John Brash's Exterior Timber Solution Specified For Somerset School

Huish Episcopi is a village in Somerset situated on the outskirts of Langport, where the new sixth form was built. A new BREEAM-rated sixth form centre at Huish Episcopi Academy at Langport in Somerset has benefited from a complete exterior timber solution from John Brash, including John Brash’s JB Antislip Plus® decking for several walkways, along with Western Red Cedar cladding for the walls.

The development comprises two buildings either side of an existing library. They are linked at the first floor level by a footbridge which has been fitted with John Brash’s DeckSure® structural timber deck boards with two JB Antislip Plus® inserts per board.

John Brash’s timber solution was specified because the client and architect liked its natural appearance and sustainability, which formed part of the development achieving a BREEAM Very Good rating. All John Brash timber is either FSC or PEFC certified and supplied with a chain of custody number, verifying that it is always sourced from sustainable, independently certified and well managed forests.

JB Antislip Plus® uses a unique formula of resin based aggregate inserts that are injected into grooves in the deck boards, which significantly improves slip resistance. JB Antislip Plus® has been independently tested by the Health & Safety Laboratory (HSL) using a Stanley Pendulum Test. During these tests, it significantly exceeded the minimum requirement for ‘low potential for slip’.

Whilst JB Antislip Plus® Decking inserts are available in a range of colours the inserts at Huish Episcopi School were chosen in the popular grey colour, as this maintained a natural look. JB Antislip Plus® inserts are available in a range of alternative colours. Colour options not only add an extra aesthetic dimension, but can be used to safely highlight changes in gradient where steps or slopes are located.

John Brash’s Western Red Cedar cladding was then specified at the school to create an effective and visually pleasing rainscreen façade to the first floor level. The cladding was installed by Eurofox Engineering, who used brackets to support timber battens onto which the cladding was fixed, creating a 50mm rear-ventilated cavity. 90mm of rigid rainscreen board insulation was used as part of the wall construction, enabling it to achieve a U value of 0.25W/m2K.

Julia Humphries, Architect at Mark Richards Associates, said: “We specified John Brash timber decking and cladding because of the sustainable nature of the product combined with their aesthetic appeal and technical performance.” She added: “Western Red Cedar proved to be a superb cladding material for this project because it is highly durable and resistant to decay. We also liked the fact that the John Brash JB Antislip Plus® decking provided a high level of resistance to slips and trips as well as carrying a 25 year guarantee against wood rotting fungi and insect attack.”

Taunton-based architectural company Mark Richmond Associates (MRA) was appointed to carry out a site development plan and to progress the concept design for submission to the Learning & Skills Council for funding. The application was successful and MRA provided architecture and project management services which started on site in July 2009 and was completed in time for the start of the 2010 academic year.

John Brash’s full range of timber Roofing Battens, Scaffold Boards, Timber Cladding, Cedar Shingles, Cedar Shakes and Anti-Slip Timber Decking are available from merchants and stockists nationally.