HURST INTRODUCES NEW PREMIUM GLASSES

Hurst Plastics is helping trade customers make the most of the thriving composite door market with the addition of its new Premium Glass range. Offering 11 stylish new glass designs, Hurst has doubled the number of glazing options available in its popular collection of composite doors.

The new range of triple glazed designs has been introduced to help installers provide an even greater choice for style-conscious homeowners. It includes both traditional and contemporary styles, which have been...

Secure quality with Universal Trade Frames

Spectus trade fabricator, Universal Trade Frames has been highlighting the importance of security for some time. Brian Kruger, Universal Trade Frames’ Managing Director, says: “Our customers know that security is a huge factor for contractors and homeowners and we are proud to have a range of products that have achieved Secured by Design accreditation, the flagship UK police initiative to help ‘design out’ crime through the use of high-quality, innovative products and processes.”

Universal Trade Frames has Secured by Design accreditation on its casement windows manufactured from both Spectus Elite 70 bevelled and Elite 70 ovolo systems. It also has the accreditation on Spectus Flush 70 PVC-U casement window, Eite 70 tilt and turn bevelled window, Elite 70 tilt and turn ovolo window, Spectus Elite 70 residential single door bevelled, Elite 70 residential single door ovolo, Elite 70 residential double door bevelled and Elite 70 residential double door ovolo. All products are also certified to PAS 24:2016 too, which can also be used to demonstrate compliance with Approved Document Q, BS 6375-1 for weathertightness and BS 6375-2 and BS EN 1191 for operation and strength testing.

Secured by Design is now widely recognising by professional...

COLOURS, DESIGNS AND DELIVERY FROM RESIDOR IN JUST 5 DAYS

With an expanded door range, standard and bespoke colours and an on time, in full service promise in excess of 99%, along with online ordering, new trade partners are helping to fuel further success in Residor.

The impressive performance for Residor has also been bolstered by their unique £1,000 security guarantee, thanks to the specification of the 3 Star Ultion cylinder as standard. With a 3.6mm external door skin, this makes for one, if not the most secure GRP composite door in the UK at present, complying to the latest PAS 24 standards.

There a 9 distinct door designs both traditional and...

Fenetek and Exlabesa deliver for Starbucks

Fenetek is one of the North’s leading fabricators of high quality aluminium fenestration products to the commercial and domestic glazing industries. It recently demonstrated why it has achieved this status with the installation of the glazed curtain walling shopfront for the new Starbucks in Stockton on Tees.

The project requirements included curtain walling glazed with high performance solar control glazing and a custom designed “drive-thru” serving hatch incorporated into the build.

Fenetek has been working with Exlabesa for four years and trusted its products to deliver in this case. James Lagan, Director at Fenetek, commented: “The products are well...

RESIDENCE COLLECTION GETS A DEDICATED TRADE WEBSITE

The Residence Collection has just unveiled a dedicated new website for the trade at www.residencecollectiontrade.co.uk that’s been designed as a complete resource hub for the three in one system, which boasts shared profiles, beads and single length ordering.

R2, R7 and R9 all benefit from a dedicated landing platform on the new site showcasing design philosophies, performance, a clever interactive glazing bead designer, along with a wide range of hardware and ancillaries, including the deep, period-inspired Radlington Cill. There is also a colour selector that presents all of the unique and inspiring colour and woodgrain options that are available across The Residence Collection.

As you would expect from a truly unrivalled premium systems house, there are a wide range of marketing materials available for download or that can be ordered as part of a pack including brochures, case studies, wallcharts, door drops and a planning and conservation guide for R9. In addition, there is also a dedicated page on colour which includes dedicated colour guides by system, including wallcharts and visitors to the website can also request free sample swatches by system.

LEKA Systems adds value to fabricators’ portfolios

Fabricators looking to increase turnover should take a look at what LEKA products have to offer. That’s the message from Rhys Hoddinott Director of LEKA Systems. He comments: “The LEKA Orangery Roof and the LEKA Warm Roof are proving to be strong additions to fabricators’ portfolios. Their popularity means they’re a great way to get new installers through the door, which opens up opportunities to increase sales on existing products too. Plus, they’re easy to add to a fabrication set up and we provide full marketing and technical support so fabricators can start to add value to their portfolio very quickly.”

Rhys says there are three reasons why the LEKA Orangery Roof and the LEKA Warm Roof offer such great opportunities to fabricators.

NEW, ANTHRACITE GREY ROOFLINE SOFFITS FROM SUMMIT

Summit has added three new soffit boards to its increasingly popular, Anthracite Grey range of PVC fascia products.

The new board sizes – a vented soffit and two flat boards, 175mm and 225mm - have been introduced because of increasing trade demand for fascias that co-ordinate with PVC doors and window used in household refurbishment.

According to Summit, colour in construction is becoming more and more popular and the Anthracite Grey shade – RAL 7016 – is a now finding its way into new build and refurb work for householders where light coloured exterior renders are being used in combination with...

VEKA ‘joins forces’ with the Army Reserve; winning MoD award

Industry-leading systems supplier VEKA Group has been awarded a certificate for being an “armed-forces friendly” company.

The Bronze Armed Forces Covenant Award comes from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) and is signed by the Secretary of State for Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staff. It is presented to UK employers who have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and committed to being “armed-forces friendly and open to employing reservists, armed forces veterans (including the wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructors and military spouses/partners”.

By gaining the certificate, VEKA Group joins around 60 Lancashire companies, organisations and clubs who have signed the Armed Forces Covenant.

Paul Armstrong, Operations Director commented: “VEKA employs around 400 people from Burnley and surrounding areas and as a company we always strive to support and encourage staff at every level, whether it be professional training or personal development.

“We know that if VEKA staff are happy in their jobs, it benefits our customers...

PatioMaster West Midlands opens for business

In-line sliding patio door specialist PatioMaster has announced that PatioMaster West Midlands has opened for business and will be fabricating market-leading doors for customers.

The new dealership is based in Telford and is no stranger to the Epwin Group because it has been an Epwin customer for over 20 years.

Mark Westbrook, Director of PatioMaster West Midlands, said: “The decision to join the PatioMaster network and manufacture PatioMaster doors was straightforward. We had been buying in the PatioMaster door for some years and we were fully aware that the product is the best in class thanks to its functionality and...

The Smart Construction Solution to the Housing Crisis

It is no secret that the UK faces a severe shortage of homes, particularly in the social housing sector. The pressure on the housing supply comes at a time when the average age of the construction workforce is increasing, creating a potential time bomb that will play out over the next 10 years as the workforce shrinks by an estimated 25%.

There is a smart solution – the industry needs to embrace offsite forms of construction to increase the attractiveness of the industry to new entrants and to improve productivity to increase output with less labour. Offsite manufacture in a factory environment is by no means a new concept and the benefits are clear.

Major manufacturers working in the offsite sector say that they can deliver the capacity required, however to do this, they need committed volumes to...

MTC SHOWCASES STEP-CHANGE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE UK CONSTRUCTION AND INFRASTRUCTURE INDUSTRY

Last Thursday over 100 key stakeholders in the UK construction and infrastructure sector from industry, government, academia and research, came together at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry to get an insight into the future of construction and infrastructure in the UK.

The Working Together Transforming Construction event showcased technologies and processes that can drastically reduce hazards, improve quality, boost productivity, reduce waste and increase accuracy for those operating in the sector.

Robotic assembly, large volume metrology, wearables, smart tools and ergonomic improvements were demonstrated in the MTC’s state-of-the-art facility, designed to show how new technologies developed for other sectors can be applied to help bring about a step-change in the construction and infrastructure industry.

The MTC has been working with award-winning architects Bryden Wood and other stakeholders from across the industry to investigate how manufacturing approaches and solutions already proven in other sectors, can be adapted for the benefit of the construction and infrastructure industry. One of the project outputs on show was from the Innovate UK funded ‘Platform architecture for construction using manufacturing and assembly...

HOW CAN PRODUCTIVITY IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY BE IMPROVED? LORDS LAUNCH NEW INQUIRY

The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee today invites contributions to its new inquiry Off-site Manufacture for Construction.

The UK construction industry was worth nearly £100 billion to the UK economy in 2016. However, it suffers from poor productivity and has not experienced the improvements in productivity seen in other sectors.

Off-site manufacture for construction involves bringing together a range of construction processes, components, elements or modules in a factory before installation into their final location. It is believed that off-site manufacture could help to improve the productivity of the construction industry.

This inquiry will consider the potential benefits of off-site manufacture for...

Jon Vanstone joins Certass

Jon Vanstone has been appointed new Chair of Certass, the specialists in installer certification for the building fabrics industry.

Jon joins Certass with a wealth of industry knowledge and he holds several positions in trade bodies and associations. He is chair of the Trade Association Forum (TAF) and the Competent Persons Forum (CPF), Trustmark Director and RoofCert Delivery Director.

Jon says: “Certass as an organisation appealed to me because it champions the local installation companies that are dedicated to great workmanship and best practice. Going forward, we want to continue to promote members and grow our services to ensure that Certass membership...

Mercury Glazing showcases its credentials as a specialist fabricator

Established in 2002, Mercury Glazing Supplies Ltd has a renowned reputation for being one of the industry’s most reliable specialist fabricators of feature-rich PVC-u and aluminium products.  The company’s expertise means it is often called upon to manufacture windows with complex design requirements. Chris Reeks, Mercury’s Sales and Marketing Director, explains: “Our customers can sometimes come up against the most demanding or sensitive applications and this is when working with a specialist fabricator really benefits.  We understand the complexities involved and can deliver the products, however large or unusual, that our customers’ need.”

A perfect example of a sensitive application was evident in recent high-end application in regency Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Chris continues, “As part of a prestigious refurbishment project in Cheltenham we manufactured three very large vertical sliders, of which one was a dummy and two were opening. The windows needed arched heads to fit in with the existing architecture which we were able to offer. The design was further enhanced by the “floating” internal georgian bars to replicate the feature on the original timber sash windows. The result was stunning

Cornwall Glass announces key sales appointment

Cornwall Glass has strengthened its sales team with the appointment of Steven Marques as Sales Manager.

Joining the glass processor and IGU specialist from Saint Gobain Glassolutions but with extensive experience, including the automotive glass sector, he assumes responsibility for customer accounts from Bristol and along the M4 corridor.

Warning signs for construction as output drops, says FMB

Snowy weather, rising costs and uncertainty relating to Brexit are to blame for the sharp drop in construction output, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has said in response to the latest PMI data.

The March 2018 PMI data revealed a fall from 51.4 in February to 47.0 in March, against the neutral reading of 50.0. March 2018’s figure was weaker than the average 52.3 of 2017.

Commenting on the results, Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The latest PMI data shows the fastest drop in construction activity since July 2016. The unusually cold and snowy weather experienced across the UK last month is partly to blame for this set-back. The cold snap impacted on a broad array of construction projects, including house building, domestic refurbishment and large civil engineering projects. Many small builders across the country were forced to close sites

Chewton Bespoke Homes install four impressive Korniche 3.6m x 2.1m Roof Lanterns to the Solent Suite, Marsham Court Hotel, Bournemouth.

Darren Crain is the owner of the multi award winning design and build company Chewton Bespoke Homes based in Highcliffe, Dorset. With over 20 years of experience building luxury homes, renovations and commercial refurbishments, Darren’s knowledge of architectural design and construction means he looks for the highest quality products and consistency in all aspects of his projects.

His latest project, the major refurbishment of the Marsham Court Hotel, lead Darren to enquire at Made for Trade when he was looking for an aluminium Roof Lantern which ideally suited the architectural qualities of the grand ball room and conference area. The Marsham is a well-established luxury hotel located on the beautiful Dorset coastline in Bournemouth. The hotels recent renovation has now been finished off to perfection with four large Korniche Roof Lanterns taking pride of place as a centre piece to the grandest room in the building.

The Korniche USP’s are well highlighted by this case study, not only for the clean sight lines and slim profiles offering the perfect aesthetic for Darren’s project, but also the huge advantage offered to an installation comprising four large lanterns

DOORCO’s 2018 CUSTOMER CHARTER COMMITs TO MARKET LEADING (COMPOSITE DOOR) SERVICE

Having established a strong reputation for innovation during its rise to market leadership, DOORCO Ltd, the UK’s largest independently owned composite door manufacturer has now raised the bar even higher. In a bid to be officially recognised as the most helpful composite door partner, DOORCO announces the launch of its 2018 Customer Charter outlining the service, quality and commitments its customers expect on every journey.

Jayne Sullivan, DOORCO’s Operations Director comments: “The five-point charter represents the culmination of views about what’s important to our customers across our three levels of door supply. Whether it’s a one-off prepped door, single or mixed...

Gillian Coldwell joins Distinction Doors

Distinction Doors has further strengthened its business development team with the appointment of an experienced industry woman, Gillian Coldwell, in the position of Business Development Executive.

Speaking of the appointment, Chantel Roach, Distinction’s Sales and Marketing Director said

CORGI FENESTRATION IS ONE YEAR OLD

CORGI Fenestration is marking its first birthday. It has been a very busy year – culminating last month with the launch of the CORGI Fenestration Installer Scheme (with self-certification) that has created immense interest in the industry.

The Installer Scheme combines the CORGI Fenestration quality mark with notifications across windows, doors and other fenestration products, including self-certification of replacement windows and doors. Then it adds a ‘TripAdvisor’ type consumer ratings function and recognition of the best qualified workforce. It is for installers that pride themselves on being some of the best in the industry.

It comprises the CORGI Fenestration quality mark, notification & self-certification, CORGI Fenestration RateYourInstallation™, the CORGI Fenestration Skills Card, a risked based inspection rate, and a commitment to customer care excellence.

For further information visit: www.corgifenestration.co.uk/ trade/installer-service/

CMS meets contemporary glazing brief for award-winning Carnegie Library project

Leading Scottish window, door and curtain walling manufacturer and installer CMS Window Systems has played a key role in the creation of the new Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries (DCL&G), which was crowned Scotland’s best building in the 2017 RIAS (The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland) Awards.

The company was appointed to deliver the major window and curtain walling contract for the spectacular £12.4m project by Fife Council and Fife Cultural Trust. The Richard Murphy Architects designed project took...

SARNAFIL ROOF INSTALLED ON GRADE 2 LISTED MANSION

Roof Assured by Sarnafil installer, ROOFPRO London Ltd, was appointed for this interesting project in Holland Park by main contractor IMKO London Ltd.

With huge mansions and a relaxed feel, Holland Park is one of the most exclusive areas of London. ROOFPRO installed the Sarnafil single ply membrane on a Grade 2 listed building converted into flats and owned by a charitable institute.

The original 320 m2 roof was made up of layers of felt and asphalt roofing materials and in a very poor condition. A critical point had been reached with years of patching and repairs leaving the flat roof weak...

Is foil base surface stability a ticking time bomb?

According to Palmer foils have seen growth of 45% in volume since 2013. They’re a key driver of higher margin sales in PVC-U. So all good then? Well for the most part ‘yes’ but there have been a number of reports flagging base surface stability as an issue, with potentially significant liabilities for fabricators.

Foils are invariably sold with a 10-year guarantee so if they’re failing for whatever reason, manufacturers and systems companies could face potentially crippling replacement costs.

So what’s causing the problem? Well it appears that surface stability can be more of an issue in profiles using recycled content.

This is a significant challenge for the industry. Sustainability is key, you only need to look at the negative exposure plastics received more generally at the start of this year to understand the importance of recovery of end of life product.

The challenge is that the origin of recycled content isn’t always clear and that can make it very difficult to predict its behaviour and ultimately surface and dimensional stability.

The future is clear with Robust GLAS-DOR

Robust UK is launching their new glazed fire resistant steel profile and doorsets. ‘GLAS-DOR’ can provide up to 2 hours of fire resistance with a core of fire resistant insulation for glazed doors, sliding doors, partition walls and window sections.

The introduction of GLAS-DOR brings new opportunities for building design, as Paul Williams, Sales Director at Robust UK, explains:

"Building on the experience and knowledge from over 20 years trading history with our sister company in Sweden, we are very pleased to be able to offer the new Robust GLAS-DOR system.

“Architects and building engineers can now...

New support for installers from AluWood

“AluWood has launched its authorised installer scheme to make it even easier for companies to sell aluclad windows and doors to homeowners and developers,” says Callum Grant, Commercial Director at AluWood.

AluWood aluclad windows and doors are perfect for extensions, refurbishments and new build properties, and is especially popular with self-builders and chosen for projects across the UK. It’s great for commercial projects too.

“We’re finding some homeowners want modern aluminium styling but a homely finish on the inside,” says Callum Grant, Commercial Director at AluWood. “Our aluclad system offers a perfect combination of sleek modern aluminium on...

Don’t fake it – get the real thing!

Dear Editor,

‘Traditional timber looks, without the cost or maintenance!’ – in a nutshell, that’s the message coming from the ‘timber-alternative’ market.

But it’s wrong. Even the best, most detailed uPVC products can’t convincingly pass for wood – and modern timber is a stunning, long-lasting, high-performing window material.

So why are so many installers settling for second best?

Once, timber products were far from perfect. They were made of softwoods, susceptible to rotting and warping when exposed to the elements, and genuinely did require regular maintenance to keep in good condition.

But that was decades ago. Joinery has come on leaps and bounds in the time since – and modern wood windows offer an amazing opportunity for installers to appeal to aspirational end users, improve their margins and grow their businesses.

Modern timber fabricators use laminated, engineered timber, which is far stronger and much less prone to deforming than the softwoods used in the past.

It means timber windows don’t require

Reversible window coming soon from Liniar

Leading PVCu systems house Liniar is set to extend its innovative range even further with the introduction of a reversible window, which will offer a convenient, stylish and safe option for difficult-to-access locations.

Ideal for high-rise projects, the moving pane rotates through a full 180° cycle, allowing the external glass of a Liniar reversible window to be safely cleaned from the inside of the property. The rotating mechanism keeps the moving pane from intruding into the inside of the room – so no snagging on curtains or blinds.

Designed from scratch by the same team of industry experts that created the rest...