Door and Window Experts

Aluminium Trade Supply came to the rescue of a long established company providing polyester powder coating and finishing services to the architectural aluminium industry.

Although a very success company they had been without a website for over 10 years. Such were the demands on the day to day running of a busy company that taking the time required to work with a website company to create their website kept on getting put on the back burner.

In a sector such as polyester powder coating, there is a lot of technical information, images and broad ranging content required. It is this that the client did not have the time to create. Neither did they have the staff resources to take this task on.

This scenario is typical of many businesses large and small. Whether the company is owner run and managed, or medium sized with several members of staff often finding the time to dedicate to a new website can be difficult.

Aluminium Trade Supply were instructed to create their new powder coating and finishing services website and following only two client meetings commenced the work.

Our experience and knowledge in the fenestration sector meant we were able to start working immediately in creating the brand new website content and all the images and technical sections the website would require.

Being a specialist company in polyester powder coatings the client needed a detailed Downloads and Technical Section. The finishing of architectural aluminium consists of many different processes in preparing the metal for coatings.

We were able to do all this content creation and technical content on their behalf. Other web companies without our experience in the aluminium and general fenestration sector would not be able to do this without being given all the information beforehand.

In creating websites for our clients we use our expertise, our knowledge of the window industry and our sophisticated research tools.

Our client had a completed and fully functional website within four weeks.

Importantly, our team is very experienced in building up website traffic and reputation online through ethical and transparent means. Our websites remain focused on the subject matter and the sector they relate to.
Ongoing, our unique web services continue. We meet our client once a month where we come away with the information we need to create on a regular basis case studies, newsletters, technical content, site updates and much more.

This means that our client now enjoys the benefits of a professional and well performing website.

The post An established business in need of a website appeared first on Aluminium Trade Supply.

Our client was a well established company that had acquired a manufacturer of aluminium insulated panels, pressings, louvres and vision panels.

Prior to the acquisition the Company did not possess a website relying purely on word of mouth recommendation.

The aluminium insulated panel market is a competitive one and the client was aware that in order to compete in this market a greater online visibility and ongoing lead creation was required.

As the panel subsidiary was run by a very small team several years had passed without any kind of online presence and Aluminium Trade Supply were asked to help in the creation of a website and to assist the company in ongoing marketing and lead generation.

Our brief was to design a website based around the colour schemes of their existing printed literature.

We created the initial theme for the website and once this was completed and approved commenced on the content creation taking this demanding task away from the client.

Aluminium Trade Supply already possessed the knowledge about aluminium panels, aluminium pressings, louvres, vision panels and bespoke aluminium fabrications.

We used our expertise and research tools to create detailed content on the entire product range. Additionally we created the sectional drawings needed to demonstrate the variety of panel infills and insulations, materials and construction.

We visited the client and also took a large range of photographs – another service that saved the client time and money. Where specific images or information was not available we used our extensive research tools to create them or provide them.

The comprehensive website was completed within a four week window and is now a live, vibrant, attractive and informative website representing the products and services provided.

Aluminium Trade Supply worked independently to create the complete website content with minimal changes required upon completion.

Our ongoing work includes the creation of case studies, ongoing technical articles, website updates and modifications as required as well as a monthly newsletter emailed to customers.

Our work for this client has enabled the swift creation of a much needed website and a much improved visibility in their sector.

The post A new website to help an established business grow appeared first on Aluminium Trade Supply.

The Dualframe 75Si casement window has already been successfully installed in many applications commercially and for high end residential homes. SAPA Building Systems design and extrude the system that is a technically advanced new generation of windows using the latest in thermal break technology.

This advanced thermal break technology results in a window that provides exceptional thermal performance yet does not need complex glass specifications to achieve it such as windows with Super Spacer technology.

The Dualframe 75Si casement window is an extension of the already hugely successful standard Dualframe suite that comprises casement windows, tilt and turn windows, entrance doors and reversible windows.

SAPA have now extended the Dualframe Si suite with pivot and reversible options.

SAPA have added to the Dualframe 75 Si suite with new pivot and reversible window options.

Already the standard Dualframe 75mm Si casement (side hung and top hung) windows benefit from high specifications such as:

Top hung, side hung and fixed lights available, including a suite of coupling sections and integration with curtain walling systems.
BS7950 Accredited and Secured by Design
Extended leg universal frame profiles.
62mm deep box outer frame or 41mm universal frame for deeper plaster lines
Externally beaded windows also comply with BS7950 and Secured by Design.
Excellent results in testing for wind resistance, air and weather performance.
Special gaskets and seals that negate the need for foam inserts into the frame profiles.

The two new windows added to the existing casement and tilt and turn options on the Dualframe Si system are horizontal and reversible pivot windows top swing reversable options.

Both new additions whether pivot or reversible benefit from glazing thicknesses of up to 50mm as well as integration with the SAPA suite of curtain walling sections such as the NRGY62 . There is no additional tooling required which saves existing fabricators of the Dualframe 75Si system time and fabrication costs.

Also important for fabricators and installers is that windows can use the same outer frame regardless of whether they are internally or externally beaded. Further savings on hardware are available as the same locking systems and lock keeps can also be used. This applies to casement, tilt and turn, reversible or pivot window options.

All window options in the SAPA Dualframe 75Si suite come with an A+ Window Energy Rating, low U-values of 1.3 W/m²k for pivot windows and 1.4W/m²k for reversible window option, both using using standard double glazed units.

Windows have also been protected again future changes in the Building Regulations for Thermal Performance and are already Part L 2019 compliant. 2019 will see further changes to the building regulations, whereby windows will need to meet even greater standards of thermal efficiency.

High Security is offered as standard with the Dualframe 75Si system with all window options meeting PAS24 requirements and Secured By Design accreditation.

The post SAPA expands the Dualframe Si Range of Windows appeared first on Aluminium Trade Supply.

Kestrel Aluminium Systems have been serving the fenestration industry since 1989. Originally a systems company specialising in the commercial sector, Kestrel aluminium now has an extensive product range that services both the commercial and residential market.

Based in the Midlands and serving the entire UK, they have been specialising in the supply of aluminium systems such as

curtain walking
shopfronts
windows
louvres and glazing bars
commercial doors.

Kestrel Aluminium have now launched a new aluminium bifolding door to add to their range.

Kestrel Aluminium have added to their product range with the introduction of their new folding sliding door

The new aluminium bifolding door is manufactured by Kestrel Aluminium on a made to order basis and comprises slim aluminium sections, high quality hardware and quality engineering. The bifolding doors are designed for any type of home whether they are installed in the kitchen, lounge, study or other part of the home.

Features of Kestrel Aluminium Bifolding Doors

Kestrel bifolding doors offer several features typical of high quality bifolding doors:

low U Value of 1.8 m
a range of bead options
several handle styles
every product is uniquely designed and fabricated
slim handles mean doors neatly stack when opened.

Doors use the popular bottom hung arrangement that Kestrel say gives a smoother operation. Door leaves have the glazing beads on the inside which give a contemporary look externally and softer lines internally.

Multi point locking comes as standard complemented by toughened or laminated safety glass, shoot bolts to the other leaves and glass thicknesses of 24mm to 32mm are available.

The Kestrel Aluminium Bifolding Door offers a total of 7 design configurations including a 10 panel bifolding doors for those who wish to have the largest bifolding door clear opening space.

Mike Cresswell at Kestrel says:

Our folding sliding door has been designed using polyamide technology for thermal efficiency, acoustic performance and offers complete piece of mind and confidence due to its three point locking system’. Launched as a largely domestic product, the Folding Sliding Door system from Kestrel, was the first system of this type for them.

Throughout all seasons Kestrel has experienced great success with the system and has since launched further domestic aimed products. As a company with quality and safety at the forefront of their company ethos, all the products and materials have been specifically selected for the benefits that they offer to provide the best in style, durability and usability.

The post Kestrel Aluminium Systems Bifolding Door appeared first on Aluminium Trade Supply.

The Aluminium Trade Supply Website is often contacted by people looking for Monarch Windows replacement parts. One of the most popular enquiries is about the Monarch Monaframe Windows that were supplied for nearly 20 years in the home improvement market.

Monarch Aluminium Windows were the leading product of their time, but some windows are now in need of replacement parts. What can you do?

The Monarch aluminium window, Monaframe door and Monaframe aluminium patio door were the most successful aluminium window and door products of their time. This was at a time when PVCu dominated the home improvement market with Monarch Aluminium at the forefront in providing aluminium with thermally insulated and direct fix windows and doors.

Monarch Aluminium Windows and doors are still functioning perfectly today after more than 20 years

With many aluminium systems still offering non thermal and very basic aluminium door and window systems, Monarch aluminium windows offered thermal break, a choice of direct fix or wood fix profiles and complemented by an excellent range of ancillary sections to create bay windows, feature windows and much more.

However as with all products utilising moving parts, some of these Monarch windows are reported as having failing locking systems and failing handles with customers being advised that new windows are now required. But is this the case?

What Monarch Windows Replacement Parts are in highest demand?

Can you fit new locks to existing windows?
Is there a way to fit new different locks to existing windows?
What do you do if only some windows have failed hardware. Do you need completely new windows?

During the lifetime of the product there were several enhancements to the locking system carried out by Monarch Aluminium with the Monalok, Monalok 1 and Monolog 2 hardware being introduced. This introduction of improved locking systems is not to be criticised, as like any manufacturer, products are enhanced and made better during their service life.

What we do know is that the replacement of locks to older Monarch windows is a problem owing to the age of the product, the changes in the product that occurred during it’s lifetime and the lack of common parts.

It is not possible to replace the Monalok espagnolette hardware with the newer Monalok 1 or Monolog 2 versions and much of this hardware has now been discontinued completely.

So what can you do to repair locking systems to old Monarch Windows?

Our recent article about replacement parts for older aluminium windows offers some general advice and we do recommend you contact companies like Duffells that the window industry uses for replacement parts for windows.

We also recommend you contact the website with your location. Monarch Aluminium were fortunate in having many fabricators around the country therefore we may be able to put you in touch with long established fabricators that may still stock some old parts or be better placed to advise you depending upon your particular Monarch Aluminium Windows.

It is also well worth finding in your local area an experienced window and door maintenance company and get them to have a look at your windows. Many of these companies will have serviced Monarch windows in the past and will also be well placed to give you honest advice. Given the popularity of Monarch windows for nearly two decades any issues with these windows are known to experienced companies and they may know of newer locking systems that fit the original machining slots of your monarch windows.

Will you ultimately need to replace your windows?

It is unfortunate when windows that are otherwise performing quite well need replacement parts that are no longer available but these changes are mainly due to improvements in the window products over the years as well as changes in legislation. These changes have forced systems companies to introduce new products to meet ever changing legislation rendering older systems that are still functioning and performing perfectly well obsolete.

Obviously many of these windows will now be outside their original 10 year guarantee and you may find yourself in a position of having to replace your windows.

The post Monarch Windows Replacement Parts appeared first on Aluminium Trade Supply.

Commercial aluminium doors have remained largely unchanged over the last 20 or so years. The original concept of a pivoting aluminium door hung on a concealed overhead closer and threshold pivot remains largely the same.

Jack Aluminium Systems’ TD68 commercial door has passed the stringent testing of PAS24:2012

There have been improvements such as polyamide thermal breaks, the availability of dual colour and the development of anti finger trap hinge stile.

Jack Aluminium Systems launches its TD68 Mag Lock Door and achieves PAS 24 security standard.

The TD68 Door from Jack Aluminium is a new commercial door that is thermally broken and designed to be a reliable high traffic commercial aluminium door.

It benefits from several features over standard commercial doors such as:

U Values as low as 1.7Wm2K
Adams Rite high security Sentinel Lock
High security glazing bead designed to resist attack
Easy fabrication and installation
Special design for concealed vertical rod panic bars

What is PAS 24 Security Standard?

This is a security standard PAS24:2012 Enhanced Security Performance Requirements for doorsets and windows in the UK.

This means that External doors (and windows where applicable) offer a level of security intended for homes and commercial buildings that may be exposed to risk of forced entry. This standard is also covered by British Standards BS6375 Parts 1, 2 and 3.

PAS 24, is a minimum standard like any other. There will be doors that will exceed the minimum requirements of the test but a minimum standard encourages products to be designed and engineered to meet current testing methods and certification.

The PAS 24 standard involves using a combination of jemmy force to try and open the door using two different forces, the maximum being 450kg. Another part of the test involves using various specialist tools to try to again prise open the door as well as using weights thrown against the door to cause further damage.

How does Jack Aluminium’s commercial door meet PAS24:2012?

High security hardware is a critical component of any door and indeed its ability to pass PAS 24. Jack aluminium have incorporated some of the best locks available, namely the Assa Abloy Armlock 281 magnetic lock.

Magnetic locks automatically lock doors when they are shut and hold them locked by means of a magnetic force. The high quality magnetic lock available such as the Armlock 281 has a holding force of over 1000kg which is more than ample for an aluminium door, but demonstrates the high strength of a magnetic lock.

You will see magnetic locks widely used in banks, secure buildings and other premises where maximum security is required when the door is locked and to help prevent forced entry.

Whilst commercial doors have always been available with high quality and very secure locking systems, the TD68 commercial door from Jack Aluminium will be ideal in high security premises where a reliable yet robust entrance door is required.

The post High Security Commercial Door from Jack Aluminium appeared first on Aluminium Trade Supply.

During the last few years, few companies in the home improvement sector have had the confidence to invest in expanding their manufacturing facility. The home improvement market has not experienced substantial growth for a few years now with declining sales of mainstream PVCu systems and composite doors. There have been some exceptions to this from companies that have introduced new and innovative products during the previous difficult trading period.

Origin have recently expanded into larger premises demonstrating the success of their aluminium bifolding doors

Origin Frames manufacture the industry leading Origin Bifolding Door that has experienced year on year growth for the company. They have now expanded their Buckinghamshire manufacturing facility.

New Manufacturing methods and innovative service levels have resulted in yet more growth for Origin Doors

Origin Doors have led the way with their innovative ‘Your Lead Time, Not Ours’ service which in 2011 removed traditional lead times on bifolding doors that were typically about 4 weeks for delivery by other companies.

Origin also introduced a unique 20 year Guarantee on their aluminium bifolding door that was again an industry first and has yet to be matched.

In 2013 a new “flow line” system was brought in that have each factory operative a clearly defined role in the manufacturing process for bifolding doors. This resulted in a more streamlined method of working, improved efficiency and each task broken down to each operative.

Origin has been doubling capacity of bifolding doors year on year with continued investment in new machinery, tooling, storage and factory resources.

The innovative processes and service levels by Origin have helped them to grow into even larger premises.

Origin doors now have an expanded 18,000 sq ft x 40,000 sq ft manufacturing facility that will not only support the flow line and lean manufacturing ethos of the company but will further ensure they meet their exemplary record for on time deliveries under the Your Lead Time Not Ours service.

The company opened a Dubai operation in the last few years and more recently an American base. This new larger factory will ensure capacity can be met for doors sold in the UAE and United States.

The post Origin Bifolding Doors opens new production facility appeared first on Aluminium Trade Supply.

On 11th November 2014, the National Business Awards will be hosted with Origin Bifolding Doors being announced as one of the finalists.

The National Business Awards are now in their 13th year and were set up to provide an annual event that celebrates business leadership and enterprise excellence. Over 1000 people attend the event every year including well known business leaders, members of parliament, media professionals and others. It is an opportunity for people and businesses to network, exchange ideas and develop new relationships. The Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane hosts this prestigious event.

Origin Bifolding Doors are a finalist in The Growth Business of the Year Category.

Origin Doors continue their success and market dominance, named as finalists in the National Business Awards 2014

This particular category is set up to reward businesses that have achieved an outstanding increase in sales, profit, market share, headcount or geographical expansion.

The winner of the Business Growth of the Year aware will be the one that has demonstrated sustained performance and growth. Origin Doors has certainly achieved this year on year since it started in business with its bespoke aluminium bifolding doors.

Origin will be competing against other well known companies also selected as finalists in this competitive category:

There are some well known names in this Category such as:

DPD UK
Innasol Ltd.
myhomemove
Quintessential Finance Group
Spencer Ogden
Tangle Teezer Ltd
The Bread Factory
The Car Finance Company
The Gym Group

Yvonne Quinn, who is the Category Judge says:

Origin Global is a traditional business which has developed innovative systems and processes that enable it to offer its bespoke product with massively improved lead times. Great example of the power of leaner manufacturing processes to enable businesses to deliver robust growth and excellent profitability. This also provides a strong base to develop new export markets.

Despite the last few years of stagnant growth in the home improvement sector, Origin has continued to grow year on year

Origin revolutionised the supply chain in aluminium bifolding doors with their innovative and unique Your Lead Time Not Ours service. Traditionally when powder coated fabricated aluminium products were subject to lead times of anything between 4 and 8 working weeks, Origin completely turned around this ageing supply process in aluminium by giving their customers the opportunity to have their doors when they wanted them.

The knock on effect was that other companies in the sector took notice and whilst nobody can yet beat the lead times on bifolding doors offered by Origin, lead times generally in the market have improved substantially. Origin can be credited for improving these lead times across the whole supply chain.

In recent years the home improvement market has not experienced growth however Origin have continued to increase their sales of bespoke aluminium fabricated bifolding doors year on year and are now the industry leader for this particular product.

If you would like further information about the excellent Origin bifolding door, supported and enhanced by an industry lead time, 20 year guarantee and unrivalled customer support package, please contact this website.

The post Origin Doors make National Business Awards Finalists appeared first on Aluminium Trade Supply.

Trickle vents are part of the current Building Regulations but there appears to be some confusion over their use and the other facility built into windows fitted with espagnolette or shoot bolt locking called the “night vent” position. The night vent position is also referred to as windows fitted with “two stage locking” handles

This was followed up by an email sent to the website:

I have had conflicting advice regarding the facility of windows to lock them into place *nearly* closed. (I think it is called something like night lock?) Is a window on the ground floor that is nearly closed as secure as a fully closed one?

I would like to know if this facility is an alternative to having trickle vents, so that air circulation would be achieved by nearly closing the window and leaving it like that.

What is the difference between trickle vents and the night vent position on windows?

The night vent position is where the window can be left partially open but still locked. The window though remains vulnerable.

Trickle vents have been part of the building regulations for new build and extensions for a number of years brought in as a solution to improving the air quality in homes as homes have become more airtight. Trickle vents provide a comfortable internal environment through bringing fresh air into the room and removing stale indoor air through discreet background ventilation.

The night vent position on windows is a facility that most windows fitted with espagnolette or multi point locking have. This enables the window to be partially opened but still locked via the window handle. Whilst this night vent facility does offer a means of ventilation it is not the intended purpose of the night vent facility.

A window in the night vent position, whilst it is locked is far less secure than a window in the fully closed position. Simply put, if a burglar was to attempt to prise the sash away from the frame, they would have a much harder job with the window in the fully closed position. Indeed, all security testing of windows is carried out with the window fully closed for obvious and logical reasons.

A window in the night vent position is open approximately one inch and this gap leaves plenty of room for anyone to force the window open by using a much larger and thicker tool than they would with a window properly closed. To an opportunistic burglar this is in effect an “open window” and can easily provide a way of getting into the property.

Window locks are only as secure as the fixings and the frame that they are fixed to.

The window shown here in the night vent position is very much an “open window” to the opportunistic burglar

Typical friction stays, window locking systems and locking keeps (the components shoot bolts or espagnolette rods engage into) are usually held in place by screws or rivets. These screws will either be going into aluminium, timber or pvcu depending upon the window.

Therefore a window in reality is only as secure as the fixings that hold the locking systems and components in place and the window in the night vent position leaves the entire window vulnerable to attack. It is therefore recommended that windows are not left in the night vent position and the property unoccupied. A window is not as secure in the night vent position as in the fully closed one.

There should be no conflicting advice regarding trickle vents and the night vent position.

Any sales representative that claims windows are as secure in the night vent position as in the fully closed position is simply misleading the customer to the point of telling lies. They are demonstrating old hat double glazing sales tactics of not wishing to give any negative perceptions about their product whatsoever rather than explaining the differences between trickle vents and the night vent position.

Windows on the ground floor should certainly not be left in the night vent position and the property unoccupied. The night vent facility is simply a feature enabling additional ventilation through the window without having it fully open. It is not intended to perform the role of the trickle ventilator.

What is the current position with regard to trickle vents?

The rules regarding windows requiring trickle vents are simple. If the outgoing (old windows) have trickle vents fitted, then the incoming (new) windows must also be fitted with trickle vents.

All new build properties and extensions are required to have adequate background ventilation whether this is by window trickle ventilators, purge ventilation or extraction.

The post Trickle Vents and Night Vent Position Explained appeared first on Aluminium Trade Supply.

Residential tower blocks constructed in the 1960′s and 1970′s feature prominently on the London skyline. Whilst many have been demolished to make way for newer developments of flats and houses, many are subject to preservation orders or cannot be demolished for other reasons. With many of these buildings considered unsuitable for the requirements of modern buyers and prospective tenants, the refurbishment of old London tower blocks is popular with developers.

1960's tower blocks benefiting from Kawneer curtain walling

A large variety of Kawneer Aluminium Systems were used in the refurbishment of three 1960′s tower blocks

Aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling feature prominently in such refurbishment and redevelopment. Particularly with high rise buildings where only aluminium has the strength and the design capability to span multiple floors, it is the preferred choice where new facades, windows and doors are required.

Kawneer Curtain Walling and Glazing Systems used in the recent redevelopment of Edward Woods Estate.

Edward Woods Estate (London) consists of three 24 storey blocks and Kawneer Systems were specified and installed in a variety of applications on this prominent West London site. The range of Kawnner aluminium window, door and facade products were used, installed by APiC UK – a specialist installer and working with Breyer Group main contractors. This was a £16M refurbishment project which transformed the existing occupied flats that for years were suffering from condensation, cold and excessive noise.

The curtain walling installed as vertical facade glazing on the sides of each tower block featured was the Kawneer AA®100 system. This is a mullion-drained curtain walling system having a wide variety of mullions, pressure plates and cappings idea for high rise facade glazing.

Aluminium windows were top hung open out Kawneer AA®541 system also featuring in the installation. These windows had bottom hung opening in vents. Bottom hung windows are widely used on high rise developments for their safety aspects at high level. On the Edward Woods Estate they were further fitted with electric actuators to enable natural ventilation in passageways and corridors.

The refurbishment of Edward Woods Estate also consisted new retail units on the ground floor.

With many local councils specifying a “mixed use” development consisting of dwellings and commercial properties, the ground floors of Edward Woods Estate are now designed to accommodate offices and retail units. In this commercial application the Kawneer 451PT framing system was used again complemented by commercial AA®601 top-hung casement windows.

The requirement for reliable and heavy duty commercial doors was fulfilled with Kawneer Series 190 doors which are not only ideal as the main entrance doors to each block but also perfect for any commercial type application. The Kawneer 190 series heavy-duty entrance doors are also Secured By Design tested.

The advantages of polyester powder coating were another major feature of this refurbishment project.

The use of powder coated aluminium enables the instant transformation of any building. With such large volumes of windows and curtain walling used on high rise buildings it is an opportunity to change the existing grey or white colour often used in the 1960′s to something more modern.

All the Kawneer aluminium systems installed were powder coated to a bespoke colour but more importantly they were specified with a 40 year guarantee. PVCu windows and composite entrance doors have been used in many refurbishment projects such as this by many local authorities already. Whilst they provide a cheap way of replacing old windows and doors, they are incapable of offering anything like a 40 year guarantee and particularly in a high rise building that is exposed to the elements on all elevations.

Aluminium will cost more than its plastic window and door counterpart but in the long term will last longer and save the local authority money.

Further enhancements were made to the product to bring it up to modern energy standards

The original construction of 1960′s tower blocks did not need to take into consideration energy efficiency but in its transformation using aluminium windows and other materials has resulted in a product that is an excellent example of renewable energy.

Kawneer say:

The exposed concrete and brickwork panels of the three high-rise blocks, comprising more than 500 apartments, were cavity-filled and overclad to improve aesthetics as well as thermal and acoustic insulation to current Building Regulation standards. The post-war windows and doors were replaced with the Kawneer thermally-efficient and double-glazed solutions to enhance the overall performance of the building.

Add to these photovoltaic panels on the southern façade to generate approximately 82,000 kWh of electricity annually, solar thermal collectors, condensing boilers and nine-metre high roof-mounted wind turbines and the result is London’s largest building-integrated renewable energy array.

Value has also been added to the hard-to-treat towers through the creation of 12 super-insulated, low-carbon penthouses and the conversion of under-used ground-level storage areas into office space for rent to local charitable organisations.

Projects like these demonstrate again the huge advantage aluminium has over pvcu and timber in refurbishment and new construction projects giving long lasting products with a guaranteed paint finish and service life of 40 years or more.

The post Kawneer Curtain Walling used to transform London Tower Blocks appeared first on Aluminium Trade Supply.

SAPA Building Systems and previously Monarch Aluminium were well known for providing doors, sliding windows and sliding patio doors to their manufacturers in kit form. They remain to this day the only Systems company that continues to provide products in kits. SAPA have been providing aluminium kit form doors for over 40 years now that have provided a great service to manufacturers and double glazing firms generally.

Whether you are a manufacturer or a retail window company, SAPA door kits can bring you many benefits

The SAPA patio doors and residential doors remain market leading products to this day and have been installed in many thousands of homes requiring a well designed and high performance aluminium door. Whilst the average consumer will not appreciate the advantage of a door kit, to a manufacturer and indeed a window company that doesn’t manufacture but buys all their products ready fabricated, kit products offer many advantages.

SAPA Door kits offer solutions to any kind of window company.

To a manufacturing company, the construction of a typical entrance or patio door will consist of bar length door stiles, top and bottom rails and midrails. The manufacturer of doors will also need to keep stocks of screws, fixings, gaskets, accessories and locks to fabricate the product from start to finish.

Purchasing a door as a kit form product reduces the need to keep bar length stocks and also the variety of hardware and accessories that go with it. This hardware often also needs to be ordered in pack quantity with some suppliers incurring extra cost to the window company and often resulting in purchased stock that may not be used for some time to come. Therefore to a manufacturer purchasing an entrance door or patio door comes with time and stock saving advantages.

Companies that don’t manufacture can also benefit from SAPA door kits.

On major advantage of SAPA door kits is that they are available cut to size with all end milling and preparations carried out, hardware fitted where possible and complete with gaskets, woolpile, weatherstrips and other accessories. Importantly, they also come with easy to understand and very precise instructions enabling easy assembly of the product.

If you are a window company that presently buys in all your doors and patio doors have you considered making your own from kits? This is one way of gaining greater margins. All you need is the right training, simple tools and a suitable factory bench for flat assembly of the products. Chances are you will already be buying your glass separately from your window and door supplier so it is worth considering making your own doors from SAPA kits. And bear in mind no saws, machining centres, end millers or other machinery is needed.

Whatever kind of window company you are, the manufacture of SAPA doors from kits makes a lot of sense. All the aluminium profiles, accessories, instructions and everything needed is provided in one complete kit. This means the product can be assembled in one place with all items needed easily to hand. All that is needed is the glass.

Here are other advantages of SAPA door kits

All kits supplied cut to size and ready machined
One off colours can be accommodated removing the need for costly metal wastage or minimum paint charges.
door kits can be provided with accessories such as midrails, trickle vents or enhanced locking
simple to complete order forms
everything you need to assemble the product
substantial time savings

Paul Strong, Field Sales Director at SAPA Building System says:

The process is very simple; a customer fills in an order form, then it is processed by the customer service department. The kits include pre-machined profiles and give fabricators everything they need to assemble the product which means fabrication is less time intensive,’ said Paul Strong, Field Sales Director at Sapa Building System.

Typically a door would take around two hours to assemble from a kit whereas you’d be looking at between four and five hours for the equivalent product in bar length. All the preparation is done in our warehouse on CNC machines and processed through Sapa Logic. This is a software system our customers also have access to which provides technical product information to help with the fabrication process.’

Kits are unique to Sapa and offer real benefits to customers. Products that are provided in bar length tend to clog up production flows whereas using a pre-machined kit will speed up fabrication, allowing more jobs to be completed and having a direct effect on customers’ bottom line.

The main advantage to SAPA Door kits is colour!

SAPA kits are available for entrance, sliding, bifolding doors and sliding windows.

Today’s modern aluminium doors and windows are available in a huge range of colours. To fabricators this would mean often having to order complete bars of profile for only one or two doors meaning there would be a lot of coloured material left over as waste. Kits enable the reduction of such metal waste and offers flexibility to fabricators now that so many colours can be specified.

Previously when so many aluminium products were white, bar length stocks of painted material were not a problem. But with consumers and the industry generally having shifted much more to diverse colour choices fabricators need cost effective solutions to save money on coloured doors. This not only keeps their costs down but also keeps the product competitive in price for the end user.

Contact us if you would like further information on the excellent residential systems from SAPA in kit form. Presently these are available for Dualframe Doors, Crown Sliding Folding Doors, Crown Patio doors and all sliding window systems.

The post SAPA Door Kits Offer Many Advantages To Fabricators appeared first on Aluminium Trade Supply.

AluK Systems are continuing their upward trend in the specification of their aluminium products in schools. AluK products were recently installed in Burntwood School, Wandsworth which consisted of a new educational buildings. The vast majority of the school was rebuilt or refurbished.

Brentwood school serves over 200 staff and nearly 2000 students. It is well known as a Science Specialist School as well as holding the recognised ‘Sportsmark’ and ‘Artsmark Gold’ awards.

With 85% of the school rebuilt, the choice of high performing AluK windows, doors and framing was key.

Burned School in London was largely rebuilt using a range of AluK aluminium systems.

Burntwood School in London was largely rebuilt using a range of AluK aluminium systems.

In choosing the correct type of aluminium glazing system, AluK worked with the architects to ensure the curtain walling, windows and doors not only accommodated the design laid down but also met the requirements for performance and the latest building regulations. Furthermore this early involvement in the project ensured future requirements post installation were met such as future maintenance and operation. The project was so detailed that even the end of life methods for decommissioning and recycling the aluminium systems was considered.

This involvement in the early stages of a project is one of the key roles a systems company plays in the early specification and design of a construction project. With AluK having an expert design facility in house they were able to work with the architect and client on all aspects of building design and this was then handed over to the manufacturer and installer to work to. Furthermore, achieving U Values, finding cost savings and helping find solutions to hardware and other client requirements can be resolved at this early stage.

What aluminium systems were supplied at Burntwood School?

For the window element of the project, AluK’s 72BW HI window system was used. This is a high specification aluminium window that is not only certified under Secured by Design for high security, but also incorporates sophisticated thermal break technology meaning high insulation can still be achieved without resorting to expensive glass specifications.

Two curtain walling systems were used. The SG52 System is a high performance structurally bonded curtain walling that enables large expanses of glass to be created but also give minimal aluminium sight lines. The SG52 AluK system can also be faceted or angled, shown by the cantilevered parts of the building design. It also integrates completely with windows and doors and comes in a range of aluminium section sizes meaning various spans of glazing can be achieved.

Other parts of the building utilised the SL52 AluK curtain walling system. This is a traditional capped system whereby the mullions and transoms are formed using the main mullion/transom section, pressure plates, gaskets and external cappings.

One advantage of a capped system is that particular external features can be achieved with the external capping. On this project a particular fin cap was designed. AHMM architects say:

For the project we required a bespoke solution for the fin face caps (145mm x 15mm top hat capping). AluK provided us with an excellent service – the company’s proactive approach as well as technical and design expertise meant that we were able to realise our designs.

The design of the finned feature cap was created to travel the height and width of building screens. Loadings (wind uplift, live loads, snow) and associated fixings to system components were investigated and built into the design from an early stage. Rapid prototypes were created in order to agree on a suitable cap projection and clip mechanism prior to material production. Collaboration on the design of this feature cap allowed the architects to see how the intersection between horizontal and vertical elements would look and quality/ease of machining on the profile.

Commercial doors were also widely used throughout the project as only aluminium commercial doors fitted with the correct hardware not only give long service life in a demanding school environment but also serve as fire exit doors, access control doors and general entry and exit doors.

Aluminium systems such as the AluK windows and curtain walling installed at Burntwood School, continue to be chosen over pvcu, for the strength, long service life, design flexibility and colour choices offered by aluminium.

The post AluK windows and curtain walling specified in major school rebuild appeared first on Aluminium Trade Supply.

Clearview Bifolding Doors Ltd of Huddersfield specialise in the design, manufacture and installation of a full range of Aluminium window and door systems ranging from bifolding doors to commercial curtain walling. They specialise in both the domestic and the retail sector and have been manufacturing and installing their products for over 10 years. The company’s products have also been featured on Channel 4′s Grand Designs Programme.

Clearview Doors Ltd used bifolding doors and a dual colour lantern roof in this excellent conservatory extension.

The advantages of modern aluminium bifolding doors are well known with aluminium being the preferred option over their timber or upvc counterparts. Clearview Bifolding Doors have been expertly manufacturing and installing their doors and recently demonstrated their expertise in the transformation of a Yorkshire family home.

Clearview Doors enhanced the living space of a family home with aluminium doors and lantern roof

A bespoke natural stone conservatory extension has been transformed with bifolding doors and complemented by an aluminium dual coloured lantern roof.

Aluminium bifolding doors feature on all four elevations giving access points on four sides as well as flooding the conservatory with natural light. This has created a space that links the outside to the inside of the property and still provides a sense of openness throughout the year. This will be particularly enjoyed in the summer months.

Three pane bifolding doors are positioned on three elevations and four pane bifolding doors on one. The four pane bifolding doors all slide in one direction, with the three pane bifolding doors featuring an access leaf to enable easy entry and exit without sliding the doors all the way back. The internal set of bifolding doors on the adjoining room demonstrates how bifolding doors can also be used internally with a low threshold as room dividers.

The bifolding doors manufactured by Clearview Doors offer several advantages.

Three and four pane bifolding doors are installed on all four elevations.

On this particular project the bifolding doors were powder coated in a dark grey finish, completed by black hinges and hardware. These doors also offer other benefits such as:

High quality of manufacture and installation
High Security multi-point locking enhanced by Anti-bump and Anti-pick cylinders
Flush threshold with the internal floor finish
Slim sight lines
Durable polyester powder coated finish
10 year guarantee

The aluminium lantern roof features prominently as well

Lantern roofs are obviously a key feature of conservatories and orangeries. Clearview Doors Ltd designed and built the aluminium lantern roof on this project also. It benefits from a white finish inside and grey powder coated finish outside. A contemporary look is achieved using utilising a slim and square box mullion arrangement to the roof bars internally as well as the grey capping bars externally.

The aluminium lantern roof was of a bespoke nature and works perfectly with the aluminium bifolding doors to create the ultimate in style. Both lantern roof and bifolding doors benefit from the latest in modern glass that works with the thermally broken aluminium to provide good energy performance, heat retention for the winter and help lower heating bills.

The advantages of aluminium were also used elsewhere on this conservatory extension

Powder coated aluminium fascias that match the bifolding doors were was also used on this conservatory that provide an ultra contemporary look and matching powder coated finish. The guttering arrangement is also made from strong, durable and lightweight aluminium as well.

The post Aluminium products help to create bespoke conservatory appeared first on Aluminium Trade Supply.

Senior Architectural Systems have been providing their popular curtain walling systems for many years. The SCW and SMR range has been installed in many commercial buildings throughout the UK and is credited by fabricators for being an easy to manufacture and install aluminium curtain walling. One Friar Gate Square in Derby benefits from both curtain walling systems that have been installed internally and externally.

This high tech office buildings features the two leading curtain walling systems from Senior Architectural.

One Friar Gate Square is a new office development at the heart of Derby’s business district. Comprising 33000 sq ft of brand new office space, this highly contemporary office building is prominently located and benefits from the very best in office facilities, excellent views of Derby and has the latest energy efficiency at the forefront of its design, having an excellent BREEAM rating.

Both Senior SCW and SMR curtain walling systems were installed at One Friar Gate Square

The six storey structure features large expanses of glass on all it’s elevations all of which consist of powder coated aluminium curtain walling. The curtain walling features green anti sun glass, opaque glass and panels in differing colours and aluminium grey panels. All of these work together with the copper cladding also prominent on every elevation.

In modern office buildings it is important to provide occupiers with a comfortable working environment. For the building owner providing the right atmosphere to work must also come with energy efficiency and low energy costs. Aluminium curtain walling and the correct glass and panel specification can work with the rest of the building fabric to create a natural light filled environment that also helps create a sustainable energy efficient building, as demonstrated by the achievement of an “excellent” BREAAM rating.

The advantages of slim aluminium curtain walling has been used both internally and externally

The SCW curtain walling systems is favoured by many fabricators and installers for how easy it is to fabricate and install. It is a zone drained and semi unitised system utilising a 50mm sight line and designed to be transported to site in “ladder form” enabling quick and easy installation. It also meets high weather resistance and performance standards as well as accepting single glad or up to 28mm glass or panels.

The SMR Curtain Walling system is a tubular aluminium system comprising fully extruded mullions and transoms and available in a variety of sections to meet most design requirements. It is a stick system that offers zone drainage and pressure equalisation also with a 50mm sight line. Similar to the SCW system it can also be fabricated into ladders for transportation to site.

In the construction of high specification office buildings, architects continue to favour the advantages of slim aluminium curtain walling over similar plastic systems that are far bulkier and do not offer the design freedom of aluminium.

The post Senior Curtain Walling helps create landmark building in Derby appeared first on Aluminium Trade Supply.

Origin Frames, manufacturers of the market leading Origin Bifolding Door have added to their product range with the introduction of the Origin Window.

The new origin aluminium window is a bespoke window manufactured to the same exacting standards as their successful bifolding doors.

The Origin Aluminium Window fills a gap in the market place, which makes sense when you consider that the majority of projects involving the installation of bifold doors would also include new windows. For many years Origin installers and customers would have to source windows from a separate supplier. Now the same high quality manufacturing and customer service that Origin are very well known for are available for windows too.

The Origin Window also finally addresses the need for suitable bifolding door top lights and sidelights if required. For those customers that have had Origin doors installed with a glazed light above them, previously this would have meant a special order and finding an alternative aluminium window system to match the Origin sight lines.

Whilst this was never an issue for the doors or for the installer, now there is a window also in the Origin system to either couple to or complement the doors themselves or as stand alone windows.

Origin Bring to Market the first all aluminium flush casement window in the UK.

Flush casement aluminium windows are rare. Until now they were only available in “hybrid” systems comprising aluminium outside and wood inside.

Flush casement windows in PVCu were introduced in the last few years by companies such as Residence9 and Liniar. Whilst these are good plastic window products and have been very successful in their own markets, for those consumers that wanted aluminium windows for all the benefits they bring,

Properties where the original flush casement timber windows need replacement only really had a timber or plastic window alternative. So for these customers, and any customers who need a flush casement window , but want all the advantages aluminium has over PVCu now have an option.

Flush casement windows have their own particular style and this has now been replicated with the Origin Aluminium Window. Unlike other aluminium window systems where the sash sits outside and overlaps the outer frame, the Origin Window sash is flush inside the outer frame.

The Origin Aluminium Window also brings other advantages

The Origin Aluminium Window is the first all aluminium flush casement window in the UK.

Fast Turnaround Times with 11 RAL colours held in stock.
With Origin having pioneered ultra fast lead times in aluminium bifolding doors, a similar service will be offered for the windows.

High Security utilising Yale Encloser Locking.

Yale is a name synonymous with homeowners and security. The Origin Aluminium Window features the Yale Encloser Lock. This is a multi point locking system that utilises bi-directional locking cams. These cams engage into secure keeps and typical of any other high security locking system make the window highly secure and tested to Secured by Design standards.

The Yale Encloser locking system will accommodate sash sizes from 270mm up to 1400mm in width which ensures the larger sash sizes possible with aluminium windows can also be secure. Subject to the window size, the Yale locking system fitted to Origin windows will have either 2, 4 or 8 locking cams.

Colour Matched Window Handles

Origin bring another first to the residential home improvement market by offering colour matched window handles. Colour matched handles have been available in the commercial market for a number of years already, but this was always a complicated process.

Origin are now able to offer their window handles powder coated to match the windows. This will be particularly popular with customers having grey windows should they require colour matched handles. With other window systems from other manufacturers, typically the window handles would have to be silver, black, polished or satin chrome.

20 year Guarantee

Origin were the first to offer a 20 year guarantee on a home improvement product such as a bifolding door. This will also be offered on the new Origin Window to complement their bifolding doors.

The post The New Origin Aluminium Window appeared first on Aluminium Trade Supply.

If you are in the market for bifolding doors then you have a choice of aluminium, PVCu, timber and a combination of aluminium and wood, otherwise known as composite or hybrid. Our article explaining the various materials used in the manufacture of bifold doors gives further information, but which is the better product?

PVCu BIfolding Doors with thicker sight lines than their aluminium counterparts

Typical PVCu BIfolding Doors will demonstrate far thicker sight lines and less attractive hardware than their aluminium counterparts

In this article we will give some information about PVCu bifolding doors. It is worth stressing that every product has its place. There is no “best” bifolding door – what is best will largely be determined by factors such as your budget and ultimately what you like and want to have installed in your home.

British and European Standards, legislation, modern technology and design all have an influence in the products you see today. This means that all modern doors currently available in whatever material meet or exceed the respective industry minimum standards for security, weather performance and U Values. You can be confident that once correctly installed they will be fit for purpose.

There are several reasons why double glazing firms prefer Aluminium Bifolding doors

There are plenty of well established and reputable double glazing firms who choose to sell PVCu windows and doors, but elect to sell aluminium bifold doors rather than PVCu ones.

The greater strength aluminium has over pvc makes aluminium doors substantially slimmer and a far more aesthetically pleasing product. It is for this reason that PVCu bifolding doors are much thicker and have greater bulk than their aluminium counterparts.

PVCu bifolding doors, owing to the bigger sight lines, are restricted by how large the individual door panels can be made. Typically with most systems this will be 900mm. Simply put, this means that as PVCu bifolding doors are chunkier and door leaves cannot be made as wide as aluminium you will be left with very large sight lines when the doors are closed and stacked together and less glass.

This is important to bear in mind because for most of the year, bifolding doors will be shut and compared to aluminium you will be looking through far less glass and more obtrusive white or woodgrain plastic with pvc bifolds.

The plastic door threshold is also an issue. Typically on early systems these can be over 100mm in height meaning either you have a large “step over” when you go in and out and also installers are left where site conditions allow with a lot of plastic profile to bury or sink into the floor level. With aluminium bifolding doors thresholds can be as low as 13mm.

Aluminium bifolding doors such as those made by Origin in High Wycombe benefit from slim attractive profiles, high quality hardware and a fantastic free glide running system giving the doors silent, light and smooth operation.

It is the anticipated maintenance with pvcu bifolds that is the larger issue for installers.

PVCu bifolding are a relative newcomer to the marketplace having been introduced approximately 7 or 8 years ago.

It is well known and technically proven that pvc expands roughly two and half times more than aluminium. If you already have windows and doors installed in south facing elevations you may have experienced differences in how they open in hot and cold weather.

PVCu bifolds whilst continuing to improve all the time will expand much more than aluminium. The complex nature of how bifolds slide, swing and fold means that bifolds installed in south facing elevations can be prone to sticking and not functioning correctly.

Double glazing firms regard the thermal expansion as an issue and whilst it is easy to explain to a customer that plastic will expand more than aluminium, for a customer that has a sticking bifolding door, albeit correctly made and installed will not be comforted by this.

Double glazing firms are obliged to guarantee their products for 10 years and the last thing they want is to sell you a product that will may cause ongoing service issues and very quickly eradicate any profit in the job from repeated site visits after installation and payment.

Aesthetically aluminium bifolding doors are the more attractive product.

Aluminium Bifolding Doors with slim sight lines and still aesthetically pleasing particularly when shut.

Aluminium Bifolding Doors such as the Origin product shown here enjoy slim sight lines and are aesthetically pleasing particularly when shut.

Visit any double glazing showroom presenting in its showroom aluminium and pvcu bifolding doors and you will quickly be able to see how the aesthetics of the two products differ.

You will instantly notice differences in the design of the hardware, the thresholds, the appearance of the doors when they are stacked together and differences in how the slide and fold.

The PVC bifolding door is continuing to improve as this product becomes ever more popular. It will still be a great product for those that simply want a bifolding door at the cheapest possible price. But with bifolding doors price should not be the main consideration.

The post Why PVCu companies prefer to supply Aluminium bifolds? appeared first on Aluminium Trade Supply.

The Origin Aluminium Window is a very high quality aluminium casement window that brings excellent design, high quality manufacture and has many features. Offered as a premium window product, it benefits from slim sightless, contemporary hardware and provides a superior aluminium window for new build projects, traditional properties or to replace old upvc windows.

All the advantages that aluminium bifolding doors offer over their upvc counterparts are now available on this brand new and unique aluminium window.

Colour choice is one of the many features of the Origin Aluminium Window.

Quality aluminium windows need to provide the consumer with peace of mind that they will be well made, well designed and offer high security. They must also meet the needs of the many types of homes in the UK that call for windows of varying sizes, designs and hardware options.

Many stock colours available and over 150 others are possible.

The Origin Aluminium Window comes in a wide range of standard colours including over 150 other shades.

The Origin Window is available in many colour options and configurations. There are several colours that are popular amongst home improvements and the Origin Window is available from stock in:

White RAL 9910 Gloss also known as Hipca White
Grey 7016 Matt or Anthracite Grey.
Contemporary RAL 9007 Dark Silver Metallic
Grey RAL 7015 Matt or Slate Grey.
Grey/Black RAL 7021 Matt
Black in RAL 9005 Matt

Special RAL Colours are also available to order. With over 150 possible RAL colours available, this enables bolder colours to be chosen such as reds, greens, blues or varying shades of any of the above standard colours.

If you are planning on going bold in colour with your bifolding doors, your windows can match precisely.

Dual Colour.

Certain Properties such as Mock Tudor style call for windows that are a different colour inside and out. Here Origin offer a range of Dual Colour options that can create limitless combinations of dual colour window that will blend with both the exterior and the interior of the property.

Woodgrains.

The sublimation process to create beautiful woodgrain aluminium windows is of a far higher quality and durability that woodgrain PVCu windows.

If you are in the market for woodgrain aluminium windows, what you may not know is just how superior aluminium woodgrain windows are over woodgrain upvc windows.

Aluminium uses a sophisticated process called “sublimation”. The huge advantage of this process in aluminium windows is that every visible and hidden surface of the profile is coated.

Unlike the woodgrain found on PVCu windows that is a foil, the sublimation process is completely different. Firstly the aluminium profile is powder coated and then wrapped in a special bag that contains the wood effect finish.

This has all the air extracted out of it that enables the woodgrain coating to bond perfectly around the entire profile including all recesses and invisible faces. The bag wrapped profile is then put in a special sublimation oven at approximately 200 degrees which bonds the woodgrain finish onto the aluminium.

The effect of this sublimation is similar to dye transfer technology. But what this process produces that is something plastic windows cannot achieve – a very durable and high quality finish that looks highly authentic as a wood effect window.

Not only that, but should the coating be damaged in any way there are a variety of touch up pens that can repair any minor damage. This is unlike upvc where once the foil is damaged repair is much more difficult.

In the upvc windows that have a foil to achieve the woodgrain finish, there will normally be visible faces of bare profile where the foil cannot reach. This can create a somewhat unsightly window particularly as you look at the window frame on the inside with the sash open.

Colour Matched Handles

Origin have achieved another industry first by providing colour matched handles if required. The powder coating of window handles in other colours is not an easy task as the handle would normally need to be dismantled in order to be coloured.

The window industry traditionally offers window handles in white, black, silver, polished chrome and various gold and brass finishes. For those that wish to have grey, metallic or even red, blue or green handles to match the windows, this is now possible on the Origin Aluminium Window.

The post Colour Choices on the Origin Aluminium Window appeared first on Aluminium Trade Supply.

SAPA Building Systems has already added to its very successful commercial door system the ST, with the introduction of an improved product, the Sapa Stormframe ST II.

The new SAPA Stormframe ST !! commercial door in situ.

The new SAPA Stormframe ST II commercial door is now even more thermally efficient, and meets the high security requirements of PAS24 2012

Commercial doors have for many years been acceptable as “standard” products and are even today acceptable in commercial use in non thermally broken formats. The introduction of thermally broken doors happened a few years ago and other than thermal breaks, anti finger trap stiles and improvements to door sections to accept panic bar hardware, changes to commercial doors have been slight.

The new SAPA ST Commercial Door offers improved performance.

The ST II commercial door utilises even more advanced polyamide technology for its thermal breaks that enable the door to meet even lower U Values. U Values as low as 1.9Wm2K are possible with double glazed units.

These U Values enable the product to meet the overall building U Values now required in new building design and specifications.

The ST II commercial aluminium door is available in double or single door formats whether open outwards, inwards or double action. There are also rebated as well as pivoting options with anti finger trap stiles and common low thresholds.

High Security Standard PAS024 has also now been met.

PAS 024 is now an important security standard. In July 2013, there was the changeover from the EU CPD (Construction Products Directive) to the new EU CPR (Construction Products Regulations). This meant that many standards were overwritten or done away with.

The well known BS7950 enhanced security standard conflicted and was also withdrawn but given the dominance of BSI and the BS7950 test, elements of it were pertinent to the UK Market.

Secured By Design is also widely used in the UK construction sector, therefore many of the leading window industry bodies and organisations moved much of the original testing into a new PAS Standard of which PAS 24:2012 is now relevant.

The Stormframe ST II commercial door therefore meets this security standard that is now widely specified in construction and to meet the requirements of Secured By Design.

Mark Robinson, Technical Director of SAPA Building Systems commented:

We have designed the ST II to use our standard hardware and door closer options to guarantee a consistent look and feel, across our product range,” said Mark Robinson, Technical Director at Sapa Building System.

STII can accommodate glazing up to 46mm, and with its 65mm profile depth provides stronger overall construction making the door very robust and suitable for high traffic areas.

The new SAPA Commercial door also offers additional benefits.

Commercial doors are the primary product in shops, offices, restaurants, hospitals and other types of public buildings. These buildings are now governed by the Equality Act 2010 and commercial doors have since the introduction of the Act been required to meet certain standards for the disabled.

Closer strengths to facilitate easy door opening, contrasting or warm to the touch hardware have been two of the most common adjustments made to commercial doors. The new SAPA commercial door also incorporates these features.

For manufacturers of the standard SAPA ST Commercial door, no additional tooling is required which means the product can easily be adopted into their manufacturing processes.

The post New SAPA ST Commercial Door appeared first on Aluminium Trade Supply.

If you are in the market for new aluminium windows and in particular for a new build project there are a wide variety of window choices available to you. Added to the variety of window choices are function, material type, window finish, the types of hardware available, trickle vent and glass options and much more.

You will probably already be familiar with typical casement window. In this article we give some information on casement windows and the other types of window styles available to you and how they may benefit your new build or extension. It is true that many homes today will probably only suit the traditional casement opening out windows, but if you are looking for something different, there are choices.

Types of window styles available

The Casement window is by far the most popular type of window used in typical British homes today. Shown here in the AluK System.

The Casement Window.

The most common window style will be the casement window that is either top hung or side hung. The top hung window has friction stays (or hinges) on the sides of the vent, with either the handle at the bottom of the vent. This type of window will open outwards from the bottom.

The side hung casement has the friction hinges top and bottom with the locking handle on the side. This window will open out from the left or the right depending upon whether it is a left hand hung or a right hand hung.

Where you have two top hung casements side by side, these are separated by the mullion. On top hung windows this is always a fixed part of the window. Where there are two side hung casements side by side, you have the option of either a fixed mullion or a “floating” mullion. A floating mullion is attached to one of the opening vents, so when both vents are opened, you have an uninterrupted open window without a fixed mullion in between.

The floating mullion may often be slightly more expensive than the fixed mullion on side hung windows as a different sort of fabrication is required.

Both top hung and side hung casements can be beside a fixed light if required.

The casement window is one of the popular types of opening windows.

Casement windows are by far the most popular choice of window style as they typify the vast majority of older windows they are replacing. Most old timber and steel windows are the top or side hung open out variety, but mainly side hung.

Top hung windows can be made much larger than their side hung counterparts, therefore if you are looking for the largest possible opening sashes, you will achieve these with a top hung windows.

Horizontal Sliding windows

Horizontal Sliding windows provide less aluminium and large glass areas.

Horizontal Sliding windows were more popular in properties built in the 1970’s and 1980’s and have fallen out of favour over recent years. However they can offer certain advantages depending upon the property and should not be dismissed if they are right for you.

The biggest advantage of horizontal sliding windows is that on new build or extensions they can give you the flexibility to have large glass areas as opposed to casement windows that are limited in the maximum sizes of fixed panes and vents. Another advantage of horizontal sliding windows is that they lend an elongated dimension to your home particularly if you are building a wide and short extension.

With some sliding two pane windows available up to three metres in width or more, this means you can have large glass windows and when slid back, a very wide opening. Consider horizontal sliding windows like a reduced patio door and all the benefits of large glass areas they bring.

Sliding windows today are highly security, thermally efficient and come with hard wearing and long lasting rollers and running gear for reliability. They are also well weathered and provide excellent wind and water resistance.

Additionally, sliding windows can be coupled to fixed lights to create bespoke designs.

The Alumatherm Sash Window from Clearview Group in Market Deeping is the latest generation aluminium vertically sliding windows and supercedes the very successful Mk2 window.

The Alumatherm Sash Window from Clearview, Market Deeping is the latest generation of aluminium vertically sliding windows.

Vertical Sliding Windows

Vertically sliding windows, or sash windows as they are referred to, slide up and down and are hung on sash balances that control the opening action of the windows to enable them to stop in the desired position. Sliding windows will normally be used to replace older sash windows and are typical of many homes today fitted with old timber sliding windows.

Some new build houses have been fitted with sliding windows, but the smaller ones can be restrictive in the actual ventilated opening they provide. However for larger windows, these can be manufactured up to 2400mm high or more depending upon the product.

With vertically sliding windows they will have to be an integral part of the property, but that said, they have been used in new build homes as well as to replace traditional windows.

Tilt and Turn Windows

Tilt and Turn windows are available much larger than casements and can even be made at the size of a door.

The tilt and turn window has also fallen out of favour in recent years owing to its greater cost over casement windows and perceived long term reliability with its hardware. Tilt and turn windows comprise quite complicated gearing and mechanisms compared to standard casement windows. Some window companies avoid them owing to misuse through lack of knowledge of how the window operates and this in turn can result in costly service calls for the window company.

The tilt and turn windows available today comprise much more reliable gearing, but there is still some simple basics required to know how to operate these windows correctly so no damage is caused to the gearing that operates the tilt and the turn function of the window. Your window installer should be able to demonstrate this.

The big advantage of tilt and turn windows is that they can in most cases be used as a window or a door. With tilt and turn windows possible in aluminium at the same sizes as single doors, not only do they create tall windows letting in lots of light, but when in the turn position with the sash opened, they create the same clear opening as a door.

Indeed many European houses use tilt and turn windows in this way and they provide a double use in homes. In the tilt in facility they provide normal ventilation and in the turn position they are as wide open as a single door. This will make tilt and turn window particularly suitable where you may wish to step out onto a roof space, terrace, small juliet balcony or other open space where a door would look out of place.

Tilt and turn windows are a great window option in a modern home and are well worth considering.

Window styles you may not have considered but may suit your home.

There are three other types of windows which are very rarely used in domestic properties but it is worthwhile you being aware of them and where they could possibly be used.

Rare in the UK, but available from AluK, bottom hung open in windows are suitable for landings and restricted spaces

Bottom hung opening in windows.

Not all window systems are designed to accommodate a bottom hung design. Essentially these are windows that are hinged at the bottom with a catch at the top and simply tilt inwards – an inside out top hung casement. Their uses are quite limited in a residential property as they do not give a huge amount of ventilation. However, if you have a very small wc, or a temporary room like a cellar or store room, they may be worth considering.

You may have difficulty in tracking these down, but systems such as AluK and Schuco, do provide them. Another way of looking at a bottom hung opening in window is like a tilt and turn, but without the turn facility.

Pivoting Windows and Top Swing Reversible Windows.

The new Metal Technology Triple Glazed reversible windows are safe and secure for high level use and have impressive U Values.

Pivoting windows pivot right back on themselves so the outside pane of glass ends up on the inside. They are available as either horizontal or vertically pivoting windows and are generally used in high rise buildings where they can facilitate cleaning of the window from the inside. They may not suit every home, but they can be made much larger than typical top hung or side hung casement windows.

Top swing reversible windows are also mainly used in high rise buildings but they could be worth considering for the home. Essentially these operate in exactly the same way as top hung casement windows but they use a very sophisticated friction stay mechanism.

The window is opened to its normal opening position and then stops as a normal opened window. Upon releasing a catch on the friction stays, the window continues to open out still further and reverses back on itself bringing the outside pane to the inside.

The post What types of opening windows are available? appeared first on Aluminium Trade Supply.

In the UK and around the world, polyester powder coating is the most common form of paining or finishing aluminium windows, doors, conservatories and generally any type of aluminium window product. The powder coating process of aluminium is a sophisticated one, carried out by specialist “powder coaters” in the UK. These are companies that specialise in painting bar length aluminium that is then used by the window and door manufacturers to make the finished product.

What do you need to know about powder coated aluminium windows?

The Powder Coated finish on aluminium windows is available in over 200 colours with differing shades of satin, matt or gloss.

Powder coated aluminium windows are painted using a dry process with polyester powder, hence the term “powder” coated. In simple terms, an electrical charge is applied to the aluminium bar and the powder is sprayed onto it. The electrical charge bonds the powder to the aluminium and once applied the powder paint is cured in an oven. Correctly applied by a specialist applicator, powder coating gives even coverage, a high quality finish and one that should last for at least 15 years. Polyester powder itself is manufactured by Powder Manufacturers. Some are global companies on a vast scale such as Interpon, others are smaller companies.

What are the colours used in powder coating?

Powder manufacturers use their own product codes that the window industry uses to specify the correct colour. Whilst product description are used, with hundreds of colours available, the only simple way of ensuring the right colour is chosen is to use codes.

Presently in the UK, the following powders and references are used with examples of colour :

RAL, such as RAL9910 gloss for white. This is by far the most commonly used method of powder coating aluminium.

Syntha Pulvin, such as G2L0367 Anthracite Grey. Syntha Pulving like RAL is widely used but typically in more commercial application rather than residential. It can colour match with RAL colours.

BS 4800, such as BS08B29 Van Dyke Brown used in many brown patio doors installed for decades. BS4800 is largely used to specify colours of paint for construction and building works. Widely used in local authority work.

BS 381C, such as BS381 538 Post Office Red. Rarely used in architectural aluminium, BS381C colours are used in ironwork and by the military.

NCS, such as S 0585-Y70R. Rarely used for aluminium, this is an international colour system used by designers, for production, research and education. It is a colour matching system using printed cards.

Pantone. The Pantone Colour Matching System is a colour reproduction system. It is rarely used today in architectural aluminium as it is primarily used in Printing. A typical pantone colour can be “Pantone 300 Blue”

With RAL paint references being the most common for aluminium windows and doors, the paint product codes have been split into colour groups to make identification easier. Each RAL code signifies the colour “group” in the first number: RAL reference starting with 1 – cream/yellow/beige
RAL reference starting with 2 – orange
RAL reference starting with 3 – reds or pinks
RAL reference starting with 4 – purple colours including violet or lilacs
RAL reference starting with 5 – blue
RAL reference starting with 6 – greens
RAL reference starting with 7 – greys
RAL reference starting with 8 – browns
RAL reference starting with 9 – whites and blacks

Can you match colours from different powder manufacturers?

Assuming you have the original colour reference, theoretically, it is possible to match an existing colour with a new one. There are however exceptions such as:

Powder manufacturers work to tolerances so it may not be an exact match
If aluminium windows have been exposed to the elements and not routinely cleaned, discolouration will make matching more difficult
Some colours may have been discontinued over time.

Therefore if you have old coloured aluminium windows installed, you are trying to replace a coloured window or are adding coloured windows to your home, the original RAL reference is critical. This even applies to white or black powder coated windows as there are several shades of each colour available. It is also important to remember that some colours are available in either Satin, Matt or Gloss and some colours are available in all three. Therefore the colour reference must state the shade, such as RAL 9910 Gloss or RAL 7016 Matt.

What about other colours such as Dulux or Farrow and Ball Colours?

If you are wishing to perfectly match a colour you have seen in other types of paints such as Farrow and Ball, powder manufacturers can match your colour. Please bear in mind that this will incur additional cost as the powder has to be specially made and formulated. Any additional cost is calculated on a job by job basis and subject to special quotation. It is worth bearing in mind that most window companies will probably shy away from doing bespoke colour work, choosing instead to stick to the industry standard colour swatches such as RAL. With over 200 colours available you will probably find a close match to a wet paint or interior colour but if you are insistent on matching exactly, contact us and we can help you.

The post Residential Powder Coated aluminium windows appeared first on Aluminium Trade Supply.

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