18 minute read
Windows
DECEUNINCK FABRICATOR, FASTFRAME, COMPLETES £2M FIRST PHASE OF GRAND UNION DEVELOPMENT
Deceuninck fabricator, Fastframe, has supplied a total of 1,385 windows and doors for Affinity House, the first of six phases scheduled for the Grand Union development in Alperton, Northwest London.
Working with Deceuninck approved installer, APW Glazing, supply and installation was completed over an 18-month period at a total cost in excess of £2million. Designed by architect, Building Design Partnership, for main developer, St George – a member of the Berkeley Group – Affinity House is located within 11-acres of landscaped gardens, meadows and waterside pathways and overlooks the historic, 137-mile Grand Union Canal.
The Grand Union Development, which is set to transform a previously derelict 22-acre site, will deliver over 3,000 new homes, providing residents with close transport links to Central London, a mix of community facilities and 135,000ft2 of flexible workspace. For Affinity House, which comprises 146 1,2 and 3 bed apartments, Fastframe manufactured a combination of Deceuninck’s contemporary 5000 Series Linktrusion doors and Fully Reversible Windows (FRW), finished in Decoroc Balmoral Grey on white. Designed for medium to high rise developments, Deceuninck’s Fully Reversible Window comes as standard with PAS24 accreditation and achieves Class A4, 600Pa Air Permeability; Class E1050 water tightness and Class AE2400 PA wind resistance. An ideal solution for modern buildings that demand large apertures, the FRW can be manufactured as a single opening window to a maximum size of 1,400mm x 1,400mm and delivers U values of 1.3 double glazed and 0.96 triple glazed. The 5000 Series is Deceuninck’s flagship commercial system, available in a suite of Tilt and Turn, residential door and French Door options. Compatible with Linktrusion technology, the 5000 Series offers maximum door frame sizes of 2,500mm x 2,200mm.
The use of Deceuninck’s Linktrusion technology and the Decoroc coating system, which delivers an extremely durable, micro-sprayed finish that is designed specifically to match the aesthetics and performance of aluminium powder coating, was a key element of the specification for Affinity House.
Linktrusion, which is suitable for commercial and residential applications, combines glass fibre reinforced PVC profiles and an extruded reinforcement profile with embedded steel wires in a low density insulating foam core. As a result, windows manufactured using Linktrusion are as strong as steel reinforced windows but are 30% more thermally efficient with 40% savings on materials and weight. They are also 100% recyclable. Decoroc, which is applied by Fastframe in-house on its £150,000 paint line, produces a tough, matt finish in a comprehensive range of RAL colours and comes with a 10year guarantee. “The door heights at Affinity House were 2,400mm, which would normally have required a steel reinforced PVC product or a more expensive aluminium solution,” commented Fast Frame’s Commercial Director, Paul Moody. “With Deceuninck’s Linktrusion technology we were able to manufacture the 5000 Series system to the required sizes without the need for traditional steel reinforcement.
“Combined with the flush finish Fully Reversible Windows, and the Decoroc coating system, the finished result delivered all the aesthetics of aluminium, at a lower cost, and with all the performance advantages typically associated with PVC.”
“We have a well-established working relationship with the Berkeley Group,” he continued. “Being able to successfully demonstrate the aesthetic and technical advantages of Linktrusion and Decoroc combined with Deceuninck’s world class recycling facilities and our strength as a UK manufacturer, played an important part in securing the contract for the Grand Union development.” John Duckworth, Head of Commercial Sales, Deceuninck, concluded: “Grand Union is a landmark project for London and one of the highest profile developments in the country. As phase one, Affinity House presented a number of complex technical specifications with additional on-site challenges due to Covid. “Fastframe, which has a deserved reputation as one of the UK’s leading commercial fabricators, has done an outstanding job of overcoming those challenges and is now in an ideal position to tender for the next phases of the development as a result.” Call 01249 816 969 or visit www.deceuninck.co.uk for more about Deceuninck’s commercial range and commercial work. You can also download Deceuninck’s full product portfolio from the NBS National BIM Library at www.nationalbimlibrary.com/deceuninck-ltd.
SECONDARY GLAZING WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO MY ELECTRICITY BILLS
Birmingham homeowner Jack Griffiths is looking forward to lower electricity bills now he has had secondary glazing manufactured and supplied by Granada Glazing to improve his property’s thermal efficiency.
In March 2021 he moved into his two-bedroomed apartment in the Jewellery Quarter, one of six apartments in a Grade II listed converted factory. The spacious, light-filled dwelling retains many of its original features, including six large arched singled-glazed windows. “The property is all-electric, and it was still quite cold when I moved in,” says Jack. “When I received my first electricity bill, I realised how expensive it would be to heat and that’s why I had secondary glazing installed on all of the front-facing windows to improve the insulation.” Due to the building’s listed status, the period windows were retained to preserve the character and external appearance of the outward-facing elevations. For heritage and listed buildings with single glazed primary windows, installing secondary glazing is often the preferred option for creating a warmer, quieter and more secure environment with the original windows intact. Aluminium frames with narrow sightlines are virtually invisible, maintaining a building’s charm and character while bringing the glazing system firmly into the 21st century. Granada Glazing supplied six arched lift units stacked on top of their horizontal sliding units. All were face fixed and powder coated in an Anthracite Grey finish to match the existing windows. Four windows were treated in the living/ kitchen area and two in the guest bedroom. Commenting on the difference secondary glazing has made, Jack continues: “It looks amazing! The team did such a good job and the bespoke units fit exactly to the huge arched windows. The colour match looks really impactful.” As for his heating bills, Jack thinks that the secondary glazing will make a ‘pretty significant difference’, saying: “As soon as I realised how much it was costing, I turned all the heating off. I’ll really see the impact in autumn and winter, and how much better insulated my apartment is with the secondary glazing installed.” As well as improving insulation, secondary glazing also reduces external noise and Jack has already noticed the acoustic benefits: “In the guest bedroom, I could really notice the reduction in the noise from the road. It’s not a busy road, but I could definitely tell as soon as the units were fitted. “The secondary glazing is easy to operate. The units slide to one side for extra ventilation or can be removed for cleaning. In the summer, I removed a couple in the living room to let more air in and I could immediately hear the difference in sound from outside.”
Thrilled with the result, he adds: “I’m really delighted! I thought I’d be a bit stumped and not be able to do anything (due to the listed status), so the fact I’ve been able to have secondary glazing is great.” Suitable for all property types, Granada’s slimline aluminium secondary glazing frames can be powder coated in over 200 RAL colours. Virtually invisible, they blend in with any interior décor. The Granada Glazing product range encompasses hinged, sliding, vertical sliders, including tilt back, and lift-out options. Full training and marketing support is available to installers across the UK. For more information about adding the Granada Secondary Glazing range to your business, please call 01909 499899, visit www.gsecg.com or email info@granadaglazing.com.
resurgence
Steel is the most recycled material by weight on the planet. Genuine sustainability is about the kind of tomorrow we want to leave to our children and grandchildren - and onwards. It touches every facet of life and means making the right choices, so it is increasingly important to understand and evaluate materials from cradle to grave. In the case of steel windows, they combine high quality, attractive aesthetics, low maintenance and longevity with a design life of 70 years.
All steel windows from Steel Window Association members are manufactured in the UK, while the high-grade steel is imported from Switzerland, minimising its carbon footprint relating to transportation. Members even have the ability to refurbish steel products. At end of life, the windows can be systematically dismantled and the steel frames, fittings and glass recycled, reducing pressure on landfill. Steel is inherently durable and recyclable and is easily recoverable from the waste stream by magnetic separation. Indeed, steel can be recycled and reused indefinitely with no diminution in quality; it is the most recycled material by weight on the planet. On average, new steel products have a 37% recycled content which minimises the use of virgin resources. In short, steel is a permanent material that plays a part in the circular economy, helping reduce the burden on nature by ensuring resources remain in use for as long as possible. Embodied carbon is a factor in almost any product, and steel is no exception, but modern processes and business practices are designed to reduce energy consumption. They have resulted in one tonne of steel
Windows manufactured by Metali Window Services Ltd.
produced today requiring just 40% of the energy it did in 1960. As well as reducing energy consumption and preserving resources, recycling steel cuts CO2 emissions and water usage. One tonne of steel recycled saves, on average, 1,400 kg of iron ore, 740 kg of coal and 120 kg of limestone. Today, almost every by-product formed during the steelmaking process is used in new products, ranging from fertilisers and asphalt to plastics and paints, minimising the amount of waste sent to landfill and preserving raw materials. Along with steel's recyclability and durability, a significant benefit in the manufacture of windows is the superior strength-to volume ratio of the material. It contributes to the slim sightlines of the frames that ensure maximum light transmission and unmatched design versatility, resulting in steel windows being both a sustainable and stylish choice. For further information on the Steel Window Association, please visit www.steel-window-association.co.uk or call 020 3475 8049.
SOUTH CHESHIRE GLASS USES SPECTUS FLUSH CASEMENT WINDOWS FOR COTTAGE RENOVATION
Spectus windows and doors have been manufactured and installed at a detached cottage in Shavington, Cheshire. The property was fitted with sixteen Spectus flush casement windows, two circular casement windows and two sets of Elite 70 French doors, all manufactured in Chartwell Green with astragal bar detailing. The products were manufactured by longstanding Spectus fabricator Universal Trade Frames and fitted by experienced domestic installer South Cheshire Glass.
The property is situated in a desirable location and the flush casement windows were chosen to replacing the property’s ageing timber frames. The choice of windows needed to sympathetically reflect the style and character of the property and deliver the British timber cottage aesthetics that the homeowner desired. Graham Saunders, General Manager at South Cheshire Glass, said: “The new windows needed to complement the property and the flush casement windows in Chartwell Green delivered the required aesthetics. Having been fitting Spectus products for over twenty years I knew the flush casement window was the perfect choice of window style to enhance the character of the home and offer modern day thermal efficiency too.” The project ran to plan and was completed on schedule. Graham said: “We’ve been in business for over 40 years, so we have a great deal of experience in domestic installations. Our fitters offer a high level of workmanship and customer care and our experienced fitted team ensured everything ran smoothly as we would expect it to.” Graham concluded: “Our customers had a charming property to start with but by working closely with them and understanding their exact needs, we have helped them enhance it further still.”
South Cheshire Glass has been installing Spectus products for over twenty years and supplies domestic customers throughout South Cheshire. The familyrun business also has a trade counter for trade sales and the general public. The company has a reputation for outstanding customer service that has helped it become one of the most trusted names in the area. It’s a reputation that will be enhanced by this latest installation.
Tel: 0808 178 3370 www.spectus.co.uk
PROFILE 22’S OPTIMA WINDOWS HELP IMPROVE COVID-19 MEASURES FOR TILSTOCK C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL
Oswestry Windows and Doors has recently transformed Tilstock C of E Primary School in Whitchurch, Shropshire and also improved its Covid-19 ventilation requirements thanks to replacement Optima windows from Profile 22.
The school recently underwent an extensive renovation programme to replace its ageing timber sash windows that were no longer thermally efficient. Furthermore, several of the existing windows would no longer open which meant the school wasn’t able to provide well-ventilated spaces to help minimise the risk to staff and pupils of Covid-19. was the overall energy efficiency of the building. The 42 Optima replacement windows for the project were manufactured by longstanding Profile 22 fabricator Emplas and installed by the experienced commercial team at Oswestry Windows & Doors Ltd. The team undertook the window design and installation of the project to deliver the high standards the project demanded.
The award-winning Optima system from Profile 22 is one of the most widely specified commercial systems thanks to its impressive list of benefits that meet even the most demanding of requirements. Optima delivers optimal thermal performance, achieving a 1.2 W/m2K U-value as standard. It is PAS24:2016 compliant and its aesthetics and versatility sit comfortably in any architectural style. For Tilstock C of E Primary School, white casement windows were specified with Georgian bar detailing to retain the building’s aesthetics. Matthew DunneSmith, Owner at Oswestry Windows and Doors, said: “We needed to keep the original character of the building while at the same time upgrading the performance of the windows. The new Optima casement windows have transformed the look and performance of the building and ensured adequate ventilation is available to support the school’s Covid-19 protocols. The project was completed during the summer holiday to ensure the school was ready to welcome staff and pupils back in September. Matthew concluded: “The building has been transformed not only in its appearance but also in its energy performance. It is a simple but effective transformation.”
Trade and retail fabricator Moorview Windows have announced it has signed a new three-year supply agreement with Profile 22, an Epwin Window Systems’ brand. Jason Bowman, Director of Moorview Windows, says: “We have been a Profile 22 fabricator for nearly 20 years, and we had no hesitation in extending our partnership with them.”
Matt Scott, Business Development Manager for Epwin Window Systems, said: “We are delighted that Moorview Windows has extended their supply agreement. They are a family-run business with a well-deserved reputation for quality and reliability, and we look forward to developing our longstanding relationship over the next three years.” Jason says his reason for working with Profile 22 was simple: “Our ethos is that we will only work with a system that we would be proud to have in our own homes. And Optima is that system. It’s a high-quality system throughout that cannot be matched and sells itself.”
Moorview Windows has had considerable success with the award-winning Optima system with a recent upturn in demand for the Optima Flush Casement Window. Developed to replicate a traditional British cottage window, Jason comments: “We operate in a country location where there are a lot of distinctive country-style properties. The take-up of the Optima Flush Casement Window has been impressive because it has all the traditional authentic looks our customers demand combined with modern-day performance.” Jason also says that Optima is a hit with their installer customers too. He said: “Our installer customers appreciate the intelligent design of the system because it’s easy to fit, which is important for them and us.” Moorview Windows was established as a joinery and general building services company in 1969 before switching to PVC-U fabrication in 2000. The company has grown over the decades and now manufactures, supplies and fits products all over the North East of England. To date, the company has manufactured over 50,000 frames. And with a further three-year supply agreement extension in place and a busy order book, even more homes in the area will have Optima from Profile 22 by 2024! Tel: 0808 101 4143 www.profile22.co.uk
PROFILE 22’S OPTIMA WINDOWS USED IN A SYMPATHETIC COUNTRY HOTEL AND SPA RESTORATION
Profile 22’s Optima Flush Casement Windows have been fitted as part of a sympathetic restoration at The Hand at Llanarmon Country House and Spa. The Hand at Llanarmon is an ancient hostelry tucked away in the Berwyn Mountains close to Llangollen in Wales. The building underwent a sympathetic restoration to preserve its character and sense of history while upgrading its fabric. The choice of windows in such a sensitive refurbishment was critical but Optima Flush Casement Windows from Profile 22 offered the perfect solution.
The windows were manufactured by Emplas and installed by Oswestry Windows & Doors Ltd (OWD). The company has over 75 years of combined experience and ensures complete customer satisfaction on every project. The OWD team recommended Optima Flush Casement Windows for the front elevation of the building where the window aesthetics were critical and used standard Optima casement windows for the remaining replacement windows. Optima Flush Casement Windows replicate the original features of timber casement windows more accurately than rival products because every detail was designed from scratch to deliver impressively authentic period looks. Features and options include mechanical jointing, a dummy sash to give a balanced look, a deep bottom rail to replicate original timber frames, and authentic hardware including monkey-tail handles and dummy peg stays. Like all Optima windows, Optima Flush Casement Windows deliver marketleading performance and are easy to install.
OWD installed the windows over a three-week period due to the complexities involved in replacing windows in a heritage property. Now complete, The Hand at Llanarmon is a more thermally efficient and secure building while still retaining all its historical significance. Jonathan Greatorex, owner of The Hand at Llanarmon, commented on the refurbishment project: “Simply brilliant. OWD did a massive three-week job. The fitters were superb and their attention to detail was second to none. They deserve to be rightly proud of an incredible job well done.” Oswestry Windows and Doors have been fitting Optima windows for several years. Matthew Dunne-Smith, Owner at OWD, concluded: “The quality of Optima products is exceptional and allow us to work on high-profile projects such as The Hand with complete confidence. The finished result is superb and we are delighted with this project.” Tel: 0845 340 3968 www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk
THERMALLY BROKEN UPDATE ON CLASSIC W20 STEEL FRAMES BRINGING NEW BUSINESS FOR SWA MEMBERS
The roll out of the W50 TB thermally broken steel frame system - which captures the classic appearance of the ubiquitous W20 profiles, while delivering contemporary standards of energy performance - has been gathering pace as building activity across the UK recovers from the disruption of the pandemic.
First introduced in 2016, W50 TB windows and doors are now being offered by most members of the Steel Window Association; and are finding applications in both high specification projects and the refurbishment of larger properties including hotels, offices and public buildings. While the modern system, developed by the SWA in conjunction with European profile manufacturer, Ottostumm, echoes the distinctive sightlines of the old W20 frames and offers similar light transmission to the building interior, the high-density polyurethane thermal break along with the flexibility to incorporate high performance glazing units up to 37mm thick, deliver greatly improved energy performance. Having been tested during the early development stages to deliver a U-value of 1.5 W/m2 K, the use of higher performance glass, warm edge spacer bars and argon or krypton gas filling can reduce this down much closer to a figure of 1.1 W/m2 K. Meanwhile, hot dip galvanising and an extremely tough, factory-applied Interpon D polyester powder coat finish help ensure a long, low maintenance working life, in addition to steel windows' renowned strength and security characteristics. The traditional ‘stepped leg' profiles can be employed to produce single or double casements as well as side hung and bottom hung options, which are fitted with dual EPDM gaskets to achieve an air permeability performance of 600 Pa to meet Class 4 standards. W50 TB windows and doors also offer very good acoustic performance. Paul Cox, the Commercial Manager for West Leigh, comments: "As well as the refurbishment of warehouse type and other older properties, we are also seeing the W50 TB systems being specified for a variety of new build projects, including very large extensions to residential properties, and opening up the backs of homes to link with the gardens. The range offers a lot of options, including in terms of thermal performance and the choice of different vents." The SWA covers the whole of the UK with a membership able to carry out the full range of projects from the restoration of early metal windows through to the creation of large span fenestration solutions suiting modern, minimalist architecture.
