Halo FlushSash proves its worth with timber lover

A recent project undertaken by specialist barn and farm building renovator, Cheshire Barns Homes, has incorporated Halo FlushSash PVC-U windows.

Cheshire Barns Homes reportedly has a strong commitment to producing energy efficient homes using traditional farm buildings, a philosophy that is underpinned by the company’s founder and director, Rhys Nevett, who has a vision to ‘restore buildings with heritage to create sustainable luxury, and a desire for absolute perfection’.

The traditional style of the properties renovated must be considered against the requirements of the Building Regulations and desire of the new owners for ‘modern comfort and performance’, a balance that, according to Cheshire Barns Homes, can be difficult to achieve.

Nottingham based Fearns of Carlton were chosen by the developer to supply eight Halo FlashSash windows, in balsalt grey on white, for a semi-detached property in a rural location, after reportedly being impressed with the ‘authentic appearance’ of the frames, combined with the ‘exceptional performance’. The colour was selected from the range of 29 foils available on this traditionally styled window, with the frames manufactured by Glazerite UK Group at the company’s Peterborough factory.

Rhys Nevett of Cheshire Barns Homes says he is committed to maintaining the traditional appearance of the properties he renovates and was impressed with the Halo FlushSash windows chosen for this project: “We are usually committed to genuine timber windows but when we saw the Halo window and learned of the energy efficiency that it could bring to the project, we had no hesitation in specifying it. The windows provide an impressive authentic appearance that is in keeping with this project.”

Jak Fearn of Fearns of Carlton said: “Many of the projects I work on are with timber sash windows as they are listed buildings. Fortunately, this project wasn’t listed so it gave the developer and us the opportunity to specify the Halo FlushSash. It not only looks great but offers an ‘A’ rating which is fantastic for a traditional property.”

Chris Thompson, of Glazerite, said: “There is nothing I love more than to get a timber window installer onto PVC-U. We have also had a number of installations approved and passed by building control in conservation and listed buildings so even if a property is in such an area, the installation of windows manufactured in modern materials should not be ruled out.”

www.glazeritewindows.co.uk

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Outside the burnt-out flat there was nothing to see. Behind the fire door, manufactured by Kingfisher Windows, was a completely different story. The photos from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) were released in an article published on the Service’s official website after a recent incident in Leeds. They showed how effective the composite fire door was in compartmentalising a fire in a flat on the fifteenth floor in Marlborough Towers High-Rise block. WYFRS said there were no injuries and no other flats were involved or affected by the incident.

In the article, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Dave Walton said: “This incident serves as a reminder of the devastation that can be caused by a fire in a high-rise property. Perhaps more importantly though, in light of recent tragic events at Grenfell Tower, it is a powerful illustration of how effective compartmentation can work, and that the simple act of closing a well-maintained, well-fitted fire-resistant door can halt the spread of a significant fire.”

Deborah Beeley, Sales and Marketing Manager at Kingfisher Windows says: “The Deputy Chief Fire Officer’s words resonated with us. Manufacturing a door correctly is at the heart of its performance. Our doors are BS476: Part 22 1987 Accredited. We are one of the only manufacturers in the UK that make fire doors from slabs with a phenolic foam core. We chose all the individual components with care, including high-spec door closers and intumescent seals. We care about security too, so all our fire doors are compliant to PAS24 and can be specified to Secured By Design standards.

“We offer a supply only service or supply and fit. In this case they were installed by us too. We understand the importance of manufacturing and fitting them correctly. No-one wants a fire door to see real action but if it does, you want to have the assurance that it will be up to the job. There are no second chances.

“It’s always been important to get it right but since the tragic Grenfell Tower incident there’s an even greater focus on making sure everything is tested and approved. We have never seen real photos of an incident before, and it certainly brings it home to us as a manufacturer of composite fire doors, how vital our products are to keeping occupants safe.”

www.kingfisherwindows.co.uk

Creating visually stunning buildings without compromising on safety is one of the biggest challenges for modern day design. For a conference centre based in North Eastern France, a suitable smoke control system was required which would ensure the safe evacuation of visitors in the event of a fire without compromising the visual attributes of the building. As a leading fire glass specialist, Pyroguard was approached by the architect to offer a suitable solution.

Located in the city of Nancy, the Centre Prouvé offers a flexible conference space complete with a 3000m² exhibition hall, two auditoriums, thirteen meeting rooms and a panoramic reception area. A former postal sorting facility, the venue was designed by architect Marc Barani of Atelier Barani, and due to its prominent location in the heart of Nancy, it was constructed to offer panoramic views across the city.

With glass playing an integral role in the building design, the architect required a proven smoke control solution which would not distort the aesthetics of the development while adhering to safety regulations. In addition, due to the high footfall of visitors, the solution would require no upkeep and maintenance. In line with these requirements, Pyroguard recommended Smokeguard, a permanent glazing solution which acts as a smoke barrier, keeping low-level toxic fumes at bay for up to half an hour to give visitors maximum time to exit the building safely.

Thanks to its perfect transparency, Smokeguard met the aesthetic requirements of the architect too – with the 8 mm thick tempered monolithic glass offering 87 per cent light transmission, to provide the perfect transparent protective barrier with minimal visual impact. In comparison to smoke curtains, Smokeguard requires zero maintenance and has no maximum lifespan, which is particularly important in high footfall areas where ongoing repair and replacement may be impractical and costs need to be kept to a minimum.

More than 100m² of Smokegaurd has been installed in the atrium using its patented fastening system to mount to the ceiling. In addition, it has been installed in high traffic areas such as escalators and lifts, to maintain safe evacuation in the event of a fire and minimise the risk of smoke inhalation.

Neil Tilsley of Pyroguard, explained: “Atelier Barani is renowned for creating breath-taking modern and contemporary spaces, so naturally we were delighted to be involved in the project. We were approached by the architect, Mark Barani thanks to our technical knowledge and ability to offer a solution which wouldn’t compromise the visual appeal of the building but ensure the safe evacuation of people in the event of a fire.

“Smokeguard is particularly beneficial in large buildings which have a high daily footfall. As it’s maintenance-free, it’s essentially a fit-and-forget system which can keep smoke at bay long enough to allow people to exit. Because of its versatility, it’s becoming an increasingly popular choice for architects who want to fulfil building regulations which stipulate fire safety, without affecting the overall look of the building.”

For more information about Smokeguard, please visit www.pyroguard.eu

Force 8, the specialist profile bending and door manufacturer has recently supplied a range of unusual frames and doors to a refurbishment development in Lower Green, Astley. The property was originally a Methodist chapel, which is now being converted into townhouse apartments.

“Each entrance was individually designed and needed to be in keeping with the history of the building”, comments Dennis Sumner, managing director of Force 8. “ The frame designs are a combination of circular and arched elements, the trick was to give them a contemporary feel, which we achieved with the anthracite grey colour and our Ricardo door. The Ricardo design is from our new Decadence composite range and has all the latest in security and thermal efficiency”.

Using a company such as Force 8 who can provide the doors as well as the frames means that the developer could rest assured that everything would fit and colour match perfectly on site, plus only having to deal with just one company on such a complex project saves time and money.

In recent years Force 8 have invested heavily in state of the art equipment, which enables them to create complex designs both in frames and doors, and are one of the few companies that can manufacture arched composite doors with a frame to match. As with all Force 8 arched and circular frames, they are manufactured from a single length of profile with no welds, not only making them aesthetically more pleasing, but also stronger.

For further information contact Force 8 on 0161 483 1997 or visit their website at www.force8.uk

Hueck has supplied its aluminium systems for a 699-bedroom student accommodation building overlooking Olympic Way’s approach to Wembley Stadium.

Unite Olympic Way is a £50m development offering high-quality en-suite and studio rooms in the regenerated area of Wembley, home to the world-famous football stadium and newly built retail outlet centre.

It also offers quick links to universities, with central London less than 20 minutes away via the tube.

The 19-storey tower was developed with a focus on communal areas. There is a shared rec room and study area throughout as well as external roof terraces on the second and seventeenth floors.

The building features a traditional concrete frame and a mix of curtain walling and Vitrobond aluminium cladding.

Hueck supplied its aluminium (windows and doors) for 600+ dorm rooms and communal areas. The project was completed in August 2016 and officially opened in October of that year.

Leon Friend, Director at Hueck, commented: “Unite Olympic Way is a striking building located next to the stadium so it needed products that had wow factor. Our products not only set the standard in performance, they are designed to be aesthetically pleasing – featuring ultra slim sightlines and a consistent appearance in-line with our other systems.”

Unite Olympic Way is part of one of the largest regeneration projects in the country. According to the Mayor of London it can accommodate approximately 11,500 new homes and 10,000 new jobs through the development of sites along Wembley High Road and the land around Wembley Stadium.

Hueck has been involved in several regeneration projects over the past few years, drawing residents and investors alike into the UK’s urban hotspots.

Leon comments: “Regeneration reverses economic, social and physical decline in previously neglected areas that are perceived as undesirable by investors and potential house buyers. By tackling the barriers to growth, regeneration helps create thriving communities that in turn allow businesses and the economy to prosper.”

For more information on how Hueck can help you with your next commercial project contact leon.friend@hueck.com or visit www.hueck.com.

The warning issued by KJM Group to installers about the importance of protecting their business by registering their business name as a Trademark has won the support of national consumer Watchdog Which?

KJM Group warned that installers could be losing out to copycat advertisers who exploit their brand and local reputation online, after being targeted by a competitor business, which used KJM Windows name in Google Ads but then linked to its own website.

Because KJM Group had not registered its name as Trademark, the practice was perfectly legal. As such it also meant KJM could not challenge the use of its name with Google.

The warning has now been picked up by Which? and issued to its Trusted Trader network, of which KJM Group is also a member.

Which? urges fellow members to watch out for ‘sharp business practices’ and encourages businesses to register their brands as Trademarks. It warns that ‘registering your businesses name with Companies House, is not the same as protecting it with a Trademark’.

Mark Pearce, Managing Director, KJM Group, said: “It’s been a very frustrating time but the positive is that we have been able to raise awareness of the importance of registering your company name as a trademark to other installers and members of the Which? Trusted Traders scheme.”

KJM Windows and Conservatories, issued its warning after, Cheapest Double Glazing, registered to an address in London, ran a series of Google Ads in April. These used the header ‘KJM Windows – Top Quality Windows and Doors – cheapest-double-glazing.com’.

“We hadn’t registered our company name as a Trademark – something that we have now done – which meant that it wasn’t protected and we had no real right of legal redress, even though the advertisements used our company name and traded off our reputation”, continued Mark.

“And because we hadn’t registered the KJM Windows as a Trademark, we also couldn’t make any headway with or get it removed by Google.

“This is something we’re now taking up with our MP as in our opinion laws are not keeping up with increasingly sharp advertising practices online.”

Registration of a Trademark gives you the exclusive right to use the mark or authorise someone else to use it, for the goods or services for which it is registered. This includes the legal basis for action against someone who uses it to promote the same or similar goods for which its registered.

This also empowers businesses to seek specific redress from Google under its own code of practices.

Businesses who have not registered their company names as Trademarks can seek redress in Common Law under ‘Passing-off’ legislation. This puts the onus on the complainant to evidence their use of a brand or business name and the inferred ownership of it from this.

To find out more visit www.kjmgroup.co.uk email the sales team on 01264 359355 or sales@kjmgroup.co.uk.

Respected fabricator Dempsey Dyer has unveiled a brand-new website to coincide with its fortieth anniversary.

The cutting-edge site, designed by industry marketing specialists Purplex, showcases the vast range of quality timber and uPVC windows, doors and conservatories the Pontefract firm has to offer.

Structured around the three core areas of Dempsey Dyer’s business, the site features one section promoting its services to trade customers, one section focusing on its respected and increasingly in-demand commercial installations service, and one section dedicated to its consumer-facing Inspire brand.

Fully optimised for display on mobile devices, and packed with the kind of clear, engaging content that Google rewards with high search rankings, the new site is a fantastic introduction to Dempsey Dyer, its long history, and the extensive range of products it provides.

“We’re absolutely delighted with the new site,” commented company Managing Director Peter Dyer. “It’s the perfect way to celebrate our fortieth anniversary, and lets us start the next forty years as we mean to go on.

“Inevitably, the future will bring its changes and challenges that need to be overcome. But going forward, our focus will be the same as its always been – on producing the best, highest quality products we possibly can, offering our customers the widest choice we possibly can, and providing doing our utmost to help installers win more business and grow.”

Dempsey Dyer was founded in 1977 by brothers Tom and Bob Dyer. In the decades since, the Yorkshire-based fabricator has grown to become one of the region’s foremost providers of timber and Deceuninck uPVC. In recent years, the company has combined the two specialisms to produce the Beaumont window range, mechanically-jointed uPVC frames with an authentic woodgrain appearance.

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

When Manchester-based Excell Trade Frames was awarded the contract to replace the windows in a student accommodation block for the Sanctuary Group, the company set to work immediately on the fabrication of the 1,100 REHAU frames required for the job – as well as a plan to overcome the challenge of installing them in a 17-storey building, without access from inside.

Wardley House is a student accommodation block in the centre of Bradford, providing high-quality, modern living for up to 290 students from the University of Bradford and Bradford College. Located above the National Media Museum, the complex was in need of an upgrade so owners Sanctuary Group invested £1.5m in a refurbishment project to be completed in time for the 2016 academic intake.

The scope of the work included the replacement of 1,100 windows, new lighting, the replacement of the water and heating system and a facelift for reception/common room areas.

The building’s existing windows were single-glazed, metal frame windows, which were inefficient and in a poor state of repair. The contractor on the job, City Gate Construction, worked with REHAU on a dedicated specification to meet Sanctuary Group’s vision for the refurbishment and the use of REHAU’s TOTAL70 profiles was agreed.

REHAU’s TOTAL70 casement windows are designed to meet the requirements of commercial and domestic refurbishment projects, as well as new builds. Available as either chamfered or sculptured profiles, the windows have single leg beads to provide easy but secure on-site glazing.

As TOTAL70 profiles are PVC-U, they guarantee maximum energy efficiency yet are low maintenance for building operators. So for Sanctuary Group, the windows will be very much fit and forget.

To give a modern, contemporary look, the spec for the TOTAL70 profiles included a grey laminate foil so that the windows and glazing would look completely grey – even with the sun shining on it.

Excell Trade Frames, a REHAU approved manufacturer and supplier, won the contract to replace the windows at Wardley House. With a factory in nearby Manchester, Excell measured and manufactured all the windows for the job and transported them to site in Bradford. The installation of the windows had to be carefully planned, as this had to be done from the outside of the building.

Eddie McGrath, commercial Sales Manager at Excell said: “In a previous refurbishment, false walls had been put up in front of the windows, giving students access to them via a meter square hatch. Unfortunately, this meant that we  couldn’t get complete access to the windows from the inside of the building – the only way was from the outside!”

Scaffolding was put up around the building to help with the complex installation. Eddie devised a plan with four teams of fitters, who took out the old metal windows and lowered them to the ground, before hoisting up the 3m² PVC-U replacements and installing them in position. The planning paid off, and Eddie’s team managed to complete a floor every week to finish the installation in just four months.

Matt Janicki, Area Sales Manager for the North West for REHAU Windows Solutions, said: “This was a large scale, complex project, but thanks to a well considered specification and careful planning of the installation, the new windows have unquestionably transformed the exterior of the building. Wardley House is a landmark for students and locals in Bradford and the TOTAL70 windows provide a fresh new look for the building to make it look modern and appealing while reducing energy and maintenance costs for Sanctuary Group.”

www.rehau.com

It’s August, which usually means a slow news month. But you cannot help but feel as though there are some very dark clouds gathering over certain parts of the window industry right now.

Share prices sliding for some of our biggest publicly traded companies. Profit warnings from national installers. Entu on the brink. Reports that sales are down at some of the industry’s biggest companies anywhere between 5-15%. It has not been a good few months if you’re one of the biggest in our sector.

That being said, talk to many small to medium sized installers and fabricators and they will tell you something very different. Sales are healthy, margins are good, and all the signs are that 2017 will be better than the year previous. So why the stark difference?

I believe the industry is approaching a rather serious crisis point and it’s approaching it very quickly, and depending on which part of the market you sit at, you’ll either do very well or you need to start thinking about your future.

Bad business model karma

I have long written about all the things that are bad with the old way of selling to home owners in this industry. The residential market has changed quite drastically in the last decade or so. Home owners have become much more discerning when it comes to purchasing new windows and doors, and quite rightly so. The internet has helped. And now we have a much more educated, wise and wary residential market that knows when they’re being taken for a ride.

Yet, many retail companies have continued to run a business model that includes door to door lead generation, heavy discounting and hard-sell tactics. All of which home owners are shunning and won’t entertain. They know to dismiss them. As a result, according to reports, sales at some of the biggest national retailers who also use these antiquated business models and sales tactics are being slammed. Many have said that if selling like this continues, these sorts of companies will fall by the wayside.

Add to that a whole raft of price increases in the past year or so, and karma has bitten back hard. With sales dropping and material prices increasing, margins are being eroded and revenues are falling fast at some businesses. This effect travels further up the supply chain, to those who supply the major regional and national installers with their materials. If their customers struggle, they struggle too.

The Epwin Group trading update last week was an example of that. They supply to a lot of companies, and some of those are the very ones struggling on the sales side. When their customers suffer, they suffer too. Hence we saw their share price plummet almost 20% in s single day. With all the stories circulating inside the industry right now, this is perhaps the most important.

For many of our largest companies and groups, we are approaching a pivotal moment. Business models have to change. The way large installers approach their sales has to change. For some, such as Entu, the damage is probably already done. For some, there is time to change, but it has to be now. To continue the status quo, bury heads in sand and assume that things will revert back to the old ways would be plain stupid.

The environment in which we all operate has now changed, and changed for good. As much as many would like, prices are never coming back down. Price increases that were blamed on Brexit and Sterling falls are never going to be reversed. We are all going to have to get used to charging more for our goods, and when you look at the wider picture that’s probably how it should be. Our prices are hardly different to what they were a couple of decades ago. It’s probably time home owners started paying more for what we sell. For the SME’s in our industry, those who work in smaller scales and can adapt their products to warrant higher prices, this is easier to manage. For the larger companies who operate on volume on lesser quality products this is where it is going to hurt.

But it is those early adopters of change. Those who saw that best way to survive and indeed thrive was by seeking out a higher end offering. A more bespoke service for home owners where shiny white plastics wasn’t the only choice available to them.

Many small to medium sized installers and fabricators identified quite a few years ago that niche products, higher end offerings were the way to attract new customers, more discerning customers and improve profit margins. Many SME installers also operate a much more laid back approach to sales, which given the higher end nature of products now being sold, is the right thing to do. You wouldn’t expect home owners to make instant decisions on home improvement products which can often cost into five figures.

Speak to SME installers and fabricators today and they will tell you that business is good. Sales and revenues strong, lead levels good. In total contrast to the commentary surrounding the biggest in our industry. Often the “shiny white” part of our industry.

Question is, is it too late for the bigger companies to change? We all know the trouble Entu is in. KPMG are trying their best to save the group, but the last update didn’t inspire confidence, and the talk at the moment is that it’s probably now too late. According to reports and industry commentary the biggest installers are suffering too. I also doubt their ability to ever change their ways. They will always sell the way they always have. And home owners will continue to resist that way of sales in the years to come, which means sales from tele-canvassing and door-knocking will continue to fall. I also believe that we are edging closer to laws being introduced that will ban the use of cold calling both via phone and door-step. The more companies abuse the rules, ignore them or find ways round them, the more likely the whole practise might be banned.

Personally, I believe that we’re only a few years away from seeing the landscape of our industry changing forever, driven by changing consumer habits. That will affect the very biggest suppliers too, as they supply those who may be hit worst by big changes in consumer spending. This is how serious I believe the situation to be right now. I believe that we are now at the start of what could be a very disruptive evolution of our industry. I know that sounds dramatic, but take a minute or two to read the trading updates of some of our biggest. Take a look at the share prices of our publicly traded companies. Look at what is happening at Entu.

The movement is already happening. It could be a very dramatic few weeks and months coming up in UK fenestration.