The first phase of the project was to install a completely new frontage to the main building of the St Mary Webb School & Science College in Pontesbury, including the replacement of their thermally inefficient windows. Fixtures installed included doors, curtain walling and access control manufactured by Kestrel Aluminium Systems. HTL Windows and Doors of Bridgnorth did so to a tight schedule provided by the summer holidays.

Having used Kestrel systems on a regular basis, details of the project were sent to them to ensure that the most appropriate systems were recommended to the client. This ultimately entailed the installation of 100mm curtain walling and 60mm windows with non-thermal and PAS24-tested thermal commercial doors.

Box and box-and-plate curtain walling were used, the box system providing strength for the height and the box-and-plate option enabling HTL to transport components to site with sections ready to fit and fix.

The 60mm window system was integrated into the new façade to maximise use of natural light and provide balanced ventilation in classrooms, offices and the school hall through use of trickle vents.

With pupil safety of paramount importance in any education construction project, all windows were installed with restricted friction hinges. The new entrance doors used either both thermal and non-thermal systems and have a double ramp threshold to ensure the doorsets are DDA-complaint. The result is a façade which is not only thermally efficient and secure but provides a strong visual statement to visitors.

Sales Manager John Treagust commented, “Projects such as this are ones which we have set the company up to support throughout the design, estimation and installation processes. The systems Kestrel has developed are highly robust for use in such environments and, as a result, we have developed an excellent reputation with such projects”.