Students and staff at St. Aidan’s High School in Harrogate are reaping the benefits during a chilly start to the year after calling in Ventrolla to upgrade the Bede House Sixth-Form building’s ageing sash windows.
The restoration specialists renovated 46 of the Grade II Listed building’s sash windows, of which four were large Venetian sashes, after their deteriorating condition rendered the windows draughty and inoperable.
New like for like timber was used to replace all rotten timber routed out of the original box frames and sills by Ventrolla, so the features of the window were preserved. The sash cords were then replaced, pulleys serviced and sashes correctly balanced to ensure the smooth and safe operation of the windows.
Following the renovation process, the unique Ventrolla Perimeter Sealing System (VPSS) was installed to combat draughts and reduce external noise, making the classrooms a more comfortable environment.
Robert Holmes, St. Aidan’s buildings manager, said: “The windows were in a very poor condition this time last year, making it very unpleasant during both the summer and winter. When you needed air to circulate they wouldn’t open and when you wanted to keep warm they would let draughts in.
“Thanks to Ventrolla this was all resolved, making a huge difference in comfort without affecting the characteristics of this beautiful period building.
“They were very accommodating throughout the project, with work taking place out of term time, and finished on time to a high standard.”
St. Aidan’s High School was established in 1968. It now caters for 2000 students and is extremely proud of its academic achievements after being named the top mixed non-selective school in the country for A-A* grades by The Times and The Daily Telegraph.
Ventrolla offers a bespoke renovation service for timber sliding sash and casement windows as well as timber doors. The central office is in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, with additional offices located throughout the Ireland and the UK.
