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Prefix Systems has announced a partnership with Saveheat Group, which includes Merlin Network, for the supply of its Warmroof system for installations in Scotland.

Warmroof is described as a high performance, solid roof system, which offers a number of impressive USPs and already carries LABSS approval, alongside LABC for England and Wales, for both conservatory replacement and home extension projects.

According to Prefix, Warmroof is ideally suited to the Scottish market as its fully insulated system ensures ‘cold spots’ are eliminated. The Warmroof construction, which has pre-formed insulation sitting above the roof structure, is said to ensure the aluminium framework is fully insulated. Its construction reportedly negates the need for additional battening under the tile when using Envirotile, saving additional fitting days during installation.

Prefix adds that Warmroof is also structurally proven to take a traditional concrete tile or slate, which it says is something no other lightweight tiled roof solution can boast. A newly published 16-page Warmroof Building Regulations brochure from Prefix Systems, which also details the five-step process for compliance, explains the details about LABSS and LABC requirements, along with a guide to good practice.

Saveheat’s sales and operations director, Colin Torley, commented: “Merlin Network is extremely pleased to be appointed as the sole supplier of Prefix roofing systems for the whole of Scotland. Having recently been awarded LABSS for their Warmroof system, this gives us a unique selling point that we will use to grow business in the Scottish area.”

www.saveheat.co.uk

The post Prefix partner appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Image Above: Russell Day, GGF Director of Home Improvement

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) has responded to the recent consultation into Green Deal reform, calling for greater flexibility for consumers and installers to help simplify and improve the scheme for the future.

The GGF emphasised that the disappointing number of glazing installers involved in Green Deal was a consequence of a costly and resource intensive accreditation process. Further, the response stressed that the level of finance available to consumers under the scheme was often not enough to purchase glazing products in tandem with other measures. The GGF pointed out that for some energy efficiency measures, the Golden Rule in its current form is not a workable framework for promoting a ‘Whole House Approach’ to energy efficiency.

With the new Each Home Counts (EHC) framework also expected next year, the GGF recommended that installers should be exempt from the need for formal Green Deal status, if they can prove membership of a recognised certification scheme, which may include approved status under EHC or a UKAS accredited certification scheme.

The GGF underlined that the introduction of these reforms would allow installers to avoid additional red tape, reduce confusion amongst consumers and support the Government’s objective to simplify the Green Deal, whilst continuing to support the take up of more energy efficient home improvements.

In addition, the GGF also called for better consumer access to the latest and most effective energy efficient measures, which will require regular reviews of accredited measures under the Green Deal. This would include higher standards of glazing (including triple glazing), and introducing greater transparency between the roles of Green Deal assessors and providers; to ensure greater consumer confidence about the impartiality of the advice they are given.

GGF Director of Home Improvement Russell Day commented:

“The plans to simplify the framework are a welcome first step to improving Green Deal. Like many, the GGF was disappointed the Green Deal did not materialise into the scheme that was first hoped.

“Feedback from our members has shown that the complexity in gaining Green Deal accreditation dissuaded many installers from registering with the scheme and flaws within the Golden Rule discouraged many consumers from installing replacement windows or glazing using Green Deal Finance.

“Following the consultation, we urge the Government to ensure that Each Home Counts creates a joint framework where Green Deal accreditation leads to Each Home Counts accreditation and vice-versa to lessen the burden on firms wishing to work under Green Deal. To support the consumer, the Government should look to increase the amount they can borrow.”

www.ggf.org.uk

Image Above: Shaun McAllister

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Shaun McAllister as Managing Director as the Federation continues to build its senior management team.

With over 30 years’ experience in the home improvement industry, Shaun brings to the Federation a wealth of knowledge and core industry experience.

Shaun has been associated with several glass and glazing companies including G.F Kite, Weatherseal, Mumford and Wood, and the Anglian Group.

In 1983, Shaun started life in the industry as a fabricator before undertaking numerous roles throughout the fenestration supply chain including working as an Installer, Surveyor, Installation Manager, Divisional Operations Manager, Regional Sales Manager and from 2007 to 2016 as Conservatory Director at the Anglian Group.

On his new position, Shaun commented:

“This is truly a unique and exciting industry and it’s a privilege to able to represent the GGF Membership as Managing Director. I am thoroughly looking forward to working with the GGF staff and current members to continuously improve the GGF services and membership benefits.”

Best known for his work with Anglian Group, Shaun started with Anglian Windows as a commercial installer in 1991 before becoming a surveyor and then Installation Manager. In 1994, he became a Depot Installation Manager responsible for revenues of over £6m per annum. In 2000, as Conservatory Manager, Shaun helped establish Anglian’s first dedicated Conservatory Installation Centres based in Basingstoke and Crawley. In 2003, he became Anglian’s National Conservatory Manager responsible for conservatory revenues of over £80m per annum. In 2006, he moved to a Divisional Operations Managerial role responsible for Installations across the South West of England.

In 2007, Shaun fleetingly left Anglian to join Mumford and Wood where he established their installation division only to return to Anglian in 2008 as Conservatory Director where he headed up the Conservatory, Driveways, Garage Conversions, Flat Roofs and Solar Products divisions.

Most recently Shaun has undertaken secondments within Anglian as diverse as Regional Sales Manager for the South East to overseeing the integration of a new survey and manufacturing software system.

Shaun joins the Federation at an exciting time with a new senior management team and improved infrastructure that will see the GGF work closer with its commercial subsidiary companies for the benefit of all connected to the GGF.

www.MyGlazing.com 

Wakefield-based fabricator, Conservatory Outlet, has marked its best year ever with an award ceremony at its 2017 employee Christmas party to recognise the dedication and hard work of its team.

In the last 12 months, Conservatory Outlet has joined forces with retailers, Clearview Home Improvements and Pennine Home Improvements, to form the Conservatory Outlet Group. The company says that during this time, its staff have ‘stepped up’ to fulfil an unprecedented influx in orders, with several ‘record months’ topping all previous records.

According to Conservatory Outlet, a huge part of the its success in 2017 is also owed to the growth of its network of retailers, with five new or refurbished showrooms added to the network this year and a sixth on the way in early 2018. The team at Conservatory Outlet have also found time to launch two new products; the Extreme 3 security locking system and the Envisage flush casement window, both of which are said to have contributed significantly to sales during 2017.

As part of the end of year celebrations, individual team members were recognised for going ‘above and beyond’. Award winners were nominated by the senior management team for demonstrating exemplary behaviour in line with the new company values, including honesty and integrity, growth and innovation and energy and tenacity, and were presented with a personal thank you letter and vouchers by managing director, Michael Giscombe.

Michael commented: “2017 has been a fantastic year for us at Conservatory Outlet and it’s extremely important to us that we recognise our employees and thank them for their dedication in helping us to achieve everything we have this year, I couldn’t be prouder of the way in which we’ve really pulled together.

“2018 will be crucial for our company as we take our current projects to the next phase. It’s down to the energy, passion and integrity of our fantastic team that this is made possible.”

The post Conservatory Outlet celebrates ‘outstanding year’ appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Once again raising the bar and extending its range of durable, dependable fire-rated products, pioneering Astraseal has become the first fabricator to manufacture a 60-minute rated, fixed fire window.

Instead of traditional hardwood or steel, Astraseal’s unique fire window system is based on the proven FireFrame from Winkhaus, combining durable composite and uPVC materials for advanced fire resistance. Add to this Astraseal’s fire-retardant sealed units and the new window system can provide a long-lasting barrier for both internal and external uses.

“Through upgrading our FD60 fire door solution, we saw the incredible potential FireFrame could offer as a fixed fire window system,” comments Zac Nedimovic, Sales and Marketing Manager at Astraseal. “Six months on from Grenfell and the spotlight is still heavily focused on fire-rated products and their performance. With our fire window system, installers can deliver a new level of fire protection along with a full suite of quality, certified fire-rated products that can provide a great assurance and peace of mind to their customers.”

The new fire window system is available in a range of sizes in both single and double fixed pane configurations. Designed for use in any residential or commercial application, the window offers incredibly slim, internal sightlines along with dependable durability and strength thanks to its, innovative hybrid frame.

The 60-minute fire window strengthens Astraseal’s industry-leading fire-rated product line, joining their range of uPVC and composite FD30 and FD60 fire door systems. As well as offering its brand-new 60-minute solution, Astraseal also offers the RAUFERNO uPVC fire-window system. Based on REHAU’s Total 70 profile and the popular S706 window, the RAUFERNO is a high-performance 30-minute alternative.

“It’s great to see our fire-rated product range is proving popular across the UK, providing a first-class solution whether it’s social housing, commercial developments or new-build residential projects,” adds Zac. “Astraseal are the go-to supplier when it comes to fire products and we only see this continuing with our new 60-minute fire-window – an exciting development to drive forward fire-rated products and fire safety.”

For more information call Astraseal on 01933 227233or visit www.astraseal.co.uk