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Lonsdale conservatory


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Lonsdale stand-alone conservatory

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Lonsdale anticipate growth with their new aluminium conservatory roof-kits

At last, it appears a company is able to offer a real alternative to the current plethora of conservatory systems which will accommodate double glazed units or polycarbonate and provide the inherent durability for those wanting that bit of extra performance and strength. Latest research indicates the demand for quality aluminium framed conservatories is expected to rise by about 34% between now and 2006. This has not gone unnoticed by a familiar name in roof glazing, but one you would normally associate with the commercial sector.

Lonsdale Metal Company Limited of North London, a family run business since 1946, is a leading supplier of aluminium patent glazing and atria systems. Rooflights featuring their products can be seen at Buckingham Palace, The British Museum, Inverness Station at one end of the country and The Magistrates Court on the Isle of Wight at the other. The company's latest and largest project is supplying glazing bars for the 23,000 sq/m glazed roof at Waterloo Rail Station, London. The £6,000,000 refurbishment project is due for completion in 2003

In 1998, Lonsdale set out to increase its market share. Expansion of their sales effort and production capacity has resulted in an increased turnover of 47% in four years. The next stage in their plans is to capture a part of the lucrative and still growing conservatory roof-kit market. Their Sales and Marketing Director, Richard Burgess explains, "Back in the late eighties, early nineties, 80% of our business was supplying a few dozen glazing bars for domestic lean-to conservatories. We envied those companies able to secure the large commercial projects such as railway stations, airports and retail parks, so we set-out to capture more architectural specifications and grab ourselves a piece of what we saw as more lucrative and prestigious work. Nothing wrong with that, we've achieved our goals and are now considered a leading authority in the commercial market place. However, the next stage of our growth will come from supplying roof kits for contractors and installers involved in the domestic new build sector and home improvement market plus those commercial buildings such as pubs, hotels and restaurants where conservatories are required."

The Company researched all the leading conservatory roof system available in the UK, nearly all were unable to offer an aluminium based structure with the strength and durability required by Lonsdale for its commercial projects. However, a distributorship agreement was struck with a long established systems company that already had BBA certification for its product exceeding the standards currently offered by most manufacturers including u-values that would satisfy the requirements of Part L (Part J Scotland) once conservatories are inevitably included within Building Regulations. The new Lonsdale frame system has a certified u-value of 1.6 W/m²K easily achieving the required 2.2 W/m²K for aluminium frames or 2.0 W/m²K for conservatories with pvcu.

Burgess continued "We have placed emphasis upon catering for those bespoke conservatories, beyond the average fabricator, requiring a high degree of expertise to satisfy both architect and client. Available in white and the usual wood grains, our new system has optional external aluminium caps which can be pre-finished to any standard RAL colour. Dual colours are possible enabling white internally and say for example green externally or visa-versa."

"Price-wise, despite us seeking out the bespoke end of the market, we are still able to offer a standard Victorian 3 x 3 metre pre-assembled roof from £850.00+VAT" comments Sales Manager, Andy Porter. "An interesting feature of our system is the box-bar construction which enables rafters to be secured to the sides of the ridge and hips providing perfectly engineered structural joints and connections. Essentially, the more you load our roof, the more rigid it becomes. This box design also enables very discreet 'tie-bars' towards the apex of the roof creating a tidy roof area free of conspicuous rods. For those customers wanting to create an image of days gone by, traditional decorative tie-bars can be chosen for that 'period' look."

For larger spans such as swimming pool enclosures or restaurants, an integral portal frame is supplied by Lonsdale, fitting within the inside frame of any walls, requiring no additional liaison with customers over the side wall dimensions.

To reduce build-time on site, Lonsdale test-assemble every roof-kit in their factory to check its accuracy. In addition main frame components are numbered or lettered before despatch to correspond with a detailed plan drawing specific to a particular roof. Contractors and installers are further helped by a full colour instruction book that ensures quick and easy step by step site assembly of the kit.

Interested contractors and installers are invited to take a quick glance at the company's website www.roofglazing.co.uk.