Specialist Secondary Glazing Installation at Mill Water School, Seaton, Devon

Protecting original architectural features while improving the performance of an existing educational building.

Project: Mill Water School – Seaton Satellite Unit
Location: Seaton, Devon
Sector: Education / Building Refurbishment
Specialist Contractor: Invision Secondary Glazing Ltd
Services: Bespoke Secondary Glazing Supply & Installation

Preserving the Character of an Existing School Building

Invision Secondary Glazing was appointed to supply and install bespoke secondary glazing at Mill Water School's satellite facility in Seaton, Devon.

The project formed part of the refurbishment of an existing building, where protecting original architectural details was a key consideration.

The building features distinctive decorative arches and columns, which contribute significantly to its architectural character. Preserving these features while introducing a practical, modern glazing solution required careful planning and a specialist approach.

Our role was to install secondary glazing that would provide an additional protective barrier without concealing or unnecessarily altering the original structure.

The Challenge – Protecting Original Architectural Features

One of the principal challenges was the existing glazing surrounding the decorative internal arches.

The original glazing was approximately 3mm thick horticultural glass, a relatively thin form of glazing that can be more vulnerable to breakage than appropriately specified modern safety glazing.

The priority was to introduce an additional layer of protection between the occupied areas of the building and the original glazed architectural features.

At the same time, it was important that the new glazing did not detract from the appearance of the arches and columns.

The installation therefore needed to achieve three key objectives:

Provide an additional protective glazed barrier in front of the original architectural features.

Maintain clear visibility of the decorative arches and columns.

Improve thermal separation between the adjoining internal spaces.

Our Solution – Made-to-Measure Secondary Glazing

Invision supplied and installed bespoke white-framed secondary glazing, carefully designed to suit the existing openings.

The new glazed system was positioned in front of the original decorative features, creating a separate protective layer while retaining their visibility.

The installation required accurate surveying, careful positioning and precise finishing to integrate the glazing with the refurbished interior.

The slim, clean appearance of the frames allows the original arches to remain a prominent architectural feature rather than being hidden behind solid partitions or extensive alterations.

This approach demonstrates the versatility of secondary glazing beyond traditional external window applications.

Additional Thermal Benefits

Although protecting the original architectural features was the primary objective, the installation also offers the potential for improved thermal separation between adjoining rooms.

By introducing an additional glazed layer, secondary glazing can help reduce unwanted air movement and heat transfer between spaces where temperature differences exist.

The extent of any thermal improvement depends on the glazing specification, installation details and temperatures within the adjoining areas.

This made the system a practical solution that combined architectural preservation with additional functional benefits.

The Completed Project

The finished installation provides a clean, contemporary glazed barrier that complements the building's refurbished interior.

Most importantly, the original decorative arches and columns remain visible, allowing the character of the building to be appreciated while providing an additional layer of protection.

The project demonstrates how carefully specified secondary glazing can help preserve existing architectural features without compromising the appearance of the surrounding space.

At Invision Secondary Glazing, we understand that every building presents different challenges. Whether protecting historic features, improving thermal performance or reducing unwanted noise, our approach is based on accurate surveying, specialist knowledge and high-quality installation.

Secondary Glazing Specialists for Schools, Heritage Properties and Commercial Buildings

Invision Secondary Glazing provides specialist supply and installation services throughout the UK.

Our experience includes secondary glazing for educational buildings, listed and heritage properties, commercial offices, hotels and residential refurbishments.

With years of industry experience, we work closely with clients and contractors to deliver bespoke glazing solutions that respect the individual requirements of each building.

Planning a similar project?

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If you are looking to protect original architectural features, retain existing windows or improve the performance of an older building, our specialist team would be pleased to discuss your requirements.

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