APRIL 2020 | 3
News
Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk
Atlas announces 2020’s
first Installation of
the Month winner
Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions has
named North West Bifolds as 2020’s
first winner of the Atlas Installation
of the Month competition.
The Merseyside-based firm
was January’s unanimous winner
for a stunning Atlas lantern
installation on a large period
property in Keston, Kent. The
homeowner was keen to create
a large, yet light-filled space to
enjoy the three-acre garden all
year round and turned to North
West Bifolds for advice on the
best products.
Having installed several Atlas
lanterns already, North West
Bifolds had no hesitation in
recommending an 11x2 metre
super-slim framed Atlas lantern in
Pebble Grey (RAL 7032) to com-
plement the red brick exterior of
the property.
With no unsightly tie bars to
detract from the views, the new
lantern has maximised the flow
of light into the new extension.
North West Bifolds incorporated
eight remote controlled openers
in the roof to provide additional
ventilation and installed alumin-
ium bi-fold doors to seamlessly
connect the indoor and outdoor
spaces.
Steve Sharples, director of
North West Bifolds, said: “The
homeowner had a clear idea of
what they wanted to achieve, so
it was vital to get the design and
choice of materials absolutely
right. Everything we specified
needed to live up to the high
expectations of this homeowner
who wanted a space that blended
into the garden, whilst drawing
as much light in as possible. The
Atlas roof was the only lantern
we recommended and the end re-
sult is an absolute triumph. This
is the first time we’ve entered
this competition and we’re very
proud to win an award for it.
Despite the size of the Atlas
lantern, it took just one day
for the four-man team, which
included Steve’s son Connor, to
install it.
“The roof is very quick and easy
to fit and the client was really
impressed with how fast their
extension was completed, Steve
adds. “Being able to rapidly make
a build warm and watertight is a
huge advantage and one of the
reasons why we like the Atlas
lantern so much. The roof is the
focal point of the space – it looks
amazing and the client is absolute-
ly thrilled with this finished result.”
Each month, the winning
installer will scoop a £200 John
Lewis voucher and a £50 Majes-
tic Wine gift card. There’s also
trade industry PR and promotion
through the Atlas website, as well
as entry into the Atlas Installer of
the Year award finals.
Entries can be submitted via
Twitter to @Atlasroofjohn using
the hashtag #AtlasShowOff
or on email to marketing@
atlasroofsolutions.co.uk
www.atlasroofsolutions.co.uk
GGF’S RISA OFFERS EXPERT WITNESS
SERVICE FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Disputes concerning the
specification or installation of
domestic windows and doors are
disruptive and costly and increas-
ingly so the longer they continue,
for all parties. In recognition of
the growing need for services
that are able to resolve such
disputes quickly and decisively
RISA, the Glass & Glazing Federa-
tion’s independent inspection and
auditing division, has launched
its Expert Witness service to
provide representation in the
event of such disputes. As part
of the GGF, the UK’s foremost
representative body for the glass
and glazing industry, RISA is one
of the sector’s most authoritative
and respected expert organisa-
tions.
RISA’s RICS accredited experts
focus on residential window and
door installations and can act as
a single joint expert or as a party
appointed expert and produce
high quality reports in line with
the Civil Procedure Rules for ex-
pert witnesses. The organisation’s
main areas of expertise include:
• Domestic window and door
installations
• Building Regulation compli-
ance inspections
• Specification disputes
• Operating to British Standard
8213-4
• Civil Procedure Rules com-
pliant
RISA is a UKAS-accredited Type
A Inspection Body and the sole
provider of inspection services
for FENSA, the replacement win-
dow and door industry’s largest
and longest established Building
Regulations compliance schemes.
Services may be provided for
either party directly involved in
a dispute, act on behalf of legal
teams, or organisations including
local authorities and private and
public sector landlords for exam-
ple, in larger disputes.
RISA will provide initial inspec-
tion and reporting that may in
itself prevent escalation of a dis-
pute, or should the issue remain
unresolved, RISA may provide
expert witness services, acting as
a single joint expert or as a party
appointed expert and produce a
high quality report in line with
the Civil Procedure Rules for
expert witnesses.
Dave Mechem, RISA Director of
Operations and highly regarded
for his expertise, says it was a
natural progression to formalise
the service following unprece-
dented demand for such support:
“RISA has unparalleled inspection
expertise in the glazing industry
and it therefore makes perfect
sense that we provide Expert
Witness services for trade federa-
tions, local authorities, solicitors
and homeowners alike.”
RISA Assessor Manager Lee
Galley has already been involved
in the resolution of many such
disputes: “Our expertise and
impartiality are readily accepted
when we have been asked to
adjudicate and disputes are then
quickly resolved, sometimes end-
ing disagreements that have gone
on for some time. Where once
we would have been asked to
intervene informally, the creation
of the RISA Expert Witness Ser-
vice means that potential users
may gain expertise earlier in the
process.”
For more information visit www.
risaltd.co.uk/expertwitness or
email [email protected]