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Heritage Roofing
Heritage roofing - maintaining our iconic buildings
The UK is home to some of the most iconic buildings in the world, from stunning churches and cathedrals to historic stately homes. Each and every one of these remarkable feats of architecture requires regular maintenance to ensure they remain in the very best condition, allowing them to be enjoyed for generations.
Traditional Lime
Lime: it’s better for buildings – and for the environment
It is now fairly well known that cement is not good for old buildings and that lime mortar should be used. But why? What are the advantages and what are the disadvantages? In order to begin to answer those questions it is necessary to understand the nature of traditional building, the process by which buildings used to be built, and how it differs from modern construction, the process by which we build today.
Audio Visual
Audio visual equipment in church buildings
This guidance is issued by the Church Buildings Council under section 55(1)(d) of the Dioceses, Mission and Pastoral Measure 2007. As it is statutory guidance, it must be considered with great care. The standards of good practice set out in the guidance should not be departed from unless the departure is justified by reasons that are spelled out clearly, logically and convincingly.
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CRE Events
After the Midlands, onward to Milton Keynes
"CRE Midlands reminded me of the giddy days when it first began – the venue was packed with exhibitors and visitors and there was a busy atmosphere. The whole thing looked great."
Insurance
You need to ensure that reasonable precautions are in place at your church to keep it safe for those who use it. To do this, you need to think about what might cause harm to people.
You will then need to decide if the precautions already in place are adequate. If they are not, you may need to identify further action to prevent any danger. When done formally, this is known as a risk assessment.
Lead Roofing
Lead is one of the oldest materials in the roofing industry and is still commonly used throughout the world today.
Lead roofing is a traditional roofing method which has been used in the industry for hundreds of years, and is therefore proven to be extremely reliable. Lead roofing, and sand-cast lead, in particular is ideal for old buildings such as churches or historical renovations, whereas milled lead roofing is a mass-produced alternative, used for precision and accuracy in homes and commercial buildings alike.
Lightning Protection
When lightning strikes are you protected against this act of God?
The issue of lightning protection in churches is one that has exercised this publication for many years. In this four-part series of spotlights on the issue we will be revisiting various aspects of the subject, beginning with an overview of current thinking.
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SoundLay Plus Makes The Grade At The Montpellier Chapter
CMS Acoustics, the UK’s leading provider of acoustic solutions, has delivered SoundLay Plus, a high performance and competitive acoustic overlay, to combat noise transfer at a Grade II listed Cheltenham hotel. Installed at The Montpellier Chapter to exceed Part E Regulations, the composite sandwich laminate incrementally dampened impact and airborne sound in all guest bedrooms.
The most recent addition to Swire Hotel’s esteemed portfolio, before The Montpellier Chapter could be deemed fit for purpose a complete refurbishment and new build crescent-shaped wing were required. Accommodating 61 luxury guestrooms over three storeys, it was identified at the design stage that impact energy generated though footfall could jeopardise the quality of the acoustic environment. Equally, excess nuisance noise created by in-built audio equipment in every suite posed a major acoustic issue, compounding on already high noise levels.
In response to the challenge of both impact and airborne sound, CMS Acoustics specified SoundLay Plus, a high performing yet cost effective acoustic barrier, for The Montpellier Chapter refurbishment. As a result, contractors for the project, Thomas Vale Construction installed 1,000m² of the resilient acoustic overlay in all guest bedrooms to significantly reduce the passage of noise through the floor.
As part of stringent listed building controls, the acoustic solution needed to be compatible with the retained wood subfloor. Primarily designed for timber applications but suitable for use with all subfloor types, SoundLay Plus achieves impact sound attenuation of 55dB and airborne sound insulation of 49dB. An excellent under-carpet noise barrier, the versatile acoustic overlay was fitted with a carpet floor finish in all guest bedrooms.
Supplied in standard thickness sheets of just 12mm that facilitate ease of handling, the 1.2m by 1m acoustic tiles can be cut to size to fit any specification. Delivering an efficient installation whereby the acoustic overlay material is staggered directly on top of the subfloor, SoundLay Plus accommodates all construction programmes.
Graham South, buyer, Thomas Vale, commented: “Managing the refurbishment, we required a premium acoustic treatment that could be effortlessly installed in the luxurious establishment. Supplied in thin, easy to handle tiles, the versatility of SoundLay Plus enabled us to cut the acoustic material to fit the unusual room layouts. By helping to retain the proportions of the guestrooms at the same time as delivering superior impact energy and airborne sound insulation, SoundLay Plus met all of our project requirements.”
A high density, recyclable acoustic barrier and Class O acoustic foam composition, the SoundLay range has been fully tested on basic floor constructions to provide excellent acoustic attenuation with both timber and concrete subfloors. Suitable for use in commercial and residential developments, the acoustic overlay is ideal for use in new build, retrofit or refurbishment programmes.
Paul Absolon, technical director, CMS Acoustics, concluded: “To maintain a high level of guest comfort at all times, it was not sufficient to solely tackle impact sound at The Montpellier Chapter. A robust acoustic treatment, SoundLay Plus effectively limited all noise transfer between rooms. Well-suited to hotel installations with an emphasis on quality, the cost effective acoustic treatment is ideal for applications that require additional impact and airborne sound insulation, helping to ensure the comfort of guests throughout their stay.”
For further details on the SoundLay range and other acoustic products available through CMS Acoustics, visit www.cmsacoustics.co.uk, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01925 577 711.
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