INDUSTRYNEWS FROMTHEEDITOR
May day , May day – this is an SOS
May is the month with two bank holidays , two four-day weeks ( if you ’ re lucky ) and as the world is becoming just a little bit more normal ; two long weekends that we can spend with family and friends in some kind of capacity .
» IN THAT CASE , ‘ WHY ?’ I HEAR YOU ASK have I started this month ’ s introduction with a distress call ? Well this SOS is slightly different , as I ’ m not so much ‘ lost at sea ’, rather on the hunt for ‘ someone or something ’ to send a response …
Here at Clearview Group , we are constantly on the look out for leading lights in the industry , beacons of business , a door to cling onto ( if you will ) plus windows , conservatories , roofs , hardware , safety and security – I want it all . You may have noticed that for the past few months , our Clearview magazines have been bigger than ever before . Likewise , we are just putting the finishing touches to the largest Pro Installer ( in terms of pages ) that I have ever known since becoming editor at the Group .
We never like to tread water here at Clearview , across any of our titles , so first of all I ’ d like to say a big ‘ thank you ’ to all the brands and businesses that make appearances on our pages , send in information , take part in interviews and choose our magazines ( print and online ) to get their news directly into the hands of everyone in fenestration , from fitter to fabricator .
Secondly to our readers , a message to you that we always appreciate your support , and whether you ’ re reading this at work or at home ( on one of those lovely extra days off we get this month ), may this letter find you happy and healthy , but most of all , another ‘ thank you ’ to all of our audience .
Last , but certainly not least – my SOS . If you are someone with something to say , what are you waiting for ? I always want to hear the latest industry insight , expert comment , your news and reviews . What products are in design and development , what at work makes you tick , and what are you sick of hearing about or from ( me ?).
Get in touch , and see you next time ,
See you next time , Gemma , Editor
Building regulations proposed amendments - effects on consumer costs for double glazing
» THERE ARE PROPOSED amendments to building regulations in England and Wales with a consultation period ending on the 12th April . We feel that consumers need to be made aware of the practical effects of these amendments before they are due to come into force .
There are proposed amendments to Part L ( conservation of fuel and power ) and Part F ( ventilation ). Some amendments to Part L will be positive for consumers , as they will impose a minimum B energy rating and ultimately reduce household energy bills .
However , a proposed amendment to Part F , which regulates a home ’ s ventilation , is concerning . It aims to make trickle vents mandatory for most replacement windows , which was unsuccessfully put forward in 2006 .
A good quality trickle vent adds £ 50 on average to the price of each replacement window , which is , in our view , an unnecessary extra cost to the consumer which quickly adds up across an entire house .
We estimate that the introduction of mandatory trickle vents will cost the consumer around £ 60 million per year . And to what benefit ?
Our arguments are : 1 . It is obvious that windows can simply be opened to allow for sufficient ventilation , rendering trickle vents pointless .
2 . They compromise the aesthetics of a consumer ’ s brand new , otherwise attractive windows .
3 . Trickle vents have a detrimental impact on a window ’ s efficiency and integrity .
4 . Trickle vents can let moist , cold air into the property along with noise , pollution , and small insects .
All of this is contrary to energy saving principles . Making replacement windows more expensive and less efficient will deter potential consumers from investing in energy efficient products .
Understandably , many consumers who are forced to have trickle vents in their windows will simply cover them to keep out unpleasant cold air , noise , pollution , and insects . From experience , we know that it is not uncommon for customers to ‘ blank off ’ trickle vents : filling them in internally in an attempt to restore some of the window ’ s prior efficiency . These consumers are ultimately left with an unsightly , expensive feature on their windows which offers them no use or benefit .
Kindest regards , Anthony C Jones FIAM FInstSMM Chairman National Federation of Glaziers
www . nfoglon . org . uk
4 » APR 2021 » CLEARVIEW-UK . COM