High
Weald Demand High Quality
Piper Windows has been working in association with High Weald Housing
Association since an initial project in July 1996. This contract, for
the Showfields Estate in South Tunbridge Wells, included the installation
of PVCu windows, doors, soffits, fascias and rainwater goods. The estate
was an assortment of over 200 properties, including four and five storey
flats and houses, with a total contract value in excess of £540,000,
and the work was completed well within the 16-week contract period.
Les Roberts of Pipers stated that 'Since the initial contract, we have
successfully completed a further four, with a total value of well over
£2 million. During this time we have established an effective partnership
with both High Weald and their tenants".
George
Bishop, High Weald’s Building Surveyor in charge of most of the projects,
said 'The varied construction of the properties, some of them dating back
to the late 1880s, presented design challenges, but by working in close
co-operation with Piper’s we were able to resolve any design and
construction problems.'
Using their own in-house facilities, Piper Windows are able to offer speedy
detailed CAD drawing solutions to any construction problems. This system
transmits information direct to the factory floor and on to the Installation
Managers.
'Recent investment in the manufacturing plant has enabled us to cut manufacturing
costs, with the price benefits being passed on to our customers' said
Neil Piper, the Managing Director of the Piper Group.
Neil went on to say that 'Our Company’s past experience in general
building has been a major factor in our ability to undertake even the
most complex window replacement projects, and to produce a quality installation
on time and within costs. Even with the most advanced manufacturing plant
producing the best window available, installation still remains the prime
factor by which our performance is measured.
Our
Site Supervisors and installation teams are fully aware that they are
working in other peoples homes and at all times they must respect this
fact. Programming and the keeping of agreed installation dates are major
factors in keeping the goodwill of the tenants and client'.
High Weald appreciates the fact that Pipers are committed to Quality Control,
and hold BS EN ISO 9002 for both the manufacture and installation of windows
and doors. These standards are maintained through regular BSI audits and
inspections. Les Roberts comments: "It is because of the quality
of the products and installation that our customers have absolute confidence
in us".
'At any one time Pipers can have over 30 contracts in progress, with individual
values ranging from £100,000 to in excess of £1million. With
this level of activity, is it vital that meticulous scheduling and sophisticated
work planning programmes are employed.' Les continues.
'Piper Windows has an on-going programme of Research and Development covering
all aspects of its operations. This enables the customer to obtain the
very best that is available, and is partly driven by the high demand for
ever-increasing levels of security.
'Pipers are responding to the challenge with our own high-performance
range of composite doors for Front, Rear and Shed applications. Construction
of the new production facility is nearly complete, and full-scale production
is scheduled to commence in April. This increases Pipers total manufacturing
factory area by almost 100 per cent in only two years.'
Tel: 01843 850500
Email: mailto:piper@piperwindows.co.uk
Web: http://www.piperwindows.com
Luxury
Views at Clacton by CWG
A former Hotel in Surrey Court on the coast of Clacton-on-Sea has been
converted by CWG's installer customer Paul's Plastics of Holland-on-Sea
in Essex. A total of 60 frames fabricated from Shield 70mm profiles were
used during the conversion to complete seven luxury sea view apartments.
Originally
constructed in the early 1900 the building included all the characteristics
of an Edwardian structure together with sliding sash windows. As explained
by Paul Redgrave of Paul's Plastics: 'The building needed a face lift
to bring it into the 22nd century, whilst retaining its overall contemporary
look. We decided to keep the existing box sash frames in the bay windows,
so each frame had to be carefully designed to comply with the appearance
of the original openings. Using Georgian bars in the top of each frame
and plain glass to the bottom, we were able to give the appearance of
a sliding sash window, and this design was carried on throughout the building.'
A significant feature of the building is a large projecting bay window
on all three floors topped with a large triangular frame fronting a penthouse
suite in the roof space; designed to maximise coastal views.
As Paul continued: 'Being a regular customer of CWG we knew we could rely
on them to help with the project with top-quality support, regular lead
times and unfailingly helpful liaisons with their Eastern Area Sales Manager,
John Sharpe.'
In co-operation with CWG support Paul's Plastics has recently completed
a number of projects in Clacton-on-Sea including the supply of all windows
and doors to the conversion of a former Convent and a Girl's School Dormitory.
Contact: Jason Wilder
Tel : 01536 409100
Email : mailto:info@cwg-uk.com
Web : http://www.cwg-uk.com
Kawneer
and Pendant Curtain Wall for Carey Jones
Kawneer and Pendant Aluminium Ltd have completed a major contract to value
engineer and install the complex curtain wall facade for a new speculative
office building at 01 Park Lane, Leeds.
Carey
Jones Architects Ltd originally designed the building and secured planning
permission in 1997 for developer Bishopswood Properties Ltd, part of Haslemere
Estates. In the summer of 2000, it was considered the correct time to
develop the office on a speculative basis and this commenced after negotiating
a contract with Balfour Beatty Construction.
Carey Jones' original design concept was for a sophisticated, predominantly
floor to ceiling glazed building that incorporated a substantial amount
of bolted glazing. However, this design was revised in 2000 in line with
the client's preferences. The completed building features Kawneer's project
specific 1612 curtain walling, using two differing glazing methods. The
main entrance and two end bays of the building have a completely flush
appearance, which has been achieved through the use of structural silicone
glazing. Pressure plates overlaid with decorative metal caps have been
used to seal the rest of the curtain walling on the building.
Seven floors of the ten-storey structure each have two panels of vision
glass, one panel of non-vision glass and one aluminium spandrel panel.
The remaining floors are constructed from block and cladding. By reducing
the amount of solar control
glass required it was possible to value engineer an acceptable solution.
Balfour Beatty and Pendant investigated numerous types of panels for the
spandrel areas and different configurations of glass thickness for various
levels of sound control. The elevations facing Leeds' busy inner city
ring road needed a specific sound control provision.
Design development was aIso mindful of the imagery originally presented
to Leeds City Council's Planning Department. The Department's support
was sought for all aspects of facade development.
Other complexities arose by virtue of the fact that the building inherited
the structural frame that had been designed for the original building.
The 1612 system offered by Kawneer and Pendant produced sufficient flexibility
to clad this 'given' structural solution.
With limited access to the individual elevations, installation of the
facade was highly
complicated and impossible to achieve using scaffolding. Pendant completed
the
process using temporary cradles supported from the higher floors.
The aluminium elements have a silver polyester powder coat finish. The
glass specification common to both the structural silicone glazing and
the traditional pressure plate and cap glazing provides a combination
of natural daylight, a low 'U' value, an effective shading coefficient
and significant noise reduction.
The project was completed at the end of 2001.
Tel: 01928 502500
Email: mailto:kuk.kawneer@alcoa.com
Web: http://www.kawneereurope.com
Vetrotech
Saint-Gobain Glass in Chinese Crystal Palace
A landmark cultural building in China, designed to resemble a transparent
crystal palace, has been completed using specialist fire-resisting glass.
The
new Shanghai Opera House, built at a cost of US $120 million, incorporates
over 600 square metres of Pyroswiss Plus, made by Vetrotech Saint-Gobain,
to protect staircase areas in the event of fire.
Pyroswiss Plus was chosen because of its clear optical qualities, which
matched perfectly with the non-fire rated glazing on the remainder of
the building - also installed with Saint-Gobain's Diamant Extra Clear
Glass in a point-fixed glazing system.
Vetrotech Saint-Gobain's range of glasses give architects and specifiers
an expanding range of options, allowing glass to be used in new fire safety
applications where both function and aesthetics are important.
The Shanghai Opera House. the brainchild of former Chinese Premier Zhou
Enlai,
was designed by French architects following an international design competition
-
with the finished 35,000 sq ft structure weighing almost the same as the
Eiffel Tower.
The importance of matching optical quality was a key consideration in
the aschitectural specification, with the building being designed to resemble
a transparent
crystal palace - a modern style, but incorporating the soul of Chinese
architecture.
The glass Opera House, which employs some 400 staff, consists of a 2,000-seat
auditorium, multi-purpose areas, foyers, restaurants, administrative offices,
workshops and a retail arcade.
Pyroswiss Plus claims to provide up to 90 minutes of fire resistance and
can be supplied in large panel sizes of over three square metres. The
glass is tested in the UK to BS 476 Part 22 from 30 to 90 minutes integrity.
The Shanghai Opera House project is part of a larger strategy to restore
Shanghai to its historical place as the architectural and cultural capital
of Asia.
'The design brief called for a crystal impression - a building that would
capture the light. That required a specialist glass and we successfully
worked with the design team to produce a cost-effective glass solution,'
said David Clarkson, managing director of Vetrotech Saint-Gobain UK, who
led the project.
Contact Grant Smith or Paula Garwood
Tel: 0113 239 1500
Email: mailto:infovsguk@vetrotech.co.uk
Web: http://www.vetrotech.com
W40
Steel Replaces Aluminium Windows
Steel
Window Association member Rea Metal Windows has completed a contract for
the removal of existing windows and replacement with W40 steel windows
including the provision of pressed steel mullion and sills, on a Liverpool
landmark.
The early 1960s university building had aluminium vertically pivoted double
glazed windows, many of which would not open and were the cause of water
penetration through the cleated corners of the framing.
The new developer selected W40 because of the durability of steel windows
on other contracts, the benefits of welded corners and the capacity to
accommodate 16mm air gaps in the sealed glass units.
A new edition of the SWA's Specifiers Guide to Steel Windows, including
the W40 range, is available from Steel Window Association, The Building
Centre, 26 Store Street, London, WClE 7BT.
Tel: 020 7637 3571
Email: mailto:info@steel-window-association.co.uk.
Web: http://www.steel-window-association.co.uk
ALUMINIUM
PATENT GLAZING SYSTEM FOR SHEFFIELD STATION
A contract to refurbish a rail station in Sheffield has featured some
10,000 metres of extruded aluminium from Hydro Aluminium Extrusion (HAE).
HAE supplied the extrusions to The Standard Patent Glazing Company, who
are a well-established company based in West Yorkshire. Founded in 1902,
they specialise exclusively in Patent Glazing systems and have carried
out several prestigious projects including Buckingham Palace and Windsor
Castle.
At
Sheffield Midland Station, The Standard Patent Company designed, supplied
and installed a roof patent glazing system that covers the entire frontage
of the station and provides shelter to the travelling public, taxi rank,
retail outlets and short term parking.
Beyond the frontage is a concourse, which is also protected by the roof
glazing system.
The 10,000 linear metres of Hydro's extrusions have been used in the roof
glazing system with extruded aluminium glazing bars securing the glass
and double glazed units of the roof area.
Aluminium is chosen because of its lightweight and slender sightlines
that allow the traditional appearance of the glazing system to be maintained.
Aluminium's high strength to weight ratio and minimal maintenance requirements
are also advantageous to patent glazing systems which are often installed
in new build or refurbishment applications, to last the lifetime of the
building.
Patent Glazing is a self-draining system of dry glazing which does not
rely on external sealing for its water tightness. When installed in roof
areas this system can provide natural ventilation and if used with modern
glasses and infills, the internal environment can be readily controlled.
Patent Glazing systems are extensively found in shopping malls, retail
outlets and conservatories.
The Standard Patent Glazing Company have undertaken a number of projects
involving the refurbishment of Railtrack stations, these include York
Station, Manchester Victoria Station and Paddington Station, London.
Mike Williamson, Contracts Manager at The Standard Patent Glazing Company
commented -"Our company has maintained a strong working relationship
with Hydro Aluminium Extrusion for the last 40 years. Their service, quality
and assistance have always been both excellent and accessible".
Radlett
Refurbishment Reflects Replication Potential of Steel Windows
Modern standards of performance coupled with an appearance very close
to that of the original fenestration have been achieved with the windows
provided by a member of the Steel Window Association for the refurbishment
of a very large private residence in Radlett, Hertfordshire.
The
work on the 1920s property, built employing many reclaimed materials,
has involved London-based Steel Window Supplies. The contract was for
the manufacture and installation of more than a 100 units. All have been
fabricated using the EB Series rolled steel sections which offer the closest
possible match for the old style puttied in panes, but featuring double
glazing retained by a bead.
Not only were the windows used to replace old corroded frames within the
elevations to the property, but also to contribute to the sympathetic
addition of a new wing, which has added extra bedrooms and living rooms.
The 14 mm IG units throughout have had chemically blackened lead cames
soldered on both sides of the glass to produce an aged appearance.
Mr Lawrence Beck, RICS, led the project for the Aspect Property Group.
He comments: 'We researched the market thoroughly to ascertain what could
be achieved in terms of improving the energy and sound performance as
well as the security of the windows, while still maintaining the original
style.
'Basically Steel Window Services showed itself willing to not only supply
frames fabricated from EB series profiles, but with the particular type
of handles and lead finishing to make it iook totally authentic. I think
we have gone as far as you can in having a traditional frame with double
glazing and meeting other performance criteria.'
The ironmongery on the windows includes ornate handle sets featuring shaped,
cast back plates. Many of the hot dip galvanized frames, which were factory
finished in a black polyester powder coat, were bolted together on site
to form composites installed in openings up to four metres wide.
The comprehensive Specifiers Guide to Steel Windows is available from
the Steel Window Association, The Building Centre, 26 Store Street, London,
WC1E 7BT.
Tel: 020 7637 3571
E-mail: mailto:info@steel-window-association.co.uk
Web: http://www.steelwindows.co.uk.
Pacific
Design Center Selects Glaspro for Custom Glass
Glaspro Inc., the West Coast designer and manufacturer of custom-design
architectural glass, was recently selected to manufacture over 50, eight-foot
tall, bent, laminated glass panels for interior columns at the Pacific
Design Center in West Hollywood, California.
As part of the Pacific Design Center's major renovation project, Glaspro
is creating bent, laminated glass panels to be wrapped around the interior
columns of the Design Center's Blue Building and Green Building.
The retrofitted columns feature custom-design 70 by 96-inch, luminescent
panels
designed in a circle shape that conceals a light source to provide ambient
and low-level lighting. The eight-foot tall panels are very large panels
to be fabricated with such a tight radius around the columns. The glowing
columns will be topped with capitals of acoustical material banded in
steel, adding much-needed sound absorption.
Los Angeles-based Columbia Fabricating is designing the framework and
channels to support the custom-design glass panels. Columbia Fabricating
is also responsible for the construction of the retrofitted columns and
the installation of the glass panels.
Joseph S. Green, president of Glaspro Inc. said, 'Our work, in association
with Columbia Fabricating, fits the overall concept of the renovation
to maintain the integrity of architect Cesar Pelli's original design while
addressing issues of warmth, acoustics and lighting. By wrapping the lighted
columns with huge half-circles of laminated, bent glass we have done our
part in helping the Design Center achieve a completely new look and feel.'
Glaspro Inc. was founded as a regional manufacturer of bent glass for
residential and commercial applications. Glaspro claims to have grown
to become the West Coast's most predominant architectural glass manufacturer
with a wide selection of products to meet the needs and exceed expectations
of its customers worldwide. Glaspro is a recognized leader in glass laminating,
bending, insulating, colourising, tempering, and fritting. Glaspro has
completed projects for notable clients such as Guggenheim Las Vegas, Nordstrom,
San Francisco Moscone Center, San Francisco International Airport, Pixar
Studios, Getty Trust, Western Digital, First Interstate Tower Honolulu,
Disneyland, Cheesecake Factory, Beverly Hilton, and EDS Corporate Headquarters.
More information about Glaspro may be found at
http://www.glas-pro.com.
Contact Joseph Green, (800) 776-2368
Email: mailto:glasproinc@aol.com
Hallmark
and Finesse Provide a Source of Inspiration
A husband and wife who are both art teachers realised that a conservatory
added to their period cottage would be an ideal way of providing space
and light for their private art classes, and called Carlisle-based Finesse
Windows in to quote.
However, when Finesse looked closely at the property they found that the
eves of the 18th century cottage were so low, a conventional roof could
not be fitted. Finesse' surveyors decided that the only way to overcome
the problem was to install a roof that was self-supporting and, after
considerable research, contacted Hull-based Laminated Supplies, part of
the Hallmark Group.
Laminated Supplies has been producing composite panels for a wide range
of applications for almost 21 years and quickly came up with a solution.
Working closely with Finesse the company produced a roof for the 4-metre
x 3-metre structure using GRP skins bonded around a high-density foam
core. This met the structural requirements for the installation, including
snow and wind-loading calculations, whilst also providing thermal insulation.
Ian Milburn of Finesse Windows commented: 'The owners are very pleased
with the conservatory and it provides a source of inspiration for students
who feel they are working in the garden whatever the weather!'
Tel: 01482 703222
Email: mailto:info@hallmark-panels.com
Web: http://www.hallmark-panels.com
Diamond
Service for Luxury Homes
PVCu doors and windows, fabricated and installed by NBW from the Duraflex
Diamond Suite, have provided a solution for an exclusive Banner Homes
development in Hertfordshire. Recently completed, Wildacre in Northwood
consists of six detached executive homes, all designed and built to an
exceptionally high standard.
Classic side hung casement windows from the Duraflex bevelled profile
range were chosen to complement the traditional style of the luxury five
bedroom properties. Specified in a brilliant white finish, the externally
beaded frames were fabricated with a Scotia glazing bead and fixed sashes
to direct glazed areas to ensure continuous sight lines. An offset cottage
cross design, together with 18mm Georgian Bars applied both inside and
out complete the windows' period look. The installation also involved
fitting hanging bays at first floor level on tile with 1350 splay bays,
a complex feature requiring several visits to site by NBW's team for accurate
measuring and fitting.
In addition to more than 150 windows, NBW manufactured and fitted 30 French
doors and residential rear doors, also from the Duraflex Bevelled Suite
and all with Georgian Bars to match the windows. Adding further value
and style, each house has an integral Victorian-style garden room using
co-ordinating PVCu doors and windows from the Diamond Suite.Geoff Doran,
Sales Director of new build specialists, NBW comments: 'Quality and reliability
both in terms of product and workmanship are essential in the new build
sector, and particularly for luxury developments like Wildacre. Together
with Duraflex, NBW is able to meet those demands and deliver a premium
service for all the housebuilders with whom we work.'
Contact: Neil Roberts
Tel: 08705 351351
Email: mailto:duraflex-info@cdw.co.uk
Web: http://www.duraflex.co.uk
SCI
Products Gives Commercial Premises the Whiteline Treatment
'Goldline PVCu replacement frames are not just for the domestic replacement
window market' says Ken Blackburn of SCI Products.
SCI
Products Limited, based in Morden, Surrey, is known for its work in the
market for domestic replacement windows, winning new business on the recommendation
of existing customers. However, the company also undertakes a number of
commercial contracts, most recently for Wimbledon based property managing
agents, Cotton Thompson Cole.
PVCu replacement windows predominate in the domestic sector and SCI sources
its frames from the Whiteline Group on an exclusive basis, specifying
Goldline unglazed products. The range is now increasingly specified for
certain types of commercial work and last Autumn, in a contract for Cotton
Thompson Cole, SCI installed Goldline frames at their offices in Wimbledon,
replacing aluminium vertical sliders.
A total of 36 windows and four large bays were installed, with the whole
job being completed over two Saturdays to avoid disruption to office staff.
To ensure the job was completed on schedule, SCI's Ken Blackburn had all
his installation teams working at the offices. Starting at 7.00am they
completed the job well within the time frame and had plenty of time to
tidy up, leaving nothing for the contract cleaners employed by Cotton
Thompson Cole to do!
Commenting on the growth of SCI's commercial business, Ken Blackburn said:
'We like to concentrate on what we do best and this is reflected in the
way we do business. We have never advertised, work comes to us through
word of mouth from satisfied customers. We have an established reputation
in domestic replacement windows, and this is now filtering through to
the commercial sector. Currently just under 10% of our business is in
this sector and we have a number of projects currently 'in the pipeline.
'Our philosophy of playing to our strengths extends to other aspects of
the business. We have never gone into fabrication, preferring to source
frames from specialist trade fabricators. We have worked exclusively with
the Whiteline Group for 18 months, the Goldline brand is well known and
respected, and the company has a reputation for quality and reliability.'
Covering Surrey, Sussex and part of south London, SCI has been in existence
for 23 years. It was acquired by Ken Blackburn in 2000 when the founding
partners decided to sell out. Focused exclusively on the replacement window
business, the company operates three teams of installers, a service engineer
and two office staff.
The Whiteline Group was founded in 1984 and has been based in Eastbourne
for the last 18 years.
Contact: Peter Hand
Tel: 01323 723724
Email: mailto:sales@whiteline.ndo.co.uk
Web: http://www.whitelinewindows.com
Partnership
Enhances Character
When Peter and Lisa Popavitch decided to create additional playing and
dining space at their 19th century cottage in Staffordshire, they tumed
to a local partnership to realise their dream in keeping with the character
of their home.
The
couple wanted a conservatory to function as a combined dining room and
play room, acting as an aesthetic link between the cottage's kitchen and
large front garden. In addition, they wanted to enhance the existing building,
which is undergoing a programme of renovation, reinstating the original
character of the home.
Conservatory roof fabricator Cheshire Roof Tech worked in partnership
with Premier Windows and Conservatories, both family run businesses, to
design and install a Victorian-style conservatory measuring 5m x 3.5m
in a combination ofgolden oak frames complimented by bronze polycarbonate
in the roof.
The design of the conservatory was influenced by both the requirements
of the Popavitchs and the double-fronted cottage.
There was a need to incorporate significant headroom in the conservatory
to accomodate a full-sized pine dresser, and for ample natural light to
enter. The solution was to top the existing brick wall with windows, before
instaIling the roof.
The complexity of the design and potential installation complications
were overcome using Aztec Conservatory Roof System's roof system.
Cheshire Roof Tech designed the roof system, and delivered the complete
roof ready assembled with all ancillary components to site, for Premier
Windows and Conservatories to lift into place.
Commented Lisa Popavitch, 'We were very pleased with the service from
Cheshire Roof Tech and Premier. We felt comfortable working with them,
as they are both family run businesses. The installation went smoothly
and quickly, and within days the conservatory was furnished and in use,
giving the whole family much needed extra space.'
Contact: Colin Bennett
Tel: 01942 720044
Email: mailto:enquiries@aztecsystems.co.uk
Web: http://www.aztecsystems.co.uk
