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

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

One step ahead

Lee Hunt of Canal architectural explains how housebuilders and specifiers can get one step ahead with the latest staircase trends. Staircase design, as with all interior design, is constantly evolving, and new design trends are continually emerging. The staircase is... View Article

A breath of fresh air

Vent-Axia’s Jordan Lilford explains the challenges the Government’s Clean Air Strategy presents for housebuilders, as well as looking at potential solutions. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is increasingly important following a raft of research that has pointed to the potential health... View Article

Lending is fit and well. How are you?

Stephen O’Brien of Wolsey explores the role of SME housebuilders in meeting the Government’s housing targets, and how specialist lenders can aid this process. More homes were delivered to the market last year than in all but one of the... View Article

Acoustic Glass – A sound investment?

Tom Wright of George Barnsdale explains the difference between acoustic glass varieties, and provides examples of where increased investment is worth it. Increasingly, window manufacturers are being asked by developers and specifiers about the acoustic performance of windows and doors.... View Article

The wellness case for roof windows

Samantha Smith of Fakro GB highlights the importance of including roof windows into projects to improve health and wellbeing. A house is simply not complete without windows. They are the crucial element to providing natural light and ventilation into a... View Article

The bottom line on floorboard insulation

Rob Firman of Polyfoam XPs highlights the key differences between floorboard insulation products, thereby illustrating the importance of correct specification in housebuilding. Both product specification and the housebuilding sector are constantly evolving. Changes to the planning system are designed to... View Article

No-compromise composite doors

Adrian Pavey of Nationwide Windows & Doors discusses the advantages of composite doors for new build developments. Specifiers and housebuilders have lots of choice when it comes to the different types of door materials on the market. Naturally however, product... View Article

Getting on top of Document Q

Jamie Johnson of IronmongeryDirect discusses the importance of door and window security in the context of complying with Approved Document Q According to the Office for National Statistics, between January and September 2018 there were over 200,000 residential burglaries recorded... View Article

Extraordinary ensuites

Chris Tranter of Bristan explores how housebuilders can harness the possibilities in ensuites using showers to entice prospective buyers. According to Direct Line, an ensuite can add as much as 5 per cent to the value of a house, with... View Article

Break out of the white box

With the demand for quality rising, it is increasingly hard to stand out as a developer. Lulu Greenhalgh-Jones of Carpenter Oak explores how housebuilders can use timber to break out of the new development ‘white box.’ The market is not... View Article

Piping hot

Underfloor heating combined with air source heat pumps can provide housebuilders and property developers with flexible and efficient heating solutions, as Paul Wakefield of grant UK explains. Evenly distributing heat upwards into a room, an underfloor heating system maintains optimum... View Article

Dementia-friendly bathroom design

With an ageing population, dementia is on the rise in the UK. Stuart Reynolds of AKW discusses how housebuilders can act on this to create bathrooms that are dementia-friendly, promoting both dignity and safety. The number of people with dementia... 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