Spec Finish

Telescopic studs cut framing times by 50% An innovative steel framing system could help reduce interior framing times by 50% or more. Howick’s X-TENDA™ 3600 produces telescopic studs to create non-load bearing panels that can slide up, down and sideways. These panels can fit perfectly into uneven and non-level spaces with window and door frames that remain true to size. Nick Coubray, Howick’s CEO, said: “Steel framing is a very precise product that deals in tolerances of 0.5mm, but internal spaces are rarely square and can even change during a project. It all leads to additional fitting times and cost overruns.” The framing consists of three key components; a C stud, R stud and U track with deflector header; all manufactured with a roll forming machine. The slightly smaller R stud slides inside the standard C stud, offering a precise range of adjustment. Using these three components, panels can extend upwards and outwards, while soffit panels can be screwed to the ceiling and pulled down to a laser line to be level with the floor below. All the steel components are pre-assembled and then collapsed for easy transport and handling. On-site, they can be easily carried up stairways or loaded into passenger elevators, then quickly expanded and adjusted for an exact fit every time. www.howickltd.com Acoustilay sets the quality standard for soundproofing floors The Acoustilay range can be laid under a wide variety of floor finishes, including carpets, laminates, solid wood, vinyl and even tiled floors. Available in four different grades, including the new Acoustilay Tilemat product, it remains the most specified soundproofing treatment of its kind due to its quality, versatility, and wealth of technical and acoustic data behind it. While all Acoustilay products provide excellent impact noise performance, the heavier grades of Acoustilay 8 and 15 are also able to reduce airborne noise transmissions such as television, music, and speech. Acoustilay can be used to meet the requirements of Part E of the Building Regulations, ‘resistance to the passage of sound’, in both new build and conversion projects. Installation is simple too, with Acoustilay being easy to cut and shape and a range of accessories to make life simple. Acoustilay is 100% sourced and manufactured in the UK using recyclable content. It is supplied in 1200mm x 1200mm sheets, in thicknesses of 10mm, 12mm and 15mm to suit a variety of soundproofing objectives. www.soundreduction.co.uk . Innovations Ours is a fast-paced industry, matched only by the lightning speed of innovation in its products and ways of designing and installing them. Here are some of the latest developments for our sector and it’s encouraging to see this level of development in what is still a challenging time for construction. INNOVATIONS 30 www.thefis.org Quiet Mark certification for Rockfon’s acoustic ceilings Rockfon has been awarded the Quiet Mark certification for its Mono Acoustic, Blanka, and Color-all acoustic ceiling tile ranges. Poppy Szkiler, chief executive and co-founder of Quiet Mark, said: “Because sound is invisible, it is often overlooked. Yet the fundamental impact it has on all the physical rhythms of our bodies, our hormones, heart rate and brain waves, is so profound and inherent to our wellbeing, and therefore also to the design process of the buildings we live in.” www.rockfon.co.uk Living walls for Canary Wharf Biotecture, supplier of living walls, has installed multiple PlantBox living walls at prominent locations across Canary Wharf, helping to improve air quality, attenuate rainwater and increase biodiversity. The system is loadbearing and only requires restraint fixings, so the living walls at CanaryWharf did not require structural approval, contributing to a fast turnaround. www.biotecture.uk.com