No more placcy?

[jocelyn plummer]

Heard on the local news that Zenith windows have closed down. It seems that the dreaded placcy maybe on it's way out?

We had loads of phone calls from them a few years ago, trying to sell their products!

 

[Flyfisher]

Well, any product that lasts forever and is maintenance free will eventually run out of market :wink:

Could it be that they've finally ruined every window in the land and can do no more :shock:

http://www.blagger.com/db4/company_id/1299/companyname/Zenith-Windows.html

 

[Nemesis]

Wonder what will happen to all those guarantees?

 

[Ian Bond]

http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news...gory=news&itemid=NOED07 Jan 2008 17:48:08:627

 

[Manks]

I very much doubt that placcy is on the way out. For many purposes it is better than wood. By this I mean it is cheaper and lower maintenance.

I have just replaced my windows with wood. It took a long time, was labour intensive and cost a fortune. When we finished I thought about how attractive UPVC must have seemed when it was introduced. I really can see why it caught on.

For utilitarian property I see nothing wrong with plastic. But there should be planning laws about placcy in anything pre, say, 1970.

Manks

 

[biffvernon]

My computer mouse seems to be made of plastic and I suppose there are other uses, but in buildings? Hmmm...electrical insulation perhaps?

Actually, the current issue of Gla@zine has several encouraging pieces

It looks like one or two of the major banks are using the Credit Crunch squeeze as an excuse to offload a few other bad debts, with damaging effects on several major players in the window market.

Everwhite Plastics is one of the biggest casualties, blaming the collapse of the US market on its cash crisis, but hopeful of continuing operations under a new buyer. Some fourteen staff were sadly made redundant this week...

Meanwhile, Pennine Windows (Home Improvements) Ltd called in the receivers last Thursday, with the loss of 126 jobs and Budget Windows went into administration with the loss of 80 jobs just before Christmas.

The news that the Zenith and Staybrite brands are to join the Weatherseal brand under the Latium umbrella suggests that Brian Kennedy remains committed to the window industry. In an email to The Gl@zine, Spectus MD Sam Kennedy confirms this and appeals to the industry to talk itself up, not down in the coming months.

Latium Purchases Zenith and Staybright
As we enter another New Year, there may be an air of gloom in some quarters of the industry, but it’s important we don’t talk ourselves into apathy and inactivity and make the market more difficult than it is.

Everwhite in Administration. Who’s next?
Following the news that Everwhite Plastics Ltd has gone into administration, I am writing to urge distributors and installers to think seriously about the security and sustainability of their building plastics’ supplier. Tony Crutcher Sales and Marketing Director, Latium Building Products

 

[Manks]

My computer mouse seems to be made of plastic and I suppose there are other uses, but in buildings? Hmmm...electrical insulation perhaps?

Yes Biff, in buildings, welcome to the 21st Century.

 

[Nemesis]

Can't actually think of much use for placcy in buildings of any age.

Which isn't to say people don't install placcy windows and doors, and nasty conservatories too, but maybe that's something which will disappear as they appreciate that wood lasts far longer, and the much vaunted claims of low maintenance are not actually true.

Or are we at the stage of rip em out and chuck em away anyhow as they are out of fashion? Replace with more short term stuff? And what environmental damage are they causing?

 

[Manks]

Can't actually think of much use for placcy in buildings of any age.

That'll be something to do with being out of touch with reality then.

When one is lucky enough to live in big expensive houses it's easy to forget that most houses are built to a budget. You will find plastic everywhere from DPC to heating pipes to windows.

Of course it would be nice if it were possible to build everything like a Georgian rectory, but it isn't.

It is not possible to supply and fit wooden windows as cheaply as plastic. The maintenance of wood is also greater / more expensive.

Manks

 

[Nemesis]

Well, not so sure that you are in touch with reality either then.

Placcy has its problems, and possibly in future that may be realised when building new homes. There are alternatives which may be in future considered, in a more eco friendly house building age.

Wood - well, maintenance costs - with decent wood they can last centuries, with minimal maintenance. With plastic, could you say the same? Similarly plastic guttering - short term stuff. Wooden guttering lasts far longer, and there are other alternatives.

I'm not, BTW, rich or 'lucky' enough (bloody hard work and a lot of doing without things to pay a mortgage isn't really luck) to live in a big expensive house. I'm just someone who lives in an old house and who spends what little cash she has on it when she can afford the next bit of repair.

 

[Manks]

Wood - well, maintenance costs - with decent wood they can last centuries, with minimal maintenance. With plastic, could you say the same? Similarly plastic guttering - short term stuff. Wooden guttering lasts far longer, and there are other alternatives.

So you propose fitting oak windows to council houses right?

I'm not, BTW, rich or 'lucky' enough (bloody hard work and a lot of doing without things to pay a mortgage isn't really luck) to live in a big expensive house. I'm just someone who lives in an old house and who spends what little cash she has on it when she can afford the next bit of repair.

Look, there really is no need for you to struggle. You obviously know better than the entire construction industry. Given that you can build new homes without plastic, using quality eco-friendly materials which will last for centuries, and as cheaply as using plastic, I know of no large builder that wouldn't pay you a seven-figure annual package.

Then you could move on to automotives perhaps?

Manks

 

[Nemesis]

Sigh.

Where to begin...

No, it's not worth it.

 

[Manks]

No, it's not worth it.

No it so is.

I for one would be fascinated to know how you would propose, for example, building a 2-bed starter home using timber windows, and no plastic anywhere, without increasing the cost of the build or ongoing maintenance.

I am seriously interested.

Manks

 

[Nemesis]

Well, we may have to seriously curb plastic manufacture and use in future, and it might actually be a good idea to start now. If (and this is a big if...) local authorities are to start a mass housebuilding prog, possibly they should be showing the way?

I'm not saying that all plastic can be eliminated, but doors and windows would be a useful beginning.

But are you seriously suggesting that plastic windows last?

If so, dream on.

 

[Manks]

But are you seriously suggesting that plastic windows last?

No, at no point did I say that. You and Biff were saying that plastic has no part in housebuilding. Which is rubbish.

Manks

 

[Nemesis]

I think what we meant, and what we implied, was that it should not. Maybe we should have been more explicit and spelled it out.

The fact currently it has is a cause for concern.

 

[Penners]

Can't actually think of much use for placcy in buildings of any age.

Ooh - I can. Our period building is equipped with an excellent soft plastic spatula, that helps me scoop the last scrapings of chocolate icing out of the bowl, when Mrs P has been cake-making.

 

[Nemesis]

Wot - no finger?

 

[Manks]

I think what we meant, and what we implied, was that it should not. Maybe we should have been more explicit and spelled it out.

Whatever. Certainly Biff's response suggested that plastic has no place in construction. Perhaps he was just trying to be clever.

The fact currently it has is a cause for concern.

For you perhaps, but for most plastic represents an effective way of achieving many things in a budget build.

So, are you going to explain what the viable alternatives are? I emphasise viable by the way.

Manks

 

[Moo]

I'm shocked!

The next thing will be learning that she uses a plastic mixing bowl into the bargain.