Fenster Fabrications hails surge in aluminium doors

“We’re pleased but not surprised by these statistics,” commented Tony Drake, Fenster Fabrications managing director. “We have positioned Üni_Slide to cater to a surge in demand in this exact market – high-end consumers, unwilling to compromise on looks or performance and instead looking for sliding door solutions that excel in all areas.”

Other respected studies have also registered huge growth in aluminium door products over the last decade. The Palmer Market Report reported that 25,000 bifold doors were installed in 2011. By 2013, this had jumped to 32,000.

The most recent Palmer study, published in October of this year, reported that while the total volume of glass and glazing products was down 0.7%, the continued shift towards higher end offerings actually delivered a 2% increase in installed volume. Palmer also tipped the aluminium door sector for significant growth in the years ahead.

“These trends are fantastic news for us and our customers,” Tony continues. “With Üni_Slide, we’re perfectly positioned to take advantage of the surging popularity of aluminium products that deliver outstanding design, exceptional performance and stunning aesthetics – and it’s hugely encouraging to receive statistics as positive as these as we seek to establish and expand a nationwide network of Üni_Slide dealers. If you’re interested in becoming the sole Üni_Slide provider in your area, don’t hesitate to get in touch.”

Üni_Slide is an ultra-slim aluminium sliding door, equally suited to commercial and residential applications. Offering exceptional thermal efficiency, build quality, and desirable minimalist aesthetics, Üni_Slide can achieve frame sightlines as slim as 20mm, and a slim central interlock, while being able to support sliding panels of up to 3m high and 2.2m wide. The product can be assembled in a limitless run of units, with each panel capable of holding up to 320kg of glass.

For more information call 01626 353 371 or visit our Üni_Slide page.

“Huge demand” for products like Üni_Slide, says respected installer Marco

Among the latest to join is Marco Architectural Aluminium of Bournemouth, Dorset – a highly respected firm supplying an extensive range of aluminium doors, windows and curtain walling throughout the south-west of England into a wide variety of commercial projects, using Smarts Systems products.

“Üni_Slide is a fantastic product, and Tony and the team behind it really impressed us with their integrity and uncompromising commitment to great design,” said Rob McKenzie-Watkins, Marco MD. “In the industry, we’re seeing a huge demand for this kind of product – high-end, stylish, robust, and incredibly easy to use and maintain. There’s no doubt – consumers are a lot more demanding than they used to be when it comes to home improvement products, and systems like Üni_Slide are just what many discerning end-users are looking for.”

Üni_Slide designer Tony Drake commented: “We’re delighted that Marco have decided to begin offering Üni_Slide. We’re just at the beginning of the Üni_Slide journey, but we’re already seeing great success, which is hugely encouraging as we seek to grow our brand. Now, we’re looking for honest, hardworking, experienced and diligent installers just like Marco to help us bring Üni_Slide to customers all around the country. If you value quality design and exceptional performance as much as we do, we’d love to hear from you.”

Üni_Slide is an ultra-slim aluminium sliding door, equally suited to commercial and residential applications. Offering exceptional thermal efficiency, build quality, and desirable minimalist aesthetics, Üni_Slide can achieve frame sightlines as slim as 20mm, and a slim central interlock, while being able to support sliding panels of up to 3m high and 2.2m wide. The product can be assembled in a limitless run of units, with each panel capable of holding up to 320kg of glass.

For more information call 01626 353 371 or visit our Üni_Slide page.

Introducing Üni_Slide: the revolutionary new panoramic sliding door

Üni_Slide is brought to the market by Fenster’s managing director Tony Drake. An experienced glazing industry professional, Tony worked on the design for Üni_Slide while studying for an MSc in Façade Engineering at Bath University.

“So many glazing products are just functional – they do the job well enough, but rarely excel at what they do,” commented Tony. “With Üni_Slide, we want to bring great design back into focus. From the outside, it’s blissfully simple – incredibly slim sightlines, elegant, minimalistic design. But behind that, we’ve put a huge amount of effort into making the best looking, best performing product in its class.”

“Above all, the modern consumer prizes quality. Homeowners are increasingly discerning – they’re not looking for cheap and cheerful anymore. They want something that looks stunning, that’s been carefully and elegantly designed, and, above all, that conveys quality.”

“Üni_Slide is a fantastic way for installers to differentiate their offer, and make in-roads to the high end of the market. But that doesn’t mean it’s unaffordable – Üni_Slide comes much more competitively priced than similar products on the market, while delivering equal or better looks, design and performance.”

Now, due to anticipated demand, Fenster is looking for partner organisations around the country to begin offering this revolutionary new offering. “We want to hear from businesses that appreciate excellent design, care about quality, and offer exceptional standards of customer service,” Tony continued. “If you think you fit the bill, don’t hesitate to contact us today, to learn how the sensational Üni_Slide brand can help you win more business.”

For more information call 01626 353 371 or visit our Üni_Slide page.

Aluminium in conservation areas

There’s a widespread misconception that ‘traditional’ automatically means timber. But metal windows have been widespread since medieval times, when blacksmiths made frames out of lead or wrought iron. By the mid-1700s, the accuracy of metal castings meant metal windows could be mass produced in factories instead – and the invention of modern steel in 1855 meant it was possible to produce much larger windows than brittle iron had previously allowed. The Victorians made extensive use of steel windows for office buildings, school, factories and hospitals because of its formal look and fire resistance. Throughout the early twentieth century, advances in manufacturing and technology as well as shifting architectural trends saw steel-framed windows become increasingly common in domestic contexts too.

What all this means in practice is that there are now increasing numbers of historic buildings with metal-framed windows that need replacing – and, fantastically, there are an extensive range of easy, cost-effective, low maintenance alternatives. Foremost among them is aluminium. Affordable, aesthetically very similar and not subject to rust and corrosion, aluminium doesn’t need any coating or painting. Since the development of the polyamide thermal break, aluminium has become one of the most thermally efficient materials around.

At Fenster Fabrications, we use the Alitherm Heritage system from Smarts. It’s been specifically designed for renovations of existing buildings and large-scale refurbishment projects. Approved for use by local authorities including the London Boroughs of Islington, Camden, Tower Hamlets, Watford Borough Council and Essex County Council, the Alitherm Heritage’s slim, traditional steel-like profiles and sightlines make it ideal for use on Victorian and Art Deco properties. What’s more, it’s hugely versatile – it’s available in fixed pane, sash, top hung and side hung casement, and comes in a range of finishes including metallic and dual colours.

It’s a fantastic testament to how far the window industry has come – that we’ve reached a stage where we can offer replacement heritage windows that deliver the aesthetics of historic materials, whether that be timber or steel, but with the all-round exceptional performance of modern uPVC and aluminium.