"chutes and hoppers"

A recent example of a large island worktop, featuring: • Rounded corners • Integral sinks • Deep edge profiles • Power supply points • Bin chute

The Port of Tyne is one of UK’s most efficient deep-sea ports, handling a diverse range of cargoes from cars to containers and bulk goods to renewable energy across five continents. They offer a unique end-to-end solution ensuring goods move safely, securely and efficientlyThe project4 Speedor Storms designed, manufactured and installed to mobile hoppersThe challenge:A key part of the port’s ship unloading procedure required fast and reliable doors to compliment their logistics process. Materials such as wood pellets are unloaded into hoppers which simultaneously load directly into lorries that drive into the hoppers. The process generates dust which must be controlled as a residential area is close by. These hoppers are in highly exposed areas and require a product that withstands strong winds.The Solution:The mobile hopper systems originally came with rigid doors that blew out as they were rated Class 3 and were not fit for purpose. We resolved the issue by installing robust Speedor Storms, the Speedor variant with exceptional wind resistance up to Class 5 (over 90 mph). Their automatic action and robust design ensured that the doors worked during all weather conditions ensuring the efficiency of the port is maintained.The success:The original project was to install 2 doors to the hopper systems. Due to the reliability of the first 2 doors, a further 2 Speedor Storms were installed a few years later. 

Project Overview:Guttermaster Limited played a pivotal role in the development of the Quintana Gate project, a modern residential new build. This case study outlines Guttermaster's key contributions in providing tailored rainwater management solutions that seamlessly blend functional efficiency with contemporary aesthetics.Project Details:Scope of Works:Supply of Flush Joint Pipe, SnapLok Capping, and aluminium rainwater hoppersProject Goals:The Quintana Gate project aimed to achieve both functional efficiency and contemporary aesthetics in rainwater management for a modern residential development. The key project goals included:Functional Efficiency: Efficient rainwater conveyance and collection tailored to the needs of a modern residential building.Contemporary Aesthetics: Sleek, modern design elements that enhance the overall visual appeal of the residential development.Guttermaster's Approach:Guttermaster Limited approached the Quintana Gate project with a focus on providing advanced rainwater management solutions that marry functionality with contemporary design:Tailored Rainwater Solutions: Guttermaster supplied Flush Joint Pipe, chosen for its streamlined design and efficient water conveyance, meeting the specific needs of a modern residential development.SnapLok Capping for Parapet Wall Finishing: The inclusion of SnapLok Capping provided a clean and polished look to the building’s exterior, showcasing Guttermaster’s commitment to contemporary design and adding a touch of sophistication.Aluminium Rainwater Hoppers: Guttermaster supplied aluminium rainwater hoppers, emphasizing the company’s dedication to delivering comprehensive rainwater management solutions. These hoppers ensured efficient water collection and added a visually appealing element to the building’s exterior.Results:The collaboration between Guttermaster Limited and the Quintana Gate project managers resulted in the successful implementation of advanced rainwater management systems:Functional Efficiency: The Flush Joint Pipe, with its streamlined design, contributed to the overall functionality of the project, efficiently conveying rainwater in line with modern residential needs.Contemporary Aesthetics: The inclusion of SnapLok Capping added a touch of sophistication to the building’s exterior, enhancing the modern aesthetic appeal of the residential development.Visual Appeal: Aluminium rainwater hoppers not only ensured efficient water collection but also added a visually appealing element, contributing to the overall aesthetic success of Quintana Gate.Conclusion:The supply of Flush Joint Pipe, SnapLok Capping, and aluminium rainwater hoppers by Guttermaster contributed to the overall success of the Quintana Gate project. This case study highlights the importance of collaboration between industry experts and showcases Guttermaster’s ability to provide advanced and visually appealing rainwater management solutions for modern residential developments. The project exemplifies the synergy between functionality and contemporary design in the realm of new construction.

Project Overview:Guttermaster Limited played a pivotal role in the meticulous restoration of Manor Farm, a historical building. This case study highlights Guttermaster's key contributions in preserving the heritage aesthetics by supplying a number of solutions, including cast aluminium guttering, extruded rainwater pipe, and cast hoppers. The primary objective of this heritage project was to retain the timeless charm of Manor Farm while ensuring effective rainwater management.Project Details:Scope of Works:Supply of cast aluminium guttering, extruded rainwater pipe, and cast hoppersClient's Requirements:The restoration of Manor Farm aimed to preserve its historical charm while addressing the need for efficient rainwater management. The client's key project requirements included:Historical Preservation: The need to retain the authenticity and heritage aesthetics of Manor Farm during the restoration.Functional Rainwater Management: Effective rainwater drainage and collection without compromising the visual integrity of the heritage site.Collaborative Design: A collaborative approach between Guttermaster and the restoration team to seamlessly integrate modern functionality with timeless heritage aesthetics.Guttermaster's Approach:Guttermaster Limited approached the Manor Farm restoration project with a meticulous blend of historical preservation and modern functionality:Bespoke Solutions Selection: Guttermaster's expertise led to the selection of cast aluminium guttering, extruded rainwater pipe, and cast hoppers for their durability, classic appeal, and ability to seamlessly complement heritage architecture.Functional Integration: The extruded rainwater pipe, designed for optimal rainwater flow, and the cast hoppers were chosen to add functional elements without compromising the visual integrity of the heritage site.Fine Texture Powder-Coated Finish: Guttermaster's commitment to maintaining the authenticity of Manor Farm was evident in the fine texture powder-coated finish applied to the supplied components. This finish enhanced durability and ensured seamless integration into the heritage environment.Results:The collaboration between Guttermaster Limited and Manor Farm resulted in a successful restoration project:Harmonious Blend: The cast aluminium guttering seamlessly complemented the heritage architecture, achieving a harmonious blend of historical preservation and contemporary efficiency.Functional Elegance: The extruded rainwater pipe and cast hoppers added functional elements without compromising the visual integrity of Manor Farm, ensuring effective rainwater management.Fine Texture Powder-Coated Finish: The applied finish enhanced the durability of the supplied components and seamlessly integrated them into the heritage environment, contributing to the overall visual appeal of the project.Conclusion:The supply of cast aluminium guttering, extruded rainwater pipe, and cast hoppers by Guttermaster contributed to the successful restoration of Manor Farm. This case study exemplifies the importance of expert collaboration in heritage projects, where attention to detail and a commitment to preserving historical aesthetics are paramount. Guttermaster's role in providing both functional and visually complementary rainwater management solutions underscores the significance of maintaining heritage integrity in architectural restoration.

There is nothing quite like an ambitious project executed to the highest standard.This complete rebuild and extension of a late Victorian terraced house in Brockley, south east London, presented challenges at every turn. The existing house suffered from the addition of poor-quality extensions and structural problems, but was redesigned by Conibere Philips architects with the specification of Alumasc Rainwater Flushjoint downpipes and hoppers. This ensured elegant and efficient water management, as well as security against water ingress into the new masterpiece of a home.“It’s extremely unusual for a mid-terrace to be demolished and rebuilt in this way, but it was decided as the most economic and sensible course of action to take in this case. This also allowed us to adapt the property on rebuilding to look much more contemporary and elegant,” explained Robin Philips, Partner Director at Conibere Philips. Elegance was also firmly the desired direction when considering water management.“We chose to specify Rainwater Flushjoint downpipes and hoppers from Alumasc to maximise on their sleek and minimal design that would further contribute to the contemporary look of the building,” Robin confirms.“The joints in the RWP sections are very elegant. The whole effect is much less cluttered than most other RWP products. A simple, modern elevation would have been ruined with more traditional RWP products.”

Lazenby were asked to manufacture 80 completely bespoke pre cast concrete sinks for a new build office block in Kings Cross.The sinks were used in the male and female washrooms throughout all floors of the building. The sizes ranged from a 1900mm double vanity through to a 4 metre long, quintuple sink unit.All the units were cast with tap holes and a cut out for an undermounted bin chute. The joints were carefully placed to run through the cut outs to help make them as discreet as possible.The clients were looking to create a statement piece and so Lazenby created a bespoke blue colour that matched their vision. Multiple samples were created in a variety of shades before the final colour was selected.The durability and flexibility of concrete make it the perfect solution for busy washroom environments.

Location: New Road, Hoxton, London N1 6JAProject Type: Private, Shared Ownership & Social Rent Housing Development Cost: £40mProducts: Aluminium Vertical Solar Shading, SFX Fascia & Soffit Cladding to Terraces & Balconies, Weatherstruck Wall Copings, Curved Weatherstruck Wall Copings, Square Rainwater Pipes, Bespoke Rainwater HoppersFinish: Syntha Pulvin RAL 8080 Matt Metallic BronzeFire rating: A2 s1, d0 Non-combustible (Reaction to Fire EN BS 13501-1:2018). Client: LB of Hackney & Countryside Properties Plc Architect: Child Graddon Lewis Ltd Main Contractor: Countryside Properties Plc Sub Contractor: Roweaver Developments Ltd

Project Overview:The Hemisphere Project marked a unique architectural venture where Guttermaster Limited played an integral role in shaping the project from its inception. Collaborating closely with Ruddle Wilkinson Architects and Stoneguard (Midlands) Ltd, Guttermaster was tasked with designing and manufacturing 960 meters of bespoke aluminium copings, alongside providing 90 meters of TrimFix fascia, aluminium rainwater pipes, and cast aluminium hoppers. This case study unveils the meticulous planning and execution that resulted in a stunning architectural statement with bold symmetrical lines surrounding the entire building.Project DetailsScope of Works:960 meters of bespoke SnapLok cappings90 meters of TrimFix fasciaAluminium rainwater pipesCast aluminium hoppersClient's Requirements:The client, driven by a vision for a distinctive and iconic architectural statement, outlined their objectives for the project:Architectural Finesse: The project aimed to create an architectural masterpiece with bespoke aluminium copings, challenging Guttermaster to deliver on design, quality, and execution.Symmetrical Roof Edge: The roof edge required bold and symmetrical lines to accentuate the building's aesthetics.Collaborative Design: Guttermaster was involved from the project's conception stage and had to work in close collaboration with Ruddle Wilkinson Architects and Stoneguard (Midlands) Ltd to bring the design to life.Guttermaster's Approach:Guttermaster's role in this ambitious project was characterised by a blend of precision and collaborative innovation:Custom Design and Engineering: The Guttermaster design team embarked on creating complex bespoke aluminium copings that adhered to the architect's vision. This involved advanced engineering to ensure structural integrity and aesthetic excellence.Symmetrical Lines: Guttermaster devised a slim edge perimeter feature aluminium coping with secondary support, ensuring that the roof edge featured bold and symmetrical lines that embraced the entire building.Collaborative Development: From the very start, Guttermaster worked hand in hand with the architectural and construction teams, ensuring seamless integration of their solutions into the project's design and construction plans.ResultsThe collaborative effort between Guttermaster Limited, Ruddle Wilkinson Architects, and Stoneguard (Midlands) Ltd yielded remarkable results:Architectural Masterpiece: The bespoke aluminium copings, SnapLok cappings, TrimFix fascia, aluminium rainwater pipes, and cast aluminium hoppers combined to create an architectural masterpiece that surpassed the client's expectations.Bold Symmetrical Lines: The roof edge, with the slim edge perimeter feature aluminium coping, displayed bold and symmetrical lines, enhancing the building's visual appeal.Seamless Integration: Guttermaster's proactive involvement from the project's conception ensured that their solutions were seamlessly integrated into the architectural and construction plans, contributing to the project's overall success.ConclusionThe Hemisphere Project stands as a testament to the power of precision, collaborative design, and innovative engineering in creating a distinctive architectural masterpiece. Guttermaster's role in the project showcased their commitment to delivering bespoke solutions that enhance architectural vision and bold symmetrical lines. This project serves as a striking example of how expert collaboration can transform a vision into reality, producing an iconic and visually appealing building that captivates all who encounter it.

Conversion of listed Cotswold coach houseDesign Storey architects are thrilled with the transformation of this curtilage-listed coach house located in a walled garden within a conservation area in a small Cotswold town. The task was to extend the ground floor of the property to create a new boot room and dining room, increase the amount of light into the property and improve connection of the house with the garden. The project proved particularly tricky due to the listed and conservation status which made selection of materials especially sensitive. Having specified Lindab guttering for these reasons and for its longevity and minimal appearance, the architect was assisted with samples so that the client could choose their colour palette on site. They opted for Anthracite Metallic coated finish gutters and downpipes and square hoppers which the architect said, “contributed to the overall quality of the build and visual appearance of the final building”. Following this, Design Storey are using Lindab guttering on a number of further projects including a school extension and a family home, stating that Lindab, “provide a quality range of products to suit a number of solutions.”

Apex Heritage Cast Iron rainwater system from leading specialist Alumasc was commissioned as part of the £800 million extension and restoration of St Pancras International, London.The extension and interior of the station comprised all the modern facilities expected in Britain’s most advanced station, however, work on the oldest Grade 1 listed part of the station called for the faithful and painstaking restoration of the gothic red brick façade, to retain the original detail of George Gilbert Scott’s design.Existing rainwater systems, despite being almost 150 years old, were still in use. As part of the redevelopment project English Heritage insisted that any new rainwater details must faithfully reproduce the original patterns of the Victorian rainwater goods used when the station was first built. Alumasc worked closely with the main contractors to produce bespoke moulds, creating cast iron replicas of all the existing pipes and hoppers to take away rainwater from the vast single span roof, which is still the largest of its type in the world.

The historic Bell Street Stables in Glasgow has recently undergone an extensive conversion, featuring the installation of Alumasc’s Flushjoint aluminium rainwater downpipe system.This magnificent period property has an interesting history. It was built between 1896-98 by A. W. Wheatley, originally to house horses working to pull the Glasgow City Council Cleansing Department’s refuse collection carts. In 1955, the building was redesigned to provide a separate entrance for the Police Department who shared the property with Cleansing until the 1980s. Situated in a prime position within the Merchant City area in the city centre of Glasgow, the building was converted to form 52 mid-market affordable rented flats by the Construction and Manufacturing Group (CCG) on behalf of Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) and Lowther Homes, during a two-year construction programme. The renovation was completed in 2019.A major requirement of the renovation was to conserve as much of the building’s heritage as possible, which included all exterior aspects. This involved the upgrade of the stone elevation, replacing all windows and making repairs to the roof and rainwater system.Flushjoint aluminium downpipes along with contemporary hopper heads were specified for their contemporary design. The installation was completed in a non-standard RAL colour to match and complement the window surrounds. 

Heritage Cast Iron Rainwater systems from Alumasc have been used at The Lancasters, one of London’s most exclusive and prestigious residential developments.Overlooking Hyde Park, The Lancasters was originally a parade of 15 magnificent stucco-fronted Grade II listed houses dating from the mid nineteenth century. More recently used as a hotel, it has now been restored and developed into 77 prestige homes. A leading team of developers, architects and interior designers has created a unique fusion of traditional architecture with brand new design and construction.Alumasc’s Heritage Cast Iron system was specified by the architects Nilsson, for its combination of traditional manufacture and modern quality control standards. The result is a highly robust rainwater solution that provides a visually sympathetic finish to fully complement the stunning Victorian architecture.The Heritage Cast Iron was installed by Premier Services Installations (PSI) Ltd and comprised traditional 4” downpipes and ogee gutters finished in a bespoke white, created especially for The Lancasters by Alumasc who created a dedicated paint line to ensure the order was completed on time.Dave Jones of PSI Ltd commented: “The Lancasters is the largest fascia construction project in Europe and boasts one of the longest and highest Victorian residential terraces in the UK. The sheer height of the building required eighteen 1.8m lengths of downpipe from ground level to the hopper heads.

Stainless steel work tops and sinks from GEC Andersons Made-to-Measure (M2M) range have been installed in the kitchen of a newly renovated Grade II listed Georgian terrace to provide a striking and contemporary contrast to the historical setting of the property.The five storey dwelling is situated in the beautiful and unspoilt Myddleton Square in the Angel district of London. Built between 1824 and 1827, the square is named after Sir Hugh Myddelton, who was the engineer responsible for bringing a fresh water supply into the city.The sympathetic renovation work was carried out to a very high specification, incorporating as many of the original features as possible.Renovation specialists Fullers (Builders) Ltd were asked to undertake the work. Many aspects of the refurbishment project were bespoke including the new kitchen, situated in the basement, designed by Butler Hegarty Architects and created by Fullers in-house joinersGEC Andersons M2M bespoke range is not only highly flexible but also is of very high quality. It was therefore ideal for this part of the project.The brushed satin stainless steel sinktop 4374x615mm was specified, with specially sized sink and drainer area, including (500x400x200mm and 180x400x200mm) sink bowls. To complement the worktops, stainless steel splashbacks were incorporated into the design including socket cut-outs. For ease of installation, the sinktop was mounted on a waterproof substrate, sound deadened and plastic protected.Central to the kitchen is the stainless steel bridge island worktop (1482x623mm) that includes a bin-chute with a flush-fit lid, for easy rubbish disposal. The sides of the island are integral and therefore manufactured and supplied by GEC Anderson in one piece with the worktop. They include cut-outs for sockets. There is a stainless steel panel at the back of the island, against which the range cooker stands. Stainless steel plinth kick plates are included throughout the kitchen.Gary Butler of Butler Hegarty Architects said, We recommended stainless steel to our clients and it suited their aims for the kitchen. We particularly liked the all in one surface and the general crisp aesthetics which the material created against the historic setting.

THE PROJECTThe architects of Camden Courtyards, Sheppard Robson, are long established locals. Their aim was to create a building that reflects Camden’s attitude, so they drew from the area’s eclectic Victorian and Georgian architectural roots to create something fresh and contemporary.Camden Town is internationally renowned as one of the most dynamic places in London. Famed for its alternative fashion, acclaimed music scene and the well-known Camden Market.On the Barratt Developments – Camden Road development, the needs of the occupier have been carefully considered throughout for the private occupiers and the residents of Newlon Housing Trust; from a communal roof terrace offering views over London, a tranquil courtyard and 12 hour concierge service through to a significant feature on this project; the provision of Parcel boxes.The considerable growth and convenience of online shopping has resulted in the consideration of not just mail but parcel delivery, particularly in projects where the occupier is likely to work and have the inconvenience of missing deliveries.Chosen in RAL Gentian Blue with vinyl numbering to identify the apartment allocation, this simple manual parcel box solution installed by Barratt Developments have provided a simple receptacle for parcels, recessed into the walls making a fantastically inspired use of space, ensuring this development is future proofed and provides commitment to the modern growing requirements of millennials.Affordable, easy to install and highly effective for the residents, these parcel boxes form just one part of our fully comprehensive parcel box range of solutions we offer from manual systems through to fully SMART intelligent systems.THE PRODUCTThe MEFA Hazel is a minimalist parcel box with loading chute used to store both mail and parcel deliveries at the same time. This type of parcel box is usually fitted into a freestanding arrangement (fixed through the bottom panel of the parcel box into the floor). For the Camden Road development, the parcel boxes have been fitted into a ‘bank of boxes’ to securely store parcel deliveries for the residents of the project.Each parcel box has been fitted with vinyl lettering in a contrasting silver colour, allowing post delivery personnel and couriers to quickly identify which parcel box it is they have to deliver items to.

Stunning Sylan High Pressure Laminate installed at 100 Embankment, Manchester.Located on the site of Manchester’s historic Exchange Station and overlooking the city’s Cathedral, 100 Embankment is a £65 million development brought to life by main contractors BAM Construction.The 9 storey, 166,000sq ft BREEAM Excellent Grade A office building sits alongside its sister building, 101 Embankment. Together they have created a new civic centre for Salford by attracting new businesses, boosting jobs, growth and investment within the city centre.Sylan worked closely with BAM Construction and local installers TBS Fabrications, to ensure that the vision of Flanagan Lawrence architects was brought to life. No area of the prestigious building was overlooked with Sylan being selected for the washrooms for the whole 9 floors.Sylan in High Pressure Laminate was chosen for both the male and female toilets throughout the building. With invisible fixings and 44mm thick doors the cubicles ooze style and elegance. The mortice lock machined flush into the door and pilaster rebates, alongside the flush fronted finish ensures privacy for users, whilst adding to the luxurious feel of the washrooms themselves.With 34 laminate colours to choose from, Flanagan Lawrence went with a classic and neutral colour scheme. Charcoal was selected for the fronts of the cubicles with Ash lipping, alongside Linen partitions. The Sylan washroom cubicles were complemented with co-ordinating High Pressure Laminate IPS Ducting also in Linen.Bespoke Mirror Box Units with LED strips were supplied to both sets of washrooms adding a functional and atmospheric element. Solid Surface Vanity Tops in Avalanche, with underslung basins and bin chute cut outs, added the finishing touch to the luxurious washrooms, delivering a beautifully smooth and stylish finish that will sit alongside the Sylan cubicles and last for years to come.Sylan Products Supplied:High Pressure Laminate Toilet CubiclesFlush frontedStylish and elegantInvisible fixing systemFull height cubicleAvailable in over 30 laminate coloursNo hefty price tagSolid Surface Countertop VanityTimeless designHardwearingCantilever bracketsQuick and easy to installAvailable in 12 Solid Surface coloursHigh Pressure Laminate Duct Panelling SystemAvailable in over 30 coloursQuick and easy to install

Ampteam Limited, were asked to provide a UNIFOLD® scheme for the conversion of level gutters, serving the central roof area of the building, to falls conditions, with a brief to eliminate standing water and leaks which had plagued the building for some time.Some 900 metres of valley gutters serving four separate Atrium roof areas in banks of six, which in turn are served by 5 metre wide valley gutter sections serving as Access and escape link bridges, were requested to be converted from level to laid to falls.Lower valley gutter bounding the periphery of the roof area serve and discharge the main roof area via 5 metre wide chutes from the escape link bridges. Positioned in the less sensitive areas, these were allowed to be laid level, although their existing holding capacity has been improved.The existing roof and gutter areas had initially received a PVC membrane when built. This, however, was patched in many areas and showing signs of deterioration. There were many concerns about the continued longevity of this installation.UNIFOLD® Gutter Lining System was chosen for its versatility, unfailing ability to replicate existing systems, provide falls conditions in level gutters and its long life. The system is also guaranteed for 20 years.Tapered Cork insulation was chosen to provide the base for the gutters and this was supplied in cut sets. The fall ratio was based on a minimum of 1:150. The Unifold gutters were purpose made to suit the falls ratio and provided in numbered sets to suit the individual gutters.Full site information was provided including schemes of falls, laying sequences and special details and instructions. In all, more than 50 separate drawings were issued to site. In accordance with Ampteam policy, all fabrication was factory manufactured and sealed prior to delivery to site. This ensures complete installation quality and integrity. The valley gutters serving the central Glazed Atrium roof areas were installed first. These comprised an apex at the central position of the gutters with falls arranged down to discharge ends at the Escape Link Bridges.As the glazed Atrium roof was above a sensitive area, no weekday work was allowed.Friday deliveries were permitted but all work was conducted during weekends.The end Atrium Roof area valley gutters were single fall from a transverse gutter at the outer perimeter edge.Access into the transverse gutter was extremely tight and normal joints could not be made so sections of UNIFOLD® were supplied to span individual Atrium ends and joins were made at the junctions with the valley gutters via factory manufactured tees, using UNIFOLD® patented clip joints.The existing transverse gutters were already higher than the valley gutters to aid discharge, but in order to create the necessary falls the UNIFOLD® transverse liner was lifted sufficiently to provide the required falls for the valley gutters.There was space to achieve this condition without compromising the capacity of the original transverse gutters.

Agar Grove is a multi-award-winning development, created by 5-star housebuilder, The Hill Group for Camden Council, as part of their Community Investment Programme. With a proposed 507 new homes, once complete Agar Grove will be the largest Passivhaus development in the UK.Knauf Insulation’s glass blowing mineral wool Supafil® has been specified for Phase 1C of the project, which comprises 125 homes. We spoke to Hill’s Senior Technical Coordinator, Ben Clarke and Senior Contract Surveyor, Matthew Bricknell about the needs of the project.Prioritising real performancePassivhaus is an internationally recognised building standard, resulting in very high energy efficiency. For the residents of Agar Grove, this will mean greater thermal comfort, alongside reduced energy bills.Achieving the Passivhaus standard requires a complex balance of design factors to create high levels of insulation and airtightness. To ensure their designs would deliver in the real world, it was therefore important for Hill to specify products which would perform as well in situ as they did on paper.As Ben explains, “We chose to use blown-in insulation because of its real-world thermal performance. Installing insulation boards can sometimes mean gaps are left between them, which leads to cold bridges in the build. But that can be more easily avoided with a blown-in product.”To provide further quality assurance, Hill has appointed contractors from Knauf Insulation’s network of Approved Supafil® Installers. Trained by Knauf Insulation’s own Regional Technical Managers, they have the necessary product knowledge and expertise to ensure a quality installation.Using Supafil® will also mean that less product is wasted on-site. When rigid insulation boards are cut to size, offcuts are often discarded because they are difficult to use elsewhere. By contrast, Supafil® has a zero-waste potential. When the cavity is full any excess product remains in the insulation blowing machine hopper, ready to be installed on the next plot, and when the job is complete Supafil®’s packaging can be recycled. Ben says: “As a responsible business, Hill is always looking for ways to reduce waste on our projects wherever we can, and this solution will help us to do that”.Evidencing qualityThe Passivhaus accreditation requires Hill to demonstrate the energy efficiency of Agar Grove, which will involve data collection throughout the build and thermal imaging of the finished product. As Matt explains, “We have a significant quality assurance requirement. We need to be able to show Camden Council that we have insulated the building as specified and that’s not always a simple task – particularly with blown-in solutions which by their nature, are hidden within the cavity.”To help meet this challenge, Hill’s Approved Supafil® Installers will use Knauf Insulation’s app-based site reporting system, KinetiK®. The app allows the installer to select their site and plot number on their mobile device, photograph the elevation, and then scan each pack of Supafil® as it’s installed.Matt continues, “KinetiK® will enable us to confirm that the insulation has gone in as specified. This is essential for our client, but it also gives us confidence too. If areas are missed during an install, there are time and cost implications, so having a tool like KinetiK® will provide us with added assurance that the cavity has been fully filled.” Agar Grove will be the latest in a number of Passivhaus projects which Knauf Insulation has supported. Read more about Preston Springs, North Yorkshire here and Denby Dale, one of the first certified Passivhaus homes in the UK, here.

TRC was appointed as principal contractor by Barker Associates in May 2019, to carry out specialist sash window restoration works.Trinity Primary Academy is a primary school located in Bounds Green Road, Wood Green, London. It was built in 1899 by Mitchell and Butler and consists of yellow brick and red brick dressings, tiled roofs, irregular fenestrations, and sash windows that give away its Queen Anne Revival style. It's currently categorised as a Grade II Listed building with Historic England, and is part of the Academies Enterprise Trust.Nature of the worksAs the building was Grade II listed, timber window repairs had to be sympathetic and complementary to the historic nature of the property. Many of the existing timber sash windows were inoperable due to the build-up of decorative coatings, timber degradation, and defective and broken sash window ironmongery, as well as opening mechanisms. The requirement was for the windows to be fully refurbished, repaired and operational as originally intended, but also modified to meet health and safety requirements.Phase one of the refurbishment of 200 sash and timber casement windows commenced on the area needing most attention: the west elevation of the building. Following the success of phase one, the client team extended TRC’s appointment to continue around the remainder of the building, systematically completing all other windows, door and roof light refurbishments.This overall refurbishment project included:Stripping back the existing paint from the historic sash windows and repairing any decayed timber.Repairing glazing as and where necessary.Improving the thermal and acoustic containment by installing draughtproofing.Repainting windows and installing ironmongery.Undertaking brick and stone repairs to the building’s exterior.This project also required our specialist attention on some specific areas of traditional glazing. This aspect of the project required the repair and refurbishment of all four oriel bay windows and the oriel bay glazed roofs. Completion included the supply and fixing of new safety glazing and hardwood timber roof rafters, along with the repair and refurbishment of the two existing openable roof lights. The supply and fixing of new code 4 lead flashing, with lead wedges, was also carried out and fully pointed with the correct cement mortar at the wall abutment.Additional detailed work throughout the project included the following:Removal of all existing fitted window blinds for refixing upon completion of works.Removal and repair of existing window ironmongery, including original mechanical winding gear, solid bar opening mechanisms, locking fasteners, slide bar restrictors, cable restrictors, handles and stays.Careful removal and repair of all internal fixed-glazed hopper units, casements and pivot openings.Removal and replacement of all cracked and broken glazing, and replacement of the existing Georgian wired-glazing, with 6mm safety glass or 4mm polished plate glass to areas up to 1.2m height from floor level. Where privacy was required, white opaque glass with thickness in accordance with above was used.Removal and replacement of all loose and defective glazing putties, and removal of all flaking, loose and built-up paint coatings.Exposure of all timber rot and decay ready for repair with Repair Care Systems products, followed by sanding and priming ready for decoration.Vertical sliding sashes repaired, refurbished and rehung on new sash cords and weights, and adjusted as needed. Sashes were routed to accept new brush pile weather stripping. New parting beads and staff beads were serviced with brush pile weather stripping where appropriate.Final internal and external decoration was carried out using Dulux or Leyland trade paints, allowing for one undercoat and one gloss finish.