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i-folds,sliders&patiodoors
Quality Sells
–and Saves
It’s afact that quality always
sells and that the best form
of recommendation is word
of mouth. Without the first
you don’t get the latter,
writes David Newton of Brio
UK (a bi-folding door
hardware manufacturer).
Put the two together and
you have anunbeatable
combination...
Bi-folding
doors are the
must-have design feature in both
domestic and commercial settings
where the craze to let the
outside inand the inside out is
rapidly gaining momentum.
Commercial expansion
However, the market is fast
expanding beyond the domestic
setting into the commercial sectorwhere
hotels,restaurantsand
cafes are also benefiting form
the current al fresco trend. For
manufacturers of doors and windows
this trend offers anopportunity
to cash inonhigh spec,
high end products to satisfy current
demand in this luxury niche.
Test of time
However, windows and doors
are ahuge investment and apurchase
that should last alongtime
so it is really important to ensure
the best possible quality hardware
issourced, offering peace
of mind that the product will
stand the test of time.
Fabricators and the installers
that buy from them should be
very wary ofapolicy of buying
hardwaresolely on price as in so
many cases this is afalse economy.
What is the point ofusing
expensive timber when manufacturing
doors and windows and
then fitting the cheapest hardware
available? There is no point
–itwould be mistaken and ultimately
self destructive for any
business to do so. The installer
runs the risk of increased costs
from expensive remedial works
which in the long term isexpensive
for the manufacturer who
would have been better off paying
more for abetter product.
Specification of the materials
When selecting hardware it is
important to consider the specification
ofthe materials used inits
production. Often substandard
product contains alot of plastic
components and these can have
an adverse effect on the life
expectancy of the product.
Unfortunately there are many
substandard products on the
market.
The chain
It is also fundamental that the
product is easy to use right down
the line from the fabricator to the
installer and ultimately the end
user.Any quality hardware manufacturer
will have considered
the chain of use when designing
their products.
Security
Another important consideration
when specifying door and window
hardware is security. Doors
and windows are the most likely
area of attack for any would-be
burglar, so it is therefore vital
that good security is offered
when itcomes to door and window
hardware. It’s important to
choose products that have been
tested for years of safe and consistent
operation.
Product really does need to act
the part and not only look good
as Ralph Croxford who installed
the bespoke heavy sliding doors
for aswimming pool extension
at aprivate house nearLiverpool
(Pictured above) says: “Door
hardware needs tobeaesthetically
pleasing, durable and reasonably
priced. Architects and
specifiers will always demand
products that tick many boxes –
visual appearance is important,
as well as durability of the product
but in the main they will be
looking for aproduct that looks
good and can offeryears of trouble
free use.” i
briouk.com
Forthe Best PVC-U Sliding Sash Windows go to www.quickslide.co.uk
24 |Bi-folds,Sliders&PatioDoors |theinstaller