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Neaco's new range of Juliet balconies has been well received after its debut installation at SG Petch's residential development in Bishop Auckland. The balconies were specified for the first time on the scheme of high specification three-storey semi detached properties. The developer had considered steel balustrade for the French windows on the first floor of each property but that was considered an unsightly option which would cause an obstructed view out. The Juliet balconies offered an ideal alternative because their infills are made entirely of glass, providing a completely clear outlook. As a result the residents can enjoy an unobstructed view and maximum benefits from the sunshine. Manufactured off-site to the highest standards, Yorkshire-based Neaco's Juliet balconies comprise of components which require no external fixtures or welding assembly. Specifiers can choose from smoked or clear glass infills while the top rails and support brackets are precision-engineered in aluminium which is powder coated in a choice of finishes.

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Tarmac Topblock has joined forces with waste specialists Hippowaste to launch an initiative to help companies in the construction industry manage on-site block waste and reduce the amount of material sent to landfill. The company's Take Back Scheme will enable sites to dispose of all broken, damaged or unused blocks in specially provided 1 cubic yard capacity Hippobags, supplied by Hippowaste. Once 10 or more bags are full, they will be collected by Hippowaste and returned to the nearest Tarmac Recycling plant, where the material will be crushed and recycled into new blocks. After successful trials, some regions already have the service and it will be delivered nationally in a few months.

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Terca is strengthening its position in the architectural sector with the launch of three new bricks. Available in three different sizes, the ‘Platinum White’, ‘Titanium Grey’ and ‘Basalt Black’ have been manufactured following direct feedback from architects across the country. Alan Gordon, Terca’s specification sales manager, said: 'These new bricks are unlike any other products in our current architectural range and are ideal for a wide variety of contemporary projects.'

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Marley Eternit is the first roof tile manufacturer in the UK to achieve a coveted ‘A’ rating from the Building Research Establishment (BRE) for its clay plain tiles. The company’s entire UK manufactured product portfolio is now ‘A’ rated. The rating comes following the company's £19 million investment in a new clay production facility at Keele, which opened last autumn. The plant set out to make tiles in a more sustainable way by significantly reducing waste and energy consumption. The energy used for firing the tiles has been reduced by 20% compared with previous kilns, and significantly less waste is sent to landfill.

Details for Eternit UK Ltd

Marley Eternit is the first roof tile manufacturer in the UK to achieve a coveted ‘A’ rating from the Building Research Establishment (BRE) for its clay plain tiles. The company’s entire UK manufactured product portfolio is now ‘A’ rated. The rating comes following the company's £19 million investment in a new clay production facility at Keele, which opened last autumn. The plant set out to make tiles in a more sustainable way by significantly reducing waste and energy consumption. The energy used for firing the tiles has been reduced by 20% compared with previous kilns, and significantly less waste is sent to landfill.

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Sika has launched Resiblock Superior Natural Matt, a formulation that provides a complete sealing solution for protecting concrete block paving. The latest addition to the Resiblock range, the new matt finish is also covered by the company's unrivalled No Oil Stains Guarantee. Investiment in the natural matt formulation has created a unique two coat polyurethane sealer, which provides total protection from staining and eliminates ants' nests, weeds and grass growth without altering surface appearance.

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CPI EuroMix has dived in to provide an innovative piling solution to help create the foundations for a £10m new extension and swimming pool at a hotel in Holland Park, London. Contractor Abby Pynford needed to create piles in the ground, filled with fine concrete grout, which would provide a stable base for the main construction works. However, traditional concrete deliveries by large mixing lorry would have been impossible at the hotel, as the site is located directly behind a row of terraced houses. To counter this problem, CPI EuroMix provided its Silo Mixing station. Originally developed for the on-site production of mortar and render, the system has provided an ingenious solution to overcoming Abby Pynford’s delivery problems - whilst offering efficient on site production and eliminating waste. Taking up minimal site space, the silo mixing station can hold up to 30 tonnes of pre-mixed dry material. Once connected to a power and water supply, mortar, or in this application, fine concrete, is instantly provided at the push of a button. With the simple fixing of a pipe to the silo’s mixer, the concrete can be easily discharged around the site to create the piles.

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Baggeridge Brick's Thornhill Red Multi and Autumn Fern Blend have proven to be a popular choice with the UK’s largest housebuilders and builder’s merchants. These two products were launched onto the market less than one year ago following a Baggeridge consultation event at its Kingsbury factory. Key customers were invited to attend the intensive two-day consultation event to discuss product specification, regional planning requirements and trends within the construction sector. Less than 12 months since their introduction, these products are currying favour with developers and self builders alike, and have been propelled to the top of Sedgly-based Baggeridge’s best sellers list.

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Global Building Solutions company, CEMEX have supplied concrete blocks from their ReadyBlockTM range for the construction of two new buildings close to Sheffield City Centre. The buildings, which form part of the new 9 acre Riverside Exchange development, will be used as Government offices and have been designed by architects Hadfield Cawkwell Davidson.

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Catnic Brikmat has been hailed a success after undergoing rigorous training by CERAM Research, one of the UK's leading testing facilities. The tests revealed that, by using Catnic Brikmat, contractors can build up to three times faster while using 60 % less mortar. According to the manufacturers, the tests also revealed that the masonry support system also improves the stability of walls during construction, allowing brickies to build walls of up to 10 courses. This is compared to five or six courses without the support system. CERAM's Dave Dix said: "Our testing revealed that Brikmat prevents the over-stressing of masonry to allow a work rise of up to 10 courses of blockwork in a single build. Without Brikmat, walls were stopped at five or six due to bowing and other stability problems."

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