PRO INSTALLER AUGUST 2013
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PRO PRODUCTS
Belt Up
In listening to the needs of tradespeople, C.K Magma, the range of premium storage and personal protective equipment (PPE), from C.K tools, has revamped its range of tool-belts and accessories, offering tradespeople more streamlined tool storage solutions.
With the physically demanding nature of a tradesperson’s job, bulky tool-belts can often restrict movement and hinder access to confined spaces. In addressing this, C.K Magma has redeveloped its premium quality range of toolbelts, pouches and holders, making them far slimmer, delivering even greater comfort, flexibility and longer lasting performance than ever before. The new and improved slimline range comprises a Knife Holder, Tape Measure Holder and a Nail Pouch, which all fit onto a new C.K Magma Compact Padded Work Belt. All are constructed from durable 600-denier polyester for extra strength and longevity. C.K Magma remains committed to continuously improving products in line with the changing needs of tradespeople. Vanessa Troupel, deputy brand manager C.K Magma said: “As with all C.K tools’ extensive product innovation, new products are no accident but created as a direct result of the company’s long-
standing collaboration with end users - before, during and after tool development. Working in partnership in this way ensures that C.K tools is able to deliver tool solutions that are best suited to the actual work undertaken by professional tradespeople and are matched to each sector’s specific and unique requirements.” Visit www.ck-magma.com
Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun
Apparently, only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun; but not all of us have the luxury of avoiding it.
For busy installers looking to benefit from the lucrative bi-folding door boom, the summer months are fertile ground.
Here at TWR Trade Frames we’ve certainly noticed an upsurge in the number of our eternAL bi-folds being specified and installed. But with such soaring temperatures many installers have been asking us about issues the good weather may bring. Such as - to what degree an aluminium bi-folding door will expand in the heat and whether it does so more than PVCu.
Introducing vertical slider innovations to the UK market
Building on 25 years of industry firsts in the Irish window market, vertical sliders specialist Dungannon Windows is taking on the UK, with a series of unique innovations.
The company is now fabricating over 150 Eurosash vertical sliders a week from Spectus profile and is helping trade customers across the UK to reap the benefits of buying in vertical sliders and avoiding disruption to production lines. Company founder and Managing Director Tom Givans, explains: “Dungannon Windows offers unique products that have simply not been seen before in the UK. “Our integrated fly screen is a great example. We are the only company to offer this optional protection from flies and other insects, and it’s proving particularly popular for kitchens and bathrooms in homes but also catering areas and canteens in schools and hospitals, where hygiene standards are so important. “After many years of continued success in Ireland, we are keen to explore new opportunities in the UK and we received some great feedback on our specialist Eurosash products from both new and existing customers at the recent FIT show.” For further information, please visit www.dungannonwindows. co.uk
Aluminium versus PVCu
What material your bi-fold is made of can make all the difference. Aluminium holds up better than PVCu. For example at 50 degrees PVCu expands at approximately 2.5 millimetres per pane. And at 100 degrees PVCu expands at approximately 5 millimetres per pane, compared to aluminium at approximately 2.3 millimetres per pane. The bottom line is that aluminium expands at around half the rate of PVCu, therefore making any warping or dropping less likely.
Dark colours
Typically, a single pane on a standard aluminium bi-fold will expand approximately 1.15 millimetres every 50 degrees; so theoretically a 6 pane bi-fold could therefore expand by 6.9 millimetres every fifty degrees. And it is worth considering that dark colours, such as black, will retain and absorb more heat than lighter colours. As such there is no harm in installers checking whether any bi-fold installations they have carried out have dropped, or come out of square, due to expansion in the heat; and if so, re-glazing the door may be necessary.
Bi-fold season
Summer really is the bi-fold season and opportunities for installers are there to grab. Bi-folds are unrivalled when it comes to ‘bringing the outside in’ and opening up living space; meaning that opening them up in the summer months will actually rapidly cool down a living space.
Based in County Tyrone, Dungannon Windows offers a unique integrated top sash fly screen, ideal for homes near water or woodland, plus an electric vertical slider that can be opened and closed remotely by people with disabilities or in high-level installations.
Also available under the Eurosash range are anti-ligature sash windows approved for healthcare buildings; dual opening sashes for maximum ventilation; and a well-established mechanically
joined vertical slider offering a more authentic timber-like appearance. Dungannon’s triple glazed vertical slider has also proved popular in Ireland, being the only vertical slider on the BFRC scale, with an overall U-value of 1.1w/m2k and a centre pane U-value of 0.7w/ m2k. The innovations are the latest in a long line of product developments from Dungannon Windows, which began with the manufacture of the first PVC-U sliding sash windows in Ireland.
Despite the aforementioned concerns, problems have been minimal from the installers we work with but if any issues are experienced don’t hesitate to call the bi-fold doctor on: 0191 565 2200. www.twrtf.co.uk