The Ultraframe Classic system was first launched over 35 years ago , and while the system has changed greatly over the years , many of those fitting it today are still the same companies that got on board with the UK ’ s first conservatory roof system back in the early days .

One such loyal Ultraframe Classic customer is Elmhurst Windows of West Yorkshire . The business is headed up by Richard Abrahams , who joined the business as a holiday job back in 1991 and is now the CEO . During this time Richard has grown the company to be one of West Yorkshire ’ s most successful home improvement companies and credits Ultraframe and its systems – including Classic - as playing an important part in that success .

Commenting on his 30 + years as an Ultraframe customer , Richard said : “ I ’ m proud to call myself a loyal Ultraframe user and have been for over 30 years to date . We emerged into the conservatory market when Ultraframe came on the scene , I suppose we have always followed Ultraframe ’ s lead ! It was the start of the white box with a polycarbonate roof but of course , much has changed since then .

“ I remember many trips to Clitheroe for sales and technical training . Most of our

fitting teams and surveyors have attended courses and taken advantage of the wonderful hospitality and the excellent training that is available .

“ We have remained loyal to the Ultraframe brand for over 30 years and have fitted the Classic Roof for that whole time , as well as the Livinroof and Ultraroof systems more recently . Far from the ‘ white boxes ’ that were all the rage when we first began our journey into the conservatory market , we now build many orangeries - using Ultraframe roofs and components such as the super insulated columns - and now , in the emerging garden rooms market , we are back again for more !

“ Ultraframe ’ s superb marketing coupled with technical expertise has given us the confidence to continue selling and installing conservatories , orangeries and solid and glass roof replacements . In fact , this side of the business has made a big comeback during the lockdown and now accounts for over 50 % of our business

“ In recent years we have been serviced by Connaught , an Ultraframe fabricator , who have looked after us and provided the goods when required , even in the recent

difficult lockdown and covid times . Yes , we have tried other roof systems over the years but Ultraframe definitely has the edge in every way .”

In addition to his success and reputation in the West Yorkshire area , Richard ’ s dedication to the glass and glazing industry was recently acknowledged at the GGP Installer Awards where he received the Outstanding Achievement Award for his hard work and determination over the years .

Commenting about Elmhurst ’ s longstanding relationship with Ultraframe , Marketing Director , Alex Hewitt , said : “ It is fantastic to hear of companies such as Elmhurst who have been loyal Ultraframe users right from the beginning . As

well as being a loyal Classic user over the years , Richard has also embraced our new systems as they have been launched , to allow the company to take advantage of extension and more recently , garden room projects , in addition to their conservatory business . It is no surprise that with his vision and drive to provide his customers with the best products and service , Elmhurst has grown to become such a successful business , and that Richard himself has been recognised on a national scale . We continue to invest in our Classic system , and we hope that its many loyal users such as Richard , are benefitting from the latest enhancements which include a chambered box gutter , bi-fold support beam , super-bolster , slimline ridge , enhanced structural design guide , and 30 % lower prices on Classic Aluminium .”

It was the year that English football fans prayed that football really was coming home and The Simpsons was shown in the UK for the first time . But there was one other huge milestone that also took place in 1996 when Ultraframe ’ s Glass Roof system became the first conservatory roof to ever attain BBA Accreditation , and the company still proudly holds the accreditation some 25 years later .

Commenting about the milestone , Ultraframe Marketing Director , Alex Hewitt , said : “ Ultraframe was the first conservatory roofing company to pass Europe ’ s most stringent testing regime and achieve BBA Certification and we are extremely proud of this milestone , and the fact that we still hold the accreditation

25 years later . The Certificate indicates that an Ultraframe Glass Roof will have a lifespan of at least 25 years , although we know of many of our Glass Roofs from the early days that have far exceeded this milestone ! When Ultraframe first achieved the BBA accreditation , this provided the platform for the UK retail conservatory market to grow to where it is today , and we are also

very proud of our part in this .”

The BBA Agrément Certificate is a mark of excellence based on rigorous national and European standards that validate a construction product ’ s quality , technical capabilities and uniqueness . When Ultraframe was the first conservatory systems company to achieve this elite accreditation back in 1996 , it was testament to the high level of innovation

and desire for technical excellence that was , and still is , at the very heart of the company .

One member of the Ultraframe team who has been at the company as man and boy is Mark Hanson . Commenting about his memories of the Ultraframe Glass Roof achieving BBA Accreditation , Mark said : “ It ’ s hard to believe that it ’ s 25 years since Ultraframe first gained BBA accreditation . I remember

at the time the investment from Ultraframe , both in time and money , to gain the accreditation was huge , but we felt that it was a crucial step in the growth of Ultraframe , our Glass Roof , and indeed the conservatory sector as a whole .”

Key factors on which the Ultraframe Glass Roof was – and still is – assessed , in order to achieve and retain its BBA Accreditation are strength and stability , weathertightness , ventilation and solar heat gain , thermal insulation , condensation risk , and durability . Ultraframe was instrumental in working with the BBA to develop and define these testing parameters for conservatory roofs which its Classic Roof , and many other systems in the industry went on to be accredited against , although the Ultraframe Classic Roof is

the only conservatory roof system that still holds the prestigious accreditation today .

Since it was first awarded BBA accreditation 25 years ago , the Ultraframe Glass Roof has been continually developed to ensure it has remained at the cutting edge of conservatory performance technology .

The most recent enhancements which saw it emerge as a ‘ Modern Classic ’ include a chambered box gutter , a newly enhanced structural design guide ( eSDG ), a new suite of bolstered eaves profiles , a 30 % price reduction on the Classic Roof Aluminium exterior option , and a new slimline ridge .

To find out more about the BBA Accredited Glass Roof , visit www . Ultraframetrade . co . uk .