|
In addition to the refurbishment of existing steel windows, the requirement
may also be to upgrade existing Steel (sometimes referred to as "Crittall
Windows"). The cost of upgrading must be weighed up
against the cost of new steel windows but generally, the cost of upgrading
should always be considerably less than replacing. The type of upgrade should
be selected in accordance with the reason why you wish to upgrade them.
See below and select category to view possible upgrades to help bring the
steel windows up to expected standard.
For
upgrades to aesthetics or for functionality repairs etc. - please refer to
REFURBISHMENT
sheets)
|
Security
Heat Loss
Draughts
Ironmongery
Noise
|
|
1. Security
Upgrades to security of existing steel windows and doors can be made using
two methods:
- Glazing upgrade to provide a glass that is more secure to vandalism and
entry.
- Addition of security locks to mechanically make opening windows less accessible
during attack.
 Existing
glass in steel windows, especially in older frames, is usually single glazed
annealed glass around 3 - 4mm thick. This offers very little in the way of
security and can be broken and accessed very easily. Some style of steel windows
include cottage style steel glazing bars leaving only entry points of around
300mm square with glass out and therefore this style of window is safest.
A common misconception is that lead lights are secure. This is not true and
the leads lights are just as, if not more susceptible to breakage and entry.
The way of increasing security to non-leaded larger pane steel windows is
to change the glass to a type that is harder to break out. There are two main
types of glass that fulfil this requirement. The first is toughened glass
and the second is laminated glass. There is little price difference between
the two.
Toughened glass is made to be harder to break but when is breaks it shatters
into small shards and leaves an open pane. Laminated glass is made to
break as easily as normal annealed glass but includes a layer of clear invisible
material that separates two separate panes of glass and therefore holds glass
together when broken.
 For
security we recommend the use of laminated glass. The usual thickness suitable
for a general compromise between cost effectiveness and security is 6.38mm.
This is constructed from 2 sheets of 3mm clear annealed glass with a 0.38mm
interlayer. Any existing glass can be removed and replaced with this single
glazed sheet as described in the Refurbishment sheets. All laminated glass
is stamped with the laminated mark which also acts as a deterrent to burglars.
There are also many thicker versions of laminated glass available which have
higher ratings against attack. Please contact our technical department for
further details or E Mail us with your query.
As well as breaking glass to gain entry, burglars also gain entry via opening
windows. Therefore the ironmongery keeping the window closed should be of
a standard to give the best possible security.
 This
can be done in two ways. The first is to replace the ironmongery with new
ironmongery which incorporates security devices and the other is to leave
existing ironmongery in place and add secondary security devices. The latter
would be more preferable to windows utilising ornate ironmongery. There are
a number of restrictions on which types of locks can be used on which types
of windows and doors. Therefore, types of locks and therefore security attained
will depend of your existing type of windows. Our surveyors will advise of
types available when surveying windows for quotation. We hold in stock a very
extensive supply of many types of Insurance Approved locks and therefore can
propose a suitable type. Note : It should be noted that the above
recommendations will not stop a determined burglar and we do not take responsibility
for any loss or damage caused.
2.
Heat Loss
If problems are encountered with heat loss, this is usually associated with
gaps in the opening windows and existing glazing types. The same upgrades
for dealing with this problem are described in the Noise section above.
In addition to the points and upgrades listed in the Noise section, if re-glazing
the existing steel windows with 14mm or larger double glazing units is possible
- the double glazing units could be included with a hard of soft coat low
emissivety coating and/or insulating airspace gas. This further reduces heat
loss / heat gain.
3. Draughts
For existing opening windows that are presently draughty, the windows should
firstly be Serviced, Eased and Adjusted (see
Refurbishment Section).
This should cut down a vast majority of the draughts. To create a total
seal the windows can be upgraded by silicone draughtproofing (if no existing
draughtproofing exists) as described in the "Noise" section. For existing
windows which presently include draughtproofing which is defective, please
refer to "Condition of existing (if present) weatherstrips"
(see
Refurbishment Section).
 4.
Ironmongery
Existing window and door ironmongery can be upgraded for security purposes.
See Security section above. Ironmongery can also be changed for aesthetic
reasons. We hold in stock vast supplies of new ironmongery for using
as replacements on windows. These include handles, stays, spring catches etc.
All available in a range of traditional and modern designs and finishes to
suit all tastes. For doors, we can fit closers, handles, locks etc.
All as upgrades or replacements to existing ironmongery. To upgrade
windows for safety purposes, we also supply and fix releasable restrictors
meeting current Regulations.
5. Noise
Noise transference through steel windows, especially pre-1965 is very common.
After this period - most steel windows included an important item which was
a black neoprene weatherstrip between the inner and outer frames of opening
windows. This item cuts down a great deal of noise that is transferred through
the gaps in the opening windows. Also, double glazing units were starting
to be employed in to designs which helped a great deal. If the problem is
associated with the renewal of weatherstrips or double glazing units, refer
to
Refurbishment section.
Existing single glazing can, in some circumstances be changed for 14mm double
glazing units as described in Re-glazing section in section 1. There are limitations
to which type of steel windows can have their glass changed. The 3/8" depth
glazing rebates that were used prior to 1965 in commercial buildings cannot
accommodate double glazing units due to the shallow rebates. Existing single
putty glazed SMW windows used from the 1930's cannot be re-glazed with double
glazing units as there is not sufficient glazing depth. The only existing
steel windows that can be double glazed with 14mm thick double glazing units
are windows with a 13mm (1/2") glazing leg depth rebate and a glazing table
(from glass side of glazing back leg to end of table on glazing side) of minimum
26mm. New glazing will involve the re-drilling and tapping of all glazing
rebates and supply/fix of new beads / corner clips.
 Should
your windows be pre-1965 with no weatherstrip, or after this period with no
weatherstrips then the below recommendations are made to incorporate weatherstrips
into the opening windows. The black neoprene weatherstrips that are used in
today's windows are housed into pre-formed grooves in the steel sections (W20
windows) or into pre-fabricated and factory fixed aluminium channels (SMW).
Older steel windows that were manufactured before the advent of weatherstripping
contained no grooves or mounting points and therefore another method of draughtproofing
is used.
The silicone draughtproofing method described below which we carry out provides
an excellent seal for the life of the silicone (minimum of seven years) after
which time it can be stripped back and re-applied. It works extremely well
as it will take up all varying gaps in the steel. "Stick-on" DIY weatherstrips
should never be used on steel windows as this tends to bow and distort the
steel frames when windows are forced closed on them.
This system is ideally applied to newly decorated steel windows which includes
the closing edges of the steel opening windows to be painted as well as external
/ internal faces.
Windows should be Serviced, Eased and Adjusted prior to application to ensure
correct setting of opening windows.
Silicone Draughtproofing system for existing steel windows
Open steel window.
If window not newly decorated - clean down closing edges and apply a coat
of primer paint. Allow to dry.
Apply low tack tape to closing edge of opening window frame.
Apply a bead of silicone (sympathetic colour to window frame colour) to closing
edge of fixed outer frame.
Close window fully. (silicone will now compress and run into all areas).
Apply removable warning sticker to glass warning not to open window.
Leave window for minimum 48 hours to allow silicone to cure.
Return to window.
Remove sticker from glass.
Open window.
Remove tape and clean any excess silicone and residue from opening frame members.
Trim excess silicone level with back weathering leg of outer fixed frame.
Re-set window frame as required and leave all in good working order.
NOTE : under no circumstances should the silicone be painted at any time as
this would lead to a chemical reaction between the paint and the silicone
which leads to the break down of the silicone.
|
