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ISO-Chemie’s WINFRAMER Energy Efficiency Boost For Major Edwardian House Retrofit

    ISO-Chemie’s thermal insulating and load bearing bracket support system has been specified to provide energy efficiency improvements to an Edwardian property in Oxfordshire. The move sees WINFRAMER units retrofitted as part of an initiative to bring the poorly insulated solid walled house built in 1909 in Oxford, up to current energy efficiency standards, providing better quality accommodation for the homeowner along with long-term cost savings.

     

    Red brick building under construction. Blue plastic covers windows and door. Scaffolding present. Emphasis on renovation work.

    Passivhaus certified and fire rated to up to 30 minutes, WINFRAMER is a prefabricated installation frame, manufactured to accommodate cavities up to 250mm that allows windows to be supported independently from the face of the wall regardless of any external cladding being in place.

     

    Quick and easy to install, the product’s application in Oxford is seen as part of a solution to meet a wider Government strategy to reduce carbon levels in housing that has single skin walls or non-cavity walls - these buildings have a reputation for leaking considerable amounts of energy, heat and sound.

     

    Nikki Lambert of development contractor Lambert Home Builds, said the project was a whole house retrofit and added: “Using the WINFRAMER system is a game changer for us as the existing windows are being replaced with new high performance triple glazing. They are then moved into the external wall insulation system, where it’s integral to have a secure fixing system as well as a means to mitigate thermal bridging.”


    Red brick wall with a large glass window, framed by a light-colored trim. A small plaque with text is visible above the wall.

     

    Andy Swift, ISO-Chemie’s sales and operations manager – UK and ROI, added: “Using WINFRAMER as a platform for the windows to be moved forward, allows a cavity wall to be created outside the existing one. This can then be filled with insulation to massively improve thermal efficiency. As it’s thermally efficient and airtight, WINFRAMER is proving to be an easy and cost-effective way to improve the quality of properties.”

     

    The composite WINFRAMER brackets can bear heavy window loads, including bi-fold doors, to provide a reliable, strong and high-performance support frame. Installation is quick with windows attached directly and secured mechanically using either standard fixing screws or fixing lugs in the usual manner.

     

    A hinged insulation core combines with the composite structural bracket to become an integral part of the overall wall structure, providing compliance with Building Energy Act requirements and the RAL quality assurance association.

     

    ISO-Chemie is one of Europe’s main producers of impregnated foam sealants, specialising in the manufacture of foam products from polyethylene (EPE), polypropylene (EPP) and polyurethane (PUR) using the latest production techniques.

    New Build To Fuel Foam Tape Sealants Growth In 2026

      Government funded residential development will contribute to the growth of fenestration foam tape sealants in 2026, according to Andy Swift, sales and operations manager at ISO-Chemie.


      Man in a dark suit, white shirt with "ISO CHEMIE" text on the collar, smiling slightly against a gray gradient background.
      ISO Chemie’s Andy Swift says new build to fuel foam tape sealants growth in 2026

      He believes the sealants’ sector will continue to remain buoyant throughout the next 12 months, seeing steady growth despite the completion of new homes falling well below the Government target of 1.5 million in a construction sector that continues to see challenges.

       

      One property expert predicts that 840,000 new homes will be completed in the five-year period to 2028/29 (source: Savills). Meanwhile, £16bn of new public investment will fund over 500,000 new homes as part of a new government-backed ‘housing bank’ designed to unlock billions in private sector investment to turbocharge housebuilding. 

       

      These moves will see a strong market focus on the use of window and door foam sealants, with increased specification of rapid product solutions to deliver better energy conservation - particularly as fuel bills continue to rise.

       

      Two men in white shirts install a window frame in a partially constructed building. Bricks and a blue van are visible outside.

      Elsewhere, the retrofit sector is expected to see growth as opportunities arise thanks to active central funding initiatives and the release of additional funds in the coming 12 months. The Government is supporting its ambitions to upgrade five million homes within five years, investing £13.2 billion in grants and low-interest loans to improve existing housing stock.

       

      Hands cutting black material with scissors on a table edge. Visible text on table. Indoor, industrial setting. Focused, precise action.

      “The retrofit sector for us will definitely be big in 2026,” said Andy Swift. “With the continued focus on energy conservation amid higher energy costs, and architects and developers bringing forward their energy efficient designs, readily available high-performance foam fenestration sealants are well positioned to meet specifier and installer needs.”

       

      Regulatory change will also feature with a greater focus on thermal efficiency around window joints, according to Andrew Swift. For instance, the 2025 Future Homes Standard sets new energy efficiency benchmarks for UK homes while this year’s update to Part L introduces more ‘stringent’ energy efficiency requirements for existing buildings with different recommendations for new dwellings.

       

      Close-up of a brick wall corner with a blue panel. Inset magnifies the edge detail. Colors include red bricks, grey mortar, and blue.

      “Our strategy to educate UK specifiers, housebuilders and the wider construction sector about energy efficient improvement solutions - up to 70% cost savings can be achieved when using our tapes for high performance window sealing rather than traditional silicone sealants – will continue to feature strongly in our efforts to secure growth next year.”

      ISO Chemie’s Winframer Passes The Test!

        ISO Chemie’s thermal insulating and load bearing bracket support system has been put to the (weight) test – and passed with flying colours. In an onsite construction challenge, a new WINFRAMER window installation was loaded with 120kg over 900mm and did not shift an inch - it can take at least 200kg/m – to confirm to sceptical customers that the product can easily withstand heavy load bearings.


        Cinder blocks with "20 kg" on one are stacked in a window frame against a brick wall. Light blue and yellow boards support the blocks.

        The composite WINFRAMER brackets can bear heavy window loads, including bi-fold doors, to provide a reliable, strong and high-performance support frame. Installation is quick with windows attached directly and secured mechanically using either standard fixing screws or fixing lugs in the usual manner. A hinged insulation core combines with the composite structural bracket to become an integral part of the overall wall structure, providing compliance with Building Energy Act requirements and the RAL quality assurance association.


        Andy Swift, ISO Chemie’s sales and operations manager – UK and ROI, said WINFRAMER is increasingly being specified among housebuilders and installers as an effective thermal insulating and load bearing bracket support system.


        He said: “Our customers continually challenge us over the weight bearing capability of WINFRAMER, so it was great to see it pass this test easily. Specifiers, designers and property developers want new ways to deliver low carbon, energy efficient homes, which use sustainable technologies. Our products support this, delivering measurable airtight, acoustic and thermal sealing properties.”


        ISO-Chemie is one of Europe’s main producers of impregnated foam sealants, specialising in the manufacture of foam products from polyethylene (EPE), polypropylene (EPP) and polyurethane (PUR) using the latest production techniques.

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