New tools for trading

Sapa Building Systems Ltd has always had one of the most extensive product ranges available in the market. Everything from a domestic window or conservatory installation, through public sector replacement programmes to complex, high rise curtain walling projects can be manufactured from systems that are tried and tested across Europe and beyond. Now, with the introduction of three new window and door suites, the scope for specifiers, fabricators and installers is even wider.

There seems to be a real buzz across the market for aluminium at the moment. We are seeing an increase in all sectors which we believe is just the start of a long-term trend. This brings huge opportunities for fabricators, and being able to call upon the right system for any given application is fundamental to delivering a competitive package. The ability to source these systems from one supplier delivers significant competitive advantage through efficiency of ordering and integration of the products themselves.

Versatile Dualframe

For example, we have developed our Dualframe system to such an extent that it can now be used in applications as diverse as domestic home improvement, commercial or even the public sector. Dualframe includes a wide range of window variants such as casements in two frame depths, sliding windows, tilt before turn, reversible and pivot. A high performance door and the low-rise curtain walling alternative, Window Wall, complete the range. And, of course, Dualframe is still the only aluminium window system to have achieved an ‘A’ rating under the Window Energy Rating scheme.

Innovation has always been vitally important in maintaining our market-leading position and so, whilst we continued the development of Dualframe we were also focusing on what else we needed to do to ensure our fabricators keep their competitive edge.

New from Europe

The latest products to be launched have been introduced from our European range where they have been tried and tested in countless applications. For fabricators this means they have even more choice whatever the demands of the projects they are quoting for.

The first is Excellence 65 which is a thermally broken, three chamber window and door system with a 65mm depth. As you would expect, it offers very high levels of thermal insulation and in addition is extremely strong which allows high entrances and large facades to be constructed with minimal sightlines. Glazing up to 49.5mm for frames and 59.5mm for vents is another key feature, as is the SF variation which offers a high security option.

Confort 50, a two-chamber window and door system, again offers high levels of thermal performance but with a frame depth of just 50mm. As is common across the new ranges, it offers the option of dual colour and a Eurogroove for optimum hardware compatibility.

Dualframe is still the only aluminium window system to have achieved an ‘A’ rating under the Window Energy Rating scheme

Finally there is Confort 125 which is a sliding and lift & sliding door system. With the choice of one, two or three tracks and heights of 2.5 metres, glazing large areas is easily achieved. This system also has a polyamide thermal break which allows dual colour to be specified. Multipoint security locks can be applied on both the sliding and lifting versions along with an anti-lift device that offers even higher levels of security.

The introduction of these new products follows the highly successful launch of our Elegance 52 curtain walling system earlier this year. We have been running dedicated product application training sessions for our fabricators, which mean we now have many more customers that have the expertise to take on curtain walling projects with absolute confidence.

Software support

Our approach to the introduction of these new products has been two-fold. With a growing product range we have to ensure that selecting the right product for a project is kept as simple as possible. To this end, we have launched a new CD-based software package called Sapa Biblio.

Biblio is easy to navigate, simple to follow and invaluable in use as its key functions allow fabricators to make thermal calculations for whole windows and establish mullion and transom requirements for windows and curtain walling based on all important wind load calculations. Plus, as an additional feature, it contains a comprehensive product library of CAD drawings.

Biblio has been developed exclusively for Sapa Customers to assist in the selection of profiles from any part of our Dualframe system, as well as the new products we have most recently launched. Being able to select the right product from such a wide range ensures that projects are not over-specified and will therefore be competitively priced.

Our main aim

Our main aim behind the introduction of these new systems is to ensure our customers are better equipped than ever to take on commercial work. The breadth of our new product range means customers can select the right system that meets the specification and the budget and this, in an increasingly competitive market place, is crucially important. The launch of Sapa Biblio, Elegance 52 and now these new products, combining with our original Dualframe system, means that our customers have the tools, the training and the backing they need for success.