In a recent interview released through the BBC News website, Chris Wood from English Heritage raised a number of objections to the trend of replacing old timber sash windows in conservation areas with modern uPVC alternatives. Mr Wood complains of a 20 to 30 year assault on traditional timber windows by uPVC window fitters; the result, he claims, is that uPVC windows are spoiling the look of England's 9,000+ conservation areas.
At Roseview Windows we couldn't agree more - replacing timber sash windows in traditional properties with cheap and unsuitable uPVC casements, or "mock sashes", does indeed look awful. Which is exactly the reason that REHAU developed the Heritage uPVC sash window system in 2006.
As a manufacturer and market leader in uPVC sash windows, Roseview's REHAU product has been specifically designed to replicate all the details of a timber sash including a deep bottom rail, slim sashes, decorative horns and Georgian bars. In fact, from more than an arm's length away it's very difficult to tell the difference between the new and old. Added to this are the many benefits of a modern double-glazed window, including energy efficiency, ease of use and now Secured by Design (BS7950) security accreditation. The result is a modern, secure, maintenance-free window with all the aesthetics of a traditional timber sash, but without the draughts, rattling, jamming and vulnerability.
Roseview's REHAU Heritage sash windows have been used in conservation areas throughout the UK, and are regularly specified by architects demanding an authentic replica of timber box sashes. They have even been used on a prestigious Shaftesbury site owned by the Prince Charles estates, where they were selected from a shortlist of windows that included timber.
As well as traditional white, REHAU Heritage windows are available in cream and oak colours, and can be textured with a woodgrain effect, allowing them to match the finish of virtually any timber window which is being replaced. In fact the only thing they can't replicate is the rot!
As uPVC sash window manufacturers with over thirty years experience, we're well aware that listed buildings at Grade 2 and above are not suitable for the vast majority of modern products, including windows. However, hundreds of properties in conservation areas have already benefited from versatile, maintenance-free and energy-saving uPVC sash windows, which look identical to their old timber counterparts. We'd go so far as to say that, in our view, the right uPVC sash window isn't just an adequate replacement for timber - it's an improvement. We're happy to prove that to Chris Wood or any of his colleagues from English Heritage; we'd be delighted to welcome them to our factory at any time, so that we can demonstrate to them exactly how good Rehau Heritage sash windows are. We'd hope that, as a result, English Heritage would see the benefits, and perhaps reverse their blind opposition to this practical, cost effective and energy efficient modern alternative.
Willie Kerr
Managing Director | Roseview Windows
Roseview Windows have seen their research and experience pay off as they achieve the official police security initiative Secured by Design (BS7950) status across their range of uPVC sash windows. Already the first fabricator in the UK to gain Secured by Design (SBD) status on Eurocell vertical sliders, Roseview have now added certification on their prestigious Rehau Heritage vertical sliders as well.
Commenting on their success, Willie Kerr - Roseview's MD - said: "As the UK's leading sash window manufacturer, our customers expect us to push the vertical slider market forward. We did that recently when we became the first and only Eurocell sash window fabricator to gain SBD accreditation; now we've done it again by adding Rehau Heritage windows to our certificate. More importantly, at 1400x2000mm we've had large-sized windows tested, meaning that our certificate covers all windows we make up to and including that size. We're aware that several of our Rehau competitors have had smaller - sometimes much smaller - windows tested. In those cases any window they produce that's larger than the test size is not covered by their certificate."
Roseview's Sales Director Barry Wells added: "The Secured by Design initiative is becoming the hot topic in the vertical slider industry, so the fact that we're the only company in the UK to offer SBD sash windows in both Eurocell and Rehau is an important step for us. It affects all the sectors we operate in: more than half of our commercial enquiries now require SBD as standard, and our trade customers are finding that the security and peace of mind that Secured by Design offers their residential customers is helping them to win more business. Our Eurocell windows are perfect for new-build and commercial projects, while our Rehau windows are ideal for the replacement market, especially in heritage applications where Rehau is the only heritage-approved uPVC sash window. As we move forward, Secured by Design will become more and more important, while our success in gaining this accreditation reaffirms our position as the UK's leading sash window company."
Roseview Windows reached a real milestone by becoming the very first fabricator to pass the stringent Secured By Design testing (BS7950) with Eurocell sash windows. As a result of this, many of Roseview's trade customers will feel the benefits as, for the first time they will be able to secure new-build, commercial and retail projects using Eurocell vertical sliders.
Commenting on Roseview's Secured by Design success, Martin Saunders, Sales Director at Eurocell, said: "Most burglaries are opportunistic crimes, which means money spent on enhanced security windows such as this is always a good investment. Roseview's vertical sliders now offer customers complete peace of mind, as well as adding value to their property - both compelling propositions on new-build, commercial and retail projects." He adds: "Gaining Secured by Design further strengthens Roseview Windows' position as one of the UK's leading suppliers of quality vertical sliders."
Willie Kerr, MD at Roseview said "As the country's leading uPVC sash window manufacturer, we're always striving to be at the leading edge of the sector. We have a nationwide customer base that have come to expect us to push the vertical slider market forward, and be being the first fabricator in the UK to pass Secured by Design accreditation with Eurocell vertical sliders, we're continuing to achieve that. As a result of this, our trade customers will be able to go for new contracts with competitively prices Eurocell sash windows - winning business that they would not have been able to win before now."
Roseview Windows (www.roseview.co.uk), market leaders in vertical sliders, have teamed up with Caldwell Hardware (www.caldwell.co.uk) in a new deal that will put high-spec Caldwell hardware into all sash windows manufactured by Roseview.
Roseview produce Plastmo, Eurocell and Rehau vertical sliders, along with Comar and SAPA aluminium and also timber sash windows. The deal with Caldwell means that from March 1st top quality Caldwell pre-tensioned balances are being fitted into all of these products.
Willie Kerr, Managing Director of Roseview with over 20 years' experience in manufacturing windows, commented, "Caldwell are the Rolls Royce of balances, so they're the perfect compliment to our high quality sash windows. With our Plastmo, Eurocell and Rehau uPVC vertical sliders currently going through Secured by Design testing, now is the right time to launch a partnership with Caldwell and improve our portfolio."