Constantly hindered by water ingress, mould and severe building fabric damage, Carnforth High School commissioned Stratus9 Consulting Ltd. to undertake a comprehensive review of its building estate.

Stratus9 identified that the defective & dilapidated single glazed timber windows, curtain walling and doors at Carnforth High School were in urgent need of refurbishment works.  The failed timber windows were causing significant Health & Safety issues, water ingress was rife and building fabric failure was commonly affecting classes and curriculum delivery. The poor state of the curtain walling was most certainly the root cause of the schools very poor energy performance and efficiency, massively increasing the school’s energy costs throughout the year.

Carnforth High School was constructed in the late 1950’s and the defective windows, curtain walling and doors were original and as such well over 60 years old.  In a poor state of repair the curtain walling, windows and doors were well beyond their useable life.

To tackle the ongoing problems, Stratus9 determined that aluminium was to be used for the replacement curtain walling, windows and doors. The new double-glazed aluminium windows have vastly improved solar glare and thermal regulation within the classrooms and the aluminium curtain walling now protects the extensively repaired building fabric from further water damage. The doors, also of aluminium, as well as providing protection from drafts and the weather, have an added security benefit, lowering safeguarding risks and ensuring a safe environment for staff and students alike. Carnforth High School now enjoys a warm, dry and safe environment in which to teach and learn.