Water-tight partnerships

LISTEN HERE 🔊 James Homard of Urban Environments explores how housing professionals can maximise value from their water hygiene consultancy. Many housing providers and landlords appoint a specialist water hygiene consultancy to manage Legionella control. Particularly for those with extensive... View Article

The smart approach to specifying smoke vents

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Tony Stevens of Bilco UK shares the top three considerations they believe housing professionals should focus on when specifying NSHEVs. Natural Smoke and Heat Exhaust Ventilators (NSHEVs), more commonly known as smoke vents, provide essential ventilation in... View Article

Waterproof wall panels: the modern option

LISTEN HERE 🔊 In these turbulent times, waterproof wall panels may offer social housing providers and local authorities a more effective bathroom walling solution, explains Nicola Lewis of Fibo. This past year has been an unusual one for social housing... View Article

Has the church found a solution to the housing shortage?

Patrick Mooney, housing consultant and news editor of Housing, Management & Maintenance discusses the recent moves by the Church of England to unlock its land for housing developments. In a dramatic change of policy, the Church of England has signposted... View Article

Time to take the lead on zero carbon

Mark Wakeford, chair of the Major Contractors Group at the National Federation of Builders, speaks to Housebuilder & Developer about the opportunities and barriers ahead for the industry in the critical path to zero carbon. The housebuilding industry is making... View Article

A great finish at Wembley

An award-winning new development Chesterfield House in Wembley has been completed, bringing new public realm as well as regeneration to a neglected part of the locality. Damien Sharkey, managing director of Hub Group, explains the project’s features to Jack Wooler... View Article

The versatility of timber

Scott McAndrew of ITW discusses why timber is not only sustainable, but can also offer desirable flexibility as well as crucial fire safety Alot of information has been circulating about timber being a sustainable material, with fantastic initiatives such as... View Article

Pushing the envelope

John Nolan of Generix Facades looks at the importance of a robust approach to testing the structural integrity and capability of facade systems Having a solid understanding of how a facade system will perform prior to construction is crucial for... View Article

A difficult picture for SMEs

Brian Berry, CEO of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) takes a look at the challenges facing smaller builders this year, and what the Government can do to help. As the lockdown gradually lifts, and a semblance of normal life... View Article

Pump priming

Darren George of Willow Pumps looks at recent developments in pump station design, to provide ease as well as efficiency It’s safe to say the aim at the outset of any project is the completion of a build on time... View Article

Why choose composite decking?

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Felicity Hodgkinson of Ecodek explores the benefits Wood polymer composite decking can offer to developers and home buyers alike ‘Kerb appeal’ is a well-used phrase in this industry, and creating an aesthetically attractive facade with an eye-catching... View Article

Kitchens for a new era

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Tim Spann of Keller Kitchens takes a look at how kitchen designs might change in the wake of the pandemic. Every year brings a new set of trends, whether it’s fashion, cars, exercise or kitchens! However, after... View Article

Taking a far sighted view

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Nick Gander and Rod Davies of Energy Carbon discuss why they believe the government is missing a trick with its future homes standard, namely to promote the benefits of ‘far infrared’ radiation In January, as millions of... View Article

Take it to the bridge

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Simon Hill of Schöck explains the complexities around balcony design detailing to avoid thermal bridges, and why it must incorporate efficient thermal insulation Improving the thermal performance of a building envelope by minimising energy usage has become... View Article

The air quality route to net zero

With the deadline looming for net-zero carbon, buildings are being designed to be ever more airtight. Richard Paine of Vent-Axia explains how MVHR combines energy efficient ventilation with good indoor air quality The road to net zero carbon has led... View Article

Insulation creates healthier buildings

Matt Prowse of Knauf Insulation discusses how insulation can help combat the problems of sick building syndrome, including noise and indoor air quality, sustainably The average adult spends 90 per cent of their time indoors – and this percentage has... View Article

Top decking choices

Stefan Holmes of Millboard Decking discusses the main considerations for choosing between materials when it comes to specifying decking While timber was once the default option when it came to choosing decking material, that is now far from the case.... View Article

View Point: Neal Maxwell of Changing Streams

LISTEN HERE 🔊 Neal Maxwell explains how a trip to the Arctic led him to found Changing Streams, with a mission to persuade the construction industry to end its ‘plastic pandemic’ You cannot solve the climate crisis unless you address... View Article

Home of two halves

A picture postcard cottage on the Roseland peninsula in Cornwall has been enveloped in a distinctly modern addition which also strikes a balance with the property’s traditional half TEXT EWEN MACDONALD IMAGES RICHARD DOWNER For self-builders in the south west,... View Article