A recent project saw us revisiting a client based on the outskirts of Heathrow airport. The house is a large family home, which has a number of windows, which until recently were extremely draughty and let a great deal of noise in, not only from the neighbouring airport, from the busy Bath road outside the front of the property.
The occupant, a spritely 82 year old, was suffering from the draughts and spending a great deal on heating during the colder months, so the council intervened and had the primary windows replaced. However, with the heavy aircraft and traffic noise, both sides of the property, the new glazing did little to help reduce the noise ingress.
It was decided that to help supplement the acoustic insulation and reduce the amount of noise from the airport and road, that Selectaglaze secondary glazing would be installed. It is one of the best methods of acoustic insulation for windows in any type of building.
Face fixed Series 20 vertical sliding - blinds within gap between primary and secondary
When installing secondary glazing for acoustic insulation, a cavity of at least 100mm is required; in this case, there was no reveal, so the face fix method had to be applied. Timber grounds were prepared and decorated to provide this all important air gap, into which the secondary glazing was fixed. It also allowed access to the primary windows to open for ventilation and to blinds which were hung between the two sets of windows.
A total of 7 Series 20 vertical sliding units were installed throughout the house, which are flush and elegant system with recessed finger pulls which allow the units to contra-slide. However, the 82 year old who lived in the property has arthritis in her fingers and hands so operating the units was very difficult.
Selectaglaze was contacted again to see if there were any modifications which could be made, to ease the opening and closing of the windows for the occupier. After some design work by the engineering team, a new section was developed which would accept our D-Handles, giving far greater purchase for the user and facilitate opening and closing the windows.
Normal design with recessed finger pull
New section with D-Handles
All the windows had to have the bottom section changed on site, in situ, which is no easy feat when you have springs to re-tension, but the project went well and the tenant is extremely happy with the result. She can now open and close the windows with far more ease, giving her peace of mind and allowing ventilation in the house when needed.
D-Handles added to Series 20 vertical sliding treatment
Not typically a treatment we would advise, as it reduces the ability to contra-slide, which aids in cleaning. However, in this case, the well-being of the lady living there was paramount, so the solution was happily developed and changed by us.
Face fixed Series 20 vertical sliding - blinds within gap between primary and secondary
When installing secondary glazing for acoustic insulation, a cavity of at least 100mm is required; in this case, there was no reveal, so the face fix method had to be applied. Timber grounds were prepared and decorated to provide this all important air gap, into which the secondary glazing was fixed. It also allowed access to the primary windows to open for ventilation and to blinds which were hung between the two sets of windows.
A total of 7 Series 20 vertical sliding units were installed throughout the house, which are flush and elegant system with recessed finger pulls which allow the units to contra-slide. However, the 82 year old who lived in the property has arthritis in her fingers and hands so operating the units was very difficult.
Selectaglaze was contacted again to see if there were any modifications which could be made, to ease the opening and closing of the windows for the occupier. After some design work by the engineering team, a new section was developed which would accept our D-Handles, giving far greater purchase for the user and facilitate opening and closing the windows.
Normal design with recessed finger pull
New section with D-Handles
All the windows had to have the bottom section changed on site, in situ, which is no easy feat when you have springs to re-tension, but the project went well and the tenant is extremely happy with the result. She can now open and close the windows with far more ease, giving her peace of mind and allowing ventilation in the house when needed.
D-Handles added to Series 20 vertical sliding treatment
Not typically a treatment we would advise, as it reduces the ability to contra-slide, which aids in cleaning. However, in this case, the well-being of the lady living there was paramount, so the solution was happily developed and changed by us.- Date
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