We’re all about community here at Unicorn Windows and are proud to say that we’ve helped revamp and revitalise our neighbour, Leighton Buzzard Library, with the supply and fitting of new windows and doors.
The brief of the refurbishment was to maintain the mid-century character of the building and facilities, which has meant keeping the colour of the original aluminium frames but improving upon the overall quality and modernising the windows and doors.The process has been a work in progress for a few years and the new doors and windows have certainly got the stamp of approval from the library manager, Hazel Kerr, who commented: “The windows were the original ones dating back to when the library was built in 1978. They leaked and were incredibly inefficient.”
Bespoke product specification
We had to be very specific about how we went about the refurbishment, hence our choice to use a bespoke product specification. The building has a number of windows and large expanses of glass, which can have a significant impact on the efficiency of the building. The trick was to balance that requirement with the performance of our products. Therefore, we used energy efficient tinted glass to help reduce the glare and protect the books. The thermal properties of the tinted glass will help to reduce heating costs.
Unicorn Windows also supplied sliding doors and installed a new fire door on the ground floor, again working hard to maintain the integrity of the building whilst optimising its functionality. Where there were once fixed casement windows, we have now provided openers.
Bright and airy result endorsed by local councillor
Local councillor Brian Spurr, executive member for community services at Central Bedfordshire Council, has said that: “Libraries are very important as part of a thriving community, and here in Central Bedfordshire we are proud to be investing in our libraries and doing everything that we can to encourage people of all ages to visit. That is why, as well as all of the services we offer and the events we stage, the Council is making sure that our libraries are welcoming places to visit and spend time. Leighton Buzzard Library, which is bright and airy thanks to our £86,000 investment in the new windows and fire escape doors there, is a great example of that.”
So, if you are in the Leighton Buzzard area, do stop by and take a look! It’s a fantastic place for the community which takes up the first two floors of the building. There’s also a 170 seat theatre on the top floor, which hosts a programme of films, event showings and live events. We’re very proud to have been such an integral part of the refurbishment.