What's new at TECHNAL for 2021?

12/10/2020

A look ahead to the new aluminium systems we'll be launching in 2021 seems a positive way to end what has been a life-changing year. Here, Allan Barr, TECHNAL UK Sales Director rounds up our 2020 developments and indicates what's coming up next year.

The end of the year marks the completion of our ONE VISION activity. This has successfully united the TECHNAL and SAPA brands into 'one' here in the UK - TECHNAL.

Well recieved by architects and fabricators, the new 'one' range now provides access to a complementary and expanded product offer, adapted to UK requirements and legislation.

Here are some of the highlights:

ONE price list - more system design options and flexibility

Simplification for our customers has been the priority from the start. A new price list features easy-to-navigate groups that denote in-stock products and those with specific lead times - all supported with advice notes to explain how it works.

This new format TECHNAL UK Price List offers customers:

More flexibility and options in terms of product design
Enhanced project planning and procurement
Improved project cost control
Greater accuracy

ONE Software - streamlines the planning process

Now updated to include the legacy SAPA products, our TechDesign software offers fabricators a much more integrated approach from pricing right through to purchasing.

The latest version of TechDesign allows thermal performance calculation on all designs and full life cycle analysis is provided - something we're increasingly being asked to support for net zero target purposes.

System designs can be completed in 2D and 3D for all types of construction - from simple windows to complex facades. True 3D rendering with photo-realistic simulation, high level reporting, and direct linking with Microsoft® Word means quoting is also better supported.

Automatically scaled cross sections can be created for fabrication and TechDesign also links with standard CAD software and to suitable CNC software and saw machines.

Training for TechDesign software is available for all customers and to find out more, please contact your Account Manager or book a place online.

Paperless and seamless ordering

Next year, TechDesign will also link into our online ordering system, Com@lu. You will be able to price a project in TechDesign, establish the material requirement and upload it into Com@lu, which links into our SAP ordering software. This will allow you to check stock availability, place your order and review your order history over the course of the year.

Specified colours and finishes now across full range

For greater design flexibility, all of our products can now be supplied in a wide range of polyester powder coatings, including RAL and British Standards colours.

Other specialist finishes, such as metallic, bronze anodised and structured finishes are also available on request.

Bringing product innovation to the market for 2021

We have big plans for 2021 with plenty in the pipeline but wanted to end 2020 on a high with the recent launch of our new high-performance sliding system - TIGAL. Whilst normally we would do a series of in-person events, this year we've adapted and delivered the launch via our new webinar format.

Capable of accomodating large glazed panels, TIGAL is a new hybrid model that features an innovative protected micro-ventilation system as well as offering flexible and silent handling. It has a patented central waterproofing system that's four time more efficient than that of an ordinary sliding door, ensuring maximum comfort inside, both acoustically and thermally.

New Digital Solutions

Responding to the increasingly demanding acoustic requirements, another software launched this year is TECHAcoustic - the only tool on the market that provides a reliable evaluation within 1dB of accuracy for any composition (dimensions and glazing) and is equivalent to a laboratory based test.

Saving time, you can achieve desired performance levels in just a few clicks in addition to measuring possible savings made. Models for complex assemblies, for example, window on a sill with a fixed or fan light, as well as large-sized construction can also be created.

Why use TECHACOUSTIC?

Cost Optimisation
- TECHACOUSTIC assists with choosing the most appropriate range and glazing to achieve the desired levels of acoustic performance. It is no longer necessary to choose over-performing and expensive glazing.
Ease of Use
- With an inuitive and ergonomic interface, you don't need to be an expert in acoustics to evaluate the performance of a window.
Scope of Application
- You can obtain the acoustic performance of the constructions regardless of the size or type of infills and in the case of complex units, meaning several opening and fixed sections, always with the same degree of accuracy.
Accuracy
- The complexity of the computational algorithms guarantees a result with an accuracy of +/- 1dB, which is similar to the resuls obtained in other laboratories.
Speed of Evaluation
- It takes just a few clicks to define the constructions to be evaluated and the result is instantaneous.

New products for 2021

For 2021, we'll be bringing some innovative, high-performance aluminium systems to the UK facade market that all put sustainability at front of mind.

All TECHNAL systems now use high-quality recycled or low carbon aluminium.

Sustainable development is the greatest challenge facing industry today and we need to transform our economy. It's great to be able to say, that TECHNAL windows, doors and facades in the UK are now all produced with high-quality recycled aluminium (Hydro CIRCAL 75R) or low-carbon primary aluminium (Hydro REDUXA 4.0) to meet the growing demand for more sustainable products on building projects.

In fact, more than 100 large building projects have used the greener Hydro CIRCAL brand of aluminium since it became a key part of Hydro's product portfolio a year ago. Projects that feature Hydro CIRCAL 75R here in the UK include Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP) and the University of Bath's Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS) - a new, world-class automotive propulsion research facility in Bristol. Both buildings have been constructed to achieve BREEAM Very Good.

Hydro CIRCAL has also been recognised by experts and industry peers, winning the “Breakthrough Solution of the Year Award” in the renowned S&P Global Platts Metal Awards 2020.

In 2021, the TECHNAL specification team will continue its commitment to getting recycled or low carbon aluminium into specifications wherever possible.