Buildingtalk newsletter issue 252

The week's top stories from Buildingtalk - Issue 252

Written by the Buildingtalk editor Jun 20, 2009

More positive signs in the construction industry last week included house builder Taylor Wimpey reporting 'continued stability' in the UK housing market since April. Their order books are up 73 per cent from the low mark at the end of 2008, which is also encouraging but we still have potential problems from rising unemployment. Taylor Wimpey plan to bring more houses to market during the second half of the year and note that "opportunities are starting to emerge to purchase good quality land at prices that should be value creating for Taylor Wimpey".

Another sector doing well at the moment is home improvements, with homeowners looking for ways to improve rather than move. The trend is also for smaller, more affordable projects that have an instant impact, including on outdoor spaces. For example the decking market, worth around GBP40 million in 2007, is seeing a resurgence. Richard Burbidge wrote to highlight their balustrade products that can be added to decking, helping landscapers and deck installers achieve additional sales.

Other new products this week include ITC Timber's SupaChord laminated hardwood solution for roof truss manufacturing and Hafele's new solution for frameless glass sliding doors. You can follow the links to get full details.

We also feature the latest Ancon steel fabrications brochure, the new Alumasc technical brochure on their flat roofing and waterproofing systems, and the latest version of the Marley Eternit Pure Roofing design and specification guide.

Marley Eternet also told us about their latest research showing that though specifiers increasingly use the internet to source products, when it comes to actual specifying, 71% of respondents said they refer to trade reference material. But the study also revealed that many end up using out-of-date information or specifying the wrong products.

We also know that when visitors find the product they want via Buildingtalk, they find it frustrating to have to search for the exact product brochure or technical information, even when there is a link. As part of recent improvements on Buildingtalk we can now, for a small fee, include online access to download the latest literature, right alongside product stories, so busy specifiers can check out the product without searching further and are then ready to buy. If you send stories to Buildinbgtalk and require more details about this new service, do feel free to send me an email via news@buildingtalk.com

Finally, we have featured a project story from Wernick Buildings who have supplied temporary modular buildings as an additional Media Centre for Glamorgan's GBP9.6m revamped Swalec Stadium in Cardiff. This is where the Australian cricket team will take on England in the first test of this year's Ashes series next month. The floor of the 7.2 metre long Citycabin is in two tiers to give a great view of the pitch through very large windows. If Wernick want me to check it out on the opening day of the Test Match, I think I could be available.

Top Products featured this issue

[1] NEW ANCON STEEL FABRICATIONS BROCHURE

(Ancon Building Products, 18 Jun 2009)

Ancon's international project portfolio and comprehensive range of services is now summarised in new literature available at the website. Ancon supplies non-standard stainless steel fabrications to major infrastructure projects worldwide. In addition to the standard ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditations, Ancon has a wealth of specialist knowledge and experience in fabricating various types and grades of stainless steel.

[2] NEW PURE ROOFING MANUAL LAUNCHED BY MARLEY ETERNIT

(Marley Eternit, 16 Jun 2009)

Recent research by Marley Eternit into the importance of product and technical manuals in the industry, has driven its latest version of the comprehensive Pure Roofing design and specification guide. As well as in-depth product details, the 190 page informative technical manual contains the latest information on legislation, design considerations and sustainability. It also includes a CD Rom with over 1,700 CAD details.

[3] NEW ALUMASC TECHNICAL BROCHURE FOR DERBIGUM RANGE

(Alumasc Exterior Building Products, 18 Jun 2009)

Roofing specialists Alumasc have launched a new technical brochure on their award-winning range of Derbigum flat roofing and waterproofing systems. The Derbigum range offers unrivalled performance properties including flexibility, excellent fire ratings, stronger reinforcement and ease of application. They are manufactured under the ISO 14001:2004 environmental standard and achieve the highest available fire ratings.

[4] RENEWABLE ENERGY FINANCE SCHEME FROM DIMPLEX

(Dimplex UK, 17 Jun 2009)

Dimplex launch Renewable Energy Finance, a scheme designed to overcome budget restrictions and spread the costs of the full installation of renewable energy systems. The scheme covers ground and air source heat pumps and solar thermal systems. Renewable Energy Finance is ideal for any organisation looking to implement renewable energy technologies but are unable to secure some or all of the initial capital outlay.

[5] SUPERCHORD ECONOMICAL ROOFING FROM ITC TIMBER

(ITC Timber, 15 Jun 2009)

ITC Timber has developed SupaChord laminated hardwood, produced from sustainable regrowth Australian hardwood, offering an economically friendly solution for roof truss manufacturing. It has a number of advantages over alternative products on the market. SupaChord is ideal in bottom chords in girder trusses, long span roof truss components, high load carrying roof trusses and visually exposed feature trusses.

[6] ASSA UNVEILS NEW RANGE FROM VALLI AND VALLI

(Abloy UK, 16 Jun 2009)

Following its Assa Abloy acquisition, Valli and Valli is set to strengthen its brand reputation by unveiling door handles, furniture fittings and accessories. Valli and Valli's expertise is in transforming a mere door handle into a decorative and desirable object that conveys style and functional elegance. These products also boast superior technical features that present the long life qualities associated with prestigious interiors.

[7] HAWA PUROLINO SLIDING DOOR FROM HAFELE

(Hafele UK, 18 Jun 2009)

Hawa, the Swiss sliding door expert's new solution for frameless glass sliding doors with concealed suspension for super fast wall and ceiling assembly is now available in the UK from Hafele. HAWA Purolino 80 will save you installation time thanks to the clever fixing method, allowing doors weighing up to 80kg to be wall mounted, ceiling mounted or integrated into the ceiling.

[8] NANO GEL SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION FOR STRUCTURAL GLASS

(Cantifix, 19 Jun 2009)

Cantifix have introduced Nano Gel into their double glazed units enabling the possibility of installing a glazed facade or roof as an alternative to brickwork. If the filled cavity is as wide as 70mm the pane will achieve a u-value of 0.25, for a 30mm cavity the u-value is still an impressive 0.54. One of the advantages of this type of construction is that the panel can be made virtually any size that is required.

[9] BALUSTADE GARDEN BENEFITS FROM BURBIDGE

(Richard Burbidge , 19 Jun 2009)

Richard Burbidge is encouraging landscapers and trade professionals to define their deck or patio designs with balustrade to gain value, practical and aesthetic benefits. Outdoor balustrade can also add personal style and help to make an outdoor area a more usable space as well as acting as an important safety guard and providing additional support. Richard Burbidge has also launched an online outdoor balustrade planning service.

[10] ASHES CRICKET STADIUM MEDIA CENTRE BY WERNICK

(Wernick Buildings, 19 Jun 2009)

Wernick Buildings are supplying a new Media Centre at Swalec Stadium in Cardiff for broadcasters during England's first Ashes test cricket. The Neath Abbey based modular buildings specialists have supplied the additional Media Centre. The floor of the 7.2 metre long Citycabin is in two tiers to give all the media personnel using the Centre a clear view of the pitch through it's very large windows.

This week's industry news

CIRIA WORKSHOP ON INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL
(CIRIA, 17 Jun 2009)
CIRIA has developed a best practice manual on the topical subject of invasive species management aimed at a wide range of infrastructure owners, operators and construction professionals.

MARLEY ETERNIT TECHNICAL CENTRE TO RESEARCH TILES
(Marley Eternit, 19 Jun 2009)
Marley Eternit ensure they remain at the forefront of roof tile and fibre cement slate development by opening a new Technical Development Centre housing a comprehensive range of facilities.

KNAUF DRYWALL PERFORMS FOR PETERBOROUGH HOSPITAL
(Knauf Drywall, 19 Jun 2009)
High performance plasterboards Knauf Soundshield and Knauf Fireshield have been installed by drywall subcontractors Astins at Peterborough City Hospital.

MARLEY NATURA CLADDING PROVIDES SCHOOL EXTERIOR
(Marley Eternit, 17 Jun 2009)
Clevedon Community School in Bristol's new science building exterior is clad in Natura fibre cement panels from Marley Eternit.

DULUX TRADE SAVINGS FOR KENT HOUSING TRUST
(Dulux Trade, 19 Jun 2009)
Dulux Trade Contract Partnership is an accreditation scheme that brings together quality approved contractors and Dulux Trade products making big savings for the West Kent Housing Association.

CAVALOK SUPPLY EXTRA CARE FOR ASTER GROUP
(Eurocell Profiles, 15 Jun 2009)
The Aster Group are developing new apartments as part of the Passmore Edwards Extra Care scheme and using Cavalok's cavity closer system for sustainability and energy efficiency.

CORUS FACADE FOR MILAN DESIGN DOLL HOUSE
(Corus Colors, 19 Jun 2009)
Slovenian designer Nika Zupanc designed The Dolls House for the Superstudio Piu at Milan Design Week incorporating Qbiss by trimo using Corus Colorcoat Prisma.

BOBCAT LAUNCH NEW PRECISION HYDRAULIC EXCAVATORS
(Bobcat, 15 Jun 2009)
Bobcat has launched a completely new generation of 3 tonne mini-excavators, the 3.2 tonne E32 conventional tail swing and the 3.5 tonne E35 zero tail swing models.

ACCSYS SUBSIDIARY TITAN UNITES WITH MEDITE EUROPE
(Titan Wood and Accsys Technologies , 15 Jun 2009)
Titan Wood and Medite Europe have signed an agreement to commercialise an economically viable, non-toxic, and stable MDF panel made from Tricoya wood elements.

CE MARK FOR VPHASE SMART VOLTAGE
(Vphase, 18 Jun 2009)
Leading developer of energy saving products, VPhase, has achieved CE Certification for its new VX1 Smart Voltage Management device.

GEOTECHNICAL LIMITSTATE:GEO 2.0 LAUNCHED
(LimitState, 16 Jun 2009)
LimitState launches LimitState:GEO 2.0 at the British Geotechnnical Association conference, which allows geotechnical engineers to analyse standard and complex stability problems efficiently.

BILCO IMPROVEMENTS FOR PART L ENERGY EFFICIENCY
(Bilco, 18 Jun 2009)
Bilco has improved its entire roof hatch range to reduce air leakage and increase thermal insulation to help meet the energy efficiency requirements of Part L of the Building Regulations.

FAB FIX SASH JAMMER SECURITY FOR WINDOWS AND DOORS
(Fab and Fix, 18 Jun 2009)
The Fab andFix Sash Jammer supplements existing locking devices enhancing home protection with a stylish security solution.

HOPPE ADD ANTI-BUMP CYLINDER TO DOOR SPECIFICATION
(Hoppe (UK), 18 Jun 2009)
HOPPE (UK), door hardware manufacturer and supplier, has added anti-bump cylinders to its range providing customers with an additional security option as part of their door furniture specification.

NEW GLOSS ECO PAINT FROM SELF COAT
(Self Coat, 16 Jun 2009)
Self Coat launches new pioneering gloss eco paint which has a lifespan of over 10 years and contains zero VOCs, being manufactured from natural raw materials.

NEW CALCIUM SILICATE BRICKS GUIDE FROM ESK
(Esk Building Products, 17 Jun 2009)
The UK's only manufacturer of calcium silicate facing and common bricks, has published a new guide to the products.

GREENSTOCK LAUNCH T8 ECO FLOURESCENT LAMP
(Greenstock Lamp Company , 16 Jun 2009)
The Greenstock Lamp Company has launched the energy saving flourescent T8 Eco Saver Long Life lamp from Aura which saves up to 12% of energy consumption and lasts for 20 years.

NEW ABB MOTOR SERVICE BROCHURE
(ABB, 19 Jun 2009)
ABB's Motor Service Partners has released the new edition of its motor service brochure, outlining services and product ranges available to its customers.

WORCESTER BOSCH EXTENDS I SYSTEM BOILER RANGE
(Worcester Bosch Group, 17 Jun 2009)
Worcester Bosch Group is to further extend its market leading range of condensing boilers with the introduction of two new outputs for the popular i System series.

RHINO LIFT BOLLARD FROM MARSHALLS STREET
(Marshalls plc, 18 Jun 2009)
Marshalls Street Furniture has launched a new range of Rhino Lift Assist Telescopic Bollards featuring a stainless steel gas spring mechanism and reducing the operating weight of the bollard.

FENSA ONLINE REGISTRATION BENEFIT
(FENSA, 18 Jun 2009)
FENSA is launching RTA Claims Management Service, a new free service exclusively for Registered Businesses which will reduce the overall cost of installer's vehicle insurance.

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Howard Chapman

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