Analysis of data from over 250 customer factory audits by window and door fastener specialist Rapierstar has revealed that most window and door fabricators suffer quality, productivity and health and safety problems because of the same three basic fastener selection mistakes.

Rapierstar have now been running their Fastener Health Check audit programme for over a quarter of a century and have amassed a wealth of real-life fabricator feedback during this time, enabling them to offer unique insights into product quality and manufacturing efficiency. The three most common mistakes that Rapierstar’s Technical Consultants find on fabrication lines are:

The wrong type of screws being used to attach friction stays in 72% of audits.

• Screws being used with the wrong type of drill point for specific materials in 64% of audits.

• Screws made from the wrong type of metal being used for a particular application in 52% of audits.


The consequences of making these mistakes can be far-reaching, costly and potentially damaging to a fabricator’s reputation. Finished windows and doors can quickly develop problems, which results in expensive call-backs and reduced customer satisfaction, but the costs can mount up in the factory too as productivity suffers and the risk of injury to operatives heightens.

David Furness, MD at Rapierstar said: "In over 25 years we have never seen a fastener health check come back with a perfect 100% score. That suggests that every fabricator can improve their business simply by taking a step back and thinking about whether the various fasteners used throughout window and door construction are the best ones for the job.

"Fasteners may look like small commodity products, but their importance should not be overlooked. They are engineered components that have been designed to complement today's advanced window and door materials, and help deliver on performance goals, production processes and the highest health and safety standards."

In addition to its Fastener Health Check programme, Rapierstar offers a wide range of technical guidance to fabricators and installers, including free to download Recommended Fixing Manuals (RFMs), which have been compiled in cooperation with the leading PVC-U and aluminium profile systems. Its fastener specialists also work closely with fabricators, hardware suppliers and systems manufacturers to develop bespoke solutions and advise on the specification for fasteners required to pass specific safety, security and performance tests.

www.rapierstar.com