Pro Installer February 2014 - Issue 11 | Page 36

36 FEBRUARY 2014 PRO INSTALLER PRO PRODUCTS www.proinstaller.co.uk External Condensation? The Answer Is Here Introducing Pilkington Anti-condensation Glass. By keeping the outer surface of the glass warmer, this latest innovation solves a common problem with Insulated Glass Units – external condensation – giving homeowners a clearer view. External condensation is a natural phenomenon, typically occurring in the spring and autumn months, where the external surface temperature of the glass drops below the point where air cannot hold any more moisture – its dew point. greenteQ Pulling Power from VBH Hardware distributer VBH has added stainless steel pull handles to the greenteQ hardware range. The series was developed by VBH in Germany, where doors are commonly fitted with key operated (wind-up) locks and pull handles have long been used in place of a lever handle set. The range consists of 9 basic designs, many of which are available with options of 90° or 45° projection, and with standard or extended legs. All greenteQ Pull Handles are manufactured from hard wearing 1.4301 austenitic stainless steel (grade 304-A2), which provides good resistance to weather- and pollution-associated corrosion. ‘Manufactured from hard wearing 1.4301 austenitic stainless steel (grade 304-A2), which provides good resistance to weather- and pollutionassociated corrosion. VBH advise that, depending on the design selected, the handles are available from 300mm–1800mm high and can be used either singularly or in pairs on many door materials including composite, PVCu, timber, aluminium and glass. More door manufacturers than ever are offering their customers more choice in terms of door style and operation in a bid to differentiate their products from the norm, thus achieving a higher value sale. This in turn leads to further options of locking system and furniture. Where pull handles were once the preserve of commercial doors they are now being specified on many domestic installations in the UK and Ireland. A full range of greenteQ cylinder rosettes, including rectangular, circular and security versions, is also available from VBH. The greenteQ Pull Handle series features in the latest greenteQ catalogue which can be requested by calling VBH Sales on 01634 263300. Alternatively , the catalogue can be downloaded from www.vbhgb.com. Over the last ten years consumers who have installed modern IGUs (Insulating Glass Units), to help save energy and money on their fuel bills, may have experienced some form of condensation. This is due to IGUs having a low heat transfer coefficient, which means the internal glass pane remains warm while the external glass is allowed to cool. This can make the units particularly vulnerable to external condensation, although ironically proving that the IGUs are thermally efficient and work properly. Pilkington Anti-condensation Glass is designed to delay the onset of condensation, on both double and triple glazing, by keeping the external surface warmer. This is achieved through a hard (pyrolytic) coating, which reflects heat escaping from the building back inside. This improves the view whilst maintaining the energy saving benefits homeowners seek. ‘Greener’ Composite Doors From Phoenix Door Panels Composite doors have just got a bit more ‘greener’ thanks to a move by Phoenix Door Panels, part of Masco UK Window Group, to offer full downloadable fitting instructions for their products from the website. The three-page composite door survey and installation guidelines document can now be simply downloaded from the Technical Sheets link at the bottom righthand corner on the Home Page at www. phoenixdoorpanels.co.uk ‘A step in the right direction’ Explaining the reasons for their move, Haydon Statham, Phoenix National Sales Manager says: “We felt this was an environmentally-friendly step in the right direction; it saves time, paper and lots of trees. “Installers can download and print off the instructions, which can then be used when they fit a number of doors, rather than having to throw away a set of instructions each time,” he added. Contact Phoenix Door Panels on 01487 740469, email info@phoenixdoorpanels. co.uk or visit the website at www.phoenixdoorpanels.co.uk.