Concentration enhanced with Selectaglaze secondary glazing
The standard of an institution’s education is down to the teacher’s skills and the individual; others will place more importance on the resources of the school. But what about the building itself? The sound of commuter traffic from the outside drifts in, voices in the hallway can be heard as people walk to class, a draft from the windows sweep in – not a straightforward environment to learn in. Secondary glazing can help combat all these problems and can also improve a building’s energy efficiency and increase window security. It is particularly suited to traditional buildings, those in conservation areas or Listed buildings.
Selectaglaze provided a solution with secondary glazing at Harris Manchester College, one of the constituent Colleges of the University of Oxford. With a new construction site opposite the north side of the main building, the fragility of this Grade II Listed Building and its original features became apparent and noise and dust ingress an issue. 28 windows across four different rooms required secondary glazing, each room had their challenges and specific requirements.
In the two meeting rooms: Series 20 slimline vertical sliding units were installed; colour matched in a wood grain finish to complement and blend in with the wood panelling and reveals. They were glazed with 6.8mm acoustic glass and positioned to optimise the cavity, ensuring high levels of acoustic reduction, as well as providing access for cleaning and maintenance. The student Common Room required a solution to stop noise from the neighbouring construction site, and to stop noise escaping from it. Series 20 slimline vertical sliders were installed in white to match the interior design.
The primary windows in the Tate Library are tall gothic arched windows, with three stained glass windows forming a main bay. To complement the interior décor and leaded casings, the timber sub-frames and secondary glazing profiles were colour coated in 9005 Jet Black Matt. The portion of the window below the mezzanine was a Series 10 horizontal sliding unit. Stacked on top, in an area not requiring on-going access, were two series 42 fixed lights. Above these up to the spring point, was another Series 10, followed by three Series 42 curved fixed lights including reverse curving to follow the lines and details of the tracery at the head. Installed with 6.8 laminate glass and a generous cavity; the space is quieter, warmer and provides some UV protection to the books and manuscripts in the Library. Covid-19 note: The secondary glazing has not hampered ventilation requirements, being easily opened by occupants of the rooms.
Selectaglaze assisted in creating a warmer and more energy efficient environment at the Francis Holland School, Regent’s Park, London premises. Built in the 1900s; the purpose-built Grade II Listed building has been extended over the years to accommodate the changing needs for modern learning. This included buying the nearby Gloucester Arms when it went up for sale in 2005. The pub dates to 1880 and has been converted with care, retaining many of its historic features. It is now used as classrooms, which connect two ends of the building in what was originally a V-shape.
As with many older buildings, the timeworn windows were thermally inefficient and draughty. The old existing secondary glazing was unfit for purpose allowing noise to come in from outside. The need to create a quieter and warmer learning environment to aid better concentration was essential. Selectaglaze worked alongside the building consultancy team at Daniel Watney to create a solution by using secondary glazing.
35 units were installed in four different styles including the Series 15 horizontal sliding unit which has a more robust, yet still slender frame, allowing for the discreet treatment of larger windows.
If an educational establishment is well insulated, then it will induce an improvement in the student’s learning capacity. Selectaglaze’s purpose made systems arrive fully assembled to allow rapid installation with minimal disruption and works can be staged to suit maintenance budgets.
With fifty years’ experience, Royal Warrant Holder Selectaglaze has a wealth of experience working in buildings of all styles. Boasting a wide range of extensively tested products and fully bespoke manufacture allows sympathetic designs to be created for all types of window.
For further details, visit: www.selectaglaze.co.uk, T: 01727837271, E: enquiries@selectaglaze.co.uk
