Architectural mouldings are structures and finishes that add character and specialist designs to buildings and structures. They can also be used to house and protect utilities with the added benefit of ‘hiding’ them from plain sight in a more aesthetically pleasing way.

They can be comprised of different materials such as aluminium or PPC steel, however, GRP (glass reinforced plastic) architectural mouldings are setting the new standard for what can be achieved within the industry.

GRP architectural mouldings are lightweight yet durable and can be formed into almost any shape imaginable. While architects were once held back by the limitations of materials like timber and steel, GRP opens up a vast range of possibilities. Giving the end results a high level of strength and impact resistance for longevity.

 

The difference between casting and moulding

Casting is the process of pouring molten metal into a cast which then solidifies and the cast is then broken away from the formed shape. The resulting product needs finishing by other means to give it that finished look such as polishing or filing to remove rough edges. Due to the required breaking of the mould, this process is, therefore, a one-off creation. With the negative to this being that if you require copies you would need to create more castings – incurring additional costs and time.

Moulding is the process of pouring liquid plastics or other such materials into a mould which can then be removed without the need of breaking the mould. The end product also requires no further finishing. This process also lends itself easily to duplication because the mould remains intact throughout the whole process. This allows the manufacturer to create multiple exact copies, saving time and resources compared to the casting process.

This process is undertaken for GRP mouldings meaning the product output is of the highest quality. Whilst at a competitive price, and affording the benefit of duplication should your project need it.

Jones and Woolman UK has collaborated on a number of unique and bespoke GRP architectural moulding projects and we have the resources to bring your structural imaginations to life. To find out more or to discuss your next project with a member of our team, please get in touch here or call us on 01922 712111.

Commercial roofing and commercial roof repairs are completely different from the residential roofing sector. In this article, we’ll be answering everything from what a commercial roof is, what they’re made of and the options available to you to when they need repairing or replacing, how to weatherproof them and the best materials to use.

What is a commercial roof?

A commercial roof is the top covering of your business’ premises. A lot of, commercial roofs have a flat slope and the type of materials used tends to differ – we’ll cover this in detail a little later on.

Here at Jones and Woolman UK, we’re the industry’s go-to for all things roofing. Our weathering options are endless, our approach is flexible, and our design selection’s comprehensive. To find out more, check out our design and build services.

What are the different types of commercial roofs?

Generally speaking, commercial roofs can be split into two categories: flat or pitched.

Flat roofs need to be finished with a layer of weatherproofing felt or a single-ply membrane, and, despite their name, they aren’t actually 100% flat – they do have a slight fall. Flat roofs tend to be more cost-effective as less labour is needed and materials are usually cheaper.

Made up of at least two slopes that create a peak, pitched roofs are usually more durable than flat roofs and have additional benefits such as extra storage space and potentially more efficient weatherproofing qualities.

What variations of commercial roofs are there and what are they made of?

Some of the most common types of commercial roofs include; felt roofing, liquid roofing, single-ply roofing, metal roofing, slating and tiling, green roofs and rooflights and skylights.

In terms of weatherproofing a roof, acrylic and silicone are a couple of the most used membrane materials. Acrylic membranes are usually on the cheaper side and have the added benefit of being able to give them a re-coat later down the line. One thing worth noting though, is acrylic polymers don’t operate as well when water pools, so if you’ve got a flat roof, it might not be the best option for you.

Silicone membranes generally offer better resistance to water and are relatively easy to apply however, unlike their acrylic counterpart, they can’t be re-coated with any other liquid products.

Roof penetrations

Some common commercial roof penetrations include; soil vent pipes, hot pipes from boiler flues for example, electrical cables for air-con units, and extraction ducting.

Penetrations are often needed to house important installations on the outside of a building where space is at a premium inside, however, because they can compromise your roof’s weatherproofing qualities, they should be implemented carefully and not without speaking to your weatherproofing installer first.

When it comes to roof penetrations and weathering systems Jones and Woolman UK is the expert. We’ve built a name for ourselves designing, building and installing first-class solutions that are structurally sound and weatherproof, and everything we do is bespoke to you. To learn more, take a look at our roof penetration and vertical penetration solutions.

What is the best material for a commercial flat roof?

Because flat roofs don’t disperse water quite as easily as pitched roofs, extra attention needs to be given to its waterproofing properties.

Popular weatherproofing solutions include GRP roofing systems, liquid coatings, single-ply membranes, EPDM rubber, reinforced bituminous membranes, asphalt, and waterproof paint toppings. Above all, however, GRP roofing systems offer the best performance and durability and should be the first choice for commercial roof repairs.

When should I replace my commercial roof?

There isn’t a set answer for this. Commercial roofs can last anywhere from 5 to 100 years depending on the type of materials used, quality of installation, and whether or not you’ve maintained adequate weatherproofing measures (like re-coating your membrane, for example).

Outside of wanting a new roof for aesthetic reasons, an internal leak or evident external damage is an obvious sign repair or replacements are needed.

Before you decide whether to replace the whole roof or just patch up a problem area, weigh up the pros and cons.

While on the one hand simply repairing your roof will be cheaper, it could be more costly in the long-run if a) it’s not done by an expert, and b) you end up having to replace the whole thing down the line anyway.

On the flip side, replacing your whole roof will undoubtedly result in a more structurally sound and weatherproof surface, however, it will also cost substantially more.

Our approach

At Jones and Woolman UK we opt to repair over replace to give our clients the best service, price and roof-life while safely postponing full replacements for up to another 25 years.

If your end laps are rusting we’ll seal over the laps, and if it’s your cladded structure that’s under the spotlight we’ll line the gutters, create new detail valley gutters, and then seal them over your existing ones.

The only type we’d instinctively advise to replace are felt roofs, and we’d do this with our premium replacement service which includes GRP which offers an incredibly resilient solution that can increase the longevity of a flat roof.

Are commercial roof repairs covered by building insurance?

Building insurance covers the cost of repairing or replacing your roof if a natural disaster (like a storm, fire or flood) hits or if it’s damaged by vandalism of subsidence.

How much you’re covered for will vary from provider-to-provider and you may have to pay an excess, but the money you recoup from your building insurance cover could make the cost of repairing or replacing your roof considerably less than you originally thought.

When it comes to the condition of your roof, cost should be secondary. Leaving structural concerns unattended will not only cost more to fix in the long-run but, worst case, could put your employees and customers in harm’s way too.

If you want to chat to one of our technical experts about your next roofing project or need some
practical and impartial advice, get in touch with the team on 01922 712111 or contact us here.

Getting services into cleanrooms and other controlled environments can be tricky – and protecting these critical environments from contamination requires careful planning and construction of the vertical penetrations.

After all, the connections between buildings and floors need to be sealed and reliable, allowing pipes, ductwork and cables to get in while keeping out everything else – from vermin and insects to rainwater and dust particles.

Sealed, reliable connections between buildings and floors

While vertical penetrations are among the most challenging details in the building industry to get right (especially in controlled environments) the team here at Jones and Woolman UK have extensive experience in completing this kind of project.

We’ve worked with clients in industries such as pharmaceutical production, food plants, data centres and other critical environments to create bespoke solutions, resulting in vertical penetrations that are effective, structurally sound and reliably sealed – as well as compact with a seamless finish.

Because vertical penetrations are more visible to people – as opposed to roof penetrations which are mostly unseen – Jones and Woolman UK is able to professionally colour match to any cladding colour, ensuring the vertical penetration is aesthetically pleasing to the eye, becoming a part of the building instead of appearing like an afterthought tacked on at a later date.

Watertight solutions that keep out vermin and insects

The point where services enter and exit a building is critical, and careful attention must be paid to keep out rainwater and wind, as well as any pests that might try to make their way in, contaminate the interior environment or cause physical damage.

Here at Jones and Woolman UK, we have a variety of techniques at our disposal to help ensure weather and pests stay where they’re meant to – outside – while providing reliable connections to air ducts, electrical wiring, fibre optics and other services.

We can design and fit complex cable trays and pipework, as well as dealing with any sort of ductwork or steel structure that is required to pass in and out of the building. A fibre-reinforced, cold-applied liquid is used to provide a reliable and low-maintenance seal and it can be used with any type of cladding, as well as single-ply membrane roofs.

We can also manufacture and fit reliable roof penetrations, comprising custom-made GRP curbs and service risers to suit customer units, access hatches, ventilation, pipework and other building services.

Our system is extremely versatile, and there is no restriction in terms of size, shape or position of the vertical penetrations. It also allows for last-minute positional changes or ancillary equipment to be added easily.

Vertical penetrations for pharmaceutical production areas, data centres and other critical environments

As experts in vertical penetrations, Jones and Woolman UK have more than 40 years of experience in delivering reliable and attractive vertical penetrations for a wide range of clients.

Over the years, we’ve worked with planning contractors, M&E contractors, architects and other specifiers to create effective solutions for cleanrooms and other critical environments where external contamination is not an option.

If you’d like to find out more about our vertical penetrations and sealing systems, or discuss the unique requirements of your next project in more detail, please contact us today.

Whether you’re designing a new building or refurbishing an old one, getting the look of the structure right is essential. And one of the best ways to create a unique and aesthetically appealing result is with GRP architectural mouldings.

Also known as glass-reinforced plastic or fibreglass, GRP is a lightweight yet durable material that can be formed into just about any shape you can imagine. While architects were once held back by the limitations of materials like timber and steel, GRP opens up a vast range of possibilities, as it can be moulded into any shape you can imagine, while also providing a high level of strength and impact resistance.

From simple curves to complex designs, GRP architectural mouldings enable architects to unleash their creativity and achieve truly unique building designs easily and effectively.

Why choose GRP architectural mouldings?

GRP is a strong and versatile material that can be used in a variety of applications, ranging from commercial and retail, through to healthcare, education, leisure and residential projects.

While we’ve already briefly mentioned some of the benefits of glass-reinforced plastic (strong, lightweight, versatile), let’s look at the reasons to opt for GRP architectural mouldings in a bit more detail:

• Lightweight and strong – GRP is up to 75% lighter than steel, while its strength-to-weight ratio means that for non-structural purposes it can actually be far superior to steel. In addition, their light weight means that GRP architectural mouldings are more cost-effective to transport and they can be manoeuvred easily onsite.
• Versatile – GRP can be used to create just about any shape you desire, from simple, undulating curved roofs to the most intricate detail work. Although GRP architectural mouldings are generally associated with more modern buildings, it’s important to note that the material is equally useful on older structures. In fact, GRP mouldings have been used to re-create ornate carvings and other decorative elements on traditional homes and historic structures, and they can be finished to match the existing mouldings perfectly, providing a simple, affordable and effective solution for refurbishment projects.
• Weather resistant – GRP does not swell or shrink during fluctuations in temperature or humidity. It is also UV-stable and will not discolour over time.
• Impact resistant – The strength of GRP means that it can withstand heavy impact and severe point loading with no damage, and any distortion due to impact will generally return to its original shape.
• Thermally efficient – Since GRP is a natural insulator, it can help to make a building more thermally efficient, and you don’t need to worry about thermal breaks.
• Long lifespan with minimal maintenance – Once installed, GRP architectural mouldings should last a very long time, and the only maintenance required is simple cleaning.

GRP is also resistant to corrosion, chemicals and parasitic attack. It is non-conductive, inert and non-sparking, making it ideal for use in locations with potential electrical hazards or where combustible gases may be present. It is also unaffected by electromagnetic or radio frequencies.

Incredible building design using GRP architectural mouldings

Here at Jones and Woolman UK, we’ve worked on a number of bespoke design projects using GRP architectural mouldings, enabling architects to turn their structural dreams into reality – all while ensuring a robust, long-lasting and low-maintenance building.

To find out more about how GRP architectural mouldings can take your building design to the next level – or to discuss your next project with a member of our team, please get in touch.