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

Bringing light inside

Jade Cottee of IQ Glass Solutions discuss the different options available to maximise light with the use of internal glazing Light is the new luxury in many architectural and interior designs. Improving light within the home has been said to... View Article

Simpler facade solutions

Simon Boocock of CRL Europe discusses how advances in installation technology are making glass facades easier and quicker to install without putting people at risk All-glass buildings are a common sight in urban areas, making a dramatic architectural statement. Glass... View Article

Achieving peace of mind

Sean Haynes of FireGlass UK discusses the importance of recent accreditation and certification systems when it comes to specifying the correct fire-rated glass Insulated glass units (IGUs), including double glazed units, are individually sealed units which are made up of... View Article

Natural light for natural learning

Jens Christoffersen of Velux looks at why natural light is so important in learning environments, and discusses various design interventions for increasing it A common antidote to the ‘winter blues’ is often a break in a warmer, sunnier climate, preferably... 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

The fledgling market for bird-safe glass

Birds colliding with glass on building facades is one of the leading causes of avian mortality across the globe, however despite this fact it’s an issue that has often flown under the radar in the UK. Here Leo Pyrah of... 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

Raising the bar with fire and CO alarms

Wide ranging new requirements recently confirmed by the Scottish Government call for a consistently high level of smoke, heat and CO alarm provision to be applied across all housing, and a review of Building Regulations should improve standards in England... View Article

Fit for purpose

Ian Napier of Switchee explains why the Fitness for Human Habitation Bill is important for those managing private and social housing On 20 December last year – the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 received royal assent and it... View Article

Safety matters

What does safety really mean when it comes to heating appliances in the home? Christian Hadley of Glen Dimplex Heating & Ventilation examines the real value of safety testing, the issue of self-declaration – and why external certification can be... View Article

Housing maintenance procurement – a menu of options

AM Bid’s Andrew Morrison examines procurement and bidding trends including the outsourced service versus in-house delivery debate, in order to help housing clients, buyers and bidders pause and reflect about what will work best for them As we begin a... View Article

A breath of fresh air

Wendy Thomas of Nuaire discusses the importance of filtering the air in existing homes, particularly when the occupants are some of society’s most vulnerable The Chief Medical Officer’s 2017 report, released in 2018, focused on air pollution as a major... View Article

Architectural copper for the long term

There is more to architectural copper than meets the eye, with an unrivalled lifespan counted in hundreds of years, no maintenance and full recyclability as Graeme Bell of Aurubis explains Despite its heritage, roofing some of our oldest buildings, continuing... View Article

Putting students’ safety first

David Hoyle of Hoyles Electronic Developments discusses the fire risks in student accommodation, as well the possible solutions including combatting false alarms The last thing students off to university will be thinking of is fire safety. Shared accommodation such as university... View Article

Decking decisions

Laura Keily of Accsys Group summarises three of the most common materials when planning an outdoor deck and discusses some of the factors that need to be taken into consideration when choosing your preferred route In January 2019, the Global... View Article

A lesson in underfloor heating

Mark Crowsley of Cellecta discusses the continued need for large new schools to install underfloor heating floating floor solutions that achieve excellent acoustic performance as well as efficiency Schools can be noisy environments – excessive background noise, loud corridors, and... View Article

That’s a wrap

With eco-friendly materials fast becoming rising stars in the world of interiors, Lindsay Appleton of Architextural discusses the many benefits of using architectural films and how they can refurbish existing surfaces Gone are the days when wrapping was exclusive to... View Article

Natural remedies for learning

It’s a given that schools need good quality daylight for good learning environments; Tony Isaac of Brett Martin explains why enabling natural light to enter has never been more important Good quality daylight is a readily available and sustainable natural... View Article

A breath of fresh air

Eliot Warrington of Solarcrest explains how airtightness will affect any building, whether clients want to build a certified Passivhaus or just meet Building Regulations UK Building Regulations are really promoting airtightness and it’s now mandatory to pressure test every new... View Article