FROM THE EDITOR
On balance , does fenestration offer the best of both worlds ?
» PEOPLE CAN OFTEN TRY AND SPLIT THEMSELVES INTO two camps : Type A and Type B ; creative or logical . And , when we put together Clearview magazine every month , on paper ( pun very much intended ), we try to strike a balance between the two . Looking at the special features in this edition – Fire Safety & Security , Solid Roof Technology and Glass & Sealed Units Extra – in my mind , September is a technical-focused issue as opposed to the ‘ pretty ’ product pieces of Colour , Heritage , Garden Rooms etc . Yet , as is nearly always the case , there ’ s two sides to the story …
There are some lines that lend themselves beautifully to stunning case studies . Full-scale renovations of period properties , ultra-modern light-filled commercial buildings , suited hardware sets , futuristic smart security solutions ; you get the picture . Behind the beautiful photography however is often years of research and development , trial and error , testing and certification , legislation and regulation . By the time the homeowner is choosing which shade of grey to have for their garden room frame ; it ’ s likely the next generation of the same range is already being worked on back at that brand ’ s HQ .
Similarly , when it comes to the technical workings of products – whether they are designed to keep people safe , meet new legislation for insulation or ventilation , prevent fires or promote sustainability , specifiers and consumers no longer have to choose between useful or beautiful . It is often entirely the case now that you can have multiple options when it comes to the finish and fit of even the most arbitrary-seeming accessories . But why is this important ?
Opinions may be split on this but for me there are several reasons . Firstly , it demonstrates a dynamic industry that refuses to rest when it comes to product design and development . Why have something ‘ fit for purpose ’ when you can exceed expectations , predict future changes and adapt to them in advance , plus make it aesthetically beautiful at the same time ? Secondly , with every product that is fabricated and fitted , we are advertising the world of fenestration as an industry open to all types of skills and sensitivities . The excellence in engineering , the science that is intrinsic to the sector , the art and design , the communication and logistics , the businessmen and women , the eco warriors and the ‘ I ’ m a people person ’; show me a high performing brand in this industry that doesn ’ t need every one of those .
It really doesn ’ t matter if you ’ re type A or B , or even a bit of both . Here , we go for type C : Clearview .
See you next time , Gemma
Glazing Summit reaches out to industry to help shape agenda
With a little over a month to go before this year ’ s Glazing Summit , the agenda is starting to take shape .
» AND ORGANISERS HAVE asked the industry to have its say on what the biggest issues are ahead of the event , which takes place on Tuesday , October 18 at Edgbaston Stadium and is expected to attract more than 400 business leaders from across the sector .
Andrew Scott , founder of the Glazing Summit , said : “ The Glazing Summit has fast become a must-attend event due to throwing open debate and discussion on the biggest current topics and issues facing the industry .
“ But it is very much the industry ’ s event , which is why we have reached out to installers , fabricators and systems companies to see what they think should be on the agenda for our new panel of industry leaders to discuss this year .”
Should the supply chain still be front and centre of discussions ? How has the industry coped with the new Part L , Part F and Document Q regulations ? Does the skills shortage or the rise in price still need to be discussed ?
“ Last year ’ s event came at a pivotal moment after the pandemic and this year is no less important ,” added Andrew . “ And we want everybody in the industry to have their say to make this year ’ s Glazing Summit the best yet .”
www . glazingsummit . co . uk
4 SEPTEMBER 2022 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM