Product News
Colourplas
Increasing numbers of local authorities, schools and private playgrounds are recognizing the benefits of Colorplas™ from Panel Systems Ltd.
The company has seen a sharp growth in demand for its innovative fabrication services for the high density polyethylene (HDPE) sheet, which is extruded in solid colours or can be co-extruded to create exciting multi-coloured sheets.
Colourplas™ boasts a host of benefits that make it perfect for use in children’s playgrounds – it is corrosion resistant, extremely robust and allows for great flexibility in design.
Panel Systems provides a bespoke Computer Aided Design (CAD) and full fabrication service for this material and can cater for even the most intricate designs. The company currently operates a number of large CNC Routers that can handle sheets up to 3660mm x1525mm.
Danny Phelan, Sales Manager at Panel Systems, said: “Colorplas™ is really popular in the playground industry at the moment, but it does have a number of diverse applications. It can be used for cubicles and lockers, also for signage, point of sale and in the marine industry. It is well known for offering high performance, as well as being extremely durable, easy to clean and cost effective.”
Colorplas™ is ideal for machining and engraving and Panel Systems can offer the material in customized colours and with the incorporation of company branding, if required. Panel Systems supplies the material to a number of manufacturers of playground equipment, so it can be delivered directly to the end customer, ready for installation.
Danny continues: “The scope for Colorplas™ is extensive. It is testament to the product’s flexibility that we are able to create such stunning designs. It helps create attractive environments for children that promote both play and learning safely. There is currently a great demand for this product in the playground industry and we offer a service that is second to none.”
PONDS FORGE GETS OLYMPIC SERVICE WITH PANEL SYSTEMS
Sheffield-based Panel Systems has recently completed a major contract to fabricate and supply Compact Grade Laminate panels as part of the £3m redevelopment of the international swimming venue Ponds Forge in Sheffield.
One of the leading fabricators of Compact Grade Laminate panels for the leisure and construction industry, Panel Systems fabricated 575 new locker doors and 70 new toilet cubicles for partner company Prospec to install. Panel Systems supplied over 800 components each machined to accommodate hinges, locks and fixings. The components were packed to a pre determined picking list to ensure they could be easily identified on site. Prospec’s skilled teams of fixers were able to rapidly install the lockers and cubicles into the new look male/female changing facilities, as well as leisure and relaxation areas.
Danny Phelan, Sales Manager at Panel Systems said, “Ponds Forge is one of the UK’s finest sporting venues and the refurbishment was very important in maintaining its reputation for providing first-class facilities that our athletes will use to train for the 2012 Olympic Games. This was a really prestigious project to be involved with and we are looking forward to seeing the completed project. The new changing rooms look ultra-modern and complement the world class facilities that have also been upgraded. They ensure that the new facilities at Ponds Forge really are first-rate and will hopefully contribute to attracting top athletes who might just become Britain’s future Olympians.”
An essential product for the leisure industry, Compact Grade Laminate is one of the few materials that can be reliably used in wet environments as it is completely waterproof. Located next to the pool area, the product will be consistently exposed to humidity and washing down so needed to be highly resistant to water as well as cleaning fluids, chlorine and detergents. Compact grade laminate is also virtually indestructible, another pre-requisite for the facilities as it has a high number of users and is open, seven days a week.
Compact Grade Laminate panels are just part of an extensive range of machined panels that are manufactured at Panel Systems’ two dedicated manufacturing plants. From simple cut to size panels to complex routed components, the Sheffield-based manufacturer has the flexibility to cater for a diverse range of applications.
Three 3-axis CNC routers provide a customised service for machining of laminate panels and other sheet materials. Customers own Cad files can be imported over the Internet to enable rapid prototyping and manufacture.
Prospec’s skilled team of installers worked on the phased development for almost three months in order to complete the extensive refurbishment. Part of a wider redevelopment of the International Ponds Forge venue, the changing rooms perfectly compliments the other upgrades that have been made to the building and its facilities as a whole. The venue has benefited from an expansion to its already sizeable 1,250 sq meter gym, which is now equipped with the very latest cardio-vascular and resistance fitness equipment. There is now a specially designed cardio theatre, spinning room, showers and relaxation area.
With the London Olympics just four years away, many councils and local authorities are seeking to either construct or refurbish first-class sporting facilities, ensuring that Britain’s athletes can have best possible help in becoming successful Olympians.ALUGLAZE MAKES A NAME FOR ITSELF AT MACDONALDS HOTEL, MANCHESTER
You only have to look at the changing face of our city centres to see how important aluminium infill panels are becoming both for creating a striking new look to a building as well as providing the required levels of insulation.
The former BT building on Old London Road has undergone a complete transformation and refurbishment into the striking MacDonalds Hotel in Manchester city centre. The visual appearance of the existing concrete structure has been completely transformed with the addition of ALUGLAZE® aluminium infill panels, which have been added to its exterior on all eight levels. As well as improving the aesthetics of the building the ALUGLAZE® panels also significantly improved the thermal performance of the building.
ALUGLAZE® from Panel Systems consists of polyester powder coated aluminium facing bonded to an insulating core of Styrofoam. Panel Systems worked closely with Solaglas Contracting (part of Saint Gobain) to incorporate their glazing systems into the design to create a truly stunning visual effect. In total, 4,000 square metres of Aluminium faced composite panels were supplied for the eight storey building. This method of cladding is becoming a key component of many high profile city centre projects where aesthetic considerations are paramount. ALUGLAZE® was therefore the perfect choice for this four star hotel right in the heart of Manchester city centre.
It was also important that the building met the relevant U-values to ensure thermal performance and energy efficiency. As a material with low density and low thermal conductivity, Styrofoam is a high performance insulation material.
It offers excellent compression resistance and avoids moisture intake. ALUGLAZE® is also very easy to install and can span large areas to give the specifier greater flexibility when considering the overall design.
Rob Newman, Project Manager for Solaglas Contracting, explains: “This was a great project to be involved with and really does show how aluminium and glass when used in combination provide a truly stunning structure. We had worked with Panel Systems before on other projects and knew that by working together we could meet the client’s aspirations for this stunning building.”
ALUGLAZE®, which is manufactured by Panel Systems at its plant in Sheffield,is a composite panel, consisting of PPC aluminium and Styrofoam laminated to form a single structural unit. The result is a low density core material with high sheer strength and high density facing and balancing materials, with the ability to span over large areas, giving the specifier greater flexibility when considering the overall design.
ALUGLAZE® is supplied in bespoke pre-cut to sizes with formed edges to suit the glazing system used. Panel sizes up to 4000 x 2000mm can be achieved. Overall thickness varies from 20mm to 150mm. The system is offered in all RAL and Syntha Pulvin colours.
MEATH GARDENS LOOKS A PICTURE WITH ALUMINIUM CLADDING
Panel Systems, the Sheffield-based insulation manufacturer has produced aluminium cladded panels that have been used to create a striking façade of Space2: Meath Gardens, a major new development of 124 one and two bedroom apartments in the heart of London.
Aluglaze panels were chosen because they helped the architect achieve the objective of creating an iconic building with a contemporary feel that fitted in perfectly with the ultra modern and prestigious surroundings of London’s Docklands and Canary Wharf, home to some of the world’s greatest financial institutions. The architect required cladding that offered durability and excellent thermal performance but also striking aesthetics that gave the building its own distinct identity amongst the other iconic buildings in the area.
Following a careful evaluation, the architects specified 5,000 sq metres of Panel Systems Aluglaze product because it met the brief perfectly. The panels were fitted by Inwido, the window contractor on this site, who were particularly impressed with the ease and speed with which the Aluglaze panels could be fitted.
Danny Phelan, Sales Manager at Panel Systems said, “We are delighted that our Aluglaze panels were chosen for the Meath Gardens project. It is always great to be involved in prestigious projects, especially one of this scale and at the very heart of the capital means it will certainly be noticed! The finished building really does look superb and is another stunning addition to the East End of London.”
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Aluglaze is an insulated infill panel comprising a Styrofoam insulated core sandwiched between two polyester-coated aluminium faces. As the panels offer a premium quality construction and a striking design, they are typically used where the architect is placing paramount importance on the aesthetics of a development. Available in a variety of thicknesses from 20mm to 150mm, Aluglaze also offers excellent levels of thermal conductivity, compressive strength and water resistance.
Graham Ive, Design Team Lead at Inwido said, “Panel Systems were a pleasure to work with from start to finish. They coped admirably with the massive demand required to service the project. Deliveries were always correct, on time and more importantly, undamaged – this allowed us to remain on schedule and meant the whole project ran smoothly.”
The architecture of the development is clean and sharp, with the Aluglaze paneling forming much of the building’s nine-storey exterior and private balconies. The curvilinear design of the building produces the tapered shape of many of the apartments and allows more light to enter, creating lighter, more welcoming homes. This unique design of curved lines and enclosures also gives many of the apartments a wide aspect overlooking Meath Gardens, as it curves around the boundaries of the parkland.
Meath Gardens, in the heart of London’s East End, is located in a popular residential area comprising of eight blocks in four buildings, conveniently close to the City and Canary Wharf.
Perfectly positioned between three underground stations and benefiting from a frequent and reliable bus service, Space2 looks set to provide a range of attractive homes for young professionals for years to come.
ALUGLAZE MAKES A NAME FOR ITSELF AT MACDONALDS HOTEL, MANCHESTER
You only have to look at the changing face of our city centres to see how important aluminium infill panels are becoming both for creating a striking new look to a building as well as providing the required levels of insulation.
The former BT building on Old London Road has undergone a complete transformation and refurbishment into the striking MacDonalds Hotel in Manchester city centre. The visual appearance of the existing concrete structure has been completely transformed with the addition of ALUGLAZE® aluminium infill panels, which have been added to its exterior on all eight levels. As well as improving the aesthetics of the building the ALUGLAZE® panels also significantly improved the thermal performance of the building.
ALUGLAZE® from Panel Systems consists of polyester powder coated aluminium facing bonded to an insulating core of Styrofoam. Panel Systems worked closely with Solaglas Contracting (part of Saint Gobain) to incorporate their glazing systems into the design to create a truly stunning visual effect. In total, 4,000 square metres of Aluminium faced composite panels were supplied for the eight storey building. This method of cladding is becoming a key component of many high profile city centre projects where aesthetic considerations are paramount. ALUGLAZE® was therefore the perfect choice for thisfour star hotel right in the heart of Manchester city centre.
It was also important that the building met the relevant U-values to ensure thermal performance and energy efficiency. As a material with low density and low thermal conductivity, Styrofoam is a high performance insulation material.
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It offers excellent compression resistance and avoids moisture intake. ALUGLAZE® is also very easy to install and can span large areas to give the specifier greater flexibility when considering the overall design.
Rob Newman, Project Manager for Solaglas Contracting, explains: “This was a great project to be involved with and really does show how aluminium and glass when used in combination provide a truly stunning structure. We had worked with Panel Systems before on other projects and knew that by working together we could meet the client’s aspirations for this stunning building.”
ALUGLAZE®, which is manufactured by Panel Systems at its plant in Sheffield,is a composite panel, consisting of PPC aluminium and Styrofoam laminated to form a single structural unit. The result is a low density core material with high sheer strength and high density facing and balancing materials, with the ability to span over large areas, giving the specifier greater flexibility when considering the overall design.
ALUCOBOND NOW AVAILABLE FROM PANEL SYSTEMS
Panel Systems, the Sheffield-based insulation manufacturer and distributor, is now one of the UK’s exclusive fabricators and suppliers of Alucobond Cladding.
Panel Systems has long been renowned for supplying quality aluminum cladding panels and their extensive fabrication facilities will ensure they can build upon their reputation as a market-leader in this field.
"Brindabelle Business Park, Canberra, Australia was recently fitted with Alucobond cladding in purple colour to create a striking and easily recognisable frontage." Danny Phelan, Sales Manager at Panel Systems, said, “We are delighted to be able to make this exciting range of products available to the market. There is a wide choice of finishes within the Alucobond® offer, providing an extensive range to suit all market requirements. We are expecting lots of interest from specifiers and the versatility of the product means it can be used in private homes, buildings, corporate headquarters or offices or industrial complexes.”
Alucobond® consists of a composite panel of two aluminium cover sheets and a plastic core. Not only does it have the greatest aesthetic qualities, it also offers class ‘O’ fire protection, which is particularly important in high-rise or public buildings. The high strength-to-weight ration of Alucobond® makes it extremely easy to handle and fit, whilst ensuring the panels keep their shape and remain flat, even when exposed to extreme temperature changes.
A range of Spectra colours are available, which enhance the aesthetics of any project by clever reflection and refraction of light. The variety of colours is complemented by naturally coloured anodised and mill-finished surfaces. Alucobond® offers versatility and robustness alongside beautiful contemporary looks and is easily fabricated to meet any application.
Sustainable and innovative products are in constant demand in the construction industry today in order that architects can realize their visions and that buildings meet the latest technical requirements of sustainability, energy-efficiency and safety. Alucobond® combines a striking appearance with the very highest thermal performance.
Danny Phelan continues: “We have experienced a great deal of interest already for Alucobond® and it looks set to be a very popular product for us indeed. Its qualities are such that it appeals to specifiers and contractors alike. We anticipate that it will be appearing on a number of prestigious buildings in the near future.”
Alcobond is available for immediate delivery and can be order from the Panel Systems website. For more information, including technical and installation details, visit the website www.panelsystems.co.uk or call the sales office on 0114 275 2881.
NEW WEBSITE FOR PANEL SYSTEMS
Panel Systems, the Sheffield-based insulation manufacturer, has significantly improved its online offering with the launch of its new website.
The new site www.panelsystems.co.uk has even simpler navigation in a bid to make it easier for contractors, developers and DIY-ers to buy its market-leading range of insulation products and architectural panels online. The site has also been upgraded with the inclusion of even more information and technical details relating to their range of manufactured, distributed and fabricated products and their relevant thermal performances.
Chris Ibbotson, Managing Director at Panel Systems, has been an advocate of buying online ever since it was made possible. He explains, “Our previous website served us really well – over 60 per cent of our sales come through this way. As a communication tool with our customers it has proven invaluable, allowing us to keep them abreast of product developments and innovations as soon as they happen. In the last few years, it has become increasingly more efficient as a sales tool. The new site seeks to build upon that success.”
The website redesign is just one part of a company-wide re-branding exercise which has transformed the face of Panel Systems and provided an exciting new corporate identity for Panel Systems and its sub-brands.
The site also showcases the full spectrum of Panel Systems’ expertise such as architectural panels, Building products, hot wire cutting and Fabricated Laminates. There is also a brand new customer support section allowing users to open an account, email queries and feedback and request the Panel Systems online newsletter.
As an e-commerce tool, it provides users with the option to buy online. Not only that, but the site goes one step further by offering tutorials on how to learn, order and install the respective products through online tutorials, flash movies and PDF downloads. The site also features comprehensive technical information and an FAQ section which further assists the user’s understanding. A number of the product sites also feature a sophisticated calculation method that work out the total cost as per the amount and thickness of the panels required.
Internet-based sales were responsible for the last big company expansion in March 2005, when a new 7,000 sq ft warehouse facility was opened to service the expectant growth. Due the introduction of the Code for Sustainable Homes and the increasing thermal performance requirements, demand for high quality insulation is set to increase yet further.
Chris Ibbotson, continues, “Every day, more and more business are becoming switched on to the commercial benefits that a well designed and well thought out website can provide. We feel that we have managed to fully keep up with this trend. Feedback from customers has been really good and we are expected it will lead to an increase in sales through the web.”
Panel Systems is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of insulation products, Architectural panels, structural foams and portable lightweight staging systems. For more information visit the website www.panelsystems.co.uk or contact the sales office on 01142 75 2881.ROOFMATE – YOUR FRIEND ON THE ROOF
Panel Systems, the Sheffield-based insulation manufacturer is reporting consistently high demand for its market-leading product, ROOFMATE. Delivered straight to customer, the high-performance insulation product is proving ever-popular with self-builders and contractors recognising both its benefits and trade price.
Available at www.roofmate-online.co.uk, the dedicated and recently revamped website has received an unprecedented number of hits in recent months. Providing users with the option to buy online, it goes one step further by offering tutorials on how to learn, order and install the product. The site also features comprehensive technical information and a FAQ section which further assists the user’s understanding. In addition, it boasts an intuitive ordering system that automatically calculates the price as the buyer chooses the thickness and quantity of the boards they want.
A roof insulation board designed specifically for use in building projects, ROOFMATE is constructed from Styrofoam extruded polystyrene, which has a whole host of benefits as an insulation material, including a lightweight core, low water absorption and easy handling. The material is particularly robust and is therefore suitable for use on heavyweight decks with a ballast layer of gravel or concrete.
The performance and longevity of flat roofs depends upon many factors, particularly the positioning of the insulation. Insulation placed underneath the structural deck can result in condensation whereas placing it above, without adequate waterproofing can cause failure of the insulation over time. www.roofmate-online.co.uk provides several comprehensive PDF downloads regarding best practice of installation and is an invaluable source for those wishing to get the most out of ROOFMATE.
ROOFMATE is available in six different thicknesses ranging from 75mm to 160mm and provides a u-values of up to 0.16. Unaffected by the conditions encountered on flat roofs such as wide temperature fluctuations or repeated freeze/thaw cycles, ROOFMATE is rot resistant making it ideal for insulating roof gardens. ROOFMATE LG-X boards have a 10mm modified concrete topping on the upper surface, eliminating the need for separate ballast and making it possible to gain the benefits of the inverted roof on lightweight decks. Also available within the range is FLOORMATE and WALLMATE, which, when used in conjunction with each other enable builders to create a very well insulated building envelope.
Danny Phelan, Sales Manager of Panel Systems, explains, “What has made
ROOFMATE so popular is that it has all the properties the contractor or self builder is looking for and it’s just so easy to buy. Orders can be dispatched directly to site and we also provide all the information you need on installation and performance values to make sure you get the best out of every application.”
Danny Phelan continues: “ROOFMATE is suitable for use in a range of building projects. It’s high-level of thermal performance and durability, coupled with the ease of installation, goes a long way to explaining its popularity. Available in a variety of thicknesses and retailing at trade prices, both on and off-line, it provides an excellent way to ensure buildings are more energy efficient and have less impact on the environment.”
Panel Systems is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of insulation products, composite panels, structural foams and portable lightweight staging systems. For more information visit the website www.roofmate-online.co.uk or contact the sales office on 01142 75 2881.
FLOORMATE’S POPULARITY SOARS
More customers than ever before are buying the market leading FLOORMATE insulation online reports Panel Systems. DIY’ers, self builders and contractors are all recognizing the benefits of high performance insulation at trade prices, which has resulted in an unprecedented number of hits to the company’s website www.floormate-online.co.uk.
Providing a comprehensive and easy-to-use way to research and purchase FLOORMATE, www.floormate-online.co.uk offers customers a wealth of information about its practical applications and technical specifications. The website makes use of flash tutorials, PDF downloads and easy to use navigation which is helping many customers improve the thermal performance of their properties. Buying quality insulation online from Panels Systems is made even easier by the convenience of free doorstep deliveries to UK mainland addresses.
FLOORMATE has been specifically designed so it can be used in floor insulation for both new build, extensions or DIY home improvement projects. Made from high performance Styrofoam, FLOORMATE is lightweight, durable and moisture resistant.
Installable above or below ground bearing concrete slabs, FLOORMATE can also be suspended in beam and block or timber floors. The position of the insulation depends upon when the building will be heated. When heating is intermittent, for example in houses, FLOORMATE should be placed above concrete slabs so that the building can heat up quickly. In hospitals, schools and factories, FLOORMATE should be placed below the slab so as to retain heat for long periods.
FLOORMATE, which is available in 2500 x 600mm board sizes, is extremely easy to install and does not need any specialist skills or equipment. The grade recommended for most installations is FLOORMATE 200-X which is available in thicknesses from 25 – 100mm allowing customers to achieve the Building Regulations required U-value of 0.25W/m 2K. The range also includes FLOORMATE 350-X, a denser grade for heavy load floor applications. Also available in the range is WALLMATE and ROOFMATE to enable a complete insulated envelope to be created.
Chris Ibbotson, Managing Director of Panel Systems, explains, “FLOORMATE is an excellent material for use in any kind of building project. It offers high levels of thermal performance and is very easy to install. Available in a number of thicknesses and at trade prices, both over the phone and online, it is an excellent way for homeowners to reduce their energy bills as well as creating warmer and more comfortable homes.”
Panel Systems is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of insulation products, composite panels, structural foams and flexible staging systems. For more information visit the website www.floormate-online.co.uk.
MAKE ALL THE WORLD A STAGE WITH REVOSTAGE®
Schools, choirs and hotels are just some of the many customers that are saving money and benefiting from a flexible new staging system - Revostage® by Panel Systems.
Revostage, which is manufactured in Sheffield, is a lightweight, temporary staging system for use in multi-purpose buildings. It is designed to be extremely easy to erect and dismantle, requiring the minimum of storage space as well as being versatile in many different layout options.
The product is now available for ordering on line through an easy to use new website www.revostage.co.uk. Here, users can find a wealth of information about the applications, set-ups and technical specifications. The website features case studies showing the Revostage® being used in a number of applications, across a range of sectors and an actual filmed demonstration showing its simple assembly. Another useful addition to the website is the stage designer tool which, with the aid of Drag & Drop technology, enables customers to build a stage online to suit their requirements – and it even calculates the price as you design.
Revostage® is ideal for any business, organization or premises that regularly hold events but want the convenience of being able to store it away in a very small area, when not in use.
Panel Systems provides a full staging service to complement Revostage® including RevoRamp to improve access to the staging area for the disabled, along with RevoRail handrails to improve safety on the stage. The new website also illustrates all the many other accessories available, including technical advice and Revostage® Hire partners.
Danny Phelan, Sales Manager for Revostage®, explains: “The product was designed specifically for people who want a simple, easy to use staging system that is really light and strong, yet gives their event that professional feel. As it is so user friendly, Revostage® can be erected by just one person in less than five minutes. We’ve had huge demand for it from colleges, social clubs and Audio Visual companies, as well as entertainers - it’s a case of once seen, never forgotten!”
The system is constructed from two main elements - a patented telescopic riser support and a structural stage platform. Its unique fixing system enables the stage to be assembled by the simple use of an Allen Key. Revostage® can easily be fitted into a light vehicle and transported between venues as required.
Available in 0.5, 1 and 2 metre lengths, it can be used for a broad range of applications, including podiums, tiered-seating and exhibition stands. Carpets and valances are available to co-ordinate with an organisation’s corporate colours in many different fabrics.
Alan Hastey, teacher at the newly built Hoyland Common Primary, instantly saw the positives of the Revostage and ordered a 4m squared unit consisting of 12 modules to enable the school to stage and support a variety of events.
Mr Hastey said: “In the past we either had to make do without staging or to hire it in, which could be expensive and not very convenient. Revostage® is perfect for what we need as we can quickly and conveniently assemble a staged area for the pupils to perform. Once we’ve finished with it, it all folds up neatly and can be conveniently stored, out of the way.”
Up to 40 per cent Education Funding is available on Revostage which makes the system ideal for schools looking for a cost effective staging system.
Danny Phelan explains, “Revostage® is becoming renowned in the market for its versatility and ease of use. It is convenient and much more cost-effective than hiring in staging, making it a valuable product for any person or organisation seeking to professionally stage events.”
Revostage® is available for free demonstrations. Simply complete the online booking form or contact Panel Systems directly to receive a demo pack.
Panel Systems is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of insulation products, composite panels, structural foams and flexible staging systems. For more information call: (0114) 249 5635 or website www.panelsystems.co.uk.
