Linthorpe Developments, a commercial north east property company, is rejuvenating a 26-year-old office block in Middlesbrough using embossed pearl grey PVCu cladding from Deeplas, the UK manufacturer and supplier of calcium organic PVCu roofline products and building plastics. The colour, pearl grey, is a big factor because it provides the right upmarket facelift for a property that is being transformed into the Cleveland Business Centre, a high-specification serviced office space for up to 55 start-ups and expanding enterprises. Linthorpe founder and managing director Geoff Hogg says he chose Deeplas embossed cladding because it offered better

value for money, with lower maintenance costs and speedier installation than conventional alternatives.“ The architects would have liked cedar cladding but maintenance would have been an issue because cedar goes silver over time and I don’ t want to have to have the cladding treated every five years,” he explained.

“ Embossed cladding achieves a similar appearance but won’ t lose colour. Also cedar would have been supported on tanalised laths which can ultimately rot, whereas Deeplas cladding uses plastic battens that won’ t.” In Geoff’ s view the original building was far too monolithic and the cladding at the gable ends

would break up the block-like appearance with columns and bands of colour. Some 140 pearl grey embossed double planks, measuring 6m x 300mm, have been installed as columns and will be set off by 600mm deep horizontal bands of fluorescent green cladding. The green cladding is constructed from 5m lengths of flat plank

PVCu board that has been powder-coated locally and, when completed, will be illuminated from within by powerful LED lights for an eye-catching effect that will make the building into a landmark. Deeplas building products director, Hazel Verschuere, said:“ This is an imaginative example of how cladding can help transform

a building into something of architectural and aesthetic merit, giving it a contemporary look and feel that will no doubt appeal to local businesses looking for office space.” Designed for easy installation, Deeplas PVCu shiplap cladding provides an attractive, low maintenance, weather resistant answer to replacing rotten timber cladding, concealing problem areas of brickwork or adding an interesting new feature to a property. The easy-fit, clip-together boards are available in a range of realistic embossed finishes to complement a range of styles from rustic timber-effect to crisp and contemporary. Colours available include: white, light grey, light ivory, mocha brown, sand, sky blue, pearl grey and cream.

www. deeplas. co. uk

Colour is the current big trend in composite doors. And that’ s why Phoenix Doors, part of MASCO UK Window Group, has responded with the launch of its carefully-produced colour guide. Designed to complement brochures on its existing comprehensive range of GRP composite doors to suit all types of properties, the guide showcases the appealing range of shades available in both through-colour and standard painted options. In addition to the standard five through-colours on its County and Continental Collections, the Phoenix Doors’ guide highlights the additional stylish heritage colour finishes- duck egg blue, Chartwell green, slate grey, very berry and anthracite grey – that are also available. These shades and more, including a softer French grey and mid grey, can also be

specified for the high-performance 70 mm double-rebated and triple-glazed Meridian composite doors.“ Our coloured composite entrance doors are proving very popular and it’ s clear that homeowners are keen to personalise their properties with a front door that makes a clear statement,” comments Haydon Statham, Phoenix Doors sales director. Recent expansion of Phoenix’ s in-house paint spraying facility, catering for any specified RAL colour, means that further personalisation options of the Meridian Door are virtually limitless. Haydon adds:“ Since becoming part of the group more than three years ago, we have continued to invest across our business and tailor our service to suit the varied needs of all our customers, whatever their size, and to make their lives easier.”

www. phoenixdoorpanels. co. uk

Solidor, manufacturer of the secure composite door, has been shortlisted for two Construction Marketing Awards( CMAs). Run by the Chartered Institute of Marketing, the CMAs are the UK awards for marketing in construction. Solidor has grown fast in the last 12 months because of its investment in people, product, facilities, processes and marketing. Its marketing has been shortlisted for the CMA in Strategic Planning & Management and Best Use of Press and Public Relations.

‘ our share of the market is growing fast’

Solidor CEO Gareth Mobley says:“ MRA Marketing’ s marketing strategy and messaging moved Solidor up a gear and we grew faster. Installers are switching to Solidor because there’ s no escaping the benefits of selling beautiful security and the real-life security homeowners want. So our share of the market is growing fast.

“ We have the right product and people, the right infrastructure, and now we have the right strategy and messaging too,” continues Gareth.“ It’ s great to be recognised at such a prestigious event. We’ re looking forward to celebrating at the awards in London on the 1st December – good luck to everyone else who is shortlisted.”

To find out more about the secure composite door visit www. solidor. co. uk, call 01782 950 941, or follow @ SolidorLtd on Twitter.