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Getting Heritage Right
Sarah Hitchings of The Residence Collection discusses the effectiveness of nurturing relationships with its network of fabricators of heritage windows for...
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Modern Trad
How do you create a heritage window that fulfils all the demands of modern life and then some, while also incorporating more authentic traditional design styling than ever before? We speak to Quickslide’s MD Ben Weber to find out.
With its Legacy vertical slider, Quickslide has changed the expectations of what an authentically styled heritage window that is fit for the future looks like.
With a slim midrail that is over a centimetre narrower than before, coupled with 90° mechanical joints, a deep bottom rail and run-through sash horns without the tell-tale PVC-U ‘lip’, Legacy VS more closely replicates the traditional timber sash styling that is a requirement for planning approval in conservation areas and for listed buildings.
Even the optional astragal bars come with spacers between the units to create the appearance of separate panes. Options for wood effect foil finishes and traditional hardware styles complete the look.
“With Legacy VS, more listed and conservation properties will be able to benefit from modern, high-performing, low-maintenance, great looking windows,” says Ben Weber, Quickslide’s Managing Director. “I think this is the best heritage window on the market. It means homeowners now have a genuine choice when it comes to upgrading windows in their period properties.”
Meeting and exceeding building regulations
As the industry looks ahead in anticipation of more stringent requirements for energy efficiency, Legacy VS is already ahead of the curve. Its new 1.2 U-value hits the target for windows in new build homes, rather than settling for the limiting U-value (of 1.6 W/m²K). It does so without the need for triple glazing or expensive krypton gas.
“We’ve replaced some of the steel reinforcement in the sashes with better insulating plastic reinforcement, inserted additional insulating materials into some of the chambers in the frame and cill and upgraded the coating on the glass unit,” explains Weber. “It’s part of our ethos for Legacy VS to look to the future as well as to the past, so that we could create a real and affordable authentic alternative to timber sash windows with absolutely no compromises.”
Peace of mind for homeowners
Along with improved energy efficiency and performance, Legacy VS is designed with security in mind too. Heritage and modern hardware style options come with PAS24 upgrades available.
“PAS24, a rigorous security standard that tests windows against a range of potential forced entry methods including attacks with tools, is required in some areas to meet building regulations. So our accreditation offers homeowners peace of mind and may also qualify them for lower home insurance premiums,” says Weber.
“Security is something we know is important to homeowners, which is why we're proud to say we’ve recently once again passed our audit with a perfect score, demonstrating continued compliance for PAS24 security and BS EN 14351-1 windows and doors standards across all our products.”
IT & marketing
Quickslide’s trade customers haven't been forgotten in Legacy VS’s design either. Quick-release tilt arms mean the sashes can be easily removed pre-installation, making fitting easier. Meanwhile, Legacy VS is also supported by Legacy-On-Screen, Quickslide’s custom-built marketing web tool that keeps installers’ websites up to date with everything Legacy, without having to lift a finger.
“We know working in period properties brings its own unique challenges, so we designed Legacy VS to be as easy to install as possible,” says Weber. “And because we know our trade partners want to concentrate on the job in hand, we launched Legacy On-Screen to take some of the load off when it comes to marketing too. It's a service we can offer our partners, so why do it yourself when you can let us do it for you?
“When it came to designing Legacy VS we really did think about it from all angles – what do we need to do to meet the criteria for planning approval, building regulations and future-proofing, while making sure we’re working with our trade partners to improve sales and service? Which meant following all the rules while breaking the mould.
“In a nutshell, in Legacy VS we’ve created an authentic, compliant, high-performing timber-alternative traditional sash window that is fit for everything modern living demands of it but which won’t break the bank.”
Pictures: That slim mid-rail and a solid and thermally efficient build, has seen and will continue to see Quickslide’s Legacy VS in demand in typical heritage properties and in new build homes with that heritage look.
Article written by Cathryn Ellis
09th February 2025