APPOINTMENTS & COMPANY NEWS 43
Clade strengthens leadership team
Clade Engineering Systems, a leading manufacturer of natural refrigerant air source heat pumps for commercial & industrial use, has appointed Tom Wilson as its new sales director, reinforcing the company’s strategic growth ambitions as it prepares for full integration into the Groupe
Atlantic portfolio. Tom’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Clade, as demand for natural refrigerant heat pump solutions continues to grow across commercial and industrial applications. Tom will play a key role in supporting consultants, specifi ers and contractors navigating the transition to low carbon heating.
0113 887 9604
clade-es.com Informative & entertaining round table events
Always looking for new ways to engage with our audience, ADF now hosts round table events. With constant updates to building regulations, round tables are an ideal way to gauge industry concerns/ problems,
to future-proof your
marketing strategy. Hosted by our Editor, James Parker, we ask a diverse selection of our readers to attend, providing us with insights across the full spectrum of our audience. Sponsoring a round table enables you to position your brand/company as a voice of authority within the industry.
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FP.indd 1 10/04/2024 13:39 ADF JULY/AUGUST 2026 NEWS FEATURE
Why grout selection matters on commercial projects
Nick Bratt, National Technical Sales Manager at tile adhesive and grout manufacturer Palace Chemicals explains that the specifi cation of appropriate grouts is critical to the success of any commercial project.
W
hile tile specifi cation is the main focus for architects and building designers during the design and procurement process of a building, the selection of grouts will also be a key factor in the long-term performance and appearance of any commercial project. Since they are both a functional and an aesthetic component, grouts can infl uence durability, hygiene and visual appearance of tiled installations within commercial environments. Commercial spaces place unique demands on tiled surfaces. High foot
traffi c, frequent cleaning, exposure to moisture and chemical attack can quickly expose weaknesses in poorly specifi ed grout systems. Selecting the appropriate grout should therefore be considered an integral part of the overall design strategy, rather than something to be viewed solely as a colour consideration in the fi nal stages.
Performance is key and traditional cementitious grouts remain widely used due to their cost-effectiveness and versatility. However, in demanding environments such as healthcare facilities, commercial kitchens, laboratories, swimming pools and public areas, higher- performance solutions may be required. This might include grouts with inbuilt additives designed to inhibit the growth of black spot mould, such as Palace ANTI-MOULD GROUT. Epoxy grouts offer exceptional resistance to staining, chemical and moisture penetration, making them particularly suitable for areas where hygiene and durability are paramount. Hybrid and advanced polymer-modifi ed grouts also provide enhanced fl exibility, colour consistency and resistance to cracking. Aesthetic
considerations are also important. Grout colour
signifi cantly affects the visual impact of tiled surfaces, either highlighting tile geometry through contrast or creating a seamless appearance with complementary tones. Large-format porcelain tiles, increasingly specifi ed in commercial developments, often benefi t from carefully selected grout colours that minimise visual interruption and reinforce a clean, monolithic aesthetic. Some manufacturers offer enhanced grout ranges which include a full palette of colours and alternatives to OPC cement, allowing an effl orescence-free fi nish, such as the Palace COLOUR-LOCK range.
Grout systems that resist deterioration and require less frequent replacement can also contribute to reduced lifecycle costs and lower environmental impact.
Additionally, some manufacturers now
offer products with lower embodied carbon or containing recycled content. Specifi ers are therefore advised to check the Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions of grouts which are being specifi ed on a project. Manufacturers are increasingly able to provide this information.
Supplied by Nick Bratt, national technical sales manager for Palace Chemicals
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