undergoes a final drying process under optimised conditions, having first been dried naturally over some eighteen months.
The third determining factor is the timber finish. Engels has drawn conclusions from this study and has set up a paint application process utilising electrostatic spraying in order to put into practice the findings of Professor Stevens. As each type of wood possesses its own unique characteristics and requires a particular approach, Engels adapts all these parameters from start to finish.
The application of electrostatic spraying allows two layers of paint or a protective coating, each some 60 microns thick, applied to all corners and rebates. By comparison, a brush-applied layer is only some 20 microns thick. Even working with state of the art facilities and applying 3 coats, it is not possible to better the results obtained by spraying. Very clearly, it is evident that joinery so treated requires a minimum level of upkeep comparable with pvc or aluminium.
As a further benefit, a single coat will suffice until such time as the timber protection requires renewing.
Spraying in this way is ecologically sound. Engels use only acrylic paints for both natural lacquer, which leaves the grain visible, and opaque finishes. We are the first manufacturers of external joinery who chose to use water-soluble paints and protective coatings. The paint shop works as a sealed unit; residuals are collected in a water system. These are filtered and the products recycled providing a safer working environment for the operator.
These advanced processes entail a surcharge of around 10% on the external joinery cost. Taking into account the not inconsiderable long-term savings in time and materials, this additional outlay becomes most viable.
Agenda
For further information on external wooden joinery and the application of paint by electrostatic paint application, please telephone Engels UK on 01243 576 633.