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Following on from my recent posts where I have asked my readers what they would charge for certain products, I continue that series with something a little larger. This time I am asking what you think a home owner should be charged for one of these:

This is our newest addition to our outdoor showsite, and has replaced a tired looking White PVCu gable fronted conservatory that very much represented products of the past. This what it looked like before:

We all know how home owner demand has changed in recent years. Solid roofs, brick walls, aluminium frames, dedicated columns, internal pelmets have all combined to change our conservatories into a much more relevant, modern, comfortable product to work with. It’s why I refuse to call them conservatories, as the image above looks far more like a proper extension than a plastic white box.

But before we move on to the poll, here are the specs of the glazed extension above that you need to know before you place your votes. The roof is a WARMroof solid roof product by the good people at Prefix Systems. It went up in no time. We used Smarts aluminium products too. There is a four section bi-fold to the front, with a fully glazed return each side. There is a single fully glazed aluminium door to the right hand side, and a small aluminium window on the left hand wall. All are Anthracite Grey internally and externally. The aluminium products also came from Prefix Systems.

The size of the extension is just a little over 3.5m both ways.

We were very happy with the transformation, and has certainly grabbed the attention of visitors as they come into the showsite.

For clarity, the question I am asking here is what you believe a home owner should be charged for the above glazed extension by an installations company. Your chosen cost on the poll below should include all base work and building work, the window and door products, the solid roof, plastering, electrics, flooring etc. Basically everything that needs to go into building one of these things, without the paint and furnishings. Take into account the size of the one above too.

Here are your options:

I have included quite a lot of price options as I am expecting quite a varied selection of choices on this one. I also welcome your comments on this subject matter too.

As I plan to do with my other posts of this kind, I shall reveal what we would charge at our place for this product in a later post. But it will be interesting to see the extremes of what people think home owners should be paying for what is a much higher end version of a conservatory.

I maintain that products like these should be being sold with good margins. These are all high end products that go into the making of a glazed extension like this, so you would expect to see higher prices being commanded by such a structure.

As always, comments on this and any other post on DGB are welcome via the section below. Happy voting!

Rapierstar says it is celebrating 25 years as the UK’s market leading designer, importer and distributor of specialist fastener and fixings at this year’s FIT Show, revealing latest product developments for PVC-U, aluminium and timber manufacturers, ‘underpinned by its refreshed brand identity’.

Demonstrating its longevity in high-performing products and service, Rapierstar says it will highlight some of its new fixings and explain why they ‘give you the edge’ in ‘quality, performance, expertise and delivery’ on stand M1.

StarPIN and StarNail have been designed to offer a stainless steel product with a versatile low-profile polymer head that has maximum pull-out resistance. Readily available for the trade, the pins and nails are suitable for all plastic systems, with 10 brand new colour options including white, black, browns and greys.

Rapierstar’s latest product introduction is specified for the rapidly-growing aluminium sector. StarAlu is designed to improve fabricator experience across all aluminium door and window products. Tested to extremes at Rapierstar’s unique research and development centre, StarAlu screws deliver guaranteed performance. The screws are manufactured from Austenitic stainless steel, providing an impressive lifecycle, low maintenance, strength and durability as well as exceeding European standards.

Speaking about this year’s show attendance, Rapierstar’s group managing director, David Furness, said: “This year’s FIT Show provides an ideal platform to showcase some of our recent product developments that will benefit our customers across all their installation projects.”

He added: “FIT is also an exciting opportunity to celebrate the success to date and ongoing ambition of Rapierstar as the industry’s most reliable fixings and screws supplier. With our unrivalled stock holding of the highest quality products, supported by expert technical service, our presence at FIT will demonstrate why we are the go-to partner for any project big or small.”

StarPin and StarAlu are parts of a range of award-winning family products: StarPVCU, StarTurn, StarFix, StarPin & StarNail and StarDeck, which make up Rapierstar’s continuous stock of one billion screws and fixings ready to serve the majority of UK windows and doors manufacturers throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe.

http://www.rapierstar.com/

The post Rapierstar fixed for FIT Show appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Unique Window Systems, a Leicester-based PVC-U and aluminium window manufacturer, fabricator and installer, uses SWISSPACER to sell top energy performance products to their customers. With the increased demand for energy efficiency in PVC-U and aluminium windows, its important Unique offers market-leading U-values across its entire range.

Joint MD Sunil Patel explains: “Whether customers are buying aluminium or PVC-U windows, they are more interested than ever in the energy efficiency of our products. As a major fabricator in the UK we have to offer the best thermal performance across our range, so SWISSPACER plays a significant part in ensuring we deliver it. SWISSPACER is known as the best warm edge spacer bar on the market, so we’re confident we can depend on its first-class performance.”

SWISSPACER offers the largest range of 17 colours and 19 widths, and is the leading warm edge spacer bar company manufacturing a bar specifically for triple glazing. Sunil continues: “Around 35% of our sales are colour, so it’s ideal that SWISSPACER matches the customer’s chosen finish. And with our larger aluminium orders such as bi-fold doors or curtain walling, larger widths such as the 32mm or 36mm bar are invaluable to us.”

For more information on Unique Window Systems visit www.uws.co.uk.

For more on SWISSPACER visit www.swisspacer.com, follow @Ultimate_Spacer or see us at the FIT Show, 23-25 May, Stand G40.

Renowned for offering value added solutions to the glass and door industries, RegaLead is back at FIT this year with a host of exciting new products and services. As a reflection of the changing trends in home improvements, the company will be focusing on new product ranges that are helping customers make money from some of the most exciting on-trend markets.

Guy Hubble, RegaLead’s Joint MD says: “If it’s the latest innovations in composite doors that you’re interested in, head straight to Stand E33.This year we’ll be exhibiting new door glass options and design; introducing visitors to the latest ColorSpray GRP coating technology; launching Urban Contemporary Glazing and perhaps most exciting of all, showcasing Colorline. Colorline is the pre-painted profile service for doors that’s supplied in a three-part kit form to match any DOORCO or Distinction shade within 5 days, and RAL and other paint colours in 7 days. A special FIT launch will be ColorLine for Alustar.

“Just as our markets have evolved, the RegaLead brand of 25 years ago is a totally different animal with a host of new products and services to create and satisfy emerging home improvement trends. One thing that hasn’t and will never change though is our philosophy of adding value through decoration, the latest demonstration of which we look forward to sharing with visitors our Stand E33 during FIT 2017.”

For more information, call RegaLead on 0161 946 1164 or visit www.regalead.co.uk

Leading VEKA fabricator Modplan has added VEKA’s FlushSash window to its range. Heidi Sachs, Modplan’s Managing Director, said: “The FlushSash window will add even more value to our portfolio. It is perfect for heritage and conservation projects or as an alternative to aluminium, making it a very flexible addition.”

The FlushSash window sits flush within its frame, so replicates 19th century windows, helping to keep the heritage feel of older homes. This feel can be enhanced with heritage detail options such as ‘monkey tail’ handles and ornamental peg stays that are available. While offering everything heritage applications need, the window also has a modern feel to its aesthetics, which makes it a popular option for architects and specifiers looking for a cost-effective alternative to aluminium in new build projects. It is available in 19 colour options, all designed to look like stained or painted wood.

While the window may have heritage looks, the thermal efficiency credentials are certainly modern day, thanks to its five chamber construction that gives it a U value of 1.3m²k using 28 mm glazing. And for when even better credentials are needed, a triple glazed version is also available. The security is impressive too because it achieves BS7950 and PAS 023/024.

The new FlushSash window is manufactured in Modplan’s dedicated factory near Newport, Gwent with orders for coloured frames being fulfilled in Modplan’s painting facility, which is on the same site.

The FlushSash window is the latest in a line of new products being introduced by Modplan. Heidi says, “It is important to us to have product range that meets our customers’ needs. We keep our finger on the pulse when it comes to product design and we are confident that the FlushSash window will be a valuable addition to our customers’ portfolios.”

Modplan manufactures and provides a comprehensive range of products that includes the Matrix 58, Veka Matrix 70 and 70FS systems, VEKA Vertical sliders, PVC-u patio and bifold doors, conservatories, the Vertex Open Canopy, the Vertex roof system with polycarbonate, glass or tile effect roof options, the Wendland roofing system and the newly added Ultrasky, Livin room and LEKA Warm Roof. For more information on any of the Modplan’s products and support, simply Ask the Man from Modplan.

www.modplan.co.uk

ERC Testing, the Leigh based test house set up in 2016 to facilitate testing of window, doors and safety glass, recently opened its doors to visitors keen to get a greater understanding of the types of testing that take place and learn more about what each of the tests involve.

Mike Hackett, Test Laboratory Manager, explains: “The Open Day was the perfect opportunity for us to dispel the myths about product testing. When customers are putting products in to be tested, it can be quite daunting, but we talk through each process so they have a full understanding of what is taking place with an aim to taking the stress out of the situation. We have tested a variety of doors and windows manufactured using PVC, aluminium or timber. Main tests include weather testing (air, wind & water), security testing to PAS 24: 2016, and other operation tests. Safety glass testing may include impact testing (EN 12600), fragmentation testing (EN 12150-1) and 4-point bend testing EN 1288-3). As a test house, we are a new name in the industry, but I’ve been in the fenestration industry for 30 years now so have a good understanding of products and production processes and my colleague Pete for 17 years, which definitely helps as we are able to see if from the customers’ side of things.

Pete Fradley, Test Laboratory Technician, continues: “The feedback we’ve received to date has been extremely positive in terms of our product knowledge and the way we communicate each process. Another huge plus for us is our location, as the laboratory is located in Leigh, Lancashire to allow easy motorway access for clients not only in the North but also based in South, together with those in Ireland & Northern Ireland. When we’re not carrying out the actual tests or writing up the reports, we spend time researching and developing what we do to ensure we are keeping up to date with any market changes. We’re pleased that ERC Testing has had a fantastic first year and we’re looking forward to building on that success and our reputation in the years to come.”

Bill Keating, Managing Director of ERC Testing concludes: “ERC Testing works in close cooperation with CENSolutions, ER Certification and TÜV Rheinland Nederland B.V., providing a customer oriented, comprehensive approach towards improving the quality and reliability of glass, windows and doors supplied to the UK market. By working closely together we can ensure our customers have access to everything they need in order to obtain product certification with all of the help and guidance they might need. We are delighted to say our first year has gone incredibly well. ERC Testing has completed the circle in terms of our cooperation partners and our customers are most definitely enjoying the benefit of that.”

For more information on ERC Testing Ltd, log on to www.erc-testing.com

Distinction Glass is celebrating the success of its range of triple glazed laminated glazing units for its market-leading composite doors. Bethaney Larkman, Marketing Manager at Distinction, commented: “We launched the Distinction Glass brand to give our glass the showcase it deserved and it is doing just that. We can see that the quality and beauty of our range are proving very attractive to homeowners.”

While the classic glass designs remain the most popular, contemporary designs have seen a surge of interest. Bethaney commented: “We can see that homeowners are realising that a composite door doesn’t have to replicate a traditional timber door – they can choose a door style and glass design with stunning contemporary looks.”

Distinction’s glass range is renowned for its quality and attention to detail. Each design is triple glazed, something that offers two major benefits. Firstly, thermal efficiency is maintained. And because the decorative panel is enclosed within two clear panes, keeping it clean and pristine is much easier too. All the panels have slim sightlines so attention is focused on the beauty of the panel and for extra security the external face is fitted with 6.8mm laminated safety glass to BS EN 14449.

Comprising of 23 designs across four collections, the range offers something for all tastes and styles and really raises the bar in glass design.

Distinction Doors has been the market leader in composite doors for some time. It is clear that it maintains its position because it recognises what homeowners are looking for. The success of the Distinction Glass range is a perfect illustration of this and the beauty of the range is backed up with practical features too.

www.distinctiondoors.co.uk