Crucial Considerations

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In association with The Residence Collection, The Fabricator highlights the crucial considerations when installing windows on heritage properties.

It is important to preserve the original characteristics and authenticity of heritage properties when making necessary modern updates.

Conservation areas have been established by local authorities to protect certain historical areas – but there are lots of them. Before making any upgrades to a heritage property, it is essential to confirm with the local authority whether it falls within a conservation area or not. The areas will have specific requirements for window styles to maintain architectural integrity and preserve the charm of the community.

Over the years, The Residence Collection windows and doors have been widely accepted in Grade II listed buildings across the UK.

 

When working on heritage properties, there are also additional factors to consider, including the regulations associated with this type of building. These include:

Part B Means of Fire Escape: Certain rooms in the home require fire escape windows. Ground floor living areas, studies and bedrooms need fire escape windows, while rooms on upper levels up to 4.5m from the ground require fire escape windows if they lack access to a protected stairwell.

Part F Ventilation: Since June 2022, new window installations must comply with revised Part F of the building regulations, which require trickle vents for adequate ventilation. It’s worth noting that these regulations may differ for historic and traditional buildings within a conservation areas. The homeowner can apply for an exemption from the Planning Council during the planning process. The Residence Collection has recently added a concealed trickle vent cover to the range if a trickle vent is needed.

Part L Thermal Efficiency & Performance: All replacement windows must meet thermal efficiency regulations. The Residence Collection's windows with double glazing have a standard U-value of 1.2Wm²/K, while triple glazing can achieve as low as 0.74, surpassing the building regulations requirements.

 

Sewell Park Academy project

The Sewell Park Academy (a 1929 brick building with stone detailing and a steeply pitched roof) project was in a conversation area in Norwich. Boudica School’s Trust specified the R9 windows for their heritage characteristics, low maintenance features and energy performance, along with the added recyclability benefits of PVC-U.

In collaboration with Homelink Windows and Tradelink Direct, The Residence Collection provided precise replacement windows. The windows featured astragal bars, external drip bars, along with improved energy efficiency and sound reduction.

The replacement frames were supplied in grained white. This colourway offers a traditional brilliant white painted timber look, making it ideal for upgrading heritage buildings.

The R9 range offers 21 colour options, striking a balance between traditional character for period properties and a professional, simple aesthetic for conservation areas.

 

Taking care

Jo Trotman, the marketing manager at The Residence Collection, says: “It is extremely important to take the right steps when installing windows on a heritage property.

“Their standout feature is their aesthetic, therefore the upgraded windows need to also reflect this. Our R9 range ticks all the boxes when it comes to installers renovating a heritage property. It is designed to replicate the flush timber designs found in heritage homes across towns, villages and cities around the UK. The PVC-U alternative to timber enables installers and homeowners to replace windows with an authentic design and in heritage colours without losing the character appearance.”

 

Picture:

The Sewell Park Academy project is in a conversation area in Norwich. Boudica School’s Trust specified The Residence Collection’s R9 windows.

www.residencecollection.co.uk

Article written by Brian Shillibeer
22nd February 2024

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