"foamglas®"

The complete transformation of a North London apartment block grand entrance hall, lobby and staircase now features a sophisticated and stunning appearance with revolutionary Porcel-Thin® tiles, and Schlüter®-TREP stair nosing profiles.

A £40 million investment, 13 roof areas, eight different roof levels, and a steady stream of visiting students to keep happy throughout – the University of Reading (UoR) Library’s complete refurbishment was a large and challenging project spanning three years.Originally opened in 1964 and later extended in 1985, the library’s internal and external revamp was designed to increase space, improve facilities for individual study, provide better access and security across the building, and improve energy efficiency.In addition to a new-build Café extension, a new entrance canopy, a new ground-to-roof level lift and stair core extension – each featuring a new flat roof area – there were also 10 existing flat roof areas refurbished, coupled with the replacement of windows and re-cladding of the building’s exterior.Following a competitive tender based on an outline specification, Owlsworth Roofing, Sika Sarnafil single ply flat roofing specialists, impressed with the level of detail included in their quote and were awarded the contract by main contractor ISG.Roofing:Sika® Sarnafil G410-12 ELF.Sika® Sarnafi G410-12 EL.Sarnavap®-5000E SA.Sarnavap® HD SA.Primer 600.Sikatherm® PIR Insulation and Sarnacol®-2162.

Rockfon® Mono® Acoustic is installed to create unique acoustic ceiling designs in the refurbished headquarters of both building services engineers Max Fordham, and A+DP Architects – both long established expert practitioners in the field of construction and interiors.

Kawneer’s aluminium AA®100 zone-drained curtain wall and thermally superior AA®720 entrance doors feature on all elevations of Unit 216 at the UK’s leading science park, while AA®190 TB severe-duty doors have been used on the main entrance. The unit was taken back to a concrete shell and rebuilt with a brick and glazed façade by main contractor Hutton Construction and is now the new home for Amgen, one of the world’s largest independent biotechnology companies.

As part of the BBC One series, DIY SOS: The Big Build, ROCKWOOL® and Rockpanel® were pleased to have played a part in the transformation of a community space in Fegg Hayes.The DIY SOS: The Big Build project was designed to productively use green space to encourage community engagement, it  involved converting an unused piece of land into a multi-functional area for Fegg Hayes local residents. ROCKWOOL Flexi® and Rockpanel Chameleon were two products that were donated to DIY SOS: The Big Build.

Architectural glazing systems by Kawneer were specified for their “robustness and quality” for two linked 16-storey apartment blocks on the last plot to be developed in one of Britain’s fastest-growing property hot spots - the £37 million BTR (Build To Rent) towers at Erie Basin in Salford Quays, Manchester, a stone’s throw from MediaCityUK.Kawneer’s AA®100 curtain walling features as strip curtain wall to copper-coloured rainscreen areas of the towers at Erie Basin. In addition, AA®110 curtain walling features on link bridges and as floor-to-ceiling screens facing the water. While the AA®100 system uses 50mm sightlines, the AA®110 system uses 65mm but both in this case were zone-drained. They are complemented by AA®541 open-out casement window inserts and AA®720 ultra thermally-efficient entrance doors.The Kawneer systems were installed over eight months by a team of up to 35 from approved specialist sub-contractor FK Group for main contractor GRAHAM and client Glenbrook, the privately-owned property development and investment company, who acquired the site from the Peel Group.The prominent dockside development is GRAHAM’s second project with Glenbrook, with work also underway on another £27 million BTR project in Ellesmere Street, Castlefield, Manchester, which also features Kawneer systems.

Job: Bray Medical Centre for Collen ConstructionSmet Supported Partner: B Doherty Screeding ServicesProduct:Sopro Rapidur® B5 Rapid Drying Screed BinderRelated Downloads:TDS Sopro Rapidur® B5 Rapid Drying Floor Screed BinderSMET Floor Screeds and Compounds Product SelectorDescriptionSMET supplied Sopro Rapidur® B5 Rapid Drying Screed Binder to Smet Supported Partner, Brendan Doherty Screeding Services, for the flooring solution in this fast track in Bray Medical Centre. B Doherty Screeding Services completed the flooring project on behalf of lead contractor Collen Construction.German-made Rapidur® B5 Rapid Drying Screed Binder is a special polymer-modified binder for particularly economical ­production of high-strength, rapid-set cement screed – based on DIN 18560 – allowing early floor installation, and for laying to falls.   is suitable for use on heated screeds, bonded screeds, unbonded screeds, and floating screeds. This flooring solution is particularly useful for fast-track or tightly scheduled screed laying. The newly laid Rapidur® B5 screed floor is ready to receive floor covering after approx. 3 days – after achievement of moisture content ≤ 1.8 % CM. Sopro Rapidur® B5 is supplied in 25kg bags, with 40 bags per pallet.

Nicholson worked closely with CEL Leadwork Ltd to manufacture the AIRTRAK® ventilators to suit the exact site dimensions and also to ensure that the AIRTRAK® ventilators were manufactured, stocked and delivered to site within the required time frame to keep the contract on schedule.

1,400m² of PanDOMO® Floor, and 700m² PanDOMO® Wall provided the luxurious seamless finish required by Delugan Meissl Architects. At its opening in 2012, the orchestra pit was the largest of its kind globally and is reputed to provide some of the best acoustics in Europe.

Job: Maldron Hotel Swimming Pool Renovation, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.Smet Supported Partner:Precision Building Services – Mark PembertonProducts: Sopro Rapidur® B5 Rapid Drying Screed BinderMerlin Barrier CoatSopro RAM 3 (454) Renovation and Levelling MortarSopro GD 749 Universal Floor and Wall PrimerSopro DSF® 523 Tanking MembraneSopro PUK 503 PU AdhesiveSopro VF HF 420 – VarioFlex® High Strength Flexible Tile AdhesiveSopro’s No. 1 Flexible Tile AdhesiveSopro FKM® XL 444 – Extra Light Weight Tile AdhesiveSopro Sanitary SiliconeSopro DE 014/015 Sealing CornersSopro FEP 508Sopro DBF-638Racofix 818Description:SMET supplied Smet Supported Partner, Precision Building Services (Mark Pemberton), for the renovation of the Maldron Hotel Swimming Pool, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. A total area of Floor screed @ 140m² | Wall tiling @125m² | Floor tiling @ 140 m² was completed.New floor installation with fast-track – rapid drying floor screed solution, using Sopro Rapidur® B5 Rapid Drying Screed Binder, a fast-setting screed which was laid to falls prior to waterproofing and tiling providing an early completion. German-made Rapidur® B5 Rapid Drying Screed Binder is a special polymer-modified binder for particularly economical ­production of high-strength, rapid-set cement screed – based on DIN 18560.Rapidur® B5 is suitable for use on heated screeds, bonded screeds, unbonded screeds and floating screeds. This flooring solution is particularly useful for fast-track or tightly scheduled screed laying. The newly laid Rapidur® B5 screed floor is ready to receive floor covering after approx. 3 days – after achievement of moisture content ≤ 1.8 % CM. Sopro Rapidur® B5 is supplied in 25kg bags, with 40 bags per pallet.Sopro Rapidur® B5 was installed directly on top of Merlin Barrier Coat wet on wet. The screed was ready for waterproofing/tiling after 3 days. This system was also used to repair the Jacuzzi’s surrounding walls prior to waterproofing, tiling, and grouting.Sopro RAM 3 levelled the deck area (3-60mm) between the drainage channel edge and pool perimeter movement joint. Sopro RAM 3 was bonded with Sopro GD 749.

County Sligo has been blessed with a brand-new luxury hotel, the internationally renowned Radisson SAS Hotel, where the comfort of guests and staff is of paramount importance. Every precaution has also been taken to ensure the safety of residents including the installation of high quality, clear view fire-resistant glass products, Pilkington Pyrostop® and Pilkington Pyrodur®, which have been fitted extensively throughout the entire hotel.Pilkington Pyrodur® is a laminated glass with a special interlayer, developed for the optimum combination of minimum thickness, integrity fire resistance and impact performance. In a fire, the glass forms an opaque barrier to exclude flames and hot gases as well as blocking the sight of the fire, hence reducing panic. In addition to its integrity performance Pilkington Pyrodur® reduces the transfer of radiant heat significantly.Jackie Corcorran of main contractor, J J Rhatigan & Co. Galway was closely involved in the specification of the specialised glass alongside White Bros. Joinery Sligo & Jim Walsh of Greaney Glass Galway. 160 m2 of 10 mm Pilkington Pyrodur® with a 30-minute integrity rating was installed within the corridors of the building. In other areas where there is a slightly greater risk of fire, such as the kitchen area, internal doors and function room screens, were fitted with 21 mm Pilkington Pyrostop®, which provides 60 minutes fire integrity and insulation.Specialist glass & glazing contractors, Greaney Glass, were responsible for installing the fire-resistant glass and Ivan Greaney, Managing Director, comments: “For such a prestigious project it was imperative we used a fire-resistant glass we could trust. There could be hundreds of people within the hotel at any one time so we needed to use materials that would provide maximum protection under the most extreme circumstances. As Pilkington Pyrostop® and Pilkington Pyrodur® are backed by a full suite of impact and fire performance tests, we had no doubts that this was the ideal glass for this project.”Pilkington Pyrostop® and Pilkington Pyrodur® provide excellent levels of protection and have been tested and assessed to BS and EN standards. Not only do they offer excellent fire-resistance they also fully comply with impact safety tests and permit safe breakage in the manner of a laminated glass. In addition, they provide acoustic improvement over standard fire-resistant glass, an important consideration in the hotel that offers a peaceful and relaxing retreat for guests.

Eurowall®+, Recticel’s innovative full-fill cavity wall PIR board, has been chosen for a new affordable housing development. With its advanced tongue and groove joint, it helped to achieve the project’s desired U-value whilst ensuring a ‘built as designed’ envelope.In total, 2000m2 of Eurowall®+ board was installed as part of a £3.3m new-build project in Bedmond Road, Abbots Langley – a large, picturesque village in Hertfordshire. On completion, the 17-home development on behalf of housing association, Thrive Homes, will introduce ‘good quality’ properties to the area. In order that the buildings achieved the regulatory U-value, the insulation needed to ensure a high-quality build whilst being simple to install. Eurowall®+ met both requirements comfortably.  Jarvis Contracting, in conjunction with architects, Avebury, was selected to deliver the scheme. It included the installation of 90mm-thick Eurowall®+ insulation, which earns its billing as Recitcel’s ‘flagship’ product due to its innovative composition and exceptional thermal performance. The boards have a tongue and groove joint on all four edges to ensure they lock tightly together. This inventive format helps to eliminate moisture ingress and possible heat loss through poor joints, whilst offering bricklayers a faster way to build. Once fitted together the boards created a thermally tight envelope, ensuring the fabric-first approach resulted in warm, efficient homes for the Bedmond Road project.  Eurowall®+ can achieve a 0.18 U-value with a 90mm-thick panel in a 100mm cavity. To reach the same thermal performance with mineral wool, for example, the project would require a much thicker insulation. Therefore, Eurowall®+ helps reduce a building’s footprint; a crucial characteristic where plot size is limited.  Indeed, the 10mm air gap, which is created by a 90mm Eurowall®+ PIR board achieving a U-value of 0.18 W/m2K in a traditional 100mm masonry cavity wall, helps speed-up installation times for a more cost-effective build in comparison with other rigid full-fill solutions.Simon Blackham, Technical Manager at Recticel Insulation explained:"Eurowall®+ benefits the installer, due to its slim composition facilitating a more rapid, effective installation, whilst its performance ensures regulation energy requirements are achieved. Such all-round capabilities made it ideal for the Bedmond Road project. It didn’t disappoint on either count."Strong and durable, Eurowall®+ will not degrade or deteriorate due to moisture. This means its thermal performance will be maintained for the long-term comfort and wellbeing of the future occupants of this fine-looking and much-welcome new housing development. About Eurowall®+:Eurowall® + is a premium, high performance full fill insulation board with precision cut tongue and groove joints on all four sides. This ensures that the boards lock tightly together minimising heat loss through thermal bridging. This unique joint offers increased protection against wind driven rain as well as improved windtightness. Eurowall® + is also designed with a 10mm cavity requirement in mind, so that space can be left for conventional bricklaying techniques.

Barrisol® is now part of the internal structure at the Charles de Gaulle, airport Paris. An exceptional luminaires project has been designed by the architects « Unanime ». The modular opening frames, designed in a petal-shape, are made with 110 m² of Barrisol® Translucent ceiling.

The combination of a lightweight steel and concrete composite ComFlor® 100 slab and a glulam timber beam structure has helped deliver a truly sustainable three-storey office building. The internal climate in the building is supported with a ComFlor® Active system in the roof slab.

Award Winning postmodern styling was achieved with a mix of ARDEX products, including PANDOMO®, helping to make the Scottish Parliament one of the most innovative architectural designs in the UK. Products used: ARDEX P 4, ARDEX P 51, PANDOMO® Wall

GreenCoat® PLX from steel manufacturer SSAB. Highly durable GreenCoat® products feature a bio-based coating whereby a substantial portion of Swedish rapeseed oil replaces the dependency on fossil fuel oils. A patented solution reducing the environmental footprint making GreenCoat® the market’s greenest steel for roofs and façades. GreenCoat PLX was developed together with tinsmiths and has quickly become “The Roofer’s Choice”. This formable steel can be worked at temperatures below -15°C and is backed up by a 50-year technical guarantee.

Clarke is a Construction Company based in Ballymena, Northern Ireland with over 25 years in business.In line with the company’s sustainability strategy of designing and building safe, eco sustainable and elegant buildings the office building is paved in AG’s TerraPave® Rimini Ground flagstones.With sustainability in mind, AG’s TerraPave® flagstones were the perfect choice. The striking granite aggregate finish of the flags ensures to complement the modern finish of the building. TerraPave® flags are manufactured from specially selected granite and other natural aggregates. Their exceptional appearance is achieved by using the most up-to-date manufacturing and finishing equipment.TerraPave® flagstones has now also the added benefit of Enduur 1 concrete technology which enhances the surface colour and reduces efflorescence. The enhanced mix increases strength, resistance to wear and tear, longevity and delivers more vibrance to the surface finish

The VOX development is a high-rise residential project in the heart of Manchester, UK. It celebrates practical building application with contemporary aesthetics and high performance. It features our AA®100 50mm Curtain Wall System and our AA®720 Standard Casement Window.

Trespa® Meteon® NW02 Elegant Oak is chosen for the Berkeley House project in Wothorpe. A new departure for a traditional builder who wanted a crisp modern appearance yet using materials with a traditional nature. The use of Wood decors gives a warm elegance to the façade.

THE PROJECT: Recticel supplied the high-performance thermal solution to transform a 100-year-old property in Moseley, Birmingham. Divided into nine apartments, in which two were refurbished to create one, two-storey home, the project caught the attention of the producers of Channel Four's Old House to New Home. Connecting a ground floor property to a flat above led to the creation of a modern and stylish home trimmed with decorative reminders of its structural origins.THE SOLUTION: Eurothane® GP, a high-performance rigid PIR foam board, was selected for the new home's pitched roof, framed wall and floor. Eurothane PL, Recticel's insulation and plasterboard solution was fitted to the property's existing, cavity-less, nine-inch exterior brick walls. The well-sized board ensures minimal thermal bridging during construction.Coupled with Eurothane® GP's 0.022W/mK low thermal conductivity, these products were crucial to attaining a good U-value rating. In total, 130m2 of Eurothane® GP and Eurothane® PL panels were installed.The homeowner, Paul explained:"As we were carrying-out most of the building work ourselves we wanted the best possible insulation for the project. Research revealed Recticel's solutions fitted the bill. Excellent thermal performance and simple to-fit, they were a far superior alternative to other insulants we considered. The panels have done so much to create a welcoming and comfortable interior environment."Used products:Eurothane® GP:Eurothane® GP is a high performance PIR insulation board that is light weight, easy to cut, handle and install. Whether it’s a pitched roof, framed wall or floor, Eurothane® GP is the ideal solution amongst contractors and installers.Eurothane® PL:Suitable for mechanical fixing or dot and dab fixing, this insulated board is consistently sized with extremely tight tolerances, ensuring thermal bridging is minimised. Factory bonded, the plasterboard provides optimum board dimensions and optimum adhesion between layers.

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to view onlinePRESS RELEASE:Taraflex® wins repeat specification at Loughborough University Badminton CentreAlmost 600m2 of Gerflors’ World class Taraflex® vinyl sports flooring has been installed at Loughborough University. The badminton performance centre decided to bring forward the like for like replacement of Taraflex to ensure they stayed at the top of their game when it came to facilities.Originally constructed in 2003, Loughborough University’s Badminton Centre was built with Olympic specification in mind and upgraded in 2011 with Gerflor’s Taraflex® as part of the specification.

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 ®.

Pura® NFC by Trespa brings Pure Delight to Major Shopping CentreWhen the largest factory outlet shopping centre in the North East of England was given a makeover, Pura® NFC by Trespa secured a prominent role in providing the 70-plus retail premises with a fresh, modern appeal to customers.The £3million refurbishment, that included paving, lighting, landscaping and furniture in addition to shop front treatment, was given the go-ahead in 2017. And, says centre manager Jerry Hatch, ‘the overall impact and impression made by Pura® NFC siding was the stand out part of the finished article.”

When it came to updating the school perimeter and sports fencing, Oakdale Primary wanted a solution which would keep students, staff and guests safe and provide reliable access control. To achieve both aims, Jacksons Fencing Sentry® Residential and EuroGuard® Flatform were selected.

AG were tasked with installing paving flags at the new entrance of the Portlaoise Retail Park as well as lifting and replacing the old paving at the existing entrance.The TerraPave® flag, manufactured from aggregates sourced from around Europe, was chosen as a fine quality concrete alternative to natural stone, which helps keep costs down. It was also selected for conforming to current BREEAM sustainability criteria which AG include as standard requirement. TerraPave® also requires little to no maintenance and is completed in ground and textured finishes, giving it a more attractive look compared to other paving solutions.John Donnellan, Key Account Manager AG, said:“We felt the TerraPave® flags were the best products for these highly pedestrianised entrances due to its glowing track record and the similar projects it’s been used for. TerraPave® is easily maintained and retains its colour very well and these were the qualities Harcourt Developments required due to the heavy footfall at the Retail Park. After 6 years the flags now look in pristine condition.”The old paving was replaced with our TerraPave® Genoa Ground flag for its unique design and eye-catching finish.

Formica® High Pressure Laminate (HPL) was used at Voyage of Discovery, Selfridges, Oxford Street in London. A number of striking bar furniture pieces clad with HPL were custom made and designed by Studio Toogood using Dusty Jade and Deep Marina from the Formica® Colors range.

This development consists of two spectacular residential houses. The natural touch is enhanced by the use of Trespa® Meteon® NM07 Casted Grey, which is part of our Naturals collection. The developer was the first to use Casted Grey in the UK. They are always looking for new finishes to give a unique look to their developments.

The Chilterns Lifestyle Centre in Amersham will feature a range of leisure, sports and community facilities. As each of the activities taking place will require different indoor temperatures – warm or cool – to keep users comfortable, a high-performing insulation solution was essential.Thermal performance wasn’t the only factor in insulation choice for specialist façade contractor Teampol. At just 14m high, the Chilterns Lifestyle Centre doesn’t fall under current fire regulations banning combustible insulation. But non-combustibility was still a key consideration in installing 2,300m2 of Knauf Insulation’s OmniFit® Slab 35 and Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab.“The original specification was for a combustible phenolic insulation,” said Scott Millins, Quantity Surveyor at Teampol. “But there’s always that concern at the back of my mind of ‘what if the worst happened?’ so I will only use non-combustible insulation whatever the height of the building. Plus, there’s a very real possibility that regulations may change again, and I don’t want my projects to need costly remedial work further down the line.”“I approached several manufacturers for a non-combustible alternative. They weren’t able to do the calculations quickly and couldn’t meet the U-value required without increasing the depth of the rainscreen insulation from 80mm to 120mm, which would have impacted the whole design.”By this point, finding a solution was critical, otherwise the entire project would be delayed. Millins approached Knauf Insulation’s Specification Team for support and product advice stressing the need for a fast turnaround. Within 24 hours, the Technical Support Team had conducted 3D U-value calculations and a condensation analysis.They recommended 150mm OmniFit® Slab 35 for the steel frame stud with Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab for the façade. Crucially, this combination meant they were able to meet the U-value of 0.22 W/m2K and keep to the original 80mm insulation depth specified for the rainscreen.“Knauf Insulation were fast, responsive and helpful,” explained Scott. “From our initial conversations, it was clear they had the technical expertise, and this was backed up by an extremely quick turnaround for all the supporting calculations that I needed to move forward with the job.”Both OmniFit® Slab 35 and Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab offer exceptional levels of thermal performance. They are non-combustible with the best possible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification so will not contribute to the development or spread of fire should it occur. Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is BBA certified for use at any height.OmniFit® Slab 35 and Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab also have excellent sound absorption characteristics which will help ensure that any sports and community activities taking place inside don’t disturb local residents.As well as Knauf Insulation’s technical advice and product performance, the consistency and quality of the two products have impressed Millins and the Teampol installation team.“Installation of both OmniFit® Slab 35 and Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab has gone extremely smoothly. They’re both quick and easy to fit and it helps that these Mineral Wool products from Knauf Insulation are nice and soft – our installation team love working with them,” added Millins.This softness is thanks to the ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation's unique bio-based binder which contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. Products made with ECOSE® Technology are also easy to handle, generate low levels of dust and VOCs and have been awarded the Eurofins Gold Certificate for Indoor Air Comfort.As well as being kind to installers, ECOSE® Technology is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable and is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binders, so it is kinder to the environment too.Thanks to Knauf Insulation’s rapid response and technical support, Teampol was able to meet the thermal requirements for the Chilterns Lifestyle Centre project using non-combustible insulation – all while keeping to the tight build schedule.

To provide optimum weather and thermal performance and to maximise the building’s energy efficiency, ADP Architecture specified a range of aluminium products from Kawneer, installed by approved specialist subcontractor Norman & Underwood. The building’s façade features Kawneer’s AA®100 curtain wall system while AA®190 TB severe-duty doors were specified to handle the high volume of people entering and leaving the building. These were complemented by Kawneer’s AA®720 casement windows with louvreshields which provide both ventilation and fall protection. As the construction is a gateway to the city’s commercial area, the aesthetics were also paramount.

Technical Manager Tim Spencer “The initial need was for an elegant high-performance ceiling grid that could span 2500mm and support the ceiling infill. The answer was a bespoke version of our Rockfon® System MaxiSpan™ grid. We were then briefed to find an acoustic solution to resolve the acoustic challenges for the spaces which would host a variety of music concerts. We worked in partnership with ROCKWOOL and the solution was bespoke 100mm thick Rockfon Color-all® black ceiling tiles in combination with 100mm ROCKWOOL FLEXI® overlay and 40mm thick Color-all panels together with 100mm or 160mm FLEXI for the walls.”

Marking a £10.6m investment, a Hampshire County Council (HCC) designed school in Wellesley, Aldershot provides an excellent start to a child’s learning. Knauf Ceiling Solutions' HERADESIGN® Superfine contributes to this vision by helping to create a healthy acoustic environment. HERADESIGN® is manufactured from sustainably sourced wood wool with a unique, organic aesthetic that can match any colour as ceilings, baffles, canopies and wall absorbers. Thanks to the technologically-advanced mineral wool core, HERADESIGN® demonstrates exceptional sound absorption which makes it suitable for a variety of environments, from schools and leisure buildings through to offices and hospitals.

Paradise Street student village, Coventry, provides 893 quality homes and 1,400sqm of social space including common rooms, café/bar, cinema and gym.Our HERADESIGN® ceilings have been fitted in the acoustically-demanding areas to help create an environment that’s conducive for both study and relaxation.HERADESIGN® was the first choice for FBM Architects as they had used it in another recent student accommodation project in Coventry and valued its aesthetic properties, acoustic credentials and durability. “We chose HERADESIGN® because of its textured effect that would provide a tactile quality and soften the space, both acoustically and visually.”

Following a €12million restoration, iconic Dublin landmark Bewley’s Grafton Street, has reopened to offer seating for 500. The new interior has been described as ‘the same but different.’ Rockfon® Mono® Acoustic ceilings are installed throughout to create a comfortable acoustic environment and meet the aesthetic demands of this historic space.

When MCR Property Group purchased Unity Square in Liverpool, a £17m partially built student living scheme, it wanted to complete the project as quickly as possible.The specification required a non-combustible insulation solution that complied with building regulations for the acoustic insulation of internal walls and separating floors. The company needed a large quantity of insulation delivered within a very short lead time to coincide with the period when hired vehicles would be on site. With this in mind, Knauf Insulation suggested Rocksilk® Flexible Slab, its multi-purpose Rock Mineral Wool insulation.Designed for use in a wide variety of applications including internal walls, floors and partitions, and separating floors, and with excellent thermal performance, Rocksilk® Flexible Slab exceeded the specification requirements. Furthermore, Rocksilk® Flexible Slab has a non-combustible Euroclass A1 reaction to fire classification, making it suitable for internal use on residential dwelling buildings over 18m tall as outlined in the recent changes to Approved Document B.As well as thermal and fire performance, Rocksilk® Flexible Slab has excellent sound absorption properties, providing high levels of sound insulation. As a result, the installation of the product in the 204 bedrooms and 36 studio flats will make life much more comfortable for the students living on the campus.Rocksilk® Flexible Slab is manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. Products made with ECOSE® Technology generate low levels of dust and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and have been awarded Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort (Gold) certification.Builders’ merchant, Selco Ardwick in Manchester, supplied Rocksilk® Flexible Slab direct to site. In total, 32 pallets were used, equating to nearly 3,500m2 of insulation.For ease of installation, Rocksilk® Flexible Slab features a flexible edge which is designed to optimise friction fitting between studs, joists and rafters. MCR Property Group team found that its flexible edge combined with its lightweight design made the product much easier to install than alternative Rock Mineral Wool insulation they had used previously.Thanks to Knauf Insulation’s speed of delivery, MCR Property Group was able to keep to a tight schedule that saw Unity Square open its doors in September in time for the start of the academic year. And while most of the students probably won’t give a second thought to the insulation, they will enjoy their safer, warmer and quieter new homes!

Gulson Road is a new state of the art student accommodation block in the heart of Coventry’s university district. With 462 rooms, shared study areas, a common room, gym and staff management suite all set over eight storeys, fire safety was of the utmost importance.With this in mind, the architect, Stride Treglown, specified that Rock Mineral Wool should be used to insulate the rainscreen façade to comply with building regulations, which ban the use of combustible materials on all buildings over 18m tall.Knauf Insulation’s Technical Support Team undertook 3D U-value calculations on behalf of main contractors Robertson Construction and recommended 150mm Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab to achieve a U-value of 0.18W/m2K.Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab has a thermal conductivity of just 0.034W/mK. It is non-combustible with the best possible Euroclass A1 Reaction to Fire Classification rating, so will not contribute to the development or spread of fire should it occur. It is BBA certified for use in high rise buildings and the broadest range of build-ups of any rainscreen solution on the market.As well as exceptional thermal performance and fire safety, Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab provides high levels of sound absorption.Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is easy to install correctly. The slabs interlock and adapt to minor imperfections in the substrate eliminating air leakage, which can reduce thermal and acoustic performance. It is also robust and durable with a water repellent additive to preserve its integrity while exposed during construction.Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab is manufactured with ECOSE® Technology, Knauf Insulation’s unique bio-based binder that contains no added formaldehyde or phenol. It is made from natural raw materials that are rapidly renewable, and is 70% less energy-intensive to manufacture than traditional binders, so it is more environmentally-friendly.Products made with ECOSE® Technology generate low levels of dust and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and have been awarded the Eurofins (Gold) certificate for Indoor Air Comfort.Thanks to the enhanced thermal and acoustic performance from Knauf Insulation’s Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab, students at Gulson Road will enjoy warm, quiet, safe and sustainable flats to study, socialise and sleep in.

We are delighted to have recently worked in partnership with Ashby Facilities in Pelsall to deliver a range of high quality aesthetically pleasing and robust bathroom products for eight purpose built mental health bungalows at St Peter's Gardens, Stafford.Ashby Facilities approached TYDE in order to help provide them with a washroom solution for a newbuild development consisting of eight bungalows. The brief we received detailed the extensive requirements which was for a number of high quality, damage resistant anti-ligature sanitaryware products that were to be installed for their resident's safety. It was imperative that the solution we suggested was aesthetically pleasing and not look too overly 'clinical'.Our suggested solution was the installation of a number of products from our Dudley Resan® range. These products are tested and manufactured to the highest standards and offer a perfect alternative to stainless steel. Resan® products are uniquely engineered from an advanced polymer resin material which is shatterproof, exceptionally hard wearing and chemical resistant, making it the perfect solution for mental health institutes.  The TYDE team looked at the entire range and presented all suitable options. The Resan® standard height pan with blue rim was chosen along with the Resan® infra-red basin, Resan® shelf and matching Resan® mirror to complete the look.   Jamie Cooper, Operations Director of Ashby commented, "Our main aim was to provide a safe environment for the residents, so the anti-ligature features were essential. We also wanted the bathrooms to suit the style of the bungalows and many of the alternatives we looked at were dated and not suitable. When we saw the Resan® products from TYDE we knew we had the right products to meet our requirements. We are very satisfied with the products TYDE recommended; so much so that we are already looking at working with them again on other projects as they always deliver top quality products that are not only good to look at and use but more importantly are fit for purpose".