Case Study: ERW Joinery

..For over 40 years, ERW have been creating timber windows and doors, and outdoor living structures such as conservatories, pergolas and verandas. Based in Middlesbrough, this family-run joinery provides the highest quality timber products to individuals and companies throughout the North of England.

ERW are experts in the manufacture of original timber products; every piece they create is from a bespoke design, tailor-made to the customer’s preferences. This means that all aspects of the finished product are customised to the specific needs and wants of each client. This includes the construction materials and ironmongery, as well as style and colour.

Conservation and renovation of sliding sash windows in heritage properties is another speciality of ERW. Their skilled joiners can restore any part of these characterful installations, while maintaining the period charm of the whole. This can involve replacing rotten timber, renewing the sliding sash mechanisms, and a whole host of other issues which can arise. ERW retain the original window’s appearance, while improving energy efficiency, functionality, noise reduction, and long-term performance.

In recent years, ERW have begun to utilise vacuum insulated glass, which can be either fitted into new windows, or retrofitted into heritage windows. This technology is cutting-edge, achieving excellent thermal insulation and sound reduction, surpassing even triple-glazing while being less than a third of the thickness of traditional double-glazing. With ERW’s commitment to the latest technological advances for the benefit of their customers, a partnership with Qwood was the obvious choice.

Woburn_Forest_Center Parcs_Timber Windows_and_doors_West_Port3 1

“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.