MONTH IN FM
APRIL 2019 49
FMJ.CO.UK
KNAUF AIRLESS FINISH WOWS AT NEW
SIR ROBERT OGDEN CANCER CENTRE
Knauf Airless Finish, part of the Knauf
Readymixed Finishes range (RMF) was specified
on a project led by construction giant Interserve
to build a new care centre for Macmillan
Cancer Support and South Tees Hospital NHS
Foundation Trust in Northallerton, Yorkshire.
For such a well-known client, it was important to
design the building with the end user in mind –
in this case it would have to be somewhere that
would feel calming for visitors experiencing an
incredibly challenging time in their lives.
The new building showcases some striking
architectural features, such as curved walls and
fibreglass finishes. Martin Anderson from P+HS
Architects explained: “We’ve been working on this
project for several years now, taking the time to
ensure this will be a truly exceptional building.”
Another plastering product was initially
specified at the outset; however, sub contractors
Dual Interiors Ltd requested the specification be
changed to KnaufAirless Finish spray plaster, part
of the RMF range. Joe Graham, Manager at Dual
Interiors Ltd explained: “We looked at the di
erent
options available and decided using Knauf was
the most cost-e
ective option for this project as
well as producing a very high-quality end result as
opposed to traditional plastering methods.”
Architect Martin commented: “Although the
original specification was changed, we didn’t have a
problem with this as we were already familiar with
Knauf and the quality of their products. We hadn’t
used this specific product before however we were
very excited to see the end result.”
Knauf Airless Finish was used throughout the
building in an area covering more than 7000m¨. Site
Manager/Owner John Graham at Dual interiors Ltd
said: “It provides better quality by a mile and it’s
saved us a lot of time when it comes to snagging
issues. A er mist coating, this product produces a
snag free quality finish first time.
“Additional savings can be achieved as the
need for both a mist coat and a first coat finish is
eliminated. The product performs especially well
with high specification paints such as vinyl silks as
there is no flash through of joints on finished walls
even where there is large areas of glazing on very
light sunny days.
“The product is highly sustainable as it requires
no water. It does not cause over-spray unlike
traditional spray plaster products - in all it is a very
clean and easy product to use.
“Interserve management has been very
impressed with the exceptional quality of finish
and proposed use of the product on future projects
because of its environmental credentials and ease
of use. On the whole it’s definitely much better than
other products we’ve tried.”
The Knauf RMF range, which includes Knauf
Airless Finish, has been specifically developed by
Knauf’s Research and Development team who
actively searched for an innovative way to improve
the working conditions of plasterers using their
products. Created with plasterers in mind, it is
designed to take the hassle out of plastering and is
ideal for improving e
iciency on larger projects.
The productivity benefits of spray-applied plaster
are most prevalent where there is a lot of repetitive
plasterwork required. For every 27 minutes of
work, contractors are getting an extra 100m2 of
productivity.
The product is supplied on-site as a pre-mixed
liquid product, free from dust and ready to be
used straight away. The liquid form eliminates the
need for a direct water supply on site and reduces
product waste as any unused product can simply be
recycled back in to the hopper.
Unlike other products, Knauf Airless Finish has a
drying time of 24-48 hours and requires only little
heat and ventilation. Traditional plaster methods
tend to require all the moisture to be drawn out first
before paint can be applied, which can take up to
two weeks.
Knauf Airless Finish is applied using a spray
plaster machine and hopper. At the Sir Robert
Ogden Cancer Centre in Northallerton, Dual
Interiors Ltd used a machine loaned from Knauf’s
distributor Nevill Long however they are looking
to procure a machine themselves for the next time
they use Knauf AirlessFinish. The new facility was
o
icially opened in December 2018 by Sir Robert
Ogden, a local philanthropist and Lady Halifax,
president of Macmillan Cancer Support.
www.knauf.co.uk
/www.knauf.co.uk