Free Door Stop Drop Cards now available to help installers sell!
Door-Stop, the composite door supplier taking the panel market by storm, is giving installers 10 drop cards free of charge with every single door delivered. “Home improvement companies know the power of referrals and recommendations and what better way to create this interest than by posting these great looking cards in the neighbouring properties to your installation,” explains Nick Dutton, Director of Door-Stop International Ltd. “Every set of drop cards is also personalised for each individual installer including company name and phone number.”
Tel: 01623 446336
GAP celebrates record return rate: 0!
Since leading home improvement stockist and door panel manufacturer GAP started producing woodgrain doors with its exclusive Heat Shield technology in May 2007, over 21,000 panels have been made – but not one has been returned for warping, cracking or bubbling.
Door manufacturers typically have problems with woodgrain foils, which often can’t stand up to the British climate. Continual expansion and contraction caused by temperature fluctuations can affect both appearance and performance. “Using other woodgrain foils we’d probably have 10% of doors returned because of cracking and bubbling, and that was better than most other manufacturers,” says Production Manager John Harrop. “But with Heat Shield we’ve had no returns for these problems.”
GAP exclusively introduced Heat Shield, a specially formulated woodgrain foil, to combat the problems of the past. It has been designed to absorb less heat so it doesn’t expand and contract. Selling doors with Heat Shield means installers can offer homeowners an attractive woodgrain door which looks good and stays looking good.
“Like many other door panel manufacturers we’ve tried different ways to help minimise the problems of woodgrain finishes warping and cracking,” John continues. “With Heat Shield we are confident we have finally find the solution. It offers our customers a better finish and a door which isn’t affected by performance issues.”
Tel: 01254 682888
Designers discover fenestration’s fourth dimension
Architects and other building consultants have been discovering the multi-layered attributes of composite window systems which cloak three-dimensional timber sections with aluminium profiles to enhance both the weather resistance and the design flexibility.
Introduced by Glas Facades to the UK construction industry, the Vision 3000 UK and Vision 3000 EU systems are suitable for commercial offices, schools, hospitals and other public buildings, as well as domestic properties where thermal performance is paramount.
The combination of the outer aluminium profile with the slow grown European timber sections makes for frames that are very low maintenance and offer improved thermal resistance. They are also able to accept double and triple glazed IG units up to 40 mm thick, delivering an overall U-value as low as 0.8 W/m2 K. Vision 3000 therefore matches up to the requirements for Carbon Neutral, Zero Carbon and PassivHaus projects.
Director of Glas Facades, Darren Joyce recounts: “We have had very positive reactions to our introduction of the Vision 3000 doors and windows from specifiers across the sectors. A lot of the projects where we have been specified are still in the pre-contract stages but we have already seen the systems used on some very striking buildings.
“In addition to the excellent thermal and acoustic performance offered by the systems, the strength of the highly engineeredtimber profiles and joint details makes possible single pane opening sizes which could not be considered in steel, aluminiumor PVC. Individual doors up to 1700 mm wide and two metres high are easily achievable which maximises light, reduces sightlines and actually makes the system more affordable.”
Not only has Glas Facades been putting the composite window frames through all the necessary European accreditations in terms of quality and performance, Vision 3000 is also the only composite system available in the UK to have achieved an A rating under the BFRC scheme.
Tel: 020 7561 8749
The ‘Calderdale’ Way
Todmorden Door and Window Centre, Lancs recently completed a prestigious contract locally to provide quality windows and doors. The brief was to make full use of the far reaching views across the Calder Valley and for this purpose they chose the MACO ‘Multi Trend’ tilt turn and MACO R.A.I.L tilt slide system for their timber framed windows and doors.
Dave Roberts, Managing Director of Todmorden Door and Window Centre commented that ‘’ As a first time user of the MACO system I loved its simplicity and ease of assembly and the comprehensive support material available to me. I particularly like the quality and overall look achieved and I have no hesitations in recommending MACO products for future contracts.’’
“MACO Multi ‘Trend” Fittings offer increased security to the bottom of the window with the introduction of the iS (Intelligent Security) corner element and tilt first mushroom striker plate. Security can be further enhanced by replacing the midpoint standard strike with an iS security mushroom striker plate. The iS “Multi-Trend” version has been successfully tested to BS7950. Several further options such as variable night vent, invisible hinges or restriction of tilt or turn are available, more details about these products can be requested from Petita on enquiry@macouk.net or by telephone 01795 433900.
Tel: 01795 433900
NWL has sticking power through credit crunch
A brand new UV curing adhesive has been unveiled by North Western Lead (NWL). One of the most economical, yet high quality products in its class, it will be welcomed by many companies who are trying to reduce costs and remain competitive in the current economic climate.
Decra Bond 911 LV is a low viscosity, UV curing adhesive, which can be used to apply glass bevels, Fused Tiles and Dichroic bevels to glass. Developed to be extremely economical to use without compromising on its quality or long term performance, Decra Bond 911 LV has passed all of NWL’s demanding accelerated tests and bears the famous Decra Led® brand name.
A critical part of this rigorous testing procedure is to expose the bonded glass to UVB rays (which are extremely harmful) at a constant 60oc. The Decra Bond 911 LV adhesive comfortably passed this test without yellowing, shrinking or crazing.
Stephen Hart, managing director of NWL, says: “We are delighted to launch this exciting new product, which offers unrivalled performance in all weather conditions for a fraction of the cost that you would expect to pay. Having carried out extensive market research for many months, we believe that it will be very popular with customers who use UV light tables and cure their adhesive from below. It’s a quick, clean solution with guaranteed results.”
The Decra Bond 911 LV adhesive is capable of withstanding rain, sunshine and extremes of temperature, both high and low. Air bubbles can be expelled easily from the adhesive, whilst cleaning off the excess adhesive is very straightforward.NWL also supplies a range of free standing UV lamps which are ideal for use with the Decra Bond 911 LV adhesive
Tel: 0161 368 4491
Royal Task for Sikkens
Refurbishing the Royal William Yard in Plymouth is a mammoth and challenging task but with the help of Sikkens specialist coatings, the job is well underway and the development is already being heralded as one of the finest examples of regeneration in the UK.
The former Naval Victualling Yard was designed by Sir John Rennie and extends to about 16 acres, and it dates back to 1825. It was used by the Royal Navy until it withdrew in 1992. Disused for several years, the site was acquired by the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) in 1999 with the view to rejuvenating the area for various uses. The complex has been designed as a mix of apartments, businesses and leisure space - including a cafe open to the general public. Because the buildings are listed by English Heritage, the redevelopment is being done with great care.
“We have been working on the refurbishment of numerous buildings on the site for over a year now,” comments Andy Johnstone of Tamar Decorators, who are using a Sikkens Onol and Rubbol Satura system to rejuvenate the external doors and windows of the existing buildings. “Rubbol Satura was specified for its durability, its ability to hold and retain colour and to withstand the climatic environment, as the Yard is right on the coast and exposed to the effects of sea and spray.”
Rubbol Satura is a solvent borne, satin opaque finish that benefits timber through excellent durability as well as weather resistance. Only one coat is required for subsequent maintenance which is instrumental in reducing future maintenance costs. A specialist blend of urethane and alkyd resins ensures that colour fading is minimised, and in this case, a range of colours were applied from greys to tawny browns. “We used these colours to emulate the character and history of the buildings,” continues Andy. “And in doing so, we have transformed and enlivened the appearance of the doors and windows to fit in with the rest of this prestigious project.”
The multi million pound redevelopment at Royal William Yard is an eight year work in progress, with some phases expected to be completed before Winter 2008 when the transformed site will offer a new and vibrant mixed use community for Plymouth residents overlooking the River Tamar. It has already been recognised by English
Heritage as one of the 30 best development schemes in the UK involving an historic environment.
ends
Tel: 01753 877891
New tilt before turn windows from Structura UK for residential building in Portsmouth
Old aluminium casement windows to Chandos Rise, Portsmouth, an 8-storey residential building, have been replaced with new, high performance, tilt before turn windows by Structura UK Ltd, curtainwall engineering specialists. The work was part of a £2million refurbishment contract by Rok, main contractor, which included the removal of the external rainscreen façade due to water penetration and the application of a new, wet coat render system.
Structura UK manufactured, supplied and installed over 230 new Schüco Royal C, double-glazed windows of various sizes, incorporating Optitherm SN Clear glass units. Each window is surrounded by a perimeter EPDM membrane and sealed to a liner panel. A marine environment, powder-coated blue finish was specified for the exterior and a white finish has been used internally. Four full-height Schüco RS50 Ribbon windows with Optitherm SN Clear glass units and aluminium louvres, and three full-height Schüco FW50 curtainwall screens - incorporating 8.8mm clear laminated glazing - were also supplied by Structura UK.
On-site installation by Structura UK was carried out over a 10-month period to a demanding schedule. Contract value to the Chessington-based company was £616,000.The Project Manager was PH Warr plc, and the client is Places For People, a property management and development company. Cladtech Associates were the façade consultants. Chandos Rise was constructed as an office building in the 1960s. It was converted ten years ago for residential use and consists of 98 flats and shops below.
Tel: 020 8397 4361
Warm edge without tears: Swisspacer’s first half sales overtakes total for 2007
First half sales of Swisspacer in the UK have already overtaken total sales for 2007. The leading warm edge spacer has grown in popularity amongst window fabricators and sealed unit manufacturers who want warm edge without heavy investment in special sealed unit machinery. New customers include Glasgow-based Supaseal, Custom Glass of Merseyside and National Seal in Ireland. Swisspacer is aiming to treble its 2007 sales by the end of the year.
In the first six months of 2008, sales in the UK increased by 110% and by 25% globally. To keep ahead of demand Swisspacer has invested in new manufacturing facilities to increase capacity and it is already looking to extend production in 2009.
Managing Director Matthias Meissner comments: “We’ve had an unprecedented number of enquiries from new customers as more companies wake up to the benefits of using Swisspacer. Sealed unit manufacturers and window fabricators are driving our growth as demand for energy efficient windows increases. We believe our growth will continue as more companies sell top performing energy efficient windows to their customers, without having to invest in special machinery. Because Swisspacer exactly matches the shape and dimensions of aluminium spacers they can use their existing machinery. That’s a big saving when the economy is weak. It’s warm edge without tears.”
Email: swisspacer@saint-gobain.com
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