SYNSEAL FRAMES USED IN £7 MILLION BLACKPOOL ECO-HOMES SCHEME BY LDG GROUP (3/10/2011)

SYNSEAL FRAMES USED IN 7 MILLION BLACKPOOL ECO-HOMES SCHEME BY LDG GROUP

Synseal windows have been installed in a prestigious development in the North West, by LDG Group, one of the regions largest window companies. Synseal windows and doors were installed throughout the prestigious 7 million eco-development, The Saw Mills, situated a mile from Blackpool town centre and seafront.

The 35 three and four bedroomed mews homes were built on a former industrial site for the Great Places Housing Group. The homes, which are available for shared ownership and affordable rental, have been designed and built to high levels of sustainability, using low energy services, including photovoltaic panels, and renewable, ultra efficient building materials throughout, including the windows. The development was supported by an investment of 3.7 million by the Homes And Communities Agency (HCA), the national housing and regeneration agency for England.

Working closely with the main contractor, RP Tyson Construction, the LDG Group supplied 400 Grey 70 PVC-U windows and 71 doors manufactured using Legend multi chambered profiles from Synseal.

Lee Plummer, general manager at Lancashire Double Glazing, a division of LDG Group, says the Synseal frames were ideal for use in the eco-homes: Synseal was readily accepted for installation in the development due to their high performance and reduced internal reinforcement, which improves energy efficiency and reduces the amount of steel used. This was perfectly in keeping with the ethos of the development.

TOP MARKS FOR DDG WINDOWS (3/10/2011)

Synseal fabricator and installer, DDG Windows Ltd, recently completed a school project a week ahead of schedule, providing pupils with an energy efficient and comfortable learning environment in time for the new term.

St Bonaventures Catholic School in East London approached Dagenham-based DDG after receiving a glowing recommendation from nearby St Angela's Ursuline School, following a successful project there.

"We got the nod three weeks before the school broke up for summer," explained Operations Director Dipesh Kerai. "So we immediately set about measuring and manufacturing the 120 or so white PVCU windows to replace the old Crittall windows.

"Once the school was empty for summer holidays, we got our guys in there to remove the old Crittall single glazed windows, which was quite a task - they were almost 9m², so we had to use angle grinders to break each window up into three separate pieces before we could safely lower them to the ground.

The replacement B rated PVCU windows measure 3m x 2.7m each and are made using Synseal's Shield profile and Saint Gobain's Planitherm Total+ glass. They are fully reinforced and fully welded for extra strength and sturdiness. The windows for the upper floors also come with telescopic window openers.

It took six of DDG's installers five weeks on site to complete the project, and they made good the interior so there was no need for extra trades to visit the school once they had left.

"DDG have done a splendid job on site," Brian Walker, Synseal's Fabricator Development Manager said. "They made the whole thing look really easy, their work has given the school a lift and the headmaster is delighted with the results."

And what about the old Crittall windows? "The lads kept that one a bit quiet," Dipesh said. "It was agreed that it was up to them to recycle the old aluminium windows and keep any profit, but it wasn't until the end of the project that they told me that they made about 1,000 from them! That must have been some end of job party!"

Crystal's New Composite Door (23/2/2011)

New Crystal composite door range

Crystal Direct customers have more choice than ever with a new range of composite doors. The national trade fabricator has added new door styles and colours, side panels and more glazing options. Installers can offer homeowners a product they can personalise, that matches the character of their property.

Customers can now choose from seven colours, from the traditional white and woodgrain to red, green or blue, and nine door styles with complementing side panels. The wide selection of glass designs all come with a choice of coloured bevels/tiles to add a splash of colour to the door. Door furniture to match the style and colour of each door is available in Lacquered Brass, Chrome Plated, Black or White.

Hertfordshire-based Crystal has also enhanced security across the range, introducing a PAS 23/24 compliant five-point lock, plus an anti-bump and anti-snap cylinder as standard.

Chairman Martin Randall says:

For more information or a copy of the brochure call 01462 489900.

Crystal Chariman Appointed Vice Chairman of the BPF (23/2/2011)

Martin Randall appointed Vice Chairman of BPF Windows Group

Martin Randall, Chairman of Crystal Direct and founder of pro-PVC campaign Fighting Back with Facts, has been elected Vice Chairman of the British Plastics Federation (BPF) Windows Group Marketing Committee. Martin joined the group as a fabricator member last June and has taken an active role in helping to promote and advance the GroupPVCaware.org campaign. Martin will continue to work closely with Chairman Jon Skinner and other members of the team to fight back against anti-PVC propaganda and gather support and commitment from key players in the PVC-U industry.

Martin says:

For more information on PVCaware.org or to become a member of the BPF Windows Group call 0207 457 5000. For information on Fighting Back With Facts visit www.fightingbackwithfacts.co.uk