FIS member Selectaglaze has installed 104 secondary glazed units at The Comet Hotel in Hertfordshire. Each unit has been installed with a cavity between the existing primary windows and the secondary units to significantly improve the level of noise insulation.
The hotel is an Art Deco Grade II Listed building that was designed in 1936 by E.B Musman in the shape of the iconic de Havilland Comet DH.88 aeroplane. This building style, known as ‘Streamline Moderne’, represents a late type of Art Deco architecture and graphic design that emerged in 1930s as a response to the new optimism inspired by modern technology. At the time of construction, the de Havilland airfield and aircraft factory was located just opposite the hotel.
The hotel had retained the building’s original crittal sash windows but this did not provide the required level of noise insulation to a number of the guestrooms, restaurant and function spaces for meetings and networking events. To improve this, Selectaglaze installed 104 secondary glazed units, with a cavity between the existing primary windows and the secondary units to significantly improve the level of noise insulation. The secondary windows were made bespoke to ensure the best fit and included four different systems, altering the units specifically to the project’s needs. All units were finished in white to match with the original external windows.
The Series 20 vertical sliding units were faceted onto the curved on plan original bay windows on the ground and first floors. This was to provide ample thermal and noise insulation to the restaurant and meeting room. The Function room was fitted with the Series 15 three-pane horizontal slider, which can support thicker glass when higher levels of noise insulation are required.
Most of the openings in the hotel guestrooms were treated with the Series 10 horizontal sliding unit, which is a versatile system that provides easy access to the outer window. This slimline unit has not only created exceptionally quiet rooms thanks to noise insulation in excess of 45dB but will cut heating costs, thus improving sustainability.
In addition, four of the smaller windows on the first floor were treated with Series 45 side hung casements, with no new sight lines making it very suited to the hotel’s Listed status.
The new secondary glazing to this Hatfield landmark will now help lower energy bills and afford the guests a good night sleep, along with those visiting the hotel guaranteed a enjoyable and cosy experience.
Refurbishments like the Comet Hotel are often fast track projects requiring close collaboration between client, contractor and specialists. Selectaglaze has extensive experience of working in buildings up to Grade I Listed and offers a technical advisory service and specification advice to ensure correct interface with other trades.
