Curved glass stairways from Ion Glass

Building Products Index Ltd Architectural Glass Leave a Comment

View the Ion Glass entry on BPindex

View the Ion Glass website

Beautiful and functional, a frameless glass staircase makes a contemporary statement to buildings of all ages and styles

Ion Glass bespoke frameless glass balustrading can be flawlessly installed even on curved or spiral staircases, with each individual panel of glass measured and manufactured to work perfectly with each stair tread.

 

This magnificent floating elliptical staircase is built on a central tubular steel spine rising from the living space to the first floor in a luxurious barn conversion. Each helical panel is unique, with different dimensions and different radii. The panels are bolt fixed to each individual tread using a system designed by Ion Glass to ensure the bolts don’t damage the curved glass whilst still ensuring the integrity of the result.  The steel treads of the staircase were subsequently finished in oak.

The curved glass balustrade installed on both sides of this double staircase extends seamlessly across the landing to create an impressive entrance hall for a new luxury residence in Nigeria.

Each individual panel was manufactured in 21.5mm thick laminated and toughened low iron safety glass and bolt fixed to the outside face of the concrete staircase.  Accurate survey measurements were essential: the glass was manufactured in the UK and transported to Nigeria with a zero margin for error or replacement.  The balustrade was successfully designed, measured and installed by Ion’s team,  meeting all challenging parameters.

Ion Glass installed the curved glass balustrade flanking the Rotunda Staircase at the heart of Tate Britain.  An especially complex project, with an inner and outer skin of decorative opaque glass panels on either side of the spiral staircase.  The panels were flawlessly measured and designed to fit accurately around the curve of the spiral and also sit perfectly around each individual step.

Ion use computer aided digital measuring techniques to ensure perfect results, even around challenging radii and uneven or irregular surfaces.

An unusual barn conversion used concrete, glass and metal for contemporary styling whilst still maintaining the visual impact of the exposed roof beams.

The curved glass installed by Ion Glass to the spiral concrete staircase flows seamlessly up the stairs and blends into the straight panels across the face of the bridge and mezzanine floor.  Each glass panel was individually designed to follow the stepped underside of the staircase and fixed with stainless steel bolts, set off the face of the concrete. The panels are made from 17.5mm thick laminated and toughened glass with no requirement for a handrail. 

The expert team at Ion Glass will take your bespoke structural glass design from concept to reality, providing technical advice and drawings to ensure your project meets all criteria before our fully trained and experienced installation teams achieve optimum results on site.

For more information on our frameless glass balustrades, glass stairways, structural glass linkways, glass porches and doors, glass screens or other architectural glass installations visit our website www.ionglass.co.uk and book a call to discuss your project.

Call 0345 658 9988 or email  info@ionglass.co.uk

How to protect, preserve, or add design flair to concrete projects

Building Products Index Ltd Paint Leave a Comment

View the KEIM entry on BPindex

Visit the KEIM website

Lime based mortar mixed with aggregates may have been used since AD50, but how, in the modern world, can designers, architects and concrete manufacturers ensure protection and preservation in today’s harsher environment?

KEIM Mineral Paints have the answers, with not one but several products in their portfolio specifically designed for use on concrete.

Whether you’re a pre-cast manufacturer, or use concrete for construction purposes, if you’re a designer or architect looking to enhance the appeal of concrete, or a facilities manager who needs to protect concrete surfaces from graffiti, KEIM has an armoury of products to help.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON PROBLEMS?

  • Exposure to the elements including car fumes and chlorides leading to carbonation, damage, and potential weakening
  • Colour variants or imperfections may occur during construction or patch repairs
  • Rust staining from shuttering

How to mask imperfections, defects, variations in concrete’s appearance?

KEIM products are used to …

  • Tint or blend imperfections or defects
  • Protect the concrete against water ingress
  • Colour match to the existing concrete
  • Minimise variations such as roller compacted concrete
  • Increase light reflectance; ideal for office environments

Products include – KEIM Concretal Lasur – simple application process for internal and external concrete

Project examples include: Park Hill Estate, Sheffield, Dudley Zoo, West Midlands, London Aquatics Centre, London

How to improve the longevity?

How do you protect and preserve concrete against the elements such as chlorides and carbon dioxide, and the ingress of water which can lead to damage or decay?

KEIM products are …

  • Applied to concrete surfaces to treat and protect against discolouration
  • Creating a protective coating that can last for decades
  • Designed to protect against weathering
  • Fire resistant to A2-s1, d0

Products used – KEIM Concretal W

Project examples include: Paradise View, Birmingham, Brunel House, Portsmouth, Loxford School of Science & Technology

How to bring creative flair to concrete projects?

Not everyone embraces the look of concrete and may consider it dull or boring. If that’s the case, then KEIM can transform with colour, and renovate building facades with the stroke of a brush!

Concrete walls can be painted in a variety of colours including blue, red, gold or even black.

Products used – KEIM Concretal-Black, KEIM Design Lasur, KEIM Soldalit

Project examples include: The National Theatre, London, Battersea Power Station, London, London Underground, Wessex Water Head Quarters

Concrete preparation and repairs

Alongside KEIM’s coatings and finishes there are cleaners and repair products too! Ranging from acidic cleaner for the removal of release agents and impurities, to repair mortar for larger scale reparation works.

Regardless of product application, all KEIM products follow the ethos; kind to use, kind to you, kind to the environment.

If you’re working with concrete and need some advice, why don’t you arrange a no obligation site survey, or talk to one of our specialists based in our Telford manufacturing facility?

Interested to find out more?

View KEIM’s profile on Bpi – https://www.bpindex.co.uk/supplier/4136/keim-mineral-paints-ltd/

Find out more https://www.keim.com/en-gb/products/concrete-systems/

KEIM – unparalleled performance and durability since 1878.

Tel: 01952 231 250       Web:  https://www.keim.com/en-gb/       Email: sales@keimpaints.co.uk.

Social Links:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keim_uk/

Pinterest https://in.pinterest.com/KEIMMineralPaints/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/keim-mineral-paints-ltd/

AATi Foundry: Manufacturing the BAFTA Award

Building Products Index Ltd Cast Metal Leave a Comment

View the AATi entry in BPindex

Visit the AATi website

AATi Foundry is proud to be in its third year as the manufacturer of the iconic BAFTA award. The BAFTA award is one of the most recognisable symbols of excellence in film, television, and gaming, and its production demands the highest levels of precision and craftsmanship.

Please find link to the BAFTA video which gives a behind the scenes look into how the BAFTA award is manufactured at our UK based factory.

The manufacturing process begins with advanced scanning hardware, and MagmaSoft simulation software to determine the optimal casting method. AATi’s experienced in-house pattern makers then produce the tooling at the Company’s dedicated pattern shop.

Air-set sand moulds are formed and carefully treated to achieve a sharp and clean finish before phosphor bronze is poured at 1,200°C. Once cast, the award is meticulously finished and mirror polished by AATi’s finishing team, resulting in a refined piece ready for presentation.

The Essex based foundry produces approximately 400 BAFTAs a year, and each BAFTA undergoes thorough quality control before being sent to BAFTA HQ in central London.

Hugh Bisset, Director at AATi: “The production of the BAFTAs demonstrates the market’s confidence in our business to achieve the finest finish possible for cast metal products. We have built up a particular set of skills and processes since 1934 which means we can manufacture any geometry in a broad array of finishes, always to the highest possible standard. This suits the prime and super prime brands and markets well, such as BAFTA.”

www.AATi.co.uk

TORMAX IP65 & IP68: Automatic Door Drives for Any Environment

Building Products Index Ltd Automated systems, Automatic door system Leave a Comment

View the TORMAX entry on BPindex

Visit the TORMAX website

Setting a new standard for hygiene, reliability, and durability, TORMAX introduces a comprehensive range of three automatic swing door drives and four sliding door systems, all designed to meet the highest IP65 and IP68 protection ratings.

Engineered to withstand even continuous immersion in water and to fully resist dust, dirt, and splash water, these robust door drives also perform reliably across a wide temperature range, from locations subject to high levels of humidity, right through to arctic chill.

Swiss precision engineering guarantees smooth, quiet movement, long service life, and minimal maintenance. Adjustable speeds, opening profiles, and programmable control options allow users to meet functional and regulatory requirements without compromising aesthetic design

Constructed with stainless steel components or full stainless steel housings, these corrosion-free drives have been successfully specified in diverse projects worldwide.

Capable of enduring intensive cleaning with high-pressure water jets, TORMAX IP65/68 door drives are the perfect solution for environments requiring the highest levels of hygiene, such as hospital operating theatres, laboratories, and clean rooms.

Equally suited to consistently wet conditions, including swimming pools, offshore platforms, and cruise ships, these drives deliver reliable automation even in challenging settings. Their resistance to extreme temperatures also makes them ideal for use in saunas, greenhouses, and cold storage units.

Offering exceptional design flexibility, the TORMAX range of IP65 and IP68-rated swing and sliding door operators provides architects and specifiers with versatile solutions — including the option for completely invisible swing door automation. Installed discreetly within the floor casing, the iMotion 1401 preserves clean architectural lines while delivering outstanding performance.

These high-performance drives can support door leaves weighing up to 600 kg and spanning widths of up to three metres.

AKW Launches Virtual Showroom to Support Accessible and Inclusive Specification.

Building Products Index Ltd Kitchen accessibility solutions Leave a Comment

View the AKW entry on BPindex

Visit the AKW website

AKW has introduced a new virtual kitchen showroom designed to support architects, contractors and other specifiers working on accessible and inclusive residential projects.

Building on the success of its virtual bathroom platform, the new digital showroom provides a practical resource for reviewing accessible kitchen solutions in realistic settings. The online environment enables construction professionals to explore product functionality, finishes and layout options remotely – helping to streamline early-stage design decisions and reduce uncertainty during specification.

The virtual showroom features two fully realised accessible kitchen environments, demonstrating how key features can be integrated into everyday settings. Specifiers can explore practical solutions including rise-and-fall worktops, drop-down storage baskets, pull-out ironing boards and heat drawers – all designed to improve usability and independence within the home.

Integrated product display boards provide an overview of AKW’s wider kitchen offering, covering doors, worktops and handles. Direct access to brochures throughout the experience allows professionals to move quickly from concept review to detailed evaluation.

Finish coordination is also addressed within the platform. The second virtual kitchen space showcases 28 door colourways alongside four complementary worksurfaces, enabling specifiers to assess aesthetic combinations while maintaining compliance with accessible design principles. This is particularly relevant for projects where inclusive functionality must sit alongside contemporary interior design expectations.

The virtual kitchen showroom complements AKW’s physical showrooms in Droitwich Spa and Middlewich, offering flexible product selection options depending on project needs and location. Together, the digital and in-person environments provide practical support throughout the specification process.

Stuart Reynolds, UK Marketing & Product Management Director at AKW commented: “Our virtual bathroom showroom has been widely adopted by OTs, Installers and end users. Extending this experience to our accessible kitchen range ensures that specifiers can review products in a realistic setting from anywhere in the UK, helping to remove uncertainty and support confident specification”.

By combining functional insight, finish selection and direct access to technical documentation, AKW’s new virtual kitchen showroom offers a valuable resource for professionals delivering adaptable and accessible kitchen design.

A-Clad: The complete non-combustible brick slip rainscreen system

Building Products Index Ltd Brick slip cladding, Cladding Leave a Comment

View the Eurobrick entry on BPindex

Visit the Eurobrick website

Since 1990, Eurobrick Systems has specialised in brick slip cladding in the UK. Last year, they launched A-Clad, a non-combustible brick slip rainscreen system that is fully fire-tested and achieves A1 rating for reaction to fire.

As regulatory requirements have changed, demand has grown for cladding systems that provide demonstrable fire performance without compromising on design or construction.

A-Clad has been developed to meet these requirements, combining robust safety credentials with the flexibility needed for a wide range of building types. The system has undergone rigorous fire and mechanical testing and is now being specified across different sectors.

“A-Clad has been designed to give specifiers confidence,” says Richard Haines, Director of Eurobrick. “It’s the complete system that has been comprehensively tested to ensure safety and performance. This full system testing is fundamental to providing peace of mind and is what sets A-Clad apart from other systems.”

The rigorous testing ensures that A-Clad performs not only in terms of fire safety, but also durability and long-term resilience. With safety and compliance at the forefront of specification decisions, A-Clad provides a robust solution that can be specified with confidence.

A complete system backed by technical expertise

A-Clad is supplied as a complete system, backed by Eurobrick’s in-house estimating and technical team, who brings over four decades of experience in cladding systems. They can provide:

  • Detailed design reviews to identify practical or cost-efficiency issues early on
  • Comprehensive take-offs and accurate estimates
  • Ongoing technical guidance throughout the design and build process
  • Use of Eurobrick Approved Installers to ensure correct installation, or…
  • Dedicated A-Clad installer training delivered by Eurobrick’s technical specialists

This level of technical support is often critical in reducing costly design revisions, avoiding unnecessary on-site delays and supporting smooth project delivery. Eurobrick work closely with architects, contractors and installers from early design and specification stages right through to completion.

Designed for a wide range of applications

A-Clad is part of Eurobrick’s established portfolio of brick slip systems and is suitable for all applications, including new build and refurbishment projects. The system is currently being specified on projects within the residential, education and public sector, including apartment buildings, student accommodation schemes, and operational buildings such as police stations. It has also been selected for technically demanding applications, including lift shafts, where performance and compliance are critical.

This breadth of use demonstrates the versatility of A-Clad and its ability to meet both regulatory and design requirements across different building types. Eurobrick looks forward to sharing further details of completed A-Clad projects in the near future.

Technical documentation and training

Full A-Clad system specifications, technical literature, installation guidance and training information are available on the Eurobrick website at www.eurobrick.co.uk. Installer training is a prerequisite for the A-Clad system and can be arranged directly with Eurobrick’s technical team by emailing info@eurobrick.co.uk.

Discover the Beacon™ Modular Building

Building Products Index Ltd Modular Building System Leave a Comment

View the Glasdon entry on BPindex

Visit the Glasdon website

Beacon™ Modular Building System Video

Glasdon UK Limited are experts in the design, manufacture, delivery, and installation of modular building systems. Customers agree that our Beacon Modular Building is their first choice when it comes to superior accommodation for security, transport, offices, and other specialised applications.

The Beacon is a high-quality preassembled building system and offers all the firmly anchored mainstay features that make our building & housing products our customers’ go-to building system for a range of diverse needs and requirements. Suitable for 24/7 working environments, such as gatehouses, receptions, toll booths, vehicle checkpoints, staff offices, security and control centres, and much more.

It comes in 17 size configurations and two standard colours, natural anodised aluminium and anthracite grey. Assembled from a combination of thermally broken aluminium alloy extrusions, composite floor and wall panels, fixed glazing, and proprietary aluminium framed window and door systems, the Beacon’s framework is further complemented by an aluminium fascia system that has been designed together with a SIP (Structurally Insulated Panel) roof system, to achieve improved thermal performance.

The Beacon also features an external steel finish that is weather-resistant and pre-finished. This helps insulate the composite wall panels. All windows and doors are double-glazed as standard, and an insulated composite floor panel on a preservative-treated timber plinth with a vapour barrier further adds to the Beacon’s thermally efficient design.

Its excellent levels of insulation allow for minimal heat loss in colder weather, and less heat gain during warmer seasons.

Our Beacon remains competitively priced and highly adaptable, offering up to 16 wall panel configurations including blank walls and glazed doors, as well as bespoke internal layouts thanks to a variety of interior options, from electrics all the way to sanitaryware. Further options, such as anti-sun solar control glass, air conditioning packages (HVAC), exterior lighting, canopies and non-standard finishes (available at an extra cost) add to the Beacon’s customisability.

For more information on our Beacon modular building, view our full listing.

Newton’s 2026 Calendar of Free RIBA CPD Seminars

Building Products Index Ltd Waterproof Membranes, waterproofing Leave a Comment

View the Newton Waterproofing entry on BPindex

Visit the Newton Waterproofing website

Written by Warren Muschialli

Announcing the 2026 calendar of RIBA CPD seminars from Newton, delivered by our team of qualified experts.

Our 2026 line-up includes a choice of five CPD events, hosted in partnership with the RIBA Academy, providing online and in-person access to our latest RIBA-accredited CPDs and training.

CPD events will be delivered by our highly experienced team of Certificated Surveyors in Structural Waterproofing (CSSW). They deliver over one-hundred RIBA-approved CPDs throughout the year to architects, engineers and construction professionals across the country.

Your choice of RIBA CPD seminars for 2026 cover a range of best-practice guidance and compliance on different aspects of structural waterproofing. In line with the 2022 British Standard for waterproofing, BS 8102:2022, available topics include:

  • Waterproofing Design Strategies
  • A Designer’s Guide to ‘Type C’ Waterproofing
  • Achieving Continuity in Concrete Waterproofing
  • Principles of ‘Type A’ Barrier Waterproofing

Furthermore, our latest RIBA-approved CPD on Specifying Pumping Systems for Below-Ground Waterproofing Projects will also be available both online and in-person.

Booking Your RIBA CPD Seminars

See below for the full list of dates and registration links to our 2026 RIBA CPD events:

19th March 2026:

27th April 2026:

22nd June 2026

14th September 2026

  • 12:00 – 01:00 pm – RIBA CPD Hour – Registration link TBC

23rd November 2026

  • 12:00 – 01:00 pm – RIBA CPD Hour – Registration link TBC

New registration links and timings for each CPD webinar will be added to the CPD page of the website as soon as they become available. Contact us to be kept informed about upcoming CPD events and other free training resources.

As well as the online webinars and events, the above presentations are also available as face-to-face seminars or private webinars over Microsoft Teams.

To book your free CPD, call 01732 360 095, or email our CPD Co-ordinator, James jamesnewton@newtonwaterproofing.co.uk

New Clement steel windows make a statement at prestigious London apartment building

Building Products Index Ltd Steel, Windows Leave a Comment

View the Clement Windows entry on BPindex

Visit the Clement Windows website

Clement Windows Group has manufactured and installed new steel windows at a prestigious Central London apartment building.

This striking, Georgian-fronted building is located in the Harley Street Conservation Area and situated within the boundaries of the ancient Manor of St Marylebone, the history of which can be traced back to the Domesday Book in the eleventh century.  The area is rich in history and architecture, with terraced houses from different periods, ranging from the Georgian era through to the Modernist era of the 20th century.

Steel windows from the Clement EB24 range were selected because they could provide a close match to the look of the original Art Deco stye windows while offering a much improved specification.

For the particular apartment shown in the photograph below, the client opted for a dual colour option.  The windows are painted Jet Black on the outside and Traffic White on the inside to match the owner’s interior design.  The look is completed with Lodsworth handles and matching peg stays which are powder coated to match the frames.

Clement EB24 steel windows are made bespoke to individual orders.  Developed for refurbishment projects requiring a traditional steel window appearance, these slim framed, double-glazed windows offer improved thermal performance and advanced security.  Manufactured from hot rolled steel profiles which are produced from 98% recycled steel source material, they also bring sustainable credentials.

Produced in Clement’s factories which are certified to ISO 9001 (Quality Management) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), the steel frames are hot dip galvanised to EN ISO BS:1461, with a polyester powder coat finish to BS:6497 2005 EN 13438 2018.

Clement Windows Group manufactures an innovative range of steel windows, doors and screens for both private residences and commercial projects.  The company also offers a selection of conservation rooflights.

01428 643393              info@clementwg.co.uk                      www.clementwindows.co.uk

WAVIN LAUNCHES KEYLESS HEP2O RANGE

Building Products Index Ltd Pipes, Plastic piping, push fit fittings Leave a Comment

View the Wavin entry on BPindex

Visit the Wavin website

Leading plumbing and drainage manufacturer, Wavin, has expanded its plastic push-fit offering with the launch of its fifth-generation fitting, Hep2O Keyless.

This new range features an innovative two-stage twist and push functionality, eliminating the need for a demounting key and offering a smaller, more compact design. Hep2O Keyless fittings can be purchased in a pre-locked position, allowing for faster and easier installations.

Previewed at the InstallerSHOW 2024, the Keyless range retains much of the trusted functionality of the original Hep2O line and is compatible with a wide range of plastic and copper fittings. The development of these fittings was guided by feedback from plumbers and installers, addressing common challenges such as lengthy installation times and working in confined spaces.

The new Keyless range is backed by a 50-year guarantee and features Wavin’s In4Sure technology, ensuring secure joints with a distinctive ‘rumble’ during installation. New features include an optimised flow rate and robust plastic that prevent fittings from dismounting due to water hammer.

While the original Hep2O range remains a popular choice, Wavin is committed to providing merchants with flexible options that meet the diverse needs of individual projects.

Steve Harris, Technical Support Engineer at Wavin said: “Developing this range in-hand with tradespeople has been key. We’re excited to launch the next generation of our Hep2O fittings, enabling merchants to offer their customers a variety of solutions tailored to specific project requirements.”

For more details and samples, visit: https://promo.wavin.com/en-gb/hep2o-keyless