Leading Leadwork from Everbrite

A £2.5 million listed manor house situated in Hatfield Heath was given the Everbrite finishing touches when the Deceuninck fabricator installed 44 highly decorative windows and 20 sets of double French doors.

The window specification was complicated as it had to incorporate lead work that precisely replicated the original. Once everyone was agreed on the design Everbrite installed the complete £48,000 job in one and a half weeks, with three teams working seven days a week.

The biggest bulk of the project cost was taken up by the new wing of the house that contains a swimming pool. Here Everbrite fitted six metre long windows and French doors that ran the complete length of the pool room.

Tel: 01249 816969
Web: http://www.deceuninck.com

Clements Provide Finishing Touches on Hamilton Quarter Development

Hamilton Square is the largest group of Grade 1 Listed Buildings in the country. Since 1988, a programme of refurbishment of the buildings in and around the Square has been underway. This was initialised by the Council with Urban Programme funding, continued by Merseyside Development Corporation and completed by the Hamilton Quarter, using Single Regeneration Budget, European funding, English Heritage grants, and contributions from building owners.

The work has been almost entirely external, including the replacement of chimney pots in the original style, reconstruction of chimneystacks, re-roofing, replacing of leadwork, stonework repairs, structural repair and timber treatment. Restoration of the original rooflights, which form a major feature of the square, has been a significant element of the works and was undertaken by steel window company, Clement Windows Group Ltd.

Part of the development has included work on one of the areas most prominent buildings, the Antiques Triangle on Cross/Chester Street. The first phase, saving a crumbling one-time cheap boarding house from the bulldozer, was completed during the summer of 1997. It now acts as the headquarters of Wirral Mind, who obtained funding National Lottery for the internal fit-out. Further phases of the scheme have provided 48 flats above commercial units, and the buildings have been cleaned and shop frontages restored to their original character.

The Antiques Triangle is a landmark visible from the Birkenhead entrance of the Mersey tunnel. Originally part of a unique double triangle of commercial buildings, it had fallen into disuse.

The Waterloo Buildings, opposite Hamilton Square Station, is another very important and prominent building being refurbished as part of the Hamilton Quarter initiative. Before the scheme commenced in early 1997, the Bridge Street frontage of the building had deteriorated almost to the point of no return. Its derelict appearance has given the area a bad image and discouraged investment. The first phase of the refurbishment scheme provided 27 flats on the upper floors, with commercial and leisure floor space on the ground floor.

Clements provided several of its Cast rooflights as part of the sophisticated noise insulation measures that were incorporated to ensure that residents of the upper floors are not unduly disturbed by the activities below.

Web: http://www.clementwg.co.uk

As Not Seen on TV

Film provided by Anglian Technical Window Films is seen by millions of television viewers every day of the week - or rather it isn't. That is because it has been applied to the glass which forms the backdrop for shows such as London Tonight, This Morning and the ITV Saturday Night Premier League Football Show, through which stunning views of London across the River Thames can be seen.

The window was providing an increasing problem to lighting technicians who were struggling to maintain the lighting levels within the range required for filming. Approved Anglian installer Solartek Films were asked to consider the problem, for which any solution had, quite literally, to be invisible. Solartek recommended and installed Angiian non-reflective bronze 35 film, which reduced the external visible light transmission by 64%, whiist still retaining the outside views.

The non-reflective film is available in a wide range of colour options and gives a uniform appearance. For more information on products view the new website on http://www.anglian-films.com or call on 01603 420574

Brett Martin Lights up City of Manchester Stadium

The XVII Commonwealth Games was the largest world-class sporting event ever held in the UK. Its centrepiece will be the new £100m City of Manchester Stadium, which after the Games have finished will become the new home of Manchester City FC. It features innovative stadium design, in which daylight plays a vital role- not only in 'traditional' roofing but unusually even fine detailing such as louvres.

The quality of daylight has been achieved through materials manufactured by Belfast-based Brett Martin, producer of plastic rooflight sheet.

Architect Arup Associates wanted to create the impression that the roof floated above the stadium, curving through three dimensions. Lighting specification was crucial, to achieve a halo effect and to optimise light conditions for camera work. Equally important, natural daylight is one of the three vital elements (light, ventilation and water) to ensure good grass growth.

It was also important, therefore, to allow adequate fresh air into the stadium to encourage grass growth, yet ensure the crowd was in a pleasant ambient environment, free from draughts and screened from the elements. Materials had to comply with Building Regulations for public arena, carrying, for example, appropriate fire rating.

Brett Martin's technical experts worked closely with Arup Associates and sub-contractors on the roofing and louvres, Broderick Structures Ltd and Keyclad Ltd, to develop a solution.
For the roof, the solution was the use of 4675m of Marlon CS Longlife corrugated clear polycarbonate sheet. This provided the high degree of light quality and light transmission- up to 88% light transmission, whilst cutting out 98% of harmful UV radiation- required.

Below the roof line, to create the floating, halo effect and allow ventilation and a degree of weather protection to spectators, Brett Martin's Marlon FSX Longlife clear, flat polycarbonate sheet was used to create inclined louvres. Fixed into steel glazing bars, the panels allow optimum natural daylight in and fresh air to circulate, whilst screening spectators from the elements.

Over 1,600 individual panels of 6mm thick Marlon FSX Longlife were cut into rhomboids for insertion into the glazing bars.

Winston Brierley, Brett Martin Roofing Products business development director, comments, 'The City of Manchester Stadium is unusual in that the roof curves through three dimensions and round the corners. Most stadia, even if they appear to curve round the pitch, have squared off corners in the roof and rooflights.

'This was a major design challenge but the end result speaks for itself.'

Once the Games close, Phase II of the Stadium construction programme will begin, when the lower, South end is replicated at the North end: currently open to allow the dimensions needed for the athletics track and seating. This will involve continuation of the roof to enclose the Stadium completely.

In addition, the track will be removed and the ground level within the stadium lowered by six metres to accommodate the football pitch and additional 10,000 seats needed by Manchester City FC, for whom the Stadium will become home.

Contact: Patrick McLain
Tel: 028 9084 9999
Web: http://www.brettmartin.com

Cotswold Casements Eases Energy Concerns for Training Centre

When a management centre based in a historic Warwickshire country house was refused permission to fit double glazing by local planners, the owners believed they had been condemned to high heating bills for ever more. However, awarding the Cotswold Casement Company a contract to overhaul the building's ageing metal windows not only greatly extended their working life, it also radically improved the thermal performance.

The remedy offered by the Gloucestershire based metal window specialist for The Ashorne Hill Conference Centre involved removing each of the corroded and distorted frames and fitting temporary glazing in their place, while the originals were taken away for treatment.

The windows were transported to Cotswold's Moreton-in-Marsh workshops where they were overhauled, including repairing of sections, grit blasting of frames, hot dipped galvanising, polyester powder coating and finally draught proofing, prior to being returned to site for installation.

The leaded iights were restored with new lead cames being fabricated where necessary. The windows were then re-assembled incorporating modern high performance weather-stripping to greatly reduce air filtration. Badly fitting handles and other pieces of ironmongery were also repaired or replaced as required.

lan Cross, Maintenance Planner for Ashorne Hill, comments: 'This is a Grade II listed property built back in 1894 and, not surprisingly, the original windows did not keep out the weather very well any more. As we were not allowed to replace them, or even to install secondary glazing, we involved Cotswold Casements as experts in this type of repair work.
'I do not have any actual figures to prove that the overhaul is saving energy, but the perception of everyone here in the offices, staying in the half dozen guest bedrooms, or using the 10 meeting rooms, is that it feels more comfortable with far fewer drafts.

'It was a job that had to be done and has turned out to be a real success and will continue to be part of our ongoing refurbishment plan.'

Tel: 01608 650568

Masterdor Means Happy Tenants

Manse Masterdor Ltd has received thanks from the tenants of North Kesteven District Council, after the company's products were specified at Bracebridge Heath in Lincoln.
North Kesteven District Council owns around four and a half thousand properties, largely in the Sleaford and North Hykeham areas of Lincolnshire. The majority of the post-war properties were originally fitted with doors in softwood frames, with varying quality of fitting, leading to security concerns. As a result, the Council began a project to replace all the existing doors on its properties, starting with the bungalows occupied mainly by elderly and disabled residents.

Mike Gadd, building surveyor for North Kesteven District Council says, 'The time had come to replace the existing doors and to find a door system that could provide low-maintenance benefits, meet our security requirements and offer a choice of styles and colours so that tenants could have an input in their changing environment.'

After examining all the options, Masterdors were specified for the project. Mike Gadd continues, ' The Masterdor system not only met all our needs, but we were also impressed by the way in which the product combines the traditional qualities of wood with modern fabrication, resulting in a traditional, aesthetically pleasing wooden door with modern security benefits and longer life.'

The doors quickly proved to be an equal hit with tenants. Jean Reed, one of the tenants on the Bracebridge Heath site and who is disabled with Osteoporosis, wrote a letter to Manse Masterdor ltd shortly after her doors were fitted, not only thanking the company for its efficiency and kindness, but also remarking on the quality of her new front and back doors.

Jean comments, 'My illness has affected my mobility enormously, meaning that I rely on using two sticks. With the old doors, I needed a different key for each door and I would often leave the doors open because I hadn't the strength to slam them shut, which was the only way to close them. Now I only need one key for both doors and shutting and locking the Masterdors takes very little strength, as I only have to lift the handle up for the bolts to come across. However trivial these things may sound, when you are elderly and ill, you don't need any extra worries. To me, these doors are the best thing since sliced bread!'

Masterdors are made from a combination of metal, PVCu and timber. With PAS 23 and PAS 24 and Secured By Design accreditation, Masterdor offers real protection against burglary or vandalism. In every case, Masterdor doorsets are made-to-measure rather than made to fit and are available in a range of colours. Masterdor's production technique enables specifiers to meet the requirements laid down in Part M of the Building Regulations for external doorways in residential developments providing wheelchair access.

Mike Hudson, director at Manse Masterdor says, 'Our relationship with North Kesteven District Council is working extremely well and we have had positive feedback from both the Council and the tenants. Although we have only just reached the end of the first year in our five-year contract, we have already installed 1000 doors and have successfully developed a two-way relationship.'

Tel: 01423 866868
Email: mailto:info@masterdor.co.uk
Web: http://www.masterdor.co.uk

Selectaglaze Helps Preserve John Nash's 'Urban Plan' with two Central London Hotel Conversions

Although having the architectural appearance of a much older building the home of London's newest hotel, The Sofitel St James London, was, in fact, completed in 1923 but follows the neo-classic architectural and structural strategy laid down 100 years earlier by John Nash as part of his Regent Street 'urban plan'.

The Sofitel St James, occupies the prominent corner location opposite the Institute of Directors on the corner to Pall Mall and Waterloo Place - overlooking the statues and memorials dedicated to those who fought and lost their lives during the Crimean War - in the heart of St. James, is within walking distance of many of the capital's landmarks - including Buckingham Palace and St. James' Palace.

Owned by French hotel group, Accor, Sofitel is the company's luxury brand.
The Sofitel, St. James is a 125,000 sq.ft. Grade II Listed Building formerly the headquarters of Lloyds Bank subsidiary Cox's and King's and owned by The Crown Estate.
Accor has developed the site in collaboration with The Crown Estate, Westminster Council and MWB, to create an hotel reflecting the original grandeur of the building, together with Main Contractors YJL Construction and award winning architects RHWL.

The hotel, which opened on 30th April 2002, boasts 186 rooms and suites, including the magnificent Royal Suite overlooking Waterloo Place and the Brasserie Roux operating under the watchful eye of Consultant Chef Albert Roux himself.

Secondary Glazing specialist, Selectaglaze Ltd., was briefed to design, manufacture and install a range of secondary units to reduce noise levels and increase thermal insulation to the bedrooms and suites. But at the same time, it was essential to preserve the original style of the building and hence the secondary windows had to avoid introducing additional sight lines.

The majority of the windows are traditional sash, which Selectaglaze treated with its Series 90 heavy duty vertical sliding system. But the windows to the hotel's first floor, including The Royal Suite, feature monumental side hung casements over 13 feet in height. These Selectaglaze treated with their Series 40 fixed pane units above double side hung casements. All units were glazed with 10mm float glass.

The Trafalgar is The Hilton Group's first unbranded luxury 'lifestyle' hotel and is a move away from the traditional business traveller formula. Located on Trafalgar Square, the hotel combines the architectural heritage of its listed neo-classical facade with what the company describes as a 'timeless' contemporary design.

Spread over six floors, the hotel boasts 129 bedrooms, many of which incorporate interesting features from the original structure of the building - such as the high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows that help to create a superb sense of light and space, coupled with magnificent views over Trafalgar Square. On the second and third floors there are 21 split-level studio rooms with a separate raised living area.

To help complete this oasis of peace and tranquility, Selectaglaze was briefed to design, manufacture and install a total of 126 secondary glazed units to treat bedrooms throughout the hotel. Of particular note are the monumental floor-to-ceiling units located on the Cockspur Street first floor elevation, measuring in excess of 3 metres high, where Selectaglaze installed their Series 40 medium duty side hung casements with arched heads. Rooms to other floors were treated with the company's Series 40 double side hung casements and single casements designed to accommodate a combination of bay windows and runs of 3-panel sashes. The 'attic-style' rooms to the 5th floor, where, in some parts, the ceilings are over 5 metres high, presented an interesting and unusual 'Gothic' window configuration incorporating a circular window above a traditional sash. To avoid introducing additional sightlines, Selectaglaze utilized their Series 45 side-hung single casement under an arched fixed panel.

Secondary windows are generally constructed from aluminium sections and the extensive range of paint and anodised finishes allows close match to the interior decor. The units will accept a range of thickness and specifications of glazing.

Selectaglaze offers a comprehensive CPD Presentation to specifiers and interior designers. Information about the CPD Presentations can be obtained from Daphne Talbot on 01727 837271
Email: mailto:enquiries@selectaglaze.co.uk
Web: http://www.selectaglaze.co.uk

HansenGlass Motors Ahead at Trafficmaster HQ

ThermoSpan structural bolted glass assemblies have been supplied by HansenGlass to create a glazed entrance facade at the new Trafficmaster headquarters in Cranfield.

The three storey building features over 300m2 of faceted ThermoSpan, incorporating 15mm clear FortPlus heat soaked toughened glass with stainless steel brackets, which was installed by facade specialist William Verry Glazing Systems of London. HansenGlass also supplied ThermoCool insulating glass units utilising Guardian Glass Luxguard Natural 62 high performance solar control glass.

ThermoSpan structural bolted glass assemblies provide architects and specifiers with the opportunity to create original designs in glass in any plane from vertical through to horizontal. HansenGlass ThermoSpan assemblies, whether double, triple glazed or laminated, are bolted through the inner glass only, offering a flush facade that reduces the possibility of weather ingress and adds security benefits.

HansenGlass, independent glass processor, has recently completed two further ThermoSpan contracts with William Verry, including the UCI cinema, Greenwich and Imperial Place, Borehamwood.

Tel: 0151 545 3000
Email: mailto:sales@hansenglass.co.uk
Web: http://www.hansengroup.co.uk

First Goldline 70 Ovolo Replacement Frames Fitted to Home in Milford on Sea

'Fully Ovolo design is just what installers have been waiting for' says Peter Richley of DPR Windows

The Whiteline Group, the South East trade fabricator, confirms the first order for its new Goldline 70 frames was placed by DPR Windows based in New Milton, Hampshire. Goldline 70 is Whiteline's first fully Ovolo suite of frames.

An established customer for Whiteline's 58mm frames, DPR were delighted to be able to source the elegant Ovolo frames that are popular with many of their customers from the same supplier. A team from DPR installed the first Goldline 70 PVCu replacement frames during February. Feature style frames were fitted to three large bay windows at the front of a 1930s style house in Milford on Sea, replicating the authentic look of the original timber frames which had deteriorated following lengthy exposure to salt and sea spray.

Commenting on the introduction of the new 70mm Ovolo frames, Peter Richley partner of DPR said: 'In our area we have a number of customers with older style properties, and they prefer the Ovolo design, which offers the option of a more elaborate feature frame in keeping with the traditional timber windows originally found in these homes. Previously we had to source these frames from an alternative supplier, however, the introduction of Goldline 70 allows us to purchase all our PVCu frames exclusively from Whiteline.'

The Goldline 70 Ovolo design is offered across a full suite of products.Complementing Whiteline's existing 58mm bevelled Goldline range, Goldline 70 has been designed to appeal to customers whose preference is for a more 'traditional' frame. An authentic replica of timber ogee design, the decorative shape of the new Ovolo product is used on every aspect of the new frames.

Backed by the Whiteline Group's service package and technical support programme, Goldline 70 products are supplied in protective packaging and also benefit from a comprehensive sales kit and marketing support package.

Contact: Peter Hand
Tel: 01323 723724
Email: mailto:peter_hand@whiteline.ndo.co.uk
Web: http://www.whitelinewindows.com

Cladding for Cows

Kestrel, manufacturer of PVC-ue products, has supplied cladding for an unusual application; to line the interior of a milking parlour near Eastbourne. The parlour,which can milk thirty six cows at one time, now features white PVCu cladding supplied by Kestrel stockist, Trimseal.

Cladding the dome shaped parlour presented quite a problem for the farmer, who not only had to consider the shape of the building but also issues such as hygiene and maintenance. Kestrel's 3005 hollow soffit board provided a suitable three-in-one solution.
The hollow soffit (which also serves as a cost effective cladding option) is more flexible than flat board and so is easier to cut and could be moulded to fit the curve of the building. The new PVC-ue lined walls, however, involve a very low degree of maintenance - a simple wash down every six months is all that is required. The new cladding is fixed two metres above floor level and the area below is covered with fibre glass to withstand the twice daily wash.

Tel: 01260 274764
Email: mailto:info@kbp.co.uk
Web: http://www.kbp.co.uk

Titon Ventilators Create Healthy Homes for Cardiff Development

Titon Hardware's Maxiglaze trickle ventilation units have been fitted into a window replacement scheme, worth £1 million, for Local Authority housing in Cardiff.

The Maxiglaze glazed-in ventilators were chosen to reduce excessive condensation in over one hundred post-war local authority flats. Simon Kendrich, Project Technician, at Cardiff City Council explains:

'Many of the flats had serious damp and condensation problems. We chose Titon's Maxiglaze energy efficient ventilators due to their track history of creating healthy ventilated living spaces. The ventilators are also a cost-effective solution; much cheaper than a de-humidifier.'

Titon's Maxiglaze, available in made-to-measure or bar length form for cutting down by the customer, can be fitted into timber, aluminium, PVCu, or composite windows. The ventilators are easy to control and are available with cord or rod operation, ideal for limited access environments. Titon manufactures window trickle ventilation products and is currently celebrating its thirtieth year in business.

The windows and ventilators were installed by HT (UK) Ltd (Window Division) in Tamworth.
Tel: 01206 562400
Email: mailto:sales@titon.co.uk
Web: http://www.titon.co.uk

CRISP'N COMFORTABLE REFURBISHMENT

Door specialists, Apollo Birmingham Ltd, were chosen to supply white powder coated aluminium residential doors for a major refurbishment at St Crispins Estate in South East London.

John Davies, contracts manager for Everglaze (Installations) Ltd, who undertook the installation contract for the windows and doors says, 'We carry out numerous commercial installation contracts alongside each other, manufacturing our own aluminium windows. It's imperative that we have a door supplier who understands our working practices and who can deliver product to site to synchronize with our own programme of manufacture and installation.'

Phase I of the St Crispin refurbishment, worth £200,000, was completed in late spring of 2001, with Phase II due for completion in February 2002. Although the door and window styles differed slightly on the two phases, both used Apollo's bespoke design, which carries a shuffle glazing bead to provide simplicity of installation. 'We are running ahead of schedule,'continues John, 'so residents should be able to enjoy the additional comfort through the worst winter months.'

The two companies have worked together successfully on a number of prestigious contracts over the last few years and are both keen to continue the partnership in the future.

Tel: 0121 526 3736 Fax: 0121 526 2997

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