What is Uni_Slide?

Designed to be best-in-class

Most fabricators assemble components produced by systems companies – Fenster itself is also a successful, respected supplier of Smarts aluminium. However, Uni_Slide is an exclusive product. So where did it come from? Fenster MD Tony Drake explains.

“Years ago, we began to see the emergence of a number of aluminium sliding door products. I was intrigued, so took it upon myself to study them in detail. Broadly, I was very impressed with what I saw. But the products were extremely expensive on the whole, and still had aspects I thought could be significantly improved on.

“It was then I decided that we needed to be able to manufacture and offer our own ultra slim sliding door system that ironed out the flaws of the other products I’d seen. Not long after this, I studied for a MSc in façade engineering at Bath University, during which time I gained valuable knowledge that helped me understand and develop the product that would become Uni_Slide. With this new-found knowledge, and a lot of help from my colleagues at Fenster Fabrications, we were able to offer an entirely new, best-in-class product.”

Standing out from the crowd

In the years since, the number of high-end aluminium products on the market has only continued to rise. So what stands Uni_Slide out from its competition?

“There’s been a steady stream of new products coming out over the past few years, all marketing themselves as premium-quality, and all looking to make gains at the higher end of the market – and some of them are genuinely excellent,” Tony continues. “But I feel that some others are only playing lip-service to good design. Really, they’re just fairly standard products given some savvy marketing.

“With Üni_Slide, you have a product that’s easy to use, that delivers exceptional security with its euro cylinder lock and multi-point stainless steel security cams, that’s incredibly thermally efficient and can take whatever the elements throw at it. And visually, it’s stunning – once installed, Uni_Slide genuinely makes it look as though there’s no door there at all, just a clear opening from the inside to the outside of the property.”

Pushing boundaries

Now, though, the firm is looking to enhance this product, and are currently putting the finishing touches on a new Uni_Slide door that will push the boundaries of what aluminium sliding doors can achieve even further.

“We’re going to take what consumers already love about aluminium products to another level – and we’re extremely excited about introducing it to the industry. In the meantime, if you’re interested in learning more about the original Uni_Slide, or the new sliding door we’re readying for launch, please don’t hesitate to give us a call!”

Fenster Fabrications wins Installation of the Month for stylish White Oaks development

Initially asked to renovate and extend an existing bungalow, Barc advised the couple it would be more cost-effective to rebuild from scratch – and called on Fenster Fabrications to provide sleek and stylish aluminium glazing products that would suit their desired aesthetic.

Fenster contributed one of its flagship Uni_Slide doors, alongside other glazing products. Uni_Slide is an ultra-slim aluminium sliding door, equally suited to commercial and residential applications.

Offering exceptional thermal efficiency, build quality, and desirable minimalist aesthetics, Uni_Slide can achieve frame sightlines as slim as 20mm, and a slim central interlock, while being able to support sliding panels of up to 3m high and 2.2m wide. The product can be assembled in a limitless run of units, with each panel capable of holding up to 320kg of glass.

Tony Drake, Fenster Fabrications Managing Director, commented: “Uni_Slide makes a fantastic addition to any residential development. It can offer a sense of sleek luxury to any architectural development, and, for installers, it’s an excellent way of appealing to the lucrative high-end of the market.

“We’ve had a great response to our search for Uni_Slide installation partners so far – but we’re still looking for exceptional installers, dedicated to quality products and fantastic customer service, to join the network. If you think your business fits the bill, don’t hesitate to get in touch!”

For its role in the White Oaks project, Fenster was named the FIT Show’s Installation of the Month in April 2017, and shortlisted for Installation of the Year. The development as a whole also received the Local Authority Building Control Building Excellence Award for Best New Dwelling.

Apex Aluminium the latest to sign up to supply stunning Üni_Slide

“In recent years we’ve seen a massive shift in consumer demand in glass and glazing, with end-users looking for stylish, high-end aluminium products that provide both exceptional all-round performance and value for money” commented Daniel Clarke, Apex Aluminium MD. “Üni_Slide is exactly the sort of product this demographic is crying out for – stunning to look at, incredibly easy to use, and the result of a clear commitment to quality design.”

Fenster Managing Director Tony Drake commented: “It’s fantastic to see another company signing up to begin offering Üni_Slide – especially a business of Apex’s calibre. What we want to ultimately achieve is to have a quality distributor like Apex supplying Üni_Slide in every part of the country, and it’s hugely satisfying to see that beginning to take shape. I’d like to invite any glazing business with a love of quality design to get in touch with us today, to learn more about how you can begin offering Üni_Slide too.”

Üni_Slide is an ultra-slim aluminium sliding door, equally suited to commercial and residential applications. Offering exceptional thermal efficiency, build quality, and desirable minimalist aesthetics, Üni_Slide can achieve frame sightlines as slim as 20mm, and a slim central interlock, while being able to support sliding panels of up to 3m high and 2.2m wide. The product can be assembled in a limitless run of units, with each panel capable of holding up to 320kg of glass.

For more information call 01626 353 371 or visit our Üni_Slide page.

Fenster Fabrications hails surge in aluminium doors

“We’re pleased but not surprised by these statistics,” commented Tony Drake, Fenster Fabrications managing director. “We have positioned Üni_Slide to cater to a surge in demand in this exact market – high-end consumers, unwilling to compromise on looks or performance and instead looking for sliding door solutions that excel in all areas.”

Other respected studies have also registered huge growth in aluminium door products over the last decade. The Palmer Market Report reported that 25,000 bifold doors were installed in 2011. By 2013, this had jumped to 32,000.

The most recent Palmer study, published in October of this year, reported that while the total volume of glass and glazing products was down 0.7%, the continued shift towards higher end offerings actually delivered a 2% increase in installed volume. Palmer also tipped the aluminium door sector for significant growth in the years ahead.

“These trends are fantastic news for us and our customers,” Tony continues. “With Üni_Slide, we’re perfectly positioned to take advantage of the surging popularity of aluminium products that deliver outstanding design, exceptional performance and stunning aesthetics – and it’s hugely encouraging to receive statistics as positive as these as we seek to establish and expand a nationwide network of Üni_Slide dealers. If you’re interested in becoming the sole Üni_Slide provider in your area, don’t hesitate to get in touch.”

Üni_Slide is an ultra-slim aluminium sliding door, equally suited to commercial and residential applications. Offering exceptional thermal efficiency, build quality, and desirable minimalist aesthetics, Üni_Slide can achieve frame sightlines as slim as 20mm, and a slim central interlock, while being able to support sliding panels of up to 3m high and 2.2m wide. The product can be assembled in a limitless run of units, with each panel capable of holding up to 320kg of glass.

For more information call 01626 353 371 or visit our Üni_Slide page.

“Huge demand” for products like Üni_Slide, says respected installer Marco

Among the latest to join is Marco Architectural Aluminium of Bournemouth, Dorset – a highly respected firm supplying an extensive range of aluminium doors, windows and curtain walling throughout the south-west of England into a wide variety of commercial projects, using Smarts Systems products.

“Üni_Slide is a fantastic product, and Tony and the team behind it really impressed us with their integrity and uncompromising commitment to great design,” said Rob McKenzie-Watkins, Marco MD. “In the industry, we’re seeing a huge demand for this kind of product – high-end, stylish, robust, and incredibly easy to use and maintain. There’s no doubt – consumers are a lot more demanding than they used to be when it comes to home improvement products, and systems like Üni_Slide are just what many discerning end-users are looking for.”

Üni_Slide designer Tony Drake commented: “We’re delighted that Marco have decided to begin offering Üni_Slide. We’re just at the beginning of the Üni_Slide journey, but we’re already seeing great success, which is hugely encouraging as we seek to grow our brand. Now, we’re looking for honest, hardworking, experienced and diligent installers just like Marco to help us bring Üni_Slide to customers all around the country. If you value quality design and exceptional performance as much as we do, we’d love to hear from you.”

Üni_Slide is an ultra-slim aluminium sliding door, equally suited to commercial and residential applications. Offering exceptional thermal efficiency, build quality, and desirable minimalist aesthetics, Üni_Slide can achieve frame sightlines as slim as 20mm, and a slim central interlock, while being able to support sliding panels of up to 3m high and 2.2m wide. The product can be assembled in a limitless run of units, with each panel capable of holding up to 320kg of glass.

For more information call 01626 353 371 or visit our Üni_Slide page.

Introducing Üni_Slide: the revolutionary new panoramic sliding door

Üni_Slide is brought to the market by Fenster’s managing director Tony Drake. An experienced glazing industry professional, Tony worked on the design for Üni_Slide while studying for an MSc in Façade Engineering at Bath University.

“So many glazing products are just functional – they do the job well enough, but rarely excel at what they do,” commented Tony. “With Üni_Slide, we want to bring great design back into focus. From the outside, it’s blissfully simple – incredibly slim sightlines, elegant, minimalistic design. But behind that, we’ve put a huge amount of effort into making the best looking, best performing product in its class.”

“Above all, the modern consumer prizes quality. Homeowners are increasingly discerning – they’re not looking for cheap and cheerful anymore. They want something that looks stunning, that’s been carefully and elegantly designed, and, above all, that conveys quality.”

“Üni_Slide is a fantastic way for installers to differentiate their offer, and make in-roads to the high end of the market. But that doesn’t mean it’s unaffordable – Üni_Slide comes much more competitively priced than similar products on the market, while delivering equal or better looks, design and performance.”

Now, due to anticipated demand, Fenster is looking for partner organisations around the country to begin offering this revolutionary new offering. “We want to hear from businesses that appreciate excellent design, care about quality, and offer exceptional standards of customer service,” Tony continued. “If you think you fit the bill, don’t hesitate to contact us today, to learn how the sensational Üni_Slide brand can help you win more business.”

For more information call 01626 353 371 or visit our Üni_Slide page.