Senior Gives Chester Students Rooms With A View

A new student accommodation scheme in Chester is making the most of its picturesque canalside location thanks to an attractive glazing package from Senior Architectural Systems. 

Taking inspiration from its location next to Chester’s famous Shropshire Union Canal, The Towpath development offers modern student accommodation facilities across two four-storey and one three-storey blocks.  

Installed by Kingfisher Windows Ltd for main contractor Watkins Jones, Senior’s aluminium curtain walling, windows and doors were specified for use on all three buildings of the new development. Senior’s thermally-efficient SPW600e windows and SPW600 doors were chosen for the use within the individual apartments, many of which feature attractive balconies that overlook the canal.  The communal areas of the scheme feature Senior’s robust SPW501 aluminium doors, with the slim sightlines offered by Senior’s popular SF52 curtain walling enhancing the sense of light and space across the lower ground floors.

The facades of the individual buildings have been created using different materials, with a striking mix of traditional brickwork, pre-coated zinc cladding and cedar timber cladding.  Working with different interfaces meant that the installation of the fenestration package required careful planning and this was skilfully executed by the Kingfisher team.  Close coordination with the other trades on site was also vital to ensuring that the construction programme remained on schedule, particularly as the windows had to be installed before work on the brickwork façade was completed.

Owing to the close proximity of the new student accommodation development to existing properties on the canalside, including a large number of residential properties, the acoustic performance of the fenestration package was also a key consideration.  Senior’s SPW600e aluminium windows provided the ideal solution to meeting the various acoustic requirements across each of the three buildings in addition to offer exceptional thermal efficiency. 

For more information about Senior, visit www.seniorarchitectural.co.uk 

WICONA, the specialist manufacturer of glazing and glass curtain walling, has worked with specialist contractor GLASSOLUTIONS to deliver the glazing and facades package for One Bedford Avenue, a flagship mixed use development in Central London.

The 115,000 sq ft mixed-use office and retail development at One Bedford Avenue replaces two outdated office buildings on the corner of London’s Tottenham Court Road. The design concept for the building from Bennetts Associates was to create versatile, energy efficient spaces that would maximise natural light throughout the seven-storey building and provide the best possible views of the surrounding area.

To help achieve these requirements WICONA’s WICTEC 50 Stick build curtain wall was selected. The design of the system allowed spectacular floor to ceiling glazing to be achieved and the extra narrow 50mm profiles further minimised interruptions to the views from the building. In addition, access to the building’s upper floor terraces is provided by WICONA WICSTYLE 65 doors. The versatile product, which features a flush leaf design, was specified to replicate the aesthetics and integrate with the curtain walling.

Working with both main contractor Mace and GLASSOLUTIONS, a semi-bespoke window system was also created using WICONA WICLINE 75 with window profiles designed specifically to meet the aesthetic and structural requirements of the development.

The exceptional thermal and air-tightness performance of the windows, doors and curtain walling was also an important factor in achieving the energy efficiency targets for the building. Both the WICSTYLE doors and WICLINE windows feature multi-chamber thermal insulation systems that help the building to meet the required U-values.

The location of the development in a busy part of London and a site perimeter similar in size to the building’s footprint meant that external access was extremely limited. To overcome these challenges, the GLASSOLUTIONS project team developed an innovative sliding track system to move the glass units into place to be installed from inside the building. As well as removing the need for floor cranes, this method allowed the installation team to remain safely behind perimeter protection at all times whilst also freeing up the floor slab for other trades to operate safely.

“The installation was a huge success and everyone involved should be very proud of the finished building,” said John Foster, Commercial Director of Glassolutions’ Contracting division. “With the exterior glazing and curtain walling being such a key part of the architect’s vision for this spectacular development it was essential to select the right products to achieve both the required aesthetics and performance.”

Graham Hurrell, WICONA Director of Specification Sales, added: “The complex requirements of the One Bedford Avenue meant that a close partnership between WICONA, GLASSOLUTIONS and Mace was vital to complete the project on schedule and to the highest levels of quality while meeting the challenges that the site presented.”

To find out more about the WICONA range visit www.WICONA.com/en/uk/

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Ricky MacDonald, owner of RLM Windows

A Virtuoso Doors installer says it has ‘smashed all targets’ to achieve a sales conversion rate of 90% in composite doors.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne based RLM Windows reports that it has successfully increased sales of composite doors by more than 75% to become one of the largest installers of composite doors in the region.

Ricky MacDonald, owner of RLM Windows which became a customer of Virtuoso Doors seven years ago, said: “Our ambition is to become the biggest installer of composite doors in the region so we needed to work with a partner that would help us achieve this goal. The package on offer from Virtuoso is incredible and we benefit from a wide range of products, dependable service and lead times and amazing support from the whole team there. We’re delighted with our 75% growth in composite doors, the Virtuoso team has been fundamental in helping us achieve this.”

RLM Windows’ showroom displays 14 Virtuoso composite doors and the new Virtu-AL aluminium textured, non-woodgrain finish composite door will be installed there soon.

“When customers see the range of doors on display, they’re impressed with the choice and quality. They are like nothing else out there and that’s why 90% of enquiries we receive about composite doors convert to sales,” added Ricky.

RLM says that it has achieved such success with composite doors in its heartland region, that it is now planning to open a second showroom in a new territory, which will display Virtuoso composite doors exclusively.

Tony Craggs, managing director of Virtuoso Doors, said: “Congratulations to Ricky and the team on such phenomenal success, we are delighted that they are doing so well with our composite doors.

“We wish RLM every success for the future and look forward to the exciting opening of a second showroom.”

www.virtuoso-doors.co.uk

The post RLM Windows ‘smashes sales targets’ with Virtuoso appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Aluplast has added a grey substrate option to its contemporary and highly flexible Ideal 4000 window system.

The leading-edge 70mm offer is defined by its SquareLine profile and the flexibility that it delivers, as a fully integrated product offering.

This includes aluskin, a highly innovative ‘clip-and-fix’ aluminium exterior finishing system. Building on proven technology, it allows PVC-U fabricators to manufacture an aluminium-clad PVC-U casement window without the requirement for specialist equipment – opening-up access to new market sectors.

Ian Cocken, Director of Sales and Marketing, aluplast, said: “Finish, foils and colour are key drivers of growth in the UK window industry – particularly in the second-time replacement market.

“It’s nonetheless competitive, which means that the detail matters. Given the popularity of grey foils and our launch of our aluminium external fascia, aluskin, a grey substrate option is a logical addition, allowing us to deliver a far better aesthetic and stronger retail proposition.”

aluplast foils more than 1.2million metres of product each month. That means that it holds thousands of metres of coloured and woodgrain profiles in stock, including popular anthracite grey, black, cream, rosewood and golden oak. These are available for ex-stock delivery within just days of orders.

It also offers special foils in 15-days or less with no minimum order, no surcharge and no setting up charge on special colour orders.

This includes three smooth or ‘sanded’ finish options, Basalt Grey; Anthracite Grey; and Brushed Aluminium.

“You could genuinely look at any of the aluplast smooth finishes and be forgiven for thinking that you’re looking at aluminium”, said Cocken. “The grey substrate on the Ideal 4000, joins-up that offer, delivering an even better end finish”, he continued.

Part Q approved, and achieving a WER A rating in either its’ standard PVC-U, foiled or aluskin forms, Ideal 4000 was launched by aluplast, at the FIT Show in May.

Grey substrate is the latest innovation from aluplast and follows the launch early this year of its new Lift-and-Slide door. Capable of achieving u-values as low as 0.65 W/m²K and spanning openings of 6.5m X 2.8m the modular 85mm system, delivers impressive design flexibility and is available in aluskin, as well as aluplast’s foil range.

“The number of doors and windows supplied in grey foils makes grey substrate a very subtle but important evolution of our offer”, concluded Cocken.

For more information on the Ideal 4000 or how aluplast can help your fabrication business grow call 01684 273401 email orders@aluplast.co.uk or visit www.aluplast.co.uk.

The post Aluplast adds grey substrate to its flexible Ideal 4000 appeared first on Windows Active Magazine.

Growth among construction SMEs slowed in most parts of the UK in the third quarter of this year, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Key results from the FMB’s latest State of Trade Survey, which is the only quarterly assessment of the UK-wide SME construction sector, include:

• Q3 2017 was the 18th consecutive quarter of positive growth which means that the UK’s construction SME sector has been growing for four and a half years (ie since Q2 2013);
• 41% of construction SMEs predict rising workloads in the coming three months, down from 48% in the previous quarter;
• 82% of builders believe that material prices will rise in the next six months;
• 61% of construction SMEs are struggling to hire carpenters and joiners and 59% are struggling to hire bricklayers;
• Over half (58%) of construction SMEs expect salaries and wages to increase in the next six months.

Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said: “Material price hikes and skills shortages are putting the brakes on growth among the UK’s small building firms. Now that the general election is well and truly behind us, it was our hope that consumer confidence would spring back and spur growth among small building firms in the third quarter of this year. However, our latest research shows that rising costs are dampening the performance of construction SMEs. The spike in salaries is a direct result of the ever-worsening skills shortage in our sector. It’s a simple consequence of supply and demand – construction workers know their worth and given the scarcity of skilled tradespeople, these individuals are understandably demanding higher wages from their employers. Indeed, nearly two thirds of construction SMEs are struggling to hire carpenters and joiners which has now surpassed bricklayers as the trade in shortest supply.”

Berry concluded: “Although the SME construction sector is still growing, the government needs to keep a watchful eye on this slowdown in growth. Construction is a strategic industry and without it, the government will be unable to build the homes, schools, hospitals, roads and railways it needs. With Brexit on the horizon, the Government must keep the needs of the construction industry in mind as it negotiates the UK’s departure from the EU. In particular, ministers must work closely with the sector to develop a post-Brexit immigration system that works for construction and a transition period that allows us to gradually reduce our reliance on EU migrant workers. On the domestic front, we are urging the Housing Minister to turbo-charge the SME house building sector by fully implementing the proposals in the government’s Housing White Paper which was published back in February. Eight months on, our sector is crying out for the very sensible proposals aimed at removing barriers to SMEs so we can once again get Britain building en masse.”

The post Warning signs for construction as growth slows, says FMB appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Norsk Hydro has completed the acquisition of Orkla’s 50% ownership of Sapa, giving Hydro full ownership of the aluminium extruder.

President and CEO, Svein Richard Brandtzæg, said: “Today symbolises the start of our exciting journey as the leading force within the global aluminium industry, fully integrated from bauxite to end-user products and with the best-possible platform for further growth and optionality, innovation and product development, and sustainability and responsibility.”

Formed as a 50/50 joint venture between Orkla and Hydro in 2013, Sapa will continue to operate with the business units Extrusion Europe, Extrusion North America, Precision Tubing and Building Systems, as Hydro’s new Extruded Solutions business area. It has 22,400 employees and presence in around 40 countries.

The agreed enterprise value for 100% of Sapa is NOK 27 billion. A preliminary purchase price for the shares, adjusted for net debt and normalised working capital, of NOK 11.86 billion was paid in cash to Orkla.

According to Hydro, there will be a ‘customary post-closing adjustment of the purchase price’, based on a closing balance sheet.

The post Hydro takes full ownership of Sapa appeared first on Glass & Glazing Products Magazine (GGP).

Even the miserable weather couldn’t stop the hoard of PIGS descending on Pitcher and Piano at Brindley Place in Birmingham on Thursday 19 October 2017. It was the fourth and final PIGS of the year and they came in their droves to enjoy the final PIGS17 event in style.

PIGS Organiser, Sarah Ball, says “Birmingham is always our busiest event, but I think this year we drew in more PIGs than ever! We reckon there may have been up to 200 people! It was a really busy evening and it was great to see PIGS, old and new join us for our last event of the year.

“As usual, I would like to give a special thanks to all of our fabulous PIGS Birmingham sponsors. Without your generous sponsorship, PIGS couldn’t happen.”

PIGS received fantastic support from the industry, with a whopping 39 companies dipping their hands in their pocket to support Birmingham PIGS.

The Birmingham sponsors were:

• AluK
• Avantis International
• Build Show
• Business Micros
• Central RPL
• Danvac
• Dempsey Dyer
• DW3
• Edgetech UK
• Emplas
• ERA
• ExtrudaSeal
• FIT SHOW
• Frame Fast UK
• Georgian Bar Company
• GGF
• Glazpart
• Haffner Murat Ltd
• Ikon Aluminium Systems
• Independent Network
• MBA Associates
• Mi Glass
• Profix Group
• Quickslide
• Regalead
• Selecta Systems
• Senior Aluminium Systems
• Stuga Machinery
• Synseal
• The VEKA UK Group
• Thermoseal
• Titon
• Total Hardware
• Ultraframe
• Uni_Slide
• Universal Arches
• Whizzle
• Windowware
• Yale

Sarah adds: “The next official PIGS event isn’t until March 2018, when we will be returning to Manchester, but we’re looking forward to catching up with all of our G-Award nominated PIGS sponsors at the ceremony in November.

“I would like to say thank you to everyone who supports and attends PIGS and I’d also like to thank the Balls2 Marketing team for helping me with the organisation and promotion of PIGS.”

If you would like to sponsor a 2018 PIGS event, please email Sarah at sarah@balls2marketing.com. Sign-up for the latest event updates at www.balls2marketing.co.uk/pigs.