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History

Founded in 1848
With over 70 years in the business John Newton & Co.Ltd is the longest established independent specialist in damp proofing in the UK. Our products are specified by Architects, Surveyors and Structural Engineers for use across the construction spectrum from new developments to historic buildings including conversions, renovations and refurbishments.
In 1937 we were the first to introduce a ventilated damp-proofing membrane known as “Newtonite”. Over 5 million metres of this pitch impregnated fibre material was sold throughout the UK. In 1985 the original Newtonite ventilated membrane principle was greatly improved with the introduction of “NEWLATH”, a polypropylene dimple sheeting with a mesh thermally welded to the inner surface to act as a key “for plasters and renders”. Newlath together with its polypropylene fixing plugs has proved very successful in the renovation and building industry and has allowed us to develop today’s comprehensive Newton damp proofing systems range.
NEWTON DAMP PROOFING SYSTEMS – Providing the solution to your damp problems
Newton Damp Proofing Systems are a range of High Density Polyethylene and Polypropylene membranes which are moulded into a stud formation.  Rising and penetrating dampness cause a number of detrimental affects to internal finishes such as staining and discolouration, peeling paintwork/finishes, blown plaster, salt and oil contamination etc.  The membranes prevent any moisture and moisture vapour and associated salts and contaminants  within the structure affecting the internal finishes by providing a physical barrier  between the old surface and the new finish. This significantly prolongs the longevity of the internal finishes  whilst still allowing for natural evaporation of moisture form the structure and unhindered movement of air to take place in the gap provided by the studs of the membranes.
Acting as impermeable separation barriers which do not change the status quo of the underlying structure our systems are considered to be an affective alternative to most conventional damp proofing methods such as chemical damp proof courses, cementitious  and bitumous paint on coatings and external water repellants.  This is because Newton membranes  generally require minimal preparation, are quick to install , are considered to be,most sympathetic to the structure, reversible and can be ventilated which make them particularly ideal for use on conservation and historic projects as well as for refurbishment,renovation and new build.
COMPLETE RANGE OF HIGH QUALITY  MEMBRANES
Our high grade specialist membranes for use on walls and floors are designed to accommodate a comprehensive range of finishes. Simply choose the membrane appropriate for the look and feel demanded by your project. Newton membranes are the highest quality available in the UK, because unlike our competitors ,we are not dictated to by one manufacturer and so our independence allows us to demand the specification and quality of the product from a range of suppliers around Europe.
CERTIFIED, TESTED & APPROVED
John Newton and Co are the holders of BBA certificate 00/3716 for the Newlath membrane and all Newton membranes are guaranteed against deterioration for 30 years and have a life expectancy of at least 50 years (DIN 9001:2000).
GUARANTEED INSTALLATION?
Although we feel that our damp proofing products can be installed by competent DIY homeowners and builders we also realise that on occasions there will be a requirement for an installation guarantee from a Specialist Damp Proofing Contractor. Newton Registered Installers are trained and monitored by John Newton so that we have not just the best damp proofing systems but the best contractors to diagnose your problem, design your system and then install Newton membranes to the very highest standards.

John Newton & Company was established in 1848 by the current chairman, Christopher Newton’s great grandfather. He who bought animal hair, washed it and sold it for plasterers’ hair which was used for the ceilings of buildings being built in the tremendous expansion of London. It cornered the market in plasterers hair and it developed into hair felt and other ancillary products. This proceeded happily for very nearly a hundred years, but in 1937 British Gypsum invented plasterboard and the market for plasterers hair was somewhat restricted. John Newton & Company had a contact in Germany and they introduced a corrugated pitch impregnated fibre material here which they patented as Newtonite. This sold extensively in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s when, for the first time, building regulations demanded that basement areas be dry. Newtonite was the best means of overcoming penetrating and rising damp at that time. Towards the end of the 60’s, however, the remainder of the building industry saw the tremendous potential there was and they introduced the injection system Silicone Injection.

John Newton established the company in 1848

John Newton established the company in 1848

Christopher Newton took over the company in 1978. The company was producing Newtonite but at lower and lower levels, with production becoming more and more difficult because it was not easy to obtain pitch as most of the coal gas works were being closed. He approached a German company that wished to introduce damp proofing material to this country and together they introduced dimpled membrane to the market. Christopher suggested that if you could somehow put a mesh on the front, this could be a replacement for the Newtonite product which was still selling but at rather a reduced capacity. Christopher is thus considered the ‘father of meshed membranes’.

Newlath was the first meshed membrane on the market and is still a leading product in the damp proofing industry. Newtonite has been redesigned and is now sold in rolls 1m x 5m for smaller remedial jobs.

John Newton & Company went on to developed the Newton System 500 waterproofing system. This comprises cavity drain membranes, drainage systems and pumping systems. At the core of the system is Newton’s range of high grade specialist membranes for walls, floors and vaulted ceilings. For further details of these products please visit www.newton-membranes.co.uk or phone 0800 068 0122.

In damp proofing and waterproofing, Newton Membranes are the highest quality available in the UK because unlike our competitors, we are independent and so not locked in with any particular supplyer. If we find better pumps, better membranes, or better anything, then that is what we will introduce.

Newton 503 Mesh being installed

Newton 503 Mesh being installed

John Newton & Company is still a family business, with Christopher Newton’s son-in-law and daughter on the Board of Directors.

Our high level of service to our customers and clients is of upmost importance to us, and we pride ourselves in being innovators in waterproofing and damp proofing products for 160 years.