Channelglaze

Amazing Glazing

From thermal breaks to prevent condensation to durable coatings that look great, there’s more to windows and portholes than just providing a view outside. Matt and Dave Pearson from boat-window manufacturer Channelglaze take us through the important considerations.

What’s in a window?
You could be forgiven for thinking that boat windows are simply panes of glass but nothing could be further from the truth. “We’ve been producing canal-boat windows since the late 1970s and the technology involved in the process has come on a little in that time,” smiles company director Dave Pearson who runs the family business with his brother and fellow director, Matt.

Leisure-boating pioneers Channelglaze founders John and Janet Pearson are widely regarded as pioneers of the leisure-boating industry. Launched 45 years ago, the business originally operated from a small facility near Alvechurch Marina. The company grew rapidly and eventually moved to a much larger purpose-built facility in Moseley, Birmingham. Brothers Matt and Dave joined the family business and eventually became directors after the passing of their father John and, later, the retirement of their mother Janet. Many in the industry will certainly remember John and Janet Pearson.

So, if there’s more to windows than simply what meets the eye, what else is there to know? “If you’re installing boat windows then there are three things to consider,” says Dave.

The mother of all invention
“It’s become a bit of a buzzword in our industry,” says Matt. “But I think it needs explaining properly because there’s a lot of misunderstanding going on out there.” The quick and easy definition is that a thermal-break window creates an insulated threshold between the warm inside of the boat and the cold outside, and this is achieved through the window frame’s innovative construction. But, according to Dave, not all thermal-break windows on the market hit the mark.

“There are plenty of frames out there that claim to have thermal-break capabilities but most tend to fall short in one way or another,” says Matt. “Some don’t effectively create a sufficient threshold between the hot inside and the cold outside, allowing hot air to contact the window frame’s cold metal. And, predictably, this creates condensation and a less energy-efficient window.

“Others only achieve the thermal break on part of the frame. The fixed outer frame will have a good thermal break installed, but often the moveable inner frame doesn’t, which again will allow condensation to form.

“And, finally, some frames will allow condensation to build up and run off inside the boat, causing damp and damage behind the scenes where you can’t see it – until it’s too late.”

Are Channelglaze thermal-break windows completely condensation free? “Pretty much, yes,” says Dave. “Every boat is different, so we would never guarantee zero condensation. But, even during the very worst winter weather, you should only ever see a tiny bead or two inside the boat if you have thermal-break windows. The technology and manufacturing standards need to be understood and adhered to if the frames are to perform well, and some products fall seriously short. I don’t know if the principles of the thermal break haven’t been properly understood or the manufacturers have cut corners, but the painters, boat-builders and boatyards who install these products should know what they’re supplying and fitting. We’re more than happy to spend time demonstrating the differences to those businesses that want to get it right.”

Asking the right question
If you want to ensure you’re getting an efficient thermal-break window frame, there’s one point you should query:

“Ask if both parts of the frame, the main frame and the moveable inner frame, are equipped with thermal-break technology,” says Dave. “If not, then it’s not a true thermal-break product.”

2. Flexible fitting
While this is more about fitting the windows than it is about the manufacturing process, it’s a vital consideration if you want the windows to be watertight. “Even professional painters and boatyards often get this bit wrong,” says Dave. “And we’re regularly called upon to put it right when the windows inevitably leak.”

The culprit is almost always caused by fitters using foam tape: an adhesive material that will eventually become brittle and fail. “Using foam tape is just asking for trouble,” says Matt. “We simply don’t understand why this stuff is used so often because it’s completely unsuitable. Please, just stop using it!”

Instead, Matt recommends that windows are fitted using two flexible seals: a butyl sealant strip which never goes hard, followed by a capping bead of marine grade silicone. “Fitting windows with butyl tape isn’t difficult,” says Matt. “A competent DIYer can do it. However, there is a bit of skill required when you are cap-beading with silicone if you want to make a good, tidy job.” 

3. Frame coating
“Almost all of our frames are now ceramic coated,” explains Dave. And for good reason too, it seems. “Not only does ceramic give the owner more frame colours to choose from, but it’s also far more hardwearing and resilient. It’ll look good and last longer than anodised or powder-coated frames.”

While Channelglaze does still offer an anodised frame in the traditional gold or silver options, the company no longer offers powder-coated finishes. “The powder-coating process needs heat above 180 degrees,” explains Matt. “But anything over 100 degrees will melt the polyamide strip that is an integral part of the thermal-break technology. If your thermal-break window frame is powder coated, its thermal-break properties have likely been damaged and probably aren’t what they should be.” 

Matching fittings
Channelglaze will even ceramic-coat brass fittings such as mushroom vents, brass portholes and tillers, making them the same colour as the boat’s ceramic-coated window frames.

“We encourage boat-builders and painters to recommend the ceramic option to their customers at the design stage because these frames outperform anodised frames in every department,” says Dave. “While they might cost a little more upfront, they’ll outlive and outperform all other finishes and eventually provide much better value.”

Cost comparison
Dave is quite candid when asked about the cost comparison between Channelglaze products and other frames available on the market. “Yes, the client will pay a little more for our product,” admits Dave. “It’s difficult to make a direct, like-for-like comparison because the products we’re comparing aren’t the same, but it’s about 15% to 20% more. But you’ll get truly effective thermal-break frames that all but eliminate condensation, and a finish that lasts and looks good for a lifetime.”

Aftercare
And then there’s the Channelglaze aftercare service. “In over 20 years we’ve had no more than a handful of customers come back to us with problems or leaks after our frames have been fitted,” says Matt proudly. “And those few we have seen have been dealt with and rectified. We don’t like to leave a problem unsolved. We want to get to the bottom of it and get it sorted asap.”

Making the sale at Crick
After speaking with Matt and Dave, it’s clear how much technology is involved in the manufacture and efficacy of Channelgaze’s thermal-break frames. “This is why we do so much business at the Crick Boat Show,” smiles Dave. “When we get the opportunity to speak with potential customers face-to-face and show them exactly what the product does, then we almost invariably make a confident sale.” 

Trade favourites
Channelglaze works with a wide variety of the industry’s leading boat-builders, including Braidbar, Perrydale, Colecraft, Aqua, Boating Leisure Services, Grand Union Narrowboats, and JD Boat Services, plus renowned boat-painters such as John Barnard, Sally Tooze, Tol and Linda, Dave Bishop and Andy Russell.”

Find out more
Channelglaze

channelglaze.com

0121 706 5777

enquiries@channelglaze.com