The Grade II* Listed Blue Mills in Witham, Essex dates back to the 18th century. However, its history goes back considerably further. In the 11th century, it was recorded in Domesday as the water mill at Benton Hall, a subsidiary manor of Blunts in Witham. By the mid-18th century, the name Machins Mill had been replaced by Blue Mills. The original 16th century cottage is attached to a Georgian house (at the front), a sequence of early Victorian extensions, and a later Victorian house in 1872 (at the rear).
In recent years, the mill was used as office space for the previous owner. Today, it has been reinstated to its 18th century version, with surviving machinery used as adornments and effective monuments to pay homage to the proud history of Blue Mills. The turret clock which was purchased by previous owner Dr Grabham in the post milling era is still in place and in full working order.
The recent owners have lived in Blue Mills for almost 20 years and required a thermal solution, with acoustic benefits to make their home at the mill more comfortable. The thermally inefficient primary windows across most of the house did little to retain heat. The quirks and irregularities around some of the bay windows meant that a considered approach was required.
To begin with, a technical advisor and surveyor from Selectaglaze visited the Mill to measure and evaluate all the windows that required improving. Despite the property being Listed, Maldon District Council confirmed that no formal Listed building consent was required for the works.
A total of 22 windows have been treated thus far using a number of window styles: fixed light, vertical sliding and side-hung casements. Two windows in the wood-panelled room were treated with Selectaglaze’s heritage Series 47 hinged casement system which was able to sit tight behind the wooden shutters, allowing their continued operation. The aluminium profiles were coloured in a woodgrain finish which colour matched the existing surrounds perfectly.
With the key issue being heat retention, the owners are delighted with their decision to use Selectaglaze. As the secondary glazing has proved to significantly reduced heat loss, along with high performance seals eliminating draughts, more windows are due to be treated at Blue Mills later this year.
Selectaglaze is the leading specialist in secondary glazing, established in 1966 and Royal Warrant Holder since 2004.
For further information, please contact Selectaglaze on 01727 837271/e mail: enquiries@selectaglaze.co.uk or visit: www.selectaglaze.co.uk
