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Aluminium
Windows get Top Marks at School
High
performance aluminium windows supplied by Beaufort
Secure Design form part of the demanding specification for
a new sports hall and complex at Cheam School, one of the country’s
most exclusive prep schools. GPM Meridian Windows Ltd of Fareham has fabricated
and installed classic casement windows from Beaufort’s 70mm aluminium
system for the new facility.
Arguably the oldest boarding and day prep school in the UK, Cheam School
in Headley, Hampshire can include many distinguished names among its past
pupils, including Prince Charles. It was essential that plans for the
new sports hall were in keeping with the architectural style of the impressive
main school building, and that included the choice of fenestration design.
Aluminium was selected for its natural strength and rigidity combined
with slim sightlines, which give an elegant appearance to the finished
window.
The School’s new Beaufort aluminium windows have been supplied in
a gleaming white polyester powder paint finish that is guaranteed to maintain
its good looks for years to come. The high gloss finish is resistant to
the pollution and dirt that can discolour other window materials, and
requiring just an occasional wash down, represents a low maintenance solution.
GPM’s experienced team fabricated the windows for the £80,000
contract using Beaufort’s 70mm deep direct fix outer frame with a
slim transom. The frames also feature a high security external glazed
Euro Vent incorporating a Trojan shootbolt lock that is ‘Secured
by Design’ licensed. The specification of 4mm toughened Low E glass
ensures compliance with the latest building regulations relating to thermal
efficiency. All windows and doors in Beaufort’s aluminium product
range comply with the stringent requirements of Document L in both domestic
and non-domestic applications.
Established in 1981, GPM Meridian Windows Ltd, part of the GPM Group Ltd,
added aluminium doors and windows from Beaufort Secure Design to its range
six years ago. With its commitment to quality, GPM soon attained Beaufort’s
‘Approved Fabricator’ status. ‘The inherent strength and
stability of aluminium makes it the ideal solution for many of the commercial
projects that we handle. And Beaufort’s comprehensive range means
we are able to meet our clients’ differing needs in terms of both
design and finish,’ comments John Palmer, Group Managing Director
of GPM.
Tel: 01633 29 40 40
Web: http://www.beaufortsecure.co.uk
Barretstown:
Renovation Designed to Help More Kids Smile
It
looked simple enough: Renovate three buildings and build a new one. But
these weren’t just any buildings. They flank ancient Barretstown
Castle and serve as part of the realm of the Barretstown Gang Camp, an
organisation founded by actor Paul Newman. Barretstown, situated in County
Kildare, Ireland, provides therapeutic recreation that enables seriously
ill children to rediscover their own inner strength, confidence and self-esteem.
The
overall look of the castle outbuildings designated for renovation and
the new building needed to match those of the castle and courtyard buildings.
Further, the timeframe allotted just 20 weeks from planning and design
through construction.
Windows were a key element of the project. The selection team wanted windows
that offered quality construction, ease of use by children or staff, energy
efficiency, and the styles and sizes the project required. They considered
standard timber windows, but rejected them because of poor quality. Then
the builder, (John Burke of LJM), proposed Integrity® Windows. ‘I
liked what I saw in terms of quality and the windows came in the shapes
and styles we needed,’ said Vincent Traynor, architect, John Smyth
Architects. ‘Integrity Windows, a brand distributed worldwide, are
known for their high-performance exterior made of Ultrex®, an advanced
pultruded fiberglass material that outperforms and outlasts vinyl and
roll-form aluminum. The windows are virtually maintenance-free. They meet—and
surpass—energy-efficiency ratings.’
Once the decision was made to go with Integrity, the process went smoothly,
said Traynor. The windows arrived on time. Integrity Windows’ standard
sizes fit into the existing openings in the stone and brick walls of the
renovated buildings. The exterior of the windows were painted in vibrant,
child-friendly colors. ‘The process was actually quite painless,’
he said.
The most important part of the project was Barretstown’s Medical
Centre, which is housed in a restored stone cottage. Expanded into the
adjacent orchard, the renovated Medical Centre includes five bedrooms
with brightly coloured walls and cartoon-character beds, four examination
rooms, a pharmacy and a larger reception area. Two two-wide double-hung
windows were installed into the centre’s brick and stone walls.
The project also included converting an old stable into staff quarters,
renovating the sleeping quarters for the medical staff, and constructing
a laundry building designed to look like a cottage. A total of 22 windows
were installed in these buildings.
Today, Barretstown’s redesigned and new buildings match the exterior
style of the castle complex and offer beauty and functionality within.
Most important, Barretstown can now help more kids rediscover the wonder
of childhood.
Metal
Technology Develops new Mullion for £1m Lucas Window Refurbishment
While
replicating the windows on Birmingham’s famous Lucas building for
loft apartments, Metal Technology
developed a special 70mm curtain wall mullion to externally
disguise new partition walls. The client was MarCity Developments with
Nicol Thomas Ltd as architects for the project and Anderson Architectural
as fabricator.
Situated
in the Jewellery Quarter on Constitution Hill, the red brick, U-shaped
structure overlooks a central courtyard and its six, three-storey elevations
had large steel windows, with traditional narrow profiles, which needed
to be replicated within the retained facade. The old windows have now
been replaced with Metal Technology’s thermally-broken, double glazed
System 4 casements and System 11 architectural subframe system, incorporating
clear float glass.
Metal Technology’s window design solutions enabled the maximum use
of internal space whilst satisfying the strict planning requirements.
The systems were suitable for this type of project as they have slim sightlines
which offer maximum flexibility. All the company’s systems are
Doc L/J compliant when fitted with the appropriate glass. They are also
designed in a logical sequence for ease of fabrication and installation.
Refurbishing a landmark is a huge responsibility for the whole project
team but, with the help of Metal Technology, the listed building has secured
its future.
Contact: Calvin Wilson
Tel: 028 94 487777
Email: mailto:info@metaltechnology.com
Web: http://www.metaltechnology.com
Pilkington
Provides Peace and Privacy for Imperial
The
refurbishment of London's Imperial College in Praed Street, Paddington
has incorporated the use of specialist glass and integral blinds supplied
and processed by Pilkington Plyglass.
The Pilkington Insulight™ Phon units incorporating Luxaclair®
blinds were installed in the ground and first floors of the redevelopment
to convert existing laboratories and study areas into offices for the
college.
Architects, Boswell Mitchell and Johnson of Glasgow, specified the Pilkington
glass to make up 70 insulating units in sizes ranging from 200 x 1800mm
to 1200 x 1800mm.
The double glazed units all comprise an inner pane of 16.8mm laminated
Pilkington Optilam™ Phon Low E glass, a 22mm cavity and an outer
pane of 10mm heat soaked toughened glass with a ceramic screen print.
The screen print design varies on each pane featuring either the college
logo or an intricate striped design.
The unit's glazing is an extremely complicated combination of glasses,
which allows for the attributes of each product to compliment one another.
It contains K-glass low-e for energy efficiency conservation, Optilam™
Phon for sound attenuation and screen printing for a distinctive design,
solar control and glare. The result is an incredibly practical glazing
unit that holds great visual appeal.
Within the cavity, Luxaclair® blinds have been installed, primarily
to provide privacy for the employees, as the offices face directly onto
the busy Paddington street near the station.
One of the architect‚s tasks was to ensure the offices were protected
from noise emanating from the street, particularly at pavement level.
However, through the combination on Luxaclair® blinds and Pilkington
Optilam™ Phon glass, a quiet internal environment has been created
to ensure workers are not affected from the noise outside.
For optimum efficiency, a Concerto operating system has been incorporated
which commands whole groups of blinds to adopt the same positioning quickly
and effectively. Using Pilkington glass as the encompassing unit ensures
compliance with all legislative thermal insulation requirements and EC
Regulations governing glare and the use of VDU screens.
The work was completed in September 2003 and says Brian Smith of installers,
Prism Architectural, delays and disruption were minimised as the units
were delivered ready for installation. 'As a priority, disruption to the
daily operation of the building and the public had to be avoided at all
costs,' he explains. 'The glazing units were all manufactured under strict
factory controlled conditions and transported to site, allowing us to
meet these criteria.'
Pilkington Building Products-UK manufactures a wide range of float, rolled
and coated glass products.
Glass is distributed direct to customers and, in smaller quantities, either
merchanted as stock or bespoke processed products to meet customer needs
through our network of 23 branches countrywide. The company is focused
on quality and service, continually improving to deliver the benefits
of Pilkington's technical ability and innovation to the end user.
Tel: 01744 692000
Web: http://www.pilkington.com
Longterm
Benefits for Long Green
Over
100 high performance PVCu windows and doors from the Duraflex
Diamond Suite have recently been installed at Long Green, a four-storey
block of flats in Chigwell. The new windows have provided a low maintenance,
energy efficient replacement for the building’s 20-year old timber
frames.
Recommended
and installed by The Window and Conservatory Company of Upminster, the
Diamond Suite met all the residents’ requirements in terms of improved
thermal efficiency, bringing the benefit of lower heating bills. The Duraflex
system carries all the relevant BSI and BBA accreditations including compliance
with Part L, and in fact already surpasses the more stringent Scottish
level of 1.8W/moK. The windows are also designed to satisfy the latest
fire escape regulations, another important factor in the residents’
choice. In keeping with the building’s original window style, a traditional
side opening casement window design from Duraflex’s comprehensive
range was specified for Long Green.
Fabrication for the project was completed by Essex-based Window-Tech (Trade)
Ltd using Duraflex’s 70mm Featured system in a Brilliant White finish.
Designed to add instant ‘kerb’ appeal, the Featured profile’s
classic styling
replicates the appearance of timber frames, making it an ideal replacement
solution at Long Green. The system is fully featured, rather than scotia
or ovalo, and because the detail is within the line of the original bevel,
it is fabricator friendly. The refurbishment project also included communal
PVCu doors from the Duraflex range, which complement the fenestration
design and feature the latest locking systems for optimum security.
Established in 1977 by Ken Rhodes, The Window and Conservatory Company
has been installing the Duraflex PVCu system for more than 15 years. According
to Ken, the Featured Suite is a particularly popular option, ‘There
are other Featured systems on the market but I believe the Duraflex system
has really got the edge when it comes to both performance and style.’
Contact: Neil Roberts
Tel: 08705 351351
Web: http:// www.duraflex.co.uk
Kingsbourne
Windows in Bradman Row
When
a number of prestigious flats on Bradman Row, Edgware, required their
windows to be replaced, Eurocell fabricator
Kingsbourne Windows of Luton was
called upon to complete the installation. The existing stained timber
windows were replaced with Eurocell Ultimate 70mm woodgrain on white PVCu
windows, which was organised by chartered surveyors Kirkby and Diamond
of Luton on behalf of the Deansbrook Residents Company.
The first phase of the development comprised 76 Eurocell Ultimate 70mm
windows, including eighteen 3-part bay windows, being fitted to twenty-eight
flats over a four-week period. The windows were all internally glazed;
contained Pilkington K toughened glass as well as being fully re-enforced.
The project was completed within the stipulated time frame without any
problems after Kingsbourne had performed an initial pilot test on four
properties for Deansbrook .
‘We were very pleased to win the work to redevelop the Bradman Row
project. The initial difficulties of the pilot test were overcome with
the efficiency of Kingsbourne Windows’s operation combined to the
quality of the Eurocell Product. We hope that the company will be able
to complete the second phase which is due to be started in early 2004
as well as any further phases.’ Lisa Field, General Manager, Kingsbourne
Windows.
This work represents a number of projects being completed nationwide by
Eurocell in both public and private sectors, which are being actively
supported by Eurocell’s commercial Department, headed up by Eric
Gale.
Kingsbourne – 01582 505 431
Eurocell – 01773 842 100
Caesars
Palace Staircase Supplied by HansenGlass
One
of Liverpool’s more palatial and striking restaurants has been designed
by The Robin Clayton Partnership and makes elegant use of products supplied
by HansenGlass in the construction
of a feature staircase linking the first and ground floors.
Caesar’s
Palace is situated on Renshaw Street in central Liverpool and has become
a popular destination within the city’s thriving social scene which
includes many celebrities from the world of entertainment and football.
The glass work in the 450 seater restaurant has been supplied by Birkenhead
based Peter Richards Group, the experienced contractor working closely
with HansenGlass for the supply of specially strengthened glass staircase
treads and landings, as well as for the more conventional balustrading
application.
The project architect at the Robin Clayton Partnership, Mr Kim Zadow,
comments: 'The staircase was a key element to this final phase of development
for the restaurant which has grown in size over the past 10 years. It
links the ground floor with the upper level of seating and met all of
our aesthetic ambitions as well as practical demands.'
The specialised contract for HansenGlass, saw the manufacturer supply
1100 mm tall balustrade sections and a large quantity of landing sections;
all produced in the manufacturer’s FortPlus™ laminated glass.
The treads, however, were produced from Hansen’s ThermoSpan™
structural bolted glazing system to enable them to be supplied complete
with inserts for concealed connection to mounting brackets. A total of
22 treads were supplied in the form of 31.5 mm thick laminates featuring
two 15 mm layers of toughened glass sandwiching a 1.5 mm interlayer.
Both the treads and the landing sections were given an acid etched, Ceraphic™
screenprint to a density of 10% on the underside as a modesty measure.
Tel: 0151 545 3000
Email: mailto:sales@hansenglass.co.uk
Two
Connoisseurs - Installer and Customer
Chelsea
Windows found itself using PVCu to replace the existing timber
framed windows in a particularly attractive and unusual house at Sutton,
in Surrey.
The
age and style of the house made it especially important that the replacement
windows were in keeping with its appearance, in particular maintaining
the look and character of the corner bay. The work was carried out by
Chelsea Windows, part of the network of fabricator Everglade Windows’
trade customers which is dealing almost exclusively with the classically
curved Kömmerling Connoisseur system.
‘The contract involved replacing windows in the front and side elevations,’
says Chelsea Managing Director Mark Harding.
‘The
customer had seen several window companies, but Connoisseur won them over.
It was more than up to the conservation and heritage task so often sought
by customers in lovely old houses in the London area.’
He says Connoisseur is the ideal for his business, which focuses largely
on Surrey. ‘Not everyone in this area likes PVCu windows, until we
show them Connoisseur, and they see how like-for-like it is to their existing
timber windows. Its quality, sculptured look goes into most properties
very well, whether it’s the original white or the woodgrain finishes
of rosewood, mahogany and light oak.’
Vinod Gopal, Managing Director of fabricator Everglade Windows says Connoisseur
gives the company a distinct market edge throughout London and the South
East. ‘Its classically-curved ovolo shape is particularly suited
to the more traditional taste of Londoners who want the aesthetics of
timber windows, but who also demand the high technical, environmental
and low maintenance aspects of PVCu.
‘All of which means that the recent addition of rosewood woodgrain
to the range is proving to be especially popular. We’ve always offered
the woodgrain finishes of mahogany and light oak, but rosewood, which
was only launched at Glassex 2003, is already setting the pace in London.
‘It’s a particular favourite of domestic retail customers, and
trade buyers like Chelsea Windows are now taking it in greater numbers,
too.’
Connoisseur
now accounts for around 40 per cent of Everglade’s total output of
500 units a week.
Vinod Gopal has presented Mark Harding with a special plaque welcoming
Chelsea Windows to Everglade’s network of installers. ‘We do
work with the Kömmerling 58mm system as well, but the bulk of our
installations are now Connoisseur,’ says Mark.
FENSA-registered Chelsea Windows currently has seven employees, and has
recently opened a new showroom in Sutton. The fitting operation is managed
by Mark’s business partner, Steve Barbury.