When entertaining you may wish to close out the world for atmosphere and intimacy, the power is now in your control to create the perfect mood for a moonlit dinner or continuing the party if the increasingly unpredictable weather threatens play.

With Louvretec, space is no longer limited by walls and doors, you can create additional living areas customised to your home and individual style. All year round, Louvretec roofs transform your patio into a comfortable and functional outdoor space useable in any weather day or night. Take control of the effects of sun, wind and rain.

Louvretec opening roofs are made of high quality aluminium to last a lifetime. Anodized or Powder coated in almost any colour, our roofs will blend or contrast to almost any style of building. Fully enclosed and hidden gearing, reliable Somfy motors and aluminium construction mean only an occasional wash will keep your roof looking good for years.

For over 15 years Louvretec New Zealand have been leading the design and manufacture of aluminium louvred roofs. Installed across mainland Europe for over 6 years, Louvretec are now available in the UK. We manufacture all our own roofs and have complete control over the delivery and installation of your roof using our own trained installers. Our design team are happy to work with you and your designers to ensure a completely bespoke installation.

Our roofs are popular with architects and home owners by retaining and enhancing the beauty and character of almost any property regardless of architectural style. As part of the bold face of a modern new build or a subtle extension to something more traditional a Louvretec roof will provide you with a new environment in which to enjoy your home.

We have many Louvre solutions available, ask about our vertical Louvreline range to provide security, privacy and controllable environments.

www.louvretec.co.uk

03339000930

The post LOUVRETEC ARRIVE IN THE UK appeared first on Design Buy Build.

Trawsdir is a 5* family-run and maintained Touring & Caravan Park located in Snowdonia National Park in an area of outstanding natural beauty overlooking both Cardigan Bay and the impressive Lleyn Peninsula.

During recent refurbishment work at the Park, local renewable energy installers Arizon Energy, were asked to review options for renewable energy technology, determining the cost/benefit of a number of alternatives including solar thermal and solar PV.

Initial analysis by Arizon highlighted that the demand for hot water within the shower block, was consuming a considerable proportion of the overall energy usage of the Park particularly in the peak summer months.

Arizon approached Kingspan Solar, part of Kingspan Environmental, to help design a system to provide a reliable source of year-round hot water for the block that could also cope with the heavy seasonal loading placed upon it during peak periods.

Kingspan Solar’s specialist design and engineering team designed a dual-purpose solar thermal system that not only heated the domestic potable water for the showers and basins within the block, the excess energy it generated also supplied additional hot water to an underfloor heating system to help dry the shower floors and prevent damp and mould developing.

The designers gathered pertinent information surrounding the installation, such as floor areas and the flow temperature required to feed both systems, as well as the amount of water used each day, and this was fed into Kingspan Solar software.   The software calculates the metre² of solar thermal collectors and their optimum placement on the shower block’s roof to maximise solar collection both during the morning and in the period of peak energy demand in the evening.  Highly accurate annual daily water usage figures were obtained from metre readings at the Park, which added extra precision to their calculations and confidence in the efficacy and efficiency of the system design.

In total, 10 Thermomax HP200 solar thermal collectors were specified covering 28,000m², to be placed West/East on each side of the shower block – with the majority facing West with the tubes twisted towards south to capture the early afternoon – evening sun to deliver sufficient energy to cover the additional hot water loading later in the day.  The Thermomax collectors with dual stream pumps fed heated Glycol to two x 500l Manco stainless steel cylinders and one x 500l Manco stainless steel buffer to the underfloor heating.

Thermomax collectors are up to 30 per cent more effective than traditional flat plate panels, using vacuum technology to deliver an unrivalled transfer of solar energy into heat. The vacuum inside each tube not only provides outstanding insulation, it also suppresses heat loss by protecting the system from cold, wet or windy weather. The result is optimum performance levels all year round, even in in Northern Europe.

During the winter months, while there is less solar energy and reduced demand for domestic hot water in the Park, the solar thermal system has been designed to continue to feed warmed water into the underfloor heating as a defence against frozen and burst pipes and to continue to resist the build-up of mould.

A year on from the original installation and it is clear that the system is out-performing every performance expectation.  Results collated by Arizon have showed enormous energy savings, far outstripping the initial T*SOL predictions. 

The system has generated 14,994kWh of heat which equates to annual commercial RHI income in excess of £1,300.  Gas is supplied to the Park as LPG, and the annual saving in gas usage for their hot water only of 13,000 litres as a consequence of the installation of solar thermal equates to more than £770 in cost savings, add to that the further savings from the solar heated under floor heating system savings in LPG equate to £1882 pa.  In total, therefore, the system is boosting the income generated by the Park by around £3,000 per annum.

Chris Shenton who co-owns Trawsdir Touring Caravan & Camping with Rob Williams says: “The system that was installed two seasons ago has met and exceeded our and the installers’ expectations.

“The savings in gas alone speak for themselves; having the added benefit of the RHI makes the payback of the system even sooner.

“With the cost of fossil fuels rising annually we are hoping to be saving well into the future, making us a greener site and reducing our carbon footprint.

“We would recommend that all sites like our selves large or small benefit from renewable energy.”

Kingspan Solar offers custom-designed solar packages tailored to meet the needs of each specific application.

Packages include total customer support from initial advice, through to bespoke design/specification, installation, final commissioning and technical support.

The company also now offers funding solutions for solar thermal installations through their finance partners and accredited installers’ network.

The Kingspan Solar range includes both flat plate options (in-roof or on-roof) and Thermomax vacuum tube collectors, together with all required components for the complete installation.

For more information call Kingspan Environmental on 0845 260 0258, or email sales@kingspan-renewables.com.

The post Kingspan Solar Thermal Supplies Hot Water for Snowdonia Caravan Park appeared first on Design Buy Build.

Hargood Close, described by the judges as “a clever piece of urban infill”, comprises 35 units for vulnerable people in need of emergency temporary accommodation. Designed by Proctor and Matthews Architects, it includes a mixture of apartments, studios, one and two bedroom dwellings, as well as family houses – providing a range of flexible options to help staff respond to the different living requirements of changing tenants.

The scheme also provides improved space for both onsite and visiting staff, communal space, meeting rooms and a secure children’s play area. The development is managed by Family Mosaic, in partnership with Colchester Borough Council’s homelessness team.

Inspired by several 19th Century almshouses found in this part of Essex, the new accommodation is arranged around two landscaped courtyards creating an oasis for homeless families and individuals to enable them to gain respite.

A key design feature is the imaginative use of brick and detailing that has been used to produce a range of contoured and interesting facades. Ibstock’s  Parham Red Stock bricks and Special Black Stock bricks used by Brickwork Contractor ISG Jackson fixed the development firmly within its context – not only referencing the materials used in more traditional almshouses in Essex, but also the brick of neighbouring terraced houses along London Road.

Brick clad storage units, located at the ground floor levels, form part of the rhythm and support for the cloisters and first floor decks that provide access and shelter to both the ground and first floor entrances. The development achieves Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 and includes photovoltaics on some roof areas.

You can see pictures and find full details of all the winning projects on the BDA’s website www.brick.org.uk/brick-awards.

Entries are now being invited for the 2014 Brick Awards. Entry forms can be downloaded from the BDA’s website http://www.brick.org.uk/brick-awards or a hard copy can be requested by emailing brick@brick.org.uk or by calling 020 7323 7030.

The post Hargood Close in Essex, Scoops Top Brick Award appeared first on Design Buy Build.

The Infinity aluminium topless railing utilises a glass infill to create stunningly beautiful scenic views.  The ease of install means that ANYONE can install the system with very little effort.

The Key-Link aluminium railing utilises an aluminium spindle infill to create a balustrade ideal for home & garden decking projects.

As the UK’s premier supplier of balustrades SHS are pleased to welcome domestic customers across the country.  Commercially, customers already include the likes of Marks & Spencer, Audi, Selfridges, Virgin Active Gyms and BMW.  The new ranges are available to specify now & anyone interested in doing so should email sales@shsproducts.co.uk, or visit our website at www.stainless-handrailsystems.co.uk

Mark Busby, Director of Stainless Handrail Systems Ltd said: “We have seen our aluminium balustrade systems flourish this year as our customers see with confidence that these new, innovative products will revolutionise what is currently available in the UK market.  Providing our customers with attractive, durable, maintenance-free balustrades which exude style and strength in equal measure”.

Details of the two systems can be found below:-

Infinity – Railings for Million £ Views
Email: sales@infinityrailingsystems.co.uk
Tel: 0800 068 6363

Enhance your clients’ breath-taking views with our new and innovative Infinity topless railing system.

The Infinity topless railing system offers strength, style and versatility while eliminating the upper and lower rails.  In turn, providing your clients with unobstructed million £ views.

An Infinity topless railing system is the ultimate fashion statement for your deck.

“Innovation in Railing Systems Has Never Been So Clear”

Key-Link Aluminium Railings
Email: sales@keylinkrailingsystems.co.uk
Tel: 0800 068 6363  

Make a statement with Key-Link railing – our new, attractive, durable, maintenance-free, aluminium railing option ideal for home and garden decking areas.

Enduring style, beauty and strength provide elegant, lasting appeal for a lifetime.  The unique weather-resistant powder coated finish provides uncompromising quality while remaining extremely affordable.

The perfect balance of sophistication and performance and only available via Stainless Handrail Systems Ltd.

  
Details of the new products can be requested by emailing sales@shsproducts.co.uk, or by calling 0800 068 6363.

For further information on Stainless Handrail Systems Ltd please visit www.stainlesshandrailsystems.co.uk.

The post Stainless Handrail Systems Introduce New Balustrade Systems to the UK appeared first on Design Buy Build.

• Card readers for the SiPass integrated access control system
• Robust and vandal-proof design
• Suitable for indoor and outdoor applications

The new AR10S-MF/AR40S-MF card readers for the SiPass integrated access control system from Siemens are compatible with Mifare Classic, Mifare Plus und Mifare DESFire EV1 cards. When used in conjunction with Mifare Classic and Mifare DESFire EV1 cards, advanced encryption technology is employed between the card and the card reader. In addition, all communication between the card reader and the host system can be encrypted, delivering an exceptionally high level of security. The card readers are also ready for near field communication (NFC) standards which allow for contactless communication.

The basic version is a straight card reader. Other versions incorporate an integrated keyboard and an easy-to-read OLED display that enables system alerts and messages to be delivered instantly. Both the keypad and the display are illuminated, and their brightness automatically adapts to the ambient light conditions. All versions have an LED frame which can be illuminated in red, yellow or green.

The card readers are available for surface and flush mounting. They clip securely to a backplate or recessed box that has been previously installed and can be removed only using a special key. This feature is particularly useful in new buildings where the backplates and recessed boxes can be installed in the rough-in stage and the readers attached only when the building is ready for occupancy.

The readers are made of tough and durable materials that will easily withstand normal weather conditions and the effects of commonly used cleaning agents and solvents. Surface-mount versions have an IK08 impact protection rating, making them extremely resistant to vandalism. With an ingress protection rating of IP55 and an operating temperature range of -40oC to +55oC, they are the perfect choice for both indoor and outdoor applications.

The post Robust card readers for access control appeared first on Design Buy Build.

Ellmer Construction who are part of the Byrne Group were appointed as the principle Contractor , and Cemplas were awarded the £300,000 contract to undertake the specialist facade repair works.

Prior to commencement of works,  Cemplas carried out a series of samples using products from various manufacturers with the  Remmers system ultimately being  selected.

Works by Cemplas commenced by removal of the existing coating which had failed and was delaminating. Coatings were removed using DOFF, and Tensid Tavec 201 biodegradable coating removal system.

This was followed by hammer testing the concrete and reconstituted stone substrate to establish the extent of remedial repairs required.

All joints to the stonework were raked out and re-instated with a Geocel sealant, and repairs were carried out to the existing concrete cladding panels that cover the building frame using Remmers Betofix RM Mortar. Isolated areas of the facade were treated using Remmers Elastoflex façade fine filler and fairing coat, including re-scribing  Ashlar lines.

Priming and coating was carried out with Remmers Elastoflex facade coating.

In addition to the facade works Cemplas also carried out repairs and coatings to the canopy roof, and undertook the weathering details to the upper roof by applying Sika’s Liquid Plastics Decothane Roofing Membrane.

The client and Architect were extremely pleased with the work carried out by Cemplas which has resulted in Collado Collins Architects seeking the advice of Cemplas on several future high profile projects.

Cemplas Waterproofing and Concrete Repairs Ltd are one of the top specialist contractors based in the UK, and have considerable flexibility in meeting the demands of large projects by managing our resource capacity across the whole company.

For expert advice, or if you wish to view our previous case studies, please have a look at our web site www.cemplas.co.uk

The post Olympia exhibition hall facade. appeared first on Design Buy Build.

The post Storage heating is dead! Long live efficient electric heating! appeared first on Design Buy Build.

The launch from Rinnai of smart controls for its award winning Infinity condensing range to interface with Building Management Systems (BMS) brings the prospect of higher energy efficiencies for commercial buildings. 

The Rinnai smart controller offers on/off status as well as fault codes to facilitate first hit repair. For example, the BMS can communicate a precise error code to the central system meaning that in the event of a breakdown the user can communicate the correct parts and information to the engineer for a first time fix, limiting down time and improving Rinnai service response.

The controller allows the end user to remotely monitor and change system temperatures and also to monitor and adjust burners for maximum efficiencies. In effect, the controls monitor gas usage to dictate business periods and energy savings. Rinnai units modulate the gas supply in relation to the amount of heat input required to optimise gas usage meaning high energy efficiency is delivered at all times. This is monitored and visualised by the controls.

The Rinnai smart controller controls also monitor running hours and service requirements. As Rinnai units are on-demand, operating only when a tap is turned on, suggested service periods can be ascertained from running hours, as well as early warning of scale build up.  Rinnai HDC units now contain smart lime scale notification systems to maintain system integrity and prevent in-efficiencies from scale accumulation.

For more details on RINNAI products visit www.rinnaiuk.com

The post RINNAI BMS INTERFACE FOR CONTINUOUS FLOW HOT WATER ON DEMAND appeared first on Design Buy Build.

The housing market is changing.  Empty nesters are staying for longer in their family homes, delaying or even eliminating that ‘final move’ to a bungalow or possibly a retirement village.  More and more retirees are choosing to stay where they are rather than relocate.

Most of the houses that exist today were not designed with this in mind, and are not equipped to cope with the changing needs of their long-term residents.  Narrow hallways and staircases make life difficult for those who develop mobility problems later in life, and this fact is now recognised among architects and developers when building new homes.  As a result, we have seen more emphasis placed on building homes for life, with design criteria such as ‘Lifetime Homes’ growing in importance.

One of the Lifetime Homes design criteria states that provision should be made in new houses for the installation of a stair lift or through-floor lift.

The Lifestyle home lift has been engineered with all of this in mind.  Designed especially for the home, it will travel safely and quietly between two floors, enabling people to remain in their homes for longer if the stairs become too much.

Key features

• Space-saving & compact
• An attractive & less obtrusive alternative to a stair lift
• Self-supporting structure meaning no lift shaft & minimal building work
• Simple & safe to operate
• Can be fitted in almost any home
• Meets all the requirements of BS5900:2012 where applicable including the very important fire protection between floors

The Lifestyle Home Lift is currently being exhibited on stand TV115 at the National Self-Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon.  Click here for more information.

For more information call Terry Lifts on 0800 247 1229, email sales@lifestylelifts.co.uk or visit the website www.lifestylelifts.co.uk.

The post Building Homes for Life appeared first on Design Buy Build.

Using convection technology, the heater manufactured from a composite based cement material,  has many benefits over existing heaters.

• ecoPANEL heaters have a running cost as low as 2p per hour! (Based on an electricty cost of 10p/KwH)

• ecoPANEL heaters can be installed in less than five minutes without the need for hard wiring and can be painted to match the decor of the room.

• The heater has two heat settings (200W and 400W), a built in adjustable thermostat and comes with a two year warranty as standard.
• At 545mm x 645mm and only 12mm thick they are super-slim and take up far less room than traditional heaters.

Suitable for both retrofit and new build, comfortably heating rooms of up to 12m², they are ideal for apartments, flats, bungalows, cottages, extensions, loft conversions, small offices and conservatories etc.

For pricing or to request more information, please contact a member of our sales team on 0845 486 8080, email your enquiry to sales@ecopanelheater.co.uk or alternatively visit www.ecopanelheater.co.uk

The post ecoPANEL™ – A Revolutionary New Low Cost Energy Saving Heater appeared first on Design Buy Build.

Sue Mann, FIRA’s Business Development Manager, who has worked in the testing facility for nearly 10 years, said: “The cost of testing a product could be seen as an additional expense rather than an essential one, but often the actual price of not testing a product can be far outweighed by the cost of failures in the field.”

“In the UK and Europe all consumer products have to meet the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD), with the exception of upholstery for domestic use, which must pass the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations. This means that a product needs to be safe, and unlikely to cause injury to the user. If a product is found to cause injury, or pose a threat of injury, to consumers then it is possible that enforcement bodies such as Trading Standards may investigate which could result in a product being taken off the market or even recalled. This cost would have to be borne by the manufacturer or importer, who would also face possible fines or even jail.

“The simplest way for a manufacturer to feel confident that a product is safe is to have his product tested to the latest British or European Standards by a recognised test house. The GPSD recognises this as an example of ‘due diligence’, where the manufacturer has tried to ensure the product is safe by verifying it meets safety Standards.”

“As a minimum FIRA recommends that a product is retested every three years and between six and twelve months in respect of the flammability performance of upholstery. Mattresses must be retested in accordance with the Standard (BS7177) which varies according to the quantity produced. The European and British Standards that are set for testing are there for a reason, to ensure that a product is safe and fit for purpose. If a product does fail during testing, our experts work with companies to help them understand why and what adjustments to try before a retest.” Sue added.

The UK’s flammability requirements are in place to save lives and so compliance is taken very seriously. A problem occurred when FIRA experts were testing the fire resistance of an office chair as part of a large order from abroad. The foam and upholstery used in the chair was supplied separately for testing prior to the delivery of the order and passed the Standard for Medium Hazard as required in the specification. When the order arrived the company receiving the goods became suspicious as the upholstery looked different to the original. The entire product was sent back to FIRA for testing and failed quite dramatically. It transpired that the upholstery sent for testing initially was different to the material used in the final batch of products, they were sent back to the manufacturer and the company involved had a lucky escape.

She continued: “In the domestic market ‘due diligence’ is a legal requirement, so if a company supplying domestic furniture did not notice a problem at the point of delivery it could mean a costly product recall or a fine from Trading Standards. Although this is not the case for the contract market, suppliers sourcing a product to meet a specification which requires it to have a safety test certificate risk the final product being rejected if they cannot prove it is of suitable quality. Knowing where the product and its components are being produced and being able to trace the line of supply back is becoming ever more important. This example shows the varying legitimacy of materials available in the international marketplace and the potential cost implications that come with not being able to provide a product that passes the required Standards.”

It’s not just product destined for the European Market that needs testing. In one case a large order of shelving was shipped to Nigeria where, on arrival, they were not able to produce a test certificate. The order was prevented from entering the country and the supplier was charged ‘demurrage’, an additional cost relating to the length of the delay, until a test certificate could be produced. On this occasion FIRA’s free, online Export Hub (www.exportingfurniture.com) would have provided information about exporting products from the UK.

The FIRA Testing facility provides a service for all types of furniture and related products for the domestic and contract markets. This includes flammability and physical performance tests on fabrics, foams, mattresses and cushions, performance tests on adhesives and boards, and structural testing on finished products. Highly skilled technicians also develop bespoke testing equipment for use in the UK and other countries.

In addition to FIRA’s UK-based centre of excellence, it has test facilities and accredited testing partners throughout the world, including FIRA-CMA in Hong Kong.

For more information about FIRA Testing services in the UK and abroad, please call +44 (0) 1438 777 700, email info@fira.co.uk, or visit www.fira.co.uk.

The post TO TEST OR NOT TO TEST? appeared first on Design Buy Build.