Spilka has produced its 35,000,000 window hinge

Spilka has produced its 35,000,000 window hinge

A leading producer of hinges and system solutions for top hung fully reversible windows has celebrated its 35 millionth hinge to leave the factory in Aalesund Norway. The H window which Spilka created with its special hinge more than 50 years ago, is accepted as standard window type throughout the building industry. The espagnolette mechanism enables safe cleaning of the window above one storey in a building, and includes child safety locks for secure ventilation.

A good idea can often form the basis of an entire industry. This was certainly the case when in 1959 Norwegian inventor Harald Kvasnes produced the first prototype of a fully reversible hinge from his home in Vegsund, on the country's west coast. To help develop his ideas, Harald Kvasnes took his prototype to local businessman Egil Flakk and together they formed a partnership with Spilka, which revolutionised the Scandinavian window market.

Frank Fay, UK Sales Director Spilka says: “The potential of the hinge was recognised at once, and they developed a window around the hinge called Husmorvinduet, “the housewife"s window”, so-called because the clever cantilevered mechanism made it simple to operate and particularly easy to clean.”

Since 1959, when 200 windows were produced, some 35 million windows with the Spilka-hinge solution have been made and installed world-wide. One of the very first H windows to be manufactured can still be seen in use in Norway today confirming the quality of the product which has a very long service life.

Top hung fully reversible windows are most prominent in buildings in Scandinavia and the UK but they can be found as far away as Japan, Australia, Canada, and most of northern Europe. They are much in demand to help developers meet Building Regulations –making them easy and safe to clean from the first storey upwards.

Spilka today is the world’s leading producer of hinges and fittings for this type of window. The company is constantly developing its products for the market and spends more than 5% of annual turnover in R&D. It also tests products in- house for wind and water tightness, salt fog corrosion and heat/climate variations. The hinges are also tested for strength, deformation and wear and tear.

Spilka makes hinges for many of the major high performance timber window manufacturers. As well as hinges, other window and glazed door hardware manufactured includes hinges for side hung fully reversible windows, hinges for alu clad windows, aluminium trickle vents, solutions for timber sliding patio doors and espagnolettes, clip on glazing bars, profiles and jigs.

The original SPILKA Classic TM hinges are in the centre of a complete system solution used for production of top hung fully reversible windows. The system solution and/or hinges are most widely used on high performance timber windows in Scandinavia, but they are also used in the manufacture of aluminium clad timber windows, vinyl (PVCu) and GRP.

The handle in the bottom of the frame opens the window using an espagnolette system allowing secure ventilation. The hinge incorporates a child safety lock as standard - this limits the initial opening of the window to a maximum of 100mm and re engages when the sash reverses 180 degrees to allow the outside of the pane of glass to be cleaned. The window can do this without intruding into the room, therefore not interfering with blinds, curtains or ornaments on the interior. SPILKA has launched a new Spilka Classic TM HD hinge for frame weight up to 80Kg, to suit larger and heavier window applications.

Spilka prides itself on producing top quality products and being the leader in its field. Many of its client relationships go back at least thirty years demonstrating high satisfaction levels and confirming the longevity of the window hardware products. The company reports only 0.00006 factory-registered complaints - ie 6 in one million hinges.

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