Hardware specialist VBH now stocks Glazpart’s Packers for Professionals range of plastic accessories for the glazing industry.

The range, known informally as P4P, includes all the items regularly used by installers and manufacturers of windows and doors, as well as those who maintain and repair them. P4P products include flat and wedge glazing packers, frame packers, glazing shovels, drain hole covers and screw washer cover caps.

VBH have long supplied such products in bulk packaging, usually of 1000 units or more. However, they report that they have received customer feedback advising that the requirement to order and store these products in bulk is a problem. This is particularly true of glazing and frame packers, which are available in many different thicknesses. The feedback highlighted that it would be a real benefit if these products were available to buy in smaller pack sizes.

P4P addresses this issue by breaking down the products into handy bags containing more manageable quantities. P4P packers, for example, can be ordered in bags of 100, either of all the same thickness or in bags of mixed thicknesses to further cut down on stock holding.

Gary Gleeson of VBH says ‘It’s not always practical for customers, particularly the guys on the vans, to stock bulky boxes of packers and covers. P4P is the perfect solution to this problem as customers can have a comprehensive selection of all the items they need, whilst taking up minimal space. The clearly labeled bags allow quick product identification so save time on site and eliminate waste and costs through ‘lost’ products.

‘We’ll be encouraging our expanding nationwide network of VBH Service Centres to stock P4P, so users will be able to pop in to their nearest Centre and pick up what they want, when they want it.’

More on P4P can be downloaded from www.vbhgb.com or can be requested by calling VBH Sales on 01634 263300.

Titon has introduced a new and improved sound attenuation ventilator, the SF Xtra Sound Attenuator, which can achieve up to 44 Dn,e,w. 

The new product builds upon the success of Titon’s SF Sound Attenuator, utilising the same acoustic principles while benefitting from the better sealing SF Xtra ventilator. Doing so has led to a marked improvement in possible sound attenuation levels.

Suitable for use on PVCu, timber or aluminium windows, the SF Xtra Sound Attenuator can be purchased in a number of combinations based on different sizes of inner (ventilator) and outer (canopy). 

Three vent sizes (V25, V50 and V75) are available, alongside three canopy dimensions (C25, C50 and C75) to suit a variety of attenuation requirements. The pairing of V75 and C75 is capable of achieving an exceptional acoustic rating of Dn,e,w (C;Ctr) = 44 (-2;-3)dB when the vent is open.

Independently tested by Sound Research Laboratories in accordance with BSEN20140-10:1992, ISO140-10:1991, this product is ideal for reducing incoming noise in situations where conventional slot ventilators are unable to assist with acoustic issues. Indeed, the cost effective SF Xtra Sound Attenuator comes fitted with a Titon SF Xtra Ventilator and/or SF Canopy and fits over the standard SF, Trimvent Select or Select Xtra slot size.

The SF Xtra Sound Attenuator is suitable for domestic and commercial installations, while it can be fitted in retrofit applications over an existing 13mm slot. A high performance gasket on the ventilator improves the sealing in adverse conditions, while the vent can also be mounted to deflect air upwards or downwards. Plus, a number of special paint finishes are also available.

Commenting on the new product, Tyson Anderson, Sales & Marketing Director at Titon, said: “The SF Xtra Sound Attenuator is a slot ventilator which provides high levels of sound attenuation when compared to similar products available on the market. These outstanding acoustic capabilities help reduce unwanted noise in a wide variety of applications, either as part of a new build or retrofit project.”

The SF Xtra Sound Attenuator is also extremely effective at reducing pollutants in the home and improving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), therefore reducing the risk of Toxic Home Syndrome.

For more information about Titon and its range of ventilators, visit www.titon.co.uk

Market leading manufacturer of weather seals for the window industry, ExtrudaSeal, has developed a new high-quality foam gasket for timber, aluminium and PVC-u applications that delivers enhanced weathertightness and soundproofing performances.

The new self-skinned polyurethane gasket is softer, and allows for more compression than the regular ones, ensuring superior sealing for increased overall performances of the windows and doors. Due to greater flexibility, ExtrudaSeal’s foam seal doesn’t rip and will easily return to its initial shape after compression, delivering a consistently smooth operation of the window time after time.

The company is currently working with a number of clients on bespoke foam gaskets for timber and aluminium windows, and can supply the high quality seal in any type of shape in record time. “We are able to send a gasket sample in the bespoke design required by the client within 4 weeks,” said Chris Byers, ExtrudaSeal managing director.

“Our foam seal is made from a special compound, offering ideal compression resistance and excellent thermal and acoustic performances. Aside from satisfying very high demands in terms of sealing, our polyurethane gasket is also more competitively priced than similar products available on the market,” added Chris.

The foam is currently supplied in black, and additional colours will be introduced in the following months. “This has already proven a very popular product, due to its ability to deliver better insulation values than regular gaskets can provide, and we’re working on launching new colours that will complement a larger variety of applications,” added Chris.

This development follows shortly after the Birmingham based manufacturer has signed an exclusive partnership with the Spanish company Tecseal, becoming the sole supplier of the revolutionary Tri-Fin® in the UK. Aside from providing excellent weather tightness and soundproofing, the new wool pile is extremely sturdy, and won’t break, bind or stretch during fabrication or while in use.

“Our focus is to provide the best sealing solutions for UK manufacturers, helping them to improve the performances of their windows and doors, while reducing the production time and minimising waste. We have a large product portfolio designed to satisfy any sealing requirements and we’re constantly developing and adding new, innovative solutions to our range,” concluded Chris.

For more information on foam gaskets, or other sealing solutions for windows and doors, call ExtrudaSeal on 0121 3569733.

Not only does Liniar produce lead-free, innovative windows, doors and conservatories – it is delighted to launch a brand new range of high quality foam trims and colour matched installation products, available exclusively from Liniar fabricators.

Installers can be assured of a perfectly matching internal finish with Liniar’s foam trims, produced in-house from 100% lead-free PVCu foam and foiled using the same superior woodgrain and coloured foils as the rest of the products in the Liniar range.

Covered with the same 10-year guarantee as Liniar’s windows, doors and roofs, the trims, architraves and angles are available in all Liniar standard stock colours – offering consumers a single point of warranty for their installation.

In order to finish the job in style, Liniar is also proud to offer a range of silicone sealants at cost effective prices. Carefully chosen to complement its foiled colours, there are ten Liniar Approved LNM silicones in the range, together with caulk and expanding foam.

Liniar Approved cleaners including glass cleaner, solvent cleaner and cream cleaner, in addition to glues and adhesives are also in stock now.

Completing the current range are window boards, fixings, glazing packers, touch up pens and installation tools – all geared towards making it simple for installers to pick up everything they need from their Liniar fabricator.

You can’t buy the new range direct from Liniar – it’s only available to purchase through Liniar fabricators. Find your nearest now by visiting www.liniar.co.uk/find-a-fabricator.

You can discover more about Liniar Approved installation supplies and see the full range by visiting http://www.liniar.co.uk/installation-supplies now.

Mighton Products have recently added a range of paints to their extensive offer.

Set up in 1983 to sell nylon sash pulleys to the window joinery industry the company now boast over 2000 ‘high quality’ sash, casement and door products in their catalogue and online.

Their aim has always been “to stay close to joiners and provide them with what they want”. Today the company has many thousands of customers Worldwide.

The latest addition is the Drywood range of interior and exterior primers and wood finishes specially developed for Joinery use. Drywood Coatings are manufactured by Dutch company G.B.  Holst who began developing water-based timber finishes in 1963, long before the industry began to switch to such coatings for environmental reasons. Today they offer a complete range of paint products with extremely long life cycles which have been assessed by independent test institutes for durability, adhesion, moisture permeability etc. The products have been used in a wide range of climates, from the freezing cold of Norway, to the often wet climate of Ireland and the heat of Southern Italy.

Mighton are the sole UK distributor and say that because of the product’s durability, they offer a 10 year guarantee when applied using the Drywood system.

Next day delivery, volume discounts and the ability to match any existing colour at their premises in Hinxton Cambs all come as standard.

Mighton also stock a range of other Drywood products, details of which can be found on their website.

Tel: 0800 056 0471
www.mightonproducts.com

Mighton Products have continued their strategy of providing everything for the window manufacturer with the launch of their wood repair product, TimbaCurer.

The epoxy resin product has been designed as an adhesive filler specifically for the repair of wooden windows, doors and related products. There are two versions, a four hour cure product for major repairs where extra time is required for processing and a 1 Hour formula for small repairs requiring a fast turn-round.

TimbaCurer 4 cures in four hours and is intended for large scale same day repairs up to 60mm deep. It is a thixotropic mix with a consistency similar to butter ,which allows it to be used on vertical and horizontal joints and even splices without shuttering. It can be mixed in large quantities, moulded and pointed into place. It’s ideal for large repair areas and paint refurbishment contracts. The product has a Thixotropic density of 1.63cm3 and a cured tensile strength of 1500N/mm2. It is supplied in a 400ml dual cartridge.

TimbaCurer 1 also comes in a dual cartridge at 400ml and has a 1 hour curing time. Its viscous consistency allows it to gel and cure faster which makes it perfect for repairing and splicing smaller areas up to 10mm deep. For example where wood is damaged as opposed to rotten. The product has a viscous density of 1.23g/cm3 and a similar curing strength to the four hour version.

Tel: 0800 056 0471
www.mightonproducts.com

Banbury-based Glazpart, is a specialist injection moulding company with extensive experience in the fenestration industry, employing 80 staff at its ISO 9001:2008 certified site, producing millions of mouldings each month.

Glazpart Limited is pleased to confirm that its extensive range of trickle vents for the provision of back ground ventilation in buildings and to meet the requirements for approved document F1 are currently the only range to be third party certified by the LABC.  The certification covers three main trickle vent product ranges in all colour options – The slim line (clip fix), Standard (screw fix) and the innovative Link Vent trickle vent product ranges.

Many design specifications for the supply of windows fitted with trickle vents requires a third party certification such as one from the LABC who are one the most widely recognised bodies with Local Authority Building Control departments and officers the UK construction market.

More information can be gained from our easily down loaded online at resource in the updated technical literature down loadable at  http://www.glazpart.com/products/trickle-ventilation/ pages 6 and 7) or read online as a “flip file”.

Local authority building control (LABC) Registered Details is a certification process proving compliance with building regulations and standards across England, Wales and Scotland and increases industry confidence in our products. It is the only scheme of its kind supported by all local authorities, Registered Details help ensure acceptance by all local authorities across England and Wales. This increases industry confidence in the performance and suitability of our vents meeting the requirements of Part F1 Background ventilation whilst making the building control process faster, easier and cheaper with LABC approval. (For more information: http://www.labc.co.uk/registration-schemes/registered-details)

Our new trickle ventilation catalogue also provides details of the extensive range of over 3,500 colour options, whether a moulded colour, vacuum foiled, printed wood grain or paint sprayed tricklevent. Also, covered are our extensive packaging options such as colour combinations E.g. White internal vents with a colour matched external canopy.

According to Dean Bradley – Sales and Marketing Manager

“Glazpart is now unique in the UK market as the only manufacturer of trickle ventilators holding a third party certification, adding the LABC approval to its BBA approval. This is a reflection of Glazpart’s on-going commitment to delivering quality products in compliance to the Part F building regulations for building ventilation”. 

Liniar is renowned for its range of innovative windows, doors and conservatory roofs – but did you know that they’ve also been manufacturing high quality decking systems for more than 15 years?

Now available in kit form, Liniar PVCu decking is the perfect way for you to offer your customers something extra. They’ll be able to extend the style of their home into the garden with beautiful balustrades that are fully colour matched to the rest of the Liniar range of windows, doors and conservatory roofs.

The decking kits have been designed for a simple installation with the sections delivered either part or fully assembled to minimise time on site. There’s no fabrication or cutting required, only on-site construction, meaning no need for additional tools or benches.

Because each individual deck is ordered in kit form, there’s no waste or left over components to store while waiting for an order to come along in the same colour.

Liniar’s range is designed, modelled, tooled, manufactured, foiled and stocked at its own state-of-the-art 180,000ft² facility in the heart of the UK.

Liniar’s galvanised steel sub-frame, unparalleled in the market, now comes part assembled and has been strength tested with a weight of 1.25 tonnes.

The fully sculptured balustrade system comes ready constructed, meaning no fiddly cutting and fitting of handrails with pickets.

Available in seven colours, including four foiled finishes, from stock, alternative foil finishes are also available and made to order – offering a perfect match with Liniar’s range of windows, doors and conservatory roofs with the same single point of guarantee.

By reinforcing the posts and balustrades with steel, there’s no timber to create a fire risk or to rot in damp conditions. And with no sanding, staining or painting required, homeowners will love their low-maintenance and long-lasting decking area.Liniar’s woodgrain effect deckboards are available in five attractive colours and cut to length for a hassle-free installation.

You can even add matching gates and steps to your installation, which are delivered pre-fabricated – all saving the installer an incredible amount of time on site.

Kits are supplied with all necessary fixings and required hardware to put the deck together.

As well as saving time on installation, all of these benefits remove any issues finding sufficient space on site for cutting and assembly and keep mess and noise to a minimum.

With a vast selection of standard designs to choose from, plus a bespoke facility available, along with a simple ordering system, Liniar decking kits have been specifically developed to save time all-round for busy installers.

For more information go to www.liniar.co.uk/decking/decking-kits or call 01332 883900.

Thermoseal Group, manufacturer of warm edge spacers and supplier of over 1,500 insulated glass (IG) components has added to its broad range of Georgian Bar and Accessories with its new Chartwell Green and Anthracite Grey products.

Whilst the Group can colour-match its Georgian bar and in-house manufactured accessories on request, customer feedback identified that these new colours are now a regular requirement.  Therefore, both colours are now in stock in a woodgrain finish in its 18x8mm and 25x8mm most popular sizes.  Bi-colour bar is also available in both colours for use in conjunction with the Group’s own design of Combi-Cross mix-and-match Georgian centre keys.

The Combi-Cross is sold as half crosses which are clipped together.  Either two halves of the same colour can be joined, or one half of one colour and another half of another colour can be clipped together in the same way.  This means that sealed unit manufacturers can stock a small amount of the colours and sizes of Combi-Cross that are rarely used and stock-up on the standard white or cream halves that are used often.

The Group’s Sales Director Mark Hickox, tells us:  “We are always proud to introduce new products, but adding to the range and finish of the Combi-Cross is particularly great for us because this product was developed in-house as a cost-effective solution for customers who supply a range of full colour and bi-colour products.  It is also colour-matched by our own injection moulding department.

“Our injection moulding facilities, quality control processes and general manufacturing expertise have massively expanded since we began to manufacture Thermobar and Thermoflex warm edge spacers and accessories. This development is directly the result of using our traditional strategy of listening to our customers and developing our products to suit the people using them.  Our Georgian offering has always worked this way, but our experience means that we can now develop and introduce new products at a much faster pace.  We look forward to hearing more feedback so we can continue to develop our premium product range.”

Thermoseal Group’s Georgian bar is supplied in boxes of 240m for 18x8mm and 150m for 25x8mm.  All are boxed in 3m lengths. Combi-Crosses are supplied in boxes of 200 half crosses. Full range catalogues are downloadable on the Group’s website:  http://www.thermosealgroup.com/relateddownload/category.

For further information, call +44(0)121 331 3950 or visit www.thermosealgroup.com.   Watch our ‘About Us’ video at: http://www.thermosealgroup.com/news/details/149/new-thermoseal-group-video-showcasing-its-bespoke-warm-edge-production

Timeless style meets modern performance in the new natural woodgrain finish for Composite Wood decking, now available from Composite Wood Company.

Due to the success of its Composite Wood decking, fencing and balustrades so far, the new finish has been added to its range to give customers more choice to suit their gardens or holiday homes.

Composite Wood is the fastest growing home improvement material and it’s perfect for garden, patio, pool and holiday home decking areas. Its recycled wood polymer material is sourced from timber mills, so it’s been treated and it hasn’t been stained. It’s more durable than timber, and it’s low maintenance, meaning it doesn’t need painting or staining.

“We are always looking to add further finishes to our decking to give our customers more choices,” says Tony Pratt, Sales Director of The Composite Wood Company. “Natural woodgrain gives our Composite Wood decking a stylish and great look, it’s hard-wearing, water resistant and easy to install.”

Like with all of Composite Wood Company’s decking, the woodgrain finish passes the stiletto test. Its material is made up of 60% timber to help prevent damage and make it strong enough to protect it even from the sharp edge of a stiletto heel. It’s also slip resistant and splinter free to make it safe for young children and pets.

The woodgrain finish comes in all four colours that are already available to customers on decking, fencing and railings: ancient black, wild brown, salt lake silver and antique ash. These colours can be mixed and matched to offer unique designs to suit any project, creating contrasting styles with a great woodgrain effect, to add real style to any garden or holiday home.

www.compositewoodcompany.co.uk

It’s not often you find workwear that keeps you looking good whether you’re on-site or out with your mates. But Blåkläder’s 1999 Craftsmen Stretch Trousers hit the spot wherever they are worn, giving younger construction workers a great way to combine comfort and functionality with the latest style.

A low crotch and tapered legs mean fashion-conscious younger workers no longer have to compromise between a great look and practical, hardwearing features – now they can enjoy both.

More than just a pretty face, the new 1999 Craftsmen Stretch Trousers come with a lifetime guarantee on all seams and are engineered for ease of use. For instance, the tough Cordura® Denim is cut to hang easily on the hip. Stretch panels in the crotch and wthe calves make movement more comfortable, While the zippered nail pockets can either be loose or fixed to the leg to prevent trapping, for instance when climbing a ladder.

“It’s often the small details that make a big difference,” says Keith La Roche, Blåkläder’s Managing Director UK & Ireland. “Take the belt loops. We’ve designed them to be thicker at rear than the front. This gives better weight distribution through a belt and greater strength when you’re bending or crouching, making you more comfortable and ensuring the loops don’t fail.”

Blåkläder have gone to the extremes to make their workwear hardwearing, comfortable and functional for generations of tradespeople. Now, with the stylish design of their 1999 Craftsmen Stretch Trousers things are looking even better for younger wearers.

To discover more on the Blåkläder range or to find the nearest stockist visit www.blaklader.com.

Spectus has delivered a major boost to fabricators and installers with the launch of 40 new ancillaries, more than doubling its existing offering and creating the most extensive and versatile range of its kind.

From bay jacks to frame packers, Georgian bars to drip bars, couplers, lugs and architraves, the new Spectus ancillary range gives fabricators and installers more choices than ever and more opportunities to finish every single job exactly the way it is meant to be, in looks and functionality.

The launch is the result of significant investment by Spectus into product development, including retooling of common sections, and is further endorsement of the system supplier’s ongoing commitment to giving its customers the products they need to gain the competitive edge in the market.

“Fabricators and installers want choices,” said Spectus Technical Director Martin Althorpe. “They want the right ancillaries for every job, they want them to fit perfectly, to look right and to be easy to work with, so that is what we have given them with this new extended range.

“Every new component, just like the existing ones, is designed to co-ordinate with our main systems and of course every PVC-U item is available as an exact match to our many colour and foil options. So when we say 40 new items, add the colour options and in fact there are hundreds.”

In the extended range, fabricators and installer can now find: no fewer than seven new bay pole assembly items – including three different external covers – a completely new section of ten finishers including four sizes of architrave, seven new coupling items and a host of other essential bits and pieces, every one that can make a difference between nearly right and spot on.

Martin Althorpe concluded: “Some system suppliers may see ancillaries as an afterthought or a make-do-and-mend but we do not. We know that they are an essential ingredient to a fabricator or installer finishing every job to look and perform the way it should, and this significantly extended range underlines that belief.”

The entire new ancillaries range is featured in a new brochure, which also includes a clear and comprehensive wallchart, available from marketing@spectus.co.uk or to download it visit

www.Spectus.co.uk

Since becoming a Composite Wood Company distributor, Welsh company Principality Plastics Warehouse has received more sales leads in three weeks than other suppliers have passed on in 10 years.

Principality now stocks Composite Wood Company decking, fencing and balustrades for trade customers in South Wales & Gloucester and can also supply directly to homeowners via the installation side of its business.

“We’re always on the lookout for high-quality, economically-priced products. When we saw in the press that Composite Wood Company was exhibiting at FIT Show. We went to Telford purely to have a look at Composite Wood products,” explains Paul Davies Sales Director at Principality.

“We were mainly interested in the balustrades but we quickly realised the potential of the whole range. Composite Wood Company really looked out for us and the combination of their enthusiasm, customer service and the quality of the products made it an easy decision to stock Composite Wood.”

Principality has committed to holding stock in its three branches in Cardiff, Swansea and Gloucester, and now has exclusive distribution in those key areas. Composite Wood Company sends leads direct to Principality for its preferred postcodes.

“We’ve been blown away. We’ve had more leads for decking, fencing and balustrades in three weeks from Composite Wood Company than our other suppliers have passed on in the past 10 years. We’re now busy following up with customers.”

With its main Cardiff branch located on a major route into the city, Principality gets huge footfall from the trade and the general public. “Composite Wood is a product that appeals to everybody. As we have our own installation arm, we’re more than happy to speak to homeowners directly about fitting Composite Wood decking or fencing.”

“Composite Wood supports us with plenty of marketing material. The range is now listed on our website and we’re working on email marketing to engage directly with our customers.

“We’re absolutely positive that this is a winning product that they’ll love. Our customers want exceptional products and that’s what we have in Composite Wood Company.”

www.compositewoodcompany.co.uk 

ExtrudaSeal has launched a new ‘fit-and-forget’ aluminum bi-folding door threshold gasket, which uses a unique semi-rigid box foot, to provide a secure fix, improved compression and weather sealing.

Suitable for use with a wide range of leading aluminium systems including ALUK, the new threshold gasket was developed by ExtrudaSeal’s in-house design team, in response to installer and fabricator demand.

Used as an alternative to system’s company gaskets in fabrication, the new ExtrudaSeal gasket is also suitable for retrofit.

Steve Cockane, Technical Manager, ExtrudaSeal, explained: “It can be very difficult to achieve a reliable fix on a bi-fold threshold gasket and even small misalignments or simply friction, can mean that leafs catch as they open.

“The problem is that this can mean that some gasket systems ‘kick out’, it gets worse and installers get call backs.

“We have designed an alternative threshold gasket system, using a semi-rigid PVC foot, which provides a greatly improved fix over traditional systems as an alternative in fabrication but which can also be retrofitted, eliminating call backs.”

The Window, Door and Conservatory Markets in Housing in Great Britain report by Palmer Market Research, forecasts a 36% increase in aluminium bi-fold door sales between 2016 and 2019 to 26,500 door sets.

Conversely the report goes as far as predicting a slight fall in PVC-U bifold sales for the same period to 4,400 units, from a forecast 5,100 this year (2016). It suggest timber bi-fold sales will grow from 5,700 to 7,600 units.

Paul James, Sales Director ExtrudaSeal, said: “We’re seeing some significant growth forecasts for aluminium bi-fold doors and the opportunities are significant.

“Call-backs to realign or replace threshold gaskets are, however, clearly time consuming, regardless of how much new business you’re bringing on.

“And as well as you could be doing now, you may be setting yourself up for future cost by using a threshold gasket which is going to fail anything from a few months to years down the line.”

Customers save an average of 30 to 40 per cent, on gaskets by buying product in from it, as a third party, compared to buying it from their systems company.

“This is a product that comes in at less cost, performs better but also can save considerable cost in call backs down the line”, Paul concluded.

For more information how ExtrudaSeal could cut thousands from your fabrication costs call 0121 356 8733 email info@extrudaseal.co.uk or visit www.extrudaseal.com

House owners are looking for those quality final touches to dress the windows that are a significant investment. Trickle vents that blend into the window add one of those touches. This has been seen in the rise of many shades of grey such as anthracite grey (7016). Today Glazpart extends its range of woodgrain trickle vents with the launch of Silver Oak which reflects an aged or weathered grey oak finish. The finish is now available on all trickle vent ranges and can be supplied mix and match especially white on Silver Oak.

The trickle vents include the Link, Standard, Slim line and modular trickle vents in all current sizes. Also included is the range of flat grilles ideal for over frame, patio or Bi-fold door applications.

Also new for 2017 is a mill finish stainless steel “silver” for use especially with aluminium or steel window systems. This highlights the potential for even more competitive metal finishes on a moulded trickle vent.

Dean Bradley, Sales and Marketing Manager, said: “The 2017 “silver” colours extend for our customers the range of products that seamlessly blend and dress window frames and sashes. These match the increasing demand for coloured and foiled products. Customers are evermore choosing colour and wood grain products and add value with colour coordinated window-wear, especially prominent products like trickle vents”

Banbury-based Glazpart is a specialist injection moulding company with extensive experience in the fenestration industry, employing 96 staff at its ISO 9001:2008 certified site, producing millions of mouldings each month.

www.glazpart.com

Titon has improved its popular SF Xtra range of high performance aluminium trickle ventilators, with the introduction of additional clip fix canopies. These new canopies have been introduced with optimum Equivalent Area (EA) performance when used with the SF Xtra products, providing higher rates of air flow at shorter ventilator lengths. This results in more instances where this type of product can be fitted, while (in some circumstances) leading to fewer ventilators being required throughout a dwelling when meeting the levels of total background ventilation stipulated in the Building Regulations.

These clip fix canopies can be quickly and easily fitted on site, without the need for screws. In turn, this reduces the risk of them being damaged while windows are in transit. Plus, Titon has further enhanced the range by also making a shorter, traditional screw fix canopy available for use with the SF Xtra 2500 ventilator.

These additions coincide with the optimisation of the SF Xtra range, which provides sizing assistance for compliance with the recently revised ventilation section of the Scottish Technical Standards. These have been altered to adopt the more widely recognised EA unit (based on the rate of air flow through a ventilation device) as opposed to the traditional Free Area unit (the geometric area of a ventilation device) but without requiring higher total ventilation levels than those in England & Wales.

The recently launched SF Xtra Sound Attenuator ventilator is also part of the SF Xtra range – and is already being widely specified throughout the UK. Using the SF Xtra ventilator and canopy as its base products, the SF Xtra Sound Attenuator, as its name suggests, offers much-improved levels of sound attenuation. The product is tested by an independent UK acoustic test house for accuracy, with full details available from Titon upon request. It is also important to note that a ventilator-canopy combination cannot usually provide the same level of ventilation once it has been fitted with additional sound deadening device; again, Titon can provide advice on this often misunderstood subject and help prevent incorrect specification.

Commenting on the expansion of the range, Tyson Anderson, Sales & Marketing Director at Titon, said: “The SF Xtra is an extremely versatile product and, with its impressive weather-tightness and the numerous variants available, it is fast becoming the aluminium ventilator of choice.”

The SF Xtra is a high performance, surface mounted aluminium slot ventilator. It is the shortest vent available to provide 5,000mm² EA and is equally suitable for domestic or non-domestic applications. There are two width variants, one for use over a 13mm slot, the other for a 16mm slot. The SF Xtra is also available in made-to-measure sizes or bar length for self-assembly. All versions can be used with either a plastic or aluminium canopy.

For more information about Titon and its range of trickle ventilators, please visit: www.titon.co.uk

Roofline has always been a tricky sale, usually a ‘distress’ purchase, something most homeowners only buy out of necessity. Tucked away at the top of a property it’s out of sight and out of mind – until the Autumn or Spring arrives, the heavens open and they look up and realise their guttering really needs replacing. Even then, installers have to work hard to educate the consumer about the issues: what causes creaks and what causes leaks, why fascia is an important component and a long-term guarantee is a must.

The internet has also changed the decision making process, with price comparison sites and online reviews readily available consumers have a wealth of information at their fingers tips before they even think about contacting a local installer.  An increasing numbers of installers are also registering with lead-generation websites, which ask consumers to enter their details to receive a quote. But without understanding the issues, homeowners have no buying criteria and therefore will only ever buy on price, so these leads usually go to the cheapest offer.

Roofline, glazing and conservatory fitters have to use every tool at their disposal to win sales at a worthwhile price. Wasting valuable time looking for luke-warm leads isn’t an option. You need volume and quality of leads to stay ahead and that’s where responsible manufactures can really make a difference.

At Freefoam our Registered Installer scheme is a major part of our pull-through strategy bringing business to home improvement companies. All installers receive a package of tools ranging from leads generated online via our ground-breaking website www.myrooflinematters.co.uk, a glossy targeted brochure and long-life, transferable guarantees all developed to help win business.

But the key to winning in today’s market is quality leads, and our site  www.myrooflinematters.co.uk, is designed to do just that. With subtle branding, and unbiased, easy-to-understand articles, it tells homeowners what to look out for, the problems that can occur with products and installations and how to avoid them. The consumers it attracts are looking for information, not the cheapest price. In effect, these homeowners are self-selecting, so they’re already warm when it guides them softly (but surely) to get a quote from their local Freefoam Registered Installers.

What sets it even further from conventional quote websites is that we don’t charge for leads, and we only offer leads to companies who respond quickly, with good conversion rates. We also follow up each and every lead with the installer and the homeowner to ensure everyone is happy. It’s a unique package and the feedback so far has been very positive.

For example, Mr and Mrs Rainsford, who live in Buckinghamshire used myrooflinematters.co.uk. Mrs Rainsford said the process helped them understand the issues and get a fair quote: “The fascia boards in our 30-year-old extension were original timber, and needed replacing. We wanted to find out more about roofline and did some research online, quickly coming across the MyRooflineMatters site. It was really useful, giving us the information we needed and answering all our questions. We received quotes from Registered Installers via the website, all local companies, which we prefer to use. The website really helped us get the work done.”

If you are interested in becoming a Freefoam Registered Installer and receiving roofline leads contact Freefoam on 01604 683864 or marketing@freefoam.com

ExtrudaSeal has warned that call backs for failed aluminium threshold gaskets are costing installers thousands of pounds a year in avoidable call-backs.

According to the specialist extruder, low tolerances and even day to day usage, mean that some installers are going back to the same job on multiple occasions.

“The time it takes to replace a door threshold gasket might not be much but throw in travel time and disruption to core business and ancillary repairs quickly add-up”, said Paul James, Sales Director, Extrudaseal.

He continued: “The first thing to catch on an aluminium bi-fold door is the gasket. The tolerances in mechanisms are so minimal that even moderate misalignment, friction or settling can lead some aluminium bi-fold door threshold gaskets to kick out and that creates call backs and cost.

“This can be a particular problem on multiple pane doors using a central shoot-bolt. It’s a low point and it can catch very easily if its only part retracted by the end user, then when they come to close the door again it will often catch, get damaged and fail.”

Extrudaseal launched its new ‘fit-and-forget’ aluminum bi-folding door threshold gasket at the end of last year. It uses a unique semi-rigid box foot, to provide a secure fix, delivering improved compression and weather sealing over aluminium system company own-gaskets.

Suitable for use with a wide range of leading aluminium systems including ALUK, it was developed by ExtrudaSeal’s in-house design team, specifically in response to installer and fabricator demand.

“We got a lot of approaches from fabricators and installers last summer who were reporting catching issues, kicking out and consequential threshold gasket damage and call backs. This was even on doors which were just a couple of months old”, continued Paul.

“Working closely with those installers and fabricators, we were able to develop our own solution which can either be applied by fabricators during manufacture or retrofitted by installers.

“This represents a very low cost alternative to call backs and the time that it loses installation businesses.”

Now extruding more than 10,000 km of gaskets in the last year, alongside weather seals, Glazepta tapes and U-channels, pressure plates, box sections and bi-folding door seals for leading systems, plus an extensive ‘back catalogue’ of extrusions, ExtrudaSeal serves fabricators and installers nationwide.

Customers save an average of 30 to 40 per cent on gaskets by buying product in from ExtrudaSeal, as a third party, compared to buying it from their systems company.

Extrudaseal will be showcasing its industry-leading range of gaskets and ancillaries at the FIT Show, 23-25 May 2017.

For more information call 0121 356 8733 email info@extrudaseal.co.uk or visit www.extrudaseal.com

For the perfect timber alternative garden room, Composite Wood Company™ now features unique Composite Wood connecting posts as standard – further enhancing the garden rooms’ natural wood style, design flexibility and ease of installation.

Already one of the fastest-growing home improvement products, it’s now even easier to order and fit Composite Wood garden rooms with a choice of fixed-price modular designs or bespoke options.  That means window installers won’t leave their profits in the garden when working on a job.

“Homeowners love the natural timber appearance, fully insulated comfort and long-lasting, low-maintenance performance of Composite Wood garden rooms,” says Tony Pratt, Sales Director of Composite Wood Company.

“By designing our connecting posts from the same material, customers get a superior finish and colour co-ordination with the garden room walls, for a consistently eye-catching look.

“The connecting posts make installation a breeze.  We now offer a modular range with fixed-price set designs, to make Composite Wood garden rooms accessible for installers looking for added-value home improvement products.

“The posts are also really versatile, so if a customer wants a more complex design, we’ll help you to create a bespoke garden room.  The connectors can also be used for orangeries and conservatories.

“The Composite Wood garden room with matching connecting posts will be on display at FIT Show 2017, but if you’ve like to see it ahead of the show, please let us know and we’ll give you a preview of our new showroom in Oldham.”

All Composite Wood garden rooms are fully insulated and built to withstand the weather for all-year-round usage.  They are ideal as garden offices, family rooms or ‘man caves.’

www.compositewoodcompany.co.uk