Kestrel launches stronger, faster-to-fix soffit

Building Products Index Ltd Soffits Leave a Comment

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Kestrel is launching a new hollow UPVC soffit, that promises to be stronger and easier to fix.

The drive for innovation and improvement at the UPVC fascia and cladding manufacturer has led to the new faster-to-fix soffit.

The hollow soffit has been redesigned to include more ‘webs’ – referring to the UPVC matrix inside the soffit – to create a stronger core to make the boards more durable. Importantly for installers, the redesign has also improved the way the boards push together making them faster to fit as well as improving ease of use on site.

Kestrel sales and marketing director Owen Thorogood said: “The team at Kestrel are always looking for ways to improve the range in ways that create significant benefits for our customers. The changes to the hollow soffit product are very much part of our ethos of continuous improvement.

“It’s taken some investment and we have new tooling to create the new hollow soffit, which has been facilitated by Kestrel’s improved on-site toolroom and maintenance facility.”

The HOLL300 hollow soffit, which is initially available in white, is part of Kestrel’s extensive range of fascias, cladding, roofline, windowline and trims that extends to some 800 products.

“Kestrel is known for its reliability, and our commitment to continuous improvement can only help us deliver an even better service to customers in the future,” Owen added.

Unlock vast creative potential with a bespoke garage door

Building Products Index Ltd Garage Doors Leave a Comment

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Whilst the garage – and hence the garage door – may not be at the forefront of most building design concepts, thinking creatively about this part of a property at an early stage can unlock the potential for some very different aesthetic and functional possibilities.

The design of the garage door is key. Rather than approaching its design and specification in purely practical terms – i.e. a door to span an opening and enable access as necessary – with a bespoke door it is possible to create garages that are far more creative, going way beyond the simplistic approach of a rectangle with either a double or single vehicle capacity.

This is the experience of Rundum Meir UK, who work with architects and property developers to design, manufacture and install garage doors that are extraordinary. Its doors have featured in a variety of high-end residential properties, including RIBA award-winning schemes, with many being listed buildings or located in conservation areas.

The creative possibilities are extensive. For example, using a side sliding ‘round the corner’ garage door or a sectional side sliding door, the garage can be designed to feature curves or even an S-shaped door. Convex garage doors can be used for buildings where a radiused corner is sought, and concave doors are ideal for matching the shape of car turntables, which are popular in high-end residential properties where vehicular access is limited.

A building can also be designed with the door as a centrepiece with very wide spans possible. A Rundum Original single side sliding garage door can be used in openings up to 15m wide, so adding two of these to open each way allows for an opening width of 30m!

Numerous different materials are available too. Timber is commonly used with varieties including Spruce, Oak, Larch, Sapele and Cedar. These are hand selected, rift and quarter sawn and virtually knot-free, although doors with knots can be manufactured too.

Aside from timber, high strength extruded aluminium and steel doors are also popular, with the scope for RAL colours and special finishes where a particular material is sought.

But it is not just side sliding doors that are bespoke designed and manufactured. Rundum Meir also provides custom sectional overhead garage doors and one-piece up and over doors in any number of materials ranging from copper to glass.

This enormous flexibility in the shape, size and style of the garage door, as well as the materials used in its manufacture, enables architects to incorporate elements such as windows and ventilation louvres in the doors to give garages new purpose. For example, incorporating ventilation into a garage door allows the garage to be integral to an air-conditioning system’s airflow, which could open up a new route for heating, cooling and optimising comfort inside the property’s living areas.

To find out more, visit www.rundum.co.uk.

System 900 | Barrier-free sanitary series in individual colours

Building Products Index Ltd bathroom accessories Leave a Comment

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For HEWI, good design also means offering options. System 900 offers design options due to the large variety of materials. With System 900, HEWI now offers the option of designing folding support handles, dispensers and co. for the project business with surfaces in the colour of your choice.

Choose Your Own Colour

With over 4,500 colours, HEWI’s colour worlds offer individual design options and make expressive statements. Whether in the latest trend colours or in your personal favourite colour, System 900 solutions can be powder-coated to suit any interior design.

Thus, from the perspective of “healing architecture”, bathrooms in healthcare buildings such as hospitals and senior residences can be designed aesthetically and thus promote the recovery of patients. The possibility of individualisation offers companies in office and commercial buildings as well as hotels the option of implementing the corporate design down to the smallest detail.

In this way, unique colour concepts are created that create a personal recognition value and and individually enhance sanitary rooms. True to the motto: Make Your Own Choice – Choose Your Own Colour!

System 900 | More than a play of colours

System 900 is the award-winning answer to the complex requirements of barrier-free bathrooms. The products are well thought-out down to the smallest detail – they convince through functionality, durable quality, clever assembly technology and hygienic design. System 900 combines purist design with high functionality and a unique depth of range. With System 900, comfort can be designed.

MODUS WINDOWS SUPPORT SUSTAINABILTY OBJECTIVES AT STUDENT ACCOMODATION

Building Products Index Ltd PVC-U, Windows Leave a Comment

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Purpose-built student accommodation developer sees the all-round value of PVC-U window specification at new flagship accommodation project for major university.

Developers of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) solutions are seeking a combination of cost efficiency, sustainability advantages, high performance, and aesthetic appeal when it comes to product specification.

Eurocell has once again worked with Future Generation – specialists in the development and design of exceptional student accommodation projects – to help deliver a stunning new student housing development.

The two organisations had partnered at another PBSA development at Hythe Mills, Colchester for another big university. Such was its success that the two companies have now collaborated on another prestigious project which has been described in the media as ‘the jewel in the crown’ for the UK’s fast growing PBSA sector.

The newly completed £40 million Guilden Village development in Guildford opened in August 2021 after a three-year build timetable and has now welcomed its first students for the 2021/22 academic year. It showcases modern, spacious, and affordable accommodation in which tenants are happy to live, study and enjoy their much-anticipated student experience.

The specification of Eurocell’s high quality Modus Slim Sash Windows in within the 533-student room development, provides an aesthetically appealing option for the exterior and substantial sustainability benefits – all based on MODUS Slim Sash’s unique ability to deliver an aesthetically very similar window to aluminium whilst improving thermal performance at a significantly lower cost.

The new purpose-built student accommodation uses the Eurocell Modus solution across all the bedrooms, and it complements the holistic visual appeal of the entire development which also includes a state-of-the-art gym, cinema room, multiple study rooms, and off-street parking.

Gary Driscoll, sales & commercial director at Eurocell explains: “Having successfully worked to specify the window solution at the Future Generation Colchester project, Eurocell were delighted to be invited once again to work alongside the company to create an appropriate and high-performing PVC-U window solution to support the exciting plans at the larger Guilden Village site.

“Future Generation directed the development’s design team that the Eurocell product should be considered and after discussions around desired aesthetics, performance versus cost, sustainability ambitions and safety, we collectively agreed that the Modus Slim window profile was the best choice.

“By using PVC-U instead of aluminium, not only did the project gain technical performance advantages against cost, but it also gained important long-term benefits through the specification of a highly sustainable product solution that is a tangible answer to counter today’s environmental challenges.”

Sustainable window solutions

Eurocell uses its own recycling plants to transform old waste PVC-U window and door frames into new PVC-U profiles through a closed loop recycling scheme. By doing so it is supporting sustained efforts by the construction industry to increase the prevalence of greener solutions to help build a more sustainable world.

Preventing discarded PVC-U frame waste from ending up in landfill and using it to create new PVC-U profiles is Eurocell’s proactive response to the climate crisis, and one that is finding real traction with like-minded companies looking to do the right thing when it comes to making sustainable product choices. This approach has been employed on the Guilden Village project, with the installed Eurocell Modus Slim window profiles emanating from a recycled source.

Eurocell worked with the fabrication and installer team at Astraseal Ltd to ensure the profile and fabrication process maintained the required momentum and supported the construction timetable. Planning approval for the window specification was obtained without any issues, with the authorities satisfied that the Modus Slim Sash PVC-U solution provided a seamless match to the overall design vision.

Building on the positive experience of the Hythe Mills project, Guilden Village is another strong example where project collaboration has identified an alternative product solution which matches design aspiration, drives the vital sustainability agenda, guarantees high performance and, ultimately, saves the client money.

Gary concludes: “Eurocell and Future Generation are delighted with the outcome of our ongoing collaborative partnership within the PBSA sector. The developer’s Guilden Village and Hythe Mills PBSA projects are helping to answer the ongoing and pressing need for high standard student accommodation to support those pursuing their education ambitions. Eurocell’s great looking, sustainable and high-performing PVC-U window solutions aim to assist developers such as Future Generation ensure market demand in a booming sector continues to be satisfied.”

If you would like to speak to us about how we can help on your next project email us at enquiries@eurocell.co.uk or call on 0333 005 6525 to discuss your requirements.

Delta Launch New Product Brochure

Building Products Index Ltd Membranes Leave a Comment

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Delta Brochures – Delta Membranes

Product – Delta Membranes

Application – Delta Membranes

We are excited to announce the release of the new Delta Product Catalogue. Delta’s new 135-page catalogue, is packed full of products, featuring helpful product information which includes handy estimating guides and coverage rates.

Designed to be easy-to-use in an eco-friendly, A5 pocket size.  Offering high quality visuals all organised into easy to navigate colour coded sections (from Ground Gas Protection to Concrete Repair) ensuring customers can quickly and easily source and order the right product for their project.

Our introduction section explains more about Delta including our core services in supporting correct project specification and application.  From waterproofing Types: A, B to C, with over two hundred products listed, this catalogue will help you specify a robust, long-lasting, and efficient waterproofing approach.

Highlights of the Delta catalogue include:

  • Dedicated about us section, incorporating a company overview and services offered
  • Extended product information on our range of specialist membranes, such as the Delta MS 500 Fire Retardant Membrane
  • Handy charts (coverage rates and measurements) included for Surveyors, Specifiers, and Site Personnel

Despite the global challenges which have affected every business, Delta managed to launch four new innovative product ranges expanding our portfolio:

Delta MS 500 Fire Retardant

The Delta MS 500 Fire Retardant is the only Fire Retardant, Type C Membrane with BBA accreditation available in the UK market, and the only Type C waterproofing membrane with a B-S2, d0 Euroclass fire rating (EN 13501-1:2018).

 Delta Amphibia

Delta Amphibia is a pre- and post- applied fully bonded waterproofing membrane with reactive core, this hydro-reactive, self-healing, self-sealing multi-layer waterproofing system which can be applied on vertical and horizontal areas of new construction.

Delta Roof Guard

Delta Roof Guard waterproofing systems are certified Broof (t4), complying with the regulations on resistance and safety on flat roofs, mitigating fire risk.

Delta Roof Guard cold applied liquid waterproofing systems are engineered to provide a fast curing, flexible, elastomeric solution for roofs, podium decks, terraces, balconies, walkways, and car parks.

Koster BDM

Koster BDM crystallizing, chloride free sealing agent for the integral waterproofing of concrete elements. Koster BDM combines all three important characteristics for integral waterproofing. It crystallizes, blocks capillaries, and makes the concrete water repellent.  This reduces the water absorbency of concrete, increases its compressive strength and resistance against chemical attack.  It is free of corrosive ingredients and is non-sensitive to mechanical damage to the surface.

We hope you will find our new catalogue informative and convenient.

Request your copy today by emailing orders@deltamembranes.com

Toupret’s Joint, Skim & Fill range has you covered

Building Products Index Ltd Filler Leave a Comment

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Toupret recognises that excellent results really matter, but so does the time it takes to get the job done (time is money, after all) with the launch of its better, faster Joint, Skim & Fill range.

Specially formulated for interior plasterboard jointing and surface finishing, but applicable to an even wider variety of surfaces, the range is made up of powder & ready mixed products, ideal for tradespeople who work to tight deadlines.

Joint, Skim & Fill powder is quick and easy to mix and easy to apply. It provides a smooth finish with fine skimming in just one coat and is very easy to sand for a perfect finish. Best of all, Joint, Skim & Fill also has no depth limit and it doesn’t shrink. With no need to prime for overcoating, you can be ready to paint in 12 hours. And Joint, Skim & Fill Quick Dry is ready to paint in just 3 hours. Available in 5kg or 10kg bags.

Toupret’s Joint & Skim Ready To Use, is ready-mixed and can be applied straight from the bucket manually or with an airless spray machine. Specially formulated to provide great results first time, this is essential for professional tradespeople that need to deliver quality results, quickly. It’s very smooth to apply and easy to sand. Available in a 10kg or 20kg bucket.

The range is supported by two patch and repair products, with excellent adhesion, perfect for last minute snagging jobs. Toupret Patch & Repair Filler Quick Dry is ideal for any last-minute touch-ups and repairs, but it also copes well with bigger jobs, for example filling larger gaps and seams when replacing plasterboard tiles after access for utilities repairs. Easy to mix and sand, with no shrinkage, no depth limit and no need to spot prime (ready to overpaint in just 3 hours), it’s a must-have product for every tradesperson’s toolkit. Available in a 1kg and 2kg box or 5kg bags.

Patch & Repair Filler Ready To Use is available in a 1.5kg tub, perfect for smaller snagging jobs. Reinforcing the range’s better, faster trademark, Patch & Repair Filler Ready to Use is ready mixed for use on gaps, cracks, scratches and holes. The key features of this product are that it won’t flash or grin and provides excellent adhesion.

Toupret’s Joint, Skim & Fill range is designed to give people everything they need for jointing, skimming and filling and all jointing products are UKCA/CE certified for jointing applications (BS EN 13963).

The high-performance products in this range ensure great results first time, every time. This was shown in Toupret’s ‘blind’ product tests, where more than 97% of respondents said they would choose Toupret over the nearest competitor product.

Toupret’s Joint, Skim & Fill products are available to purchase from trade distributors nationwide.

 

 

 

 

 

Crittall windows hit thermal targets at World Heritage Site

Building Products Index Ltd Steel, Windows Leave a Comment

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Crittall world heritage site case study

Crittall Corporate W20 windows are an important component in the refurbishment and upgrade of a prominent industrial site in historic Bath.

Newark Works is recognised as a masterclass in the retrofitting of heritage buildings that has transformed a former riverside heavy engineering factory into 21st century workspace.

The buildings, dating from 1857 to 1905, are Grade II listed and sit within Bath’s designated World Heritage Site. They were formerly the home of world-renowned crane makers Stothert & Pitt but had fallen into serious disrepair. Their location as part of a larger Bath Quays redevelopment spurred their re-use, underpinned by sensitive treatment, to create 40,000sq.ft of modern workspace.

“We specified the Crittall W20 system to replace the existing, single-glazed, cast-iron framed windows that were at the end of their life and deemed beyond repair,” said Nick Brown, Director of Ferguson Mann Architects.

He explained: “The Crittall W20 system was chosen due to the need to use a window system that could sympathetically reproduce the fenestration of the large industrial windows – many of which were 3.6m tall – but also provide a huge thermal improvement.”

It was recognised that retaining the original cast iron windows and introducing secondary glazing was neither economically viable nor appropriate aesthetically.

“The slim profiles of the Crittall W20 system meant we didn’t have to compromise on the amazing amount of natural light coming into the interior whilst improving the air tightness and reducing the overall heat loss of the building through the windows,” said Brown.

He added: “Crittall were also able to recreate the opening vent arrangement of the existing windows, meaning we could also improve the natural ventilation provision to the new workspaces.”

Consulting engineers Buro Happold calculated that just replacing the existing single-glazed windows with new double-glazed alternatives with a U-value of 1.8W/m2K would result in a 16 percent annual energy saving. That translated to 21.4 tonnes of CO₂. Over the building’s lifespan of, say, 25 years, that equated to a 535-tonne reduction in CO₂ emissions.

In view of the heritage credentials of the buildings, planners and conservation officers at Bath & North East Somerset Council were consulted on the desire to replace the original fenestration with like-for-like steel windows. The local authority was keen that the buildings should be brought back into use after several previous failed attempts. The wanted the site’s historic significance to be respected while avoiding the desire to turn Newark Works into a ‘museum piece’. The installation of Crittall W20 was approved and two of the original cast-iron windows have been retained and refurbished as a reminder of the original building but not in a way so as to compromise the improved thermal performance of the whole.

Summing up, Nick Brown comments: “Everyone is really pleased with the final result.”

www.crittall-windows.co.uk

Architects:                             Ferguson Mann Architects Ltd
6 King Street
Bristol
BS1 4EQ

Consulting Engineers:         Buro Happold Limited
Camden Mill
230 Lower Bristol Road
Bath
BA2 3DQ

Main contractor:                   BAM Construction
Millennium Gate, Gifford Court
Fox Den Road
Stoke Gifford
Bristol
BS34 8TT

 

TERRABASE RUSTIC RESIN BOUND PATHS FOR REDESIGN OF LOWER TERRACE GARDEN AT HISTORIC GERMAN VILLA

Building Products Index Ltd Resin Bound Surfacing Leave a Comment

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Addagrip Terraco is incredibly pleased that its patented resin bound porous surfacing system Terrabase Rustic has been selected for this prestigious restoration project in the historic Villa Hügel – marking the first installation of this minimum dig product in Germany.

Villa Hügel is a 19th century mansion in Essen, Germany, set in 28 acres of parkland overlooking the River Ruhr. Built in 1873 as a residence for the Krupp family, Villa Hügel is now open to the public. It is owned by the non-profit Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Foundation.

The redesigned south terrace of Villa Hügel, which is laid out in two levels, is based on historical plans by the architectural firm Förder-Landschaftsarchitekten and covered a total area of around 27000 m², including around 2300 m² of park paths with Terrabase Rustic resin bound permeable paving.

In the first construction phase, all paths on the ground level area of the upper terrace garden were restored with a water-bound natural stone path surface based on historical plans.

The same path surface was also planned for the lower second construction phase. However, due to the steep slopes of some stretches of path (some with 14-22% slopes), alternative surfaces were sought for these sections and for a main path intended for heavy vehicles. This was to alleviate concerns over washouts due to rain or damage by heavy machinery, which would have resulted in increased maintenance costs.

As few different path materials as possible needed to be used to achieve uniformity. A visual correspondence to the water-bound path surfaces was also desired. Therefore, materials had to be found that combined the design and technical requirements.

SURFACING REQUIREMENTS

The client required a low-maintenance product that could be driven over (by vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes), allow for easy drainage, and be suitable for steep gradients of up to 22%. The product should visually approximate a water-bound path surface, meet heritage requirements, and provide a seamless, jointless surface.

The aggregate, colour and installation quality had to meet the requirements of the overall architectural design and heritage conservation.

After considering various water-bound options, including a water-bound path surface with stabiliser and a resin-bound surface treatment with EP-reactive resin, the patented Addagrip Terrabase Rustic resin-bound permeable system in a 6-10 mm aggregate mix of Rustic Oak was selected.

The client’s previous visits to see Terrabase Rustic in situ included Wakehurst Place, part of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew in West Sussex, where extensive paths in woodland areas with similar terrain were laid using the Terrabase Rustic system. Terrabase Rustic is a low maintenance product that can be driven over, provides excellent porosity to aid drainage and is suitable for steep gradient changes. It offers a natural rustic looking finish that is seamless and provides excellent slip resistance.

Addagrip approved contractor KUTTER Spezialstraßenbau GmbH & Co. KG laid Terrabase Rustic in several construction phases between July 2020 and June 2021.

TESTIMONIAL

“Our paths on the south terrace with the new Rustic Oak Addagrip Terrabase path surface have proven themselves so far and visually blend very nicely into the overall picture.” (Andreas Seifert, Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Foundation)

SYSTEMS USED:

Terrabase Rustic using Long Rake Spar Grantex aggregates

CLIENT:

Thyssenkrupp AG for Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Foundation

ARCHITECT:

Förder-Landschaftsarchitekten

https://addagrip.co.uk/case-studies/villa-hugel-germany/

ACO and Aquality Create a Blue Roof Like No Other At Queen’s Gate Place Mews

Building Products Index Ltd Drainage Leave a Comment

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The ACO Blue roof installed at Queensgate Mews

ACO Building Drainage combined with Aquality to retrofit a blue roof in central London where it was initially thought not possible.

Part of the collection of quaint residential and commercial properties at Queen’s Gate Place Mews is The Lodge. Recently revamped and extended with a new mansard roof to enable a second storey, one of the key challenges of the project was meeting the SuDS (sustainable urban drainage system) requirement and managing the water runoff from the roof, as set out by the The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea planning committee.

Doing what no others can

With sustainable drainage as a vital factor of the extension being granted planning approval, Keystone consulted several blue roof manufacturers and roofing contractors to look at how this could be achieved. However, all the suppliers Keystone approached had refused the project and stated that it would be impossible, given the small roof area and the necessity of holding the water on the roof’s surface while controlling the runoff rate.

The patented ACO blue roof meets planning conditions and building regulations

ACO and Aquality stepped in with an approach that nobody else could offer. Using ACO’s innovative patented RoofBloxx attenuation system, this was adapted into a free-standing retrofit application that sits separately above the roof construction, without adding any risk of water leaking onto the mansard roof itself.

Martin Durham, Managing Director, and Owner of Keystone Construction said: “We were faced with a very tricky challenge set by the authorities. On one hand, to achieve planning permission, we had to comply by controlling the runoff to prevent flood risks and overwhelming the sewer. However, we couldn’t go forward with a typical blue roof, as holding water on top of a conventional roof invariably adds risk and goes against best practice of roof construction. Water will eventually seep into the roof layers and compromise the structure.

“This was a key reason for choosing to work with Aquality and ACO – as their solution was unlike anybody else’s. By being a standalone system, we could install it on top of the roof build up and it works independently of the roof. Alongside the ingenuity of the system itself, we were very pleased with the design service as well as the ease of the installation too.”

To learn more about our blue roof system and to watch our animation please see  https://www.aco.co.uk/blue-green-roofs

 

Fire Protection in Compartmentalised Roofs

Building Products Index Ltd Roofing Leave a Comment

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Working with Marley as a single source roofing solutions supplier will help ensure you meet all regulatory requirements for your clients. 

 

 

The Social Housing Regulation Bill
With concerns expressed in the Social Housing Regulation Bill about safety standards in some homes, the ability to offer reassurance about protection from the spread of roof fires should be a key factor in building specification choices.Read our blog about fire safety

 

 

Minimising the dangers

 

According to the government, fire services attended over 40,000 fire-related incidents at homes or primary dwellings over the last 12 months, highlighting the ongoing and obvious danger fires in home spaces – including the roof – present to lives and property. Current building regulations stipulate that any newly constructed home needs to be specified with fire protection measures in place to delay the spread of fire and allow crucial time to escape.

 

Marley Roof Defence

 

The role of a fire barrier is viewed by experts as an integral safety feature that can prevent the spread of flames between properties.

 

Marley Roof Defence fire barrier system is a simple to install and fully fire protective solution that achieves up to a 60-minute fire rating.

 

The Roof Defence fire barrier features two strips of intumescent material bonded at 90 degrees, with an inverted T design, which can simply be installed under tiles and between roof battens to close all gaps in the event of fire.

 

One Source Solutions

 

For ultimate peace of mind from specification to construction. A fully tested, complete roof system from Marley is also backed by a 15 year warranty

 

 

Part L

 

Marley SolarTile® is a roof-integrated solar PV system offering specifiers a carbon reducing, Part L compliant solution for new (or retrofit) housing developments.