"flooring joint fillers and sealants"

This project involved sealing a metal gutter in Glasgow. Leaks were present at most of the steel profile joints and rust was evident throughout. Heavy rust and soiling was first removed and then the entire length of the gutter was treated with Liquasil's corrosion primer, to prevent further rusting. Once cured, Liquasil Non Sag Sealer was applied to all joints. Non Sag Sealer has 1400% elasticity, to cope with extreme thermal movement. The whole gutter was then coated with Liquasil One to form a seamless and leak-free gutter lining.

FlexEJ partners with its sister-company Safetech to design and fabricate specialist large diameter rubber expansion joints.Typically, particularly in the Gulf States, these are used in water treatment, distribution and desalination plants – and it’s these processes that took contingents from our sales and management teams to the UAE recently to see our product installed and operating.Desalination and water distribution in the UAE and surrounding countries are vital, integral components helping to supporting these oil-rich economies, thriving as they do in a desert region.The teams flew into Dubai to meet with our local representatives Parvez Mohiuddin and Mansoor Pullat and find out a little more about how the potable water supply operates in this thirsty city. Plants all over this region are in a continual process of refurbishment; the team were able to see how rubber expansion joints of various sizes had been replaced with high quality Safetech joints during a recent plant upgrade.We have an ongoing and growing commitment to the Gulf region and various projects underway there. Building relationships and developing understanding in the field are very much how we like to do business in both Safetech and FlexEJ so this was an ideal opportunity to share information and make plans.If you are interested in finding out more about FlexEJ’s large and custom-engineered rubber expansion joints, please contact our Technical Sales Team on +44 (0) 1384 881188 or send an email to sales@flexej.co.uk.

Slip-resistant steps for Villa ParkDegafloor were thrilled to be involved in the redevelopment of Aston Villa’s famous Villa Park football stadium. Slip-resistant steps were required for the Holte End of the stadium in addition to new facilities, including a new bar and suite complex.As part of the project, slip-resistant steps were required. The entire 600m² staircases were treated with Degafloor concrete crack seal, followed by a flexible waterproof membrane to deliver a impervious solution to protect the new bar and suite complex. The staircases were then finished with a bespoke Degafloor Quartz Trowelled with Aggregate System, finished in a unique Terracotta Quartz.To comply with current DDA legislation (Disability Discrimination Act) the stairs were finished with a separately formed nosing in White.Due to the tight project timescale and to overcome traditional British weather constraints, Flo-Dek (UK) Ltd recommended a range of fast curing Degafloor resin systems. As well as being fast curing, all Degafloor systems exhibit excellent UV resistance – essential for external environments – whilst the QTA system applied to the treads offers unrivalled slip resistance to ensure spectator safety, whatever the weather conditions.Speaking on behalf of Flo-Dek (UK) Ltd, Sales Director Dave Cope said, “This was a very complex and demanding project. The colours had to match perfectly and the hand formed nosings required a high level of skill and attention to detail”.

Taralay Impression Control was specified in the Great Western Court Care Home in Gloucester.

Over the years, the David Lloyd Leisure brand has become synonymous with health, sports and leisure. It has played a significant role in increasing the nation’s awareness of how important fitness is to our overall health and wellbeing. Today, David Lloyd Leisure (DLL) exist to provide exceptional service and unrivalled facilities that enable their members of all ages to enjoy active, healthy, satisfying lives.

Skyliner Sports Centre, Bury St Edmonds

During a basement construction project in Surrey it was revealed that there was no functioning vapour barrier installed under the concrete raft slab. Koster Aquatecnic designed and assisted in the installation of the Koster VAP I 2000 system followed by Koster epoxy decorative coatings to prevent damage caused by vapour release and leave a beautiful finish.Please visit our case study via the link. If you would like further information or have a similar project you would like assistance with designing, please contact the Koster Technical team at technical@kosteruk.com.

The General Medical Council protects patients and improves medical eduction and practice in the UK by setting and upholding standards for students and doctors.GEC Anderson were employed to supply and install new worktops within its HQ building, located on London’s Euston Road. The project was undertaken by Carmelcrest who asked GEC Anderson to provide the new 5m worktop within the Pantry Kitchen. Access to the room was fairly restricted and, as it was on one of the upper floors of the tower, it was necessary to supply it in two sections. A clamp-joint was used to provide the near seamless and hygienic join. Two sinks were included at one end of the worktop whilst the other end provides the clear, plain, work surface required within the busy kitchen space.

The Living Concrete team provided design consultancy and were selected to project manage the delivery of a new kitchen for a celebrity chef.The glass fibre reinforced concrete central island, table-come-workbench was manufactured using our special GRC BTX concrete, which is lighter and stronger than traditional concrete. We used our unique eco concrete mix technology with a hydrophobic agent to limit moisture absorption. The individual elements were precast in our workshop for assembly on site and then hand polished and treated with a specialist sealant. Large format GAP wall panels with concrete caps in Mist Rough finish completed the design.Living Concrete’s worktops and tables are extremely strong and durable and can be used indoors or outdoors. By using the best of modern technology, we have created a contemporary and elegant space that demonstrates how concrete can be both good looking and functional.

Renderplas PVC movement joint beads were critical components in the successful rendering of Treliske Retail Park in Truro, Cornwall.

The vibrant, ivory-coloured façade of a new healthcare facility in Cornwall posed no problem for the Renderplas range of coloured PVCu external render beads. Renderplas provided a decorative and durable solution to match the through-coloured render of the £1.9m building. In addition to enhancing the building’s fresh-looking façade, ivory-coloured Renderplas beading has ensured straight, durable joints, corners and edges on all external rendering. The PVCu material is scratch resistant and will not discolour over time, so any exposed joints and edges will continue to complement the colour of the façade indefinitely.

This project employed the BS 7533-101 Type A method of construction (rigid/bound paving over an unbound roadbase) with the use of Steintec's tuffflow permeable paving mortar as part of this SuDS scheme.The Steintec tuffflow system of permeable bedding and jointing mortars was used to construct a SuDS permeable, bound/rigid pavement. The system allows the designer to capitlize on the low maintenance, high durability of a BS structurally compliant bound/rigid public realm pavement, while avoiding the disadvantages of loose bedding and jointing aggregates used in conventional SuDS pavement construction.

A prestigious development of five luxury apartments constructed toPassivhaus principles using the H+H Thin-Joint System.Masonry Frame Systems specified H+H Jumbo Bloks primarily because it is what was needed to meet the demands of this Passivhaus construction. H+H Jumbo Bloks offer an advanced thermal performance which adheres to Passivhaus standards.The Thin-Joint system was chosen in particular for its speed of construction, which allowed follow-on trades to start work sooner in a weatherproof environment, whilst retaining the flexibilityof on-site construction.

Located in Surrey, this detached Victorian property needed its top floor timber windows replaced due to rotting. Maintaining the windows was proving costly for the homeowners but they needed a solution that would still look authentic next to their ground floor timber sash windows. After researching their options, the homeowners came across Roseview’s traditional timber alternative sash windows. The possibility of maintenance-free sash windows that are indistinguishable from the original box sashes, but while providing modern thermal efficiency and enhanced security, made Ultimate Rose the obvious choice. Using modern technology, Ultimate Rose is completely seamless with traditional joinery style mechanical joints and the slimmest 35mm mid rail on the market. When installed adjacent to the homeowner’s original windows it was almost impossible to see a difference. The home was finished with a single vertical astragal bar to match the home’s existing sightlines and allow for maximum natural light. Additionally, run through horns and a wood grain texture was added for a fully authentic finish. The result is truly indistinguishable, and the homeowners now have traditional and modern performing sash windows that will last for years to come. The owners are now planning to replace the timber windows on the ground floor with Ultimate Rose as well.

The Sonixx Soundsure 400 high performance acoustic underlay was selected for use below a 1/2" engineered wood floor, as part of a flooring refurbishment project in an office building.The installers had nothing but positive feedback on how quick and easy the underlay was to work with. The underlay facilitated a simple, clean and cost-effective installation.Comments in praise of the installation include: 'With the SS400 under, it feels way nicer than most wood floors I walk on' and the owner of the building said, 'We are loving the floor.... everyone comments on the floor when they walk in.'In addition, the underlay provides high quality comfort, stability and performance.The SS400 was loose laid to the subfloor with the 1/2" engineered wood flooring floated above. The tongue and groove joints were bonded using a PVA adhesive.Features of Soundsure 400:Environmentally Friendly - manufactured using recycled rubber crumb.Durable - provides long-lasting performance and will not deteriorate or collapse over time.High Performing - ideally suited for use with wood flooring and laminates, providing excellent impact performance in excess of the UK building regulations.Hygenic - naturally anti-microbial, anti-allergy and resistant to decay with low VOCs.Benefits of Soundsure 400:Exceeds the performance standards required in the Building Regulations for sound insulation.Suitable for use with underfloor heating systems.Manufactured using recycled rubber materials and fully recyclable.Recycled rubber crumb ensure long-lasting acoustic performance.Cushioned underlay to provide underfoot comfort.Will not deteriorate or collapse over time.Reduces subfloor preparation times as screed and smoothing compounds are not required.Green Label Plus accredited for indoor air quality and low VOC emissions.

A combination of bespoke and standard column casings from the Pendock Radius range are being used to conceal structural supports at two John Lewis stores in Liverpool and Manchester’s Trafford Centre.At its Manchester store, a series of square pre-formed plywood column casings finished in durable white laminate, are located throughout each floor with many of the casings in the clothing retail areas are bespoke manufactured and incorporate full height mirrors, which are mounted to the flat surface.Square column casings also feature in the multi-storey Liverpool shop and are also manufactured from pre-formed plywood with a white laminate and aluminium feature joints. In addition, circular column casings, manufactured from laminated preformed plywood, are installed in product display areas, such as menswear.

Decommissioned in the late 20th century and the Triplets have now been restored and currently reside in their new home north of Regents Canal, facilitating new studio apartments. For the new renovation, it would have been a shame not to include any cast metal components, which have been deeply imbedded into London’s habitat over the years. AATi were on hand to deliver Cast Gunmetal SN30/60 anti-slip stair nosings along with curved Gunmetal anti-slip Floor Plates as pictured right. These Floor Plates suit the external radius of the Gas Holder Triplets.

UltraTile are delighted to have played a part in the restoration of The White Swan – a pub based at the heart of Gressenhall Green, Norfolk.BackgroundThere has been a pub at the heart of Gressenhall Green for over 250 years but when the doors sadly had to close in 2018, and with the threat of the land being redeveloped for housing, the local community took it upon themselves to raise the necessary funds to transform their much-loved pub and reopen its doors once again.The ChallengeThe ‘Save our Swan’ community project has ambitious plans for the pub. Builders and volunteers have been hard at work stripping out the old fixtures, redesigning the interior space to provide more room and better facilities, and renovating the Cartshed to install a wood-fired pizza oven and dining area.The Gressenhall Community Enterprise have done a tremendous job in raising the funds needed to restore and revitalise The White Swan. For the project to be a success, and to ensure funds and volunteers’ time are used most effectively, it was crucial that the materials used throughout the restoration were reputable, trusted and guaranteed to perform.Dereham Tiles & Carpets, flooring specialists with over 20 years of knowledge and expertise, recommended the use of UltraTile for all tiling installations.The SolutionUltraTile was delighted to be part of such an important community project and was more than happy to donate 50% of the adhesives and grouts needed, free of charge.UltraTile ProLevel One was used to prepare the subfloor in the main pub and Cartshed, ready for installing the Jaipur Heritage antiquated limestone tiles with ProRapid RS tile adhesive and ProGrout Flexible grout.Formulated for depths up to 60mm in one application, ProLevel One deep fill floor leveller incorporates a blend of specially graded fillers, cements and polymers to offer a rapid curing profile for early fixing of tiles, even at thicker depth applications.ProRapid RS is a flexible rapid set tile adhesive specially formulated with enhanced adhesion and flexibility. These properties make ProRapid RS an ideal choice for use in wet areas, with underfloor heating systems and for installing porcelain, mosaic and natural stone tiles.Available in 12 colours to complement popular tile choices, ProGrout Flexible has been formulated using ColourShield Technology for a vibrant and long-lasting finish with all tile types. Polymers have been added to the formulation of ProGrout Flexible to increase flexibility and to provide a virtually impermeable set.Results“Brilliant, quality product that complements our limestone floor and adds to the character of our community pub”. Rosie Begg, Secretary at Gressenhall Community Enterprise.There is still work to be done at The White Swan but with the hard work and dedication of the local community, the doors to this much-loved pub will reopen for business around Easter 2022.

Staff and student beverage point with integrated bowl and up stand. Supplied in two pieces with clamp joint to facilitate access to this award winning building.

Instarmac International’s Swedish partner, Pekuma, have supplied world renowned UltraScape flowpoint to joint 300sqm of paving at Växjö’s newly refurbished bus station and city hall.BackgroundIn the station area, along Norra Järnvägsgatan, is Växjö’s brand new station and municipal building. The old town hall now boasts a better working environment for its 600 employees and a 1,850sqm station which includes waiting area, shops and restaurants.Växjö’s beautiful new town hall has been designed to the highest environmental standards and is fondly known as the ‘greenest city in Europe’.The ChallengeAs part of this exciting project, 300sqm of cobblestones and concrete slabs were installed directly outside the entrance to City Hall to create walkways for pedestrians and stop/start sections for buses.It was imperative that the jointing material used to grout the 100 x 100mm cobblestones and 210 x 210mm concrete slabs would not only fit in with the aesthetic of the newly refurbished building, but would also provide a durable finish that could withstand the constant trafficking from pedestrians and vehicles.The SolutionInstarmac International’s Swedish partner Pekuma, supplied UltraScape flowpoint to Skanska, the contractors working on this project.UltraScape flowpoint smooth is a flowable grout which allows for large areas of paving to be grouted quickly. Suitable for joints from 3mm to 50mm and as deep as 200mm, flowpoint smooth has been developed over a number of years to provide a durable finish which will not crack or stain.With an initial set after just 15 minutes, and a walk on time of one hour, it is unsurprising that flowpoint smooth has become synonymous with fast application, cost-effective and robust jointing.UltraScape flowpoint is available in four varieties – original, eco, smooth and fine – and two colours – Natural Grey and Charcoal. UltraScape have jointing solutions for all designs and tastes.ResultsThe project was completed on time with residents, visitors and employees of City Hall now enjoying the beautiful new station and town hall.

The challengeA leading UK water company refurbished its headquarters in Warrington, which included a full office fit-out and building a staff gymnasium. The solutionThe project utilised glass in the new gym as the light transmission was a priority. Arkoni, a fabricator based in West Yorkshire worked with Pyroguard to deliver a clean cut glass screen without the unsightly black edges often found on other fire glass screens. The glass chosen for the gym was the EI30 INT fire glass in a butt joint format, offering clean almost invisible joints similar to standard non-fire-rated screens.

In May 2018, Australia’s visionary theatre, La Mama, was destroyed by fire. Thanks to the generosity and hard work of The La Mama Community, this iconic theatre has now reopened to the public and UltraScape are delighted to have played a part in its restoration.BackgroundLocated in Victoria, Australia, La Mama Theatre is home to responsive, inclusive and diverse independent theatre making. With a reputation steeped in visionary arts, La Mama Theatre is the number one destination for audiences to discover the next generation of theatre artists.The ChallengeA fire devastatingly destroyed this much-loved theatre in May 2018. The damage was so extensive, La Mama theatre needed to be completely rebuilt. Part of the restoration included an additional structure to the front of the theatre and new paved area.The SolutionThe incredible La Mama community raised over $3,400,000 to help restore the theatre back to its former glory. To grout the Recycled Brick Paving at the theatre, Instarmac International’s Australian partners, and specialist paving distributors, Prolific Stone International, supplied UltraScape flowpoint smooth.Greysea Group, the contractors completing the paving installation, have been using flowpoint since it was first introduced into Australia in 2020.UltraScape flowpoint smooth is a flowable grout which allows for large areas of paving to be grouted quickly. Suitable for joints from 3mm to 50mm and as deep as 200mm, flowpoint smooth has been developed over a number of years to provide a durable finish which will not crack or stain – even in the hot Australian temperatures.With an initial set after just 15 minutes, and a walk on time of one hour, it is unsurprising that flowpoint smooth has become synonymous with fast application, cost-effective and robust jointing.UltraScape flowpoint is available in four varieties – original, eco, smooth and fine – and two colours – Natural Grey and Charcoal. UltraScape have jointing solutions for all designs and tastes.ResultsLa Mama Theatre opened to the public in December 2021 with great applause. The newly refurbished theatre is fully accessible, has a dedicated rehearsal space, new bar, green room and mezzanine floor for their next generation of theatre artists to perform on.

This project combines SuDS bound permeable paving with the most up to date methods of construction in BS 7533-101 and a variety of build-ups over varying substrates including structural concrete, permeable concrete, made up ground and attenuation crates.The Steintec tuffflow system of permeable bedding and jointing mortars was used to construct a SuDS permeable, bound/rigid pavement. The system allows the designer to capitlize on the low maintenance, high durability of a BS structurally compliant bound/rigid public realm pavement, while avoiding the disadvantages of loose bedding and jointing aggregates used in conventional SuDS pavement construction.

Nearly 1000 metres of T-Pren gutter expansion joints were installed on the 28,000 sq.m. curved roof the Rocky Ridge recreational centre in Calgary, Canada. The wide curved gutter required long special lengths of T-Pren, 9-18m long, and were installed in pairs to provide double the expansion movement. T-Pren forms a waterproof expansion joint, which eliminates the standard step detail and so reduces the number of rainwater outlets required. T-Pren is a composite material made from neoprene and metal bonded under controlled factory conditions to ISO 9001 quality standards.

St Michael’s Catholic Church is a mid 19th Century church in Brecon, Powys. It is one of the most historic churches in Diocese of Menevia.Bryan Roe, Senior Sales Executive of KEIM Mineral Paints, was contacted by the decorator, Mike Curry of Phillips & Curry to visit the Grade II listed church.The architect, Bonnie Kitching of Hummingbird Architecture Limited and Mike Curry had used KEIM previously on other projects and were delighted with the results. Bonnie, in particular, was looking for a paint system that offered breathability so specified KEIM on this project.There were a multitude of coats of various paint systems, including limewash, covering the lime plaster and concrete surfaces.KEIM recommended removing all existing coatings, as there was moisture entrapment, to obtain breathability of the KEIM products. Once all surfaces were dry and moisture readings were below 18%, KEIM Granital Dilution was used to treat the areas of lime which were chalky and powdery.KEIM Dolomitspachtel, a mineral filler, was then applied as a skim coat on some areas to equalise textural difference on the surface and defects.KEIM Optil White was the required system due to its endless benefits, including breathability, durability and longevity. The white makes the interior church look pristine and will continue to do so for many years to come.

An Essex-based project centring on the provision of a much-needed National Autistic Society (NAS) school has seen the installation of electric underfloor heating system Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-E-DUO into the 60 houses built to off-set its costs.

Degafloor Marine Coating System for Scottish fishing boatDegafloor’s Full Broadcast Marine Coating System was the ideal, hardwearing and long-lasting solution for the boat decking on Ocean Endeavour.Salt water and continuous drag of steel chains from the trawler nets quickly eroded the marine paint that was installed on the top deck of Ocean Endeavour.Once the marine paint was eroded, the slip-resistance was destroyed, making the top deck slippery and exposed to rust. Similar issues were occurring on lower decks where the paint quickly de-bonded causing rust and slip hazards.An annual repaint of the decks would have resulted in unproductive time in dock, continual erosion of the decks and health and safety issues. As a result, a more permanent solution was required.Degafloor, in partnership with PBP Services, developed the Full Broadcast Marine Coating System, an MMA resin-based solution specifically for the marine industry. This marine coating system chemically bonds to the steel decks to create a monolithic finish which will not delaminate or de-bond.Using Degafloor, the resin installation on all decks was completed in just 3 shifts of 12 hours, giving a very fast turnaround for Ocean Endeavour to be in use.A small area was left treated with just the marine paint in the bulkhead. Within one year the marine paint had failed and rust was becoming a serious issue again. In contrast, the Degafloor Full Broadcast Marine System was in perfect condition, with no delamination, excellent slip-resistance with no rusting.Installation of the Degafloor FB Marine System can be completed as part of a refurbishment, but with its hardwearing properties, is an ideal product to utilise as part of the construction process of any ship or trawler.

Lazenby were asked to manufacture 80 completely bespoke pre cast concrete sinks for a new build office block in Kings Cross.The sinks were used in the male and female washrooms throughout all floors of the building. The sizes ranged from a 1900mm double vanity through to a 4 metre long, quintuple sink unit.All the units were cast with tap holes and a cut out for an undermounted bin chute. The joints were carefully placed to run through the cut outs to help make them as discreet as possible.The clients were looking to create a statement piece and so Lazenby created a bespoke blue colour that matched their vision. Multiple samples were created in a variety of shades before the final colour was selected.The durability and flexibility of concrete make it the perfect solution for busy washroom environments.

Architect: Paul Murphy ArchitectsInstaller: TKS UK LtdProduct: Gustafs Linear Plank150m2 and 500 individual Walnut veneered planks were used inside the private hotel bedrooms and corridors at the RAF Club Squash Court Redevelopment in Piccadilly, London.Gustafs Linear Planks are a great compromise between the Gustafs Linear Rib and Panel systems for use in smaller installations with multiple small sections which do not lend themselves to the larger panel system. Planks use similar invisible fixing Capax profiles for quick and efficient installation and subtle closed butt joints across the plank area.The plank system at the RAF Club is made up of 100mm wide natural Walnut veneer wrapped planks installed to the feature wall sections in 12 hotel rooms as well as in the lift lobbies over 4 floors at the club in Piccadilly.

As a key part of the University of Lancaster's Preston Campus, the £32 million Engineering Innovation Centre provided the university and Lancashire based manufacturers with state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities. This helps to train an extra 500 graduates, including an increasing number of female students, gaining degrees in subjects such as mechanical, energy technologies and aerospace engineering. Throughout the entire project, there were a number of technical challenges that needed to be met. These include the building's proximity to a very busy roundabout, the floor to floor heights, physical security, the expected levels of solar gain as well as design detailing requirements. Having a total glazed area of 3,100m2, the aluminium curtain wall carries over 40 different types of IG units, along with high density foam inserts utilised alongside decoupling joints in the mullion section - achieving 50 Dnfw flanking sound reduction, as well as 37 dB sound reduction for noise outside the building. In addition to achieving high levels of thermal insulation, being fabricated from aluminium, the curtain walling frame elements can be recycled, helping to achieve the BREEAM rating of Excellent.

We supplied 24,000m2 screed binder to our Smet Supported Partner, Fast Floor Screed Ltd. The industry experts pump-applied Südanit 280 Alpha Hemihydrate Screed using their fleet of Mobile Screed Factories in the new hospital complex, The National Forensic Mental Health Service (NFMHS) in Portrane. We supplied 20,000 m2 Rapidur® B5 Rapid Drying Floor Screed which was laid by industry experts, B Doherty Screeding Mobile Screed Factory).The NFMHS is a new state-of-the-art facility located 22 km from Dublin City in Portrane, North County Dublin. The project was awarded by Health Service Executive to the Joint Venture formed by OHL (50%) and OHL’s local delivery partner JJ Rhatigan (50%).The project, which commenced works on site in 2017, comprises the construction of a forensic mental health hospital, as part of St. Ita’s Hospital complex. It covers a floor area of 24,000 m2, not including the energy, maintenance, and gardening buildings. The new hospital will accommodate 170 patient beds, distributed as follows: National Forensic Hospital: 120 beds; Mental Health Unit for Children and Adolescents: 10 beds; Intellectual Disability and Mental Health Unit: 10 beds; and the Intensive Care Rehabilitation Unit: 30 beds. The construction project also includes the execution of spaces related to energy production systems, maintenance, and horticulture.

Major barracks improvements for service personnel at Tidworth, Wiltshire, feature external walls newly rendered with military precision using PVC beading from Renderplas to ensure well-regimented joints, corners and edges.

Reykjavik's spectacular concert hall and conference centre is Iceland's new landmark. With their joint design, Henning Larsen Architects and Batteríid Architects have literally held a mirror up to nature.Photos: S. Gudjonsson

When Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace planned a London venue for its roller-skating experience, it needed a durable, sprung hardwood floor that could withstand the heavy traffic of a busy roller-skating rink. The choice fell on Junckers SylvaSport beech flooring, a trusted floor system suitable for a multitude of activities. Working closely with the designers 93ft, the experienced team at Junckers’ approved flooring contractor Hutchison Flooring devised the optimal layout and choice of flooring system for the best roller-skating performance possible. A meticulous installation plan which encompassed working alongside all trades on site was formulated and consequently followed to the letter in order to bring the project in on time and budget. The building for the new venue is a Grade II listed former power station, which meant there were restrictions on fixing to the original fabric of the building. The brief was that no alterations to the substrate were allowed, nor could the floor be fixed down, the entire flooring system had to be floating. The existing surface to build the floor from was a concrete substrate that was not completely level. To overcome the problem, Hutchison Flooring used a low-level New Era cradle and batten system from Junckers, which provided a laser-perfect level floor surface. Hutchison Flooring lay a polythene membrane with a 150mm overlap and taped joints to ensure sufficient vapour barrier followed by the cradle which involved carefully packing to the exact tolerances for every sprung cradle to ensure a perfectly level and flat floor for the skating ring. 22mm battens where laid in the cradles, brick bond staggered to create a perfect and reliable bond to the floor when nailed onto the battens. Junckers SylvaSport beech flooring was laid using a compression nailer on every batten on every row and 0.4mm spacers were included on every row to allow the correct expansion within the floor. Inspiration for the interior came from the original Flipper’s venue run by Ian Ross in the late Seventies and early Eighties. The client brief was for an immersive roller-skating experience with world-class sound and lighting. Central to the state-of- the-art indoor rink was a jet-black floor, an element the client insisted on. The black surface amplifies the atmosphere by maximising the reflection of the overhead lights, LED screens and mirrored panels on the sides. Junckers black-stained beech SylvaSport flooring has the desired jet-black, matt finish to provide the perfect backdrop to Flipper’s logo which is placed in the centre of the rink. Specialist court marking company MJ Courtmarkers custom made CNC laser cut vinyl templates of the logo which was painted with Junckers’ HP Sportsline line marking paint before being overcoated with HP Sports lacquer. 

BackgroundLocated on a hill overlooking the union of the Sambre and Meuse rivers, the Citadelle of Namur has witnessed ‘millions of years of geological history and two thousand years of human history’.In 2021, cable cars were added to the extensive list of attractions at the Citadelle, giving visitors beautiful panoramic views of Namur.The ChallengeThe Citadelle is an extremely popular tourist attraction and therefore an extensive downtime was not possible. To coincide with their exciting new addition, paving was installed at the entrance to the cable cars and surrounding the exhibition centre. It was critical that the paving was installed with durable materials that would withstand heavy foot traffic, and would also provide a stunning finish suitable for the historic environment.The SolutionWith over 25 years’ experience providing the world with BS 7533 compliant paving installation materials, UltraScape was an obvious choice to use at this exciting location.Supplied by Instarmac International’s Belgian partner, Nijst Natuursteen, UltraScape flowpoint rapid set flowable grout was used to joint 800sqm of paving at the Citadelle.UltraScape flowpoint smooth is a flowable grout which allows for large areas of paving to be grouted quickly. Suitable for joints from 3mm to 50mm and as deep as 200mm, flowpoint smooth has been developed over a number of years to provide a durable finish which will not crack or stain – even in the hottest and coldest of temperatures.With an initial set after just 15 minutes, and a walk on time of one hour, it is unsurprising that flowpoint smooth has become synonymous with fast application, cost-effective and robust jointing.UltraScape flowpoint is available in four varieties – original, eco, smooth and fine – and two colours – Natural Grey and Charcoal. UltraScape have jointing solutions for all designs and tastes.ResultsThe work was completed in 2021 and visitors to the stunning and historic Citadelle are now enjoying a beautifully paved area whilst in line for the cable cars.

For this residential project on the Island of Jersey, a homeowner was building a private underground car garage with their own tennis court on top. To help ensure a completely dry basement, Rateavon Jersey installed Newton’s injection hose waterbars in the construction joints.