DB Contracts Office Refurbishment
Dunloy, Northern Ireland
Date Completed
2025
Sector
Industrial
Main Contractor
Direct to Client
Project Overview
Project Context
Thornton were appointed directly by DB Contracts to deliver the refurbishment and visual upgrade of their main office and warehouse facility.
The existing building presented as a dated industrial unit, with ageing cladding and limited architectural identity. The brief was to create a strong brand presence on the facade and ensure weathering performance.
Works focused on the front elevation and gable ends, along with roof oversheeting and rainwater goods replacement. The design intent introduced a contemporary façade using a mix of grey tones, feature red elements and a new entrance extension to transform the visual impact of the building .
The project was carried out within a live operational environment, requiring careful coordination to maintain access, operations and safety throughout.
Method & Outcomes
The existing cladding was retained and overclad, avoiding full strip-out and allowing the building to remain operational. New galvanised support rails were installed to create a true, level substrate for the new façade system.
Plastisol-coated, break-pressed metal trays were installed across the front elevation and gables. A controlled colour palette of dark, mid and light greys was used to introduce depth and variation across the façade, aligned with the architectural intent.
Feature elements were introduced around key openings, including bold red cladding to window surrounds and entrance points, reinforcing the client’s brand identity and creating a focal point to the building frontage.
At roof level, the existing system was oversheeted using single skin box profile, providing a cost-effective upgrade without major structural intervention. New highline gutters and PVC rainwater goods were installed to both front and rear elevations, improving drainage capacity and reliability. Interfaces between new and existing elements were carefully detailed to ensure long-term weather tightness.
Despite the constraints of working on an occupied facility, the works were completed efficiently with minimal disruption. The completed scheme delivers a significant visual transformation, turning a tired industrial unit into a modern, high-quality commercial building, while also improving the durability and performance of the external envelope.
Images
Orlagh McNeill
DB Contracts
“We would have no hesitation in recommending them for future cladding projects.”
“We are extremely pleased with the quality of the cladding supplied for our building refurbishment. The finish looks outstanding and has completely transformed the appearance of the property. The materials are of a very high standard, and the overall result is clean, modern and visually impressive.
“The supplier was professional and reliable throughout, and the end product speaks for itself. We would have no hesitation in recommending them for future cladding projects.”