Decorative Column Casings - Practicality and Style

Decorative column casings have come a long way since they were first used to conceal interior structural steelwork more than 25 years ago. From their initial specification by a handful of architects they are now widely used on buildings of all types, from schools, leisure, retail and office buildings to hotels, hospitals and care homes. For Encasement, fulfilling these needs has become second nature to us and our column casing product range is configured to provide architects and contractors with an unrivalled scope of materials and finishes to meet exact project specifications. Our range is now the most comprehensive available in the UK and not only includes casings manufactured from pre-formed plywood and glass reinforced gypsum (GRG) for interior applications, but also glass reinforced polymer (GRP), aluminium and stainless steel casings, designed for use in both interior and exterior projects. Key projects, such as a prestige reception area at Paddington Basin's Merchant Square in West London and a new library extension at a private school near Richmond, illustrate the versatility of Forma metal column casing solutions. At Merchant Square, the column casings are finished in brushed stainless steel and are 800mm diameter, while the casings used on library project are six metres high and integrate with a glazed floor and stainless steel balustrade. Forma casings have also been used to great aesthetic effect at a recent project in Brighton, where Brighton & Hove Council chose our aluminium casings to not only conceal structural columns, but also form part of an integrated circular seating arrangement at a new five storey customer services centre. Bright colours have been used throughout the centre’s interior design and the column casings are finished in blue polyester powder coated (PPC), which contrasts with the bright green seating and interior décor to help guide visitors to the correct area. Our pre-formed plywood Circa and Quadra column casings also provide specifiers and contractors with an exceptionally wide range of finish options, including plain, laminated or real wood veneers. We also offer both products manufactured from FSC certified plywood, to assist specifiers and contractors comply with sustainability codes and environmental procurement policies. Circa casings, finished in a brushed aluminium Formica DecoMetal® laminate, have been used to conceal structural columns as part of the £multi-million refurbishment and upgrading of Gateshead International Stadium. We supplied and installed sixteen 350mm diameter casings, six of which stand seven metres high and span the full height of the two-storey building. Plywood casings are also a regular choice for retail environments and both Circa and Quadra casings have been used at a recent £66 million shopping centre development, which forms part of Blackburn and Darwen Borough Council’s town centre regeneration project. In addition to concealing 50 structural steel columns at Blackburn’s new indoor market, the 12 mm thick casings, some of which stand five metres high, also hide perimeter building services and act as a location for mounting fire alarm actuators and interior safety lighting. The healthcare sector is also a major user of our column casings and Blackpool’s innovative Moor Park Health Centre is an ideal example, where a unique seven metre high Polyma GRP elliptical casing is a key feature in the main entrance foyer. Finished in a high gloss white gelcoat, the custom made casing is extremely durable and resistant to damage, yet provides a striking aesthetic feature to health centre’s spacious reception area. Our latest fully revised and extended "column casing solutions" e-brochure is now available for download and covers every product in the range as well as providing details on materials, sizes and the finishes available alongside extensive technical information sections dedicated to each product.

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