Grade ll Sessions House in Maidstone, Kent, the headquarters of Kent County Council, has recently been transformed with the replacement of all existing windows with Crittall steel profiles.

The building has recently undergone external refurbishment designed to maintain and enhance its visual appeal while at the same time updating its thermal and environmental performance to meet todays standards. The existing windows were original single glazed Crittall medium Universal profiles and the Kent County Councils conservation department specified a complete like for like replacement.

According to Allan Cox, conservation architect responsible for the specification, the decision to retain the same company that manufactured the original was twofold. We wanted enhanced performance from the windows, he explained. Thermally and acoustically, the profiles had to meet the demands of contemporary legislation but at the same time, there was a keen aesthetic appreciation of the product, in keeping with the history and character of Sessions House. Crittall windows fitted the bill perfectly.

The specification took into consideration weather tightness and reduced maintenance costs, and with over 100 years experience in the fenestration market, Crittall recommended its Corporate W20 profiles as the ideal solution. Combining strength with minimal sightlines, the profiles are unobtrusive yet highly efficient and match the originals in terms of style and appearance.

As headquarters of the local county council, the building is a dominant and important landmark in Maidstone, continued Allan Cox. The window replacement scheme, which was undertaken in two phases, has rejuvenated the appearance of the structure without compromising or detracting from the original architectural style and we are delighted with our new energy efficient window system.