Clearview North March 2014 - Issue 148 | Page 44

doors&windows KAT RE-BRANDING TARGETS CONSUMERS KAT UK has undergone a complete re-branding process to allow the brand to directly target consumers, creating sales leads for a nationwide network of KAT Design Partners. Since 1998, the company has evolved into the UK’s leading supplier of specialist and bespoke window and door systems in aluminium, PVCu and timber. The UK name in their identity has been dropped and the brand will now be known as ‘KAT.’ KAT’s aluminium product range includes bi-folding doors, triple track patio doors, twin track patio doors and windows. The PVCu offering includes their market leading bi-folding door, patio door and box sash window. The company acquired a specialist joinery company Joinerman in 2012, and this has now been fully integrated under KAT management. For all these products, the company has developed its own exclusive, luxury hardware. Spring, summer and autumn will all see more developments from KAT this year. Call 01625 439666, www.katuk.co.uk PVCu can suit Grade II, says Bison Frames In a bid to persuade English Heritage and local planning authorities to embrace aesthetically-sensitive PVCu windows, trade fabricator, Bison Frames has launched an online petition on campaigning website 38 Degrees. Mark Tetley, Bison’s Director, says, “Many people who live in Grade II listed buildings and conservation areas have to endure ill-fitting, cold and draughty windows or suffer the cost of expensive replacement timber windows that are not energy efficient and cost far more than they need to - both in the first instance and on an ongoing basis with regard to repair and maintenance. “Modern, energy efficient PVCu windows can now be produced that can complement any listed building,” says Mark. “Of course, any PVCu window used on a PVCU CAN SUIT GRADE II TO: LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITIES & ENGLISH HERITAGE High quality period looking PVCu windows should be allowed into Grade II listed buildings and also conversation areas. Why is this important? listed or period building needs to respect the looks and age of the property but new window systems such as our Genesis Vertical Slider offer all the period look of a traditional sliding sash window because it uses traditional timber jointing methods rather than welding. The result is a window that offers all the high thermal efficiency benefits of a PVCu window in a traditional look window. Many people who live in GradeII listed buildi