EQUITONE [pictura] from Marley’s architectural fibre cement facade materials has helped to transform Sevenoaks Rail Station in Kent.

EQUITONE is the new international brand for Marley’s architectural facade materials and brings together the ranges [natura], [tectiva], [pictura] and [textura].

The EQUITONE [pictura] fibre cement facade was specified for the refurbishment of Sevenoaks station because it is available in a selection of contemporary colour coatings in a smooth ultra-matt finish, which created the high class architectural aesthetic sought by the clients. Colour Moonstone was specified as part of the £1.4m refurbishment, led by Network Rail and Southeastern.

The material was also used to clad the walkways and stairwells leading from the platform to the ticket office as well as across the front elevation of the building to revitalise the main entrance area as, the existing steel cladding in these areas had begun to deteriorate. In addition, the anti-graffiti protection provided the long term low maintenance solution sought by the clients.

A fibre cement facade from Marley has an installed life expectancy of at least 50 years, requires no routine maintenance and is resistant to rot and fungi, making it a highly cost effective material over the whole life of the building.

The fibre cement panels were rivet fixed to a new steel framing system (SFS). The architectural fibre cement materials are a dry-fix solution that enables facades to be created in up to half the time of a conventional, wet-trade system such as brick and block. Therefore, choosing a Marley fibre cement facade enabled refurbishment of Sevenoaks Rail Station to be completed exactly to schedule.

Alison Nolan, from Southeastern said: “Providing our passengers with a safe and comfortable environment is important to us. The station is the gateway to Sevenoaks for many and provides the first impression of the town.”

The Marley fibre cement facade helped to create an aesthetically-appealing, safe and low maintenance station building that will help create a positive image for both the community and businesses in the town.

An EQUITONE fibre cement facade contributes to the sustainability of a project because it can achieve an A+ rating as defined in the BRE’s Green Guide to Specification based on generic rating for autoclaved fibre cement single sheet - (Element Ref: 80623042, 806230422, 806230447, 806230450). The materials have fire classifications A2-s1, d0 to EN 13501-1.
The main contractor on the project was Mansell Construction Services and the cladding was installed by True Fix based in Essex.

The Sevenoaks station refurbishment is part of the National Stations Improvement Programme, a £150m scheme to improve passenger facilities and the journey experience at 150 medium sized stations in England and Wales.