In Broughton village in Cambridgeshire, the clients wanted a house that was attractive, contemporary, functional and sustainable; the result is a home with a distinctive design, combining local stone with contemporary styling. VELFAC glazing was specified to help deliver a low maintenance, low energy building.

Using VELFAC for over 20 years
Architect Richard Norwood had no hesitation in recommending VELFAC when specifying windows and doors: ‘I’ve been using VELFAC composite glazing for over 20 years,’ he comments, ‘and as well as being a high performance product, the system is backed by excellent technical and sales support.’ VELFAC was also able to supply the impressive sliding glazed door which makes such an impact, internally and externally: ‘We wanted a triple glazed sliding unit which we could install into a very large opening up to 7m wide,’ explains Richard. ‘Very few companies can supply such large units, but VELFAC delivered exactly what we wanted.’

Significant contribution towards energy efficiency
Triple glazed VELFAC units are used throughout the property, installed as glazed external doors, punch hole windows, and in high level ribbon runs where motors built into the frames (to retain uniform sightlines) allow remote ventilation control. ‘The frames are easy to clean and maintain,’ says Richard, ‘while the triple glazed units make a significant contribution towards the energy efficiency of the overall house.’ The slim VELFAC frame design maximises natural light, further enhancing the open plan interior, and in deliberate contrast to the pale cream walls and floors the internal wooden frame is finished in dark grey, the same as the exterior aluminium sash. ‘We wanted a deliberate interior contrast,’ explains Richard, ‘but externally we wanted the same RAL colour as the timber texture exterior cladding. Together, windows and cladding provide a real contrast with the warm local stone, and give the feel of a traditional barn.’