Rainclear Systems’ Infinity Galvanised Steel is proving its ‘metal’ for Andrew James of ADJ Architectural. Professional Builder visit an Essex new build to find out more.
If you’re a builder you want what you’ve ordered to turn up when you want it, be sensibly packaged and do precisely the job that’s asked of it. That’s the experience Andrew James of ADJ Architectural has had with Rainclear Systems and he is now an advocate for the company’s solutions.
Andrew’s company provides a full architectural, bespoke design and build service. He delivers high-end new builds and complete remodels with an emphasis on innovative use of the available space, materials and fully integrated whole house heating design solutions based around renewables.
“If you’re in control of the entire process then you can create a truly bespoke project for the client within the available budget – and that’s what we do,” explains the Essex-based builder. With our established reputation we get offered some wonderful projects.” Established in 2008, he and his team of regular sub-contractors operate around the Colchester/Dedham area. We caught up with the 53-year-old on a job where two barns had already been renovated into self-contained annexes and will be joined by a pair of imposing properties of 200 sq m each, both crowned by architecturally stunning curved tin roofs.
“What I really like about Infinity Galvanised Steel is that it can be used on a whole range of different properties, from traditional to contemporary,” enthuses Andrew. “This project exemplifies that in that we’ve used it on the two barns, as well as modern style barn builds with metal roofs. At the same time, it does weather and mature naturally to a very nice patina. It looks fantastic. I work on the basis of recommendation from previous clients in this local area, so the finish is vital to my business. It’s my advertising, and every element has to come to together to communicate the quality.”
Whilst it is too often the poor relation to windows, doors or rendering in the property owner’s imagination, the contribution that rainwater systems can make to a building’s façade should not be underestimated. With its durability, aesthetic appeal and practicality, products like Rainclear Systems’ Infinity Galvanised Steel Guttering can add to the kerb appeal.
Andrew’s builds already champion sustainability, with carefully designed heating systems that come together to create a warm, welcoming and planet friendly environment, and the Infinity Galvanised Steel Guttering continues that theme. Because it will not suffer from UV degradation, the material has a much longer life than its plastic counterparts and it’s economically viable to recycle even in quite small amounts.
The Infinity Galvanised Steel range includes a 9-strong colour palette, including the new zinc coated Infinity ZM that finds its place in harsher climatic conditions. In addition, specifiers can make use of a matching service to deliver a synergy with the roof or render. A testament to its longevity is a 15-year warranty, which is extended 20-years with the aforementioned Infinity ZM (when installed in up to C4 environments).
“It’s delivered in a handy boxed palette, is light in weight and nearly effortless to cut with a hacksaw or chopsaw,” Andrew continues. “Pretty much any builder could fit it, in fact, and the components come together very intuitively. The fascia brackets are very easy to fix, the downpipes are push-fit, and the pipe clips are simplicity itself. The guys on site love it, and we can install the Infinity Galvanised Steel rainwater system on a property of this 100m sq m roof size in no more than a day. The beauty of it is, when you’re installing the outlets, you can drill the hole exactly where you need it. When I’ve used PVCu guttering in the past I’ve found that it can warp and twist, especially with the cold – and if we get snow it’s wrecked, plus it discolours after just a few years from UV sunlight. Galvanised steel is so much more robust but goes up just as easily as plastic – if not better.”
For Andrew, Rainclear Systems also provides the peace of mind that every builder craves of fitting and forgetting with no hassle down the track: “There’s a lot of moving parts in big projects but if you can eliminate the pain points, that means you can concentrate on doing the best job possible and have fun. I can price out exactly what I need and, once ordered, it can be with me the next day. The customer service you get is also very good. If I accidentally specify a wrong product in my picking list the Rainclear Systems team will flag it up and the result is that exactly what I need arrives on site. Even when I’ve needed to return something that’s been very straightforward. I’ve recently started putting it on extension jobs as well, and it can look really good against cladding, especially with the choice of colours.
“The key to running a successful building project is to have good people around you – that you can trust and depend on – and we have built up some amazing trades that we work on projects with. That extends to the manufacturers you choose to work with, and Rainclear Systems combines a very good product with a reassuring level of support.”
Andrew James has for many years been utilising his design skills towards renewables, with an approach that includes air source heat pumps, battery storage and complementary heating, such as infra-red and log burners, incorporating air flow management and off peak electric to minimise clients whole cost running costs. We’ll be taking a closer look at his fascinating insight into the future of electrical home heating in a future edition of Professional Builder.
For further information on Rainclear Systems Infinity Galvanised Steel rainwater systems visit Rainclear Systems – Guttering, Drainage, Canopies & More….
