HWL Trade Frames’ has continued the development of its Residence 9 offer with the launch of a new and expanded service on foils.
It means that with immediate effect HWL is not only able to offer the 16 colour and woodgrain options offered in the Residence Collection’s Graduate and Element Collections but any RAL colour offered by Renolit, on special order.
Graham Howatson, Sales Director, HWL Trade Frames, said: “The Graduate and Element Collection mean that we can give our customers access to a wide range of heritage and woodgrain finishes.
“There are, however, always those jobs that have very specific requirements. In supplying a full range of Renolit foils in addition to our pre-existing offer through R9, we’re able to support our customers in meeting almost any end-user demand.”
The development of its expanded colour and woodgrain offer comes hot on the heels of an announcement last month from the R9 specialist that its pioneering unglazed/frame-only R9 window had secured PAS24 and Part Q approval. This also follows a series of top passes under BS EN 6375 – 1 Weather Testing completed in April this year.
Buying in R9 unglazed can cut installation costs by as much as a third
“The argument for buying in product unglazed speaks for itself. As a starting point it makes installation that much simpler”, said Howatson.
He continued: “You’re not having to manually handle far heavier, glass bonded units and sashes or deal with a more complex fitting process – you can fit R9 in the same way as you can fit any other PVC-U window.
“The other major advantage is that you’re able to buy in glass from your usual supplier, lowering costs. Remedial work is also simpler as you don’t have to cut out units or replace sashes.”
HWL launched R9 unglazed last year following significant investment in its manufacturing process and the addition Timberweld® sash-welding technologies.
This gives HWL an almost unique capability in the UK to butt weld window sashes inside and out, replicating the aesthetic delivered in a 90° mechanical joint.
This process increases sash corner strength, which in most configurations eliminates the requirement to glass bond IGUs, which have historically been used in R9 fabrication to give the system structural strength.
Howatson argues that new flexibility in its colour and foil offer generates further opportunity for installers. “Colour is a key battleground in retail across the board but even more so in heritage” he said.
“If you’re a homeowner, you’re choosing R9 first-and-foremost for the way it looks. Getting the right colour or finish is by definition going to be important in winning new business – it’s another USP, alongside a better and easier fit and ease of repair through-life”, concluded Howatson.
For more information email sales@hwlwindows.co.uk