Category: Emergency Glazing London Blog

Brisant Secure has built a considerable following with leading entrance door manufacturers, along with many established players in the locksmith sector, helping to further fuel sustained strong growth. The Lock Lock and Ultion product innovations are being increasingly adopted by the trade and demanded as standard by security conscious consumers, claims the company.

Performance over the last year has seen customer numbers increase by 36% and 75% more deliveries.  Brisant says not only is it attracting new customers, but all of them are selling more, thanks to a range of marketing support materials which in turn are helping to further fuel this period of sustained growth.

Companies in the PVCu, aluminium, timber and composite door sectors are said to be increasingly adopting Ultion as standard, claiming to be the ultimate cylinder upgrade with a £1,000 security guarantee. Lock Lock is carried by locksmiths nationwide as the ultimate deterrent, as a wealth of social media posts have shown and is now gaining significant traction in door sales, given the unique design, longevity and security features it offers.

Nick Dutton CEO of Brisant Secure commented: ‘Selling super secure products has become more important than ever for the trade and our sales statistics show that our customers are buying more with unrivalled support and easy online ordering. High security is quickly becoming an industry standard now, that’s fully embraced by the demands from consumers to secure their homes in the best way possible and Brisant are actively helping this through our network of customers.’

For further information on Brisant Secure and their respective brands please visit www.brisant-secure.com , e-mail: sales@brisant-secure.com  or call 01924 410200. You can also add to their Twitter following @BrisantSecure.

CORGI Fenestration has always believed that current industry inspection regimes do not work and that you cannot inspect in quality – by which we mean that inspections alone do not improve the standard of work that is being carried out.  Unless the inspections findings are fed back (via a failure note) into a company to allow corrective actions to be taken the faults that have been identified will just continue. In fact, it will probably become worse, as those causing the problems are not being held to account.

However, most Competent Persons Schemes (CPSs) never challenge what corrective actions an installer has taken – and there is no requirement for that kind of follow up.  Additionally, currently no CPSs publish failure rates let alone reasons for failures.  Without that information our industry cannot collectively address the problems, correct them and move forward.

In our experience the current method adopted for CPSs operating in the fenestration sector, namely a 1% selection for inspection rate, has failed to improve the quality of work carried out.  Whilst there was an initial impact, the rate of non-conformity has now levelled off at an unacceptably high level.

It is also hard to explain to government departments that are used to using percentage inspection rates in other sectors to identify problems, that by increasing the number of inspections we will just find more failures – because the cause of those failures is not being addressed.

At the moment the vast majority of inspections are conducted on completed installations without anyone other than the inspector, and possibly the homeowner, present. A fault is found, and the company is requested to put right the works. Once completed, the site may be re-inspected and the company is then signed off as competent, although in some cases they may have an additional inspection added to their total requirement.

There is no investigation of the cause for the failure or any consideration of multiple sites that may be affected.

This is why the CORGI Fenestration approach is different.  We have adopted the practices of the building services sector (e.g. heating, plumbing, electrical).  An installer is assessed for its competence and the way it operates. Included within that is an evaluation of how the company identifies its workforce as competent and how it then controls the quality of the work undertaken.

If you then underpin this standard by employing a qualified workforce, you can start to understand why failure rates within the building services sector are considerably lower than those in fenestration.  CORGI Fenestration registered installers will either have (or have a commitment to achieve) a qualified workforce.  This, coupled with our new approach, will drive installation standards higher for the benefit of both consumers and our industry.

Yours,

Chris Mayne, CORGI Fenestration CEO & Jacqui Crawford, CORGI Fenestration COO

Residence 9 offers foiled dual colours as standard across the range, with options such as Eclectic Grey outside and life like English Oak on the inside helping to create the appearance of a composite window including through rebate foiling, yet with all the benefits of low maintenance PVCu.

With colour now accounting for over 35-40% of profile sales for the big systems companies, it is only thanks to the unique business model of The Residence Collection that they can offer dual colour combinations from Residence 9 stock, with outstanding OTIF capabilities.

While grained white internal finishes amount for the larger proportion of sales, it’s the alternative options for English Oak or even the unique Cotswold Biscuit inside and No. 10 outside, that are really capturing the imagination of consumers. English Oak inside and out makes for the ultimate timber effect window with traditional joints and hardware, while other colour combinations offer the appearance of painted timber or composite windows and doors. Either way Residence 9 redefines the way in which we view PVCu window design, colour and form.

There’s a certain type of discerning homeowner that wants a window with the pedigree of Residence 9 and similarly they want near bespoke finishes for their investment. Windows and doors are now starting to be viewed as furniture that’s part of the overall fabric of the home and this is a considerable change in mindset from the standardised white PVCu replacement windows that have dominated the market for several decades.

Sarah Hitchings, sales and marketing director of The Residence Collection commented: ‘Dual colour is much more than just a white internal grain as we have the most authentic timber effect window, numerous composite options and other design details that are unique to our collection.

She continued: ‘As a small boutique systems house, we can afford to be led by product design and that’s something that enables our customers to build a better and more rewarding business model. With unrivalled marketing and a business support programme, we’re actively working together with our manufacturers and installers for joint success.’

For further information for both retail and trade partner enquiries please visit www.residencecollection.co.uk , e-mail journey@residencecollection.co.uk or call 01452 348650. You can also follow on Twitter @residence9

According to a new research report by the market research and strategy consulting firm, Global Market Insights, Inc, the global windows and doors market size is estimated to surpass USD 211 billion by 2024. Subsidies offered for residential construction will positively influence the residential windows and doors market demand. Household renovations has led strong upsurge in the history and is expected to continue with the trend over the projected time frame. Increasing demand for energy efficient products will support the windows and doors market growth. For instance, the government of the UK and Canada are regulating usage of energy efficient products to reduce carbon footprint in the environment.

Replacement of wood and aluminum with innovative materials such as uPVC will support the product demand owing to its fully recyclable property, lesser maintenance, reduced weight, and thermal insulation. Availability of alternatives in laminates, colors, and designs are other factors contributing to the segment growth. Increasing demand for products that are resistant to weather, termites, and chemicals will further augment the windows and doors market size from 2017 to 2024.

Commercial windows and doors market accounted for over 288 million units in 2016 and is expected to exhibit highest CAGR over the projected timeline owing to increasing usage of WPC, glass, uPVC and metal. Strong security gates such as aluminum, steel, and glass gates is expected to witness exponential growth. Maintenance free products along with improved durability are also responsible for substantial window and door market growth over the forecast timeline.

Rising awareness of smart systems integrated with security sensors will escalate the demand for new product profiles over the projected timeline. About 50% of energy is lost through entrances thus, smart window is developed to control rising costs associated with lighting, cooling, and heating of homes. Modernized entrance and exit locks are featured with keyless systems & fingerprint security that are mostly used in the corporate facilities. Introduction of such innovative product line will induce immense potential to the windows and doors market by 2024.

Source: https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/windows-and-doors-market-size

The post The global windows and doors mMarket to hit $211bn by 2024 says Global Market Insights appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

Image above; SWISSPACER’s impressive stand at Fensterbau Frontale

SWISSPACER enjoyed a successful Fensterbau Frontale show in Nuremberg, Germany.

The company’s Georgian bar, now available in four additional sizes, was the hot topic of discussion for visitors on the stand.

SWISSPACER’s Georgian bar creates high performance sealed units, perfect for heritage-style windows. It comes in the standard SWISSPACER colours with an integrated anti-rattle plug and matching end caps to create a seamless, high-end finish.

Visitors were also able to try SWISSPACER’s updated CALUWIN energy savings calculator. The unique app now has specific technical data from leading European profile and sealed unit manufacturers, including Rehau, Profine and Guardian.

Jan Hiersemenzel, Head of Marketing at SWISSPACER comments: “We had an excellent platform at Fensterbau to meet prospective customers, reinforce the importance of warm edge technology and catch up with existing customers about our new Georgian bar. The response was fantastic!

“Visitors also loved trying out the improved CALUWIN app. It allows users to automatically calculate WERs for their windows and accurately measure energy efficiency and thermal performance.”

SWISSPACER is offering sealed unit makers, fabricators and installers the chance to see the new Georgian bar, delivered in an eye-catching sample box. To request your free sample, email info@swisspacer.com or tweet @swisspacer.

The steel framing system that was introduced in the UK to provide EI fire protection in butt jointed glazing is now available as a complete, safety-assured glazing system with the launch of the SYSTEMGLAS^® Ferro range from Promat UK.

SYSTEMGLAS^® Ferro is a complete glazing system suited to contemporary interiors with the fire glass, steel framing, beading and setting blocks supplied directly by Promat UK for maximum traceability. It is installed exclusively by a network of approved installers to ensure total peace of mind for specifiers and clients throughout the design and supply chain, backed with the confidence of Promat UK’s 360 degree wheel of assurance.

As a butt jointed system successfully tested to facilitate large uninterrupted spans of glazing in a vertical or horizontal formation, SYSTEMGLAS^® Ferro allows buildings to benefit from maximum natural lighting within rooms, without compromising on integrity and insulation (EI) fire protection of between 30 minutes up to 120 minutes (CERTIFIRE CF5452).

SYSTEMGLAS^® Ferro joins the two recently launched SYSTEMGLAS^® options – Celare and Advenerat – which utilise the highly respected and established fire resistant PROMATECT^® H. These provide architects with the ability to create ‘invisible’, painted or aluminium clad framing for internal glazing. Complementing Ferro, Celare and Advenerat, and to complete the range, a timber option is set to join the range later in 2018.

All the options in the SYSTEMGLAS^® range are guaranteed through Promat UK’s 360 degree wheel of assurance. This means that Promat’s passive fire protection experts work closely with customers at every stage of the supply chain. It starts by providing guidance on the right approach at the design and specification stage, and manufacturing consistency is assured as the system produced in-house. This ensures all cutting and processing is completed to the correct standard. Finally, Promat inspects SYSTEMGLAS^® on completion to check that it has been installed in accordance with its recommendations and provides a certificate of conformity for installation.

Ian Cowley, Regional Director (UK and Scandinavia) at Promat UK says: “SYSTEMGLAS^® Ferro is an important evolution of our pioneering steel framing system which gives total confidence to architects, contractors and clients that their installed glazing will deliver on its passive fire protection promise in the event of a fire.

“Steel is a hugely popular framing material choice for glazing systems so we are delighted to now offer specifiers a ‘belt and braces’ system with Ferro to achieve their aesthetic goals without risk. The full range of options available for SYSTEMGLAS^® Ferro and all the products in the SYSTEMGLAS^® range can be found in our newly updated Promat Specifiers Guide, available at www.promat-glass.co.uk or by calling us.”

Independent weather testing, delivered in partnership with The Residence Collection, has returned a series of top passes for HWL Trade Frames’ new frame-only supply Residence 9 window.

The specialist trade fabricator has led the development of an R9 frame-only offer, pioneering the application of Timberweld® sash-welding technologies in its manufacture.

This process HWL says increases sash corner strength, which in most configurations eliminates the requirement to glass bond IGUs, which have historically been used in R9 fabrication to give the system structural strength.

Supported by  the Residence Collection, the HWL window was put through a series of independent tests last month [March].

These delivered a series of top-rated passes under BS EN 6375 – 1 weather testing.

HWL Trade Frames director, Graham Howatson

Graham Howatson, Director, HWL Trade Frames, said: “We’ve always had a high degree of confidence in our manufacturing process because of the time we have invested in its development and in our own in-house testing programme. The independent results we’re now seeing are an affirmation of that.

“While we will continue to offer glass-bonded windows as an option, it means installers can access R9 on a frame-only basis, which allows them to lower their costs but which also delivers so much more in flexibility and ease of installation, removing a barrier which has put off a section of the market.

“Handling is far easier because you’re removing the weight, they can order glass from their usual supplier and if an IGU is damaged or fails, it can be replaced far more easily than in a glass-bonded window.

The BS EN 6375 – 1 test results, conducted by Exova, give HWL’s R9 Timberweld® window an Exposure Category of 1600, a Class 3 Air Permeability Rating (600pa); a Class 9A (600pa) Water Tightness Rating; and top Class C4 (1600pa), resistance to wind.

The window is also currently under-going PAS24 security testing, with results expected later this month.

HWL’s launch of its frame-only R9 offer follows an extensive developmental programme, which gives HWL an almost unique capability in the UK to butt weld window and door sashes inside and out.

This replicates the aesthetic delivered in a 90° mechanical joint but also delivers a significant increase in the structural strength of the sash.

Graham continued: “R9 is a highly innovative system. We have embraced that spirit of innovation to move forward again by accessing new manufacturing processes to fabricate a window with an identical aesthetic but which makes installation far, far, easier.”

He concluded: “R9 has and enjoys incredible market reach. Being able to fit it more easily and to source glass locally, is a key competitive advantage for any retail businesses reducing supply costs and increasing opportunities to build in margin over their competitors.”

For more information email sales@hwlwindows.co.uk call 0113 2449006 or log on at www.hwlwindows.co.uk 

Bohle has expanded its balustrading offer with the addition of the EasyMount 6020, which introduces significant hardware savings to cut the cost of balustrade installation.

A heavy-duty addition to the EasyMount range, the 6020 withstands a linear load of up to 1.5kN but can be installed more easily and at lower cost than traditional systems.

Rather than requiring countersunk fixings, it uses counterbored. This means that standard head anchor bolts can be used to mount the system rather than far more expensive countersunk headed fixings.

Distances between mounting points are also increased, reducing both installation times and the number of fixings required.

Dave Broxton, Managing Director, Bohle, said: “The savings are substantial. The cost of countersunk head fixings can run to almost as much as the profile system itself, so there is a clear cost-benefit to switching to a counterbore system which allows bolts with a standard head to be used.

“The other advantage is that it’s suitable for use in residential but also light commercial applications, for example office installations, without needing to use rigid toughened laminates such as Sentry glass. Four or five times more expensive than standard PVB interlayers, that’s another very significant saving.”

Also available in a side-mounted option, the EasyMount 6021, both systems can accommodate glass thicknesses of between 12mm and 21.52mm. Fixing points to achieve a 0.74kN residential linear loading are every 20cm on the 6020 and 40cm for the side mounted 6021.

Each system also comes with a full range of ancillaries including pre-mitred 90° corners, end caps and spacers to allow drainage on top mounted options, plus the Vario glass adjustment tool, for fine adjustment of glass panes of up to 34mm in relation to the vertical.

“Glass balustrading remains a growth area and our range is growing with it to deliver increased opportunities for profit to our customers”, said Broxton.

“The EasyMount 6020 and 6021 represent a logical evolution of that offer, delivering significant savings but the flexibility for installation in not only residential but also commercial applications, using a single system”, he concluded.

For more about Bohle’s product and service offer visit website www.bohle-group.com/en-gb  email info@bohle.ltd.uk or call the customer services team free on 0800 616151 for more information.