"wood fibre boards etc"

This £7.88 million Student Accommodation project started in 2014 and is a Timber Frame construction specifically designed as a Student Accommodation Residential Development and Halls of Residence for Liverpool University.The specification for this project consisted of 231 studio apartments fitted with acoustic flooring. The project which is located close to the busy Lime Street Train Station in Liverpool City Centre, was extremely complex.The acoustic flooring of choice was a 23mm T&G profile dry screed pre bonded with 18mm wood fibre.

McMillan House is a first class development providing luxury rental apartments to young professions in the local area of KT4. Built in 1950 it had been used as an office building for over 50 years. Now delicately restored, McMillan House will provide 46 luxury 1, 2 and 3 bedroom rental apartments upgraded to the highest standards.After the main contractor won the project, we were requested to propose an acoustic solution that would comply with Building Regulations. As part of this 2,115m2 luxury conversion, the Soundis dryscreed board with a resilient layer of wood fibre was selected, this is a high quality, interlocking dry floor screed system using gypsum fibreboard technology.This system, was selected due to its high thermal conductivity allowing for the use of the proposed underfloor heating systems throughout the flats, but also for its main purpose of Meeting Regulations, where it’s incorporated Wood Fibre Resilient Layer effectively reduces impact sound transmission from footfall. As traffic can be taken immediately once the glue had hardened, on the low installation thickness acoustic board.

This major expansion of the deep-water container terminal at Liverpool docks would significantly increase the footprint and capacity of the site. The site handles the world’s largest container ships and connects road, rail and canal networks directly to the heart of the UK mainland. As part of this project, external concrete surfacing was needed that would deliver long term resistance to the high volumes of HGV traffic using the terminal. After discussions with the contractor, the solution proposed was Tarmac’s TOPFORCE fibre reinforced concrete with a combination of synthetic macro and micro fibres. TOPFORCE can eliminate the need for some traditional steel reinforcement, making it quicker and easier to place. It offers excellent longterm durability making it ideal for commercial and industrial sites used by HGV traffic. This solution would deliver a saving in both labour and material costs and avoid the budget impact of the rising cost of steel. As well as improving the durability and structural performance, the use of macro fibres also improved sustainability significantly by reducing embodied carbon compared to traditional steel reinforcement. 

A private landowner wanted to develop a large multi-purpose agricultural facility for both arable and potential livestock use at their farm in Leicestershire. Part of the requirement was external surfacing, which would need to be hard wearing and deliver long lasting durability in this demanding environment, including regular use by heavy agricultural vehicles. After discussions with the contractor, the solution proposed was Tarmac’s TOPFORCE fibre reinforced concrete with a combination of synthetic macro and micro fibres. TOPFORCE is a fibre reinforced, high performance concrete, that eliminates the need for some traditional reinforcement. Quicker and easier to place than traditional steel mesh reinforced concrete, TOPFORCE concrete offers excellent long-term durability and performance. This makes it ideal for heavy duty flooring or hardstanding applications. This solution would deliver a saving in both labour and material costs and avoid the budget impact of the rising cost of steel. As well as improving the durability off the finished concrete, the use of macro fibres would also improve sustainability significantly by reducing embodied carbon compared to traditional steel reinforcement. 

A busy Leeds Freightliner container terminal located to the South East of Leeds needed replacement of a number of sections of the external paving. The site is subject to constant traffic and extreme loading, with loading vehicles weighting up to 100 tonnes when carrying a container and daily use by HGV’s. Tarmac’s TOPFORCE fibre reinforced concrete offered the ideal solution. Although TOPFORCE concretes can be used instead of conventional steel reinforcement in some applications, in this case it would be used for added durability and crack resistance in a pavement design containing two layers of steel reinforcement mesh within a 300mm slab. The fibres within TOPFORCE provide three-dimensional reinforcement throughout the full depth of the pavement. This delivers improved abrasion, impact and crack resistance and enhanced flexural strength.Find out more at: https://tarmac.com/case-studies/fibre-reinforced-concrete-for-busy-transport-hub/

Cedral fibre cement cladding has been at the forefront of a substantial renovation project in South Worcestershire, which has almost doubled the size of the original property.

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. 

A cladding replacement project, Klasse G-board and C-board have both been utilised due to their A1 fire-rated, fully non-combustible classification.

Replacement like-for-like period style timber windows from the Mumford & Wood Conservation™ range have been installed in the thermal upgrade programme of St Margaret’s junior girls’ boarding house at the famous Cheltenham Ladies’ College. Other boarding houses at the school have also been refurbished in recent years with window replacements by Mumford & Wood.

We developed two engineered wood floors and advised on the subfloor build up and installation. The products chosen were initially designed by Goddard Littlefair and we worked with the designers to create two unique pallets. This is a new product and we do not have fitted pictures yet, but the images show one carton laid out.These boards were similar to some of our antique colours but the designers wanted a different hue. The TW E731 was based on our antique board but they wanted it light brushed with a matt UV oil finish rather than a lacquer.

This major redevelopment of Charlton Park Academy school involved replacing temporary mobile classrooms and a single storey building with a two-storey steel framed brick building to better meet the needs of students, teachers and carers. A structural flooring solution was required for use over precast planks, covering 800m2 on the ground and upper floor at a depth of 75mm to 120mm. Space and access would be challenging, due to the small footprint of the site, proximity to the existing school building and access from a busy main road. Given the large floor area, a traditional sand cement screed would have been very time consuming to place. Tarmac’s TOPFLOW SF a self compacting steel fibre reinforced concrete was chosen as the solution. Its flowing nature would allow it to be quickly pumped into place and adapt to the variable thickness criteria. TOPFLOW SF is designed to act as a structural topping with both, steel mesh & fibre reinforcement. The steel fibres added to the TOPFLOW SF gave its robustness and flexural strength as it was being placed over a precast plank system that could flex with loadings. They also reduced the risk of cracking. By replacing steel mesh reinforcement, it helped avoid problems with access, storage and handling and kept the site open for parallel trades. Using TOPFLOW SF rather than a sand cement screed or reinforced concrete, improved productivity and saved time. This saved 13 days or just over 2.5 weeks on the programme. 

Cembrit, leading cladding and building board specialist has launched Unipan, a versatile tile backing board which is ideally suited for internal ‘wet’ applications. Unipan is lightweight, tough, and stable, and offers a solid base for tiling through its excellent adhesion properties. The boards are manufactured from a material that is a mix of cement and aggregate, which also contains polystyrene beading to reduce the weight of the board allowing for easy on-site manoeuvrability and quick installation. Unipan features flat, reinforced tapered edges that are specifically designed for a good join, which is critical in wet applications such as bathrooms.

We worked closely with the client, Architect and main contractors to provide a unique engineered wood floor solution. The boards are unique and unusual, being cross band sawn to create a textured finish that looks natural like the old boards in loft conversions. This matched the ethos the client was trying to achieve in both look and finish. The product code is TW E781.

When the London Waste and Recycling Board (LWARB) moved into their new HQ they set out to design a space that would embody their core values of creating a circular economy. This meant designing an innovative and inviting space, while keeping sustainability at front of mind. Interior specialists, Action Workspace, were brought in to manage the design, specification and installation for the fit-out. With the project brief focusing heavily on the use of recycled or recyclable material, they worked closely with LWARB to ensure total transparency when it came to making sustainable material choices.

‘A home, not a hotel’ was the guiding design principle for the Aisher Boarding House, at Sevenoaks School. Designed Tim Ronalds Architects (TRA), Aisher House comprises three interconnected two-storey pavilions which provide a home for 60 boys aged 13 to 18 years.

The ChallengeFounded in 1432, Sevenoaks boarding school is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the country with some of the buildings dating from the 17th Century. The client requested an easy-to-use, energy-efficient underfloor heating solution in rooms of different uses across the school that would have a negligible impact on floor heights. The installation of the system would also have to be considerate of the historic nature of the building.The SolutionDue to the need for a low floor build-up and with a project featuring a mix of floor finishes, our Foil Heater was the ideal choice for an easy-to-use and quick to install underfloor heating system. The Foil Heater is perfect for use with the school’s carpeted and wooden floor finishes and was installed in conjunction the Dual Overlay System when fitted with the carpeted flooring for a stable subfloor solution that can handle heavier load areas. Warmup’s StickyMat System was installed throughout the school’s bathrooms, which can be fitted directly within the layer of tile adhesive or levelling compound, therefore having little-to-no effect on floor heights. Our Tempo Thermostat was installed for accurate floor heat control alongside overall control by a Building Management System.The ResultThe beautiful and historic Sevenoaks Boarding School has now been given a 21st Century update with a responsive Warmup heating solution that didn’t substantially raise floor heights. The staff and pupils can now enjoy radiant warmth throughout the year, leading to better comfort levels and therefore a happier space in which to study and work.

A brand new cancer ward is being built at Yeovil District Hospital, enabling patients to recieve quicker care and treatments.The chosen external sheathing board for this project is the Klasse G-board.

Four residential blocks on Albert Road, North London, have recently undergone renovation, including removal of wooden screen shutters across the frontage of each apartment. The sliding shutters create an attractive appearance as well as performing shade from direct sunlight, but over recent years the wood has warped and deteriorated. Warping meant that the screens no longer travelled smoothly across the windows, and deterioration was causing the louvres to loosen with the danger that they might fall on people walking below. A refurbishment would also provide the opportunity to refit with materials conforming to current fire safety regulations. Considering the refurbishment, the developers were keen to retain the screens and felt that the appearance of wood was appealing, giving the apartments something of a continental appeal, albeit in north London. The blocks were developed and are managed by L&Q, a housing association that aims to deliver high quality affordable homes, and in their own words ‘better places to live’. The screens could easily be replaced using aluminium for the frame aerofoil blades and the look of wood could just as easily be delivered by using a shade from our Wood Finish (PWF™) range. PWF30, a dark shade, was closest to the original wood. In total Powdertech pre-treated and coated 9500 linear metres of extruded aluminium, each individual foil being 1.22m in length. Using aluminium brings the obvious benefits of strength combined with lightweight. The screens will not warp and need only minimal maintenance. Our Wood Finish conforms to the required reaction to fire specification for residential buildings of this type, A2-s1, d0, and the metal itself is non-combustible thus solving a number of issues in one, Wood Finish on aluminium is a winning combination.

We designed and installed 3 of our MG100 movable acoustic walls to a project in London to create flexible working spaces for our client. Their chosen panel finish included a magnetic wipe board along with our PanelHush PET acoustic wall panels. The PET panels help reduce the room echo/reverberation which gives a better working environment. PanelHush PET range is a 100% recyclable acoustic panel that is manufactured from recycled PET bottles. Weuse 65% post-consumer recycled fibres and our products are 100% recyclable.The PET panels come in 12mm or 24mm thick sheets with a choice of 14 different colours to match your design need The installation of our MG100 movable acoustic wall panels gives an element of flexibility which is suddenly added to your space. Therefore, the environment can quickly be manipulated to cater for any of your flexible space needs. Whether that be for meetings or a little bit of privacy. Our MG100 Series also has a strong fire rating of up to 1 hour. We believe that not only should our products look sleek and provide a practical option, but most importantly, they should be able to be called upon in times of emergency.

Cedral Lap fibre cement cladding has been specified as the building material of choice by luxury developer Cedarmill Developments, adding real kerb appeal to its latest residential project in Hornchurch, Essex.Over 450sq.m of Cedral Lap in colour Pewter has been installed across a selection of three storey family homes, creating a contemporary visual appeal that perfectly encompasses the developer’s commitment to providing the highest standard in premium housing.Cedarmill Developments is dedicated to constructing residential and commercial properties across the UK’s Southern regions, offering clients first class functionality and style. The latest site in Havering consists of a combination of luxury detached houses, which will be completed in autumn 2019.Seamus Tattan, Senior Contracts Manager at Cedarmill Developments, said: “This is the first time we have specified Cedral Lap fibre cement cladding and we are already looking to utilise the material on a further two upcoming residential developments as we are so impressed with it.“Initially, we were looking for an exterior solution that offered the highest standards in aesthetics and fire performance, whilst offering the greatest value for money. Cedral surpassed these requirements, enabling us to create a resilient and stylish exterior that we are confident will offer the same impressive kerb appeal in years to come.”The properties’ ground floor is constructed of brick, with Cedral Lap clad across the first and second floors. This creates a contemporary New England style aesthetic that works in perfect harmony with the sleek black windows and doors.Seamus continued: “I cannot fault the Cedral team for their expertise and guidance, from the initial specification process, right through to final installation of the product. We look forward to working with Cedral on our upcoming developments as we continue to create beautiful homes.”Cedral Lap fibre cement cladding is a low maintenance alternative to traditional cladding materials, offering a minimum life expectancy of 50 years. Resistant to rot, attack from insects and the external elements, the easy to install solution is available in a wide range of shades and finishes and has a Class A fire performance rating.

Lampton Road in Hounslow is currently undergoing the construction of 940 new affordable homes. The final development will consist of multiple blocks of flats, and the chosen external sheathing board for these structures is Klasse G-board.

JACKOBOARD® by BEWI offers many benefits for installers of wetrooms and bathrooms. JACKOBOARD® is a waterproof, weight-loading and thermally insulating construction board for use in all types of tiling jobs.Critically, because it is manufactured from 100% waterproof XPS, there is no need to tank wetrooms constructed using JACKOBOARD®, either with a waterproof membrane or a paint-on solution. This saves the installer both time and money, since a separate tanking system is not required and only the joints where the boards meet need to be taped.The NHBC Standard states that “backing surfaces may require protection from a suitable tanking system”.“This guidance is completely correct,” says Martin Harragan from JACKON by BEWI, “but it should not be interpreted to mean that if you are using an XPS backerboard, such as JACKOBOARD®, you have to tank the entire substrate of your wetroom. The closed structure of an XPS board means that it is totally impossible for water to pass through it, in the way that it would through a fibre cement board for instance.”JACKOBOARD® is keen to communicate this message to the many different trades who get involved in the installation of wetroom systems, from the shower tray upwards. Although there are wetroom specialists, this job is often down to plumbers, M&E contractors, tilers, dryliners and flooring contractors. So, as wetrooms continue to increase in popularity, there are different trades who need to be aware of the benefits of XPS backerboards.While offering the benefits of XPS, JACKOBOARD® can also offer a price advantage in the marketplace, due to the fact that the company manufactures its own foam, giving it complete control over cost, product quality and sustainability of manufacturing processes. These factors have enabled JACKOBOARD® to become the UK market leader in XPS construction boards.

A new residential development is being constructed on Roxwell Road in Barking. Overall the development will consist of 87 new homes, including 80 flats.The chosen external sheathing board for this project is the Klasse G-board.

A new expansion building is being built for Meopham School, upon completion, it will provide more space and facilities for pupils and staff.G-board has been chosen by the contractor as the external sheathing board for the project.

Melfield Gardens is a new residential building being built in Lewisham and will feature a total of 32 flats once completed.Klasse G-board has been utilised in this project as the chosen external sheathing board.

A new residential development project is currently in progress in Kentish Town, Camden, featuring a multitude of contemporary flats equipped with state-of-the-art amenities. The construction includes Klasse C-board as the external sheathing board used throughout.

The contractor was relaying a waterproof membrane immediately above the London Aquarium and naturally the client was concerned about leaks with such precious livestock beneath. The waterproofing was torch-on bituminous felt membrane, due to be covered with road grade asphalt. Protecto-board was laid onto the waterproofing and secured with tape. It was cut to shape around the curbs cleanly and effectively without leaving vulnerable areas and without delaminating or crumbling, or leaching bitumen. It protected the waterproofing from temporary construction process damage and permanently protected it when covered with hot road grade asphalt afterwards

Spitbank Fort was originally built in 1878 and was part of a group of forts designed to defend the mouth of the Solent. This project created challenging circumstances for wood flooring because the structure is metal and is over 130 years old. Surrounded by sea creating high, fluctuating humidity and the structure was round so most of the boards had to be re-manufactured to fit. There were height restrictions because there were numerous arches creating low points and all the services had to be laid on the existing substrate thus raising the finished floor level to accommodate them

242 Marylebone Road, also known as Woolworth House is undergoing an uplift, complete with new recladding. The project utilises Klasse S-board as the external sheathing board.

Chelmsley Wood Shopping CentreBauderflex bituminous waterproofing systemSynopsisChelmsley Wood Shopping Centre, located in East Birmingham, was experiencing leaks with their current flat roof waterproofing system and so they needed a quick, high quality solution to remedy the situation. Although competitors had suggested the only option was to strip the roof, Bauder found a more cost-effective answer by using our in house Troxler Moisture Gauge to identify any areas of wet roof construction, removing the saturated areas and then overlaying the whole roof area.Bauder Building BoardProject:Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre Location:BirminghamProject Type:RefurbishmentRoof Area:4500m²Specifier:Black Cat ConsultancyApproved Contractor:BBR Roofing LtdProject challengesThe works were to be undertaken in the middle of winter on the existing single ply covering which kept freezing when the operatives were drying the surface. Fixing down of the insulation boards (to the existing waterproof covering) was a noisy operation which also exposed the retail tenant below to risk of water ingress. Work had to be undertaken on a roof where ridges and valleys had to be navigated whilst managing the waterflow.The specification allowed for the removal and replacement of the saturated areas as identified by our moisture mapping survey. This operation had to be planned to ensure that the retail stores were not put at risk in terms of water ingress, but still managed to keep the works progressing to schedule. This was particularly difficult due to the exposed site and the inclement weather encountered. The resultAs a result, Large sections of cable bespoke design had to be developed with Bauder to overcome these challenging site details without the need to decant the retail tenants below. trays and handrails had to be lifted in situ so the roof works could be completed without compromising electrical or mechanical install.By working closely with the centre, a method of work was developed which fulfilled these criteria in terms of waterproofing, health and safety and business protection of the shopping centre. System installedBauderflex bituminous waterproofing system1 BauderFLEX K4EA torch applied SBS elastomeric bitumen capping sheet, featuring spunbond polyester reinforcement to allow the finished product to cope with structural movement without fracture.2 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 BauderTHERM DS 1 DUOA self-adhesive SBS elastomeric bitumen air and vapour control layer (AVCL) with patented “DUO” lap technology to ensure thorough sealing of lap joints, even in lower temperatures.

Accoya wood is suitable for a wide variety of applications, from the ordinary to the extraordinary. To see some of the many projects in which Accoya acetylated wood has been used, please click on the application of your choice on the link.

G-board was utilised on this refurb and remodel of an old building in London into a new, modern hotel.

Spelthorne Leisure Centre is a brand new development, once completed, it will be a leading energy efficient leisure centre. Complete with 25m pool and sports courts.Klasse G-board has been utilised in this project as the chosen external sheathing board.

We developed a value engineered wood floor and advised on the subfloor build up and installation. The product they have chosen was developed from samples we supplied to the designers at Canary Wharf. From a lot of experimentation with fumed boards that were unfinished we ended up with the colour and finish the client wanted. We then manufactured a batch for approval which was signed off for Newfoundland Tower. This case study shows how flexible we are and that we can accommodate any requirement where clients are looking for unique floors.

Klasse supplied A1, fully non-combustible G-Board for this student accommodation project in the heart of Belfast.

Having supplied our very select E157 unfinished very wide board which is 260mm wide to the contractor we worked closely with the Crawford Partnership to create the perfect floor.We completed a large number of samples in the workshops with different oils and eventually the client settled on a special finish from Blanchon that does not change the colour of the wood but seals it perfectly.After numerous emails, we received this from Alan and following this the samples were sent.