Traditional Oak Post and Beam Building in South Oxfordshire

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When setting out to create her perfect home, the customer explained to us the level of research that went into choosing every detail. Her must-haves? Low maintenance, a traditional look and feel and near Passivhaus performance.

After hearing that the client had already contacted many suppliers, we were very proud to have been selected as the window supplier and installer of choice. Our reputation for high-performance German-style installation was key to her selecting us.

Although aluminium-cladded timber is a relatively modern idea, the Rationel FormaPlus offers this low-maintenance solution with the unique styling of a classic timber window. The bevelled external aluminium of the external frame provided an external appearance, which is unusual in the composite window market. Coupled with the internal ovolo moulding on the frame, we deemed the FormaPlus to be the perfect choice.

The technology that makes the Lacuna bifold door a low-maintenance product is similarly modern, yet it is still in-keeping with the traditional aesthetic.

Inside, the home feels bright and airy. This is mainly down to the choice to have a very practical design: opening sections only where necessary and purposefully omitting astragal bars to maximise light.

Externally, the client chose a light grey (RAL 7035) to match external oak once silvered and aged.

To create a cohesive design, the light grey exterior of the windows continues in the surrounding areas. External cills and 90-degree corner posts are both colour-coded to match the exact RAL colour and gloss level as the window frame. This is especially noticeable on the orangery at the rear of the property: where doors, windows, 90-degree posts and 180-degree posts all come together as one single continuous section.

The traditional side-hung hinges on the windows are complemented by a modern locking mechanism and the convenient handle-operated friction brake. Multi-point locks help to ensure that the windows are well above the standard UK security requirements, and the friction brakes on all openers allow the windows to be held open in any position.

The installation uses our highest performance i3 installation system to ensure long term air and water tightness that match the manufacturer’s stated life expectancy of 83 years. The windows were supplied with a 10-year manufacturer’s guarantee. Discover more for yourself by browsing the images below.