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Modus windows

Eurocell’s Modus Windows Central to Energy-Saving Plots at Cornish Park Development

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With a legacy spanning generations in windows and doors, H Jarvis Ltd, based in Redcar, has been at the forefront of providing cutting-edge solutions to the housing market.

For over nine years, it has partnered with Eurocell, the leading manufacturer, distributor, and recycler of PVC-U building products, leveraging its expertise to deliver high-quality, energy-efficient systems.

Triple-glazed Modus windows from Eurocell were selected for two energy-efficient demonstration homes at the Cornish Park development in Spennymoor, Durham.

Innovating for Net Zero

As part of Lovell’s Tomorrow Homes pilot program, these homes are designed to showcase innovative construction techniques aimed at meeting the challenges of Net Zero and the Future Homes Standard 2025.

Featuring the latest construction technologies such as:

  • Air-source heat pumps
  • Infrared heating
  • Air-sourced cylinders
  • Photovoltaic panels
  • Battery storage
  • Wastewater heat recovery

These homes set a new standard for sustainable housing. H Jarvis and Lovell have partnered to bring these energy-saving solutions to life, with Eurocell’s Modus windows playing a central role in achieving high levels of energy efficiency and thermal performance.

Collaborative Solution

For these Tomorrow Homes, Eurocell’s Modus window system was chosen due to its superior thermal performance and sustainability. The triple-glazed windows:

  • Help reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions
  • Provide lower energy bills for homeowners
  • Save up to 27% on standard double-glazing costs
  • Contain an average of 50% post-consumer recycled PVC-U

The Modus system is designed to help housebuilders exceed the requirements of the Future Homes Standard 2025 while providing high levels of security through internal beading, tested to the highest standards and BBA-certified.

“It’s vital to work towards a greener future for housing, which is why we have built the exemplar demonstration homes at Cornish Park that feature the most energy-efficient, sustainable aspects of a home. We are delighted to have formed a strong partnership with H Jarvis on these innovative properties to install Eurocell’s Future Homes-ready Modus triple-glazed windows. They are the perfect choice for our homes as we transition towards Net Zero, as they contain recycled PVC-U, have low U-values, and provide high thermal performance.”

– Iain Gillies, Divisional Design & Innovation Manager at Lovell

A Proven Partnership for Success

H Jarvis’ reputation as a trusted fabricator stems from decades of experience and their ability to meet the complex demands of modern housing. Through precision engineering and a commitment to excellence, H Jarvis ensures every product meets the rigorous standards required for projects like these.

“It’s amazing to see our market-leading Modus window profile being used in such a forward-thinking project. Cornish Park is just one example of how the great environmental impact of this range allows housebuilders to tackle sustainability targets.”

– Dean Hawkins, Northern New Build Business Development Manager at Eurocell

For more information on the Tomorrow Homes pilot, you can read more here.

For more information on how Eurocell can assist you in delivering your next project, please contact the team: newbuild@eurocell.co.uk, 0870 120 3003.

Landmark Refurbishment Project Made Possible with Charisma Vertical Sliders

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  • Renovation transforms neglected property into upmarket apartments for commercial and residential use
  • PVC-U windows used as a credible solution to meet local planning and building conservation legislation
  • Heritage features achieved using Charisma Vertical Sash Sliders, an alternative to timber framed windows
  • Modus windows replicated the aesthetics of aluminium windows, providing clean sight lines and low U-Values

Located in Liverpool, close to Lark Lane/Aigburth Road which is located in a lively area with trendy restaurants and bars, stood the imposing, but neglected property of 44 Parkfield Road. Originally built as a residential home, this property adapted to the needs of the area, becoming a mixture of commercial and residential, before falling into an unmanageable condition. However, this condition presented an opportunity to restore this stunning building. After the property was auctioned, Ballpark Developments, specialists in building and renovation, were the successful bidders. Seeing beyond the tired interior and exterior, the decision was made to rejuvenate the property into upmarket apartments. This was the perfect choice for this busy, cosmopolitan area.

The Challenge

As with most buildings of this age, careful consideration needed to be taken to ensure conformity with local planning and building conservation legislation. This legislation governs the materials and building techniques that can be employed.

The building had historically been fitted with timber-framed vertical sliders which the architect and conservation planning, were specifying a replication of these aesthetics. The challenges were combined not only with aesthetics, but also the energy efficiency and acoustics levels with this being on a busy main road with late night bars contributing to noise pollution. Timber frames posed their own challenges, with difficulties in achieving both energy and acoustics ratings, alongside cost and lead times.  There was the added request from the Conservation Office to specify in the extended part of the building aluminium windows and doors. This proved to be an expensive option with long, undesirable lead times.

It was here that Ballpark Developments reached out to local specialist Warwick Developments, who, along with their long-standing reputation for commercial window and door expertise, also have a firm partnership with Eurocell.

Our Solution

After specification review and consultation, Warwick Developments presented Eurocell Charisma Vertical Sash Sliders as an alternative for the timber framed windows combined with Modus windows as an alternative for the aluminium window.  Utilising the contemporary clean lines and U-Values as low as 0.7, made Modus the obvious choice. With both offering an added cost benefit, energy efficiency and aesthetically pleasing result.

The Result

This project shows how PVC-U windows are increasingly becoming a credible solution in areas with conservation measures. This landmark change can help set the future standard, enabling properties governed by conservation or listed status to now benefit from leading Eurocell window and door technologies.

Tony Ditchfield, Owner of Ball Park Developments comments: “It has been fantastic to work collaboratively on this project and bring the property back to life. The use of innovative and durable products helps reduce waste and the need for constant maintenance and replacements, which is of great importance as we work toward net zero. We look forward to seeing the building let with new tenants and for further projects with this team.”

Kelly Hibbert, Head of Commercial Sales at Eurocell commented: “Our wide variety of windows provide fabricators and developers, customisable solutions to suit projects of varying demands, including those that involve sensitive restoration like this development in Liverpool. PVC-U is an energy efficient, durable, safe and highly technical choice for residential properties and we look forward to working on similar projects in the future that require sustainable and forward-thinking fenestration options as we continue to lead the market.”

John McDonough, Warwick Developments commented: “It is thought of as unusual to install PVC-U windows in buildings under conservation rules. However, due to the intricate, customisable design options of Charisma Vertical Sash Sliders, as well as Modus, we have been able to present a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing option which both have low maintenance and cost effective benefits, whilst not compromising energy efficiency.

“We have worked on several similar projects in areas with conservation restrictions within Merseyside, that have seen PVC-U vertical sliders as the credible option. This meant that we had case studies the conservation team and architect could review for inspiration and guidance on specifying for Parkfield Road. The addition of being able to manufacture with sash horns and a deep bottom rail to align with the heritage features secured the decision.”

For more information on how Eurocell can assist you in delivering your next project, please call the Customer Services team on 0333 005 6525 or email enquiries@eurocell.co.uk.

Eurocell Aids Asset Management in Build-to-rent Scheme

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Orbit Housing’s Fordham House in Stratford-upon-Avon aims to raise the bar for rented accommodation. Although initially a social housing provider, Orbit now refers to itself as a “developing housing association”, and Fordham House is designed for private rental by key workers in the town.

Fordham House Orbit Homes 30-10-17 (31)The 82-apartment block provides enhanced protection against noise, a superior maintenance and repair strategy and additional facilities such as secure internal bike storage rooms. Much of the budget for these above-and-beyond features has come from the specification of Modus PVC-U windows from Eurocell in place of the aluminium frames originally specified.

The result was a significant reduction in costs, with no compromise on building design and performance. Despite the building being located on the busiest road in Stratford, residents have been satisfied with the noise suppression provided. Confirmation of the Fordham House project quality came with major award wins in the 2019 Inside Housing Development Awards – Best Build for Rent Development and RICS Residential Property of the year (West Midlands).

Fordham House was also awarded Residential Property of the Year at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) awards, West Midlands in 2019.

Constructed from dense concrete blocks with hollowcore flooring, the three- and four-storey building is clad in a mixture of curtain walling and green wall – sections of planted walls which will be automatically fed and irrigated. The Modus windows, supplied and installed by Unique Window Systems, are tilt-and-turn so that they can be cleaned internally, avoiding the potential hazard and traffic issues of accessing them from the elevations by the two busy roads.

Picture 1With many tenants expected to come from expanding local hospitals, acoustic improvements were high on the menu of potential value enhancing features. Orbit has beefed up the acoustic barriers between floors with a layer of insulation and screed with suspended ceilings added to the deep hollow concrete slab. It has also added fitted blinds within the reveals of the windows to provide an additional noise cushion for shift workers who need to sleep during the day.

BBA-certified to function satisfactorily for more than 35 years, the Modus range achieves a U-value of 1.2 W/m² using 4/20/4 mm sealed double-glazed units. This effective thermal performance is due to the 75mm six-chamber profile system used in the Modus system that also enables the range to achieve a U-value of 0.7 by installing triple-glazed units.

This led to Modus becoming one of the very first systems to achieve the BFRC Window Energy Rating (WER) of A++. This is only awarded to windows with an energy index value equal to or greater than +20; and Modus A++ designs include casement, reversible and tilt and turn.

Additional budget gained from savings on the window costs has also gone into upgrading the flooring material. Ceramic wood-effect flooring has replaced lino to provide a longer life and hence lower maintenance costs and down-time for Orbit.

A re-think of the building’s layout produced space for a substantial ‘spares room’ which will house items such as cookers and kitchen units. With all the apartments kitted out identically, this will enable faster repairs and reduce the time required to spruce up homes between tenancies.

To find out how Eurocell can assist in delivering private rental schemes that are lower cost, sustainable and desirable to private tenants, call our customer services team on 0800 988 7300 or visit www.Eurocell.co.uk