Door Industry Journal - Winter 2013

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 54 THE door industry journal winter 2013 building hardware HOMEOWNERS LOOK TO IMPROVE NOT MOVE With house prices rising and a shortage of homes for sale many homeowners today are looking to improve their home rather than move. Recent research from The Bank of England indicates that homeowners are paying off mortgages early or adding value to the home with conversions and extensions. Experts in sliding door gear systems P C Henderson has seen that homeowners are aspiring to create an indoor/outdoor living experience to enhance their home environment. Andrew Royle, UK Commercial Director at P C Henderson, advises: “With the rise in cost of living and homeowners still gaining confidence as we move out of a volatile housing market, it is no surprise that many are looking to improve not move. This recent demand for home improvement has meant we’ve extended one of our most popular ranges to include a new colour and weight category.” To answer aesthetic demand, a black finish to components has now been added to the Securefold range which already includes brushed satin, polished stainless steel and titanium gold. With the growing trend in the use of triple glazed doors, Securefold Ultra has now been tested to 100kg to accommodate project requirements. “While sliding and folding door gear systems can help create desired space without the costs associated with an extension to the home, it is key to source the option most suited to create the ideal open plan living space without compromising security standards,” explains Royle. The Securefold Ultra system gives the home an extra layer of protection with all the aesthetic and weather resistance benefits associated with modern design for outward opening exterior folding doors. The system has enhanced security components certified to PAS24 and BS EN 1627 RC2 and accredited as Secured by Design hardware. These accreditations and standards mean the system meets the requirements to be classified as burglar resistant. P C Henderson’s solutions can help increase the interior floor space available by the use of specially designed residential sliding door gear systems, which provide an easy access solution that is versatile and silent in use. They can be used as room dividers to create a flexible living space without compromising on an open plan design, which helps create space and allow more light into the property by removing walls and opening up rooms. They can also be used for wardrobe doors allowing even the ‘box room’ in the house to accommodate storage solutions without losing functionality. CONTROL WITH FLEXIBILITY FROM ADAMS RITE Adams Rite, part of ASSA ABLOY Security Solutions, an ASSA ABLOY company, has launched a variable spring strength version of its popular ARC-51N transom door closer, ideal for facilitating effective building management. The new transom door closer features an adjustable spring, enabling a simple change between closing strengths EN 1-4, under EN1154. This ensures the door closes smoothly and securely, while the opening force is kept to a minimum for safe and inclusive access. Having been tested to 500,000 cycles, Adams Rite’s variable speed transom closer has proven durability, as well as cost- efficiency, making it ideal for applications on a tight budget, from public sector and commercial builds to healthcare and educational facilities. The new unit shares the same footprint as the current fixed spring variant, making it an ideal retrofit product. With quick and simple installation, the closer limits disruption to the day-to-day operations of the building upon fitting. Andy Stolworthy, Product Manager for Adams Rite, said: “When a doorset has to withstand heavy through-traffic - as you’d see in a hospital corridor or the entrance to a classroom - it’s essential that hardware is durable and long-lasting. The variable speed transom door closer at once provides peace-of-mind that it will endure, as well as the flexibility for effective installation and upkeep. A word of caution, if the doorset is specified to meet the opening force requirements of Approved Document M, a CAM motion unit should be used, which Adams Rite can also supply.” Adams Rite is the leading supplier of aluminium door locking, electric locking and escape devices, supplying the top OEM door manufacturers worldwide. The company is part of ASSA ABLOY Security Solutions, a division of ASSA ABLOY, the global leader in door opening solutions. For more information visit www.adamsrite.co.uk