The
retention of a four-storey façade has been one of the main technical challenges
for the project team involved in the redevelopment of a former factory located
in Birmingham's famous Jewellery Quarter; with a member of the Steel Window
Association (SWA), REA Metal Windows, having supplied and installed a package of custom-built W20 windows to
replace the original frames.
Kettleworks
on Pope Street is part of St George's Urban Village - Birmingham's largest
residential development - and consists of 292 spacious homes across a 2.67 acre
site, where Colmore Tang Construction is the main contractor, and Building Design
Group (BDG) are the architects.
REA Metal Windows is
the SWA member, which won the contract from Colmore Tang Construction under
competitive tender, to produce a total of 88 horizontal pivot windows, exactly
replicating the old medium universal section fenestration. Having carried out an
accurate site survey of each opening over the four floors of the old brickwork
elevation, REA began fabricating the W20 frames, ready to be glazed with 16 mm
Krypton filled IG units as part of a tightly coordinated installation
programme.
As the
main contractor's operatives removed the old corroded frames, REA's experienced
fitters followed closely behind ensuring the building was kept secure and
weather-tight. All the windows, measuring some 3,500mm x 2,500mm, were hot dip
galvanised and finished in a RAL 7016 Matt Grey, polyester powder coat. The
4-8-4 double glazing offers a centre pane U-value of 1.2 W/m2 K.
Oliver Cartwright, the
project architect for BDG, commented: "The original hope was to refurbish
the original windows within the façade, but closer inspection revealed that a
lot of them were badly deteriorated and damaged, while some of the lintels
above had settled, causing distortion of the frames.
"We, therefore,
carried out a number of cost exercises looking at the possibilities of
refurbishing what remained and installing secondary windows behind - or
replacing like-for-like. In the end, that second option was deemed to be the
best and, as the successful sub-contractor, REA Metal Windows completed an
installation which looks superb. We are hopeful that the project will earn
wider recognition."
Members of the Steel
Window Association offer a UK wide service for the repair and replacement of
various types of old metal windows, doors and screens, as well as being able to
manufacture new fenestration which fully meets the requirements of the Building
Regulations. Choosing an SWA member to manufacture and install your steel
windows and doors ensures that you are receiving the highest standard of
fabrication, Installation and customer service.
