Rapierstar, the UK’s leading supplier of specialist fasteners for windows and doors, is playing an increasingly important role in the social housing fenestration supply chain through its consultancy approach to product selection, application and new product development.
The company provides an extensive portfolio of fasteners to window and door manufacturers across the UK and Ireland, supported by continuous product testing and development, assuring performance and quality are backed by meaningful technical data.
Sash opener MECHANISM fixed with Rapierstar screws - © Rapierstar Ltd 2025
While much of this work goes unnoticed, window and door suppliers and social housing providers must have confidence that the fasteners they use are appropriate for the application and contribute to the required performance of the finished window or door. It also provides greater assurance over product specification, quality and traceability.
Andy Holland, Technical & Marketing Manager at Rapierstar, says: “Despite being the smallest components used in windows and doors, fasteners perform a key role. If screws are not fit for purpose, are incorrectly specified, or are poorly installed, they can damage important performance objectives relating to safety, security, durability, weather performance, and satisfactory operation.
“That is why we support the complete fenestration supply chain, as we have done for over 30 years, with an evolving product portfolio backed by technical guidance, training and best-practice advice. By acting as a technical partner as much as a product supplier, we can help manufacturers and installers reduce the risk of errors and develop solutions that improve the operation, durability and overall quality of finished units.”
Andy Holland - © A. Holland 2026
For social landlords, the correct fastener specification can also provide an important whole-life benefit by helping to reduce avoidable adjustments, remedial work, and replacements resulting from inappropriate product selection or installation.
Rapierstar supports manufacturers through services including production health checks and application-specific fixing guidance, helping to identify the correct fastener and appropriate installation parameters, such as driver speed and torque.
Its long-established supply partnerships across the social housing fenestration sector, combined with in-house design and testing facilities, also enable Rapierstar to develop fasteners to tackle particular manufacturing and installation issues.
One example is the shallow-pan-head LFG screw, developed specifically for attaching friction stays to PVC-U casement windows. Its low-profile head helps minimise interference between the fixing and moving components of the friction stay, minimising the risk of sticking, scraping and binding during sash operation.
For technical guidance on fastener specification, installation and long-term window and door performance spanning your housing stock, contact Rapierstar.
www.rapierstar.com
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