Profile 22 Optima windows were specified in the development of 26 one and two bedroom apartments in a retirement development in Upper Norwood, London. Lewis House is a development of 26 one and two bedroom retirement apartments in Upper Norwood in London from McCarthy & Stone, the UK’s leading retirement housebuilder. As in all McCarthy & Stone developments, high quality was a top priority – it is the only housebuilder of any size to have been awarded the five-star rating for customer satisfaction by the Home Builders Federation every year since the awards began. When it came to the 97 windows and 26 door and sidelight combinations required on the project, McCarthy & Stone approached Epwin Window Systems. The systems house recommended the Optima system from Profile 22 and put the developer in touch with local Profile 22 Approved Window Installer Newview Homes Ltd. The company is one of the largest installation companies in the South East and is the one of the few UK installation companies to hold both ISO 9001 for Quality Management and ISO 14001 for Environmental Management. Profile 22 Optima Chamfered Windows deliver specifications required. The window specification required a U value of 1.4 wm2/k on all windows and Secured by Design accreditation on ground floor and easily accessible first floor windows. Acoustic glazing was also required because Lewis House is situated on a busy road so traffic noise needed to be minimised. Visually, the local authority had requested a grey exterior to give a modern appearance and provide a close match to aluminium. Newview used Profile 22’s Optima 70mm casement windows in smooth slate grey on white with 28mm Low E sealed glass units. Secured by Design accredited windows were fitted where required. Michele Wietscher, Commercial and Finance Director at Newview, said: “The Optima profile is always well-received because of its ability to meet demanding requirements at a competitive price.” The windows were manufactured by Newview’s long term fabrication partner, Emplas Window Systems Ltd, one of the UK’s largest window and door fabricators. Michelle said: “We work with Emplas because they are consistently reliable and offer excellent quality and good customer service.” Newview is an experienced commercial installer used to working on new build developments so was well-placed to ensure installation ran smoothly and coordinated with all other trades on site. It was the first time the company had worked with McCarthy & Stone and Michele said the team appreciated the developer’s meticulous approach. “McCarthy & Stone are well organised on site and their efficiency helped us be more productive. The installation process went well.” Everyone involved is delighted with the finished result. Senjey Sehmi, Senior Technical Manager South East, McCarthy & Stone Retirement Lifestyles, said: “We are very happy with the appearance of the windows, as they give a clean and contemporary look, which is in keeping with the architectural style of the building.” The quality of the Optima profile and Newview’s standard of workmanship have also been well received. Michele commented: “It was the perfect little contract for our first time working with McCarthy & Stone. We have priced two other sites in the South East now and hope to be working with them again soon.”

Over 300 Spectus Elite 70 System windows were used in the construction of a new build retirement village in Chorley town centre. Chorley Council commissioned a 65 apartment retirement village to provide those aged 55 and above with an independent living space with access to care and support. The development, Primrose Gardens, is in the centre of Chorley and is part of the Council’s strategic masterplan for the town centre. The development partner for the build was Eric Wright Construction. The window contract on the build was awarded to Spectus Approved Window contractor JADE Window and Door Specialists, a family run company based in Batley with over 25 years’ experience in the industry. JADE won the contract because it was able to demonstrate its ability to meet the demanding requirements of the window specification and deliver the project in line with the reduced timeframe required. The 65 apartments had over 300 windows in total. Thermal efficiency was a particular focus to keep running costs on the apartments to a minimum. The Elite 70 System from Spectus was able to meet this requirement and within the budget. It is a five-chamber system, which increases thermal performance, meaning it is capable of achieving a Window Energy Rating of A+ and U-values to 0.8W/m2K. The system is Secured by Design accredited where a high level of security is a requirement. Primrose Gardens’ town centre location meant careful programming and logistics planning was required to ensure minimum disruption and safe access. The construction was also on a reduced timeframe to enable Chorley Council to start delivering services as quickly as possible. JADE Window and Door Specialists are an experienced commercial contractor, so the team was able to take these factors into account and still deliver a high-quality installation to the timescale. The construction was completed on schedule in Autumn 2019. Councillor Alistair Bradley of Chorley Council said: “What is important is that the scheme will not only provide much- needed affordable accommodation for older people in the town who may need extra care and support later in life, it will also bring residential areas back into the town centre which is part of our town centre masterplan. And it will also generate much-needed income for the council which is vital with the cuts in central government funding that can be spent on providing services to our residents.”