More sustainable and more beautiful: Hertmebrink gallery flats in Enschede

'Renovating apartments increasingly with plastic window frames'

Modernization and improvement of living comfort were paramount in the renovation of two gallery flats on the Hertmebrink in Enschede. A comprehensive project in which good communication and planning played an important role, says Marko Sheridan of Weneko.

The client, housing corporation Ons Huis, had a complete makeover carried out in 2018 on the gallery flats of 160 apartments, which date from 1969. For this, the end walls, roof and ceilings of the storerooms were insulated and new exterior window frames with HR++ glass were installed. Mechanical ventilation in the apartments was improved. Each apartment received a new kitchen with ceramic cooktop, making both apartments completely gas-free. As the concrete balustrade gave way to transparent safety glass, residents now enjoy a better, more expansive view.

Informing residents

Our House had set up a living room where residents could go with questions during the project. "Residents stayed in the homes during the renovation, so it was important that they knew exactly where they stood. Communication was well taken care of by Ons Huis and by Trebbe Bouw, which had involved us in the project." Residents were told in a timely manner when work was being done on the front and rear facades of their apartments. "One day the back facade was done and the next day the front facade. During the day, the apartment was then open. Residents reacted differently to this. There were people who had no problem with that, but others hated the fact that people could look into the apartment from outside."

Planning

Good coordination beforehand was necessary. "When it comes to high-rise buildings, it is more complicated than when you only have row houses. Cranes had to be used. Because several companies were going to use them, that was planned very precisely." Storage space was another challenge. "With existing construction, storage space is often limited. Glass delivered to the site also had to be installed that same day. The agreement was that the house had to be wind and watertight again in the evening, so even if the delivery of glass was delayed. The installation crew always took perfect care of that." Installation of glass was done from the inside. "There was very little working space for that. It was carefully determined beforehand how we could do this in an arbotechnically responsible way." Renovation projects require a relatively large amount of time in preparation, but it pays off in execution, according to Sheridan: "Once the train starts moving, it keeps moving well."

Choice of plastic

Weneko supplied plastic window frames for the project based on the VEKA profile system SOFTLINE 82 NL, with installation depth 116 mm. "We have been working with Trebbe Bouw for many years, which deliberately chooses Weneko's quality." Plastic window frames are also very suitable for sustainable new construction projects in which alternative heating systems are used. "This is because optimum thermal insulation values can be achieved with the VEKA profile system SOFTLINE 82 NL."

Façade grilles

A Climarad ventilation system was installed behind the plastic window frames in the parapet at all the apartments in the gallery flats. "With this, a facade grille has been installed. As a result, the openings for the air supply are only visible inside and it looks sleek on the outside." It is a solution that contributes to the attractive new look of the flats: "Quite a difference from the old situation!"

Grow with time-saving solutions

At Weneko, meanwhile, they are busy with other projects. "In the past six months, production has already grown again. We have a good mix of new construction and renovation projects." In both segments, the share of plastic window frames is growing. "Housing associations are increasingly choosing plastic window frames, even for apartment complexes." Weneko is responding to the growing demand with high-quality solutions that save time. "Together with sister company Westerveld & Nederlof, we offer plastic window frames mounted in HSB elements. In addition, as Weneko, we offer plastic window frames in combi frames. For this we mount the plastic frames in the structural frame. The assembly is then covered with protective film and then delivered, for example, to concrete frame builders. This saves assembly time at the construction site, allowing the interior finishing work to begin earlier."