Through the roof

House moving, as we know, is one of the biggest triggers to get homeowners thinking about new windows, doors and extensions, so the announcement of a slowdown in houses coming onto the market is not at all welcome news to the retrofit sector. Read Story. The fact that this has happened in October – usually a buoyant month in the property market – may not augur at all well for the immediate future either, especially as the market always quietens in the run-up to Christmas.

Still, if not as many are ready to improve their home with extensions, it is certainly better news that very many more are improving their extensions – around 30% more, according to one observer. Read Story

But, whatever bit of the house is being improved, there is a new opportunity to show it at its best with the launch of a new installation competition by the FIT people. Read Story

…and speaking of awards, shame on you if you haven’t already booked your place at the G16 finals at the London Hilton, Park Lane, in ten days’ time, but don’t worry; those nice people who organise it have saved a few tickets just for you.

See you there…

Chris Church Editor

Please send all your news stories to news@the-glazine.com

This Week's News

Glazier given 18 months’ jail for £165,000 tax fraud

The former owner of a Gloucestershire window and door business who evaded more than £165,000 in VAT and Income Tax has been jailed for 18 months.

An investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) revealed that for seven years John Choppin, 39, owner of Nailsworth Doors and Windows of Stroud, failed to register for or pay VAT, evading £87,191.

He lied on Self Assessment returns to wipe out any Income Tax or National Insurance liability, when he should have paid £49,680 to HMRC. He also failed to complete his tax returns for the 2011 to 2014 tax years, leaving a debt of £28,721.

Read More Here...

Demand for replacement roofs up 30%

Consumer enquiries for replacement conservatory roofs have risen by 30% year on year, according to lead generating business Leads2trade.

This year, Leads2trade has generated 4,000 replacement roof leads, mostly May and September, when demand for conservatories is historically higher. Many enquiries received were to replace old polycarbonate roofs for a solid tile roof.

Leads2trade Director Andy Royle said: “Homeowners want to invest in their homes and one of the main areas of improvement is conservatories. The replacement roof market is doing particularly well as consumers look to upgrade their old polycarbonate and glass roofs to solid tile.

Read More Here...

House market slowing

The number of houses put up for sale dropped in four out of five UK towns and cities in October and the number of new listings fell by nearly 7% in the same time, according to the latest Property Supply Index from online estate agent HouseSimple.com.

The slump is especially ominous as October is usually a busy month in the property market. Worst hit were Swansea with listings down 52% and Stirling, down 37.7%.

Alex Gosling, CEO of HouseSimple.com  said: "At this time of year we'd expect to see committed sellers rushing to put their properties on the market before the traditionally quieter period kicks in as we get closer to Christmas.

Read More Here...

Search is on for top installation

The FIT Show is calling on all installers, manufacturers, system companies and suppliers to show off their best work for its newly-launched ‘Installation of the Year’ competition.

Launched via Twitter, the competition is now open to entries across the commercial and domestic sectors. Each month for the next six months, organisers will pick one ‘Installation of the Month’ winner who will be put forward for public vote to be crowned the overall ‘Installation of the Year’ winner.

Photographs, including a short description of the installation and the product(s) used, can be submitted using the competition hashtag #FITInstallation.

Read More Here...

We Have Email

From:
Ian Branagan
CEO
GlazeAlarm

Following the recent study of the smart windows market by n-tech we are pleased to hear that the range of products is growing. In previous years n-tech’s studies focused heavily on the number of self-dimming coatings that were being proposed as the basis for smart windows, but we are now seeing a maturing of this market, with electrochromic glass set to take a domineering role in the future.

In the past it has been reported that smart windows were often viewed almost exclusively in terms of energy efficiency. However, n-tech believes that the marketing story surrounding smart windows is broadening – to combine smart windows with smart lighting, providing customers with enhanced comfort.

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From:
Roger Hartshorn
Group CEO
Liniar

It was good to read Rob McGlennon’s letter about not competing with customers, as this is something we hold close to our hearts at Liniar. It does seem we’re in the minority, however.

Looking at the large PVCu extruders producing more than 20,000 tonnes per year, the majority seem to have fallen into the trap of making huge volumes of windows and selling their own windows direct to installers through trade counters.

Read More

From:
Kevin Warner
Head of Sales and Marketing
Kömmerling

The latest report from Palmer Market Research makes for compelling reading and highlights a clear trend towards higher end products, but also importantly for the patio door sector, an impressive reported growth of 6% in 2015. The market is also seeing an increase in product assessment, yet some companies are disappointingly taking a diluted approach with indicative desk-based testing, rather than one of a physical nature.

A patio door offers a far greater passage of light than a typical French door combination and now the same level of security, through successful testing to PAS 24 and the achievement of the Secured by Design standard. In the past patio doors have been typically weak at the interlock and it’s at this important part of the door that Kömmerling has focused its research and development efforts.

Read More