Editor’s Choice

KEEPING THE LOOK BUT REMOVING THE WOOD

Powdertech Wood Finish has been used in the renovation of four residential blocks on Albert Road,

North London, where wooden screen shutters across the frontage of each apartment needed replacing. The sliding shutters create an attractive appearance as well as performing shade from direct sunlight, but over recent years the wood had warped and deteriorated. Warping meant that the screens no longer travelled smoothly across the windows, and deterioration had caused the louvres to loosen with the danger that they might fall on people walking below. Refurbishment also provided the opportunity to refit with materials conforming to current fire safety regulations..

A solution with many benefits

Considering the refurbishment, the developers were keen to retain the screens and felt that the appearance of wood was appealing.

The screens could easily be replaced using aluminium for the frame aerofoil blades and the look of wood easily delivered by using a shade from Powdertech’s Wood Finish (PWF™) range. PWF30, a dark shade, closest to the original wood, was selected. In total Powdertech pre-treated and coated 9500 linear metres of extruded aluminium, each individual foil being 1.22m in length. Using aluminium brings the obvious benefits of strength combined with lightweight. The screens will not warp and need only minimal maintenance. Powdertech Wood Finish conforms to the required reaction to fire specification for residential buildings of this type, A2-s1, d0, and the metal itself is non-combustible thus solving a number of issues in one. Wood Finish on aluminium is a winning combination.

Why Wood Finish, PWF™?

• The finish combines the strength and longevity of metal with the warm, natural appeal of wood.

• Excellent corrosion protection and weather resistance

• High level of colour and gloss retention and excellent abrasion resistance • Conforms to Fire Reaction classification A2-s1, d0 • Can be applied to most metallic substrates including aluminium, galvanized steel, cast metals and stainless steel

• The PWF range conforms to BS

EN 12206-1 and Qualicoat specifications .

HOWDENS COMPLETES REFURBISHMENT OF RICK STEIN’S COOKERY SCHOOL

The UK’s number one trade kitchen supplier, Howdens, has completed the refurbishment of the kitchens at Rick Stein’s Cookery School in Padstow, Cornwall.

Howdens has supplied Navy doors from its Chelford collection, with Natural

Oak cabinets, along with White Arabesque

Marble Quartz worktops,

Lamona sinks and taps, and brass accessories giving the school a homely and welcoming feel for its guests to enjoy. author of 24 cookery books and star of several cookery series and documentaries as well as owning and running restaurants across the country, retail shops, accommodation, and the cookery school in Padstow alongside his business partner and co-founder Jill Stein.

Nick Evans, Head Chef Lecturer at Rick Stein’s Cookery School and Restaurants, says: “Howdens was a natural fit for the refit of the cookery school as their product offering is vast and we were able to get exactly what we wanted.

“It was important that the cookery school retained its charm and that the products we chose provided a welcoming feel but also were built extremely well as they have to withstand a lot of use. Howdens were able to deliver on all these ‘must haves’, and we are very happy with the finished result.”

Emma Dolman, Interior & Event Designer at Howdens, says: “We worked closely with the team at Rick Stein’s Cookery School to ensure the design met their brief. As well as fixed cabinetry, there was a need for mobile workstations and sinks to allow flexibility in the layout as required.

“Our designers were able to create units that matched the overall look and feel including the use of quartz worktops to guarantee longevity, as well as several practical features.

“It was a pleasure to design and the Howdens team can’t wait to attend one of the cookery events in the near future!”

Sophie Leathley, Marketing Communications Manager at Howdens, says: “Rick Stein is a stalwart of British cooking and Howdens were delighted to be asked to work on his cookery school.

“The feedback from the team has been fantastic and we are hoping to continue working with them on other projects soon.”

Howdens designs kitchens to suit every home, but above all else, Howdens believes in expert craftsmanship. Selling only direct to the trade ensures that Howdens products are installed to the highest standard, with their kitchen cabinets receiving a 25-year guarantee as standard.

Howdens is the exclusive supplier of the UK’s best-selling integrated appliance brand, Lamona. Offering a wide range of cooking, cooling, laundry and dishwashing appliances.

To find out more about Howdens, visit: www.howdens.com