What's New in Building articles from May 2005

What's New in Building archives from May 2005

Lifting becomes art for the latest range of platform lifts.
May 16, 2005... Simple, widely specified solutions for disabled access are what enable Gartec to meet and exceed customer expectations For over 11 years Gartec has supplied platform lifts, and is now a specialist in platform lifts for disabled access...

High efficiency boilers easy to install and use.
May 16, 2005... Extending the choice of SEDBUK A rated boilers, the lastest Worcester Bosch Greenstar CDi range offers advanced features. Designed to complement the existing range of conventional CDi series boilers the Greenstar CDi range consists of four...

Specialists create Caledonian curves.
May 16, 2005... Solaglas called on Specialist Glass Products to transform Glasgow's Central Exchange Building with its curved double glazed units. Specialist Glass Products is able to offer glazing solutions for a comfortable office environment with both...

Most Innovative Design.
May 16, 2005... Linton Road, a project designed by M3 Architects in collaboration with Cantifix, has won a prize for Most Innovative Design at Glassex 2005 exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham. The prize was awarded for a glass conservatory addition to the...

Off site construction cuts costs by a third in Yorkshire.
May 16, 2005... Off site construction techniques helped trim 35% off the construction budget of a new education centre in Yorkshire. Designed by Leeds Environmental Design Associates, Skelton Grange environmental centre was constructed by Framework CDM....

Three steps to security.
May 16, 2005... The Quick Change key system from Squire is described as the lock with three lives. When Green Key 1 has been lost, total security control is quickly regained by inserting Amber Key 2 into the cylinder to automatically stop Key 1 being used...

Safety with a touch of style.
May 16, 2005... The Puma range of safety shoes is now being distributed in the UK and Ireland by Totectors. Puma safety footwear fulfils the needs of fashion conscious customers, whilst ensuring that the wearer's foot protection is not compromised. The...

CPD seminar on Document E.
May 16, 2005... In response to demand, Lorient Polyproducts has introduced a CPD seminar on performance door design and building regulations Document E. The presentation includes information on the nature of sound; effective design of door assemblies for...

Affordable timber frame.
May 16, 2005... At Gleeson Homes' Netherne-on-the-Hill village development, Guildford Timber Frame has designed and built 31 affordable homes for the Guinness Trust. The structural timber frame system offered fast build times and a high quality finish....

Bespoke training offer.
May 16, 2005... Trus Joist has developed a bespoke installation training programme for Taylor Woodrow. The programme will be places electronically in the Taylor Woodrow intranet, allowing it to be accessed by site managers at any Taylor Woodrow job. ...

New look in the bathroom.
May 16, 2005... This month sees the unveiling of a whole new corporate identity for Twyford Bathrooms. The update reflects the company's increasingly contemporary direction and includes fressh modern look for the popular Galerie suite. Copyright: CMP...

Record breaker lifted in safety.
May 16, 2005... What is believed to be the world's largest pre-cast element using architectural self-compacting concrete has been safely installed using Halfen's Frimeda rapid lift system. The 32 tonne, 11.5m high column, was cast in Trent Concrete's...

Promat in the Middle East.
May 16, 2005... Passive fire protection specialist Promat is making inroads in the Middle East. High profile customers include Emirates Airlines in Dubai and the Jumeira Beach Hotel. Here designers used Vermiculux fire protection boards to protect steelwork....

Long life for Glasgow refurb'.
May 16, 2005... For the regeneration of Glasgow's Balbeg Street, Keim mineral paints have been applied, due to proven long life performance. The Keim system was assessed as requiring only a 15-20 year re-paint cycle compared to five years with conventional...

Centre will boost service.
May 16, 2005... Even better service for customers is promised by Buxton Cement following the opening of its new rail-linked distribution centre in Willesden, north London. It can handle 130,000 tonnes of bulk cement a year and allows the company to offer...

STOP PRESS: Rubber for library.
May 16, 2005... Architects Adjaye Associates have specified Dalsouple rubber in soft green and blue with an anti-slip micro textured finish for the Idea Store library and learning centre in Whitechapel. The rubber is used throughout the entrance foyer and...

STOP PRESS: Lift delivers the goods.
May 16, 2005... A Stannah Goodsmaster goods-only lift has been installed at The Manor House Hotel & Golf Club in Castle Combe, Wiltshire. Until the lift was installed, The hotel's Dunstanville Suite could only be used for meetings without catering as there...

STOP PRESS: Singapore spectacle.
May 16, 2005... Manufacturer of architectural stonework and landscape ornaments, Haddonstone, has been awarded its largest ever contract for a spectacular residence in Singapore. The project, which is currently under construction, uses Haddonstone's...

STOP PRESS: Sporting appointment.
May 16, 2005... Vinyl flooring firm Gerflor has appointed Andrew Davis as a national specialist for sport, an important sector for the company. As well as supplying sports flooring to schools and leisure centres across the country, the company provided...

STOP PRESS: Vinnie's tooled up.
May 16, 2005... Vinnie Jones has helped launch Brute Tough, a range of cordless power tools from Bosch that gives heavy-duty quality with a manageable 18V output. The range includes a combi drill driver, jigsaw, planer, sabre saw, circular saw and...

STOP PRESS: Creative scope in hardwood.
May 16, 2005... The Interdeck range from International Timber offers creative scope in hardwood and softwood decking for commercial and domestic applications. Interdeck offers six species including four hardwoods. International Timber believes there is a...

STOP PRESS: Free fire briefing.
May 16, 2005... Yale Door & Window Solutions has just published its latest technical briefing - available free to specifiers - which examines how legislation and British Standards relating to egress and child safety seem, at first, to pose a challenge to...

STOP PRESS: Protection for roof structures.
May 16, 2005... Rapid, cost effective protection of roof structures without the use of heat is possible using Parathane liquid roof waterproofing systems from Icopal. A Parathane accelerator provides rapid curing, reducing time and labour costs....

STOP PRESS: Engineered to perform.
May 16, 2005... As an engineered product, Norbord's Sterling Roofdek has none of the natural flaws and defects of sawn timber - no splits, shakes or knotholes. Made from softwood logs grown in sustainably managed forests, it can be sawn, drilled, planed,...

STOP PRESS: Radiator panel options.
May 16, 2005... The Bellini Decor from Myson comes in vertical and horizontal models with a choice of chrome, regal or traditional gold, bright or brushed nickel, white or colour finishes. The radiator panel is available in a range of coloured options. ...

STOP PRESS: Protection for bridge.
May 16, 2005... Protective coatings specialist Pyeroy has completed the major refurbishment of Hattersley Viaduct for Tameside Council. The five-month contract comprised high-pressure washing, grit blasting and painting of the bridge metalwork along with...

STOP PRESS: Let us spray.
May 16, 2005... Water quality management specialist Otterbine has launched the Aqua series of small floating aerators, available in the UK via distributor Lely. They are for use in building schemes incorporating water features, ponds and lakes with a...

STOP PRESS: Keeping warm in Cornwall.
May 16, 2005... Amazon Developments has used Vencel Resil's Jabroof SlimFix, insulated structural roof system to provide roofing insulation for two five- bedroom detached houses in Cornwall. The developers required a third storey, insulated living space to...

STOP PRESS: Slider is quick to fit.
May 16, 2005... Installing automatic sliding doors removes one obstacle to the less- able user, while controlling the flow of all pedestrians. As a cost-effective solution, Tormax has launched the Slidedoor Win Drive 2201. Quick to install thanks to a...

STOP PRESS: Latest design in hardwood.
May 16, 2005... Hartco Walnut is the latest design to join the portfolio of Bruce hardwood floors exclusively distributed by IDS. The product features American Walnut and is available in single planks and random lengths, responding to the trend for...

ACCESS FOR ALL: Designed with vandals in mind.
May 16, 2005... The range of Disability Discrimination Act compliant audio and video door entry kits from Videx Security has been expanded by the launched of a vandal resistant video kit. The one button door entry kit features a flush fitting, stainless...

ACCESS FOR ALL: Wider gates.
May 16, 2005... The special, wider version of Monohinge gates from Medway Galvanising has been specified by Carlisle City Council to meet disability access requirements as well as health and safety issues during improvement works at two of its parks. ...

ACCESS FOR ALL: Simple solution to access.
May 16, 2005... The new portable access ramp launched by Watco provides an easy and cost-effective solution to access problems. Featuring a tough, slip resistant surface, the ramp is made from tough aluminium and has a 300kg loading capacity. ...

LIGHTING & ELECTRICS: Their resistance is high.
May 16, 2005... Introduced under the Clipsal brand name by Schneider Electric, the elegant E1000 range of electrical wiring accessories is just 8mm thick and blend smoothly into surfaces. The range, which includes both switches and socket outlets, is...

LIGHTING & ELECTRICS: Sleeping with the fishes.
May 16, 2005... Now available from Lapp is a highly flexible cable which has been designed and approved for underwater applications. Ideal for the connection of all kinds of submersible electrical equipment up to a depth of 10 metres, the new Aqua RN8...

LIGHTING & ELECTRICS: Shedding light on hazards.
May 16, 2005... The new Zone 2 Arc road lighting lantern from WRTL Exterior Lighting is said to be the first purpose-built road lantern to bring the high efficiency, low maintenance and light technical performance of modern road lighting to Hazardous Area...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Rock renovations.
May 16, 2005... When new owners took on grade II listed Rock Cottage, they knew it needed modernisation. For the renovation work, the chartered surveyors specified Ubbink to provide continuous controlled ventilation that would improve indoor air quality....

HEATING & VENTILATING: Slimline design for ease of siting.
May 16, 2005... At Kings Pasture, a Persimmon Homes development in Norfolk, Ariston's Classico unvented cylinders are being installed in 72 new homes. Classico combines a slimline design for easy siting, with a robust tank that is corrosion proofed with a...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Upgrade, says BBC.
May 16, 2005... Refurbishment at the BBC's Woodlands restaurant in west London has included installation of four extraction hoods by Ledaire Fabrications. Unusually, the hoods at the front of house have radiused ends rather than being squared off. This...

HEATING & VENTILATING: Successful range of splits extended.
May 16, 2005... Launched at the RAC 2005 exhibition, Toshiba Air Conditioning's Daiseikai 2 system extends the R410A split system range. The first Daiseikai models have found success in the UK in residential applications and small commercial premises such...

INTERIORS: A colour of one's own.
May 16, 2005... Colourcoat Celestia from Corus has been specified by Nissan Group as it enhances and updates all its showrooms to correctly align with its corporate image. Inspired by the sparkly finish of Colourcoat Celestia, Nissan commissioned cladding...

INTERIORS: Approval for panels.
May 16, 2005... The Panel range from Plannja has received LPCB approval under certificate 695A, to LPS 1208. The Panels all have a rockfibre insulation core and the system enables concealed fixing details. Plannja Panels are available in a choice of...

INTERIORS: Modern take on mythology.
May 16, 2005... Featuring an appearance inspired by ancient Greek mythology, the Marmara Collection of porcelain wall and floor tiles has been introduced by Keramia, a member company of the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers Association (ASCER). Available...

INTERIORS: Backing for tiled surfaces.
May 16, 2005... Glass fibre reinforced cement Aquapanel boards from Knauf Drywall provide a practical means of safeguarding investment in stylish modern kitchens and bathrooms. The Aquapanel boards have been specially developed as a high- performance...

INTERIORS: Wide range of mouldings.
May 16, 2005... A wide range of coving, railing, ceiling roses, skirting and other interior mouldings is now available from Birmingham based mail order company LeeWay. Unlike many cheap polymer mouldings, the products are said to feature fine, sharp...

FLOORING: Favourites go fast track.
May 16, 2005... The popular Heuga 584 Ultimum range of tufted plain low level pile carpet tiles from Interface has been refined to ensure that the 16 most popular colours are available as Fast Track (ex-stock) products. Heuga 584 Ultimum features 100%...

FLOORING: Eye-catching designs.
May 16, 2005... Heavy duty sheet vinyl flooring from Polyflor has been used to create eye-catching inlaid `starburst' designs and complementary borders in the corridors at Shotley Bridge Hospital in Co Durham. Tonal shades were selected from the Polyflor...

FLOORING: Free flowing grout.
May 16, 2005... Introduced by ACM, Cement Grout CX-1 is a non-shrink free flowing grout which is ideal for anchoring machine rails, structural steelwork and other similar applications. It is also said to be a cost effective choice for large bulk void and...

FLOORING: Flooring gets technical.
May 16, 2005... The Technical Department of Junckers worked closely with architects Bain + Bevington to create a solid hardwood floor for The Lowry performing arts and visual arts centre in Salford. The floor had to cater for many different users, and also...

FLOORING: Vinyl flooring for new store.
May 16, 2005... Vinyl flooring from Armstrong has been specified for the new Staples store in Portsmouth, the first UK store to introduce an American-style interior design scheme to strengthen the look of the Staples retail brand in the UK. The...

FLOORING: Authentic look of oak boards.
May 16, 2005... Said to combine the authentic look of bevelled traditional oak boards with the speed and convenience of a click-together system, Oak Gershwin flooring has been added to the Philharmoniker-Clic range from Edwards Cheshire. Available in...

REFURBISHMENT: Washrooms set the trend.
May 16, 2005... Never mind the dance floor, the most stylish place at Decadence night club in Nottingham is probably now the washrooms, following a makeover using the Nisys system from Norske interiors. The club specified the stylish Jet Argent colour...

REFURBISHMENT: Total solution package.
May 16, 2005... A total solution package was provided by Delvemade for a variety of external envelope problems facing the Next Retail building in Weston- super-Mare. Ageing grp rooflights were sealed around the perimeter with Seamsil flexible silicone...

REFURBISHMENT: Creating yet another scene.
May 16, 2005... Lighting controls from Eaton have been selected by Videosonics for three refurbished sound mixing theatres in Camden Town, north London. The lighting controls selected by the sound editing company allow four pre-set lighting arrangements,...

REFURBISHMENT: Products sent to the tower.
May 16, 2005... Products from Liquid Plastics have been used during the transformation of Lymm Water Tower in Cheshire which has been turned into a modern, minimalist family home. Among the products specified were the company's seamless roof system,...

REFURBISHMENT: Convent gets converted.
May 16, 2005... Prefabricated GRP building products expert Stormking has produced dormers to precisely replicate the originals in the restoration of the 19th century St Clares Convent in Pantasaph, north Wales. The convent, vacated in the mid-1970s, has...

REFURBISHMENT: Close attention to detail.
May 16, 2005... Sliding box sash windows, doors and casement windows from Mumford & Wood's Conservation range have been specified for the extensive renovation of a substantial mock-Georgian property in Middlesex. Made to order within practical parameters,...

REFURBISHMENT: New lease of life for metal.
May 16, 2005... Developed by solutions specialist Acrypol Products, Metal-Kote is described as an exceptionally cost-effective way to upgrade waterproofing integrity whilst creating the visual effect of new profiled sheet metal roofing or cladding. ...

REFURBISHMENT: Concrete admixtures.
May 16, 2005... Underwater concrete admixtures from Sika have been used in refurbishment work to protect the foundations of historic Bideford Longbridge in north Devon. Both Sikament 10 and Sika UCS powder were used in the underwater concrete mix design....

REFURBISHMENT: No more condensation.
May 16, 2005... Condensation problems in homes managed by Suffolk Heritage Housing Association have been resolved by the retro-fitting of Passive Stack Ventilation (PSV) from Passivent. The noise-free and maintenance-free natural ventilation solution is...

REFURBISHMENT: Innovative lining product.
May 16, 2005... An innovative `no dig' lining product from Dyno-Rod solved the problem of cracked vertical lead rain water pipes housed behind 2.5m bomb-proof floors during the extensive refurbishment of the Treasury Building in Whitehall. Using...

REFURBISHMENT: Selection of mortars.
May 16, 2005... The extensive range of waterproofing and damp proofing systems available from Grace Construction Products includes a selection of repair and levelling mortars that will fulfil most surface renovation requirements. The Betec NSM range...

CEILINGS & PARTITIONS: Keep noise down.
May 16, 2005... Developer Bluestone has led a project at Uffculme School near Tiverton, Devon which has involved use of Master F panels from Ecophon. The design of the school dining hall included a hard wooden floor and bare walls with no sound absorption,...

CEILINGS & PARTITIONS: System meets Part E.
May 16, 2005... Fermacell (a brand of Xella Dry Lining) and Protektor now offer a standard ceiling system that can accommodate penetrations for downlighters or fans while still meeting Part E acoustic requirements. The ceiling system is fixed to a standard...

LANDSCAPING: Paving for all: avoiding barriers to accessibility.
May 16, 2005... The requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act also apply to the external environment, as John Howe of Interpave explains In October last year, Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (the DDA) took effect, dealing with...

LANDSCAPING: Access to the Underground.
May 16, 2005... Floor access covers from Howe Green are being installed in many of London's refurbished underground stations and main line railway stations. New computerised manufacturing techniques and increased use of stainless steel in the purpose-made...

LANDSCAPING: Adding the natural touch.
May 16, 2005... The latest addition to the product portfolio from Brett Landscaping and Building Products is a range of natural stone paving and accessories for homes and gardens. Complementing the company's existing concrete based hard landscaping...

LANDSCAPING: New national landmark.
May 16, 2005... Materials have been supplied by Blanc de Bierges for thee creation of a new national landmark, the Folkestone White Horse. The giant hill figure, designed by artist Charles Newington, has been marked out in handcrafted Blanc de Bierges...

LANDSCAPING: Lifestyle in a brochure.
May 16, 2005... Copies of the new Village Stone brochure are now available from RMC Concrete. With Lifestyle being the theme of the publication, practical considerations have been combined with the imaginative use of paving and walling as a garden...

LANDSCAPING: Balustrade departure.
May 16, 2005... A departure from the usual traditional classical style of Chilstone, a new design of balustrade brings the extensive range in the company's catalogue to an impressive 36 in number. The new design was commissioned for a private client in...

LANDSCAPING: Mortar mixed on site.
May 16, 2005... Mixed on site. Cempoint cementitious pointing mortar from Instarmac has been used to grout new paving joints in the Hampshire market town of Romsey. The Hundred and Latimer Street in the centre of the town have undergone a #750,000...

LANDSCAPING: High-strength mortar.
May 16, 2005... High-strength pourable mortar from Easipoint has been used to restore a harbourside roadway of traditional stone setts at the 19th century Arbroath Harbour. Almost 700 m2 of stone setts were reclaimed, cleaned and relaid during the latest...

LANDSCAPING: Safe and non-slip pool surrounds.
May 16, 2005... Pool surrounds are just as important as swimming pools themselves, and also need to be safe and non-slip. A company with considerable experience in advising on the best materials for such settings, north London-based Roma Marble created and...

GLASS & GLAZING: Damage limitation.
May 16, 2005... Damage to raw glass surfaces during the construction process can be avoided by using ClearShield Glass Protect from Ritec, which can be used to convert ordinary glass into Low-M (Low Maintenance) Glass. ClearShield protects glass before,...

GLASS & GLAZING: Company gets into new gear.
May 16, 2005... Glazed systems specialists DR Services has introduced a range of stainless steel running gear. The Terra system enables glass doors to move on a hemispherical section rail set on the floor, whilst other systems suspend them from elegant...

GLASS & GLAZING: Sealants meet tough eco spec'.
May 16, 2005... Silicone sealants from Dow Corning met challenging aesthetic, environmental and technical requirements for the demanding facade of the new Main Airport Centre in Frankfurt. The sealants have enabled the argon-filled insulated glazing units...

DOORS & WINDOWS: A natural progression.
May 16, 2005... A new Daylighting Systems range of Rooflights, Skylights and Interlocking glazing systems has been introduced by Alumasc. Included are Continuous Barrel Vault Rooflights and two types of dome or pyramid rooflight. Unique to the flat...

DOORS & WINDOWS: A natural progression.
May 16, 2005... Made to measure doorsets from Masterdor have been specified by Countryside Properties for its Wychwood Park development in Crewe. The developer required a door that would make a good first impression, as a welcoming entrance is a major...

DOORS & WINDOWS: Manufacturers go flat out.
May 16, 2005... Over 400 replacement windows manufactured from Permacell Finesse's Legend 70 profile by Weathershield Windows have been installed at several blocks of flats owned by the Church Commissioners in Vauxhall. Legend 70 profiles can be supplied...

DOORS & WINDOWS: Youth Centre transformed by curtain walling.
May 16, 2005... The face of Brynteg Youth Centre, Ebbw Vale in South Wales has been transformed by an installation of Sheerframe curtain walling from LB Plastics. A new grid was installed in the gymnasium to replace the old steel single glazed window...

DOORS & WINDOWS: Diamond sharp performance.
May 16, 2005... Over 1000 windows plus Patio and French doors from the Duraflex Diamond Suite have been installed at a new Fairclough Homes development on the site of a disused Cattle Market in Preston. Specified for their highly performance and low...

DOORS & WINDOWS: They couldn't be better.
May 16, 2005... Satisfying both aesthetic and performance demands, windows from Velfac have been installed at Farnborough's award-winning Princess Royal University Hospital. The glazing has good sightlines which allowed the architect to create clean, flat...

DOORS & WINDOWS: Doors up to par.
May 16, 2005... Bespoke and standard timber doors and windows have been supplied by Wright Joinery for the new clubhouse at Royal Scot Golf Club in Berkshire, the country's oldest golf club. The windows were designed to match the traditional low level and...

DOORS & WINDOWS: More benefits, less force.
May 16, 2005... Suitable for timber, PVC and aluminium doors, the new range of lift- slide fittings from Gretsch Unitas promises super light operation, smoother running and greater security. As a result, 30% less force is required to operate the door,...