Onsite with Ade continues as Quickslide’s Ade talks about the little things to consider this summer when fitting windows and doors, and how these can make a big impact.
Everyone loves a wrinkle that saves time or money or better still, a bit of both! And there’s a number of things that are being touted around now that busy builders can consider to make things a bit easier, or stick a couple of extra quid in the pocket…and a few things to watch out for too.
Tap in beads
You’ll be fitting lots of bi-folds this summer and, at the risk of getting a ‘now you tell me’, something to look out for is the new tap in beads that we and some others are offering on these ever-popular aluminium folders. Supplied cut to size they are fitted with co-extruded gaskets that are so easy to fit…. literally tap ‘em in and the glazing is sorted.
Glazing
And while we are on the subject – to glaze or not to glaze; that is the question. Whilst heavier items like sliders and bi-folds are supplied unglazed due to the weight, many builders like windows to be delivered ready glazed. Even if they are heavy and require a bit more elbow grease, the sheer convenience of installing windows pre-glazed can be quicker and slicker. On vertical sliders the sashes may even be supplied with quick release tilt arms to lighten the load a little during installation.
If you’ve a good relationship with your local sealed unit supplier, you might just save a few quid by taking frames not only unglazed, but with the glass supplied locally to you by a favoured supplier, something that we are happy to accommodate. It can put extra money in your pocket and, should there be a breakage then a local supplier should invariably be able to supply a replacement quicker, perhaps in a few hours in a real emergency.
Bear in mind however, that the glass unit will determine the overall specification including PAS24 security and U-value of the whole window and that the frame manufacturer cannot provide the full paperwork for compliance – the FENSA or Certass certificate in other words – if they did not supply the glass. This might be the deciding factor but if you are happy to put this all together, we are happy to supply frames only.
Bay windows
The bay window is a defining characteristic of British homes and one that spread in popularity to Ireland, Canada, the US and Australia. But, rather than some more historic versions that can be found on British buildings dating back to Medieval times, those that most builders will be asked to refurb with replacement windows in aluminium or PVCu, are likely to be found on post-war semi and detached homes.
Done well, they can be a cinch, but they can also be a pain. In a classic ‘every little helps’, go for pre-welded cills which can save hours of faff on site.
Trickle vents
After a year of trickle vents and an initial rebellion, the market has settled down and us windowmakers have pretty much sorted it, with a number of simple options. We offer trickle vents installed in sashes or add-ons for example, which in addition to providing compliance with the revised Building Regs that came in this time last year, it also saves worrying about plaster lines.
Now that anyone with any nous has got trickle vents sorted, you can start to get choosy: your supplier should have options suitable for the product ordered…VS should be available with heritage-choices such as woodgrain and colour-matched vents; for bi-folds, contemporary flush vents should be available. Just ask!
Performance labels
Performance labels stating the product assessment specification, name of the manufacturer, and date of manufacture are a mandatory requirement on all products with PAS 24 security. If it isn’t there, then it should ring alarm bells…it’s a silly corner to cut so what else isn’t up to scratch? The industry’s representative body the Glass & Glazing Federation (GGF), recently advised that the lack of proof of performance catches more people out than trickle vent non-compliance. No label, no FENSA certificate.
And finally, if you haven’t learned yet from bitter experience, make sure your supplier packs all loose or prone accessories thoroughly. Handles, trickle vents that extend past the frame, lift hooks and so forth…anything that can cause damage or be damaged during transit should be carefully packaged and labelled separately, or virtually mummified if fitted, to ensure it doesn’t become a major delay to the job because it snapped off enroute.
Remember: The Devil is in the detail!
For more on Quickslide’s range of products, go to https://www.quickslide.co.uk/.
