'Golden' window frame/toproster combination for residential towers in historic Ridderkerk

In a beautiful waterfront location in historic Ridderkerk, Pilon de Schans was recently completed. It involves two residential towers of thirteen floors with a total of 116 owner-occupied and rental apartments. Façade builder Rollecate used the tested frame/top-grille combination from Kawneer and Renson, which guarantees efficient assembly and optimal wind and water tightness, even at great heights by the water. 

Pilon de Schans' two residential towers are located in a unique waterfront location at the junction of the Nieuwe Maas, Lek and Noord rivers. Characteristic of the towers is their industrial-historical appearance with a clear vertical articulation in the brickwork, balconies and aluminum window frames. Residents benefit not only from beautiful views, but also from a healthy and comfortable indoor climate. The latter is achieved by Invisivent NL top grilles from Renson "integrated" into the aluminum window frames for a natural supply of fresh air that goes directly into the apartments. Exhaust is via mechanical ventilation.

Independently tested

The aluminum window frames in Pilon de Schans are of the type
Kawneer RT72 Reflex. "A series that excels in insulation and is also cradle-2-cradle certified," says Rob Huvers, manager of marketing and new business at Kawneer. "The wind and waterproofing is of course a matter of course. However, in combination with a grille for natural fresh air supply, as was requested here, this is not the case. At least, not with traditional grilles. Invisivent NL from Renson, on the other hand, does offer that certainty. Important in a project, such as Pilon de Schans, where the wind pressure on the facade can be significant, especially at higher heights. We had the combination Kawneer RT72 Reflex with the Renson Invisivent NL top grille tested by SKG-IKOB. In those official and independent tests, the total solution scored high on the European standards for wind and water tightness."

Dutch market

Invisivent NL is a top grid developed by Renson especially for the Dutch market, where window frames are placed from the outside against a wooden frame in the facade. "The rubber seal from the flange of the window frame extends nicely into the flange of the grille, creating a wind and watertight whole," explains Auke Bakker, commercial director of Renson Nederland. "Also aesthetically the combination forms an attractive whole because the appearance of the frame is continued in the grille. The grilles ensure the supply of fresh air directly into the apartments. Thanks to an EPC damper, unwanted ventilation, drafts or cold traps are prevented. Both aesthetically and in terms of air and water tightness, the frame/top grille combination is thus a perfect solution." The tested frame/to-grille combination offers enormous advantages for the facade builder. "We were able to completely prefabricate the frames and the top grille in our factory," says Manon Nuvelstijn - Proost, construction site coordinator at Rollecate. "On site, the combination is mounted as one element against the set frame. That definitely benefits speed. Failure costs are also kept to a minimum thanks to this robust combination. And 'last but not least' the residents are also extremely satisfied with the comfort. That is ultimately what counts." www.renson.nl