Here we are only a few short days into the New Year and already most people have broken their resolutions.

Here at Ultraframe we have already planned our activity not only for 2011 but into the Olympic year itself. And we are talking – to use a metaphor- about a race…but is it a sprint or a marathon?

Having previewed many potential new products at Glassex last year, the first few months of this year will see them delivered into the market. Ultraframe has already booked its slot at the next Glassex in October and is currently designing now products in readiness.

So, what can retailers expect to see now and in the coming months?

Ultraframe has taken its best selling Classic roof…..and added a ‘plus’. The Classic Plus roof features new internal components which create hidden tracks into which fit a new product called Shades.

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Shades are a cost effective shading product that offers significant additional features when compared to traditional pleated blinds. Shades can be designed as one piece panels or as ‘split sliders’, like sliding sashes. Mimicking timber conservatories, the ‘T’ shaped under claddings on the glazing bars look elegant yet strong. To accommodate these T shaped claddings, the ridge and valley under claddings have been made deeper too, and all three products use Ultraframe’s well established chambered twin wall technology to improve thermal performance.



Ventilation is taken care of by the fitment as standard of Eavesflow ventilators into every facet.

Fitting the roof couldn’t be easier either. As you would expect, everything is exquisitely cut and prepped to aid ‘right first time’ installation. Jack rafter undercladding joints and intersections are neat and close fitting. New tie bar brackets have been introduced to work with the ‘T’ shaped under claddings. Should spotlights be specified in the ridge or wiring needs to be run around the conservatory, then the new deeper ridge cladding lends itself to this task.

Provided the Classic Plus roof is specified at the start – and it is available for only a modest financial uplift – the retailer has the option to sell Shades at the same time as the conservatory, or view the Shade sale as a separate sales opportunity and to undertake that sale a number of months later ( a datafile is stored electronically, so no site measurement should be necessary when it comes time to order the Shades).

Available in a choice of 22 fabrics or 12 natural wood weaves, Shades create privacy and dappled light in summer. In winter, the thermal performance of the whole conservatory is significantly improved, and the product virtually makes the whole system perform like triple glazing. The rectangular panels can be upgraded to become two piece sliders, giving the consumer a degree of control over the incoming light.

By careful selection of the fabric and by having an understanding of the orientation of the property and its age, it is possible to have a conservatory design that optimises four season comfort. For example, it is feasible to design say a gable design, one slope of which is south facing and insert one of the high performance fabrics into that slope only, reducing summertime heat build up.

This ability to plan, design and specify these kind of features significantly improves the overall ambiance of the conservatory, giving the consumer the ultimate ‘lifestyle room’ – and Ultraframe’s retailers will gain a considerable marketing edge too.

The introduction of Classic Plus and Shades further blurs the conservatory/home extension continuum; through the launch of its Orangery products ( the company now offers two types) and the Veranda style show ( see ‘editors choice article on page XX) winning concept, the company recognises the trend to ‘cross-over’ conservatories, which give consumers even more benefits.

In addition to Classic Plus and Shades and veranda discussed elsewhere in the magazine, Ultraframe will have available a full external suite of aluminium cappings and claddings. Aimed at those who prefer a full aluminium conservatory through choice or for those who need it because of planning restrictions, it will offer innovative and patented features, as you would expect.

And the final piece of the jigsaw – and something that further fuels the crossover look – is the new decorative pillar which combines seamlessly with the Cornice to create a distinctive new conservatory look.

Watch out for more details on these exciting products…………

 


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