Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk
SEPTEMBER 2020 | 29
Products
TRADITIONALLY MODERN:
THE CASE OF THE UPVC FLUSH CASEMENT
Over the past six months, Pro Installer has teamed up with
Titan Trade Windows to document its journey into aluminium.
Through product profiles, interviews, and opening up a
new branch of business during lockdown, Leigh Titchener,
Titan’s MD has contributed regularly to this very magazine
on the exciting new venture. Throughout the entire process,
however, Leigh has always maintained that the aluminium
side of Titan would never take over from uPVC and the two
would sit side-by-side. Well, here we have ‘case
in point’ as he discusses one of his - and his
customer’s - favourite uPVC products:
the Spectus uPVC Flush Casement…
“The more of these we install,
the more people want
them,” Leigh begins. “The uPVC
Flush Casement is certainly at the
top end of the market, but for us,
it really represents a big share of
the market too.
“We describe it as ‘Traditionally
Modern’, because in essence
the Flush Casement seems like a
heritage product, and that’s what
the original design would’ve been
based on. When specified in a
timber-look finish, with complementary
hardware, the Flush
Casement indeed has a very
traditional aesthetic, in keeping
with properties that are 100s of
years old, or even new-build cottages
that want that appearance.
Yet, when manufactured in uPVC
you have all the modern aspects
that go with that ‘old’ aesthetic;
namely extremely low U-values
(down to 1.4W/m2), minimal
maintenance, top notch security,
range of colours/styles, etc.
“More, recently however, an
Anthracite ‘flat’ finish with more
up-to-date hardware offers a
really sleek and stylised appearance;
still with all the same highspec
safety, security, and energy
efficient benefits. So again, for
a brand-new build or a ‘Grand
Designs’ renovation project - the
white rendered look alongside
new doors, windows, extension
with bi-folds etc - the uPVC Flush
Casement ticks all the boxes.
“Versatility is perhaps the
number one benefit for the uPVC
Flush Casement. As a fabricator,
once you understand the variety
of options available and how you
can
combine
them all -
mortise and tenon-looking joints,
welded or mitred weld, traditional
ironmongery, timber-look
finish, or solid colour - to name
a few, you can get a really strong
foothold with your own customers
who are looking for the
highest quality product, that can
be sold in quantity across a vast
range of properties from conservation
areas to ultra-modern
developments.
“When it comes to downsides,
there aren’t any negatives to the
product really, but from an installation
point of view, you have
to really know your way around
the window. The beauty of the
product - that it’s flush - with visible
sight-lines can also be a beast
for the fitter. There’s minimal
room for error – it’s important
to toe and heal the window sash
to maintain an even sightline
around the rebate otherwise it
spoils the look of the window -
but once you know what you’re
doing it makes for a very impressive
installation, and a premium
product to add to your portfolio.
So, to installers that might be
put off by the Flush Casement, I
would say it’s well worth taking
the time to speak to fabricators
and see if you can start selling
them.
“Going back to my original
point, which in a nutshell was
‘the more we sell, the more we
sell’ is testament to the product.
It has that real ‘I want one of
those’ factors that when a neighbour
sees them going in, they
want the same for their house.
Again, for independent installers
that rely on word of mouth, getting
into this market and doing
well will pay dividends.
“At Titan, 2020 for us has really
been an adventure into aluminium,
with a side dish of the obvious
circumstances that every one
in every industry has also been
going through! Demand has been
there, we hope the supply chain
can continue to keep up. One
thing we’ve realised throughout
the whole year though, and the
last 25 years, is that when you
pick the right products, and
understand them properly - what
you can do with them, and what
they can do for you - and your
customer - you’re always in a
strong position. That’s always
been the case for us with uPVC
Flush Casement.”
Find out more about Titan
Trade Windows, its products,
and uPVC Flush Casement
installation inspiration at
www.titantradewindows.co.uk