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Commercial projects were once the territory of aluminium fabricators and installers, but thanks to an explosion of colour options, the PVC-U sector is well-placed to take advantage, says Universal Trade Frames.
Colour options in the PVC-U sector have come a long way from their limited beginnings. Moving away from the traditional white aesthetic, increasing consumer demand for colourful windows and doors has resulted in foiled colour choice that keeps pace with vast array of options offered by aluminium products.
“Colour has really exploded for PVC-U in recent years,” says Brian Kruger, Founder, Universal Trade Frames. “At the beginning, the choice was non-existent. It was literally white or mahogany. Then oak was introduced. Now, all of a sudden, we’ve got a myriad of colours. PVC-U has moved a bit like the aluminium market has, really.
“When aluminium first came out, you had one colour,” continues Brian. “Then they went to dual colour aluminium, which started as just anodised finishes; then it went to paint finishes. Now, because it’s a paint finish, you can have any colour that you want. PVC is going exactly the same way.”
Highlighting how this flexibility in colour allows the PVC-U sector to extend its reach to commercial projects that were previously aluminium territory, Brian adds: “With the colour options available now, PVC-U can match aluminium in that respect, so when it comes to commercial projects, PVC-U is knocking on that door more and more, these days.”
With coloured products comprising almost half of its weekly output, Universal Trade Frames is ideally placed to help its customers leverage the growing demand for colour, in both residential and commercial applications. The company believes that this, combined with an extensive range of premium and specialist products, is what sets it apart as a leader in its field.
Accounting for around one quarter of its product output, the fabricator’s premium offer includes the complete Residence Collection, including R9, R7, and R2; Optima Flush from Epwin; the Spectus Vertical Sliding Sash Window and the Spectus Fully Reversible and Tilt-and-Turn options; as well as the Solidor composite door.
Positioning itself as a single-source supplier, Universal Trade Frames says this aspect of its service is of significant benefit to its installer customers.
“Premium products including flush casements, vertical sliding windows and high-end composite doors alongside premium foil finishes, are a rapidly gaining ground in the window and door market,” said Richard Hammond, Sales Director, Universal Trade Frames.
“Collectively, these things represent a big opportunity for installers but the trade-off is multiple supply partners bringing unnecessary complexity to their business model. This also increases costs and erodes margins so getting everything for a job – doors, windows, glass – on a single delivery, instantly makes life a lot easier,” he says.
“We’re always looking for ways to help our customers exploit small differences for big wins and if your teams are spending less time waiting around for numerous deliveries, or placing and chasing multiple orders, they can spend more time fitting or securing new business.”
Operating from a 30,000ft2 state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Universal Trade Frames combines advanced automation with skilled craftsmanship to deliver its extensive range. The company employs 60 personnel, dedicated to manufacturing and customer support, ensuring a seamless experience from order to delivery.
For more information about Universal Trade Frames’ product and service offerings, please call 01743 442244, email info@utfl.co.uk, or visitwww.utfl.co.uk
