How installers can benefit
by using an A-Rated fitting
system for A-Rated windows
By Alistair Inglis – National Sales Manager, illbruck (pictured).
We all know that there
are heat savings and cost
benefits associated with
fitting the highest rated
windows now offered by
window manufacturers, (A
or A+ on the BFRC’s WER
scheme).
Technological advances
over the last few years have
been phenomenal, including
triple glazing, metallic coated
glass and the filling of sealed
units with inert gases such
as argon.
So why do installers
continue to fit these hi-tech
windows using yesterday’s
‘silicone only’ sealing
technology? Why not give
an A rated window an A
Rated installation?
The solution is already
out there, and it’s the norm
for domestic windows in
continental Europe and
increasingly commercial
windows in the UK where
weather tightness, thermal
efficiency, air tightness and
acoustic properties are all
important in reaching the
highest building standards
such as Passive House and
BREEAM excellent.
illbruck has developed a
simple system based on
using impregnated tapes and
an expanding polyurethane
foam that gives the benefits
of both thermal and sound
installation in addition to
weather and airtightness.
But looking at this from
the installer’s point of view
reveals a win/win situation
for both the installer
and importantly their
customers.
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Firstly site trials show
that installation speed is
20% faster per window for
a competent fitter once
they get used to using the
products in the system. This
means that the installer can
get to the next job faster.
Also you can fit an
impregnated tape system in
all weathers, no need to wait
for the rain to stop (which
could be hours).
A silicone fitting provides
a great opportunity to
“get it wrong”. Does every
installer always apply silicone
perfectly and consistently
to the correct depth? And
whoever was sent to the
supplier, did they pick up
the correct silicone type for
window installation? It’s an
easy mistake to make but
using the wrong product
has big implications. With
an impregnated tape system
you know the joint is being
filled to the correct depth
with the right product time
after time. You can see the
product expanding to fill the
gap between the window
frame and the finished
wall. This includes large
variances in the wall which
would normally need filling
with mastic or cement. Less
opportunity for a mistake
means less call-backs, less
remedial work, and ultimately
less cost.
An impregnated tape
system also lasts longer
than silicone. Every installer
has seen silicone that has
peeled away, or bubbled
and degraded. Impregnated
tapes simply last longer and
look good too, and as they
are flush with the joint not
likely to be ripped off by an
over enthusiastic window
cleaner.
Finally, would your
customer pay a little extra
for an A-Rated window
installation to match their
A-Rated windows? To the
installer the cost of using
the A-Rated system works
ou t at about 1% of the entire
job cost. But many installers
regard an impregnated tape
system as so good that they
offer it as a premium add-on
giving that extra bit of profit
opportunity.
The benefits to the
consumer are obvious, a
window installation that will
perform as it was originally
intended with no leakage
of heat around the window
joint with the brickwork,
and guaranteed weather
tightness. And it’s quieter
too, with substantial acoustic
advantages. This is what
customers expect from
their new A-rated windows
purchase.
illbruck’s pedigree is
important. We are the
undisputed market leader,
with over 80 years’
experience, and every year
illbruck sells more than
100,000 Km of impregnated
tape. That’s enough to go
round the world two and
a half times. The A-Rated
installation system for
domestic installers is an
adaptation of a proven
commercial system that’s
been successful for over a
decade.
There are hundreds of
thousands of successful
installations all over Europe,
and technical support,
backup and training are all
available from a UK based
distribution centre and sales
and marketing team.
So why not join the growing
number of installers offering
an A-Rated installation for
A-Rated windows? For more
information, call us, visit our
website, or see us at the
FIT Show which features
our “Have One On Us” offer.
Fit your first house with an
A-Rated installation for free.
www.tremco-illbruck.com
024 7685 5557