Issue 08 • Autumn/Winter 10

INSIDE:
• Case studies: Focus on Cambridge & Essex
• Renovation Proving a Smart Move
• New Ventrolla CPD: The Myth Buster
• Ventrolla Shapes Up

Welcome to In The Frame
Welcome to our 2010 Autumn/Winter
issue of In The Frame, the newsletter
from Ventrolla, the UK’s leading
traditional timber sash and casement
window renovation specialist.
In this issue you’ll find news of what’s been
happening within the Ventrolla network, with
particular focus on the high profile projects our
Cambridge & Essex office have been working
on recently.
In The FRAME
We also discuss the changes due in October in
relation to Part L of the Building Regulations, plus
we comment on the governments’ recent Building
Schools for Future cuts. In addition, we introduce
our new RIBA Approved CPD, “The Myth Buster”,
and the problems we encounter with rotten
window sills, caused by water ingress.
I hope you enjoy reading this edition of In The Frame,
and we welcome any feedback you may have.
David Greaves,
Managing Director, Ventrolla

A Clearer View of Part L Changes

Since the revision in April 2006, many of
our customers have been confused
about the Building Regulations
“Document Part L” (L1B and L2B –
existing properties) – especially in
relation to windows.
In the past, this confusion may have led to the
unnecessary replacement of sash windows.
This could have had cost implications for the
customer, spoiled the character of the building
and had a detrimental impact on the environment.
The objective of Part L is to improve the efficiency
of commercial and domestic buildings, thereby
reducing their carbon emissions.
The revisions to Part L that come into place in
October will increase these efficiency targets.
For example, complete “new windows” will
require a Window Energy Rating (WER) of C or
above or a U-Value of 1.6 Wm2K to comply –
which inevitably means double glazing.
However, a “new window” is defined as a
complete window – this includes the box or
window frame. Therefore, when considering sash
windows, replacing only the sashes within an
existing box or frame is still classed as
“renovation” and is outside of Building Control,
meaning Part L does not apply. This exemption
also applies to all renovation work - including
draught proofing existing single glazed timber
sash windows.
Most of the heat lost through sash windows is
caused by the gap around the sashes (required to
allow them to slide past each other). Draught
proofing this gap reduces the air change rate of
the building, thus saving energy.
Installing Ventrolla’s unique Perimeter Sealing
System (VPSS) eliminates these draughts, thus
improving the windows energy efficiency.
When considering a renovation project, it is
advisable to consider repairing original timber
windows, rather than replacing. Traditional sash
and other types of wooden windows often don’t
need to be replaced and it is possible to improve
energy efficiency whilst retaining the original
frame and glass.
It goes without saying that refurbishment projects
on Listed Buildings and properties situated within
conservation areas are exempt from Building
Regulations in order to retain the aesthetic
appearance and the character of these
historic buildings.
If you are unsure about how the changes to Part L
could affect your project, contacting your local
Conservation Officer, or a window expert such as
Ventrolla, will provide valuable assistance.
www.ventrolla.co.uk

For more information and to find our nearest office call FREEPHONE 0800 0277 454 or visit www.ventrolla.co.uk
 FOCUS
on
Cambridge
& Essex
Gants Hill Library interior
Read All About It!
Ventrolla Cambridge and Essex
has completed repairs on twelve
period timber windows at Gants Hill
Library in Ilford.
The work formed part of a major
refurbishment project overseen by
Ongar-based construction company,
Bolt & Heeks Ltd.
It took three months to finish and involved
the renewal of the library’s flat roof, installing
disabled access and facilities, rewiring the
building and completely redecorating all
public and staff areas.
Making the Grade
A quick lesson in renovation was
enough to secure Ventrolla Cambridge
and Essex a contract at Northbury
Infant and Junior School in Barking.
Installers offered to overhaul a single window
free of charge to demonstrate the performance
and efficiency gains obtainable through
specialist renovation techniques.
Barking and Dagenham Council later agreed
repairs on 29 sash windows in ten classrooms at
the school, which dates back to 1897 and is
home to approximately 900 pupils.
Ventrolla’s Managing Director, David Greaves,
said: “Teachers were finding it difficult to control
ventilation in their classrooms due to the
condition of the original windows and also
because the sashes were particularly large and
high off the ground.
Gants Hill Library
There were also extensive repairs to the
building’s original art deco features, including
a number of distinctive architectural glass roof
lights and the parquet flooring.
Paula Garsdon, Marketing Manager for
Bolt & Heeks, said: “The library dates back to
1938 and it was important to carry out
maintenance work in a way that was
sympathetic to its origins.
We liaised closely with the Borough’s
Conservation Officer and carefully selected
partners, including Ventrolla, who specialise in
dealing with historic buildings.”
We completed a demonstration window which
showed how we could ease the operation of the
sash mechanism and greatly reduce the amount
of noise and heat loss through the installation of
our unique Perimeter Sealing System.”
Work was carried out during term-time, so
Ventrolla had to plan activity carefully to avoid
clashes with the school timetable as well as
breaks when pupils might be playing in areas
beneath the windows.
It also ensured all its installers and surveyors had
undergone a CRB check ready to work in a
school environment.
Most of the timber on the damaged windows
was retained and restored, although a small
number of sashes needed replacing altogether.
Ventrolla then managed the painting of the
renovated windows via a third party contractor
to complete the project.
Gants Hill is the oldest library in the London
Borough of Redbridge. Now reopened to the
public, it features new study areas, an
additional eight computer terminals, wireless
internet access in the reading room and new
themed areas for children and teenagers.
Books have been restocked and there are
new self service terminals for visitors
borrowing and returning items.
Paula added: “The library has been
refurbished throughout and this, together with
the renovated windows, creates a comfortable
and welcoming environment for local people
to enjoy.”
Northbury School
Richard Hallgate-Hills, Principal Projects Officer
for London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
Council, commissioned the work at Northbury.
He said: “Some of the original windows had
deteriorated quite badly due to their age and
were becoming very awkward to open. We also
had problems with noise from a nearby main
road and a busy railway line causing disruption
to classes.
Everyone at the school is pleased with the
quality of Ventrolla’s work and the performance
improvements achieved.”
Life Line for
Old Windows
LIFE-FORCE Centre
Ventrolla has offered counsel to a small business owner in
Colchester on how to deal with damaged windows.
The Cambridge and Essex branch carried out repairs to three upper floor
windows at the LIFE-FORCE Centre, a counselling service and training
provider owned and run by Nicole Joyce.
Each window had been painted shut, which besides the obvious
inconvenience of no ventilation, was also making ongoing maintenance at the
250 year old, Grade II listed building increasingly difficult.
Nicole said: “The only way we could paint the windows and carry out repairs
was from the outside by climbing a ladder, which is dangerous, or putting up
scaffolding, which is expensive.
Ventrolla’s solution of renovating the existing windows and then installing its
Sash Removal System (SRS) to allow for future painting and maintenance
work from inside the building was therefore really appealing.
They replaced parts of the window sills and frames which had rotted,
managing to closely match the original materials. The end result was
most impressive.”
Nicole was eager to get the work completed quickly to avoid closing the
premises and losing business.
She said: “We operate seven days a week so naturally wanted to minimise
any disruption to our trading hours. We had set aside three days to get a
number of maintenance issues sorted, including the windows, and were
delighted when Ventrolla were able to complete their work during this time.
We were also pleased they could repair the existing windows rather than
replace them because it is more cost effective, preserves the period looks of
the building and saved us having to seek listed planning consent for altering
its features.”
LIFE-FORCE was established in 1990 and includes a Centre for Natural
Wellbeing offering therapeutic counselling services and holistic therapies, an
accredited School of Counselling, and the Institute of Holistic Studies
providing training in Reiki Healing, Indian Head Massage and First Aid.
www.ventrolla.co.uk
For more information and to find our nearest office call FREEPHONE 0800 0277 454 or visit www.ventrolla.co.uk
Renovation
Proving a
Smart Move
Spending cuts, coupled with the government’s decision
to abolish the Building Schools for the Future programme,
mean that many schools will now be forced to
reconsider their approach to maintenance issues.
Whereas outright replacement might once have been considered the
logical solution to a leaking roof or broken door, a more economical
move would be to try repairing and renovating the existing materials in
order to extend their longevity.
For schools with traditional wooden windows, renovation is an
extremely viable proposition which can be delivered for a fraction of
the cost of outright replacement but still achieves impressive
performance gains.
Renovation specialist Ventrolla has been carrying out services on
wooden sliding sash and casement windows on historic buildings for
more than 25 years.
The company says developers are often too hasty when deeming old
and damaged windows as being beyond repair.
“Replacement isnʼt usually necessary since timber windows are often
perceived to be in much worse condition than they actually are on
closer inspection,” said Marketing Director, Alan Bell.
“It is always worth enquiring about renovation, partly because it
preserves the buildingʼs original features and character, which is
important for our heritage, but also due to potential cost savings.”
Ventrolla has perfected a two part service which starts by repairing
existing materials such as rotten wood then improves the windowʼs
performance by inserting a patented sealing system into the gaps
surrounding the sash.
This Perimeter Sealing System (VPSS) also eliminates draughts and
rattles and reduces dust and noise ingress, which is particularly
welcome in a classroom environment for schools in busy urban areas.
Ventrolla can also install its innovative Sash Removal System (SRS)
to enable ease of future maintenance, painting and cleaning.
Alan said: “There are considerable gains to be had for schools
through window renovation. It is much simpler for teachers to regulate
the temperature, with the windows easy to operate during the summer
and effectively sealed in the winter to ensure heat retention and
reduce energy consumption.
Renovation is also a much more environmentally friendly option than
replacing existing windows with newly manufactured ones, particularly
those made from UPVC.
This material is not sustainable and is derived from oil, a
non-renewable and finite resource. Moreover, UPVC requires intensive
energy consumption during its manufacture and 82 per cent of it ends
up being disposed of in a landfill site at the end of its natural life.
The renovation process uses 40 times less energy compared to
replacement and increases the lifespan of existing window materials
without compromising on performance. These statistics simply cannot
be ignored in cases where building refurbishment or maintenance
work is required.”
New Ventrolla CPD: The Myth Buster
Replacing windows can result in
unnecessary complications, higher
costs to the client, loss of the building’s
character and a negative impact on
the environment.
Recognised by English Heritage and CADW,
Ventrolla’s Perimeter Sealing System improves
the performance of existing timber windows,
without altering their appearance or losing
their charm.
Ventrolla now run three CPDs, all approved by
RIBA and worth double points. They have also
recently launched their newest presentation,
“The Myth Buster: Dispelling the myths in
the market place relating to double glazing
and replacement windows”.
This new CPD discusses the common myths
surrounding the ongoing arguments of double
glazing vs. single glazing, complying with Part L
of the Building Regulations, noise issues,
condensation problems and adding value.
Ventrolla’s other two RIBA Approved CPDs are,
“The Alternative to Window Replacement:
Renovations & Improving Original Sliding
Sash Windows” and “Window Renovation
& the Green Facts”.
Details of all three presentations and how to
book them, can be found at:
www.ventrolla.co.uk/commercial/training_cpds
or by calling Central Office on 0800 0277 262.

Ventrolla
Shapes Up

Traditional sash windows are an essential feature of a

period building’s character and improving the energy
efficiency of a window, whilst retaining that character
and aesthetic appeal, is extremely important.
Ventrolla has been renovating timber sash windows, casement
windows and timber doors for more than 25 years, and have come
across all different shapes and sizes.

In order to service these different types of windows, the Ventrolla

Perimeter Sealing System (VPSS) has been developed to fit all
shapes and sizes and is even flexible enough to bend and fit to
arched head windows (see images). The wide range of thicknesses
in the draught proofing weatherfin pile we use enables us to seal
gaps in any size of window.

The Ventrolla service and system is also not limited by size. A

recent project at Northbury School in Barking saw the system
installed into 29 large windows. Each window was 2 metres high
and 1.5 metres off the ground.

Common problems associated with older windows such as

draughts, rattles, rot and operational issues are all resolved with
Ventrollaʼs renovation and performance upgrade service.

www.ventrolla.co.uk

For more information and to find our nearest office call

FREEPHONE 0800 0277 454 or visit www.ventrolla.co.uk