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Image Above: Austin Barcley, Managing Director of Improveasy

Despite its popularity in mainland Europe, triple glazing is still not on the radar for many UK homeowners. 

This is the view of the Managing Director of Improveasy – a company that offers customers financial solutions to fund home improvements through its approved installers. 

The use of finance arrangements by homeowners has grown hugely in the last few years but Austin says that data from his customers shows that, regardless of its benefits, triple glazing is failing to gain traction. 

He comments: “Recently, we’ve seen big improvements in the standard of double glazing and these enhancements have been well communicated to homeowners. In contrast, the potential advantages of installing triple glazing are often overshadowed by the initial expense of installing them and by customer’s concerns regarding payback periods.”

Triple glazed windows are hugely popular in Scandinavian countries where the climate is very cold they and are reported to offer good soundproofing against noisy neighbourhoods, enhanced security, and improved insulation.

Austin continues: “Payback periods for triple glazing depend very much on the rest of the house. If a home’s walls, floor, and roof are well-insulated then its biggest heat loss is likely through windows. 

“In this case – or if a customer’s renovation involves improving insulation generally – the use of triple glazing could save a customer money in the long run.

“In terms of the initial expense of purchasing triple glazing, this is where financial solutions can help. Installers that work with Improveasy will be able to advise homeowners if triple-glazed windows would be a good fit for a home and how finance can be used to fund the investment.”

Now, triple glazing makes up 1% of the UK’s window market and, with the popularity of the ‘Improve-Not-Move’ trend, Austin predicts that this figure will increase in the future.

“For our installers, triple glazing is a good opportunity to up-sell, but we also want to help spread the message that homeowners can benefit from triple glazing with the help of Improveasy’s finance solutions.”

Improveasy doesn’t just offer finance solutions and companies that partner with them can also access sales training seminars, alongside a host of innovative finance options. 

Companies that become Appointed Representatives (AR) will appear on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) register; and can then begin offering finance options, under the Improveasy brand. 

Installers can also offer the finance options under their own company brand and Austin says he is seeing an increase in the number of homeowners who are using finance to part fund larger investments such as conservatories. 

For more information about offering finance to your customers call 0800 024 8505 or visit www.improveasy.com

The UK government has announced a £5 billion boost for housebuilding across Britain, providing window manufacturers with more opportunities for the new build side of their businesses. 

Window manufacturers looking for high-quality products visited the AluWood Windows stand at Timber Expo in October, part of UK Construction Week, to find out more about its low cost, high quality, aluminium clad timber window & door system. 

AluWood featured its cleverly engineered aluclad timber window and door system on its stand where it demonstrated to manufacturers and specifiers its benefits. With the durability of aluminium on the outside and the insulating benefits of timber on the inside, AluWood is a high-quality system that requires little upfront investment. With dual colour the same price as single colour, it’s a very cost-effective system to make. 

“The increase in new homes being built, and the demand for additional commercial space, means more business for window manufacturers,” says Callum Grant Managing Director at AluWood. “It’s easy to go down the low-cost PVCu route, but choosing quality to make sure homes and commercial buildings are comfortable, secure and have the desired look is really important. The long-term cost per year is less, because of the lifespan of quality windows and doors. 

“That’s why window manufacturers and specifiers visited the AluWood stand at Timber Expo, to see our system up close and to find out why it’s such a popular choice for both new build and commercial projects. 

“The system is performance tested to PAS 24, comes in double or triple glazing and in a choice of window and door styles. With any RAL colour on the outside and a choice of hardwoods and laminated pine on the inside, it ticks all the boxes for discerning customers.” 

Visitors to the AluWood stand at the show had the chance to pick up their copy of the new AluWood retail brochure to help them sell. The brochure is packed with all the benefits that makes AluWood the best choice for homeowners’ next windows and doors, says the company. 

Visit www.aluwoodwindows.co.uk to get a copy of the AluWood retail brochure.

According to Distinction Doors, the composite door supplier has over 50% of the market share and confirms its position as the market leader. Chantel Roach, Sales and Marketing Director at Distinction Doors, comments: “We’re proud of what our company has achieved and we’re proud to support our customers in maximising the opportunities for their businesses.”

The company has around 80,000 doors in stock at any one time at its 86,000 sq foot headquarters in Yorkshire – 260% more than its nearest rival, it is claimed. Coupled with around 180,000 glazing cassettes and 45,000 triple glazed units, it’s an impressive offering that translates into rapid delivery and turnaround times. 

Distinction says its Signature door is widely regarded as the most beautiful on the market and its oak tree woodgrain skin is much admired. The glazing cassettes feature the same woodgrain effect for a seamless finish and claims to be proven to be the most thermally efficient – 17% more efficient than the next best. 

In the nxt-gen range the company is proving its market-leading credentials in innovation too. For example, the glazing system sits flush within its frame and has an internal glass retention bead for a sleek and elegant finish that’s unique to nxt-gen. The brief was to create the next generation of composite doors and all the feedback is that the range has delivered exactly that.

Marketing is equally impressive. The retail literature sells the Distinction difference clearly and stylishly while innovative features such as real RAL/BS colour swatches bring the door and its quality alive for homeowners. The company’s design boutique provides graphic design for promotional literature. And there’s a free bespoke door-designer tool that Distinction customers can use on their own websites and in their own sales processes.

To find out more visit www.distinctiondoors.co.uk