"wood"

RESTORATION ENSURES SUSTAINABLE FUTUREThe historic Bath Abbey has undergone extensive repair and conservation work along with the addition of new facilities. With its Footprint project, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios sensitively restored the 1300-year-old place of worship and improved the accessibility, flexibility, and sustainability of the building. As part of reworking and improving the Abbey’s back of house facilities, FCBStudios designed the Song School, a new, timber-lined choir practice room where up to 60 singers can rehearse. The oak-panelled room features Junckers solid 20.5mm Oak Harmony plank flooring installed by Moran Floors. The solid oak further enhances the acoustics in the room, an important consideration to the Abbey. Said Huw Williams, Director of Music, Bath Abbey: ‘The floor of the new Song School is a beautiful feature, we are particularly appreciative of the acoustic properties of the floor. It really helps to create a suitable acoustic for rehearsing which has given our choirs a huge boost following a difficult year of lockdowns. The standard and finish of the floor is exceptional, it provides a warmth in contrast to the natural stone features and contributes enormously to the professional and high-quality character of these unique new spaces.’ The importance of high ethical standards was a key objective for materials sourcing on the project, and FCBStudios was able to rely on Junckers’ experience in procuring sustainably sourced and manufactured material in the specification process. Naturally low in carbon, Junckers solid hardwood flooring comes with sustainability credentials including EPDs, FSC®, PEFCTM and Indoor Climate certification as well as an A+ rating in the BRE Green Guide, which played an important part in the architects’ specification. Said Alex Morris, Associate, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios: ‘FCBStudios selected Junckers wooden floors for the Bath Abbey offices and new choir rehearsal spaces because we needed to provide hard wearing and elegant floor finishes that would be sympathetic to the character and historic significance of the Grade 2 listed Georgian buildings.” In addition, Moran Floors fitted Junckers’ 15mm single stave blocks made in solid oak in a single herringbone pattern with a 129x15mm oak plank border in the ground floor reception area. The floor was sanded and finished with Junckers’ Rustic Oil on site. The reception spaces are made up a series of domestic-scale rooms original to the Georgian terrace, which contain many original features. The parquet floor was selected to complement and enhance the elegant grandeur of the building as a whole. A solid hardwood floor from Junckers has a crevice-free surface which cannot harbour dust or mites, easy to keep clean and contributes to a healthy indoor climate, one of the RIBA’s targets in its 2030 Climate Challenge for architects. Junckers floors carry the Danish Indoor Climate label, recognised by BREEAM, and have undergone extensive degassing and odour testing to ensure no harmful gasses are released into the room. Installing timber in an interior helps minimise static from electrical appliances and helps maintain an even temperature. A very old, historic building which forms part of the UK’s architectural heritage has been updated and adapted to secure its sustainable future. Junckers flooring with its proven long lifespan was an integral part of the project - expected to last well over 60 years, the floor forms part of the design to future-proof the Abbey. The Bath Abbey Footprint Project by FCBStudios has been shortlisted for Renewable Energy Project of the Year in the BusinessGreen Leaders Awards 2022. The awards celebrate the best of the UK’s green economy and burgeoning net-zero transition. This category recognises projects that have demonstrated a wide range of environmental and economic benefits associated with clean energy deployment and development. The £19.3 million programme of restoration, building works and interpretation will help to secure the Abbey’s physical future. This included repair and restoration of 2,400 floor stones conserved and re-laid, and a revolutionary underfloor heating system harnessing water from Bath’s hot springs. 

See how RynoPaveSupport paving pedestals helped create a sophisticated roof terrace in the new neighbourhood rising above the area of Canary Wharf.

Few people realise that it is possible to clad old stairs with our engineered herringbone parquet floors. It is a specialist skill and you should only employ trusted professionals who have the specialist equipment. The parquet blocks used here are unfinished so that you get perfect square edges. They are then oiled after all other works are completed so that you get your perfect floor. There is no separate stair nose piece as the top layer of solid Oak is a good 4mm thick and this allows the fitters to create an accurate mitre join.

We worked closely with Brown and Carroll, The Architects Make and Lend Lease the main contractor to create a competitively priced high-quality floor. There are two palette colours a “Latte” light board and an “Expresso” dark board. These were prime oak, fumed and then finished with a colour oil for maintenance and repair to create a uniform natural floor. We are supplying a 190mm wide board and a 260mm wide board in a very select clean grade 20mm thick engineered flooring. We also altered the tannins in the top layer to create a unique brushed finish.

Roman House was recently refurbished by Berkley Homes; this residential development program featured cutting edge interior designs for a boutique hotel style living environment. Our 220mm wide Fire Resistant Lacquered Oak (E155) not only met the specifications in safety, but also in sustainability demands. Both FSC certified and meeting the EUTR regulations, our responsibly sourced engineered oak flooring highlighted the modern interior ethos of Roman House. The lacquer finish allows the residents of Roman House to easily clean and maintain their beautiful oak floor with minimal impact on their lives.

A beautiful timber frame house, made of Western Red Cedar based in Kings Langley. Kings Langley, Hertfordshire is the birthplace of Ovaltine, the soothing malt drink. The village is divided by the River Gade and endowed with a couple of beautiful lakes.It is here, at one of these lakes, that a charming timber garden house is fitted with beautiful wooden louvres. By Sunshield, in collaboration with Contrasol. We were delighted to assist the owners with custom made external louvres to provide the a much needed perfect solution to reduce glare. Our client is sensitive to light and needed an effective shading product to specifically reduce sunlight entering the internal space.Our client was looking for something to be able to control light as well as a solution to fully block out light at night. The windows are South facing; therefore the louvres were also perfect for shading purposes and heat reduction.The Sunshield team applied the popular 98W which is made from Western Red Cedar to compliment the overall building.

Accoya has been selected for the façade of the building and has been designed to recreate Louis Vuitton’s famous quatrefoil branding which adorns many of the company’s luxury products. The façade also had to meet the high standard of quality associated with the brand and be delivered to the highest levels of aesthetic finish. The finished building is impressive and the Accoya façade is covered with our guarantee against rot and decay for 50 years for exterior use above ground, making it perfect for a demanding outdoor application and location such as this.

For this busy educational building with high footfall, the Unexpected Purpose modular carpet offers rich saturated colour and excellent wear performance. Its Comfort Lite cushion backing also provides additional sound absorbency, particularly important for the quiet study areas in this building. The LVT floor coverings provides the recreational areas with a hard wearing, practical solution and the perfect urban aesthetic.

High performance, made-to-order, timber, traditional flush leaded light casement windows and doors from the Lomax + Wood Kensington & Chelsea range have been specified for a stunning new build property located on the private Coombe Hill Estate, Kingston upon Thames. The 12,000 sq ft property designed and constructed by an award-winning London developer offers unparalleled views towards Richmond Park, Wimbledon Common as well as the legendary and adjacent Coombe Hill Golf Course. Made-to-order wooden windows from knot free engineered timber were supplied as fully finished windows and doors with leaded lights.

Installed throughout the common room and seating areas on the ground floor, Times Square carpet tiles in colourways Grey and Natural complement the modern, contemporary design ofthe building and its interior. Furthermore, Skyline carpet tiles in colourways Trinity (beige) and Empire (grey) were installed throughout the corridors to the bedrooms.

Designed by Grafton Architects, Town House is a mixed-use teaching facility at Kingston University. The interior is arranged around a series of interlocking, open plan spaces, where Junckers’ solid hardwood flooring features as part of limited materials palette. Junckers’ 140mm Textured Nordic Oak Classic flooring clads the treads and risers of the imposing staircase in the triple height courtyard, as well as providing a hard-wearing floor surface for seating areas. Junckers’ oak flooring promotes a healthy indoor climate. All-natural, solid hardwood is free of chemical substances which adversely affect indoor air quality. Junckers has completed EPDs for all its floors to aid specification for sustainable and net zero carbon projects. 

Conservation Timber windows and doors - Spring Sash

In Manhattan Loft gardens, they have a dry install system and are going to use the recommended system from Sika, then fit the floor fully bonded with our SW890 adhesive. Installation and site visits are part of our service. With large residential tower developments, there will normally be slabs for each floor. These will take at least two years to dry out completely. This means that unless the slabs have a DPM applied there will always be a chance of moisture affecting whatever is laid on the floor be it a cradle system or dry install underfloor heating system.

The International Convention Centre (ICC) Wales is an extraordinary venue designed for world class conventions, events and meetings.The result of a joint venture between the Welsh Government and the Celtic Manor Resort, renowned construction company, John Sisk & Son, was the main contractor on this 3500m2 project which also included a permeable and sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS).AG’s premium granite block paving TerraPave® was the obvious paving choice for the convention centre as it offers a beautiful finish to complement a contemporary design. Additionally, it is a cost-effective, practical alternative to traditional stone paving. TerraKerb® also played its part in this high-profile hard landscaping project, adding a premium appearance to the ICC surrounding. With its widely recognised durability and weather resistance, it is now well established as a market-leading option.Tim Cave, Regional Sales Manager at AG, said:“A key challenge faced by AG was to create a high-quality permeable paving system for a large roof deck, capable of withstanding continuous heavy traffic. Our Xflo® Plaza was the perfect choice. AG’s Plaza block paviour is made using the most modern manufacturing techniques, ensuring it will stand the test of time and retain its high-quality aesthetics, whilst effectively managing the movement of water through the SuDS system. This is a pioneering but proven way of mimicking the natural movement of storm water and replacing conventional storm water drainage systems.”

Mezaparks is one of the most beautiful, greenest, and also one of the most prestigious neighbourhoods in Riga, Latvia. The neighbourhood of Mežaparks is desired by people who require the highest level of quality in their lifestyles. It has everything, peace and quiet, harmony with nature, sports and culture activities – and the nearby bustle of the city makes this truly a dream location. Mežaparka birojs, located at Kelnes iela 1 in Riga, was built on the principles of sustainable construction by Citrus Solutions. The building has a Class A energy performance certificate.

Our White Stone Impervia® Marble Tile is 100% waterproof and is finished to a commercial grade. This tile also has an MGO core and is reinforced with tough fibreglass for stability and durability which also means it's fireproof.Some of the benefits of our White Stone Impervia® Marble Tile include:The rigid core helps to prevent warping when exposed to moisture.Great at resisting damage from impacts like high heels and heavy objects.

Impressive transformations for enhanced airport hospitality

Client: Canary Wharf Group Consultant: Adamson Associates Architects Main Contractor: Kilnbridge Construction Ltd Main Products Used: Emseal DFR-2 SystemsWood Wharf Development is certified as a BREEAM Outstanding rated, sustainable mixed-use development that covers a 23-acre site. It consists of 6 individually designed building structures that provide 2 million square feet of curated workspaces and offices, more than 3,500 new residential homes and 500,000 square feet of retail space. The site is being developed as a new 5G and Wi-Fi-6 enabled, London District to include more than 9 acres of interconnected riverside leisure space with boardwalks, squares, and parks to create an oasis of urban green space. The new multistory building structures were designed with 50mm wide structural expansion joints between floor slabs to accommodate the high levels of thermal movement anticipated, as well as the vibrations from traffic and other loadings. These joints also had to minimise any noise transmission through the floors and provide a minimum of 2-hours fire resistance, which is a key reason the consultants selected the Emshield DFR-2 System as it could easily meet all these stringent requirements. In fact the innovative Emshield DFR-2 System can accommodate more than 100% joint movement capability and is CE Marked to EN-1366-4 for up to 4 hrs fire resistance. This unique Emseal solution also has the advantages of not requiring any potentially damaging mechanical fixings into the structure, as it is easily bonded into the joint, with access only required from above. 

Dual finish made-to-order double glazed timber flush casements and doors were used to totally transform this previously tired property into a vibrant, exciting and modern family home. Dual finish wooden flush casement windows and doors. Knot free engineered timber. Fully weather-stripped, internally glazed and with espagnolette locking. All tested to meet Part Q of the Building Regulations for Security. 22 High performance flush casement windows. 4 High performance made-to-order timber French doors. 2 sliding, folding bi-fold door sets.

Accoya was handpicked as the ideal wood for the project as, due to the acetylation process, it will not splinter. This is a critical requirement for the project. Further evidence of this is also suggested due to the SDA designed Velodrome in Tbilisi, Georgia which uses Accoya wood. Prior to the new Accoya track the architects used Larch wood. However, because of the humidity in the arena the wood shrank. Now that the track has been replaced with Accoya we’re watching this space for new world records to be set.

Sylan Veneer installed at Majestic, City Square in Leeds. This Grade A office building has been designed to provide a flexible, contemporary working environment in a superb prime location.Sylan Products Supplied:Real Wood Veneer Toilet CubiclesFlush fronted, Real Wood Veneer cubicle systemStrong, secure and luxurious finishInvisible fixing systemFull height cubicleFSC CertifiedAvailable in 11 Real Wood VeneersReal Wood Veneer Duct PanellingAllows continuity in designCan match panelling to cubiclesFSC certifiedAvailable in 11 Real Wood Veneer finishesSolid Surface Washtrough with Veneer UnderpanelsModern designMetal frame systemQuick and easy to installFSC certifiedAvailable in 11 Real Wood Veneer finishesMatch your panelling to your cubicles

Washrooms offering timeless beauty at Trinity Quay, Bristol.Trinity Quay, Bristol, is a modern Grade A office building comprising of high quality office space over the ground and 6 upper floors. The building undertook major refurbishment with ISG awarded the contract and Shire Integrated Systems Ltd installing the washrooms.Sylan Products Supplied:Real Wood Veneer Toilet CubiclesFlush fronted44mm thick doorsInvisible fixing systemFull height cubiclePerfect slip matchingAvailable in 11 Real Wood VeneerReal Wood Veneer Duct PanellingCo-ordinating Real Wood Veneer duct panellingCan match WC, Urinal and Wash Hand Basin panellingAvailable in 11 Real Wood Veneers

Accoya wood has recently been specified by Architekturo Siemonsen for windows at private residence in Hamburg, Germany. Fitted by Reinhard Adling Accoya was chosen for this project because of its stability and durability properties over other woods. Accoya wood is the perfect substrate for windows and doors as its naturally insulating and is so stable that the coatings last longer.

Luxury commercial washrooms to create the right impression at 110 Queens Street, Glasgow, a mixed-use development offering retail and office space, located on the former Bank of Scotland Building in Glasgow City Centre.Sylan Products Supplied:Sylan Real Wood Veneer Toilet CubiclesFlush frontedStrong and SecureInvisible fixing systemIdeal for where low environmental impact interiors are neededAvailable in 11 Real Wood VeneersReal Wood Veneer Duct PanellingCo-ordinating panelling to cubiclesInfinite repetition of colourAvailable in 11 Real Wood Veneers

Sadly, it’s all too common to see what was once a beautiful wooden decking, transform into a cold, dark and grey decking due to an inferior product being used to finish it.This customer’s decking was finished with a low quality oil which lasted only 3 months before turning their beautiful new deck into a sorry state of affairs.Luckily, our good friend Roger at R&A Pressure Washing Services (visit his website via the link at the bottom of this post) knew exactly what to do to restore this balau decking back to its former glory.So how exactly did Roger get this beautiful finished result?Striping the previous coatingBefore Roger could apply any finishing products, he first had to remove the previous coating that caused the damage in the first place.To do this, he used Prepdeck, our wood stripper specially designed for the removing of old solid and semi transparent stains from wood.Due to the balau decking being a tight grooved deck, he had to be sure to scrub the decking thoroughly. This is to be sure no previous coating would be left behind in between the grooves. A very important step when using Owatrol products as they need to penetrate into the surface. Products that sit on the surface of the wood will not give you long lasting results.Neutralising and brightening the woodAfter the wood has been thoroughly stripped and the previous coatings are a thing of the past, the wood then needs to be neutralised.To do this, Roger used Net-Trol, our powerful wood cleaner and brightener. This restores greyed and weathered wood to its natural colour without damaging the wood’s fibres.Net-Trol is fast acting and can restore the original colour of your wood surface in as little as 15 minutes.Applying the finish to the deckingFinally, Roger applied the customers chosen finish, Textrol.Textrol is available in 7 shades and the customer opted for Clear so they could fully appreciate the beautiful natural colour of the Balau wood. Roger applied 2 coats to get the desired finish.Textrol enhances the natural beauty of the wood whilst providing a mildew-resistant finish. It offers exceptional and long-lasting protection from the effects of moisture, weathering and UV rays.We think you’ll agree that the finished result is absolutely beautiful!Using inferior products may seem like the most cost effective way to finish your decking, but unfortunately, these types of products simply do not last and will cost you more in the long run to get the wood to the way you want it.Owatrol offers high quality, long lasting coatings which offer exceptional protection and a superior finish.Find out more about Prepdeck, Net-Trol and Textrol by using the following links:PrepdeckNet-TrolTextrol

Accoya® wood has been used in a distinctive residence in Paros, a popular Greek Island in the Aegean Sea. Atlas Wood, joinery manufacturer from Greece supplied 92 windows and doors to complete this project. Accoya wood was specified for the project because of its exceptional stability, class 1 durability and extended coating maintenance cycles required for this all year round warm Mediterranean climate.

Architects: IDOMLocation: Donostia, SpainPhotography: Iñaki BergeraMaterial: NATURSIDING-WFinish: RustikThe Aldapeta María Ikastetxea School is the interpretation of modernity, sustainability, and innovation poured into architecture. With the original building demolished, which dated back to the 19th Century, the new school building accompanies the view of education into the future, leveraging new technologies.Efficiency has been key to this project through the use of geothermal energy and natural light used as a shaping tool of space. Our durable rain-screen system wood panels embrace the refinement and warmth typically of wood into the structure in juxtaposition with other materials such as concrete and metal resembling Japanese architecture, with its pure lines, rhythm, dynamism, and sobriety.To accentuate the rhythm and promote harmony between concrete and wood, we have opted for the vertical placement of the slats that evokes the patterns of the wood framework. Achieving such effect is possible given the aesthetics enhanced by the small piece that attains a harmonious relationship between wood and concrete. With an innovative setup in the architectural sphere composed of a hidden system with no visible screws or rivets, the slatted cladding can be placed vertically even in large buildings, and in an easy way that provides a sense of strength and uniformity to the whole. The PARKLEX PRODEMA panels new setup system allows achieving distinctive finishes with the warmth of the wood, longevity, durability, and limited to no maintenance requirements.

400 Longwater overlooks the central Longwater Lake. A stunning new building providing new office space to the Green Park development.Sylan Products Supplied:Real Wood Veneer Toilet CubiclesFlush frontedStrong, secure and luxuriousInvisible fixing systemFull height cubicleFSC CertifiedAvailable in 11 Real Wood VeneersSolid Surface WashtroughTimeless designHardwearingConsistency of colour throughoutMatching Real Wood Veneer under panelsAvailable in 12 Solid Surface colours

Another one of our lovely customers recently sent in some pictures of them having used Owatrol products to restore their hardwood decking.As you can see, their efforts paid off and his garden deck looks as good as new!Here’s what he had to say about it:We have recently renovated our hardwood decking with Prepdeck, Net-trol and Textrol. The decking was laid three years ago and treated with a decking stain (not Owatrol!) but it started to turn grey very quickly.These pictures were taken over the course of a few days. The process was simple to follow and we’re very pleased with the results.Products usedPrepdeckPrepdeck is a water-based, high-grade stripper/cleaner specially designed for the removal of old, solid and semi-transparent stains, unsightly grade stamps and other types of finishes from wood.It is a three-in-one product: Its main purpose, when used undiluted, is an effective way to prepare wooden surfaces for further treatment.When used diluted, Prepdeck can reduce the mill glaze on new wood to prepare the surface to accept a saturating finish.Net-TrolNet-Trol is a powerful wood cleaner and brightener which restores greyed and weathered wood back to its natural colour. It easily removes surface and ground-in dirt to leave the wood looking fresh and new again. All without damaging the wood’s fibres.Net-Trol is fast-acting and can restore the colour of your wood in as little as 15 minutes. All without sanding!It is also is biodegradable and does not contain solvents or bleach, making it safe to use in multiple environments.TextrolTextrol is a highly saturating oil for exterior soft and hardwood. It works by saturating the wood to protect it from within, meaning there’s no film on the surface and so it will not peel or flake.Textrol is available in 7 shades, including clear, and enhances the natural beauty of the wood whilst providing a mildew-resistant finish.This offers exceptional and long-lasting protection from the effects of moisture, weathering and UV rays.Thank you so much for sending us over these pictures of your renovated hardwood decking, Paul!

Sovereign House is in the heart of Brighton's commercial district.Sylan Products Supplied:Real Wood Veneer CubiclesFlush frontedStylish and elegantInvisible fixing systemFull height cubicleAvailable in 12 Real Wood VeneersFSC Certified

A residential home in Enfield, London, was extended out the back of the property and charred Accoya wood was the chosen material for the cladding. Innovative architects, Studio Hatcham, specified charred Accoya wood to make the extension distinguishable yet sensitive, enhancing the existing grey brickwork, rather than overshadowing it. The Accoya was treated using a charring technique, taking the wood from its originally light colour to a darker, burnt effect. The cladding was charred in three varying shades, creating depth to the extension; light brush “Shizen”, Graphite “Seizo” and Anthracite “Gen no”. For the posts, a deep black effect was chosen to define and accentuate, in particular, the large glass opening of the extension into the back garden. Despite charring the wood, Accoya remains durable and stable with a 50-year warranty against rot. This alongside its great sustainability credentials, made it the perfect choice for this extension.

Rosa Alpina is a boutique Alpine hotel that boasts a two Michelin-starred restaurant and a scenic setting in the Dolomites – one of the world’s most beautiful places.The original building dates to 1850 and local antiques, wood carvings and old photographs complement its wood-panelled ceilings and thick, frescoed walls. Fresh flowers and roaring fires complete a convivial vibe.The 51 spacious rooms and suites each feature a seating area and subtle cream and grey colour scheme. Newer guestrooms offer more contemporary design, with glass-encased fires and sleek timber furnishings, yet still respect local traditions with wood-panelled ceilings, fire wood baskets and ceramic stoves. The new Vetralla bath has specified within these new contemporary rooms.Photography: © Six SensesPhotography: © Six Senses

The extensive use of wood cladding & decking were key elements of LSI architects’ design. However, given that ‘The Haven’ is in a flood zone, surrounded on three sides by water & constantly exposed to a high moisture content in the air, LSI needed to find a wood that they could be confident would deliver durability, dimensional stability & aesthetics. The glue laminated Accoya wood for the curved rear screen was manufactured by Newnham & Abel Ltd & hand finished with a protective merbau-coloured coating from WoodGuard by Guard Industrie. The same finish was factory applied to the cladding.

Puracore® partnered with Integrated Design and Operations Consultancy for the built environment, Bryden Wood, on a pioneering project for one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, GlaxoSmithKline.We manufactured and supplied various components and Cleanroom ceiling panels for The ‘Factory in a Box’ an idea developed by Bryden Wood and GSK.

21 new energy efficient homes featuring Accoya wood cladding were completed for Eildon Housing Association at Tweedbank, Melrose in the Scottish Borders in 2007. Eildon chose Accoya wood after learning of the product’s aesthetic & durable qualities. More than 11,000 linear metres was used, finished with a quality Sikkens coating by Environmental Coatings. After more than 3 years in situ, there are no signs of wood or coating degradation & colour retention is excellent. “We are delighted with the performance of Accoya, which reflects our commitment to increased sustainability levels and innovative technology.” Laurens Cox, Eildon Housing Association

Avoiding gas reliance when building a new house.Traditional self-build projects have always had heating systems such as gas central heating and solar panels installed. However, with the increasing costs of gas, and the uncertainty of future supplies, a secondary heating source is required.There are options such as ground heating pumps, etc. but a real heating system independent of the grid, plus a stunning focal point has to be a wood burning stove.In fact, wood logs are now the cheapest domestic heating fuel. According to the Stove Industry Alliance, wood now is “costing households 74% less per kWh than electric heating and 21% less than gas heating”. The benefits don’t end there. “Using a modern wood burning stove also costs 29% less to run than an air source heat pump. Wood logs are 87% less carbon intensive than gas, 88% less than electricity and 74% less than an air source heat pump.”Building a traditional steel pipe flue system is always an option, but steel systems are more suitable in retrofit projects where minimum disruption is required. When you are building a house from the ground up, then a more permanent and ultimately lifetime option is the better one.