"special wood floors"

F. Ball and Co. Ltd.’s newest high-performance water-mix smoothing underlayment, Stopgap 1500 AquaPro, and Styccobond F48 PLUS temperature tolerant fibre-reinforced adhesive have enabled a fast-track LVT installation as part of barn conversions to create three holiday cottages in rural Nottinghamshire.Flooring contractors installed floorcoverings in bedrooms, open-plan living and dining areas and corridors of three previously disused farm buildings of varying size, a total area of over 200m2.Work began by sanding down the new concrete bases, which had been installed as part of the renovation of the properties, by mechanically preparing them, removing any laitance, contamination, dust and debris, to leave a solid, sound, micro textured surface to receive floor preparation products.A moisture test was undertaken by one of F. Ball’s technical representatives to ensure that the building’s subfloors were dry enough to receive floorcoverings. Surfaces were then primed using Stopgap P131 general-purpose primer to promote the application characteristics of subsequently applied subfloor preparation products.Stopgap 1500 AquaPro was applied to create a perfectly smooth base for floorcoverings. Fast-setting and fast-drying, it is walk-on hard in as little as 60 minutes after application and ready to receive floorcoverings from just four hours. The product uses the latest technology to offer a water-mix smoothing underlayment that can be applied over old adhesive residues, including bitumen, carpet tile tackifiers and ceramic tile adhesives. As it is moisture resistant, it can be applied to damp subfloors prior to the application of a waterproof surface membrane.Flooring contractors then used Styccobond F48 PLUS to adhere 7-inch wood-effect vinyl planks in each of the three cottages. The temperature tolerant adhesive holds floorcoverings in place when subject to high temperatures, which may be an issue as a result of solar gain caused by large patio doors. This can cause tenting and gapping at the edges of vinyl floorcoverings as a result of repeated expansion and contraction over time. Fibres in the adhesive also provide high initial grab, a benefit when installing LVTs.Commenting on the project, Anthony Holmewood, fitter at Forester Flooring, said: “Using Stopgap 1500 AquaPro meant that we could complete the work in less than a week. We opted for Styccobond F48 PLUS to install LVTs mainly because we like the adhesive, but also for the reason that floorcoverings are exposed to direct sunlight in some areas.”

In a picture-perfect setting, Atlas Concorde's concrete-effect porcelain tiles give the Hotel Garden Park in the Vinschgau Valley an elegant, contemporary look. Learn moreIn a modern space with a refined flavor, Atlas Concorde's concrete-effect porcelain tiles help to bring out the elegance and relaxing ambiance of Hotel Garden Park.In a perfect blend of minimalist esthetics and the elegance of sophisticated contemporary apartments, the Hotel Garden Park in the heart of the Vinschgau Valley presents itself to guests with a simple style and a great attention to detail.A key focus when designing the rooms was the choice of surfaces, colors, and furnishings that best represent the atmosphere of comfort and rest typical of the facility. Atlas Concorde's concrete-effect porcelain tiles were therefore the ideal solution for furnishing various areas of the hotel, giving them a refined look and bold visual impact.Floor and wall tiles with a troweled concrete effect and soft touch enliven the bathrooms of the rooms through a neutral nuance capable of conveying a style with a strong identity and creating an atmosphere that is both intimate and relaxing. Combined with the dark wood of the furniture, the concrete effect makes the bathroom a corner that evokes the beauty of craftsmanship, an expression of value and attention to detail.The hotel's dining room also speaks a modern and elegant language thanks to concrete-effect ceramic surfaces that give free expression to a setting where it’s easy to feel at ease. Floors that recall the strength of concrete feature a smooth, continuous look for bright interiors and relaxing atmospheres where even the minimalism of the furnishings helps to give the flooring a simple, refined look.The decisive character of the concrete-effect porcelain tiles and the neutral tones of their palette combine in the wellness area of the hotel, where the technical performance of the material and the esthetic research coexist without compromise in ceramic solutions that achieve new levels of excellence. Using different formats, the concrete-effect porcelain tiles have made the space dedicated to relaxation an environment able to satisfy modernity and classicism, minimalism and comfort, design and functionality, all characteristics of a contemporary style but that also represent essential elements for the construction of a spa.Thanks also to the anti-slip 120x120 cm format and to the 20 mm thickness specific for exteriors, the concrete-look porcelain tile solutions of Atlas Concorde have contributed to the creation of a total look with a powerful visual impact both in the flooring of the hotel’s terraces and in its outdoor spaces.The versatility of the concrete effect speaks a modern language in any kind of environment, opening up multiple avenues for design.

In China, the name Shenzhen is associated with frenetic pace. The city’s metamorphosis from a fishing village with 30,000 residents into a 15-million strong metropolis took just 30 years. A start-up at this location required only two decades to become the world’s fourth largest industrial enterprise. Tencent, the high-tech concern that started out as an e-mail provider, has already overtaken Facebook in terms of its market value. The new HQ of the high-flying company was designed by NBBJ Architects from New York as a statement of a new era of campus buildings. Two towers made of glass and steel, that shimmer in the sun and unite the copper-colored pedestrian bridges, resemble robots hugging one another. When deciding on the cladding for the gigantic atrium, the company went for a golden metal fabric from GKD – GEBR. KUFFERATH AG, which was recommended by French designer Alain Bony.Shenzhen lies directly on the border with Hong Kong in the Southern Chinese province of Guangdong. Named a special economic zone in 1980, the once sleepy fishing village has developed into a prosperous market economy under state control. Countless skyscrapers today form a skyline that can hold its own in comparisons with Manhattan. One in three smartphones sold in the world is fabricated here. Yet Shenzhen has developed from the world’s workbench into China’s Silicon Valley. The majority of residents are less than 30 years old. Numerous international concerns are based here, and nowhere in China is the per capita income higher. Thanks to massive economic growth, Shenzhen is one of the fastest growing cities in China, making property in the city a geographically restricted commodity. Despite being one of the city’s most famous children, Internet giant Tencent is still not well known outside China. The inventor of the two most popular apps in China – QQ and WeChat – is today also market leader for online games, offers video streaming services, and generates 20 percent of its revenue from advertising alone. The company has been working hard on international expansion for quite some time and has shareholdings in various companies, including Snapchat and Tesla. It has been enjoying constant and fast growth since being founded. Just one year after completion of the first new company building in Shenzhen for 15,000 employees, planning work started on a new global HQ, which offers enough space for a further 12,000 employees. Tencent commissioned the renowned American architecture firm NBBJ, which has already built many award-winning headquarters for high-tech companies such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, or Samsung, to design the new building. The team around Jonathan Ward fended off six competitors to win the order with a completely new campus concept. Tencent was looking for a classic campus based on the US model. The goal was to create a comfortable central meeting point in a spacious, attractive, natural environment, where people could automatically meet, chat, and find new ideas. However, the plot for the new HQ was located right in the heart of the city at an intersection of the multi-laned city expressways. As such, the only way to secure sufficient space in the small footprint was to design a skyscraper. Yet Tencent was concerned that a building of this type would not allow employees from various teams, departments, corridors, and floors to engage in regular contact with one another. NBBJ therefore merged the benefits of both approaches – inspiring spaciousness and inner city spatial efficiency – to create a completely new concept that re-imagines the campus idea and implements it vertically. To this end, the concept of a skyscraper was divided up into two buildings and then given the qualities of a classic campus. The Tencent Seafront Towers comprise two towers, boasting 50 and 39 floors respectively, which were constructed to give the appearance of being slightly intertwined with one another. The offset height reduces the load of the tropical winds common in the region, while at the same time providing ventilation for the atrium located between the two towers. The towers also provide shade for one another and thereby support the intelligent integrated energy concept.The key to the vertical campus concept, however, are the three skybridges, which cross as horizontal meeting areas. From a visual perspective, the copper-colored walkways give the towers a soul, as they appear to be hugging one another. They are logically referred to as links and make a contribution to movement and networking with topic-specific offers. While the link on the first floor above the lobby with café, exhibition space and auditorium is used for cultural exchange, the central link on the 21st floor is ideal for rest, recovery and health promotion. Staff can relax and unwind here in meditation rooms, a basketball court, a gym, a swimming pool, games rooms and even a running track. The highest of the three links on the 34th floor is dedicated to the topic of knowledge, boasting a library and multiple conference rooms. All of the links have roof terraces containing landscaped gardens. To ensure that they actually cater to their intended function as places of communication, collaboration, and inspiration, the architects at NBBJ designed an elevator system for the HQ, so that all employees can regularly spend time in these meeting areas. Express elevators from the lobby travel only as far as the bridges. The employees then enter local elevators to take them to their floor. From a design perspective, this is the fastest way to reach any office or location in the towers. This makes the links the perfect counterpart to the central square in a traditional campus, where employees automatically meet, even if they work in different buildings. They engage in spontaneous conversations here on their way from the bus station located beneath the towers or the parking areas to their office, in the queue for the juice bar or even on their way to play sports. Thanks to the bridges, these social meeting points are distributed across the entire HQ like in a city. This allows social networks, the key focus of operations for Tencent, to become genuinely accessible and experienceable. This systematically designed and yet organic networking produces precisely the kind of synergies that lead to the collaboration and inspiration Tencent strives for – as a prerequisite for further growth.The conceptual design of the lobby, which is open to the public from two sides, provides for additional hustle and bustle, as well as social meetings. This makes it a much-used route from other parts of the city to the Nanshan high-tech district. Just like the entire building, this central intersection between the inside and outside world was designed by the architects as a conscious statement of networking. When cladding three sides of the atrium, which is located above the lobby, the architects therefore chose metal fabric from GKD. A total of 1,850 square meters of this material is used to create a golden net that encapsulates the three-floor auditorium. Some 28 panels, each measuring four meters wide and 16.5 meters high, were used to create these hanging shrouds. Their sophisticated texture facilitates views into the atrium from the lobby, as well as open views down into the entrance hall. The textile shell also serves as efficient fall guard protection here. Visually, it acts like a delicate veil in harmonizing the effects of the corridors and rooms of the atrium located behind it. GKD was commissioned with developing a new special fabric for the design of the cladding. To create it, golden-anodized aluminum wires and tubes were interwoven in three-wire warp wire groups made of untreated stainless steel at varying intervals. The various diameters of the fabric components – 4 mm thick wires and 12 mm thick tubes – lead to significant differences in tension in the weaving process. These were completely equalized using special weaving techniques, so that the fabric reliably complies with the static requirements of the large-format skin. Installation of the special fabric also required the experts from Germany to demonstrate their decades of expertise. For example, the tubes had to be aligned precisely in the panels to create the appearance of a seemingly endless texture. Definition of the golden color to be used was also a particular requirement of the planners. The homogeneity of this color not only needed to be guaranteed across the entire area, but also meet the high expectations of the designers with regard to the appearance of the fabric when viewed in various light conditions. The subtle luster of the soft golden color ultimately chosen allows the atrium to appear caressed by the sun and lends the lobby a sense of warmth to contrast with its cool gray marble floor, walls, and aluminum screens. In the atrium itself, the selected color scheme also matches the wooden finish of the wall and ceiling cladding. The golden membrane then acts like a fine business card for the HQ, which underlines the image of a truly important concern thanks to its size and aesthetics and combines this with maximum interaction of the environment and employees.

IssueA rental property in Stourport-on-Severn needed a quick refurbishment, allowing the landlord to turn the property around for tenants who were keen to move in. The main areas to be refurbished were the kitchen and bathroom, both of which needed to be fully re-fitted, providing a fresh, clean home for the new residents. ApproachThe landlord had previously worked with Altro products and needed quick to install products, which would provide ease of installation, durability, and ease of cleaning. “We had received information about a new product, Altro Walls ShowerKit, and were keen to try it out. The house needed a quick turnaround as our tenants were waiting to move in. The installer was also keen to have products that were easy to manoeuvre, carry up and down stairs, and resulted in less waste” said S.Birch, Landlord.SolutionAltro Ensemble luxury vinyl tile in colour Pewter Concrete was selected for the kitchen, providing a luxury feel together with comfort underfoot and impact sound reduction.Altro Walls ShowerKit in colour Cool Mineral and Stacked Metro design was selected for the bathroom, partnered with Altro Wood adhesive-free in colour Post Oak. The combination of an Altro floor and wall results in an easy-to-maintain and safe space, giving the bathroom a homely aesthetic, with ease of cleaning and our Altro one in a million slip-resistance reassurance.

The new Engineering Building for The University of the West of England (UWE) is located at the main Frenchay Campus. Designed by multi award-winning architects, AHR, the iconic building will enable the university to deliver its vision for 21st Century engineering and inspire engineers of the future. It has been designed and operated to BIM Level two and aims to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating. The building will accommodate up to 1,600 students as well as 100 academic and technical staff. The design brief was to create a space which would encourage multi-disciplinary collaborative learning. The outcome is an ideal environment for students to explore, create, and test ideas to change the world for the better.A large central atrium provides a generous space across multiple stepping floor plates which leads to social learning spaces, manufacturing workshops, wind tunnels, laboratories, computer rooms, and computer-aided design (CAD) suites. At the heart of the building there is also a hub for group study which will encourage students and academics to meet and exchange ideas.Lusso atria glazing was installed within the space to allow natural light into the core of the building and visual connection between different areas .  A combination of Lusso 105 framed glazed partitioning and Lusso 25 frameless glazed partitioning has been used for different specification requirements within the space and combine well with the wood and black coated steel beams to achieve an industrial look. 

Located in Davos, Switzerland the InterContinental resort and spa consists of a guest building with 216 rooms, and a separate wood-framed building with 38 luxury condominiums. These two buildings are connected by an underground passage, combining the services of a five-star plus hotel with a private home environment.To experience the uninterrupted views of the Landwasser Valley, the InterContinental resort unleashes fully glazed fronts with extending balconies, taking over 882 ft2. The balconies combine the indoor space with the outdoors, visually merging with each other. Yet, in terms of insulation the thermal separations is made to avoid the effects of thermal bridging. Nestled in the Swiss alpine location, construction had to specifically address the fluctuations in temperature and climate.Insulating and SupportingSchöck Isokorb® was incorporated in the balconies to minimize heat losses between the ceiling and the balcony floor. "We have been working with the Schöck products for many years," says Patrick Hager, co-foreman at the construction company Toneatti that occurs along with Baulink AG as the consortium and total contracting.Residences at Minergie® standard (Swiss equivalent for passive house)"To achieve the high insulation goals in this climate, to even the hidden or seemingly insignificant component is an extremely important role to play," found Regina Meier when choosing Schöck products for the balcony constructions in the Residences. Regina is a construction manager at Baulink AG and responsible for compliance with the specifications. "We can at any time, even in the long term, rely on their reliability and durability."

Project DetailsGodalming College in Surrey had a problem with slippery decking on their campus. It is a highly trafficked area in the middle of the campus and is used as a seating area at lunchtime for staff and students. In dry weather the area does not cause any concerns but in wet or frosty weather the potential for slip hazards was huge. The college had used Watco products on internal floors so they called us to ask for advice. Our Solution"Slippery decking is a major safety issue throughout the year, but more so during winter months." An alternative solution was needed as the college had tried applying anti slip coatings (recommended by another supplier) but these had been applied to slightly damp wood and had flaked off. The potential slip issue was increased by the fact that the decking did not have any grooves in the top surface to offer traction underfoot. To solve these issues, Watco recommended and supplied 50mm wide GRP chamfered edge decking strips.The stone coloured strips were chosen to allow the strips to blend in with the decking but still provide the all important slip resistance underfoot, yellow strips are used to highlight the edges and steps to help meet DDA regulations. The strips are supplied already pre-drilled so the installation was completed in just two days over the Easter break allowing the area to be put back into service in plenty of time for the start of the new term. 

Floor preparation products donated by F. Ball and Co. Ltd. have enabled an outbuilding to be turned into a therapy room for Jack Tyreman, from Burythorpe in Yorkshire, who was left with severe head injuries after a road accident four years ago when he was 18.The room provides a space with amenities, including an entertainment system and sofa, where Jack can relax and enjoy spending time, with the potential for it to house exercise equipment to assist with rehabilitation in the future.After a botched construction left the original building unusable while exhausting initial funds raised for the project, local tradespeople, including Richard Forbes, owner of Forbes Flooring, stepped up to offer their services for free to complete the project. F. Ball technical representative for the North East, John Rowlands arranged for the donation of flooring installation products. Floorcovering manufacturer Interface also donated LVT and carpet tile floorcoverings.A team of three fitters from Forbes Flooring began the flooring installation by grinding the surface of the new concrete screed to ensure it was suitably smooth. A moisture test indicated that subfloor relative humidity levels were low enough to proceed with the installation without the requirement of a moisture management solution.Contractors then primed the subfloor using P131 general-purpose primer before applying Stopgap Fast-Track 30 levelling compound – the fastest setting levelling compound on the market allows floorcoverings to be installed in as little as 45 minutes after application.Once the levelling compound had cured, a combination of Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVTs) and carpet tiles was installed over the 40m2 area. Styccobond F46 pressure sensitive adhesive was used to adhere Interface ‘Studio Set’ wood grain LVTs on one half of the room. Styccobond F41 carpet tile tackifier was used to secure Interface graphite-coloured ‘Employ Lines’ carpet tiles. The adhesive dries to a permanently tacky film that will hold loose-lay carpet tiles securely in place when subject to normal foot traffic while allowing them to be lifted and replaced at a later date should they become damaged or worn.Commenting on the project, Richard Forbes said: “At first, we were asked if we would undertake the work for a fee, but we didn’t want any payment for it. Things can be very cutthroat nowadays, and it’s good to be able to look out for other people. I’d like to thank David Edmondson at Interface as well as John Rowlands at F. Ball for supporting the project. Using F. Ball’s Fast-Track 30 meant that we could achieve a quick turnaround, allowing other trades to do what they needed to.”On the benefits of the therapy room for Jack, his mum, Julie, added: “It’s got all the things in it a young lad needs and to help him get on with life, as well as a place to relax on his own and with other people. He loves it.”

The Project  Friargate One is a 150,000 sq ft, 13 storey, low energy building forming part of a £700m project to create a new business district in Coventry.  The building sets the standard for the remainder of the 37 acre Friargate scheme that will include 13 more office buildings, two hotels, homes and shops all set to transform the area around the train station. This project is the largest development in the West Midlands Combined Authority.   The Challenge Deliver a product to satisfy the architects design & meet the highest standards offered within the industry. Provide a full range of accessories to compliment the system. Manufacture bespoke boxed out mirror units complete with rebated lighting strip. Ensure the system is installed to highest standard to create a seamless fronted wall of cubicles and superloos across varying floors.  The Solution Floor to ceiling Flush 44 system installed throughout male & female washrooms and unisex superloos situated over two floors.   The system encompasses a 44mm MR core with a hardwood rebated edge detail. The overall finish is modern and sleek creating a seamless flush wall of cubicles with complete privacy and comfort for the users.Close management of each phase from site survey through CAD drawings, call up and manufacture ensured we had complete control of the project and were able to accurately survey the areas and install the seamless system desired by the client.SpecificationProduct Range: Flush44 HPLDoors: HPL Bonded onto 44mm MR Core, Formica Graphite F7837. Hardwood rebated edgesPilaster: HPL Bonded onto 44mm MR Core, Formica Graphite F7837. Hardwood rebated edgesPartition: Partition: HPL bonded onto 38mm MR Core, Formica Folkstone F7927Ironmongery: Stainless SteelAvailable Finishes:These Systems Are Available In The Following Finishes:• Natural Wood Veneer• High Pressure Laminate• High Gloss LaminateAccessories Product Range W/C'sSpecificationProduct Range: AccessoriesMirror Backing Panels: Blanc Menuires B015 with 4mm Safety Backed MirrorsWaste Bins: Prestige Waste BinOther:Paper Towel HoldersWaste BinToilet Roll HoldersSoap Dispenser

Since 2012, Danish acoustic panel manufacturer Troldtekt has led the way with its sustainable practices and leadership. An early adopter of the Cradle-to-Cradle design concept, the company has focused on its material health, reutilisation, energy, water and social responsibility winning recognition and numerous green awards over the years. The inclusion of FUTURECEM™ within its wood wool panels has further enhanced the manufacturing process, helping Troldtekt further solidify their Cradle-to-Cradle Gold Certification. FUTURECEM sourced from Aalborg Portland exploits the synergies between calcined clay and limestone filler. With this process, much of the burnt clinker in the cement can be replaced resulting in a bonding agent with a much lower carbon footprint. The result means that now, over their product life cycle, the carbon footprint of Troldtekt acoustic panels based on FUTURECEM are 26% lower than that of Troldtekt based on grey cement and 38% lower than that of Troldtekt based on white cement.This innovation, coupled with the company’s sole use of wood from FSC® and PEFC™ managed forests has helped Troldtekt get one step closer to its strict environmental targets. It also further enhances a building’s contributions towards BREEAM, WELL, LEED and DGNB-Certifications.Troldtekt acoustic panels are available in a variety of different structures and colours combining superior sound absorption with award-winning design. The Troldtekt range has a minimum expected life cycle of 50 years coupled with excellent resistance to humidity and tested to meet ball impact standards. The range is available in various sizes and structures, from extreme fine to coarse. They can be supplied as natural wood or finished in almost any RAL or NCS colour. Depending on the panel specified, reaction to fire is classed in accordance with EN 13501 as B-s1,d0 or A2-s1,d0 respectively.

Boston Endeavour Academy is a newly built special school for children age 2-19 with a range of learning difficulties and disabilities, located in the market town of Boston, Lincolnshire. It opened to 100 pupils in September 2021 building to 140 over the coming few years. It features many state of the art facilities including therapy rooms classrooms and a hydrotherapy pool. Key Considerations:Installing ceiling hoists within multi-height ceilings Large spans are required throughoutRequires bespoke solution Working in collaboration with Kier and Wates Construction on this state of the art academy, our Astor OT200 hoisting system and Sensory Integration Swings have provided safe, supportive and comfortable accessibility to the children, allowing them to thrive in their educational setting. Main Equipment: Astor OT200 ceiling hoistH systemBespoke track systemRoom to room gatesTurntablesSensory Integration Swings“ The ceiling hoists are infinitely more convenient for supporting pupils from chairs to the floor to complete their work and postural changes. No longer having to rely on mobile hoists increases the space available that can be deployed for learning activities. The tracking in the pool area allows for speedy transitions to changing rooms reducing waiting times and the number of staff required to support transitions. The Sensory Integration swings have become a much-valued resource for supporting the regulation of many pupils. The advice given by Astor Bannerman representatives to be reliable and leading to excellent outcomes in terms of the resources for our pupils..” Richard Gamman, Headteacher Boston Endeavour Academy 

This amazing swimming pool refurbishment project in Knutsford, Cheshire was undertaken by Abstract Pools Ltd. Tiles from Designworks and more than 100 JACKOBOARD® construction boards were used.Manufactured with an extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam core and a special coating on both sides, JACKOBOARD® construction boards form an ideal base for tiling. The surfaces of the JACKOBOARD® system provide an extremely strong bond and can be used on virtually any substrate. The boards are waterproof, thermally insulating, truly lightweight and very strong. This combination of characteristics makes them ideal for pool hall work. The result of this refurbishment is absolutely stunning and the owners of the property are delighted unsurprisingly.The owner was abroad while the renovation was carried out. The pool was situated in the basement of the house and had been left empty for a few years. The contractor was tasked with refurbishing the pool hall and bringing it back to life. They stripped everything back to the existing substrate, and then rendered and screeded the pool itself, the jacuzzi and the pool surrounds.A new steam room was added, using JACKOBOARD®. All of the pool hall walls were lined with JACKOBOARD®, ready to receive tiles. All tiles on this project were supplied by Designworks Tiles, the specialists in tiles and mosaics for swimming pools and spas. The tiles used on the project were Ezarri Lisa Black Mosaic for the pool tank, District Grey 1200x600x10mm for the pool hall walls, District Dark Grey for the pool coping tiles and District silver 600x600x10mm for the pool floor surround

In November 2020, we were contacted to schedule a meeting regarding the renovation of the former registry office at 8 Wind Street, Neath.For the radiator specifications, we decided on our Compacts and LST Ultra radiators in our standard white (RAL 9016) for the extension room facilities, whilst our traditional Windsor Column radiators and associated feet were all customised to a rough textured anthracite colour (RAL 7016) for the main offices, corridors, and conference rooms. These choices were in line with the building’s style. We also provided the necessary white and anthracite Angled TRV & Lockshields, as well as the LST ACVK3 Direct TRV Valve Packs to complement the radiators. The local authority accepted our proposal, and with that in December 2020, we supplied our initial quotation for the project.In March 2021, after the construction work inside the building was completed. A site survey was then conducted to ensure that the chosen radiators would fit properly in their designated positions. Following the site survey, a direct purchase order was placed.The installation commenced in May 2021. To assist, we ordered a sample of a White Windsor Column and Associated Feet to serve as a template for the pipework levels.By late May 2021, the specially ordered Windsor Columns and Associated Feet arrived at our Southam Distribution Centre. This allowed Allied Mechanical Engineering to proceed with their installation plan.Between June and July 2021, three batches of radiators were delivered to 8 Wind Street, Neath, and the installations on each floor were completed.

Fire Retardant aluminium cladding that looks like real timber. This system of real timber that wraps aluminium cladding has been around for 30 years; its not a new phenomenon, in some practices, it’s the norm.Exceptional Architecture with contrasting aluminium wood cladding against a striking white stucco facade. Incredible detailing and accurate installation has made this private residence an iconic statement. Real timber veneer over aluminium results in a contemporary timber cladding, its not an effect, its not plastic… its timber.Aluminium cladding that looks like real timber.Set over three floors and a basement, beautiful landscaped surrounds and many balcony terraces make this dwelling the envy of other property owners. The cladding by Technowood ® has been used to good effect for the wall cladding, soffit board arrangement and also the fascias. This system has many options for start and stop beads with alternatives for reveals and corner detail. The design of these projects is only limited by the designer.Pergola design and Brise Soleilby Technowood®As Technowood have been manufacturing since the 1980’s they are well versed in many different profiles and systems in aluminium covered in real wood. Pergolas that span with a clear run up to 12.5 metres, louvres and Brise Soleil that match. We can create a complete system in timber that looks the same, made at the same time by the same hands… the design can also incorporate powder coated or anodized aluminium elements; supplied at the same time. These are also made in the same manufacturing process.Cladding illumination Up lighting, down lighting or washing warm white illumination across the facade of cladding looks beautiful. Further, this offers a welcome from the building during the darker hours, makes your home more inviting, it also looks stylish. It’s a simple effect to achieve and doesn’t cost a lot in comparison to other illuminated elements of the project.Technowood aluminium timber claddingThe simple system is an inclusive platform of cladding. It starts with a simple L shape bracket, a long length of supporting section T shape (like a timber batten); the cladding directly fixes to it. Think rain screen, when you are designing and you won’t go far wrong. Technowood has been here for 30 years and it’s here to stay. Certified FR A2, FSC and certified for Environmental Product Declaration, its also warranted for 20 years.

Project:Red Kite Academy Client:Northampton County Council Contractor:Ash Construction Architect:Architecture Initiative Value:£7m Location: Corby Northamptonshire GIFA: 3,150 m² In Northamptonshire, there has been a 9% increase in the number of children attending a special educational needs school over the last few years. Red Kite Academy was created to deliver much-needed school places for children with a range of learning difficulties and special educational needs. The benefits of offsite construction were successfully realised when Innovaré teamed up with Architecture Initiative and Ashe Construction to create a new and innovative design to deliver a high quality, airtight, energy efficient building using Innovaré’s SIP System. Regular team meetings between Innovaré, Ashe Construction and Architectural Initiative meant that a robust schedule for delivery was agreed in advance and design for M & E services was incorporated within the manufacture of the panels to avoid onsite clashes. Delivered two weeks ahead of schedule, the development achieved a rapid build programme using advanced timber technology. The enhanced performance benefits achieved using the i-SIP System, will reduce ongoing maintenance and energy consumption costs across the lifecycle of the building.The Red Kite Academy provides an inclusive and welcoming environment for a hundred pupils with additional educational needs. Together with the usual educational provisions, the Academy includes a hydrotherapy pool, a sensory suite and a studio flat to help prepare pupils for independent life. The Academy is designed to be flexible and adaptable, providing the capability to suit pupils with additional physical and educational needs. Early design collaboration between Innovare, Ashe Construction and Architectural Initiative enabled the delivery of an efficiently designed scheme. The design teams collaborated to ensure that the design met the specialist requirements set out by the client.Donna Luck – Head Teacher said: “Watching this school grow into this amazing space, with these wonderful children and staff, is truly inspiring. We know that we are already making a difference, not only to our children, but to their families and the wider community” Tom O’Dwyer, on behalf of the trust, said: “We are thrilled to finally take this crucial step as we move towards providing a desperately needed resource for the children and their families. We look forward with immense anticipation to seeing Red Kite Academy take its place in the family of wonderful Northamptonshire special schools.”

Wood Goldstraw Yorath was faced with a large undertaking when designing the new Bet365 Office Headquarters in Staffordshire. But Tobermore was on hand to help make the job easier with the supply of hard landscaping products suitable for the contemporary new building.The new 13,000 sq. m. base was built on the site of the former Sentinel Newspapers office in Media Way in Stoke-on-Trent and is nearly double the size of the Bet365’s previous headquarters at Festival Park in the area.

A landmark London entertainment venue is under refurbishment and will feature striking black windows that will not only suit the style and appearance of the Grade II listed building but also meet modern performance criteria for thermal insulation, fire safety, security, and ventilation. The new windows being at installed at Camden’s Koko Club, manufactured by heritage windows specialists Mumford and Wood, use Hodgson Heritage putty to meet performance standards while maintaining a traditional appearance. 

The hotel is full of rooms flooded with light and exceptional design ideas from the interior architects of JOI-Design.The hotel has its own beach on the Baltic Sea and 124 rooms with a view of nature. It is the blend of wonderful design, cosy comfort and leisurely simplicity in particular which makes the furnishings so special. Strong colours and maritime details in the rooms are contrasted with soft tones in the bathrooms. At ARBOREA they believe in sustainability and quality – just as KEUCO does with bathroom furnishings. KEUCO fittings, accessories, and cosmetic mirrors accentuate the high quality bathroom design. Here, the focus is on guest comfort: KEUCO’s IXMO_solo fittings in the shower combine single-lever mixer with hose connection in only one element on the wall, so they are easy and self-explanatory to use. And for all your care and well-being needs, the iLook_move cosmetic mirror from KEUCO leaves nothing to be desired. The iLook_move is known for its solid design and versatile use, because its arm is very flexible. With a simple motion of the hand the height, distance, and vertical and horizontal angle can be set to the ideal position.In places such as hotel bathrooms, its special hinge technology makes it the perfect furnishing for frequent and heavy use.KEUCO’s COLLECTION MOLL series of accessories features softly rounded lines and corners, combined with rectilinear shapes. These design attributes can be found throughout the entire series. The organic and the formal fuse into one.On the single-lever mixers of the IXMO_solo fittings in the shower and the PLAN fittings at the washbasin KEUCO added an individual touch: They are decorated with an engraved ARBOREA logo.

The Green Roofs Consultancy report looked to the provision of Green Bio diverse roof to address the need to encourage additional species. The ABG Green Bio diverse Roof System includes a mixture of plug planted sedum, cuttings and seeded annual and perennial wildflowers. ABG Roofdrain was used as a reservoir and drainage base layer to optimise water retention and prevent ponding. Special provisions were made to create hibernicula for local endangered species. The roof will benefit the building by providing additional insulation and reducing noise pollution.The roofs substrate filters out dust and pollutants helping improve the environment nearby

The Royal Caribbean Company, specialized on cruise ship construction, has recently inaugurated the Oasis of the Seas, the biggest and the most luxurious ship of the world. With its 360 meters long, this monster of seas can welcome 7400 persons. As a central meeting point, the Royal Walk is a place to relax and to admire oceans. 920 m² of microperforated Barrisol Acoustics® stretched ceilings were installed, offering an excellent acoustic quality. Barrisol® stretched membranes also dressed 7 " trees umbrellas " with white matt finish and the kiosk lamps with translucent Barrisol Blanc Vénus ®.

ExCeL is the largest permanent exhibition site in London that links up with the Aloft Hotel. The overall terrace area exceeds 2,100m², all on one level. Below the terrace are the car parks, with countless drain access points that require maintenance annually. The terrace required pedestals to accommodate a void of +/- 220mm, with circular adjustable spacer tabs to accept odd shaped pavers alongside linear pavers, however large enough to allow drainage for extreme weather conditions. The Buzon DPH series, with special rotating spacer tabs were used to achieve this. The total pedestals required exceeded 25,000 units.

The next generation of CS 38 is now available from Reynaers – Slim Line 38 (SL 38) is a highly insulated inward and outward opening aluminium window and door system, that combines elegance and comfort with a unique design. The special slender steel look offers the perfect windows and doors for modern architecture and the renovation of steel-frames, respecting the original design but offering a thermally improved solution. Large-framed Crittall Windows complement the industrial aesthetic and gives the building a unique character and identity of its own. The fabricator on the project was AWS Turner Fain Ltd, part of AWS Group.

When the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort was planned, the project included a 7-bay fire / ambulance station which featured a garden style theme to enable the buildings to harmonise with the green surrounding and the nearby Theme Park. Bolton Gate were specified to provide fourteen electric folding doors which included a special green powder coating, Lexan vision panels and faux louvres to each door. In addition, the doors had to be designed to resist typhoon loadings of up to 3Kpa, were manufactured in Bolton and shipped to Hong Kong where they were installed by the local agent Deacon.

Our Lady Star of the Sea is a historically significant 20th Century building designed by Guiseppe Rinvolucri. Time and the elements have caused so much damage that this Grade II Listed building could no longer serve as a house of prayer and worship The products used were Restoration Plaster White which cures to a bright white finish and "Restoration Plaster Coat", which creates a smoother but still breathable finish. Koster Polysil TG 500 a special salt blocking silicate polymer primer and Koster NB1 Grey, a waterproof sealing slurry that is effective against negative side water pressure.

Designed by SPPARC Architecture as a place for living and a space for learning, the 14-storey Music Box is a mixed-use development incorporating a campus for the London College of Contemporary Media and 55 residential units, including on-site affordable housing. The three-dimensional projecting brickwork pattern, which required special bricks glazed on all visible surfaces, reads like a sheet of musical notes across the page, providing relief, rhythm and interest. Those able to read guitar tab may recognise that the brick patterns resemble Eric Clapton’s guitar riff in Cream’s song ‘White Room’.

UltraScape’s BS 7533 Compliant Mortar Paving System has been used in the construction of Birmingham University’s new state of the art library. O’Brien Contractors installed hard and soft landscaping around the prestigious new library, which included 1200m² of yellow rock granite. paving. UltraScape’s Pro-Bed HS provided a perfect bound base. It can be laid up to 75mm in one pass. A special order of Flowpoint buff was produced for this project to compliment the paving elements. UltraScape’s Paving Guard surface sealant was applied once the grout had set to help preserve the installation.

Howe Green’s 7500 Series Medium Duty Access Covers have been installed in Manchester Cathedral as part of extensive reordering works. The 7500 Series Access Covers were chosen to provide reliable yet virtually invisible access to new mechanical and electrical chambers across the entire body of the building. Over 70 covers were made, each to a bespoke size to fit precisely with the new Burlington Stone slabs being installed. Howe Green also designed a special cover grating to allow air supply to the blower working the bellows of the Cathedral’s remarkable organ.

Jewers Doors has for many years supplied contour doors which are specially shaped to encompass the fuselage of an aircraft in order to provide an environmental seal. These doors allow part of an aircraft (e.g. the nose or tail) to be within the controlled environment of a hangar for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations. With part (often the major part) of an aircraft remaining outside the hangar, space within the hangar is available for other aircraft to be worked upon – thus increasing productivity. Such an arrangement also means that MRO operations can be undertaken on larger Code E and F aircraft in hangars that would otherwise be too small.

Ancon designed and manufactured the complex stainless steel brick support and restraint system behind the complicated façade of the award-winning LSE Saw Swee Hock Student Centre. The attractive masonry façade uses 175,000 handmade bricks to form both solid and perforated areas. The Ancon stainless steel system comprises special inclined MDC type brick support angles fixed back to 30/20 cast-in channels and bespoke rolled hollow section Windposts, featuring surface-fixed channels to accept wall ties, positioned at mullion locations strategically hidden within the perforated brickwork.

When South Lakes Housing Association refurbished 276 properties in the depth of the Cumbrian winter Sandtex Trade 365 All Weather Masonry Paint helped keep work on schedule. The majority of the work at the Kirkbarrow Estate in Kendal started in November 2014 and finished in late Summer 2015 – with Sandtex Trade 365 being applied throughout winter, spring and summer. The product is specially formulated for use in adverse weather conditions and features high performance Pliolite® Resin to combat difficult weather conditions, allowing work to extend later into the UK’s traditional decorating season.

Jesus Church had Selectaglaze secondary glazing installed by partner Fenestral, to raise the thermal efficiency of its thirteen lancet shaped stained glass windows in the north and south walls. The heating of the church is run on an antiquated oil-fired system which takes time to warm up the building. Once heated, a great deal of the energy was lost through the original windows. Special timber grounds were produced with enlarged gothic curved heads. By fitting the units nearer to the reveal, the primary windows are beautifully framed and the 13, Series 41 side hung casements have clearance to open.

Joining Westpac in the International Towers, Swiss RE occupies Level 36 of Tower Two. After successful collaboration on the LendLease office fit-out in Tower Three, SAS International worked again with architects Hassell Studio Sydney. After providing drawing support, SAS330 was specified with a special 250mm knife-edge perimeter profile for homogeneous integration with the base build. SAS200 with central recessed lighting, and linear SAS740, has been installed in the lift lobbies, circulation areas and meeting rooms. The building was awarded a 6 Star Green Star rating, the highest rating attainable.

A vibrant new community is being created at Battersea Power Station offering the best retail, office, leisure and green space plus unique homes. Working with Maylim, the Outdoor Deck Company were specified for a multitude of areas across this 39-acre site, including the supply and installation of Cedar privacy screening for all apartments on the podium level plus a large Iroko deck area alongside the retail outlets. The Outdoor Deck Company were also responsible for the supply and install of timber seating in the specially designed communal areas and Cumaru seating, planters and a bespoke pergola on Level 8.

We installed our Mezzo toilet cubicles, manufactured in white solid grade laminate (SGL) with satin anodised aluminium curved pilasters, at this popular London music venue as part of an extensive refurbishment. The bright white SGL cubicles doors and partitions were designed to highlight the striking, unique artwork on the Concerto duct panels installed behind the wall-hung WC pans in each cubicle. Manufactured from highly durable SGL, the duct panels each feature a different digitally printed graphic. All the graphics were specially designed by the architect to reflect the personality and style of The Borderline.

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

The circa 100-year-old Westerham farmhouse had been on the market for over four years when Amy Taylor and her family decided to take on the property as a renovation project and completely revamp it.The property was extremely run down when the family first viewed it - a cream rendered bungalow that had turned green and was harbouring a multitude of cracks inside and out, with wet and mouldy internal walls. The Taylors had originally dismissed the property as the renovation project they were seeking on the basis that “the price was bonkers”, says Amy. “To us, the price didn’t reflect the state of the property or the work that would need to be carried out to restore it, which meant we couldn’t really afford to knock it down and start again.”However, some negotiation on the price eventually made it a more viable prospect and Amy began researching her options in earnest.“The house sits in over 16 acres of wooded land and paddocks, so the black cladding option jumped out at me as a great option because I felt that the combination of a new brick plinth and the cladding would give it a barn-effect feel – in keeping with its surroundings, but also significantly improving the look and quality of the property.”After extensively researching the cladding market – “there are a lot of different cladding materials out there and big differences in quality and price” says Amy – she finally made her choice.“When I saw Cedral, I liked the grain, I liked the texture, I liked the fact it looks really realistic and I was very impressed with the minimum life expectancy of 50 years.”For Amy, a product that continues to look good through the years is key. “I don’t want something that looks good but in a year’s time becomes extremely high maintenance.”Cedral’s durable fibre cement cladding met the requirements perfectly, manufactured to withstand the harshest weather conditions and supplied with an excellent fire performance classification of A2-s1, d0. It doesn’t need regular repainting and won’t rot, rust, warp or crack.Amy was so impressed by Cedral that she decided on Cedral Lap in colour C50 Black, laid horizontally, for both the main house and the annex and Cedral Click in the same colour, laid vertically on one section to create an eye-catching feature wall.And the final result?“It is more than I ever could have dreamed of,” says Amy. “Cedral has helped us to transform the look of the main building and annex, allowing us to turn something so unappealing and run down into a beautiful home. We also hope it has added substantial value to the property, not only looks-wise but also in terms of adding extra insulation, which is also good for the EPC rating.” That’s because Cedral cladding acts like a second skin on a building’s exterior and is also frost, mould and water resistant.Cedral allowed Amy to get the stylish wood-look barn effect she wanted, without the hassle of caring for real wood with its high maintenance demands and associated costs. In fact, the family’s new home looks so good that the neighbours assumed they had knocked the property down and rebuilt it from scratch!Cedral facades are the perfect option for homeowners who can’t afford to - or don’t want to - move, advises Amy, as the cladding can be used to totally transform a home.This renovation has been an incredible achievement for Amy, who didn’t use a building company, architect or interior designer on the project. The revamp was completed in less than a year – all while coping with the restrictions of a global pandemic - aided by a group of highly trusted tradesmen that she has previously worked with.Amy pays special tribute to Cedral installer Derek Pout who completed all the brick work on the house as well as the perfectly fitted cladding. “Derek has single-handedly transformed our home on the outside and we can’t thank him enough,” she says.She was also extremely impressed with Cedral’s after care service and her local Area Sales Manager who visited the property several times during the installation. “Cedral’s communication was excellent,” says Amy. “They were easy to deal with and I felt they really cared about our wishes and the project.”“I would recommend Cedral 100 per cent. It’s not just about the longevity and insulation – though that’s important of course – it’s also about the end result and kerb appeal. We never looked at the property before we bought it and said, that’s our dream house. But now it really is.”