Product Launches @ THE GL@ZINE

Deceuninck Ltd has recently launched its new Belface cladding profile. Belface is suitable for cladding entire buildings as well as dormers, eaves, canopies and parapets.

Belface is constructed using a technique developed exclusively by the Deceuninck research and development team and is made from high-quality PVC-U waste gathered from its own extrusion plants and reworked into a versatile raw material called Cyclefoam. The Belface main profile consists almost entirely of recycled PVC-U, with just a 0.5mm top layer of new material.

Despite increased environmental awareness, recycled products do tend to suffer from a 'second best' perception by many. Consumers and commercial specifiers will still choose the environmentally 'unfriendly' option over the friendly one if they perceive it won't do the job as well or if the price isn't right. But the company says that in the case of Belface, this isn't a concern.

When used with dark foils or colours, traditional shiplap white PVC can suffer problems with warping and distortion. Current dark foam products can only be installed using a base structure of 15cm in between. In contrast, Belface can use up to 60cm. There's no tendency for it to warp through prolonged exposure to moisture or temperature changes because of its low thermal expansion.

Belface comes in a choice of traditional foil finishes or a range of exclusive colour finishes that match RAL colours. There's also a full range of aluminium-based accessories with top edges that match the boards for a neat finish. Each 6-metre plank is pre-punched for easy installation and comes with a ten-year guarantee.

Commenting on the introduction of Belface, Deceuninck UK Building Products Manager, Hazel Wilson said: ‘Deeplas by Deceuninck has consistently offered an impressive range of cladding products and by adding Belface into our portfolio we offer an even bigger opportunity for our customers. The product is extremely user friendly and versatile.’

For further information on Belface from Deeplas by Deceuninck, call Hazel Wilson on 01249 816969.

Email: hazel.wilson@deceuninck.com

Guarantees Provide Peace of Mind and Better Business for Trade Professionals

Offering home owners Insurance Backed Guarantees (IBGs) as part of a package of works is a good means of enhancing their confidence - and a powerful marketing tool when it comes to increasing quote acceptances.

HomePro Insurance is one of the UK's leading providers of Insurance Backed Guarantees (IBGs) and specialises in providing insurance and services to the trade and construction industries; offering products that are not only highly competitive but are also associated with levels of service and cover that are unrivalled in the sector.

HomePro Insurance offers a choice of insurance backed guarantees covering eventualities required by trade professionals and home owners alike - especially those that cover the project for any remedials or rectifications should the company cease to trade. It provides two IBGs that offer differing levels of assurance:

* Value
Value covers work in progress and all completed workmanship and materials for up to 10 years.

* Value Plus
As Value, but includes deposit insurance for up to 25% of the contract value
The basic policy covers the work carried under the guarantee, including labour and materials. If the company ceases trading, the insurance covers the cost of completing the project so customers are not left out of pocket. When a project is completed, the customer, generally, completes a job satisfaction slip - upon which the insurance certificate is issued.

The next level of cover takes care of homeowners' deposits for up to 25% of the project value - and because it is pre-paid by the installer in advance, the cover is instant. This level of cover makes closing the sales process much easier, because customers are so much happier handing over the deposit in the knowledge that it is fully protected.

HomePro Insurance was one of the first companies in the sector to achieve Financial Services Authority (FSA) authorisation - now a legal-must for tradespeople aiming to introduce such policies to their homeowner customers - and is listed by Office of Fair Trading (OFT) in its advice to homeowners published in Having Work Done on Your Home: Organisations That Can Help.

It is anticipated that the company will be the largest IBG provider in the UK by the end of 2006. All HomePro insurance products are underwritten 'on shore': IBGs by IGI Insurance Company Ltd and Red Sands Insurance Company (Europe) Ltd; while others - such as Public Liability - are underwritten by Allianz Cornhill.

Tel: 0870 7 344 344
Web: http://www.HomePro.com

Glassex saw the official launch of Rehau’s REHAU-Dimension Plus Complete Conservatory Superstructure system.

Previewed at Glassex in 2005, the system is now in full production and was demonstrated to customers at the show via a DVD presentation showing its straightforward fabrication and installation.

Rehau says that it has developed REHAU-Dimension Plus to give its customers a unique product offering – a complete conservatory superstructure system with full, provable structural integrity.

It is based around conservatory glazed walls in either REHAU-Tritec or S706 with a series of structural posts and supports and the newly developed REHAU-Dimension roof. The company says that It can be installed quickly and easily on site and has a significant advantage over conventional systems because a structural skeleton frame can be erected to support the roof before the windows need to be brought to site and installed.

The walls and roof match technically and aesthetically and installers enjoy full design and product liability protection for the entire superstructure.
Rehau is launching a Registered Installer Scheme to help ensure that all installations meet its strict technical guidelines and is supporting fabricators and installers of the system with training, technical advice and exclusive, new sales and marketing material.

Alan Hickman of Rehau, who is responsible for the launch, says: ‘We are very excited about the launch of REHAU-Dimension Plus because it is a genuinely unique product. This is not only the first time that Rehau has offered a complete conservatory but also the first time that a window systems company has taken on full product and design liability in this way.

‘Customers have the opportunity to use the system to create a real competitive advantage for themselves and Rehau will be providing all the support necessary to enable them to do so.’

Tel: 01989 762600

Saint-Gobain Glass says that it has launched another 'first' in the conservatory roof glass market, a dual-action self-cleaning / solar control glass, SGGBIOCLEAN COOL-LITE ST, that is designed to match naturally with other conservatory glazing without compromising on performance. SGGBIOCLEAN COOL-LITE ST is designed to match naturally with other conservatory glazing.

‘As well as providing advanced self-cleaning, solar heat and glare reduction performance for conservatory roofs, SGGBIOCLEAN COOL-LITE ST has been developed to closely match the look of other glazing used in conservatories, unlike competitor products that rely on coloured tints or obtrusive reflective surfaces,’ says the company.

‘SGGBIOCLEAN COOL-LITE ST is also the first dual-action self-cleaning / solar control glass that can be toughened from stock, meaning that delivery times are not compromised.

‘The SGGBIOCLEAN self-cleaning coating, applied as the glass is made, is permanent and stays on the glass for the lifetime of the window, unlike other wax-like 'easy-clean' products, which may need reapplying.
The coating combines two functions: it harnesses UV light to break down dirt and then when it rains, causes the water to spread out into a continuous sheet to wash the dirt clean away.

‘By helping windows to stay cleaner for longer, the SGGBIOCLEAN self-cleaning coating saves end-users time and money on window cleaning. As well as conservatory roofs it is ideal for other hard to reach areas such as high-level glazing.’

The advanced SGGCOOL-LITE ST solar control coating on the other face of the glass reflects up to two-thirds of the sun's heat, keeping conservatories cooler during sunny periods without the need for costly air conditioning or blinds. It also reduces uncomfortable glare from the sun by over 50%, whilst letting in lots of natural light.

Conservatory owners can benefit from year-round comfort by combining SGGBIOCLEAN COOL-LITE ST with SGGPLANITHERM thermally insulating glass, which significantly reduces heat loss in colder months.

Both SGGBIOCLEAN COOL-LITE ST and SGGPLANITHERM are manufactured at Saint-Gobain Glass' state-of-the art float glass plant in East Yorkshire.

For further information visit http://www.selfcleaningglass.com or e-mail bioclean@saint-gobain-glass.com

Synseal fabricators can now get perfectly colour-matched trims for all its window profiles.

‘We are offering our customers a comprehensive range of trims and window boards to match our window profiles,’ explains Nick Dutton, Sales and Marketing Director.

‘They are available in white, as well as light oak, rosewood and mahogany. We've even made ordering and delivery easy.

Our customers can place one order and trims will be delivered together with the profile order, so it saves time too.

Synseal constantly looks for ways to make our customers' lives easier, whether by providing new products and innovations or by giving better customer service to keep our customers ahead in the market.’

Gone are the days when Henry Ford stated you can have any colour you want as long as it's black. Windows have been available in white and woodgrain for many years.

Now Synseal has announced all its profiles are available in five additional colours: black, grey, red, blue and green.

Colours are increasingly important in the specification market. Many schools and hospitals like to use different colours, but until now colours were available only as a special order in big quantities.

Synseal customers now have the choice of white or blue-white, rosewood, light oak and mahogany or any of the five new colours straight off the shelf.

‘Our customers who supply the domestic market can enjoy the colours too,’ explains Nick Dutton, Synseal's Sales and Marketing Director.

‘We are always looking for ways to help installers attract new customers and it's an ideal choice for homeowners who want to add individuality to their homes.

We launched the new colours at Glassex and the feedback from visitors to the stand has been great.’

'When Spanish Ice, best known as the new name for glue chip, first came on to the market about a year ago, most observers could immediately see that it was something quite new and different,’ says UAP.

‘The glue-chip process is of course nothing new in itself, having been around for generations as a decorative craft skill that creates a random, and vaguely fern-like pattern on glass that is pleasing to the eye.

‘Compared to ready-made patterned glass, produced by rolling moulded impressions onto semi-molten glass, the glue-chip pattern is far less pronounced, has greater variety in the pattern, and is more delicate in appearance.

‘Spanish Ice is the trade-marked and more affordable alternative to the normal glue-chip pattern, giving the impression of cracking ice, rather than the more typical fern leaves that the process usually creates.

‘Where there is much standardisation of glue-chip panels due to the large number of imported units available in the country, Spanish Ice is British made to traditional craft skills and thus in addition to its visual uniqueness has the possibility of being able to offer bespoke one-off or limited run designs.’

Manufactured by UAP, at present the production focus for Spanish Ice is for door panels, side units and fanlights where it can be produced to fit any door panel or fanlight shape. Indeed, the brochure is full of these patterns that in keeping with the spirit of the brand name, are evocative of Spanish names. For example, Belorada, Estella, Santa Fe, Allora, Javita, and Montro, among others for the door panels, and Mirarda, Cruz, Diamante, Palomar, and Quinta, for the fanlights.

Used in conjunction with soft sandblast backgrounds, coloured film and lead designs, an almost endless array of individual effects can be created.
Although the craft detail of the Spanish Ice process is a trade secret, the sequence of events necessary to create the units is not.

At present, Spanish Ice units are manufactured to a maximum 1000mm x 500mm in 6.4mm laminate or 4mm float glass. The customer can specify Spanish Ice as complete sealed units, or as single panels, choosing from the range of designs in the brochure, or perhaps as bespoke units in bulk quantities, or even as one-offs to individual requirements.

The process itself is time-consuming, taking 3 days from start to finish, but volume orders can be batch processed in quantities of up to 200 at a time.

First of all the glass is sandblasted using a pattern. Then the glue, a non-synthetic resin, is carefully applied. That completes Day 1. Day 2 leaves the resin to naturally dry, and on Day 3 the panel goes into the oven.

After the Spanish Ice pattern has been created on the glass, lead and bevels can be added to the panel and it is made up unto a unit in the usual way with spacer bar and a hot melt sealant.

It is the special application of the glue, its curing time, the oven temperature and time in the oven, which leads to the cracked or Spanish Ice effect.

As the creation of Spanish Ice - or indeed any glue-chip pattern - is a tricky process, not many firms would be readily able to offer this type of unique decorative effect. UAP sees its Spanish Ice product range as adding to their customers existing sales offer, regarding themselves as simply an extension of the customers' production departments.

The process can be used with Low E glass units, and possibilities with toughened glass are currently being explored, according to Technical Manager Paul Degisi, who says that there has been ‘enormous interest’ shown by the large door panel companies.

‘Spanish Ice, since its launch at GP&T last year is seen as new and different. Just what the trade needs.’

Tel: +44 (0) 161 763 5290
Email: uap@btconnect.com
Web: http://www.universal-imports.com

Sapa Building Systems has launched the latest addition to its extensive Dualframe window, door and roofing system. The company says that Dualframe Window Wall is designed to offer a cost effective alternative to traditional curtain walling systems - with some significant added benefits.

Specifically developed for glazing and re-glazing of building facades of up to 2 storeys, Dualframe Window Wall features robust frame sections that provide integral strength without the complexity of traditional curtain walling systems.

The system requires no specialist skills for re-glazing and maintenance making it a suitable system for school projects, whilst the visual consistency of the mullion and outer-frame sightlines provide an attractive design solution for projects featuring large runs of glazing such as penthouses, apartments and offices. Across the range, Dualframe incorporates a polyamide thermal break which, as well as offering high levels of thermal performance, also means that dual-colour can be specified for a project where the design demands different internal and external frame colours.

Designed to offer maximum flexibility for both specifier and fabricators, the design of the mullion sections of Window Wall ensures that particularly large frames can be accommodated in the design. The full versatility of Window Wall is highlighted when specifiers have a requirement for their glazed screen designs to feature windows or door inserts as the Dualframe system includes a High Performance Door and a wide range of window styles including casement, pivot, tilt before turn, horizontal and vertical sliding, which can all be incorporated into Window Wall.

Britannia Windows of Clevedon has launched a new hardware brand, marine spec.

Fitted as standard, no additional cost, upgrade on all windows fabricated by Britannia, marine spec hardware as the name implies, has been designed to withstand the very worst weather Britain can offer. In fact it sets new standards in anti corrosion performance. In independent tests it has achieved over five times the required salt spray performance of BSEN1670 Class3, the test for high resistance to corrosion.

The company says that peace of mind for up to 25 years and no compromise on security still exceeding BS7590, the British Standard for high security gives marine spec a real edge over the competition, one that customers of Britannia can sell.

‘We realised right from the start that marine spec gave a unique competitive edge’ says Hayden Rushton, Managing Director, ‘that's why we've invested in exclusive branding for Britannia and professional marketing support for our customers to help sell the difference we make’ he goes on to say.

‘The hardware itself looks and feels superior being made from marine spec materials including stainless and austenitic finished steel. To trade customers the benefits are obvious. A product that has unique features to sell, and significant less need for maintenance calls in the future.’

‘Our timing couldn't be better’ remarks Hayden. ‘In a market that is tough you need a difference to sell. With one of the worst weathers on record this winter having a product that will stand up to the extremes of our climate is a big issue and in marine spec we have the perfect answer’ Hayden concludes.

First part of the launch for Britannia has been to switch existing customers over, something now successfully achieved thanks to the quality of the product and the support of new product samples and a new high quality leaflet to help sell the difference.

The next stage for Britannia is to look for new customers who need a difference to sell in both the domestic and commercial markets.

Spectus Window Systems is unveiling a new rosewood colour option for its Vertical Slider System, to satisfy demand for natural wood-effect finishes with a prominent grain. The rosewood finish joins a range which already includes mahogany and light oak, as well as white, mahogany on white and light oak on white.

Functioning in exactly the same way as a traditional sash window, the VS was developed by Spectus to meet the need for a PVC-u system which could be used in traditional settings. Since its launch five years ago, VS has been approved for use by local authorities in conservation areas and in the renovation of listed buildings.

While offering the aesthetic appeal of a traditional sash window, the VS is technically advanced and full of options for easy and cost effective fabrication.

Comar 5 Pi Cladding Adaptors

Traditionally, windows and claddings into the same facade are not installed as an integrated solution, so much so that the appearance of the joints often depends on the skill of the installer to cut and notch the flashings around the openings and the joints often rely on site applied mastic. The main disadvantage of this is long-term sealant degradation and lack of weather tightness of the façade.

Longevity of solution is the key word for Comar 5 Pi Cladding adaptors. The adaptor allows the specifier the design opportunity to incorporate windows into a façade without the need for additional flashings. The external frame of the windows incorporates the cladding adaptor, which mimics the edge profile of either Kingspan or Euro-panel Cladding. This allows the window to be installed in exactly the same way as the panels.

Comar 5Pi cladding adaptors provide the additional benefit of cost effectiveness: site labour is reduced, due to the seamless integration of the window system into the cladding, and there are no additional sealant costs.

As the adaptor utilises Comar Pi technology, low U-values and dual colour options are achieved. The adaptor fits all window combinations, so a variety of tilt and turn, horizontal and vertical pivot, side, top or bottom hung windows can be specified.

For further information, please view http://www.comar-alu.co.uk and click on the new products link or contact The Marketing Department (020) 8685 9685.

Duraflex fabricator, A-Plas Windows Ltd, has launched a Bi-Folding Door using PVC-U profile from the Duraflex Diamond Suite. Designed and manufactured exclusively by A-Plas at its production facility near Bolton, the Bi-Folding Door is supplied fully assembled and ready to fit on site. The new product offers an attractive and space-saving alternative to sliding patio and French doors for both new build and refurbishment projects.

The A-Plas Bi-Folding Door can be fabricated from Duraflex's 65mm Featured or Bevelled Suites and is available in the full range of Duraflex finishes, including foiled options. The Door can be specified in three to five panel configurations to suit different installation requirements. As each panel folds back to lie flush against the wall, it provides the maximum possible opening either from the house into a conservatory or directly onto the garden. Benefiting from an exacting specification, all doors are fitted with a high quality shootbolt locking system as standard to ensure optimum security and feature 28mm glazed units for excellent thermal efficiency.

According to A-Plas' Production Director, Sean O'Connor, it took about three months to develop the Bi-Folding Door and the company is delighted with the result: ‘Duraflex has been with us all the way, offering advice and support and helping out with the necessary trials. I believe this exciting new product line fills a gap in the market and will prove a popular alternative to existing options for new houses and also for home improvement projects - in fact, we're already taking orders.’

Tel: 08705 351351
Web: http://www.duraflex.co.uk

The ContourGrid system from US and international manufacturer GED Integrated Solutions turns flat, pre-painted, coiled aluminium into custom punched, formed, cut and shape-routed Georgian bar – ‘and it does so while drastically reducing labour, production time, and costs,’ says the company.

‘The most apparent difference in the finished result from the ContourGrid, when compared to a typical Georgian bar assembly, is the clean, crisp intersections achieved by the patented joiner system without the need for separate centre locking sections.

‘The absence of the centre section and its join lines significantly improves the overall aesthetics of the bar and its 'one-piece' appearance is far more authentic and more structurally sound.

‘The joiner system thus not only massively simplifies the production of Georgian bar inserts and thereby increases capacity, but it also serves to differentiate your windows from the competition.

‘Producing consistently accurate bar lengths that exactly match cut glass sizes and spacer, the ContourGrid reduces the manpower requirements of assembly and cleaning and eliminates scratching. Bar lengths may be manufactured from only 76.3mm to a maximum 2133.6mm in a grid configuration of up to 10 verticals and 10 horizontals.

‘In addition, if used with the Intercept Warm Edge Spacer System, grid locations can be computer-controlled and pre-punched into the spacer; the bar is then accurately fixed into position with locking clips so that there is no possibility of migrating out of position.’

Compatible with GED's LeanNet as well as WinIG software, ContourGrid may be integrated with the entire IG process to successfully fulfil the demands of one-piece flow production, remakes and diagnostics.

For more information about GED Integrated Solutions and Intercept Spacer Systems please contact Chris Wale.

Email: cwale@gedusa.com
Web: http://www.geduk.com

Stand Out with Allure

Quality Roofing Systems wants to help conservatory installers by offering the Allure aluminium conservatory roof system.

Dave Buttery, QRS Managing Director, explains what makes the difference: ‘The conservatory market is less than a third saturated, so there is at least two thirds of the potential market still to sell to. Therefore the need to offer more than your competitors has never been greater.

Standing out from the crowd is becoming harder as more installers invest in marketing to reduce the amount of 'thinking time' a homeowner spends looking at each product. So converting a passing interest into orders without competing on price is near impossible unless you have a better looking product and an advantage over your rivals.

Combining our premium quality aluminium profiles and components, with all the benefits of the market leading Global roof, such as variable pitch and easy installation, Allure gives the perfect balance of functionality, individuality, price and looks. It gives installers the edge they need at realistic prices.’

Tel: 01429 871010
Email: daveb@qualityroofingsystems.com

Elumatec Launches a New Top of the Range Automatic Saw

Elumatec's SBZ 630 has been designed to cut thick-walled aluminium profiles at high speeds and has a 7.5kW motor, a movable machine bed, and pivoting and tilting axes equipped with cross roller bearings - a concept patented by Elumatec.

This concept means that the saw can be optionally tilted or pivoted to angles of 45 degrees up to 135 degrees, allowing mitre cuts to be made on unusual or large cross sections of profiles, which could not be cut on machines without this option.

As with all automatic sawing machines, when increasing the feeding speed during the sawing operation, the cutting power increases considerably, which in turn leads to increasing vibrations. To counteract this, Elumatec specifically developed the SBZ 630's machine base/bed to be as heavy as possible which helps drastically reduce vibration, providing the solution.

Commenting on the machine, Elumatec's md Phil Heavey said: ‘Our aim is to offer the most versatile, cost effective, top of the range machinery in the market-place and the SBZ 630 certainly ticks these boxes. The SBZ 630 range is ideal for industrialised window and curtain wall production, and owing to its extreme adaptability, is perfectly suitable for use in other fields of aluminium processing. We firmly believe that this machine will become the first automatic saw of choice for fabrication companies looking to increase their profitability through precision cutting.’

Comar 5P.i. Tilt & Turn Window Passes Security Test’

Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems has announced that Comar 5P.i. Tilt & Turn window passed the enhanced security British Standard: BS 7950.

The security tests were carried out by BRE, a UKAS accredited test house. The Comar 5P.i. Tilt & Turn window is internally beaded with a 24mm double glazed unit.

The BS 7950 security test sequence consisted of manipulation, manual check, glazing removal and mechanical load tests.

The manipulation and manual check tests objective was to unfasten or disengage the window's locking system. In the manipulation test, implements such as steel wires, paint scrapers, craft knives, joiners bolsters, wood chisels and screw drivers were used and, in the manual check test, nail bars and flat bladed screwdrivers were used to try to break through hinges, locking and fixing points. The Comar 5P.i. window remained impervious to these attacks.

The glazing removal test, which replicated a forced entry, consisted of manual and mechanical tests. The manual glazing removal test attempted to remove gaskets, beads, locks and glazing using the same selection of implements as the manipulation test. For the mechanical test, a perpendicular-to-plane load of 2.0kN was applied to each corner of the glazing in turn for a period of three minutes. As a result of both tests the glazing was not removed.

In order to test further the strength of the Comar 5P.i. window a mechanical load test was undertaken with sample 2. This test consisted of an application of parallel-to-plane load which was maintained until a perpendicular-to-plane load had been applied and removed in a sequence of loading at the top of the hinged side, then progressed across the top, down the opening side, along the bottom and up the hinged edge. Again, the window withstood this attack.

The Comar 5P.i. tilt and turn window is part of the energy efficient Comar 5P.i. window suite. Thermal performance is achieved with a 20mm polyamide strip rolled-in between two separately extruded profiles. Copies of the test results, DVD and full Technical Manuals are available upon request.

Profile 22 Systems has introduced 'cost-saving' Safeware Super Steel reinforcement.

'The 'dimpled' design is stronger weight for weight than other products on the market and has 20 per cent greater screw pull-out strength meaning improved hardware anchorage.' says the company.

The product is available from Profile 22 in bar lengths or pre-cut in 100mm increments, removing a time consuming pre-prep procedure from the fabrication process helping to improve line flow and save production costs.

As Super Steel is stronger than normal steel reinforcement, it can be used in a lighter gauge to reduce overall material costs.

Like all Safeware products, Super Steel integrates seamlessly with Profile 22 window and door suites and is designed to save fabrication time to free up valuable production capacity.

An example of this integration is the separate reinforcement chambers in Profile 22 door sections, so no pre-notching of the steel to accommodate locks is required.

Super Steel also offers tangible benefits to installers. As the frame is lighter, there is a reduced risk of injury being sustained through manual handling, particularly while working at height.

Stuart Green, director of FrameXpress Ltd in Telford, has been using Super Steel since its launch.

He said: 'The product has several clear advantages; As it is pre-cut, there are none of the associated labour costs of cutting the product ourselves, it has allowed us to reduce waste, stockholding and handling, plus it's a far cleaner material to work with than traditional galvanised steel, which tends to be a greasy and grubby product to handle.'

For further information on Super Steel and the complete range of Safeware and Profile 22 products, please contact Profile 22 on Tel: 01952 290910 or visit the website: http://www.profile22.co.uk