Windows, doors, frames and panels replaced in renovation project

Good preparation and coordination IS half the battle

The upgrading of one hundred and forty apartments in the Waldeck (The Hague) residential area is in full swing. In each apartment, the windows, doors and panels are also being replaced. In addition, the window frames in the porches are being replaced with fire-resistant window frames. Verweij Houttechniek is BAM Wonen's co-maker for everything wood within their renovation projects. The specialist from Woerden supplies and assembles more than seven hundred windows, more than five hundred doors and more than a thousand panels for this project. Good preparation at Verweij and precise coordination with the other co-makers should ensure smooth implementation on the building site.

Verweij's history dates back to 1884 when Huibert Verweij started a one-man carpentry business in Nieuwerbrug. Because of the reconstruction of the Netherlands after World War II, the company focused on the production of wooden window frames, still a large part of its core business today. "Since there was no possibility for further expansion in Nieuwerbrug, we moved to Woerden in 2004 and moved into a new office building and production area, equipped with a completely new machine park. Since 2015 we also have a second branch in Drachten," says David Verweij. "For the renovation market, we produce, supply and install windows, doors, frames, prefab dormers, prefab walls and prefab sheds, among other things. Everything is done in-house: calculation, measuring, design, work preparation, production and assembly. We deliver everything turnkey: made to measure, glazed, painted and equipped with all the necessary hinges and locks. In the houses, therefore, there is no more planing, painting and glazing."

The panels were also in need of replacement. An asbestos specialist removed the original panels and Verweij provided the installation of new insulation and panels.

Co-maker for project Waldeck

Verweij has also been one of the co-makers within BAM Wonen's Renovation Concepts department for five years. In this, the company is responsible for replacing wooden windows, doors, frames, panels and related prefab products. For example, Verweij Houttechniek is also involved in the major maintenance and energy improvements to two residential towers in the Waldeck district of The Hague, accounting for one hundred and forty apartments. "For the entire project, more than seven hundred and more than five hundred dated windows and doors, respectively, are being replaced with ready-made Columbus windows and doors. The windows were milled to fit size and fitted with an opaque paint system, high-efficiency glass and hardware," explained installation supervisor Geoffrey Bruurmijn. "In addition, the panels of the exterior window frames were in need of replacement. The old panels are being remediated by an asbestos specialist. We install the new insulation and panels. The entire installation therefore meets the latest standards."

In apartments in the Waldeck residential area, dated windows and doors are being replaced with ready-to-use Columbus windows and doors from Verweij.

Preparation and coordination as well as people skills are essential

Since the residents continue to live in the towers during the entire renovation project and only move into a replacement apartment during the work on their apartment, the time pressure is very high. Good preparation in the office and factory, good coordination with the other co-makers and a healthy dose of people skills are therefore of great importance. "Every project is unique. Before we start, we first clearly agree on what needs to be done. Then everything is measured, calculated, designed and produced in our factory in Woerden. The elements are collected, labeled and delivered to the construction site in various containers. After all, good preparation prevents imperfections during assembly," says Bruurmijn. "Of course, good coordination with the other co-makers in the project is also very important. For example, clear agreements had to be made with the glazier and the asbestos specialist for this work. The building itself will be divided into different windows, so that the co-makers can carry out their assignments smoothly. For each apartment, a team of five employees will take care of the assembly of windows, doors and panels."

David Verweij adds: "The intention is to keep the construction time as short as possible and to keep the inconvenience to a minimum. These apartments are occupied one by one by people aged 70 and older. Our people have a lot of expertise and combine it with people skills. They know that every person and every situation is different and must be able to deal with that."