What’s new

Support system

A Sandwich Panel Anchor system from Halfen will support the outer skin of precast concrete sandwich panels without interrupting the insulation. The SPA system connects the various layers and transfers the load of the external panel to the internal load-bearing panel and the supporting structure. The stainless steel anchors avoid cold bridging from the outer skin to the inner panel and will not restrict differential movement.

Enquiry number 202

Trent’s tiling trickery

Trent Concrete is developing a range of precast cladding that looks like rainscreen tiling. The company achieves the effect by casting terracotta tiles onto a black concrete panel with deep shadow joints. The tiles can be anything between 90mm to 215mm deep and 290mm to 440mm long and are available in 18 colours. The precast panels, with the tiles set in masonry bond or stack bond, can be up to 9m by 3m in size, and are cheaper than rainscreens.

Enquiry number 206

Flush fit adaptor

A new Kingspan-compatible panel adaptor from Metal Technology offers improved performance and a retro-fit option. Based on its 420 polyamide casement window range, the 420 Panel Adaptor provides a flush fit for 70mm, 80mm and 100mm Kingspan aluminium cladding panels. Fitting the adaptor after panels are in place speeds up installation.

Enquiry number 207

PowerClad on the up

A new version of PowerClad equipment for placing cladding panels has appeared. Whereas the original system was designed for placing horizontal panels, PowerClad Vertical can handle vertical panels of any size and thickness up to a maximum weight of 150kg. Both PowerClads can be used with the Genie 4390 and 5390 scissor lifts, and incorporate an on-board generator and power points for screw guns and drills.

Enquiry number 203

Corus’ new composite

Corus has launched a new composite wall and roof cladding. FalZinc is a lightweight, foldable aluminium cladding that has a highly durable surface layer of zinc. The zinc surface gives a hand-crafted look, but the high aluminium content makes it easier to handle. FalZinc is also still workable when the cold weather forces installers to call it a day.

Enquiry number 204

Alfas unveils fireproof foam

A fire-resistant aerosol polyurethane foam that lets cladding and curtain wall installers comply with Part L is the first of its type to gain BBA certification. Alfas Bond FR provides up to five hours’ resistance during a fire and has a B1 flammability rating, making it suitable for applications such as sealing linear gaps created by service penetrations through walls and floors. The foam creates a barrier to air leakage and offers thermal and acoustic insulation. It comes in two versions: one using a plastic nozzle, the other an application gun.

Enquiry number 205

BluClad distribution

Eternit is the new distributor of Cape Calsil’s BluClad substrate board following Etex Group’s purchase of Cape. BluClad is MDF-reinforced calcium silicate board that can be site-cut. The board is vapour-permeable, has Class 0 fire performance and Class 1 spread of flame. Standard 10mm-thick panels are off-white with a smooth surface on the front face for painting and a textured one on the reverse for thin-coat polymeric renders.

Enquiry number 208

Kingspan’s LongSpan

Insulated panels just got longer with Kingspan’s LongSpan KS1000LS. The panel reaches up to 8.2m without the need for secondary support, giving more lettable floorspace. Inner and outer linings sandwich the Firesafe’s rigid, closed-cell insulation core, which comes in thicknesses from 80mm to 140mm in 20mm increments. Longspan is now available in four profiles: micro-rib, Eurobox, mini-micro and wave.

Enquiry number 210

The zinc’s the thing...

the newest material to appear on cladding panels from EDM Spanwall is zinc. The flat zinc 2016 cladding system joins the aluminium, copper, stainless and aggregate panels Spanwall already produces. The company makes zinc panels in any size, and can test integrated window systems within or alongside them. Engineered and tested joints can be accommodated anywhere within the system.

Enquiry number 209

Any size Dryvits all

Prefabricated cornices, pilasters and corbels and indeed any architectural detail are available in any colour, texture and dimensions for use with Dryvit’s external insulation and cladding. Like Dryvit Outsulation itself, the lightweight mouldings have an expanded polystyrene core on top of which goes a thin reinforced acrylic base layer followed by a finishing coat.

Enquiry number 211

Stone sealant gets upgrade

Dow Corning has upgraded its Dow Corning 897 natural stone and facade silicone sealant. The company claims its Dow Corning 991 replacement product gives better application and tooling. A one-part, neutral-curing sealant, 991 sticks to porous and non-porous substrates, but is particularly suited to materials susceptible to fluid migration and contamination such as natural stones. 991 reduces the take-up of atmospheric contaminants and dirt by the sealant’s surface, which eliminates fluid streaking and reduces building and maintenance costs. The new sealant is available in a wide range of colours and Dow Corning can issue a 10-year non-staining warranty.

Enquiry number 212

Coat of many Pelicolors

Eternit has launched a range of fibre cement rainscreen cladding panels with a glazed, granular finish produced by small glass beads that let rainwater pearl down, reducing the possibility of staining. Called Pelicolor, the range comes in 17 standard colours in two thicknesses (8mm and 12mm) and six sheet sizes (from 2.5m by 1.25m to 3.1m by 1.5m). Pelicolor appears after last year’s launch of semi-textured Multiclad panels in 25 pastel and primary colours, and the stone-coloured Natura range, to which a Terracotta colour has been added to the existing Ivory, Grey and Anthracite.

Enquiry number 213