Alumina – The perfect product to provide a stunning finish
1st March 2017
Essex installation company Silika Ltd is renowned for finding products that are the right fit for the right job, so when faced with the difficult task of sourcing an aluminium bi-fold door that would match the rest of the property, it was a happy coincidence that a stunning new product hit the market at the right time.
Highly recommended
During the last 18 years, Rod Charnick has established Silika Ltd with the extremely desired status of a company that sources nothing but the best resolutions to solve the requirements of its clients, leading to the bulk of its business coming from word-of-mouth.
The right product for the job
Rather than limit himself to just one product or system, like most installers, Rod evaluates each individual undertaking and proposes the most suitable product to meet the customers’ needs. Because of this, Rod constantly keeps his ear to the ground to stay up-to-date with the very latest innovations and advances in the industry, preferring to work alongside companies that share his viewpoint.
Recognising the obvious superior quality of the Liniar system, Rob began using it almost from its launch. Not only are Liniar windows, doors, bi-folds and patio doors a pleasure to install, the advantages of the range are simple to convey to customers.
Extension solution
When Tracey Nightingale and her husband moved into their new property she enlisted Silika with the task of replacing all of the window and doors – and she was over the moon with the outcome. Tracey opted for Irish Oak on white Liniar casement windows and residential doors, alongside fully matching fascias, soffits and garage doors.
Plans were also in place for an extension at the back of the house but the couple were unsure about what kind of doors to use and they turned to Rod for inspiration. The idea of bi-folding doors didn’t appeal to Tracey, who asked for large French doors with sidelights, preferring more glass and less frame.
Rod was positive that bi-folds would, in fact, look far more attractive. Unfortunately, he was unable to find anything available that would coordinate with the Irish Oak windows. It was for this reason that he went along to the 2016 FIT Show on the lookout for something very specific…
FIT for the project
Rod entered the exhibition on the hunt for new innovations and he wasn’t disappointed – once he made his way to the Liniar stand he was greeted with the unmissable 2.5m high Alumina bi-fold in Irish Oak.
Alumina could be foiled, meaning that it would be a perfect colour match to the Nightingales’ new Liniar windows and doors – and the panes could be manufactured larger than with a PVCu bi-fold.
Tracey was sold on the idea as soon as Rod showed her the Alumina bi-fold and he immediately contacted Liniar to keep track of when he could order one of the first of its type in the UK.
Exceptional quality
Rod was overjoyed to find out that Liniar Approved fabricator Whiteline Manufacturing had been the first to invest in the tooling to produce Alumina at its high-tech Eastbourne facility. Having purchased Liniar products from them for many years because of the expertise of its staff and exceptional product quality, Rod says that Whiteline are “the best company I’ve ever dealt with.”
He immediately ordered a three-pane bi-fold with Irish Oak foiled exterior and white powder coated interior for the Nightingales.
Alumina installation
Rod explains: “As with any product I’m installing for the first time, I was careful to find out if there were any quirks or things to watch out for during installation. I watched the Alumina installation video, which was very helpful.
“I found the Alumina bi-fold very straightforward to install. It compares very well with other bi-folds I’ve fitted, and the fact it comes from a trusted systems house gives me confidence that it’s been properly tested and won’t cause me any issues.
“Alumina has obviously been well designed, with many finishing touches that make it stand out, such as the innovative folding keys which greatly reduce the possibility of damaging the doors if left in situ. And of course, the fact it’s foiled and sculptured to match the Liniar window suite gives it a distinct advantage over other bi-folds!”
Customer satisfaction
The Nightingales couldn’t be happier with their new Alumina bi-folding door.
“When Rod first recommended a bi-fold door we were sceptical about how it would look.” says Tracey. “But as he’d made such a fantastic job of our windows and doors, we trusted him completely. As soon as he showed us the Alumina bi-fold, with its low U-value and the fact we could have it in Irish Oak to match everything else, we were sold!”
“We’ve had lots of compliments from visitors as the Alumina bi-folding doors look amazing. We can’t wait for the summer months so we can use them to their full advantage!”
Photos courtesy of Silika