Replacing old steel framed windows in buildings is not always an easy task but one company that has just completed a major project of this type is Cotswold Windows. In the summer vacation of 2010, the Company had a contract to replace 450 steel-framed windows in a student accommodation block belonging to Jesus College in Oxford.
Managing Director Jon Davis explains, “This was an interesting and testing project that was originally priced in 2008 but was not actually authorised until 2010. We were asked, as part of a major refurbishment programme on this
4-storey block of student flats to replace the existing steel-framed windows which were producing large amounts of condensation, leading to mould, they were draughty and opened inwards. Cotswold Windows received the contract through the main contractor who was refurbishing all of the bathrooms at the same time. We were charged with producing a sight line of new windows that matched the existing steel windows and we were given a tight window of opportunity in which to carry out the work.”
Working with a manufacturer of aluminium profiles, a special profile was made, consisting of two extruded aluminium sections that were rolled together with a polyamide thermal barrier. This profile was based upon an existing one but modified to fit the slot in the mullions. By this means, once the two sections and the two pieces of polyamide were rolled together, there was no physical contact between the internal and external aluminium sections, eliminating any possibility of heat transfer. The aluminium was powder coated to match the college colours. A trial installation in one flat was made so that the college authorities, architects etc could see what was being proposed. Once approved, the windows were made in just three to four weeks at Cotswold’s factory and then installed in four weeks to great acclaim.
Another area where Cotswold has been very successful is in healthcare facilities. They have carried out projects in recent times in Loddon, near Norwich, the Morden Centre in Swindon and a number of projects for the Healthcare and Community Construction Ltd in Fordingbridge, Hampshire.
Back to Jon, “We have recently become agents for a Swiss frameless sliding door system, known as Skyframe. We went over to their factory and then they trained our staff in design and installation. We are currently installing this on some impressive houses in Cheltenham and Broadway. We have just completed the first one and have orders for six more. These sliding doors are double and triple glazed (up to 48mm thick) and, once in place, you can see no frame, simply a track flush with the floor. The actual glass panels have a carbon fibre finishing strip. Another advantage of these units is that you can create a corner unit, with the two glass panels butting perfectly together. We believe that these units, while expensive, offer an enormous opportunity for us. Our current work is a good mix of newbuild and refurbishment and provides a sound base for the coming years.”
For further information please telephone 01242 620780 or visit www.cotswoldwindows.co.uk.
