Brierley Hill, replacement roof patent glazing
Background
Standard Patent Glazing Company was appointed by Equans Regeneration Ltd to design, supply and install replacement roof patent glazing to two sheltered housing schemes in the West Midlands: Woodhouse Court and Jack Newell Court.
As part of a wider improvement strategy for the social housing portfolio, Equans required both projects – each around 200m² – to be delivered simultaneously. The existing rooflight systems had reached the end of their serviceable life and no longer met current safety and performance requirements.
Following a series of design workshops with Equans and the building owner, we developed a specification that not only achieved full compliance but also aligned with the client’s long-term maintenance strategy.
Challenges
- Complex rooflight geometry – The existing rooflights incorporated varied pitches and interfaces that had to be carefully understood and replicated.
- Maintaining weather tightness – The buildings remained occupied throughout, so the roofs had to stay fully watertight during survey, design and manufacture, with no scope for extended exposure.
- Simultaneous delivery – Both 200m² schemes were to be delivered in parallel, requiring tight coordination of surveys, design, manufacture and installation.
Solutions
- Accurate surveying & transfer to structure.
Our experienced surveyors and design team carefully measured the existing glazing and supporting structures, transferring all key dimensions and details into a coordinated proprietary system design. This “right first time” approach ensured the new Skyline Box patent glazing system would interface cleanly with the existing structure. - Maintaining watertight integrity.
By designing the new system to suit the existing structure, the client was able to keep the original glazing in place and fully watertight until the installation phase. This avoided the need for temporary waterproofing measures, reducing overall build cost and programme risk. - Efficient installation planning.
Working closely with Equans, we sequenced the works to minimise disruption to residents while completing both projects within the required timescales.
Design Considerations & Performance
The key design drivers were:
- Maximising natural light to communal areas.
- Providing a robust, non-fragile solution to protect both future maintenance teams and building occupants.
- Delivering a system aligned with the client’s maintenance strategy and regulatory requirements.
To achieve this, we specified a double-glazed unit build-up comprising:
- Outer pane: 6mm clear toughened safety glass.
- Inner pane: 8.8mm low-E laminated safety glass (Class 1B1 to BS EN 12600), achieving a centre pane U-value of 1.15 W/m²K.
The glazing was combined with our Skyline Box glazing bar system, providing:
- A non-fragile Class 2 assembly in accordance with CWCT TN66 & TN67.
- A secure, durable and maintainable solution for both residents and maintenance personnel.
Testimonial ~ Adam Richards, QS, Equans Regeneration Ltd
“Standard Patent Glazing worked with us from the very early design workshops through to final installation on both Woodhouse Court and Jack Newell Court. They helped us develop a fully compliant specification that fits the long-term maintenance strategy for the buildings, while significantly improving the safety and performance of the rooflights.
Their surveying and design teams ensured the new system was designed right first time, allowing the existing roofs to remain watertight until installation and avoiding the need for costly temporary waterproofing. Delivering both projects simultaneously could have been a challenge, but SPG’s planning, communication and site teams made it a smooth process from our perspective.”
