Issue 44 winter 24 - Journal - Page 38
Steel windows are
the strong choice
Steel Window Association member shows forensic attention to detail in Whiteleys window removal
ing individual drawings of each window - not only in
digital form, but also as a bound volume which was
circulated to all the main parties involved on the project.
Enabling the refurbishment of historic properties is a skill
that London-based metal window specialist, Associated
Steel Window Services (ASWS) has become renowned
through the decades. The company rightly reflects with
pride on the complexity of the challenges it faced in
carrying out its largest ever survey and detailed removal
project as part of the £1billion redevelopment for the
former Whiteleys Shopping Centre in West London.
Due to the confused picture presented by a century of
maintenance replacement as well as the fire damage, the
forensic nature of this work included checking back on
catalogues for the earliest designs of steel windows, plus
dating items like hand-made screws as well as coatings, to
help the project team determine the comparative age of
all the ironmongery and other components.
Originally completed in 1911, but partly destroyed in a
fire and rebuilt by a different architect, the landmark retail
property on the Queensway had seen its former glory fade
by the time ASWS was invited to carry out a comprehensive condition survey by the owner’s architectural
consultants, in 2016. Two of the company’s highly
experienced surveyors were subsequently kept occupied
for 14 weeks - detailing every frame member, piece of ironmongery, each copperlight and other component across
147 windows on the three main elevations to the three
storey building.
Steel windows are a characteristic feature of many
early-20th Century houses and many are still giving as
good a service as the day they were installed.
Today, despite the arrival of new materials, steel windows
still offer excellent performance and value, while inherent
strength means that they are secure and vandal resistant.
For the past 60 years it has been standard practice for all
steel windows to be fully galvanized. They do not rust;
and with modern factory-applied polyester powder coatings, neither do they need re-painting for at least 20 years.
With both Heritage England and the local conservation
officer closely involved with monitoring the project,
ASWS went on to present its very detailed report, includi
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Conservation & Heritage Journal
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