The Information Team has recently been treated to product updates by two of our most prestigious exhibitors, In.operA and Petraluxe.
Paul Merry of In.operA explained how their central London showroom located here at The Building Centre is perfect for clients to come in and discuss future projects and specifications, peruse and take away samples from their extensive range of flooring and cladding on display.
In-Opera's London Showroom at The Building Centre
In.operA acts as UK Agents for several leading Italian manufacturers including specialist fit-out company Tino Sana. So not only can In. operA source any type of stone or conglomerate stone for flooring or cladding but also they can supply hotel furniture, joinery and accessories including signage and ironmongery, offering a full turn-key package for clients.
Tino Sana has 45 room sets at its factory in Italy where customers can visit and select a scheme for their projects.
Paul said that they are planning to have a skype link from the showroom here to their factory in Italy so specifiers will be able to communicate directly with those involved in providing products and services for their projects.
In.operA sources, supplies and installs all types of natural and conglomerate stone flooring and Cladding mostly from Italy, Turkey and Macedonia. In.operA, in overseeing the whole project, will ensure that the very best adhesives, grouts, edge trims and surface sealers are used. They recently supplied 30,000 square metres of conglomerate marble, to Gatwick Airport. In. operA has also supplied flooring and cladding products to Stanstead and Heathrow Airports and Holiday Inns.
Glass cladding, splashbacks and counter tops are sourced by In.operA from IGlass.
Paul Merry told us that he will usually be on hand to advise visitors on their stand at The Building Centre on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Our other presentation this week was from German porcelain tile and panel manufacturer Petraluxe. Kristina Albrecht took time out to come and explain to the Information Team the differences between the GresDream full-body porcelain tiles and the Nature Deluxe range and their applications.
GresDream is a porcelain tile coloured all the way through so allows for attractive edge detailing. GresDream Tiles or panels can be polished or left with a matt finish.
Petraluxe Nature Deluxe Porcelain Panels
The Nature Deluxe range is produced from porcelain stoneware which is white and using a unique process, colours and patterns which replicate natural stone, are applied to the surface which is then sealed with a three coat sprayed glazed finish.
The tiles and panels are much lighter than real stone and therefore large panels can be produced, as large as 2400 x 1200 mm.
The GresDream tiles can be used to clad stairs and Nature Deluxe in thicknesses of 20mm to 26mm can be used for patios and terraces. They can be finished with a non slip coating so are not dangerous in wet conditions.
Kitchen worktops and splash backs in GresDream or Nature Deluxe, being denser than natural stone are less porous and therefore more resistant to staining.
Panels incorporating an infrared heating element become ‘Therm’ ceramic panel heaters which are attractive, effective and energy efficient.
Nature Deluxe comes in 39 different designs. Prices are less than a natural stone equivalent. Nature Deluxe is completely frost proof and abrasion, light , dirt and moisture resistant. Because of their comparitive lightness, the panels can be safely used to clad buildings many storeys high and on their display they have a slide show running showing some fabulous projects where Petraluxe products have been used. Samples are also readily available to take away.
So if it’s cladding or flooring you’re looking for, state-of-the-art radiators and worktops or full turn-key hotel specification come and see us at The Building Centre, where the sky’s the limit for choice.
