K2 Slides Into Ventilation First

Fulfilling its commitment to leading the market in Research and Development, and providing the marketplace with new customer-focused solutions, K2 has unveiled a prototype for the first ever sliding roof vent for the conservatory industry.

Developed in partnership with Teleflex Morse and sliding mechanism specialist, Accuride, the new vent has been designed to allow homeowners to open up the roof space of their conservatory to create a spacious feeling and a real sense of the outdoors, inside.

Explains Managing Director of K2, Sally Fielding: "We are constantly looking at the ways in which homeowners use their conservatories, what the space means to them and the way the industry is going in terms of sales. Our research demonstrates that the size and specification of conservatories is increasing with homeowners looking for a flexible solution that offers them more interior space while allowing them to feel a clear link with the outdoors.

"The sliding roof vent is a revolutionary concept for the conservatory industry and forms part of our ongoing commitment to investing in groundbreaking R&D. The end result will enable homeowners to open up to half the roof space of their conservatory bringing a real fresh air feeling into the room. For summer dining or home working during the summer months this will provide tangible lifestyle benefits."

The prototype has been developed with an aluminium lid and PVC outer frame for operation either by using a winding system or by electrical means. K2 anticipates that it will be fitted with heat and rain sensors just like standard K2 roof vents.

The function of the sliding roof vent will be similar to that of a car sunroof with the top end opening up before sliding down the roof area. The design has been developed to enhance the aesthetics of the finished conservatory with a sleek, modern appearance.

Sally Fielding continues: "Once in full production, this industry first will offer installers a fantastic opportunity to up sell and provide customers with something unique in the marketplace that will make their conservatory very distinctive. We believe that the new sliding roof vent has fantastic potential both in standard conservatory installations and more specialist commercial applications such as swimming pool enclosures and restaurant extensions."

K2''s sliding roof vent prototype will be on display at Glassex 2005 on the K2 Glass stand - in Hall 20 Stand B014 and also on Stand E1079.