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Things aren't always black and white

While the window market remains competitive an advanced generation of products is generating new opportunity. Consumers now have a choice of energy efficient and sustainable windows and doors which will make their homes warmer, more secure and cut their energy consumption. But it isn’t only performance that will close sales, however good your energy rating or secure your locking system, looks are all important.

Although there are a number of different shapes and styles of window on the market, for the large part colour has been overlooked – consumers have been given a choice of white or white. Now against the backdrop of ongoing market consolidation colour is taking on new importance. When the ‘squeeze’ is on and competition is fierce you need to be able to offer consumers choice if you are to win new business.

Whatever your market, differentiation is all important. Customers have new expectations and it’s critical that you invest in your product range to meet them. Energy ratings and sustainability are of growing and significant importance. They are giving those fabricators and installers who have invested in their product ranges the opportunity to differentiate their products, to stop slugging it out on price, something that has already cost the industry dear, and to emphasise quality, choice and service instead.

Those companies who are getting it right are seeing higher prices, finding that consumers are prepared to pay a little more to get more. Windows and doors have the potential to transform a property and this isn’t lost on the customer. They want to be able to choose a colour and finish that compliments their home and in the same way that they are prepared to pay for more energy efficient and sustainable products, they are also prepared to pay for colour and finish.

Sierra is one of the few companies to offer a range of foiled colours, giving consumers the opportunity to choose the product that best fits their home and for installers to secure new sales.

This includes wood grain effects in Antique Oak and Rosewood providing the classic appeal of timber without the associated maintenance, plus colours including the heritage Chartwell Green, Ice Cream, Gale Grey, black and white. The range has been designed to give Sierra customers the opportunity to offer home owners greater choice than competitors offering white-only products, giving them the edge in closing sales.

With colours also available throughout our conservatory range the launch of our new coloured foils has taken investment but we are confident that our customers will see a return. As a super-fabricator we can hold the volume of stock needed to deliver a comprehensive range of products - a ‘luxury’ not many fabricators can afford.

Stopping fabrication and instead buying them in, is one way fabricators who don’t have sufficient volume to make colour ranges viable can still take advantage of the new opportunities that they present.Colours like energy ratings, along with all the health and safety, plant and machinery issues associated with fabrication mean that unless you have the volume, you’re unlikely to be able to remain competitive in a market driven by consumer choice.

This means switching the emphasis of your business from production and manufacture to sales, marketing and installation. For many fabricators making the decision will be the hardest part of the process. Having been in the industry for 20 years or more, letting your fabrication operation go to an external supplier can be very difficult. However, today in a market unrecognisable of that of two decades ago, the reality is that you may need to make it to safeguard and your company and ensure its future growth.

Stopping fabrication simplifies your business structure, introducing new opportunities for savings and efficiencies. Firstly, you have no money tied up in dead stock or materials left over from minimum purchase arrangements or production wastage. Sierra’s research suggests that this alone can bring in a one-off saving of £20,000 for a company producing around 100 frames per week. Moreover our research suggests that it could deliver annual savings of production-related costs, including labour utilities and maintenance of £70,000.

This should be of some comfort as should the new opportunities that stopping fabrication can bring, not least the new leads generated by offering coloured frames. Increasingly discerning end users rightly expect that alongside meeting the very latest Kitemark accreditation energy efficiency ratings and BS standards the windows that they select will be available in not just white but in a range of colours and unless you can supply them the reality is that it is going to become increasingly difficult to make sales.

Buying in from an established supplier means that you can continue to grow your business, albeit in a different direction. Despite pressures, the market continues to present major opportunities - the challenge lies in ensuring that your company is fully geared to reap them.

'Don't throw away profits' warns Sierra

Figures produced by Sierra Windows have shown that the average fabricator, making around 250 frames per month, could be throwing away up to 8,000 kilos of waste PVC-U profile – at huge cost to their business.

Despite the fact many are already recycling waste profile, the superfabricator says fabrication businesses could cut out the cost of waste entirely by buying in frames instead of making them themselves.

Sierra general manager Brain Webb says: “Because the ordinary fabricator does not have the necessary volumes or access to sophisticated cutting machines which allow them to optimise production and conserve valuable profile, they could literally be throwing away thousands of pounds worth of materials every year.

“In today’s competitive marketplace businesses simply can’t afford to ignore any aspects of their operation that are costing them money unnecessarily.”

What’s more, the company points out that the cost of disposing of other industrial waste can also add up.

“The volume of cardboard, polythene and old frames a company can accumulate during a year is staggering and with costs of recycling collection and landfill growing this can end up costing businesses serious money,” adds Webb.

With increasing pressure on the industry to recycle and minimise waste, Webb believes the only sensible option for smaller companies wishing to compete in a more environmentally-conscious market is to assess the real cost of their fabrication operation, in terms of staffing, production costs and waste, and work out whether they would be better off depending on a supply chain partner to supply frames.

With average savings of around £70,000** a year available, the Sierra Windows says there has never been a better time to buy frames in.

“It’s a matter of simple economics,” says Webb. “By purchasing high-quality products at competitive rates, instead of dealing with the day to day hassles and costs of making them in-house, a business is free to concentrate on maximising profits, developing new business opportunities and achieving growth.”

Quality Management

A raft of industry standards mean few fabricators will survive without investment in a quality management system. Fenestra Journal meets Brian Edwards of super-fabricator Sierra Windows, argues quality management systems can support fabricators in driving efficiencies in their business deliver significant efficiencies, not just meet the regulations.

The window and door industry has historically been reluctant to embrace new regulation. Moreover, given the option, there are still those within the industry who would prefer to bury their heads in the sand and hope that it and the raft of accreditations and standards that accompany it will go away. So it is perhaps to be expected that few and in particular smaller fabricators will have much affection for quality management systems.

But if you’re going to business the reality is that now or very shortly in the future you’re going to need to demonstrate that you can meet the quality management accreditation ISO 9000. Brian Edwards, Factory Manager at super-fabricator Sierra Windows argues in many respects the industry is already there.

He says: “If you’re going to do business with the social housing sector having the right accreditation is a prerequisite.

“Registered social landlords, ALMOs and local authorities expect you to be able to demonstrate that your product meets the various BSI kite marks from weathering to security.

“And while the private residential market may in comparison be a little way behind consumers are catching on fast.

“Moving forward the reality is that if you can’t meet standards and accreditations, whether you’re a fabricator or installer, your business is going to struggle.”

Edwards argues that although many fabricators have made an investment in the introduction of a quality management system, because is often simply a token gesture or to secure accreditation, they are failing to see a full return. “Many manufacturers fail to fully embrace ISO 9000 seeing it as a hoop to jump through rather than an opportunity”, says Edwards. “But if as a business you make a full commitment to quality management systems, they can be used to drive change and efficiency within your company and in the current economic climate this can be no bad thing.”

Edwards argues that Sierra has not only secured the ISO 9000 accreditation but developed it as a driver for quality and efficiency within its whole operation. He suggests that this has helped the super-fabricator to deliver savings and improve efficiency, allowing it to absorb increased prices for energy and raw materials and maintain quality, rather than simply pass increased costs onto the company’s customers.

So where do you start? “You need to begin by working out exactly where you are - a much more challenging task than it first appears because all will have a different take”, says Edwards.

“Once you have identified where you want to go you need to use the quality management system as a tool to bridge the gap between the two.”

Edwards suggests getting the workforce on board at Sierra’s Paignton operation was crucial in understanding where the company was. As part of this process a questionnaire was issued to employees providing the management team with detailed information on all aspects of the operation. This included identifying problems with systems, suggestions for efficiency through to a number of personnel issues.

Edwards says: “Consultation with the workforce meant that we were able to identify a number of opportunities for efficiencies, to gauge employees understanding of the business and identify any need for further training or support.

“It also gave us the opportunity to address their issues and to change our approach to make work better for them. This has led to a decrease in staff turnover and with a more experienced and skilled team we are able to work faster, more accurately and deliver a higher quality service and product.”

Edwards adds: “Looking at what’s going wrong is a sometimes painful but it’s essential that you’re completely open and honest with yourself and the rest of your team.”

In any business, mistakes are costly and Edwards argues that quality management systems can act as a useful tool to get to the bottom of them. For Sierra, this involved a comprehensive review of all external remakes; for example product deficiency spotted by the customer or incorrect measurement; internal remakes, including manufacturing faults and deficiencies, where double glazing panels or hinges had not been available and had interrupted production.

By quantifying these in weekly, monthly and quarterly totals Sierra was able to recognise trends making it easier to attribute a mistake to occasional human error or a more substantial problem.

“For example, if we looked at mechanical fixes we would be able to identify if joints were not quite as good as they should be because of human error if a more fundamental problem existed with the manufacture and milling of the profile”, says Edwards.

“We could then decide if more research was needed to develop a more efficient method of manufacture or if the problem could be resolved more simply through more training or better lighting.”

Employing this process Sierra has been able to dramatically cut the total number of remakes from four per cent of total production in 2002 to just a little over one per cent today. Edwards suggests this is all the more of an achievement because the figure includes not just internal remakes where mistakes or problems have been identified in production but external remakes which include incorrect measurement or installation.

Edwards says: “Because when mistakes do occur they need to be rectified quickly, remakes can be very disruptive to production, this can lead to additional costs not simply the cost of the actual remake.

“Our quality management system has allowed us to introduce more checks and controls which make it easier to get it right first time and this pay’s twice over saving on the cost of the remake and minimising disruption to production.”

Overall the investment made by Sierra in new systems and equipment means the super-fabricator can manufacture each frame 35 per cent faster today than it could when it introduced its quality management system in 2002.

Edwards says: “The efficiencies we have achieved through the quality management system has enabled Sierra to absorb the increase in the cost of raw materials and still maintain quality and service. Against the backdrop of continuing market consolidation this is allowing us to continue to grow.”

Accreditations and standards, not least energy efficiency ratings offer huge opportunities but Edwards argues you must be prepared to invest in your business if you’re going to exploit them. He suggests that this investment will be worth while for large fabricators but that for smaller companies the costs may prove prohibitive.

Instead smaller fabricators may wish to consider stopping fabrication to concentrate on the marketing opportunities generated by the new standards by buying in fully accredited windows. At as much as £1,500 per test per window, Edwards argues that in the current climate, unless you have volume, the overheads associated with accreditation and production can make it very difficult to maintain margins.

He adds that having made an investment in a quality management system, many fabricators and installers are failing to exploit its potential to drive their business forward. Edwards says: If introduced effectively, if as a business you buy into a programme of continuous development and improvement and crucially if you can take your workforce with you, quality management systems can be employed to drive the growth of your business.

“We are all facing ongoing challenges and against this backdrop it can only make sense to look at all aspects of your business and identify opportunities to make it more efficient so that you can make sure that you deliver and improve on the quality of service and product that you supply to your customers.”

A crucial lifeline for small fabricators

With PVC-U fabricators bearing the brunt of challenging market conditions in 2006 Paul Tranter, national sales manager at super-fabricator Sierra Windows suggests stopping manufacture to concentrate on sales and installation could provide a crucial lifeline for smaller fabricators in 2007.

The window industry today faces a heady mix of challenges. The cost of raw materials has spiralled, new ‘BS’ regulations have come in to force, while increasingly discerning end users rightly expect that the products installed in their homes will meet the very latest Kitemark accreditation and standards. With maintenance downtime, new health and safety regulations, varying product demand coupled with constant staffing levels and capital tied up in stock thrown in for good measure, profit margins for most are falling.

Moreover, there are the inevitable ‘headaches’ associated with production, the breakdowns and the downtime. Our research suggests this can cost businesses up to £100 per hour for a breakdown and £50 per week just on maintenance. It means overheads may vary substantially week on week making the ‘actual’ cost of production illusive and effective financial management the more challenging and a source of disappointment when the accountant comes to call.

Faced with so many obstacles many small fabricators are deciding – or being forced - to throw in the towel and move on to pastures new. Indeed the latest figures support this view. The Windowbase Review of 2006, published in January this year, found that of 13,000 fabricators surveyed, 17 per cent had stopped fabrication or gone out of business by the year end. These findings point to an industry in the grip of change, the throws of the accompanying ‘growing pains’ and rationalisation as it goes from a new to a maturing market.

But stopping fabrication shouldn’t necessarily be seen as spelling doom and gloom for the industry. The realities of the current market climate are harsh but in facing them there is new opportunity to lead your business forward to increased sales and significant savings, turning around declining profit margins.

This answer for many small fabricators can be found in switching the emphasis of their business from production and manufacture to sales, marketing and installation. For many fabricators making the decision will be the hardest part of the process. Having been in the industry for 20 years or more, the decision to let your fabrication operation go to an external supplier can be very difficult. However, today in a market unrecognisable of that of two decades ago, the reality is that you may need to make it to safeguard and your company and ensure its future growth.

Choosing the right fabricator is clearly crucial if these efficiencies are going to be gained. You will clearly want to choose a fabricator who can deliver the right product on time to ensure installations can be started and completed to schedule, making cash-flow management easier. It will also be vital to choose a fabricator who will deliver not only high volumes but also who guarantee a high quality product and who can guarantee price, giving you complete control of your overheads. Finally, it will be important to chose a supply partner who is established and in time of turmoil, financially secure and stable.

With these boxes ticked, it is also critical that you chose a fabricator who can support you as you make the shift from production to a sales, retail and installation focus. This includes support to help you market and grow your business and who can help you to take existing members of your team with you. In more than 30 years in business we have frequently found that production workers make great sales people, their understanding of the product and a straight forward approach, coupled with a little training and support means many of our customers have been able to redeploy their people to deliver major returns, while rewarding the loyalty of their workforce.

And there is a further benefit to stopping production. Many of our clients have refurbished sometimes tired warehouses to create new showrooms, allowing them to demonstrate the product direct to the customer, bringing brochures and images to life. This gives the end-user a feel for the product which could not be replicated in sales literature alone.

The current climate is unquestionably challenging for the smaller fabricator but in departing from the traditional business model small fabricators can greatly improve their chances for survival. But more importantly, they can maximise their growth. Despite pressures, the market continues to present major opportunities - the challenge lies in ensuring that your company is fully geared to reap them.

Windows Energy Ratings

A year after its introduction considerable confusion continues to surround the Window Energy Ratings system. Brian Webb, of super-fabricator Sierra Windows argues that amid the confusion the industry must be careful not to sell itself short.

At a time when the market is challenging, Window Energy Ratings offer installers and fabricators new opportunity. ‘Green’ sells and in being able to offer the consumer a product which can cut their heating bills and in so doing reduce carbon emissions, the industry not only has an opportunity to make a genuine contribution to delivering more sustainable homes but also to make money. That is providing it resists the temptation, as it has failed to do so many times before, to hang itself on price.

The sector continues to be and can be expected to remain competitive. Fabricators and installers continue to fall by the way side in the face of ongoing market consolidation. According to recent figures as many as 13,000 fabricators and installers have stopped production or closed down in the past year, while the rising cost of raw materials continues to place those that remain under pressure.

Window Energy Ratings offers these companies a life line, an opportunity to grow their market share by delivering more energy efficient windows than their competitors. But there is a catch, and one which could be damaging for not only for individual companies but for the industry.

Energy ratings are already a familiar sight in the High Street. The labels have been used on fridges, freezers and white goods for years. Consumers can choose an ‘A’ rated dishwasher and expect in the same way to be able to select an ‘A’ rated window – anything else is surely sub-standard?

Clearly, this has implications for the window industry. While ‘A’-rated windows can be achieved they can only be achieved at cost and cost that the consumer in the current climate, is likely to be unwilling to pay. If installers succumb to demand for lower prices to boost volume and process sales, it will be making another rod for its back at a time when the market is already challenging. Given falling profit margins, this could lead to cost that many fabricators and installers will find difficult to absorb.

At a time when the industry should be exploiting Window Energy Ratings as an opportunity to help bring greater stability to the market, it runs the risk of destabilising it further in irresponsible pursuit of volume. Anyone can manufacture ‘A’ rated windows but at cost and this cost has to be passed onto the consumer.

The environmental advantages of energy efficient windows are already established. By replacing old windows and installing a ‘C’ rated window or higher, overall heat loss in the average home can be cut by 30 per cent. Moreover, ‘C’, ‘B’ or ‘A’ rated windows can lower heat loss compared to ‘E’ rated windows by 94 per cent. But the benefits of ‘A’ rated windows over ‘C’ are minimal in comparison.

The implications of this are two-fold. One, it is going to be incredibly difficult to persuade consumers that the substantially increased costs they will have to pay for ‘A’ or ‘B’ rated windows are worth paying. The logic then has to be that they will only sell if offered at a price that does not reflect their value or the costs involved in their production. Two, unless it puts the breaks on now, the industry is in danger of repeating the mistakes that it has made on pricing in the past in pursuit of volume.

Also under threat as it has been in the past is reputation. Next to estate agents and politicians there are few trades which have had such a negative public image as the window industry. Through a new and more responsible approach it has just about won the public over but a sure way to lose it will be to advertise ‘A’ rated windows, because you have made a single unit in the full knowledge that commercially you are only going to offer a ‘C’. Much better surely to educate the customer that a ‘C’ rated window will meet and surpass all guidance and regulations on energy efficiency.

Widow Energy Ratings have further commercial implications for the fabricator and installer and that is additional production cost. Not only do you have to pay £1,000 a time to get your window rating tested but to apply the energy rating label to your product, you must have a raft of accreditations. This includes full British Fenestration Research Council (BFRC) accreditation and an accredited quality management system, normally ISO9000. Fabricators and installers who don’t have these accreditations already, may find that the Window Energy Ratings system squeeze their margins still further.

Moreover, only glazed products with the double glazing unit (DGU) already in place at the end of fabrication can carry the rating - even if exactly the same DGU was installed later. This has serious implications for installers who buy unglazed products from their fabricator and who won’t be able to use the energy rating accreditation.

The accreditation and the numerous hoops that fabricators need to jump through to carry the energy rated label may strengthen the case for smaller fabricators to consider stopping fabrication to concentrate on installation and marketing instead. Freeing up your business from the expensive overheads associated with production to buy in windows from a larger fabricator could be seen to make sense at a time costs continue to rise. By having the freedom to focus solely on installation and marketing could help to ensure that your business derives maximum value from the opportunities presented by Window Energy Ratings system.

Window energy ratings are inevitably going to act as a catalyst for change, the industry must manage this change responsibly and that involves education, education of the consumer so that they understand that buying windows is not the same as buying a dishwasher and within the industry itself.

Window Energy Ratings are also changing product specification. Glass is by far and away the most important factor in achieving high performance window energy ratings. To date the window industry has seen ‘big as beautiful’, 28mm DGUs have been seen as preferable to 24mm based on little foundation other than marginally better performance on sound insulation. But Window Energy Ratings are also about to turn that on its head, 24mm DGUs are more thermally efficient than 28mm, and using the one as opposed to the other can make a whole band’s difference in performance. This needs to be passed on to installers so that they can in turn educate consumers.

Window energy ratings are complex and made more complex because the industry is still very much in the process of adjusting to the change that they bring. Moving forward it can be expected that ‘C’ rated windows will become the standard and by implication, the market will become still more challenging. At the current cost of delivery, ‘A’ rated windows are from the consumer’s perspective, unnecessarily expensive and for the industry this must place a question mark over their current commercial viability. It has after all given away products before and has and continues to pay the price.

But if the industry responds responsibly, educates the consumer and prices new energy rated windows responsibly and at a level that reflects their value, they present a huge opportunity. Energy efficiency is a rapidly growing market, consumers recognise the label and this gives energy efficient products strong consumer appeal. At a time when the industry faces ongoing challenges, this credibility is crucial.

Industry pays the price for selling cheap

A new survey by super-fabricator Sierra Windows reveals that despite reporting increased turnover for the vast majority of fabricators and installers profit margins are standing still or falling.

According to the study, while most installers and fabricators reported that they had seen an increase in turnover (65 per cent) only 25 per cent reported an accompanying increase in profits, while 30 per cent reported a decrease and 45 per cent no substantial change.

Brian Webb, general manager of Sierra Windows, said: “These figures clearly demonstrate that many in the industry are being forced to increase turnover simply to tread water.

“This supports what many within the industry have been saying for a long time and that is that it has got its pricing wrong and has sold itself short in the pursuit of volume by putting lower and lower prices on increasingly sophisticated products and that simply isn’t sustainable.”

That the industry has failed to get its pricing right is also supported by findings pointing to ongoing market consolidation. According to the Sierra State of the Market Study, 60 per cent of installers and fabricators reported that one of their competitors had closed down in the past 12 months, while more than half expected one of their competitors to stop production or installation in the coming year.

Moreover, when asked if they supported the statement that there would not be any let up in this trend in the foreseeable future, 95 per cent of the 100 fabricators and installers questioned agreed.

However, the findings did reveal a silver lining. Although half of respondents said that they believed the market was continuing to decline, a quarter said that they thought it had stabilised and 25 per cent that it was recovering.

Returning to price, 65 per cent of fabricators and installers questioned agreed or strongly agreed with the charge that consumers were paying too little for installed windows. However, when asked if they agreed with the statement that installers were not passing on increases in the prices paid by the consumer, only 35 per cent agreed, while 55 per cent disagreed and 10 per cent disagreed strongly.

Webb adds: “The market remains tough and market consolidation isn’t going to go away. For smaller fabricators stopping production to buy in products and to concentrate on sales and marketing instead may be an important strategy if they are to avoid becoming another statistic.

“And despite ongoing challenges there are still opportunities providing that you have the right products and the right support.

“But whether opting to buy-in your range or to continue to manufacture it we must as an industry get pricing right and to make sure the consumer is paying a fair price for a quality product, if we are to avoid a repeat of the mistakes that have been made on price in the past.”

From the Black Mountains to Mount Kilimanjaro

Foiled Colours Martin Bevan, managing director of BJ Bevan, is preparing for a gruelling seven-day hike to Mount Kilimanjaro in East Africa as part of a charity fundraiser.

BJ Bevan is a longstanding customer of Sierra Windows and Martin has worked for and managed the Swansea-based company for more than 30 years. He agreed to take on the challenging climb when his GP who is also his close friend and fishing buddy, invited him to take part.

Martin said: “There are 14 of us attempting the climb and we are all raising money for our own charities. Mine include Breast Cancer Wales, Cystic Fibrosis and ward seven of the local hospital in Llanelli.

“Although it’s a huge challenge, I am really looking forward to the climb and am now well into my training regime. Within the last month I have walked up South Wales’ highest mountain, Pen y Fan twice and I’m sure to be tackling it a few more times in preparation.”

Kilimanjaro, meaning Large Rock, is in north-eastern Tanzania and with three volcanic cones, is the tallest free-standing mountain rise in the world. Rising 15,100 ft from its base, Kilimanjaro also has the highest peak in Africa of 19,340 ft, providing a dramatic view from the surrounding plains.

Martin added: “The training has been tough but I’m sure it’ll be worth it when I reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. The more practice walks and climbs I can do in the meantime, the more prepared I will be for the real thing. I have a nice, leisurely 25-mile stroll around the Gower coast to look forward to next week.”

When not out climbing mountains, BJ Bevan installs a wide range of highly durable, energy-efficient PVC-U windows, doors, conservatories and rainwater goods.

Brian Webb, divisional sales and marketing director, Sierra Windows, said: “We wish Martin every success with his charity hike and know that all of his training and hard work will pay off.”

For more information about BJ Bevan contact 01792 464 143 and for further information about Sierra Windows visit www.sierrawindows.co.uk or call 0808 178 3455.

Safety first from Sierra

To ensure compliance with Part B1 of the Building Regulations, Sierra Windows has introduced a fire escape window that not only offers a technical solution but looks good too.

In the past, small apertures needed to have an offset mullion to provide the required unobstructed openable area of at least 450mm high by 450mm wide. Sierra has overcome this by introducing a floating mullion that can be situated to match fixed mullions in non-fire
escape windows.

The attractive style is proving to be a great success, particularly in England, as an alternative to the tilt and turn window. Available at no extra cost, the fire escape window can be supplied in all the styles and finishes of the existing Sierra range.

'Don't throw away profits' warns Sierra

“In today’s competitive marketplace businesses simply can’t afford to ignore any aspects of their operation that are costing them money unnecessarily.”

What’s more, the company points out that the cost of disposing of other industrial waste can also add up.

With average savings of around £70,000** a year available, the Sierra Windows says there has never been a better time to buy frames in.

New sculptured suite from Sierra

Sierra Windows has introduced 'Classical', a fully sculptured 70mm suite that looks as good as traditional timber and with all the benefits of PVC-U.

Recognising the opportunities that an attractive decorative sash presents to installers, Sierra's technical development team has worked hard to produce a profile that is as aesthetically pleasing up close as it is from a distance. The elegant curves and discreet sight lines of 'Classical' make it ideal for all applications.

Like Sierra's other product ranges, 'Classical' is available in Rosewood and Antique Oak as well as white and the extensive choice of styles includes tilt and turn, casement windows and doors. It is a 70mm system featuring pre-applied gasket and click-fit beading making it exceptionally quick and easy to install. In addition, the four-chambered profile easily
achieves a U-value of 1.8 W/m²k.

National Sales Manager for Sierra, Paul Tranter, explains the reasoning behind the timely introduction of 'Classical': "We have launched this sculptured suite to give our customers more ammunition to help them to close sales, particularly during the current difficult economic climate. The product will be supported by a collection of brand new marketing literature, including POS stickers and posters and retail brochures.

"We really believe that 'Classical' is the shape of things to come, and is another example of how Sierra Windows is constantly progressing in order to give our customers one of the most comprehensive collection of low-maintenance building products on the market today."

Fully sculptured slim 70mm frame system
Pre-applied gasket and click fit beads – quick and easy to fit
It has a specially designed suite of Safeware hardware
Four chamber profile throughout achieving high thermal performance
Rosewood, Antique Oak and White finishes – or woodgrain on white
Easy to glaze 28mm feature beads
Mimics traditional timber windows – close up and afar
High performance durable specification
Low maintenance and easy to clean
Fully accredited to quality and industry standards

Dining in style with Southern Glass and Sierra

This stunning conservatory adjoining the converted stable block of a 16th century manor house was built by Sierra installer Southern Glass, using the Sierra complete conservatory package.

The house near Western-Super-Mare is now used as an hotel and corporate hospitality complex and the new 10 X 6 metre conservatory provides plenty of extra space for the restaurant. Tim Miell of Southern Glass explains: "Every effort has been made to ensure the new conservatory blends in with the existing buildings: the dwarf wall has been constructed from original bricks, the floor is oak and the rosewood finished windows feature attractive Georgian bars.

"The striking lantern roof, supported by a steel portal frame, was specially fabricated in dark brown aluminium using the unique Quantal roofing system, the strength and versatility of which makes it ideal for bespoke projects such as this one.

"We have been very impressed at how easy it was to order the complete package from Sierra. We just made one call to the Conservatory Coordination team, they took care of the technical calculations and drawings, and we were able to order all the windows, doors and roof at the same time.

"The result is a fabulous addition to the hotel that the owners are delighted with," concludes Tim.

Family run business Southern Glass has been established for nearly 25 years and is based just outside Western-Super-Mare. It specialises in offering high quality products and a personal service to commercial and retail customers in the South West.