3D Aluminium was appointed by Wokingham Borough Council to deliver a comprehensive replacement of the windows, doors and associated external building elements at Bluebell House Care Home. In addition to the replacement of the existing glazing systems, the project included the removal and replacement of timber boards and replacement with Cedral Click Profiles, together with new soffits, fascias, gutters and downpipes across the ground floor, first floor and selected second-floor areas.

The project was successfully completed while the care home remained fully operational, requiring careful planning, close communication with staff and residents, and a flexible approach throughout the programme.

The refurbishment incorporated a range of Smarts Aluminium systems, including:

• Alitherm 400 window and door systems
• VS600 sliding windows
• SmartWall doors

A variety of window styles were installed to meet both resident safety requirements and the practical needs of care home staff and visitors, including tilt and turn windows, open-out windows and sliding windows. The project also included the installation of new bedroom doors, external entrance doors and emergency escape access doors.

All doors were fitted with integrated anti-finger trap protection and hold-open closures, helping to improve accessibility while enhancing resident safety throughout the building.

Approximately 75% of the building required scaffolding before installation works could commence. The scaffold was dismantled in carefully planned phases, allowing access to lower elevations while maintaining progress across the programme.

Working within a live, occupied care home presented a number of unique logistical and operational challenges.

To minimise disruption, a detailed installation schedule was developed to ensure occupied bedrooms were completed within a single working day wherever possible. Works to communal areas were phased separately, allowing residents and staff to continue using key facilities safely throughout the refurbishment.

Daily coordination meetings were held with the Head Nurse to confirm planned access and discuss any changes required due to residents wellbeing or care requirements. This flexible approach enabled the programme to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining high standards of care and site safety.

As the care home remained operational throughout the project, secure on-site storage and dedicated welfare facilities were established for the installation teams.

Pre-start surveys identified low-hanging overhead cables that could have affected site compounds and welfare unit positioning. These were carefully assessed before equipment arrived, ensuring safe installation and avoiding unnecessary delays.

With only a small compound available within the care home’s car park, material storage space was limited. Deliveries were therefore scheduled on a phased, just-in-time basis, aligning with the installation programme and ensuring materials were available when required without impacting the day-to-day operation of the site.

Waste management formed an important part of the project. A large on-site skip was exchanged on a fortnightly basis by a certified waste carrier, allowing waste materials to be segregated and recycled wherever possible, helping to minimise landfill disposal throughout the refurbishment.

Despite the complexities of working within a fully occupied care home, the refurbishment was completed successfully through careful planning, close collaboration with the client and care home management, and a flexible delivery programme.

The completed project has provided Bluebell House with modern, high-performance aluminium windows and doors that improve safety, accessibility and energy performance while enhancing the appearance of the building.

Throughout the works, the professionalism and considerate approach demonstrated by the 3D Aluminium team received praise from both care home staff and residents, who expressed their appreciation for how respectfully the works were carried out despite the challenging live environment.