Making An Entrance With UMG

UMG have recently installed a stunning new entrance canopy for the Hilton Hotel, Euston, as part of an extensive refurbishment during 2017. The design of the new canopy provided a more modern look to the entrance and this presented a brighter feel at the same time offering a high-quality image to welcome customers and guests entering the hotel.

The concept for the changes were submitted to the client for approval, by Morrison Architects of Derby. UMG were appointed to develop the concept into a design solution. Taking into account the need for minimal structural changes to the fabric of the building entrance, the rear structural steel beam from the original canopy was utilized to support the new structure. After the removal of the old canopy, UMG designed and fitted first-fix connection brackets that were welded on to the original beam, ready to receive the new canopy frame. UMG developed the design of the frame as a fully welded one-piece structure using rolled steel sections and radial support arms. This gave the canopy a much neater appearance without the need for bolted cleats and brackets. Whilst in the workshop, the completed frame was measured for the shaped glass needed, to accurately match the shape of the frame.

The glass used was 17.5mm toughened laminated panels, made up of a 10mm grey tinted panel bonded to a 6mm clear panel.  Without using both panels tinted meant that the laminated panel allows through some natural light.  The canopy was installed with a 3° pitch, so the rainwater can be drained towards a concealed gutter at the rear.

The main benefit of the canopy frame being in one-piece, meant less time was needed on-site assembling the frame during installation. When UMG arrived on-site all that was required was to lift the canopy into position and bolt it to the frame and the previously fitted brackets. The structure was in place on day one of site activity, and the glass was lifted onto the frame and secured, meaning the installation of the canopy only took 4 days.

UMG have been involved in the design and construction of commercial glass canopies for over 20 years, and during this period they have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience. UMG work closely with their clients to develop detailed designs, specifying all the materials required to meet the needs architecturally, structurally and within a budget. Morrison Design had nominated UMG for this, and other similar projects because of their unique understanding within the industry.

For further information visit their new website at: www.metal-glass.com

The Safety Locking Cable Restrictor, from home security specialist ERA, is the only window restrictor to pass all British Standards, making it an obvious choice for those looking to enhance safety in domestic or commercial settings. Meeting the strictest safety standards, the Safety Locking Cable Restrictor has been thoroughly tested to satisfy even Grade 3 impact resistance of BS EN 13126-5, and has been proven to far surpass any other UK window restrictor in independent test scenarios.

Marketing manager, Jemma Booker explains, “When it comes to ensuring safety, opting for substandard products is simply not worth the risk. The ERA Safety Locking Cable Restrictor is the only product on the market that can provide absolute peace of mind, having out-performed even the most popular competitor products on the market. What’s more, the Restrictor has been uniquely designed with discretion in mind and benefits from the same neutral style as our popular Maxim Window Handle. The result is a product which not only provides unrivalled safety standards but also offers aesthetic appeal.”

Suitable for both domestic and commercial use, the Safety Locking Cable Restrictor has been designed for use on all windows and doors including timber, aluminium and PVCu. Ergonomically designed for easy operation, this market-leading device is an essential addition for anyone looking to improve safety around open windows and doors.

The post Era’s safety locking cable restrictor uniquely passes all British Standards appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

A significant stock holding makes all the difference to lead times for aluminium glazing products according to AluFoldDirect. With a promise to deliver right first time, on time, every time, the Blackburn based manufacturer has made significant investment in aluminium profile and hardware stock holding.

For Managing Director at AluFoldDirect, Craig Miller, it’s the obvious answer for meeting the needs of installers. He said: “We have always offered one-week lead times on unglazed products and two-week lead times on glazed products and no matter how busy we are, we always deliver orders on time and in full.”

AluFoldDirect has a £500,000 aluminium profile stock holding and an additional £120,000 in hardware to ensure that orders are processed, manufactured, checked and delivered to site, in an unmarked van, in one week.

Craig adds: “We promise the same lead times for coloured frames too. Aluminium windows and doors are delivered in any RAL or BS colour in one week unglazed and two weeks glazed.

“We’ve made sure that our promises to customers are delivered by investing in our fabrication team to ensure right first-time manufacturing and in a large stock-holding so that we’re never waiting for, or relying on, third parties to get an order out.”

AluFoldDirect delivers aluminium bi-fold doors, sliding doors and windows in one week, with glazed products delivered in two weeks. It’s even faster for stock size and colour roof lantern kits, as installers can have same or next day delivery.

“Jack Aluminium’s TruEnergy window is easy to fit, easy to fabricate – it just does what it says on the tin,” says Nick Hundleby, Director at Arcalu Architectural Aluminium.

“We do lots of school projects, and we have always chosen The Jack Door for those jobs because it’s such a solid, robust door that can withstand the knocks and bangs of packs of teenagers, their elbows and their bags!

“When Jack launched the window, we wanted to try it straight away. It offers the same, solid, robust design that’s perfect for schools. The TruEnergy window is now our preferred window system for commercial projects.

“This particular job at Joseph Whittaker School in Mansfield was one of the first projects where we installed the TW70 window. The school was looking very tried when we started. The £400,000 project included replacing windows, doors and cladding to create a cleaner, safer and brighter learning environment.”

Jack Aluminium’s TW70 TruEnergy Window is PAS 24-certified and offers U-Values as low as 1.4 W/m2K with a double-glazed unit. The principles of value engineering mean that the window has fewer components to offer simple, straightforward fabrication and installation.

Sales Manager at Jack Aluminium, Ash Pearson adds: “Projects like this one by Arcalu are the exact kind of jobs the TruEnergy window was developed for and we’re really pleased that the system delivers the easy fabrication and installation that we were aiming for during development.”

The FIT Show has announced that traditional sash manufacturer, Cardinal Windows, has signed up to the 2019 event, further strengthening the number of timber window companies who have reportedly shown an interest in the exhibition.

The company, whose key staff are said to boast over 150 combined years of experience, offers bespoke windows to specifiers and installers who seek traditionally styled, timber sliding box sash windows that feature the latest standards of high performance. Having seen demand grow for real wood windows, the firm says that it now sees the FIT Show as the ‘best shop window’ to reach its trade target markets.

Marketing manager, Jamie Hackett, explained: “We want to talk to a range of potential customers, including window installers and specifiers, together with architects, developers and small building companies and we know we will meet many of them at the FIT Show. Our customers include designers and builders of new homes right through to those responsible for the most sensitive period renovations.

“The event has proven itself to be the focal point for all of the UK window industry, so that is where we want to be, especially now that so many others in the timber window sector are thinking the same thing.

“Everyone in PVC and aluminium is shouting about their ‘authentic timber alternatives’ but what they are really doing is emphasising how much people still aspire to having the real thing,” Jamie concluded. “More and more homeowners and trade customers are realising this. As a manufacturer, we have the skills and the infrastructure to satisfy this need and, in the FIT Show, we have the vehicle to get that message across.”

The post Cardinal’s in appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

‘Anodic’ finishes continue to gain popularity with specifiers for architectural metalwork on new and refurbishment projects. Natural anodised aluminium is a robust, attractive finish, however ‘Coloured’ anodising e.g. gold, bronze or a blue grey, can be very expensive. Additionally, as anodising is a natural process it is vulnerable to variation in terms of surface appearance and colour fidelity. In response, Powder manufacturers have developed ‘look-a-like’ finishes to Anodised colours. These have become very popular as they simulate well the natural reflectance of anodised aluminium, and particularly ‘coloured anodised’ material.

Colour Consistency: Whilst anodising an aluminium surface offers a ‘natural’ colour and appearance which changes with the direction of light and the type of processed aluminium used, it may present colour consistency issues – particularly between extrusions and sheets. The ‘anodic’ powder coat alternative, by contrast, provides a consistent colour, shade and reflective appearance, making it easier to match sheet and extrusion on site. One other main benefit is that ‘anodic’ powder coating is not limited to being used on an aluminium substrate as it can be used on other materials substrates such as steel.

Performance of Anodic Powders: In terms of ‘Weathering’ ability, the ranges of ‘Anodic’ powder coat finishes are usually manufactured to SUPERDURABLE standard, that is, in QUALICOAT Class 2 – for the toughest of specifications in the UK (Class 1 and 1.5 finishes can be made available). Be sure to specify SUPERDURABLE where available.

Quality and consistency of quality, continues to be highlighted by QUALICOAT UK & Ireland, which includes third party testing of all certified powder formulations and pretreatment systems that make up the QUALICOAT approval process. For specification support, any member of the association can offer advice and guidance. For updated information about the use and specification of QUALICOAT in the UK and Ireland, please visit the UK & Ireland associations’ website at

www.qualicoatuki.org