REYNAERS Middle East, a leading aluminium architectural solutions provider, has launched the CW65-EF aluminium façade range – an innovative, time-saving and environment-friendly solution for the construction industry.

Launched to mark the fifth anniversary of the company’s Bahrain office, the range significantly reduces installation time as over 90 per cent of the system is built in the factory, including gaskets, glass panes, and some anchoring components. On site, the assembly of the total façade is limited to mounting the completed elements in place using the pre-placed anchors.
Though the system’s final design was done by its parent firm in Belgium, inputs for the products largely came from the Middle East region, says Ali Khalaf, managing director, Reynaers Middle East, describing it as a huge accomplishment of Reynaers Middle East.

The new system offers fabricators the benefit of reduced fabrication time and substantially simpler production methods, while designers and architects can benefit from its capacity to provide increased transparency and a greater glass thickness, allowing considerable creative freedom. “The CW 65-EF and CW 65-EF-SG, which is also available in Bahrain, will thus fit neatly into Reynaers’ existing curtain-wall range, between the CW 50, CW 60 and the CW 86 products,” he says.
Jurgen Cop, project manager, Reynaers Middle East, says the new façade range is a product of valued engineering in which the benefits of existing proven systems have been retained but the product is customised to client specifications.
“The new CW 65-EF provides an excellent addition to the Reynaers curtain wall offer, next to the CW 86-EF. This is due to its slimmer design and reduced internal and external visible width. It is set to establish itself as a system within the unitised market. It comes in a slim, yet strong profile, allowing it to accommodate a larger element size of 3,700 mm high and 1,600 mm wide. The appeal for architects will be the slender design, both inside and outside, which is only 65 mm of the aluminium supporting structure, adding considerable value to its aesthetic appeal and applications,” he says.
With the growing concern for sustainable energy conservation and the associated awareness of man’s carbon footprint, architects and investors are increasingly focusing on the sustainable climate control advantages offered by the element façade.

The CW 65-EF ... innovative.

The CW 65 is a thermally-insulated façade consisting of frames that are glazed on the outside with light glazing beads that accentuate the contour of the different volumes. The joint width of 9 mm between frames is achieved by recessed rubber gaskets. An additional insulation gasket between the glass panel and the insulation strip further contributes to its increased insulation capability with a Uf value of up to 2.6 W per sq m K. Apart from its good thermal insulation, the aluminium in the façade system is 100 per cent degradable, showing its environment-friendliness, Khalaf says.
The CW 65-EF system also allows for the integration of CW 50 opening elements with maximum dimensions of 2,000 by 1,600 mm (130 kg) or 2,500 by 1,350 mm (180 kg) for top-hung windows and 2,000 by 1,500 mm (180 kg) for parallel opening windows. The CW 65-EF accepts glass from 4 mm to 36 mm thicknesses.
Meanwhile, the CW 65-EF-SG system offers an aesthetically-pleasing, yet economical structural glazing option. Although the visible width of the aluminium construction on the inside is 65 mm, the visible joint between the two glass plates on the outside is a tiny 16 mm, which is finished off with a recessed EPDM seal, creating a completely flush impression and hiding the construction frames below, Khalaf points out. “In this instance, the structural glass plates are glued directly onto a preassembled anodised frame, reducing the number of required components and further reducing construction time. This also guarantees excellent cohesion of glass to profiles. Working this way enables the replacement of broken glass panes to be partly undertaken in the workshop. Glass thickness can vary from 4 mm to 40 mm,” he says.
In addition to these qualities, the CW 65 range can also be effectively applied in earthquake-prone areas, as the system has been designed to absorb strong shocks. “In fact, a project was done in Turkey keeping this very aspect in view,” says Cop. “Thus the owner of the building gains not only the enhanced comfort provided by improved insulation, but also achieves improved safety features at a competitive price, accommodating larger building movements than previously achieved,” he adds.
Speaking of Reynaers Middle East’s future prospects, Khalaf says he is confident of making it through the recession, adding that companies that have a reputation for their reliability and are committed to the region would continue to be strong in the market. The company has added 40 per cent more staff despite the downturn, presenting a positive outlook, he says.
Headquartered in Bahrain, Reynaers Middle East was established in the end of 2004 to provide hi-tech aluminium architectural solutions for the growing construction needs in the region.

Aspire Tower in Qatar ... one of Reynaers’ best projects.

Reynaers Middle East has undertaken many prestigious projects in the region, some of which include the iconic Aspire Tower in Qatar’s Sports City and the Ferrari theme park in Abu Dhabi, UAE – by far its biggest assignment. After doing a satisfactory job, the extension project to the theme park was also awarded to Reynaers.
In Bahrain, where it says it has 25 to 30 per cent of the market share, Reynaers’ portfolio includes Euro Tower, Al Ayyam newspaper office, Riffa and Shabab sports clubs, Tala Island, Medical University of Bahrain, Muharraq municipality office, telecommunication giant Zain’s headquarters, and Ruf car assembly complex at the Bahrain International Circuit.
Reynaers helps its clients throughout their projects, offering field visits, technical support as well as various solutions when and where needed.