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.

Burntwood Conservatories incorporating Global Windows offers one of the widest ranges of windows and conservatories in the area, fabricated using Eurocell profile systems.

The TrustMark scheme is supported by the Government, the building industry and consumer protection groups and aims to give homeowners the confidence that the contractors they employ have been checked for technical competence, trading record and financial position.

Research has shown that using a TrustMark tradesperson can significantly reduce the risk for homeowners of having a botched-job on their property. This results in poor quality or dangerous work and is the reason why TrustMark encourages homeowners to use one of its registered firms.

Gaining TrustMark status involved rigorous and thorough assessment of business operations at Burntwood Conservatories incorporating Global Windows. Technical competence was evaluated on site and involved the inspection of work in progress against set standards devised in collaboration with the Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA).

It was only following this rigorous assessment that TrustMark allowed Burntwood Conservatories incorporating Global Windows to become a registered firm and therefore carry its logo. It also means the company is listed on the TrustMark website, which is used by homeowners to search for reputable suppliers.

The approved scheme operator will continue to monitor the company’s quality of work, trading practices and customer satisfaction, ensuring that it maintains the highest standards throughout its business.

Nathan Smith, Managing Director of Burntwood Conservatories incorporating Global Windows, explains: “We are delighted to have gained TrustMark status. We are looking forward to reminding homeowners that selecting a reputable tradesperson is the best way to get quality windows, conservatories and doors at a fair price, which ultimately means protecting their largest investment – the home.”

TrustMark, which is widely recognised in the domestic sector, can help homeowners find reputable firms across a wide range of trades that carry out home repair, maintenance and improvement work.

A spokesperson from TrustMark comments: “Home Improvement and maintenance are the most complained about of all the household sectors, which his why we advise that people having work done in their home should check for the TrustMark logo.”

For more information on Burntwood Conservatories and Global Windows, visit: www.burntwoodconservatories.co.uk or www.global-windows.co.uk alternatively, call: 0800 587 5583 or 0800 610 1234

For more information on becoming a TrustMark registered company, visit the website at: www.trustmark.org.uk.

“Fabricators have always expected hassle-free supply and consistently high quality products from their suppliers. However, for the partnership to be truly successful in today’s competitive market, many fabricators are now looking for a distinctly different offer – and that means suppliers adding value both to their product and service.

Working in partnership

A systems supplier that has an essential understanding of the industry, such as new legislation and customer trends, is vitally important to keep you ahead of the market. For example, check that they have sufficient BFRC (British Fenestration Ratings Council) assessors in-house as these are crucial in helping you develop energy rated products, which will ultimately mean you can win more business in these environmentally-aware times.  This was a major influencing factor when A&B Glass recently decided to partner with Eurocell, as it recognized the fact that with our team of five BFRC assessors, we had enough resource to give it the level of service it required for its product development plans.

A systems supplier also needs to be able to demonstrate an understanding of current issues across all market sectors, including new build and replacement. Take, for example, the work we have been doing with leading organisations such as the BRE (Building Research Establishment) on its ‘Rethinking Housing Refurbishment’ programme. This aims to highlight the contribution that existing houses have to play in reducing UK carbon emissions. The BRE has specified windows fabricated using Eurocell profile systems on three of the Rethinking Refurbishment exemplar projects at BRE Watford, Newcastle and Huntingdon, to demonstrate how important refurbishments will soon become in creating sustainable homes and the role PVC-U has to play in creating sustainable windows.

Products with an edge

In terms of product, the breadth of range is an important consideration. Indeed, access to a wide range of products is key to helping you win more business – because more choice provides you with more strategic options to run your business. For example, our new Eurologik Ovolo Irish Oak and White Ash finishes will enable A&B Glass to offer its customers something that is distinctly different because of its natural appearance and unique complimentary profile colour – giving the best aesthetics at all times. Again, this is important in both new build, where developers look to add extra curb appeal to their properties, and replacements, where homeowners strive to add extra value to their homes.

A potential supplier should be able to offer profile systems that demonstrate high levels of energy efficiency and sustainability, too. Our response to this need has been to develop a low carbon 0.8 U-value window specifically for new build. Alongside this, we have developed the Eurologik A14 window, which is currently the highest BFRC (British Fenestration Ratings Council) rating for a double-glazed PVC-U window in the UK – offering both new build and replacement sectors maximum thermal performance.

It is also important to consider the environmental credentials of your supplier.  With global concerns about sustainability, they should have systems in place to make use of recycled PVC-U.  Your systems supplier should therefore be able to demonstrate that they are actively developing energy efficient and sustainable products made from recycled material. For example, developing value for money energy rated products with our fabricators would not have been possible without our 100 per cent recycled PVC-U Thermal Inserts.

Let’s also not overlook the obvious – continuity of supply and therefore financial stability, which is vital choosing a supply partner. Hard evidence of resources and an ability to deliver is required to give you peace of mind.  Evidence of the backing Eurocell has from our parent company Tessenderlo was enough to give the management team at A&B Glass this confidence.

Choosing a profile partner that recognises opportunities going forward and has the capability to maximise on them, means that fabricators can indeed look forward to a bright future as the economy begins to recover.”

To find out more about the benefits of becoming a Eurocell fabricator, call the customer services team on 0800 988 3049, or visit www.eurocell.co.uk.

Alongside this will be Eurocell’s latest 0.8 U-value window designed specifically to meet the requirements of zero carbon developments.

Completing the line up is the Eurologik ‘A+11’ window system, offering both new build and replacement sectors maximum thermal performance. The A+11 specification is currently the highest BFRC (British Fenestration Ratings Council) rating for a double glazed PVC-U window in the UK.

As a result of recent advances in energy efficiency and recycling, Eurocell is currently working with the BRE (Building Research Establishment) as an exemplar project partner on its Rethinking Housing Refurbishment programme. The programme aims to create a national step change in the refurbishment arena by highlighting the contribution that existing houses have to play in reducing UK carbon emissions. The BRE has specified windows fabricated from Eurocell profile systems on three of the Rethinking Refurbishment exemplar projects at BRE Watford, Newcastle and Huntingdon.

Eurocell will be highlighting the advances it has made in post-consumer PVC-U recycling through investment in a dedicated facility. The company recently celebrated producing its one millionth metre of post-consumer recycled PVC-U, which is used to make the UK’s only range of 100 per cent post-consumer recycled, BBA-accredited cavity closers.

In addition to post-consumer recycling, Eurocell recycles over 3,000 tonnes of production waste PVC-U per annum, which is again used to make products that help create energy efficient and sustainable buildings.

“There is so much to see on the Eurocell stand this year,” said Chris Coxon, Marketing Manager at Eurocell. “Our focus at Ecobuild will be demonstrating to specifiers how they can achieve enhanced levels of sustainability and energy efficiency using recycled
PVC-U. We are also delighted to be working with the BRE as one of its exemplar project partners on the Rethinking Housing Refurbishment programme. We are looking forward to showing visitors how our products can reduce the carbon emissions of existing buildings.”

PVC-U has been awarded an ‘A’ rating for sustainability in residential and ‘A+’ for commercial developments in the BRE Green Guide to Specification (June 2008), principally because of the work that has gone into recycling initiatives.

Coupled with this is the fact that PVC-U achieves a Reference Service Life (RSL) rating of at least 35 years, as recognised by the BRE, which confirms that PVC-U products provide cost effective, sustainable and high performance solutions.

To find out how Eurocell can help you deliver low carbon homes, call 0800 988 3049, email: press@eurocell.co.uk or visit www.eurocell.co.uk. Alternatively visit Eurocell at: stand 1440 at Ecobuild, 2 – 4 March 2010.

Cavalok is also the UK’s only manufacturer of BBA-accredited cavity closer systems made from 100% post-consumer recycled PVC-U.

Minehead Eye is a multi-million pound part lottery-funded facility aimed at 13-19 year olds. It will feature a café, shop and computer area with a viewing gallery that overlooks a two-storey skate and BMX park.

The environmentally responsive building is one of a growing number of structures in the UK to have a 300mm cavity and demonstrates the extreme requirements needed to achieve low carbon status and low U-value construction.

The 300mm cavity width specified on Minehead Eye, which includes 200mm of EPS insulation, will ensure the highest level of thermal performance is achieved through its low U-value specification. The openings were formed, and the extra wide cavity closed, using the Big Blok cavity closers that also integrate the DPC and thermal break into one simple product. This provides energy saving and reduced carbon dioxide emission by minimising air leakage and heat losses at the junction between the wall and window.

Unlike the wall itself, cavity closers are not subject to U-value calculations, however with  full band of insulation the Big Blok system exceeds the latest Accredited Construction Details requirements of 0.45 m²k/W complementing wall designs with U-values better than 0.15. This means the pioneering Big Blok system can be confidently specified for the latest zero carbon regulations such as BREEAM and the Code for Sustainable Homes.

“We specified BigBlok because it was the only product that could exceed latest ACD requirements on a 300mm cavity,” said Sebastian Wolf, Architect on this project. “As an environmentally aware practice, it was an added advantage that the Cavalok range is made from 100 per cent post-consumer recycled PVC-U.”

Cavity sizes have been increasing on many buildings to accommodate more 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. The super-insulating Big Blok cavity closer range allows easy closing of cavities above 125mm up to the build regulations maximum of 300mm as used in the Minehead Eye.

The BigBlok cavity closers were supplied through Minster Insulation Ltd and manufactured by Cavalok approved fabricator, Securiframe.

Gary Gardner, Managing Director of Securiframe, comments: “Low carbon build programmes such as Minehead Eye create very demanding requirements, which in this case meant closing a 300mm cavity. Added to this was a need to supply a BBA-approved cavity closer that demonstrated high levels of sustainability. The Cavalok system is the only one that can meet all these requirements and was therefore crucial for us in winning the Minehead Eye project.”

The contractor on site was Russell Construction, which operates across the South-West of England and undertakes both new build and refurbishment contracts.

For more information on BigBlok, along with the full range of Cavalok 100% post-consumer recycled PVC-U cavity closers, call 0870 120 3003 or visit: www.cavalok.com

“The glazed unit receives its fair share of attention when it comes to thermal performance. The introduction of spacer bar technology, Low E glass and coatings have all had the effect of keeping attention focused on this area. However, improvements in glass performance are generally becoming incrementally smaller. What’s more, they can be expensive, forcing some specifiers to consider reducing the window size – often an unpopular move with homeowners. It is therefore no surprise that the industry is looking at other ways of achieving more cost effective ‘A’ rated windows.

Frame vs Glass

Over the last few years, glass and spacer bar manufacturers have been developing products to improve the performance of the sealed unit, which often turn out to be expensive – which is why we felt it was time a systems company did something to reduce the cost of an ‘A’ rated window. Thermal performance of the frame can be improved in several ways. For example, the benefit of multi chambered profiles on our Thermalogik profile system is already well understood and the challenge was therefore to use this principle as the basis to improve the performance of the frame even further.

The solution was found by developing a range of PVC-U Thermal Inserts. Subsequent performance modelling and extensive trials demonstrated that 4mm standard float glass can be used with thermal inserts, whilst still achieving an ‘A’ rating, because of the superior thermal efficiency of PVC-U over traditional steel or aluminium reinforcements.

The idea behind inserts is simple – they insulate the frame, reducing the amount of heat that escapes, just like insulation in the cavity wall. Our PVC-U Thermal Inserts, in addition to creating a better value ‘A’ rated window, are made of 100 per cent recycled material. That means the entire window frame is recyclable – making it quicker and easier to re-use post-consumer windows. It also means fabricators can highlight the recycled content to their customers.

A good example of the improvements in thermal performance offered by multi chamber profiles and PVC-U Thermal Inserts was highlighted in recent tests we carried out. Using PVC-U Thermal Inserts with our Eurologik profile system in conjunction with Thermalogik outer frames, the system achieved a BFRC ‘A’ rating without the use of Low Iron glass. Of course, some fabricators prefer to retain the higher glass specifications, allowing them to offer customers ‘A’ rated windows with an even better Energy Index.

Focus on achieving a higher Energy Index has resulted from the fact that ‘A’ rated windows are now widely available. Fabricators are therefore looking for other ways to retain their competitive edge – by achieving a higher Energy Index – and PVC-U Thermal Inserts are a cost effective way of doing this, as was demonstrated by our performance modelling.

A positive Energy Index means the window will allow more heat from the sun to pass through the glass and into the room than is going to be lost through the window. Using the PVC-U Thermal Inserts we developed, it is now possible to achieve an A 11 window, which is currently one of the best performing double glazed products on the market. This type of performance is usually only achieved by specifying expensive triple glazed units. In this example, the window will gain 11 kilowatt hours per square metre per year, which will contribute towards heating the home. Without PVC-U Thermal Inserts, the window would not have achieved A 11, as demonstrated when an identical window, without inserts achieved an ‘A’ rating of ‘0’ kWh/m²/year Energy Index – still a high performance window.

Working in partnership

Fabricators that use inserts in the frame find that it is a much more cost effective method of achieving an ‘A’ rating, with a higher Energy Index, than upgrading the glass specification. This is proving very effective in the current market as homeowners and housebuilders look for better value ‘A’ rated products.

In reality, achieving a better performing window will involve a combination of both frame and glass. As we move to zero-carbon homes by 2016 and non domestic buildings by 2018, any measures that improve the performance of the window are a good thing. Indeed, the best results are achieved when frame and glass manufacturers work together to create a solution that meets a market need. When we were developing our PVC-U Thermal Inserts, we worked closely with Solaglass to create the ideal combination of glass and frame specification that achieved a cost effective ‘A’ rated window.

Whether future innovation comes from the frame, glass or both, it is the built environment that will benefit. That is why fabricators should look at the technologies available to find the best solution when they are looking for cost effective and sustainable energy rated products. The solution often does not rest on the glass alone.”

For information on the PVC-u Thermal Inserts visit the Eurocell website: www.eurocell.co.uk or contact customer services on 0800 988 3049.

Achieving PAS23 (general performance requirements for door assemblies) on the letter plate means that the door has a proven high resistance to air and water penetration.

Homeowner benefits of high levels of weathertightness include less draughts as well as avoiding wet carpets from rain being blown through some letter plates that don’t meet PAS23 requirements.

This small but essential element of the company’s composite door range will therefore provide fabricators with yet another way of helping homeowners keep their homes energy efficient and comfortable.

“The tests prove what we already knew – that not much gets past The Dales Collection in terms of wind, rain or burglars,” said Martin Saunders, Sales Director at Eurocell. “We have focused on every last detail of the door, which has culminated in the letter plate being tested and achieving PAS23. When presented to customers as a complete solution, our doors take some beating!”

The proven ability of The Dales Collection to withstand wind driven rain and severe weather is further helped by a triple-seal frame system, first pioneered by Eurocell, which again enables it to withstand the worst of the British weather. The two brush seals and a gasket seal will remain watertight in the most extreme conditions, providing the door with excellent thermal efficiency.

The Dales Collection already has superior thermal efficiency, offering up to six times the heat retention of a timber door. This is achieved by a high performance foam core that is sandwiched between low-maintenance GRP door-leaves.

In addition, Eurocell supplies The Dales Collection with its PVC-U Thermal Inserts fitted in the door frame. This is an additional selling point because fabricators can point out that PVC-U Thermal Inserts are manufactured using 100 per cent recycled PVC-U, enhancing the frames’ sustainability as well as energy efficiency.

The Dales Collection has achieved PAS23/24 accreditation as standard for the complete door assembly. PAS24 confirms that the product will resist high levels of forced entry.

For more information on The Dales Collection, visit the Eurocell website: www.thedalescollection.co.uk, contact customer services on 0800 988 3049, or email press@eurocell.co.uk

“The domestic replacement market in the UK has matured and, although still sizeable, forecasts indicate that it is in decline. Against this background, fabricators are looking for other areas of growth and for many that means the public and private new build and refurbishment markets – the traditional specification route.

However, simply offering a window that only provides a high level of energy efficiency is no longer sufficient for this sector – fabricators need to embrace sustainability, too. To see why, you only need to visit exhibitions that are aimed at specifiers, such as Ecobuild, 2-4^th March, Earls Court, London, to

get a feel for the extent of the ‘environmentally-friendly’ products now available.

The driving force behind the increased demand for ‘green’ products in the specification sector has been legislation, such as the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) and Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH), which are guiding new build developments towards zero carbon by 2016. As a company, we have responded to this by developing new products, embracing recycling within our manufacturing process along with helping fabricators gain Window Energy Ratings. However, there is a lot more that we can all do to help fabricators grow their businesses in the specification sector.

That is one of the reasons why the Eurocell group has attended Ecobuild for the last two years.  By having a presence at this prestigious show, we can talk directly to specifiers on behalf of our fabricators. These types of exhibitions are becoming ever more important – this year’s Ecobuild is billed as ‘the world’s biggest event for sustainable design, construction and built environment.’

Only a few years ago, it would have been seen as a niche event and attended largely by environmentalists, rather than the key decision makers that many of our fabricators are looking to influence. How things have changed!  Environmental issues have created a valuable new opportunity for fabricators at a time when their traditional core market reaches maturity. This shift in the industry towards energy efficiency and sustainability is not just restricted to the specification sector – even customers purchasing second generation domestic replacement windows are now interested in ‘green’ products. Indeed, all replacement windows will need to have a Window Energy Rating of C or above by October 2010 and so once again legislation is driving the green agenda. The British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC) has already reported that the number of energy-rated window products is doubling each year.

In terms of the specification market, we have for some time being developing products that help our fabricators win business. For example, we will be demonstrating our latest Eurologik window profile system featuring recycled PVC-U at this year’s Ecobuild show.

Alongside this will be our ‘A11’ window specification, which has an Energy Index of 11 – currently the highest BFRC rating for a double glazed window in the UK. Completing the line up will be our 0.8 U Value window, which is designed specifically to help the new build sector achieve cost effective zero carbon homes. We have also been busy in other areas and will be showcasing Roomline – our brand new range of PVC-U skirting boards and architraves made from recycled PVC-U. By talking to specifiers at the show about these innovations, we are proactively creating specification opportunities for our fabricators.

So, as the domestic replacement market matures, new markets, accessible via the specification route, will provide fabricators with new opportunities. Embracing sustainability and energy efficiency is therefore good for business. Central to success in this area is partnering with a profile system supplier that is proactive in gaining specification and offers effective solutions to achieving the 2016 zero carbon deadline.

Choosing the right profile system supplier, gaining a Window Energy Rating and embracing sustainable use of materials are therefore all crucial for fabricators looking to grow their business. At Eurocell, we remain committed to helping our customers succeed in these markets to help maintain and grow their business performance.”

To find out how Eurocell can help you create opportunities in the specification sector, call 0800 988 3049, email: press@eurocell.co.uk or visit www.eurocell.co.uk. Alternatively visit the Eurocell at: Stand 1440 at Ecobuild, 2 – 4 March 2010.

It’s an ideal opportunity to see and handle some of our exciting new product innovations – so don’t miss out. We hope to see many of our customers, old and new – as well as plenty of new faces.

Look us up at stand 1440.

The 12-page brochure is specifically aimed at homeowners, so is ideal for your showroom and for your sales people to take to customers’ homes, hopefully increasing conversion rates!

To order your copies of the brochure, give our Customer Care Team a call on: 01773 842222. The product code is VSDB.