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Yale’s Smart Living range has grown from strength to strength and to reflect this, a recent revamp and extension in the Yale offices has taken place to create a Smart Living showcase suite. The new space has a brickwork exterior to give the illusion of a house with roofline, CCTV, Alarm completed with a Conexis® L1 Smart Door Lock on the front door.  Now even bigger and better, the updated Smart Living suite will provide Yale with a comfortable space to invite customers to both view the Smart Living range, and give the opportunity for guests to get hands-on with the products in a ‘real life’ scenario. This is ideal for demonstrating the features and benefits of products and for showcasing how they integrate with devices from Yale’s integration partners such as Amazon Echo, Nest and Philips Hue.

David Herbert, Business Development Director for Yale Smart Living, commented: “The new showroom reflects our commitment to the Yale Smart Living range and how its success has enabled the range to grow and develop partnership opportunities with key players in the technology industry. The smart security industry is thriving as we see new products and innovations enter the market place every day. This provides a huge opportunity for the trade to capitalise on the developing connected smart home sector and increase expertise and revenue opportunities From our consumer research, we found that 80% of consumers would want smart products professionally installed. However, we recognise that some trade professionals don’t feel completely comfortable using the new technology and need to assess how they are going to develop their business models. The Smart Living space is aiming to challenge perceived complexities by giving trade customers the opportunity to use the products for themselves and ask any questions.”

The demand for smart security products is increasing, as Yale recently took its revolutionary Conexis® L1 Smart Door Lock on TV. The advert has been a huge success reaching 55 million homeowners nationwide with an even bigger reach online and across social media. The Smart Living range is available as standalone products comprising of smart door locks, smart home alarms and smart CCTV kits, as well as a complete home security system, built around an intelligent smart security hub, which integrates with a wide range of modular accessories.

The post A smart space in which to sample Yale’s showcase suite Smart Living range appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

Romford-based fabricator Glazefix is the latest fabricator to sign up with Eurocell – the UK’s leading manufacturer, distributor and recycler of window, door, conservatory and roofline products. Managing Director Lewis Mayer says he changed supplier because of the company’s strong selection of foil windows, which would help Glazefix expand the commercial side of the business.  “We primarily work with trade, with a smaller proportion of retail, but we can see the potential for more commercial work and the Eurocell range of foil products will support our move into that sector, particularly because it is very keenly priced,” he said. “It’s also important that all the ancillary items such as trims can be supplied in matching colours.” Roofing products, such as the market-leading Equinox, also swayed the decision together with the comprehensive 170 plus network of Eurocell branches.  “Eurocell has a great range of ancillary products that is growing all the time and that’s available through all their branches so we could be working on a job as far away as Cornwall and still get everything we needed, from sealants to conservatory roofs,” Lewis remarked.

Established in 2011, Glazefix operates from a unit in Havering-atte-Bower on the outskirts of Romford in Essex, where it fabricates around 150 frames per week and employs up to seven staff. Since signing up with Eurocell, the company reports that it has already seen considerable growth already and is planning to acquire new machinery and build a further 56m² of office and warehouse space. “Glazefix is the sort of expanding, ambitious company that we look for when we recruit new fabricators,” says Jason Bird, National Business Development Manager. “It has a strong reputation in its area and is keen to grow the business into other areas rather than just stick to what it has done from the start”.

The whole process of switching to Eurocell profiles is streamlined and simple, with each new fabricator being assigned their own field-based technical support engineer who can deliver everything required from initial set-up advice on production efficiency through to trouble-shooting issues. That engineer is supported by a technical helpdesk staffed by industry professionals ready to advise and a skilled team of designers and engineers that can write sample specifications for bespoke projects. Eurocell technical support extends to BFRC accredited simulators that provide specifications and reports that prove to customers that the products meet the necessary BFRC performance standards. The company also offers product training, either on-site or at its purpose-built research and development centre in Alfreton, which has a dedicated facility for product simulation, prototyping and testing.

On the marketing side, Eurocell has its own in-house design studio and marketing team to promote the fabricator’s business with services such as the RightSite customer website build service, providing either an off-the-shelf website or create a bespoke design at subsidised rates, bespoke brochures and direct mail. These include effective mailers, sales letters and campaigns to increase leads and prospects.

The post Ambitious fabricator Glazefix gears up for growth with Eurocell appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

Narrow frames and superior performance characterise Slimline 68, a new window system that’s been launched to the trade by leading aluminium systems company Reynaers. This window, designed for UK homes, completes the range of specialist systems from Reynaers that are ideal for the trade market. With a huge range of design options, the SL 68 has industry-leading thermal insulation and is one of the most secure windows available – meeting PAS24 and Secured by Design standards. This security is enhanced with hinge-side security brackets, a multi-point locking mechanism and lockable handles.

Rebecca Cope, marketing manager at Reynaers, said: “The SL 68 system has been specifically designed to meet the needs of the UK residential windows market and has incredibly slim frames with high performance. The outward opening window means that customers can now choose a product that gives them maximum daylight access, whilst keeping properties warm and secure. With no compromise on thermal efficiency or weather resistance, the system is designed to be timeless. The slim frames and clean lines make this window ideal for both contemporary and more traditional properties and what’s more, its 68mm frame depth makes it perfect as a replacement window as it usually fits within the existing plaster line.”

The SL 68 can achieve a Window Energy Rating of A++ and a U-value of 1.0 W/m²K with triple glazing. When it comes to double glazing, the Window Energy Rating is A, with a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K. This level of market-leading performance allows fabricators and installers to add real value to their product ranges. Innovative adjustable corner profiles for bay and bow windows are also possible. SL 68 security meets PAS24 and Secured by Design standards, as well as achieving Class 4 air tightness. The window has a wind-resistance rating of E2400, and water-resistance of E1050. As the name suggests, SL 68 has a frame depth of 68mm, and can carry a maximum glass thickness of 43mm.

Reynaers prides itself in offering specialist and innovative products, and it identified a need for a high-quality and high-performance standard casement-style window for fabricators and installers in the UK but with the additional benefit of slim frames. The SL 68 aluminium casement window is the first of its kind for Reynaers, in line with an increased focus on the trade market. SL 68 is designed to offer the ultimate in flexibility and streamlined performance. The strength of the aluminium frame and clever design make it possible to create windows with large panes of glass. Ease of maintenance and durability make it the perfect window for fabricators, installers and end-users alike. Available in hundreds of colours and combinations, the SL 68 has a choice of handles to suit each individual project. Reynaers’ impressive selection of doors, together with this latest offering, means that fabricators and installers are able to choose from a range of trade products of exceptional quality and performance. A full suite of brochures are available for customers to use to showcase the systems and target the end-user of the products.

The post Superior performance and narrow frames characterise the Slimline 68 appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

In the space of just six months since its launch, Virtu-AL – the UK’s first aluminium textured, non-woodgrain finish composite door – has already topped the bill as the homeowner’s favourite and proven that it is the new breed of door that the market has been waiting for.

The latest figures from Virtuoso Doors have revealed that the door is storming ahead with it already in the top 5% of door styles sold by Virtuoso in Quarter 4 of 2017. A complete re-invention of the ‘standard’ composite door, Virtu-AL is the ultimate contemporary entrance door for those homeowners who want to achieve the ultra-modern look of an aluminium door.

Tony Craggs, managing director of Virtuoso Doors, explains: “We knew that Virtu-AL would be a step-change for the industry when we launched it and these latest figures prove hands-down that it is already a winner and it’s only early days!

“This groundbreaking ultra-modern composite door has successfully satisfied the huge surge in demand for contemporary aluminium products and shown homeowners that they don’t need to compromise at all on their choice of entrance door. With Virtu-AL already topping our sales league, it is clearly inspiring homeowners and we’re certain that this is just the start of a very exciting reign at the top for it.

“Virtu-AL is so appealing because it combines the best features of an aluminium door with those of a composite door and this enables homeowners, for the first time, to achieve the high-end contemporary look of an aluminium door without the price tag.”

With a stylish aluminium textured architectural appearance that’s virtually indistinguishable from the real thing, Virtu-AL looks and feels nothing like a traditional composite door, yet it benefits from all the characteristics of a composite door. Incorporating realistic detailing to replicate the appearance of an aluminium door, the Virtu-AL door consists of a 4mm GRP skin on a robust 44mm composite slab to deliver the highest levels of performance and security.

Virtu-AL is available in a number of standard colours and can also be sprayed to match any RAL colour in Virtuoso’s state-of-the-art in-house paint studio.

Virtuoso Doors is committed to making the finest quality doors, including Virtu-AL, with what it calls ‘crafted precision’ – the perfect combination of cutting edge machinery and a workshop filled with master craftsmen to create exceptional doors every time.

Virtu-AL is part of a formidable collection of high quality doors from Virtuoso Doors. Every door can be easily designed and built through Virtuoso’s door designer software – Gateway. The user-friendly software, which is available free of charge to Virtuoso customers, enables installers to quickly quote and order doors 24 hours a day. This allows them to view all their orders and quotes in one place at a time that’s convenient to them. Customers can sign up to Gateway at www.virtuoso-doors.co.uk.

To order copies of the new brochure or to find out more about Virtu-AL, call 0191 410 9333, visit www.virtuoso-doors.co.uk or follow @virtuosodoors on Twitter.

A new report from Palmer Market Research suggests that the rapid growth seen across the commercial glazing sector may be about to stall in ‘some areas’.  According to the new The Commercial Glazing Markets 2017, published at the end of last year, four –years of consistent growth meant that the commercial glazing market was 16% up on 2012, while in installed value, it jumped by more than 41%.  The report, which charts the performance of windows, curtain walling, roof glazing, shop fronts and entrance doors, shows that even over the last two years growth was as high as 6% and 10% respectively.  This, the report’s authors argue, was driven by a ‘resurgence in the commercial offices sector’ and to a lesser extent the education sector, the two single largest areas of the market. They state, however, that the unexpected result of the Brexit referendum has to a greater or lesser extent, depending on segment within it, hit confidence throughout the commercial glazing sector.

Robert Palmer, Managing Director, Palmer Market Research, said: “The outcome of the Brexit referendum was unexpected and that appears to have had a direct impact on the commercial glazing sector. This appears to be particularly acute in commercial office space, as large employers hedge their bets as to the nature of Brexit and put plans for new development on hold.”

Pressure on public sector budgets is also cited by the report as limiting the availability of funding for major capital spends. The report’s authors also highlight a squeeze on the high street as retailers shift more of their business online.

Things are not, however, entirely gloomy. “It would be wrong to write-off the commercial glazing sector. There are and continue to be sizeable pockets of growth. Our forecasts have, however, changed significantly since the Brexit vote and we predict that it’s effects will continue to be felt for the foreseeable future.

The post Rapid growth in the commercial glazing sector to stall reports Palmer appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

As consumers look for something different, solid colour and woodgrain surfaced window profiles, doors and facades are a key area for growth within the UK fenestration industry.

Many window systems companies report that sales of foiled components now account for approximately 30% to even 50% of their output. While traditional products continue to sell well, a younger audience is emerging with different tastes, influenced by a rise in popular building television programmes, highly publicised ‘house & home’ exhibitions and modern architecture that uses colour to create pleasant and varied environments. This has led to a growth in the use of solid colour exterior foils of 36% in the UK laminated profiles market during the past three years.

As colour has become more established, (Renolit offers nearly 60 different colours in its global exterior stock range and many more on a make-to-order basis), a wide choice is now the norm. Increasingly, it is the surface which has become as important as the colour or design itself to the overall finished effect. Demand is now focussed on more authentic textures to enhance the overall finished effect by adding style, design and feeling.

This is a trend that is expected to continue.

The exterior market is following the shift already seen in kitchen and furniture markets towards smooth, matt and ‘realistic’ textures.

Some years ago, Renolit was the first to introduce an exterior film with a smooth architectural finish, followed by Smooth 2 with improved scratch and mark resistance. Where colour is the primary driver, this mid-gloss product provides the ideal cover.

The new highly desirable low gloss Ulti-Matt finish was introduced at FIT Show 2017 and developed in response to customer demand to complement the existing Smooth 2 offer. It works especially well with popular darker colours such as anthracite grey and the much anticipated ‘real black’ which received an enthusiastic welcome. This new finish is ideally suited to contemporary window styles and has already been taken up by a number of leading UK system companies.

It is not just architectural surfaces that are evolving, there is also an increasing demand for premium wood finishes, such as Renolit’s Elegant ash, which is ideally suited to traditional and heritage installations, to replicate the look of painted wood in a range of colours.

Evolving further, the natural look and authentic feel of Renolit’s VLF will really impress. It is possibly the most realistic woodgrain finish on the market.

The post Design beyond colour appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Sliding and folding door hardware manufacturer, P C Henderson, is celebrating success after being shortlisted in the Export Award category at this year’s North East Business Awards.

The awards, held in association with the North East England Chamber of Commerce, shine a light on large and small companies that are achieving great things and contributing to making the region a great place to live, work and do business. P C Henderson has been shortlisted alongside two other companies in the Export category with the winner being announced at a prestigious awards dinner, held at Ramside Hall Hotel on Thursday 8^th March 2018.

The purpose of the Export Award is to encourage and recognise companies that have generated substantial and sustained increases in export activity.

This is the second time that P C Henderson has been recognised for its contribution to the North East economy. Last year P C Henderson was crowned SME Exporter of the Year at the North East Exporters’ Awards where the company was judged on its exporting achievements and described as a ‘truly modern SME exporter’.

Commenting on the good news, Trevor Cossins, Managing Director at P C Henderson said: “I am delighted to see the hard work of everybody at P C Henderson being recognised in this way. It’s an honour to be recognised a second time for our contribution to the North East’s economy and reputations as a great place to do business.  We work hard and listen to our international customers and take a localised approach to deliver solutions that allow us to cater for a countries individual needs. ”

To find out more about P C Henderson’s wide variety of sliding and folding door systems, visit www.pchenderson.com or email hello@pchenderson.co.uk