The Council for Aluminium in Building has launched a new U-value Charter bringing clarity and continuity, to aluminium window, door and curtain walling, performance data. Launched on the CAB Stand at this month’s FIT Show, the new voluntary scheme commits signatories to standardise u-value calculations.
It means CAB members who sign-up to the charter commit to standard evaluation methods, test sizes and glass specifications for publication of product performance claims, making performance data easier to understand, and simpler to draw a comparison between products.
“Up until now, there have been no clear guidelines to follow to ensure that the information offered to the market is clear, concise and comparable. The U-value Charter will offer an agreed set of parameters that all charter members agree to follow, ensuring the information on public display is an accurate assessment”, explained Nigel Headford, Chief Executive, CAB.
“To say that comparing the performance of different aluminium products has been like ‘comparing apples and pears’ is an understatement”, he continued.
“The CAB U-Value Charter, is an initiative from industry and an initiative from members, to put standard methodologies, test sizes and IGU specifications in place to make sure that public claims about u-value performance are fair and comparable.”
Inaugural signatories of the charter are AluK, Alumil, Aluprof, Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems, Deceuninck Aluminium, Jack Aluminium, Kawneer Aluminium Systems, Metal Technology, Origin, Reynaers Aluminium, Schueco UK, Senior Architectural Systems, Smart Architectural Aluminium, Stellar Aluminium Systems and Technal by Hydro.
“Although a voluntary scheme, the CAB U-Value Charter ‘has teeth’”, Nigel continued. “The members wanted to deliver something with meaning and which supported architects, specifiers, main contractors and ultimately end-users, in understanding the thermal performance of aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling.
