Rethinking urban living: The role of acoustic balcony glazing in inner-city high-rise living Cities in the UK are becoming taller and noisier. Between 2011 and 2021, the number of households living in a flat, maisonette or apartment increased by 21% to 5.4 million.​ 1 In London, over half of the homes built since 2002 are in high-rise buildings.​ 2     While high-rise living may address housing shortages, the quality of life for residents is often impacted by issues such as

Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS), a leading specialist in heritage fenestration and architectural metalwork, proudly supported the Glasshouse Street Christmas Charity Collection for The Whitechapel Mission , joining forces with BAM  and fellow subcontractors to make a meaningful difference this festive season. Pictured left is ASWS’ Site Manager Jono helping deliver their donations to The Whitechapel Mission over the Christmas period, while right is just some of the ge

At the 2025 Steel Window Association  awards, the Commercial Project winner was West Leigh ’s Len House project. Andy Bawn, MD of West Leigh, tells us all about the company today. Len House, Maidstone – West Leigh’s meticulous restoration of this Grade II listed Art Deco landmark, featuring like-for-like W20 steel windows and doors, curved frames, and bespoke detailing to preserve its historic character   What is your core business? Andy Bawn, Managing Director for West Leigh

Operations Director for Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS), Kris Bennell, reflects on the work to restore three large system glazed bronze shopfronts and the historic doors now opening into the new Ikea store in one of London’s busiest retail locations.     Best known for expertise in repairing ageing steel windows, ASWS, which had previously worked alongside the main contractor, McLaren Construction , drew on its team’s wider experience in heritage work by restoring th

ISO-Chemie’s thermal insulating and load bearing bracket support system has been specified to provide energy efficiency improvements to an Edwardian property in Oxfordshire. The move sees WINFRAMER units retrofitted as part of an initiative to bring the poorly insulated solid walled house built in 1909 in Oxford, up to current energy efficiency standards, providing better quality accommodation for the homeowner along with long-term cost savings.   Passivhaus certified and fir

By Wojciech Brożyna - MD Aluprof UK  - The Architecture & Building Expo 2025 (ABX 2025) took place at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) in Dublin on 8-9 October 2025. The event served as a key meeting point for architects, architectural technologists, building professionals and specifiers from across Ireland and beyond. The show featured a broad exhibition scope from smart-home systems and modular building to insulation materials, security systems and façade solutions. This year

As an acknowledged industry expert in the repair and replacement of steel, timber and other fenestration types, Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS) was awarded four separate prestigious packages, as well as being tasked with additional project elements, during the conversion of a former furniture warehouse. The high-spec office spaces now afford the occupants contemporary standards of energy performance and amenity. Pictured is The Harrison (formerly Curtain House), Shore

Kris Bennell, Director of Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS) discusses the continuing health threat posed by a class of paint which has been banned for the past 30 years; and the solutions.   “Dealing with lead paint in old buildings is a growing issue; options include grit-blasting in-situ or at off-site premises, removal by chipping, or chemical poultice. Lead paint is not a prohibitive problem; it is a management process.”   Commercial property companies and the cons

The Steel Window Association (SWA) represents the UK’s leading specialists in the preservation and refurbishment of steel windows and doors – particularly in listed buildings, heritage properties, and conservation areas. Its members, including London-based Associated Steel Window Services  (ASWS), are trusted custodians of architectural legacy, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern performance standards.   The Northcliffe’s revitalised exterior showcases ASWS’ comp

SFS UK ’s JB‑D Plus pre‑wall window installation brackets have been specified by façade specialist Leay Ltd for the £725 k window‑and‑curtain‑wall package on Chichester College’s new STEM Academy in West Sussex, a choice Leay says streamlines site logistics while guaranteeing the structural integrity of the double‑skinned façade. Established in 1937 and now a nationwide fabricator of Kawneer aluminium systems, the Aylesford‑based company designed, supplied and installed AA1

Government funded residential development will contribute to the growth of fenestration foam tape sealants in 2026, according to Andy Swift, sales and operations manager   at ISO-Chemie. ISO Chemie’s Andy Swift says new build to fuel foam tape sealants growth in 2026 He believes the sealants’ sector will continue to remain buoyant throughout the next 12 months, seeing steady growth despite the completion of new homes falling well below the Government target of 1.5 million in

By Paul Trace, Director, Stella Rooflight - When the government launched its latest wave of retrofit initiatives, from the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) to the Great British Insulation Scheme, the goal was admirable: improve the energy efficiency of the nation’s housing stock and accelerate progress towards net zero. Yet, the recently published audit findings paint a very different picture. According to data analysed by Refurb & Retrofit, an astonishing 92% of external wa