A traditional 1950s timber shopfront has been brought into the 2020s using a mix of AluK windows, doors and curtain walling. The owners of the popular Med-Mex restaurant in Hornsea, Yorkshire wanted to bring a more cosmopolitan feel into the venue, without losing its distinctive curved elements.

They turned to AluK fabricator EYG Commercial who created a design using 80mm box sections of SL52 curtain walling, a GT55 entrance door and sliding openers in the BSC94 in line sliding system. This replicated the shape and styling of the original shopfront but incorporated thermally efficient double glazing and sliding windows so that the front of the restaurant can be opened up, linking it to the outside seating.

EYG Commercial chose a specialist aluminium bending company, ABS, to curve the SL52 sections to the precise radius of the timber being removed. These were glazed using Lexan™ polycarbonate sheeting, which the specialist installers heated and moulded to fit on site.

Rich McNeil, the EYG Contract Manager explained how the AluK products fitted the brief: “The capped, thermally broken SL52 curtain walling sections were ideal for creating the curved on plan feature required and also for integrating the double-track sliding windows and entrance door which have transformed how the restaurant looks and feels inside and out.

“It gave us the sleek, contemporary aesthetics which the owner wanted, along with the wind, water and air permeability performance required. Warmth and energy efficiency have been dramatically improved, while the whole project has been finished in a smooth black powder coated finish to withstand any amount of coastal weather.”

Med-Mex owner Claude Eid says the installation has received rave reviews: “Customers love the installation. We have people asking us about it all the time – and several regulars have already contacted EYG to ask about having AluK windows and doors installed in their own homes. It is definitely attracting more customers into the restaurant now, particularly during the daytime – because they can see the interior so much better.”