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FAQ: The abbreviation FENSA stands for FENESTRATION - SELF ASSESSMENT. The uk dictionary definition of the word fenestral or fenestrate is " belonging to or like a window" The word fenestration is "the arrangement of windows in a building". FENSA is used by double glazing uk trade companies to certify that their replacement windows and doors installed comply with Building Regulations Document L (and more), actually checking av. 1% of all replacement windows installations. Did You Know?
PVCu or uPVC? To be absolutely correct it is PVC-U and neither of the above! Lets start by telling you what these letters mean. First of all though: Question: What is the difference between PVCu and uPVC?. Answer: NONE. All that happened is that in our country uPVC changed it's name to PVC-U in the late 1980's to fall in line with our European friends. It seems that they were all calling it call it PVC-U because European languages mostly place the noun (being PVC in this case) before the adjective (U). Links to other pages on PVC-U: PVC-U Colours and finishes, and repainting PVC-U Strengths and weaknesses So what is PVC-U? The 'PVC' part of it stands for Polyvinyl Chloride. The 'U' stands for Un-plasticised, often wrongly called Un-modified. Poly Vinyl Chloride, which we know as every day 'PVC' is modified, i.e. softened and can then be used in the manufacture of products such as hand bags, sport bags, shoes and fake leather. It is the use of this material which has made us familiar with the abbreviation 'PVC'. Pure PVC-U is not quite suitable for window and door profiles. A small amount of stabiliser and additives are required, the mix of which may vary slightly between different manufacturers of profiles for window and door systems, and is necessary to provide longevity, high weather and UV resistance, and also to achieve a brilliant white colour, for those who prefer it. It is interesting to note that our European counterparts are not so interested in a particularly bright, or blue white, and this is why most extrusions of German origin tend to be a more creamy 'off white' than those specifically tailored in colour to please the market in our country. The basic material properties of PVCu make it ideal for window and door application, including:
The technically minded may be interested to know that there are a number of British Standards tests which describe Tensile yield Strength at 23%, Apparent Modulus of Elasticity, Impact Strength, Tensile Impact, Retention of Impact after Ageing, Softening Point, Coefficient of Linear Expansion, Coefficient of Thermal Conductivity, Thermal Transmission, Sound Transmission, Water Absorption and Flammability.
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