Balconies, windows and curtain walling specified for flat refurbishment

An extensive balcony, windows and curtain walling contract by CMS Window Systems has delivered improved energy efficiency for the tenants of Broomhead flats, saving their homes from demolition.

After consulting with the residents of its Broomhead flats, Fife Council’s Housing and Communities Committee issued the refurbishment of the 50-year old housing blocks.

In order to meet the current Scottish Housing Quality Standard, the flats needed to provide a higher level of protection against fuel poverty. The multi-million pound project has seen the refurbishment of over 200 homes in order to achieve this.

CMS was contracted to bring the building fabric up to a higher thermal standard; to do so, it replaced balconies, applied external wall insulation (EWI) and issued the replacement of windows, doors and curtain walling.

Replacement windows and curtain walling

Working alongside Fife Council’s Building Services Team and architect Alan Tarvet, CMS developed a specification for new PVCu windows; these were to be installed in more than 70 flats in each of the three blocks.

Manufactured with Sheerframe lead-free PVCu profiles, the windows are A-rated and highly insulating with low-e softcoat double glazed sealed units.

The windows offer a low U-value and an impressive energy rating.

CMS was also tasked to install over 2,000m² of aluminium curtain walling, which spans up to eleven floors on each block and encloses all communal walkways.

To meet the curtain walling specification, CMS to fabricated and fitted its Metal Technology System 17 with low-e double glazed sealed units. The curtain walling replaces existing steel balustrades and steel screens in communal areas to raise the quality and aesthetic appeal of both interiors and exteriors.

Balcony enclosure fabrication

The balcony enclosures on every property were also targeted for replacement.

Using its Windoor System 1000 balcony enclosures with ‘Light’ glazing systems, CMS created over 1,700m² of enclosures for installation across the three blocks.

The upper parts of CMS’ enclosures consist of sliding and folding glass, whilst the lower part comprises powder-coated aluminium profiles.

The enclosures feature in projecting balconies in six stacks per block; these extend from the ground to the 12^th floor. High storey components feature a balustrade section – internally glazed with opal laminated float safety glass.

The sliding folding opening upper section with clear toughened glass folds inwards through 90°, with one front element and two side elements per enclosed balcony.

Over-cladding with render

Completing the transformation of the building fabric, CMS was also contracted to over-clad the external walls with a mix of insulated render and render; as required, only Rockwool solutions were used.

This work was carried out by CMS installers using mast climbers for safe access and to ensure speedy delivery with minimum disruption.

With total wall coverage of more than 11,000 square metres, this extensive over-cladding work will improve the insulation level of all walls to complement the performance of the windows, doors and curtain walling.

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