AZTEC’S NEW MECHANICALLY JOINTED DOOR ACES TEN-YEAR TEST!

Long-standing Halo fabricator Aztec Windows (Coventry) Ltd has created a fully mechanically jointed door, and has been putting it through its paces at VEKA’s Burnley test centre.

Always keen to move with the market, Aztec has been working on this door for more than 18 months, in response to a rise in customer enquiries for ‘timber-look’ PVCu doors.

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Director Michael Hagan explains, “despite repeated enquiries for a mechanically jointed door, we haven’t rushed in producing this system. We wanted to make sure we got it absolutely right for our customers. It’s not a ‘novelty’ or show piece item. We’ve created an exceptional quality door that will withstand the hard knocks of real-life, regular use.

“We created an oversized prototype of the door (1100mm x 2200mm) complete with laminated glass, in order to test it at its most extreme and challenging dimensions. We then sent it up to VEKA HQ, and the ever-helpful technical team put it through its paces in the lab.

“VEKA’s mechanical testing rig put the door through 63,000 cycles, which is the equivalent of it being opened and closed for just over 10 years, and it kept going! Nothing moved, nothing shifted, no joints parted. It performed absolutely perfectly. This means our customers can be confident in the immense strength of the joints, especially if they want to glaze on site – which is necessary for a door, due to the weights involved.

“Along with the mechanical joints, we have also developed a deep midrail at 174mm and a deep bottom rail at 164mm. Both of these features are geared towards making the doors look as traditional as possible.

“We know that it’s now ready to bring to market for prestigious projects that require the look of timber, with the many performance benefits of PVCu, with no ‘tell-tale’ mitred corners!

“These specialist high quality doors will be made to order for our discerning customers, but I think we’ll have to create one for our showroom too, to show off the attention-to-detail that can be expected!

“We supply to the trade as well as serving our own domestic customer base, and I look forward to seeing the many varied projects this versatile door could be used for.”

VEKA UK Sales Director Neil Evans said: “After more than 30 years in business, Aztec shows no sign of slowing down. Using Halo profiles, the team already offer the mechanically jointed FlushSash and Lipped Casement within the Prestige Collection®. It’s great to see them utilising the same tooling and machinery to meet rising market demand for a mechanically jointed door. This would seem to be the next logical step in timber-look PVCu and I suspect they’ll soon be inundated with enquiries.

“Here at VEKA, we’re always ready to help customers with new product support; from R&D and performance calculations, to prototype testing, marketing support, and everything in between – our tools and expertise are great resources to be shared with customers.”

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