Appleby Court, Kingston Bagpuize, Oxfordshire

Appleby Court, a development of bespoke family homes by Bellwood Projects Ltd (BPL), is an ideal showcase for the quality, performance and design versatility of the VELFAC aluminium / timber system.

Credit: Thomas Merrifield

By skilfully combining VELFAC windows, doors and patio doors with local stone, red tiled roofs and timber cladding, BPL has delivered a range of traditionally styled homes with a contemporary edge, and low energy performance.

‘Lots of advantages’
‘The VELFAC system has a lot of advantages,’ says Clive Robson, BPL Managing Director. ‘Thanks to the slim frame, the windows are not ‘heavy’ in appearance, and allow maximum light into the rooms. The casement opens on itself rather than sits within the frame, and the shadow gap around the window unit – the result of using a compriband strip rather than a mastic seal – gives a clean and contemporary finish.’ In addition to generous glazing across each home, multiple large VELFAC fixed units are also combined to create glazed screens around and above entrance doors, bringing extra light into the hallway and stairwell.

To emphasise the traditional inspiration for Appleby Court, vertical glazing bars are a feature of punch-hole units and ribbon runs, finished to match the anthracite grey of the external aluminium frames, and the off-white painted timber inner frame: ‘This mix of materials and frame finishes is very distinctive,’ says Clive, ‘and differentiates the homes from other similar developments.’

‘Installer knew the system inside out’
The services of a VELFAC Approved Installer was another bonus: ‘The installer knew the VELFAC system inside out, and helped us achieve the quality of finish we wanted,’ says Clive. ‘The ‘true’ composite frame construction also means that the aluminium element is separate from the wood and can be replaced if damaged during building works - rather than the whole frame - which is another advantage.’

Homes at Appleby Court went on the market in 2018 with the windows used as a talking point with prospective homeowners: ‘Buyers pick up on quality,’ says Clive. ‘They appreciate the benefits that products like VELFAC can deliver, not just in terms of style but also features such as low maintenance construction, and we use these advantages when selling homes.’