May June 2023

Case Study
MODERN WINDOWS, COUNTRY STYLE
Total Fabricator hears how REHAU’s Rio Flush Fit system offers modern functionality
and features, while remaining sympathetic to a property’s country style.
Just outside the town of Sutton Coldfield, in
the Warwickshire countryside, is the village of
Lea Marston.
On the outskirts of the village lies a cluster of
older rural cottages called Paddys Row, which,
like many properties across the UK countryside,
often have unconventional layouts. This includes
period features such as exposed wood beams,
tiled floors and large open fireplaces.
A contemporary cottage look
One of the Paddys Row cottage owners wanted
to replace their property’s timber windows as
the frames had become worn out, impacting the
home’s thermal performance.
With the owners unsure about what replacement
windows to choose, they contacted Birminghambased
installer GL Glazing in early 2022 for their
recommendation. Their requirements were clear
– a frame and profile that while keeping with the
cottage’s original design and character, would
provide excellent thermal efficiency and security.
“Though homeowners expect security and energy
efficiency as standard, there were multiple
factors that marked out the Paddys Row project
as more complex than most,” explained Gary
Lynch, Managing Director at GL Glazing.
“For example, the cottage had an unusual layout,
including several different-sized window recesses
across the ground and first floors.
There were also 12 windows to be replaced in total,
with some facing the road, so we also needed to
ensure good acoustic performance too.”
Choosing the right product
With the homeowner’s requirements in mind and
the need to complete the project in a short period
of time, GL Glazing recommended REHAU’s Rio
Flush Fit system.
The solution’s clean lines, jointing options and
availability in a variety of colours and foils for
an authentic-looking finish was said to have
greatly influenced this decision, offering a highly
convincing alternative to wood.
Additionally, as the Rio is available in chamfered
and sculptured frames, it is a good match for both
new builds and, in the case of Paddys Row, period
properties requiring a more considered approach.
On GL Glazing’s advice, the cottage owners chose
Pearl Grey frames with welded joints, which
would provide a modern, understated look that
complements adjacent Paddys Row properties.
Alongside this, the specified frames enjoyed
a certified ‘A’ Windows Energy Rating and are
among the most thermally efficient on the market,
achieving 1.3 W/m 2 K thanks to glass widths of
28mm and 34mm.
These features are useful in cottages such as
those on Paddys Row which have low levels of
insulation that can lead to draughts and quicker
heat loss across the property.
Similarly, the Rio frames have the highest BSI
weather performance ratings for wind, air and
water, meaning they possess a durability often
beyond timber frames.
Combined with the fact they are virtually
maintenance-free and, unlike their wooden
counterparts, do not require treatment, they can offer
leading and consistent performance over its lifetime
with comparatively little effort from the homeowner.
Rio windows also offer a high level of security – a
key consideration for older properties in quieter
rural areas that can be targeted by thieves.
Specifically, they meet the stringent requirements
set out in PAS24, with accreditation to this
standard providing further assurance of high
security performance through an independent
testing process.
Furthermore, given the cottage’s location near
a busy through-road, the addition of 28mm and
34mm glass panels also greatly reduced the
noise created by passing traffic. As acoustic glass
also has the added benefit of being stronger than
26 T F MAY / JUNE 2023 CONNECTING THE WINDOW, DOOR & ROOF FABRICATION SUPPLY CHAIN