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The ‘Humber Door’, which was created by Hurst Plastics to celebrate Hull’s incredible year as ‘UK City of Culture 2017’, has helped to raise vital funds for a local charity. The composite door, which features a dramatic image of the iconic Humber Bridge, recently sold for £500 in aid of Dove House Hospice.

Hurst Plastics’ Marketing Manager Hayley Barker was invited to the hospice to see how the funds will be used to provide day therapy and residential care for patients.

Hayley said: “We were delighted to make such a special door that captures the heart of Hull and donate it to this amazing local charity. Hurst Plastics is a Hull business through and through and our local community means a great deal to us. Dove House Hospice looks after more than 1000 local people and their families every year and it was wonderful to learn that the funds raised will help the hospice provide essential patient care and support.”

Jethro Shearring, Fundraising Co-ordinator at Dove House Hospice, added: “At the hospice, we provide all our services free of charge for our patients but our care is not free to provide. As the demand for our services increases, so do our running costs. We are reliant on generous donations from local companies like Hurst Plastics to help us continue our work. The Humber Door was a brilliant tribute to the city of Hull and a terrific fundraising asset. There was some competitive bidding for the door and we’re thrilled that it raised such a fantastic figure for the hospice”

The unique Humber door, which was manufactured at Hurst Plastics’ dedicated factory in Hull, features a striking photograph of the famed 2220-metre long suspension bridge. The image was reproduced on to the glazed panel of the door using Hurst Plastics’ unique digital printing technology.

Offering one of the best performing composite doors in the market, Hurst Plastics is the only door manufacturer in the UK to offer digital printing direct on to glass.

No longer confined to the standard glass designs which are widely offered on doors, installers can take a customer’s favourite photograph and reproduce it on to glass. This enables homeowners to create a truly personal entrance for their home.

For more information on the range of Hurst composite doors or Hurst’s digital printing service, please contact Hurst Plastics on 01482 790790 or visit www.hurst-plastics.co.uk.

It was an obvious choice for Apeer R&D engineer Paul Vajda to have one of the doors he helped to design for his own home near the company’s Ballymena factory recently. So it was just as natural, when his father-in-law wanted a new front door, that Paul would recommend the company’s radical Lumi system. The result, a striking combination of Lumi composite door with two full-height glazed sidelights in Chartwell Green exterior, with Winchester foil inside to complement the oak flooring, was obviously well-received as the customer is now looking to order matching Lumi windows.

Just as with the acclaimed Lumi windows, the entire system, door frame and sash is made of glass-fibre reinforced profiles and is triple glazed as standard. As well as U-Values as low as 0.8 W/m²K, the Lumi door is exceptionally strong and of course every component, from windows, entrance doors, patio and bi-folds, is perfectly co-ordinated in the same iconic styling that has marked Lumi since its launch in 2015. The door was fitted by Apeer’s own fitting team manager Gary Neil, who said: “The system was designed for easy retrofit installation as well as new-build and that proved to be the case here. Once the old door was out, the new one was in and complete in just a couple of hours.”

Apeer Marketing Manager Linda Tomb added: “The look of the finished door shows once again that the Lumi system is just as much at home in a traditional setting as in the contemporary it was initially designed for. We can’t wait to see how the whole house will look when it has the full set of Lumi windows to match.” Lumi proved to be a show-stopper from day one when the radically different window system was unveiled at Grand Designs London in 2015. Demand has grown exponentially since then and the system has been extended with the addition of patio and bi-fold doors as well as entrance doors, so now there is no installation, retrofit or new-build, that could not be completely fulfilled with Lumi.

The post Striking Lumi composite door is a family favourite for designer appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

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 Commercial glazing growth ‘to stall’ appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

A recent customer survey saw glowing praise for market-leading spacer bar manufacturers Edgetech.

The Coventry business routinely approaches a random selection of clients taken from all spending brackets and to ask them a series of questions about their experiences dealing with Edgetech.

The company analyses the responses using a measurement system called Net Promoter Score, a management tool used to gauge the loyalty of a firm’s customer relationships. By taking the percentage of customers that rated the business 9 or 10 out of 10, and subtracting the percentage of customers that rated it 6 out of 10 or under, Edgetech was able to arrive at its total Net Promoter Score. NPS can be as low as −100 (everybody is a detractor) or as high as +100 (everybody is a promoter) with an NPS of +50 regarded as an excellent result.

Throughout the year, Edgetech’s Net Promoter Score didn’t once drop below +50 and peaked at +88, an achievement the team is keen to maintain and build on.

As well as measuring customers’ overall satisfaction with Edgetech, the survey also captures more detailed information about their relationship with the company.

In the most recent survey, 91% of respondents said Super Spacer accounted for between 76-100% of the warm edge units they produce. 97% said Edgetech engineers respond quickly to any technical queries that arise and all customers agreed that Edgetech’s territory sales managers are making a positive contribution to their business.

“We’re delighted by the results of the customer survey,” comments Managing Director Chris Alderson. “Our excellent Net Promoter Score is particularly encouraging – the average company scores just +10, while the highest-performing businesses usually register between +50 and +80. Our scores give us a fantastic base to build on as we strive to become even more customer-focused in the months and years ahead.”

For more information about Edgetech please call 02476 639931 or visit: www.edgetechig.co.uk

The 2018 Glazing Summit is scheduled to take place at St Johns Hotel and Conference Centre, Solihull, on Tuesday 22 May, and is being billed as a ‘powerful forum’ for fabricators, installers, glass companies, distributors and material suppliers to come together and discuss key industry issues and trends.

According to the Summit’s organisers, Insight Data and Purplex Marketing, a line-up of experts will debate the ‘new landscape’ as opportunities and threats emerge across the industry; from the impact of Brexit and the housing crisis, the latest marketing trends, new developments in products and materials and disruptive technologies.

The Summit promises to tackle current issues head-on, including fire regulations and safety, implications of employed and self-employed rulings for salespeople and fitters, and new legislation such as GDPR.

Those attending will discover how the industry is evolving following a string of mergers and acquisitions, and get the inside track on why some of the established ‘big players’ in the industry could disappear in the years ahead.

Andrew Scott, managing director of Insight Data, commented: “Our industry is worth over £4 billion, has over 15,000 businesses and employs tens of thousands of people. After Insight Data published the latest Window Industry Report we were swamped with industry leaders wanting answers to some big questions. The Glazing Summit aims to answer those questions – and many more besides.”

www.glazingsummit.co.uk

The post 2018 Glazing Summit announced appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Combining authentic, heritage aesthetics with cutting-edge thermal performance, Slenderline Glass has established itself as a leading supplier of advanced slimline heritage units trusted by fabricators, installers and joiners across the country – including Kent-based Benchmark Joinery (South East) Ltd.

Operating across Kent and East Sussex, Benchmark Joinery specialises in everything from windows and doors to staircases and furniture. The accurate design of Slenderline’s traditional units means Benchmark regularly completes restoration and replication projects within the region’s stringent conservation areas.

“We have developed a strong relationship with Andy and the team, as two family-run businesses built on similar ethics and quality craftsmanship,” comments Adrian Mitchell, Director of Benchmark Joinery (South East). “They supply and fit a great product in a traditional way, but using modern methods and with modern quality. We only use Slenderline and E.J. Cocker for all our glazing needs because of the consistently high levels of quality and service.”

“We work mainly in conservation areas and through enquiries from contractors, and the traditional looks with the modern thermal efficiency creates a really strong selling point for us. The team has great knowledge of the product and the sector, and always conducts themselves in a professional and friendly manner. We recommend them, and they recommend us, so it is a great partnership.”

Available in a full range of sizes to match any traditional rebate, Slenderline provides an advanced slimline unit for any heritage window. Slenderline achieves its modern-day thermal qualities through warm edge technology and either Argon or Krypton gas, whilst a sympathetic design accurately matches the dimensions and details of a traditional sealed unit.

“It’s fantastic to see Slenderline leading the way in the sector, providing businesses like Benchmark with a unique, high-quality product that can help them win new business,” adds Andy Cocker, Director at Slenderline Glass. “We can shout from the rooftops about how great Slenderline units are, but it’s great validation to hear positive feedback from our customers. Advanced units are our speciality, whether it’s for a listed building in a conservation area or a complex, bespoke solution.”

For more information call 01732 885030 or visit www.slenderlineglass.com.

Aluminium windows and doors from leading fenestration manufacturer Senior Architectural Systems have been chosen for the new X1 Aire private rented scheme in Leeds, West Yorkshire.

Located in the heart of Leeds city centre, the glazing package for the new residential scheme has been delivered by Aire Valley Architectural Aluminium Ltd for main contractor Bardsley Construction.  Senior’s thermally broken SPW600e aluminium fixed light windows were specified to offer extra security and improved thermal efficiency, with Senior’s robust SPW501 aluminium doors, which have been designed to meet the requirements of PAS 24 and the Secured By Design standard, installed to the ground floor communal entrance.

The acoustic performance of Senior’s SPW600e aluminium windows has been enhanced through the use of special acoustic double glazing which helps to reduce the traffic noise from the nearby main road. Maximising the flow of natural light, Senior’s aluminium windows also provide residents with attractive views of the River Aire and complement the brickwork façade of the building.

Comprising some 147 high quality apartments and five penthouses, the new X1 Aire scheme is the latest addition to the portfolio of UK based developer X1 and has been designed by DK Architects.

For more information about Senior, visit www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk 

The Glazerite UK Group has become one of very few fabricators to offer a choice of three flush sash systems, with the addition of the acclaimed Residence 7 system from the Residence Collection alongside its existing Residence 9 and Halo flush sash choices.

The R7 is more than just a price-competitive companion to the original and well-established R9 – its slimmer 75mm front-to-back profile means it is quicker and easier to install in most retrofit settings without having to cut back the plaster.

The slimmed-down size doesn’t mean compromising on thermal, acoustic and security spec however, with its seven-chamber construction more than matching rival systems and achieving WER up to A+ and a Passivhaus-standard U-Value of 0.8 W/m²K.

“Reaction to our R9 and Halo flush sashes has been phenomenal,” said Group Director Jason Thompson, “Demand from homeowners, commercial and new-build customers has continued to grow with two of the best products to respond to that demand.

“Now, with the addition of Residence 7, we can offer three specific price points in this vibrant and still-growing sector so that our installers have a flush sash solution, whatever the job and budget.”

Glazerite is not only one of very few national fabricators to offer three flush sash options but is believed to be the only one with the R9, R7 and Halo variants.

The R7 flush sash from Glazerite is available in a palette of 14 colours as well as five separate bead options – 28mm Decorative, Staff and Square and 44mm Decorative and Square. Frames can also be supplied unglazed to give installers more glazing choices as well as ease of transportation.

www.glazeritewindows.co.uk

Image Above: Douglas Masterson, Technical Manager of the GAI

The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) has welcomed the findings and recommendations of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety and Dame Judith Hackitt’s interim report, ‘Building a Safer Future’.

The Hackitt review was established shortly after the Grenfell Tower fire, and has focused primarily on improving fire safety in high-rise residential blocks and other complex buildings.

However, the report also looks at what can be done more broadly to address perceived system failings in the building regulatory system and deeper cultural problems in the construction industry around regulatory compliance and responsibility. The interim report provides the findings to date and direction of travel for the review, ahead of a final report expected to be submitted in spring 2018.

Of the views put forward to the Hackitt review by the GAI earlier this year, several of its ideas are mentioned in the interim report, including the potential reintroduction of the Clerk of Works role.

Douglas Masterson, GAI technical manager, says: “This was one of the GAI’s key recommendations, as a better regime of inspecting the installation of fire doors and ironmongery on site by a trained professional who is aware of many of the regulations and standards as well as their application would eliminate many of the current gaps in fire safety.”

In the stakeholder evidence section of the interim report, Hackitt specifically discusses ironmongery and repeats the view that “many products are tested totally in isolation and do not account for the interaction with other elements. For a fire door to function, all of the components (seals, glazing, ironmongery) must be compatible. Many lack a formal process to check that products are as originally specified, or even whether the products that are delivered to site are as specification.”

In the GAI’s submission to the review, it called for both fire door inspections and third-party certification of fire safety products to be mandatory and for fire services to be more involved in the sign-off of buildings.

The report also addresses the industry-wide issue of ‘value engineering’ which, it says, was almost always about cutting cost out of a project.

Douglas Masterson says: “The GAI and its members would welcome any change to existing value engineering practice. There need to be more controls placed on the substitution of specified materials.

“Ironmongery, which is one of the last elements fitted to a building, is often at risk of being substituted and not always to an equivalent standard. This creates potentially fatal fire safety issues. We’re glad that this issue is finally being recognised and look forward to seeing how the final review will improve the specification process.”

The issue of a better qualified supply chain was also raised in the report, with a clear recommendation by Hackitt that those working on the design, construction, inspection and maintenance of complex and high-risk buildings are suitably qualified.

Douglas Masterson commented: “We totally support the development of a more joined-up system covering all levels of qualification in relevant disciplines. The GAI’s diploma and CPD programme provides a professional and up-to-date qualification which demonstrates an individual’s ability to specify architectural ironmongery – a critical life safety element of any building – to a high level. We believe the GAI can play an active role in supporting this aspect of the Hackitt review.”

The Independent Review has also said that during its next phase of work it will conduct further research into the potential for Building Information Modelling (BIM) to improve the documentation and handover of essential fire safety information.

The Guild has just released 35 BIM product data templates to its members so they can provide Product Data Sheets to deliver their product information in a structured manner to architects and contractors.