Transforming safer working at height for installers
A game-changing safety system for the fenestration industry, Stronghold offers business owners of installation companies a safer, faster, and more cost-effective alternative to scaffolding for many projects. It’s time to rethink working at height…
For many installation business owners, scaffolding has long been the default solution for working at height. But what happens when you need to replace a single window on the 20th floor, or when your project site backs onto a river where logistics are complicated and scaffolding simply isn’t feasible?
There is a smarter, safer alternative in the form of Stronghold, a completely tool-free safety barrier and harness system with no external fixings that can be set up in under 10 minutes, all from the inside of the building.
And the word ‘alternative’ is important to stress according to Daniel Cheddie, company founder and designer of the system.
“It’s not a case of Stronghold or scaffolding, because there will be situations when scaffolding will be the right option,” he explained. “It’s about having a professional and smarter alternative solution for when scaffolding doesn’t make sense.”
The right choice
For jobs where scaffolding is overkill, impractical, or simply not allowed, Stronghold is the answer.
Think of high-rise window replacements; if you need to replace a few windows, scaffolding could cost tens of thousands and take days to erect. Think about challenging urban projects; properties backing onto waterways, train lines or public roads often come with planning headaches, permits, or impossible access for scaffolders.
Think about emergency call outs, when a damaged window is compromised in a busy hotel or school, posing an immediate safety risk to fitters and the public. Scaffolding procurement and installation could take days, time that simply isn’t available.
“Stronghold removes these barriers in scenarios where scaffolding becomes impractical or impossibly expensive,” said Daniel. “There’s no waiting for scaffolding permits. With Stronghold, your team can be set up and working safely and securely within minutes.”
Stronghold will also help provide more budget-friendly projects for installation companies too. When access costs exceed the value of the actual installation work itself, the economics of the job do not add up.
“If you’re spending more on scaffolding than on the actual job, you’re losing margin,” added Daniel. “Stronghold addresses this imbalance by potentially saving you thousands while maintaining the highest safety standards. If you have to replace one or two windows on the 50th floor, you’re not going to want to spend thousands on scaffolding just to get up there.”
The cost of compromise
Of course, when scaffolding costs more than the actual window replacement job, difficult decisions follow for business owners of installation companies, with some resorting to unsafe practices to get the job done quickly and cheaply. These shortcuts don’t just put lives at risk but expose businesses to serious health and safety violations.
The Stronghold concept was born from a comment made to Daniel by the project director of a large façade company who had used the multi-award winning Sashmate, another safety solution designed by Daniel.
“The company had purchased a Sashmate tool whilst constructing a new wing at a hospital and when I met the team on site they explained that their real major issue was installing windows at height when there was no scaffold and no way to anchor their fitters,” he recalled.
“Being made aware of that necessity for something that made safe working not just possible, but easy and cost-effective is exactly why I designed Stronghold.”
Engineering simplicity
Requiring no drilling or fixings, and meaning zero damage to property, the fully adjustable system accommodates openings up to 5m wide and provides anchor points for three fitters simultaneously, allowing unrestricted movement while maintaining safety. The tool-free setup and the system’s mobility directly improves project efficiency.
The safety benefits are equally significant. By providing secure anchor points and barrier protection from inside the building, Stronghold eliminates many risks associated with traditional height access methods.
As installation companies juggle tight deadlines, rising costs, and client expectations, safety can’t afford to be compromised. Stronghold keeps teams safe, reduces job times and cuts overheads, while also enabling businesses to tackle projects that might otherwise be unviable while maintaining the highest safety standards.
“There are times when scaffolding is the right tool,” said Daniel. “But Stronghold gives you a reliable alternative for all those other times when it’s just not practical. Why wouldn’t you explore a safer, quicker way to get the job done?”