10 | NOVEMBER 2018
News
Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
IMPORTANCE OF
FABRICATORS
SUPPLYING THE
GROWING FLUSH
SASH MARKET IN AN
ECONOMIC WAY
The flush sash market is growing
rapidly, and research among
fabricators indicates that
it’s forecast to grow from an
attractive niche to a mainstream
window. But, if fabricators want
to supply this growth market
they need an economic way to
make flush windows at scale.
It’s growing fast because
homeowners love minimal
maintenance and windows
which look wooden, even on
the joints.
For many years there was
virtually only one way to make
PVC-U windows – that’s with
45º corner welds - but fabrica-
tors have several timber-alter-
native options now, windows
with mechanical joints, ones
with a half joint or full timber
look on both sides.
However, mechanical butt-
joints tend to be open-ended,
allowing rainwater, draughts
and even flies in. Timber-
weld® - the patented technol-
ogy developed specifically for
timber-look windows – uses
a different method of corner
construction, so the corners are
extremely strong and complete-
ly sealed.
Most flush sash windows are
also foiled – it’s part of the ap-
peal – with popular greys and
dark colours so joint strength
is critically important, espe-
cially in a warming climate.
Darker colours absorb more
heat which makes the profiles
expand more, and if the joints
aren’t strong they won’t last.
If fabricators are happy with
hand built mechanically-jointed
flush sash windows, then they
are likely to find this market
unprofitable despite increased
selling prices, as any increase
will be swallowed up in in-
creased labour costs.
most productive
‘ solution
available ’
If, however, they want to
grow and make a reasonable
number of frames a week then
they need to be equipped to
do it efficiently. That’s what
Timberweld was designed
for: fabricating flush sashes
just as efficiently as standard
PVC-U frames. I believe it’s the
prettiest solution by far and is
the most productive solution
available to enable fabricators
to achieve their full potential of
the flush sash market.
Yours sincerely
Alan Burgess
Managing Director,
Timberweld®
HALF OF BUILDERS ARE
VICTIMS OF TOOL THEFT
Tool theft is plaguing the
construction industry with more
than half of builders in the UK
having had their tools stolen,
according to new research by the
Federation of Master Builders
(FMB).
The key results into the FMB’s
research into tool theft are as
follows:
More than half (51%) of UK
builders have had tools stolen;
Of those builders that have been
victim to van tool theft:
• 46% had their side panel or
door broken/pierced and
prised open;
• 23% had their
windows
smashed and
doors opened
from dashboard;
• 22% had their
locks picked.
The most common preventative
measures builders take in order to
limit tool theft include:
1. Bringing their tools inside at
night (19%);
2. Installing extra locks in the
van (19%);
3. Parking against a wall (18%);
4. Marking tools with an address,
phone number or painting
them a special colour (9%);
5. Parking in an area not visible
from the road (9%);
6. Installing safes in their vans
(7%);
7. Installing CCTV and advertise
its use (7%);
8. Installing extra alarm systems
in the van (7%);
9. Registering serial numbers of
tools on an online database
(7%).
Commenting on the research,
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of
the FMB, said: “More than half of
builders in the UK have fallen foul
of tool theft with concerns grow-
ing over a crime wave wreaking
havoc across the construction
industry. Tools are being stolen
from vans and direct from con-
struction sites, with some builders
even being assaulted
by would-be thieves.
The impact of this on
the nation’s smaller
building firms is
particularly disrup-
tive.”
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www.fmb.org.uk
UKGBC launches
Innovation Portal for
the built environment
The UK Green Building Council
has today unveiled its Innovation
Portal for the built environment.
The online platform is de-
signed to provide an open forum
to crowdsource solutions to some
of the industry’s biggest challeng-
es. It will also provide a platform
to connect innovators with inves-
tors and match them with compa-
nies interested in progressing their
innovation.
Challenges associated with cli-
mate change and resource use are
currently high on the agenda for
both businesses and policy mak-
ers. The portal’s launch comes in
the wake of the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
1.5C report, and the Government’s
request for advice from the Com-
mittee on Climate Change (CCC)
on setting a date for achieving net
zero greenhouse gas emissions
across the UK.
Striving for a net zero
carbon-built environ-
ment before 2050 is at
the heart of UKGBC’s
mission. A workshop
with UKGBC members
last month defined four
of the industry’s biggest
challenges, which the
initial phase of the portal
will seek to address.
Anyone can sign-up to the por-
tal to submit a solution. These can
be anything from concept-stage
innovations to market-ready prod-
ucts and services. Users are also
invited to comment on solutions
and suggest opportunities for fur-
ther development.
At the end of November, UKG-
BC will host a 12-hour hackathon
to bring industry profession-
als together with students and
innovators to come up with new
concepts. The best concepts will
be added to the portal and the
winning team will be awarded a
cash prize.
The UKGBC Innovation Portal
can be accessed at: https://
ukgbc.crowdicity.com/