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 | | RATIONEL’S FUTURE IN EDUCATION | | | Rationel Windows (UK) Ltd | | 04/07/2008 | | | As part of a massive £400 million ‘Building Schools for the Future’ programme in the Bradford area, Rationel Windows & Doors has been selected to supply the windows for three schools.
Salt Grammar, Tong High School and Buttershaw High School have been selected to kick-off the programme, and all three will be benefiting from the high quality manufacture of the Aldus windows which bring with them exceptional levels of sound and thermal insulation.
Rationel had to work to a tight build programme, with windows being supplied over an eight-week period in five deliveries.
The Aldus range of windows is made from timber, but has an aluminium cladding on the external face. While the timber-only windows from Rationel (Domus) already offer high levels of durability, the external cladding with Aldus further enhances the resistance to abuse and vandalism, and lengthens the maintenance cycles thanks to a powder-coated finish.
Timber sections are made from high quality Northern European softwoods that, thanks to their slow growth, have a tight cell structure that gives high levels of resistance to warping, bowing and splitting.
Rationel has recently been awarded the International Chain-of-Custody standard by the PEFC Council, which tracks wood flows from certified forests to the end-user. While Rationel has always had safety checks in place to ensure the timber used came from well-managed forests, the award of this accreditation absolutely guarantees that the timber used in the manufacture of the windows is from indisputably sustainable sources.
The Rationel range comes with BS7950 and PAS24 accreditation, and is also available with Secured by Design status.
All timber sections are protected against rot and fungus prior to jointing. Factory-finished elements are stained or painted with two coats of water-based microporous high-build paint (in a variety of RAL colours), or translucent wood colour stains.
The aluminium cladding, which is fixed to the timber using a synthetic clip to ensure the cladding is not in direct contact with the timber to allow for ventilation and drainage, is powder-coated in the same RAL colour options offered with the timber paint finishes.
As part of the specification, special coloured glass from Vanceva has been used in the sealed units fitted into the Aldus frames.
Salt, Tong and Buttershaw schools form the first phase of a Private Finance Initiative to renew or renovate most of Bradford Council’s existing school stock. The redevelopment involves the construction of three new schools on land within the existing school boundaries. Once the new schools are completed and equipped, the existing schools will be demolished.
The schools are steel-framed, acting compositely with the precast concrete walls and internal blockwork walls. Floor soffits are level exposed to utilise the thermal mass to assist with temperature regulation of the school, and reduce future running costs and energy demands for heating and cooling of the schools.
Rationel’s UK National Sales Manager Paul Ahern has been heavily involved with the project. As he states, “With modern building designs calling for high levels of sustainability, we are obviously delighted that the environmental credentials of our range have been recognised, along with the high quality of the products themselves.”
Paul continued, “Bradford MBC’s commitment to this ambitious project is commendable, and Rationel is obviously delighted to be associated with the work being carried out.” | |
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