DOORS&WINDOWS
Traditionally
Modern
The case of the
uPVC Flush
Casement
» OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS,
Clearview has teamed up with Titan Trade
Windows to document its journey into
aluminium. Through product profiles,
interviews, and opening up a new branch of
business during lockdown, Leigh Titchener,
Titan’s MD has contributed regularly to this
very magazine on the exciting new venture.
Throughout the entire process, however, Leigh
has always maintained that the aluminium
side of Titan would never take over from
uPVC and the two would sit side-by-side.
Well, here we have ‘case in point’ as he
discusses one of his - and his customer’s -
favourite uPVC products: the Spectus uPVC
Flush Casement…
“The more of these we install, the more
people want them,” Leigh begins. “The uPVC
Flush Casement is certainly at the top end of
the market, but for us, it really represents a big
share of the market too.
“We describe it as ‘Traditionally Modern’,
because in essence the Flush Casement seems
like a heritage product, and that’s what the
original design would’ve been based on.
When specified in a timber-look finish, with
complementary hardware, the Flush Casement
indeed has a very traditional aesthetic, in
keeping with properties that are 100s of years
old, or even new-build cottages that want
that appearance. Yet, when manufactured in
uPVC you have all the modern aspects that
go with that ‘old’ aesthetic; namely extremely
low U-values (down to 1.4W/m 2 ), minimal
maintenance, top notch security, range of
colours/styles, etc.
“More, recently however, an Anthracite ‘flat’
finish with more up-to-date hardware offers a
really sleek and stylised appearance; still with
all the same high-spec safety, security, and
energy efficient benefits. So again, for a brandnew
build or a ‘Grand Designs’ renovation
project - the white rendered look alongside
new doors, windows, extension with bi-folds
etc - the uPVC Flush Casement ticks all the
boxes.
“Versatility is perhaps the number one
benefit for the uPVC Flush Casement.
As a fabricator, once you understand the
variety of options available and how you can
combine them all - mortise and tenon-looking
joints, welded or mitred weld, traditional
ironmongery, timber-look finish, or solid
colour - to name a few, you can get a really
strong foothold with your own customers who
are looking for the highest quality product,
that can be sold in quantity across a vast range
of properties from conservation areas to ultramodern
developments.
“When it comes to downsides, there aren’t
any negatives to the product really, but from
an installation point of view, you have to
really know your way around the window. The
beauty of the product - that it’s flush - with
visible sight-lines can also be a beast for the
fitter. There’s minimal room for error – it’s
important to toe and heal the window sash to
maintain an even sightline around the rebate
otherwise it spoils the look of the window
- but once you know what you’re doing it
makes for a very impressive installation, and a
premium product to add to your portfolio. So,
to installers that might be put off by the Flush
Casement, I would say it’s well worth taking
the time to speak to fabricators and see if you
can start selling them.
“Going back to my original point, which
in a nutshell was ‘the more we sell, the more
we sell’ is testament to the product. It has that
real ‘I want one of those’ factors that when a
neighbour sees them going in, they want the
same for their house. Again, for independent
installers that rely on word of mouth, getting
into this market and doing well will pay
dividends.
“At Titan, 2020 for us has really been an
adventure into aluminium, with a side dish of
the obvious circumstances that every one in
every industry has also been going through!
Demand has been there, we hope the supply
chain can continue to keep up. One thing
we’ve realised throughout the whole year
though, and the last 25 years, is that when you
pick the right products, and understand them
properly - what you can do with them, and
what they can do for you - and your customer
- you’re always in a strong position. That’s
always been the case for us with uPVC Flush
Casement.”
Find out more about Titan Trade
Windows, its products, and uPVC
Flush Casement installation inspiration
at www.titantradewindows.co.uk
38 » SEP 2020 » CLEARVIEW-UK.COM