ARCHITECTS’ DRAWING ON ASWS EXPERTISE ISO CHEMIE’S NEW MULTIFUNCTIONAL JOINT SEALING TAPE AVAILABLE AS UK STOCK

Different ages of the UK’s built heritage are frequently most recognisable from their fenestration patterns as by their roof structure or choice of walling materialsmaking decisions regarding the windows replacement or conservation critical to the overall success of any redevelopment.

So it is that London-based Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS) has built a solid reputation far beyond the capital for successfully undertaking some of the most challenging fenestration contracts. ASWS worked in close cooperation with the project’s lead design consultants; as well as coordinating its operations with the main and other contractors. In fact, the multigenerational expertise ASWS offers extends beyond its management team to many of its long-serving workforce; while the company also retains a vast library of ironmongery and other window and door components, together with an established supply chain to keep contracts on track.

“ASWS was involved from beginning to end and they were exceptionally helpful, working assiduously right the way through the project. We were very pleased with their proactive approach. From my point of view, they have done remarkably well and came up with the goods; I’m very happy with the result and would certainly go back to them.”

David Loxton – Loxton & Associates (Project –

Alexandra House)

Managing Director, Kris Bennell, explains:

“As a family business with a long track record within the industry, we are respected for our experience and try to offer added value for architects and the other professionals we deal with; often on a regular basis. In fact, we are frequently brought on board at an early stage to conduct very detailed condition surveys, and to offer ideas on how conservation goals can be achieved. Which then becomes part of the negotiation with the planning authorities.”

“There has also been a shift in the way projects are run, with end clients now actively encouraging architects to engage with specialists like ourselves – especially where the main contractor is leading the work. This can include them making use of our enablement service: where we can remove heritage fabric and windows to facilitate access for hoists or chutes, as well as cataloguing and putting frames and other components of historical value into safe storage for the duration.”

“We relied on ASWS as specialists to tell us what could and couldn’t be repaired. They were incredibly knowledgeable and their expertise was helpful in understanding what needed to be done with the windows.”

Andrew Morgan – JM Architects (Project - Heals Building)

Amongst the many historic buildings where ASWS has provided its unique skillset are Woolwich Arsenal, the South Bank’s County Hall building, The Royal Academy of Arts, the iconic retail emporium Whiteleys and the recently redeveloped Battersea Power Station. Both the Royal Academy and award-winning renovation work on one of the Crown Estate’s most public propertiesQuadrant Arcade, on Regent Street - both saw the specialist offering advice to the leading architectural practice, Barr Gazetas.

“We regularly use ASWS and the project went really well. The initial schedule of work that they produced was incredibly useful and detailed. It was quite a tricky project for them and they did a good job, especially considering the budgetary constraints and number of windows involved. Their advice and expertise were very helpful, especially with the ironmongery.”

Karen Fuller – Barr Gazetas (Project – Glasshouse and multiple other projects)

For more information on ASWS, please visit asws.co.uk.

ISO Chemie’s multi-functional joint sealing tape ISO-BLOCO Hybratec is now available as stock in a move to meet demand for energy efficient window sealing solutions and product availability from UK installers and specifiers.

ISO-BLOCO Hybratec is a window joint tape featuring the latest in hybrid technology to provide effective three-level 100% air tight sealing in line with RAL energy performance standards and resistance to driving rain in excess of 1050 Pa.

The tape, which also complies with the energy efficiency requirements of the Building Energy Act, provides excellent air tightness and thermal protection when it comes to the sealing between the inner room and external climate. Uncontrolled convection heat losses and draughts via the connection joint can be effectively eliminated - an important requirement in energy-saving construction.

ISO-BLOCO Hybratec also combines considerable expansion force with excellent functional reliability in terms of capacity to absorb long term movement and expansion of windows.

Awarded the ‘Certified Passive House Component’ label by Germany’s Passivhaus Institute, the tape can officially be used in the construction of passive energy houses across the UK as a window connection air tightness system.

In passive house construction, it is important for a building to be extremely air tight to minimise heat input required to warm the house, said Andy Swift, ISO Chemie’s sales and operations manager, who said the company is investing in UK stock handling and distribution to improve services and meet demand.

He said: “ISO-Chemie has a strong commitment to providing customers with high quality innovative products, so its good news for specifiers and installers that product, which offers outstanding thermal values esnure its advantages for passive energy installations, is now available as UK stock.” www.iso-chemie.eu/en-GB/home/

Passivhaus-certified products provide high energy savings combined with enhanced comfort compared to conventional newbuilds and renovated properties. This requires the use of particularly energyefficient components, in addition to careful and detailed planning.

As an independent body, the Passivhaus Institute in Darmstadt tests and certifies products with respect to their suitability for use in passive energy houses. Products bearing the ‘Certified component’ quality seal have been tested against standardised criteria, have comparable characteristic values and offer excellent thermal quality.

ISO-CHEMIE is one of Europe’s main producers of impregnated foam sealants, specialising in the manufacturer of foam products from polyethylene (EPE), polypropylene (EPP) and polyurethane (PUR) using the latest production techniques.

REHAU Trims. Creating a complete finish.

Marking another step towards a purely authentic REHAU window solution, we have expanded our offering to include a range of window finishing trims in a select range of standard and niche colours including turner oak, elephant grey and midnight black.

Windows. Reinvented for modern life. rehau.uk/trims enquiries@rehau.com Tel: 01989 762600