To create a facade of rugged, yet elegant granite cladding, for the exterior of a new hotel located in the heart of Glasgow, architects wanted to ensure that cladding fixings did not spoil the aesthetic. To overcome this they specified an ingenious secret fix adhesive solution - SikaTack Panel Adhesive from Sika, global manufacturer of building materials.
CitizenM hotel is an 8-floor affordable luxury hotel with 198 rooms. Created by award-winning design agency Concrete Architectural Associates, the hotel features contemporary furniture, and latest guest technology, including the Philips designed touch screen MoodPad, a touch screen pad that allows guests to control everything in their room: television, music, window blinds, temperature, coloured ambient lighting and wake-up alarm.
The hotel has been built via a joint venture between contractor, John Sisk & Sons, and steel giant, Corus, in a partnership that has combined Sisk’s in-depth hotel market knowledge and Corus’ automotive-style production efficiencies. The first contract win secured by Sisk and Corus, it saw the scheme delivered in just 44 weeks, largely thanks to innovative off-site construction technology. In line with this, a secret fix cladding solution that offered fast installation was the natural choice.
An elegantly imposing building, it has been designed to feature full height windows set in a dark granite cladding, to keep the building in tune with its Scottish environment. For a seamless finish across the granite cladding, Sika Tack Secret Fix Panel Adhesive was specified.
A powerful elastic adhesive, SikaTack Panel Adhesive quite simply bonds cladding to support systems, eliminating the need for unsightly screws and bolts. Suitable for a wide range of cladding types, including composites, ceramics, high pressure laminates and cement based materials, it offered the ideal solution to help create the desired facade for citizenM hotel. British Board of Agrément (BBA) certified, it is a proven and reliable fixing method.
The granite tiles were supplied by Tiles International who carried out tests before the project got to site to ascertain what would be the best fixing method. SikaTack Panel Adhesive was specified based on its excellent performance in the tests and the project went forward, with installation being carried out by specialist contractor, Topek. The tiles were fixed onto prefabricated aluminium support rails and angles attached to the structure of the building. The two lower floors of the building were created using a steel frame, whilst the upper six floors were built using offsite produced modules.
The granite tiles, ranging in sizes up to 1,200 mm x 900 mm, were easily fixed using the SikaTack Panel Adhesive, despite their weight. Chris Goldie of Topek commented, “This was the first time I had used SikaTack Panel Adhesive. There were reservations about using an adhesive to fix such heavy cladding panels, however opinions were certainly changed once on site. The system is quite simply fantastic and held the panels in place with ease.”
As well as being incredibly strong, the SikaTack Panel Adhesive system is also easy to use. After cleaning and preparing the contact points, a primer is applied to both the cladding and the support system. Powerful double-sided Sika Fixing Tape is then applied, to hold the cladding in place temporarily whilst the SikaTack Panel Adhesive cures. Following this, SikaTack Panel Adhesive is applied to the cladding and supports, and the cladding moved into place where it forms a permanent bond.
SikaTack Panel Adhesive has been tested intensively and has impressive wind loading and dead weight capacities – vital for such heavy panels that have to withstand the rigors of the Scottish weather. Unlike mechanical fixings, SikaTack Panel Adhesive, due to its elasticity, allows for any natural movement in the building, reducing stress on the cladding.
Now complete, SikaTack Panel Adhesive will be helping to hold the distinctive dark granite cladding of citizenM hotel firmly in place, no matter what the Scottish weather may throw at it.
For further information on Sika’s range of products visit www.sikaconstruction.co.uk or for general enquiries including technical, on or off site support, please call 0800 112 3863.
