Which? ‘first’ for Ultraframe

Left to right: Catie Doherty from Which? Trusted Traders, Adam Wilde, marketing manager from Ultraframe and Tim Wade from Which? Trusted Traders

The Ultraframe Ultra Installer scheme has reportedly become the first scheme in the glass and glazing industry to meet the Which? Trusted Traders high standards for an approved service endorsement.

Which?, the largest consumer body in the UK, has been testing products and services for nearly 60 years and now all Ultra Installers will undertake a double assessment process from both Ultraframe and Which? Trusted Traders to become part of the Which? Trusted Trader Approved Ultra Installer Service.

The Ultraframe part of the assessment concentrates on the onsite abilities of the installers, while the Which? Trusted Traders assessment concentrates on the consumer focused parts of the service such as; customer care, insurances, consumer protection and professional conduct. The Ultra Installer scheme is the first Which? Trusted Trader Approved Service installation scheme in the glass and glazing industry and sends a strong and clear message to homeowners and consumers about the quality and integrity of Ultraframe’s Ultra Installer Scheme.

Julian Slade, Ultraframe CEO commented: “By working with Which? Trusted Traders we are making a powerful statement to home improvers about the quality of service and installation they can expect from an Ultra Installer. This service promise is of course backed up by our market-leading roof systems, which combined deliver an unmatchable level of reassurance and quality for consumers. Installers that grasp the potency of the Which? Trusted Traders brand when it comes to consumer confidence will see the clear benefits of this partnership. It will enable Ultra Installers to differentiate themselves locally and win a lot more business.”

Tim Wade, from Which? Trusted Traders explains the value of the scheme: “Which? Trusted Traders is an endorsement scheme that recognises reputable traders who successfully pass an assessment process carried out by trading standards professionals. The Which? Trusted trader logo is a sign of reputation and trust, helping consumers choose the right trader for them and giving good traders the recognition they deserve. The Ultra Installer Scheme has achieved the Which? Trusted Traders approved service endorsement, and can provide consumers with the additional confidence the scheme provides when choosing an installer.”

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Heritage colours and kerb-side appeal were among the factors that persuaded the planning authorities of Bath that Modus PVC-U windows from Eurocell were the appropriate alternative to timber on a prime, exposed location near the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Consisting of 136 upmarket homes selling at up to £1 million apiece, the Ensleigh estate is being developed by Bloor Homes along with another major housebuilder on a former MoD site dating from WW2 that overlooks the Georgian city and is near to its race- and golf course.

“The planners originally wanted timber windows but that wouldn’t work for our designs because we wanted to install matching fascias and soffits that fitted beneath considerable eaves. This is on an exposed site at the top of a steep hill so they wouldn’t look great for very long,” explains Paul Baker, Regional Managing Director for Bloor Homes South West.

“Timber windows, fascias and soffits would require expensive maintenance because of the scaffolding required to paint them. These PVC-U alternatives not only have kerb-appeal but are maintenance-free”.

Bloor Homes South West had also had experience of the product at other developments throughout the region and had found it answered planning department concerns. It worked with the Eurocell New Build division, which supplied four samples to show the various colours that might work on site and to demonstrate the slim, timber-like sight lines of the Modus.

“The foil gives an appearance like timber and the colour palette includes the heritage type colours that fit in with a period environment such as Bath,” comments Paul.

Once the Bath and North East Somerset planning department was happy with Bloor’s proposal to use Modus windows in Hazy Grey, it gave the go-ahead for the same product range, but in Agate Grey, to be used at an adjacent development from the other housebuilder.

Plans are now going ahead for each housebuilder to construct a further 40 homes on an extension to the original site, with Modus being specified for this development too. Paul Baker says that planners have been visiting the development as Bloor Homes hopes to use Modus in future schemes throughout the South West.

He adds that the quality of Eurocell fabricators and installers is also almost as important a factor as the quality of the window itself. In this case Bloor was supplied by A & B Glass (South West) of Tewkesbury while the neighbouring builder dealt with Leicester-based Unique Windows.

Coming with a 12-year guarantee, the Modus system is available in nine solid and woodgrain-effect colours, all of which are available with white internal finishes to create a light and airy living environment. A further range of more than 40 solid and woodgrain effect finishes is available, including colour both sides.

BBA certified to function satisfactorily for more than 35 years, the Modus range has a U-value of 1.2 W/m² using 4/20/4 mm sealed double-glazed units. This effective thermal performance is due to the 75mm six-chamber profile system used in the Modus that enables the range to achieve a U-value as low as 0.7 by installing triple-glazed units. This led to Modus becoming one of the very first systems to achieve the BRFC Window Energy Rating (WER) of A++. This is only awarded to windows with an energy index value equal to or greater than +20; and Modus A++ designs include casement, reversible and tilt and turn.

Consisting of 50% post-consumer recycled PVC-U as standard, this range of doors and windows has a smaller carbon footprint than products made or recycled outside of the UK. Eurocell achieves this by employing dual material extrusion technology (DMET) that layers post-consumer recycled and ‘virgin’ material simultaneously, so the recycled material is concentrated in the central core of the profiles where it cannot be seen once the door or window is installed.

To simplify specification, Modus BIM models are available to download for free from the Eurocell website.

www.eurocell.co.uk

Specialist trade fabricator Mercury Glazing Supplies Ltd has just extended their aluminium inline patio door range by introducing the Smart Aluminium Slide 2000 sliding patio door to its growing portfolio. Chris Reeks, the company’s Sales and Marketing Director, said, “Patios remain a very popular part of our portfolio and the new Slide 2000 sliding patio door sits perfectly alongside our Visoglide range of patios, which now includes the lift and slide option too. Our extended patio door range offers a wealth of benefits to our customers and adds even further value to our offering.”

The Smart’s Slide 2000 patio door range is particularly suited to residential applications, both new build and refurbishment, and offers a cost effective solution for light commercial applications too. With its slim sightlines to maximise light potential, the Slide 2000 patio is supplied as glazed panels utilising a wrap around gasket system. Coupled with modern thermal break technology for enhanced thermal performance the units can achieve a u-value of 1.6 W/m²K with glazing options up to 32mm too.

Alternatively, the versatile Visoglide Plus inline slider, with its pane heights of up to 2500mm, has been designed to maximise the glazed area, giving expansive views and the slim sightlines that today’s consumers are looking for. Suitable for both residential and commercial applications other features include a ‘lift n glide’ option, which allows the sash to operate in a vented position for controlled and secure ventilation.

All patios in the range come with Fab n Fix furniture in a variety of colour finishes. The doors are available in both single and dual colour options in a wide choice of standard and non-standard finishes including a unique range of textured colours. For added security and peace of mind, the patio doors are fitted with multipoint secure locking and anti-lift blocks as standard.

Having a portfolio that attracts your target market is vital to the success of your business. By partnering with Mercury Glazing, not only do you get products that meet market demand you also get the support of one of the country’s most experienced specialist trade fabricator.

Thermoseal Group, the UK insulated glass (IG) component manufacturer and supplier to the window industry for more than 37 years, has purchased the stock and assets of North Western Lead, adding its DecraLed decorative product range to its already comprehensive range of IG components on offer.

DecraLed adhesive lead strip and wide range of Decra Glow Films; Decra Bevels; as well as infused tiles and a multitude of decorative accessories are all part of the DecraLed range which has been manufactured to highest quality standards and developed with skills honed over 60 years in the industry.

Gwain Paterson, managing director at Thermoseal Group, said: “Purchasing the DecraLed decorative product ranges was an excellent opportunity for us to add a multitude of premium products to our ever-expanding IG component range.

“We are a one-stop-shop for IG sealed unit manufacturers and aim to continue to expand our manufacturing operations to ensure that we are offering products which are subject to our own rigorous testing and quality control procedures.

“There is a high demand for DecraLed coated products from international customers and we expect to develop this export business alongside our Thermobar and Thermoflex warm edge product ranges.

“To date, we manufacture over 50% of the products we supply which also includes Perma Led adhesive lead which we purchased in 1999. In taking on DecraLed production of high quality decorative products we aim to strengthen the Decraled brand by providing innovative and interesting solutions for our customers’ decorative needs. We have already made significant investments in a new state-of-the-art design studio in Wigan. This studio will enable us to produce bespoke designs for our customers to incorporate into their own insulated glass products.

“I’d like to assure customers that we value the DecraLed range and the quality of the products and will continue to manufacture to the highest standards. Thermoseal Group is a BSI Certified ISO 9001 company and we are now working towards the latest revised standard. Like our other products, the DecraLed range will now benefit from the full support and technical expertise of our innovation centre where products are batch-tested throughout the manufacturing process and then tested in our EN1279 test facilities to ensure their longevity in windows.”

www.thermosealgroup.com

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Icotherm Solid Roof offers free on-site assistance to first-time installers of the Icotherm roof system, as part of its customer support package.

Dave Jackson, the brains behind the Icotherm roof, explains: “Icotherm Solid Roof has been designed to be quick and easy to install on site. It’s a unique modular roof system created from made-to-measure pods that are a bit like the structural insulated panels (SIPs) used in modular house building.

“The pods offer a high-performing conservatory roof and for first-time Icotherm installers, we offer a free site assist on delivery, to help them install the modular roof system.”

Every Icotherm roof is made-to-measure in the factory in Bolton. The pods are numbered, for straightforward fitting and there’s no need to invest in any special tools.

Dave continues: “Icotherm has very few components and it’s really easy to adapt onsite, so that installers can avoid unnecessary holdups and have the new roof watertight in less than one day. It can be fitted with the tools you’d expect to find in any window installer’s tool kit.

“We organise deliveries so that the roof order and site assistance arrive just after the old conservatory roof has been removed, or when new conservatory frames have been installed and are ready for the roof to go on.

“Then, our Icotherm experts spend a few hours with the installation team, explaining the best ways to fit an Icotherm Solid Roof so that the conservatory can be made watertight in just one day.”

The Icotherm Solid Roof system is fully ventilated and insulated to create a room that homeowners can use all year round.

www.icotherm.co.uk

Bowater by Birtley is reaping the rewards of flying the flag for composite doors at this year’s bigger and better FIT Show.

“As a brand new range from two of the biggest names in doors, we knew we’d attract a lot of interest at the show,” says Kevin Kiernan of Bowater by Birtley, “but the response we’ve had from visitors has been fantastic. They are impressed with the breadth of the offering, the quality of the products and the resources behind the range that clearly offers the much-loved Bowater brand some ongoing investment and stability.

“Of particular interest among fabricators and installers at the show was our double rebate composite door – the part of Bowater that has been missed by a large proportion of the market and the part of Bowater that other manufacturers haven’t been able to match in its absence. As well as our 68mm double rebate door, we also offer the 44mm composite, fire and storm door options. Our composite offering is also split into three collections to suit different styles of properties, tastes and budgets: The Foundation Collection for the most popular and budget-friendly designs, the Rural Collection for rural or period homes and the Contemporary Collection for modern homes.

“Visitors to our stand were also excited to hear about our colour offering – demonstrated well by the doors on display that were perfectly colour matched to the bright colours in our logo. We’re able to offer any colour customers want thanks to our in-house paint facility. We’re also able to colour match the frames to the door. Having total choice of colour is today as important as energy efficiency and security – the things we have come to take for granted in our front doors. Bowater by Birtley is pleased to have it all with excellent thermal efficiency and Secured By Design accreditation available across the range.

“As well as being able to see first-hand the excellent quality of our doors, visitors have been quizzing our team of experts about why we’re different and what to expect from Bowater by Birtley in terms of product and service. They’ve explored our marketing materials including our website at www.bowaterbybirtley.co.uk and taken away copies of our new brochure. Bowater by Birtley is a new force to be reckoned with in composite doors and the positive response we’ve had from fabricators and installers that have seen the product up close, confirms that we’ve got it right.”

www.bowaterbybirtley.co.uk 

0191 410 6631

Image Above: Andrew Jones (left) from Emmegi (UK) pictured with Neil Fraser of Rana Park placing his order for an Itaca Solution crimper at the FIT Show.

Neil Fraser of trade fabricators Rana Park Ltd, pictured with sales manager Andrew Jones, was one of several visitors who took advantage of Emmegi’s FIT Show offer of a free TKE sealant machine with every order for an Itaca Solution crimper.

Neil said: “We’ve used a manually jointed system up until now, but newer systems we’re adding to our range require crimping so it made perfect sense for us to choose a machine which can automate that for us. Obviously, it made even more sense to order the Itaca Solution at the FIT Show and get a £3000 TKE sealant machine thrown in – we’re delighted with the deal.”

The Atla Coop Itaca Solution NC controlled crimping machine has a 12 axis NC control system which means it can be reset in minutes when fabricators switch between profiles instead of having to carry out a manual reset which can take hours. For most customers, the payback can be calculated in just a few months.

It proved a real draw on the stand for both new and existing customers, alongside machines like the Emmegi Comet T6HP four axis machining centre and twin head Precision TS2 cutting centre.

Managing Director Ian Latimer said: “As well as the Itaca Solutions sales, we also took orders for several of the larger machines directly at the show which was very positive. We’ve been at every FIT Show so far and, every time, customers come with the specific intention of doing business.”

www.emmegi.com

From left to right: Tony Cragg, MD Virtuoso; Richard Lee, MD Polyframe Halifax; John Adams, customer service director; Gareth Thomas, group sales and marketing director; Claire Miller, group marketing manager; John Lightowlers, group managing director and Nick Gibbons, chief operations officer

Customade Group was formally celebrating its merger with Polyframe at the FIT Show, welcoming visitors on to not one, but two stands at the show and telling them about what the enlarged, full-service group can deliver to the industry since its merger in February.

The group spread the message about its new capabilities and also impressed visitors with an array of products and brands. Real Aluminium and Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions ‘dazzled’ show-goers with their ranges of aluminium fenestration products and glazed roofs and talked about how they can help installers to enter into the profitable aluminium market with ‘complete confidence’. Polyframe and Virtuoso unveiled some exciting products and plans for the future.

Customade Group claims it is now the biggest fabricator in the UK, with revenues of more than £100 million and a vast product range which extends across PVC-U and aluminium windows and doors, composite doors, aluminium glazed roof products, sealed glass units and specialist glazing.

John Lightowlers, Customade Group managing director, explained: “We’re tremendously excited about this year’s FIT Show because it’s the first industry event since Polyframe merged with the Customade Group. We are perhaps the biggest name that many people may not have heard of…yet, but that’s all about to change and we’ve been setting the scene at FIT. We have some terrific plans for the future and a team of 900 people to deliver a formidable five-year strategy. This is a step-change for the industry and we’re excited to tell everyone all about what our collective ability will bring.

“We’re currently repositioning ourselves within the market and rebranding the Customade Group. This enlarged group gives us a unique presence and strength within the market, delivering a complete solution for customers with strong, challenger brands behind us. The combined product portfolio of the group is unmatched by any other fabricator in the industry and we’ll be working very closely with customers to help them to achieve sustainable growth. The response from our customers since the merger has been extremely positive and they’re really enthusiastic about a promising future with us.”

www.customade.co.uk

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