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Beating the Heat with Dales Aluminium Solar Shading

Building Products Index Ltd Solar Shading Leave a Comment

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Dales supplies Solar Shading Solutions for Solihull Retirement Village:

Dales Fabrications supplied their Aluminium Shadex 150 Solar Shading, finished in PWF1 Timber Effect for Solihull Retirement Homes.

Whilst enhancing the architectural appeal of the project, integrating this system into the design also ensured that the buildings would effectively manage solar heat gain from day one, allowing more comfortable living conditions for residents and improving energy efficiency. Moreover, their installation aligns with the guidelines set out by the Part O regulations introduced in June 2022.

The timber effect finish from Dales made it possible to achieve the appearance of timber without the fire risk or risk of algae, warp, deviation and regular turning traditionally associated with timber blades.

Dales also supplied aluminium balcony cladding with self-draining soffits, privacy screens, and ‘window-frame’ cladding for the project.

The £47m retirement village in partnership with the ExtraCare Charitable Trust accommodates over 300 homes for over 55’s and was designed by DLA Architecture.

The need for action:

As we head into summer, many of us will be enjoying the warmer, longer days. However, for several residents in the UK, the increased solar gain and excessive heat create uncomfortable living conditions and may even pose serious health risks.

Whilst the conversation in the UK has typically centred around reducing heating costs and increasing insulation in homes, MPs are increasingly expressing concern and urging immediate government action to protect tenants from the adverse effects of overheating, which can cause health issues such as heat exhaustion and dehydration. Furthermore, there is an urgent call to reduce the need for air conditioning, with The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change suggesting that by 2050, the average number of days a year Europe will require air conditioning will have risen by 30%.

Additionally, this June marks the second anniversary of the implementation of the new part O regulations, which aim to ensure that new residential buildings are designed to minimise overheating and therefore protect occupants’ welfare. The regulations promote sustainable building practices by emphasising energy efficiency and passive cooling techniques. They apply specifically to new residential buildings, including dwellings, common areas of flat blocks, care homes, and halls of residence.  Developers, architects, and builders must all comply.

Solar shading as a solution:

The Building Research Establishment suggests that the installation of external solar shading systems is one of the most cost-effective and least adverse methods of reducing solar gain and therefore, emissions of carbon dioxide during building use. Research indicates that a well-designed solar shading system can pay for itself through energy cost savings within five years.

Solar shades are designed to reflect the sun’s rays, significantly reducing solar heat gain. Aluminium solar shades in particular are a great option as they are durable, weather-resistant, and require minimal maintenance. This makes them an efficient long-term investment for providing an effective, stylish, and durable solution to keeping accommodation cool and comfortable, whilst meeting the requirements of Part O regulations.

Dales Fabrications design and manufacture an extensive range of standard and bespoke aluminium solar shading solutions. Additionally, Dales can advise on the size of the necessary projection and different methods of support available for the different shading types. More details are available at https://www.dales-eaves.co.uk/solar-shading/.

CPDs:

In addition to their product offerings, Dales can also provide in-practice CPD seminars that cover content about Solar Shading systems:

–          Solar Shading: Form, Function and Fire Safety with Part O Update

–          Solar Shading Systems: Compliance with Part O, Part L, and Part B

–          Solar Shading: Form, Function, Fire Safety & the Scottish Building Regulations

–          Solar Shading Systems: Compliance with Scottish Building Regulations

Dales’ CPD seminar ‘Solar Shading Systems: Compliance with Part L: Conservation of Energy and Part B: Fire Safety’ was spotlighted in May’s RIBA CPD Showcase, in the Sustainable Architecture category.

To read more about the CPDs offered, and to book your place you can visit https://www.dales-eaves.co.uk/cpd/.

Photography by a2n (architecturalphotographer.co.uk).

‘Attention to detail is critical and that’s where Balconette stood out’

Building Products Index Ltd Balcony Systems, balustrades Leave a Comment

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FH2From dilapidated office block to modern luxury apartments, Farringdon House in the centre of East Grinstead, Sussex has been totally transformed with Balconette’s products adding that all-important ‘Wow’ factor.

Working with developer Whitehall Homes, Balconette supplied and installed 185 metres of its popular Aerofoil Balustrade System with its wing-shaped handrail in a Royal Chrome finish. More than 40 apartments on five floors were ‘dressed’ with Balconette products offering a consistent aesthetic, which also included Aerofoil glass Juliet Balconies, four custom sized Juliets, and Aerofoil Infinity Privacy Screens to give the fully refurbished building a smart new appearance.

Balustrade-PrivacyScreen BPI OctoberThe consultation process led to the Aerofoil Balustrade System being selected for its technical capability as it needed to cater for the existing building’s shape that included recesses. The installation was designed with a combination of wall fixings and end posts.

Required as part of the building regulations, the 1.8-metre-high Aerofoil Infinity Privacy Screens were used for the fourth-floor roof terrace, dividing 53 metres of balustrade. Specified with opaque glass, the screens ensure private outdoor spaces are not overlooked.

Juliet Balconies BPI OctoberDesigned to fit specific size openings, the four custom Aerofoil Juliet balconies required fixings within a recess. One side of the balcony was fixed normally with a wall fixing into the façade and the other was secured directly into the side of the recess.

Having stood empty for several years, the structure was completely stripped back to bare concrete and brickwork to allow it to be refitted into 42 contemporary apartments and terraced penthouses.

Whitehall Homes Quantity Surveyor, Andrew Lake explained how Balconette had won the contract in a ‘competitive and thorough’ tendering process. “Our MD knew of the firm via an acquaintance and after meeting the team, it was apparent that they could offer the products and service to meet our needs.

“The service provided by Balconette in terms of surveys, measurements, design and manufacture meant that the intricacies of a complex refurbishment could be met. Together with aesthetically pleasing products and a choice of finishes, this meant that all our requirements would be met.”

Andrew praised Balconette’s ability to ‘perform’ throughout the varying stages of the design, supply and fit order, saying: “Being a refurbishment project meant that all areas had to be measured and checked prior to manufacture as you are fitting within an existing building. This means that attention to detail is critical and that’s where Balconette stood out.”

Balconette’s ‘proactive and helpful team’ impressed too, as Andrew pointed out: “Communication was always excellent and the operatives’ ‘can-do’ attitude was apparent and greatly appreciated.”

Commenting on what Balconette’s products bring to the overall project, Andrew said they provide one of the ‘main finishing touches’ to the building. “It is important that these provide a smart and contemporary look as the façade is the first thing potential customers see. If the outside has a bit of ‘Wow’ factor, customers walk into the building with a positive mindset. The building does look good.”

Would he recommend Balconette? “Absolutely. It was a pleasure working with them!”

Find out more about Balconette’s range of product and commercial project capabilities, download our Balcony Views Brochure now.