Windows

SWAN SELECTS SHEERLINE TO TRANSFORM SCHOOL

Sheerline’s Prestige range was recently chosen to replace aging sash windows in a large grammar school in Kent, helping to freshen the look of this traditional brick building. As the transformation had to take place over the summer holidays, it was crucial the project was delivered on time, and Sheerline’s agile service was key to helping the team at Swan Doors & Windows meet this deadline.

At over 20 years old, the existing sash balances were beginning to fail. This meant if a window was open, it could close at any time. This was obviously a serious safety concern that needed to be addressed quickly with minimal disruption to the school. Improving the thermal performance of the windows was also an important consideration and a key reason that Sheerline’s Prestige range – with its unique Thermlock® thermal break was chosen for the project. With energy prices rising, home and business owners alike are looking for sustainable ways to cut their costs without compromising on warmth. Transforming Borden Grammar School was a collaborative effort that brought together contractors Waller Associates and Swan Doors and Windows Ltd, fabricators who are beginning to reap the benefits of offering the Sheerline aluminium range. Swan commented, “We used Sheerline over other options for this project because we liked the overall quality of the product and the availability that helped us keep to the tight timescales.” After consulting with the school, they choose a Prestige window in a Georgian style finished in Hipca Gloss White RAL9910 for a contemporary take on the windows that were being replaced. It was key to choose a style that enhanced the look of the school but still matched its character and other buildings on the school estate. The fabricators at Swan appreciated the quality of the aluminium profiles and the feel of the windows in operation. They required little to no adjustment on site, which is what the team at Sheerline aimed for when designing the system. In addition, Wallers Associates commented on the fact the frames were easy to glaze and said they would be happy to recommend Sheerline to future clients.

Paul Ewart, Director, Swan Doors and Windows Ltd., said: “Sheerline provided on-site technical support for our first few jobs to ensure that all our staff were trained appropriately, and that the product was fabricated correctly, which we found invaluable. We hope to continue building our order book with Sheerline products.” Since the installation, the classrooms are brighter and airer, and as the glass installed is solar controlled the classrooms will be cooler in summer, and warmer in winter. Even though the style change has been subtle, the now renewed exterior looks much improved. Changing to 50/50 top opening sash windows also means they are safer and easier to operate. CEO of Sheerline Roger Hartshorn said: “The feedback we’ve received from Wallers Associates and Swan is a testament to the hard work we put into designing the Sheerline range. When we first developed the idea, we knew we had to overcome the existing issues within the industry, and that’s what we’re doing.” “We’re proud to provide unrivalled support to our customers, whether they’re home or business owners, installers or fabricators – everyone receives technical support and high-quality customer service,” he added. To find out about adding Sheerline’s range of Part L compliant, aluminium windows and doors to your product offering, or to specify them on your next project please call 01332 978000 or visit www.sheerline.com.

ICONIC RETAIL STORE TRANSFORMED WITH SPECTUS FUTUREPROOF YOUR BUSINESS

200 Spectus casement windows have been installed in an iconic retail building refurbishment in Batley, West Yorkshire.

Redbrick Mill is an iconic department store for furniture and interiors and is home to over forty carefully selected high-quality retail brands. A former steam powered woollen mill built in the 1860’s, Redbrick Mill was launched by a local textile entrepreneur in 2000 with the ambition to create a major high-end retail destination. The manufacture and installation of the 200 Spectus casement windows was awarded to longstanding Spectus Approved Window Contractor, Jade Windows (Brighouse) Ltd. Based in Batley, West Yorkshire, Jade Windows is a longstanding family-owned business with considerable experience in the commercial sector and an exceptional track record of working on several prestigious commercial projects. The contract required the fabrication and installation of 200 bespoke 3 metre x 3 metre casement windows with arched frames to perfectly replicate the aesthetics of the building’s original timber frames. The windows were manufactured in Anthracite Grey with Georgian bar detailing to visually replicate the industrial aesthetics that this iconic building required. All products were manufactured in the 70mm Spectus Bevelled system by Jade Windows. The popular Spectus Bevelled system has all the technical credentials for high-quality commercial applications. It can achieve a Window Energy Rating of Band A++ and U values as low as 0.8W/(m2K). In this project, the windows were manufactured in Anthracite Grey finish to the external and internal faces. This chosen colour palette perfectly replicated the required aesthetics and delivered a ‘crittall’ window effect which has long been associated with Art Deco and Modernist movements in early 20th Century architecture. All products were manufactured to PAS24:2016 standard.

With over 200 windows needing to be installed on a busy retail site, effective project management was essential. Jade Windows liaised closely with the building owners to agree a phased installation programme for minimum disruption. Now the project is complete, the iconic mill has been transformed. Ryan Fozard, Sales Manager at Jade Windows commented: “The iconic store has been completely transformed. The bespoke windows perfectly blend with the historic architecture of the former mill and the chosen aesthetics pay homage to its industrial heritage. We are delighted to have worked on this prominent project and once again, the quality and reliability of the Spectus system has delivered at every level. This is a symbolic stand-out building in Batley and we are proud of the finished results.”

WITH A NOD TO THE PAST – TIM TAYLOR

With the economic climate causing us all issues, Fabricators and Installers are certainly looking for new ways to secure leads. Thinking ‘outside the box’ could be key, and the solution may not be what you expect.

In 2008, the UK weathered the worst recession in its history, but despite that, research shows that home improvement spending increased, particularly amongst luxury products. Our industry didn’t just survive, it thrived. To secure revenue, we diversified our products and services. This resulted in a better product portfolio, with improved quality and choice. Arming ourselves with those improved products and continuing to innovate has proved invaluable.

Let’s talk about the Vertical Slider (VS), one of the most coveted window styles, not only due to aesthetics, but also due to its historical association with style and wealth. It is of course the default style for heritage buildings, but we are also seeing a rise in it being specified in luxury new build developments, as architects and designers recognise not only the elegance of this traditional style, but also, its superior ventilation performance. Most UK windows are now replacements of replacements, which means that homeowners are giving more consideration to their choice, and willing to invest in enhancing features such as style, hardware, and colour. Providing an interesting modern twist has become an art form, and the Imagine Vertical Slider offers traditional design that boasts the modern performance benefits of PVCu.

Designed and launched in 2018, this new generation window hosts 30 ‘clever little details’ and is still the most technically advanced VS on the market.

VEKA customer Window Warehouse has recognised the opportunity this highend product can offer and has recently undertaken a successful expansion project, which has enabled it to begin fabrication of the Imagine VS. In these uncertain times, investing in luxury may seem an unusual thing to do, but history has shown that there is a market out there. By offering homeowners this affordable, accessible, heritage system, you could start to explore it. www.veka.co.uk

SPECTUS WINDOWS AND DOORS DELIVER FOR NEW LINCOLNSHIRE

FINALISTS ACROSS THE BOARD

738 Spectus windows, 95 Spectus French doors and 27 Spectus single doors have been installed in the first phase of a new build housing development in the village of Kirton near Boston, Lincolnshire.

The Spires development is an exclusive collection of 2, 3 and 4-bedroom homes designed and built by Ashwood Homes. The new build development will provide a mixture of private homes with 21 of the builds set to be affordable housing. Ashwood Homes aims to build properties of the highest quality and it extends the same discerning approach to partnership companies and the products chosen on its numerous developments. In the case of The Spires development, the new build project was awarded to experienced, longstanding Ashwood Homes partner, Highseal Manufacturing Ltd, part of the Fair Share Group. Established in 2012, the Fair Share Group is an independent manufacturing facility based in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire. The company fabricates the Spectus 70mm PVC-U window and door system from Epwin Window Systems and is committed to delivering manufacturing excellence and onsite installation support at every level. The new 152 first-phase plots made up of 2, 3 and 4-bedroom properties, were manufactured in white on both sides from the popular Spectus Bevelled 70mm System. The Spectus Bevelled System is a 70mm flagship PVC-U window and door system from Epwin Window Systems. Its product pedigree and elegant streamlined aesthetics are suitable for all property styles. In this project, all manufactured windows needed to adhere to Document Q, Building

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT Quickslide are delighted to have been shortlisted in the Best Windows category

at the Build It Awards 2022, for their Legacy PVCu sliding sash windows.

Quickslide’s Legacy sliding sash windows are designed to be the perfect timber replica and have become synonymous with heritage windows. In addition, following the changes to building regs earlier this year, Quickslide partnered with Glazpart to design an exclusive new trickle vent solution to ensure full compliance in a single sash window without compromising on that allimportant traditional aesthetic. It’s been a particularly successful year for the UK’s leading doors and windows manufacturer, who also recently achieved finalist spots for two G Awards and in the National Fenestration Awards (NFAs). From a record field of entries this year for the G Awards, Quickslide are shortlisted for both Fabricator of the Year and Customer Care Initiative of the Year, along with Regulations and BSi Kitemark standards for Vertical Sliding Window Company of the the energy and security performance. Year at the NFAs. As an experienced fabricator and installer, Managing Director Ben Weber said it was the Highseal Manufacturing team is familiar an honour to be shortlisted in so many with the requirements and protocols of industry awards and categories: “We’re new build developments. As such, the team always pleased to have our efforts and worked closely with the housebuilder and results recognised at the top awards in site contractors to ensure the window and our industry, and even more so this year doors were manufactured and installed when the categories are so far ranging in line with the timescales required. The across all the areas of our business that first phase development commenced in are so important to us and our customers: November 2019 and was completed in celebrating our great products, fantastic September 2022. quality and the customer service we pride Holly Donaldson, Office Manager at ourselves on. Highseal Manufacturing Company, said: “Awards like these showcase the amazing “Ensuring the windows were manufactured skills and service across our industry and and installed on time was crucial as we’re so proud to once again be taking the second fit on the electrics can only our place amongst the best. Plus looking be completed once the buildings are forward to a few good celebrations with our completely weatherproof. As such, we industry colleagues too, of course!”worked closely with all site contractors for a seamless build.” The Build It Awards winners will be announced at the award ceremony at With the first phase now completed, London’s Bankside Hilton hotel on Friday the Highseal Manufacturing team are 25th November. scheduling the start of second phase of the development. Holly, said: “We are delighted www.quickslide.co.uk to have partnered again with Ashwood Homes on this new development. The company has a number of developments across the region featuring family homes between two and four bedrooms. As with all of its projects, these properties are built to a high specification. The first phase of The Spires development has been a great success and we are looking forward to working with Ashwood Homes on their second phase which consists of 670 Spectus windows, 85 2022 Spectus French doors and 8 Spectus single doors.” SHORTLISTED Tel: 0845 340 3968 www.epwinwindowsystems.co.uk Best Windows

TUFFX GLASS STEPS UP TO THE JOB

With space at a premium and homes of three or even four storeys becoming increasingly popular, dark, narrow, purely functional stairwells are commonplace, but with the addition of glass these can become bright and welcoming focal points which dramatically improve the quality of living space.

With this in mind, TuffX were chosen to supply 15mm toughened safety glass with dubbed corners, in a mixture of rectangle and CNC-shaped panels, along with 33mm laminated walk-on floors with sandblasted corners to a residential property in Plymouth with grand designs for a doubleheight staircase. The project was used to complement and complete an open-tread glass staircase with a glass balustrade and walk-on glass landing. The finished result is a bright, airy and modern space with maximum natural light flowing through three floors and reaching out across the living areas beyond at every level. It's a clever way of bringing the multiple floors together and showcasing the impressive sense of space on offer in the property while creating a connected and homely feel throughout. Topped with a walk-on glass floor that pulls the whole look together and creates a stylish talking point. Overall the whole effect is one of a bright, light space that shows off the full height of the property to maximum effect from every floor.

“We’re delighted to see the finished result for this project, which truly shows the potential of toughened safety glass to absolutely transform modern openplan, multi-storey living,” said TuffX’s Commercial Director Paul Higgins. “When space and natural light are at a premium, glass makes an effective solution as well as a bold design statement for balustrades, walk-on floors and staircases — so why not combine all three?” www.tuffxglass.co.uk