WINDOWEXTRA
Premium products enter the mainstream
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THE MARKET IS CHANGING AND homeowners are increasingly interested in premium products that look different from standard white PVCu frames . Paul Lindsay , Epwin Window Systems ’ Sales Director , says this trend offers a fantastic opportunity for fabricators and installers and discusses how to make the most of it .
Today , PVCu is the dominant window material and the market has comprehensively bought in to the low maintenance , high thermal efficiency benefits it offers . In fact , 70 % of all installations now involve replacing earlier generations of PVCu windows , not their timber equivalents . This has led to an interesting market shift . As well as wanting the practical benefits of PVCu , homeowners are looking for something more . Recent market figures show that homeowners are looking for authenticity from their replacement windows and want to recreate the elegant looks that were lost when the first PVCu casements were installed . In other words , they want all the practical advantages of PVCu with the elegance of ‘ traditional ’ style windows .
This shift is good news for the industry : vertical sliding windows and other ‘ heritage ’ style windows are high end , high value items and can add real value to a portfolio . We can see how much of a difference this shift to higher end products makes when we consider that last year the market saw an 5.5 % increase in installed value against only a 1.2 % growth in volume . As such , the trend towards choosing these style of products offers excellent opportunities to secure lucrative business .
The important thing to remember is that if you are going to meet – and exceed – expectations you need to have the right product in your portfolio . And to do that you need look no further than the market leader : the Spectus Vertical Slider .
It ’ s the market leader for the reason : it offers all the benefits homeowners are looking for , not least its authentic appearance . The very fact it ’ s renowned for being smiled upon by planning officers speaks volumes .
And it ’ s a reputation that can only increase following our introduction of a mechanically jointed option on the window last year . The option retains all the authentic and admired features of the best-selling version and takes them to the next level with mechanically jointed sashes and frames . It ’ s the perfect option for projects where homeowners want to have the ultimate in authenticity .
Whether homeowners choose the mechanically jointed version or the standard version , they will appreciate the authentic ovolo shape on the frame , bead , sash and cill and the flush gaskets that mimic traditional glazing . Optional Georgian glazing bars , sash horns , weather bars , a deep bottom rail and large and small sash profiles that give equal sightlines to the top and bottom sashes add to the appearance . A wide range of colours and foiled finishes complete the period look .
At the same time , it ’ s an incredibly modern window . It ’ s designed to achieve a Window Energy Rating of Band ‘ A ’ with 24mm sealed units , while draughts are prevented thanks to the pile seals to the sash and outerframe . Both sliding sashes can tilt inwards for easy cleaning and the balance mechanisms work smoothly , so there ’ s no struggling to open it .
It has all the certifications you look for . It is Kitemarked to BS EN 12608 , certified to PAS 24 , approved by Secured By Design and the British Board of Agrément . We manufacture under a quality management system that conforms to BS EN ISO 9001 and are recognised for responsible sourcing under BES 6001 . Plus , because it ’ s a Spectus window you benefit from intelligent touches such as a 128mm outerframe that matches timber sash dimensions , making installation easier .
Plus , because it ’ s a Spectus window you benefit from intelligent touches such as a 128mm outerframe that matches timber sash dimensions , making installation simple . There is also the advantage of the widest range of ancillaries on the market to create a perfect finish .
To help you make the most of all the opportunities that the Spectus Vertical Slider offers , we ’ ll support you all the way with everything from technical expertise to bespoke marketing packages . And in our membership programme Excellence as Standard you get the tools you need to drive quality throughout your business – and secure more sales .
The changing market represents a massive opportunity for the industry because it ’ s a shift away from a competition on price to being a competition on quality and authenticity . And in the Spectus Vertical Slider you have a tried and tested winning formula .
66 » MAR 2018 » CLEARVIEW-UK . COM