A number of recent articles and debate around the “Triple Glazing Question” have highlighted the need for simple comparisons between the alternative glazing products and configurations possible for a site or location, which are clearly understandable to the, non-glass industry, public.

The recent letter to Christina in Fenestra Build by James Dunnett regarding sealed unit lifespan was both interesting and thought provoking.
Unit life span can be affected by so many issues and elements that all have a bearing or impact on the life expectancy of the unit. Problems can occur during manufacturing, the unit can also be affected by poor handling, storage and by incorrect installation.

The question of longevity in sealed double glazing windows is not a technology issue, but one of cost.
To allow products to be priced competitively, the seals specified in insulating glass units are good enough to outlast the warranty promise made to the customer, and in the majority of cases, longer. As Mr Collins rightly points out, these warranties are typically between 5 and 20 years, although actual lifespans can be much longer.
Buyers know from the outset how long the units they specify are expected to last, so replacement costs should be relatively easy to anticipate.

I wanted to write to congratulate the GGF on their efforts in relation to the proposed changes to the Consumer Rights Bill. Some time ago I wrote to the press to discuss my concerns for the industry if changes to the Consumer Rights Directive were to pass in 2013, allowing consumers a 14 day cooling off period. There are now changes in the pipeline which could see the consumer being offered a 30 day cooling off period including a right to reject all windows on a project if just one were to contain a fault and if installed inside those 30 days.

Banbury-based Glazpart, is a specialist injection moulding company with extensive experience in the fenestration industry, employing 87 staff at its ISO 9001:2008 certified site, producing millions of mouldings each month.

Glazpart has enjoyed a very successful show at the renowned Fensterbau/Frontale 2014 exhibition at its first appearance at this international show.

108,000 visitors attended the four-day event and it seems that many were looking for British manufactured products and visited the Glazpart stand located in hall 4A.

A 20 per cent increase in visitor numbers at The National Homebuilding and Renovating Show and The Home Improvement Show this year put 500 companies from the self-build, renovation and home improvement markets in front of 32,353 keen home improvers

Freefoam, a leading manufacturer of a wide range of innovative products for the building industry in UK, Ireland and Mainland Europe, announce the addition of a new cast iron effect range to the Freeflow rainwater system.

Known for its innovative approach to design and development, systems house Liniar is delighted to welcome its newest team member, whose primary responsibility is to test its products to destruction.
Meet ‘Mark II’ – a friendly ABB robot with an extra-long arm and a love for repetitive, methodical work – who has been put to work in Liniar’s brand new Innovation Testing Laboratory at its headquarters in Derbyshire.

The amount of grant funding available to businesses in Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Medway, Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey and Sussex has been given a boost by way of three green grants aimed at reducing CO2, reducing energy bills and promoting environmentally friendly products.

With preparations for the first contractor-focused building and construction exhibition in more than five years gathering momentum, the Build Show is pleased to announce that it has teamed up with the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) to bring an even greater wealth of training, support and networking opportunities to the event.

As the UK’s largest trade association in the building industry, the FMB is a source of knowledge, professional advice and support for builders across the UK.

Southampton-based Solardome Industries has been shortlisted for the Business Innovation Award 2014 following the design and build of a new dome to enclose a three-story Nature house in Norway. This is a great example of business growth and innovation in the region, as Solardome expand into previously untapped markets and invest in their future with new products and increased staff.