'Sound and Sustainable in Romford'

850 aluminium/timber composite windows, which have been supplied by UK systems company AM Profiles were a sound choice for the new Romford Hospital completed in 2007.

The 939 bed hospital is a PFI funded scheme and constructed by Bovis Lend Lease and will be run for a period of 33 years by the Catalyst consortium. The distinctive 'butterfly wings' of the roof design have already become a familiar skyline feature of the busy town and the facility will enable the trust to deliver modernised acute services to the region.

AM Profiles' ALARBOND windows used on the project are a perfect balance of aluminium and timber materials that once combined, can offer significant advantages over single material windows. Using up to 40% recycled material, the outside aluminium extrusion offers excellent strength and can be polyester powder coated to offer a durable finish. The inside timber profiles which are pre-finished and require no further decoration once fitted, offer both an aesthetic and warm finish. Coupled with an additional thermal break between the two materials the ALARBOND system offers high levels of frame insulation.

The Romford Hospital project also specified a high level of acoustic insulation through the installed windows, which was not easily achievable with a single material. Tests prior to installing the windows proved that the windows exceeded the sound reduction levels required and will enable the wards to remain quiet as well as warm and comfortable for patients.