"roofing"

The ChallengePark View is a residential development of 175 units, including one and two-bedroomed apartments and three, four and five-bedroomed homes. The site sits alongside Saltwell Park, one of Britain’s finest Victorian parks. A conservation area, the design of the site sought to blend tradition with a modern urban feel.The local council required a premium finish for which the choice of brick would play an important part in achieving.The SolutionAfter reviewing several options, Forterra’s Southdown Multi from its Butterley brand range was chosen. It is a high-quality facing brick with a tumbled texture.For some plots on the site, the bricks were laid in an English Garden Wall bond, closely reflecting the brickwork of some of Saltwell Park’s buildings.Alongside modern features, such as rainscreen cladding projections and timber finishes, the development also includes a number of bespoke elements appropriate to the conservation area: reduced window reveals, timber doors and windows coloured in a modern dark grey, natural slate roof tiles, exaggerated roof pitches to accentuate prominent plots and full height feature windows.The BenefitsThe use of Southdown Multi brick has proven to be an effective choice in the successful blending of traditional and modern, ensuring the new development quickly settled within its surrounding environment.

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

Ten Traffic Street is a 522-bed student accommodation serving luxury living located on a prominent site within Nottingham City Centre. The project was delivered by Jensco and offers excellent amenities such as a cinema, games room, study spaces, onsite coffee shop, indoor and outdoor Gyms and multiple outdoor communal spaces including a roof terrace. Artform Urban worked closely with the Landscape architects, Ares Landscape to provide a substantial package of premium external furniture to ensure the high-end finish extends to the outdoor spaces. The complex is spread across 2 buildings with courtyards and one roof terrace overlooking the city. In total, there are 4 external spaces - each has its own identifiable aesthetic which is driven by the building fascias and window frame colouring which is then reflected in the outdoor furniture.The roof terrace is surrounded by a large Inspira Modular Planting System installation powder-coated in a unique Khaki Grey - bringing colour and natural benefits to the space. The planters house plants and small trees that provide dappled shade to ensure residents can enjoy the terrace on hotter days. Tables, benches, and a Box Litter Bin all in a coordinated colour palette, provide social seating and dining spaces and vibrant plastic Chill Lounger’s and Hop Op 500’s offer a more casual seating option for residents.The ground floor courtyards feature a continuation of benches and Box litter bins - with all steelwork powder coated in a specific colour for each space. An external gym has been provided in the larger courtyard and features two Endurance Wellness Stone installations. These unique sculptural pebbles include stainless steel fixtures to accommodate a variety of exercises. This is the first installation in the UK of these products that are part of a wider range of premium external gym equipment named MyEquilibria. This unique fitness range aims to redefine the workout experience by combining art, high-end design and community. As final additions to the spaces Artform Urban provided an extensive bike parking package as well as Fuente Drinking Fountain’s to encourage students to cycle and reduce plastic waste. 

Situated in the heart of the community of Driffield, Kingsmill School is a SEN school which caters for pupils aged 2-19 years. Situated across two sites, the main school site houses Early Years through to Key Stage 4. The school was completed in May 2017 and has been purpose built to meet the needs of its pupils. Alongside eleven new classrooms, the main site also has a new hydrotherapy pool, rebound room, sensory therapy room and sensory rooms.Students aged 16-19 are based at The Kings Mill Student Centre which is based at Driffield Secondary School approximately a mile away from the main site. This comprises three classrooms and a combined common room and food technology area.When the school decided to utilise its outdoor space to provide a safe environment for pupils to learn and play undercover, Twinfix were approached by Main Contractor Hobson Porter to design, manufacture & install four classroom canopies..The free-standing mono-pitch canopies all comprise our innovative Multi-Link-Panel Non-Fragile (NF) roofing system, glazed with 16mm multiwall polycarbonate. The roof is non-fragile in accordance with the HSE’s test for fragility ACR[M]001:2019, an important factor when installing canopies where children may try and access the roof. Each canopy has an aluminium frame, powder-coated to RAL 5015 sky blue to match the school’s building and logo. Other features Twinfix incorporated into the design of canopies are anti-climb guttering and post-protectors, which provided further elements of safety for the students.Being a one-stop shop for designing, manufacturing and installing such outdoor structures we are proud to offer a seamless service to any school or other education establishment looking for a canopy or walkway. We are really pleased that the staff at Kingsmill School are delighted with the latest additions to their school and we know they are planning to use it for all sorts of fun and healthy outdoor learning/playing experiences for their children.

Twinfix, a leading provider of roofing and canopy solutions, has successfully completed the design, manufacturing, and installation of a 225sqm canopy at The Corner in Darvel. This project, in collaboration with the Darvel & Area Regeneration Team (DART) and Coltart Construction, showcases Twinfix’s expertise in creating striking structures that seamlessly integrate with the surrounding environment.Twinfix was entrusted with the task of designing a canopy that not only provided aesthetic appeal but also met stringent safety requirements.When liaising with Coltart Contracts on the requirement of the free-standing pyramid canopy, the large size of the structure needed to be considered. Tiered panels were included in the design and a frame manufactured in galvanised steel, which has a high strength to weight ratio was requested. The Galvanisation process protects the metal, while adding colour through powder-coating provides an additional element of protection from rust extending the structure’s life span. The Multi-Link-Panel Non-Fragile roofing system, known for its robustness and ability to transmit natural light, was meticulously integrated into the design, offering visitors a safe and visually pleasing experience.Twinfix’s skilled team then commenced the manufacturing process, using state-of-the-art equipment and adhering to rigorous quality control measures. The components were crafted with precision to meet exact specifications, ensuring a flawless end result.The Twinfix-designed canopy at The Corner brings a host of benefits to the project and the local community. It not only enhances safety but also adds to the aesthetic appeal of the town, transforming it into an inviting space. The versatile 225sqm canopy provides a hub for community gatherings, meetings, and local markets, aligning with DART’s vision for the development of the area.Steve Gillies, Treasurer at DART, expressed his satisfaction with the project, stating, “The Twinfix canopy has exceeded our expectations, providing a safe and visually striking space for our community to come together. We are delighted with the outcome and grateful for Twinfix’s expertise and dedication throughout the process.”The completion of this project further solidifies Twinfix’s reputation as an industry leader in innovative roofing and canopy solutions. Their commitment to excellence and ability to tailor designs to meet unique client requirements have made them a preferred choice for projects of all scales.

Perfection Homes Ltd specified Catnic's® Urban  Roofing and Cladding System to help create a modern and distinctive exterior for a collection of new apartments. The company then subsequently installed the panels after its director attended an Urban installation course at Catnic’s dedicated training facility.Situated within the City of Hereford, The Copper Trees project will comprise of eight individual apartments in one luxurious building. Due to be completed in November of this year, residents are set to benefit from state of the art interiors, beautiful communal gardens and convenient parking facilities.Shaun Galvin, Director at Perfection Homes Ltd, working alongside partner Gail Small, is actively involved in leading the developments within their project portfolio. With a desire to create a clean and contemporary aesthetic for the exterior of the new building, Catnic's® Urban Roofing and Cladding system was chosen for the wall cladding.Furthermore, Shaun also installed the panels himself after attending a free installation course designed for those using the product for the first time, at Catnic's® Urban Training Centre in Caerphilly, Wales.“The training day was extremely beneficial,” he explained. “Being able to take part in such a hands-on experience with the product highlighted its technical qualities in that it is lightweight, easy to handle and designed well. The training helped make the installation process on site much more efficient and it was completed in just five days.”The Catnic® Urban system is manufactured to meet all relevant legislation, including load bearing for wind speed in accordance with EN 1991-4 and weather tightness in accordance with BS 5534 Parts 1 and 2. In addition, helping to meet requirements for sustainable building solutions – Urban is BRE Green Guide Rated ‘A’ and at end of life – the panels are 100% recyclable.“The Catnic® Urban system was the ideal addition to the exterior of The Copper Trees development, creating a distinctive aesthetic in keeping with the brief,” concluded Shaun. “We would definitely work with the product again.”Available in a range of contemporary colours, the Catnic® Urban Roofing and Cladding system is manufactured from Tata Steel’s Colorcoat HPS200 Ultra® pre-finished steel.

Tudor House was opened as the offices for Hatfield Rural District Council by the Marquess of Salisbury in 1930. A grand old building, it was built in a Georgian style with a host of period features.When its purpose as a public administration building was over, a proposal for a conversion (material change of use) into apartments was put forward by Lioncrest. Whilst not a listed building, they proposed to retain all of the period features and, where time had taken its toll on the building fabric, restore and renovate the brickwork and stonework back to its former glory.Permission has been given to convert the offices into seven new luxury apartments comprising of four two bedroom apartments and three one bed apartments. The largest apartment was constructed in the roof space which entailed reconstructing the existing roof incorporating two large dormer windows and five roof lights. The building includes a large basement which was converted into stores for the occupants and for each of the apartments to have an allocated car parking space.Lioncrest consulted with Hush Acoustics at the design stage of this development for soundproofing advice and assistance with the design, specification and supply of the materials needed.There were a number of design issues to take into account due to the history of the building and the period features. Our soundproofing experts worked closely with Lioncrest to develop the most economical and convenient acoustic system to achieve the high results sought. The detailed and careful installation of the Hush materials allowed some fantastic sound reducing results giving the owners of the apartments a very good standard of living.A variety of products were combined to achieve the necessary sound reduction throughout the building’s separating floors, ceilings and walls. These included Hush Panel Cem 28, Hush Slab 100 Sound Absorber, Hush Seal 20 perimeter strip, Hush Bond Panel Adhesive, Hush MF Ceiling System and Hush Acoustic Hangers.Through detailed planning from Lioncrest with regard to the schedule, Hush Acoustics were able to deliver all acoustic materials to site ensuring that the deadline for completion was met. 

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.

The Ascent Aluminium fixed ladder access system was specified to create a permanent safe access route to the roof for maintenance personnel. As the overall height exceeds 10m the ladder was required to be broken with a mid-height rest platform ensuring no single ladder length exceed 6m. Hoops were provided throughout for fall protection, an anti-climb plate was fitted at the base. The ladder was designed in accordance with BS 4211:2005+A1 2008 and the ladder was manufactured in accordance with CE 1090 factory production control procedures.

Parc Central shopping centre in Tarragona, Spain, has been one of the leading shopping centres in the Tarragona province. In 2013 the second floor was fully refurbished. For the interior, the architects chose Easy Glass MOD 0760 balustrade and a combination of stainless steel and wooden handrails. On the roof terrace 100 metres Easy Glass Slim were installed, with a stainless steel cap rail to create a stylish finish. The full glass balustrade ensures the safety of people sitting outside while they enjoy a clear view of the surroundings.

Spanning an impressive 8,500m2, the three-storey building makes a striking centrepiece on the water’s edge. With its BREEAM requirements, waterfront position, and proximity to the coast, it was essential that the building’s roof be designed and installed to meet sustainability criteria, whilst being watertight and robust to withstand the elements. As the system needed to exceed a lifespan of 20 years in a coastal region, Sarnafil specified its thickest membrane with a 25-year guarantee – a 2mm membrane, Sarnafil HD, to withstand the elements on the main field area which it currently is doing extremely well.

Architect: EMAStone: Bela SandstoneThis impressive new residential development consisting of 34 apartments is clad in Aztec Rainscreen façade finished in Bela Sandstone. This buff/blonde sandstone is a perfect match for the historical City of Glasgow and the surrounding Victorian tenements It follows on from the earlier use of this durable stone in North Street. Completed in 2018 and designed by KFK Design, Atrium Gardens is a new-build property with the rainscreen installed by Roof & Façade Systems and boasting its own refined, sleek and contemporary finish.

Transforming the old stone barns at Davey’s Farm was a major undertaking.To make the aging structures fit for twenty-first century living, the builders had to embark on a thorough-going renovation project.But they had to do it in a way that preserved the traditional, rural character that made the site so desirable in the first place.When it came to the roofing, that meant identifying a material that could blend seamlessly with that rustic, natural aesthetic, while offering outstanding weather resistance, longevity and consistency of supply.SSQ’s Del Prado natural slate provided the answer.

Riverstone Phyllite is SSQ’s signature slate; it is one of the few commercially accessible Phyllite stones in the world. Riverstone, Gruesa grade is a slate used for its quality and unconventional thickness of 12-15mm. Riverstone was recently selected to crown the picturesque Summer House residence, situated on the outskirts of Cheltenham, right in the heart of Gloucestershire. Working in close collaboration with Jonathan Rhind and Pete Thompson of Jonathan Rhind Architects, Ray Young and Richard Cook of SSQ recommended this signature slate to create this unusual roof. Visit our website to read more:

Neaco have supplied a wide-ranging balcony balustrade and internal balustrade specification at a development of luxury waterside apartments in Guisborough, North Yorkshire. The company’s glass panelled Juliet balconies and bespoke walk-on balcony designs are featured alongside balustrade installed to an interior mezzanine and a communal roof terrace. Handrails and balustrade have been precision-manufactured in aluminium featuring a powder coated finish in one of Neaco’s standard metallic colours. The rails and stanchions combine superbly with tinted toughened glass infills for a stylish modern aesthetic.

Hoxton Rooftop Garden in Underwood Street is a relatively quiet location within the sought-after district of Hoxton in central London, where younger residents are drawn to its eclectic, bohemian vibe. Number 31 is a six-story building with an additional roof terrace, exclusively for the use of sixth-floor occupiers Duncan Coombe and Linda Robson.To create a personalised space of creative lounging and dining areas that incorporated elements of nature to contrast with and complement the built environment. The Client turned to landscape architect Ula Maria for inspiration.

The Big Chill, a bar in King’s Cross, was creating a public roof terrace on an existing structure. The deck was complicated with many changes of level and multiple objects present. A single ply membrane was installed. Paving and decking was required. Adjustable pedestals were laid directly onto the surface and their heights altered so that the upper surface of the 50mm paving slabs and the 125mm decking frame would be level. Nothing penetrated the membrane and the weight tolerance of the ASP and TD pedestals meant even very heavy traffic on a public bar was accommodated.

This project involved a penthouse with a huge roof terrace. The existing deck was dilapidated and needed complete replacement. The existing decking needed to be lifted, cut up and removed. The terrace was jet-washed and sealed. Using ipe tiles on top of adjustable pedestals keeps the tiles out of standing water and creates space underneath for cables, etc. Rooftop terraces are difficult to access. 500x500mm timber tiles are much easier to manually handle and transport than long plank decking. The tiles aren’t fixed to the pedestals, making them future-proofed.

TJX Europe’s landmark new headquarters in the centre of Watford demonstrates how Biotecture’s living walls can transform urban landscapes and create an architectural feature to stunning effect. Standing at 12 storeys high, it is one of the tallest buildings in Watford and features over 620 square metres of living wall, positioned internally and externally both at ground level and with multiple elevations, including a seventh-floor roof terrace. The living wall was installed nearly a year ahead of the the project handover and will contribute to the target BREEAM 'Excellent' rating.

The Shetland Museum and Archive Centre at Hays Dock in Lerwick was built at a cost of £11.6 million which was part financed by the Heritage Lottery fund. The walls of the Museum were constructed in the shape of a fishing boat sail and the building won a prestigious design award from the Glasgow Institute of Architects. The harbour is regularly battered with wind speeds in excess of 100mph and Hertalan membranes were specified to waterproof the roofs and fa çades of the building due to their durability, BBA, ISO14001 and WINTEC certification and the products 20 yr manufacturer warranty.

To maximise animal health and performance at Knaptoft Farm, near Lutterworth, Eternit fibre cement roofing sheets were specified for all livestock buildings, due to the high levels of insulation and vapour permeability that they provide. As a local councillor, farm owner Neville Hall was also acutely aware of the visual impact that his new buildings would have and wanted the site to fit in well with the local countryside. To ensure this, he specified Eternit Profile 6 in Farmscape Anthracite and is very happy with the building’s final appearance.

LAMILUX designed, supplied and installed eight LAMILUX Glass Roof PR60 mono-pitch rooflights at Oundle School Sports Centre. Seven of the rooflights, were positioned over the 50 metre swimming pool, adding an abundance of natural light, with special sun protective glazing to eliminate overheating. A special coating was applied to the aluminium profiles to protect them from corrosion within the chlorine environment. The eighth rooflight, an 18m x 6m trapeze shape, illuminates the atrium at the flagship of the school’s sports masterplan.

Figures published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in 2018 indicate that 26% of fatal injuries and 8% of non-fatal injuries are caused by a fall from height. The construction sector accounts for 18% of those accidents! Architects, specifiers and building contractors have a duty of care to ensure that when specifying ladders they give due consideration to a number of factors to help to minimise the risk of falls. Tony Stevens, Technical Estimator at Bilco UK, outlines some of the key factors to be considered when specifying ladders for accessing a roof area.

The roof of this bingo hall in Hamilton, Scotland was affected by cut edge corrosion. Liquasil's Flexlap cut edge corrosion treatment was specified to solve the problem. All surfaces were first prepared using wire brushes to remove any delaminating finishes, before being prepared with the Liquasil Corrosion primer. Once the primer had cured, the Flexlap hardened silicone top coat was applied to provide a moss and lichen resistant finish, offering 10+ years protection, all backed by Liquasil’s unique, Latent Defects Insurance Warranty.

Arup is an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants and technical specialists. It has participated in projects in over 160 countries, including some of the most prestigious architectural structures in the world, such as the Sydney Opera House, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and the 2012 London Olympics. The majority of new and existing buildings require safe access to the roof area for ongoing building maintenance and to service specialist equipment. Arup regularly advises its clients on fall protection systems for this, and by working with MSA, they are able to meet the various requirements needed for their clients.

Our Clearview range of walk-on balconies have been installed across three floors alongside our Clearview Juliet balconies. A roof terrace also features our balustrade system and our A1 Fire Rated aluminium decking system. Kiran Parmar, Principal Architectural Technician at SGP, was impressed by our contribution, “Neaco offer really good, cost-effective products. They are also very helpful with technical support – they responded quickly in providing key information and design detailing, which was a definite plus point.”

Located to the south of Newark, Middlebeck is a 694-acre urban extension which will provide new housing, access to local amenities and a new purpose built primary school. The Christ Church C of E Primary School has been constructed to serve the local community and boasts an attractive design by Gollifer Langston Architects, with the L shape plan of the new school forming two sides of a courtyard.Constructed by the Lindum Group, the attractive and contemporary design of the new school building embraces the use of natural daylighting and the extensive use of glazing helps to strengthen the connection between interior and exterior spaces. Senior’s slimline SF52 aluminium curtain wall system has created a light and welcoming entrance, with Senior’s versatile SPW600 aluminium windows and secure SPW501 aluminium commercial doors used throughout.Robust and fully recyclable, Senior’s aluminium fenestration systems were powder-coated to further enhance durability and to complement the white brise-soleil installed to the south side of the building to help control solar gain. Additional solar shading protection from the overhanging roof, in addition to the use of natural ventilation, photovoltaic roof panels and underfloor heating also contribute to the overall sustainable design of the school building.Senior worked closely with supply chain partner Alusec to deliver the fenestration package.

Private house, Jersey CHALLENGE Glulam beams – or glued laminated timber – are an ideal light weight alternative for steel or reinforced concrete that allow for much longer spans, heavier loads and complex shapes. Over the years timber rot may occur to such a degree that renovation becomes imminent and irreversible. That’s exactly what has happened to the property of a Jersey customer of RENOLIT’s approved contractor Advanced Roofing. A solution was sought to “save” the existing Glulam beam structure without too many structural changes. SOLUTION The RENOLIT ALKORPLAN roofing contractor solved the problem as follows: For the first stage they removed the failed, rotten areas and treated the remaining areas for insect infestation. Then they covered the glulam beams at each change of direction with RENOLIT ALKORPLAN metal sheet. Over the metal the beams were completely wrapped in reinforced RENOLIT ALKORPLAN membrane. Nicely packed… and completely waterproof. It worked really well and actually quite an ingenious idea! The glulam beams can start a second life resistant to all weather conditions. Once the glulam beams were encased there was still the issue of the solar shading to be re-fitted. Preferably without having to penetrate the newly applied membrane! The brilliant idea of using RENOLIT ALKORSOLAR profiles welded to the top edges of the glulam beams as a safe and solid support for the solar shading evolved. This project is again an excellent proof of the versatility of our RENOLIT ALKORSOLAR mounting system.

The official opening of Stourton Park and Ride on 16 September 2021, marks the 150th anniversary of public transport in West Yorkshire. In 1871 a horse tram commenced between the city centre and Headingley. The horse soon gave way to electric trams, trolleybuses and petrol buses, the latter quickly being superseded by those with diesel engines.The £38.5 million public transport project situated in the Stourton area of Leeds, at junction 7 of the M621, was delivered as part of a wider scheme to help Leeds City Council’s aim of transforming the Leeds City Region into a net zero carbon economy by 2038.BAM Nuttall, appointed to develop the site, started detailed designs in January 2019. They approached Twinfix with a requirement for a free-standing mono-pitch canopy and Twinfix worked closely with them to design, manufacture and install a striking canopy spanning 73 square metres.The canopy comprises of the innovative Multi-Link-Panel NF (Non-Fragile) roof glazing system which combines a maintenance-free aluminium frame fitted with virtually unbreakable solid polycarbonate glazing. This innovative system meets the non-fragile requirements outlined in ACR[M]001:2019 and sits over Western Red Cedar roof cladding, aluminium framework and posts, powder-coated in RAL 9005 jet black.The finished canopy enhances the aesthetics of the site, while offering protection from the elements for its visitors.

The ProjectThe former Met Police HQ which has been redeveloped into a co-working space based on the banks of the Thames. Tintagel House boasts modern design co-working spaces, meeting rooms, roof terraces, bar, cafe, gym and cycle storage for its members. Bellsure were asked by Oakmont Construction to provide the cycle storage for this project. As requested by Oakmont Construction, we provided quotes on bespoke cycle shelters with a selection of cycle storage for the client. We also supplied CAD designs and .dwg files to build into the clients BIM model. The CAD files that Bellsure provided included specified materials, product recommendations, panel details and security fixings.The SolutionThe Streetsure team secured the contract and project managed the supply of the shelters and cycle storage to suit the contractors time frame and budget.For the cycle storage we supplied our Classic double decker cycle racks, Verti-45 semi vertical cycle racks and classic Citihoop stands. These were space planned strategically to fit as many spaces into the area as possible, and provide a greater return on investment for our client.Our bespoke CuvaSpan cycle shelters were the chosen option for this project. The shelter was a bespoke powder-coated steel frame with a PETG roof. Our installers worked alongside the site manager to ensure a smooth snag free handover - complete with an enhanced operations & maintenance manual. 

Brennan & Wilson Architects undertook the transformation of The Barn in East Lothian into an EnerPHit Passive House, emphasising sustainability.The project involved the conversion of a stone outbuilding, with the addition of a large kitchen extension with a planted sedum roof. The owner wanted an energy-efficient home, with no reliance on fossil fuels, which was adaptable to their changing needs should they eventually require single-level living. Rooflights were key to achieving good natural light levels inside the house, due to existing boundary restrictions with neighbouring properties. The selected FAKRO products included quadruple-glazed rooflights tailored for both pitched and flat roofs, aligning with the project's objectives. Installation was efficient with well-packaged products and clear structural guidance provided by FAKRO.The outcome is a remarkable improvement in insulation within The Barn, ensuring year-round comfort while notably reducing energy consumption. Stewart MacKenzie, FAKRO's Regional Manager for Scotland, played a crucial role in providing tailored support, ensuring the selected products met the project's unique requirements.This collaboration showcases the effective integration of architectural design with sustainable, high-quality products, creating a home that emphasises environmental consciousness and occupant comfort. Brennan & Wilson Architects are based in East Lothian, Scotland and have over 20 years experience of designing sustainable, low-energy buildings.

THE BRIEFA visually stunning new link canopyLocated in Beverley, East Yorkshire, Longcroft School & 6th Form College provides local students a rich and varied range of educational opportunities in addition to their formal curriculum, including drama and music productions, sports and their Skills for Life programme.As part of the Priority School Building Programme 2 (PSBP2), Langley Design working alongside Henry Construction provided a visually stunning new link canopy and covered walkway uniting the schools existing buildings to the brand new block.WHAT WE DIDA striking splash of colourThe new block provides the school three additional floors of teaching space consisting of science labs & preparation rooms, a learning resource centre, teacher workroom and new student reception. The large Sheldon SPG326 canopy features a non-fragile polycarbonate roof, that provides cover and shade whilst offering a striking splash of colour to the scheme. THE RESULTDurable and long lasting solutionThe SPG326 is available in a range of materials, finishes and roofing colours suitable for a variety of project needs, and provided the school with additional space for the Sheldon Picnic Table set (SPT312/SBN310) offering extra dining facilities for the students, with black recycled plastic slats these are a durable and long lasting solution requiring almost no maintenance that will still look great in the years to come.

The Ikea Hammersmith roof terrace project was an exciting one to be involved with as it is a perfect example of when to use a rail-based support system over pedestals.Ikea is a global brand known for its simple design solutions that can be used by everyone.The system – TerraSmart Rail IGNOThere was 6600m2 of the TerraSmart Rail system installed across the terrace to support concrete pavers and porcelain pavers. The lattice make-up of the paving system meant that the insulation layer placed upon the original roof was held down. This framework offered a robust and reliable substructure to the walking surface that will experience a lot of foot traffic.As it is part of our IGNO range, the system is fully non-combustible.The ChallengesThe roof had existing features in the structural slab, which meant that pedestals alone wouldn’t have been able to successfully support the surface, and therefore, a rail system was employed. The rail system allowed easy adjustment to the height creating level plains across the terrace. This system also became an advantage when forming the ramp featured in the design because the TerraSmart Rail can provide non-combustible multidirectional support to the pavers maximising stability and reliability, creating a robust and safe incline a the desired angle.Two different pavers were used as part of the project, a 50mm concrete tile and a 20mm porcelain tile. The transition between the two pavers took place at the same level. The seamless transition between the two finishes was achieved by ‘zoning’ the areas and changing the paving support heights.As it was part of a larger building, the terrace had to account for the expansion and contraction felt over time by differences in the residual temperature. The paving supports had to account for this so that any heat-induced changes would have minimal impact on the safety of the surface. An expansion profile was manufactured to slot between the tiles found over the expansion seam in the insulation to overcome this issue. The expansion profile rises above the gap between pavers and creates an L-shaped cover, hiding any expected movement.Why the project succeededThe success of this project was down to the collaborative effort between everyone involved in the project. The unique features of the project were worked on by the project, innovation and specification teams at Ryno and were complemented by the installation carried out by Greenside Landscapes.

Twinfix has over thirty years’ experience designing, manufacturing, and installing school canopies, playground shelters and covered walkways for education establishments, including nursery schools, primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and universities. Each structure is designed to fit and enhance its surroundings while providing the school with the type of canopy, playground shelter or walkway they need. Twinfix provide a full in-house service, from design right through to installation.Outdoor areas that are currently not usable during hot or wet weather conditions can be made into fully productive parts of the school or nursery. Canopies installed adjacent to a nursery classroom create an easily accessible area for sand and water play, while a walkway can give protected transit for staff and pupils between buildings at any school site.Golborne High School is a coeducational foundation secondary school located in Golborne, Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, England.The oldest part of the school was opened in January 1954 and today it is a trust school under the umbrella of the newly formed Golborne and Lowton Co-operative Learning partnership.Last year, Twinfix were approached by Parklands Services to design, manufacture and install three fabricated, lean-to mono-pitch canopies at the school. The canopies all served a different purpose: one provided cover for an outdoor eating area, provide shelter to pupils outside their classroom as they learn and play and to provide cover to parents and students waiting to enter and leave.The structures spanning a total of 162 square metres comprise of Twinfix’s innovative Multi-Link-Panel Non-Fragile (NF) roofing system, glazed with 25mm multiwall polycarbonate. The roofs are non-fragile in accordance with the HSE’s test for fragility ACR[M]001:2019, an important factor when installing canopies where children may try and access the roof. Each canopy has an aluminium frame, powder-coated to RAL 7016 anthracite grey.Being a one-stop shop for designing, manufacturing and installing such outdoor structures Twinfix are proud to offer a seamless service to any school or other education establishment looking for a canopy or walkway. The staff and pupils at Golborne High School are delighted with the latest additions to their school.

The UNIFOLD® Gutter Lining System has recently been installed within five valley gutters, totalling more than 700metres, on the Argos Distribution Centre, Castlegate, Wolverhampton.The facility, operated on behalf of Argos by Wincanton, had experienced severe storm water ingress due to the overwhelming of the existing gutters and outlets, causing severe damage and disruption.The roof had been over-sheeted several years ago and the existing gutters were fitted with a continuous plastics liner at this time.This liner was not lying flat due to expansion and contraction problems, leaving raised areas within the gutter, further reducing the available capacity and contributing to the problems being experienced.Ampteam Limited along with rainwater drainage experts CRM Rainwater Drainage were invited to propose a solution to the problem.Survey and DesignFollowing a survey by Ampteam and CRM, a design solution was provided for the gutters.As the existing gutter had insufficient capacity and any modification to the roof at the eaves position to enlarge the gutter was not an option, the design solution required the use of all of the available space within the eaves cavity.The situation was complicated by the need to control works on the asbestos cement gutters on a building constantly in use. This in turn meant that no extra outlets could be introduced and the existing outlets could not be enlarged.The solution involved the installation of a multi-hinged Unifold gutter, fitted and sealed to the underside of the roof sheet in order to maximise the gutter capacity, combined with specially designed siphonic outlets. As the eaves conditions varied along the gutter runs and within each gutter and access was tight, the UNIFOLD® was supplied with 7no hinges.This facilitated relatively easy installation in very difficult circumstances.Siphonic OutletsThe UNIFOLD® gutter was also provided with factory fabricated side boxes to house the unique siphonic outlets that were designed and tested by Dr Malcolm Wearing of CRM Rainwater Drainage.Although the capacity of the gutters had been increased to the maximum given the existing roof conditions, these siphonic outlets, manufactured and installed by Aquaphonixs Limited, were essential to improve the drainage performance of the existing outlets and to allow the system to function without any additional outlets.Fan shaped, semi-circular siphonic outlets with an offset 100mm diameter tailpipe were specially designed to fit inside the UNIFOLD® side boxes and into the existing 150mm diameter outlets.The siphonic outlet tailpipes were connected to flexible tubes, sleeved into the existing plastic downpipes.The custom made outlets were optimised and tested in laboratory conditions and proved to provide a capacity of over 27litres/second, ten times the capacity of a standard 100mm diameter outlet.Calculations to prove the design solutions of both Unifold gutters and siphonic outlets were provided by CRM Rainwater Drainage.InstallationThe UNIFOLD® gutter system was installed by approved contractors Traditional Structures Limited who, due to the relative complexity of the contract, originally forecast a period of 7 weeks to complete the installation.First class organisation, excellent site personnel and attention to detail by both Traditional Structures and Ampteam Limited meant that the installation was completed in just over 4 weeks with no disruption to processes within the building.

In the dynamic realm of commercial infrastructure, where functionality meets aesthetics, Twinfix stands as a beacon of excellence. With a steadfast commitment to design, manufacture, and installation, Twinfix specialises in crafting bespoke canopies and roof glazing solutions for a myriad of industries. From schoolyards to retail spaces, outdoor dining areas to rail platforms, Twinfix’s canopy expertise transforms mundane spaces into vibrant, functional environments. Twinfix’s range of products brings a multitude of benefits to the commercial sector. Firstly, their canopies provide shelter from the elements, ensuring that outdoor spaces can be utilised year-round, irrespective of weather conditions. This feature is particularly invaluable for retail spaces, where outdoor displays and customer seating areas require protection from rain and harsh sunlight. Additionally, Twinfix canopies are designed with durability and longevity in mind. Constructed from high-quality materials, these structures withstand the test of time, requiring minimal maintenance and upkeep. This durability not only ensures a solid return on investment for businesses but also minimises disruption to operations due to maintenance downtime. Furthermore, Twinfix places a strong emphasis on sustainability. Their canopies are engineered to maximise natural light while minimising energy consumption. By harnessing natural daylight, businesses can reduce their reliance on artificial lighting, thereby lowering energy costs and environmental impact. At the heart of Twinfix’s innovative offerings lies the Multi-Link-Panel NF roofing system. This cutting-edge solution combines versatility with performance, offering unparalleled adaptability to diverse architectural requirements. The system’s modular design allows for seamless integration into a variety of commercial settings, from expansive car park canopies to sleek rail platform shelters. Featuring lightweight yet robust panels, the Multi-Link-Panel NF roofing system offers exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, ensuring structural integrity without compromising on aesthetics. It is non-fragile in accordance with HSE’s ACR[M]001:2019, and its quick and easy installation process minimises disruption to ongoing operations, making it an ideal choice for time-sensitive projects. Twinfix’s recent projects at Bolton Market and Heron Mill in Oldham exemplify the company’s prowess in delivering bespoke canopy solutions tailored to the unique needs of each client. At Bolton Market, Twinfix collaborated with Seddon Construction to erect a state-of-the-art car park canopy. This striking structure spanning 136 square metres not only provides shelter for vehicles but also enhances the overall visual appeal of the market, creating a welcoming environment for shoppers and vendors alike. Meanwhile, at Heron Mill in Oldham, Twinfix undertook the construction of a loading bay and loading platform canopy. This project highlighted Twinfix’s ability to seamlessly integrate canopy solutions into industrial settings, enhancing operational efficiency while providing essential protection for personnel and goods. In conclusion, Twinfix’s commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability continues to redefine the commercial canopy landscape. With their range of products and the revolutionary Multi-Link-Panel NF roofing system, Twinfix empowers businesses to elevate their outdoor spaces, creating engaging environments that inspire productivity and prosperity.­­­