"roof decking other materials"

The Royal Zoological Society of ScotlandGripsure has teamed up with wildlife conservation charity, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, to help create an incredible home for Scotland’s only sloths. Moana and Feira have settled in well at Edinburgh Zoo and have been busy exploring their new surroundings (albeit very slowly). They are set to become a visitor favourite and have already begun to draw in the crowds.Gripsure donated 60 square metres of sustainable anti-slip Bamboo decking. It has been used to create visitor walkways through the recently refurbished enclosure. The space is full of greenery and designed to feel just like home for two-year-old male Moana, nicknamed Mo, and one-year-old female Feira, known as Fe.A special partnershipThis unique project - the result of a special Corporate Sponsorship Partnership between Gripsure and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland - also features Gripsure Graphics. This innovative new non-slip decking has been used to create fun, educational messaging around the enclosure.Staff said Gripsure decking had helped to establish the perfect environment for the new arrivals – and their fans. “The decking featured in the main walkway flows incredibly well with the exhibit, allowing our visitors to walk right through and become immersed in the natural look and feel of the space, which is wonderful,” said Beccy Angus, Head of Discovery and Learning at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.Beccy added: “Being able to add our own artwork was a huge positive for our charity. The ability to personalise the decking meant we could completely tailor it to the enclosure, making it one-of-a-kind and offer more opportunities to engage our visitors with educational interpretation and signage.”A new home for Scotland’s only slothsThe zoo’s two-toed sloths have joined large hairy armadillos Nymeria and Diogo in the Sloths and Armadillos building, which tells the story of wildlife in South America. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has been supporting conservation partners in South America, the sloth’s native home, for more than a decade.Conservation and sustainability are at the heart of this new area, which made Gripsure a natural partner. Beccy said the team was delighted with the results. “Gripsure’s generous donation has helped our charity create and deliver a first-class visitor experience within our new sloth building,” she said. “As a wildlife conservation charity, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Bamboo was selected as a sustainable material both in the immediate production and in the future as it can be recycled.”Bamboo: a sustainable futureThe bamboo poles used to manufacture the Bamboo decking, which is used at Edinburgh Zoo, are harvested after just five years. This makes them the fastest growing timber in the world.Tom Anderson of Gripsure said: “Edinburgh Zoo were seeking a long lasting sustainable timber but were keen to avoid using tropical hardwoods as logging is destroying the sloth’s natural environment in South America. We recommended Moso bamboo, the giant grass species which can grow up to 80cm per day in the growing season. This species also stores huge amounts of carbon in its vast root network in the forests.”Gripsure manufactures the boards using a heat treatment, which protects the timber from decay and insect attack and gives the boards an expected service life of at least 35 years.Moso bamboo has a class one durability rating, a Euroclass B fire rating, extremely stable with virtually no movement. A study from Delft University shows that, even taking into account the transport and manufacturing process, the product is a net carbon sink over its life span.Connecting people with wildlifeThe sloths are said to be settling in well after arriving at the zoo from Europe. Moana came from Aquazoo Friesland in the Netherlands and Feira arrived from Wilhelma in Germany.Expert staff at Edinburgh Zoo are keeping viewing hours limited for the first few weeks to allow the pair adapt to their new surroundings, complete with plenty of trees and ropes to explore at their own pace. Beccy said: “We hope that by welcoming this well-loved species we can help visitors foster a deeper connection with nature and inspire future conservationists to better protect wildlife across the globe.”

As showcased on a recent episode of Channel 4’s Grand Designs, CUPA 12 natural slate has been specified for a spectacular new build project in Chichester. Selected to enhance the property’s modern aesthetic, the slate roof also complements the rural surroundings, which include a wildlife pond along with a variety of plant life. Property owners Daniel and Nina Rowland both work professionally within the construction sector; Daniel heads up architectural firm Studio Fuse, while Nina is an interior designer. Combining their skills, they decided the time was right to embark on a new adventure; leaving London to design and build their own home on the South Coast of England. They purchased a period property that happened to back onto a stagnant pond, which consisted of local drainage overflow. Daniel and Nina put together a design that would see the old house demolished and a new building constructed. Likewise, the pond was to be transformed into a crystal-clear natural swimming pond – a highly ambitious undertaking. Ideally, this would attract local wildlife, such as frogs, newts and sparrows, resulting in a beautiful waterside home. In terms of the design of the new-build property, the couple wanted the house to be eco-friendly and have a contemporary, spacious and natural aesthetic. It was to be built from structural insulated panels (SIPs) clad in Siberian larch and flint, with large glass windows. Timber decking would then connect the house to the natural swimming pond. When it came to the roofing, Daniel commented: “We considered using a standard seam metal roof but we went with slate to compliment the natural material palette we have used throughout the rest of the house.”Darren Stigant, Director at NJS Roofing, the roofing contractor on the project made the product recommendation: “Although this project looks quite simplistic, the different roof pitches added a certain amount of difficulty to aligning the mitred hips. Having sourced products from CUPA PIZARRAS many times in the past, I suggested the company’s CUPA 12 slate which was available in 400 x 250mm palettes. Utilising this smaller size, as opposed to the usual 500mm x 250mm, helped us to achieve the finish we required on the mitred hips.“I really like the way CUPA 12 lays, and it requires minimal sorting and grading, which simplifies the process significantly. What’s more, it’s very good value for money, providing a really impressive finish.”CUPA 12 is a non-carbonated slate that is formed by tectonic compression, giving the product a smooth, matt surface. The dark grey colour provided an effective contrast with the timber and glass. The CUPA 12 natural slate is also high performing with outstanding weather resistance, as it has been tested to achieve a water absorption rate of 0.11% and a rating of T1 in thermal cycle tests. Thus, making it a long-lasting product with a functional life expectancy of 100 years. What’s more, not only is CUPA PIZARRAS officially a carbon neutral company, but CUPA 12 has also been assessed and certified by BRE Global, solidifying itself as a sustainable choice and bolstering the environmental credentials of Daniel and Nina’s new home.  Kevin McCloud, presenter of Grand Designs commented: “This design joins together nature and architecture – in every sense it’s beautiful.”Daniel and Nina were delighted with the house and the CUPA PIZARRAS roof, “The slate is consistent in its appearance, which compliments a more modern build, but it still has a soft natural aesthetic. We are very happy with the finished roof and would highly recommend CUPA PIZARRAS slate to others. It is great quality, and our roofer loved working with it.”

A complete rework of a postmodern office building (60 London Wall), situated in the heart of the City of London. The project aim was to extensively refurbish, reconfigure, reinvent and reposition the building.Due to the addition of a composite metal deck floor extension and additional steel frame for the top floors, Tarmac’s Toplight C lightweight structural concrete was seen as the perfect solution as it could be pumped and ensured a weight loss of 30% whiel maintaining the necessary structural performance.

Another housing refurbishment is set to benefit from the high-performance Roofshield breather membrane. The world-renowned Roofshield membrane from the A. Proctor Group has long been recognised as a first-class roofing membrane solution, providing a pitched roof underlay that is air and vapour permeable.Specialist roofing company S & J Roofing in Bath has been providing roofing services since 1981 and has established a reputation for high-quality roofing work for all kinds of domestic and commercial works, from restoration to complete new re-roofs down to minor repairs.Naomi Richards of S & J Roofing commented, “we have used Roofshield on many of our projects, Roofshield will always be our number one go-to product. Using Roofshield leads to savings in both labour and material costs, keeping the installation team and customers happy. Roofshield was the most cost-effective solution to control the interstitial condensation in a pitched roof. Roofshield is the most reliable product on the market, so it is used on every one of our projects.”Roofshield is a unique, three-layer, nonwoven, spunbonded, polypropylene breather membrane with a patented melt-blown core, and it provides a secondary barrier to the ingress of rain, wind, and snow. Designed with a low vapour resistance, it is air-permeable, with the additional benefit that it eliminates the incidence of interstitial condensation in pitched roofs.The exceptional performance of Roofshield has been successfully incorporated in many of the most demanding locations worldwide. Its characteristics allow pitched roofs to breathe without needing air gaps or secondary venting. Its patented SMS (Spunbond Meltblown Spunbond) structure allows high levels of airflow and the transport of moisture vapour, making the formation of condensation in the roof space virtually impossible. Numerous vapour underlays use an airtight VP film layer to achieve their performance. However, the exceptionally high vapour permeability and air permeability of Roofshield means that it can perform in conditions in which air-tight alternatives will not.The exceptional air permeability performance of Roofshield means that the roof space will result in similar air changes to that of a roof using traditional eaves/ ridge ventilation. Therefore, another advantage of incorporating Roofshield into the roofing design is that it can lead to savings in labour and material costs due to removing the need for these vents as well as a separate VCL at ceiling level.

EQUITONE [tectiva] fibre cement facade material was specified to improve the external aesthetics of the University of the West of England’s (UWE) new £50m business school.

A three year £24 million programme of works to repair and repaint the roof structure to Bristol Temple Meads railway station is featuring the use of the ZEUS Horizontal fire barrier system from FIREFLY™: employed to enclose a series of shallow arch scaffold beams or ‘cassettes’ that span the tracks, thereby protecting the workforce from any potential train fire as they use the access deck above.

Client: Meggit Avionics, Fareham Design & Build Contractor: Metpark Specialist Contractor: Thelwell Flooring Main Products Used: Emseal DSM SystemMeggit Avionics produce flight data sensors, systems and displays for all types of civil and military aircraft, including helicopters and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) drones. At the firm’s expanding facilities in Fareham, their success meant that they needed to find a way to provide more parking for the growing number of people working on the site. The solution was provided by Metpark UK, in a complete car park design and build contract, that provided a whole new parking level, raised and built directly above their existing surface car park, which added a further 63 parking spaces. This included a new structural steel frame, with steel access stairs, perimeter crash barriers, and lighting, plus composite steel and concrete decks with waterproof deck surfacing. The structural design used 40mm wide expansion joints brought right through the composite deck to allow the anticipated high joint movement capability required, which was up to +/- 50% (i.e. total 100%). The Emseal DSM system was selected and used to securely seal the exposed expansion joints as it can easily meet and accommodate all these requirements. Emshield DSM is a prefabricated movement joint that is easily installed from above, so other trades can continue uninterrupted below. Additionally it is bonded into position with a structural epoxy adhesive, so there is no potentially damaging drilling required into otherwise sound concrete elements of the new decks.

About the projectFrisby Lakes Lodge Park is an award-winning East Midlands site with a plan to develop 59 luxurious Finnish Log lodges made from 100% renewable material. Situated in the beautiful Leicestershire countryside with lodges overlooking a large fishing lake, this stunning park has a lot to offer for those wishing to move to an upcoming, safe-haven location for the over 45’s including beautiful electric-operated FAKRO roof windows.These timber-built Finnish Log lodges use materials sourced from managed forests and other controlled sources, which are crucial to sustainability and are FSC® certified. FAKRO roof windows add to the eco credentials as they use FSC-certified pine to make their high-quality pine frames.Which FAKRO products are installed?Installed into the luxury lodges are FAKRO’s FTW-V P2 Z-Wave roof windows with ARF Blackout Z-Wave blinds that are controlled remotely. At the flick of a switch, residents are able to specify the airflow through the room as well as automating the operation of the blinds, giving them the best of both worlds in one window system! Why were FAKRO products chosen?The eco-credentials of FAKRO windows were very important to this build. In terms of environmental impact, FAKRO products are designed to provide the highest standards of thermal efficiency while being manufactured using replenishable natural resources.

This 10,000 sq metre roof was in need of complete refurbishment and Liquasil's Metalseal was specified because it provided all parties with complete protection, with a Latent Defects Insurance Guarantee being provided upon completion. Cut edge corrosion was treated and the roof cleaned prior to the application of the single-coat Metalseal 20. The unique Liquasil Latent Defects Guarantee covers safe access, workmanship, materials and specifier's professional management fees, along with Professional Design. BBA Approval adds even more reassurance to the specifier.

Wood Wharf consists of 2.6 million sq ft of residential space including up to 3,600 new homes offering the very best in city and waterside living. A Bespoke Shallow Wet room Drainage was required to fit within the POD manufactures and the Architects Design constraints. THE CHALLENGE Wood Wharf is a new district in Canary Wharf which is creating a vibrant new urban quarter. The size of the project itself poses a challenge due to the logistics that go into conducting work at various points throughout the site at any one point. The decision to have the wetrooms and bathrooms constructed off site by POD manufacturing would mean that time spent on site would be drastically reduced, however a bespoke drainage offering would have to be made available in order to present a drainage solution that would fit within the confines of the POD system. Due to the nature of the project, a sophisticated design would be needed within the bathroom in order to tie in with the rest of the interiors of the residential apartments. THE SOLUTION Wetroom Materials worked closely with the POD Manufacturer to present a wetroom system that would be able to adapt to the demands of the POD construction. Wetroom Materials have a range of different channel lengths that can be used on a variety of projects with different requirements; a channel length was specified around the parameters of the space available. Due to the limited floor depths within the suggested POD construction, Wetroom Materials offered a low-profile system starting from just 64mm, that still had the capacity to take a large flow rate. On the back of Wetroom Materials’ advice, the wetroom design was altered to have the drain running along the long wall in order to minimise the required floor depth needed to slope the floor space to allow the water to fall to the drain gulley, whilst still providing a level entrance point across the threshold to the shower area. The drain finish chosen was the HighLine Panel. The reason for this choice was to provide a clean, minimalistic finish that kept in line with the high-end nature of the entire project, while still providing a function and durable product that will stand the test of time. In succeeding to provide a drainage solution that adapted to the requirements of a POD construction, Wetroom Materials were able to reduce the project timescale and increase the site’s work efficiency.

A secondary school in West London used EQUITONE [tectiva] fibre cement facade material to create an aesthetically pleasing, natural and modern appearance that pays homage to the nearby Grade I-listed Chiswick House.

The Shetland Museum and Archive Centre at Hays Dock in Lerwick was built at a cost of £11.6 million which was part financed by the Heritage Lottery fund. The walls of the Museum were constructed in the shape of a fishing boat sail and the building won a prestigious design award from the Glasgow Institute of Architects. The harbour is regularly battered with wind speeds in excess of 100mph and Hertalan membranes were specified to waterproof the roofs and fa çades of the building due to their durability, BBA, ISO14001 and WINTEC certification and the products 20 yr manufacturer warranty.

Built on a self-build development site at Graven Hill in Bicester, where every property is different, this house utilises a number of different design styles and is constructed from an ICF system called Durisol Blocks. The first floor is constructed using the Lewis Deck and includes sound separation, underfloor heating and wet-rooms. It is common for the 1st floor to see a liquid screed installed over the deck, however for this project the client just ordered a little additional of the concrete being poured down the walls to complete the floors.

The existing waterproofing had failed due to a previous poor installation, the result of which saturated the insulation below the exterior roofing. New high performance solutions were specified that included a range of IKO roofing waterproofing systems to protect both the flat and pitched roofing areas of the building. IKOslate, a robust and durable tile was specified for the pitched roof due to vandalism and the fragility of the current system, whereas a tapered scheme was required for the flat roofing - IKO Ultra Prevent alongside a cold applied liquid solution (IKO Polimar) for the more intricate details.

Woodlands is a family-run resort located in the breathtaking landscape of Glencoe, Scotland. In addition to a whole host of activities on offer, including "the best 9 hole course in Scotland" as described by Bunkered Magazine, Woodlands give you the opportunity to experience pure indulgence during a stay in one of their spectacular cabins. Our Premier deck boards were specified for RiverBeds, their set of ‘Luxury Wee Lodges’, where guests can nestle themselves into nature with everything one could possibly need for a magical and memorable escape from reality. Decking was installed on the private verandas of each cabin, overlooking the river, and around the hot tub. Individual decking boardwalks and steps were also incorporated, weaving guests through the trees and safely up to their accommodation. Gripsure non-slip timber decking offered the perfect solution for this project being both a practical and attractive choice. Whereas the safety of guests is of the most importance, especially during the winter months where the cabins offer a snowy, and some times icy, retreat, Woodlands also needed a modern-looking product which could blend in with the luxurious look and feel of the lodges, as well as its natural surroundings. “We looked long and hard for a product that was tough, durable and beautiful. Gripsure was the obvious choice, and is used extensively in our RiverBeds Luxury Wee lodges with Hot Tubs. 5 years on, it seems that this was a good decision – the decking is easy to maintain, still looks wonderful and the support, advice and service from the Gripsure team has been amazing! A professional company with a brilliant product.” – James Young, Managing Director, Woodlands Glencoe.

Find out why we recommend rafter ventilation slides when using spray foam insulation in pitched roofs where a high-resistance roof membrane is in place. The rafter slide not only provides ease of access to the external roof for future repairs/replacement, when ventilated appropriately, it can be effective at managing moisture.

Taw Wharf is a new waterfront destination placing contemporary design and modern amenities alongside the historic listed buildings of the medieval Long Bridge. The full development will encompass a range of apartments, penthouses and townhouses adding up to a 172 newly designed homes. Hyperion Composite Fencing was selected for this project. Project BreakdownLed by local housing experts North Devon Homes and Pearce Homes, the 30-acre site will have close references to the character and materials of the site’s maritime history and its riverside wharf location to create a vibrant community.Located in the premier town of North Devon, the project is close to both the country and the coast. To enhance its natural beauty and rural living, all new release townhouses will offer an outdoor area. The development is nearing completion with the first viewings taking place beginning of August 2019.The SolutionEnviroBuild provided 3,118 m² of Hyperion Pioneer stone fencing for the townhouses’ front gardens and parking spaces. The non-rot, low maintenance panels made it the perfect material to fence the residential homes. The contemporary design also made the development blend in perfectly with the area’s historic charm.Working closely with the contractor Pearce Construction, the fencing was installed using granite fence posts included in the purchasing price.Project DetailsSize: 3118 m²Product: Stone Hyperion Pioneer FencingClient: Pearce ConstructionArchitect: Woodward SmithContractor: North Devon Homes & Pearce HomesSub-contractor: Pearce ConstructionLocation: Barnstaple, North Devon

The redevelopment of Thrayle House involves a collection of new builds with heights of up to 20 storeys. Changes to fire legislation placed a ban on using combustible materials on the external walls and specified attachments of new high-rise buildings. Materials used in the construction of relevant residential buildings have therefore been limited to those with a fire-rating of Class A1 or A2 under EN13501-1 standards.Project BreakdownOrientated around quality and high specifications, Thryale House was after a balcony flooring system to support its 170 new homes, accommodating for a variety of resident needs, from the elderly to families and couples.Designed to comply with all current legislation, EnviroBuild’s Luxury Porcelain Tiles were selected to furnish all balconies across the Thrayle House collection.The SolutionThese complete non-combustible balcony systems offer solutions to meet the requirements of any project without compromising on quality or sustainability. Iron, from the Ergo collection, was selected to beautifully accompany the existing shades of the build, supporting the charismatic aesthetic developed through its local connections.Along with its reliable non-combustibility, a variety of impressive benefits include anti-fade technology, scratch resistance and low maintenance requirements for resident security and ease.Project DetailsSize: 460 m²Product: Iron Outdoor Porcelain PavingSubstructure: MESA Paving SupportsClient: Henry Construction & Network HomesArchitect: PRPLocation: London

Center Parcs Whinfell is an award-winning village located on the edge of the stunning Lake District National Park in Cumbria. Offering one of the most picturesque destinations for short break holidays, it is a haven for nature-lovers and provides countless activities to keep the whole family happily. New to the village is The Pancake House, an all-time guest favourite restaurant offering sweet and savoury pancakes in traditional Dutch style. Center Parcs needed to replace their well-used decking area outside of the restaurant which forms a main thoroughfare around the the village's eateries, overlooking the water. Gripsure's Classic deck boards were specified for this public walkway to ensure the safety of their guests; with 3 non-slip aggregate inserts, our Classic deck boards achieves the highest non-slip safety rating on the market. Not only that, this profile has a smooth board offering a stylish and contemporary finish, in keeping with Center Parc's modern facilities. In addition to this, Gripsure's Boardwalk Heritage profile was specified to replace a decked bridge connecting the eating quarters to the rest of the village. This innovative profile features 100m wide aggregate insert, offering excellent coverage whilst managing to retain the feel of using a natural product. The finishing touches to the project were applied to the steps connecting the different deck levels. For this, a custom profile was created for stair nosings using bold and contrasting coloured aggregate to alert guests and staff of the height change, whilst maintaining a sophisticated look. The high aggregate coverage ensures optimum safety for little feet running around at speed, big feet which have just been in the water, and friendly paws along for the ride. A representative for Center Parcs said "Center Parcs have been working with Gripsure for over 6 years. A great relationship has evolved in that time and they have not only worked with us to put together a standards document for the different areas that we use decking products, but they have also developed products for us to overcome specific challenges. The team at Gripsure are great to work with and they have also delivered CPD sessions to key managers within our business. We specify their products for use across all of our villages because of the range of products that can be applied across different areas, from boardwalks and bridges to decks and steps and the non-slip performance and quality are excellent." Gripsure previously worked with the team at Center Parcs Longleat to replace its iconic wooden boardwalk. You can take a look at the case study here.

The asbestos cement roof to this industrial unit in Hereford was heavily contaminated with moss and lichen and was leaking in numerous places. The moss and other vegetation was first dampened down, scraped off and placed into designated asbestos waste bags for licensed disposal. The roof was then steam cleaned. All metal fixings were treated with Liquasil's rust primer and sealed with Non-Sag Sealer. Small holes and cracks were sealed with Non-Sag Sealer. The entire roof was then coated with Asbestsoeal 20 and is now resistant to moss growth and water leaks.

Sonixx Rubber Crumb Cradles were installed to create a level subfloor system. The cradles were loose laid, laser levelled and a WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) Decking was installed on top.The size of the project was 250m2 and cradles were easily adjusted to achieve a finished height of 120mm. The Sonixx cradles are adaptive, eco friendly and used extensively in new build, refurbishment and conversion projects. They facilitate rapid and easy levelling of uneven subfloors on-site with the use of cradle packers and base packers. The Sonixx Rubber Crumb Cradles offer fast installation and exceptional long lasting performance. Manufactured using recycled rubber crumb, these cradles, base packers and cradle packers can be used to create a perfectly level subfloor, over which decking systems can be installed. All of the rubber crumb used in the cradles, base packers and cradle packers is made from used vehicle tyres, ensuring that all materials are 100% recycled. The components are eco-friendly, durable and come with a 10-year guarantee when used in outdoor applications

The first platform lifts is placed adjacent to the pool deck, linking the underground levels to the outdoors. A customised glass and steel structure protects the lift from weather exposure, whilst maximising on the stunning sea views. The A5000 was a great choice to provide accessibility, luxury and ease of installation at this seaside residence.

Meadowside is a small development of 23 eco-lodge holiday homes in St. Columb, Cornwall. The lodges are in the beautiful North Cornwall countryside. The area is teeming with wildlife, including a large variety of birds, rabbits, foxes and deer. The lodges are available all year round and benefit from unspoilt views of the surrounding hills and valleys. We supplied Gripsure Premier non-slip decking for a number of lodges. It was also used to deck the outdoor space surrounding the lodges, including steps, access ramps and hot tub areas, ensuring safe access for residents over the seasons. Income from the two- and three-bedroom holiday homes supports the neighbouring Cornish Birds of Prey Centre and Animal Park.

Gripsure decking is helping to bring more visitors to an expanding network of scenic waterside trails in rural Ireland. Gripsure's Premier non-slip timber decking is used on a new 60-metre-long boardwalk at Acres Lake near Drumshanbo, County Leitrim. The boardwalk forms part of the Shannon Blueway, a network of multi-activity recreational trails providing routes into the heart of rural Ireland by canoe, bike or on foot. The boardwalk was officially opened by The Minister for the Department of Rural and Community Development, Minister Ring TD. Gripsure’s anti-slip decking is also used on Acre Lake’s new fishing and viewing platform, which is accessible to disabled visitors. Using one of the safest decking profiles available, it will ensure the waterside attraction stays safe underfoot– even in wet weather. Created by Waterways Ireland, the development is aimed at attracting more people to enjoy the waterways. In addition to traditional boaters, the family-friendly trails are now bringing walkers, canoeists, paddle boarders and cyclists to enjoy the trails. Deirdre Donnelly, Design Engineer at Waterways Ireland said: “The boardwalk is a fantastic facility that has been very well received. It is bringing in more visitors to use the Shannon Blueway, including walkers, cyclists, paddle boarders and anglers. When we were designing the boardwalk we decided we needed a non-slip surface that was also very durable. We are committed to making the boardwalk and fishing platform accessible to visitors with disabilities and safety has been an important consideration. The decking was very easy to install, looks great and works really well.” The Shannon Blueway encompasses more than 200km of waterborne or waterside trails. Its recreational trails offer walking, kayaking, and cycling routes in lesser-known parts of the State.

Gripsure decking has been used to complete a landmark health building. The £41 million Health Innovation One is the new home of Lancaster University’s Medical School and Division of Health Research.The state-of-the-art building is also a regional hub, which brings together industry, research partners, health and care providers, the voluntary sector and local authorities. The focus is to help improve the health and well-being of the area.With such a variety of uses and needs, it was important to get Health Innovation One’s outside space just right.BAM Construction Ltd, the firm behind the project, came to Gripsure because they wanted a safe, non-slip decking area which blended with the style of the building and its natural surroundings. Gripsure Cumaru was the ideal choice. This hard-wearing, non-slip decking range comes with a 25+ year expected in-service life.Up to 3,500 linear metres of our Cumaru boards have been used outside Health Innovation One’s main entrance and for the flooring of an outdoor seating area.“The Cumaru product was offered as a value engineering option and offered a significant saving to the specified product as well as being a high-quality solution.” said Jonah Speaks, Assistant Project Surveyor at BAM Construction Ltd.As well as the quality and look of the product, Jonah said the construction team was impressed with Gripsure’s support and help at every stage.He said: “There was ongoing support from the technical team to propose the correct fixings and interfaces to ensure long term performance and robustness.”Work was completed last year on Health Innovation One, which features various meeting rooms and event spaces – including a dedicated Innovation Lab and Business Lounge and an on-site cafe.The building is part of the wider Health Innovation Campus at Lancaster University. The site will allow external organisations to work with university experts when addressing health challenges in Lancashire, the North West and across the country.Gripsure is proud to have contributed to such an important project.

The project involved the conversion of the 1st floor of the Grade II listed Princes Building in Newcastle’s Quay side area into 10 apartments. The building, which was designed by William Parnel, who was responsible for some of the best architecture in the City, was built back in 1863 and as such posed some interesting problems when it came to bringing the building up to current standards. The introduction of the Lewis Dovetailed Metal Deck and screed system on top of the existing joists provided the necessary performance for airborne and impact sound and fire separation.

Museum of London - Visionary RoofSynopsisThe Museum of London opened in 1976 on the historic London Wall and is a few minutes’ walk from St Paul’s Cathedral. A visionary approach to roofing had been adopted on a building that, will not only green as much of the exposed roofs as possible, but also provide a strong research aspect for future green roof projects. As with many buildings, the original roofs needed to be upgraded or replaced, at the same time as being brought up to date using environmental and sustainable solutions.Through the recommendation of waterproofing and green roof manufacturer Bauder Ltd, the Museum invited Dusty Gedge, one of the UK’s leading independent green roof consultants, to work directly with them to design 3500m² of varying habitats that encompassed the museum’s sustainable vision. and help in the provision of environments that would attract a range of wildlife, as well as being able to help the city adapt to climate change.Bauder Building BoardProject:Visionary roof, Muesum of LondonLocation:LondonProject type:RefurbishmentRoof size:9512m²Specifier:Museum of LondonRoofing contractor:Russell Trew LtdThe specificationAn independent consultant had previously carried out an energy model on the Museum of London buildings. When the museum inputted the green roof specification, it showed a potential energy saving of 10% per year, as well as a reduction on the future replacement costs of the heating and cooling plant. Some of the green roofs were funded through Drain London, a partnership project led by the Greater London Authority and funded by Defra. The project aims to better understand surface water flood risk across London, with a view to promote interventions (such as green roofs) to reduce surface water flooding. The museum has used the Bauder green roof system and worked closely with Dan Costen of Bauder and the roofing contractor Russell Trew Ltd, to deliver the various green roof spaces.These include:The refurbishment of the lower garden in the central courtyard with hard landscapingThe installation of Bauder’s new wildflower blanket to the upper garden in the central courtyard (funded through Drain London)Plug planting the roofs of the recently completed garden and terrace rooms that provide high quality corporate hire (matching the colour scheme chosen for the rotunda garden refurbishment and integrated with the new rainwater harvesting system funded by Renaissance London)An integrated sustainable urban drainage system (SuDS)Plug planting in other individual small roof areas including outside the boardroom and committee roomsTwo different planting schemes on an area of the main museum roof where the Drain London Project aims to carry out water attenuation researchThe resultRetrofitting green roofs will help to realise the Mayor of London’s ambition, to increase green cover in central London by 5% by 2030. The Museum of London is one of the largest retrofit green roof projects in the City and is certainly to be commended for allowing its roofs to be used for research purposes. Not only will it provide a benchmark for best practice, but it also demonstrates that retrofitting green roofs onto existing buildings is both environmentally and economically viable and is the way forward in helping London adapt to climate change.System installedBauderflex Green 1 BauderPLANT E 42A torch applied SBS elastomeric bitumen capping sheet. This product features chemically treated bitumen to deliver superior root resistance which has been tested and approved by the FLL2 BauderTEC Sprint DUOA self-adhesive elastomeric bitumen underlayer with DUO lap technology. This product has a glass fleece reinforcement feature for stability and strength.3 BauderPIR FA-TEFlatboard insulation boards containing rigid polyisocyanurate (PIR).4 BauderTEC KSD FBSA self-adhesive SBS elastomeric bitumen air & vapour control layer, with a mica finish.XF 301 Sedum System1 BauderGREEN XF 301Sedum vegetation blanket instantly providing at least 90% coverage on an extensive green roof. Integrated water retention and filter layer.2 BauderGREEN AL 4040mm high perforated edge/drainage trim frames and retains the Bauder XF 301 sedum system.3 BauderGREEN SDFMulti-functional drainage and filtration layer which prevents the roots of sedum plants from becoming waterlogged.4 BauderPLANT ETorch-on root-resistant capping sheet green.AdvocacyGavin McCourt MRICS, Project Manager for The Museum of London said:“In producing the business case for installing green roofs, reference was made to the extensive published documents on the benefits of green roofs. In this case as the museum building had already been energy modelled by outside consultants, it was decided to input the green roof specification into the model. The results showed a potential energy saving of 10% per year, as well as a reduction in future replacement costs for heating and cooling plant. These factors, combined with the longer life cycle replacement of green roofs compared with normal felt roofing systems, enabled me to produce a robust business case for green roofs. With increasing energy prices the economic benefits of installing green roofs can only become more viable”Dusty Gedge added:“One of the major issues that London faces is flash floods during the summer, when sudden rainfall levels overwhelm the current drainage network. With the support of Drain London we will be researching the rainwater run-off for different green roofs. This will help us validate the kind of roofs and depth of substrates that will negate the costly effects that the sudden rainfall has on the infrastructure of the City.”

The technical center of Blagnac has been built in a business area between an expressway and woodland. The architects (Julie DIEU de NBJ ARCHITECTES, Baptiste Grillet de TRIPTYQUE ARCHITECTURE) wanted to make the building very innovating , operational and efficient. The contrast of different EQUITONE materials and colours with the addition of some unique milling detail, has created a stunning finish.

Surespan designed and manufactured Glazed Roof Hatches with fixed glazed sections and a vertical end door for the 79&Park residential.The projectOscar Properties commissioned BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) to design and construct 79& Park residential building. The building is located on the edge of Gärdet, a treasured national park. The architects made conscious decisions throughout the process to provide a sensitive, respectful building with exceptional residences with spectacular views.All Oscar Properties projects aim to add value to the city and the surrounding environment.  79&Park architecture appears like an extension of the park, a gentle hillside seamlessly blending into the nature around it. The project was named Europe’s best housing project in the Internationally recognised real estate competition The International Property Awards.ProductSurespan designed and manufactured multiple glazed roof access hatches in various sizes including 2200 x 2115, 3160 x 1553, and 4175 x 1025.  As part of the glazed roof hatches a vertical door was designed for easy access to the roof spaces. The final glazed hatches were finished off with a polyester powder-coated finish.  Features:These glazed roof hatches feature a specialist sensory control panel. A 1-minute warning sound is activated when rain is detected, and a movement sensor prevents the closing of the hatch. Other features include opening in case of a fire and a keycode pad for exiting.

This project involved the construction of a Data Centre just outside Dublin, with a focus on incorporating a green roof. MOY collaborated with the client, their design team, the main contractor, and the roofing installer to execute the roof installation for an extensive green roof. The green roof utilized MOY's Paraflex FM Global approved Warm Roof System, featuring Paratherm T 120mm insulation board and an anti-root cap sheet. The final touch included the installation of a sedum blanket grown in Ireland, containing native Irish sedum species registered in the national biodiversity database, creating a durable and vibrant living roof.

In the Peak District National Park with views of Cressbrook Dale and the Monsal trail, a thermal bridging solution developed by Owens Corning FOAMGLAS® is helping to deliver high levels of thermal performance for a new, modern home with a minimal space heating demand.The Quarry is a mostly single storey, green-roofed dwelling set on the site of a former shallow stone quarry. Working with John Pardey Architects (JPA), client Will Griffiths secured permission for a modern design faced with traditional materials to ensure a development that sits comfortably within the landscape.

In densely populated urban areas of the cities, where the number of floors in housing is sometimes limited and private gardens are rare, a rooftop terrace or patio is becoming a popular design choice. However, many residential buildings with rooftop gardens don’t see much daylight and careful consideration is required to determine an access point to the roof terrace. For such rooftop projects, a new dimension of roof access is offered by the LAMILUX Flat Roof Access Hatch Comfort range, designed to give a generous daylight intake in attic apartments alongside convenient access to the roof terrace creating an air of grace and beauty both internally and externally. The LAMILUX Flat Roof Access Hatch Comfort range now introduces its fourth product into the family, giving more choice and flexibility when creating a luxurious living space with an exclusive ambience. Featuring unrestricted use as a natural ventilation device and convenient access to the roof terrace, the indoor climate also benefits from the high energy efficiency of the range thanks to the thermally broken frame and excellent air tightness values.The existing Solo and Duo Flat Roof Access Hatch products from LAMILUX open laterally by moving one or two panels horizontally to create direct access to step onto the roof terrace, whilst the space-saving hinged opening Swing variant swiftly opens its one meter by 3000 or 3500 mm long aperture to 84 degrees in just 25 seconds. The fourth, and newest addition to the Access Hatch Comfort repertoire the Square, makes it possible, for the first time, to also use spiral and platform staircases underneath. Until now, access to the roof was limited to straight stairways due to the elongated rectangular shape of the roof access hatch range. The Square only takes 45 seconds for the concealed hydraulic drives to silently open the 4m² glass element of the skylight by 70 degrees. As with the Swing, the new variant does not require any additional space on the roof terrace than its own size in closed form, even when open, thanks to its swing mechanism.   Visually, the aluminium border frame throughout the product family, attracts attention as an architectural highlight. The aluminum profiles and the reveal surface can be coated in all RAL colours offering further choice and exclusivity. Since the glass panes and frame feature a flush edge detail both internally and externally, and all variants are designed with an inclined surface, the range boasts not only a visually appealing seamless design, but also ensures that rainwater can run-off easily without leaving any dirty edges or water ponding. Safety is standard in the Flat Roof Access Hatch Comfort product family with fall-resistant glazing which can be walked on to a limited extent for cleaning purposes. As an additional safety feature, a light barrier is installed as standard which prevents the closing of the access hatch as soon as it detects something in the entrance area. In terms of energy, the new roof access hatch continues the tradition of all LAMILUX skylights: The overall system, which is free of thermal bridges and isothermally balanced and the option of special glazing meets modern demands for sustainability, energy efficiency and climate protection which ultimately save heating costs and minimizes condensation. All four products in this family have one further thing in common: They are delivered completely pre-assembled to the construction site, lifted onto the roof by a crane provided by the customer and then installed swiftly and easily. This minimizes the risk of errors and saves valuable time – both for the contractor and for the apartment user who ultimately gains access to the roof terrace. 

At Polyroof, we take pride in providing innovative liquid roofing solutions that meet the unique needs of our clients. From project conception to completion, our expertise lies in creating high-performance roofing systems that offer both durability and aesthetic appeal.This case study highlights our collaboration with Woodholm, a picturesque property located in Southerness, constrained by the Dumfries & Galloway Council Planning’s “room in the roof” design.The SolutionWoodholm’s owners were determined to create a home that would evolve organically while adhering to the council’s planning regulations. To achieve their vision, they enlisted the services of David Lamb Architectural Services to submit a Planning Application on their behalf, seeking approval for a modification from an existing apex roof design to a curved roof. After going through the rigorous process, the application successfully obtained full Planning Committee approval on 14 February 2017.To realise their desired construction, Woodholm’s owners had a preference for using wood and oak, aiming to incorporate these elements into the design. To accomplish this, they collaborated with Carpenter Oak Woodland, a renowned timber construction company known for their expertise in oak framed structures. The company skillfully designed an oak framed structure that perfectly met the owners’ requirements. By mid-November 2017, Woodholm had a stunning and aesthetically pleasing frame in place.However, finding an ideal roofing solution proved to be a challenging task for Woodholm. Initially considering a zinc roof, they encountered obstacles due to the prohibitive costs and the challenges posed by their maritime environment, as Woodholm is located directly on the shores of the Solway Firth. It was at this point that David Lamb’s initial positive impression of a roofing product caught their attention. Woodholm’s owners approached Polyroof’s simulated metal finishes with their needs and were introduced to the Polyroof technical team. The team guided them through the necessary technical specifications to meet the Scottish Building Warrant for a Warm Roof, ensuring compliance with the required standards.Fortuitously, Woodholm’s owners discovered that Polyroof would be exhibiting at the “Homebuilding & Renovating Show” from 21-22 October 2017. At the event, they had the opportunity to meet the Polyroof team as well as Contractor, Kenny Scott of LK Roofing, Lochmaben. The Woodholm team was highly impressed and reassured by the collective experience, knowledge, and technical expertise demonstrated by Polyroof and LK Roofing. Equally important, they appreciated their ability to attentively listen to and understand their concerns.Following the show, a site meeting was promptly arranged with LK Roofing, allowing all parties to discuss the project in detail. As a result, a comprehensive and competitive quotation was provided, falling comfortably within Woodholm’s budgetary requirements.By early December 2017, Woodholm’s joiner had installed the sub-decking, which served as the foundation for the roofing system. LK Roofing then expertly applied the Alutrix membrane, a high-quality waterproofing layer, providing Woodholm with a watertight working cover.Thanks to our collaborative efforts with Woodholm, the project achieved a seamless integration of their desired curved roof design, wood and oak elements, and our advanced liquid roofing system. Woodholm’s owners were delighted with the final result—a beautiful, organically evolving home that not only met their needs but also exceeded their expectations.At Polyroof, we are dedicated to providing roofing solutions that offer both outstanding performance and stunning aesthetics. The Woodholm case study is a testament to our commitment to delivering innovative products and excellent customer service, tailored to meet the unique requirements of each project.

Our client was a major nursery stock grower in British Columbia with a very large sedum green roof project in Vancouver. The architect was concerned about future-proofing the green roof and wanted to ensure that, if ever they had issues with their waterproofing seal or any other aspect of the structure, the green roof could be taken up without too much disruption. It was decided that a modular solution would be the best route. M-Tray® was included in a worldwide competition to find the most suitable modular design and was judged as the best product available.

Lee Valley White Water Centre offers a unique mix of white water rafting and paddle sports, including family activities. The attraction, which is in Hertfordshire’s scenic Lee Valley Country Park, needed a new decking solution for its Terrace Bar & Café. Because many visitors choose to relax over a drink or a meal straight from their water sports experience, it was important to have decking that would be non-slip, even with surface water. And with the Terrace offering a packed programme including live music events, it also needed to be hardwearing. Gripsure supplied nearly 4,000 metres of Balau Hardwood anti-slip decking, an extremely durable product with an expected in-service life of more than 50 years. Lee Valley Regional Park Authority’s surveyor, Robert Kearney said: “We needed decking with the greatest resistance to damp, which we could use to create safe non-slip walkways. We were looking for many years of durability, so this is a long-term investment for us.”

Gripsure has played a key part in the transformation of the Story Museum in Oxford. The much-loved attraction has undergone a £6 million revamp, which involved extending, altering and refurbishing a mixture of existing buildings to create space for interactive exhibitions, displays, theatre performances and activities.At the museum’s core, is a courtyard with a bespoke steel and timber feature staircase and walkways, which connect the three main buildings, including the 19th Century Rochester House and a former postal office. Gripsure’s Classic boards with three non-slip aggregate inserts have been used to provide a safe, non-slip surface on the courtyard’s feature staircase and along the curved walkways.Our Classic deck boards achieve the highest non-slip safety rating on the market, meaning museum-goers – many of them young children – can safely work their way up, down, back and along the circular route as they explore various magical storytelling worlds, including a whispering wood and an enchanted library.Project manager Barry Doyle of Buckingham-based construction firm Edgar Taylor said Gripsure decking was a great choice. “It had to be non-slip because it’s a museum and there are children going up and down the stairs all the time,” said Barry. “The decking needed to be safe.”Gripsure’s Classic boards were chosen with a mixture of widths selected to suit the curved nature of the staircase. Gripsure’s Step profile was also used, which has a wide insert. As well as being a safe choice, the contemporary look of the Classic timber boards blends in well with the style of the museum’s timber and steel staircase and walkways.“This was a project of passion for the people that ran it,” said Barry Doyle, adding that it was vital to get details, such as the decking exactly right. “The staircase and external walkways are an important part because they effectively tie the buildings together on all floors.”The Story Museum was founded in 2003 and initially operated as a virtual museum before moving to premises in Rochester House, Pembroke Street. The redevelopment project first started in 2018 and was broken down into ‘chapters’.The Story Museum, which has worked and associated with and associated with authors and illustrators including Michael Morpurgo, Philip Pullman, Terry Pratchett, Jacqueline Wilson and Quentin Blake, was finally able to open its doors again in 2020, to the delight of children and their families.The extraordinary renovation project - led by Purcell architects – has been mentioned in the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Journal.The museum was also a finalist in the Art Fund’s 2022 museum of the year.See storymuseum.org.uk; edgartaylor.co.uk