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COMPAC’s technological marble specified for Shanghai shopping mall

Versatility, functionality, longevity and beauty were key factors for leading architectural practice RTKL to specify COMPAC’s technological marble for a state of the art shopping mall in Shanghai.

The shopping mall is part of the largest multi- transportation hub in the world integrating Hongqiao airport –Shanghai’s second international airport with high speed rail, metro stations and road networks.

COMPAC’s high performance technological marble in the distinguished Nacarado design was specified for over 9,000 sq metres of flooring to provide a cool to the touch hardwearing surface.

RTKL specified 600×600mm and 600×900mm tile formats each with a 20mm thickness to produce a stunning, modern contemporary look which perfectly complemented the aesthetic requirements of the building.

COMPAC have been able to create ‘technological marble’- an engineered stone composite which has the look and feel of natural marble but with properties that eradicate many of the problems associated with it.

Containing up to 96% natural marble mixed with resins, COMPAC’s technological marble has a hardness that is similar to marble but its resistance to impact and breakage is much greater owing to its enhanced flexibility.

COMPAC’s technological marble can also be polished, thus maintaining its shine and original appearance for much longer.

It can be used on kitchen and bathroom floors, walls, vanity tops, building façades, and staircases and on high footfall surfaces such as airports, shopping malls and public buildings.

For more information please visit www.compac.es.
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New moisture resistant weberfloor DPM damp proof system saves application time

Saint-Gobain Weber, the manufacturer of many innovative, high performance construction products and systems, and specialists in industrial and commercial flooring products, has introduced weberfloor DPM, a highly moisture tolerant, epoxy resin damp proof system.

weberfloor DPM has been designed to bond to concrete surfaces even when the concrete is still drying out and when it contains a high degree of moisture. It is a two coat system which is easy to apply to concrete and cement-based substrates as well as to Weber levelling compounds.

“This really is a hard working product,” says Tracey Dempster, marketing manager, Saint-Gobain Weber, “as weberfloor DPM supresses the passage of moisture by up to 98% and is resistant to a wide range of chemicals. Its ease of application reduces project timescales and allows early installation of floor finishes. It can also be used at temperatures as low as 5°C which allows winter working.”

weberfloor DPM contains a tin of resin and a bottle of hardener packaged in a 5.6kg box. Before application all surfaces must be mechanically sound, dry and clean; free from dirt, dust, grease or other contamination or coating. Laitance must also be removed from concrete.

Immediately after mixing, weberfloor DPM should be applied evenly and uniformly over the entire substrate using a brush or roller. When the first coat has partially cured, around six to eight hours depending on ambient temperature, a second coat should be applied. Immediately after this second application cover weberfloor DPM in a full sand scatter using 1-2mm of kiln dried sand.

After 12 hours, or overnight, the floor should be brushed and vacuumed to remove any loose sand particles and then primed with weberfloor 4716 in preparation to receive a Weber levelling compound. weberfloor DPM permits early overlaying with vinyl, carpets and resin based products without the conventional ‘drying out’ period required of concrete bases.

For more information about this product, 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 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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Aluminium decking becomes a refurbishment favourite

A manufacturer of patented aluminium open grilles has tapped into widespread demand in the refurbishment sector by offering a more practical alternative to traditional timber decking.

Yorkshire-based neaco has received a high volume of specifications for its unique Techdek system as garden decking, sun terraces, external walkways and balcony flooring. Many architects, designers, landscaping professionals and contractors have been quick to appreciate Techdek’s advantages for refurbishment work: the product is non-toxic, non-combustible, corrosive-free, extremely durable and easy to install without requiring hot works such as welding. A patented swage-locked construction between bars enables high structural efficiency and load-bearing capacity.

neaco’s National Sales Manager, Peter Melia, comments: “We have been attracting a lot of specifications from refurbishment projects which require replacements for timber decking and terraces – Techdek is virtually maintenance-free, which gives it a clear advantage over wood which can be vulnerable to the elements. The erratic British weather can cause wood to expand and contract with fluctuations in temperatures, damaging the fabric of the timber.

“It almost goes without saying that dampness and wood are an uneasy mix. Rain and moist atmospheric conditions are a major cause of decay and deterioration. Regular surface treatment is required to protect the grain. Aluminium decking is an excellent alternative – our grilles are available with a ribbed surface for anti-slip performance. Our advanced manufacturing facilities can even precision-cut bespoke holes in the decking panels to accommodate existing garden features – we can engineer these to outline unique shapes such as the base of tree trunk. The system can be easily recycled with no downgrading of its properties and very little energy required for re-melting.”

neaco has also enjoyed a surge in demand from conversion projects which require balcony flooring for apartments. Techdek is similarly suited to this type of use with grille profiles that provide a generous 74% contact area yet drain water quickly and effectively. It has become one of the product’s most popular applications and neaco have developed another system, Neatdek 188, featuring concealed drainage gaps which provide even greater privacy for balconies by completely obscuring the view from below.

Peter Melia said: “Many residential developments have specified our grilles as an integral part of our all-in-one modular balconies. We offer a range of modular balcony designs which also provide maintenance-free durability and fast installation with all components delivered to site, including grille flooring, handrails, balustrade and glass panel infills. Our experienced team of fitters can carry out construction with minimum disruption to other site activities.”

Techdek was launched in 1972 as neaco’s founding product and back then its original design concept was conceived primarily as an industrial flooring application. However, its high-performance features, adaptable modular design and the natural attributes of aluminium make it suitable for much broader use. With the ability to accommodate a huge range of angles and unusual curvatures, Techdek has gained a reputation as one of the most versatile grille products on the market and has served a wide variety of architectural uses encompassing cladding, roof access walkways, screening, ventilation, bridge cycle/pedestrian ways, staging, balustrade infills and stair treads. Certain profiles have been specifically developed to provide solar shading, either as dual-purpose sunscreen/walkways or a brise soleil only. They greatly reduce the net heat gain (commonly in the order of 20-40%) of sunlight striking tinted or clear windows.

neaco’s diverse product range also includes modular handrail and balustrade systems, Juliet balconies, structural glass and adaptive bathing facilities. All products are backed by a Lifetime Guarantee and the company’s website features a Members Area containing a host of useful design guides and technical files.

For more information, please visit www.neaco.co.uk, call 01653 695721 or email sales@neaco.co.uk.
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Luxury car showroom specifies COMPAC quartz

The largest Rolls-Royce showroom in the world is in Abu Dhabi and features COMPAC large format quartz tiles for the flooring area throughout the showrooms’ display area.

This state-of-the-art facility, measures 900 square meters and houses five Rolls-Royce cars, a coffee bar and a “client configuration lounge” including colour and trim samples to allow clients to customise their cars.

COMPAC quartz in a Nacarado finish was specified for the showroom flooring due to its luxurious finish which complements the showrooms ultra-modern design and of course the beauty of the cars.
Its high performance capabilities were also a key factor – COMPAC’s renowned engineering skills have achieved virtually zero porosity and an extraordinary hard surface which has a high resistance to abrasions, heat and staining, importantly, it is easy to clean and maintain.

Delivering excellent whole life costings, quartz surfaces from COMPAC will enhance any project and provides the designer with a stunning and versatile material to work with.

For more information please visit www.compac.es.
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New Altro Showroom London created by Ab Rogers Design

Leading flooring and walling solutions company Altro has worked with internationally renowned Ab Rogers Design to create an inspiring, interactive new showroom that showcases a multitude of colourful and creative possibilities, and challenges perceptions of flooring and walling products.

The innovative space was created by Ab Rogers Design in collaboration with Altro to celebrate the colour and creative flexibility of Altro’s products. “The showroom immerses you in the essence of Altro, exploring its ethos as a manufacturer of inspirational products,” explains Ab Rogers. “It was exciting to have this huge palette of products from which to create a gallery of Altro and to work with a client who understands our fascination with colour and the powerful effect it can have on an environment.”

The Altro Showroom London has been created as an interactive space, with Altro’s many and varied products available to see, touch and take away, and a range of digital tools to help bring ideas to life. Resources include Altro’s digital kiosk where you can scan product samples, find out more about ranges and colour options and then email the information to your own account – perfect if you don’t want to carry samples around with you.

Altro’s new Space visualiser tool allows you to select Altro flooring and wall cladding solutions and place them into different 3D environments, including a bathroom and commercial kitchen. The Altro Space visualiser allows you to see how Altro products and shades look like in-situ and from all angles, meaning you can choose the right options for your installation with even more confidence.

As you would expect from a company renowned for the quality of its customer care, there are also friendly, knowledgeable Altro staff on hand to discuss everything from design trends to technical product details whenever you visit the Altro Showroom London. You can also book the showroom for meetings.

Altro’s CEO Richard Kahn is delighted to see the long-planned concept brought to life. He said: “We chose to work with Ab Rogers Design as they create spaces that enhance physical and emotional wellbeing, that transform people’s environments – completely aligned with Altro’s ethos. They have used Altro products for years and we knew they understood all that Altro has to offer. Their design is a celebration of the possibilities that can be achieved with our products and solutions.”

Visitors to Clerkenwell Design Week in May were the first to experience all that the Altro Showroom London has to offer. Architects, designers, existing and new customers had plenty to say about the new resource, describing it as “playful and inventive”, “exciting and creative”, “fun and inviting”, “captivating and inspirational.” They said that “focusing on the visual and tactile experience is a great shortcut to developing a specification”, and that “it’s a comfortable space I could spend time in to experiment with Altro products.”

The Altro Showroom London is at 15 Clerkenwell Green. It is open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.00pm, and at other times by appointment. Drop in to see us, or call 020 7490 8237. Visit www.altro.co.uk for more information.
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Birmingham dental hospital

The long awaited new Dental Hospital designed by healthcare experts One Creative Environments Ltd brings together state of the art teaching and medical facilities. Designed using BIM, this process enabled One Creative to provide a virtual building for all parties involved in the project to visualize and contribute to. This is the largest and first integrated, stand-alone dental hospital and school of dentistry built in the UK for almost 40 years.

As part of the University of Birmingham, The School of Dentistry has been specifically designed to support Undergraduate and Postgraduate dental students in world class facilities. Costing £34 million, the new hospital provides a varied range of dental services for the West Midlands and surrounding areas. Considered to be a landmark development it contributes further to promoting Birmingham as a centre of excellence for medical learning and life sciences. Totalling 15,465 sqm, the new dental hospital houses a range of services for the public including walk-in emergency dental care, restorative dentistry, oral surgery, oral medicine, orthodontics and paediatric dentistry. Opening in the second half of 2016, over 115,000 people annually are expected to be treated at the new Hospital.

This latest Hospital is only one of 10 dental hospitals in the country, and the second to have nora® rubber floor coverings installed.

The facility follows the strict hygienic requirements of an all-encompassing hospital. Clean and smooth finishes with appropriate trims are necessary to ensure a hygienic floor with easy cleaning. Due to the dense vulcanised surface nora® rubber floor coverings are perfectly suited to this type of installation. All nora® floorcoverings are hygienic, fungi-static and bacteriostatic. The dense surface means no coatings necessary throughout the long life of the floor and also results in a floor with very low abrasion. This is why nora® are able to offer unrivalled long life warranties. Finally the floors have already benefited from the efficient and effective cleaning which is achieved when using nora’s specially designed cleaning pads, which can be attached to most standard cleaning machines.

nora® floorcoverings were initially chosen for their durability and easy maintenance; however, the environmental properties for nora® are unsurpassed with the A+ individually assessed accreditation and the Blue Angel award. This award for low VOC’s provides the client with the assurance that the building will contribute to the healing environment with clean, comfortable air.

Nora floor coverings offer excellent sound reduction which is vital in such an environment where we have learning and healing/recovery environments linked together. The floors can offer up to 20dB. The rubber floor coverings provide a surface that offers high walking and standing comfort which is great for clients, patients and employees alike.
With nora® rubber floor coverings you can be sure your floor will continue to look good for decades.

For more information please visit www.nora.com/uk/products-systems/floor-coverings/noraplan-sheet/showproduct/noraplan-sentica/
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Fermacell flags up its flooring credentials

A new brochure on its range of flooring systems has been published by Fermacell.

Leading building boards manufacturer Fermacell has launched a comprehensive guide to planning and installing its dry flooring systems.

The 64-page A4 manual details how Fermacell’s dry flooring systems are a practical and cost-effective alternative to conventional wet screed to concrete floors and how their excellent thermal conductivity makes them a very efficient overlay to underfloor heating systems. In addition, an optional wood fibre layer to the gypsum fibreboard base gives it excellent acoustic properties.

The brochure details the advantages of working with fermacell flooring systems (their light weight and dry and fast installation times, to name just a couple) and gives an overview of areas of application such as home, office and shopping areas, and areas where people congregate, as well as the loads to factor in for each.

It also advises on the substrates that fermacell flooring can be installed on (such as solid floors, timber joist floors with structural decks and trapezoidal steel sheet floors) and how they should be prepared. Step-by-step guides illustrate this process as well as how they can also be enhanced with a honeycombed acoustic infill.

Specific advice is given on flooring that is exposed to moisture and humidity, where fermacell’s cement-based Powerpanel H2O can be specified. A step-by-step guide details this particular installation procedure. And a table details guideline values for tolerance levels for completed fermacell floors over coverings such as carpet, cork, ceramic tiles, parquet and laminate.

Six pages are given over to example drawings of construction details for all the different flooring combinations, with another 11 pages advising on building physics and construction performance in areas such as fire protection and sound insulation. Material usage tables and installation times complete the picture.

Fermacell’s new flooring brochure is available to download from http://www.fermacell.co.uk/en/content/1038.php.

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Sika provides eye-catching and hard wearing flooring system

When The Royal College of Ophthalmologists decided to upgrade the existing floor of a lecture room, the new flooring system had to be hard wearing, easy to maintain and offer superior acoustics – Sika ComfortFloor was up for the challenge.

Located near Euston Station in London, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists was refurbishing and upgrading a lecture room and required a replacement floor that was noise absorbent, easy to clean and would offer long term durability. To meet these requirements, the specification of ComfortFloor Pro, a seamless, liquid applied flooring system from Sika fitted the bill perfectly.

Sika ComfortFloor has recently become the first resin flooring system to achieve a BRE Green Guide Rating – attaining an A+ the highest rating available. This will help design teams achieve the highest BREEAM score possible for all project types, minimising the environmental impact of any building.

The successful application of 250m2 of Sika ComfortFloor Pro in a dusty grey colour by Sika approved contractor Surtech was completed throughout the lecture room and an adjacent corridor in the college. The team’s surface preparation consisted of diamond grinding the uneven sub floor which was followed by the application of the fast-setting Sikafloor Level 30 mortar at various depths to provide a flat surface to install the ComfortFloor System.

This was following by a layer of Sikafloor 161 primer before the application of the Sikafloor 330 by pin rake. To complete and seal the system, Surtech applied a topcoat of Sikafloor 305W by roller to create a joint free and seamless floor.

Available in a range of colours to meet numerous aesthetic requirements, Sika ComfortFloor Pro offers longevity, minimal maintenance and is perfect for applications where exceptional hygiene standards are vital. It can provide a seamless solution for food preparation areas, commercial kitchens, hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

Combining innovation in product development, the highest standards of manufacturing and technical expertise, Sika’s comprehensive range of flooring solutions for domestic, commercial and industrial applications will meet and exceed client expectations, industry best practices, and building regulations and legislation.

The careful and considered choice of products at the Royal College of Ophthalmologists perfectly demonstrates how the Sika ComfortFloor system can meet the needs of the client with an efficient installation process suitable for the most challenging and innovative new build residential and refurbishment projects.

For further information on Sika’s range of flooring products visit www.sika.com/sika-flooring or for general inquiries including technical, on or off site support, please call 0800 1123863.

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Colour, style and performance from Tessera Teviot Carpet Tiles

Tessera Teviot, one of the most widely used ranges in Forbo Flooring System’s extensive portfolio of carpet tiles, has received a stylish colour refresh to maintain its leading position.

Forbo has updated and extended Tessera Teviot’s attractive colour palette with new classic, contemporary and high impact shades, all designed to enhance the creative versatility of this practical yet high performance flooring option. This new and more diverse colour palette makes Tessera Teviot the ‘go-to’ collection for commercial, educational and public sector applications.

With over 10 million square metres already installed, Teviot is the most popular low-level loop pile carpet tile in the Tessera collection. Manufactured from 100% Aquafil polyamide, the quality and durability associated with this trusted brand remains unchanged. A high castor chair rating and hardwearing resilience ensures Tessera Teviot copes effectively with heavy traffic conditions in busy environments.

Now featuring 48 colours, in contemporary solid and the more traditional mottled designs, the new range offers greater design scope and a wider appeal.

As well as the 29 best sellers from the original range, the refreshed colour palette introduces 19 new shades. Modern neutrals, such as Sable and Mercury, along with blue tones, like new Neptune and Duck Egg, provide a revitalised palette for office applications, whilst a brighter primary colour palette creates the option of bringing in fresh colour pops such as Skyblue, Raspberry and Mandarin – perfect for education interiors.

Commenting on this new and improved range, Forbo’s Janet Lowe, UK Market Manager, says: “Tessera Teviot can be specified wherever an attractive and particularly hardwearing modular floor covering is required, while our diverse new colour palette will open the door to whole new level of design opportunity for flooring contractors, specifiers and their clients.”

For more information about Tessera Teviot and to request samples please call 0844 822 3928 or visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/teviot

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nora nTx – the fast and reliable solution

New self adhesive rubber flooring reduces downtime and saves costs

Fast, efficient and cost effective: nora systems has launched a pioneering and innovative installation technology called nora nTx. This new system halves installation time and considerably reduces costs. It works on all conventional subsurfaces, even on existing floorings and the flooring can be walked on and cleaned immediately after it is installed. This helps to minimise downtime, especially for renovation work during ongoing operations. The system is also completely moisture tolerable.

Fast and uncomplicated: A one-stop shop for all components

Planning and hence the coordination of installation times with other building or renovation work becomes significantly easier and can be organised with greater flexibility. The back of noraplan floorings is lined with a rubber based adhesive under a protective film that is simply peeled off prior to installation. The range also includes special nora nTx installation materials like filler and primer for preparing the subsurface; all components are perfectly matched to each other. “For our customers, this system solution from one source is a major advantage in all respects,” claims Andreas Mueller, Managing Director of nora systems. Unlike conventional wet adhesive for bonding, the nora nTx technology eliminates a number of steps in the operation process, for example; applying the adhesive and, as there is no drying or airing out time, flaws are minimised. The ability to apply nora nTx onto surfaces with high residual moisture also saves additional waiting time.

Ideal for renovations during ongoing operations

“The installation on fitted floor coverings does not pose any problems provided that they still offer adequate adhesion. nora nTx is therefore ideal for renovation measures,” stresses Uwe Bauer, Head of Application Engineering at nora systems. The old floorings need only be slightly roughened and, if necessary, primed, so there is very little dust and dirt during the installation – a huge advantage for renovation during ongoing operations, for instance in hospitals or day units. Directly after installation, the rooms or corridors can be walked on, cleaned, arranged with furniture, and used. At the same time, hazards to the health of patients and staff are minimised. One further advantage is the reliability for the responsible planners: nora nTx helps them to comply reliably with their new building or renovation schedules.

nora nTx is available for the products noraplan sentica, signa, stone, unita, and eco.
For perfect preparation of the substrate, nora offers a variety of nora nTx installation materials. These have been developed specifically for the installation of nora nTx flooring. The perfect match between installation materials and flooring ensures functional safety and guarantees the highest standard of quality. In addition, all nora nTx installation materials can also be used at higher residual moisture levels in the substrate.

In the USA, this innovative system solution has already won an award. The renowned magazine Architectural Record voted this flooring, among over 500 candidates, the best product in the category “Finishes and Surfacing”.

For full details please visit ntx.nora.com

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