"wood"

Viking Line is one of the market-leaders in passenger transport on the northern Baltic Sea. The company runs passenger, leisure and freight transport services on its seven vessels. When the passenger ferry ‘Cinderella’ was due for a refit, including the laying down of new floors, Amtico Marine was chosen for the wide range of designs and sizes. Pale Maple was chosen for the crew’s canteen, a light wood design to create a warm atmosphere. Ceramic Frost and Linear Metallic Jewel were combined in different parts of the duty-free shop.

Windsor House in Cardiff is a collection of 312 luxurious studio and ‘twodio’ apartments designed for the student market. To complete the high-spec living accommodation and carefully designed social spaces, a range of Amtico flooring was specified to achieve a unique aesthetic and purpose. A parquet pattern laying pattern was selected for the social spaces providing the design flexibility and necessary durability. In the lounges and bar areas, the combination of Amtico woods including Fumed Oak, Script Maple Rum and Brushed Oak soften and define the spaces, offering a more calming and relaxed atmosphere.

The combination of a DYNAMIK sprung, high compression, comfort based undercarriage finished in a solid (non-foam backed) vinyl provides high levels of indentation resistance from tables, chairs or play equipment typically seen in Primary or Junior Schools. The feeling of comfort is achieved by the flexibility of the new DYNAMIK Sprung base and not the top playing surface as the Vinyl is solid, therefore will not indent or tear when a point or rolling load is applied. The DYNAMIK Sports Vinyl in wood effect is easy to clean, combating drink or food spillages.

This contemporary holiday home is located in the tranquil, unspoiled Swedish archipelago. Set into the cliff, the house is beautifully framed by the dramatic, rocky landscape and the deep blue sea. The wooden structure of the house was inspired by the local building traditions found in the boat houses of the archipelago. The interior reflects the minimalist exterior, with furniture in light wood and a subtle colour palette. The L lever handle in charcoal from the Knud Holscher collection plays a reliable supporting role to a serene and calm interior. Project by Norm Architects and images by Jonas Bjerre Poulsen. 

Specifiers looking to introduce superior wood protection to decking projects can rely on Sadolin Classic to deliver a beautiful finish, with long-lasting defence against the elements. Offering a trusted and time proven solution, Sadolin Classic’s high performance formulation enables the product to absorb deep into the timber, ensuring exceptional coverage and maximum protection from the weather. One of the most versatile products in the Sadolin range, it is particularly effective on large areas of timber such as decking, cladding, fascias and rough sawn timber. A range of colours are also available.

Modern New England Home Features Pura® NFC SidingSituated in Burlington, Vermont was a 1.5-acre lot, a property that had been owned by a local family for over 70 years, but the land remained undisturbed and never developed. With the Adirondacks visible off in the distance, this property was known for its prime location and fabulous views; the land was important to the family as well as to the local community. In 2018, the owner decided it would be nice to finally build a home on the land. The goal was a modern home that would complement the surrounding wooded backdrop.

A stunning and substantial award-winning house on the North Norfolk coast. The house sits on a large wooded site in the centre of a Norfolk seaside village facing the sea. The linear design of the main part of the house is set into the rising ground, with an undercroft forming the main entrance and boat storage. Cowper Griffith Architects specified the Outdoor Deck Company to supply and install FSC Ipe timber to complete the expansive deck area and garden pathway feature. Aboretum House was awarded RIBA East Building of the Year 2014.

A fast paced commercial project for Welcome Break motorway services at Newark. A2-s1,d0 fire rating was mandatory here, yet the design intent was to use wooden cladding to make the building pop from far away. Contemporary design with traditional materials are trending now, but often the strict fire regulations rule out materials that would be preferred. Technowood UK was able to supply a real wood veneered aluminium cladding that is compliant with all the regulations, and PSBK Limited was able to complete this installation in just 3 weeks.

The Burry Port Community School is the first Passivhaus School in Walesa in a design collaboration between Carmarthenshire County Council and Architype architects. A major contribution to the pleasant environment was the choice of Troldtekt acoustic ceiling panels, especially in the classrooms and potentially noisy open spaces. Specified throughout the UK and Europe, the benefits of the 100% natural wood fibres panels include high sound absorption, high durability, natural breathability, low cost life cycle performance and sustainability documented by Cradle to Cradle certification at silver level.

The BBC TV Centre at Wood Lane London is world renowned for its television output over many years. Completed in February last year, much of the interior was extensively redesigned by HOK architects, with refurbishment and construction carried out by the BDL Group, one of the largest specialist dry-lining contractors in the UK. One of the key factors to ensure that noise was kept to a minimum and reverberation time reduced. The solution was high performance Troldtekt acoustic panels which were used to line all the ceilings and the soffit around the circular atrium.

We’ve installed washrooms on three levels of a newly refurbished Grade A office building in the heart of London’s Mayfair district. The new washrooms were designed to mirror the reception area by using American Black Walnut real wood veneer and the same marble finish for the vanities. Illuminated mirrors plus wall-mounted taps and soap dispensers complete the design, while the marble panelling continues full height around the sinks and behind the mirrors. Our Alto full height toilet cubicles add to the high specification design.

The Experimentarium museum in Hellerup, Denmark has been listed as one of the ‘Greatest Places to visit 2018’ by Time Magazine. Following an extensive renovation, guests can now dive into a virtual submarine safari, zoom in on the world of microorganisms or travel through the Tunnel of Senses to explore sight, touch, smell and sound. Here, architects CEBRA have specified Troldtekt wood wool panelling extensively throughout. These panels, in white and grey, counterpoint the museum’s raw and industrial feel and contrast with the design elements of the copper, aluminium and glass.

Witness the stunning transformation of The Smurf House in Devon, UK, where modern rooflight design blends seamlessly with nature. Led by Katie Woods, this renovation of a holiday home combines the beauty of its surroundings with bespoke interior design, thanks to innovative Vario by VELUX round rooflights. These custom-made skylights flood the home with strategically placed natural light, creating a breath-taking connection between indoor and outdoor spaces and a fun, vibrant environment. Let The Smurf House inspire you to embrace nature in your designs.

A significant new building project has recently been completed at one of the National Trust’s most popular properties in Hampshire, Mottisfont Abbey. The new development, situated on the banks of the River Test, uses Troldtekt natural wood wool panels to improve the entrance facilities at this historic priory and country estate - visited annually by over 250,000 people. Designed by Burd Haward Architects, the new welcome buildings are arranged around a central courtyard, raised above ground level to avoid risk of flooding and impact on the existing flood plain.

The Royal Voluntary Service Hertford branch wanted to provide a lunch club to bring older people together to enjoy a hot nutritious meal and socialise with friends at the same time. The room to be used for the club was not fit for purpose. Altro donated floors and walls to transform the room to create a warm and welcoming environment. Altro Wood Safety Comfort was used for the floor to provide a good aesthetic and easy to clean floor. Altro Whiterock White was used to provide a smooth, easy to clean surface that is impact resistant and reduces maintenance costs.

North City Operation Depot is a dedicated staff-only depot facility will comprise of an office and welfare building with briefing rooms, training rooms, office accommodation, a serviced canteen, locker rooms, shower facilities, laundry facilities and drying room. The depot is to provide high quality facilities to enable staff to operate more safely, efficiently, and essentially so the City Council meets its climate action targets, based in Ballymun, Dublin.The client requested for leisure lockers with rolled carcases which helps with keeping the lockers dust free, with the measurements to be 1450mm high, 450mm wide and 500mm deep with the colour mixed between Fundermax and Poleyrey. The colours are mixed with wood effect and beige laminate. Within the lockers they decided to have shelves and internal dividers, additionally, in changing rooms they requested shelves, mirrors and drying racks which are 600mm deep, 2450mm long and 2000mm high powder coated in ‘Ice’.Within the leisure lockers they decided to go with was KitLock KL1200 which can keep the staff belonging secure within the lockers. The seat stands which were cladded with beige laminate, additionally having seat slats made with Fundermax wood effect.It was great working with Purcell Construction LTD on the project and wish North City Operation Depot much success in the future.If you have a similar project or need some information on the products, contact us today at 01284 530 427.

The second phase with sustainable timberPlease Be Seated is a uniquely designed public artwork by London based designers, Paul Cocksedge Studio. The design allows locals and passers-by to stop and watch the world go by whether sat or even lying down. The structure was designed with locations in mind, not wanting to obstruct the busy shopping centres or detract from the surrounding architecture.The artwork was first designed and placed in London using reclaimed scaffolding boards. The second Chinese version of the artwork, however, used Accoya Wood. The structure was fabricated in partnership with UAP and the Accoya was sourced and supplied by local Accoya approved distributor, Jiangsu Dragon Wood (JDW). Paul Cocksedge Studio worked with JDW to complete and install, managing the entire process remotely as a result of Covid restrictions.The artwork is made from 1,440 planks of sustainably sourced, high-performance Accoya timber. A key benefit of Accoya that made it the material of choice is the Cradle to Cradle Gold Certification. This recognises that Accoya is fully circular, with no added synthetic materials, fully recyclable and non-toxic. The Accoya planks are supported by a framework of bent steel designed to be easily assembled and disassembled for travelling.Please Be Seated made its debut in China in 2020, in partnership with Swire Properties. The installation was relocated across numerous locations in China, starting at the Temple Plaza of Sino-Ocean Taikoo Li in Chengdu, before travelling to Guangzhou, Shanghai, and finally Beijing in 2021 where the public artwork is permanently residing.

London's leading workplace caterer, The Good Eating company, has opened its first commercial Cafe in the city. Requiring an interior design that reflects its core values, the sophisticated charm of Forbo Flooring Systems' Allura Flex Wood luxury vinyl tiles, along with its ease of installation and maintenance, has helped to complement the stylish and relaxing dining environment. Giovanni Insalaco, Managing Director at Nova Design, commented: "The Good Eating Company has a history of over 20 years, and it was important that who they are, what they do and what they represent as a business was reflected in the restaurant. While it's called "Café GEC", it is in fact a restaurant, offering a bistro-style menu in relaxed and stylish dining environment to suit the vibrant area aroung Lower Thames Street. "I chose Forbo's Allura Flex LVT planks in the Grey Autumn Oak shade for its ability to replicate the look and feel of natural wood. By specifically opting for a herringbone installation, this helped to add dimension to the space and bring the floor to life. This has worked really well in contrast with the plain counter and solid coloured furniture in the restaurant. Having never used Forbo's products before, it really has been a game changer both in terms of design and ease of installation. We've had lot's of questions about what the floor is and received plenty of compliments - it's fantastic."

Gripsure non-slip decking made from Accoya® wood was specified for the Rising Path Project at Cambridge University’s Botanic Garden. The Rising Path is one of the gardens’ biggest horticulture projects. It revitalises the three-acre Systematic Beds, which were first laid out in 1845. The striking structure offers visitors new ways to explore plant taxonomy. The 65-metre-long spiral structure was designed by Chadwick Dryer Clarke as a gently sloping path stemming off from the gardens’ existing path network. The path leads visitors to a viewing platform with a three-metre vantage point from which the full layout of the Systematic Beds can be enjoyed. The structural frame is formed from galvanized steel with the majority of the structure built from Accoya® wood, which was selected for its durability, stability and clean aesthetic. To ensure safe access all year round the walkway and stairs needed to be slip-resistant. We supplied over 1,300 hundred linear metres of Gripsure non-slip decking made from Accoya® wood, backed with our ten-year non-slip performance guarantee. Along the pathway are sections of landing points that highlight some of the plants’ significant evolutionary innovations, which allowed them to leave the water for life on land. At these points, Gripsure Graphics non-slip deck boards were supplied to create custom typographics. The boards needed to provide a visual contrast to the main decking as well as displaying information for visitors. Project architects Chadwick Dryer Clarke and Designmap (whose design was inspired by the work of the artist Gordon Young) developed the graphic design of the boards. A representative from Chadwick Dryer Clarke said “Gripsure’s approach was positive and collaborative, with a real interest in supporting the design team and project. A number of prototypes were developed that refined the depth, size and edge clarity of lettering, and the successful result has a crispness and quality that exceeds the design aspirations.” The Rising Path is a well-crafted and elegant structure which enhances the experience of the Systematic Beds which are of global heritage significance. It has had very positive feedback from visitors since its opening.

The JG Graves Woodland Discovery Centre is being constructed in the Ecclesall Woods Sawmill as part of the Sheffield Woodlands Environment Enhancement Project.The centre runs craft courses all through the year from cider making to wood work skills. Public events in the autumn and spring celebrate Sheffield’s rich woodland heritage and demonstrates the unique facilities of the centre, as well as providing activities such as story telling, discovering nature and traditional uses of wood in the home and garden.The SolutionThe project entailed designing a center that harmoniously blended with the enchanting surrounding woodlands. The main building featured a grand ‘ski slope’ style roof, initially planned to be waterproofed using metal sheets. However, the client quickly realised that this approach would be prohibitively expensive.To meet the client’s requirements for a cost-effective alternative that maintained the intended appearance, they turned to Charlesworth Contractors—a Polyroof approved contractor with a proven track record of excellence. Recognizing the need for a swift and efficient waterproofing solution, we recommended the BBA Approved Polyroof 185 System with Lead Roll Effect trims.The first step involved fixing high-quality plywood boards onto the roof’s support beams to create the ski-slope shape. This foundation was then enhanced with GRP trims meticulously applied to replicate the appearance of traditional lead rolls. Finally, our renowned Polyroof 185 System was expertly installed, swiftly forming a seamless and highly durable waterproofing membrane.The implemented solution not only met the project’s time constraints but also exceeded expectations in terms of performance and aesthetics. With a 20-year insurance-backed guarantee, our Polyroof 185 system provided the client with peace of mind, assuring long-lasting protection for the roof. Furthermore, not only did our solution prove to be an attractive alternative to metal sheets, but it also offered significant cost savings.The successful collaboration between Polyroof, Charlesworth Contractors, and the client resulted in a waterproofing solution that seamlessly blended into the natural surroundings of the woodlands. Our advanced liquid roofing system, coupled with expert craftsmanship, delivered an outcome that was both visually appealing and economically viable. With the Polyroof 185 System, we demonstrated once again our ability to provide efficient, durable, and cost-effective solutions for even the most challenging roofing projects.

We’re always pleased to hear about how our products have helped customers with their renovation projects. However, we were particularly delighted when one of our Partners Roger, of R and A Pressure Washing Services, sent us these photographs of a poolside deck renovation he recently completed.The customer had previously treated their poolside deck with a decking oil, purchased on the high street. As you can see from the photo, the decking looked dull and tired and was not at all complementing the lovely rooftop views from the pool.We’ve had many customers tell us that the high street decking oils they had previously bought had failed. They were continuously having to sand and re-oil their decking to keep it looking smart. By investing in a good quality product, you could reduce both the time and money it takes you to constantly strip and re-oil your decking and replacing it with easy, low maintenance decking.Aquadecks, for example, is water-based and is easy to apply and maintain, with no sanding or stripping required. Sometimes, it’s worth investing in a more expensive product, such as Aquadecks, at the beginning, to save you money in the future.So, how did Roger rescue his customer’s poolside deck?Firstly, he mechanically sanded the deckingTo remove all the old oil from the surface of the decking, Roger sanded the decking with an electric sander. How the decking looked after sanding can be seen in the photo below.Whilst this step is often completed by professionals, for the DIYer it’s going to be easier to remove the old oils using Aquanett wood oil remover (if it’s a different sort of coating you’re removing then use Dilunett or Prepdeck).If you don’t want to sand back your decking, follow the steps below if you’re removing oils.Aquanett can be used to remove teak and other oils from all woods blackened by UV rays. It will prepare your decking for a new coating and improve penetration and adhesion. Its gel-like consistency means that it’s easy to apply.Even better, it’s suitable for environmentally sensitive areas, as it does not contain solvent or paraffin and it’s biodegradable.If you choose to use Aquanett instead of sanding, you’ll then need to neutralise the decking with Net-Trol before applying your finish.Then, he applied AquadecksNo matter how many times we see photos of decking renovations using Aquadecks water-based penetrative wood finish, we’re always really impressed with how it turns out.First of all, Roger applied a liberal amount of Aquadecks. Applying in the direction of the grain, he worked in sections that he could complete within 30 minutes.As soon as the ‘wet look’ of the first application had disappeared, Roger applied a second coat. He then allowed this to penetrate for 15 minutes.He then removed any excess Aquadecks that hadn’t penetrated the decking. This avoids it drying as shiny spots on the surface. The place for Aquadecks is in the wood, not on the surface.As Aquadecks is water-based, Roger was then able to clean his tools with soap and water.We think that the decking now looks as good as new – if not better!

Stopgap 1200 Pro levelling compound and F46 pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive have led the way in refurbishing floors at Heythrop Park, near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire, following its acquisition by Warner Leisure Hotels, as part of a four-year, £40 million renovation.Flooring contractors were commissioned to install a range of floorcoverings throughout the site’s public areas, including in the 300-year-old, Grade II-listed manor house, which is set in a 440-acre country estate, as well as the adjoining hotel complex.The project included work in the reception, two ground-floor theatres, bar, restaurant and lounge areas, as well as connecting staircases and corridors, in the modern part of the hotel.Stopgap 1200 Pro high-performance levelling compound was used to raise subfloor levels so that LVT floorcoverings and inlaid carpet would sit perfectly flush with previously installed ceramic tiles, with areas divided by custom-made CAT brass edging strips. Stopgap Micro Rapid fast-setting, fast-drying floor finishing compound was used to address minor subfloor imperfections.Stopgap 1200 Pro was also used to create a perfectly smooth surface for grey loose-lay Forbo Coral carpet tiles in the entranceway of the reception, where heavy-duty made-to-measure Newhay grid entrance well matting was installed.Behind the reception desk, Plusfloor concrete-effect luxury vinyl tiles were installed with Styccobond F46 pressure sensitive adhesive, which provides a high bond strength that increases as it is trafficked, as well as strong initial tack, meaning that tiles or planks won’t move around while working. The indefinite open time offered by the product negates the risk of late placement, another advantage when there’s complex designs and patterns.Contractors installed bespoke Brintons carpet in a small seating area on one side of the reception and in front of the entrances to the larger of the hotel’s two ground-floor theatres and Late Lounge Bar, as well as on the steps and accessibility ramp leading from the reception to the 120m2 area, using a dual bond system. This involved using Styccobond F3 to create a permanent bond between carpet and underlay, with the Styccobond F40 providing a peelable bond between the underlay and subfloor.In the theatre, where guests can enjoy live music, drama and comedy performances, Stopgap 1200 Pro was used to patch repair existing subfloors, including where stanchions had been removed, before installing custom-made dark black and blue Newhay carpet.Bespoke Newhay carpet was also installed in the Late Lounge Theatre, which was also furnished with an Amtico wood-effect LVT dancefloor adhered with Styccobond F46. Styccobond F46 was used to install Harlequin Standfast high-performance vinyl sheet on both of the theatres’ stages.Amtico Signature basketweave, wood-effect LVTs were installed in the Late Lounge Bar up to seating areas with bespoke Newhay carpet and ceramic tiles around the bar, as well as on the steps leading to the Late Lounge Theatre. A feature was created in the centre of the room with a large area of herringbone wood-effect LVTs and a border of Amtico Signature Cirrus Twilight grey planks.Similarly, in the first floor ‘Pub and Kitchen’, Karndean ‘Van Gogh’ salvaged wood-effect LVTs were installed up to the bar area, where a border was created using Karndean ‘riven slate’ grey ‘Knight Tiles’, and areas with tables and chairs, where Alternative Flooring ‘Anywhere Rope’ natural carpet was installed. The LVTs were installed up to ceramic tiles around the bar and seating areas with bespoke Newhay carpet.Plusfloor wood floorcoverings were installed on the main staircase leading from the reception to the first and second floors, extending onto the first floor landing and lounge area, using Styccobond B95.Where there were steps in the areas being renovated, including the main staircase, Stycco Flex rapid-curing, flexible tube adhesive was used to affix custom-made CAT brass stair nosings.

DRU gas fires and a Spartherm wood fire were specified by Ethos Construction and DRU dealer Grate Expectations for Harford Manor, a country house in Holyport, Windsor. They selected the fires for their ‘A’ energy ratings. This included the DRU PowerVent extended flue system for flexibility of location. In addition, the gas fires can be operated using the DRU Eco Wave app for tablets and smartphones. Ethos project manager Niten Mistry said: ‘The fires were selected for their impressive performance and ease of installation. They also contribute to the high quality of the property.’ www.harfordmanor.com, www.grateexpectations.com,

A wedding venue that showcases a Historic England perfectly has been transformed using Johnstone’s decorative paints. Specified for its high quality finish and whiteness properties, Johnstone’s Covaplus Vinyl Matt in off-white was used to paint the elegant hallway of the grade 1 listed building. As well as being applied on the walls and ceilings of the spectacular reception. Johnstone’s Acrylic Durable Matt was used in the food and bar area, due to its outstanding durability. Additionally, Johnstone’s Satin Woodstain was used on the hand rails of the balconies to protect the wood from decay.

Acoustic consideration was critical for the design of a new generation cycle studio in London. An isolated sound box was constructed to form the studio with stud walls built to separate it from the café – using a lift shaft model allowing for air and acoustic separation.To complement the paired back industrial ‘Scandi’ design and monochrome pallet, HERADESIGN® in black was specified throughout. Joe Stuart of Warehome Architects said, “Heradesign was perfect for this project. It provides excellent acoustic properties and we love its natural, raw wood wool texture. Specified in black it is really striking.”

The extensive refurbishment of The Mill House in Wiltshire, has been successfully achieved through using Johnstone’s Trade Professional range. Mouland’s extensive scope of work included the use of Johnstone’s Covaplus Vinyl Matt to give the interior walls and ceiling a wipeable finish. Part of Johnstone’s Ecological Solutions range with minimal VOCs, Johnstone’s Covaplus has the added benefit of lessening its impact on the environment. In addition, Johnstone’s Eggshell, which is specially formulated for interior use on wood and metal surfaces, was used to provide a smooth and washable condensation-resistant finish.

The overarching challenge was to establish an enhanced level of security at the premises, combined with effective, easy to manage access control, but with absolutely no compromise on the overall aesthetics of the site. This product is supplied as standard with natural timber slats, which (as per all Jacksons timber) have been kiln dried and Jakcure pressure treated to offer long lasting and highly effective protection against rot and wood boring pests. However, the client required the timber slat inserts to be provided in the house colour grey, which we sourced from Denmark to remain consistent.

Lord's Cricket GroundBauder LiquiTEC Balcony and Walkway, LiquiBALKON SystemSynopsisLord's Cricket Ground is a famous cricket venue located in St John's Wood, London. There are various Bauder waterproofing systems installed throughout the venue but these images are from the Edrich Stairs on the third level.Bauder Building BoardProject:Lord's Cricket GroundProject type:RefurbishmentLocation:Basingstoke Waterproofing:LiquiTEC Balcony and Walkway systemRoof size:25m²Specifier:Rider Levett Bucknall LimitedApproved contractor:Higham Flat Roofing Ltd

COMMUNITY housing in Birmingham was given a fresh new look over winter - despite challenging weather conditions. Twelve homes in the Smith’s Wood area of the city had been identified for redecoration work by the Family Optima Community Association. But the falling temperature meant the plan to repaint the external elevations to each property required a special solution. The specification services team at Crown Paints selected Sandtex Trade 365 All-Weather Masonry Paint – a product that has been used on the homes in the past and one which is able to cope with cold conditions.

Dedicated Sadolin Superdec user Gary Davies has gone on camera to talk about his passion for colour using the premium wood protection product. Gary, the owner of Lyme Bay Cabins - which manufactures and installs quality log cabin garden buildings across the South West - shares his experiences of bringing colour to life in a short film available to view at https://youtu.be/oXxPjdcqwDU The video showcases a number of projects carried out in Devon, and includes an insight into how the colour choices were made at each site.

Originally one of Britain’s greatest railway hotels, the Principal York Hotel has been sensitively renovated and redesigned by Goddard Littlefair in a manner that combines attention to historic architectural detail with modern design and comfort. The 155 guest bedrooms and suites are decorated in a muted soft cream palette with feature wood paneling. Designed by Utopia Projects, a specialist bathroom consultancy, the bathrooms feature polished marble surfaces with sanitary fittings from Villeroy & Boch’s Memento, Architectura and O.novo collections. The design emphasis here was on relaxation, so that guests feel at ease and uplifted.

The sheer volume of passengers visiting Stansted Airport on a daily basis puts an enormous strain on the airport facilities, including the washrooms. System M was specified for the refurbishment due to its strength and durability. System M’s patented emergency access system is made possible by an innovative pivoting pilaster. The pilaster is ‘squeezed’ allowing normally opening inward doors to be pulled outwards in the event of an emergency at the airport. The finish was completed with Clipclad precision wall panelling; bright and sleek with a fresh colour palette of greens and natural wood effects.Read the full case study for more information.

Watling Place, situated in South Kilburn in London, contains 152 apartments. The project is part of upgrading work being carried out in the London Borough of Brent.The DucoSlide sliding panels consist of aluminium frames holding wooden or aluminium louvre blades. Thanks to the wide selection of louvre blades, the architect or client always has a large choice that will seamlessly fit any project. The architect opted for DucoSlide Wood wooden louvre blades. These louvre blades lend the façade a warm appearance and are an effective solution for regulating solar heat and the privacy of the residents.

At a high specification and ultra-modern residential project in Newquay, Cornwall, approximately 100m2 of MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME was used in the creation of an aesthetically stunning and water retardant external façade that perfectly complements the beach house’s cedar cladding. During the extension and refurbishment of ‘The Moorings’, a private home on the Cornish coast, self-builder David Wring required a highly versatile and water retardant wood cladding system. The high performance and extremely durable MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME was chosen to provide an attractive finish and long term weather resistance against the effects of saltwater and UV exposure.

When Jason and Nikki bought a 19th century clapboard house overlooking a beautiful stretch of the Essex countryside, the property came with planning permission to knock it down and build a new home.But keen to preserve a piece of history, the couple opted to restore the house instead, choosing Cedral facades to recreate the original clapboard look while benefiting from Cedral’s modern features.“We wanted the same look as before, to restore the house to how it had looked originally,” says Jason. “We also wanted a property that was as maintenance free as possible.”Which is why Cedral facades fitted the bill perfectly. Crafted for durability and long life with no need for regular repainting or maintenance, it has a minimum life expectancy of 50 years.Using Cedral Lap in elegant C01 White, the finished look is a beautiful New England style home that sits at the top of the hill. Finding the right shade of white was important to the couple and here again, Cedral met the requirements perfectly.“We went for Cedral C01 White because it’s more of a warmer shade, other options we looked at were too bright and cold. It’s a large area of cladding and we didn’t want it to be too blinding when the sun was on it. We also preferred the fact that Cedral offered a thicker board, it had more substance than the others we considered.”The fact that their builder said he preferred working with Cedral because of its high quality sealed the deal. “He did an amazing job on the installation,” says Jason. “It was all quite painless and everyone who visits comments on the workmanship.”The renovation is still ongoing and next they plan to build a garden office also using Cedral facades.“We would definitely recommend Cedral,” the couple say. “So many people say to us they can’t believe it’s not real wood. Because we’ve cleared back a lot of the overgrowth on the property, the house is now very visible from the road and we didn’t want anything that looked fake. We wanted to have that original wood finish that suits the style of the house and its original design, and yet be as low maintenance as possible.”And with Cedral that’s what they got. “Unless we used wood itself, we couldn’t have got any closer to the original style,” says Nikki. “Now everyone says it’s the prettiest house on the road.”

IssueSheffield Olympic Legacy Park Stadium was created after a collaboration of key institutions decided to deliver an Olympic legacy through the four themes of sport, community, environment and economy. The park has an ethos to achieve physical and mental health and wellbeing by providing world-class facilities for community sports, from grassroots up to elite levels.ApproachWith the need to provide inspirational interiors for aspiring Olympians, Alex Parojcic, Architect at Whittam Cox knew that a high-end design, complemented by technical performance and ease of maintenance was required for the new changing areas, showers and physiotherapy suite. “Ceramic tiles had originally been specified for the showers and changing rooms, but we switched to Altro Tegulis when we realised the installation would be quicker, give a fantastic look and feel to the areas,and provide the cleanliness and hygiene standards required for such busy areas.”Joe Richardson of Richardsons Cladding who completed the installation, added “Altro Tegulis was a quick and easy install which assisted with the contractor’s tight programme. If this had been done in the ceramic tiles it would have impacted the programme massively.”SolutionAltro Tegulis, partnered by Altro Aquarius were specified for the showers, providing safety from slips in shoes and barefoot. For the changing rooms, where traffic from football studs, sports shoe spikes and bumps/knocks from sports bags and equipment would be experienced, Altro Atlas 40 was specified. Altro Wood provided a less clinical finish in the physiotherapy suite.Altro Tegulis tile-effect wall panels offer the ideal alternative to traditional tiles for wet rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and retail spaces. With a range of tile-effect patterns offering a grout-free alternative to tiles, Altro Tegulis offers a more familiar feeling than traditional wall panel sheets.Altro Atlas is well suited to areas where the risk of a slip is high, including heavy duty industrial use and sports changing rooms. Hard wearing, stable, and resistant to mechanical damage and chemicals, Altro Atlas 40 provides long term durability and slip resistance, and is easy to clean and maintain.Altro Aquarius is a specialist solution for combined wet and dry, shoe and barefoot areas. Keeps you safe with common contaminants such as shampoo and conditioner.Altro Wood is a general purpose 2mm wood-effect vinyl safety flooring available in a range of designs with different plank sizes.