How important are Doors and Windows? Do first impressions really make a difference when you are trying to sell a new build home? Stanley Richardson, Sales Manager, the Commercial Window Group, discusses.
“You have to give people a reason to buy. This goes not just for us within the window industry but for house builders, developers, architects and specifiers – everyone is looking for an edge, the trigger that tips the balance in their favour and supports their own sales.
“Windows and doors define the character of a property, delivering kerb appeal or detracting from it. There is a place for standard white PVC-U but foiled PVC-U products deliver far greater architectural flexibility.
“That used to be about matching the natural warmth of timber but without associated maintenance. Increasingly it’s as a far lower cost and more thermally efficient alternative to aluminium.
“Physically the first part of a building that people touch is the front door. Quality, thermally efficient, secure and fully finished windows and doors convey the quality (or otherwise) of a development to a buyer.
“Our research and indeed our own experience within our retail businesses, consistently reinforces the importance of quality and the added value sales that it delivers.”
How important are doors and windows to the sustainability claims of house builders?
“BREEAM, from next year the Future Homes Standard and, although voluntary, The Home Quality Mark, put a high degree of focus on sustainability in new homes and windows and doors sit within that broader framework.
“Regulation and policy aside, there is a far bigger societal movement to sustainability including in manufacture.
“Through the Commercial Window Group’s partnership with Profile 22 and Saint-Gobain, we’re able to fully recycle old windows, doors and glass units, bringing them into a new generation of products. This closes the loop on the product lifecycle while also lowering carbon in manufacture.
“Through-life windows and doors also contribute to lowering emissions and costs. That is a powerful message to end-users. Average household bills topping £2,500 a year are still a fresh scar. Tapping into enhanced thermal efficiency and lower running costs still resonates.
“It’s a sales platform for housebuilders and unlike cavity wall or loft insulation, windows and doors are a far more tangible offer to the end user.
“As part of our housebuilder marketing support package, we’ve tapped into our direct experience in retail to create housebuilder/homeowner retail sales packs, which highlight alongside security and acoustic performance, the energy efficiency and sustainable approach adopted to the manufacture of the windows in their new home.”
At what stage should housebuilders get manufacturers involved? Are you able to provide any other benefits in terms of design etc?
“The Commercial Window Group offers a full design support and specification service. We can do a lot of the leg work and support architects and developers in selecting the right specification for their project.
“This includes a wide range of calculations including SAP ratings, wind loadings, barrier loadings U-values and G-values.
“The earlier we engage the greater the opportunity to work with architects to develop cost-effective but still high impact design solutions. We’ve been doing it for 40-years, so it’s something where we believe we can add considerable value.
How does the Commercial Window Group’s installation model work?
“The Commercial Window Group is made up of a network of specialist and expert new build and commercial window and door installers. Those companies admitted to the scheme have to hold SSIPs and all relevant accreditation and deliver works to agreed minimum specifications.
“Installed by expert commercial window fitters, its service offer is built around a regional model, which allows national housebuilders to partner with regional experts, nationwide.
“At the same time regional housebuilders also benefit by working with a commercial window and door supply partner who knows and understands local site conditions.
“A further advantage for national housebuilders is that they can develop a single specification across sites in different regions, reducing complexity.
What products does the Commercial Window Group supply?
“The Commercial Window Group is vertically integrated. Windows are manufactured exclusively by the Emplas Group, one of the UK’s largest window and door fabricators, with more than four decades expertise of supply into the commercial sector.
“These are manufactured in casement, flush casement, fully reversible and tilt-and-turn window profiles from Profile 22, one of the UK’s most widely specified window systems.
“As highlighted, installation is carried out through our network of specialist commercial window and door installation partners. Each has decades of expertise and to hold all relevant accreditation and deliver works to agreed minimum specifications.
“Vertically integrated, the model also brings complete visibility to the commercial window and door supply chain.
What makes the Commercial Window Group different?
Aside from the regional model of delivery which we combine with national coverage, we’re different to other commercial window and door suppliers because of our focus on service and support.
“Everything we do is geared towards redefining expectations in new build and making projects run more efficiently, going far beyond housebuilder SLAs.
“This includes everything from the 12-month fixed price that we offer from point of contract to our world class OTIF.
“Regardless of your region, our network members are committed to standard response times, standard call off times and CML commissioning two-weeks ahead of plot handover.
“We also have a dedicated remedial and aftercare service with established management processes designed to ensure that the end user remains informed – and happy – throughout the process.
“It’s about partnership and service. Reputation is priceless.”
For more information on the Commercial Window Group’s next generation high performance window and door ranges and our regional delivery partners call 0800 254 5757 or email [email protected]
