aluplast has reported significant demand for its new Ideal 4000 and aluskin aluminium cladding system as an energy efficient and low cost alternative to traditional aluminium systems.

Ideal 4000 was launched by aluplast at the end of 2016. The 70mm PVC-U casement system is defined by a contemporary ‘square-edge’ profile, plus a ‘clip-and-fix’ aluskin aluminium finishing option.

Achieving a WER A+ window in either its PVC-U, or PVC-U core and aluskin, specifications, aluplast has reported that this combination has attracted significant demand from residential and commercial sectors.

“The opportunity to pitch an alternative, far more thermally efficient but also lower cost PVC-U/aluminium crossover product is striking a chord with fabricators but also commercial specifiers”, said Ian Cocken, Sales and Marketing Director, aluplast.

According to Palmer Market Research, the market for aluminium systems grew in value terms by 8% in 2015 to £370million. This increase is significant in a market which grew by only 2% on the same basis.

The Window, Door and Conservatory Markets in Housing in Great Britain, states that although PVC-U systems retain the lion’s share of the glazing market, aluminium also gained ground in terms of volume – up 6%. This means that it now accounts for 9% of the total housing market.

Ideal 4000 has been tested to Part Q, PAS24:2012 and Secured by Design Specifications.