Hardware specialist, VBH, is reporting increased sales of tilt and turn hardware thanks to the addition to its range of the ArTech tilt & turn system from Italian hardware manufacturer, AGB.

In recent months VBH has widened the reach of the system by developing profile related parts for a number of new PVC-U profile systems, including Profile 22 Optima and Rehau Artevo.

VBH advises that one of the main reasons that it has picked up so much new tilt and turn business with ArTech is the product’s impressive anti-corrosion performance.

ArTech is treated with ‘Activeage Hi-Protection’ coating that enables the hardware to withstand over 2,000 hours of testing in a neutral salt spray environment.

Activeage is a 3-stage finish, incorporating layers of zinc, chromic passivation with silica Nano particles, and finally an organic mineral protection coating.

In addition to its weather resistance, VBH adds that another reason tilt and turn manufacturers are embracing ArTech is the system’s security performance. Security spec windows have been tested to forces of 5.5KN, nearly double the forces specified in PAS24. ArTech is covered by ‘hardware Kitemark’ KM727991 and is listed as a Police Preferred Specification by Secured by Design.

Dan Powell, head of brand at VBH, said: “ArTech is built to resist the effects of harsh climates, including our wet and salty environment here in the UK. Figures of 2,000 hours salt spray test resistance are phenomenal when you consider that the ‘Very High Resistance’ top grade of BS EN 1670 equates to 240 hours.

“Add to that the PAS24 performance of nearly double the forces specified in the standard and you can see why AGB ArTech has become a mainstay of our range in a short period of time.”