ALUMINIUM
Why fabricators should offer high quality windows and doors for new build projects
HELP REBUILD THE NEW BUILD REPUTATION
It ’ s been widely documented that more homes need to be built in the UK year on year to meet the housing shortage .
Recent figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government ( DCLG ) show that between January and June , the number of houses being built on site is at its highest since the same period in 2008 . The government , alongside developers and smaller housing building companies are working hard to increase the number built each year . The data shows 164,960 homes are being constructed , which is 13 percent up on 2016 . It sounds like good news , however even with more homes being built , it still falls short of projected targets .
A BAD REPUTATION
There have been many reports in the national and local press around the UK about problems with new build homes . A YouGov poll found that a staggering 51 percent of homeowners who recently bought a newbuild reported major faults with their new home .
Problems include everything from poorly fitted windows that leak water , to a nonexistent window in a bathroom , where a hole was just left for it ! One family even realised there was no insulation in their home and on a property in 2015 , a boundary wall collapsed damaging three cars .
In March this year , several months before Grenfell , residents of an apartment block in Manchester had to move out of their flats because the building broke fire safety rules . These are all worrying examples to hear and are indicative of the issues surrounding new builds .
QUALITY FIRST
It ’ s really important to put quality first when choosing windows and doors for new builds , to make sure homes are secure , comfortable and have the desired look .
That ’ s because a recent study by bridging lender Market Financial Solutions shows
that 81 percent of prospective buyers would rather live in an older property than a new build . The majority of those surveyed said that there are too many poor-quality and unattractive new build homes . The study came after the Local Government Association reported in August that 1 in 10 buyers of new homes are left dissatisfied .
As an industry , we can help to change the reputation of new build properties by making sure we offer high quality products and attractive designs to developers and house builders , that tick all the boxes for what homeowners want from their new home .
CHANGE THE WAY DEVELOPERS THINK
With the increase in new homes being built , it means more business for fabricators . It ’ s easy to go down the low-cost route , but there is a great opportunity to change the way developers think about how to make their houses stand out from the rest .
By offering high quality products , that provide an eye-catching look , top thermal efficiency and effective security , homeowners can get the reliable windows and doors they expect on the new home they have invested in .
Whereas the industry will need to work together to help find an answer to the skills gap and make sure people with the right skillset are working on new builds , fabricators can help by making sure the right products are being specified and recommended for new properties . Go with AluWood
For fabricators looking for a high-quality system to help grow the amount of new build projects they supply to , they should look no further than AluWood Windows .
AluWood is an aluminium clad timber window and door system which combines the strength and colour options of aluminium on the outside , with the traditional look and warm feel of timber on the inside .
With a sophisticated look and top performance for energy and security , the AluWood system has been created to meet the design demands of architects , the performance requirements for specifiers and the look , safety and warmth homeowners want . That ’ s why we ’ re finding it ’ s a popular choice for new build homes .
COST EFFECTIVE
For fabricators , it is a cost-effective system too . Dual colour comes at no extra cost and it requires little upfront investment in tooling to fabricate the system . There is a choice of window styles , including flush top-swing fully reversible , flush top and side hung casements and fixed lights with internal or external beads .
To match the glazing across a new build , the system can also be used to make entrance doors , French double doors and back doors . So , whether fabricators want to supply to a small family home or a larger luxury home , AluWood offers the right options .
REBUILD
It ’ s time to help reverse the bad reputation new builds are getting and make sure that we work together right the way from manufacturing windows and doors , to installing each unit . That way we can help to improve the quality of new build homes and make sure everyone from the builder , to the homeowner , is happy .
www . aluwoodwindows . co . uk
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