News
4 | MAY 2017
News
Read online at www. proinstaller. co. uk
STYLE WITH SUBSTANCE
Support for Consumer Codes Campaign
The Glass and Glazing Federation( GGF) is fully supporting a PR campaign urging more companies to become part of an approved consumer code.
The Consumer Codes PR campaign is from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute( CTSI), which has already approved the GGF’ s own Consumer Code of Practice.
The GGF and its consumer facing members have made huge strides with:
• 302 member companies and 570 retail outlets in the industry now part of the GGF’ s Consumer Code
• The GGF new consumer website MyGlazing. com attracting over 150,000 unique users
• The GGF / MyGlazing. com award winning Consumer PR Campaign attracted an estimated 28m readers in 2016
• Better consumer protection following an improved Deposit Indemnity Scheme( free to consumers) and a more efficient and higher profile Conciliation Scheme – again free to consumers who may have a dispute with a GGF company
• The introduction of The Glazing Arbitration Scheme( TGAS) as an alternative dispute resolution option in the unlikely event of the GGF Conciliation Scheme failing to resolve an issue between a consumer and a GGF member company
The GGF’ s activity promoting its Consumer Code and members’ engagement with the overall GGF consumer support package is justified by the latest GGF independent consumer survey which shows consumers want to deal with companies adhering to a consumer code of practice. Of the 2,000 consumers surveyed:
• 30 % said they have referred to a consumer code when making a purchase
• 53.5 % said they haven’ t yet referred to a consumer code but would do in the future
• 58 % said that knowing a company’ s‘ Consumer Code of Conduct’ had been approved by a government-backed body such as the Chartered Trading Standards Institute would influence their purchasing decision.
• Only 17 % said they have never heard of a consumer code.
Brian Smith, GGF director of home improvement said:“ All the GGF’ s consumer facing members are adhering to the code and we have only had to expel one member for breaching the code. We are delighted to support Trading Standards’ campaign to promote consumer codes to businesses and consumers.”
The GGF Consumer Code can be viewed on and downloaded from www. MyGlazing. com where there is also a full directory of the GGF’ s member companies.
To read more about Chartered Trading Standards campaign to encourage more companies to be part of a consumer code please visit: https:// www. tradingstandards. uk / news-policy / news-room / 2017 / businesses-urged-to-joinconsumer-protection-scheme
Martin Dickie, managing director of Residence Collection, asks is this the year of the flush sash? Most systems companies have launched one, or added one or two profiles to create a flush sash look. In the main, they’ re the same window with a new face rather than a new flush system, so there are compromises.
Some imply that planners will permit their windows in conservation areas. But it’ s not fair to lead installers on.
For decades, PVCu casements were excluded from conservation areas because the windows didn’ t match the look, various dimensions and detailing of the windows they were intended to replace. If they didn’ t match them they had to come out, which hit installers’ costs and reputations.
As the originator of the PVCu casement flush sash, Residence went back to basics. We looked at what planners wanted, the dimensions on Article 4 drawings for conservation areas. Then we designed the window planners wanted, flush sash windows the way they’ re meant to be. In conservation areas, every project has to go to the local planning department for approval. But if the windows have been made to meet planners’ specifications, the process of planning application is not really a lottery. Installers can see Residence installers who’ ve built a track record in conservation areas and listed buildings at www. residence9. co. uk.
Residence 9( R9) has a 100mm frame depth that matches those drawings, filling the gap existing timber flush-sash windows leave. The added depth makes the window stronger, without steel reinforcement, allowing us to create nine equal chambers inside, so its energy performance is outstanding. The planners’ drawings show mechanical jointing too, so R9 is mechanically jointed which looks
Optima Talking Points at FIT Show
Profile 22’ s Optima will be at this year’ s Fit Show offering some exciting new developments, further enhancing the Optima window and door system.
perfect. Hundred millimetre joints are a lot stronger so they also perform and last a lot longer.
R9 has caught the eye of homeowners, installers and developers outside conservation areas. That’ s why we designed Residence 7( R7) and Residence2( R2).
R7 looks the same as R9 from the outside, but it’ s flush inside and 75mm front to back. It looks completely different, a timber-alternative that also gives aluminium a run for its money.
But R2 is the real aluminium-alternative, with a contemporary look for modern homes. It’ s flush on the outside with a square edge inside, and is 100mm front to back. So it has the strength of aluminium, comfortably making big windows and tall doors.
Not all flush sashes are the same, and the point is, it’ s not just about a simple flush sash look. R9 is a timber-alternative that’ s made for conservation areas, listed buildings and period homes. R2 is an aluminium-alternative that’ s ideal for contemporary properties with big windows and tall doors. R7 is for homeowners and private developers who want style and substance in traditional properties outside of conservation areas.
Profile 22 has recognised the increasing trend towards high specification composite doors and will be showing a range of timber core composite doors from sister company, Safedoors, that have been developed to blend in and work perfectly with the full Optima suite. Available in a wide range of styles and colours, these doors will be available to buy as door leafs or fully finished doorsets.
Optima window development continues with the introduction of a fully mechanically jointed version of the widely praised Flush Casement. Now offering an even more authentic appearance, this option is expected to become more popular than ever.
For the house-building sector a range of two-part cills will be available that allow cills to be retrofitted upon completion of the building, saving costly replacement of components damaged during construction.
The product improvements supplement the main talking point for Profile 22 at the Fit Show, the introduction of the Profile 22‘ Excellence as Standard’ Installer Support Scheme. The comprehensive scheme is intended to measurably improve the performance and earning power of every member.
With the core aim of enhancing loyalty and trust between installers and their homeowner customers,‘ Excellence as Standard’ sets out to provide clear, recognisable and measurable standards for service and product quality. Unique branding will set members apart as companies prepared to go the extra mile for their customers. Visit Stand B34 to see all the latest developments.
www. profile22. co. uk