Profile 22 launches Optima – a ‘total concept’ in system design
12th April 2016

Profile 22 has taken the spotlight at the opening of the FIT Show with the unveiling of Optima, a suite of systems said to be ‘the biggest launch in the window industry for a decade.’

The company has invested in a completely new extrusion unit to manufacture the new system, claiming the most advanced technology available for ‘superb quality and consistency’ as well as reduced environmental impact. It is also supporting the products with ‘the most thoroughly researched and resourced marketing and customer support programmes’.

Optima will enable the design of most window and door styles including Fully Reversible, a Vertical Sliding Sash, Flush Tilt & Turn, Flush Casement, Composite Door and a Patio Door. Optima will be available in Sculptured and Chamfered as well as a Flush Casement to compete in the heritage sector.

The systems offer a six-chamber outer frame (up to eight with RCM inserts) and a five-chamber Sash (six with RCM) with the capability of U values as low as 0.8 W/m2K with appropriate Argon filled IGUs. Around these basic structures will be a range of ancillaries and add-ons said to be the widest on the market.

Among other details, the outer frame and sash feature optional additional third seals for improved weather and thermal performance, features said to be unique to Optima amongst UK systems, deeper drainage channels for improved water egress, a 13mm stack hinge which increases overlap cover to 10mm compared to the 6-8 mm expected of other systems with improved thermal G values.

Optima’s bead location means that glazing clips are unnecessary to pass security tests and are in keeping with proposed and anticipated enhancements to PAS24. The inclusion of a central Eurogroove increases rigidity and security whilst strategic wall thickening provides improved fixing location for improved hardware retention. Optima is said to offer the widest choice of glazing options on the market including 24 and 28mm double and 36, 40 and 44mm triple glazed units.

For door production a wider midrail offers more room for the letterplate security cowl, which again meets PAS24, currently and in the foreseeable future, as well as a clip-in dedicated floating mullion. Ease of fabrication has been thought through, with details such as the increased webs within the profile that provide additional support under weld clamp pressure to counter weld sink.

The increased demand in the window market for colour and woodgrain has been addressed with an increased stock and fast turnaround of special colour options.

Clare O’Hara, Managing Director of Profile 22 parent Epwin Window Systems, said her team was given the widest remit to design and develop the new systems: “First we researched the markets: no longer can products be developed with the customer support and marketing support packages tacked on. For Optima these were inclusive. Our marketing and customer service teams therefore worked alongside our engineers in the research and development process.

“We also wanted manufactured quality to be the best in the market and so in addition to the product development we have invested in the most advanced extrusion systems available today. This investment ensures consistently excellent profile quality whilst also significantly reducing the environmental impact of the production process. Homeowners will increasingly question such values,” added Clare.

“Our fabricators and their customers can go forward with the confidence that with Optima they are offering the most advanced window products available in the UK today.” 

www.profile22.co.uk