Coatings & Paints

Product Focus – Koster KB Flex 200

With a long background in structural waterproofing, Delta’s Director, Christopher Burbridge, tells us all about one of his favourite products.

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As much as I love structural waterproofing (and trust, me I really love it), Koster products really are a place to invest when it comes to your project needs. I’m not saying you must drop half your budget on a lot of products, but you do have to invest time, research and yes, perhaps a little cash, when it comes to creating a robust solution.

What is it? Where did it come from?

A WOW product and one that never fails to impress me is Koster KB Flex 200. I absolutely love how Koster KB Flex 200 can instantaneously stop water in its tracks. Within seconds KB Flex 200 can solve massive problems, turning into an incredibly easy solution. It’s a great “Impact” product.

It is incredibly useful on lots of waterproofing project and is userfriendly.

Koster Bauchemie AG have been specialising in development and production of high-quality waterproofing systems since 1982. Their headquarters are in the lovely town of Aurich, Germany.

Delta Membrane Systems is the UK distributor of Koster products.

What does it do?

Koster KB Flex 200 is a permanent plastic sealing compound ideal for sealing pipe and cable penetrations, cavities and for custom detail waterproofing solutions against moisture and pressurized water.

Prior to application, the Koster KB-Flex 200 cartridges are laid into warm water and heated to approx. +30 °C. This ensures that the material has the optimal consistency for application. The application area flanks must be thoroughly cleaned from the inside so that they are free of dust, sand and other loose particles.

Koster KB Flex 200 must be dimensioned so that the ratio of the width (w) to the diameter (d) of the installed material is not below 1.5:1. The maximum diameter of the waterproofing is 300 mm. Before applying Koster KB Flex 200, a backing is installed in the

penetration at a depth of 10 cm using a common 2C PU foam. The Koster KB Flex 200 cartridge is then placed in the gun and the material is pressed into the penetration from back to front utilizing the nozzle so that the resulting layer thickness is at least 8 cm.

what keeps you continually using it?

Delta has an incredibly famous phrase “locking down a structure”. When we use this in a technical term, we are looking to stop any active water/ leaks percolating through the structure at that time and/or to protect areas that are weak points such as service penetrations, which have the potential to leak. We need to ensure these areas are sealed prior to the application of the waterproofing system.

As I mentioned previously Koster KB Flex 200 is a great impact product. It makes the job of “locking down a structure” an incredibly easy one.

Koster KB Flex 200 can be used anywhere – from existing structures, to basements, swimming pools, as well as on new build projects.

The product is ideal because:

• it doesn’t require ongoing maintenance • it instantly can stop flowing water • it doesn’t dry out and remains permanently mouldable • it adheres extremely well to dry and moist substates • it’s a great solution for sealing pipe and cable penetrations along with

leak sealing and gap filling and sealing • it can be applied to dry, moist or wet substrates • it has an immediate functionality • it’s suitable for both positive and negative waterproofing

Want to witness Koster KB Flex 200 in action? We have a great “How to” video guide on our website “How To” Video Guide - Koster KB Flex 200 - Delta Membranes and we absolutely love showing our customers how great a product this is by doing live demonstrations at Delta HQ.

If you’re passing HQ and would like a demo – we’ll always be happy to show you the value of this product.

To find out more about Delta products, call 01992 523 523 or email: info@deltamembranes.com

As we head into the new year and the challenges that face us , we would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our policy of stockholding and how it is even more relevant today.

“‘These are challenging times for all businesses, and the last thing we need to make our projects even more stressful is a delayed chain of supply,” says Managing Director, JIS Europe, Richard Thelwell. “We are able to maintain the chain of supply quite simply due to our longstanding policy of stockholding providing further financial stability to ourselves but as importantly to our customers.”

Furthermore the Sussex Range is manufactured from 100% stainless steel including our recently introduced Black Edition of powder coated rails.

“More and more people are coming round to the durability and sustainability of stainless steel, particularly after the year we have just had, we all need to be aware of our environmental and social impact.”

“On a practical note our customers don’t want to go to the expense and disruption of fitting out their bathroom to 2 years down the line find that an inferior mild steel rail rusts, leaks and they then need a complete re-tile when the replacement isn’t dimensionally identical to the original.” Stainless steel is 100% recyclable, and manufactured from over 90% recyclable material. It does not rust, flake or corrode. It is the sustainable, durable choice.

We source our rails ethically and take our social responsibility seriously, from our sourcing to our manufacture to our charity initiatives.

We offer 3 formats of rail throughout the range: Electric, dual fuel and central heating only and we offer both a polished and satin finish as well as the Black Edition Range.

“The cornerstones of our business are quite simply quality, stock holding and ultimately customer service. The three work hand in hand.”

“Wishing you all health and good will in 2021”

Should you require further details please visit our website www.sussexrange.co.uk or contact us on 01825 722988 and info@jiseurope.co.uk

Bathrooms & Washrooms GROHE launches new RIBA approved CPD module: Hygiene Optimisation for Sanitary Facilities

GROHE has launched its third RIBA approved CPD module, Hygiene Optimisation for Sanitary Facilities, in response to the increasing demand for hygiene-optimised solutions since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its aim is to facilitate greater awareness and provide inspiration to multiple stakeholders and industries working within the built environment, from architects and designers to housebuilders, retailers, and plumbers.

The latest seminar-based training module is the first on RIBA’s CPD database to look at hygiene in both the kitchen and bathroom, allowing architects and designers an in-depth look at residential design under a hygiene lens, alongside its increasing importance in commercial settings. As a provider of complete bathroom solutions, GROHE is able to offer its expertise holistically when it comes to bathroom applications. The CPD session encourages architects to consider how all touchpoints in the bathroom can be optimised with hygiene in mind, across brassware and ceramics. Meanwhile in kitchen settings, GROHE looks at the emerging importance tapware can play in maintaining hygiene levels.

GROHE first identified a seismic shift in the demand for hygiene-optimised products at the beginning of 2020, which reached new heights once the first wave of the pandemic hit the UK. “Whilst in the UK commercial market the transition to more hygiene-focussed public spaces and business environments has been in motion for some time, there has been increasing demand in the consumer markets, in such a way that has never been seen before“, says Karl Lennon, Leader Projects Channel – A&D, LIXIL EMENA. “Ongoing conversations with our partners and clients over the last year has signified to us that there is a real demand for more knowledge around hygiene and what solutions are available. The pandemic is likely to impact both the short- and long-term implications of the way our buildings are designed and how we live and work in them. The design community are eager to expand their horizons in order to be able to adapt“.

By designing our surroundings with hygiene front of mind, Hygiene Optimisation for Sanitary Facilities highlights other positive implications to consider too. For example, boosting sustainability credentials with products such as infra-red taps and flush plates which reduce water and energy consumption. Improving the accessibility of our private and public spaces is also a viable outcome, as more autonomous solutions will be favoured over traditional products that rely on manual operation.

To mark the release of its new CPD module, GROHE has partnered with leading hospitality design platform, Hotel Designs, to host a virtual launch event for architects and designers on Tuesday 9th February 2021. Hosted by Hotel Designs‘ editor, Hamish Kilburn, and presented by Karl Lennon, Leader Projects Channel – A&D, LIXIL EMENA, the launch event will give attendees a first look at the new CPD session. GROHE will also be hosting a prize draw for all those who register, with twenty of its brand-new Rainshower SmartActive 130 handshowers to give away. Winners will be announced and contacted shortly after the event.

For those interested in attending the launch event, registrations can be made here. To express interest in booking a private CPD training session, emails should be directed to cpdtraining-uk@grohe.com.

Roman Launch More Fluted Glass Options to Liberty Range

The UK and Europe’s leading shower designer and manufacturer, Roman, has unveiled more stunning fluted glass options on its Liberty Wetroom Panels, Liberty Sliding Door and Liberty Hinged Door with In-Line Panel.

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he Liberty Sliding Door and Hinged Door with In-Line Panel are now available in five colour finishes - Silver Chrome, Matt Black, Brushed Nickel, Polished Nickel, and Brushed Brass - these on-trend products coordinate with brassware across bathroom spaces. •32•

These new styles offer several design options to suit every style and shape bathroom including a choice of left or right handing. The Liberty Fluted Glass Sliding Door and Hinged Door with In-Line Panel can be installed on Roman’s AntiSlip Trays, Infinity Trays, and also the Low Level Trays to eliminate the step into the shower. They are all manufactured in 8mm toughened safety glass.

All of Roman’s Liberty Wetroom Panels are now available in six colour finishes - Matt White is the latest extension to our colour collection alongside Silver Chrome, Matt Black, Brushed Nickel, Polished Nickel, and Brushed Brass.

“The glass texture distorts light and offers a degree of obscurity without reducing the light in the showering area, but it is the panels’ finished look that demands attention and adds value. Fluted glass has been really popular in the international hotel sector for the last few years, but there has been a growing clamour from Designers to bring more options into the retail sector - and now we can,” says Managing Director David Osborne.