Preserving England's Heritage Stronghold® Anchor
Window restoration on historic or listed buildings can be a headache for installers. A smarter alternative when scaffolding isn’t an option is available...
Working on listed and heritage buildings has always demanded a careful balance between progress and preservation. For installers, it’s not just about technical skill, but about finding solutions that respect historic fabric, minimise disruption and satisfy strict conservation requirements.
When scaffolding is prohibited, whether for aesthetic, logistical or structural reasons, Stronghold® has become the go-to system.
Developed specifically for window and glazing specialists, Stronghold is a self-contained internal safety system that allows trained operatives to remove, repair and install windows entirely from inside the building.
With no need for drilling, fixings or external access equipment, it delivers a discreet, non-invasive solution ideally suited to listed buildings and heritage sites that remain in public use.
“Historic buildings present unique challenges,” said Daniel Cheddie, founder and owner of Stronghold. “You’re often working under strict restrictions where scaffolding simply isn’t allowed because it looks unsightly, risks damaging the structure, or disrupts how the building is used.
“Stronghold was designed to give installers a professional, safe alternative that protects the building while still allowing high-quality work to be carried out.”
A standout example of Stronghold in action is the Grade I listed Cambridge Cottages in Kew, London. Once the home of the Duke of Cambridge, the building is now a prestigious banqueting suite and wedding venue. During a comprehensive internal refurbishment, Sash Smart was tasked with replacing and decorating traditional wooden sliding sash windows throughout the property.
However, external access equipment was refused outright. With the venue continuing to host weddings and events, scaffolding would have caused unacceptable disruption and visual impact. Stronghold provided the solution.
“All window work was completed using the Stronghold, which we have used on many prestigious projects, particularly Grade I listed buildings,” said C Mills, Director of Sash Smart.
The ability to work discreetly, room by room, proved invaluable. Installed in under 10 minutes by two operatives, Stronghold spans openings of up to five metres and supports up to three engineers simultaneously. Secure anchor points enable full freedom of movement while maintaining harness protection, ensuring safety without compromise.
Beyond safety and discretion, the cost and programme benefits are significant. “The Stronghold has saved us huge amounts of money on scaffold and external access equipment,” added Mr Mills. “It has also allowed us to offer our clients the option to complete work discreetly and in smaller phases alongside ongoing projects or in instances where scaffold would not be allowed.”
Daniel is clear that Stronghold isn’t about replacing scaffolding altogether, adding: “There will always be situations where scaffolding is the right option, but for heritage sites and listed buildings where scaffolding simply can’t be used, Stronghold is the answer.”
In many historic buildings, fixed structural anchor points are installed near window openings to allow external access for tasks such as window cleaning. Often permanently embedded into historic fabric, they are not removable once installed and over time, corrosion or substrate degradation can compromise their integrity.
An anchor point that appears serviceable may in fact be out of test, unsafe, or no longer fit for purpose. Stronghold eliminates the need for such permanent fixtures altogether.
For installers operating in sensitive environments, Stronghold offers a smarter way forward, preserving England’s architectural heritage while enabling modern fenestration work to be carried out safely, efficiently and discreetly.