It’s the flagship policy from the ‘greenest’ government in history but what does it mean to you?

In the last edition of Truframe Plus we mentioned the ‘Green Deal’ – a government initiative that aims to update the energy efficiency of British properties by potentially giving homeowners access to loans to do this.

The policy is set to become a reality around autumn 2012 but there have been questions raised within the industry in regards to how smaller firms will benefit from the scheme in relation to who will carry out the installations.

The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) recently attended a meeting with representatives from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to discuss just this. Its Chief Executive questioned MPs on whether smaller firms will be able to access the scheme and provide the energy efficient solutions to homeowners.

The response was positive. With Gregg Barker MP stating that local businesses are the obvious choice for consumers wanting home improvements and the Green Deal could provide a bigger opportunity for small businesses than for larger ones.

We are ahead of the game when it comes to energy efficiency, positioning you to take advantage of the Green Deal should it present the opportunities it promises.

6 chambered profile design means you can offer ‘A’ rated foiled windows.

Now you can offer your customers the very best in style and energy efficiency with our ‘A’ rated foiled windows. The windows are manufactured using a six chambered Liniar profile – one chamber more than our standard white windows – and are available in our full range of foiled finishes.

Steve Lane, national sales manager discusses the products design in more detail: “Unlike white frames, foiled windows expand in the heat and therefore need extra reinforcement – a factor that negatively impacts energy ratings. As a result some manufactures don’t offer ‘A’ rated foiled windows, instead only achieving a ‘C’ or ‘B’ rating on their coloured frames. But Truframe is different. We use a six chambered profile on all our foiled products, meaning they offer the very best in energy efficiency as well as style. It is just another example of Truframe going to the extra mile and sourcing the best components to bring our customers the leading products on the market today.”

Even throughout the recession, in which seeking out profitable business opportunities has proven a tough task for home improvement professionals; demand for bi-folding doors has rocketed in the retail sector presenting a great opportunity to win business.

We’ve certainly noticed this demand here at Truframe, with sales of our high performing Liniar bi-fold Plus soaring since its launch in 2011, proving that PVCu can hold its own against aluminium in the bi-fold market.

The Liniar Bi-fold Plus has an ultra low 24mm threshold – far lower than the bulky alternatives on many PVCu bi-folds – and is available in white, cream and a range of foil finishes. The doors slim sightlines mean less PVCu and more glass, allowing in more natural light, while the slim stepped outer frame means installations can be completed with minimum fuss.

Here are some of the other key benefits and features the Liniar Bi-fold plus offers:

• Purpose designed Bi-Fold door

• Simple to install

• Internal or external opening. Both options are internally beaded

• 70mm deep outer frame

• Fully sculptured frames

• Secure shoot bolt locking

• Standard Liniar frame details allowing all clip on ancillary items to fit

• Co-extruded sash with Liniar’s patented glazing seal

Truframe invest across the board in 2011

Looking back on 2011 Truframe was something of a purple sheep. Whilst many other manufacturers were reigning in spending, Truframe stood out from the crowd and invested hundreds of thousands of pounds right across our business to ensure nothing but the best for our trade customers.

We significantly enhanced our I.T infrastructure to improve productivity and provide an enhanced service. For example we integrated our window fabrication software with our BJM cutting and prep centre to be able to manufacture higher volumes; and software investment has also seen us launch a new online ordering facility, enabling customers to purchase frames 24/7.

A major factory expansion means we also added new storage facilities, accounts office and enhanced our reception area to keep up with customer demand and meet our forecasts for growth. Add in the fact that we expanded our delivery fleet by purchasing a procession of new vehicles and acquired major new machinery to offer a sophisticated and market leading automated production line, we certainly were a purple sheep in 2011.