February Refurb and Renew magazine

To get ‘fit’, go to Telford in April
| Article
The full benefit of this workout will be for window and door specifiers, producers and installers…
It’s a B2B exhibition and seminar in Telford.
The FIT – ‘Fabricator Installer Trade’ - Show is the UK’s only specialist event for anyone
involved with the £4.5 billion + fenestration industry, or what was known in another age, as
the double-glazing business.
For in addition to the hard core of manufacturers and installers of windows, doors and
conservatories for the private home improvement sector the event provides a fertile buying
ground for housebuilders and public sector landlords, who may be looking for that extra touch
that will sell more private homes, or bring public sector estates up to scratch. The options for
both are simply staggering….
The FIT Show, launched in 2013 and taking place for the third time at The International Centre
Telford, takes place in its third iteration in April this year. And no less than 175 exhibitors will be
taking part in four sizeable halls at this modern and airy exhibition centre, just a few miles
north of the NEC.
On show will be quite literally thousands of products in a showcase that provides evidence of
the relative health and vitality of a sector that, despite almost 90% of UK homes now having
been fitted with double glazing of one sort or another, continues to thrive. The fact of the
matter is that the latest windows and doors offer levels of performance that were simply not
a twinkle in the eyes of the most ardent home improver or estates manager twenty years ago.
Security and especially energy efficiency have taken giant leaps forward whilst costs, in real
terms, have fallen significantly.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that professional specifiers, particularly those involved in public
service, have failed to keep up with the breadth and depth of the products that are available
to them. Replacing windows now will bring a significant improvement in performance over
frames and glass that have almost certainly not been changed for at least a quarter of a
century in most public sector properties. In addition to thermal performance of course,
security will be enhanced with the latest shoot bolts and locks and of course, such issues as
condensation and safety will also require attention. Thinking relating to the environment has
also shifted substantially in the past decade or so, with PVC-U and aluminium now eminently
recyclable and with traceable provenance.
One of the biggest growth areas within fenestration has been the emergence and rapid rise in
the popularity of the composite door. Having its beginnings ironically in the public housing
sector, the choice of suppliers let alone product options has to be seen to be believed. And
with the ‘front door’ offering, quite literally, the most important opening into a home, around
40 exhibitors will be offering the biggest collection of such products ever seen in the United
Kingdom.
Similarly, whilst house builders at every level understand the ability of windows, doors and
even conservatories to dramatically alter the style and perception of a property how many
realise the range of options that are available? The answer is ‘very few’, especially if they
haven’t visited The FIT Show previously.
In this sector style is often the dominant factor but these days the highest energy ratings are
available in combination with the most stylish windows and doors. Vertical sliding sash
windows, for example, are now available in abundance from a range of suppliers, offering
reliable operation, low maintenance and the highest energy ratings.
The fact is that high quality windows, doors and, where appropriate, conservatories are
amongst the most important elements of a home to the occupants, irrespective of whether
they are local authority or privately owned. A visit to The FIT Show in April will enable a year’s
worth of buying and specification decision-making in just three days.
The Fabricator Installer Trade (FIT) Show takes place at The International Centre Telford on
12th, 13th and 14th April 2016. For more information including FREE registration go to:
www.fitshow.co.uk.
For details of the FREE Seminar programme go here: www.fitshow.co.uk/seminars
Jan / Feb 2O16 issue 8955 refurb| RENEW 09