TECHNAL LTD
Hydro Building Systems UK Ltd
Severn Drive
Tewkesbury
Gloucestershire GL20 8SF
Tel: 01684 853 500
Fax:
Suppliers of: Aluminium Windows, Sliding Doors, Aluminium Doors, Commercial Doors, Curtain Walling,
Imagination makes the world go around. At TECHNAL, it’s our driving force and way of doing things. It allows us to move forward, innovate and inspire. Where others just see a window, we see cutting-edge technology that benefits both the users and the environment. We see the future.
The TECHNAL brand from Hydro was created over 60 years ago and is a pioneering international specialist in architectural aluminium building systems. We have established an unrivalled reputation for innovative and inspiring design solutions, building up a profile of impressive award-winning projects.
With a history in the UK that spans more than 30 years, our aluminium building solutions have been used to create purpose-designed facades for diverse sections of businesses and residential buildings. We have a clear understanding of the requirements of architects, contractors, developers, fabricators and occupiers which enables us to create an innovative, technically advanced and flexible product portfolio.
Sustainable development is one of the greatest challenges facing the industry today and we need to transform our economy. TECHNAL shares the values and commitment of the Hydro Group, a world leader in aluminium solutions, namely the preservation of natural resources, the reduction of CO2 emissions and waste, the guarantee of employee safety, the satisfaction of quality expectations and the improvement of consumers’ quality of life. These goals to protect the environment and to build a sustainable future are made possible with the sustainable aluminium alloys we offer.
HYDRO CIRCAL® 75R RECYCLED ALUMINIUM
Hydro CIRCAL® is a range of prime quality aluminium made with a minimum of 75% recycled end-of-life aluminium (post-consumer scrap), like for example façades and windows that have been dismantled from building and fully recycled. Solutions using Hydro CIRCAL® have the highest share of recycled aluminium on the market, at least 75% and have one of the smallest CO2 footprints world wide – 2.3kg CO2 per kilo of aluminium. This is six times, or 84% less than the world-wide average for primary extraction.
LOW-CARBON ALUMINIUM Hydro REDUXA®
Hydro REDUXA® is our low carbon aluminium range. Thanks to modern technology and the use of renewable energy from hydro, wind and solar power, we can produce aluminium that is cleaner than ever before. The threshold of four kilograms of CO2 per kilogram of aluminium is the maximum allowable carbon footprint for this product line, a figure that includes total emissions from mining, refining, transportation, power and anode production, smelting and casting.
We certify that the dedicated parts of our production comply with the highest standards, even from a climate perspective, because we believe that as our customers’ footprint shrink, there are many opportunities available to them.
- GEODE MX 52 - GEODE MX successfully combines the creative and visual demands of architects and the functional needs of contractors, developers, and occupiers. By simplifying the technical aspects, manufacturing, and the installation process ensuring high quality, convenience, and cost-efficiency
- SPINALMY 62 - Based on the 62mm module and with a patented assembly system, SPINAL MY combines pleasing aesthetics, large sizes, and interior comfort. The double skin creates a space between the façade and exterior wall enabling bioclimatic buildings to be created. This product is a true link combining technical and design expertise. All visual aspects can be created with easy integration.
- ELEGANCE 52 - Elegance 52 is a comprehensive aluminium curtain wall system that combines technology and design with the demands of contemporary building architecture and construction. By using a 52mm aluminium substructure width a slim sightline is provided alongside necessary strength and inertia requirements.
- CROWN RESIDENTIAL With Technal Crown Residential Window Suite, true flexibility is available to meet your product needs. Our design expertise, technical knowledge, and passion have developed this window system to provide you with a range of options and capabilities - including those that provide structural integrity. The Crown system was designed the way we would like them to look in our home, making them perfect for residential projects
- SOLEAL FY 65 - The innovative, universal window system that brings high performance, technical advancements, and design features to enhance your project.
- DUALFRAME 75 SI - The Dualframe 75 Si window system has been designed to comply with the increasing complexity of meeting Secured by Design, Building Regulations, British Standards and other regulatory demands.
- DUALSLIDE - The Solution for vertical or horizontal sliding windows. Using advanced polyamide thermal break technology, Dualslide provides high thermal performance without foam filled profiles or costly sealed unit specifications.
- DUALFRAME 75 - The Dualframe system combines strength, safety, sustainability and beauty for new-builds or refurbishment projects, particularly in residential, educational or light commercial buildings.
- TIGAL - TIGAL is a hybrid pull-slide system, combining the advantages of a sliding door with the performance of a window. This product is ideal for meeting the challenges of climate change as it has excellent thermal insulation and weather performance compared to traditional sliding systems. With a patented central sealing system, exceptional water-tightness is guaranteed – up to four times greater than a traditional sliding door.
- CONFORT - Confort is a high performance thermally insulated sliding door system, with a user-friendly (lift-) slide action. The system, with an attractive aesthetic line, is durable, stable and remarkably energy efficient. With a maximum vent weight up to 400 kg large glazed areas are easily attainable.
- STII - Delivering exceptional thermal performance, the new STII Commercial Door System is an aluminium door system suited to high traffic commercial applications. Offering a range of framing options, installations can be tailored to suit most space and sizes up to three metres high. Designed for use with Technal’s aluminium window systems and curtain walling, the STII doors provide an integrated façade solution for your projects where high traffic aluminium doors are essential.
- CROWN FOLDING SLIDING - Combining form and function, the Crown Sliding Folding Doors can be tailored to suit any project and is key to bringing together the inside of a residential property with the outside. With a unique continuous hinge, there is no unsightly hardware to disrupt the contemporary sightline.
- CROWN PATIO – The Crown Patio Doors are key to bringing the outside into your home, and are engineered for strength and stability. These wide opening aluminium doors have strength and a slim frame, allowing enjoyment of the best views and maximum light to flood in. These patio doors have a multipoint locking system providing additional security features to ensure they deliver high-security for peace of mind.
Technal’s market-leading commercial aluminium doors provide specifiers with flexibility in design, safety and security, combined with excellent weather resistance. Door suites are available in a wide range of configurations including - hinged, pivot, revolving or sliding systems and these are all compatible with Technal’s curtain walling and low rise façade systems.
- PY 55 COMMERICAL DOOR - The PY 55 Commercial Door range offers outstanding thermal performance, levels of security and specification options for high traffic applications. This system has been developed for areas of heavy use like hospitals, shopping and sports centres, offices, apartment buildings and education environments.
- CD COMMERCIAL DOORS - The CD Door is a heavy-duty door solution for use in busy public places. Combining lasting resistance to wear, protection against vandalism and effective security this is a robust system that’s ideal for secondary school applications and entrances to public buildings such as airports, offices and shopping centres.
- STORMFRAME STII COMMERCIAL DOOR – The Stormframe STII High Traffic Aluminium Door provides the ideal solution for a wide range of commercial applications. Since launch, it has been recognised as an exceptional product in terms of performance and fabrication.
- 202 COMMERCIAL DOOR – The 202 Commercial Door is a non-thermally broken aluminium framing system. This modular product can incorporate single and double doors along with automated sliding doors having being designed for entrance screens and shopfronts.
- DUALFRAME DUALSECURE 75MM DOOR – Suitable for Commerical and Domestic projects, the Dualframe Dualsecure 75mm aluminium door can be used for contemporary or traditional styling. By using a unique patented polyamide strip with an integral bead retention leg the projection of the door leaf profile is minimised. Dualframe 75 stiles are designed to accept full-length Eurogroove – ensuring compatibility with a wide range of hardware.
- CROWN RESIDENTIAL DOOR – The Crown range of doors have been designed for their aesthetics, strength and durability. These fit easily into domestic projects easily with front and back door styling options. Whichever you choose, you can be assured that your home is left secured each and every time.
Technical Support for Architects and Contractors
A range of support systems are available to you which includes technical assistance with design development, through to the preparation of specification. TECHNAL responds to individual project needs, with bespoke designs for specific scheme, performance enhancements and new innovations.
Our team of field-based Project Consultants work closely with our in-house contracts, system design and supply chain teams to provide information and assistance. We cover every aspect of your project. We combine architectural trends and technical developments as part of our product design to deliver high-performance and aesthetically pleasing systems.
Group Websites:
- Technal: https://www.technal.com/en/uk/
- WICONA: https://www2.wicona.com/en/uk/
Social media
For further information on all our products and services, please visit our web site www.technal.co.uk or download our brochures from our BPi library.
The Essential Role of Windows, Doors and Facades in Sustainable Renovation
As the building and construction industry pivots towards more sustainable practices, renovation is quickly becoming a key strategy in extending the lifespan of existing structures while minimising environmental impact. However, a truly sustainable renovation involves more than just repurposed old spaces; it requires integrating advanced materials and products that enhance energy efficiency, durability and aesthetics. This is where TECHNAL windows, doors and facades play a crucial role.
The Critical Need for High-Performance Openings
Energy Efficiency at the Forefront
High-performance glazing is fundamental to energy-efficient renovation projects. Double and triple-glazed units with low-emissivity (low-e) coatings reflect heat back into the building during winter and minimise solar heat gain in the summer. This reduces the need for heating and cooling systems, decreasing overall energy consumption. Optimising the thermal performance of windows and doors ensures comfortable indoor environments for occupants whilst contributing to lower energy bills.
Aluminium frames with thermal breaks provide a barrier between internal and external surfaces, improving insulation and minimising heat loss. This stabilises indoor temperatures, reducing the reliance on HVAC systems. By preventing heat transfer, thermal breaks help maintain consistent internal conditions, regardless of external weather changes.
TECHNAL high-performance windows, doors and facades are designed to exceed global thermal insulation standards, ensuring compliance with energy-efficiency requirements. With exceptionally low U-values, indicating strong thermal resistance, these systems minimise heat transfer. This ensures that renovation projects that utilise our systems can easily meet stringent energy efficiency standards contributing the award of green building certifications like LEED and BREEAM.
Enhancing Building Aesthetics and Value
Aesthetics are a critical consideration for renovation projects, as the visual appeal of a building often determines its perceived value and ability to attract tenants or buyers. Modern renovation practices emphasises enhancing the aesthetic appeal of buildings while balancing historical preservation and contemporary design trends.
Renovation offers a unique opportunity to rejuvenate older buildings and make them relevant in today's architectural landscape. Replacing outdated facades with sleek, energy-efficient designs significantly enhances their appeal and communicates a sense of innovation and modernisation. High-performance windows, doors and facades systems can transform the exterior appearance of a building, creating a seamless integration of form and function.
Updated facades often feature expansive glass panels, allowing abundant natural light into the space and providing expansive views of the natural environment. These features give the building a lighter, more open appearance that appeals to occupants, especially in densely populated, urban areas. This connection to natural light contributes to the wellbeing and productivity of users, while making the interior space more inviting.
For historic buildings, the challenge lies in balancing the desire for modernisation with the need to preserve the structure's original character. In this context, high-performance windows and doors that mimic traditional styles offer an ideal solution. They maintain the integrity of the building's architectural heritage, while delivering modern benefits like energy-efficiency and noise reduction.
Increased Durability and Maintenance
Durability is a fundamental consideration for any renovation project, given that the objective is to extend the lifespan of existing structures. Modern windows, doors, and facade systems enhance the durability of buildings, reducing long-term maintenance costs and ensuring consistent performance over time.
High-quality materials such as aluminium, which is lightweight yet robust, are widely used in window and door frames due to their corrosion resistance and structural integrity. These frames can withstand harsh weather conditions, preventing rust and maintaining their appearance and function despite temperature extremes and environmental pollutants. Additionally, finishes like powder coating provide an added extra layer of defence against surface degradation, further prolonging their lifespan.
Advanced seals and gaskets are an other important aspect to enhance durability. These components prevent water infiltration, air leakage, and the accumulation of moisture within frames and walls, which can cause mould and rot. By maintaining a tight seal around openings, these systems ensure that the building envelope remains secure and insulated, further contributing to the building's longevity.
Meeting Regulatory and Sustainability Standards
Navigating the evolving landscape of building regulations and sustainability standards is becoming more and more critical for the building and construction industry as these guidelines directly impact the environmental footprint and operational efficiency of a building.
Energy-efficiency regulations, which set stringent U-values for windows, doors and facades, require high-performance glazing and thermally broken frames to minimise heat transfer and reduce energy consumption.
Achieving green building certifications such as LEED and BREEAM, hinges on enhancing energy-efficiency, improving indoor air quality, and maximising natural light with airtight frames and advanced glazing. These systems help prevent draft and infiltration, contributing to a healthier indoor environment. Sustainable manufacturing processes involving recyclable materials align with circular economy principles, reducing the overall environmental footprint.
Accessibility standards are also essential in renovation projects. Automatic sliding doors, low-threshold entries, and wider pathways ensure that people with varying levels of mobility can move seamlessly through a building. Lowered lever handles instead of knobs, tactile signage for the visually impaired and the use of contrasting colours to differentiate sections of a building can help to improve navigation and usability even further. Incorporating these, and other features ensures inclusive design that benefits everyone.
In the context of sustainable renovation in the building and construction industry, the choice of materials and products is critical. TECHNAL's advanced windows, doors and facades enhance energy efficiency by minimising heat transfer and reducing energy consumption.
Work with us on your next renovation project to ensure that it meeting not just today's standards, but tomorrow's too.
We advocate for an honest and transparent conversation about the CO2 emissions
As the world increasingly acknowledges the reality of climate change and the crucial role of sustainable practices, understanding the carbon footprint of materials, such as aluminium, becomes vital. However, when it comes to aluminium recycling, not all processes are created equal - a fact that can result in confusion and misinterpretation.
Aluminium is prized for its durability, lightness, and infinite recyclability, making it an ideal material for a circular economy. This has led to the offering of recycled aluminium as a greener alternative by many manufacturers. Nevertheless, the environmental impact of this recycling is contingent on the origin of the material and whether it has been used in a product before.
If the recycled aluminium is from used windows, doors, façades (post-consumer scrap), its CO2 footprint is close to zero, as recycling aluminium only requires 5% of the energy it takes to produce it the first time around. Post-consumed scrap is therefore the greenest recycled aluminium.
Aluminium can also be recycled from production waste, or pre-consumer scrap. As this aluminium has never been used in a product and had a useful life before, it carries with it the same CO2 footprint as the original aluminium – plus 5% from the recycling process.
Ask what’s inside your recycled aluminium
Some aluminium producers merge pre- and post-consumer scrap in their calculations, which could incentivize waste production and misrepresent high carbon footprint aluminium as zero carbon scrap. The key, then, is transparency: understanding the methods of calculation and documentation of the product you are purchasing. This allows you to get an accurate picture of the actual environmental impact of your recycled aluminium.
As a customer of recycled aluminium, you should always ask:
What is the CO2 footprint of my product?
How do you calculate the CO2 footprint?
How do you document the product you sell?
When it comes to pre-consumer scrap, however, there is an ongoing debate regarding its classification in life cycle assessment (LCA) studies. Unlike post-consumer scrap, pre-consumer scrap has never lived as a product (never consumed) and its associated CO2 emissions are fresh. Furthermore, pre-consumer scrap holds positive financial value, often being sold to external recyclers.
In addition, if your product comes with an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) the document should describe the shares of pre- and post-consumer scrap, alongside the global warming potential (the “CO2 footprint”) and the additional environmental impacts of the product.
Two methods of calculating the carbon footprint of aluminium scrap
The confusion lies in the absence of clear guidance from international standards on the best method of carbon footprint calculation for pre-consumer scrap. There are two commonly used methods: the cut-off approach and the avoided burden approach. While both methods are valid, they deliver drastically different results.
The cut-off approach: Here, the footprint follows the main product because there is no environmental burden for the scrap.
The avoided burden approach: In this case, the footprint follows the material, with the burden shared between every output (ingot and scrap).
The main reason the two scrap types are considered equivalent is because the avoided burden approach implies the ability to fully trace the scrap. The cut-off approach, due to its simplicity, is often preferred, but it could hinder the development of the circular economy by not giving post-consumer scrap a carbon footprint advantage. This could potentially encourage the use of pre-consumer scrap, overshadowing the sustainability goal of reducing and avoiding scrap in the production process.
In light of the debate, the priority should be transparency, offering data for either calculation method. In a world that increasingly values sustainability, vague claims of being "sustainable" or "recycled" are no longer sufficient. It's imperative that we accurately define these terms, share data openly, and encourage verification.
The philosophy at Hydro Building Systems aligns with this vision. We believe that the avoided burden approach is a good way to get a realistic picture of the carbon emissions and incentivize a circular economy. We advocate for an honest and clear conversation about the CO2 emissions associated with our products. We firmly believe that through understanding, innovation, and commitment to sustainability, we can lead the way in demonstrating that recycled aluminium is not just a buzzword, but a viable, responsible choice for the future.
