Case Study: Tomlinson Parbans
Background
Established over 160 years ago, Tomlinson Parbans is a respected timber and joinery manufacturer based in Cheshire, supplying both trade and private clients. The company is particularly known for its high-quality traditional sliding sash and casement windows, where precision and long-term performance are essential.
Like many joineries working with traditional materials, Tomlinson Parbans experienced recurring issues with timber glazing beads. Movement in the material—such as twisting, swelling, and bowing—could occur after installation, even when the bead was perfectly straight at the point of fitting.
This created a costly and frustrating problem: return visits to site to rectify defects in what should be a finished product.
“Easy to work with, easy to use.”
Solution
Following a successful initial trial, Tomlinson Parbans introduced Qwood into production in 2009.
The transition was seamless. Qwood can be machined, cut, and installed using the same tools and techniques as timber, allowing it to integrate easily into existing workshop processes. The company initially specified Qwood for parting and staff beads in painted sash windows, before gradually expanding its use across the range.
Today, Qwood is used as standard in all painted windows.
Results
By switching to Qwood, Tomlinson Parbans has eliminated the risks associated with timber movement in beading applications.
Key advantages include:
No twisting, bowing, or swelling after installation
Long-term dimensional stability, even in exposed conditions
Zero rot, increasing product lifespan
Consistent, high-quality finish once painted—indistinguishable from timber
The result is a more reliable manufacturing process, fewer site callbacks, and greater confidence in the finished product.
Testimonial
“Qwood has given us complete confidence in our beading. It behaves exactly how we need it to in the workshop, but without the movement issues of timber. Since introducing it, we’ve significantly reduced site returns and improved the overall consistency of our windows.”
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.
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