38
MAY 2014 PRO INSTALLER
FIT SHOW PREVIEW
www.ggf.org.uk
How installers can
benefit by using an
A-Rated fitting system
for A-Rated windows
By Alistair Inglis – National Sales Manager, illbruck.
www.fensa.co.uk
www.bfrc.org
www.ggfi.org.uk
www.ggftraining.com
Come and
visit us at the
FIT Show at
stand 264.
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.
Firstly site trials show that installation
speed is 20% faster per window for a com-
petent 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 fo "