Multiple buildings? Unlock Non Domestic RHI Funding

Homeowners and self-builders whose projects feature two or more domestic buildings on one site, could be earning themselves a profitable income by utilising a simple district ground source heat pump system architecture to unlock quarterly payments from the Government’s Non... View Article

Comment on Intergenerational Commission report

Mark Farmer, chief executive of Cast, said: “The price and availability of land is a major problem within the housing market. Developers have increasingly been accused of overpaying for land by suppressing affordable housing provision and challenging quotas through the planning... View Article

Down & dirty

Have you ever wondered why a newly installed tiled floor looks dirty? in most cases it’s down to a poor initial clean, with over 70 per cent of all installation complaints being the result of this. Lisa Breakspear of FiLA... View Article

Eliminating the margin for error

Cath McLean from Promat UK explains the benefits of a whole-system approach for effective fire-resistant glazing Uncertainty and confusion still prevail in the market around the design and installation of passive fire protection measures, particularly fire- resistant glass and the... View Article

Lighting the way

Richard McLane of Bisca Staircases discusses various lighting options to bear in mind when designing a feature staircase, and why you should consult a specialist lighting designer as well as an architect to get it right. Astaircase is the central... View Article

Getting the light just right

Shaun Davis of LED lighting specialists tp24 explains why it is essential to plan early to ensure the perfect lighting scheme. Agood lighting scheme can really define a house and its interior .design. Getting it right is all about planning... View Article

Going below decks

Stefan Holmes of Millboard explains why plastic is fantastic when it comes to creating effective sub-frames for decking   The selection of materials for creating a deck is not just a choice between timber and composite surface materials: there is... View Article

Projecting a better image

Richard Twiddy of F. H. Brundle explains how the right balcony can elevate the entire feel of a property. Whether it is a place for peaceful reflection or a feature spot to host a gathering, there are many reasons why... View Article

Inspiration and ideas at Grand Designs Live

New and returning brands, innovative product launches and a host of seminars set to inspire as Grand Designs Live returns to London’s ExCeL exhibition centre in May. Grand Designs Live, proudly sponsored by Anglian Home Improvements, will return to London’s... View Article

Sourcing done right

Jane Buxey from the stone industry’s trade body speaks to Hutton Stone’s Marcus Paine about what the sector’s focus on ethical sourcing means in practice. Stone Federation Great Britain is the official trade association for the natural stone industry, which... View Article

Will brick facades slip up?

Arup’s Alexis Harrison says that while the bricks sector has responded to increased demand from architects seeking to use the material in highly crafted exteriors, they still have questions about the long-term performance of brick slips. When I joined the... View Article

Engineering student safety

At a time when the volume of university students continues to rise across Europe, there is great commercial opportunity in the provision of housing to the growing demographic. But with great opportunity comes even greater responsibility. Heriberto Cuanalo of Collegiate... View Article

Seeing the wood for the trees

When installing a woodburner it’s important to consider what you’re going to burn in it, especially given the Government’s increased determination to clamp down on the use of ‘unsuitable’ fuel. Stephen Talbot of Logs Direct explains further. According to research... View Article

Warm reception

As aluminium windows and doors continue to grow in popularity in the housing market, Bruce Manning of the Synseal Group takes a look at the advantages of warm aluminium products. The surge in popularity for aluminium products last year will... View Article

Better ventilated homes mean a healthier future

Paul Croughan of EnviroVent looks at how the new build sector is meeting ventilation requirements and improving the air quality in new home construction Requirements for increased levels of air tightness and energy efficiency mean that around 25 per cent... View Article

The obstacles to getting fire safety right, post-Grenfell

James Butler of Pura Facades expresses his concern that despite the best intentions of the final Hackitt report following the Grenfell disaster, the fragmented nature of the industry could mean there are implementation challenges ahead The long-awaited final report from... View Article

Creating a smart spa

GROHE UK’s Michael Gray discusses the growing trend for including smart technology to help create a spa-like haven in the bathroom, and the types of solutions available. Smart technology should be considered in any new bathroom design, particularly as more... View Article