Origin Frames Ltd, award winning UK manufacturer of aluminium bi-folding doors, has introduced an installation training programme,

Synseal’s fabricator partners are being presented with “pizza-style” sample boxes and literature in a new sales and marketing campaign designed to promote the advantages of using recycled plastic thermal reinforcements (PTRs) to replace traditional steel.

Using the slogan “Switch and Save”, the eye-catching boxes are colour-coded for Legend, SynerJy and Shield window systems and contain handy samples of PTRs fitted into the most popular profiles together with a standard 150mm Envirosill, which features flawless virgin PVC-U on visible outer faces and a recycled core.

Made from 100% recycled PVC-U, Synseal’s PTRs deliver enhanced thermal performance, enabling high energy ratings or low U-values to be achieved. Less expensive and lighter than steel and avoiding any potential corrosion problems, PTRs ensure that installed PVC-U frames become 100% recyclable and are easier and faster to cut and insert during fabrication, with additional installation benefits of making windows lighter and therefore easier to fit while at the same time affording better screw retention than steel, for more secure fixing of hardware.

The British Board of Agrement (BBA) has now approved Synseal PTRs for use in foiled profiles, enabling all shades of finish including dark-coloured woodgrains to be manufactured and installed with total confidence.

The strength of Distinction Door’s position as the UK market leader in composite doors was recently reinforced when its Nan Ya doorset was proved to be the most thermally efficient composite door on the market. Chantel Roach, Distinction’s Marketing Manager, said, “The thermal performance of a door is always important to homeowners, especially with energy bills on the rise. We’re delighted that our door has proved its quality in this area, as in many others.”

The thermal efficiency of the Nan Ya slab was proved in tests at the University of Salford’s Energy House. The tests showed that the Nan Ya 44.5mm slab was 19% more thermally efficient than a 48mm solid timber core composite door and 17% more thermally efficient than a 44mm traditional timber panelled door.

The reason for the dramatic difference in thermal efficiency is thanks to the Nan Ya slab’s high performance insulated core, which is made up of a high density CFC-free PV foam. The foam is environmentally friendly with a Global Warming Potential of less than five and an Ozone Depletion Score of zero, making it all the more attractive to environment-conscious homeowners.

AluK (GB) launches its new residential aluminium windows and doors collection, featuring a complete range of traditional and modern windows, as well as aluminium entrance, bi-fold, sliding and patio doors. Combining highest standards in security and performance with innovative design features, the premium product offering provides fabricators with the tools and support they need to grow their business whilst also providing their customers with greater choice for the perfect look for their homes.

Windows

AluK’s unique residential window collection is divided into Traditional Windows and Modern Window ranges, providing customers with a wider choice and added style to suit their needs and complement their homes. With narrow sight lines, customisable options, single and dual colour and certified by the Secured by Design scheme (PAS24), the AluK windows collection is built to meet both aesthetic and practical demands.

The north west’s most successful conservatory roof and aluminium specialists Northwest Rooftech and Northwest Alutech have just announced they are bringing their market-leading combination of value-added quality and service to the whole of the UK. Dave Cheetham, Sales Manager at Northwest Rooftech said, “Since we were founded in 1997 we have grown steadily year on year. Our initial focus was on the north west market, but in recent years more and more customers from across the UK have joined us.

Renovation projects have surged in popularity over the last couple of years for frameXpress, as sales figures have repeatedly risen in respect of this market sector at the company. It has been attributed to continuing innovation in high performance products such as the FS70 mm system from Profile 22 as well as the dynamic design options now available, which appeal to the wise homeowner and the shrewd installer.

One of the most recent frameXpress projects incorporated a number of advanced, high performance products from the company’s range, which were tailored specifically to meet the exacting standards of the homeowners, who wished their property to maintain and reflect a very traditional appearance throughout.

The Slate Grey colour foil was chosen which has provided a stunning aesthetic finish to the installation at the home.

We’re in a mature market and many of the new products that are introduced are simply variations on a theme. Genuinely new products that offer something substantially different are rare. So when such a product does come along, there’s very good reason to get excited, not least because of the opportunities it presents for installers looking for a competitive edge.

One example of such a product is the Genesis Vertical Slider from Bison Frames. It represents true innovation and looks set to be the start of a new generation of window design and manufacture.

The challenge that the R&D team at Bison set themselves was to develop a PVC-U window that could be accepted for use in Grade II listed buildings and conservation areas. Bison’s Mark Tetley says, “It seemed unfair that a substantial market opportunity was effectively closed off to our industry, as well as denying the people who live in these buildings the environmental and thermal benefits of using PVC-U. We wanted to design a product that could not be reasonably refused and to do so meant going back to the drawing board quite literally.”

Long-standing Network VEKA member Thistle Windows and Conservatories, is not known for its ‘wobbliness’ and regularly wins customer satisfaction awards for the quality of its products and the service provided. However, on Saturday June 14th, the company was delighted to be associated with a very wobbly event!

The team at Thistle Windows were proud to sponsor an exciting day of events and activities with the goal to raise money to fund research into helping cure neurological disorders.

MD Ian Bruce explains: “Wobbly Williams and its sister charity, Funding Neuro were both founded by Bryn Williams following his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease in 2007. The charities raise money for research focusing on finding more effective treatments and cures for brain and spinal conditions.

“We were happy not just to support the fun day held at Aberdeen’s famous Storybook Glen, but also to be actively involved, with Team Thistle going head-to-head against the cast of Emmerdale in the ‘It’s A Wobbly Knockout’ Team Challenge! Everyone threw themselves into the events with great enthusiasm and as good hosts we,

A new service which can link self builders up with suitable local contractors has been launched by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), with the support of the National Custom and Self Build Association (NaCSBA).

This new service is the first of its kind in the UK and can be accessed via links from the self build portal, NaCSBA’s comprehensive online resource for self builders.

The FMB’s find a self build contractor service is free to use and draws on a database of over 1,500 local contractors with design and build and self build capabilities.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Interest in self build solutions is growing stronger every day and the government is now putting in place policies which should help more people to realise the vision of building their own home. As this happens, self builders will need a pool of capable and experienced contractors and a trusted means of finding the right one. That’s why the FMB has created this service and we’re very pleased to have been able to team up with NaCSBA to deliver this through the Self Build Portal. This is the product of the building industry and self build representatives working together to facilitate the growth of self and custom build,

The Government has today published its updated National Infrastructure Pipeline, which shows that planned infrastructure investment has now increased to £383 billion up to 2020 and beyond.

The Pipeline, which is converted in to an interactive map format by leading construction intelligence specialists Barbour Abi, has increased from more than £375 billion when it was last updated in December.

Published in an online portal, the Pipeline is designed to increase the visibility of future infrastructure investment in both the public and private sectors. It is reviewed every six months to ensure new opportunities are reflected and more details are provided as they emerge.

Michael Dall, lead economist at Barbour ABI, commented: “