The Door Industry Journal

Saturday, 26 May 2018

Tradespeople need to do more to keep up with smart home technology

Yale Conexis L1 Multipoint Smart Lock

84% of tradespeople said they had never undertaken any training in smart home technology, according to a recent poll carried out by the UK’s largest online supplier of ironmongery, IronmongeryDirect.

Conducted in the lead up to Smart Home Week (21- 27 May) the poll revealed that despite the rise in popularity of smart home products, many tradespeople are still unprepared for the increasing customer demand.

Nearly 30% of UK homeowners now own at least one smart home product. This increase is reaffirmed by IronmongeryDirect expecting sales of smart technology to more than double this year. This is in addition to previous national research carried out by the leading online ironmongery supplier, which showed that almost 90% of tradespeople are not confident when advising customers on smart products.

Only one in ten tradespeople said they felt “very confident” when it comes to offering guidance on smart products, including products such as smart cameras, smart alarms and locks which can be connected to smartphones.

Now in its second year, Smart Home Week aims to raise the profile of smart home technology and to inform, educate and reassure consumers about the benefits and opportunities of living in a smart, connected way.

Wayne Lysaght-Mason, Managing Director of IronmongeryDirect, said:

“Smart products are redefining the way that a property functions, and there is a clear need for tradespeople to keep abreast of the developments involving smart technology. With basic burglar alarms now enhanced to monitor, control and interact with a home or business premises from a smartphone or tablet, we are just at the beginning of this smart tech revolution.

“There is still a demand for traditional products, but these new smart alternatives should not be ignored. There are some fantastic products on the market, whether you want to specialise in security, lighting, heating or household appliances.”

Training organisations around the UK offer courses in smart technology, including the AWE Smart Home Academy in Surrey, which equips tradespeople with the skills and confidence they need to advise customers on the technology. For instance, its Foundation Workshop is aimed at the less experienced residential smart technology installer and focuses on the fundamentals of custom installation.

IronmongeryDirect stocks a variety of products including the The Yale® Easy Fit Telecommunicating Alarm, a top-of-the-range house alarm, the Yale® Smart HD1080 4 Camera CCTV Kit a durable and hard-wearing product that can monitor a property with its high definition video quality camera and the Yale® Conexis L1 Multipoint Smart Lock.

The customer service team are available from 7am-8pm 7 days a week and can help with any questions or queries you may have about smart home technology.

IronmongeryDirect has over 16,500 products available and in stock. Orders can be placed as late as 8pm for next day delivery from Sunday through to Friday and by 4pm on Saturdays. Free, no quibble returns are available on all products.

For more information, visit IronmongeryDirect.com or call their team of specialist advisors on 0800 168 28 28.

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Friday, 25 May 2018

The Rise of the Metallic Finish

Close up of the matt bronze finish

In this post Elizabeth Assaf of Urban Front, specialist manufacturers of high-end entrance doors, talks about the popularity of metallic finishes

The past year has seen a real interest in ‘alternative’ finishes for doors and metallic is right at the top of the list. The trend for copper, rose gold and gold finishes has definitely helped move this forward. Creating impact and the ability to be unique with earthy and natural elements is another reason for the rise as well.

Various metallic textures

So in which situation does a metallic door work?

Rendered homes with grey slate roofing and black, grey or rust windows
Homes with an element of copper, stone or steel cladding or trim
Homes where an impact is needed for example if the frontage has no interest at all on the front and it needs an impact
Homes with oversized doors which need a ‘wow’ factor
Homes with an architectural glazed wall

Popular bronze finish in architectural glazing

What would you need to take into account?

The maintenance: if the door is scratched or damaged it’s harder to fix and needs a specialist
The cost – these doors need quite a big budget due to the man hours involved.
The change in the finish as the door oxidises – eventually, the colour on the door will not be as the first day it was fitted.
Making sure the door is protected enough from weathering with a cover or overhang

Close up of the bronze

How to choose the right finish for your door?

A matt bronze finish on a curved door
with wooden trim

There are quite a few finishes to choose from – you could go quite rough and vintage with a finish that looks old from the minute it’s on or go for a more polished coppery feel. A few things to consider:

A mood board would be a great idea here: this will help take into account external and internal finishes to make sure you get it right
Marrying all the accessories around the door so that the whole thing works as a whole – this includes the handle
The texture of the finish can be quite strong/ impactful and so making sure the texture works is also essential. A contemporary building for instance may look better with something that is a little more industrial than sharp and polished
Samples, samples and more samples – making sure you have a big enough sample to really be aware of the impact the door will have

Within this article, you will find various images of metallic doors we have made and some of the projects that we get requests for this finish for. Some even still in progress!

For more information, please call our office on 01494778787.

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Thursday, 24 May 2018

Powered Automatic Sliding Gates Safety Requirement

Powered automatic sliding gates are available in a variety of sizes, styles and materials specifications to suit different applications. Moreover, customers have a choice of access control system and safety measures, which makes this type of gate extremely versatile for domestic, industrial and public-sector premises.

Compared with the more traditional alternative of swing gates, sliding gates require less space for opening and they can be more suitable for use with sloping entrance approaches, especially if a cantilevered style is chosen instead of the guidance track type. Sliding gates also achieve a higher level of security, can be used on very wide openings and often cost no more than swing gates.

Unfortunately, there have been a small number of accidents involving powered sliding gates, mostly resulting in injuries but there have also been fatalities. Powered sliding gates have always been required to comply with the European Machinery Directive and CE marked as such but, with no 'CE Police' to monitor the market, the Directive's requirements have not been enforced. In the past, therefore, some powered sliding gates have been installed without the necessary safeguards in place. However, the current Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) is more explicit about the duties of national governments regarding enforcement.

Here in the UK, Statutory Instrument 2008/1597 The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 came into force on 29 December 2009 to implement the new European Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. The 2008 Regulations replaced The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992, as well as the 1994 and 2005 amendments.

Newly installed powered gates (sliding and swing) fall within the scope of the Machinery Directive and must therefore be CE marked as machinery. Strictly speaking, suppliers in the UK must comply with the requirements of The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008, though these essentially restate the requirements contained in the Machinery Directive. There are European standards that are harmonised to the Machinery Directive; while compliance with these is not mandatory, to do so would normally be considered to be the best way to demonstrate compliance with the Essential Health and Safety Requirements of the Machinery Directive (the harmonised standards are said to provide a 'presumption of conformity').

To fully understand the requirements, please read the extended article “Powered Automatic Sliding Gates Safety Requirement” available at this short link - goo.gl/fSj73Z .

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Wednesday, 23 May 2018

UNION warns of the dangers of incorrect Closer Specification for non-insulated Metal Fire Doors

UNION’s RetroV door closer. All UNION door closers are supplied
with a glycol mix that has been successfully tested on non-insulated
fire doors by two UKAS accredited fire testing facilities.

UNION, part of ASSA ABLOY Security Solutions, is warning specifiers and installers about the dangers of fitting incorrect door closers for non-insulated metal fire doors.

While many door closers are stated as being approved for metal fire doors, in a number of cases this only applies to insulated metal fire doors. And with around 8 out of 10 metal fire doors sold in the UK are non-insulated, this means many door closers are not fit for purpose – with potentially disastrous results.

Non-insulated systems provide certified fire resistance for integrity only, protecting against the passage of fire and smoke. However, as the name implies, these fire doors are not certified for insulation and so cannot protect against the passage of heat. This becomes an issue for a door closer that is filled with mineral semi-synthetic mix oil, as it can actually ignite when it reaches a high enough temperature.

Certifire, the testing organisation, has recently revised their certification to more accurately state the type of metal fire door a door closer is approved for use. But with so many installers and specifiers unaware of this risk, UNION is urgently calling on installers and property owners to check their closing devices are suitable for non-insulated metal fire doors.

David Hindle, Door Closer Specialist at UNION, explains:

“We believe many door closers could have been incorrectly specified for non-insulated metals fire doors, which could pose a real danger to lives in the event of a fire. These door closers are not suitable for fire escapes or other applications where extreme heat could risk lives or cause serious damage to property.

“Certifire have taken a proactive stance on this matter and updated their certification to give a specifier or installer more detailed information.

“Professionals can overcome this issue by following three simple steps. First of all, check all relevant Certifire documentation and make sure this has been updated for any recent amendments. Next, check whether the documentation includes details on the type of fire doors that the door closer has been tested on. Finally, where metal fire doors are covered, are there any restrictions on the type of fire door? By following these steps you can discover if you have any issues to resolve with your door closers.

“For complete peace of mind, all UNION door closers are supplied with a glycol mix that has been successfully tested on non-insulated fire doors by two UKAS accredited fire testing facilities. Therefore, those choosing a UNION door closer can be safe in the knowledge that they are fitting a device that does not contain an oil that could possibly ignite in the case of a fire.

“This is a hugely serious issue that all specifiers and installers need to be aware of. Anyone worried that they may have a door closer that is not safe can also call us for advice on 0845 2232124.”

For more information, please visit www.uniononline.co.uk.

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Tuesday, 22 May 2018

Universal Barrier Solutions launch Evolution the Revolutionary Surface Mounted Barrier Base

Universal Barrier Solutions Ltd has launched the Evolution pre-formed, surface mounted barrier base that can be rapidly deployed, saving the industry valuable time and money.

Set to revolutionise the security and parking industries, the Evolution will make the job of installing barriers quicker and easier, whilst also being a cost effective and eco-friendly solution.

UBS Managing Director John Pye said:

"We are delighted to bring this product to market, it is a real game changer. The material and installation cost savings, wider operational efficiencies as well as longer-term maintenance options are all significant advantages.

"Industry feedback from barrier manufacturers, installation companies and the car park management sector all widely acknowledge the obvious benefits that the Evolution solution offers, when compared against traditional excavation and construction methods."

Made out of pre-formed engineered rubber, the Evolution bases can be used for the deployment of automatic vehicle barriers, ticket reading and dispensing machines, intercom posts and ANPR bollards.

The surface mounted barrier base removes the need for civils, thus reducing the cost and disruption of making lane separation at vehicle entry and exit points. The modular base sections can be surface fixed with no need for excavation or concrete. Fixings allow for re-tightening and relocation, and removal if necessary.

With universal mounting options for various product manufacturers, bases can be configured to construct island sizes with dimensions between 2m and 6m. Each section has integral cable management and can take undulations.

The barrier base can be lowered into position using the supplied lifting eyes, after the installation area has been prepared and any ducting and cable works undertaken. The preformed channels in the underside of the barrier base modules and surface draw pit provide cable management.

An engineer injects anchor resin into fixing hole; pushes the nylon plug into place and taps the bolt on top until it sits flush with the unit; then tightens the bolts to the maximum available torque using a mechanical impact driver. Options for multiple barriers, readers, ANPR and intercom configurations are available.

Oliver Ridgwick, Managing Director of Synergy Security Systems Ltd said:

"The Evolution barrier base is really quick and easy to install, instead of taking 3 to 4 days to excavate the site and install a concrete plinth - this option takes half a day to a day. The job's done quickly and my team can move onto other projects faster."

Watch the installation video to see for yourself how easy it is to install.

The Evolution barrier base is available now from UBS channel partners - FAAC UK Ltd, Newgate Ltd, NICE UK Ltd and Parking Facilities Limited.

To find about more about the Evolution barrier base please contact Stewart Phillips, Sales Director, Universal Barrier Solutions, sphillips@universalbarriersolutions.co.uk, 01709 792222 or 07967139147.

Universal Barrier Solutions Ltd is at the forefront of barrier and gate solutions. The UK's leading supplier of premium aluminum gates (Alugate) and innovative barrier solution products.

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Monday, 21 May 2018

dormakaba Releases New Cyber and Data Protection Brochure and Video

Leading manufacturer of security and access solutions, dormakaba, has launched its latest brochure promoting products that protect the physical security of data centres, server rooms and server racks.

Created with building service professionals in mind, the brochure includes products suitable for high security applications where the protection of data is paramount. Accompanying the brochure, dormakaba have also created a video to highlight the importance of physical access to secure data centers.

The physical security of data plays a key role in ensuring that information is kept secure and safe from misuse. Whether private to an organisation or an individual, organisations have a responsibility to ensure that all data is kept secure throughout its life-cycle; from the time it’s created, to the time it is used and finally through to the time it’s archived.

The first section of the brochure introduces the main challenges faced when securing data, including where sensitive data resides and how it is stored. With site access restricted to a select group of individuals, data centres and server rooms are environments that require secure and compliant access solutions.

The brochure also includes product categories that recommend fit for purpose solutions depending on the desired application. These range from Cylinder & Key Systems to Electronic Access Control and Safe Locks.

“With GDPR due to come into force at the end this week, organisations now have a heightened awareness of their responsibilities in protecting personal data,” said Clive Baker, Director of Security Locking at dormakaba.

“Whilst many have brought in new policies to guarantee the protection of information, the physical aspect of data security is often overlooked. This brochure has been created to educate those responsible for ensuring compliance with ever more stringent legislation.”

To view the video accompanying the brochure, please visit: www.youtube.com

To receive a free copy of dormakaba’s new Cyber & Data Protection brochure, please download at www.dormakaba.co.uk or contact marketing.gb@dormakaba.com.

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Sunday, 20 May 2018

BMW returns to Le Mans – with the world premiere of the new BMW 8 Series Coupe

24 hours and a great moment: On the eve of the legendary long-distance race at Le Mans, France, BMW will open a new chapter in the brand’s fascinating sports car history.

On 15 June 2018, the countdown to the 24-hour Le Mans race will provide the perfect framework for the world premiere of the new BMW 8 Series Coupe. The new luxury sports car was developed parallel to the BMW M8 GTE with which BMW Motorsport will again take to the Le Mans starting grid the next day for the first time since 2011.

In the second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) 2018, BMW will be fielding two BMW M8 GTEs. These racing cars already demonstrated their potential at the season opener in Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, and the US-American IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

This will now be followed by the debut of the production model, the drive and suspension technology of which benefits tremendously from the experience gained from motor racing. Profound motor sport expertise is concentrated in particular in the new BMW M850i xDrive Coupe, which offers outstanding dynamic handling characteristics thanks to a new V8 engine, intelligent four-wheel drive, controlled rear axle differential lock, Integral Active Steering, adaptive M suspension technology Professional featuring Active Roll Stabilization and 20-inch light alloy wheels boasting high-performance tyres.

“There isn’t be a better setting for the world premiere of the new BMW 8 Series Coupe than the 24-hour race at Le Mans,” says Klaus Fröhlich, board member of the BMW AG, Development. “The race is a pure demonstration of passion, dynamics and long-distance capability. These characteristics define our new sports car in a special way.”

The broad spectrum of the driving experience reflects the unique character of the new BMW 8 Series Coupe within its competitive environment. Spontaneous power delivery, captivating agility and the highest degree of precision in extremely dynamic driving situations underscore the sports car’s race-proven personality.

The new BMW 8 Series Coupe is equally as convincing in the role of the sovereign cruiser that pampers its passengers not only with ride comfort on long stretches of motorway or on country roads, but also with its modern luxury ambience and high-class equipment features.

Therefore, the world premiere of the BMW 8 Series Coupe in Le Mans is also giving an especially emotional go-ahead for the brand’s current model initiative in the luxury class. The increased presence in this segment is one of the fields of action defined by the BMW Group in its NUMBER ONE > NEXT strategy.

With the market launch of the new BMW 8 Series Coupe, which will begin during the course of 2018, the highest standards at the top of the model range in terms of dynamics and driving culture will be fulfilled.

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Saturday, 19 May 2018

Wonder Women: Female hardware experts lead the way at this year’s Institute Awards

For the first time in the Institute of Architectural Ironmongers’ (IAI) history, all of the winners at the IAI Awards are female architectural ironmongers.

The best industry professionals and most promising newcomers within the international door hardware industry were recognised at an IAI awards ceremony at the end of last month.

The IAI Fellowship Award is always given to an individual who has shown a longstanding and ongoing commitment to the IAI over at least 10 years, and who is still actively involved within the industry and Institute.

This year’s winner was Teresa McQuay, managing director at JEB Supplies. Teresa was presented with the Fellowship Award for her commitment to staff training and development through the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers’ (GAI) education programme.

After completing the GAI Diploma herself and becoming a Registered Architectural Ironmonger (RegAI) in 2005, reaching the highest level of professionalism in the door hardware industry, Teresa continued to work closely with the GAI to encourage others to gain the globally recognised qualification. Every member of customer facing staff at Teresa’s company now holds the GAI Diploma.

The Paul Lewis Award for Customer Service is given to an individual, group or company that has made an outstanding commitment to customer services throughout the year. The award is sponsored by Royde & Tucker, and this year went to Sarah Lewis, specification manager at Lorient.

Sarah was chosen as the winner because of her commitment to educating customers about the importance of fire door hardware. Part of this involves visiting architects, specifiers and builders’ merchants across the country delivering CPD presentations.

The GAI Award for Services to the Institute is always awarded to a current IAI member who has made a recent and visible contribution at branch level. This year’s winner was Amanda Haley, technical and marketing director at Ian Firth Hardware.

Amanda has been involved with both the Institute and the Guild since 2001. When she completed her GAI Diploma she became a member of the north west IAI branch and has been delivering CPD presentations to its members for over 10 years. Amanda is now chair of the branch.

The Promising Ironmonger of the Year award went to Samantha Thatcher, office and marketing manager at SDS London. This award is given to the brightest ironmongers in the early stages of their careers. They could be involved in scheduling, estimating, sales or a combination of them all, and the award also recognises they have the charisma and personality to inspire others.

Samantha joined SDS London in 2011 with no knowledge of ironmongery. She has gone on to demonstrate her commitment to learning by recently completing the GAI Diploma and regularly attending IAI branch meetings. Samantha is now the customer service office manager in charge of a team of six, while also maintaining the social media and email marketing of the company.

Jo Milne-Rowe, the newly appointed chair of the IAI, said;

“Year upon year we see the remarkable levels of commitment shown by the Institute members. It is a joy to celebrate the outstanding individuals that we have in our industry and use them to give the next generation of ironmongers something to aspire to.”

The IAI Awards were given at a dinner following the Institute’s AGM, an event that also included CPD opportunities for Institute members and an Ironmongers’ Village area with new door hardware products on display.

www.gai.org.uk/iai

Image (left to right) Teresa McQuay, Samantha Thatcher, Amanda Haley and Maria Powell accepting on behalf of Sarah Lewis

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Friday, 18 May 2018

Abloy UK Hosts Interactive Webinar

Security expert Abloy UK is hosting an interactive webinar at 10am on Thursday 24th May, answering the question: “When is a key more than just a key?”

Hosted by Pip Courcoux, Sales and Product Manager - CLIQ Systems and Steve Wintle, Head of CNI at Abloy UK, the webinar will discuss security integration and how organisations can maintain strict standards required for security whilst enhancing operational efficiencies.

Pip Courcoux

Pip explains: “Technology has come a long way since the invention of the key, and systems such as CLIQ now offer a wide scope of benefits to organisations, including increased operational efficiencies and cost savings, in addition to high security.

“Keys are no longer ‘just keys’ in the traditional sense, they have become technologically connected devices. This opens up a realm of opportunities, including integration with existing Enterprise Resource Planning, H & S, Competence, Permit to Work, Telemetry and SCADA systems. In the critical infrastructure space, the hybrid between mechanical and electronic technologies is ‘key’ to its success, improving planning and control processes.”

Steve Wintle

“Users have secure access to an online management application from anywhere in the world and can change key access permissions, profiles, schedules and validity, even revoking their use virtually at the click of a button.”

“Keys can be validated daily, weekly or monthly keeping them continuously secure, and audit trails are generated. What’s more, physical security can be integrated with existing telemetry systems to help control and manage operations.”

To learn more please join the webinar: meet.assaabloy.net

For further information on products and services available from Abloy UK, visit www.abloy.co.uk, call 01902 364 500, or email marketing@abloy.co.uk.

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Thursday, 17 May 2018

Timber Industry could face "£1 Billion Brexit Bill" if UK leaves Customs Union

The UK timber industry faces a potential "Billion Pound Brexit Bill" if Britain leaves the EU Customs Union, the Timber Trade Federation (TTF) said in a statement earlier this month.

"Some 90% of timber used in construction is imported from Europe, which British timber supplies are insufficient to replace," says TTF Managing Director David Hopkins.

"Under the proposed Taxation Bill, once the UK leaves the EU and its VAT area, VAT on EU imports will have to be paid up-front. This will cause considerable problems for the SMEs who make up the majority of our sector."

The Federation has launched an infographic for legislators, Parliamentarians and the public, explaining what it calls ‘The Timber Tax Bombshell'.

Additional problems highlighted, not just for the timber sector but for construction supply chains in general, include potential delays, and greater costs for storing timber at ports and in administering customs checks and documentation.

"Builders' merchants, and their builder customers, responsible for fulfilling government housing targets, rely on Just-In-Time deliveries of timber to premises and sites. Currently timber entering the UK from the EU clears ports immediately with no need for customs checks," says TTF's David Hopkins. "Over 60% of the timber used in the UK comes from Europe."

The Timber Trade Federation is asking Government to ensure timber imports are able to clear customers in the same manner as present, with no delays or up-front costs likely to penalise SMEs, or to impact Britain's housing supply chains.

"The Government must also preserve the existing VAT payments system for imports from the EU, or put in place a new system which maintains the same benefits," adds David Hopkins.

The timber sector currently employs around 200,000 people across the UK in manufacturing, distribution and construction. Every Parliamentary constituency benefits from jobs stemming from or connected to the timber industry.

Timber prices in the construction supply chain to small builders have already risen by 8% in the last 12 months, according to the Federation of Master Builders. The TTF reports this is due mainly to the currency depreciation since the Brexit vote, and competitive global markets for construction timber pressurising supplies into the UK.

www.ttf.co.uk

www.fmb.org.uk

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Wednesday, 16 May 2018

A Perry & Co partners with local Halesowen College to create new artistic landmark

A new local artistic landmark is due to be created in Cradley Heath through a partnership between Halesowen College and A Perry & Co (Hinges) Ltd, a leading manufacturer and supplier of hinges, hardware, ironmongery, chain and threaded bar, which has been based in the West Midlands for the past 93 years.

The independent, family-owned company has offered the opportunity of designing a representative sculpture of its business to second year students at Halesowen College, supporting them in achieving their final diploma assignment.

The Sculpture

The project was assigned to those students whose preferred artistic discipline is 3D work. After reviewing the submissions, A Perry chose the overall winner, 18-year old Florence Thompson, who will be awarded with a tablet for her achievement. Florence‘s design captures A Perry’s heritage and expertise, as it represents vividly the strong link between the history and future of the brand through two linked hands.

The sculpture will be brought to life by local artist Phil Bayliss over the next few months. He’ll be using A Perry’s products including threaded bar, chain and various types of hinges to complete it.

All students involved in the project will be able to use the work they have created to gain a credit towards their qualifications. The project aligns with an assignment that second year students are completing as part of the final year of their BTEC Extended Diploma in Art & Design.

L to R, T to B Phil Bayliss sculptor, Florence Thompson,
winning design student, Guy Perry MD of A Perry

The process commenced with the students’ visit to A Perry’s premises at Doulton Road, Cradley Heath to view its products and to receive a comprehensive overview of the company’s ethos and history in the region.

Managing director Guy Perry and his son Steven, who also works for the company and heads up the home & garden décor products called Primus, then visited the college on two occasions to check on the direction the students were taking and to provide additional feedback. The students responded to the challenge in a committed, professional manner, producing five interesting concepts which were put forward for approval to A Perry’s board of directors.

Close-up of the Sculpture

John Murray, director of organisational development at Halesowen College, says,

“The assignment was an ideal opportunity for students to work on a commercially relevant ‘live brief’. Within the Creative Arts Faculty, staff are keen to provide learners with experience of ‘real world’ applications to enhance their skills. We are eager to stress the employment opportunities that exist within the creative industries and this particular project is both commercially and aesthetically interesting. It provided students with a structured set of ‘customer requirements’ to work to and it involved them presenting their initial sketches and models to the ‘customer’, explaining their concepts and thought processes. Going forward, the relationship between Halesowen College and A Perry & Co is developing well and we are identifying future projects that we can get involved with. We are grateful for the partnership and hope an increasing number of students will be able to benefit from these exciting opportunities.”

Guy Perry, managing director, who joined the family firm in 1981 as an apprentice, says,

“A Perry takes its commitment to nurture and develop local talent very seriously and we are working proactively towards providing opportunities for these students within our industry aligned with our ‘Progress with Perry’ apprenticeship programme, which provides opportunities for long-term employment within our organisation. We’re opening our doors to fresh, determined minds whose vision aligns with our motto: ‘We don’t do boring’. The process has been very exciting so far and now everyone’s on tenterhooks waiting for Florence’s project to be turned into reality.”

For more details visit www.perrytrade.co.uk.

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Tuesday, 15 May 2018

‘Belgium doors’ from SWA members soar in popularity

Steel windows have remained an enduring element in both domestic and commercial buildings for centuries due to their slim sight-lines combined with rugged performance; yet they, like many building products, are subject to trends in styles and application.

Most recently, members of the Steel Window Association have reported a resurgence in the popularity of steel framed entrance screens and partitions; normally featuring a pair of double doors flanked by fixed lights, and referred to as Belgium Doors. These are most commonly installed as the outer door to a porch area, offering excellent weather protection while admitting the maximum amount of natural light.

While these screen assemblies are revisiting a long-established arrangement of steel sections, the availability of modern systems and enhanced glazing options means that contemporary installations can significantly outperform those projects that provide inspiration to today’s customers and their consultants.

Darren Lloyd of Govette Windows, an SWA member, reports:

“We, and a number of other association members, have been asked to quote on these types of screens – for both interior and exterior use – over the last couple of years; and it seems they are really starting to make a comeback. This has applied to both new build and refurbishment projects.

“The “Belgium Doorset” contains a pair of side-hung opening doors together with side-lights forming a larger run. The design preference is to have two sets of horizontal bars running right the way across and producing equal pane sizes. They are proving popular with customers who might previously have purchased timber or aluminium bi-folding doors. We can compete on both price and performance with the steel option offering far better security and enhanced light transmission.”

For further information on the Steel Window Association, please visit www.steel-window-association.co.uk or call 020 8543 2841.

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Monday, 14 May 2018

Celebrating 175 years of Yale!

It’s 1843, the first type writer is patented, ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens is published and Mount Etna erupts in Italy. It’s also the year when Yale was established in the UK.

To mark the big birthday, Yale has a range of activities taking place including social media competitions, product offers and a complete programme of content celebrating Yale’s history.

Paul Atkinson, Sales and Commercial Director for Yale Door and Window Solutions, said:

“Yale is one of the oldest brands in the home security market and its longevity highlights the trust and confidence customers have in the brand. The yellow circle has become a symbol synonymous with reliability and quality and it’s no surpise 175 years on Yale is still the market leader.

“As we take a look back at our history, it’s interesting to see how we have innovated and grown as a company over the years and how we continue to develop inline with industry trends to stay ahead of the curve – for example with the Smart Living range.”

First founded by the Yale family in the 19th century, Linus Yale Sr. began work on a range of high security bank locks, patenting his first Combination Lock in 1843. However, it was only in 1850 when their son Linus Yale Jr. joined the company that progress really began, patenting the famous pin tumbler cylinder lock in 1857 which helped create the Yale we know today.

During the following century, Yale would become a globally known brand, designing and manufacturing security solutions for commercial and residential buildings. 175 years on since Yale began, over 125 countries now stock Yale products and the company has branched out from traditional door locks, to a portfolio that now includes window hardware, padlocks and safes.

For further information on Yale’s big birthday, please call 01902 366800 or visit www.yaledws.co.uk.

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