Using AFM for Refurbishment & Retrofit

Using Lignacite’s ranges­­­ of Concrete and Architectural Facing Masonry blocks (AFM) in refurbishment or retrofit projects.

Lignacite’s concrete blocks are used not only in new build projects they have also been used to create interesting wall features on both refurbishment and retrofit projects.

Our range of AFM blocks creates both internal and external decorative wall facades and offers over 50 different colour choices. We continually develop our range recently adding the colours, Barley, Blackberry, Evergreen and Pale Cream. Our full range of colours are combined with a choice of 5 finishes. The Roman Brick module (440 x 65mm) is 1/3rd of the height of a standard block (440 x 215mm) and can also be used to create some interesting internal and external wall finishes, whether it be for perimeter walls, decorative panels or in urban landscaping.

Lignacite also manufacture masonry ‘slips’, i.e. slices of facing blocks approximately 20mm thick which are bonded to prepared frameworks or existing walls to create new finishes. One project currently at the design stage is a retail space where internal partition walls are to be re-clad with masonry slips alongside other contemporary finishes. Slips of Lignacite Midnight Polished Granite have also been used recently (due to their impervious nature) in a project involving the redesign of a bathroom area. The Roman Brick module is also available in this ‘slips’ format.

Today, the company’s two factories are responsible for producing a total of 120,000 blocks per day, which equates to roughly 120 houses. In addition to supplying many of the major house builders, Lignacite’s blocks have also been used in a host of major landmark projects. Many of these are in London, where its fleet of small versatile lorries enables the company to deliver to almost any site in the capital. Projects include The Gherkin, The Shard, the Olympic Stadium, Canary Wharf, and Heathrow and Stansted airports.

Lignacite have been involved in a range of major contracts, recent examples of which include Crossrail, where the blocks have been used on a number of new stations and the development of Battersea Power Station.

Lignacite are also regularly challenged with complex projects such as the building of the MK Dons Football Stadium and Festival House in Blackpool.

The Stadium involved the incorporation of ten-millimetre slips of granite sourced from China, which we bonded onto blocks. This was a cost-effective solution whilst retaining the appearance the stadium is constructed using granite block.

The Festival House masonry incorporated luminescent powder glass. This coating warms with the sun’s rays during daylight hours and then glows, lighting up the building at night.

Lignacite has expanded significantly over the past 70 years and now employs some 80-90 people at its two state-of-the-art factories. The company intends to remain within its core market and area of expertise, however, we are constantly attempting to source new materials which are renewable, such as wood, hemp and straw, or can be recycled and incorporated into its range of products.

A full-colour Swatch Guide showing all our block finishes can be requested via our website as well as many other useful documents including a Design Guidance booklet. We offer a CPD on the benefits and uses of concrete masonry. Please contact us for further details on 01842 810678.