The case for third party certification

Helen Hewitt of the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) explores the intricacies of third-party fire door certification and its benefits. The purpose of a fire door in everyday use is just like any other door. However, since the break-out of fire... View Article

Going with the flow

Martin Lambley of Wavin assesses the predicted impact of new Sewers for Adoption drainage guidelines, and what they mean for the future of SuDS. New guidance for the design of adoptable drainage is set to be published later this year.... View Article
Home buyers are shaping the modern home

Shaping the modern home

As the housebuilding sector continues to evolve, Peter Kelsey of Designer Contracts offers his perspective on how buyer expectations have shaped the design of the modern home. It’s interesting to look back, particularly over the past 20 years, to see... View Article

Offsite: Not the panacea?

The Government is making a big push for modern methods of construction as part of the solution to the housing crisis. While offsite has a key role in the market, it might not be the panacea many hope it to... View Article

BIM for all

Adrian Wild, founder of Integro Construction Software, looks at why smaller housebuilders and developers are missing out on practical BIM software solutions which could bring a range of benefits. Feature-heavy CAD and Building Information Modelling software products are popular with... View Article

Change is in the air

In the wake of the Hackitt review, Paul King of Vicaima explains the changing landscape around fire doors. Government departments are poring over technical data and preparing new directives, and trade bodies are examining every aspect of potential market implications.... View Article

Window shopping

Tom Swallow of Quickslide Windows & Doors discusses some of the key performance and aesthetic considerations when selecting windows. Windows are crucial to the design of a home. Not only do they take the brunt of the elements such as... View Article

Balconies: Bridge the gap

Lee Barber of Balcony Life explains the benefits of, and methodology behind, bolt-on cantilevered steel balconies designed to avoid thermal bridging. Bolt-on cantilevered steel balconies are an architectural feature which are becoming increasingly popular in both the construction of new... View Article

Seal the deal

Richard Osborne of LTP Ecoprotec looks at the options for sealing outdoor surfaces, and the benefits that each can bring to projects. When discussing the best sealer for a job, it’s generally assumed that it’s for use indoors – for... View Article
Peer-to-peer lending: Do your research

Peer-to-peer: Do your research

Jason Tebb of Go Develop explains how recent issues with peer-to-peer lending have highlighted the need to do research when funding a new project. Peer-to-peer lending (P2P) continues to be an extremely popular solution for companies that are looking for... View Article

Compliance can no longer be ignored

Yvonne Orgill of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) says attitudes to compliance are changing, and housebuilders and developers cannot ignore their responsibilities to protect consumers when specifying bathroom products. Last year, the tragedy of Grenfell Tower highlighted the potential worst-case... View Article
Marklake Court, a community-led social housing project.

Building a community

While only a relatively modestly-scaled housing development with 27 homes, Marklake Court is being seen as an exemplar of a community-led social housing project. Jack Wooler spoke to Hari Phillips, director at project architects Bell Phillips, about how the south... View Article

Luxury apartments in Cambridgeshire

Ahousebuilder in Hauxton, Cambridgeshire has responded to local demand with its first luxury apartments. Redrow Homes South Midlands has unveiled 16 two-bed luxury apartments, named ‘The Turner,’ at its existing Sanderson Manor development on Church Road. The first of their... View Article

£13m Croydon scheme begins on fire-damaged site

Work has started onsite for a £13m residential scheme in Croydon, set to bring 65 new homes to the London borough. The new development will consist of 44 private homes, a mixture of one, two and three-bed units, along with... View Article

Green light for timber homes in Newham

Planning has been granted by Newham Borough Council in east London for an 800m² residential scheme for Cliveden Land. Edward Williams Architects has designed four new buildings to be inserted into the car parking area of an existing development of... View Article
Paddy Mooney

The fight to combat homelessness

Patrick Mooney, housing consultant and news editor of Housing, Management & Maintenance, explains why he believes Whitehall politicians need to up their game in the fight to combat homelessness and cut unnecessary deaths. It was a sad indictment of the... View Article