Description:     We have spent over three years on this extremely large and technically demanding project.  This grade II listed building is of very important architectural interest and we understand it to be the first multi-floor spanning steel curtain walling and was a landmark project for its time (1930's).

We carried out all servicing, renovations, ironmongery rectifications as well as adaptation to incorporate special venting facilities.  A number of replacement windows and doors were also designed and fitted on a replica replacement basis.  These were constructed from specially adapted (laser cut and milled section profiles) W20 sections so that sightlines exactly matched the existing windows.

Our in-house design teams found this to be a very tricky but rewarding project to master mind as they relied on original 1930's drawing prints which were found to be some what in-accurate when compared to the actual built structure.  Due to the involvement of English Heritage in all design matters, the finished product had to replicate exactly the window walling elements around them and, as can be seen now that the scaffolding has gone, the results reflect the care and attention that we spent on the project.

Press Release:
"STEEL WINDOWS ESSENTIAL TO ELEGANT REFURBISHMENT"

No other alternative to steel windows could have harmonised with the elegant architectural style of a large private house in the Hertfordshire countryside, according to the architect responsible for the project.  The work on the property at Hadley Wood has included the creation of an extensive pool complex - also featuring steel fenestration - as well as the replacement of all the existing windows by a member of the Steel Window Association.  Chris Rogers Design from Royston in Hertfordshire chose to work with Steel Window Service and Supplies as the result of his experiences on past contracts and is a firm advocate of steel fenestration for period style properties.  Mr Rogers comments: "We wanted to reproduce the old steel framing system - employed for the original construction of the house in the mid twenties - in its refurbishment and the construction of a large pavilion garden complex with pool, sauna and other facilities.

"To have used aluminium or any other type of framing material would have ruined the look of this house. It was essential to maintain the appearance of the slim sightlines within the old oak sub-frames. While the new frames are double glazed rather than single glazed, and naturally offer far greater energy efficiency, they definitely match the look of the originals. It is all very nice and the client is delighted."

While the glazing units throughout the scheme are 14 mm thick with low E glass and lead effect lights, the windows themselves are divided into two distinct types. For the front elevation of the house itself Steel Window Service & Supplies employed the EB, small metal window system. Then at the rear and for the pool pavilion the specification switched to the heavier, W20 sections.

Along the length of the 20 metre pool are five sets of French windows with curved heads; two of the double doors also featuring sidelights. The main house also features six doorsets and two large bay structures; the latter each being assembled from 10 frames. The different systems have also been used to create a bullseye within gable structures at the front and back of the house.

Description:     Despite fierce competition, we were fortunate to secure this prestigious contract.  Les Lumieres is a Grade 1 listed property due to its building construction, location and history (which would fill a page itself).  The building unfortunately was neglected for many years and suffered heavily due to its exposed location on the coast line of Jersey. 

We very carefully matched existing Universal and bespoke steel window sections using a mixture of W20 and SMW “F” series windows.  All existing solid brass ironmongery, including ornate full height espagnolette bolts  was removed back to UK mainland for complete renovation and was re-used on the replacement galvanised and polyester powder coated steel windows which were specially adapted to receive it.

A special feature existing sliding folding facetted rear window was carefully removed, fully renovated, de-rusted, galvanised and powder coated and re-fitted as part of listed building consent.

The window package was part of a very demanding overall main contractor's package which involved almost the complete re-construction of the internals, roof and landscaping.  The finished building is a tribute to modern day replica renovation and replacement, but using modern equivalent but sympathetic materials.

Press Release:
"BLEND OF STEEL WINDOWS COMPLETES CONSERVATION CONTRACT"

Seemingly straight out of a scene from Agatha Christie's Poirot, Kenview typifies the elegance of the Art Deco architectural style and has provided a challenging case for a member of the Steel Window Association, undertaking a replica refurbishment contract in a conservation area.

Had the Belgian detective been called in last year to investigate the distressed condition of the property's fenestration, he would have concluded that seven decades of exposure to the elements together with straightforward wear and tear were the villains responsible.

Constrained both by the complex configuration of Kenview's bay windows, and the guidelines for working within the Highgate conservation area in north London, the owner engaged Steel Window Service & Supplies as a specialist window fabricator.

The original windows, well beyond the point of repair, were carefully measured and photographed before being removed and scrapped. Steel Window Service & Supplies then produced exact replicas for the front bay windows which incorporate tight radius curved on plan elements, using the SMW sections. These were polyester powder coated white and single glazed with 6 mm clear float glass. A mixture of top hung and side hung opening lights provide ventilation.

The rear of the house was considered less sensitive and here Steel Window Service & Supplies used the more modern W20 system to fabricate double glazed casements as well as a pair of double opening doors.  The W20 units were again given a white polyester powder coat finish over the hot dip galvanised coating which, together will ensure all the new doors and windows are far better equipped to withstand the weather than those they replaced.

Old Broadcasting House description:     As part of the BBC WEST ONE redevelopment (a massive project running over many years) we are involved in two separate buildings – Old Broadcasting House and Western House. 

BBC Old broadcasting house is a listed property that is a monument to the innovation of radio broadcasting and still proudly shows its radio tower on the roof.  Primarily, this is a large refurbishment contract which we are currently on site at.  We are responsible for full refurbishment of the 500+ windows, easing and adjusting, stripping/polishing and renovation of ironmongery, rust repairs, glazing, mastic sealants, redecorations as well as upgrading using the silicone draught proofing system.  We are also replacing a number of windows on a replica refurbishments basis - paying special attention to matching of glazing bar sightlines and special detailing to the approval of English Heritage and the numerous consultant companies on board.

Due to the sensitive nature of the site and the surrounding buildings of importance, special attention has to be made to all aspects of managing a project such as this.  Communications with all parties is of paramount importance and our experienced surveyors, designers, project managers and site management staff all well acquainted with the responsibilities of coordinating such an operation.

Western House description:     Western House is another building within the realm of the BBC WEST ONE Redevelopment.  As an extension of our works on Old Broadcasting House, we have been commissioned with the £1m+ contract to replace all of the 189 no. rusting 1930's steel Universal section steel windows with new.

As well as meeting the requirements of Westminster Council planning authority in respect of replacing on a replica basis, we were also set the task of producing a window system with inherent blast resistant properties, whilst increasing both the thermal and acoustic insulation to a very high standard as this building will house recording studios and radio broadcast studios.  After many design meeting, we arrived at a mutually acceptable specification and set to work on making the project a reality.  To meet this demanding specification, we opted to use a specially adapted W40 double glazed black powder coated marginal pane style section steel window system.  This should far out last the original window system which had been installed for some 70 years.

We also replaced a number of corroded windows to the lightwells on a like-for-like basis whilst upgrading a number to fire rated standards.  We treated the remaining lightwell windows to a full refurbishment and redecoration.

Slenderness of section was the key motivation for the selection of steel as the framing material for a large panoramic screen at a recently extended private house at the head of a sweeping valley in East Sussex.

Steel Window Association member company, London based Steel Window Service & Supplies Ltd, was contracted as a specialist supplier to the main contractor, Dennis Cox Building Services for the erection of a three metre high screen which subtends the kitchen of ‘Greenmead’ near Five Ashes.

Double glazed and containing three pairs of double doors, the 13 metre long wall of glass offers a substantially uninterrupted view of the countryside while maintaining a comfortable living environment for the occupants. 

The Project Director for MMM Architects comments: “Due to the architectural diagram we were trying to produce we decided something far more diaphanous than the timber joinery in the main part of the house was required for the screen.  The architectural whim is always to have no section visible at all, but having worked with steel windows before we believed it was highly appropriate to the project.”

All of the sealed units were fabricated using toughened safety glass for both the inner and outer panes.  The W20 steel sections themselves have been left in their factory galvanised finish, requiring even greater care than normal in the installation to maintain a pristine appearance at handover. 

Steel Window Service’s operatives bolted the faceted sections together on site to follow the slow curve of the window line; not merely fitting them tightly between stone reveals and beneath an ornamental timber bressemer, but also having to ensure the fixed lights aligned accurately with the circular steel supporting columns which are set back some 200 mm from the glazing line.

Premises for a high class carpet shop In South West London have been built featuring the use of double storey height steel screens for both the main entrance and the walls of a central courtyard, giving the business a strikingly modern and open environment with ample natural light.  Steel Window Association member company, Steel Window Service and Supplies was responsible for both the fabrication and installation of the fenestration for Odegard Rare & Original Carpets, based at the Berrytime Studios on Queenstown Road.

The contract represents a continuation of the company's relationship with MMM Architects after the steel window specialist had provided a similar package for another of the design consultancy's acclaimed commercial projects.

The project architect at MMM, Matthew Ratsma, comments: "The choice of steel windows for a project such as this was based on the material's strength and the fact that the slim frames maximise the amount of natural light entering the building.

"Beyond this we chose to leave the frames In their raw galvanised finish because we have found in the past that it offers a very attractive colour and patina as light falls on it.  It does not look over manufactured and therefore suited the semi-industrial, 'B1' aesthetic we were trying to create."

Customers enter the carpet shop through double doors, part of a main entrance screen which spans an eight metre wide opening in the front elevation, The sales space on both floors is arranged around three sides of a central lightwell with the large areas of glazing giving uninterrupted views of the elegantly landscaped area. While the main screen also contains opening lights at the upper level, two more doorsets open onto opposite sides of the courtyard.

All of the screens, doors and windows contain 14 mm IG units and have bean produced using the long established W20 suite of sections. Although in this case they remain in their galvanised finish, specifiers can choose from the full RAL palette of colours for a tough polyester powder coat to further enhance their low maintenance characteristics.

Description:     A mammoth refurbishment project involving specialist refurbishment of over 2,500 windows to the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence.  Situated opposite 10 Downing street, this imposing building of national importance holds a grade I listing and is fitted with alloy windows replicating steel window sections dating back to the 1950's.  These windows had oxidised badly as they were mill finished, being fitted prior to the introduction of the now widely used Anodising process.  The ironmongery had also deteriorated badly and the operation of opening windows was hindered by lack of periodic maintenance.

Although our primary consideration is steel windows, due to the size of the project and specialist works involving mainly steel window ironmongery and glazing techniques - we demonstrated to the main contractors - Skanska Whitehall, that our knowledge would be critical in the correct selection of refurbishment specification.  We worked jointly on the specification to meet all of the clients exacting performance criteria and came up with both a short and a long term strategy that suited all parties.

This is a very sensitive site and Steel Window Services also needed to demonstrate its other specialist service, this being our practice of adhering to strict Health and Safety policies which in most cases far exceed those required by the sites that we work on.  Security was also paramount on this project, involving reams of paperwork and project management skills for which we are synonymous with.

We still have a site team on this project after 3 and a half years, and our responsibilities grow daily as the client and contractor increasingly demonstrate their trust in both our abilities to deal with such an important contract and our site teams demonstrate their specialised skills.

Press Release:  
"STEEL WINDOW STAND OUT IN LONDON MEWS"

The use of steel windows for the entire elevation of a desirable mews property in Central London has transformed the living spaces.  Piers Ford Architects went to Steel Window Association member company, Steel Window Services to supply a series of W20 framed units that radically increased the amount of light entering the occupied space.  Specified in their raw galvanised finish, they also pick up on the presence of steel beams expressed in the brickwork elevations along the street.

The Project Architect for Piers Ford Architects, Nadeem Abbas, comments: “The choice of steel windows in part stemmed from the history of the area.  These mews properties almost certainly started life housing the horses and carriages belonging to large nearby houses, but during the 20th Century most of them served as workshops.  Indeed, the last one carrying out car repairs closed just a couple of years ago.  We therefore wanted to get back to an industrial type feel – reflecting the presence of heavy steel sections still seen in many of the frontages. 

“Beyond this we also wanted to maximise the amount of natural daylight penetrating into the building and you cannot get slenderer window sections than you do with steel frames.”

As part of the refenestration for the home near Kings Cross, Steel Window Services’ rugged but slimline profile frames were ‘merged’ with more substantial structural steel members.  This was in part done by the SWA member drilling and tapping in-situ, and in part by the steel fabricators.

All of the units were supplied with 14 mm sealed units containing clear toughened glass.  The opening lights were factory fitted with EPDM gaskets to reduce heat loss still further.

Description:     Although much smaller in size that some of the other projects on this page, projects such as Elm Tree Road are vitally important to Steel Window Services as it allows us to demonstrate our one-to-one personal service to our clients.  This purpose made W40 range door screen was specially built in to a bespoke timber subframes with another contractor installing a security shutter externally, also built into the timber work.

Projects like this demand nothing less than absolute cooperation, consultation, and coordination between individual companies and individual people.  For instance, on a screen such as this one, we had to ensure that the door screen was set back into the timber work far enough so that the security shutter would not foul on the door handles.  It is little details like this that ensure that the finished product is perfect for it's application. 

It takes a lot of experience and design work to ensure that this type of screen does not look "over-engineered".  The main advantage of steel is the elegant look of the sections once completed.  This is hard to achieve with other products in the light of stringent Building Regulation changes that came in effect April 2002, but with the right degree of understanding the client's vision and skill of translating that to reality - a truly beautiful result can be achieved.

Press Release:  
"RADLETT REFURBISHMENT REFLECTS REPLICATION
POTENTIAL OF STEEL WINDOWS"

Modern standards of performance coupled with an appearance very close to that of the original fenestration have been achieved with the windows provided by a member of the Steel Window Association for the refurbishment of a very large private residence in Radlett, Hertfordshire. 

The work on the 1920s property, built employing many reclaimed materials, has involved London based Steel Window Services in a £80K contract for the supply and installation of more than a 100 units.  All have been fabricated using the EB Series rolled steel sections which offer the closest possible match for the old style puttied in panes, but featuring double glazing retained by a bead. 

Not only were the windows used to replace old corroded frames within the elevations to the property, but also contribute to the sympathetic addition of a new wing, which has added extra bedrooms and living rooms. The 14 mm IG units throughout have had chemically blackened lead cames soldered on both sides of the glass to produce an aged appearance.

Mr Lawrence Beck, RICS, led the project for the Aspect Property Group.  He comments: “We researched the market thoroughly to ascertain what could be achieved in terms of improving the energy and sound performance as well as the security of the windows, while still maintaining the original style.  Basically Steel Window Services showed itself willing to not only supply frames fabricated from EB series profiles, but with the particular type of handles and lead finishing to make it look totally authentic.  I think we have gone as far as you can in having a traditional frame with double glazing and meeting other performance criteria.”

The ironmongery on the windows includes ornate handle sets featuring shaped, cast back plates.  Meanwhile many of the hot dip galvanised frames, which were factory finished in a black polyester powder coat, were bolted together on site to form composites installed in openings up to four metres wide.

Press Release:  
"SWA MEMBER HELPS RESTORE ROCK MUSIC LANDMARK"

Nowadays home to a thriving modern church organisation, a north London theatre, which once featured in every big rock band's UK tour dates, has been restored to its original appearance thanks to the expertise offered by a member of the Steel Window Association.

The Rainbow Theatre on Seven Sisters Road in Finsbury Park is listed Grade II* and was built in the Art Deco style with tall steel windows splitting the stonework of its dressed stone elevations. The combination of time and traffic fumes had, unfortunately, led to such serious corrosion that replica replacement was required for the original fenestration.

The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God engaged architects Farrington Dennys Fisher to help meet the requirements of English Heritage and local planners, while Steel Window Service and Supplies Ltd was the specialist contractor engaged to carry out the work.

Steel Window Services utilised W20 sections as offering the best match for the existing frames which would have been fabricated from the Medium Universal Suite, while the original ironmongery was removed, chemically cleaned, polished and replaced on the new units.

The manufacturer's highly skilled technicians also removed, refurbished and galvanised numerous decorative enrichments from the old cast iron spandrel panels that traversed the elevations. These were then fitted to new galvanised steel panels to accompany the replica windows on the Seven Sisters Road and adjoining façade.

Although the windows dating from the Art Deco period were only single glazed, the construction of W20 frames allows them to accept 14 mm double glazed units, along with modern weather-stripping, without detracting from the sight lines. These were in fact supplied with special yellow tinted glass to aid the authentic appearance of the fenestration. The majority of the frames are 1500 mm wide with the tallest rising to a height of six metres.

Description:     Steel Window Services were engaged to rectify the problem of very excessive condensation which was experienced by all residents in this Art Deco block of flats in North West London.  The large glazed areas of 1930's steel windows had been replaced with aluminium units which were looked upon at the time as an upgrade.  Unfortunately for our clients, they proved to be more expensive to maintain than their predecessors and offered no advantage whatsoever. 

Steel is the natural choice where large areas of exposed fenestration exist, especially now with the introduction of solar control glasses and high performance steel window products that meet the revised thermal requirements of the Building Regulations. 

The existing windows were broken up by large steels which acted as a cold bridge from the outside to the inside.  Large cast panels also existed between floors.  There was also the added feature of ornate copper light fanlights in various designs.

The choice to replace the units with W40 sections was made.  Acting as main contractors - we removed all of the surrounding steels and windows, and replaced with purpose made thermally broken 2-part pressed steel columns and transomes which were finished as the window frames.  W40 range steel windows were then inserted into the new structural openings  The upper ornate copper lights were recreated in double glazed format using thin face applied lead front and back to the outer pane of glass.  These were chemically treated and soldered to appear traditional as possible.

All of the windows were factory polyester powder coated to a light blue colour and were glazed with high performance argon gas filled soft coat low emmisivety double glazing units and back ground trickle ventilators fitted to all opening window heads.

This project indeed demonstrates that a traditional building can be updated and upgraded to a modern standard without the need to ruin its appearance using inappropriate replacement materials to meet current Building Regulations.

Description:     Steel Window Service and Supplies Limited were proud to be appointed on this prestigious project for the design, supply, installation and glazing of specialised internal and external steel polyester powder coated purpose made screens based on the W20 range of hot-rolled mild-steel sections.

Our long established (since 1956) background in the development of specialised steel fenestrations was tested to the limits by an initial design concept from Branson Coates Architecture that at first seemed impossible to compromise into a practical and workable solution. Also, with the majority of the fenestration being contracted out under a Contractor’s Design Portion, close co-operation and liaison with Kier London Limited, Branson Coates Architecture and Sheppard Robson Architects was required to reach a  design that not only met the original design concept but also met our manufacturing and structural design criteria.

The connection between pre-fabricated multi-faceted steelwork panels and our steel windows required much “theoretical” pre-site planning. The tolerances required to create both a tight fitting facade whilst maintaining ease of installation on site gave much food for thought at the design stage.   A range of specialist ironmongery was also requested to the various opening units including secure door locking espagnolette systems with no secondary panels to doors.  The finished product encompasses all of the main advantages of using steel windows, the large, shaped and faceted units still maintaining their slenderness, elegance and security.

Steel Window Services were able to offer a complete service and support throughout the project’s duration, from the initial design concept to glazing the last pane of glass.

Steel Window Service & Supplies Limited, a long time member of the Steel Window Association, has demonstrated its complete confidence in the physical performance and commercial viability of the W20 units by using them to replace the failing timber frames in its own premises.

The metal window specialist, based in Finsbury Park, North London, carried out the work earlier this year as part of much wider improvements and repairs, the property having been in need of substantial refurbishment when it was first purchased.  Matthew Hahn, Managing Director of Steel Window Service and Supplies, recounts:  "Not only did the building need underpinning, but the old wooden windows were so rotten that we had bushes growing through them in one place. We also wanted to add an extra floor to the offices so it was decided to do all the work together.

"The W20 sections enable us to fabricate units that are extremely robust and hardwearing, while the 14 mm double glazing and high performance weather seals ensure energy losses are kept to a minimum. The W20 and other steel frame systems we have available suit a very wide range of applications and respect the appearance of older style properties."

Interestingly the SWA member elected to leave the new frames in the 'raw' galvanised state, rather than applying one of the polyester powder paint finishes that enables specifiers to match the fenestration to other elements of the external envelope on a wide variety of developments.  As is the case with many of its commercial and domestic contracts, the firm also utilised the W20 sections to fabricate a set of entrance doors while, at first floor level, a single door with side screen gives access onto a roof terrace area.

Press Release:  
"SWA MEMBER PUTS SAFETY FIRST IN COVENT GARDEN"

Steel Window Association member company Steel Window Services & Supplies Ltd has come close to perfection on a contract near Covent Garden in London, not merely in the quality of its renovation and repair work, but in terms of its safety record.

The project concerns the refurbishment of an office block, known as Tower House, with north London based Steel Window Services having a team of nine operatives based full time at the Southampton Street site.

The three month safety audit awarded the metal window specialist 95 per cent, based on the training of the personnel and the maintenance of good safety procedures as well as record keeping throughout the period.

The Contracts Manager on the project for YJL, Mr Peter O’Malley, comments: “We have regular meetings here with all of the site agents and mark each sub-contractor on seven or eight categories, and within each category there are half a dozen questions to answer on whether or not they have reached the required standard.  Steel Window Services has been maintaining a very high standard and came second amongst the sub-contractors again in the following audit with a score of 89 per cent.

“The refurb element to this project is very large, with Steel Window Services having to strip and overhaul in the order of 200 windows with nine men on site full time.  We find that their team is very eager to do a good, professional job.”

With the large units already deglazed, operatives are involved on stripping off every single bit of paint from the horizontal and vertical pivot windows in the elevations to the eight storey property, working from full scaffolding.  The company investigated several different methods of removing the layers of paint before needle guns were selected as the most effective tools. 

The windows are generally in the order of three metres wide and divided into nine panes horizontally and seven vertically. The specification set a level of 10 per cent corroded metal work as the watershed for whether the frames should be repaired or replaced.  New windows have been fabricated using W20 sections, while the majority have been filled and coated with galvanizing primer.