Case Study 1.
Windows & Doors for
for High Rise flats

This contract, carried out under the Government’s Decent Homes programme, involved providing new windows and doors for two multi-storey blocks of flats for Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council. The half-million pound plus contract involved 300 window (many in excess of 3m wide), and 164 doors and was part of a wider refurbishment project being undertaken by Thomas Vale Construction Limited, with whom Plastex worked in collaboration.

The overall refurbishment project involved encasing both 12-storey blocks within new outer walls in black brickwork (first two storeys) or 120mm rendered wallboard in a striking pink and grey acrylic finish (remaining ten storeys).

The was unusual in that the method of construction required the window apertures  to be increased in depth by 220mm before the wall cladding was put in place, so the cladding could be built up to the deepened window apertures. Outstanding thermal insulation, neutral internal appearance and external looks in keeping with the building’s striking new appearance, were also required.

The Plastex solution involved composite windows fitted into specially-designed  and insulated box section sheet aluminium pods in grey polyester powder coat finish. These enhance the exterior appearance of the building as well as increasing the window cavity depth, providing a rigid surface up to which the new outer walls were built and sealed.

The windows and doors, purpose-designed for the project and imported from Finland, are sealed-unit double glazed and have multipoint espagnolette locking. Internally, the frames are in pressure-treated natural pine with a clear polyurethane varnish finish to accentuate the natural beauty of the wood’s grain.

The external face is aluminium in maintenance-free polyester powder coated grey finish to complement the exterior colour scheme of the building.

This project involved working closely to a pre-agreed timeline and in collaboration with other trades so that installation of the window pods didn’t delay fixing of the exterior wall cladding.

Case Study 2.
Windows & Cladding for
Low Rise Flats

PVCu replacement windows and extensive cladding for  two low rise blocks of flats at Tipton, near Birmingham. The contract involved 285 windows fitted into 60 flats and was undertaken on behalf of Birmingham based Trident Housing Association - one of the UK’s leading accommodation providers.

As this was part of a more extensive refurbishment project, the Plastex work had to be planned into a wider scheme and undertaken over a 2 month period.

Case Study 3.
Luxury Flats Conversion

This contract, for William Sapcote & Sons Ltd, involved windows and doors for luxury flats converted from a former hotel in Birmingham’s Moseley district.

We worked with the developer to design windows which would compliment the existing architectural features of the building. To this end, separating the gabled penthouse flat from its balcony, we used Georgian bars to simulate the mock Tudor effect of the other gable.

The contract also involved designing and manufacturing a small conservatory for the basement flat and installing it in a small sunken yard below ground level.

Case Study 5.
Australian Blocks
New-Build Flats

PVCu windows and for 55 new-build flats for social housing.

This project was undertaken for West Mercia Housing Association and the flats were built using an Australian system of timber frame construction which was then brick clad. Plastex were required to fix the windows into the timber frames before the brickwork was built up on the outside.

The main contractor on this occasion was Thomas Vale Construction Limited.

Case Study 7.
Motorised Windows for
Disabled Person’s Bungalow

Motorised windows and an entrance door with locking that engages electronically were installed into a bungalow occupied by a wheelchair user who also has only minimal use of his hands.

The windows are activated by push-button without compromises in security and the door electronically engages 5-point espagnolette locking. It can be unlocked from the outside by holding the high-security key fob near an electronic sensor.

The project was undertaken by Plastex on behalf of main contractor Thomas Vale Construction Limited, as part of the ongoing wider Decent Homes programme. Plastex’s ability to cope with special requirements was one reason it was awarded the contract which, to date, has seen them install over 4,000 window in Birmingham City Council homes.

Case Study 4.
Windows for Heron Court
High Rise Flats

PVCu replacement windows for 52 flats in Sutton Coldfield for Birmingham City Council.

Plastex undertook this project on behalf of main contractor Thomas Vale Construction Limited as part of the government’s Decent Homes Scheme. The contract involved 234 windows fitted in flats on 13 floors.

As the building was occupied throughout the installation, the task in hand involved liaising with tenants to agree an installation programme spread over a 12 week period. A communal room at ground floor level was refurbished first to provide a warm retreat that they could use whilst their flats were being refurbished.

Case Study 6.
Porches for Retirement Homes

Eight porches for Gloucester City Council Senior Citizens’ bungalows. Manufactured using WHS System 10 PVCu profile and fitted with integral gutters and GRP roofs. The contract required the installation of all eight porches to be completed in one day.

Over the past quarter century, Plastex has installed literally thousands of built-out porches on council-owned properties throughout the Midlands and further afield.

Case Study 8.
Glass Atrium for Student Accommodation

This new-build project, undertaken by main contractor Shields Construction, is student accommodation for Birmingham University.

Plastex manufactured and installed the glass atrium, constructing the aluminium curtain walling on-site to fit the curve of the building, and then fitting the Ultraframe 500 roof.

The atrium is a central hallway area with spiral staircase giving access to the accommodation on all three floors.

Case Study 9.
Box Sash Lookalikes
for Doctors’ Surgery

Replacement windows for a busy Doctors’ Surgery in Worcestershire. Hinged PVCu windows were the choice, but the brief was to keep the appearance as close as possible to the box sash timber windows being replaced.

As the surgery needed to remain open, very tight scheduling had to be achieved and some work was undertaken during the evenings.