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Today’s period homeowners want energy-efficient windows that save money and look the part – and specialist fabricator, Universal Trade Frames, says the right products can deliver on both counts. We report.
With UK households still facing higher bills than pre-Covid times, increasing concerns over global warming and continuing pressure for energy efficiency in retrofit, the incentive for consumers to review and upgrade insulating products in their homes has never been greater.
“Energy efficiency will continue to generate fenestration leads, particularly from owners of period properties,” says Richard Hammond Sales Director, Universal Trade Frames. “In part, that’s because features of older buildings, such as solid walls, mean they often have fewer options when compared to owners of more recently built houses.”
“If you can’t do cavity wall insulation because your property has solid walls and you’ve already insulated your loft, windows and doors are the obvious choice,” adds Richard. “But these products also need to look authentic, and often, that’s down to the finer details.”
With sash windows a popular period feature, Universal Trade Frames added the Spectus VS slim meeting rail to its range almost a year ago as part of a bigger premium offer, including the Residence Collection with enhanced CNCmanufacturing.
With sightlines of only 37mm, the Spectus VS slim meeting rail ensures the dimensions of traditional timber sash products are accurately replicated in a low-maintenance and energy-efficient system.
“The meeting rail is the most visible part of the product,” explains Richard. “It’s often directly in your line of sight and in larger installations, often at close to head height. It’s also something which has historically ‘given away’ a window as PVC, as opposed to the timber products they are intended to replicate.
“At 37mm, the slim sash meeting rail option on our Spectus VS is 100% reflective of the sightline on a traditional timber sash window,” continued Richard. “It’s details like this, along with additional period features such as ovolo moulding to the frame; sashes and beads; and the mechanically jointed deep bottom rail, that really add weight to the product’s authenticity.”
Conservation Area opportunities with R9
Richard also suggests that offering premium, specialist products, such as the Spectus VS, or the period-inspired Residence Collection, leads to higher margins and less competition, making higher-end heritage options a lucrative proposition for installers.
“With a bit of research, attention to detail and the right products, Conservation Areas can be a good hunting ground for installers,” says Richard, suggesting the Residence Collection and R9 specifically, as the ‘go-to’ products for these projects.
“R9 has been designed to replicate a 19th Century timber window, paying incredible attention to detailing which gives it far more sway with conservation and planning officers,” he says.
Achieving U-values of as low as 0.8w/m2K, R9 also delivers significant energy savings.
“It’s not only about aesthetics with R9,” continues Richard. “It’s also a key tool in improving the energy efficiency of older homes. That’s increasingly important in driving a higher rate of Conservation Area approvals.”
Single source supplier of premium products
Having positioned itself as a single source of supply for a range of premium products, Universal Trade Frames offers the complete Residence collection including R9, R7, R2 and the RD range, manufactured as a non-glass bonded HeritageWeld product as standard.
“This delivers a major advantage to installers,” says Richard, “because it means R9 windows manufactured by us can be fitted in exactly the same way as any other window, saving time and money on site and maximising margin.”
Operating from a 30,000ft2 state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Universal Trade Frames combines expert, automation-led manufacturing from a specialist team, with a world class OTIF of 98%. A commitment to the highest levels of service and product quality ensures trouble-free installation for its customers, supporting them to take on any job.
“Products with the right energy efficiency credentials – as well as the right looks – are the ones that can generate high-margin opportunities for installers in the conservation and heritage property space,”
concludes Richard.
“Our range of premium products, such as the Spectus VS with ultra-slim meeting rail, as well as the ever-popular Residence Collection, deliver on both counts and we’re here to help our installer partners reap the benefits.
“With lowering energy bills still high on the homeowner’s agenda, there’s never been a better time to get on board.”
