Thortech - Resources

April 2011

Thortech subcontract for Cefn Onn Park resurfacing

Being specialists in the field of resurfacing, Thortech was appointed as sub-contractor by the Griff Davies Group working for Cardiff County Council Parks and Gardens Department. The job was completed despite inclement weather that restricted the Thortech team. Despite the weather, Thortech completed the job, on budget, on time.

The project involved the use of the COLAS Heritage System, dressed with Needingworth aggregate. I am sure that the photographs illustrate that this was aesthetically pleasing whilst it will prove to be a durable, long lasting solution.

Every single day, your driveway is exposed to large amounts of strain and exertion. Subjected to pressure, weight, and varying weather conditions, it’s no wonder that over a period of time, the high volume of human and vehicle traffic can begin to take its toll. Gradually, the pristine and attractive appearance may begin to crumble, leaving you with a weak and deteriorating surface. Through dedication and commitment to providing effective and innovative surfaces, we at Thortech have managed to devise a highly beneficial system to offer our customers resin bound driveways, as an efficient and valuable surface solution.

The resin bound driveways which we provide consist of three advantageous products; Thorprime, Thorgrip and Thorset.

Our Thorgrip system is made from a mixture of polyurethane resins and calcined bauxite. This provides a strong yet flexible surface, which remains resilient to all conditions and situations which it is likely to be presented with. This means that your driveway will be capable of receiving the same frequency and amount of usage, without suffering the effects of gradual damage or wear, enabling it to remain looking attractive and presentable.

The many benefits of our Thorgrip system for resin bound driveways, includes low maintenance, easiness to clean, long life and its anti-slip nature. As it is completely resistant to water, fuel, de-icing salts and oils, it also presents an extremely safe and durable surface for you and your family to use and enjoy.

With over 30 years of experience within the specialist surfacing sector, we at Thortech have steadily grown into a flourishing business, passing our successful products, service and techniques onto homes and businesses everywhere to create effective surfacing solutions. For more information on our resin bound driveways, our team are happy to answer any enquiries through our online contact form.

Anyone who has been fortunate enough to visit Plymouth or Exeter in recent months or anyone who lives within the area will have noticed the A379 has undergone some renovation work to ensure that there’s a smoother ride for the heavy traffic. However, it isn’t just the road which has undergone an improvement; the footbridge near to Rydon Lane has also been enhanced. Here at Thortech, because of our experience in providing unbeatable anti-slip surfaces, we were tasked with the job of carrying out the surface improvements on the footbridge, with specifications to provide a suitable anti-slip surface.

We were extremely pleased to be tasked with the job of creating and surfacing the bridge, as part of the council’s extensive highways improvement package. We believe the contract shows that through our extensive experience within the industry, we’ve built up an unbeatable reputation as a leading provider of anti-slip surfaces.

Following a detailed consultation and the construction of the bridge proper by the contractor Tema on behalf of the Devon County Council; our experienced team completed our side of the work by providing an unbeatable level of anti-slip surfacing.

Before the resin could be applied, we carried out extensive checks to ensure that the construction was free from any contamination, which could have affected the application of the anti-slip surface. Once we were satisfied the area was properly prepared, we applied a Bimagrip anti-slip surface complete with substrate enhancement, which has been designed to offer an unbeatable anti-slip surface come rain or shine.

Along with providing an excellent anti-slip finish, the Bimagrip resin which was applied to the A379 bridge is also a quick drying substance, which made it ideal to be used in this situation, where pedestrian use soon after construction was likely.

Along with providing one of our anti-slip surfaces to the A379 footbridge, here at Thortech we’re able to provide the same level of professionalism and quality surfaces to a range of areas, including driveways and car parks. For more information on the specialist contracts we’ve completed, see our post about the quality surfaces we provided for the Tor Hafinia sea-vessel.

While normal untreated surfaces such as concrete have their uses, more and more public sector companies, private organisations and even residential homeowners are looking to resin bonded driveways for a more durable answer to surfacing issues. Resin bonded technology is resistant to a whole host of degenerative substances, including fuels and solvent based compounds such as white spirit. Such qualities have meant a rise in the popularity of resin based driveways. Here at Thortech we combine excellent products with unrivalled project management to deliver the whole package, regardless of whether it’s for a school playground, business driveway or public area.

Our resin bonded materials are ideal for use in a variety of circumstances. The resistant qualities mean that any driveway which is subjected to a high level of vehicle use will be protected from oil and fuel spillages. There’s nothing worse than appreciating your new driveway, and then noticing the unsightly oil stain usually hidden by the vehicle as you pull off.

At Thortech we believe in delivering long lasting driveways with minimum hassle or disruption to you. For this reason, we’ve refined our Thorgrip system so that it cures quickly (and in low temperatures), and your new driveway can even be used as soon as three hours after it has been treated. For businesses this means limited downtime and no affect on profits, while homeowners can get on with their day more quickly than usual.

It’s also worth noting that the Thorgrip system from Thortech is usually significantly cheaper than competing products, meaning that your property’s driveway looks better for less.

It’s astonishing how large the effect a driveway has on a property’s aesthetics. With almost no maintenance at all required, our system represents a truly innovative way of improving a building’s grounds. As well as resin bonded driveways we also specialise in anti – slip surfaces and marine/bridge surfacing.

Since the recession took its grip on the UK last year, business in the construction trade has unfortunately been a little slow for all concerned. Less people are buying new homes and the number of home improvements being carried out with the help of trained professionals has dramatically decreased too. Fortunately, here at Thortech we’ve been able to see the light at the end of the tunnel after we were charged with providing anti-slip surfaces to one vessel in a fleet belonging to one of Europe’s largest sea-based transport networks.

At Thortech, we’ve over three decades of experience in providing anti-slip surfaces to a number of areas, from car parks to bridges and we’re also proud of the work we do, using only the latest technology available. This experience in the industry saw DFDS approach us and charge us with the task of stripping and replacing the anti-slip surface on their Tor Hafnia vessel.

To complete the work to the tight deadline set by DFDS, our team had to travel with the cargo ship on its recent journey. This voyage took us from Tilbury in Essex to Sweden’s largest city – Gothenburg and then from there we went to the independent town of Cuxhafen in Germany, before heading home via the UK’s largest port of Immingham, Grimsby.

On a ship the size of Tor Hafnia (187.0m) and considering the regular journeys it undertakes throughout Europe, it’s important that anti-slip surfacing is installed and regularly maintained to prevent any accidents and to make sure that both pedestrians and vehicles alike are able to maintain a safe grip while abroad. This enables crew and dockside staff to carry out any required work in safety, even in inclement weather or rough (and wet) seas.

Here at Thortech, we’re able to provide Traffideck and Thorgrip anti-slip surfaces to a number of areas, each of which have their benefits – depending on their requirements. If you would like more information about the anti-slip surfacing we provide or to view pictures of our marine industry work, please visit our website.

Surfacing specialists help construct the new ‘Peoples Bridge’.

As the unveiling of the Pont Y Werin Bridge went underway last month, many people may be unaware of the involvement that local companies had with the construction. One Cardiff based specialist was subcontracted to provide safe and hardwearing surfacing suitable for constant use by cyclists and pedestrians.

ThorTech are specialists of resin bonded and anti slip surfaces to ensure the safety of all users. Using specific, hardwearing materials their expertise was used as part of the construction of the new People’s Bridge that links Cardiff Bay and Penarth for pedestrians and cyclists.

The bridge which is 140 metres long and cost £4.5 million has provided an accessible route for those wanting to reach the International Sports Village at Cardiff Bay to cycle routes and walkways to Penarth and further.

“We are delighted to have been involved in the project that has meant so much to the residents of Cardiff Bay and Penarth. We pride ourselves on the systems we use here at ThorTech and are glad we could reflect this in the People’s Bridge”

ThorTech’s involvement with the bridge occurred when they were sub contracted by Tema, engineers employed from Dean and Dyball who were responsible for the construction. Due to the expertise in both the safety aspects and the advanced systems that ThorTech provide for various projects, they could provide an efficient and reliable service to ensure the bridge remains to standard.

The systems that ThorTech provide have been used in other marine and bridge projects prior to their involvement in Pont Y Werin Bridge. The anti slip resistant qualities of the product BimaGrip and the versatile applications to steel, concrete and timber makes them the ideal choice for a project that is destined to be subjected to the elements and used in high volume.

Many locals have already commented on the bridge and how it has made a difference to their daily journey. In both terms of environment and the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, this bridge may have only been erected a month ago but has made a huge impact on the locals within the area. With so much media already covering the topic, it’s no wonder companies like ThorTech want to make their involvement known.

ThorTech are surfacing specialists and have been established since 2004. They have a wide spectrum of commercial and domestic projects due to their unique systems and dynamic project management skills.

Works carried out in conjunction with Ford Bros Civil Engineering. Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Wiltshire. April 2010

Musgrove Hospital Helipad – Our latest project was to lay the landing area of the new helipad based at the Musgrove General Hospital.

Pont-y-werin Footbridge, Cardiff Bay. Constructed by Dean & Dyball, with TEMA engineering.