"foamglas®"

Our Thermopine® cladding, painted black, is the ideal companion to a traditional stone and slate cottage in the Scottish Highlands. The new elements of the home focused on clean, sharp lines, and painting the cladding black allowed for a strong contrast to the neighbouring traditional cottage.

Challenge Paving and flagstone products from the Netherlands were specified in the project plans for this regeneration of Dublin City University’s outdoor, communal areas and footpaths.Additional transport costs and CO2 emissions were involved in the project as the products were being shipped from the Netherlands.Solution - AG explained to the Landscape architect, it could produce bespoke paving and flagstone products with a similar finish to those already specified, and the products would be durable, available in various colours and sizes, and produced sustainability.AG created a display sample using Plaza paving and TerraPave® flagstones. The architect was satisfied with the finish and changed the specification – choosing AG’s products.By using a local supplier, like AG, the client received a greener and cost-effective solution as transport costs and CO2 emissions were reduced.AG supplied 6,500m2 of bespoke Plaza paving and 1,000m2 of TerraPave® flagstones during phase one of this project. In phase two an additional 1,000m2 of Plaza paving was supplied.AG’s Plaza paving is available in 11 colour blends and in a variety of colour intensities, depths and formats. Its surface is formed from natural granite aggregates giving it is durability. Its production uses several recycled materials, 90% of harvested rain and 100% renewable energy. It also has an excellent slip resistance rating and is a colour-fast product.TerraPave® is an aesthetically attractive and durable flagstone that uses the finest granite and quartz aggregates from around Europe to create its top layer. In both ground and textured finishes, TerraPave® is available in ten colours that complement AG’s Plaza paving – each produced with natural aggregates to ensure long-term colourfastness. With its range of depths and sizes and slip resistance quality – it’s a cost effective and a practical alternative to traditional stone paving.This project commenced in November 2018 and was completed in November 2019. The order value to AG was approximately €260,000 and AG was able to supply the products within the budget and timeline specified in the plan.

Project detailsAfter 30 years of manufacturing, a tumbler room floor at Alinabal Inc.’s facility had begun to seriously deteriorate. The company uses a heavy duty soap to wash and deburr steel parts in their industrial tumblers, then pours the liquid out onto the flooring beneath and rinses it into a trough.Over time, harsh chemicals in the soap began to eat away at the floor. Even to the point that they had begun to expose the aggregate in the concrete! Worried about continued water leakage as well as further contamination to the floor, Alinabal Inc. began to look for a solution.Alinabal Inc. knew that this project would require a unique product, as they were looking for something that would achieve minimal downtime during the repair. They were also in need of a product that would be able to withstand wet conditions regularly, since this area was still to be used for washing and deburring steel parts in the future.In addition to these qualities, Alinabal Inc. wished to use a self-levelling product with minimal floor prep. Having used our products in the past, Alinabal Inc. again turned to our expert sales team for suggestions.Our solutionAlinabal Inc. asked our technical advisors what the best product for the job was. They were recommended and used Flowtop®.Flowtop® is ready for foot traffic in 6 hours. In this case, it drastically cut the downtime during repairs with its quick curing properties, and because it is 3 times stronger than standard concrete, it is also able to withstand the rinsing process that the floor would be subject to post repair.The self-levelling characteristics of Flowtop® were just what Alinabal Inc. was looking for, and as a bonus, it created a slip resistant finish for enhanced employee safety!Through the use of Flowtop®, Alinabal, Inc. was able to obtain a newly finished floor, and return to daily operations in a timely fashion. Employees could again efficiently squeegee water into the disposal trough, and the floor itself was no longer in danger of contamination from

Third Space has opened its sixth and most luxurious health club in London with spacious training areas, state-of-the-art facilities, tranquil yoga studio, 20m adult pool, cycle amphitheatre and special facilities for youngsters.Free Weights AreaTVS Group’s heavy-duty, interlocking SPORTEC® Style Tiles, custom-produced black and grey-flecked finish perfectly completemented the gym’s colour scheme. Installing a layer of SPORTEC® Team Cup-X flooring beneath the tiles provided extra protection for the concrete subfloor and will further reduce noise and vibrations, while TVS proprietary rubber ramped edges created a neat transition with adjacent gym areas.Stetching AreaTo offer comfort and durability for the club’s large stretching area, TVS Group installed its SPORTEC® MotionFlex product, a fine-grained polyurethane puzzle-mat. It is ideal for fitness applications involving floor-based movements and wellness activities. The interconnecting tiles are simple to install and neatly shaped to suit most flooring schemes while their elegant dark grey colour set the calming mood for this part of the gym.Athletics-Based Track AreaTVS Sports Carpet was selected for the track as it offers excellent grip underfoot, especially relevant for speed, agility and quickness drills. The durability of the surface also allows athletes to push or drag a sled, helping to further develop their muscular strength and endurance. The track was supplied in a cool, oceanic navy blue and white colour scheme.Main Gym AreaThe expected high usage of the main gym area meant the flooring had to be sufficiently resilient. To achieve this and to ensure a perfectly level flooring finish across the gym, TVS Group first laid a dense rubber shock pad over the concrete substrate. It was overlaid with a covering from the highly wear resistant SPORTEC® Purcolor range. A light grey finish was chosen to reflect the sophisticated look and feel of the club.The StudioIn the studio, where high intensity training will take place, TVS Group opted for a highly elastic shock-absorbing underlay overlaid with a wear-resistant performance layer called SPORTEC® Color. The combination will protect the concrete substrate below while offering a comfortable and safe surface above for those involved in a diverse range of training activities.Other Fitness AreasIn other areas of the gym TVS Group supplied and installed a variety of high performing acoustic underlays, helping reduce noise and vibrations caused by treadmill running and other high impact activities in the studios.

An exceptional Berkshire new build has been enhanced by incorporating made-to-order timber windows and doors from Lomax + Wood Limited. The main window used is the timber spring balanced sash window. A key feature for the developer was that Lomax + Wood offers a complete service from design all the way through to installation.Lomax + Wood designed, supplied and fitted their made-to-order timber spring balances sash windows which helped create the period appearance for this amazing new build project within the constituency of Windsor.Part Q compliant43 made-to-order timber Spring Sash Windows Concealed Spring4 Bifolding Doorsets3 French Doorsets1 Entrance doorConcealed SpringsRal 9010Ovolo MouldThe Lomax + Wood high-performance timber windows and doors are manufactured from engineered knot-free timber for strength, stability and durability. The factory finished paint system is spray applied and micro-porous, which allows the timber to breathe. All the frames are supplied factory finished, with all ironmongery including espagnolette locking. The timber windows and doors are double or triple glazed internally for security; all are tested independently to achieve PAS 24:2016, BS 6375 Part 1, 2 and 3.Lomax + Wood are committed to sourcing from sustainable sources; to this end, we have worked hard to achieve FSC® Chain of Custody which is deemed by many to be an environmental gold standard. This work was undertaken in partnership with BM TRADA who are also considered to be a mark of quality in our industry. FSC® Chain of Custody is not the same as a timber window and door supplier providing FSC® documents for the timber alone. The Lomax + Wood FSC® Chain of Custody ensures the timber is FSC® from the source through to installation, if Lomax + Wood site fitting is specified, which is within the scope of our certification.Lomax + Wood are able to provide a made-to-order timber window and door solution to architects, private customers, developers and builders across the UK and our website demonstrates the vary varied styles and projects that we have been involved with.Lomax + Wood can provide made-to-order timber windows and doors, including composite aluminium clad with a supply only or supply and fit option. Timber windows and doors are available with specialised double, triple or single glazing to meet performance and conservation are requirements. Contact us today to learn how we can help you with your project or so we can provide you with a quotation.

As part of its ambition to build the most sustainable high speed railway in the world, HS2 contractors in London have begun using Vertua® , a new low carbon concrete product which provides a reduction of 42% in CO2 in comparison to a standard concrete.

Stone: LUNDHS Blue® - silk surface.Situated on a small island outside the coast of southern Norway, the owners of this lovely summerhouse have moved the kitchen outside. The well planned combination of wood and Lundhs Blue stone is in total harmony with the natural surroundings.

Located on the former BBC site, Circle Square in Manchester aims to create a vibrant neighbourhood comprising city living apartments, prime office, retail and leisure space. Phase two of the development saw the construction of No’s 5 to 8, four buildings totalling 677 luxury flats with private dining, resident lounge, gym and cinema, as well as commercial space. Specification requirements FK Group were appointed to design and install a bespoke façade solution which meant they were responsible for specifying the insulation. There were three main performance factors that needed to be considered.  Firstly, the insulation had to be non-combustible to ensure compliance with building regulations in England and Wales, which ban the use of combustible materials on the external walls of certain buildings over 18m tall.  The second consideration was thermal performance. “When you’re designing a bespoke façade solution, accurate thermal modelling is essential because there are so many variables that can affect its energy efficiency,” explained Ben Hufton, Associate Design Director of FK Group. “One of the reasons we work with Knauf Insulation so much is because of their technical support. They always conduct 3D U-value calculations for rainscreen façade projects, so we know the insulation will deliver the performance we need to achieve.” This enhanced level of accuracy is one of the main benefits of 3D U-value calculations over other calculation methods, because it ensures a building’s real world thermal performance matches its initial design.  To achieve the required U-value of 0.28 W/m2K, the Knauf Insulation Technical Support Team recommended 200mm Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab for the external cavity. This has a thermal conductivity of just 0.034W/mK. Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is manufactured from Rock Mineral Wool and is BBA certified for use in high rise buildings for the broadest range of build-ups of any rainscreen solution on the market. It is also non-combustible with the best possible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification. This means it will not contribute to the development or spread of fire should it occur. The final specification factor was acoustic performance due to the site’s busy city centre location.  FK Group conducted offsite acoustic tests to ensure that the build-up met the requirements of Approved Document E. The Mineral Wool insulation contributes significantly to the acoustic performance of the build-up thanks to its open structure. Sound waves are trapped between the individual strands of Mineral Wool and turned into heat energy. This will help to reduce noise from surrounding roads, ensuring residents can enjoy peaceful homes. Other performance factors As it has been developed for external applications, Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab contains a water repellent additive which is combined with a fibre matrix that promotes run-off. This ensures it can resist moisture ingress whilst maintaining its excellent vapour permeability. The physical characteristics of the fibres are unaltered if they get wet. Therefore, the thermal properties of Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab are not affected by exposure to moisture and the product will perform as expected once it has dried out. The product is easy to install correctly thanks to superior robustness and durability, allowing it to be manoeuvred easily into place. Its natural flexibility means it adapts to minor imperfections in the substrate, while slabs interlock, eliminating air leakage that could reduce thermal and acoustic performance. Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is also manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. It is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable, and is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binder, so it is more environmentally-friendly. Products made with ECOSE® Technology generate low levels of dust and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and have been awarded Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort (Gold) certification. Circle Square will give residents access to everything they need from a community district – just as Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab ticked all the boxes for FK Group.

Axter Ltd and Empire Roofing Systems Ltd were engaged by the library directly to upgrade the existing roof covering which was underperforming thermally and in terms of drainage falls.Systems in useHyranger®Neo-Bitumen® Flame FreeStarcoat® PMMAOverviewDesborough Library and Community Hub took over responsibility for the running of the library service in Desborough in 2020. With that came the maintenance of the library building itself. Over time, certain parts of the building had deteriorated. There were leaks and sections of standing water across the 100 square metres plus of flat roofing that forms part of the roof structure.The client applied to The National Lottery Community Fund for a grant that would be used to refurbish the roof area. The Library and Community Hub were fortunate enough to obtain the necessary funding for the work to go ahead.An overlay of the existing system was proposed to utilise the current build up, including a cut to falls insulation scheme to comply with Building Regulations Parts L & H, and BS 6229:2018. Safe2Torch principles were followed throughout with some creative detailing agreed between the contractor and manufacturer due to combustible elements and areas of asbestos.An excellent finish was achieved within budget and in a timescale of 3 weeks.ChallengesAxter were brought in following initial core sampling that was completed by Empire Roofing Systems. The roof area was assessed, and a robust solution was proposed which would alleviate the standing water seen across the roof area, while also improving the thermal performance of the building up to a 0.18 U-Value to comply with Building Regulations: Part L.The existing system was in fair condition but had reached the end of its guaranteed life with no leaks reported and core samples returning dry. There was a noted lack of maintenance across the roof area and significant challenges apparent in terms of detailing due to fire risks and asbestos present.SolutionsBased on the condition of the existing system we were confident that an overlay would be the most cost-effective option. Our Hyranger® multi-layer RBM system was installed using gas driven torches to fully bond the AVCL and capping sheet. The underlayer was installed over a tissue faced PIR and therefore needed to be self-adhesive to reduce the risk of fire, complying with Safe2Torch guidelines. Our hot air applied Force® Neo Bitumen system was installed in the areas of fire risk, and our cold applied Starcoat® PMMA liquid system was installed in areas where a hot air application would be problematic.A cut to falls scheme was designed based on our onsite survey, allowing water to flow freely to the outlets. This alleviated the risk of water buildup and thermal degradation caused by ponding water.Axter’s quality assurance team regularly attended site and were in constant communication with Empire Roofing’s operatives. This was to ensure that the system was being installed correctly and to the expected standards, in order to achieve the Silvershield guarantee required by the client. To achieve the Silvershield guarantee level, all materials and workmanship had to be installed as per the Axter specification. The installation of the roof area was completed to exceptional standards, leaving the client very impressed with the workmanship.System and ProductsAxter’s Hyranger® system was used across the main roof area. The system is fully BBA and Broof T4 compliant, and comes with a single point 20 year Axter Silvershield guarantee that covers materials and workmanship. This was signed off by our Quality Assurance Team who audited throughout installation.Safe2Torch principals were adhered to throughout. Our Neo-Bitumen® Flame Free system was predominantly used on any areas of fire risk, as well as our Starcoat® PMMA for the tricky details where a comprehensive weld may not have been possible.Acknowledgments"We knew of Empire Roofing Systems from another good job they had completed for us on a separate part of the building, and asked them to quote for repair of the troublesome flat roofing.Empire and Axter came up with a plan to make the roof drain properly and we went ahead with their quote.The work went ahead on schedule and to plan without any disruption to the running of the Library and Community Hub and took around two weeks to complete.The guys worked hard and were always helpful and polite when we asked any questions about the work in progress. We had an issue with a blocked internal drainpipe which was quickly and effectively dealt with by Jim and his team from Empire.We are delighted with the end results and have the assurance that the work has been inspected by technicians from Axter themselves and comes with their written guarantee." Gil, Desborough Library

With the new Elizabeth line set to deliver a 10% increase in rail capacity across central London, the project will provide a high frequency service that reduces journey times and creates new travel opportunities by linking 41 stations across 100 kilometres. As part of the landmark construction project, over 42 kilometres of new tunnels, 50 kilometres of new track and 10 new stations are being developed in conjunction with major upgrades to the existing infrastructure. Throughout the construction stages of the central section, which spans from Westbourne Park to Plumstead and Pudding Mill Lane, over 350 of Bilco UK’s innovative aluminium Ladder Up® Safety Posts have been specified by Crossrail’s systemwide contractor Alstom TSO Costain Joint Venture (ATC Systemwide) to provide safe and secure access. Weighing just seven kilograms due to the milled aluminium construction, the resilient Ladder Up® Safety Posts will provide engineers with unobstructed access to the walkways when conducting essential maintenance throughout the tunnels, once the line is operational. Once fully open, the Elizabeth line will provide an additional 1.5 million people with access to central London within 45 minutes, covering Reading and Heathrow in the West, right through to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the East. The specification process, managed by Construction & Rail Contractors McNealy Brown, focused on the requirement for durable yet functional access solutions that would consistently provide a safe and direct step through onto the walkway, without impacting on the surrounding electrical services. The unique and high quality construction of the Ladder Up® Safety Post fulfilled each requirement of the brief. This includes features such as the innovative telescopic post, which mounts permanently to the top two rungs of any fixed ladder to provide a secure handhold that enables the user to enter or exit the opening in an upright and balanced position. Clive Burfoot, Contract Manager at McNealy Brown, said: "When we first began researching potential access solutions for the Crossrail project’s central section, it became clear quite quickly that the Bilco UK Ladder Up® Safety Post was the only product available on the UK market that would fulfil our extensive list of requirements." “The telescopic extension was one of the main benefits that secured its specification for this project, as it enables the Ladder Up® safety post to be both retracted and extended, a key function that wasn’t available with any other access solution.” Each ladder has been installed with two Ladder Up® Safety Posts, which are located on either side of the ladder to provide the direct step through onto the walkway for increased safety and efficiency. The installation process, which has been managed by ATC Systemwide, will provide secure access throughout all essential areas of the central section, including at either end of every station and at additional strategic locations. Vimesshen Ravindran, Senior Mechanical Engineer at ATC Systemwide, said: “The lightweight construction of the Ladder Up® Safety Posts ensured the installation process was quick and easy, resulting in no unforeseen issues on site. When the system retracts, the high quality spring-balance and convenient lever release provides a controlled means of lowering into its retracted position. This delivers enhanced ease of operation, ensuring long term suitability and usability for the engineers when undertaking future maintenance tasks. “The Ladder Up® Safety Posts will play an essential role in ensuring the central section of the Elizabeth line continues to run at the highest standard, so it was crucial we specified access solutions that would facilitate the continued maintenance of the line, safely and efficiently.” The telescopic tubular section automatically locks when fully extended, while the adjustable mounting hardware accommodates any ladder rung size or spacing. The corrosion resistant construction can also withstand the demanding environment of the London underground system, ensuring its successful operation for years to come. Darren Waters, Managing Director of Bilco UK, said: “We are extremely proud to have been involved in the UK’s high profile Crossrail infrastructure project and have worked closely with McNealy Brown and ATC Systemwide throughout every stage of the specification and installation stages. “This has ensured our unique Ladder Up® Safety Posts have fulfilled each individual requirement of the central section of the Elizabeth line, from security and ease of usability, right through to long term durability. We look forward to seeing the completion of the Crossrail project as our innovative access solutions play a vital role in ensuring its safe and successful operation.” Aiming to make travelling throughout the capital easier, quicker and less crowded for passengers, the Elizabeth line will not only reduce the strain on London’s transport network but transform the way passengers experience and interact with the city and its suburbs.

Described as a milestone project for the sector, the newly built library at Birmingham University has completed its contemporary appearance with burmatex®, Green Guide A+/A, carpet tiles. Using five different ranges the design is adjusted throughout the building in order to suit the various spaces

Four Formica® Laminates were specified for fire doors in Octavia House School, an independent specialist therapeutic school based in Essex, UK. Doors were designed for high traffic areas including classrooms, offices, toilets and communal spaces such as corridors and halls.

Stone: LUNDHS Emerald® - silk/leather surface.Norwegian farmer and florist, Helga Bonden, has renovated her family kitchen. Blending contemporary materials and a modern colour palette into the 100-year old farmhouse with care, the end result is absolutely beautiful.

Bolton School specified Taraflex® Comfort sports flooring for their main sports all and their top-performing Tarasafe Ultra for two of the changing rooms. The installation would involve some 780m2 of Gerflor flooring with game lines also being added as the final touch.

The ROOFTRAK® IFP provided a vital part of the package to install solar PV on the vast roof areas of the Ikea Distribution & Contact Centre in Peterborough where approximately 2800 PV panels have been installed as part of its People & Planet Positive Strategy.

PANDOMO provided the unique subtle character of polished concrete combined with a seamless, hard wearing floor finish. Products used: ARDEX A 38, PANDOMO® Floor, ARDEX R 3 E, ARDEX EP 2000, ARDEX P4, ARDEX K 80

Installer – County RoofingMain Contractor – Barnwood ConstructionArchitect – Scott BrownriggClient – Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience InternationalSystem – Vantage® SF (Secret Fix)Showcasing our premium CWCT tested Vantage® SF (Secret Fix) in 3mm aluminium powder coated to Ral 7016 anthraciteThe project received many accolades and awardsCABI HQ shortlisted for AJ Architecture AwardConstructing Excellence SECBE 2021 Awards - WinnerOxPropFest 2021 - WinnerUK Roofing Awards 2021 - FinalistArchDaily Building of the Year 2021 - NominatedSECBE People's Choice Award 2021 - NominatedFuture Cities Forum Awards - Highly CommendedAJ Architecture Awards - ShortlistedWe feel very humbled to be associated with such a fantastic project and a big well done to all involved

Over 4700m2 of Gerflor high performance sports and safety floorings have been installed at Marr College, Scotland. The client required an Olympic pedigree sports floor for their main sports hall to serve a multitude of uses – Taraflex® was the chosen innovation. A trusted, high-quality safety flooring was also required to ensure the safety of pupils, staff, and on-site visitors. Tarasafe Ultra was the natural choice.Taraflex® is available in 17 colours and four wood-effect designs and has been used by the largest international sports federations for decades and has been present at the Summer Olympic Games since 1976.Tarasafe Ultra is a specialist slip-resistant vinyl safety flooring inlaid with mineral crystals particles, as opposed to carborundum giving a brighter appearance. It also comes with a tough PVC wearlayer and meets HSE guidelines.

Following the acquisition of planning permission, the Hollinwood Business Park, a former brown field site, will see seven new office buildings constructed, all in the style of cotton mills built in the 1800s.The first of these buildings, Block G, has now been constructed and is benefitting from the installation of renewable solar PV technology to ensure the new business park can have a sustainable future in the decades ahead.The project has seen the installation of 114 Marley SolarTile® panels on to the roof of a large building that forms part of the all-new Hollinwood Business Park in Oldham.Marley’s SolarTile® solution was specified to provide access to a sustainable energy source that will help power the newly constructed site, helping to control energy costs and provide an additional attractive incentive to companies looking to relocate to the business park.

The Adelaide Convention Centre ACC celebrated 30 years in operation in 2017 with the opening of the last phase of its expansion, the East Building, designed by architects Woods Bagot. The building is faceted like rocks and clad in elZinc® Rainbow Red to reflect the South Australian landscape.

Resopal® High Pressure (HPL) Digital Print Laminate was used to create a stunning impact in a six storey development in Leeds. The panelling to lift surrounds in the office tower atrium was designed by Oblong Furniture and manufactured and installed by Absolute Interiors in Malachite LED 7273-60

Eurosafe designed and installed several solutions, including step units, guardrail edge protection, stepped and levelled walkways, ManSafe® systems, and raised platforms around heat exchange units for engineers' safety. A fixed stair unit was proposed for emergency access and egress planning.

When Ashington Academy’s sports hall required updating, the school decided to replace its existing Gerflor Taraflex® sport flooring with a ‘like-for-like’ Gerflor flooring as the floor, which was still fit-for-purpose, was a little jaded after four decades of demanding use.

When Les Ormes which is Jersey's premier self-catering holiday and sports centre wanted to refurbish an old tennis building by transforming it into four new netball courts they turned to international flooring specialist Gerflor to supply 2000m2 of their world class Taraflex® sports flooring.

Puracore® partnered with Integrated Design and Operations Consultancy for the built environment, Bryden Wood, on a pioneering project for one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, GlaxoSmithKline.We manufactured and supplied various components and Cleanroom ceiling panels for The ‘Factory in a Box’ an idea developed by Bryden Wood and GSK.

Stone: Lundhs Royal ® - polished surface.When deciding on surfaces for the bathrooms in the Farris Bad Spa hotel in Larvik, Lundhs Royal was chosen. With its icy blue crystal reflections, this stone was the perfect match and complements the beautiful sea views that can be seen directly outside the window.

St Mary’s RC Primary School wanted a robust flooring that was suitable for the school activities that take place in the halls like PE and assemblies. In addition, and in contrast to the previous brown floor, a colourful flooring was required. As a result, 300 sqm of Attraction® tiles in Wattaru, a deep and vivid blue.

Horizons is one of the most recent additions to the skyline on the north bank of the Thames and offers 190 private apartments with stunning views from their substantial private terraces. Two luxury residential developments housed in connected blocks.One of the architectural challenges was to maximise the spectacular panorama and at the same time conserve the local heritage around. The considerable number of balconies involved throughout the development also demanded the minimisation of any possible structural or thermal bridging problems. The Schöck Isokorb® T structural thermal break comfortably met the specification and as the project involved precast balconies, specialists Marble Mosaic had a big part to play as well.The joint MD Dennis Vittle: “This particular project required the balcony units to be not only integral with the main structure, but also insulated and fire-stopped from it. The Schöck Isokorb® T type K was the natural solution. There was a requirement for 345 individual precast balconies throughout the two blocks and the project posed a number of new challenges to MMC’s and the Schöck design team. As well as standard insulated balcony to slab connections there were also a number of downstand and upstand connections required. Also the precast columns were supported off the balcony slab at one end only, so there was a heavy eccentric shear load transfer. The agreed design called for the use of a combination of Schöck Isokorb® T types K and Q to ensure structural integrity with the frame, whilst avoiding any clashes with the concrete frame reinforcement”.

Date of Project: September 2017Project Owner: Cairns Regional CouncilProject Contractor: Waterstop Solutions Pty, LtdProject Engineer: Cairns Regional Council Market/Environment WastewaterSubstrate: ConcreteSize of Project: 12 x 2m joint replacementTHE CHALLENGEThe joints on a municipal wastewater treatment tank had degenerated to the point where repairing and resealing were necessary. Cairns Regional Council required a product with a fast cure time and rapid compressive strength gains.Five Star® SolutionFive Star Structural Concrete® V/O was selected due to its rapid set and high early strength gains; it reaches 2,500 psi (17.2 MPa) within three hours. This rapid strength gain allowed for the repaired joints to be resealed with minimum turnaround time in preparation for the installation of a joint sealant system.ABOUT FIVE STAR STRUCTURAL CONCRETE® V/OThis is a high-strength, rapid-setting, one-component, permanent concrete repair material for vertical and overhead structural repairs.It produces a repair that is dimensionally stable, develops an integral bond to existing concrete, and restores structural integrity within hours of placement.Provides increased corrosion protection to steel-reinforced structures with migrating corrosion inhibitor technology and very low chloride ion permeability. Moisture-sensitive coatings can be applied in 8 to 24 hours.Can be troweled vertically or overheadOne product for thin and thick placementExcellent freeze/thaw resistanceOutstanding corrosion resistance for protection and rehabilitation

In a facility that sees extraordinarily high traffic regularly, it’s expected that toilet partitions will endure some wear and tear. But at downtown San Antonio’s flagship convention center, Bobrick SierraSeries® solid color reinforced composite (SCRC) partitions showed no signs of aging after more than a decade in use.

The ideal choice of sports flooring for the Neyland Community Hub would be provided by international flooring specialist Gerflor who would supply some 725m2 of their world class Taraflex® Performance sports floor in ‘Teal’ for the main hall which sees a number of sports activities including indoor cricket.

The spacecraft that brought British astronaut Tim Peake back to Earth from space had a record number of visitors during its display period at the National Museum Cardiff. Some 550 sq m of Gerflor’s high-performing Attraction® would ultimately be specified for three gallery areas.

SFS have partnered with a leading building envelope contractor,  on the construction of two iconic towers in the heart of Birmingham, one clad in brass, the other silver. The buildings will transform the city's skyline and deliver a mix of luxury apartments and retail space. The striking Left Bank development, in Birmingham's popular West End, will create the tallest exclusively residential building in Britain's second largest city.Alucoil larson® ACM FR - Brass Brushed panel, with a fire-rated mineral core, was chosen for the façade. This drained and back-ventilated rainscreen cladding system for Tower 1 is being fitted with an NVELOPE® bracket and rail system and powder-coated SLA3 frame fasteners, SLA5 fasteners, as well as SX3 and SX5 A4 (grade 316) stainless steel fasteners from SFS. The choice of surface finishes for the envelope demanded high quality fastening solutions that would stand the test of time, and perfectly complement the crucial aesthetic goals.

The interior fit-out of the POST Headquarters is the largest contract to date for the Lindner Group in Luxembourg.Lindner installed the FLOOR and more®, FLOOR and more® comfort and NORTEC hollow and raised floor systems with modern carpeting. The glass partitions Lindner Life Freeze 137, Lindner Life Pure 620 and Lindner Life Stereo 125 as fire protection glazing in EI60 provide an elegant separation of the offices. The wooden partition wall Lindner Logic Timber with long-lasting varnish, on the other hand, acts as an antagonist to the transparent glass elements.Perfectly matched to the partition walls, the associated doors were also made of wood or glass.Completed WorksPartitionsPartition Systems GlassLindner Life Freeze 137Lindner Life Pure 620Partition Systems Full PanelLindner Logic 100 TimberCalcium sulphate panelsFLOOR and moreFLOOR and more comfortNORTEC

Refurbishment of a campsite services facility at a popular country park provided an unusual testing ground for part of a new stainless steel kitchen furniture range developed for the professional catering sector. But after a full season’s camping at Emberton Country Park, the double bowl sinktop from GEC Anderson’s new Decimetric® range has met all expectations and is set for a long service life.Emberton Country Park, near Milton Keynes, was developed from disused gravel workings and is today an attractive parkland setting of 200 acres. It caters for a variety of uses and includes 58 pitches for tents and touring caravans, rally fields, lake and river fishing, a conservation area, children’s play areas, a shop and washroom/toilet facilities.As part of a major refurbishment of the services block for campers in the touring field, Milton Keynes Council’s Construction Services Department refitted the washroom where campers wash their crockery and cooking utensils. After another supplier was unable to deliver a suitable sinktop within the council’s timeframe, Robert Gritton, Project Manager for Milton Keynes Council, shopped around for a cost effective alternative – and became one of the first customers to order from the Decimetric® range. “GEC Anderson was able to custom make the sinktop in a very short time, and everyone has been very pleased with it. I’m very glad that the other make was not available,” he says. “The other big advantage of the Decimetric® product is that its 100mm modular size increments permit specification of the largest possible unit to fit a space, without the premium of a true bespoke installation.”The Decimetric® sinktop is extremely durable, but requires minimal maintenance. Park Manager David MacCarter says: “It’s really solid, well made and it will never wear out. The cleaners just give it a wipe over every day: it’s easy to keep clean and it looks great.”The 1,700 x 600mm sinktop of commercial grade stainless steel has a water-retaining 40mm lipped edge at the front and sides, and an 85mm sloping upstand at the back. The bowls are 400 x 400 x 250mm and positioned 100mm apart, centrally along the length of the sinktop. Both have 38mm outlets and two 30mm diameter tapholes at 200mm centres behind each bowl. The sinktop stands on square section stainless steel legs with adjustable feet. A solid stainless steel shelf is fitted under the sinktop. The new Decimetric® range from GEC Anderson offers a flexible and comprehensive selection of sinks, surfaces, support frames, cabinets and shelving. The range was developed mainly for the professional catering market, but its versatility, good looks and low maintenance requirements make it an excellent choice for applications requiring hard-wearing and hygienic surfaces. Decimetric® units are easy to specify and are offered in sizes from 500-3,000mm, with 100mm sizing increments (100mm = 1 decimetre). The modular approach makes for economy and short delivery times. Founded in England in 1962, GEC Anderson has pioneered the development of made-to-measure stainless steel products. Today, the company’s range includes bowls, worktops, cabinets, shelving and sanitaryware for use in domestic, commercial and specialist environments. All products are manufactured to ISO 9001 and backed by a comprehensive support service from planning and product specification to installation and maintenance.

Four years ago, sustainable developer Citu set out to create homes 10 times more energy efficient than typical UK houses. To do this, the company invested in a state-of-the-art production facility where all the components for its properties are built offsite.Thermal performance is critical to energy efficiency. Citu wanted to go far beyond the regulations to achieve wall build-ups with an extremely low U-value of just 0.10W/m2K. This is at least three times better than the U-value achieved in most new build homes and fifteen times better than older houses.Adding offsite capabilityCitu turned to Knauf Insulation for advice and support in developing the offsite capability required for this level of thermal performance. Knauf Insulation’s Technical Support Team undertook extensive calculations and recommended the Blowing Plate Insulation System to install Supafil® Frame – a high performance, non-combustible blowing wool.Supafil® Blowing Wool lends itself to offsite production because it completely fills the cavity, without any voids even around complex penetrations – something that can occur when insulation slabs or rolls are cut to size. It is also a dry process, so operatives are not exposed to any harmful chemicals and it doesn’t require a dedicated production line.Instead, the system comprises a blowing machine and a filling plate. The system is modular allowing for phased investment. Citu opted to install the blowing machine in phase one, which allowed them to manually fill the panels. Phase two saw the addition of the blowing plate, semi-automating the process.Supafil® Frame can be run by a single operator, fits easily into the existing production line, and can even be moved quickly and swiftly to other areas in the manufacturing facility depending on Citu’s volume capacity requirements.Knauf Insulation’s Technical Support Team provided full training and support during each phase of installation.Insulating the panelsCitu homes are manufactured from wooden panels with a 300mm cavity. The blowing plate is positioned over the panel completely covering the cavity. Supafil® is then blown into the wooden frame to the specific parameters of each panel. All cavities are filled to the correct thickness; something that has been carefully calculated and tested by the Knauf Insulation Technical Support Team to ensure settlement does not occur. And because the machine is programmed to install the exact quantity of insulation required, there’s no waste.Supafil® is a high performance Blowing Wool. It is non-combustible with Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification as well as providing excellent thermal and acoustic performance. It contains a silicone-based additive to ensure it is water repellent.As well as providing excellent thermal performance, Supafil® has great sustainability credentials. Knauf Insulation’s Glass Mineral Wool contains up to 80% of recycled content. This reduces the amount of virgin materials used and prevents around 60,000 tonnes of glass a year (350 million bottles) from going to landfill or polluting the environment. Knauf Insulation has also invested in advanced compression packaging. This means there’s less packaging used, so fewer lorries on the roads leading to a reduction in transport carbon emissions. All of which helps to support Citu’s goal that every home should be carbon zero to manufacture.By combining modern methods of construction with the very highest levels of thermal performance, Citu and Knauf Insulation are creating homes that reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions – homes that are fit for the future.