Case Study: David Salisbury

Precision materials for enduring craftsmanship

For more than 35 years, David Salisbury has been synonymous with the design and manufacture of bespoke glass and timber extensions, specialising in premium orangeries and conservatories. Founded by David Salisbury himself, the business has consistently upheld an ethos of quality, innovation and manufacturing excellence—values that remain central to the company today.
Employing a highly experienced in‑house design team drawn from diverse professional backgrounds, David Salisbury continues to push the boundaries of traditional joinery. In response to unprecedented demand since the pandemic, the company has also embarked on the most ambitious machinery investment programme in its history, reinforcing its commitment to precision engineering and long‑term performance.

Choosing materials that match the craftsmanship
Every David Salisbury structure is built to last. Only the finest quality timber and materials are specified, ensuring outstanding aesthetics, durability and longevity. That same philosophy extends to every component—right down to the glazing details.
This is why David Salisbury specifies Qwood composite glazing beads as a standard solution.

Why Qwood?

Qwood bars and beads faithfully reflect the natural appearance and feel of timber, while offering the consistency and performance modern joinery demands. They can be machined using traditional woodworking tools and machinery, integrating seamlessly into existing joinery processes without the need for specialist equipment.
For joiners, the advantages are immediate:

Guaranteed straightness – no warping, whorls or defects
No preparation required – use straight from the box
Zero wastage – every piece is usable, every time
Reduced labour time – no sanding, treating or reworking

Unlike traditional timber, Qwood will not swell, crack or rot over time. It is highly resistant to changes in temperature and environmental conditions, making it an ideal long‑term solution for glazed joinery. At the end of its life, Qwood can also be fully recycled, supporting more sustainable manufacturing practices.
The David Salisbury Orangery Showroom
The David Salisbury Orangery Showroom, located at the heart of The Chelsea Gardener retail complex, is both a showcase and a working example of best‑in‑class joinery. The space also functions as a hire venue and regularly hosts networking events for architects, specifiers and construction professionals.
Within the showroom, Qwood glazing beads were chosen to allow the joinery team to focus their skills where they add the greatest value. By eliminating the time usually spent cutting, sanding and finessing traditional timber beads, attention could be redirected towards the true centrepieces of the building—such as the exquisitely hand‑carved columns and the magnificent central dome, which floods the orangery with natural light.
Joinery without compromise
The finished showroom demonstrates how Qwood can be used alongside top‑end joinery to deliver exceptional results—without compromise on appearance or performance. With Qwood glazing beads in place, David Salisbury can be confident the showroom will remain a striking, low‑maintenance space for many years to come.
Testimonial

“As a business built on craftsmanship, precision and longevity, we need materials that work as hard as we do. Qwood gives us the consistency of an engineered product with the appearance of fine timber. It saves time in the workshop, removes waste, and allows our joiners to focus on the details that truly define a David Salisbury building.”
— David Salisbury, Founder

structure Neutral 75.Photography By Nick Carter .Exterior Shot At 17.00

“Easy to work with, easy to use.”

ERW and Qwood

Phil Tye is the Operations Director at ERW. He notes that, before using Qwood, they had tried a few different types of timber to create their bars and beads. They all had their pros and cons but, in the end, the numerous issues ERW were having with timber beads made the company look into different options. The joinery has now been using Qwood for over 5 years. As Phil says, it’s “easy to work with, easy to use”.

ERW manufacture their windows utilising a mixture of the standard Qwood range, and bespoke profiles which have been designed and created to their own specifications. Qwood parting and staff beads are used in ERW’s restoration of sliding sash windows, ensuring long-lasting functionality. Meanwhile, two glazing bead tools were manufactured by Qwood engineers, to create profiles which match the unique style of ERW’s casement windows.

Using Qwood over traditional timber beads has given ERW a greater freedom to concentrate on what they do best: the top-quality manufacture and restoration of timber products. Along with the labour time and costs saved by initially fitting Qwood, Phil Tye thinks that the real value of Qwood comes from its stability. ERW no longer have to return to sites for issues such as movement or bead failure, giving their joiners more time to spend on value-adding craftmanship.

The partnership between ERW and Qwood goes from strength to strength. The companies’ products complement each perfectly, while they share a commitment to sustainably sourced timber. ERW know that, when it comes to bars and beads for timber windows and doors, Qwood will always deliver.

Qwood Bead Innovation

Qwood is a timber composite which reflects the natural look and feel of timber. It can be machined just like traditional bars and beads, but it has no knots, defects, or imperfections. It is resistant to temperature and environmental changes, and will far outlast its timber alternatives.

A major advantage which Qwood has over traditional timber beads is the labour time saved in the manufacturing process. Every profile can be used straight out of the box, with no prep work. There is no need for de-nibbing, sanding, or other time-consuming tasks, and only a top coat of paint is required. The bars and beads can simply be cut to size with traditional joinery methods, and they are ready to paint and fit.

Qwood also has the benefit of superior longevity. It will not warp, rot, or swell over time, meaning that remedial work is greatly reduced. It is extremely stable, and its durability ensures excellent long-term performance. Plus, all of the timber which goes into the wood fibres used to manufacture Qwood is sourced from sustainably managed forests in Germany with full Chain of Custody certification available.

The products which Qwood manufactures includes various glazing bars and beads for casement windows, staff and parting beads for sliding sash windows, and a range of profiles for doors. As all Qwood profiles come ready-made, there is no need to select suitable timber pieces, or run them through a spindle moulder. Simply remove the profiles from the box, and use every piece, every time.