News
4 | MAY 2017
News
Read online at www . proinstaller . co . uk
STYLE WITH SUBSTANCE
Support for Consumer Codes Campaign
The Glass and Glazing Federation ( GGF ) is fully supporting a PR campaign urging more companies to become part of an approved consumer code .
The Consumer Codes PR campaign is from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute ( CTSI ), which has already approved the GGF ’ s own Consumer Code of Practice .
The GGF and its consumer facing members have made huge strides with :
• 302 member companies and 570 retail outlets in the industry now part of the GGF ’ s Consumer Code
• The GGF new consumer website MyGlazing . com attracting over 150,000 unique users
• The GGF / MyGlazing . com award winning Consumer PR Campaign attracted an estimated 28m readers in 2016
• Better consumer protection following an improved Deposit Indemnity Scheme ( free to consumers ) and a more efficient and higher profile Conciliation Scheme – again free to consumers who may have a dispute with a GGF company
• The introduction of The Glazing Arbitration Scheme ( TGAS ) as an alternative dispute resolution option in the unlikely event of the GGF Conciliation Scheme failing to resolve an issue between a consumer and a GGF member company
The GGF ’ s activity promoting its Consumer Code and members ’ engagement with the overall GGF consumer support package is justified by the latest GGF independent consumer survey which shows consumers want to deal with companies adhering to a consumer code of practice . Of the 2,000 consumers surveyed :
• 30 % said they have referred to a consumer code when making a purchase
• 53.5 % said they haven ’ t yet referred to a consumer code but would do in the future
• 58 % said that knowing a company ’ s ‘ Consumer Code of Conduct ’ had been approved by a government-backed body such as the Chartered Trading Standards Institute would influence their purchasing decision .
• Only 17 % said they have never heard of a consumer code .
Brian Smith , GGF director of home improvement said : “ All the GGF ’ s consumer facing members are adhering to the code and we have only had to expel one member for breaching the code . We are delighted to support Trading Standards ’ campaign to promote consumer codes to businesses and consumers .”
The GGF Consumer Code can be viewed on and downloaded from www . MyGlazing . com where there is also a full directory of the GGF ’ s member companies .
To read more about Chartered Trading Standards campaign to encourage more companies to be part of a consumer code please visit : https :// www . tradingstandards . uk / news-policy / news-room / 2017 / businesses-urged-to-joinconsumer-protection-scheme
Martin Dickie , managing director of Residence Collection , asks is this the year of the flush sash ? Most systems companies have launched one , or added one or two profiles to create a flush sash look . In the main , they ’ re the same window with a new face rather than a new flush system , so there are compromises .
Some imply that planners will permit their windows in conservation areas . But it ’ s not fair to lead installers on .
For decades , PVCu casements were excluded from conservation areas because the windows didn ’ t match the look , various dimensions and detailing of the windows they were intended to replace . If they didn ’ t match them they had to come out , which hit installers ’ costs and reputations .
As the originator of the PVCu casement flush sash , Residence went back to basics . We looked at what planners wanted , the dimensions on Article 4 drawings for conservation areas . Then we designed the window planners wanted , flush sash windows the way they ’ re meant to be . In conservation areas , every project has to go to the local planning department for approval . But if the windows have been made to meet planners ’ specifications , the process of planning application is not really a lottery . Installers can see Residence installers who ’ ve built a track record in conservation areas and listed buildings at www . residence9 . co . uk .
Residence 9 ( R9 ) has a 100mm frame depth that matches those drawings , filling the gap existing timber flush-sash windows leave . The added depth makes the window stronger , without steel reinforcement , allowing us to create nine equal chambers inside , so its energy performance is outstanding . The planners ’ drawings show mechanical jointing too , so R9 is mechanically jointed which looks
Optima Talking Points at FIT Show
Profile 22 ’ s Optima will be at this year ’ s Fit Show offering some exciting new developments , further enhancing the Optima window and door system .
perfect . Hundred millimetre joints are a lot stronger so they also perform and last a lot longer .
R9 has caught the eye of homeowners , installers and developers outside conservation areas . That ’ s why we designed Residence 7 ( R7 ) and Residence2 ( R2 ).
R7 looks the same as R9 from the outside , but it ’ s flush inside and 75mm front to back . It looks completely different , a timber-alternative that also gives aluminium a run for its money .
But R2 is the real aluminium-alternative , with a contemporary look for modern homes . It ’ s flush on the outside with a square edge inside , and is 100mm front to back . So it has the strength of aluminium , comfortably making big windows and tall doors .
Not all flush sashes are the same , and the point is , it ’ s not just about a simple flush sash look . R9 is a timber-alternative that ’ s made for conservation areas , listed buildings and period homes . R2 is an aluminium-alternative that ’ s ideal for contemporary properties with big windows and tall doors . R7 is for homeowners and private developers who want style and substance in traditional properties outside of conservation areas .
Profile 22 has recognised the increasing trend towards high specification composite doors and will be showing a range of timber core composite doors from sister company , Safedoors , that have been developed to blend in and work perfectly with the full Optima suite . Available in a wide range of styles and colours , these doors will be available to buy as door leafs or fully finished doorsets .
Optima window development continues with the introduction of a fully mechanically jointed version of the widely praised Flush Casement . Now offering an even more authentic appearance , this option is expected to become more popular than ever .
For the house-building sector a range of two-part cills will be available that allow cills to be retrofitted upon completion of the building , saving costly replacement of components damaged during construction .
The product improvements supplement the main talking point for Profile 22 at the Fit Show , the introduction of the Profile 22 ‘ Excellence as Standard ’ Installer Support Scheme . The comprehensive scheme is intended to measurably improve the performance and earning power of every member .
With the core aim of enhancing loyalty and trust between installers and their homeowner customers , ‘ Excellence as Standard ’ sets out to provide clear , recognisable and measurable standards for service and product quality . Unique branding will set members apart as companies prepared to go the extra mile for their customers . Visit Stand B34 to see all the latest developments .
www . profile22 . co . uk