"aluminium windows"

With 37 high-rise buildings within its remit, Solihull Community Housing (SCH) is responsible for the upkeep of more than 1% of the UK’s entire high-rise stock. Part of a stock of 11,000 properties that SCH manages and maintains on behalf of Solihull Council. A window replacement programme on this scale – and on high-rise buildings especially – would normally represent an astronomical undertaking, incurring huge installation costs. However, SCH and its supplier and contractor partners have worked together to devise an innovative solution that allows all new windows to be installed from the inside.

The integration of an aluminium flat glass rooflight with solar control glass in this residential project successfully achieves the objective of maximizing natural light while mitigating excessive heat gain. The careful selection of glazing materials, orientation, and frame design creates an energy-efficient and visually appealing architectural feature. The homeowners can enjoy the benefits of ample natural light, enhanced thermal comfort, and reduced energy consumption, ultimately creating a sustainable and comfortable living space.

Aluminium and real timber claddingThe best aluminium cladding for your private home, extension, renovation is Technowood ® cladding. It is faster than most cladding systems to install and has been available for almost 30 years. Tried, tested, analyzed and put through its paces in some of the toughest weather locations Technowood has proved itself a worthy product.How does Timber cladding weatherThere are many solid timbers used as conventional cladding, the main complaint being that the weathering is inconsistent. The colours fade at different rates which may look unsightly.UV light damages wood because it breaks down the wood’s lignin. Lignin is a component of wood that strengthens the cell walls and holds the fibres together. This process is called photo-oxidation.Technowood doesn’t suffer in the same way. This is because the manufacturing process of the veneer and the resins used to replace the lignin; thus negating the short comings of normal timber.You can’t really stop natural timber from weathering. However, with Technowood you can be assured of consistency.How to avoid water staining on claddingAvoiding water stains on timber cladding is something of a myth. Unless you maintain your cladding almost weekly there will always be indications of water staining. It is a product exposed to the elements and as such will be at least damp for most of the year; therefore will show water staining.Completed in 2012 this project is in Samsun, turkey. Receives full exposure from the sun and heavy rain (don’t think it doesn’t rain in Turkey as it does, it snows too). This project called for Technowood because it would keep the natural colour of the timber for much longer compared to normal timber cladding.Can normal timber cladding be warrantied?Under normal circumstances, you can’t warranty normal timber; unless it has gone through pressure treating or surface treatment that has such a warranty. These warranties are not ambiguous so long as the treatment process is followed to the letter of instruction.“The warranty for Technowood products is 20 years”.Salt Spray TestingSalt spray testing, a practice of checking the corrosion resistance of the surface of materials that have a coating. During salt spray testing, an accelerated corrosive attack is produced in order to measure the performance. This demonstrates how well the coating protects the metal. “Salt spray test has been done to our veneered material by IFT Rosenheim Germany and its succeeded.” Technowood aluminium and timber veneer claddingThe products available from Technowood are in standard width dimensions from 100mm, 150mm and 200mm. They look like real wood because it’s a real wood veneer. The product has very little to no maintenance; It also carries Fire Rating A2. This is perfect to future proof your propertyWe have a showroom in Sky House Design centre where you may visit for free samples, brochures and consultation.

Vibrant Timber Windows in 'A House for Essex'. Traditional timber sliding sash windows, casements and French doorsets from the Conservation™ range by Mumford & Wood have been specified in A House for Essex as part of Alain de Botton’s series of rentable holiday homes, Image: Jack Hobhouse

The owner of this charming period cottage needed to replace original timber sash windows that had deteriorated, and which were cold, drafty and lacking in security.

A great example of 1930s Art Deco architecture, The Douglas Building sits on Great Titchfield Street in London’s West End. Formerly known as The Media Village, Douglas House was acquired by serviced office providers The Office Group (TOG) from landlords The Langham Estate in 2019. TOG together with Note Design Studio transformed the building with a colourful concept that blends the distinctive 1930s features and gives a sense of fluidity, openness and light throughout.As its former name suggests this area of London is a hub for local media and IT businesses operating out of the West End and the brief for the building was to create a flexible workspace where people can feel stimulated by their environment leading to greater productivity. Wellness was also a central focus and the building includes an oxygen room, a parents’ room and a roof terrace which are all integral to enabling and inspiring everyone who enters.Well ventilated and an abundance of natural light have become buzzwords in the COVID era and the more than 300 new steel windows from the Clement EB24 range which were chosen by office fit out and refurbishment contractors Parkeray perfectly facilitate both. Polyester powder coated in Pure White and furnished with Warren handles in a satin chrome finish the windows lend the building a contemporary look on the outside as well as supporting the 21st century ways of working inside.Peter Clement, Chief Executive of Clement Windows Group, commented:“As with all prestigious window replacement projects of this magnitude Clement took part in a competitive tender process. Whilst this was in play we understand that both Parkeray and the client’s team had the opportunity to compare our EB24 steel window to others being considered. We believe it was the quality and overall finish of EB24 combined with an attractive price and fine references that convinced them and the client to proceed with us.”

This Grade II listed building in Thames Ditton dates from 1792. The former manor house, priory and chapel was repurposed as a care home in 1905 by the Nuns of Compassion, yet in recent years the historic buildings have posed challenges to delivering modern standards of care. Oliver & Robb Architects have rationalised the design in a renovation project to created 78 luxury bed spaces. We were appointed to design, supply and install a total of 263 timber tilt and slide sash windows, tilt and turn windows, single doors and French doors to sympathetically upgrade the property.

University Arms Hotel, the oldest hotel in Cambridge, dates from the 1840s when it first opened as a coaching inn. Extensions followed in the 1930s an 1960s; but in 2013 John Simpson Architects began returning cohesion and grandeur to the building. The aim was 190 bedrooms boasting 5-star luxury. We were proud to be awarded the 14-month contract to design, supply and install 300 timber box sash windows, 50 balcony French doors, and 28 curved-on-plan sash windows. We also produced large bespoke entrance screens, and undertook the restoration of leaded light glass.

This grand Edwardian property began life as commercial premises, but has recently been given a new lease of life by urban regeneration experts Stockwool Design. The site near the City of London, known as Sterling Mansions, has been transformed into 59 quality apartments for Berkeley Homes. We designed, manufactured and installed 216 traditional timber flush casement windows with feature moldings. Fitted with high acoustic double glazing on the Leman Street elevation, the windows achieved an impressive 45 dB Rw acoustic performance rating (55.4 ACf / 12 / 44.1 Low-E glass).

In the heart of Bristol’s City Centre lies The Pithay, now known as Programme. This immense building, originally built in the 1960s was tired and required refurbishment. After being acquired by Resolution Property in 2016 a plan was developed by Buckley Gray Yeoman, based on Resolution’s ambitious brief to revitalise the building. Clement Windows Group was chosen as the preferred company to manufacture and install the 510 new steel windows required. Clement were thrilled to win the job, particularly as the current Chief Executive Peter Clement’s father had installed the original windows back in 1966!

78 St James Street, a very special office refurbishment in the heart of London’s Mayfair, has involved a slew of skilled and experienced contractors to make the Grade II* Victorian building a commercial space fit for 21st century working while retaining the building’s magnificent fabric. Halifax Glass has used Hodgson Sealants’ U9 silicone for sealing the building’s impressive timber window units.  The windows, which are the full height of the storeys on the front façade, required a specialist glazing company to meet the demands of the project. Halifax Glass has many years’ experience in creating architectural glazing solutions and was called in to produce and install the windows at St James Street using Hodgson Silfix U9 Silicone Sealant for the job.  Halifax Glass also used quantities of Hodgson’s Flexistrip, the market-leading load-bearing security glazing strip for installing double glazed units, laminated glass and single glass into windows and doors.

The new build development contained 17 dwellings for social rent, consisting of four one-bedroom flats, nine two-bedroom flats and four three-bedroom flats. The new development is located within an urban densely populated area of London. The 97 windows manufactured and supplied were predominately Optima Flush Tilt and Turn Windows from Profile 22 along with a small number of Optima open-out casement windows too. Optima from Profile 22 is the UK’s leading award-winning commercial window system. Profile 22 Optima Windows deliver the high-quality specifications required.

Location: Port Street, Northern Quarter Manchester M1 2EGProject Type: Housing (Private Rental Sector) Development Cost: £27m Products: Aluminium Soffit Cladding to Recessed Balconies, Weatherstruck Aluminium Wall Copings Finish: Interpon D1036 RAL 1036 Matt Pearl Gold Fire rating: A2 s1, d0 (Classification Reaction to Fire EN BS 13501-1:2018). Client: Mulbury City Architect: Tim Groome Architects Main Contractor: Bardsley Construction Ltd Facades Contractor: Longworth Building Services Ltd Sub Contractor: Stafford Rainwater Systems Ltd

Sutcliffe Park Sports Centre built in a Nature Reserve rich in wildlife, was designed to work with its surroundings and enhance the environment. This was achieved with a low-profile building to reduce the visual impact featuring a sleek and stylish façade sympathetic to its parkland location. Senior’s aluminium slim profile SF52 curtain wall, thermally-efficient SPW600e windows and SPW501 robust commercial doors give the centre a light and modern interior, whilst Senior’s bifolding Ali FOLD patio doors provide a comfortable viewing area plus easy access to the centre’s newly refurbished athletics track.

Designed by Faulkner Browns architects, the new £21.6 million, 3-storey all through 1000 pupil school was created using a steel framed structure to speed up the build. Senior’s SF52 aluminium curtain walling was chosen as a lightweight option for the exterior façade and was used throughout the building and extensively to form the full-height atrium which allows plenty of natural light to enter the school’s inner zones.Together with ultra thermally efficient PURe® casement windows, the enhanced thermal efficiency of SF52 ensures a comfortable learning environment and helps keep heating and lighting costs to a minimum.

The University of Nottingham’s Advanced Manufacturing Building used TECHNAL GEODE MX 52 Visible Grid Curtain Walling, SOLEAL FY 65 Windows and PY 55 Doors. Selected by architects Bond Bryan, the TECHNAL aluminium systems offered a cost-effective, thermally efficient solution that was backed by outstanding technical support both prior and during construction. The state-of-the-art training and research facility, located at the entrance to the Jubilee Campus, has enhanced the University of Nottingham’s Faculty of Engineering. The building features teaching facilities, laboratories and workshops, and houses the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre in Manufacturing Technology.

A 19th century Listed Building, St Paul’s Church, has a prominent position at the top of St John’s Hill in Battersea. Current owners, The James Laurence Group, worked alongside the London Borough of Wandsworth Planning Department to agree how best this historical building should be restored and provided with a new lease of life. Clement were chosen to supply all the steel windows and conservation rooflights. The bespoke demands of the project required Clement to use two steel window ranges. Both W20 and EB24 were fitted to create the beautiful shaped windows which include club heads.

The conversion of a west London former town hall to include residential accommodation features Crittall windows, carefully designed to preserve the building’s original character. The former Acton Town Hall, in Ealing London Borough, has been partly converted to provide a public library and leisure facilities but the Grade II listed structure also now contains a range of apartments. The building, which dates from 1909, was designed in an Italianate palazzo style, executed in locally made red bricks with Portland-stone dressings.  For the refurbishment and conversion the windows within the original building were replaced with Crittall Corporate W20 profiles.

Rose Collection sash windows are often used in traditional heritage properties, but – as this stylish post-war Surrey home shows – they work just as well in more modern buildings.

Project: Store windows, Groningen, Netherlands

After many years of being out of use, the former police HQ (CID) building on Bridewell Island in Central Bristol has been renovated and is now the new YMCA Bristol hostel. John Perkins Construction carried out the work along with Ferguson Mann Architects and assistance from the Bristol City Council Conservation Team. Preserving the beauty of this Grade II Listed Building, which dates back to 1928, was paramount although it was vital that the completed building offered a modern specification for 21st century living. Clement Windows Group were selected to provide the new steel windows.

Located in Anglesey and operated by Bangor University, Menai Science Park is the flagship building for Wales' first dedicated science park. The facility is built to BREEAM Excellent standards and comprises of 5,000 sqm of offices, laboratories and workshop space for up to 700 people - from start-up businesses to large corporate companies. The building's structure features a striking white continuous flowing ribbon that forms wall, floor and roof surfaces and wraps around the glazed facade to the front elevation. The two-storey entrance connects to the main three-storey, traditional brick cavity U-shape building,m which houses the laboratories and offices and features a facade that encloses an open courtyard. Aluminium curtain walling from Technal was installed and spans 74m x 11m. This had to follow the curvature and flow of the ribbon at the point of fabrication. The key area for this facade is the first floor horizontal and sloping ribbon - the curtain walling continues behind the Corian rainscreen. One particularly challenging detail is the 6m glazed linking walkway that connects the innovation area to the brick-built main building. Designed with a double-pitched roof, the curtain walling follows the long contours across the two pitches of the roof at an angle. This involved calculations and modelling to accommodate the difficult compound angles to ensure the desired architectural intent was achieved. Throughout the building, aluminium casement windows have been installed, some as inserts within the facade including automatic opening vents, and to the courtyard elevations. Completing this contemporary outdoor space, the windows are complemented with timber rainscreen panels.

Dallochy House owners Mark and Jenny Sykes had always dreamed of building their own home. And after house-hunting for a number of years in Aberdeenshire, realised they would have to make their dream come true to get a property that ticked all their boxes! They were searching for a new home which would be warm and easy to heat, in their local village and in the catchment area for a good school.  Paul McWilliams from Annie Kenyon Architects, orientated the house to optimise south facing solar gain, with expanses of glazing from Rationel to make the most of the views, and stilts to accommodate the sloping topography. The couple incorporated stone from the former cottage on the site, into the gable-end of the new build.  “It has been a very happy and stress-free journey,” say Jenny who chose James Hall Joinery as main contractors. “I cannot rate the professionalism of Paul and James highly enough. We expected stress, hiccups, problems but James project managed everything so smoothly that he took the stress out of the whole process.”  “We chose Rationel windows for a number of reasons. James Hall recommended them to us having used them on several other builds. He was able to provide photos of windows, doors and testimonials. Their distributors ADW have a showroom, at Sauchen, which was very convenient for us to visit and it was particularly helpful to see so many products on display. We were impressed with the quality, the choice available and could tell that the investment was absolutely worth it. The colour choices were to our liking, as was the option to have alu-clad external finish onto the natural timber frames.  We think the windows just look really good with the cladding and stone work and of course allow you to appreciate the views.” 

Part of an energy efficiency drive, the landlord aimed to reduce carbon emissions and the effects of fuel poverty on 96 units in 8 blocks at Hornby Flats, Liverpool. Triple-glazed PVC-U windows and doors using the Profile 22 70mm system by Walsall-based Approved Window Contractor Select Windows, with extensive experience in social housing. Profile 22 worked closely with Select Windows and One Vision Housing, facilitating the entire process from conception to completion. The project was completed on-time and in budget. One Vision Housing was able to future-proof, while improving the quality of living for tenants.

Recent installation to a low-rise block of flats in High Wycombe. With flammable composite decking on the balconies, the building owner was keen to find a non-combustible alternative and our aluminium decking system was just the ticket!

Energy Efficient Heritage Windows for a Victorian RetrofitThe retrofit of Mews House, a low-energy Victorian listed mews property in West London, showcases how heritage windows can be utilised in a retrofit project to enhance energy efficiency while preserving the building's character and historical features.A Conservation Area GemBuilt in 1878 as a traditional carriage house with stable doors, Mews House was later converted into a residential property. However, over time, it suffered from poor layout, inadequate heating, and tired exterior facades. Architects Prewett Bizley undertook the challenge of transforming the interior into a light-filled open-plan living space, improving the property's external appearance while adhering to the local conservation area guidelines, and significantly reducing its carbon footprint.The Role of Winston Sliding Sash WindowsReplacing the existing single-glazed windows with Gowercroft's Winston Sliding Sash windows played a vital role in achieving the project's sustainability and conservation objectives. The architect required windows with higher performance levels, including superior thermal efficiency and a traditional timber aesthetic that matched the original "multi-pane" windows, which was crucial for securing planning permission. A total of 16 Winston Sliding Sash windows of various sizes were installed, featuring traditional joinery elements such as glazing bars, fitch fasteners, pulleys, and concealed gaskets, creating an authentic appearance.Energy Efficiency and AchievementsThe use of vacuum glazing in the windows provided excellent energy efficiency, achieving an overall U-value of 1.5 W/m²K, with the potential to reach even lower values in future iterations. The air tightness of the frames, coupled with Gowercroft's sealing system, contributed to an impressive air tightness rating of close to 1 m³/m²hr at 50Pa, surpassing expectations for a property of this kind.The retrofit of Mews House resulted in an astounding 82% reduction in overall energy consumption, bringing it below the 2025 RIBA targets for new build houses. The replacement sash windows played a pivotal role in achieving this energy reduction, both through their U-value and by minimising air infiltration.Bob Prewett from Prewett Bizley expressed his satisfaction, stating, "What's amazing when people visit is that they are totally convinced the windows are original and single glazed."The successful integration of energy-efficient heritage windows in the Mews House retrofit sets a new benchmark for heritage preservation combined with sustainable design and demonstrates the potential for revitalising older properties to meet the energy standards of new builds.

Wakefield District Council are a modern thinking local authority with a clear set of defined ideals to suit their tenants’ priorities. They aim to accomplish a strict performance standard above the government’s ‘decent homes’ scheme. The Government standard was set in 2000 and states that ‘all social housing should meet a set standard of decency’.As part of this scheme, Wakefield District Council determined that Mustang® Aluminium Seamless Guttering was the best choice to replace the existing plastic guttering on over 500 properties in their re-roofing and new build programme.The council chose Mustang® because it is a high-quality aluminium gutter which is durable and robust but requires minimal maintenance, as the ideal solution. The system is far superior to plastic, which tends to fail after a few years, causing callouts for the council’s maintenance team.Mustang® Aluminium Seamless Guttering is made from recycled aluminium but can also be recycled once it has reached the end of its useful life span, which is more than 30 years.There is no waste, as it is roll formed on-site to the exact dimensions of the building, in lengths of up to 30 metres, with no joints, reducing future maintenance costs and callouts.The Mustang® Seamless Gutter system is the only British Board of Agrément (BBA) approved system.

The town of Whitchurch in Hampshire is a special place: most of the town is a Conservation Area, the amount of wildlife in and near the River Test means its course and banks are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the town is the Gateway to the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the third largest of Britain's 46 AONBs. The current Town Hall was built by a local landowner, Lord Middleton, in or around 1791, using some of the timbers from the Old Town House that had stood in the centre of The Square, and was demolished in the 1780s. During the 1800s the building had many tenants including the Mechanics Institute and a furniture warehouse.Records show that in the 1900s the building was also put to a variety of uses. The local Magistrate held sessions, two rooms were used to shelter Military Units passing through Whitchurch, and in 1919 the building was used by the National Federation of Discharged Soldiers and Sailors. Parish Councils were set up in 1896, but met at the Poor Law Institute (the Gables). More recently, the National Fire Service was accommodated in the lower middle section of the building. In 1946, Midland Bank, (now HSBC) was in the lower right hand corner. The Town Band practiced here, and the British Legion used the upper floor. Recently, an extensive program of refurbishment works has taken place to improve the Grade II* Listed Building. This included new steel doors and windows by Clement for the front elevation. The Clement W20 range was chosen for both, with krypton gas filled units. Ash pull handles perfectly complement the steel doors and Boleyn handles were chosen for the steel windows. Sarah Weir, Clerk at Whitchurch Town Council said ““The Town Council are really pleased with the new windows and door which are modern, practical and in keeping with the historic building”. 

Pavillion Point is a Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) development on London Road in the centre of Brighton in East Sussex, close to the University of Brighton's main campus. Managed by student accommodation specialist Fresh, the building provides 232 student rooms, dedicated social and study areas, a gym, cafe, multimedia space and landscaped courtyard as well as retail units on the ground floor. The five storey development, designed by Corstorphine & Wright, targeted BREEAM Excellent standards as well as high levels of acoustic performance.In addition to the TECHNAL windows, curtain walling, doors and sliding systems chosen, the external facade features a clay brick slip system for the ground to third floors with a grey rainscreen cladding on the set-back fourth floor. The use of TECHNAL's aluminum systems contributed to creating an A1 rated non-combustible facade, a client requirement given the increased focus on fire safety.To ensure high levels of natural light in the student room, the design features large floor to ceiling windows. The aluminium tilt before turn windows were installed above a fixed glazing panel to create this feature. The TBT windows were selected as the inward tilt opening provides suitable ventilation whilst ensure the safety of the residents. The aim of achieving BREEAM Excellent certification as well as the building’s location on a busy road meant that the door, window and curtain walling systems had to also meet a number of specific performance requirements, not least a high level of acoustic performance. This was a challenge due to the size of some of the panels included in the design. TECHNAL system allowed a 41dB sound reduction to be achieved while optimising the weight of the glazed units.

The award winning Copper Building, designed by Ferguson Mann Architects, adds 136 new apartments to Bristol’s Lakeshore scheme, an ambitious regeneration project by Urban Splash. The distinctive, copper-clad four-storey building is a thoughtful solution to higher-density living, underpinned by sustainable building performance. Generous glazing is a key feature of the project, with VELFAC triple glazed slim-framed composite windows bringing extra light into apartments and communal spaces.

Student accommodation, by architects HAUS, which combines distinctive design with high quality materials. VELFAC windows are installed in each of the 452 rooms to provide a practical and cost-effective glazing solution with performance tailored to each façade. 

Optima casement window emerges as the prime choice in the industry. Our system offers market-leading structural strength and security for long-term performance. Find out more on about our recent projects below.

neaco provided a bespoke modification to its Techdek aluminium decking system as part of a bridge specification at the Grand Canal Dock development project in Dublin. Using the renowned design versatility of the company’s technical team and state-of-the-art precision engineering facilities at its Malton factory, neaco developed a unique grille surface which features tactile strips to alert visually impaired pedestrians when they are nearing a step. Providing a high architectural aesthetic, Techdek is extremely versatile and can be used in many other applications, including staging, modesty screens, solar shading, maintenance galleries and roof access walkways.

An important consideration in the design of the new £20 Million sports centre was the site’s location in the stunning landscape around Airthrey Loch.To minimise environmental impact and make the most of the views, Faulkner Browns Architects proposed a 3-level building with extensive glazing. The eye-catching design features Senior’s SF52 thermally enhanced aluminium curtain walling to three elevations integrated with SPW600 windows and SP501 commercial doors for secure access.The new facilities have cemented Stirling’s status as Scotland’s top university for sporting excellence and are now enjoyed by Olympic athletes, students and the local community.  ‘photography credit Keith Hunter’.

Delivered at a cost of £46.5 Million the scheme comprises four 6-17 storey accommodation blocks housing 864 student units. Acoustic performance was key for the glazing in noisy roadside areas and lower levels. The solution was Senior’s energy efficient SPW600e windows fitted with acoustic energy efficient insulated glass units to achieve a sound reduction index (RW) rating of 43.   A light and welcoming space, was created in communal spaces using Senior’s thermally enhanced SF52 fully capped two-storey aluminium curtain walling, whilst perimeter capped silicone glazed SF52 was chosen for the link bridge between accommodation blocks. 

To provide optimum weather and thermal performance and to maximise the building’s energy efficiency, ADP Architecture specified a range of aluminium products from Kawneer, installed by approved specialist subcontractor Norman & Underwood. The building’s façade features Kawneer’s AA®100 curtain wall system while AA®190 TB severe-duty doors were specified to handle the high volume of people entering and leaving the building. These were complemented by Kawneer’s AA®720 casement windows with louvreshields which provide both ventilation and fall protection. As the construction is a gateway to the city’s commercial area, the aesthetics were also paramount.