Product Launches @ THE GL@ZINE

Cutting & prepping specialist Stuga has recently launched a neat little cutting and prepping centre for the small to medium sized fabricator.

Having identified that many fabricators have space issues that will not allow them to invest in fully automatic lines Stuga set about developing the smallest possible footprint for such a machine and after some tough development work came up with the Microline.

‘The Microline is a tiny 13.7 meters long by 2.6 meters wide but, although small, this machine packs a big punch and can produce anywhere up to 500 windows per week,’ says the company. ‘The Microline fully preps all uPVC windows and doors automatically and although the price is very low every single operation available on full size cutting & prepping centres is also available including simultaneous prepping on both sides of a profile at the same time.’

The Microline comes with sophisticated software that includes re-optimisation and re-usable offcut management making considerable profile savings an absolute certainty.

Stuga has a technical partnership with Sturtz Maschinenbau in Germany which combines British design and innovation with German technology and manufacturing skills.

Tel: 01455 554203
Email: sales@stuga.co.uk
Web: http://www.stuga.co.uk

Egress Safety Solution for Emergency Exit

Laird Security Hardware has announced the launch of the Egress E1 friction hinge designed for safety and emergency exit in accordance with current standards.

The E1 is in response to the industry requirement for the provision of an egress window to first floor locations for easy exit in the event of an emergency.

Manufactured from high quality stainless steel, the E1 allows the window to open to its maximum opening width in accordance with BS 5588 and the Building Regulations Document B ‘Fire safety edition 2000 edition’.

Egress friction hinges are designed for side hung applications and are ideal for first floor applications where used in conjunction with non-locking operating handles.

Schüco's New Sliding Window Maximises use of Internal Space

A new window type is attracting significant attention for building envelope specialist, Schüco International. The Royal S 70 HPS.HI, designated the 'push-slide' window, opens in a similar way to the side door of a van, sliding horizontally on the outside of the structure. This obviates the need for unsightly internal tracks, maximises usable internal space and gives architects a greater degree of design flexibility.

However, of equal significance is the High Pressure Sealing (HPS) capability of the Royal S 70 HPS.HI. This makes the window capable of delivering a weather-tightness performance of 1000 Pascals, a level of performance that the company says is unmatched in the UK for a window of this type. In addition, a UW value of <1.7 W/m2K means that the Royal S 70 HPS.HI fully meets current energy-saving directives.

The window glides open smoothly thanks to rollers that are mounted on corrosion-resistant ball bearings and, when closed, it blends inconspicuously with the rest of the façade making it suitable for commercial buildings and high-rise apartment blocks.

With a maximum vent size of 2000mm x 3000mm and a maximum vent weight of 180kg, the Royal S 70HPS.HI can also be used as a window-door, for example onto a balcony. Alternatively, safety bars and guard rails are available to facilitate the creation of attractive Juliette balconies.

For further details on the Royal S 70 HPS.HI including relevant literature, contact the Marketing Department, Schüco International, Whitehall Avenue, Kingston, Milton Keynes MK10 0AL. Tel: 01908 282111 or visit the website: http://www.schueco.co.uk

New Cameleo Glass Door Patch Fittings Incorporate Covers in a Range of Colours

Prefit, specialist in fittings for glass, is marketing in the UK a new Cameleo range of glass door patch fittings and eye-catching covers from Stremler Glass Hardware to complement its tried and proven range of high quality, stainless steel, Cilindric glass door patch fittings.

The covers, which slide vertically over chrome, stainless steel and brass bases, allow for changing tastes and trends and offer sympathetic integration with classic and contemporary interior design.

They are available in a wide range of colours including walnut, beech, black carbon, black satin, metallic satin, white marble, and special colours and logos to order.

In addition, Prefit is able to offer a range of matching handles and covers to fit on to the subtle, minimalist Cilindric sliding and swing door patch fittings.

Locking Systems - Looking Good

Part of Nico's Security Plus range - the MultiLock and MultiCam Shootbolt offer an attractive alternative to traditional espags or shootbolts on the market.

Manufactured in the UK to ISO 9001:2000 and accredited by the Secured by Design scheme, both Nico Locking Systems are approved by BBA, surpassing the requirements of BS 7950 Security Specification and tested for more than 100,000 cycles to ensure long-life security and reliability.

What is more, Nico Locking Systems can be supplied in Nico Supercoat 500 - an attractive silver finish that offers marine specification corrosion resistance.

A real alternative to standard espags - Nico MultiLock
A new concept in window security, the Nico MultiLock locking system offers a cost-effective, simple way to meet the requirements of BS 7950 - at little more than the cost of a standard espagnolette bolt.

Suitable for new build or retrofit, the design uses a multipoint locking system to provide the necessary security with a smooth positive action.

A fast fit, top of the range product - Nico Shootbolt
The Nico Shootbolt is a high performance multipoint locking system, combining reliable, long-life performance with an easy to fit design. For maximum strength and durability, all load bearing gearbox components are manufactured from steel.

Consort chooses Nico
Consort is one of several major uPVC manufacturers to recognise the benefits of the Nico MultiLock and Shootbolt.

‘We have changed from standard espagnolette bolts to the Nico MultiLock......’ says Stuart Buchanan, Sales and Marketing Director of Consort. ‘For a small extra cost, we can offer our customers a much more secure product with the option of an attractive, corrosion resistant silver finish.’

Consort also uses the Nico Shootbolt thanks to its excellent product characteristics. ‘The new Nico design with all-steel drive components is well-engineered, very reliable and has the added advantage of being quick and easy to fit.’ says Stuart Buchanan.

Tel: 44 1255 422333
Email: sales@nico.co.uk
Web: http://www.nico.co.uk

The new thermal insulation glazing 'iplus E' fulfils all the demands on the energy efficiency of residential, business, and public buildings. With even further improved thermal insulation (Ug-value 1.1 W/m2K as per EN 673), passive energy gain and excellent colour neutrality it provides for a pleasant living and working environment in light rooms. Top of the line products such as 'iplus 3C E' limit thermal transmittance down to 0.5 W/m”K. In addition to thermal insulation, the multifunctional glazing 'iplus city E' also provides sound-proofing and increased burglary-resistance.

Even the standard version of the new base glazing 'iplus E' with argon filling brings thermal transmittance down to Ug = 1.1 W/m2K. Compared to conventional uncoated thermal insulation glazing, owners of an average single family home can save up to 500 litres or more of fuel oil each year. The passive energy gain, excellent colour neutrality and high transparency round off the performance of this new basic glazing.

Gaining energy passively
High-end glasses such as the triple insulation glazing 'iplus 3C E' improve heat insulation down to values of 0.5 W/m2K, almost the same as that of a solid wall. However, glass offers one major advantage: not only does it provide light, a major factor in improving the quality of living, but it also uses the (free) power of the sun to heat the room and thereby provides additional energy savings - iplus 3C E is therefore also suitable for low-energy and passive houses.

Quietness and safety with multifunctional insulation glazing
Multifunctional glazing such as 'iplus city E', in addition to efficient thermal insulation (Ug-value 1.1 W/m2K), also provides increased sound-proofing (Rw up to 38 db). This is important because nine out of ten people living in metropolitan areas feel disturbed by traffic, construction work and the 'normal' soundscape of a large city. The improved burglary-resistance (P4A safety rating as per EN 356) even meets up-market builders' demands.

For more information on our thermal insulation glazing series 'iplus E', please visit http://www.interpane.net.

GAP has launched Cosmopolitan Perfection, a range of glass bevelled doors in stock at all 11 GAP warehouses.

‘This contemporary glazed range, incorporating beautifully crafted glass, lets the light shine through,’ explains Charles Greensmith, ‘But unlike most decorative glass, there's no lead. We've been looking at resin bevels for some time, but we couldn't find the quality we wanted in plastic. Resin is a cheap and inferior looking imitation of glass and we wanted to produce the desired results with the real thing.

‘That's why GAP has developed stylish and contemporary range of glue chip designs, in toughened glass, with the detailing encapsulated in the sealed unit for easy cleaning. We took the best features of resin bevels and then incorporated them into glass, which doesn't fade or dull.

‘And the range of ten doors is available from stock in all our 11 warehouses,’ adds Charles, ‘so our customers can collect them or have same day or next day delivery which we feel will be a massive advantage for our customers. There's also a fantastic contemporary brochure with stunning pictures too so installers can show the whole range to homeowners.’

Tel: 01254 682888

Specialist cutting and prepping centre manufacturer Stuga has increased its range of centres to three.

Following successful installations of over eighty Flowline centres since January 2000 Stuga launched the ZX range eighteen months ago with the now well established ZX4. The ZX4 has proven very popular with fabricators wishing to get 800 to 1,000 windows per week from a single machine.

Due to the success of the ZX4 Stuga decided to develop a version to take over from the popular Flowline-3 and this has also been successfully launched. The ZX3 has many features of the ZX4 but is aimed at the 600 to 800 per week market where most other centres are also aimed including the Haffner SBA, Elumatec 615 and Rapid Ultratech.

More recently Stuga identified the need for a cutting and prepping centre with a very small footprint as well as an economical price and the result of this is the Microline centre. The Microline is based on the same technology as the ZX machines but does not have a buffer station and produces 400 to 500 windows per week. This machine has a footprint of 13.7 meters by 2.6 meters making it the smallest cutting and prepping centre available in the market place.

All three Stuga centres have the very latest technology including high frequency motors, full CNC closed loop drives, laser measuring and simultaneous cutting on both sides of the profile to ensure lightning fast prepping of trickle vents and doors.

Stuga customers are also benefiting from a joint technical co-operation agreement with Sturtz Maschinenbau in Germany which is a specialist in uPVC machinery manufacture. Stuga is building machines for Sturtz for other markets as well as working with the company’s design team to help bring many new and improved benefits to the Flowline cutting and prepping range and the Stuga Autocut Saw Centre. The combination of British innovation and German manufacturing techniques is proving a major factor in the performance of Stuga's machines and the new features and benefits this has brought about.

Tel: 01455 554203
Email: sales@stuga.co.uk
Web: http://www.stuga.co.uk

Gold Nuggets? Well that's what Melvyn of Creative Conservatories calls the FastLock frame coupling system provided by Lister Trade Frames of Stoke on Trent.

Melvyn has been working as a window and conservatory fitter for over seven years and has used various window systems and other local suppliers but he says that he has never fitted a system that is so fitter friendly as the one Lister’s manufacture.

‘These little 'gold nuggets' are an amazing time saver when you need to get your installation finished quickly but you don't want to compromise your quality’ says Melvyn ‘in fact by using the FastLock nuts it actually ensures that frames are coupled spot on!’

Lister which manufactures both the 70mm chamfered and 70mm sculptured system from WHS Halo say that its customers just can't get enough of this feature. It is designed to couple two frames without any need for sighting, drilling or screwing. Just attach the nuts, position the frames and by using the FastLock spanner, lock them together.

‘I've used other local fabricators’ Says Melvyn ‘but none are as focused on the Trade as Lister. The company wants to make your job easier and this FastLock system is an example of that. Listr makes coupling frames together a doddle!’

The FastLock system doesn't just couple two frames; it can also be used to connect bays and conservatory frames, all without the need for drilling and screwing, cutting installation times to a minimum and increasing the visual appearance of the job.

‘I call them 'Gold Nuggets' because that's just what they are, they save me time and money and help me do a better job.’ And Lister? ‘Well they're the gold mine!’ It seems that Melvyn and Creative have struck it rich.

Tel: 01782 205605
Web: http://www.listertf.co.uk

Synseal's sculptured Legend suite is now available.

‘The elegant new sculptured suite gives customers even more choice,’ says Nick Dutton, Synseal's Sales and Marketing Director.

‘Legend customers already have a massive range of ancillaries, including six single leg beads and a suite of structural reinforcements to choose from all of which are available for the new Legend sculptured.

‘The new suite is perfect for fabricators wanting to offer both chamfered and sculptured options without having to have to add a whole new range. All the other components are designed for both, so fabricators need to add just the profiles.

Fabricators are looking to offer their customers more choice, and by simply adding the sculptured profiles, they can.

‘For additional choice, Synseal's Legend comes in white as well as eight woodgrain and coloured foils.’

Tel: 01623 443 200.

Independent hardware manufacturers J.Banks has further expanded its extensive portfolio of sliding sash window hardware with the launch of the new range of spiral sash balances, manufactured in the UK under the EASY-JUST banner.

As part of J.Banks long term strategy to produce the complete suite of hardware products for sliding sash windows, the spiral balance range arrives hot on the heels of the company's recent launch of an extensive new range of Tilt Brackets, Tilt Stops, Tilt Catches and interlocking Sliding Shoes and Tilt Arms. All arms and brackets are manufactured from high specification, 304 grade austenitic Stainless Steel and carry a lifetime guarantee for performance and durability.

J.Banks Managing Director, David Wellman comments, ‘It has been our long term intention to produce and supply the complete vertical sliding sash hardware package. After two years of research and development, followed by extensive product testing, we are now in a position to offer a comprehensive range of VSS products, enabling fabricators to have a single source of supply for all of their requirements’.

Tel: 0121 520 9205
Email: contact@jbanks.co.uk
Web: http://www.jbanks.co.uk

One of the UK's most popular door styles, the internal moulded door is now available in a new design, which has stimulated a huge response from consumers, reports door manufacturer Jeld-Wen.

First revealed at this year's Ideal Home Show, the Rockport features a five panel Shaker-style design and is suitable for buyers who wish to incorporate old style charm within their homes without the cost of a solid timber door.

The Rockport is smooth-faced and is supplied pre-primed ready for buyers to finish to their own individual tastes.

Fire door options are also available. As with many Jeld-Wen moulded doors, the Rockport is also available in alternative core specifications for improved performance.

Jeld-Wen Product Manager Mark Roberts explains:

‘Moulded doors are well established and extremely popular and the Rockport is a welcome addition which will extend buyer choice even further.

We have seen huge demand for the Rockport in the first few months since its release and expect it to become one of our most successful new doors this year.’

For more information or a copy of the Jeld-Wen catalogue, contact the sales office on 0870 126 0000 or visit the website http://www.jeld-wen.co.uk.

Schüco Improves its FW50+ SG Structural Glazing System

Schüco International has updated and improved its FW50+ SG structural glazing system, with the aim of making installation easier, faster and less expensive. UK fabricators who have tested the new system are enthusiastic about it, reporting that instead of needing a team of three to four people, installation can now be carried out by a single operative with obvious time- and cost-saving benefits.

The secret of the new system is a purpose-designed clip which holds the glazed unit in place.

The clip, consisting of a cast barrel with two lugs, is locked in place with a simple quarter turn while an integral fixing screw is inserted at the same time.

This is a major improvement on the previous system which required a number of clips to be fixed simultaneously.

Apart from the introduction of this new clip, the other change in Schüco's updated FW50+ SG system is an expanded range of gaskets allowing the system to accommodate the 42mm, 30mm, 24mm and 22mm units typically encountered in UK structural glazing projects.

Full details of the improved FW50+ SG system may be obtained from the Marketing Department, Schüco International, Whitehall Avenue, Kingston, Milton Keynes MK10 0AL. Tel: 01908 282111 or visit the website: http://www.schueco.co.uk