With tougher economic challenges ahead, capitalising on market opportunities has never been more important. Phil Parry, business development director at Epwin Window Systems discusses the products to help make the most of those opportunities.

Research has shown that home improvement trends have remained fairly constant over the past few years. For homeowners planning to make home improvements in 2022, the top 10 included renovating the kitchen (34%), improvements that add value (22%) and building an extension (15%).

In all of these cases, underpinning the change is likely to be a desire to create a light, bright and airy living space. It’s why demand for bi-fold doors and large-span sliding doors has surged over the last decade.

Having a range of products that meet this demand in your portfolio is essential especially in this turbulent market. With Epwin Window Systems products, you have something for everyone all under one roof.

For high-end installations, the bi-fold door is the ultimate style statement. It’s an aspirational product that creates a sophisticated space and there’s no better product than the new Stellar Aluminium Slimline bi-fold door. Its sightlines are 20% slimmer than the original Stellar bi-fold door, which takes the aesthetics to the next level. Plus, at just 117mm wide, the slim meeting stiles create an attractive sightline in the closed position, letting the glass take centre stage.

As you would expect from a Stellar product, it’s easy to fit too – up to 50% faster than other options on the market. For example, pre-inserted gaskets and patented knock in beads make it fast and easy to glaze and leave a much neater finish. There’s also a unique patent-pending adjustable slimline lock stile that eliminates the need for adjustable door jambs, delivering superior aesthetics and straightforward adjustment.

Increasingly popular are sliding door styles. They can accommodate a wider expanse of glass, so there are fewer frames to interrupt the view when compared to a bi-fold door. They can also make a dramatic style statement, especially when closed.

For homeowners that want the elegance of aluminium, the Stellar lift and slide door is the answer here. It gives you two large panels of glass up to 3m wide, with a slimmer interlock of 50mm. And when the door is open, you get a near 50% clear opening. The multi-functional handle opens the door and lifts it onto the rollers, which reduces friction and ensures even the widest, heaviest sashes will move effortlessly. The single handle also reduces visual clutter, dialling up the style.

As on the bi-fold, there are pre-inserted gaskets and patented knock in beads. Elsewhere, the finished floor level trim is fast to fit. The outer frame and sashes are mechanically jointed. The frames do not need to be structurally bonded during manufacture, but there’s no compromise on the slim sightlines or security credentials.

While aluminium is often seen as the go-to for bi-fold and sliding doors, PVC-U undoubtedly has its place. And when PVC-U is the answer, what better option than the market leader?

The PatioMaster sliding door system remains the industry go-to door. And the new generation door will ensure it retains this status for years to come.

Visually, the improved interlock sightline now perfectly lines through with the opposing sash rebate. There’s also a new midrail design that’s more visually appealing (not to mention easier to fabricate).

We’ve reinstated the ‘tried and tested’ Yale 6-hook lock, which adds reassuring name recognition to security. There are also additional shootbolt-type locking points to meet PAS 24:2016 requirements.

Performance is better too. It’s 33% stronger by design, which improves weather performance, while the new sash profile means there are more glazing options, including triple glazing, to further enhance thermal performance.

There’s a headline trend for doors that help create a light, bright living space. But within that trend there is a wealth of options to achieve it. With Epwin Window Systems products in your portfolio, you have the widest range of door solutions for the broadest market appeal.