EUROCELL PLC
Suppliers of: PVCu Roof lantern, coloured PVC Windows, Folding Sliding Doors, Skylights, PVCu Conservatory, Composite Doors, PVC-u curtain wall,
ABOUT EUROCELL
Eurocell creates sustainable building solutions for the trade of today, the homes of tomorrow and the environment of the future.
With its headquarters in Alfreton, Derbyshire, Eurocell is at the forefront of the UK’s PVC-U industry, leading the way in the manufacture, distribution, and recycling of PVC-U windows, doors, conservatories, rooflights, roofing and roofline systems. Eurocell operates a network of more than 200 trade branches across the UK, where it serves over 40,000 tradespeople.
Eurocell distributes its products through a vast network of window fabricators, housebuilder partners and specifiers, as well as to installers and direct to homeowners offering a range of PVC-U systems including windows, entrance doors, inline patio doors, bi-fold doors, conservatories and cavity closers
Eurocell’s commitment to providing quality sustainable solutions sets it apart, with the largest PVC-U recycling operation in the UK. It operates a closed-loop recycling system, collecting, reprocessing, and utilising waste to create new products. In 2022 alone, Eurocell incorporated 16,700 tonnes of recycled PVC-U in its operations, with windows containing approximately 30% recycled content.
Eurocell celebrates 50 years of supporting home improvement projects in 2024 and employs more than 2000 people in the UK. For more details, visit www.eurocell.co.uk, or follow their social media channels - Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest.
Eurocell is listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange.
BIM Files: Eurocell offer an extensive range of BIM files which can be downloaded from our Technical Hub
Modus - The first fully integrated window and door system
Modus is the first fully integrated PVC-U window and door system in the UK, capable of producing eight different product types from a single system. It’s an innovative 75mm front to back dimension six-chamber design, the first to utilise dual material extrusion technology (DMET) in the UK. DMET precisely directs 50% virgin and 50% post-consumer recycled PVC-U into the profile simultaneously, with post-consumer material used only in the core of the profile, so finish quality and colour fastness is uncompromised. That’s why Eurocell can offer an unrivalled 12-year profiles guarantee for Modus.
Ultimate flexibility – 8 systems in 1
Modus is a contemporary architectural design with a choice of no less than three casement window sash styles – Standard, Slim Rebate and Flush – a style to suit every type of building. The Standard Sash option has a traditional PVC-U window aesthetic, which makes a feature of the window sash rebate, combined with slim sight lines thanks to the 55mm high outer frame profile. The Flush Sash option creates a distinctive appearance. Characteristic of traditional windows, it’s fully flush internally and externally yet offers class-leading thermal performance. The Slim Rebate Sash option creates a more contemporary aesthetic than traditional PVC-U windows. At just 7mm thick, the rebate offers sleek sight lines down the building facade, to complement current architecture. Internally, the sash is fully flush, for clean lines and a premium feel.
Modus reversible windows are the most energy efficient of their type in the UK and offer fully flush sash aesthetics. Bespoke designed hinges and handle complement the slim sight lines.
Modus tilt and turn windows offer a new stepped sash design, which goes one step further than Modus casement windows by creating a seven-chamber profile for maximum thermal performance. No steel or aluminium reinforcements are required and an optional third brush pile seal completes the high specification.
Modus French, composite and residential doors can be fabricated in a range of styles to suit the building architecture. Doors are available with a PVC-U low threshold to prevent cold bridging, which is Building Regulations Part M compliant with the addition of aluminium ramps (available separately).
Modus - Technical Performance:
High quality impact resistant white PVC-U extrusion utilising 50% post-consumer recycled PVC-U, producing a rigid six-chamber profile to BS EN 12608 and manufactured in accordance with BS EN ISO 9001 and BS EN ISO 14001.
- U-value performance of 0.7 for triple glazed windows, 1.1 U-value for double glazed windows.
- Energy efficient windows, achieving BFRC Window Energy Rating (WER) of grades A+, A, B and C.
- 12-year manufacturer profiles guarantee (White)
Colour options available:
We’ve extended the Modus standard colour range to meet the changing needs of our customers. In addition to this a further range of 30+ other colour options is available for delivery in just three weeks.
Standard range:
- Black Ash woodgrain/White
- Anthracite Grey woodgrain/White
- Slate Grey woodgrain/White
- Moondust Grey woodgrain/White
- Irish Oak woodgrain/White
- Golden Oak woodgrain/White
- Rosewood woodgrain/White
- Cream
- White
Architectural range (Special order):
- Quartz Platinum metallic woodgrain/White
- Asphalt metallic woodgrain/White
- Sapphire Silver metallic woodgrain/White
- Anteak woodgrain/White
Logik - Window and Door System
Specially designed for ease and speed of fabrication and fitting, Logik features a unique, patented knock-in bead system. Ideally suited for new build or replacement windows, its 70mm front-to-back dimension enables the seamless replacement of timber frames.
The Logik profile system provides a wide variety of products, including standard casement windows, flush casement windows, tilt and turn windows, French windows, residential doors, and French doors.
Logik is purpose designed to make fabrication quick, simple and economical - with absolutely no compromise on quality or performance. It ensures your reputation remains as robust, watertight and reliable as the finished product you supply to your customers.
Logik is designed for improved aesthetics and clean sight lines, with its unobtrusive gasket line and slim profile. The profile features multiple chambers to enhance thermal efficiency and strength, and improve drainage. Available with chamfered, sculptured ovolo and and Flush styles in a range of colours, Logik window profiles add a touch of distinction to any home.
Logik features post-consumer recycled PVC-U in the central core of the profile with virgin PVC-U on seen faces. This ensures the same aesthetics and technical performance but with more environmentally responsible benefits for today’s discerning customers. It offers the same benefits but with more sustainability – at no extra cost to you.
Further technical information is available to download from the BPi Library or from the manufacturers’ own website.
Eurocell Maximising Value in Construction: A Guide to Value Engineering
Introduction
Value Engineering (VE) emerged post-World War II as a strategic response to material and labour shortages. Initially conceived at General Electric by Larry Miles in 1947, VE has since evolved into a systematic approach aimed at optimising project value while minimising costs. Below we delve into the core principles, stages, and benefits of VE in the construction industry.
Understanding the three main stages of Value Engineering
The three main stages of VE are:
Planning Stage: VE begins with a comprehensive review of project goals, functionality requirements, and budget considerations. This stage involves evaluating alternative solutions, defining key criteria, and ensuring alignment with the client’s objectives. Early VE workshops facilitate strategic decision-making without disrupting project schedules.
Design Phase: At this stage, VE teams, comprising diverse stakeholders, critically assess proposed design solutions, cost estimates, and implementation strategies. The primary objective is to identify opportunities for maximising value while meeting project requirements. VE workshops foster collaboration and innovation, driving cost-effective design modifications.
Methodology and Approach: VE workshops follow a structured five-step job plan:
Information Phase: Understanding project background and key functional requirements.
Speculation Phase: Generating creative ideas to enhance value and reduce costs.
Evaluation Phase: Assessing proposed ideas based on predefined criteria and selecting viable options.
Development Phase: Expanding selected ideas into practical design recommendations, accompanied by cost comparisons and lifecycle analyses.
Presentation Phase: Communicating recommendations to stakeholders and obtaining approvals for implementation.
Minimising Mistakes and Overcoming Challenges
Avoiding Sacrifices in Quality: VE should not compromise product quality but rather explore cost-effective alternatives without compromising functionality or aesthetics.
Embracing Openness to Alternatives: VE presents an opportunity to re-evaluate product selections and incorporate advancements that offer better value.
Staying Ahead of Challenges: Early VE integration allows proactive decision-making, minimising disruptions to project schedules and ensuring timely procurement of materials.
Expanding Product Networks: Diversifying sourcing options enables the identification of superior products at competitive prices, enhancing project value.
Leveraging VE as an Opportunity: VE workshops facilitate critical reassessment of project objectives, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and client satisfaction.
Highlighting the Value of Value Engineering
Incorporating VE throughout the design and construction phases yields significant benefits for clients:
Cost Reduction: VE identifies cost-saving opportunities without compromising project quality or performance.
Value Addition: Strategic design modifications enhance project value and longevity.
Lifecycle Analysis: Consideration of long-term maintenance and operational costs ensures optimal investment decisions.
Maintainability: VE promotes the selection of materials and systems that facilitate ease of maintenance and operation.
The Role of Software in Enhancing VE
Advancements in VE software empower stakeholders to conduct comprehensive cost-benefit analyses in real-time. By evaluating financial, social, and environmental impacts, stakeholders can make informed decisions that maximise project value and sustainability.
Case Study: Bloor Homes
Bloor Homes‘ adoption of PVC-U windows over timber exemplifies the tangible benefits of VE. Improved weather tightness, energy efficiency, and maintenance ease prompted a shift in specification, resulting in cost savings and enhanced aesthetic appeal. This case underscores the practical application of VE principles in achieving superior project outcomes.
Conclusion: Reimagining Construction through Value Engineering
Value Engineering transcends cost-cutting measures, embodying a holistic approach to project optimisation. By embracing innovation, collaboration, and strategic decision-making, stakeholders can unlock untapped value and deliver projects that exceed expectations in terms of quality, sustainability, and affordability.
To learn more and explore the scope of value engineering, its application and how utilisation can benefit a production process contact Eurocell. We offer a range of CPDs where you can gain valuable knowledge and earn CPD points. Register your interest by emailing cpd@eurocell.co.uk
ABOUT EUROCELL
Eurocell creates sustainable building solutions for the trade of today, the homes of tomorrow and the environment of the future.
Headquartered in Alfreton, Derbyshire, Eurocell is at the forefront of the UK’s PVC-U industry, leading the way in the manufacture, distribution, and recycling of PVC-U windows, doors, conservatories, rooflights, roofing and roofline systems.
Eurocell distributes its products through a vast network of window fabricators, housebuilder partners and specifiers, as well as to installers and direct to homeowners offering a range of PVC-U systems including windows, entrance doors, inline patio doors, bi-fold doors, conservatories and cavity closers
Eurocell’s commitment to providing quality sustainable solutions sets it apart, with the largest PVC-U recycling operation in the UK. It operates a closed-loop recycling system, collecting, reprocessing, and utilising waste to create new products. In 2022 alone, Eurocell incorporated 16,700 tonnes of recycled PVC-U in its operations, with windows containing approximately 30% recycled content.
Eurocell - Is Composite Decking Slippery?
Anyone who’s ever slipped over on wooden decking will know how painful it can be. At best, you might end up with a minor bruise but you, or someone else, could also sustain a more serious injury such as cuts or a broken bone depending on the severity of the fall. A decked area in your garden should be a place to have fun, relax and socialise – but you won’t be able to do that if you’re worried about yourself, a family member or a guest having a fall.
Living in the UK, where wet weather is a fact of life, wooden decking can become slippery over time. As well as collecting dirt and leaves from your garden, your decking may be the perfect breeding ground for moss and algae which are particularly hazardous when wet.
Composite decking is a modern alternative to wooden decking, and has been engineered to last longer and be easier to maintain. But how do you stop decking becoming slippery?
Why can composite decking be slippery?
Like any hard surface, composite decking can become slippery due to dirt, damp and/or ice. However, unlike wood, today’s varieties have slip resistant properties so you achieve a high level of safety without having to apply anti-slip strips or paint.
While the maintenance requirements of composite decking are low, it’s important to regularly check the area for any debris that might have accumulated, especially after heavy rainfall, cold weather and/or high winds. Be careful when you do this as surface water or ice might not be immediately visible.
What should I do if it’s wet or icy?
With gardens increasingly an extension of the home, many people want to be able to enjoy their decked area all year round – perhaps snuggled up under an outdoor heater and blanket during the winter months. To keep everyone safe, make sure you check it regularly, and remove any excess water with a mop or a squeegee.
Ice is another trip hazard on decking, so you might want to consider anti-slip rubber mats when it’s cold, and/or applying salt if freezing weather is forecast. To prevent damage to your decking, go for a specialist ‘ice melt’ product rather than traditional rock salt or grit which can be too abrasive.
What should I do if it’s dirty?
You only need to clean your composite decking around once or twice a year for it to stay looking smart.
Regular household products will give you a great finish but you might choose to use a specialist composite decking cleaning product for extra protection from moss and algae, and to tackle stubborn stains. You can use a decking care product to remove existing moss and algae too but a homemade solution of vinegar and soda water can also be effective and less expensive – simply mix half a cup of white or apple cider vinegar with a one-quarter cup of baking soda, and three litres of water. To prepare the surface, use a brush with hard bristles to remove as much of the unwanted moss/algae as possible.
How to prevent slippery composite decking
Composite decking is less likely to be slippery compared to wooden decking as well as older composite decking. But to ensure it’s as safe as possible, we suggest the following steps:
Keep it clean
Ensuring your decking is free of dirt, debris and moss/algae is one of the most effective ways to prevent trips. We’ve mentioned the simple steps you can take to prevent and remove all of these but our in-depth guide, How to Clean Composite Decking: Step by Step, includes more tips and answers common questions, like whether you should use a pressure washer or bleach.
Keep it dry
While you can use a mop or squeegee to remove excess water, good drainage helps to prevent it growing in the first place.
When installing your decking, make sure you have 25mm clearance between each of the boards to allow water to drain and air to circulate, so you avoid moisture building up. For more on installation, take a look at our guide, How to Install Composite Decking: Step by Step.
Replace old decking
Whether you have wooden decking or an older type of composite decking, it may have become slippery because the materials are deteriorating. Wooden decking normally lasts around 10 to 15 years so consider whether it has simply reached the end of its life. Similarly, older composite decking doesn’t tend to have the same lifespan as modern composite decking which can last for more than 20 years if cared for correctly. And, as mentioned previously, today’s products also have anti-slip properties, unlike older types of wooden or composite decking.
Discover Eurocell’s composite decking range.