"wood fibre boards etc"

The JG Graves Woodland Discovery Centre is being constructed in the Ecclesall Woods Sawmill as part of the Sheffield Woodlands Environment Enhancement Project.The centre runs craft courses all through the year from cider making to wood work skills. Public events in the autumn and spring celebrate Sheffield’s rich woodland heritage and demonstrates the unique facilities of the centre, as well as providing activities such as story telling, discovering nature and traditional uses of wood in the home and garden.The SolutionThe project entailed designing a center that harmoniously blended with the enchanting surrounding woodlands. The main building featured a grand ‘ski slope’ style roof, initially planned to be waterproofed using metal sheets. However, the client quickly realised that this approach would be prohibitively expensive.To meet the client’s requirements for a cost-effective alternative that maintained the intended appearance, they turned to Charlesworth Contractors—a Polyroof approved contractor with a proven track record of excellence. Recognizing the need for a swift and efficient waterproofing solution, we recommended the BBA Approved Polyroof 185 System with Lead Roll Effect trims.The first step involved fixing high-quality plywood boards onto the roof’s support beams to create the ski-slope shape. This foundation was then enhanced with GRP trims meticulously applied to replicate the appearance of traditional lead rolls. Finally, our renowned Polyroof 185 System was expertly installed, swiftly forming a seamless and highly durable waterproofing membrane.The implemented solution not only met the project’s time constraints but also exceeded expectations in terms of performance and aesthetics. With a 20-year insurance-backed guarantee, our Polyroof 185 system provided the client with peace of mind, assuring long-lasting protection for the roof. Furthermore, not only did our solution prove to be an attractive alternative to metal sheets, but it also offered significant cost savings.The successful collaboration between Polyroof, Charlesworth Contractors, and the client resulted in a waterproofing solution that seamlessly blended into the natural surroundings of the woodlands. Our advanced liquid roofing system, coupled with expert craftsmanship, delivered an outcome that was both visually appealing and economically viable. With the Polyroof 185 System, we demonstrated once again our ability to provide efficient, durable, and cost-effective solutions for even the most challenging roofing projects.

Using hexagonal INTRAshape entrance matting tiles exclusive to INTRAsystems, Aberystwyth Innovation and Enterprise Campus (Aberinnovation) creates a striking first impression on visitors. Available in five tessellating shapes and a variety of sizes, INTRAshape entrance matting tiles offer endless creative possibilities. Compatible with our complete range of INTRAlux fibre inserts, their aluminium frames can also be anodised to suit your designs.

Accoya wood has recently been specified by Architekturo Siemonsen for windows at private residence in Hamburg, Germany. Fitted by Reinhard Adling Accoya was chosen for this project because of its stability and durability properties over other woods. Accoya wood is the perfect substrate for windows and doors as its naturally insulating and is so stable that the coatings last longer.

Washrooms offering timeless beauty at Trinity Quay, Bristol.Trinity Quay, Bristol, is a modern Grade A office building comprising of high quality office space over the ground and 6 upper floors. The building undertook major refurbishment with ISG awarded the contract and Shire Integrated Systems Ltd installing the washrooms.Sylan Products Supplied:Real Wood Veneer Toilet CubiclesFlush fronted44mm thick doorsInvisible fixing systemFull height cubiclePerfect slip matchingAvailable in 11 Real Wood VeneerReal Wood Veneer Duct PanellingCo-ordinating Real Wood Veneer duct panellingCan match WC, Urinal and Wash Hand Basin panellingAvailable in 11 Real Wood Veneers

To ensure these new homes both are energy efficient and warm, the project team sought to surpass the Building Regulations. This led to the specification of Kingspan Kooltherm K106 Cavity Board, which boasts a thermal conductivity of just 0.18 W/m.K across all available board thicknesses. In addition to its outstanding thermal performance, Kingspan Kooltherm K106 Cavity Board also features a water–tight, vapour–open polypropylene fleece outer facing which protects against moisture penetration. As a result, it can be installed with a void of just 10 mm, limiting the thickness of the external walls.

An historic landmark in the Lake District has been given a new lease of life with the installation of StoTherm Mineral K external wall insulation and StoSilco finishing render. Built in 1937, the building in Keswick originally housed the UK’s first pencil factory, and now provides new headquarters and site for the Keswick Convention for the Keswick Ministries organization. After being used by the Cumberland Pencil Company the building had fallen into disrepair. Set at the entrance to Keswick, this important local landmark has now embarked on a £10.5m redevelopment project, split into four phases. The Sto materials have been used on the first phase which has seen the building’s front elevation fully restored, and they have also been specified for the remaining three stages of the work.The BBA-certified StoTherm Mineral K system combines impressive insulation with unrivalled fire protection characteristics. It features Sto-Mineral Fibre thermal insulation boards, which in this case were fixed to the substrate using StoLevell Duo Plus mineral bonding and reinforcing mortar.  “This allows any unevenness in the surface of the substrate to be accommodated and makes installation a fast and easy process,” comments Alan Rees of Eco Rend North East who installed the Sto system. This efficient single-leaf construction allows for excellent thermal performance without reducing the interior space, and as it requires no additional expansion joints, a smooth and unbroken exterior surface can be created.  An additional mineralic reinforcing coat was applied and the exterior surface was finished with StoSilco silicone resin render.  With high CO2 and water-vapour permeability, StoSilco render allows a weather- and water-repellant outer surface to be created in any of the 1,000+ colours available in the StoColor System.  

Luxury commercial washrooms to create the right impression at 110 Queens Street, Glasgow, a mixed-use development offering retail and office space, located on the former Bank of Scotland Building in Glasgow City Centre.Sylan Products Supplied:Sylan Real Wood Veneer Toilet CubiclesFlush frontedStrong and SecureInvisible fixing systemIdeal for where low environmental impact interiors are neededAvailable in 11 Real Wood VeneersReal Wood Veneer Duct PanellingCo-ordinating panelling to cubiclesInfinite repetition of colourAvailable in 11 Real Wood Veneers

Pengwern Farm, in Denbighshire, North Wales, run by Huw in partnership with his mother, has 400 milking cows and 200 followers, on 500 acres. High yielders are housed all year round and the whole herd is calved between July and January.Huw decided to use Profile 6 fibre cement sheets on the new shed to help keep moisture levels to a minimum and ensure a good, dry atmosphere.

With London’s new ‘Elizabeth Line’ open, Farringdon had been designed to create accessible, safe and comfortable spaces that people can move through easily and efficiently - with sound absorbing insulation playing a key role in minimising station noise for passengers and staff.The solution was the installation of ROCKWOOL RW3 Slabs 75mm thick incorporated in the perforated glass fibre and reinforced concrete tunnel linings of the platform and access areas.

Lead developer A2 Dominion is running the initial phase of the North West Bicester Eco town project, which has the long-term vision of providing up to 6,000 sustainable new homes and is the first of four planned Eco towns in the UK. Announced in the Government’s Planning Policy Statement in 2009, the Eco towns are designed to achieve zero carbon development and more sustainable living using the best new design and construction. The initial phase of the North West Bicester project is called the Exemplar and main contractor Wilmott Dixon has already started to build the first 94 of the 393 planned highly efficient true zero carbon homes which will create the UK's first zero carbon community that is using Rivendale Fibre Cement Slates for its roofing. Bicester Eco town was designed to achieve zero carbon development and more sustainable living using the best new design and construction. Rivendale fibre cement slates were specified for the roofs on the Exemplar phase by main contractor Wilmott Dixon. The homes are highly efficient true zero carbon homes which helped to create the UK's first zero carbon community.

Accoya® wood has been used in a distinctive residence in Paros, a popular Greek Island in the Aegean Sea. Atlas Wood, joinery manufacturer from Greece supplied 92 windows and doors to complete this project. Accoya wood was specified for the project because of its exceptional stability, class 1 durability and extended coating maintenance cycles required for this all year round warm Mediterranean climate.

Sleek minimalist shadow gaps create statement internal design elements, producing clean lines unimpeded by the traditional use of skirting boards, architraves and cornices. The features can be installed between walls, floors, skirting boards, windows, door frames and staircases throughout a building, or in specific areas such as hallways & kitchens to create maximum impact.

The Waterplein Revaleiland Amsterdam project was constructed by the contractor Knipscheer Infrastructuur BV, a medium-sized construction company specialising in infrastructure (roads, bridges etc.). With about 120 employees, Knipscheer carries out civil engineering work in the Netherlands.The criteriaAs the contractor, Knipscheer’s role was to construct a new and modern square for use by the general public at Waterplein Revaleiland. The project to build a pier presented challenges because the design criteria specified a wooden pier to match the existing environment. High safety standards and a modern design were the ultimate criteria for constructing the pier. Knipscheer chose PcP as a partner to supply the gratings for creating the wooden pier, with wood planks being installed into the gratings to create a perfectly straight line the full breadth of the structure. In such cases, steel beams are often used as a substrate for wooden planks, but this requires large quantities of steel and results in higher costs, and therefore mesh gratings were chosen for this project.The solutionTo create the new public square at Amsterdam Waterplein Revaleiland comprising one large wooden pier, Knipscheer chose PcP to supply 1,400 square metres of press-welded gratings. The mesh gratings are placed upside down on a concrete surface to ensure the wooden planks are stable.Each press-welded grating is tailormade to meet the specific dimensions, with a mesh size of 111 x 99/60 x 3 mm. Customised mesh sizes can only be made with a press-welded grating, and therefore this option was optimal for this particular project. The gratings were placed upside down on the concrete. Knipscheer then laid 28 mm thick hardwood planks into the gratings. The challenge here was to draw and produce mesh sizes in one line, so the wooden planks in each grating could meet the visual design criteria of appearing to be continuous wooden planks extending the full width of the pier.The collaborationThe collaboration with the contractor Knipscheer commenced in 2018. PcP worked close with the contractor throughout the entire project to meet the design and technical criteria of both Knipscheer and the client. Drawings and samples were supplied by PcP, Approved by the contractor’s customer.

When Jason and Nikki bought a 19th century clapboard house overlooking a beautiful stretch of the Essex countryside, the property came with planning permission to knock it down and build a new home.But keen to preserve a piece of history, the couple opted to restore the house instead, choosing Cedral facades to recreate the original clapboard look while benefiting from Cedral’s modern features.“We wanted the same look as before, to restore the house to how it had looked originally,” says Jason. “We also wanted a property that was as maintenance free as possible.”Which is why Cedral facades fitted the bill perfectly. Crafted for durability and long life with no need for regular repainting or maintenance, it has a minimum life expectancy of 50 years.Using Cedral Lap in elegant C01 White, the finished look is a beautiful New England style home that sits at the top of the hill. Finding the right shade of white was important to the couple and here again, Cedral met the requirements perfectly.“We went for Cedral C01 White because it’s more of a warmer shade, other options we looked at were too bright and cold. It’s a large area of cladding and we didn’t want it to be too blinding when the sun was on it. We also preferred the fact that Cedral offered a thicker board, it had more substance than the others we considered.”The fact that their builder said he preferred working with Cedral because of its high quality sealed the deal. “He did an amazing job on the installation,” says Jason. “It was all quite painless and everyone who visits comments on the workmanship.”The renovation is still ongoing and next they plan to build a garden office also using Cedral facades.“We would definitely recommend Cedral,” the couple say. “So many people say to us they can’t believe it’s not real wood. Because we’ve cleared back a lot of the overgrowth on the property, the house is now very visible from the road and we didn’t want anything that looked fake. We wanted to have that original wood finish that suits the style of the house and its original design, and yet be as low maintenance as possible.”And with Cedral that’s what they got. “Unless we used wood itself, we couldn’t have got any closer to the original style,” says Nikki. “Now everyone says it’s the prettiest house on the road.”

Colours inspired by the natural environment, combined with the outstanding performance of Forbo Flooring Systems’ luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and carpet tile solutions, have helped AMH Workspace create an uplifting working environment for Furniture Clinic’s new HQ, which ‘brings the outdoors indoors’.AMH Workspace was brought on board by Furniture Clinic as part of the refurbishment project to create a warm and welcoming new HQ for the company’s 65 employees. With wood being an integral part of the business, it naturally features prominently both on the external façade of the building and internally.A striking feature of the new 50,000 sq ft premises is the atrium area with a cedar slat wall covered with natural moss that catches the eye as soon as you enter the building. Full floor to ceiling height windows and a balcony area with open walkways completes the visual spectacle and have transformed the entrance area into a bright, welcoming and memorable space.“Using Forbo’s Allura Flex LVT flooring in Brown Raw Timber in the ground floor reception area adds warmth to such a vast space,” explained Heather. Available in 34 wood designs, Allura Flex comes in 4 different plank sizes, offering greater design freedom. The matte surface features a natural looking fine wood grain with a true to life embossing, while the tile’s special backing is designed for comfort and improved impact sound reduction. This has helped to control the noise in the expansive reception area.Heather continued: “We chose Allura Flex for its natural looking characteristics. The extra-large 150 x 28 cm planks were perfect for such a large space, while the 5mm thickness and 1mm wear layer offers exceptional performance, making it the ideal solution for this high traffic area.”Forbo’s Tessera Cloudscape carpet tiles in the green hues of Monsoon Cloud and Summer Storm have been used throughout the offices and meeting rooms. In the open office area, Cloudscape has been installed in conjunction with Allura Flex, again in the Brown Raw Timber colourway, to create separate work and meeting/breakout zones. Forbo’s range of Tessera carpet tiles combine well with Allura Flex LVT, as the same adhesive can be used during installation, which means there is no need for transition strips, enabling a seamlessly integrated flooring design.

When restoration of the UK’s last remaining open-pan salt works began, Eternit was integral to completing the £10 million industrial heritage project. Early in the design process, Eternit was consulted to assess the feasibility of using semi-compressed fibre cement profiled sheeting as roofing and cladding materials. To maintain the aesthetics of the original Lion Salt Works buildings with new products, Profile 6 and Profile 3 sheeting was used in Natural Grey.

With passenger growth at a five-year high, Heathrow Airport looked for new ways to make it easier and quicker for passengers to travel through the airport and board aircrafts quicker. dormakaba supplied and installed self-boarding gates, integrated with Heathrow’s Biometric system, as the ideal solution. Simon Wilcox, Heathrow Passenger Automation Programme Lead, recognised the growing number of passengers it handled every year and wanted an innovative way to make it easier and quicker for them to travel through the airport – without having to compromise on security. As such, the automation programme required implementing biometric gates that would bring facial recognition to each point of the departing passenger’s journey. The new technology would use facial recognition at check-in, bag drops, security lanes and boarding gates to create a seamless experience for passengers walking through the airport. When looking for the initial self-boarding gates, the team at London Heathrow Airport contacted dormakaba. After reviewing the requirements for the airport, dormakaba recommended and supplied its HSB-M03 Self Boarding Gates and PaxCheck Self Boarding Solution. dormakaba also provided its project management services, and the airport has taken out an on-going service contract for third and fourth line support. Andy Carter, Contracting Business Sales and Operations Director at dormakaba UK said “As part of their passenger journey, Heathrow required a bespoke and technically capable system to allow them to cope with the increasing passenger numbers whilst also providing a seamless passenger experience”. “The final project looks to have over 400 gates installed across the whole airport. Each one has dormakaba software on the gates, incorporating Heathrow’s biometric data, as well as a connection to the management server.” This challenge of complex integration was overcome by the close collaboration between dormakaba engineers and the project team with London Heathrow Airport’s team, and suppliers for third party products and systems. Currently, Terminals 2A, 2B and 5A have been completed, with Terminal’s 3, 4, 5B and 5C scheduled for completion by end 2020. Completed terminals now benefit from a market-leading, self-boarding solution that adheres to all the latest relevant security and build standards as well as third and fourth line support from dormakaba. Across these completed terminals, passengers present their boarding pass to a reader on the gate, which then scans and checks the pass with the airline’s Departure Control System (DCS) and either opens or remains closed depending on the response. For passengers departing on domestic flights, the gate also uses facial recognition technology to verify that the passenger boarding the aircraft either entered the airport through the front door or has been through a UK Border Force check since arriving on an international flight. Its installation being partnered with the airport’s chosen biometric provider Atkins, this system allows domestic passengers to mix with those transferring between international flights at Heathrow in the Common Departure Lounges, where they can enjoy all the benefits of the many dining and retail outlets, as well as the numerous lounges available. The self-boarding solution also includes a web-based administration programme, PaxCheck, that allows for management of the gates and sends reports of passengers and when they passed through – allowing for faster boarding, and fewer staff. This also means airport and airline management can have live stats on the numbers of passengers passing through the gates in any given period

2000sqm Optima FC concave panels in PPC Aluminium has been used on the brand new Carnegie School of Sport, along with 600sqm. of flat Optima FC in PPC Aluminium and 1200sqm. Optima FC in Anodised red etched panels. Optima FC concave rainscreen were designed to suite the architect’s vision, the main feature of the striking sports building is encased in red etched anodised panles are contrasting tones to replicate muscle fibres under the microscope.

AliDeck successfully supplied a diverse range of cutting-edge aluminium balcony solutions to the Manor Road Quarter project in Canning Town, London. The AliDeck Ultra Decking Board, AliRail Plate Fix 0.74kN Option (AliRail System 2), and the aesthetic AliClad Flow Cladding Board will now create a complete balcony solution, as this collaboration with Alloy Fabweld showcases our commitment to innovation and technical excellence.

AliDeck has successfully supplied a diverse range of cutting-edge aluminium balcony solutions to the Manor Road Quarter project in Canning Town, London. The AliDeck Ultra Decking Board, AliRail Plate Fix 0.74kN Option (AliRail System 2), and the aesthetic AliClad Flow Cladding Board will now create a complete balcony solution, as this collaboration with Alloy Fabweld showcases our commitment to innovation and technical excellence.

400 Longwater overlooks the central Longwater Lake. A stunning new building providing new office space to the Green Park development.Sylan Products Supplied:Real Wood Veneer Toilet CubiclesFlush frontedStrong, secure and luxuriousInvisible fixing systemFull height cubicleFSC CertifiedAvailable in 11 Real Wood VeneersSolid Surface WashtroughTimeless designHardwearingConsistency of colour throughoutMatching Real Wood Veneer under panelsAvailable in 12 Solid Surface colours

Sovereign House is in the heart of Brighton's commercial district.Sylan Products Supplied:Real Wood Veneer CubiclesFlush frontedStylish and elegantInvisible fixing systemFull height cubicleAvailable in 12 Real Wood VeneersFSC Certified

Architects: IDOMLocation: Donostia, SpainPhotography: Iñaki BergeraMaterial: NATURSIDING-WFinish: RustikThe Aldapeta María Ikastetxea School is the interpretation of modernity, sustainability, and innovation poured into architecture. With the original building demolished, which dated back to the 19th Century, the new school building accompanies the view of education into the future, leveraging new technologies.Efficiency has been key to this project through the use of geothermal energy and natural light used as a shaping tool of space. Our durable rain-screen system wood panels embrace the refinement and warmth typically of wood into the structure in juxtaposition with other materials such as concrete and metal resembling Japanese architecture, with its pure lines, rhythm, dynamism, and sobriety.To accentuate the rhythm and promote harmony between concrete and wood, we have opted for the vertical placement of the slats that evokes the patterns of the wood framework. Achieving such effect is possible given the aesthetics enhanced by the small piece that attains a harmonious relationship between wood and concrete. With an innovative setup in the architectural sphere composed of a hidden system with no visible screws or rivets, the slatted cladding can be placed vertically even in large buildings, and in an easy way that provides a sense of strength and uniformity to the whole. The PARKLEX PRODEMA panels new setup system allows achieving distinctive finishes with the warmth of the wood, longevity, durability, and limited to no maintenance requirements.

Bournemouth construction site is going GREEN with Klasse External Sheathing Board!

The £7m building project specified steel sheets in the original plans but concerns were soon raised about the potential reverberation and noise from wind, heavy rain and hail causing distress to the animals. In addition to this, the steel sheets would also have been susceptible to corrosion; caused by heat and moisture from the animals’ slightly acidic breath condensing on the relatively cooler underside of the roof. In place of the steel sheets, Eternit fibre cement Profile 6 sheets were chosen.

Eternit’s fibre cement open protected ridges were used to create an effective ventilation system in the bull accommodation unit at Knocknagael Bull Stud Farm - ensuring a constant outflow of stale, moist air. The width of the air gap created by the open ridge was specifically designed for the number of bulls and size of the building. Profile 6 sheeting from Eternit was also specified for the roof, thanks to its durability and low maintenance costs, as well as its noise insulation properties.

Having the right entrance matting to keep these shopper’s safe from slips and trips was a paramount requirement INTRAsystems proposed only the best and the most durable Entrance Matting option for Boots Piccadilly – INTRAform Matting. We also proposed the implementation of the Zonal System. As a result, INTRAform formed zone 2 matting and INTRAlux Elite Polyamide Fibre Insert formed Zone 3 matting. This Entrance Matting created the most effective barrier against the ingress of dirt and moisture into the store

To create safe and hygienic entrances at the new £65m Balfour Hospital in Orkney, architects specified INTRAform DM with a combination of inserts. The state-of-the-art rural general hospital serves the entire 21,000 strong population of the islands. With a traditional need for shelter against extreme weather conditions, a robust entrance matting system is essential to ward against slips. To create an effective barrier, the multiple entrances at The Balfour Hospital use a combination of fibre and rubber inserts within a single aluminium recessed system.

Keywest 3 is one developer to recognise the integral role of effective sound insulation in maintaining the comfort and lifestyle of high-rise dwelling on its latest landmark renovation project in South Shields.The company recognised that ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation could provide superior acoustic performance.With its dense, non-directional fibre structure, ROCKWOOL Sound Insulation effectively traps sound waves and dampens vibration to provide an enhanced noise reducing solution in this type of application.

The oldest street in Coventry features a newly built housing development that remains in keeping with the area’s historic background, thanks to the installation of Cembrit’s Jutland fibre cement slates. Far Gosford Street is setting of many historic stories. Now, it features a new gated community, comprising 30 three and four bedroom mews style houses. Kilby Mews forms part of a wider multi million pound private and public sector regeneration project to develop Far Gosford Street.

Westerland and Moorland, BBA certified fibre cement slates from Cembrit, have helped achieve a Code for Sustainable Homes and a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating for a newly built £30 million retirement village in Oxfordshire.Built by BAM Construct UK and due for completion in December 2016, the project is built in an attractive, traditional style which is complemented by Cembrit’s Westerland and Moorland slates. Based in Hertfordshire, BAM Construct UK worked with roofing specialist Attleys Roofing Ltd on the project.

Client: Cheval ResidencesLocation: Edinburgh, ScotlandSector: Hotel, Leisure & HospitalityYear: 2021Project Size: 150 m²System: vebroscreed Renovatevebroscreed Renovate, from Vebro Polymers, bonded to marine ply and concrete, has been installed across the ground floor reception and concourse leading to the bar area and restaurant.vebroscreed Renovate is a single part, fibre reinforced, cementitious smoothing underlayment screed, incorporating a blend of graded fillers, fine cements, and polymers, with excellent flow properties. The material is mixed with a cold-water addition to deliver a fine flow slurry that can be both pump and pour applied. The material has been used to level the existing concrete surface prior to the installation of terrazzo and ceramic tiles, which have been chosen in keeping with the listed building’s new interior scheme. Incorporating a specially formulated fibre technology, vebroscreed Renovate aids application and strength resulting in a strong, sound and even base that is ready to commence the tiling process after only 8 hours.All screeding on site has now been completed and the site turned over to the tilers, who are on track to complete ahead of building’s opening in a matter of weeks and to coincide with Scotland’s relaxation of international travel restrictions. 

This wonderfully designed project by Spaced Out Architecture incorporates the Topakustik 30/2M in American Walnut. Installed by T & M Building Services the Topakustik 30/2M planks (absorption class c, NRC 0.75) were manufactured with a moisture resistant core board and finished with an American Walnut veneer. Due to the environment of projects with spas and swimming pools the core board ensures the integrity of the structure and acoustic performance of the planks.

Architects Dixon Jones specified 600m2 Junckers solid oak flooring for Marlborough Primary School, a multi award-winning building on a densely populated urban site in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. The brief to create a primary school much larger than the original Victorian building on the existing site challenged Dixon Jones to design a school where teaching accommodation is arranged vertically around a series of cascading roof terraces. With nursery and reception classes on the ground, children progress upwards through the building the older they get, with the junior years arranged on the upper floors. The interior forms an equally dynamic environment for students and staff with teaching spaces arranged around communal halls and generous circulation areas. A large main hall and multi-use space, flooded with natural light from two central roof lights, features Junckers wide board oak flooring throughout, providing a natural, unifying backdrop. Junckers’ FSC and PEFC certified floors are a durable, long-lasting choice with low lifecycle costs. Made in solid wood, the floor can be sanded and refinished multiple times without losing its good looks or performance, ideal for a thriving community school. Main contractor: Mace; Joinery contractor: Swift Crafted; Photography: Paul Riddle. 

Cost-Effective High-Performance Retail Entrance MattingThe Howard Centre is a popular, two-storey shopping centre next to Welwyn Garden train station, welcoming hundreds of visitors a day. Old entrance mats weren’t performing well and didn’t give the right impression to visitors.INTRAsystems examined the dirt-filled, faded and very tired looking mats. Our survey and report highlighted the poor condition and potential hazards of the existing retail Entrance Matting.Within three months of our first visit, install partners Syncros completed an overnight replacement of two entrance mats totalling 50m2. The Howard Centre now has sustainable, economical and highly durable INTRAlink² PVC Grid Entrance Matting with Elite fibres. The facilities team can keep them looking fantastic for years to come with simple maintenance.A Welcome UpgradeWith our extensive experience of the retail sector, we understand the demands for long term performance and safety. Design tends to play a lessor role, ensuring shoppers stay safe and focus on the retailers beyond, although its still important to create a smart impression from the door.INTRAsystems’ condition reports always include suggestions for remedial work or upgrades based on the setting, so we proposed a closed construction, heavy-duty, cost-effective system – INTRAlink2 .The centre manager was very happy with the recommendations and quickly commissioned a replacement for the two worst condition entrance mats.Perfectly Suited for RetailINTRAlink2 is a heavy-duty, 100% recycled PVC system; perfect for easy maintenance and absorbing the inevitable dirt and moisture from so many pedestrians.It’s one of our most sustainable systems (download the EPD).Made up of modular tiles, it has a closed construction which keeps all dirt particulates on the surface for easy hoovering and is designed for multi-directional traffic, particularly suitable for retail environments.After confirming the specification, The Howard Centre ordered direct from Syncros. Once we received the order, we checked the specification was accurate and suitable for the application – something we always do, whether client’s order directly or via another supplier or contractor.Retail Entrance Matting Installation Exceeds Expectations“Thanks for your help with the entry matting, the two entrances that were completed look so much better.”Deputy Centre ManagerHigh Performance, Sustainable and Budget-Friendly INTRAlink2 is compatible with a full range of INTRAlux inserts. INTRAlux is a range of specialised fibres made from 100% recycled nylon fibres, which brush dirt and absorb moisture excellently. With 19 colours and 3 fibre compositions, we can easily incorporate design features, match in with existing entrance mats or apply logos.The Howard Centre chose the Elite 602 blue fibres to complement their brand palette. This gave them an efficient insert, +PTV 38 slip rating, and excellent UV-resistance, scraping action and sound absorption.Essential Upgrade in Extra Quick TimeAnother advantage is how fast INTRAlink2’ is to install. The material doesn’t require any specialist cutting tools and the product comes ready boxed in large, pre-connected square panels, so it’s ideal for a busy retail environment.The install team were able to easily work around existing pillars, angled walls, and safety railing fixtures within the centre entrances. Both Entrance Mats were replaced in one evening, eliminating any disruption to trade.With the new Entrance Mats now much easier to maintain, visitors get a better first impression and critically, are well protected from slip and trip hazards which are always a key concern for this type of environment.

“ Using the Hi-therm lintel helped us to achieve a pass rating keeping the air test above 5, therefore removing the need for mechanical whole house ventilation/heat recovery, or alternatively other renewable energy products such as PV. Whilst the Hi-therm was not the only resolution, it is a combination of various products and u-values etc. which achieve the pass; Hi-therm helped to achieve the pass in this instance. ”Chris CarrollQuantity SurveyorLagan HomesHi-therm SolutionFull technical support and site-specific Psi value calculations provided.Hi-therm’s performance contributed to the saving of upwards of £1000 per plot on other sustainable technology.Hi-therm does not require any ongoing maintenance, unlike many alternative sustainability solutions.Project DetailsSt. Inns development at Moira, Co. Down, includes detached and semi-detached 3 and 4 bedroom house types and Hi-therm was specified on each home.