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Mapleton Homes, based in Kent, has constructed two prestigious six bedroom five bathroom homes, with sliding sash windows and French-style patio doors. One of the properties features a 12 foot high JELD-WEN timber feature window, with an arched top that spans two storeys and lets the maximum amount of light filter through to the hallway. The other property features a conservatory constructed from JELD-WEN’s bespoke timber windows.

Details for Jeld Wen UK

The clear glazed Juliette solution from balustrading specialists, Balcony Systems Ltd was used to enhance the riverside views of 18 exclusive townhouses overlooking the River Nene at March, Cambridgeshire. Architect Chris Cooper of James Developments Company Ltd specified the system to maximise the properties’ light, space and views overlooking private moorings on the River Nene at March. Double-sized Juliette balconies are a distinctive selling feature of the three and four-bed Sandpiper properties where the use of clear glazing enhances the appeal and amenity of this speculative build. In total, 78 were installed, with each of the mid-terraced homes having a total of four Juliettes, measuring 1.7 to 2.9 metres wide. The end properties benefit from an extra set on their side elevations. In response to the current building trends, Balcony’s proven balustrade technology system, used extensively throughout Europe and beyond, has been introduced to the UK where it is starting to make an impact with developers and housebuilders. Balcony’s solution has all the characteristics of structural glazing, but at around a third to half of the cost. The revolutionary approach lies in the hand-railing itself. The aluminium structure securely holds a straight glass balcony for up to 3 or 3.8 metres without vertical posts, allowing an uninterrupted view from the inside. Externally, the result is neat and contemporary to complement modern building styles.

Details for Balcony Systems Ltd

A UK first: It has been revealed that, for the first time in the UK, approved, purpose-made, aluminium fire-resisting windows that are identical in appearance to standard windows are now available as part of the expanding AWS range from Schüco International. The company says their clean modern look stands in sharp contrast to present adaptations of fire doors. The new windows, known as AWS 60 FR 30 and AWS 70 FR 30, offer automatic self-locking in the event of a fire but can also be specified with a hold-open function for use in combination with a smoke detector. Both types have 30-minute ratings and have been tested in line with EN 1634 for spread of flame and EN 1364 for protection against heat radiation. The windows are available with either a 60 mm or 70mm frame depth.

Details for Schuco International

Over 600 Spectus vertical sliders with authentic Georgian bars have been used in a development of large luxury properties in Hull, by Sash Windows (Bradford). Jason Lee, Managing Director of Sash Windows, said: 'The Spectus sash helped us win the project because it's top quality, authentic and aesthetically superior to all other vertical sliders on the market.'

Details for Spectrus Window Systems

Ford Windows have used the Eurologik system from Eurocell to fabricate and install the doors and windows for Waters Edge development in Peterborough. The development has grey coloured door and window profiles on all the properties that face onto the lake at the front, with white used to the rear. The developers, David Wilson Homes, and the planning authorities eventually selected Eurocell Eurologik in grey due to the thinner profiles which offer much better site lines than many other systems. The grey created a balance between the brickwork and weather boarding which provided the ideal back drop to the lake that was created at the front of the development. Neal Suckling from David Wilson Homes said: 'The grey gives the development an upbeat contemporary look, as well as complementing its surroundings perfectly. The thinner profiles on Eurologik create the impression of an aluminium window system.'

Details for Eurocell Profiles Ltd

According to the manufacturers, the new Sheerframe bi-fold door from L.B. Plastics delivers a contemporary style along with a high performance reliabilty. It is available in a range of configurations and creates a striking visual and functional feature for property whilst bringing flexibility to room design. Spanning up to six metres, the bi-fold doors are engineered using ball-bearing raced roller mechanisms and feature slim sightlines and a frame interlock to optimise weather performance.

Details for LB Plastics Ltd

This month’s front cover features Monkfield Park School in Cambridge, which makes extensive use of the Domus range from Rationel Windows and Doors. The striking appearance of this school has been accentuated by the use of Rationel’s window façade system, with the windows and doors complementing the beauty of the wood used in the rest of the structure. The body of the windows and doors are made from 60% heartwood – the strongest part of the tree found at its centre – with 100% heartwood used on all external facing components. The decision to use Rationel was influenced by the clean lines of the products and the high quality of manufacture and performance in use. The specification included double entrance doors, side-hung and fixed light windows, and combined units with bespoke shapes showcasing Rationel’s manufacturing flexibility.The glazed screens to the gable end of the extended school building are a key design feature to allow natural light into the teaching areas. Each glazed gable has an extended canopy area adjacent to ensure that there is a covered area for children’s play and to provide shade on sunny days. Safety and energy glass has been used in the windows and doors to meet the requirements for Secure by Design and energy efficiency to reduce heat loss during winter months. where a longer maintenance cycle is desired.

Details for Rationel Windows (UK) Ltd

High Performance doorset manufacturer Homesafe-Lindman, has been awarded BSI's Kitemark licence. This makes the company one of the first door companies to receive this award. The licence covers Homesafe-Lindman's fabricatioin of single leaf doorsets tested to PAS 23-1 and PAS 24-1 in GRP and PVCu composite, with PVCu outer frames.

Details for Homesafe-Lindman

When customers arrive at the Marco Restaurant, they will be welcomed by a Rondor circular-sliding automatic entrance from Tormax. Located in the grounds of Chelsea football club, the restaurant is the new venture of celebrity chef, Marco Pierre White. The Rondor consists of two sets of curved glass doors, creating a striking architectural feature. The external doors slide apart, allowing customers into a lobby area where they face a second set of doors leading directly into the restaurant. An integrated air curtain effectively helps maintain the ambient temperature for diners, while the doors are powered by Tormax TEP operators, neatly housed within the circular casing. Target Living, the interior architects, discussed many options for the entrance way with Tormax but with relatively limited available space the Rondor was specified partly because it creates 50% larger opening space than sliding doors would deliver, and because an airlock can be formed between two sets of doors.

Details for Tormax United Kingdom Ltd

The millions of people who use Gatwick every year will be kept cool and safe from dazzling sun glare, after 80 motorised roller blinds from Levolux, were installed at the departure gates of Pier 6, a new 11-pier aircraft stand, attached to the North Terminal by a state of the art bridge. Under the contract with specifier Mike Crossley Consult Ltd, Levolux supplied a series of Internal 780 motorised Roller Blinds, together with control units, to the airport to combat overheating and glare. Each of the bespoke roller blinds can be raised or lowered in groups to three set positions, and all are automatically operated through radio controlled motors. The landmark Pier 6 is part of a massive investment by BAA to support Gatwick's growth towards accepting 40 million passengers a year.

Details for Levolux Limited