George Barnsdale

Project descriptionHamilton House is a Grade II Renaissance style building located in the heart of London. It has recently undergone significant modernisation to preserve its historic charm while meeting contemporary safety and energy efficiency standards. The renovation focused on installing timber double glazed windows on the top floor and fire resistant timber windows in the stairwell, seamlessly blending the building’s Victorian architecture with cutting edge timber window technology.Renovation and innovationOwned by Dorrington Plc, Hamilton House, situated in the Whitefriars Conservation Area, has been transformed from a tired and dated office building into a selection of modern “plug and play” offices for small and medium sized businesses.Led by architects dMFK (de Metz Forbes Knight), the project set out to recapture the charm of the original building whilst making it fit for 21st century office working. This combination of renovation and innovation involved stripping back the 20th century additions like the ugly suspended ceilings alongside the addition of modern technology and meeting facilities.One of the larger parts of the project was the restoration of the stairwell and the reinstatement of the windows to the central lightwell. Having already worked with George Barnsdale on previous projects, Jamie Barwick, Asset Manager at Dorrington wanted to entrust this part of the project to the Spalding based timber windows manufacturer.Function and beauty combinedThe designs of the fire windows had to be functional and beautiful – something George Barnsdale works hard to achieve through extensive research and innovative manufacturing techniques.Pyrostop glass with stainless steel spacers was selected with a reeded design that emulates the glass on the lighting and lift.Reeded glass shown here on the lift shaft is emulated in the new fire windows on the stairwell.The hardwood timber (fire rated 60:30) is designed for a slower burn time and is finished in a colour to match F&B no 264 inside and white RAL 2016 outside.The arched shaping and tall slim profiles creates an elegant aesthetic that is mirrored in the staircase design and the lift shaft.Fire escape – form and functionOutside, the fire escape is functional and much safer thanks to the installation of the new timber fire windows. Since it is an enclosed area, it was vital that a fire within the building be effectively contained as people escape via this route.Windows with a viewAt the top of the building, the original windows and french doors were beyond repair and were replaced with modern timber double glazed ones. One of a limited number of listed properties in the area to gain planning permission for double glazing the new fenestration helps the building perform better thermally and acoustically.A number of sets of sliding sash windows and an interesting triangular fixed sash have been installed on the 8th floor.This project clearly demonstrates what can be achieved in bringing historical buildings back to life. It is possible to retain the character and charm of the old whilst adhering to new building regulations around fire, thermal performance and ventilation.Steve Dixon, Director, George BarnsdaleDesigned by Architect Sir William Emerson in 1880, Hamilton House remains both a safe and sustainable landmark for years to come thanks to 21st century window technology and the building’s custodian Dorrington.

Project descriptionRubbing shoulders with the likes of Ferrari and Louboutin, Berkeley Square claims to be the finest business address in London. Twenty Berkeley Square in Mayfair is a Grade A office and retail project which has been designed by architects Barr Gazetas and it takes “retrofit” to a whole new level inside and out! The scheme comprises 22000 sq ft of office space over eight floors with a 2000 sq ft restaurant on the ground floor.Originally a 1930s art deco property, Twenty Berkeley Square is aimed at a clientele that is used to the finer things, including bespoke concierge services and high quality interior design. There are landscaped roof terraces overlooking the square and “club quality commuter amenities”.Such elegance is enhanced by its eco credentials; the project set out to be net carbon zero and BREEAM “Outstanding”. To achieve this, among other things, the fenestration needed to be ultra high performance which can be challenging with a listed building. This is where George Barnsdale came in.How do you deliver high performance and historic aesthetics?Barr Gazetas has worked with George Barnsdale on the production and installation of previous projects so they knew the UK manufacturer’s expertise.Two key demands for the building and key selling points were extensive natural light and fresh air through open sliding sash windows. When Steve Dixon, Director at Barnsdale was approached about the project, he had already worked on a number of listed buildings requiring sign off by Westminster Council’s Conservation Team. This gave him and the design team a head start in developing the right solution."The fenestration really was a key part of this project, it was essential to get it right."Steve Dixon, Director, George BarnsdaleA total of 129 sliding box sash windows were required fully installed according to the project’s plan of works. The client opted for Grandis Hardwood (FSC certified) with toughened glass bottom sashes and float glass in the top sashes. Elegant astragal bars were included and the frames were finished in timeless traffic white (RAL 9016). Polished brass hardware and a traditional pulley system completes the traditional aesthetic that is energy efficient and respectful of the building’s heritage.Collaboration key to design processThe design process for projects like this can be quite complicated but this wasn’t the case on this occasion.“The contractor – Collins Construction and the architects Barr Gazetas were great to work with. If I was going to sum up this project, it would be: ‘Why can’t they all be like this?'”Hayden Darley, Technical DirectorHaving worked with George Barnsdale on previous projects, Barr Gazetas understood the need to balance aesthetics with performance. This can mean that some windows may be very slightly different to the originals in order to meet the high performance requirements, but they were very close and in keeping with the style of the building.The approval process ran smoothly because the technical team had had a good design meeting with the architects prior to issuing any drawings. This meant that no revisions were required because all aspects of the specification were discussed and agreed in advance.When the windows were installed by the Barnsdale team, there were few other trades on site which meant free access to each floor of the building. Since there weren’t any internal walls at this point, loading out and moving equipment was also straighforward.George Barnsdale has provided customised timber windows and doors to some of the finest buildings in the UK. In central London alone, you are never far from one of our projects.

Project descriptionWhen it comes to retrofit and sensitive renovations, George Barnsdale timber windows and doors is recognised as one of the leading providers to commercial projects in the West End of London. The latest project in a conservation area of Covent Garden is no exception.Grainhouse is a high end office and retail conversion project undertaken by London based architects Barr Gazetas for their client Hines. A former seed merchant’s building dating back to the 1920s, the new Grade A workspace stitches together 5 separate historic buildings around a central atrium. In order to preserve the original character of the buildings, the project has retained and restored the original brick facades and plaster work. It has also benefitted from replacement historic style sash and tilt and turn windows.“The site has been extended by two storeys, with separate but interlinked extensions on each of the five buildings responding to the massing and historic fabric of each. This allows each building to retain its distinct identity externally, whilst creating a seamless internal floorplate.” Barr Gazetas.BREEAM Excellent and award winningA key objective for the building was to be as sustainable as possible achieving BREEAM Excellent. Hines, who are using part of the building as their head office, aim to be net zero by 2040 without buying offsets. One of the ways in which it achieves this on this project is through high performance windows designed, manufactured and installed by George Barnsdale.The project includes a range of spiral balance sash windows, box sash windows and tilt & turn windows. Finished in traffic white (RAL 9016) they are authentically traditional whilst incorporating high performance glazing designed to keep the building cool in summer and warm in winter and the unique sash seal.George Barnsdale’s spiral balance, box sash and tilt & turn timber windows for our Grainhouse project provided a high quality and low carbon thermal upgrade to the existing buildings while ensuring that both new & existing elements remained in keeping with the historic context of this sensitive conservation area. –Magnus Wills, Associate Barr GazetasThe project has been nominated for the BCO Awards and is also a finalist in the MIPIM Awards which celebrates the industry’s most “useful, sustainable and visionary projects.”Covent Garden in London is home to numerous historic buildings, a growing number of which now have George Barnsdale timber windows. Take a look at some of our other projects in the video below.

Project descriptionPart of the Kampus project to regenerate Manchester’s Canal Street and surrounding areas, the Minto & Turner Building, a former cotton warehouse, is a well known local landmark situated on the Rochdale canal in the centre of the city.A red brick grade II listedA red brick grade II listed warehouse building, it is an award winning scheme converted under the watchful eye of ShedKM Architects into trendy apartments by Mount Anvil on behalf of Capital & Centric and HBD.Insta paradiseThis Instagramers paradise has a real contemporary feel that manages to retain its past strong industrial heritage whilst making it suitable for today’s modern lifestyle. Inside is exposed brickwork and cast iron columns with large open plan cloister living areas providing dual aspect views through the black/grey timber casement windows. Outside, cast iron fire staircases and hoists have been restored and retained.Grey/black timber windows and doors with red cast iron staircaseThe building also features matching smaller square pivot windows and simple timber doors providing residents with great views and access to the street scene and canalside bars below.Having worked with George Barnsdale on its Nottingham Axis project, a conversion of the old co-operative building, Henry Boot Development was no stranger to the Lincolnshire joinery manufacturer, which is one of the oldest surviving family companies still manufacturing high performance timber fenestration in the UK. A mix of timber flush casement windows, pivot windows and timber doorsets were designed to incorporate high acoustic and thermal performance to ensure the perfect living conditions inside the building. Part of the aesthetic on the canal side elevation includes the use of louvres for privacy and to maintain the industrial feel.In addition to the manufacture of the bespoke timber windows, doors and louvres, George Barnsdale also provided ongoing site surveying and project management as well as full installation using detailed interface drawings to ensure the perfect fit, taking into account the wonky openings typical of a project like this.

Project descriptionThis 1930s Edwardian style home, originally purpose built to be a doctor’s surgery, has been transformed into a stunning contemporary property, pulling inspiration from the homeowners, and their love for New England style homes.This restored doctor’s surgery, now cosy family home, is in the Leckhampton area of Cheltenham. Nicknamed the heart of the Cotswolds, Cheltenham welcomes thousands of tourists every year. Cheltenham is a regency town well known for its many festivals (including the Cheltenham Racing Festival), the historic architecture, plus the town is home to many listed buildings.The owners have always wanted to do a big renovation project, but their previous Georgian home was both a listed building and in a conservation area, and so they were very restricted on what they could do. Once their children had flown the nest, they found this wonderful property and saw a great opportunity to remain in the centre of Cheltenham and take on the challenge.New England meets Old EnglandThe New England region of America is known for one of homeowner’s favourite styles of architecture. Their love for the location and style of houses, that are inspired by the early colonial period and Georgian architecture, was a key influence for them when designing their home. They wanted to bring an element of New England to Cheltenham, blending the modern and contemporary style of New England homes with some of the historic elements of the Georgian houses within the town.New England homes have a few standout features, some that the homeowners took inspiration from. When it comes to colour; soft and neutral shades such as whites, creams, and pale blues are common. In their home, they chose Traffic White (RAL 9016) windows with satin chrome hardware and chose various shades of blue, including Night Blue (RAL 5022), for the doors to compliment the windows throughout. In terms of materials used, natural is the way to go for New England homes, incorporating wooden products that are sustainable and naturally sourced. Similarly, the homeowners favoured the use of timber for their windows and doors, sourcing products locally and opposing the use of timber alternatives.Inspired by TimberUnlike many homes in Cheltenham, the homeowner’s property is not in a conservation area. This gave them much more flexibility when it came to refurbishing the home – in fact, it allowed them to strip the property down almost to the brick work, installing a new roof and changing the layout of the property to remove some of the many smaller rooms of the original doctor’s surgery layout. However, they did keep some of the property’s original features and took inspiration from the original style to pair with a modern New England inspired design, maintaining some of the key elements of the 1929 home, such as the high ceilings and parquet flooring. The homeowners chose a range of around 50 George Barnsdale’s products, including spiral balance sash windows with Georgian bars, flush casement windows, single and double entrance doors, stable doors, and bifolds.All these products were made using FSC ® certified Engineered Softwood timber frames and a combination of Grandis Hardwood and Engineered Softwood timber cills and sashes. Engineered Softwood is great for windows and doors requiring a paint finish. Engineered timber is also free of knots and imperfections, enhancing the aesthetics and preventing the risk of damage to the coatings in the long term, so this timber was the ideal choice for this home.The homeowners mentioned that they wanted large windows to take advantage of the beautiful views surrounding the house and so they could use some windows as seating areas. They liked the sash windows with bars and rails as they liked the functionality of them, the fact they were secure, and how they helped provide good ventilation.The spiral balance sash windows add a timeless appeal to the property, incorporating a traditional style to this contemporary renovation. Our spiral balance sash windows include our patented sash seals, so you get windows that not only look great, but also perform to the highest standards.The bifolds, situated in the main living area of the house, provide a clear opening and connection to the outside – the homeowners said that in the summer they open the bifolds out and take advantage of the indoor-outdoor space. Our timber bifolds have superior multipoint locking and are tested to PAS 24 and Secured by Design. With their concertina design, our timber bifolds allow the creation of a clear opening, whilst remaining secure.The single and double open entrance doors situated throughout the home in a stunning shade of blue to compliment the windows are paired with George Barnsdale’s modern collection of Stainless Steel hardware. The entrance doors are secure and durable and provide easy access to the outside of the house. We can’t help but notice how well they go with the soft colour of the exterior of the house too!The Perfect PartnerWhen choosing a supplier, the homeowners knew they wanted to work with local or UK based manufacturers and installers. From the start, they also knew they wanted to use timber, for the quality and durability it provides, despite other suppliers advising against it and stating they would not know the difference. After contacting a local window installer, QBD Ltd, the homeowners were introduced to George Barnsdale. They were pleased to know that locality was something they could achieve as QBD’s offices are located just around the corner from their home, meaning they could work closely with the installer to decide on the right products.The homeowners mentioned that being able to visit the George Barnsdale factory in Donington, Lincolnshire helped to solidify their decision on what products to choose for their home. Visiting the factory brought the products to life and allowed the homeowners to see that all our products are made on site, by our expert team. Visiting the factory also allowed them to chat to our expert team and get the answers they needed on specific product details to be fully confident in their decision.The homeowners mentioned that QBD were a great partner to work with. They were committed to the project and were very reliable and flexible to their requirements. The windows and doors were easy to install, and they could rely on QBD to get the job done.A ‘Remarkably Smooth’ ProcessThe whole project took two years to complete. The couple stated that throughout the entire project, they faced very few mistakes, as they had the luxury of time to get things right and go at their own pace.The entire process was remarkably smooth, especially the installation of the windows and doors. These products were a big investment, but we are so pleased with the outcome and glad we chose to work with QBD and George BarnsdaleHomeownerThe homeowners are very pleased with their timber windows and doors. The value of the windows and doors is apparent one year on as they are still in perfect condition. Overall, the entire installation process was simple, and they were able to coordinate effectively with the builders and QBD so that when the windows arrived, they could be installed quickly.As soon as the scaffolding and plastic sheeting was taken down and the project was taking shape, any early concerns or scepticism about what we were doing soon fell away and since then we’ve had nothing but positive feedback about the look of the whole project, and we get compliments on our windows all the time.HomeownerWhat was once a 1930s purpose-built doctors’ surgery is now a transformed modern home influenced by the homeowner’s love for New England. Every detail that has gone into this home has been intricately thought of to create their dream home.

Project descriptionFlorence Boot Hall is an historic 1920s accommodation block at the University of Nottingham that has undergone a £10.2m refurbishment by Clegg Construction to provide the highest levels of comfort and technology for students. With its historical links to Boots the Chemist, having been funded by Florence Boot, it was vital to retain the heritage of the building and this included replacing the uPVC windows with quality bespoke timber windows from George Barnsdale.Why replace uPVC windows?The existing uPVC windows were only 15-20 years old but were degrading, looking untidy and not meeting the thermal and acoustic performance levels required, nor were they respectful of the 1920s aesthetic."When you consider the original timber windows probably lasted 70/80 years and the uPVC ones barely 20 years, there really is no argument that plastic will outlast quality engineered timber any more."Steve Dixon, Director, George BarnsdaleFollowing discussions with the architect and client, George Barnsdale supplied and installed a sample wooden sliding sash window to demonstrate the level of performance and aesthetic quality of its fenestration products. Reassured that the products suited the needs of the project, a total of 380 new triple glazed FSC certified softwood timber windows with hardwood cills including spiral balance sash and flush casement windows were installed. There were also a number of french doors with arched fanlights in the common room area as well as flush outward opening entrance doors and fire escape doors elsewhere in the building. The team also supplied matching timber louvre doors for plant areas.Using George Barnsdale’s unique four stage paint process, the sliding sash windows were finished in pure white RAL 9010 with elegant ovolo astragal bars and polished brass hardware.Some of the casement windows fitted into the later 1970s extension are finished in a timeless grey brown RAL 8019 with original gold collection hardware. All windows throughout are glazed in triple glazing.What are the challenges of installing triple glazed timber windows into an old building?The depth of the window frames required to house high performance triple glazed deep section windows can create issues with the existing opening sizes which were originally designed for single glazed windows. George Barnsdale adapted their designs by using extended linings and adapting the sections to allow for this. By extending the external jamb linings, the spiral balance windows were made to more closely replicate traditional box sash windows typical of when the building was originally constructed.InstallationAs part of the company’s contract service, Ian Wright, George Barnsdale’s Commercial Project Manager was on site from the start of the project with the surveying team and on a weekly basis during installation. There was a delay at the start due to the discovery of asbestos which required removal by a specialist team and a safety report obtaining but once work got started, everything went smoothly."George Barnsdale has been an absolute pleasure to work with, Ian Wright’s professionalism is second to none."David Ross, Project Manager, Clegg ConstructionHow do you improve energy efficiency in an old building, other than timber windows?In order to help it achieve its target of a very good BREEAM rating and the University’s target to be carbon neutral by 2040, the team at Clegg Construction have implemented a raft of energy efficient measures in this fabric first refurbishment. This includes air source heat pumps, a building management system, LED lighting and new George Barnsdale triple glazed timber windows and doors. All of this has been achieved whilst respecting the building’s heritage. The building has since been nominated for an East Midlands Energy Efficiency award, with triple glazed windows being one of the main contributory factors.All in all, the project has been a great success and is ready for students to move into in September 2023."Your products are outstanding and I would definitely recommend George Barnsdale."David Ross, Project Manager, Clegg Construction