Conservation & Heritage Issue 49 October 2025 - Flipbook - Page 97
Preserving steel heritage
windows and doors with the
Steel Window Association
Whether you’re an architect, conservation officer or homeowner, SWA members provide
expert guidance and hands-on support to help you protect and celebrate the legacy of steel
windows and doors.
Pictured is the Empress building on Dover Street where
Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS) refurbished
the steel windows. Kris Bennell, Operations Director at
ASWS, comments “The project itself appeared relatively
small with just 36 windows but some of these were made
of up of 18 faceted individual window sections, which
meant the work required was quite considerable. With
the windows fitted into stone internally and externally,
the client’s preference was not to remove the windows
due to concerns over potential damage to the stone. We
were tasked with removing all the lead-based paint from
the windows using a chemical poultice removal system.
This enabled a clean new finish to these 125-year-old
windows. Chemical poultice removal can be extremely
challenging and some of the floors had considerably more
paint than others. In some areas we had to apply, remove
and reapply the poultice up to seven times.”
The Steel Window Association (SWA) represents
the UK’s leading specialists in the preservation and
refurbishment of steel windows and doors - particularly
in listed buildings, heritage properties, and conservation
areas. Members are trusted custodians of architectural
legacy, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern
performance standards.
Steel windows and doors are renowned for their longevity
and preserving them is often more sustainable and
historically respectful than replacement. SWA members
offer a range of services designed to retain original
features, improve performance, and ensure compliance
with conservation guidelines.
