Gowercroft’s Heritage Windows are Nominated for major award
Heritage rang got shortlisted!
Our new window range designed specifically for the heritage and conservation market have been shortlisted for the Build It Awards in the “Best Window” category. The Winston heritage sliding sash and Richmond heritage flush casement windows were designed to offer a real solution to the competing requirement for aesthetics and energy efficiency in replacing windows in listed and historically important buildings.
The Winston sliding sash and the Richmond casement are pioneering high-tech timber windows, which replicate the appearance of traditional single-glazed windows of the past while delivering exceptional performance. The unique combination of Gowercroft’s traditional joinery, Pilkington Spacia™ ultra-thin vacuum glazing, high quality modified Accoya® timber, and the latest in micro-porous paint coatings has produced innovative, high performance windows that offer the best of all worlds: the appearance of the traditional single-glazed windows of yesteryear, modern levels of heat and noise insulation, plus low maintenance, durability, sustainability, and low life-cycle costs.
Some of the key features are as follows:
Meticulous detailing of traditional single glazed sashes and casement windows with slender 18mm glazing bars and an elegant, extended profile to further reduce the perceived width. Internal and external bars to replicate a traditional putty pointed window. Fully concealed gaskets which cannot be seen on either face of the window. Period ironware including casement stays, cockspur handles, fitch fasteners and sash pulleys, all operated via traditional butt hinges or lead weighted systems.
Pilkington Spacia™ is constructed with an outer pane of low-emissivity glass and an inner pane of clear float, with a vacuum rather than air or gas in between, thereby offering the width of single glazing and the warmth of double-glazing. The Ultra-thin glass is 6.4mm wide, similar to the traditional single glazed windows, often stipulated by conservation officers. With a cavity of just 0.2mm, there is no discernable double reflection, often stipulated by conservation officers. All glass is internal wet glazed with concealed pinning.
Whole window U-values are better than standard double-glazed timber windows, surpassing Part L building regulation requirements for new build properties. For example, a Winston sliding sash window of 1230mm x 1480mm, would have a whole window U-value below 1.35W/m². An example Richmond two-light casement window of 1480mm x 1230mm, would have a whole window U-value below 1.40W/m². This is achievable partly because the molecular structure of Accoya® naturally traps air, making it is a better insulator than hardwoods and softwoods. The Winston sliding sash window also includes Gowercroft’s patented SashSealer technology, which achieves BSI Class 4 air permeability standards. As Pilkington Spacia™ is weld-sealed, there is no gas leakage so its energy efficiency does not diminish with time.
A full 10-year guarantee applies to all elements of the window. The window is also fully eligible for a lifetime guarantee under our TimbaCare serviced maintenance programme. Accoya® acetylated wood has the best longevity of any timber on the market. Furthermore, the raw timber is class 1 durability-rated and has a 70-year minimum service life (TRADA). The windows are fully factory finished with a micro-porous paint system (performance tested with Qv equipment) and specially formulated for Gowercroft in order to deliver an exceptional quality of finish, longevity and ultra-low maintenance.
High levels of sustainability. Fully FSC-certified Accoya® achieves whole window cradle-to-grave neutral status with a minimum expected lifespan of 70 years. The windows can be safely deconstructed at the end of use with the glass and ironmongery elements recycled and the timber elements burnt for biomass.
These products have already been specified on several Grade II listed properties, including Winston Churchill’s former home. The Richmond and Winston windows are set to seriously extend the market potential of ultra slim-line windows particularly in the heritage market. We will keep everyone posted with the result of the Build It Awards, which is scheduled for 22nd September 2017.
If you have an upcoming project and would like further information, an onsite demonstration of the product or a full tour of our Derbyshire workshop, then call us today!