Clearview 230 - January 2021 | Page 41

Annual Predictions

2021 , the year of the transformation

» 2020 HAS INDEED BEEN A transformative year and brought about significant change in people ’ s lives , both at work and at home . Millions of people throughout the UK will have spent more time in their homes than ever before . For many , they also have the benefit of having money in the bank they haven ’ t been able to spend this year due to Covid restrictions .
At Freefoam we are already seeing evidence of these changes as sales of our external cladding , which has skyrocketed since lockdown . It is an easy , low maintenance way of updating tired , outdated facades giving properties an instant face lift .
Another outcome of home working is the need for more space . The UK has some of the smallest homes in Europe , so a garden office or studio is often the best way to create additional working space . In a sign that homeworking will remain part of the ‘ new normal ’ in 2021 , the 2020 Renovation Nation Report said garden studios are one of the top renovations expected to add value to the home . Freefoam ’ s wide range of cladding solutions , including our Fortex and X-Wood brands , are a popular choice for these projects , such as this transformation from old garden room to smart office space , using Fortex Weatherboard in Sage Green .
And all these changes will bring opportunities for installers in 2021 . The roll of the ‘ installer ’ in these transformations is becoming more important in influencing and delivering homeowner ’ s expectations - as the decision-making process is based on ‘ aspiration ’ not just need . Promoting cladding alongside other home improvement work , such as new windows , doors and roofline , can bring extra business and a new area of growth for home improvement businesses .
With all these projects taking place around the UK , Freefoam have just launched a photo competition to find the best transformations . Open to any installer we ’ ll be choosing a winner each month and offering some great prizes .
2021 will be the year of the Transformation , and our challenge to all installers is are you an Installer , or a Transformer .
www . freefoam . com

AN EXCITING 2021 LIES AHEAD

Howard Trotter , Shelforce Business Manager
» FOR ALMOST EVERY INDUSTRY , the year we have left behind has been one of the toughest to navigate , and that has certainly been the case in our sector .
Making sure our staff were supported through lockdown , and providing them with a safe working environment to return to , was a challenge but , like the rest of the industry , we have seen demand rise during the second half of the year .
Having worked on it for two years , we were also able to launch our new , fully compliant Fireshel fire resistant door which has been hugely exciting .
Having received our first major fire door order in the autumn for 210 fire doors , now supplied and installed to three blocks of flats in Birmingham that support retirement and sheltered housing , we ’ re expecting the big thing for us in 2021 will be fire doors .
Fire safety standards have quite rightly been tightened and local authorities will need to replace existing fire doors if they don ’ t meet current fire or smoke resistance performance . Those new fire doors will then need to be
routinely inspected and maintained by a suitably qualified professional .
We ’ re in a competitive market place but we are planning to offer a comprehensive fire door package with our Fireshel system , ranging from fabrication through to installation , maintenance , and repair – making things as easy as possible for Local Authorities , and saving them money .
We are also aiming to win even more contracts with Local Authorities , in social housing and the New Build sector , provide products that allow our citizens to enjoy a comfortable and safe home , and continue to adopt our fully-inclusive approach to our workforce .
The whole team is also very excited about appearing on ITV4 ’ s new series of Made In Britain , which will be on screens next spring . It ’ s a great opportunity for us to show what we do and hopefully change the general public ’ s perception of our industry , which can be quite negative .
www . shelforce . com
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