A TOWERING SUCCESS

Uponor Housing Solutions Ltd

Located in rural Cheshire, Lymm Water Tower shows what can be achieved if vision meets enthusiasm and passion.

This grade II listed building is far from an ordinary building project, and combines 19th century architecture with modern contemporary living. The end result is stunning! The lush green views of the surrounding countryside merge with 19th Century brickwork and the tranquil white architecture of the ground floor extension.

Inside the contemporary decor is heated by comforting warmth supplied by an underfloor heating system from Uponor Housing Solutions. The project has won many coveted design awards, and still continues to do so.

The contemporary style and the circular theme of the project meant that radiating heat by traditional means was going to be completely impractical. Uponor Housing Solutions Ltd stepped in to offer a complete plumbing solution supplying the property’s underfloor heating and domestic pipework. All the work was completed in the Uponor MLC piping range, with pipe sizes on the site varying from 12mm to 110mm. Both timber joists and screed floor applications were encountered on the project. The adaptability in this case allowed the pipes to be installed on joists 600mm apart, (where normally they are 400) still maintaining the 200mm space between pipe runs the system needed to be 100% effective.

Uponor’s MLC pipe is a form stable pipe, allowing flexibility in its application, but solidarity once the pipe is laid. The heat distribution from the system flows evenly throughout the property leaving no hot or cold spots just a comfortable all round temperature. The installation joints were managed with a neat and slim press fit system that not only allows a leak proof finish but also allows for pipe to be laid in tight spaces.

The inherent properties of Uponor MLC pipe means it is completely oxygen diffusion free making it also completely safe for drinking water purposes.

www.uponorhousing solutions.co.uk

UNDERFLOOR HEATING HELPS GARDEN CENTRE GROW

Robbens Underfloor

Robbens underfloor heating systems make perfect partners for open plan retail areas.

The large new retail hall at Ashton Hall Garden Centre on the outskirts of Lancaster is a perfect example of that partnership in action.

In its thirty-year history Ashton Hall has expanded considerably - just as the concept of the garden centre has grown into an integral feature of Britain's shopping life.

Since he took over twelve years ago, current owner Tony Abbit has seen a number of major changes.

" These days garden centre customers are looking for more than just plants and compost. Our new extension has been specially designed to meet their demand for hundreds of garden related items from furniture and barbeques to specialist books and clothing."

Beneath its distinctive twin domes the new retail hall at Ashton Garden Centre provides well over 500m2 of open plan shopping space. The building features extensive areas of glazing on a steel frame, giving high levels of natural lighting.

"A light, airy environment with easy access to all areas was a key requirement," says Tony Abbit. " Robbens underfloor heating not only met this need, but also ensured no hot or cold spots. It was a more practical solution to ensuring comfort for our browsing customers than warm air blowers or radiant panels."

A solid floor construction was used for the new retail area. During installation loops of Robbens multi-layer pipework were fixed in position above a layer of insulation material with the loop ends connected to four discreetly located manifolds. The manifolds are connected in turn by flow and return lines to the

oil-fired boiler, which is located in plant room adjacent to the retail hall

.

After pressure testing, a normal sand and cement screed was poured to integrate the heating system into the floor structure and provide a smooth, even surface for the wood laminate finish.

Heating the retail hall from the floor up rather than the ceiling down as with convector systems not only ensures much greater comfort for customers and staff, it also saves energy. By eliminating “stack effect” under the 8m high domes, running costs should be optimised.

www.underfloorheating.co.uk

DISCREET COMFORT FOR PENTHOUSE

Evenheat Ltd

The discreet invisibility and efficiency of underfloor heating can warm new life into old buildings - equipping them for a changed role in the 21st Century.

Spire Court at Beckenham Kent is a fine example of this principle in action. Here a luxury penthouse with every modern comfort including Even-Heating underfloor heating has been created in what was once the roof space of an old church.

The conversion of the former United Reform Church into 12 apartments is an award-winning scheme by WDS Design Ltd.

In the 3000ft2 penthouse many of the architectural features of the old building are matched with the hi-tech essentials of today. The huge living area features carved wood buttresses and gothic window arches together with a built-in plasma TV and uplighters integrated into the floor alongside the Even-Heat system.

Even-Heat underfloor heating serves all areas of the penthouse, which features four bedrooms and three bathrooms.

A timber suspended floor construction was used in the refurbished building. The space between the joists was packed with insulation material before installation of the Even-Heat system. This comprised special aluminium heat diffusion plates with PE-X pipework mounted in two grooves at 200 mm centres.

Pipework loops were connected to the gas-fire condensing boiler, which serves the penthouse, via discreetly located manifolds.

A chipboard deck covers the Even-Heat diffusion plates and pipework to provide a suitable fixing surface for the final floor finish – carpet in most areas with ceramic tiles in the bathrooms and top quality vinyl in the kitchen.

When the system is in operation heat from the warm water flowing through the pipes is spread across the entire underside of the floors by the aluminium plates. Quick response and even surface temperatures are key advantages of the system.

www.even-heat.co.uk