"stone quarried stonemasons restoration"

Canaan Lane Primary School has been built within the Grange Conservation Area in Edinburgh, an affluent suburb of early Victorian villas. The context of the project therefore called for thoughtful consideration of the neighbouring buildings and the use of a natural palette of materials.The bin store area for refuse and recycling collection occupies a prominent position between the front of the building and the low stone boundary wall to the street. Durability and quality were therefore prime considerations in the choice of product.The wheelie bin stores were made from Italia/100, a robust steel louvred product which provides total visual screening. The double leaf doors were supplied with extra heavy 100×100 SHS posts with base plate fixings to meet the special loading requirement for an environment with small children. A site survey ensured that the hinges were precisely positioned on the posts in a staggered arrangement, to suit the existing slab which was stepped across the rising ground.Each compound was divided with lateral bump rails to accommodate 1100 litre eurobins; in addition the back panel was protected from potential damage by an internal bump rail. Panels and posts were hot-dip galvanized and polyester powder coated RAL7043.Lang+Fulton also supplied Siena fencing around the playground boundaries; a railing fence which provides secure perimeter protection and features a conical top for a smart, traditional appearance.

Armourcoat polished plaster creates a stunning entrance for the refurbishment of Greater London House in Camden’s Mornington Crescent. The building, owned by Lazari Investments, is a striking example of Art Deco Egyptian revival architecture formerly the Carreras Cigarette Factory. The hand-applied Armourcoat wall finish forms part of the interior design by Forme UK, which pays contemporary homage to the style of the façade and befits the scale, importance and heritage of the building. An entrance ‘portico’ creates subtle references to Egyptian style, shapes and motifs, finished in a dark anthracite coloured polished plaster finish. A silhouette outline of the famous bronze cat sculptures which flank the entrance was incorporated into the surface. The image of a black cat was also a branding device for Carreras, used on the packets of their Craven A cigarettes and is a repeating logo across the front of the building.The Smooth polished plaster finish is similar to the marmorino stucco used extensively in northern Italy during the Renaissance period. Armourcoat Smooth finish resembles natural stone and consists of a natural mineral material composed of hydrated lime and crushed marble combined with special additives to control working characteristics. The final appearance of this finish is dependent on the hand of the individual applicator, making it possible to achieve anything from a plain lightly polished surface to a more highly burred marbelised effect. Photography: © David Barbour

This client had an untreated deck that had degraded due to UV exposure and needed it restored and finished. this was achieved by using Net-trol Wood Cleaner & Colour Restorer followed by D1 Pro Saturating Oil.Cleaning and preparing an IPE Deck for FinishingBefore using Net-Trol you need to ensure that your surface is cleared of debris – a good sweep should suffice.The surface then needs to be made wet and Net-Trol should then be scrubbed into the surface. We recommend using a stiff brush, then leave it to stand for approximately 20 minutes.Then it should be rinsed whilst scrubbing ,again with a stiff brush. Try to use the highest pressure water source you can (a pressure washer is ideal but a hose will suffice).Your surface then needs to be left for at least 48 hours to dry completely before applying your finish.Why use Owatrol’s D1 Pro?In this case, the client has chosen to finish their IPE deck with Owatrol’s D1 Pro, a product from our Professional Range which is a saturating wood oil for hardwoods giving a long-lasting natural finish and advanced UV protection.This product is well-suited for use in heavy-traffic areas such as decking and areas exposed to harsh weather. This is because it has a long-lasting finish that will protect in the years to come with minimal maintenance.It’s also perfect for dense, oily or greasy woods which are difficult to impregnate with saturating products. D1 Pro delivers excellent wood penetration and can protect even these more difficult woods from within.As such it was perfect for this project as it is made from IPE Decking which is an extremely hard wood decking (approximately 3 times harder than oak!).Many high street products would not have been able to provide adequate saturation in a wood as hard as this and therefore would not provide the long-lasting protection offered by D1 Pro.Finishing a deck with D1 ProOwatrol’s D1 Pro is a saturating wood oil protection. This means that its place is inside the wood not on top of it.To apply a saturating oil you need to apply ‘wet on wet’ coats. This means that the surface cannot be allowed to dry in between coats. If this was to happen then the D1 Pro that had been absorbed so far would start working and prevent any further moisture from penetrating the wood!This sounds a little scary but it really isn’t.The key is to work on small sections at a time (an area which can be completed in around 15 minutes). You need to apply the first coat and allow it to be absorbed for around 15-20 minutes but do not allow it to become surface dry.You then continue to apply coats until no more oil can be absorbed and the wood is saturated. At this point be sure to brush away any excess D1 Pro sitting on the surface to prevent shiny patches.Be sure to work along the length of your decking boards and always work an entire board at once. Never stop mid-board to prevent uneven coverage.Once this is completed you will have a deck protected for the long-haul with minimal maintenance required.Regular washing with Net-Trol is optional but will help to maintain the look of your deck. The look of the deck will gradually lighten over time; when it returns to a grey colour it is time for a maintenance coat. You apply it in exactly the same way but usually only 1-2 coats is necessary.You can also apply a maintenance coat in just a small localised area if that’s all that is necessary. No sanding or stripping required!The finished resultsAs you can see the results are stunning! The client can be safe in the knowledge that their deck is protected for years to come from damage caused by UV rays and moisture.On top of this, they know that they will need to do minimal maintenance. If the deck begins to look worn in high traffic areas, they’re able to carry out touch-ups easily.

Conserving a Grade I listed building with renovating plaster.Halifax’s Grade I listed Piece Hall is a true monument to the town’s industrial heritage. As part of Calderdale Council’s ambitious plans to conserve the building and transform it into a cultural and commercial hub for Halifax, a series of delicate remedial works were outlined to future-proof the structure’s original features and ensure it would be able to live up to the rigours of 21st century life. Under the schedule of works, Tarmac’s Limelite renovating plaster was chosen to provide a durable solution which was both sympathetic to the age of the building, yet robust enough to provide long-lasting results.The ChallengeFirst constructed in 1779, the Grade I listed Piece Hall takes its name from its original use as a cloth hall, where local weavers were allowed to sell their ‘pieces’ at the height of the industrial revolution. As an iconic reminder of Halifax’s prominence in the Georgian wool trade, the site is understandably a treasured landmark for local people.The aim of the Piece Hall transformation project was to conserve the historic fabric of the building and create an outstanding heritage destination fit for the 21st century. This would see the property, which consists of 315 rooms centred around a 66,000 sqft piazza, return to its previous grandeur and be reinvented as a new cultural and commercial centre for the town.The Piece Hall transformation project was delivered by Calderdale Council and made possible by funding from the Council, a generous £7 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund – thanks to National Lottery players – and kind support from both the Garfield Weston Foundation and the Wolfson Foundation. The Piece Hall is now operated by an independent body, the newly formed charity The Piece Hall Trust.It was vital that a specialist heritage renovating plaster was specified, to ensure that any remedial work undertaken would be in keeping with the property’s original features and sympathetic to the materials used during the building’s original construction in 1779.The plastering contractors chosen to undertake the work, Manchester Screeding Contractors (MSC), were challenged with plastering the inside of the iconic arches which surround The Piece Hall’s piazza, as well as re-plastering walls within a number of rooms on the ground floor. Given the need to use a specialist heritage plaster, MSC turned to Tarmac’s Limelite team for help.For the interior work, damaged and ageing plaster had to be removed, revealing solid stone walls which needed to be plastered in keeping with the heritage of the building. Time and weather had also eroded the exterior arches, and an appropriate solution needed to be found.Installation time was also a challenge on the project as the construction phase was nearing hand-over to The Piece Hall Trust, with the building due to be reopened to the public in August 2017.The SolutionTo satisfy the specification, MSC first chose to use Tarmac’s Limelite Easy Bond as a primer, given its ability to effectively control suction and salts, as well as improve the level of adhesion when working with difficult substrates. Following this, two coats of Limelite Renovating Plaster were applied as a backing plaster to the surfaces to remove undulation.Tom Emery, Specifications Co-ordinator at Tarmac’s Limelite division, comments: “A traditional lime plaster could take months to dry out whereas renovating plaster only takes 24 hours to dry per coat. This was essential in helping the team to cope with the tight timescales of the project.“Moisture, damp and mould growth were also found in the building. Renovating plaster is ideal in scenarios like this, as the level of breathability it offers will allow moisture to easily pass through it. It is this breathability that will significantly reduce the likelihood of damp occurring.Tom continues, “The renovating plaster was followed with a final coat of Limelite’s High Impact Finishing Plaster. The High Impact Finishing plaster is extremely durable, which is ideal given the municipal use of the building. What’s more, it’s great for use in heavily trafficked areas as it provides a shell to the backing plaster.”In total, seven tonnes of product were supplied to the project in the two-month timeframe, with MSC working through the weekends to get the job done.Karl Hodgkiss, Managing Director of Manchester Screeding Contractors, commented: “Internal and external plastering as well as restoration plastering are key specialist areas for our business, and this was a significant project for us that we were excited to be a part of. I had used Limelite’s renovating plaster before in smaller quantities and knew it would provide a breathable covering for the original stonework.”

St Leonard’s Hospital160 SASH WINDOWS REPAIRED & DRAUGHT-PROOFED AT GRADE II LISTED HOSPITAL BUILDING IN LONDONThe project involved a total of 160 sash windows requiring renovation at the historic premises of St Leonard’s Hospital in Hackney, on Nuttall Street. As part of the scope of works, the sash windows were surveyed, renovated, draught-proofed and had new ironmongery fitted.Ventrolla’s window restoration formed part of a larger refurbishment scheme at St Leonard’s which was implemented by Castons of Ipswich and lasted six months.The Grade II Listed hospital building dates back to 1866 and by 1872 had been extended to provide beds for 503 patients.It played an important role during the Second World War caring for air raid casualties and suffered bomb damage itself in 1941. St Leonard’s stopped receiving in-patients in 1984 and today is used as a home for various district services, including physiotherapy, chiropody, a disability resource centre and a diabetic day centre. It is now administered by the Homerton University Hospital Foundation Trust.A spokesperson for Ventrolla, said:“The condition of the windows varied enormously. Some just needed re-glazing or minor repairs to the window frame, while others needed a complete overhaul.We had to be flexible in the way we worked because the hospital remained operational throughout the project. In some cases, for example when repairing windows in a consultation room, we opted to stay late or come in over a weekend in order to reduce disruption.”Do you deal with commercial projects that have a need for period sash window renovation?Our commercial services include detailed surveys & estimates in line with your window schedule, project management, CAD drawings, help with Listed Building Consent (LBC) and we offer a CPD presentation that is RIBA approved.You can speak to our commercial team about your project on 0800 0277 454, email info@ventrolla.co.uk or by uploading your tender documents here.

Abode was the tap designer of choice to inject eco-luxe convenience to a unique water tower restoration project in Castle Acre, Norfolk with Pronteau: a high-specification range of steaming hot water taps. Paul Illingworth, Design Manager at Abode says, “We were delighted to be a part of this project alongside property owner Dennis Pedersen and Tonkin Liu Architects, as they meticulously came together to reimagine a derelict industrial water tank into a contemporary, family home. Dennis purchased the water tower at auction for £20,000 in 2015, and then project-managed all the building work himself to save money and realize Tonkin Liu’s architectural vision with the help of a local builder. Following the addition of a new CLT timber tower and careful infilling, the original water tank is now an open-plan kitchen living space complete with Pronteau Propure 4 IN 1 steaming hot water tap in ultra-fashionable Urban Copper finish. As the property needs to cater to a family of four, the additional breakfast room on the second floor, is also designed with a Pronteau Propure 4 IN 1, to ensure the height of convenience, design continuity and eco luxury in the modern home and living space.”  The 160 sqm Water Tower project, is testament to the increasing demand and complexity in personalised building projects across the UK. As the trend for flexible kitchen living is a key focus for today’s multi-generational homes, homeowners want to make sustainable choices wherever possible. Pronteau by Abode is the ideal way to combine high function design with a superior style, heightened level of safety and sustainable consideration in reducing the consumption of plastic bottled mineral water.  “We believe that safety goes hand in hand in interior design and construction, which is why we continually invest in new product development to ensure our designs are fit for purpose. As a practical example, our exclusive Filter Recycle Scheme enables end users to return redundant filters directly to us for recycling.”

This property in a picturesque town in Cornwall, was in need of some TLC. The exterior walls are exposed to the seaside climes, making it perfect as the first project in the UK to use KEIM Twinstar, 2in1 masonry exterior paint.Prior to re-decoration, it was recommended that the painted stone gable walls were stripped back to enable the property to breathe, which reduces the paint from blistering and flaking due to moisture being trapped within the substate. KEIM Twinstar, in colour 9354, was applied by KEIM lover, Ry Spencely of Airborn Painting & Decorating.  KEIM Twinstar is the latest exterior and masonry paint solution, designed to ‘buy you time’ with its 2in1 system where paint is applied wet on wet. There’s no drying time between coats, which reduces waiting, labour and time. It allows a two-coat paint in one work step.Simply mix and apply the paint undiluted, straight from the bucket to ‘saturate’ the surface, then apply more of the same paint working into the existing wet paint layer.The decorator commented, “Another top quality product from KEIM. Application was very nice, it’s a thick chunky product as you’d expect and it covered a dream. The finished look was that signature luxurious KEIM super matt finish, all the while it’s letting the building breathe. Winner!”Ry Spencely of Airborn Painting & DecoratingKEIM Twinstar is the latest product development, designed specifically to speed up application and project time, whilst offering the full suite of sustainability credentials associated with KEIM.

A former pub located in the heart of Taporley village, Cheshire, has been converted into a luxury health and welbeing centre, featuring a state-of-the-art-gym, treatment rooms and apartments for staff use. Instinct Gym and Wellbeing aims to help improve the health and mental wellbeing of the local community through new initiatives. When it came to selection the best floor coverings, having worked with JA Flooring on previous projects  Enigma Holdings Group, the owners of the building, called upon the flooring contractor once more. As aesthetics and durability were key objectives of the project, JA Flooring advised the use of an array of solutions from Forbo Flooring Systems’ portfolio including its Allura luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), which played a significant role in the renovation works.The natural wood and stone aesthetic, combined with the benefits of strong, comfortable vinyl tiles, meant that Allura was installed in the gym, treatment rooms, spin studios and circulation areas. In the treatment rooms where a more serene surrounding was required, Allura Wood in the Whitewash Elegant Oak colourway was used.In the entrance and reception area, a bespoke Coral Logo entrance flooring mat was produced to reinforce the Instinct Gym and Wellbeing branding – helping to create that all important first impression, whilst offering protection in extreme traffic conditions and maximum functional performance.Finally, Tessera Earthscape carpet tiles in Iceberg were installed in the apartments; and in the changing facilities and kitchens, the Surestep range in various neutral colourways helped to complement the overall sophisticated interior of the health and wellbeing centre.

The ChallengeCumbria County Council decided to invest in new, future-proof headquarters rather than invest a similar amount of money into refurbishing and maintaining its multiple existing sites.The project would allow the Council to downsize its office portfolio from 22 locations in and around the city to just two.Housing 700 staff, the new £10.4 million development would reflect a major rejuvenation of the area, designed to be a major gateway into Carlisle city centre.The SolutionThe new building is laid out to house two functions. The first, a two-storey elevation, houses public, customer-facing activity, while the second contains private, open-plan work areas for 450 people, along with ‘hot desks’ for visitors.The building makes use of a range of sustainable technologies, such as photovoltaic solar panels, to improve the building’s efficiency.Forterra’s County Multi Smooth brick from its Butterley range complements the natural stone and glass also used in the building’s design.The BenefitsAs well as saving Cumbria County Council money, Cumbria House brings a wide range of benefits, including improved working conditions for staff. Chief Executive, Diane Wood, commented “The new offices will provide a fantastic working environment for staff. It will support our ‘one team’ ethos with everybody working together in one building. Cumbria House is a much more environmentally-friendly building and, importantly, it’s better for our customers in Carlisle because they can now access all our services from one place”.

Streamlight Tower is a residential skyscraper in London that was completed in 2012. The building has 24 stories and contains a total of 174 dwellings ranging from 1-5 bedroom apartments. The upper floors of the tower offer panoramic views of the city, and many of the apartments feature floor-to-ceiling windows.The Streamlight Tower is a striking addition to the Providence Square development in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The slender, tower stands out against the brick and glass of its surroundings, and its simple form is punctuated by a series of recessed balconies. The tower has a signature angled roof, which provides a dramatic focal point for the development. The Streamlight Tower is an excellent example of contemporary architecture, and its unique design is sure to make it a popular landmark in the area.Just a stone’s throw from Streamlight Tower are restaurants, coffee shops, a gym, convenience stores and much more. A short drive is The O2 which is home to many shopping outlets, bars, restaurants and a Cineworld cinema. There are plenty of places to visit including Central Park and Crazy Putt London.The Facade has recently been updated with approximately 3400m2 of Valcan’s VitraDual which has been installed onto the building. VitraDual’s benefits from a A1 rating (to BS EN 13501-1 fire classification) which means the product non-combustible.As always, it’s been great working with MK Facades on this project who have installed the cladding panels. The team at MK Facades has worked hard on this project and we’re very happy with the progress, and look of this magnificent building.

AluOne is a self-supporting, lightweight and recyclable open balcony system. Designed for structural simplicity and ease of installation, whilst stylishly complimenting the building facade.Manufactured at our state-of-the-art production facility, and constructed using a four column self-supporting lightweight system, AluOne ensures ease of implementation on site.Suitable for new builds, renovations and retro-fitting to existing buildings. We have a suitable solution for every building. Guaranteed durability, practicality and a high quality finish, AluOne is a truly bespoke modular system.Available in a wide-range of RAL colours, AluOne can be customised specifically for each project with a choice of balustrade and floor tile options.AluOne comes with a tiled floor of concrete paving slabs. The plates have been carefully sandblasted to allow the natural stone ballast in the plate to appear. Thanks to our manufacturing method, this plate has an unique colour resistance. The paving slabs are 400 x 400 in size and available in three colour shades.Always designed with drainage management in mind, AluOne has a hidden system in the balcony for optional rainwater drainage. The water flows discreetly under the paving slabs, allowing it to move into the drainage pipe via a gutter in the balcony frame. This is connected to the building's drainage system or to a drainage pipe that ensures the balcony rainwater discharge is properly managed.AluOne is available ins 12 different sizes. You can choose between four different widths and three depths, each in convenient increments of 400mm.

AluOne is a self-supporting, lightweight and recyclable open balcony system. Designed for structural simplicity and ease of installation, whilst stylishly complimenting the building facade. Manufactured at our state-of-the-art production facility, and constructed using a four column self-supporting lightweight system, AluOne ensures ease of implementation on site. Suitable for new builds, renovations and retro-fitting to existing buildings. We have a suitable solution for every building. Guaranteed durability, practicality and a high quality finish, AluOne is a truly bespoke modular system.Available in a wide-range of RAL colours, AluOne can be customised specifically for each project with a choice of balustrade and floor tile options. AluOne comes with a tiled floor of concrete paving slabs. The plates have been carefully sandblasted to allow the natural stone ballast in the plate to appear. Thanks to our manufacturing method, this plate has an unique colour resistance. The paving slabs are 400 x 400 in size and available in three colour shades. Always designed with drainage management in mind, AluOne has a hidden system in the balcony for optional rainwater drainage. The water flows discreetly under the paving slabs, allowing it to move into the drainage pipe via a gutter in the balcony frame. This is connected to the building's drainage system or to a drainage pipe that ensures the balcony rainwater discharge is properly managed. AluOne is available ins 12 different sizes. You can choose between four different widths and three depths, each in convenient increments of 400mm.

Trent is a village and civil parish in northwest Dorset, in the beautiful Yeo Valley. The Trent Conservation Area was designated in February 1970. Many of its structures are listed due to their historical and architectural significance, including Medieval and Tudor buildings.  From 1835 to 1875, Reverend Turner and his wife occupied the village rectory. Together, they built a great number of the buildings that are still in the village today, including the Alms Houses. In 1862, the Turners constructed the National School which was to be for girls and infants. Throughout the years, the National School has seen many changes, including the introduction of boys and the expansion of the buildings. Unsurprisingly, the original metal windows at the school were not fit for purpose and the time came to replace them. This required sensitivity, as it was imperative the new windows looked similar to the originals. The Clement Brooking range was specified because the slim, strong frames could replicate the wonderful shaped heads of the existing windows and they could be fixed directly to stone. The 16mm krypton filled units offer the much-improved thermal performance required and, like all Clement windows, the frames could be fitted with restrictors, essential for safety.Ros Baker, the Deputy Headteacher said: “We are so pleased with the finished result! The transformation the windows have made to our school and local area is fantastic. Many local residents have also commented positively on the ‘new look’ windows. They have been sympathetically upgraded, in keeping with the original school building, and have had a positive impact on our school environment. Furthermore, there was no impact on the staff or the children during the refurbishment.”

System Used - TerraSmart pedestal IGNOThe Botanist is a botanical cocktail bar in the heart of Newcastle. Complete with a rooftop terrace bar, it entices revellers and partygoers with a welcoming and curated look. The natural materials of the terrace bar, mixed with the abundance of plants and natural light, transport customers to a chic, far-off watering hole. To complement and contrast the natural materials in the industrial setting, the bare materials, exposed brick, and stone effect tiles give a suggestive canvas to the biophilic decor. The design function of the terrace is as a high foot traffic area for social meetings. To fully support the paved area in these situations, we have seen a rise in users looking for simple pedestal systems that still provide a robust substructure at an economical rate. The pedestals have a wide base acting as a stable foundation and spacer tabs that equally space the pavers apart to create drainage channels.Sasso porcelain tiles could support the primary use of the space due to their inherent properties. These porcelain paving tiles are naturally non-porous, protecting the finish from staining. This non-porous property also makes the tiles resistant to bitumen and algae. The tile also features a low slip potential in both; wet and dry conditions. Having these properties within a hospitality environment can help make a safe and long-lasting flooring surface.TerraSmart Pedestal IGNO fits into this industrial, chic environment with its simple, robust pedestal structure and hard-wearing but stylish flooring finish, punctuating the space and tying the terrace together.