Introducing Pultec®

Whilst the immense performance characteristics of fibreglass have been well known for many years, the technique of continuous production for making long lineal lengths for window frames was only perfected in the late 1980/1990's, in North America, in a process called ‘pultrusion’.

This pultrusion process involves the blending of continuous glass fibre rovings and matting, fed from creels, into a tough thermosetting polymer resin and pulling it through a series of dies. The resultant Pultec profile is so strong that it is load bearing, like aluminium - but needs no metal inserts like PVCU. Therefore, far larger windows and glazing screens can be produced, than is possible with PVCU - but without the thermal insulation problems of aluminium, thus achieving the best of both worlds.

After assembling the windows, a highly durable finish* is applied, in any RAL colour - and which carries a 20 year warranty. However, in addition and for maximum maintenance flexibility, the frames can be painted at any time after installation, in order to change or refresh their colour, or after repairing damage. This enables the finished appearance to remain high for the entire 50 – 75 years life of the window itself, which is just not feasible with PVCU or aluminium.

Also, because fibreglass is inert, the paint finish does not deteriorate as on ‘breathing’ wooden windows - and neither does Pultec need paint for protection, so re-decoration is optional, not essential - and subsequent applications do not become any more frequent. Pultec is guaranteed for 20 years, including the finish. (Please refer to our warranty document for details and exclusions).

* The surface finish on Pultec® is a 2-pack polymer, automotive hybrid paint system, which cross links with the polymers in the fibreglass and thereby bonds to it. The resultant finish has been subjected to the maximum accelerated weathering tests (10 years) during which, no loss of adhesion, blistering or flaking occurred over this period. (Test reports available)

The main advantage of making windows from fibreglass is that they comprehensively exceed the performance capabilities of all other window materials available today. This is due to the combination of high glass content, reinforcing fibres and dimensionally stable thermosetting resin.

Due to the acknowledged superiority of the material itself, the windows benefit from the same characteristics of astonishing strength, durability and performance:-

• High energy efficiency - “U” values of 1.1 - 1.5 on the total window, including sashes.
  
• High Acoustic performance - Rw 38 achieved with modest glass specification (4 – 16 – 6.4), which reduces both weight and cost, whilst achieving up to 43dB reduction.
• City centre developments require both high thermal and good acoustics, which are technically, at odds with each other – Pultec can square this circle by achieving Rw 41 and 1.4 U value in the same window!
• Fully BRE Certified and accredited
• 65% glass content – of which 30% is from recycled source. (Thus 20% of total product)
• BREEAM/CfSH: 3.5 extra credits potentially available over all other materials. See independent Sensitivity Report by P&M Sustainability Consultants.
• 50 – 75 years design life + 20 year Warranty
• Proven “Best Value” under BRE Whole Life Cost analysis (copy available)
• BRE Green Guide – A provisional ‘B’ rating has been awarded whilst the BRE Environmental Profile study is completed - September 2009.
• Price competitive with aluminium and ‘composite’ windows (aluminium and wood) – ‘Super’ competitive when comparing like-for-like U values.
• Any RAL colour included – subsequent repair and/or re-application of finish is most straight-forward
• Secured by Design accredited – Police preferred specification – including both, BS 7950 and PAS 23/24
• The most sustainable, best value, low maintenance option, short and long term.
• Robust – Used on “Young Mental Offender’s Secure Units”. Also, meets MOD-DE anti-terrorist glazing spec DMG2 “Normal”.