Low carbon cement – fit for the future

Garry Gregory at Tarmac explores how innovation in lower carbon cement is helping developers and contractors reduce emissions without compromising performance, programme certainty or build quality. The pressure on the construction industry to decarbonise continues to intensify, with housebuilders increasingly... View Article

How BNG also brings net gains for developers

Olivia Dear at Wates Developments explains why Biodiversity Net Gain is now a strategic consideration which can deliver lasting benefits for communities. The relationship between development and the natural environment has become an increasingly important consideration for the housebuilding sector.... View Article

How housebuilders unlock value through early drainage design

Shahir Mahmood at Polypipe Building Products explores how early focus on drainage design is helping SME housebuilders improve planning outcomes, maximise land value and future-proof developments. For SME housebuilders, delivering viable developments increasingly means balancing planning requirements, land optimisation and... View Article

Bridging construction and efficiency with smart buildings

Paul Beech from Armatherm discusses the role thermal bridging plays in limiting building performance, and why ‘smart’ building design is the means to address it and achieve genuine energy efficiency in residential buildings. Smart buildings will play a vital role... View Article

Connect, collaborate & shape the future

29 September – 01 October  NEC, Birmingham Registrations are now live for UK Construction Week (UKCW) Birmingham, the national platform for the built environment to connect, collaborate and shape the future of construction. Sponsored by Wyre, HotelPlanner, SolarEdge and Build... View Article

Can showers safeguard against water scarcity?

Paul Ravnbo-West at Triton Showers discusses how pairing electric showers with waste water heat recovery systems (WWHRS) can help build long-term resilience against future shortages, while the industry awaits Regulation updates. The statistic that the UK is facing an estimated... View Article

The industry needs deliverability, not just ambition

Michael Holloway of planning and development consultancy Urbana makes the case for a more pragmatic approach from everyone involved in housing development – from the Government down. The UK’s housing shortage is well documented. Demand continues to outstrip supply, local... View Article

Screwfix Live – Register now for this year’s event

25-27 September International Exhibition Centre, Farnborough Screwfix Live, an unmissable event for trade professionals, returns to Farnborough International Exhibition Centre from 25-27 September.  Now in its 13th year, Screwfix Live brings together more than 200 leading trade brands, offering visitors... View Article

Taking lessons from the old to inspire the new

David Churchill discusses what the right strategic framework should look like for the Government’s ‘new’ new towns.  In March the Government named the locations for consideration as new towns, as part of the most ambitious housebuilding programme in more than... View Article

Tested systems, quieter floors

Roly Ward from MEDITE SMARTPLY says tested OSB flooring systems with consistent performance are the key to acoustic compliance – and explains why detailing, sealing and substitution are what determine real-world performance. Excess noise within homes remains a persistent issue... View Article

The do’s and don’ts of social networking

With their inherent efficiencies of scale, heat networks are becoming increasingly popular, but there are key considerations for developers for ensuring long-term performance, and they are not for every scenario, says Altecnic’s Josh Collins As the UK housing sector responds... View Article

Modern door systems provide the key to modern living

ECLISSE explores how pocket doors and flush hinged systems are helping developers maximise space, streamline interiors and enhance homeowner appeal. Today’s housebuilders face increasing pressure to deliver more with less. Space constraints, rising buyer expectations and evolving interior design trends... View Article

Geosynthetics provide genuine savings

Mark Gillies, director of technical solutions at Burdens, looks at the key role that geosynthetic materials can play in new housing developments, in particular how they can underpin cost-saving strategies.  For many housebuilders and developers, groundworks remain one of the... View Article

How planning could stop BNG being a blocker

Nicky Brock of Carter Jonas argues that a small procedural change to biodiversity net gain approvals could unlock faster delivery without compromising environmental outcomes. There is no question that the planning system requires more speed and more certainty – and... View Article

The best of both worlds

Cornish housebuilder Legacy Properties’ latest high quality development, in the picturesque Pentewan Valley, combines rural amenity for residents with a contemporary edge, as Roseanne Field reports. The parish of Pentewan Valley in Cornwall stretches three miles from the southern edge... View Article

Not just for installers

The UK’s built environment is entering a period of rapid change. With new building safety regulations, ambitious decarbonisation targets and the urgent need to upgrade existing housing stock, developers, housing providers and contractors face increasing pressure to deliver buildings that... View Article

To buy or to hire? That is the question

Construction plant can be high cost and often may require specialist machinery and services. Groundwork specialist and YouTuber Dave Vickers gives some pointers on when to buy and when to hire.  Getting the right tools and plant, on time, in... View Article

Celebrating the unsung kitchen heroes

What are the key factors for developers to consider when specifying taps and sinks? Dave Mayer at Reginox UK explains why these kitchen fixtures and fittings aren’t so humble after all, but their importance is underappreciated. It’s widely acknowledged that... View Article