New SFS Flat Roofing Catalogue now available

SFS, the world’s leading manufacturer of fastener solutions for the building envelope, has published a new catalogue for its flat roofing product range which is presented in a user-friendly format.

Now available to download at www.sfsintec.co.uk and to request as a printed catalogue, the new 200+ page Flat Roofing Catalogue is a comprehensive update to the previous issue to reflect the extensive range of products and systems offered by SFS. The catalogue details the innovative solutions available for the three main SFS systems – the isofast® fully metallic system, the isotak® thermal break fastening system and the isoweld® induction welding system.

The easy-to-use format, makes finding the right SFS product quick and simple and encompasses fastener solutions for steel, concrete and timber deck, along with critical decks and a new section for flashings, upstands and termination bars. It also includes details of fasteners for metal deck to steel and timber structures, as well as information on SFS’s tools and accessories. The catalogue is also available on SFS’s interactive e-Literature platform at www.sfsliterature.com along with its Roofing and Cladding Catalogue.

Martyn Holloway, SFS Flat Roofing Business Unit Manager, comments: “The new catalogue provides an easy to follow guide to our market-leading range of fastening systems for flat roofing. This will assist customers to choose a reliable, fully approved and easy to install solution for fixing membrane, insulation and termination bar to every type of substrate.”

The new Flat Roofing Catalogue is part of SFS’s extensive programme of support for roofing contractors, specifiers and membrane suppliers. This includes UK-wide sales and technical teams who provide on-site pull-out testing, wind load calculations and resources including BIM data and project support where required, as well as training facilities to ensure the best possible result in the finished building envelope.

Expert technical support has been at the core of SFS’s success in serving the building envelope market for more than 30 years with a wide range of fasteners for flat roof, pitched roof and façade construction. Operating from its UK HQ in Leeds, the company is part of the Swiss-based SFS Group which has annual sales in excess of £1.1bn and a history dating back to the 1950s serving customers in the construction, automotive, electronics, industrial and medical products markets.

Download the new Flat Roofing Catalogue now at www.sfsintec.co.uk or use the e-Literature site to navigate the catalogue online – www.sfsliterature.com
/0 Comments/by

Flying light

Kalwall® translucent cladding has transformed the newly completed 4,200 square metre extension at Indiana’s South Bend Regional Airport.

Designed by architects Ken Herceg and Associates, the new terminal comprises five gates, restaurants, gift shops and break-out areas all housed under an architecturally exposed, steel-framed barrel vault structure that simulates the structure of an aircraft wing. This is covered with a curved Kalwall Skyroof® 10 metres wide and 180 metres long.

As passengers exit the dark and windowless TSA screening area, they are bathed in welcoming and natural daylight with unimpeded views across the runways. Kalwall eliminates shadows and glare and the stark contrasts of light and shade. The system also enhances simplicity by doing away with the need for blinds, curtains or solar control. Even on cloudy days, the interior is flooded with natural daylight, which means less artificial lighting and, because Kalwall is highly insulating, energy costs are reduced. The standard Kalwall 70mm thick panel offers insulation up to 0.28W/m2K – equivalent to a cavity filled brick wall, whilst still allowing for up to 15% visible light transmittance.

The architects made good use of Kalwall’s free daylight modelling service on this project. Daylight Modelling is the way to calculate the most effective daylighting for any type of building. It is calculated using five years’ worth of real world weather files at the exact location of the building together with information on day, time, position and weather patterns. This generates an in-depth report on interior lux levels, a glare pattern analysis and radiance Illuminance – a snapshot of the ambient lux level (light) at any given time on daylight penetration at any time of the day or on any day in the year.

Kalwall is frequently specified for this type of prestige project where high-end performance and quality need to be coupled with aesthetics, practicality and a long life cycle. Not only does Kalwall provide a neat and cost-effective solution but it also offers complete line-of-sight protection and is highly vandal and impact resistant. It is also ideal for areas considered as a high value target not only because is it FM (Factory Mutual) approved but also because its unique fabrication means that any blast is mitigated. Unlike glass, splintering and serious injury are greatly reduced in the event of an explosion as Kalwall is shatterproof.

Case studies and technical information are available from Structura UK Ltd on tel: 01233 501 504 or by visiting www.structura-uk.com/kalwall.
/0 Comments/by

Added Green Roof protection for former WWII bunker

Originally built in 1941 as a special decoy target for German bombers, The Decoy Bunker is tucked away in the rolling hillsides of Monmouthshire and has been fully restored as a unique holiday home.

As the bunker had to blend directly into the hillside, a highly durable waterproofing system was needed to provide full protection against water travelling down from the surrounding landscape: a green roof waterproofing solution that would provide the desired ‘camouflage’ effect by using the existing soil and grass from the surrounding landscape.

Alumasc’s Registered Contractors Span Roofing installed Blackdown Greenroof Drainage Layers, Intensive Substrate and Washed Pebble Ballast to finish the green roof. A Derbigum Black Anti-Root Built-Up System sits below the green roof and provides a highly reliable waterproofing solution and maximum peace of mind for the future, as the Derbigum system holds 40-year durability certification with the BBA (British Board of Agrément).

Further details about Alumasc’s full range of waterproofing systems can be found at www.alumascroofing.co.uk or call the Alumasc technical team on 03335 771 500.
/0 Comments/by

Cembrit Slates Turn Heads in Dursley

Easy to install Cembrit Moorland Blue/Black slates have been used on phase two of St Modwen’s new build housing development in Dursley, Gloucestershire. Chosen for their attractive appearance, and following a successful phase one, the Moorlands were once again supplied by Willis Westcott and installed by Mcdonnell-Price, a local roofing contractor.

The properties at Littlecombe have been built using a blend of modern and traditional materials which gives the development a timeless appeal. The Moorland Blue/Black slates provide a contrast with the light coloured fascia materials and surrounding greenery. This clean appearance is enhanced by the first class installation work carried out by McDonnell-Price across the development, which features roofs with Velux windows and many vents and valleys, alongside several pitch variants of between 30 and 45 degrees. Brandon McDonnell, of McDonnell-Price is very satisfied with the end result:

“I’m pleased with the way the project came together – everything just seemed to click into place. We like Cembrit’s Moorland slates and with a project like this, one that involves a lot of detail, it was good to have a slate that is lightweight, as well as easy to cut and fix. I also like the way dark Blue/Black colour stands out and nicely defines the roof lines against the surroundings.”

Moorland 600×300 slates were supplied by Willis Westcott, a large roofing supplies merchant in the region, as well as ‘doubles’ for the verges. The slates are fixed with two copper nails at the top of each slate with a copper rivet supporting the bottom of each slate. Moorland slates have an appearance close to that of natural slate. Their smooth surface and authentic dressed edges lend themselves to all manner of prestigious applications. They are manufactured to the highest European standards and are lightweight, pre-holed, suitable for all types of projects, easy to handle and install, durable and an economic alternative to natural roofing materials.

Moorland slates are manufactured using Portland cement together with a non-asbestos formulation of superior blended synthetic and cellulose fibres. Moorland slates are pigmented during production and are fully compressed. They are finished with a high quality, semi-matt acrylic coloured coating to the top face and edges and a tinted, high performance binder to the back face.

For further information visit www.cembrit.co.uk, email sales@cembrit.co.uk or tel: +44 0208 320 1184.

/0 Comments/by

SFS reports strong sales growth as it unveils first complete envelope package

(Photo caption: the recently completed new Alchemist bar and restaurant at Salford Quays, which features a striking golden building envelope installed by Longworth, created using fastening systems by SFS. Courtesy of Artez / James Andrews.)

Global group sales growth of 13.7% in 2017 for fastening systems manufacturer SFS, reflects the growing customer demand here in the UK for high performance fixing solutions for the building envelope, which the company is set to support further with its unveiling of the industry’s first complete package for rainscreen systems.

In addition to an expanded range of SFS-branded products and services being readied for launch in 2018, the company now offers Nvelope rainscreen support systems after the manufacturer joined the SFS family in 2016. This enables SFS to provide high performance Nvelope bracket and rail systems for rainscreen cladding and SFS-branded fasteners as one package, offering important warranty benefits and a simplified supply chain.

An extension to this package is also available to customers seeking to incorporate a working at height safety system as part of their envelope project. This is provided by SFS with its industry-leading Soter Safety Systems solutions, giving specifiers and contractors the assurance that key elements of the building envelope’s construction and installation are provided by a market-leader renowned for its technical excellence.

Across the globe, SFS provides fastening solutions in a diverse range of industries, including medical equipment, automotive, electronics and industrial. In the UK, SFS is synonymous with high performance fasteners for roofing and cladding, as well as other structural applications, and its range of precision-engineered door hinges. Over the last 12 months, its organic sales have grown strongly by 7.4%, to achieve overall sales of around £1.24bn (CHF 1.633bn Swiss Francs).

David Wigglesworth, UK Managing Director of SFS, said: “The SFS brand stands for quality and engineering excellence, so our customers can be confident that every solution we provide meets the highest expectations. Nvelope and Soter Safety System are, therefore, perfect additions to the SFS family as architects seek greater certainty on building envelope quality and performance, and installers look to solutions that help them work quicker, more profitably and safer.

“With our new family of systems, SFS is unique in the market in providing a complete solution that is underpinned by quality and reliability. Customers of SFS fasteners have long benefited from the extended life of our superior A4 stainless steel fasteners, often with powder coated colour finishes for outstanding visual appeal, and our innovative flat roofing systems, but they can now access so much more for projects incorporating rainscreen and where a reliable safety system is required.”

Superior quality products backed by expert technical support has been at the core of SFS’s success in serving the building envelope market for more than 30 years with a wide range of solutions for pitched roof, façade and flat roof construction. The company is part of the SFS Group which has annual sales in excess of £1.1bn and a history dating back to the 1950s serving customers in the construction, automotive, electronics, industrial and medical products markets.

Find out more about SFS at www.sfsintec.co.uk.
/0 Comments/by

New appointments to drive ‘The Difference is Visqueen’ strategy

Visqueen, the market leader in the manufacture and supply of structural waterproofing and gas protection systems has announced a number of new roles for its team as part of its 2018 strategy that will further enhance the company’s range of services to the construction and building sectors. Under its new ‘The Difference is Visqueen’ campaign, the appointments underline and support Visqueen’s strong relationships with customers, contractors and builders’ merchants.

Phil Bull is now General Manager for the Visqueen construction business and will lead the business in its drive to increase sales across both structural waterproofing and gas protection systems.

Laura Guy takes on the role of National Sales Manager, responsible for all Builders Merchants sales. Laura will work with both the Technical and Commercial teams in order to best facilitate strong relationships as Visqueen moves forward.

Additionally, James Walsh becomes Regional Manager for the North including Scotland and Tony Goode is Regional Manager for the South, with both reporting to Nik Ullfors, Visqueen’s National Technical Manager. Lucinda Holmes is also promoted to Marketing Communications Manager and will provide marketing support across Visqueen’s construction business.

‘The Difference is Visqueen’ campaign will highlight Visqueen’s developing range of solutions for the construction industry, providing not just market leading products but also delivering a comprehensive variety of services including the new Visqueen Training Academy, fostering strong relationships with builder’s merchants as part of Specialist Centres and supporting design in construction projects through the Special Projects service.

“With our new business structure, we are ideally positioned to build on our strengths both as a market leader in waterproofing and gas protection and as a company that is focused on delivering for all its stakeholders” said Phil Bull.

“Our new team is ideally positioned to show that when it comes to providing solutions for the construction trade – ‘The Difference Is Visqueen”.

For more information please visit www.visqueen.com.
/0 Comments/by

Altro creates a relaxing environment for playful dachshunds

Pigglefairy Puppies, based near Kings Lynn, is a council-licenced breeder of Kennel Club registered miniature Dachshunds. The kennel where the dogs slept was five years old, and was starting to look tired. It needed a refit, and owner Debbie Casemore wanted a solution that would not stress the dogs. She also needed a quick turnaround to make sure the dogs were able to return to the kennel quickly.

Debbie said: “I wanted the best for the dogs, and hygiene is so important for their welfare. I wanted an easy to clean floor and wall solution that would have no edges or crevices for the dogs to chew on. It also had to be quick to fit so the dogs could go back to their routine.”

Altro Cantata™ was chosen to provide an easy to clean floor that would be quick to install. Altro Cantata is installed without adhesive, which is a benefit when adhesive smells can cause stress. Altro Whiterock™ Satins in ‘Fawn’ was chosen as an easy to maintain and hygienic solution that looked good.

Debbie continued: “The colours of Altro Cantata and Altro Whiterock Satins are nice and neutral, and look really professional and clean.”

Altro Cantata and Altro Whiterock Satins were installed by Simon Johnson at Simply Interiors. Simon said: “Since Altro adhesive-free floors were launched, it now makes up approximately 80% of our safety flooring jobs. The speed for clients and us has proved invaluable! Altro Cantata is a great addition to the range.”

Altro Cantata is a decorative, adhesive-free floor that creates maximum impact with minimum downtime. Using Altro’s award-winning adhesive-free installation method, it can be welded and walked on the same day, and at the end of its life can be removed easily, allowing it to be reused or recycled. It is ideal for busy public spaces where disruption needs to be minimal, plus there are no associated adhesive odours. Altro Cantata’s 16 soft-look shades, which range from subtle naturals to beautifully vivid, enable you to set the desired tone yet it also has the durability needed for medium to high traffic areas.

Altro Whiterock Satins provides a stain-resistant, wipeclean surface. Available in a range of solid, satin-finish shades – from subtle pastels through to vivid brights – Altro Whiterock Satins can be used where aesthetics are important.

For more information please visit www.altro.co.uk.
/0 Comments/by

ROCKWOOL® and Rockpanel® partner in award-winning Midlands development

ROCKWOOL® and Rockpanel® have joined forces in developing a high performance, fire resilient cladding project which has transformed three high-rise residential towers for Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.

The Challenge

The Crofts in Smethwick consists of 270 homes within Ashcroft, Birchcroft and Elmcroft houses.

This development is located on a major arterial route into the city of Birmingham within a district that ranked 12th out of 326 in terms of deprivation in a 2010 study of the country. The three tower blocks, originally constructed in the 1960s, were in universally poor condition, showing signs of major wear and tear to the building fabric, windows, roofing and balconies. In the absence of any wall insulation, they were also proving very difficult to heat and especially challenging to keep warm for those tenants living in fuel poverty.

Refurbishment at The Crofts also offered an opportunity for Sandwell Council to rejuvenate not just these high-rise homes but also the wider area as they sought to bring a renewed sense of pride in their surroundings to residents and the local community.

The Solution

This two year, £11 million project for contractor, Keepmoat Regeneration, has involved a dramatic, top-to-bottom renovation of each tower at The Crofts.

Substantial improvements have included flat-to-pitched roof conversions with solar panel installations, new windows and striking new balcony enclosures, redecorated communal areas, asbestos removal and the installation of a highly efficient, aesthetically attractive and non-combustible insulated cladding solution supplied by sister brands, ROCKWOOL® and Rockpanel.

ROCKWOOL’s RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® is the non-combustible dual density insulation board fitted at The Crofts. It offers a robust outer surface and a resilient inner face designed specifically for application to this type of high rise development. Made from stone wool, RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB® is A1 fire rated for optimum fire resilience. It also has the benefit of high resistance to wind and rain during construction, which, together with the minimal number of fixings required, makes installation quicker and easier for contractors. At The Crofts, the product has been tightly butt jointed, knitting together to deliver effective thermal insulation at 0.035 W/mK at the same time as it minimises any heat loss that could arise from gaps between insulation boards.

For the exterior cladding the extra fire safe façade board Rockpanel FS-Xtra has been used to provide the attractive aesthetic finish on the project. Applied on top of an aluminium supporting structure and fixed with blind rivets, these Rockpanel ‘FS-Xtra’ boards, in combination with ROCKWOOL’s RAINSCREEN DUO SLAB®, meet the requirements for European fire classA2-s1,d0. The boards also weigh very little compared to other board materials and can be easily worked with on site, with no special tools required. This saves installation time and costs. Installed on this project by Astley Facades, Rockpanel FS-Xtra boards are available in a wide range of different finishes and colours. A mixture of vibrant Rockpanel Colours, such as RAL 3009 and 5011, has been supplied at The Crofts.

The Result

“We’re extremely proud of the work we have been able to do here at The Crofts,” said a spokesperson from Sandwell Council. “These improvements have made a massive impact on both the internal and external appearance of the blocks, as well as the local skyline. And, the much improved insulation offered by the eye-catching cladding will help reduce fuel bills for tenants.”

A huge uplift in energy performance will result from these improvements. In fact, Sandwell Council estimates that, in total, approximately 9,600 tonnes of carbon will be saved every year.

The Crofts has picked up two awards for corporate social responsibility, including a Bronze in the 2015 International Corporate Social Responsibility Awards and a first prize in the Delivering Social Value category at the 2016 National Federation of Builders Awards.

Ultimately, the project has made a significant impact in the local community. These three tower blocks are not merely visibly transformed, they are more energy efficient residences and they are also beacons of hope for tenants and the community of Smethwick.

For more information please visit www.rockwool.co.uk and www.rockpanel.co.uk.
/0 Comments/by

Harmer’s new RIBA-approved CPD boosts understanding of rainwater drainage

The latest RIBA-approved CPD from Harmer Drainage offers in-depth insight into modern rainwater drainage systems and their importance in protecting buildings from water damage. The one hour seminar, entitled ‘Internal Rainwater Drainage – Design and Specification’, is aimed at educating architects and engineers about the importance of a well-designed drainage system.

The CPD addresses national and regional rainfall characteristics and how this affects design and product choice, as well as how to meet the British Standard requirements for gravity drainage systems.

Seminar attendees will be able to relate different roof constructions with the detailing of rainwater outlets, identify pipe materials and methods of connection, and understand the importance of robust specification in rainwater systems. Maintenance, inspections and incorporating blue and green roof systems are also covered.

The Harmer seminar forms part of RIBA’s CPD core curriculum. Architects are required to complete 20 hours CPD on these core subjects per year, plus an additional 15 hours on topics of their choice.

Harmer’s National Sales Manager Wayne Willmott who wrote the CPD says: “It’s vital for architects and engineers to dedicate time and consideration to rainwater drainage systems in order to avoid roofing failures. This CPD covers the main points to think about and ensure the right elements are in place to protect buildings from rainfall.”

Harmer Drainage, part of Alumasc Water Management Solutions (AWMS), is the UK’s leading manufacturer of metal drainage products, managing water inside and outside the building.

To book a seminar or find out more, call AWMS Marketing on 01536 383 810 or email info@alumascwms.co.uk.

For more information visit www.harmerdrainage.co.uk. Follow @HarmerDrainage
/0 Comments/by

Natural Paving fits the bill for Anderson Group

The Talasey Group is delighted to have supplied a range of its Natural Paving products to a housing development in Essex, which is being built on the site of the former Tottenham Hotspur Football Club training ground.

The new development consists of 60 houses and is situated in a leafy area of Chigwell, surrounded by fields and trees and in close proximity to the River Roding. The Talasey Group has supplied approximately 2,990 metres of its Natural Paving’s Promenade Classicstone Sandstone, which has been installed across all of the homes.

The developer, Anderson Group, has built both a school and the homes that surround it. The ambition was to create a typical Essex village plan, using different house styles to create an attractive community. Therefore it was essential that the products used on the properties were versatile and would look good across the different types of dwellings.

Speaking about the project, Mark Thurston, Procurement Manager at Anderson Group commented: “One of the biggest challenges when working on a project of this scope is the need for products that are high quality but also cost-effective. These were the criteria that led us to choosing Natural Paving products, as the stone available was a perfect fit, with remarkable texture, colour and price. We’ve been very impressed with the company’s paving solutions and look set to use them again on another upcoming job.”

Looking for a stone that would complement the green spaces of the properties’ gardens, Anderson Group eventually settled on the Promenade Classic Sandstone, which has a cool colour palette. Whilst mostly grey in hue, the flagstone can weather over time to expose brown and buff tones. It forms part of Natural Paving’s popular Classicstone collection of CE Marked and ethically sourced products that can be used to create a warm and rustic look.

Anderson Group first decided on using the sandstone paving after liaising with local builders merchants, Sliverton Aggregrates Ltd. Anderson had asked the merchants to put forward a range of sandstone choices for the development’s outdoor environment but hadn’t specified any particular colour or style. After viewing a range of choices they settled for Natural Paving goods on grounds of the product’s colour and shade.

Speaking on his role in the project, Mark Buckle, Customer Sales at Silverton Aggregrates Ltd commented “We were approached by Anderson to put forward a sandstone option for this development. Natural Paving was the third company we presented to them and they were very impressed. In fact, Anderson has specified the goods on another development.”

“Over the duration of the project, I experienced no problems working with Natural Paving, part of the Talasey Group. When necessary, the company was helpful and responsive. Late on in the development, Anderson Group changed the specification from single size stones to larger packs. It was a challenging moment and we didn’t have much time to react. Thankfully, Shaun Utting of the Talasey Group was on hand to resolve the issue. “

The aforementioned Shaun Utting, who was in charge of helping Anderson Group deliver the project commented “This is a stand-out project in a notable location and something that we’re really proud to be a part of. As we operate a merchant only sales policy, Anderson Group purchased all their products through one of our merchant partners and it’s exciting to see our customer network having the opportunity to supply such a prestigious project.”

For more information about The Talasey Group or Natural Paving Products, please visit www.talasey.co.uk and www.naturalpaving.co.uk. 
/0 Comments/by