Issue 05 • Spring/Summer 09

INSIDE:
• Case studies: Focus on Staffs and Salop
• Slimline double glazing options
• Let the sunshine in
• Ventrolla CPDs
• Painting with SRS

Welcome to In The Frame
Welcome to our Spring/Summer issue
of In The Frame, the newsletter from
Ventrolla, the UK’s leading traditional
timber sash and casement window
renovation specialist.
In this issue you’ll find news of what’s been happening
within the Ventrolla network, with particular focus on
the high profile projects our Staffs and Salop office
have been working on recently.
In The FRAME
We also discuss the recent changes to HIPs, slimline
double glazing options, our RIBA Approved CPD
Presentations and a focus on how our Sash Removal
System can aid future maintenance in both domestic
and commercial properties.
I hope you enjoy reading this edition of In The Frame,
and we welcome any feedback you may have.
David Greaves,
Managing Director, Ventrolla Ltd

HIP update
Changes to the Home Information
Pack (HIP) process were introduced
as of 6 April 2009. From this date, a
property’s HIP must be available on
the first day a property is marketed
for sale, and can’t be produced
at a later stage when there is an
interested buyer.
The ‘responsible person’ (usually the Estate
Agent) will not be allowed to market a property
unless the HIP is available. Arrangements to
have a HIP compiled must commence before a
property can be placed on the market. However,
if there’s a delay in getting certain documents,
these can be added to the HIP after the
property is put on the market.
HIPs were introduced to speed up the home
buying and selling process and provide
consumers with a faster and more cost effective
service. Margaret Beckett, the Housing Minister,
has acknowledged that HIPs are still not
achieving what they set out to do.
While Mrs Beckett has ruled out abolishing the
packs, she did insist they had some positive
impact on the market and have been relatively
successful, but added that she accepts they are
not fulfilling their potential.
Grant Shapps, the Shadow Housing Minister,
said he was “stunned” that “hard-pressed home
sellers were being hit by more bureaucracy, at a
time when the housing market is on its knees.”
Furthermore, Estate Agents, whose businesses
have been hit badly by the economic slump,
have been urging the Government to review
HIPs in an effort to help the struggling
housing market.
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
is included within the HIP and is a means to
compare properties based upon their energy
efficiency through an A to G rating, similar to
those on white goods.
The rating is calculated from a computer
programme that makes assumptions on the
property before concluding with an energy
rating and a list of recommendations to improve
its energy efficiency.
Modern techniques such as the Ventrolla
Perimeter Sealing System (VPSS), installed into
an existing window achieve a 30% improvement
in the Window Energy Rating (WER), without
the need to double glaze or replace.
Furthermore, as the system does not alter the
appearance of the building, it adds value to the
property by retaining its original features.
To help aid sellers in preparing their HIP,
Ventrolla provides an Energy Improvement
Certificate for all work carried out, detailing which
windows have been performance upgraded.
www.ventrolla.co.uk

For more information and to find our nearest office call FREEPHONE 0800 0277 454 or visit www.ventrolla.co.uk

Joules Brewery
Joules Brewery
Three cheers for restored brewery building
Workers at a former brewery in
Staffordshire are raising a glass
to Ventrolla for helping to upgrade
their building.
Eighteen sash windows at the historic Joules
Brewery in Stone were renovated by Ventrolla
Staffs and Salop.
Slim Pickings
Slimline double glazing options
With green issues becoming more
prevalent in today’s construction
industry, and with increasing
messages and regulations to take
into consideration, it is easy to get
confused over the green objectives
you need to achieve.
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP)
is the UK Government’s methodology for
calculating the energy performance of dwellings
within the Building Regulations Approved
Document L1A – Conservation of fuel and power
in new dwellings and Approved Document
L1B – Conservation of fuel and power in
existing dwellings.
The calculation is based on the energy balance,
taking into account a range of factors that
contribute to energy efficiency within a building
including materials, insulation, ventilation,
heating systems, solar gains and fuel.
The SAP scale gives a building a rating of
1 to 100, where 100 represents zero energy cost.
The site dates back to the 1850s but had
completely ceased activity by the mid
1970s. It has recently been given a new
lease of life as the headquarters of MG
Sanders, a specialist precision
engineering company which services the
pharmaceutical, defence, aerospace and
motorsport sectors.
Document Part L of the Building Regulations
specifically deals with energy efficiency in
existing buildings and, in relation to windows,
gives a guideline of a whole window U-Value of
2 or lower for replacement windows or where the
building project includes a change of use for the
property (exceptions apply).
However, this applies to new windows but not
to window renovation and exemptions apply
to period buildings. This confusion can result
in unnecessary cost and the loss of the
property’s character.
In recent months, there has been increased
interest in the advances in slim double glazing
as an insert solution for existing timber windows.
However, there are many factors to consider
relating to slim double glazing options:
• T
 o install the units the window’s glazing
rebates would, in most cases, need to be
increased, which could weaken the windows.
Alternatively, new sashes would need to be
made, which adds cost to the project
Ventrolla was called in during the initial planning
stages of the project in order to carry out a full
survey and advise on how best to approach the
window renovation of the landmark building.
Its team managed the project from start to
finish, which involved repair and restoration of
the original window timber and full re-glazing.
Ventrolla Staffs and Salop subcontracted the
re-decoration of the windows to another
company but still managed the job in its entirety.
Staffs and Salop’s Managing Director, Tony
Dee said: “This was quite an unusual project
because the windows are situated over the
Trent and Mersey canal, making health and
safety a critical issue.
And while the Ventrolla system enables easy
decoration from inside the building, the painting
of a number of low level grilles required us to
hire a tug boat to gain access from the canal.
It is great to have restored these spectacular
period windows to their former glory, as well as
helping to improve the overall energy efficiency
of the building.”
Joules Brewery began making beer in Stone in
1758 and thrived throughout the second half of
the nineteenth century.
Its canalside location enabled simple
transportation of Joules ale to other parts of the
country and exports to America and Europe via
the docks at Liverpool and Hull.
Joules was taken over by Bass Charrington in
1970, but production ceased four years later.
• T
 he major glazing manufacturers are not
manufacturing slim double glazing units in the
traditional way due to the reduced butyl seal
level – in some cases 3mm or less when the
standard is somewhere in the region of 12/13mm
• If the butyl seal is exposed it can be UV
sensitive and can breakdown
• If the British Standard (BS) of 6mm plus
spacer bar dimensions are not achieved there
is a view that the failure of the seals after a
period of time is more likely
• S
 ite lines are of a particular concern in
conservation areas and listed buildings. Slim
glass will have a lesser impact than a standard
double glazed unit
In all cases with Conservation Areas and Listed
Buildings the local Conservation Officer should
be contacted for advice.
To summarise, the desire for double glazing from
clients is often driven by misinformation. The
benefits that can be achieved through renovation
and performance upgrading will retain the
building’s original features and character, without
the need for double glazing inserts.
Wolverhampton FOCUS
Grammar School Staffs and
on
gives top marks for Staffs and Salop
Pupilsand staff at an historic
Wolverhampton school can
Salop
enjoy grade A comfort in

class, thanks to Ventrolla.
 he Staffs and Salop office carried
T
Time to
out work at Wolverhampton Grammar
School in the West Midlands during
the holidays in order to avoid any
teach people

disruption to lessons.
Out of the 50 sash windows
about renovation
Wolverhampton earmarked for restoration, two
Grammar School were badly damaged and needed By Tony Dee, Managing Director, Ventrolla Staffs and Salop
completely overhauling, while the rest required only minor repair work While some of us have frosty memories of our own school
to the sills. days, the need to create a comfortable and productive learning
Mary Wilmot, Bursar at Wolverhampton Grammar School, said: “We environment in the modern day classroom is becoming ever
received outstanding service from Ventrolla. Two members of their team more prevalent.
completed the work in just three weeks, which meant the classroom was Heat loss through poorly sealed windows is a recurring
ready for use before the start of the new school term.
problem in period buildings, and schools and universities are
The windows look as if they were brand new, but still maintain their no exception.
traditional Victorian character, while the rooms are no longer cold and
Affected rooms become cold and utility bills can rocket as
draughty. We plan to get Ventrolla back in again soon to carry out some
heating systems are forced to compensate for the frequent
additional window repairs.”
drops in ambient temperature.
Wolverhampton Grammar School is located on 22 acres of green field
Many people feel the only solution for less energy efficient
land and will shortly be celebrating its 500th anniversary.
windows is to replace them with uPVC double glazing.
With a strong reputation for academic achievement and extra curricular
activities, the school has more than 650 pupils, many of who go on to What they don’t realise is that the subsequent efficiency gain is
study at leading universities such as Oxford and Cambridge. unlikely to justify the expense of replacement in the first place.

For further details on this and other Ventrolla projects please visit Damaged or rotten timber windows can be renovated and
draught proofed, improving their energy rating by up to 30%.
our website:
The treatment also reduces noise and rattles and improves the
www.ventrolla.co.uk performance of the windows while still preserving their period
looks. Better still, renovation costs are often more cost
effective than replacement.
But this debate isn’t just about reducing costs in the

Let the
monetary sense. We must also consider the longer term
implications of our actions on the environment.
As a material, uPVC isn’t sustainable and is

sunshine in
Renovate your timber sash windows and
open up to a fresher summer!
Sash windows can often be found painted or
pinned shut in order to combat the draughts
and rattles that come with cold weather,
which means that during the summer
your property can be stuffy and suffer
condensation due to lack of ventilation.
Having fully operational sashes means
you can open and close your windows
easily – giving you the freedom to
derived from oil, a non-renewable and finite
resource. It consumes high amounts of energy
during its manufacture and 82% of uPVC is
disposed of in landfill at the end of its natural life.
The renovation process uses 40 times less
energy compared to replacement and increases
the lifespan of existing window materials without
ventilate your property whenever needed. compromising on performance.
Ventrolla carefully renovates your window These statistics cannot be ignored in cases
to make it function properly throughout the where building maintenance or refurbishment
summer months, and also draught proof it work is required.
in time for winter.
It has been extremely satisfying for our team
We also provide window hardware, such to work on a number of education projects
as Sash Stops, that help to limit the height over recent months, making a difference to the
your window can be opened to for extra quality of the working and learning environment
security, health and safety. and broadening our service offer.
For details on this, and other case studies,
please visit our website at:
“Ventrolla: Save Our Sashes campaign –
spreading the word about renovation
over replacement”
www.ventrolla.co.uk

For more information and to find our nearest office call FREEPHONE 0800 0277 454 or visit www.ventrolla.co.uk
Ventrolla CPDs
Ventrolla helps Continued Professional
Development by spreading the
word about the alternative to
window replacement.
Replacing windows can result in unnecessary
project complications, higher costs to the client,
loss of the building’s character and a negative
impact on the environment. Renovation,
therefore, becomes a viable, cost effective option
when managing projects within period buildings.
Approved by RIBA and worth double points,
Ventrolla now offer two CPD presentations,
each outlining the benefits of window renovation
over replacement.
Ventrolla’s work is recognised by English
Heritage and CADW, in particular our unique
Perimeter Sealing System, which improves
the performance of existing timber windows,
without altering their appearance or charm.
For more information and to find our nearest office call
FREEPHONE 0800 0277 454 or visit www.ventrolla.co.uk
Ventrolla CPD presentations available
The Alternative to Window Replacement: Window Renovation and the Green Facts
Renovating and Improving Original Sliding (45 minutes and 15 minutes for questions)
Sash Windows
• W
 indow Performance (U-Values, G-Values
(45 minutes and 15 minutes for questions)
and Air-change rates)
• Independent Testing
• A
 lternative to window replacement –
renovation vs. replacement • B
 uilding Regulations in relation to Part
• V
 entrolla Perimeter Sealing, Swing Sash L – windows and change of use
and Sash Removal Systems • HIPs and Energy Certificates
• D
 emonstration of Ventrolla System on • E
 nergy Consumption – Carbon footprint of
model window renovation vs. replacement
For those interested in learning more about the Ventrolla System through a RIBA Approved
CPD, contact us on 0800 0277 454, email us at info@ventrolla.co.uk, or visit the
commercial pages of our website at www.ventrolla.co.uk
Painting with SRS
Ventrolla understand that the maintenance of windows
within a commercial or domestic project is essential.
Making maintenance easier can ensure the project is
more cost effective in the long run.
Painting the renovated windows is not part of our core service, as we
are not experienced painters and decorators; therefore we developed
the Ventrolla Sash Removal System (SRS) to allow easy removal of both
the upper and lower sashes for future maintenance, such as painting.
The SRS also helps meet the Construction Design and Management
Regulations (CDM Regulations) with regard to the provision for ease
of maintenance requirements and has been independently tested and
proved suitable for sashes weighing up to 80lbs (36kg).
The system is mounted discretely into the timber sashes and is not
visible either internally or externally during the normal operation of the
window, therefore the character and appearance remains unaltered.
Ventrolla provides all customers with step by step instructions to ensure
correct operation of the system.
The key components are:
• R
 emovable staff beads, which allow the bottom sash to be removed
within the property
• C
 ord brakes that allow the sash cords to be held in position thus
protecting damage to the cords and to assist reconnection
• SRS block and housing that provide a removable connection to the sash
• R
 emovable parting beads, which allow the top sash to be removed
within the property
For more information on Ventrolla’s Sash Removal System, a copy of
our Painting Instructions, or any other aspect of the Ventrolla service,
call us free on 0800 0277 454, email us at info@ventrolla.co.uk,
or visit the commercial pages of our website at www.ventrolla.co.uk