Victorian Sliders: why we’re investing in colour

Sue Davies, Victorian Sliders’ head of sales, explains why the manufacturer has invested significantly in online foiling.

Thirty years ago, when the original double-glazing boom was at its peak, it was extremely rare to see a window that wasn’t white.

Fast-forward three decades, and that situation has transformed. Yes, most windows sold and installed in the UK are still white – but there’s a breadth of colour choice that installers couldn’t have envisaged in the early ‘90s.

What’s driven this remarkable change? Today, homeowners are more style-conscious than ever, driven in part by the relative ease with which trends are shared on social media – and as such, they’re often seeking the ability to marry traditional features with contemporary style.

By purchasing windows that complement their property’s aesthetics rather than simply blend in, they can achieve this, which has resulted in increased demand for coloured windows, both sprayed and foiled.

At Victorian Sliders, the figures speak volumes. When the business started in 2005, white windows comprised almost our entire output. Today, the picture is far more colourful, with around a third of annual production being coloured and growing.

We’ve seen this shift, and that’s why we’ve responded by making colour a priority. We believe that installers shouldn’t have to limit their customers’ choices and we therefore offer our flagship EcoSlide sash window in a wide variety of colours and finishes.

Whether it’s a classic anthracite grey for a modern townhouse, a timeless Chartwell green for a period property, or a bold Irish Oak for a touch of rustic charm, we have the perfect shade to complete any project.

And our commitment to colour goes beyond just offering a diverse palette. We’ve recently invested in state-of-the-art online foiling capability, as we recognise that our customers shouldn’t have to compromise on lead times just because they have added complexity to their order.

This innovative technology represents a major leap forward in the industry. It allows us to do something virtually unique among window manufacturers – extrude PVC-U profile and apply coloured foils simultaneously.

It reduces lead times and provides a consistency of finish that allows our customers to retain the competitive edge when seeking to win more complex work.

Feedback to date tells us that this translates to a significant competitive advantage for installers – they can offer their clients a truly bespoke service that caters to every taste and project.

But the online foiling machine is just one example of Victorian Sliders’ unwavering commitment to innovation. We understand that the window industry is constantly evolving, and we’re dedicated to staying ahead of the curve.

By investing in cutting-edge technology and new product development, we ensure our installer partners have everything they need to thrive in this ever-changing market.

Our commitment to innovation goes beyond machinery. We also invest heavily in research and development, constantly exploring new design trends and manufacturing processes.

The EcoSlide sash window can now be optionally upgraded to U-values as low as 1.2, helping homeowners save on energy bills.

By choosing Victorian Sliders, you’re not just choosing exceptional windows – you’re choosing a partner dedicated to your success.