Stellar Aluminium helps give iconic windmill a transformative makeover

Stellar aluminium windows and doors have been installed in a 285 year old windmill near Llanerchymedd as part of a transformative upgrade. Melin Gallt-y-Benddu has been an iconic part of Anglesey’s landscape for nearly three centuries. However, in recent years, the windmill, which was completed in 1738, was in danger of becoming a ruin.

Its third-generation owner and his wife wanted to restore the building and to achieve this, the couple enlisted the help of local architectural technologist Adrian Williamson of WM Design & Architecture and P&C Building Contractors Ltd.

The system specified for the project was Stellar Aluminium and the windows and doors were manufactured by longstanding Epwin Window Systems’ fabricator, Heritage Trade Frames Ltd. Richard Moore, Area Sales Manager at Heritage Trade Frames, said: “We’d manufactured Stellar products for several of Adrian and WM Design & Architecture’s previous projects, so he knew the quality Heritage Trade Frames brings. He also understood all the benefits of Stellar Aluminium, including its QUALICOAT-approved marine-grade paint finish, which is perfect for Anglesey’s coastal environment, as well as its slim sightlines and contemporary flush styling.”

Richard continued: “The original specification was for casement windows, but a site visit with P&C resulted in a change to tilt and turn windows. Looking at the five-storey building, it was clear that tilt and turn windows would be the better option because they would be easier to clean from the inside.”

To secure the agreement of the local planning department, Heritage Trade Frames supplied a sample window alongside a detailed specification. The planning officer agreed the Stellar Flush Tilt & Turn Window had all the credentials required and permission was granted.

The 22 Stellar Tilt & Turn Windows, Stellar Flush Casement Window and Stellar French door, were installed by P&C Building Contractors over a five month period.

To achieve an exceptional visual finish, the colour of the window and door units was critical. The exterior of the building uses the Baumit render system in Chalk, skilfully applied by

M.W. Plastering Ltd. Against this understated colour, Anthracite Grey (RAL 7016) gave a beautiful contrast. Internally, the frames were white to match and brighten the décor.

Thermal efficiency was a critical requirement of the project to protect the building’s inhabitants from the sometimes fierce coastal weather but also to minimise the carbon footprint.  Units were double-glazed using PLANITHERM® ONE T on the inner pane and PLANITHERM® Clear on the outer pane, giving an overall u-value of 1.45 W/m²K.

The building’s most startling new addition is a fully glazed viewing platform that gives 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape. To prevent too much solar gain in this room, the window units use SGG COOL-LITE® SKN 176 solar control glass.

The finished result is a beautiful building that retains all its iconic charm but has been updated for future generations.