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Corby based Quantum Windows were the first to manufacture Plastmo's new Charisma Vertical Slider, which has the twin benefits of great aesthetics and clever security features. Glazed units by Quantum's subsidiary Qunit Ltd complete the window. These feature Interpane's soft coated iplus S glass with the option of Argon gas fill. This IGU has become Quantum's standard product, following serious investment in Lisec machinery.

This 1000 frame a week fabricator has been established for over 10 years, under partners Chris Ashman and Tony Britten, and has recently added ISO 9001: 2000 and EN1279 to its list of accreditations.

Looks secure
Quantum has been a fabricator of Plastmo's Index 62mm PVC-U window and door system for several years, and had valuable design input into the new window, having manufactured two rival vertical sliders over a 10 year period.

Ovolo moulding, Georgian horns and attractive hardware are among the aesthetic plus points. Georgian bar designs can be unit or surface mounted, and, crucially, the two sashes have matching sightlines.

Internal beading, extensive reinforcing and an aluminium anti-jemmy bar or lip – a Quantum suggestion – are among the security features. All hardware is fixed to the reinforcing for greater security and special restrictors allow for easy and safe cleaning. Quantum is currently trialling painted windows, which it hopes to offer in any RAL colour beside the standard white product.

Well received
'It's been very well received,' says Quantum's Tony Britten. 'Understandably, because it's a good looking window.' Newbuild is the major market for the vertical slider, and for this application the window's sub-cill can be extended by up to 210mm. Quantum has already received orders for hundreds of the new window, many to be supplied complete with Plastmo 135° bay assemblies. A smart glossy brochure sells the benefits of the new window.

A different glass
Quantum supplies many of its products fully glazed by group company Qunit Ltd, which is now located in a fifth unit of 23,000ft2 together with a dedicated fabrication operation for the Vertical Sliding Sash. The machinery spend for the new window included a Stürtz (Elumatec) four head welder to manufacture sashes in tandem for an exact fit. However, this is dwarfed by the investment in Lisec glass processing machinery that Qunit has recently undertaken.

The two major purchases have been a combination cutting table, able to process float and laminates, and a sealed unit line with glass washer and press. Quantum has chosen to use iplus S high performance glass as standard in its sealed units, which have a conventional aluminium spacer and can be gas filled with Inagas machinery. Interpane iplus S is a colour-neutral insulating glass with a U value of just 1.2W/m2/K (Argon filled) and a transparency of 81%.

iplus S has proved particularly popular for newbuild contracts, although Pilkington K is sometimes used, often to match an existing installation. Unusually, 30 to 35 per cent of Qunit's output is in units with Georgian bar, particularly popular in the newbuild market. All sealed units are dual sealed with Evode Hiflo hotmelt.

'Interpane have been very supportive', says Quantum's Michael Hayden, referring to the training the glass supplier organised for its new customer. To process the soft coated iplus S, various handling issues had to be addressed. For glass washing, a reverse osmosis plant reduces the water's conductivity so as not to degrade the coating. The cutting table is equipped with an edge deletion device to prepare a surface for sealant to adhere to. For applications that require safety glass, Quantum simply buys in laminated iplus S sheets from Interpane.

Raising standards
Quantum's current window specification will still be good when the ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Regulations are further tightened for thermal performance. 'We felt that we had to more than satisfy the current 'Document L' standard and pre-empt any revisions', adds Michael Hayden, who has been a driving force behind Quantum's investment. With this 'superior as standard' approach, surely the only way for Quantum is up.