Streamlining the timber trade

Ian Church of Snows Timber discusses how timber companies are innovating in an increasingly competitive market, and the benefits they are bringing to construction customers, besides pricing. With timber currently at a premium, timber importers and distributors must now compete... View Article

Designing a smoke control system

Steve Knight of Whitesales explains the challenges of smoke control in multi-occupancy buildings. With 53 per cent of fire-related fatalities resulting from individuals being overcome by smoke or toxic fumes, smoke heat exhaust vent systems (SHEVs) make a critical difference... View Article

BS 8612 – A better future for all?

Keith Plummer of ubbink explores the impact recent standards have on dry fix roofing, discussing the benefits that they have brought to projects. British Standards launched BS 8612: Dry-Fixed Ridge, Hip and Verge Systems in order to raise and control... View Article

Integrating cladding into the offsite process

Steve Thompson of EOS Facades offers his perspective on the offsite opportunities available to housebuilders in a changing political landscape. Following the Hackitt Report further changes in Building Regulations have been anticipated, and the ban on all combustible materials on... View Article

The appliance of science

Claire Alonge of Extension Architecture explains how a considered approach to sourcing kitchen units and appliances can bring dividends for housebuilders and developers looking to please their customers. Whether you are a project manager, architectural or interior designer, builder or... View Article

A watershed moment?

John Marsh of GtC explains how a new framework could allow independent network operators to provide new water and wastewater connections, providing beneficial market competition for developers. April this year saw a significant shake-up of the water market, as competition... View Article

Next generation housing

John Whalley of Nationwide Windows & Doors discusses why he believes offsite construction is fast becoming the solution to fix the housing crisis, and describes some of the benefits the method can bring to the fenestration industry. It is well... View Article

Play with fire

There are more than 1.25 million stoves in the UK, with around 200,000 stoves sold annually. As Ian Sams of Specflue points out, there are many good reasons for their popularity, not least their environmental performance. Wood-burners are a stylish... View Article

Bathrooms that sell homes

Rob Holroyd of Easy Bathrooms explains how housebuilders can create bathrooms that appeal to the target buyer. With the time people spend in their bathrooms on the rise – and the room often acting as an escape from the stresses... View Article

Safe and Sound with Part Q

Kevin Bonnar of Velfac explains why housebuilders should make a virtue of Part Q of the Building regulations, to underline the security benefits of their developments. Safety and security are a top priority for most homeowners, especially when it comes... View Article

Get smart on connected homes

We are now fully immersed in a world with a growing interest in all sorts of connected technologies. In terms of domestic heating, many prospective house buyers want to control a heating system from their smartphone or set it up... View Article

The high performance alternative

Paddy Leighton of Icynene takes a look at heat loss in buildings, and how new, high performance insulation systems can improve comfort levels in both retrofit and new-build applications. When Britain began its post war building boom, coal was king... View Article

Turning floods into an asset

Management of and protection from localised flooding is a rising concern for housebuilders, but suds and flood control doesn’t have to be only about moving water to safety. Sean Robinson of Polypipe argues that new housing estates provide the perfect... View Article

The rise and rise of concrete facing bricks

Craig Mcbride of Tobermore tracks the rise in popularity of concrete facing bricks, explaining how they satisfy the needs of housebuilders facing unprecedented demand across the Uk. We all remember the story of the Three Little Pigs from childhood. When... View Article

Everything including the kitchen sink for social housing

Social housing is experiencing a revolution, with local councils and housing associations looking for kitchen suppliers that will offer up-to-date, long-lasting solutions without comprimising on quality. Neil Mcdonald of Moores offers his advice. As the need to be able to... View Article

Medal to the Metal

The Metal Gutter Manufacturers association puts the case for why metal rainwater systems should be the first choice. Although metal rainwater drainage systems may often cost more initially, they offer excellent ‘lifetime’ value. With homeowners and specifiers increasingly looking at... View Article

First things first

Duncan Andrews of Sureset explains the impact a driveway surface can have on kerb appeal, exploring the pros and cons of different surfacing materials. In what is a highly competitive market, it is vitally important to make a good first... View Article

On-trend solutions

Decorative vinyls and LVTs are pushing new technical and aesthetic boundaries so that both customers and contractors benefit, according to Nav Dhillon of Gerflor. Decorative vinyl and luxury vinyl tiles and planks (LVTs) are practical, durable and straightforward to maintain... View Article

BIM for offsite: what’s stopping you?

While the housebuilding industry is educating itself on the practicalities and application of offsite methods of construction, the real opportunity for housebuilders is in how offsite is utilising the latest software platforms. Robert Clark of fusion Building systems explains the... View Article

The right tile for the project

Tiles have long been the go-to option when it comes to the bathroom, but today the demand for trend-led tiles throughout new builds is on the increase. Liam Poole of British Ceramic Tile explains how to select the right tile... View Article