Exterior charm

OZROLL INDUSTRIES

Jack McDonald, General Manager of Ozroll, says the company’s external shutter range has attracted strong demand in recent times, partly due to renewed focus on home life due to the pandemic, but also due to increased product knowledge.

“We’ve found the aluminium louvre market has grown consistently during the last 12 months, beyond that of overall market growth, and I believe that’s because consumers are becoming more aware of the product and what it can do. In the past we’ve seen a lot of promotion to engage sales, but end users are really starting to search for this product, primarily for high rise balcony enclosures, BBQ areas and courtyards.”

“You get a lot of situations where someone has our product installed and the first thing they do is invite friends round for some outdoor entertaining. The product sells itself, so the referral rate is huge.”

McDonald says Ozroll has been well positioned in the industry for a number of reasons.

“The diversity in our range makes us the right fit for almost any application. We can do wind ratings, we can do vertical blades, we can do glass infill panels, we can do triangular shapes. We have over 40 years’ experience working in the commercial space, so we can help with advice, CAD drawings or compliance approval to secure large projects.”

Typically Ozroll turns orders in standard colours around in four weeks, but can be as quick as two weeks in some instances, and the company can source over 150+ alternative colours or woodgrain finishes as POA (price on application.)

GUARDIAN SCREEN & SHUTTERS

“Guardian Screens is always focused on providing the highest quality products and outcomes for our clients,” says Grant Mills, Sales Manager and Co-Director of the Brisbane headquartered company. “Our systems and extrusions are forever evolving in their design to ultimately give the client the most functional and aesthetic finish.”

Guardian has just introduced a new ‘Z’ Frame to its Security Plantation Shutter System for both internal and external use. 

“Our External Shutter Tracking Systems has also evolved to suit different environments. Compensation at both the top and bottom is designed to suit uneven or unlevelled surfaces, with concealed fixings on our Top Track System,” says Mills.

“The new ‘Z’ Frame means you don’t have to have unsightly angle trims, or large sections of ‘gap filler’ around the outside of your perimeter frame when used in ‘out of square’ situations. It works well on brick or masonry reveals, providing an aesthetically pleasing architrave-style finish.”

Guardian Screens Smart Shutter System is the only Security tested and certified plantation shutter on the market. It meets AS5039, AS5040 & AS5041 standards.

When installed, the shutters provide as significant a barrier to intruders as Steel Bars or other Security Screening products, while also providing the added benefit of light control and privacy, and can also have removable fly screens fitted.

“We have designed the product to have many different configurations and layouts to suit clients’ requirements,” says Mills. “These include hinged shutters, sliding shutters, bi-folding shutters, as well as numerous other custom configurations. Guardian Screens can provide clients with an extremely functional and aesthetic outcome to suit just about every type of opening.”

Mills says the company is enthusiastic about promoting Smart Shutters to a wider market.

“Unfortunately a lot of people still don’t know that this kind of product exists. Installing Guardian Screens Smart Shutters to enclose a patio area creates a fully secure and bugproof outdoor living area that can be used all year round.”

“In Queensland, we spend most of our time enjoying our outdoor patio areas when entertaining family, friends and guests. This is normally limited to when weather is good. Our product solutions mean you can entertain and enjoy your outdoor living areas at any time of the year. Having the ability to control the light, weather and airflow also means you can protect your outdoor furniture from the elements.”

In terms of trends in colour and finish, “Plantation Shutters are predominantly provided in white,” the company says. “White is a great neutral colour that goes with any décor, and helps bounce light into the room, depending on how the blades are angled and set. We offer two standard colours; Satin White or Satin White Birch. We can also powder coat them in custom colours to clients’ requirements.”

Working from home has undoubtedly been a factor for this product category, the company says.

“The restrictions that have been in place since the pandemic started have certainly created some challenges. We have been able to provide clients with estimates or quotes based on information such as measurements and photos provided by them without the need to attend site.”

“We have had excellent Covid-safe plans in place to minimise risk to our clients and staff alike, for both site visits and installations. Our website contains a lot of information about our product, along with some great images to give clients an understanding of the outcomes we are able to produce for them.”

“Guardian Screens & Shutters are looking to increase our distributor network and we would invite anyone in the security screen or patio installation industry to make contact and see for themselves the great outcomes we can provide for our wholesalers and their clients.”