"dividing strips for in situ flooring"

Intermarché, Saint-Rambert-en-Bugey, France required a flooring which was quick and easy to install, suitable for high traffic retail areas, while being easy to maintain. They also wanted a stylish and attractive finish. The seamless Urban Concrete Grey interlocking loose lay flooring tiles were chosen for their project.

Wrexham General Station is a main line railway station and the main railway station serving Wrexham, north-east Wales. The station was first opened in 1846 and expanded in 1912. It comprises four operational platforms with two disused bay platforms at the southern end of Platform 1. Until the early 1980s what is now Platform 4 of Wrexham General, was a separate station: Wrexham Exchange.After working with MPH Construction on a number of station refurbishment projects across Wales, the Principal Contractor approached Twinfix to carry out the survey for the canopy refurbishment at Wrexham Station as well as designing, manufacturing and supplying the replacement roof glazing for 3 of the platform canopies at the station. The panels were installed by a third-party roofing company.The work spanned 532 square metres and comprised of the innovative Multi-Link-Panel Non-Fragile (NF) system glazed with 6mm Georgian wired polycarbonate.Each panel of the innovative Multi-Link-Panel NF system comprises of a powder-coated aluminium frame and fitted with polycarbonate glazing. The panels are built completely off-site in a quality-controlled factory environment, reducing the risk, and cost, of site mistakes, and are delivered on-site fully glazed and ready for rapid installation. The system has a unique linking design feature that results in incredibly quick installation times, making the system very much suited to rail work due to its restricted possession times.The Multi-Link-Panel NF system is an innovative roof glazing product that has been well utilised for many years on station canopy roofs, and it has been thoroughly tried and tested in that time.It was the chosen system for this project for a number of reasons:sustainability– these panels are virtually unbreakable in manufacture, transit and in situ, meaning that, unlike glass, maintenance costs will be eliminated.safety– Twinfix Multi-Link-Panel NF (Non-Fragile) conforms to the HSE recommended test method ACR[M]001:2019 (as outlined in document HSG33) and achieves a ‘B’ Classification.off-site construction– The panels are pre-assembled in Twinfix’s factory ensuring strict quality guidelines are adhered to, which is not always guaranteed when roofing products are assembled on site.ease of access– The Multi-Link-Panel NF system can be fitted with In-Line Access Hatches, to allow cleaning of gutters and roof. These hatches are hardly visible and allow safe access through the glazing without needing to get on the roof.weight– The Multi-Link-Panel NF is light in weight and due to its modular format, it is very quick to install which allows for short rail possession works.appearance – The Georgian wired polycarbonate glazing combines the appearance of Georgian wired glass with all the material benefits of polycarbonate. As well as improving the overall environment in a lighter, brighter station, the addition of the Twinfix Georgian wired polycarbonate at Wrexham General Station has preserved the building’s unique appearance and character, while providing modern levels of safety for passengers and staff.

Job:Wilton House BelfastSmet Supported Partner:Kelly Bros Contracting for Poplar Investments LtdProducts:bauprocalc KG – Hydraulic Lime-Based Skim Coatbauprocalc 830 – Hydraulic Lime-Based Render/PlasterRelated DownloadsTDS CASEA bauprocalc KG – Hydraulic Lime-Based Skim CoatTDS CASEA bauprocalc 830 – Hydraulic Lime Based Render/PlasterEPD – CASEA bauprocalc 830SMET and Haldane Fisher NHL BrochureCLEAN WALL® BrochureDescriptionbauprocalc KG – Hydraulic Lime-Based Skim Coat and bauprocalc 830 – Hydraulic Lime-Based Render/Plaster was selected for the internal plastering and external render in the renovation of this important historical building in Belfast. Principal building contractor, Kelly Bros. on behalf of Poplar Investments Ltd was tasked with this mammoth renovation project which comprised 15 Luxury Apartments, in-situ concrete frame, brick and render & Zinc standing seam Facade, completed with a flat roof.WHY USE LIME-BASED RENDER AND PLASTER?SMET’s bauprocalc products are CE-marked, factory-produced hydraulic hardening skim coat plasters and render based on lime, specially designed for hand and machine application produced to DIN EN 998-1. bauprocalc KG and bauprocalc 830 contribute to a healthy internal atmosphere. They are an excellent alternative to plaster and renders containing gypsum or patent cement that have less vapour permeable qualities.They are ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and rooms where high humidity levels are expected. bauprocalc KG produces a mortar that is softer than cement mortar. After the initial set, stability and strength gradually build up over time, allowing enough flexibility to cope with minor settlement or movement in the building during this period, thereby reducing the risk of cracking.bauprocalc 830 has unique properties, making it suitable for application on low, medium and high-density substrates, especially suited for the renovation of old /listed buildings and ecological new builds. Good vapour permeability performance allows an unhindered transference of excess internal moisture through the building to the outside, thereby contributing significantly to a balanced and healthy internal atmosphere.SMET is delighted to have supplied its bauprocalc plaster and render for the lime rendering and plastering of Wilton House, helping Poplar Investments Ltd & Kelly Bros transform the 19th-century Belfast city centre building into unique, hotel-like, serviced apartments. Michael Brannigan from Poplar Investments said, “Historical features are preserved not only in the appearance of the building but also in the actual buildup, which was exemplified by the use of lime plaster as it was done 200 years ago to ensure wall breathability” (Source: NB 32-4).Check out SMET’s range of lime and lime-based products available from Smet Building Products Ltd.

In addition to series 190 heavy-duty entrance doors, Kawneer AA®100 zone-drained curtain walling has been used within rainscreen cladding from the ground to second floors and at the upper floor levels of a courtyard at Tameside One, the second phase of VisionTameside, in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester.

Coopers installed FireMaster fire curtains with smoke control over the lift door openings on each of the ground and upper seven floors and two on the basement so a total of forty eight curtains. An important part of the design of the building on the ground and first floor was to subtly integrate the fire curtain headbox and side guides into the lift opening.

Swedish Luxury Home prepared for concealed blinds in every window. Amazing level of detail everywhere from bespoke flooring up to the top floor ceiling via floating staircase.The property developer wanted to future-proof the house with Blindspace so potential future needs for privacy or shading would not impact on the clean design.

SMET supplied 20,000m2 of superior-quality Sopro Rapidur® B5 Rapid Drying Screed Binder to Smet Supported Partner, Brendan Doherty Screeding Services, for the flooring solution in the new hospital complex, The National Forensic Mental Health Service (NFMHS) in Portrane.The NFMHS is a new state-of-the-art facility located 22 km from Dublin City in Portrane, North County Dublin. The project was awarded by Health Service Executive to the Joint Venture formed by OHL (50%) and OHL’s local delivery partner JJ Rhatigan (50%).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.  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 the achievement of moisture content ≤ 1.8 % CM. Sopro Rapidur® B5 is supplied in 25kg bags, with 40 bags per pallet.Key features of Rapidur® B5:• Ready for tiling after only approx. 3 days• Achieves grade CT-C45-F7 after 28 days*• Pumpable• For fast-track or tightly scheduled screed laying and laying to falls• Suitable for floor heating systems• Long working life: approx. 2–3 hours• May be applied in mixing ratios 1:4 and 1:5• High resistance to moisture migration from the substrate• Suitable for renovation and refurbishment schemes• EMICODE system of GEV (German Association for control of Emissions in Products for Flooring Installation): EC1PLUS R (‘very-low-emission-plus’) rating• For indoor and outdoor useSMET delivers another innovative, showcase flooring solution to their Smet Supported Partners. Click the link to see a showcase of jobs recently completed by expert screeder, Brendan Doherty Screeding Services.

Junckers solid wood flooring has been installed at the UK’s first extra care scheme to be built to Passivhaus standards. The specialised housing and facilities at Edward’s Court in Exeter houses 53 Extra Care self-contained flats providing Exeter Council with the ability to offer its older community a way of preserving their independence and at the same time have access to flexible care and support if needed. The development has been designed and built to deliver low energy use and a healthy indoor climate using high quality materials. Junckers solid wood flooring forms an important part of the interior of the apartments and common areas, providing a natural and homely feel. The floor was specified by architects Architype for its proven ability to provide and maintain healthy indoor air quality, a key consideration for the scheme. Junckers floors carry the Danish Indoor Climate Label, recognised by BREEAM, and have undergone extensive degassing and odour tests to ensure there are no chemical substances in the flooring. With Edward’s Court, Architype has created an environment that prioritises the needs of the older generation while also offering optimal comfort, accessibility, and affordability. As Edward’s Court is built to Passivhaus standard, the occupants can remain warm in the winter and cool in the summer without using a great deal of energy and without experiencing severe fluctuations in utility bills. From the first stages of the development the architects were guided by the intertwined principles of ‘building biology’ and Passivhaus. Building biology prioritises human-based design, fostering community within the building and beyond its walls, sustainable environmental performance, indoor air quality, and thermal and acoustic comfort among its 25 principles. Said Lee Fordham, Associate Director, Architype: “Junckers flooring provided a natural feel to the space but also with its environmental accreditation gave us confidence as designers and specifiers that the material would be a healthy alternative to other standard floor finishes.” 

SMET Supported Partner, Brendan Doherty Screeding Services supplied Südanit 280 Alpha Hemihydrate Screed and SMET LiteFlo® Lightweight Flowing Screed for the floor solution in this self-build in picturesque West Donegal.The ground floor was prepared with 280 Alpha Hemihydrate Screed at 50mm with UFH, maximising the clients’ insulation. The first floor was completed at 50 mm SMET LiteFlo® Lightweight Flowing Screed poured on UFH on timber joists.The 280 Alpha Hemihydrate Screed self-levelling liquid screed is remarkably quick to walk-on – applied at 500m² per day and walkable within 6 hours thus ensuring the follow-on trades were not delayed. it’s particularly suitable for use with UFH, fully encapsulating pipes and services, providing excellent heat transfer – and with thinner floors and more insulation – this increases the performance of underfloor heating.SMET LiteFlo® Lightweight Flowing Screed used on the first floor of the timber frame house is ideal where loading is an issue. SMET LiteFlo® Lightweight Flowing Screed is a high-quality, innovative, pumpable factory-produced, CE marked, self-levelling screed based on calcium sulphate.German-made LiteFlo® is unique, in that it’s the first pumpable lightweight flowing screed. Made from specially selected aggregates, makes it 30% lighter than conventional flowing screeds and therefore 70% lighter than traditional sand & cement – ultimately this means less is required per m2. LiteFlo® complies with EN 13813: 2002, is CE-marked, and is available in 27Kg bags or bulk silos.TDS SMET LiteFlo® Lightweight Flowing ScreedAftercare SMET LiteFlo® Lightweight Flowing ScreedSMET Floor Screeds and Compounds Product SelectorHave a look at the Northern Builder MagazineTop 5 Liquid Screeds Article.  Read about SMET LiteFlo® in the Irish Construction News.SMET delivers another innovative, showcase flooring solution to their Smet Supported Partners.

STIX A600 EVOLUTION – the new high-performance adhesivewith outstanding sustainability credentials from Bostik –has helped Unite Flooring successfully install the flooringthroughout the new Emergency Department at Walsall ManorHospital.The £40 million development has significantly improved thehospital’s emergency care facilities by enabling it to add anUrgent Treatment Centre,

F. Ball products have helped to create a show-stopping floor finish in the Regent’s Park Rehearsal Studios. In studio 1, the raised plywood subfloor was firstly primed using Stopgap P131 primer to promote adhesion and prevent rapid drying of adhesives and levelling compounds. Since the studio would face heavy footfall, contractors selected Stopgap 700 Superflex levelling compound, which was applied prior to installation of vinyl dance floor coverings. Studios 3 and 4, had Stopgap P131 primer and Stopgap 700 Superflex levelling compound applied, followed by Styccobond F3 flooring adhesive to install cork rubber tiles over the timber subfloor.

F. Ball products have been used for the installation of vinyl sheet safety flooring and carpet tiles as part of the refurbishment of Kingussie Courthouse in Scotland. Contractors were called to install flooring over an anhydrite subfloor which contained underfloor heating. Before applying Stopgap 1100 Gypsum smoothing underlayment, they primed the subfloor with Stopgap P121 acrylic primer. Stopgap 1100 Gypsum smoothing underlayment was then applied throughout the area. Contractors next used Styccobond F46 pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive to install the vinyl sheet flooring. Next, Styccobond F41, a solvent free acrylic polymer emulsion adhesive was used to fit the carpet tiles.

Yaasa Ltd. has established itself as a leading force in the online sale of ergonomically adjustable office furniture. With the expansion of its headquarters in Lannach, the company is creating not only space for innovation and product development but also new, accessible workplaces for up to 50 employees. The building, which was constructed in a strict economical manner, meets the European targets for a “Nearly Zero Emission Building". Thus, Yaasa demonstrates its commitment to sustainability and, with its own showroom, offers customers the opportunity to experience products firsthand. Lindner played a key role in the sustainable interior fit-out of the new company building: By using raised floors made from recycled wood panels, Lindner demonstrates how resource conservation and sustainability in the construction industry can also be put into practice. The wooden floors have the same physical and technical properties as a new flooring system – without compromising the special quality of the working environment. The texture of the wooden floor contributes to a pleasant atmosphere and completes the overall result of homely workspaces.

Nine Elms Parkside: Under Screed Acoustic LayerWhen carrying out a large-scale housing development it pays to rely on tried and tested products to provide acoustic certainty. Regupol 7210C (REGUPOL sonus core 5) is one such product. With a long history of reliability, it is now being installed in the UK’s largest single-phase build to rent development.The ProjectNine Elms Parkside is the redevelopment of a 5.6 hectare Royal Mail depot site in Wandsworth, a key part the Vauxhall Battersea Opportunity Area, sitting between Battersea Power Station and Nine Elms market and adjacent to the new US Embassy. The scheme is master planned around the new Nine Elms Linear Park, part of a new green link connecting Battersea Park in the west, along the Thames to Lambeth Palace Gardens in the east.Blocks B and D Nine Elms Parkside were acquired in 2019 by real estate groups Henderson Park and Greystar who contracted Telford Homes to construct 641,000sft of residential space to a design by Allies & Morrison.The scheme consists of 894 build to rent apartments in two twin blocks of 10 to 17 storeys, each of which also features 12,500sft of amenity space with a rooftop swimming pool, gym, pet spa, children’s play space, private dining rooms, cinema rooms and a sky lounge. There are two large outdoor terraces, yoga gardens and community herb gardens complete with beehives. The scheme will also contain 25,000 sq ft of retail and community space.CMS Danskin is supplying Regupol 7210C (REGUPOL sonus core 5) Acoustic Resilient Layer to Stanmore, the leading drylining and façade specialist subcontractors who are carrying out the screeding between floors in the apartments.The project to supply commenced in 2020 and we have to date supplied over 96,000m2 of the product. Topping out took place in July 2021, residents will begin to occupy the scheme in 2022 and the units are expected to be fully complete in 2024.Acoustic insulation for new build apartmentsSince 2004 the Building Regulations require that separating floors between apartments meet specific requirements for airborne and impact sound transmission. The requirements are set out in Approved Document E, Resistance to the passage of sound.With a 150mm concrete slab, common in multi storey new build apartments under 18 storeys, a product is required to isolate the structure from a floating screed, thereby significantly reducing impact and airborne noise and enhancing the living conditions of occupants of the apartments.Regupol 7210C (REGUPOL sonus core 5) Acoustic Resilient Layer is an isolating layer specifically designed for this purpose and is the go-to product for floating screeds over 150mm concrete slabs.Regupol 7210C (REGUPOL sonus core 5) Acoustic Resilient Layer isA high performing insulation that delivers superior impact and airborne performance.An under-screed product designed to isolate screeds from the main structure simply and conveniently.Manufactured from recycled materials – typically aircraft tyres – making it cost effective and sustainable.Compatible with all types of floor screed, making it adaptable across a project and between projects.Aimed at constructions where Pre-Completion Testing (PCT) is preferred to a Robust Detail (RD) approach.Testing under screed insulation for acoustic performancePre-Completion Testing of acoustic floor installations gives a contractor more flexibility, allowing alternative layouts between apartments. If the designer wants to make changes to the layout of apartments, they won’t need to change the Robust Detail as each eventuality can be tested on site. With a project of over 860 flats a 10% required test rate would produce 86 acoustic tests, but the flexibility of using a PCT solution like 7210C (REGUPOL sonus core 5), and its reliability as an established product, makes that regime cost effective.Telford Homes, a long-standing customer of CMS Danskin, were looking for a Pre-Completion Testing product for Nine Elms blocks B and D. Regupol 7210C (REGUPOL sonus core 5) Acoustic Resilient Layer is an established product from an established brand, so not only were Telford Homes familiar with the product, but their experienced screeders Stanmore were also confident that testing on site would not raise any issues.Over a year into the project all the tests carried out so far have been successful.Supply chain reliabilityFor a large project with over 100,000m2 of product required over a long contract period, reliability of supply is essential. Any delay in supply can hold up wet trades and affect the critical path. With support from our supply chain partners, CMS Danskin has ensured over 96,000m2 of product has been delivered on time to date.Specify Regupol 7210C (REGUPOL sonus core 5) Acoustic Resilient LayerRegupol 7210C (REGUPOL sonus core 5) Acoustic Resilient Layer is a tried and tested solution to under screed insulation over a concrete slab, be it in apartments, hotels, education buildings or student accommodation. It provides excellent impact and airborne performance, is approved by NHBC for ADE 2003 compliance, and offers long term performance even under high loads.The product is completely recyclable and is produced from recycled materials. It provides Zero global warming potential (GWP) and zero ozone depletion potential (ODP).Regupol 7210C (REGUPOL sonus core 5) Acoustic Resilient Layer is supplied in easy to handle sheets which are quick and easy to install without the need for separate perimeter strips.

A durable, slip resistant solution with minimal disruption for a development kitchen area in a popular Michelin star restaurant in Padstow, Cornwall.Located in a beautiful Georgian townhouse in the heart of bustling Padstow, Paul Ainsworth at No 6 has three dining areas, including private dining for smaller parties as well as a space overlooking the attractive development kitchen.Vebro Polymers has delivered fast-cure vebrospeed Quartz, a high performance yet aesthetically pleasing floor coating system for the development kitchen, an operational space that is also visible to diners. The area had previously been a functioning kitchen with a less-than suitable pre-existing floor finish that required refurbishment.Chosen in the blend Starry Night — an attractive yet functional charcoal grey shade, vebrospeed Quartz has been installed over plyboard designed to level the pre-existing floor finish under a fast turnaround with minimal disruption to the restaurant’s operations.Ideal for areas like kitchens where there is heavy foot traffic and wet spills can easily occur, vebrospeed Quartz is a highly durable and slip resistant, UV-stable quartz flooring system based on fast-cure MMA (methyl methacrylate) technology.Not only is the installation seamless, unlike alternative kitchen floor coverings such as tiles, coving has also been installed to the perimeter of the floor area, in order to ease cleaning regimes and maximise hygiene.In most scenarios, vebrospeed Quartz is ready to walk on in 60 minutes, which is highly advantageous for restaurants like Paul Ainsworth at No 6, where downtime has a direct and immediate impact on turnover.

A new family-run hotel in Iceland’s Haukadalur Valley was designed to sit seamlessly within the extraordinary surrounding landscape. Hotel Geysir operates under carefully considered environmental objectives, including resource management, reduction of waste, increased recycling, and selecting products and services with a low environmental impact. Our popular Twin Herringbone flooring in Black Oak forms the perfect backdrop to the interior, which is as dramatic as the natural landscape surrounding the hotel. All rooms and suites have large windows to make the stunning scenery the main feature throughout the hotel. The building was designed by architect Brynhildur Sólveigardóttir, and interior design by Leifur Welding. Made from Junckers’ classic two-stave flooring, each floorboard consists of two rows of staves, one full-length and one with two half-length staves. This gives Twin Herringbone an authentic pattern and elegant. Delivered with a hardwearing factory finished surface ready to walk on as soon as it is installed, a Twin Herringbone floor has the advantage of saving on costly and time-consuming installation work as the floor does not have to be sanded, filled, and treated after installation. A pre-finished floor is far superior in terms of durability with optimal wear resistance and a uniform appearance. It also has a significantly shorter installation time compared to an unfinished floor, with minimal inconvenience. Each Twin Herringbone stave measures 129mm wide x 516.6mm long x 14 or 22mm thick. II is ideal for use in all rooms of the house except bathrooms and can be used with all major underfloor heating systems. Twin Herringbone feels warm and solid underfoot, the perfect backdrop to a luxurious hotel. 

BMJ transformed its London office into a more flexible and dynamic, ‘smart hub’ style workplace. A combination of Milliken's carbon neutral LVT and modular carpet floor coverings have been define the various collaboration areas, meeting spaces and workstations. This installation is a great example of the flexibility of modular floor coverings and in managing acoustics in a largely open workspace.

CJH Tiling Services, has 10 years of tiling experience, their business covers all aspects of tiling, including kitchens, bathrooms and floors. The client’s brief was to seamlessly join two areas of tiled flooring, one upstairs and one down. They wished for a seamless flow throughout, giving the stairwell a light and airy feel whilst being hard wearing and practical.

The stunning residential development ArtHouse at J1, Kings Cross has installed screed and flooring elements from Flowcrete UK to create an efficient, sustainable and high performing floor zone. The environmentally friendly, self-levelling Isocrete Screed was chosen for the project thanks to its rapid-set properties and its reputation for creating a hard wearing and reliable screed layer.

When Hoskins Architects were commissioned to design new headquarters for the National Theatre of Scotland in Glasgow, an ingenious bit of reusing, repurposing and recycling took place. The new office space and social areas were fitted with a previously used Junckers sports floor, complete with the old line marking paint. Named Rockvilla, the new facility brings together departments previously spread across several sites - rehearsal rooms, a learning and community suite, wardrobe department, production workshop, technical store as well as office space and social areas. The building, housed in a redevelopment of a disused warehouse, retains an industrial aesthetic in a nod to the history of the site. The interior features a limited use of materials, of which the reclaimed Beech sports flooring becomes a focal point. For this project, Junckers SylvaSport Beech salvaged was installed. The worn look of the reused floor with its randomly placed line markings in various colours worked perfectly with the rest of the interior and the client decided to leave it as it was. As it’s made in solid hardwood, an old Junckers sports floor can also be sanded and refinished up to ten times without losing its good looks and performance. Reclaimed Junckers sports floors are not for sale through Junckers but can be sourced through our network of specialist Approved Contractors. Please contact us for further information. Photography: Gillian Hayes, Dapple Photography

Located in the East Midlands, Mountsorrel Quarry supplies the construction industry with large volumes of essential materials, which are used for construction projects throughout the UK.Due to an industrial fire which left a screen house beyond repair, a complete rebuild was required which included the design, supply and installation of safe, compliant access solutions.RequirementWright Engineering Group required four floors of open mesh flooring, handrail, stanchions and treads to re-build an industrial building at Mountsorrel Quarry that burnt down in November 2022, for the site to be back to full working capacity.SolutionLionweld Kennedy Group designed, manufactured and installed four floors of steel and GRP access solutions to the Mountsorrel site, enabling the building to be rebuilt safely. LK 20mm ball proof Safegrid flooring was required due to the height of the building and permanent access needed under each floor.Customer FeedbackLionweld Kennedy Group were by far the standout choice of all of the suppliers we contacted. From the beginning theservice was second-to-none, all items arrived on their project critical specified delivery dates, and the quality of the products were of a very high standard.Lionweld Kennedy Group remain a preferred supplier within the Wright Engineering Group due to the high quality of products and the excellent customer service always received.Luke Fagan, Construction Manager, Wright Engineering Group

IssueEstablished in 1916, Doylestown Country Club is a private country club located in Pennsylvania, USA. In addition to its reputation as one of the top golfing destinations in the state, the Doylestown Country Club’s culinary team strives to create memorable dining experiences for all members and guests. To achieve this goal, the country club has created a new space to elevate kitchen safety and ensure efficient back-of-house operations.ApproachDoylestown Country Club wanted a floor that would provide comfort for their staff, who spend prolonged periods on their feet. Other considerations including reducing noise transferrence in a busy commercial kitchen and having a floor that could be installed around the kitchen drains which required a watertight, seamless transition with the flooring.SolutionAfter consultation between the Altro sales and technical teams, together with the flooring installer and specifier, 350sqm of Altro Stronghold 30 was specified, keeping staff safe from slips and helping to reduce fatigue thanks to its 3mm thickness.Altro Stronghold 30 achieves Altro’s highest rating for slip resistance (PTV ≥55, R12) and is designed to minimise risk in wet and greasy conditions for the lifetime of the flooring. As well as helping to keep staff safe from slips, it also helps reduce their fatigue, thanks to its 3mm thickness which provides noise reduction and comfort underfoot.

High performance products from F. Ball and Co. Ltd. have been used to install safe and hygienic flooring at Riverside Hospital, in Brentford, Middlesex. On the ground floor, where a plywood subfloor had been installed, Stopgap 1200 Pro high performance smoothing underlayment was used to provide a perfectly smooth base. Once cured, vinyl sheet floorcoverings were installed using Styccobond F46 pressure sensitive adhesive. Stopgap 700 Superflex fibre-reinforced, flexible levelling compound was utilised on the first floor, where Stopgap P131 primer was initially used. Throughout the building, capping and coving was installed to meet clinical regulations using Styccobond F60 contact adhesive.

Buzon were contracted to install 20mm external porcelain using a combination of Buzon DPH and PB pedestals, and their associated accessories, along with ALUrail, on the hotel's central atrium, with a 2nd floor courtyard, and a floating terrace and balcony 6 floors above.A combination of 2mm and 3mm spacer tabs were used to ensure even spaces between the different tile formats and maintain the complex pattern used in the courtyard.If the geometric design of the tiles wasn't challenge enough, the courtyard has sloping skylights around the edge; these were seamlessly incorporated in to the level central floor by the creation of ramps using ALUrail in conjunction with the integrated slope correction (and creation) functionality of DPH pedestals.The end result is truly stunning!  

City Tower, a private apartment tower block located in Canary Wharf required a new high performance waterproofing system as the existing single ply roof had been damaged beyond repair due to a fire. To provide a cost effective, long term waterproofing solution, Proteus Waterproofing specified a Hybrid Tapered Insulation Scheme with a Proteus Pro-Felt® finish, meeting the client’s specific requirements.High Performance WaterproofingAs the existing roof was beyond repair, it needed be completely stripped. Pro-Prime® SA and Proteus Pro-Felt® Self Adhesive Underlay were used as a vapor control layer. Proteus Pro-Therm EPS and Proteus Pro-Therm PIR were used for the Hybrid Tapered Insulation Scheme and bonded using Pro-Bond Foaming Adhesive. Proteus Pro-Felt® 3mm Plain Underlay was then fully adhered to the insulation, followed by a final installation of Proteus Pro-Felt® Ultima Plus Fireguard. Proteus Waterproofing worked closely with the Proteus Approved Contractor to ensure the project was delivered to a high standard.Health & SafetyWhen working on residential buildings, safety is always of utmost importance. Proteus Pro-Felt® Ultima Plus Fireguard has the highest European Fire Rating, BROOF(t4), making it the ideal felt to use on residential properties as the risks to operatives, building occupants and members of the public are greatly reduced. All Proteus Waterproofing specifications promote fire safe installation methods conforming to the industry lead Safe2Torch guidelines.Long Term PerformanceProteus Pro-Felt® Ultima Plus Fireguard is a high-performance multi-layer bituminous membrane system, tested to perform in extreme temperatures and weather conditions. It has class leading modified bitumen content which allows the flexible membrane to move with the building and ensure long term durability and performance. It is certified by the BBA to be in excess of 30 years, and had the highest European Fire Rating – BROOF(t4).

Project description: 8 skylights - Repair and Re-glaze in Georgian wired obscured glass.The units were in an awful condition as you can see from the pictures, showing extensive rot. All of them were stripped back to bare wood, the putty removed and glazing taken out. We then used a Sadolin Super Dec in white to bring in the parts under the window and replaced the hooked with more tradition lead ones.  Once puttied, we removed the tape as to give it the best possible line before it dried (Timbabglaze is normally paintable after just 1 hour). Once dry we re-masked and used a Dulux UK weathershield system. This was a supergrip primer, oil based Dulux weathershield under coat and finally 2 top coats of Dulux weathershield gloss. The tape was removed and you have the finished product for the first 6 windows.The last 2 windows proved to be a problem. They had been re glazed previously but had been done very badly. The wood was rotten and had to be repaired. After struggling to get the glass out as it had been silliconed in... We used Timbabuild products again. To start with we raked out all the rotten wood back to a hardish part. We then used a Timbabuild 2 part EWS wood primer to give the wood some structure and a base for the next part. Once the EWS had gone off we applied Timbabuild EHB60 epoxy repair. This was left over night (as it was applied last thing in the day) and sanded back to an edge the following day. We then used the Timbabuild ERC10 Rapid curing epoxy adhesive over the top to fill any gaps that needed it. Then a surface layer of 2 part Timbabuild FINISH. They were sanded using a 180 grit paper and received the same paint system as the other 6 windows. The glass was replaced as well as the hooks and the finished results speak for themselves. 

Red Mill was originally known as Reedham Ferry drainage mill which was built in the1840s with common sails to drive a single scoop wheel and was brought to wind witha tail pole. In the 1890’s the millwrights England, modernised the machinery andfitted double shuttered patent sails. The Norfolk boat shaped cap held a fantail.In the 1950’s the mill, then derelict was purchased and turned into a sunnyresidence.More recently the Mill was purchased by Laura and John, a youngcouple whose wish was to turn it into a unique, quirky home, set in astunning location.The mill was covered in an impervious, damaging, cement renderand painted red with a modern, non-breathable masonry paint. Theeffect of this was to trap high levels of moisture in the brickwork,making the interior damp and cold.The owners wanted to do the right thing for the building, so setabout the long, hard labour of love that was hand stripping it all backto the original red brick, internally and externally.Best of Lime were contacted by Laura and John to come up withsuitable products to reinstate the external lime render and internallime plaster.After visiting site, it was decided that externally, the mill neededRendercote, a robust lime render developed for high exposuremasonry. Internally, the dubbing out and base coat would beinsulated Warmcote, with a Limecote finish to give a visually softlook.Maltby Plastering Ltd , traditional lime plasterers were chosen tocarry out the project.Internally, Laura and John wanted to contrast the soft curves of theLimecote with a hint of the industrial origins of the mill, so checkerplate steel was used for sills and the staircases, to give a greatvisual effect.Externally, the Rendercote is trowel finished smooth, expertlyapplied by the Maltby Team on a difficult continuous curve.The finished work was decorated with the breathable, low carbonGraphenstone system.Overall a very satisfying project to be involved in, from a poorlyfunctioning, damp shell to a very smart, warm, dry comfortableand unique home in a beautiful location.

Historic Courthouse serves now as an exclusive place of wellbeing. Designed by Garuda and Girish Sanger, along with lead architect Consarc, notable and historic features retained include the entrance doors, floors, stained glass and wooden flooring. Building utilisation: Hotel & gastronomy. Construction time/completion: 2016. Client: ALHI. Architects: Consarc. Products: Venticello Toilets. Memento Washbasins.

A combination of two cushion backed modular carpet designs - Facet and Coastline and one LVT floor covering Polished Concrete have been specified to colour zone this impressive warehouse transformation project by Wylde IA. Milliken's 10 day delivery service and Comfort Lite cushion backing, for acoustic performance, were key factors in the specification of these floor covering products.

Achieving a Building Regulations compliant level of soundproofing in residential conversion projects demands the use of superior quality soundproofing materials and systems, which are deployed in the right way. It is an approach that a recent development in the south Manchester suburb of Levenshulme perfectly encapsulates, with outstanding results for the developer and future residents.Hush Acoustics was tasked to provide a solution for a conversion project at 31 Albert Road, Levenshulme by Meridian Construction & Refurbishments. It was converting the five-bedroom Victorian dwelling into two residential flats, which meant the separating floors had to be constructed in a way that would meet the acoustic standards set out in Approved Document E of the Building Regulations for England and Wales.Under Approved Document E, ‘material change of use’ projects like this must incorporate soundproofing in the floors between individual dwellings to reduce the risk of nuisance sound transmission. Evidence that the floor construction complies with the standards is normally provided to building control through post-installation acoustic testing, which on this project was undertaken by C80 Solutions.Hush Acoustics was invited to attend the site by Meridian when the building was at its early rip out stage. This provided an opportunity to get a clear understanding of the situation and discuss the options for the separating floors to ensure they would meet the requirements of Approved Document E.The floor structure was a traditional timber floor with floorboards. There was only a very limited specification in the design, so Hush was able to help by providing specialist technical consultation to develop the most cost effective and easy to install solution for the Meridian site team.Following the site visit and inspection of the building, Hush Acoustics’ soundproofing specialists developed an acoustic product specification for the separating floors that would not only meet the minimum standards of the Building Regulations, but exceed them with ease.Hush-Panel 17, a thin MDF overlay board which incorporates a 10mm Hush-Felt resilient layer, was installed over the structural deck. This was glued using Hush-Bond Panel Adhesive and isolated at the perimeters using Hush-Seal 20.The structural deck consisted of the original floorboards that had been overboarded with a thin plywood. This provided a solid flat surface to install the acoustic flooring. The existing ceiling was left in place where possible to avoid the need for ripping out where it was not required, which allowed for a new acoustic ceiling to be installed. This consisted of two layers of 15mm Fireline plasterboard on a suspended frame with Hush-Slab 100 sound absorber slabs placed within the ceiling void.As part of the service, Hush Acoustics arranged for the acoustic testing to be carried out by testing partner C80 Solutions. They recorded the following results:Airborne – 53 dB DnTw+Ctr and 52 dB DnTw+Ctr (the higher, the better)Impact – 48 dB LnTw and 43 dB LnTw (the lower, the better)These are very good acoustic figures for a separating floor in a residential conversion project of this kind, demonstrating what can be achieved with a combination of high quality soundproofing materials are combined and installation correctly.Ultimately, this outstanding acoustic performance for the separating floors will help to ensure a high level of satisfaction for the future residents of these modern apartments.

Hush Acoustics provided the acoustic floor and wall solutions for a development in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire involving the conversion of a former Woolworths store turned snooker hall, which was being transformed into a ground floor sports shop with nine first floor apartments above. In addition to meeting the acoustic performance requirements, the client was also keen to ensure the design would meet the fire regulations required.Following a site visit, the Hush HD1030 system was specified for the separating floors. This is compliant with UK Building Regulations Approved Document E and is suitable for refurbishment projects with timber structures that incorporate lath and plaster ceilings – all with the benefit of a 1-hour fire resistance at ceiling level.We worked closely with EH Building Contractors to ensure the HD1030 acoustic floor system was installed to the required standard. For the separating walls, Hush Twin Frame Metal Stud Party Walls were installed onto the plywood structural floor and isolated using Heavy-Duty Isolation Tape. The stud walls were insulated using the Hush Slab 100 Sound Absorber, ensuring the cavity between the two stud frames were kept clear.The client had initially discussed keeping the original existing lay in grid ceiling within the shop, however, in order to achieve outstanding acoustic performance, the majority of the perforated metal panels from within the lay in grid ceiling had to be removed. Some of the original ceiling could be retained, however, with higher performing ceiling tiles used to replace it in other areas, maintaining the original features as per the client’s request.Once completed, acoustic testing was carried out on site to determine the success of the acoustic design and installation. First of all, the twin metal stud wall was tested, which achieved an airborne performance of 56db (DnTw+Ctr). An airborne sound test was then conducted between the sports shop and one of the first floor apartments which showed a performance of 47 dB (DnTw+Ctr).All of the acoustic performance goals were achieved without any significant ceiling treatment and our client was happy with the results.

With the aim to encourage more participation in sport, Hackney Council has opened a new community facility, Britannia Leisure Centre. As part of a wider, mixed-use development in an inner-city environment, the different activity spaces were stacked vertically in a spatially efficient design. As part of the state-of-the-art facilities a six-court sports hall has been installed with Junckers solid hardwood area elastic sports flooring. The Beech SylvaKet floor with a Nordic finish was installed over Junckers’ UnoBat 45 undercarriage system to provide a high level of performance as well as a safe and responsive surface ideal for a multitude of sports. The pre-finished floor is easy to maintain, durable and resilient – perfect for a busy sports centre. Further facilities available to the local community include four squash courts, fitted with Junckers’ specialist SylvaSqaush Beech flooring. Britannia Leisure Centre by FaulknerBrowns, constructed by Morgan Sindall has won several awards including AJ100 Community Impact of the Year (2022) and the Delivering Social Value Award at the Building Awards (2021). 

IssueWavendon Community Hub has been created and designed to provide local residents with a place to meet and take part in physical and social activities. In keeping with surrounding properties, Wavendon Community Hub is constructed in red/buff brick, with pitched tiled roofs. The building comprises two separate halves: a community side with a vaulted hall space and a separate, large multi-purpose area with changing facilities. The floors needed to perform for different needs and uses, providing robust durability, safety from slips, but still provide welcoming good looks.ApproachThe project was designed by W E Architecture Ltd and the build was completed by Borras Construction Ltd, with flooring installed throughout by HC Coverings Ltd, using Mapei floor preparation products.SolutionResilient flooring was specified throughout the centre and installed over underfloor heating. Designs specified throughout the 500 square metre area included Altro Wood in the communal areas, Altro Aquarius in the toilets, showers and changing rooms and Altro Walkway 20 in corridors and back-of-house areas.

Work was undertaken at Ringside House in order to convert the building from offices into 46 luxury one and two bedroom apartments.Acoustics are vital for maintaining comfort in private residences, particularly in multi-level apartment buildings with numerous occupants, due to the noise being passed between floors and walls.Soundis along with our installation partner UK Acoustic Systems were brought in by the main contractor PDR Construction to provide 2,862m2 of acoustic flooring. After site visits, we agreed to use one of our Soundis Cradle & Batten Systems, as this system provides excellent impact and airborne noise reduction capabilities, can be used to level out uneven floors, creates an underfloor void for utilities such as piping/ wiring and even underfloor heating. Our Cradle and Risers are manufactured from 100% recycled materials assisting to the sustainability targets of projects. After the project completion, we successfully achieved our goal of providing an excellent flooring solution, which could create a peaceful environment and improve the acoustics within the building, helping add value to the luxury apartments.

The Friedrichscarrée is a modern office and retail complex in the center of Stuttgart.Named after the former king of Württemberg, Friedrich I., it is characterised by its modern architecture and glass front. In addition to numerous companies, it now also hosts retail, catering businesses and event spaces. The good access to public transportation and the close proximity to restaurants and cultural institutions, make Friedrichscarrée an attractive location for businesses and visitors.As the general contractor for the expansion, Lindner carried out an extensive interior construction - ranging from drywall work to floor systems and wall cladding. In addition to high-quality floor coverings and also partly automated partition walls, the special construction of the hollow floor FLOOR and more® for the pedestal in the barista bar was a central element of the revitalisation. Lindner hallway ceilings LMD, heating and cooling ceilings and acoustic sails were also installed to optimise room acoustics.Furthermore, GiB mbH supported Lindner in upgrading the existing fire protection. The entire conversion was carried out during ongoing business, which required precisescheduling of noise-intensive work.

F. Ball’s Stopgap Fill and Prime thixotropic primer and Stopgap 1200 Pro levelling compound have delivered a fast-track solution for installing floorcoverings in one of the largest small-animal referral hospitals in Europe.Flooring contractors installed vinyl safety flooring and luxury vinyl tiles throughout a total area of 1100m2 at Southfields Veterinary Centre, in Basildon, Essex.Requiring a timesaving solution for working over chipboard as an alternative to overboarding with plywood, the contractors contacted their regional F. Ball technical representative, who advised preparing subfloors with Stopgap Fill and Prime prior to the application of a suitable levelling compound.Stopgap Fill and Prime is a cement-based primer that is designed for use over raised-access panels and flooring grades of plywood, chipboard, MDF and oriented strand board (OSB 3). It has a thixotropic consistency, meaning that it flows freely when stirred but sets to a gel-like consistency on standing, enabling it to fill gaps between panels to prevent imperfections transferring to the finished installation.Stopgap 1200 Pro levelling compound was then applied in all areas to create a perfectly smooth base for floorcoverings. The product is fast-setting and fast-drying and can also be applied over old adhesive residues, in which case there is no need to prime subfloors beforehand.Polyflor vinyl safety flooring was installed in the treatment rooms using Styccobond F44 solvent-free acrylic emulsion adhesive, which is designed to give a strong initial tack, high bond strength and a long open time.In the canteen, Forbo Allura Flex Wood luxury vinyl tiles were adhered using Styccobond F46 pressure sensitive adhesive, which provides instant grab, preventing floorcoverings from sliding as tiles or planks are subsequently placed. The adhesive is designed to minimise the incidence of trowel serrations showing through thin vinyl flooring and potentially affecting the finished appearance of the installation. Styccobond F46 was also used to secure Polyflor vinyl safety flooring in the corridors connecting the treatment rooms.Capping and coving were installed in the corridors using Styccobond F60 contact adhesive. The formation of an instant bond makes it suitable for securing floor and wallcoverings on vertical surfaces.Commenting on the project, Ben Montgomery, head of projects at Veatu Flooring, said: “While we use a lot of F. Ball products and they’re our first choice because of their quality and availability, it’s the first time we’ve used the tech rep service. They came out and provided a tailored specification for the project we were working on, which ended up saving us a lot of time and expense.”Before any floor preparation work was carried out a moisture test was conducted, which determined that subfloor moisture levels were low enough that a moisture management solution was not needed.