Jesus Church in Troutbeck, a village in the Lake District, had Selectaglaze secondary glazing installed by partner Fenestral, to raise the thermal efficiency of its thirteen lancet shaped stained glass windows (approximately 2m x 0.5 m) in the north and south walls.
The spectacular and delightful Pre-Raphaelite east window, installed in 1873, was designed by Edward Burne-Jones, with some of the detailing by Ford Madox Brown, and made by William Morris. The stone tracery is Perpendicular in style, which is the 3rd historic division of gothic architecture with an emphasis on vertical lines. It is made up of intricate stonework into which five-lights sit with impressive stained glass scenes. Historic England classified Jesus Church as Grade II* Listed to protect all its features of architectural interest.
The heating of the church is run on an antiquated oil-fired system which takes several hours to warm up the church. Once heated, a great deal of the energy was lost through the original windows. Wanting to rectify this and make the church more comfortable, the church committee decided to research options to better insulate the building.
Jesus Church’s Treasurer, Mr Bradbury, has a background in civil engineering, so set about looking into secondary glazing for the windows. He heard that a nearby church in the village of Ings, had Selectaglaze secondary glazing installed. Following a visit there, to better visualise how it would look, he contacted Fenestral, partner of Selectaglaze for over 20 years, to discuss the process of exploring the treatment of the thirteen side windows.
Upon inspection, Fenestral knew this was going to be a complex job – a spatial exercise, to work out how to fit the secondary as well as the best position to install. It was decided that Series 41 side hung casements would be installed, to provide full access for cleaning and maintenance, although would generally be kept locked shut with the flush lock and cover plate. Generally, for thermal improvements, secondary glazing can be fitted up close to the windows, which initially the client wanted. However, because the reveals were deep and splayed, this would not be possible as the top of the arched reveal would prevent the top of the arch shaped casement unit opening fully.
Special timber grounds were produced with slightly enlarged gothic curved heads and installed by a highly skilled carpenter. A great deal of scribing had to be carried out on site to ensure the closest fit and that a square face was presented for the secondary glazing to be installed. By fitting the units nearer to the face of the reveal, the primary windows are beautifully framed and the 13, Series 41 side hung casements have clearance to open.
The church is now more thermally efficient with the addition of secondary glazing and they should start to see a reduction in heating costs, with less heat escaping and the pesky draughts eliminated.
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