Restoring Victorian splendour
It can be tough to balance traditional Victorian style with high-performing solutions – for the recent refurbishment of a large stone period home, this was exactly what was required.
The Victorian property is located in the town of Minchinhampton, central Gloucestershire, and had specialist needs during its renovation, particularly when it came to the windows and doors.
In order to achieve a traditional appearance with modern performance the owners called on specialist fabricator Roseview and window and door specialist Glassier Window Systems Limited to provide expert advice and high-quality products that fit in with their requirements.
Glassier is a well-established company in the heart of Worcestershire. Since its inception in 1982 they have grown to become leaders in the supply of windows, doors, conservatories and glazed extensions throughout Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Warwickshire, winning a variety of nationally recognised awards along the way.
At the inception of the project last year, Colin Cole – the homeowner – contacted Roseview with a special request to specify high-quality and easy-to-maintain windows that would complement the traditional aesthetics and Victorian feel of their family home. Colin was looking for alternatives that combined the heritage of the building and the conveniences of modern construction and specifically requested Roseview’s Ultimate Rose vertical slider manufactured using REHAU heritage profiles which seemed like the perfect choice.
REHAU’s popular Heritage Vertically Sliding Sash profiles were enhanced by Roseview to manufacture the Ultimate Rose sash window. It has been designed to replicate the charm and character of a timber sash window and with slim timber-like profiles and Roseview’s 35mm meeting rail, the window’s style and authenticity was the perfect answer to the requirements of Minchinhampton.
Howard Nicholls, Managing Director at Glassier, said: “The owners were on the lookout for windows that incorporated all the desirable traditional features of a timber sash window, yet with all the additional benefits and conveniences of modern PVC-U. On conducting their own research before approaching us, they found the Ultimate Rose using REHAU’s Vertically Sliding Sash Window profiles perfectly met with their requirements and we completely agreed.
“Glassier has been using REHAU profiles for several years now and the quality and finish of all the products is second to none. The Vertically Sliding Sash Window complements traditional timber windows and is an ideal modern replacement to heritage properties across the country. They are so good that they are accepted by local Conservation officers.
“The system includes all the classic detailing found in period sash windows, including a deep bottom rail, slim sashes for improved sightlines and an optional Astragal Georgian bar. It would take an expert to spot that it is PVC-u and so, we did not hesitate to recommend the product for this refurbishment project.”
The Ultimate Rose has been specifically designed to be the most authentic PVC-u sash window that also boasts supreme modern features and benefits. Its ‘A’ rated energy efficiency comes as standard with the product along with its enhanced security and excellent acoustic performance, helping to block out external noise. This lends perfectly to what the owners were looking for during the refurbishment at Minchinhampton.
Richard Burrells, Director at Roseview Windows said: “Colin Cole was looking for the most authentic and maintenance-free windows that would fit in and complement the style of their Victorian property. Colin is himself a developer and recently came across our popular Ultimate Rose windows and fell in love with its authenticity. We put him in touch with our local Approved Installer Glassier and have had fantastic feedback from the customer and am sure they will be able to reap the benefits of the product for years to come.”
The installation simply makes the windows look as though they have been decorated with nothing really changed. Furthermore, the REHAU Heritage window system has been developed following extensive consultation with conservation bodies and housing associations.
Kevin O’Neil, Commercial Manager for REHAU, said: “We are very excited that our Heritage Vertical Sliding profiles were selected for this refurbishment and we are confident that it meets all the requirements of the building. The Ultimate Rose has been manufactured with authenticity in mind, but not at the cost of modern features and benefits. It is easy to maintain making it the ideal choice for this family home.”