GEALAN BIM solutions – an unrestricted pursuit of innovation

A window to greater possibilities

When designing windows, it is very important to take into account their technical characteristics and the capabilities of the manufacturer. If the windows are designed without consulting the manufacturer, it may eventually turn out that there is no way to fulfill the order. Due to the problems that have arisen, the time for the implementation of the project is increased, the idea has to be adjusted, and sometimes – to produce completely different windows. In order for the architect to receive full-fledged information about the future product at the design stage and to reconcile the wishes of customers with technical implementation, GEALAN has developed a process of digitization of window production. It helps to smoothly and quickly design windows that meet all the requirements. It is only necessary to find a section of services for architects and designers on the company's website www.gealan.de. It provides an overview of GEALAN window systems and solutions, provides important information about GEALAN BIM solutions, and provides a consistently improved GEALAN window design tool, GEALAN Planersoftware 3.0, which provides more design options. In addition, it is always possible to contact GEALAN experts advising architects on possible window options, combinations and individual design.

Benefits for architects and designers

GEALAN Planersoftware 3.0 for the design of GEALAN window and door systems is available online. It is free of charge for architects and designers. The latest version of the program has also a plugins for the widely used CAD design programs Revit and ArchiCad.

With the help of GEALAN Planersoftware 3.0, the architect easily reconciles his ideas with the manufacturer of windows or doors, can quickly figure out the structural nuances. It is not difficult to prepare the technical material for the tender or to submit a commercial offer to the customer, which indicates a detailed overview, advantages and features of the GEALAN product range. GEALAN Planersoftware 3.0 checks whether the structural solution can be implemented according to thermal conductivity coefficients, static parameters and maximum sizes. With this design tool, it is possible to create many windows of different shapes and colors with GEALAN profile systems. In addition, additional profiles, thresholds, other fittings or expansion profiles can be added. By the way, GEALAN Planersoftware 3.0 provides certified reliability in the design of all types of GEALAN windows.

Taking into account the wishes of users, new solutions have been implemented in the program, one of which is the project structure. It greatly facilitates the exchange of information and data between project participants. For example, with the help of GEALAN Planersoftware 3.0, the architect determines how many windows and doors of different configurations will be needed in the project. He can send his project to the window manufacturer, who, according to the technical possibilities, will confirm his corrections. The cooperation project can take place and vice versa: the manufacturer, according to the wishes of the architect, creates windows and doors for the program, and the architect transfers the resulting file to the model of his building.

GEALAN's digital tools include the ar-reality apps WindowViewer and ProfileViewer, which make it easier to imagine the project as a whole. For example, after scanning the wall of a building, it is possible to offer the customer different windows and demonstrate how each option would look in a common project.

The future belongs to the advanced

GEALAN believes that Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a method of designing the future. The company is one of the few developers of PVC window and door systems in Europe, offering a full range of its products in BIM file formats. Such information is useful for window designers, manufacturers and consumers (for the latter, the maintenance and repair of windows is facilitated).

The company's attitude to choose only the most promising tools for the future window business is confirmed by awards. For the third time in a row, GEALAN has earned the highest "ARCHITECTS ́ DARLING" rating for the best support of architects, designers and window manufacturers with BIM solutions.

Bim models can simulate the construction process and create the necessary situations for the construction of technical equipment, detect geometric inconsistencies and fully manage costs. Throughout the life cycle of the building, the data is constantly processed.

Before starting the construction work, spatial structures, BIM objects and elements of the structure are noted and the corresponding features are assigned to them (type of building part, elements of the structure, such as BIM windows and doors, materials used, equipment, costs, etc.). Each static change is immediately included in bim models and the updated data is visible to all persons associated with the structure. In order for a BIM-based project to be successfully implemented, all manufacturers involved must ensure full transparency and provide sufficient data.

GEALAN is happy to give its customers the opportunity to download detailed BIM data related to windows and doors, such as information on the materials used in the production of the window, technical characteristics, even recycling options in case it is necessary to dispose of the product after many years.

The big advantage is that the total cost of BIM design is significantly reduced compared to the usual method. Other advantages of BIM are also revealed: the quality of the project improves, the risk of design errors is reduced, deadlines are met and costs are optimized. All this is achieved throughout the construction process through greater transparency and consistent supervision.

All the above-mentioned solutions were presented at the impressive GEALAN stand during the recent international exhibition of window and door manufacturers FENSTERBAU FRONTALE 2024 in Nürnberg.