Windows

SECONDARY GLAZING NOISE REDUCTION DELIGHTS RADIO BROADCASTER

“I just cannot believe how quiet it is” exclaimed a radio broadcaster to his wife after secondary glazing manufactured and supplied by Granada Glazing was installed throughout their period Buxton property to improve thermal efficiency and reduce external noise.

BBC radio producer Stephen Shipley, who has retired but continues to record occasional religious broadcasts from home, immediately noticed the acoustic benefit after 14 original single-glazed windows in the substantial semi-detached property were treated with Granada’s secondary glazing products. “Initially, we wanted secondary glazing for thermal efficiency, however the reduction in traffic noise from the main road has delighted my husband in particular as he’s very sensitive to sound. Having worked in radio for many years, his ears are highly attuned to extraneous noises,” said Rosemary Shipley. “It is a lot quieter now and I know when we restart recordings, we will notice the benefit of now that the house has an acoustic free from the sound of traffic.”

Dating back to 1870, the stone-built fivebedroomed house sits in a conservation area and was built to host Victorian visitors ‘taking the waters’ at the Derbyshire spa town. All the main reception rooms are dual aspect, including the living room which has several arched windows.

Keen to retain the original windows with their original Victorian glass, the Shipleys wanted secondary glazing “that would, as far as possible, complement and not spoil the look of the existing glazing.” Granada’s technical team worked with Brocklehurst Property Maintenance Ltd, specialists in conservation and renovation of historic buildings, to devise the best secondary glazing solution. A combination of Granada’s Heritage two-panel and threepanel sliding units, plus standard Lift Out panels and an arched Balanced Vertical Slider were installed across the building’s four floors.

The slimline aluminium frames, with 4mm glass panels, are finished in a white powder coating to match the existing windows and interior décor. All were fixed face onto the existing windows. 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. Commenting on the difference secondary glazing has made, Rosemary continues: “It is not at all intrusive, the units are good quality and slide very easily. The installers have an eye for detail and have done a particularly good job; we are really pleased.” She says after the secondary glazing was installed in the Spring, visitors noted that the house feels warmer and ‘I think we will certainly see the benefit of reduced heating bills in the winter.’

Rosemary adds: “The whole climate change agenda is something we cannot ignore, and we were keen to do our small bit to conserve the heat and reduce the amount of fuel we are consuming. Secondary glazing means we keep the period windows and get all the benefits of modern glazing.” 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.

SWISSPACER REPORTS THREEFOLD GROWTH IN SALES OF POPULAR GEORGIAN BAR

SWISSPACER, a leader in warm edge solutions, has seen sales of its Georgian bar spacer bar increase exponentially over the past year. Sales are up over 300% in Q1 2021 compared with the same period in 2020.

The surge in home improvements is driving demand across many product sectors, including high-performance heritage-style windows. SWISSPACER’s Georgian bar offers outstanding energy efficiency as well as enhancing the appearance of this popular style of window that replicates the look of traditional timber windows.

Perfect for premium-looking flush sashes and vertical sliders, SWISSPACER’s full suite of Georgian bars consists of 13 different sizes, including the most recently introduced 12x18mm and 16x18mm models, aimed at the most popular sized windows in the UK and Irish markets. anti-rattle plug and matching end caps for a seamless, high-end finish. It’s available in 17 different colours, offering a wide range of choice to suit any project or home. John Cooper, SWISSPACER Commercial Director (UK and Ireland) says: “Since we added the two new sizes to our extensive range, interest and sales have soared, further boosted by strong consumer spending on home improvements. “While demand for heritage-style windows is growing fast, homeowners don’t just want windows that look good, they want them to perform well too,” continues John. “Our Georgian bar helps to do just that. It gives traditional-looking flush sash and vertical sliding windows a flawless finish and provides top-notch energy efficiency, saving homeowners money on heating bills while adding an extra something special to their homes.” To learn more, visit https://en.swisspacer.com/products/ swisspacer-georgian-bars or call 01908 335 190 and follow @swisspacer.

Sales of SWISSPACER’s Georgian bar have increased by over 300%

CONSERVATION LIVING IN LYME PARK WITH R9

Nestled away in the Peak District, adjacent to Lyme Park National Trust, sits the latest installation from The Residence Collection. This perfectly showcases the outstanding heritage credentials of R9, which is unequivocally the ultimate true timber alternative window and door system.

Lyme Park is a large country estate managed by the National Trust with the mansion house designated as a Grade I listed building. This project that was carried out by Alexander Windows, sits in the local conservation area, one of 109 in the Peak District National Park. The Residence Collection has a long and esteemed history working with local authorities on such conservation projects. ‘We were given the brief to improve the thermal efficiency of the property, all within Article 4 conservation guidelines. The Residence Collection was the perfect solution due to its high-performance, authentic design and perfect imitation of timber,’ says Lauren Tutton, associate director of Alexander Windows.

Resplendent with a Clotted Cream exterior and Grained White internal finish, the windows also feature antique black monkey tail handles, working peg and stay, mechanical joints, horizontal Georgian bars and a 28mm decorative glazing bead to complete the finish. The objective was to mimic the original windows but with harnessing modernday materials for lower maintenance and improved energy efficiency credentials. ‘It’s always great to get feedback from our clients and hear how happy they are with their new window and doors and they loved the fact that the windows perfectly replicated traditional manufacturing methods,’ continues Lauren. The Residence Collection has been specifically designed to aesthetically replicate documented historical window designs of the 19th Century and therefore have been approved and specified in many areas across the UK. Jo Trotman, marketing manager of The Residence Collection added: ‘This is a great example of R9 windows for conservation areas. There’s little to distinguish them from the originals in terms of dimensions, sightlines and even colour and it’s made a very positive impact on this period property, much to the delight of the local planning department and the homeowner.’ For further information please visit www.residencecollectiontrade.co.uk. You can request a free marketing pack including the stylish and inspirational My Residence Magazine via e-mail at trade@residencecollection.co.uk or by calling 01452 345848.