"decorative plastics and wood laminates"

Stopgap 1200 Pro levelling compound and F46 pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive have led the way in refurbishing floors at Heythrop Park, near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire, following its acquisition by Warner Leisure Hotels, as part of a four-year, £40 million renovation.Flooring contractors were commissioned to install a range of floorcoverings throughout the site’s public areas, including in the 300-year-old, Grade II-listed manor house, which is set in a 440-acre country estate, as well as the adjoining hotel complex.The project included work in the reception, two ground-floor theatres, bar, restaurant and lounge areas, as well as connecting staircases and corridors, in the modern part of the hotel.Stopgap 1200 Pro high-performance levelling compound was used to raise subfloor levels so that LVT floorcoverings and inlaid carpet would sit perfectly flush with previously installed ceramic tiles, with areas divided by custom-made CAT brass edging strips. Stopgap Micro Rapid fast-setting, fast-drying floor finishing compound was used to address minor subfloor imperfections.Stopgap 1200 Pro was also used to create a perfectly smooth surface for grey loose-lay Forbo Coral carpet tiles in the entranceway of the reception, where heavy-duty made-to-measure Newhay grid entrance well matting was installed.Behind the reception desk, Plusfloor concrete-effect luxury vinyl tiles were installed with Styccobond F46 pressure sensitive adhesive, which provides a high bond strength that increases as it is trafficked, as well as strong initial tack, meaning that tiles or planks won’t move around while working. The indefinite open time offered by the product negates the risk of late placement, another advantage when there’s complex designs and patterns.Contractors installed bespoke Brintons carpet in a small seating area on one side of the reception and in front of the entrances to the larger of the hotel’s two ground-floor theatres and Late Lounge Bar, as well as on the steps and accessibility ramp leading from the reception to the 120m2 area, using a dual bond system. This involved using Styccobond F3 to create a permanent bond between carpet and underlay, with the Styccobond F40 providing a peelable bond between the underlay and subfloor.In the theatre, where guests can enjoy live music, drama and comedy performances, Stopgap 1200 Pro was used to patch repair existing subfloors, including where stanchions had been removed, before installing custom-made dark black and blue Newhay carpet.Bespoke Newhay carpet was also installed in the Late Lounge Theatre, which was also furnished with an Amtico wood-effect LVT dancefloor adhered with Styccobond F46. Styccobond F46 was used to install Harlequin Standfast high-performance vinyl sheet on both of the theatres’ stages.Amtico Signature basketweave, wood-effect LVTs were installed in the Late Lounge Bar up to seating areas with bespoke Newhay carpet and ceramic tiles around the bar, as well as on the steps leading to the Late Lounge Theatre. A feature was created in the centre of the room with a large area of herringbone wood-effect LVTs and a border of Amtico Signature Cirrus Twilight grey planks.Similarly, in the first floor ‘Pub and Kitchen’, Karndean ‘Van Gogh’ salvaged wood-effect LVTs were installed up to the bar area, where a border was created using Karndean ‘riven slate’ grey ‘Knight Tiles’, and areas with tables and chairs, where Alternative Flooring ‘Anywhere Rope’ natural carpet was installed. The LVTs were installed up to ceramic tiles around the bar and seating areas with bespoke Newhay carpet.Plusfloor wood floorcoverings were installed on the main staircase leading from the reception to the first and second floors, extending onto the first floor landing and lounge area, using Styccobond B95.Where there were steps in the areas being renovated, including the main staircase, Stycco Flex rapid-curing, flexible tube adhesive was used to affix custom-made CAT brass stair nosings.

The Project £12m investment into a new facility at Dudley College will enable the college to specialise in training people working in construction using brand new/state of the art apprentice standards. On completion of the project, the college have pledged approx. half a million pounds sponsorship into Dudley Academies Trust which will benefit a number of local schools and enable the sharing of resources and expertise. The ChallengeDeliver a package that will inspire the students and present a true representation of the quality and standards expected in the construction industry. Install a full height, flush frontage cubicles system in a warehouse style space with ceiling heights exceeding four meters. Use local trades and services to the Black Country. Offer non-standard products to class-room areas. The SolutionExcelsior Flush 30 Full Height Cubicles installed on 150mm leg with upgraded stainless steel fittings. Complementary Duct panelling installed to house cisterns and associated plumbing work.Manufacture and install Solid Grade Laminate workstations in the classrooms.

We completed this large redevelopment of this school’s playground in Ealing, West London, over the summer holidays. The teachers were looking for two separate zones for older and younger children, with the junior zone to feature challenging, stimulating equipment .The Lappset Motoric Track acted as a perfect centrepiece for the area, being able to entertain large numbers of users for busy break and lunch times. The 6 tower structure features interlinked climbing nets, rope bridges, fireman’s pole, a large slide, climbing panels, and much more, giving hours of endless fun. A space net climbing frame is positioned adjacent to the track, providing additional climbing and challenge for older aged children.The younger age zone is comprised of an exciting multiplay structure, natural themed trim trail, and two crawl tunnels under earth mounds.The equipment was constructed from glue laminate timber and green panelling, to blend in with the treelined surroundings of the play area. For the surfacing elements of the works, artificial grass was selected, to compliment the natural aesthetic. 

The ProjectThe completion of Birmingham City University - Curzon B & Royal Birmingham Conservatoire forms part of the University’s £260 million dedicated investment into new and advanced facilities.Designed by Associated Architects to provide 100,000 square feet of additional facilities the £31 million Birmingham City – Curzon B Building officially opened in January 2018. The facility offers teaching and learning space for 3,000 students and staff.The ChallengePropose a robust cubicle system suitable for a heavy foot fall environment. Deliver all products compliant to BIM Level 2. Manufacture bespoke vanity troughs in a wave design. Manage production, delivery and installation to the high standards set by the industry.  The Solution As a local preferred supplier Excelsior were engaged by Birmingham based Willmott Dixon to supply and install the washrooms. T-Line Cubicle Range offered the perfect solution, with an extruded aluminium frame, inclusive of pilaster and headrail, coupled with Solid Grade Laminate Doors and Divisions ensure a robust cubicle that will stand the test of time.

Northern Rail has returned to Helmsman multiple times for Lockers and Bench Seating for different railway services up north. For this project, the Helmsman team manufactured and installed 185 two-compartment Metal Z Lockers to accommodate 370 people.Z Lockers are the perfect locker design for maximising internal space as they have a small footprint while offering excellent space minimization. As one of the UK’s leading locker manufacturers, we also provide the project with Bespoke Z Locker designs as they were requested to be 2000mm high, 450mm wide, and 500mm deep with a perforated base. A perforated base is an excellent addition as it allows air to flow throughout the lockers.The body of the metal Z lockers were powder coated in the colour ‘Ice’, while the doors were powder coated in ‘Smoke’. The lockers were numbered with Helmsman laminated number plates and finished with Camlocks, which is our standard lock, however a fantastic choice, as they are reliable and durable ensuring users that personal belongings are safe as well as being affordable.

•      As part of the refurbishment of the Grade II listed Hay’s Galleria in London, new washrooms and changing rooms have been installed complete with Z style lockers and Ojmar OCS Pro Locks. •      Working closely with locker manufacturer Helmsman, the locks were specified for their high security and sleek design coupled with hygienic easy-to-clean surface. •      OCS Pro locks are the latest generation of keypad locks with the latest in innovation and design. Ideal for both new build and retrofit, they are compatible for all door types up to 24mm be they manufactured from Laminate, Glass, Metal, Phenolic or Melamine and are supplied with or without pull handles. •      Available in silver, white or graphite finish, they are designed to be fully configurable by the end user and can be activated by both pin code or infrared key to minimise touchpoints and prevent cross-contamination. •      With a battery life of up to six years and in-built saving of configuration saver, these IP56 rated locks are ideal for both wet and dry areas and feature high performance long life-cycle with low maintenance.

Lord's Cricket GroundBauder LiquiTEC Balcony and Walkway, LiquiBALKON SystemSynopsisLord's Cricket Ground is a famous cricket venue located in St John's Wood, London. There are various Bauder waterproofing systems installed throughout the venue but these images are from the Edrich Stairs on the third level.Bauder Building BoardProject:Lord's Cricket GroundProject type:RefurbishmentLocation:Basingstoke Waterproofing:LiquiTEC Balcony and Walkway systemRoof size:25m²Specifier:Rider Levett Bucknall LimitedApproved contractor:Higham Flat Roofing Ltd

DRU gas fires and a Spartherm wood fire were specified by Ethos Construction and DRU dealer Grate Expectations for Harford Manor, a country house in Holyport, Windsor. They selected the fires for their ‘A’ energy ratings. This included the DRU PowerVent extended flue system for flexibility of location. In addition, the gas fires can be operated using the DRU Eco Wave app for tablets and smartphones. Ethos project manager Niten Mistry said: ‘The fires were selected for their impressive performance and ease of installation. They also contribute to the high quality of the property.’ www.harfordmanor.com, www.grateexpectations.com,

Watling Place, situated in South Kilburn in London, contains 152 apartments. The project is part of upgrading work being carried out in the London Borough of Brent.The DucoSlide sliding panels consist of aluminium frames holding wooden or aluminium louvre blades. Thanks to the wide selection of louvre blades, the architect or client always has a large choice that will seamlessly fit any project. The architect opted for DucoSlide Wood wooden louvre blades. These louvre blades lend the façade a warm appearance and are an effective solution for regulating solar heat and the privacy of the residents.

The extensive refurbishment of The Mill House in Wiltshire, has been successfully achieved through using Johnstone’s Trade Professional range. Mouland’s extensive scope of work included the use of Johnstone’s Covaplus Vinyl Matt to give the interior walls and ceiling a wipeable finish. Part of Johnstone’s Ecological Solutions range with minimal VOCs, Johnstone’s Covaplus has the added benefit of lessening its impact on the environment. In addition, Johnstone’s Eggshell, which is specially formulated for interior use on wood and metal surfaces, was used to provide a smooth and washable condensation-resistant finish.

Acoustic consideration was critical for the design of a new generation cycle studio in London. An isolated sound box was constructed to form the studio with stud walls built to separate it from the café – using a lift shaft model allowing for air and acoustic separation.To complement the paired back industrial ‘Scandi’ design and monochrome pallet, HERADESIGN® in black was specified throughout. Joe Stuart of Warehome Architects said, “Heradesign was perfect for this project. It provides excellent acoustic properties and we love its natural, raw wood wool texture. Specified in black it is really striking.”

The overarching challenge was to establish an enhanced level of security at the premises, combined with effective, easy to manage access control, but with absolutely no compromise on the overall aesthetics of the site. This product is supplied as standard with natural timber slats, which (as per all Jacksons timber) have been kiln dried and Jakcure pressure treated to offer long lasting and highly effective protection against rot and wood boring pests. However, the client required the timber slat inserts to be provided in the house colour grey, which we sourced from Denmark to remain consistent.

Dedicated Sadolin Superdec user Gary Davies has gone on camera to talk about his passion for colour using the premium wood protection product. Gary, the owner of Lyme Bay Cabins - which manufactures and installs quality log cabin garden buildings across the South West - shares his experiences of bringing colour to life in a short film available to view at https://youtu.be/oXxPjdcqwDU The video showcases a number of projects carried out in Devon, and includes an insight into how the colour choices were made at each site.

At a high specification and ultra-modern residential project in Newquay, Cornwall, approximately 100m2 of MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME was used in the creation of an aesthetically stunning and water retardant external façade that perfectly complements the beach house’s cedar cladding. During the extension and refurbishment of ‘The Moorings’, a private home on the Cornish coast, self-builder David Wring required a highly versatile and water retardant wood cladding system. The high performance and extremely durable MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME was chosen to provide an attractive finish and long term weather resistance against the effects of saltwater and UV exposure.

COMMUNITY housing in Birmingham was given a fresh new look over winter - despite challenging weather conditions. Twelve homes in the Smith’s Wood area of the city had been identified for redecoration work by the Family Optima Community Association. But the falling temperature meant the plan to repaint the external elevations to each property required a special solution. The specification services team at Crown Paints selected Sandtex Trade 365 All-Weather Masonry Paint – a product that has been used on the homes in the past and one which is able to cope with cold conditions.

The sheer volume of passengers visiting Stansted Airport on a daily basis puts an enormous strain on the airport facilities, including the washrooms. System M was specified for the refurbishment due to its strength and durability. System M’s patented emergency access system is made possible by an innovative pivoting pilaster. The pilaster is ‘squeezed’ allowing normally opening inward doors to be pulled outwards in the event of an emergency at the airport. The finish was completed with Clipclad precision wall panelling; bright and sleek with a fresh colour palette of greens and natural wood effects.Read the full case study for more information.

DUCO contributes with sun protection to the £78m project for The University of Manchester. The architectural sun control DucoSun Ellips 200 mm, supplied by Contrasol, was chosen for the Fallowfield campus. The solar shading is so much more than decoration.About the Fallowfield CampusThe Fallowfield is a student accommodation with 8 multi-storey blocks including a Warden’s flat and Energy Centre, amenity hub, landscaping and external works. Each residence will have 10 bedrooms per floor with ensuite bathroom pods and a shared kitchen. 1,122 student rooms are spread over the blocks with a combined floor area of 32,020m2. The Fallowfield Campus is the main residential campus of the University of Manchester. It’s a vibrant place where thousands of students live alongside residents – creating e a real sense of community. The mix of shops, cafes, bars and a frequent bus service to and from the city centre makes it an ideal location to live.Construction detailsThe blocks are constructed using pre-fabricated lightweight steel framing system panels which provide structure to the building when used along with composite concrete floors. External materials are predominantly buff brickwork with feature elevations picked out in charcoal fibre cement slate roofing and cladding. Study bedrooms incorporate built-in storage and furnishings and a high specification pre-fabricated GRP en-suite shower pod.  Solar shading is much more than decorationThe vertical solar shading system DucoSun Ellips was chosen for this project and supplied by Contrasol. This solar shading system, in which a blade with of 200 mm was chosen, guarantees not only maximum daylight, thanks to the optimal inclination angle and number of louvre blades. At the same time, DucoSun Ellips 200 ensures that the sun’s rays do not get a chance to heat up the Fallowfield interior spaces directly. The vertically installed solar shading system offers maximum privacy while maintaining the view outside.

Woolton House stands as a testament to the architectural prowess of the past. Constructed during the 18th century and remodelled in the 1930s, this magnificent estate exudes an air of elegance and grandeur. Reading-based Herridge Decorators undertook removal and reinstatement of areas of deterioration, replacing failed cement render with lime render. One of the key advantages of lime render is its breathability, allowing moisture to evaporate from the building's walls and preventing the accumulation of dampness and subsequent damage. The use of lime render in conjunction with the vapour permeability of KEIM Mineral Paints ensures restored areas remain structurally sound and free from the detrimental effects of trapped moisture. The application of impermeable acrylic-bound coatings over historic limewash had contributed to delamination and required removal back to a sound edge prior to redecoration. Surface breathability cannot be restored unless impermeable coatings are removed, however if sound and well adhered to the underlying substrate, redecoration using KEIM Mineral Paints remains possible. KEIM Mineral Paints chemically bond to bare mineral substrates and chemically bond to sound existing paints, providing surface protection and UV stable pigment. Following recent wet weather, organic growth has become more apparent on surfaces retaining moisture which are unable to dry out. Green algae can cultivate on any exterior surface retaining moisture, including elevations of a property and particularly at lower levels. Fortunately, removal is straightforward using a mild detergent and reoccurrence can be prevented by treating surfaces with fungicidal primer, KEIM Algicid, 24 hours prior to paint application.  Polymer and acrylic-based repair materials are unsuitable for use with mineral paints, therefore minor cracking and repair work was completed using KEIM Spachtel, a ready-mixed and easy-to-use paste filler with mineral fibres. Patch repairs were blended with the surrounding substrate using KEIM Contact Plus, a lightly aggregated paint also suitable for disguising surface imperfections and filling hairline cracks. Application of KEIM Contact Plus is suitable onto isolated areas up to a natural breakline or over entire elevations. The high porosity of lime render needs to be equalised without compromising breathability before painting. Also suitable for consolidating previously limewashed substrates, KEIM Soldalit Fixativ, a potassium silicate primer, was applied to prepare surfaces where required. Redecoration was completed in bespoke colours to match the historic scheme using two coats of KEIM Soldalit-ME, with added protection against airborne contaminants typical of rural locations, in addition to the reduction of toxic gasses and A2-s1, d0 fire certification. David Herridge of Herridge Decorators commented; “We've been using KEIM products for many years and knew how suitable they would be for a project of this nature and scale. The products were easy to apply and the colour consistency over large areas is very impressive. The client was really happy with the colour choices and finishes.” Preserving our heritage buildings is a responsibility we should all embrace. By entrusting the restoration work to professionals like Herridge Decorators, we can ensure that these architectural treasures continue to stand tall for generations to come.

Client: Sunderland City CouncilLocation: Sunderland, UKSector: Mixed-Use FacilityYear: 2021Project Size: 3,500 m²System: vebro Classic TerrazzoA durable, attractive, impressive terrazzo flooring solution for the atrium, staircase, café, walkways and breakout spaces in the new City Hall development in Sunderland.FaulknerBrowns’s City Hall scheme provides a mix of private and public uses comprising two blocks, one five-storey and one six-storey tower, linked by a covered central walkway.Project backer Sunderland City Council is expected to move around 1,200 employees into the seven-storey building on the plot which, until recently, had laid dormant since the brewery’s demolition in 1999.Bringing together council staff from eight different offices around the city under one roof, the project is set to deliver net operational savings to the council of around £22 million over 25 years. The building will also include customer services areas, a fitness room, and an employment centre.The former Vaux Brewery site in Sunderland has been redeveloped as part of an ambitious £500m plan to deliver state-of-the-art commercial offices, residential, retail, leisure, hotel, and dining space.The brownfield site, which sits to the north-west of the city, is being developed in phases to bring a new mixed-use neighbourhood to the area. With the first phase that originally commenced in 2016 now complete, the second phase of the plan (Vaux 2) comprises the 17,775 square metre, £42 million City Hall, Sunderland.Vebro Polymers supplied its decorative epoxy terrazzo flooring system, vebro Classic Terrazzo, in two unique colour blends, RAL 3009 Red Oxide and RAL 7044 Silk Grey as part of the flooring package at the new Sunderland City Hall, which has been expertly project managed from prep through to finish by the team at MJF Group over a 4 month period.These terrazzo materials have also been used to create several pre-cast elements including the dining hall counter, central feature stairwell, and other items of furniture.vebro Classic Terrazzo is a highly decorative, but highly durable and long-lasting epoxy terrazzo flooring system. The material is installed as a slurry of wet components mixed with a blend of handpicked decorative marble aggregates onto the primed substrate.MJF Group is an established support services company providing specialist solutions to businesses nationwide.Since 2006 the company has built an enviable reputation in the commercial cleaning market, fuelling a later expansion into site services and specialist flooring alongside growth from local to national level.MJFs dedicated team of flooring experts are a group of highly skilled professionals who deliver a first-class service, ensuring all of their flooring solutions achieve outstanding results within an efficient and timely manner.MJF pride themselves on offering their clients extremely competitive prices, without ever compromising results.

Black POSIglaze Side-fix channel installed as Juliet balcony. What is a Juliet Balcony? A glass Juliet balcony (also known as a French balcony) is a type of glass balustrade that is fitted to a first floor window, directly outside a set of inward-opening French doors, as a safety feature. A Juliet balcony creates a feeling of space within the room, as well as allowing more light and fresh air into the room than could be achieved with a regular window. All within a secure and stylish translucent framework. This beautiful installation by Terry Lisgo and his G&T Design & Build Team, features two Juliet balconies on one property in Cheshire March 2022. The home owner didn’t want any handrails blocking their view, so 17.5mm toughened laminated glass has been used as this eliminates the need for the extra safety measure. Toughened laminated glass has a layer between the glass sheets which adds strength, removing the need for a handrail.To pass building regulations, the glass must be 1100mm high across these Juliet balconies. If you’ve ever been involved in a building project, you’ll know that elements must be signed off before the next building phase can begin. The black Juliet Balconies look stunning with the matching windows and French doors and have fulfilled the customer brief perfectly. POSIglaze side-fix balustrade channel is able to hold glass thickness between 12mm and 21.5mm. and is suitable for many projects and balcony styles. The cladding is the black element used to make the channel look black, simply clipped on to the channel it transforms the look from silver to black balustrade. You might be wondering why people like Juliet balconies so much when you can’t actually stand on them! Well they can actually add value to your home, they increase natural light into your room and also improve the air flow. If you love the feeling of bringing the outdoors in, then these are ideal for you as they increase your view in a safe and stylish way.  Frameless glass balustrades used for Juliet Balconies are low maintenance and cheaper than the conventional balcony design. If you are interested in having a Juliet balcony please contact our helpful technical team and they will provide guidance on how to get started, chat about your balustrade ideas and we can also let you know about installers local to you. 

Black POSIglaze Side-fix channel installed as Juliet balcony. What is a Juliet Balcony? A glass Juliet balcony (also known as a French balcony) is a type of glass balustrade that is fitted to a first floor window, directly outside a set of inward-opening French doors, as a safety feature. A Juliet balcony creates a feeling of space within the room, as well as allowing more light and fresh air into the room than could be achieved with a regular window. All within a secure and stylish translucent framework. This beautiful installation by Terry Lisgo and his G&T Design & Build Team, features two Juliet balconies on one property in Cheshire March 2022. The home owner didn’t want any handrails blocking their view, so 17.5mm toughened laminated glass has been used as this eliminates the need for the extra safety measure. Toughened laminated glass has a layer between the glass sheets which adds strength, removing the need for a handrail.To pass building regulations, the glass must be 1100mm high across these Juliet balconies. If you’ve ever been involved in a building project, you’ll know that elements must be signed off before the next building phase can begin. The black Juliet Balconies look stunning with the matching windows and French doors and have fulfilled the customer brief perfectly. POSIglaze side-fix balustrade channel is able to hold glass thickness between 12mm and 21.5mm. and is suitable for many projects and balcony styles. The cladding is the black element used to make the channel look black, simply clipped on to the channel it transforms the look from silver to black balustrade. You might be wondering why people like Juliet balconies so much when you can’t actually stand on them! Well they can actually add value to your home, they increase natural light into your room and also improve the air flow. If you love the feeling of bringing the outdoors in, then these are ideal for you as they increase your view in a safe and stylish way.  Frameless glass balustrades used for Juliet Balconies are low maintenance and cheaper than the conventional balcony design. If you are interested in having a Juliet balcony please contact our helpful technical team and they will provide guidance on how to get started, chat about your balustrade ideas and we can also let you know about installers local to you. 

IssueSheffield Olympic Legacy Park Stadium was created after a collaboration of key institutions decided to deliver an Olympic legacy through the four themes of sport, community, environment and economy. The park has an ethos to achieve physical and mental health and wellbeing by providing world-class facilities for community sports, from grassroots up to elite levels.ApproachWith the need to provide inspirational interiors for aspiring Olympians, Alex Parojcic, Architect at Whittam Cox knew that a high-end design, complemented by technical performance and ease of maintenance was required for the new changing areas, showers and physiotherapy suite. “Ceramic tiles had originally been specified for the showers and changing rooms, but we switched to Altro Tegulis when we realised the installation would be quicker, give a fantastic look and feel to the areas,and provide the cleanliness and hygiene standards required for such busy areas.”Joe Richardson of Richardsons Cladding who completed the installation, added “Altro Tegulis was a quick and easy install which assisted with the contractor’s tight programme. If this had been done in the ceramic tiles it would have impacted the programme massively.”SolutionAltro Tegulis, partnered by Altro Aquarius were specified for the showers, providing safety from slips in shoes and barefoot. For the changing rooms, where traffic from football studs, sports shoe spikes and bumps/knocks from sports bags and equipment would be experienced, Altro Atlas 40 was specified. Altro Wood provided a less clinical finish in the physiotherapy suite.Altro Tegulis tile-effect wall panels offer the ideal alternative to traditional tiles for wet rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and retail spaces. With a range of tile-effect patterns offering a grout-free alternative to tiles, Altro Tegulis offers a more familiar feeling than traditional wall panel sheets.Altro Atlas is well suited to areas where the risk of a slip is high, including heavy duty industrial use and sports changing rooms. Hard wearing, stable, and resistant to mechanical damage and chemicals, Altro Atlas 40 provides long term durability and slip resistance, and is easy to clean and maintain.Altro Aquarius is a specialist solution for combined wet and dry, shoe and barefoot areas. Keeps you safe with common contaminants such as shampoo and conditioner.Altro Wood is a general purpose 2mm wood-effect vinyl safety flooring available in a range of designs with different plank sizes.

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

Dynamic interior spaces created for flagship care homeIssueQuantum Care were launching their flagship care home, Mantles Court, and wanted an interior design that created a warm, welcoming and comfortable space. They asked WHAT IF? Designs to create the interior fit out with a non-clinical feel, making the state of the art, 78-bed care facility feel like a home-from-home for residents.ApproachWHAT IF? Designs looked at the flow of resident living spaces and the needs for each area. Communal spaces including lounges, dining and kitchen areas needed floors that were easy to clean, look fantastic and provide safety from slips. For the ensuite bathrooms, a softer, neutral coloured floor that provided slip resistance for both staff and residents was needed, while bedrooms needed a more homely, domestic feel, with comfort under foot as a priority.SolutionAltro Wood was chosen for the dining room, bedrooms and the hair salon for its natural, homely, good looks. Altro Aquarius and Altro Pisces, with their wide colour palette and lifetime sustained slip resistance, were selected for the ensuite bathrooms, providing safety for shoe and barefoot users. And in the communal areas, Altro Ensemble was chosen for its flexibility and design choices as well as its noise reduction and comfort underfoot.Altro Wood is an attractive wood-effect vinyl flooring helping you create the right look for areas where people live and work. It has sustained slip resistance for the lifetime of the floor.Altro Aquarius was developed for lasting performance in shoes or barefoot, providing lifetime sustained slip resistance in wet and dry environments.Altro Ensemble is a modular flooring system of luxury vinyl tiles that gives complete design freedom to create stunning floors for interior spaces. Altro Ensemble has 15dB sound reduction with added comfort underfoot.Altro Pisces provides superb performance whether wet or dry, in shoes or barefoot in wet environments where the likelihood of a slip is very high."We would recommend Altro to other designers. There is always support when we need it and we will definitely include them in future schemes." Penny Green Co-founder, WHAT IF? Designs"There is a wide range of colour and technical specifications which provided us with the creativity we needed." Penny Green Co-founder, WHAT IF? Designs

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

Building an outdoor garden and entertaining space with a fab kitchen area that’s the envy of all your friends and neighbours is something many of us only dream about. The new series of Love Your GardenIn the new series of Love Your Garden with Alan Titchmarsh, landscaping experts Cotswold Garden Renovation Services LTD built a beautiful stone columned kitchen with a porcelain slab countertop using Power Grab ‘n’ Bond to secure everything in position for a long-lasting finish, guaranteed to last for a lifetime. Harry & Jamie only use the best materialsHarry Barnes & Jamie Johnstone of Cotswold Garden Renovation are leading the great garden revolution. They’ve shown that with passion and skills anything is possible and provide landscaping expertise for ITV’s Love Your Garden alongside garden designers Alan Titchmarch, Francis Tophill, David Domoney, Katie Rushworth and Danny Clarke.They believe in always using the best quality tools, materials and trusted brands. Power Grab ‘n’ Bond is developed by leading British manufacturers CT1, the No1 sealant and adhesive in the UK. CT1 is always leading and providing the industry with the very latest technology. Now thanks to its unique ‘Tribrid®’ technology Power Grab ‘n’ Bond is a revolutionary product in the field of heavy-duty versatile bonding. Building a outdoor kitchen using Power Grab ‘n’ BondIn their latest project Harry and Jamie hand built a series of vertical stone columns that were then braced together with wide metal strips. Usually these would have to be fitted using mechanical fixings, requiring holes to be drilled through the stone and heavy bolts fitted with their thick heads protruding above the metal braces. As 20mm porcelain slabs were being fitted on top, these protruding bolts were going to be a major issue. Power Grab ‘n’ Bond provided the perfect solution as it’s the ultimate grab adhesive, eliminating the use of mechanical fixings completely and coupled with the rapid curing will, in most projects, save 50% labour time and cost.Using a heavy-duty caulking gun, Harry and Jamie applied Power Grab ‘n’ Bond straight from the cartridge, onto the metal braces and after 4-5minutes fixed directly them into place. Why use Power Grab ‘n’ Bond?With phenomenal initial grab, this fast curing, non-shrinking and almost odourless adhesive secured the braces firmly with immediate effect.Three times stronger than regular hybrid polymers, the ‘Tribrid®’ technology in Power Grab n Bond ensures longer colour retention, incredible durability and flexibility, even when applied outdoors.Yet Power Grab ‘n’ Bond will remain flexible and resist vibrations caused by cooking equipment, barbecuing and constant use. It won’t dry out, nor become brittle and works perfectly in temperatures ranging from 90°C right down to the mind numbing cold -40°C. Power Grab ‘n’ Bond will successfully stick to any material in most applications Not only does it successfully stick all metals (including alloys), but Power Grab also ‘n’ Bond has a capacity to adhere to a wide range of materials such as stone, granite, ytong, marble, concrete, wood, MDF, fiberglass, glass, polystyrene, mirrors and most plastics (except PP, PE and PTFE). Furthermore, its ability to bond combined materials such as wood to concrete or stainless steel to stone is incredible. Power Grab ‘n’ Bond removes the need for mechanical fixings!Originally created for facades and heavy stonework such as the installation of quoins, the versatility, strength and reliability of Power Grab ‘n’ Bond means it now used more widely by professional shop and kitchen fitters as well as specialist trades, landscapers and bathroom installers. It is tested by a UKAS Accredited lab to BS EN 12003 (Determination of shear adhesion strength of reaction resin adhesives) and BS EN1308 (Determination of slip resistance).After fitting the braces Harry and Jamie applied Power Grab ‘n’ Bond to the top side of the metal strips and laid 900x900x20mm thick heavy duty porcelain slabs in place to form the countertop of the external kitchen. How strong is Power Grab ‘n’ Bond?Power Grab ‘n’ Bond is a single part solvent free solution, with a far greater density, allowing phenomenal initial grab, even on vertical installations, and offers a final tensile strength of 22kg per cm2 when fully cured. These metal braces and porcelain slabs aren’t going anywhere soon and will provide a lifetime of outdoor dining for the homeowners. Where can I get Power Grab ‘n’ Bond?Grab also ‘n’ Bond is made in Britain with British technology and British design. Its available now in all good builders merchants nationwide and online from www.ct1.com

Pear Tree Court is a stunning care home in Waterlooville, Hampshire, which offers a range of care in beautiful surroundings. This care home has the latest in luxury facilities, a café, hair salon, gardens, cinema, its own pub, and 72 en-suite bedrooms over three floors. The home is divided into smaller suites, each with its own lounge, dining room and TV lounge and every bedroom is beautifully decorated and furnished.Cellecta’s ScreedBoard 28 was specified due to it being an award winning 100% recycled, reinforced, non-combustible, calcium sulphate floorboard, ideal for a multitude of new build and refurbishment applications. ScreedBoard 28 was chosen in this project due to its outstanding acoustic performance, ideal for a busy care home!CastleOak Care Partnerships were awarded this 2,376m² contract to construct this care home.

The new £140 million Macallan distillery and visitor experience on the Easter Elchies estate near Craigellachie in Moray features Armourcoat Surface Finishes.Macallan is a luxury single malt Scotch whisky brand, with leading positions in some of the world’s most significant markets including the USA, Taiwan, and Japan. The distillery is designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners, who were selected to lead the project after an international competition.Over 400m2 of custom coloured Armourcoat Spatulata polished plaster has been applied to the curving staircase walls, boutique store, lift lobbies and reception. Spatulata is Armourcoat's own superfine marble stucco paste developed from traditional materials and manufactured in the UK. It is trowel applied in numerous fine layers by skilled Armourcoat applicators to create a highly polished decorative surface that adds a touch of luxury to interior spaces. Photography: © McAteer Photograph

The Marshall Building is a new mixed-use education building for the London School of Economics. Designed by Grafton Architects, the interior enhances the student experience and offers visually fascinating architecture.The design includes a helical concrete staircase that starts from ground floor up to the teaching spaces on the first and second floor. The interior cathedral-like space comprises large spanning concrete ‘trees’ in a cruciform arrangement which was inspired by the local 17th century chapel’s architecture. The unpainted concrete surfaces were decorated using KEIM Concretal Lasur, a colourwash stain that enhances and protects the substrate whilst retaining the look and feel of concrete. We are delighted that this project has won several awards, Civic Trust Awards – National Panel Special Award 2023, AJ Architecture Awards 2022 and Education Estates Awards 2022, to name a few. 

Gripsure supplied Premier non-slip decking for Audley Redwood retirement village in Bristol. The anti-slip timber decking was installed on 14 luxury retirement apartments to ensure the residents’ safety. The retirement village has been built to a high specification. It comprises of 106 apartments and 20 cottages. The 15-acre parkland also features a restaurant, library and health club for residents to enjoy. With unspoilt views of the surrounding greenery, the balconies, have been finished to a very high standard. They include decorative railings that complement the local Georgian architecture. Gripsure Premier non-slip decking combines a traditional grooved timber decking board with two anti-slip strips for a high slip resistance. This ensures the residents of Audley Retirement Village get the most out of their outdoor space all year round in a secure environment.

Structural Repairs’ office space was beautifully and seamlessly integrated into one of Windsor’s iconic train station arches. This newly built office space boasts from its impressive structural logistics and boldly featured decorative and themed memorabilia at many of its cozy corners.Via a combination of the fire grit machine, TORC system (seen in the images and videos), water by pressure and a DOFF system, the carbon accumulated in the brickwork was removed. These methods, especially the DOFF system, work with high-pressure stream and extremely high temperatures.Brick cleaning is an arduous and labor intensive process by which a brick masonry, also known as a layer of brick which has been laid on the wall’s outermost surface, is cleaned. Brick cleaning is required at various different stages of a building’s life, and with our arch, a cleaning was more than overdue to restore it back to its original condition!

THE PROJECTWe love working with innovative and progressive developers and architects on projects that think outside the box, and Corner House, Cardiff is no exception.Developers Quin & Co Ltd have produced yet another exciting development. Situated on the corner of Woodville Road and Crwys Road is Corner House – a brand-new block of student apartments managed by agents CPS Homes. The building boasts a designer finish, offering stylish and open-plan living.Situated within close proximity to all of Cardiff`s universities, the building comes with a secure video entry system to each flat, lift access to each of the six floors, 24-hour CCTV, a communal garden area, storage for bicycles and of course a multi coloured bank of Safety Letterbox COM 2 mailboxes powder coated in a choice of RAL colours to suit the décor!

Expanding care options with fit-for-purpose solutionsAltro Wood, Altro Serenade, Altro Aquarius, Altro Stronghold 30IssueFounded in 1995, The Glen is part of the Willow Valley Communities network that offers ageing residents a mind, body and spirit approach to wellness. The Glen provides a range of support services including shortterm rehabilitation from surgery or illness, as well as specialised memory care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other cognitive disorders. The facility needed updating to allow residents to continue to enjoy the comforts of home while promoting their physical and mental wellbeing.ApproachTo continue its mission of designing programmes and places fit to people, Willow Valley enlisted CCS Building Group to manage The Glen expansion project, which began in 2018. CCS collaborated with their Altro representative, knowing Willow Valley’s history of using Altro products during previous renovations with proven success.SolutionThroughout its completion, The Glen project utilised multiple Altro floors. For resident rooms accommodating those receiving skilled care, CCS chose Altro Wood for its warm, domestic aesthetic. In the facility’s communal areas, Altro Serenade provides 19dB sound reduction to reduce excess noise. Altro Stronghold 30 was used in the facility’s kitchens for its superb slip resistance and comfort underfoot for busy staff. For residents’ bathrooms and shower areas, CCS selected Altro Aquarius specialist safety flooring for its high slip resistance value both in shoes or barefoot.

Re-designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects, Metalskolen conference centre on North Zealand, Denmark, has undergone a complete transformation. The new, contemporary interior features a total of 2,300m2 15mm Oak Classic plank flooring, fitted throughout circulation and breakout areas as well as in all conference rooms. Delivered unfinished, the solid oak flooring was finished on-site using Junckers’ Rustic Oil in White to create a pale floor which reflects a lot of natural light. True to architectural traditions commonly applied in the Nordic countries, SHL has created an inclusive and nurturing space, providing the perfect setting for learning, reflection and relationship building. Not only concerned with light and aesthetics, SHL base their work on democracy, welfare, sustainability and social responsibility, a commitment which results in buildings with a high degree of wellbeing. A light-coloured floor helps enhance lighting levels, reducing the need for artificial light and therefore saves energy. In contrast to a dark surface, which absorbs and holds heat and subsequently releases it back into the room, a pale floor will not contribute to overheating, reducing the need for air conditioning systems. With a perfectly smooth surface, a solid wood floor from Junckers cannot harbour dust or mites. As an all-natural material, wood contributes to an even and balanced indoor climate as it helps maintain temperature in a room and reduces static from any electrical equipment. Junckers’ floors hold the Danish Indoor Climate label and have undergone extensive degassing and odour testing to ensure there are no chemical substances in the flooring. Junckers also complies with EU legislation REACH. 

A former pub located in the heart of Taporley village, Cheshire, has been converted into a luxury health and welbeing centre, featuring a state-of-the-art-gym, treatment rooms and apartments for staff use. Instinct Gym and Wellbeing aims to help improve the health and mental wellbeing of the local community through new initiatives. When it came to selection the best floor coverings, having worked with JA Flooring on previous projects  Enigma Holdings Group, the owners of the building, called upon the flooring contractor once more. As aesthetics and durability were key objectives of the project, JA Flooring advised the use of an array of solutions from Forbo Flooring Systems’ portfolio including its Allura luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), which played a significant role in the renovation works.The natural wood and stone aesthetic, combined with the benefits of strong, comfortable vinyl tiles, meant that Allura was installed in the gym, treatment rooms, spin studios and circulation areas. In the treatment rooms where a more serene surrounding was required, Allura Wood in the Whitewash Elegant Oak colourway was used.In the entrance and reception area, a bespoke Coral Logo entrance flooring mat was produced to reinforce the Instinct Gym and Wellbeing branding – helping to create that all important first impression, whilst offering protection in extreme traffic conditions and maximum functional performance.Finally, Tessera Earthscape carpet tiles in Iceberg were installed in the apartments; and in the changing facilities and kitchens, the Surestep range in various neutral colourways helped to complement the overall sophisticated interior of the health and wellbeing centre.

Accoya was chosen as the ideal material for the vertical cladding on a footbridge in Vossenvangen, Norway. Maintenance was an integral issue during the pre-planning & construction. Combining strength, durability and minimal maintenance over the years, Accoya wood was the natural choice for Rintala Eggertsson Architects. Constructed by IKM Steel & Facade, the project also won the Architizer A+ Award in the Transportation and Infrastructure category. Two other category winning projects included; The Royal Arena, Denmark (Jury Winner in the Sport and Recreation category) and City Hall Venlo, Netherlands (Jury and Popular Choice Winner in the Institutional-Government & Municipal Buildings category).