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Kingspan OPTIM-R provides slim solution for Scottish renovation

A derelict Grade B listed hotel in Kinross, Scotland, has been transformed into an impressive modern family home, with help from the ultra-slim Kingspan OPTIM-R Flooring System.

Delivered by M&S Character Homes, the renovation plans combine the former Royal Hotel’s main two storey building with the L-shaped additional building to create a single dwelling home. Built in the early nineteenth century, the property boasts striking period features such as oak beams and low ceilings. However, both the owners and architect’s dedication to retaining as many of these features as possible and the listed status of the building, meant there were some inherent design issues that needed to be considered in order to comply with the Scottish Building Standards.

Architect Scott Strachan commented: “the much-altered historical building fabric, current dilapidated state of repair & new owners’ enthusiasm for the property provided a unique opportunity at this stage in the life of the building to both conserve the existing historic building fabric and create a new 21st century chapter in the history of the building.”

Ceiling height in the ground floor hallway where a new staircase needed to be installed was particularly low. To meet the Building Standards for both the head height for the staircase and thermal performance, the Kingspan OPTIM-R Flooring System was specified in a 30 mm thickness. Homeowner and Director of M&S Character Homes, Murray Mitchell, explains:

“As the property is Grade B listed, there are certain limitations to how far it can be altered. The Kingspan OPTIM-R Flooring System was used as it met our thermal requirements at a third of the depth of a normal insulation board. Additionally, the head height in the other part of the hallway is very limited as there is an oak main beam. If Kingspan OPTIM-R hadn’t been used, the floor-to-ceiling height would have been 60 mm less.”

Kingspan OPTIM-R vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) feature a microporous core which is evacuated, encased and sealed in a thin, gas-tight envelope. This design allows them to achieve optimum levels of insulation performance with a declared value thermal conductivity of 0.007 W/m.K despite their minimal thickness.

As with every installation of a Kingspan OPTIM-R System, Kingspan’s specialist technical team provided detailed System layouts and instructions for the project to help streamline the installation whilst keeping the construction thickness to a minimum.

20 – 40 mm thick Kingspan OPTIM-R panels are the only vacuum insulation panels in the world to be certified under the independent BDA Agrément scheme. This confirms that the products will perform as expected when installed to Kingspan Insulation’s recommendations. The certification is also recognised by bodies such as the NHBC and LABC.

For more information, please call 01544 387384, email info@kingspaninsulation.co.uk or visit www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/optim-r.
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Polyflor LVT and Safety Flooring join forces for school refurbishment

Flooring products from two of Polyflor’s most popular luxury vinyl tile and safety flooring ranges were chosen to help refurbish the school hall, classrooms and corridors at St Wilfrid’s Church of England Academy in Blackburn.

Over 1400m² of Expona Design PUR luxury vinyl tiles and Polysafe Modena PUR safety flooring was installed by local flooring contractors Rishton Floorcraft Ltd at the mixed secondary school and sixth form.

The grey wood effect Silvered Driftwood shade from the Expona Design collection covered 600m² in the school’s busy dining hall. Featuring 28 stunning wood, stone and abstract effects, the heavy commercial Expona Design PUR luxury vinyl tile collection will provide years of performance in education environments where there are high levels of foot traffic.

Polysafe Modena safety flooring in the Galena and Jetstone shades were installed to provide sustainable wet slip resistance in the academy’s classrooms and corridors. 21 rolls (840m²) of flooring was used with light grey Galena as the main floor colour and the darker Jetstone to create contrasting borders.

Manufactured in the UK, Polysafe Modena flooring features a sophisticated micro-granite decoration in a selection of neutral and bright shades and incorporates clear aluminium oxide safety particles through the performance layer of the vinyl which are virtually invisible to the naked eye, ensuring an attractive yet safe floor finish for use in commercial areas such as the education sector.

Like all Polysafe ranges, Modena meets slip resistance requirements, achieving 36+ on the Pendulum Wet Test with full conformance to HSE Guidelines and EN 13845, as well as passing the 50,000 cycles abrasion test demonstrating the sustainability of slip resistant performance. Both Polysafe Modena and Expona Design products are enhanced with Polyflor’s exclusive and robust PUR polyurethane reinforcement which is cross linked and UV cured to provide a fuss-free cleaning and maintenance regime.

Samples of both these ranges can be ordered free of charge on the Polyflor website or by calling the Polyflor Samples Direct Hotline on 0161 767 2551.

The environmental credentials of these flooring products are impressive, achieving a BRE A+ rating for major use areas in the education sector and Indoor Air Comfort Gold, assuring that VOC emissions are below any globally determined levels. Both collections contain recycled materials and are 100% recyclable via the Recofloor vinyl take back scheme.

Polyflor’s education brochure demonstrates how vinyl can be the perfect flooring solution for education environments, from nurseries to universities.

To order your free copy or read online, visit the Polyflor website or email info@polyflor.com. Further details of Polyflor’s extensive range of resilient vinyl flooring are available from Polyflor Ltd, Radcliffe New Road, Whitefield, Manchester, M45 7NR. Tel: 0161 767 1111. Fax: 0161 767 1128.
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weberfloor – the only flooring products for Weber HQ refurbishment

Major refurbishment is underway at the Saint-Gobain Weber HQ in Flitwick, Bedfordshire where weberfloor products are being used extensively. The work involves renovation of 240m² of industrial and commercial floor space.

The Flitwick warehouse project involves the demolition of the old training workshop to make way for a new product storage area. Here the floor area has been pre-treated and primed with weberfloor 4716 primer which is designed for use on all substrates prior to application of weberfloor products to achieve a thin but tight membrane. It regulates the porosity of the substrate and improves adhesion while reducing the formation of pinholes in the levelling layer. weberfloor 4716 primer should be diluted with clean water and can be spray-applied for use on large areas.

weberfloor 4160 industry top industrial floor screed was then applied to a thickness of 10mm. Compliant with BS8204 it is a pumpable, rapid hardening and self-smoothing floor screed for use as a surface layer on industrial flooring with a compressive strength of C35 and flexural strength F10. It is especially suitable where renovation time is limited and is ready for foot traffic 2 – 4 hours after application. weberfloor 4610 industry top is designed for intensively trafficked industrial floors with medium or heavy rolling loading where exceptional flatness is required such as factories, production areas or warehouses. weberfloor 4610 industry top does not require any finish but may be coated with a suitable resin and is ideal for use on both new floors and renovation projects.

In a separate area of the building work is ongoing in the creation of a new open plan office area. During the preparation stage a slip membrane was installed to create a floating floor and to effectively de-bond from the existing substrate. This has been reinforced with alkaline-resistant weberfloor 4945 glass fibre mesh. Mesh is normally used on weak substrates or in case the screed is laid un-bonded.

Fibre-reinforced for added durability, weberfloor 4310 fibre flow has been applied to the mesh at 25mm thickness but can be applied up to 50mm. This high performance, pumpable, levelling floor screed is ideal for solid and floating floors, in both commercial and residential applications. It has excellent spreading and smoothing characteristics, is suitable for heated or wooden floors and, importantly on this project, can receive foot traffic after only 2 – 4 hours.

“Ease and speed of application has been critical to allow early access by following trades,” says Tracey Dempster, head of marketing, Saint-Gobain Weber. “These facilities are used regularly by staff and overseas visitors so downtime essentially had to be kept to a minimum.”

“The transformation of this space is really impressive,” continues Dempster, “and no one understands more than Weber that time is money and floors must be laid in the shortest possible time.” Weber’s comprehensive floor screeds, which are manufactured in the UK, have been developed for optimum speed, durability, strength and smoothness and are the most technically advanced products on the market.

For more information about this project, or for technical support including award winning training courses, please contact Saint-Gobain Weber on 08703 330 070, or visit www.netweber.co.uk.
A free download of the 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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New Marmoleum Solid

Marmoleum Solid is the contemporary new linoleum collection from Forbo Flooring Systems. Authentic in nature, its five individual ranges provide the foundation for creating pure, distinctive and modern spaces.

Created from 97% natural, raw materials (including linseed oil and wood flour), 72% of which are rapidly renewable, and with a 43% recycled content, Marmoleum already has exemplary sustainability credentials. The introduction of the new Marmoleum Cocoa range goes one step further by adding a seventh natural ingredient, upcycled cocoa shells from a Dutch chocolate producer.

An innovation in construction and aesthetics, the result is a rich organic scattering that introduces a completely new tactility for Marmoleum. This has led the range to win the 2017 IF Design Award for product design – adding to the many accolades and Ecolabels Marmoleum already holds, such as Nature Plus, Blue Angel and the Nordic Swan.

Adding an entirely innovative dimension in embossing is the new Marmoleum Slate range. It features a naturally inspired texture that exudes sophistication, offering the timeless aesthetic of stone, with the warmth and purity of linoleum.

Completing the collection are Marmoleum Concrete, now featuring a flash of colour shimmer, and a variety of plain to semi-plain aesthetics that run across the remaining Walton and refreshed Piano ranges.

Julie Dempster, Marketing Manager at Forbo Flooring Systems explains: “Marmoleum Solid is a contemporary collection that sits perfectly with today’s desire for more solid visuals and raw tactility. The concept of which is designed to combine beautifully with other building materials such as wood, glass and metal.

“Marmoleum Solid shows that linoleum flooring has the capacity to move beyond the classic marbled structures, and will encourage designers to consider using it in spaces such as retail, leisure and hospitality and offices, where other finishes are often more predominant.”

The Marmoleum collection is a prime example of Forbo’s ‘Committed to the Health of One’ programme, which strives to create better indoor environments. It is naturally bacteriostatic, does not harbour allergens and holds the Allergy UK Seal of Approval. Marmoleum has extremely low VOCs contributing to positive indoor air quality and has high LRV’s which help create positive environments in which to work, live and play. It is also protected by the unique water-based ‘Topshield 2’ finish, which ensures no hiding place for dirt or bacteria. By including a seventh natural ingredient from another industry into the Marmoleum Cocoa range, Forbo is continuing in its efforts to reduce waste and improve recycling.

For more information please call 0844 822 3928, email info.flooring.uk@forbo.com or visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/marmoleumsolid and www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/CHO
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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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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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Midland Lead ahead of the game in environmental standards with new ISO 14001 accreditation

Leading British lead sheet manufacturer Midland Lead is one of the first in the lead industry to have been awarded the new ISO 14001 2015 Environmental Management accreditation by the British Standards Institution (BSI).

With a high commitment to reducing environmental impact, the company received the updated ISO ahead of schedule in December 2016, having only been audited by the BSI the previous month.
Initially accredited ISO 14001 in 2006, the internationally accepted standard outlines the most effective ways to put a successful environmental management system (EMS) in place.

In a bid to support emissions reductions in the UK, Midland Lead’s recent improvements include investment in a new energy efficient crane for the company’s refining plant, truck upgrades, purchasing five Autogas (LPG)-operated forklifts, which reduce CO2 exhaust emissions, and replacing halogen light bulbs with LED light bulbs across the factory.

Midland Lead’s managing director Boudewijn Tuinenburg says: “It’s fantastic to have been awarded the updated ISO so soon after being audited.

“This certification delivers more than regulatory compliance and the ability to meet supplier requirements. ISO 14001 also helps us make our day-to-day operations more sustainable, which as well as being great for the environment, also saves the business money and engages our employees.”

Introduced in July 2015, one of the major changes to ISO 14001 2015 is a focus on identifying lifecycles, with the aim of getting organisations to consider their wider impact, from cradle to grave, by using their environmental influence throughout their supply chains.

In addition to Midland Lead’s factory and supply chain improvements, the ISO’s updates align with the very nature of the company’s lead sheet product, which is expected to last more than 60 years and is made from 100 percent recycled lead.

With the Government’s 2020 drive for vehicles to be more energy efficient, ISO 14001 also encourages a positive ethos of continual improvement. “As a company, the environment is in the forefront of our minds with everything we do and we’re committed to becoming as energy efficient as possible,” says Boudewijn.

“So while we have passed this audit with flying colours, there is always more that can be done to decrease our environmental impact,” he explains, adding that the firm is currently exploring new technologies such as heat exchange and gas turbines to further maximise the way in which energy is used in manufacturing processes.

Furthering their commitment to reducing environmental impact, Midland Lead’s risk and performance manager, Diane Rainsford, recently passed her lead environmental auditor training. Accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) and the International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA), this qualification allows Diane to audit all of the company’s suppliers, ensuring products are of a high quality and minimise damage to the environment.

For more information please visit www.midlandlead.co.uk
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Aggregate Industries Keeps it Light for High Rise Apartments

Aggregate Industries’ Lytacrete solution was the product of choice when it came to helping to introduce an additional floor mid-construction at a new seven story upmarket apartment scheme in Southampton.

Located on Albert Road South, Southampton, the luxury apartment block was originally conceived as a six story scheme. Part-way through construction, plans were redesigned to include an additional floor – creating 20 apartments (7 one bedroom, 12 two bedroom and 1 three bedroom) for the area.

The challenge for Wright Investments was to include another floor without overloading the existing structure that was already in place – no easy feat. However, fortunately this was made possible with the help of Aggregate Industries who suggested Lytacrete – a specialist lightweight solution – in place of conventional weighty concrete.

Helping to revolutionise modern construction, Lytacrete concrete, which is formed using Lytag secondary aggregate, can be up to 50 per cent lighter than traditional comparable materials.
As such, by using Lytacrete, Wright Investments will be able to reduce the dead load of the construction by approximately 7620kN over normal weight concrete whilst maintaining its structural integrity. Crucially for the project, this has enabled reduced size columns, beams and slabs, allowing greater room the developers to add the additional required floor.

Steve Curley from Aggregate Industries comments: “Changing the original design plan mid-way through construction is common, but can present a series of challenges for the contractor. Although there were a number of traditional alternatives available, the use of Lytacrete eliminated the need for expensive re-structuring works to support an additional floor, which most importantly helped keep the project to budget and schedule.”

In production for more than 50 years, Lytag secondary aggregate is made using innovative technology which transforms fly ash into small pellets which are then heated to 1,100°C. The pellets formed are rounded in shape and range in size from 14 mm down to fines and can be used as a superior, consistent, lightweight aggregate.

In total, 420m3 of Lytacrete was supplied for the completion of 7 storeys in the Albert Road South apartment scheme, due for completion in 2018.

For more information on Lytag call 01904 727922 or visit www.lytag.com
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Altro ideal for £25 million Welsh super school

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Award-winning Altro XpressLay™ safety flooring has been used throughout a £25 million secondary ‘super school’ in North Wales. At 4,500m2, it is the biggest ever Altro XpressLay installation in the North West.

The new Rhyl High School has been funded by Denbighshire Council and the Welsh Government, and built by Willmott Dixon. It accommodates 1,200 students, and also provides a base for 45 students from a nearby community special school. The whole building was constructed to achieve a rating of “excellent” on the BREEAM scale.

As with most new-build school projects, cost and time were major factors in the construction of Rhyl High. Flooring company Linney Cooper — who were appointed by Willmott Dixon to install the flooring throughout the new school — were well aware of this. But even though Altro flooring had not originally been specified, Linney Cooper recommended switching to Altro XpressLay.

Robert Goring, Senior Project Surveyor at Willmott Dixon, said “We have been working with Linney Cooper for many years. Their expert knowledge of flooring led to a recommendation to change our specification to Altro XpressLay, which is a proven cost and time saving product. In addition, the flooring met the stringent criteria for safety, quality and design.”

James Sullivan, Linney Cooper Contracts Manager, said “For the Rhyl High project, Altro XpressLay and its properties presented themselves as a better alternative flooring solution to the one specified, for many reasons. The substrate floor at the new school was a power-floated concrete that would take a great deal of preparation with diamond grinding and laying a dpm. But, crucially, Altro XpressLay can be laid without a dpm, because it can be put down straight onto a damp subfloor or a new concrete floor at up to 97% relative humidity. This means quick and easy installation without having to wait for the substrate to dry.

“In addition, Altro Xpresslay can be laid without adhesive. There is no waiting for it to ‘cure’, we just lay, weld and walk on it the same day. There are no tacky areas, or having to plan installation in stages because of drying times.

“The flooring can be taken up and re-used elsewhere, and if we need to replace areas of damage or wear in the future, we can do so, very easily, with minimal disruption. There are no adhesive odours, either, which is perfect for sites such as schools.”

James continued: “Altro XpressLay is not a short-term solution, it is a proven, groundbreaking flooring that holds as effectively as an Altro safety flooring installed using adhesive, and there are no rucks, no movement at all.” It offers the same guarantees and lifetime slip resistance of other Altro safety flooring. The floor can be removed easily, reused and is 100% recyclable at the end of its life.

In addition to Altro XpressLay, Altro Whiterock™ White walling and Altro Stronghold™ 30 safety flooring were installed in the school kitchen. These products are often specified together as they deliver a proven combination of safety and hygiene in hard working environments.

Altro Whiterock White is the hygienic alternative to tiles that’s impact resistant, grout-free and easy to clean. Its smooth white surface and classic purity make it a timeless choice for any interior.

Altro Stronghold 30 achieves Altro’s highest rating for slip resistance and is designed to minimise risk in wet and greasy conditions for the lifetime of the flooring. As well as helping to keep staff safe from slips, it also helps reduce their fatigue, thanks to its 3mm thickness which provides noise reduction and comfort underfoot.

Linney Cooper installed the Altro Stronghold 30, while MI Contracts fitted the Altro Whiterock White.

For more information please visit www.altro.co.uk.
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Forbo’s new Sphera Energetic adds colour to the curriculum

Hot on the heels of its very first homogeneous vinyl collection, produced in its new state-of-the-art production facility, Forbo Flooring Systems has now launched a second range: Sphera Energetic. Reflecting the latest education trend colours, and with low emissions and high LRVs, this new phthalate free collection will contribute towards a stimulating, yet healthy indoor environment for any educational establishment.

Forbo’s Sphera Energetic is a bold and exciting new range that challenges traditional flooring design in schools and colleges. End users are presented with a fresh and playful colour proposition consisting of 52 shades: 41 ‘flecked’ colours alongside 11 complementary ‘vivid’ hues, which feature corresponding highlight chips to create an integrated flooring solution. The colour options are ideal for zoning and way-finding through corridors as the palette has been designed with intrinsic tint combinations to create stand out and inspiring flooring schemes.

Janet Lowe, Head of Marketing UK and Ireland at Forbo Flooring Systems commented: “The new Sphera Energetic range delivers an exciting proposition for educational design: a stylish and contemporary yet wholly practical flooring solution. Benefitting from the SMART-top finish, the new collection is resistant to chemicals, scratches and stains, making it ideal for busy classroom areas and corridors.

“Sphera Energetic’s colour palette offers high Light Reflectance Value (LRV) ratings, which will help you to maximise any form of lighting within a building – helping you to create a better and healthier environment for pupils and staff. It is also phthalate free and has very low emissions of 10ug/m2 after 28 days.”

Sphera Energetic is manufactured using SMART (Sustainable Modern Advanced Robust Technology) technology; the in-line coating and subsequent embossing process results in superior appearance and durability, which sees the collection achieving the highest abrasion wear rating group T (tested to EN660-2).

For more information please telephone 0844 822 3928, email info.flooring.uk@forbo.com or visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/spheraenergetic
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