PROJECT ILLUSTRATES

Flexibility Of Sto External Wall Insulation

A major refurbishment project in Dorset has seen a landmark building completely transformed with the use of a BBA-certified StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system. Having previously provided office accommodation, the Crown Building in Poole now houses 57 new luxury apartments that benefit from outstanding thermal performance to help keep the residents more comfortable and to reduce their heating costs.

El cock Associates undertook the task of overseeing the conversion of the existing eight-storey structure by Glossbrook Builders, which stripped back to the original concrete frame and then infilled the concrete structure with lightweight steel framing (LSF) and sheathing board. The StoTherm Mineral M insulation system was installed to the sheathing boards to create a drained and vented cavity.

“ When the exact nature of the concrete frame was revealed, it presented a number of challenges in terms of designing the insulation system and the thickness of insulation required to meet the target U-value,” adds Sto’s Head of Sales, Ashley Wainwright. “Fortunately, the StoTherm Mineral system is extremely versatile, so we had no problems in accommodating various existing features. Much of the insulation was installed

Knauf Insulation Launches Omnifit Slab 32

KNAUF INSULATION

Knauf Insulation has launched OmniFit Slab 32, the first 32-lambda glass mineral wool insulation slab on the market for use in light steel frame systems (SFS) as part of a rainscreen facade or other external wall build ups. “From thermal performance to fire safety, the regulations governing how buildings are built and perform are getting stricter,” explains Liliya Luke, Glass Mineral Wool Product Manager at Knauf Insulation. “We have launched OmniFit Slab 32 to help our customers deliver the low U-values required without compromising on fire safety, acoustic performance or sustainability. Specifiers can now optimise their rainscreen facade systems by adding the benefits of glass mineral wool to their build up – delivering acoustic performance and reduced embodied carbon compared to rock-only solutions, with an insulation specification that remains completely non-combustible.” OmniFit Slab 32 is primarily designed for use with Rocksilk RainScreen Slab when used in rainscreen applications and is suitable for use in the external wall systems of all residential buildings over 11m tall and relevant residential buildings over 18m tall.

01744 766600 www.knaufinsulation.co.uk/omnifit-slab-32 info.uk@knaufinsulation.com using our Sto-Rotofix Plus mechanical fixings, which can easily be adjusted to achieve correct alignment of the insulation boards at any time during or after installation and before the application of the render.”

S to-Rotofix Plus spiral fixings allow uneven and irregular substrates to be accommodated, enabling seamless rendered facades to be easily created. These unique, helical spiral fixings mechanically fix the insulation boards to the LSF and can overcome the problems of variable cavity requirements.

T he complex and detailed nature of the Crown Building insulation system design meant that some areas had the insulation installed adhesively using StoLevell Uni.

StoSilco stippled render was applied as the finishing coat for the insulation system, which provides high levels of water repellence.

Vivalda Builds New Structure To Drive Further Growth

VIVALDA GROUP www.vivalda.co.uk sales@vivalda.co.uk

Vivalda Group, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and distributors of highperformance facades, has announced two new pivotal roles designed to improve customer experience and drive sales. While Ricky Beadle (pictured) has been appointed National Sales Manager, Michael Brookman has become Key Account Director. Both new roles will strengthen the distribution division headed up by Vivalda’s Trading Director, Andy Thomas. Having worked in the industry for over 20 years, Ricky Beadle brings a wealth of experience and insight to the role, which creates a nationwide, fully-coordinated approach to customer sales. Ricky will provide active support and coaching to Vivalda’s sales team, based across eight UK locations. Michael Brookman is another long-serving Vivalda employee with more than 20 years’ service under his belt. He has taken on the role of Key Account Director and is now responsible for developing strong relationships with Vivalda’s major accounts. Brookman will also be working closely with newly-appointed National Specification Manager Aaron Barnes to drive new product development.

TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin), also referred to as FPO, is a singleply roofing membrane, which provides an excellent choice for larger flat-roof buildings, such as warehouses, logistics hubs and industrial units.

Carlisle’s Sure-Weld TPO roofing membrane has been a popular single-ply system in the USA for over 20 years, with more than 500 million m² installed on buildings worldwide, including factories, warehouses, hospitals, schools and large retail units.

Suitable for both new-build and refurbishment projects, Carlisle’s Sure-Weld TPO roofing system is available in either white or grey, reflecting rather than absorbing heat. This makes it particularly useful for reducing the urban heat island effect in heavily-developed locations and areas affected by increased temperatures due to climate change. The membrane is also fully compatible with solar PV installations and offers excellent root resistance for green roofs, which makes for a compelling environmental case.

Sure-Weld TPO is removable and recyclable at the end of its service life, making it ideal for any project with circular sustainability goals and, unlike some other single-ply

CARLISLE LAUNCHES SURE-WELD®

Tpo To Roofing Range In Europe

Carlisle Construction Materials (CCM), the specialist in waterproofing, sealing and airtightness solutions for the building envelope, is launching the company’s proven TPO roofing system across all its European markets, including the UK.

membranes, TPO does not contain plasticisers or other toxins which are harmful to the environment.

Sure-Weld TPO forms part of an innovative portfolio of flat roofing systems from Carlisle, which includes EPDM and PU liquid waterproofing systems. The addition to the range further enhances specifiers’ choice from the trusted Carlisle brand while offering a TPO product with exceptional practicality and performance, thanks to Octaguard XT weather protection, an ingredient combining UV and temperature stabilisers used exclusively in TPO formulation by Carlisle. This gives SureWeld TPO improved durability and flexibility and enables Carlisle to offer this system with its best-in-class extended guarantee scheme.

Available in a range of widths and thicknesses of 1.2, 1.5 and 2.0mm, the Sure-Weld TPO range includes a variety of accessories for ease of detailing and two additional widths. This fully-compatible system is part of a full roof build up from Carlisle, including vapour control layer and insulation, and is mechanically fixed or ballasted, including mechanical installation using Carlisle’s induction installation system.

Allen Coldrake, Director of Sales and Technical Roofing at Carlisle, commented: “The use of TPO membranes is growing across Europe, with environmentally-focused brands using TPO to maximise the potential of solar energy as part of their carbon reduction strategies. In Germany, a ban on PVC membrane in some cities, such as Berlin, for example, is acting as a catalyst for growth in the TPO market, while in Spain, high levels of UV and a trend for large roof sizes are also prompting high demand for TPO.

“These European trends, as stated by Global News Wire, reflect predictions that the global green building materials market will reach $951.15bn (US) by 2030, with a 12.3% CAGR. In the UK, the Government has set a target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, which has led the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) to coordinate the cross-industry C02nstruct Zero programme, driving demand for sustainable building products with reduced embodied carbon and improved circularity."

The Greenwashing Epidemic

Being ‘green’ is a top priority for people, and rightly so. To capitalise on this, some brands have been working hard to appear more ‘green’ than they actually are, which has led to ‘greenwashing’ becoming an increasingly well-known term. Major corporations, including Coca-Cola, H&M, easyJet and Tesco, have all been accused of making deliberately misleading claims about the sustainability credentials of their products and services. Whilst these high-profile, often retail-related cases have attracted the attention of national media, the issue is widespread and is also becoming commonplace in the housebuilding industry.

Origin

Wi th architects facing increasing demands to design homes that are as sustainable as possible, it’s important to be aware of greenwashing and how to identify it to ensure products can be specified with complete confidence.

W ith this in mind, Ben Brocklesby, Director at Origin, the aluminium window and door specialist, explores the growing epidemic of ‘greenwashing’ within construction and offers his advice on how to identify suppliers operating in a genuinely environmentally-friendly way.

A n epidemic in housebuilding

G reenwashing is becoming more prevalent in the fenestration industry. We often see manufacturers deliberately manipulating the U-values of their products to meet new industry efficiency regulations. These brands exaggerate the time and money invested in product upgrades, claiming improved efficiency. In reality, these upgrades lack true innovation and merely involve short-term adjustments, like adding an extra pane of glass.

A lthough this may appear a viable solution initially, it is crucial to recognise the consequences. The production of additional materials, such as glass, contributes more carbon emissions, undermining sustainability efforts. Plus, glass is heavy and the added weight results in increased fuel consumption during delivery and fewer deliveries per trip.

Identifying greenwashing

B ecause ‘greenwashing’ is designed to be deceiving, identifying it can be a challenge, especially when the wording and terminology look right. Terms like ‘eco’, ‘green’, ‘sustainable’, ‘non-toxic’, ‘recyclable’ and ‘natural’ all appear to make sense when talking about sustainability, but they’re vague as standalone buzzwords. Reputable businesses will be transparent and specific in their claims, providing substantiation and explanations.

W hen specifying products, it’s vital to consider the sustainability of the material used. For instance, aluminium is increasingly favoured in construction due to its outstanding performance and minimal environmental impact compared to uPVC or timber.

Look out for third-party accreditations. These serve as a robust gauge of quality and ethical standards, so you can specify products with absolute confidence. Avoid brands that promote own-branded logos and self-appointed awards, as these lack meaningful validation.

In conclusion

The issue of greenwashing is significant, so it’s essential to be educated on what to look out for, providing the confidence to identify the businesses trying to mislead you.

A s bleak as it sounds, there is optimism on the horizon in the form of the upcoming Future Homes Standard. This regulatory change will diminish any potentially questionable practices, as compliance will be mandatory.

BRETT MARTIN’S STUNNING NEW ROOF LANTERN PUTS SAFETY FIRST

A new roof lantern from daylight systems manufacturer Brett Martin will enhance the quality of any space and shares many of the same high-performance features as the glass rooflight range for the domestic market.

BRETT MARTIN

Av ailable in both a four-pane Contemporary and six-pane Classic style, the new aluminium lantern has been designed to maximise light transmission by engineering slim glazing bar profiles whilst maintaining excellent physical and energyefficiency performance. Brett Martin is a strong advocate for user safety, so the new lantern’s glazing features laminated inner panes, providing a level of safety not usually available as standard in this market.

T he only safe choice for overhead glazing, laminated inner panes offer enhanced protection for those below from falling glass in the event of accidental breakage. The National Association of Rooflight Manufacturers (NARM) and the Advisory Committee for Roofsafety (ACR) both recommend that the inner pane should always be laminated glass as the safest recommended rooflight option.

Senior Graduates With Another Win In The Student Accommodation Sector

SENIOR

ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS

S ales Director, Tony Isaac, explains the significance of the launch: “We are already a major player in the domestic market with our flat-glass rooflights, but we realise our customer base uses both flat-glass and lanternstyle rooflights. Our new product meets the installer’s need for easy watertight installation with precision aluminium castings and extrusions, enabling rapid onsite glazing. Practicality is key to our

Automatic Entrance Enhances Hotel

TORMAX users, who want to get on to and off of sites efficiently, so our total package for the new lantern addresses all the issues they regularly encounter on the job.

“ The installation requires no silicon other than on the kerb, and the design of the lantern’s components has removed the need to access the frame from below. Therefore, the assembly can be completed from the roof, a definite installer-friendly feature.” www.brettmartin.com

Senior Architectural Systems’ expertise in the student accommodation sector has led to a number of the leading manufacturer’s aluminium fenestration systems being used on the new Deakins Place development in Nottingham. The riverside scheme has been designed by architect firm Maber and built by main contractor Bowmer & Kirkland. Managed by student housing provider Student Roost, the new Deakins Place development is located within close proximity of the University of Nottingham’s Jubilee campus and offers stunning views of the River Leen. These views have been perfectly framed by Senior’s patented low U-value PURe aluminium windows, which have been installed by specialist contractor HKL. Specified with flat casement vents, Senior’s thermallyefficient PURe aluminium windows have been installed in each apartment to increase the flow of natural light and reduce heat loss. The slim aluminium frames have been powder coated to provide additional protection from the elements and to complement the wider facade design, which features a stunning mix of natural building materials and colour palettes.

01709 772600 www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk enquiries@sasmail.co.uk

The Travelodge Kendal in Cumbria benefits from a smart set of automatic sliding entrance doors that work in tandem to create a welcoming reception area that can be easily accessed by all guests. TORMAX partnered with Coupe Aluminium to design an accessible reception area, recommending its Windrive 2201 sliding door operator as the perfect option to power the bi-parting doors. Operational in high-traffic hubs worldwide, the TORMAX Windrive is a compact and discrete operator with a deserved reputation for steadfast reliability. Having undergone extensive testing that far surpasses current industry requirements, the Windrive operator measures just 142 x 100mm yet can still power a double set of doors weighing up to 100kg per leaf. “In addition to our successful collaborations with well-known brands, like Hilton and Ibis, we take pride in delivering tailormade solutions to numerous independent hotels over our extensive 60+ years of operation,” says Simon Roberts, MD for TORMAX UK.

01932 238040 www.tormax.co.uk sales@tormax.co.uk

CUTTING-EDGE INVESTMENT AT CRITTALL WINDOWS

Crittall has become the only steel window manufacturer with fully-integrated business management, order processing and fabrication systems following the completion of a project to introduce state-of-the-art software and machinery.

Turn A New Leaf

GEZE has launched Revo.PRIME, a new premium solution for revolving doors. The new operator boasts an exceptionallylow canopy height, narrow profile systems and an improved running performance.

Providing maximum transparency, the Revo.PRIME is perfect for creating beautiful entrances and is especially suited for hotels and offices or any building where a statement entrance is required. With its class-leading canopy height of just 75mm, which houses the automation, it ensures a minimal aesthetic whilst achieving excellent technical functionality. In addition, the narrow profiles of just 60mm on the door leaf and side panel create a visuallyappealing entrance and increased transparency creating a light and airy entrance.

T he Revo.PRIME is environmentally friendly as well. The operator saves up to 30% in energy compared with its predecessor models, which is achieved through the drive unit’s reduced power consumption.

A nother benefit of the Revo. PRIME is its improved running performance. The brushless direct current motor (BLDC) with 1000Nm torque and the enlarged diameter of the door system, up to 3800mm, ensures ease of access and meets the demands of today’s architects and designers.

Available in three- or four-leaf versions and in a choice of gold, silver and black, the Revo.PRIME can be networked to building automation systems via BACnet.

A ndy Howland, Sales and Marketing Director of GEZE UK, said: “The Revo.PRIME is an impressive addition to our range of automatic operators and one that is sure to delight architects and specifiers, giving them the freedom to design stunning entrances.”

Th e installation of KLAES product configurator software and two new CNC machines will streamline the business’ operations from quote and initial order through to manufacture and delivery, cutting out time-consuming processes and paperwork. The result will be increased output, productivity and efficiency, as well as new products brought to market more speedily.

“ This investment in KLAES software and additional CNC machinery responds to increased demand for our thermally-broken steel windows and doors as well as our Innervision internal screens,” says Crittall Windows’ Managing Director, Russell Ager. "The technology reduces lead times, makes data accessible across the business and revolutionises the tracking of orders. It also feeds into the company’s advanced ERP, or Enterprise Resource Planning, software that controls all aspects of the business, including finance and inventory. Once an order is placed, the raw materials required can be ordered automatically.”

T he combination of CNC machines – now five in number – with the new software also aids product development, increasing dramatically the speed – in months rather than years – by which new windows and doors can be brought to market.

C reating a prototype from an initial design used to involve time-consuming, not to say costly, re-tooling, but now a model can be simply produced as with a 3D printer.

Ager promises a number of new products and existing product enhancements coming forward this year.