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Glass UK's Seamless Solution

When faced with the daunting task of constructing and installing large sheets of glass with double doors set into them, Glass UK was able to rise to the challenge. The glass had to be seamless, and therefore cut from a single sheet, but the XXL size specialist proved that it had the capability and imagination to cope with such a potentially complicated request.

The project, at the home of a famous musician, called for 3.2 metre x 3 metre glass 'goal posts' on three sides of a bay in the lounge area of the luxury house, and a door frame had to be cut within the glass to hang a full set of integrated bronze doors.

Neil Sharda, General Manager of Glass UK, says, ‘The client specified that the glass had to be seamless, making it a huge unit. Normally something like this would be made from a minimum of three pieces, but we were able to fulfil the vision of the client and the architect with a single sheet of glass. This sort of thing has probably never been done in the UK before. In fact, we had to make a lifting jig to get it off the table at the glass producers. This was a very tricky operation.’

Glass UK had to take responsibility for transporting the glass to the site as the sheets of glass were so huge, and again this was a challenge that the company was able to handle. In fact, the requirements of this complex and demanding project pushed the capabilities of the Glass UK teams, plus those of its sister company Metal UK, further than ever before, but it was completed successfully to the delight of the house's owner and the architect. And to add a finishing touch, fibre optic lights are used to turn the glass blue at night.

Oversized units are a huge problem for most glass companies, but XXL is a size that Glass UK excels at. Being one of the very few glass firms in the UK that manufactures and delivers large glazing units, Glass UK provides services for both the architectural and glass industry, including the larger processors and providers of glass who may not have the capacity to handle and manipulate very large, oversized laminate units or awkward pieces.

And Glass UK's outstanding contribution to the glass trade was recognised recently through the distinction of being named as a finalist in three separate categories in the industry's G 05 Awards - Glass Company of the Year, Specialist of the Year and Glass Project of the Year.

An independent company that can offer unbiased solutions, Glass UK has staff with over 50 years' industry experience. It also has a team of in-house designers and a glass specialist who can pull out all the stops when needed to complete a challenging project like this one.

Tel: 01895 629940
Web: http://www.lmcgroup.co.uk

Leicester-based Rugby Windows, has recently completed a successful new build commercial contract to install 80 casement windows and 21 door combinations at a specially designed apartment complex for the partially sighted in Wolverhampton.

The windows and doors, fabricated from the Deceuninck 60mm 1800 series, were specially manufactured by Rugby Windows to encompass special low-level handles and pull-cord trickle vents to make life easier for the partially sighted occupants.

Rugby Windows was awarded the contract from main contractor Jessups Brothers of Cannock which undertakes work for Coventry-based Touchstone Housing Association. Touchstone is a leading housing provider with over 12,000 homes, including innovative retirement housing for people with special needs and elderly care schemes.

The £80,000 contract was undertaken over a six-month period involving Rugby Windows fitting teams.

Dave Thomas, Managing Director of Rugby Windows commented: ‘The contract was carried out exactly to schedule. The key to these types of contracts is working closely with the customer's staff at every stage - from design to contract completion. The windows and doors needed to be specifically manufactured to cater for the needs of the occupants. We are delighted that the project was a huge success and we are confident that this will lead to further opportunities.’

Deceuninck Status fabricator Rugby Windows manufactures all types of windows from its headquarters in Sapcote, Leicestershire.

Tel: 01249 816969
Email: mailto:martin.vowden@deceuninck.com

Sheerframe Satisfaction Scores High for Tollcross Residents

Tollcross Housing Association tenants throughout east end of Glasgow have given both Sheerframe PVC windows and fabricator and installer Hawthorn Windows a glowing report in a satisfaction survey conducted by the RSL after the first phase of its major window refurbishment programme.

Completed by Hawthorn Windows as part of its £1.8 million three-year partnering agreement with Tollcross, the programme has already involved the replacement of single glazed windows to meet the all-important Decent Homes standard. After consultation with tenants, the housing association found high satisfaction levels across a series of categories including the work overall, the quality of Hawthorn's work and the speed of installation.

For this first phase of the project, Hawthorn Windows manufactured and installed a combination of double tilt and turn windows and fully reversibles in white and woodgrain finishes using the Sheerframe 7000 system from L.B. Plastics. These windows have been installed in a variety of housing stock, although predominantly traditional four-storey tenements.

With health and safety and security critically important during the installation work, Hawthorn Windows is using its patented Telescopic Safety Barrier throughout its contract with Tollcross. This provides an edge protection barrier that can be installed in position prior to the removal of each window system and installation of another, eliminating the need for exterior scaffolding and reducing the risk of falls from height. The availability of this safety barrier throughout the three-year contract was key to Hawthorn Windows securing the contact.

In addition to the excellent feedback regarding the installation by Hawthorn, many tenants have also reported savings on their fuel bills of typically 8% and a noticeable reduction in noise levels from passing traffic.

Established in 1974, Tollcross Housing Association is a voluntary, community based housing association that operates in the Tollcross and Carmyle areas of Glasgow. The organisation has around 700 properties and also factors owner-occupied homes in the local area.

From Drawing Board to Reality

Deceuninck Status fabricator, Rugby Windows, has recently completed a successful new build contract to install 87 casement windows, including arched top screens, and door combinations at Jessups Brothers own new purpose built headquarters in Cannock.

The contract worth in excess of £40,000 utilised the popular Deceuninck 60mm Decorative series.

As part of the commercial support programme offered by Deceuninck Status, the company worked in partnership with Rugby Windows supplying all the wind loading technical data along with a full set of CAD drawings as required by Jessups.

Having successfully secured the new build contract, the job was carried out to the required programme - exactly on schedule.

Dave Thomas, Managing Director of Rugby Windows said: ‘New build contracts of this nature require effective and efficient project management to ensure they work within the given programme. Our installation teams worked alongside the builder at all build stages to ensure we were on site and installing at the right time. The contract with Jessups has been very successful and we are confident of future success.’

Rugby Windows manufactures all types of windows from its site in Leicester.

Contact: Martin Vowden
Tel: 01249 816969
Email: mailto:martin.vowden@deceuninck.com

Hawthorns Provides ‘Something Special’ at Slaley Hall

North-East based installer Hawthorns Windows has completed a complex Edwardian style installation at South Lodge of Slaley Hall; a stunning baronial style hotel set in the beautiful Northumbrian countryside.

Hawthorns, founded by Alfie Hawthorn in 1989, was approached by De Vere Resorts, the owner of Slaley Hall, to design an installation for the South Lodge. The South Lodge is used as a base by De Vere to service the luxury lodges situated around the thousand acre estate of Slaley Hall.

The aim of the installation was to improve the appearance of the Lodge by providing it with extra warmth and light during the day; providing an attractive environment for visitors to the luxury lodges to be greeted. However, the installation also had to reflect the traditional style of the architecture and materials used at the Lodge and Slaley Hall.

Therefore, Hawthorns designed and fitted a 15m by 7m rectangular Edwardian conservatory, with a Victorian bay attached to the front. The conservatory base is constructed utilising natural stone in keeping with the style of the South Lodge and the conservatory utilises K2’s stylish Aspire system, which is manufactured for use with 35mm polycarbonate roofing glazing, 40% thicker than ordinary polycarbonate and offers reduced heat loss and increased sound insulation.

The K2 Aspire system was supplied to Hawthorns Windows by Scarborough based SWC Trade Frames Ltd, a key K2 dealer which has been established since 1989.

Alfie Hawthorns comments: ‘We were really excited by the challenge of designing this installation, as it was necessary to integrate the new conservatory with the structure and surroundings of a traditional style of building. We decided to fit an elongated Edwardian style of conservatory, which adds light and space to the existing building, as well as maintaining the traditional style and atmosphere of the South Lodge.’

Sally Fielding, Managing Director of K2 comments: ‘K2 would like to congratulate Hawthorns on its innovative and stylish design for the South Lodge. The Aspire system is specifically designed to optimise flexibility of conservatory design and specification, and is suitable for use in a wide variety of installations and we are delighted that we were able to be involved in this bespoke installation.’

http://www.k2conservatories.com/site/homeowners/

A distinctive ‘glazed’ cladding solution developed by Salford-based Anders Glass on a new apartment development in Manchester, has fulfilled the very specific design criteria of architects and planners alike.

Developed by Watkin Jones Homes, Jutland House is one of three new apartment buildings in Paradise Wharf, Manchester city centre. Its location in a conservation area meant it was subject to close attention from town planners in terms of all building materials specified.

While a fully glazed external aspect was one option considered, the amount of glass required for the seven storey building, which includes ground floor retail space as well as apartments, was restrictive. Instead, Anders Glass, specialist in glass processing and bespoke glazing contracts, came up with a glass effect ‘ceramic’ cladding alternative.

Some 70 sq. m. of the glass-coated, heat treated panels were supplied in a reflective dark grey colour, and affixed directly onto the external structure of the building, creating the solid appearance of a fully glazed façade.

Emma Roden of Manchester architects, O’Connell East, is very pleased with the result: 'Anders’ solution has successfully achieved an all-glass effect and satisfied the strict design criteria laid down by the local planners. 

'It manages to create a modern, new-build apartment development that is sympathetic in design with the surrounding conservation area and is an attractive addition to Watkin Jones’ residential portfolio in Manchester city centre.'

Tel: 0161 736 2487/8  
Email: mailto:enquiries@andersglass.co.uk

Ritec Puts the Sparkle Back

After 14 years of benefiting from low maintenance glass windows and doors through the use of Ritec's ClearShield, a Basingstoke householder knows just how effective it is. And when it came time to reapply the treatment, the owners had no hesitation in giving Ritec the opportunity to demonstrate again the clear benefits of the product.

New windows and doors were fitted by Zenith in 1991, and the glass had been treated with ClearShield, which provides surface protection from the damage caused by weathering and contamination. Recently, John Evemy, who lives at the four-bedroom house with his wife, noticed that the windows were not as sparkling or easy to clean and realised that it was time to reapply ClearShield.

The house has around 15 windows and doors to treat, including French doors at the back, and front and back doors with glass panels.

While new glass is bright and sparkling, easy to see through and to keep clean, the environmental conditions, as well as its physical and chemical properties, mean unprotected glass easily becomes stained and discoloured, difficult to see through and hard to clean. For building owners, the routine cleaning of unprotected, high-maintenance glass is a considerable cost in time and money - whether for a tower block or a four-bedroom house. For the building's users, dissatisfaction arises because of a spoiled façade and visibility is compromised. That is where ClearShield provides the ideal solution.

The latest formulation of ClearShield Glass Protect is now available to convert high maintenance unprotected glass to Low-M (Low Maintenance) Glass®. ClearShield maintains the beautiful appearance of a building as the technology prevents staining, and therefore reduces maintenance costs as well as time and effort for the occupier.

The improved formulation is based on the company's proven polymer technology, and provides an even higher resistance to corrosion and staining for easier cleaning without the need for harsh chemicals.

Today, there is no reason to ignore the need for protection of glass against corrosion and chemical attack, as the affordable technology exists that enables glass to keep its promises of clarity, visibility and cleanliness. ClearShield can be applied in the factory using either manual or fully automatic spraying equipment or, as in this case, onsite as part of Ritec's award-winning ClearShield System.

John now has Low-M Glass® once more and is a great fan of ClearShield. ‘It's an excellent product,’ he says. ‘If anyone asked me I would certainly recommend it.’

Tel: 020 8344 8210
Web: http://www.ritec.co.uk

Top Marks for SAS

Senior Aluminium Systems (SAS) has recently supplied windows to two schools: Bridlewood Primary School in Swindon and Westerhope First School in Newcastle.

Working with fabricators Dorma UK, SAS has supplied its lightweight, high performance, window system and ground floor treatment for the external envelope of Bridlewood Primary School on Chartwell Road in Swindon.

Polyester powder coated white, SFG ground floor treatment and runs of thermally broken SX 200 windows were specified for the single storey new build. Creating optimum light throughout the school, SX 200 windows are constructed using mitred and mechanically crimped corners with support chevrons and cleats to ensure accurate alignment.

 
Bridlewood Primary School in Swindon (left) and Westerhope First School in Newcastle

As part of Newcastle City Council's first PFI programme, worth £2.9 million, the former four-building Westerhope First School is now one comprehensive building that has been installed with high performance SAS products by fabricators Albann.

SAS‚ SPW 600 window system was used throughout the new build to keep classrooms light and well-ventilated. SAS‚ SPW 600 is a high performance casement commercial window and door system designed to meet the thermal insulation demands specified in Part L. The range includes fixed lights, top hung, side hung, tilt turn and overswing windows, as well as single and double rebated doors. A range of mullions and transoms allows large composite windows to be fabricated.

Dual polyester powder coated, grey on the exterior and white on the interior, SAS‚ advanced curtain wall system, SMR 900, and SD manual swing doors also feature in the new school.

The new school comprises of a playgroup and nursery area with bright and modern classrooms, a library, computer suite, impressive hall and decorative memorial wall on the exterior.

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

http://www.senioraluminium.co.uk/

Fineline's Timely School Refurb Spans the Hemispheres

Kent based Sheerframe approved fabricator FineLine Windows has completed a major window refurbishment project at a Victorian primary school located right on the Greenwich Meridian Line, as part of its ongoing work with Greenwich Council.

The Meridian School has been transformed with Sheerframe 7000 system PVC vertically sliding sash and casement windows, which have brought the 19th century building up to 21st century safety, security, energy and comfort standards without losing the original look of the building.

The refurbishment was required at the school, which is adjacent to the former Greenwich Naval College, after its timber windows had deteriorated to an irreversible degree following years of exposure in the urban environment.

FineLine manufactured nearly 300 Sheerframe PVC windows and devised and implemented an installation programme in conjunction with the school designed to minimise disruption to teaching. Having already completed a number of schools projects for Greenwich Council, FineLine installed windows in priority areas of the building during the holiday period and ensured plant and equipment was used to maximum economic efficiency during a progressively phased completion programme.

David Suttle, head teacher at Meridian School says, ‘The window refurbishment programme resulted in very little disruption for staff and students and yet the school building has been transformed. The new windows have made a real difference to the quality of the learning environment and we are delighted with the results.’

The Meridian School project is the fourth major refurbishment contract that FineLine Windows has completed for Greenwich Council over the last 36 months using Sheerframe. One of the most widely used systems in all types of school buildings throughout the UK, the advanced Sheerframe PVC window and curtain walling system from L.B. Plastics provides windows with high energy efficiency standards, combined with long term performance and good looks in virtually any style.

http://www.fineline-windows.co.uk

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