Jade challenges aluminium with Spectus Flush Tilt & Turn and Fully Reversible windows

Published: 9th February 2017

One of the leading PVC-U fabricators challenging the aluminium window market with an economic PVC-U alternative has gone a step further by taking on the new Spectus Flush Tilt-Turn and Fully Reversible windows – products aimed specifically at taking on aluminium in the commercial arena.

Jade Windows has already earned favour with several major contractors by proving the viability of PVC-U over specified aluminium, using the Spectus Elite 70 system with smooth Anthracite grey foil. Now the company has become one of the first to fabricate the acclaimed new Flush Tilt & Turn and Fully Reversible windows and aims to use them to ‘convert’ many more aluminium specifiers. They will also be used to provide a superb product offering with which the company’s trade customers can develop their own public sector business.

Jade’s Dave Fozard explained: “Many architects and specifiers still insist on aluminium but more and more are taking a second look at PVC-U when they are presented with the facts. Now, with the Spectus Flush Tilt & Turn and Fully Reversible windows, we can show them the best possible case for making the change. As well as the obvious cost benefits, they have far superior thermal performance but still have the look they expect, whether it is in smooth Anthracite or in any of the Spectus Spectrum foil options.”

The Spectus Flush Tilt & Turn and Fully Reversible frames can achieve U-Values as low as 0.8 W/m2K and a Window Energy Rating (WER) of A++ with Argon-filled triple glazed units – so saving the expense of Krypton-filled – and without insulation in the profile or expensive special reinforcements. This is due not only to the advanced chamber construction of these windows but also Spectus’s unique Aeroframe thermal wall technology, which has proven to provide greater thermal performance through its complex ‘thermal barrier’ design.

The windows comply with BES6001 ‘Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products’ and have advanced security features that comply with PAS 24: 2012 and Jade’s own Secured by Design accreditation. Weather rating is to BS 6375-1 2015 + A1 2016 more than adequate for high-rise applications – and a host of other technical benefits, not to mention the significant cost benefit over aluminium.

Spectus Commercial Sales Director Andrew Reid added: “The Spectus Flush Tilt & Turn and Fully Reversible windows were designed for all the commercial applications where, up to now, aluminium or composites may have been taken for granted as a first choice. Now, with this system, anything from schools and student accommodation to hospitals, apartment or office blocks are all within reach of any quality PVC-U fabricator, as Jade has clearly shown.

Wakefield-based Jade, a long standing Spectus customer and member of the Spectus Approved Window Contractor network, wasted no time in reaping the benefits of its move; the company won its first contract for over 200 windows as soon as the new system was up and running. The benefits are not just limited to its commercial customers, said Dave Fozard: “Our trade customers have seen these new products as an opportunity to grow their business in the commercial sector and have also secured works against high-priced aluminium windows.