Home Designer and Architect - December 2019

HOME-DESIGNER AND ARCHITECT

MAGAZINE December 2019

Rinnai cpd on continuous on demand now fully app Rinnai’s CPD courses on continuous flow hot water delivery units and systems have now been fully approved by the Chartered Institute of Building Service Engineers (CIBSE).

Four CPDs have been approved: • Excellence in Design of Continuous Flow Hot Water Delivery

• The Regulatory Horizon for Hot Water Delivery

• Continuous Flow Hot Water Appreciation

• ACOP L8

FOR MORE INFORMATION V

s flow hot water delivery proved by cibse “Demand for all of our training courses and programmes have risen steeply as the industry increasingly has to focus on energy, environment and finance efficiency in hot water delivery within a commercial context,“ says Rinnai’s Chris Goggin.

CPD courses have been designed for M&E consultants and specifiers, design and build engineers and, facilities managers.

These courses had already attracted praise from CIBSE. For example, it says of the ‘CONTINUOUS FLOW WATER HEATING SYSTEM SIZING AND DESIGN’ course in

an appraisal: “The course delivers what it outlines and is well constructed.”

Rinnai has developed and manufactures the only complete and most comprehensive range of highly efficient ErP labelled A-rated continuous flow water heaters on the market, from the smallest domestic model to industrial units.

“Rinnai understands that time means money which is why we are happy to adopt an ‘any time, any place, anywhere’ approach to CPD delivery and training,” adds Mr Goggin.

VISIT WWW.RINNAIUK.COM

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HOME-DESIGNER AND ARCHITECT

Image: Impervia Luxury Plank Waterproof Flooring - page 36

CONTENTS DecemBER 2019

4 Industry News 12 Heating, Ventilation & 26 32 36 37

Energy Efficiency Bathrooms & Washrooms Coatings & Paints Floors & Flooring Doors & Windows

CONtact US Ben Pritchard

Publication Manager

Jenna Burridge Editor

01843 581364

ben@homedesignerandarchitect.co.uk

01843 595818

jenna@homedesignerandarchitect.co.uk

Industry news

Waterloo announces new Sales Director Leading UK air distribution manufacturer Waterloo Air Products has announced the promotion of Andy Wardle to the position of Sales Director, with a seat on the Company Board. ver its 100-year history, U K m a n u fa c tu re r Waterloo has earned a reputation as the count ry ’s lead ing supplier of Diffusers, Grilles and Louvres due to the unparalleled quality of its bespoke-fabricated products and excellent customer service.

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Andy joined Waterloo in 2005 as Area Sales Manager, having previously gained valuable sales and industry experience at both TROX and GDL. As his career within Waterloo developed, he

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progressed to Regional Sales Manager for the North before taking on his most recent role as Head of National Sales.

As Sales Director, Andy will be tasked with developing Waterloo’s continued growth strategy while leading the national sales team.

Commenting on his new role, Andy said: “I’m delighted to join the Waterloo Board and look forward to using my wider commercial knowledge to drive market expansion with the support of our fantastic sales team.

“We would like to congratulate Andy as we welcome him to the Board of Waterloo,” said Waterloo’s Managing Director Russell Shenton.

“During his time with Waterloo, Andy has demonstrated an expert knowledge of our products and core technology backed by strong people and leadership skills. We are confident that Andy will be able to use his experience and insight to help us achieve the ambitious sales growth that we are targeting in our next phase of development.”

For more information on Waterloo Air Products, visit www.waterloo.co.uk

Industry news

Croton-on-Hudson House by Resolution: 4 Architecture In the river town of Croton-on-Hudson, about an hour’s drive from Midtown Manhattan, property is prized for its dramatic water views.

Resolution: 4 Architecture (RES4), a New York–based firm founded by Joseph Tanney and Robert Luntz, has designed numerous modern houses in the river and oceanfront towns surrounding the city, but perhaps no location influenced the firm’s work so clearly from first sight as this one.

Though the clients, a retired couple seeking an escape from Manhattan, had approached RES4 to design a prefabricated vacation house for the property, there was not enough room to truck the modules on the narrow, winding road leading up to the site.

So the architects proposed a more conventional construction instead. “Yet the strategies we employed are still similar in terms of organization and efficiency,” says Tanney.

The overall tactic focused on lifting the house as high as possible, 9 feet above grade, to take advantage of the Hudson River views. The house is composed of a main volume, clad in metal siding, supported on steel columns, with a stair and elevator core on its south side faced in ipé wood. This larger form extends eastward to rest on a narrow bar-like structure, sheathed in white cement board, which encloses mechanical systems and storage space.

At the intersection of the two, the architects carved a space for the carport, through which a visitor first glimpses the river. “It’s like a portal,” says Tanney. “You get this incredible framed view.” Since one of the clients likes to swim every day, the architects placed a pool beneath the main volume of the house, where it is sheltered from the sun.

On the level above, a covered deck separates the living area from a guest bedroom on the west. This captured exterior space, overlooking the town and river, has a fire pit—along with insect screens that drop from the deck’s soffit. Inside, the architects designed built-in furniture, including low white oak cabinetry, a banquette in the dining area, and wardrobes and a bed in the master suite on the east end, all intended to increase the sense of openness and views and minimize visual clutter. “It’s intended as a refuge,” says Tanney. In fact, the project was so transformative that soon after finishing the house, the couple hired RES4 to renovate their Manhattan apartment, where they can escape the tranquility of the countryside when desired.

Dorothy Garrod Building reigns supreme at Brick Awards The Dorothy Garrod Building, Newnham College at the University of Cambridge, has scooped this year’s ‘Supreme Winner’ title at the 2019 Brick Awards, celebrating the best use of brick in the built environment.

Designed by Walters & Cohen Architects, this project also won the Medium Housing Development and Craftmanship categories.

Focusing on the value of using durable materials and on finding the right suppliers of products, The Dorothy Garrod Building knits itself among the buildings already part of the college and creates a new frontage for the college from one entrance. The design balances solidity and transparency, with glazing alternating with full-height brickwork panels where hit-and-miss element weaves seamlessly into the texture and detail of the elevation. The hit-and-miss brickwork complements the existing buildings without mimicking them. A bespoke mixture of Northcot Plumstead and Lynham Red bricks were made to create Sidgwick Blend bricks for the project.

Hillary Satchwell, head judge, Brick Awards 2019, said: “The supreme winner, the Dorothy Garrod Building, really impressed the judges who felt it was exceptional in a number of ways. It manages to be exemplary teaching and research space, as well as student housing; it is a strongly urban and welcoming response to the surrounding streets in this part of Cambridge; and at the same time is an amazing work of carefully considered and expressive brick design and craftsmanship. Quite some achievement.”

The task of shortlisting fell to a panel of experienced architects, planners, specialist brickwork contractors, developers and other design and brick experts, who produced a final shortlist of 104 entries. Domestic projects were then visited and reported back to the judging panel as a whole for debate.

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industry news

Tithe Barn restoration

Unsurprisingly, the architects worked carefully and closely with the owners and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority before finalising a scheme that conserves this iconic building and gives members of the public the chance to appreciate its internal structure.

Working with skilled local craftspeople to retain the integrity and authenticity of the barn, the company restored the heavily beamed interior of the building as well as every last roof tile. Each was individually removed and cleaned before being replaced on a raised roof level. Outside landscaping (including roads), lighting and car park surfacing were also completed using traditional methods.

A Yorkshire Dales barn restoration has won a coveted Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) national award for ‘Best Commercial Property’ as well as a RIBA ‘Regional Award’ and a RIBA ‘Conservation Award’.

The £2 million project to restore the 500-year-old Great Barn at Bolton Abbey, was overseen by the contractor Universal Projects, fit out specialists in the retail, office and residential sector and Pearce Bottomley Architects.

When the Bolton Abbey Estate decided to press ahead with an application to convert this agricultural building into a prestigious wedding

venue, they approached Pearce Bottomley Architects as specialists in conservation architecture.

A 16th Century oak timber frame contributes to the building’s outstanding heritage significance and the project was made even more complex by the fact that it’s part of a scheduled ancient monument, in a conservation area, with roosting bats and residents nearby.

Work on the 50 x 170 foot building was completed in 2018, taking less than seven months from start to finish. Now a hugely popular wedding venue it can seat up to 200 guests (300 for evening receptions).

RICS judges said transformation of the 16th Century tithe barn from a cluttered agricultural store into a magical wedding venue was ‘exemplary’ and added: “The Bolton Abbey Estate committed in excess of £2 million from its own funds to the project to transform the building, increase rental income tenfold and achieve payback in seven years. The confidence given by this project has boosted the area and paved the way for further investment in other developments.” The flagship venue is now generating 13 times more rental income for the Bolton Abbey Estate.

Nuki Smart Lock Launches Night Mode Nuki, the European market-leading name in smart locks proudly announces the introduction of it’s ‘Night Mode’ feature, an update and new feature-set designed to help customers as winter approaches.

Nuki’s Night Mode brings a new level of comfort and safety to the Nuki Smart Lock by combining and automatically activating specific features of the Smart Lock during the night. This ensures, amongst other features, the greatest possible security at night by double-locking the door. Users can use this function to meet their individual needs and have the option to disable Auto Unlock during the night should they wish. The Nuki Smart Lock also switches to low-power mode at night and sends out a Bluetooth signal less frequently, therefore significantly increasing battery life.

Improved User Experience Nuki’s day and night profiles allow customers to adapt their Smart Lock to their individual needs. For example, families with small children whose sleep could be easily disturbed by Auto Unlock can

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disable it and instead use a normal key when they come home late.

The same applies if you work from home during the day and don’t need Auto Lock during this period but want to make sure that your house is always safely locked during the night.

Improved Low battery Warning Do not be afraid of low batteries! Before the current update, Nuki notified users via a notification in the app and optional push notifications as soon as battery power was below 20 percent. With the new update a battery warning will now be displayed in the lock overview of the app for extra reassurance.

Devised by multi award-winning Austrian designers EOOS.com, built in Europe, and utilising bank-grade security software, the Nuki Smart Lock 2.0 and Opener are fully compatible with Android and iOS and can be used to assign digital access rights to friends, family, and service providers via the companion app. Nuki offers the convenience of the optional Nuki Fob and Nuki Keypad – ideal access solutions for children, tradespeople, carers and for those without a smartphone. The optional Nuki Opener also enables the operation of the front door to apartment buildings simply via the Nuki app, as well as remotely.

Industry news

Misinformation and Mistakes Continue to Hinder Productivity of UK Construction Firms New research suggests that nine in ten firms still rely on paper on-site, exacerbating preventable productivity drains roductivity in UK construction firms is being held back by the same challenges as twelve months ago, as efforts remain slow to adopt digital technology for the jobsite.

According to Digital Groundwork: Closing the Productivity Gap, a new report from Autodesk Construction Solutions, half of businesses say that dealing with mistakes remains the most unnecessary resource drain on the business. The survey of 251 construction professionals in the UK follows on from 2018 research by PlanGrid, exploring how firms’ efforts to improve productivity have progressed.

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As in 2018, issues with informationsharing on the jobsite are causing delays

and wider operational challenges. Survey responses revealed three in ten firms are being hindered by a lack of accurate and timely information (28 percent), with half of professionals pointing to inefficient processes across the business (55 percent). Misinformation leads to businesses spending time and money fixing mistakes; half of the firms surveyed day that rework is the single biggest timewaster in the organisation, with errors alone costing the UK industry £21bn a year.

Construction firms are still struggling to collaborate effectively, without a source of shared and reliable information; 60 percent of businesses say that a lack of trust between contractors and subcontractors often impacts their performance. All of this comes at a time when using labour productively has never been more important, as professionals highlight that a lack of skills (40 percent) and talent shortages (39 percent) are major barriers to their organisation.

These challenges reflect the slow adoption of digital technology by UK firms. The majority of construction businesses continue to use paper drawings and documentation, as only 13 percent use digital technology for three quarters of their projects or more. A fifth say all of their projects are entirely paperbased (19 percent) – a figure that remained consistent since 2018 (22 percent).

There has been progress in adopting some technologies, such as file-sharing tools like Dropbox to access drawings (74 percent); however, these tools don’t appear to be making it into the hands of people on-site.

“Twelve months ago, we saw that sharing key project information on paper was leading to delays, costly mistakes and even conflict at UK construction firms.

Unfortunately, these issues continue to hamper productivity,” said Matt Keen, Construction Industry Strategist with Autodesk Construction Solutions (ACS).

“Construction businesses are slow to adopt digital technology where the work is actually done, on live projects. At a time when talent is scarce it’s more important than ever to ensure time – and people – are used productively, not addressing issues or looking for project data.”

There are even signs of a growing digital divide between those construction firms who invest strategically in technology and those who buy technology on an ad-hoc basis, if they do so at all. A quarter of businesses admit to having a complete absence of technology strategy (26 percent), while most businesses simply buy tools on an impromptu basis (36 percent). Meanwhile, only 50 percent of professionals say that improving digital skills will be a focus for the business over the next three years.

“For our customers, adopting technology across their business can improve productivity on every project – but it can also improve the long-term competitiveness of each UK construction firm,” continued Keen. “Businesses can deliver thorough, asbuilt digital handovers with ease, improve how they work with other stakeholders and even use data in their operations to improve profitability. The global construction industry is being transformed by technology. UK firms can reap the benefits, if they look beyond short-term challenges, address their productivity gaps and lay a digital groundwork for the future.”

The full Digital Groundwork report is available here.

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Going for (rose) gold After selecting the perfect doors for your property, it’s time to pick fixtures and fittings to add that all important finishing touch. However, with so many styles and finishes to choose from, this can often be a difficult task.

For a fresh twist in a modern space, IronmongeryDirect offers a range of on-trend door furniture in rose gold or ‘polished copper’ that can stand-out against a neutral background and add a warm glow and shine to any room.

The Rimini Door Handle is a great option, with a simple yet elegant rectangular backplate offering style and versatility. What’s more, the matching interior lock and bathroom sets are also available from IronmongeryDirect. You can add further flair by combining this modern handle with a Victorianstyle Hat & Coat Hook, to give a traditional spin on an otherwise contemporary décor theme.

Hinges are often overlooked, yet are an important detail when it comes to achieving your desired interior look. It is worth investing in attractive, well-made fixtures and fittings which bring your overall design scheme together without compromising on quality or durability. For example, the Solid Drawn Hinge is visually appealing, but also manufactured from heavy gauge extruding brass, which gives it wear-resistant anti-rust qualities.

Keep your doors in great condition while adding décor and style with a rose gold door stop, such as the Oval Floor Door Stop. With a stylish, round design and concealed fixings, this brass product provides sophistication and long-lasting durability.

Take your design one step further by colour-matching door fixtures to your existing cabinet furniture. With a sleek yet classic appearance, the rose gold Touchpoint T-Bar Handle can instantly brighten up tiredlooking cupboards, drawers and wardrobes. The pull handle is crafted from mild steel and is available in a range of lengths, meaning it’s both hard-wearing and suitable for a range of applications in the home.

IronmongeryDirect is the UK’s largest specialist ironmongery supplier, with over 18,000 products in stock. The customer service team are available from 7am-8pm 7 days a week and can help with any questions or queries regarding home security.

For more information, visit IronmongeryDirect.com or call their team of specialist advisors on 0800 168 28 28.

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Industry News

Welsh Slate helps with a steep learning curve Architect Gareth Sullivan has turned an awkward plot into an award-winning home.

Welsh Slate was specified for the roof of an architect’s challenging but award-winning own self-build for a trio of reasons – its quality, durability and aesthetics.

More than 600 Penrhyn Heather Blue slates were selected for the front of Steep Wedge House in Douglas, County Cork, which as its name suggests was built on a steep site within three wayleaves which have determined its shape.

The slates were complemented by 40 slate-and-a-half for the verge

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details, with this part of the roof also incorporating a concealed stainless steel gutter with an 80mm opening three slates up from the eaves. Steep Wedge House, a timber-frame certified Passive House on the site of a former builder’s yard, which due to the wayleaves had failed many attempts by previous owners to secure planning

permission, was designed by architect Gareth Sullivan of Cork City-based Simply Architecture for his young family.

Gareth said: “To ensure the highest level of value and quality it was decided that the building fabric would be designed to exemplary levels.

“Welsh slate was used to the front of the house to introduce a really natural quality of material in contrast to the sharp lines of the project form. The Welsh slate was chosen

industry news for its quality, durability and appearance.

The textured rugged edges of the slate also worked well in contrast with the sleek recessed gutter detail.”

The roof slates were supplied by Lagan Building Solutions and installed by William McCarthy over a morning using hooks and 38mm copper nails on 50mm x 35mm battens over a breather membrane.

He said: “In my opinion Welsh Slate is the Rolls Royce of any slate and a pleasure to work with.”

Given the restrictions of the site, the south-facing aspect was limited due to overlooking issues so a deep central stair void running throughout the house draws light deep into the plan from three large rooflights. Equally raised windows on the south side ensure overlooking of adjacent dwellings is eliminated while offering amazing views of tree tops in the distance.

The living spaces occupy each of the three levels of the 180m2 house to track the sun path. Due to the staggered arrangement this layout offers flexible rooms to be used as separate living spaces for a growing family but also offer the versatility to be used as guest bedrooms when the need arises.

Given the unusual shape and the steep slope, aesthetics, orientation and access all

became issues that needed to be carefully considered. Lots of model making studies and design work was undertaken to ensure the design could be integrated properly on the site.

a difficult site without planning at times seemed foolish. However, having realised its potential we are now thrilled and somewhat relieved! We now have a cosy home full of light, surrounded by nature.”

Gareth said: “As a self-build project, acting as client, architect and project manager brought an enormous sense of responsibility but with that came great reward. The project at times presented great uncertainty and the risk of buying

He added: “The project is a strong example of how to maximise forgotten or discarded sites on the edge of our cities. It shows a capability to overcome restrictions and perceived problems which would be insurmountable had a conventional design approach been adopted.

“Housing of a certain design quality is lacking in the mainstream marketplace so we would hope this project can be used as an example to show how a creative and brave design approach can free up the potential in difficult and unusual plots that can be found in many pockets around our cities, towns and villages.

“An established Irish trend of building one-off houses in the countryside is not sustainable socially or environmentally.

It is crucial for the sustainability of our communities that good design is embraced so that some forgotten plots can be developed and hopefully be a contributing factor to alleviating the current housing crisis.”

Steep Wedge House won Simply Architecture the 2019 overall Isover selfbuild project and single house building of the year in the Building and Architecture Awards 2018.

It was also shortlisted in the Irish Construction Industry Awards 2018 and selected for exhibition in the RIAI Irish Architecture Awards 2018.

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Heating,Ventilation & Energy Efficiency

Radiant comfort With thermostats now clicking into gear in homes across the country, most of us will be heading to the nearest wall-mounted radiator to warm our hands. But how about installing a heating system which makes the whole indoor environment more comfortable? Sheldon Cooper of climate control specialist WMS, explains why radiant heating should be on your specification list.

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“When you’re asked to design a building or specify the most suitable climate control system, your considerations are likely to be around customer wants, spatial requirements, compliance with building regulations, cost, supplier relationships or the availability of installation personnel. Drilling down into how a heating or cooling system might actually operate within a room, other than basic temperature control for the user, probably seems less important. But if we understand

Heating,Ventilation & Energy Efficiency

“Radiant heat transfer on the other hand is far more effective. It’s how the sun warms up the earth. By using radiant heating and cooling systems – like underfloor heating, or cooling ceiling panels which I’ll explain more about in a moment, we can achieve a far more comfortable, energy-efficient and healthy indoor environment.

What’s more, the systems are easy to install, require less maintenance than their convection system alternatives and will last much longer.

a little about how ‘standard spec’ heating and cooling systems work, we could make a significant, positive difference to user comfort, project delivery and help the environment.

“Looking at underfloor heating first of all, this works by circulating warm water through a series of continuous loops which are fitted under a floor, creating a large radiant surface which heats a room from the floor upwards.

And because underfloor heating covers a greater surface area than radiators, it can run at lower temperatures 45°C rather than 80°C. The demand it places on energy sources is therefore significantly less, making underfloor heating the ideal system for use with heat pumps and solar panels – particularly relevant with the 2025 gas boiler ban on the horizon.

“Radiant climate control can also be achieved by installing ceiling panel systems containing cold water pipes.

The warmth from objects in a room is pulled towards the relative cool of the ceiling, heat then transfers through the plasterboard by conduction, the water in the pipes is warmed, fed into a heat pump, and then channelled back around the ceiling until the desired temperature is reached. Radiant systems also provide humidity control, don’t release harmful greenhouse gases, are incredibly energy efficient and better for our health and wellbeing than traditional convection systems.

“Convection heating has been the ‘norm’ for some time and it has seen us move away from the cold, damp homes of the past, but the future should be about changing our way of thinking again. We should be looking for better, healthier ways to build our homes, schools and places of work – and for me, radiant heating is an obvious alternative.” www.wms-uk.com

“Climate control systems achieve a desired temperature for a room through either the convection or radiation of heat. We commonly know convection heating to be radiators – or storage heaters. They work by heating the air around them to warm up a space and people in it. Electric panel heaters and open fires distribute heat in the same way and while this method of heating conjures up images of cosy living rooms on a cold winter’s day, it’s not actually an effective way of distributing heat and more often than not, cold spots are found.

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No.1 Choice Electric Radiator Collection EHC offer a comprehensive Range of Electric Products that are all controlled by our DSR Smart Technology which enables you to select different Heaters and mix and match them as a Hybrid Heating System for the various rooms within your property to suit your design style and budget – the choice is yours.

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Heating,Ventilation & Energy Efficiency

RINNAI’S ENERGY EFFICIENT MULTIPOINT WATER HEATER - NEVER RUN OUT OF HOT WATER AGAIN! Now available for domestic applications from Rinnai are the 11i A+rated continuous flow gas fired water heaters, with high energy efficiencies, low running costs and a consistent delivery of temperature accurate water. innai makes over 2million water heaters per year and as such is at the forefront of creating unit cost advantages for installers. The units are probably the most competitively priced type of their kind currently available on the UK market.

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The Rinnai 11i is a modernday variant on the multipoint water heater - plus all technological advances and innovations - yet at a very similar cost to its lower specification counterparts.

Increasingly, installers are recognizing the benefits of Rinnai’s modern-day variant

on traditional water heating solutions in terms of the cost effectiveness of these high performing multipoint appliances.

Rinnai’s multipoint water heaters are far more energy efficient than outdated storage systems and are the preferred water heating method of choice in domestic properties and light commercial sites such as, cafes, pubs, restaurants and other smaller to mid-size outlets.

The increase in popularity is quite simple – these units deliver high volumes of water instantly at any time of the day, or night, all at accurate temperatures for user comfort and safety. They are also easy to operate and simple to install and maintain.

These Rinnai multipoint water heaters, for example, eliminate the problem of sudden changes in water temperature, resulting in

cold showers or scalding hot baths – the water temperature you set is the water temperature you get.

So, if somebody is showering at 42°C and a tap is turned on to draw a bath elsewhere in the property, the temperature does not vary, and there is no chance of either user running out of hot water.

The lightweight 15kg 11i water heater is compact enough to install in the smallest of spaces and is the ideal replacement for large obtrusive cylinders.

Featuring easy to use digital controls this small but robust and durable unit is also simple to install.

The unit draws down 6.10kW – 21.60kW of natural gas and has an eleven litre per minute maximum flow. Internally wall mounted the 11i water heater measures 675mm high x 370mm wide x 134mm deep.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.RINNAIUK.COM •15•

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Heating,Ventilation & Energy Efficiency Living in a cold home can negatively impact both mental and physical health, yet its estimated that one-in-nine households in England struggle with fuel poverty. With winter on the way, Logic4training has released the latest in its series of free guides for building services installers, focusing on home energy efficiency improvements that boost living conditions and cut costs. eating installers are a trusted source of information and are perfectly placed to educate and empower consumers to take control of their energy usage. The guide is packed full of tips on how to boost home energy efficiency, from behavioural changes and energy-saving quick wins to more costly installations that pay for themselves over time.

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You can view the guide for FREE at the Logic4training website.

Mark Krull, Director at Logic4training, said: “It’s hard to believe that in 21st century Britain, with all the knowledge and technology that we have access to, our housing stock is still some of the least energy efficient in Europe. Making improvements in this area will result in warmer homes that cost less to run, are better for health and have less impact on the environment.

“Heating installers are uniquely positioned to provide valuable and potentially lifesaving advice to homeowners. In this guide, we’ve put together a host of information, statistics and tips that installers can use to encourage customers to be more energy efficient, while at the same time promoting their services, things like boiler maintenance and heating controls that can improve comfort and reduce energy wastage.”

Key topics: • • • • • • •

Improving boiler efficiency Heating controls Smart thermostats Preventing heat loss Engaging with energy use Smart meters Habitual changes to reduce energy usage

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Logic4training’s free Energy Efficiency guide is the ideal resource for heating installers looking to provide extra value this heating season.

For more information, visit: www.logic4training.co.uk

Heating,Ventilation & Energy Efficiency To alleviate the very real problems of noise, keeping sound and air pollution outside, Vectaire has three new models in its vertical whole house heat recovery range. The Midi, Maxi and Maxi Plus are now available with integral acoustic attenuation lined with superior sound deadening materials for really low sound levels and tested by BRE. Sound pressure levels are down to <5.0, <5.0 and 6.9 dBA respectively. They are easy to install – nothing extra is required other than the unit itself – they are the quietest, lightest and smallest on the market. Efficiency, performance and economy remain the same as the standard models. “BY-AT” models incorporate summer bypass and frost protection, and commissioning is via an integral LCD. Windows can be kept firmly closed while these MVHRs provide energy efficient ventilation and a comfortable environment. Products are SAP PCDB Listed and manufactured in our own factory in the UK to ISO 9001.

Vectaire offers a design service ensuring units are installed in the best possible way to provide efficient, effective, low energy and very economic ventilation. Vectaire can also organise installation, commissioning and maintenance of these products and can supply all necessary accessories.

All Vectaire’s residential ventilation is detailed in the latest Low Energy Catalogue.

You can have it all with Speedheat Creating an airy, open space for living calls for clean lines and minimum fuss – but you also need to keep cosy.

Speedheat electric underfloor heating can help to achieve it all. Installed with minimum disruption and no noticeable build up in floor height, Speedheat’s system is invisible under your choice of final floor finish. It is ideal for new build, renovation and redesign projects and comes complete with state of the art, unobtrusive controls. Speedheat spells the end to ugly radiators or trailing cables, with nothing to spoil the view. info@speedheat.co.uk

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Heating,Ventilation & Energy Efficiency

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Heating,Ventilation & Energy Efficiency

RINNAI AIMS FOR DOUBLE GROWTH IN LESS THAN 10 YEARS Rinnai, a UK leader in the manufacture and supply of heating & continuous flow hot water delivery systems and units for residential and commercial sites, has announced that it is planning on doubling its size within 10 years. he announcement, made by Managing Director Tony Gittings at a major event held at Skinners Hall in the City of London before a large audience of contractors, installers, consultants, estates managers and end-user organisation, detailed the company’s plans in a series of new product developments, marketing initiatives and service launches.

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In the 2019 the company has completed the following: •

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Launch of service division offering total offering customers Service Plans for peace of mind in knowing that, in the unlikely event of a problem, they have an instant answer to the problem. All inspections and all remedial works are carried out by Gas Safe registered engineers. It is a legal requirement for the obvious safety reasons that all works carried out to a gas fired appliance or system must be done by a fully qualified and registered gas engineer.

Launch of the new N series of hot water heating units - The Rinnai SENSEI water heater range offers a new, more compact and enhanced combustion design that allows for easier installation and enhanced operational performance and importantly increased levels of serviceability. All the components within the Sensei are designed and manufactured by Rinnai.

This ensures maximum quality and reliability from the industry leader in commercial continuous flow water.

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Launch of the A series of domestic hot water heating units

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Launch of the Zen and Zen Plus home hot water & heating system which marries established and proven manufacture durability with new technologies to offer great energy efficiencies, user control and, importantly, unparalleled level of comfort. The Rinnai Zen and Zen Plus system will increase comfort and reduce energy usage whilst also providing a highly economically solution for today’s changing marketplace.

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Launch of the Trust Partnership with the formation of an installer network specifically for its domestic product range, the Zen & Zen Plus. The installer domestic partnership network includes all bona fide, Gas Safe registered, installers of residential

heating and hot water units and systems. The launch is complementary to the recent introduction of the Rinnai Zen and Zen Plus domestic heating hot water system.

The Rinnai range of hot water heating products are manufactured to the highest possible quality standards which ensures a long working life. Our reliability and commitment to customer service excellence is the industry standard.

Rinnai is the UK leader in ErP ‘A’ rated continuous flow hot water heating units. The company makes and sells over 12 million gas appliances every year, which are distributed globally to all parts of the world and are all ISO 9001 and ISO 1400I certified (International standard for environmental management systems).

Backed with extensive warranties and fully qualified service teams, Rinnai is the first choice for continuous flow hot water, providing the most energy and economically efficient solution by using individual or multiple manifolded appliances.

“Rinnai employ innovative manufacturing and testing techniques to deliver unparalleled levels of safety, comfort and efficiency. With the Rinnai Continuous Flow Hot Water System, you will never run out of hot water,” adds Chris Goggin for the company.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.RINNAIUK.COM

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Heating,Ventilation & Energy Efficiency

Chancellor visits Worcester Bosch to see the future of heating with new ‘clean gas’ laboratory Leading heating systems manufacturer Worcester Bosch has met with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sajid Javid MP, to present its developments in lowcarbon heating technology.

Mr Javid visited the manufacturing plant in Worcester on the 8th of November with Worcester constituency MP Robin Walker.

They were shown Worcester Bosch’s new “clean gas” development lab and saw at first hand the company’s first hydrogenready boiler.

A hydrogen boiler could drastically reduce emissions in the use of heating and hot water in UK homes, hence its title as ‘clean gas’. The company believes it is a viable solution towards achieving the UK’s net zero carbon targets by 2050. The

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boiler can run on natural gas until a future conversion of the gas grid to hydrogen.

Robin Walker MP commented on the visit on social media, having tweeted; “Great to be able to introduce the Chancellor to some of the brilliant engineers & researchers working on the next generation of hydrogen boilers. So exciting to see this vital tech for #netzero taking shape.”

Martyn Bridges, Director of Technical Communication and Product Management

at Worcester Bosch said; “It was great to have Mr Javid at our plant to see our hydrogen boiler prototype.

“The development of Hydrogen fired boilers will mean millions of existing heating systems in our homes can be saved, rather than the entire system needing to be replaced if alternative technologies such as heat pumps were installed.

“Millions of homes currently use a combi boiler system and if converted to hydrogen they would be able to continue to do so without the need for a new hot water storage cylinder.”

To find out more about Worcester Bosch and its research and development into hydrogen visit www.worcester-bosch.co.uk/hydrogen.

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Case Study

STYLE YOUR LIVING SPACE WITH THE TOP INTERIOR TRENDS THIS AUTUMN As the sunny shades of summer transition to earthy autumnal tones, it’s time to switch the bright patterned cushions for warm knitted blankets and cosy throws. he changing of the seasons brings with it the chance to refresh your home interior, and this autumn you can dial-up the drama with dark colours and luxurious textures or create stunning mindful spaces with a botanical influence.

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Autumn is the perfect season to dedicate time to the home improvement projects you’ve been planning but haven’t had the chance to get round to throughout the busy summer months. Anglian Home Improvements has come up with three top tips for style-conscious homeowners looking to update their home for the new season ahead.

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Case study

GET RICH WITH COLOUR The days will be getting shorter and nights will start drawing in, so there has been no better time to cosy up your home with warm autumnal shades.

While it is true that a neutral colour schemes provide a blank canvas, there is a lot to be said for introducing colour. Rich hues such as forest greens, intimate navy blues and luxurious greys look refined and elegant and continue to prove a popular choice for autumn.

If you aren’t feeling daring enough to paint an entire room, try painting a feature in the room such as an alcove or a wall of shelves. You could even incorporate a bold piece of furniture into the design of a room – such as a deep red sofa or armchair – to add colour and personality to your living space.

NATURE-INSPIRED STYLING

lead from the outside world and no wonder it is proving such a hit with homeowners.

For those keen to continue to enjoy the benefits of the outdoors this autumn, keep your doors and windows open as much as possible, and introduce flowers and plants to provide a calmer and restorative environment. You can find top tips from Kew-trained botanist, broadcaster and author James Wong on biophilia at www. anglianhome.co.uk/goodtobehome.

ACCESSORISE WITH TEXTURE Accessorising with soft furnishings and textiles can complete the overall ‘look’ of a room, and autumn is the perfect time to introduce texture. Adding key pieces such as statement cushions or a plush rug will go a long way, but combining multiple textural elements such as macramé and rattan or wood and fake fur will bring the space to life.

From working long hours to being increasingly absorbed by technology, the time we spend outdoors is becoming limited and we are missing out on the psychological and physiological benefits of our natural surroundings.

With texture sometimes less is more, so have fun experimenting but be sure not to overload the space with too many conflicting elements. Aim for a mix of rough, smooth, hard and soft materials and trial textures together before deciding what works best for your autumnal interior.

Defined as an innate connection between living things and nature, ‘biophilia’ not only connects us to the outside world – it is also believed to have a positive impact on health and wellbeing. It is therefore no surprise that interior trends are taking the

For more information about Anglian Home Improvements and its wide range of home improvement products, including double-glazed windows and doors, conservatories and orangeries, please visit www.anglianhome.co.uk

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bathrooms & washrooms

JIS Europe first introduced the Sussex Range to the market in 1998. At that time although there were ladder rails on the market we were unique in that the rails were manufactured from 100% Stainless Steel.

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tainless steel is 100% recyclable, and manufactured from over 90% recyclable material. It will not rust, flake or corrode.

It is the sustainable, durable choice and can be used in all systems including open. We source our rails ethically and take our social responsibility seriously, from our sourcing to our manufacture to our charity initiatives.

We offer 3 formats of rail throughout the range: Electric, dual fuel and central heating only. We offer both polished and satin finishes as well as the Black Edition Range, manufactured from 100% stainless steel and powder coated black, hereby giving you the ultimate flexibility within your heating as well as visual requirements.

The cornerstones of our business are quality, stock holding and ultimately customer service. The three work hand in hand. We offer an extensive range of sizes and accessories, and constantly strive to bring new and interesting product to the market, whilst always marrying practicality and durability with design aesthete.

We have always maintained a policy of stockholding and all orders are dispatched for next day delivery when ordered before midday. This added to our extensive product range only goes to further improve the service we are able to offer.

Our staff are firstly and foremost polite, friendly and efficient, furthermore they are knowledgeable and able to deal with your queries. There will always be a friendly and willing person on the other end of the line ready to assist you.

We have a large selection of gallery shots, showing the visual diversity of our rails, on our website www. sussexrange.co.uk. Comfortable in both a modern and contemporary bathroom as well as the traditional, we think you will be impressed by the diversity of the images shown.

We are confident you will be happy with your purchase and are pleased to offer a 25 year guarantee.

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Should you wish any further details, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01825 722988 or info@jiseurope.co.uk

Black Edition Stainless Steel Towel Rails by JIS Europe 100% stainless steel towel rails 01825 722988 www.sussexrange.co.uk info@jiseurope.co.uk

Bathrooms & washrooms

Innovative design ideas win prizes Duravit wins five Iconic Awards in the “Innovative Architecture” category, including “best of best”

Visionary architecture, forward-looking products and sustainable communication: this year the Iconic Awards, the international design and architecture competition, awarded prizes to numerous extraordinary projects. ive of these went to Duravit in the “Innovative Architecture” category.

The company even won a “best of best” award.

Duravit walked away with awards for both new and enhanced product lines as well as its booth concept at the ISH, the world’s leading trade fair for HVAC and water, in Frankfurt.

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Duravit and Philippe Starck can count themselves among best of the best thanks to the new SensoWash Starck f product. The innovative shower-toilet earned the “Best of Best” award for the most innovative product. It was marked out by the fact that it can be individually configured via an app, laying the foundation for a new generation of shower-toilets.

The flat seat and the white cover located behind it form a flush-mounted unit that combines contemporary design and comfort-enhancing technology.

Philippe Starck is also behind the new “Starck T” accessory range for Duravit, one of the winners in the Product subcategory.

The stand-out design feature of this range is its geometric T shape: 16 elements in classic chrome or stylish Black Matt add the finishing touch to the modern bathroom.

Only recently introduced and already winning awards: in addition to “Starck T”, the new Viu/XViu series from sieger design stood out in the Product subcategory. Organic shapes and precise geometric contours combine to produce a harmonious whole. From matt lacquers to wood finishes, the new surface combinations provide diverse options in the bathroom. Striking V-shaped metal profiles in Champagne Matt or Black Matt forge the characteristic, avant-gardist look of the c-bonded metal consoles, washing areas with vanity unit, mirror, mirrored cabinets, and free-standing bathtub.

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The new D.1 faucet line from Duravit in collaboration with Matteo Thun and Antonio Rodriguez brings a hi-tech flourish to the washbasin. With clear contours and finely galvanized surfaces in Chrome or Black Matt, D.1 sets an unmistakably unique statement in the bathroom. This is underscored by the Iconic Award for the range. The circular operating button on the D.1e electronic version similarly takes up the clear formal language of the cylinder on the faucet body.

These new Duravit products were presented at the ISH, the world’s leading trade fair for HVAC and water, in Frankfurt.

A space of 1,100 square meters was given over to informative product experiences.

This enabled, for instance, the products to be showcased in a range of room ambiences befitting the different series – which ultimately won over the Iconic Awards jury. The innovative booth concept was awarded a prize in the Architecture subcategory.

YOUNG 2.0

MINIMALISM AND CLEAN LINES YOUNG 2.0, With a whole host of exciting product features, such as showering height of 2000mm, through to the minimal matt black, matt silver or polished chrome profiling giving the enclosure a sleek and luxurious look. Coupled with the rise and fall door mechanism and the versatility to be installed on a shower tray or tiled floor, the Young collection gives you a multitude of showering options and fantastic value for money. Combine this with our Novosolid stone Designed shower andtray manufactured or Novellini Wetroom for the total solution. in MANTOVA

Discover the Black & White video collection

Contact us directly or visit our websites for more information about our products and services.

info-uk@novellini.com www.novellini.co.uk www.iotti.com

Designed and manufactured in MANTOVA FOLLOW US

CT1 Voted as The Number 1 Construction Sealant and Adhesive of the Year CT1, commonly known as the Snag List Eliminator, is now officially the product that the professional tradesperson uses. Contractors, Site Managers, Project Officers, Specifiers and Architects are now demanding that CT1 is used on the jobs. All jobs.

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ith over 25 accreditations to its name, it’s the construction sealant and adhesive that has stood the test of time. With over 25 certificates and accreditations, not only testing its strength and versatility, but CT1 has also been awarded the much sought after certifications such as EC1 (Very Low Emission), A+ for the lowest indoor emissions and the

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very prestigious NAAF (The Norwegian Asthma and Allergy association). CT1 is the ONLY sealant and adhesive in the world to be awarded this label. But what does that mean to you the reader? You, the professional person in the construction industry. The Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association have now formed a Nordic Label with Sweden, Norway and Finland. They are one of the world’s most

stringent and authoritative bodies on what causes and reduces asthma and allergy in the home.

Since all housing has become more passive and well insulated, studies have shown that homes have now become a breeding ground for the nasties that create allergy and asthma in the home. CT1 has gone under vigorous testing and has the

stamp of approval from this body, that CT1 being used in the home will in fact REDUCE the risk of asthma and allergy attacks in the home.

Now Local Government with new builds, Architects and diligent tradesmen are demanding that CT1 is used. This is because of its enormous versatility to bond almost any material and under any circumstances – under water, adverse weather conditions, and seal leaks immediately and indefinitely.

It’s also because of the fact that this is the MOST ecofriendly and compliant product

available – the healthiest choice. CT1 introduced the revolutionary hybrid technology, which had never been seen before in the marketplace. The versatility was outstanding! CT1 replaces mastic, wood and P.U. adhesives, silicone, sanitary, acrylic and butyl rubber sealants in just one product.

CT1 with its unique hybrid polymer formulation, has no solvents. CT1 guarantees that it will never shrink or crack, while also having unique flexibility and the ETAG approval for testing its strength. The tests stated it was a strong as an aluminium weld!

CT1, whose Research and Development Department never sleeps, decided to advance the formula even further! Introducing TRIBRID® Technology. Never seen before … this is a new era of sealants!

Competitor sealants and adhesives followed CT1, making claims of Hybrid Polymers. CT1 who always lead the way in introducing latest technology, were weary of being compared. CT1 is the Number 1 and needs to hold that title. Now registered, TRIBRID® can NEVER be repeated or made claims it’s the same. Ever. This unique TRIBRID® formulation is so advanced and so scientifically enhanced, it has been tested and outperforms all other sealants and adhesives.

Stronger, bigger and better. The strength is now even stronger, 300 N/cm². It now has higher colour retention and can even bond difficult substrates that were impossible before such as polyethene.

CT1 is in fact the most outperforming sealant and adhesive there is. With a very low carbon print, you now only need now one cartridge. On most building yards waste is

huge, with 100’s of cartridges needing recycled. Project Officers on sites now demand CT1 not just for all of the above, but also for the fact that waste is dramatically reduced.

They do not need 7/8 different brands, only 1.

CT1 has been the only product that was capable of repairing many of the UK’s iconic landmarks such as Diana’s Memorial Fountain, the Olympic Village, the London Eye, the Connaught Hotel, the new Wave in Bristol,

built for surfing and Olympic games in surfing… and many many more!

Visit our website for more information:

www.ct1.com

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Get closer to nature with new BAL Micromax2 colourways Colours have been used throughout history as an unspoken language understood by all humankind and are popularly connected to seasonality and to mood.

Detail makes all the difference on tiling projects, which is why BAL – market-leaders in full tiling solutions - have introduced a range of new shades to the Micromax2 grout range that take influence from the natural environment and the changing seasons.

To find out more about these new colours, why not download our digital flipbook by clicking here.

Unmatched Quality

The 11 new shades take inspiration from the world around Alex Underwood, Head of Marketing at BAL said: “Developed as a result of extensive R&D carried out in collaboration with tilers nationwide, BAL us and nature through changing seasons.

Micromax2 offers a combination of previously unseen properties to make it ideal for virtually any wall or floor installation.

Four new Graphic Greys include: Storm Grey, Tornado Sky, Dovetail and Taupe Grey which are influenced by “Its versatility removes the need for different grouts within a single deep winter visions of dark and dramatic skies in every installation: as BAL Micromax2 suits both the floors and the walls. hue of grey.

Warm Woods; Walnut, Hazel and Mahogany evoke the rustic browns and earthen tones of Autumn.

Vivid Views featuring Primrose, Peppermint, Cornflower White and Pink Champagne evoke shades of greens, soft yellows and the natural light and vibrant splashes of Spring and Summer.

As urban design and nature collide and contrast, an ultramodern vibe is guaranteed to delight the mind and senses and provide the perfect finish to any tiling project.

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“The new colours offers fixers, homeowners and distributors alike a comprehensive suite of shades to complement or contrast with any tile type and tiling project.”

Superfine, consistent, strong, flexible, the world’s first genuinely universal grout, it can be used for grout joints as narrow as 1mm and as wide as 20mm with no slumping, shrinking and cracking.

Smooth, fine, consistent, versatile with in-built Microban anti-mould and anti-mildew protection, it sets within 2-3 hours for fast track tiling completion.

Industry News

Climbing the proverbial ladder: how Bobtrade CEO Shneor Crombie is transforming the future of the building supplies market ine years ago, Shneor Crombie (35), CEO of Bobtrade.com, moved back to London where his family was originally from. “For years, it had been my dream to move and live in this amazing city: London.”

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Bobtrade.com is the new online building supplies marketplace, currently taking the construction industry by storm.

Headed up by CEO Shneor, Bobtrade is revolutionising the sector by connecting builders and merchants across the UK to deliver a more efficient way of buying and selling building materials.

“I was born an entrepreneur, I don’t remember any other version of myself.”

At a time many of his peers were busy playing football, Shneor was beginning his entrepreneurial story, setting up a car wash at the ripe age of 11, where he recruited 15 of his friends to work for him – and learnt some invaluable life lessons in the process.

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“As the boss, you have to work harder than everyone else,” Shneor begins, “at the beginning, I thought I was a big boss! Walking around telling everyone what to do, how to do it. It wasn’t until a good friend came to me, and said ‘why don’t you show us how to do it, then we can all learn from you?’

It was a penny-drop moment – from that point onwards, one of my biggest rules in management was to always lead by example.”

Construction was – and continues to be – a beloved hobby of Shneor’s, so it seemed fitting that the beginning of his time in London, armed with very little English, was spent working on a construction site. It was during this period – spent driving from one builders’ merchant to another – looking for materials, that ignited both a spark of frustration and inspiration; then an idea, which would eventually lead Shneor to start his online building supply start-up.

“I thought to myself, this is one of the biggest industries in the world and one that has such a huge impact on almost every person in the world – how is it functioning like this, and more importantly what can I do to change it?”

Fast forward a few years, Shneor was running his UK-based business, a code development house for start-ups and companies. “Because of my knowledge and experience in the construction industry,” Shneor comments, “companies kept coming to me with a request to develop solutions for them.”

Soon he realised the need to build a solution for the entire industry. A solution that would offer builders a product which removes all the hassle when buying supplies, making that complicated process much faster and easier.

In 2015, however, life threw a curveball: Shneor was diagnosed with cancer. Life as he knew it was turned upside down;

Industry News can order all building supplies online with one click and have it delivered to their site the next day. It also provides better control and full visibility of their projects, budget and clients.

Supporting independent businesses is a big part of what Bobtrade stands for; “By working with independent builders and merchants, we can optimise the market and give them more opportunities and more power when they buy and sell through Bobtrade.”

days in the office were swapped for days in and out of hospital preparing for major, life-saving surgery. Despite a not very optimistic diagnosis from his doctors, this turn of events was hardly enough to stop Shneor’s entrepreneurial spirit – on the contrary!

Once the surgery date was set, Shneor understood that it would take a long time to recover and he’d need somewhere to work from home. He set out to build an extension for a home office, during which he faced again countless issues with late deliveries and sourcing supplies.

Shneor decided, upon his recovery, to follow through and create Bobtrade, a company to heal the problems with buying building supplies.

“During the days after my surgery, I came up with the Bobtrade design, features and plan – so it’s always a bit of a running joke amongst our team, that I designed everything while high on pain medication!”

Today, Bobtrade is 20-people strong and growing. It gives builders a powerful yet simple procurement platform, where they

Shneor admits that there have been challenges, “No one thought that construction could evolve and digitise.

I took Bobtrade to many investors and they all said, ‘Yes, it’s a huge market and you have a very interesting idea - but the construction industry won’t change!’ But guess what? It’s changing rapidly, and I am proud that Bobtrade is leading the front of the building supplies procurements.”

And the next steps for Bobtrade?

Transforming the construction industry in the UK and overseas. “We will continue working hard to build our product so that we can provide a reliable service to more and more builders. Bobtrade will be everywhere, helping builders build the future of the world easier, faster and more efficiently.”

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Floors & flooring

Impervia® Luxury Rigid Plank Waterproof Flooring The Solid Wood Flooring Company are proud to announce our Impervia® range of waterproof luxury vinyl flooring has been shortlisted at the Tomorrow’s Contract Floors Awards 2020. The awards celebrate the most innovative products and services in the industry, so to be shortlisted is a huge honour. Public voting opens in January, all the details to vote can be found by visiting our social channels. s a specialist in Luxury Rigid Plank Waterproof Flooring, this is a defining moment that has led to such high demand we have now launched Impervia® as its own stand-alone brand and website. You can visit the site at www.impervia.co.uk to view the range and see the quality for yourself, just in time for Christmas.

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The award nomination and website launch are fantastic developments in the Impervia® story and makes the range a perfect choice for any design project you may have in mind for the New Year, be it domestic or commercial.

The biggest factor for the success of the range is that it has been deemed 75% quieter than the average wood flooring, and crucially, has also been rated low slip risk. So when considering the health and safety credentials of your project you can rest assured that with our PTV measurement of 69 (in dry conditions) and 40 (in wet) we are out performing the score of 36, which is considered low slip risk.

In high traffic areas that are also exposed to moisture, such as bathrooms, require a flooring that is durable enough to

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withstand that environment. This is all part of the solution that The Solid Wood Flooring Company offer with a new range and website engineered with you in mind.

Why Choose our SPC Rigid Flooring: Other practical benefits of our range include a backing that is made of IXPE which is a foam type plastic that makes it totally waterproof. Others would use a cork or cork composite backing which over time will deteriorate.

We have the best prices on the market for comparable quality, as well as the latest push fit technology and natural textured surface. The stone composite also has fibreglass to create a stable rigid plank, and because of the width and lengths, it looks more natural unlike narrower shorter pieces which is commonly found in vinyl flooring.

Because the flooring is also available in a choice of colours and textures, this gives you the flexibility and control to select the right option for you.

Floors & flooring Benefits of our Impervia® Floooring • Commercial grade finish • 5mm thick • Quick installation • Valinge 5Gi push fit system for easy installation • Excellent durability with a 15 year guarantee • Warm feeling underfoot and sound deadening qualities • No VOC • High Density • High indentation resistance because of the high density of the composite rigid layer • Fire Resistant

• Scratch Resistant • Non-Porous and stain resistant • Waterproof • Can be installed in unfriendly environmental conditions unlike real wood flooring • Backing has acoustic and absorption qualities • Can be fitted without the need for any underlay • Reduced installation time and costs • Rigid construction due to the stone fibreglass composite middle layer.

When fitted our SPC flooring looks like the real thing and yet its warmer and softer underfoot, perfect for keeping you warm on those winter evenings.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Stockists of the Impervia® range

Stuck for Inspiration? Connect with us on Social Media and keep up to date with our latest news and exclusive collection releases. /thesolidwoodflooringco @realwoodfloor solidwoodflooringcompany

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Floors & flooring

Common Winter Flooring Issues and How to Avoid Them As the days and nights become much colder, wooden floors are exposed to a variety of issues. As wood is known to be a hygroscopic material, it’s ultimately impacted by changes in humidity and temperature. This means, in the winter months, the planks can start to shrink.

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hen wooden flooring changes in shape, it leaves behind a number of unsightly issues.

Lifestyle Flooring UK reveals their top tips for how to avoid common winter flooring troubles.

Unsightly gaps The biggest issue you’ll find with wooden floors in winter, is gaps. As the boards shrink, unsightly gaps start to appear. They occur due to a reduction in moisture caused by using more heating in the home.

As it starts to lose moisture, the wood shrinks, leaving behind gaps in the floor.

Typically, these gaps will disappear once the weather begins to turn warmer and moisture levels increase. However, some wooden floors are more prone to shrinking than others. The level at which gaps appear will depend upon numerous factors such as the species of wood, how it’s been cut, and the width of the planks.

Generally speaking, the narrower

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Floors & flooring The top layer of engineered flooring is made from real wood, so this layer will still be prone to shrinkage in winter. However, rather than leave behind gaps, it’s just the surface of the floors that will change in appearance. As the wear layer loses its moisture, the edges of the planks can be forced upwards. This causes a cupped effect. Again, once the temperatures begin to rise and the humidity levels increase, the cupping effect will start to disappear.

How to avoid winter related flooring issues There are a number of things you can do to avoid winter related flooring issues.

Reducing ventilation and boosting moisture levels are recommended. Using a humidifier in the room for example, can help to protect wooden floors from losing too much moisture.

the planks, the more they will shrink due to temperature and moisture fluctuations.

Engineered wood floors are less prone to suffer seasonal changes due to their unique construction. However, if the temperature and moisture fluctuations are extreme, gaps can still occur.

Cupping issues Although engineered wood floors don’t have the same issue with gaps as solid wood floors, they can still be affected by winter weather. Cupping is one of the most common issues faced, where the surface of the planks shrink due to moisture changes.

Another option is to change the flooring to one which is less prone to seasonal changes. Make sure you’re choosing a stable species of wood such as Redwood or cedar. Choosing engineered wood floors over real wood will also reduce the chances of shrinkage.

Seasonal changes are to be expected when you install wooden flooring within the home. However, the good news is that these changes are temporary, and will resolve themselves as the seasons change.

lifestyleflooringuk.co.uk •39•

LIGHT Gets Colourful at January Furniture Show Embracing lighting, the UK’s largest furniture and interiors trade event – January Furniture Show, welcomes the return of LIGHT @JFS in 2020 after a highly successful introduction in 2019.

unning from 19th - 22nd January at Birmingham’s NEC, January Furniture Show features over 500 exhibitors - including long established brands who are household names and young brands who are fresh to the market. On show will be everything from grand sofas to simple mirrors with collections in living, dining and bedroom furniture as well as lighting, flooring, soft furnishings and decorative accessories.

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Requests for lighting at January Furniture Show was a recurring theme from visitors prior to 2019. The LIGHT@JFS sector introduced in 2019 and held in association with the LIA (Lighting Industry Association), proved not only to be an instant hit with visitors, it also helped to cement the stature of JFS as the all-round furniture industry event - providing retail, contract and design buyers with a unique opportunity to select everything needed to create or sell the room in one go.

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An eager audience will greet highly regarded lighting brands including Searchlight, Franklite, Girard Sudron, Impex Russell, Tp24, Firstlight Products, Inspired Lighting and Där Lighting.

All are returning to January Furniture Show with their latest ranges and unique designs in general, accent and task lighting. They will be joined by new exhibitors including Gingko, WOFI and MacMaster Designs.

The lighting choices on offer will cover every aspect of internal lighting from simple table lamps to complex light installations - giving buyers choices in styles from industrial to elegant. The colourful lights and lamps on display will include table, desk and floor standing lamps, wall and ceiling lights, chandeliers and spotlights.

Commenting on the return of LIGHT@JFS, Event Director Cleere Scamell said: “One of our principal aims is to provide the whole of UK furniture and interiors industry with

a platform to show their products to the widest possible audience. With a long list of prestigious exhibitors and over 22,000 visitors, JFS is the industry event.

“Lighting is pivotal in interior design schemes and it is therefore crucial that lighting plays an important part at JFS.” He continued: “We were delighted with the response to LIGHT@JFS this year, constantly busy it was full inventive lighting of all kinds. We are equally are delighted to see so many returning companies and new lighting exhibitors in the line-up for 2020.”

January Furniture Show 2020 will present a broad choice of lighting from some of the best known lighting suppliers in the UK. To see the full list of lighting exhibitors, furniture and interiors exhibitors - and to register for your free attendance, please go to: www.januaryfurnitureshow.com

INTERIORS

Sell the Room Everything you need: LIVING | DINING

UPHOLSTERY | CABINET | BEDS | INTERIOR ACCESSORIES LIGHTING | FLOORING | FABRICS | SOFT FURNISHINGS

Register now at januaryfurnitureshow.com

with a clear Morrells lacquer to provide additional protection from moisture.

In total, more than 70 sheets of Valchromat were supplied to Cre8ive Joinery by James Latham’s Dudley branch and as a relatively new customer, Cre8ive Joinery Director, Phil Lewis was really impressed. “The team at James Latham are fantastic and they really know their stuff. They are extremely knowledgeable about their products and are always on hand to offer advice when needed. We have only been dealing with Lathams for a few months and I never realised the sheer breadth and range of both panel and timber products they offer.”

Spectacular valchromat bar stars at new cultural venue Valchromat, the innovative and award-winning engineered fibreboard - which is available in the UK through James Latham - has been extensively used in the interior fit-out of a spectacular new cultural venue in South London. reated by the innovative cultural infrastructure developer, Really Local Group, Catford Mews in Lewisham, centers on providing a flexible community space for local residents and includes three cinema screens, a cafe and food market, a bar and a live performance area.

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A focal point of the venue’s stunning interior is a high-impact, 12.5m long bar, featuring 80 individually machined, 1200mm vertical strips in bright Red

Valchromat, which run across the front of its entire length. The bar, which also used Black Valchromat for the carcassing, was designed, manufactured and installed by Birmingham based, bespoke joinery company, Cre8ive Joinery (www.cre8ivjoinery.com) Cre8ive Joinery also used Valchromat to make the Integrated Panel Systems (IPS) for the toilet cubicles which saw the cubicle dividers and doors colour-coded; Red for male, Blue for female and Yellow for disabled. The panels were also treated

Ed Latham, Valchromat Product Manager, James Latham commented, “Its always fascinating to see the many and varied applications for the products we supply and the innovative ways in which they are used. Catford Mews is a fantastic project and one which allowed the team at Cre8ive to demonstrate perfectly the versatility and workability of this unique material. “ Available in 10 striking and vibrant colours, Valchromat is completely unique, in that the colour runs throughout the entire board, enabling almost limitless decorative applications. Valchromat also boasts a number of time and cost saving features and benefits; It’s easy and quick to finish - no edging is required, and being moisture and UV resistant, non- toxic and load resistant, the applications are endless. Plus, its extremely durable, scratches and marks on the finished product go largely unnoticed because the colour runs evenly throughout the board.

Plus, all the wood used is FSC® certified and is sourced from forest waste, residue from timber mills, pine and recycled pine. Valchromat is available in the following board sizes; 2500mm x 1850mm/1250mm and in 8mm, 12mm, 16mm, 19mm, 25mm and 30mm thicknesses.

For Valchromat samples and to find out more about this and James Latham stunning collection of surface solutions, or to find details of your local James Latham depot or showroom go to; www.lathamtimber.co.uk

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New 20mm worktop reduces fabrication costs James Latham has added a 20mm thick, HI-MACS® worktop to its solid surface portfolio and it is already proving to be a big hit with the company’s interior design and fabrication customers. vailable in five, on-trend colours – Alpine White, White Quartz, Arctic Granite, Urban Concrete and Ice Queen - the new worktops boast a thinner edge, allowing designers to create sleek, horizontal lines which add a true statement feature to their premium quality, contemporary kitchen and bathroom projects.

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These striking worktops offer a number of attractive features and benefits. As well as meeting the highest standards for quality, aesthetics, fabrication, functionality, durability and hygiene, because there is no need to bond downturns on the sheets, fabrication costs can be reduced by up to

40% and this has made them especially popular for apartments within both the residential and student sectors.

Rob Goodman, James Latham’s Solid Surface Division General Manager explained, “It’s no surprise that these worktops have been such a big hit as they offer a double benefit to interior designers and fabricators.

Not only are they working with a modern, versatile product that is far superior to other conventional materials, but because of the greatly reduced fabrication time, there is a significant cost benefit.”

As well as its ability to be joined seamlessly so that it appears to be fashioned from a single piece of material, HI-MACS® is ultra-

resistant and completely hygienic, making it a perfect solution for high-end kitchen and bathroom projects. Its pore-free surface prevents any build-up of waste or bacteria, making the surface easier to clean, ensuring that it will stand the test of time and look stunning for years to come.

With 12 branches throughout the UK and Ireland, and product specification showrooms in London and Manchester, the new HI-MACS® worktops are available directly from stock nationwide.

For details of your local branch and to find out more about Latham’s full solid surface range go to: www.lathamtimber.co.uk and navigate to the solid surface page.

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Doors & Windows

A husband and wife team have unveiled their self-built home, which features timber cladding made from Accoya® - a worldleading high-performance wood.

Rebecca and Damien Leijer, an interior designer and builder respectively, set out to build their own cabin-style home in 2018. Inspired by the emergence of timber cabins in Australian architecture, the couple have now completed their dream property in the seaside town of Torquay, which uses wood both inside and out.

Named Felix House, the three-bedroom family home is built on a 405m2 site at the start of the Great Ocean Road.

Its large kitchen and living area, which features sliding doors to the garden, is the heart of the property and boasts a timber-lined raked ceiling using western cedarwood. The floor boards, kitchen bench tops and bathroom vanities are made using Victorian ash.

Its 6mm grooved shiplap cladding is made of Accoya, a modified timber that can withstand the harshest of climates whilst requiring minimal maintenance. Its superior properties mean that it’s not susceptible to rotting, warping, shrinking or swelling, which allows for a 50-year guarantee above ground. The Accoya was supplied

by Britton Timbers.

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Homeowner Damien Leijer, who is a carpenter by trade, said: “The dimensional stability, workability and durability of Accoya® can’t be beaten, so this was a major factor in choosing the product, especially given our home’s proximity to the seaside. Aesthetically, it was exactly what we were looking for – we love the grey patina that it develops over time, which will perfectly complement the pink tones of our interior design.”

Accoya® is sourced from FSC certified forests and is Certified Cradle to Cradle™ (C2C) Gold in recognition of its sustainability credentials making it an environmentally sound choice.

To see a list of distributors, please visit www.accoya.com/where-to-buy/.

Whether your project is big or small, we can help you achieve your glazing vision; you dream it, we’ll deliver it! Call us on 0208 997 2448, or email marcus@1stfoldinslidingdoors.co.uk

1ST FOLDING SLIDING DOORS • 26 Wadsworth Road, Perivale, UB6 7JZ | 141 Hook Road, KT6 5AR • marcus@1stfoldingslidingdoors.co.uk • T: 0208 997 2448 | F: 0208 997 0611

Doors & Windows

ISO-Chemie seals double success in Ireland Foam sealant and air tightness specialist ISO-Chemie has sealed success with its new Republic of Ireland distributor, winning two national product awards. he firm, which has appointed Contech Specialist Building to handle the sales and development of its energy saving products across the island of Ireland, has seen both its BLOCO-One sealing tape and ISO TOP WINFRAMER window product separately commended at the recent Architecture and Building Expo in Dublin.

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The products are used to improve the installation of doors and windows and were picked out for success by a board of architecture and design experts, who praised their high quality, energy efficiency and sustainability benefits.

Contech, based in County Carlow, provides specialist building products, and the addition of ISO-Chemie’s products to its portfolio is seen as a good partnership, according to Andy Swift, sales and operations manager - UK & ROI. He said: “We were surprised at the interest in our product range for the energy rated sealing around windows, as well as many enquiries for WINFRAMER at the show. The product’s an ideal fire rated solution for the many concrete building projects currently underway in Dublin.

“We’re also delighted with the new partnership with Contech. The move heralds the latest step in our strategic development and ensuring architects, designers, installers and other customers have full and easy access to our products.”

The WINFRAMER thermal insulating and load bearing bracket system for the rapid installation of windows, has been fire rated to E30, providing protection of the window area from fire for a minimum of 30 minutes, guaranteeing the retention of structural integrity. Product is also capable of supporting at least 200kg/m and providing an airtight cavity support.

ISO-Chemie is one of Europe’s main producers of impregnated foam sealants, specialising in the manufacture of foam products from polyethylene (EPE), polypropylene (EPP) and polyurethane (PUR) using the latest production techniques. With hundreds of pallets in UK stock for next day delivery, the company can service the whole industry.

More at www.iso-chemie.eu/en-GB/home/

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ISO-Chemie’s Andy Swift has seen award success for his company’s products at Architecture and Building Expo

The beauty of a Schueco sliding door is what you don’t see For instance, you won’t have your view interrupted by intrusive framing because the frames are so slim you hardly notice them. And then there’s the unbeatable insulation (up to Passive House standard) – you won’t see that either, but you’ll feel it. Likewise the excellent soundproofing and the superb watertightness (even with the flush threshold option) and the reassuring rigidity of the doors as they glide effortlessly into place.

For German engineering made in Britain, there’s only one name.

For more information and your nearest Schueco Partner installers, visit www.schueco.co.uk/slidingdoors

orking in partnership with MGPM Limited and Welcomm Health & Fitness Limited, Invalifts were contacted to provide a disabled access solution between the two levels. Our lift experts surveyed the site, and recommended the MC2000 platform lift with a footprint of just 1250mm x 1560mm giving a fully Part M compliant platform size of 1120mm 1480mm.

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The client requested that the unit blend into the building environment and let as much light into the basement area as possible, so a fully glazed shaft and glazed doors were included. A paint colour of white aluminium (RAL9006) was chosen for the shaft in

Platform lift a perfect fit for Orangetheory Orangetheory fitness in Altrincham is a gym with a difference, as their workouts combine science, coaching and technology to offer the optimum workout. As this was a new gym, access was required from the ground level to the basement area, so all users could fully utilise the facilities.

order to match in with the signature orange colour used in the building. Stainless steel door handles were used for the doors to match the stair handrails.

In order to comply with regulation EN81-41, the lift must have a means of emergency communication, so an intercom was fitted with the receiver unit being located at the manned reception desk.

The client did not want to make alterations to the basement concrete slab and so the usual 60mm pit was replaced by a small chequer plate ramp at the lower level in order to provide wheelchair access into the lift.

The lift was supplied with a full parts and labour warranty for 12 months, with a 5 year parts warranty on the motor and gearbox and a 10 year warranty on the drive chains, providing the client peace of mind for future use.

To find out more about the MC2000 Platform lift or other lift products, you can give Invalifts a call on 0845 468 2543 and speak to one of their friendly experts.

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Platform Lifts Our range of platform lifts includes the MC2000 lift (right) - a high quality enclosed platform lift with a unique chain drive, and the option of glazing on all 4 shaft sides.

With a fantastic guarantee, and small footprints available, this is a premier platform lift.

We also offer stair platform lifts and a range of platform lifts for both internal and external use.

The Platform Lift Experts

Tel: 0845 4682543 Web: www.invalifts.com

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PoolLock Safety Covers

PoolLock Slatted Covers

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With over 30 years of experience, PoolLock is one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading manufacturers of automatic and manual safety covers, automatic slatted covers and heat pumps for swimming pools.

Thousands of satisfied customers in Britain over the past 10 years bear testament to the quality, service and reliability of PoolLock products.

In 2013, PoolLock opened its first UK production facility in Gatwick, London, with installation teams that are available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. The result: even better service and faster delivery times for our UK customers.

For more information on our complete range of products, please contact us at www.poollock.com