Innovation's what you need: Ultraframe's Andrew Thomson on new product innovations

After a sustained period of growth, the UK conservatory market reversed the trend in 2005 and, for the first time since 1992, volumes actually declined.

Whenever a highly successful growth market declines, the question arises; is this a long-term change of direction or just a temporary blip? Well, the market is far from saturated and predictions for consumer expenditure, the housing market and interest rates remain positive so we hope growth conditions will be restored.

Higher standards

At Ultraframe, we believe that the time is right for another step change in product technology. For the last 22 years, Ultraframe has been a pioneer within the conservatory industry driving technical innovation and product development. Our markets are, quite rightly, subject to increasing regulation and we believe that there is now a need to make it easier to clearly demonstrate compliance with the very latest product standards.

If we can provide our customers with the most technologically advanced and cost effective products available, then profitable sales growth will be the result.

It is this customer focused ethos that means Ultraframe, for the first time has turned its attention towards the structural integrity of the entire conservatory, something that has been questioned recently with the proposal and development of new standards and best practice guidelines for the industry.

Framelock

Until now there has been no specific guidance for installers when designing conservatory side frames. Framelock, in conjunction with an Ultraframe roof, is the first dedicated complete conservatory system to be underwritten by one provider and to achieve BBA accreditation. This puts the conservatory installer in a strong position ahead of pending conservatory legislation and provides the homeowner with total peace of mind.

The unique Framelock system consists of aluminium rails and pillars that form a series of structural frames into which PVC-U windows and doors can be fitted. It provides vertical support for the roof and transfers any roof load directly to the conservatory base. It also delivers the required stiffness within the wall structure to resist horizontal wind loads.

Clicklock

Ultraframe has incorporated its proven Clicklock boltless jointing system to speed up conservatory installation time. The use of Clicklock also prevents fitters from taking any shortcuts which could potentially compromise the structure and ensures the structural integrity of the joints.

A patented clip joins the side frame to the eaves, cill and the adjacent frame. The stainless steel clip grabs the outside of the frame and snap fits onto the profile so no screws are required. The aluminium pillars and rails are then capped and clad with thermally efficient, low-maintenance PVC-U.

The Framelock system marks a great step forward for the industry and offers a number of installation advantages and key benefits to installers and fabricators alike.

For installers it ensures predictability of installation, and the confidence that the product they are selling is ‘fit for purpose'.

The customer simply specifies the conservatory they are designing to Ultraframe, who then supplies them with dimensional drawings to pass to their frame suppliers, Ultraframe then factory fits the clips onto the Framelock rails and pillars.

This factory preparation minimises the potential of site errors and call backs, ensuring consistent quality installation.

This is especially beneficial for conservatory companies with sub-contractors or several fitting teams as they can have total assurance that the job is installed to the highest standards.

The assurance of total structural rigidity, combined with other Ultraframe products and initiatives, such as Ultraframe's BBA approved roofs, the Ultra Installer Scheme and the BBA Fabricator Scheme, offers a powerful differential advantage for installers.

BBA approval

Framelock will also appeal to homeowners by offering extra peace of mind as owners of conservatories constructed using an Ultraframe roof and the Framelock system will receive a BBA accredited Certificate of Structural Assurance for the entire structure and in addition a Certificate of Authenticity to guarantee they have a top quality Ultraframe roof.

For fabricators, Framelocks' structural integrity removes the responsibility for underwriting conservatory design. It can be used on all of the major window profiles and as it is factory prepared. A further quality control benefit of the system is that trade fabricators can supply the frames to site fully glazed, saving further on site installation time for fitters.

Tie bar replacement kit

We have listened to feedback from our installers and have designed a Tie Bar Replacement Kit which is a less obtrusive alternative to the traditional tie bar, often required on larger span or glass-roofed conservatories. The Tie Bar Replacement Kit is simple to install and ensures a greater level of structural stability than that on offer from any other roof system.

The Tie Bar Replacement Kit has radical new features including an aluminium bolster beam along the ridge, an end stop on the eaves beam and a new ridge compression plate, all designed to strengthen the roof ridge. There are also new components for use in fixings to the host wall and on 90 degree corners, all adding to the structural integrity of the conservatory.

All components in the tie-bar replacement kit are designed to meet current and potential future legislation on structural performance, a topic which is sure to continue to be high on the agenda in the future.

Polyspan optimum

Also to be introduced at Glassex is Polyspan Optimum. This glazing option gives Installers even greater choice. It is a high quality, lightweight and high performance polycarbonate that is a low cost alternative to glass. It offers the ultimate in solar control and combined with excellent light transmission and market leading thermal efficiency making it the best polycarbonate available on the market.

Polyspan Optimum is available on all Ultraframe roofing systems in either a contemporary blue or grey and provides a cost effective way of achieving the performance of glass. It has a solar heat gain coefficient of just 0.26 which means that it blocks out 74% of solar heat whilst maintaining a high level of light transmission into the conservatory. It also provides excellent thermal properties, with a ‘U' value of just 1.5 W/m2K, compared to 1.6 on standard 25mm polycarbonate and 1.1 on Conservaglass Optimum. Polyspan Optimum is coated on both sides so it cannot be installed upside down and has exceptional resistance to ageing, it is also 200 times stronger than glass and virtually shatter proof.

With a number of other innovative additions to the Ultraframe product and service range, Glassex 2006 is set to be another landmark event for the company. Having set the standards in the design and manufacture of conservatory roofing systems in the UK for many years, Ultraframe continues its investment in research and development and looks set to pioneer the major technological developments in the conservatory market for many years to come.