The age of British social housing stock varies dramatically from early Victorian to late 20th century and beyond. While current government housing targets and schemes are keeping social housing providers busy adding to and redeveloping this stock, the ‘downturn’ has increased caution and scrutiny in public spending.
This means that extra focus is being placed on finding new, more efficient ways to meet all requirements.
As a result, PVC-U could be an unsung hero. Contrary to misconceptions, innovations in PVC-U technology have proven that the material is energy efficient, high performance and cost effective. Available in a wide range of colours and finishes, from greys and greens to pastel shades and wood affect, this means social housing providers can specify PVC-U in place of other building materials such as timber or aluminium without compromising on design or quality.
At the same time, an increasing number of Social housing providers are realising that the exterior of a building has a role to play in how residents feel about their homes and their communities. The aesthetic flexibility the PVC-U offers is therefore helping to create a renewed approach in social housing specification.
Andrew Reid, sales development director, Profile 22 explains, “Social housing providers are beginning to recognise the significant bearing that aesthetics can have on residents and how they feel about their home and this trend in social housing is revealing itself through the sheer number of enquiries for coloured profile coming in to Profile 22.”
Commissioned by Jephson Housing Association, a refurbishment project in Newbury involved the combination of a disused 70s office block and a Georgian building to house 22 flats.
Jephson originally specified aluminium for the 94 windows in the building. However, driven by the need for a more cost effective material and the necessity to provide an equal product in terms of performance quality and design, Wates Living Space brought on Stafford UPVC, a Profile 22 approved commercial manufacturer and installer, to offer PVC-U as an alternative.
Working closely with the manufacturer and the Profile22 specification team, Wates was able to increase the aesthetic possibilities of the project and reduce costs simultaneously.
Because the buildings were from conflicting eras, each window design had to be specific to each building style. In addition, because the buildings were combined, the two individual styles had to ‘fit’ together well.
Steve Allcock, managing director, Stafford UPVC, explains: “Jephson specified aluminium to complement the modern look of one block with the traditional look of the neighbouring block.
“However at the moment prices are being driven down across the board and our client had to be able to meet all of the requirements including budget without compromising on quality.”
Stafford UPVC installed white Georgian-effect windows in the older building for clean, fresh aesthetics and complete with Georgian bars helped replicate and match the original style. In addition, Sash-effect windows were installed on the office block and finished in a smooth grey to imitate aluminium to give the building a modern feel.
For easy maintenance and increased safety for residents, Profile 22 FI70 ’tilt and turn’ windows were installed on both buildings, allowing residents to clean the windows on both sides from inside the flats. Not only that, in keeping with current legislation, a number of remote control Teleflex windows were installed to increase the accessibility of the flats.
“This was very effective as not only are the windows high performance and cost effective but the flexibility of finishes and colours allowed us to match the client’s requirements perfectly,” Steve continues.
With the demand for social housing increasing and budgets in all industries tightening, Andrew argues that social housing providers need suppliers who can bring a flexible offer to the table that can meet all the expectations of the client.
“As the downturn continues to impact on projects, clients are searching for ways to reduce costs where possible. But finding more affordable options doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on quality.
“Taylors Court demonstrates the flexibility of design and enhanced perceived value of the wide range of colours available. In using coloured PVC-U profile to add value to a social housing project, social housing providers can ensure that they not only meet demands but have the flexibility to keep within budget as well.”
