AIR-BARRIER
A new Passivhaus, self-build farmhouse has been fitted with the high-performing Wraptite air-barrier. The product was chosen because it allows the airtightness layer to be fitted to the outside of the construction. In doing so, the external application provides essential protection in the form of waterproofing and weatherproofing during the build.
OUTDOOR LIVING SOLUTIONS
The launch of contemporary garden room, pergola, and veranda designs has extended the Eurocell range of outdoor living solutions. The Kyube Plus Garden Room and Oasis Pergolas and verandas will create business growth opportunities for installers as homeowners look to expand their living spaces.
POLYCARBONATE GLAZING
A new polycarbonate glazing product is set to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings, according to Brett Martin. Largely based on bio-circular attributed material, such as used cooking oil, the Marlon BioPlus sheet offers a major carbon footprint reduction and will be available to be specified as corrugated or flat sheets for use in roofs and walls.
MDF
The James Latham (Lathams) decors and finishes collection has been expanded with the addition of Tmatt and Crystal. Manufactured using MDF core both are resistant to scratching, abrasion, moisture, and heavy impact, and are designed to be used in demanding interior environments, such as kitchens, bathrooms, walls, and ceilings.
ALUMINIUM DOORS AND WINDOWS
Selecting the right glazing is the key to ensuring an aluminium profile system can meet the new Building Regulations, advises REAL Aluminium. The manufacturer of bi-folding doors, sliding doors, residential doors and casement windows has produced an easy-to-read guide on glazing specification choices.
PVCU WINDOWS AND DOORS
PVCu windows and doors fabricator, Polyframe has worked with its profile manufacturers to ensure that completed windows will achieve an ‘A’ Rating for energy efficiency and a ‘U’ value that meet the standard requirements of Part L. In addition, new Yale trickle vents are fitted to all profiles to satisfy the Part F requirements on ventilation.
FINISH PLASTER
It’s the fast-setting attributes which make British Gypsum’s ThistlePro FastSet Finish skim finish plaster ideal for a wide range of repairs – and use on smaller internal walls and ceilings. A complete all-in-one bagged product, the plaster sets in half the time of standard skim finish plaster, whilst negating the need for additives.
INSULATION FOR INVERTED ROOFS
A thin solution for challenging applications is how Kingspan is billing its OPTIM-R E Inverted Roofing System, the latest evolution in its vacuum insulation panel (VIP) concept. Thanks to a protective spray coating, the VIPs feature a robust finish, with a thermal conductivity as low as 0.008 W/mK, and a design thermal conductivity of 0.009 W/mK.
FLOORING
A particleboard flooring with a tough, waterproof and slip-resistant film, CaberDek, from West Fraser (Trading as Norbord), is ideally suited to the UK’s unpredictable climate. Compliant with BS EN312: part 5, the heavy-duty film makes it resistant to impact, punctures and tears, whilst the material creates a safe working platform.
GLASS ROOFLIGHTS
New sizes and solar powered variants of VELUX’s glass rooflights include flat and curved glass options with the larger dimensions at 200×100, 150×100 and 150x150cm. The curved glass design allows rainwater to easily drain off the surface – even on a 0° roof pitch, with the flat version suitable for roofs with a pitch of 2°-15°.
