Worked exactly to the clients specification but at a cheaper price.
When VEKA Approved Installer D&M Windows and Doors won the contract to put windows into a timber framed building, the first challenge was to avoid the woodgrain texture.
That was no problem for trade fabricator Glazerite Windows Ltd and VEKA however and, while the contract presented other technical challenges, the flat untextured RAL 7016 anthracite grey foil profile was produced as a special order to fabricate the windows as specified for The Edge, a five-storey student accommodation block in Liverpool city centre.
Mark Hoolickin, Managing Director at D&M explained: “We had worked with timber constructions before so we knew about the allowances that need to be made for expansion at each floor level. But we were very glad when VEKA and Glazerite were able to come up with the smooth foil. Grey is very popular, especially with commercial clients but it’s more commonly on grained foil, though we have worked with the smooth grey on other locations where they wanted the same aluminium look.”
VEKA Commercial Development Manager Colette Hunter explained that the smooth grey was chosen to resemble powder coated aluminium, which had been the client’s first choice: “But when we were able to show them the cost difference and let them see the product for themselves,
they went for PVC-U in all the courtyard areas while keeping aluminium on the front elevation.”
Oldham-based D&M, run by Mark and son Darren, installed 127 tilt/turn windows in VEKA Matrix 70 with Maco concealed gearing, fabricated by Glazerite at its North West Division in Bolton. Windows and panels were separated with the VEKA vertical expansion system. The main contractor was Beardsley Construction.
D&M had the support of the VEKA Commercial Team from the beginning, working with the planners at Liverpool City Council and providing technical details such as wind loadings.
Peter Smith, Glazerite quotes: "Once again, this contract shows what can be achieved when installer, fabricator and system supplier work together as a team. D&M had the experience with timber buildings, not to mention an excellent track record on commercial projects of all kinds, and VEKA came up with the special order on the foil and the technical support".