COOLSKIN NOW BOASTS AN UNRIVALLED 12-YEAR WARRANTY

3D Laminates have extended the warranty on their unique CoolSkin^® technology for panel and composite doors to 12 years, following further extended product testing with long-term product partners Hornschuch and VEKA.

CoolSkin^® technology has quite simply revolutionised the composite door sector through innovative manufacturers such as Endurance Doors^® and Solidor, two of the fastest growing and most trusted brands in the sector. The extension of the product warranty to 12 years, reflects the unrivalled performance of these door skins, which offer a life expectancy in excess of 25 years, as there’s no risk of delamination, cracking, bowing or warping unlike other inferior door skins.

The composite door market remains hugely buoyant, with design and security top of the agenda for consumers, closely followed by lasting product performance. Entrance doors with CoolSkin^® technology are designed to last and the fact that it’s based on a PVCu foiled, grained finish that is a perfect match to the PVCu door frames, is also a major product benefit.

There are currently eight life like woodgrain finishes and nine solid colours within the CoolSkin^® range and 3D Laminates is also able to product bespoke finishes and colours in relatively small quantities, to support the demands of the fast-moving composite door market.

Mark Lofthouse, managing director of 3D Laminates commented: ‘The 12 year warranty on our unique CoolSkin^® gives great confidence for our trade partners and consumers. It’s a product with unique technical capabilities thanks to tight trading agreements with Hornschuch and VEKA.

He continues: ‘We’ve already seen a number of major product failures with other inferior door skins and the ramifications for installation companies and door manufacturers are considerable, as product liabilities could have the potential to escalate considerably. CoolSkin^® is ultimately a guarantee of lasting, failure free performance for panel and composite door skins.’

For further information and a free sample pack on CoolSkin^® call 3D Laminates on 0113 273 6281, e-mail info@3d-laminates.com or visit their website at www.3d-laminates.com.

The TruEnergy Aluminium Window delivers true energy efficiency and impressive performance with fewer components, says  Jack Aluminium Systems, who developed the PAS 24 window system and claim it is also easy to fabricate and install.

The thermal breaks are positioned in the most efficient way possible, with thermal infills that slide within the section chambers, to achieve a U-value of 1.4 W/m2 or lower with a double glazed unit, and 1.2 when triple glazed.  This is backed by PAS 24 testing, dual cleat options and compatibility with PVCu hardware.

“Too often, thermally enhanced means that the system only works if lots of fiddly bits are inserted, or stuck on,” says Jeff Pearson, Sales Director at Jack Aluminium, “which not only add unwanted time during fabrication but can come loose if the installer needs to remove the glass during fitting.

“Customers told us they want something simpler, so we developed the TruEnergy window with their needs in mind.  From the moment fabricators get the profile, to the installation of the final product, the TruEnergy Window makes it really easy to produce an efficient and high performance window.

“The slimline aluminium profile can be fabricated using either crimped or mechanical Monticelli cleats.  That gives an element of design flexibility, so fabricators can choose their preferred method of assembly.

“Another way in which the TruEnergy Window makes life easy is that it can use PVCu hardware.  Lots of fabricators and installers supply aluminium windows alongside PVCu, but they would prefer not to double-stock on hardware.

“We also help fabricators by holding plenty of stock for fast turnaround of orders, with 5-7 day delivery on standard RAL colours.

“Energy efficiency shouldn’t be at the expense of manufacturing efficiently.  Simplifying the design to create better aluminium systems is at the heart of what Jack Aluminium does.  We’ve listened to the market and developed a window system that meets the needs of fabricators and installers.”

www.jackaluminium.co.uk

Trade fabricator, TWR Trade Frames, is reportedly enjoying ‘huge success’ with aluminium bi-fold doors and regularly produces more than 50 per week in its 25,000ft2 factory in Peterlee. It has a nationwide customer network and regularly delivers to installers from as far a field as Scotland, Wales and the south of England.

The product formed a major part of TWR’s recent open day presentations and has been so successful that the Peterlee factory was opened last year to cope with increased aluminium production, having outgrown capacity at the existing factory in nearby Sunderland.

The bi-folds are produced from Smart Visofold profile and are geared using the greenteQ Clearspan hardware system from VBH that includes adjustable roller assemblies to help with quick and easy installation. The profile is powder coated on site to the customer’s individual specification and is then geared using Clearspan hardware in black, white or anthracite grey, with additional colour options on the handles.

The doors are secured using greenteQ main door and intermediate sash locking systems.

Clearspan hardware has been tested at BSI to the PAS 24 security standard. Those installers who deal with the new build market must be able to demonstrate to Building Control that their doors meet the requirements of approved Document Q. TWR are able to supply third party certification from BSI that this is the case with their Clearspan ‘PAS 24 Spec’ bi-fold doors TWR’s managing director, Terry Richardson, was presented with a certificate to mark TWR’s commitment to produce bi-fold doors to the Clearspan BSI ‘PAS 24 spec’.

VBH area sales manager, Des Turnbull, said: “The management at TWR is forward thinking and customer driven. I was amazed to see from my records recently that they have manufactured over 3,500 bi-folds since starting with greenteQ. I saw for myself at their open day in March how they interact with their customers and it’s obvious that their combination of great customer service and top notch products is the perfect formula for repeat business.’

www.greenteq.info
www.vbhgb.com/

The post TWR enjoys ‘huge success’ with greenteQ bi-folds appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

It’s a return to The Slug and Lettuce in Leicester Square for 2017’s London PIGS on Thursday 11 May.

The second of four People in Glazing events in 2017, the London event is a great chance to get together with glazing industry peers a few weeks before we descend on Birmingham for FIT Show.

PIGS organiser and Balls2 Marketing Director, Sarah Ball says: “Due to the closure of Canal 125, we’ve moved PIGS back to The Slug and Lettuce in Leicester Square.

“This event will be a good chance to get together with glazing industry professionals for a relaxed evening of networking in between FIT Show planning.

“I’d like to say a massive thank you to all of our 2017 sponsors. Without your continued support, PIGS couldn’t happen.

“As usual, all the money will go behind the bar to get the PIGS party started!”

The companies who have offered to put their hands in their pockets for all three PIGS 2016 events so far are:

• aïr
• ALUK
• Avantis International
• Build Show
• Business Micros
• Central RPL
• Danvac
• Dempsey Dyer
• Edgetech UK
• Emplas
• ERA
• Everglade Windows
• ExtrudaSeal
• FIT SHOW
• Frame Fast
• Georgian Bar Company
• GGF
• Network VEKA
• Regalead
• Selecta Systems
• Stuga Machinery
• Synseal
• The VEKA UK Group
• Thermoseal
• Titon
• Ultraframe
• Universal Arches
• Victorian Sliders
• Whizzle
• Yale
• Yes Glazing

As usual, tickets to PIGS are free and it’s really quick and easy to register for yours, just go to: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pigs-networking-london-may-2017-tickets-33083861721.

Registration is open now and will be open until the start of the event on:

Date: 11 May 2017

Time: 5pm ‘till late

Where: Slug and Lettuce, 5 Lisle Street, Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7BG

If you would like more information about the event, or becoming a PIGS sponsor, contact Sarah on sarah@balls2marketing.com or call 07540 049655. And don’t forget to like the Facebook page, follow PIGS on Twitter & join the Linked In group to get the latest updates.

At the back end of March, TruFrame customer Spire Glass, e-mailed to say that a combination of TruFrame’s manufacturing quality, combined with choice of hardware partner, Yale, had helped ‘avert a burglary’.

There were numerous attempts to prise the sashes open on a window combination, at a house located in Salisbury, Wiltshire, but thankfully with no success. It was only when the homeowner concerned, realised what had happened later that week, when they were cleaning the window boards.

The Yale lifetime warranty, offered with all TruFrame windows and doors, is said to be a ‘major selling point’ to consumers, especially given the fact that it reportedly has a 98% brand recognition with homeowners. In this instance, the combination of one of the most highly regarded PVC-U frame manufacturers with a global hardware brand, has ensured that the homeowner didn’t suffer a break in, or any consequential loss.

Sam Locke, operations manager of Spire Glass. commented: “What could have been a potentially disastrous ending to the story, has been thwarted thanks to the quality of the TruFrame window frame and the Yale hardware. The homeowner needs a new window, but doesn’t have to consider the cost of any losses, nor the emotional distress. This is a clear message that product quality and specification has never been so important within the industry.”

David Firmager, managing director of TruFrame, concluded: “Every 45 seconds in the UK, there is an attempted burglary and every 76 seconds, it’s successful. So, it’s for good reason that we spend so much time on ensuring our frames are manufactured to the most exacting of tolerances and furnished with what we believe is the best hardware specification, backed up with an impressive lifetime warranty.”

www.truframe.co.uk
www.spireglass.com

The post Truframe and Yale avert burglary attempt appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Innovation has always been key to the success of Liniar – and this philosophy has now been acknowledged at the highest level with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

The accolade, recognising outstanding achievement in the Innovation category, has been bestowed upon the Liniar ModLok™ bi-folding door. This is testament to the impact the ground-breaking product has had on the fenestration industry since its launch in 2014. The unique ModLok™ exoskeleton, combining reinforcement and security with a patented thermal lock, offers a PVCu bi-fold that acts as an aluminium door.

The prestigious annual awards, announced on the Queen’s birthday, means Liniar joins a very select group of UK businesses to be honoured by Her Majesty.

Only 1,357 companies have been awarded the Innovation accolade since it was launched 51 years ago, with Liniar among around just 50 firms adding to that list this year.

With just over 6,000 companies receiving a Queen’s Award across all categories since its 1966 inception, this highlights how difficult it is to earn the honour.

“The Queen’s Award is the ultimate tribute for a business,” said Liniar CEO Roger Hartshorn. “So to win an award, particularly for innovation, is a massive honour.

“I’m delighted that the Liniar ModLok™ bi-fold has been recognised for its revolutionary design. It’s a great reflection on the exceptional team we have here and the high standards of the products we have created.

“Not only is this award great news for us as a company, but it’s also fantastic for our customers who will benefit from the prestige that this will bring by underlining the outstanding quality of the ModLok™ bi-fold to homeowners .

“Winning this award comes in the same year we’ll officially open our impressive new 178,000ft² warehouse and showroom facility, further cementing our commitment to expansion and improvement.”

The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the highest official UK awards for British businesses and were established by Royal Warrant in 1965.

The awards are made on the advice of the Prime Minister after examination of applications by an advisory committee composed of leading individuals from industry, commerce, trade unions and government.

Roger has been invited to attend a reception held by Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace, and Liniar will be visited during the year by a royal representative to present the physical award of a crystal chalice and scroll.

The Liniar ModLok bi-folding door is part of the fully matching, energy efficient range of Liniar products. Launched in 2008, the Liniar range is designed and manufactured by HL Plastics at its state-of-the-art factory in Derbyshire. The innovative range of lead-free uPVC windows, doors and conservatories continues to take the industry by storm and remains one of the fastest-growing systems in the UK.

Find out more about the Liniar ModLok bi-fold at www.liniar.co.uk/doors/pvcu-bifold/modlok-bi-fold

Activity in the construction industry is rising at a faster pace following the EU referendum than initially expected according to the latest forecasts by the Construction Products Association (CPA). Construction output is expected to rise each year between 2017-2019, by 1.3% in 2017, 1.2% in 2018 and 2.3% in 2019.

While the figures may fuel hope of a resilient UK construction industry amid Brexit-related anxieties and rising costs, the growth masks a considerable difference in activity across the key construction sectors. Infrastructure projects are expected to be the industry’s main growth engine, driven by a strong National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline valued at £300 billion over the next four years.

In particular, growth to 2019 is expected to be primarily driven by a 34.5% increase in infrastructure activity due to major projects in the energy, rail a

Noble Francis

nd water sub-sectors, which would offset expected falls in commercial and industrial construction.

House building is also expected to remain a key source of growth, with private house building starts rising by 7.2% between 2017 and 2019, underpinned by a continued upward trend in house prices, demand from first-time buyers and the Help to Buy equity loans. In 2016, Help to Buy accounted for 39.8% of new home sales in Q4 and has been a significant government policy for supporting building activity.

Noble Francis, economics director at the Construction Products Association said: “Construction output has been sustained post-referendum, primarily due to projects signed up to before June 2016. Activity is expected to remain strong in the first half of this year in all the key construction sectors: private housing, commercial, industrial and infrastructure. Looking further forward, a fall in contract awards during the second half of last year, is likely to impact greatest where Brexit uncertainty affects sectors requiring high investment up front for a long term rate of return, such as commercial offices and industrial factories.

“We forecast that output in commercial offices will fall 1.0% this year and a further 12.0% in 2018. Industrial factories construction is expected to fall 5.0% in 2017 and 4.0% in 2018. However, this is expected to be offset by strong growth in infrastructure and private housing. Infrastructure construction is expected to increase by 7.3% in 2017 and 11.1% in 2018, primarily driven by major projects such as main works at Hinkley Point C and High-Speed 2. Private housing starts are forecast to rise 3.0% in 2017 and 2.0% in both 2018 and 2019.

“Looking forward, given the dependence of construction industry growth on activity in the infrastructure and private housing sectors, it is essential that government focuses on delivery of infrastructure projects in its National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline. In addition, as major house builders are reliant upon Help to Buy equity loans, which are due to end in 2021, it is vital that government outlines its plans early to support house building growth as we approach the end of the scheme.”

The post Construction industry beats post-Brexit expectations but growth reliant on infrastructure delivery appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Finding the right glazing products and evaluating the technical performances of your glazing specification has just got easier with the launch of CalumenLive by Saint-Gobain Building Glass. CalumenLive is a free online and responsive specification tool, giving you access to the information you need directly on your mobile device, laptop, PC, Mac or tablet.

CalumenLive is the new and improved successor to Calumen II, delivering a more intuitive and fluid user experience for glass configuration and insulated glass unit (IGU) composition. The new interface also enables you to share your results faster as you can email them directly from within the service or export your specification as a pdf document.

By using CalumenLive’s range of filters you can search based on the “comfort” factors that are most important to your project, such as maximising light transmission, minimising solar heat gain, achieving high performance acoustics, reducing external light reflectance or a host of other options. As a cloud based system, CalumenLive updates automatically, ensuring the next time you login, you have access to the very latest product information and technical data. CalumenLive is a free service and registering an account is quick and easy. Try it now by visiting www.calumenlive.com.

The post Saint-Gobain Building Glass launches CalumenLive: online glass specification tool appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

Visitors to Epwin Window Systems’ stand at this year’s FIT Show will find plenty to interest them. Sharn Samra, Marketing Director at the company, commented: “We will have new innovations across all our window and door brands on display, all designed to help our customers grow their businesses.”

Visitors will be able to explore the new enhancements on the  Spectus vertical slider and see just why it remains the VS of choice for so many businesses. The game changing Optima system from Profile 22, winner of the New Product of the Year category at the 2016 G Awards, will also be on display. Swish Windows and Doors will be showcasing its newly enhanced range of colours, which now includes 28 colours from stock and available on express delivery. And PatioMaster, one of the UK’s leading patio door brands, will be introducing three key developments on its inline sliding door, all designed to open up new opportunities in this product sector.

Visitors to the stand will also be able to find out about Epwin’s range of over 80 ancillaries, including the latest additions. The range suites across all systems, making life easier for fabricators and installers as well as giving their customers more choice. And businesses that work in the new build sector will want to visit the stand to see the depth of the Epwin offering and the new developments being introduced in this area.

Away from the products, installers will want to find out more about Excellence as Standard, Epwin’s ground-breaking new affiliation programme that will be launched at the show. Member benefits include qualified leads via the Excellence as Standard lead generation programme, access to training courses, Excellence as Standard branded marketing material with bespoke options and offers from Excellence as Standard Trusted Partners.

In short, fabricators and installers who are already Epwin customers will want to visit the stand to find out more about the new developments designed to help their businesses. And businesses who aren’t already customers will want to visit to find out more about what the company has to offer.

www.epwin.co.uk