Astra Windows demonstrated its strength in the light commercial sector with an impressive, large scale installation of AluK windows, doors and curtain walling in the 127,000 sq ft new-build Winnington Business Park in Northwich, Cheshire.
With a mix of industrial, trade and retail units ranging from 800 sq ft right up to 18,600 sq ft, the Business Park has attracted start-up businesses, established retailers and leisure outlets, who have been able to tailor the layout and fit out of their spaces to fit their needs.
What is consistent across all the units is the glazing, which was all fabricated and installed by Manchester-based Astra Windows, via its well established commercial arm. A mix of AluK SL52 curtain walling and GT55 commercial doors have been used for all the entrances and retail shopfronts, with AluK 58BW HI windows in other areas.
The thermally efficient SL52 system is a CWCT Sequence B tested curtain walling system with consistent 50mm sightlines, ideal for the large expanses of glazing in the retail units. It easily achieves the wind, water and air permeability performance required and suites perfectly with the thermally broken GT55 heavy duty commercial doors.
The GT55 ENTRANCE doors combine exceptional performance (U-Values are just 1.7 with double glazing and 1.5 with triple glazing) with Secured by Design security accreditation.
Across the retail units, the window, door and curtain walling systems were all finished by AluK in anthracite grey, while in the trade units they were finished in a distinctive mid green.
The thermal performance of the systems and the 100% recyclability contribute to the EPC A rating on the units and the BREEAM very good rating.
The developers on the project were FI Real Estate Management who had worked with Astra previously and been impressed with the quality of the products and the precision and attention to detail of the fabrication and installation teams.
