Client: Sheraton
Contractor: Ogilvie Construction
Type of works: supply of Knauf Aquapanel Interior for hotel bathrooms.

Knauf Aquapanel Interior is being used extensively as part of the multi-million pound refurbishment of a five-star Scottish hotel nestling in the shadow of the historical Edinburgh Castle. The market-leading glass fibre reinforced cement, tile backer board is being used to line the walls of 269 luxury bathrooms at the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa, where its immense strength will ensure that heavy opulent tiling stays firmly in place – even in the wettest conditions.

Bedrooms and bathrooms are the main focus of the Sheraton Grand’s refurbishment programme. The major re-design of rooms will enhance the experience of guests staying at one of Scotland’s leading hotels and includes features such as mood lighting, designer bathrooms and state-of-the-art technology.

Main contractor, Stirling-based Ogilvie Construction, specified Knauf Aquapanel Interior for the 25 year old hotel’s bathrooms, recognising its suitability for a project involving heavy mosaic tiles. Using material sourced through the Edinburgh branch of Knauf Drywall distributor CCF, the Ogilvie team is installing Knauf Aquapanel Interior on the long elevation of the bath and walk-in shower, an end panel and for one wall of the toilet cubicle. The feeling of space in the new bathrooms is enhanced by extensive glazing in the partition walls between bathrooms and bedrooms.

Ogilvie Construction Managing Director Phil McEwan says the company has considerable experience in hotel and leisure sector projects – and the Sheraton Grand is a particularly exciting project. “After discussing the correct application of Aquapanel Interior with Knauf Drywall, our joiners had no difficulty installing it – and I am sure that it will contribute well to the overall finish of the project.”

Capable of supporting tiles of up to 50kg/m², Knauf Aquapanel Interior is the tile backer of choice for a large number of bathroom and wet area specifiers and installers throughout the UK. It never loses its strength, even when fully immersed in water, and is the best insurance against adhesive bonding failures which are a major source of tile problems in traditional installations.

Mark Sandford, Knauf Aquapanel Business Development Manager, says the tile backer board is increasingly specified to provide a simple, strong solution wherever drywall construction is used in wet areas. “Aquapanel Interior virtually eliminates the risk of tile failures, avoiding both the danger of injuries and the nuisance of repairs – which hotels don’t want and neither do other typical customers such as homeowners, schools, hospitals and leisure centres,” he says.

Knauf Aquapanel Interior is a tough, impact resistant glass fibre reinforced cement tile backer specially designed for use in wet and humid areas. The 12.5mm board interfaces seamlessly with plasterboard-based partitioning systems and needs no additional skills for installation. Knauf Drywall provides a comprehensive range of Aquapanel accessories including screws, jointing tape, filler and joint adhesive.

Aquapanel may also be finished with Aquapanel Interior Q4 Finish – a ready mixed water repellent skim coat to create a smooth, level surface for painting.

Knauf Drywall manufactures a full range of plasters, plasterboards, insulating laminates, dry flooring, drywall accessories, and metal sections for domestic, commercial and public sector applications. Knauf Drywall pioneered carbon neutral plasterboard in the UK with Knauf Futurepanel. Knauf Drywall also actively promotes recycling from building sites and has a zero waste policy in its energy efficient factories at Sittingbourne in Kent and Immingham on Humberside. For further information ring the Knauf Drywall Literature Line (0870) 0613 700 or visit www.knaufdrywall.co.uk.