As Business Manager of Shelforce, Howard Trotter has extensive experience of manufacturing and supplying windows, doors and fire doors to housing associations. Here, he discusses the challenges and opportunities facing the sector in 2025 and beyond.
While 2025 promises exciting opportunities in the public sector, particularly for manufacturers and suppliers like Shelforce who specialise in social housing, we cannot ignore the significant challenges that lie ahead.
The evolving landscape of building regulations and safety standards has created a complex environment where ensuring compliance has never been more crucial. Modern uPVC windows and doors play a vital role in keeping tenants safe, secure, and comfortable, but the requirements surrounding their specification and installation have become increasingly stringent.
The wider industry faces increasing pressures, particularly regarding regulations and compliance. The Building Safety Act’s ‘golden thread’ requirements have introduced unprecedented demands for information and documentation of test evidence and complete transparency on building products, including windows and doors.
This, combined with the 12-week building control review period for windows and doors installations, has created new challenges that will only intensify as we move forward. We are already experiencing more rigorous scrutiny and it’s a trend likely to intensify.
Housing associations face increased scrutiny as regulators gain more power to hold landlords accountable for non-compliance. Every upgrade will be meticulously examined. Products must meet exact standards – there’s no room for error.
Energy efficiency is another key focus, particularly with Labour’s commitment to net zero. The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) is driving demand for enhanced thermal performance, with conversations already centring around U-values of 0.8 and 0.9, meaning triple glazing will continue to be driven as the standard solution for meeting these enhanced thermal requirements.
This is where partnering with an experienced manufacturer becomes invaluable for housing associations to make sure they are specifying and installing the right products. Making the right selection is essential to ensure compliance with strict building regulations and provide residents with the best product.
Housing associations need a supplier who understands these complex regulations and can provide products that not only meet but exceed current standards. They need a partner who can offer technical expertise, support, and documentation throughout the entire process.
At Shelforce, we’ve spent decades developing strong partnerships with housing associations and their installers and have experience with all types of social housing refurbishment and maintenance.
From high-rises to new builds, we have ensured every single project has windows, doors and fire doors that have been rigorously tested and certified to help housing associations and social landlords meet all the requirements and can be professionally and correctly installed to ensure regulatory compliance and peace of mind – and to allow residents to enjoy a comfortable and safe home.
We understand the pressures housing associations face – the need to complete maintenance and refurbishment programmes on time and within budget. Our flexibility, competitive pricing, and quick lead times make us an ideal partner, while our highly accredited products surpass PAS 24 standards and achieve A+ energy ratings as standard.
Our commitment to growth and innovation is evidenced by our increasing capacity – window production is set to triple to around 18,000 units this year, supported by new machinery investments and a strengthened team to give us the capacity to meet this increased demand for windows and doors efficiently.
It is vital that housing associations gain more than just a supplier and secure a partner with the expertise, experience, and commitment to help navigate the challenges ahead while delivering the highest quality products for their residents.
Shelforce manufacture and supply of uPVC windows, doors, and fire doors to housing associations and local authority building projects. If you would like to learn about Shelforce’s fully tested and certified solutions or discuss your next project and how Shelforce can help, call 0121 603 5262 or visit www.shelforce.com.
Images © Shelforce
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