Doors & Windows

Originally launched for single doors back in February 2019 – this latest release of the company’s popular Pocket Door Pro system caters for bi-parting fire doors weighing up to 120kg and is fully certified to FD30 British and European standards.

Andrew Royle, Sales and Marketing Director at P C Henderson, commented, “Since launching Pocket Door Pro just over two years ago – the system has quickly grown to become one of our most popular products.

“Post launch market research quickly told us that demand for a bi-parting fire rated version was high – we listened to this feedback and are delighted to be able to bring this new variation to the market”.

The new system is available in standard and soft closing options, seven different kit sizes, for two different finished wall thicknesses, self-closing and non self-closing variants and a simultaneous action kit available as an optional extra.

“We designed Pocket Door Pro with one key aim in mind – to create one of the most flexible and versatile range of pocket door systems on the market. As the popularity of pocket door systems continues to rise – it’s important that designers and developers have access to a system which can cater for virtually any type of application and in a number of different operation types. We believe we have achieved this through the development of Pocket Door Pro”, continued Andrew. A detailed and innovative design is what P C Henderson attributes to the products success – features such as push together parts, preassembled components and a wide range of optional extras has seen the products popularity soar over the past two years. The system is designed using a robust aluminium frame making it ideal for new builds and areas of heavy use such as educational buildings, hospitals, hotels, office blocks and disability access areas. The fire rated version comes complete with intumescent seals and is made out of FDC Finger Jointed Laminated Redwood – providing a knot and defect free system – guaranteeing product reliability and longevity. Find out more at www.pchenderson.com.

Apartment entrance fire doors can now be visually stunning as well as safe and secure, following the launch of the new Simpli Advanced® range of high-performance fire doorsets from XL Joinery.

The Simpli Advanced® range combines the best in oak door manufacturing with hardware from the global leader in access solutions, ASSA ABLOY. This enables it to deliver formidable resistance to smoke and fire while visually enhancing any living environment.

comments: “Fire doors are traditionally seen as more functional than attractive, but when it comes to living spaces, aesthetics are an important consideration – after all, no one wants an unsightly door in their home. That’s why we’ve launched the Simpli Advanced® range. It combines our beautiful FSC® certified doors with the highest specification safety and security components to create a solution that offers style and safety in equal measure.”

The doorsets in the Simpli Advanced® range are available in a stunning choice of styles for maximum elegance and integration into the home. They can be matched to XL Joinery’s wide range of internal door designs – including Suffolk, Palermo and Monza – and the oak, handle, viewer and intumescent seal are all available in an extensive choice of finishing options. Available with either FD30 or FD60 fire protection, the doors offer exceptional protection against fire. Batwing® drop and perimeter seals from Lorient work together to prevent the passage of smoke and fire to other parts of the building, while the superior closing force of the ASSA ABLOY door closer ensures reliable closing every time.

As a range of entrance doors, Simpli Advanced® also provides optimal security. The PAS24 and Secured By Design-approved Yale Platinum 3 Star Cylinder delivers first-class protection against the common attack method of lock-snapping, and for added protection, the FD60 option features the Yale Lockmaster lock and deadbolt.

Mark continues: “The different components on the doors work hand in hand to maintain integrity during a fire and keep intruders out. As well as this, the fact that they all come prefitted means the doors can be installed in as little as 20 minutes – leading to considerable time and cost savings for installers, especially on quick-build construction projects. “Another benefit of this is that it serves to reassure everyone in the supply chain that the doorsets are fully compliant, since they have been preassembled by the experts and are third-party accredited.

“As with all our products, the Simpli Advanced® range comes with our 10-year manufacturing guarantee, which means it will always be backed up by our dedicated support team, who are also on hand to help with any technical and installation advice that may be required.”

To find out more about the Simpli Advanced® range of apartment entrance fire doorsets from XL Joinery, please visit

The award-winning Guardsman Fire Door from ODL Europe is a gamechanger for the composite fire door sector and gives architects and specifiers the fire safety credentials they are looking for. ODL Europe’s Technical Manager Ian Glenister explains.

For architects and specifiers specifying a fire door for a project, the requirement on the face of it is simple: it must deliver the required level of fire protection. But beneath that headline requirement, there are a wealth of other factors at play. For example, the door should have shown consistency over a range of test results and across a range of door manufacturers. Only then, can there be the confidence that the composite fire door has been truly specified and holds the necessary credentials when it comes to the door’s performance and stability.

Our mission at ODL Europe is to build value into building products. So, when we started to develop a 30-minute composite fire door two years ago, our aim was simple: a door that eliminated the unknown elements of a composite fire door’s performance and delivered tried and tested, consistent test results. In other words, a fire door that was a gamechanger for the sector.

We partnered with the engineers at our partners Capstone, the world-leading supplier of composite door slabs, and a select number of experienced fire door manufacturers who shared our ambitions. And we set the bar high.

Any 30-minute fire door we brought to the market would need to pass the European fire test standard of EN 1634, which is the more onerous test standard required by Part B of Building Regulations. We could have relied on British Standard test evidence, but while this ticks all the boxes legally, we knew it doesn’t take a door out of its comfort zone so wouldn’t meet the standards we had set for ourselves.

We also needed to eliminate the phenolic foam that forms the core of an industry-standard 30-minute composite fire door. We knew a solid core was the way forward and the material we are using is Agrifiber. It is a board material made from resinbonded agricultural fibres and is a renewable source so has good environmental credentials.

Unlike a foam, it is capable of delivering very consistent material densities and at the right density it has both superb

structural properties and excellent fire resistance. The result of our six-figure development investment is the Guardsman Composite Fire Door.

It has been tested in glazed and unglazed versions. It has also been tested across multiple manufacturers. And in the most recent tests to EN 1634, we have achieved an average of 100% overrun past the 30-minute mark. At the extreme, our 30-minute Guardsman fire door achieved over 70 minutes.

The doors have been tested as part of a doorset including our TriSYS glazing cassette and a TS008 letterplate. They have reached test ratings they have never achieved before, which demonstrates the importance of the solid core in the construction.

Of course, while safety is rightly the first priority for a fire door, day-to-day practicalities also matter.

As a Capstone door it has hardwood stiles and rails and a 2mm GRP skin. It means it has all the pedigree you would expect from a composite door developed by a manufacturer with Capstone’s credentials. It is a durable and robust door that is virtually maintenance-free and more than capable of withstanding the realities of everyday use while still maintaining a good-looking appearance.

We believe the Guardsman Fire Door is the first in the next generation of composite fire doors, a generation that delivers better, more reliable protection in the event of fire, and it would seem the industry agrees. The Guardsman Composite Fire door was voted Best New Product of the Year at the prestigious G21 Awards. The credentials and outstanding performance of the Guardsman Fire Door were notable qualities that impressed the G Awards judges: “Achieving a 30-minute fire door with both glazing, a letterplate and with PAS 24:2016 performance is remarkable.” So, for architects and specifiers looking to work with the best in composite fire doors, then the award-winning Guardsman Composite Fire Door by ODL Europe offers the credentials and fire safety needed. For more information visit www.odleurope.com or call 0151 933 0299

Heritage colours and kerbside appeal were among the factors that persuaded the planning authorities of

Bath that Modus PVC-U windows from Eurocell – the UK’s leading manufacturer, distributor and recycler of window, door, conservatory and roofline products – were the appropriate alternative to timber on a prime, exposed location near the

UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“The planners originally wanted timber windows but that wouldn’t work for our designs because we wanted to install matching fascias and soffits that fitted beneath considerable eaves. This is on an exposed site at the top of a steep hill so they wouldn’t look great for very long,” explains Paul Baker, Regional Managing Director for Bloor Homes South West.

“Timber windows, fascias and soffits would require expensive maintenance because of the scaffolding required to paint them. These PVC-U alternatives not only have kerb-appeal but are maintenance-free”.

Bloor Homes South West had also had experience of the product at other developments throughout the region and had found it answered planning department concerns. It worked with the Eurocell New Build division, which supplied four samples to show the various colours that might work on site and to demonstrate the slim, timber-like sight lines of the Modus system. “The foil gives an appearance like timber and the colour palette includes the heritage type colours that fit in with a period environment such as Bath,” comments Paul.

Once the Bath and North East Somerset planning department was happy with Bloor’s proposal to use Modus windows in Hazy Grey, it gave the go-ahead for the same product range, but in Agate Grey, to be used at an adjacent development from the other housebuilder.

BBA certified to function satisfactorily for more than 35 years, the Modus range has a U-value of 1.2 W/m² using 4/20/4 mm sealed double-glazed units. This effective thermal performance is due to the 75mm six-chamber profile system used in the Modus that enables the range to achieve a U-value as low as 0.7 by installing triple-glazed units. Consisting of 50% post-consumer recycled PVC-U as standard, this range of doors and windows has a smaller carbon footprint than products made or recycled outside of the UK. Eurocell achieves this by employing dual material extrusion technology (DMET) that layers post-consumer recycled and ‘virgin’ material simultaneously, so the recycled material is concentrated in the central core of the profiles where it cannot be seen once the door or window is installed.

Read the full story here or visit Eurocell.co.uk for more information on how Eurocell can help with your next project.

From 14th February we are pleased to announce that Bond It have acquired the sole distribution rights for the market leading Geo-Fix® All Weather and Geo-Fix®

Original Paving Jointing Compounds.

When Geo-Fix Original was first brought to market 25 years ago, the paving industry was a completely different landscape compared to today. With traditional cementitious jointing products causing huge problems for Local Authorities and contractors, it soon became clear that an alternative solution was required.

After listening to the needs of the paving industry, Geo-Fix® developed a new technology using sand polymers to create Geo-Fix® Original brush-in jointing compound – a truly original product that revolutionised traditional jointing methods. In 2013, the range was enhanced to include Geo-Fix® All Weather jointing compound, a superior brush-in sand that can be used in all weathers, and now offer a selection of beautiful coloured sands to complement all designs and tastes.

Geo-Fix® is a ready mixed jointing that is simply brushed and compacted in to joints with minimal effort. Available in 2 versions, Original in 20kg buckets in Buff and Grey and All Weather in 14kg buckets in Stone, Mid Grey, Anthracite, Graphite and Slate Grey. Bond It are a British manufacturer with 20 years’ experience manufacturing and supplying the construction, building and DIY markets.

John Andrews Director of Geo-Fix® stated; “We are delighted to be working with Bond It to distribute the Geo-Fix® range, the team are committed to providing exceptional products and service and I am confident together we will produce even greater opportunities for our customers.”

Dean Morgan Managing Director of Bond It says; “Geo-Fix® jointing compounds are recognised brand leaders and will be a perfect fit alongside our extensive Drive Alive range of products.

In addition, we are committed to ensure a seamless transition and service for all customers both existing and new and feel this is a huge opportunity for Bond It to penetrate into new markets.”

All Geo-Fix® products will all be available through Bond It through an authorised network of approved merchants and stockists throughout the UK and Ireland.

The firm – which has studios in Nottingham and Newcastle – has received the ‘People Development’ award at Constructing Excellence’s national ceremony, beating nominees from across the UK.

The award recognises organisations that value their workforce and ensure they maximise their team’s contribution to the business, something which GT3 Architects has nurtured through its ‘People Architecture’ approach.

Alongside a new operations and flexible working policy introduced to mitigate the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, the practice appointed a designated ‘people champion’ to lead its focus on personal and professional development.

Liz Clarke, associate director and ‘people champion’ at GT3 Architects, said: “For a practice with a fundamental goal to place people – not buildings – at the heart of our projects, processes and practice-life, Covid-19 offered us an unparalleled opportunity to prove ‘People Architecture’ to be more than just a strapline.”

The success of this approach was borne out in a staff survey, which showed that 97% of its staff base believed they are supported by their colleagues and team leaders, with 89% feeling that their work during lockdown directly contributed to practice success.

Liz added: “We believe that our success stems from our commitment to placing people’s wellbeing at the heart of every business decision, and our quick and sensitive reactions to feedback and changing circumstances.”

“Throughout all the lockdowns, Simon, Mark, and our leadership team continued to prioritise a collaborative and transparent environment, communicating not just within our own practice, but proactively seeking peer reviews and external mentorship opportunities with our contemporaries.”

Alongside staff-centric changes made during the pandemic, the workplace consultancy team at GT3 offered consultation sessions to local businesses struggling to adapt to a Covid-19 working environment, and the practice also launched its first Virtual Work Experience offering for students aged 14 – 18, subsequently supported by both the RIBA and Speakers for Schools.

The award period also saw the firm secure new projects and R&D work – including the UK’s first wet and dry Passivhaus leisure facility in Staines-uponThames, Surrey – and grow its staff base by 10%.

Simon Dunstan, director at GT3 Architects, said: “In a year when countless milestones, projects, and career choices were put on-hold, we made a conscious effort to continually put our people first, as well as contribute to the wider industry and support our local communities.”

“We are a rapidly growing practice, and we recognise that there is still plenty of work to do. We are exceptionally proud of our team, and will continue to align practice strategy and – hopefully – our continued successes with the individual development and wellbeing of our people. This award win is a real testament to our approach and we’re delighted to have been awarded to top spot.”

For further information visit www.gt3architects.com or join the conversation over on Twitter @_GT3Architects.