Housing Specification June/July 2020

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published a new report revealing architects’ views on the climate emergency and showcasing exemplar applications of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

‘A Decade of Action: RIBA Members and the Sustainable Development Goals’ reveals the profession’s strong commitment to sustainable development and climate action, but also highlights that more progress needs to be made by architects, clients and the UK Government to raise the bar.

The second part of the RIBA report showcases best practice examples of how the UN Sustainable Development Goals can be embedded in projects, practices and schools of architecture.

It highlights schools which reference and discuss the SDGs, projects which apply and further the SDGs, and practices which base their entire business strategies on them – from business operations, to supply chains, to practice structure and projects themselves.

RIBA CEO, Alan Vallance, said: “The findings of our survey – and best practice examples that follow – show that RIBA members are committed to transforming the built environment, but also that there’s progress yet to be made.

“Architects, clients and policy makers understand the need for change, but even more collaboration is required to turn this ambition into action.

“While the RIBA continues to lobby the UK Government to adapt the Building Regulations to meet the scale of our environmental challenge, architects are uniquely placed to lead the green recovery of the built environment post-pandemic. This means applying the Sustainable Development Goals consistently, and encouraging clients to do the same.

“It’s time to kick-start a decade of action, sign-up to our 2030 Climate Challenge, and make sure we’re building a future that will last.”

The RIBA Sustainable Outcomes Guide aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and outlines eight clear, measurable goals for projects of all scales, underpinned by specific design principles to achieve them.

Paul Groves Group Editor

paul.groves@tspmedia.co.uk

Howells Patent

Homes England commissions MMC research study to drive construction innovation

Homes England has commissioned its own research study into modern methods of construction (MMC) to drive innovation in the construction industry.

As part of the government housing agency’s strategic objective to improve construction productivity and encourage the uptake of MMC in housing delivery, a series of Homes England’s own sites will participate in the study, delivering ambitious levels of MMC which are higher than the market norm.

Monitoring the construction of around 1,500 homes at sites across country over several years, the study will test the performance of different types of MMC to provide long-term, in-depth and verifiable data so that informed decisions about emerging construction technologies can be made.

Covering a range of offsite and modular building techniques, modern methods of construction have the potential to be significantly more productive than traditional building methods; allowing homes to be built more quickly, addressing labour and skills shortages and improving the quality, consistency and energy efficiency of newly built homes.

The research will explore a range of themes, including cost and pace of build compared

Extend restriction on combustible materials to prevent further loss of life

to traditional building methods, skills required, safety performance, snagging and defect issues, construction wastage, energy efficiency performance and post-occupation performance. The study will also seek to learn lessons about how these technologies might be improved upon in future and give confidence to the industry to encourage more widespread use of MMC technologies.

Nick Walkley, Chief Executive of Homes England, said: “If we are to deliver homes at the scale, pace and quality the country needs, we have to seriously shake up how we build homes in England. This is at the very heart of our mission and it means embracing new technologies like modern methods of construction.

“Despite the impact of coronavirus being felt across the housebuilding sector, Homes England is open for business. We can be certain that the demand for high-quality homes will remain and concerns about labour supply or quality will not go away.

“Now more than ever, we recognise that more needs to be done to share learning and build confidence in MMC. This large-scale, long-term and in-depth research project will provide the sector with the critical evidence it needs to make informed decisions about MMC and deliver better homes faster.”

Plenty of British clay bricks now available

As the UK brick makers ramp up their production in a safe, orderly (and Covid-19 protected) manner, there are now plenty of British clay bricks available.

Almost 480m bricks are currently in stock at the UK Brick Maker’s 56 factories dotted around the UK and in the yards of many UK Builder’s Merchants.

The Brick Development Association has put out a notice on its website advising potential purchasers to connect directly with the brick makers themselves if they are having trouble sourcing clay bricks.

This follows the statement by Build UK that some of their members were having difficulty sourcing bricks, amongst many other construction products.

Keith Aldis Chief Executive of the Brick Development Association, said: “We are keen to see that all clay brick users in the UK construction space, from architects and specifiers to Tier 1 contractors and smaller builders, have access to exceptional quality UK made clay bricks at a price and quantity they can afford.

“Our members continue to ramp up production and as a result, with current stocks standing at or around 480m (about 3 months’ supply), there is plenty of clay brick to go around.”

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has responded to the UK Government’s review of the restriction on combustible materials in and on the external walls of buildings.

The RIBA recommends that the restriction introduced in December 2018 should:

• Be extended to include hotels, hostels and boarding houses, and all buildings where a catastrophic event could cause multiple fatalities.

• Apply to key materials in external walls only. If not, the list of materials exempt from the ban must be clarified and should include all materials that do not contribute to the spread of fire across external walls.

• Not include the primary structure of the building. Further research into the use of structural timber within external walls (e.g. cross laminated timber) should be undertaken to determine performance when subject to real fire loads.

• Be extended on a precautionary basis to include relevant buildings with a story over 11m above ground level, pending further research to determine the appropriate height threshold. Research should include intelligence from fire and rescue services.

Jane Duncan, Chair of the RIBA Expert Advisory Group for Fire Safety, said: “Almost three years on from the Grenfell Tower tragedy, hotels, hostels, boarding houses and other buildings with multiple and even vulnerable occupants are still being built using combustible materials on their external walls.

“Fires do not discriminate between building types or users, yet our regulations do. The restriction on combustible materials must be extended as a matter of urgency to keep people safe.

“The restriction in its current form has caused confusion in the industry. The government must provide clear guidance, and fund research, to enable the construction of safe buildings whilst ensuring innovation can still take place to combat the climate crisis.”

TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE OF FIRE SAFETY FOR SOCIAL HOUSING

Nick Rutter, Chief Product Officer at FireAngel, explores the latest innovations available to architects and specifiers to not only help social housing providers achieve full compliance while minimising running costs, but provide intelligent connected solutions that can be easily adapted for the future.

Following the Hackitt Review, architects and specifiers are proactively adopting its principles to ensure the long-term efficiency of properties with regard to fire safety.

While specifying smoke and heat alarms that quickly and effectively respond to all types of fires is essential, professionals can go above and beyond legal requirements by choosing advanced solutions that react in real time to potential or actual fire events.

While ionisation sensing technology was traditionally a popular choice due to its low price point and outstanding ability to detect fast-flaming fires, the concerns regarding its potential radioactivity and sensitivity quickly began to outweigh its benefits.

To ensure the quickest response times are ensured for all types of fires and maintain compliance with current standards and regulations, including the 2019 revisions to

the British Standard 5839-6, multi-sensing or optical alarms should be specified throughout circulation areas, including landings and hallways.

This provides a basis for ensuring all minimum requirements with regard to fire safety are met, whilst also following the guidance of the UK Fire and Rescue Services.

However, there are a wide range of connected technologies currently available to aid professionals in taking this compliance one step further, supporting them in adopting a proactive approach that ensures the long term safety and suitability of their properties, whilst complying to an LD1 Specification.

By adopting a proactive and connected approach to the fire and CO protection systems being specified across an entire housing portfolio, architects and specifiers can not only ensure social housing providers will be compliant with all current legislations, but sufficiently safeguard their tenants and properties for years to come, and future proof against any upcoming changes to relevant building regulations or changes to an individuals needs.

The adaptable technology also offers the opportunity for professionals to easily upgrade the fire protection systems installed throughout their entire housing stock at a later date, subsequently reducing the potential asset management challenges and associated costs they may have previously experienced.

The remote monitoring capability that connected technologies offer also provide a revolutionary approach to preventative fire safety that delivers the highest standards of protection in the most cost-effective way.

RECTICEL GIVES VIP PERFORMANCE FOR STUNNING HOME

Recticel Insulation’s ultra slim, yet ultra-highperforming vacuum insulation panel (VIP), ensured a complex new-build terrace roof achieved the requisite U-value.

Deck-VQ® is Recticel’s pioneering response to customer demand for super-slim insulation that maximises comfort and protection in limited space. With a thermal performance core of lambda 0.006, Deck-VQ® was the ideal fit for a terrace roof on a stunning private property in Highgate, North London.

As well as offering an extremely high insulation value, Deck VQ® is an encapsulated VIP within a high-density PIR shell that eliminates the risk of puncturing – a potential hazard with non-encapsulated VIPs that could result in a significant loss of insulation value. It was perfectly suited, therefore, for The Water House’s roof and its complex design that included a myriad of details such as an abutment to pitched slates, parapets, upstands, returns, rooflights, mansafe collars, and a stepped change in level.

With its super-slim design and ultra-high thermal performance, Deck VQ® was the ideal solution for The Water House project. It ensured a minimal insulation build-up whilst meeting the required U-value.

It means the client has been furnished with a roof that is in-keeping with their spectacularly-designed residence, and one that will uphold their interior comfort and wellbeing for many years to come.

passive fire barriers

Presented by sector specialists, TBA Protective Technologies Ltd, who manufacture the FIREFLY™ range of flexible fire barriers at their Rochdale facility, have issued their latest CPD seminar on Passive Fire Protection (PFP) via their website.

The introduction to the new CPD begins with an overview of PFP, citing the importance of sealing around pipework, ducts and other penetrations. The presentation then moves on to legal requirements, explaining that cavity fire barriers should offer a minimum of 30 minutes’ containment of smoke and flame with the occasional need to perform for longer periods of up to two hours.

A cavity fire barrier also needs to restrict the temperature rise on the unexposed face for a minimum of 15 minutes, but is often specified to deliver 30 minutes or more of insulation. It should also be noted that barriers / compartmentation should be in place every 20 metres.

Various elements of Part B of the Building Regulations are covered, and the CPD points out that the “prime objective of Part B is the safety of life, not the preservation of the building.”

There are various slides showing illustrated examples of the types of detailing required, that good design should consider when deciding upon the specification of a fire barrier: Typical installations include cable tray penetration, joint detailing and timber penetrations.

The seminar then moves on to the importance of PFP components, and provides a variety of photographic examples of real life installations. The presentation is completed by an example of IFC certification and lastly, the summary.

Essentially Firefly™ has created a straightforward and instructive presentation, ending with a questionnaire to complete in order to receive a 2 Point CPD accreditation.

Firefly™ Sales Director Martyn Rolfe, comments: “The new CPD seminar on our website offers Architects, Fire Engineers and other specifiers the opportunity to undertake training in their own on crucially important subject of passive fire protection. This will award them two points towards their annual CPD score and we are also developing a video conferencing version of the seminar, so that we can present to multiple people remotely.”

AFFORDABLE AND EFFICIENT HEAT AND COMFORT FOR SOCIAL HOUSING

There are various factors to consider when it comes to choosing heating solutions that are suitable for social housing. Whether specifying heaters for new build social housing or replacing tired systems in existing properties, the right solution should provide a range of benefits.

Comfort, control, cost-efficiency and energy efficiency are all key elements that social housing managers should be looking for.

Following the government’s announcement of its ambitious target to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, its likely there will be increased scrutiny over how much energy buildings use in the near future.

Installing the most energy efficient heating solutions now will keep social housing stock ahead of the curve, avoiding potential disruption further down the line.

When it comes to cost-effective heating solutions, High Heat Retention Storage Heaters (HHRSHs) are an efficient solution for enhancing comfort while primarily using off-peak electricity to keep running costs as low as possible.

The Dimplex Quantum HHRSH, for example, calculates how much energy is required and stores low-cost off-peak electricity to distribute as heat throughout the day.

In a social housing context, HHRSHs represent the opportunity to get the most of your investment when improving EPC ratings, tenant comfort and energy bills. Once installed, there is no requirement for regular maintenance or annual safety checks.

Electric heating can be expected to last an average of 50% longer than a gas system – reducing maintenance costs, improving the overall lifespan and maximising the efficiency and usability of the heater over a longer period of time.

Off-peak electricity is the key to cost-effective heating in social housing. Storage heaters have the added benefit of being able to source electricity overnight when it’s cheaper, and then distribute heat during the day without having to use higher-rate electricity.

Smart heaters further maximise energy usage by learning from user behaviour patterns to store just the right amount of energy to meet an end user’s needs. Using advanced algorithms, these heaters can identify individual preferences, patterns in heat storage and usage, usage timings and specific room temperature requirements, and use this data to improve their performance.

As well as providing ultimate convenience, this is beneficial from both a sustainability and a costsaving perspective; energy waste is reduced, either from initial over-storage or subsequent heat consumption; and as a direct result, the user only has to pay for what they need.

Smart heaters also offer the benefit of enhanced remote control, which allows the user to control heaters remotely and tracking energy usage.

With round-the-clock programming ability, heating schedules can be created to suit any environment or requirement, maintaining optimum comfort levels while using easyaccess app-based monitoring to track consumption and maximise saving potentials.

By using an app to control their heating, users can also adjust their settings from anywhere at any time; keeping costs low and allowing tenants to go out during the day without worrying about wasting heat.

Smart, app-based solutions also allow for appliances to be combined into zones that can be controlled from the app.

As heating technology evolves to revolutionise social housing, it’s clear that the future depends upon solutions that are cost-effective and sustainable; keeping comfort and control as a top priority, giving tenants the freedom of app-based convenience to heat their homes without the financial or environmental worry of inefficient energy use.

Glen Dimplex Heating & Ventilation

Gavin McLeod, Global Product Marketing Manager, Glen Dimplex Heating & Ventilation explains why the new generation of storage heaters are the smart choice for social housing

CHANGING PERCEPTIONS IN COMMERCIAL WINDOWS AND DOORS

Until recently, few specifiers chose PVC-U for commercial windows. Aluminium was the go-to material for developers looking for strong windows and doors with slim sightlines and a wide choice of colours. Early generation PVC-U windows were often perceived as bulky and unattractive.

After decades of aluminium dominance, the latest PVC-U and composite technologies are turning these perceptions on their heads and extending the choice of materials for commercial projects. High performance PVC-U commercial windows and doors now have the energy efficiency, looks, colours and sustainability to match aluminium.

Linktrusion™ Technology: a true commercial innovation

Today, Deceuninck’s innovative composite Linktrusion™ Technology is extending the limits even further by offering very strong, highly energy efficient solutions for big commercial windows and very tall doors.

Linktrusion™ is a patented technology used in our composite 5000 window system which incorporates immensely-strong pultruded glass-fibre in the profiles, plus optional patented thermal reinforcement with embedded steel wires in a low density insulating foam core encased in PVC-U for excellent U values.

The result is a window as strong as steel reinforced windows but 30% more thermally efficient, with up to 40% savings on materials and weight. Linktrusion™ technology is the first to remove the need for traditional steel reinforcement, and its inherent great strength allows specifiers to consider using large windows and very tall doors (1100mm x 2500mm or 1150mm x 2400mm for single doors).

The windows have slim sightlines, are available in a wide range of colours and are 100% recyclable. Feedback from developers has been very positive, and Deceuninck’s 5000 window with Linktrusion Technology has been specified in a number of prestigious developments including St Bernards, Ealing and Oakgrove Village, Milton Keynes.

High performance products

Deceuninck offers a full range of high performance commercial window systems that are engineered for aesthetics, with perfect symmetry and balanced sightlines. Our Fully Reversible Window (FRW) is another popular choice with commercial partners, giving outstanding security, weather performance and energy efficiency, and designed to be easy to fabricate and install. With up to 1.4m x 1.4m size maximum and an 80kg weight limit, the FRW is perfect for use in modern buildings with large window apertures.

For a high-end finish, Decoroc is our patented colour finishing system developed specifically for commercial applications. It gives a very similar appearance to powder coated aluminium.

Available in countless colour options, Decoroc coating is micro-sprayed for a highly durable, easy-clean matt finish and comes with a 10year guarantee. Decoroc is scratch, impact and abrasion resistant, and easily repaired in sections if it’s damaged.

Commercial partners

Deceuninck has a thriving commercial business and we work with a number of major developers including Crest Nicholson, Berkeley Group, Weston Homes, Catalyst Housing and Countryside Properties. We’ve forged strong ties in this sector by working collaboratively with developers, specifiers, fabricators and contractors to get the full picture of how windows work within the build and get the best results for our clients.

To learn more about our commercial range and commercial work call 01249 816 969 or visit www.deceuninck.co.uk. Download

Deceuninck’s full product portfolio from the NBS National BIM Library at www.nationalbimlibrary.com/deceuninck-ltd. Deceuninck

MAGPLY GIVEN ‘PURPLE PASSIVE’ TREATMENT FOR PECKHAM PROPERTIES

A development of two and three bedroom terraced homes on a brownfield site in South London is making use of Magply boards’ fire resistance and other physical benefits: receiving a special polymer based, purple coloured membrane finish to provide excellent airtightness as part of an ‘Eco-homes’ energy specification.

In this instance, the high performance MgO boards will be overclad with black timber boarding across a batten cavity, with widths varying from 50-120mm which conceals the rainwater downpipes draining the homes’ green roofs.

sheathing board – in addition to fire rated timber cladding - and we are using 9mm Magply boards on the outside of the timber frames.

The four new houses in Peckham for Emerson Properties are being built by Cambridgeshire based White Haus, a package contractor specialising in high performance timber frame structures up to PassivHaus standards, which has specified Magply on a previous project in the borough, as well as elsewhere around the country.

The Project Manager for White Haus, Tony Buck, commented: “We offer clients a bespoke service for the supply and installation of high performance timber frames to meet various specificationsright up to PassivHaus standard – building schools, hospitals and commercial premises as well as domestic properties.

“Although these structures aren’t within the designated five metre distance of existing buildings, the client (Emerson Properties) wanted the additional protection provided by a fire rated

“It is being treated with our Passive Purple, vapour open membrane which allows the structure to breathe while achieving very good airtightness. Together with the closed cell, Lapolla polyurethane foam insulation, the wall construction offers excellent energy performance.”

Magply boards carry a range of international certifications, including KIWA, a BDA Agrément awarded last year, while their fire performance has been verified through industry standard tests at the world renowned Warrington fire research centre.

Magply

CUT-TO-FALLS MULTIBOARD SPEC SPEEDS PROTECTION OF SEMI-BASEMENT TO SOMERSET HOME

An architect led refurbishment project on a private residential property near Exmoor has included the specification of cut-to-falls Marmox Multiboard, chosen for the versatile product’s highly beneficial physical properties, together with the practical considerations to their inclusion.

The work on the home on the North Somerset coast, is being carried out by sector specialist builder and developer, NTG Property, while Peter Reid of P2 Design drew on his experience of using Marmox Multiboard, to address past problems, when faced by a semi-basement space whose concrete roof structure was leaking badly.

The original waterproofing membrane having cracked and deteriorated, with damp penetrating the habitable room below.

Peter Reid commented: “As a practice we work right across the UK and have used Multiboard on a wide range of past projects, for applications such as lining existing walls or upgrading floor constructions prior to installing underfloor heating.

“It really is a very useful and adaptable product, ideal for refurbishment because of its thermal and waterproofing performance.

In this case there was a habitable semibasement level where water had been getting in over a long period and causing damage and while it wasn’t designed under the Building Regulations but considered a repair of the existing, we went to Marmox to obtain calculations on the heat loss: to maximise the energy retention and avoid any risk of interstitial condensation forming within the new build-up. And there was also the added bonus that utilising the tapered boards allowed us to speed construction and do away with one of the wet trades. It has been a very successful application.”

With the 125mm concrete slab broken off the original beam-and-block roof structure and all the old phenolic foam insulation removed, the substrate was treated with a bitumen based, Alutrix, waterproof adhesive and the first of four layers of 20mm Multiboard bonded down.

REDSHIELD ® CAVITY BARRIER

For many years cavity closers have provided a reliable solution to the problems of thermal bridging at window and door openings as well as preventing the ingress of water tracking around the edges of the framework by acting as a vertical damp proof course, reducing the potential for moisture ingress, condensation and subsequent mould from occurring.

While a traditional cavity closer will act as a thermal break at the reveal opening, they are not enough to act as a cavity barrier and are unsuitable for restricting the passage of fire on their own.

This typically applies to fire rated cavity closers also, as this type of closer usually needs to be entirely concealed within a masonry to masonry, fully dry-lined detail before the detail as a whole can achieve the tested integrity.

Building products manufacturer Manthorpe has recognised the industry want for a true one-product cavity barrier which provides the necessary thermal and DPC properties without depending on specific build and material details to fulfil the requirements of a cavity barrier.

REDSHIELD®’S unique construction allows the product to be adaptable to suit various cavity sizes, helping to maintain a continuous seal to a range of cavity widths, especially those that may ‘stray’ in size.

The product’s ability to shrink and grow to fill a varying cavity gap, offers a more effective barrier in the event of a fire, expanding significantly to block off any wider gaps and subsequently holding itself secure within the opening.

Tested by Warringtonfire to BSEN13664:2006+A1:2010, independently of other additional barrier details, REDSHIELD ® cavity barriers exceed the mandatory 30 minutes’ fire integrity and 15 minutes’ insulation requirement.

Easily incorporated either in a new build or refurbishment situation and with no special fixing requirements or tools REDSHIELD® once installed, will last the lifetime of the building.

REDSHIELD® cavity barriers are currently available in four size configurations, plus rebated versions, with a 130-160mm variant available from summer 2020.

Manthorpe

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STA ADVICE NOTE 18 –

WHAT DO SPECIFIERS NEED TO KNOW?

Therefore thermal resistance values would then need to be adjusted. It is important that the chosen reflective breather membrane manufacturer can demonstrate that thermal resistance results are based on aged values, incorporate printed logos and refer to the correct fixing centres.

Protect is one such supplier with reflective membranes independently certified by BM TRADA with aged thermal resistance and surface emissivity results, using 600mm horizontal and 500mm vertical stud centres.

To assist specifiers involved in the growing structural timber construction market, the Structural Timber Association (STA) after consultation with the NHBC, has released STA Advice Note 18 to provide guidance on the selection of external breather membranes to cavity facing structural timber wall panels.

One of the key focus areas of STA Advice Note 18 covers thermal performance, which plays an important and increasingly significant role in the energy efficiency of a building.

Where reflective, insulating membranes are used within a still airspace to improve the wall’s thermal performance and to generate low U-values as calculated in the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP), these should have been tested to BS EN 15976 to demonstrate emissivity values in both unaged and aged conditions. STA Advice Note 18 recommends that aged thermal resistance values are used as a basis for specification of external breather membranes and should be installed in accordance with the good practice of fixing at the correct stud centres.

The aged ‘R’ value result (m2K/W) and surface emissivity (Ɛ) should also be used when assessing a reflective breather membrane’s total thermal resistance to BS EN ISO 8990 and BS EN 15976. Any printed logos on the reflective membrane surface should also be factored into the final thermal performance claims in line with BE EN 16012 and the result should incorporate printed logos.

As stated in STA Advice Note 18, overall surface emissivity is not affected if the print area utilised on the membrane is below 2% ink coverage.

STA Advice Note 18 also states that the fixing of breather membranes to a timber frame wall stud is also important in terms of ensuring the required thermal performance. Membranes fitted to timber frame wall panels should be installed with a maximum of 600mm horizontal fixing centres and up to a maximum of 500mm vertical stud centres.

Designers are advised to avoid the specification of membranes with wider fixing centres as these cannot be maintained on-site and excessively loose material could bridge the cavity.

Visit the company’s LinkedIn page at linkedin.com/company/glidevaleprotect to watch a video blog that summarises these key specification tips and recommendations detailed in STA Advice Note 18, regarding the thermal performance of external reflective breather membranes.

Covid-19 update

As the construction industry gets fully back to work Glidevale Protect is open for business, with our employees working from home or in the office to support our customers.

We can help with U-value calculations, design guidance, building regulations advice, site take-offs, product specification details and clauses as well as structured quotes. If you require technical support on existing projects or wish to discuss new specifications, we can be contacted on info@protectmembranes.com or call us 0161 905 5700.

Protect Membranes

John Mellor of Protect Membranes explains the key subject of thermal performance for breather membranes installed to structural timber walls, as detailed in the Structural Timber Association’s STA Advice Note 18.

C M Y CM MY CY CMY K

BETTER HOMES FOR BETTER LIVING

We may want everything to return to normal but for some things, normal is no longer good enough. One such area is housing design.

Never before have we encountered such intimacy with our homes, and many of them are left wanting. In our haste to build more houses, often rooms sizes have decreased, and daylight, ventilation and air quality are frequently compromised, while open plan living/dining spaces are testing the patience of many homeworkers, home-schoolers, and their families.

In her housing column for Building Design, head of housing research at Levitt Bernstein, Julia Park ‘…considered what architects and policymakers should learn from the coronavirus crisis about housing design’. “Many of my colleagues mentioned windows –not just for the obvious benefits of daylight and sunlight but also their ability to connect us to the wider world and remind us we’re not alone. In fact, windows seem to be second only to outdoor space in the what-really-matters-list.”

Informed Design Park talks in relation to home-working and how, once the crisis abates, many people will struggle to return to 40+ office-based hours, daily commutes and reduced family time.

Instead, we will look to strike a better work/ life balance. This ultimately, will impact our design choices and housing requirements.

Critical Windows

Windows, and more generally, glazed products will play a critical role in meeting this demand for better quality homes. With this in mind, it would be reasonable to assume that an increase in glazing would be an easy way to boost occupant well-being.

Yet, architects and specifiers must be mindful of some common misconceptions – just because a room has a window, it doesn’t mean it is the best solution for the space.

Letting in around twice as much light than vertical glazing, and up to three times as much as dormer windows, rooflights are a popular alternative, offering flexibility.

Rooflights are particularly beneficial when designing a new build extension where the vertical windows have been removed.

Rooflights allow daylight to penetrate further into the building, illuminating areas that would otherwise be gloomy.

Rooflight Rules OK!

The National Association of Rooflight Manufacturers (NARM) states that ‘…the glazing is pointing directly at the light source with very little diffused or reflected light. Consequently, rooflights and roof windows can supply a great deal more daylight into the heart of the home thereby illuminating areas that might otherwise be quite dark.’

Making a room feel bright and airy, rooflights can help cut the cost of energy bills by reducing the demand for electric lighting. And of course, the greater the rooflight area, the greater the potential savings.

So, as we establish a life outside of lockdown, consider its impact and how it will influence design and product specification in the coming months and years.

Howells Patent Glazing

Fassa Bortolo is a historic name in the world of building. Attention to quality raw materials, research, innovation and the environment have always been at the basis of the company’s vision, expressed through the continuous development of state-of-the-art solutions for the evolution of building.

THE PERFECT NON-COMBUSTIBLE SOLUTION FOR REPLACING TIMBER OR COMPOSITE BALCONY DECKING

As the third anniversary of the Grenfell tragedy passed last month, many buildings across the country were still to be refurbished and brought into compliance with the new fire regulations that came into effect in 2018. The Government recently launched the Building Safety Fund in an attempt to kickstart these essential works.

With balconies now defined as part of the external façade in these new regulations, replacement of timber or composite balcony decking is required. As the focus in the media has naturally been on flammable cladding, balconies have to a degree been overlooked but awareness of this issue has increasingly grown recently.

Leading the national conversation, AliDeck have launched their cost-effective, low-profile AliDeck Lite Board which was designed specifically for retrofit and replacement purposes. The Lite Board delivers a non-combustible, quick-fit timber or composite replacement balcony decking solution that is tailor-made for property owners looking for the most cost-effective way to achieve compliance with new fire-safety legislation.

Richard Izzard, AliDeck Managing Director, said “Property owners, in the private sector and also Housing Associations and Local Authorities, are faced with the task of replacing all combustible elements of their property portfolio, including balconies. Following Grenfell, balconies are now defined as part of the external wall of buildings for the first time and so are included in the new, more stringent fire safety legislation.”

Even with the potential support now provided by the Government’s Building Safety Fund, building owners have a difficult financial task ahead of them in achieving compliance with the new fire regulations. The new AliDeck Lite Board comfortably meets the challenges of both cost and practical concerns for refurbishment works.

“We designed the Lite Board as an entry-level decking board,” continued Richard. “While we intended it to answer a lot of questions for the public sector in terms of cost, safety and ease of installation, these benefits naturally translate to usage across all sectors as combustible materials are replaced.

“It’s undoubtedly a great product that will transform the market’s response to the new legislation.”

The Lite Board is fully compatible with AliDeck’s established range of joists and pedestals and for even greater flexibility and cost-effectiveness is launched alongside a new low-profile support beam, the AliDeck Lite Joist. Used in combination, the Lite Range captures the essence of ‘value for money’, delivering all the safety and compliance benefits for a fraction of the cost.

The AliDeck Lite Range is available to order immediately, so for more information and to discuss your retrofit and replacement requirements please contact the AliDeck team on 01622 534 078 or email info@alideck.co.uk.

AliDeck

To make an enquiry - Go online: www.enquire2.com or post our free Reader Enquiry Card

SENIOR PROVIDES WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THE HOUSING MARKET

window system from

Ancoats, where main contractor Eric Wright is overseeing the sympathetic conversion of what was Greater Manchester’s first electricpowered cotton-spinning mill.

Most recently, Senior’s aluminium fenestration solutions have been specified for use on Manchester Life’s new Lampwick development, working alongside supply chain partner Aire Valley Architectural Aluminium and main contractor John Sisk & Son.

Ideally suited for use in the residential sector and particularly private rental schemes (PRS), Senior’s PURe® aluminium window system features a patented thermal barrier manufactured from expanded polyurethane (PUR) foam to offer exceptional low U-values and high thermal performance.

The window system is able to receive double or triple glazing for maximum thermal and acoustic performance and can achieve U-values as low as 0.71 W/ m 2 K when calculated as a commercial CEN standard window.

Boasting an attractive slim profile, Senior’s PURe® system is available in a number of different designs ranging from the classic casement and tilt and turn styles to the easy to clean reversible overswing option and the new PURe® parallel push window, which combines balanced air flow and ventilation with maximum safety.

The thermally-efficient windows have been widely specified on a number of housing developments in the North West, including high-profile schemes from leading property developer Manchester Life.

After making its debut at the Cotton Field Wharf project back in 2018, Senior has gone on to secure several other contracts to supply its innovative PURe ® window system including the recently completed Weavers Quay development in the New Islington and Ancoats area of Manchester.

Boasting an attractive facades design that has been influenced by the area’s industrial heritage, Weavers Quay has been designed by Buttress Architects, with Senior’s high-performance PURe® aluminium windows installed by Quest for main contractor Graham Construction.

The development has a unique design which ranges from 10 storeys to four, to maximise the views of the New Islington Marina and complement the neighbouring residential developments.

Prior to securing the contract to provide the full fenestration package for Weavers Quay, Senior successfully delivered what was at the time, the largest order to date for its thermally-efficient PURe® aluminium windows at the Cotton Field Wharf development.

Marking the start of a positive collaboration with Manchester Life, here Senior worked alongside John Sisk & Son and supply chain partner Elite Aluminium Systems. Senior has gone on to once again work with Elite Aluminium Systems at the soon to be completed New Little Mill development in

Thanks to Senior’s reliable and high-quality in-house powder coating service, all of the company’s aluminium fenestration solutions can also be specified in an almost limitless spectrum of colours and a vast array of finishes.

Easy to fabricate and install and boasting excellent weather performance and security credentials, the new PURe ® parallel push aluminium window is also highly durable and low maintenance, with a life expectancy in excess of 40 years and cradle-to-cradle recyclability.

To discover more about Senior’s PURe® aluminium window range, visit www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk/ architectural-systems/pure-window

To make an enquiry - Go online: www.enquire2.com or post our free Reader

By offering some of the lowest U-values available, the patented PURe ® aluminium

Senior Architectural Systems has become a firm favourite in the residential sector.

FASSA BORTOLO RECEIVE TWO KIWA CERTIFICATIONS FOR BESTSELLING FASSAREND SYSTEM

Leading Italian render manufacturer, Fassa Bortolo, has welcomed the addition of two complete systems, which are now fully approved by KIWA BDA - a world recognised third party testing organisation that tests various systems to satisfy construction needs and ensure they meet British standards.

With specifiers starting to move away from traditional scratch and cement-based renders and opt for more complex cycles, Fassa is constantly looking for ways to increase the credibility of its systems.

The new certifications have been awarded to two cycles within the Fassarend portfolio. Both cycles have been tested to ensure all the components are compatible, rather than testing each product on its individual performance, making the process more straightforward for anyone looking to see what products work together and yield the best results for this render system. The first is for rendering onto medium dense blockwork.

Langley delivers pioneering roof top development system

Enfield Council has used a large-scale upgrade and refurbishment of the Lytchet Way Estate in Enfield, as a cost-effective means of adding much needed new homes to its housing stock. Through the innovative use of Langley Roof Top Development (RTD) system, Enfield has created 25 additional flats on three existing blocks. The Langley system added an additional floor to three of the previously three storey blocks. It consists of a robust panelised light weight steel frame construction to which the external cladding, insulation and finish is applied.

This cycle involves application of a lime and cement base coat (KI7) with a reinforcing net embedded in the surface layer (Fassanet 160).

This provides excellent water resistance, but for added protection against water at ground level, combine with a specific water-repellent base area render (KZ 35). Finish the cycle with a universal pigmented primer (FX 526) and a decorative coat of choice, either a rustic silicone top coat (RX 561) or an acrylic top coat (RTA 549), both of which are suitable for thermal insulated walls.

The second cycle is for application of render onto carrier board. Best suited for finishing joints, use Gypsotech Externa Light as a substrate.

This semi lightweight fibreglass-reinforced cement board creates a level base to work from. Apply with a cement based adhesive (A 96) and reinforcing mesh (Fassanet 160). Finish with a primer and decorative coat (RX 526, RX 561).

Fassa Bortolo

Tata Steel launches new A1 fire rated façade system

Tata Steel has launched Urban Seam® Façade, a new A1 fire rated steel standing seam cladding system that exceeds the fire safety standards set by the updated building regulations. As a development of the Colorcoat Urban® range of products, the façade system has been engineered with the needs of residential developers and contractors in mind, Urban Seam® Façade is suitable for use on buildings over 18m high with a residential purpose where all external cladding elements must have a reaction to fire rating of A2 or better to meet the requirements of Building Regulations.

Tata Steel

New fire resistant vapour control layer

The A. Proctor Group has launched a new innovative high-performance fire-resistant vapour control layer, which is air and vapour tight, thus improving the energy efficiency and reducing the risk of condensation within residential and commercial buildings. Procheck A2 is designed to protect the building fabric from the potential risks of condensation, whilst providing the added benefit of serving as an effective airtight barrier. The unique design consists of laminated glass fibre and foil protected by a clear lacquer. It is this clear surface, which provides Procheck A2 with the added benefit of a low emissivity surface.

A. Proctor Group

Langley

ENCASEMENT CONCEALS 4.5KM OF FIRE SPRINKLER PIPEWORK IN SOUTH TYNESIDE TOWER BLOCKS

More than 4.5 kilometres of ‘Versa’ fire sprinkler boxing from Encasement is being used to conceal surface mounted fire sprinkler pipework, which has been retro-fitted at four South Tyneside Council tower blocks in Hebburn and Jarrow to help protect more than 280 residents.

Even though an independent fire inspection and level four fire risk assessment declared the high rise residential blocks to be safe, the council chose to continue with the £1.4 million automatic sprinkler installation programme as part of its commitment to tenant safety and fire protection.

The 18 storey Durham Court block in Hebburn is home to 127 residents and was the first to have sprinklers installed, which was carried out by Compco Fire Systems and South Tyneside Homes Property Services, followed by the 12 storey Ellen Court, Monastery Court and Wilkinson Court in Jarrow.

As sprinklers had be installed in every flat, it was important that the work was undertaken quickly and with the minimum disruption to

tenants, so Encasement’s Versa pipe boxing not only had to be quick and easy and to fit, to speed the installation process, but also provide an attractive finish.

Encasement’s 5mm thick Versa 5 ‘L’ shaped pre-formed plywood sprinkler boxing was used to conceal the majority of the pipework in each tower block, while its pre-finished white melamine surface and soft radius edge provided a consistent and ‘wipe clean’ finish in every flat. The Versa 5 boxing was supplied in two different sizes and in 3.0 metre lengths for easy cutting to size on-site.

In addition, Encasement manufactured bespoke 8 mm thick ‘L’ shaped Versa 8 and ‘U’ shaped Versa 8D sprinkler boxing to meet the project’s dimensions and specifications,

which were supplied in 2.20 metre and 1.30 metre lengths.

Encasement’s Managing Director, Martin Taylor, explained: “Following the Grenfell Tower fire, South Tyneside was one of a several of local authorities that took an early decision to retro-fit fire sprinkler systems in their high rise blocks to provide additional fire safety protection and peace of mind to residents.”

He added: “As the ongoing programme of fire sprinkler retro-fitting is continuing across the country, we have been delighted to have been selected to work with a number of other local authorities and housing associations and supply sprinkler boxing for their projects.”

To make an enquiry - Go online: www.enquire2.com or post our free Reader

CREATING CONTRAST

The New Contrasti Collection by CTD Architectural Tiles.

From cafes and restaurants to hotel bathrooms or front of house, the new Contrasti collection by CTD Architectural Tiles will add interest and character to a wide range of spaces. Guaranteed to make an impressive statement, the variety of colour and pattern within the collection provides designers, specifiers and architects with the flexibility of choice as well as the best standards of technical performance.

Recalling the ‘hand-made’ look of traditional encaustic products, the Contrasti range combines natural shades with bright, innovative colours and geometric patterns to create a collection of six slightly mottled plain tiles, which contrast with the bright two-tone décors. Finished in a smooth matt finish, the glazed porcelain tiles are all available in a single versatile 200x200mm size.

Part of the Saint-Gobain family, CTD Architectural Tiles specialises in the supply of high quality ceramic tile finishes and tiling solutions across all sectors in the UK commercial specification market. With clients in a variety of sectors including the leisure, retail, hospitality industries, CTD Architectural Tiles is committed to bringing customers the latest innovations in product and in service.

With unparalleled expertise and technical knowledge, the team works with industry leading, innovative manufacturers to offer a complete portfolio of ceramic and porcelain tile ranges to suit the architect, interior designer, developer and specification professional. Visit www.ctdarchitecturaltiles.co.uk or call 0800 021 4835 for more information.

CTD Architectural Tiles

Norbord donates towards community care efforts

Kinedo, sister company of leading plumbing brand Saniflo, has re-purposed its French factory to design and launch a new range of high quality glass protection screens to meet this demand. Desk mounted options are available in 75cm and 100 cm heights with a choice of five widths from 80 to 160cm. The floor mounted solutions are tall, self-supporting panels available in 3 widths – 80, 100 and 120cm and in 4 heights – 140, 160, 180 and 200cm. These are ideal for restaurants, cafes, hairdressing and beauty salons, as well as office spaces. Side panels are available for all options.

Saniflo

PW Heating and Plumbing Engineers has been a loyal Wunda Group customer for 10 years and MD Patrick Whitehouse says he won’t go anywhere else for underfloor heating. “Over the years, we’ve installed underfloor heating in new builds and renovations and we’ve used Wundatherm as it’s simple to fit,” he says.

“I’ve found that it’s really popular as it’s ideal for people looking to take their radiators out without too much disruption. There are always reservations with underfloor heating as people are concerned about mess, cost and digging up floors, but you don’t need to worry about that with Wundatherm.”

Wundatherm

Norbord has supported the Cowie Rural Action Group in providing food and essential supplies to the elderly and vulnerable families in the community during the COVID-19 lockdown. Over the past three weeks, the community group has been working with local businesses to help provide grocery bags and meal packs for over 60 families and 50 older residents to provide them with food for another few weeks. The monetary donation from Norbord will help the group continue to provide meals and supplies ensuring that those in self-isolation can have access to all the supplies they need during this challenging time.

KINEPROTECT ensures safe return to work

Plumbing specialist takes the plunge with Wundatherm

Norbord

SAFE AND RELIABLE BATHROOM SOLUTIONS FOR WOODEN STRUCTURES

Insulation is in the centre of sustainable energy and is extremely important to incorporate into any renovation project especially in timber structures that are subjected to damp and draughts.

The cheapest way to reduce heat loss is to use building materials with high U values and materials with low heat-conductivity as surface finishes. Suspended timber floors to bathrooms can also be particularly at risk from hidden plumbing leaks and condensation behind fitted units.

wedi’s sub construction elements are tackling the above mentioned issues - they are 100% waterproof to the core, decoupling, have the best thermal capabilities (0.036WmK) amongst common tile backers on the market and can be either tiled directly onto or plastered. No additional waterproofing or heat insulation is required.

Current trend shows increased popularity of walk-in showers but when it comes to suspended timber floors, it is imperative to evaluate between different brands in order to select the best solution that ticks all boxes. wedi products are developed with practicality, versatility and functionality in mind. Uniquely, all wedi Fundo shower elements have a sealing set developed especially for the all-round sealing of their perimeters and a 360˚ dry-fit drain technology that offers reassurance of their use in/on wooden floors.

For many years, wedi’s Fundo Ligno shower element with point drainage was the ultimate solution for installing walk-in shower areas in timber floors. In 2020, to answer the market demand wedi introduced a new shower solution with linear drainage especially for suspended timber structures.

Both the wedi Fundo Ligno and Fundo RioLigno shower elements fit and sit flush in the wooden flooring, without having to cut into floor joists or build up further floor height. With their outer edges of just 20mm and 25mm respectively, keeping safety in focus above everything else, both shower trays are fitted with a support plate on the underside reinforcing the area around the drain opening to provide unrivalled peace of mind within the moisture sensitive and ever moving timber floor.

Furthermore, to eliminate any possibility of failure, wedi offers a drain-substructure element for wooden floor installations that guarantees reliable support and accurate aligning of the drain.

Sufficient insulation of bathroom floor and wall surfaces is imperative especially in wooden structures. Coupling wedi Fundo shower solutions with wedi building boards and/or wedi Subliner Dry & Flex membranes, would not only result in a CE marked walk-in shower area but also would be awarded with a full wedi system guarantee.

wedi building boards are famous for their suitability to be directly bonded onto timber or metal stud frames without the need for mechanical fixing; with the elimination of laborious sealing measures over penetrations, they save time and offer further safety. wedi’s Subliner range, as a complement to wedi building boards, is renowned for its reliability in waterproofing and/or decoupling of bathroom walls and floors.

Arriving to the surface finish, wedi now offers seamless design surfaces that keep grout lines to the minimum thus promote hygiene around the bathroom. The wedi Top Line boasts wall panelling (wedi Top Wall), preformed shower tray finishes (wedi Fundo Top) and pre-formed Top solutions for cladding of shower seats (wedi Sanoasa Top), niches (wedi Sanwell Top) and toilet cistern cladding for wall hung toilets (wedi I-Board Top).

Their characteristics such as their antibacterial surface, low heat-conductivity, excellent slip resistance (R11) along with their natural feel makes them a perfect complement to use on top of wedi sub construction elements.

Simple, safe, functional - this is wedi. Do you have a project to discuss or would like to learn more? Please get in touch either by calling 0161 864 2336 or emailing at enquiries@wedi.co.uk. Alternatively visit our website www.wedi.co.uk.

wedi

DRU FIRES ANNOUNCES NEW ONLINE CPD COURSE FOR ARCHITECTS AND SPECIFIERS

DRU Fires is currently the only UK-based gas fireplace company to offer an accredited Continuous Professional Development (CPD) course for architects and specifiers.

The seminar is normally held at architects’ premises throughout the UK. However, from April 2020 it will be available as an online presentation.

The course is described as ‘A Journey through specifying fires’ and covers the design, specification and installation of gas fires, wood stoves and wood fire inserts.

Most of the gas fires require no chimney, but are vented using a concentric flue, which draws air from outside the building for combustion and expels waste gases to the outside atmosphere.

DRU fires feature the latest gas fire technology. This includes the exclusive DRU Eco Wave app for tablets and smartphones, enabling the user to set the flame picture, control the gas consumption and other functions.

These balanced flue gas models are glass fronted with room-sealed combustion, giving them high energy efficiency ratings and A or higher energy labels.

Flexible design and installation

As well as having superior designs standards, the benefits of the fires for architects include considerable flexibility of design. This is because they are not restricted to standard chimney sizes. Instead, there is scope to specify extra wide or tall apertures, as well as 2 and 3 sided models, see-through tunnel fires and freestanding stoves.

Wilo-SiBoost Helix VE,

the trendsetter.

Innovative technology for energy-efficient pressure boosting systems

Fluctuating water demand in different types of buildings, such as apartment blocks, hospitals or hotels requires flexible systems to guarantee a water supply that meets each buildings individual needs.

Wilo provide energy efficient solutions for pressure boosting, including the Wilo-SiBoost Helix VE to enable a consistent and reliable supply of water specific to the requirements of each application.

Features & Benefits:

The Helix VE consists of Stainless steel construction, high-pressure multistage centrifugal pumps and integrated frequency converter.

Energy efficient wide control range from 25 Hz up to a maximum of 50 Hz

Automatic pressure-loss detection to protect the entire facility

Integrated dry-run detection with automatic shut-down.

The SCe is controlled through the LCD display. This simple user interface allows quick and easy menu navigation and setting adjustment

For more information please call our sales team.

DRU fires feature the latest gas fire technology. This includes the exclusive DRU Eco Wave app for tablets and smartphones, enabling the user to set the flame picture, control the gas consumption and other functions.

DRU Metro gas fire in reception of Harford Manor, Berkshire, installed using PowerVent ® , DRU PowerVent ® terminals on the roof of Ebury Square, a Berkeley development in Belgravia.

In addition, architects can plan multiple gas fire installations in high rise apartments, hotels and other unusual locations using the exclusive DRU PowerVent® extended, fanned flue system. This has already been used in many prestigious residential developments, particularly in central London.

Open and closed combustion

For wood fires and stoves, the course deals with the differences between open and closed combustion systems, the advantages of appliances with external air connection and the benefits of using models that deliver clean burning and high energy efficiency.

Finally, the course outlines the latest legislation governing gas fires and wood stoves, covering areas such as the European Ecodesign Directive and all other energy efficiency and emissions regulations. For more

information,

DRU Fires

to book a seminar or to access the online course, visit ribacpd.com and follow the links to DRU Fires.

INSPIRATION, APPLICATION, SOLUTION !

DRU gas fires are among the most advanced heating appliances in Europe, with a choice of over 50 models. There are many inspiring designs, including 2, 3-sided, seethrough and freestanding fires.

Complete freedom of installation

They require no chimney, and with the addition of the patented DRU PowerVent ® extended flue system, they can be installed in the most unlikely locations.

Tablet or smartphone controls

You can select your preferred flame picture, heat output and much more using the exclusive DRU Eco Wave app for tablets and smartphones. It all adds up to the UK’s most complete gas fire solution.

DRU is an approved CPD provider to architects and DRU fires have many design features that make them ideal for inclusion in architect-led projects.

DRU Passo Eco Wave gas stove

EVEREDGE – THROUGH LOCKDOWN AND BEYOND

The first 6 months of 2020 have been a strange and often worrying time in the UK and around the world. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been felt in people’s home and businesses and it is only now that we see some level of normality returning.

Having everybody at home has meant that people have been spending more time on their gardens and demand for EverEdge products has been strong.

However, with our factory locked down we took the difficult decision in April to close the website and to stop accepting new orders.

In June we were finally able to reopen for new sales and both trade and domestic customers have been eager to get orders delivered before the summer comes to an end.

At EverEdge we are now hard at work ensuring that we can produce not only our unrivalled range of garden and landscape edging products but also an extensive range of planters and custom produced steel walls and cladding.

Domestic gardeners and landscapers never stopped and housebuilders and contractors are now back on the sites that closed and EverEdge edging products are being installed on projects across the country including in new build housing estates in gardens and on driveways as well as on small, self-build projects.

EverEdge

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VICAIMA LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE STRENGTHENING THE USER’S EXPERIENCE

Always aiming to build the perfect online experience for its customers and partners, Vicaima, one of the largest European players in the production of sophisticated solutions for interior doors, wardrobes and panels, has just launched a new website, which aims to improve the ease of navigation for its users, providing spontaneous and differentiating interaction with all features and tools. Yet another innovation, from a company which is continuously investing in a close, modern and intuitive digital footprint.

Among the new features, Vicaima highlights the speed of the platform and the contemporary, functional and responsive redesign, strategically created to facilitate the search process for users, in line with their intentions, needs and desires.

Thus, the new website is characterized by dynamism, accompanied by carefully selected content, as well as a wide range of products, performance and solutions, with a view to boosting the digital presence of the brand in the national and international arena.

This redesign includes aesthetic improvements allowing for more immersive experimentation and improved navigation, which allows visitors to easily find the information they need.

“After many months of work and dedication by our entire team, we are very pleased with the launch of the new Vicaima website. This latest step reflects the company’s ability to anticipate trends, innovate, propose complete and exciting proposals to the market.

“With the new website, the user can easily and intuitively access the commercialized products, news, catalogues, technical information, projects and news, as well as request the download of BIM solutions from Vicaima, quickly and effectively.

“We believe that we will strengthen our position as one of the dominant players in the market. With the new design, we expect an increase in the number of visitors and consumption of content on our page. We look forward to feedback and the new and exciting developments to come”, stresses Antonio Moutinho, Director at Vicaima Group.

The new Vicaima page thus highlights the company’s willingness to invest in a digital sphere that provides the best user experience for its customer. The renewal follows, precisely, the thought provoking attitude of the brand towards the different markets in which it operates.

This is also related to an integrated multichannel strategy, which reconciles the company’s multiple digital tools, placing it, once again, at the forefront of the sector.

Vicaima is currently one of the biggest European players in the design and production of sophisticated solutions for interior doors, technical doors, frames, wardrobes, panels and furniture parts. Its positioning is based on the ability to develop integrated and customized solutions, oriented to different sectors, namely housing, hotel, health, education and commercial.

Innovative and trendsetter, Vicaima has a constant concern for sustainability, being the first Portuguese company in the sector to obtain FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) certification. Founded in Portugal, it has a direct presence in countries such as the United Kingdom and Spain and exports 95% of its production to markets ranging from Europe to the African continent, passing through the United Arab Emirates and the American continent.

For further information, visit the Vicaima website www.vicaima.com

Vicaima

Actively monitors a property’s RadioLINK+ or SmartLINK enabled alarms

Minimises the requirement of property access causing less disruption

Utilises the best available mobile connection for reliable connection

Collates data and provides real-time notifications

Accessible intelligence that can be actioned, reported on and documented

Enables solution focused asset management