In Northern Ireland, Ireland, in Scotland, in the South of England you need a 60mm system - it’s as simple as. It still accounts for around 40 per cent of sales”, says Rob McGlennon, sales director Profile 22.
His comments come as a number of European systems houses have announced their decision to drop their 60mm systems, while others review them. Rob continues: “Recession has sharpened everyone’s focus. Profile 22 isn’t immune - no-one is, but we are based in the British Isles and our market is in the British Isles.
“We’re focused on the UK and Ireland and we continue to see significant demand for 60mm systems there.
“If you’re looking at things from the perspective of a European systems company a 60mm system isn’t so appealing – you’re only going to sell it in a single market when you can sell a 70mm across markets, so the business case simply isn’t there.”
According to Rob, demand for 60mm is in the first instance regional. This is largely driven by traditional building construct. He points to Northern Ireland as an example where use of a 70mm system is in most cases too restrictive.
Rob argues, generally allow for maximum depth of 68mm so a 70mm system would create significantly more cutting back and making good. By contrast a 60mm system delivers far greater fitting tolerances.
“The same is true for Ireland, a lot of properties in Scotland and Southern England,” says Rob. He continues: “Cutting back is time consuming, if home-owners can avoid it they will because by implication it increases disruption and in many parts of the British Isles consumers simply prefer the aesthetics, the slimmer frame has appeal in areas where a 70mm system would look out of place.”
Demand for a 60mm system, Rob argues, is also sector-specific. In new-build, a market traditionally driven by price, he suggests 60mm systems retain appeal because products can be delivered more cost-effectively, while a slim-width frame maximises glass area, supporting thermal performance.
There are also specialised areas of business, Rob here points to static homes and caravans, timber frame and steel (Crittall-type) replacements, and some commercial and industrial markets, where a thinner frame also has appeal.
“We’re not saying one system is better than another. What we’re saying is that we have both and currently see significant market demand for both in different applications. For that reason are continuing to supply a 60mm suite“, he concludes.
Case Study: Super Seal Window Systems, Northern Ireland
Manufacturing 1,200 frames per week in the FC 60mm system from Profile 22, out of a total weekly output of more than 1,500 units, 60mm remains the mainstay of Belfast-based trade supplier, Super Seal‘s business.
Ken Taylor, the trade fabricator’s managing director, argues 60mm frames retain commercial appeal through a mix of practicality and cultural appeal.
He explains: “If our customers want a 70mm system, we’ll supply it, but most want a 60mm frame. The average wooden frame that they’ll take out is around 63, maybe 64mm, so a 70mm frame creates a lot more cutting back – installers don’t want the added work and homeowners don’t want it because of the additional disruption. If you’re simply cutting back into plaster, it means a lot more making-good, but cutting back into a tile makes a lot of extra work, and that’s more time on-site and less margin.”
Super Seal has increased the appeal and the flexibility of the 60mm system by marrying it with an extensive choice of woodgrain and colour and thermally-efficient options. This includes a Window Energy Rated (WER) ‘A’ and ‘B’ option across its 60mm range.
“We have a lot of customers in the South, so colour and woodgrain finishes have always been important for us. In the North, colour is probably less important, but we are seeing 60mm and greys used in the commercial sector as an alternative to aluminium. Better glass means the gap between the thermal performance of 60mm systems and 70mm systems has narrowed, even though it’s only a three chamber, as opposed to a four or five chamber system and that gives the 60mm system more flexibility”, says Ken.
He concludes: “There’s also a cultural element to it all. The retail sales guys have grown up selling a 60mm system. They have their pitch and for that reason alone, 60mm is going to be around for a long time.”
