What Door?

NEW ORIGINAL BROCHURE

NOW AVAILABLE

DoorCo’s Edition 2 of the ORiGINAL composite door brochure is now available in print and online. The latest edition includes new product innovations and updates to the GLAZiNG collection, with new glass and cassette designs available across the range, like the new Metallic and TWiNTONE cassettes.

For more information on DoorCo call: 01625 428955 or visit: www.door-co.com.

Ben Aspinall, DoorCo’s Head of Technology & Marketing explains more about the updates: “The ORiGINAL brochure details the entire range of our foam-core composite door option, from Traditional, Contemporary and Designer collections to the expansive range of GLAZiNG and PAiNT options available to finish. As with any door collection, the options are always evolving but there are some exciting new additions in this edition of the brochure following the all-round positive feedback we received on some prototype products showcased at FIT Show 2022.

“The Designer collection, which includes the iconic Monza II and unrivalled Links doors, has evolved the most. The Inox Nice and Inox Monaco designs are now available on the Monza II door, and we have added the Black Inox cassette to specific designs (in both the Designer and Contemporary collections), giving them a modernistic edge. The Links door designs have been enhanced too, with new options of FLiP Flat Stipple. There is a new Metallic finish available across all FLiP Flat Stipple cassette sizes, and the new TWiNTONE option, which offers a striking contrast Anthracite Grey cassette to use on against the wide range of grey door colours, is available across the collection too.

“There are also some different updated styles available in the Traditional collection, thanks to the redesigned Turnberry and Turnberry Grid FLiP Standard cassettes. A Square option on the Standard FLiP profile, that works particularly well on the Belfry Farmhouse door design, has also been added by popular demand. "Following the updates to Approved Document L, we have been working with our glass suppliers to ensure that every permutation of glass design in our GLAZiNG collection meets the new standards. This also gave us the chance to update the collection to keep it relevant and add new designs like the new Metallic design (as seen at FIT) for key door styles, other handpicked styles, and the previously exclusive GRiPCORE range, which includes popular designs like Tectronic. This change has resulted in a consolidated Decorative GLAZiNG collection, available on all our doors, which we intend to keep evolving with cutting-edge glass designs. “The new brochure is available online via https://bit.ly/3Q4WQbF or for customers to order and download from our online Asset Portal.”

EPWIN WINDOW SYSTEMS ENHANCES ITS POPULAR PATIOMASTER PVC-U SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM

Epwin Window Systems has announced several new updates to its popular PatioMaster PVC-U sliding door system.

Gerald Allen, Head of Marketing at Epwin Window Systems, said: “PatioMaster is the UK’s most popular PVC-U patio door system, and it just got even better. The latest updates further enhance the system without losing any of the high-quality features that our customers appreciate.” The PatioMaster door system is held in high regard by customers due to its outstanding aesthetics and high-quality system protocols that are a cut above mass market offerings. The new updates include reinstating the tried-and-tested Yale 6-hook lock on all doors. Gerald commented: “We’ve listened to customer feedback and brought back the Yale 6-hook lock. We are also working closely with Yale to develop a new PAS 24:2016 locking system based around the Yale 6-hook lock with shoot bolt extensions to create 10-point locking for maximum security. It will be a step-change in door hardware security and we look forward to launching this soon.” Further upgrades include enhanced security. The PatioMaster door now has an improved reinforcing chamber width, which allows for larger reinforcing and means the system is 33% stronger. There is also improved thermal performance and a new sash profile that increases the variety of glazing options to 28mm and 36mm (which is triple glazed). And weather seals have been further improved as a result of the introduction of a new PCE gasket. Gerald commented: “Thermal efficiency is taking centre stage once again. Our new glazing options means consumers can maximise the comfort of their homes.”

There have been aesthetic enhancements too. There is a choice of outerframe options to increase design versatility and a new interlock sightline perfectly aligns with the opposing sash rebate for a more considered aesthetic. There is also a new midrail design that not only looks good but is easier to fabricate because it involves fewer components. The system benefits from Epwin Window Systems’ colour offering, which features 19 stocked foil finishes including on-trend shades such as Sage, Claystone and Pebble Grey, as well as 30 Made to Order options. There are also five complementary base colours, white, tan, brown, cream and grey, to provide a sleek, high end aesthetic even when doors are open. Gerald concluded: “There have always been many reasons why the PatioMaster PVC-U sliding door system is the best-selling patio door system in the UK. With these new product enhancements, the list is now even longer.” Tel: 0845 340 3968 www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk

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DELIVERING ON QUALITY

“Solar Calibre Doors had a great FIT Show. It was our debut as part of the Solar Fabrications group of companies and, judging by the response and enthusiasm from customers and, gratifyingly, uplift in sales, was a very worthwhile investment. In amongst the positivity though, there was a worrying trend. A number of visitors to our stand were looking for a new supplier of composite doors, complaining about the quality of product and service they had been experiencing elsewhere.

Why is that worrying when it’s good news for us and other manufacturers of quality products? In my view, there is a wider implication for the industry. It is symptomatic of something I’ve talked about many times before; if you produce lowcost products, undercut your competitors, and deliver poor service, you’re not doing anyone any favours. Those customers and their end users have been failed by manufacturers who are in a race to the bottom, tarnishing the industry as they go. Remember that the race to the bottom invariably leads to failed businesses which isn’t healthy for consumers or the supply chain – the market needs choice.

This is nothing new. When times get tough and markets start to contract some businesses have a knee-jerk reaction, prices are slashed, margins erased, and unrealistic lead-times promised. Abandoning healthy margins for a swift return does nothing to secure their future and is extremely unwise given the perfect storm we find ourselves in – an economy on the verge of recession, climate change-related insecurity and the tragedy of the war in Ukraine with the resultant cost of living crisis. Instead of cutting each other’s throats, we should be collaborating, to ensure we can adopt similar strategies in the marketplace and continue to invest in our teams, quality products and great customer service. This is what we have done across Solar Fabrications. Although the core market across the industry is for GRP composite doors, in truth there is little difference between the product offering of one company and another – the styles are very similar. Where you make the difference is in build quality and distribution and this is where Solar Calibre has an advantage. We have the supply chain and the distribution network, and we have ensured that we offer products across the spectrum. So, we have our extensive GRP composite range but critically, the high-end doors too – our Craftsman solid timber range – as well as our specialist fire doors produced in partnership with sister company Fire Doors by Solar, and the very new Portium door, both of which are sourced within Europe, adding a degree of comfort in light of the wider global supply chain issues. We showcased Portium for the first time at the FIT Show, a ‘test bed’ exercise to gauge industry reaction to what is effectively a further enhancement of Craftsman. Portium offers a thicker slab, 68mm as standard, as opposed to 54mm, offering increased thermal efficiency and strength. And, with our supply partners we are looking to expand on this with our Passivhaus door, with an increased slab thickness of 98 mm. Again, we exhibited this at FIT, to test its validity in the market both now, and into the future. Not surprisingly, with the growing demand for high performing, energy efficient products, these doors met with a very positive response from existing customers and visitors alike.

In June we saw the Part L regulations come into force, meaning that all new homes must produce 31% less CO2 emissions than was previously acceptable. So, it is incumbent on the industry that it rises to the challenge, installing products of this specification, certainly for new build but encouraging customers to trade up when replacing doors. We have volume in GRP, but our eyes are on the cherry on the cake, the high-end products. Marketing and sales activity is completely different for these sectors, and we will adapt to support both, with our business and marketing strategy evolving on the back of our product development. Again, in a downturn, you don’t have all your eggs in one basket, and we firmly believe that it is this wide product range that sets us apart from other manufacturers that are perhaps more polarised in their activity. Solar Calibre is flexible and is in a good position to be so. There are still issues, not least the rapidly increasing cost of goods from China, as well as scarcity of skilled labour and international trading conditions. We have a team of very experienced fabricators and significant room to increase our capacity. Thanks to the strength and depth of our business both here and across the Solar Group, in Wales and the South West, we can also offer certainty in our supply chain, meaning customers can trust us to deliver, reliably. This was the case over the past couple of years and will be the same as we head forward.”

Gareth Jones

Gareth Jones Managing Director of Solar Fabrications