ROOFLIGHTS &
ROOF VENTS / BMBI REPORT
Merchants’ August sales
boosted by timber and joinery
Total builders’ merchant value
sales to roofers, builders and
contractors were up 3.5% in
August, compared with August
2017. Two categories did better, Timber
and Joinery Products (+9.5%) and
Landscaping (+6.9%). Heavy Building
Materials (+1.6%) and Plumbing, Heating
and Electrical (+1.2%) were among six
categories that grew more slowly.
Overall, August sales were 3.4%
lower than July, including Timber and
Joinery Products (-1.3%) and Kitchens
and Bathrooms (-2.5%). Only Workwear
and Safetywear (+2.5%) sold more.
The first eight months of 2018 were
4.5% ahead of the same period in
2017, with one additional trading
day this year. Plumbing, Heating
and Electrical (+9.2%) did best,
with Timber and Joinery Products
(+7.3%) also strong. Average sales a
day for January to August were up
3.9% on the same months last year.
The rolling 12 months September
2017 to August 2018 were 4.8% above
the same 12 months a year earlier.
Plumbing, Heating and Electrical
(+8.7%) was strongest, followed
by Timber and Joinery Products
(+6.9%). August’s BMBI index
was 124.7, with one additional
trading day. Seasonal category
Landscaping was top at 142.4.
The average sales a day index
for August was 117.6.
Paul Owen, commercial director
distribution at IKO, and BMBI's expert
for roofing products, said: “There have
been mixed fortunes in the roofing
sector with retail sales struggling
against a more positive private housing
market. The Construction Products
Association (CPA) Autumn Forecast
shows total construction output to be
flat in 2018, and rising 0.6% in 2019, with
commercial offices and retail output
down 10% this year, and down 20% and
2% respectively in 2019.
“The CPA’s RMI forecasts show a
small overall increase. However, private
housing newbuild starts are forecast
to rise by 2% in 2018. Merchants and
roofing distributers reported Q2 sales
significantly up on Q1, and up on Q2
2017. Major roofing contractors have
healthy order books and enquiry levels
are up on 2017 in size and value.”
w www.bmbi.co.uk
ADVERTORIAL
Coxdome System at Imperial War
Museum shortlisted for roofing award
A striking Central Atrium Barrel Vault rooflight system from Coxdome,
installed at Imperial War Museum Duxford in Cambridgeshire, has been
shortlisted in the “Domestic and Commercial Buildings Applications using
Rooflights” category at this year’s Pitched Roofing Awards
The original rooflight system at
the Land Warfare exhibition was
in urgent need of replacement,
and due to the rare and
valuable exhibits housed in the building,
installation of a new system presented
a number of challenges for Coxdome to
overcome. Land Warfare accommodates
a collection of armoured, artillery and
military vehicles, which sit directly
underneath the section of the roof that
required refurbishment; in addition, the
building had to remain open to the public
throughout the installation.
Working alongside roofing
contractor M&J Group (Construction
and Roofing), the technical team
carried out in-depth performance and
design calculations, which led to the
specification of a non-fragile Barrel
Vault system, spanning the full length
of the roof 6.5m x 125m.
Being sympathetic to the sensitive
nature of the project and to ensure
the safety of the visitors and exhibits
below, Coxdome conquered the intricate
logistics, to install the system in small
sections. The Barrel Vault system is now
allowing the flow of evenly distributed
natural daylight directly into the space
below, showcasing the exhibits to their
full potential.
The Coxdome Barrel Vault system
can be made to measure, allowing for
special configurations, incorporating
intersections and changes in direction.
It comprises extruded aluminium
profile sections, powder-coated
as required, with a choice of solid
polycarbonate or multiwall glazing. All
Barrel Vaults are manufactured and
tailored to individual requirements and
offer a light source of unlimited length
with widths ranging from 600mm
(solid polycarbonate glazing) / 1000mm
(multiwall glazing) to 7000mm.
Available in ‘low-rise’ or ‘highrise’
semi-circular profiles, the system
is ideal for most flat or ridged roof
applications.
w www.coxdome.co.uk
58 www.rcimag.co.uk November 2018
/www.bmbi.co.uk
/www.coxdome.co.uk
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