Getting under your feet

The considerable benefits of underfloor heating are now widely understood but should you install a wet or electric system? Gaia Climate Solutions’ Steven Rooney weighs up the options While many people now appreciate the benefits an underfloor heating (UFH) system... View Article

Breathe easy

Phil Harrison of EnviroVent offers advice on the best ways to achieve optimum ventilation and energy efficiency when upgrading the home or undertaking a self-build Agrowing number of homeowners and self-builders are realising that ventilation is an essential part of... View Article

It’s all about wellbeing

Oliver Ronald of Boss Design discusses how employee wellbeing is heavily influencing workplace design and office furniture specification. Many of us spend a large proportion of our lives in the office – up to 40 hours per week or more... View Article

Efficiency expectations

Maria Holton of Luceco explains how the importance of lighting comfort in the workplace has grown in importance, alongside the focus on efficiency. The minimum requirement of an office space should be to enable professionals to be able to work... View Article

First impressions

Franz Lorenschitz of Allgood explores the power of ironmongery to offer the right first impression to users across a range of settings. Door handles are often the visitor’s first physical contact with a building, and consequently provide an instant first... View Article

Smooth operators

Martin Cummins of Bostik looks at why smoothing compounds are advisable for workplace floors, and the key specification considerations to achieve the right result. The stage preceding the application of a floorcovering is an often overlooked but critical part of the... View Article

Successful soundproofing

Designing the ideal workplace acoustics is a complex challenge, but getting the right balance of aesthetics and effective soundproofing is crucial for business success, as Hush Acoustics’ Robert Crampton explains. Soundproofing is often overlooked when it comes to designing the... View Article

What the papers say

I Want Wallpaper’s head of design Alex Whitecroft takes a look at the key 2018 trends for wallpaper and explains the benefits of being bold and brave with your choices Wallpaper has been the product of choice for interior designers... View Article

A juggling act

Despite working as long-haul flight attendants and running their own business, Nick Housley and his partner took on the challenge of turning their Sussex bungalow into a ‘des res’. Roseanne Field reports Self-build is in Nick Housley’s blood, his parents... View Article

The case for precast staircases

Jeremy Milbank of Milbank Concrete Products looks at reasons for specifying concrete staircases and what factors to bear in mind when doing so. Precast concrete staircases have the twin compelling benefits of being highly durable and fireproof, as well as... View Article

Safety first in the bathroom

Yvonne Orgill of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association explains why know how on CE marking of bathroom products can be safety-critical You are probably used to looking for a CE mark on toys and electrical appliances. But did you know that... View Article

Rendered beautiful

Rachel Wilson of K Rend discusses the rise in render’s popularity for new buildings, and its use in creating desirable as well as long-lasting finishes. Once a favoured product for existing buildings, rendering has now become a mainstream finish for... View Article

Investing in the right people

When City types Rachel and Lee Oliver decided to build their rural home, putting faith in their architect and builder to make the right decisions proved to be the making of their project. Roseanne Field reports Pulling into the driveway... View Article

Reducing risks

The Protek Group’s Simon Middleton takes a look at some of the risks that can extend beyond people’s contingency, explaining how you can identify and manage your exposure more-effectively and why site insurance is so important Aself-build project can be... View Article

Finding the fibre for you

Carpet manufacturer Lano’s Gary Alp talks through the different carpet fibres available today, from old favourites to the latest innovations, to help you make the perfect selection for your build There’s more to think about when choosing a carpet than... View Article

Composite contenders

Charles Taylor of wood plastic specialists Composite Prime discusses the rise of the composite decking trend and how it is helping to drive the timber industry forward Timber has long been considered one of the most environmentally friendly building materials... View Article

Timber windows – see the light

Jonathan Hey of Westbury Windows and Joinery offers some tips on getting your windows right and explains the benefits of choosing timber When building your own home, even with a big budget, every pound counts. Deciding where to spend your... View Article

Ideas for creating the perfect wet room

Lee Reed, product manager at bathroom and tile retailer Easy Bathrooms, offers some advice on designing a the perfect wet room, from initial considerations, to how the process works, and some design ideas. A wet room could be considered the... View Article

Ventilation apps help create smart homes

Peter Haynes, Technical Product Manager at EnviroVent, looks at advances through the use of the latest technology to reduce installation times and simplify commissioning for ventilation systems. Homebuyers are increasingly looking for gadgets that transform their properties into ‘smart homes’.... View Article

Future-proofing external doors

When looking to buy new external doors, getting value for money is arguably the most important consideration, but increasing financial restrictions on both property owners and landlords means there is extra pressure to minimise costs. Rob Hartill of Permadoor explains... View Article