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Premium product fabricator Dekko Window Systems has been inundated with leads following an appearance on the hit ITV programme Love Your Home and Garden, which is hosted by renowned presenter Alan Titchmarsh.

Dekko’s RÄUM aluminium bi-folding doors featured prominently on the ‘Get the Look’ section of the programme, which shows a close up of key products and guide prices, and within minutes, enquiries came flooding into the RÄUM and Dekko websites. Dekko had over 100 leads on the night of the show, with more filtering in over the following days.

“We were delighted with the response,” commented Sales Director Kurt Greatrex. “Most enquiries were from homeowners, and we passed these on to our trade customers. Interestingly though, around 30% of the leads came from businesses such as installers, builders and joiners, so we were able to go direct to these customers ourselves.”

Dekko initially decided to get involved in the programme after hearing about the tragic circumstances of the family in Banbury that was going to feature in the episode.

Kurt explains: “The mother had gone almost entirely blind after suffering a stroke, and was then diagnosed with breast cancer, forcing her to leave her job. The house was completely unsuitable for her needs, and Alan Titchmarsh and his team wanted to design a layout that would let more natural light into the home and allow for an easy transition from the home into the garden. ITV asked if we could supply a set of RÄUM aluminium bi-folds and we were more than happy to help.”

The RÄUM aluminium bi-fold is a premium door featuring super slim sightlines and can be used to open up entire walls, with two to seven panel combinations creating entranceways up to 7m across. It is available in hundreds of colours, including White Sand and Space Grey, and a choice of matt, gloss or special Coatex finish. A realistic wood effect finish is available for consumers who prefer traditional aesthetics.

For more information contact Dekko on 0161 406 0055 or visit www.dekkowindows.com

Picture above: Winston Osborne

As consumer demand for glazed roofs continues to rise, more installers than ever before are discovering the unmatched qualities of the revolutionary Atlas lantern. Pioneered by a team of technical experts, it changed the industry forever.

Breaking the mould back in 2009 to become the very first roof in the industry to not require a boss or hood, the Atlas lantern is still widely recognised as ‘the original and the best’ system out there.

Winston Osborne, technical sales manager at Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions, and his team were behind the development of the boss and hood-free system. He explains:

“Unsightly and bulky, a boss and hood intrudes onto the ridge and restricts the amount of glazing that can be incorporated into a roof lantern. Originally, the only roofs that didn’t feature a boss or hood were timber and we knew we had to create a radical roof system that would strip out these intrusive components.

“As one of the original slim aluminium glazed roof manufacturers, we wanted to make aluminium the material of choice for roof lanterns so we began developing a new generation of aluminium roof where the rafters could run right up to the ridge without obstruction. The result was the super-slim Atlas roof, which was, and still is, the best-looking lantern on the market.

“The market is more populated with aluminium lanterns now and some manufacturers have followed that incredible Atlas engineering to eliminate their boss and hood. What continues to set the Atlas lantern apart though is the sharp, square edges of its profile which look ultra-modern when compared to the more traditional ovolo curved profiles that some aluminium lanterns feature. Its clean lines deliver exactly what architects want which is why the Atlas roof is specified on more architect-designed schemes than any other roof. It is ‘the architect’s choice’ because it’s beyond compare.”

Leading family-owned business Thames Valley Windows, was the first installer to take the re-engineered Atlas roof to the domestic market after it was launched. Paul Schofield, design director at Thames Valley Windows, worked closely alongside the Atlas team throughout the development of the new roof to perfect the design.

Paul says: “The industry was ready for a watertight lantern with no boss or hood to interrupt the roof’s slim-line ridge and we couldn’t understand why no manufacturer had succeeded in developing one. We were really excited to be involved from the beginning and to see what Atlas came up with. It was the best lantern in the country then and it still is today. It helped to shape the lantern roof scene and set a precedent for other fabricators to follow.

“We fit hundreds of lanterns each year and the Atlas roof is the only system we use. We like to sell this roof because it’s so crisp, clean and contemporary and our customers love it because it looks amazing from both the inside and outside. There is absolutely no compromise on looks with the Atlas lantern and that’s why it’s so widely specified.”

Bringing its trademark of ‘MORE SKY, LESS ROOF’, this fully aluminium, thermally broken system features the slimmest sightlines in the industry. Comparative tests reveal that the Atlas lantern features a 60% slimmer ridge and 38% slimmer hip internally and an external ridge and hip, which is more than 50% slimmer than alternative aluminium lanterns.

The subtle profile of the roof is 25% less bulky than rival systems to maximise the amount of glazing. From the outside, the lantern has far lower external sightlines than bulkier alternative systems. The lantern has been carefully designed to be perfectly proportioned too with the internal ridge, rafters and hips the same 40mm width for a sleek appearance.

Despite its extensive glazing, the lantern delivers outstanding strength, thermal performance and wind pressure resistance. The ridge and rafters feature a thermal break to prevent the cold from penetrating to the inside of the rafter. The rafter is twice as thermally efficient as its nearest rival and is capable of achieving a U-value of up to 0.9 W/m²k with triple glazing

The lantern continues to evolve with improvements being made to satisfy consumer demand.

For further information on the Atlas lantern, please contact Atlas on 02838 327741 or visit www.atlasroofsolutions.co.uk

The Customade group now operates nationwide and employs 900 people in multiple manufacturing sites across the UK. The Group includes Polyframe (PVC-u), REAL Aluminium (aluminium), Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions (glazed roofs), Virtuoso (composite and paneled doors), Hourglass Seal (sealed glass units), and Fineline Aluminium (specialist glazing).

Thermoseal Group has released 7 new versions of its ‘Warm Comfortable Homes’ consumer video to showcase the benefits of its Thermobar and Thermoflex Highest Performance Warm Edge Spacers.

The video is available in English; French; German; Spanish; Italian; Polish and Chinese.  It highlights the series of high-profile awards the Group has been presented with in the past year including the honoured Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2017.  Watch the videos now at: www.thermosealgroup.com/news

Samantha Hill, Thermoseal Group’s Head of Marketing and Communications, tells us:  “Starting with a warm family kitchen scene where parents are calculating their costs, ‘Warm Comfortable Homes’ zooms into a window and shows its deconstruction right back to the warm edge spacer which separates the two panes of glass in the double glazing.  Quoting figures of how ‘warm edge glazing is up to 65% warmer at the edge’, the video then goes on to showcase the differences between Thermobar rigid tube spacer system and Thermoflex silicone rubber spacer system – both of which achieve highest thermal performance figures of 0.14W/mK and 0.135W/mK respectively.  They also achieve highest passive house ratings of phA+.

“These new videos also showcase the numerous accolades we have been presented with over the past year, which, in addition to our prided Queen’s Award, includes: ‘Component Supplier of the Year’ at the glass and glazing industry G-Awards (for the second year in a row); ‘Amazon Growing Business Award – Export Champion of the Year’; ‘Wigan Business Award for Export’ and the EEF Future Manufacturing Award for the North West Region for Export.

“We are extremely proud of the recognition we have received for our export drive.  As a result of our continued product development and focus meeting the challenges of the varying requirements of export markets, we supply to 22 Countries on 5 Continents and currently have product trials running across the world.”

For more information about Thermoseal Group’s range of insulated glass components and machinery for glazing manufacture call +44(0)121 331 3950 or by email sales@thermosealgroup.com.

Polyframe has embarked on a major expansion programme to increase the factory space of its Norwich site by 50 per cent and ramp up production rates by 55 per cent.

The new purpose-built factory will increase Polyframe’s production space on the site from 48,000 square feet to 72,000 square feet. Operational by the end of October, the enlarged factory will allow the Norwich site to boost production output from 4,500 frames a week to 7,000 frames a week on a 24-hour shift basis.

The expansion is the biggest landmark development at Polyframe since it became part of Customade Group earlier this year and it will enable the business to comfortably maintain its position as the largest fabricator of Rehau frames in the UK, says the company.

150 people are currently employed on the site and the headcount is expected to rise in line with increased production. It is now the second largest production site within Customade Group after the group’s 200,000 square foot Polyframe Halifax site, which fabricates Halo and Eurocell frames.

David Eagle, managing director of Polyframe, Norwich, says: “It has been a pivotal year for us since we merged with Customade Group and we are really proud to be accelerating production at this site at such pace. This expansion certainly gives us significantly more capacity but it also allows us to drive continuous improvements in both product quality and service, which is vital for us as market leaders.”

Nick Gibbons, chief operating officer at Customade Group, added: “The aim of Customade Group is to grow sustainably and match market demand and that means investment in our manufacturing capability. These commitments will enable us, and our customers, to provide an enhanced offering and remain at the forefront of the industry. This terrific growth is a credit to everyone who works in Norwich and I’m tremendously excited about the future of the site.”

For further information on the Polyframe range of multi-system PVCu windows, doors and conservatories, contact 01422 330460 or visit www.polyframe.co.uk

Since 1974 the prestigious National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) Annual Awards have recognised achievement in UK Housing and have grown over the years to become highly regarded as the premier event in the home improvement and modernisation sector.

Entries are now invited from across the spectrum of housing modernisation projects and associated activities in the following five categories:

• Excellence in roofing through leadership and people development, sponsored by the NFRC
• Delivering community benefit through home improvement, sponsored by Quality Assurance
• Best use of aluminium systems for windows, doors and facades, sponsored by Schueco UK
• Innovation and education to reduce fuel poverty, sponsored by the NHIC Educational Trust
• George Plucknett Award for excellence

The National Home Improvement Council aims to encourage a vibrant renovation, modernisation and home improvement market in the private and public housing sectors.

“To maintain the highest standards of improvement in the Nation’s housing stock it is vital we reward those organisations who are striving and delivering excellence” says Anna Scothern, NHIC Chief Executive. “The NHIC Annual Award winners this year will, for the first time, feature in the winter edition of our consumer focussed magazine ‘Progress’ where we will showcase in detail the high quality professionalism and innovation being shown in the home improvement sector”

“We have supported the NHIC awards for many years, and are proud to do so again” says James Talman, Chief Executive of the NFRC, “…and with the NFRC’s focus on improvements in health and safety alongside leadership and people development it seemed a good opportunity to connect our organisational ambitions with this year’s Awards”.

To download an entry form, find out more information or book your place at the Awards event of the year, please visit www.nhic.org.uk/awards

The 43^rd NHIC Annual Awards Luncheon will be held on Thursday 17^th November 2017 at One Whitehall Place, London. Information regarding attendance and booking can be found at www.nhic.org.uk/awards

Picture above: VEKA Group and Friends of Burnley FC in the Community make a pitch perfect partnership.

The ‘clarets’ have made a new signing with Burnley-based VEKA Group as part of the Friends of Burnley FC in the Community programme.

Burnley FC in the Community is a stand-alone charity that works in Burnley and nearby communities on various projects. In less than a year since its launch in October 2016, ‘Friends of’ has already raised £20,000 through donations and fundraising activities to support its charitable work.

As the country’s leading PVC-U window systems company, VEKA Group is one of Burnley’s biggest employers, with a ‘team sheet’ of over 400 people from the town and surrounding areas. The Group takes an active role in the local community having also recently signed up as main sponsors for Rosegrove FC; a 300-strong club of young footballers aged from 3-13 years old.

VEKA Group won Employer of the Year at the recent Burnley Business Awards and Large Business Award at the 2017 Red Rose Awards, and is well-known in the area for its employee development and support; an asset which should be invaluable to Friends of Burnley FC in the Community when it comes to helping with the charity’s campaigning, fundraising and outreach programmes.

Gabriela Hammond, Head of Human Resources at VEKA Group said: “As a significant employer in the Burnley area, the number of people that work here or are associated with VEKA through spouses or relatives is huge, so we take a lot of pride in getting involved with the community. VEKA has a reputation within the local area for really valuing its employees; it knows they’re its biggest asset. What better way to show that than to give back to the community our employees and their families live in?

“VEKA also takes an active role in fundraising for Pendleside Hospice – one of our charities of the yeare – and sponsorship, as with Rosegrove FC, but the ‘Friends of’ programmes really gives VEKA the chance to share some of its business knowledge and acumen with local charities and causes to help them grow individually. Everyone at VEKA is very proud to be patrons of the Friends of Burnley FC in the Community programme, even the non-Burnley supporters!”

Ryan Bradley, Burnley FC in the Community’s Business Development Executive at Turf Moor added: “We couldn’t be happier to have VEKA Group as Silver patrons of our ‘Friends of’ programme. We as a charity are aiming to connect local businesses with community groups and causes so that companies can have a real and positive impact on the community. There are few better-known companies in the area than VEKA so to have them on board is a great ‘signing’ for us and we can’t wait to draw on their business expertise.”

www.vekauk.com