The Window Company (Contracts) and Osborne and Building Space

The Window Company (Contracts) Ltd are helping Osborne celebrate its 50^th Anniversary by working alongside them to build a two-storey extension at Demelza’s Eltham Hospice in South East London that will allow seriously ill children the space to grow, develop and live life to the fullest.

Demelza Hospice Care for Children provide expert, compassionate care, free of charge to severely ill children and their families 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The Window Company (Contracts) are working with other supply chain partners on this build with many donating their time and materials for free.

Chairman David Thornton said: “As a long term partner of Osborne, we were more than happy to get involved with such a worthwhile project. As well as us donating the windows and doors for the project, our team working on site are donating some of their time as well, which I think says a great deal about the calibre of fitting teams we have.”

At Demelza in Eltham, The Window Company (Contracts) are installing aluminium windows and doors throughout the new extension, as well as automatic door opening gear to make it accessible for hospice users.

Andy Steele, Chief Executive at Osborne said: “I am delighted we found the Delmelza Space to Grow Project to mark our 50 years in business but most importantly achieve an outcome that will positively impact on the lives of vulnerable children in our society for the next 50.”

“This ambitious project would not have been possible however, without the support of The Window Company (Contracts) and many other partners who have all come together for such a worthwhile cause.”

Claire Ellis-Waghorn, Head of Fundraising at Demelza said: “We are so grateful to the team at Osborne and all their wonderful colleagues and suppliers for giving us such a phenomenal gift. The work that is taking place at our Eltham hospice will make such a big difference – not just to our children and families, but also our staff and volunteers too, who work tirelessly to provide the best possible care.”

www.thewinco.co.uk

Image Above: Russell Day and David Thornton

The Window Company (Contracts) Ltd has been recognised at Silver 3 level in the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) GLASS Charter Merit Scheme

In 2016 The Window Company (Contracts) Ltd took part in the first group of audits against the GGF GLASS Charter. The culture of the business and the evidence provided clearly showed they were a company that recognised the clear link between safety of employees and customers with success.

They achieved Silver Level 2 at the first go, the highest level any Member of the GGF has reached the first time around.

The company have been keen to progress in the scheme and invited Phil Pinnington, GGF Director of Health and Safety, to conduct a further audit earlier this year. The audit identified that recommended improvements had been made from the previous visit and therefore in recognition of their sterling work the company was awarded Silver 3.

Phil Pinnington commented: “David and his team are excellent ambassadors for safety in the industry and it is highly likely they will be the first Member company to achieve Gold standard.”

David Thornton, MD of the Window Company Contracts added, “Everything around the GLASS Charter is positive for us – it helps to strengthen the Health and Safety culture which already exists here and it brings us positive recognition from our commercial clients. We’re now focused on the incremental improvements we need to achieve Gold and we’re excited by that challenge.”

In 2001 the glass industry took up the Government’s Revitalising Health and Safety Initiative. In partnership with both industry and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) the Glass and Glazing Federation launched the GLASS Charter (Goal; Less Accidents, Safer Sites). In 2016 the scheme was updated in line with the Health and Safety Executive’s 5 year strategy.

The Merit Scheme is open to all GGF Members no matter the size of business, sole trader to multi-national companies. The unique advantage is that it focuses on systems appropriate to the size and nature of the business whilst applying a set of common standards.

To find out more about GLASS Charter, you can download the GLASS Charter booklet for the publications section of the GGF website.

www.ggf.org.uk

Specialist aluminium frame manufacturer, Mercury Glazing Supplies Ltd., has just added the new TD68 commercial door to its range. Chris Reeks, Mercury’s Sales and Marketing Director, said, “We are delighted to be adding the TD68 commercial door into our portfolio. The new aluminium door allows us to extend our reach even further and helps our customers take advantage of the commercial aluminium opportunities.”
The new TD68 door is being billed as one of the most thermally efficient, high usage commercial doors on the market. Designed by Jack Aluminium Systems the TD68 is ideal for public buildings and schools, as well as shopfronts, flats and apartments and offers intrinsic strength and security. It boasts some impressive thermal efficiency figures too with a typical u-value of 1.7 on a 1230mm wide door being achieved. Furthermore the door is accredited to BS: EN 6375 and has achieved PAS 24:2016 on a 1300mm x 3000mm single sash door!

In the past twelve months, Mercury has witnessed an unprecented upturn in sales of their aluminium products something that is reflected in current market trends. Chris explains “As recent industry reports confirm sales of aluminium ‘remain strong’ and sales of our products support this finding. We feel this is down to offering a comprehensive aluminium portfolio which is suitable for all markets sectors and is backed up with a high-quality service.”

The new TD68 door will be manufactured at Mercury’s Gloucester fabrication plant. Customers will also have the reassurance of Mercury’s commitment to quality and customer service which aims to build long term commercial relationships. Chris concludes, “Aside from the products being a compelling offering, we work closely with our installing partners who are looking to work in – or are working in – the commercial sector. We have a great deal of experience in-house that our customers can call on whenever they need it.”

www.mercuryglazing.co.uk

Image Above: Andy Swift of ISO CHEMIE will be targeting designers more in 2018 

Andy Swift, national sales manager of ISO-CHEMIE, is optimistic about UK foam sealant sales in the next 12 months as specialist suppliers ramp-up plans to target the design sector.

In the face of continuing cost pressures, possible further interest rate hikes and ongoing Brexit negotiations, the one certainty for the economy and, the construction sector in 2018 will be uncertainty.

However, companies such as ISO CHEMIE, which supply foam sealant tapes window and door installation projects, are likely to benefit if there’s a downturn in construction as they target the design rather than the installer sector.

Andy Swift says: “The opportunities are out there for visionary companies like ourselves. There’ll be an increased focus on selling to designers in 2018, boosting sales in the process on the back of increasing product specification.

“Brexit’s going to happen and whatever the outcome, construction will carry on, even it’s to meet the demand for new homes. So, as we look ahead, the market appears future proof-for us and who knows, it may even be better than expected.”

He also expects building regulations to get tougher and policed better around matters such as airtightness and thermal loss around windows.

There will also be an increase in fire protection within new projects. Again, this could lead to increased opportunity for further tape-based sealing solutions.

“To survive 2018, you will need a well-run business,” adds Andy Swift, “with state-of-the art product ranges and quick delivery backed up by good on and off-site technical support.”

Growing appreciation of sealant products is also leading to the increased use of foam-based technology to close more sales and develop new business opportunities.

ISO-CHEMIE is one of Europe’s main producers of impregnated foam sealants, specialising in the manufacturer of foam products from polyethylene (EPE), polypropylene (EPP) and polyurethane (PUR) using the latest production techniques.

The company’s UK technical and distribution operation is supported by a dedicated logistics service to ensure customer orders are completed as quickly and efficiently as possible (usually next-day delivery). More at www.iso-chemie.eu/en-GB/home/

Image Above: Douglas Masterson, Technical Manager, Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI)

In a series of 12 recommendations submitted to the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) has called for the recognition of the ‘forgotten professionals’ in the construction supply chain.

The re-introduction of the Clerk of Works role on site and compulsory use of a fully qualified architectural ironmonger are just two of the recommendations put forward by the Guild to the enquiry, led by Dame Judith Hackitt.

The call for evidence was launched in July in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire.

In its submission, the GAI has also highlighted the need for mandatory fire door inspection in the UK and for larger fines for non-compliance, a process that is already in place in the USA and Australia.

Douglas Masterson, technical manager at the GAI, said:  “The Guild’s response has been formed from the collective opinion of the architectural ironmongery industry, including very experienced professionals who have worked around the world on complex fire safety issues. Fire door hardware and other aspects of ironmongery specification play a crucial role in fire safety. The voice of these professionals must not be lost in critical discussions on safety and standards.”

In its response to the Hackitt enquiry, the Guild urged the review team to review a wide range of documents which contain contradictions or ambiguity. It has identified at least 18 separate documents and legislation that are relevant to fire safety specifically within the architectural ironmongery and the allied fire door industries that it thinks should be given more clarity.

The submission points out that many of the standards within the industry are not mandatory for building construction, such as BS 8300 relating to accessibility, and are seen purely as best practice guidance. For architects and other construction professionals, this can cause confusion as to what guidelines they should be following resulting in inconsistency and error.

Reiterating calls made by this year’s Fire Door Safety Week, the Guild has emphasised the importance of third party certification of fire safety products and the need for a mandatory installer registration scheme for the installation of fire doors.

The GAI’s key recommendations:

1. There should be mandatory usage of fully qualified architectural ironmongers to compile an ironmongery specification.

2. A similar mandatory scheme to Gas Safe should be adopted in to law for installation of fire doors.

3. Fire door inspection should be mandatory in the UK in similar fashion to USA and Australia. Heavy fines should be levied for non-compliance.

4. Third party certification of fire safety products should be mandatory.

5. There needs to be an individual who is tasked with the sign-off of each stage in the

process which is related to fire safety. This should include any deviation away from accepted and original signed-off specification.

6. There should be a complete review of the sign off process with the introduction of mandatory sign off procedure which is similar to the Building Control Amendment Regulations 2014 (BCAR) in the Republic of Ireland.

7. The role and position of the Clerk of Works on site should be re-introduced as a means of ensuring on site compliance in installation.

8. Approved Document B should be revised to remove ambiguities and be much clearer to understand.

9. Approved Documents in general should be written in such a way that the requirements of each one do not contradict another.

10. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 should be amended to provide greater involvement of the fire service with regards to the sign-off of buildings

11. The responsible person should be named on the Health and Safety poster with a contact number giving the realistic times for when a person will answer.

12. A clear and transparent mechanism should be available which allows tenants to contact the responsible person/ local authority/ building control to report concerns on fire safety.

The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) is the body that represents the interests of the UK architectural ironmongery industry. Its qualifications, education and CPD programmes are widely respected in the UK and overseas.  Its technical information service is the only specialist service of its kind and provides GAI members with comprehensive advice.

www.gai.org.uk

Torquay’s Fenster Fabrications has contributed to a stylish sea-view residential development that’s been shortlisted for multiple awards.

Designed by respected Truro architects KAST, and located in Downderry on Cornwall’s south coast, Sea Edge House is a strikingly modern cliff-edge property with stunning Atlantic views.

The dwelling’s low roof profile allows it to make the most of its spectacular location, without obstructing the views of properties further inland. Entry is gained from the upper level, with an external staircase offering quick access to the garden.

KAST used Fenster’s flagship Uni_Slide sliding doors to allow access onto the dwelling’s 10m south-facing balcony.

Offering exceptional thermal efficiency, build quality, and desirable minimalist aesthetics, Uni_Slide can achieve frame sightlines as slim as 20mm, and a slim central interlock, while being able to support sliding panels of up to 3m high and 2.2m wide. The product can be assembled in a limitless run of units, with each panel capable of holding up to 320kg of glass.

The Fenster Fabrications Team, commented: “Uni_Slide makes a fantastic addition to any residential development. It can offer a sense of sleek luxury to any architectural development, and, for installers, it’s an excellent way of appealing to the lucrative high-end of the market.

“We’ve had a great response to our search for Uni_Slide installation partners so far – but we’re still looking for exceptional installers, dedicated to quality products and fantastic customer service, to join the network. If you think your business fits the bill, don’t hesitate to get in touch!”

KAST has subsequently been shortlisted asBest Self Build Architect or Designer of the Year as a result of their work on the Sea Edge House project.

For more information, call 01626 334455 or visitwww.uni-slide.com

Image Above:  from left to right: Neil Gater – Marketing and Communications Manager, Heidi Sachs – Managing Director, Justin Williams – International Sales and Marketing Director

VEKA trade fabricator Modplan has just announced the appointment of Justin Williams as its new International Sales and Marketing Director.  Justin takes up this position with immediate effect.

Justin has worked within Modplan for the past four years and was, and still is, responsible for the Nordic division within the business.   This change will mean that all the sales, marketing and customer service functions across Modplan will now operate as one entity across the different markets and product groups.

Speaking on Justin’s appointment, Modplan’s Managing Director Heidi Sachs said: “Justin has been instrumental in building the company’s well-respected position through his work within our Nordic division.  His appointment as International Sales and Marketing Director reflects the strength of his ability and his continued commitment to the success of Modplan.”

In other business moves, Neil Gater has become Marketing and Communications Manager having previously performed that role within the Nordic Division. And Chris Wake has become Customer Service Manager having previously worked within the conservatory processing office at Modplan. Both Chris and Neil will report direct to Justin.

Heidi concludes: “The new structure ensures we are equipped and able to service the needs of our diverse market and our valued customers. We would like to congratulate Justin, Neil and Chris on their new appointments.”

www.modplan.co.uk 

WICONA, the specialist manufacturer of glazing and glass curtain walling, has worked with specialist contractor GLASSOLUTIONS to deliver the glazing and facades package for One Bedford Avenue, a flagship mixed use development in Central London.

The 115,000 sq ft mixed-use office and retail development at One Bedford Avenue replaces two outdated office buildings on the corner of London’s Tottenham Court Road. The design concept for the building from Bennetts Associates was to create versatile, energy efficient spaces that would maximise natural light throughout the seven-storey building and provide the best possible views of the surrounding area.

To help achieve these requirements WICONA’s WICTEC 50 Stick build curtain wall was selected. The design of the system allowed spectacular floor to ceiling glazing to be achieved and the extra narrow 50mm profiles further minimised interruptions to the views from the building. In addition, access to the building’s upper floor terraces is provided by WICONA WICSTYLE 65 doors. The versatile product, which features a flush leaf design, was specified to replicate the aesthetics and integrate with the curtain walling.

Working with both main contractor Mace and GLASSOLUTIONS, a semi-bespoke window system was also created using WICONA WICLINE 75 with window profiles designed specifically to meet the aesthetic and structural requirements of the development.

The exceptional thermal and air-tightness performance of the windows, doors and curtain walling was also an important factor in achieving the energy efficiency targets for the building. Both the WICSTYLE doors and WICLINE windows feature multi-chamber thermal insulation systems that help the building to meet the required U-values.

The location of the development in a busy part of London and a site perimeter similar in size to the building’s footprint meant that external access was extremely limited. To overcome these challenges, the GLASSOLUTIONS project team developed an innovative sliding track system to move the glass units into place to be installed from inside the building. As well as removing the need for floor cranes, this method allowed the installation team to remain safely behind perimeter protection at all times whilst also freeing up the floor slab for other trades to operate safely.

“The installation was a huge success and everyone involved should be very proud of the finished building,” said John Foster, Commercial Director of Glassolutions’ Contracting division. “With the exterior glazing and curtain walling being such a key part of the architect’s vision for this spectacular development it was essential to select the right products to achieve both the required aesthetics and performance.”

Graham Hurrell, WICONA Director of Specification Sales, added: “The complex requirements of the One Bedford Avenue meant that a close partnership between WICONA, GLASSOLUTIONS and Mace was vital to complete the project on schedule and to the highest levels of quality while meeting the challenges that the site presented.”

To find out more about the WICONA range visit www.WICONA.com/en/uk/

Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, part of the NSG Group, has launched two new patterns to its popular Pilkington Texture Glass range.

The new products, Pilkington Cassini™ and Pilkington Tribal™, add to the manufacturer’s existing texture glass range, which helps homeowners maintain privacy and security while adding style to windows and doors, partitions, dividers, splash-backs and cupboards.

Pilkington Cassini™ features fine line detail that offers a multi-layered effect, resulting in a modern design influenced by the mosaics of Barcelona. It’s achieved by engraving the roller, which marks the pattern onto the glass during the manufacturing process, using cutting-edge technology.

In contrast, Pilkington Tribal™ has a hand-drawn finish inspired by Aztec patterns. To achieve this look, Pilkington used traditional hand-engraving methods when creating the roller to produce a modern patterned glass that’s steeped in history.

Ian Bateson, specialist in hand-etching, said: “Hand-etching is a dying art in this country, with so many patterns relying on computer aided design these days. I’ve been helping create textured glass with Pilkington for over 40 years and I’m proud that this traditional, hand-drawn method is still making its way into the manufacturing of new products.”

Leo Pyrah, texture glass product manager at Pilkington, added: “Working with leading trend forecasters, we’ve created two new contemporary and stylish patterns that complement our existing range.

“The new products will help to capture demand from homeowners, who are increasingly looking for ways to create more privacy while still maintaining a pleasing aesthetic and functionality for home interiors.”

Pilkington Texture Glass offers 21 different designs ranging from traditional to contemporary, allowing maximum light in while maintaining a chosen level of privacy or obscuration.

Watch how the Pilkington Tribal™ pattern was made here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BQx7QSv2wk