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JAMES HARDIE LAUNCHES NEW ‘TOOLBOX TALKS’ SERVICE

 

James Hardie, a world leader in the manufacture of high-performance fibre cement and fibre gypsum building solutions, has launched a new ‘Toolbox Talks’ service to provide builders and homeowners with essential installation knowledge across its product portfolio.

 

Two new Technical Support Specialists have been appointed to deliver the service.  Mitchell Pearson will support clients in the South West and South East. He joins from Persimmon Homes where he was Site Manager and brings with him extensive project management and construction experience.

 

Andrew Coote will be responsible for clients in the Midlands, North of England and Scotland. He has worked at James Hardie as a Channel Manager for 2 years and has an excellent understanding of the full product range.  Prior to that he worked as an installer using James Hardie products, giving him a comprehensive knowledge of potential on-site project issues.

 

The new service will include pre-installation training sessions for every project and a pre-project meeting with the builder or developer to ensure drawings and products are aligned before on-site work begins, preventing any costly downtime.  Once the project has begun there will be regular site visits to carry out project audits, ensuring all products have been installed correctly.

 

Simon Buckmaster, Technical and Sales Service Manager at James Hardie said:

“Our new service will elevate the James Hardie offering even further providing our clients with wraparound support throughout the duration of their project.

“Having Andy and Mitchell on board means that any questions or concerns can be dealt with early, and that installation is a smooth and stress-free process.”

 

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ‘TOOLBOX TALKS’

 

 

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HARDIE® ARCHITECTURAL PANEL CHOSEN FOR GO MODULAR PROJECT

Beam Contracting, the high-end construction firm, has chosen to utilise the Hardie® Architectural Panel, a product from James Hardie, the world leader in the manufacture of high-performance fibre cement and fibre gypsum building solutions, as part of its construction of ten modular flats in Poole in conjunction with Go Modular Technologies (UK) Ltd, the modular building manufacturer.

The decision to choose the Hardie® Architectural Panel was based on the fact that it is easy to install and delivers a cost effective, low maintenance solution with the assurance of an A2 fire rated performance.  Vivalda, the independent distributor of cladding panels, supplied the materials for the project, fabricating the panels in phases to coincide with the construction schedule.  Smooth sand, one of the available textures, was chosen to match the planning specification in three of the core panel colours (Arctic White, Anthracite Grey and Cobblestone), giving the project a modern and contemporary look, and reflecting the coastal location.

 

Steve Hawes, Project Director at Beam Contracting commented:

“This was the first time that we’ve used the Hardie® Architectural Panel and we were really pleased with how easy it was to install – so much so that we have subsequently added the panel as a standard specification option for Beam Contracting.”

Lee Bucknall, UK Sales Manager at James Hardie, added:

“Modular buildings are becoming an increasingly popular solution providing construction firms and clients with lower project costs, sustainability benefits and significantly reduced build times. Hardie® Architectural Panel is perfectly suited to supporting modular building methods providing a sustainable solution that is durable and easy to install.”

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WEBSITE

 

 

 

 

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Lightweight Vertigo cladding selected for eco-friendly penthouses

Architectural practice Alexander Sedgley has specified a pioneering vertical fibre cement slate facade system for a luxury private mews development in London.

The Vertigo slates, from manufacturer Marley Eternit, have been used to create striking projecting bays on the front and rear of the exclusive terraced and semi detached rental properties at William Mews, near Brockley.

Built by Proctor Developments, the distinctive eco-friendly homes use timber frame construction, so the architects needed to specify a lightweight cladding material. They also wanted the bays to create a strong contrast against the yellow-flecked London stock brick required by planning. Although zinc or render were initially considered, Alexander Sedgley architects selected the new Vertigo system for its aesthetic and lightweight properties.

Project architect Stephen Alexander explains: “As we were using a timber frame, getting a lightweight material to clad the projecting structures was very important and when we saw the Vertigo system, we knew it was perfect for this development.

“The site is surrounded by two-storey Victorian houses and we wanted to create a contemporary contrast, without it being too imposing. As well as meeting our weight criteria, the Vertigo system gives a clean, contemporary slate aesthetic that will stand the test of time, but crucially remains sympathetic to the surroundings.

“It was very easy to detail and the other big advantage was that the roofing contractor was able to install it, so we didn’t need a specialist fitter. It was also much more economical than using sheet metal and removed the aesthetic problem of visible seams.”

The first of its kind in the UK, Vertigo consists of small 600mm x 300mm slate like panels which can be quickly fixed onto battens, with the desired amount of insulation in between. The fibre cement slates perfectly adapt to the contours of the building, providing a second protective skin. The Vertigo slate range is very easy to fit and has three different installation methods to give more design flexibility and freedom.

Charlotte Hughes, product manager from Marley Eternit, adds: “Vertigo is still a relatively new product in the UK market but is already proving popular in the luxury private residential sector, particularly with developers and architects who want to create striking properties in urban environments. As a lightweight material, it is ideal for adding aesthetic interest to timber frame buildings like this one at William Mews. In fact, using Vertigo with a block and timber frame can be 15% lighter than a traditional brick and block system.”

Available in eight different colours from Anthracite to Terracotta, Vertigo slates can be used to create beautiful, distinctive and elegant vertical cladding solutions for a full range of building types. Perfect continuity between the roof and facade can be achieved by using Vertigo in combination with Marley Eternit’s Birkdale or Rivendale fibre cement roof slates.

Vertigo also boasts superb sustainability credentials, helping to achieve environmental credits with a ‘very good’ BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing accreditation and its environmental impact is easily reviewed with its own Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). Fibre cement also offers sustainability benefits throughout its whole life cycle, as it can be fully recycled at the end of its use. Waste fibre cement can be ground down and used to replace limestone and shale in clinker production, the essential ingredients for Portland cement.

For more information or design advice, please visit www.marleyeternit.co.uk/vertigo or call Marley Eternit on 01283 722588.
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Rooftop penthouses get Vertigo

John Farquharson Partnership LLP has specified an innovative vertical fibre cement slate system for an exclusive development of rooftop penthouses in East London.

The Vertigo fibre cement slates from Marley Eternit have been used to create a contemporary facade for Damien Court’s eight duplex penthouses, which have all been constructed on the rooftop of the existing four storey apartment building in Whitechapel.

Raj Saund from John Farquharson Partnership, who acted as structural engineers and architectural detailers on the project, specified the Vertigo fibre cement slates alongside Marley Eternit’s Cedral lap. He comments: “The choice of materials and colours is intentionally restrained with a sophisticated palette of grey and timber to achieve a timeless quality finish.

“We were looking to create a slate aesthetic for the facade and when I saw the Vertigo system, I thought it looked amazing because of the horizontal planking. It complemented the timber aesthetic of the Cedral panels, which were also from Marley Eternit and it was much easier to source all of the facade materials from one manufacturer. We also had a lot of assistance from its team, including technical advice and samples, although the Vertigo system itself was actually very easy to use.”

The first of its kind in the UK, Vertigo consists of small 600mm by 300mm slate like panels which can be quickly fixed onto battens, with the desired amount of insulation in between. The fibre cement slates perfectly adapt to the contours of the building, providing a second protective skin. The Vertigo slate range is very easy to fit and has three different installation methods to give more design flexibility and freedom.

Garry Clark from AJE Facades comments: “This was the first time we had used the Vertigo system and we fitted it using the panel installation method to get the horizontal geometric precision desired by the architect. We were impressed by how quick and easy it was to fix and it is a great solution for residential buildings like this.”

Charlotte Hughes, product manager from Marley Eternit, adds: “Vertigo is becoming a popular choice for apartment buildings like this one where it offers a striking, yet understated finish. The invisible fixings and panels of the Vertigo system give sharp clean horizontal lines, which complement the vertical timber aesthetic of the Cedral. This combination of slate and timber gives a distinctive, high specification finish to these unique penthouses, creating a contemporary contrast against the existing 1930s building below.

“Using both Cedral and Vertigo will also give a quality, maintenance free finish for many years to come, which is particularly important given the location of the penthouses at the top of a four storey building, where remedial work is costly. As it is made from fibre cement, Cedral helps to reduce whole life costs because unlike real timber, it won’t rot and is low maintenance. The Vertigo slates create a robust, durable and weatherproof finish, giving the penthouses a protective skin against the elements.”

Lightweight, weather and temperature resistant and available in eight different colours from Anthracite to Terracotta, Vertigo slates can be used to create beautiful, distinctive and elegant vertical cladding solutions for a full range of building types. Perfect continuity between the roof and facade can be achieved by using Vertigo in combination with Marley Eternit’s Birkdale or Rivendale fibre cement roof slates.

Vertigo also boasts superb sustainability credentials, helping to achieve environmental credits with a ‘very good’ BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing accreditation and its environmental impact is easily reviewed with its own Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). Fibre cement also offers sustainability benefits throughout its whole life cycle, as it can be fully recycled at the end of its use. Waste fibre cement can be ground down and used to replace limestone and shale in clinker production, the essential ingredients for Portland cement.

For more information or design advice, please visit www.marleyeternit.co.uk/vertigo or call Marley Eternit on 01283 722588.
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Vertigo gives distinct aesthetic to London extension project

A roof extension project in London has used an innovative fibre cement slate, specifically designed for vertical application, to create a distinctive, contemporary dormer conversion, which had to meet stringent local planning requirements. The project is one of the first in the UK to use the new Vertigo slates, which were developed by roofing and facades manufacturer Marley Eternit.

The home owner specified the Vertigo fibre cement slates to create a clean cut, precisely engineered, slate panel aesthetic for his dormer loft conversion and roof extension, forming a contrast against the riven tiles used on the existing roof and differentiating it from other roof extensions in the area.

The first of its kind in the UK, Vertigo consists of small 600mm by 300mm slate like panels which can be quickly fixed onto battens, with the desired amount of insulation in between. The fibre cement slates perfectly adapt to the contours of the building, providing a second protective skin.

He explains: “There are hundreds of similar roof extensions in Chiswick, all determined by the same stringent local planning requirements. We appointed PRS Builders to carry out a flat roof dormer conversion for us but we wanted something different, we didn’t want a ‘me-too’ extension. The idea was to create as modern an aesthetic as possible, using an innovative material, not the same type of vertically hung tiles used on other conversions in the area, but still working within the planning constraints.

“We originally chose zinc but it proved to be too expensive and not eco-friendly enough. When we heard about Vertigo, we changed the specification as it offered the stand out aesthetic we were looking for but was a more cost effective and sustainable option.”

The Vertigo slate range is very easy to fix by any builder or roofing contractor and has three different installation methods to give more design flexibility and freedom. On this project, PRS Builders fitted the Vertigo fibre cement slates using a panel installation, so that the regular bond panels give geometric precision. However, it can also be fitted using a traditional method of installation, which gives a natural slate appearance with slate hooks or another option is broken bond, where panels are staggered to give a close boarded effect.

The homeowner adds: “We’re really pleased with the finished effect, the extension blends in with surrounding roofscapes but at the same time, the Vertigo finish offers something a little bit different – a distinctive, yet under-stated, aesthetic that sets ours apart from all of the other similar dormer conversions in the area.”

Charlotte Hughes, marketing product manager from Marley Eternit, comments: “As architects, specifiers and self builders look to create stand out residential designs in urban areas, fibre cement is becoming an increasingly popular material, not only for the roof but also for vertical slating. We developed Vertigo to give more flexibility to specifiers and designers who want to use fibre cement slates across the whole building envelope. This innovative method of vertical slating uses invisible fixings to provide clean lines and a modern aesthetic and is perfectly suited to new build or refurbishment work.”

Lightweight, weather and temperature resistant and available in eight different colours from blue/black to terracotta, Vertigo slates can be used to create beautiful, distinctive and elegant vertical cladding solutions for a full range of building types. Perfect continuity between the roof and facade can be achieved by using Vertigo in combination with Marley Eternit’s Birkdale or Rivendale fibre cement roof slates.

Vertigo also boasts superb sustainability credentials, helping to achieve environmental credits with a ‘very good’ BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing accreditation and its own Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). Fibre cement also offers sustainability benefits throughout its whole life cycle, as it can be fully recycled at the end of its use. Waste fibre cement can be ground down and used to replace limestone and shale in clinker production, the essential ingredients for Portland cement.

For further information on our range of products and services just ask ME at www.marleyeternit.co.uk/vertigo or call ME on 01283 722588. You can also follow ME on Twitter @MarleyEternit. If it matters to you it matters to us, that’s why with ME it’s all about you.
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Cembrit Hits the Heights with its FC Ridges

Stocking and fitting the correct ridges for fibre cement roofs is simple with Cembrit’s comprehensive range. Available immediately, the ridges are lighter in weight and easy to cut and fix, qualities which make them superior to the commonly used mortar bedded, concrete or clay alternatives. An additional benefit for stockists is the lower weight per linear metre ratio, equaling smaller footprint, which makes Cembrit ridges easier to store and a more cost effective stock item then substitute products.

Cembrit fibre cement ridges are lighter in weight, do not require electric power for cutting and dust suppression and are easy to install. Being dry fixed with easily available “sela” type screws, installation is not dependent on getting the correct mortar mix, nor having to wait for dry weather. This means the roof will comply with the latest editions BS 5534, BS 8000-6 and chapter 7.2 of the NHBC recommendations.

Ged Ferris, Marketing Manager at Cembrit explains: “Accessories should not be an after-thought, they are an integral component of the roof, contributing to its functionality Increasing demands for energy efficiency, through improved levels of insulation, means ventilation at roof level becomes more crucial. Particularly with tight fitting roof coverings like fibre cement slates, it is necessary to remove moisture carrying warm air from voids in the roof space. The most efficient solution will incorporate inlets at the eaves with outlets along the length of the apex.”

Cembrit has developed a continuously ventilated ridge, to cope with typical roof pitches as well as helping the roof design comply with the latest version of BS 5250. For tricky ventilation problems, where there is no clear airpath from eaves to ridge, Cembrit has developed low-profile vents for use on the roof slope. These are unobtrusive and can also be used as terminals.

Cembrit’s emphasis on customer service extends to rapid availability. Accessories, together with slates are available at five locations around the UK. Customers can get advice on the design, installation and fixing of the fibre cement range either on the telephone from one of the depots, or in print from Cembrit’s recently launched 80 page Guide to Double Lap Slating with Fibre Cement Slates.

Manufactured from the same raw materials and pigments as their fibre cement slates, Cembrit ridges are the perfect complement to a Cembrit fibre cement roof. The products match the slate colour, with no unsightly protrusions or changes of angle, contributing to the sleek effect that can be achieved with Cembrit fibre cement slate roofs. Cembrit can also provide a range of unobtrusive In-line slate vents and slate and ridge fixings specifically designed to meet the most demanding aesthetic requirements.

For more information, and to download the fibre cement slate guide, visit www.cembrit.co.uk

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Cedral clicks into place in conservation area

Fibre cement Cedral Click has helped a self builder in Northamptonshire achieve an architectural fusion between their property’s impressive angular design and the neighbouring Grade II listed church spire.

The facade’s ability to visually reduce the impact of the building on the landscape is based around a symbiotic relationship with the slate grey Cedral Click and honey coloured stone, which work together to make the most of sunlight, shadow and sightlines in this beautiful Conservation Area of Broughton, Northamptonshire.

This juxtaposition of facade materials was accentuated by the architects following through the angular roof design within the facade. The effect is to further reduce the building’s dominance, whichever elevation it is viewed from, creating a structure that appears less imposing, yet retains a geometry that works with the church spire in the background.

Aside from Cedral Click’s visual possibilities, the flush-fitting boards give a sense of elegance and weightlessness, avoiding the issue on some buildings where a solid facade over dominates the overall design.

Cedral Click, with its lightweight yet strong properties, enabled the designers to create a structure with complex, engaging forms, yet one that still appears deceptively at home in this Conservation Area.

The 300m², three bedroom home was the inspiration of the Manning family and Market Harborough-based Leaf Architecture. Mr Manning said: “The support from Marley Eternit has been phenomenal, our sales contact took the time to meet us and discuss exactly what it was that we wanted. We couldn’t fault their customer service and Cedral Click has far exceeded our expectations and created a striking feature.”

Cedral Click is the UK’s first and only fibre cement tongue and groove cladding system where the planks fit together flush and is offered in a range of seven colours.

With the visual appeal of natural timber and the durability of a fibre cement product, Cedral Click has good resistance to fire (A2-s1,d0 to EN13501-1). Being made from fibre cement means that it won’t warp or shrink over time like timber. The installers used a concealed fixing system to enhance the sheer, smooth facade.

Cedral Click achieves an A+ rating in the BRE (Building Research Establishment) Green Guide to Specification based on generic rating: Cedral Click – autoclaved fibre cement (calcium silicate) cladding – (Element Ref: 806220701, 806220675, 806220676).

Marley Eternit also offers Cedral Lap weatherboard, a more traditional, clapper-board aesthetic where the planks overlap. Both Cedral Click and Cedral Lap are made from fibre cement, which ensures low maintenance and a life expectancy of 50 years.

For further information on Cedral just ask ME at www.cedral.co.uk or call ME on 01283 722588. You can also follow ME on Twitter @MarleyEternit. If it matters to you it matters to us, that’s why with ME it’s all about you.

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