Latest innovations and products in the external works section of the construction industry.

Balconette launches unique Frameless Juliet Balconies

Now there is nothing to obscure the view with a new Frameless Glass Juliet balcony from Balconette. Using literally just one sheet of glass, the balustrading specialist’s new range of Frameless Glass Juliet Balconies is a highly-aesthetic, straightforward-to-install and minimalist balcony guarding solution.

Designed to enhance the external appearance of any building, Balconette’s Frameless Juliet balcony uses 21.5mm laminated and toughened glass panels. The system allows for a Frameless Juliet of up to 3.15 metres in width using a single pane of glass that makes the perfect partner for French, or any doors installed on the first floor or above.

Balconette stocks seven standard sizes of its Frameless Glass Juliet balconies, ranging from 1280mm to 2840mm, which are available within five working days. Custom sizes can also be supplied on request.

Installation is straightforward using attractive support profiles secured to the walls either side of the aperture. These profiles allow tolerances for installation where previously very accurate drilling was required for glass with pre-drilled holes.

“We listened to what our customers wanted and have designed what we believe is one of the most stylish and simple-to-install Frameless systems on the market,” said Managing Director Effi Wolff.

“This style of Juliet balcony is growing increasingly popular and we we’re getting frequent requests from architects, designers, builders and private individuals for a Frameless system that could meet their design objectives.

“We are delighted to offer this new product, which not only delivers a stunning and eye-catching result, but is also surprisingly affordable.”

Two exclusive detached properties, built by privately-owned developer Rectory Homes, are among the first to showcase the new Frameless Juliet balconies, supplied and installed by Balconette.

The Frameless system’s minimalist appearance perfectly complements the contemporary style of the £2 million-plus homes in Harberton Mead, close to Oxford city centre.

According to Procurement Manager at Rectory Homes Tony Wrench, glass balustrading was specifically requested for the project ‘and Balconette fitted the bill’.

He added: “The ‘Frameless Juliet balconies have been well-received and look fantastic; we are very pleased with the end result. If a Frameless system or glass balustrading is required on a future project, we would use the company again.”

In addition to its Frameless Juliet systems, Balconette offers a comprehensive range of straight and curved glass and aluminium balustrades, plus Juliet balconies, with a choice of handrail styles and finishes to suit all budgets. Curved sliding patio doors and curved glass enclosures can also be supplied, along with a high-quality range of wood-free decking products.

For more details, check here www.balconette.co.uk/frameless-juliet-balcony.aspx or contact Balconette on 01342 410411, email enquiries@balconette.co.uk.

/by

Charcon launches enhanced Safeticurb linear drainage system

Charcon, the commercial hard landscaping product range from Aggregate Industries, has relaunched its linear drainage system, Safeticurb, with an enhanced design for improved performance. The updated product is now available as a single piece unit for ease of installation and benefits from a smoother bore for improved hydraulic flow.

The long established system substantially reduces the need for expensive underground pipework. Suitable for all hard landscaped surfaces, and also for heavier duty options such as industrial sites, Safeticurb features a subtle cross-fall to direct surface water towards the drainage entrances for hard landscaped areas and roadways.

It is suited to car parks, pedestrianised areas, public highways, heavy duty industrial sites and airport taxiways, and is designed for use with block paving and British Standard kerb. Both slot and grid options are available.

Safeticurb is tested in accordance with European Standard BS EN 1433 and loading standard conforms up to Class F, dependent upon type selected.

Mike Davies, specifications and major projects manager for Aggregate Industries, comments “Safeticurb is a well proven linear drainage system that offers substantial cost savings in comparison to alternative traditional pipe and gulley systems.

“The aim is to ensure prompt and cost-effective removal of surface water during and immediately after rainfall. Optimum balance of cost efficiency and performance is achieved by parallel drainage runs at 30-35mm intervals across the drainage area.

“The improvements we’ve made to the design of Safeticurb will reduce installation time and costs, and improve the rate at which water can drain away.”
With correct design and installation, ongoing maintenance needs should be minimal.

For further information, including technical data sheets, visit www.aggregate.com/safeticurb. For technical support, please call 01335 372222.

/by

A sustainable approach puts Charcon top of the class at Manchester Metropolitan University

Charcon, the commercial hard landscaping product range of Aggregate Industries, has successfully completed delivery of over 2,000 tonnes of landscaping materials to Manchester Metropolitan University’s new £140 million sustainable campus in Hulme.

Materials including 7,501m² of EcoPave, 4,521lm of Eco Countryside Kerb, 896lm of wide top Eco Countryside Kerb units and 398 EcoPave step units have been supplied alongside 1,051m² of Charcon premium Andover Textured flag and block paving. The products, which were specified due to their sustainable qualities and unique range of shading, provided optimum design flexibility and strong visual appeal.

The use of Charcon’s Eco range helped Manchester Met to meet the project’s sustainability targets. With the new student accommodation being amongst the most sustainable buildings in the UK, Aggregate Industries’ Eco Countryside Kerb and EcoPave block paving were the perfect choice for the University.

EcoPave Textured contains up to 50 per cent recycled and reclaimed materials, while Eco Countryside Kerb is made with up to 82 per cent recycled and reclaimed material. Developed to maximise resource productivity, the products provide optimum use of finite resources by minimising waste and incorporating high proportions of non-primary materials.

The paving has been utilised to complement the external design of the teaching facilities and student accommodation, and blend in with campus surroundings.

In addition to providing materials, Aggregate Industries helped develop bespoke kerb angles and Eco units, providing on-site landscaping solutions. Contrasting Charcon step inserts were incorporated into the design to reduce the risk of slips and increase visibility.

Mike Davies, Specifications Manager at Aggregate Industries, said “The Birley Campus project has been an exciting one to work on and we are delighted our Charcon product range and expert advisory role on-site have been able to contribute to such a prestigious educational facility.

“The Eco range of paving and kerbing is highly sustainable and durable, meaning the University is environmentally friendly without having to compromise on quality or functionality.”
Manchester Met’s vision was to create “the most sustainable campus in the UK”. The new Birley Campus represents an exciting chapter in the ongoing regeneration of Hulme, and is breathing new life into a site earmarked for development since clearance in the 1990s.

The new campus opens up new paths of higher education to local people and is at the heart of the community for residents to benefit from the facilities, training and knowledge at hand. A brand new centre for teacher training and health facilities will educate up to 6,000 professionals for the region’s schools, hospitals, health and social services. Over 300 new jobs will be created and the local economy in Hulme and Moss Side will be boosted by £29 million.

To find out more about the Charcon range of products, visit www.aggregate.com.

/by

Lugano Paving from Brett Landscaping completes clubhouse at prestigious royal southern yacht club

The cool, contemporary lines of the Lugano flag paving from Brett Landscaping have helped to create an impressive yet welcoming exterior to the prestigious Royal Southern Yacht Club in Hamble, Southampton.

Established in 1837 and with a long line of royal patrons, the yacht club moved to the Hamble in 1934 and has since created a contemporary, yet sympathetically designed club house. The large area surrounding the club is multifunctional, being used as an entrance to the club house itself, an outdoor seating area, and a walk way to the pontoons – and being the first feature visitors see on arrival at the yacht club it was imperative that it mirrored the high quality of the rest of the development.

Alan Feltham, General Manager/Club Secretary at the Royal Southern Yacht Club, explains: “Our aim was to create a clean, comfortable area in which our members and visitors could relax, whilst still maintaining an impressive club house entrance and a practical pathway to the pontoons.”

It was these factors which led chartered landscape architects, Influence Environment Ltd, based in Fareham, Hampshire, to Brett Landscaping after extensive research. Landscape architect, Suzie Leiber, explains, “Our brief was to improve the external space for the Clubhouse with creating an elegant terrace area which would be suitable for future events at the yacht club. After consultations with yacht club members on the different design options from fluid to more formal, it was decided to go with the final scheme resulting the simple, contemporary terrace which addresses the relationships with the Hamble Conservation Area.

“After researching various suppliers, we decided to work with Brett. They have been extremely easy to work with and their product knowledge is second to none. The location required sustainable materials, robust enough for the coastal environment whilst providing aesthetic value. Brett also provided us with product samples, allowing us to see how the different style of paving would work in situ. We decided to use the newly launched Lugano due to its simple elegance, naturalistic feel, and choice of colours, which allowed us to distinguish between the terrace and the walkways.”

The Lugano flag paving range helped to create the required modern, elegant, and clean space around the yacht club. With a high level of slip resistance, helping to keep visitors safe, as well as exceptional durability, Lugano also met the functional requirements in an area with a high level of pedestrian traffic.

Over the 600m² area a combination of both Silver Grey and Graphite Grey Lugano paving has been used. The light Silver Grey is the predominant colour covering the majority of the area producing a light and spacious feel, whilst the darker Graphite Grey has been used to denote walkways as well as creating a striking contrast to the rest of the terrace.

The installation was completed by Hampshire-based Raymond Brown Construction, who confirmed: “The paving solution provided by Brett Landscaping was the best choice for this project, both for its appealing aesthetics but also for its robustness and anti-slip properties which are both imperative in an environment such as this.”

For more information please visit www.brettpaving.co.uk.

/by

Sika Liquid Plastics solution allows Asda store to remain open during roof refurb

A popular Scunthorpe supermarket has recently benefited from a complete roof refurbishment using a Sika Liquid Plastics Built-Up Roof waterproofing system. The Asda store had to remain open throughout the project, requiring expert planning by Northampton-based contractor Ice Roofing.

The building, originally constructed in 1976, was suffering from water ingress and the roof was in urgent need of repair. To ensure that the store could remain trading throughout the project, the client required a cold applied waterproofing option. Managed by Uplands Retail Ltd, the contract involved a tight timescale to refurbish several of the supermarket’s large roof areas, totalling 2000sq m.

Ice Roofing, a Sika Liquid Plastics Quality Assured contractor, already had a good reputation with Asda thanks to a number of previous jobs and were the obvious choice for the job.

Gareth Davies, Ice Roofing, explained: “We knew that our partnership with Sika Liquid Plastics would give us the advantage of additional expertise when specifying a product for the project.

“The team at Sika conducted a detailed survey, including thermal imaging using the latest technology, allowing us to see where the real problem patches where. This enabled us to reduce the area of roof we would have to completely strip back to the steel deck, which was really significant in keeping disruption to a minimum.”

A further challenge presented itself when asbestos was found in areas of the felt that needed to be stripped away. Ice Roofing brought in the experts to remove the existing substrate containing asbestos, while maintaining the integrity of the store’s waterproofing and complying with strict HSE standards.

Completed in just 10 weeks, two teams of three first increased the height of the roof by increasing the insulation thickness around various complex details. Sika Liquid Plastics’ Decothane Gamma 20 roof coating system in Slate Grey was then applied over the entire roof area. The cold applied, zero flame, zero heat Built-Up Roof system allowed the store to remain operational throughout the works; a key benefit for the local community.

A mineralised walkway was also installed to enable ease of access for future maintenance work.

Gareth added: “We worked fast and smart to deliver a seamless finish on the roof, with the liquid system offering ease of application around plant and penetrations. The superior 20-year guarantee, signed off by Sika Liquid Plastics when works were completed, sealed the deal for the client.”

Decothane is available in the UK from Sika Liquid Plastics. For further information visit http://gbr.liquidplastics.sika.com or call the inquiry line on 0800 112 3826.

/by

Sika Liquid Plastics protects National Sailing Academy from the elements

Sat on the seafront in Pwllheli, North Wales, the Welsh National Sailing Academy and Events Centre boasts stunning architecture and design, but was a challenging build. Anglesey-based Weatherwell Roofing was contracted to waterproof the roof and walls, during a winter project that required the skilful application of a variety of Sika Liquid Plastics products.

Due to the location of the sailing academy, standing between the dunes and marina of Pwllheli, the main requirement of Ellis Williams Architects was to achieve a striking design that could withstand the elements. Any products used on the project would have to offer a flawless finish alongside durability and strength, backed by guarantees.

Sika Liquid Plastics’ liquid applied waterproofing systems fitted the bill and were specified across the building envelope. On the gabion walls, a Decothane Gamma 20 system was used, and on the concrete walls, a Sikalastic 618 15 year coating. All of the gabion walls were waterproofed down to the foundations of the building, with the liquid system seamlessly joining the walls to the roof areas. This created a 100% waterproof junction between the two, an extremely important factor for a building that must weather the coastal environment. In addition, Decothane has excellent elastic properties, making it UV stable and tolerant of thermal movement.

For the cold roofs, warm roofs and green roof area, totalling over 1000sq m, Decothane Delta 25 with applied on to various primed surfaces, from concrete deck to a mix of flat board and tapered Decotherm insulation. All the roof areas were covered by timer decking for use as viewing galleries and cafe seating areas, where a Sika Liquid Plastics protective layer was also used.

Kristian Lewis, Weatherwell company manager, said “We completed our portion of the project in 14 weeks, despite working through winter in very difficult conditions. Even in low temperatures we were able to expertly apply the Sika Liquid Plastics waterproofing membranes. The liquid applied nature of the products allowed us to get a great finish, even around the more complex detailing.

“It’s great to be involved in a project that will give so much back to the local community and open the door for new sailors in the area.”

The Sika Liquid Plastics technical team were on hand throughout the project to offer expert guidance, from initial design and specification to quality control during installation and final inspection, resulting in the issue of single point guarantees.

The National Sailing Academy, commissioned by Gwynedd County Council, secured funding of over £8m for its construction, in order to increase opportunities for the surrounding community and boost the local economy. The facility has been constructed to BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standards with sustainable features including biomass heating, solar panels and rainwater harvesting. Officially opened in the summer of 2015, the centre acts as a hub for national and international sailing events, as well as hosting a number of clubs and training activities.

Decothane is available throughout the UK from Sika Liquid Plastics. For further information visit http://gbr.liquidplastics.sika.com or call the Enquiry Line on 0800 112 3826.

/by

Polypipe provides perfect attenuation solution for new housing development

Polypipe, the UK’s leading manufacturer of engineered sustainable drainage solutions, has seen its popular Ridgistorm-XL large diameter piping system installed as part of a water management attenuation solution for residential developers Kensington Developments.

Situated in the village of Marton, near Blackpool, the Magnolia Point development consists of 45 detached and 38 semi-detached three and four bedroom new family homes.

Due to the layout of the site, there was a limited public open space available to install a suitable attenuation system capable of storing the required stormwater for the development. Polypipe was approached to review the initial site drainage plan and worked alongside Consultant Engineer, Elluc Projects Ltd to design an alternative solution to meet the needs of both a 1 in 30 and 1 in 100 year storm events under Section 104 agreement.

The selected system was required to fit within an area of 1.25km² and store 680m3 of stormwater. In order to meet these requirements Elluc Projects Ltd specified an attenuation tank formed of 482m of Ridgistorm-XL 1200mm diameter SN2 pipe and fittings. Polypipe was able to take into account the site conditions in order to engineer the Ridgistorm-XL system to exact structural calculations. These calculations ensured that the Ridgistorm-XL system was designed to accommodate vehicles onsite, both during the backfilling and post installation.

The modularised system boasted 17 pipe runs as well as 20 prefabricated fittings, including 17 1200mm 90 degree bends, C and F sections, as well as 3 1800mm RIDGISTORMAccess Manholes. The system was connected together with sealing rings, the simplest jointing method which does not require welding, helping to save time during the installation.

Manufactured in Polypipe’s in-house specialist facility, the Ridgistorm-XL system was delivered to site in ready-to-install modular units, allow for easy handling, whilst reducing the need for heavy plant and minimising time and installation cost.

Richard Fox, Quantity Surveyor at Kensington Developments, said: “It was of paramount importance that the attenuation system used could be designed to fit into our limited available footprint. Polypipe’s pre-fabrication facilities meant that the system was designed and delivered to fit. The pre-fabricated fittings also assisted for a speedier installation, and reduced health and safety risks on site.”

Vikki Woodhouse, WMS Residential Manager at Polypipe Civils, said: “We have vast experience in providing water management solutions. The Ridgistorm-XL attenuation tank needed to be designed to fit within the limited space available and so Polypipe’s technical experts were on-hand to advise on the design from the beginning of the project. We were given a very unique project and designed a fully engineered system, taking all of Kensington Development’s requirements into consideration providing expert stormwater for the site.”

The installation of the Ridgistorm-XL attenuation system was completed in September 2015.

For more information please visit www.polypipe.com.

/by

Alutec and the future of housebuilding

Alutec’s aluminium rainwater systems have been installed on a landmark new housing project developed by Wienerberger, the leading provider of wall, roof and landscaping innovations. The Wienerberger e4 brick house™ at the BRE Innovation Park has been designed to be a future archetype for sustainable and affordable housing in the UK.

Designed in conjunction with global engineering and design consultancy ARUP, the e4 brick house™ is based around four fundamental principles of energy, economy, environment and emotion. Designed using Building Information Modelling (BIM), the Wienerberger e4 brick house™ has a build time of just 12 weeks, which is around half that of standard housing, and has the flexibility to work just as effectively through shared ownership as it would for a privately-owned home.

Central to the project’s ethos is the use of market leading building products and solutions that offer excellent sustainability credentials as well as high levels of performance. Specified for the coping, fascia and soffit system was Alutec’s Evoke range in RAL7016 Anthracite Grey. Made from highly durable composite aluminium, the Evoke range has a life expectancy of 50 years or more and features a unique nano self-cleaning coat resulting in minimal maintenance requirements.

Also specified was Alutec’s Evolve Half Round guttering and downpipes in the same colour. The Evolve product range is manufactured from marine grade aluminium and as this high quality material is so impervious to corrosion, it provides the same 50-year life expectancy as the coping, fascia and soffit. In addition, aluminium is also extremely light – up to 65 per cent lighter than cast iron alternatives – making it much safer to handle on site and quicker to install.

Paul Surin, Head of Built Environment at Wienerberger, commented: “The Wienerberger e4 brick house represents a significant step forward in the progression of UK housing and offers an accessible model that can be implemented now. Choosing the right materials was therefore crucial in achieving a build that met the strict requirements the future industry will demand and that we set for ourselves.

“Alutec’s products were a perfect fit in this respect as their longevity, sustainability and low maintenance requirements meant we could deliver not only the type of building we wanted to but the intended lifestyle for the future residents as well.

Importantly, Alutec’s products are available as BIM components which meant they could be seamlessly integrated into the design and allowed us to meet the tight deadlines we had set ourselves for the build of this project.”

Alutec has the most comprehensive BIM portfolio of components of any rainwater product manufacturer and has an experienced technical team that can assist with bespoke design and project management. What’s more, Alutec’s products installed on the Wienerberger e4 brick house are full recyclable at the end of their extended life span, making them some of the most sustainable products available in the UK.

Designed to achieve standards such as the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 without renewables, 2016 Part L and complying with Lifetime Homes and the London Housing Design Guide, the Wienerberger e4 brick house provides a real solution to the current housing crisis.

For more information about Alutec please visit: www.marleyalutec.co.uk.

For more information about Wienerberger and the e4 brick house please visit: www.wienerberger.co.uk/e4-house

/by

A final coating to put others in the shade

The first new building to open in Northampton’s flagship Waterside Enterprise Zone is the £8.5m University of Northampton Innovation Centre, seen as a hub for organisations that deliver social impact. This striking six floor cubic building leaves the onlooker in no doubt that Northampton’s new development means business.

Locally based Powdertech Corby Ltd powder coated the solar shading system on the exterior of the building, a contract worth £11K.

Richard Besant, Powdertech Corby Sales Director commented “We coated over 1800 individual sections comprising fins, end plates and brackets, in a premium quality Valspar architectural powder, RAL 9010 white matt. When we viewed the completed building at the end of the job, we could appreciate the fabulous visual effect these solar shades create, in addition to being part of a highly functional design.”

Vertical solar shading fins on the north, east and west side of the building will shade the windows from summer sun and moderate solar gain. They improve the insulation value of glass in the winter by acting as a windbreak. On the south side of the building, horizontal solar shading fins, across the windows, will reduce glare and solar heat gain in the summer but also allow low winter sunlight to shine through in the colder darker months.

Architectural powder coatings are especially suited for use on solar shading systems. The powders have excellent gloss retention, resistance to corrosion and UV light and will last for up to 40 years without significant colour change.

The Waterside Enterprise Zone is part of the Northampton Alive regeneration scheme and incorporates a new £330m campus for the city’s University alongside global brands and thriving small businesses.

For further information on Powdertech (Corby) Ltd and the benefits of powder coating please call 01536 400890,visit www.powdertechcorby.co.uk or email Richard.b@powdertech.co.uk.

/by

Winter Wrapped Up!

To help you prepare for the colder months we’ve got winter wrapped up with our comprehensive range of winter safety products. Turbocast 800™ towable grit spreader can be used as a broadcast or drop spreader. Turbocast 800 will hold approximately 10 x 25kg bags of rock salt and gives controlled, accurate coverage up to 8 metres width at speeds from 5-20mph. Turbocast 300™ manual grit spreader spreads to a width of between 3 and 7 metres with minimum effort and can be easily pushed along, even when fully laden. Nestor 400 grit bin has a double skinned lid for supreme strength and durability. The weight of the lid is sufficient to minimise the risk of it opening in strong winds and therefore protects the contents from adverse weather conditions.

Glasdon UK Limited
Telephone: 01253 600410
E-mail: sales@glasdon-uk.co.uk
Website: www.gritbins.co.uk

/by