Seeing the world in 3D

In 2016 the Government made it mandatory for all public sector construction work to be designed in BIM Level 2. However what are the advantages of building information modelling for housebuilders? Graham Hewitt of Raised Floor Solutions reports The industry... View Article

Capturing savings

With parts of the UK now technically qualifying as deserts, rainwater harvesting has become a serious consideration among the Government and consumers alike. Gary Wheatley of Wilo UK explains the options. In recent years, many areas in the UK have... View Article

Exploring new avenues for 2017

The annual conference and exhibition will turn the ExCel centre into an “immersive city” packed with the latest innovations for the built environment. Ecobuild returns in March with a focus on regeneration and a complete overhaul of the floor plan... View Article

Housing White Paper: the industry responds

With the announcement of the Housing White Paper came an expected flood of comments and criticism from across the industry. However while some offered only a qualified welcome, the industry appears to have reacted favourably in general. Common themes included... View Article

A smarter future

HBD’s Jack Wooler takes a look at the current trends in lighting the UK’s homes, from smarter controls to the good-looking efficiency increasingly being delivered by LED. Technology is advancing at a faster pace than ever, and nowhere more than... View Article

A solid case for timber

Nick Milestone of the Structural Timber Association and B & K Structures sheds some light on the whys, wherefores and appropriate residential applications for structural timber technology. We have an outstanding inheritance of timber architecture. Until now, the greatest period... View Article

Guaranteed results

Mark Parsons of Russell Roof Tiles explains how, in the light of challenges posed to NHBC guarantees by roofing, a pick and mix approach to specification isn’t always the best option. With more and more new homes being built, it is... View Article

Distinctly different

Simon Gregory of Proteus Facades looks at how lightweight rainscreen facades are helping create developments where people aspire to live. Facades are always the most visible element of a building and because of that they receive more than their fair... View Article

Going off-grid, sustainably

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) can help new developments not only meet SAP ratings, but also offer a sustainable alternative to other off-grid fuel choices. Ian Digby of Calor Gas explains how. Developers building off the mains gas grid not only... View Article

Safe as houses?

Stephen Wise of Knauf Insulation explains why housebuilders should be taking a closer look at the true fire performance of the insulation materials they specify. When it comes to choosing an insulation material, it shouldn’t just be a box-ticking exercise.... View Article

All the range

A quality range cooker can provide the deciding factor for a purchase on luxury development, but making the investment can be daunting. Mark Blewitt of ESSE offers guidance to make the task a little easier. The first stage in choosing... View Article

Putting efficiency at the core

In recent years, the devastation caused by flooding has completely changed the perception of drainage – from mere building materials to being an integral part of UK housebuilding. Terry Hill of JDP explains. The challenge for housebuilders and developers in... View Article

Clearing the air

Air conditioning equipment is, like most technologies, advancing in leaps and bounds, with ever-greater functionality and performance. Andy Slater of LG explains how increasing ease of installation and use is being paired with environmental progress. Domestic air conditioning is still... View Article

Bath’s newest quarter wins design award

Bath Riverside, Crest Nicholson’s high profile development designed by architect Alison Brooks has won the Sunday Times Best House Design Award. Set in the historic city’s newest residential quarter, the development will encompass around 2,000 homes when finished. This includes... View Article

Tackling staircase challenges

Nick Bligh of JELD-WEN discusses how involving manufacturers at the early planning stages of a project can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth delivery of a structurally sound staircase. Stairs can be viewed as a complicated element of... View Article

Traditional style meets modern standards

Tony Wereszczynski of Marley Alutec explains how to achieve the right balance in rainwater and eaves specification when dealing with heritage-style properties. Heritage-style buildings can pose challenges for developers, especially when they are tasked with finding the balance between traditional... View Article

Ignoring heat network metering is an expensive mistake

Cost-cutting on heat metering at the installation stage can be a false economy, but there are ways to avoid the pitfalls, as Anthony Coates-Smith of Insite Energy explains. When housebuilders and developers strive to minimise initial construction costs, they can... View Article

Making an entrance

Patrick Dean of Door-Stop explores the wealth of safe and secure options available to housebuilders looking to make the right entrance. When it comes to specifying a front door for a property, it can seem there is no end of... View Article

A solution to the productivity problem

Sharing knowledge across the supply chain and driving innovation is vital to boost the construction industry’s productivity and meet the UK’s housing needs, says Neil Ash of Siniat UK. The construction industry is suffering from a productivity crisis. Only last... View Article