The region did not allow plastic windows in the towers in Kladno-Rozdělov

Kladno - The Central Bohemian Region sided with the preservationists and did not allow the installation of plastic windows in six tower blocks in Kladno-Rozdělov. The original windows no longer seal and let in drafts into apartments mostly inhabited by seniors. Preservationists demand exact replicas of the original wooden windows, which, according to Mayor Dan Jiránek (ODS), would be financially unfeasible. "It would be cheaper to not replace the windows and build new apartments," he told ČTK.
    The estimated cost of the replicas is about 150 million crowns. For such an amount, the city could build or reconstruct a hundred apartments for seniors, the mayor noted. City representatives are now trying to push for a compromise variant - the installation of wooden euro-windows. "Plastic windows were not approved, we will try euro-windows, but we hope they will be approved in some reasonable adjustments," Jiránek stated.
    While plastic windows would cost 38 million crowns, euro-windows would amount to 60 million. "That is the upper limit we can still pay from the rental income," the mayor stated. He pointed out that any adjustment to the window increases its price. "The hardware is nearly unsolvable. The window profile can be modified for such a large order, but the hardware is made in completely different volumes," Jiránek warned.
    The tower blocks were built between 1954 and 1957 according to the designs of architects Josef Havlíček, Karel Filsak, and Karel Bubeníček. The thirteen-story buildings, shaped like the letter T, have richly structured façades made of colorful ceramic materials, and on either side of each entrance, ceramic house signs depicting various animals. The authors of this decoration are Marta Jirásková, Hana Wichterlová, Břetislav Benda, and Bedřich Stefan.
    Jiránek pointed out that, for example, the entrance doors to these buildings are no longer original. Additionally, there are other buildings among the tower blocks that have plastic windows, he noted. However, according to the mayor, the replacement of windows is necessary. The situation in the apartments is critical, and this state cannot be prolonged any further, he added. The city would like to start the work this year and replace windows in one to two tower blocks annually.