Case Studies

The hard work was definitely worth the end result With arched windows as big as 5m X 4m, and a unique porthole design, replacing the distinctive features at the former Astley Bridge Library building was never going to be easy. But the trade fabricator, along with installer Grosvenor Windows, rose to the occasion and perfectly replicated the single-glazed timber and metal originals with equivalents in double-glazed PVC-U. The result took four weeks to install, with some of the units weighing 180kg and taking eight fitters to manoeuvre into place. The manufacture demanded not only extensive arching of the VEKA 70mm sculptured profile but also bending lengths of Astragal bars to form the circles of the distinctive portholes. Also, the large frames – some nearly 20sq metres in size – had to be made in a single piece to retain the original appearance and the frames required some end milling on site.  “The building is very well-known in the area so the look was very important, even though it is no longer a library.” said Grosvenor’s Lauren Wilcox, “The result looks indistinguishable from the original but has all the energy efficiency and low maintenance of modern materials.” The building had been acquired by franking machine supplier Nationwide Franking Sense as an extension of its existing premises next door. Another part of the project for Glazerite and Grosvenor was to create a glazed walkway to connect the two buildings. Jason Thompson, Glazerite Director quotes: "This was a challenging project in a number of ways but we take pride in going the extra mile for all our customers and we are delighted that Grosvenor and their customer are happy with the result".

Glazerite encourages more retail companies to think about joining them. Family-run Wilson Windows of Loughborough had been manufacturing for over 25 years until it went over to Glazerite and the VEKA system in December and now, says Dale Wilson, the only regret was not doing it sooner. Dale, son of founder Mick Wilson, explained: “I’d got into manufacturing at the age of 18 so the factory was my baby and I hung onto it as long as possible but now we have made the change, we are very happy with the way everything is going. “Looking at the product quality we are getting from Glazerite, if we tried to make a window ourselves to the same standard, it would be ridiculously expensive.” The changeover has not only meant the company could double its showroom space by extending into the factory area, he added, but also Glazerite has provided many of the new display units to show off the extensive range at its best. To top it all off, the company immediately joined VEKA’s Approved Installer Scheme then the elite Network VEKA and now has the VEKA logo displayed very large on many pages if its website. Wilson Windows is the latest to shut its factory and go with Glazerite but it is far from being the first – and probably won’t be the last. “It just makes so much sense for so many small and medium fabricators to concentrate on what they do best and let us do what we do best, and we would encourage any others to give some serious thought to doing the same.” Jason Thompson, Glazerite's Director quotes: "We are now main suppliers to eight companies that have given up fabricating and 12 more that still do some but come to us for specialist products such as VS, bi-folds and Residence9. We are also talking to a couple more who are thinking about making the move.

Chorley Town Hall’s heating bills will drop dramtically as well as an added cost saving on scoffolding The windows, installed at Chorley Town Hall by Bolton-based CarMan Plastics, were designed to replicate the existing rotten and unrepairable timber sashes using traditional features such as deep bottom rails, continuous sash horns and white woodgrain. “The hardest part of the job was matching all the windows,” said CarMan Managing Director Manny Beattie, “They wanted to replicate the old windows as closely as they could, even some that were arched, but Glazerite came up with the right windows and the customer is very pleased with them.” He added: “We’ve been buying from Glazerite for a couple of years now and they are brilliant; we’ve never had any problems at all.” Chorley Borough Council will not only be saving on heating bills with the ‘A’ Rated PVC-U windows but there was an added cost saving as the building was already scaffolded for other maintenance work that was going on at the same time. Glazerite’s Peter Smith said: “We have supplied a number of commercial contracts for CarMan so we were very happy that we were able to help again”. According to Peter Smtih from Glazerite: “Matching the old frames proved quite a challenge but we were able to meet that challenge and with all the benefits that come with the VEKA VS System"  

Glazerite Windows Ltd were the obvious choice for this unique project which specified five separate door and window systems within one house! “The job needed casement windows, a black foiled PVC Back door, a patio door, bi-folds and an unusual floor length tilt/turn window to match the bi-folds,” said Andy, of Worksop-based AJ Joinery, “I’ve worked with Glazerite for a few years now so I knew I could get everything from the one place but without them, I might have had to go to two or three just to do the one job.” The true benefit of being a Network VEKA Approved Installer also shone through, as Andy was even given the original lead completely free from VEKA’s own web-based domestic lead generation system. Glazerite pride themselves on working with our installers throughout the process and in this project were able to show Andy the correct installation procedure for bi-folds, he added: “I’d never done a bi-fold before but they were a big help and I’ll definitely be doing more of them in future.”   Altogether, the job entailed a three-pane Imagine bi-fold, two-pane patio doors, a black foil on white PVCu door, FS70 casement windows and the tilt/turn panoramic window – all VEKA-based. The bi-fold and patio doors were manufactured in Glazerite’s new dedicated production facility by staff specially trained to work on these product lines. All had matching suited hardware from Fab and Fix and carried a ten-year product warranty. Glazerite’s Peter Smith said the unusual demands of this job highlighted the benefits of choosing a fabricator that offers VEKA’s entire product range: “Because Andy could get everything from a single source – and one with VEKA Approved Fabricator status – all he needed to do was measure up, put in his order and then get on with the job. Glazerite was able to give him the technical support he needed and he had all the benefits of being an Approved Installer, including the free lead that gave him the job in the first place. The need for the five different products here was of course an extreme case but having the full VEKA range has proved a great benefit to very many of our installer partners." Talk to us about how having one of the widest product portfolios available for your business can help you.

An extensive renovation of this 170 year old school situated in a conservation area posed a number of demanding challenges.  Just goes to show what a great installation company, fabricator and supply partners can achieve, even when up against it. A key part of this project was to convince the local planning authorities that it would be possible to produce a modern, energy efficient uPVC window that could successfully mimic the appearance and style of the school’s existing timber items – many of which had become so dilapidated, that they could no longer be opened. After an initial technical consultation to provide feasibility, specification and wind load calculations for the proposed frames with system supplier, VEKA, Glazerite’s North West Division, submitted a sample window featuring knifed corner joints, a deep bottom rail and run through horns that was duly approved by the planning department overseeing the scheme. The installation at Bellerive was made all the more complicated due to the sheer size of some of the windows, which also included a variety of twin sash, triple sash and arch designs, as well as the time constraints put in place in order to minimise disruption for staff and pupils at the school itself.   According to K2 Aluminium’s Liam Bird, the installation at Bellerive might have presented a number of unique hurdles, but the end result was well worth the effort: “The planning officer not only wanted the replacement windows to replicate the original timber appearance they had to reproduce the period features as well. The support we had from Glazerite was fantastic though. They always produce a great window and always on time, which is why we have such a great working relationship with them.  The end result has not only helped to improve the appearance of such an established school, but provided a much better environment for its pupils to learn in as well."   Talk to us to find out how our technical advice and support can help you to win those jobs that are a little more complicated.

Cheadle Glass “Steels” the contract with VEKA steel blue from Glazerite and has no problem finding a colour to match the new timber window frames.  Matching existing window arrangements was essential to the contract, as residents of the four-storey block had specified, so Cheadle and Glazerite turned to the Variations range from VEKA and found that Steel Blue was spot on. Using VEKA’s fully sculptured profile, Glazerite produced frames that replicated the style of the original timber and also gave both an ‘A’ rating for thermal efficiency and a high specification of security with fittings from Maco. Tom Hirst of Cheadle Glass said: “We listened carefully to what the residents wanted and, thanks to Glazerite and VEKA, we were able to provide it. Everyone was pleased with the way it looks and very happy with the additional energy efficiency and security they can expect from their new windows.” Cheadle Glass was recently voted best in the North West in the prestigious Network VEKA Awards – one of no fewer than seven Glazerite customers that managed to walk away with more than half of the trophies from the entire event, including UK overall winner.   “We listened carefully to what the residents wanted and, thanks to Glazerite and VEKA, we were able to provide it  Tom Hirst, Cheadle Glass     

Grosvenor supplied two sets of French Doors, a Bow window and four sash windows to the private residence after the owners visited Grosvenor’s Bolton showroom. The couple had already researched the market and had decided to go ahead with the Residence 9 system, as so many British homeowners they were keen to maintain the heritage feel of their property. They also wanted to reduce the maintenance of  their windows and doors, which was another consideration in deciding to replace their timber frames when they became aware that a uPVC window was available that closely replicated the style of the originals in their home.  The couple had already obtained a quote from a major national retailer but decided to get at least one more.  A visit to Grosvenor’s showroom proved successful as not only was the quote more competitive, but they were also able to offer a two year interest-free finance option also served to offset the additional cost of Residence 9 over conventional systems. What closed the deal for the couple was the manufactured quality of the product.   Grosvenor’s Richard Martin handled the sale to the couple: “They had researched the market well and were determined to install Residence 9. They chose Grosvenor to provide the windows and doors when they became confident that we could do the job at least as well as the national retailer they had already received a quote from. Our price, service and the quality of the products manufactured by hand in Glazerite’s specialist range production facility in Wellingborough sealed the deal.”   Glazerite started to manufacture windows and doors using the Residence 9 system in 2014. The product has become something of a sensation due to the attention to detail paid with the offer of authentic period design and features, coupled with the latest weather and security performance standards. “ Our policy is to provide our customers with the largest possible arsenal of products to ensure they can go after all sales opportunities and handle every demand from customers. Residence 9 is quickly capturing a very specific customer base and is an increasingly important addition. Peter Smith, Glazerite 

Not every home suits Irish Oak woodgrain, but when you find the right one and do it right, it can look superb. Doing it right in this case meant not only choosing the right supplier, Glazerite, but also putting extra care into carefully matching the foils of every component – even down to the specially ordered caramel base profile to keep the match when windows and doors are open. David said: “We talked over a lot of options with the homeowners and they eventually settled on Irish Oak but they insisted on colour-matched profile underneath rather than just white. That was no problem for us because Glazerite could do it to order and when you see the finished work, you can see it was well worth it.” Giovanni Sangiovanni of Glazerite’s South West division added: “The attention to detail really shows in the entire installation. Barrett’s have done a great job co-ordinating all the products – windows, doors, roofline conservatory roof. The result is one of the best uses of Irish Oak I’ve ever seen.” The house, in Dorchester, previously had timber windows and roofline and an old conservatory. Along with VEKA FS casement windows, Barrett’s used a Solidor timber composite door, VEKA FS French doors and resi door and an Ultraframe double-hipped Edwardian conservatory roof. The Irish Oak theme was given a contrasting highlight with plain black guttering and drainpipes. Glazerite Director Jason Thompson said: “When winning the job depended entirely on accessing one non-standard product, this shows how important it is for a trade fabricator to listen and respond to the needs of its installer partners. We were able to come up with the goods and the finished job is something the installer can be proud of.” Barrett’s Glass and Window Centre is a long-standing Glazerite customer and Network VEKA member and has been operating in and around the Dorchester area for over 30 years. Glazerite is VEKA’s largest trade fabricator in the UK as well as a prominent and long-standing Network VEKA member. Talk to us to find out how you can benefit from an installer partnership with Glazerite.    

Many fabricators claim to give you leads as part of the working relationship, but struggle to deliver on this.  Glazerite are constantly receiving high quality homeowner leads from various sources.  These are always passed onto installers to follow up. VEKA Approved Installer Perfit Choice are a prime example of this as a significant proportion of its business income is attritubale to its membership of the VEKA Approved Installer Scheme and as a Glazerite customer. The Manchester-based installer, who have been working with Glazerite for a number of years have received many of these types of leads.  As an example this one lead resulted in a a whole house having FS70 replaced throughout and then Perfit were able to also offer them new fascias and soffits..   “All my previous suppliers claimed to be able to pass on leads, but they simply never materialised. However, buying from Glazerite just gets better and better. The VEKA Approved Installer Scheme is excellent and has delivered what it stated it would.” said Barry Cheadle, Perfit Choice   Glazerite has a reputation for excellence and in conjunction with Network VEKA and the Approved Installer Scheme attracts valuable enquiries from homeowners. “There are somewhere in the region of 35,000 companies who are installing windows in the UK today.”   Installers can also access professionally designed brochures, business cards, posters, pull-ups and everything in between, all available at a fraction of the standard price.   “ The Approved Installer initiative, which is free to join, reassures the homeowner that they are dealing with a professional company, and makes the installers stand out from the competition. Jason Thompson, Glazerite Director  Talk to us to find out how you can benefit from an installer partnership with Glazerite.