Replacement Roof Patent Glazing at Jack Newell Court
Background
Standard Patent Glazing Company was appointed by Equans Regeneration Ltd as specialist glazing contractor to replace the ageing roof patent glazing at Jack Newell Court, a sheltered housing development in Brierley Hill, West Midlands.
The existing rooflight system had reached the end of its serviceable life and no longer met current safety and performance standards. As part of a wider improvement strategy for the building, Equans asked us to take the scheme from survey and design through to manufacture and installation, with around 200m² of roof glazing to be replaced.
Our brief was to deliver a fully compliant, non-fragile solution that would enhance natural daylight to the communal areas, align with the building owner’s maintenance strategy and minimise disruption to residents.
Challenges
- Complex existing rooflight geometry.
The original rooflights included varied pitches, junctions and interfaces that needed to be carefully understood, recorded and replicated in the new system. - Occupied sheltered housing: Jack Newell Court remained fully occupied throughout the works. Maintaining a safe and comfortable environment for residents was critical, with no scope for prolonged roof exposure or intrusive temporary coverings.
- Maintaining weather tightness: The building had to remain fully watertight during the survey, design and manufacture period, with the old system in place until the new glazing was ready to install.
Our Approach & Solutions
- Detailed surveying and “right first time” design.
Our experienced surveyors carried out a precise measured survey of the existing glazing and supporting structure. These measurements were then translated by our in-house design team into a coordinated Skyline Box patent glazing system, ensuring that all interfaces matched the existing structure.
This “right first time” design approach meant the new system could be installed with minimal adjustment on site, reducing risk and programme time.
- Watertight continuity – no temporary waterproofing required.
By designing the new system to sit seamlessly onto the existing supports, the original glazing could remain in place and watertight until the planned installation period. This avoided the need for temporary weathering measures, saving both cost and disruption. - Careful sequencing in a live, sensitive environment.
Working closely with Equans, we planned the works around the needs of residents, sequencing installation to minimise noise, dust and disruption while maintaining safe access routes and clear communication throughout.
Design Considerations & Performance
The key design objectives for Jack Newell Court were to:
- Maximise natural light in communal and circulation areas.
- Provide a robust, non-fragile solution for the safety of maintenance teams and residents.
- Improve thermal performance and support the long-term maintenance strategy of the building owner.
To meet these goals, we specified a double-glazed unit configuration comprising:
- Outer pane: 6mm clear toughened safety glass.
- Inner pane: 8.8mm low-E laminated safety glass (Class 1B1 to BS EN 12600).
This configuration delivers a centre pane U-value of 1.15 W/m²K, improving energy performance and comfort for residents.
The glazing is supported on our Skyline Box glazing bar system, which:
- Achieves a Class 2 non-fragile assembly in accordance with CWCT TN66 & TN67.
- Offers a robust, durable and maintainable solution for the building owner.
- Provides safe access for future inspection and maintenance activities.
Outcome
The project at Jack Newell Court delivered a bright, safe and energy-efficient roof glazing solution that supports both resident wellbeing and the long-term management of the building.
Through close collaboration with Equans Regeneration Ltd, careful surveying, and a “right first time” design approach, the works were completed efficiently, without the need for temporary waterproofing and with minimal disruption to vulnerable residents.
Testimonial ~ Adam Richards, QS Equans Regeneration Ltd
“Jack Newell Court was a sensitive project in an occupied sheltered housing scheme and we needed a glazing partner who could get the design right first time and minimise disruption for residents. Standard Patent Glazing delivered exactly that.
Their survey and design teams translated a complex existing rooflight into a well-coordinated proprietary system, allowing the old glazing to remain watertight until installation and removing the need for temporary weathering. On site, their installers worked safely, efficiently and in a way that respected the residents and the environment they live in.
The finished rooflights not only look excellent but provide a compliant, non-fragile solution that fits the long-term maintenance strategy for the building.”
