Attention to sustainability, details and residents

Making porticabins more sustainable Capelle aan den IJssel

In the Flora neighborhood in Capelle aan den IJssel, after the 2023 construction vacation, work will begin on making 432 homes on the Bongerd, Dotterlei, Wilgenhoek and Wingerd more sustainable. In two years, the facades, storerooms and roofs will be better insulated, exterior facades refreshed, porches renewed and placed outside, solar panels installed and bathrooms, kitchens and toilets replaced. In addition, the glass will be replaced with HR++ glass. Commissioned by BAM Wonen, Verweij Houttechniek is equipping all homes with new balcony doors, front and rear doors, spandrel panels and casement windows. In addition, the family business from Woerden is supplying the porch frames for the 72 porches.

Long-term relationships

Verweij Houttechniek designs, manufactures and installs durable windows, doors, (move-in) frames and ancillary products, such as dormers, storage rooms, hsb walls and parapet panels. "We specialize in renovation projects and work for renovating contractors and property maintenance companies," says Michiel Vis, Project Manager at Verweij Houttechniek. "We value sustainability and long-term relationships, of which BAM Wonen is a great example. As a regular co-maker, we constantly carry out projects according to the BAM renovation concept."

Smart and efficient

BAM Wonen preserves thousands of row houses, porch and gallery flats every year, using smart and efficient solutions. Fixed co-makers also enable smart and efficient working methods, with standardization being chosen wherever possible. Verweij Houttechniek is hereby the partner for the turning parts and window frames. It also regularly replaces non- and poorly insulated parapet panels with insulated alternatives, thus completely relieving the contractor of all his worries.

Following in the footsteps of renovation projects in places such as Huizen, Houten, Kerkrade, Enschede, Sneek and Rotterdam, Verweij Houttechniek has started to make the 432 homes in Capelle aan den IJssel more sustainable in February 2024. "The homes, built in the 1960s, are in need of renovation and a major refresh," says Vis. "A modern building appearance, increased living comfort and minimal energy consumption are central to this." Thanks to the work, the homes are going to average energy label A. An important initiative in this context is the insulation of facades and roofs. "But window frames, windows, doors and parapets are also addressed. Especially in older homes (built before 1970), draught problems are commonplace. For this reason, in Capelle aan den IJssel we are replacing front and rear doors, spandrel panels as well as flap windows on balconies. And that 432 times."

Low energy bill, high comfort

"Saving energy starts with good insulation," emphasizes Vis. "The balcony doors should not be forgotten in this process. Indeed, at around 2 m2 each, these doors are an important part of the building envelope. Moreover, well-insulated doors contribute to the residents' living comfort. In the homes at Bongerd, Dotterlei, Wilgenhoek and Wingerd, the existing balcony doors will be replaced with high-quality solid wood stacking doors with insulated glass." The flap windows will be replaced with new wooden flap windows with HR++ glass, he says. "Most special, however, are the parapet panels. The choice was made for panels with Colorbel glass (enamel glass), a PIR insulation plate, a foil layer and a plywood backing plate, which, due to the structural situation, are not delivered as sandwich panels, but are assembled exactly to size and by work."

Feeling safe

All work will be done per two homes, per strang and from top to bottom. In addition, Verweij Houttechniek will soon start work on the porches. "The 432 homes are divided into 72 porches, for which we may design, produce and assemble the porch frames including porch doors and glass," says Vis. "A nice detail here is that the old and recessed porch frames are removed, after which the porches are brought forward, so to speak. This increases the sense of security." The old entrance doors of the porches and the old balcony doors of the apartments are being processed into circular wall finishes in a social work environment on behalf of BAM Wonen.

Durable and well-thought-out

The assignment in Capelle aan den IJssel started with an extensive site survey, which mapped the existing situation of the homes. "In combination with the project requirements, we worked out a sustainable and well thought-out approach for improvement, staying within the standard details as much as possible," says Vis. "Part of this phase also included an engineering session with all the chain partners, which sought project optimization and efficient execution." Prior to the work, four test houses were made, followed by a complete test strand. "This allowed for even better coordination of the work and gave residents good insight into the final result." In April 2025, Verweij Houttechniek hopes to deliver its work. The expected completion of the entire improvement approach is scheduled for the summer of 2025.