Pro Installer December 2023 - Issue 129 | Page 18

News
18 | DECEMBER 2023

News

Read online at www . proinstaller . co . uk

THE VALUE OF PARTNERSHIPS

Glazpart is delighted to announce that General All-purpose Plastics ( GAP ) have become Glazpartners - the marketing partnership set up by Glazpart to develop closer collaboration with customers for mutual benefit .
GAP are low maintenance PVC-U building product specialists , who have been successfully supplying the trade for 30 years for both the residential and commercial building markets .
With headquarters in Blackburn , Lancashire , GAP has four manufacturing hubs spread across the UK and have been manufacturing , distributing and stocking PVC-U systems for over 25 years , including their Rockdoor composite doors and HomeFrame
PVC-U windows and door brands .
The low maintenance specialists supply ( the GAP brands ) across England , Scotland and Wales across an expansive network of over 85 + depots covering the UK from Inverness all the way to Southampton .
GAP has extensive knowledge and experience when it comes to fenestration and are a proud to be a Glazpartner as they have
been using the Glazpart vents within their designs for over a year , upgrading to the Link Vent after the Building Regulations ( Part F ventilation ) changed in July 2022 .
The ‘ Link Vent ’ range sizes include 5000 , 4000 and 2500 EQA . Equivalent Area ( EQA ) is the measure of the vents ’ airflow performance .
The vents are designed to fully comply with building
regulations , Approved document F1 ( means of ventilation ).
With a clever design that is simple and user-friendly for both opening and closing - the Link Vent ’ s innovative closing action allows the closure plate to be positioned so that it reduces draughts by directing air away from occupants .
The Link Vent 4000 and 5000 closure plate is split to allow for partial ( 50 %)
opening and greater ease of opening of the ventilator .
The Link Vent also has rounded ends of the vent and is available in either screw or clip in fixing types - the design eliminates the need for end caps whilst the clip fix design ( Pawl ’ s ) allows for a fast , easy vent installation .
With smart design , easy fitting , and functionality as well as a huge choice of 1000s of colours and decorative finishes , it ’ s easy to see why GAP chose the Link Vent for its extensive range of windows and doors .
Simon Bird , Joint MD , GAP commented , “ It is an honour to develop our partnership with Glazpart , who have provided an incredible solution to what has been an issue for
the fenestration sector in recent years . This newly formed partnership will allow us to continue providing our customers with the best quality units for installation whilst meeting the updated regulations with ease .” Dean Bradley , Sales Director , Glazpart added , “ We are delighted that GAP are Glazpartners and happy to supply our award-winning Link Vent range for GAP windows and doors . The Link Vent offers a superb solution for ventilating the home and blends in with the overall design of the window . Its proving increasingly popular with fabricators , manufacturers , installers and homeowners across the UK .”
www . glazpart . com

A TALE OF INNOVATION AND PROGRESS

The history of lightweight roofing is a tale of innovation and progress , marked by the conception of the brand that made it possible . Just as Hoover is to vacuum cleaners , DECRA stands as the eponym brand that has left a lasting mark on the world of roofing . Over time , the evolution of roofing materials and techniques has been a testament to human innovation , combining artistry and engineering to protect homes and structures from the elements . However , it was DECRA that set a new industry standard , creating an era of durability , aesthetics , and innovation that transformed not only the roofs over our heads but also the way we envision the very concept of roofing itself .
By looking at the innovation timeline , the roots of DECRA can be traced to New Zealand native , Mr . L . J . Fisher . While in Britain , Fisher encountered Mr . Ben Booth ’ s road tar and crushed stone coated tiles and recognised their potential saleability
. Combining his industrial acumen with this innovative concept , he developed the first ‘ Decramastic ’ metal tile in 1957 , marking the beginning of the ‘ DECRA roof concept ’ and the renaissance of the lightweight roofing industry .
DECRA ’ s success did not go unnoticed . The 1980s saw further innovation as DECRA replaced the bituminous emulsion with an acrylic barrier coating system ,
known as ‘ Decrabond .’ This coating was designed to withstand the harmful effects of UV light , making DECRA roofs even more resilient .
The 90s saw a second renaissance with the rise of more lightweight roofing manufacturers . Metrotile began distributing stone-coated pressed metal tiles to the European market , and Tileform UK rebranded as Britmet Tileform in 1995
and introduced the only British-made , lightweight metal panels to the UK marketplace . Britmet developed further tile profile designs , including double roman , rosemary , and composite slate tiles made from 94 % recycled polymers .
Fast forward to the 21st century , and the DECRA brand recognition still remains strong . However , while the DECRA name is visible in the market , the original product is no longer available in the UK . As a result , Britmet emerged during the early 1990s as the leading manufacturer of lightweight roofing products in the UK .
If you are asked for DECRA or have a project that ’ s ideal for a lightweight , lowpitch solution , you can rely on Britmet ’ s durable , sustainable , British-made solution . From a classic Roman-style tile to an authentic slate look , Britmet has a wide range of profiles to choose from , designed to last a lifetime .
www . britmet . co . uk
References : https :// www . tilcor . com / us / about-us / our-history /, https :// www . britmet . co . uk / history . asp , https :// www . decraroofs . eu / en / company / our-history #:~: text = Decra % 20is % 20proud % 20of % 20its , roofing % 20 tiles % 20in % 20New % 20Zealand , https :// www . bmigroup . com / uk / about-us / news / the-roaring-20s-and-40s-see-bmi-take-shape /, https :// www . bmigroup . com / uk / downloads / redland-downloads /, https :// www . arrowrenovation . com / roof-replacement / technical-papers / 29532-decra-roofs-handle-the-harshest-weather-conditions . html , http :// www . decra . com . my / decra-history /, https :// www . metrotile . co . uk / decra-uklightweight-roofing-an-introduction /, https :// roofingtoday . co . uk / metrotile-uk-acquired-by-belgium-roof-tile-group /, https :// companies . fandom . com / wiki / RoofTG , https :// www . metrotile . eu / about-us / our-history /