Meeting First-Class Specifications

Location	Jim Hensman Place, Saline
Installer	JB Glazing
Year	2022
Product	TOTAL70

Founded in 2021, JB Glazing has swiftly established itself as a trusted installer to customers in the Scottish region, thanks to its emphasis on quality workmanship and customer satisfaction.

Central to this well-gained reputation is its product portfolio, which prominently features windows from polymer supplier REHAU. Engaged by developer S. Ewing & Sons to provide windows for a new luxury development in the rural village of Saline, the fenestration specialists needed high-quality frames to match the high-end properties under construction.

Though Jim Walker has been in the fenestration industry over 40 years, he is often taking on new challenges. It is this view that led him to found JB Glazing last year together with Managing Director James Boyce, using their combined experience to win a wide variety of projects, from small residential work to larger commercial contracts.

This included when, Jordan Ewing, Managing Director for S. Ewing & Sons, tasked JB Glazing with providing high-quality frames for the Dunfermline-based developers’ latest build. Nestled on the western slopes of the Cleish Hills, the picturesque village of Saline had been earmarked for a suite of five luxury homes for homebuyers looking to escape to the country.

“When constructing a new development of this sort, our philosophy is simple – source the best suppliers, and you will build the best homes,” explains Jordan. “It was this desire for premium products that led us to use REHAU. I already knew Jim from previous projects, so I was confident he and his company could meet the exact specifications required to build these five luxury properties.”

Long-standing supplier support

Key to both JB Glazing’s reputation for first-class installations and its work on this project, was their leading window portfolio, which exclusively includes frames from REHAU. Jim had long been aware of the polymer provider’s array of solutions, having worked with the company for over 30 years. Most recently, this has seen JB Glazing join the REHAU Authorised Partner scheme, which identifies selected installers to customers as providers of both best practice and leading window solutions.

“As the saying goes, if it isn’t broke don’t fix it, and I’ve never had any reason to move away from REHAU as a supplier,” says Jim. “For me, their profile stands the test of time – I source it from a trade fabricator and you know it will be tried and tested to guarantee it is consistent and high-quality.

“I have been in this industry for a long time, and having the REHAU brand next to your name, whatever company you’re working for, lets specifiers and developers know you will be fitting exceptional products. This was certainly the case when working on the Jim Hensman Place development – Jordan has certain standards on all of his build’s components, and he knows we’ll meet them.”

With work beginning on the project in January 2022, JB Glazing was tasked with providing frames that would meet high U-value and energy efficiency standards. Alongside this, any frames fitted needed to be long-lasting while also providing a modern appearance matching the high specification of the houses.

Finding adaptable profile

Following advice from REHAU, Jim sourced 60 TOTAL70 windows from REHAU’s TOTAL70 range in a smooth grey foil. Providing a contemporary look suitable for the Saline properties, the system’s high-performing PVCu polymer allows it to easily achieve A+ gradings – the highest possible rating for thermal efficiency.

According to Jim, the versatility of the TOTAL70 frames also stood out: “When you’re carrying out an installation, you have to be on the ball,” he explains. “For example, on this specific project, the design of the houses meant that we needed to fit windows in a lot of different shapes.

“Having the peace of mind that the profile can be adapted to fit simply in multiple ways without a drop in performance cannot be underestimated. Additionally, feeling you can rely on your supplier as a one-stop-shop meant we could be similarly confident we would meet this project’s strict deadlines. Considering most of the homes at Jim Hensman Place sold quickly, knowing everything could be completed on time was of vital importance.”

Following regulations

JB Glazing handed the project over to S. Ewing & Sons in March 2022 in advance of new residents moving into their new, high-standard homes. Considering the uplift of energy efficiency standards planned for the future in Scotland Jim believes meeting these specifications now is more important than ever.

“My advice to installers is that they should seek windows that exceed current building regulations, because these standards are only going to get stricter,” he says. “What might seem well above standard now – such as with the frames fitted at Jim Hensman Place – will become more commonplace over time.

“As such, those in the industry should take this opportunity to work closely with their supplier to ensure they are kept up-to-date on existing and upcoming legislation. The REHAU team were particularly helpful in this way on this project – our contacts were very knowledgeable on all matters relating window performance, from decibels to thermal efficiency. If I have a question, they’ll have an answer, and this sort of resource will be invaluable when securing future projects, especially if regulations continue to change.”

S. Ewing & Sons have been similarly impressed with JB Glazing’s work at Jim Hensman Place. “We engaged Jim and the company expecting a quality window installation, and quality is what we have received,” concludes Jordan. “We will continue to build further developments in the Fife area, and based on our history and their efforts on this project, we would not hesitate to request JB Glazing’s services again.”

For more information about REHAU’s TOTAL70 system, click here .