Universal Arches’ latest commercial project with Dempsey Dyer is said to be the largest of its kind ever in the UK, with the replacement of 655 shaped PVC-U windows, as part of a £8.75 million re-development project at Abbey Mill, Leicester.
This impressive project required the replacement of 742 windows and two sets of French doors over a 12-month period. Of the windows, 655 were manufactured with arches to best match the original design with an arched head, as specified by the architect RG+P and by the local Planning Department of Leicester City Council.
According to Universal Arches, there were ‘complex technical issues’ with regard to product design, wind loading and window installation, taking into account the ‘sensitive nature’ of the existing mill. There was an added requirement for near maintenance-free products, hence the choice of Deceuninck profile and a mechanically jointed astragal bar option.
Each arched window required three bends, taking an estimated 2.5 production hours. In total, this equated to a total of 1,875 production hours over a 26-week period.
Peter Dyer, sales and marketing director of Dempsey Dyer, commented: “We’ve built an incredible relationship with Universal Arches and without them, the project could not have gone ahead. We’ve even co-supported the G14 Awards for the trophies together.”
Leon Day, managing director of Universal Arches concluded: “This was an incredible project to be involved in and required detailed production planning and co-ordination with Peter and his team. Everyone across the project has been thrilled with the end result.”
For further information on Universal Arches, visit www.universalarches.com, call 01744 612844 or follow @universalarches on Twitter. For Dempsey Dyer, visit www.dempseydyer.co.uk, e-mail sales@dempseydyer or call 01977 649641.
