What progress has been made since Grenfell?

Hannah Mansell, from the Masonite group of companies in the UK, outlines findings from research into how the public sector approaches fire safety and the biggest challenges facing organisations looking to safeguard resident wellbeing in high-rise buildings In 2017, the... View Article

Good ventilation practice in social housing

Poor indoor air quality and ventilation in general current housing stock has always been a huge challenge for social housing bodies. Roy Byom from Titon explains Houses, flats and apartments built over several decades have had differing ideas and applications... View Article

Outside spaces that work

Jack Potter from Ground Control explores how the housing sector can unlock the value of green space, and help the next generation to reap the benefits of their natural world While biodiversity recovery is often seen as second in priority... View Article

Fit and forget

As heating water accounts for nearly 1/5th of energy use in UK homes, water conservation is the key to reducing energy bills, Groundbreaker explains more Reducing hot water demand is an effective way to help occupants conserve energy and reduce... View Article

Futurebuild targets retrofit at scale

With 27 million domestic buildings in the UK, the majority of which require significant energy efficiency improvements, it has been calculated by the UK Green Building Council that 1.8 homes per minute will need to be retrofitted to deliver the... View Article

Are you recharged and ready this year?

David Abernethie from Sevadis discusses how social housing providers can benefit from the implementation of an EV charging infrastructure plan Last year was a significant period for the UK with the electrification agenda; new regulations, legislation, technology, and investment in... View Article

Safe, inclusive bathrooms are the future

Bathrooms can be a danger zone and entirely unsuitable for disabled people in many homes across the UK. Stuart Reynolds from AKW, explores the challenges facing both landlords and tenants and considers solutions to the problem When is a house... View Article

The creative spark in boilers

Adam Taylor from Beesley & Fildes, discusses the potential of electric boilers as an affordable, easy to install alternative to both gas and air source heat pumps The energy cap for domestic properties is due to rise on 1 April... View Article

Heating from the ground up

Craig Edwards of WMS, explains how to incorporate affordable warmth into the very fabric of a home with underfloor heating Rising energy bills in the UK are set to push even more households into fuel poverty this winter. The stakes... View Article

Setting the standard for certification and compliance

Marcus Parnham from Profab Access, discusses the importance of specifying fire integrity products to ensure the suitability and safety of a building for its entire lifecycle Focused on improving the safety of high risk residential buildings, the Building Safety Act... View Article

The perils of inexperience in heat network maintenance

Employing non-specialist contractors to maintain heat networks is problematic, argues Steve Morris of Insite Energy. Unless correctly monitored and maintained, heat networks become less efficient over time. A host of serious problems can result, including higher energy costs. This can... View Article

Subfloor preparation for refurbishments

Neil Sanders, technical director at F. Ball and Co. Ltd., the UK’s leading manufacturer of subfloor preparation products and adhesives for floorcoverings, advises on preliminary work to achieve optimum results when installing floorcoverings as part of a refurbishment. The first... View Article

HOMES UK is bigger and better

An unmissable event for asset management, development and sustainability professionals, HOMES UK returns on the 23-24 November 2022 to the ExCel in London Now in its eleventh year, HOMES UK is the largest free-to-attend conference and exhibition of its kind.... View Article

A smart approach to the energy crisis

Could smart metering technology help ease the financial pain of rising living costs? Insite Energy’s Gareth Copland, considers the pros and cons Navigating a disaster pile-up of a global pandemic followed by worsening energy and cost-of-living crises is proving increasingly... View Article

Key considerations when specifying smoke vents

Mark Baird from Bilco UK discusses how NSHEVs can be utilised to ensure the highest standards of safety for social housing and the key considerations that should be addressed to ensure successful specification Natural Smoke and Heat Exhaust Ventilators (NSHEVs),... View Article

Design out crime

Matthew McTighe from CAME UK discusses the importance of Secured By Design (SBD) and their role in securing developments around the UK Established in 1989, SBD plays a significant crime prevention role in the planning process to design out crime... View Article

A guide to the correct paint specification

The finishing touches to a project can make all the difference to the sustainability and safety of dwellings. The Dulux Decorator Centre team looks at how the correct specification of paints and coatings can drive up building efficiency, improve fire... View Article

Closing the green skills gap

Elaine Gilligan of K Systems argues why reversing the skills shortage could quicken the race to net-zero Addressing the skills gap in the construction sector could bolster the industry’s efforts as it seeks to help the UK reduce carbon emissions.... View Article

Closing the door on fire

Each year, Fire Door Safety Week raises awareness of the vital role that fire doors play in keeping building occupants across the country safe. Helen Hewitt from the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) explores why the campaign remains as important as... View Article