Dear Gerald,

Image Above: Greg Johnson.

Many home-improvements programmes like Grand Designs have introduced thousands of homeowners to the opportunity to welcome in vast amounts of natural light into their home and seamlessly blend inside and out, through excellent bifolding doors.

However, programmes like this always feature new build projects with large budgets, which allow homeowners to choose luxury bifold doors made from aluminium. Whilst they are an excellent solution, their price means they can be out of reach for the average homeowner. To meet this demand, installers need to offer an alternative that can match the versatility and performance of aluminium bifolds at a more accessible price, and uPVC is the answer.

Whilst uPVC bifolds of old weren’t the best quality and therefore not offered by installers, modern uPVC bifolds can provide a cost-effective yet functional and practical way for any homeowner to enjoy expansive views and transform their property.

At Warwick North West, we offer our Innolux uPVC bifolding doors. It is our unique stamp on Eurocell’s Aspect profile, offering the same, slim sightlines that draws many to aluminium and maximises natural light. With a more rounder appearance compared to aluminium, the bifold perfectly complements existing uPVC windows providing a clean, consistent design across the home.

Much like aluminium solutions, installers can offer uPVC bifolds in a range of colours and wood effect finishes so homeowners can further the premium look. With two to six panel configurations and openings up to 2.3 metres high and 6 metres across, uPVC bifolds are a viable option for any property. What’s more, thanks to unique D handles, the concertina-style doors can fold back flat to produce a 90% opening, making uPVC bifolds just as functional and effective as aluminium or timber.

There is no compromise on security or efficiency either. The Aspect profile from Eurocell boasts a six-chambered design meaning better thermal insulation reducing heat loss and air tight seals, which keep out draughts. It is also made from the highest quality uPVC, a robust and durable solution that can provide homeowners with a consistent and reliable service for many years to come.

In conclusion, uPVC bifolds provide the perfect solution to allow installers to offer a premium, practical and effective bifold door at both ends of the market. Advancements in the market have meant uPVC has been able to close the gap to aluminium meaning homeowners can take advantage of many of the same benefits of aluminium including style, security and design for the price of more accessible uPVC.

Yours sincerely,

Greg Johnson, Director – Warwick North West

RegaLead has announced the launch of new marketing to support customers of ColorSpray, its specialist coatings division for the glass and fenestration sectors.

Joint Managing Director Guy Hubble comments: “First introduced in 2008, the ColorSpray paint range which includes Original, Ceramic and Aqua has transformed the way in which glass is back painted. But as you’d expect from RegaLead, we do so much more than manufacture and supply the paint systems. We offer extensive marketing support too to ensure that ColorSpray customers have the tools needed to help them achieve glass painting success.

“New for 2017, we’ve launched sample packs, colour swatches and folders to bring colour to life; personalised brochures with ideas for back painting applications and designs for inspiration; showroom support including stunning product sample displays – one wall mounted and one free standing that can accommodate 19 colours or effects to help homeowners envisage their new kitchen or bathroom; and enhanced our splashback designer software with interactive colour configurator to any RAL colour. We all know that a picture can speak a thousand words but this new marketing support goes one step further, and shouts colour!’

For more information and to download the ColorSpray marketing brochure, please visit www.regalead.co.uk or call 0161 946 1164.

Trade fabricator Novaseal recently launched its exclusive Slim 60 lantern roof, and reports that feedback has been outstanding.

Home improvement specialist and builder Thomas & Son (Ltd) was the first Novaseal customer to install the new roof last year. According to Managing Director Jason Thomas, the Slim 60 roof is well-made, easy to install and a fantastic way of gaining extra space and light in flat roof extensions: “Slim 60 looks great and customer feedback has been excellent. It’s ideal for flat roof extensions – a cost-effective alternative to pitched roofs – because it lets more light in. And from an installer’s point of view, Slim 60 is quick and simple to put together.”

Thomas & Son has since installed several Slim 60 roofs and says demand for Novaseal conservatories is very strong. The family-run company has been buying from Novaseal for nearly 20 years: “We rely on Novaseal for a wide range of top quality products”, adds Jason. “Thomas & Son was established over 20 years ago and we’ve built our reputation on providing homeowners with top quality installations backed by a prompt and reliable service. Novaseal is the perfect fit for our business and we consider Novaseal a one-stop-shop for a wide range of products – we don’t buy from any other fabricator.”

Established in 1998, Novaseal is a leading trade fabricator in the South of England, supplying a wide range of home improvement products including Deceuninck PVC-U windows and doors, aluminium windows and doors, bi-fold doors, conservatories and PVC-U roofline. The company has enjoyed significant growth in recent years and opens a new purpose-built factory later this year.

For more information on Novaseal visit www.novaseal.co.uk or call 01329 233 500. Follow @NovasealLtd.

Modplan have long held a reputation for manufacturing one of the most comprehensive product ranges on the market today and their conservatory roof portfolio is no exception. With several roofing options available, Managing Director, Heidi Sachs is clear as to why choice is important. She comments: “We understand the importance of introducing homeowners to the difference that the right roof can make. Because while glass and polycarbonate are still the most popular options, there are a wealth of different solutions out there. Having a selection of these solutions in your portfolio will open up even more opportunities than ever before and mean you have the right solution no matter what the situation.”

The LEKA Warm Roof from Modplan is the latest addition to Modplan’s roof solutions and is ideal for new build and retro-fit projects. The LEKA Warm Roof is said to be up to 40% lighter than other solid roofs on the market today and has a U value of just 0.15W/m²K making it one of the best insulators of its kind too. It’s the only GRP structured, fully thermally layered roof on the market and because it has no aluminium or wood, there is no cold bridging or condensation.

For installers looking for a choice of glass, polycarbonate or tile-effect roof options, the Vertex conservatory roof system offers a unique one piece GRP peripheral main beam incorporating an integral gutter, giving the roof a much greater inherent strength. It’s been part of the Modplan portfolio for many years and is available with ogee or dentil moulding.

For installers looking for the traditional conservatory roof, Wendland is a highly configurable roofing system that can be used on all Modplan’s conservatories. It’s a BBA-approved system and has an array of design options.

Modplan recently added LivinRoom and Loggia to their portfolio and it has been an incredibly popular addition. At its heart, it is a classic conservatory roof system, but the addition of an internal engineered steel frame that is plastered to give a perimeter ceiling creates the sophisticated feel that today’s homeowner demands.

All Modplan’s roofing solutions are manufactured in their dedicated roofing facility at its headquarters near Newport Gwent.

For more information on any of the Modplan’s products and support, Ask the Man from Modplan.

www.modplan.co.uk

Specialist fabricator Mercury Glazing has just revealed that sales of its Spectus Vertical Slider are up 15% year on year. Chris Reeks, Mercury’s Sales and Marketing Director, commented: “Double digit growth in a year is impressive and reflects the market’s increasing interest in specialist windows as well as our ability to deliver a quality product.”

But Chris says that what is interesting about the growth is how it breaks down. “We tend to think of Vertical Sliders as being products for heritage projects. But our sales breakdown reveals something very interesting. While white foil is the most popular colour, over half of orders are for coloured profiles. And of those, one of the biggest sellers is Anthracite Grey, indicating that the market is mixing the traditional looks of a VS window with a modern colour.”

Chris says that the most popular choice of glazing detail remains the Astragal bar, which Mercury colour codes to foils where required. He has also noticed an increased demand for curved verticals and commented: “The interest in what is a very specialised area indicates two things. First that the market is making bolder decisions in modern window design and second that PVCu Vertical Sliders have gained complete acceptance in heritage properties.”

Mercury Glazing is one of the UK’s largest Spectus Vertical Slider manufacturers and says its sales figures are an excellent guide to wider trends in the market.

www.mercuryglazing.co.uk

The Glazerite UK Group Ltd may have earned an enviable reputation for supplying one of the most expansive product ranges on the market – including four PVC-U and conservatory roof systems, two flush sash systems and a full compliment of bi-fold, patio and composite doors – but with a dedicated in-house design and marketing team, business and technical support, plus a host of installer support schemes, it offers one of the industry’s most comprehensive support packages as well.

Thanks to its marketing team, Glazerite is equipped to help customers with everything from bespoke sales brochures, advertising and website design, to advice on how to manage social media, access the latest state-of-the-art online ordering and quoting software and much more besides.

The company’s technical and business support is equally as impressive, offering professional guidance on industry legislation, human resources, accounting, IT and health and safety – as are its quality management system and production standards, which ensure all products are CE and Kite marked, and come with 10 year guarantees, including all ironmongery, which is in excess of the manufacturers warranties.

In addition to that, Glazerite also provides a wide range of support packages to its customers. These include membership of Network VEKA and its Approved Installer Scheme, the EdgeTech SuperSpacer Dealership Installer and Saint-Gobain Planitherm Installer Network schemes, plus extended guarantee and insurance schemes from hardware suppliers MACO, ERA and Ultion.

Combine all that with the Assure Windows and Doors competent person scheme, that provides help on Minimum Technical Competency, Insurance Backed guarantees, WER’s and DER’s and its clear to see that Glazerite really has gone the extra mile for both existing and prospective customers.

Glazerite’s National Sales and Marketing manager, Chris Thompson, said: “To compliment our extensive and market leading product range, we provide an outstanding package of support that can be used in its entirety, or with the option for customers to pick and choose what they think will work best for them.

“We offer the same support for any size business – from a small trader working from home, to large companies with multiple showrooms and trade counters – so should our customers need advice on anything from sales software to a new website and everything in between, Glazerite has the expertise and resources to help.”

www.glazeritewindows.co.uk