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Steel
Windows for Harrods Depository
Steel
Window Association member, West Leigh Ltd,
has supplied and installed more than 250 windows at the former Harrods
Depository building in Knightsbridge.
The contract, which was awarded by John Mowlem & Co plc, concerns
the listed Trevor Square elevation of the building which is being converted
into high quality apartments and penthouses by Mowlem Building.
As a specialist in replica refurbishment, West Leigh fabricated the frames
from steel W20 sections, featuring both fixed and vertically pivoting
opening lights. While the majority of the windows are rectangular in shape
and 2.5 metres tall, those at the lower level feature semi-circular arch
heads.
The windows feature high performance IG units, containing low emissivity
coating, and their galvanized treatment and factory applied polyester
powder coat finish will ensure a low maintenance for a long period of
time.
Protecting
Against Grime from the Sky
Jet
fuel from aircraft using neighbouring Luton Airport has been adding to
the usual railway residue from diesel trains making the glass at Thameslink’s
Luton Airport Parkway station extremely dirty. A solution has been found
with the ClearShield system from surface protection specialists Ritec,
which not only renovates the glass but also ensures it resists staining
and is much easier to clean in the future.
Nearly
all the glass at the station has been treated, including the platform
shelters and a glass canopy over the entrance. The glass had not been
cleaned since the opening of the station about five years ago, resulting
in significant build-up of contamination on the glass surface. Therefore,
the first stage of the ClearShield system was required to renovate the
glass to its original ‘as-new’ condition.
The second stage of the process was the application of ClearShield Glass
Protect to provide surface protection from damage caused by weathering
and contamination. While new glass is bright and sparkling, easy to see
through and to keep clean, environmental conditions, as well as brake
dust from trains and emissions from planes landing and taking off nearby,
mean unprotected glass easily becomes stained and discoloured, difficult
to see through and hard to clean.
Keith Jipps, Head of Retail for Thameslink Rail which runs the station,
points out that the station has considerable amounts of glass, including
the glass fascia, plus a glazed footbridge and shelters. ‘The glazing
was difficult to keep clean – regular window cleaning was not effective
and was costly. We needed something that kept glass cleaner longer and,
if needed, made the cleaning easier to do.’
New
ClearShield Glass Protect converts high maintenance unprotected glass
to Low-M (Low Maintenance) Glass®. The improved formulation is based
on the company’s proven polymer technology, and provides an even
higher resistance to corrosion and staining for easier, less frequent
cleaning without the need for harsh chemicals. The benefits of ClearShield
therefore reduce Thameslink’s maintenance costs. A simple and environmentally
responsible aftercare programme is the final stage of the ClearShield
system, designed to keep the glass performing like new for life.
Stephen Byers, Ritec’s Managing Director, says, ‘Luton Airport
Parkway station is a good example of a site that can reap the benefits
of ClearShield. There is a lot of glass, and a great deal of potential
contamination. We were able to renovate and protect nearly all the glass
at the station, and as Low M Glass®, cleaning and maintenance will
be much easier in the future – no matter what adverse conditions
there are. Thameslink is extremely pleased with the results, and the brighter,
cleaner station offers a much more attractive welcome to passengers who
have flown into Luton Airport. This image is down to ClearShield and the
resulting Low M Glass®.’
Keith Jipps adds that Ritec faced the problem of cleaning the glass and
applying the surface protection during the day at a busy airport interchange
station, and having to work over the tracks to clean the glazed footbridge.
‘We have enjoyed a good relationship with Ritec. They are a very
customer-focused company and adapt to our needs. I would recommend Ritec
to anyone.’
ClearShield Glass Protect is a good solution for any site where glass
suffers from the environment, as it prevents staining, is easier to clean
and keeps glass looking like new.
In another project for Thameslink, platform shelter glass damaged by vandals
or by the elements on its Wimbledon Loop Line is now being repaired and
maintained by Ritec with its innovative ScratchMask glass resurfacing
and protection system. Ritec’s ScratchMask is applied to repair glass
that has been scratched maliciously, and offers a cost-effective alternative
to glass replacement or deep polishing.
Tel: 020 8344 8210
Web: http://www.ritec.co.uk
Heritage
Glass Completes Ellesmere College Project
Heritage
Glass Group
has completed a large commercial project for a prestigious Shropshire
school, a project that took the month of August to complete. Ellesmere
College appointed Heritage Glass Group to carry out the work as part of
a major renovation for the school, which saw the modernisation of Hobson
Science Building, ready for the new school year.
The Shrewsbury-based glazing company was responsible for the complete
installation of over 60 new double glazed windows, and used commerling
connoisseur sections, K glass and special high security pinser lockings
for all windows, which provided a great challenge for the company.
(Left
to right) Dr. Ranjit Chatterjee, Head of Biology, David Randall, Managing
Director of Heritage Glass, Dr. Tim Gareh, Head of Chemistry and Alan
Mansais, Clerk of Works.
‘Working
on this project gave us an ideal opportunity to show that we can handle
large commercial projects as well as smaller domestic ones, and I think
that this is a great feature of our company and a testament to the people
we have working here,’ says David Randall, Managing Director of Heritage
Glass Group.
‘The project at Ellesmere College went very well, and everything
ran as planned to the time schedule – something that had to be adhered
to as the building needed to be ready for the pupils to return this month.
It has also been an enjoyable contract to work on, and the team met the
challenge with enthusiasm.’
Mr. Mansais, Clerk of Works at Ellesmere College said, ‘I am very
pleased with the outcome of the building as a whole, and with the work
that Heritage Glass carried out. It was an important project for the school,
as we strive to provide excellent facilities for our students, and this
renovation further highlights that commitment.’
Heritage Glass Group has recently secured the DTI Quality Mark for 2004,
a government initiative that recognises professional tradesmen.
When
fabricators Insight Architectural Glazing
needed high performance aluminium glazing for a new office development
at Stone Hill Park in Castle Donnington, Derby, they called upon the expertise
of Senior Aluminium Systems (SAS).
The two-storey offices features extensive curtain walling from SAS’s
SCW range that creates the envelope. Polyester powder coated in navy blue,
the curtain wall was glazed using dual gaskets with blue tinted glass
used to aesthetic effect.
The slightly extended glazed entrance, which opens up the reception area
and showcases the curved staircase, incorporates manual swing doors from
SAS.
Designed
to give long term performance in high traffic areas, covering personnel
access, emergency escape, automatic entrance and showroom applications,
Senior doors systems have maximum resistance to wear with effective protection
against vandalism.
Established in 1999, Insight Architectural Glazing operates throughout
the UK, supplying, installing and glazing shopfronts, curtain walls, windows
and doors. Based in Nottingham, Insight has a vast amount of expertise
and experience in the design and execution of tailor made solutions in
the industry.
SAS aluminium glazing systems were chosen because they offer specifier
flexibility and cost effectiveness. Aluminium is strong, light, doesn’t
corrode, requires little maintenance, keeps its appearance over time and
is 100% recyclable.
Independently owned, Senior Aluminium Systems offers a one-stop aluminium
and powder coating service for the architectural aluminium glazing market.
Providing high performance glazing products with a responsive and personal
service, SAS operates from three service centres in Denaby Main, Newport
and Livingston.
Tel: 01709 772600
Sheerframe
sash windows have been used for a technically demanding window replacement
project on a Grade II listed school building.
A
balance needed to be struck between meeting the needs of the conservation
officers, and meeting the needs of the teachers and pupils at Hearsall
Community Primary School, Coventry. Conservation officers were keen to
replace like with like in order to preserve the period features of the
building, but the needs of the teachers and pupils were much more practical
in nature, and they put low maintenance and ease of operation high on
their list of priorities.
Head teacher, Ruth Winters, said, ‘After all the problems we have
had with our old windows I was very reluctant to replace them with timber.
Although I did appreciate that the character of the building should be
retained, I also wanted to ensure that the windows were easy to maintain,
secure and most importantly worked! I was very impressed with the way
the Sheerframe sashes looked, and now they are installed, the only difference
I can see is that they look much better.’
Aesthetics versus function was not the only challenge Cardiff based Sheerframe
fabricator Window World (Wales) Ltd faced in replacing the existing timber
sashes, which had over time become rotten, draughty and difficult to operate.
The high ceilings of the Victorian building meant that the window openings
were very large, creating a technical problem in producing a window of
such size, without compromising on strength, safety or security.
The versatility of the Sheerframe system and the technical ability of
the design team, allowed two large sliding sash windows to be joined together
with two large fixed lights to produce a window up to 2.4 metres by 2.8
metres in size. Special round windows nearly one metre across were also
installed.Haydn Evans, Window World (Wales) Ltd commented, ‘This
installation was a great challenge technically due to the large structures
and the strict guidelines set out by the conservation officers. By using
the Sheerframe VS with Georgian glazing bars and astragals, we have been
able to create windows which exactly replicated the original, preserving
the character of the building, as well as solving the problems faced by
the teachers and pupils associated with the failing timber windows.’
Tel: 01773 852311
Kent
Hospital gets the Beaufort Treatment
Black
aluminium windows from Beaufort Secure Design
have replaced timber frames as part of an upgrade programme at Orpington
Hospital in Kent. With their clean, neat styling, aluminium profiles were
considered ideal to help retain the building’s existing sightlines.
The £350,000 contract was awarded to Uxbridge-based fabricator and
installer Birchdale Glass – a specialist in new build and commercial
refurbishment.
Orpington
Hospital, which is part of Bromley Hospitals Trust, required high performance
replacement windows incorporating the latest solar control glazing to
ensure a comfortable environment for staff and patients. One of the project’s
key criteria was a frame that would match the original timber fenestration
as closely as possible. Beaufort’s aluminium top hung windows with
fixed lights in a continuous/ribbon style have provided a smart, low maintenance
solution. ‘The choice of aluminium and the particular style of window
from Beaufort’s comprehensive range, have met the Hospital’s
requirements perfectly,’ says Michael Deanus, Director of Birchdale
Glass.
Birchdale Glass fabricated the Hospital’s new windows using Beaufort’s
70mm direct fix system with a deep outer frame, which requires no sub-frame.
The new aluminium windows, chosen from Beaufort’s range of externally
or internally glazed products, feature an externally glazed Euro Vent,
together with restrictors as an additional security measure. Birchdale
Glass has also fitted the new windows with a range of state-of-the-art
glazing, including PIR insulated glass and 6mm screen-printed blackout
panels.
A highly durable black finish to match Orpington Hospital’s previous
windows was another specific requirement. Gleaming white, brown, silver,
black and black outside with white inside are among the standard colours
offered by Beaufort Secure Design, together with over 500 special colours
(subject to quantity and delivery). The gloss finish is resistant to the
pollution and grime that can discolour many other types of windows and
requires only minimal maintenance.
Birchdale Glass has enjoyed steady growth since it was formed in the early
1990s by Fred Deanus, who is now the Chairman. The company began as a
glazing contractor with just 10 employees and is now an established window
systems fabricator and structural glazing specialist with a staff of nearly
100. Birchdale began supplying the Beaufort aluminium system in 2003.
Michael Deanus comments, ‘We’re certainly seeing a growth in
demand for aluminium, not least because it’s recyclable, which is
key benefit over other materials, particularly for public sector projects.
And to maximise this market opportunity, we’re actively developing
our aluminium operation with the Beaufort system, which is well designed
and well-liked both by fabricators and specifiers.’
Tel: 01633 29 40 40
Web: http://www.beaufortsecure.co.uk
The
exacting specification of a prestigious riverside development near Kew
Gardens includes high performance PVCu doors and windows from the Duraflex
Diamond Suite. Kew Riverside by St James Homes (South Thames) Ltd consists
of luxury houses and apartments built to a stunning contemporary design
and using construction methods and materials to ensure high insulation
values.
Approximately
5,000 PVCu windows and French doors from the Duraflex range are being
supplied for the project, which is due for completion mid 2005. The development’s
modern architectural style incorporates large glazed sections and rotundas
to the corners of the apartments and new build specialist, NBW Ltd, is
undertaking fabrication and installation as part of a partnering agreement
with the developer. Indeed, NBW’s team was consulted at each stage
of the specification process and provided technical advice on the choice
of frame sizes and styles.
NBW have supplied most of the windows for the Kew Riverside properties
from Duraflex’s 65mm Bevelled profile in a Brilliant White finish
and with a
scotia glazing bead. The range of window styles include side hung and
top hung casements, together with some tilt and turn frames. Selected
windows also feature 20mm Georgian Bar detailing applied to both sides
of the sealed unit. ‘The architects specified a variety of different
fenestration designs and some specially configured frames, such as the
rotundas, which required a site survey to ensure a precise fit,’
explains Geoff Doran, NBW’s Sales Director. The French doors are
being manufactured from the 65mm Diamond Suite to complement the window
specification.
Established in 1997, NBW Ltd has built successful working partnerships
with many of the leading national and regional housebuilders, including
Persimmon, Berkeley and Taylor Woodrow. Geoff continues, ‘Our experienced
team is dedicated to servicing the new build industry and we work closely
with housebuilders on all aspects of a contract, including window style
and specification. In addition, the versatility of the Duraflex Diamond
Suite in terms of profile options and detailing enables us to satisfy
developers’ specific design requirements, whether traditional or
more modern, as at Kew Riverside.’
Tel: 08705 351351
Web: http://www.duraflex.co.uk
MW
Windows Completes Local Authority Work
Eurocell
fabricator MW windows Ltd has recently completed a number of high profile
contracts for Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council in Merseyside and
NPS Northwest Ltd (Wigan Council). In the Merseyside area St Marks RC
School in Halewood, Brookside CP School in Stocksbridge Village and four
schools in the Wigan area have been refurbished during the six week summer
holiday. All of the new windows have been manufactured using Eurocell’s
Ultimate 70mm Window System as well as complementary Eurocell Building
Plastics products.
In total over 230 timber and steel frames were removed and replaced with
PVCu windows, St Marks School also benefited from having a grid of curtain
walling installed, manufactured from the Eurocell Ultimate 70mm system.
‘This is again an excellent example of MW Windows work. MW also completed
the contracts during term time with little or no disruption to timetables,
which is testimony to their organisation.’ said Eric Gale, Eurocell
Commercial Manager.
Tel. 01773 842 100
Email: mailto:marketing@eurocell.co.uk
Web: http://www.eurocell.co.uk
Sheerframe
Creates A Room with A View
To
make the most of the stunning views across 700 acres of woodland, parkland
and a PGA tour-standard golf course, luxury house builder, Countryside
Properties, has installed a large number of Sheerframe
windows in each of its new homes in the Reedlands development in Wychwood
Park, Crewe.
Each of the four bed luxury family homes has up to 40 windows including
four sets of French door combination frames in order to take full advantage
of the views and to allow the maximum amount of light in. Many of the
houses also feature an extended dining room with 10 sq metres of glazing,
and a vaulted ceiling, creating an extra light and airy space.
Countryside Properties has only recently changed its specification of
windows from timber to PVC, and is now using Sheerframe System 6000 casements,
French doors and conservatories from systems company L.B. Plastics, and
high performance engineered timber front doors from Manse Masterdor ltd.
Local Sheerframe fabricator Crystal UPVC Window & Door Systems fabricated
and installed the windows and doors.
A Countryside Properties spokesperson, commented, ‘We recently switched
to PVC for reasons of speed of supply, cost, and maintenance issues. We
were very impressed with the quality of the Sheerframe conservatories
we used on one of our first PVC projects, so the windows were the obvious
choice for this development. Having specified timber for so long we were
concerned that PVC would not look as good, but are very impressed with
the quality and finish on the Sheerframe windows and think that it is
a very neat and tidy product.’
Contracts manager, at Crystal, David Thomas, said, ‘The large feature
windows add an extra wow factor to the homes and really make the most
of the views. In properties of such high quality it was important that
the windows not only looked good from the outset, but also remained looking
good for many years to come. Sheerframe windows have the traditional look
of timber without any of the associated maintenance problems.’
Tel: 01773 852311
Double
Vision for K2 Architectural Systems
K2
architectural systems has local residents 'seeing double' after the installation
of adjoining conservatories for two members of the same family in Waltham
Abbey, Essex.
Father
and son Clive and Edward Simpson, who live in a divided Georgian property,
approached K2 architectural systems to design and install the unusual
conservatories on their period homes. They wished to increase light and
space to their properties and provide extra room for entertaining guests
as well as maximising the views of the surrounding countryside.
The installation involved the fitting of two adjoining conservatories,
with a total floor area of 1000 sq ft including four lantern roofs and
eleven finials. The installation combined a K2 portal frame structure
with the K2 conservatory roof system fitted with Celsius performance glass.
Celsius is able to reflect 72% of solar energy, more than three times
the amount reflected by standard glass. In the winter Celsius also retains
50% more heat than standard glass, helping to keep the conservatory warm
and reduce heating costs.
As the house is situated on the side of a hill, the design was also able
to incorporate a separate room underneath one of the conservatories, linked
by a staircase to the room above.
Tim Burton of K2 architectural systems comments: 'We were very excited
to design and construct these conservatories. We faced several challenges,
including constructing this complicated bespoke installation with two
different floor levels, as well as ensuring the design of the conservatories
was in keeping with the customers specific design criteria and the period
nature of the property.'
Clive Simpson comments: 'We chose K2 architectural systems to manage this
entire project, as we were aware of their reputation for providing a bespoke
service on larger installations, from survey to design, manufacturing
and installation. We are delighted with the finished conservatories, which
will provide a whole new space for family parties, as well as stunning
views of the Essex countryside.'
Tel:
01204 554554
Email: mailto:enquiries@k2conservatories.com
Web: http://www.k2conservatories.com
Successful
Siegenia Formula Fits the Bill in Wandsworth
Tilt
and slide patio door hardware from UK manufacturer, Siegenia-Aubi
Ltd, has been installed as part of a £1/2 million refurbishment
project in Wandsworth.
The
project for Wandsworth Borough Council involved the replacement of over
600 windows and doors in a housing scheme within the London borough. Kent-based
commercial window specialist, Piper Windows, was responsible for the supply
and fit of the replacement windows and doors and selected Siegenia’s
high performance PSK Portal 160 patio door hardware for the job.
Formed in 1980, Piper Windows operates from two adjacent sites in Kent,
serving the new build and refurbishment sectors across the Midlands and
south east of England.
Says Piper’s Graham Winzar, ‘We’ve always used Siegenia-Aubi
gearing on tilt and slide patio doors and there was no reason to change
for this project. We have a long standing relationship with Siegenia,
the company’s products have been tried and tested in a range of our
installations over the years and have always delivered the high performance
we demand.’
Siegenia-Aubi’s high quality PSK Portal 160 hardware has been specifically
developed to suit sculptured or chamfered profiles and is equally suitable
for timber or PVCu patio doors.
Tel: 024 7662 2000
Email: mailto:si-uk@siegenia.com
Web: http://www.siegenia.de