Rinnai’s energysaver space heaters impress installers

Rinnai Energysaver fanned convection powered flue gas fired space heaters are designed specifically for use in large buildings where the range continues to expand its fan base.

Schools, community centres, libraries, conservatories and churches are all benefiting from the fast warm up of big spaces offered by the technically outstanding engineering of the Rinnai units with their low running costs.

The Rinnai Energysaver range delivers energy-efficient and consistent warm air powered by Natural Gas and LPG options and is built with fully modulating burners so heat output and energy input is reduced as the space warms up. Rinnai has successfully come up with a solution that heats from the floor up and by modulating gas usage in relation to room temperature, provides unparalleled levels of comfort combined with efficiency.

The range has recently been enhanced with the addition of the Rinnai Energysaver 559FT, along with a makeover of the popular Energysaver 309FTR. The heaters blend effortlessly into the background in line with the style demands of modern interiors.

The Rinnai Energysaver 559FT offers an 88% reduction in energy consumption when the unit is on standby and has BMS functionality as an optional component making the appliance even more flexible.

The operation board is an easy to operate touch control pad sited conveniently and discreetly on top of the appliance, (rather than on the front with a flip up cover). The unit is also supplied with a child lock to eliminate any problem of small hands tampering with the controls.

Add to these benefits timer function and eco mode combined with the new unit’s ability to heat spaces fast, and the advantages of this super efficient appliance really do stack up.

The Rinnai Energysaver 559FT turns in efficiencies of 88% which is exceptional when you consider the effective heat generator seasonal efficiency required for UK building regulations. It has an input of 5.7kW and output of 5.2kW and the streamlined unit measures 582mm x 760mm x 257mm.

The Rinnai Energysaver 309FTR, like the 559FT, turns in net efficiencies of 85.9%. It has an input of 3.4kW and output of 2.92kW.The streamlined unit measures 695mm x 465mm x 257mm. Natural Gas usage has been pegged at 0.31m3 while LPG consumption is 0.26kg/hr.

Also available from Rinnai is the Energysaver 1004T with its impressive input of 11.6kW and outputs 10.23kW. It measures 670mm x 930mm x 315mm and it has energy efficiencies of 96% under the guidance of Part L 2014. This puts it in the top rank of space heaters in its class.

Like the Energysaver 559FT the 1004T heater is suitable for BMS central timer control. This feature allows the building manager to run any number of Rinnai space heaters off a central time clock providing heat to the largest of spaces. The Energysaver Multi controller is not limited to single Energysavers as the flexibility of the system guarantees units can be mixed and matched to satisfy even the most unique building.

From the installer’s point of view the Rinnai Energysaver units are simple to deal with; there is no need for expensive (or extensive) ductwork, nor do they involve the necessity of running domestic heating circuits for radiators, or pipework to boilers. This cuts down drastically on cost and time on site.

Installers also report back that the tiny 80mm flue gives a neater finish on the outside of the building, a huge improvement on large flues and the correspondingly large holes that have to be knocked into the fabric to accommodate them.

Pete Seddon, Product Development Engineer at Rinnai UK, and a member of the technical team, explains that proven reliability and longevity have made the Rinnai range of space heaters popular over the 30 years they have been used in the UK. “They are so reliable,” he says, “they can easily last 20 years with no issues at all.”

“All models come with a 15-year warranty on the heat exchanger. This is a strong persuader for looking at the whole life costs of a new system, which well before the minimum 15 years life span is up should have more than paid for itself on energy savings.”

For more information on the RINNAI product range visit www.rinnaiuk.com
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Forbo Flooring Systems

Forbo Flooring Systems has launched Coral Click, a new versatile easy-to-fit modular matting system that bridges the gap between heavy duty, rigid engineered barrier systems and textile ‘wipe off’ matting. Coral Click delivers an attractive, cost effective and practical entrance flooring solution, well suited to the requirements of any project where disruption and downtime have to be minimised.

Comprising durable PVC tiles with contemporary Coral Brush textile inserts, Coral Click is an ‘off-the-shelf’ matting product that will effectively remove dirt and moisture from the soles of shoes and wheels treads, and withstand heavy traffic.

Available in 12mm and 17mm depths, the 24 x 24cm Coral Click tiles are exceptionally easy to install and handle thanks to their innovative ‘press and lock’ construction. With a choice of five Coral Brush inserts and different layout options, design never needs to be compromised. Tiles can be fitted in a variety of methods for improved aesthetics, including monolithic, quarter-turn and brick patterns.

Janet Lowe, Head of Marketing UK and Ireland, at Forbo Flooring Systems said: “Our new Coral Click range effectively bridges the gap between the two different types of entrance flooring systems available on the market; textile and rigid profiles – whilst providing excellent value for money.

“The closed construction of the Coral Click tiles will not only help to prevent heel trap, but it will also easily retain soiling and moisture and release it effectively when cleaned. Just two steps on Coral Click is enough for it to absorb up to half the water that would otherwise be carried inside, thanks to the Coral Brush inserts.”

Coral Click has a five-year guarantee and is suitable for a variety of applications. As the range does not contain any metal, it is particularly suited to retail premises as it will not interfere with electronic-tagging systems which are usually located near entrance doorways.

Forbo aims to develop products that can create better quality environments in which people can live, work and learn. Its Coral collections help to ensure that buildings are safe and hygienic in all weather conditions. The WELL Building Standard also recommends the use of entrance matting as an important tool to reduce pollutants entering the building.

For more information please call 0844 822 3928, email info.flooring.uk@forbo.com or visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/coralclick
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Innovation in Retail

GEZE UK is joining property professionals from across the UK and overseas at this year’s REVO Conference in Liverpool at the ACC Exhibition Hall, adjacent to the famous Albert Docks.

The event, which focuses on property development and innovation in the retail and leisure sector, opens its doors on 20th September to over 2700 attendees and exhibitors and covers a full seminar programme over the two days, plus specific events focused on tackling key development challenges for both owner and occupier alike.

GEZE UK were invited to attend and exhibit at the Digital Showcase at the conference by Mace Group, in recognition of their strong knowledge on how technological adaptations to building spaces can significantly improve both safe and comfortable passage of employees and consumers, and improve effective control of indoor climate. Attendees can discuss the clear benefits in both energy saving and increased consumer dwell time, in even temperature controlled environments through better use of efficient property technology.

Kaz Spiewakowski, managing director of GEZE UK, commented: “There is a growing trend for creating more comfortable and more engaging places in which people can spend their leisure time. Key retail establishments continue to compete for stronger consumer footfall and dwell time whilst ensuring users can enter and exit their properties efficiently and safely. Strong operational management of properties combined with attractive design, multi-functional use and innovative climate management, helps owners, investors and occupiers of these properties to concentrate their efforts on the user experience in their buildings, without the worry of whether doors and windows will perform correctly and intelligently.”

GEZE UK colleagues will be on the stand in the aptly named Digital Showcase area. Meetings can be arranged either prior to or at the event, whether to discuss property needs in more detail or learn more about the wide range of options available in new property technology for door, window and natural ventilation management from GEZE. The team will also engage in a series of interactive Pecha Kucha presentations to cover a range of topics affecting the industry.

For more information visit www.revocommunity.org or to arrange a meeting with GEZE staff, email info.uk@geze.com
www.geze.co.uk
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Win a Rinnai Continuous Flow Hot Water Heating Unit – worth over £1,000

RINNAI TO OFFER FREE UNIT TO LUCKY INSTALLER

Rinnai, manufacturer of the industry’s widest range of continuous flow gas fired water heaters, is showcasing its full range at the forthcoming INSTALLER SCOTLAND Show and is giving away FREE an 11i model – worth nearly £1000 retail – as just part of the attractions on its stand.

Rinnai has what is claimed to be the biggest range of water heating systems and units which are ‘A’ rated Energy Related Products (ErP).

Rinnai’s comprehensive range of ‘A’ rated continuous flow hot water heating units is said to be the largest currently available in the UK. ‘A’ rated Rinnai appliances range from Load profile (S) for domestic models to load profile ‘XXL’ for industrial units.

The Rinnai Infinity 11i interior unit weighs 16kg and consumes 6.10kW-21.60kW of Natural Gas and has an 11litre maximum flow rate. Integral controls on the unit ensure best efficiencies and market leading modulation ranges. Rinnai’s range of continuous flow gas fired water heaters includes heavy duty and condensing units engineered to produce the highest efficiencies and lowest running costs of any hot water heating unit. All Rinnai units meet and exceed all current and planned Building Regs and are A rated under new ErP regulations.

The Rinnai 11i combines many of these features as the applicable categories under load profile S making it perfect for domestic and light commercial applications. The 11i is rated ‘A’ for efficiency under ERP and comes with a 3 year parts warranty.

Because the non-condensing Rinnai 16i unit is less than 30kW output the unit is still compliant against the 2013 building regulations (proposal) which outlawed the installation of non-condensing units in new build projects from October last year.

For more details on RINNAI products visit www.rinnaiuk.com.
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Westgate Oxford revitalized with Kingspan Kooltherm

The premium thermal performance of Kingspan Kooltherm K106 Cavity Board has led to it being installed as part of the £440 million redevelopment of Westgate Oxford, a retail and leisure destination in the city centre.

Developed by the Westgate Oxford Alliance and constructed by Laing O’Rourke, the development is scheduled to open in October 2017. It has been designed by Glenn Howells Architects to reflect the heritage of the surrounding Oxford architecture, with an articulated brick façade and a focus on long-term robustness, quality and endurance. This concept was carried throughout the project, leading to the selection of the Kingspan Kooltherm K106 Cavity Board to ensure the building achieved a high level of thermal performance within a minimal cavity width.

Installed by Kilnbridge Construction Limited on the stair cores at each level, the rigid insulation board has a thermal conductivity of just 0.018 W/m·K, whilst its water-tight, vapour-open polypropylene fleece outer facing allows it to be installed with a 10 mm residual cavity. This combination makes it ideal for projects such as Westgate Oxford, where developers want to meet demanding U-value targets, without moving away from preferred cavity sizes and reducing the internal space.

The Oxford development is expected to achieve a minimum BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ for Block 1. Kingspan Kooltherm K106 Cavity Board can assist, both directly and indirectly, towards the award of credits within the Energy and Materials sections of the assessment. All Kooltherm, Therma and KoolDuct insulation products and cavity closers manufactured at Kingspan Insulation’s facilities in Pembridge and Selby are certified to BES 6001 (Framework Standard for the Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products) ‘Excellent’.

Kingspan Kooltherm K106 Cavity Board is BBA certified. Its rigid phenolic fibre-free insulation core is manufactured with a blowing agent that has zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and very low Global Warming Potential (GWP). The insulation boards are non-deleterious, easy to handle and install, and are unaffected by air infiltration.

For further information, please call 01544 387 384, email info@kingspaninsulation.co.uk or visit www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk.
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Handmade clay tiles create historic-style new build

Canterbury handmade clay plain tiles from leading roof systems manufacturer, Marley Eternit have been used to create an authentic roof for a new build historic-style cottage in the Denham Conservation area.

The self build project, in the picturesque old English village of Denham, had to adhere to strict planning guidelines for roof height and use of materials due to the number of listed buildings along the same road. The homeowner consulted independent roofing merchant Skyline Roofing Centres, who recommended the Canterbury clay tiles in Loxleigh to give a premium rustic aesthetic and complement the cottage’s Welsh oak timber frame.

The homeowner explains “Denham village dates back to the Doomsday Book and has 46 listed buildings, the majority of which are along Village Road where our new house has been built. These historic properties are largely vernacular with a mix of brick and timber frames and many of them have handmade clay tiles on the roof.

“We chose the Marley Eternit handmade tiles because they achieved the traditional, heritage look demanded by local planning and blended in well with the rafters and open eaves on the roof. They also complemented the copper gutters and downpipes, which needed to fit with planning requirements as well.

“We have been aspiring to build our own home for over five years, so we had a clear image of what we wanted it to look like and had even built a model of it. The handmade tiles have helped us to achieve our dream picturesque cottage, which sits perfectly in this idyllic village and is a welcome break from the busy city.”

Marley Eternit’s range of Canterbury tiles are handmade by skilled craftsmen, using locally sourced Etruria Marl, generally accepted to be the finest clay for strength and durability. The tiles are available in three colours; Chailey (orange), Loxleigh (antique) and Burford (brown) with their own handmade fittings range.

Daniel Redfern, product manager from Marley Eternit, comments “We developed the Canterbury range specifically for projects like this, giving architects and self builders more choice when only genuine handmade clay plain tiles may be specified to meet planning requirements. The traditional hand making process brings random undulations and variations that give each tile its unique appearance, creating a distinct rustic style roof that is ideal for conservation or aesthetic purposes.”

For more information, literature and samples, please contact 01283 722588 or visit www.marleyeternit.co.uk/handmade
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Titon remains market leader in trickle vents

For 45 years, Titon’s core product has been the window trickle (or ‘background’) ventilator, with the company renowned as the biggest manufacturer and supplier of these products in the UK. Titon has maintained its position as the industry leader through constant research and product development, ensuring the company is still able to offer the largest range of trickle vents on the market today – having sold over 50 million vents to date.

Titon’s trickle ventilators assist in compliance with ventilation regulations in the UK & overseas, and are suitable for all types of window – including timber, aluminium or PVCu, offering increased ventilation that other manufacturers cannot match. As a result, specifiers can pick Titon products to ensure compliance for a choice of ventilation systems in different dwelling types, without constant specification changes. Additionally, fabricators can remain safe in the knowledge that only the minimum number of ventilators required need to be used to achieve compliance.

By providing adequate levels of background ventilation, trickle vents also play a key role in removing air pollutants from inside a property and ensuring good levels of indoor air quality (IAQ). While this subject has made headlines during the last 18 months, Titon’s products have been ensuring excellent levels of IAQ for over decades now.

Movement of air helps disperse general moisture in other habitable rooms (besides bathrooms and kitchens); if the moisture doesn’t escape, it can build up, leading to potential mould growth problems, affecting not only occupants’ health but also damaging the building itself. It also ensures volatile organic compounds (VOC) do not stay in the air indefinitely.

Latest developments

High performance acoustic vents such as Titon’s SF Xtra Sound Attenuator also offer vastly improved levels of sound attenuation. The basic versions of this surface mounted aluminium slot ventilator are the shortest available capable of providing 5,000mm2 EA – while being equally suitable for domestic or non-domestic applications. This short length means fewer vents are needed to comply with an application’s required EA. Plus, there are two width variants (one for use over a 13mm slot, the other for a 16mm slot), as well as made-to-measure sizes or bar lengths for self-assembly, all of which can be used with either a plastic or aluminium canopy.

Commenting on the company’s extensive product range, Tyson Anderson, Sales & Marketing Director at Titon said: “We have been producing trickle ventilators for 45 years now, and window manufacturers, specifiers and fabricators rely on us for our knowledge and advice. This has become more commonplace since the recent increased industry and consumer awareness of the dangers of poor indoor air quality, plus more focus on sound attenuation requirements. At Titon, we have the expertise and the product portfolio to ensure there is always a trickle ventilator option available, which will perform to the required standards and be competitively priced.”

For more information on Titon and its range of trickle vents, visit: www.titon.co.uk
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Altro solution brings life to design-led Hull Birth Centre

A complete floors and walls solution from Altro has been used to create a relaxing, stylish and home from home environment for mums-to-be in a new birth centre at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital.

The new midwife-led Fatima Allam Birth Centre has been designed to meet the needs of women who want a more natural childbirth experience. It comprises three birthing rooms, each individually designed to create a homely and relaxed feel in beautiful surroundings, while also providing a safe, hygienic environment.

The rooms feature a birthing bed, birthing pool, ensuite bathroom and additional equipment, which is cleverly concealed within hidden wall panelling.

The design vision for the Fatima Allam Birth Centre was to create an environment that looked entirely non-clinical, a home from home for mums-to-be; relaxing, calm, very contemporary in its design and a tranquil haven in which to experience this life-changing event.

Andrew Ledger, contracts manager for Apleona, which provides facilities management for the building, oversaw the new construction and was part of the team that devised the overall concept of the birth centre.

“We had a very specific idea of what we wanted the centre to look like, and how we wanted it to function,” Andrew says. “As a midwife-led unit, a relaxed and homely atmosphere was essential, however a priority was of course infection control, hygiene, durability and quality.

“We specified Altro floors and walls from the start because we are using these products elsewhere in the hospital with a great deal of success. They meet all our clinical hygiene and infection control needs, while also offering a superb range of colours and textures, which makes them ideal for creating a modern and stylish environment.

“The quality and durability of Altro is a major factor too because, as a PFI project, the long-term cost is under close scrutiny.

Professional artist and designer Adele Howitt, from Studio Eleven Gallery & Workshop in Hull, won a commission from the hospital to design the interior concept for the new birth centre. She provided various colour ways, materials, and themes, to inspire the team. The colour palette was agreed and a range of approved products to work with, including Altro floors and walls.
“Choosing the colour scheme for the birth unit was a team effort between myself, the hospital midwifery team, and Mrs Fatima Allam herself, whose husband generously donated funds towards the unit.

“Once we had decided on colours, we worked closely with Altro to look at the specific products that would meet our brief. They were very hands-on, with technical guidance and information, plenty of new ideas, and suggesting products we hadn’t previously considered. They completely understood our practical and aesthetic needs.”

Adele says: “This was something very different, very special. Childbirth is such a major life event and research has shown that the environment in which a woman gives birth can have a profound effect on the anxiety or fear she may experience. A hospital can be a very stressful environment at such a key time in a person’s life and can lead to feelings of loss of control.

“I wanted each of the birthing rooms in the new centre to have its own individual style, personality, textures and colours, with the feel of a chic boutique hotel. But I chose an overall theme to link them, which was flowers of Egyptian mythology, one for each room — Lotus, Persea and Jasmine.

“Rather than hanging pictures on the walls, I wanted to create more profound artistic design features in the birth and shower rooms so I used Altro Whiterock Digiclad to create statement walls from floor to ceiling. This is a fantastic product for design-led projects because you can print any image or photograph onto it, and the quality is superb.”

Altro Whiterock Digiclad™ is ideal for creating the right impression with a bespoke design on your wall. From a calming coastal landscape in a hospital ward to a bold company logo in a reception area, the only limit is your imagination. Altro Whiterock Digiclad is created by reproducing a photographic image or vector art on to Altro Whiterock wall sheet, with consistent, photographic quality. Hard-coat technology provides scratch-resistant properties for added surface protection, making Altro Whiterock Digiclad ideal for areas where durability is important.

Adele chose Altro Whiterock Satins™ for the shower rooms. She says “It has some wonderful shades, and the subtle, sheer texture is very stylish.”

Altro Whiterock Satins is a versatile and sophisticated hygienic walls system available in a range of solid, decorative, satin shades – from soothing and healing through to bright and energetic. It provides all the impact resistance and hygiene you would expect from Altro Whiterock, with a stain-resistant, wipe-clean surface.

Adele continues: “These walls products enabled me to create some exciting and innovative designs for each room and gave me enormous scope to create the look and feel I wanted of stylish calm, individual strength and beauty, without having to compromise.

“The Lotus room has a beach theme, with grey painted walls. Here I used Altro Whiterock Digiclad on three statement walls with a stylised image of enlarged grains of sand. In the Lotus shower room, I chose an image of a wave on one wall, and on the three remaining walls Altro Whiterock Satins in Cream.

“Persea has a forest theme, and for this room I chose a monochrome wood grain image for the Altro Whiterock Digiclad walls. In the shower room, the wall sheet depicts pebbles.

“The Jasmine suite is all about meadows. The wall sheet features beautiful pastel lilac, green and cream wild flowers, while the shower room has a lovely pale lilac called Malva for the Whiterock Satins walls, and an image of shifting grey sand.

“I also designed some panels for the doors in the centre using Altro Whiterock Digiclad, which matched the corridor wallpaper of Lotus, Persea and Jasmine flower heads on a pale blue background.”

Flooring for the birth centre was key to creating the homely, non-clinical feel. Andrew Ledger and the project team wanted natural, warm, wood-effect flooring and chose Altro Wood™ for the three bedrooms and corridors.

Andrew and his team also specified a way-finding system for the new centre to help those with partial sight and dementia. The system comprises a border of Altro WalkwayTM 20 safety flooring in black fitted around the edge of all the floors in the bedrooms and corridors.

Andrew says: “This system is very effective and it also helps to limit damage from trolleys and medical equipment because it encourages people away from the walls. We are rolling it out for all our new builds.

“Wet areas in clinical environments need to be very safe underfoot, so we chose Altro Pisces safety flooring for both the shower rooms and around the birthing pool. This flooring performs superbly in both wet or dry conditions, and with bare feet or shoes, so it’s perfect for keeping both patients and staff safe. Altro Pisces also looks good enough to work within our design themes and there are some great colours.”

Altro Pisces™ performs whether wet or dry, in shoes or barefoot, and offers 16 soft-look shades. The result is the consistent, soft appearance that you would want from domestic interiors, with the lifetime sustained slip resistance you expect from Altro safety flooring.

The flooring was installed in the Fatima Allam Birth Centre by Floorcovers UK. Partner Phil Morris said: “We have installed a great deal of Altro flooring in the hospital over the years, so we were delighted that it was specified for this new birth unit. For quality and reliability Altro is the best, and they are a pleasure to work with.

“The installation was quite a challenge because we were working in a very delicate and sensitive area right next to the live maternity ward and neonatal intensive care unit. We had to carry all our materials through the ward where babies were being born every day during our four-week working schedule.

“This meant we had to be incredibly mindful of what was going on around us, take all dust and rubbish out in sealed containers, and work as quietly and professionally as possible to minimise the impact on mothers and babies. It was a wonderful experience, though, to hear babies being born every day.”

The Altro wall sheet was fitted by Richardson Claddings. Owner Joe Richardson comments: “The majority of work we do is in healthcare and we install a lot of Altro Whiterock, so we are accustomed to working in sensitive clinical areas, and in this hospital too.

“The beauty of the Altro walls system is that it is so quiet, easy and clean to install. Altro sends the sheets to us ready-cut, which means minimal cutting or shaping on site.

“So we were able to work very quickly and quietly around the live ward. All the on-site trades worked closely with the hospital and we had a very tight and closely monitored works programme. The hospital staff were very helpful and understood all our challenges.”

The project’s main contractor was CTS Shopfitting Ltd. Account manager Adrian Cartwright said: “This was a very exciting design-led project, which required a great deal of co-operation from everyone. The sensitive nature of the build, plus the proximity of the works to the wards meant it was essential to work as quietly, cleanly and quickly as possible to cause minimal disruption. A very successful result and a fantastic facility.”

Andrew Ledger says: “The new centre has been a huge success. From a design point of view, it looks fantastic and completely meets the brief we set out. The compliments and feedback we have received from everyone who has been here have been tremendous.

“We get a lot of medical professionals visiting from around the world and they say the centre is the best of its kind they have seen anywhere, which is a wonderful endorsement and makes us very proud of what we have achieved.

“Most importantly, the mothers who have given birth here are thrilled with it too, and we have received thousands of positive comments. There really isn’t a more beautiful or peaceful place to give birth. For the midwives, it’s a dream come true; a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere they love to work in, where they can control the environment and provide a very special level of care.

“The Altro floors and walls solution is key to the overall look, form and function of the birth unit. It looks superb and very striking. Adele has used the products very effectively to create schemes and designs that are both subtle and powerful.

“From a more practical angle, the Altro wall sheet provides a tough, hardwearing surface. We are very impressed that in the shower rooms the walling overlaps the flooring to prevent water ingress, which would prove very expensive to rectify. After each birth, the rooms are completely disinfected and cleaned, and the Altro floors and walls are proving very easy to maintain.

“We are delighted with this amazing facility. It’s very much a team effort, everyone from the clinical team to the suppliers, designer and installers understood what we wanted to create and worked together to bring the vision to life.”

For more information please visit www.altro.co.uk.
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Genuine handmade Brookhurst Wentworth clay roof tiles at beautiful Hever Castle

Hever Castle & Gardens, in the perfect setting of the High Weald of Kent and once the seat of the Bullen family, is now also home to the Brookhurst Wentworth natural clay roof tile. It has been specified for the refurbishment of a variety of buildings in the grounds of the Castle including the Courtyard Shop and Head Gardeners offices, both adjacent to the romantic lakeside Loggia and newly refurbished Guthrie Pavilion restaurant.

Spanning more than 700 years the history of Hever Castle is both rich and varied. The original medieval defensive castle, with its gatehouse and walled bailey, was built in 1270. The double-moated castle was the seat of the Bullen family from 1462 – 1529 during the Tudor dynasty and the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second queen consort of King Henry VIII of England. The Castle later came into the possession of his fourth wife Anne of Cleves.

“The roof tiles look really very good indeed and blend beautifully within this established site,” comments chief executive Duncan Leslie, Hever Castle Limited. “In fact, the roof tiles used on a more recent building adjacent to the refurbished Courtyard Shop are quite inappropriate by comparison. Eventually we would hope to replace them with the Brookhurst Wentworth.

“This tile has an authentic hand crafted appearance which immediately looks far better than the more commonly available machine made versions. It would have been very expensive and difficult to source a number of authentic reclaimed tiles to complete this project so the Wentworth is a great find.”

Brookhurst tiles are made from the highest quality clay material using traditional hand moulding and coal firing techniques. Whilst these glorious traditions are maintained, Brookhurst tiles meet the highest technical standards and are fully compliant with BSEN 538 and 539 test standards for strength, durability and weather protection.

“This is another successful project on which the Brookhurst hand-made tile has been specified and we are proud of the traditional aesthetic that it has helped to create,” says Iain Webster, director of Sahtas UK Limited, distributor of Brookhurst tiles, bricks and paviours. “It is a small project by many standards but few have this hallmark of authenticity.”

Brookhurst clay roof tiles are hand-made following the traditional methods that have evolved since the 3rd millennium BC. Blocks of selected clay from a private quarry are thrown on to sanded wooden moulds, cut, flattened and shaped by skilled hands. The tiles are fired in coal-fired kilns at 1070° for more than six days and then cooled slowly.

The soft sand granulation on the tile surface allows the tiles to weather and mellow rapidly; this aging gives the impact of a matured roof in a very short time. The artisan skills of Brookhurst production has also founded a vast inventory of bespoke designs, intricate and unique shapes and varied components with refined colour matches essential where extensive renovation is undertaken with conservation regulations in place. Brookhurst offers this bespoke facility alongside the high quality, high capacity plain tile supply chain.

Brookhurst tiles reflect the elegance of tradition coupled with the highest technical performance worldwide. They exceed frost test standards to offer over 100 years of protection, supreme flexural strength test standards, and advanced permeability testing, to provide a waterproof building with a 30 year manufacturing guarantee.

Polegate Roofing Limited, East Sussex, a specialist roofing contractor serving the counties of Sussex and Kent and a member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen, carried out the tile application. “We take on all types of tile and slate roofing projects and specialise in re-roofing works to older properties such as churches, manor houses, period and listed buildings,” says Ian Mepham, director.

“We were immediately impressed with the colour, quality and durability of the Brookhurst tile, not to mention an extremely competitive price. We have increasingly specified the Wentworth since using it on the Hever Estate and we always receive good feedback which we attribute to the aesthetic of the tile. The Brookhurst range of tiles and fittings blend well with reclaimed tiles, blending old with new, for a weathered and authentic appearance, even to new roofs.”

Of note the Astor family were owners of Hever Castle for 80 years from 1903 and made many important and notable additions, in particular that of the the Astor wing and the Anne Boleyn Wing, originally the Tudor Village, which is attached to the Castle and connected inside. The Village was commissioned by American millionaire William Waldorf Astor.

More product information is available at www.sahtas.co.uk. Alternatively telephone 01908 311411 or email sahtasuk@sahtas.com
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weberfloor creates staff gym for Norwich recruitment agency

“Staff recruitment is exclusively a people business and providing the best possible facilities for my staff is priority. weberfloor 4310 fibre flow pumped screed was the fast flooring solution for our new recreation centre,” reports Jason Adams, founder and managing director of I4 Recruitment Limited, Norwich.

I4 has taken over the neighbouring premises to its office complex in the Vulcan Road Business Zone of the City. The commercial building had previously been a recycling centre and required major refurbishment which included renovating and levelling the main floor area. Smart Renders of Norwich brought their expertise and Saint-Gobain Weber products to the project. Ray Smart, managing director, surveyed the building and with support from Weber’s technical team drew up the technical specification.

“The existing substrate sloped down to a central gulley and this required a sand blinding to achieve a reasonable level which was then covered by a 100 micron weberfloor DPM. 60mm Expanded Polystyrene Insulation was laid and taped together with weber DB matting as a slip membrane covering. weberfloor 4945 glass fibre mesh reinforcement was placed over the membrane and weberfloor 4310 fibre floor self-levelling screed pumped into place at a depth of 25mm. The finish is excellent and will carry any type of surface covering easily. The speed of this 85m² project was impressive and very quickly transformed the quality of the premises,” explains Ray Smart.

weberfloor 4310 fibre flow is a pump-applied, fibre reinforced, levelling compound designed for application at thicknesses between 5 – 50mm. This floor screed is formulated from special cements, aggregates, supplementary binders and chemical admixtures. It is supplied as a pre-blended dry powder and designed specifically for renovation of existing floors and floating floor construction in domestic and commercial applications. It is suitable for covering with a wide variety of finishes including tiles, carpets, flexible floor coverings and parquet flooring. It can also be used in conjunction with under floor heating systems. The fibre reinforcement adds durability and weberfloor 4310 fibre flow has excellent spreading and smoothing characteristics. It has low alkalinity and low emissions during drying and is casein-free.

“Colin Allport and I started Smart Renders five years ago and have used the webertherm External Wall Insulation on many projects throughout East Anglia. The local commercial and industrial picture is changing, and changing fast, with older style dirty businesses being phased out and new technical businesses coming in. This means premises like this one in Vulcan Road need to change from rugged workshops to commercial offices with smart staff facilities. The staff of I4 Recruitment will now have their own gym and recreation centre to break the pressure cycle of their business work. We see a big future for us with weberfloor products,” enthuses Ray Smart.

For more information about this project, or for technical support, please contact Saint-Gobain Weber on 08703 330 070, or visit www.netweber.co.uk.
A free download of the new weber.app for iPhone and iPad users is also available from iTunes and from Google Play for Android smartphones and tablet users. Follow Saint-Gobain Weber on Twitter @SGWeberUK for the latest company news and updates.
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