Top marks

Watsons Glass has completed the supply and installation of over 250 energy efficient windows and glazed doors as part of a major campus renovation programme at Sutton Coldfield College, in the West Midlands.

The college has an extensive campus, to the north of Birmingham and as part of a strategic initiative, developed plans to upgrade a number of its buildings to improve both the internal facilities and external facade.

Energy efficiency was at the heart of the project with the college receiving an LSC grant for 25% of the total renovation costs provided that pre-determined energy efficiency levels were met.

The renovations centred around three buildings housing laboratories, class rooms and an administration centre plus a separate corporate services block. Timescales were extremely tight, with just a four-month timeframe available in order to ensure that all works were complete prior to the start of the new term.

Working in conjunction with architects, McAndrew Watts, plus three separate building contractors, Watsons Glass manufactured the doors and windows incorporating 4mm Planitherm (a low-e toughened glass) with conventional 4mm toughened glass, allowing a 16mm silver spacer between the panes. This combination provided the energy efficiency levels demanded, in a cost effective package – another important consideration. The units are housed in aluminium frames and finished in dark grey to match the buildings exterior cladding treatment and other architectural detailing.

Estates director for Sutton College, John Starmer said: “Having just gone through our first winter, we’re also very pleased with the energy performance of the new windows and the quality of finish.”

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