Home Designer & Architect - March 2019

HOME-DESIGNER AND ARCHITECT

MAGAZINE March 2019

Rinnai UK Managing Director Tony Gittings Tel: 01928 531870 Twitter: @rinnai_uk Website: www.rinnaiuk.com

LATHAM BOLSTERS SOLID SURFACE OF

James Latham has expanded its solid surface offering to include b Avonite® and STUDIO Collection® brands.

esigned and developed in the US by Aristech Surfaces LLC, these latest additions compliment perfectly Latham’s existing added-value product portfolio which has been developed with the specification market in mind.

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With 65 striking colours in the range, Avonite® is the only product in the solid surface market made with a double-belt technology and a thermal cure, ensuring a series of benefits including: versatile product width, impeccable colour

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consistency and a better manufacturing precision with narrower thickness tolerance and eco-friendly manufacturing.

It is used in architectural and design applications across numerous sectors including hospitality, retail, education, government, transportation, public and living spaces, healthcare and commercial workspace.

The STUDIO Collection® is a translucent, customisable ‘patented composite blend’, with 29 attractive designs in nine decorative colour groups: Venato, Recycled, Movement, Crystelles, Sea Glass, Element, Glass, Metallics and Petals. Most of these

groups can be backlit with dramatic effect and are therefore perfectly suited for prestigious and high-impact applications for example reception desks and sales counters within retail or hospitality environments.

for supplying non-standard sheets for minimum order quantities in a variety of dimensions and thicknesses and I believe this will enable designers and specifiers to consider its use for more and more diverse applications.”

Rob Goodman, Solid Surface and Specification Manager, James Latham said, “Available in a wide range of striking designs and colours, both of these collections are highly customisable and can be tailored to almost any shape and any environment and they have really bolstered our solid surface offering.

James Latham will be offering Avonite® sheets in 3, 6, and 12mm thicknesses as well as in customised sizes with widths up to 1524mm and lengths up to 5182mm allowing for more efficient production. The STUDIO Collection® is available in the following dimensions, 12mm thickness x 914mm length x 3048mm width.

“One of the things which makes these products especially appealing to the specification market is Aristech’s flexibility

For more details and samples, contact your local James Latham depot or showroom:www.lathamtimber.co.uk

GRP COMPOSITES AND CAST COMPOSITES

“BUILDING MATERIALS FOR THE FUTURE – TODAY”

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Copes Sills Mullions Dormers Chimneys Unique Architectural features Cladding and mouldings for interior and exterior design

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Visit us at www.capvond.com or contact us on 0141 876 9000

HOME-DESIGNER AND ARCHITECT

CONTENTS March 2019

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Industry News Doors & Windows Floors & Flooring Heating, Ventilation & Energy Efficiency Bathrooms Lifts Editor’s Choice

CONtact US Ben Pritchard

Publication Manager

Jenna Burridge Editor

01843 581364

ben@homedesignerandarchitect.co.uk

01843 595818

jenna@homedesignerandarchitect.co.uk

NEW WINDOW FROM SCHUECO UK IS LATEST IN COMPANY’S PANORAMA RANGE New from Schueco UK, Britain’s leading specialist in aluminium and steel systems for the whole building envelope, is the AWS 75 PD.SI Panorama window. imed primarily at the residential market, the new window is designed for the construction of ribbon windows and for use as an insert in a Schueco mullion/transom façade system such as the Schueco FWS 35 PD.

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The Schueco AWS 75 PD.SI window features reduced internal and external facewidths as low as 55 mm that enable it to deliver a whole new level of transparency, yet the window is still able to achieve an excellent Uw value of 0.87 W/m2K. This is in line with the company’s other Panorama

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systems that all offer the narrow facewidths that make possible large areas of clear glazing, but without any diminution of the insulation values that are essential for maximising energy performance.

In addition, it has an attractive flush appearance thanks to smooth internal profiles and there is a stylish ergonomically designed handle without rosettes that can be fitted with a lock if required.

The Schueco AWS 75 PD.SI can accommodate vent sizes up to 2.5 m and glass weights up to 160 kg, with watertightness up to 600 Pa and burglar

resistance up to RC2. Versatility in use is assured by a wide range of profiles that include corner mullions, structural mullions, symmetrical and asymmetrical mullions and Schueco TipTronic automated toplights.

The inclusion of SimplySmart intelligent components mean that fabrication is swift and economical and the window sits comfortably within the Schueco AWS modular system.

For more information on the Schueco AWS 75 PD.SI Panorama window, please email mkinfobox@schueco.com

INDUSTRY NEWS

Key FM influencers to tackle biggest industry challenges head-on at The Facilities Event 2019 The Facilities Event, the leading exhibition dedicated to the UK’s facilities and workplace industry, has announced top FM experts who will be tackling the industry’s biggest challenges during a packed seminar programme at this year’s event held at NEC, Birmingham on the 9-11 April 2019.

The free-to-attend programme will be hosted from a central theatre, The Facilities Hub, and will consist of 18 sessions featuring 30 of the most knowledgeable professionals in the UK’s FM industry today.

to its co-located events; The Fire Safety Event, The Health & Safety Event and the brand-new The Security Event. Each event features its own professional seminar programme and a host of global brands demonstrating their technology and services.

All session content is CPD accredited and will be delivered across what the organisers are calling the ‘Five pillars of FM’. These five streams cover key elements within the FM profession and include cleaning services, security, catering, property management and support & technology services.

From legislative trends in health & safety to essential fire safety and security updates, the four events provide the ultimate opportunity for FMs at every level to update themselves on vital business knowledge.

“Our aim has been to design a programme which appeals to all levels of FMs working in the UK today. We know that there are many time pressures on those who are keen to attend The Facilities Event. This year our focus has been to deliver valuable training sessions with very practical take-aways with content that attendees can use to improve working practices at their organisation.” says Rachel Godfrey, Event Manager, The Facilities Event.

Those attending The Facilities Event 2019 will also get free access

Kährs creates rustic scenery at Scottish wedding

Godfrey explains “By attending the sessions and meeting with this year’s exhibitors, FMs will have the opportunity to create a personalised event experience and find real solutions to the issues that facing their business. We guarantee that those who attend will learn skills, experience and touch innovative technology and meet new industry colleagues.”

Free visitor registration is now open, visit www.facilitiesevents.com to claim your free badge. Interested in exhibiting? Contact Rachel Godfrey on 01342 333714 or email rgodfrey@western-be.co.uk.

Call us

Kährs has helped to set the ‘luxury rustic’ scene with magnificent grey wood flooring throughout Scottish wedding venue Barra Barn, at Barra Castle.

The design forms part of Kährs’ Grande collection, a collection of large plank designs with an impressive board size of 2800x260x20.

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NATURAL WOOD

The unique events venue includes over 800m2 of Kährs Oak Espace – a grey-toned, large plank format wood design, supplied

by Kährs flooring distributor Orchard Flooring Products.

“Having used Kährs flooring for the renovation of the Castle’s great hall – we were certain we wanted to opt for the Kährs superior quality and service again. The huge choice and attention to detail provided by Kährs was second to none. We chose the Espace due to its overall look and size. We were aiming for a “luxury rustic” look and given the compliments we get on a regular basis the choice of floor has achieved that goal” says Sarah Stephen, owner of Barra Castle.

Learn more

01296 481220

STAYS LIGHT

POLYX® -OIL RAW: Retains the wood’s natural light colour

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MICROPOROUS NATURAL OIL-WAX BASED DURABLE HIGH COVERAGE

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ARCHITECTS AND SPECIFIERS BENEFIT FROM NEW AIRTIGHTNESS SEMINAR E30 fire rated ISO-TOP WINFRAMER features free seminar for architects and designers on airtightness in construction sealing joints and improvement options, is now available from form tape sealant specialists ISOCHEMIE.

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The move advances architectural knowledge and understanding of airtightness and related issues, enabling specifiers to improve the design and construction of buildings and boost their technical and product expertise.

Delivered onsite within the practice and contributing towards formal CPD training, the one-hour long programme covers advice on effective window installation techniques, and how to identify and rectify air leakage.

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The seminar also covers ISO CHEMIE’s ISO-TOP WINFRAMER thermal insulating and load bearing bracket system for the rapid installation of windows, which has been fire rated to E30.

ISO-TOP WINFRAMER can protect the entire window area from fire for a minimum of 30 minutes, guaranteeing the retention of structural integrity, as well as supporting at least 200kg/m and providing an air-tight cavity support.

Guidance on the latest airtightness products and sealing solutions is also covered in the seminar, which includes details of ISO-CHEMIE’s range of gap sealing solutions ISO-BLOCO WIN2WALL and BLOCO-ONE. ISO-BLOCO WIN2WALL enables quickly and easy sealing from inside the building,

the product will seal gaps from 2 mm to 8 mm, accommodating the clear majority of UK window installations, and comes in 2 widths to give the extra thermal insulation equivalent to A Rated (40mm tape) or A+ and A++ windows (64mm tape).

Up to 70% cost savings can be achieved when using the ISO-BLOCO ONE foam tape for high performance window sealing, rather than the current three component systems - it enables installers to easily seal windows from inside the building, avoiding the need to use time consuming and costly external access systems like scaffolding and ladders.

To book a seminar contact Andrew Swift, national sales manager, ISO CHEMIE. Tel. 07837 337220 or email a.swift@iso-chemie.co.uk

INDUSTRY NEWS

IronmongeryDirect listed in Top 350 internet retailers

Hunter Green by Benjamin Moore This saturated classic green blends well with light-toned colors and metallic accents.

UK’s leading supplier of ironmongery to the trade, IronmongeryDirect, has been named as one of the top internet retailers in the UK. The company has appeared, for the first time, in the Internet Retailing UK Top 500, entering within the first 350 businesses.

The IRUK Top 500 report ranks retailers by revenue, store networks and website traffic as well as undertaking in-depth analysis into an organisation’s approach to customers.

Wayne Lysaght-Mason, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, said while they had experienced their best financial year to date, the Basildon-based wholesaler was not resting on its laurels – with further expansion planned in 2019 and beyond.

“Bold” and “saturated” are how Benjamin Moore describes this classic green. As part of a palette of 15 harmonious colors that complement Benjamin Moore’s 2019 color of the year, Hunter Green 2041-10 can bring warmth and depth to a variety of interior spaces and exterior façades, doors, and shutters. In kitchens, this rich shade could be used on cabinetry paired with a light-hued countertop surface, creamy white backsplash tiles, and black, gold, or brass metallic accents. www.benjaminmoore.com

He said: “We are thrilled to have made it into the IRUK Top 500 internet retailers. To be included in a list of companies that consist of the likes of Amazon, John Lewis and Argos is a great reflection of our achievements and is an indication of the positive direction that IronmongeryDirect is heading in.

“In the digital age where the standard 9-5 working hours are becoming less applicable, IronmongeryDirect is leading the way and continually evolving our business strategy, placing our customers firmly at the centre.”

IronmongeryDirect has recently completed a major expansion of its warehouse and is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary later this year.

Wayne continued: “The expansion has enabled us to improve our service offering whilst continuing to grow our product range, bringing the total range to over 17,000 products.

This further cements our position as the leading supplier of ironmongery and related products to the trade in the UK. IronmongeryDirect is the UK’s largest specialist ironmongery supplier, with over 17,000 products in stock, available for next day delivery when you order by 8pm Sunday to Friday and by 4pm on Saturday. Free delivery is available on orders over £45 together with free returns.

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

1st Folding Sliding Doors, a GGF regesterd bespoke glazing company, based in

West London. We offer a full

service from sliding doors, bi-fold doors, front door, windows & frameless glazing.

26 Wadsworth Road, UB6 7JZ - 0208 997 2448 - 1stfoldingslidingdoors.co.uk

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KLÜG Barn Strap Sliding Door

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he UK’s largest ironmongery supplier, IronmongeryDirect, offers a range of sliding door products that can help maximise space whilst adding a stylish edge to home interiors.

The KLÜG Barn Strap Sliding Door for instance, offers a smooth sliding option and an aesthetically pleasing alternative to interior timber doors. Available in a rustic traditional barn style or a modern stainless finish, they can bring a real sense of character to a property. The door systems are easy to install and can be used with doors as heavy as 100kg.

Ideal for room dividers, en-suites and closets, the Klug Ultra Pocket Door kit provides a great alternative: for use with timber studs, it enables a door to slide into a wall recess when opened.

This quality, durable product is straight forward to install with quick release hangers, enabling easy removal of the door if needed. The kit

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KLUG Ultra Pocket Door

Sliding doors – creating more space

with style and versatility Sliding doors can offer a range of benefits to a property that lacks space, or where there is a need to adjoin two rooms fluidly, providing the perfect solution. Whilst growing ever more popular in Europe, it seems the UK market is yet to embrace the hinge door alternative to the same extent as our continental neighbours. includes a universal header, support studs, rubber bumper, door guides, screws and nails, saving you the time hunting for each product separately.

brands that can enhance a home or office alike, combining style with flexibility and versatility. Visit our website to explore your options.

The Klug range also includes a high-quality selection of accessories, such as the Round Flush Privacy Set with Bolt – in Satin Nickel.

Designed to keep your doors secure with an emergency coin release on the outside, it offers an ideal solution for bathrooms and en-suites. `

IronmongeryDirect has over 17,000 products in stock, available for next day delivery when you order by 8pm Sunday to Friday and by 4pm on Saturday. Free delivery is available on orders over £45 together with free returns.

IronmongeryDirect offers a wide range of sliding door products from a host of leading

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

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Fabricator: SWC Trade Frames Ltd Installer: Selby Glass Developer: Neil Battye

PVC-U is perfect for prestigious property’s 46 sash windows he Scarboroughbased company fabricates high quality Halo products from VEKA Group and was able to supply the 46 Vertical Sliders and 3 sets of French Doors needed for the prestigious job.

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SWC Sales Director Mark Catchpole explains: “We were delighted to provide everything necessary for our client Selby Glass to complete this Yorkshire manor house to a beautiful standard.

“We’ve worked with Selby Glass for years, and the team there know they can rely on the quality of our products without question.

We use VEKA Group profile, so we can vouch for the standard of our systems right from raw materials to finished frames, and we can offer enviably swift lead times. These products combine stunning good looks with perfect performance; they look much like traditional timber but offer the additional modern energy-efficiency benefits and low maintenance of PVC-U.

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Long-standing VEKA Group customer SWC Trade Frames was proud to act as a ‘one-stopspecification-shop’ for a stately six-bedroom new build in the Yorkshire Dales.

“SWC also has an in-house spraying facility, so alongside VEKA Group’s great Variations lamination offering, we can provide any other colour the customer requires and ensure a perfect colour match and cohesive overall finish across all our ranges.

“We pride ourselves on going ‘above and beyond’ for our customers. For example, the Halo Vertical Sliders for this job were supplied to an A+11 rating, effectively ‘future proofing’ this project by going beyond the standard specification requirements, and the windows and doors were supplied to Approved Document Q standards for security.”

Arthur Fenn, Director of Selby Glass, commented: “This 7400 sq ft stone-built manor house was a pleasure to work on. It had been designed and built to an exceptionally high standard by one of our long-standing developer clients, Neil Battye, who knows that quality is key.

“Neil works with Selby Glass on a regular basis, and has done for the last 20 years or so, because he knows we constantly strive to exceed his already high expectations. Neil approached us to do the job with the design in mind, and trusted us to find and fit the highest quality products to meet his specification.

“We tend to use a number of suppliers, but we knew in this case that SWC would be best able to meet every single one of the specialist requirements. We also trusted the SWC team to operate with speed and professionalism, so that we could – in turn – offer our client a swift turnaround, and we weren’t disappointed.

“The job involved 46 Halo Vertical Sliders sprayed Pebble Grey (inside and out) and 3 sets of coordinating French Doors from VEKA Group.

“The project looked great and the quality of products we installed from SWC means that they will offer phenomenal performance for years to come. The beauty of PVC-U windows and doors in this day and age, means that we can offer the traditional, classic style of timber sash windows, but they will never need sanding or repainting and they offer ease of operation, along with energy efficiency, acoustic insulation, and security.

“The Vertical Sliders and French Doors from VEKA Group were

simple and easy to fit. The most difficult thing about the job was not getting distracted by the view!”

VEKA Group Sales Director Neil Evans added: “This sprawling rural manor house is a great example of how modern materials and classic aesthetics can be combined to create a ‘timeless’ finish. Selby Glass and SWC trade frames have put VEKA Group systems to great use for their client, showcasing the versatility of these systems for all types of properties.

“VEKA Group is proud to work with fabricators and specifiers on everything from sleek city skyscrapers, to historic heritage properties and everything in between. As we often highlight, our products are designed to meet all the specifications you would expect from such an industryleading supplier, ‘for now, for the future, for life.’”

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doors & windows

SCHUECO UK EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2019 NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES

Entry forms are now accessible on the website of Architecture Today, which, for the second year running, is organising the competition.

AT’s input into the 2018 Awards included new in-depth digital coverage, on-line advertising, videos of the winning entrants and a winners’ conference.

This year the panel of judges will be chaired by Paul Williams of Stanton Williams and will include Julia Barfield of Marks Barfield, Neil Dusheiko of Neil Dusheiko Architects, Clare Wright of Wright & Wright, Steve Mudie of alinea Consulting and Paul Savidge of Wintech.

Schueco UK, Britain’s leading specialist in aluminium and steel systems for the whole building envelope, are calling on architects, main contractors and specialist contractors to submit entries to the 2019 Schueco Excellence Awards for Design and Innovation.

Established in 2013, this highly regarded annual competition continues to attract large numbers of submissions from all over the UK and Ireland, with Schueco confident that entries for the 2019 competition will top last year’s record total.

The only criteria for an eligible entry are that the project submitted should have been completed before the end of March 2019 and should have utilised at least one Schueco system in either aluminium or steel, with the involvement of a Schueco UK network

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partner fabricator. The judges will be looking for evidence of innovation, technical expertise and creative collaboration between all members of the build team. The deadline for entries is 15th April 2019.

The categories for the 2019 Schueco Excellence Awards are: Education building; Health building; Commercial building; Cultural building; Individual house; Individual home improvement; Residential development; Refurbishment project; Steel project; and Specialist contractor.

The special Awards Luncheon in June will once again take place at the famous Saatchi Gallery off the King’s Road in Chelsea.

Every company that submits an entry to the Awards can attend this prestigious occasion.

All shortlisted projects will be included in a special Architecture Today supplement which will be circulated to over 12,500 top opinion-formers, and winning companies will also benefit from being promoted in Schueco UK’s own Partner and Resi magazines (combined circulation 25,000).

Further details and an online entry form can be found at www.architecturetoday.co.uk schuecoawards2019/ The closing date for entries is 5 pm on 15th April 2019.

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

doors & windows

VELUX appoints new managing director to lead roof window business from UK headquarters in Scotland VELUX® Company Ltd has appointed a new managing director to lead its roof window business from its UK headquarters in Fife, Scotland.

Mick Schou Rasmussen joins the company, which recently unveiled plans for a £7 million expansion at its UK and Ireland head office building at Woodside Way in Glenrothes.

The 41-year-old brings more than 15 years’ experience of the roof window industry having worked for VELUX as Managing Director in Denmark, Russia and several Eastern European countries.

Prior to moving to the UK, Mick spent four years as Managing Director of VELUX Denmark.

Before that, he was heading up the Eastern European region where he was responsible for seven sales subsidiaries including Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia and Belarus. He also spent five years as the Managing Director of VELUX Russia based in Moscow.

Mick, who will lead a team of over 250 staff across the UK and Ireland, will be responsible for growing the business through Brexit and devising a clear business strategy that will grow the roof window market.

Commenting on the new appointment, Mick said: “What sets VELUX apart in the industry is our 60-year history in the UK, our customer relationships and continued commitment to making innovative products.

“We are determined that 2019 will see us grow the roof window market. By focussing on the needs of our customers I am confident that we can execute a strategy to see VELUX continue to strengthen its presence throughout the UK.”

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Create without restraints Viiu is the ground-breaking ultra-slim sliding door product taking the UK by storm.

It’s success is no surprise – few systems can match its ingenious, unobtrusive design, minimalistic sightlines, and patented, PAS24-2016-accredited interlock section.

Even fewer offer all that alongside...

• Trusted, experienced Viiu installers all around the country • Direct delivery to your site or headquarters • In-depth technical support • Product training

Want to learn more? Talk to Viiu today.

Telephone 0800 877 0077 Email info@viiu.co.uk | www.viiu.co.uk

A world of possibilities with Vicaima doors

The eagerly anticipated 2019 edition of the Vicaima Interior Door Selector (IDS) has now arrived, with an array of products designed to inspire creative interiors for modern living.

Whether for homes, commercial environments, health or educational establishments, Vicaima offers original style coupled with outstanding performance.

The 2019 IDS provides specifiers and distributors with an easy to navigate, priced guide through a myriad of styles and finishes that demonstrate the sheer breadth of possibilities available with Vicaima interior doors and doorsets.

All doors are available in a variety of constructional cores, extensive choice of dimensions and of course a colour palette that allows real creative flair for new build and refurbishment projects.

Whether the vision calls for wood veneers displaying their natural specie or stained in a contemporary tone, originally designed laminates and innovative foils or even a spectrum of paint lacquers; Vicaima

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has one of the most comprehensive selections available. As if 80 pages of door models were not enough, the Vicaima 2019 Interior Door Selector goes one step further, offering a wide assortment of additional modifications.

Vicaima customisation provides the opportunity to select a door of choice from any of their Essential ex-stock solid core designs and to transform them with grooves, inlays and glazing plus many other factory servicing options. Effectively this creates thousands of additional doors patterns, all available with shorter lead times than conventional bespoke doors.

Download a copy of the 2019 Interior Door Selector today by visiting the Vicaima website www. vicaima.com. Alternatively call 01793 532333 for further possibilities.

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Floors & Flooring

FLOORING TAKES TO

THE MAIN STAGE Looking for texture, colour, ambience, finish, performance? You’ll find all these and more at this year’s Flooring Show which takes place from 15-17 September in Harrogate. his is where flooring in all its forms is given the starring role. The show is widely recognised as the UK’s National Flooring Event, and this year marks its 57th edition, a record performance for a b2b trade show, and 2019 is set to be The Flooring Shows best year with a resurgence in visitor numbers and interest in recent years.

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The perfect show for flooring retailers and contractors, The Flooring Show also attracts plenty

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of interest across the board from fitters keen to spot new products and offers, and specifiers and designers for whom the show delivers a great overview of what’s new and who’s new as well as great networking opportunities.

Visit the show and be the first to see…

Lifestyle Floors return to the show for an exciting few days of networking, join the likes of Cormar Carpets’, Furlong Flooring, Cavalier Carpets, Westex, Abingdon Flooring, Gooch Oriental Carpets and Distinctive Flooring to name but a few.

You can catch up with companies from all across Europe including Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

All the big names are here plus over 20 new exhibitors which will continue to grow including William Armes and its well-known Dandy brand, Oneflor-Europe. Bill Beaumont Textiles Ltd, Barrentine Product Ltd, The Sanctuary Group Ltd and Dri-Tac Flooring Products, LLC will all be attending The Flooring Show 2019.

A full exhibitor list from the previous year can be found on the show website www.theflooringshow.com.

Show Essentials: Dates: 15-17 September 2019 Venue: Harrogate Convention Centre, Harrogate Register: via the show website www.theflooringshow.com Travel: Free parking at venue /25% discount off train travel - https://www.lner.co.uk/hcc25

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SAVE THE DATE

15-17 september harrogate REGISTRATION OPEN IN MAY New product launches Design trends Demonstration zones

Floors & flooring

NEW CLICK LVT COLLECTIONS FROM DESIGNER CONTRACTS As the trend for stylish, hard flooring options continues to grow, Designer Contracts, the UK’s largest flooring contractor, has added two new collections of Click LVT flooring from big name brands Amtico and Pergo. uitable for commercial and residential installations, Amtico’s Click Smart collection features 12 authentic wood and stone effect designs that can be fitted straight on to a solid and smooth subfloor. The glue-less installation includes the latest rigid board technology and has a robust locking mechanism, making it quicker and easier to install.

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Pergo Premium Click LVT is suitable for domestic and light commercial installations and includes realistic stone and wood-look designs.

Said Designer Contracts md, Peter Kelsey: “The demand for Click LVT flooring is continuously growing, thanks to the many benefits that it provides. It is a

great choice for families as it is a low maintenance product, is incredibly hardwearing, waterproof and provides acoustic benefits, along with a wide variety of stylish designs to choose from.”

Designer Contracts was recently named in the Business Reporter’s Best of British Campaign, which recognises success stories in British business. The accolade was awarded to just 10 companies in the UK. Designer Contracts operates across 15 UK regional facilities. As well as flooring the company provides curtains and blinds, furniture and lighting, and operates a showhome and design services division. www.DesignerContracts.com

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FITTING BIG IDEAS INTO A SMALL LIVING SPACE When it comes to living spaces, ‘bigger’ has long been synonymous with ‘better’. But times are changing. In Paris and London, micro-li­ving is gaining momentum due to ever-increasing housing prices. utside of the city, people choose to live in smaller spaces as well, with the tiny house movement swiftly growing in popularity. Here, living small isn’t driven by necessity, but by a desire to declutter and live in a simpler, more minimal and ecologically friendly way.

But how can you fit life into a restricted space and still create a sense of personality and expanse?

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SMALL YET LUXURIOUS Smaller living can be luxurious. There’s a growing realisation that having a big house can be cumbersome. The more space you have, the more useless stuff you collect, the more you have to clean, and the more energy you use. Big isn’t necessarily beautiful, either. There is a subtle loveliness in minimalist efficiency that grandeur can never achieve. But how can you make a tiny space beautiful in your own, unique way?

To answer that question, Quick-Step turned to Tiny Houses in Belgium. This company, led by Arno Geunes, designs and constructs mobile wooden cabins for people that dream of a less cluttered and more sustainable way of living.

THE BEAUTY OF EFFICIENCY Arno: “Every tiny house is another challenge, as you need to optimise the use of limited space to meet the need of every inhabitant. What are their needs? What will their daily life look like? What compromises are they willing to make? You really need to get down to the gritty details of every action, even those as simple as entering and leaving the house, doing the laundry, and washing up.

This often results in ingenious, surprising, one-of-a-kind solutions, like single pieces

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of furniture that serve multiple purposes. A stair step that also functions as a table or a hidden storage, a pulley bed that can be winched up into the ceiling when not in use, etc. These things create a unique sense of beauty, as the space becomes a direct reflection of the inhabitant’s personality.”

CREATING A SENSE OF SPACE Arno spends a lot of thought on creating a sense of space despite the smallness of the room. “One important thing people tend to forget but which plays an important role in the functionality and overall feel of the room is the floor. Since the same space serves multiple purposes, you’ll need an easily maintainable floor that is stain-, scratch-, and water resistant. Laminate and vinyl are great options. But, a floor can greatly change the sense of space in your room as well. I tend to use lighter, cooler tones in my designs because they create a feeling of openness.

Grains and knots should be subtle as well to ensure that the floor doesn’t look too busy. When it comes to installation, placing the planks parallel to the longest wall of the house helps create the illusion of a larger room.”

“Apart from that, I mostly opt for a few big windows, instead of multiple smaller ones.

Adding mirrors is also a neat trick. For the most part, we try to make optimum use of the walls, for example, by using hanging

shelves and cupboards. This frees up floor space. A neutral, limited color palette for your walls will make your space feel less visually overwhelming. Add some subtle patterns and textures to keep the space from looking bland.”

HOW TO MAKE SMALL ROOMS FEEL BIGGER Even if you’re drawn to a minimal lifestyle and ready to deal with restricted surface area, most people love to have a sense of space. Here are some tips for making a room seem larger than it actually is.

1. Colours - Different colours give different impressions of depth. Warm colours, for example, tend to pop out and advance, and thus make a room look smaller. Use light, cool tones on your walls, furniture, or floor to create a more expansive space. Contrary to popular belief, dark floors are allowed as well – as long as you balance them with lighter tones. Keep the contrast low, however. Medium or light shades for your floor should be complemented with similar hues for your walls. This eliminates the ‘horizon line’ and creates the illusion of an expansive space.

2. Flooring design - In a small space, subtle is better. Avoid excessively grained wood species and big differences between planks. This

would make the room seem very busy.

Use the same flooring throughout the entire space as well.

3. Floor plank size - The size of your flooring planks should be proportional to the size of your room. That being said, however, be aware that narrower planks will make the room look busier and wider planks will make it look cleaner. Make sure you get the balance just right.

4. Plank direction - The direction in which you install your floor planks is key.

If your room is rectangular, you can expand the space visually by placing the planks parallel to the longest wall. Make sure to float the floor in the same direction throughout all of the rooms to create a cohesive feel.

Does your room have lots of natural light? See if you can run the boards along the axis of the light, so the joints are less noticable. An interesting alternative is to install the planks diagonally. It directs the eye outward and can create a more expansive feel.

5. Expose the floor - Think vertically. Take advantage of empty walls and install hanging shelves and cupboards to expose the floor.

For further information, visit www.quick-step.co.uk

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The IPG to give away 25 knee pads to help battle ‘The Problem of Plumber’s Knees’

Plumber’s Knees: it’s the underlying health issue known by plumbers nationwide – but may still come as quite a shock to those not in the trade.

It’s the news that was recently revealed in an article, published by The IPG last year, that found a staggering 75% of working plumbers will experience problems with their knees as a result of the hard graft and constant kneeling associated with the profession. And perhaps even more worryingly, it was also found that a mere 41% of those asked had taken action, and actually discussed their ailment with their GP. It shouldn’t come as any surprise that poor health and safety can cause big pay-outs for companies, not to mention a substantial loss of revenue for independents or those in self-employment.

To put it into context, over the year 201718, a staggering 30.7 million working days were lost due to work-related illness and injury, costing an estimated £15 billion. If

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plumber’s knees aren’t enough to make your eyes water – that price tag certainly is!

The study, which was conducted by The IPG, the UK’s largest and fastest growing membership group for independent plumbers, heating and bathroom specialists, also found that 57% of plumbers surveyed felt that they would need to undergo a knee replacement surgery in the future, as a result of the demanding nature of the job. A further 59% felt that they would be forced to retire early as a result, and with the state pension in the UK currently 66, and the possibility of it rising to 67 in future years, it’s a very real issue currently facing the future of many tradespeople in the UK. That’s why, following the findings of their study, and in a bid to continue to raise

awareness of the condition currently sweeping the plumber’s nation, The IPG are set to run a campaign this month on their social media channels, giving their followers the chance to snap up a free pair of knee pads, kindly provided by Lecico.

The competition, which will commence on Friday 15th February, will give The IPG’s followers the chance to win 1 of 5 pairs of knee pads every Friday for a month. To get involved, entrants will need to follow The IPG on their social channels and keep a look out each week for details on how to enter. Good luck!

You can follow The IPG on Facebook (@TheIPG), Twitter (@ipg_the), Instagram (@the_ipg) and on LinkedIn (The IPG). For more information on The IPG, head to their website www.the-ipg.co.uk.

UK Spares: your one-stop-shop for domestic and commercial electrical spares Call or email our friendly team TODAY... www.uk-spares.com or email sales@uk-spares.com Tel: 01454 620500 Twitter: @UKSpares Unit 1155, Aztec West, Almondsbury, Bristol BS32 4TF

Heating,Ventilation & Energy Efficiency

HEATING OUR HOMES A policy pathway to developing a viable heat pump market NIBE Energy Systems has developed a policy pathway paper for phasing out high carbon fossil fuels in response to the Government’s 2017 Clean Growth Strategy[1], a vision for driving down emissions throughout the next decade, which included phasing out high carbon fossil fuels in off gas grid properties. This week DEFRA published the Clean Air Strategy 2019[2] which recognises how technology can support multiple aspects of clean growth. It recommends reducing demand through improved energy efficiency and opting for technologies that mitigate climate change and improve air quality at the same time.

NIBE Energy Systems welcomes the continued commitment by Government to tackle climate change, improve air quality and move away from high carbon fossil fuels however, stresses that further work is needed to facilitate greater and smoother transition from fossil fuels to renewables in off gas grid properties.

NIBE’s new policy paper, Heating Our Home - Phasing out Fossil Fuels, raises awareness of the need to tackle the decarbonisation of heat urgently and suggests steps which can be taken in the UK now, to move towards cleaner, more efficient heating systems: 1. Commit to a concrete date for high carbon fossil fuel phase out in the 2020s to provide certainty 2. Low carbon heating must be deployed in buildings capitalising on key trigger points 3. The groundwork for widespread uptake must be set; this means ensuring homes are renewables ready, recognising improvements in energy performance in property values and providing support to enable and encourage adoption.

Building Regulations, and specifically the upcoming review of Part L, represent a significant opportunity to drive down the carbon emissions from new build properties. To enable the required

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uptake of low carbon heating, NIBE recommend: • Set tight new build standards that will in effect render renewable heating the primary option for new build where these systems make immediate sense • Where fossil fuel heating systems are installed, these should be low temperature ready • The maximum dwelling emission rate is reduced over time to encourage continuous improvement.

It is important that action is taken now rather than later to combat climate change. NIBE Energy System’s Managing Director Phil Hurley said: “We must significantly reduce the role of oil and other high carbon fuels in new and existing buildings by the early 2020s.

Setting a clear end date for fossil fuel installations is the low hanging fruit which will drive decarbonisation more widely.

This report looks at policy levers which could be pulled to make it easier to switch and ensure that it happens at the rate required. We look forward to engaging with policy makers in 2019 to make these recommendations a reality through the development of an ambitious policy framework for heat in buildings.”

A copy of the NIBE policy paper can be found here.

Heating,Ventilation & Energy Efficiency

RINNAI with LPG is low nox, sustainable and perfect for off-grid Rinnai condensing hot water heater units using LPG deliver lower carbon emission figures, greater energy efficiencies and are more economic to run than other sources such as oil or electric - making them the first choice for off-grid installations and sites. or specifiers and installers, helping an off-grid user select a low NOx energy efficient water heater is critical — and a condensing continuous flow water heater using LPG is one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly options available. By choosing a continuous flow water heater instead of a standard electric water heater, an end user can reduce energy costs by up to 50% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 61%. When compared with oil-fired systems this saving is even greater.

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Tests show that a Rinnai Infinity condensing water heater emits 35.18mg/ kwh NOx compared with a typical oil boiler that emits approximately 364 mg/kwh NOx. That means a Rinnai condensing water heater emits approximately 10% of the NOx that an oil boiler emits, a 90% reduction.

Therefore, combining a gas boiler and a Rinnai water heater will radically reduce NOx. On the 26th September 2018, the EU introduced new stricter parameters for NOx emissions in the gas water heater category. The new NOx level was set at 56mg/kwh. Rinnai water heaters are well in advance of the criteria demonstrating product quality and superior performance.

The new criteria for oil fired boilers or liquid fuels has been set at 120mg/kwh, highlighting that current appliances and the oil-fired market has some way to go before it can achieve a similar level to that of gas.

If we compare the production of CO₂ between gas and electricity we find that for every GJ (277.78kW) of energy used gas will produce 44.44kg compared to 103kg with electric. We can see that for the same energy used electricity will produce twice the amount of one of the major greenhouse gases.

The efficiency of this type of electrical generation is as low as 40%. So, if we now compare the use of electricity to LPG to heat hot water we find that electricity is 40% efficient in comparison to a Rinnai water heater which returns 107% nett efficiency.

Electricity is not the ‘green’ fuel that its marketing portrays it to be. It produces more CO₂ than LPG but is also less efficient, by far.

An LPG continuous flow water heater is an ‘ondemand’ system. When a hotwater tap is opened, the unit reads the demand and starts the heating process. The water flows through a heat exchanger, where it heats to the desired temperature using only as much gas as is needed. When the tap is turned off, the heater automatically shuts off.

For more details on RINNAI products visit

www.rinnaiuk.com •27•

Heating,Ventilation & Energy Efficiency

The Smart Choice for Electric Heating – ecoSave Dynamic Electric Heaters

he aim of LOT 20 is to reduce the energy consumption in our homes through accurate management and control of electric heating appliances and minimise wasted energy. To meet the objectives of LOT 20, better use of intelligent timers, controls and sensors must be made.

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The Ecosave Dynamic Heater has been LOT 20 compliant since January 2016 and has been designed to meet the heating demands of modern smart properties. This range of smart electric heaters are styled to blend with any décor and include the latest innovations to enhance heating comfort and lower energy usage.

The ecoSave Dynamic Electric Heaters are suitable as a heating solution for apartments, domestic dwellings, holiday homes and offices.

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On the 1st January 2018, a new regulation affecting “the ecodesign requirements for local space heaters” was implemented. This derives from an EU Commission Regulation transposed into UK Law under the Energy Related Products Regulations (ERP). This new regulation is often referred to as ‘LOT 20’ and requires any new local space heating system installed from this date onwards to be compliant with set energy efficiency standards.

The Heating Elements and High Performance Heating Oil are housed within the sturdy aluminium body of the heater making the ecoSave an efficient oil filled radiator.

Due to the modular construction and air flow outlets at the top of the heater these aluminium electric heaters benefit from fast heat up times and provides an even surface temperature with optimum convection through all heating cycles.

The easy-to-use digital programmable thermostat is located at the top of the heater enabling simple manual control of the heater.

It will accurately control both Time and Temperature, is fully Programmable 24/7 and offers comfort, economy, frost protection and on/off settings.

To convert the Smart Home Wi-Fi ready Ecosave Heater to an intelligent appliance that can be controlled anywhere, anytime the consumer simply has to install the EHC SmartHome Wi-Fi kit. The Ecosave Heater combined with the SmartHome Wi-Fi kit are also ideal for Hotels, Student Accommodation and Properties for Let as all the Heaters can be fully controlled remotely. The APP can control up to 30 Heaters from a single Gateway which is easy to install.

For further information on the ecoSave Dynamic Electric Heater range and how they could be suitable for your needs please contact EHC on 01698 820533 or visit our website at www.electric-heatingcompany.co.uk

Heating,Ventilation & Energy Efficiency

No.1 Choice Electric Radiator Collection 2 Year Controller 5 Year Main Body Warranty

2 Year Controller 10 Year Main Body Warranty

DSR Solaris Aluminium Convector

DSR Edge Traditional Column Convector

Heater with ceramic blocks. Four outputs available, 500, 1000, 1500 & 2000watts.

Heater with a large ceramic core. Four outputs available, 500, 1000, 1500 & 2000watts.

Available for Android & Apple devices Control your heaters wirelessly via our free APP Anywhere, Anytime 24/7

Contact us for a quote or more information

01698 820533 www.electric-heatingcompany.co.uk

No.1 Choice Electric Radiator Collection 2 Year Controller 5 Year Main Body Warranty

2 Year Controller 10 Year Main Body Warranty

DSR Solaris Aluminium Convector Heater with ceramic blocks. Four outputs available, 500, 1000, 1500 & 2000watts.

DSR Edge Traditional Column Convector Heater with a large ceramic core. Four outputs available, 500, 1000, 1500 & 2000watts.

Available for Android & Apple devices Control your heaters wirelessly via our free APP Anywhere, Anytime 24/7

Contact us for a quote or more information

01698 820533 www.electric-heatingcompany.co.uk •29•

Heating,Ventilation & Energy Efficiency

New Viessmann Vitocell 300-V introduces the market’s most energy efficient unvented DHW cylinders Two new DHW cylinders combine an A+ energy rating with high performance iessmann has introduced the only domestic hot water cylinders on the market with an A+ rating. The two new floorstanding Vitocell 300-V DHW cylinders, with capacities of 160 and 200 litres, are twice as energy efficiency in terms of standby losses as the industry norm.

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Both new versions of the Vitocell 300-V replace the previous A rated models, and both are suitable for domestic installations with boiler outputs up to 80 kW. Higher DHW demands can be accommodated by combining several Vitocell 300-V cylinders into cylinder banks with common headers.

The 300-V’s exceptional heat retention is made possible by using a highly effective vacuum panel insulation as well as the very efficient Polyurethane hard foam.

Heat losses are merely 0.7 kWh per 24 hours for the 160-litre model and 0.75 kWh per 24 hours for the 200-litre model.

The new 300-V combines this unmatched energy efficiency with high

performance. The indirect heating coil is larger than in most common cylinders and drawn all the way down to the cylinder floor to heat the entire water content. Heat-up time from 10 to 60 degrees is just 20 minutes for the 160-litre cylinder and 24 minutes for the 200-litre cylinder. The low pressure-drop of the heating coil, at only 15 millibars, is approximately 35% lower than a typical competitor cylinder. This negates the requirement for oversizing the circulating pump; specifying a smaller pump will save electricity.

The 300-V’s insulation package can be removed for easy handling. Transportation and installation are also made easy by the 300-V’s low weight and compact dimensions. Both 300-Vs are 581 mm long and 605 mm wide, with the smallercapacity model measuring 1189 mm in height and the larger-capacity model 1409 mm. www.viessmann.co.uk

Maximum hot water flow rates are 24 and 34 litres per minute respectively.

Viessmann is urging installers and endusers to recognise the role of hot water storage in optimising environmentallyfriendly installations. Darren McMahon, Viessmann marketing director, commented: “Customers who want a truly efficient system for their hot water should consider specifying Viessmann’s A+ rated Vitocell 300-V cylinders, which meet that need better than any others. It’s a false economy to buy a cheaper but less efficient cylinder, then accumulate larger fuel bills over many years.”

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Heating,Ventilation & Energy Efficiency

21st Century Construction, 19th Century Heating?

With more and more developers and constructors looking to go modular (or offsite construction), more and more are reevaluating all aspects of the specification and ways to reduce build time.

Space; one of the most valuable commodities in any property, is also becoming more and more important, and technologies that maximise living room whilst staying within budget constraints are highly prized.

ThermaSkirt – literally a heated skirting profile- does exactly what most innovative and forward-thinking developers are looking for. By combining the heating and skirting board in one pre-finished package it

saves time on site and improves the aesthetics of the finished property.

It frees up valuable floor and wall space by eliminating conventional radiators, but unlike Underfloor heating, is quick and easy to install and is ‘above ground’ for peace of mind.

Available in a ‘wet’ central heating and direct electric versions, ThermaSkirt is an aluminium profile radiant heating system, available in several styles and colours, including white, cream, black and even anthracite grey to match windows and doors.

Working with a conventional boiler, or renewables such as heat pumps, ThermaSkirt provides all the benefits of underfloor heating (except warming

ta tiled floor) but without any of the drawbacks such as limiting access to rooms, temporary heating to assist curing, restricting choice of floor coverings and slow response times – and the almost inevitable under and over-heating.

For refurbishment projects, as ThermaSkirt uses conventional pipework like a radiator, retrofitting is considerably simplified. Available in up to 6m (or cut to size to order) most walls are ThermaSkirted in a single section.

Manufactured in the UK to ISO 9001 and with up to a 10 year warranty, ThermaSkirt has been tested to all relevant UK and European standards.

More than 40,000 systems have been installed over 10 years. www.discreteheat.com

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Heating,Ventilation & Energy Efficiency Vectaire has three new models in their vertical whole house heat recovery range.

To ensure a comfortable user experience, the Midi, Maxi and Maxi Plus are now available with advanced acoustic attenuation. They are lined with superior sound deadening materials for really low sound levels (the sound pressure levels are down to 14.4, 13.2 and 14.4 dBA respectively). Efficiency, performance and economy remain the same as the standard model. All these “AT-BY” models are complete with summer bypass and frost protection, and are commissioned via an integral LCD. Functions, including trickle, purge and boost speeds for each motor, boost speed over-run time, adjusting the time delay before the boost speed kicks in, holiday mode and night-time boost - all easily adjusted.

Products are SAP PCDB Listed and manufactured in our own factory in the UK to ISO 9001.

Vectaire offers a design service to ensure that units are installed is the best possible way to provide efficient, effective, low energy and low running cost 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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ow in its fifth edition, The Specifier’s Guide has established itself as an annual industry bible and provides an essential specification tool for architects and designers. Content includes informed analysis of global tile trends, along with reports on the latest technology, and sustainability; as well as some truly inspirational case studies.

Ancillary products – from backer boards and anhydrite screeds to entrance matting and water-based sealers – are also examined within the Guide, with expert comment from Joe Simpson, the Guide’s award-winning Editor.

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The last twelve months’ has seen further significant advances in tile manufacturing technology, especially in continuous pressing and digital inkjet decoration. As a result, ceramic ‘tile’ has forged new markets in countertops and furnishing applications, while 20mm porcelain tiles are rapidly gaining traction in external landscaping. The Specifier’s Guide explores all these areas, while also examining specific materials and formats, as well as niche specifications, including ceramic façades, decorative murals and hand-made ceramics for heritage restoration projects. Technical contributions are included from a broad range of leading manufacturers, offering advice on subjects ranging from the new generation of gel-based adhesives and water-based epoxy formulations, through to wet-room systems and the dynamic world of coloured grouts.

“When it comes to ceramic tile trends, some new products emerge from blue sky thinking, some from exploiting advances in production technology, and some from reimagining designs from tile’s rich tradition,” explains Joe Simpson.

“Today’s key directions include fusion concepts that take elements of two or more materials, such as upholstery fabric and shuttered concrete, and combine them in an innovative new ceramic surface.”

“Alongside this constant design evolution, the ceramic tile sector has recently

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The latest edition of the essential architect’s guide to ceramic tiles just published by Kick-Start Publishing The 2019 edition of The Specifier’s Guide to Ceramic Tile & Calibrated Natural Stone, which explores all the latest ceramic tile design trends and advanced installation techniques, is now available in print and online at www.specifiersguide.co.uk. witnessed an engineering revolution. With the widespread adoption of continuous pressing technology, tile manufacturers have expanded their horizons way beyond wall and floor tiles into worktops, vanity units, and furniture facings. Today’s XXL formats, often referred to as gauged ceramic panels, are forcing architects, interior designers, and furniture manufacturers to re-evaluate their perception of ‘tile’ and consider a range of exciting new applications. All these hugely-significant advances are covered in the 2019 edition of The Specifier’s Guide.”

“The Guide also explores lightweight adhesives, sophisticated dry fix pedestals, self-cleaning and anti-bacterial tiles, 3D tiles, and modern tactile surface effects,” says Joe Simpson. “As the Guide shows,” concludes Simpson, “today’s specifiers are finding the current generation of high performance ceramic tiles to be the most versatile, high performance, and surprising surface option out there.”

The Specifier’s Guide’s initial distribution includes every architectural and interior design practice, as well as developers, building specifiers and facility managers. Copies will also be available to qualified visitors to The Surface Design Show.

The Specifier’s Guide is published by Kick-Start; the team behind the UK’s leading tiling and contract flooring trade publications – CFJ and TSJ. For more information, please visit www.specifiersguide.co.uk or contact Kick-Start Publishing on tel. 01892 752 400.

Bathrooms

New for 2019! JIS Europe introduces the “Black Edition” Range of Stainless Steel Towel Rails.

In answer to the current market demand for matt black finish towel rails, we have decided to introduce the Black Edition by JIS Europe. What stands the Black Edition Towel Rail apart from the competition is that it is, as always, manufactured from 100% stainless steel.

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he rail is then powder coated matt black.

As the rail is manufactured from stainless steel rather than the standard, more common mild steel, the rail will not rust, flake or corrode. It can be used in all systems including open. Stainless steel is the durable, sustainable choice, manufactured from over 90% recycled material and 100% recyclable in itself.

In order to maintain the ethical sustainability of all of our products across the range, we chose to powder coat the stainless steel.

Powder coating is highly protective of the environment, it contains no solvents and emits negligible, if any, polluting VOCs into the atmosphere.

Powder coating is a clean process, allowing exhaust air from the coating booth to be returned to the plant. Powder overspray can be retrieved and reused and there is no costly waste disposal equipment as unused powder can be reclaimed and returned to a hopper.

All prices are for Central Heating format and do not include VAT, the rails are all available in Dual Fuel, Central Heating and Electric only Format and are available from stock.

All rails are available on a next day delivery service when ordered before midday.

Please visit www.sussexrange.co.uk for further details or call us on 01825 722988 •36•

We have launched the following towel rails from the Sussex Range to the “Black Edition” and they are: The Ashdown Black Edition, 1250mm x 520mm The Ouse Black Edition, 700mm x 520mm The Lindfield Black Edition 1275mm x 520mm The Pevensey Black Edition 975mm x 520mm The Ardingly Black Edition 1580mm x 520mm The Rusper Black Edition 700mm x 520mm The Rye Black Edition tilting rail 1800mm x 520mm The Alfriston Black Edition 1250mmx 520mm Black Edition Complementary Element Cable Cover

£298.90 £204.90 £293.00 £247.00 £358.50 £178.95 £448.00 £494.50 £ 38.90

Black Edition Stainless Steel Towel Rails by JIS Europe 01825 722988 www.sussexrange.co.uk info@jiseurope.co.uk

PURU S L I MI TE D: H I G H Q U A L ITY S C A N D IN AV IA N D E SI GN

Floor gullies and linear channels for wetrooms A range of level-access drainage solutions ideal for your commercial, domestic and industrial projects

From low-profile floor gullies to stainless steel linear drainage channels for tiled, vinyl and resin floor finishes, Purus Limited manufacture a huge range of drainage solutions for your commercial, domestic and industrial projects.

So why choose Purus?

The NOOD No-Odour trap is just one of many features of our Mini Series Floor Gullies and Purusline Living linear channels, and will stop any bad air escaping even when the drain is left to dry out. It’s just one of the reasons why our drains are used in so many projects like Leeds University’s Henry Price Building student residences (pictured). With many of our products certified by the BBA and with BIM Objects ready to download, Purus make the ideal choice for all of your level-access drainage requirements.

e-mail: info@purusgroup.com tel: 0113 289 3172 View product details, installation guides and much more at:

www.purusgroup.com

Bathrooms

FUTURE-PROOF WITH STYLE

A new report(*) is highlighting that aesthetics are playing an increasing role in product specification for independent living. losomat, Britain’s leading provider of accessible bathroom solutions, has brought to market a new WC that means that specifiers- architects, Occupational Therapists, contractors- can deliver style and enablement.

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The Closomat Asana delivers contemporary design in a wall-hung WC combined with the proven hygiene benefits of shower toilet technology. Thus, an accessible WC that is aspirational can be achieved.

Explains Robin Tuffley, Closomat marketing manager, “Whether or not someone is receiving a grant to make changes to their home, or self-funding, there is no reason why they should not be able to create a space that is functional, addresses their changing requirements, and is smart.

“The report cites people’s desire for good design. It actually quotes one respondent who said they didn’t want visitors using the bathroom as it looked like it was for a disabled person and they did not want to look disabled.

“Bear in mind, the bathroom is the most common room to be adapted, and the toilet the most frequent fixture therein to be addressed: it makes sense to use the expertise of the market leader, that brings with it a reputation for quality and reliability, in design, product and service.

It’s about peace of mind, for all involved, for as long as the adaptation is needed,” adds Robin.

“Even if there isn’t a mobility limitation now, installing technology such as the Asana means the home is future-proofed should the occupants’ manual dexterity deteriorate.”

Closomat’s Asana combines modern WC styling with “the ultimate” in shower toilet technology. It can be used as a conventional WC or, with the push of a button, the douching and drying processes selected. Closomat also supplies a raft of additional bathroom fixtures that enable

people to continue to live independently, and more safely, with style, in their home. Innovatively, the company offers a complete CDM compliant project management service, covering survey to install and commissioning.

Further, once the assistive technology is installed, Closomat can provide ongoing service & maintenance as required.

Full details of Closomat’s adaptation offerings can be found on its website www.clos-o-mat.com.

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VASCO: 2019 Be Bold and Embrace Colour COLOUR PREDICTIONS FOR 2019 2019 is the year of colour – so banish the beige and embrace vivacious and vibrant colours such as a Carmine Red or Melon Yellow from Vasco’s extensive, contemporary colour palette.

Be bold and beautiful when selecting a radiator, break away from safe, muted shades in favour of intense showstopping colours. White and cream effortlessly blend into a room, but a bolder colour can be just the wake-up call a room needs.

VASCO’s carefully selected palette of 56 colours is guaranteed to help inject new life into your home. Until recently if you wanted a colourful radiator – you painted it yourself and hoped the finish wouldn’t look too unprofessional.

Historically, cast-iron radiators tended to be the same colour as the walls, as the radiator was viewed as a functional piece of equipment that needed to be disguised.

This is no longer true; as the heat efficiency and design of radiators has improved they have been embraced by interior designers enabling VASCO’s radiators to now take centre stage.

Advantages of Colour Radiators A designer radiator in a bright or contrasting colour can be a wonderful statement piece and is an ideal way of introducing a colour accent to a room without over powering the space. In a living room where white dominates, it’s better to choose a radiator in a dark or strong colour; such as wine red, dark green or even petrol blue.

This bold accent can then be picked up with accessories or soft furnishings. In 2019, whether you opt for a dark blue, black, metal or soft pastel colour – a designer radiator will not fail to enhance a room.

www.vasco-group.eu •40•

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Lifts

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.

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s this was a new gym, access was required from the ground level to the basement area, so all users could fully utilise the facilities.

Working 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.

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

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(RAL9006) was chosen for the shaft in 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. www.invalifts.com

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

Expanding market for brick slips The rising popularity of brick slips is evident from the growing number of companies now selling them. Once considered a niche product, the speed and flexibility brick slips offer has made them a popular choice across the building industry as a whole and has resulted in a rapidly expanding market. urobrick has been supplying brick slips independently and as part of their own cladding systems for nearly 30 years. In recent years, they have noticed an increase in enquiries for larger projects from construction companies who are now opting to use brick slips and systems. Director Richard Haines tells us more,

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“The on-going housing crisis along with construction skills shortages, have resulted in a move towards modern methods and off-site construction. Companies are actively looking for ways to do things quicker, meet challenging deadlines and hopefully save on costs, without compromising on build quality.

The brick shortages experienced a few years ago forced the building industry to look for alternatives. At the time, we were able to maintain our supply chain, as historically, brick slip manufacturers formed a small, specialised market and were generally less prone to the pressures being experienced by the industry at that time. However

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since then, those companies have realised the many advantages that come with brick slips and cladding systems, they have returned time and time again, even when brick shortages were becoming less of an issue. As a result, here at Eurobrick, we have just had our best two years trading ever.

Whether it’s a new build, refurbishment or interiors project, there are flexible solutions that can be applied to different substrates and installed on- or off-site. Application in a factory environment has the appeal of allowing for greater quality control and increasing the speed of installation, and means the weather is no longer an influencing factor. Many systems can also be applied using semiskilled labour, which helps with any issues related to skills shortages too.

People may not always think of brick when they think of modular building or modern methods of construction, and yet brick is still a highly sought after and popular finish within the UK building industry. While modern

methods may not necessarily work so well alongside traditional brick building, brick slip cladding provides an alternative that is fast, flexible and easy to transport and we believe the sector will continue to expand in the coming years.

Retrofit or refurbishment projects can also benefit from an ever evolving range of brick slip colours and finishes. Whether you want to blend in with an existing building or have to comply with a planning requirement, brick matching or sourcing can help.

Older buildings may need insulation and this can be added by retrofitting an insulated system to dramatically improve the thermal performance of a building.

Leisure and retail markets have long recognised the benefits of brick slips and cladding systems for interiors too. Whether applied directly to the substrate or as part of a system, the slimline profile minimises loss of valuable floor space and

February 2019

provides a finish that is characterful and indistinguishable from traditional brickwork.

Just to be clear, our brick slips are still real bricks. Some of our slips are manufactured as slips (extruded slips) using natural clay and fired in the same way as traditional bricks, and some are cut from whole bricks. They provide a real brick finish with the same low maintenance and durability benefits.”

Eurobrick was first to introduce a comprehensively designed brick cladding system to the UK in 1990 and include a 25 year guarantee with all of their systems. Find out more at www.eurobrick.co.uk.

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Celebrating Success at the Offsite Construction Awards Taking place on the 05 March in London, the Offsite Awards 2019 celebrate the crèmede-la-crème of offsite technology. his year, the awards received over 200 entries from companies who are at the forefront of the industry in terms of innovation and expertise. Offsite technology is changing the contemporary built environment driving forward projects that represent outstanding examples of prefabrication and factory-based methods, products, systems and disciplines.

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“We have had a remarkable number of entrants this year and I would personally like to thank everyone,” said the head of the judging panel, Darren Richards of Cogent Consulting.

“The entries this year were fantastic, with a multitude of truly inspiring projects, along with so many leading names in the offsite technology industry. Compiling a shortlist of 129 entries was difficult and we want to thank everyone for their submissions!”

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There are over twenty categories in the awards that cover every aspect of the industry from hybrid and modular technology to engineering and installation.

This is to ensure all aspects of the offsite building process is celebrated - recognising the design and technology that makes these amazing projects possible.

“Offsite technology has revolutionised the construction sector allowing the industry to perform in a more cost-effective, efficient and sustainable way - I think it’s important to celebrate this.”

“The finalists represent the sector in 2019 - landmark projects, influential people, manufacturing excellence - everything that is pushing the offsite sector forward,” concluded Darren.

Winners and finalists from previous years have included Engenuiti, Kier Construction and PCE for Project Capella, a world class scientific research facility in Cambridge built to house very sensitive

scientific equipment. The evening will be presented at a dedicated event hosted by TV personality Mark Durden-Smith who is best known for presenting The Match, I’m a Celebrity After Show and Rugby Union on Channel 5.

The Offsite Construction Awards are taking place on 05 March 2019 on the Main Stage at Futurebuild - ExCeL London, where circa 350 delegates will gather to celebrate the best in the offsite industry.

The drinks reception will provide the perfect opportunity to unwind and network before the awards ceremony. The awards can open the doors to new clients, finding new supply chains and entering new markets. They present an ideal networking opportunity and by being involved, can act as a springboard to forming new business relationships.

If you would like to view the full shortlist of finalists go to: www.offsiteawards.co.uk/2019-finalists

Editor's choice

T: +44 (0)1825 764737 E: info@appeng.co.uk www.appeng.co.uk Applications Engineering Ltd, 16 Horsted Square, Bellbrook Industrial Estate, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 1QG

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