September/October2020

SEPT/OCT 2020

PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST

THE MULTI-AWARD WINNING

ALUMINIUM ROOF

LANTERN

“Being voted

Best Rooflight Supplier

is a reflection of how well

regarded Korniche Aluminium

Systems/Made For Trade is

amongst its customers and

the industry”

Homebuilding & Renovating Awards 2020

>>> • PRODUCT UPDATES • TOOLS & WORKWEAR • MARKET TRENDS • >>>

TOTAL Fabricator Cover - AUG/Sept 2020.indd 1 17/08/2020 12:47

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Editor’s Comment

SOPHIE STEVENS

EDITOR

SOPHIESTEVENS@MEDIA-NOW.CO.UK

01892 732047


ALUMINIUM ROOF

LANTERN

When it comes to home improvement works, there are many things

that might prevent a homeowner from taking the plunge and cold

hard cash – or lack of it – is one of them.

On page 16 of this issue, Certass’ Jon Vanstone points out that,

despite a strong desire for shiny new fenestration, “prioritising the cost

of a new conservatory or a full-house of windows and doors can be

difficult and, no matter how many holidays have been missed in 2020,

homeowners won’t always have the cash to stump up-front for a job”.

For this reason, Certass is ensuring its members have easy access to

the right finance options as the industry continues to take advantage of

the changes in lifestyle brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, be

it a glazed extension to create that all-important home office space, or

a bi-fold door to maximise light as we spend more time indoors.

But home improvement is not just about light, space and aesthetics.

On page 52 of this issue, RetrofitWorks founder, Russell Smith, talks to

Total Installer about the increasing threat of climate change and why

upgrading the UK’s poorly-performing housing stock – comprising 27

million existing homes – is vital to keep it at bay.

With contractors and installers instrumental in achieving this in order

to meet the government’s 2050 net zero emissions target, Russell says

that it is “absolutely critical” that we come up with a compelling model

to reach that goal, with devastating impacts “around the corner” if we

don’t succeed.

Read on for all this and much more...

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Sophie

FROM

ONLY

£345

per leaf

Including

delivery

Advertising:

“Being voted

Best Rooflight Supplier

is a reflection of how well

regarded Korniche Aluminium

Systems/Made For Trade is

amongst its customers and

the industry”

Homebuilding & Renovating Awards 2020

Cover courtesy of Made For Trade. Find out more about their

multi-award winning Korniche roof lantern on page 10.

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SEPT/OCT 2020 TI 3

Contents

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS

53

18 SILENCE IS GOLDEN

How the British Fenestration Rating Council’s

new noise reduction labelling system can help

installers win more work

44 SUPPLY DEMANDS

A strong supply chain for installers is even more

important going forward as consumer

demand remains high

52 RETROFIT BENEFITS

Why upgrading the UK’s housing stock is vital

to keep global warming at bay and the critical

role of installers in spreading the word

20

FEATURES

22 A GREAT FIT

FIT Show reveals the exciting new features set to

benefit installers specifically

24 WHOLE SYSTEM QUALITY

Why you should look beyond high-performance profiles

when recommending PVC-U window systems

54

34 FILLING THE GAP

How foam sealants can help installers and home

improvement specialists secure the perfect finish for

doors and windows

36 TAKE FIVE

Exploring five of the latest lifestyle trends with aïr

38 LIGHT AND SPACE

The top considerations when installing bi-fold doors to

maximise light and space in a home

56 GO BESPOKE

How installers can capitalise on the popularity of

bespoke products with balustrades

62 FIX UP LOOK SMART

Why first impressions count when it comes to workwear

4 T I SEPT/OCT 2020 PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST

REGULARS

14 THE BUSINESS

PILOT BAROMETER

Is demand for windows and doors dropping back

to more sustainable levels?

16 THE VIEW FROM CERTASS

Jon Vanstone discusses the key issues for

installers around offering finance

20 IN GEAR: RACING FOCUS

Sparks are flying at Oulton Park for Made For

Trade bikers Thomas Fielding and Chris Wann

INDUSTRY NEWS

06 TOOL TURMOIL

Tools are stolen from a tradesperson’s vehicle every 20

minutes according to new research

08 COVID DISRUPTION

Recently published financials show that the coronavirus

crisis is continuing to disrupt the glazing industry

SECTIONS:

WINDOWS

24

DOORS

38

GLAZED

EXTENSIONS

44

HOME

IMPROVEMENTS

52

18

08

VEHICLES, TOOLS

& WORKWEAR

62


SEPT/OCT 2020 T I 5

Industry News

SUSTAINIUM MAKES

LATEST ACQUISITION

The Sustainium Group has acquired

Wolverhampton Glass, a leading West-

Midlands based window, door, and

conservatory installer.

Sustainium was launched by industry veteran

Neal Harper with the aim of acquiring local

home improvement companies, building on

their established reputation, and investing

in their future, with particular focus on lowcarbon

and sustainability.

Wolverhampton Glass has been installing

high quality windows, doors and

conservatories across Wolverhampton and

the West Midlands for over 40 years.

Previous owner Steve Newey said of the sale:

“It was the right time to sell and dealing with

Neal and the Sustainium Group made the

whole process straightforward as they were

able to move quickly and decisively.

“With more than 30 years’ experience, they

really know the home improvement industry

and their passion and commitment means

that Wolverhampton Glass is in safe hands.”

The Sustainium Group acquires

businesses that have a good reputation

locally with annual turnover between

£750,000-£10million and at least three

years trading history. It purchases 100% of

the shares and the business will continue to

operate under its own name. Sustainium also

aims to retain the existing staff, while owners

can often be retained on a consultancy

basis or even a role within the business by

agreement. www.sustainium.co.uk

Sustainium has acquired Wolverhampton Glass

TOOLS STOLEN EVERY 20 MINUTES IN THE UK

Tools are stolen from a

tradesperson’s vehicle every 20

minutes in England, Wales and

Northern Ireland, according to

new research from

Direct Line – Business.

In 2019, there were an alarming

28,681 cases of tool theft from

vehicles, equating to 78 incidences

every day.

Based on an analysis of data from police forces

across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the

findings highlight that theft of tools from vehicles

is a frequent problem for tradespeople. The loss of

vital equipment can present a serious threat to a

tradesperson’s livelihood, especially in the current

economic climate, preventing them from carrying

out work and hitting their pockets hard.

Of the 28,681 incidences of tool theft, nearly a

third (30%) were reported in London with the

North West (27%) and Yorkshire and Humberside

(12%) closely following.

ENROLMENT OPEN FOR GAI QUALIFICATION

The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI)

is urging professionals involved with the

specification and installation of door hardware

to enrol on the GAI education programme in

preparation for more stringent competence

requirements.

The GAI’s Certificate in Architectural Hardware is

a self-led, online course and examination in two

stages. It is particularly useful for those working

in related warehouse and trade counter roles,

scheduling and estimating, customer service,

technical support, sales and administration.

Those who complete Stage 1 will be fully competent

in making informed decisions when working with

particular products and materials, and will have a

good understanding of best practices and industry

standards. Stage 2 shows learners how to apply

product and industry knowledge. It also gives a

more in-depth understanding of the industry and

For more news and the latest updates, visit www.total-installer.co.uk

When considering population density, the North

West had the most accounts of tool theft per

resident, with Lancashire Constabulary reporting

the highest levels of thefts in the region – an

alarming 4,440 in one year.

Nandita Borkakoti, product manager at Direct

Line – Business, said: “This new research reveals

the shocking frequency of tool theft from vehicles.

Tool theft is hugely disruptive and often results in

tradespeople missing out on jobs. It’s vital they do

all they can to protect themselves. Making sure

their vehicles are secured, they’re diligent with

locking away tools when unsupervised and that

they have the appropriate insurance in place.”

its components such as fire door hardware, access

control systems and intermediate scheduling.

Rachel Tipton, GAI education manager, said:

“Now more than ever, there is a huge focus on the

competency of professionals specifying products.

“It isn’t just a case of choosing a handle or a

hinge based purely on cost or because it looks

nice. Architectural ironmongery plays a key role

in the safety and security of people and property;

it isn’t something you can afford to get wrong.

Completing a GAI qualification provides door

hardware professionals with the evidence to

show architects and contractors that they have

the skills and knowledge to create a compliant,

effective solution that allows all building users to

move around the building safely.”

Enrolments will close on 18 December 2020. To

find out more about the GAI Education programme

visit: www.bit.ly/GAI-Education-Hub

6 TI SEPT/OCT 2020 PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST

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Industry News

COVID CONTINUES TO

DISRUPT INDUSTRY

Recently published financials show that

the coronavirus crisis is continuing to

disrupt the glazing industry.

After a difficult start to 2020, the financial

implications for the fenestration sector are

reportedly only just starting to show.

According to Insight Data, managing directors

are concerned that the entire supply chain

may only be seeing ‘the tip of a very large

iceberg in terms of financial instability’.

FURTHER RECYCLING PLANT INVESTMENT

Veka Recycling is entering the third phase of

the development plan for its new, state-of-theart

Wellingborough UK Headquarters, during

which ‘sophisticated refinement processes’

will be introduced towards the goal of making

the UK operation completely self-sufficient.

In a series of integrated processes that reduce

post-consumer and virgin offcut PVC-U frames and

profiles into high quality polymer compounds and

other reusable materials, the latest equipment to

be installed separates, refines, cleans and washes


the various component materials.

Of the machinery installed in this latest phase,

the standout equipment is the Spaleck Recycling

Screens that quite literally vibrate and sieve

the crushed frames; and Magnapower high

performance Eddy Current Separators. The

separators sort ferrous and non-ferrous metals

from the shredded PVC-U window frames to

produce cleaner, metal-free PVC plastics for

re-processing and metals including steel and

aluminium, that are resold.

Insight recently analysed the financial data of

over 9,075 fabricators and installers and found:

• 1,038 companies had poor or very poor

credit ratings.

• 12% of profiled fabricators were

deemed as high risk.

• 12% of profiled installers were shown

to have poor credit ratings

Although many businesses in the fenestration

sector are now looking for new ways to target

the most relevant and high yielding leads,

avoiding credit risk prospects should be a

priority, according to Insight.

Jade Greenhow, operations director at

the provider of marketing data and CRM

software, said: “Businesses in the industry

are now looking for financially ‘safe’ leads.

Doing business with companies that seem

keen but have been hit hard by coronavirus

may be a risky strategy. If that prospect is

‘in the red’ they may not be able to pay for

services or orders they have made.”

Insight Data’s Jade Greenhow

REHAU BILLED AS SUSTAINABILITY ‘LEADER’

Rehau has joined ‘50 Sustainability & Climate

Leaders’, an initiative by media production

agency, TBD Media Group, in conjunction with

the United Nations.

With finite natural resources available on earth, it

is imperative that companies use them responsibly

and sustainably. The aim of the ‘50 Sustainability &

Climate Leaders’ campaign is to draw attention to

this issue and provide companies with a platform

on which to showcase their commitment before

an international audience.

William Christensen, CEO of the Rehau Group,

said: “To be one of the ‘50 Sustainability &

Climate Leaders’ is a real incentive for our

20,000 employees to continue striving for greater

sustainability and climate protection. In a

nutshell, we want to lead the way when it comes

to circular economies.”

By 2025, Rehau plans to increase its recycling rate

across the group to well over 15% while reducing

CO2 emissions by at least 30%.

Using recycled materials in production can reduce

CO2 emissions by up to 88%. In addition to the

resource-friendly manufacture of durable polymer

system solutions, Rehau focuses on the highquality

processing and reuse of post-consumer

and post-industrial waste materials.

8 TI SEPT/OCT PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST

SELL MORE with

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NOW IS THE TIME TO ADD THE KORNICHE

ALUMINIUM ROOF LANTERN TO YOUR PRODUCT

PORTFOLIO

Another huge success for Made for Trade and the

team at Korniche Aluminium Systems with the

announcement of ‘Best Rooflight Supplier’ 2020

from the Homebuilding & Renovating Awards.

This award really is the cherry on the top and

the latest in a string of awards that the Korniche

Lantern has picked up over the past two years.

The statement from Homebuilding & Renovating

sums this up: “This was an exceptionally strong

category with many great entrants. As such, being

voted Best Rooflight Supplier is a reflection of

how well regarded Korniche Aluminium Systems

/ Made for Trade is amongst its customers and

the industry.”

This success compliments the work and

marketing activities that Made for Trade have

carried out within both the consumer and trade

sectors. There is a significant benefit to Korniche

customers from having such high profile brand

activity that assists sales through a greater

product understanding at the consumer level.

Looking forward to 2021, Made for Trade have

new products in the pipeline that will sit within

the Korniche brand and a full diary of exhibitions

earmarked throughout the year to promote

them.

Looking forward to 2021, Made for Trade have new

Korniche products in the pipeline and a full diary

of exhibitions earmarked throughout the year to

promote the Korniche brand.

To celebrate the awards and update the consumer

marketing support on offer to their trade clients,

Made for Trade have re-designed their Korniche

Lantern brochure. Coupled with showroom offers

and additional marketing collateral - Now is the time

to be on board with the Korniche brand!

For more information and to pre-order the new

Korniche Aluminium Lantern Brochure email

marketing@madefortrade.co with your requirements

and following code: KS2020.

For more information and to keep up to date with all

Made for Trade products see their website:

www.madefortrade.co


ALUMINIUM ROOF

LANTERN

Struggling

with supply ?

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Trade quote today

and let’s get you

building...

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The best trade lantern

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Tel: 01642 610799

* Discount applies to new trade customers and first, single item

purchase only of the Korniche Roof Lantern.

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Industry News

NO CLASSROOMS, OR

EXAMS WITH FENSA

In what it describes as ‘a positive

response to the coronavirus pandemic

and the restrictions imposed to curb

the disease’, FENSA has re-launched its

FENSA Training Academy in partnership

with Total Support Training.

The scheme, which provides pathways to

NVQ qualifications from Level 1 through to

Level 7 in a variety of skills, in addition to a

number of short courses covering a variety

of glazing related subjects, is now available

fully online, with no requirement to attend

classes or examinations.

The training experts behind the scheme will

conduct remote assessments carried out by

evidence submission via email. Participants

are asked to respond to the task emails by

answering questions, taking pictures and

submitting documents in their own time as

well as phone assessments with assessors.

Tasks are designed to be completed in the

participant’s own time and may be carried

out at home and in the evening, minimising

the impact on work schedules.

Chris Beedel, FENSA director of membership,

said: “The FENSA Training Academy has

an excellent record of improving skills and

business prospects over many years, for

hundreds of window and door installers

throughout the UK. We have now revamped

and adapted the Academy to suit the

current business environment to ensure this

continues, providing further much needed

support for FENSA Approved Installers.”

Sharon Alderton, managing director of Total

Support Training, said: “With the recent

measures put in place by the government

due to Covid-19, the team have been working

hard to create new remote training for both

our NVQs and Short Courses to allow people to

keep training no matter the circumstances as

well as making them accessible for everyone.”

Further details at: fensa.totalsupport.org.uk

WORKLOAD RISES FOR 46% OF TRADERS

Nearly half of UK tradespeople (46%) say

their workload has increased since lockdown

loosened in June 2020, according to new

research by Direct Line.

Those reporting an uptake in business have seen

their workloads soar by an average of 29%, and

this has fuelled optimism that tradespeople will

emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever

before. Nearly six in ten (55%) say they’re feeling

positive about their business and trade prospects

and more than a quarter feel neutral (28%).

Builders have been by far the busiest tradespeople

since lockdown loosened, with nearly half (49%)

reporting an upsurge in work. They were followed

by plumbers (16%), electricians (13%) and

carpenters (10%).

Over half of tradespeople (52%) say that the uplift

in business has been due to people attempting


INDUSTRY-FIRST FOR FIRE SAFETY SECTOR

A fire door manufacturer, supported by

Made Smarter, has developed what it claims

is an industry-first solution to make safety

inspections faster and more accurate, in the

wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Contactless Check Solutions (CCS), based in

Maryport, Cumbria, has created a simple method

to ensure fire door compliance in line with UK

regulations. It involves using a pin containing a

unique identifier that is installed into a fire door

at manufacture or retrofitted.

The CCS fire inspection app installed on a

smartphone or tablet is used to scan the pin

and give the inspector access to the door’s

manufacturing and maintenance history in real

time. The app will then prompt the inspector to

complete a checklist with compulsory photos

which automatically update the record stored on

the cloud.

Building owners and managers will have quick

and easy access to see a complete overview of

all their fire door stock, site by site, floor by floor,

using a simple traffic light system, and the history

of each and every door.

The innovation makes it easier for owners

and managers to ensure compliance with UK

regulations by establishing a consistent system

for fire door inspection programmes, regardless of

the type of building.

With nothing similar currently on the market, CCS

is targeting manufacturers of the millions of new

fire doors which are produced every year in the

UK, as well as the managers of the hundreds of

millions of fire doors currently installed.

DIY jobs and repairs during the strictest lockdown

months and making a hash of it. This was worst in

London, where two thirds (66%) said they’d had to

fix dodgy DIY. Other reasons cited for the increase

were extra wear and tear due to people spending

more time at home and people having more time

to deal with home callouts because they’re in the

home more frequently.

Overall, tradespeople have been busiest in London,

where 54% reported an increase in their workload,

followed by Wales and the south.

To take advantage of the opportunities, nearly

three in ten tradespeople say they’re adjusting

their pricing to become more competitive, while a

quarter are investing in new tools and equipment

to help them work effectively. Nearly one in five

are bringing on more staff or an apprentice to help

them manage their increased workloads.


Luminia Select Partner

Award Winning Windows & Doors to the Trade

Luminia Select Partner

LEAD TIMES

FROM 15-DAYS

THE F82 LUMINIA ALUMINIUM

BI-FOLD FROM EMPLAS

• Standard colours including Anthracite; White; Black;

Anthracite on White; and Black on White in as little as 15-days

• U-Values of 1.4W/m²K (double-glazed) and 0.9W/m²K (triple)

• Contemporary hardware including patented flush ‘T’ handle

• Ultra-slim and symmetrical sightlines

• Fully tested to PAS24 and Part Q

• Clip-on cill option

Award Winning Windows & Doors to the Trade

t. 01933 674880 e. info@emplas.co.uk www.emplas.co.uk

The Business Pilot Barometer

'MONSTER' GROWTH ON THE WANE?

Is demand for windows and doors “dropping back to more sustainable levels”? the latest

Business Pilot Barometer suggests so...

The latest analysis of the key trends defining

window and door retail, provided by the

Business Pilot Barometer, has hinted

that demand may be “dropping back to more

sustainable levels” following the “exponential

growth”seen in June which has put pressure on the

whole supply chain.

In his headline analysis of the Business Pilot

Barometer Edition 8: June/July/August 2020, Neil

Cooper-Smith, senior analyst, Business Pilot,

said: “There is a hint – only a hint – that some of

the heat is coming out of the market and that end

user-demand, for the moment at least, may be

dropping back to more sustainable levels.

“We reported last month that new leads had

dropped by 17% on June. The caveat here was

that June was a ‘monster’ month, up 46% on May,

which also saw exponential growth in demand.

This translated into this month in an extension of

lead times from initial enquiry to conversion from

an average of 11 working days to 15.

“With it evident that the pressure isn’t only being

felt by installers but that the window and door

supply chain as a whole is ‘creaking’ under the

pressure of demand with shortages of glass;

some profile types; hardware and reinforcements,

a 23% drop in sales in August, may not be

entirely unwelcome.

“Leads also fell away on July, down 26%.

Combined this might be cause for concern – but

we don’t believe we’re there yet. Covid-19, has

rewritten the rulebook.

“First, if we compare figures for May and

August, sales and leads are pretty comparable,

with sales and lead generation in August still

coming in a few percentage points higher – so

no need to panic quite yet! There may also be

some specific factors to take into account. The

miscommunication around the Green Homes Grant

may have temporarily cooled the market a little

but we don’t believe it had a big impact on sales

in the longer term. In the same vein it appears

that its potential to exert a positive impact on

the window and door industry is also limited.

This we suggest means its impact will be neutral

overall, with any postponed sales likely to come

through this month as it becomes clear that very

few homeowners will qualify for funding for new

windows and doors. The far bigger influences are

unemployment, the end of the winding down of

the furlough scheme and the housing market.”

Summer boom

“While the window and door industry has seen

a boom throughout the summer, nationally GDP

to June fell by 20.4% – more than any other

country. With the furlough scheme coming to an

end, this has led to some fairly alarming forecasts,

including a warning from the Bank of England that

unemployment could hit 2.5m by Christmas. This

would suggest far tougher trading conditions for

window and door companies by the end of the

year – but then this is Covid-19 and as we have

highlighted, the ‘norms’ don’t apply.

At the same time as being in the second deepest

recession on record, the UK is seeing a housing

boom, with, according to new figures from

Nationwide this month [Sept], prices soaring at

their fastest pace for 16-years of two percent.

This it attributed to the release of latent demand

and the Stamp Duty holiday.

“With the fortunes of the window and door

industry traditionally going hand-in-hand

with those of the housing market, house price

inflation and high levels of activity would suggest

demand will continue into the New Year, despite

potentially lower levels of consumer confidence

in the main. Either way, window and door sales

figures suggest a release of some pressure from

the market going into the autumn.

“The final notable change to comment on is the

increase seen in average order values in August

compared to July. These increased from an average

of £3,554 to £3,864, a 9% uplift, which may indicate

a shift away from single purchases as seen over

the summer to wider replacement packages.

“This would be consistent with increased fragility

in consumer confidence as a whole and the

‘running-out’ of holiday refunds; and a shift to

more comprehensive projects linked to movement

in the property market.”

Contact Business Pilot:

0333 050 7506

www.businesspilot.co.uk

@BusinessPilotUK


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Contract The View Talk from Certass

ENSURING FINANCE ADDS UP EASILY

Jon Vanstone, Chair of Certass, discusses the key issues for installers around offering

finance, and explains the steps Certass has taken to ensure its membership has easy access

to the right finance options.

Having a finance option to offer to

homeowners looking for new windows

and doors can be an integral sales benefit

for local installers, often enabling them to

compete with larger national companies. This is

why Certass is ensuring that there is an easily

accessible solution for installers in our industry.

There is a buoyant market out there for home

improvements at present. With so many of us

having been stuck at home for months, you start

to notice what work needs doing around the house.

Some have found themselves working from home

for the first time, and for many it could become

permanent. This is driving the increased interest in

conservatories, extensions and garden buildings to

create that all-important home office space.

“Installers want the

choice of putting a

finance option onto

an invoice, without

having a mountain of

paperwork to fill in or

long wait”

This offers considerable opportunities for installers,

but prioritising the cost of a new conservatory or a

full house of windows and doors can be difficult,

and no matter how many holidays have been

missed in 2020, homeowners won’t always have

the cash to stump up front for a job. Add in new

trends such as higher value and ‘lifestyle’ products

such as wide-span doors, and that cash number

steadily increases.

Larger order values can be profitable for SMEs, but

increased order values often come with a greater

demand from homeowners for flexible payment

options. As we have come to understand, being able

to offer finance to your customers can

prove difficult to achieve currently

in our sector with some very high

sign-up rates in excess of £500.

Red tape and extra admin are

often the barriers, and for some

finance products, companies have

to be authorised by the FCA as a credit

broker – a process that can easily take up to

four months.

We know from talking with our membership

that there is an appetite for easy finance

options. Installers want the choice of putting a

finance option onto an invoice, without having a

mountain of paperwork to fill in, or a long wait for

authorisation.

Get in the know on finance

The scope of home improvement finance

is generally between £500 and £50,000. It

covers supply only and supply plus installation

transactions. A loan obtained through a home

improvement retailer is known as Point of Sale

(POS) finance or Retail Finance. Customers never

actually receive the money from these loans. They

are paid directly to the retailer within a few days of

satisfactory delivery or installation of the job.

To offer this finance, SMEs with a revenue of less

than £3 million will need to go through a broker.

If installers want to offer 0% finance, repaid in 12

instalments or fewer, the company does not need to

be authorised by the FCA.

If installers want to deliver finance differently, the

easiest way to do it is to become an ‘introducer’ of

the broker. This means that you don’t actively sell

or provide the finance to the customer, and don’t

need to be authorised by the FCA. Simply use the

broker’s IT system where they will advertise and

present finance options to consumers.

Contact Certass:

01292 502 398

www.certass.co.uk

@CertassLtd

This method helps installers to

offer finance without the admin

and hassle of becoming an

authorised credit broker.

If you’re considering ‘introducer’

options, always ask for a demo of

the broker’s IT system and customer

journey before signing up and be aware of any

large upfront or monthly management fees.

“An ability to ensure

affordability for

consumers without

considerable cost and

red tape for an installer

will ensure continued

revenues”

This is why Certass is partnering with the leading

home improvement finance providers and

authorised credit brokers to help our membership

get easy and fast access to finance for their

customers. It follows our philosophy of helping the

installer and not gaining from them commercially.

The finance industry is starting to offer some

very attractive solutions to our industry and when

combined with the need to renovate homes due to

change in lifestyle requirements, an ability to ensure

affordability for consumers without considerable

cost and red tape for an installer will ensure

continued revenues throughout the year.


What you get when you self-certify

installations with Certass

Competent Persons Scheme

LOG IN

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01292 292 095

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Window Ratings & Labelling

NOW LET'S TACKLE NOISE!

Having brought energy ratings to windows and doors, Total Installer talks to the British

Fenestration Rating Council’s Lis Clarke about the organisation’s new noise reduction

labelling system and how she believes it can help installers win more work.

Despite the impact coronavirus has wreaked

on the world, one of the positives cited is how

peaceful everything had become. Now, with

life returning to some sort of normality – especially

roads and railways – for many, having tasted near

silence, noise pollution has been exacerbated.

However, noise pollution has long been an issue

and one that Lis Clarke and her team at the British

Fenenstration Rating Council (BFRC) have decided to

tackle: “Noise pollution increases stress levels which

can have a serious impact on our health,” says Lis.

“Most of us have anecdotes about incidences of

excessive noise, perhaps on holiday for example. But

many people have to live with it. That’s why it’s

so important when making home improvements

that acoustic performance requirements are

considered for the whole building.

“However, few homeowners have any real idea

about where to start and we recognised the need

for a simplified rating system by which window

and door manufacturers and installers can

measure and demonstrate the noise reduction

performance of their products, and by which

homeowners may compare products for their

properties,” added Lis. “After some consideration

and research, we decided to develop the scheme

and through the BFRC brand to incorporate noise

in addition to energy.”

Quality of life

“Especially in the current climate, people are

looking for new ways in which they can improve

the quality of their life and especially as they

spend more time working at home. There is a

clear need for a simple, understandable rating

system by which the effectiveness of windows

and doors at reducing noise may be understood.”

Where windows and doors are specified with

an emphasis on their noise reduction properties

it is important to be able to understand their

effectiveness, says Lis: “Having a verified rating

gives consumers confidence and allows the

“BFRC ratings

allow installers to

substantiate claims

and win more work”

Lis Clarke, BFRC

installer to effectively promote high performing

products. Verification is so important when there

are many unsubstantiated claims being made

to homeowners. BFRC ratings allow installers

to substantiate claims and win more work. The

noise reduction rainbow label indicates windows

and doors have been verified independently by

BFRC and shows the consumer how the product

will perform.

“BFRC determines the rating band by verifying the

technical evidence provided by the manufacturer,”

continues Lis. “BFRC accepts an approved

acoustic test report produced in accordance with

BS EN 10140 or tabulated values from EN 14351-

1. Installers do not need to provide BFRC with any

technical information as this will have already been

obtained from the manufacturer. They can receive

a rating from A++ to E. The only difference for

doors is an approved acoustic test report must

be provided for us to verify the performance and

provide a rating. There are no tabulated values in

EN 14351-1 for doors.”

Lis says the scheme is aimed at residential and

commercial installations: “Window and door

manufacturers may provide proof and clarity

around the quality of their products, whilst both

homeowners and specifiers can use the labels as

proof of performance.”

She does urge caution, however: “It is important

to recognise that replacing or upgrading the

windows and doors may not provide a single

solution to noise entering the building. Noise

reducing windows and doors are often requested

by consumers and specifiers who are looking

to combat external noise intrusion and we are

encouraging our customers to advise what

other measures may be required to meet their

expectations in addition to our scheme.”

Useful sales tool

For retail installers the BFRC noise reduction

rating scheme is a useful sales tool, designed

to provide a simple method of assessing the

acoustic performance of competing windows

and doors. It allows comparison and selection of

products based on independent assessment of

acoustic performance.

“Installers receive their own BFRC noise reduction

labels that they can use in their marketing

materials and provide to the consumer in the

form of a certificate,” advises Lis. “Rainbow

rating labels are easy to understand and are

familiar to both consumer and industry. This gives

installers and homeowners the evidence they

need to make the right choice for each home’s

window and door performance requirements.

Installers can also use the BFRC branding and

labels on their website to advertise they are a

BFRC Approved Installer,” she concludes.

Contact BFRC:

020 7403 9200

www.bfrc.org/noise-reduction

@BFRC_Ltd


Keeping

with tradition

The REHAU Heritage vertical slider is designed

to incorporate all the desirable traditional

features of a timber sash window, with the

additional benefits and conveniences of modern

PVCu and offers an ‘A’ window energy rating.

With a stepped frame, three sashes, a deep

bottom rail and the choice of georgian bars

and sash horns, the REHAU Heritage window

really is the modern tradition.

Windows. Reinvented for modern life.

www.rehau.uk/windows

In Gear: Racing Focus

SPARKS WILL FLY...

Made For Trade’s motorcycle rider, Thomas Fielding, reports on how he and colleague

Chris Wann fared on a recent outing to Oulton Park as part of the No Limits Racing

Championship – from testing to podium and the trials and tribulations in between...

Our second weekend in the No Limits

paddock came just two weeks after the

first round. The venue, Oulton Park,

is a daunting place with many sections that

really favour the brave, and as such it can be

dangerous. A compacted schedule due to noise

restrictions meant there were only three short test

sessions on the Friday morning before qualifying,

with two races for each class on the Saturday.

The test sessions went well, and I went into

qualifying with high expectations. On new tyres I

was fighting through the pack trying to get some

clear track in our short 10-minute qualifying.

On my third flying lap, I was coming out of the

Shell Oils hairpin when the back tyre lit up and

stepped out sideways in a big way. When it

regained traction, I was flung from the bike like

a rag doll.

“The back tyre lit up and

stepped out sideways

in a big way. When it

regained traction, I was

flung from the bike like

a rag doll”

The force catapulted me skywards at a great rate

of knots before I came crashing back down on

my head and shoulders, followed swiftly by my

back and then the rest of my body, leaving me

severely winded and struggling to get back to my

feet. My aerial antics meant the session had to

be stopped to recover me and my bike from the

circuit. I shrugged off the injuries as best I could

and started to repair the bike. By some kind of

miracle, I had still managed to qualify 4th despite

doing my laps in traffic.

Lighting up the circuit: Tom held off

the competition at Oulton Park for

his first ever podium (below right)

Race 1

A good start off the line on Saturday morning

and I was up to second place, dropping back

down to 4th on the second lap. At this point I

decided to follow the two guys in front and hope

they would trip each other up. With three laps to

go, this did not look likely, so I made a pass for

3rd place into the first corner and managed to

make it stick. Closing down onto a second-place

battle with two laps left to go, I had a look at

taking second, however decided I would struggle

to make a clean pass and opted to cross the line

with my first ever podium! I felt like I had won a

world championship! It had escaped me at the

first round but now I knew I could do it.

Race 2

I made some changes to the bike before Race

2 to try and give me some more ‘edge grip’ as

I was spinning the back tyre a lot in Race 1.

Unfortunately, this left me with a bike with too

much rear grip and I could not steer properly. I

made a reasonable start but quickly discovered

the bike was more difficult to ride than it was

previously. Ultimately, I ended up crashing out of

a 5th place finish.

Chris’s view from further back on the grid:

Chris says: “Testing and qualifying went well

and I was improving on my times in nearly every

session. Oulton is a fantastic track with some

‘ballsy’ sections, and as a relatively amateur

racer, trying to tame a bike kicking out around

190bhp and constantly wanting to be on its back

wheel is a very rewarding experience.


“Moving on to the main event – it always seems

to be my class which creates the dramas, and

Race 1 was no exception, I was on P23 when we

lined up on the grid. Lights out and off we go. I

got into the first corner to a sea of red flags but

no visible accidents. This unfortunately meant

that an accident has occurred on the grid which

is the most dangerous point of any bike race.

“When you take your ACU licence they drill it

into you that you must wave your arms about

wildly if you happen to stall during the race start

to alert the hard accelerating riders that you are

a stationary obstacle, a fact which didn’t stick

with the poor chap on P3. We came back into the

pits to a scene of carnage. Bikes, people flashing

lights… Not a good start (no pun intended).

“Race 1 was now a shorter affair where I

managed a solid 19th (14th in class) and

thankfully Race 2 went by without any further

dramas and following another decent battle with

a newer R1 I managed to dispatch with him

coming into Old Hall bend finishing in 21st (16th

in class).”

Croft Battle of Britain memorial

Following Oulton, I made the 30-mile journey to

Croft on 4th September to take part in a mixed bag

race, where 600cc and 1000cc machinery would

compete on the same grid. The grid was packed

with 38 bikes at the start of the weekend and I

managed to qualify 11th, 2nd in class (600cc). In

Above and right: Chris in action at

Oulton, courtesy of Amanda Campion

@Mandysportpics

the races I managed to perfect

my race start and finished 12th

(3rd in class), 11th (2nd in

class), 7th (3rd in class) and

7th (2nd in class). In a mixture

of all conditions including my

first ever wet race, the podium

cheque book was definitely now open.

As always, I would like to thank my sponsors

Hyde Die Casting and Made For Trade for

making it possible for me to venture into circuit

racing, I am loving the challenge despite the

up and down nature of the sport. Make sure to

follow my racing page on Facebook

@tommyfielding556 for more frequent updates.

Above, Tom overtakes in the wet at Croft and left, battling for

1st place in class

Final Race: 10-11 October Donington GP

No Limits Racing is the UK’s only National

Endurance Championship which also features

a variety of hugely competitive sprint races.

Contact Made For Trade:

01642 610799

www.madefortrade.co

@MadeForTrade1


SEPT/OCT 2020 TI 21

FIT SHOW 2021: Installer Focus

A GREAT FIT FOR INSTALLERS

FIT Show organisers have announced a number of exciting new features are being

developed behind the scenes which will directly benefit installers. With this in mind,

Nickie West, FIT Show director, outlines what’s in store for those installers visiting the FIT

Show 21 event, which takes place at the NEC Birmingham, from May 25th-27th 2021...

We have already secured record levels

of support from exhibitors across the

summer months and I truly believe

that FIT Show visitors will be blown away by the

combination of innovation, new products and new

brands when they walk through the doors next

May.

We’re always looking at new and exciting ways to

connect with our installer audience. We know that

it can be hard to justify taking time off the tools

to visit a trade show, especially if the weather is

good and there is a backlog of jobs to complete!

But it is our responsibility as event organisers to

communicate the real, tangible value to installers

looking for new products, business solutions and

opportunities to increase profitability.

Outdoor living focus

Mirroring the wider industry uplift in home

improvement enquiries, I am very pleased to

report that we too have seen an uplift in exhibitor

interest. In particular, we have seen new interest

from brands offering outdoor living products such

as decking, fencing, garden rooms, home offices

and complementary outdoor products such as

guttering and fascias.

Homeowners have been forced to spend a lot of

unexpected time at home in 2020, and this has

translated into an increase in demand for outdoor

living solutions. As a result of this, we will be

creating a new outdoor living feature within the

show. We believe that this new addition will help

installers to pivot their offering, broadening their

Above: Nickie West, FIT Show event director: “We have seen new interest from brands offering outdoor living products”

“We will be offering

more content designed

specifically to help

installers do better

business and be more

profitable”

portfolios and increasing profitability.

We will be offering more content designed

specifically to help installers do better business

and be more profitable. The new outdoor living

focus is just one of a number of exciting show

focuses that we will be launching.

Addressing key industry topics

There are some crucial industry announcements,

including legislative and training changes, that

are due to be introduced in the run up to FIT Show

“We will be creating a new outdoor living feature

within the show – this new addition will help

installers to pivot their offering, broadening their

portfolios and increasing profitability”

next May. We will be ensuring that all of the key

industry themes and topics are addressed at

FIT. It’s our responsibility to cut out the fluff and

confusion, and to serve as THE industry platform

and bring the right people together to offer clarity

and opportunity for our installer audience.

Most exciting FIT Show to date

With no dedicated industry event since 2019, we

are extremely excited to see what new product

development has been happening behind the

scenes, what new brands have launched and to

see how this translates into what I believe will be

one of the most exciting FIT Show’s to date.

Above all else, FIT Show 21 will be all the

installers’ first opportunity to see all of the latest

products and innovations, all under one roof.

The time and effort that they will save and the

opportunities they can explore by investing ONE

day to visit FIT Show will be immeasurable and

unrivalled. Can any installer afford not to be part

of FIT?

Contact FIT Show 2021

0207 886 3100

fitshow.co.uk

@fitshow / #FITSHOWFAMILY


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Systems

COMMUNICATING SYSTEM QUALITY

Although it may be tempting to compromise quality to win new work in the current challenging

climate, Mark Gajda, head of Technical Services at Rehau Windows, argues that emphasising

quality across the entire window system is a better business strategy for installers.

Why should I look beyond highperformance

profiles when recommending

PVC-U window systems?

PVC-U technology has rapidly progressed since

it was introduced to the UK market. As such,

customers now expect eye-catching, high-quality

and robust profiles with wall thicknesses that

improve screw retention. For example, Rehau’s

Total70 range has actually kept a 3mm wall

thickness for more than 58 years. However, if the

consumer expects quality profiles as standard, it is

important to ensure other parts of the system are

of a similar level if installers are to stand out in a

crowded market.

Does steel reinforcement matter?

In a word, yes, and we have been underlining the

importance of steel reinforcement and the risks of

installing sub-standard PVC-U windows and doors

for a long time. Consequently, installers should

emphasise the importance of selecting high-quality

steel reinforcement to the consumer, in order to

raise overall standards

across the market. Those

who do not could find

themselves open to H&S

issues and hefty fines if

they use non-approved

options, which may result

in performance and

callback issues. Selecting

approved steels tested

to appropriate industry

standards means such concerns, as well as the

expense and reputational damage they can lead to,

are avoided.

What specific accreditations should installers

look for when it comes to windows?

Evidence of extensive testing is vital when

“We have been

underlining the

importance of steel

reinforcement and

the risks of installing

sub-standard PVC-U

windows and doors

for a long time”

selecting a supplier

and for educating the

consumer. As standard,

installers should look for

systems that have been

independently tested at a

government-recognised

United Kingdom

Accreditation Service

(UKAS) test centre. When

researching window

profiles, for example, installers should look for

numerous standards as a benchmark. This

includes an A-grade from Window Energy Ratings,

and the highest requirements of BS EN 12608

and BS 7412 for the standard of a manufactured

window.

Continued on page 26

Installers should look for systems that

have been independently tested at a

government-recognised UKAS test centre


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Article Systems

Continued from page 24

Rehau’s Skyforce Juliette balcony can be

customised to suit the homeowner’s style

requirements while still complying with

Building Regulations

Additionally, it should be classified to high level of

weather conditions according to BS 6375-1 Table

1 for wind resistance, air permeability and weather

performance, and hold PAS 24 (Enhanced Security

Performance) accreditation. This is important, as

it enables straightforward compliance to Approved

Document Q (ADQ), and the Secure by Design

(SBD) police initiative.

What about smart home technology?

Smart home technology, integrated into windows,

will play a key role in improving homeowner qualityof-life.

Many innovations are already out there for

the installer to discuss with their customer, and

further innovations around window identification

and installation are just over the horizon. For

example, smart technology can already be applied

to window profiles to improve sun protection,

reduce heat transfer through shading and selfregulate

internal climate via ventilation. Privacy

can be better maintained via non-transparency,

and intelligent sensors can be used to enhance

security. There’s definitely more to come, and

customers need to be kept informed.

How important is personalisation?

Consumers are savvy and often have a clear idea

of what they want from their window system,

especially at the premium end of the market.

We’ve seen individuality evolve as a trend, as

these customers wish to get beyond identical

styles and put their own stamp on the product.

Their choice of colour, finish and ancillaries are

key to this. At Rehau, we work with a number of

suppliers including hardware partners to meet

these needs, offering ranges of complementary

Intelligent sensors can

enhance security

products, including handles that balance quality

and individuality. For example, Rehau’s Skyforce

Juliette balcony can be customised to suit style

while complying with Building Regulations for

protection from falling, collision and impact.

Emphasising that personalisation needn’t come

at the cost of performance is a key way to reach

customers, and emphasise the importance of highquality

solutions.

What else should installers look for from

their suppliers?

Innovation never stands still, and the pursuit of

quality never stops. It can be tempting to fall back

on familiar methods of window design, but this can

lead to diminishing returns. Customers respond to

innovation and expertise, so drawing attention to

how a system was developed can pay dividends.

Global companies such as Rehau, for example,

develop its PVC-U materials in collaboration

with its teams in high-performance industries,

such as the automotive and aerospace sectors.

Insights from these teams, working with the most

recognisable brands around the world, help further

innovative window products so they can become

safer, more convenient and ever more sustainable.

In conclusion, it is no longer enough to emphasise

the importance of a high-performance window

profile. Consumers expect more, and hopefully this

Q&A has offered insight into how installers can

demonstrate why quality matters across the entire

window system.

Contact Rehau:

01989 762600

www.rehau.uk/windows

@REHAUWindows


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Sales Tools

TECHNOLOGY WILL SAVE US

Chris Brunsdon, CEO of TommyTrinder.com, looks at how technology is

helping installers make the most of the post lockdown boom.

If the past year has taught us anything, it’s how

quickly people can adapt to new situations.

When lockdown began, we all had to become

experts on video calls, online shopping, mobile

group chats and more, just to stay in touch with

family and friends, get supplies in, and look after

neighbours. Your average installer – and I was

one – may not be known for being particularly

tech-savvy, but during that time, many of those on

the front line embraced video conferencing, screen

sharing, and social media to keep their businesses

going. As lockdown eased, some assumed this

trend would decline, with retailers going back to

socially distanced face-to-face selling. In fact the

opposite has happened.

Window companies are embracing technology

to make the most of the post-lockdown boom,

working their way through a long backlog of leads.

But a long list of enquiries is only as good as your

ability to convert them into orders. And that comes

down to turning around quotes quickly, but with the

detail and professionalism needed to win orders.

That can be harder than it sounds.

Quoting used to be so simple. Years ago, most

installers just sold one type of window. Now,

it’s so much more complicated. You walk into a

house and you can do a composite door, some

flush casements on the front, cheaper ones on

the back plus a bi-fold, maybe even secondary

glazing too. The benefits of selling several

systems and products are clear: you can serve

more customers, you’re able to differentiate

yourself from the competition, you have

more opportunities to upsell. But more choice

means more suppliers to deal with – and more

brochures, samples, software systems, pricing

books and pricing requests. You may have to

channel everything through a spreadsheet and put

everything in a Word document for the homeowner

to make it look good. It doesn’t happen quickly.

Who doesn’t hate homework?

Inputting information in different systems or

emails two, three or more times, and redrawing

again and again means the whole process of

quoting is often fraught with error, especially if

you’re working late into the night to get things

done. And that’s often when most quotes are

“If you can use an

Etch-a-Sketch, you can

use this system”

Liam Best, Kalico Home Improvements

done – the admin and paperwork required after

a day’s worth of appointments is enough to sink

any salesman’s heart.

Sometimes I’d live in fear of my mobile phone

because I knew when it rang there was a problem.

These always seems to come late into the process

too – you have installers on site, and you know

it’s going to cost you to put it right.

Personally, I wanted to get back to the

excitement of the selling ‘moment’ and not get

bogged down with the homework of doing a

quote afterwards.

There is a better way

This is where technology really comes into its

own – and what we designed our Framepoint

sales and quoting app for. Our users are telling

us it’s literally taking them half the time to do the

quotes. We’ve got one user who says it saves him

30 hours a month!

“My salesmen weren’t the best at paperwork,

whereas now they cannot fail,” comments Andy

Farrington, managing director of Bradley Scott

Windows, which started using Framepoint just

before lockdown. “It’s saved me a fortune on man

hours and admin costs.”

But any tech is only as clever as the person who

uses it. If it’s not easy enough for anyone to use,

it won’t get used. Many of us aren’t ‘techies’ at

Framepoint – we wanted something that looked

amazing that we could use in front of a customer

without fumbling or searching around for the

right button. Liam Best, MD of Kalico Home

Improvements, says it well; “The best way of

describing it is if you can use an Etch-a-Sketch,

you can use this system.”

Being more efficient and effective isn’t just about

working harder or quicker, it’s about working

smarter. And in the new normal, that’s just what

many installers are doing: using tech to reduce

admin and errors, boost conversion rates and

protect margins.

Contact Tommy Trinder:

0117 3637370

www.tommytrinder.com

@sellmorewindows

28 T I SEPT/OCT 2020


Window Updates

For further info on all these window updates and more, visit www.total-installer.co.uk

FURTHER INSPIRATION WITH NEW MY RESIDENCE

The ‘eagerly anticipated’ second issue of My Residence magazine from The Residence Collection is

currently available as a download or in print on recycled paper.

My Residence continues to be inspired by some of the biggest brands in the home improvement sector and

also embraces content from social media channels including Instagram and Pinterest. The 36-page publication

features case studies with inspiring photography; the journey from enquiry through to installation and the unique

design and performance credentials of The Residence Collection of windows and doors.

Sarah Hitchings, sales and marketing director of The Residence Collection said: “It’s more important than ever

before for brands to be highly visible and to have points of differentiation and this latest publication helps convey

this perfectly. Across The Residence Collection, we’ve seen a surge of enquiries from consumers and considerably

increased activity from both manufacturing and installation partners.” www.residencecollectiontrade.co.uk

ELITE 70 WINDOWS SPECIFIED FOR HOUSING SCHEME

Spectus Window Systems’ Elite 70 windows have been specified and installed in the development of

47 affordable homes built into the fabric of Edinburgh’s historic Edmonstone walled garden.

The development project has 16 cottage flats and 31 houses made up of one, two and three-bedroom

properties. The design respects the existing wall and has seen the historic structure become an integral part

of the fabric of the new homes.

As a complete product system, Spectus’ Elite 70 had all the credentials required, not least because it could

deliver the reversible, tilt and turn and casement windows the project required and maintain a streamlined,

seamless appearance throughout. The 483 windows were manufactured in anthracite grey on white, to create

an aluminium-like appearance on the exterior with an understated neutral interior. www.spectus.co.uk

EXLABESA ACCEPTED INTO PRESTIGIOUS GROUP

Systems company exlabesa have been accepted into the prestigious Made in Britain group of

UK-based manufacturers.

The fast-growing community was established to celebrate and raise awareness of quality British

manufacturing businesses.

To be eligible, companies have to agree to the organisation’s stringent code of conduct, which

commits firms to providing quality products, treating employees well, and generally conducting

themselves as ethically as possible.

As a member of the network, exlabesa is now entitled to display the Made in Britain mark on its

website, brochures and other sales material. www.exlabesa.co.uk

NEW DISPATCH CENTRE READY ON SCHEDULE

Quickslide’s Brighouse-based production facility has recently benefited from the fabricator’s ongoing

series of investments, this time with the completion of improvements to its dispatch centre.

Over the past 18 months, Quickslide has committed to fulfilling its £2m programme of growth, with

the most recent phase being work on the new dispatch centre, which was completed in July despite the

challenges of lockdown.

The improved dispatch centre has been designed so that Quickslide has one dedicated facility that all

finished goods from its multiple factories filter in to. This means handling of goods is kept to a minimum,

delivery vehicles can be loaded more quickly and safely, ultimately enabling Quickslide to service its

customers faster and more effectively. www.quickslide.co.uk



Established 1985

Steel Look

Heritage Range

“

Slimmest Aluminium

Frame On The Market

“

Frame Depth of Just

33 mm

Easy Installation - No Cutting Back

10 Year Guarantee

PAS 24 Security Tested

Double Glazed - Krypton Filled

Contact us for prices and marketing assistance

01268 681612 | sales@duration.co.uk | www.duration.co.uk

Window Updates

For further info on all these window updates and more, visit www.total-installer.co.uk

BBA CERTIFICATION FOR ISO CHEMIE'S WINFRAMER

Iso Chemie’s Winframer thermal insulating and load bearing bracket support system for the rapid

installation of windows, has gained British Board of Agrement (BBA) certification.

The news, which follows ISO-Bloco One self-adhesive weather tight tape for window frames also achieving BBA

product approval, confirms the thermally efficient, airtight Winframer system can accommodate at least 200kg/m

and provide an air-tight cavity support. Winframer, which is Passivhaus certified and fire rated to up to 30 minutes,

is a prefabricated installation frame, manufactured to accommodate cavities up to 250mm. This allows windows to

be supported independently from the face of the wall regardless of any external cladding being in place.

The composite Winframer brackets can bear heavy windows loads, including bi-fold doors, to provide a reliable,

strong and high-performance support frame. Installation is quick with windows attached directly and secured

mechanically using either standard fixing screws or fixing lugs in the usual manner. www.iso-chemie.co.uk

DRIVING FORCE: INVESTMENT IN DELIVERY FLEET

Specialist PVC-U sash window manufacturer, Victorian Sliders, has invested more than half a

million pounds in dramatically expanding its delivery fleet.

The firm has acquired 12 new Mercedes Sprinter vans and two 38-tonne Mercedes lorries to transport

its popular ECOSlide windows from its Ammanford HQ to depots all around the UK.

Group managing director, Andy Jones, said: “We’ve spent in excess of £12m on state-of-the-art

machinery in just the past five years, which has resulted in one of the most advanced and impressive

manufacturing facilities UK fenestration has to offer.

“Now, our newly expanded fleet of delivery vehicles will allow us to bring outstanding sash windows to

thousands of installers around the country.” www.victoriansliders.co.uk

NEW VEHICLE LIVERY MAKES A 'STRONG STATEMENT'

Window Widgets has added new dual-branded vehicle livery, including graphics for The Residence

Collection, to one of its trucks as it prepares to roll-out the new design across its delivery fleet.

With both brands highly visible, the new vehicle livery has been designed to make a ‘strong statement’,

with the work carried out by local company Motus Commercials. Window Widgets and The Residence

Collection have also ordered an additional vehicle for delivery later in the year.

Sarah Hitchings, sales and marketing director of The Residence Collection and Window Widgets, said:

“We’re hugely proud of our marketing... Vehicle livery is also part of that, as people still notice the brand

on the highways and motorways of the UK, so look out for the new livery on a road near you soon!”

www.residencecollectiontrade.co.uk

KINGFISHER SEES IMPRESSIVE SALES OF STELLAR

Kingfisher Windows added Stellar, the double-award winning aluminium window and door

system from Epwin Window Systems, to its portfolio in June. Since then, the company reports a

phenomenal uptake of the new system in the trade, retail and commercial sectors.

Deborah Beeley, sales and marketing manager, said: “Our installer customers tell us they like fitting

Stellar because it’s quick and easy to install thanks to its pre-gasketed, knock in beads. Coupled with the

fact that consumers like the slimline, flush aesthetics of the windows and doors, it’s fast becoming the

go-to aluminium and door system.”

Kingfisher Installer, Darren Capitano from Abbey Windows in Leeds, said: “I love fitting Stellar – it’s a

pre-gasketed system that uses knock-in beads, so it’s really easy to fit.” www.stellaraluminium.co.uk



Foam Sealants

FILLING THE GAP POST COVID-19

As the UK eases out of lockdown, Andy Swift, sales & operations manager -

UK & ROI at ISO Chemie, considers how foam sealants can help installers and

home improvement specialists secure the perfect finish for doors and windows.

It’s likely that homeowners, who have been

thinking about their properties during the

current crisis, will take the opportunity to invest

in them, which will include moves to improve

exterior appearances, as lockdown measures

continue to ease in the coming months.

This will carve out increased opportunity for foam

tapes as alternatives to silicone sealants for the

effective sealing of joints around the windows

and doors, where widths can vary in size and

installers can never be certain what they will face

when they arrive on site.

While there have been advances in glass and

window frame technology in recent years, too

many applications – and customers – are being

let down by poor installations. Indeed, in light of

product innovation, it’s perhaps ‘criminal’ that

a lamentable number of installations remain

unchecked or unregulated; leaving behind a legacy

of problems that could last for years and cost

thousands of pounds to rectify in the long-run.

Fastest exit

Heat will always find the fastest exit as it comes

up against the ‘A’ or ‘A+’ rated window and this

is invariably the 10mm or so expansion gap left

around the window when it was originally fitted.

This is normally left empty, but some uncontrolled

volume of spray foam can be injected to fill the

void before a silicone trim is applied for a smart

looking finish.

Unfortunately, as expedient as this might be,

none of these solutions create a measurable,

long-term, high-performance thermal, acoustic

or airtight barrier: The U-value of the installed

window is simply reduced, which leads to heat

escape and ultimately, financial loss.

If building regulations remain lenient, we will

continue to see window and door developments

that only just meet minimum standards. But

“The latest generation

of foam sealing tapes

offer superb thermal

insulation and acoustic

sound reduction”

installers deserve better insulating products to

improve energy efficiency and save money for

their end-users, and the latest generation of

high-performance foam sealing tapes, which

use ‘smart’ foams impregnated with different

substances to create a measurable U-value as

low as 0.6w/m 2 k, offer superb thermal insulation

and acoustic sound reduction by 44dB.

As these installation tapes are completely

weather resistant against driving rain, even to

Violent Storm Force 11 wind speeds, installers

can quickly apply them around the frame during

initial fitting. This provides the assurance that

they have completed a comprehensive ‘A’ rated

installation rather than just supplying an ‘A’ rated

window. This is a benefit that can be sold on to

deliver enhanced energy efficiency advantages for

customers and property owners.

Improving energy efficiency

There’s no question companies in the fenestration

sector can still do more to improve overall energy

efficiency and sealing tapes are one effective way

that this can be achieved.

These multi-purpose tapes enable installers and

home improvement specialists to quickly and

easily seal windows from inside the building

during construction, avoiding the need for

expensive access systems and delivering cost

savings that can be passed on to consumers

along with high quality installations

Moreover, because the foam sealant can be used

in the wet, window installations can be undertaken

regardless of external weather conditions, avoiding

time consuming and costly delays.

While it’s clear that the coming months will be

challenging, window and door installers can

look ahead with much optimism. Markets will

inevitably return, creating strong competition for

business. Armed with good quality products such

as sealant tapes, installers will be able to add

value, protect margins and assure customers

that energy efficiency is at least as good as the

window, safeguarding both customers and the

industry’s reputation.

Contact ISO Chemie:

01207 566 867

www.iso-chemie.co.uk

@IsoChemie


We do things

differently

At Kestrel our approach to aluminium door and window

manufacture is a little different. Not only do we stock

an unrivalled range of sections in a wide variety of lengths,

we also supply standard, half and quarter lengths too. This

means the most economical option is invariably available

for your project.

Minimal waste and high sustainability in profiles of the

highest standard from a company with a 30 year pedigree.

For more information please call

0121 333 3575 or email

info@kestrelaluminium.co.uk

WINDOWS DOORS ROOFING SHOPFRONT CURTAIN WALL

BIRMINGHAM’S BEST KEPT SECRET

www.kestrelaluminium.co.uk

Tel: 0121 333 3575

Aluminium

FIVE TRENDS THAT PAY DIVIDENDS

aïr brand ambassador, Jay Patel, explores the latest aluminium trends and outlines the

opportunities that he feels aïr offers to installation companies.

After what can only be

described as a very

unpredictable year, the

industry is back with a boom,

and many installer customers

are reporting record figures as

homeowners are desperate

to upgrade their homes, after

spending months stuck inside.

This is offering plenty of

opportunities for installers to

work on some really sensational

home improvement projects.

From large kitchen extensions to

garden offices and window replacements, to new

front doors, lockdown has reminded homeowners

what work they could do on their homes.

Some of the key home improvement trends

that we predicted as far back as 2016 at the

Everglade Trade Customer Conference are

now coming into their own, and aïr Accredited

Retailers are really making the most of them.

Trending #1 – Steel-look window styling

The heritage steel look is one of the strongest trends

of 2020, from modern homes looking for that chic

industrial style, to the replacement of steel window

frames. Teamed with the right interiors, heritage

style windows and doors can transport you to a

Friends-style New York loft or a 1930s Art-Deco

Gatsby hotel. aïr MOD Heritage & MOD Heritage

Flush offer slimline aluminium windows with steellook

styling and impressive performance.

Trending #2 – Flush aluminium windows

The introduction of flush PVC-U windows

completely changed the market and has created

high demand for an aluminium alternative. As one

of the first fabricators to launch flush aluminium

windows to the industry, we already know how

“The heritage steel look

is one of the strongest

trends of 2020”

popular this trend is with homeowners. The flush

finish really lends itself to the slimline, modern

aesthetics of aluminium windows like MOD

Flush, perfect for impressive new self-builds or to

modernise semi-detached homes in the suburbs.

Trending #3 – Love your garden

As our access to the outdoors has been limited

in 2020, there has never been more love for our

outside spaces. With the limitations of lockdown,

our gardens have become our social areas, our

own personal bars, parks and restaurants. So, the

trend for merging inside and outside spaces is set

to stick around. Kitchen and living extensions with

wide-span glazing are perfect for enjoying your

garden, and a cocktail or two, come rain or shine.

Trending #4 – Space, space, space

As well as spending time outside enjoying our

gardens, they’re also being used to create new

spaces for home working, as many white-collar

companies have announced that they will

continue work from home

practices. Garden buildings

are a popular choice, as a

relatively low-cost way to

create a workspace away from

the noise and distraction of

the house. Wide-span doors

like aïr 500LS & 600LS lift

& slide and aïr 800 bi-folds

let in lots of natural light, so

they are perfect for fitting on

a home office or studio, and

stop a garden room feeling like

a shed!

Trending #5 – Keep the outdoors out

Whilst we all love the idea of opening up our lift

and slide or bi-fold doors all summer long, the

reality is definitely different from the dream. Enter

aïr Screens. These have been a really popular

retrofit product with homeowners who have had

bi-fold or sliding doors for a few years, and can’t

cope with another summer of bugs at home. The

small and discreet system doesn’t distract from

the beauty of wide-span aluminium doors, but

it does keep flies at bay on the warmest days,

whilst letting the summer breeze in.

aïr Accredited Retailers

At aïr, we see things differently. Our products are

installed by like-minded companies who offer

impeccable service to customers looking for an

extra level of luxury from their aluminium glazing

choices. If you’re looking for new opportunities

for your business, ask us about becoming an

Accredited Retailer.

Contact aïr c/o Everglade Windows:

020 8998 8775

www.evergladetrade.co.uk

@EvergladeWindow


VISIONARY

WINDOWS

& DOORS

• Slim 120mm glass-to-glass sightline

• Fully adjustable for easy installation

• Up to 1.2m x 3m per panel

• Can achieve PAS 24 / secured by design

• Fully openable corners

Watford 01923 803923 | London 020 8889 6821


Bi-fold Doors

LET THERE BE LIGHT (AND SPACE)

Nick Cowley, managing director at window and door manufacturer Euramax, runs through

the top considerations when installing bi-fold doors to maximise light and space in a home.

The average size of a new-build home

increased from 2,479ft 2 in 2007, to 2,584ft 2

in 2019. New places might be gradually

growing, but the common design objectives of

most homeowners are to create the impression

of additional light and even more space. Instead

of looking for a bigger home, opting for bi-folding

doors could bring these aspirations to life.

Bi-folding doors are an increasingly popular

design choice in UK homes. Homeowners have

been able to install planning permission-free

single story rear extensions since 2019, cutting

the red tape for those who desire a larger living

space. However, building more room isn’t

feasible for every homeowner. Instead, the

large, concertina panels of bi-fold doors are a

favourable choice for those that want to create

the illusion of more space.

A room with a view

Having ample natural light often gives the

impression of more space. It also boasts a variety

of health benefits, such as boosting vitamin D

production and, according to research, improving

morale while promoting feelings of calmness.

An unhindered view of an outdoor space is a

great way to harness the benefits of natural light,

while creating a wider entrance point gives the

impression of a larger room. For homeowners that

want to admire the view of their garden, there are

a couple of options to consider.

Sliding doors made of a few larger panels of glass

require less frames, so are less likely to obstruct

the view of the garden. Those opting for sliding

doors should choose ones made from two large

panels, with one sliding over the other, to give

two wide apertures.

However, bi-fold doors can offer a wider entrance

space than sliding doors and are also better

space savers for those with smaller rooms. Due

to their folding mechanism, bi-folds do not have

the arc-of-opening that traditional French doors

possess, so space is enhanced both in the room

itself and as a wider access point.

In the frame

Comprising a large number of glass panels,

bi-folding doors require sturdy frames. When

choosing the frame material, the property’s

aesthetic, as well as potential upkeep should be

considered by the homeowner.

A period property may suit a hardwood such as

timber. However, these frames will need regular

re-staining to maintain their appearance. Wood

also risks twisting and warping in the heat, so

you should select either an engineered wood or a

different material altogether.

PVC-U is the best choice for those on a budget,

and requires far less maintenance. Standard

white PVC-U frames may easily match existing

windows to create a consistent look. However,

frames are also available in a range of modern

colour options, such as on-trend grey, so they can

easily match any home’s aesthetic.

Thermal performance

Large glass panes can be a chillier replacement

for solid wall. To maximise energy efficiency

and keep heating bills down, good thermal

performance is crucial.

Energy-conscious buyers should look for bi-folds

with the lowest rated U-value, which indicates

the heat lost in watts per square metre. To

comply with Building Regulations, bi-fold doors

must be 1.8W/(m 2 k) for replacements, or 2.0W/

(m 2 k) in new-builds and extensions.

Euramax products have a U-value of 1.4 W/(m 2 k),

making them a superb option for those wanting to

keep their brighter, lighter space warm during winter.

Whether a homeowner is looking to let more light

in or save on space, maximising these elements

can transform an area, and bi-folds are a great

way to achieve multiple design ambitions in one

fell swoop.

Contact Euramax:

0330 1340290

www.euramaxuk.com

@EuramaxDirect


Half Page L/scape Glass Times Ad.qxp_Layout 1 17/06/2019 13:57 Page 1

Inox

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Telephone 0161 946 1164

Email sales@regalead.co.uk

www.regalead.co.uk

LOAD,

SEAL,

REPEAT

It’s as simple as that.

Load a high quality silicone sausage into the

re-useable cartridge and apply using a standard

sealant gun.

Reload has a low environmental impact and cuts

down on waste, time and costs.

Visit www.bond-it.co.uk for details

Unit G16, River Bank Way, Lowfields Business Park, Elland, West Yorkshire HX5 9DN

Tel: +44(0)1422 315300, Fax: +44(0)1422 315310, Email: sales@bond-it.co.uk


SEPT/OCT 2020 TI 39

Door Updates

HURST OFFERS SMART AS STANDARD WITH AVANTIS

Door manufacturer, Hurst Doors, has teamed up with Avantis, producer of state-of-the-art locks, to

offer the Avantis Kubu Equipped 750 Series composite multipoint door lock as standard.

Designed and developed specifically for composite doors, not only does the lock offer the largest

hooks and bolts in the market, the Kubu equipped door lock is set for smart technology, offering security

conscious homeowners the ability to check whether their door is locked or unlocked at anytime from

anywhere via their Smartphone.

Hurst composite doors will now be produced with Avantis Kubu Equipped door locks as standard, meaning

its trade partners and their customers can access a whole host of innovative features and benefits.

Hurst says it is the largest dedicated composite door manufacturer to standardise its doors to be compatible

with smart technology, a move which, the company reports, has been well received by its customers.

Hayley Barker, marketing manager at Hurst Doors, explained: “Increasingly,

homeowners are looking to smart technology to enhance the security of their

home and to enjoy the peace of mind it brings. Our new Avantis Kubu Equipped

lock responds to that demand and means that our trade partners can offer their

customers an innovative, future-proof product that they can trust.”

According to Hurst, fitting Kubu Equipped doors into homes doesn’t require any

additional installation time for installers. Once the door has been fitted, installers

MEETING DEMAND FOR GRANDER ENTRANCES

Aluminium installers can get extra large single and French doors from aïr to meet the latest

contemporary home design trends.

The aïr 800 bi-fold door system can be used to create single entrance doors up to 1,200mm x

3,000mm and French doors for openings up to 2,400mm x 3,000mm. In many cases, it removes the

need for additional sidelights and toplights, for minimalist design that perfectly suites with aïr bi-fold

and lift & slide doors, and the aïr MOD Series window range. aïr brand ambassador, Jay Patel, said: “By

understanding the trends that are driving homeowners’ buying decisions, we can deliver the next big products

ahead of time for installation companies. There are more and more large extensions being built on the back of

homes, to create sought-after open-plan living.” www.evergladetrade.co.uk

Hurst is offering the Avantis Kubu Equipped smart door

lock as standard. Left: The Kubu app, which can be

downloaded from Google Play and App Store

can simply guide homeowners to the Kubu website (www.kubu-home.com) to directly purchase their Kubu Kit containing the products

needed to upgrade and fully activate their Kubu smart lock, although homeowners don’t have to activate their door if they don’t want to.”

Hayley added: “Our key focus is improving the support we offer to Hurst trade partners and a crucial part of that is the continued

delivery of a product range that provides homeowners with the solution they are looking for in terms of quality, security and aesthetics.

Our partnership with Kubu is another example of our commitment to investing in our trade customers to support their sales and to

ensure that we are always looking for new and innovative ways to enhance our product offer.” www.hurstdoors.co.uk

PRICE FREEZE ON COMPOSITES ALL YEAR

Endurance Doors revealed in July that there will be no price rises for the remainder of 2020, so that its installer partners

can effectively cost its composite doors, without the ‘additional worry and threat’ of a price increase.

Given the unprecedented circumstances that the industry faces with Covid-19, Endurance says installer partners need to be fully

reliant on their supply channels for consistent pricing, communication and support.

Stephen Nadin, managing director at Endurance, said: “Communication is critical at present for the industry, as is a clear

and coherent pricing strategy and so we’ve taken the decision to freeze our prices for the remainder of the year. Now is the time for

installation companies to look at their respective supply chains and ensure they have the perfect partner for the long-term.

“With record levels of enquiries from prospective customers and strong organic growth from existing, it’s clear that

people are viewing us as the solid and secure composite door brand of choice.” endurancedoors.co.uk



For further info on all these updates and more, visit www.total-installer.co.uk

UNLEASH YOUR DIGITAL POTENTIAL WITH ENDURANCE

Endurance Doors has published a 24-page brochure for its installer partners that details a wide range

of online marketing packages in conjunction with ICAAL, its digital marketing partner.

These marketing packages have been carefully put together to allow installers to ‘excel online’ and

‘harness many of the tools that make Endurance Doors the standout composite door brand, in the eyes

of the consumer’. These include a bespoke quoting engine, door designer and CRM system, along with a

forward-thinking chat bot, virtual appointment booking page and the facility to have the latest customer

reviews updated directly to a website. There’s also access to a new trade hub, which includes marketing

assets with videos, images and downloads. Scott Foster, head of Group sales and marketing, said: “These

digital marketing packages have been designed so that our installer partners can once again excel in their

respective areas and the new brochure perfectly presents the various packages.” endurancedoors.co.uk

FIRE DOOR AWARENESS CRITICAL, SAYS MANAGER

Raising awareness of the critical role of fire doors and drawing attention to issues such as poor installation

and maintenance is vital: That’s the view of Howard Trotter, business manager of Birmingham-based window

and door manufacturer Shelforce.

Speaking ahead of Fire Door Safety Week (September 21-27), Howard said: “The last few years have brought a

much-needed wake-up call on fire safety, not just for the fenestration industry, but for the construction industry

and society more generally. And rightly so – as they can be the difference between life and death. Fire doors are

not ordinary doors; they are a carefully engineered fire safety device and are critical to the fire safety of a building.

Product manufacture, quality, installation, and maintenance are all life critical. After all, everyone plays their part in

ensuring a fire door performs as it should.” www.shelforce.com

TWO-WEEK LEAD TIMES ON EVERYTHING ALUMINIUM

Aluminium fabricator, AluFoldDirect, says it has returned to its speedy two-week lead times, with

Everything Aluminium delivered direct to site.

Managing director, Russell Yates, said: “Since joining AluFoldDirect after lockdown and talking with

customers, it’s clear that fast lead times on aluminium windows and doors are still one of the biggest

benefits to them. Fast delivery, direct to site makes it easier for them to get on and get the job done, so

they can fit in more projects and make more profit out of installing aluminium.”

The Everything Aluminium range from AluFoldDirect includes aluminium bi-fold doors, sliding doors

and windows, as well as roof lanterns, flat rooflights and the new RD3 aluminium entrance door range.

alufolddirect.co.uk

SLIM SIGHTLINES, STUNNING VIEWS

An aluminium sliding door is the latest addition to systems house exlabesa’s growing range.

Xlaslide has been designed to tap into soaring demand for luxury home improvement products that

blur the lines between home and garden.

It’s easy to manufacture and install, and feedback has already been extremely positive from both

fabricators and end-users. Delivering slim sightlines, the twin or triple-tracked Xlaslide door can support

panes up to 200kg in weight, and offers a perfectly smooth action thanks to its heavy-duty adjustable

rollers. Its extremely slim 32mm interlock section delivers unobstructed views, and its traditional

beading allows for on-site glazing, which makes replacing broken units quicker, and overall ‘generally

makes installers’ lives easier’, according to exlabesa. www.exlabesa.co.uk


SEPT/OCT 2020 T I 41

Door & Window System

Door & Window Systems Trade Only Supplier

Contact us us now to to find out how we

Call:

Call:

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0116

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Supply Chain

THE SERVICE OF SUPPLY

Ian Sims, MD of Double R Glass & Roofing Systems, talks to Total Installer about the

increasing importance of a strong supply chain for installers in 2020 and onwards.

In recent months our

expectations surrounding

service have had to be

managed. Consumers and

companies alike have had to

accept that forces beyond our control have meant

longer lead times than we’re used to. It’s a tough

pill to swallow for a country so embedded in a

culture of service. Already accounting for 81%

of the British economy, the services sector was

showing strong signs of growth in January and

is one of the areas that is seemingly bouncing

back quickly post lockdown, with reports of its

strongest growth for five years in July.

We accepted there was a blip while the country

shut down, but very quickly our expectations are

rising again – we want our goods and we want

“How can installers continue to deliver

excellent service when the supply chain

is still working hard to catch up?”

them now. But how can installers continue to

deliver excellent service when the supply chain is

still working hard to catch up?

More choice on demand

Window and conservatory installers have

felt these ever-increasing demands keenly.

Homeowners asking for more choice, better

products, and faster delivery is nothing new

and as an industry we have been meeting and

even exceeding these new challenges. We have

seen fresh and innovative product development

and continuous improvement in manufacturing

efficiencies. However, since the

country was locked-down, the

supply chain is taking time to get

back up and running. Different

manufacturers are coming back at

different rates and some are still operating with

reduced capacity as staff remain furloughed. So,

does this mean we all have an excuse to operate

with poor service? It certainly should not.

The most important thing when there is any kind

of challenge in the supply chain is remaining

focussed on excellence from top to bottom. That

means lines of communication remain open. Good

service is not just about getting products out to

market quickly, it’s about getting products out to

market in the right way. It is especially important

Continued on page 46


Supply Chain

Continued from page 44

at times like these to work with suppliers that you

know will be honest with you. Not with suppliers

that are happy to promise you the world and then

not deliver it. If you know where you stand, you

can manage your customer expectations. If you

don’t, as far as the homeowner is concerned, it’s

you that’s letting them down. As always, it’s your

reputation that’s on the line.

“If you know where

you stand, you can

manage your customer

expectations. If

you don’t, as far as

the homeowner is

concerned, it’s you that’s

letting them down”

We’re not all the same

We have been hearing from an increasing number

of companies that have been let down by their

suppliers. During the strictest weeks of lockdown,

they weren’t supportive with regards to cashflow,

and now, as sales are fast increasing for many,

there is a lack of support and communication

about realistic stock levels and timelines.

It always surprises me that companies can still

operate this way in a society so focussed on

service, and that people will still buy from them.

“We know that for our customers

to deliver excellent service levels

to their customers, they need

excellent service from their

suppliers” says Ian Sims

It is difficult though to know whether the next set

of promises from a new supplier will ring true.

Unfortunately, it is one of those things you won’t

know until you take a leap of faith. It is worth

keeping an open mind though because we are not

all the same.

Work together

At Double R, we probably take the meaning of

putting the customer first a bit too far. We fix

problems first and ask questions later, but we

completely empathise with our customers and

want to make their lives easier. Things can

change quickly on site for a variety of reasons, so

whether an installer encounters a problem on site

or needs an order sooner than anticipated, we will

always do our best to react fast.

Equally as important, we have all the necessary

systems in place to ensure we are proactive

too. For example, we are currently e-mailing

our customers with updates every two weeks

as standard, and certainly as soon as there

are any issues with deliveries, glass shortages,

supply chain problems etc. That doesn’t mean

we’re having more issues than anyone else, it

just means we’re being honest and making sure

our customers know what to expect so they can

adjust their work schedules as necessary. We

know that for our installer customers to deliver

excellent service levels to their homeowner

customers, they need excellent service from their

suppliers. We want to align ourselves with the

service economy we operate in, but can all other

manufacturers say the same?

Contact Double R:

01933 443658

www.glassandroofs.com

@Double_R_Glass


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RAISING THE STANDARDS IN LIGHTWEIGHT ROOFING

Solid Roof Systems

RAISING THE ROOF WITH INNOVATION

Sean Bunyan, head of commercial operations at Eurocell, outlines the latest updates to the

Equinox roof system...

When and why was the Equinox solid

conservatory roof originally launched?

The system was launched in 2013 as the

customer demand began to change preference

towards tiled roofs as legislation was relaxed.

Eurocell recently announced updates to

the Equinox roof – what are they?

• Eaves, Ridge and Hip Ventilation as a standard

• Stronger 18mm OSB roof deck

• High Performance Styrene Installation

• 60mm insulation internal instead of 50mm for

a better U-value

• Separated plasterboard from the insulation to

maintain a better vapour barrier.

What prompted Eurocell to make these

changes to the Equinox system?

To improve long-term performance for customers

and prevent any potential condensation.

How do the updates to Equinox

benefit installers?

• Slateskin Joints expand viable roof designs

• Envirotile addition gives consumers greater

choice to aid sales

• Reduced risk of future service calls

• More cost effective.

What technical support is available

to installers?

• First-fit install with one of our engineers to

assist the installer on site (subject to timescale).

• Assisted surveys to help the installer measure

the roof so they can gain confidence with

surveying.

• Over the phone advice though our technical

line to help the installer overcome any

installation issues or problems they may have

on site.

What can the Equinox system offer installers

that other solid roof systems can’t?

Equinox is a fully ventilated system

Has the recent coronavirus pandemic and

lockdown had an impact on sales of the

Equinox solid roof?

Yes, we have seen a massive influx in sales, due

to customer spending less money on holidays and

more on home improvements across the board

not just on our roofing products.

Are there any Eurocell products which

are often sold alongside the Equinox solid

roof, that compliment it particularly well?

Yes, we supply a vast range of products alongside

our Equinox system, such as bi-fold doors, patio

doors, sliding patio doors, full height windows,

windows, support mullions etc. A lot of the time

the customer will order a full kit from our branch

alongside the roof, windows, doors, rake frames

etc. as a complete kit.

What are today’s consumers looking for

when it comes to glazed extensions?

They are looking for more light and to open up the

conservatory to the garden. They are looking for

something that is cool in summer, warm in winter.

We’ve seen conservatory roof

trends change over the years, from

polycarbonate, to glass, lanterns and

solid roofing options. What do you think

the future holds?

At present, we are seeing a trend for the system

glass and solid roof combined, which is offered

by a product we have recently launched called

Vega. This features a large glass section in place

of a roof window to provide the light of a standard

conservatory with the added thermal efficiency of

a solid roof.

Contact Eurocell:

01773 837490

www.eurocell.co.uk

@eurocellplc


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FINALIST

Glazed Ext. Updates

NEW WORKSHOP

LAUNCHES ONLINE

Following the success of its GQA-approved

Rooflight Familiarisation Workshop, launched

earlier this year, Howells Patent Glazing has

introduced a new basic version, online.

Divided into three sections, the online workshop

examines elements of the complete practical

workshop and contains assembly and installation

information for the company’s slimline doublepitched

rooflight – from flatpack to handover ready.

The e-learning experience is open to all but will

most likely appeal to glaziers, rooflight installers

and sales representatives, or those seeking an

introduction to the fenestration industry.

Offering insight into the construction of

aluminium rooflights and designed to improve

technical and practical understanding, the online

workshop comprises three videos and a short

online assessment via email link.

Successful participants will be able to explain

the assembly process and limitations of a Howells

flatpack rooflight; follow instructions using

the installation guide; describe how to handle

materials onsite and understand the benefits of

using the Howells Patent Glazing system.

Alongside the online version, Howells continues

to offer the UK’s first GQA approved Rooflight

Familiarisation Workshop from its premises in

Cradley Heath, Birmingham. The six-hour workshop

is provided by GQA accredited trainers ASPIRE and

sessions are held in accordance with the current

government guidelines on coronavirus.

A new workshop for the company’s popular lowpitch,

non-intrusive aluminium rooflight Ultraline is

also due to launch this autumn. The workshop will

include the standard Ultraline rooflight alongside

the vented, steel rafter and glass rafter options.

For further information, call 01384 820 060 or

visit: www.aspirerooflights.co.uk/training

For further info on all these updates and more, visit www.total-installer.co.uk

UPGRADE PROMO

Roof window manufacturer, Velux, has introduced a new

promotion which is set to make it easier for installers to

promote the benefits of Velux Integra to their customers.

Running until the end of the year, homeowners purchasing

Velux Integra electric and solar powered roof windows can

receive a free Velux Active with Netatmo kit worth £220. This

complimentary upgrade will make it easier for installers to

showcase the impact Integra windows will have on their

clients’ projects.

The Velux Integra system of roof windows, blinds and

shutters can be controlled with one touch of a pre-paired

wall switch, with rain sensors automatically closing roof

windows at the first sign of a downpour.

Velux Active with Netatmo is said to take the Integra

range ‘to the next level’, offering total indoor climate control. Smart

sensors continuously monitor temperature, humidity and CO2 levels in customers’ homes and adjust

their roof windows to create a healthier indoor climate.

Windows can even be controlled when customers are on the go, thanks to the Velux Active app, which

is compatible with voice-controlled virtual assistants such as Apple’s Siri and Google Assistant.

The Active kit can be delivered to the property where the windows were installed and comes ready to

fit and with full instructions included. This means that once it arrives, home owners can install the kit

themselves, saving installers time ahead of their next client project. velux.co.uk/activeupgrade

ROOFLIGHT DEMAND STILL HIGH

Toughened glass specialist, TuffX, has reported a recent surge in orders for its flat and walk-on

rooflight products, revealing that lockdown has had no negative impact on customer demand for

its contemporary high-end products.

Since Tuffx launched its rooflights range – now branded Infinity – at the end of 2018, there has been

a steady and on-going increase in demand for both its flat and walk-on versions. This upward trend has

continued throughout 2020 despite the challenges and disruptions the year has brought.

TuffX’s Infinity rooflights are designed to increase the flow of natural light into the home and offer an

effective, modern alternative to roof lanterns when forming part of an orangery or full rear extension,

or for basement conversions and roof terraces. TuffX reports that the range has proved increasingly

popular with homeowners as well as builders and installers, thanks to its sleek, contemporary yet lowmaintenance

aluminium finish, along with a hassle-free ‘drop and bolt’ installation that requires no

additional assembly on site. ww.tuffxglass.co.uk



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Article Energy Efficiency

WHY WE ALL BENEFIT FROM RETROFIT

Russell Smith, founder of RetrofitWorks, tells Total Installer’s Sophie Stevens why upgrading

the UK’s poorly-performing housing stock is vital in keeping global warming at bay – and

how installers are key when it comes to spreading the word.

have to be a complete hermit not

to realise that climate change is here,”

“You’d

says RetrofitWork’s Russell Smith, as

we discuss the events of the past 12-months

alone. From the devastating Australian bush fires,

to record-breaking heatwaves here in Britain, the

daily effects of climate change are increasingly

evident and the UK’s energy-guzzling, fossil-fuelburning

housing stock will continue to play a key role

in this catastrophe, unless swift action is taken.

While coronavirus continues to wreak havoc

throughout our society, Russell warns that the

challenges it brings will pale into insignificance

when compared to the environmental emergency

that lies ahead. “I can assure you that Covid is

nothing compared to the climate change impacts

that are coming around the corner,” he says.

The UK has committed to bringing all greenhouse

gas emissions to net zero by 2050 but if the

nation’s existing homes are not improved, through

retrofit, to make them more environmentally

friendly, we will never reach the climate goals

required to keep the earth’s temperature below

the tipping point to avoid ecological disaster.

“We’ve got to decarbonise our society in the next

20 years – absolute maximum..,” says Russell.

“We have got to completely change the way we

live in order for this to work and that is a difficult

thing for everyone to swallow.

“If you look at the carbon dioxide emissions

that contribute to climate change, the biggest

proportion is emanating from buildings and

around 35% is houses… so it’s absolutely

critical that we come up with a compelling model

[to remedy this].”

While measures to reduce household energy

consumption, in the form of heating or cooling

RetrofitWorks’ Russell Smith

“We have got to

completely change the

way we live and that

is a difficult thing for

everyone to swallow”

for example, are one obvious solution, Russell

explains that every home needs to reduce its

need for energy in the first place. This requires a

whole-house approach where the building fabric

– including the fenestration and the elimination of

issues such as draughts – is critical. “Windows

and doors are up there, they have a big impact,”

he says.

Russell is founder and managing director of

environmental consultancy, Parity Projects

and the not-for-profit, ethical co-operative and

TrustMark scheme, RetrofitWorks. The latter

came about when a group of contractors, keen

to help improve the energy efficiency of the UK’s

housing stock but frustrated by the way they

felt the Green Deal had been designed to give

large companies control, were in Russell’s words

“looking for a better commercial model”.

Under RetrofitWorks, a ‘retrofit coordinator’ will

issue a prioritised and phased whole-house plan,

incorporating all the things that need to happen to

that house to reduce energy bills and get carbon

emissions down to zero. This “jig-saw” approach

is designed to ensure that works carried out at

the outset do not block further improvements that

may be required later down the line.

“We’ve ended up with a model that local

authorities, community energy groups etc, are

working with to provide a mechanism in their area

to get householders to do more [to decarbonise

their homes],” says Russell. “I’m doing all

this because of climate change. I’m doing this

because we need to renovate 27 million buildings

in the next 10 years.”

With housing playing such a vital part in the

fight against climate change, Russell is keen

to emphasise the “major role” of installers

and contractors in spreading the word on the

numerous benefits of retrofitting.

“They might think ‘well it’s not by job, mate’,”

he says, “but actually, they’re the ones, on the

whole, that homeowners are listening to.

“Rightly or wrongly, consumers trust contractors

to give them advice. If I had the money, I’d

be renovating the house of every contractor

in the country, showing them how to do it and

the benefits… and I can assure you they’d be

absolutely convinced, from day one, that they

should be doing this for everybody they are

working for… If I had a couple of billion, I’d

[renovate the homes of] all the people going

through college, all the 56 year-old plumbers…

because they are the messengers.”

While lack of trust has been a barrier to home

improvements in the past, RetrofitWorks sets out


to do “all the due diligence”, providing peace of

mind for both installers and their customers.

“Everyone talks about how householders don’t

really trust the construction industry but actually

the construction industry often gets scammed by

householders and there’s a trust problem going

that way too; there are cowboy clients out there,”

says Russell.

27 million UK homes will need

upgrading to achieve the legally

binding net zero target

But it’s not just a lack of trust that has been

a barrier to improving our existing housing

stock. According to Russell, there are three

main issues: “One, is householders don’t even

know [retrofitting to decarbonise their homes]

is ‘a thing’,” says Russell. “What we have been

lacking is a national programme that shows

there’s a huge amount you can do for very little.”

“If I had the money,

I’d be renovating

the house of every

contractor in the

country.... because they

are the messengers”

Secondly, says Russell, it’s about values. “At

this moment in time, people are not valuing this

stuff… they are not thinking – ‘ethically, I really

ought to be doing that…’ or, ‘why aren’t I futureproofing

my house?’. As soon as it’s normal, they

will value it.”

The third issue is money and as Russell points

out, this is also linked to values. “People are

prepared to spend 15-20 thousand pounds on

kitchens” he says, “but they’re not prepared to

[spend money on putting] a bit of insulation in.”

While Russell points out that the government

has clear policies surrounding the new-build

market, with established supply chains to get the

work done in line with targets and regulations to

reduce the environmental impact of our housing

stock, dealing with individual householders

can be “messy” in comparison. This lack of a

“joined-up” approach to retrofitting is where

RetrofitWorks can help. “Designing whole-house

retrofits is hard and we want to take that tricky

bit away from the industry, or work with them to

do that part for them...” says Russell.

With normalising the concept of retrofitting key to

increasing its value among consumers, Russell

believes the same goes for installers and the

retrofit industry at large – and the solution lies in

“retraining the entire retrofit sector”.

However, it’s not about skills – but knowledge:

“It’s the knowledge to know that you are doing

things right,” he says.

“It’s about trying to create a safe space for

companies to do the innovation and to change –

and we might even have to start paying people

to be in the classroom to learn… or we have to

train them on the job… perhaps with mentorcontractors…

there is so much work to do… We

don’t need to worry about competition anymore!”

Calling for a substantial national retrofit

programme, Russell is concerned that “if we

don’t get that strong signal now, we’re not going

to achieve our goals.”

Referring to the government’s latest retrofit home

improvement scheme, launched in part to kickstart

the economy following the Covid-19 lockdown

and set to run for just six months, Russell said:

“The immediate impetus is this Green Homes

Grant and I do worry it’s been designed for a very

few companies that have ticked some boxes.

I worry that the quality of the work is going to

be a problem. I hope not – if you want come to

RetrofitWorks, we will avoid all of that entirely, but

[at the time of writing], I’m still not sure whether

we are going to be a part of it…”

It is clear that when it comes to transforming

the UK’s poorly performing buildings, there is no

quick fix and Russell is keen to get the message

into the mainstream.

Key to building momentum for the cause is the

participation of smaller installers, dotted around

the country. “They’re authentic, they’re local,

they’re not going to want to damage their good

reputation,” says Russell, “so if we can allow

them to be part of this, I think that’s what’s going

to get this market moving.”

• RetrofitWorks currently operates in London,

Oxford, Sussex, soon to be moving out to

Cambridge and Manchester with further

expansion planned.

Contact RetrofitWorks:

0330 123 1334

retrofitworks.co.uk/

@RetrofitWorks


SEPT/OCT 2020 TI 53

Article Integral Blinds

SOLAR CONTROL: THE SMART OPTION

Eco-friendly, solar powered integral blinds from Morley Glass & Glazing have been given

a stylish makeover and an energy efficiency boost. Total Installer

explores the installation process, features and benefits...

Renamed the ‘W Smart’ system, the former

ScreenLine W Swipe system is a range

of venetian, pleated or black-out blinds

encapsulated within a 20, 22, 27, 29 or 32-mm

cavity, equipped with a 3.6V internal motor,

and powered by a lithium-ion battery housed in

a restyled battery module. The battery can be

either recharged via a micro-USB connector or by

means of an external solar panel, both available

as options. The blind can also be controlled by a

99-channel remote control, associated with the

radio receiver that is integrated in the battery

module as standard.

Installation

As with all sealed units with integral blinds inside,

the W Smart system is easy to install and does

not require the skills of an electrician. Fit the

window or bi-fold door in the usual way, with the

blinds already inside the sealed unit. Attach the

base plate to the glass – you can do this using

the gasket supplied. Make sure you fix the base

plate in a position that gives the battery module

sufficient room to sit flush against the glass and

does not overlap the frame.

The motor is connected through

insulated crimp wire

connectors. It is possible

to use other types of

connection (eg. screw

block terminals, insulated

crimps, insulated heat

shrinkable wire connectors,

etc.), provided they ensure

a stable contact and wire

insulation. Strip 7mm of one wire and

connect it to the battery module.

Recharging the battery

The module is delivered with the battery partially

charged. It is therefore necessary to put it through

at least one complete charge cycle. When supplied

with a solar panel (optional): during the

normal operating cycle, the solar panel

helps keep the battery module charged.

In certain cases, eg. solar panel

positioned on the north side of the

building or in a shady area, intense

use, or very low temperatures, it

may nonetheless be necessary to

recharge the battery also by means

of the charger, if provided.

If the battery needs recharging, the

arrows will flash red following an up or

down command. Recharging is automatically

controlled by the battery module.

To recharge the battery:

1. Detach the battery module from the base plate.

2. Plug the battery charger into a power socket.

3. Plug the micro-USB connector into the port

provided on the module.

When the charger is connected, the LED will

indicate the following conditions:

• LED pulsating: charging underway

• LED steadily lit charging completed

After charging, detach the cable

and fit the module back onto its

base plate.

The innovation brought by

the new battery module is

not only about style, which

was developed by professional

designers in Italy, but also about

the functionality of the device, which

has been improved by the introduction of two

LED arrows that intuitively show the commands

given to the blind through the module or the need

for recharging. The slim size of the device (18 mm

deep) allows it to be placed on sliding windows, in

vertical or horizontal positions.

Moreover, for the first time in the field of integrated

blind systems, the new W Smart system allows the

information about each blind to be stored directly

on the battery module attached on the glass or the

window frame, thus avoiding the need to associate

a specific control device with a specific window.

The battery module is available in a choice of four

colours: silver, white, anthracite grey, and black.

The W Smart system is ideal for residential and

commercial environments and can be used in all

types of windows, including retrofitting into existing

ones. The system can be fitted quickly and easily

and is a halfway option between a manual system

and a hard-wired motorized system.

Contact Morley Glass & Glazing:

0113 277 8722

www.morleyglass.co.uk

@MorleyGlassGlaz


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Cedral Click brings a low-maintenance modernity

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Easy to install

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Factory applied colour

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Article Balustrades

GO BESPOKE AND GAIN THE EDGE

F.H. Brundle is one of the UK’s largest suppliers of handrail and balustrade systems. Below,

Paul Smith, Group marketing manager, explains how the long-standing family firm is

helping customers capitalise on the popularity of bespoke products created from parts.

In everything from furniture to fashion, beauty to

home improvement, ‘bespoke’ has become one

of the biggest buzzwords around.

Whatever the product, end-users are more

demanding than ever. Many are turning away from

‘off-the-shelf’ to seek products that offer something

more unique – and our sector is no exception.

Not all that long ago, the situation was very

different. Glass and glazing was dominated by

standard PVC-U casement windows, for example.

But over the last 20 years, an explosion of stylish,

high-end home improvement products, available

in a vast array of colours and configurations, has

totally changed all of that.

Unique and versatile

Fuelled by the huge popularity of aspirational Grand

Designs-style TV shows, there’s been soaring

demand for more unique, versatile and visually

appealing products that homeowners can tailor to

the exact look and feel of their properties.

Offering something completely bespoke – products

that are genuinely one-of-a-kind – is obviously an

extremely tall order.

But products that homeowners can extensively

customise to fit with their particular home

improvement vision are the next best thing.

Even offering that might sound like a huge amount

of effort, but it doesn’t have to be complex,

expensive and time-consuming.

Liveconfigurator - bespoke made easy

The first product to really benefit from the highend

home improvement boom of the 2000s and

2010s was the bi-fold. Then it was arguably the

sliding door – and we’re not alone in thinking that

balustrades are the next in line.

At F.H. Brundle, for example, we’ve watched

interest in glass balustrade and handrail products

soar in recent years.

Homeowners love glass balustrades because

they’re stylish, they’re functional and can make

a real statement – and because they come with

huge opportunities for customisation. It’s to help

installers capitalise on their growing popularity that

we created our Liveconfigurator.

Liveconfigurator is a user-friendly online platform

that lets you quickly and easily design a balustrade

to your (and your customer’s) specifications.

Within minutes of completing your design, we send

you a full set of free CAD drawings and a detailed

quotation. Saving you hours of drawing time and

ensuring you avoid costly mistakes, it makes

designing bespoke balustrades a breeze.

You can choose everything from the post centres,

stand-off adaptors and spigots to the glass, and an

extensive array of other parts in different styles.

The system automatically configures the design

to the dimensions you input, and supports layouts

that will suit the most common applications.

Then, once you’re finished, it presents you

with detailed and accurate technical drawings

completely free of charge. It will also produce you a

quote in minutes.

All in all, it’s an incredibly powerful tool for

helping you capitalise on both booming interest in

balustrades, and the ever-growing popularity of

more bespoke products.

You can see the liveconfigurator in action at:

www.liveconfigurator.co.uk

Contact F.H. Brundle:

01708 398048

www.fhbrundle.co.uk

@fh_brundle


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Article Cladding

WHAT'S ON THE OUTSIDE COUNTS

Nick Cowley, managing director at exterior cladding and outdoor living product supplier

Endurawood, explains how cladding can take building design to new levels.

Cladding has been popular in the construction

industry for decades. It does not support

the structure of a building, but instead acts

as a second skin to the exterior. The National BIM

Library (NBS) categorises cladding into categories

such as H10 for patent glazing, H21 for timber

weatherboarding and H51 for natural stone slab

features. While cladding offers a range of practical

benefits, its design potential is often overlooked.

All a façade

Apart from adding style and colour to a

building’s design, cladding can also be used as

an architectural enhancement. Building design

is important and, particularly for high-rise

structures, it can be difficult to distinguish one

building from the next. Cladding has the ability

to transform a building that is usually overlooked

into an eye-catching display.

While cladding is traditionally applied to the entire

exterior of the building, it can be used to decorate

and accentuate specific areas. Decorative façades

can emphasise the face of the building and add

character to the overall design. A façade refers

to a part of the building with more elaborate

architecture, which usually stands out from the

building in an imposing or overhanging position.

A façade is a simple addition that can

dramatically improve the appearance of a

building, drawing attention to the front of the

building and helping it to stand out from the

rest. For example, The Center for Wellbeing in

Edinburgh, Scotland used timber cladding to

create a 3D façade of the organisation’s name,

Thistle. The façade creates an exterior that

provides a friendly welcome, just like the staff on

the inside.

Low maintenance

Unlike other common exterior finishes such as

pebbledash or paint, which can become tarnished

from weather conditions, cladding is built to

last. As one of the main purposes for installing

cladding is to provide a weatherproof barrier for

the building, cladding must be durable and able

to withstand harsh weather conditions.

While some cladding materials are naturally more

durable than others, they still require additional

treatments to help increase their durability. These

treatments can vary depending on the material.

For example, vinyl or PVC-U cladding requires a

washdown every few years, and timber cladding

demands an intense chemical pressure treatment

to help extend its durability. Although these

maintenance methods are generally infrequent,

they can be costly.

Refurb over replace

Typically, some building refurbishments require

a substantial amount of work when undergoing

upgrades. However, minor refurbishments to the

exterior can be resolved with cladding. Using

cladding to refurb is a quick way to improve the

appearance of a building. If the exterior of a building

has become tarnished from corrosion or damaged

from harsh weather, cladding can be applied

quickly to restore the appearance of the building.

Cladding is versatile enough to be applied by a

homeowner or installer for larger projects, and is

usually applied with ease using screws that are

fixed to support battens attached to the wall. There

are still some installation requirements to bear in

mind, and there must be a cavity in between the

cladding and the building to allow rain to run down,

as well as a weatherproof coating to protect the

walls from water.

While architects must always consider the

structural performance of building materials,

design remains an important consideration.

Alongside its weatherproofing and insulation

benefits, cladding can help take building design

to new levels.

Contact Endurawood:

0330 1340290

www.endurawood.co.uk

www.linkedin.com/company/endurawood


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Home Improvement Updates

AUTUMN REWARDS-BOOST FROM VELUX

Installers, builders and homeowners across the UK and Ireland can now benefit from a rewards boost from August

until 31 October 2020, thanks to Velux.

The roof window manufacturer introduced Velux Rewards in 2015, with the scheme providing customers with an

opportunity to earn rewards each time they buy Velux products, with different promotions running throughout the year.

However, throughout August, September and October this year, purchasers will qualify for £50 rewards on all Velux white

painted top-hung roof windows and £30 rewards on all other Velux white painted roof windows. Customers can claim their

Velux rewards at a number of top-brand partners, including Argos, Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, Adidas and Tesco.

Richard McArthur, marketing manager from Velux, said: “After what has been a difficult few months for installers, builders,

self-builders and homeowners alike, we are delighted to be able to give something back with this new offer.”

All rewards must be claimed by 13 November 2020. To receive rewards, upload your invoice at www.velux.co.uk/rewards

PRIVACY AND LIGHT WITH VISIOSUN GLASS

For further updates visit www.total-installer.co.uk

Saint-Gobain Glass has announced the launch of a new textured glass for the residential and

commercial glazing markets, that provides high levels of privacy without sacrificing natural light.

Visiosun features parallel lines that create a reeded glass effect. It offers high transparency, allowing large

amounts of natural light to flood into a room, combined with high privacy levels.

Jenni Young, Saint-Gobain Glass, said: “Visiosun is easy to process, cut and handle and is available in a wide

range of thicknesses and dimensions. It features a directional pattern which can be used in both vertical and

horizontal orientation for vast creative scope. It also offers a highly neutral appearance due to the extra clear

substrate used in its production, allowing for light and privacy to go hand in hand while also personalising any

space.” uk.saint-gobain-building-glass.com/en-gb/visiosun.

SCREENS KEEP FLIES AT BAY

Searches for fly screens have reached a three-year high according to the latest from Google Trends

and this upturn is converting to more sales for installers of aïr Screens.

Proving popular for homeowners who are installing wide-span doors in their homes, aïr Screens are dualpurpose

and stop flies and other insects entering the home on summer days, as well as acting as a privacy

screen and sunshade.

Jay Patel, aïr brand ambassador, said: “It’s no surprise to learn that searches are up for fly screen products as

we have seen a significant upturn in trade enquiries for our aïr Screens. With the combination of people spending

more time at home and the warm weather we had during lockdown, many homeowners have realised the

downside to having bi-fold and lift & slide doors wide open – the bugs!” www.evergladetrade.co.uk

NEXT GENERATION SMART SECURITY WITH ERA

ERA, the UK’s home security specialist, has launched the ERA Protect Alarm, part of its ‘cutting-edge

and eagerly anticipated’ next generation wireless smart security system – ERA Protect.

According to ERA, the British Standards Institute Internet of Things (BSI IoT) accredited alarm works

seamlessly with other ERA Protect products, including the Outdoor Camera and the Floodlight Camera, via

the intuitive, easy to use smartphone app, which allows easy management of all components of the security

system at anytime from anywhere in the world.

Promising ‘fuss-free’ installation, with no hard wiring required, ERA says its Protect Alarm is easy to

programme via the app and features alerts sent via push notification to pre-programmed alert numbers,

giving householders and business owners additional peace of mind. www.eraeverywhere.com



IN UNCERTAIN TIMES YOU NEED

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Workwear

FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT…

Tom Butler, sales and marketing manager at the Glass and Glazing Federation, discusses

how FENSA’s partnership with workwear brand Mascot is helping installers look more

professional and boost their sales in the process.

First impressions are powerful, and they are

long lasting. As humans, when meeting

someone for the first time, we typically make

a lightning fast assessment of the person that is

standing in front of us. Is this person a threat, or

are they friendly, for instance? You would like to

think that most people we meet these days are

civilised but that ‘fight or flight’ response is hardwired

into us!

And while the exact amount of time differs

depending on which study you are reading, the

psychology of first impressions is consistent

across the board. Whether it’s a fraction of a

second, or half a minute, if you’re a salesperson,

fitter or surveyor, there’s no getting away from

the fact that homeowners will form an instant

impression of you as soon as they open the

front door. Is this person trustworthy? Are they

competent? Do I feel comfortable granting them

access to my property, to leave them unattended

in my bedroom or child’s room?

Professional company

At FENSA we know what homeowners want to

see from a professional installation company. We

know, because we asked thousands of them as

part of recent research into developing marketing

material for our Approved Installers, to help

them realise the full potential of their FENSA

membership and win more work.

Looking smart, tidy and professional was right

at the top of the list, which is why we have since

joined forces with specialist workwear brand,

Mascot, to offer all our Approved Installers

coordinated shirts, trousers and other clothing

bearing their company branding alongside the

widely recognised FENSA logo.

Available now through the FENSA portal, Mascot

has a deserved reputation for the quality of

its workwear, and a range that is tailored for

comfort, fit and design. Ordering online is fast,

efficient and installers can choose from over 700

styles from the comfort of their home.

“Homeowners will form

an instant impression

of you as soon as they

open the front door”

Higher consumer confidence

We appreciate that the outlay for new workwear

can be expensive, but the benefit of higher

consumer confidence – and the leads and

sales that come with it – are absolutely worth

the investment. And to help with the cost, our

partnership with Mascot means that it’s now

much more affordable for our Approved Installers

to get themselves kitted out. Workwear is

available at specially discounted prices, and we’ll

also be offering reductions on seasonal items

and workwear that fitters use on a daily basis

throughout the course of the year.

Of course, it’s one thing to be smart and

presentable, this will certainly go some way

towards ensuring you look more professional,

but the opportunity to be associated with FENSA

through visible branding is equally as important.

If there is more than one fitter on a job, company

branded workwear will of course look more

organised and cohesive, but co-branding

with FENSA adds another layer of consumer

confidence, something that could make all the

difference when trying to close a sale.

With FENSA branded workwear, you can ensure that

you are dressed to impress, and win over homeowners

from the second they open the front door.

Contact FENSA:

www.fensa.org.uk/

@FENSAuk


insulation

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secondary glazing

made simple.

simple to survey

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window systems

Secondary glazing is one of the fastest growing sectors in the

industry, and offers simple sales with great profits. Should you

be offering it to your customers? The decision is simple.

phone: 01234 240404

web: incarnationwindows.co.uk

twitter: @IncarnWinSys

V,T&W Updates


'THE SUSTAINABLE CHOICE'

Motoring experts from LeaseVan.co.uk have revealed six tips which will help vehicles last for longer.

Snickers Workwear describes its new Polartec Power Stretch jackets and fleeces as the

‘sustainable’ choice’, offering ‘sharp, stylish looks’ and recycled Polartec fabric technology to

make them ‘a must’ on or off site this autumn.

The versatile FlexiWork full-stretch jackets deliver a tight, body-hugging fit with efficient moisture

transportation and durable shape retention, plus great freedom of movement. There’s also long johns to

match for full body insulation.

The AllroundWork fleeces and bodywarmers – made from 80% recycled polyester – offer comfort to

keep your body warm or cool when you most need it.

Described by Snickers as ‘fashionable and functional’, they combine practicality with ‘street-smart

looks and the right kind of sustainable choice’. www.snickersworkwear.co.uk

ENSURE YOUR VEHICLE GOES FURTHER

1. Regular check-ups

Ensuring MOTs are up to date, regular services are adhered too and taking heed of the warning lights will mean that

any potential problems will be dealt with quickly. This will help save you money and also stop any problems developing

into something much more serious.

2. Drive smoothly

The smoother you’re driving, the kinder you’re being to your vehicle’s engine and you’ll therefore be helping it run for longer. Jerky

clutch changes will affect the mechanics in the engine, with aggressive pedal use resulting in higher fuel consumption and repair bills.

3. Clean regularly

Regular check-ups

are essential

A major problem for the exterior of any vehicle is rust. Regular washes will stop dirt corroding the paintwork. It also means that you will regularly view the

exterior of the vehicle, meaning that if you do notice any bumps and scrapes, they can be dealt with swiftly.

4. Fluids

Fluids like oil and water keep the mechanics in the vehicle running smoothly and help ensure everything is well lubricated. By keeping these topped up it

means that any potential problems, such as the engine seizing up, can be avoided. You should check oil, water and coolant levels weekly.

5. Tyres

An expensive part of the vehicle to replace, if tyres do wear too thin and cause a problem, the whole of the vehicle’s suspension could be broken, and in a

worst-case scenario the vehicle could be written off. Tyre tread should be between 2mm and 3mm, and also ensure the pressure of each tyre is correct. You

can find the right tyre pressures for your vehicle in its manual.

6. Weight

Carrying around a lot of stuff in the vehicle means you’re putting more pressure on it and it’s having to work harder. Try not to put items which you won’t be

using into the back. Reducing the weights will also have an effect on the vehicle’s economy – which will help your bank account!

LeaseVan.co.uk

VISIBLE AND SAFE WITH SNICKERS

Snickers Workwear says its protective wear range is ‘the better-informed choice’ for men and women working

in hazardous environments and inclement weather.

There’s a comprehensive selection of ergonomically-designed base, mid and top-layer clothes, certified as

appropriate for different risks at work to ensure what Snickers describes as ‘comfort, health and workforce-wellbeing

all day, every day’.

The new range also includes waterproof and windproof AllroundWork Hi-Vis Jackets that provide protection in lowlight,

high-risk environments.

So, whatever the hazard on site, Snickers says the Snickers Workwear Hi-Vis collection and ProtecWork range can

provide a protective wear solution to provide ‘maximum, certified protection’. www.snickersworkwear.co.uk



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V,T&W Updates

NEW RANGE OF SCREWDRIVERS

Hultafors Tools has launched a new range of screwdrivers for professional craftsmen and women. With VDE

screwdrivers specially designed for electricians – including tested and certified SL/PZ and Voltage Tester models –

there’s over 80 other Slotted, Philips, Pozidriv, Torx Stubby screwdrivers, plus Hex Drivers and Bit Holders that can

be bought individually, in sets or by size.

Researched and developed with craftsmen and women for professional use, Hultafors says they all have a superb

ergonomic design for optimal comfort. The long rubber-coated handles ensure grip for precision and maximal transmission of

power. The handle is made from durable PPC plastic with a coating of age-resistant and easy-to-grip rubber.

The permanent marking of type and size on the top as well as the handle’s colour make it easy for the user to select

the right screwdriver. Blades are manufactured from high-quality hardened steel for long life. The handles have a hole for

hanging or securing and a design that prevents the screwdriver from rolling on inclined surfaces. www.hultafors.co.uk


MAX MOBILITY WITH 4-WAY STRETCH

Hi-tech fabrics and body-mapping designs in the new multi-purpose AllRoundWork 4-Way Stretch Trousers

from Snickers Workwear ensure maximum working mobility wherever you are.

Snickers says the four-way stretch fabrics integrated into these work trousers deliver maximum freedom of

movement for all kinds of work, all year round, as well as improved ventilation and overall comfort.

With ‘great fit and superb value for money’ they have a slimmer tailored fit for better all-round looks and protection

against snagging. They also have reinforced stretch Cordura in the certified KneeGuard system for greater flexibility,

comfort and durability. They’re specially designed to take the new D30 ERGO Craftsman Kneepad.

Check out all the Stretch Garments from Snickers Workwear – billed as ‘the optimal choice for craftsmen and women

who need to get every job done comfortably and efficiently’. www.snickersworkwear.co.uk

FEIN MULTITOOLS BECOME ONE FAMILY

Power tools and accessories manufacturer, Fein, has simplified its product range, grouping its multitools together to form one new MultiMaster

KLOBER’S TRAINING TEAM BOOST

family comprising the MultiMaster 300, 500 and 700 series, formerly known as the MultiTalent, MultiMaster and SuperCut.

The range will now encompass the three oscillating power tools. Each product will also

be available as both cordless and mains-powered options.

The MultiMaster family is compatible with a total of 180 accessories, enabling

end-users to complete a range of jobs with just one tool. As part of the product range

expansion, the company will also be offering up to £100 in Amazon vouchers to any

customers trading in their old non-Starlock Fein tools for the new MultiMaster 300, 500 or

700 series, when they register for the three-year Fein Plus warranty. fein.com/en_uk/

TWO NEW INNOVATIONS FROM RHINO PRODUCTS

The Rhino AluminiumLadder

Manufacturer of commercial vehicle accessories, Rhino Products, has released two new products.

PipeTube Pro is a new system for securely and safely transporting copper pipe, plastic conduit and

other similar materials, while the Rhino AluminiumLadder combines strength and style to provide

what Rhino says is ‘one of the most lightweight and aesthetically pleasing roof access products

available for commercial vehicles’.

By utilising highly robust aluminium handrails and glass filled nylon rungs, the AluminiumLadder

offers an extremely lightweight solution, 50% lighter than Rhino’s previous steel ladder, excluding

their fitting kits. Both products are now available for customers to purchase through Rhino’s

dedicated network of stockists and fitting centres. www.rhinoproducts.co.uk



NEC BIRMINGHAM

25-27 MAY 2021

GETTING

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Choice of stepped,

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No onsite beading or gasketing means

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Available from

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Call 01296 66 88 99 for enquiries

or contact us for a quotation

Fax: 01296 66 80 48 | enquiries@garrardwindows.co.uk

www.garrardwindows.co.uk

September/October2020

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