Steel windows – protecting our architectural heritage

[GENUINE STEEL WINDOWS are being specified on a regular basis more frequently now than at any time during the past 30 years. Architects, planning officers, designers and property owners are becoming increasingly aware of the many benefits that steel windows have to offer – not least their robust strength and stunning good looks.

This revival in the specification of original steel windows has its roots in the growing trend to restore and preserve the finest of our old buildings rather than demolish them and construct new ones. Planning regulations in the UK concerning the protection of our architectural heritage are rigorous: indeed, they are seen worldwide as an example of how the best of the past can be conserved and found new uses for in the modern world.

All buildings require alteration from time to time and religious buildings are no exception. Churches are often of real significance to a local community, providing a valued link to its history and identity. Redundant church buildings can offer a myriad of exciting conversion opportunities, but as they are often listed or in Conservation Areas, any change of use must of course adhere to strict planning guidelines.

A fine example is The Sanctuary in London, which has been impressively converted into four luxury apartments and one stunning new build house. A 19th-century listed building – formerly St Paul’s Church – The Sanctuary sits in a prominent position at the top of St John’s Hill in Battersea. Owners, The James Laurence Group, worked with the London Borough of Wandsworth’s Planning Department to agree how best the historical building should be restored and provided with a new lease of life.

Clement was chosen to supply all the steel windows and conservation rooflights. The bespoke demands of the project (above) necessitated the use of two steel window ranges, sometimes within the same aperture, in order to achieve the precise look required. Both W20 and EB24 were fitted to create the beautiful new windows, which include club head patterns.

The combination of steel’s elegant sightlines and the large panes of glass that can be used due to steel’s inherent strength made steel windows the popular choice for the project. Not only do the windows provide a great look, but they also flood the building with natural light, giving the impression of more space. The Sanctuary was included as a case study for the Heritage England report, Heritage Counts.

Other churches that are in need of restoration but will continue to be used for their original purpose also require sympathetic refurbishment in order to retain aspects of their architecture or historical connections.

For example, Mount Saint Bernard Abbey (pictured top) is home to the Cistercian order of Saint Bernard. The Abbey, in Charnwood Forest in Leicestershire, opened in 1844 after a donation from John, 16th Earl of Shrewsbury, enabled a permanent monastery to be built on the site. The most famous architect of the Gothic Revival, Augustus Pugin, offered his services for free and designed the beautiful building which still stands today.

Grade Two listed, the monastery is of great architectural significance and therefore enormous sensitivity was required on the part of Clement when the company was approached to replace the original metal windows, some of which were more than 170 years old.

A great deal of thought and planning went into deciding the correct specification. Clement’s EB20 range of steel windows was specified to best replicate the original windows, while simultaneously improving the thermal efficiency which was so important for the building’s residents.

The slim, elegant sections of EB20 allowed the creation of the beautiful club and arch heads seen in the pictures which add to the charm of the wonderful historic building.

The modern steel window, which if bought in the UK is generally made entirely from source-recycled material, is available with any number of performance options. They include compliance with the latest thermal guidelines contained in Part L of the Building Regulations, robust hard-wearing surface coatings in a choice of RAL colours and sturdy security devices.

So, today the steel window really does have a part to play in protecting our strong architectural heritage: functional but stylish in a way that other materials such as aluminium and plastic just cannot match. q • For more about Clement Windows Group call 01483 643393, email info@clementwg.co.uk or visit www.clementwindows.co.uk