THE FRAME PEOPLE AHEAD FOR HEIGHTS IN
The Frame People, a Eurocell window and door fabricator based in Bolton, has become one of the first customers in the UK to gain business using Eurocell’s new reversible window system. Recent projects supplied by The Frame People include a 20 storey apartment block in Salford.
The Frame People have had great success in supplying to installers who fit for local authority projects around Manchester. Most of these are high rise as many councils are taking the opportunity to improve safety during refurbishment by specifying reversible windows. Previously, fixed casement windows had to be cleaned and maintained using cradles, which were expensive to install and operate, prone to wind and rain, as well as being a general safety hazard for operators. Cleaning and maintenance of windows can now be done safely and more cost effectively from inside the properties, using Eurocell’s reversible window system.
The Frame People have reported that customers who see Eurocell’s reversible window are impressed with the fact it has been completely re-designed to allow the pane to slide and tilt through 180 degrees, enabling it to be cleaned in safety, from inside the property. The window tilts completely outside the building line, so there is no disruption to curtains, blinds or ornaments on the window cill, which is an important consideration for estates managers and home owners.
The specifiers on the Salford City Council project choose a combination of finishes from The Frame People including Rosewood, Golden Oak and white to provide the same visual appearance as the existing timber frames. Replacing existing windows with a reversible system is proving an effective way for specifiers to ‘design-in’ safety as part of Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.
Yvonne Goodman, Managing Director at The Frame People, explains: “As soon as we saw the brief from Salford City Council, we knew that Eurocell’s new reversible window would be perfect. Although it was a new profile system for us, it couldn’t have been easier as it is very easy to fabricate and Eurocell offered us a full training programme.”
The Frame People is now keen that its installers highlight the additional safety features to their customers, including internal glazing, which again avoids the need for external access should the glass need replacing in the future. It also means that glass on ground floor levels cannot be removed by burglars, therefore providing homeowners and residents with added peace of mind. The reversible window also includes child-safety catches, which restrict the aperture so that children cannot fall through, while still allowing high levels of ventilation.
Barry Stone, Commercial Manager at Eurocell Profiles, explains: “Working at height continues to be a key focus for many property owners and managers and we are delighted that The Frame People used our reversible system to provide a solution for Salford City Council.”
The reversible window system is available from stock in White along with Rosewood, Oak and Mahogany effect finishes. Profiles have a multi-chambered cross section for enhanced thermal efficiency. With a 70mm front to back dimension the system is ideal for both new build and replacement projects and means that time consuming and expensive plasterwork is avoided when replacing existing timber windows.