Managing the interface between buildings with structural glass

Building Products Index Ltd Glass Leave a Comment

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Structural glass specialists Ion Glass discuss why a bespoke glass linkway is often the best solution, especially with heritage and listed buildings

Linking older or heritage buildings with a modern extension can cause a number of problems: current building techniques are very different from those used in the past and some heritage organisations and planners often stipulate a visual separation between old and new.

The bespoke structural glass linkways built by Ion Glass create an interface between buildings of different ages and styles, providing an effective physical and visual divide.

  • A linkway can be constructed from channel set glass panels with minimal footings, overcoming issues relating to disparate foundations and building techniques.
  • The glass linkway will allow for some movement between two buildings of different ages and structure.
  • Specifying either single or double glazing allows a choice between a simple weather resistant glass corridor or an integral element of the building, fully compliant with heat loss requirements.
  • Use of structural glass fins or beams can achieve a minimal result without visible fixings
  • Ion Glass technicians will assist with design and specification to ensure the optimum result, meeting all requirements for you or your client.

Each Ion Glass linkway is individually designed, manufactured and installed to meet the precise requirements of the client.  Check out these projects:

A glass linkway makes a separate extension an integral part of the property:

A modern family room extension was linked to an original listed heritage building with a structural glass linkway.  Use of glass beams in the construction gives an exceptionally stylish and contemporary result with minimal fixings, meeting all the requirements of both building control and  listed property approval. A glass door in the structure opens onto the terrace, making this an effective porch space as well as a link between the two structures.

This suspended glass linkway with a non-slip glass floor connects the original heritage building with a new extension.  Ion Glass installed the linkway at first floor level to overcome locational differences in height and to allow a continous ground-level walkway around the house with access to the garden.

Linking two buildings to create a congruent living space

A recent barn conversion developed a number of farm buildings around a central courtyard to create a luxurious living space.  The deceptively simple L-shaped structural glass linkway Ion designed and installed is made from double-glazed panels to make it an integral element of the home, retaining warmth as well maximising the light.

Custom glass linkway facilitates commercial expansion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A firm of London solicitors expanded into the building next door and required a substantial structural glass link with maximum light flow for the new reception and meeting space. Ion Glass installed a series of double-glazed glass roof panels combined with double-height glass panels at either end and huge structural glass windows to add to the feeling of light and space.

A glass linkway can provide an effective option for modern homes too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The passageway between the house and the garage on this modern property was previously a draughty wind tunnel.  Ion Glass enclosed it with a glass linkway to create a weatherproof space without the need for additional footings.

Take a look on our website for inspiration on many other reasons to choose Ion Glass for your residential, commercial, heritage or ecclesiastical project.

 Our expert team will discuss your individual requirements and provide a full technical support and installation service whether you are managing a project for a church or heritage building or commissioning structural glass for leisure, residential, or commercial properties.

For more information on glass linkways, glass doors,  glass screens, internal or external balustrades,  structural glass porches,   or other architectural glass installations call us on 0345 658 9988,  send us an email via info@ionglass.co.uk or click on the enquiry form on our website.

The Leading Experts in High-Profile Listed and Historic Building Waterproofing Projects

Building Products Index Ltd Waterproof Membranes, waterproofing Leave a Comment

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Listed and Historic Building Waterproofing Project Video

Written by Warren Muschialli

When it comes to high-profile waterproofing projects, Newton Waterproofing is the name that stands out. With our extensive range of products as well as our history and expertise, we have become the go-to company for waterproofing solutions in both commercial and domestic properties across the UK.

Whether it’s a new-build project or an existing structure, we have the perfect solution to tackle any size of project, with the ability and know-how to meet the complexity of listed building requirements making us the ideal choice for preserving historical structures while providing effective waterproofing solutions.

We can provide waterproofing systems and solutions that are ideally suited for meeting listed building requirements and have been used to treat properties such as the British Museum, the Royal Courts of Justice, and the Houses of Parliament.

Fire Resistant Tunnel Waterproofing at the British Museum

Earlier this year we worked on a project to address water ingress in the tunnels beneath the Grade 1 listed King Edward VII Galleries, part of the British Museum complex in London.

The water ingress was causing concern about the quality of air supplied to the gallery, so Newton collaborated with Arti Structural Waterproofing and Oldroyd to develop a unique membrane system that would protect against both water ingress and fire. This allowed the tunnels to be reinstated as the primary air supply to the galleries, with the team proposing a system that met all requirements for waterproofing and fireproofing a Grade 1 listed building.

The solution involved cleaning and repairing the tunnel walls and floors before installing the flexible, cement-based HydroCoat 107 Elastic 2K as a primary Type A barrier, sealing any existing leaks where a Type C system was not feasible. Following this, the unique Oldroyd Xtf membrane provided a full Type C cavity drain membrane system to the walls and floors – cavity drain membrane systems are widely accepted in listed structures due to their maintainability and reversibility.

The Oldroyd Xtf membrane used in this project is exclusive to Newton and produced by specialist manufacturer Oldroyd in Norway using environmentally friendly raw materials. It is also tested according to the EN 13501-1:2007+A1:2009 standard for fire classification of construction products and building elements, achieving a B-s2.d0 fire rating.

Additionally, CDM 520 eco Floor was used beneath the floor build-up, providing maximum drainage capacity to the pumping system for any ingressing water.

The project faced challenges such as high humidity levels and the prospect of fitting fire-rated membranes in extremely constrained spaces, all while ensuring effective installation around existing services which could not be removed.

Despite these challenges, Newton and Arti completed the project successfully over ten weeks, delivering a waterproof, fireproof, and maintainable solution. The client now has a system that meets their requirements and will be regularly serviced by Arti Structural Waterproofing.

Waterproofing the Royal Courts of Justice

Newton Specialist Basement Contractor Stonehouse were tasked with waterproofing the Judges’ Robe Rooms in the below-ground vaults at the Grade 1 listed Royal Courts of Justice to create a Grade 3 habitable space. This project followed their successful waterproofing of the vaulted bird beak Victorian arches in the same building.

To waterproof the intricate vaulted areas, Stonehouse installed a full Type C waterproofing system utilising Newton CDM 508 Mesh membrane, which required careful detailing and expertise to ensure proper installation. The membrane was carefully lapped, sealed and fixed using different specialist plugs depending on whether the membrane was applied to the vault spring and above, or on the vertical plane.

The Newton CDM System is our Type C water management system that captures and diverts any water ingress down to the BaseDrain drainage channels for safe removal away from the property. For this project, a direct plaster finish was applied onto the meshed membrane for a high-quality finish in keeping with the structure’s listed status.

The result of Stonehouse’s installation was the creation of a Grade 3, completely dry and habitable internal environment, ensuring that it would be suitable for its intended purpose.

The installation also conformed to Listed Building requirements by designing a maintainable and reversible system that also retained the building’s unique design characteristics.

Waterproofing the Houses of Parliament

Newton Waterproofing was chosen to provide a waterproofing solution for the Houses of Parliament in London. The project required both external and internal waterproofing systems, as well as a polyurea roofing system.

Our self-healing HydroBond 403 Plus membrane was used externally to provide a waterproof barrier around the new-build basement extension to the iconic Grade 1 listed London landmark. Internally, our CDM 508 and CDM 520 membranes were applied from floor to ceiling as part of the Newton CDM System for providing a full cavity drainage solution.

The finished structure also received a polyurea coating and additional drainage membrane on the roof deck of the basement.

The result is a fully compliant and guaranteed waterproof basement that provides durable protection against water ingress through the combination of multiple types of waterproofing.

The Leading Experts in Waterproofing Solutions

The Newton team has proven time and again that we are the leading experts in waterproofing solutions for high-profile projects.

Our extensive range of products and expertise make us the go-to company for both commercial and domestic properties across the UK, and with our ability to meet the complexity of listed building requirements, we have successfully preserved historical structures while providing effective waterproofing solutions.

How Can Newton Waterproofing Help You?

We are dedicated to providing high-quality waterproofing services throughout the UK, and our team of experienced professionals and specialist contractors have the expertise to tackle even the most challenging projects. We adhere to industry standards and use proven methods, ensuring long-lasting results and peace of mind, so contact us today to get started.

 

A masonry solution to meet the MMC demand

Building Products Index Ltd Blocks, Concrete Leave a Comment

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H+H Vertical Wall Panels represent a masonry MMC solution that provides the speed of offsite with the familiarity of a traditional build. Offering the ability to construct a complete house shell in just five days, these storey-high panels of aircrete are used to form the inner leaf of external walls, separating walls and internal partitions.

Fabricated offsite, the panels are craned into place for an accelerated construction process that retains the reassuring characteristics of a high-performance masonry build.

On site, Vertical Wall Panels are placed onto standard foundations and installed using H+H VWP mortar – a fast-setting and very strong mortar that forms a 2mm airtight joint.

The overriding advantage of Vertical Wall Panels is the speed of build – and this is best demonstrated where the panels are used as part of a complete housebuilding package.

When combined with prefabricated timber floors and a prefabricated roof system, Vertical Wall Panels provide a system-build solution that can construct the superstructure of a house from foundation to roof within five days onsite.

This provides a watertight and airtight shell for follow on trades to move into, and one which is constructed using a material they are familiar with so no additional training is required for site workers.

Offering flexibility and durability

Aircrete is a lightweight masonry material, combining proven durability and high acoustic, thermal and airtight performance with the ease of use that comes with a lighter material making it easy to cut and work with.

H+H Vertical Wall Panels are manufactured in a range of heights with a width of 600mm and a thickness of 100mm. As aircrete can be cut on site, it is easy to accommodate window and door openings while providing infill sections as appropriate. This also gives the flexibility needed to adjust panels to cope with site tolerances and onsite modifications and means less product waste on site.

Tried, tested and proven

Building with H+H Vertical Wall Panels is not a new solution. In fact, the system has already been widely used across Europe for years and over 2,000 houses have been completed so far in the UK.

It is also an established Modern Method of Construction recognised by the NHBC. The system is part of the NHBC Accepts scheme which recognises innovative building systems that have been rigorously tested to meet the construction body’s stringent standards.

H+H Vertical Wall Panels combine the cost benefits associated with offsite construction with the reassuring familiarity and performance of masonry, offering an MMC system that will stand the test of time.

To find out more about the system visit: https://www.hhcelcon.co.uk/products-applications/methods-modern-mmc/system-build-vertical-wall-panels

Paint partnership for latest office-to -flats conversion

Building Products Index Ltd Mineral Silicate Paint, Paint Leave a Comment

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Fairfax House, located in the Arena Quarter of inner-city Leeds is the latest building to undergo a complete renovation, converting a no-longer needed office space into residential accommodation. The 1960’s, seven storey office block, will be transformed into 154 studio and one-bedroomed apartments, with an additional two- storey extension.

Recent fire safety and building regulations insist that relevant buildings above 11m require that only non combustible materials are used on their exterior. It’s no surprise therefore that KEIM Mineral Paints, which conform to these most stringent standards, were specified by Colbre Projects to be used as the exterior paint on Fairfax House.

Paul Milligan, Business Development Manager at KEIM UK helps to explain, ‘We have been involved with various housing associations and councils as awareness of our fire resistant paint becomes more prominent. Our KEIM Soldalit exterior paint meets the A2-s1,d0 fire resistance standard, and this is just one of the properties which make our products ideal for residential buildings and wholly unique. Not only are all of our products made from natural mineral ingredients, they are also breathable, non-toxic, low VOC, and most relevant for Fairfax House, fire resistant.’

It made sense for KEIM to work with a specialist architectural spray-painting company, ORS Limited, that had the knowledge and capabilities needed for such a tall and prestigious project.

Original Surface

KEIM Soldalit applied

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jo Thornicroft, Sales Director at ORS Limited explains, ‘We have completed over 400 site rollouts for customers including Habitat, BMW, and Next providing retail shop fronts, cladding and curtain walling. The Fairfax House project utilises our vast architectural spray-painting experience. This application technique ensures that the KEIM Soldalit is applied evenly, and effectively. Imagine painting a seven-storey building! This method is far more time efficient, and therefore better for the building, and the client, to reduce application time and minimise disturbance.’

The project which started in April 2023, is due for completion at the end of this year and uses the combined skills of Leeds based buy to let property company YPP, and Brewster Bye Architects.

KEIM Mineral Paints Limited – https://www.keim.com/en-gb/

Soldalit product information – https://www.keim.com/en-gb/products/exterior-paints/soldalit/

ORS Limited – https://orservices.co.uk/

The constant reliable solution on the ever changing showering market

Building Products Index Ltd Tile backer boards Leave a Comment

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Inevitably as sustainable requirements within the construction sector rise, waterproofing of wet areas is also facing stricter regulation. Rising issues and failures across shower, wet room and bathroom POD installations with water ingress and leaks, prompted NHBC to issue the technical guidance 9.2/06 in the area of substrates for tiling with special attention to tanking systems used beneath tiles. Providing unrivalled peace of mind for everyone involved, wedi has an array of products to meet this new guidance.

wedi is certified: wedi products satisfy the construction guidelines and regulations that are valid in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. As part of the ARDEX family, the manufacturer can offer not only 100% waterproof and loadbearing XPS tilebacker boards and shower systems with all required certifications (CE, UKCA, UKNI, BBA, EPD, VOC A+) but also, compatible adhesives and grouts for direct tiling without the need of additional waterproofing.

wedi is modular: products are designed to interlock with one another and work with clever accessories in order to truly complete the waterproofing of the installation, forming the well-known wedi system.

wedi is comprehensive: whatever the project is – renovation or new build, stud or block, wood or concrete, wet room, bathroom or wellness – a multitude of suitable wedi products offer a full system solution that provide the same assurances from the floor to the ceiling.

wedi is fundamental: wedi substructures provide basic requirements such as 100% watertightness without the need for additional tanking, excellent thermal insulation (0.036W/mK) and vertical weight load capability (133kgs/m2) whilst creating enduring value as a result.

wedi is versatile: even with the most far-sighted planning, the unexpected can happen. The versatility and customisable nature of wedi products allows for subsequent changes with little effort.

wedi is guaranteed: insulating, decoupling, cladding, sealing, constructing, designing – whatever the requirement wedi has the solution – a whole bathroom from a single source with a 10 year quality guarantee and a 100% watertight finish.

wedi is effortless: wedi’s premium quality product range characterised by its diversity, simplicity and reliability saves time, cost and labour whilst also cutting back on risks associated with additional installation steps.

wedi’s technical support service is outstanding: on-site support and training for qualifying projects is also available.

For perfect compliance with sustainable requirements, choose wedi’s comprehensive waterproofing system marked to EAD 030437-00-0503. PLAN GREEN THINK BLUE – KNOW YOUR XPS!

Email enquiries@wedi.co.uk

Choose your perfect interior filler

Building Products Index Ltd Filler Leave a Comment

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Interior renovation can involve a number of jobs, and to get the best results it’s vital you pick the best fillers for each kind of work you’re faced with. But how do you assess what you need?

It all starts with an evaluation of your site. What kind of surfaces will you be working with? Holes, gaps and cracks all need filling, but what kind of finish are you looking to achieve? Are you working with a bare surface or a painted one? Is it made of plaster? Concrete? Is it textured? Assessing this will allow you to better select the products you need, whether it’s for filling, skimming, fine finishing or a combination of different work. Just remember that a filler designed for a specific purpose will always give you the best results. All-purpose fillers are popular amongst DIYers, but we all know the saying about a jack of all trades…

Equally important is how you choose to work. Having the right filler for the right job doesn’t mean you have a lack of choice. Perhaps you favour the convenience of a ready to use filler or prefer the satisfaction and added benefits of mixing it yourself. If time is of the essence, you might be keen to use a fast-drying filler.

Ready to use fillers are appreciated for their convenience, though take longer to dry than powder fillers. Yet, specially formulated ready to use fillers for smoothing or fine finishing are often appreciated for their unlimited open time, meaning you’re not time-limited in your application. Powder fillers, meanwhile, typically have a working time of 30-40 minutes before they begin to harden, though they are capable of filling to any depth and do not shrink or slump.

Fast drying fillers can also be found in both powder and ready to use form. Toupret’s Quick Dry Filler, for example is a powder filler that’s ready to paint in 3 hours, whilst Quick Fill is a lightweight, ready mixed filler that can be painted in as little as 30 minutes. Once again, however, it’s all down to your job needs as well as your preference.

As the trend in the use of plasterboard in developments and renovation continues to grow, options for taping, jointing and finishing your plasterboard are also increasing to cater to every jobsite demand. Manual options include fillers certified for jointing plasterboard in both powder and ready to use form, quick drying solutions to help you meet that looming completion date, or ready mixed compounds designed with unlimited working times for covering larger areas while minimising waste and mixing time.

Time, money and effort savings reach a new level with a filler that can be machine applied. Airless spray plastering is a relatively new technology in the UK that uses a high-pressure machine, much like a paint sprayer, to force specially formulated filler (or ‘plaster’) onto a surface for use as a jointing, levelling or finishing compound. The system allows you to cover a far greater area faster than doing the work by hand, meaning you can finish the job quicker, economising on labour and cost.

Toupret offers an extensive range of interior fillers for filling and repairs, skimming, levelling and finishing, as well as plasterboard jointing and finishing solutions and fillers for use with airless machines.

Head on over to toupret.co.uk  or the Toupret mobile app to try out their easy selection and comparison tools – compare up to 5 products that interest you and find the perfect one for your job.

Pre-Assembled Earth Retaining Systems: The Terramesh Family

Building Products Index Ltd Gabions, Landscaping Leave a Comment

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Maccaferri Terramesh® Family includes different facing options to build Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) structures and Reinforced Soil Slopes (RSS). It consists of pre-assembled units of double-twist wire mesh (8×10 type) ready to be assembled when they reach the job site. The geogrid reinforcement, fascia and lid are all one continuous panel of mesh, requiring no cuts operations on site. Terramesh® units are fabricated from high-quality steel wire plus an additional polymer coated (Polimac) to ensure 120 years of design life. PoliMac is a revolutionary coating that can withstand the most aggressive environmental conditions, leading to a great performance upgrade. PoliMac ensures:10x resistance to abrasion2x resistance to chemical aggressions4x performance in cold weather4x resistance to UV rays

Terramesh® units are produced in our factories around the world. The management and production system in many of our factories is certified in compliance with ISO 9001. There are three different facing options: gabion (Terramesh® System), vegetated (Green Terramesh®) or architectural (Mineral Terramesh®).Terramesh® System is a modular system used to form a gabion-faced MSE wall. The facing section of the unit is formed by connecting a back panel and diaphragms to the main fascia unit, thus creating the rectangular-shaped cells used for stone confinement. The geogrid reinforcement, fascia and lid are all one continuous panel of mesh. Terramesh® System units are supplied in standard lengths, requiring no cuts on site. Following assembly on site, the fascia unit is filled with suitable gabion stone fill. Structural backfill is then placed upon the soil reinforcement geogrids and compacted. Green Terramesh® is an environmentally friendly modular system used to form vegetated (green) faced soil-reinforced slopes (RSS) and embankments.

It has been used globally on some of the most significant infrastructure schemes. It consists of pre-fabricated units of double twisted wire mesh (8×10 type) lined with an erosion control blanket and stiffened with a welded mesh panel. Two pre-formed steel braces are supplied to be connected at the job site to maintain the unit to the required slope angle. The angled front face and the erosion control blanket are designed to facilitate the establishment of natural vegetation of the units; an important requirement of Green Terramesh®. As all components are factory fitted, Green Terramesh® is more rapid to install than competitor-reinforced soil systems.

The unit is simply erected on site, the bracing angles support the face at the designated angle without the need for any external formwork or shuttering. Structural backfill is placed upon the soil reinforcement geogrids, and a suitable fill is placed immediately behind the front face. For example, on a revegetating ‘Earth Type’ unit, good quality topsoil would be placed immediately behind the front face to promote the rapid vegetation of the slope. Mineral Terramesh® is a unique and simple-to-install soil reinforcement system with a sloping rock face finish. It is ideal for use where a modern, clean-faced aesthetic is preferred. Mineral Terramesh® components are factory-fitted preassembled units ready for rapid erection on site with a design life of 120 years. The installation is simple with no connection requirement between Geogrid and the assembled unit. The Mineral Terramesh® units do not need any form of the external framework due to the heavily galvanised welded mesh panels and bracing struts which hold the face at the correct angle during construction.

Please contact Maccaferri UK  for details on the compliance and certification in your area.

Designing climate resilient Blue Roof attenuation systems.

Building Products Index Ltd Building Drainage, Drainage Leave a Comment

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Given the unprecedented extremes in climate change that the UK has experienced in the last few years, local and national planning policies have developed to ensure that developers, architects and engineers fully consider the impact that a changing climate will have on the performance of buildings.

For example, the recently revised London plan requires developers to incorporate ‘urban greening’ on new developments, and to consider rainwater water reuse as the priority in managing surface water runoff. This has seen a substantial increase in specification of blue roof attenuation systems, which are seen as an ideal method for managing both extremes of climate change in conjunction with green roofs, as they control run off and can help mitigate the effects of summer storms and the flash flooding, they can cause. Blue roofs also provide the added benefit of enabling water to be reused either as a passive irrigation system or as a more conventional rainwater harvesting system.

However, the design of blue roof attenuation systems is not governed by any specific standards, and it is important to understand the differences in function of a flat roof system and that of a blue roof attenuation system. The design of flat roof systems is governed by a well-established range of British and European standards, as well as Building Regulations. These standards promote the fast and efficient removal of rainwater from the roof surface, as the longer the rainwater sits on the roof the greater the risk of water ingress into the building.

A blue roof attenuation system on the other hand is designed to do explicitly the opposite, as the intention, for very valid reasons, is to hold and retain water for specific periods of time to control flooding and to potentially retain water on the roof structure for later reuse.

Virtually all the currently available blue roof systems rely on the roof waterproofing and roof drainage system having dual functionality and start from the premise that you are designing a roofing system, when what you should be designing is an attenuation system that is located on the roof.

If you take the view that you are designing a roofing system then there are a number design issues that need incredibly careful consideration, for example the number, positioning, and sizing of roof outlets, roof fall gradient, type of roof construction, and period that water is retained on the roof. With this approach you are designing two opposing functions for the roof which will require design compromise, noncompliance to known standards and accepted best practice, and will therefore increase overall building design risk.

Given the novelty of ‘blue roof’ systems it should not be a surprise that developers and buildings insurers are uneasy siting such attenuation systems above residential developments or critical infrastructure, but this need not be the case if a more logical design approach is adopted.

Unlike a normal flat roof that is visible and open to the elements a blue roof system is often a covered structure that may have hard or soft landscaping above it making it difficult to see if the system is performing. If the system becomes blocked then water will be retained in a semi-permanent fashion if there is not an early warning system, or a regular maintenance regime in place.

Designing for resilience, not only requires compliance with standards but also demands full consideration for worst case scenarios: What if the system is not maintained and becomes blocked, how do we want the roof drainage system to perform in such an instance? What if climate change is considerably worse than has been predicted such that the system regularly overtops, how do you want the system to perform in this situation? These are foreseeable events that require design solutions.

The ACO Solution

The ACO RoofBloxx patented blue roof attenuation system answers these design challenges and achieves this by ensuring that function and form are not confused by creating a separate open attenuation system that sits and operates independently of the roof waterproofing and drainage system.

By creating a separate system, ACO ensures that the roof can drain slowly during the design rainfall events, and to hold water for reuse, but that in extreme and unforeseen events e.g., the system is blocked, or the design event exceeded during storms, that the roof can drain quickly in compliance with all recognised building standards. Most importantly water is not encouraged to remain in contact with the roof waterproofing any longer that accepted design practise allows.

This gives Peace of Mind to designers, developers, insurers and building owners, as the ACO system increases the resilience of the overall roofing structure and therefore eliminates unnecessary risk. Additionally, by separating design responsibility there is a clear demarcation between engineering and design disciplines.

Resilience, sustainability, and net zero are standard watchwords for a new generation of designers that seek to increase the functionality and design life of buildings. Understanding the function of a system is critically important to designing an appropriate solution. The ACO RoofBloxx system enables building regulations and planning conditions to be met and enables a climate resilient system to be installed that helps alleviate surface water run-off and does not compromise the fabric of the building.

To visit our blue roof page please and watch the animation of our system click here

Eurocell one of the first to supply triple-glazing windows to Taylor Wimpey

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

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Eurocell fabricator, Rapid PVCu has secured the first triple glazed site for Taylor Wimpey in Sunderland.

National housebuilder Taylor Wimpey will use Eurocell’s Modus windows system at its Herrington View residential scheme in Penshaw, Sunderland.

Doncaster-based Rapid PVCu is a new-build specialist and has worked with Eurocell, the UK’s leading manufacturer, distributor, and recycler of PVC-U building products for 14 years.

Eurocell’s market-leading Future Homes Ready Modus window system is made from 50% average post-consumer recycled PVC-U and is manufactured using innovative dual material extrusion technology (DMET). The ultimate sustainable option, with a significantly lower carbon footprint than profiles made or recycled outside the UK.

For the new homeowners that will move into the neighbourhood, with U-values as low as 0.86, the triple glazed windows will reduce carbon emissions, use less energy to heat and present higher levels of security.

Eurocell has been working closely with national housebuilders to enable them to achieve energy efficiency and carbon reduction targets that meet the Future Homes Standard.

 

Martin Benn, Head of New Build at Eurocell comments: “Working collaboratively with housebuilders is something we really value at Eurocell, and this project is another example of the demand for our market-leading Future Homes Ready Modus system that ensures housebuilders meet the requirements that will be introduced in two years’ time. We look forward to the scheme completing and for future projects with Taylor Wimpey.”

John Duggan at Rapid PVCu adds: “This has been a fantastic project to work on collaborating with both the Eurocell and Taylor Wimpey teams to provide innovative, triple glazing windows which are the highest quality of their kind. Triple glazing really is the best option for lowering energy consumption and the fact that the Modus window system is made with recycled PVC-U makes them incredibly attractive for housebuilders. The windows will look really smart once the homes are finished and will provide longevity and energy efficiency for the new owners.”

If you have any questions or would like more information then please email newbuild@eurocell.co.uk or call 0870 120 3003.

Motala vertical platform lift creates an inclusive coworking shared office space

Building Products Index Ltd Lift, Platform Leave a Comment

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Client: Peldon Rose
Project: Rank Foundation

Project overview

Peldon Rose, a leading office and design expert in London, required an access solution for The Rank Foundation’s new coworking space in Shoreditch. The Rank Foundation is the philanthropic organisation and charitable legacy of Joseph Arthur Rank (1888-1972) who aimed to improve lives and communities by developing leadership and promoting enterprise. Their brief was to create an inclusive central hub for the Rank Foundation and social sector that reflected the ethos of its founder, Joseph Arthur Rank. Accessibility was a key element of the project brief to create a welcoming space where the Foundation’s staff and network of supporting members could collaborate at ease without physical barriers.

The access solution

To create a clear passage for wheelchair users through the whole office the plan was to remove the original staircase joining the two floors and replace it with a wheelchair lift solution.

The Platform Lift Company visited the site and advised that the sloped glass ceiling above the stairwell on the first floor would restrict the installation of a full height platform lift door and that a half height model would be required. Due to the layout of the first floor, it was also identified that the lift would need to be reconfigured with the door on the upper landing opening to the side rather at the front to provide a clear turning circle for wheelchair users.

The Motala 2000 was recommended. This bespoke platform lift has interchangeable doors that come in full and half height. It could also be fully glazed on all four sides to meet Peldon Rose’s design requirements.

The platform lift was manufactured to specification and installation was carried out within the desired timeframe with minimal disturbance to the building or other contractors working onsite.

Results

The Rank Foundations’ new coworking space is now fully accessible to its employees and members. There is a natural flow of travel between the two floors with the lift doors opening at the front on the ground floor and then to the side on the first floor. The half height platform lift door on the upper landing stands clear of the sloped glass roof creating a light and airy environment.

Aesthetically the fully glazed platform lift is clean, unobtrusive and fits with the muted colour scheme used throughout the office to create a calm sensory experience for organisation and its visitors.