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To get ‘FIT’, go to Telford in April

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The full benefit of this workout will be for window and door specifiers, producers and installers…It’s a B2B exhibition and seminar in Telford with 175 exhibitors.

The FIT – ‘Fabricator Installer Trade’ – Show is the UK’s only specialist event for anyone involved with the £4.5 billion + fenestration industry, or what was known in another age, as the double-glazing business.

For in addition to the hard core of manufacturers and installers of windows, doors and conservatories for the private home improvement sector the event provides a fertile buying ground for housebuilders and public sector landlords, who may be looking for that extra touch that will sell more private homes, or bring public sector estates up to scratch. The options for both are simply staggering….

The FIT Show, launched in 2013 and taking place for the third time at The International Centre Telford, takes place in its third iteration in April this year. And no less than 175 exhibitors will be taking part in four sizeable halls at this modern and airy exhibition centre, just a few miles north of the NEC.

On show will be quite literally thousands of products in a showcase that provides evidence of the relative health and vitality of a sector that, despite almost 90% of UK homes now having been fitted with double glazing of one sort or another, continues to thrive. The fact of the matter is that the latest windows and doors offer levels of performance that were simply not a twinkle in the eyes of the most ardent home improver or estates manager twenty years ago. Security and especially energy efficiency have taken giant leaps forward whilst costs, in real terms, have fallen significantly.

As a few hours at this extraordinary event will demonstrate…

The Fabricator Installer Trade (FIT) Show takes place at The International Centre Telford on 12th, 13th and 14th April 2016. For more information including FREE registration go to: www.fitshow.co.uk.

For details of the FREE Seminar programme go here: www.fitshow.co.uk/seminars

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Senior’s class act

Leading fenestration manufacturer and designer Senior Architectural Systems has helped deliver a dramatic new design scheme for a new performing arts centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

The new state of the art centre, which is part of Newcastle-under-Lyme College, features various glazing solutions from Senior that have been installed by Aire Valley Architectural Ltd for main contractor Bardsley Construction. The slim sightlines and aesthetic flexibility of Senior’s SMR800 curtain walling made it the ideal choice to create the modern entrance to the building and the system has been used throughout to maximise the flow of natural light into the dance studios and communal areas. The centre’s bright and spacious design has been further complemented by Senior’s SPW600e windows and the use of Senior’s SD automatic doors.

Designed by Ellis Williams Architects, the glazing elements of the new performing arts centre provide an attractive contrast to the building’s striking façade which comprises a mix of render, aluminium and terracotta rainscreen cladding. The exceptional thermal efficiency of Senior’s SMR800 curtain walling and SPW600/E windows also met with the scheme’s stringent sustainability targets which has led to the centre achieving a BREEAM rating of ‘excellent’.

The new £5.5m performing arts centre includes teaching rooms, dance studios, performing arts spaces, a 200 seat auditorium, music studios and a student café.

For more information about Senior, visit www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk.

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Industry first for Sapa with A++ window

The tilt before turn (TBT) window from fenestration systems specialists Sapa Building Systems’ Dualframe 75 Si range is the first aluminium window to be given the new A++ Window Energy Rating (WER), the highest available rating in the UK.

Awarded by the British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC), the rating was originally launched at the start of June, giving manufacturers four months to develop products. However, such is the future proofing strength of Sapa’s Dualframe 75 Si range, the TBT window was already compliant.

The entire suite of windows included in the class leading range all achieve the A+ WER, the only aluminium range to do so. It has continued to push boundaries since its launch in 2010 and Sapa’s commitment to exceeding energy and security targets set out in the Building Regulations and national standards is underlined in the awarding of the A++ rating to the TBT design.

“We are again leading the way with energy ratings for aluminium windows,” said Mark Robinson, Technical Director at Sapa Building System. “This latest award follows on from similar accolades in 2006 when a solution from the Dualframe 75 range was the first aluminium window to be awarded an A rating, which was then followed in 2013 with the Si A+ WER.

“This new addition to the rating system will not only offer fabricators more choice, it will also create significant energy savings, helping to reduce bills. The TBT window will reduce solar gain in the summer while helping to keep buildings warm in the winter. With the next expected revision of Part L of the Building Regulations expected in 2019, we are ideally placed to be able to meet any projected tightening.”

“BFRC is delighted at the take up for the new A++ rating for windows,” comments BFRC Managing Director Chris Mayne. “Since the announcement that BFRC was accepting applications for the new A++ band we received simulation reports from far more companies than we expected. This has resulted in the launch of the first batch of A++ window products and we look forward to seeing how they perform in the market.”

The Dualframe 75 Si TBT window is an ideal solution for high rise or commercial applications, and combines ventilation with easy cleaning and large span openings. The safety locking handle is key operated and the key must be inserted in order to access the turn mode. Once the window is closed, it automatically defaults to the tilt only mode.

For more information please visit www.sapabuildingsystems.co.uk, call 01684 853500 or email info@sapabuildingsystems.co.uk

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REHAU stages free fenestration surgery

REHAU will be staging its first ever Windows, Doors and Curtain Walling Surgery on Thursday 15th October at the newly opened REHAU Hub in The Building Centre, London.

Construction professionals who want to discuss the fenestration requirements on any of their planned projects can book an individual 45 minute slot with REHAU’s commercial manager Kevin O’Neill and get free tailored solutions and expert advice.

Kevin says: “In many of my meetings with architects and specifiers, they tell me how challenging it is to keep up to date with the ever changing standards and regulations governing this sector and to stay in touch with the latest developments in things like coloured PVC-U and Passivhaus solutions.

“This new initiative means that they can book a dedicated slot with me at The REHAU Hub and I will address all of the regulatory or technical issues which apply on any projects they’re working on and give them technical and design advice.

“I expect to be covering everything from wind loading and U-Values to fire ratings, acoustics and Passivhaus specifications. The aim is to share best practice and give practical, personalised help for individual builds and developments.”

The new REHAU Hub is a dedicated exhibition and presentation space housed on the ground floor of The Building Centre in Store Street, London, WC1E 7BT.

Surgery slots are available from 9am to 6pm on 15th October. For further information view our Video on YouTube or if you would like to book a place, click here.

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