With price increases continuing to put pressure on manufacturers, specialist extruder Extrudaseal will explain how fabricators could cut gasket costs by 30-40%, at this year’s FIT Show.

Attending the event for the second-time in two-years, the specialist manufacturer and supplier, claims that fabricators could save tens of thousands of pounds each year, simply by buying in gaskets directly, rather than from their systems company.

Manufacturing gaskets for a wealth of systems, including amongst others Smart, ALUK, Metaltech, Senior and Ikon, amongst others, Extrudaseal manufactured more than 20,000km of aluminum door gaskets in the last year.

With industry forecasts suggesting major growth in aluminium reaching a 17-year high by 2020 of 220,000 frames (Palmer Market Research), including aluminium bi-folds, forecast at around 50% to 35,000 door sets, Paul James, Sales Director, Extrudaseal, said that fabricator savings could accelerate still further.

He said: “We have customers who save everything between thousands of pounds each year to tens of thousands as high volume manufacturers, simply by buying in gasket directly from us as specialist extruder, rather than their systems company.

“Looking forward at a time when fabricators are facing increased cost pressures but positively, the market for aluminium bi-fold and sliding patio doors is forecast for continuing growth, the potential to save and the case for doing so becomes even greater.”

Extrudaseal became a standalone business from parent and now sister company, Euroseal in 2012, giving new and dedicated focus to the then Euroseal flexible extrusion business.

As well as offering reduced costs, the company has pioneered a number of highly innovative solutions to deliver installation efficiencies and enhanced through-life performance.

This includes its new aluminium bi-fold door threshold gasket. Compatible with a number of leading aluminium systems, including ALUK, it uses a specially extruded semi-rigid PVC foot, to deliver an enhanced fit and better weather sealing, also significantly reducing the risk of call backs.

Extrudaseal has also recently announced the launch of AeroSeal, its pioneering new through-colour aluminium bi-fold door foam gasket.

Ideally suited to dynamic applications, high performance foam, provides greater ‘memory’ than traditional gasket systems. This is combined with a co-extruded rigid foot, which prevents the foam from being stretched during installation. This is simplified further through either click-and-fit or slide-in options.

Extrudaseal’s range is also available in more than 1000 RAL colours, launching its new high gloss Piano Black finish at this years show alongside RAL 9007 metallic silver gasket, which has been designed to provide a match to contemporary silver powder coated installations.

“Colour gasket delivers an enhanced aesthetic by almost blending away into the frame”, continued Paul. “Selling into the end-user that’s a real point of differentiation and for fabricators, an opportunity to add significant value to their offer for only a very small additional spend.

“This has really informed our strategy. We deliver cost savings but as a specialist we recognise that innovation is key to our growth.”

Extrudaseal will be showcasing its industry-leading range of gaskets and ancillaries at the FIT Show, Stand M55 23-25 May 2017.

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

Window Widgets ancillaries make installations much easier for Keyframe’s customers. The Bolton based Rehau and Spectus trade fabricator sells quality ancillaries with its windows, doors, and conservatories. Window Widgets is one of the UK’s most popular supplier of window ancillaries.

Window Widgets ancillaries are universal, reducing the amount of stock Keyframe needs to keep for its two systems. Keyframe buys baypole connectors, frame connectors, baypole jacks, and many other products that make installations work and keep them safe and secure.

Keyframe Sales & Marketing Manager Andy Bell says: “Window Widgets products are well designed and are very good quality. They’re really easy to use, and they work with different profiles too, which makes it much easier for us and our customers. It’s great to work with a supplier that is keen to invest in new products to keep up with trends. We’ve been buying Window Widgets products for eight years because it’s a forward-thinking business that’s really easy to deal with. You know you’re getting great products every time.”

Window Widgets MD Martin Dickie says: “We aim to design and make high quality, universal ancillaries that meet all the standards and make life easier for installers. If it’s not easy to use or not compliant, it’s not Window Widgets”.

“Fabricators like Keyframe, who work with more than one system, love our products because they don’t need to stock system specific ancillaries,” continues Martin. “We develop products that installers need now, so when systems change, we immediately incorporate them into our range.

“It’s easy to forget about ancillaries, but they’re the crucial bits and pieces that make installations work. They’re the hidden architecture in your projects that lets you sleep easy at night because you know your windows perform. And they go on performing without complaint or crisis for years and years. We work hard to engineer the smart bits and pieces that enable companies to be the best in their markets.”

For more about Keyframe call 01204 705 718 or visit www.keyframeuk.co.uk.

To get quality ancillaries you can trust, call Window Widgets on 01452 300 912, visit www.windowwidgets.co.uk, or follow @WindowWidgets on Twitter.

ISO CHEMIE’s ISO-TOP WINFRAMER thermal insulating and load bearing bracket system of the rapid and effective installation of windows, is now available in varying sizes from 80mm to 200mm to suit window depths.

Having attained Passivhaus certified status, ISO-TOP WINFRAMER is a structurally solid, pre-fabricated installation frame manufactured in 1,200 mm lengths, which can be quickly cut to length on site and secured in position using a single component adhesive and, if necessary, fixing screws.

This enables installers to position and fit windows into the insulation area between the inner and outer walls quickly and easily, avoiding the need to use metal brackets that cause non-repeating thermal bridging and give extensive problems when the windows need replacing.

The composite brackets can bear heavy windows loads, including Bi-fold doors, to provide a reliable, strong and high performance support frame. Installation is quick with windows attached directly and secured mechanically using either standard fixing screws or fixing lugs in the usual manner.

A hinged insulation core combines with the composite wood structural bracket to become an integral part of the overall wall structure, providing compliance with window energy saving regulations (EnEV) and the RAL quality assurance association.

ISO-TOP WINFRAMER can be used with a range of ISO-CHEMIE foam tape sealant systems to provide effective and high performance window sealing. These include ISO-BLOCO One, ISO-BLOCO One Control, ISO-BLOCO 300 and 600, the ISO-CONNECT Vario range of self-adhesive foils and fleeces, and ISO-TOP Flex Adhesive WF for bonding and sealing to masonry and joint/corner sealing

A major end-user benefit of the new system is that when a window needs to be replaced it is not necessary to remove the internal plaster finish of the reveal wall to remove the old metal brackets and fit new ones, saving further disruption, refurbishment time and costs.

Resistant to temperatures between -50ºC – +100ºC, ISO-TOP WINFRAMER has a load bearing capacity of 200kg/m as well as offering an excellent acoustic insulation performance (up to 50dBA), high humidity resistance and can be over plastered for decorative finishes.

ISO-CHEMIE is one of Europe’s main producers of impregnated foam sealants, specialising in the manufacturer of foam products from polyethylene (EPE), polypropylene (EPP) and polyurethane (PUR) using the latest production techniques.  The company’s UK technical and distribution operation is supported by a dedicated logistics service to ensure customer orders are completed as quickly and efficiently as possible (usually next-day delivery). Four technical field advisors are on hand regionally to help designers and installers.

More at www.iso-chemie.co.uk or email  a.swift@iso-chemie.co.uk. Tel: 01207 566874.

Andy Swift, national sales manager for ISO-CHEMIE, considers the effective sealing of building façades, which can prove to be difficult if failure, particularly in the form of water leakage, is to be avoided.

While a building façade should offer some degree of eye-catching appeal, its main purpose is to provide weather protection, and a safe and comfortable interior. If this is to be achieved and long-term performance and durability assured, the materials used in their construction need to be carefully designed, planned and installed.

Facades can come in all shapes and sizes ranging from heavy forms of construction through to brickwork and precast concrete to lighter structures such as profiled metal sheet, stick curtain walling, aluminium and glass screens. Final specification will have been decided by the client and the architect based on the purpose of the building, the image required, the design life of the building and whole life costs including energy and maintenance costs.

One of the biggest onsite issues installers can face is how to effectively seal the façade. It doesn’t matter how much effort has been spent designing and developing the perfect joint and gasket if it’s then undone by an incorrect installation by an untrained workforce that has little appreciation of the performance requirements of a sealed joint.

And here the choice of sealant can be critical, requiring careful consideration and examination to achieve optimum levels of long-term sustainability and performance.

Sealants, which must adhere strongly to the materials they connect, must also be durable and possess the requisite resistance qualities if they are to protect effectively against the elements. They must also offer compliance with acoustic and insulation regulations and accommodate movement joints – they need to offer flexibility without compromise while ensuring adjacent materials do not come under stress.

The mantra of ‘fit tight, ventilate right’ should be adhered to. An air-tight building with controllable ventilation is the ideal design. The construction of commercial buildings must be tested for air-tightness in much the same way as domestic buildings: any air leaks after a failure can be tested using smoke pencils, which will draw smoke from the building and identify remedial works to conform to standards. Sometimes, these failures are through lack of design input and at other times, due to contractors not adhering to designs – usually due to a lack of understanding of the purpose of the specified products.

Many sealants are likely to have a shorter useful life than the life span of the building unless they are protected and some provision should be made for replacing the sealants within the joints, or over sealing. Although a significant proportion of sealants that are used in façade construction today are ‘wet’ applied materials based on synthetic polymers, which cure to form flexible solids, they do have their drawbacks: mastics will harden with time, rendering them particularly unsuitable for use in large scale industrial or commercial façade systems.

So, as an alternative to these ‘wet’ solutions, the building and construction sector is seeing the emergence of foam-based sealing strips and tapes. These products consist of flexible materials, which are pre-formed in a range of sizes and sections and mainly rely on compression, and can be used toimprove the long term sealing of façade finishes for curtain walling, pre-cast or in-situ concrete, brick and block work and composite or cassette-style metal panels.

The ISO-CHEMIE ISO³ Façade Sealing system protects the expansion/movement joints as well as the junctions between different materials used in façade construction against the extremes of hot and cold and wet and dry weather together with the physical stresses caused by building movement. It can also be used to supply the relevant level of air tightness required by the current and proposed changes to the UK Building Regulations.

The system complies with regulatory requirements relating to the different types of facades including conformity to EnEV regulations. It also complies with guidelines laid down by the industrial association for metal building constructions (IFBS) for joint tightness on lightweight steel constructions.

Passivhaus award winning systems BLOCO-One and Winframer Type 1 are a good solution to fixing windows to facades when the external wall is not fitted, creating an air-tight, structural and thermally efficient frame to install windows. BLOCO-One also allows the window to be installed as a ‘3 in 1’ solution to the usual system of expanding tape weather seal, spray foam insulation and EPDM internal airtight layer-this saves time on installation and out performs the previous method.

New advanced foils to replace EPDM are available. The VARIO SD/XD range now come complete with a full adhesive side which can be installed down to minus 10 degrees C, when regular sealants will have frozen and work halted. These foils keep vapour from entering the joint from the inside, but allow the joint to breathe from within and reduce moisture forming, causing fabric damage.

The system comes with a 10-year warranty and complies with the relevant UK Building Regulations, as well as DIN EN standards, covering thermal conductivity, dimension tolerance, impermeamability to driving rain on joints among others.

ISO-CHEMIE is one of Europe’s main producers of impregnated foam sealants, specialising in the manufacturer of foam products from polyethylene (EPE), polypropylene (EPP) and polyurethane (PUR) using the latest production techniques.  The company’s UK technical and distribution operation is supported by a dedicated logistics service to ensure customer orders are completed as quickly and efficiently as possible (usually next-day delivery). Four technical field advisors are on hand regionally to help designers and installers.

www.iso-chemie.eu/en-GB/home/

National Plastics has announced it is supplying Namgrass artificial grass throughout its nationwide trade counter network. Geoff Foster, the company’s Managing Director, commented: “We respond to market demand and artificial grass is one of the biggest growth areas at the moment – excuse the pun. Namgrass is one of the biggest names in the industry and we’re delighted to be offering their products.”

It’s not surprising that artificial grass has taken off. It gives a perfect-looking lawn every day of the year and needs no maintenance. It looks and feel just like real grass, but children can play on it without creating bald patches or areas of mud. It’s easy-to-keep clean too, so is even suitable for homeowners with pets. And it’s the perfect solution for hayfever sufferers too.

All Namgrass products are designed and manufactured in-house by the company for complete control of the whole process. The product itself is the result of over 30 years of innovation to ensure it offers the most natural look and feel of real grass.

Alongside the artificial grass range, National Plastics will also be stocking a complete range of grass underlay, tape and glue, meaning it provides everything you need for an artificial grass installation project.

National Plastics is renowned for being a one-stop shop when it comes to building plastics. The artificial grass will be part of a portfolio that also includes bathroom panels, guttering products, fascias and soffits, cladding, drainage products, roofing products, PVC-u windows, doors and conservatories, composite doors, garden products, accessories and wall panels.

All products are sold with the promise of National Plastics’ competitive pricing and by knowledgeable and experienced staff. It’s a winning combination that works for the go-to trade counter network!

www.nationalplastics.co.uk

The baypole jack from Window Widgets stops windows moving and bricks cracking, so installers know their windows will be safe and structurally secure for the long term. Window Widgets is the leading supplier of ancillaries that make installing windows and doors easier and safer.

Window Widgets’ jack is CE marked and BBA accredited. It is certified by itself, and tested and certified to be used with the Window Widgets baypole.

Managing Director Martin Dickie says: “There wasn’t a BBA accreditation for jacks, so we worked with the BBA to create one. Our baypole and jack have been tested separately and together. Testing them together means we know they join correctly and can hold the weight they need to without breaking.

“Using our jack means installers know they’re getting a high quality product that works, and has all the right certification. And its CE Marked so it’s legal,” adds Martin. “They know they’re Alright Jack.”

You’ll know it’s a Window Widgets jack because of its pink nut.

To find out more visit www.windowwidgets.co.uk or follow @windowwidgets.

IMPROVED sealing of windows is provided by ISO-BLOCO ONE foam tape available from leading supplier ISO-CHEMIE.

Themulti-purposefoam tape enables installers to quickly and easily seal windows from inside the building during construction, avoiding the need to use time consuming and costly external access systems like scaffolding and ladders.

This can provide cost savings of up to 70% when compared to traditional three component systems – hiring access systems, with the associated health and safety issues, can add significantly to the overall cost of a new build or renovation project.

Moreover, because the foam sealant can be used in the wet and rain the installation of windows can be undertaken regardless of external weather conditions, avoiding time consuming and costly delays.

This can add-up to potential savings of hundreds of pounds per day, ISO CHEMIE estimates.

Self-adhesive ISO BLOCO ONE provides a high-performance seal for window and door joints up to 30mm wide and is impermeable to driving rain at a minimum of 1,000 Pa – 66% higher reliability than most conventional joint sealing tapes.

The internal air tight seal has been tested at 1000 Pa pressure difference (20 times more than UK Building Regulations.) and found to give less than 0.1 m³ of air loss. At the same time, depending on tape width, it will also supply a U-Value of 0.55 and reduce sound by 63 dB, straight from the box.

Once installed, the tape ensures structures are better protected from elemental factors like wind, dust and moisture ingress by accommodating the changes in structural movement caused by environmental, cyclical and settlement factors. Product complies with energy saving regulations (EnEV) on windows and doors as well as the RAL quality assurance association and can accommodate extremes of temperature changes, from -30°C to + 80°C.

BLOCO ONE is claimed to offer a single product ‘fit and forget’ solution for fast and effective sealing based around the European RAL principles of three level sealing – the inside seal area is more airtight than the external one, allowing any trapped moisture inside the joint, or within the wall, to escape outwards rather than into the building.

The external seal area provides weather resistance and breathability, while the intermediate seal area provides extra thermal and acoustic properties and the internal one air tightness and humidity regulation.

More at www.iso-chemie.co.uk 

Thermoforming specialist Belgrade Polymer Products is growing its presence in the fenestration sector as a result of increased business from one of its conservatory roof systems customers.

The Wellingborough-based company has delivered orders of two further square conservatory capping products in grey for its Gloucestershire client.

The two new Acrylic Capped ABS cappings make up a ‘suite’ of three separate products, which are variations of an existing design. These latest products comprise a Straight Connector and Stop End that is integrated into the conservatory roof and drainage system.

Belgrade Polymer Products General Manager, Patrick Burke explains: “We started off producing just one product – a Square External Boss End Capping – just over a year ago and now this has grown to three versions for this particular customer.

“Our customer liked what we’d supplied to other conservatory roof systems manufacturers in the past. Having seen our capping products on other roof systems, they liked the design, quality and finish. On that basis, we won their further business.”

Established in 1976, Belgrade offers a fast, friendly and flexible service manufacturing bespoke products to customers’ exact requirements in diverse industry sectors.

Conservatory roof trims and cappings can be produced in any RAL colour or foil finish, including a new carbon fibre-effect finish, subject to a minimum order quantity. The standard product range comprises of established and popular colours such as White, Golden Oak, Rosewood and Woodgrain.

Belgrade Polymer Products prides itself on working closely with clients to find solutions to their new concepts and can undertake the complete process of product development from design and prototype to manufacture.

Patrick adds: “In the fenestration sector, we are currently working with several customers on creating new products for conservatory roof systems, including end cappings.

“My previous experience of being employed in this industry for several market leading systems companies such as Rehau, Profile 22 Systems, Eurocell and Beaufort Secure Design is inevitably helping our business to gain an in-depth understanding of the requirements and demands of the sector.”

For more information, contact Belgrade Polymer Products on 01933 222205 or visit the website – www.belgrade-polymer.com.

Image Above: ISO-CHEMIE’s products have been used to seal a Victorian terrace extension in Northumberland. Photos Copyright of John Potter Architect Ltd

ADVANCED foam sealing tapes are providing a high-performance weather resistant and airtight sealing solution around new timber frame sash windows installed on a Victorian terrace extension project while also delivering improved thermal efficiency.

Large volumes of ISO-CHEMIE’s ISO BLOCO 600 and ISO BLOCO ONE sealing tapes, together with several ISO-ZELL PE-CORD backing rods, have been specified for Stephenson Terrace, a period styled, two-storey extension on the end of a Victorian terrace in Wylam, Northumberland.

The products have been used for the private client project by John Potter Architect Ltd to secure an airtight seal between the window and door sets and the dressed sandstone external wall construction.

The windows, installed within a timber frame inner leaf behind a sandstone outer leaf, feature rebated apertures designed to provide additional protection against wind driven rain.

The self-adhesive tapes have been applied to the cills, outer face of the windows, heads and jambs of the windows, while the cord has been located between the extension windows and the surrounding rebates to provide a backing strip for additional silicone sealant.

A spokesperson for John Potter Architect said: “We selected ISO-CHEMIE’s products for their ease of use, their high quality, and for their anticipated delivery of long-term protection from the elements. The delivery of the product direct to the contractor, on site, was an added attraction in choosing ISO-CHEMIE’s products.”

Up to 70% cost savings can be achieved using ISO-CHEMIE’s tapes, which enable installers to seal windows from inside the building and avoiding the need to use time consuming and costly scaffolding and ladders among other external access systems.

The tapes offer a single product ‘fit and forget’ solution for fast and effective sealing based around the European RAL principles of three level sealing – the inside seal area is more airtight than the external one, allowing any trapped moisture inside the joint, or within the wall, to escape outwards rather than into the building.

ISO-CELL PE-CORD is a round profile seal made of closed-cell polyethylene foam, which prevents draughts and reduces heat loss. It is used as a reliable backfill on building joints sealed with spray-type sealants. More at www.iso-chemie.eu/en-GB/home

Smartlink, the new aluminium bay and coupler system is the smarter way to build a bay says its manufacturer Anglo European. It’s compatible with all PVCu window systems and offers a ten-year warranty.

The Smartlink system includes square baypoles and couplers with variable angles to suit different window designs. The universal baypole jack enables easy on-site bay window adjustment for a faster and more accurate installation.

Smartlink is fully certified to comply with CE marking. The aluminium couplers and baypole jacks have been fully tested to loads of 10.6 tonnes, almost double the level required. The system is backed up by our full 10-year warranty & European design rights, in line with other Anglo European products.

James Lister, Operations Director at Anglo European, the window and door reinforcement specialist explains: “We asked fabricators and installers what they needed from a baypole system and designed Smartlink to meet their needs. The baypole bar lengths are optimised to make fabrication quicker and to reduce waste. We also chose a clever and proven jack for straightforward installation.

“Fast, reliable delivery was also important to fabricators. Smartlink is compatible with all standard PVCu trims and because Anglo European holds high levels of stock, orders can be delivered in as little as 2 days. Smartlink is manufactured at our own extrusion facility to lower production costs and guarantee consistent supply.

“Initial feedback on Smartlink is very positive, fabricators are impressed by the test certification and warranty that comes with the new system.

“We know that fabricators are always looking for smart ways to improve manufacturing efficiency and costs, that’s why we’ve designed Smartlink, the clever way to build a bay.”

www.angloeuropeangroup.co.uk

Lee Blower, the owner of LG Blower Specialist Bricklayer Ltd in Shrewsbury is a recognised expert in his profession: he won the Gold medal for Bricklaying at the WorldSkills Olympics and employs over 50 bricklayers in his business. It means that his endorsement of the Spectus Cavity Closer, which he sources from Universal Trade Frames, carries a lot of weight.

The Spectus Cavity Closer fits into the brick or block work as you build and acts as a former, closer, thermal break, insulation and damp proof in one, saving time and money. Using them means there is no need to re-survey for window sizes, no more mistakes when you measure the windows, no more delays, because the windows can be ready in stock for installation and windows simply snap or screw into position for a quick, simple installation.

Lee says he uses the Spectus Cavity Closer because it makes life easy and helps to speed up projects. “We can’t often order dummy frames or cavity formers in advance because we don’t know the size required until the brick bond is taking shape. It means that when we need cavity formers, we need them fast if the project schedule isn’t going to be delayed. By using the Spectus Cavity Closer there are no delays to the project because we don’t need to wait for carpenters and our bricklayers can undertake the installation.”

Lee has been working with Universal Trade Frames for over ten years. In that time, his company has expanded from simply offering brickwork packages to offering complete build packages and Lee has had no hesitation in turning to Universal Trade Frames for support as his business has grown. Today, Lee buys windows, doors and bifolds from the company and appreciate the quality and speed of the supply.

Lee concludes: “As an award-winning company we’re always busy and we can’t afford any delays. At the same time, it’s vital that we maintain our standards so we can maintain our reputation. Universal Trade Frames’ products help us do that.”

www.utfl.co.uk

Residence 7 (R7) has turned choice into a major selling tool by offering 5 unique glazing beads that transform the possibilities for homeowners, and installers. The five glazing beads are 28mm Decorative, 28mm Staff, 28mm Square, 44mm Decorative and 44mm Square.

Sarah Hitchings, Sales & Marketing Director of Residence Collection, says: “R7 is gorgeously flush inside and out, designed with the dimensions, detailing and suite of profiles to look fantastic in all sorts of properties – traditional and contemporary, old and new. And it looks perfect, double or triple glazed, so homeowners can choose either and it looks absolutely right for the property. They can have a square bead in double or triple for a stunning contemporary aluminium look on the inside. Or they can choose a unique staff bead that transforms the interior appearance of their rooms and give their home lasting standout appeal.

“Most double-glazed windows are sold with a limited choice of two or three glazing beads so it’s hard to get homeowners too excited,” continues Sarah. “R7 offers 5 glazing beads as standard, so our installers can sell to more homeowners, in more types of homes than most installers, and make more homeowners happy with an imaginative choice that other installers just can’t offer. Little things can make a big difference, and that’s why installers and homeowners love R7!”

To expand your markets with Residence visit www.residencecollection.co.uk, call 01452 300 912 or follow @Residence9 on Twitter.

Sealant experts tremco illbruck have contributed to a striking new-build project that’s been named RIBA’s House of the Year 2017.

Esteemed architects James Macdonald Wright and Niall Maxwell designed the striking building, working alongside construction specialists Westgreen to bring it to life.

Inspired by the traditional oast houses of Kent, Caring Wood revives local building crafts and traditions including locally sourced handmade peg clay tiles, locally quarried ragstone and coppiced chestnut cladding. The house comprises four towers, with interlinking roofs that echo that of other oast houses in the distance.

The designers incorporated an array of high-performance sealant products from tremco illbruck into the build, ensuring the finished property will offer outstanding energy efficiency, weather resistance and acoustic insulation for years to come.

These included the firm’s SP525 low modulus sealant, able to offer sound reduction of up to 61dB alongside high movement capability and excellent primerless adhesion; the BBA-approved TP600 impregnated joint-sealing tape, guaranteeing weather-tightness even when subjected to the severest storms; and the UV-resistant and Euroclass B fire-rated EME010 breather membrane.

tremco illbruck Product Manager David Naylor commented: “We were absolutely delighted to take part in such an ambitious and distinctive project – and even more pleased when it won this prestigious accolade.”

“We knew when we were working on Caring Wood that it was something special. The project team were looking for a lifetime of best-in-class performance, and the fact they came to tremco illbruck for that is a huge vote of confidence.”

RIBA’s House of the Year is awarded to the best new house designed by an architect in the UK. Shortlisted projects and the eventual winner are all featured in a special episode of Channel 4’s Grand Designs, hosted by Kevin McCloud.

For more information contact Tremco Illbruck on 02476 855000 or visit www.tremco-illbruck.com.

Sealant products from tremco illbruck are heading to Eurocell depots across the South West.

While thousands of installers across the UK still rely on silicone when fitting windows, more and more are turning towards a new generation of high-performance sealant products – of which tremco illbruck’s TP650 Trio is one of the most advanced.

TP650 Trio is a pre-compressed, multi-functional polyurethane tape that’s impregnated with flame retardant resin. Designed for new-build and replacement installations, it’s quick and simple to apply, and is vapour-permeable while still offering driving rain resistance of up to 600 Pa. 

What’s more, it’s fully compliant with BS8213-4:2016 CoP for the survey and installation of windows and external door sets, and the Glass and Glazing Federation’s Guide to Good Practice.

David Naylor, tremco illbruck Product Manager, comments: “We’re absolutely delighted that Eurocell, one of fenestration’s biggest and most respected brands, has decided to start offering TP650 Trio in its West Country depots. 

“We’re adamant there’s always going to be a place for silicone. We produce significant amounts of it ourselves. But we’ve also recognised the need for a new generation of sealing products, capable of offering the most outstanding weather resistance and thermal efficiency. And that’s why we’ve developed TP650 Trio, our best-in-class window installation tape.

“Trio has been designed and engineered to excel in every respect – offering outstanding thermal efficiency, sealing and protecting corner joints from mould and fungi, and significantly improving acoustic insulation.

“And, most importantly of all, it’s a breeze to fit. A lot of other non-silicone sealant solutions on the market are flawed. They’re incredibly difficult to align, or they crease around corners. Trio has none of these problems – and can be measured and applied in a matter of minutes.”

TP650 Trio is coming to Eurocell’s West Country branches and if it proves successful, will see the product rolled out across other areas of the UK.

Image Above: Glazpart Link Vent Mk2 Ventilator Range available from VBH

VBH (GB) adds to its growing range of high performance hardware with the Link Vent Mk2 – a next-generation trickle vent from Glazpart. Designed for both new-build and the Repair, Maintenance and Improvement (RMI) markets, the innovative redesign allows homeowners to position the vent so airflow efficiently passes through while reducing draughts.

Complying with Building Regulations Part F1:2010, the new Link Vent Mk2 incorporates aerodynamic features to help direct airflow through the vent. The external canopy has been reduced to just 25mm for improved noise reduction and a more attractive external appearance without affecting airflow performance.

Available in two sizes, 2500 EQA delivers similar performance to a traditional 4000mm2 vent while the 5000 EQA is significantly better than a 4000mm2 vent. The 5000 EQA also features a split internal flap for ease of use and added comfort.

Dan Powell, VBH Regional Sales Manager (South) comments: “The Link Vent Mk2 has excellent added features to its predecessor. Supplied with pre-fitted fixing clips, the clips automatically centre the vent in the rout, ensuring a level fit. The screw cover caps are supplied pre-fitted, but are removable if installers choose to screw-fix the vent instead.

“With thousands of colour options available, from 30 solid and woodgrain finishes, to vacuum foiling and spray painting of any RAL colour, the new vent is ideal for any type of installation that requires F1 compliancy. You can also replace the external canopy with a flat grille, perfect for timber windows, sliding doors and sliding sash windows.”

Call VBH today on 01634 263 300 to order Glazpart’s new Link Vent Mk2 or visit www.vbhgb.com for more information.

Customers of Rapierstar are benefiting from its latest investment in logistics and supply chain technology as it reports a near perfect record in on time in full (OTIF) deliveries over the last 12 months.

The fastener supplier to the door and window industry’s latest customer service data reveals that 99.4% of all orders last year were delivered OTIF and error free, when promised. This record high figure comes at a time when Rapierstar has increased its customer base to supply a market share of over three quarters of the UK and Irish window industry, and it has increased stockholding at its warehouse and distribution centre to over one billion screws.

David Furness, Rapierstar Managing Director, says: “We’ve been supplying fasteners to the UK and Irish door and window markets for over 25 years now, and through our strategy of continuous improvement we are doing things better for our customers year after year. This now means we get almost 100% of orders to our customers on time in full, which we are immensely proud of given the huge variety of screws and installation fixings we supply and the geographic spread of our customers.

“It’s a reflection of the professionalism that underpins every aspect of Rapierstar. For many years we have committed to the ISO 9001 quality management system, plus the Investors in People training and development standard. We also operate on the award-winning Microsoft Dynamics fully integrated ERP software, which is programmable, multi-site, multi-currency and synchronizes with HMRC for running our Customs Warehouse.”

Rapierstar operates from a purpose-built head office and 100,000 sq. ft. bonded distribution centre near Congleton in Cheshire, with supporting sites in Belfast and Norwich ensuring smooth distribution to all parts of the British Isles.

Its own branded products are designed and manufactured to exacting speed of insertion, strength of drill point and high plating standards, with quality assured through comprehensive testing at both its manufacturing plants and its ‘in-house’ R&D test facility at Congleton. This industry leading regime enables Rapierstar to comply with all appropriate British, European and international quality standards and to continuously improve product performance thorough innovation.

David adds: “It’s easy to take fasteners for granted, but without having the right types in stock when you need them, production would simply be brought to an abrupt halt, or the wrong types of fastener would need to be used as a substitute. Neither is an appealing option. That’s why we invest so heavily in making sure our global supply chain is strong, utilising the latest technology and the deepest stockholding, in combination with our decades of experience, to deliver a reliable service for our customers.”

Find out more about Rapierstar at www.rapierstar.com.

Blackburn’s McDermott Windows have become the latest glazing business to begin using tremco illbruck’s TP650 Trio impregnated tape.

The long-established family firm now uses tremco illbruck’s high-performance installation products on its most demanding installations, ensuring outstanding thermal efficiency, weather-resistance and all-round performance.

TP650 Trio is a pre-compressed, multi-functional polyurethane tape that’s impregnated with flame-retardant resin. Designed for new-build and replacement installations, it’s quick and simple to apply, and is vapour-permeable while still offering driving rain resistance of up to 600 Pa.

What’s more, it’s fully compliant with BS8213-4:2016 CoP for the survey and installation of windows and external door sets, and the Glass and Glazing Federation’s Guide to Good Practice.

McDermott Managing Director Stephen McDermott commented: “We’ve always stood ourselves out from the competition by focusing on more than just the window and door products themselves. Our ethos is very clear – quality products are only worthwhile if you fit them properly.

“A triple-A-rated, top-of-the-line window will not deliver the level of performance that the end-user expects if corners have been cut during the installation process. That’s why we like tremco illbruck’s TP650 Trio. It’s quick, easy, and extremely reliable – and it ensures that every door and window product we install fulfils its potential.”

Founded in Germany, but now with over a thousand employees in 30 locations around the globe, tremco illbruck is a world leading supplier of high-performance tapes, sealants and adhesives.

For more information, contact tremco illbruck on 02476 855000 or visit www.tremco-illbruck.com.

Showing their commitment to helping customers break into new markets, Dekko Window Systems are celebrating with Swindon-based Emerald Windows after the successful sale of their very first garage door – the bold, new addition to the Räum aluminium range.

The new direction comes as Emerald aims to strengthen its offering to further cement its position as the South-West’s home improvement specialists. It extends Emerald’s long-standing partnership with Dekko where the fabricator supplies its full range of windows and doors across Infinity uPVC, Räum aluminium and the Residence Collection.

“When we heard that Dekko had launched a premium garage door range, we knew it presented a fantastic opportunity to grow our business and provide a greater proposition to consumers across the region,” commented Martin Brett, Managing Director of Emerald Windows. “You wouldn’t think twice about upselling a new entrance door with a set of windows, so why not a garage door!”

“It helps us stand out from our competitors, offering homeowners the complete home improvement package. The ability to colour-match the garage door to windows, doors or sliding doors is a great advantage too, and allows us to sell the ‘bigger picture’ to the customer. We’re delighted to sell our first Räum garage door, and we’re pleased to say we have a number in the pipeline too!”

Launched at The FIT Show 2017 during Dekko’s big debut, The Räum sectional garage door range generated quite a buzz among show-goers. Available in a range of styles and exclusive colours, the sectional garage door system combines high-end design with exceptional performance – the key pillars of the Räum brand.

Each door is manufactured using quality materials, boasting a highly-insulating and durable 45mm double skin for enhanced thermal performance and weather resistance.  It can be finished with a number of glazing options and can feature an optional side door or integrated pass door for quick and easy access. The smart, sectional design means a Räum garage door can deliver more space both inside and on the driveway than the traditional ‘up and over’ design. It can also be operated using the innovative ‘SmartGarage’ smartphone app.

“The response to our garage door range has been immense as more businesses across the industry look to reach new markets and deliver something different to their competition,” adds Kurt Greatrex, Sales Director at Dekko. “It’s great to see Emerald Windows continue to fly with another one of our product lines – joining a long list of businesses who have been able to answer any consumer demand thanks to our comprehensive range of high-end home improvements.”

For more information contact Dekko on 0161 406 0055 or visit www.dekkowindows.com

Window and door fastener specialist Rapierstar has strengthened its position as the UK and Irish market leader with the number of its customer deliveries increasing by 12% during 2017, which resulted in year-on-year sales growth of 10%.

This latest growth strengthens Rapierstar’s position as the number one brand for door and window fasteners, with nearly 4 out of every 5 fabricators now choosing products from the Cheshire based company, claim Rapierstar. According to David Furness, Managing Director, the increased volumes it is now supplying reflects the market’s demand for greater supply chain reliability and higher quality products that enable improved efficiency and long-term window and door performance.

David says: “We’ve been manufacturing fasteners for the window and door sector for over 25 years now, during which time we’ve seen an ever greater understanding in the market of why the choice of fasteners and supply partner directly impacts on your bottom line. That’s why we are continuously investing in developing new products, now with 1,000 fastener variants, as well as our logistics and deep stockholding, which now means we hold more than one billion screws at our bonded warehouse in Cheshire.”

Rapierstar’s technical team, based at its UK HQ near Macclesfield, works closely with systems companies, hardware manufacturers, fabricators and installers to ensure that the fastener meets the requirements of everyone in the supply chain. This includes developing bespoke fasteners to provide a secure fix for new hardware developments and assisting fabricators to create a window or door specification that exceeds testing requirements, such as PAS 24.

David adds: “Ensuring we have the right products for the market is crucially important, but the supply chain is only as strong as the weakest link. Customers need the confidence that they’ll get what they need, when they need it. That’s why we work so hard on our logistics and this is reflected in our customer delivery reliability, which is better than ever at 99.4% on time in full, error-free.”

Find out more at www.rapierstar.com.