Windows

FITTING WINDOWS WITH ‘CURB-SIDE APPEAL’

In 2020, REHAU’s Rio Flush Fit window system was selected by housebuilder Homes by Carlton for a largescale residential build at Middleton St. George in the north-east of England.

Homes by Carlton (HBC) is an awardwinning housebuilder operating in Yorkshire and the north east of England. Founded 20 years ago, the company made its reputation on building properties to an exceptionally high, market-leading quality. The housebuilder has a long-standing relationship with Chatsworth Windows, the north-east’s largest in-house windows manufacturer, which shares HBC’s ambition for quality fittings. As Simon Walker, Managing Director of HBC explains: “Design is typically 20% of a build’s overall cost but we believe that figure underplays its importance to potential buyers. Homes are often sold on first impression so every feature has to look as good as it functions.”

WINDOWS WITH APPEAL

One of HBC’s recent projects is in Middleton St. George, a 198-home development outside Darlington. The north-east has experienced a construction boom in recent years, with thousands of homes springing up in the area. Keenly aware of this, Walker wanted to distinguish HBC by installing windows not only constructed to a high standard, but also complementary of the development’s overall aesthetic. “I was looking for windows that had curb-side appeal,” says Walker, “with a finish that reflected our ambition to be the region’s best housebuilder.” It was this search that eventually led to REHAU, as Walker approached Chatsworth Windows about products that fit the bill. “There is a trend among developers to buy more cost-effective windows and install them without specialist help,” says Mark Griffiths, Sales and Marketing Manager at Chatsworth Windows, “but Simon was insistent the job was done properly using a premium service and product.” Griffiths and his team were then asked to survey the development and recommend solutions to enhance the properties, eventually settling on REHAU’s Rio Flush Fit profile. Chatsworth Windows was initially approached by REHAU when interest in flush fit systems was increasing. “There was a demand in the market for this type of profile and REHAU brought examples to our factory,” says Griffiths. “We were impressed with the build quality and decided to invest in the product.” REHAU technicians subsequently visited the fabricator’s North Yorkshire factory, helping calibrate machinery that would manufacture the new range. Within weeks the first examples had reached the showroom, and the different grains and colours available quickly proved popular with customers.

“We had already experienced uplifting demand for these windows at our Northallerton showroom,” says Griffiths. “Customers liked the symmetrical, contemporary design and there’s a growing market trend to add value to properties with statement fittings like these. Plus, we had worked with REHAU for years and knew its products were of the calibre Simon sought, so it made sense to recommend the Rio.”

FRAMING SUCCESS

Installation at Middleton St. George has been a big undertaking for Chatsworth Windows, with the company deploying three dedicated teams to install six-to-eight frames per day. “We have a team that visit the site regularly to ensure everything is on track,” says Griffiths, “and while the speed of development can be challenging, particularly when conditions are poor, it’s relatively simple as we’re fitting into fresh openings. This results in a cleaner finish compared to replacing old frames.” A dedicated Rio Flush Fit installation team system also helped make development time faster. “Getting windows in quickly is key as the second fix on the electrics can only be completed once buildings are completely weatherproof,” says Griffiths. “Fortunately, the profiles are made off-site so this process has been fairly straightforward, allowing HBC to complete homes more efficiently.”

WINDOW INTO THE FUTURE

Now nearing completion, construction at Middleton St. George has been successful and the installation of Rio Flush Fit windows has maintained HBC’s high-end vision. “We decided on cream frames, as they improved the façade and suited the brickwork,” says Walker. “These small details can elevate a development from others on the market and single out Homes by Carlton as a housebuilder with attentionto-detail.”

However, as Walker stresses, the product has also served a purpose beyond aesthetic appeal. The houses now also achieve a good U-value, in no small part due to REHAU’s windows. “Houses are built to strict standards, particularly in relation to thermal efficiency,” says Walker, “and the windows and profiles have certainly helped us raise the ratings. Not only is this useful for regulations, it has also appeals to more eco-conscious homebuyers.” The housebuilder was impressed with Chatsworth Windows and REHAU’s product, and have committed to using them for two more projects. The includes a 31-house development in Thorpe Thewles with over 500 windows being installed, and a bespoke site of 11 properties each with over 3,000 sq. ft of floorspace. “I wouldn’t hesitate in using the Rio Flush Fit again,” says Walker. “Chatsworth have been an excellent partner and REHAU provided the exact finish we required. I look forward to working with both companies again.”

For more information about REHAU’s Rio Flush Fit windows visit: https://www.rehau.com/uk-en/rio-flush-fit

TAKING CARE OF THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR WITH R7

R7 windows and doors from The Residence Collection were recently supplied by their manufacturing partner, Frametrade and installed by The Nottingham Window Company at Graysford Hall, a new luxury care home in the suburbs of Leicester.

The project involved the installation of 130 R7 windows and 30 R7 doors with a Painswick exterior and a clean Chalk White internal finish. Both top and side hung windows with opening restrictors featured throughout, along with open in and open out doors, featuring a sash mullion for architectural detailing. R7 was specified on the project for its premium finish, energy efficiency credentials and enhanced security. Glass specifications were double glazed units with 6.8mm laminated glass, warm edge spacer bar and argon gas, along with Kenrick hardware. Ian Newcombe, sales and marketing director of both Frametrade and The Nottingham Window Company commented: ‘The client was in firm agreement that R7 would be the perfect window and door solution for the Graysford Hall project with a flush finish inside and out. The overall window and door designs look premium as does the performance of these products and we’re thrilled with the end result.’

Sarah Hitchings, sales and marketing director of The Residence Collection added: ‘Most people think of The Residence Collection as a purely retail-orientated brand, when in fact our product specifications are perfectly suited to the commercial market. R7 is the perfect choice and with 7 chambers and 7 different substrates, it’s a product platform packed with unique features.’ For further information on Frametrade visit www.frametrade.co.uk. For further information about The Residence Collection please visit www.residencecollectiontrade. co.uk. You can request a free brochure pack via e-mail at trade@residencecollection. co.uk or by calling 01452 348650. You can also add to their following on Twitter @ residence9 or connect on LinkedIn. You can also engage with them on other social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Houzz by searching #residencecollection.

GRAND GEORGIAN BUILD GETS THE QUICKSLIDE TREATMENT

Frithsden Construction, a family run business specialising in quality high-end residential homes, completed a stunning, Georgian period-style new build with heritage vertical sliders supplied by Quickslide.

The beautiful 5,500ft2, five bedroom brick-and-block build in Little Gaddenden, Herts, was created over three floors using Flemish handmade bricks for the outer wall – just one example of the attention to detail paid to the design and build by Frithsden Construction’s husband-and-wife team Anthony and Julie Hayes. The Hayeses readily admit they are obsessed with not only the details but also practicality, which is how they came to choose leading fabricator Quickslide for their full-height period-style windows.

Quickslide supplied heritage wood grain-effect vertical sliding sash PVCu windows for the project. The Hayeses originally wanted timber windows, before discovering the wood grain effect PVCu sash made a great, energy efficient, secure and low maintenance modern alternative. In particular, they praised the authentic look of the wood grain effect and run-through horn details. Frithsden Construction have been buying from Quickslide for five years, having first discovered the leading fabricator after researching extensively for a quality supplier that was both competitively priced and offering good aftercare and warranty. Frithsden highly recommended Quickslide on completion of the project, not just for its quality products, but for the whole buying process, which they commended as being straightforward and easy – particularly praising their sales manager, Jess, for being very helpful and always available for any queries or advice. “Our customer service is as important to us as our products,” said Quickslide’s Chairman Adrian Barraclough. “Since we established and popularised the PVCu vertical slider as a real alternative to traditional timer sash windows, more and more customers are discovering our heritage windows give them exactly what they need – authentic, traditional looks coupled with low maintenance, comfortable modern living. “We offer something to suit every type of build and style. And our great team of people make the choosing and buying process easy and approachable, so every customer can be sure they’ll get the right products that they want and need.” www.quickslide.co.uk

300 OPTIMA CASEMENT WINDOWS USED IN REFURBISHMENT HOUSING PROJECT

Profile 22’s Optima Fully Sculptured windows were chosen for the refurbishment of 38 properties, consisting of a mixture of houses and flats, in Wolverhampton, West Midlands.

The manufacture and installation of the 300 white Optima casement windows was awarded to longstanding Profile 22 Approved Window Contractor Select Windows. Based in Walsall in the West Midlands, Select Windows is an award-winning family-owned business with considerable experience in the commercial sector delivering an outstanding service for its clients across the UK.

The project was part of the Nehemiah Housing Project, which is designed to build successful, sustainable and diverse communities by providing housing in a culturally sensitive way to their tenants. Their properties have been designed for people with disabilities or specific religious/cultural needs and offer energy-efficient homes to minimise the impact of fuel poverty. Profile 22’s Optima system is an award-winning 70mm system that delivers superior thermal efficiency thanks to features such as a 6-chambered outerframe and 5-chambered sash and unique innovations such as additional centre seals. The system met all requirements for thermal efficiency and was more than able to achieve the WER A+ rating specification required on this project. Shefeeq Rahman, Property Services Officer at Nehemiah House Project, said:” Profile 22 is an established and considered brand in the social housing sector which gave us the reassurance that their products would not only perform well but would continue to look good in years to come. We had excellent design and survey support from the experienced commercial team and full support with our installation program. Our residents are delighted with the new windows.”

The project was complicated due to working within stringent pandemic protocols. The team at Select were responsible for all appointments and carried out the work on time and on budget whilst adhering to pandemic-safety protocols throughout the fitting process. This meant exceptional project management was required at every stage which Select Windows were able to deliver. Gary Wylde, Managing Director at Select Windows is delighted with the results of the work. He says the feedback has been extremely positive too: “Due to our excellent relationship with the main contractor and our ability to deliver this project on time, we are now tendering for additional work to further enhance the client’s housing stock. Our solid relationship is the principal reason the contract was concluded efficiently during these difficult times.” The result has transformed the Wolverhampton properties and delivered greater thermal efficiency for the benefits of the tenants. Tel 01952 290910 –www.profile22.co.uk