Liniar window installers benefit from Alumina bi-fold

Following its preview at the 2016 FIT Show, Alumina by Liniar bi-folding doors have enjoyed great success in the market with many Liniar window installers now taking advantage of the sales opportunity.

Nick Dardalis of Aluminium Trade Supplies, a unique and independent website helping consumers and the trade with information about aluminium fenestration products, explains why he thinks Alumina doors are helping Liniar window installers.

“The Alumina bi-folding door is a well-designed product that needs to be viewed in the flesh to be appreciated fully. We believe it offers numerous opportunities for existing Liniar uPVC installers – plus plenty of homeowner appeal as an individual aluminium bi-fold.

A perfect match

“Our website contains several articles about Alumina, its primary feature being an aluminium bi-folding door to match the existing Liniar suite of uPVC windows.

“This is important, given the prominence of Liniar in the uPVC sector and the broad appeal Liniar windows and doors have with installers and homeowners.

“For advocates of the Liniar suite of products, Alumina is a great addition. Better still, for installers that have been used to the reliable and familiar Liniar supply chain, this remains unchanged with Alumina.

Foiled aluminium advantages

“As good as aluminium powder coated finishes are, Alumina gives the UK market a foiled aluminium bi-fold that really looks the part.

“The quality of foils in the uPVC marketplace make foiled windows far better than the not-so-authentic wood grains of many years ago.

“Using the best in foiling technology and quality, Alumina foiled bi-folds provide both a decorative and a functional benefit.

“Foils look better as they don’t need painting and also offer protection to the aluminium profile beneath.

“The other advantage of a foiled aluminium bi-fold is the warm touch exterior, something not possible with even the most insulated of aluminium systems.

Foiled or painted?

“The only real contender presently for wood effect aluminium bi-folds is the sublimated aluminium finish. There are no evident flaws with either method of achieving a wood effect to an aluminium profile.

“It’s subjective which finish looks better, but the foil certainly improves the temperature of the profile.

“The other thing favouring a foiled bi-fold is additional choice. Alumina offers more wood effect finishes than the other systems presently available with a sublimated paint finish.

“Alumina also provides the option of flat, plain coloured foils, something the competition does not.

Fully sculptured

“We think a fully sculptured bi-folding door is an aesthetic advantage for Alumina.

“Most associate a bi-folding door with a contemporary appeal, but the sculptured details of Alumina work in providing a softer profile, while retaining proper proportions, given the typical size of a bi-fold in the home.

“The sculptured style works very well with a wood foil finish, especially when paired with black or gold hardware.

“Alumina is a great product for the installer in areas where traditional windows and doors sell better because of the regional styles of properties.

“So, while Liniar may market the bi-fold as matching their suite of uPVC windows, doors and roofing products, Alumina is credible as a stand-alone product with a traditional aesthetic.

“The foil finishes on offer are also a great alternative to a timber bi-folding door.

Plastic glazing beads

“What you may not know is that foiled Alumina bi-folds are supplied with uPVC glazing beads.

“Although rarely an issue for the professional installer, sometimes glazing beads that are cut to size a fraction too big can mark the paint finish of the adjoining bead when clipped into position.

“The great thing about the uPVC bead is its wider range of movement and flexibility over an aluminium bead.

“We can see the logic of providing plastic beads with the foiled Alumina bi-fold, which will please installers familiar with glazing uPVC systems, as well as a faster glazing time.

“By far the biggest advantage is that window installers can choose to hold a ‘hospital kit’ of a selection of beads.

“In situations where beads may be cut wrong, damaged, or replacements are needed for any other reason, uPVC beads mean no waiting for replacements to arrive.

“Finally, the foiled plastic extrusion options extend to trims, add-ons, trickle vent extension pieces and other window frame accessories.

Alumina advantages

“Liniar has been very smart with Alumina in our opinion. Although brand loyalty is hard to come by with most installers today, most uPVC installers do tend to offer a complete home solution from one system.

“With aluminium, most retailers choose windows from one supplier, doors from another, bi-folds, sliding doors and roofs from others. Few are loyal to one system.

“With Alumina, Liniar becomes another company that offers homeowners a complete suite of windows and doors under one system and guarantee – also providing bolt on products such as conservatories, soffits, fascias, trims and accessories.”

Find out more about Aluminium Trade Supplies at www.aluminiumtradesupply.co.uk or go to www.alumina.liniar.co.uk for more information on Alumina bi-folds.