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Specialist installer SEH Commercial has completed its first major installation using the REHAU Polytec 50 aluminium clad curtain walling system.

The Suffolk based company has successfully installed a 20m high replacement curtain walling section across the common stairwell area in the high profile eight storey, 1960s Greenlaw Court apartment block in Ealing, West London.

Successfully tested to the tough CWCT standards for weather performance and Passivhaus certified and approved, the REHAU Polytec aluminium clad curtain walling matches the aesthetics of the steel curtain walling which was in place previously, but offers much improved thermal performance and minimal requirements for maintenance.

REHAU Polytec 50, which uses a conventional transom/mullion construction with box steel stick sections faced internally with PVC profile and externally with aluminium, was specified by Cooley Architects.  SEH and REHAU’s commercial sales manager Kevin O’Neill worked closely with architect Gebina Ham, director at Cooley Architects, on the specification and recommended REHAU Polytec 50 because it could meet both the planning department’s requirement for slim sight lines and the residents association’s requirement for cost effectiveness.

Alongside the curtain walling, SEH also installed more than 130 windows in the 34 apartments in the Greenlaw Court block fabricated in the flush fitting REHAU TOTAL70R fully reversible window system.  These replaced the original steel windows from the 1960s, replicating the overall appearance and opening options but offering the block’s residents improved thermal performance, better acoustics and greater security.

The curtain walling, windows and 32 balcony doors in a REHAU TOTAL70 outer frame were all fabricated by leading REHAU fabricator Climatec, based in Southend.

The window, door and curtain walling replacement at Greenlaw Court was part of a much larger refurbishment project managed entirely by SEH which also included concrete repairs, asbestos removal, electrical and service alterations and building decoration.

The feedback from the Residents Association has been very positive, not just on the performance of SEH during the refurbishment programme but also on the fact that the building is now much more air tight, with lower traffic noise and improved thermal efficiency.

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ROCKFON work at the forefront of technology, developing high quality stone wool acoustic ceiling and wall solutions. They are proud to exhibit their latest innovation, new generation ROCKFON Mono Acoustic on Stand 23 at the Materials Show, London in April 2017.

ROCKFON Mono Acoustic quickly became a preferred solution for leading architects, when the system was first developed, as a contemporary, high performance, versatile alternative to traditional gypsum and plaster walls. Now ROCKFON have taken the solution a step further by adding marble powder to the render to create an even smoother, whiter and more refined acoustic surface that enhances any interior environment.

Unlike other monolithic, flat surfaces, ROCKFON Mono Acoustic is able to control reverberation by offering outstanding Class A sound absorption, all thanks to its stone wool core. ROCKFON will be celebrating International Noise Awareness Day on the 26 April. Their stand features a sleek sculpture inspired by vintage gramophone amplifiers, to support the European Acoustics Association (EAA) initiative to promote awareness of noise on the welfare and health of people worldwide.

Ideal for any space, ROCKFON Mono Acoustic offers true versatility. It can be installed on sloping, flat or curved surfaces, either in a suspension grid or mounted directly on existing ceilings or walls. The timeless, monolithic look of ROCKFON Mono Acoustic is suitable for renovation projects as it complements the character and original architecture of historical buildings. For new builds, ROCKFON Mono Acoustic can be installed in smaller rooms or large atriums as seamless spans, ceiling islands and walls.

The new white surface of ROCKFON Mono Acoustic is extremely bright and offers 99% light diffusion and 87% light reflection. The combination of high light reflection and diffusion leads to a uniform and regular spread of natural light in a room, reducing the need for artificial light and reducing energy costs. Comfortable lighting is important for wellbeing and personal performance. ROCKFON Mono Acoustic can be specified in an unlimited number of custom colours, offering true creative freedom.

The system allows for easy incorporation of light wells, lighting, air conditioning, ventilation systems and inspection hatches and offers Class A2 fire protection. The tiles are dimensionally stable at up to 100% relative humidity and can be installed in temperatures ranging from 0°C to 40°C, allowing installation before windows are fully sealed, without the risk of distortion. ROCKFON provides technical support and training courses for certified installers to ensure a high-quality finish and performance. All ROCKFON products are backed with a 15-year guarantee and are fully recyclable.

The ROCKFON team embody unrivalled expertise and knowledge when it comes to finding the perfect acoustic and aesthetic solutions for any interior design. They look forward to welcoming you to Stand 23, and to discussing how ROCKFON can help turn your design into a reality.

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Armourcoat will be participating in Materials 2017 – a new conference and exhibition focused entirely on material solutions for architecture, construction, and design (25-26 April, ILEC Centre, Earls Court, London).

Duncan MacKellar, Armourcoat creative director, will be speaking at the event and as part of a ‘concrete’ panel debate. The company is also presented as part of the Meet the Buyers forum on the show floor.

Decorative specialists Armourcoat are a leading supplier of high quality surface finishes with an array of global projects for an impressive list of international blue chip clients in the residential, hospitality and boutique retail sectors.

In March 2017, Armourcoat introduced a new Acoustic Plaster system designed to optimize the acoustics of interior spaces.

From large theatre halls, offices, classrooms, hotel receptions and private residences the use of hard sound reflective surfaces such as glass, wood and stone can cause excessive sound reverberation which leads to unpleasant noise levels. The Armourcoat Acoustic Plaster System offers a clean and smooth mineral surface that can be applied seamlessly over large expanses to both flat and curved surfaces. The correct control of sound can create a calmer and more pleasant environment.

Comprising of a special mineral wool composite panel that is bonded onto the substrate and finished with a seamless layer, the Armourcoat Acoustic Plaster System offers an elegant marble based plaster finish while allowing sound energy to pass through the surface. The zero VOC system consisting of 80% recycled material, achieves class ‘0’ fire rating and a class ‘A’ Noise Reduction Coefficient rating.

For more information visit Armourcoat at Materials 2017, or visit the company website at www.armourcoat.com.

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Polycarbonate pioneers Twinfix Limited are excited to announce that it will exhibit at the MATERIALS 2017 exhibition, 25^th and 26^th April at the ILEC Centre, Earls Court, London and they very much look forward to meeting you there.

The exhibition is the perfect platform to promote the innovative Twinfix GW Polycarbonate™.

Cleverly combining the appearance of traditional Georgian wired glass, yet with all the modern material benefits of polycarbonate, this lightweight incredibly tough and durable material will withstand all that the British weather can throw at it without cracking and breaking.

It is proving to be particularly popular for use in the rail sector where it has been much used in canopies and overhead glazing at various railway stations throughout the UK.

One such recent example is Lewes Station in East Sussex.  Twinfix worked alongside BAM Nuttall Ltd on the refurbishment of the station roof, providing them with Georgian wired polycarbonate Multi-Link non-fragile rooflights.  The remit was to replace some 1,178 panels of roof and vertical glazing.

Vicky Evans, Twinfix Director commented:

“For me it’s important to retain the feel of a station, so a sympathetic restoration is crucial.  However, I now also think it’s essential to not just replace like with like, as although traditional materials may look the same there are often disadvantages associated with them.  I think Georgian wired glass is an example of this.  It suits these old stations, it is in keeping, but it just replicates the same old problems; it breaks, it needs replacing.  The cycle continues.  Durability and sustainability are key in any refurbishment, why replace with something susceptible to breakage?

So this was an easy one to solve, the product needed was our Georgian wired effect polycarbonate. 

This polycarbonate glazing mimics the traditional Georgian wired glass that it will be replacing, but it will not break in use.  It is therefore safer to install and to use as an overhead glazing material, with no risk of glass cracking and shards or glass dust falling onto the platform below.  The long term cost saving of not needing to replace broken panels, accompanied by the massive safety advantages of not worrying about falling glass, just have to be considered as key benefits of our Georgian wired polycarbonate roof glazing.”

Georgian wired polycarbonate also has the additional benefit of being lighter than glass, therefore making it easier and quicker to install on a roof.  When it replaces glass it does not usually require any extra structure being put in place as it is normally considerably lighter than the original glazing.

Georgian wired polycarbonate can be pre-glazed in the Twinfix Multi-Link framing system which has a number of advantages over the old style two-part glazing bars that are put together on site to create a glazed roof.  The Multi-Link system is manufactured in the Twinfix factory and incorporates an innovative fix and link installation feature that makes it very quick to install.  Once on site there is less disruption at a station, which is important as the public needs to be serviced as normally as possible during building works.  This panel system also results in fewer errors on site during the install due to the pre-assembly of the panels.

Multi-Link roof glazing is also non fragile to ACR(M)001:2014, which is a key feature of all Twinfix station roof glazing systems.  When the life of old glazing on a roof is over it needs to be replaced with non-fragile roof glazing to limit risks on the roof.

All these advantages led to a successful roof re-glazing, providing Lewes station with a non-fragile, virtually unbreakable and attractive roof that keeps the feel and look of this heritage station.  Any hurdles that were met were overcome by the skilled and dedicated Twinfix team working closely with BAM, with one joint goal in mind, completing the project successfully.

Now finished, Lewes Station is a wonderful example of the Georgian wired Multi-Link product. Twinfix, BAM Nuttall and Lewes station can be very proud of these refurbished premises.

For further information, contact Twinfix Limited on 01925 811311 or visit www.twinfix.co.uk where you can view the entire product range, access downloads, watch HSE drop test videos or register your interest in hosting a CPD presentation.

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Embracing the use of materials during all stages of architecture and construction, from structure to finishing. Find out why the concept was conceived and what sets it apart from existing events.

Materials 2017 – The new conference and exhibition focused entirely on the cutting-edge of material solutions for architecture, construction, and design – was conceived from the burning necessity for a nuanced perspective on building product specification and procurement.

Sustainability, cost, life-cycle performance, thermal and acoustic efficiency, and potential for re-use and recycling are just some of the variable characteristics which must be taken into account when choosing materials for a project. Materials 2017 aims to deliver a transparent platform where construction professionals can gain confidence in their specification choices down to the last of these details.

Alongside a vibrant exhibition packed with innovative materials manufacturers, Materials 2017 will incorporate over 10 hours of CPD seminar content, a comprehensive two-day conference program full of influential speakers, and further networking opportunities such as a Meet the Buyers Forum, and evening reception. Materials 2017 has been developed to be the one-stop show for all procurement and specification needs.

For more information visit www.materials2017.co.uk, or to register for your free ticket go to www.materials2017.co.uk/register.

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Charcon, the commercial hard landscaping division of Aggregate Industries, has enhanced its successful Infilta permeable block paving range by incorporating a new design element.

The new Infilta range now features nibs that end 13mm short of the face of the block. The result is a totally unique block paving solution that does not compromise interlocking performance and offers enhanced aesthetic appeal with the unsightly nibs being hidden from view when laid.

Not only is Infilta more appealing from a design perspective, it is a totally unique permeable paving solution that does not compromise on water drainage performance, enabling water to drain away through the gaps. Incredibly hardwearing, it offers excellent durability and grip which makes it perfectly equipped for all trafficked applications including car parks, retail areas and other heavy-use commercial locations such as HGV loading areas.

This new stylish offering is available in four different variations: Ecopave Textured, Andover Washed, Andover Textured and StoneMaster. Designers can also choose from a range of textures and colour options to complement their project, such as Grey Fleck, Pink Granite, Sandy Buff and Rustic.

Mike Davies, Category Manager for Charcon, comments: “Not only do the new straight edges provide a much cleaner and contemporary finish, they significantly enhance the design options available as architects and specifiers can now opt to have have Infilta laid alongside and in combination with a vast range of standard paving. Not only that, Infilta is part of our Life® range of products which makes it the ideal choice for sustainable specification.”

For further information, visit www.charcon.com or call 01335 372222.

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Following the motto “Hycleen – in four steps to optimal drinking water hygiene” GF Piping Systems presents itself as the solution provider for the building technology industry at its usual place.

Newly, the company is also specifically addressing the air-conditioning industry with “COOL-FIT 2.0 – the revolution for efficient cooling”.

Hycleen – optimal drinking water hygiene

Drinking water hygiene is important and affects both our well-being and our health. Thus drinking water installations in buildings must be carefully planned, built and operated. GF Piping Systems provides systems and products for:

• Prevention
• Monitoring
• Intervention
• Risk assessment

The revolution for efficient cooling

Contributing to the worldwide initiative to reduce CO2 emissions and their environmental impact, GF Piping Systems brings a revolution to efficient cooling. The unique and comprehensive COOL-FIT range suits all kinds of cooling requirements. Benefit from the advantages of the new, pre-insulated COOL-FIT 2.0:

• 100% corrosion free
• 50% faster in installation
• 30% better energy efficiency

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The client wanted a light, non-yellowing natural surface to the oak floors in this London property.

To deliver the required effect, a combination of Bona White primer and Bona Traffic Natural polyurethane lacquer was applied.

Depending upon how many coats are applied, Bona White primer is designed to ‘whiten’ the surface from – as in this one coat application – simply providing a subtle pale sheen that will inhibit any yellowing over time, to a true whitewashed look when two or more coats are applied.

Bona Traffic Natural was chosen as the top coat because it maintains the non-yellowing look and feel of pure, untreated wood and, at the same time, offers superior surface durability.

There are six Bona primers offering a choice of colouration from Scandinavian white to rich amber. Using a primer as the initial surface coating is more economical than adding an extra lacquer coat. Like all Bona coatings, Bona primers are very easy to use, reduce side bonding and improve the adhesion of the lacquer.

There are six Bona waterborne top coats to offer you a solution for every environment, whether you are looking for a matt or glossy finish, a natural, untreated look, anti-slip properties or supreme surface durability.

Low VOC Bona primers and lacquers meet the stringent Greenguard emissions standards and all packs carry the Greenguard logo. The global Greenguard Certification programme helps buyers identify products and materials that have low chemical emissions and therefore improve the quality of the air where they are used.

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The new Condair DL in-duct adiabatic humidifier offers the accurate humidity control normally only available from steam humidifiers, but with the low energy performance and evaporative cooling benefit of a cold water system. It also incorporates many anti-microbial features that make it one of the most hygienic humidifiers available.

The Condair DL is a hybrid humidifier that combines spray and evaporative technologies to maximise moisture absorption and provide humidity control at ±2%RH. A water treatment system provides pure water to a grid of nozzles located inside the duct. The nozzles spray towards a ceramic droplet separator, which has the dual action of preventing aerosols from travelling down the duct and offering secondary evaporation through its porous surface. This increases efficiency of the system with 95% of the spray water evaporating during both processes.

The spray nozzles initially operate in stages to meet a required output and humidity demand. Following the initial stage control, fully modulating control is then achieved by increasing the water pressure to the nozzles. By responding to humidity demand and output control in this way, the humidifier can deliver the type of humidity accuracy typically only available from a steam humidifier.

The humidifier incorporates an RO water treatment system that ensures only pure water is introduced to the AHU. It then treats the pure water with a patented silver ionisation process that actively inhibits microbial growth and has a residual effect throughout the humidifier. Flush and drain cycles prevent water from remaining in the system to stagnate and optional compressed air drying guarantees moisture cannot remain in the humidifier’s water lines. In addition to these features, optional H2O2 disinfection can be incorporated into the system and initiated via the control panel.

All these features make it one of the most hygienic humidifiers in the world and have earned the unit accreditation by the SGS Institut Frensenius in Germany for hygienic operation. The system was independently tested under real-life operating conditions for a six-month period. Part of the investigation included purposeful microbial contamination to assess the effect. Throughout the test the Condair DL fulfilled all requirements and outperformed the VDI 6022 industry standard for microbial growth, achieving a maximum CFU/ml microbial count 85% less than the recommended limit.

The Condair DL offers both the control accuracy of electric steam humidifiers and extremely hygienic operation but without the high electrical energy costs. By pre-heating the airstream prior to the Condair DL with gas-fired heating, the same volume of moisture can be absorbed by the air as steam humidification provides, but at one third the energy cost due to the economy of gas. If a building’s waste heat can be used for the pre-heating process, the humidification energy savings are even greater.

As with all adiabatic humidifiers, the Condair DL also offers the additional benefit of evaporative cooling during the warmer months. As 1kg of absorbed moisture provides 0.68kW of evaporative cooling to the air, the Condair DL can provide over 680kW of cooling per hour from as little as 1kW of consumed electrical energy.

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