Freefoam Building Products (Fascia and Soffit)

Freefoam Building Products are pleased to announce the launch of an updated colour brochure, to showcase the fascia, soffit and gutter range.

All the recent research in the Window and Door sector points towards an increase in colour. With statistics like ‘Only 58% of PVC casements in 2021 were unfoiled’ , the trends are clear to see. With the traditional woodgrain colours such as Rosewood, Golden Oak and Mahogany gradually reducing in popularity, shades of grey are still the growing desire for homeowners, with Anthracite Grey still leading the pack, closely followed by Dark Grey and the paler Agate Grey.

And fascia, soffit and gutter are no different. Freefoam have seen the same trends, with colour and woodgrain orders in the last 2 – 3 years increasing by 5% as a proportion of total sales.

The new brochure explains Freefoam’s full colour range and options available to installers and homeowners.

Featuring the unique Colormax technology, the brochure explains the manufacturing process that produces fascia, soffit and gutter with a solid colour finish. A strong PVC-UE foam core is simultaneously co-extruded with a protective colour top coating of rigid PVC-U skin, creating a smooth, strong & hard wearing surface.

This new brochure also includes the woodgrain options for boards and window trims as well as information about Freefoam’s range of colour matching fixings, Plastops, so installers can fit a truly coordinated project.

With information on marketing materials and tools to sell colour, instructions on the care and installation of colour products and a handy fold out summary of the full product range, this new brochure showcases Freefoam’s significant colour product offering and our commitment to providing colour roofline solutions to the home improvement market.

Louise Sanderson, UK Marketing Manager explained “We know that colour roofline is a valuable opportunity for our stockist customers and the wider installer network, so we want to make colour easy to upsell. This brochure gives customers all the information they need to promote colour at the trade counter, and for installers to quickly see and understand the colour options available to them and to help the whole supply chain sell more of these value-added products”

Fortex cladding from Freefoam was the star of a recent installation by Peterborough-based Think Home Fascias.

A homeowner recently asked Matt Edwards, the owner of Think Home Fascias, for a solution to replace the tired, worn and crumbling render on the front of their property in West Pinchbeck, just north of Peterborough.

Matt said: “At first the customer was looking at the possibility of re-rendering the house, but as they wanted to modernise it, I suggested Freefoam cladding and they were really taken with it.

“Originally the customer wanted to go for white cladding, but I suggested it might be too overpowering for their property. They weren’t actually aware of the colour options available, so we discussed different possibilities, including Anthracite Grey, and they decided to go for Storm Grey.”

As well as giving the front of the property a new lease of life with a transformed appearance, Think Home Fascias added an insulating layer of Celotex behind the cladding to boost the home’s energy efficiency and help lower their energy bills. Fitting Freefoam Fortex cladding is an all-round solution. A high-quality, ultra-low maintenance product that has given the homeowner a warmer property and saved them time, hassle and money on costly home upkeep.

Matt’s customers were delighted with their home transformation, which took just three days.

Matt adds: “They were over the moon and gave us a positive review straight away. They have even posted pictures on Google and on social media. They were really impressed.

“There are a lot of similar homes in the area with render that is starting to wear, and we posted a display board outside the house. One of the customers’ neighbours has also shown interest in replacing the render on their property too.

“At Freefoam, the service is there alongside good quality, durable products. I can contact them directly and get straight through. The range of colours is a real selling point for Fortex cladding. Greys are most popular but I’ve sold a lot of Sage Green, particularly for homes in the local villages.”

Matt set up Think Home Fascias in 2018 and is largely focused on fascias, soffits, guttering and cladding installations. He’s a Freefoam Registered Installer, fitting Freefoam products for 12 years and he has a great rapport with his local stockist, Special Building Factors in Peterborough.

Colin St John, Commercial Director at Freefoam, says: “It’s great to have installers on board like Matt who understand our range, and the potential cladding has to make a real statement and transform a property, particularly through the bold use of colour. While the benefits for the customer are clear, Freefoam Registered Installers who use our products on a daily basis also find that Freefoam cladding is very easy to install.”

Sales of Freefoam’s extensive range of cladding have grown exponentially over the past two years. The company’s top stockist customers saw an average growth of 55% in cladding sales between 2018 and 2020.

Freefoam, the leading independent roofline, rainwater and cladding manufacturer, offers durable, low maintenance PVC cladding in a range of styles and finishes. The company launched its flagship Fortex cladding more than 15 years ago and has continued improving and adding to the range to meet customer demand. Two years ago, Freefoam launched X-Wood, a premium-grade foiled cladding range, to appeal to the same homeowners who can’t get enough of beautiful composite doors, colour and high end flush windows.

With a booming home improvement market seeing homeowners looking to make changes to their properties in the wake of the pandemic, Freefoam’s range of cladding offers an instant, low maintenance way for people to transform the exterior of their home.

Managing Director Kieran Napthine of Edge Buildings Products, a Freefoam stockist who specialise in cladding, says Freefoam’s Fortex cladding “provides a cost-effective, low-maintenance option for anyone looking to make long-lasting, attractive changes to their property.”

Freefoam attributes the rapid growth in sales to the customer benefits of its cladding, including its range of colours, which has become ever more essential to homeowners who want to refresh tired looking exteriors or improve the insulation of their homes. Fortex cladding is available in 10 different colours to suit any design or home, while the X-Wood range of cladding is available six different woodgrain finishes.

In fact, Chris McGrath of Freefoam stockist, Watts Roofing, adds: “Colour is important to customers and lots of others can’t source the colours that Freefoam can supply. We have a display in our Stevenage branch that shows off their range of colour options. Grey is popular at the moment, as aluminium seems to be taking off in a big way.”

Colin St John, Commercial Director of Freefoam, says: “Cladding is the ultimate home improvement product and homeowners are appreciating the benefits of installing cladding to their homes. I can only see that interest continuing to boom.

“Our customers have seen their sales go through the roof, as more and more homeowners discover the transformative effect of cladding. It’s durable, easy to fit and maintain and we offer a diverse range of colour options for all different types of projects. And our guarantee of up to 10 years offers ease of mind for our stockists and, of course, their customers.”

Home transformations and improvements have been a major outcome of the events of the last two years. Homes have become places of work and leisure. People want to make their homes more spacious, convenient, comfortable, low maintenance and attractive, and many have used funds normally spent on travel and holidays on home improvements.

To illustrate this trend Freefoam Building Products have developed two new cases studies, featuring cladding and fascia products, to highlight how many homeowners all over the UK are using low maintenance, cost effective PVC to update and re configure their homes to ensure they are fit for purpose now and in the future.

The first case study features Freefoam Fortex weatherboard cladding in subtle Misty Grey fitted on two refurbished and extended dormers.

With teenage children the homeowner needed more space so decided to extend the dormers to create larger, more adaptable bedrooms. He explained “We looked at replacing with tiles, and also thought about render, but then found information about cladding. Cost was a factor and we liked the Freefoam cladding as it was suitable for our budget.”

The second case study shows Freefoam PVC fascia, soffit and gutter fitted on a property in Yorkshire. Installed by local company Roofline Design Ltd, and supplied by Freefoam stockist Northern Building Plastics.

The homeowners, both recently retired, bought their home from new over 20 years ago. Built with PVC windows, but featuring wood fascia and soffit, the roofline had over time degraded, and needed regular maintenance. Part of their retirement plans were to update and modernise the house. And to make sure the maintenance was kept to a minimum to allow more time for travel.

The homeowner explained “We liked the Freefoam products. We chose white and were pleased to find out that it came with a 50 year guarantee and felt reassured that there would be no more tricky and costly maintenance. One of the other benefits for us was that Roofline Design Ltd organised the whole job. They arranged the scaffolding contractor so we only had to deal with one company. The fitting team were great and worked hard and got the job done quickly and efficiently, with not too much mess. We’re really pleased with the results.“

Louise Sanderson, Freefoam UK Marketing Manager summarised “Our marketing team know how valuable homeowner testimonials and case studies can be. We focus on generating good quality, relevant case studies to showcase our range of products and illustrate how they are being used to transform and improve homes around the country. We work closely throughout the whole supply chain with suppliers, installers and homeowners to shine a light on the excellent work that is happening throughout the UK.”

As many manufacturing plants strive towards operating in a more sustainable way to help reduce waste and manage valuable resources Freefoam Building Products announce a significant milestone on their journey. Working with waste and energy partner Viridor, Freefoam send no site waste to landfill.

Production and site waste is processed in two ways.

63.5% of all waste is foam and rigid plastic. It is collected by our waster partner who process it and recycle it back in to pvc. This material is a valuable commodity and can be used to manufacture many other products.

The remaining 36.50% of site waste goes to Energy Recovery. This waste, that cannot be recycled, is also collected and transported to a nearby Energy Recovery Facility. Here it is processed and turned in to energy, which is subsequently sold back to the National Grid.

Energy recovery is a technology that sees non-recyclable waste burned at high temperatures under carefully controlled conditions. The process is extremely efficient, robust and safe, with emissions from the process treated to meet stringent European guidelines.

So what happens to the energy once generated? Taking one month as an example the energy provided by Freefoam waste could have powered an electric shower for 83 days, powered a dishwasher for 118 weeks or powered 5 home annually!

Herbert Livingstone, Quality, Safety, Health & Environmental Manager (QSHE), commented “We are very proud to be operating our plant in such a sustainable way. We have worked hard to separate and manage waste on site so that we don’t need to send any to landfill. This work is just a small part of a much wider programme to ultimately deliver a circular business model and help towards the UK’s target to become a net-zero economy.”

Whilst homeowners take pride in their home, and want it to look it’s best, it can sometimes come at a price. Many are looking for low maintenance options to free up precious time and save money over the years.

One such family in Banbury, Oxfordshire, turned to local Freefoam Registered Installer Ricky Romera of Professor Windows to help them with an ongoing issue with their property. The house featured ten dormer windows around the front and back elevations covered in painted concrete render. With constant exposure to the elements cold frosts caused the render to separate and become cracked and discolored. Consequently to keep the property water tight and tidy this meant the homeowner was spending thousands of pounds every year on scaffolding and repair. They needed a long term solution.

Replacing with a traditional timber cladding was an option, but again would involve regular maintenance. Professor Windows had undertaken other work for the homeowner and recommended Fortex embossed PVC cladding, in the Weatherboard option. Having used Freefoam cladding on other properties Ricky was confident that it would be the ideal solution for this situation.

Ricky explained “We’ve used the Freefoam cladding before on dormer elevations, and it works really well. This property took us a couple of weeks. With scaffolding in place we removed all the render, fitted battens and installed the cladding on each dormer. It was easy to fit and we used the matching trims to give each one a neat, professional finish.”
Fortex embossed cladding is available in a wide range of colours and the homeowner was able to choose the Sand option, which was a similar colour to the original painted render, and coordinates very well with the windows and brickwork.

Ricky summarized “The homeowner is delighted with the results, and has had lots of positive comments about the transformation the cladding has made from neighbours and friends. He is also very pleased to be saving a considerable amount of money each year, with no costly repair and maintenance. We’ve seen a big increase in requests for PVC cladding and have more jobs lined up. It’s a cost effective, easy care solution that can completely transform a house and makes a great addition to our business”

Freefoam are pleased to announce the release of a new case study, featuring a clever re-purposing of a tired unloved garage into a smart garden room. The refurbishment features Freefoam Fortex PVC Weatherboard cladding in Cappuccino to create a complete transformation.

With a growing number of people now working in a hybrid way, spending part of the week at home, and the subsequent need to maximise both inside and outside space, garden rooms have become the ‘must have’ for many homeowners. This new case study is absolutely on trend and showcases how small changes can make a big difference to living environment and quality of life.

This homeowner had previously used the brick built garage as a tool store, but having recently retired, wanted to dispose of the tools, reduce the garage size to maximise the garden area and make better use of the space.

T E Home Improvements used Freefoam Fortex PVC embossed cladding to completely transform the structure. One wall was dismantled and rebuilt to create a smaller overall footprint. The existing roof remained, and the position of the new wall created an attractive overhang feature. A patio door was installed and the entire exterior façade covered in Cappuccino Weatherboard cladding.

The new building was internally divided to create a his and hers solution! A hobby room on one side, and a utility room for washing machine and freezer on the other.

Terry Emerton, owner of T E Home Improvements, summarised “This project has turned out really well. I worked with the homeowner to re build and refurbish the garage so that it gave them exactly what they needed. I’ve used the Fortex cladding before and knew that it would work really well on this building. One of the critical factors for the owner was the refurbishment had to be low maintenance. We’ve definitely achieved that, he will only need to give it a quick wipe down a couple of times a year.”

The homeowner commented “We’re absolutely loving our new garden room. We’re both now able to use the space and all our friends, family and neighbours are amazed at the transformation. It was also good value for money, we’ve been able to refurbish and upgrade what we already had, rather than having to have something completely new built – much more cost effective.”

This case study highlights the trend to re use and re configure garden spaces is here to stay. The Freefoam cladding range is the ideal solution for any garden building and gives installers, like Terry, a ready made business opportunity. Terry explained “I’ve already had enquiries from people who have seen this conversion, and am getting more work for similar structures through my Facebook page. I can only see it increasing.”

Louise Sanderson, UK Marketing Manager explained “This new case study is great addition to our marketing collateral. We are always on the look out for examples of how our products are used and this garden room transformation is right on trend. It’s useful to illustrate to prospective users how PVC cladding can be used on a wide variety of projects and situations.”

Add a splash of colour to roofline and cladding installations this year to give customers an on-trend home which is as individual as they are, says Colin St John, Commercial Director at Freefoam.

The market for home improvements has boomed throughout the pandemic, and this trend shows little sign of slowing as people continue to spend their money on putting their stamp on a new property or making their existing house into a haven from everything going on in the world.

Last year, an estimated 66% of homeowners were planning home improvements, including 15% who wanted to improve their roof. We expect the statistics for this year to be similarly high.

At Freefoam, we’ve seen a significant uplift in demand for cladding and roofline products over the past two years. In 2021, sales of cladding products increased more than 20% when compared to 2019. These durable and stylish PVC exterior improvements can be standalone improvements such as roofline and deep flow gutters to protect your home from increasing volumes of rainfall and more violent storms, while also boosting curb appeal. Or cladding and roofline can complement new windows and doors and a change in colour as part of a complete house transformation.

Where we are seeing most growth potential is sales of coloured cladding and roofline products. In 2021, sales of colour and woodgrain fascia increased significantly in comparison to 2019. This is a hot trend that installers and suppliers can capitalise on in 2022.

Grey expectations

Much like window and door colour options, in the past, popular shades for cladding and roofline fittings have been largely confined to natural wood finishes as well as more traditional white.

But the British public are getting bolder with their colour selections and before the pandemic, we were seeing a big response to our grey product lines, such as our Fortex cladding which includes four contemporary grey shades. And this has continued – more than 60% of all Fortex cladding sales in 2021 were in grey.

Grey is a modern and versatile option and it has been a popular choice in home improvements for a couple of years now for everything from windows and doors to paving and paint. This means grey cladding and rooflines can be a straightforward upsell for homeowners wanting to complete the contemporary look of their property.

A splash of colour from the continent

More recently, we’ve seen a shift to an even wider colour palette in the UK and this has been largely driven by trends in Europe.

The market for cladding and roofline products is well established in Europe, and countries such as France, Netherlands and Belgium strongly influence the trends we see here in the UK, which is still very much in its infancy for these kinds of products.

On the continent, homeowners prefer bolder colour choices and this has inspired manufacturers like Freefoam to expand our colour ranges for cladding, soffits and fascia boards, as well as our selection of styles. But there is definitely a growing appetite for colour products in the UK, particularly off the back of the strong trend to colour in windows and front doors.

What colours are trending for 2022?

One of the biggest colour trends for this year is blue. Dulux recently announced that their Colour of the Year 2022 was Blue Skies™, a light, airy and optimistic shade of blue which feels like a breath of fresh air for a new year.

For customers looking to emulate the trend for Blue Skies™, our Fortex range of PVC cladding comes in a variety of colours including Pale Blue and a deeper Colonial Blue.

Other design commentators, such as Houzz, are predicting green to be a major trending colour for 2022, mirroring our need to connect with nature and bring the outside in. Neutral greens, such as the Chartwell Green used for our woodgrain finish fascia boards, soffit boards and window trims, are set to be an increasingly popular pick this year.

Choosing lasting, vibrant colour

When opting for coloured cladding or fascia and soffit boards, one thing homeowners are keen to ensure is that it’s going to last and not fade over time. To ensure the colour of our cladding and roofline products remains vibrant for years to come, we use our innovative and patented Colormax® technology.

Freefoam Building Products recently visited and filmed Freefoam Registered Installer Glen Young in Reading, Berkshire, to see how he regularly transforms homes using Freefoam PVC products.

The visit took in three properties, all of which had PVC Fortex or X-Wood cladding installed. The first two properties had previously featured hanging tiles above the ground floor elevation. Both homeowners were undertaking refurbishment inside and out and wanted a more modern feel. Glen fitted Fortex Weatherboard style cladding, in Storm Grey and Misty Grey, to tone in with the existing brickwork and complement the white windows and black doors. The third property had been built originally with a white wood cladding to the front and the homeowner wanted a maintenance free option. He chose X-Wood cladding in white to create a smart, neat finish.

Over the last 12 months Glen has seen quite an increase in cladding enquiries, with requests to replace hanging tiles, render and pebble dash a common theme. Glen finds that installing external cladding really can drastically change, modernise and improve the appearance of a home. He explained “ I use both Freefoam’s Fortex and X-Wood cladding ranges. Fortex has a large colour range and it features an embossed wood effect finish, which is very popular with customers. I think X-Wood cladding is amazing, it has a woodgrain finish which means it’s a great option where wood might typically be chosen. It has by far has the nicest finish and more customers are choosing it.”

Glen also fits insulation behind the cladding to help improve the heat retention of homes. He said “The difference fitting insulation can make to the heating costs and comfort of customer’s homes is life changing.”

Another benefit to installers like Glen is that the Freefoam cladding system is it’s quick and easy to fit. Glen finds that he can complete the front of a property in a few days, giving the homeowner an almost instant makeover, transforming the look and create that all important kerb appeal.

Glen took over the family business established by his father three years ago, and has had 30 years experience of fitting UPVC products including fascia, soffit, guttering and cladding. He works in and around Berkshire on a wide variety of properties and buys the Freefoam range from local Freefoam stockist Willmotts Plastic Building Products in Reading. Glen explained “The owner Scott is amazing! Willmotts are always there to help, and the effort they made throughout the COVID lockdown to keep my business going was phenomenal. The delivery drivers are always on time and they will always try to get deliveries to me the next day! I couldn't say enough about how fantastic Scott and his company are.”

As a Freefoam Registered Installer Glen receives support from Freefoam, including marketing materials and sample packs, which help him me sell to customers easier. He also receives free homeowner leads for cladding and roofline work, which he finds a valuable addition to his business.

Glen summarised “Hopefully I’ll be fitting Freefoam for many more years to come. Combining great products with a quality installation has always made homeowners happy.”

Freefoam Building Products, a leading manufacturer of a wide range of innovative products for the building industry in Ireland, the UK and Mainland Europe are delighted to announce the appointment of Richard Jackson to the new post of UK Sales Director.

Richard has been with Freefoam for the last 16 years as National Sales Manager, and as a result of the companies exceptional growth over that time, the senior management team have introduced this new post to meet the business needs in to the future and to ensure continued sales development and commercial success.

Richard has worked in the industry for over 25 years in sales and business development roles and has built up an exceptional level of knowledge, expertise and commercial acumen. Whilst at Freefoam he has continuously developed and grown the evolving sales team in line with needs of the business. Alongside the sales growth, Richard has been the driving force behind the diversification and development of the customer base, with the continuous support of existing customers and the introduction of new customers, both independent stockists and national merchants. Richard commented “I’m looking forward to working with our sales team and customers to maximise market opportunities and ensure Freefoam stays at the forefront of the PVC roofline and cladding market.”

Aidan Harte, Freefoam Managing Director summarised “Our sales in the UK have consistently grown year on year, and Richard has been a key part of that. The appointment of Richard to the role of Sales Director will help Freefoam achieve the ambitious and challenging strategic sales goals we have set ourselves.”

Freefoam are delighted to release a new case study featuring Fortex embossed Double Shiplap PVC cladding on four new homes in Stourbridge. Built by Worcester based house builders 11:11 Property the four large detached houses are built with an attractive mixture of brick, render and cladding in Argyl Brown and Cappuccino colours.

11:11 Property specialise in small exclusive developments in the Black Country, North Birmingham and North Worcestershire, particularly the use of old brown field sites to re invigorate and improve local areas. These four individually designed exclusive properties feature a soft colour palette consisting of pale grey windows, white render and two different brick finishes – the darker brick with the lighter cladding in Cappuccino and lighter brick with the darker cladding in Argyl Brown.

Gavin Warr, Managing Director 11:11 Property, explained “We take great pride in the standard of finish of our properties. We have used cedar cladding on previous developments but found the Freefoam cladding online and have been very pleased with it. It was excellent for ease and speed of installation and looks really good, which is very important to us, as we want to provide high quality homes that are attractive to prospective buyers.”

Sourced from local Freefoam stockists UPL Ltd and fitted by on site carpenters the Fortex cladding range comes with up to 10 year guarantee. This works well for property developers like 11: 11 Property many of whom offer their own standard 10 year guarantee on all properties.
Freefoam launched the Fortex range over 15 years ago and the range now includes double shiplap cladding and weatherboard cladding. The colour options have been extended over that time as consumer trends have developed and changed. From the original white and pale cream options to the more contemporary sought after shades of grey with the Fortex portfolio now including four grey options.

Gavin summarised “We’re already considering using Freefoam cladding for another development, so I would have no hesitation in recommending it.”

With the trend for home improvements looking set to continue the most significant increase in demand was where homeowners are making aspirational choices about products – such as the over 45s and retired homeowners – who have been largely unaffected financially by the pandemic.

Most window installers have experienced this first-hand, having seen an increase in sales of premium products such as foiled windows and doors, aluminium bi-folds, garden rooms and orangeries.

Freefoam Building Products have also seen this trend, manifesting itself in the sales of it’s external PVC cladding range with some Freefoam stockist customers recording a 50% increase in sales over the past two years.

One such customer is Plastics South West, based in the busy coastal city of Plymouth. With an initial stock order in September 2017 the cladding range has now become an important part of their wider PVC product range, and now accounts for about 25% of total sales with an uptick in cladding sales of almost 50% in the last 2 years.

Plastics South West stock and sell the full colour range of Fortex Double Shiplap and Weatherboard products, alongside all fitting accessories, to a wide area of the South West, including many coastal locations. Clients in these areas prefer the more subtle softer shades that work well alongside existing render finishes, with Storm Grey and Misty Grey being the most popular closely followed by Sage Green and Colonial Blue.

Paul Ewings, Managing Director Plastics South West explained “We are seeing a steady increase in the demand for cladding in this area. Its addition to our range has definitely helped our business grow and develop. It has helped set us apart from our competitors and gives us a product to increase our share of the RMI and DIY markets. We’ve also seen an increase in our customer base so it’s a win win for us.”

Plastics South West also understand that customers need support with newer products. They have display boards in the trade counter to illustrate the colour options and have even used the cladding on their sales counter to show how the product looks when installed. They offer clients a scheduling service to calculate boards and accessories required for projects and have installed the Freefoam ‘cladding calculator’ and ‘cladding visualiser’ on their website. Paul continued “We find that by offering customers the help they need considerably increases our conversion rates.”

External pvc cladding is a fast becoming the ‘ultimate’ home improvement product and a great addition for pvc stockists to add to their range. With its ultra low maintenance properties and its versality it offers an instant home transformation. Cladding can be used to cover any substrate from brick and block to render and pebble dash and to replace hanging tiles or existing timber cladding and to upgrade existing white PVC cladding, perhaps with a bold new colour choice.

Colin St John, Freefoam Commercial Director, summarised “We’ve seen a huge growth in sales of cladding, and it’s our customers, like Plastics South West, who have understood the potential and run with it who have really reaping the rewards. External cladding is just one example of our commitment to provide building products that help our customers increase their market share and allow them to enter new markets. “

Freefoam Building Products announce the launch of a new update to its website - freefoam.com. With a fresh new look featuring video content to bring the manufacturing process to life, and easy to navigate search category blocks, all the information site vistors needs is instantly to hand straight from the home page.

Using website analytics and feedback from users Freefoam analysed the most popular and most visited pages and have put those centre stage. Using simple blocks, that also contain further options when the user hovers of them, the main navigation now gets visitors straight to the pages they use most.

With such a wide product range information is key to site visitor satisfaction and the updated site contains a wealth of key documents and useful tools to help customers find the product they need. Here’s some examples of what is included.

BROCHURES: All Freefoam product our brochures are available to view or download. Email them to clients or print off a pdf.

TECHNICAL DATA: The site features a separate download section for all things technical. From fitting guides, fire certification and ISO accreditation to product specification and performance.

TECHNICAL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’s): Freefoam have gathered together questions previously asked and grouped them in to product categories.

PRODUCT DIMENSIONS: You’ll find a section called CAD FILES where you can download pdf diagrams of all products, with exact measurements.

PRODUCT GUARANTEES: Our guarantees are some of the best in the industry. Go to our page dedicated to guarantees to find out the exact details. Everything you and your clients need to know from our 20 year standard guarantee to the 50 year extended.

Louise Sanderson, UK Marketing Manager summarised “We’ve seen a big increase in web traffic over the last 10 months and wanted to ensure our site was giving visitors the best online experience possible. This updated site gives us a platform to both showcase our business using professional high quality video, and to provide the detailed, specific product data that customers require.”

Freefoam announce the launch of a photographic competition.

2020 was the year was a transformative year. When homeowners took stock of their surroundings and chose to use their time, and money, to make improvements to their home. And with many working at home, space has never been more important.

We would like to celebrate and acknowledge the vision and ambition of our Installers and Homeowners. To do this Freefoam are announcing a photo competition, to find the best Transformations using Freefoam fascia, soffit or cladding. With a huge variety of projects happening across the UK, from using Fortex cladding to replace old tired wall coverings, installing smart new grey fascia to replace standard white PVC and refurbishing old summer houses to create warm and comfortable home offices – the list is endless!

We want to see how homes have been transformed, with before and after photos to illustrate the dramatic changes. It’s a simple idea, and we just want to showcase peoples aspirations and ideas for their homes, and working with our installers together can create tremendous transformations.
And it’s something they should be proud of.

We’ll be promoting details on social media, and be offering a prize each month ranging from vouchers for Screwfix and Tool Station, to money off Freefoam products.

To enter go to our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FreefoamUK/ or email ukmarketing@freefoam.com

We believe 2021 will be the year of the Transformation, and we want to share how vision, ambition and aspiration can come together.

Congratulations to Martin Bamford of Gutterclean for winning Freefoam’s first ‘Transformer’ competition for 2021. Martin used Freefoam Fortex Weatherboard cladding in Slate Grey when creating a new dormer on this smart bungalow in rural Wiltshire, which has certainly made a major transformation to the way the building looks.

There is currently a big surge in home improvements around the UK, with people spending more time at home and wanting to transform their homes into a place that both looks good and works for their lifestyle. Extending homes, and adding dormer extensions like this one, are part of this trend.

Gutterclean have seen an increase in requests for exterior cladding and regularly fit both the Single Shiplap woodgrain finish cladding and the Fortex embossed range. Using ultra low maintenance PVC cladding as an attractive exterior finish offers homeowners the perfect solution. Martin explained “This property already had a dormer extension to one side of the roof. With a growing family adding another dormer was the ideal solution. Working with a local joiner we created a really usable space that will need very little maintenance and look good for years. The Freefoam cladding is very easy to fit and comes with colour matching fitting trims which give is a nice neat finish.”

Gutterclean have been trading since 2005 and been using Freefoam for nine years. The business was originally set up to offer a full gutter fitting, cleaning and maintenance service, but as demand grew Gutterclean extended to include fascia and soffit replacement too. Operating from Trowbridge, serving Wiltshire and the surrounding area, Gutterclean are also Freefoam Registered Installers sourcing all products from local supplier Master Plastics (SW) Ltd in Clevedon.
“We’ve been fitting the Freefoam range for years. We have tried other brands in the past, but always come back to Freefoam. We like the way it fits together, the boards are solid and whatever job we are working on Freefoam always have the range of products we need. We recently changed supplier. Our stockists stopped selling Freefoam so the Freefoam Area Sales Manager helped us source another supplier. We’re really pleased with Master Plastics and relieved we can still get the Freefoam range.”

As Freefoam Registered Installers Gutterclean offer the Freefoam extended Lifetime 50 year guarantee on white fascia, soffit and gutter to their customers. Gutterclean also offer a 10 year guarantee on their workmanship so the whole package means that homeowners feel reassured that they are getting a quality product professionally installed. Martin commented “The Freefoam Guarantee definitely helps us sell our services. We know we’re providing a good product, which makes it easy for us to sell.”

Martin concluded “We enjoy working with our customers to improve their homes. Projects like this dormer can make a real difference, we’re not only transforming homes, we’re making people’s lives more comfortable and easier.”

Freefoam Building Products has released a new document of guidelines to help roofline and cladding installers promote their business and services on social media.

Spending even just a small amount on advertising through social media channels can make your content and posts go a long way. It’s a very powerful tool to showcase your business to local homeowners while they are browsing Facebook or Instagram.

But many installers find it daunting to run their own Facebook and Instagram adverts, so Freefoam have developed a step by step guide with all the information business owners will need to get started.

The document includes details of each stage of setting up adverts, from information about a free online Facebook course, ideas on how to target an audience to make sure adverts reach the people who will be interested in a particular service, tips on adding tracking code so that Facebook shows adverts to the right people and advice on scheduling to ensure adverts are shown when the chosen audience are most likely to see them.

And that’s not all! Freefoam are also developing short snappy videos of each stage to show installers exactly what to do. Louise Sanderson UK Marketing Manager explained “ Using our experience we find that the combination of a document to follow and videos to illustrate different techniques are the best way of sharing this information with installers.”

Being able to promote and sell your business on social media is essential in todays market. Homeowners look at Facebook and Instagram every day. Having adverts to showcase roofline and cladding work, while they are browsing, is a really powerful tool. Freefoam are committed to giving help and support to it’s network of Registered Installers and want to make sure all installation companies have the tools to capitalise on this opportunity.

The document will be emailed directly to all installers, be included in newsletters and be available to download from freefoam.com. The series of videos will be posted on Freefoam social media platforms and available to refer to on YouTube.

The Registered Installer Scheme is part of Freefoam’s comprehensive support package for all home improvement companies. Support on offer goes beyond great products and guarantees to help installers grow, with a comprehensive range of high quality consumer focused marketing literature, samples and colour swatches to help the decision making process and free pre-qualified leads generated from Freefoam’s consumer-facing websites myfascia.co.uk and mycladding.com.

If you are interested in becoming a Freefoam Registered Installer please go to https://www.myfreefoam.com/installers

Freefoam Building Plastics are pleased to announce Penryn Plastics as the winner of it’s latest monthly transformation competition. Using Fortex Double Shiplap cladding in Colonial Blue, Penryn Plastics have transformed this three storey detached property in Falmouth, fitting cladding around the upper storey of the whole house.

We caught up with Alex Ottaway from Penryn Plastics to tell us about the transformation.

What was the house like originally?
Originally the house was covered with a grey pebble dash that over the years has become stained and dated. There are a lot of properties in the Cornwall area that have a pebble dash exterior, and we find that many start to discolour changing from grey to a red tone.

What were the options available to the homeowner?
The homeowner had looked in to repainting the pebble dash but because the property is on a sloping site the back of the house is very high. The cost of scaffolding and repainting was expensive and the homeowners didn’t want an option that they had to spend time maintaining.

Why did the homeowners choose cladding?
We explained how we could install cladding to the top storey and showed the homeowners the colour range and choice of styles. They really liked the idea, and looked at a few colour options including Misty Grey and Sage Green, but chose the Colonial Blue as it fitted in with the coastal location. They had originally planned to visit their daughter in Australia but the Covid 19 restrictions came in and they were unable to travel – so decided to spend the money on a home transformation!

How long did the work take?
The homeowners had already painted the lower half of the property with a cream colour before we started. Cladding the property took approximately two weeks to complete.

Was it easy to fit over pebble dash render?
We’ve worked with the Fortex range on lot of properties. We find it easy to fit on most properties, but pebble dash can be trickier than smooth render as it is more uneven. We had to spend extra time adjusting the battens to make sure they ran flush with each other over the uneven surface. Once complete we simply fitted the cladding to the battens. It’s important to create an air gap behind the cladding to stop it over heating, especially here in Cornwall where we get more sun, but the Freefoam range comes with a starter trim with built-in ventilation which makes it very straightforward.

Is the homeowner pleased with the result?
Yes, they are delighted. They like the fact that it looks so much lighter, brighter and more modern. They will only have to wash down the cladding occasionally with soap and water to keep it looking good. But the best part is they can now spend more time travelling and visiting family and won’t have to spend time painting their house!

Based in Horsham, West Sussex, Pilkington Plastics specialise in the supply and fitting of fascia, soffit, cladding, windows and doors. Installation is a busy and growing part of the business and the new video features a recent project on a large four bedroom home with Black Ash fascia and Black guttering. The original white wood roofline had been on the property since it was first built about 20 years ago and needing replacing and the homeowner wanted a finish that complemented the design and style of the property.

Pilkington Plastics are a relatively recent Freefoam customer who started trading in 2017 set up by long- time friends Paul Le Grange and James Etherington. They are a typical example of a Freefoam customer who has started small and, with dedication and hardwork by the team, alongside Freefoam’s support, have developed into an established, well respected local business.

James commented “We offer clients a full roof and roofline service, replacing tiles as well as fascia, soffit and gutter. From my experience Freefoam is the best roofline range on the market. They offer a wide range of colours and finishes, and they all come with strong guarantees – 50 years on white products and up to 10 years on colours. We’re also Freefoam Registered Installers, which again helps us grow our business. We receive free leads from Freefoam on a regular basis and plenty of marketing materials which help us to promote the products. This homeowner is very pleased with the installation and we’re now pricing up a relatives property in the same development!”

Prior to starting the business Paul had been involved with selling UPVC for 20 years plus, and during that time had always worked with Freefoam. James had also been fitting Freefoam for many years, so their joint experience gave them the skills needed to run the own business. Paul explained “I think people choose Pilkington Plastics because of our knowledge of products. Having a good understanding of our products and services helps to improve the confidence of our customers.”

Pilkington Plastics has changed and developed a lot already in the last 4 years. It took 2 years to get established, but is now continuing to go from strength to strength. Paul summarised “I do feel that Freefoam want to help my business to grow and find the support we get from Kim, our area sales manager, really useful. We like the products and have built up a strong partnership, so we don’t see why there wouldn’t be a positive future for Pilkington Plastics and Freefoam.”

Freefoam Building Products recently visited a homeowner to see how PVC cladding has both updated the property and ensured it is warm and comfortable for years to come. Using Freefoam Fortex Double Shiplap cladding, in the very popular Sage Green, Tru Plastics have transformed this home in Coalville, Leicestershire.

The couple had lived at the property for over 10 years, and had both recently retired. They wanted to improve the look of the house and install insulation but also wanted to ensure they fitted a low maintenance solution allowing them to spend more time away with friends and family.

Turning online they researched various cladding options and came across Freefoam’s consumer focused website, mycladding.com. The homeowner explained “If we’re having work done on our house we like to find out what’s out there and make sure we have all the options. We liked the mycladding site, it gave us all the information we needed, with product options and colour choices. I also noticed that the Freefoam cladding could be fitted with insulation, so completed the Quote Request form to find out more”

Freefoam manage every lead received to the site, and put the homeowners in touch with local installation company Tru Plastics. “We were really pleased with Tru Plastics. They came out to quote, bought some samples and explained how the job would be completed. We felt really confident in their straightforward approach and although we’d had other cheaper quotes we chose them to do the work.”

The existing ‘tudor’ style timber boards were very discoloured and needed replacing. The front aspect of the property faces Northwest, so the living room often felt cooler that than the rest of the house. Russell Skellett, Managing Director Tru Plastics, explained “We removed the existing boards and the style of the house enabled us to fit insulation behind the new cladding. We took the boards around the sides of the house to create a really smart façade – the green complements the colour of the brick and looks good with the Rosewood windows too.”

PVC cladding is fast becoming the ‘ultimate’ home improvement product. Installers are finding it is lighter and easier to handle than other cladding products. It requires no surface preparation or treatment saving time and expense on repeat visits and extended scaffold hire – install and go!

The homeowner summarised “We’re really pleased with the new look. It is certainly a transformation. We’ve noticed it’s warmer at the front of the house, and we can now relax in the knowledge that we won’t have any more on-going maintenance. We’ve had lots of comments from neighbours about how nice it looks, so much so that a house nearby has also had Freefoam cladding fitted after seeing ours.”
Cladding may not be on every installer’s radar, but it’s a great way to add value and help installers stand out from the competition by creating stunning home transformations either as a standalone project or as part of a window and door installation.

Not sure where to start? Take a visit to your local Freefoam supplier where you’ll be able to pick up brochures to share with your clients. Our stockist customers are also on hand to help calculate how much cladding board and trim is needed for each job.

Freefoam Building Products has now released a video to highlight and celebrate their 30 year anniversary. Featuring an informative interview with Chairman and founding Director Tony Walsh, and Managing Director Aidan Harte, the video brings the Freefoam story to life and highlights some of the key milestones in this inspiring 30 year journey.

Tony and Aidan explain the principles behind the company and how Freefoam started from very humble beginnings in Cork with just one extruder and eight people and has expanded to become a business with three operational locations, Ireland, the UK and France employing over 300 team members.

Tony Walsh commented “We are very proud of Freefoam and what we have achieved. This video has given me a welcome opportunity to reflect on the milestones we have reached and to thank our team members and customers for their fantastic support, loyalty and commitment over the years. 30 years is a tremendous achievement and we couldn’t have done it without them.”

A story of 30 years inevitably features a huge range of data and statistics. The video has been edited to project these facts and figures on to the interviews to help illustrate key events, innovations and milestones that have taken place over that time.

Aidan Harte summarised ”In turbulent times being a stable, financially secure and reliable company is more important than ever. This video illustrates how Freefoam has grown and developed to become one of the major forces within the PVC building product market and with planned investment and growth strategies is set to be around for many more years.”

Rembrand Timber is Scotland’s largest independent timber distribution company and also operates in the North of England. The company says that its sales of PVC roofline have grown rapidly thanks to Freefoam Building Products.

All Rembrand’s 20 branches now sell the full range of Freefoam’s roofline, rainwater and interior products. Scott Findlay, Divisional Manager, Rembrand Timber, explains the benefits of Freefoam’s range and support. “Freefoam has provided us with excellent advice and support to all our branches. Working closely with Freefoam Area Sales Manager James Wood, they’ve helped set up all the trade counters with POS and marketing materials, and also aided considerably with price and marketing support, especially for our new build market. And it’s not just roofline. Freefoam’s Fortex embossed-cladding is popular with customers as it’s lightweight, easy to cut and low maintenance. Freefoam is the colour roofline specialist, and Anthracite Grey is selling well in new build and retrofit markets, with black also gaining in popularity.

“Freefoam’s 50-year guarantee on white profiles is a critical selling point for their registered installer scheme,” adds Scott. “As a Freefoam customer you are guaranteed a service package, that goes further than your average supplier. Its dedicated team offers technical and on-site support for all projects to ensure excellence and innovation are continuously maintained. Although 65% of our sales are through trade counters, the 35% to new build is growing substantially year on year.”

Scott summarises: “Freefoam has a great product range and introduces new colours on a regular basis, which is ahead of other suppliers. Customer service is second to none. Freefoam’s products have been hugely successful at Rembrand Timber so moving forward, other group companies’ branches will be selling Freefoam products. We’re confident sales of Freefoam will continue to grow.”

Colin St John, Freefoam Commercial Director adds: “As part of an ongoing campaign to celebrate Freefoam’s strong partnerships with customers and highlight their achievements, this is the latest in a series of customer testimonials. Rembrand Timber is a great example of a distributor who has grown strongly in roofline. Their vision and drive, coupled with Freefoam’s ongoing support has skyrocketed their sales of Freefoam roofline and cladding. We have a great partnership with Rembrand and look forward to many more years of success.”

Websites are an important part of any business, with visual content enhancing the visitor experience. Freefoam work hard to make their site as visually attractive and appealing as possible and have now introduced an image gallery.

With over 75 images the image gallery forms a useful resource for all clients looking to install Freefoam products. All ranges are illustrated, including fascia, soffit, gutter, cladding and internal panelling with the ability to filter by range to refine searches.

Louise Sanderson, UK Marketing Manager explained “We want to make our web user experience as informative as possible. This new image gallery is a great way to bring our products to life, and visualise our content adding an extra dimension to web searches. It allows us to illustrate our full range on completed projects giving potential customers ideas and inspiration for their plans.”

Freefoam is the leading manufacturer of a wide range of innovative PVC-UE and PVC-U fascia and soffit products. We also produce gutter systems, external cladding and interior panelling systems for the building industry distributed in Ireland, the UK and Mainland Europe. Our products add style and definition to domestic, commercial and industrial buildings, and are available in a wide variety of profiles and colours to suit any construction project.

Colin St John, Commercial Director summarised “We’re really pleased with this new gallery. As manufacturers we are proud of our products and want to showcase them to prospective clients. It is particularly good to see so many high quality images illustrating our colour range of roofline and cladding products.“

View image gallery here
https://freefoam.com/project-support/design-tools/gallery

2020 is a significant year for Freefoam Building Products, with the company marking 30 years of trading.

In 1990 founding Managing Director Tony Walsh set up an extrusion plant in Cork, Ireland, with one co-extrusion line. With a vision to provide the growing home improvement market with high quality, long lasting, low maintenance PVC fascia and soffit, to replace traditional timber products, the business grew into a leading manufacturer in Ireland. Since those humble beginnings Freefoam has become a broad pan-European business, with manufacturing operations in Ireland and the UK together with distribution in continental Europe.

Tony Walsh, now Chairman, remarked: "This is an incredible milestone for any company. Freefoam has achieved this success through a combination of factors. First and foremost the hard work, passion, and exemplary commitment by our team members whose cooperative spirit throughout the company is at the heart of our business. The development and continued improvements to our product range and our innovation to create best in class building products that are guaranteed to provide value and longevity to homeowners has also proved to be a winning formula. We have dedicated ourselves to 30 years of product innovation, manufacturing and business process improvements and efficiencies to provide our customers with the highest quality building product solutions and services. Throughout 2020, we will be looking back at where we started, what we have achieved, and what our plans are for the future"

Today Freefoam Building Products employs over 300 team members across three locations. Manufacturing facilities consist of 30 extrusion lines in Ireland and the UK, producing PVC-U and PVC-UE fascia, soffit, gutter and cladding. Aidan Harte, Managing Director, explained “Our strategy of continued investment into plant and facilities has created robust and sustainable processing and manufacturing operations that are equipped to produce volume and quality on a consistent basis. We are looking forward to the future, with further expansion planned for our site in Northampton this year, ongoing investment in training and development for our team members and growth strategies in place for our European markets”

The last twelve months have seen a very turbulent time, politically and economically. With the EU leave date just around the corner at the time of writing - but who knows if things will have changed by the time you read this – and all the uncertainty that is predicted to transpire, it is widely reported that business owners have ‘battened down the hatches’, held off on investment and are riding out the storm.

But not at Freefoam! We felt that the time was right to commission and deliver a broad PR and digital campaign called ‘Helping Customers Grow’. The aims of the programme are to shine a light on the roofline market and its supply chain, to showcase all areas of our business and to illustrate how, as manufacturers, we consistently deliver products and services to help our customers grow.

Working with award winning agency MRA Marketing and digital agency Mind Made, we have created a wide range of high quality, innovative material for print and digital channels to bring our story to life. From thought provoking articles, to customer interviews, installer stories, and video testimonials the message has been delivered across the roofline and glazing press and target audiences across all digital and social channels.

Colin St John, Commercial Director “We know that, although the outlook is uncertain, we are a strong and secure company able to withstand the rigours of the market. With a robust infrastructure and nearly 30 years of delivering to our customers we have a strong and consistent story to tell. Indeed it’s been incredibly inspiring to hear throughout this programme our customers’ stories of success and to know that we have played an integral part in that development

Whilst Freefoam building products have traditionally been available from specialist PVC suppliers the more ambitious roofing and general builders merchants are now seeing the potential and benefits of stocking fascia, soffit and gutter alongside their existing ranges.

Skyline Roofing are one such business.

Based in West London with 12 branches in and around the capital, Skyline made a strategic decision to add PVC roofline products to their range. Greg Homer, General Manager Hanwell branch explained “We have seen our customer base widen from our core roofing professionals, to now include builders, loft convertors, renovation companies and cladding contractors. We needed to introduce a wider range of products to service this new business. We chose Freefoam as our roofline provider because we get a wide and comprehensive range of products, enabling us to provide the variety our customers need.”

Skyline now hold substantial stocks of PVC roofline products. With an initial installation of bespoke racking for roofline and rainwater products provided by Skyline for each branch, alongside training for counter staff and Point of Sale provided by Freefoam, roofline has quickly become an integral part of the Skyline range.

George Langley, Area Sales Manager Anglia and London summarised “We’ve worked closely with all Skyline branches to make sure PVC roofline is embedded within the product portfolio by supporting branch staff with regular visits, keeping them informed of product updates and helping with merchandising. This approach has quickly helped Skyline gain new customers, increased sales and gained an advantage over competitors, particularly now the new branches in High Wycombe, Cheam and Surbiton are open. Merchants are becoming an increasingly important route to market for us and it’s good to see evidence that roofline helps bring additional sales and new customers to this sector.”

With statistics regularly quoted about the amount of waste we are all sending to landfill, businesses are looking to play their part in reducing waste and operating more efficiently. The housebuilding industry are working to meet these challenges throughout the whole construction process.
There are three basic strategies for dealing with waste: reduce, reuse and recycle. Waste reduction is the ideal, identifying possible waste streams early on in the build process. Scheduling and estimation play a big part and better communication between building professionals to ensure exact calculations of required materials are made can mean that this waste is prevented.
Freefoam have recently helped Key Partnership Homes do exactly this at their new site at Caleb Close, Luton. Freefoam supplier Willmott’s of Reading, identified during the specification process that the standard five-metre cladding board would be uneconomical and an inefficient use of materials. George Petts, Willmott’s Business Development Manager, explained “With many of the units requiring three metre lengths we quickly estimated that a six-metre cladding board would work much better for this development and considerably reduce waste. We work closely with Freefoam and with the volumes specified for this site they were happy to manufacture this bespoke order.”
The first 25 properties of a 224-unit site have now been completed, featuring Freefoam Fortex embossed cladding and white roofline range. The mix of affordable rent and shared ownership tenures, built on behalf of Paradigm Housing Group, features the popular Double Shiplap board in Argyll Brown on both house and apartment units alongside white PVC fascia and soffit.
Freefoam Commercial Director Colin St John summarised “Listening and responding to the needs of our customer is part of our DNA. As responsible manufacturers we were delighted that on this occasion we were able to support our Customer to make a significant contribution to the reduction of site waste. This project is just one more example of how Freefoam are willing to work in partnership with our suppliers and house builders to adapt products that will meet the needs of all parts of the supply chain and deliver long lasting sustainable benefits.”

Freefoam Building Products are delighted to announce a new look for its consumer focused website - myfascia.co.uk. Previously called ‘my roofline matters’, the site aims to give homeowners all the information they need to make an informed choice to have fascia and gutter replaced, with a quick and simple process to request an accurate quote from a local installer. All enquiries are then passed to Freefoam Registered Installers, offering them pre-qualified local leads.

The make-over features more focused and simplified to provide a comprehensive guide on fascia replacement and the benefits of choosing Freefoam products and installers. With answers to common roofline questions, a gallery of photos, video testimonials from satisfied customers, and interactive tools to engage users, the site guides homeowners through all the information and expertise they need. With speed and simplicity in mind, enhanced mobile optimization gives users the capability to get their home improvement project stated at the touch of button from anywhere.

Louise Sanderson, Marketing Manager explained “After reviewing the search and user experience data from our previous site, we decided to make strategic changes in how the site serves the homeowners needs. Firstly to make an attractive easy to use site for homeowners and secondly a platform to harness the power of online search to maximise visibility and lead generation. We’re committed to supporting our Registered Installer network and this updated site will enable us to generate high quality, live leads – a significant benefit for any home improvement company”

www.myfascia.co.uk

Freefoam, a leading manufacturer of a wide range of innovative products for the building industry in the UK, Ireland and Mainland Europe, has responded to market demand and feedback from customers and added the popular Sage Green to its Double Shiplap cladding range. Already available in the Weatherboard style cladding, the natural, soft shade with grey undertones is subtle yet stylish and suitable for any location, from rural countryside, coastal situations and urban city environments.

Marketing Manager Louise Sanderson explained “We’re seeing a high level of interest in our cladding range for a huge variety of projects. From new build developments, home renovation for extensions and dormers and also for caravans, lodges, home offices and summer houses. Colour is an important factor and we find that consumers are particularly attracted to more natural subtle shades. Adding Sage Green to the Double Shiplap range gives our trade customers more choice and the opportunity to open up new markets “
The Double Shiplap and Weatherboard cladding are part of the Fortex Range. A high quality, PVC product that features an attractive embossed wood effect texture in ten subtle, traditional and contemporary colours. With a wide range of matching fitting trims to create a neat professional co-ordinated finish the Fortex range is a popular choice for retrofit and new build projects.
PVC-U cladding requires minimal maintenance once installed, a major benefit for property owners and a compelling feature for any property developer or public sector housing provider. With significant environmental credentials, being awarded an A+ rating from the Building Research Establishment’s (BRE) ‘Green Guide To Specification’ when installed with standard components, the range makes a real alternative to timber and fibre cement products.

Colin St John, Commercial Director comments: “We’ve seen a surge of interest in our entire cladding range with sales doubling last year. We’ve listened to feedback and by increasing the colour choice for our Double Shiplap boards, customers will have the opportunity to capitalise on the popularity of Sage Green.”

As part of an ongoing and growing partnership Freefoam Building Products recently attended the Huws Gray Big Trade Event, held at the Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay. The first ever such event organised by Huws Gray turned out to be a lively and busy day, with over 1500 Huws Gray customers and prospects taking part in fun activities, competitions and supplier promotions.

Freefoam have been working in partnership with Huws Gray for around two years. “Huws Gray and Freefoam share a similar culture,” says Terry Owen, Managing Director of Huws Gray. “It can be felt at all levels from Freefoam’s MD Aidan Harte, Colin St John and Richard Jackson. The other thing that I respect in Freefoam is that they have decided on their route to market and stuck with it. I hope that our growth journey together will help them get the complete national coverage they aim for.”

Wanting to improve their roofing range and enhance the offering for their customers Huws Gray turned to Freefoam. Kris Jones, Roofing Category Manager explains. “We chose Freefoam for their impressive product range, particularly the colours, and their reputation for customer focus. We are both independently run, able to make our own decisions, so we knew that Freefoam would be behind us every step of the way. The support we get from Freefoam is fantastic, we have a good relationship with the whole team, from external sales, through to directors of the company and the office support team who deal with us on a day to day basis. It’s a perfect partnership!”

Now available throughout the UK, branches hold a good range of Freefoam stock and are supported by the Huws Gray own distribution centre. With close to £200,000 of roofline products held at any one time, branches have access to stock every day of the week ensuring consistent supply, allowing Huws Gray to deliver excellent levels of service to their customers. Rob Parker, Freefoam Area Sales Manager, North West explained “Huws Gray customers’ benefit massively from this comprehensive stock holding. It means that Freefoam is front of mind when fitters drop into a branch. It’s always available to take away, allowing them to get behind the Freefoam brand and feel confident in offering roofline to their clients.”

Freefoam work in partnership with independent companies around the UK. Huws Gray are just one example of many Freefoam customers that illustrates how this way of working brings mutual benefits for both. Colin St John, Commercial Director summarised “We set out over 20 years ago to service the supply chain, but not own it, and we’re still operating like this today. Huws Gray have seen tremendous double-digit growth in their roofline offering and we’re delighted the partnership has been so successful.”

Freefoam are delighted to report a significant increase in recent months in the number of new Registered Installers, with companies from throughout the UK applying to join the scheme. Following a programme of promotion activity across various media, enquiries have increased and more home improvement companies are realising the benefits of supplying and fitting Freefoam products.

Roofline falls into the remit of a range of businesses, from window and door installers, roofers, roofline specialists and more general building professionals. To this end the Freefoam Registered Installer scheme is open to any business, allowing companies to integrate roofline into their offering, backed by a professional package and manufacturer support.

Marketing Manager Louise Sanderson commented “We’ve been incredibly pleased with the results of our campaign. In an increasingly competitive market businesses are looking at ways they can extend their offering, and align themselves with a well-respected, established brand. The Freefoam Registered Installer scheme meets their needs and offers an attractive proposition.”

The Freefoam Registered Installer programme has been established for many years and is part of Freefoam’s strategy to support all parts of the supply chain. The scheme provides a complete package of benefits and support. High quality marketing materials, developed with consumers in mind, to promote the complete roofline range, including colour options and genuine testimonials. Industry leading guarantees, from an impressive 50 years on white fascia, soffit and guttering and a 10-year guarantee on the colour range, all backed by extensive testing. And finally, free pre-qualified leads generated through consumer focussed websites.
Colin St John commented “The Freefoam Registered Installer scheme makes roofline an accessible range for all home improvement professionals. We provide the materials and back up support to help all companies develop their business, their success is our success. Having brand loyal, committed fitting companies buying from our customers also underlines our support for the whole supply chain”

Freefoam Building Products are pleased to announce the launch of a brand new cladding brochure – The Complete Cladding Solution. Featuring all PVC-UE cladding products within the range – the Single Shiplap in white and woodgrain options, the popular Fortex Double Shiplap and Weatherboard styles with attractive wood effect embossed finish and the most recent addition X-Wood, a premium composite cladding with foiled woodgrain finish.

With detailed information on each range, colour options, board dimensions, fitting trims and technical data the new brochure gives customers all the information they need. Also featuring attractive imagery, the brochure highlights the wide range of applications and options cladding offers.

PVC-UE external cladding is one of the fastest growing external building products. Its versatility means it can be used on a huge variety of projects, from new build housing developments or an exterior finish for a new extension, through to all areas of renovation from single wall features to an attractive look for a loft conversion. Cladding is one of the quickest and simplest ways of creating kerbside appeal by adding definition and interest to a property and when used for renovation, can totally transform the look of any home.

Louise Sanderson UK Marketing Manager explained “Our cladding portfolio has grown over time and we wanted to bring the full range together into one brochure. It will allow our suppliers to promote the different options to clients, to showcase the versatility of cladding and extend the visibility of our products”

The new brochure will also appeal to homeowners as it showcases the full cladding range allowing buyers to compare and contrast with other products, and see the wide choice of colour and finish options. Also featuring the benefits of pvc, with its low maintenance, easy fit credentials and highlighting how PVC-U cladding can help improve the energy efficiency of a home when fitted with insulation, the new brochure helps homeowners make an informed choice.
Colin St John, Commercial Director summarised “We are really pleased with this new brochure. Our cladding is one our fastest growing product lines and providing this literature will give our customers the ideal opportunity to capitalise on this interest. Our products are suitable for both the domestic and commercial markets, offering the complete cladding solution to service a range of growing markets.”

Freefoam announce the Spring edition of their Product Catalogue. With an updated look and new products , the guide provides customers and users with the complete guide to the full range of Freefoam products including PVC-U and PVC-UE fascia, soffit, rainwater systems, exterior cladding, interior panelling and flooring. With over 2000 product items, a clear and concise catalogue is essential for Freefoam stockists to promote the range. This A5 compact format is ideal for building professionals, roofline fitters and roofers to keep a copy handy whilst on the go, with all the product information they need.

The Spring version features a more contemporary cover featuring the popular Anthracite Grey fascia and a stronger focus throughout on the colour roofline range. Freefoam has long been recognised as the colour specialist both for roofline and PVC-UE cladding. A major feature of the catalogue is the inclusion of all colours for each product, allowing users to clearly see the extensive range of options available. A handy fold out sheet also shows high resolution images of each colour allowing colour matching to other products such as windows and doors.

Additions to the Spring catalogue include the new ‘Klicker’ Flooring range and pages to highlight handy online tools such as Freefoam’s colour roofline visualiser and cladding calculator. Installers also benefit from the inclusion of fitting instructions for the roofline and cladding ranges

Whilst print formats are still widely used by the building trade more users are turning to online formats. The Spring Product Catalogue is available online from www.freefoam.com along with the full range of product brochures and technical data.

Louise Sanderson, Freefoam Marketing Manager commented “Spring is a busy time in the home improvement and building sector. We want to capitalise on this activity with the launch of our new Product Catalogue. It is our most important brochure as it showcases our complete range. Used extensively by suppliers and fitters we have designed it to be super easy to use and gives customers all the information they need, including products, sizes, colour options and product codes all in one place”

Freefoam products are designed and manufactured to be easy to fit. However, as any building product supplier or home improvement installer will tell you, every project is different. Following customer feedback and online requests Freefoam Building Products are pleased to announce the launch of a brand new online feature – Technical Frequently Asked Questions.

Louise Sanderson, Freefoam UK Marketing Manager explains about how the idea developed “As our product range has increased and diversified we’ve seen a significant rise in enquires regarding product information. Customers selling and using our products are professionals who want to get it right. Freefoam products have been designed to be used in a wide variety of situations and projects and we want to ensure that installers have the right information to get the job done correctly and professionally.”

The database covers a wide range of technical questions that customers and fitters have asked and find most useful. Quick and easy to access from a pop up box on every web page the tool allows site visitors to view a wide range of topics and issues covering the full Freefoam product range.

From general fitting instructions and product information, to more specific fitting tips and examples of individual fitting situations the database allows users to filter by product range or simply type in their question. Accessible from PC, mobile and tablet the tool is instantly available to customers and fitters out on the job.
With the ability to add new questions and topics Freefoam are expecting the database to grow and develop over time, making it a live resource with valuable up to date information for all Freefoam customers

Colin St John, Commercial Director summarised “This new tool is a great addition to our online offering. We know that customers today want to be able to access product information from their phone and often need an instant answer - this database does just that, offering users a wealth of information and documentation at their fingertips. As manufacturers we embrace our responsibility to make our products easy to fit and as accessible as possible and are expecting this resource to become another important part of our wider customer support package.”

2019 has got off to a good start for Freefoam customers, with the addition of Square and Ogee gutter in the popular Anthracite Grey colour option, to help them gain market share in a growing sector. Designed to complement the existing Round and Deep gutter systems and manufactured to Ral No. 2016 the ranges offer an exact match to door and window systems, giving customers the range to satisfy the growing demands of homeowners and developers.

The choice of colour for windows, doors and roofline is now on average nearly 30% of sales, with some window companies seeing sales of over 50% in colour - and growing. Homeowners buying high end grey windows and doors do not want the standard white roofline - they want everything to match. Which is why Freefoam made a strategic move into manufacturing the complete roofline range in Anthracite Grey.

Freefoam’s approach is to help every company in the supply chain sell more and grow faster than the competition. And our approach is working. Freefoam customer Alan Sutherland, Managing Director of General Building Plastics explains: “There’s been an increasing demand for colour, but the biggest growth has been in the last three to four years. Greys are the most popular now, particularly anthracite grey. Most customers want a full suite of colour matched products, which Freefoam does very well!”

Discerning homeowners want the complete solution, so Freefoam also manufacture a wide range of PVC fascia and soffit in Anthracite Grey providing a suite of colour roofline products. With most colours available off the shelf or on short lead times Freefoam customers have access to all the products they need to meet the demands of today’s consumers and gain valuable market share.

Colin St John, Freefoam Commercial Director, summarised “These new additions to our gutter range are a great example of how we continually introduce products to maximise the success of our customers. Providing a grey rainwater and roofline range will give customers opportunities with housebuilders and big ticket refurbishment projects and illustrates our commitment to helping our customers grow”

Freefoam, a leading manufacturer of fascia, soffit, gutter and cladding products for the building industry in UK, Ireland and Mainland Europe are delighted to launch a new short video to showcase their supply chain and the support it gives to all within it.

Manufacturers, like Freefoam, who supply trade customers can seem distant and remote from their end users. Freefoam wanted to dispel this myth and shine a light on the whole supply chain that is dedicated to delivering choice from factory to homeowner.

From the Mixing Plant where raw materials are blended and stored, to the production plant featuring state of the art extrusion facilities, through to new warehouse provision where all products are stored and despatched, the video illustrates the full extent of the Freefoam plant.

Customer service is at the heart of Freefoam. Supplying to a range of independent stockists and multi branch merchants throughout the UK from Aberdeen to St Austell, the film shows one of these deliveries taking place, to ensure customer’s shelves are kept fully stocked.

Customer focus is part of the whole chain, with many Freefoam suppliers offering a delivery service to builders, housing developers and home improvement companies out on site. Fitters can be confident that the products will be with them when and where they need them.

With Freefoam Registered Installers throughout the UK the final link in the chain is at a homeowner’s property. Once on site, with the distinctive green film and Freefoam branding visible on fascia and soffit products, homeowners can feel reassured in the knowledge that high quality, long lasting, low maintenance products are being fitted to their home. White products come with a market leading 50 year guarantee, so choosing Freefoam delivers good long term value for homeowners.

Louise Sanderson, Marketing Manager summarised “We’re very proud to be part of this story. Using video allows us to take you on a journey from where the products are made, through to supply and fit. Freefoam products are a core part of many successful local businesses around the UK, from stockist to installers, and we’re committed to supporting this supply chain and keeping the needs of the homeowner at the heart of our business.”

As responsible manufacturers Freefoam Building Products are committed to building support and opportunities throughout the supply chain. The Freefoam Registered Installer programme is one of the most important parts of this strategy - offering home improvement companies a package of support from marketing materials and industry leading guarantees. But what makes the Freefoam package a game changer is access to FREE pre-qualified consumer leads for roofline and cladding work.

Free leads to help sustain your roofline business
Roofline . . . for many years viewed as the next logical home improvement after replacement windows, has transitioned itself from an often ‘distress’ purchase to a more natural enhancement of the kerbside appeal of a property.

Roofline, glazing and conservatory fitters have to use every tool at their disposal to win sales at a worthwhile price. Wasting valuable time looking for luke-warm leads isn’t an option. You need volume and quality of leads to stay ahead and that’s where responsible manufactures can really make a difference.

Here at Freefoam we’ve developed a pull-through strategy to bring in business on a day to day basis with pre-qualified leads for our customers’ customers: installers. Our ground-breaking website myrooflinematters.co.uk generates pre-qualified leads throughout the UK. With subtle branding, and unbiased, easy-to-understand articles, it tells homeowners what to look out for, the problems that can occur with products and installations and how to avoid them. The consumers it attracts are looking for information, not the cheapest price. In effect, these homeowners are self-selecting, so they’re already warm when it guides them softly (but surely) to get a quote from their local Freefoam Registered Installers.

What sets it even further from conventional quote websites is that we don’t charge for leads, and we only offer leads to companies who respond quickly, with good conversion rates. We also follow up each and every lead with the installer and the homeowner to ensure everyone is happy. It’s a unique package and the feedback so far has been very positive.

Cladding leads to help your business grow
All home improvement and roofing companies are looking for ways to expand their business. Products to upsell to existing customers, opportunities to revisit previous customers and options to develop new markets – for roofing and building companies PVC cladding could be that opportunity.

There has been a huge interest in external cladding products in recent years, partly driven by aspirational TV shows like Grand Designs. Timber is still popular but homeowners are now looking for more low maintenance options – many busy families have little time or skill for the on-going re-painting and repair that timber requires.
PVC-U external cladding is one of the fastest growing home improvement products. Its versatility means it can be used on a huge variety of projects from a feature wall on an existing building, an exterior finish for a new extension or to give an attractive finish to a loft conversion. Cladding is one of the quickest and simplest ways of totally transforming the look of any home.

Freefoam Building Products want Freefoam Registered Installers to benefits from this market growth and have developed an attractive, consumer focussed site mycladding.com to showcase the Freefoam cladding range. With handy online tools to visualise colour options, order samples and a gallery to inspire the site gives homeowners ideas and support throughout the decision making process before they go ahead and request a quote from a Registered Installer.

To find out more about becoming a Freefoam Registered Installer and receiving FREE leads go to www.myfreefoam.com or email ukmarketing@freefoam.com

Freefoam Building Products are delighted to announce the launch of a Luxury Vinyl Composite Flooring system, KlicKer Flooring.

The newest generation of high quality resilient luxury vinyl flooring manufactured with three layers to create a solid long lasting 5.85mm board resistant to abrasion and impact. With a base layer of 1.5mm pre-attached IXPE underlay, a middle layer of rigid 3.8mm Bamboo PVC Composite and top layer of protected vinyl KlicKer flooring is a product designed to withstand the rigors of today’s homes and commercial properties.

Designed with installers in mind KlicKer flooring is quick, easy and straightforward to fit. Expertly engineered with a Valinge style fitting system to click and lock both short and long sides of boards or tiles - meaning no glue is required. Incredibly flexible for refurbishment purposes, flooring can be fitted over existing concrete, ceramic or wood flooring.

Suitable for use in a wide variety of situations KlicKer flooring comes with stability built in. Incorporating a top vinyl layer to give an extremely stable product with high resistance to drop loads, static loads, temperature fluctuation and guaranteed to be 100% waterproof.

Available in a choice of 610mm x 305mm tiles or 1200mm x 181mm planks KlicKer flooring comes in a wide variety of finishes including Onyx, Slate, Concrete and Wood effect.

Freefoam Building Products are committed to providing low maintenance PVC products and the introduction of KlicKer flooring gives customers more opportunity to enter into new markets and grow their business. With a 25 Year residential warranty and a 5 year Light Commercial warranty KlicKer flooring gives specifiers, installers and homeowners a flooring product that offers low maintenance, hard wearing and long lasting value for today’s homes.

Carl Rutter, New Business Manager, explained “We’re delighted to introduce this flooring range. Our customers want to be able to augment their existing range of low maintenance, long lasting, exterior building products to offer these same benefits for interior products. KlicKer flooring gives them the opportunity to enter new markets and grow sales to new audiences”

Freefoam Building Products X-Wood Cladding has been used as a sleek contemporary feature to the front and rear elevation of a stunning new home on the outskirts of York.

With such an individual design and high specification the owners wanted to ensure all exterior components were robust, stylish, long lasting and hard wearing.
Homeowner Peter Jennings explained “We worked with a local architect on the original concept but used our own experience of property development for the details of the property. The cladding feature was originally specified as timber, but with a busy professional and home life it was critical to make this home as low maintenance as possible. We were introduced to the Freefoam cladding range from a local supplier, Revival Building Plastics, and immediately liked the X-Wood range. We thought the woodgrain finish was exactly right for our project and the Oak shade complemented perfectly the white and grey external elements.”

X-Wood is an innovative PVC-U exterior cladding that looks and handles like wood but without all the usual maintenance issues associated with timber. Freefoam have used their manufacturing expertise to design and produce a 16mm attractive high performance cladding board comprised of three different layers - a heavy duty through coloured plastic foam core, covered with a durable plastic skin and then coated with market leading Renolit film which creates a hard wearing, stable material with a beautiful subtle woodgrain effect finish.

The range is available in a choice of six contemporary colours from subtle White, Cream and Greyed Cedar to traditional Oak and more dramatic Anthracite Grey and Wine Red all with an impressive ten-year guarantee. Suitable for both commercial and domestic new build or renovation projects and with its high-performance credentials X-Wood can also be successfully used in coastal and highly exposed areas.

Colin St John, Commercial Director, explains “We have seen the market appetite for PVC cladding steadily increase and are delighted to see this high performance durable product being used to such great effect. Ideal for architects, specifiers and homeowners X-Wood with its attractive finish is the perfect product for any development. We have developed X-Wood to complement our other cladding products and to give our customers the opportunity to approach new and growing markets.”

Freefoam Building Products, a leading manufacturer of PVC building products for the Irish, UK and Mainland European markets launch a new video testimonial from Freefoam Registered Installer The Bristol Fascia Company. Working in partnership with installation companies is key to Freefoam’s success and this video illustrates the benefits to both.

Using a recent installation project featuring contemporary looking Anthracite Grey fascia and soffit the film features fitter Matt Brazeley explaining how the product range and partnership with Freefoam works for them. The Bristol Fascia Company are a successful reliable home improvement business fitting window, doors, conservatories and roofline and have been using Freefoam products for the last three years. Matt explained “All our fitting teams like the quality of the Freefoam range, it’s easy to fit, the boards are stable and the accessories are sturdy. Our customers want something that’s maintenance free and that looks good. We find that today’s homeowners are trading up and choosing higher value more discerning products, and we find that the grey fascia fits their criteria perfectly”

Freefoam Building Products has made a long term commitment to its Installer programme offering a vast amount of expertise, and huge understanding of what installers need to succeed. From a comprehensive colour range to meet the changing demands of consumers and an industry leading 50 year Lifetime Guarantee through to attractive homeowner focussed websites to generate qualified leads and high quality samples and glossy marketing literature to showcase the full range. Coupled with a nationwide network of independent Freefoam suppliers makes a compelling package of support.
Colin St John Commercial Director summarised “We’re very pleased to be working with companies like The Bristol Fascia Company and its good to hear that our support package is working ‘out in the field’. It’s all about reassurance – giving installers the products they can rely on and offering consumers guarantees that give them long term peace of mind. We’ve built our business on these values and believe in the benefits they bring.”

Autumn is traditionally a time for consumers to get home improvement jobs done before the Winter sets in. With the lack of rainfall this summer gutters have been sitting idle but been subject to massive changes in temperature from highs of 30o to lows of 10o. With the inevitable expansion and contraction this brings it’s likely that with the first downpour gutters will have developed leaks.

With this in mind Freefoam have now launched a new version of their rainwater brand Freeflow® brochure. Showcasing the full range of Square, Round, Ogee, Deep and Cast Iron effect PVC guttering and illustrating the major benefits of their innovative system the brochure is a great selling tool for all fitters.

Whilst guttering is often seen as a commodity, with one brand very much like another, Freefoam has developed a series of clever innovations to raise the bar on guttering and solves the usual niggling issues - such as scratches on the outside, discolouration over time and call backs to leaks – making life easier for installers!

Coextruded to reduce main cause of leaks
Each rainwater system is co-extruded with a white interior and a range of exterior colours. This innovation means that while the interior is exposed to sunlight as normal, it absorbs significantly less heat from the sun and expands far less along its width and length. This dramatically decreases the probability of leaks - and creaks!

Water-tight joints
Freeflow features pioneering long-life compressible seals which create flexible water-tight joints when lengths of guttering are connected together. The seals allow gutters to move without making a noise and without creating the gaps which cause leaks.

Protected from factory to fitting
All Freeflow gutters and downpipes come covered with protective film so they can survive knocks in transit and can be installed without scratches.

Colour designed to last
Freefoam is the colour specialist. Offering White, Black, Brown, Caramel and Grey rainwater ranges using Freefoam’s patented ColormaxTM technology - an advanced master-batching process with a blend of natural PVC and pigments that are simultaneously co-extruded to produce built in colourfastness, colour variety, and reliable colour matching, all guaranteed for up to ten years.

TV Shows and online videos about how everyday objects are made are incredibly popular and can be a powerful marketing tool for many manufacturing companies – with Lego clocking up over 6.5 million views on YouTube! Freefoam Building Products are pleased to announce the launch of another new video featuring all aspects of the production process of its fascia, soffit and guttering products.

The video explains each stage, right from the arrival of the raw materials on site, through the extrusion of pvc in the production process to storage and distribution of the finished product. Louise Sanderson, Marketing Manager explains “This film gives us the opportunity to demystify the process and explain simply and clearly how our products are made. It’s fascinating to see how we take simple raw materials in powder form and create an end product that will still be protecting roofs and homes around the country in 50 years time.”

Freefoam have made considerable investment in the UK facilities over the past 19 years – even changing the skyline of Northampton with their 21 metre high ‘Mixing Plant’. The production facility operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week employing 92 people on site. The video also helps to illustrate the scale of this manufacturing operation and Warehousing facilities.

Geoff Barnett, Technical Operations Manager “We’re proud of what we make and of our site and this video gives us the opportunity to showcase the facilities we operate and the products we produce. Because of the investment we’ve made we have full control of the whole process, managing and fine tuning every stage to create materials that are hard wearing, fit for purpose and guaranteed to last.”

TV Shows and online videos about how everyday objects are made are incredibly popular and can be a powerful marketing tool for many manufacturing companies – with Lego clocking up over 6.5 million views on YouTube! Freefoam Building Products are pleased to announce the launch of another new video featuring all aspects of the production process of its fascia, soffit and guttering products.

The video explains each stage, right from the arrival of the raw materials on site, through the extrusion of pvc in the production process to storage and distribution of the finished product. Louise Sanderson, Marketing Manager explains “This film gives us the opportunity to demystify the process and explain simply and clearly how our products are made. It’s fascinating to see how we take simple raw materials in powder form and create an end product that will still be protecting roofs and homes around the country in 50 years time.”

Freefoam have made considerable investment in the UK facilities over the past 19 years – even changing the skyline of Northampton with their 21 metre high ‘Mixing Plant’. The production facility operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week employing 92 people on site. The video also helps to illustrate the scale of this manufacturing operation and Warehousing facilities.

Geoff Barnett, Technical Operations Manager “We’re proud of what we make and of our site and this video gives us the opportunity to showcase the facilities we operate and the products we produce. Because of the investment we’ve made we have full control of the whole process, managing and fine tuning every stage to create materials that are hard wearing, fit for purpose and guaranteed to last.”

Freefoam, a leading manufacturer of a wide range of innovative products for the building industry in UK, Ireland and Mainland Europe, announce the launch of a brand new colour visualiser – an online tool to help choose colour options for the Geopanel internal panelling range.

Being able to visualise how the colour and pattern of an internal panel appears full size is a critical part of the decision making process. Freefoam’s Geopanel visualiser does just that. An image of a bathroom enables users to simply select from any panel size and colour option and superimpose into the room setting to give an instant representation of the finished look.

With a wide range of over thirty different colours in the Geopanel range the visualiser gives users the ability to experiment with any number of different colour options and bring colour to life in a bathroom environment. Geopanel customers can now really push the boundaries of design and creativity and make an informed decision without any of the risk.

Geopanel decorative panels offer significant benefits to the home improvement and building industry. Time is money and Geo-panel saves both with its quick and easy fit - no drying time and grouting necessary – so work can often be completed in just one day. The perfect alternative to tiles in bathrooms and kitchens. Internal panelling offers Freefoam stockists a new marketing opportunity, targeting care homes, housing associations, hotels, student accommodation, guest houses, leisure facilities and homeowners all of whom can realise significant benefits from its quick and easy installation and low maintenance credentials.

Colin St John, Freefoam Commercial Director, explained “We’ve seen our internal panelling become an important part of our product portfolio. With such a wide range of designs and colour options available we wanted to simplify the buying process by giving our customers a tool to help them sell. This clever online visualiser helps suppliers and fitters make an informed choice.”

https://freefoam.com/professional/project-support/design-tools/geopanel-visualiser

Freefoam Building Products, a leading manufacturer of PVC building products for the Irish, UK and Mainland European markets, announce a brand new homeowner testimonial video. Shot on location in Northamptonshire the short film illustrates the benefits and satisfaction of a homeowner with the Freefoam roofline range and their Freefoam Registered Installer.

The installation work was completed by Peterborough based company Simply Roofline. Kevin had old tired looking fascia, soffit and guttering. His motivation for replacing with PVC was to improve the look of his home and also save himself costly and time consuming ongoing maintenance. By using Freefoam Registered Installers Simply Roofline Kevin had the reassurance of knowing he would get a Lifetime Guarantee and commented “They did a fantastic job, I could not fault them”

As manufactures Freefoam took a strategic decision several years ago to engage with homeowners. Using online consumer focussed websites and the already established Registered Installer Scheme this video is just another part of this ongoing programme to reach through the supply chain and build the Freefoam brand name.

Homeowner testimonials have always been an important part of any marketing plan offering a powerful product and brand endorsement. Freefoam have harnessed the power of social media to post engaging, genuine content that really resonates with other prospective homeowners.

Louise Sanderson, Marketing Manager explained “We’ve seen a very high click-through rate on this post. Kevin’s openness, honesty and genuine satisfaction with the products and the installation shines through. We’re delighted with the end result and see this type of content as a growing part of our brand building programme”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLOxfm4yWU4

Freefoam Building Products are delighted to showcase Dark Grey Fascia at a new Morris Homes site in Leicester. Situated on the edge of the city, surrounded by beautiful open fields and woodland, the Glebelands Park development features a collection of detached and semi-detached 3, 4 and 5 bedroom properties designed to offer stylish homes that blend in to the surrounding countryside.

Morris Homes selected Dark Grey fascia to perfectly complement the grey window frames, juliet balconies and garage doors to achieve a coordinated, contemporary look. Phil Shaw, Procurement Manager explained “The site at Glebelands Park is one of our more ‘contemporary’ sites. We’re often driven by planning guidelines and pride ourselves on being able to offer Local Authorities a ‘non-standard’ look that will enhance the local area. One of the ways we achieve this is by using colour instead of white. It immediately raises the profile of a house design and gives instant kerb appeal.”

Freefoam Building Products is the colour specialist. Colour fascia, soffit and guttering is manufactured using Freefoam’s patented ColormaxTM technology - an advanced master-batching process with a blend of natural PVC and pigments that are simultaneously co-extruded. Fascia and Soffit are produced with built-in colourfastness, colour variety, and reliable colour matching, all with a ten year guarantee. Eight roofline colours are all available straight from stock, ranging from subtle Pale Gold and Sand to more dramatic Black and Grey.

Richard Watson, Site Manager explained how it works “With 100 homes planned for the development we needed to be confident that the roofline materials would be consistent and available when needed. We don’t have the facilities to store large quantities on site so I order on a plot specific basis at the same time as the roof trusses. Our local Freefoam Supplier ensures that all grey fascia is available and arranges delivery to site. The quality of the product is excellent and the whole process is working really well for us”

Colour is rapidly has become one of the major design changes in both new housebuilding and retrofit in the last five years. House builders like Morris Homes are increasingly using colour to bring style and definition to developments. Freefoam Building Products have established themselves as experts in colour and have put in place manufacturing and ordering processes to meet customer expectation and deliver customer demand.

Freefoam Building Products are delighted to announce the addition of four beautiful woodgrain finishes to its Wide 605mm Soffit Range. The wide General Purpose Board is becoming a popular choice on many contemporary house styles, and has been added to the range as part of Freefoam’s continuing support of our customers servicing the Housebuilder.

Available in a choice of Rosewood, Light Oak, Black Ash and Anthracite Grey the woodgrain finish allows for a fully coordinated roofline.

The Freefoam woodgrain range is manufactured to last using marketing leading Renolit Exofol MX foil that features Solar Shield Technology, a technology to provide built in UV protection, to reduce heat absorption, temperature build up and expansion. These properties allow Freefoam to offer a ten year guarantee on all woodgrain fascia and soffit.

Colour for external PVC products such and windows, doors, balconies, fascia and guttering has been one of the major style changes in the new build market in the last five years. House builders are increasingly using colour to bring style and definition to developments and utilising colour elements as a cost effective way to add a contemporary feel to house and apartment developments.

Freefoam made a long term commitment to colour right at the start of this trend embracing new ways of manufacture and ensuring that colour and woodgrain facia and soffit are available across the entire range. These additions further underline Freefoam’s position as the colour specialist.

Colin St John, UK General Manager, summarised “We have established ourselves as leaders in the manufacture of colour PVC roofline so monitor the marketplace to ensure our product range is meeting new trends and demands. Research and customer feedback has led us to add this wide soffit in woodgrain colours which will ensure that our range gives housebuilders and domestic installers the products they need to meet this growing demand.”

All products are listed online at www.freefoam.com

Freefoam are delighted to announce the launch of three new short videos to promote the business online and through social media. Showcasing the faces behind the product, and the production and distribution facilities located in Northampton all three give a real insight into how pvc building products are made and distributed from start to finish.

With social media becoming an essential part of any companies marketing strategy Freefoam are committed to producing high quality, interesting, up to the minute content – and video is the perfect medium to achieve this. It instantly engages with both existing customers and prospective audiences. Using Social Media agency Mind Made the filming took place over three days using drone, GoPro and Steadicam technologies to capture the busy day to day operation as it happened.

The production facility video features Freefoam’s 21 metre high ‘mixing’ plant, and 3,840m2 manufacturing plant illustrating how the virgin powder is mixed and blended to produce the raw material and then skilfully heated and processed on extrusion lines to produce a range of products including fascia, soffit and guttering. Processing over half a million product lines throughout the year involves careful coordination and accuracy between Distribution and Customer teams. This video highlights how products are stored, picked, packaged and despatched to customers throughout the UK.

Colin St John, Commercial Director commented “We’re very pleased with these short films. They show the scale of our operation in a dynamic and informative way and how our team work hard to make and deliver first class building materials. The essence of the project was to showcase the scale of our operation, the varied processes that go in to manufacturing a plastic product and last but not least we wanted to recognise our teams – the people behind the product.”

TO VIEW ALL VIDEOS: https://freefoam.com/professional/about-freefoam

Freefoam, a leading manufacturer of a wide range of innovative products for the building industry in Ireland, the UK and Mainland Europe, has responded to market demand and feedback from customers launching a new colour to its popular Weatherboard style cladding range - Sage Green. A natural, soft shade with grey undertones, subtle yet stylish, making it suitable for any location, from rural countryside, coastal situations and urban city environments.

Marketing Manager Louise Sanderson explained “We’re seeing a high level of interest in our cladding range for a huge variety of projects. From new build developments, home renovation for extensions and dormers and also for caravans, lodges, home offices and summer houses. Colour is an important factor and we find that consumers are particularly attracted to more natural subtle shades. The new Sage Green gives our trade customers more choice and the opportunity to open up new markets. “
The new colour is available in the 170mm wide Weatherboard embossed textured cladding board and comes with a range of matching fitting trims to create a neat professional co-ordinated finish. Freefoam offer a wide range of colours including contemporary shades of grey and blue, more traditional cream and brown and now green, taking the total to an impressive eleven.
PVC-U cladding requires minimal maintenance once installed, a major benefit for property owners and a compelling feature for any property developer or public sector housing provider. With significant environmental credentials, being awarded an A+ rating from the Building Research Establishment’s (BRE) ‘Green Guide To Specification’ when installed with standard components, the range makes a real alternative to timber and fibre cement products.

Colin St John, Commercial Director comments: “We’ve seen a surge of interest in our Fortex cladding range with sales doubling last year. Now is the right time to add a new colour to augment our existing range and to give our customers a valuable addition to their portfolio of products and a real opportunity to develop new business streams”

Freefoam Building Products are delighted to announce that Carl Rutter has been promoted to the new role of Business Development Manager. Carl has worked for Freefoam for over 10 years, as Area Sales Manager for the South West, developing successful long and lasting relationships with our customer base to bring sustainable sales growth to the business. This promotion shows Freefoam’s commitment and respect for the contribution Carl has made to the company and will utilise his skills and experience to introduce new product ranges and develop new markets playing a significant role in the companies continued growth.

The 2018 Ideal Home exhibition showcases Freefoam X-Wood Cladding as the ideal solution for off-site construction. This year’s ‘Innovation Home’ features Freefoam X-Wood Urban Cladding, prior to its release later in the year, to create a stunning exterior finish.

The whole house was built prior to the exhibition by Off Site Factory Homes in four separate ‘modules’, which were then transported to the show and constructed to form one house. Tony Fox, Director Off Site Factory Homes, explained how the process worked “ To create a durable and stable modular construction we need materials to be light, easy to handle and to withstand the rigors of transportation. Whilst this project was for a temporary building we apply the same criteria to permanent projects. We used Freefoam cladding last year and found it met all of our criteria and made perfect sense to use the new X-Wood Urban product for this year’s house. We found it really easy to work with and were very pleased with the finished results”

With the construction industry facing challenges to reduce its environmental impact and meet the demands of the housing crisis, modular construction has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to address and solve some of these issues. Technological advancements have increased the range of applications that modular construction can be used for including hotels, classrooms and healthcare buildings - but the scope is endless.
Tony commented “We’ve been serving this sector for many years and have become specialists in proving modular constructions. The benefits to our clients are three fold. Construction time using modular techniques can be nearly half that of conventional methods. Building in a controlled environment, with less stoppages due to weather can really add up. Secondly we find that there is less wastage of materials with no exposure to bad weather. Finally there is a substantial amount of money to be saved when choosing modular over a conventional build, with a shorter programme time for each project and lower labour costs.”
Colin St John, Freefoam Commercial Director summarised “We’re delighted to have been involved in this project which has allowed us to showcase the suitability of our products for modular construction methods. Whilst we’re aware that off-site construction will not solve all our housing needs we see it as a growing opportunity across our entire range. PVC products are intrinsically light weight and manufactured to stand the test of time with guarantees of up to 50 years. Freefoam has always been an innovative company and to be embracing new ways of working with off- site builders is an exciting development for us”

Freefoam Building Products are delighted to announce another collaboration with the Ideal Home Show and Off Site Factory Homes. Working with the designers of this year’s show Freefoam X-Wood Urban cladding has been used to stunning effect on the prestigious show home – the focal point of the whole show.

Always keen to push the boundaries of design, the show promoters have created a house that features an unusual combination of old and new. The front features a traditional ‘Victorian’ red brick faced façade with sash windows and the rear aspect showcases a contemporary modern extension including an innovative elevated cantilever section. X-Wood Urban Cladding in soft white has been used to form the outer envelope of the extension contrasting with the grey doors and windows.

X-Wood Urban will be part of Freefoam’s X-Wood PVC cladding range when released later in the year. X-Wood™ is a premium grade 16mm thick cladding range developed as a highly durable board from a composite of three different layers, each with its own high-performance properties. A heavy duty plastic foam core, a durable solid plastic skin and a choice of two superior outer coatings – woodgrain Renolit colour film or subtle embossed wood effect PVC , both available in a variety of colours to suit all designs.

David Richards, Director David Richard Associates, commissions the homes each year and explained the background to this year’s projects “We wanted to showcase the flexibility of modern building materials and to show how they can be used on both contemporary and traditional developments. The whole house was constructed off site by Off Site Factory Homes in four separate ‘modules’ so we needed the build materials to be light, easy to handle and to withstand the rigors of transportation as well as looking good throughout the show. We used Freefoam cladding last year and found it met all of our criteria. It made perfect sense to use the new X-Wood Urban product for this year’s house and we’re very pleased with the finished results. The cladding makes a stunning exterior finish, and works really well contrasting with the other materials. We would definitely recommend it to homeowners and housebuilders.”
Freefoam Marketing Manager, Louise Sanderson commented “ With around 13,500 visitors expected at the Show each day we are really pleased to have the Freefoam cladding range exposed to such a large, engaged homeowner audience. Cladding is rapidly becoming a very popular home improvement product and our range is meeting the demands and aspirations of homeowners and housebuilders alike. The X-Wood range has been developed specifically for both renovation and new build projects, the perfect product to create an Ideal Home”

Freefoam Fortex Double Shiplap PVC-U Cladding has been utilised to great effect on homes on the Lansbury Park estate in Caerphilly. Installed as part of a £2 million investment package to improve energy efficiency and transform the appearance of the estate the extensive refurbishment programme was commissioned by Caerphilly County Borough Council and fitted by contractor Eon Energy

Freefoam Building Products have got off to a cracking start in 2018 with the launch of two new products ranges – Anthracite Grey Round Gutter System and an Acrylic interior panelling range. Colin St John, Commercial Director, explained “New Year is always a time for new opportunities. We’re delighted to launch these new products at the beginning of the year. It shows our commitment to creating new openings for our customers giving them the range to enter new markets and meet demand from both the housebuilder and the refurbishment sector”

All building companies are looking for ways to expand their business. Products to upsell to existing customers, opportunities to revisit previous customers and options to develop new markets –PVC cladding could be that opportunity.

There has been a huge interest in external cladding products in recent years, partly driven by aspirational TV shows like Grand Designs where it seems that every new build project features cladding in some way. Timber is still popular but homeowners are now looking for more low maintenance options – many busy families have little time or skill for the on-going re-painting and repair that timber requires.
PVC-U external cladding is one of the fastest growing external building products. Its versatility means it can be used on a huge variety of projects from a feature wall on an existing building, an exterior finish for a new extension or to give an attractive finish to a loft conversion. Cladding is one of the quickest and simplest ways of totally transforming the look of any home.

Freefoam Building Products are specialist PVC manufacturers producing a wide range of long lasting, low maintenance cladding products. The Freefoam cladding range features a choice of a smooth woodgrain finish or Fortex® timber effect embossed boards in Shiplap, Double Shiplap and Weatherboard styles. Available in a wide variety of colours from traditional Mahogany, Rosewood and Oak to subtle ‘New England’ shades of Misty Grey and Cappuccino and more dramatic contemporary options like Anthracite Grey, Slate Grey and Black Ash. All ranges come with a high quality, purpose made, easy to fit trim system making installation straight-forward and quick.

PVC-U cladding also offers significant environmental credentials, being awarded an A+ rating from the Building Research Establishment’s (BRE) ‘Green Guide to Specification’ when installed with standard components, making PVC a real alternative to timber and fibre cement products.


Commercial Director, Colin St John, explains “Cladding is fast becoming one of our success stories. As manufacturers we’re committed to bringing products to market that give our customers and our customer’s customers opportunities to grow and have always recognised and accepted that our Customers success was our success. Creating the ultimate win win has been our driver over the years. Developing winning products for winning stockists and installers and being part of the whole sales process has been key to continued growth.”

To find out about Freefoam cladding products go to http://freefoam.com/products/cladding
Contact Freefoam on 01604 683864 or email marekting@freefoam.com

Freefoam announce the launch of a brand new colour roofline visualiser – an online tool to help choose the colour of fascia, soffit and guttering that is right for any new build or refurbishment project.

A clear image of a roofline installation enables users to simply select from a colour swatch and get an instant representation of each colour on every element - fascia, soffit and guttering. With a wide range of eight solid colours and a stunning choice of eight woodgrain finishes Freefoam now give you the ability to bring colour to life before your eyes.

Whilst colour has become an integral part of many development projects clients can still be conservative in their choice. It’s not always easy to visualise how a finished product will look. This tool offers the ability to experiment with any number of different colour options allowing you and your client to really push the boundaries and make an informed decision without any of the risk.

Colin St John, Freefoam Commercial Director, explained “Our view is that colour is here to stay. As specialist colour roofline manufacturers we want to make choosing colour fascia, soffit and guttering easy and risk free. With the launch of this online visualiser we have put colour choice at the fingertips of specifiers and housebuilders. This, coupled with our manufacturing capability to produce colour with very short lead times, makes colour roofline a straight forward realistic option”

Freefoam is the colour specialist. Recognising the growing importance of colour for architects, specifiers, and house developers Freefoam seized the opportunity 15 years ago and generated its patented ColormaxTM technology. A careful selection of pigments for the colour skin are simultaneously co-extruded with the white foam core to produce a hard wearing, long lasting finish. The Freefoam colour range includes 10mm & 18mm fascia boards and a range of soffit boards in a choice of styles, along with all the necessary colour matched accessories, trims and fixings.

All home improvement and roofing companies are looking for ways to expand their business. Products to upsell to existing customers, opportunities to revisit previous customers and options to develop new markets – for window, roofline and conservatory fitters PVC cladding could be that opportunity.

There has been a huge interest in external cladding products in recent years, partly driven by aspirational TV shows like Grand Designs where it seems that every new build project features cladding in some way. Timber is still popular but homeowners are now looking for more low maintenance options – many busy families have little time or skill for the on-going re-painting and repair that timber requires.


PVC-U external cladding is one of the fastest growing home improvement products. Its versatility means it can be used on a huge variety of projects from a feature wall on an existing building, an exterior finish for a new extension or to give an attractive finish to a loft conversion. Cladding is one of the quickest and simplest ways of totally transforming the look of any home.

Freefoam Building Products are specialist PVC manufacturers producing a wide range of long lasting, low maintenance cladding products. The Freefoam cladding range features a choice of a smooth woodgrain finish or Fortex® timber effect embossed boards in Shiplap, Double Shiplap and Weatherboard styles. Available in a wide variety of colours from traditional Mahogany, Rosewood and Oak to subtle ‘New England’ shades of Misty Grey and Cappuccino and more dramatic contemporary options like Anthracite Grey, Slate Grey and Black Ash. All ranges come with a high quality, purpose made, easy to fit trim system making installation straight-forward and quick.

PVC-U cladding also offers significant environmental credentials, being awarded an A+ rating from the Building Research Establishment’s (BRE) ‘Green Guide to Specification’ when installed with standard components, making PVC a real alternative to timber and fibre cement products.


Commercial Director, Colin St John, explains “Cladding is fast becoming one of our success stories. As manufacturers we’re committed to bringing products to market that give our customers and our customer’s customers opportunities to grow and have always recognised and accepted that our Customers success was our success. Creating the ultimate win win has been our driver over the years. Developing winning products for winning stockists and installers and being part of the whole sales process has been key to continued growth.”

To find out about Freefoam cladding products go to http://www.freefoam.com/products/cladding

Contact Freefoam on 01604 683864 or email marketing@freefoam.com

Roofline has always been a tricky sale, usually a ‘distress’ purchase, something most homeowners only buy out of necessity. Tucked away at the top of a property it’s out of sight and out of mind - until the Autumn or Spring arrives, the heavens open and they look up and realise their guttering really needs replacing. Even then, installers have to work hard to educate the consumer about the issues: what causes creaks and what causes leaks, why fascia is an important component and a long-term guarantee is a must.

The internet has also changed the decision making process, with price comparisons sites and online reviews readily available consumers have a wealth of information at their fingers tips before they even think about contacting a local installer. An increasing numbers of installers are also registering with lead-generation websites, which ask consumers to enter their details to receive a quote. But without understanding the issues, homeowners have no buying criteria and therefore will only ever buy on price, so these leads usually go to the cheapest offer.

Roofline, glazing and conservatory fitters have to use every tool at their disposal to win sales at a worthwhile price. Wasting valuable time looking for luke-warm leads isn’t an option. You need volume and quality of leads to stay ahead and that’s where responsible manufactures can really make a difference.

At Freefoam we’ve developed a pull-through strategy to bring in business for our customers’ customers: installers. A package of tools ranging from leads generated online via our ground-breaking website www.myrooflinematters.co.uk, a glossy targeted brochure and long-life, transferable guarantees all help companies win business.


But the key to winning in today’s market is quality leads, and our site www.myrooflinematters.co.uk, is designed to do just that. With subtle branding, and unbiased, easy-to-understand articles, it tells homeowners what to look out for, the problems that can occur with products and installations and how to avoid them. The consumers it attracts are looking for information, not the cheapest price. In effect, these homeowners are self-selecting, so they’re already warm when it guides them softly (but surely) to get a quote from their local Freefoam Registered Installers.

What sets it even further from conventional quote websites is that we don’t charge for leads, and we only offer leads to companies who respond quickly, with good conversion rates. We also follow up each and every lead with the installer and the homeowner to ensure everyone is happy. It’s a unique package and the feedback so far has been very positive.

For example, Mr and Mrs Rainsford, who live in Buckinghamshire used myrooflinematters.co.uk. Mrs Rainsford said the process helped them understand the issues and get a fair quote: “The fascia boards in our 30-year-old extension were original timber, and needed replacing. We wanted to find out more about roofline and did some r

Freefoam announce the issue of a new version of its Technical and Specification brochure containing detailed information regarding roofline and cladding systems. Aimed at building professionals who specify and use Freefoam products, the new document includes information on Building Standard compliance, accreditations, performance criteria, product dimensions and installation guides for a variety of roof types and applications including new build and refurbishment projects.

With over 2000 product items, a clear concise technical manual is essential. Suitable for any construction professional, architect or house developer looking to specify Freefoam products, the A4 document makes an ideal reference manual. Available in a variety of formats including print, online and the Freefoam App Freefoam have made accessing technical information convenient at any time.

With recent Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) statistics highlighting the number of new-build homes being started and built to completion is at its highest level since 2008, up 23% on 2014, Freefoam recognise the need for technical support and detailed product knowledge for this growing sector and this document forms a key part of that service.

Freefoam also have other resources in place to offer technical support. Contact can be made over the phone, via email or online with all technical documents available to download from freefoam.com.
Freefoam also offer a scheduling service providing accurate product specification and quantity breakdown from drawings for fascia, soffit, rainwater and cladding materials. With a quick ten day turn round it’s a service that ensures exact quantities are specified, minimising over ordering and reducing costs.

Colin St John, General Manager commented “Working with architects and supplying new build contractors is a growing part of our business. We’re committed to supporting this sector with this new brochure forming an important part of that process. I am particularly pleased with our continuing move towards online access making our range available anytime, anywhere, particularly useful for those based out on site.”

To download all technical data go to www.freefoam.com
Contact Freefoam on 01604 683882 or email uktechnical@freefoam.com



For Freefoam’s scheduling service contact

New-Build Manager Chris Fenney chris.fenney@freefoam.com 07880 712774
New Build Manager Simon Parrott simon.parrott@freefoam.com 07787 520071
New-Build Co-ordinator Tish Redmond tish.redmond@freefoam.com 01604 683862



For further information and images please contact:

Louise Sanderson
01604 591110
louise.sanderson@freefoam.com

Freefoam Installers have got 2016 off to a cracking start, recording up to a 26% increase in work registered for its Lifetime Guarantee. Installers from around the country are seeing the benefit of offering a 50 year guarantee on all white roofline products.

One of the strongest weapons in any tradespersons armoury is the good old-fashioned guarantee and Freefoam installers have one of the best in the business at their disposal - an enhanced 50-year lifetime guarantee.

Why 50 years? Firstly, Freefoam have lifetime data built up over a 20-year period via testing and accelerated ageing tests, advanced technology and trouble-free experience from Ireland to Germany and North of Scotland to the South of France where scorching sun and sizzling UV light soon finds the fault lines in roofline products.

Secondly, Freefoam know that products can deliver over that period of time. Lead free advanced tin based formulations, for example, do not suffer pinking or other problems and other formulations also have extra TiO2 to withstand high-intensity destructive UV light.

Lastly, 50 years sends a clear message to customers that we stand by our products over the long-term and that they can trust us to deliver the quality and value they expect. It says, "Look, I’m so confident about this product that I’m happy to guarantee it for the next 50 years!" If that’s not giving someone the clear message that they’re making the right decision, I don’t know what is.

For Freefoam installers the guarantee is proving a powerful aid to increasing customer confidence and boosting sales. That shouldn’t be a surprise. Homeowners are skilled in reading installers’ signposting and ‘body language’. An installer offering a guarantee gives a positive confident message, while offering a low-cost discounted product does the opposite.

And that’s not the whole story. Freefoam also offer a ten year guarantee on colour roofline, rainwater systems, woodgrain roofline and cladding systems.

But don’t take our word for it! Jason Large from Simply Roofline in Peterborough explains.
“Offering our customers superior products, which are also backed up by an excellent lifetime guarantee offered direct from the manufacturer, becomes a very good selling tool whilst sat in front of a potential client.

We have been a registered installer of Freefoam since 2007 and have always been more than happy with the quality of all the products which we have installed to hundreds of our customers’ homes throughout East Anglia.

Once installed to our high standard the product itself looks fantastic, creating satisfied customers, creating more recommendations, giving you future work and far less service calls in the future.”

If you are building professional interested in finding out more about Freefoam products and becoming a Registered Installer go to Freefoam’s dedicated website www.myfreefoam.com to find out more or contact our marketing team on 01604 683865

Freefoam announce the launch of a brand new Product Catalogue. The new version contains the complete range of Freefoam products including PVC-U and PVC-UE fascia, soffit, rainwater systems, exterior cladding, interior panelling and decking. With over 2000 product items, a clear concise catalogue is essential for Freefoam stockists to promote the range and its A5 compact format is ideal for building professionals roofline fitters and roofers to keep a copy handy with all the product information they need.

The new catalogue features a more contemporary design with clear lifestyle imagery and some clever new features. Designed to showcase the entire Freefoam range the catalogue is divided in to product categories with specific colour coding to make finding ranges quick and easy. All fascia styles, Square Leg, Square Edge, Bullnose and Ogee have now been grouped together illustrating the range of boards available in each style. All pages also include a quick reminder of other product ranges and online services.

Freefoam has long been recognised as the colour specialist both for roofline and PVC cladding. A major feature of the new catalogue is all colours are listed for each product allowing users to clearly see the extensive range of options available to them. A handy fold out sheet also shows high resolution images of each colour allowing colour matching to other products.
Whilst print formats are still widely used by the building trade more users are turning to online formats. Freefoam have addressed this by including the new trade catalogue on its App and all product brochures can be downloaded from www.freefoam.com.

Louise Sanderson, Freefoam Marketing Manager commented “Our product catalogue is our most important brochure as it includes our complete range. Used by suppliers and fitters it gives a detailed list of each product, with sizes, colour options and product codes. We have redesigned the catalogue focussing on customer needs making it easier to find product ranges and clearer to see product options – everything in one place!”

Freefoam announce the addition of even more products to its already extensive colour range of fascia and soffit. All colours are now available in an 18mm thick Square Leg Fascia in 150mm and 250mm wide boards and also a 10mm thick General Purpose Soffit Board in 175mm and 225mm wide boards. With the increasing popularity of Grey window frames and guttering Freefoam has also introduced the 250 and 350mm General Purpose Board in three shades of grey, Storm Grey, Dark Grey and Anthracite Grey.

In the last few years the UK has started to see a significant shift in commercial specifications from white roofline to colour. In Continental Europe most windows are coloured and in Ireland it’s about fifty percent. Whilst in the UK colour has doubled in the last fifteen years to 20% this trend is only predicted to increase.

Freefoam is the colour specialist. Recognising the growing importance of colour for architects, specifiers, and house developers, Freefoam seized the opportunity 15 years ago and generated its patented ColormaxTM technology using an advanced master-batching process with a blend of natural PVC and pigments to simultaneously co-extrude PVC building products. Freefoam offer a wide range of ten colours with built in colourfastness, colour variety, and reliable colour matching all with a ten year guarantee.

All new products are available straight from stock with no lead time, and are available with matching trims and fixing accessories. Coupled with a market leading ten year guarantee, the Freefoam colour range is an attractive proposition and a natural alternative to white for all house builders and specifiers.

Colin St John, UK General Manager, summarised “Our view is that colour is here to stay. As specialist colour roofline manufacturers, we have the expertise and capability to structure our production process to meet the changing demands of today’s housebuilder and specifier. The introduction of an even wider range of colour fascia and soffit products underlines our long term commitment to providing customers with a market leading range to support this growing market.”

Freefoam announce the launch of two new fascia colours, Woodgrain Chartwell Green and Cream. Picking up on the growing trend for ‘heritage’ colours for window frames, conservatories and orangeries, Freefoam’s addition to its roofline range offers customers the opportunity to stock a coordinating fascia and soffit range and capitalise on the home improvement market.

Following on from the successful introduction of window trims last year in Chartwell Green and Cream, Freefoam has now added a 10mm and 18mm thick Square Edge Fascia Board and a General Purpose Soffit Board in a wide range of widths from 175mm to 400mm.
Manufactured to last, these new products are produced using marketing leading Renolit Exofol MX foil that features built in UV protection to reduce heat absorption, temperature build up and expansion. All products come with an impressive ten year guarantee.

These additions to the range further underline Freefoam’s position as the colour specialist. Foiled products are available in a comprehensive range including Mahogany, Rosewood, White, Black Ash, Light Oak, Irish Oak and Anthracite Grey. In addition to foiled products Freefoam manufactures an industry leading range of co-extruded fascia, soffit and trims in eight colours using its patented ColormaxTM technology. Featuring built-in colourfastness, colour variety, and reliable colour matching, all with a ten year guarantee, the range offers choice to architects, specifiers, property developers and homeowners.

Colin St John, UK General Manager, summarised “As colour specialists we have been monitoring the growing trend for Chartwell Green and Cream particularly for conservatories, and recognise that homeowners are moving away from white. With the spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to launch this new range of matching fascia and soffit boards that will open up new opportunities for our customers within the glazing, window and home improvement markets”.

Freefoam Building Products are delighted to announce the launch of a new range of rainwater products in the contemporary colour Anthracite Grey. With a 45% increase in sales of Anthracite Grey fascia and soffit in 2015 and a growing overall market trend towards grey window frames, doors, fascia and soffit adding an Anthracite Grey Deep gutter range was the next logical step. Freefoam has created a product that allows customers to create a truly co-ordinated roofline with the new rainwater range offering an exact match (Ral No.7016) to the already popular fascia and soffit products.

With a 77mm depth and a 116mm width the Deep gutter is designed to manage the increasing levels of rainfall that are being experienced throughout the UK. Available with the full range of matching fittings including Union Bracket, Running Outlet and Hopper and manufactured using co-extruded PVC-U the Freefoam Freeflow range offers a long lasting, leak free, no fade, low maintenance solution all with a ten year guarantee.

Co-extruded to reduce leaks
Like the existing Freeflow rainwater system Freefoam manufacture the new Anthracite Grey products using the co-extrusion method to create a white interior and darker exterior colours. This is Freefoam’s innovative solution to the problems associated with rapid heat absorption and expansion of dark coloured gutters, which can cause leaks and noise when they cool down. A white interior reduces heat absorption and subsequent expansion along the width and length dramatically decreasing the probability of leaks.

Colour stability built in
Freefoam is the colour specialist. The new Anthracite Grey rainwater range is manufactured using Freefoam’s patented ColormaxTM technology - an advanced master-batching process with a blend of natural PVC and pigments that are simultaneously co-extruded to produce built in colourfastness, colour variety, and reliable colour matching, all with a ten year guarantee.

Colin St John, UK General Manager commented “The launch of a new colour in our rainwater range offers architects, specifiers, builders and developers the opportunity to create a perfectly coordinated roofline. We have established ourselves as leaders in the manufacture of colour PVC building products and adding an Anthracite Grey rainwater system to match our fascia and soffit products allows customers to meet the growing market place demands for colour.”