"roof finishes"

Tata Steel’s building envelope products have played a key role in the delivery of the first phase of the Port One giant e-commerce warehousing and distribution storage complex, and were incorporated into Unit No.4, a new 143,000 sq ft purpose-built unit, designed for Ipswich-based FDS Corporation Limited, a Chinese fulfilment house operator specialising in online retail. This building is 17 metres high and has been designed to store goods on pallets and on racking nine levels high.The external cladding solution for Unit No.4 used over 17,000m2 of our Trisomet® and Trimapanel® insulated panel systems. Around 11,472m2 of Trisomet® 60mm manufactured using Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® was supplied for the roof in Anthracite Matt, as stipulated by the planning consent; while the external building envelope was constructed using over 6,000m2 of Trisomet® 40mm and Trimapanel® 120mm insulated panels manufactured using Colorcoat Prisma® pre-finished steel. The wall elevations used a contrasting colour mix of Alaska Grey, Anthracite, Oyster Slate Grey and White.

THE BRIEFDigital skills centre landscaped courtyard at Cirencester CollegeLangley Design worked with E G Carter & Co on the new £4 million digital skills centre at Cirencester College and we were pleased to be able to offer our services on this local project. There was a requirement here for some curved timber seating for the newly landscaped courtyard areas. WHAT WE DIDPremium seating facilities for studentsWe manufactured and installed our Sheldon benches SBN307 in Class 4 Treated Redwood timber with a Dark Oak stain to give a more premium finish. The client opted for the more stylish flat legs for the benches which were powder coated to RAL8040 to tie in with the building façade. We also supplied our smaller Sheldon Cube SBN316 to provide individual seating facilities for the students. THE RESULTAn ongoing relationship with the collegeThe college were really pleased with our products and approached us directly a few months later to provide some picnic tables and benches to their roof terrace for the staff to enjoy the outdoors during breaktimes.The same material was chosen for these products to ensure consistency across the site.

Styccobond F49 Hybrid PS vinyl adhesive has helped to take the floors up a gear in the West Bromwich showroom of Evans Halshaw. Styccobond F49’s temperature-tolerant properties made it the perfect choice of adhesive. It was applied by flooring contractors for the installation of the LVTs. Stopgap P141, an acrylic primer for non-absorbent subfloors, was applied over the original ceramic tiles, to help promote the adhesion of the levelling compound to the subfloor. Once the primer had dried, Stopgap 1200 Pro levelling compound was then applied to the entire area, before the installation of new LVT flooring.

Glazing Vision’s three-wall box rooflight has provided a rooftop with more de rigueur, and one which takes advantage of the spectacular views overlooking the Perth shorelines.Keen to unlock and utilise the space on top of this newly built residential home, and further add value to this property, an innovative “glass box” was introduced to provide easy access to the roof terrace.Luxurious, modern and upbeat, this new build property has been carefully created with family life in mind. The floor plan involves family separation and considered zoning of the property.The ground floor provides a secluded escape from the excitement of the first floor, with a detailed layout which enables the clients to relax. A big theatre room and access to the garden offers a chilled out environment, hidden away from neighbours.The first floor is created for living in, with a completely open planned lounge, diner and kitchen. Set higher up, it allows for views across the beach and over the garden courtyard. Thus, it was important to ensure that high quality glazing was specified throughout to make the most of the wonderful views.Tasked with sourcing and installing the windows and doors on this modern new build property, Next Generation Glass director Steve Payne mentions how the client had come to them enquiring about skylights. After a lot of research into the different profiles available in Australia and after various different drawings and ideas, the outcome wasn’t looking good.It was a visit to the UK which led Steve to Glazing Vision, thankful of a recommendation from a contact of his. “Since my first contact, we decided it was a great product and became a distributor of Glazing Vision products in Australia”.After discussing the details of the job, a three wall box rooflight was recommended, helping to provide access to the clients roof terrace and providing wonderful views of the majestic presence of the Indian Ocean in the background.“It really is a great product and all that see it are in awe of it” explains Steve Payne, director of Next Generation Glass.The Glazing Vision three-wall box rooflight is fixed to your existing building structure, thereby facilitating the full use of the roof top terrace but operates in the same way as our freestanding box rooflight. The sleek aluminium framework and perfectly edged glass-to-glass joints create a stunning contemporary finished design which reflects the style of this property.This home’s rooftop terrace is the culmination of meticulous tweaking of the planning codes, and the reward is breath-taking views of Perth, with a beautiful backdrop of the ocean behind. It was in fact these planning codes which guided them towards the three-wall box rooflight, as the extra head height was required when coming up the stairs. Also allowing the homeowner to climb the stairwell whilst the rooflight is retracting into its open position, without having to ‘bow their head’.Fitted with minimal and contemporary outdoor furniture to increase the sense of openness. The new roof top allows the homeowner an additional ‘room with a view’, perfect for entertaining or for relaxing and enjoying the stunning views on offer.Having completed their first project with Glazing Vision, Steve Payne mentions how easy the whole process was, and that most of the hard work was undertaken by Glazing Vision. It was a simple installation process for a company like Next Generation Glass who are used to cranes in their scope of works.

A prestigious four-star hotel in Surrey gets a stylish enclosed pergola structure to suit the ambience and scenery of the location. This historic hotel’s large paved terrace area with outdoor BBQ was only equipped with some tables and chairs, and so only used on dry days in the summer months. The hotel's event team wanted to create a new flexible outdoor space that could guarantee availability for bookings throughout the year, whatever the weather....

The Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre (DNRC) is a state of the art rehabilitation centre for the armed forces and potentially the nation. RCM supplied over 4,000 sheathing boards to the project.

The University of Warwick is investing £49m into sport and wellness across the University with a brand new Sport and Wellness hub as the sporting centre of the campus. RCM were appointed by Sage Building Envelope Constructors to supply approx. 3,000m2 of Swisspearl rainscreen cladding in order to bestow the building with a modern and contemporary feel.

According to leading moveable wall specialist Style, demand for automatic moveable wall systems from architects, specifiers, contractors and end-user clients has almost quadrupled in the last 10 years. Reflecting a strong shift towards the automation of flexible space electrically-powered systems now make up 44% of the company’s total order intake, compared to just 27% in 2009 - a staggering increase of 388% in a decade. Style is the exclusive UK partner to DORMA Hüppe and Skyfold, both of which offer fully automatic solutions.

TRC was appointed as principal contractor by Barker Associates in May 2019, to carry out specialist sash window restoration works.Trinity Primary Academy is a primary school located in Bounds Green Road, Wood Green, London. It was built in 1899 by Mitchell and Butler and consists of yellow brick and red brick dressings, tiled roofs, irregular fenestrations, and sash windows that give away its Queen Anne Revival style. It's currently categorised as a Grade II Listed building with Historic England, and is part of the Academies Enterprise Trust.Nature of the worksAs the building was Grade II listed, timber window repairs had to be sympathetic and complementary to the historic nature of the property. Many of the existing timber sash windows were inoperable due to the build-up of decorative coatings, timber degradation, and defective and broken sash window ironmongery, as well as opening mechanisms. The requirement was for the windows to be fully refurbished, repaired and operational as originally intended, but also modified to meet health and safety requirements.Phase one of the refurbishment of 200 sash and timber casement windows commenced on the area needing most attention: the west elevation of the building. Following the success of phase one, the client team extended TRC’s appointment to continue around the remainder of the building, systematically completing all other windows, door and roof light refurbishments.This overall refurbishment project included:Stripping back the existing paint from the historic sash windows and repairing any decayed timber.Repairing glazing as and where necessary.Improving the thermal and acoustic containment by installing draughtproofing.Repainting windows and installing ironmongery.Undertaking brick and stone repairs to the building’s exterior.This project also required our specialist attention on some specific areas of traditional glazing. This aspect of the project required the repair and refurbishment of all four oriel bay windows and the oriel bay glazed roofs. Completion included the supply and fixing of new safety glazing and hardwood timber roof rafters, along with the repair and refurbishment of the two existing openable roof lights. The supply and fixing of new code 4 lead flashing, with lead wedges, was also carried out and fully pointed with the correct cement mortar at the wall abutment.Additional detailed work throughout the project included the following:Removal of all existing fitted window blinds for refixing upon completion of works.Removal and repair of existing window ironmongery, including original mechanical winding gear, solid bar opening mechanisms, locking fasteners, slide bar restrictors, cable restrictors, handles and stays.Careful removal and repair of all internal fixed-glazed hopper units, casements and pivot openings.Removal and replacement of all cracked and broken glazing, and replacement of the existing Georgian wired-glazing, with 6mm safety glass or 4mm polished plate glass to areas up to 1.2m height from floor level. Where privacy was required, white opaque glass with thickness in accordance with above was used.Removal and replacement of all loose and defective glazing putties, and removal of all flaking, loose and built-up paint coatings.Exposure of all timber rot and decay ready for repair with Repair Care Systems products, followed by sanding and priming ready for decoration.Vertical sliding sashes repaired, refurbished and rehung on new sash cords and weights, and adjusted as needed. Sashes were routed to accept new brush pile weather stripping. New parting beads and staff beads were serviced with brush pile weather stripping where appropriate.Final internal and external decoration was carried out using Dulux or Leyland trade paints, allowing for one undercoat and one gloss finish.

Meridian Integrated Systems Ltd. Approached NBB Outdoors on behalf of their estimated client L’Oreal Professional Products, to create a bespoke outdoor Multipurpose Storage Shelter, for their location in Bury.The principal project objectives were as follows:Enhanced Storage Solution: Meridian Integrated Systems were tasked with sourcing a secure yet functional storage solution for the Professional Product distribution arm of L’Oréal’s UK operations, based in Bury. The solution necessitated a roof and lockable gates and had to be tailored to fit within a specified area.Integration: The solution was required to fulfil the dual objectives of being functional and offering plenty of space. While also ensuring security to prevent unauthorised utilisation of the amenities by other businesses.Limitations and Restrictions: Given the retail nature of the business, it was essential that the chosen partner adhere to the predetermined installation timelines and operate within designated working hours. This adherence must ensure minimal disruption to the ongoing operations of the business.To meet L’Oréal’s exacting standards and requirements NBB Outdoors designed and implemented a unique Multipurpose Storage Shelter offering a range of tailored features:Custom Design: After a thorough site survey, a tailored multipurpose storage shelter measuring L5170mm x W1970mm x H2300mm was determined as the ideal solution for L’Oréal’s needs. The proposed dimensions not only met the required size criteria but also seamlessly integrated into the allocated space.Material and Construction: NBB Outdoors recommended and installed a Galvanised corrugated metal cladding roof and sides to the bespoke storage shelter, whilst proposing and implementing a brown 100% recycled plastic cladding to the gates. The choice of materials ensuring the storage solution will stand the test of time, with little to no maintenance.Security and Protection: Ensuring the multipurpose storage shelter remained secure was of the utmost importance therefore the shelter was finished with Fire Brigade (FB Key) locks.With careful attention to detail and strategic material planning, NBB Outdoors not only fulfilled but surpassed the customer’s expectations. Delivering a neat and contemporary industrial solution to the customer’s requirements.

City Tower, a private apartment tower block located in Canary Wharf required a new high performance waterproofing system as the existing single ply roof had been damaged beyond repair due to a fire. To provide a cost effective, long term waterproofing solution, Proteus Waterproofing specified a Hybrid Tapered Insulation Scheme with a Proteus Pro-Felt® finish, meeting the client’s specific requirements.High Performance WaterproofingAs the existing roof was beyond repair, it needed be completely stripped. Pro-Prime® SA and Proteus Pro-Felt® Self Adhesive Underlay were used as a vapor control layer. Proteus Pro-Therm EPS and Proteus Pro-Therm PIR were used for the Hybrid Tapered Insulation Scheme and bonded using Pro-Bond Foaming Adhesive. Proteus Pro-Felt® 3mm Plain Underlay was then fully adhered to the insulation, followed by a final installation of Proteus Pro-Felt® Ultima Plus Fireguard. Proteus Waterproofing worked closely with the Proteus Approved Contractor to ensure the project was delivered to a high standard.Health & SafetyWhen working on residential buildings, safety is always of utmost importance. Proteus Pro-Felt® Ultima Plus Fireguard has the highest European Fire Rating, BROOF(t4), making it the ideal felt to use on residential properties as the risks to operatives, building occupants and members of the public are greatly reduced. All Proteus Waterproofing specifications promote fire safe installation methods conforming to the industry lead Safe2Torch guidelines.Long Term PerformanceProteus Pro-Felt® Ultima Plus Fireguard is a high-performance multi-layer bituminous membrane system, tested to perform in extreme temperatures and weather conditions. It has class leading modified bitumen content which allows the flexible membrane to move with the building and ensure long term durability and performance. It is certified by the BBA to be in excess of 30 years, and had the highest European Fire Rating – BROOF(t4).

The new Design Museum at Kensington, which opened itsdoors to the public in November 2016 following a move fromits previous residence at Shad Thames, has specified Allgood’sModric ironmongery throughout its interior. Winner of the Guildof Architectural Ironmongery Specification Awards 2016/ 2017Commercial category, the imaginative ironmongery solutionsmeet the architects brief; matching the building’s look and feel.One of the £83million refurbishment’s standout architecturalfeatures was the preservation of the original roof structure, whichwas central to how the new project took shape. The internalfloors of the old building were demolished with a series ofpiles, temporary trusses and beams supporting the internal roofcolumns until the new structure was built and the fit-out stagecould begin.The inherent objective of the project was to create a worldclassmuseum in the heart of London, including permanent andtemporary exhibitions as well as learning spaces – showcasingall elements of design, including fashion, product and graphicdesign.Established in 1989, the museum is known for promoting andexhibiting the best in British design as well as displaying bold andiconic international items.A British design classic, Modric is manufactured in Allgood’s UKfactory where craftsmen pay close to attention to detail, handfinishing every product. Modric has a long-standing reputationof quality built on its ability to consistently perform to the higheststandard. Operating on the unique quadaxial fixing, Modric leverhandles have been independently tested to BS EN 1906 andhave surpassed 1 million cycles, providing just one example whyAllgood has the confidence to offer a 25 year warranty on therange.The interior of the Design Museum features an array ofproductsfrom the Modric range including lever handles, hinges,pull handles,push plates, wc turns, and door signage, as wellas overhead doorclosers, magnetic door holders and unique,concealed doorstops.

The Castle Cove Sailing Club in Weymouth, Dorset, constructed a new terrace area to provide a viewing platform for the sailing events in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.The sailing club required a waterproofing system that could be installed directly to the concrete construction in order for the works to be completed as quickly as possible. It was essential that the system was compatible with timber decking and would provide long-term protection from the elements.The sailing club contacted KG Roofing, their local Polyroof Approved Contractor, to provide a waterproofing solution that could meet the demands of the project. The BBA-Approved Protec System was specified for the works due to its rapid cure times and high waterproofing performance. Timber battens were incorporated into the system to create fixing platforms, creating a striking yet functional support for the timber decking and glass balustrade.With the Protect System affording rapid curing times, the terrace was finished within the desired time-frame, leaving ample time before the beginning of the Olympic Games. The lucky viewers at Castle Cove Sailing Club witnessed many record-breaking performances from Team GB’s sailing team, including Ben Ainslie becoming Britain’s greatest ever Olympic sailor.

Material Store is part of The Old Vinyl Factory, a 17-acre site in Hayes.The four ‘warehouse’ blocks of Material Store rise above a podium and surround an oasis of private patios and a large common garden. The parking below the podium is concealed behind 3-bedroom town houses that animate the street with their steps and ‘front’ doors.The roofs of all fours blocks are landscaped as communal gardens. The extended articulated parapet to the tallest block creates an outdoor room and emphasises the building’s position as the tallest element of the masterplan.The 189 build-to-rent homes enjoy generous shared facilities that promote a sense of community in the context of private rented sector (PRS) tenure. These include play areas, a function room, picnic tables, allotments, a concierge service and an onsite maintenance crew. Commercial uses, which front onto the spine street, are intended for sharing with the wider community.The Arriva doorsets plays a key part in this development to create a seamless design. The Arriva system features a split-type EZYJamb®, specially designed to seamlessly integrate with finished wall constructions like stud and plasterboard. This innovative system is ideal for those seeking flush doors with an invisible door frame for a modern and integrated aesthetic.

A multiphase regeneration project consisting of well over 1,200 new homes, community facilities, and a central park with communal facilities and a soft-play area.The regeneration project started back in 2010, phase 2 saw run between January 2011 and April 2013, phase 3 finished at the end of 2017, phase 4 delivered new homes during the 2nd half of 2018, while the latest phases started in 2019 and complete in 2024.Greenside Landscapes were awarded the Hard & Soft Landscaping at Heathside & Lethbridge in Lewisham, for which we supplied our TerraSmart Rail Paving System to support the rectangular concrete pavers in the communal podium space.The system, which is fully non-combustible, it’s made up of super-strong, 100% recyclable aluminium joists, which overlap to create a lattice framework, offering the maximum possible level of support, especially suited to high trafficked areas.The paving system featured a build-up of approximately 300mm and was perfectly integrated into the soft landscaping and soft play areas. Another example of a similar system deployment, in which we worked again with Greenside Landscapes, was the IKEA Hammersmith roof-terrace project.

Oval Village in Lambeth is a project that comprises affordable residential apartments, with office and commercial space, retail and leisure facilities, and parking.The site is part of a large-scale redevelopment of the former Oval Gasworks site, offering 598 apartments with balconies and terraces for which we designed and developed the paving support system.The balconies used the TerraSmart Pedestal Paving System, which is straightforward to install, powerful and fully non-combustible, with the paving laid safely on our RP-FR, millimetre-perfect adjustable paving support pedestals, with edge spring clips around the edges to ensure uniform spacing for an aesthetically perfect finish.The terraces, with a commanding view of the city at the top of the building, feature a hybrid system starting with the TerraSmart Rail Paving System – super-strong thanks to its overlapping lattice framework – to form the ramps, which transition seamlessly into the TerraSmart Pedestal Paving System for the rest of the area.Throughout the project, we worked closely with Formation Architects, HTA Architects, Building Control, NHBC and Berkeley Group to design the most relevant systems for the project. Fenland Flat Roofing installed the systems for the balconies, while those for the terraces were installed by NAO Landscapes.

Located at Swansea University’s Bay Campus, and designed and constructed by SPECIFIC Innovation and Knowledge Centre, the Active Office and Active Classroom are both designed to be energy positive buildings, capable of generating more solar energy than they consume during a typical annual cycle.The Swansea area of South Wales is synonymous with steelmaking as Tata Steel’s Port Talbot steelworks is just a few miles away from the Bay Campus. For this reason, SPECIFIC wanted to use steel as much as possible on these structures and so a Tata Steel wall and roof cladding system was chosen using Colorcoat Prisma® pre-finished steel, all made in Wales.The Active Classroom also feature Tata Steel’s Colorcoat Renew SC® transpired solar collectors, The system captures heat from the sun and draws it into the building through a microperforated collector on the exterior of the building. Heated fresh air from the cavity is then used as a pre-heater to the main heating system. A transpired solar collector can collect around 50% of the energy falling on its surface, which equates to approximately 500wp/m2 of the collector’s surface area and can deliver around 250KWH/m2per year or up to 50% of space heating requirements.

A great example of 1930s Art Deco architecture, The Douglas Building sits on Great Titchfield Street in London’s West End. Formerly known as The Media Village, Douglas House was acquired by serviced office providers The Office Group (TOG) from landlords The Langham Estate in 2019. TOG together with Note Design Studio transformed the building with a colourful concept that blends the distinctive 1930s features and gives a sense of fluidity, openness and light throughout.As its former name suggests this area of London is a hub for local media and IT businesses operating out of the West End and the brief for the building was to create a flexible workspace where people can feel stimulated by their environment leading to greater productivity. Wellness was also a central focus and the building includes an oxygen room, a parents’ room and a roof terrace which are all integral to enabling and inspiring everyone who enters.Well ventilated and an abundance of natural light have become buzzwords in the COVID era and the more than 300 new steel windows from the Clement EB24 range which were chosen by office fit out and refurbishment contractors Parkeray perfectly facilitate both. Polyester powder coated in Pure White and furnished with Warren handles in a satin chrome finish the windows lend the building a contemporary look on the outside as well as supporting the 21st century ways of working inside.Peter Clement, Chief Executive of Clement Windows Group, commented:“As with all prestigious window replacement projects of this magnitude Clement took part in a competitive tender process. Whilst this was in play we understand that both Parkeray and the client’s team had the opportunity to compare our EB24 steel window to others being considered. We believe it was the quality and overall finish of EB24 combined with an attractive price and fine references that convinced them and the client to proceed with us.”

Bucking the trend for dairy brick, Brooklyn Brewery opted for close to 8,000 sq. ft. of urethane cement for major upgrade works to its manufacturing facility located at the former matzo plant where it has operated since 1996.

Project: CMR MedicalDate: 2022 Background:·        APL were engaged with the building owner and architect early in the project design and specification process, having worked on a number of previous projects together ·        Due to APL’s strong supply-chain relationships, all material was able to be secured ahead of the tender process to ensure that the very tight project programme was met·        APL provided all thermal, acoustic and structural calculations Systems:·        9,000m² of APL built-up acoustic 65ZS standing seam system (site-rolled) in stucco-embossed mill-finished aluminium, along with PV support system·        4,000m² of APL built-up wall system with steel sinusoidal AP45HR in custom colour APL Dusk as the external profile·        1,100m² of APL built-up wall system with steel louvre profile AP70LCP in custom colour APL Dusk as the external profile·        500m² of APL Slimwall™ CPS/SSF routed flat panel system in aluminium with a Class 2 PPC costing in custom colour APL Dusk·        LB4 live louvre system·        APL Tritherm™ GALV sub-framing·        All flashings, fixings and accessories  Building Location:·        Ely

Sto’s specialist façade solutions have ensured a new affordable housing development seamlessly integrates with its surroundings. Located in West Kensington on the Springvale Estate, ‘Tavener Court’ comprises eight one and two-bedroom flats as well as two three-bedroom houses, spread across three floors.Externally, the scheme features the StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system, which has been finished with StoSilco silicone render in a pale shade of yellow, and a variety of StoDeco three-dimensional profiles to add architectural detailing across the building. With 1,000 colours to choose from in the StoColor system, the Sto render offered extensive design flexibility for architecture and design company, NORR. It has also provided a high level of water repellence and water vapour permeability, making the façade resistant to the build-up of dirt and reducing the growth of algae and fungus. The StoDeco profiles were specified to create window surrounds in pure white, corner detailing around the roof area, and a decorative band course across the façade. Manufactured from Verolith, which comprises 90 per cent perlite, the StoDeco profiles are highly resistant to weather and other environmental factors. Light in weight and easy to work with on site, the products are quick to install and form a durable bond with the render. 

Specialist refurbishment and planned works contractor AYM Contracting approached EnviroBuild to supply adjustable decking joist supports for a commercial project near Liverpool Street in the heart of London.The 40 m² rooftop office terrace needed a low-maintenance, durable substructure to safely support Hyperion composite deck boards, so it was decided that MESA Support pedestals would be the best product to achieve this.The SolutionWorking with award-winning international construction services company ISG, EnviroBuild fulfilled the order for over 100 MESA support decking feet. The adjustable joist supports were installed under treated timber joists to ensure a long-lasting base and robust foundation.The easy to install pedestals, made with 100% recycled plastic, also come with a 10-year commercial warranty so the client can rest assured that the decking area will be enjoyed for many years to come.The finished result is a wonderful open-plan roof terrace where employees can relax and appreciate the incredible views across central London.Customer FeedbackThe client was pleased with the excellent service and fast delivery which allowed them to install the decking quickly and efficiently.Project DetailsSize: 40 m²Product: Mesa Support Adjustable pedestals Location: Shoreditch, London

It is anticipated that when completed in the next ten years or so, the regeneration of Wembley Park, in North West London, will provide up to 7000 new homes. Schöck is supplying its Isokorb structural thermal break systems across a number of different sites on this vast scheme, but one of the largest is South West Lands. This private rented sector residential-led mixed-use neighbourhood will account for around 12% of the new homes on the entire Wembley Park development, up to 900 in total.South West Lands is spread across four separate blocks, which all share a communal basement car park.The reinforced concrete frame buildings, up to 18 storeys high, are finished using traditional brickwork and standing seam metal cladding. To create valuable amenity space at higher levels, as well as offering far-reaching views across London, there are communal roof terraces and a considerable number of private balconies throughout the development.Schöck Isokorb® T type SK products were used on two of the phases at South West Lands for thermally connecting the cantilevered steel balconies to the reinforced concrete slab. The Isokorb® T type SK units were positioned accurately using re-useable balcony width steel jigs.

One of the most talked about subjects in timber cladding are the Vertical Fins.Solid timber or even huge steel forms are cumbersome, heavy and expensive. They often require specialist structural fixings and tame consuming to install.Technowood fins have been created to transform this arena. Simple in design, ultra-light weight and easy to install, saving on materials and labour for large scale commercial projects. In the main they are fabricated in Aluminium and if the spans are excessive they can be manufactured in GRP. All Technowood finishes are real timber…Vertical Fins, which uses Technowood products in facade design, attracts attention with its impressive architecture.There are multiple options for cladding and facade design within the world of Technowood. Interspersed vertical forms with spaces between or even panels of cladding… all manufactured under one roof and delivered to site at the same time, same batch, same material, same colour, same texture all with the same impressive result.Technwood have a showroom in Sky House Design Centre in Amersham, quick access from the Metro line. They also offer CPD presentation during the week direct to your practice… samples and product brochures all also available. Architect: Gokhan Aksoy Architects in collaboration with AS ArchitectsLocation:Private residenceProductTechnowood Fins, Cladding and PanelingCompletion:2016

Architect/Designer: Norman Foster/Foster + PartnersLocation: The Robert Parfett Building, ManchesterProject Overview: New single storey building arranged around a central spine incorporating a mezzanine level, kitchen and variety of meeting spaces. Scope included a complete ironmongery package for all new glazed and timber doors.ServiceFull hardware scheduling & Bespoke finish.Project DetailsHere at 3v we were honoured to provide the ironmongery for the new Maggie’s cancer centre in Manchester that was designed by one of Britain’s most respected architects, Norman Foster, and engineered by his team at Foster + Partners.The first Maggie’s Centre opened in Edinburgh in 1996, there are now 19 Centres at major NHS cancer hospitals across the UK. The Centres have been set up to offer a non-clinical environment where anyone affected by cancer can stop by for advice or support. The timber frame creates a striking angular structure with tapered wooden columns and beams, however the use of warm wood and glass create a soft light-filled environment for people to gather in. What ironmongery do you choose to work with such a beautiful building? With timber as the primary building material and Nordic Bronze roof cladding we turned to our bespoke range and specified solid bronze ironmongery to compliment the natural feel of the buildings material palette. The simple design of our 304 model pull handle works in perfect harmony with the clean angular structure and homely aesthetic; functional while perfectly blending into the final design. Our most popular raw material is high quality stainless steel but increasingly our clients have been asking for something a bit different or unique. Stainless steel would not have worked in this design scheme, matching the bronze cladding added the perfect finishing touches to the warm and tactile materials used in this amazing structure. If you are thinking about specialist finishes for one of your future projects please contact our experienced team so we can advise you in more detail. To find our more about Maggie’s Manchester and to read Norman Foster’s interview on the design of the new centre follow the below link https://www.maggiescentres.org/about-maggies/news-and-publications/latest-news/designing-maggies-manchester/Photographs © Nigel Young/Foster + Partners

The £440m redevelopment of Westgate Oxford shopping centre, Furnitubes designers worked with landscape architects LDA Design to develop a series of planting and seating solutions for the rooftop terraces, designed around a kitchen garden concept and creating a series of unique outdoor spaces for 12 bars and restaurants and offering impressive views of the Oxford skyline and the countryside beyond. Themed areas include the sinuous Crinkle Crankle, a Vegetable Garden and the more formal Garden Court as well as the Kitchen Garden itself. Planters were manufactured predominantly in steel, some with additional timber cladding, others with integrated seating and lighting.

Forming part of a £400m Birmingham City Centre scheme the new 17 storey, 250 bedroom Holiday Inn Express forms part of the 2.3m square foot Arena Central mixed-use development. RCM supplied approx. 5,000m2 of ACM rainscreen cladding from Vitrabond, Trespa Meteon panels, the aluminium facade support framing system and fixings to this newly built hotel.

The College Lane campus is currently undergoing an exciting three year development programme designed to transform the living space and surrounding recreational areas. RCM were appointed to supply their Y-wall system – a calcium silicate based fibre cement building board which offers excellent A1 Non-Combustible fire properties as well as high levels of dimensional stability. Being extensively used on timber frame structures, Y-wall provides the ideal solution.

When a major blaze swept through the sports pavilion at Verulam School in St. Albans, only one thing was left standing in the changing rooms - the Boyco fittings. Even after the roof had fallen in and flames had gutted the changing block, the Boyco benches and peg rails were still firmly in place. The suspected arson attack at the Sandy Pit Lane site caused extensive damage and the entire pavilion needed rebuilding. As a fire fighter at the scene explained "The pavilion was made of wood and concrete with a tar and bitumen roof so it was pretty flammable".Rebuilding the pavilion had to begin straight away to restore full sports facilities to the school. Boyco was asked to join architects Mouchel on the team tasked with building and fitting out new changing rooms – nine years after they designed and supplied the original fittings. Boyco and Mouchel already had a proven partnership having worked together on numerous projects in the past. The timescale was tight. The Boyco team had just a month to present full proposals and design and manufacture the fittings. The team’s made-to-measure design – a replication of the original one - incorporated benches with integral peg rails and shoe trays. The steel fittings were coated in-house at the Boyco factory using the company’s renowned ‘Hot-dip’ nylon technique, exclusive in this sector to Boyco. The coating, derived from 100% renewable castor oil, is four times thicker than other powder coatings and gives fittings superior durability and performance. ‘Hot-dip’ coated fittings offer astonishing resistance to damage, abrasion and, as Verulam School proved, fire. The surface is also exceptionally hygienic with anti-microbial power that reduces bacteria by 99.99%. For added visual impact, ‘Hot-dip’ designs come in wide range of colours. Timber parts of the fittings also bring together superb performance with impressive environmental credentials. Water-borne timber lacquers provide a high quality finish on our standard American White Ash which are non-toxic, anti-microbial and non-flammable. All timbers are sourced from sustainable, fully approved forests. 

Projects of complexity that demand innovative solutions to technically challenging interface design often deliver exceptional buildings. As a shining example, Axter recently completed the roofing systems for The Cheng Yu Tung Building, a landmark project for Jesus College in the heart of Oxford City.Systems in useStarcoat® PMMAForce Dalle®Excel®Cityflor®OverviewThis project required Axter’s extensive range of materials and methods combined to complete the multifaceted interfaces and deliver the demanding architectural design, whilst achieving the project’s ambitious goals.Founded in 1571, and with original buildings from this date, Jesus College is based in the centre of this diverse and historic city. With the development of the Cheng Yu Tung Building the college has undertaken its most significant transformation since the early 18th century.Combining new graduate accommodation, indoor and outdoor communal spaces, state-of-the-art teaching and meeting facilities with the latest digital technologies, this £36m innovative development is intended to have significant impact on the college faculty and students’ learning experience.Axter worked with architects MICA from early in the process, helping to specify solutions that would realise the design vision of lead architect Mandy Franz.“We’d worked with MICA before on a number of projects - including Keble College, University of Oxford - so they knew us and trusted us to add value through being involved with the design,“ comments Axter's Regional Sales Director, Matthew Saunders. “However, this project was a significant step up in complexity, with approximately 18 separate roof areas in total to complete. Looking at the main quad alone there is a raised area, numerous external stairways and walkways to waterproof as well as further raised terraces and inaccessible roof sections. Fortunately, we had significant experience to bring to this challenge.”Sustainability was the client’s major focus from the start, with the college already utilising ground source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, and a heat recovery and cooling system to ensure zero carbon building operations, as well as reviewing all construction waste to ensure minimum diversion to landfill. We supported this aim working with main contractor BAM Construct UK to carefully plan and schedule the waterproofing systems to be installed, identifying the material composite of each roof to maximise efficacies in installation and logistics.The College’s key priority was to achieve a sustainability-focused design to reduce their carbon footprint. Naturally, this contributed to the challenges of the scheme, such as the additional fire safety requirements in response to the timber-framed construction. To help deliver the College’s ambitions, Axter supported the client’s design team by providing expert knowledge, understanding and application of the current regulations.Tapered roof insulation was used to support energy efficiency and drainage requirements, with bituminous waterproofing throughout. In keeping with the college’s sustainability mission, the main quad features a blue roof system to attenuate rainwater drainage. Other roof areas are finished with wildflower meadows. A combination of exposed and buried waterproofing membranes were consequently required, with additional complexity created by the range of different materials and surfaces involved.“Normally, if our membrane is marrying up to a vertical wall, we would see it come up as a visible detail,” continues Matthew, “but the beautiful Clipsham stonework used for the building façade wasn’t compatible with the typical detailing. We were also challenged by the desired architectural intent to defend the historic aesthetic of the stone, so we created a bespoke solution that has the required guaranteed watertightness whilst also delivering the architectural vision.”Additional challengesThe project started in 2020, just as the UK was trying to navigate the guidelines for operating during the COVID-19 pandemic. Matthew explains: “there were still restrictions in place, such as a general 2-metre distancing requirement, which was challenging in the tighter spaces, for example corridors where you literally couldn’t pass another person. We had an unusually hot summer also, which wasn’t helpful when you have workers in full PPE using 1,400-degree butane torches where use of naked flame was permitted in accordance with NFRC Safe2Torch guidance.”The overall scope of the project, which encompassed multiple terraces at different levels and a mixture of concrete, CLT and steel frame structural composites, was a defining characteristic. “This was a large-scale development to begin with,” adds Matthew. “Furthermore, the university emphasised from the start the centrality of the significant sustainability objectives, and MICA had ambitious solutions in mind in terms of the materials used. Our job was to accommodate these various requests while keeping in mind all of the regulatory and compliance requirements. Achieving those without exception, for a large number of surfaces, does become more challenging where each part of the project has several ambitious aspirations intersecting with one another. Fortunately, we are known for always rising to a challenge.”SolutionsThe pandemic accelerated the shift to a range of technological solutions replacing traditional or face-to-face approaches. Systems were evolved for everything from distancing to digital rather than traditionally signed delivery acceptance.“As a manufacturer, we don’t have to be on site every day,” notes Matthew, “but traditionally we would attend fairly frequently, as well as meeting regularly with partners to agree and then oversee various aspects of the project plan. Fortunately, Axter was already moving towards solutions such as virtual meetings, so we simply shifted much more quickly to those approaches, using them wherever possible.“I think one advantage we have is the breadth of the product range we design. We can offer clients such as Jesus College a full system approach involving multiple solutions, to ensure we use the right system for the right application on each occasion. Our accredited installers are carefully vetted and trained by us, and have worked with us for long enough to know our products inside out.”The range of products we are able to offer, all developed in-house, does testify to the culture of Axter. Comments Matthew: “We are very much a technically-oriented company and that runs through every aspect of our work and our staff. Our sales team are all very aware of the products on that level, they aren’t selling products they don’t fully understand the technical details of. Our long-term partners know that what we offer them is reassurance that, from early-stage design meetings through to completion, whatever challenges they put to us, our response will be considered and robust in terms of quality and compliance.”Systems and products usedExternal stair cores used Axter Starcoat PMMA liquid waterproofing membranes.For the main quad and some lower areas, our innovative Force Dalle warm roof solution was used.Our Excel reinforced waterproofing membranes were used as an exposed membrane finish, with a tapered insulation to ensure the falls and consequent drainage characteristics required by BS 6229.Axter’s Cityflor warm living roof membranes were used as buried applications in several roof terraces, again with tapered insulation.Self-adhesive membranes were used where necessary to ensure compliance with NFRC Safe2Torch Guidelines, especially required due to the timber elements.Acknowledgments"To deliver the increasing demand on a building’s performance specification, combined with the seamless aesthetics of contemporary architectural design, an advanced understanding of technical detailing is required in the design and construction process. The design criteria have also resulted in an extensive range of engineered systems on the market to provide certified, technical solutions for multifaceted interfaces.Working directly with the designers and product manufacturers, we prioritise a full system approach to the weather-tightness of the building, focusing on durability, termination and compliance with current regulations. I have worked with the team at MICA Architects and Axter’s Matthew Saunders on a number of challenging projects, including The Cheng Yu Tung Building, Jesus College, and the HB Allen Centre, Keble College. Matthew Saunders has always been a key consultant for the technical specification of above ground waterproofing systems and the buildings’ thermal performance. He’s an expert in technical detailing and advisor on the materials required to deliver the optimum waterproofing system for the building."Eric O’Hare, Design Manager, BAM Construction www.bam.co.ukWith special thanks to: Tomasz Zozak, who provided the photographs, and BAM Construction Ltd.

The 2014 Commonwealth Games’ swimming competition was played out at Tollcross International Swimming Centre. In anticipation of the games, the centre’s facilities underwent a complete refurbishment. Some of the screed below the tiles on the main competition pool floor had separated from the concrete pool tank. The entire floor needed to be re-laid. Glasgow City Council Scott hired, Tilecraft, a specialist tiling works company that delivers high quality tiles, to lay the tiles and specified products from ARDEX UK. A fast track solution which would produce high quality results was needed, and ARDEX UK seemed the logical choice.

BackgroundLocated in Stroud, the Park Parade, Park Road refurb project was part of a large refurbishment planned by Stroud District Council. The shopping area and sheltered accommodation scheme were given a complete revamp with internal and external work being completed.MD Group from Bristol were awarded the contract by Stroud District Council and were appointed as the main contractor. A new external wall insulation system was installed, along with an extensive refurbishment to the communal areas, external balconies and roofing. Our approved installer Elite Rendering Systems were contracted by MD Group to complete the exterior wall insulation.Alongside Elite, we transformed the premises aesthetically creating modern homes and commercial premises. The buildings were given a new lease of life, and together with Elite we delivered safe, stylish and energy efficient buildings that will help to reduce fuel bills for residents and help decarbonise the Council’s housing stock.Our ServiceOur Technical team were available to provide hands-on-guidance throughout the duration of the project. As part of our service commitment, our K Systems Site Technician regularly visited the project to inspect progress, offer support and ensure high levels of construction quality.As the ground floor of Park Parade is used for commercial premises, one challenging aspect of the project was the detailing and installing around complex interfaces such as air conditioning/refrigeration units. We transformed the outside of the properties with a durable, low maintenance solution that is fully compliant with fire regulations and fulfilled the Council’s criteria.The combination of finishes used not only delivered the desired contemporary aesthetic but provided an additional benefit of cost savings for the client. Residents of Park Parade, Park Road will enjoy reduced energy bills and better living conditions thanks to the U-value improvement.Technical Project DetailsFollowing design and site meetings with the K Systems Technical team, K Systems M (Mineral Wool) was specified by Bailey Partnership Architects and Stroud District Council. This system incorporates eco-friendly mineral wool insulation boards. As an A2-s1, d0 firerated solution, it is widely specified to provide thermal and aesthetic improvements to buildings, reducing energy usage and therefore energy costs.K Systems M, utilising non-combustible insulation, ensured the latest building safety regulations were met. Thanks to its exceptional properties, the thermal performance of the walls after installation has been significantly enhanced. A U-value of 0.27 W/m²K was achieved, which will help to reduce the residents fuel bills and reduce the level of condensation forming on the inside walls – two key objectives for the client.For the finish, high-performance Silkolitt+ silicone renders were supplied along with our lightweight synthetic brick slips (VBriQ). This combination improved the aesthetics of the buildings for its residents.Silkolitt+ silicone thin coat renders are available in a wide range of colours offering a contemporary finish. The excellent vapour permeability allows the building to breathe and prevents interstitial condensation. The flexibility of the finish provides resistance against cracking and increases the durability, ensuring a long-lasting finish to the properties. It is very user friendly, and its hydrophobic properties reduce maintenance requirements.Accredited by the BBA, the K Systems VBriQ brick slips provide top tier Cateogory 1 impact performance and are ideal for use on this project. This lightweight system is quick and simple to install and has high UV resistance while also allowing the original brick colour to be maintained. An extremely durable finish that will withstand the day-to-day demands placed Park Parade, Park Road.

The International Convention Centre (ICC) Wales is an extraordinary venue designed for world class conventions, events and meetings.The result of a joint venture between the Welsh Government and the Celtic Manor Resort, renowned construction company, John Sisk & Son, was the main contractor on this 3500m2 project which also included a permeable and sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS).AG’s premium granite block paving TerraPave® was the obvious paving choice for the convention centre as it offers a beautiful finish to complement a contemporary design. Additionally, it is a cost-effective, practical alternative to traditional stone paving. TerraKerb® also played its part in this high-profile hard landscaping project, adding a premium appearance to the ICC surrounding. With its widely recognised durability and weather resistance, it is now well established as a market-leading option.Tim Cave, Regional Sales Manager at AG, said:“A key challenge faced by AG was to create a high-quality permeable paving system for a large roof deck, capable of withstanding continuous heavy traffic. Our Xflo® Plaza was the perfect choice. AG’s Plaza block paviour is made using the most modern manufacturing techniques, ensuring it will stand the test of time and retain its high-quality aesthetics, whilst effectively managing the movement of water through the SuDS system. This is a pioneering but proven way of mimicking the natural movement of storm water and replacing conventional storm water drainage systems.”

HMS Caroline – Museum ship... CHALLENGE HMS Caroline, the last surviving vessel from the 1916 Battle of Jutland, now rests in the Titanic Quarter in Belfast. After a second life as floating Headquarters of the Royal Navy during World War II, this living legend will continue to serve the country as a museum ship. For this purpose, however, extensive restoration appeared to be essential. The key requirement on HMS Caroline was to avoid penetration of the deck surface. To safeguard its historic heritage against damage, the Royal Navy sought a reliable waterproofing solution. SOLUTION Versatile and impenetrable! What used to be the properties of this battle cruiser, happen to apply to the RENOLIT synthetic single ply roofing membranes as well. That’s why RENOLIT ALKORPLAN was heralded as the optimal solution for the refurbishment of the ship’s gun deck. The lead grey RENOLIT ALKORPLAN A provided an ideal modern day solution with an impressive finish. On top of a new layer of insulation board, the calendered and laminated fleece-backed PVC membrane was fully bonded with a combination of the RENOLIT ALKORPLUS81068 polyurethane adhesive and the universal RENOLIT DUALFIX81065 glue. RENOLIT ALKORPLAN stands out above the competition given its excellent weldability, simplicity of detailing and overall versatility. Once installed, ongoing maintenance of the membrane will be minimal with a predicted life expectancy in excess of 35 years (BBA approved). On 31st of May 2016 the freshly refurbished HMS Caroline stole the show as a fitting backdrop for a commemoration honouring its centenary. 

The Challenge The Horsted development in Chatham, Kent, was to provide for a range of housing suitable for its suburban context. Incorporating a mix of two and three storeys, properties ranged from one and two-bedroomed apartments through to two to four-bedroom family homes with gardens, parking and garages, all set with an attractively landscaped setting of shared surface with pedestrian priority zones. The Solution The development incorporates 169 houses, 111 apartments, 9 coach houses and 63 affordable extra-care accommodation The design has been carefully crafted to create a relationship with the surroundings, with the choice of brick being key to achieving this objective. The combination of smooth red stocks and subtle and heavily creased soft mud bricks provide a pleasant aesthetic, alongside a combination of red, brown and occasional black slate roof tiles to give added variety. Chelsea Smoked Red brick from the Ecostock range was the brick selected for this development. Projecting Flemish bond panels and recessed soldier courses create modelling and depth within the elevations of each block and enhance the overall character of the scheme. The Benefits The site strikes a good balance between communal and private space, with the choice of brick adding warmth and connection to the surrounding environment. The brickwork contributes to achieving a high-quality finish. This project won the Large House Builder category in the 2018 Brick Development Association’s annual Brick Awards.

One of our latest projects was for a school in Barking, East London. The school required new waterproofing on their roof and chose OptiTec because we have a range of suitable products to choose from, offering excellent durability and longevity at a great price.Specification – Systems UsedFor this project, a long-lasting system was required with a Broof T4 fire classification for safety. Our technical team advised the OptiPlan-FB (PVC Single Ply) system for this project as it met the brief safety-wise, but it’s also excellent value for money over a large area.The OptiPlan-FB system is a fibreglass reinforced, fleece-backed synthetic waterproofing membrane made from premium quality PVC-P, offering exceptional resistance to weather and UV rays. A great benefit of this system is that it can be installed year-round due to having excellent flexibility in cold temperatures.This system was installed by an OptiTec Approved Contractor to ensure the highest quality of fitting with the option for a labour and materials guarantee if required.Challenges PresentedThere were no real challenges presented during installation and everything ran smoothly. We have a technical team on hand at all times to provide support and advice where required so we can always overcome any challenges presented in the best way possible.ResultsThe results of this project are fantastic and the client has expressed their satisfaction with the professional installation of the system and the overall finish.