Static – A Summer Of Bi-Fold Call-Backs?

ExtrudaSeal has said it has seen a significant increase in demand for its new ‘fit-and-forget’ aluminum bi-folding door threshold gasket.

Launched at the end of 2016 it uses a unique semi-rigid box foot, to provide a secure fix, delivering improved compression and weather sealing over aluminium system company own-gaskets, claims the company.

Suitable for retrofit and use with a wide range of leading aluminium systems including ALUK, it was developed by ExtrudaSeal’s in-house design team, specifically in response to installer and fabricator demand.

Paul James, Sales Director, Extrudaseal

Paul James, Sales Director, Extrudaseal, said: “We saw an immediate jump in enquiries for aluminium bi-fold threshold gaskets following June’s heatwave. It’s clearly a time when people want to open-up their doors and make the most of outdoor and indoor spaces.

“Equally, it’s the time when gaskets can fail, either because they have been caught in opening and closing and are damaged, haven’t been fitted properly or have stuck because of a build of friction on the seal.

“That means call backs and costs. It’s a source of frustration for so many installers which is why we developed our solution.” 

Friction on bi-fold gasket seals is a known problem. Even where doors are fitted correctly, a lack of proper maintenance by the homeowner can lead to the build- up, which can lift the gasket out of the threshold or alignment on opening.

“Silicone lubricant sprays will reduce static build-up. The problem is that in some systems it doesn’t take much to lift the threshold gasket out of position and then it can easily catch as the door rollers pass alongside, the sash passes over or on shoot-bolts.

“As well as providing improved seal and compression, the major advantage of our gasket, is the semi-rigid box foot. This provides additional resistance so that even if you get a build-up of static, it doesn’t kick out of place.”

Now extruding more than 10,000 km of gaskets in the last year, alongside weather seals, Glazepta tapes and U-channels, pressure plates, box sections and bi-folding door seals for leading systems, plus an extensive ‘back catalogue’ of extrusions, ExtrudaSeal serves fabricators and installers nationwide.

Customers can also save an average of 30 to 40 per cent, on gaskets by buying product in from ExtrudaSeal, as a third party, compared to buying it from their systems company.

“Call backs cost installers money. Not just the replacement part but time on site and travel time. This can equate to thousands a year. If you’re a fabricator, it also doesn’t do you any favours with your customers”, said Paul.

“You shouldn’t be getting call backs on gaskets unless doors haven’t been fitted properly or they have been abused, yet we have spoken to installers who have gone back repeatedly to the same job. The development of our semi-rigid box foot ends this cycle on a wide range of aluminium systems.”

For more information on ExtrudaSeal call 0121 356 8733 email info@extrudaseal.co.uk or visit www.extrudaseal.com 

Yorkshire’s Dempsey Dyer has added to its extensive offering with the innovative Invisifold slide and swing door.

Renowned for its versatility, the Invisifold system converts a conventional patio or French door into a highly-flexible, sliding and folding solution, allowing homeowners to create large openings to outside spaces. The Invisifold system is quite unique, as every sash can be operated independently to create partial walkways and provide ventilation anywhere along the opening.

“Whilst we are well-respected in the industry for our timber expertise, we are incredibly passionate about uPVC too, offering an extensive and diverse range of quality products,” comments Dempsey Dyer MD, Peter Dyer. “The Invisifold is the latest addition to our uPVC range and allows our trade customers to stand out from their competition with a truly innovative door solution.”

“We’re celebrating 40-years in business this year, which we firmly believe can be attributed to our unwavering commitment to quality products and a reliable, professional service which we have had since day one. Constantly strengthening our offering with the likes of Invisifold and helping our customers to win new business is just one of the reasons why many of our customers have worked with us for decades.”

The Invisifold is available in a wide range of colours and woodgrain finishes, allowing homeowners to authentically replicate the look of Dempsey Dyer’s famous timber range. A sleek appearance is achieved through concealing the hinges and hardware within the frame rebate, with only the handle and cylinder on display. The slide and swing door can be specified with innovative options from VBH, which allows the sashes to fold closer together for an uncompromised opening.

Maintaining Dempsey Dyer’s commitment to high-performance, the Invisifold delivers excellent energy efficiency and is available with PAS24 accreditation. With no limit to the number of sashes, the Invisifold is a suitable addition to any property, whilst remaining incredibly easy to install.

Dempsey Dyer was founded in 1977 by brothers Tom and Robert Dyer, and is now run by Tom’s son Peter. Dempsey Dyer has expanded to become one of Yorkshire’s foremost providers of timber and uPVC windows and doors. Dempsey Dyer’s signature product is the Beaumont window range of mechanically-jointed uPVC frames with an authentic woodgrain appearance.

For more information call 01977 649641 or visit www.dempseydyer.co.uk

Dekko Window Systems, the UK’s fastest growing premium product fabricator, has helped transform one deserving family’s property as part of ITV’s hit show Love Your Home and Garden.

Screened on Monday evenings to audiences in excess of four million viewers, the long-running show sees Alan Titchmarsh and a team of experts surprise families in difficult circumstances by completely renovating their home and garden.

Dekko donated one of its sleek and stylish Räum Aluminium Bi-Fold Doors to a project in Banbury, Oxfordshire, that will feature in an episode screened late August.

“The fact that it’s a complete surprise for the family in question is a key part of the show, so that means we can’t give away any more details about the project at this stage,” commented Kurt Greatrex, Dekko Sales Director. “Suffice to say, it’s good to be involved, and we were only too pleased to donate one of our new Räum products. We hope the owners enjoy them for many years to come.

“Look out for the new series in late August, when all will be revealed!”

Dekko Windows Systems was founded in 2008 by Gary Torr and Kurt Greatrex, and is the leading fabricator of The Residence Collection, Deceuninck premium uPVC, Infinity and Räum Aluminium Windows and Doors.

Delivering nationwide from their base in Ashton-Under-Lyne, Lancashire, Dekko Window Systems was listed in the 2016 edition of the London Stock Exchange’s 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain.

Quickslide has switched to Fab&Fix Hardex hardware from ERA for its vertical sliding sash windows.

The move, part of the Yorkshire fabricator’s recent consolidation of hardware suppliers, is said to not only give a ‘step-up in looks and performance’ but also further endorses the company’s full 10-year guarantee on all products.

The new hardware items are also available in a wider range of eight colours and finishes.

Both the standard and the Heritage ranges manufactured by Quickslide – which are also available via its newly acquired sister company Welglaze – will now predominantly use ERA products, as marketing director, Tom Swallow, explained: “These are premium products that are tested to retain their finish for longer without showing tarnish or pit-marks, and that is why we are more than happy to include them in our 10-year guarantee.

“Hardware is more than just a functioning element of a window, it’s an immediate indicator of its overall quality – both to installers and especially to their consumers – so it is important that we use the right components throughout.”

According to Quickslide, the switch to ERA is part of an ongoing strategy of establishing close, long-term partnerships with major suppliers such as Edgetech, Pilkington and Synseal.

Yorkshire based Quickslide is best known for its sliding sash windows. The company says it has been instrumental in bringing this former niche product into the mainstream of the retrofit and new build markets. It also manufactures a wide range of other styles of windows and doors for trade and commercial customers.

www.quickslide.co.uk

The post Quickslide now offers Fab&Fix Hardex hardware from ERA appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Image Above: Martin Nettleto,  Managing Director Euroglaze

Euroglaze trade customers are seeing returns on the company’s ongoing marketing investment, with leads generated now being distributed directly to them.

The Barnsley based REHAU fabricator has seen a surge in enquiries from installers and consumers in response to its ongoing advertising, PR and web campaign and these are being passed to its stockists and distributors nationwide.

Managing Director Martin Nettleton says: “Last month, we saw a record number of interactions from our website as a result of our advertising and PR, with enquiries coming directly from the contact form online, via email and via calls into our customer service department.

“We are a trade specialist so all retail enquiries and enquiries from smaller independent installers are handled by our customers, which means they are sharing directly in the success of our campaign.”

Part of the reason for the surge in enquiries is that Euroglaze’s website currently ranks on page 1 of Google searches for REHAU windows. This is attributed to the fact that the company’s web partner has updated the website’s architecture, switched the security protocols and kept pace with Google’s changing algorithms on SEO.

The new architecture also means the pages on the content rich site now load in milliseconds, ensuring that potential customers visiting the site are engaged for long enough to register their interest.

Martin Nettleton adds: “We invested in the campaign to target those larger installation and distribution companies increasingly dissatisfied with the big fabricators who are starting to compete with them by setting up their own networks of trade counters and distribution outlets.

“We have vowed never to compete with our customers but instead to support them with exceptional product quality, friendly and efficient customer service and turnaround times of as little as 3 days. That’s proving a very powerful message particularly via the PR and we’ve been delighted with the response.

“A by-product of our success has been enquiries from smaller companies who want to buy our frames as well, and we are happy to forward these enquiries to our partners who can provide our products locally.”

Further details are at: www.euroglaze.co.uk

The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) has appointed a new Training Manager to help ramp up work in the education, training and skills arena for the joinery and woodworking industry.

Tony Batchelor joins the BWF team following former Membership & Training Director Dave Campbell’s departure. Tony will be responsible for delivering on the BWF’s three core training objectives: increasing recruitment into the sector; maintaining and developing high quality qualifications and delivery partners, and fostering a culture of continuous learning in the industry.  The new role will focus exclusively on training and Tony will also support the development of associated commercial products.

BWF Chief Executive Iain McIlwee commented on the new appointment:

“Perhaps the biggest change the joinery sector currently faces is to the skills landscape. With CITB’s role under review, changes to Apprenticeship Funding, and core qualifications being radically reformed, there are huge opportunities for BWF to help develop the training environment that the industry needs.

“We have a good training strategy, but to meet these challenges and opportunities head on we need a fully focussed and dedicated training post within BWF. Now for the first time we have a dedicated training manager role which isn’t split with other responsibilities. As such I am delighted to introduce “no and Tony”. Tony is a vital part of our plan to attract talent into our sector and he has the experience to help BWF develop the right infrastructure and qualifications for the joinery sector.

“In short he will be a fantastic addition to the great team that we already have in place.”

With a wealth of experience on construction industry training matters through working at CITB, Tony has previously engaged with construction industry representatives across the four home nations to develop National Occupational Standards, training and qualification solutions, and trailblazer apprenticeships for a wide range of occupational areas.

Having spent the early years of his working life in the public transport sector, Tony worked on training and skills projects for much of his subsequent career including a spell contracted to the British Council to deliver training on vocational and educational projects in Asia.

www.bwf.org.uk

Spectus fabricator World Group in Carlisle has completed a stunning window installation in a building restoration in Lockerbie.

World Group’s customer needed the 18 replacement windows to maintain the heritage feel of the period building and comply with planning permission requirements. At the same time, the customer was looking to create a contemporary feel to the property. Matthew Spooner, Director of World Group, takes up the story: “The Spectus Vertical Slider gave our customer the type of window he needed, not least because it is very well accepted amongst planners and they will generally sign off its use without any further questions. Finished in Flat Anthracite Grey both inside and out, it provided the perfect combination of heritage and modern.”

Aside from the scale of the project – 18 windows – there was one other factor to take into account. The customer wanted to have completely grey windows but as the standard PVC-U substrate would be white this needed to be addressed to ensure the high attention to detail was met. Matthew comments: “We have over 35 years’ experience and have been manufacturing Spectus Vertical Sliders for many years, so the size of the project was something we were more than able to cope with. When it came to the issue of the white substrate, we resolved this by using our spray booth to paint it and provide the seamless finish the customer was looking for.”

The end result is a stunning building that has heritage looks with a contemporary edge. Matthew concludes: “We are delighted with the project, as is the customer because it gives him everything he asked for in terms of the aesthetics. It’s turned a rundown building into something stunning.”

The Spectus Vertical Slider is the market leader in sliding sash replacement. And as this installation shows, it has the required aesthetics to sit comfortably in heritage properties in but can also offer a contemporary twist when required. Combined with excellent thermal efficiency and exceptional security features, it gives modern levels of comfort and peace of mind too. It’s no wonder it’s the first choice of so many.

www.spectus.co.uk

The highly-acclaimed frameless Lumi system from Apeer has recently been used in a large scale renovation project for the Director of Dublin-based Harvest Energy.

Jason Peters, Director at Harvest Energy, had replaced the windows and doors at his property only two years ago but, following the launch of the revolutionary Lumi System at the Grand Designs Show in 2015, decided on a full refurbishment project using all Lumi products.

Jason Lucas, Harvest Energy’s Head of Sales, explains: “The renovation included nine windows finished in Anthracite Grey and AnTeak on the interior, as well as a front door with side panel finished in Light Grey. It looks fantastic and is a great example of using the Lumi system for refurbishment projects. A lot of customers we meet initially enquire about traditionally styled windows and doors but change their minds after seeing Lumi. Since we added the system to our product offering, we have completed six Lumi installations and are starting to see customers go full circle – opting for a Lumi door to start with and then deciding at a later date to get the windows as well. It really is a superior product. In my 17 years in the trade, I have never seen anything like Lumi; it’s the Rolls Royce of windows.”

Unlike PVCU, timber and aluminium alternatives, Lumi is a structurally glazed range of windows and doors that don’t have the profile material on show, and instead has clean sharp lines and edge-to-edge glazing. In true Apeer style, Lumi is set apart from its peers with a ground-breaking design and technology. Linda Tomb, Marketing Manager at Apeer, says: “We have always strived to stay one step ahead of the curve; Lumi brings all the design benefits of frameless glazing with all the strength, security and internal styling of more traditional windows and doors. There isn’t anything that has been designed for the window market like this before.”

“We have been fabricating and installing Apeer doors for seven years now, and believe them to be the highest standard of composite door on the market.” Jason adds. Harvest Energy specialise in windows, doors and construction and has two manufacturing facilities, as well as showrooms located in Skerries and Rathfarnham; the latter opening in February this year, both of which showcase the Lumi range of windows and doors.  To contact Harvest Energy call 01 8021800 or visit www.harvestenergy.ie.

To find out more about Lumi or to contact Apeer, call 033 00415014 or visit www.lumiwindows.com.

316 Marine Grade stainless steel window and door hardware manufacturer blu^TM has added to its growing range with the launch of a new commercial pull handle.

The blu^TM HAB21 Offset ‘D’ commercial pull handle is a sleek, stylish handle designed to thrive in demanding commercial environments.

Featuring a back-to-back fixing system, the HAB21 Offset handles offers:

• Highly secure and simple to use back to back fixing system

• The unique blu^TM Super-satin finish built to last in even the most challenging environments thanks to its 316 marine grade stainless steel

• 1.5mm wall thickness giving a higher quality feel and additional longevity

• Tailor-made for heavy duty commercial use, or any location where style and performance is required.

To find out more visit  blu-performance.com/product/offset-d-commercial-pull-handle email blu^TM on sales@blu-performance.com or call 01726 871 724.