NFA Digital August 22

FASTEST • BIGGEST • STRONGEST RESPONSE VOTE COUNT CATEGORIES

NFA NEWS

RECORD BREAKING Numbers ONCE AGAIN!

Here at National Fenestration Awards our team couldn’t be happier with the engagement we have had on our voting page and all your social media posts, it’s been brilliant!

Fastest Response

In just one month of voting being open, we received an unprecedented 13,351 votes! That’s a recordbreaking quantity in such a short time.

Biggest Numbers

Our 2022 campaign has received the highest number of votes EVER in the history of the national fenestration awards beating our 2021 total of 22,087

Strongest Categories

This year’s campaign has our most categories to date – 34. New additions including Managing Director of the year and Business Development Manager of the year are just 2 of the categories which have had a huge response from voters. Most categories are too close to call at this stage and as voting heads into the final months, we’re sure we will see the results constantly changing with finalists being neck and neck.

Every vote counts

As we head towards the closing date of 7th October 2022, we urge all in our industry to have their say on who should take home the trophies! Visit our voting page now to choose your winners.

CONTENTS

THIS MONTHS KEY ARTICLES

PAGE 08

SPONSORING THE NATIONAL FENESTRATION AWARDS

Sponsoring the national fenestration awards includes many benefits including press releases and adverts being featured in our digital magazine...

PAGE 14

VITRINE ALUMINIUM GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

Vitrine aluminium - Cheshire’s premium aluminium systems manufacturer that can do it all, a true one stop shop for aluminium.

PAGE 22

SAFE NOT SORRY WITH ABUS X60 3* CYLINDER

ABUS UK has launched a new version of its X60 3* lock cylinder that adds a reassuring extra layer of security at a reasonable price to any door.

PAGE 26

EUROCELL SCORES A ‘PERFECT 10’ NOMINATIONS AT NFA22 Eurocell plc, the leading provider of high-quality PVC-U building products has been nominated in ten categories in the prestigious National Fenestration Awards 2022.

PAGE 33

A TECHNICALLY BETTER FINISH FROM KOLORSEAL Kolorseal uses a diverse and versatile range of equipment and systems in order to provide customers with one of the broadest colour choices in the UK.

PAGE 38

UK FENESTRATION SHOULD BE FAR BIGGER

Think about this for a moment. Fenestration, which by definition is the arrangement of windows and doors in a building, is literally everywhere.

PAGE 43

MORLEY GLASS LAUNCHES NEW INTEGRAL BLIND SYSTEM FOR HEALTHCARE BUILDINGS

Morley has launched a system designed specifically for hospitals, medical schools and other health care facilities.

PAGE 52

FENESTRATION DIGITAL IS CHANGING INDUSTRY NEWS

As well as a website, social media and a monthly magazine, Fenestration Digital have added a new feature – Fenestration Digital News Flashes!

CLIPPINGS & MUSINGS

Can We Rebuild Trust Politically and Economically?

Trust pulls the fabric of society together and when trust in leadership at any level disappears, it affects every level of social behaviour causing vast amounts of social unrest.

Taking the current political scene, whilst many discuss the lack of trust issues that grew around Boris Johnson, caused by Partygate, as well as a lack of integrity regarding his Brexit protocol, in truth the goodwill of the public began to crumble after the Barnard Castle debacle.

Since then it was virtually impossible for Mr Johnson to recover - put Mr Hancock into the mix as well as the Tory by-election losses and it was inevitable that all faith naturally, disappeared.

Trust in leadership, both in business and government, has now fallen sharply again, with vast numbers of people taking distrust to an all time low.

The credibility of politicians it would seem is in crisis mode. It will take an exceptional statesman to rebuild the trust that has been lost recently. This seems to have had a knock on effect with some industries, as levels of distrust have infiltrated companies between individuals at all levels of a business.

Naturally, the economic circumstances do play a huge role in people’s perceptions and how badly they are affected by rising inflation and taxes. It can be argued that cynicism is an obvious product of the times. It goes without saying that in good times people will trust leadership far more than in bad times, when their trust levels will dramatically drop.

So with the great leadership challenge currently at fever pitch the need to balance everything has never been more pivotal for a new Prime Minister. Reflection and thoughtful decision making will need to be demonstrated as priorities with the way human and financial resources are handled. This too though, should be considered by business leaders looking to steady the economic ship across the country.

Over the last few years, massive changes have affected how we structure our lives and how authority is shared in this constantly changing world.

FROM HELEN DUVAL 2022

When it comes to business the general public are disillusioned with declining service, almost unbridled levels of executive pay and bonuses, along with vastly differing wealth.

Looking at business itself, if there is a definitive hierarchy then it should understand that those at every level of the company probably know as much (or in some cases more) than those who manage them.

In times of crises people are motivated by meaning and trust and not just money. They want benefits, values and to feel appreciated for what they contribute. A working team will trust the company’s leaders for their adaptive skills and foresight, by influencing people and not controlling them.

There are several significant benefits of trust. Trust is desirable because it affects the perceptions, attitudes, and the performance of individuals and groups. High trust cultivates a culture of innovation, positive relationships, and interdependence that inspires cooperation for the greater good.

Trust is in every aspect of our lives from doctors and dentists to hairdressers and food suppliers. We need to know that we can trust them to bring benefits to our life. High trust companies that can adapt more quickly will attract and retain those with aptitude and flair for the business.

Most employees rely upon the company’s leaders to keep the business afloat. They trust that and want meaning to their work and an employer they respect.

In general, conversations about trust and leadership have never been more relevant. As the world continues to evolve at a rapid pace, people need to feel that there will be an end to disruption and the huge leap in insecurity.

Looking forward at the moment there is a deep loss of faith in key figures across the world. There are endless reasons given as to why things are quite so broken and who sit to blame; so as we all face quite a lot of uncertainty, a new PM needs to stop feeding the negativity and find ways to fuel our hope across the board.

Whoever wins the hustings and the Conservative Party Member votes, the soon-to-be new Prime Minister must adopt the fundamental principles of leadership demanded of those in positions of power; and they are very much needed today.

“In times of crises people are motivated by meaning and trust and not just money.”

NEW-BUILD HOMES ARE WOEFULLY UNPREPARED FOR HOT WEATHER

In the grand scheme of British summers, this one hasn’t been too bad. Since June we have had prolonged dry spells, a decent amount of sunshine and very little rain. In fact, many rivers and lakes are at levels well below average. The grass is more like hay and the ground is solid.

Now, we’ve hit record temperatures, hitting over 40 degrees for the first time ever in the UK. For a country that is most certainly not built for this kind of heat, living in our homes, especially those that are less than 15-20 years old, has been hell.

New-build homes are woefully unprepared for hot or even just warm weather. And with extremes in our climate growing, there has never been more of a need than right now than to invest meaningfully in existing and new homes.

Invest now to pay dividends in the future

One thing that I have heard more and more of these last few days is that we have to stop thinking of the UK as a cold country. It makes sense to me. We no longer have genuinely cold Winters. They’re grey, drizzly and mild. Snow is a rarity now. Extremes in heat are becoming more common, as we have seen these last few days, with the 2019 record temperature broken.

Yet, for the last two or so decades, the UK has been building homes to keep heat well and truly inside. I live in a three-year-old Redrow home which is packed from top to bottom with insulation. In the Winter, when you want to conserve energy, you appreciate it. Heating the house only takes a few minutes. In summer, when we had 40 degrees, our Landing was an insane 36 inside. And that was with all the measures we could muster to keep the heat out.

We have A-rated windows, a ventilation system into the roof from the landing which is highly ineffective, tons of insulation and everything else a new house comes with. Just like other hundreds of thousands of new homes recently built.

So much thought has been given to keeping heat in, which is expensive, but very little thought has been given to letting a house breathe and ventilate properly. I’m not just talking about trickle vents here. In the heat extremes of Monday and Tuesday and that hot air, open vents would have let that in, rather than help ventilate in that regard.

We needed to have paid just as much attention to ventilating homes as well as keeping heat in. Had we invested in a more balanced approach 20 years ago, those dividends would have been paid this week when the weather turned so extreme.

What I hope we learn, although I currently hold little hope right now, is that we learn from this summer. We learn that keeping heat in homes is only one side of the coin. That we learn investment made now isn’t designed to bring immediate benefits, but longer-term benefits as the climate changes in the years to come. If we are to get hotter as a nation, the current stock of homes is woefully unprepared.

Jason Grafton-Holt www.doubleglazingblogger.co.uk info@doubleglazingblogger.co.uk

Passive House needs looking at During the peak of the heatwave, I was seeing tweets on social media showing data from Passive homes that were able to self-regulate their own temperature at a steady 20-21 degrees.

For those that are not familiar, Passive House construction is an incredibly efficient, low-energy standard of building that creates highly insulated yet self-regulating homes. It’s more expensive than building regular homes, but their ability to maintain a regular temperature in all conditions means energy usage is very low compared to a regular home and the inside climate is far more comfortable.

The advantage we have is that we know that Passive House building works. It is a proven method with proven results. The template is there to apply it to the wider construction sector.

However, as is always the case in the UK, the price comes before quality. Passive House construction is significantly more than the massmarket building of new homes. Large house builders being the businesses they are, with the lobbying power they have, will make sure that

any suggestion of integrating Passive House standards into the mass market dies before they even get off the ground. So we’ll continue to keep making the same errors because house builders essentially hold the levers of power.

So instead, I would like to see an effort to make building your own home easier, and to encourage self-builders to go down the Passive House route. We need more education in this area, as well as specific Passive House mortgages and a defined supply chain that self-builders can tap into to make it simpler to find the materials and services they need.

After this dire week of extremes, and images of homes burning down in wildfires across the country, I sincerely hope that we all take what is happening in front of our eyes very seriously.

SPONSORING THE NATIONAL FENESTRATION AWARDS

Without sponsorship, our awards couldn’t happen. We want to say a huge thank you to our ambassador sponsors, main event sponsors and category sponsors!

Sponsoring the national fenestration awards includes many benefits including press releases and adverts being featured in our digital magazine and Fenestration Digital magazine. News stories will also be displayed on two websites and six social media channels. This can help put your brand in front of thousands of audiences.

Our annual ambassador sponsorship includes:

• Main sponsorship of National Fenestration Awards

• Choice of category to sponsor during the campaign

• Unlimited page adverts in each issue of our monthly digital magazine

• Unlimited PR on our website, newsletters, magazines and social media feeds

• Banners on the website and newsletter

• 3 x company editorials (these can be from you or our editor over the course of sponsorship)

• Hosted videos on NFA website, with links to videos on digital magazines and newsletters

Main Sponsorship annual package:

Main sponsorship of National Fenestration Awards

• 1 x full page adverts in each issue of our monthly digital magazines

• Unlimited PR on our website, newsletters, magazines and social media feeds

• Banners on the website and newsletter

• 1 x company editorials (these can be from you or our editor over the course of sponsorship)

Annual Category Sponsors will receive: Sponsorship of National Fenestration Awards category of your choice

• 1 x full page advert in each issue of our monthly digital magazines

• 1 PR on our websites, newsletters, magazines and social media feeds

• Banners on the websites and newsletters

Media sponsor annual package:

200x200 pixel animated advert on the NFA website

• Animated banner advert on the NFA newsletter

• Half-page advert in the monthly NFA Digital Magazine

Winners event sponsorship

In what is the most highly anticipated event of the UK fenestration calendar, the winners of the 2022 National Fenestration Awards will be announced at a show-stopping event at Doncaster Racecourse on the 5th of November.

We will be situated in the Hilton Garden Suite in the Hilton Doncaster Racecourse hotel. The fully packed day will boast a full race card, lunch, and awards ceremony followed by music, dancing and hopefully some fireworks!

You will be met with a champagne reception on arrival, and then will be able to enjoy a full race card at the Virgin Bet November Handicap this is the final

chance to enjoy turf flat racing anywhere in the UK this year, so an exciting atmosphere is anticipated. A full 3 course meal will be served at lunchtime followed by more racing.

Next, it will be time for the awards ceremony where a special guest will be compère and trophies will be presented to the winners of the most industry votes. Afterwards it’s party time with a spectacular evening of entertainment featuring music and fireworks! The event will be a fun-filled 12 hour day so make sure you don’t miss it and book your seats early!

Our 2022 winners’ event on the 5th November also has multiple sponsorship opportunities, including: champagne reception, bar, table, trophies and entertainment.

DEBORAH HENDRY AND KOLORSEAL LTDFINALISTS AT NFA22

Kolorseal Ltd has once again been recognised for consistently high standards with a finalist nomination in the NFA22s for colour coating services to the industry. Recognised as a consistently reliable supplier to the UK fenestration sector the company has reached finalist stage in two categories: Colour Specialist Of The Year and Director of the Year.

With customer services kept as priorities for the colour coating specialists, the awards acknowledge excellence in the sector. They require both nomination and voting for by peers in the industry to reach finalist stage.

Deborah Hendry, Managing Director believes that to have been nominated again reflects incredibly well on the whole team.

She comments, “There is evidently great belief in the services and standards we offer, which is the best recognition a company can achieve. To have been nominated and reached finalist stage this year is a real accreditation to the team; and this for the 4th year in a row.

I personally, am extremely humbled by the finalist nomination which is such an incredible acknowledgement from the fenestration sector.”

With the National Fenestration Awards being industry led, this reinforces the reputation of the company in a fair and open way, Deborah Hendry believes.

Deborah continues, “The NFAs has gained such recognition now and demonstrates the high standards of the industry. It is such a boost for everyone.

The real dedication given by the whole team makes us all very proud indeed to have been acknowledged. It is so very encouraging to see all the hard work we provide to customers is reflected by the NFA finalist nominations.”

For more information on Kolorseal or to discuss project requirements please call 01924 454856 or alternatively visit the website www. kolorseal.co.uk to view the services offers.

Those wishing to take part in the voting can do so here:

www.fenestrationawards.co.uk/vote/

SPECIALISTS TO SHAPE THE FUTURE AT FENEX IN 2023

of our visitors over the course of the show. Products like their porthole windows, bay windows and curved shaped casement windows are going to be major attractions and we can’t wait to see what else they will bring to the show!”

Rob Gavin, Sales Director at Aluminium Bending Specialists said: “it’s an exciting time to be coming on board with FENEX. Demand for aluminium is rising and so is the requirement for shaped frames within aluminium. ABS are the best placed to bring our dedicated services to the fenestration sector and we’re looking forward to meeting new and existing clients and helping them open up new opportunities.”

One of the leading fenestration shaping companies, Aluminium Bending Specialists, have announced that they will be exhibiting at FENEX in Telford in April 2023.

Based in Nottingham and with over 27 years of experience, ABS are set to demonstrate their range of awe-inspiring curved aluminium solutions. There is nothing else like this in the market and product like their curved and shaped doors and their aluminium bending fabrication are set to wow visitors when the doors to the Telford International Centre open next year.

With demand for aluminium growing rapidly in the residential part of the fenestration market, so will demand for shaped aluminium products too. Installers looking to make the most of the rise in demand for aluminium will want to make sure they visit Aluminium Bending Specialists over the three days.

Lee Clarke, Director of FENEX, commented: “Aluminium Bending Specialists are a unique and fantastic company to bring on board with FENEX. Their expertise in the aluminium and bending markets within fenestration are going to make them a must-see for all

FENEX is bringing fenestration back to it’s spiritual home of the Telford International Centre in April 2023. With exhibition space quickly being snapped up, it’s set to be a festival of fenestration, hosting endless new products, tackling the sector’s biggest issues through an extensive seminar programme, and with dedicated areas for installers, tech and fabricators.

To find out more about FENEX and to enquire about exhibiting, go to: www.fenex.co.uk You can find out more about Aluminium Bending Specialists and their wide array of products and services, visit: www.absltd.co.uk

VITRINE ALUMINIUM GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

Existing products

• Bi fold doors - With sleek sightlines.

• Lift & slide/inline sliding doors - Boasting an impressive 47mm interlock and a range of paint finishes (colour matched hardware available).

• Bespoke curtain wall designs - Built to suit all projects both residential and commercial.

• Roof lanterns - The most stylish and secure roof lantern on the market.

• Flat roof lights - Stunning aluminium framed rooflights.

• Commercial doors and framing - With excellent thermals and hardware range.

• Aluminium windows - Beautifully finished flush to the inside.

• All expertly fabricated.

New products

Vitrine Aluminium is pleased to announce that after a successful System 1 FPC Audit, they are now able to manufacture multiple solutions to EN12101-2 NSHEV AOV requirements.

Vitrine aluminium - Cheshire’s premium aluminium systems manufacturer that can do it all, a true one stop shop for aluminium.

The business has already outgrown its premises twice since inception, they are currently recruiting more staff and investing in more machinery. Growth, as steady and sustainable as this, required some very long hours from Duane and Paul. Duane’s wife, Sarah, has also helped, along with Paul’s dad John, and brother, Geoff, whose support has been invaluable in getting to where they are today.

Vitrine Aluminium is now looking forward to settling into their new premises and adding more products to their current offering.

When it’s time to choose the right aluminium products for your business or home needs, you can count on Vitrine Aluminium for quality products that will fit your budget. They guarantee you receive only the best quality products in Cheshire delivered to you in no time and totally hassle free.

Their all-new commercial doors and ground floor treatment have been a real hit - with its enhanced thermal insulation and a low-level Part M compliant threshold as standard. The quality of the product and the wide range of hardware is very impressive A brand-new window profile is due to be launched mid-August/ September boasting lovely slim sightlines and impressive thermal qualities.

Showroom projects

Vitrine Aluminium are proud to have partnered up with several names in the fenestration industry and have recently installed one of their fantastic lift & slide patio doors in an impressive showroom environment.

Although this showroom is filled with premium product brand names, Vitrine Aluminium’s standout from the rest boasting a slim 47mm interlock and finished in textured matt black. This has proved to be a hit with their customers. Vitrine’s products will also feature in another showroom in Cheshire and one in Wakefield in the coming months - so watch this space!

Vitrine Aluminium feels that their customer focused attitude alongside their unique product offerings keeps the Vitrine brand growing, and more industry recognition means more exposure than ever before.

Award Win

Vitrine Aluminium are very proud of their National Fenestration Award for ‘Bi folding Door Manufacturer of The Year 2021’. Director Duane Rogers credited his business partners and family, as well as the support from his suppliers after collecting the trophy at last year’s winners event. Duane commented: “It’s taken a lot of hard work to get to where we are now, and we want to thank all who voted for us”.

The idea for Vitrine Aluminium has been in the pipeline for nearly 15 years, since Duane and fellow director, Paul Fradley, met at a large independent fabricator in Altrincham where they both worked and soon became good friends, aged just 16. After working together and separately for many years, and gathering a plethora of experience along the way, Vitrine Aluminium was finally born.

In the 2022 National Fenestration Awards, Vitrine has once again made the shortlist for Bi folding Door Manufacturer of The Year and Aluminium Fabricator Of The Year awards. You can vote for them here: www.fenestrationawards.co.uk/vote/.

FENEX 2023

Vitrine Aluminium are looking forward to showcasing their products with a stand at the FENEX Telford 2023 trade show, which will be held at the International Centre Telford. From signing-up, Vitrine Aluminium has been supported by FENEX every step of the way. With FENEX’s customer focus and help in tailoring their offerings to suit Vitrine’s business needs. Vitrine are looking forward to dipping their toe into the world of exhibiting in 2023.

For more information on Vitrine Aluminium and the whole product offering please visit their website www.vitrinealu.co.uk. Call 01925 387099 or email them at info@vitrinealuminium.com.

Vitrine Aluminium will also be exhibiting at FENEX 2023 at Telford in April. Get your ticket to meet them in person here.

“It’s taken a lot of hard work to get to where we are, we want to thank all who voted for us.”

Bright Light into Living

RapidLam Shape: More Scope To Shape The Future.

Shape Cutting of Laminated Glass as a Compact Unit

More possibilities to cut shapes and free forms on laminated glass. Can be integrated into an existing line, or as stand-alone machine. This compact machine uses synchronised turning cutting heads, providing precise results that match the cutting plan.

• Automatic cutting of free forms in laminated glass

• Can be used as part of a cutting line or as stand-alone machine

• Laser foil separation can be installed at a later date

A BIG SPLASH OF COLOUR – HELPS PUT SHEERLINE CUSTOMERS AHEAD

Sheerline have invested over £1 million in a new state-of-the-art powder coating plant, bringing the most important secondary process that happens to aluminium profiles in house for the first time. This further investment in their fully vertically integrated, single site UK manufacturing facility helps strengthen Sheerline’s ability to offer its customers the very best service and quality possible. Ensuring that every Sheerline profile has a beautiful, consistent and blemish free finish.

Greg Grabski, Garnalex’s Powder Coating Plant Manager explains, ‘In the past, we have relied on third party suppliers to powder coat our products, - using well known and well-respected companies to keep up with the growing demand for the Sheerline range. Traditionally this has meant transporting mill finished profiles from our warehouse to the powder coaters, waiting for them to process it, then collecting it back, before it’s put into stock. This obviously racks up mileage, increases the products carbon footprint, and unavoidably introduces an extra incremental opportunity for damage to occur.

By investing in our own powder coating facility, housed next door to our Hybrex aluminium press we have built in efficiencies and significantly reduced stock movement – taking up to 5 weeks out of the process involved in putting painted profiles into stock. This added agility, ensures we can fulfil customers’ orders on time and in full, as well as giving us direct control over quality checks, with the ability to rectify any issues in hours rather than weeks. I come from the automotive industry – where I gained my experience in running quality obsessed painting operations. I will be using these skills and the higher quality expectations that automotive supply chains work to embed the correct processes and procedures into our operation - ensuring Sheerline’s powder coating is best-in-class.’

With one of the very best seven stage chrome free pre-treatment systems and a GEMA Magic Cylinder fast colour change system at the heart of their painting facility, the powder coating plant has been sited adjacent to their incredibly efficient modern aluminium press to optimise production flow, ensuring they keep up with their customers appetite for the award winning Sheerline range.

‘Our intention is to exceed the standards defined by Qualicoat as a matter of course. Qualicoat is primarily a commercial specification standard, that is less appropriate for residential aluminium windows and doors. Visual acuity checks that are based on a 3m viewing distance may work for large commercial contracts but leave many homeowners understandably disgruntled. Lots of windows just can’t be viewed from that distance internally. As we bed our new operation in, we will be looking to tighten these standards to offer a better service to customers and more peace-of-mind for homeowners.’

As one of only a handful of systems companies that extrude and paint themselves, Sheerline already stands head and shoulders above most of the competition. However, their truly unique edge in the market is how the new in-house painting capabilities combine with their unique Thermlock® thermal breaks. The way Sheerline has been designed enables profiles to be rolled quickly to meet each customer order – enabling them to offer any dual colour combination, from a standard 12 colour range in just 10 days. This agility gives customers the confidence to use colour and service levels as a key selling aid against rival systems.

All Sheerline systems are available in a range of 12 colours. Pure White, Anthracite Grey and Jet Black in matt as well as Hipca Gloss White, alongside Cream, Agate Grey, Squirrel Grey, Pastel Turquoise and Chocolate Brown and three anodised metallic effects. Coupled with an efficient bespoke colour service that only adds an average of a week to orders, Sheerline customers are well placed to keep up with the latest colour trends to ensure they meet their installers and homeowners needs.

To learn more about Colour by Sheerline, visit www.sheerline.com/colour. You can also call 01332 978000 or email info@sheerline.com. Follow @ SheerlineSystem for the latest news and updates.

32YEARS OF SASH WINDOW EXPERIENCE –AND WE’RE READY FOR ANOTHER

This might be the very first time you are considering changing your sash window supplier. Or, perhaps you just want to try an alternative award winning sash window specialist to offer your customers a wider choice. Either way, we would like to help you to increase your VS sales.

With 32 years focussed on manufacturing high quality timber alternative sash windows, we are true specialists and confident that our products will impress your customers. We have also earned a sound reputation for always providing an exceptional level of personal service and our entire team are committed to delivering this.

Our new specification launched in 2019 featuring exclusive new Masterframe Systems, standard with patented Timberweld® technology and we would welcome the opportunity to take you through the improved product offering and delighted to quote.

No matter the size or design of a home or project, if sash windows are required then we can help. If a specialist solution is needed for a conservation area, modern development, school or historic building our sash windows add the right amount of authentic styling to either fit seamlessly into original settings or set the property apart from other new developments.

To see the choices, including patented Timberweld® corner design, download our new brochures here.

Some of the advantages we offer as standard:

10 year guarantee for peace of mind

Made in Britain for continuity

BBA Approval on standard window sizes for longevity

Energy Savings Trust recommended for energy efficiency

Specialist solutions for challenging projects that require matching new to original designs

Free and safe UK mainland delivery

Quotes with non-priced customer proposal

CAD drawings where required

Expert technical support

Free 47 page professional conservation guide

Free product training

Call our friendly sales team on 01376 510410 or email for a quote here.

SAFE NOT SORRY WITH ABUS X60 3* CYLINDER

ABUS UK has launched a new version of its X60 3* lock cylinder that adds a reassuring extra layer of security at a reasonable price to any door. The X60 holds market-leading accreditations and assurances with anti-snap properties on both sides, new sizes and versions, and a full ten-year guarantee. The launch will be backed by a full package of promotional materials and special offers for door and window companies, who can sell up door security and assure customers of top levels of burglar resistance on their doors using the ABUS X60.

ABUS is the leading name in locks and cylinders in Europe and its X60 is a first-rate 3* cylinder suite with anti-snap, -drill, -bump, -pick and plug extraction properties builtin as standard. It boasts a full range of accreditation from Secured by Design, SoldSecure Diamond Standard status, TS007 certification and a Kitemark Approval. To prove its confidence in the X60 range, ABUS is offering a full 10year guarantee and a £1000 anti-burglary cashback guarantee. This offers homeowners up to £1000 cash if a property is broken into as a result of a burglar managing to gain entry via the ABUS X60 3* cylinder that has been properly installed, used and maintained.

The ABUS X60 3* cylinder is the perfect choice for residential doors including composite and PVC-U, as well for apartments with multi-entrances. The ABUS X60 can be keyed alike across a whole property between the standard X60 ABUS cylinder, a rim cylinder version for night latches, a padlock for sheds and garages and even an ABUS Bordo bike lock to offer homeowners the ultimate in one-key versatility for their home security and door and window providers the opportunity to sell up and sell on extra products.

To back this new launch for the X60, ABUS has produced an unrivalled range of promotional and point-of-sale materials to help door and window companies to make the most of the sales opportunities that the X60 offers. Leaflets, posters, counter-top displays as well as freestanding display & merchandisers all help our partners tell the ABUS X60 “Safe Not Sorry” story to homeowners.

ABUS has been making locks since 1924 and the company’s lock-making expertise lies at the heart of the padlocks they are so well-known for. ABUS is a global manufacturer of high quality, innovative security, access and safety solutions with a nearly 100 years’ history of innovation. ABUS UK is part of a worldwide group of companies that supplies and distributes a huge range of both electronic and mechanical security products and systems for home, mobile security and commercial security www.abus.com/uk/

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Hollyer

| Clearstyle Windows

Leigh Barnes Director | JLS Electrical Services

Michael Hollyer Director | Clearstyle Windows

ability, by customer, and on a job by allocate and review every step of the journey was incredible. It is as if the designed specifically for my Using Onsite 7 I can see the ‘sales stage’ ‘install stage’ and ‘any attended against the jobs. This review previous visits and action assigned to myself or my team members.

Having the ability, by customer, and on a job by job basis to allocate and review every step of the customer journey was incredible. It is as if the software was designed specifically for my business. Using Onsite 7 I can see the ‘sales stage’, ‘survey stage’ ‘install stage’ and ‘any service calls attended against the jobs. This allows me to review previous visits and action visits either assigned to myself or my team members.

Michael Hollyer

Director | Clearstyle Windows

Leigh Barnes Director | JLS Electrical Services

Having the ability, by customer, and on a job by job basis to allocate and review every step of the customer journey was incredible. It is as if the software was designed specifically for my business. Using Onsite 7 I can see the ‘sales stage’, ‘survey stage’ ‘install stage’ and ‘any service calls attended against the jobs. This allows me to review previous visits and action visits either assigned to myself or my team members.

The beauty of using Onsite 7 is that any person with the admin console access can find information, or photo/video evidence to relay to the customer.

Leigh

Barnes

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

Director | JLS Electrical Services Director

The beauty of using Onsite 7 is that any person with the admin console access can find information, or photo/video evidence to relay to the customer.

Luke Smith Director | The Green Room Building Co

Luke

Smith

The beauty of using Onsite 7 is that any person with the admin console access can find information, or photo/video evidence to relay to the customer.

We can even download a customer job report with their signature and customer satisfaction rating… this is invaluable for our industry.

We can even download a customer job report with their signature and customer satisfaction rating… this is invaluable for our industry.

In all honesty it was di cult to find a fault with the software and understood the reasoning as to why it was developed. It simply helps a trade business perform to its best and has certainly helped us provide evidence of the quality of our work, keep track of jobs and have comfort in being able to see footage/notes and photos being taken from site installations if we as company owners are not physically there ourselves.

We can even download a customer job report with their signature and customer satisfaction rating… this is invaluable for our industry.

Director | The Green Room Building Co

In all honesty software and it was developed. perform provide evidence track of jobs footage/notes installations

In all honesty it was di cult to find a fault with the software and understood the reasoning as to why it was developed. It simply helps a trade business perform to its best and has certainly helped us provide evidence of the quality of our work, keep track of jobs and have comfort in being able to see footage/notes and photos being taken from site installations if we as company owners are not physically there ourselves.

Director | Clearstyle Windows

for my business. Using Onsite 7 I can see the ‘sales stage’, ‘survey stage’ ‘install stage’ and ‘any service calls attended against the jobs. This allows me to review previous visits and action visits either assigned to myself or my team members.

Michael Hollyer

Support

varied support staff on hand, both hard support and soft support All of our team are incredible experienced which helps them get to the support requests, promptly and

support team work in the background, providing technical updates, monitoring and security checks. This very best service levels are for our customers.

support team, deal directly with our helping them through product providing quick demonstration even tailoring their software to individual business needs.

CAN EVEN ASSIST

Using the Onsite 7 App

7 SYSTEM

Luke Smith

Director | The Green Room Building Co

honesty it was di cult to find a fault with the and understood the reasoning as to why developed. It simply helps a trade business to its best and has certainly helped us evidence of the quality of our work, keep jobs and have comfort in being able to see footage/notes and photos being taken from site installations if we as company owners are not physically there ourselves.

ONSITE7.CO.UK

EUROCELL SCORES A ‘PERFECT

10’ NOMINATIONS AT THE NATIONAL FENESTRATION AWARDS 2022

Eurocell plc, the leading provider of high-quality PVC-U building products has been nominated in ten categories in the prestigious National Fenestration Awards 2022.

These ten nominations recognise the excellence achieved over the past year, with a focus on the innovation and development of new products, including the specially designed Kyube Plus Garden Room range, and the continued success of Eurocell recycling.

The awards, which are now in their tenth year, are designed to be all-inclusive with the winners of the awards decided by other individuals working in the UK fenestration industry. The independent awards recognise all areas of the industry, rewarding the very best businesses, products and individuals within the sector.

Eurocell has been shortlisted in an impressive ten categories, an incredible accomplishment for the company and the most nominations Eurocell has received at the NFAs.

The list of nominations covers a range of different aspects across the business, from New Product 2022, Conservatory Product of the Year and PVC Systems Company of the Year to Digital Marketing Campaign and Young Person of the Year.

Andy McDonnell, Managing Director of Eurocell plc commented; “It’s a huge achievement to be recognised at the National Fenestration Awards 2022.

The awards celebrate excellence within the industry and all the team and I are extremely proud of being nominated in ten different categories. The varied nominations recognise the commitment and dedication from all the teams and departments within the business.”

Over the past year, Eurocell has continued to create sustainable and high-quality products, as well as provide professional and helpful services to both installers and homeowners, with the expansion of the branch network across the UK.

The award nomination in the ‘Recycling Company of the Year’ category highlights this continued advancement of services and product development. Eurocell is proud to be the UK’s leading specialists in PVC-U recycling, collection, and extrusion, recycling over 2.4 million window and door frames last year, the equivalent to 3700 double-decker buses. Together the advanced recycling system, expertise in the industry and awardwinning recycling plant are helping to shape the future of recycling in the industry.

Voting for the NFA 2022 is now open, if you would like to cast your vote, please visit: www.fenestrationawards.co.uk/vote/

“It’s a huge achievement to be recognised at the National Fenestration Awards 2022...”

Whatever style, size or configuration of conservatory your customers require, Eurocell can supply the components to create the outdoor room of their dreams.

Our latest contemporary conservatory design uses a combination of our exclusive pilaster system, our slimline roof system and our modern highline gutter to create a conservatory for the 21st century.

Our bespoke conservatory solution enables you to fabricate any conservatory design, or you can choose from our range of classic styles, including Victorian, Edwardian, gable-ended and contemporary conservatories.

Support

varied support staff on hand, both hard support and soft support All of our team are incredible experienced which helps them get to the support requests, promptly and

support team work in the background, providing technical updates, monitoring and security checks. This very best service levels are for our customers.

support team, deal directly with our helping them through product providing quick demonstration even tailoring their software to individual business needs.

CAN EVEN ASSIST

Using the Onsite 7 App

7 SYSTEM

Luke Smith

Director | The Green Room Building Co

honesty it was di cult to find a fault with the and understood the reasoning as to why developed. It simply helps a trade business to its best and has certainly helped us evidence of the quality of our work, keep jobs and have comfort in being able to see footage/notes and photos being taken from site installations if we as company owners are not physically there ourselves.

ONSITE7.CO.UK

PREMIUM ALUMINIUM FRAMES FOR COMPOSITE DOORS

Prestige Composite Door Frame NEW

COMPLETE THE ALUMINIUM LOOK

16x more rigid than reinforced PVC-U, Sheerline’s aluminium composite door frame eliminates door ‘bounce’ and is the perfect way to provide a premium feel to your installations. Perfectly matching the rest of the Sheerline range. Frames are available in 44mm and 48/49mm sizes to cover most popular composite door blanks.

GQA TECHNICAL TEAM THE LATEST TO VOLUNTEER TO TAKE THE INDUSTRY TO THE EDUCATION SECTOR

Building Our Skills - Making Fenestration, Glass and Glazing a Career of Choice has received a further boost to its campaign to take the industry to the education sector as the starting point for creating a workforce for tomorrow. Four members of the technical team from GQA Qualifications have enrolled to be a part of the ‘Inspiring the Future’ programme that Building Our Skills is promoting alongside the Education and Employers Charity.

Setting a great example to employers in the industry, the team from the fenestration industry’s leading awarding and qualifications-writing organisation has signed up to support the campaign by volunteering to visit schools to help inform youngsters about the possibilities for their future careers, and what they could achieve if they join the Fenestration, Glass and Glazing industry.

Inspiring The Future has been designed to connect young people with the world of work through volunteers. It is seen by Building Our Skills as key in helping to acquaint school age children and their teachers with the industry, and to communicate to them the broad range of job roles and career paths it offers.

The campaign connects volunteers to state primary and secondary schools via its free match-making platform. Volunteers are asked to give just one hour a year to the programme, although they can choose to do more if they wish in order to help inspire children. The first step is to register on the website of Building Our Skills and complete a very simple application form. Teachers who have signed their schools up to the programme can see details of the volunteer, where they are based and the industry they are in, and then invite them to talk to their school about the job they do and the industry they do it in.

Invitations for in-person school visits are based around volunteers being local to the school in question. Virtual visits can also be delivered from anywhere in the UK.

Volunteers are supported by the Inspiring the Future team and are given access to training videos as well as training webinars and forums should they wish.

Building Our Skills has highlighted the Education Sector as the single most important area for the industry to focus on to raise awareness of the opportunities it offers and to inspire future generations to look to Fenestration, Glass and Glazing as a career of choice.

Mark Handley, Building Our Skills’ Partnerships Manager, says:“I’m delighted that GQA’s technical team has agreed to support the Inspiring the Future campaign by volunteering. We’re now well on the way to achieving our primary objective of securing 50 industry volunteers. I’ve been very pleased with the response, but I urge the fenestration industry to acknowledge the need to get more involved with schools and colleges. Working with Inspiring the Future is a great approach to attracting new talent to the industry, and teaching youngsters about the sheer breadth of roles it has on offer. I think anyone volunteering would find it all very rewarding.”

Those interested in volunteering can do so by clicking here. Or for more information on this campaign and Building Our Skills - Making Fenestration, Glass and Glazing a Career of Choice - visit www.buildingourskills.co.uk

GQA Qualifications is a multi-industry awarding body writing vocational based qualifications to support a wide range of career paths.

Accredited training leading to qualifications

If you are looking to retrain for a new career, or looking to develop your skills to open up opportunities why not consider practical training in window and door installation

Learn about Building Regulations, working safely on site, how to remove windows and doors from buildings and replace with new ones

All courses fully accredited and could contribute towards NVQ Qualifications

With further assessment and achievement, successful candidates can go forward to achieve CSCS Cards to enable them to work safely on site

Training delivered in Sheffield in a fully Covid secure environment

For more information on training contact sayhello@buildingourskills.co.uk

For more information on vocational qualifications and CSCS cards contact info@gqaqualifications.com

www.gqaqualifications.com

A TECHNICALLY BETTER FINISH FROM KOLORSEAL

Yorkshire based colour coating specialist has relocated to a new site in Huddersfield which is dedicated to upvc window, door, conservatory and composite door paint spraying to the trade.

Originally launched by Deborah Hendry over 18 years ago in Wakefield, the new Kolorseal headquarters is bringing greater scope to the business with increased space and more technical advantages, particularly for the paint spraying and drying departments.

Kolorseal uses a diverse and versatile range of equipment and systems in order to provide customers with one of the broadest colour choices in the UK. With a wide variety of customers across the fenestration sector, the company has established industry-wide recognition for the quality standards provided.

Through investment in larger facilities with additional drying rooms, Kolorseal uses the very latest equipment which ensures customers receive consistently high quality, colour coating solutions.

Deborah Hendry, Managing Director comments, “The time had come to invest in new solutions to ensure we could meet the demand from customers.

The new premises enables us to grow the team, to improve efficiency and productivity, all of which will allow the business to grow to the next level.

Specialist lightbulbs have been incorporated into the spraying booths to assist the colour spraying team in keeping each and every job commensurate.”

Kolorseal is committed to provide fast and reliable services, which is the core focus for everyone at the company. The move and development of larger headquarters enables every department to deliver on the quality and delivery guarantees.

Deborah Hendry concludes, “We are now in a great position for growth and will be able to offer customers greater quality standards as Kolorseal moves forward.

This investment in new facilities ensures that each and every job gets the attention needed. With such a vast range of colour and a commitment to our customers we will always go that extra mile to get it right.”

For more information on the services available from Kolorseal colour coating specialists please visit the website www.kolorseal.co.uk or alternative call 01924 454856 to discuss project requirements.

“We are now in a great position for growth and will be able to offer customers greater quality standards as Kolorseal moves forward”

ALUMINIUM WINDOWS MAKE BEAUTIFUL STATEMENTS!

With aluminium such a popular option for architects in contemporary house design it is amazing to see how far the product has come in 30 years. Battleship and charcoal greys as well as hazy greys all make bold statements in both new build projects and traditional renovations - so is grey the new white?

Back in the day, aluminium was not a very appealing choice for window and patio door frames. Draughts and poor performance led to this style of frame gaining a very bad reputation - but things have really changed and so much for the better.

The modern style of black or grey options is the new ‘must have’ on the design front with the sleek, slim lines creating a striking finish to any project.

The strength of the product combined with its chic appearance continues to create new trends across the market - aluminium is the new ‘must have’ upgrade for many homeowners. Architects are designing homes that open up to optimise the light and the aluminium bifold option seems an excellent choice to meet all the performance and security aspects for modern living.

The strength of aluminium allows greater design scope with the possibility of fitting large windows and doors that don’t need large, bulky frames, so the glass area is maximised. This contemporary style means that more of the window will be glass as the sightlines are much slimmer and it will provide a very thermally efficient alternative option to pvc-u.

As a modern window or bifold system aluminium gives excellent insulation thanks to the advances in thermal technology that have evolved over the last decade. Whilst some PVCu and timber options can expand and contract as temperatures change making windows and doors difficult to open, this is eradicated with aluminium being such a stable product.

For homeowners it is a very low maintenance product as a window or as a bifold door, being a practical alternative that does not need painting or preserving to restrict rotting or corrosion.

For commercial properties that require a modern upgrade then aluminium is certainly offering a great alternative with the aesthetics and appeal of a stylish contemporary design giving an older property a complete overhaul that gives all the thermal benefits of more traditional window styles.

In general aluminium offers a cost effective alternative to homeowners looking for high performance in stylish design. Most products in this style have been developed to provide improvements to issues regarding heat loss with draught resistant seals included in the production process. Incorporating thermally efficient glass also minimises energy loss whilst corrosion-proof frames give long life guarantees in relation to weather-proofing.

Improved security is always on most people’s minds when looking to renovate a property and aluminium systems come with guarantees that satisfy British Safety Standards to give that added reassurance.

With aluminium being recyclable it satisfies even the harshest critics regarding environmental concerns and the carbon footprints of a building. Whether it is a new build project or the renovation of a more traditional building, aluminium is blazing new trails in window and bifold door design which are giving pvc-u and timber a genuine run for their money.

FROM HELEN DUVAL 2022

VITRINE ALUMINIUM SECURE SEVERAL SHOWROOM PARTNERSHIPS

Cheshire based Vitrine Aluminium have partnered up with several large companies within the fenestration industry to showcase their products in all their showrooms.

Vitrine Aluminium are proud to now supply a large supply and fit, consumer company in Cheshire who pride themselves in offering high-quality products with unbeatable service and fast turnaround on all their products.

Vitrine Aluminium is an award-winning manufacturer of aluminium windows, doors, patios, bifolds, rooflights, lanterns, curtain walling, commercial doors, and framing systems. Their most recent award was the 2021 National Fenestration Award for bi-folding door manufacturer of the year.

One of Vitrine Aluminium’s fantastic lift & slide patio doors has been installed in an impressive showroom. Although this showroom is filled with premium product brand names, Vitrine Aluminium’s stands out from the rest.

Boasting a slim 47mm interlock lift & slide patio door finished in textured matt black. This impressive door has proved to be a big hit with all their customers.

Lift & Slide patio doors are the perfect integrating element that connects rooms or gardens with external spaces. They provide a convenient exit to the balcony, terrace, or garden, and truly bring the outside in.

Unlike the ever popular bi-folding door, when in the open position, the lift & slide patio door does not take up space inside the room. This is particularly important for the interior design of the room, and the exterior space, which is often overlooked.

Innovative and practical, their aluminium patio door systems are an alternative to a set of French or folding sliding doors. The narrow profile faces create a dramatic removable wall that provides uninterrupted views to the outdoors. Fabricated by Cheshire’s premium patio door supplier.

These doors still enable good contact with the environment which further increases comfort within the room. MB-59LS gives you great possibilities in applications of lift & slide patio doors and is the optimized solution in terms of construction and dimensions of its profiles and frames.

With its high thermal and sound insulation, combined with excellent water and air tightness, MB-59LS meets all the requirements for energy conservation and environmental protection. In terms of thermal insulation, MB-59LS profiles have two different variants: ST and HI.

The range of available profiles include 2- and 3-rail frames, and leaves that are adapted to two heights of rolling devices. A wide range of glazing enables both double and triple glazing units, including safety and sound insulation units.

Due to its characteristics, the MB-59LS can be used in various types of buildings: individual buildings, hotels, or apartments. With its low sightlines and slim appearance, installing these doors makes the most of every view in every situation.

Vitrine Aluminium has also secured another two showroom partnerships with some fantastic companies one in Cheshire and another in Wakefield who are keen to put several of their products on show so watch this space for more news in the coming months.

Vitrine Aluminium’s customer focused attitude alongside their unique product offerings mean the Vitrine brand is growing, and they are quickly gathering more notoriety and affirmation from the fenestration industry and beyond. Duane Rogers, co-founder, and co-owner of Vitrine Aluminium concludes “We’ve worked hard to get Vitrine Aluminium where it is today. It has taken a lot of work for Paul, me, and our whole team, in these last couple of years but it is exciting to see the fruits of our labour skyrocket our brand higher and higher. We’re excited to form more partnerships and create more sales for ourselves and our partners in the near future”.

For more information on Vitrine Aluminium and the whole product offering please visit their website. Call 01925 387099 or email them at info@vitrinealuminium.com. Vitrine will also be exhibiting at FENEX 2023 at Telford in April. Get your ticket to meet them in person herefenex-2023.reg.buzz/.

Bright Light into Living

UK FENESTRATION SHOULD BE A FAR BIGGER SECTOR THAN WHAT IT IS

Think about this for a moment. Fenestration, which by definition is the arrangement of windows and doors in a building, is literally everywhere.

Every home. Every office space. Every pub. Every cinema. Every skyscraper. Every Government building. We are surrounded by our industry at every turn. What a remarkable thing that is. What is even more remarkable is that our sector is still (as a rough estimate) worth less than £5bn and has very little influence both with the public and with Government.

That is a shame because I believe that what we do is very influential and very important in all our lives. But the truth of the matter is one of the main reasons we’re not at a more elevated status is down to us as a sector. Can we change that?

Could, should be bigger

How often have you thought about the above? How often have you considered that in every building in this country, windows and doors play an integral part in the functioning of that building? Entry, exit, security, energy efficiency, appearance etc. When you really consider it, our sector is quite amazing.

Yet, despite the very vital role our sector plays in every building, our influence and impact both within society and the general public, as well as Government is pitiful. Why? Because for decades our sector has been causing most of the damage itself.

Think about the White Gold days. The point at which PVCu was taking off and replacing timber and aluminium as the fenestration material of choice. What a boom the sector had. What an opportunity to forge a new path and show the general public what a fantastic new investment for their homes was being made available. Instead, as per the sadly accurate comedy series, our industry engaged in a race to the bottom. Stack them high and sell it cheap was the order of the day. Cut corners on quality to reduce the price further. Undercut the competition and do absolutely anything to get the sale.

As a result, we bred a generation of salespeople and businesses that garnered the industry a terrible reputation that is has been struggling to shift ever since. The wrong people were in the right place at the right time, and we have been paying for that ever since.

That is one side of this coin. The side that faces the general public. But we also continue to undermine ourselves internally and to greater powers thanks to our petty politics and general lack of genuinely serious professionalism.

In my 17 years in this industry, in the various capacities I have occupied, it never ceases to amaze me how willing we all are to cut our own legs away. We have so many complexes it’s hard to keep up. Industry bodies that refuse to work together to create a louder, more influential single voice. A unique arrogance that believes only one of something can exist. Glacial pace when it comes to trying new ideas. DGB is still one of a kind in this sector which is sad to see. The petty internal politics and playground antics only serve to undermine any progress we try and make as a sector.

Short-termism and personal gain continue to overshadow better business decisions and genuine progress. And what amazes me is how many conversations I have with key people across all parts of the sector where they all agree with the above and some go further than me in their criticism of the sector. And yet, nothing changes.

“One of the main reasons we’re not at a more elevated status is down to us as a sector. Can we change that?”

Major potential

This is what is so frustrating for me. I am genuinely passionate about this sector and the influence and potential that lies within it. To me, these are not just windows and doors. These are life-changing products that keep people safe at night. That can inspire people to invest in their homes. That can keep precious energy bills down. That can provide well-paid jobs and careers. The impact of what we all do has such a significant one yet I don’t think we all see it. I think many of us just see the frames going in and going out every week and the wider context of our work is lost.

I want to see more people as passionate as I reach influential places in our sector. To become the decision-makers who don’t let false politics get in the way of good decisions. To be able to unite the various factions within our industry to build a stronger, singular voice which delivers massive impact when it comes to talking to Government.

The debacle in the run-up to the revised Building Regulations, especially trickle vents, is such a good example of what happens when a splintered industry cannot get its house in order in front of lawmakers. Had our sector been able to unite on a common position, and deliver that position to civil servants and MPs, the impact would have been far more influential, and the fenestration sector would have had a more powerful seat at the table. As it was, the opposite occurred and we got what we got.

If you look through noise and rabble and seek out the nuggets of quality, you’ll see that there is so much potential within fenestration. Just look at the door sector for example. It’s exploding in all directions.

Composite doors are a market in themselves and continue to grow rapidly. Aluminium bi-folding doors and sliders are massively popular with growth baked in for years to come. Aluminium internal doors are an emerging market set to explode. Pivot doors are on the scene now and are gaining traction. Elsewhere, flush windows are surging. Smart tech is breaking through.

There is a genuine software market within fenestration now. Lanterns and flat skylights are very much a thing now, with garden rooms and verandas providing fantastic outdoor living opportunities. All of this is very much NOT White Gold and are new markets that we should all be looking to make the very most of.

Our industry should be twice the size it is. Some estimates put the sector at £4.5bn-ish in value. Some might call me over-optimistic but I see a route to £10bn if we can get serious about what we do. Internally, we have to be better. To behave like a bigger industry and instil professionalism and integrity at all levels. Set aside the egos and politics and begin to think like a bigger sector. Externally, we have to show the public that we’re a hell of a lot more than our reputation would have them believe. That there are plenty of good companies and good people doing brilliant things.

That this sector is a very good place to forge a career. That “double glazing” is not that tarnished phrase for dodgy practices.

If we do all that, just watch that growth happen.

Jason Grafton-Holt

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SCREENVIEW PRIVACY & VISION IN AN INSTANT

Ideal for vision panels in doors, the Uni-Blinds® ScreenView® integral blind system provides the perfect solution for balancing patient confidentiality and privacy with observation and monitoring. Being permanently encapsulated within the double glazed units in windows, doors and partitions, this unique blind system is safe, easy to use, hygienic and maintenance-free, whilst enabling privacy in an instant.

morleyglass.co.uk

NEW INTEGRAL BLIND SYSTEM FOR HEALTHCARE BUILDINGS

The UK’s leading integral blind manufacturer Morley Glass has launched a new system designed specifically for hospitals, medical schools and other health and social care facilities.

ScreenView® balances the need for patient privacy and observation, allowing for easy switching between the two at different times of the day. Unlike any of the Venetian or pleated blinds available in the current Uni-Blinds range, ScreenView® has two layers of wide slats arranged in a ladder style, which move up and down to provide an open view for observation or complete closure.

The blind is perfect for door vision panels and other windows that separate a healthcare facility’s communal or public areas from private spaces such as treatment facilities, consultation rooms, operating theatres and patient rooms. Unlike vision panel flaps and externally mounted blinds, ScreenView® blind requires no cleaning or maintenance, other than routine cleaning of the control know, and it is protected from the daily knocks and accidents that can easily damage blinds in busy public environments.

Being permanently sealed within the glass unit, the ScreenView® blind is never exposed to dirt or germs, so it stays pristine over its lifespan. And, as an additional safeguard, the blind’s control mechanism is protected with a Sanitized® antimicrobial coating to help with infection control.

Safety is optimised further when ScreenView® is coupled with certified fire rated glass in insulated glass units. One of the benefits of specifying integral blinds from Morley Glass is having the flexibility to choose from different types of glass to meet different performance goals, and that includes enhanced fire resistance through the company’s partnership with Pyroguard.

This means ScreenView® blinds can be specified to provide passive fire protection, with assured performance of 30, 60 or 120 minutes, depending on the building requirements. It all adds up to a privacy and shading system that is hygienic, practical and fully compatible with designs in line with Approved Document B in England & Wales, as well as the equivalent regulations in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Ian Short, Managing Director of Morley Glass said:

“ScreenView® gives specifiers and facilities managers a new option for controlling privacy and shading in healthcare environments that allows other important design objectives such as fire safety, hygiene, infection control and aesthetics to be met. We can provide specialist specification and design guidance to help achieve the right solution using ScreenView®, as well as the other integral blind solutions in our Uni-Blinds® portfolio.”

As with every product in the Uni-Blinds range, ScreenView® is manufactured by Morley Glass in Leeds using the world-renowned ScreenLine® integral blind systems from Italian pioneer Pellini S.p.A. The system is also available in the industry’s shortest lead times – just 10-12 days when ordered by 10am on Thursdays. To find out more visit www.morleyglass.co.uk.

“The ScreenView® blind is never exposed to dirt or germs...”

GQA IN BESPOKE QUALS COLLABORATION WITH BALUSTRADE & BALCONY SUPPLIERS & INSTALLERS ASSOCIATION

Collaboration currently underway with a new trade association is demonstrating the practicality of GQA’s ‘Bespoke Qualification Service’. GQA, the awarding and qualifications-writing organisation is assisting The Balustrade and Balcony Suppliers and Installers Association (BABSI), a new body fully launched in May 2022.

GQA’s Bespoke Qualification Service is aimed at employers who wish to be able to offer those staff undertaking very specific roles the opportunity to work towards gaining a qualification where one does not already exist. The service is perfect for niche, specialist areas, which do not lend themselves to meeting the required content of a standard regulated qualification.

In close consultation with BABSI, GQA is developing three one-day essential knowledge courses leading to a GQA/BABSI skills card in addition to a new NVQ Level 2 in Balustrading and Railings. The three courses include:

* Essential Knowledge of Balustrading Installation

* Supervising Balustrading Installation Projects

* Designing & Specifying Balustrading Installation Projects

The Essential Knowledge of Balustrading Installation course will cover topics such as an overview of the industry; product range; quality standards; building regulations relating to the industry; installing the product; and identifying problems with installations.

Representing designers, manufacturers, installers, raw material suppliers, distributors, contractors, component and specialist product and service suppliers throughout the sector, BABSI’s mission is to be the recognised voice of the balustrade and balcony sector. The organisation aims to establish stringent standards of quality and service in order to set a professional benchmark for the industry.

Commenting on the collaboration with GQA, BABSI’s CEO, Justin Ratcliffe said: “Qualifications are a standard against which everyone can be benchmarked equally. GQA’s Bespoke Qualification

Service is helping us to prove competency not just through the development of specialist courses, but through the endof-course testing procedure. We are anticipating that the new, bespoke qualifications will be available from quarter four this year.

“By joining BABSI and getting involved in the courses and the qualifications they offer, members are demonstrating their commitment to best practice, collaboration and improving the quality and understanding of the value of balustrades and balconies for their customers.”

Commenting on the Bespoke Qualification Service, GQA’s EQA/Technical Officer, Martin Sadler says:

“It is disappointing when people in specific, specialist job functions are not able to develop their careers by working towards achieving a qualification because a relevant regulated option is not available. This is where our Bespoke Qualification Service can help. Developing a qualification tailored specifically to them, which carries the approval of GQA, means that employees can fully prove their competency, and employers can put into place for them a career progression route. Once developed, the qualification is exclusive to the employers concerned.

Mick Clayton CEO of GQA Qualifications added “Both our Accredited Training and Bespoke Qualification services are proving extremely popular. They demonstrate the need for a flexible approach to training. Here at GQA we have close to 200 qualifications covering a broad variety of sectors. The balustrade and balcony industry, just like any other, needs training solutions tailored to its specific needs. I’m proud that we are helping to facilitate this and contributing to raising standards and assisting in shaping careers.”

More information on GQA is available at www.gqaqualifications.com.

GQA Qualifications is a multi-industry awarding body writing vocational based qualifications to support a wide range of career paths.

Accredited training leading to qualifications

If you are looking to retrain for a new career, or looking to develop your skills to open up opportunities why not consider practical training in window and door installation

Learn about Building Regulations, working safely on site, how to remove windows and doors from buildings and replace with new ones

All courses fully accredited and could contribute towards NVQ Qualifications

With further assessment and achievement, successful candidates can go forward to achieve CSCS Cards to enable them to work safely on site

Training delivered in Sheffield in a fully Covid secure environment

For more information on training contact sayhello@buildingourskills.co.uk

For more information on vocational qualifications and CSCS cards contact info@gqaqualifications.com

www.gqaqualifications.com

YOUR KENT-BASED TRADE SPECIALISTS

Our trade sales team is proudly made up of time-served industry experts. We're your local one-stop-shop for competitively priced, quality assured fenestration supply across Kent and the South East

 MFA BUILDING CONTROL APPROVED

 40 YEAR WARRANTY

 LIGHTWEIGHT GRP SYSTEM

 LEAD GENERATION SERVICE

SMART TECHNOLOGY IN NEW BUILD DESIGN

FROM HELEN DUVAL 2022

As technology becomes more intertwined into our every day lives, our priorities are changing. Sustainability, Energy Efficiency and connectivity are now becoming increasingly important in building design and renovation.

Without sensors, microchips and smart technology that collects data about usage, homeowners have no real measure about heating, lighting, electrical expenditure or security.

These automated systems are now very much in focus for the consumer, with optimising space and evaluating how to gain the most cost effective way to run a household or office space major priorities.

Improving performance by reducing energy use, minimises any building’s environmental impact. Without updating, homes will remain pretty much as they were for decades - a shelter from a storm.

Sustainability is a priority with well-being and human/robotic integration now important as remote monitoring provides greater reassurance. As the world has changed so have we, with the desire for truly usable and traceable spaces now an essential for many.

The inter-connected, smart building uses technology to control building usage including lighting, heating, air conditioning and security, which remove the challenge associated with estimating building maintenance costs.

Being flexible and adaptable is a choice many people want in their home as an extension of the simplicity provided by today’s digital technology. We all want easier and healthier lives and smart buildings provide that.

Lighting sensors, for example, can monitor occupancy of a room. Smart systems for heating such as HIVE can assist in setting different temperatures for different rooms and so much more. Devices and smart systems can be connected to each other so that all things can be monitored from one smart phone.

This growth is a reflection of the desire for improved health and reduced energy consumption which are the main drivers. Naturally, the main IT companies have started to engage in the idea with Google, Microsoft, Amazon etc looking at products that will help us manage the varying demands of the different buildings we live or work in.

There are wired and wireless options out there, so we have a wide variety of digital solutions for renovation projects or new builds, with large variety available to suit most budgets.

Wireless technology will undoubtedly continue to grow and adapt to our changing needs with the advancement of the IoT and the desire to incorporate smart systems into building and home automation.

“Energy Efficiency and connectivity are becoming increasingly important.”

METICULOUSLY

No1 VS Fabricator in the UK

BY

Graf Weld or Fully Mechanical

PAS 24 and Secured by Design

Energy Rated ‘A’

FENESTRATION DIGITAL IS CHANGING THE WAY THEY DELIVER NEWS

Fenestration Digital is the industry’s most innovative way of getting your most important messages across. Fenestration Digital wants to promote your brand, products, and latest news across the fenestration industry.

Unlike any other publication, Fenestration Digital is part of a family of brands, they pool their connections between themselves, The National Fenestration Awards and FENEX - Fenestrations Expo to maximize reach and impressions further than ever before.

All PR sent to Fenestration Digital will feature almost immediately on their, fully news focused website, optimised for web and desktop. The news will then be posted onto their social media platforms, generating interactions hourly. Around the last week of every month, Fenestration Digital publishes an online, fully digital magazine which includes adverts, videos, and news articles of all the news we received that month.

This magazine is the first of its kind for this industry, designed specifically for digital media, it is much easier to read than printed media, turned digital. Not only that, but the magazine is also interactive and can incorporate many other digital assets including gifs and videos.

Brand New Feature

As well as website exposure, social media posts and monthly magazine slots, Fenestration Digital have added a new feature to their offering –Fenestration Digital News Flashes!

This is a targeted email send which will be released within 24 hours of them receiving your news. These new news flashes feature your news only, a headline ‘flash’ with a link to your story. Fenestrations Digital uses the data at their disposal (event and voting data) to specifically target the right email addresses, ensuring a higher interaction and intention.

This new way of targeting the correct audience with the correct news was conceived in January of this year and put into beta testing straight way. With much higher opening and click-through rates, some reaching over double the construction average, the Fenestration Digital Newsletter gave way to the new ‘News Flashes’ in February. Since then, the current customers have been able to take advantage of this revolutionary service.

“This IS A new way of targeting the correct audience with the correct news...”

The Fenestration Digital news flashes and monthly magazine reminders are sent to over 15,000 matched and targeted email addresses!

Fenestration Digital can play host to a variety of advertising, sponsorship and promotional opportunities including:

Monthly online interactive magazine

Optimized for web and bringing all the industry news direct to the industry. The fully digital magazine is packed with the latest news stories, features, editorial and adverts from the fenestration industry. Interactive links in the magazine and on their website connect readers directly to you.

Unlike print, Fenestration Digital embeds videos from YouTube or Vimeo on the magazine and website. Fenestration Digital is also the digital home of FENEXleading the way in unique trade show events.

Advertising

Promoting your latest product or service with Fenestration Digital can give you an instant link through to your own website. They have tailored advertising solutions including banner advertisements, interactive video news ads, site, channel, and video sponsorship.

Press Releases

Supply Fenestration Digital with your latest news stories, product features, new appointments, employee achievements, new contracts, etc. Fenestration Digital offers the viewer the latest news articles, videos, ads and downloading of brochures specific to the industry.

Targeted news flashes

Brings daily trade specific and super targeted news, Press Releases, and innovations direct to the right inboxes.

Case Studies

Allowing industry suppliers to share and showcase their products and services through the experience of their customers. Let Fenestration Digital know what your clients and customers think about you and Fenestration will tell everyone else.

Video

Give your products and services a personality and create a visual advert which will be automatically linked through You Tube. Video productions are a great way to deliver training sessions, product usage and updates to customers.

Browsing

Allowing viewers to find their own current and archived news. Sectioned into categories, web visitors can also search for their favourite brands.

Recorded results

Unlike other printed publications, where many confuse a distribution list for a readership list. Fenestration Digital magazines and news flashes can be tracked showing how many opens, clicks and reads they have had.

Fenestration Digital welcomes all in the Fenestration industry to advertise with us. It could be in any sector: aluminium, timber, pvc, doors, windows, conservatories, roofs, hardware, installation, manufacturing, or trade. If you are in the industry, we want to hear from you!

Email: info@fenestrationdigital.co.uk Visit: www.fenestrationdigital.co.uk

YOUR KENT-BASED TRADE SPECIALISTS

Our trade sales team is proudly made up of time-served industry experts. We're your local one-stop-shop for competitively priced, quality assured fenestration supply across Kent and the South East

Whatever style, size or configuration of conservatory your customers require, Eurocell can supply the components to create the outdoor room of their dreams.

Our latest contemporary conservatory design uses a combination of our exclusive pilaster system, our slimline roof system and our modern highline gutter to create a conservatory for the 21st century.

Our bespoke conservatory solution enables you to fabricate any conservatory design, or you can choose from our range of classic styles, including Victorian, Edwardian, gable-ended and contemporary conservatories.

with

your prospects are looking good.

Our data allows you to target your prospects directly, helping you win more sales, more effectively.

So if you need more fabricator, installer or trade counter customers, we’re the only database supplier that’s 100% dedicated to the window, door, conservatory and curtain walling industry.

And with the recent legislation changes, we can help you with GDPR compliancy too.

For your FREE trial go to: windowbase.info/free-trial

e: info@windowbase.info

t: 01453 845717

32YEARS OF SASH WINDOW EXPERIENCE –AND WE’RE READY FOR ANOTHER

This might be the very first time you are considering changing your sash window supplier. Or, perhaps you just want to try an alternative award winning sash window specialist to offer your customers a wider choice. Either way, we would like to help you to increase your VS sales.

With 32 years focussed on manufacturing high quality timber alternative sash windows, we are true specialists and confident that our products will impress your customers. We have also earned a sound reputation for always providing an exceptional level of personal service and our entire team are committed to delivering this.

Our new specification launched in 2019 featuring exclusive new Masterframe Systems, standard with patented Timberweld® technology and we would welcome the opportunity to take you through the improved product offering and delighted to quote.

No matter the size or design of a home or project, if sash windows are required then we can help. If a specialist solution is needed for a conservation area, modern development, school or historic building our sash windows add the right amount of authentic styling to either fit seamlessly into original settings or set the property apart from other new developments.

To see the choices, including patented Timberweld® corner design, download our new brochures here.

Some of the advantages we offer as standard:

10 year guarantee for peace of mind

Made in Britain for continuity

BBA Approval on standard window sizes for longevity

Energy Savings Trust recommended for energy efficiency

Specialist solutions for challenging projects that require matching new to original designs

Free and safe UK mainland delivery

Quotes with non-priced customer proposal

CAD drawings where required

Expert technical support

Free 47 page professional conservation guide

Free product training

Call our friendly sales team on 01376 510410 or email for a quote here.

Considering video marketing? From design to online distribution, we can help.