"british gypsum"

Koster Aquatecnic were approached by the project architect to assist in a specification to renew the waterproofing to the roof of the large visitor cottages at the base of Ardnamurchan Lighthouse.This lighthouse is situated at the most westerly point in the British Isles and as such is extremely exposed to the elements. A robust material and system had to be produced. This was a very challenging project and a great deal of assistance was provided including bespoke drawings, office and site meetings followed by leak testing services to ensure fully watertight.Please read through the case study and if you have any questions or would like advice on a similar project, please contact technical@kosteruk.com.

The design of the new University of Gibraltar building emphasises transparency and openness while retaining the integrity of the historic structure. Glazed facades and glass balustrades are positioned in striking contrast with original structures such as brick vaults. Fusing a historic fabric with modern design elements presented numerous challenges. It required close cooperation between Q-railing and the architect. In all the glass balustrade systems, they needed to achieve a demanding resistance parameter, in accordance with British Standards. Q-railing provided the Easy Glass Pro structural glass railing and constructed and tested the balustrade, certifying values required by Building Control.

Monsoon Accessorize is a privately owned British company with two internationally renowned clothing brands: Monsoon and Accessorize. HMM Architects asked Planet to provide a specification for all the internal glazing and partitioning for the client’s striking new head quarters, known as the Yellow Building. On the lower ground floor, Planet Partitioning’s demountable p100DG double glazing provides frontage to all executive offices and meeting rooms. At the centre of the building, Planet AG installed full-height atrium glazing to the working areas looking directly into the atrium. On the top floor, Planet AG installed six-metre high glass partitioning.

With over 160 years of business, Boots is one of the oldest and most trusted brands on the British high street. Its roots have been firmly based in Nottingham, which is also the home of Ash Door Furniture. Boots began as a local herbalist store and rapidly grew into the country’s largest chemists’ chain.Boots has pioneered the creation of affordable, reliable products, designed to make people look and feel good. Its emphasis on customer care has helped to make it one of the most trusted brands on the high street.These ASH103 handles are perfect for the high footfall that Boots stores receive because of their strong and robust design. They chose to powder coat the handles to align with their brand identity. Powder coating can also be used to create contrast within the look of the entrance. Because powder coating does not have a liquid carrier, it can produce thicker coatings than conventional liquid coatings without running or sagging, and powder coating produces minimal appearance differences between horizontally coated surfaces and vertically coated surfaces.Here at ASH we strive to produce high quality British made products suitable for commercial applications on many different door types.From high footfall retail units to Boutique hotels - we have it covered when it comes to creating an entrance that is welcoming and functional.Did you know Boots was also founded in Nottingham? We are proud to provide the handles for a brand not so far from home!

Elevating Luxury Living at University Arms, Cambridge.University Arms, Cambridge, a quintessentially British hotel, embarked on a transformative journey to redefine luxury and sophistication in its 189 rooms and suites. As part of this ambitious project, Selo Doors was entrusted to supply bespoke riser doors, seamlessly blending classic Edwardian interiors with modern aesthetics while meeting stringent fire-rated and concealed requirements.Selo Doors took on the challenge of providing bespoke riser doors tailored to the unique requirements of University Arms. The emphasis on customization ensured that the riser door sets seamlessly integrated into the overall design, offering a concealed and flush appearance. The metal riser doors were crafted with precision, aligning with the hotel’s commitment to quality and aesthetic excellence.Recognizing the critical role of fire safety in a luxury hospitality setting, the bespoke riser doors supplied by Selo Doors were meticulously engineered to meet rigorous fire-rated standards. This not only prioritized the safety of occupants but also underscored the commitment to compliance with industry regulations.The collaboration between University Arms, Cambridge, and Selo Doors resulted in the creation of a luxurious haven where bespoke riser doors play a pivotal role in elevating the overall aesthetic and safety standards. The fusion of British elegance, bespoke craftsmanship, and fire-rated excellence underscores the commitment to offering guests a memorable and secure stay. This case study serves as a testament to the seamless integration of bespoke riser doors in a prestigious hospitality setting, where attention to detail and quality craftsmanship are paramount.

After the historic St Mary’s Hospital in Bristol received planning approval for Commercial refurbishment, we were contacted by M R Allen Limited to help transform the old healthcare facility to student accommodation. The building had been vacant for a number of years before the project to transform the space into 153 premium student rooms got the go ahead.The original hospital building was retained, with the addition of a 4 storey extension, a 3 storey new build, 8 no. townhouses and a new Communal space for students which includes an on-site gym, entertainment room, lounge and kitchen for private dining.Planning dictated that this undesignated heritage asset retained many of its original features, sat within a setting of various listed buildings and in a Conservation area.This led to us recommending timber Box Sash Windows from our Conservation range.All 109 box sash windows were manufactured in our British factory featuring high acoustic performing trickle vents & laminated glass in 24mm double glazed units, ensuring noise travel is kept to a minimum between accommodation.Mark Allen from M R Allen Limited explains;“We chose Mumford & Wood for their long-standing reputation for manufacturing British made, traditional timber windows – exactly what this project required. We also had some stringent acoustic performance requirements and working closely with Mumford & Wood allowed us to create a product that exceeded our performance expectations.”We finished the windows in ‘Signal White,’ featuring polished brass ironmongery.

The outstanding qualities of Sandtex Trade High Build Textured Decorative Coating deliver a long-term solution for the protection of buildings, capable of ironing out surface level imperfections at a stroke. Ideal for covering fine cracks and regulating repaired and uneven surfaces, this advanced masonry product offers exceptional coverage and flexibility, providing both a decorative and protective textured coating with the reassurance of 15 years’ durability, independently certified by the British Board of Agrément. Along with a long-lasting finish, the paint is formulated to maintain its good looks with anti-carbonation properties which protect concrete and metal from atmospheric erosion.

Metal Technology has contributed to achieving the desired aesthetic for the flagship Leeds College of Building Campus designed by Fuse (Leeds). The scheme utilised Metal Technology’s System 17 High Rise capped curtain walling and incorporated manual and automatic 4-20Hi+ casement opening vents. System 5-20D Hi+ doors completed the range of products used. These systems combined to deliver complete design flexibility, achieving not only a very high level of thermal performance, but also exceptional structural, security and acoustic performance. All Metal Technology systems comply with the latest British Standards and are Secured by Design certified.

Over time, plastic exposed to the Great British weather, UV rays and pollution become dull and faded. Some things can be expensive to replace and painting can be time consuming.So, today we are going to be show casing how to restore sun damaged plastic with Owatrol Polytrol.All except from the gas box were treated with a warm soapy solution and then rinsed with fresh clean water. After allowing the surface to dry for 24 hours, Polytrol colour restorer was then applied using a brush and left to work for between 15 and 20 minutes. After this time, the excess was removed with a lint free cloth

Fleet Street in the City of London has long been known as the historic home of the British press. Number 53 is a Victorian terrace, with a striking front tiled facade. Thornsett Group, working with architects Capital Architecture, has recently converted the property into five luxury residences, plus ground floor retail space. We were appointed to design, supply and install 26 traditional box sash windows for the main elevation, with an acoustic performance of 45 dB Rw. For the rear of the property we provided 24 inward-opening timber tilt and turn windows, plus lift and slide patio doors.