Hardware Specification
Windows Plus Online has spent many years working closely with national UK hardware suppliers to achieve a finish that gave the quality and consistency across the hardware range. The attention to the finer details such as colour, style and finish is vital for creating a unified aesthetic.
The Fab & Fix range supplied by ERA hardware ticked all the boxes, not only for the hardware being pleasing to the eye with consistent features, but the Hardex coating which is a anti scratch on the Fab & Fix range is a process that takes meticulous preparation of the surface of the material, followed by a complex series of chemical baths with each submersion calculated to the second once the item is ready for the final Hardex finish to be applied. After this there is a curing period in high temperatures.
The process from start to finish takes over 24hrs per item. Windows Plus Online understands there is a lot of effort for the manufacture of hardware but the end result is well worth it.
Using the finish described in the section above, there is a large range of colours available. Not only will the window handle and door handles match, the letter box and all accessories also match perfectly. This means your door knockers will also be a perfect match throughout the whole of your home. You will find on the designer white, black, bright chrome, satin chrome, graphite, gold and bronze.
There has been much discussion in regards to trickle vents. A trickle vent is a product that was designed to accommodate movement of air flow within a property, and will remove polluted air using positive and negative air pressure. The vent when fully open removes the moist air which causes damp, this is because this is lighter than dry air, allowing it to escape from the property and be replaced with dry air, which is not only good for the property but also humans.
When used correctly trickle vents do not contribute to heat loss, if anything they make the atmosphere more appealing. Windows Plus Online uses the 2500mm2 as BS13414-1:2004 as standard, which has an overall length of 400mm. This is installed into the door sash.
Windows Plus Online can offer acoustic trickle vents but does not recommend them as they are not only very expensive but are also very bulky in size, and take away from the sleek design of the window. Windows Plus Online recommends an Acoustic controllable wall vent available at most electrical suppliers.
Below you will find the technical documentation which relates to the trickle vent specification.
Windows Plus Online many years ago instructed an official survey on how many times a door would be opened and closed compared to windows. We were surprised with the results that came back over a 12 month period on average a door is opened and closed 24.2 times more than a window. This result meant that testing and retesting was taken into account for the choice of hardware used.
Windows Plus Online selected ERA for the supply of hardware. They were able to build a bespoke locking mechanism for the doors that is the 6635-4r-00-85ba, this consists of a three hook, four roller design. This was based on the 6635-4r-00-85ab, the only difference is the top and bottom cams are spread more apart meaning there is more compression along the door sash. This lock was chosen because of the fitter friendly design as all parts are designed to engage even if the door isn’t installed perfectly square, and has a inbuilt tolerance of 5mm, and a built-in spring to position the handle central at all times.
The internal door mechanisms are designed to meet requirements of PAS24. The triple high security forged brass hooks for anti-separation resistance with a 10mm engagement into keeps. The compression cams are a roller to make the lock engagement frictionless. The lock is manufactured with steel BZP CRS passivate + seal, and have been tested for corrosion resistance to BS EN 1670:2007 Grade 4 (240 hours), and have an endurance test on minimum 50,000 cycles, meaning if you locked your door 6 times a day they would last over 22 years.
Below you will find the technical documentation which relates to the door locks specification.
Door hinge
The hinges, handles, and letterbox are all manufactured using the Fab & Fix range. Door hinges are important, Windows Plus Online opted for the Anchorage Intelligent Hinge. This is a proven hinge and was perfectly designed, and has never needed to be changed, It offers full 3D adjustment with over 5mm of movement in any one direction, not only for ease of fabrication but also installation. The hinge has a long reach plate meaning the fixing is direct into the steel within the door sash, with the added benefit of integral fixing lugs for guarantee of a secure fixing.
Below you will find the technical documentation which relates to the door hinge specification.
Cover cap
The cover cap and extended pun have been designed to prevent access to the screw ports and in turn prevent any attempt of intrusion, and with the classic lift on and off design brings with it ease of movement for installation. The hinge has a weight load of 90kg across a standard door. The hinge has a corrosion test of 480 hours BS EN 1670 : Class 5 and an operation function of 200,000 cycle, meaning if the door opened and closed 6 times a day they would last over 91 years.
Door handle
The door handle is from the Balmoral range, and is a classic design. It is manufactured from solid die cast zinc with a heavy-duty integrated spring cassette combining this with the spring within the lock, you get the position spring back you would expect from a quality manufactured door. The handle design itself is a sculpted ergonomic lever with a low friction nylon bush, making it easy to grip with a smooth clean action. The screws that are visible on the inside of the door are colour coordinated again bringing the sense of quality throughout. The handles have been corrosion tested to meet the requirements of BS EN 1670:2007 grade 5 (480 hours), with an endurance test of 200,000, as with the hinges in normal use this will last over 91 years.
Below you will find the technical documentation which relates to the door handle specification.
Letterplate
The letterplate defines the quality of the door. Almost all online suppliers use a low grade letterplate. Windows Plus Online has broken the mould and decided that quality and styling is more important. Staying with the Fab & Fix range, the letterbox offers a 300mm letterplate with a 250mm opening, meaning an A4 letter will easily fit, fully sprung with an Antisnap function to allow the letterplate to open to 180° with a fully weather sealed design, and acoustic insulation taken into account. Not only will this letterplate will be perfectly colour matched to your handle, it is to a secured by design standard for additional peace of mind. The letterplate has been corrosion tested to BS EN 1670:2007 Grade 5 (480 hours). The flap has been tested to 30,000 cycles, meaning if you receive post twice a day everyday it would last over 41 years, and conforms to BS EN 13724:2002, and has been tested as a part of a complete door set that successfully achieved PAS24.
Below you will find the technical documentation which relates to the letterplate specification.
Barrels
Barrels have a few options. The standard barrel is from ERA. Windows Plus Online used the highest pin point of security of six hardened pins in relation to key location point. The barrel is also anti-pick anti-drill. This is available in a standard option and also a split spindle option. The standard option requires to be unlocked with a key and until the key is put back in to lock the door, the door can be opened from both inside and outside. The split spindle option allows for the door to remain not locked so from the inside it can be opened by simply pulling down the handle leaver. From outside the split spindle will always require a key to enter the building so it cannot just be opened by pulling down the handle as can with the standard barrel. The Barrels are supplied with 3 keys and are available in brass and nickel, which is colour coordinated to suit your hardware. For example, if a chrome handle is chosen a nickel barrel will be fitted. The barrels are corrosion resistance to BS EN 1670:2007 Grade 3 and are manufactured from solid brass or nickel plated brass.
Below you will find the technical documentation which relates to the barrel.
Anti bump barrels
Windows Plus Online if requested install and ERA 3 Star Anti Snap Barrel. The Anti bump barrels are recognised because they are dual colour and have a key with a red finger grip section. As with the standard barrel the snit bump has the same features six pin hardened pins, anti-pick and anti-drill on top of this the barrel also has an anti snap, with an automatic pin which triggers and blocks the cylinder. The barrels are corrosion tested to BS EN 1670:2007 Grade 3 and have been independantly tested to meet BS EN 1303:2005 accredited to TS007 3* with a BSI Kitemark licence number 5530301, and are designed to the requirements of PAS24. With a fire test to BS 476 FD30 and EN 1634 FD30, and cycle tested to 100,000 which means if you unlocked the door 6 times a day the barrel would last over 45 years.
Below you will find the technical documentation which relates to the anti bump barrel specification.
Thumb turn
Thumb turn barrels are a variation of the standard barrels but have an internal section that does not require a key to be used. These are perfect for porches for east of use. Thumb turn barrels are also required to be used for HMO properties under the fire regulation section.
Below you will find the technical documentation which relates to the thumb turn specification.
Thresholds
Windows Plus Online understands the threshold has to be a very durable part of the door set. If the option for a disable threshold is chosen then the storm guard AM range is fitted. They have been ergonomically tested for Part M compliance. The thresholds are thermally broken to meet thermal bridging and insulation requirements.
The design is a non slip design and brings a safe grip in wet conditions. Windows Plus Online uses a special designed AM threshold to allow for fitting to a cill or direct to stone bed, these are perfect for carpet and tile solutions. The threshold is normally in a matt aluminium finish unless the colour of the item purchased would state the gold effect would be more pleasing to the eye then this is fitted as standard.
The thresholds are manufactured from aluminium. Windows Plus Online also offer a smaller uPVC frame threshold instead of the standard 70mm frame, this will reduce the frame to 60mm. It is surprising how much 10mm difference can make to a threshold.
Restrictors
Door restrictors are fitted as standard on all open out doors with no additional cost. The variable friction can be applied to the slider block to prevent the door from slamming during windy conditions. The integral hinge is set within the euro groove of the door sash, and onto the frame work within the door so that it is not visible when the door is shut.
The restrictor arm is manufactured from stainless steel (430), the slider within the sash are manufactured from aluminium, and the bracket fixed to the frame work zinc alloy. The corrosion resistance meets the requirements of BS EN 1670:2007 Grade 3 (96 hours) and had been tested to 10,000 cycles. If you were to open your open out door 2 times a day the restrictor would keeps its friction for over 13 years but this is adjustable so reality is an endless figure.
Below you will find the technical documentation which relates to the uPVC restrictors.
Fixing straps are used mainly in new build properties for ease of installation. The fixing strap is a galvanised metal bracket, supplied to suit the type of product. It is screwed to the side of the uPVC door and then protrudes into the building with holes for the fixing position to be made.