Window Designs has breezed through the CE marking process without the need to change their already high quality product/service.
Window Designs Ltd has been BBA accredited for a long time now and is audited twice yearly, a process which includes EN 14351. Due to this, Colin Bray (Product & Production Manager) found the implementation of CE marking to be just a process of gathering together the necessary files, into the format specifically required for the CE mark.
Colin Bray comments;...
Window Designs has developed its own flush sash window system from combining elements of two different Eurocell System in response to customer demand.
Rodney Tate (Managing Director) and Colin Bray (Product & Production Manager) combined their extensive experience of the window industry and the Eurocell system to develop the flush sash window, meeting the growing demand of this type of window.
With the increasing pressures within the industry it is important for any company to adapt & expand, and they demonstrated...
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) has been introduced to supersede energy companies past obligations of the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)
and the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP). Both of these concentrated on insulating the home with either loft or cavity wall insulation. The ECO was launched at the beginning of October 2012 with funding becoming available this year.
ECO is also designed to complement the domestic Green Deal in a number of areas. To install some of the most effective carbon...
After only a few weeks into the New Year I’m seeing a few trending topics within the industry. One is, of course, the Green Deal.
CE Marking will come into force in July of this year. It’s another topic currently dominating, however nobody can agree on the interpretation, which for fabricators, is confusing at best. However undeterred we continue to push forward and ask questions.
Unusually, it’s quite quiet about the changes that we could see in the building regulations. This...
According to the latest Palmer report conservatories are still in decline. However the installed value is increasing.
In 2011, for the eighth consecutive year, the number of conservatories installed declined to 86,100. This is the lowest figure since 1993. Every cloud has a silver lining though, as the installed value over this period has risen significantly by 12%.
Industry expert, Robert Palmer, has identified distinct trends which contributed to this phenomenon;
...
It is not always easy to talk to customers and be understood; especially now, at a time when there is nothing standard about a window.
Let’s face it, it’s not the most exciting home improvement project. Answers to questions can often be return with blank stares and information not completely absorbed, creating confusion.
In an attempt to alleviate this situation ‘Trust Mark’ launched a ‘talk to your tradesman’ app in June this year. This app has been designed to help the...
For any of you installers who has a competitive streak you may want to take part in this...
As you have probably heard, there is a new industry event starting next year called the FIT Show (Fabricator Installer Trade Show). This event has come about through the cancellation of Glass Ex and is dedicated to the windows, doors and conservatory industry.
The FIT Show, in association with FENSA, is introducing the Master Fitter Challenge. This competition...
As we move to the end of the year, I have been investigating to find possible insight into next year.
During my monthly perusal through the industry magazines I came across a couple of pieces of information that I thought may be of interest as we move into the New Year.
D & G Consulting are predicting a steady growth in the industry. The areas they predicting growth are second time replacements, extensions and new build.
It has also been reported...
Will the Green Deal Cashback scheme encourage sign-up and how will it work?
The Green Deal cashback scheme has been introduced by the government to encourage property owners to apply to the Green Deal. It is a first come, first served offer where property owners can claim money back from the government for the energy saving improvements that they have made through the Green Deal.
Packages could be worth more than £1000 depending on the number...
The Green Deal had a 'soft launch' at the beginning of October. So what does that mean?
The Green Deal had a ‘soft launch’ at the beginning of October and it is my understanding that property owners can now approach Green Deal providers to start the process of a Green Deal loan.
It has been reported that, at a Green Deal Supply Chain Breakfast Briefing, the Provider company acknowledged that although property owners can register, the...
Installers must be certified by a Green Deal accredited certification body as meeting the standard PAS 2030.
How Do I Become An Authorised Green Deal Installer?
You must be certified by a Green Deal accredited certification body as meeting the standard PAS 2030 for the measures you wish to install and abide by the conditions in the Green Deal Code of Practice which will be published in summer 2012.
Your certification body will register you for the Green Deal with the Registration...
Currently it is hot debate as to whether or not the Green Deal is going to benefit the double glazing industry.
As it stands today (3rd August 2012) it is believed that it will upset the natural balance of our market creating an anti-competitive sales market from which SME’s are excluded. Support is being drummed up within the industry to mount a legal challenge to the Green Deal.
Even though there are numerous concerns about the Green Deal and whether or not it is...
Despite it’s on again off again nature, the Green Deal is still set to launch in October this year. As with everything else it is not straight forward
As with everything else it is not straight forward and I thought that it might be useful to nail down answers to some pretty basic questions which are relevant to our industry. It is my general understanding that basically, as an installer you will be able to register with one of the competent persons schemes which will want you to meet the PAS 2030 standard. This is due to be open from...
In January Window Designs was approached by Juney Walsh Cooper, Founder/Trustee of The National Children’s Charity Dream Makers...
(http://www.dreammakerschildrenscharity.com/) to supply windows and doors for a new project they had embarked on.
Dream Makers Children’s Charity was founded by Juney Walsh Cooper and Gavin Prime in 1987 and registered in 1995. Since then they have been granting the wishes and dreams of hundreds of children who suffer many different types of terminal illness which...
Marc Tate, son of Rodney Tate, Managing Director of Window Designs Ltd is in training to take part in the Brighton Marathon for the third year...
He is running the 26 mile race in support of Macmillan Cancer Support ( http://www.macmillan.org.uk ) on the 15th April 2012.
Marc signed up for the Marathon eight months ago and has been training ever since. As part of his training he has also run the Brighton Half Marathon which he finished in 1hr 44minutes.
Marc comments;
“I...
Like the last set of changes, the new Approved Document should be announced in October this year and come into force in April 2013. Click title above
As we are all settling into this year and working through the strategy of the year ahead my eye is drawn to next year, in particular, the ramifications of the next set of changes to building regulations in 2013.
Like the last set of changes, the new Approved Document should be announced in October this year and come into force in April 2013. The change will be to...
Want to know what the industry experts think about this year? Click through to find out...
As I sit here and work through the strategy of the year ahead my eye was drawn to an article that I have read recently. Although the figures for the glazed product market may not be particularly bright, there is always a silver lining.
In 2010, according to published figures, the patio door market was up 17%. This was due in the most part, to the increase in popularity of...
What is the Green Deal and How will it Work? Click through to find out...
Announced in 2009 – “According to Mr Adams the aim of the ‘green mortgage’ is to make the monthly repayments so small that they will be outstripped by the savings on the energy bills, therefore, saving the householder money. A typical loan would be between £10,000 and £15,000 over a period of 25 years and would stay with the property when...
Window Designs introduces the New PVCu Aspect Folding Sliding door to product range...
Window Designs Ltd has expanded its product range with the introduction of the Eurocell Aspect PVCu Bi-Fold door.
Bi-fold doors have become an increasingly demanded product made popular by home improvement programs and home designs magazines. As a lot of homeowners are choosing to extend and/or improve their home rather than move, many are looking to inject a bit of...
Window Designs develops to make Argon Gas filled Sealed Units in house...
Window Designs will soon be producing their own argon filled sealed units, taking control of the entire product range. This move means that Window Designs can respond quickly in any situation providing their customers with a complete service.
Rodney Tate, Managing Director at Window Designs, comments;
“All our other products are manufactured at our...
Window Designs hold their prices for 2011...
Window Designs are maintaining their prices without compromising quality and service. It comes at a time where other companies are being forced to raise their prices, as overheads soar.
It’s not all doom and gloom, a topic that I can see getting bigger this year is the ‘Energy Bill’ published by the government on the 08/12/2010. This details the aspects of...
What are window energy ratings and U - values? Find the answer here...
WER’s were first administered by the British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC). This system was launched at Glassex (an industry event) in March 2004 and in 2006 the BFRC was taken over by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF).
Due to the changes in building regulations in 2010 there is now another company which can now administer WER’s; The...
How the transition to the new building regulations affects the supply chain...
As time marches on and we find ourselves over half way through the year and the evenings are drawing back in, guidelines on the transition to the new Part L have been issued. The amendments come into effect on the 1st October 2010; however there are three transactional provisions which clarify exactly how this is going to take place.
These are as follows;
...
Introducing the CERTASS answer to the BFRC...
As we know FENSA and the BFRC are both subsidiaries of the GGF and for the months running up to the publication of the revisions to Part L of the Building Regulations many people in the industry were shouting “Monopoly” all over the industry press.
It was a proposal that the WER was going to be monitored solely by its founder, the BFRC, and I must admit...
New Building Regulations for October 2010 finally announced...
At the end of last year I wrote about the proposed revisions to Part L of the Building Regulations (England and Wales) that is supposed to come into effect in October 2010 and what we were to expect from these new Building Regulations.
The new Building Regulations have been published in the last couple of weeks and I have been looking to see how they have changed and...
The Window Scrappage Scheme petition has now drawn to a close...
The Window Scrappage Scheme petition has now drawn to a close and no more signatures are being accepted. At the final count there were 4468 signatures which is surprisingly few compared to the numbers involved in our industry.
This scheme would allow householders and landlords to scrap their old poorly insulated windows for a cash incentive of £1,000 to be used...
You often hear big nationals proclaim to have “local support” but have you ever built a relationship with a local company to see true local support.
As the market expands and product lines increase in size and complexity, keeping installers happy is becoming more of a challenge. We are functioning in a sector that is often (but not always) sensitive to price, quality and service, so companies have much work to do to hit all three. You often hear big nationals proclaim to have “local support” but have you ever built a...
On it's 20th anniversary, Window Designs adds Composite door to product range...
Window Designs Ltd is celebrating its 20 year anniversary next year. To mark this occasion the composite door will be added early this year, to complement its already extensive range of doors.
Since its beginning in 1990, Window Designs has always prided itself in its ability to adapt and move with innovation. As a company that established itself in the last...
Window Designs Ltd has received British Board of Agrément (BBA) approval...
Window Designs Ltd has received British Board of Agrément (BBA) approval on all its Eurocell 70 outward opening and tilt and turn windows. It is the first window manufacturer to the South and South East of London who have worked towards achieving this symbol of quality on its windows. The BBA have stringent rules which are based on best practice in the industry, for...
Proposed revisions to Part L of the Building Regulations (England and Wales) in 2010...
It is important for me to stress that the information I am going to provide is subject to change. It is based on proposals that are subject to review, now that the public consultation period has passed, so it is possible that changes may be made prior to implementation. I have detailed the changes that are going to affect domestic buildings and conservatories. Please let me...
Marc Tate, son of Rodney Tate, MD of Window Designs, is training to take part in the first marathon to be set in the sunny city of Brighton.
He is running this 26 mile race in support of Cancer Research UK on the 18th April 2010.
Marc signed up for the Marathon six months ago and has been training ever since. As part of his training, he has also run the Poppy Appeal Half Marathon that took place in Bexhill, November last year.
Marc comments;
“When I heard that there was going to be a marathon in...
In October last year (2009), Window Designs Ltd became the first manufacturer in East Sussex to carry the A-Rated window in their product range.
Window Designs Ltd produces most of their products from the Eurocell range. As soon as Eurocell completed its Thermologik system last year, Window Designs Ltd went to work on their A-Rated window. This was a success and they became an official registered licence holder with the British Fenestration Ratings Council ( www.bfrc.org ), the body responsible for window energy ratings in...
