Fourth Van de Vin partner day dedicated to BENG

Van de Vin windows and frames attaches great value to optimum cooperation with its suppliers and clients. To keep in touch with the market and adjust the products and services accordingly, the manufacturer of wooden frames organizes an annual so-called Partner Day.

During this day, a topical theme is the focus each time. The fourth edition on April 3 focused on BENG (in relation to wooden window frames) and was graced by two interesting speakers.

Gerard Roest, owner of Limuco.

The purpose of this afternoon is to bring together regular suppliers and partner customers to achieve even better cooperation, says director Mathee van de Vin. "In the continuous improvement of our products and services, the input of our chain partners is essential. We therefore really see the Partner Day as a moment to spar together with suppliers and customers about the needs in the market and the possible challenges involved. This year we deliberately chose the theme of BENG, not only because of current events, but also to clarify the influence of BENG on wooden window frames."

Mathee van de Vin (l).

Van de Vin windows and frames managed to secure two speakers for the Partner Day: Harm Valk, partner and senior consultant at Nieman Raadgevende Ingenieurs, and Gerard Roest, owner of Limuco, an independent project and expertise agency specializing in wood and wood application in facades. After a welcoming speech by Mathee van de Vin, Harm Valk talked about the changes that BENG will bring about. Harm is also chairman of the project group that made the new determination methods for energy performance for buildings: NTA 8800, or the calculation rules for BENG. As a starting point, he referred to Maslow's pyramid of needs, in which comfort is seen as a basic need and not an extra.

"A good thermal envelope is essential for achieving healthy and comfortable buildings; frames, windows and doors play a crucial role in this," states Harm Valk. "Building partners will therefore have to work together much more to meet both the regulations and the desired comfort. Van de Vin understands this like no other."

Harm Valk, partner and senior advisor at
Nieman Consulting Engineers

The second speaker, Gerard Roest, can also agree. "The U-value is by far the indicator of the performance of a window frame in the facade and depends on all the components that close the 'gap in the facade.' It is a combination of the glass, the spacers, the draught frames, ventilation devices, etc. Again, this just shows the need for collaboration." During his presentation, Gerard Roest outlined the "life cycle" of the wooden window frame since the introduction of the CE marking requirement in 2012. The changing regulations in recent years and especially the announcement of the first (strict) concept requirements around BENG in 2016 forced many window frame manufacturers to undergo some further development. And with success.

Van de Vin is even among the frontrunners. For example, Van de Vin sets higher requirements for the vinGarant hardwood private label frame than the Building Code prescribes. Good is not good enough. Excellent is the lower limit for the Brabant family business. vinGarant is therefore absolutely ready for BENG, according to Gerard Roest.

After two enervating sessions with plenty of room for discussion, the Partner Day concluded with a snack and a drink. It remained pleasant in Heeze for a long time.