Experienced rendering contractor M P Plastering of Somerset excels with the use of high performance, technically advanced products manufactured by Saint-Gobain Weber.  As a specialist applicator, M P Plastering has a wealth of experience in the application of sprayed renders and external wall insulation.  Projects range from one-off domestic applications to large new-build developments for NHBC registered property developers. Training plays an important role at M P Plastering and managing director Mark Pickthall personally invests in regular training for himself and his expanding team.  “All our jobs come with written specifications and guarantees so it is essential that we ensure exemplary standards of craftsmanship if we are to be considered for more work in the future.” In maintaining these standards Mark and members of his 35-strong team have undertaken on-site training provided by Saint-Gobain Weber to install floors using their existing render pumps to apply screed to floors.  They have also undertaken training in floor screed application at the Saint-Gobain Technical Academy in Flitwick. “Expanding the services we can offer has given us the opportunity to tender for both rendering and flooring contracts on some of the bigger projects,” says Mark.  A perfect example is the contract M P Plastering has won from Cotswold Homes Limited, a prestigious property developer dedicated to delivering quality new homes in the South West, at their Corsham Rise development in Bath. Guy Edge, head of construction, Cotswold Homes, comments: “We’ve got a great relationship with Mark Pickthall of M P Plastering.  He and his team have been involved in some outstanding render applications over the years; while he champions the Weber brand, Cotswold Homes share this opinion.” The concrete floors in the kitchens and bathrooms required perfect levelling in preparation for a tile covering.  Here weberfloor 4716, an acrylic primer for use with Weber’s flooring systems and products, has been brush applied to the concrete substrate.  M P Plastering then followed with a pump-applied application of weberfloor 4150 fine flow at an average thickness of 10mm.  This levelling compound, designed for application at thicknesses between 2 to 30mm, is formulated to combine consistent and reliable drying characteristics with strength and durability. It is supplied as a pre-blended dry powder and designed specifically for renovation of existing solid floors in domestic and commercial applications. “The reason we got involved with Weber for the floor preparation is that we are constantly looking to achieve as perfect a finish as is possible before we cover them with beautiful tiles.  Mark enthusiastically recommended Weber’s pump applied floor screeds and, without a doubt, both the application and the quality of the product has been a great success.  We’ll be using Weber’s screeds again,” says Guy Edge. weberfloor 4150 fine flow is suitable for covering with a wide variety of finishes including tiles, carpets, flexible floor coverings and parquet flooring.  weberfloor 4150 fine flow has excellent spreading and smoothing characteristics, has low alkalinity and low emissions during drying, is casein-free and manufactured to BSI Quality Assurance Scheme ISO 9001 in the UK. Weber’s floor screeds have been developed for optimum speed, durability, strength and smoothness, essential for allowing early access by following trades that contribute to project efficiencies and the fastest possible completion times.  Here the use of proven, pumpable screeds, that harden rapidly and are self-smoothing, will achieve durable surfaces that are ready for foot traffic in just 2 to 4 hours after application.  “In this project the floors were ready for light foot traffic in 4 hours and ready for covering a week later,” comments Mark.  “weberfloor 4150 fine flow is probably the most straight forward product we have worked with and is proving successful every time.” “My real love is using render as you can see it and admire it for years to come.  With floor screed it is hidden by a variety of coverings and completely hidden from sight, that’s the nature of the product.” For more information about this project, or for technical support including award winning training courses and the new RIBA-Assessed Flowing Floor Screeds CPD, please contact Saint-Gobain Weber on 08703 330 070, or visit www.netweber.co.uk. A free download of the Weber App for iPhone and iPad users is also available from iTunes and from Google Play for Android smartphones and tablet users.  Follow Saint-Gobain Weber on Twitter @SGWeberUK for the latest company news and updates.

The £56 billion UK construction products manufacturing industry has started its catch-up activity lost during the first three months of the year due to adverse weather conditions, show the Construction Products Associaton’s (CPA) State of Trade Survey for 2018 Q2. “These results fit the profile of construction catch-up from a weather-affected Q1. As we’ve moved from a freezing Spring to a hot Summer, groundworks and work on external structures has been able to resume, and this has been reflected in increased sales for heavy side manufacturers,” said Rebecca Larkin, CPA senior economist. Acting as an early indicator of wider activity in the supply chain, construction product sales are very important and the results of the survey signpost to a rise in total construction output levels over the next 12 months. An increase in activity was also reported by heavy side manufacturers, with sales in Q2 rising for 40% of firms, following two previous quarters of falling sales. A decrease of 29% was reported by the light side manufacturers, which was the weakest performance since 2012 Q3. This reflects the lagged impact of the industry’s decline in Q1, as light side products such as insulation, boilers, glass and lighting tend to be used at the end of the building process. “The disruption in Q1 is likely to have delayed interiors and finishing works starting on site, which is evident in the decline in light side sales during Q2,” said Rebecca. “Manufacturers’ product sales, capacity utilisation and new hiring are all still expected to increase over the next year, but price pressure is coming from all directions across fuel, energy, raw materials and labour, which is likely to be felt throughout the construction supply chain.” A return to growth is anticipated by manufacturers, with 43% of heavy side firms and 27% of those on the light side expecting an increase in sales over the next 12 months. Input cost inflation continues to persist, however, particularly for the energy-intensive heavy side, which is experiencing the pass-through of rising global commodity prices on fuel and energy costs.

RCM, a major supplier of complete through-wall solutions, have announced their plans to exhibit at this year’s Timber Expo, part of the Construction Week UK exhibition held at the NEC in Birmingham between the 9th and 11th of October, for the second time running. Following on from last year’s huge success, RCM are looking forward to a repeat performance at this year’s event. The 24 sqm eye-catching exhibition stand will feature RCM’s complete facades and building boards range, with samples to be taken away by visitors. Moreover, back by popular choice, the visually exciting display of Supertech Weatherboard will showcase again, featuring a full range of colours thereby giving visitors a good impression of the choices on offer. RCM will also be demonstrating eight revolving methods of through-wall solutions and two special fire-rated through-wall solutions, all consisting of a selection of portfolio materials. These modules can also be rotated, allowing visitors to look at the construction from several angles, providing a good understanding of how the different elements integrate to make up a truly effective through-wall solution. “RCM are once again looking forward to taking part in this prestigious event. Last year’s exhibition was a huge success for RCM and we have again been very busy with preparations for this years’ show. We hope to be able to replicate our success and hope visitors will like what we, as a company, can deliver. Please visit us at our stand located at T230,” said Ian Quinton, managing director at RCM. Timber Expo is the UK’s only timber show, covering a wide range of timber applications from timber frame and cladding to fixings and much more. Highlight at this year’s event include the latest products, innovations and developments across the sector. As well as attracting important visitors such as architects, merchants and housebuilders, all of timber’s governing bodies and associations will be present at the exhibition.

Pura Facades, the architectural cladding specialist, has become the sole UK distributor of VetaBric, the latest entrant to the fact-growing brick slip panel market.Acting as a lightweight panel alternative to traditional bricks, VetaBric can accurately reproduce the aesthetic of the majority of brick brands. Available in a new, ultra-thin, pre-mortared joint, VetaBric panels weight just 12.5kg per m2, offering a sleek and modern look to the facade. While architects love the creative possibilities of this product, contractors appreciate the speed at which the panels are hung – up to a third quicker than traditional bricklaying according to Pura’s commercial director James Butler. “Given the dearth of skilled labour and long lead times of bricks in the UK, solutions such as VetaBric are becoming much more popular with developers, architects and contractors. And despite being only 25mm thick, we’re finding the product to be dense and rigid; therefore very robust once installed on site,” commented James Butler. “A project we were recently involved with – a residential development in Thornton Heath, South London – shows how effective brick slip can be. The project was finished on time and within budget, thanks in some measure to the adoption of VetaBric,” he added. VetaBric is manufactured off-site in Lille, northern France, meaning it is supporting the UK’s move toward modular construction methods. It can be fixed onto a wide range of substrates including masonry, lightweight steel or timber frames – all using the extensive range of fixings provided by Pura. VetaBric also provides a joint free solution to facades, as any visible fixings are hidden by mortar applied once the panel is installed.

West Midlands Safari Park chose the Kingspan TEK Building System to provide research and educational space that will have minimal impact on the site due to the lightweight system. Delivery partners Glosford SIPS pre-cut to specification 5000 m2 of the Kingspan TEK Building System in a 142 mm thickness. “We needed to provide large teaching spaces within a quick construction period that would leave no footprint on the land if it was returned to grazing land in the future. The Kingspan TEK Building System was an obvious choice as it is low maintenance and lightweight. It also provided a well-insulated structure to help us meet Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM) compliance,” explained Richard Painter, director of Painter Architects. Manufactured off-site, the building envelope was transported to the park and then craned into position above screw pile foundations. “With the installation having to be completed during the closed season, there had to be a quick turnaround. We have had lots of experience working with Kingspan though and the system is really quick – the entire envelope was up in two weeks! We also really enjoyed working alongside the Safari Park construction team and the wild animals too,” said Mike Fleming, director of Glosford SIPS. For the design, the Kingspan TEK panels were clad with cedar and African art panels on the walls. Dark green corrugated tin sheeting was then added on the mono pitched roof to blend in with the landscape and fit the aesthetic of the park. By erecting a Kingspan TEK Building System envelope, the project could accomplish ‘excellent’ levels of thermal performance by achieving U-values of 0.20 W/m2.K or better for the walls and roof. The insulated spline jointing detail, in combination with its OSB/3 facing bonded to a highly insulated core, was said to have ensured minimal thermal bridging through the insulation layer and resulted in a very airtight building shell which offered air permeability of less than 1 m3/hr.m2 at 50Pa. Once the system was sealed with a breather membrane, the entire structure became watertight.

Dulux Trade Paint Expert, part of AkzoNobel, secured four accolades at the Painting and Decorating Association’s 30th annual awards ceremony, following nominations for 11 projects across seven categories. The company took home the prize in the commercial sector after working on a high school in Neston, Cheshire, where its products transformed the school. Moreover, the global paints and coating manufacturer was awarded for its role in the reinvigoration of St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Oldham, Greater Manchester, with its products having been specified by Bernard Watson and his team to carefully and sensitively redecorate the church, which dates back to the 1800s. The third accolade was won in the Residential category, in which Dulux Trade was specified by the Caring Homes Group for the redecoration of a social housing project in Cheltenham. The firm transformed a space using colour beyond aesthetics, allowing Ian Williams Ltd to create an environment that will enhance the lives of residents, with the right colour palettes, design and tonal differences to meet the needs of those who live in and use the space. The fourth and final win was offered for its work on the American Embassy in London, which has moved to Nine Elms, where the stunning piece of architecture now overlooks the River Thames. After partnering with Wokingham’s AC Beck Contracts Ltd on the new build project, the award was presented to the project partners in the New Build category. “Putting colour into people’s lives goes far beyond what is in our paint tins. For all of us at Dulux Trade, it’s about enriching and improving lives through enhanced environments, and partnering with our valued Contractor customer to achieve these outcomes. Being recognised in this way alongside our contractor customers is testament to the work that the entire team does day in, day out,” said John Kourtoulos, Sales Director, across contractor and specifier markets at AkzoNobel, who was there to collect the awards.