"external insulation of external walls"

Insulation of internal walls and ceilings for containerised units by NewSpace Containers.

Rathbones is part of Rathbones Group Plc, one of the UK’s largest and longest-established wealth management firms. Reflecting a growing presence in Scotland, the company recently relocated their Edinburgh offices to 10 George Street, delivering a modern and enhanced environment for employees and visiting clients. Bringing over 20 years of partitioning expertise to the refurbishment project, Style worked closely with architects, Form Design Consultants, and contractor AKP Scotland, to create flexible space in the main boardroom.A Dorma Hüppe Variflex ML100 semi-automatic moveable wall system allows the impressive boardroom to be quickly divided into two separate meeting areas whilst a second Variflex can be moved into position to create a breakout room. Rathbones Group has been providing wealth management services for private clients, charities, trustees and professional partners since 1912, and has 14 offices throughout the UK and Jersey. Refurbished to the highest standards, the new George Street offices have strong environmental credentials, including a BREEAM rating of ‘very good’, and deliver flexible working space that actively encourages collaboration. Style’s final partitioning solution offers the ability to provide one large conferencing suite, a boardroom plus breakout area, or alternatively, two meeting rooms with breakout facility.Reflecting the inviting yet sophisticated interior décor, the walls are finished in a combination of contemporary Kvadrat fabric and dark walnut laminate. The semi-automatic operation smoothly expands the acoustic seals to exactly the right pressure every time, creating an exceptional acoustic rating of 60dB, allowing for complete privacy between divided areas.“This is an absolutely stunning installation,” said David Louden, Style’s director for Scotland, “and a credit to Form Design and AKP Scotland, who have been a pleasure to work with.“They have done a great job in delivering the designer’s vision for their client, and we were very privileged to be part of such a high-quality project.

Isolating Hotel Rooms from RestaurantsPreventing noise transmission between the noisy areas of a building to the quiet areas is an ongoing challenge. When the quiet areas are people sleeping and the noisy area is a busy hotel dining room, the problem is particularly acute, but can be resolved by using the appropriate products which are cost effective and easy to install correctly.The ProjectPremier Inn Scarborough North is a new build 105 room, 5-storey hotel with a 68-cover restaurant, which was completed in March 2021. The new hotel was granted planning permission in 2018 and construction was slightly delayed over the Covid lockdown period.Owner of the Premier Inn brand, Whitbread, continues to see strong growth with their UK business continuing to outperform in the midscale and economy market and now has over 800 hotels in the UK. Key to the brand’s message is that wherever you stay in a Premier Inn, you will always get great levels of comfort.The ChallengeSources of noise which affect hotel guests include:External sources of noise and vibrationTransmission between rooms and between rooms and corridorsTransmission from engineering systems (ventilation and air conditioning, heating systems, lifts and so on)Transmission from public areas – reception, conference facilities and in particular restaurants.Noise transmission from restaurants, bars and reception areas becomes a significant challenge where the design of the hotel incorporates these areas on the ground floor of a block, with hotel rooms directly above.Reducing the transmission of noise from a large common area to individual hotel rooms rests principally on isolating the plasterboard or suspended ceiling. To overcome this challenge, a frequent recommendation is to design a ceiling incorporating neoprene isolation hangers.Neoprene Isolation Hangers for HotelsNeoprene isolation hangers are primarily used to isolate suspended sources of audible frequency vibration, such as piping and ductwork systems. They also provide very effective vibration isolation for hanging acoustic ceilings by preventing transmission of noise to the building structure.The isolation hangers supplied for use in the ceiling at Premier Inn Scarborough North were Isogrid Quick-Connect Ceiling Hangers, supplied by CMS Danskin Acoustics.The IsoGrid Quick Connect Ceiling Hanger has a specially designed dual deflection neoprene isolator which allows internal bulging. This enables the neoprene element to achieve greater deflections whilst maintaining lateral stability. Greater deflection translates to greater performance for noise control ceilings.IsoGrid Quick-Connect Ceiling Hangers have several other benefits:They are more cost effective than similar products;The simple design makes them quick and easy to install, providing significant labour savings over conventional sound control ceiling hangers;The known deflection rates ensure acoustical performance under design loads;Tested for airborne, impact and frequency performance to BS EN ISO 10140 requirements;Various attachment methods allow for installation on a variety of ceiling structures, including concrete, metal deck or structural framing;A bronze core serves to prevent poor acoustic performance due to over compression or due to accidental short circuiting of the transmission pathway.InstallationThe ceiling was installed by specialist contractor B W Shrimpton Limited. This was the first time that Shrimpton’s had used IsoGrid hangers, but they were well received.Supervisor Kirk Talbot, who has worked closely with the CMS Danskin Acoustics Team on several projects, explained his preference for the hangers is very much about the ease of installation:“We used Hilti pan head HUS fixings into the soffit for fixing them up, and the lads on site had no issues with them at all.“The IsoGrid hangers are definitely robust enough and easy to fix angle or wires to. On that basis and the cheapness compared to other hangers out there, I’d definitely use them again and will recommend that others do too.”Kirk Talbot, BW Shrimpton LtdTechnical Advice on Acoustics in HotelsCMS Danskin Acoustics are specialists in soundproofing materials and acoustic insulation. Our expert technical team can advise on the specification of a wide range of specialist acoustic and vibration control systems – balancing performance, aesthetics and budget. We provide solutions to treat floors, walls and ceilings, as required, delivering a holistic design approach to sound control for the complete gym or sports hall environment.We don’t just design, manufacture and deliver market leading products. We work with the entire supply chain and project teams to ensure a smooth path from conception to completion.

The renovation to the domes on the historic Harrods Repository was a fascinating project to have become involved in. Extensive concrete repairs were carried out using Koster corrosion protection and mortar repair materials followed by waterproofing systems installed internally and facade treatments externally on the tiled surfaces.These domes will dominate the London skyline for many years to come!

Alexander Stadium in Birmingham underwent significant redevelopment in 2021, ahead of staging the Commonwealth Games in the summer of 2022.BCM GRC supplied GRC to the internal and external areas of the new main stand, including the debossed lettered panels on the stand's exterior which display the stadium's name.Images were taken by ShinePix on behalf of Birmingham City Council

Secondary glazing manufactured by Granada Secondary Glazing has created a quieter rooms for guests at a trendy boutique hotel in in a vibrant area of north London.A total of Granada Glazing’s 14 Horizontal Sliding units were installed in first-floor bedrooms facing the street to attenuate external noise without impacting on the visual aesthetics of the guest accommodation.

External Works Package:BX17 4004 Caledonian steel framed seatsBX17 4007 Holyrood steel framed benchesBX17 4015 Springfield timber picnic unitsBXMW/NEWJ Newcastle Junior shelterBXMW/GS0 Sheffield cycle racksBXMT/444/G Maelor Trafflex round plastic litter bins

FIRETITE is a Class A2 fire-rated, clay mineral insulation ideal for new and refurbished cavity wall insulation. This innovative system combines the benefits of a hydrophobic and open-pore mineral insulation material with the fast, safe and seamless airtight process of a self-sealing system.The world's first 3-component clay mineral in-situ insulation material; it has been developed over many years of extensive research to create an exclusive formulation.

Products:Externals: OS221 Orbis Midrail Infill Top FixAtrium: M311 Mono Glass Infill Top FixStairs: M310 Mono Glass Infill Side FixContractor: Galliford Try Construction LtdArchitects: Ryder ArchitectureThe £25m redevelopment of the Greenhead Sixth-Form College Campus was one of the first Net Zero Carbon in Operation school buildings built by the Department for Educations Rebuilding Programme.Galliford Try Construction enlisted Delta to fulfil the requirements of this balustrade and handrail package – totalling 280 metres of balustrade system.With Greenhead College situated within the Greenhead Park Conservation Area and in close proximity to historic buildings, the more traditional tubular Orbis powder coated balustrade with midrail’s was installed to the external steps.Whereas a more sleek, modern aesthetic was decided upon for the atrium and stairs in the form of Delta’s Mono powder coated balustrade with stainless steel handrails and glass infill secured with a bolt-through banjo lug.

Mono M311 Glass Infill Top FixOrbis OS211 Glass Infill Top Fix As part of the North West Fire PFI scheme, the Southport Community Fire Station provided improved facilities for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and the North West Ambulance Service.The client’s main objectives were to create well designed facilities to a high architectural standard and provide a safe and healthy environment. Designed and built by Balfour Beatty Construction, this new 6 bay station included community-orientated facilities, training facilities, rest rooms, additional office space and two staircases.In line with the client’s vision, Delta Balustrades were appointed by Balfour Beatty to design, supply and install handrails and balustrades to both staircases and an external balcony area. Combining a minimalistic look and feel with a high quality stainless steel finish, the Mono system with clear glass infill panels was chosen for the main staircase. For the rear stair and external areas, the Orbis system with powder coated uprights was chosen.

Waterproofing this historic London landmark – external waterproofing with Newton 403 HydroBond, internal waterproofing with Newton System 500, installed by Newton Specialist Basement Contractor MacLennanUK.Newton Waterproofing were delighted to return for this project at the prestigious Houses of Parliament in London, a landmark that has dominated London’s skyline for over 150 years. Newton Specialist Basement Contractor MacLennan Waterproofing was approached to specify a guaranteed waterproofing solution for the new-build basement.After reviewing the technical drawings, MacLennan decided to bring the job to Newton, whose product range was perfectly suited to the project requirements. Newton and MacLennan are both privileged to be the companies chosen to share in securing the future of the Palace of Westminster.This complex project required the design and installation of an external waterproofing system, an internal cavity drain system, and a polyurea roofing system to ensure a high standard of waterproofing.Externally, Newton’s innovative ‘Type A’ 403 HydroBond membrane was applied extensively to ensure the necessary waterproofing around the basement, whilst internally, Newton 508 and Newton 520 membranes were both applied from floor to ceiling as part of Newton’s complete System 500 cavity drainage solution. With the finished structure in place, the waterproofing was finally completed by the application of both a polyurea coating and further drainage membrane to the roof deck of the basement.With a waterproof basement fully compliant with the requirements of BS 8102:2009, coupled with guaranteed protection against water ingress, this newly completed, large basement area, situated directly next to the River Thames, provides a durable and well-established waterproofing solution, utilising multiple Newton Systems to great effect.

Newcastle University’s Frederick Douglass Centre is a £34 million flagship teaching facility. Seating in the impressive stepped auditorium is maximised thanks to Style’s installation of a world-first, bespoke set of moveable wall systems, dividing the room into two separate lecture halls, seating 500 and 250 students. Style worked in close collaboration with Sheppard Robson, and Sir Robert McAlpine, to design a solution that is fully automatic, concurrently moving a double skin of Dorma Hüppe sliding wall panels, up through the tiered seating. The final installation surpasses the client’s demands for acoustic privacy between divided areas.

Metalline’s glazed in Ultima aluminium insulated panels have provided a specialist touch to the recently completed Weybridge Business Park in the Borough of Runnymede. The commercial office park features a number of office buildings that have been refurbished as part of a redevelopment for Standard Life Investments. The bespoke glazed in panels which feature on the window surrounds to the 1st and 2nd floors were coated in PPC golden beach metallic and feature a fluted design that met the architects vision for the external envelope of the building. The aluminum outer face was fitted with extruded box sections to give the fluted appearance. The aluminium section was then sealed using specialist rivets designed by Metalline for this specific application. Each of the 2 metre panels were then vacuum bonded using Metalline’s new 6-metre vacuum bonding press. Ultima panels are traditionally specified in aluminium with either an anodised finish in natural silver, bronze, black or blue-grey or in a range of polyester powder coated RAL and metallic colours. They can also be provided with a noncombustible A1 fire rated core. Alternative facings such as perforated aluminium, stainless steel or can be incorporated to create a truly bespoke panel.

Case study for cavity wall insulation upgrade at St James Wood apartments, Dublin.

The Ashington Leisure Centre is a community and leisure facility that sets a high benchmark and precedent for design excellence, marking the beginning of a regeneration for the town centre. Externally the building stands with civic pride facing the town centre. The scale of the large volumes: the triple height entrance foyer and pool elevation are fenestrated with tall glazed panels bringing elegance and emphasis to the entrance area.

Alexander Stadium, a 41-acre athletics venue located in Birmingham and home to the 22nd Commonwealth Games was redeveloped to create a world-class venue for diverse sporting, leisure, community, and cultural events.PPG Johnstone's Trade coatings were used to update the internal and external exposed steel structures and the stadium’s different walking and circulation areas including the concourse areas.

With a passion for the Edwardian and deco period, the homeowners were keen to create a look that would seamlessly combine the elements of both periods at the front of the house leading through to a more contemporary style towards the back. Following extensive internal and external restructuring, Clare has translated the homeowners’ ideas into an achievable and cohesive new look that has brought their vision to life.

Project:Surespan designed and manufactured a massive Biomass access hatch for a fuel plant in Coatbridge, Scotland.ProductBiomass Cover features an opening 3500 (137?) x 4000 (157?) with a sliding cover features fixed external rails and electric operation. A further two sliding covers were supplied sized 2500 x 4000 and 1500 x 4000mm

Project:Surespan designed and manufactured a massive Biomass access hatch for a fuel plant in Coatbridge, Scotland.ProductBiomass Cover features an opening 3500 (137?) x 4000 (157?) with a sliding cover features fixed external rails and electric operation.A further two sliding covers were supplied sized 2500 x 4000 and 1500 x 4000mm

Noise intrusion from the flightpath into London’s Heathrow Airport has been dramatically cut at Meadowbank Adult Education Centre in Cranford, thanks to Granada secondary glazing.To meet acoustic requirements, a 6.4mm acoustic laminated glass was specified with 19mm acoustic reveal liners. The result was a 53dB reduction in external noise – the equivalent of turning the sound of a diesel bus into a whisper.

Stone Cladding: Jura Beige Limestone - natural stone rainscreen cladding. Refurbishment of the complete external façade at this entertainment centre in Maidstone. ARCHITECT: Mountford Pigott MAIN CONTRACTOR: MAC Interiors INSTALLER: Entec Design Services PRODUCT: AlterStone Jura Beige Limestone CLADDING AREA: 500m2 START ON SITE: January 2017 COMPLETION: May 2017

In 2020, Hewlett Packard Enterprises relocated to The 210 Building, an inspiring office development in the heart of Winnersh Triangle. Working with architects, Perkins and Will, and BW Construction, Style was specified to create an extensive range of flexible space within the meeting rooms as well as a chic, collaborative working environment.Using a combination of 52dB Dorma Hüppe semi-automatic Variflex glass moveable walls, 55dB solid semi-automatic Variflex moveable walls and Style’s ingenious ‘working wall’ pivot panels, a supremely flexible and stylish training and meeting suite has been created. Hewlett Packard employees enjoy a contemporary environment with the freedom to rapidly change room configuration as often as required. The 210 Building offers 62,000 sq ft of newly refurbished office space, of which 31,000 sq ft has been let to Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Aiming to enhance the work/life balance of employees and staff located in the Winnersh Triangle, the Park offers a plethora of amenities including fitness facilities, cafes, open spaces for walking and cycling, an on-site nursery and even its own dedicated railway station. “This is a stunning installation,” said Julian Sargent, Style’s group managing director. “Everything about it is first class, making this a project we’re incredibly proud of.“The Variflex moveable walls offer top-end acoustic integrity, which means meetings and training sessions can take place undisturbed. The combination of glass and solid panels deliver a wonderful blend of privacy and transparency, while bringing a light and airy feel to the floor space.“The mix of fabric and writeable white board finishes offer a chic interior design yet a practical one too, and the pivot panels offer the perfect solution for collaborative working and break out groups.”Style’s agile, floating panel ‘working walls’ remove the usual barriers of meeting and training rooms, segregated work desks and cubicles, instead offering companies a space where individuals can group together, team up quickly on projects, share ideas and change their environment to suit the task in hand.

Client: Highways Agency, England, with Northampton CC Main Contractor: Balfour Beatty Main Products Used: Emseal BEJSEmseal BEJS used to seal Parapet & Wing wall joints on the new A45 Dodsmoor Bridge in Northamptonshire:This new bridge forms part of the A45 Daventry Link Road at Dodmoor in Northampton, where the wing-wall joints and the parapet joints with the precast elements provided a challenge for the engineers. These joints had to be able to accommodate the anticipated high levels of movement, but the site measured widths of the joints varied from around 25-30mm up to around 100mm. The potential movement, including movement in different planes, their variable form and dimensions, were too much for any ‘normal’ preformed joints, or extruded, gun-applied, so-called ‘mastic’ joint sealants to be used. This is clearly evidenced in the inset picture, where the specified extruded sealant was already seen to be failing under this loading. Additionally, the wing-wall joints were to be back-filled with a watertight seal. Following previous experience with difficult and complex movement jointing requirements, the Balfour Beatty engineers discussed the situation with NCC and the Emseal BEJS System was identified as an ideal solution. Emseal BEJS is available in different widths that can also be precompressed further for ease of installation, it is fast and easy to install, plus importantly requires no invasive mechanical fixings.

The heat efficiency of a Grade II listed Georgian townhouse in the historic city of Bath is set to be dramatically improved as a result of the introduction of Spacetherm® Multi insulation.The challenge of dealing with heating inefficiencies, major heat loss and high heating costs are a common problem with many listed buildings and solid wall dwellings.Property owner Mike Mower explains, “I obtained planning permission to insulate the top floor of my Grade II listed Georgian townhouse as it is single skin 6” Bath stone (Oolite) and very heat inefficient, all walls have the original lime render and skim and so they need to breathe. The property in Bath was built in 1818 and has been in my family for 101 years since 1919! I am the 3rd generation to live in it and it was last renovated in 1935 so it needs serious upgrading!“The architect originally specified another insulation but this would have required encroaching 100mm into the room and would necessitate moving door frames and rebuilding window reveals. After extensive research, I identified the Spacetherm Multi aerogel product from the A. Proctor Group.“The architect was so impressed by the thermal efficiency of the Spacetherm Multi. With a total thickness of 20mm when rendered, this will not encroach onto the floor space, and the door frames and windows will not need to be altered. Subsequently we included Spacetherm Multi on the planning application as an alternative to the traditional insulation originally specified, which was approved by the Conservation officer and building control.”In addition to the Spacetherm SLENTEX® A2 blanket, foil encased Spacetherm A2 (CBS) Cold Bridge Strip was also included at window and door junctions to address areas susceptible to cold bridging.Spacetherm Multi is a high-performance laminate specifically designed to be laid directly onto existing floors & walls. Spacetherm Multi consists of Spacetherm Aerogel insulation blanket bonded to a 6mm Magnesium Oxide Board.At just 16mm thick, the use of Spacetherm Multi has virtually no negative impact on floor space, making it ideal for refurbishment projects where space is at a premium.Typically, a solid wall will have a U value of around 2.1 W/m2K. Following the application of Spacetherm Multi, this can be reduced to around 0.8 W/m2K, dependent on the wall structure.Finally, Mike Mower commented “I think Spacetherm Multi is ideal for listed building insulation as it has a minimal effect on the infrastructure of the original building. It has the potential to be used extensively in old buildings such as we have in Bath where heat loss is at a maximum, the original walls need to be able to breathe when insulated and insulation has hitherto been impossible due to the visual impact encroaching on the listed building. I am also seeking planning permission to use the product to insulate the basement floor and walls.”

THE PROJECTThe Safety Letterbox Company are the UK’s leading manufacturer of mailboxes with a standard range of over 130 items, but also providing bespoke storage solutions for projects where a specific product is required.We were approached in early 2015 by a client requiring a specific solution that was to be manufactured using corten steel. Corten steel is a material that will change and adapt over time, starting with a darkened grey finish and progressing through to a unique rustic orange finish. The front panel of the mailbox which is located external to the property is finished in Corten Steel, also found on large proportions of the property.The mailbox is a through the wall product, with mail posted into the front of the item and securely stored until being retrieved on the rear side of the mailbox with a coded key. The front side of the mailbox features the corten steel panel integrated with an intercom system for communicating with the residents of the property.This project was featured on the Grand Designs program in October 2015.

The Hydro Arena was designed in a way to maximize energy efficiency. The building combines natural ventilation with mechanical ventilation – fresh air enters the building above the entrances, and is ventilated to a higher level. Externally, the Hydro Arena is covered with light translucent panels that emit the effects produced in its interior. All of the building can be lightened, being reflected on the sea, just like a lighthouse.

There was a clear requirement for the paving to provide Southwater One with a physical and symbolic link between the bold, unapologetically modernist external appearance of the development and its natural surroundings. The Siena (Hague Cream) pavers addressed that specification; the warm, sandy, tones blending with the surrounding natural landscape. In addition, the use of Wienerberger’s Mastiek and Auraton pavers, with their clean grey finishes, created a crisp waterfront patina.

Moving walkway installation at 5 Rise Shopping Centre in Bingley, which provides the majority of retail for the town. All external finishes on the moving walkway had to be water-resistant resulting in a spectrum of watertight materials from galvanised and satin stainless steel to vulcanised synthetic rubber, aluminium and glass. Stannah also tailored the pallet with an anti-slip coating to maximise passenger safety.

DescriptionLocal Smet Supported Partner, master builders NRS Group Construction, machine-applied the LIDL External Render System onto Poroton blocks externally using as Base Coat: Bauprotec 850 M – Lightweight Lime Cement Render, and as Key Coat: Change of substrate concrete/steel pillar/Poroton block or mass concrete and insulated plinths: Bauprotec RHS Multi-Purpose Render.The internal Render System specification onto Poroton blockwork consists of a base of Coat: Bauprotec 850 M, Lightweight Lime Cement Render, sponge floated in warehouse areas, and skim finished in sales areas. Key Coat: Change of substrate concrete/steel pillar/Poroton block: Bauprotec RHS is used.The Irish LIDL render spec, available from SMET consists of:Bauprotec 850 M is a factory-produced Lightweight Lime Cement Render, specially designed for machine or hand application produced to EN 998-1: 2010 and is CE Marked.Bauprotec RHS is a CE Marked, factory-produced highly polymer-modified render specially designed for hand and machine application produced to EN 998-1: 2010.The special render properties; lightweight, low thermal conductivity, high yield, and the Smet Supported Partner’s superior technical backup, are key factors in choosing SMET. SMET is committed to delivering consistently superior quality, German-made Render Systems to Lidl Plastering and rendering/plastering contractors across the UK and ROI.  If you’d like to speak to us about your Lidl job – contact SMET.All LIDL spec SMET Render System products are available directly from Smet Building Products Ltd, who ensures the contractor has a superior level of technical backup in the machine application of the LIDL specification.SMET is committed to delivering consistently superior quality, German-made Render Systems to Lidl Plastering and rendering/plastering contractors across the UK and ROI.  If you’d like to speak to us about your Lidl job – contact SMET.

Mazars is a leading international audit, tax and advisory firm.  With the London team nearly doubling in size in the last 15 years, the company has recently relocated to new premises next to the Old Bailey. Aiming to support an integrated, hybrid way of working, partitioning experts Style worked with architects, HLW and contractor, BW, to create flexibility within the meeting rooms. Dorma Hüppe Variflex moveable walls intersect to form a T-shape, allowing up to three individual meetings rooms to be created. With semi-automatic operation, the acoustic seals expand to exactly the required pressure to deliver an impressive acoustic performance of 55db Rw, allowing meetings to take place either side of the partition entirely undisturbed.  Finished in a stretched Kvadrat fabric, the moveable walls blend seamlessly with the chic office interior décor. The new Old Bailey offices will provide a vibrant, modern home for the rapidly growing London team of over 1,200 employees. In addition to state-of-the-art collaboration, innovation and audio-visual spaces, the new office encompasses an amphitheatre, study areas and a café. The meeting rooms have been named by employee polls, reflecting Mazars’ international and sustainability culture.“Office space in major cities comes at a premium and this is a great example of how you can get the most out of your meeting areas by adapting them for groups of different sizes,” said Michael Porter, Style’s group sales director. “The semi-automatic Variflex is an exceptional moveable wall of the highest quality and is effortless to manoeuvre into position, which means the space can be easily changed several times a day if necessary.” This was the second time that Style had been chosen by Mazars, having previously installed a glass moveable wall at their offices in Chamberlain Square, Birmingham.

Orbis OS210/OS211 Glass Infill Side and Top FixThe Eastbourne College Project 150 delivered a sports hall, competition pool, fitness suite, squash courts, dining and common rooms, pavilion and 32 classrooms, while also providing connections between key College facilities. The development, to mark the college’s 150th anniversary, enabled the Eastbourne College to take a giant leap forward providing several high-quality facilities in one substantial build. Delta Balustrades worked with the architect from early concept design stages and provided technical expertise and advice. The Orbis balustrade system throughout provided a consistent glass balustrade style throughout the building and could be utilised for the external pavilion areas also. Whilst mainly throughout new build areas of the college, the look and style of the balustrades was especially important to complement the College’s iconic buildings and environment. Due to the proximity to the sea, special attention had to be given to the materials and finishes for the external balustrades, and 316 grade stainless steel with a Lustre bright polished finish was required to be suitable in a marine environment.

THE PROJECT Introducing our latest collaboration – Parc Gelli Werdd in South Wales, showcasing 15 Q doors – the pinnacle of resilient, superbly insulated industrial door systems.Nestled in Parc Gelli Werdd lies a cutting-edge development of workshops, industrial units, and offices, conveniently located just an hour away from Cardiff, the vibrant capital of Wales. Engineered for adaptability, these units cater primarily to advanced manufacturing, agri-food technology, creative industries, and energy & environmental sectors. The exterior amenities include generous parking spaces, electric vehicle charging stations, a service yard, bike storage facilities, and meticulously crafted landscapes.At the heart of this business park lies a commitment to sustainability, reflected in both its design ethos and operational practices. By embracing Active Building and Passivhaus principles, which prioritize superior insulation, our premium Q doors, renowned for their exceptional insulation properties and longevity, seamlessly align with the development’s sustainability objectives.This endeavor, aimed at achieving ‘Net Zero carbon in-use,’ has garnered remarkable accolades, boasting an impressive BREEAM “Excellent” rating and an EPC “A” certification. BREEAM evaluates sustainability aspects encompassing energy usage, water conservation, and material selection, while the EPC rating system in the UK measures energy efficiency on a scale from A to G, considering factors such as insulation and heating efficiency. Securing both distinctions underscores the project’s commitment to sustainability and its exceptional energy-efficient design.THE PRODUCTQ Doors boast exceptional thermal insulation capabilities, delivering long-term cost savings while enhancing both security and the architectural allure of any structure.Functioning as a versatile bi-folding solution, Q Doors can be seamlessly installed externally to address spatial limitations, thus optimising space within appliance bays. With a plethora of customisation options available, you can tailor your Q Door to meet specific needs, including the incorporation of insulated double-glazed windows, an array of colour choices, and the flexibility of manual or electric operation.In harmony with our sustainability objectives, we offer customisation options such as personnel doors, reducing the need to fully open the Q Door. This strategic approach not only conserves energy but also diminishes the building’s carbon footprint, aligning seamlessly with our commitment to environmental stewardship. The Q Doors sealing system complies with top European requirements, and still met them at 3 times the required test pressure! (The top European class 3 for air leakage describes air leakage (T Value) as at best 1.5m3/m2/h at 50 Pa pressure. i.e. 1.5m3/m2/h to 150 Pa).

The completion of a stunning new Hilton hotel at Silverstone is another step nearer and leads the way featuring the superior high-performance Wraptite external airtightness barrier.The impressive new hotel, located trackside, overlooks the starting grid for the home of the iconic British Grand Prix. Facilities include 197 guest rooms, a rooftop terrace and the offer of race-day hospitality experiences.KKA Architecture designed the hotel, with Metclad Contracts appointed as the specialist envelope contractor for the project.Wraptite airtightness membrane from the A. Proctor Group, specialists in supplying high-performance products to protect buildings, was selected by Metclad to maximise airtightness and energy efficiency, perfectly balanced with the crucial requirements of vapour permeabilityWraptite self-adhesive breather membrane is applied externally, quickly and efficiently as part of the rainscreen system. Incorporating the Wraptite System helps ensure “as-designed” performance. Its inclusion narrows the gap between asdesigned and actual energy performance whilst reducing the likelihood of possible failures to meet required airtightness levels.Traditionally air barriers have been fitted internally. The internal installation of an air barrier necessitates accommodating building services such as electrical, lighting, heating and drainage systems, thereby increasing the gap between as designed and built. However, the Wraptite membrane fully bonds externally to virtually any substrate, requiring no additional mechanical attachment, seals or tapes to suppress air leakage around junctions or penetrations.The high vapour permeability of Wraptite allows the substrate beneath to dry quickly and moisture vapour to escape and reduces the likelihood of mould, mildew, condensation, timber distortion and metal corrosion.Wraptite is the only self-adhering vapour permeable air barrier certified by the BBA and combines the critical properties of vapour permeability and airtightness in one self-adhering membrane. Quite simply, providing a winning performance in advanced membrane technology for buildings.

During the restoration process the external façade was decorated to create high quality light Portland stone and bath stone paint effects, onto the render substrate, using KEIM Restauro Lasur. The subtle stone appearance created by the system will offer unparalleled longevity and protection. The colours are UV stable and therefore will not fade and the coating is moisture vapour permeable so doesn’t trap moisture in the substrate.

Sandtex Trade High Cover Smooth was the only product on the tee for a makeover project at the home of golf, St Andrews. Dumbreck Decorators applied Sandtex Trade High Cover Smooth in a bespoke shade entitled ‘St Andrews Special Collection,’ to all external facades. Sandtex Trade High Cover Smooth is a premium smooth masonry paint which provides a quality protective and decorative finish.

As part of its UK expansion program Aldi was building a new £59 million regional distribution centre and offices at Wentloog near Cardiff.Over 10,000 m3 of TOPFORCE fibre reinforced concrete was supplied over a period of 13 months for the external floor slab. The TOPFORCE concrete reduced the effects of shrinkage and settlement cracking, while enhancing the surface properties and durability of the hardened, cementitious product.