On March 18, the government of Ukraine finally approved the plan for the Ukraine Facility, which will become the basis for the implementation of the program of financial support of Ukraine from the European Union during 2024-2027. According to the plan, during this time, 50 billion euros from the EU will be directed to financing the state budget, stimulating investments, etc. However, a mandatory condition for implementing the program is the implementation of a number of reforms that will lay the foundation for further recovery and development of the economy and integration of Ukraine into the EU. In particular, the list of reforms includes measures that will stimulate the green transformation of the country, the transition to low-carbon and renewable energy sources with the constant development of energy sustainability.
The Ukraine Facility program provides not only financial support from the European Union for Ukraine, but also the implementation of a number of reforms that will lay the foundation for the further recovery and development of the economy and the integration of Ukraine into the EU
The energy efficiency of the building stock was made a separate item in the block of energy reforms
Discussions around this topic have been going on in Ukraine for many years: for the first time the term "energy efficiency" appeared in Ukrainian DBN back in 2007. Since then, specifics have been added to the topic, and requirements for energy efficiency of buildings have been adjusted in accordance with modern realities and more relevant European norms. In short, the main criterion for the energy efficiency of a building is its energy losses, in particular those that are no more than 40–45 kWh/sq. m per year. One of the determining factors forming this indicator is heat conservation in the building. It is significantly influenced by the features of the building's glazing.
Rodion Losev, head of the Reynaers sales department in Ukraine
"The main characteristics that affect the energy efficiency of glazing in a particular building are its thermophysical characteristics: simply put, thermal conductivity," says Rodion Losev, head of the Reynaers sales department in Ukraine. — In this matter, it is important to comprehensively consider the properties of the glazing system and the double-glazed unit integrated into it. After all, in tandem with a low-quality system, even the best energy-saving glass package will not give the desired effect, and vice versa - if we use simple glass in a system with the highest class of insulation, heat loss will also not be able to be reduced to a level that allows us to call the building energy-efficient."
Island Rest is a house designed by Ström Architects, located on the Isle of Wight, Great Britain. Sliding systems - Reynaers HiFinity. Photo: Hufton + Crow
Today's trend and requirements: compatibility test
On the one hand, green transformation, optimization of energy consumption and, as a result, reduction of the carbon footprint are urgent priorities of Ukraine. On the other hand, we observe how modern architecture demonstrates trends for panoramic glazing and sliding systems with large-format movable sashes, which, it would seem, are not too focused on heat conservation in buildings.
The glazing in the photo is the Reynaers MasterPatio sliding system. Images courtesy of Reynaers Aluminum
"The stereotype about the unreliability of sliding systems today is shattered by available technologies and materials: if you use a premium-class profile lifting-sliding system, its properties are in no way inferior to blank glazing," — Rodion Losev
In order to debunk this myth, we spoke with Rodion Losev about the features of such structures and asked in more detail about the factors due to which the panoramic sliding system is able to fit into the concept of an energy-efficient building.
"Sliding systems can vary by class, from lower to higher. After all, the more technological the system is, the warmer it is, says Rodion Losev. — For the most part, it depends directly on the insulation used for a particular system.
One of the determining factors that form the building's energy efficiency index is its heat preservation, and therefore, glazing features. The sliding system in the photo is Reynaers MasterPatio. Images courtesy of Reynaers Aluminum
The stereotype about the unreliability of such moving solutions today is shattered by the available technologies and materials: if you use a premium-class profile lifting-sliding system, its thermal and waterproofing properties are in no way inferior to blind glazing. In addition, it works the other way around: if you choose blind glazing of inadequate quality, drafts and energy losses will be many times more than in the case of a sliding structure."
Island Rest is a house designed by Ström Architects, located on the Isle of Wight, Great Britain. Sliding systems - Reynaers HiFinity. Photo: Hufton + Crow
Island Rest is a house designed by Ström Architects, located on the Isle of Wight, Great Britain. Sliding systems - Reynaers HiFinity. Photo: Hufton + Crow
Island Rest is a house designed by Ström Architects, located on the Isle of Wight, Great Britain. Sliding systems - Reynaers HiFinity. Photo: Hufton + Crow
If we move from general considerations to specific examples, Rodion Losev notes that Reynaers mainly presents two models of sliding systems in Ukraine: HiFinity and MasterPatio — the flagships of the company, which are the most popular on the market.
Reynaers Aluminum uses low-carbon virgin and recycled aluminum in all of its systems - ensuring they are appropriately certified as green life cycle products
The HiFinity system has a Swiss certificate for energy-passive materials Minergie. It provides various opening options: with two and three guides, closing in the center, possible in a combination of two to six leaves. Specially designed Teflon-coated rollers and seals ensure smooth sliding of the sash. Even the structures are easily opened in manual mode. For greater convenience, a hidden drive is installed, which opens and closes the sashes with one push of a button.
Section of the Reynaers HiFinity profile system. Images courtesy of Reynaers Aluminum
HiFinity is also special in that the frame of the system is completely "hidden" in the wall of the building, leaving only the glass unit visible. Such a solution allows you to create an almost seamless panorama, but it should be laid in the early stages of building design
In cases where the window opening is already ready, the best alternative is the sliding MasterPatio system. It differs in variability: the permissible height of the leaf reaches 3,6 m, and the system itself is compatible with other Reynaers systems.
The glazing in the photo is the Reynaers MasterPatio sliding system. Images courtesy of Reynaers Aluminum
Rodion Losev explains how it works: "When you install a sliding system, you have a movable leaf and a so-called "deaf". Such solutions allow you to create a wide panoramic view, visually make the room more spacious. But how to ventilate such a room? The combination of a sliding system with other solutions solves this issue: for example, you can replace a fixed MasterPatio sash with its ventilation version, a door or a window from the MasterLine series — this gives the opportunity to endow the structure with greater functionality."
Recently, Reynaers has improved the design of the MasterPatio system: the company has "tailored" its profiles to a universal thickness, which is also available in the doors and windows with which the MasterPatio is compatible. The photo shows a section of the Reynaers MasterPatio system. Images courtesy of Reynaers Aluminum
MasterPatio is also certified by Minergie and is also awarded the Cradle to Cradle certificate, which indicates the ecological life cycle of the products. Reynaers Aluminum uses low-carbon virgin and recycled aluminum in all of its systems, but MasterPatio also features recycled insulation bars that further reduce CO2 emissions during the system's production.
The glazing in the photo is the Reynaers MasterPatio sliding system. Images courtesy of Reynaers Aluminum
Due to high heat-saving, air- and water-tightness, this system is suitable for energy-saving and passive houses, as well as for high-rise buildings. But, in addition to technological characteristics, Reynaers also cares about the aesthetics of the products. According to Rodion Losev, the company managed to "adjust" its profiles to a universal thickness, which is also used by doors and windows with which MasterPatio is compatible. As a result, this makes it possible to combine such solutions in compositionally consistent minimalist tandems, where the profiles of the elements do not conflict with each other in terms of height.
The glazing in the photo is the Reynaers MasterPatio sliding system. Images courtesy of Reynaers Aluminum
The glazing in the photo is the Reynaers MasterPatio sliding system. Images courtesy of Reynaers Aluminum
Ecological — to create ecologically
By 2030, as part of the European Green Deal, Reynaers has committed to reducing its direct and indirect emissions into the Earth's atmosphere by 47%. However, environmentalization of production started in the company many years ago. This is a fundamental position of Reynaers: in its activities, the company focuses on reducing the carbon footprint of production processes, as well as reducing waste that harms the planet.
By 2030, as part of the European Green Deal, Reynaers has committed to reducing its direct and indirect emissions into the Earth's atmosphere by 47%
This approach allows you to create products marked with the previously mentioned Cradle to Cradle certificate, and to develop as an eco-conscious company in step with modern demands.
Photo from Reynaers Aluminum production. In the frame are profiles for sliding MasterPatio systems. Images courtesy of Reynaers Aluminum
According to Rodion, today the main focus of the company is not even the energy efficiency of individual systems. Instead, the company is now focused on how these systems are built
"As of today, our company meets all the standards that exist on the planet," says Rodion Losev. — By choosing our products, you can also receive international certification of construction levels such as LEED or BREEAM. We create a high-quality product with a closed production cycle, we are responsible both for the efficiency of the buildings in which Reynaers systems are used, and for our own impact on the environment."
Island Rest is a house designed by Ström Architects, located on the Isle of Wight, Great Britain. Sliding systems - Reynaers HiFinity. Photo: Hufton + Crow
According to Rodion, the main focus of the company today is not even the energy efficiency of individual systems: the technological diversity and level of innovation integrated into Reynaers products shows that the company quite successfully keeps up with the demands of the modern market, sometimes even ahead of them. Instead, the company is now focused on how these systems are built: Reynaers is a major player in its market segment and has production to match. The main priority of the company is to reduce the negative impact of this production on the environment and the global climate situation on the planet. A sustainable product, Reynaers believes, should be the result of sustainable production. It is this comprehensive approach that the company uses, striving to improve the quality of people's lives — not only at the moment, but also globally.
