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Random thoughts

by Renegade Conservatory Guy
Feb
8
2010

I’ve been so chilled out today. Nothing seems to be getting me wound up at all, even my wife seems to be making sense.

Unfortunately, others around me seem to be losing their heads. I’m particularly referring to some of the comments on this blog recently. One of the problems with the internet is that people often rant at each other in ways they wouldn’t do if they were face to face. I had to disable comments on our YouTube videos as many of the comments were completely out of order. Generally, on this website, people are civilised, although I do delete a number of comments each month which are not suitable.

It’s great that people are passionate, and the debate between various contributors is mostly better than any content I write. But, I would prefer people to show a little more restraint in some instances.

Fair Trade Hardware

A few weeks ago I wrote about my concerns that people in the Far East were being exploited while manufacturing hardware products to fit to UK windows and doors. I’ll be honest, I haven’t made any progress with my thinking, albeit I do have a meeting with my main hardware supplier to discuss in the near future.

I did put a comment on here that I would welcome the opportunity to visit any UK hardware supplier’s factory in China to see the conditions for myself. As yet, I haven’t had any offers ;-)

Global Warming / Climate Change

I’m still trying to get my head around whether human induced climate change is actually happening. There’s been some very informed comments on the original post I wrote, and many thanks to those who have voted. At the moment, it looks like people are equally as confused as myself. If you haven’t voted yet, you can do so at the right hand side.

Why I don’t watch TV any more

Many thanks to John Keleher at Crittall Windows for mentioning this post on Twitter, which very much sums up why I continue adding content to this website:

http://ow.ly/14Qaz

I often get asked why I bother, and sometimes it’s difficult to explain why I feel the need to keep writing all this stuff. Well, it’s difficult to fully quantify, and I have questioned many times why I bother, but I feel the above post pretty much sums up why I prefer blogging to watching TV.

GlassTalk

I haven’t mentioned GlassTalk for a while, mainly because the dust has been settling from the last event. Tomorrow we’re finishing early and travelling down to Warwickshire to view a rather posh hotel. Nothing is fixed yet, but it is more than likely going to happen on May 27th, so if you’re thinking of attending it would pay to leave this day free in your diary. More news to follow.

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Posted in Climate Change, Double Glazing Blogs, GlassTalk, Renegade Conservatory Guy, Window Hardware | No Comments »

Anger and confusion about WER scheme

by Renegade Conservatory Guy
Feb
7
2010

I’ve been reading with interest the lengthening thread on the Thermoseal blog about the Window Energy Scheme and its impact on our industry.

It appears that there are many people concerned that the impending changes to the WER scheme in October will have a devastating effect on many small IGU fabricators, PVCu manufacturers and installers. Many of the comments refer to small businesses being pushed out of business and people being forced onto the dole.

I am becoming increasingly concerned myself that the industry is just not ready to replace U-Values with WERs as the only way to comply with building regulations in such a short time scale.

The whole thing seems badly thought out, and there seems to be a lot of confusion about what the changes will actually mean to individual businesses. There are even people questioning the validity of the science behind the rating system.

Our company has successfully been marketing energy rated windows for some time now, but I’m particularly frustrated with the amount of unnecessary bureaucracy it entails and the lack of flexibility we now have with sealed unit product supply.

So, I’m trying to fix up to have an interview on the website with Giles Wilson of the BFRC, although I’m yet to get a response to my request. I want to ask him for clarity on a couple of questions I need clarifying, but I would also like to hear any constructive questions you might like me to put to him.

Please submit your questions below, and then I’ll compile the best 8 or 10 and send them to him.

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Posted in BFRC, Double Glazing, Energy Rated Windows, GGF, uPVC Windows | 4 Comments »

All gone gas or Argon gas – which do you prefer?

by Renegade Conservatory Guy
Feb
4
2010

Guest Post by Steve Massey

As Document L of the building regulations continues to be tightened for both new and existing dwellings, Argon gas filling will become a standard process in sealed unit production.

BS EN 1279 is now mandatory for all sealed unit manufacturers and clearly defines the rules for gas filling compliance. EN1279 part 3 states : units must be within -5%/+10% of a specified single gas concentration and must have a leakage rate of less than 1% per year, over a 10-year period. It is reasonable to take 90% as the concentration level for Argon, because this is the level that all WER windows are calculated at.

As part of our EN1279 part 6 compliance responsibilities, we have to undertake daily testing of our gas production. We are required to log and record the concentration levels for a minimum of 3 random units per day from the Argon batch. We actually test many more to check that all our systems are working correctly. This ensures that our customers will not be faced with a huge product recall due to either illegal or unfit for purpose products. Ask Toyota what their current recall issue is going to cost them.

argon gas analysis

Our calibrated external Sparklike Gas test machine gives instant readings of Argon content. We can test a unit that is in-situ glazed, as easily as testing units from our production. We would recommend that any window company buying gas filled sealed units asks their sealed unit supplier for the following:

• To visit their factory and view their gas production and testing systems
• Examine their EN1279 part 3 pass report
• To bring their in house gas testing machine to site and test the gas content of random units
• Repeat these actions regularly to ensure that they maintain quality.

We welcome window companies with any doubts about their products to bring a unit to our factory for a confidential Argon concentration test. We think that the peace of mind would be worth the trip.

Regards

Steve Massey
Regency Glass Ltd
www.regencyglass.co.uk
www.sparklike.com

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Posted in Double Glazing, Energy Rated Windows, uPVC Windows | 1 Comment »

Are your windows unleaded?

by Renegade Conservatory Guy
Feb
2
2010

Guest post by Roger Hartshorne in response to Martin Randall’s recent post

I agree with all of your comments and sentiments, and congratulations on your new appointment within the GGF. I have read this website over the last 12 months and noted the comments without a response, however I think now is the time to make one or two points.

lead-free-windows

One of the major developments in recent times must be Lead Free Profile. Some system companies have either avoided the change or just chose not to do it. Lead Free petrol was launched to reduce pollution, everyone who buys petrol now buys lead free because its the right thing to do, some systems companies still supply lead stabilised window profiles, why?????. The only reason can be commercial gain for short term profit. Just imagine if you had to put the green skull and crossbones on your adverts for windows and imagine the conversations to explain this to Joe Public.

The systems companies have been guilty of not supplying new products over the last 3 or 4 years due to the constraints of reccession. Innovation has stalled, but this has been fed by the fabricators just wanting to buy cheap. I have met numerous fabricators who know that the system they fabricate is outdated, lead stabilised, restricted in terms of thermal performance, but cheap. This just allows the system companies to avoid expensive change of either tools, raw materials or both. Ultimately, who will lose out?

If you look at other industries then change and improvement is driven by the customer, everyone now accepts that their new fridge has an energy rating, every one accepts that your new fridge is fully recyclable without any nasty gases inside, yet why oh why do some fabricators keep knocking old outdated windows with no energy rating, made with soon to be illegal metal inside? Come on lads rather than moan about the market, look forward and embrace change and help push it forward rather than being dragged along.

Regards
Roger Hartshorne
http://liniar.co.uk/

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Posted in Environmental Issues, Guest Posts, uPVC Windows | 5 Comments »

Suicidal advertising methods of double glazing companies

by Renegade Conservatory Guy
Feb
2
2010

I’ve been sent a few images of advertisements currently running in a newspaper in the West Midlands. I thought I’d share them with you, although I’ve edited out the company details for obvious reasons.

I’ve long been of the opinion that advertising in newspapers is a waste of advertising revenue, as there are fewer and fewer people using newspapers to find double glazing companies. People use the internet these days.

The other reason I feel advertising in newspapers is a waste of money, is you are competing with irresponsible installers like the following:

Example 1

suicidal-advertising1

This company suggests it has been trading for 19 years and offers a GGF insurance backed guarantee. Consumers will need to ensure they get this, as selling uPVC windows for £159 each, and doors for £385 they’ll need it.

Example 2

suicidal-advertising2

This company is offering a full house of windows for £1200. I’ve got over 30 windows in my house, so I better give them a ring, as we’re looking at less than £40 each!

Example 3

suicidal-advertising3

This company is showing pictures of conservatories that are clearly at least £12,000 conservatories, but suggesting that they can do them for £3,999 (inc fitting and base). For those people that can’t afford to pay only £3999 for a conservatory, they can even pay in 12 months!!!

Example 4

easyfit-conservatories2

Actually, this is the best deal. Conservatories for £2999 with free tiles or blinds, and free electrics!

Come on guys. I have no problem with price advertising, but starting at such low figures is not only undermining your own profit margins, it undermines the whole industry.

I realise that this is the way you feel you can generate most leads, and by advertising a better deal than your competitors you feel you’re going to get more calls than them. And, I realise that you don’t really sell at these prices, but the problem is that when you start so low, even if you’re good at upselling you’re still going to struggle to get to a sensible, sustainable price for your work.

Consumers are being price conditioned by such advertising, and the knock on effect is that professional operators, whether they like it or not have to compete try compete with these prices.

As an industry, we need to start competing on quality and service, and not on such ridiculous prices.

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Posted in Conservatories, Double Glazing | 31 Comments »

Worry about old timber windows, not uPVC!

by Renegade Conservatory Guy
Feb
1
2010

Guest Post by Martin Randall in response to this comment on a previous post

The timber industry is very active with spin about other materials but it would be best to stick with the facts.

PVC-U, UPVC or PVC does not give off fumes nor does it leach into the ground whether buried or not. PVC-U is a particularly inert material. Once it is manufactured into profile it lasts, and lasts, and lasts. Many of the windows installed in the 1980s by Local Authorities are being replaced with double glazed frames because they were single glazed to save money. Others are being replaced and upgraded so they are more secure or have better insulation, or because the hardware breaks down and is obsolete. But the PVC-U itself just goes on and on.

Early estimates of its lifetime have had to be revised upwards. PVC-U windows will clearly last 35 years with ease, but the material itself looks good for 70 years or more. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if, like concrete, it lasted much longer. The surface gets grubby and fades after a time, but that’s it. It resists burning and self extinguishes in fire. It doesn’t melt in normal fires. When it does burn, at very high temperatures, and long after timber has burned to a crisp, it does give off some fumes. All materials do. Timber for example gives off far more noxious dioxins than PVC-U which gives off just a trace.

The more we recycle the better. It’s just good house keeping. It’s a waste if we don’t, but buried PVC-U is not a hazard or danger to health.

Now if you are concerned about easily leached materials from the surface of window frames in landfill, consider the nasty materials from the coatings of old timber frames. Like PVC-U windows, timber windows can be recycled. They could be dismantled but you try scraping away the paint and breaking down the window into components. Most timber windows aren’t recycled as you can see from the contents of skips all around the country. Most replaced windows going into landfill are not PVC-U, they are timber. If you want to lie awake worried about window materials leaching into our water supplies, worry about old timber windows.

Martin Randall
Fighting Back With Facts
http://www.fightingbackwithfacts.com

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Posted in Double Glazing, Environmental Issues, Timber Windows, uPVC Windows | 3 Comments »

Is global warming happening? And are humans causing it?

by Renegade Conservatory Guy
Jan
31
2010

I think about climate change quite often.

I’m a natural born worrier and it bothers me that humans may be affecting the climate in such a way that it may have a catastrophic effect if it is actually happening.

I’ve listened to the arguments put forward by the large number of scientists who believe that human activity is responsible for a planet that is warming up rapidly. I’ve also read information from various climate sceptics who believe it’s all nonsense and we have nothing to worry about.

To be honest, I’m not sure which side to believe.

When I speak with friends, family and colleagues about man-made climate change few people seem overly concerned, and even fewer seem prepared to change their habits. It worries me that should the world be heading towards a big increase in temperature during this century, then attitudes will have to change or we’re doomed.

I’m interested to know whether people reading this blog believe that global warming is happening, or not. Or, is it more than just me who’s confused. Considering our industry has a vital part to play in helping the UK reduce its CO2 emissions, do we believe there is a problem in the first place.

I’ve added a poll to the right hand side to see what you all think. And please leave any thoughts below that might help me make my mind up :-)

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Posted in Energy Rated Windows, Environmental Issues | 17 Comments »

Business is picking up

by Renegade Conservatory Guy
Jan
31
2010

While watching the Australian Open Final I thought I’d share with you details of our positive start to the year.

Obviously, the first week or two was pretty slow at the factory with the severe weather conditions and the naturally slow trading you would expect straight after Christmas, but things have picked up since. We’ve manufactured 2216 frames, which although well below our peaks through last year, was still 14% up on January 2009. The order book for February is also looking very strong.

I’m confident that 2009 will be a good year as enquiries have been flooding in, mainly due to website leads being up 46% compared to last January. Our dealers have been reporting strong sales over the last couple of weeks so I’m hoping the factory will be busy in February and March.

I’m also pleased with this website, which had good visitor figures for the month, despite the fact that I didn’t write as many posts compared to normal.

rcg jan

I’m still keen to receive guest posts, or suggestions of relevant content for RCG. Don’t be frightened to contact me.

Hopefully, everyone else reading this has had a similarly positive January, and I’m keen to hear what your thoughts are for the rest of the year. I would have expected far more casualties over this period than I have heard about. I have to conclude that the industry is far more resilient than before, and most of the companies in it are more efficient and ready to exploit more stable market conditions.

By the way, Murray is hanging on at 6-3, 5-3 down as I write. My money’s on Federer though!

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Posted in Conservatory Outlet, Renegade Conservatory Guy | 4 Comments »

My Youtube video experiment

by Renegade Conservatory Guy
Jan
29
2010

When I was young and inexperienced it seemed like a good idea to start making general videos about double glazing and conservatories. My idea was to put them online, sit back and watch the money roll in.

With hindsight, I should have spent that time of my life concentrating on more important and more serious marketing campaigns which actually generate sales.

Nevertheless, I’ve just had a quick look through my YouTube account, and was surprised to see that we’ve had a massive 336,127 viewers to date.

Below, are the most 5 viewed videos we posted, with a short explanation of my thinking at the time:

1. Break In Challenge – Kung Fu – 46,687 views

The day we filmed this was probably one of my most enjoyable days at work. The idea was to have a sexy, Kill Bill femme fatale demonstrating the strength of our uPVC windows. For obvious reasons this is the most viewed video we ever produced.

2. Calendar Boys – 41,717 views

This video takes a bit of explaining. It all started with a calendar we produced to help raise money for Heal. Various members of male staff at West Yorkshire Windows jumped at the chance to strip for this cause, so we produced a calendar showing the process of building a conservatory in the nude. As West Yorkshire Windows were running a radio campaign with a George Formby-style jingle, it seemed an obvious fit to combine the pictures and music together to produce……..ahem…….this:

3. Break In Challenge – Tarzan – 32,589 views

This video also takes a bit of explaining. You might at first be fooled, but it’s not really Tarzan. He’s actually a male stripper from Leeds pretending to be Tarzan, and struggling to get through the super strong Conservatory Outlet manufactured windows:

4. How to install a uPVC Window – 27,926 views

This is how they used to replace windows in the olden days:

5. Window Security Test – 19,129 views

This was about the first video we produced (way back in April 2007). Biddy, who is one of our most experienced fabricators, was convinced he’d get through the window in 2 minutes maximum. His body language is quite funny as he struggles to jemmy open the sash:

I hope you’ve enjoyed these videos, and not found them too cringe worthy.

If you can stomach any more, you can view all the videos we’ve produced at:

http://www.youtube.com/user/ConservatoryTV

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Posted in Conservatory Videos, Double Glazing Videos | 3 Comments »

Window Energy Ratings? Exchangeability?

by Renegade Conservatory Guy
Jan
27
2010

There’s an interesting blog post on the Thermoseal Group website, asking for opinions about the exchangeability of products deemed as ’similar’ being permitted in the WER scheme, so window companies and sealed unit suppliers are not bound to specific brands of a product.

You can leave your thoughts at:

http://www.thermosealgroup.com/blogs.cfm?theBlogID=B66D9A7F-15C5-F4C0-999A03944C8DBFDE

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Posted in Double Glazing, Energy Rated Windows | 11 Comments »

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