Howarth Timber (Windows & Doors) Ltd. took the decision to partner with Cavalok because it was looking for a cavity closer system that could match the same high levels of sustainability offered by its timber window range.

Cavalok is the UK’s only supplier of BBA-approved 100 per cent post-consumer recycled PVC-U cavity closers. It provides a complete solution for cavities from 50mm to 300mm+ and fire rated cavity closers.

Howarth Timber (Windows & Doors) Ltd is a leading manufacturer of high performance ‘A’ rated softwood windows along with doorsets and the Cavalok range will now become a key part of helping its specifier and developer customers achieve even lower U values.

As well as being the sustainable choice, the Cavalok range was able to exceed all the performance requirements laid down by Howarth Timber (Windows & Doors) Ltd. One of the priorities was that it could cope with the full range of larger cavity sizes now used on many buildings to accommodate additional insulation and achieve better U-values, as the 2016 zero-carbon deadline approaches.

Cavalok launched its Big Blok system in response to this regulatory shift, which now provides a perfect complement to the Howarth Timber (Windows & Doors) Ltd ‘A’ rated window system.

The super-insulating BigBlok cavity closer range allows easy closing of cavities above 125mm up to the Building Regulations maximum of 300mm. That means the system can be confidently specified for the latest zero carbon regulations such as BREEAM and the Code for Sustainable Homes.

“We are a major manufacturer of timber windows and needed a cavity closer that could demonstrate the same high levels of sustainability,” said Keith Topliss, Sales and Marketing Manager of Howarth Timber (Windows & Doors) Ltd. “The fact that the Cavalok range is made from 100 per cent post-consumer recycled material and is BBA-approved gave us the perfect solution.”

Along with BigBlok, the Cavalok product portfolio includes the market-leading Cavalok Universal closer system, which is suitable for cavities of 50mm, 75mm and 100mm, including check reveal closers, cavity barriers and headvents.

A recent new addition to the Cavalok range is FlameBlok, a one hour fire rated cavity closer, along with a new universal 200/250mm window strap fixing to suit 70mm window system for use with wider cavities, to compliment the BigBlok system.

David Deacon, General Manager of Cavalok Building Products, said: “This is a major new customer win for us and it is testament to the quality and sustainability of our recycled PVC-U products.  We look forward to a long and very positive relationship with Howarth Timber (Doors & Windows) Ltd in helping it deliver low and zero carbon developments.”

To find out how Howarth Timber (Doors & Windows) Ltd can help you achieve lower U values, visit: www.howarth-timber.co.uk, or call: 01469 530577.

For more information on the Cavalok product range, visit: www.cavalok.com, or call 0870 120 3003.

The planners were looking to retain the visual appearance of John Sparke House – an affordable housing development situated at the heart of Plymouth’s historical Barbican district.

Following careful evaluation of all the alternatives, planners granted permission to install windows and doors fabricated using the Eurocell Eurologik Ovolo profile system, in Black Ash.

Being able to source a complete PVC-U solution from Eurocell, including roofline in Black Ash to match the windows and doors, gave Crown Commercial Windows a distinct competitive advantage – the planners recognised that it would guarantee a perfect colour match throughout therefore enhancing its visual appeal.

Planners also felt that the shape of the Eurologik Ovolo profile gave the best visual match to the existing black-stained timber windows. This was helped by the fact the woodgrain foil from Eurocell is extremely difficult to distinguish from timber.

Owned by Tamar Housing Society, the existing timber framed doors and windows on John Sparke House had deteriorated beyond repair despite regular and ongoing maintenance.

The Eurologik Ovolo windows and French doors were fabricated and installed by Crown Commercial Windows in Black Ash externally and white internally, to complement interior décor without the need for painting.

Once the planning requirements had been met, Tamar Housing Society was delighted with the fact that PVC-U offered them a low-maintenance solution, lifting the burden of having to continually repaint and repair the old timber frames.

Eurologik Ovolo is a beautifully balanced and aesthetically pleasing profile system that is specially designed for ease and speed of fabrication. It features a unique, patented knock-in bead system and is ideally suited for both new build or, with its 70mm front-to-back dimension, seamless replacement of old timber frames, as was the case with John Sparke House.

“Being able to offer a complete solution from Eurocell played a crucial part in helping us to win this prestigious contract in the heart of Plymouth’s historical district,” said Brian Coles, Commercial Sales Manager at AGS Home Improvements / Crown Commercial Windows. “It was a major advantage that the planners preferred the aesthetics of the Eurologik Ovolo system with a Black Ash finish, whilst being able to source all the items from Eurocell gave us distinct commercial benefits.”

The work carried out by Crown Commercial Windows on John Sparke House demonstrates that PVC-U is ideal for building owners looking for a low-maintenance, aesthetically balanced solution – even within historically significant areas.

Martin Saunders, Sales Director of Eurocell Profiles, explains: “Fabricators should look for profiles systems suppliers that can offer them a complete PVC-U solution, as being able to source window, door and roofline products from one supplier can provide a crucial competitive edge.”

Tamar Housing Society owns and manages around 500 affordable housing properties in Plymouth

AGS Home Improvements Ltd / Crown Commercial Windows welcome enquiries about its Eurologik Ovolo windows. For more information, visit: www.crowncommercialwindows.co.uk. Alternatively, call: 01626 33 22 88

For information on the Eurologik Ovolo profile system, visit: www.eurocell.co.uk/ovolo, contact customer services on 0800 988 3049, or email press@eurocell.co.uk

The display, which is situated in what is a very affluent area of Hampshire, will provide a great first post for call for any customers wishing to make home improvements.

Portsmouth Conservatories is one of the leading businesses in the area and prides itself on the quality of its service and products.

The frames, fabricated from Eurocell profile system and supplied by Hartley Windows, will help create a stunning centrepiece to the newly built showroom, which has been designed to appeal to owners of all types of property in the Hampshire area.

Jason Palmer; Managing Director of Portsmouth Conservatories, explains: “We are delighted with the quality and value offered by Hartley Windows and knew that it was the right partner to meet the demanding requirements of our customers. We are confident that our newly built showroom will provide yet another reason why homeowners should choose Portsmouth Conservatories.”

When we were looking for a supply partner for the new showroom we were careful to select a company that could offer excellent quality, great service and real value for money.

Hartley Windows was selected because it met all our criteria, along with being able to provide a complete fabrication service. Also renowned for its manufacturing expertise, Hartley Windows use Eurocell profile systems to fabricate all its frames.

In using Eurocell profile systems customers benefit from the complimentary roofline and window trim products, which are perfectly colour matched to the frames – a useful aide in providing a first class service and finish to its discerning customers.

By choosing a partner such as Hartley Windows, Portsmouth Conservatories has shown that by using real expertise and manufacturing capabilities we can create an unbeatable combination for homeowners.

Carl Cooper, Managing Director of Hartley Windows, explains: “The new showroom will become an essential destination for all homeowners looking for well designed windows and conservatories at unbeatable value, complimented by an exceptional service. With so many displays to view, customers are sure to find the exact products they need.

With other partners on board such as, The Electric Centre and The Build centre it makes Portsmouth Conservatories the one shop for all of your home improvement needs.

Visit Portsmouth Conservatories’ new showroom at: Havant Garden Centre, Barton’s Road, Havant PO9 5NA.

Telephone 0844 800 4393 or visit:  HYPERLINK “http://www.portsmouthconservatories.co.uk” www.portsmouthconservatories.co.uk

For more information on Hartley Windows, visit:  HYPERLINK “http://www.hartleywindows.co.uk” www.hartleywindows.co.uk or call 023 9265 5655.

The Bristol-based Eurocell fabricator shares these prestigious accolades with only seven other fabricators in the UK, out of a total of over 1,800. This makes it the only company in the South West, and for a 110 miles radius, to achieve this.

CR Windows is pushing the boundaries in terms of thermal performance, too, by manufacturing and installing a full range of British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC) ‘A’ rated windows. The company was already ahead of its field when, in 2008, it began offering ‘C’ rated windows as standard across its range.

“Achieving all three British Standard Kitemarks, along with Secured by Design and a BFRC energy rating, demonstrates our commitment to remain a leading window, door and conservatory fabricator in the UK,” said Mark Brown, Managing Director of CR Windows. “An increasing number of customers associate the Kitemark with a symbol of quality, which means they have complete piece of mind when buying from us.”

CR Windows is reporting that more customers than ever are choosing its BFRC A-C energy rated windows. Those that do make the upgrade often look for independent assurance that they are investing in a quality product, which will add value to their property – and CR Windows is finding that a triple-Kitemarked product with a BFRC energy rating and Secured by Design is the best ways of demonstrating this.

Secure by Design is a programme backed by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and aims to recognise products that offer enhanced security across domestic and commercial projects.

Mark Brown adds: “An increasing number of public sector projects are now using the highest certification levels to attract more funding, which is based on several factors including security, thermal efficiency and manufacturing quality – having these accreditations can therefore be a huge help to contractors and installers that choose to source from us on these types of project.”

CR Windows has a quality ethos running throughout its business that includes documented inspection points throughout its manufacturing and installation process to ensure customers receive the highest standard products.

For find out more about how Kitemarked products from CR Windows can help your business, call 0117 906 1180 or visit:  HYPERLINK “http://www.crwindows.co.uk” www.crwindows.co.uk.

Hartpury College is home to the Grade II listed Hartpury House, which is still used for lectures and administration.

The design of the new 900-student accommodation blocks therefore had to be in keeping with the original house, which meant the style and colour of the windows were central to making the design a success.

After careful consideration, vertical sliding windows were specified as they matched the style of window on Hartpury House. The windows from Roseview, fabricated using the Eurocell profile system, were the clear winners from a shortlist decided on aesthetics, energy efficiency and low maintenance.

The aesthetic appeal is achieved through a combination of slimmer sightlines and attention to detail on styling, such as decorative horns and new Georgian bar fixings. Highly engineered profiles ensure a precision fit of the sashes within the frame, improving air tightness and thermal performance, whilst a triple seal eliminates the draughts often found on some inferior vertical sliding windows.

PVC-U was specified because it eliminated the ongoing maintenance issues created by the original painted timber windows on Hartpury House. The slide-and-tilt mechanism on the window also allows access to the outer panes, making them easy to clean from inside a building – a key requirement of the facilities managers at the college.

“This is a beautiful country college and we are delighted that we could provide an aesthetic as well as low maintenance solution,” said Mike Bygrave, Commercial Director at Roseview Windows. “We have been a Eurocell fabricator for some time now as the company is always there to support us – which is vital on usual projects such as this.”

Vertical sliding windows fabricated using Eurocell profile systems have an anti-jemmy bar that enables the window to meet the high levels of security and protection required for student accommodation.

Roseview Windows has been fabricating PVC-U sash windows for 30 years from its base in Olney, Buckinghamshire. It supplied and fitted the windows on behalf on Markey Construction, the main contractor on site.

Eurocell supplies the vertical sliding profile system in several standard colour options including White, Cream, Rosewood and Golden Oak along with a brand new Irish Oak finish, complete with a matching profile colour unique to Eurocell.

The Eurocell fabricator installed the windows throughout a total of seven apartment blocks.

Established in 1977, Roseview Windows was selected by the developer, KJK Homes, because it was able to demonstrate the service and quality levels expected on this high specification build.

The client also preferred the aesthetics of the window, fabricated using the Eurocell profile system, because if offers a combination of slimmer sightlines and better styling attention to detail. The Eurocell vertical sliding profile system has an internally glazed sculptured bead and equal sightlines to create an attractive appearance both inside and out.

This was important as the development sits on the edge of a heritage area of Bedford city centre that has numerous Georgian properties. The windows were specified in white to further complement the classical appearance found on the nearby properties.

The sliding sash profile system is available from Eurocell in White, Cream, Rosewood and Golden Oak, along with a new Irish Oak colour.

The apartments, located at Centurion Court, each have three bedrooms and feature French doors leading onto a balcony. The vertical sliding windows were fitted at either side of the doors.

Mike Bygrave, Commercial Director at Roseview Windows, said: “The vertical sliding profile system from Eurocell played a key part in helping us secure this contract as it offered superior aesthetics and high levels of energy efficiency. We are delighted that the client preferred our windows, which look stunning now they have been fitted in the apartments.”

The highly engineered profiles on the Eurocell vertical sliding profile system ensures a precision fit on the sashes within the frame, which improves air tightness and thermal performance. A triple seal eliminates the draughts often found on some inferior vertical sliding windows.

The slide-and-tilt mechanism on the window allows access to the outer panes, making them easy to clean and maintain from inside the apartments.  An anti-jemmy bar on the window provides a high level of security and protection.

Roseview Windows has a 30-year history of providing a complete, high-quality, hassle-free service to customers, backed by a 10-year guarantee on all its windows.

For more information about products from Roseview Windows, telephone: 01234 712657or visit: roseview.co.uk

For more information on the Eurocell vertical sliding sash profile system, or for a copy of the free brochure, visit: www.eurocell.co.uk/vertical_slider.html, or call the customer services team on 0800 988 3049.

The new showroom on Portsmouth Road displays numerous conservatory roof designs, along with a wide selection of windows, all fabricated using Eurocell profile systems.

The location doesn’t get much better either, with the showroom adjacent to the town’s leading gardening and hot tub supplier – Andrews of Hindhead.

Kalglass has continued to grow, despite current economic conditions, because it has been very clear about its target market.

From its beginnings in 1994, it has focused on a geographic area around Surrey because it knew that would allow it to offer exceptional service levels, without overstretching itself.

Backing this up is a determination to remain with its core principle of offering value and quality by sourcing only the best window profile and hardware components.  Being a Eurocell fabricator is a central part of this strategy plus the company manufactures its own glass sealed units at its headquarters in Wormley, Surrey.

The Hindhead showroom, which is close to its new Haslemere window fabrication unit, becomes the second showroom in the county for Kalglass, alongside one in Goldalming.

Kalglass currently has over 20 installers and is looking to increase this with its year-to-date performance, along with the additional sales generated from the new showroom.

“We have an excellent reputation for quality and service,” said Mr Vangelis Kaloudis, Director at Kalglass. “That’s because we only use the best quality components and focus on offering excellent value and service – all within our local market. We are confident that the new showroom will become an essential destination for homeowners in Hindhead looking for the best choice of windows and conservatories.”

The new showroom opened at the beginning of October and has already generated a considerable amount of interest from customers in the area.

Find Kalglass in Hindhead at: Portsmouth Road, Hindhead, Surrey GU26 6AL – next to Andrews of Hindhead.

For more information on Kalglass, call 01428 684478 or visit www.kalglass.co.uk

The eye-catching entrance was created using a white PVC-U curtain walling system from Eurocell, fitted with a mix of red infill panels and bronzed glass units.

The dazzling colour scheme was selected to match the existing steel framed system, which had lost much of its lustre due to rusting, even though it had been regularly maintained.

Aberdeen-based A C Yule maintained the site lines throughout the refurbishment by replacing rotten timber windows in some of the classrooms, again using PVC-U profile systems from Eurocell.

The client specified low maintenance PVC-U, which the Building Research Establishment (BRE) has given a Reference Service Life (RSL) of at least 35-years, because it overcame the maintenance and longevity issues associated with the steel and timber frames.

Established in 1946, A C Yule has become one of the largest, and most respected, suppliers of glass, architectural and PVC-U window systems throughout Scotland and the North of England.

Refurbishment of the school was initiated by Moray Council who had become concerned with how the existing steel framed curtain walling system had deteriorated, along with the ongoing maintenance required on the timber windows fitted in the classrooms.

John Archibald, Manager at A C Yule Elgin, explains: “When we secure a project that requires PVC-U curtain walling we are always confident that the Eurocell system will meet the client’s expectations. Our fitters prefer using the system, too, as it is quick and easy to install on site.”

The curtain walling system from Eurocell is a fast and cost-effective way to create large glazed areas on any type of building. It has been used widely in many schools, hospitals, universities and offices as well as residential apartment blocks.

“We are delighted with our new entrance as it creates such a positive and welcoming impression with pupils and parents,” said Kathleen King, head teacher at Kinloss Primary School. “The classrooms are also much warmer since the new windows were fitted.”

The Eurocell curtain walling profile system is designed to be easy to fabricate and install, creating a rigid framework into which its window profiles can simply be clipped into place.

For more information on A C Yule products and services, call 01224 230069 or visit: www.acyule.com

For more information on the Eurocell curtain walling system available from Eurocell, call: 0800 988 3049 or email press@eurocell.co.uk.

The boards, which were sourced locally from the Eurocell Birkenhead branch, were installed around 1,000 window reveals.

Window boards from Eurocell are pressure-laminated to provide a scratch, heat and moisture-resistant surface, which will provide the university with many years of low-maintenance performance.  They are supported by a full range of window finishing accessories, which are stocked in Eurocell’s 100+ branch network, along with over 3,800 other building plastics products.

The James Parsons Building, which accommodates the Faculty of Science, underwent a major refurbishment programme involving the replacement of existing windows and surrounds, as well as a complete refurbishment of the external façade, classrooms and lecture theatres.

The building had originally been fitted with steel framed Crittal windows in the 1960s, along with a mix of timber and plasterboard reveals, which were beginning to look unsightly and cause ongoing maintenance issues.

The original windows were replaced with aluminium frames to match the external decorative rainscreen façade, which was also made of aluminium.

Eurocell 300mm deep PVC-U window boards in white were an integral part of the upgrade as they helped maintain the new windows’ thermal performance, along with creating a visually pleasing internal environment conducive to learning.

D & B Facades specified Eurocell window boards because the company knew they would provide a durable and visually pleasing finish to the reveals. The fact that its installers received scheduled deliveries from their local Eurocell branch was an added benefit.

Paul Brightey, Commercial Manager at D & B Facades, said: “This was a major refurbishment project of a 1960s building that needed to be brought up to 21^st century standards.  Eurocell’s window boards helped achieve this by providing a durable and aesthetically pleasing finish to over 1,000 window reveals. Our client has been delighted with the finished result.”

Eurocell window boards, which are stocked in its branches nationally, are available in a range of colours, including white, Oak, Golden Oak, Mahogany and Rosewood.

“D & B Facades are experts in regenerating external and internal facades on existing buildings so we are delighted that it chose our window boards to help refurbish this important university building,” said Gary Driscoll, National Business Development Manager at Eurocell Building Plastics.

For more information on D & B Facades, call 01980 654230 or visit: www.dbfacades.com

For more information on Eurocell window finishing accessories telephone: 0800 988 3049. Alternatively, visit the Eurocell website: http://www.eurocell.co.uk, or email press@eurocell.co.uk.

“When CR Windows was looking to provide its customers with the option of an off-the-shelf, value for money ‘A’ rated window, it knew that it would have to focus on the glass specifications – simply because sealed units add most to the cost of an ‘A’ rated product.

The decision to develop an ‘A’ rated window followed the success the company had enjoyed in making all its windows ‘C’ rated as standard.

The feedback we had from CR Windows was that it could only just achieve an ‘A’ rating with steel reinforcements, so the glazing options for its customers were very limited. By using PVC-U Thermal Inserts it can now achieve an A+11 with an argon filled IGU. This gives its customers more scope to choose the glass which best suits their needs.

Affordable ‘A’ rating

CR Windows was able to achieve a cost effective ‘A’ rating comfortably using a combination of the Eurologik profile system and our new recycled PVC-U Thermal Inserts. This is because the multi-chambered design of the inserts delivers benefits over other non-metallic, hybrid or recycled reinforcings by creating what is essentially an eight chambered profile in many cases.

The effectiveness of the PVC-U Thermal Inserts on the CR Windows product was demonstrated when we simulated the same window, but without the inserts, which failed to achieve an ‘A’ rating. The BFRC-Certified test, which the Eurocell team of five accredited simulators can carry out in-house, indicated that the only other method of achieving an ‘A’ rating without inserts would have been to increase the glass specification – making the window prohibitively expensive.

Extruded in specially formulated ORM- PVC-U, Eurocell inserts can be cut and welded during the normal production of the window, therefore eliminating the need for the additional step of cutting and fitting steel in the production process. This adds structural rigidity and ensures a much more efficient and therefore lower cost fabrication process.  Although completely hidden inside the profile, they play a vital role in eliminating the need for expensive glass specifications. This is done by subdividing the profile creating multiple chambers, significantly reducing the convection currents in the profile to provide greater thermal efficiency.

Performance testing

After 12 months of rigorous indicative testing – culminating in a full UKAS test to BS6375 at the BBA, we now have a window which does not compromise hardware screw retention and is a real alternative to steel and aluminum reinforcements. Plus it not only far exceeds current Building Regulations, but betters proposed legislation for 2013 and beyond.

PVC-U Thermal Inserts provide a considerable improvement over unreinforced profiles, giving an Energy Index improvement of up to six points. This is a step change in window system development, in which we have introduced an engineered product with proven thermal and strength characteristics.

In addition to the improved thermal performance they also give extremely good screw retention. We have carried out comprehensive testing to support this claim with SFS that covers unreinforced, PVC-U Thermal Inserts and steel reinforcements. Furthermore we have a number of fabricators that have achieved BS7950 using PVC-U Thermal Inserts without shootbolts, utilizing a standard espagnolette rail. Our latest success is achieving PAS 24 using  PVC-U Thermal Inserts in The Dales Collection composite door’s outer frame.

A sustainable future

The result for CR Windows of creating a cost effective ‘A’ rated window using our PVC-U Thermal Inserts speak for themselves – during the last 12 months, sales have grown to over 50 per cent of the total. Even more encouraging for the company is the fact that sales of the ‘A’ rated window tend to be on large scale projects, such as local authority or private developer schemes.

Cost effective energy efficiency has not been the only advantage to CR Windows of using our PVC-U Thermal Inserts. That’s because they are manufactured from 100 per cent ORM -recycled PVC-U, which makes it one of the most sustainable PVC-U windows on the market. Looking to the future, once these windows have served their purpose in the field they can be de-glazed, the hardware removed and the window can be simply granulated without the need to cut up and remove steel.

PVC-U Thermal Inserts are helping many Eurocell fabricators around the UK provide their customers with cost effective ‘A’ rated windows. The ultimate beneficiaries will be building designers and homeowners as an ‘A’ rated product will mean that the property requires less energy to heat and therefore generates fewer carbon dioxide emissions.

Offering one of the best value ‘A’ rated windows in the market enables CR Windows to address the conundrum faced by its customers – an acceptance that an ‘A’ rated window is better for the environment, but with a need to remain within budget.  As the legislation around climate change becomes ever more stringent, it is initiatives that put energy efficient products in the reach of a greater proportion of the market that will succeed –and CR Windows are doing just that.”

For more information about ‘A’-rated performance from CR Windows, call 0800 0133 122 or visit www.crwindows.co.uk.

Throughout October, Eurocell is holding a series of seminars on WERs, Building Regulations and other key industry issues impacting on its fabricators. Also presenting will be representatives from the BBA and BSI, who will be on hand to offer advice and answer questions.

To find out more about Eurocell’s PVC-U Thermal Inserts or fabricator seminars, contact the customer services team on 0800 988 3049, visit: http://www.eurocell.co.uk or email press@eurocell.co.uk