What is iCOR?
iCOR is Elegant's modular heart. The standardised building block is integrated into the design and becomes visible when the frame and the sash are brought together.
The iCOR principle serves as a universal building block for Deceuninck window and door profiles in Europe. This gives rise to full exchangeability between the frame and the sashes, which results in an unprecedented complexity reduction in terms of production and logistics. iCOR furthermore offers more design options on one and the same platform: thanks to the modular character, one frame can serve as a basis for multiple sash designs.
Central sealing
To guarantee optimal results in terms of acoustics, watertightness and thermal insulation, we have developed iCOR with central sealing. Apart from the sealing on the inside and outside of the profile, the central sealing constitutes a thermal division of the rebate area. It serves as an additional barrier against e.g. heat and cold.
“The first universal building block for window and door styles.”
Elegant, a design-driven sash environment compatible with various frame depths thanks to the iCOR building block.
Development iCOR: THE EMERGENCE OF MODULAR LOGIC
Elegant is a turnaround in terms of design as well as in terms of technology to Deceuninck. The first window system based on iCOR, Elegant symbolises the new, simplified approach of our company. Our product development expert Peter Degrande discusses the process that resulted in the modular logic behind the universal platform.
”Our new modular logic results in standardisation of the production process, which enables window producers to save time and money.”
Why the need for a universal platform?
Peter Degrande: “Deceuninck has always adopted a strongly market-oriented approach. Over the years, we have always adjusted our product range to the wishes of the customer, which has resulted in a complex offer of different systems in the long term. We currently have a total of five different platforms, each with its own specific characteristics. When we were looking for a successor for Zendow#neo, we set off in search of a way to reduce this complexity. With iCOR, we have developed a matrix that can serve as a base for all future designs.”
How was iCOR’s building block defined?
Degrande: “Based on market analysis and technical requirements, we have set the platform’s standard profile depth at 76 mm. This allows us to provide a maximum glazing area, so we can integrate all possible triple glazing thicknesses. To further optimise the new system’s thermal insulation, iCOR also features an optional triple seal concept. Combined with the very slim glazing rebate, we have been able to standardize on the most efficient frame depth of 76 mm. One of these requirements was to extend the possibility to integrate central sealing. We previously used a ‘double sealing’ system: a sealing on the inside and on the outside of the profile. To maximise the new system’s thermal insulation, iCOR features three sealings, with additional sealing in the middle. To cope with the most stringent market demands we will also provide an 84 mm profile depth. The iCOR building block is formed by the standardised design in the frame and sash dimensions. The part where a profile fame and sash meet, always remains the same. By applying this modular logic with every new frame and sash design, we make sure that the frames and sashes are all compatibel with one another.
Elegant means a change in the perception of PVC.”Peter Degrande · Product development expert”
How does this facilitate the production process for window producers?
Degrande: “The majority of our window producers make use of different systems. Customers frequently offer various technologies such as steel reinforced and fibreglass rein-forced profiles. In addition, they often use various profile depths as well. All these systems require different specifications in terms of machinery, settings and programmes. The application of a fixed profile depth and a modular structure ensures that certain operations such as drilling and milling remain the same for different kinds of profiles. This way we achieve a timely standardisation of the production process, which enables producers not only to save time but also to reduce their production costs.”
Why did you opt for Elegant Abstract as the first iCOR design?
Degrande: “The idea to simplify our range of PVC products went hand in hand with our objective to reach a higher level of design. PVC is especially known for its efficiency and performance, but it still had to catch up in terms of looks. Until a few years ago, PVC was mainly associated with white, shiny window profiles. Innovations in finishing such as Decoroc enabled us to take a first step in getting rid of that image. Elegant Abstract takes it even further, with an extremely sleek design and an ultimate rebate of 7 mm. Never before has PVC had such a modern and minimalistic look. With Elegant, Deceuninck definitively changes the perception of PVC. This is backed up by several international prizes: Elegant has already earned us a
German Design Award, a German Innovation Award,
Red Dot Award and a
Designregio Kortrijk Award.”
Explore the possibilities of iCor
What makes iCor such a game-changing innovation? Watch how technical office responsible Francesco Corradini explains the main benefits of the new iCor platform.
What makes iCor such an important innovation?
iCOR is the modular heart of Elegant. The pvc systems for doors and windows are many and all different from each other. This means that they are not interchangeable and create complexity on both the market and all our customers. iCOR simplifies the current situation, allowing to combine different types of frames and doors for designs and looks that are always different from each other.
Which problems does this innovation solve for Deceuninck customers?
iCOR simplifies the work of our customers! Flexibility and simplification are the main features of iCOR. Three series of frames, five series of sashes, already available or in the launch phase, all interchangeable with each other. This means for our customers a better profile management, a smaller stock of profiles, a smaller waste of profiles, a smaller number of needed tools to work all our profiles, and last but not least a wider choice of solutions.
What are the main benefits of iCor for clients, besides its flexibility?
In addition to flexibility, iCor offers our customers profiles with a modern and innovative design and excellent performances. Considering that doors and windows are central elements in sustainable construction and are durable goods, they are always connected to the building structure.
Why is it so important to also add one ThermoFibra system in the iCor platform?
In 2012, Deceuninck introduced an amazing new technology. Structural fiberglass coextruded in sash profiles that allow us to eliminate the old steel reinforcement. ThermoFibra is an exclusive technology developed by Deceuninck that allows us to differentiate ourselves from all our competitors and allows us to provide our customers with a highly innovative product, with a modern and elegant design and superior performances. The sashes of the Elegant ThermoFibra system are reinforced with km of glass fiber cables intertwined to form co-extruded bars with the pvc profile that replace the traditional steel reinforcements, increasing their thermal performance and speeding up the production process of the windows.
How will this innovation impact the market?
The introduction of the iCOR revolution, the ingenious method of connecting the construction elements, makes the new Elegant system an extremely flexible and complete range, which meets the daily needs of our customers and the demands of the European markets. Deceuninck is a leader in innovation on the market of PVC systems for windows and doors.
What makes our iCOR technology so extraordinary?
Alexander Wallig of RWS Fenster is convinced the Elegant range will have a big impact on the market.