How installers can benefit
by using an A-Rated fitting
system for A-Rated windows
By Alistair Inglis – National Sales Manager, illbruck (pictured).
We all know that there are heat
savings and cost benefits associated
with fitting the highest rated
windows now offered by window
manufacturers, (A or A+ on the
BFRC’s WER scheme).
Technological advances over the last
few years have been phenomenal,
including triple glazing, metallic coated
glass and the filling of sealed units with
inert gases such as argon.
So why do installers continue to fit
these hi-tech windows using yesterday’s
‘silicone only’ sealing technology? Why
not give an A rated window an A Rated
installation?
The solution is already out there, and
it’s the norm for domestic windows in
continental Europe and increasingly
commercial windows in the UK where
weather tightness, thermal efficiency,
air tightness and acoustic properties
are all important in reaching the highest
building standards such as Passive
House and BREEAM excellent.
illbruck has developed a simple
system based on using impregnated
tapes and an expanding polyurethane
foam that gives the benefits of both
thermal and sound installation in
addition to weather and airtightness.
But looking at this from the installer’s
point of view reveals a win/win situation
for both the installer and importantly their
customers.
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Firstly site trials show that installation
speed is 20% faster per window for a
competent fitter once they get used to
using the products in the system. This
means that the installer can get to the
next job faster.
Also you can fit an impregnated tape
system in all weathers, no need to wait
for the rain to stop (which could be
hours).
A silicone fitting provides a great
opportunity to “get it wrong”. Does every
installer always apply silicone perfectly
and consistently to the correct depth?
And whoever was sent to the supplier,
did they pick up the correct silicone
type for window installation? It’s an easy
mistake to make but using the wrong
product has big implications. With an
impregnated tape system you know the
joint is being filled to the correct depth
with the right product time after time.
You can see the product expanding to
fill the gap between the window frame
and the finished wall. This includes
large variances in the wall which would
normally need filling with mastic or
cement. Less opportunity for a mistake
means less call-backs, less remedial
work, and ultimately less cost.
An impregnated tape system also lasts
longer than silicone. Every installer has
seen silicone that has peeled away, or
bubbled and degraded. Impregnated
tapes simply last longer and look good
too, and as they are flush with the joint
not likely to be ripped off by an over
enthusiastic window cleaner.
Finally, would your customer pay a little
extra for an A-Rated window installation
to match their A-Rated windows? To the
installer the cost of using the A-Rated
system works out at about 1% of the
entire job cost. But many installers
regard an impregnated tape system as
so good that they offer it as a premium
add-on giving that extra bit of profit
opportunity.
The benefits to the consumer are
obvious, a window installation that will
perform as it was originally intended with
no leakage of heat around the window
joint with the brickwork, and guaranteed
weather tightness. And it’s quieter too,
with substantial acoustic advantages.
This is what customers expect from their
new A-rated windows purchase.
illbruck’s pedigree is important. We are
the undisputed market leader, with over
80 years’ experience, and every year
illbruck sells more than 100,000 Km of
impregnated tape. That’s enough to go
round the world two and a half times.
The A-Rated installation system for
domestic installers is an adaptation of a
proven commercial system that’s been
successful for over a decade.
There are hundreds of thousands of
successful installations all over Europe,
and technical support, backup and
training are all available from a UK
based distribution centre and sales and
marketing team.
So why not join the growing number of
installers offering an A-Rated installation
for A-Rated windows? For more
information, call us, visit our website, or
see us at the FIT Show which features
our “Have One On Us” offer. Fit your first
house with an A-Rated installation for
free.
www.tremco-innbruck.com
024 7685 5557