Features Articles

Experts from the UK Structural Insulated Panel Association explain why the use of SIPS technology is on the increase across the UK. Structural insulated panel systems (SIPS) are an advanced method of construction, offering superior insulation, structural strength and air-tightness.... View Article

By Roger Hemmings, marketing manager of Havwoods The demand for solid and engineered wood flooring has never been so great and many clients are now requesting it for use in a huge variety of applications including walls and ceilings as well... View Article

Kevin Roe, sales director of Kingspan Klargester, looks at the drainage options available for different sites. Of the country’s current stock of 25 million houses, around 1.5 million are not connected to the sewer. In all cases the first consideration... View Article

Nicola Seymour of Marbrex explores the potential of decorative yet highly practical internal cladding systems over more traditional wall coverings – from reducing labour costs and timescales to ease of installation; long-term cleaning and maintenance When it comes to creating... View Article

By Michala Ford, marketing manager of Safety Technology International (Europe) Ltd The problem caused by false fire alarms Every false fire alarm is costly, disruptive and detrimental to safety. Each year businesses and public services in the UK have nearly... View Article

By Stephen Young, director of the Wood Protection Association The Wood Protection Association (WPA) is calling on building designers to double-check the fire performance claims of flame retardant treatments before they commit to a specification. The move follows research for... View Article

When two generations of the Wilson family found neither could afford a self build, they did what families do – they pulled together to create a stunning home. By Mark Williams Marion Wilson has abiding memories of looking after her... View Article

A visit to The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show, one of Britain’s biggest self build and renovation events, from 27-30 March at the NEC in Birmingham is a must for those building a new home from scratch or tackling a... View Article

You may be about to embark on your self build journey but as the experts and self builders at The National Self Build & Renovation Show know, this is just the beginning! Perfectly timed to coincide with the majority of... View Article

Any self build project will benefit from flexible electric underfloor heating. Jenny Smith, marketing services manager at Vent-Axia explains how advances in technology means electric underfloor heating is a choice that is set to grow in popularity Underfloor heating is... View Article

Rob Sutherland, managing director of Inspired Dwellings, specialists in the design and installation of home technology, shows how smart homes are evolving The smart home has been around as a concept since the 1970s. Early smart homes were primarily limited... View Article

By Lee Green, technical director at Kloeber UK Ltd In the last few years roof lights and sky lights have featured heavily in building design and with good reason. Natural daylight is an essential element of any interior space but... View Article

The countdown to Ecobuild 2014 has begun – the world’s biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment which takes place 4-6 March at London’s ExCeL. Perfect for those designing and building self sustaining, low carbon homes and... View Article