Increased Demand for Spandrels

25-01-2008

DTE INCREASES SUPPLY OF SPANDRELS IN RESPONSE TO HOUSEBUILDER DEMAND

Donaldson Timber Engineering, leading UK suppliers of engineered timber roof and floor solutions, has noticed a new trend in customer demand: more house builder clients in England and Wales are looking for spandrel panels to be supplied as an integral part of their engineered timber roofing orders.

Sales Director Jim Provan explained:

“Many of our manufacturing centres are noticing an increase in the number of customers asking for spandrel panels to be included in their roofing designs. It’s clear that house builders are increasingly aware of the advantages the pre-fabricated spandrel delivers in terms of time, cost and waste reduction, when compared with the traditional practice of building up masonry walls.”

He continued:

“By supplying and fitting the spandrels along with our usual roof truss service, we’re also providing house builders with the supply chain efficiency of a ‘one stop shop’- something that’s important in a competitive market.”

One customer who is very aware of the benefits of the spandrel panel is McCarthy and Stone’s Regional Buyer for the South West, Richard Brodie. He is responsible for the purchasing on the company’s latest development at Newport on the Isle of Wight, where DTE Andover, under manager Martin Cox, are supplying trusses, spandrels and all additional timbers for the 46 unit flatted development.

Asked why spandrels are being used on this masonry construction, he is very clear:

“We encourage the use of spandrel panels wherever possible. We find they are easier and quicker to fit. They are lowered into position along with the roof trusses, so that they create a finished product straightaway and other work can continue. They also save on the ‘cutting in’ typical with masonry, and on site waste in general.”