When the University of Bath set out to refurbish glazing on one of its long-standing campus buildings, it faced a challenge shared by many institutions managing ageing infrastructure. The building’s original window systems, now 20–30 years old, were showing signs of deterioration, with failing gaskets compromising both performance and appearance. Replacing these gaskets entirely would have been costly and risked disturbing asbestos-containing materials within the frames.

After assessing the original specification, TPS360, the maintenance company currently working for the university, selected ARBOSIL 1096 S instead. This is a high-performance, neutral-cure silicone offering rapid curing, long-term durability, and a range of colours to complement the building’s aluminium frames and glazing. The choice provided a practical and compliant solution to extend the window life by another two decades.

The refurbishment focused on resealing extensive window-frame joints across one of the university’s key buildings, forming the first stage of a wider maintenance programme across the campus. By choosing to reseal instead of replace the existing gaskets, the project team avoided significant costs and mitigated the risk of disturbing asbestos materials embedded within the original frames. Using Arbosil 1096S, the applicators achieved strong weathering resistance, long-term adhesion, and precise colour matching - a critical factor given the mix of glass and frame finishes.

Working within an active university environment brought its own challenges. Strict adherence to the University of Bath’s Asbestos Management Plan was required to ensure all materials were encapsulated safely rather than removed. The ARBO technical team provided on-site support and a detailed specification to guide installation and compliance. Collaboration between ARBO, Sealant Systems (the applicator), and TPS360 (the university’s maintenance contractor) proved instrumental in delivering a smooth process.

The project is progressing in phases, aligned with weather conditions optimal for silicone curing, and is set for completion in Q2–Q3 2026. The result will be a rejuvenated façade with improved performance, reduced maintenance costs, and an extended lifespan for the university’s building envelope.

• Location: Bath

• Client: Sealant Systems

• Maintenance Contractor: TPS360
  
  Products used:
  

• ARBOSIL 1096 S