Be amazed with a Stiltz Home Lift: Making the difference to your latest building project

The Stiltz Home Lift offers building industry professionals a ground-breaking, compact through-floor mobility solution which provides access to all areas of the home, without the limitations of stairs.

With a growth in popularity for domestic applications, clients are looking more and more towards home lifts. They are chosing domestic lifts for a wide range of reasons; from comfort to prestige, for care needs or as a future-proofing investment.

The Stiltz Home Lifts range is versatile and stylish. The lift is ergonomically designed with sleek lines and a semi-transparent lift car body. Because it blends into the background of any room no sooner have you admired it then you can forget about it and just get on with living your life.

A Stiltz lift can be installed virtually anywhere within the home thanks to its self-supporting structure, which means there is no need to fix to existing, or build new, load bearing walls. It has a small footprint of less than one square metre, but is still roomy enough to comfortably carry two people.

Unlike a traditional domestic lift, the unique Stiltz Home Lift is not powered by noisy hydraulic equipment, there is no need for a lift shaft or pit and it is very quiet when running between floors. Thanks to its built-in drive system, the lift plugs straight into a domestic 13amp power socket, just like any other household appliance, which saves on energy.

Stiltz Lifts has designed their products with safety in mind. Every lift includes hold to run controls, weight limit sensors, out of balance sensors and sensors which halt the lift if there is an obstruction. There is also a battery back-up to carry passengers safely to their destination in the event of a power cut. Optional extras include bespoke colours and finishes, interior grab rail, telephone and a comfortable folding seat.

The versatile Stiltz Home Lift can be fitted in many locations around the home, with the most popular installation choice from a hallway or living room up to a main bedroom or landing area. It can also be fitted within a turning staircase, slotting into the dead space in the void or it can be completely hidden from view in a downstairs cupboard travelling up to an airing cupboard or wardrobe space. If desired, the lift can also be positioned centre stage in a room as once the lift car is on the other floor, all that remains are two descreet vertical rails.

All that a Stiltz domestic lift requires for installation is a qualified builder to cut and trim the appropriate ceiling aperture – a quick and simple process. Stiltz engineers can then have the lift operational in no more than a single day for a standard application.

Homes with sloping ceilings can also now benefit from a Stiltz Home Lift. Because the lift rails only need a horizontal surface to fix to, these quick modifications can be made to complete the installation. For end users looking for quick and safe access from their garage into their home, construction of a simple shaft can make it possible for a domestic lift to be fitted in this area, too. For less mobile customers, Stiltz now offer a home lift which with sufficient capacity to accommodate a standard-sized wheelchair.

Stiltz provide a range of lift models from the entry-level Classic to the prestigious Lifton Home Lifts brand. So whatever the requirements of the client, the Stiltz Home Lift can easily slot into any building project and make a huge difference to their lives.

For more information please visit www.stiltz.co.uk.
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Rinnai launches into the commercial boiler marketplace

Rinnai has launched new products into the commercial gas-fired boiler marketplace with an initial introduction of three condensing models.

The new boilers, German-manufactured to high specification in materials, build and components are built to last and offer high quality construction and engineering alongside top of the range energy efficiencies.

The Rinnai Infinity condensing boiler range is available for natural gas and LPG operation and comes with innovative controls maximizing energy efficiencies through class-leading weather compensation technology.

The Infinity boiler is A rated under the ErP directive, meaning customers can make an informed decision when purchasing.

The Rinnai Infinity condensing boilers come in 50kW, 75kW and 100kW versions and are both maintenance and installer friendly. The appliances are accessed from the front and require minimal space for installation, thus helping to reduce cost and time required on site. Some of the units also feature a fully removable pivoting heat exchanger and burner for easy inspection and cleaning.

New combustion control technology also imbues the units with the capability to self-calibrate so avoiding manual setting and automatically adapts to suit the gas quality.

The boilers also offer a range of ancillary options including pressurisation units, manifold pipework assemblies, mounting frames, heating system separators, boiler and water heater combination packs, ancillary control options, external temperature sensor
and advanced boiler controls.

The 50kW, 75kW and 100kW versions all have an efficiency of 93%. The CGB-50 measures 855mm x 440mm x 393mm, while the CGB-75 and CGB-100 both present at 1020mm x 565mm x 548mm.

For more details on RINNAI products visit www.rinnaiuk.com.
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Armstrong Ceiling Solutions launches new websites for UK and Ireland

 

 

Prize draw to win a Herman Miller Cradle To Cradle designer chair

Armstrong Ceiling Solutions has redesigned its UK and Ireland websites to make inspiration, specification and installation resources faster and easier to find than ever before.

The new global-styled website has already been launched to acclaim in the US, Canada and Asia Pacific and is now being rolled out across Europe.

One highlight of the new mobile-friendly site is the highly visual global project gallery section which enables customers to search, filter and browse more than 800 projects and almost 5,000 photos from around the globe.

While this gives form to the medium, the technical downloads section brings function, helping customers who have been inspired by the images to take their plans to the next level through information such as BIM, CAD, product data pages and installation instructions.

The intuitive website seamlessly adapts to mobile phones and tablets while maintaining a user-friendly experience.

In a new applications section, customers can quickly access “A ceilings for any space,” innovative online tool which provides ceiling recommendations for almost any type of space in a commercial project including clean rooms, commercial kitchens and swimming pools.

Designed to simplify its peerless portfolio and to reflect the brand theme Inspiring Great Spaces, the new website features inspiring visuals on every page.

Customers can also browse products by material and application type, scan product performance features at a glance, and compare product lines. Colour, veneer, shape, edge detail and perforation options are highlighted on each page to make designing easy. Related case studies, project photos, videos and installation details are easily accessible throughout the site.

So confident is the company that its new website is the ultimate customer tool that it is incentivising user feedback on the UK site by offering a Herman Miller Cradle To Cradle Setu chair every month.

Armstrong Setu ChairJohn Kerr, marketing and commercial excellence director EMEA, said “We have redesigned our website to make it even easier for our customers to find what they want in the multitude of products and services that we have grown over the past 150 years. This will be rolled out across Europe in 2017 to enhance our truly international reach.”

To visit the new Armstrong Ceiling Solutions website, click here.
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The Log Pod Ltd Chooses Metrotile

At Metrotile, we our proud of how our industry-leading Lightweight Steel Roofing Systems are suitable for the full spectrum of pitched roofing applications, from the largest sprawling educational campus to the smallest conservatory or outbuilding. As an innovative roofing material, Metrotile is often paired with innovative buildings and projects, such as the camping pods built by the Carmarthenshire-based company The Log Pod Ltd.

Originally conceived in 2011 to “to design and build a camping hut that had several key features”, the original Log Pod is a portable timber-frame construction that was initially aimed at the leisure industry, such as using the temporary buildings to boost campsite usage within the colder months. The pod’s are easy to move around site and install – they arrive flat-packed and can be moved around via wheels at their base. The use of natural materials ensure their aesthetic blends in perfectly with the surrounding scenic countryside. As customers became more aware of the benefits offered by Log Pods, the customer base expanded beyond the leisure industry to customers wanting to own them for their own camping trips, or for other home applications such as garden offices.

As the customer base expanded, so did the range and finish options. The Log Pod Ltd’s Director, Trevor Richardson, found that he required a rooftop solution that was robust, had the aesthetics of a ‘traditional’ roofing material, yet was also at a weight that would not compromise the transportability of the pods. Mr Richardson found that the solution was to utilise Metrotile Lightweight Roofing – specifically, the Metrotile Shingle profile:

“We chose Metrotile Shingle as the rapid installation time and absence of exterior fittings was a huge plus over other options. During the past four years, we’ve built up a strong relationship with Metrotile and I see us continuing to use their products for years to come.”

The Log Pod is a truly innovative design that Metrotile is very proud to be involved with. Like all Metrotile roofs, any Log Pod fitted with Metrotile Shingle is covered by our Forty Year Weatherproof Guarantee.

If you would like to find out more about The Log Pod Ltd’s products, you can visit their website via www.thelogpod.co.uk or contact them by phone via 01269 850005.

Watch video below:

 

For more information about Metrotile Lightweight Roofing, visit www.metrotile.co.uk or follow us on Twitter via @metrotileuk
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Vortice wins new contract to supply ventilation to William Davis

Ventilation systems supplier Vortice has been awarded the contract to supply intermittent ventilation fans to Midlands-based housebuilder William Davis.

The first site to be completed is Mill Fields, set in the Leicestershire village of Broughton Astley. This select development of 2 to 5 bedroom homes offers stunning views of open countryside and the houses are all well specified. William Davis is a family owned company which has been building homes for more than 80 years and it is known for its high quality craftsmanship and use of the highest quality products.

Vortice Specification Manager for the North, Ken Johnson, said “After discussions with William Davis it was clear that the quality of the products specified was of the utmost importance. The fans chosen are stylish and discreet, making them the ideal choice for bathrooms, utility rooms and kitchens. We are delighted William Davis has chosen Vortice products for these beautiful homes.”

For more information about Vortice fans visit www.vortice.ltd.uk.
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UK’s dark homes contributing to ill-health

Damp and dark homes across the UK are having a direct impact on the levels of serious health conditions being reported, according to a new report by leading roof window manufacturer VELUX®.

This VELUX Healthy Homes Barometer highlights a clear correlation between poor housing stock and ill-health in all countries across Europe. UK residents living in dark homes are revealed to be 27% more likely to report poor health conditions including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In addition, people living in unhealthy buildings in the UK with damp are 34% more likely to be suffering from health conditions.

Across Europe, one in six households are currently living in an “unhealthy” (meaning damp or mouldy) building, increasing their chances of illness by 66%.

Developed in collaboration with Ecofys, a Navigant company, Fraunhofer IBP, and Copenhagen Economics, the VELUX Healthy Homes Barometer examines the effects of housing on the health of people living in countries across Europe, along with the associated costs to society and ways to tackle the problem.

On the back of the findings, VELUX is calling for buildings to become more energy efficient and for the UK’s housing stock to be brought up to par.

Grant Sneddon, Product Manager at VELUX-GBI said “We know instinctively that living in unhealthy surroundings is bad for our health. This study reveals to just what extent those in the UK and Europe are suffering on account of their homes; and also the staggering financial costs to society of not bringing our aging housing stock up to par.”

Europeans living in an “unhealthy” building are more than 1.5 times (66%) more likely to report poor health, and 40% more likely to suffer from asthma, as those who do not.

Meanwhile, Europeans who suffer energy poverty – meaning they are unable to keep their homes comfortably warm in winter – are twice as likely to report poor health and nearly three times more likely to report damp in the home.

The costs of unhealthy buildings are not just felt by individuals either. The overall (direct and indirect) costs to European governments and societies of just two of the many diseases associated with damp living environments – asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – reach a staggering EUR 82 billion per year.

One solution is to modernise Europe’s existing buildings through energy efficient and healthy renovations. This would not only lead to improved health outcomes, lower societal costs and reduced CO2 emissions, but would also provide a much-needed catalyst to European economies. The Healthy Homes Barometer 2017 goes on to examine the level of private capital available for renovation in EU member states – EUR 30 trillion – and what would be required to help unlock some of that total to invest in renovation.

For the first time, using data from the European Commission’s vast Eurostat Database, the analysis provides new evidence on the relationship between housing and health.

The full report can be accessed by visiting http://www.velux.com/health/healthy-homes-barometer-2017
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Metsec launches new wide flange Purlins product

voestalpine Metsec plc has launched its newest purlins product line, the wide flange purlin.

Metsec is first to market with the product after identifying a need in the claddings market for a flange with a wider surface for fixing to. Previously, cladders working on a project that required a larger fixing face would have to engineer a solution from existing products and work around the problem.

The introduction of this product means that the roofing contractor has an on-hand, bespoke, engineered solution which reduces the amount of materials and labour needed, as well as providing a cost saving.

Kevin Jones, sales director for Metsec Purlins, said “Our focus is on service and meeting our customers’ needs at all times. In speaking with our customers we realised claddings that needed a larger fixing face was a pain point for them, and so we developed our wide flange purlin product that would give an engineered, fit-for-purpose solution.

“By introducing this into the market, we aim to save both time and money for our customers as well as providing an easy-to-use solution that we hope will become the standard for claddings with larger fixing faces.”

The product will feature in Metsec’s new purlins brochure, the first major update for four years, due for release in spring 2017. The user-friendly brochure contains case studies to give examples of application and load tables for specifying solutions.

Designed to be more user-friendly, the brochure will be released to market at the end of May.

For more information please visit www.metsec.com.
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JJ Roofing Supplies to host Specialist Roofing Trade Show

JJ Roofing Supplies is excited to host one of the primary roofing trade shows of the year on Tuesday, July 4th at their Cricklewood branch, Staples Corner Business Park. Exhibiting the biggest brands in the business, new products and the latest in roofing innovations and practices, this is a leading event in the industry calendar and attendance is free of charge.

All the key brands in the roofing industry will be showcased including Velux, IcoPal, Redlands, Marley Eternit, Cromar Building Products, FloPlast, Klober, Duratech Roof Windows and DeWalt among many others. Production demos will also be performed giving insight into supplier practices.

The expert staff from JJ Roofing Supplies; Dom and his knowledgeable team, will support, help and advise on any queries you may have when making a purchase. Fantastic, cost saving offers will be available on the day only, including competitions, games and giveaways.

Thousands of products are in stock at low prices and boast the JJ Roofing Supplies Price Match Guarantee, where they match any cheaper quote you receive elsewhere, this is an excellent opportunity for those in the trade. In addition, next day delivery nationwide is provided, offering a quality, all-inclusive service from start to finish.

For more information in relation to the event visit: jjroofingsupplies.co.uk/roofing-trade-show Interested parties can register for a free ticket via Eventbrite and join the relevant Facebook group @jjroofingsupplies It’s very simple, just sign up and show up on July 4th. Guests are welcome also.

By registering, you are entitled to receive a free goody bag worth £25 on the day, which consists of a T-Shirt, handy Advent Tape Measure, a Roofer Survival Kit and useful Travel Mug. Other added extras on the day include free bacon rolls, hot dogs and refreshments, so come and have breakfast and lunch on JJ Roofing Supplies.

The trade show takes place from 7am – 4.30pm at Unit 1 Staples Corner Business Park, NW2 6LU. A relaxed, open plan event, those in attendance are welcome to browse and stay all day.

For further information please contact JJ Roofing Supplies Cricklewood Branch, on 0333 700 00 00 (option 2) and see www.jjroofingsupplies.co.uk/roofing-trade-show/
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Stevenage homes brought up to spec with Saint-Gobain Weber External Wall Insulation

Innovative, high performance External Wall Insulation (EWI) by Saint-Gobain Weber has been specified for a proportion of homes in the extensive property upgrade programme being carried out by Stevenage Borough Council in Hertfordshire. Seventy six homes have benefitted from this improved thermal efficiency and aesthetics treatment in 2015 and a further 150 properties were included in the 2016 program.

The homes, constructed in the late 40s, early 50s, are a combination of traditional solid brick and Wimpey No Fines system build. The u-value achieved for the improved properties is an impressive 0.30 W/m²K, down from the original 1.98 W/m²K rating. The webertherm XM EWI system specified 90mm EPS insulation and high performance render to achieve this substantial improvement.

Equally appealing for residents is the ‘new’ external visual results where four alternative render colours from the extensive palette of the weberplast TF acrylic based, pre-mixed decorative finishes have been applied. A new-for-this-project colour, Marshmallow, has been used alongside Antique Ivory, Winter White and Palest Pink.

Main contractor Wates Living Space, one of several contractors involved in this on-going renovation scheme, specified the Weber EWI system in order to meet the performance specification required by the Stevenage Borough Council property team who are familiar with the product’s qualities and attributes. Build-Therm Services, whose headquarters are in nearby St Albans, Hertfordshire, were responsible for the application.

Agron Sopjani, director of Build-Therm Services Limited responsible for the Stevenage program, acknowledges the value of the webertherm XM EWI system. “The application process is very straight-forward enabling our site teams to make good progress. Cutting the u-values down to these levels is impressive and the external finishes really lift the whole residential area. It’s clean and bright and together with the improved thermal performance it’s a real winner.”

The webertherm XM high performance external wall insulation and meshcloth reinforced polymer render system provides efficient thermal insulation for these refurbishments with the render coat and surface finish delivering water shedding capabilities to protect the building fabric. The 90mm of EPS insulation is mechanically fixed to the existing substrate surface and covered with a 6mm meshcloth reinforced coat of weberend LAC. This is a low density, polymer-modified cement-based mortar which is applied in two passes. weber PR310 primer is then applied prior to the application of the weberplast TF decorative finish.

“The External Wall Insulation installed in Stevenage has transformed our tenants’ homes by reducing heat loss, and making them easier to keep warm. Our tenants are very pleased with the results which should make considerable savings on their heating bills,” says Lydia Wisby, Stevenage Borough Council’s energy and sustainability co-ordinator.

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. Customers in Ireland should call 028 9335 2999 or visit www.weber.ie

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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Gatic’s CastSlot installed at prestigious new retail development

Gatic’s CastSlot drainage system has been installed at Queens Retail Park, a new 16 acre retail development in Preston. The new shopping centre currently comprises 80,000 sq ft. of open retail space and parking capacity for over 800 visitors. Designed by architects Cassidy and Ashton, the project is known as ‘Gateway to Preston’ as it develops into a highly visible entrance to the city.

Aldi supermarket is one of the main stores that anchor the site at an impressive 18,500 sq ft. The area required major works of the external soft and hard landscaping and Gatic’s CastSlot with a Treadsafe option was specified as the slot drain for the landscaped areas.

Working with Castle House Construction and supplied through specialist civil merchant JDP, CastSlot was a perfect fit for the prestigious new development. Ideal for car parks, the innovative slot drainage system is designed with an unobtrusive profile that sits discreetly within concrete, asphalt or block paving. Its Treadsafe option reduces the slot opening from 30mm wide to 2 x 9mm wide slots making the channel safe to cross for pedestrians. The reduction in slot opening has no impact on the intake capacity of the system.

Andy Lyon, Project Manager, Castle House Construction comments: “The retail park has been carefully landscaped to make an attractive and pleasant shopping destination. We were impressed by Gatic’s CastSlot Treadsafe system – it’s an easy to install, reliable and cost effective drainage solution. Gatic’s technical support was impressive too. The team were on hand to help with any technical issues and worked closely with us. The finished site looks great and the scheme obtained a BREEAM ‘very good’ rating.”

For more information on Gatic’s innovative range of Slotdrain products, which include CastSlot, UltraSlot, PaveSlot and FacadeSlot, call 01304 203545 or visit www.gatic.com.
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