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Decorative Casings Encasement’s Versatile Solutions
Architectural casings are common features in building design, as they can address a number of issues, often simultaneously, such as improving aesthetics and concealing structural elements, as well as providing protection to the fabric of a building, a particular strength of building linings. In addition, the diverse range of finishes available makes them highly adaptable and able to integrate with a building’s design scheme, for both new build and refurbishment projects. This combination of aesthetics, versatility and practicality are key characteristics of two core product ranges manufactured by Peterborough based specialist, Encasement - Verta column casings and Vecta building linings.
Verta column casings - The Verta range is widely specified and installed on a range of projects across various sectors, including retail, education and healthcare, as well as hotel, sport & leisure, commercial refurbishment and building repurposing. A key factor behind this project diversity is the number of options available to specifiers, which include a choice of materials and a broad palette of finishes, together with the ability to select standard shapes and sizes or to specify bespoke manufactured designs.
Six separate products are covered by the Verta range, including Circa pre-formed MDF and plywood Quadra casings, manufactured from UKTR compliant and sustainably sourced timbers, together with the Forma metal range. Alongside these, the Polyma GRP and Gypra GRG casings are moulded from glass reinforced polymer and glass reinforced gypsum, respectively, with the range completed by Metza, a specialised solution for use with mezzanine floors that can provide up to 2 hours fire protection to the floor support columns.
While all Verta column casings are suitable for interior use, Forma and Polyma are also widely used for exterior projects, due to their inherent weather resistance and durability. Available in aluminium or stainless steel, Forma casings can be specified as circles, with diameters from 250mm up to 1000mm, in addition to square and rectangular or unique custom profiles.
British Standard and RAL colour PPC finishes are available, alongside brushed, anodised, embossed and textured options. Durability and colour choice are also features of the moulded Polyma GRP casings. This manufacturing method allows a high degree of design versatility with shape; size and colour options all open to specification to meet bespoke project requirements. Projects, such as Winchester College and Premier Inn’s Cardiff Bay hotel, plus the main reception at Tetrosyl’s corporate HQ in Rochdale and the unique parabolic profiles at Birmingham Dental Hospital, all demonstrate the versatility of Forma and Polyma bespoke casings in both exterior and interior applications.
As Circa and Quadra casings are manufactured from pre-formed MDF and plywood respectively, they are designed purely for interior use. Within each range, circular and square profiles can be specified in a wide range of sizes, as well as extended circles and rectangular profiles that use additional pre-sized infill panels for even greater versatility. Like other column casings in the range, a wide choice of finish options is available, with decorative high-pressure laminate (HPL) being the most popular for both Circa and Quadra. In addition to resisting damage, scuffs and scratches, HPL offers an extensive range of finishes, including plain colours, wood grains and metallics, as well as textured and real wood veneers.
Circa is also available as an unfinished plain casing for on-site painting and decoration. Among the many Circa installations, are Liverpool University, Gateshead International Stadium and Gatwick Airport South Terminal while typical Quadra projects include Worksop Bus Terminal, Farnborough College Sixth Form Centre and the Dame Kelly Holmes Sports Centre.
Vecta building linings - The Vecta building linings range is a comprehensive bespoke interior finishing system, designed for use on stand-alone projects, as well as easily combining with the company’s Verta column casings where an integrated solutions is required. Building linings can be specified to perform several functions, but are chiefly centred on their ability to improve aesthetics or provide a practical solution to a specific requirement, such as protecting interior walls in high traffic areas.
Also, by using different finishes and materials, they can also indicate separation between interior zones or act as colour coded signalling for exterior applications to highlight building entrances or access points, for example. To meet these requirements, Vecta incorporates high quality wall linings and lift lobby linings, as well as reveals, soffit linings and bulkheads. As the lining specification will depend on factors such as the intended use of the space, aesthetics, and the performance requirements of the building, a choice of materials is available within the range.
As a result of this combination of materials, finish options and design versatility, both metal and compact laminate wall linings are already used in a wide range of projects in the education, health, commercial, hotel & leisure sectors, as well as application in transport, retail and public buildings. All Encasement’s building lining solutions are bespoke manufactured to meet individual project requirements and can be grouped into three broad categories.
Wall linings - Vecta metal wall linings are available in natural, brushed, anodised and PPC coated aluminium, stainless steel and textured materials, including Rimex, while compact laminate options can be specified in a wide palette of colours or incorporate custom images and graphics for unique interior designs. However, the material specification is highly dependent on each application and whether it is an interior or exterior location.
Suitable for use in both interior and exterior applications where decorative or protective solutions are required, Vecta wall linings are ideal for environments where there are high levels of pedestrian traffic, such as transport hubs, retail or commercial buildings, to resist damage to internal walls.
Lift lobby linings - A fundamental part of many commercial interiors, lift lobby linings help convey the character and style of a building by integrating with its overall design scheme. As with wall linings, a wide range of materials and finishes can be specified to provide increased design versatility for projects where aesthetics are a primary consideration.
Bulkheads, soffits & reveals - Whether the requirement is for extensive services bulkheads, practical and decorative soffits or stylish lift reveals, Vecta provides a range of versatile and adaptable solutions. Manufactured primarily from brushed or PPC aluminium as well as stainless steel, they are widely used to combine durable and decorative finishes with practical functionality, such as concealing building services, pipework or mechanical and electrical components.
