Profile 22 Optima windows were specified in the development of 26 one and two bedroom apartments in a retirement development in Upper Norwood, London.

Lewis House is a development of 26 one and two bedroom retirement apartments in Upper Norwood in London from McCarthy & Stone, the UK's leading retirement housebuilder.

As in all McCarthy & Stone developments, high quality was a top priority – it is the only housebuilder of any size to have been awarded the five-star rating for customer satisfaction by the Home Builders Federation every year since the awards began.

When it came to the 97 windows and 26 door and sidelight combinations required on the project, McCarthy & Stone approached Epwin Window Systems. The systems house recommended the Optima system from Profile 22 and put the developer in touch with local Profile 22 Approved Window Installer Newview Homes Ltd. The company is one of the largest installation companies in the South East and is the one of the few UK installation companies to hold both ISO 9001 for Quality Management and ISO 14001 for Environmental Management.

Profile 22 Optima Chamfered Windows deliver specifications required. The window specification required a U value of 1.4 wm2/k on all windows and Secured by Design accreditation on ground floor and easily accessible first floor windows. Acoustic glazing was also required because Lewis House is situated on a busy road so traffic noise needed to be minimised. Visually, the local authority had requested a grey exterior to give a modern appearance and provide a close match to aluminium.


Newview used Profile 22's Optima 70mm casement windows in smooth slate grey on white with 28mm Low E sealed glass units. Secured by Design accredited windows were fitted where required.

Michele Wietscher, Commercial and Finance Director at Newview, said: "The Optima profile is always well-received because of its ability to meet demanding requirements at a competitive price."

The windows were manufactured by Newview's long term fabrication partner, Emplas Window Systems Ltd, one of the UK's largest window and door fabricators. Michelle said: "We work with Emplas because they are consistently reliable and offer excellent quality and good customer service."

Newview is an experienced commercial installer used to working on new build developments so was well-placed to ensure installation ran smoothly and coordinated with all other trades on site. It was the first time the company had worked with McCarthy & Stone and Michele said the team appreciated the developer's meticulous approach. "McCarthy & Stone are well organised on site and their efficiency helped us be more productive. The installation process went well."

Everyone involved is delighted with the finished result. Senjey Sehmi, Senior Technical Manager South East, McCarthy & Stone Retirement Lifestyles, said:

"We are very happy with the appearance of the windows, as they give a clean and contemporary look, which is in keeping with the architectural style of the building."

The quality of the Optima profile and Newview's standard of workmanship have also been well received. Michele commented: "It was the perfect little contract for our first time working with McCarthy & Stone. We have priced two other sites in the South East now and hope to be working with them again soon."

For more information on the Profile 22 range, please visit www.profile22.co.uk or call 01952 290910.