Month: August 2017

Morley Launches Smart Solution For Home Automation Integration

Uni-blinds® integral blinds manufacturer Morley Glass & Glazing has developed SmartMotion, a unique interface that helps installers quickly and easily incorporate its motorised integral blinds into home automation systems.

Ian Short, managing director of Morley Glass & Glazing said: “The global home automation market was valued at $4.41 billion in 2014 and is set to grow by 26.3% by 2020. Home automation systems integrate various domestic applications such as lighting, heating, safety and security, energy management, entertainment systems – and motorised integral blinds – and are growing in popularity in the UK, as the concept of “smart” homes takes off.

“An increasing number of our customers are being asked to incorporate our motorised Uni-blinds® integral blinds into electric-powered home automation systems – and in the past it has been a daunting and a complex task that could cause damage to the wiring of the blinds or the home automation system.

“This inspired us to commission the development of a unique interface called the SmartMotion which makes the process so simple it’s child’s play. In one easy step the operation of the blinds is smoothly integrated into the whole home automation system so that they can be controlled at the touch of a button, even when you’re not at home.”

The SmartMotion is exclusive to Morley Glass & Glazing and is compatible with the MB System of Uni-Blinds®, which operate using an electric brushless motor. It is supplied pre-wired and fully tested, making for a smooth, problem-free installation.

Morley Glass MD Puts His Best Foot Forward For Charity

Morley Glass & Glazing managing director Ian Short is getting ready to put his best foot forward as he prepares to take part in a charity dance competition.

Alongside nine other contestants, Ian will be paired with a professional dancer to battle it out for the title of Variety’s Strictly Ballroom champion on Wednesday 11 October at Bowcliffe Hall in Bramham, Leeds. The amateur dancers and their partners will be joined by a star-studded judging panel, featuring the X Factor’s Ray Quin, choreographer Ian Banham and professional dancer Jemma Girling.

Morley Glass & Glazing is already a familiar name in the dancing world, after it stepped in last year to sponsor outfits for Nottingham University’s student-led Latin, Ballroom and Salsa Society.

Commenting on the event, Ian said: “I have attended Ballroom and Latin Classes at North Leeds Dance Academy with my wife Kathy in the past but we’ve never gone beyond a beginner’s level. This competition is really taking things to another level! I’ll be training all summer to make sure I’m on top form and hopefully we’ll have a great turnout to support such a great cause.”

Ian and his dance partner Olivia Choi from the North Leeds Dance Academy will compete in two group dances and a solo dance. Ian said: “I’m very excited to be dancing the samba, which is a lively, energetic and fun dance, which perfectly matches my large than life character and personality. It’s a difficult dance with bounce and odd rhythms but I’m going to give it my all and hope for the best.”

Tickets are £25 and all proceeds will go to help Variety continue its important charity work, providing practical, tangible help to children in the UK coping with sickness, disability or disadvantage. Doors will open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

For more information or to book your ticket contact Jane Clynes on 07703 271238 or email jane@janeclynes.com.

To sponsor Ian visit here.

Fellowship Honour For Morley Glass MD

Morley Glass & Glazing managing director Ian Short has been honoured for his contributions to charity and the community this month as he was awarded a Fellowship from The Rotary Foundation in recognition of his significant support for its work.

Recipients of the Paul Harris Fellowship have demonstrated exceptional service, and are awarded in appreciation of the ‘tangible and significant assistance’ they have given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.

For more than 110 years, Rotary members have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace, to water and health, the organisation is committed to working towards a better world for everyone.

As managing director of Morley Glass, Ian has taken part in a number of Rotary Club initiatives. Morley Glass & Glazing is a proud headline sponsor of the Rotary Club of Roundhay’s Annual North Leeds Charity Beer Festival, which this year raised £7000 for both local and international charities. The business also took part in the Rotary Club’s Purple Crocus programme, raising money in support of a worldwide polio vaccination programme.

Ian said: “It’s a tremendous honour to be awarded the Fellowship and I’m extremely proud to have been able to be involved in so many worthwhile projects. When I started Morley Glass & Glazing almost 20 years ago I knew I wanted to build a business that the local community could look to for support, and it’s been such a pleasure to be able to show support and give back what I can.

Last year, Morley Glass sponsored a charity auction for Runswick Bay Rescue Boat, which raised £5000 towards providing a lifeboat rescue service in the area close to Whitby, North Yorkshire. Morley also plays a huge role in ensuring local sports clubs and societies can continue to thrive through continued sponsorship. The business also sponsors a number of teams, including Morley Rugby Union Club, Millshaw Park Rangers and Mirfield Parish Cricket Club.

Morley Glass & Glazing Shares International Industry Best Practice

Morley Glass & Glazing was pleased to play host to a delegation from ScreenLine® integral blind systems manufacturer, Pellini SpA, in an international knowledge-sharing initiative last month.

The two businesses have a long relationship of sharing best business practises, and share the ethos of design excellence combined with outstanding product quality. Morley Glass & Glazing’s Uni-Blinds® are the most popular sealed units featuring Pellini’s ScreenLine® integral blinds in the UK.

Visiting from their headquarters in Codogno in northern Italy, Pellini brought with them Qfort, Romania’s largest manufacturer of uPVC windows and glass. Operating from a modern production facility, with a total area of 13.000 sqm and €200m turnover, Qfort is currently planning an expansion into the integral blinds market, and knew it would benefit from a visit to Morley Glass & Glazing.

During their visit, the teams from Pellini and Qfort got the chance to hear from Morley MD Ian Short and the team at the business on what they believe are the secrets of their success.

Ian commented: “Morley’s industry-leading 10-day delivery promise, its second-to-none customer service and the sheer amount of passion and enthusiasm our staff have for providing the best possible products all play a part in what makes our business model so successful.

“We’re always happy to meet with other companies to share best practise ideas and, having had a fantastic working partnership with Pellini for a number of years now, we’re always happy to welcome them back to Morley.”

Now, the business is looking to continue sharing its knowledge and experience with companies from a number of countries around the world, and has already hosted a delegation from Australian firm Australian Insulated Glass.

Colour Your World, Huge Choice Of Integral Blinds Colours To Choose From

It’s a fact that today we don’t just enjoy having a wide choice, we expect it. Let’s face it, from coffee and ice-cream to sofas and mobile phones, any product looking to stand a chance in our diverse age needs to come in at least a few variations. And where once people may have been trying to ‘keep up with the Joneses’, today we’re all looking for ways to uniquely customise our lives to our own likes and needs.

Of course, one of the easiest ways to customise your life is to add a few splashes of colour. Which is why we’re always happy to let our customers know that, when it comes to integral blinds, we’ve got enough choice to satisfy even the most ambitious interior designs. In fact, at Morley Glass & Glazing we offer a fantastic exclusive range of vanity fabrics in no less than 18 colours, meaning there really is something for everyone no matter what you’re looking for.

So, in the spirit of helping you make the best choice, we’ve put together a few tips on choosing the perfect colour:

  1. Don’t be afraid to be bold

Our colour range includes everything from bright blues and gorgeous greens to regal reds and opulent oranges. In the past, homeowners were advised to keep things neutral. Today, however, people are letting their love of colours shine through, and our vanity fabrics can be the perfect addition to any bright room.

  1. Choose light colours for a soothing effect

White and cream décor has long been associated with relaxation. By using light colours, such as white and cream, a room can be softened and made to feel bigger. And while people may have been put off choosing light colours for blinds due to the cleaning they required, with internal blinds this is no longer an issue. In fact, the blinds will stay as light and bright as the day they were installed throughout the entire length of their use.

  1. Go dark for a touch of drama

Nothing says fabulous opulence quite like a dramatically dark room. Whether it’s just a dark feature wall or an entirely dark theme, people are turning to the dark side in their droves. Of course, the dark colours in our range are also hugely popular thanks to their timeless appeal and ability to seamlessly co-ordinate with any style of décor.

  1. Why not mix and match?

The best thing about having choice is not feeling restricted; the only limits are the ones you set for yourself. We love being able to offer such a wide range of high quality and exclusive vanity fabrics as it means we are able to give people the home they’ve always dreamt of, one room at a time!

At the end of the day, the only rule for choosing colours for integral blinds is there are no rules! Feel free to go as bright, white or dark as you like and don’t forget to keep an eye out for even more fantastic colour options coming to Morley Glass & Glazing’s exclusive vanity fabric range in the future.

Morley Trusts Renault To Help Drive Deliveries

Morley Glass & Glazing, the UK’s market leader in the manufacture of Uni-Blinds® integral blind units has grown its fleet of Renault vehicles to help it cope with rising demand for its popular products.

Already benefiting from a 17-strong Renault Trucks exclusive fleet providing free delivery of its integral blinds to customers across mainland Britain, the business will now also enjoy the support of four additional vehicles. These include a 3.5 tonne Masters panel van, equipped with specialist glass transport systems that include exterior roof racks and side racks, and internal glass frame racking, two 135.35 panel vans and the company’s first 130.35 drop-side with tilt-frame body.

The vehicles have been supplied by JDS Trucks of Leeds, who will also be providing expert support to ensure they can be on the road as much as possible. No small feat, given that Morley’s delivery vehicles can clock up as many as 100,000 miles every year.

Morley is rightfully proud of its guarantee that customers who order by 11am on Friday can enjoy 10-day delivery, but to do this the business requires a dependable and resourceful delivery fleet.

Take a look at what Managing Director Ian Short have to say about Renault trucks:

Ian Short, Morley’s managing director, said: “We’ve worked extremely hard to build our reputation in the market for offering the highest quality by ensuring we source the best suppliers and manufacturers and deliver products that exceed customer expectations.

“Our reputation is so important that we simply cannot afford for inferior quality vans to let us or our customers down. That’s why we’ve always chosen Renault Trucks’ vans through JDS Trucks as we are guaranteed superb vehicles, backed up by Peter Glover and his team giving the best quality service and maintenance support.”

Take a look at what Morley Glass driver Mr Khan have to say about Renault trucks:

Using Integral Blinds Inside The Home

When most people think of integral blinds they will often quite rightfully picture a conservatory or an external door or window that could benefit from the increased solar control, privacy and shading offered by such a system. And yet, the added benefits of using integral blinds internally have long been enjoyed by those working in commercial buildings, where they can be used to great effect to create private environments, such as signifying that an office is occupied or the user is presently unavailable. You will also see integral blinds in use in secure units, hospitals, care homes, laboratories and other types of special use buildings.

It is becoming increasingly apparent that integral blinds are the ideal solution for a number of domestic settings. Yes, integral blinds offer unrivalled solar protection and heat retention, but because of their simple to use design and low maintenance needs, the product has also been finding uses in a number of new and inventive places around the home, and it’s been great to see their versatility being fully embraced. By giving homeowners the option to either open up their spaces to allow light to flow through or being closed to provide privacy, integral blinds are making many rooms inside the home multi-functional.

For example, the new trend among renovating homeowners of galleried areas and internal glazing as a focal point of the home is resulting in the inclusion of integral blinds in these areas.  They provide privacy and separate spaces accordingly, as well as provide shade when needed. Other areas inside the home that can be enhanced by integral blinds include doors for study areas and home offices.

And because integral blinds systems from Morley Glass come with the option of British Blind & Shutter Association (BBSA) approved cords, magnets or sliders they are perfectly safe for use in play rooms, children’s bedrooms and nurseries, giving parents the option of total transparency for peace of mind or complete closure for a peaceful sleeping environment.

If you’re interested in learning more about how integral blinds could help you make the most of your internal space as well as your external windows and doors, get in touch with the team at Morley Glass & Glazing today.

Practical Considerations When Choosing Integral Blinds

Given that estimates claim a pane of glass is capable of losing or gaining up to 10 times the amount of heat as a same sized wall space, it’s not surprising that there have been giant leaps forward recently in the development of glass and associated products that can help reduce this.

The smart building tech industry looks set for continued expansion, thanks to both environmental and economic concerns – this tech often produces energy cost savings – and regulatory changes designed to encourage energy efficiency.

In particular, windows with integral blinds are playing their part in helping to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. Because blinds offer an extra insulating layer at your window, they are an effective additional barrier for stopping cold draughts getting inside and warm air escaping outside. As an additional touch, many manufacturers offer thermal fabrics and linings and many use thermally efficient glazing such as the SGG PLANITHERM range.

Due to glass transparency, the use of standard double glazing units is often not enough to guarantee correct control of solar energy, which often means specifying solar control glass. In addition a Uni-Blinds® double-glazed unit with integral blinds is an excellent screen against solar radiation and offers the possibility to quickly and easily adjust the internal environmental lighting level. A Uni-Blinds® integrated system filters the light and affects its value by the tilting of the slats (in the case of Venetian blinds) or by lowering the blind (in the case of pleated blinds), ensuring that energy efficiency is built-in to your home.

In addition, the dedicated warm edge spacer bars used within Uni-Blinds® can effectively halve heat transmission through the perimeter when compared to a standard extruded aluminium spacer bar, helping to create A rated energy efficient windows.

And it’s not just eco-conscious homeowners who are catching on to the benefits of integral blinds. As smart building technology makes its way into commercial spaces and building managers are beginning to rely on automated intelligent building management systems, fully-automated blinds are just another part of ensuring the building’s systems are working together for optimal energy efficiency. In fact, hard-wired into the mains, a fully-automated blinds system can synchronise the movements of groups of up to 12 blinds for simultaneous raising and lowering.

If you think it’s about time your home or business began to benefit from the added energy efficiency of integral blinds, get in touch with Morley Glass & Glazing today to find out how we can help.

Uni-Blind Integral Blinds System Q&A: Your Questions Answered

As integral blinds experts, we often receive questions from consumers who want to know more about the benefits integral blinds could have to their home, and we know a lot of installers are too. So, we’ve put together a quick Q&A on integral blinds that we hope will help more people make an informed choice of what is best for their double-glazed units, bi-folding door or wherever else they’re thinking of installing Uni-Blind sealed units with ScreenLine integral blinds inside.

What are integral blinds?

Integral blinds feature Venetian or pleated blinds installed between the two panes of glass that make up a double-glazed unit. All our Uni-Blind sealed units with ScreenLine integral blinds inside give users the ultimate in protection from solar glare and the bleaching effect of the sun while also staying clean and free from dust.

Do integral blinds work with any window or door?

Because ScreenLine integral blind systems can be operated electronically or manually, they can be installed into almost any type of window or door, be it inward or outward opening, sliding or bi folding. If you’re unsure of the suitability of your double-glazed unit or bi-folding door, contact your installer for more information.

Are integral blinds expensive?

Although they will generally be more expensive than most wooden or fabric blinds, the myriad of benefits offered by a Uni-Blind sealed unit with integral blinds inside mean the long-term benefits are worth the investment.

Benefits of integral blinds include the ability to last as long as your double-glazed unit or bi-folding door without needing to be replaced, and a long list of additional features exclusive only to integral blinds, such as solar control and improved thermal performance.

Cord or cordless? Manual or automatic?

When it comes to integral blinds, you’re really only limited as far as your taste allows. Manual systems feature a securely attached cord fitted to a rotational magnetic transmission through the glass. However, for those who don’t want their double-glazed units or bi-folding door impeded by cords, discreet magnetic sliders are another option.  All our blind systems comply with the “make it safe campaign “

Plus, with the growth of home automation systems, some manufacturers such as Morley Glass & Glazing can integrate the automation of integral blind operation within home automation systems, using pre-wired control boxes, and making for a smooth problem-free installation.

Can you fit retrospectively and into frames of different materials?

ScreenLine blinds for bifold doors are most often fitted inside new windows and they can be retro-fitted into existing internal and external doors by simply replacing the sealed unit.  They can also be fitted into frames of all materials, including PVCu, timber and aluminium, as well as curtain walling.

What glass options are available?

In the home or workplace, there is no better option than our Uni-Blind sealed units created using the SGG PLANITHERM range of energy efficient low-e glass. They can also be fitted inside specialist solar control, fire-safety, noise control and toughened glass types, depending on the comfort needs of the end-user.

How big/small can the windows with integral blinds inside be?

While in the past integral blinds were only suitable for double-glazed units and bi folding door with a frame that was no thinner than 28mm, this is no longer the case. In fact, thanks to its slimline 10mm slats, Morley Glass and Glazing’s new SL16 integral blind system is the first of its kind that is suitable for use in cavities as small as 16mm. The maximum size of a Uni-Blind sealed unit with integral blinds inside is 2500mm (w) x 2500mm (h). The minimum size is 450mm x 300mm.

How do I choose the right integral blind system for me?

It really comes down to personal preference and what you are hoping to achieve. Things to consider include where the blind is being fitted, which direction the room faces, how you want to operate the blind, and which style and colour you prefer.

Specialising in the manufacture of sealed units with integral blinds, and offering an industry-beating lead time of 10 days, coupled with free mainland UK delivery when it comes to ensuring a high quality finished product Morley Glass and Glazing is the expert you can trust. We hope this blog has been helpful in answering any questions you or your customers may have about the installation and benefits of a ScreenLine integral blinds system.

Morley Sheds Light On Local Sponsorship

Sealed unit and integral blinds manufacturer Morley Glass & Glazing has supported its local rugby club with a £3,000 donation to buy new floodlights and the installation of a 5-panel bi-fold door in the club house complete with integral blinds.

Morley Rugby Union Club has just won a place in the National League (starting in September) and is keen to ensure its supporters enjoy the best facilities at home matches.  The new floodlights will enable the teams to train and play throughout the year. The club includes teams from aged 4 to adults and forms a strong part of the local community.

Ian Short, Managing Director at Morley Glass & Glazing said: “Morley RUFC encourages children to get involved in team sport, fun and fitness and supports their talent and aspirations as they enter adulthood.  The senior teams have enjoyed great success and we are only too pleased to help them improve their facilities for players and supporters alike.”

Mark Chester, Morley RFC Captain/Player-Coach said: “The sponsorship that Morley Glass kindly provided enabled us to improve our floodlight provision, which will have a major positive effect on our club. From micros through to seniors, veterans and a newly formed girls team, it enables us to further cater for our ever-growing player base. We cannot function as a club without the generous help of our local businesses’ support and sponsorship, and I cannot thank Ian Short and Morley Glass enough for their generosity.”

Morley Glass & Glazing has been based in Leeds for almost 20 years and supports many local sports and community clubs, as part of its proactive corporate social responsibility programme.

Integral Blinds: Nice Touch Or Unnecessary Luxury?

At Morley Glass & Glazing, we like to think we do a good job of educating people of the solutions integral blinds provide to many off the shelf products that are designed to provide privacy yet are simply not designed to last as long or look as good. Examples of these include obscure sticky films, privacy glass, shutter screens and many more. But there is still a lot of work to be done to dispel some of the myths surrounding integral blinds by those who claim that they’re an unnecessary expense that do the same job as regular blinds with no additional benefits.

Yet it can’t be denied that as time goes on more and more people are beginning to look for alternatives to traditional blinds. So, we thought it was about time we explored a few of the more popular myths surrounding integral blinds, and offered our professional opinion on why they are so often the best fit for so many rooms around the home.

Two of the most popular places for the installation of blinds are bathrooms and kitchens, closely followed by utility rooms. Arguably the three dampest rooms in a home, blinds are chosen as an alternative to curtains as they allow a good amount of privacy while being able to withstand their moist surroundings better than curtains.

Of course, the issue here is that regular blinds are still exposed to condensation, steam and water splashes and therefore will still require regular cleaning to avoid any nasty surprises building up. By switching to integral blinds homeowners can save the time it would take to clean each individual slat, as well as ensure they’re getting a product that can go the distance and not become faded after one too many wipe downs.

For people who desire additional privacy, blinds are often installed and used alongside curtains in places that get a lot of sunlight. Here they are intended to offer sun shading not only for the comfort of the people in the room, but also to prevent fabric fading on soft furnishings.

In these situations, integral blinds are a great way to benefit from a blinds system which can easily sit alongside a curtain without the need for any additional drilling into new frames, tiles or plastered walls. And they can also be retrospectively fitted to most doors and windows.

Some of the most popular concerns surrounding integral blinds come from the misguided belief that they will be difficult to install.  And to be fair, if the fitters aren’t very skilled or haven’t been trained in fitting them, then this may be true. Others have complained about unreliable products, such as the cords snapping and the glass being scratched.

Just as you would with any quality product, when it comes to installation make sure you’ve got the right workman for the job. Which is why our highly experienced and skilled team have been thoroughly trained to provide our customers with the assurance that orders are handled efficiently, accurately and professionally from the moment we take your enquiry through to training and post-installation support.