220 PVC-U windows
approved for historic town hall
Essex-based Halo fabricator Masterframe
Windows has supplied 220 sash windows
for a striking renovation project at Barking
Town Hall, for the London Borough of
Barking and Dagenham (LBBD).
The long-standing VEKA Group customer
worked with Asset Fineline to demonstrate
that the company’s PVC-U heritage-style
sashes were the perfect timber alternative
to replace the original windows of this
iconic building.
Masterframe invited the team from
Barnes Construction, architects from LAP,
and LBBD representatives to visit the
factory and see first hand, the company’s
commitment to quality products,
performance, and aesthetics. A factory
tour allowed in-depth demonstrations
and insights into the many features that
make Masterframe’s products suitable for
prestigious projects such as this.
Masterframe’s Managing Director Carol
Slade said: “We were delighted that, as a
result of the visit, we were successful in
persuading all parties concerned in the
refurbishment of this historic landmark to
specify our sash windows. This is a very
prestigious contract for us and we were
happy that all stakeholders were convinced
that our windows would aesthetically be
the perfect replacement for the original
sash windows and also satisfied that our
windows would provide all the performance
factors required in terms of energy
efficiency, longevity, security and low
maintenance.”
It is estimated that one in four commercial
windows in the UK comes from VEKA Group
and the specified product, in this case,
was Masterframe’s Conservation sash
window with a cream outer frame and white
inner. These windows provided a ‘like for
like’ solution that was sympathetic to the
exterior of the building as well as ensuring
superior performance and complementing
44 - www.refurbandrestore.co.uk
the new, modern interior work spaces. The
‘extra large’ windows featured a slim GRP
mid rail, Timberweld® butt-jointed corners
and special solar controlled glass.
In 2018, Masterframe was named
‘Fabricator/Manufacturer of the Year’ at the
National Fenestration Awards and also won
‘New Product of the Year’ for Timberweld®.
(Timberweld is a patented method of
jointing frames to create an authentic
timber butt-joint effect – on both sides of
the window).
The architects, who were initially cautious
about specifying PVC-U, were impressed
with Masterframe’s products and the team’s
attitude. Salvatore Genco, Architect from
LAP Architects and Interior Designers said
their “passion and willingness to engage
was refreshing.”
Salvadore explained: “We’ve always been
incredibly sceptical about the use of PVC-U
in window manufacture, especially on
high profile projects where aesthetics are
paramount. [However] the initial factory
visit, presentation on Masterframe’s
product and readiness to provide technical
information/certification changed my
perception of PVC-U windows and provided
LAP Architects with the confidence to
supply the product.”
VEKA Group Sales Director Neil Evans
added: “With more than 30 years’
experience in the industry, Masterframe
is a great example of a VEKA Group
customer that meets every new challenge
with professionalism and efficiency.
Masterframe shares VEKA Group’s thorough
commitment to quality and customer
service and it comes as no surprise that
the company secured this prestigious and
challenging contract, as Masterframe was
named ‘Best Timber Alternative Company’
at the 2017 National Fenestration Awards.”
www.vekauk.com