Glass Age articles from June 2006

Glass Age archives from June 2006

NEWS BRIEF: Energy adds #1.3 billion to costs.
June 8, 2006... John Colley, the new President of the Construction Products Association, is expecting the cost of construction projects to increase by #1.3 billion a year, including an extra #500 million on the cost of public sector projects over and above...

NEWS BRIEF: Solid growth in April.(health of the construction economy )(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Growth of UK construction activity was maintained in April, as firms began work on newly secured contracts. However, the headline Construction Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell from 54.7 in March to 53.7 in April. PMI is a seasonally...

NEWS BRIEF: TUC backs working campaign.
June 8, 2006... Work Wise UK now has the backing of the TUC for its three-year initiative to encourage the widespread adoption of smarter working practices, such as flexible working, mobile working, remote working and working from home. See www.workwiseuk.org...

NEWS BRIEF: The wait is over.
June 8, 2006... A Which? Report states that last year British consumers spent more than 60 million working days waiting in for delivery drivers and workmen. People waiting at home for these services spend, on average, almost three working days each year...

Minister: conservatories to stay outside full building regs.
June 8, 2006... The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not currently have any plans to bring conservatories under full Building Regulations. This was confirmed recently by Yvette Cooper on the Radio 4 Today programme. She stated: `Conservatories...

Guide to Best Practice in Specification-installation of Conservatories.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... The GGF's Conservatory Association is currently preparing the Guide to Best Practice in the Specification and installation of Conservatories within the United Kingdom. This document will be covering all the design and construction criteria...

COMMENT: Give us a break!(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... We have a conservatory-heavy edition for you this month, and confirmation that the market is picking up again (see page 34) will come as good news to many. For years conservatories helped to cover up a faltering replacement window market,...

Ultraframe's bad times are now in the past, says Brown.
June 8, 2006... Green shoots or positive spin? Nick Brown, Ultraframe's Sales & Marketing Director, says that the troubled conservatory systems specialist has turned the corner. Sidestepping new research that says it has finally lost its market leader...

Eurovison winner for Safestyle.(Safestyle UK)
June 8, 2006... Former Eurovision winner Cheryl Baker has been chosen to head up a new multi million pound national television advertising campaign for Safestyle UK. Cheryl will continue in the award-winning steps of other stars of stage and screen such...

News brief: Sash secures NEDDC tender.(North East Derbyshire District Council)(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Sash UK has successfully secured the partnering tender for North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC). Sash UK will manufacture and supply windows, approximately 3,000 to 4,000 per year, to finish a programme of window replacement that...

News brief: Radway appointed to LHC U7 programme.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... National fenestration contractor, Radway Door and Windows Limited, a member of the Radway Group, is delighted to announce that for the fourth consecutive programme, it has successfully been appointed to the LHC approved list. Securing its...

Sherborne take on Robbie Williams.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... There was a 4-4 thriller at Stamford Bridge the other day, as Farnborough-based Sherborne Windows took on a Grant Bovey team which included Robbie Williams. The sumptuous Summer Ball hosted by Grant Bovey and `Perfect Housewife' Anthea...

SYNSEAL AND GLOBAL BLU.(global blu)(SynerJy)(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... SYNSEAL'S BLUE WHITE SALES SHOW CONSUMER HUNGER FOR CHOICE Since Synseal launched global blu for a specialist market at Glassex 2004, blue white has grown to 15 per cent of global sales Many fabricators and installers use blue-white as...

New twist in Schmidlin saga.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... While Schmidlin Ltd Facade Technology was bought out by the TSK Troester Group - as reported in these pages in our April issue - it now emerges that Schmidlin UK did not form part of that deal. In fact, TSK was only interested in the parent...

News brief: Interbuild 2007 next October.
June 8, 2006... Emap Construct announced during the show that the next Interbuild would take place in 2007 from Sunday October 28 until Thursday November 1. 64 per cent of the 1,100-plus exhibitors have applied for space, says the organisers. More than...

News brief: Contractors database.
June 8, 2006... AMA Research has published a new database of building contractors who are primarily engaged in the construction and development of larger projects, such as health/hospitals, education/schools, MOD, Olympics, etc. For a free sample of this...

News brief: Masterframe achieves BS7950.
June 8, 2006... Masterframe Windows Ltd has become the first UK manufacturer to pass the rigorous testing required by BS 7950 for enhanced security performance for sliding sash windows, at the Chiltern Dynamics test house. www.thebygonecollection.com ...

News brief: Buro Happold Opens in Edinburgh.
June 8, 2006... Buro Happold, a leading multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy, has expanded its operation in Scotland with the opening of a new office on Morrison Street in Edinburgh. This base for up to 15 multi-disciplinary engineers will be headed up...

News brief: Glasstech opens Indian office.
June 8, 2006... Glasstech, the manufacturer or glass bending and tempering equipment is opening a Liaison Office in Mumbai, India. Ramesh Srinivasan has joined Glasstech as Country Manager for India and head of the Mumbai Liaison Office. www.glasstech.com ...

Horizon to feature at Flower Show.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Sunsquare Ltd is to have its Horizon walk-on specification skylight featured at this year's Chelsea Flower Show. The company was approached in September 2005 by Architect and Garden Designer, Barry Mayled (a previous Chelsea Flower Show...

GRP windows from the Vikings.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Narrow sightlined, translucent and high-insulation frames in GRP were one of the new launces on display at the international window and facade exhibition, Fensterbau Frontale 2006, in Nuremburg in March. `The narrow frames convey an elegant...

Germany has hopes for replacements.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... After almost halving in the last five years, there is finally a glimmer of hope for the German window market. This upswing is due to the improving economic situation as well as a growing demand for renovation in Germany, according to the latest...

Getting the chemistry right.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Nanogel translucent aerogel insulation material has been used in the roofing system of an extension to a pharmacy in Neuhausen, Switzerland. The application, which measures 13 x 7 metres, consists of an aluminium profile dryglazing system,...

Making the case for housing.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Building Communities: Making the Case for Housing is the theme of this year's Chartered Institute of Housing Conference and Exhibition, 20-23 June at the Harrogate International Centre. The 2006 conference programme is expected to build on...

Dow Corning sail in Cape.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Dow Corning have been used for weathersealing the windows, metalwork and structural glazing elements on a landmark new apartment block called the Atlantica on the Strand of South Africa's Cape Peninsular. The structure was designed to...

New Origin PVC-U VS.(Origin PVC-u Ltd)(sliding window)(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Huddersfield manufacturer Origin PVC-u Ltd, is pleased to announce the launch of its very own vertical sliding window. Using the Renaissance window profile, the launch of Origin's vertical slider completes the full range of Renaissance...

PEOPLE IN PROFILE: Window man finds gold on the web.
June 8, 2006... How to make a good living from the Internet? It's been no problem for Barry Dunlop, the industry veteran behind the phenomenally successful ConservatoriesOnline.com series of lead generation websites After a successful career in...

New products: Schuco's vertical slider.(vertical sliding window )(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Schuco International, has developed a new vertical sliding window to complement its already extensive range of Royal S aluminium window systems. The window is robustly weather-tight and thermally broken, giving a typical U-value of...

New products: Bi-folder from Duraflex.(A-Plas Windows Ltd)(Bi-Folding Door)(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... A-Plas Windows Ltd, has launched a Bi-Folding Door using PVC-U profile from the Duraflex Diamond Suite. Supplied fully assembled and ready to fit, the door can be specified in three to five panel configurations. All doors are fitted with a...

New products: Rehau's Heritage converts.(Rehau-Heritage vertical slider system)(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Rehau has begun the conversion of its existing S719 fabricator customer base to the all new Rehau-Heritage vertical slider system. The company now offers nationwide coverage to trade and commercial buyers. The new system is an...

New products: Single-pivot from Norvik.(Norvik PVC-U Window Systems Ltd )(Single Pivot window)(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Barnsley-based Norvik PVC-U Window Systems Ltd has added a Single Pivot window to its range to satisfy the demand from the commercial sector for a fully reversible window. Manufactured using the Diamond Suite from Duraflex, the window...

New products: Addition to Pioneer range.(Handle Collection )(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... In response to customer demand, Avocet Hardware has added a new `dummy' range to its Pioneer Handle Collection specifically for use on French doors. The new products are hollow, fixed versions of existing Avocet Pioneer handles, designed...

New products: SBZ 610's - cost savings.(SBZ 610 machine centre )(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Elumatec has designed its new SBZ 610 profile machine centre to help fabricators to increase their efficiency. It is particular suited to the smaller fabricator as it requires only one person to operate, eliminating the cost and time associated...

New products: Cosmofen - stuck on you.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Cosmofen 1697 adhesive/gap filler from Wagner is seen as a boon to fabricators and installers alike as it provides quick bonding of PVC-U items such as end caps, trims, drip bars etc. Not only will it bond PVC-U to PVC-U, it is equally...

New products: Basta's butt hinge range.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Basta's new range of butt hinges have been engineered with 1D adjustability for ease of application and trouble-free performance. Designed for rebate, side fit and composite door applications, the design allows lateral adjustment of +/-2mm...

NICK'S IN THE CHAIR: Speaking in tongues.
June 8, 2006... Nick looks at alternatives to the dwindling domestic market The domestic market for replacement casements is dwindling - but that's old news, what fabricators want to know now is: `Where do we go from here?'. Nick Dutton looks at the...

Social housing market - opportunities abound.
June 8, 2006... New research finds plenty of social housing opportunities At a time when the domestic replacement window market has almost ground to a halt, there is another market for replacement windows that is flourishing. Focal Research interviewed...

100 years of innovation.(Building Centre )
June 8, 2006... The Building Centre celebrates its 75th anniversary this year with a major exhibition that celebrates important developments in construction since the 1930s, and a forecast of future technology The Building Centre celebrates its 75th...

TRANSPORT & HANDLING: CNC centre benefits supertrucks' customers.(Company overview)
June 8, 2006... Investment in machinery increases quality and productivity Glass carrying vehicle specialists Supertrucks, has invested over #300,000 in a new machine to raise productivity and quality standards. Roland Ellison met company Chairman Peter...

CONSERVATORY DESIGN & BUILD: What did the glassman choose?(Company overview)
June 8, 2006... Gary Dean, Managing Director of Bohle UK, and well-known `glassman' turns 40 this year. To celebrate, he decided to install a conservatory at his recently acquired home. `I have been around the glass industry since I was born' says Gary,...

CONSERVATORY: Comply to all regs now - it's only a matter of time.(building regulations in United Kingdom)
June 8, 2006... Building regulations and the conservatories market Alan Hickman of Rehau believes it to be in the interests of the industry to demonstrably comply with all relevant building regulations regarding conservatories - no matter what size they...

CONSERVATORY DESIGN & BUILD: Keeping it real with growth.(Advantage Windows and Conservatories Ltd)(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Yorkshire business opens second show site and glass shop Yorkshire-based Real Conservatories, a customer of Advantage Windows and Conservatories Ltd, has expanded its showroom to incorporate a new display of hot tubs and spas. The...

QUARTERLY TRENDS: JAN-MARCH: Sales start to recover.(conservatory fabricators)
June 8, 2006... After a tough 2005, increased confidence in the conservatory market is being backed up with sales, says MRA's report for January to March 2006 Highlights this quarter: * On balance just over a fifth of conservatory fabricators reported...

CONSERVATORY DESIGN & BUILD: Conservaglass boost.(Conservaglass )(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Since the launch of its new and improved Conservaglass at Glassex 2006, Ultraframe is claiming an enormous leap in sales of its glass units. Conservaglass is now available in Subtle Blue and Neutral Clear. New pricing ensures better value and...

CONSERVATORY DESIGN & BUILD: Radiance ups its support.(Radiance Glass)(roof glass)
June 8, 2006... Radiance Glass continues to invest in its customer support function to provide customers with speedy quotations and to deal with general enquiries, with the promise of a four hour turnaround. As one of the UK's leading suppliers of...

CONSERVATORY DESIGN & BUILD: FACTORING IN WINDOWS & DOORS.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... The Frome based Conservatory Factory has expanded its product range - perhaps a sign that these days conservatory installers can't afford to turn down window and door installations The Conservatory Factory is now able to offer a complete...

CONSERVATORY DESIGN & BUILD: Making the case for modular.
June 8, 2006... K2 is combining integrity and convenience with its new Modular Range, which spells a stronger entry-level focus for the company In the conservatory sector there has never been a one-size-fits all product. And nor should there be. Every home...

CONSERVATORY DESIGN & BUILD: Conservatory hardware.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Laird Security Hardware has a broad range of hardware and security solutions for conservatories and many are protected under the Saracen Secure guarantee. Recently launched is the Manhattan window handle which features a modern...

CONSERVATORY: Tradelink claims 99.16% complete roof deliveries.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Since starting to manufacture roofs using the Synseal Global system in December 2004, Tradelink has carefully analysed each sale. The impressive results claimed make some interesting reading. During 2005, 99.16 per cent of all roofs were...

CONSERVATORY DESIGN & BUILD: Seamless shading solution.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Somfy technology controls hospice shading installation Devising a system of external awnings to prevent heat build up and sun glare in the bedrooms of a children's hospice proved to be one of the most demanding but rewarding projects ever...

NEWBUILD: Starter homes are here.(building designs to be awarded)
June 8, 2006... Winning designs prove `construction can be tamed' For all the publicity surrounding John Prescott's Design for Manufacture Competition, only 318 homes will be built for #60,000. But the exercise is likely to influence housebuilders on build...

NEWBUILD: Colouring a coastal project.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... A variety of different coloured PVC-U windows have been installed by Sheerframe fabricator H Jarvis Ltd for Bellway Homes, North East A variety of different coloured PVC-U windows have been installed by Sheerframe fabricator H Jarvis Ltd...

NEWBUILD: Multiple configurations.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems has supplied a range of profiles for over 500 windows and entrances for prestigious new flats in Southend-on-Sea Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems supplied a range of profiles for over 500 windows...

SOFTWARE & INTERNET: Enhancing your website.
June 8, 2006... Cutting edge Techniques could increase Conservatory Sales So, you've managed to get people to look at your website, but what kind of content is likely to attract customers and increase sales? Masten Gregory, manager of Virtutour, believes...

SOFTWARE & INTERNET: An all-round It solution.
June 8, 2006... How window designer has worked for First Degree customers First Degree Systems says its Window Designer software is completely modular and can be specified to suit the needs of any window business. Suitable for PVC-U, wooden and...

SOFTWARE & INTERNET: Windowlink's Vector Plus.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... R's Doors and Conservatories in Enfield is keeping track of profit and costs with Windowlink's Vector Plus conservatory presentation and pricing software package. According to proprietor, Roy Stabler, the software has already paid for...

SOFTWARE & INTERNET: Windowmaker announces Microsoft ERP solution.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Windowmaker Software is announcing the launch of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution that has been developed with Microsoft Business Solutions-Navision. ERP solutions are those that have been developed to help companies...

DECORATIVE GLASS: Creating spatial concepts.
June 8, 2006... Ray Bradley and Denise Basso formed Bradley Basso in 2004 with a shared vision of how glass can be used to create spatial concepts, particularly when used with architecture. Here we find out how they got to where they are today, and how they...

DECORATIVE GLASS: Sky designs for tower 42.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Tower 42, the City of London's tallest building, has enlisted the help of 3D glass engraving specialist Sky Design, to add some innovative touches to its interiors. By utilising Sky Design's Vitrics 3D laser engraving process, Sky Design...

DECORATIVE GLASS: Dupont in `Blue Heaven'.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... A series of new architectural projects from across the globe contain laminated glass balustrades incorporating either DuPont SentryGlas Plus structural interlayer, SentryGlas Expressions decorative laminated glass technology or Butacite...

DECORATIVE GLASS: Regalead - fusion glazing.
June 8, 2006... The continuing growth of the door market has not gone unnoticed by RegaLead. The company has designed a new range of products under the brand name Signature for this fast growing market. The Signature Glazing Options range comprises of...

DECORATIVE GLASS: Signo Glassguard SG100.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Surface protection specialists Signo Ltd are marketing Glassguard SG100 as the most durable and easy-to-apply sandblasted glass protection available. Having recently introduced a simple buff-on method of application, there is no extended...

DECORATIVE GLASS: NWL's Decra Fused Tiles.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... North Western Lead have brought out an extensive range of fused tiles. Comprising some 144 tiles, the Decra Fused Tiles range opens up new design possibilities for producers of decorative glass panels who are looking for something new and...

DECORATIVE GLASS: Daedalian thanks donors.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... The major donors who helped fund Roxburghe House, a new NHS 21-bed Palliative Care Unit built within Aberdeen city centre, have been `thanked' in a truly striking manner, via three glass donor panels designed, made and installed by Daedalian...

DECORATIVE GLASS: Sekisui's Designs in glass.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Sekisui S-Lec SEF Interlayer is being used in the creation of a new range of laminated glass panels that incorporate colour photographic images. Sekisui have been working with glass lamination specialists t4 Design Ltd of Mansfield, Notts...

REAR WINDOW: Conservatory Outlet supports India's young artists.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... Children in India are brushing up on their art skills thanks to a donation from Conservatory Outlet. During their recent visit to the Children's Village near Guntur to open the Conservatory Outlet boys' dormitory, Matthew and Andrew Glover...

REAR WINDOW: Securistyle steps up to charity marathon challenge.
June 8, 2006... Staff at Cheltenham-based window hardware manufacturer Securistyle are putting their best feet forward in a Marathon challenge in aid of a local cancer charity. The team of 10 are in training for the 18th Cobalt Relay Marathon Challenge on...

REAR WINDOW: Kidnap plot promotes Elite 70 System.(Brief article)
June 8, 2006... To promote sales of Spectus' easy-to-fabricate Elite 70 system and to mark 10 years in business, the Trade Plastics Centre (TPC), Stroud recently staged a charity open day at its Cheltenham store. Part of the event involved the staged...