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Industry News
The construction industry is full of a variety of different trades, from civil engineers to plumbers to electricians. And, of course, painters and decorators are often last – but not least – on the job, putting the finishing touches to a project.
This got us thinking. How long did it take to put the finishing touches on the most iconic buildings in the world? Here, we cover how long it took to paint some of the world’s most renowned buildings.
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The Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel is in the unique position of not only being one of the most recognisable landmarks on the planet but also as the home of the most famous ceiling, and arguably the most famous painting, in the world.
Michelangelo’s masterpiece, which features his most famous piece of work, The Creation of Adam, spans over 3,600 feet of ceiling and wall. It’s easy to see why it took the artist four years to complete the whole artwork! It was certainly worth it – it’s considered one of the most significant pieces of art in history. project because he primarily plied his trade as a sculptor, but Pope Julius II wouldn’t take no for an answer. The artist compromised with the Pope, who originally wanted the painting to feature the 12 Apostles, and instead created nine scenes from the Book of Genesis. No wonder it took four years to finish off this stunning piece of history!
The art has been restored a number of times in the hundreds of years since it was first painted. A 1566 renovation saw the work repainted by Domenico Carnevale which, for years, remained undetected.
Annibale Mazzuoli and his son undertook a further three-year restoration mission between 1710 and 1713, which included repainting some of the work,
PAINTING THE WORLD’S MOST ICONIC BUILDINGS…
and there have been multiple smaller-scale maintenance projects in the 1980s and 1990s. While not quite as intensive as the original completion of the painting, it takes quite some work to preserve!
The Eiffel Tower
The quintessential French monument gets repainted more than you’d think – on average, every seven years! Made from wrought iron, the tower must be maintained with fresh coats of paint frequently so the metal doesn’t corrode.
In order to complete this vital task, painters first must strip the tower, clean it, and rustproof it before painting. At 324m tall (1,063 ft), that’s a lot of puddle iron to treat and then paint. The tower has been many different colours over the years, starting off with “Venice red” paint in its early years before transitioning to reddishbrown, ochre brown, and yellow-brown, before the “Eiffel Tower brown” we all know today was settled on. Jotun has been the paint supplier of choice for a few years now, and it was recently announced that the tower’s colour will once again change. For the 2024 Olympic Games, the tower will be repainted in a golden colour, which more closely reflects Gustave Eiffel’s vision for his work.
In each repainting, approximately 60 tonnes of paint are used by 50 painters trained in working at great heights to paint a total surface of 250,000m². Even with so many painters on the job, the course of painting the tower can take between 18 months and three years. This is because the tower can’t be painted if it’s wet or too cold.
The White House
As its name states, the US presidential residence is famed for its bold white colour. This requires a lot of upkeep, receiving a new coat of paint every four to six years. It’s estimated that around 2,591 litres of specialist paint created in Germany is used in each recoating. In 2019, Duron’s Whisper White shade was used for the project - like UK brand Little Greene paint, this paint is designed to preserve historical buildings.
A common misconception is that the White House was painted white to cover up fire damage from an attack by British soldiers in 1814, but it was in fact white long before this. A lime-based whitewash was used to coat the building in 1798, just six years after its erection.
It’s estimated that the repainting of the White House in 2019 took a week, with the West Wing alone needing around 1,363 litres of paint. It can take up to 30 coats of paint to effectively rejuvenate the historical building, giving you an idea of the magnitude of the project!
There’s no doubt that the most impressive buildings and monuments on the planet take a lot of work. Many take hundreds of years simply to construct, but we often forget about the essential finishing touches like painting. As we can see, keeping these landmarks in tip-top condition takes a lot of work – and paint!
developer-update.co.uk
GOOD MANAGEMENT IS KEY TO A ROOF’S LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE
By Kevin O’Connell at IKO Group
Dependent on the products and materials used, a flat roof’s waterproofing should last between 20 and 40 years. Good maintenance will also contribute to its performance and longevity. But which proactive steps need to be taken when a waterproofing system reaches the end of its serviceable life?
Roofing purpose When deciding on a waterproofing system for a flat roof application, it’s important to consider what it’s meant to do. An appropriately-designed and correctly-installed solution will prevent a prevalence of standing water, which in-turn will protect the structural integrity of the building itself. Water carries immense weight and when left to pond, it could lead to the breakdown of the roof’s coating which will leave the roof susceptible to the UV degradation. As an example of the immense strain it can bring to bear, 1mm of water per m2 equates to 1kg. Therefore, that same level of water across a 5mm x 30m2 surface would be akin to two adults standing on a roof. Long-standing water can also promote vegetation growth in the form of plants and fungi; wildlife that can penetrate a flat roof’s surface and cause untold damage to the building itself. As well as keeping a roof dry, a good waterproofing system should ensure it achieves regulatory levels of thermal performance. In poorly insulated homes, roofs account for 25% of a building’s heat loss. It is crucial, therefore, that the insulation supplied as part of a build-up offers an effective barrier to energy escape whilst being of suitable thickness to prevent the obstruction of door and window thresholds. Its design should also take into account roofs with plant installations, walkways and safety features such as guardrails and hatch systems. Monitor to prevent major repairs Good management can be achieved by gaining an understanding of your roof stock. Is it old or is it new? Are there other plans for the building that could impact the roof? New windows may provide less ventilation than old ones; therefore will an extension be required to facilitate such an installation? Prevention is better than cure, a saying that is particularly pertinent to roofing management. Neglecting to act upon tell-tale signs of a roof’s degradation can transform a seemingly minor maintenance issue into a major repair project that potentially comes at great expense to a property owner in order to keep it weathertight and its occupants safe. This worst-case scenario can be avoided by keeping a periodical look-out for signs of natural wear and tear which indicate a roof’s performance is in danger of being compromised. These visual sirens might include elements such as lap joints becoming loose or in the case of an asphalt roof, the appearance of surface lumps and creases, or even blocked outlets. Getting the balance right In terms of appropriate waterproof specification for flat roofs, property owners must strike a balance between the ‘nice’ to have, with the ‘need’ to have. To ensure this thin line is more easily navigated, it’s important to decide upon a level of spending by drawing up a budget. This should take into account future plans for the roof asset and the building itself. Engage with the experts The aforementioned issues can be overcome by engaging with roofing, waterproofing and insulation experts such as IKO Group. Our industry expertise is available to facilitate an appropriate solution for a wide range of flat and tapered roof applications. In terms of performance and cost, we have the all-round knowledge to direct clients towards the most appropriate waterproofing solution. We understand that although hardly out of sight; roofs are out of mind for most people – it’s just not something they choose to think about. However, this shouldn’t detract from their everyday importance, and at IKO we’ve got the whole of issue of roofing design and performance covered. Early engagement will always result in a more favourable outcome. March webinar The next in a series of monthly webinars hosted by IKO focuses on Roofing Stock Management. It offers further insight into issues highlighted within this blog such as flat roof failure prevention, roofing maintenance, surveys, post-installation aftercare and value engineering. It also looks at British standards guidance in relation to waterproofing health and safety practices including working at height. In summary, IKO’s Roofing Stock Management webinar is a professionally-led presentation that roofing professionals will not want to miss. The free-to-view presentation takes place on March 11th, 16th, 18th, 23rd, 25th and 30th. To sign-up and for details on IKO’s future webinars, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/iko-roofing-stockmanagement-tickets-144396924087
SUSTAINABLE ROOF SOLUTION FOR NEW BUILD PROJECTS
‘Build, Build, Build’ acknowledged in planned reforms to put infrastructure at the centre of the Government’s economic growth strategy.
Part of this announcement has emphasised the importance in safeguarding the UK’s natural environment by utilising methods in ‘capturing and removing CO2 from the atmosphere, protecting precious biodiversity, and connecting people with nature’. (Gov.UK)
Green roofs and roof terraces/podiums can provide mentally beneficial spaces for occupants, as well as the ability to combat extreme climate conditions.
The key benefits gained from the utilisation of green roofs across developments in our inner cities include:
SUPPORTS AIR PURIFICATION
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
MITIGATION OF URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT
IMPROVING EFFICIENCY OF THE BUILDING’S PERFORMANCE
INCREASING LOCAL BIODIVERSITY
LANDSCAPE - the UK’s premier landscaping exhibition, is pleased to
announce the 10 th anniversary show will take place on the 3 rd & 4 th November 2021, at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.
Welcoming over 200 exhibitors with a vast collection of industry-leading products and services, LANDSCAPE 2021 is the trade event you will not want to miss – and the best part is, it’s all FREE!
As the first in-person industry show back, The LANDSCAPE Show is perfect opportunity to reconnect with others and keep up to date with products and services. LANDSCAPE is thrilled to bring this year’s show to the NEC for the first time. The move to a larger venue in Birmingham gives the ability to grow and create a bigger show. This exciting new chapter for LANDSCAPE has put the health and best interests of both exhibitors and visitors front and centre with many still uneasy about venturing into London. The NEC is a purpose built, Covid secure venue which is easily accessible. The NEC is located directly alongside Birmingham international airport and Railway Station and it has ample parking on site.
The LANDSCAPE Show is dedicated to products, services and innovation for the design, build and management of exterior and interior landscape projects. LANDSCAPE brings the industry together by introducing its visitors to the latest products, services and techniques necessary to design, build and maintain prestigious and award-winning interior or exterior landscaping projects all over the world. Between the LANDSCAPE exhibitors there are products and services for every aspect of the design and build process spanning from CAD systems and tools to plants and stone. LANDSCAPE features an endless selection of products that are available to source, exhibitors include manufacturers and suppliers of everything from living plants, trees and turf, vases, pots and flag stones to furniture and conservatories, water features and sundials. Our exhibitors also provide architectural iron work, planters, sheds, living roofs and walls, sculptures, soil, plants and paving as well as lighting, heating, trees and tools. Our extensive exhibitor list ensures that when we say that there is “something for everyone”, we really do mean it!
The LANDSCAPE Show will be open from 10am-6pm on Wednesday 3 rd November, and 10am-5pm on Thursday 4 th November. Across both days there are 44 CPD accredited seminars taking place. Both the exhibition and all seminar sessions are free to attend.
To register to attend the show for FREE, simply visit our registration page at: www.LandscapeShow.co.uk/register
Further information can be found online:
Website: LandscapeShow.co.uk
Email: info@LandscapeShow.co.uk
Phone: +44 (0)20 7821 8221
Twitter: @LandscapeEvent #LANDSCAPE2021
Instagram: @Landscape.show #LANDSCAPE2021
+44 (0)20 7821 8221
landscapeshow.co.uk
@LandscapeEvent #Landscape2021
landscape.show
50 Year old product makes dramatic comeback to help beat the virus
When the Melaphone Speech Unit was
at British Rail stations, nobody could have predicted that half a century later it would suddenly be in such high demand.
The current Corona Virus Pandemic had created an urgent need for all protective equipment – both for personal use and in the working environment. This is the reason the Melaphone has come into its own again. Its unique design, with its resonating membrane and air-sealed constructions, make it the ideal device to install in any situation where face-to-face communication occurs. It not only offers protection from air-borne viruses and
through a screen. Its protective credentials
and designers for use in hospitals, laboratories and cleanrooms or anywhere hygiene is of paramount importance. It is a simple but really ingenious invention which requires no servicing, wiring or electrical supply. And it is very easy to keep clean and safe with an antiseptic wipe.
The Melaphone has now been built into the new Defender Virus Screens produced by the company and numerous doctors’ surgeries, medical centres, clinics and pharmacies in the UK have had these screens installed with considerable success and approval. The screens are individually made and every component is of the highest quality, giving a clean, sleek and professional appearance in any health-care environment.
The Melaphone is still available as a standalone unit for installation into walls, glass or plastic screens, windows or doors. I can easily
requires no special skill to install. The range has been expanded to meet the growing demand for the units. In addition to the original brushed aluminium model there is a stainless steel model, a white powder-coated aluminium model and the newest and highly successful Himacs acrylic-resin model, which is at a very popular price.
All of these models are available from stock and can be purchased from Melaphone VisAudio.
Even after 50 years, we’re proud to still be able to say ‘MADE IN THE UK’ at our London production facility.
