The aluminium advantage
With aluminium windows and doors continuing its growth trajectory, Lee Darcy, sales and marketing manager at Heritage Trade Frames, looks at why his company’s offer is helping so many installers to capitalise on the opportunities.
For me, there’s no better indicator of the increasing appeal of domestic aluminium than the growth in the number of installers now offering it. In 2006, just under a third of installers had aluminium products in their portfolio.
In 2013 it was just under half and by 2023, it was nearly two-thirds.1 That’s an astonishing rise in less than 20 years.
At Heritage Trade Frames, we’ve seen the growth of aluminium reflected in our own sales figures. One of the reasons for this success is that we make it easier for installers to seize the market opportunities aluminium windows and door present. Put simply, we’re a trusted and experienced fabrication partner offering a market-leading, value-added product backed by exceptional service and support.
Our system of choice is Stellar Aluminium, and we were among the first companies to start working with the system, back in 2019. Today, we’re one of its largest fabricators, giving us a depth of expertise and experience few others can match. Not only that, our understanding of the system and the wider market appeal has also led to us being invited to collaborate with the Stellar team on new product development.
We first chose to manufacture Stellar because of its game-changing installation benefits. Its unique construction makes it quicker and easier to install than competing systems, which make it ideal for installers looking to make their first move into aluminium. It is equally valuable for experienced aluminium installers who want to improve efficiency and boost margins.
But it isn’t just installation where Stellar stands out. Every product in the system brings something distinctively different to the market. Plus, every product is also compliant with the requirements of Part L as standard, making specification straightforward across every sector, including new build and commercial.
Our Stellar fully flush window and door collection delivers a streamlined flush aesthetic on both the interior and the exterior of the frame, bringing a genuinely distinctive, minimalist style that’s ideal for modern projects.
The Stellar Slimline bi-folding door combines elegant, contemporary aesthetics and exceptionally slim sashes. Add in meeting stiles that are just 117mm wide and you have a door where the glass can truly take centre stage. Our installer customers tell us it is a major consumer draw.
The appeal of the Stellar lift & slide patio door lies in its strength. It can have sashes up to three metres wide, so it’s perfect for creating the dramatic glazed wall effect that is so on-trend at the moment. It’s an effect that is only heightened by the super-slim sightlines that ensure all the focus can be on the view.
The latest addition to our Stellar portfolio is the new Stellar inline sliding door. We’re seeing a steady increase in sales of this product because it’s a popular alternative to the Stellar Slimline bi-folding Door. It brings Stellar’s trademark slim sashes and an interlock of just 35mm, plus its sashes can be up to 1675mm wide, so it can be used to open up rooms and create the light-filled spaces that today’s buyers want.
Beyond our aluminium expertise, installers who partner with us also benefit from the wider strengths of our business. Founded in 1989, Heritage Trade Frames has grown to become one of the largest and most trusted fabricators in the North West. Our customers know they can rely on us for consistency, quality and support in an industry that can often be unpredictable. We continue to invest in our people, our machinery and our IT systems to ensure our products and service remain at the highest possible standard.
As the market for aluminium continues to expand, we’re committed to helping our installer partners take full advantage of the opportunities it brings. With Heritage Trade Frames, they have the experience, reliability and support needed to grow their aluminium business with confidence.
