55 minute read
Trade News
I HADN’T REALISED HOW UNOBTRUSIVE MY SECONDARY GLAZING WAS GOING TO BE
Secondary glazing manufactured and supplied by Granada Glazing has cured issues with heavy condensation on single-glazed windows for a couple in the Scottish Borders.
Jill and Francis Mordaunt are so delighted with the difference that secondary glazing has made to their comfort, they are planning to have it installed throughout their 1920s semi-detached home, which is in a conservation area.
The couple sought advice from Peeblesshire Windows on improving the thermal efficiency of their Peebles home, but their primary concern was condensation, especially in colder weather. “We’d been thinking about secondary glazing for eco reasons, but mainly because we’d had problems with condensation. On a cold morning, the windows would be running with water and that led to black mould round the edges of the windows. I really wanted to get rid of that,” explains Jill, a retired academic.
She says that having the six units installed – four vertical sliding units and two horizontal sliding units – has made a ‘huge difference’ to their living environment. The vertical sliders were glazed with 4mm toughened glass and the horizontal sliders were 6mm toughened glass. The original timber single-glazed windows in the sitting room, bathroom and a bedroom were all treated using Granada Glazing’s new high-specification secondary glazing range that offers the most discreetlooking solution on the market. With ultraslim, durable aluminium frames, the entire range offers even narrower sightlines than its predecessor. Where condensation is a major issue, Granada Glazing often recommends secondary glazing with balanced trickle ventilation. This provides a simple, costeffective, and permanent solution. The factory-fitted trickle ventilation system is both discreet and robust. It allows a simple, flexible method of providing the all-important background ventilation which will help to control condensation problems. “I hadn’t realised how unobtrusive the secondary glazing would be; you can hardly see it’s there. And the panels are so easy to open and close for ventilation,” continues Jill. “We’re very pleased with it and we like it so much that we’re going to have the rest of the house secondary-glazed.” The cost-effectiveness of secondary glazing was another important factor in their decision-making as Jill comments: “We had an extension built with double-glazing and were thinking about going down that route to solve the condensation issue. However, at cost of around £23k to £24k for six replica double-glazed windows versus around £3k to £4k for what we’ve had done, that was out of the question.” Jill has also noticed another welcome benefit of the secondary glazed windows; they are retaining more heat and helping to keep the rooms warmer, adding: “The sitting room is warmer in the morning, whereas it used to be chilly. It’s keeping the heat in. “Not only will secondary glazing solve my condensation problem, but it will also hopefully reduce our heating bills. And we’ve retained the character of the original windows.” Suitable for all property types, Granada’s slimline aluminium secondary glazing frames can be powder coated in over 200 RAL colours. Virtually invisible, they blend in with any interior décor. The Granada Glazing product range encompasses hinged, sliding, vertical sliders, including tilt back, and lift-out options. Full training and marketing support is available to installers across the UK.
For more information about adding the Granada Secondary Glazing range to your business, please call 01909 499899, visit www.gsecg.com or email info@granadaglazing.com.
RELOCATION SETS PREMIER ARCHES ON PATH TO SUCCESS DEKKO REPORTS OVER HALF OF ORDERS
When Premier Arches relocated to a larger unit at the beginning of 2020, the profile bending specialists could not have predicted the unprecedented market conditions they’d soon find themselves in.
Soon after more than doubling in size and moving from a 4,700 square foot manufacturing facility in Bolton to a 10,000 square foot premises in St Helens, the company was forced to shut its doors thanks to the national Covid-19 lockdown, and it was very difficult to predict what the market was going to do. Since then, however, the decision to upscale has proved a huge success. Premier Arches Managing Director Sean Greenall comments: “The initial lockdown in early 2020 was a real challenge for us, as we faced a very unpredictable market. But as soon as restrictions were lifted, we saw a surge in demand for our products, and the additional space allowed us to significantly increase capacity and production. “Thanks to this increased capacity, we were able to successfully deal with the buoyant market conditions, supply chain woes, price increases and extended lead times, and as a result, we’ve seen year on year growth, including a 94% sales uplift from 2020 to 2021. “This year, we plan on expanding production and capacity even further by installing a new mezzanine floor and investing in new machinery.” Established in 2015, Premier Arches manufactures and supplies arched, angled, gable, circular and entirely bespoke windows and doors in a range of seven stocked systems including Residence 9, plus another five non-stocked systems, offering a full service to fabricators, trade counters, installers and local builders.
Serving over 600 customers across the UK, the St Helens-based company transforms the often daunting process of profile bending into a simple and pain-free process, saving fabricators time and money, and helping them win more lucrative projects which would otherwise be turned down.
Sean continues: “When it comes to profile bending, most PVC fabricators simply don’t have the time, the tools, or the expertise to carry this out in-house. Premier Arches manufactures and supplies the awkward products that others don’t want to make, helping their customers to focus on what they’re good at. “At Premier Arches, we’re offering something truly unique, and thanks to our successful expansion and a strong focus on technology, we’ve equipped ourselves to continue that service and provide customers with high-quality products and honest customer service for years to come.” For more information, email info@premierarches.co.uk.
ARE FOR COLOURED PRODUCTS
Dekko Window Systems has seen a strong demand for coloured uPVC and aluminium, with the leading trade fabricator reporting that 55% of the orders it received in the past year being for coloured profile.
Sales Director Kurt Greatrex comments: “Coloured profile has been a growing trend across the industry for a while now, especially in the post-lockdown home improvement boom. “Homeowners have been investing more and more in their properties, and there’s certainly an uptake in people choosing colours rather than the standard white products we’re used to. And it’s thanks to our trusted suppliers that we’ve been able to keep up with that demand. “Deceuninck, for example, has been a long-standing and reliable supplier of an extensive range of high-performing uPVC products such as flush sash window systems and patio door systems, all available in a wide range of foils and colour coated finishes.
“As with us, colour is a priority for Deceuninck, and they’re able to offer us a quick turnaround on these products, enabling us to offer quick lead times to our customers in turn.”
Further boosting Dekko’s colour sales is the recent launch of 10 new colours by Residence 9.
“We were always able to offer our customers this premium range in a wide range of colours and wood effects, but thanks to their recent expansion, we’re now able to offer exclusive colours such as Clotted Cream, Cotswold Biscuit, Eclectic Grey, and No.10 Black, to name a few, giving our customers a lot more to choose from.”
In addition, Dekko’s Räum collection of luxury aluminium windows and doors are all finished with a durable powder coat paint application, available from hundreds of colours with matt or gloss finishes, woodgrain and textured options, or a special scratch-resistant, low-maintenance Coatex finish.
Kurt concludes: “With such a wide range of options, it’s no surprise that we’ve seen a huge increase in demand for coloured profile. “It’s certainly a trend I see continuing, and at Dekko, thanks to our valued and reliable suppliers, we’re in a strong position to keep our customers happy.” For more information contact Dekko on 0161 406 0055 or visit www.dekkowindows.com.
PROFILE 22’S OPTIMA SPECIFIED FOR NEW BUILD DEVELOPMENT IN HARROGATE
Over 1,700 Optima windows and doors from Profile 22 were installed in a £38 million tenure-blind new build housing development in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
Skipton Road is a new build development from Home Group built on former agricultural land in Harrogate. The scheme comprises of 214 apartments, detached, end terrace, linked detached, mid terrace and semi-detached homes with two to five bedrooms. Sixty percent of the homes are for private sale and 40% for affordable housing, which is split across affordable rented and shared ownership properties. A primary aim of the development was to create a tenure-blind community, with no discernible difference between private and affordable homes. This would ensure that all parts of the site are equally attractive and would contribute to greater community cohesion. The aim meant the project’s specification was critical, with every element needing to provide exceptional quality and good value. The windows and doors specified for the contract were Optima from Profile 22, the UK’s leading commercial window and door system, which had all the credentials required. With the project needing over 1,700 casement and flush casement windows, residential doors and French doors, it was awarded to experienced Profile 22 Approved Contractor Kingfisher Windows, a leading manufacturer and supplier of windows, doors and conservatories. For this project, the Optima windows had a textured Basalt foil on the external face to tie in with the development’s subdued material palette that reflects the surrounding communities. The internal face was white to provide an understated look that would complement any interior design. Kingfisher Windows is an experienced commercial window contractor used to working on large scale new build developments. The company liaised closely with the main contractor and all the other trades on site to ensure fabrication and installation ran efficiently. As the project took place during the Covid-19 pandemic, the company also put in place additional health and safety measures to protect the health and wellbeing of all staff. The project is due to complete in March 2022 and Sean Egan, Home Group director of development, commented: “This is a prime site in a very popular town where there is a high demand for housing. We intend to deliver high quality homes which will be sought after by those wanting to live in the area.” Jonny Reynolds of Kingfisher Windows said: “We were delighted to work on such a prestigious housing development with United Living and Home Group. The strength and quality of Optima products including the flush casement windows have delivered exceptional high-quality aesthetics and superb product performance that a project of this nature demanded. The attractive development will help to provide much-needed housing in the local area.” Tel: 0808 101 4143 – www.profile22.co.uk
JOHN FREDERICKS PLASTICS MARKS 30-YEAR VEKA MILESTONE WITH FUTURE COMMITMENT
Leading PVCu manufacturer John Fredericks Plastics Ltd celebrates a threedecade partnership with Halo (a brand of VEKA plc) in April this year.
And the award-winning industry heavyweight is looking forward to seeing this relationship flourish even further after signing a five-year long-term service agreement with their trusted supplier. Mark Dicconson, JFPL Managing Director, said their incredible 30-year shared history was down to product quality, delivery, service and trust.
"It's a combination of all those factors really. Halo is an excellent brand – high quality products designed to last. That works for us, and our customers. And the customers obviously have grown to rely on the same product now for 30 years, so they have that familiarity, and trust. They have seen how it has consistently performed for 3 decades. Established in 1970 John Fredericks Plastics has been trading for 52 years, forging a reputation built on exceeding high standards. When Mark returned to the business as Managing Director in 2019, he took the decision to use the Halo system exclusively. "This has proven to be the right decision," said Mark. "I brought Halo to John Fredericks 30 years ago. It's an exceptional product; one we have been pioneers of and has been involved in many of our innovations over the past 30 years. During my absence from JFPL a second system had been introduced which was inferior in my view. "I feel you should concentrate on one thing and do it really well. Hence the reason I went down the exclusivity route with Halo again. I initially signed a three-year deal on that basis and then felt comfortable enough to extend that for a further five years. “This was done in conjunction with taking full control of all JFPL shareholding. Five years is a long time in business, but I have full confidence in Halo as a brand."
In what has been a tough two years for businesses across the industry, Mark said Halo (and VEKA’s reliability as an excellent supplier), has stood out from many of their competitors and assisted JFPL in maintaining high levels of customer service in these challenging times. "It has been the best of our suppliers without question; it has been extremely reliable. It has been very supportive of us over the years, and this has continued throughout the pandemic. The last 2 years have been tough, but we've managed those challenges, and as a result we've experienced excellent growth." VEKA plc Managing Director Neil Evans said: “It has been an honour to work alongside JFPL for 30 years. Mark and his team continue to raise the bar for quality and service, having demonstrated tremendous resilience during a challenging two years for the industry. “Signing this long-term service agreement demonstrates immense trust in us, and we will continue to repay that trust by delivering an exceptional product backed by steadfast support. I am extremely confident this partnership is one that will continue to flourish for many years to come." www.veka.co.uk
STELLAR READY FOR THE CHANGES TO PART L
The new Part L of Building Regulations, which comes into force on 15 June 2022, is the biggest shake-up of thermal performance regulations for a number of years. As such, the regulations will be especially complicated for many aluminium systems to meet. But one system is good to go already – Stellar, the multi-ward-winning aluminium system from Epwin Window Systems.
Phil Parry, Business Development Director at Epwin Window Systems, says: “Stellar’s unique design doesn’t use dummy sashes or rebate adaptors so it’s more thermally efficient by design. Plus, its thermal breaks can be upgraded to meet the demands of thermal regulations that will only get stricter over time. It means we’re already ahead of the market and many systems will have to be redesigned and reconsidered to meet the new requirements.” The new regulations pose a problem for many aluminium systems because of the way the U value now must be calculated. Instead of being calculated on a 1230w x 1480h single opening casement (known as the CEN standard window), U values must be calculated on the GGF 2.2 window configuration, as used in WERs. This is a window with an opening light next to a fixed light with a central mullion. It’s harder to achieve the required U value on this configuration because there is more frame than in a CEN standard window. It’s especially problematic for aluminium windows that use a dummy sash or rebate adaptor to create an internally beaded fixed light next to an opener because they use even more frame. need for dummy sashes, reverse profiles or adaptors. It helps it to meet the requirements of the new Part L legislation with the added benefit of being ready for the proposed amendments to Approved Document Q too. To illustrate the difference the patented construction makes, Epwin Window Systems’ certified BFRC simulators simulated two GGF 2.2 windows. The first was a Stellar window constructed with a dummy sash. The second was Stellar window constructed using the patented reverse butt joint. The reverse butt jointed window achieved a calculated improvement of 0.1W/(m2K) over the dummy sash variant. Phil concludes: “Stellar was always designed to be competitive yet future proof. It’ll be ready for the changes now and it’ll be ready in the future too. Its stunning aesthetics mean it attracts consumer attention like no other aluminium system. And with the introduction of the new Part L, there’s yet another reason for it to be the aluminium system of choice in fabricators’ and installers’ portfolios.” Tel: 0845 300 9356 www.stellaraluminium.co.uk
CONSERVATORY OUTLET GROUP GOING FOR GOLD AFTER INVESTORS IN PEOPLE SUCCESS
Conservatory Outlet Group is vowing to add to its 34 apprentices and empower its 312 staff members to ‘gold level’ standards, after securing a prestigious Investors in People (IiP) accolade for the first time.
The UK’s leading manufacturer of highquality windows, doors, home extensions and conservatory products has been recognised with a ‘We Invest in People’ accreditation following months of hard work. Rather than see it as the culmination of its efforts, it is instead being viewed as the beginning of a journey towards an even greater achievement, with the company vowing to secure Gold standard within the next three years. Karen Starkey, Head of HR, explained: “We are thrilled to be honoured in this way, but the hard work now begins as we aim to hit nine performance indicators and become a gold level company. These include leading and inspiring people, empowering people, rewarding high performance and creating sustainable success.
“It is vitally important that we provide opportunities to our employees to grow and develop in their roles. We gain commitment from them as a result, as they see the value in our training and the opportunities it provides. “We are proud to have enabled several staff members to further develop and grow. Progression is a key value to future-proofing our organisation, creating genuine careers and a sense of succession planning.” Conservatory Outlet has utilised the Apprenticeship Levy to take on and develop 34 apprenticeships in career disciplines including Business Admin, Management Team Leading, Bricklaying, Customer Service, HR, Construction Building and Marketing. The Investors in People official report states that ‘as well as having the right people with the skills and knowledge to support the achievement of the planned growth, you also have a focus on retaining and supporting existing staff to ensure that skilled people reach their potential and to make sure that the workforce is suitably balanced, fair, and diverse.’
Conservatory Group, which has its headquarters and 60,000 sq ft manufacturing operation in Wakefield, was praised for successfully growing the business, recruiting key people to support its growth, and introducing a number of working practices that have started to make a tangible difference on performance. The management team were also highlighted for communicating regular company updates, which has helped people understand what is happening during the pandemic and the supply chain disruption that has followed.
Greg Kane, Chief Executive of Conservatory Outlet Group, added: “Training - and the continuous development of people - is one of the fundamental cornerstones of our business. We have examples of young apprentices working on their Admin Level 3 apprenticeship and, once completed, being supported to undertake their AAT qualification at college. “A skilled, trained and knowledgeable workforce is key to ensuring we provide the best quality product and service to our customer. We also hold best practice events with our network of retailers, which accentuates the sharing of knowledge and expertise.” Conservatory Outlet is already working on an action plan to secure the Investors in People’s Gold Standard in the next three years. “A company is only as good as its people and we’re no different. It is great to earn this accreditation, but we view it as the starting point on a longer journey to becoming an even better employer, serving our staff with even better support and rewards,” concluded Greg.
For further information, please visit https://www.conservatoryoutlet.co.uk/ or follow @conservatoryuk
Karen Starkey, Head of HR at Conservatory Outlet
OVER 30 BENEFITS OF JOINING DGCOS
(DOUBLE GLAZING & CONSERVATORY OMBUDSMAN SCHEME)
The Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme (DGCOS) starts 2022 on a mission to demonstrate and grow understanding of how the consumer protection organisation offers fenestration businesses a critical point of difference with the launch of its Installer Journey Benefits. The offering includes an inclusive summary of all the ways DGCOS can help installers on their installer journey and clearly states DGCOS’s intentions to help installers, protect consumers and continue to raise industry standards.
Faisal Hussain, Chief Executive of DGCOS explains more: “Our mission for 2022 is to grow understanding of how DGCOS can benefit the entire installer journey and demonstrate to forwardthinking installers how working with us can give them a critical point of difference and real, true business support. Many will be familiar with the DGCOS brand and our consumer protection allegiance. Some installers may know us as the ‘George Clarke scheme’ while other installers rely on our practical support day in day out as a DGCOS member.
“DGCOS has an established position, having strong partnerships forged with financial bodies, insurance houses and Competent Person Schemes (CPS), and we’ve been working hard to ensure we can add value at every single point of an installer’s journey. We have summarised this in our Installer Journey Benefits which details the wide range of benefits of working with us, from setting up and registering a new business, marketing and digital support, sales advice and POS, installation, customer service and satisfaction, to annual reviews to see how together we can keep on improving. We can be the soundingboard, the friend and the strategic and practical partner to forwardthinking installers. “There are in fact over 30 benefits and to give a flavour of some of the practical ways in which we’re currently helping our installers: we’re paying for the CPS notification fees saving members approximately £1.65 per notification; introducing them to finance brokers/ lenders to gain access to consumer finance; offering 24/7 access to our online portal for installers to register their installations; providing access to an independent Ombudsman to prevent issues from snowballing in time and cost. We’re especially proud that our DGCOS marketing collateral has been awarded the Plain English Crystal Mark which is a seal of approval demonstrating that our collateral is clear and can help consumers understand exactly what they’re getting when they buy from a DGCOS member. And of course, yes, we do have the powerful endorsement of our Brand Ambassador, George Clarke, for members to use.
“As DGCOS is all about transparency, it’s worth saying upfront that DGCOS is not for everyone, and indeed we have a strict vetting process to join. We probably are ideal partners for about 10% of installation businesses working day in day out in the double glazing sector. But for those who have joined, they say that membership is invaluable. “We’re proud and delighted with the strong position that the DGCOS brand is in as we start the new year. We want to share the benefits of our powerful business support engine with as many installation businesses as possible, to collaboratively raise industry standards and ultimately help and protect both consumers and our members in an ethical way. “DGCOS is the industry’s consumer champion and we invite you to join us on the journey in 2022.” www.dgcos.org.uk
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DGCOS SAYS LET’S TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH
The Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme (DGCOS) is shining a light on the very real issue of mental health in our industry, by challenging us to open up about the unspoken struggles being faced by many. Chief Executive of DGCOS, Faisal Hussain, explains why the organisation is asking everyone to take a few minutes to participate in an upcoming Fenestration Industry Mental Health Survey.
“Mental health is a much under talked about subject. It’s a topic I’ve thought about for a while, but it was really brought home to me following a frank and open conversation I had with an installer just before Christmas. He runs a respectable, quality installation business with several fitting teams doing about 10 to 20 jobs a month. After congratulating him on what was an apparently commercially successful year thanks to the massive home improvement boom, the reply was very different from what I expected. Rather than the positive conversation about sales and profit growth I thought we were going to have, he stopped short and simply said: “I’ve had enough Faisal.” The long and short is that he was exhausted from back to back jobs; negotiating delayed lead times with insistent customers; juggling admin, sales and credit control from consumers who owed him significant monies for high value completed jobs; and the fact that some days he struggles to walk due a bad back that he’s had no time to visit the doctors for.
“This dismal picture got me thinking about how many others in the industry were feeling the same and most importantly, what is the price we’re paying in terms of our mental health? While this story is anecdotal, it is sadly backed up by statistics and what is really concerning is, when you apply these statistics to the demographics of our sector, which mainly consists of men. According to MIND, Men aged 40-49 have the highest suicide rates in the UK driven by society’s expectations and the traditional gender roles where men are less likely to discuss or seek help for their mental health problems. This may sound stereotypical but it’s a fact. “The third Monday of January has been dubbed ‘Blue Monday’, claimed to be the time when people feel most down every year. Whether you think it’s a marketing gimmick or not, at least it hit the headlines and got a conversation going about mental health. In fact, it prompted DGCOS to put our money where our mouth is on this issue, and for every installation that was registered on our online portal on ‘Blue Monday’, we donated £1 to mental health charity MIND. And to further this conversation, DGCOS will be launching a Fenestration Industry Mental Health Survey over the coming weeks. We will be asking for everyone to take a few minutes to contribute and hopefully together, create a brighter future. “DGCOS is never afraid to talk about the issues that others steer clear of or to confront head on the real challenges faced by our industry. We will never hold back if it means drawing attention to them in a positive, constructive way that can help create change for the better.” The Fenestration Industry Mental Health Survey will be launched soon. Keep an eye out by following us on LinkedIn - @ DGCOS – Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme
www.dgcos.org.uk
WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU!
CHRISTINA CHRIS EMMA
10TH-12TH MAY 2022 CHANGES TO PART L
– TOO FAR OR NOT FAR ENOUGH?
AluK’s very first podcast in October 2021 was on the topic of Part L – asking representatives from across the industry to contribute to a debate about the expected changes and the impact these were likely to have on the window and door market.
Now that the new Regulations have been published, with a reduction in notional U-Values for windows and glazed doors in new build homes to 1.2 and limiting U-Values of 1.4 for replacement windows and glazed doors in existing homes, AluK has gone back to some of those podcasters and asked them what they make of the new rules and whether they think they go far enough. From AluK’s point of view, Head of Process and Certification, Dale Pegler said: “The changes are broadly in line with what we were anticipating, albeit with a few surprising additional amends within the released document. However, AluK is already well on the way towards ensuring we have a full range of product options which comply with the regulations. We would perhaps have liked to see some mention of the assessment of embodied carbon in construction materials, because environmentally, this is just as significant as thermal performance – and of course, aluminium is a 100% recyclable material.” Mark Taylor, Technical Director at architects Allies and Morrison, welcomed the lowering of the U-Values in the notional dwelling, but shared the view that the changes could have gone further. He said: “The U-Value of 1.2 represents only a small improvement on where we are now, but we can all see the direction of travel. At least there’s a bigger incentive now for architects to calculate the psi value (which is heat loss per metre at the edge of the glass) and that’s a more accurate reflection of the true performance of the window.” By contrast, Gareth Allen, Technical and Training Manager at Saint-Gobain Glass, felt that the pace of change is probably about right in terms of moving towards the government’s target of a 30% reduction in carbon emissions from new homes. He said: “What came out of AluK’s podcast was an acknowledgement that some sectors will find it harder than others to comply even with this fairly conservative shift to 1.2 for new dwellings and 1.4 for existing. “Saint-Gobain Glass is certainly committed to doing our part to support the whole industry on that journey, and we’ve already got products available which will help with compliance, and we’re seeing a return to normal stock levels.”
John Miles, from Assent Building Control, agreed that, given the fragility of the construction sector at the moment, the new Regulation will deliver the right amount of progress at just about the right pace. One thing he pointed out though was the relative lack of pushback from the industry on the changes, suggesting perhaps that many had actually expected the notional U-Values to be lower. He did say that, in practice, many architects are likely to specify U-Values for windows which are lower than 1.2 if they are using SAP calculations to balance glazing with the overall efficiency of the building fabric. This, he added, is likely to lead to more widespread use of triple glazing in new build, very much in line with the thinking during the podcast. John also warned that the transitional arrangements are not as generous as many people think, stating: “Only plans for projects which have already been approved are likely to come outside of the new rules. In reality, fabricators and installers will need to be making the changes now ready for projects which start after June 15.” Kevin Jones, the GGF’s Technical Officer, confirmed that the Federation is in contact with the DLUHC to give feedback on the published document, but remained confident that the industry will rise to the challenge. AluK will be announcing a series of special Part L update events for customers next month and already has a dedicated Future Homes Standard web page at: https://www.alukgb.com/learning/fhs
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CLADDING TRANSFORMS HOMES AND BOOSTS SALES FOR THINK HOME FASCIAS
Fortex cladding from Freefoam was the star of a recent installation by Peterborough-based Think Home Fascias.
A homeowner recently asked Matt Edwards, the owner of Think Home Fascias, for a solution to replace the tired, worn and crumbling render on the front of their property in West Pinchbeck, just north of Peterborough. Matt said: “At first the customer was looking at the possibility of re-rendering the house, but as they wanted to modernise it, I suggested Freefoam cladding and they were really taken with it. “Originally the customer wanted to go for white cladding, but I suggested it might be too overpowering for their property. They weren’t actually aware of the colour options available, so we discussed different possibilities, including Anthracite Grey, and they decided to go for Storm Grey.” As well as giving the front of the property a new lease of life with a transformed appearance, Think Home Fascias added an insulating layer of Celotex behind the cladding to boost the home’s energy efficiency and help lower their energy bills. Fitting Freefoam Fortex cladding is an allround solution. A high-quality, ultra-low maintenance product that has given the homeowner a warmer property and saved them time, hassle and money on costly home upkeep. Matt’s customers were delighted with their home transformation, which took just three days. Matt adds: “They were over the moon and gave us a positive review straight away. They have even posted pictures on Google and on social media. They were really impressed. “There are a lot of similar homes in the area with render that is starting to wear, and we posted a display board outside the house. One of the customers’ neighbours has also shown interest in replacing the render on their property too. “At Freefoam, the service is there alongside good quality, durable products. I can contact them directly and get straight through. The range of colours is a real selling point for Fortex cladding. Greys are most popular but I’ve sold a lot of Sage Green, particularly for homes in the local villages.” Matt set up Think Home Fascias in 2018 and is largely focused on fascias, soffits, guttering and cladding installations. He’s a Freefoam Registered Installer, fitting Freefoam products for 12 years and he has a great rapport with his local stockist, Special Building Factors in Peterborough. Colin St John, Commercial Director at Freefoam, says: “It’s great to have installers on board like Matt who understand our range, and the potential cladding has to make a real statement and transform a property, particularly through the bold use of colour. While the benefits for the customer are clear, Freefoam Registered Installers who use our products on a daily basis also find that Freefoam cladding is very easy to install.” Learn more about Freefoam’s products, service and support by visiting www.freefoam.com or calling 01604 591110. Follow @freefoam.
For more information about Think Home Fascias, visit thinkhomefascias.co.uk.
After image of West Pinchbeck property with Freefoam Fortex cladding
SUCCESS WITH VEKA RECYCLING INSPIRES SCOTIA WINDOWS TO DRIVE FURTHER GREEN INITIATIVES
When Gavin Smith took the reins as Managing Director of Ayrshire-based Scotia Windows and Doors in 2021, one of the earliest decisions he took was to revise the company’s arrangements for dealing with waste PVC-U, including virgin offcuts from the company’s frame fabrication facility and increasing volumes of postconsumer frames that Scotia consolidated for its trade customers
With recycling previously managed by a local agent but with inconsistent service levels and, crucially, no discernible audit trail for the material, Gavin decided to switch to VEKA Recycling Ltd, one of the UK’s only companies able to collect and fully re-process new PVC-U profile offcuts and old frames, in-house. From May 2021 VEKA Recycling has been supplying at least one articulated vehicle weekly to collect the material, which is simply pre-sorted into special bins provided by VEKA Recycling. Additionally, to streamline all of Scotia’s profile recycling needs, VEKA Recycling now also removes scrap aluminium for reprocessing. “When I reviewed our arrangements last year for disposing of our PVC-U offcuts and the old frames that we handled for our installer customers, I was unhappy about many aspects of the arrangements, not least that we had no real idea where the material ended up,” said Gavin. “We also moved to a new, larger facility at the end of 2021 and the throughput and management of material had to be reliable in anticipation of the sort of volumes that we are now producing,” explained Gavin. “When VEKA Recycling was introduced to me I was impressed that the company would collect all of our material and that it then processed everything in its own advanced re-cycling plant and according to an audited trail. We were further impressed to learn that our material would be turned into new products and even new window profiles, within days of leaving our yard. “All of that was important to us as a company and the commitment that we make to our customers, who include some of the country’s biggest housebuilders, that every aspect of Scotia Windows and Doors is run to the highest, certifiable standards.,” added Gavin.
“It is fair to say that the VEKA Recycling service has now inspired us to embark upon a programme of measures that will reduce our carbon footprint in many other ways, both to satisfy our own commitment to the environment, and also as more of our customers, and their customers, demand it,” added Gavin
This is especially true of Scotia Architectural Systems, a division of the company that operates from showrooms in Alva, Clackmannanshire and which designs and installs bespoke windows and doors for a variety of high-end building projects, including one featured on TV’s Grand Designs. Says Gavin: “We have found that customers of this business are especially interested in the environmental impact of the products they choose for their properties. Using the example that we have set through our partnership with VEKA Recycling, as we enter our 40th year in business we will now review all of our operations with a goal of reducing the carbon footprint of Scotia Windows and Doors, in everything that we do.” https://veka-recycling.co.uk
THE NEXT GENERATION OF THE POPULAR AND WIDELY USED ROOFWRIGHT SOFTWARE EMBRACES VR AND AR
A fascinating visit to the top of the world, well, the top of the Pennines anyway, at High Peak, the home of RoofWright. Glass News’ Publisher, Christina Shaw, and Chris Champion, the Editor, met with the RoofWright team to find out about Virtual and Augmented Reality and how this technology is finding its way into our industry and changing how we see things, forever.
Rapid Prototyping Systems has been offering their RPS Software or, more specifically, RoofWright for over 20 years. It’s a 3D modelling software specifically for visualisation of conservatories and extensions on PCs, tablets and even VR headsets. It’s a sales tool: helping the sales of conservatories and orangeries and, with the growth in garden rooms, it is letting the homeowner see the design that has been put together specifically for them. Being able to walk around a 3D drawing is so much more interactive than seeing it on a piece of paper or a screen. If you are then able to place the garden room in your own garden or attach the conservatory or orangery to your home, being able to see it in situ and even walk inside, look around at all angles, and experience it although it has yet to be built, then that is very compelling and must aid making the sale. Cath Wright, who has been with RPS since 2009, welcomed us to their impressive premises at High Peak which they only moved into at the start of the pandemic. They have found, as others have, a completely new world as the Covid crisis now wanes. Initially aimed at housing their 22 staff, the building is now largely empty as people work remotely, and just as efficiently. Luckily, with a good relationship with their landlord, they are looking to downsize to next door. Being a technology company the ability to embrace this new style of working is perfect for them and, while we were talking with Cath, Pete Wilson and Marcel Brown and being shown the software and being wowed by the VR headsets and the like, Gage Griffiths who is working with RPS on a three year technology transfer programme with Liverpool John Moores University connected with us, and it was just as if he was with us in the same room.
The company has been around since 1996 and is by no means a tech start-up. This is a mature and successful company that has many hundreds of customers within the fenestration industry. So what is the basic business model? It is really very simple and has become even more simple since last year when RoofWright moved from licensing through dongles to letting customers simply become active by signing up online. The dongle has been used for decades but, as with most software, RoofWright is becoming smarter and even easier to use. There’s the Free 14 day trial to see if the software is for you, Essentials which gives full design capability, Plus that allows Photorealistic Export to PC and adding and manipulating photorealistic furniture, then Pro that lets you add Sales Checklists, a Report Designer and Pricing and with the added benefit of exporting 3D models to other Drawing Software and for 3D printing. Always the worry with software, at least for a dinosaur such as me, is the issue of being given a sharp knife and proceeding to cut off my fingers! That is not the case with RoofWright. They pride themselves on the support they provide and how you get that support is up to you. Just exploring the website makes everything easy – this is not a complicated, whizzy, design freak website but a practical easy to follow, and easy to understand site. Click on support and you are given a choice of material from Getting Started through Troubleshooting and Advanced Guides. Equally, you can open a
RoofWright iPad
Glass News’ Editor Chris Champion tries out RoofWright’s Virtual Reality application
Support Ticket and they aim to be back to you within one hour in office hours, or you can download a Support Assistant. A look through the testimonials tells the story of the full support that’s offered and the news section, too, throws a light on RoofWright’s determination to provide a great service through support, great software and working with their clients and listening to them. This is how the software is constantly improving and is always pertinent to the demands of the industry. 2022 promises to be an important year for RPS Systems and their partnership with John Moores University in Liverpool, and the exploration and the implementation of Virtual and Augmented Reality is driving the RoofWright software forward. For the gamers amongst us UnReal World will be a household name, for the rest of us it’s a graphical engine. Gage, who was on the line with us from John Moores University was explaining how UnReal and Epic Games are a part of developing the Virtual and Augmented Reality aspect of RoofWright. This however was not speculation or a ‘nice to have’ in the future. Donning Oculus VR headsets we were able to experience RoofWright as it will be launched later this year. Of course, we had lots of questions and comments: does the grass on that lawn look real to you? As you move around, the floorboards don’t always appear parallel? Can the structure be placed on my house and not just a sample house? Can it be my actual garden so I can see how the Garden Room would look? Pete and Marcel were patient and long suffering and explained the developments that were going on so that RoofWright will be ready for The FIT Show in May. It must be frustrating to show cutting edge software development to a couple of dinosaur journalists who have now picked up a small amount of knowhow and are querying what you are doing. However, nothing was too much trouble for the team and they explained the nuances of both the software and VR and AR in a clear and unambiguous way. The VR/AR version of RoofWright will also enable distance selling such that the homeowner doesn’t even need to be in the installers’ showroom, they can experience the full design and build in VR over Zoom while sipping tea in their front room! From starting the morning looking at a design product for Roofs and Conservatories that has been around our industry for a considerable amount of time we had, some two hours later, become excited children playing with a new toy. We could understand the enthusiasm that their clients have for RoofWright and appreciate what is said in testimonials and we, like their clients, can’t wait for The FIT Show to see RoofWright incorporating VR and AR. The RoofWright stand is likely to be very popular with visitors wandering around the stand with Oculus VR sets on their heads. We will probably be amazed at the graphics and how it enhances the software and will
"Like their clients, we can't wait for the FIT Show and the chance to see make selling even easier to the homeowner, but when we get home and tell our children the RoofWright team demonstrating this incredible technology." or grandchildren about playing with Virtual Reality they’ll probably say; “I’ve been telling you about this stuff for ever and I asked for an Oculus for Christmas….which I didn’t get!” Hey ho!
Pete Wilson
Stuart Dantzic, Managing Director, Caribbean Blinds
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF CARIBBEAN BLINDS CHOSEN AS ONE OF THE ‘SUFFOLK 100’ FOR 2022
Stuart Dantzic, Managing Director of Sudbury based firm Caribbean Blinds has been selected for the prestigious Suffolk 100 list for 2022.
The East Anglian Daily Times Suffolk 100 recognises and celebrates the achievements of those who have made a special contribution to the county in any field, from the business world, from cultural offerings, sport, education, the environment, the public sector or third sector. Those selected have been recognised for significantly contributing to the energy, vibrance and success of Suffolk during the last four years. The last time the list was produced was back in 2017 so there was an excitement in the air to see which new names and faces would be added.
A process of public and private nominations to flush out the most influential people in Suffolk was followed by a judging process by a panel who then chose the 100 individuals to be included in the list. The top 100 will attend an exclusive reception celebrating the Suffolk 100 at The Hangar, Kesgrave Hall, Ipswich on Wednesday 30th March 2022. Stuart Dantzic, Managing Director at Caribbean Blinds, commented: “Being the MD of Caribbean Blinds is so much more than just focusing on the growth and success of the business. We are also part of an amazing community so where we can, we get involved and support it. We are sponsors of AFC Sudbury and have got behind them across all levels of the club. “We also recruit from the county and have big plans for later this year as we await the completion of a 10,000 sq/ ft expansion of our factory site in Sudbury. By more than doubling our current storage capacity, we will not only be able to increase productivity whilst keeping lead times short but employ more people locally for the manufacture and assembly of our bespoke products. “To have not only been nominated for, but then selected as one of the Suffolk 100 is such an honour for me and my family but also for the entire team who are very much my extended family and part of this community.” Stuart also gives a lot of time to smaller retailers in the industry to help them grow and scale their business. If he can help smaller companies expand, then that creates a larger marketplace. He does this by spending a lot of time on industry forums, talking to smaller resellers about the marketplace, as well as the opportunities out there and how he can help them scale their business.
Caribbean Blinds recently achieved a double award shortlisting at the Growing Business Awards 2021 and for the second year running, won at the national Real Homes Awards in ‘The Great Outdoors’ category with their hugely popular Cuba Awning product being crowned ‘The Best of the Best’ against stiff competition. For more information, visit: https://www.cbsolarshading.co.uk
JADE ENGINEERING PRODUCES A SWISS ARMY KNIFE PUNCH TOOL FOR GARNALEX
When designing its Sheerline aluminium window and door system, Garnalex’s designers and engineers, led by the well-respected industry leader Roger Hartshorn, began with a blank sheet, and created a range of products for which even the tiniest detail in its design, production, and performance, was reconsidered.
Jade Engineering, which has designed and produced tooling, machinery, and frame manufacturing solutions for most of the UK’s systems companies and their fabricator customers, was called in by Garnalex to develop a new approach to a relatively simple task. Andy Russell, Garnalex’s Technical Service & Support Director, takes up the story: “Sheerline frames are manufactured using a patented corner assembly method that removes the need to crimp profiles together. For this unique system to work, holes must be drilled in every profile to provide access to adjustment screws, which is a process that is easy to accomplish, but that must be done across all 30 plus profiles that are used in our system. “Having worked with Jade Engineering for more than 20 years, I knew they’d find a smart solution to cope with the challenge of carrying out the hole punches, across a large range of profiles, while reducing the number of punch tools required to carry out the task. And as usual, Jade came up with a solution that is highly effective, yet incredibly simple in its design and execution.” Jade’s approach was to develop a multi-tool that could be simply and quickly adjusted to switch between the various profiles, in effect producing a ‘Swiss Army Knife’ for processing multiple aluminium profiles. Whilst the multi-head tool is more complex and expensive than single-function tools, the need for time-consuming tool changes and multiple punch stations, is dramatically reduced.
“The Jade approach has saved a huge investment in punch tool stations which also saves an enormous amount of factory space, in addition to speeding up the simple but essential process of punching holes with great accuracy and over many cycles,” said Andy. “In addition to developing the tool head, the punch tool and pump units produced by Jade are engineered to the highest standard and require very little attention,” he added. “Jade understands the sector and are highly proactive; we go to them a clear idea of what we want to achieve, and from our drawings and brief they come up with innovative and clever solutions.”
The punch tools are delivered to the Garnalex factory at Nether Heage in Derbyshire, before being sent out to fabricator customers under the watchful eye of Roger Hartshorn, whose background as a toolmaker and engineer has been instrumental in his success in creating some of the industry’s best-known brands, including Eurocell and Liniar. This, says Jade’s Adam Jones, makes the success of the project that much more satisfying: “When the head of the company is a renowned engineer himself, of course it makes providing a solution that much more satisfying. Sheerline has gained an impressive reputation for innovation, and we are delighted to have contributed to that.”
DATE ANNOUNCED FOR GLAZING SUMMIT 2022
The 2022 Glazing Summit will take place on Tuesday, October 18th at Edgbaston Stadium and Conference Centre.
Last year’s Summit sold out as live events returned for the first time since the pandemic, and organisers are expecting to welcome around 400 industry leaders, key influencers, and decision makers this year. And momentum is already building at this early stage, with dozens of big-name companies signed-up to sponsor already, including industry giants Yale as headline sponsors. Andrew Scott, Glazing Summit founder, said: “There was a real buzz at last year’s Glazing Summit and the event has already become one of the most important dates in the industry calendar. “The plan now is to take it up a notch and make it bigger and better this year, and preparations are underway already.” Twenty-plus expert and keynote speakers tackled the biggest industry issues after an unprecedented 18 months’ last year, and this year’s event is sure to be just as important as the landscape changes again. “The Glazing Summit has quickly become a fundamental part of the industry and we will confront the big topics head-on once again this year,” added Andrew. “And if last year’s Glazing Summit was anything to go by, the 2022 event will sell out fast.” The one-day conference attracts fabricators, installers, glass companies and component suppliers, providing the best networking and a chance to connect with new customers.
Sponsors already on board for 2022 include the likes of MACO, Exlabesa, Unique Window Systems, Glazpart, Carl F Groupco Limited, Shelforce, Caribbean Blinds, Business Pilot and Chase Taylor Recruitment. With a 9-month advertising and promotion campaign starting soon, the Glazing Summit is an ideal platform to show industry leadership and connect brands.
To get involved, visit www.glazingsummit.co.uk, call 01934 808293 or email hello@glazingsummit.co.uk.
LEADS 2 TRADE SEES 50% INCREASE IN INSTALLER ENQUIRIES DURING JANUARY
Leads 2 Trade saw a record month of enquiries to join its trusted local supplier network in January as installers look for help to generate the leads they want in 2022.
The UK’s leading provider of doublequalified home improvement sales leads to installers saw a 50% increase in installer enquiries. Andy Royle, co-founder, and Director of Leads2trade, is under no illusions as to why the company is being inundated. Last year really did hit an artificial peak and some installers are reporting a definite shift to receiving fewer enquiries from their self-generated efforts,” said Andy. “The problem they are now facing is they have put resources in place to be able to manage how busy they have been over the last 12 months and maintaining those levels won’t be easy. They have been feasting over the last 12 months and they need to keep feeding, so using a third-party lead generation company is vital to help keep generating the volume of leads they need.” The increase in installer enquiries was just part of a strong start to the year for Leads 2 Trade, with the company generating more than 20,000 raw enquiries from its consumer comparison websites in January from homeowners looking for quotes for their home improvement projects. In January, the company saw a 69% increase in lead volumes for home improvements compared to January 2021, with a huge 196% increase in enquiries for conservatory roofs and a 30% increase in enquires for double glazing. And Andy sees this as the perfect storm for more installers to join the Leads 2 Trade network and take advantage of the enormous number of double qualified leads they are generating. “We are still seeing huge demand from consumers for home improvements and now is a fantastic time to join our strong network of installers and take advantage of the resulting opportunities.” Installers can also take advantage of Leads 2 Trade’s guaranteed booking appointment lead service, which sees a lead sold to one other company and members only paying for the lead if they sit and pitch it. “Our no pitch no fee is a perfect riskfree exercise for any home improvement company who are considering trialling the service as they would also benefit from our current 2 free leads promotion when opening a new account,” added Andy. To become a member of Leads 2 Trade’s trusted installer network and take advantage of booked and confirmed appointments, telephone 0800 124 4308 or visit https://bit.ly/3s77FRo
SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH CMO TRADE
When you need building supplies in a hurry, don’t wait in line, get online with a CMO Trade Account.
CMO Trade is designed specifically to meet the needs of builders and professional contractors, providing access to over 75,000 products across the company’s specialist online superstores including Door Superstore. As well as being able to conveniently order supplies on the job or on the move, contractors can also check availability and delivery times to keep their project on track. And with regularly updated exclusive special offers, including a current five per cent discount on all orders over £500, a CMO Trade Account can also help stretch budgets even further. A CMO Trade Account can either be cash or credit and as all of CMO’s products come directly from the supplier, the best and most competitive prices can aways be guaranteed. The real value however comes from CMO Trade’s commitment to offering the best service possible, with each customer allocated their own account manager who will oversee their orders from start to finish. Each CMO Trade account manager is on hand to provide expert guidance, finding cost-effective solutions to fit a range of budgets and identifying suitable alternative materials when necessary to avoid any potential disruptions or delays. Always available by phone and email, the CMO Trade team are dedicated to helping customers choose the best products for their project and supporting them right through to its completion. The convenience of ordering building materials online is further enhanced by a plentiful supply of helpful product guides and technical information via the individual superstore websites. Sign up for an account at www.cmotrade.co.uk and take full advantage of exclusive offers across all of CMO’sspecialist websites: www.roofingsuperstore.co.uk www.drainagesuperstore.co.uk www.insulationsuperstore.co.uk www.doorsuperstore.co.uk www.tileandfloorsuperstore.co.uk and www.totaltiles.co.uk.
NOT ALL REINFORCING IS EQUAL
With fabricators looking at their margins and trying to reduce costs, Phil Parry, Business Development Director at Epwin Windows, sounds a note of warning when it comes to purchasing reinforcing from alternative suppliers. He says: “When you buy reinforcing from your systems company, you’re essentially buying the reassurance that it complies with a myriad of regulations. In other words, we’ve done the testing so you don’t have to.”
The issue with fabricators sourcing their reinforcing from elsewhere is that they will be deviating from the product specification Type Tested by the systems company. Phil said: ”The use of independently sourced reinforcing means all test results and data supplied by the systems company will be invalidated. As a result, re-assessment and re-testing may be necessary to comply with the relevant standards. This is a process that could cost tens of thousands of pounds for each system and each variant so isn’t a cost-effective solution.” Such tests include BS6375 (Parts 1,2 & 3 - Performance of Windows & Doors) and PAS24 (Enhanced Security of Windows & Doors). It also includes BS7412 (Specification for Windows & Doors Made From PVC-U Hollow Profiles), which is the standard to which PVC-U fabricators are assessed to successfully achieve a Kitemark licence. Phil explains: “Reinforcing plays such a major part in the performance of a window. A component which may on the face of it appear to have similar geometry and surface coating, could be vastly inferior. The difference in a few mm here and there could make a large difference to the I value (stiffness). Key features such as ‘dutch folds’ which are often used to locally stiffen up key areas are neglected in cheaper sections to reduce material and cut cost. It’s not only the geometry but also the coatings that are important, BS7412 states that galvanised coatings must be to Z725 specification, thinner coatings applied to cheaper reinforcing may be up to 3 times thinner. Such coatings are intended only for internal use and should not be exposed to the elements, which will be a problem if the steel is kept outside.” Calculations provided by the systems supplier are affected too. These include Window Energy Ratings and U value calculations, and perhaps more importantly, structural, barrier loadings and wind loading calculations. Phil continues: “Then there’s ongoing product development. Systems suppliers retain the right to alter or amend product specifications without prior notice. Nonapproved third-party suppliers will not be aware/informed of ongoing R&D which may affect the fitting of reinforcement.” Phil concludes: “Simply swapping one type of reinforcing for another cheaper option can seem like a good idea. But when an Epwin Window Systems product uses reinforcing from another supplier, it isn’t an Epwin Window Systems product any longer so it isn’t covered by our testing accreditations or warranties. You’ll need to get confirmation from us and your certification body about what additional testing may be required. The bottom line is it could be a false economy. You may find the money you save with the cheaper reinforcing is far outweighed by the additional admin and testing costs – or the reputational risk of supplying products that don’t comply with the regulations. We would urge any fabricator to think carefully before sourcing reinforcement for other suppliers.” Tel: 0845 340 3968 www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk
LIFT THE CAP ON YOUR SYSTEM OFFERING WITH EXCLUSIVE INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP
The last few years have seen an uptake in homeowners making energy-efficient improvements to their homes.1 In conjunction with the announcement of a rising energy price-cap from the 1st April this year, many homeowners will be even more motivated to find energy saving solutions for their homes.
HOMEOWNER SOLUTIONS
When looking to fix something, people look for the weakest point, and in most homes in the UK this is often the conservatory. Homeowners are realising that the glazed room they struggle to heat or cool may be more beneficial to them and to their energy costs, if it was completely demolished. But with every problem there is usually a solution and homeowners are quickly considering options for fixing their conservatory issues; ranging from quick fixes to replacing a glazed or polycarbonate roof. With over 100,000 Guardian™ Warm Roof installations in the UK, it’s no secret why homeowners favour replacing their conservatory roofs with this high performing solid roof. Homeowners choose to keep their property value by retaining the internal square footage and want to benefit from year-round energy savings and easy temperature regulation - that the Guardian Warm Roof brings - and installation companies are key to this process.
INDUSTRY PARTNERS
Guardian Warm Roofs are custom built, tailored to the needs of the homeowner, and often they are conscious about losing out on the natural light their original conservatory provided. But integrating their Guardian Warm Roof with VELUX® roof windows will mitigate this "Our exclusive partnership with Guardian Warm Roof - the first LABC pre-approved conservatory warm roof system - Means we can help more homeowners transform their spaces, maintaining a light and airy room as desired with VELUX roof windows." Scott Leader, Market Director VELUX®
Consequently, installers get access to the product offering of the outstanding industry giant VELUX®, a reputable partnership that boosts saleability among homeowners.
TIMELINE SETBACKS
When homeowners instruct long-term home improvements, a common set-back is the requirement for planning approval. Applying for planning permission can be an arduous process. However, with the Guardian Warm Roof, installers can get pre-approval through the local authority. Therefore the system can be fabricated and quickly delivered to site, so installation can start a lot sooner. Pre-fabrication through Guardian Certified Fabricators means the build can be completed in as little as 3 days, allowing installers to easily plan ahead.
ENQUIRE NOW:
Quote Ref: GBSVELUX2 | Call us: 0800 066 5832 E: customerservice@guardianbuildingsystems.co.uk | www.guardianbuildingsystems.co.uk
1 Rated People Home Improvement Trends Report:2021 https://www.ratedpeople.com/sp-assets/rated-people-home-improvement-trends-report-2021.pdf
2 OFGEM: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/price-cap-increase-ps693-april FUTURE-PROOF BUSINESS
As the first conservatory roof conversion on the market, the Guardian Warm Roof has a long-standing reputation. This reputation continues with the Guardian Certified Installer scheme, equipping installers with excellent training. They also get first access to new offerings and partner systems such as VELUX® roof windows, hands-on business support and additional lead generation. Hailed as "the perfect future-proofing solution for homes with conservatories", Ross Darcy, Director at Guardian Building systems, installing Guardian Warm Roofs is the next best step for home improvement and new build companies. By expanding system offerings to homeowners, companies can lift the cap on limitations seen in other markets by responding in line with their customers' most impending needs. Catering for homeowners who want to reclaim their conservatory back or enjoy an efficient glazed extension. The Guardian Warm Roof is a luxury highperforming system that equips homeowners with peace of mind and full enjoyment of their space for years to come. Consequently, it is also the best future-proofing solution for home improvement companies in the midst of the nation’s energy crisis.
