Top of the glass

Rehau PVCU windows have been specified for three schools in the south east of England.

The Rehau Total70c top hung, outward opening casement windows in slate grey finish, were recommended for the installations at the Harris Primary Academy Shortlands (Bromley, Kent), Harris Primary Academy Chafford Hundred (Grays, Essex), and Harris Primary Academy East Dulwich (London) schools by contractor SEH Commercial.

The specification for the Harris Academy schools centred around three key areas: thermal insulation, sound insulation and security.

The Rehau Total70 range is capable of exceeding all current building regulations and has achieved values required for Passivhaus installations. The Total70 range also achieved the lowest possible U-values and the best window energy rating (WER).

Noise abatement is essential for a school building, necessary to maintain a quiet working environment for pupils. The Total70c system was selected with its double and triple glazed sealed units and an acoustic specification provided to ensure the maximum sound insulation.

The Total70c profiles have achieved PAS 24 security standards and the multi-internal chambers allow further installation of larger steel reinforcements if required.

One of the major challenges of installing windows in an education setting is the restricted timeframe for installations, which must be fitted either at weekends or during term breaks for retrofits, or to coincide with the opening of a new build school (normally the start of the academic year).

Rehau’s Total70c window system is quick and easy to fit ensuring all three installations were completed within the tight timeframes.

Harris Academy was also keen to ensure its state-of-the-art schools were visually appealing for its staff and students, and the window design vision contributed to achieving a contemporary look for each of the academies. The Harris Primary Academy Shortlands in particular opted for dual colour windows; the windows were finished with a glazed-in louvre, colour-matched to the window profile to provide ventilation.

Kevin O’Neill, commercial sales manager from Rehau, said: “Our Total70c windows are particularly suitable for education applications due to a number of qualities they posses. From the high levels of thermal insulation they provide, to the noise abatement and the security features, the windows are a great solution to a number of requirements. The aesthetic qualities and colour variety often also play an important role.”