Let’s build it right together
PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR THE 2018 HURRICANE SEASON “Have you seen the news?” Ziad Kazan, General Manager of Meridian Caribbean, rotates the screen on his desk so that I can take a read of recent meteorological reports. “Early predictions for 2018 reveal that there is an extremely high probability of an above normal hurricane season with greater activity and intensity than that in 2017,” I read incredulously.
“We learn from each natural disaster. Whether it’s a fire or a flood, we learn something from it so we can respond to the next one better.” - Malcolm Turnbull choice for hurricane proofing. uPVC is an excellent material because it is resistant to climatic changes—it is both rigid and weatherproof, and because it is wrapped around a core made up of galvanized steel and/or aluminium, its strength and firmness are further reinforced. These advantages also make it an excellent insulator, fire retardant and safeguard against intrusion.
Meridian Caribbean specializes in design, manufacture, installation and service of precision-engineered, Specialists have described the 2017 100% customised uPVC windows season as one of the most destructive, and doors. It is the primary uPVC intense and active on record, with producer in Barbados, and offers a peak winds exceeding 185 mph and variety of standard products including with tragic and devastating losses felt Single Hung Sash Windows, Slider throughout the region. It is difficult to Windows and Rehau Hurricane fathom the impact of a busier season. Ready Reinforced Windows. Meridian windows are reinforced “Tragically, with aluminium in the most people “Early predictions meeting rail, sashes and underestimate frames which prevents for 2018 reveal that the risk and some flying object from there is an extremely gravity of severe breaking any part of events,” says high probability of windows. Standard film Kazan. “If there an above normal covering, on the other is anything that hurricane season hand, does not protect 2017 has taught homes from flying debris. with greater activity us, it is that The multiple chamber, 3 and intensity than we have to ¼” thick frame, gives the be proactive.” that in 2017” window extra rigidity to stay strong. Kazan is passionate about the weather and has The doors at Meridian Caribbean devoted his work to providing costare also available in an extensive effective, high quality, customizable variety of styles and are extremely solutions to safeguard homes. tasteful, durable and energy efficient. The team at Meridian is always The structural integrity of areas that on the quest for new provide a bridge between the internal ways to innovate; and external environment of a home is it is no wonder that of the utmost priority during a storm. they received the Windows and doors are extremely coveted awards of vulnerable to wind and water Small Business of the damage—if they are compromised, Year for 2017 as well homeowners stand to experience the Manufacturer of major losses to their interiors the year, 2017. and belongings. Un-plasticized poly vinyl chloride or uPVC windows and doors are the best 23 | www.constructioncaribbean.com
Goddard’s Enterprise Ltd.
bespoke solutions to fit our customers’ aesthetic tastes and lifestyles,” explains Kazan. “There is no need to make a compromise between the beauty of your home and the integrity of your windows and doors.” Kazan takes me for a tour of the facility—a state of the art purpose built factory with advanced machinery and production techniques to ensure optimal quality. The welding process is particularly fascinating—it is so precise that the frame is fused into a single structure so that water is unable to pass through the joints. The strength of the products also makes them resistant to breakage, corrosion and the effects of the wind, salt and sun. “It’s impossible to fully predict the severity of high winds, rains and debris; however, it’s important that we prepare ourselves for the worst,” says Kazan. “It is no longer a luxury to install the strongest and most disaster resilient infrastructure to mitigate the impact of storms and hurricanes—it is a necessity.”
Private Residence
“We are able to provide a variety of Written by Daphne Ewing-Chow