What is Centre for Window and Cladding Technology (CWCT) Certification?


Posted: 17th September 2018

The Centre for Window and Cladding Technology (CWCT) is a publisher of industry standards and guidance on building envelopes.

The CWCT ‘standard for systemised building envelopes’ gives a framework for specifying building envelopes incorporating various performance criteria as well as a ‘Specifiers Checklist’. Certain criteria is comprised under the supervision of the CWCT standards Committee, founded in 1989 it is now supported by over 350 member companies drawn from the broad spectrum of the industry, from clients and architects to contractors and manufacturers.

CWCT Testing

To determine the level of serviceability of a window, façade or cladding systems, The Centre for Window and Cladding Technology use multiple testing methods to acquire the results when subjected to various levels of water, air and solid object impact. The final level of certifications depends on the pressure reached or the degree of damaged caused after impact.

All our Unity systems follow the guidelines for rainscreen cladding recommended by the CWCT.

In order to gain the certification our panels were subjected to and passed through the following tests:

  • Weathertightness – Dynamic
  • Wind Resistance – Serviceability
  • Wind Resistance – Safety
  • Soft Body Impact
  • Hard Body Impact

Why is CWCT important?

The National Building Specification (NBS) and The National House Building Council (NHBC) standards are based on the ‘Standard for systemised building envelopes’.

Metalline gained certification in early 2017 for the Metalline Unity Aluminium Rainscreen System and is now at the forefront of aluminium rainscreen cladding and insulated panel production in the UK.

Aluminium cladding Unity rainscreen panels offer protection to a building’s external façade. According to the CWCT, façade failure is one of the most common reasons for a new build to fail. This is why it is important that you get products that are CWCT certified and are expertly designed and fitted. Independent tests are worth considering for vulnerable locations that are exposed or elevated.

To find out more on rainscreen panels, you can visit our blog post on ‘What are interlocking rainscreen panels?’.

If you have any queries about our CWCT Certification or would like to get in contact with us, you can send us an email at sales@metalline.co.uk or call us on 01543 456 930.

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