Independent research of the PVCU flush sash market has found nearly half of the fabricators interviewed see flush sashes becoming as important as standard casement windows in the next 10 years.

And a quarter of those who don’t make flush sashes now said they expected to start in the next 12 months.

The research was undertaken for Timberweld by MRA Research.

Timberweld is a patented method of welding perfect corners to create an authentic timber-look butt joint effect. Uniquely, Timberweld allows fabricators to create the timber-look on both sides of the window.

Earlier this year Timberweld commissioned MRA Research to conduct independent research into the flush sash and timber alternative market with fabricators. All the fabricators interviewed welded their flush sashes, with 85% of joints (by volume) being welded and 15% mechanically jointed. Ninety percent of those who welded, welded conventionally with 45º corner grooves.

“Most of the fabricators who were interviewed loved the look of the flush sash, in particular the timber-look butt joints,” Alan Burgess, managing director of Timberweld, said. “They saw demand growing fast, but a significant number thought mechanically jointing was ‘a pain to fabricate’ and want to weld to meet volume demand cost effectively. And ‘aesthetically’, hidden welding was rated the best.

“The research echoes what we’ve found in the market: fabricators are looking to create a timber look butt joint cost-effectively at scale, in order to take advantage of the opportunities the flush sash market offers.”