Pro Installer November 2013 - Issue 08 | Page 45

45 PRO INSTALLER NOVEMBER 2013 PRO PRODUCTS @proinstaller1 Taking the lead Robert Palmer of Palmer Market Research gives a more detailed insight into the trends behind the latest composite research… “Long expected; and now it’s happened. Composites have taken the lead in the 1.3 million domestic entrance door market. Their 38% share compares with 35% for PVC-U panel doors. Composites were first introduced into the UK through the social housing refurbishment market. In 1993 they accounted for about 10% of that market; today it is about 70%. New build was more of a struggle for composites as housebuilders preferred the cheaper option of steel faced doors. But as they have become more competitively priced and the demands of housebuilders better understood, so that share has now shot up to 40%. The home improvement market, which is 20% bigger than the other two markets put together, has been a harder nut to crack. In the direct sell sector PVC-U trade fabricators supplying the window market were, and still are, able to supply entrance doors cheaply and quickly to installers. But as prices became more competitive and supply more “accessible” so composites have been able to overcome those disadvantages. A third of this market is now composites. New cable restrictor launched But it has been in that part of the home improvement market served by merchants and DIY outlets that continues to be the biggest challenge for composites. In total it is about the same size as the direct sell market, but composites account for less than 10%. Wood still leads this market. But PVC-U panel doors are far from finished. Proponents are fighting back with, for instance, improved infill panels and matching frames to satisfy the growing demand for good looking doors. And they still have the advantage of being produced by increasingly efficient PVC-U trade fabricators. And all materials will be helped by the overall market growth we are expecting over the next five years as the housing market itself improves.” As part of Carl F Groupco’s growth as a leading player in the UK hardware market, the company has launched the CFGLock+. The cable restrictor, which meets CE test standards, is designed to increase safety by restricting how far windows open to reduce the risk of accidental falls. Produced for ease of use, and with health and safety in mind, the CFGLock+ is an economic solution, ideally suited for new, retro-fit and existing installations. Designed for PVC, timber or aluminum profiles, fitting is fast and simple, with full instructions and screws supplied. Commenting, Norman Berrill, Carl F Groupco’s Sales Director said: “Ensuring window safety is important for all users, but particularly so when people are vulnerable or The CFGLock+ Cable Restrictor provides enhanced safety features. not familiar with their operation. In addition to the home, application examples include hospitals, care homes, hotels, schools and nurseries.” Key locking is provided as standard with push button version available to order. A cable length of 150mm is provided. Longer cable lengths, spare keys and colours other than white are provided as special orders. Contact Carl F Groupco Limited, Tel: 01733 393330, ontact sales@ c carlfgroupco.co.uk, www.carlfgroupco.co.uk. Follow Carl F Groupco on Twitter @Carl_F_Groupco ESCAPE FAST WITH PANIC DOUBLE DOOR GEARING Yale Door and Window Solutions has unveiled a patented double door multipoint panic door system, created and accredited to offer emergency egress for a wide range of applications. The new double door panic door system from the world’s favourite lock company has been designed specifically to work with Lockmaster to offer all the advantages of high security and compression performance, together with accredited emergency egress capability. Complementing the existing single panic door system, the new patented double door variant is fully CE Marked and tested to industry standards including full ICM accredited compliance with EN1125:2008, the European standard panic door hardware performance. Says Huw Rogers, Technical Services Manager at Yale Door and Window Solutions: “It is a showcase for our commitment to fabricators, to introduce innovations in hardware that can be easily included into an existing product portfolio, with minimal impact to their operational processes, regardless of whether they are manufacturing PVCu, composite, timber of aluminium doors.” The new Lockmaster Panic double door gearing is certified to 200,000 cycles on doors up to 200 kilos and is tested to resist corrosion to in excess of 240 hours NSS. For further product details or more information, please visit www.yaledws.co.uk/panic