Building News is an information portal for all professional building specifiers. Here you can find all of the latest construction news from around the UK and the rest of the world.

Hygienically Clean Paint from Crown Paints

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Crown Trade’s Clean Extreme Anti Bacterial paint range offers the best of both worlds – a paint with added anti bacterial protection which will not diminish over time, no matter how many times it is scrubbed clean.

 Healthcare settings, workplaces, schools and hospitality venues all demand exceptional levels of cleanliness and need to be able to withstand more intensive cleaning regimes than ever. Crown Trade’s Clean Extreme Anti Bacterial paint, which is formulated to help create hygienically clean walls and ceilings, offers the solution.

It is enhanced through the use of the independently tested SteriTouch® silver ion technology which not only inhibits the growth of any bacteria that comes into contact with the surface, but also prevents bacteria from multiplying. And, unlike other anti-bacterial paints available, its ‘built-in’ silver ion anti bacterial protection can’t be washed off no matter how many times the surface is scrubbed clean. It also offers exceptional stain resistance for ease of maintenance.

Offering protection, durability and design flexibility, Crown Trade’s Clean Extreme Anti Bacterial paint also boasts an upgraded Ultimate Opacity formulation and can be specified in either scrubbable matt or washable acrylic eggshell finish. Both options are available in a wide range of tinted colours and, with Crown’s colour experts to advise on the latest seasonal colours and trends, it means there’s no need to compromise on aesthetics when choosing a high performance product from the Clean Extreme range.

The popular Clean Extreme range also includes Clean Extreme Stain Resistant Scrubbable Matt and Clean Extreme Mould Inhibiting Scrubbable Matt – all of which are water-based bringing the additional benefits of a quick-drying and low-odour solution.

 

For more information on Crown Paints’ specification services, please call 0330 024 0310, email info@crownpaintspec.co.uk or visit www.crownpaintspec.co.uk. You can also follow @CrownTradePaint on Twitter and Crown Paints on LinkedIn.

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ALTRO FLOORING NOW STANDARD FOR TOP WELSH SOCIAL HOUSING PROVIDER

Altro flooring will now be fitted as standard in all new-build programmes undertaken by Adra, a leading affordable housing provider in north Wales. The most recent of these projects is a large scheme of mixed housing units in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, where Altro WoodTM has been fitted in all kitchens and Altro AquariusTM in all bathrooms.

Elliw Owen, Senior Development Surveyor at Adra, says: “We have a longstanding and very strong relationship with Altro. Our decision to exclusively use their flooring going forward will ensure consistency and a high level of quality, durability and aesthetics across the homes we have available where we have developmental control.

“We want to offer our residents beautiful, stylish flooring they can be proud of. Adra means ‘home’ in Welsh, and we build quality affordable homes. We are pleased to be working with Altro, their flooring ticks all the boxes for us. We at Adra provide homes, opportunities and jobs locally.”

With proven durability combined with good looks, performance and impressive safety credentials, Altro products have delivered great results for Adra over many years with long-term sustainability of quality and standards.

The scheme in Caernarfon is the first mixed tenure project for Adra, offering 46 properties in total, comprising two- three- and four-bedroomed houses and bungalows available as Market Sales, Rent to Own and Social Rented units.

Altro Wood safety flooring has been fitted in all kitchens, using the colours Vintage Cherry, Bleached Oak, or Washed Oak. Homely and stylish, Altro Wood is a great biophilic safety option — bringing nature indoors — and offers a choice of designs, plank sizes and shades in a roll. It’s suitable for indoor public spaces such as entrances, care homes, school corridors, student accommodation, restaurants and dining areas.

All bathrooms and shower rooms in the scheme have been fitted with Altro Aquarius safety flooring, in the colours Swan, Cygnet, or Tern. This specialist flooring solution is designed for combined wet and dry, shoe and barefoot areas, so is ideal for bathrooms, showers, saunas and spas.

Elliw Owen says: “The first phase at Caer Ysgol, Caernarfon, has been finished for over a year now, and there is a very high satisfaction rate among residents. We have not had one problem with the flooring, and the 12-month assessment reported it looked as good as the day it was fitted.

“Altro are always on hand for excellent flooring advice, and committed to helping us move forward in terms of colour choices, styles and keeping on-trend. Their proactive and forward-thinking attitude means we always have an eye on improvement — like creating a communal lounge, which Altro is showing us samples for.

“Another big plus for us is that our local flooring installers love working with Altro flooring because it’s an easy product to lay and work with. This means we don’t need to bring in expensive specialist flooring contractors, and we can keep it local.”

 

www.altro.co.uk

 

 

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Minimalist door designs get new roses for 2021

Specifiers can now achieve a sleek, more minimalist interior door design thanks to new mini roses developed by HOPPE (UK).

The elegantly understated roses are just 30mm wide, allowing the handle to be the focal point. They can be used with HOPPE’s tried and tested door handles that use its Quick-Fit and Quick-FitPlus connection. This allows the handle to be installed much more quickly than standard handles. The integrated blocking mechanism ensures that the handle does not come loose over time, resulting in long-lasting hardware that requires minimal maintenance.

John Prosser, marketing services for product range and assortment at HOPPE (UK), said:

“The mini roses allow a simpler design to be achieved without compromising on handle performance. The hole required for the spindle is only 22mm in diameter so although it requires more precise door preparation, it is worth it for the final finish.

“The mini roses are available to use with a range of HOPPE’s popular handle designs – Amsterdam, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Stockholm – in stainless steel, aluminium and brass, dependent on the design.”

The Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles are available in brass, which has the added benefit of HOPPE’s Resista® finish. As part of HOPPE’s commitment to high quality products, Resista® handles have a 10-year surface guarantee. This is in addition to the 10-year operation guarantee that applies to all HOPPE door and window handles.

To see the full range of finishes available, download the new mini roses brochure from the HOPPE (UK) CLICK HERE:

 

www.hoppe.com

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UnderFloor Climate Management service launches to provide HVAC design expertise

Rachel Smith, UFCM Managing Director

 

An experienced team of HVAC technical specialists is launching a new service to provide design expertise and systems for commercial developments.

UnderFloor Climate Management (UFCM), which is a part of the Polypipe group, will work with architects, developers and contractors to help deliver integrated underfloor heating systems for commercial projects including residential apartment buildings, hotels, student accommodation and office developments.

The service is headed up by Rachel Smith, UFCM managing director, who has a wealth of experience within the built environment sector.  Andrew Coy, who has years of experience in developing heating products and systems for the residential and commercial heating market, joins the team as Commercial Director.

UFCM has been developed as a solution to the fast evolving landscape of the HVAC sector with Net Zero Carbon targets, a move towards more renewable energy sources and a changing building design process drastically affecting the demands on heating design. These elements will impact on the requirements of developers looking to maximise the opportunities of the population growth and fast evolving skylines across the UK’s major city centres.

There is now a concerted move away from legacy heating systems that are offering diminishing performance towards systems compatible with the available smart control technology, renewable heating sources such as ground and air source heat pumps and the design demands of achieving the most living space for sale on increasingly small building footprints.

The UFCM team will work with architects, developers and contractors to advise on project design and specify the best design solution using a comprehensive range of underfloor heating systems for the project brief.

Rachel Smith, managing director, UnderFloor Climate Management:

“UFCM is here to work with architects and consultants to design and deliver sustainable, usable and comfortable heating systems for the new generation of residential tall buildings, and large developments that are transforming how we live, work and socialise in UK cities.

“Our team offers technical expertise unrivalled in the industry, tried and trusted systems and a thorough understanding of commercial construction markets. We are already working with some of the UK’s major developers who see the value and longevity in using new technology and design methods and our team is going to be delivering large building heating systems that are fit for modern living and comfort and the changing face of office work.”

 

The new website is available at https://www.ufcm.co.uk/ and the team can be contacted on: ufcminfo@polypipe.com

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What’s New in Keylite?

UK based manufacturer and roof windows specialist, Keylite Roof Windows (Keylite), has launched a quarterly newsletter for industry professionals involved in the specification, distribution and installation of roof windows.

 

The ‘What’s New in Keylite’ newsletter has been created to offer customers and industry peers an interesting mix of Keylite product and company news, standout case studies and links to online resources.

 

The inaugural issue of the newsletter – available at www.keyliteroofwindows.com/whats-new-in-keylite/ – features information on Keylite’s involvement with the luxury Boroughmuir renovation in Edinburgh, how Keylite was voted as a company to Inspire Britain in 2020 and why BRE say YES to Keylite’s expanding thermal collar.

 

Matthew King, Sales Director at Keylite comments: “Our customers are the lifeblood of Keylite, and we hold their opinion in extremely high regard. This is why we are offering a new quarterly newsletter, to start an open dialogue and to bring industry professionals up to date with our latest product developments and company news.”

 

For more information on Keylite Roof Windows, please visit www.keyliteroofwindows.com, call 01283 200 158 or email info@keyliteuk.com.

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VORTICE GROUP PURCHASES SPANISH VENTILATION BRAND CASALS

 

VORTICE Group has announced the purchase of Spanish industrial ventilation company Casals based in Barcelona.  The acquisition continues the VORTICE Group’s strategy to develop its product portfolio across all aspects of ventilation, from domestic to commercial, air handling to industrial.  The products will be sold under Casals brand name and its product portfolio added to the lines that VORTICE Ltd can offer to the UK market.

 

Casals offers a wide range of products in the commercial and industrial market including a smoke/jet fan range and certified fans that can deal with high temperatures of up to 400 ºC. VORTICE Limited have also employed a new sales team with extensive product knowledge who will be able to assist with technical specification and sales queries.

 

Vortice Industrial Technical Business Manager Alan Price said: “I look forward to introducing the new product range into the UK.  Our team is delighted that this acquisition will enable us to satisfy even greater specialisms within the ventilation industry, growing our reach well beyond our traditional domestic ventilation range.”

 

For more information on the Casals range please visit our website at www.vortice.ltd.uk or call us on 01283 492949.

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LATHAMS LAUNCHES NEW A&D SPECIFICATION TEAM 

A new team at materials supplier James Latham will connect architects, designers and specifiers with the most innovative and exciting products on the market today.

Bringing together expertise and insight from around the company, the Lathams Specification Team has been launched as a one-stop solution for materials specifiers.

There is a strong focus on products with unique benefits, including solid surfaces, hardwearing laminates, antimicrobial acrylics and robust exterior cladding.

Aesthetics are well catered for too, with the team able to recommend a range of surfaces, finishes, colours and styles suitable for any project. These include products that mimic other materials, such as decors that replicate the look and feel of various stones, woods and linens.

“There are many high-quality, advanced products being brought to market all of the time. It’s easy for specifiers to lose track of what’s available or just stick to what they know”, said Rob Goodman, who leads the team.

“What they are often unaware of is the broad range of options available to achieve that final finish that a customer has requested. By creating a single point of contact we can better support the A&D community and help them to find the right solution for their client’s brief.”

 

 

 

The team’s knowledge incorporates a broad product portfolio including solid surfaces such as HI-MACS and Avonite and decorative laminates and veneers from manufacturers including Egger, Xylocleaf, Kronospan and Decospan.  

While currently offering consultancy via video conferencing, the team will support customers throughout the UK, corresponding with the locations of Lathams various showrooms and depots.

The specification team comprises Debbie Northall (London), Joe Sepede (Yate, Thurrock and Hemel Hempstead), Natasha Smith (Dudley and Leicester), Mark Robinson (Leeds, Ireland and North West England) and David Schofield (Leeds, Gateshead and Scotland).

 To coincide with the announcement of the new team a solid surfaces website has also gone live, providing an additional detailed product resource for specifiers and customers.

Featuring product information, case studies, videos and inspirational images from HI-MACS, Avonite and Studio Collection brands, it offers guidance and support on the specification of solid surfaces for a range of architectural applications, both internally and externally.

 

To find out more visit www.lathamsolidsurface.co.uk

 

For more information about James Latham please visit www.lathamtimber.co.uk.

 

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TO BE OR NOT TO BE OSB?

For those specifiers who have contemplated using SterlingOSB Zero for a new project, Norbord has produced a CPD video presentation which highlights the features and benefits of the popular, versatile board. There are variants available and applications include roofing, timber framing and interior fit outs.  Available on RIBA’s CPD website, the video presentation, which features a voiceover, begins with learning aims and ends with learning outcomes.

 

The variants of SterlingOSB Zero are clearly described, with the voiceover, bullet points and images establishing the benefits of SterlingOSB Zero OSB3, SterlingOSB Zero Tongue & Groove, and SterlingOSB Zero Fire Solutions. This is followed by information on why OSB is better than plywood and why SterlingOSB Zero is better than regular OSB; particular focus is paid to SterlingOSB’s zero-added formaldehyde (ZAF).

 

The presentation also highlights Norbord’s commitment to the environment, showcasing that SterlingOSB Zero is FSC certified, BBA approved, and even recyclable.

 

 

 

 

For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visit www.norbord.co.uk.

 

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Temporary or Permanent, a fast and sustainable system

An innovative Scottish company has launched a unique rapid-building technology which offers an efficient solution for temporary and permanent structures.

QuickBlock invented and makes a flat-packed, 100% recycled plastic, lightweight, modular building system.

The blocks are easy to stack, like children’s building blocks, with no need for additional or specialist materials, tools or skills. Like the name suggests, a substantial 10m x 2m QuickBlock wall can be built in less than ten minutes.

The system was the idea of architect Hugh Fisher whose vision was to build refugee housing in the Middle East by recycling the plastic that litters parts of the region’s landscape. The product has been tested in a variety of applications and the company is seeking partners in the construction industry who see the benefits of this time-saving, sustainable technology.

Andrew Vincent said: “We’ve worked with clients to build shelters and storage units, social distancing measures, warehouse partitioning and even a mobile shelter transportable on a trailer. The flexibility of the system lends it to a multitude of applications, and we’ve found that where speed is priority, or if site access is challenging, QuickBlock fits the bill.”

Despite the products flatpack and lightweight benefits, it is strong and durable with an option to infill with materials to add strength and stability. “One of our early projects was the construction of a field shelter for a clay pigeon shoot on a remote site on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. This has endured two years of heavy rainfall and up to 100mph winds and remains a dry, warm place for a cuppa during the frequent West Coast storms,” Vincent said.

“This was a cost-effective, practical solution for the shelter. The blocks were light and easy to transport into the location on the back of a trailer, the shelter went up in a day as the system is very intuitive”. Ardnamurchan Estates.

Solving Common Problems

The company has received significant interest from the railway, council and defence sectors and is actively welcoming partnership projects across industries.

Most recently, QuickBlock worked with Renfrewshire Council to develop a safe social distancing zone outside Newmains Primary School.

The council used the system to create planters to widen footpaths and create a safe pick-up and drop-off zone for parents and care givers on their daily visits to the school gates. This allowed the safe return to school for the children and wider community. Come springtime, the school children will be filling the planters with lovely flowers, plants and shrubs.

QuickBlock is interested in collaborating with like-minded companies, “We are keen to engage with companies and organisations to help solve problems with QuickBlock. The beauty of the system is its simplicity and flexibility and we welcome collaborative projects from across industry. The exciting thing about being a small, innovative company is that we can work closely with clients to develop the best way to solve their problems,” Vincent added.

You can get in touch via www.quickblock.uk or email info@quickblock.uk

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Gilberts steps up to enable school re-opening

Working together, safely, was central to enabling one construction team to deliver a £19.5m new school build project on time, ahead of usual schedules.

The team from main contractor Bowmer + Kirkland, in partnership with Gilberts Blackpool, at Ealing Fields High School in West London overcame the impact of COVID on site working to still deliver the bespoke screening louvres in less than three months from initial order to installation compared to the programmed 15 weeks. Thus the project was completed in time for the official handover date and school re-opening.

In that time, Gilberts designed, supplied and installed the bespoke WGK75 louvres to create plant ventilation screening 1.55m high x up to 20.7m long, with a double door section to allow access for plant maintenance etc. The louvres are mounted, using the Big Foot non-penetrative support system, on the flat roofs of the new two- and three-storey teaching and sports block, adjoining the refurbished and remodelled Grade II listed central school building- a former manor built for Charles II’s Chancellor of the Exchequer.

“As the plant was being mounted on the flat roof element, the architect had specified we use BigFoot to avoid penetrating the membrane,” explained Bowmer + Kirkland QS Garry Healy. “It was the first time I had used it: Big Foot recommended Gilberts as being expert in working with the system, so it made sense to go with them to supply and install, particularly as, with COVID, we were against time meeting the deadline for the school to re-open.”

“Because of COVID, we were at reduced capacity, as were the construction team,” explained Gilberts Contracts Supervisor Robert Wardle. “By working closely with the client at all stages, we were able to work as efficiently as possible, which gave us a fighting chance to complete the installation by the required date.”

Gilberts WGK louvre system is specifically designed for bespoke screening and ventilation in unusual applications, allowing for planned or last-minute variations in size or shape. As standard, it provides a 75mm pitch at 45dgrees with 50% free ventilation area whilst protecting from ingress by weather and airborne particulates.

WGK is one component of Gilberts’ range of standard and high performance screening louvres, including acoustic, factory assembled and kitform solutions. In turn, the louvres are just part of Gilberts’ range of ventilation strategies that have established it as the UK’s no 1 independent commercial air movement supplier. Family owned, the company has a 60 year heritage of innovation, operating from a 95,000 sq ft facility in the Northern Powerhouse of Lancashire.

 

www.gilbertsblackpool.com

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