In our cladding special this week, glass for flush facades or fighting fire, frameless glazing systems, multicoloured render or steel panels and 30 storeys of curtain walling in Liverpool – plus the latest news

Sapa links up with Kingspan


Sapa Building Systems has teamed up with Kingspan to develop an adaptor for coupling Sapa’s windows to Kingspan’s cladding panels. Sapa says the product eliminates the need for bespoke brackets and will overcome the problems of conforming to the thermal and airtightness requirements of Part L of the Building Regulations. The adaptor can be used with Sapa’s 75 mm and 55 mm Dualframe range of windows, and Kingspan’s architectural and Optimo ranges of wall panels.

Sapa Building System
www.sapabuildingsystem.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 303

Corrosion-resistant cavity fixing


Steelwork connection specialist Access Technologies has extended its BoxBolt cavity fixing range with the addition of a corrosion-resistant version. The product makes connections to hollow steel sections and sections where access is only available from one side. The company says it eliminates the need for on-site drilling or welding and it can be installed using a standard spanner. It is available in M08, M10, M12, M16 and M20 bolt diameters with a choice of three lengths for each diameter.

Access Technologies
www.beamclamp.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 304

Structurally bonded glass walls


Fenestration specialist Metal Technology has developed a structurally bonded glazing system for creating flush glass walls without the need for external capping. The company says it is intended for mid-range projects where a flush glass system is required. It works by bonding the glass to a carrier frame that is in turn fixed to standard structural mullions and transoms.

Metal Technology
www.metaltechnology.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 305

Maintenance-free steel cladding


Corus has enhanced its Colorcoat HPS200 steel cladding. The company says it is now maintenance-free and doesn’t need an annual inspection to qualify for a 30-year guarantee. It is available in 29 standard colours, including a new range of metallic shades.

Corus Colors
www.colorcoat-online.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 306

Mineral wool curtain wall


Architectural fabrication specialist Metalline has launched a curtain wall glazing panel called Ultima that it says offers advanced structural, acoustic and fire safety properties compared with conventional products. It has a non-combustible mineral wool core that does not give off any known toxic gases in the event of fire. It is available in a choice of finishes and metallic or plain colours.

Metalline
www.metalline.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 307

From water tower to family home


Alumasc’s MR Silkolitt high-performance lightweight render was used to clad the extension to a water tower in Cheshire, enabling the derelict tower to be converted into a family home. The render was combined with Swistherm external wall insulation and is said to provide a water-repellent low-maintenance finish. The MR Silkolitt range of render is available in more than 400 colour shades.

Alumasc
www.alumasc-exteriors.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 308

Thirty storeys of curved curtain walling


The recently completed 30-storey Beetham Tower in Liverpool was the largest UK project to date for aluminium glazing specialist Technal. The company’s MC facetted curve curtain walling was used to create the curved facade for the full height of the building, 1800 m2 in all. On the sections of the building that have precast concrete panels, 130 of Technal’s Fxi46 windows were used. The contract was worth £1.5m and was carried out by Airedale Architectural in partnership with Technal.

Technal
www.technal.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 309

Lighter shade of cement


Castle Cement has brought out a light-coloured cement specifically for making brick and block mortar. Called Castle Masonry Cement, it will replace the company’s existing Castle Brickbond SR product. It is available in 25 kg bags and is said to work well with a variety of building sand types.

Castle Cement
www.castlecement.co.uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 310

Five-storey frameless glazing

English Architectural Glazing has launched a frameless glazing solution called Systemstax. It claims the system eliminates the need for drilling through the glass and attaching it to a separate structure. The system works by stacking the glazing panels on top of each other and securing them using special clamps. The double-glazed units of 12 mm thick panels can be used in glass sizes of up to 3.8 m × 1.5 m. These can be stacked up to five storeys in height.

English Architectural Glazing
www.eag.uk.com
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 305

Fire-resistant glass

Specialist glass maker Schott has launched a fire-resistant glass called Pyranova, which the firm claims has 60 minutes insulation and integrity. The company says it is suitable for use with both timber and steel-frame construction and for both internal and external applications. When used externally Pyranova has an extra layer of glass and an additional interlayer. The glass is available in sheet sizes up to 1900 × 2900 mm.

Schott
www.schott.com/uk
www.building.co.uk/enquiries 302

Movers and makers

  • Precast specialist Trent Concrete has won the contract to supply 4000 m2 of white reconstructed Portland Stone cladding panels for a residential scheme in Liverpool. The contract was awarded by the principal contractor, Carillion Building, for a City Loft Developments scheme at Princes Dock. The precast units are predominantly 5.2 m long spandrel panels and two-storey column casings.

  • Baggeridge Brick has won more than £200,000 worth of orders for its Corium clay cladding system for two separate schemes. The first is for 3000 m2 of specially coloured tiles for an extension at Salisbury Hospital in Wiltshire and the second is for 815 m2 of various coloured tiles for a school extension in Wigan.

  • Two European standards for mortar were introduced on 31 January. These are: BS EN 998-1 Specification for mortar for masonry – Part 1: Rendering and plastering mortar; BS EN 992-2 Specification for mortar for masonry – Part 2: Masonry mortar.
    Neil Beningfield, chairman of the Mortar Industry Association, said the standards were more performance-led than the old standards. The PD 6678 guide to the selection and specification of masonry mortar will be published later this year.

  • Brick slip cladding maker Eurobrick Systems has relocated to larger premises. The company has moved a quarter of a mile to a 700 m2 facility that includes warehouses and offices. Eurobrick Systems said it had moved in response to increased product demand.

  • The British Stainless Steel Association has launched a stainless steel finishes pack. The hardbacked ringbinder contains samples of stainless steel with polished, brushed, patterned and coloured finishes. It also contains specification details on selecting surface finishes and information on maintenance and cleaning.

  • Glass manufacturer Pilkington has updated its specification tool for its range of fire-resistant glass.
    The firm has replaced its Specifire slide rule with a
    CD-ROM. Users navigate their way through nine steps to select a recommended glass type.

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