POWDER coated fasteners from SFS intec have helped roofing and cladding contractor Roofdec create a ‘striking’ new building envelope for an extension to the White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds.
The £13.7 million project, completed by Morgan Sindall for Land Securities, has provided extra space for an 11-screen cinema with IMAX technology, restaurants and an extension of both the existing Primark and Debenhams stores.
Meeting the colour consistency and long-term performance brief across the various elements of the contemporary façade, Roofdec turned to SFS intec for 40 variations of fasteners, many of which were powder coated in-house to match the different forms and colours of the rainscreen exterior. SFS said this included ensuring that fastener heads complemented the building’s curved facias which were formed of purpose-made anodised panels in various colours.
Jon Barnes senior, managing director of Roofdec said, “For all of our prestigious jobs, we choose SFS intec’s fasteners for their excellent quality, ease of installation and value for money. SFS intec provide excellent technical support throughout the design and construction phases of a project and with their production facilities being located in Leeds with in-house powder-coating, the logistics to get the right coloured product on-site were a breeze.”
SFS intec powder-coats fasteners, available to meet any RAL colour and in bespoke finishes, at its UK HQ and production plant in Leeds.
The firm said its most popular requests currently for powder coated heads reflect the trends in contemporary architecture, and include Goosewing Grey, Poppy Red, Light Metallic Silver, Solvent Blue, Hamlet and Sargasso Blue.
David Osborne, national sales manager at SFS intec added, “With architects continuously pushing the boundaries of façade design, and OEMs leading the charge with constant innovation in panel design and construction, maintaining the visual appeal of the building envelope is vital, particularly for clients in the fiercely competitive retail market.
“Our powder coated fasteners, which provide a high-quality finish for our A2 (grade 304) or A4 (grade 316) stainless steel fasteners, is the ideal way to ensure a façade retains its integrity over a long service life, without suffering significant visual defects that will inevitably impact on the visual appeal of the structure.”
Powder coating is described by SFS as an ‘advanced alternative’ to using moulded nylon heads. Finely ground particles of pigment and resin are sprayed on to the metal fastener head using an electrostatic spray process, causing the charged particles to permanently bond to the metal surface. The powder is then heated and fused into a smooth coating in a curing oven at up to 200 °C, melting the powder onto the metal, to deliver weather resistance and colour stability, even in exposed locations.
