Carl F Groupco has reported a strong start to 2023. John Crittenden, managing director, said: “We’re starting 2023 the same way as we ended 2022 – strongly. Hardware is always a bellwether for the wider industry, so it’s heartening to see such strong sales.”

John says the strongest sales are coming from the aluminium door sector. He commented: “At the premium end of the market, aluminium continues its resurgence, as do large glazed doors. These are product trends that show no signs of slowing down, and we expect them to continue well into 2023.”

One range that is said to be showing particularly buoyant sales is Roto hardware.

The PAS 24-compliant Inowa sliding door hardware is designed for both aluminium and PVC-U sliding doors, including the popular Aluplast Smart-Slide door system.

It is designed to be easy to open and close, even with the heaviest sashes, because the closing movement is perpendicular to the frame profile and roller bearings mean the sash doesn’t need to be lifted. Soft-close functionality enhances safety when opening or closing.

Like all Roto Hardware products, the Inowa range has Grade 5 corrosion resistance as standard, which makes it ideal for coastal and high-rise installations. The circumferential gasket and active locking points keep the sash tightly sealed in bad weather conditions, helping it achieve rain and air permeability testing to BS EN 13126-17 and making it one of the best sliding system solutions from an air/water tightness perspective.

For tilt and slide doors, the Alversa range also remains popular, according to Carl F Groupco. It has a handle-operated tilt mode and offers secure tilt ventilation to improve air circulation without compromising security. The system is PAS 24 compliant too, even with night ventilation.