Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer April/May 2020

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PROFESSIONAL

HOUSEBUILDER &PROPERTY DEVELOPER APRIL/MAY 2020

WWW.PHPDONLINE.CO.UK

FUTURE HOMES What role will smart technology play in off-site manufacturing?

HEATING & VENTILATION

GROUNDWORKS & DRAINAGE

LUXURY LIVING

In the fight against carbon, how can developers heat new homes?

Making sure what is put in the ground is sustainable and effective

Combining design and quality to create luxury homes

EXPERT UPDATE: DEALING WITH DELAYS ON SITE

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contents PHPD APRIL/MAY 2020 VOLUME 14 NUMBER 4

This issue Regulars 5 6 10 57 59

First Word News Developments General Building Products Last Word

Special Reports 12 Market Forces Marketing company, Rogers Watson explains what it can offer to housebuilders in the way of onsite marketing solutions

14 A Wide Spread PHPD hears the Fassa Bortolo story – in their own words

Cover story

ACO Water Management provides an ideal transition between the interior and exterior of Silver How, a RIBA House of the Year shortlist entrant. Turn to page 40 to find out more.

HEATING & VENTILATION 16 Ten-Year Challenge Grant UK is on a mission to clean up home heating by 2030 18 No Time to Waste Indoor air pollution is a serious issue – Domus Ventilation is tackling it

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Meet Rogers Watson

22 Shaping Up Taking a look at Uponor’s composite pipe range 25 The Pressure is On RWC explains the importance of regulating the pressure in central heating systems 26 Heat the Home in Style Radiators allow developers to add aesthetic value to a property.

Stelrad explains more 28 Down to a Trickle Blauberg’s Rob Holton discusses heat recovery systems in new build homes

Below ground water management

LUXURY LIVING

20 The New Normal WMS Underfloor Heating explores the new Government requirements and what they mean for heating homes

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FUTURE HOMES 34 Smart from the Start Euramax talks about the need to implement smart solutions from the start of the off-site process

GROUNDWORKS & DRAINAGE 36 Concrete Offer Cemex has launched the UK’s first Net Zero concrete product 38 Civil Debate Polypipe explains the importance of water management networks in the fight against flooding 40 How to Do it Right ACO drainage in practice on a new build

44 What Makes a Luxury Home?

PHPD explores the luxury home, room by room 48 Inspiration on Tap PHPD chats to InSinkErator’s Anne Kaarlela about the firm’s specialist taps 50 Basin Desires What can Reginox offer the premium housebuilder?

52 One Step Beyond What does luxury mean to Waterstone Homes?

55 Round-up 56 Staying Connected The latest shower technology from Aqualisa

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Hot water tap technology

29 Round-up

EXPERT UPDATES

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New ways to heat homes

32 Legal What do developers need to know about on-site delays?

33 Finance What you need to know about capital allowances

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first word

Editor Kieran Nee phpd@hamerville.co.uk Group Advertisement Manager Craig Jowsey 07900 248102 craig@hamerville.co.uk Advertisement Manager Samuel Shannon-Tinsley 01923 237799 stinsley@hamerville.co.uk Northern Area Sales Ian Duff 07810 353 525 probuilder@sky.com Digital Group Manager Stuart Duff Digital Assistant David Molloy Design Adeel Qadri Group Production Manager Carol Padgett Production Assistant Claire Picton Managing Editor Terry Smith Circulation Manager Kirstie Day Publisher Bryan Shannon Printer Wyndeham Group Published by: Hamerville Media Group Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF. Tel: 01923 237799 Email: phpd@hamerville.co.uk Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer is a business magazine for firms and individuals involved in all aspects of the building industry. The publishers and editor do not necessarily agree with the views expressed by contributors, nor do they accept responsibility for any errors of translation in the subject matter in this publication. © 2020

Subscriptions to Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer are available at the following rates: UK: 1 year — £30 post paid Europe and Overseas: 1 year — £50 post paid Airmail: 1 year — £65 post paid To be removed from this magazine’s circulation please call 01923 237799 or email circulation@hamerville.co.uk

Forging Ahead It would be dishonest of me to write this without acknowledging outright the bizarre, unprecedented circumstances the country has found itself in. Both at the time of writing and, no doubt, the time of reading, the vast majority of the population is living under restrictive measures, the severity of which has been unmatched in peace time. Despite the uncertain nature of the virus and its effect on those working outdoors, many construction firms have downed tools and told its workers to go home for the foreseeable future, whilst others have sought to continue working for as long as possible.

One argument put forward for continuing to work, is that unfinished homes, besides posing a safety risk in and of themselves, could in fact leave certain families homeless.

Amid the talk of supply chains, the huge number of employees dependent on the industry and the massive impact construction has on the environment and the economy, it is easy to pass over the essential fact that the construction industry provides that most basic of needs, shelter, to the country. If Covid-19 has but one effect, it will surely be to make us rethink what is truly necessary to the country.

Supermarket staff, train drivers, delivery drivers – endless is the list of professions that two months ago people rarely stopped to appreciate but that we now can’t imagine life without. These are the people without whom the country would quickly collapse, not to mention anything, of course, of the already venerated NHS staff and the other typical frontline jobs. The effect might be delayed, but the cessation of building work across the country even for just a few months will have major consequences too. Already we are struggling to even get near the number of houses needed, the industry has now had a major setback in the form of a global pandemic. There was no contingency plan that could have been put in place to avoid this and it is no one’s fault.

Indeed, the fact that no one is to blame may be what saves us. Unlike previous economic slowdowns and crashes, the reasons for which have been closely intertwined with the market, with financial decisions taken by governments, with deeprooted problems that take years to heal. I am certainly no economist, but it’s clear that whatever happens to the economy this year will have had little to do with irresponsibility, greed or mismanagement. Indeed, anecdotally the housing industry was reporting an upswing at the start of the year, as the country collectively sighed a sigh of relief that the relentless news on Brexit had, however fleetingly, come to a halt.

A sense of optimism could almost be felt in the air. Fast forward to now and our worries about the Brexit negotiations seem positively quaint.

What must be remembered is that this virus will pass. The lockdown will end, and people will once more fill the streets. When that will happen, I don’t know. What steps will have to be put in place to ensure the virus doesn’t break out once more will be decided. The time will come to get back on site once more with the renewed focus that the houses you are building are needed even more than before.

I would like to take this chance to let readers know that they can get the latest issues of PHPD sent in digital format directly to their email inbox, simply by subscribing at www.phpdonline.co.uk. I hope everybody reading this stays safe and healthy and that by the time the next issue comes around we will be in a much better situation.

For more information from PHPD visit www.phpdonline.co.uk @phpdonline

Total Average Net Distribution 14,633 1 July 2018 – 30 June 2019

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news New ‘Suburbs Duke of Taskforce’ announced Cambridge embers of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for London’s Planning and Built Environment recenly voted, with crossparty support from other politicians, to formally establish a Suburbs Taskforce.

The purpose of the taskforce will be to investigate the key issues and opportunities facing suburban areas with an initial focus on the Outer Boroughs of London.

The Taskforce, which has received widespread cross-party interest, highlights the pressing need to rebalance the historic focus away from the city centre to better reflect the everyday challenges facing Greater London. Suburbs were once recognised as the ideal intersection between city and country, however, an increase in crime and poverty, in addition to an increasing number of high-rise developments, has further challenged the perception of the suburbs as places of low density and good lifestyle.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp001

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opens Tarmac’s new training facility armac’s National Skills and Safety Park, a training facility for people working in the construction sector, has been officially opened by His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge.

Marking the official opening of the facility, His Royal Highness met with a number of Tarmac’s young apprentices to learn more about their roles and career ambitions. The Duke got first-hand experience of the firm’s 100 year-long expertise in road building at the helm of a cutting edge paving machine,

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as well as being introduced to apprentices in the training centre’s maintenance workshop and trying his hand on one of the company’s quarrying excavator simulators.

Martin Riley, Tarmac’s senior vice president who started his own career in construction as an apprentice, commented: “It was an honour to welcome His Royal Highness to our new facility which is already helping people beginning a career in construction and those already established in the sector to develop new skills.”

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp002

FMB: Planning reform must have small builders at heart lanning reforms are key to fixing the housing crisis, but more attention is needed on supporting local authorities to improve their ability to respond to planning demands, according to the Federation of Master Builders in response to the ‘Planning for the Future’ announcement made recently.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The current planning system is a major barrier for small housebuilders, so

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the announcement that it will be brought into the 21st century through digitisation and simplification is a victory for common sense. I’m pleased to learn that the Secretary of State will engage particularly with small to medium-sized housebuilders to ensure the new system works for them.

Key to increasing the volume and quality of new homes coming through is reversing the decline in small housebuilders.”

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp003

Status of contractors questioned by Tribunal ruling n Employment Tribunal has thrown into question the status of construction industry contractors in a ruling finding that two contractors were in fact employees and should be afforded the protections open to all employed staff.

It is a decision, says law firm Collyer Bristow, that could have a profound and far-reaching impact on the construction industry, adding significant additional costs that may compromise the viability of many development projects.

The case – Harris and Kearny v Excel Brickworks – examined the employment status of two men, Mr Harris working as a site foreman and his son, Mr Kearny, a bricklayer. The foreman had worked for the company for 17 years, and the bricklayer for

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less than a year. Both had signed a ‘Self Employed Contract for Services’ and were subsequently dismissed without notice.

The building company, Excel, argued that the claimants were self-employed and sought to rely on the contract that stated they could work if and when they so decided, refuse work, use their own working methods, leave site without permission and send a substitute with similar experience and qualifications to carry out the work.

The Employment Tribunal considered the facts and determined that, in reality, none of the above ever happened and that Excel would not have agreed to Mr Harris or Mr Kearny exercising these rights under the contract. As such, regardless of the wording of the contract, in reality the relationship was one of

employer and employee with the statutory benefits that arise as a result.

Tania Goodman, Partner and Head of Employment at law firm Collyer Bristow said: “This case demonstrates that simply badging an employee as a ‘contractor’ or ‘self-employed’ does not guarantee that a tribunal or court will accept this description at face value but rather will look into the reality of the working relationship and day to day practices.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp004

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E-mail your news & views to phpd@hamerville.co.uk or tweet us at @phpdonline

Housebuilding rates failing to meet targets

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he number of new build homes started and completed in the last quarter of 2019 fell below government targets, according to new government figures – and the industry says the coronavirus pandemic is set to impact these further.

On a quarterly basis, new build dwelling starts in England were estimated at 34,260 (seasonally adjusted) in the latest quarter, an 11% decrease compared to the previous three months and a 17% decrease on a year earlier. Completions were estimated at 44,980 (seasonally adjusted), a 1% decrease from the previous quarter and 3% higher than a year ago.

Clive Docwra, Managing Director of leading construction consulting and design agency McBains, said: “The government’s ambitious housebuilding target – delivering a million homes in the next five years – was always going to be extremely challenging, and the latest

Housebuilder helps bring clean water to Togo community community in Togo has access to clean water and toilets thanks to new homes being built in South Wales and the South West of England.

Compassion UK has revealed that almost 250 children have benefitted as a direct result of a partnership with the Edenstone Foundation.

Martin Taylor, managing director of the Edenstone Group, which administers the foundation, said: “This project has made a real difference to people’s lives and those living in Togo are elated at simply having access to safe water. Families no longer have to use the polluted river and children no longer have to miss school walking miles to collect dirty water.”

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp006

A statistics bear this out. However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will mean this is now virtually impossible.

“Many sites are empty, supply chains have been disrupted and multi-million pounds worth of private investment is on hold for the foreseeable future. That will knock back housebuilding rates months, if not years.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp005

Professor calls on industry in the Coronavirus ‘war effort’ ike Leonard, Visiting Professor in Manufacturing and Construction at Birmingham City University, has stated: “At this time our only priority must be to save lives and the wider construction industry will step-up to play whatever roles will help, as we all go to war to defeat Covid-19.

“We have lorries, premises and skilled staff all ready to take on new tasks to help look after our people, as we fight the war against this invisible enemy. As the threat increases, demand for new homes will evaporate. We will be left with only essential workers, ensuring our emergency services can continue to

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operate and supporting the neediest, such as those with heating failures and water leaks.

“As we eventually emerge from this crisis, the time will come to rebuild our economy and get people back into work.

The solution, as has been the case for past economic shocks, will be to “Get Britain Building”, which has a massive multiplier effect. The construction industry is known for its resilience. We must use the time constructively to plan for the recovery and provide the economic bounce the

country will so badly need. This may include “oven ready schemes” to improve our 26 million homes, discount programmes to attract first time home purchaser’s and fast track schemes to train new entrants to the industry.”

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news

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“Covid-19 has knocked the construction industry sideways, but we’ll recover”

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ichard Payne, Director of Development at Oblix Capital, considers the short and long-term impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on the construction industry.

At the beginning of March, the Government was promising a new dawn for housebuilding, with some ambitious plans. However, the Covid-19 crisis has hit us with a bang, and we may need to drastically re-think the approach required to achieve the targets that were set.

The crisis has caused building sites to close up and down the country, and at the moment it’s unclear when they may be able to re-open. The UK’s construction

industry was already facing a number of challenges, including potential labour and skills shortages caused by Brexit, but the Covid-19 crisis has brought new complications.

These are uncharted times. One key difference from the financial crisis we experienced in 2008 is the strength of the banking industry at the time; in 2008 the banks and their lending practices, particularly in the USA, were a cause of the problem.

This time round, the banking industry is

Cemex signs UN Women's Empowerment Principles

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emex announced its commitment to gender equality by becoming a signatory to the UN Women and UN Global Compact’s Women’s Empowerment Principles. The WEPs, along with the company’s existing diversity and inclusion guidelines, serve as further guidance for the firm to promote equality in the workplace, marketplace, and community. The concrete company believes that women’s empowerment benefits not only individuals but also society as a whole, allowing for economic and social

growth, as well as healthy competition.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp008

First results of newt scheme show great promise

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he results of the first year of monitoring of new ponds created under the NatureSpace District Licensing Scheme are now available and show that 42% of the compensation sites have been colonised by great crested newts, despite being less than a year old at the time of survey.

A total of 57 clean-water ponds have been created and eight restored by the Newt Conservation Partnership, NatureSpace’s not-for-profit

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conservation partner, since the scheme was founded in 2018.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp009

financially robust, and high street and specialist lenders alike will be part of the solution, not the problem. Once the dust has settled, they will play a key role in getting the industry back on track.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp007

JCB announces shutdown extension JCB is suspending UK production until at least the end of April as a result of the coronavirus crisis and will continue to pay employees unable to work, the company has announced.

The extended shutdown has meant that the vast majority of JCB’s 6,500 workforce have been asked to stop working until at least the end of April.

During this period, all affected JCB employees will be paid 80% of their basic pay. Senior JCB Directors will not be taking a salary from the company until further notice.

JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald said: “These are certainly unprecedented times and none of us expected to find ourselves in this situation. In announcing that all those JCB colleagues asked not to work will receive 80% of their pay, we hope to remove any financial concerns that many people will undoubtedly have had.”

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp010

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DEVELOPMENTS

OXFORDSHIRE… Fourth-generation family homebuilder Mactaggart & Mickel has launched new homes at their highly anticipated Childrey Park development.

Located between Wantage and the village of East Challow, Childrey Park is the second ever chance homebuyers in England have had to benefit from the Scottish housebuilder’s awardwinning homes.

The new neighbourhood of 25 spacious two-, three-, four- and fivebedroom homes will all be finished to the very highest standards, guaranteed

by Mactaggart & Mickel’s ‘Seal of

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Approval’ checks undertaken in every home by a director or senior manager – a practice dating back to 1925.

Childrey Park is a stone’s throw from Oxfordshire’s lively market town of Wantage; with its independent shops, market square, narrow cobbled streets and passages bounded by 17th and 18th century buildings.

The luxurious new homes are perfectly situated for enjoying the best of modern country life whilst still within easy commuting distance of multiple cities. Less than 25 minutes from Didcot Parkway mainline station, which itself is

a 38-minute commute into London, the stunning location is also easily commutable to Oxford, Newbury, Swindon and Reading.

Joanne Casey, Managing Director at Mactaggart & Mickel’s Homes England division, said: “We’re proud to be launching our homes at Childrey Park.

Following on from our award-winning first English development at St Jude’s Meadow in Milton-under-Wychwood, we’re excited to be extending the opportunity to own a Mactaggart & Mickel home in East Challow.”

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E-mail your latest developments to phpd@hamerville.co.uk

Avant Homes has been granted planning permission by Sunderland City Council for a new £21.8m development.

The eight acre development will feature 82 design-led homes, comprising a selection of two, three and four-bedroom housetypes.

There will be 15 house designs to choose from with 10% of homes affordable across the development.

Showhomes are expected to open in July and the first homes due to be ready for occupation in autumn this year. The overall build is expected to take three years and will create approximately 90 sales and construction jobs.

LONDON…

SUNDERLAND…

Ballymore & Oxley has launched a collection of new homes at Royal Wharf, which will be the first homes eligible for Help to Buy at the riverside development in East London.

Now available to purchase, the 32 new apartments will provide greater access for first time buyers to live at Royal Wharf, which provides easy access to Canary Wharf and the City of London. Royal Wharf is a new riverside village for East London, complete with 3,385 new homes for around 10,000 residents, health centre, primary school, nursery, community centre and a bustling high street.

West Midlands-based construction company mac-group has won a £17m contract to convert a landmark 1960s office building in Birmingham into more than 200 apartments.

Mac-group will undertake a £17m, comprehensive renovation including all the installation of all M&E services, new thermal-efficient windows, insulation and new lifts. It will also add a roof-top extension, which will be used for additional apartments. This is part of a £36m scheme to transform the site into 247 one- and two bedroom apartments.

Macbryde Homes has announced plans to return to Wirral where it will build 25 luxury new homes in Meols under its Signature Collection brand.

Work on the development, to be known as Queensbury Manor, has commenced and sales will launch shortly. Located on land that formerly served as a playing field for the nearby Kingsmead School, the homes will all boast four bedrooms and will blend traditional elegance of classic architecture with sophisticated, 21st century interior design.

Managing Director of Macbryde Homes, Gwyn Jones, comments: “The opportunity to purchase this land, which is in such a highly sought-after location and which already boasted planning permission, was simply too good an opportunity to miss.”

BIRMINGHAM…

LIVERPOOL…

Archway Homes is introducing its new A-rated specification homes at new development Lime Tree Grange, Cheshire Oaks.

The Cheshire-based family-run business believes the new homes industry can lead by example in helping cut carbon emissions. Rachael Whelan, Land and Sustainability Director at Archway Homes, said: “The housing industry has the ability to lead the sustainable agenda, and to clearly demonstrate how practical solutions can be delivered.”

The company already carries out planting to promote biodiversity and will be introducing hedgehog holes in fences; presenting customers with bird and bug boxes for their gardens and offering guidance on how to encourage wildlife to their gardens.

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SPECIAL REPORT

Market Forces PHPD speaks to Andrew Rogers, of Rogers Watson, to find out a bit more about what the company does and how they can help you market your homes.

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ell our readers a little bit about yourselves; what does the company do and how long has it been going?

Rogers Watson focuses on physical marketing for housebuilders, whether that’s entrance signage, hoarding or a full sales and marketing suite design, supply and fitout. We have positioned ourselves to be able to provide the industry with experienced designers, manufacturers and fully approved site-based fit-out teams.

Started in early 2019 after working for one of the country’s largest housebuilder marketing agencies, Rogers and Watson has been steadily growing ever since. Our vision is to provide honest high quality site marketing solutions to housebuilders nationwide.

Explain a little more about some of the products and services you offer to potential clients.

We offer a myriad of products and services all catered around the sales arena and process. We are working hard to ensure we can provide a one stop shop including

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signage, cabin and modular building supply, marketing suite design and on-site installation. We have recently partnered with another small business allowing us to also now undertake brochures, PR, social media and website builds specifically tailored to the housebuilding market. We also work with videographers and drone pilots to provide a full service for clients.

Isn’t it true that this type of marketing is only suitable for larger companies?

No, in fact the majority of our clients are small housebuilders, usually working on three to five sites per year and only a few plots per site. What you really have to think about is the customer journey – what makes your site memorable? Usually the first thing a prospective buyer sees of your brand and your offering is the signage on site and the marketing suite, therefore this must reflect your brand and the houses or apartments you build.

I personally have worked on full site marketing projects from £12,000 up to £800,000 for one off builders through to the UK’s largest housebuilders. It is all based around your prospective buyer feeling comfortable to purchase from you.

We can help ease your customer’s journey using signage and the marketing suite experience, thus maximising your sales.

Can’t builders simply erect their own hoarding and hope that potential homebuyers will enquire further?

Does on-site marketing seriously convince people to buy homes?

Yes they can, but should they? No, they should not. Take a married couple looking to buy a house, for instance. Most likely, they’ll take a Saturday afternoon visiting the area they want to buy in, wandering around most of the sales offices around and, naturally, making a decision whether to go in based on their feeling when they walk up to the sales office. Personally, the impression I get from a standard blue painted wooden hoarding, compared to some nice, well thought out and informative signage, is completely different and my expectation and excitement is going to be much higher from the signage than it is from standard wooden panelling. You have to see marketing suites and site signage as a form of silent salesperson and your first real contact with the consumer.

There are hundreds of housebuilders out there and you have to be memorable whilst still showcasing your quality product. I also strongly believe that marketing suites and signage pay for themselves, if you present the right look and feel you will get prospective buyers that are more driven, and more willing to pay that little extra. This not only saves your sales teams time but it allows you to recoup the investment on your sales suite.

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You have to see marketing suites and site signage as a form of silent salesperson and your first real contact with the consumer

Who installs the products and takes them away when they are no longer needed?

We install all of our own products from signage to full cabins and modular builds and, usually when finished with, the site will dispose of them, or in the case of a modular build marketing suite it can be reused on the next site. We are able to remove and store product for our customers but it’s not something that we honestly have to do very often.

Beyond the physical marketing – hoarding, sales suites etc. – what else can you offer housebuilders?

We have teamed up with a number of trusted businesses in order to offer a full range of services from brochure design, websites and digital marketing through to launch events and PR. We don’t work these elements in-house, however we do control these elements for our clients and ensure that the marketing strategy is coherent throughout. We have found that using multiple agencies without a core link

means more work for our clients, more chances of something not linking through with each element and ultimately ends up costing more. We can take all the elements and manage them as one project using our trusted supply base of select professionals.

This reduces your work load and costs, whilst ensuring brand coherence.

Anything else to note?

It’s worth noting that people often see sales centres as reserved for the big builders, this just isn’t the case. You don’t need large amounts of money to invest in

a sales arena, it’s very easy for us to get something in and up and running for you that still provides the brand continuity and the customer experience. If you have any thoughts or are just wondering whether you should have site signage and marketing, then I’m personally very happy to talk through any queries or concerns that anyone may have around sales suites, signage and general customer journey planning, just get in touch through our website or find me on LinkedIn.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dp011

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Special Report

A Wide Spread Dale Telling, Commercial Manager at Fassa Bortolo, Italian manufacturer of renders and plasters, tells PHPD about the firm’s plans for future development in the British market and how the company will extend its legacy in the coming years.

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assa Bortolo is a leading manufacturer of render systems and integrated building solutions, known across the world for its unrivalled product offering and firm set of values which date back over three centuries. Founded in Italy in 1710, the company remains family-owned and continues to pride itself on the quality of its products, its commitment to ethical quarrying, advancements in research and raising the bar for innovation.

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With a total of 18 production facilities in countries including the UK, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland, Fassa employs more than 1,500 members of staff across the continent and in South America.

Since Fassa began trading in the UK at the start of 2014, the business has built up momentum, particularly over the past two years, enjoying strong sales and good brand awareness. This rapid

growth is showing no signs of slowing down, in fact, with increased investment in our team our targets are set to grow as the brand firmly secures its position as a key player in the market.

The render industry has taken a number of turns over the past decade, and while this presents problems, it also comes with its share of opportunity. The sheer scale of render systems we produce means we’re present in a range

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The sheer scale of render systems we produce means we’re present in a range of different market sectors, working across projects large and small.

of different market sectors, working across projects large and small. No two systems are the same, which allows us to support applicators with a whole host of different solutions to suit their individual needs.

One day we can specify Fassacouche, our popular through-colour scratch render for a project, while the next day we might be suggesting our best-selling thin-coat render system Fassarend for a timber frame development, or even Fassalime which is ideally suited to a heritage restoration. We have seen less demand for external wall insulation systems since the collapse of the ECO scheme, however it still remains popular for housebuilders looking to create more environmentallyfriendly properties.

As we continue to grow as a brand, we will look to introduce new products that further enhance our render systems, working with designers, applicators,

contractors and resellers to understand the needs of the industry and how Fassa can support them in the future. We never rush a new product launch. It’s vital we know the market well before committing, plus we’re always keen to have as much certification, training and product knowledge readily available as possible. This not only makes life easier for our clients, but it supports our sales team as they are able to give accurate recommendations and navigate through each project from design to finish with ease.

Whilst there has been no one specific area of growth, the whole of the UK has developed at a similar rate. We have noticed the North become very buoyant of late, opening new demand for our systems, but at the same time we have gained huge interest from designers in London and the South East. We’ve also noticed the Midlands has increased in terms of new resellers.

We are fortunate to have a very enthusiastic sales team that spans the breadth of the country. Each sales manager has full knowledge of the Fassa systems and dedicates time to applicators on site to completely understand the ins and outs of each project and exact specification. Our advanced know-how means we have built up strong relationships with housebuilders over the years who come to us for solutions that answer any challenging projects which may arise.

The beauty of our head office’s central location in Gloucestershire means we have access to all major road networks which keeps our integrated warehouse at capacity as new shipments arrive from Europe. From our UK base, we are able to offer additional services to customers, including next day delivery, bespoke colour mixing and training days.

Alongside an impressive exhibition space, our training centre was designed to encourage customers to try their hand at the products, so they can discover for themselves how user friendly and workable they are.

The business is expanding across Europe with a determined vision for growth. All areas of the business are developing and within the UK alone there is plenty capacity to grow through strategic new launches and amplifying our distribution channels to support our ambitious targets. It’s an exciting time ahead for the brand with innovation and product quality at the heart of everything we do.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dp012

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Heating & Ventilation

The UK Government has set a target of net zero carbon by 2050. Paul Wakefield, Managing Director of Grant UK outlines what this means for housebuilders.

Ten-Year Challenge T

he UK Government has set out a target of net zero carbon by 2050.

The target will require the UK to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, compared with the previous target of at least 80% reduction from 1990 levels. In line with this target, the clear goal for Grant UK is to take the lead on decarbonising home heating, helping housebuilders make the transition to cleaner more sustainable domestic heating systems.

Savings Trust and are currently some of the most efficient oil-fired boilers on the market.

Our hope is that both new and existing homes will no longer be solely dependent on fossil fuels for heating but have access to affordable and sustainable biofuel substitutes, or alternatively, can transition to hybrid or renewable solutions.

Acknowledging the current situation in off gas and rural areas, what needs to change to help us achieve our 2030 vision? This is our manifesto for change to

Our hope is that both new and existing homes will no longer be solely dependent on fossil fuels for heating but have access to affordable and sustainable biofuel substitutes, or alternatively, can transition to hybrid or renewable solutions To start this process, we have recently outlined our vision for how home heating could look 10 years from now in 2030.

Leading the way in the off-gas heating sector, Grant UK is well positioned to play this key role in the transition towards greener technologies. For over 20 years we have been helping homeowners consider and adopt more sustainable approaches to home heating, especially those in older, inefficient, harder-to-heat homes that are costly to upgrade.

We also continue to manufacture incredibly energy efficient oil boilers, such as the award-winning Grant Vortex condensing boiler range, available in outputs from 12 to 70kW. The boilers have won accolades such as Which? Best Buys in recent years, are endorsed by the Energy

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help the industry decarbonise: 1.The Government policy to support renewable technologies including hybrid heating solutions, should be reinforced after the cessation of the RHI to continue to bridge the gap between fossil fuels and renewable technologies, especially with retrofit installations. There needs to be clear market direction and encouragement to end users to update their houses and make the move to greener heating alternatives.

2.Future legislation needs to consider how to make older houses more energy efficient. This must cover properties that are in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and possibly listed buildings, to enable solutions for improving thermal efficiency.

3.Government needs to agree to

support industry in the move to bio-liquid fuels, with a clear timetable for implementation (with the caveat of the use of sustainable palm free feed stocks).

4.A scrappage scheme should be introduced for older inefficient appliances to encourage homes to switch to greener heating methods.

5.Financial support should be considered for installers to encourage them to train on renewable technologies.

This will increase uptake, ensure installations are carried out correctly and provide a higher standard of workmanship for consumers.

6.A Competent Persons Scheme is required for heat pump installers ensuring standards are maintained and the technology performs to its potential.

7.New homes should be future-proofed today to ensure an adequate electrical and plumbing infrastructure is fitted, allowing for the move to renewable technologies in the future.

Grant UK is already investing heavily in external training facilities and staff so it can not only improve awareness and product knowledge in the marketplace, but also help heating engineers diversify and grow their own businesses to take advantage of these opportunities.

Housebuilders will be so important to deliver the change that is required to move away from a reliance on fossil-fuels.

Our aim is to support them as much as possible to enable this to happen.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dp013

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Heating & Ventilation

No time to waste Paul Williams, Product Manager, Domus Ventilation, discusses what the company is doing to tackle the issue of indoor air pollution and the role NOx plays.

T

he Government’s Clean Air Strategy 2019 was praised by the World Health Organisation as ‘an example for the rest of the world to follow’. It addressed the issue of air pollution in England, firmly setting it on the news agenda. It claimed that there are only three threats greater to our public health than air pollution: cancer, heart disease and obesity. That’s how serious air

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pollution is and why it needs to be tackled using both preventative measures and solutions to reduce our exposure to it.

Today, the focus is on particulate matter, notably PM2.5, and NOx, the collective name for Oxides of Nitrogen (with NO and NO² having the most effect on the environment and human health).

The World Health Organization annual mean target for NO² is 40 micrograms per cubic metre but in 2015 only six of the 43 UK air quality assessment zones met the annual mean limit value for NO².

The evidence for the effects or air pollution has been mounting.

According to NHS

England, 30% of preventable deaths in England are due to non-communicable diseases specifically attributed to air pollution. Long-term exposure in the UK has an annual impact on shortening lifespans, equivalent to 28,000 to 36,000 deaths.

Where does air pollution come from?

When it comes to NOx, the main source of air pollution is transport, with road transport being the biggest offender at 34%. This is also a PM emissions source, but at a much lower level (12%), with domestic fossil fuel burning being the major problem here. The latter is also a source of NOx emissions, along with industrial combustion and energy generation such as power stations. Major advances have been made in industry to tackle this but we have made very little impact when it comes to reducing air pollution from road traffic.

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Prevention is undoubtedly better than cure, and it’s vital we all work towards reducing air pollution.

Work continues to be done around the Clean Air Strategy, but we can’t afford to wait for these actions to take effect

Even before the Clean Air Strategy 2019 identified NOx concentrations around roads as an ‘immediate and urgent’ air quality challenge, local authorities in England were mandated to develop plans to bring roadside concentrations of NO² within legal limits in the shortest possible time.

We like to think we’re safe in our homes–we shut the door to the outside world and the potential dangers it poses.

But when it comes to air quality, that’s not always the case. Levels of air pollutants in the home can be significantly higher than those outside.

The Clean Air Strategy 2019 aims to adopt a nationwide approach to air pollution, and to make relevant legislation easier to enforce.

In addition, the government has announced that it will consult on changes to Building Regulations standards for ventilation in homes and other buildings, to help reduce the harmful build-up of indoor air pollutants. The Clean Air Strategy 2019 recognises “the importance of effective ventilation to reduce exposure”.

The Clean Air Strategy sets out some ambitious targets, including reducing PM emissions by 30% by 2020, and by 46% by 2030 and reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides against the 2005 baseline by 55% by 2020, increasing to 73% by 2030, which is to be applauded.

A large part of the actions listed in the Strategy are focused on working with

consumer groups, health organisations and industry to improve awareness of the dangers of air pollution and how each person can do their part to reduce pollutants. This type of awareness campaign takes time. When 34% of NOx emissions comes from road transport, why are there no new plans to tackle this?

Tackling indoor air pollution Ultimately, the Clean Air Strategy 2019 does little to alleviate the immediate impact of breathing in polluted air.

Necessity, as they say, is the mother of invention and solutions do exist to remove pollutants from our homes. Carbon filtration is one of the best options as wide ranging pollutants are attracted to the surface of the carbon and absorbed.

For new builds, incorporating a carbon filter in to the supply leg of a standard MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) duct system is an effective way to do this as it delivers fresh, filtered air into the main living areas of homes.

When choosing a NOX filter, ensure it can be used with your MVHR system of choice, but also opt for one that has a low profile so it readily fits into restricted spaces and that provides quick and simple access to the filter. Some filters come with the added benefits of both NOX and PM2.5 pre-filters. The life expectancy of carbon NOX filters is generally two years and a PM2.5 filter one year, depending on the installation environment.

Domus Ventilation’s NOX-FILT, for example, prevents up to 99.5% of NO² pollution from entering a home, making it the best performing unit on the market.

With an impressively low profile and direct 204x60mm spigots readily accommodating the UK’s most popular size of duct, it has been designed to work with the company’s range of highperformance mechanical ventilation systems, including the HRXE, HRX2D and HRX-aQ MVHR ranges, as well as with other manufacturers’ systems.

Prevention is undoubtedly better than cure, and it’s vital we all work towards reducing air pollution. Work continues to be done around the Clean Air Strategy, but we can’t afford to wait for these actions to take effect. We can’t even be sure of a positive outcome in the immediate future; the market for electric cars on British roads, for example, actually fell by nearly 12% in June 2019, rather than increase. Taking a ‘fingers crossed’ approach or ignoring the problem, especially in inner cities where pollution levels are very high, isn’t an option. We don’t have all the solutions – existing properties, for example, remain problematic as MVHR systems are mostly unsuitable – but where we do, surely we have a duty to use them?

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dp014

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Heating & Ventilation With the Consultation for the Government’s Future Homes Standard now closed, Ashley Cooper of WMS Underfloor Heating discusses what the future may hold for the domestic heating industry.

The new normal T

he Future Homes Standard will require new build homes to be future-proofed with low carbon heating systems and deliver world-leading levels of energy efficiency. This isn’t all talk – in the third quarter of 2019, Britain produced more electricity from renewable energy sources than it did from fossil fuels – a statistic this country has never produced before.

The FHS Consultation document focused on two options for review – the second of which, and it would appear the Government’s preferred option, should deliver a 31% reduction in carbon emissions from domestic properties. This would see widespread adoption of renewable energy technologies, with heat pumps stated as a preferred solution.

This presents a challenge. For decades, the UK housebuilding industry has largely followed a standard spec for heating homes: a gas boiler, coupled with wall-mounted convection radiators. The adoption of heat pumps on the other hand, is barely noticeable, but they’re ideal for use with underfloor heating. Heat pumps provide a low temperature energy source – and because UFH covers a

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larger surface area than radiators, they can run at temperatures as low as 45°C. The demand UFH places on energy sources is therefore significantly less.

What’s more, it’s also excellent at retaining heat at a consistent temperature and when the system is switched on, only a top up of energy is needed, making UFH between 15 and 40% cheaper to run than traditional radiators.

UFH has traditionally been considered a luxury item. I agree, the way the technology heats a home and makes the space feel for the occupants is luxurious, but in terms of its price tag, it certainly isn’t.

Of course, specifying new systems isn’t without its challenges – we need to train installers, adjust supply chain models and educate homeowners. This is one of the reasons the Government wants to start the process towards FHS now – allowing time to upskill our workforce and for the hearts and minds of end users to accept a different way of heating their homes.

And there’s SAP to consider. If low temperature systems are to be installed as standard, then current assessment methods will be updated in time for the 2025 release date, recognising all solutions which might be adopted.

The Consultation also asked how new build properties might be designed to accommodate lower temperature systems and what minimum standards should be set. It’s our opinion that at least in the ground floor of new properties, underfloor heating should be installed as the most efficient low temperature heating system.

As a standard installation model this would also deliver further benefits such as

Of course, specifying new systems isn’t without its challenges the potential to improve the health and well-being of the occupants–as a result of radiant rather than convection heat transfer; the opportunity to let more natural light into a property – as wall space is not restricted by the positioning of radiators; and improvements to the general safety of occupants by removing the presence of hot exposed surfaces.

There are of course other options on the table for discussion – direct electric heating to name one. However, these don’t operate as efficiently as heat pumps and would generate a significant increase in energy bills for the end user.

The feeling in our industry is that we should all be moving towards lower temperature systems, because the environmental and human benefits are clear. We’re encouraged to see the Government is considering this as a preferred option for FHS and I hope this is the start of a shift change towards building healthier, more energy efficient homes for the future.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dp015

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Heating & Ventilation

Uponor has expanded its composite range, including a new system which promises a narrower bending radius that holds its shape.

Shaping up U

ponor, a provider of systems for the safe transportation of water around a building, has expanded its MLC composite range with the introduction of four new products – a new pipe system called SAC, a range of high performance 16-32mm PPSU press fittings, fire resistant pre-insulated composite pipes, and an extension to the current PPSU range of press fittings – to include 63 and 75mm.

The company’s Uni-Pipe PLUS SAC (Seamless Aluminium Composite) is a multilayer composite pipe with a seamless, extruded aluminium layer. It promises significant levels of flexibility, with Uponor indicating that it has up to 40% narrower bending radius compared to conventional multi-layer pipes, and zero per cent readjustment. This means the pipe will stay perfectly in shape after bending.

Additionally, the company says that the pipe’s enhanced flexibility means installers will require 15% fewer fittings, improving system integrity and reducing the overall cost of the installation. The new SAC pipes are fully compatible with all the current Uponor pipes, fittings and tools.

Pressing ahead Also new to its offering is the S-Press PLUS PPSU (16-32mm) range of press fittings, which offers higher flow rates and lower pressure losses than the current SPress PPSU press range. The new range adds to the features that are currently available from the S-Press PLUS metal range of fittings, which was launched in April 2019.

The S-Press PLUS PPSU press fitting range offers features such as two O-rings on each connection, stainless steel pressing collars and colour-coded size identification. A break-away pressing indicator foil, and the joint inspection technology, provides reassurance that a connection has been made correctly. The company says its specially designed pressing sleeve ensures it ‘virtually impossible’ to press the fitting with the jaws in the wrong position.

Uponor has further extended its SPress PPSU composite portfolio to include dimensions 63-75mm, ideal for use in sanitary and heating systems in domestic buildings. The company has also introduced a range of fire resistant

these new offerings will bring a higherperformance than any current composite press fitting pre-insulated pipes – in pipe sizes 16, 20, and 25mm.

Dave Lancaster, Senior Segment Manager Commercial at Uponor, commented: “At Uponor, innovation is at the heart of everything we do and the introduction of these new products further demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing market-leading technology. Adding these solutions to our product offering means we can offer developers a complete range of solutions with the very best features and performance with no compromise on quality, whether they choose to work with either metal or plastic (PPSU).

“As has always been the case, developers and builders will continue to benefit from our range of reliable, secure, hygienic and flexible solutions but these new offerings will bring a higherperformance than any current composite press fitting on the market, with build times benefitting from a reduction in pipe installation time of around 15%.”

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dp016

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Heating & Ventilation

As pressurised hot water cylinders grow in popularity, Nigel Sanger, Divisional Director, Technical Support from RWC looks at how housebuilders can use tempering valves as a simple failsafe mechanism to protect themselves from the risks of cylinder failures.

The Pressure is On

E

ven though the popularity of combiboilers has increased, hot water storage systems still make up roughly 70% of the total UK water heating market. Particularly, demand for pressurised cylinders, sometimes known as unvented cylinders, is growing.

Figures from the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Unvented Systems suggest that the market has grown by 15% per annum since the year 2000.

Unvented systems offer an excellent choice for housebuilders looking to meet the changing needs of the marketplace, from energy and space efficiencies to meeting increased consumption patterns.

Pressurised systems offer a solution to increased demands. Hot water is stored within the cylinder and fed directly from the cold mains water feed. The key benefit of this arrangement is the ability to deliver hot water at mains pressure to multiple outlets, so occupiers can comfortably use multiple outlets simultaneously.

Ensuring a safe hot-water supply While specifying a pressurised hot water system in a newbuild offers housebuilders and the eventual homeowners many benefits, the fact

While built-in safety measures provide a degree of protection, they are primarily designed to protect the cylinder.

that they operate under high-pressure makes occupants’ safety a key concern.

To ensure homeowners’ safety, most unvented systems are fitted with expansion vessels. These act as a safety mechanism, releasing mounting pressure in the system by pushing the water from the cylinder into the expansion vessel and ensuring that the unit is not damaged by the water pressure.

As well as expansion vessels, cylinders are fitted with other failsafe mechanisms too, including pressure relief and thermal relief valves.

While built-in safety measures provide a degree of protection, they are primarily designed to protect the cylinder. With the trigger points set quite high, the high storage temperature can create a scalding risk long before the relief valves are triggered. In addition, these safety features can only be relied upon if the system is regularly serviced and maintained.

While regulations dictate that unvented cylinders should be serviced annually, doing so becomes the role and responsibility of the homeowner. Despite this, any issues in the short-term will likely impact the reputation of the housebuilder.

To mitigate this risk, housebuilders should specify an extra level of protection in the form of a tempering valve.

For instance, if the cylinder’s pressure and temperature relief valves are set to 8 bar and 95°C respectively, the water pressure and temperature can increase up to 75°C and 9 bar without triggering the relief valves.

In this scenario, the water temperature is hot enough to cause scalding, while the pressure is high enough to cause a violent splash back against basins. This is particularly dangerous for young children and the elderly, who are more susceptible to scalding.

Tempering Valves As an additional safety checkpoint, tempering valves such as the Heatguard Tempering Valve from Reliance Valves, can be fitted to the hot water outlet of the pressurised cylinder and cold mains water to regulate the outlet temperature. Any excessively hot water exiting the cylinder is mixed with cold water to ensure safe and stable operating temperature.

Tempering valves are pre-set and locked to 55°C, which massively reduces the chances of scalding while still ensuring that the water in the cylinder meets the required temperature to prevent Legionella from breeding. This simple and costeffective failsafe valve offers housebuilders extra protection against some of the potential risks associated with unvented hot water cylinders.

Installing tempering valves with unvented hot water cylinders is not required by law. However, when the onus for regular servicing falls outside the realm of the housebuilders’ control, the only way to protect against future issues is to specify the use of these valves at the commissioning/installation phase.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dp017

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Heating & Ventilation

Stelrad explores some of the latest trends and the newest domestic heating options available to developers.

Heat the Home in Style T

here’s something exciting going on in the world of radiators. Things are changing and radiators are becoming part of the décor in new homes and in refurbishment projects too. With new styles, new looks, the arrival of vertical radiators and more recently the advent of coloured radiators as well – making choosing radiators quite simply more fun.

In today’s market, there’s a radiator available for virtually any application, be it a new build home, a refurbishment project or a special bespoke application that requires something specific to meet the application in mind. The old approach to specifying radiators seems to be changing, perhaps because of the plethora of house refurbishment and house purchase

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programmes on TV. Never before have we been able to see inside so many other people’s homes, so easily – and not surprisingly, people see what they like, are influenced to mimic the designs they see and upgrade their own heating systems accordingly. For many, the standard panel radiator is not quite enough.

Many installers, architects and specifiers are anticipating this preference for nonstandard radiators offering a wider choice to their customers, giving them the option to ‘up spec’ to designer or decorative radiators in their homes. For example, the love affair with the vertical radiator is well underway with many being a virtual extension of the towel warming radiators that most homes have in their bathrooms.

But now, people want these vertical radiators in the kitchen, in the entrance hallway, in their main living rooms, in corridors and on landings – with their smaller horizontal footprint making them easy to slot into spaces where a traditional horizontal radiator simply won’t fit.

The joy of today’s radiators from Stelrad is that the installation instructions are the same for virtually all of them, so there is the ability to mix and match, with the less expensive standard panel radiators in say guest bedrooms that are not the key ones in the homeowner’s mind and premium panel, designer and decorative radiators elsewhere in the home.

Increasingly, radiators are being seen as part of the décor, worth investing a little more in, rather than simply a means of sharing heat around the home. In some cases, they are quite literally a focal point of a room – even more so now that coloured radiators are growing in popularity, allowing interior designers, architects and more design savvy homeowners to select radiators that match or contrast the other décor in a room. The subtle horizontal lines on the Compact with Style radiator range is an example – recently seen in a new build development where the radiator design matches the design of the doors throughout the homes

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– classy and stylish whilst being very subtle. Most of the Stelrad models are available in up to 36 different colours and the most popular coloured radiators are available from stock.

There are a number of coloured radiators available for delivery within three days of order, whilst bespoke options for non-standard colours can take a few weeks to be delivered but if you want bright yellow radiators – they’re worth waiting for.

You can now select the Compact Extra Protection range of radiators – a new rust resistant version of their best-selling radiator, offering extra protection where

moisture is ever present in the atmosphere – bathrooms, showers and wet rooms for example. Also new to the market are the first range of the popular Low Surface Temperature radiator range – the LST i Plus Xtra Protection – for use in wetrooms or shower rooms where more vulnerable people might be washing or showering and need protection from high surface temperature radiators.

Radiators are still responsible for sharing the heat in more than 90% of domestic heating systems installed in the UK and a surprisingly high percentage of commercial properties as well, so the age of the radiator is still very much with us. It’s worth going the extra mile to ensure that radiators continue to be an aesthetic choice as well as a common sense one, with a wide range of designs, an easy to install philosophy and the widest range of sizes to ensure that there is a radiator for pretty much every application that can be imagined.

To see the huge range of styles and options available head for the new Stelrad website at www.stelrad.com. The website’s

Increasingly, radiators are being seen as part of the décor, worth investing a little more in, rather than simply a means of sharing heat around the home new design allows you to search through the wide range of options quickly and simply – to find exactly what you’re looking for. The Vita and Softline ranges make radiator selection very simple but you can also thumb through the wider selection – classic designs that will brighten up any home or development and add that ‘extra special, something different’ that homebuyers really appreciate.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dp018

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Heating & Ventilation

Blauberg's Rob Holton asks developers specifying a heat recovery system, are you using the 40/70 rule?

Down to a Trickle W hen specifying a heat recovery system, it is vitally important that the guidance of approved document F is followed closely. Units are sized to meet the needs of a given property, the number of bedrooms, the number and nature of wetrooms, the overall size in metres squared, the number of occupants in permanent residence and the airtightness of the property are all factored into the equation.

But what of the day to day reality of living in a heat recovered house?

Heat recovery (or MVHR) is one of the three continual ventilation solutions as recognised by approved document F (the other two being MEV and PIV) and is the only solution that has a fully balanced extract and supply of air that is mechanically controlled. Being continuous, MVHR airflows are calculated at a lower rate than intermittent airflows and, as such, the only time that this airflow is adjusted is when it is increased, the unit is never switched off.

Approved document F had a major revision in 2010 (2011) based on a survey of properties built to the 2006 edition.

The survey showed that numerous

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examples of MVHR systems were failing due to the occupants switching them off.

The reason that these units were being switched off was found to be noise.

Occupants complained that the units were too noisy at night and would switch them off before going to bed and then back on again, if they remembered, in the morning, thus rendering the system intermittent and no longer able to maintain the required airflows. This led to

The survey showed that numerous examples of MVHR systems were failing due to the occupants switching them off. The reason that these units were being switched off was found to be noise. poor air quality, sub-standard ventilation, condensation build up, black mould and, in some cases health issues. In many examples, the survey revealed that the noise was down to poor installation and a lack of understanding by the end user but it was also noted that the specification of some of the units had been compromised in order to keep costs to a minimum.

So, what is the 40/70 rule and what does it have to do with

this? This is simply a failsafe method to ensure that the unit, that has been specified, will always meet the requirements of the end user, both in terms of Part F and customer satisfaction.

When a trickle and boost rate have been calculated make sure that the unit is capable of these requirements at no more than 40% of their total capacity for the trickle rate and 70% of their total capacity for the boost rate. For example, if there is a total trickle requirement of 38l/s and a boost requirement calculated at 62l/s you might assume that a unit that is capable of 80l/s, at the relevant resistance to your ductwork system, would be adequate. The problems that you would encounter with this are that the unit would be running on trickle (all day and all night) at 47.5% of its total capacity and would boost to 77% of its total capacity. If you have ever had the chance to experiment with the engineering mode of a heat recovery unit, you will know that the difference between an acceptable trickle rate of 37.5% and a seemingly acceptable rate of 47.5% is significant, in terms of noise and, let’s not forget, energy consumption.

With modern house designs favouring ever increasingly spacious homes that have a disproportionate ratio of individual rooms to overall floor space, I often find that the calculations for the trickle rate actually exceed the calculated boost rate and, as such, a single rate is used, with this in mind it becomes even more important to ensure that the specified unit is not going to ever be switched off and by following the simple rule of no more than 40% of total capacity for the trickle rate and 70% for the boost rate you will know that you will not be getting call back from an unhappy customer.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dp019

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Heating & Ventilation I Round Up POLYPIPE BUILDING PRODUCTS UFH OVERLAY SYSTEM

Polypipe Building Products is introducing its new Overlay Plus system, eight times lighter than the standard gypsum board currently used.

Apart from the low weight of the product, installation is also made easier as there is no need for any power tools – a knife is enough to cut the flooring to shape. There is less dust and mess produced during installation, and tiles can be fitted directly on top of the Overlay Plus boards. The boards are also larger in area and, thanks to the insulation core and aluminium lining, have been shown to increase performance by 10 per cent.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp020

ENVIROVENT VENTILATION SYSTEMS

EnviroVent’s wall-mounted Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) systems eliminate the requirement for multiple extract fans, providing effective ‘whole house’ ventilation. The wall-mounted units provide fresh, filtered and tempered air into properties, improving the indoor air quality, reducing condensation and eliminating black mould. This type of unit is versatile and can be installed in various orientations, meaning it can meet the complexities of different projects and layouts.

The EnviroVent Wall Mounted Positive Input Ventilation unit is part of the Lifetime Range and comes with a renewable five year warranty to achieve the lowest lifecycle costs. Once installed, there is no requirement for any maintenance within the first two years. The energy consumption of the unit is extremely low, powered by a low watt DC motor to ensure low running costs for the occupant. The unit also helps to redistribute the warm air that can accumulate at ceiling level and thus reduce the space heating costs within the home.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp021

SALUS THERMOSTAT Now available across the UK, the Quantum thermostat from Salus is available in four versions (SQ & WQ range), 230V mains powered and LI-ION rechargeable battery powered radio Frequency (RF) for both underfloor and boiler markets.

The SQ version features a humidity sensor, operates with underfloor heating, smart radiator systems and is fully compatible with SALUS Smart Home and Amazon Alexa. The S1 and S2 terminals include three sensors, External Air Sensor Probe, External Floor Sensor Probe and an Occupancy Sensor. Each thermostat comes with a five-year warranty.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp023

PEGLER VALVE Continuing on from the launch of its bespoke valve configuration service, Pegler has launched a mini modular valve solution to support contractor efficiencies within fan coil units.

The mini MVS is part of a standard range by Pegler and has 12 configurations. It is available as left or right handed, with strainer or without and comes in the standard three flow variants, low, standard and high. Also included is a choice of indicator either for heating or cooling. In addition, and because Pegler offers an integrated piping system solution, there are convertor kits available with the mini MVS for solder, compression male thread or push and press connections.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp022

ARISTON ELECTRIC STORAGE WATER HEATERS

Ariston has added the new Velis Evo and Velis Evo Wi-Fi to its growing range of electric storage water heaters.

Boasting an ultra slim twin tank design for up to 16% more hot water availability, the units are available in capacities of 45 and 80 litres.

The range features Ariston’s ‘ECO EVO’ function – an electronic control with automatic learning software, which the company believes will enable users to achieve energy savings of up to 14%. The new products also achieve an ErP ‘B’ rating across the range as well as benefitting from the company’s ABS Safety System which includes ‘AntiOverheating’, ‘Anti-Freezing’ and ‘Dry Heating Self-Diagnosis’ functions.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp024

ADVECO AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS

Hot water and heating specialist Adveco, in partnership with Italian heating manufacturer Cosmogas, has introduced the FPi range of commercial-grade Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP). The two variants, the FPi-9 and FPi-13, feature compact monobloc design and are capable of providing domestic hot water (DHW) at up to 55°C, or cool water to -7°C for use in fan coils.

Ranging up to a high COP of 4.7, FPi ASHPs can make a real impact on a property’s energy consumption. The FPi range has been designed to be virtually maintenance free, requiring simple, regular cleaning of the coil and filter. Sensors constantly check pressure and each unit is equipped as standard with frost protection, enabling them to operate effectively even if temperatures drop as low as -25°C.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp025 Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer april/may

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EXPERT Update | LEGAL

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Blowing up a storm Aimee Stevens, Collyer Bristow, explains what developers need to know about delays on site caused by weather.

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y work involves advising housebuilders on their new build developments, but that is not enough for me and so I purchased my own new-build property.

Among other things, this has meant that I currently live on an active construction site and I have seen firsthand what a hardy bunch construction workers and housebuilders are. The builders are on site every day and I

“ What should your main concerns be when delays are caused on site due to adverse weather conditions? ” have seen them in the wind, rain, sleet and shine. However, the likes of Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis have proven to be too risky and construction on site has slowed down noticeably or ceased altogether.

So, what does this actually mean for housebuilders? What should your main concerns be when delays are caused on site due to adverse weather conditions?

One of the first things to consider is the effect that adverse weather will have on your building contracts. If you are using a JCT Contract, then you may find

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that “exceptionally adverse weather conditions” may be classed as a relevant event and your contractor may be allowed an extension of time. This will depend on each contract and set of circumstances.

Other forms of building contract are likely to have similar provisions.

You should therefore review the terms of your contracts carefully with your legal adviser to ascertain what rights your contractor may have and how this can affect your development moving forward.

Delays in construction can have a knock-on effect to the purchasers of the individual units. Your unit contracts will have a long stop or termination date in order to comply with the Consumer Code for Home Builders. You need to keep an eye on these dates, particularly if you are experiencing lengthy delays or delays late on into the build – as once the long stop dates are reached, buyers will be able to terminate their contract and will be entitled to a full refund of their deposit.

Practically, you should also consider how up-to-date you want to keep the purchasers. They are unlikely to respond well to weekly updates of delays but you also need to balance this with giving them a lack of information.

Purchasers may also look for compensation for having to renew mortgage offers or find rented accommodation and so you should consider your strategy as to compensation and your stance on that early and keep it under review.

Practical Tips On Site Finally, you should consider whether there are any practical steps you can take to keep construction moving safely during

adverse weather. For example: Have you got somewhere safe that tools and equipment can be stored and protected? ● Do you have flood defence strategies and equipment on site, such as sandbags? ● Do you need to utilise extra floodlighting or site heating? ● Can any deliveries be staggered or delayed so they aren’t being left out in the open to the elements? ● Are workers adequately protected e.g. a gritted site, waterproof work boots and thermal socks?

Unfortunately, the British weather is highly likely to interfere with construction projects. However, practical steps can be taken to minimise delays and to prepare both the site and your purchasers to minimise the adverse effect in the long run. ●

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Aimee Stevens is an Associate in the Real Estate Team at Collyer Bristow.

For more information visit www.collyerbristow.com

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EXPERT Update | FINANCE

Capping Off

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Capital allowances or trading? It matters when you want to sell.

Mohammed Mujtaba, Kreston Reeves, explains.

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apital allowances are a tax relief available for expenditure on capital assets which have an ‘enduring benefit’ for use in the business as these assets cannot be expensed under the normal rules for routine expenses. Essentially, the relief is meant to compensate a business for the fall in value of such assets used in the trade.

“ As an AIA can be allocated to any asset and in any order, it is normally a good planning point to use it against assets that would only attract WDAs at 6% to accelerate the tax relief available.”

Not all capital assets will be qualifying for capital allowances purposes.

Normally, a qualifying asset is one which meets the definition of plant and machinery. This would include, but is not limited to, any machinery used for construction, office equipment including toilet and kitchen facilities, and vans and cars. Certain other assets, such as those known as integral features, can also qualify. These are specifically defined to include, for example, lighting, heating and electrical systems.

Importantly, capital allowances are not available on buildings and land and as such, there is a significant amount of case law which helps determine whether an item is indeed plant or machinery. Please note that since October 2018 a new Structure and Buildings Allowance is available to qualifying businesses although this relief does not extend to the cost of land.

Currently, a total deduction of up to £1,000,000 is available against qualifying expenditure in a 12-month accounting period. This is called the Annual Investment Allowance (or AIA). The amount is set at such a high level meaning that only the largest companies will ever exceed this amount. However, it is important to note that the allowance is shared between connected parties, which include groups of companies and companies under the common control of an individual. Where the amount is shared, the allocation of the AIA is at the discretion of the companies to allow them to maximise relief available.

The AIA limit has fluctuated over the past few years. On 1 January 2019 the limit was temporarily increased from £200,000 to the current £1,000,000 until 31 December 2020. It will return to £200,000 after this date. Where accounting periods straddle the change of date then an appropriate adjustment will have to be made for the AIA available, with specific rules in relation to how much can be claimed on assets purchased before and after the change.

Once the AIA has been used, or if AIA was unavailable in the first place as the asset did not qualify (e.g. cars), then further relief is available on the remaining amount by way of Writing Down Allowances (or WDAs), which are available at 18% or 6% per annum broadly dependent on whether the asset is a long-term asset or short

term. As an AIA can be allocated to any asset and in any order, it is normally a good planning point to use it against assets that would only attract WDAs at 6% (largely integral features) to accelerate the tax relief available.

The timing of large purchases is important as capital allowances are available when assets are purchased. If assets are purchased when AIA is unavailable due to it already being exhausted then the business could miss out on valuable tax relief in the first year, leading to a cash flow disadvantage for tax purposes.

It is also worth highlighting that both the WDAs and AIAs are set for a 12-month period. If longer or shorter periods are in point, such as when businesses begin or cease trading, then the percentages are prorated accordingly.

As can be seen above, there could be some opportunity lost when purchasing assets for use in your business. Careful consideration is necessary before purchasing decisions are made to ensure tax reliefs are maximised.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Mohammed Mujtaba is a tax adviser at accountants, business and financial accountants Kreston Reeves.

For more information, visit www.krestonreeves.com

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Future Homes

Smart from the start Nick Cowley, Managing Director of windows and doors manufacturer Euramax Solutions, discusses how and why modular construction must advance to incorporate smart technology at the factory stage.

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rom taps and thermostats, to lights and plugs, smart technology is transforming homes, making lives easier and more efficient. In fact, according to an industry survey, it’s thought that ten billion pounds was spent on smart home devices by the end of 2019 – demonstrating the popularity for the technology.

With that in mind, smart technology is now beginning to be incorporated into the construction industry too. Windows and doors play a huge part in our day to day lives, and as this technology becomes more recognised and increasingly accessible, there’s great potential for technology to be integrated.

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Modular construction Just as technology makes our lives easier, modular construction feeds the same purpose. Modular construction is the method of pre-fabricating parts of a building, such as windows, doors and walls, away from the building site before the components are transported to the designated location for final construction.

Modular builds offer many benefits to the industry, including lower costs to manufacture, higher design standards and increased energy efficiency. Furthermore, modular building is being used to help combat the UK housing shortage, as builds can be constructed in a shorter amount of time, meaning labour and construction costs are all reduced.

Windows and doors are highly important to a building, and the benefits of selecting the right ones are commonly overlooked. The purpose of windows and doors is not just for accessibility and

aesthetics, but also for the protection they can provide from the outside world.

For instance, the windows and doors on a modular build could be installed with automated locks and controlled remotely from the site manager or owner’s smartphone. Not only does this enhance security, it also provides peace of mind that as the build is secure without having to return to the site.

Furthermore, if a window has been opened, sensors can provide extra security as the sensor signals an alarm, which can

Installing the right systems at the manufacturing stage will not only save budget, but also prevent additional costs on labour to retrofit the technology into the site.

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send alerts directly to an allocated person’s smartphone. Some sensors can even detect a change in temperature that could be as a result of a fire, which can potentially help prevent major damage or disaster.

Other applications for modular build smart technology include fingerprint recognition systems that could be installed into a door to allow only authorised personnel into the site.

This increases security for the build and safety for both site staff and members of the public.

Smart systems can be retrofitted to windows and doors post installation if it is requested by site managers or modular construction owners. However, this can waste significant time and money. One way this could be avoided is by installing technology into the windows and doors directly during the manufacturing stage.

Implementing technology Compared to traditional methods of construction, modular building is easy and has a quick turnaround from purchase to construction. However, the efficiency of the process can be challenged if smart technology needs to be fitted once the windows and doors have been manufactured or even after the project has finished.

Installing the right systems at the manufacturing stage will not only save budget, but also prevent additional costs on labour to retrofit the technology into the site.

For both the buyer and installer of a modular build, the process can be made easier if the products are already fitted with smart solutions. Working with a supplier like Euramax, that can install technology into windows and doors before the fabrication stage, helps streamline the process for everyone involved.

With the use of smart technology rising, modular construction must advance to support its growing demand.

While modular construction offers a wealth of benefits to industry manufacturers and buyers, these benefits could easily be contradicted if extra time and money is spent to retrofit the tech at a later date.

It’s clear to see that new technology will continue to significantly impact and improve our daily lives, but it is now that modular build specifiers must begin to consider it as an integral element of a building plan. Who knows, there could come a time where we may never shut a window or close a door by hand again.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dp026

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Groundworks & Drainage

Concrete Offer The UK is seeing its first Net Zero ready-mixed concrete product in the form of Cemex’s new Vertua range.

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uilding materials supplier Cemex launched the UK’s first CarbonNeutral ready-mixed concrete at Futurebuild earlier this year.

The Vertua low carbon concrete range, which includes the option to offset residual CO2 and provide an environmentally sustainable product, in accordance with The CarbonNeutral Protocol.

The Vertua range is an important step to support the company’s recently announced climate strategy, which includes an ambition of delivering net zero concrete globally by 2050.

The range features a variety of bespoke concrete mix designs and includes the Ultra Zero option, which is a CarbonNeutral product. This product achieves a 70% reduction in embodied carbon emissions, with the remaining unavoidable emissions offset through working with Natural Capital Partners, a carbon offset and carbon neutrality specialist.

To contribute towards the 70% reduction, the firm is introducing a new geopolymer cement solution, which was developed at its Global Research & Development Centre in Switzerland and can be used in certain applications.

In addition to Vertua ultra zero, the range also features other low carbon concretes which can be used in a wide range of applications and include an option for customers to choose the added benefit of offsetting the residual CO2.

The Vertua line of low footprint

products was originally launched by Cemex in France in July 2018, and following its success, the offer has now been introduced to the UK and complemented by the offsetting option to deliver net zero carbon concrete.

After engineering carbon reductions into the concrete mix design, Cemex calculates the embodied carbon generated from extraction and processing of raw materials, product manufacturing and distribution. The residual carbon is then offset, making the concrete CarbonNeutral from cradle-to-customer.

Michel Andre, VP Materials Western Europe for Cemex, commented: “Concrete is an essential part of construction – it is cost effective, versatile and typically made from local materials. Concrete is vital for the infrastructure that helps provide the UK with clean water, sanitation and energy, as well as durable homes, schools, hospitals, travel networks and much more.

“However, we recognise future construction needs to be balanced with the effect it is having on the environment.

We know that we can best meet these challenges by working in partnership with our clients and stakeholders to develop solutions together. We continually invest and innovate to become an environmentally friendly, sustainable leader – enabling a low-carbon and resource-efficient circular economy.

Andy Spencer, VP Corporate Affairs, added: “We know that carbon offsetting is

Concrete is vital for the infrastructure that helps provide the UK with durable homes, schools, hospitals, travel networks… However, we recognise future construction needs to be balanced with the effect it is having on the environment.

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What is Carbon Offsetting?

Carbon offsetting is the removal or reduction of emissions of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere in order to compensate for emissions made elsewhere.

Cemex have said they will facilitate this by investing in projects which physically remove CO2 where possible from the atmosphere, such as planting more trees or protecting against deforestation through an independently audited and verified project. A CarbonNeutral certificate is then issued to the client.

The company is working with Natural Capital Partners, experts in carbon offset solutions, to assure the quality of the emissions reductions, which also deliver added benefits such as increasing biodiversity and reducing poverty. only an interim measure while we further develop technology that is still in early stages. At present we believe it is a good way to sequester the remaining CO2 from our lower carbon solutions to take important climate action now. We are sure this will prove a relevant solution as the construction sector looks to take rapid action to improve the sustainability and climate impacts of the built environment.”

The company claims climate change has been a global priority for many years and has brought significant progress to date, but admits there is a need to do more and faster. This is why they have recently announced a more ambitious climate strategy, including a new global target for CO2 emissions by 2030: a reduction of 35% to ensure alignment with the Paris Agreement commitments. This is in addition to the ambition of delivering net zero concrete globally by 2050.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dp027

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Groundworks & Drainage

Civil Debate Climate change means a new integrated approach to urban drainage is needed.

Happily, new technologies that optimise green assets through extended water management networks are now onstream. Michael White, Divisional Marketing & Development Director at Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation, explains.

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rrespective of the diversity of opinion on the nature, causes and severity of climate change, there’s no doubting that the UK is increasingly subject to extreme rainfall events. Interestingly, annual rainfall only rarely exceeds 1,500mm per annum – yet it is arriving in larger amounts on fewer occasions, rather than falling gradually across the year, with the problems that causes.

These extreme rainfall events put the UK’s existing drainage infrastructure under great pressure, and urban and suburban flooding is now much more frequent.

According to the Environment Agency, more than 5 million homes in England and Wales are at risk of flooding – a point grimly made only this February, when the agency issued a record 594 flood warnings across the country.

The crucial need to contain and control rainfall – to protect people and property – will inevitably lead to more stringent legislation and standards in water collection and management. This will impact upon public authorities, developers and contractors design philosophy and the sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) techniques required to better manage these extreme events.

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Previously a specialist area within construction, green asset management is now increasingly seen as an essential consideration in urban design and means we need to introduce infrastructure that not only protects and nurtures these assets during dry spells, but also allows for a greater intensity of ‘urban greening’ where possible.

Both these drivers mean a new holistic, integrated approach to multifunctional SuDS is needed.

This new approach is what Polypipe is calling – and as reflected in its recent company name change – ‘Green Urbanisation’. The change will network water collection, management and storage, and green assets to deliver enhanced flood and drought resilience, smart water usage, increased biodiversity and greater human wellbeing. It also plays a valuable role in carbon capture and offset.

Green Urbanisation is an evolution of Green Infrastructure – a long-established definition for green assets – and describes a transition from conventional drainage and SuDS into an extended water management network that supports multi-functional, sustainable landscapes across cities, transport infrastructure and commercial environments.

As such, future SuDS will require a redefinition of engineered and natural drainage as the boundary between the two dissolves. The opportunity is in the adoption of new technologies – such as Polypipe’s Permavoid sub-base replacement – that

optimise such green assets within this broader and more adaptable water management network.

Traditionally, conventional drainage networks were simply about removing surface water as quickly as possible to a sewer, receiving water course or to ground.

Typically, these did not truly address volume management, so early SuDS schemes, which saw the introduction of swales, retention ponds and attenuation tanks, were primarily focused on controlling run-off quantity – in essence, they increased ‘volumetric resilience’.

But SuDS have the additional benefit of, where space allows, introducing green elements into the water management process, providing the opportunity to improve public amenity, biodiversity and surface water treatment.

Their ‘green asset resilience’, however, is very limited. During prolonged dry spells the plants are vulnerable to stress, regression, and die-back, potentially resulting in the loss of all environmental, health and well-being benefits. Appearance-wise too, a dry, brown and barren landscape is not one that appeals to developers keen to enhance the visual quality of public spaces.

Capture and Re-use The new approach significantly increases both green asset and volumetric resilience by building-in captured water re-use and plant irrigation.

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Sub-base replacements – such as Permavoid – allow rainwater to be captured and retained immediately below the surface. Their lightweight, high load-bearing capacities mean this can be directly under a road, trafficked podium deck surface or under a conventional green roof. This provides effective ‘source control’ – one of the key SuDS design objectives whereby rainwater is managed as close to where it falls as possible. The greater the level of source control, the more efficient, accessible and costeffective SuDS become.

Planting, from straight forward grassed areas to fully mature trees, can be supported anywhere across an area installed with these proprietary systems. In-built passive irrigation cones wick water into the sub-soil, maintaining, protecting and containing root systems within the designated planting area.

In addition, Green Urbanisation unlocks the potential to re-use attenuated volumes stored elsewhere in the system – smart controls moving water around the integrated network to where it is needed.

Infinitely scalable, the Green Urbanisation approach can be adapted to operate on a single plot or across an entire river catchment.

This surface adjacent, sub-base replacement technology effectively extends the SuDS ‘envelope’, allowing green assets to be introduced across buildings and the public realm where not previously possible.

Infinitely scalable, the Green Urbanisation approach can be adapted to operate on a single plot or across an entire river catchment. Intelligent systems can be incorporated to automatically monitor and manage rainwater volumes in conjunction with weather forecasting data. By tracking storms, attenuated volumes across a wide area can be discharged well ahead of the event, preventing the network being overwhelmed and reducing the flood potential.

By integrating SuDS with green assets supported by components such as Permavoid, the sector can now offer a comprehensive new generation of solutions to master planners, developers, main and sub-contractors and specifiers to help them tackle the challenging issues of extreme rainfall, flood risk and drought.

Urban greening is a fast-growing opportunity, increasing in strength and breadth in the face of fast-changing regulation, legislation and standards designed to meet demanding carbon neutrality targets; and heralds a new era for the drainage market.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dp028

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Groundworks & Drainage

How to do it right ACO Water Management recently provided a subtle solution to an award-winning build.

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eveloping a house worthy of the prestigious RIBA House of the Year shortlist is no mean feat. It requires every intricate detail to be well thought through, from the choice of tile to the drainage infrastructure. When a team of award-winning architects required a discrete drainage solution that would support the bold, seamless transition from the inside of a home to the outside, it turned to ACO Water Management for support.

Hall + Bednarczyk Architects was tasked with designing a new 400m2 family home in Monmouthshire, which repurposed a historic Arts and Crafts period stable.

As part of the major transformation, expansive glass sliding windows were fitted to eliminate the threshold between the living space and the outside of the property. One of the key challenges of implementing such an ambitious design was to ensure no rain water crept into the building during rainfall, and so the architects turned to ACO for an effective drainage system.

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Letting the light in Before work started, Silver How was a tired 1960s house, built alongside an Edwardian Arts and Crafts stable. The architects took the opportunity to replace the original dwelling and establish a direct connection between the house and the stable.

One of the most daring design aspects of the project was an expanse of floor to ceiling glazing, arranged as an L-shape, which would open onto the courtyard. This aspect of the project focused on creating a spacious feel, as Kelly Bednarczyk, Director, at Hall + Bednarczyk, explains: “We wanted the large expanse of opening glazing to link seamlessly with the outdoor courtyard. The desire for an effortless flow of space benefited hugely from a step-free level threshold between

inside and the outside. Naturally, there are challenges associated with ensuring that rain water cannot enter the interior living space and it was essential to incorporate a robust threshold.”

As there was no step between the courtyard and the living space, a drainage system was required to prevent excess water from flowing into the interior space.

Also, given the firm’s commitment to producing such an innovative but apparently effortless ambition, there was a need to ensure every detail – including drainage – maintained a highly aesthetic finish.

A seamless solution Having worked on similar projects, the team were familiar with the quality of ACO’s range of channel drainage products and the HexDrain Brickslot channel, they made sure the same materials were used for the Silver How house. Martin explains: “We have

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The beauty is that it doesn’t attract attention to itself, despite performing a critical function Kelly Bednarczyk, Hall + Bednarczyk Architects worked with ACO products in the past and have found them to be sophisticated, high in quality and reliable.

“A good drainage system is so important for any housing project, and although it carries out its job behind the scenes, if the wrong system is used then the project is at risk of flooding. The HexDrain Brickslot is not only a high quality system, but it offers a level of discretion that aided our design.

“Many drainage systems have wide, obtrusive designs that are created purely for functionality, and these are perfect for largescale projects. However, for this project, the product was sleek, while still fulfilling the

requirements you come to expect from any drainage system.”

The system is manufactured from recycled polypropylene and is ideal for garage thresholds, patios and paths and block paving applications. The channels clip together, allowing for quick and easy installation, while it comes complete with an offset slotted grating, ideal for bock paving.

The slot drainage channel had the desired impact for the architects, as Kelly Bednarczyk explains: “The beauty is that it doesn’t attract attention to itself, despite performing a critical function. Its availability at the local merchants meant we were able to purchase the product for our exact

requirements, while we were able to use the CAD specifications available on the ACO website. This was extremely useful for the contractors, as it ensured a smooth installation.”

Silver How has provided Hall + Bednarczyk with its first ever listing by RIBA in its House of the Year award. Kelly concludes: “The reception we have received, both from professionals and the owners, has been incredible. The most important element for a project which has such a high finish is to ensure that every single part is thought through. Drainage plays such an important role for any development, and we are extremely pleased with the ACO system the role it has played.”

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dp029

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PROFESSIONAL

HOUSEBUILDER &PROPERTY DEVELOPER SPECIAL: Luxury Living

INSIDE THE LUXURY HOME… Waterstone Homes guides us through its premium products

PHPD explores the essential components of a first class property

Provide homebuyers with a 21st Century showering experience in the bathroom

Timeless style meets contemporary convenience in the kitchen

THE LATEST LUXURIOUS SOLUTIONS FOR NEW HOMES

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Luxury Living

What Makes a Luxury Home?

Housebuilders offering a premium product to customers need to ensure that what they are offering goes far beyond the standard spec. But what do you need to offer in order to create a ‘luxury’ home? PHPD investigates.

The Bedroom According to Simon Bodsworth, Managing Director at bedroom furniture maker, Daval, bedroom trends will demonstrate interior schemes which are practical and precisely customised to individuals, offering the same design appeal as a five star boutique hotel – think bespoke fitted furniture and carefully curated accessories.

The interiors market has entered the age of principled spending, ethical production and sustainability and the bedrooms developers provide are no exception. Made-tomeasure fitted furniture, drawing on a range of materials such as linen, leather, brass, smoked glass and bronze provide practical beauty and a level of luxury that makes each bedroom feel unique.

Daval Smoked Oak interior with Langham doors in Beige Silk with contrasting feature drawers in Mayfair Bronze.

– The contemporary beauty of the Langham bedroom is more than skin-deep, as its new storage system nods to an industrial aesthetic with lead grey shelving and smoked glass panels.

– With ample hanging space and deep, generous drawers for storing linens and transitional items, this functional design provides the perfect components for a bespoke dressing area.

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Smart Technology Kitchens

Heating Heating solutions are a great way to introduce colour and tone, as well as depict the latest trend for inspirational tone and texture, so says Steve Birch, Sales Director at Vogue UK. According to Steve, surface treatments and handfinishing techniques are currently paving the way for special finish options never before seen on radiators.

Heating products allow housebuilders to ride the line between contemporary and traditional interior design, offering a real opportunity to combine the functional with the venturing into interior design that characterises a luxury property.

Matt Phillips, Head of UK Operations of kitchen manufacturer Rotpunkt, argues that sustainable luxury will be the biggest change in kitchens going forward. Indeed, research shows that eco-credentials are a growing concern to the modern homeowner and accordingly, Rotpunkt is now able to pledge a zero carbon footprint in 2020 by manufacturing 100% carbon neutral kitchens from 1st January.

Premium hypernature door solutions with super-realistic ‘natural effect’ kitchen schemes replacing genuine raw materials offer beauty without harm to the environment, assuaging the concerns of the luxury homebuyer. Super matt finishes offer a way to bring a premium restaurant feel into the kitchen.

Rotpunkt Lava Dark Grey Extreme Matt Finish – Deluxe appearance, highly tactile and hardwearing surface texture.

– Versatile and highly contemporary by design, the extreme matt properties promise a resilient, antifingerprint surface that will naturally extend the life of your kitchen furniture.

According to Gira UK’s Managing Director, Mark Booth, the latest wireless technology used in smart home technology ensures that sensors and actuators throughout a property can pick up everything from movement to temperature and daylight and adjust heating, lighting and temperature and daylight accordingly. It’s the dream that luxury homebuilders have sought to realise for years without success – a fully automated home, offering the comfort and ease of mind that the ‘luxury’ tag promises – and now it’s finally here.

Over time the systems will anticipate daily routines and adjust to them, helping the home owner to be more energy efficient and saving them the worry/hassle of having to think about things like turning the heating on and off or closing windows when it is raining outside.

Gira System 3000 Light Function – Control system combines blind and light function in order to make life easier for homeowners.

– Intuitive operation and simple button labelling for clear and concise control management.

Programming and operation can be enabled via the Gira Bluetooth App, allowing fully personalised control.

Vogue Astute Vertical Single DR035 Aluminium Towel Warmer, Anthracite – Available in anthracite or white to match the most contemporary bathroom finishes.

– Its aluminium construction provides a quick heat up time, allowing for greater efficiency and less water usage.

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Luxury Living

Kitchen Appliances The kitchen offers possibly the best opportunity for a developer to develop a luxury feel in a property.

It is essential to complement a bespoke, high quality kitchen with exemplary appliances.

Kitchen appliances such as ovens are one of the most frequent points of contact homeowners will have with their homes and thus with the buying decisions you make. Going beyond the standard appliances will quickly and easily boost your luxury credentials.

KitchenAid Ventilated Induction Hob – Features four induction zones and a

discreet integrated downdraft extraction system.

– Four induction zones with two bridge zones, which allow the user to link two adjoining zones.

– Dynamic sensor speeds up the boiling process and can detect when a pan reaches boiling point, notifying the user with a discreet acoustic signal.

Vertigo Wine Cellar – Guarantees the optimal temperature and humidity conditions, protecting the most precious of wines.

– Three separate compartments facilitate the ideal storage and preservation of various wines:

Bringing the luxury outside…

Outdoor Fireplace Create a truly memorable outdoor space by installing an outdoor fireplace. The fires not only create a convivial atmosphere when they are in use, they make a strong style statement throughout the year.

Responsible for designing and manufacturing the world’s most alluring fireplaces,

French fireplace company, Focus has a range of elegant models with a choice of finishes.

Wood-fired Hot Tub Almost a by-word for luxury, a hot tub offers housebuilders the chance to go well beyond the standard options available and offer homeowners a garden feature they can be truly proud of. The Tubmarine is a wood-fired hot tub which combines expert craftmanship and quality, eco-friendly materials including Kebony wood. The hot tub heats up in under two hours, and requires no electricity and little maintenance.

Sauna Truly step into the realm of outdoor luxury with a sauna. KLAFS at Guncast offers almost 20 different sauna designs, each made to measure and entirely customisable, creating truly unique and personalised spa settings ideal for an exclusive home development. The TALO Outdoors Sauna is vertically decorated inside using Scandinavian spruce Softline, while horizontally arranged profile strips of Siberian larch also convey linear elegance on the exterior.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dp030

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Luxury Living

Inspiration on tap “Contributing to a variety of tasks from cooking to cleaning, the instant availability of steaming hot water has a number of convenient uses in the home.”

InSinkErator specialist kitchen taps eliminate the time lost waiting for the kettle

to boil, while the perfect amount of readily available steaming hot water contributes to countless other kitchen tasks and reduces water waste in the home.

Contributing to a variety of tasks from cooking to cleaning, the instant availability of steaming hot water has a number of convenient uses in the home.

As a helpful gadget for the kitchen, a specialist kitchen tap can also be used to speed up the cooking process for foods that require boiling water (rice, pasta, vegetables) by having readily available hot water, heating utensils such as knives, softening fruit ready for peeling and, of course the most popular use in this country, hot water taps are perfect for speedily making a cup of tea.

“Engaging with the very latest home interior trends to deliver products that appeal to the modern consumer, our taps are available in a variety of shapes and on-trend finishes.”

Minimalist kitchen designs leave consumers wanting to keep their worktops clutter-free. By casting out the kettle and replacing the standard mixer tap with a steaming hot water tap or combination tap, the consumer can gain maximum 48 april/may Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer

functionality without taking up any additional worktop space. Engaging with the very latest home interior trends to deliver products that appeal to the modern consumer, our taps are available in a variety of shapes and on-trend finishes.

Available as a combined fixture or a standalone additional tap, a wide range of options is available to developers.

“Elegance, originality and high quality are key characteristics associated with products designed in Italy.”

Good design should encompass more than just how it looks. Functionality, reliability and sustainability are equally as important as the style and visual look of a product. The style of a product can initially attract a customer, however if it doesn’t deliver on functionality or reliability, good and/or stylish design becomes insignificant.

Our specialist kitchen taps are designed and made in Italy with a solid, premium, low lead brass composition, adding extended reliability. Elegance, originality and high quality are key characteristics associated with products designed in Italy. The quality of a product can confirm its premium status, ensuring

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Good design should encompass more than just how it looks. Functionality, reliability and sustainability are equally as important as the style.

InSinkErator’s Marketing Communications Manager, Europe and Russia, Anne Kaarlela, explains what role specialist taps can play in a luxury home. customer satisfaction with a durable appliance that will stand the test of time.

InSinkErator is a trusted brand within the market place, and therefore customers feel safe in the knowledge that its Italian designed products won’t let them down.

“Metallic finishes in the home have become increasingly in demand over the last few years, with gold taps making a debut.”

Inspiration for colour trends in the home can be taken from popular culture, international influences and current fashion trends. We have responded to the popularity of monochrome tones in the kitchen with the introduction of the Velvet Black finish to the range of 4N1 Touch taps; offering an on-trend finish while delivering a number of convenient benefits to present-day busy lifestyles.

Metallic finishes in the home have become increasingly in demand over the last few years, with gold taps making a debut. InSinkErator embraced this trend and brought it into the kitchen, with the introduction of Brushed Gold and Rose Gold steaming hot water taps.

The Brushed Gold finish complements natural tones, whilst adding warmth to a

white or grey kitchen while the Rose Gold finish of the J Shape 3N1 adds a soft pink hue to the kitchen that works equally well in both modern and traditional kitchen settings.

“Using an InSinkErator kitchen tap is a safe and efficient way to heat hot water for use in the kitchen.”

Using an InSinkErator kitchen tap is a safe and efficient way to heat hot water for use in the kitchen. All of our steaming hot water taps, and combination taps, benefit from a selfclosing, easy to grip, hot water handle with a push-lever safety locking mechanism that ensures the flow of water stops immediately, as soon as the lever is released. This feature guarantees our specialist kitchen taps are inherently safe, eliminating the risk of leaving steaming hot water running.

“Designed to meet the increased consumption of filtered drinking water, the 4N1 Touch provides a stream of filtered cold water at the touch of a button.”

The 4N1 Touch tap dispenses filtered

steaming hot water and filtered cold water alongside regular hot and cold water from one combined fixture.

Designed to meet the increased consumption of filtered drinking water, the 4N1 Touch provides a stream of filtered cold water for 30 seconds, at the touch of a button. If the user wishes to stop the stream before 30 seconds is up, a second touch of the dedicated button will instantly stop the flow of water.

The InSinkErator 4N1 Touch also safely dispenses filtered steaming hot water, thanks to the push-lever safety locking mechanism, which stops the flow of water immediately, as soon as the lever is released.

The tap is available in three different shapes; L, J or U, to complement a variety of kitchen styles. All three shapes are available in traditional finishes of Brushed Steel or Polished Chrome as well as the fashionable Velvet Black.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dp031

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Luxury Living Reginox’s RD100 waste disposal unit in action

Sinks, taps and accessories manufacturer, Reginox UK reflects on what it can offer the premium housebuilder.

Basin Desires E

stablished in the UK in 1999, Reginox UK has grown steadily and now offers a range that includes more than 150 sinks and 60 taps. With full UK and Irish representation and extensive and varied customer base, the company is now a major player within the UK sinks market and is set to achieve a record turnover once again, ahead of all previous years and ahead of all expectations.

Stainless steel sinks, all of which are manufactured at the company’s

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headquarters in Holland, account for nearly 70% of its sales. The company was a pioneer of the deep drawing presses and techniques which have since become sink industry standards and the launch of its best-selling Texas range in 2009, which went on to win a prestigious Red Dot Award, marked the birth of the world’s first fully pressed 10mm radius sink. In 2015 Reginox again led the market through the launch of its still unique RegiColor Collection of coloured stainless steel sinks, introduced following many years of research and development and representing a first for the sinks industry.

Whilst steel remains at the core of the offer, the company has vastly expanded its product portfolio over the years.

Through carefully selected partnerships, it now offers one of the most comprehensive ranges of composite granite sinks available.

One thing that stands Reginox apart from other manufacturers is its parent company’s commitment to ongoing investment in advanced manufacturing techniques and a willingness to be flexible in meeting customers’ needs. The firm has always sought to achieve the right balance between practicality and design, constantly listening to customers’ requirements.

The focus on stainless steel will continue to dominate, particularly with the introduction of new coloured stainlesssteel products such as RegiColor and PVD coatings, the latter of which is proving particularly popular at the moment with the current trend for all things metallic.

Sales of granite sinks have been growing steadily over the past couple of years and Reginox anticipates this growth will continue to gather pace, and with the introduction of its latest granite range – Multa – this is a trend set to continue.

Waste disposal units are also an increasingly popular addition to luxury kitchen sectors and is an area that the firm is very much committed to.

Manufactured by one of the world’s leading names in waste disposal technology, Reginox’s collection of waste disposal units features four progressively powerful models – the RD50, RD60, RD70 and RD100.

Designed to unobtrusively grind and flush away food waste, the four models in the collection are not only quieter, but also feature a more powerful motor than the company’s previous WDU range. In addition, they have an antibacterial coating for added hygiene, a removable splash guard for easy cleaning and a quick fit mechanism for fast and simple installation.

It offers the perfect combination of performance, design, guarantee and value and, with four models to choose from, we feel we have a product to meet the needs of every customer.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dp032

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Luxury Living

One Step Beyond F or many, the thought of a luxury home will conjure up ideas of sprawling mansions and idyllic villas complete with swimming pools, expansive gardens and expensive furnishings, but luxury living is about so much more than a property’s size or extravagance.

So, what exactly is a luxury home? Is it defined by price, location, square footage, or is it some magic combination of all three? Well, the reality is that luxury is far more subjective and entirely personal.

While it's difficult to pinpoint an exact definition, these homes tend to share certain features. Here, we speak with Andrea Gardner, Sales & Marketing Director at exclusive housebuilder, Waterstone Homes, to get her take on luxury housebuilding.

Lifestyle living For Andrea, ‘luxury’ is all about ‘lifestyle living’ – the idea of creating a home with features that help improve the daily quality of life for its owner in today’s world.

“Customers’ needs have changed over the years. These days, whilst a property’s aesthetics are incredibly important, the internal space of a home is just as key, playing a vital role in wellbeing. Homes must be designed with this in mind”, says Andrea.

“In this niche market, a home should support its residents to live the lifestyle they desire. It should offer them

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everything they need to make their lives as easy and as comfortable as possible, alleviating any stresses or annoyances they may have found in homes gone by.”

With this approach, every element of a property’s design should be meticulously considered with a resident’s wellbeing, comfort and ease of use firmly in mind.

This covers everything from large open plan spaces and plenty of storage, to smart innovation appliances and energy efficient systems.

Anyone who has renovated an older property will be familiar with the issue of having to customise it to suit their needs, whether that’s knocking through walls to create open plan spaces, adding extensions for more space or re-working floorplans to make family life more integrated. More premium homes take away this need already having these desirables in place and, for individuals buying off plan, there is the opportunity for further personalisation, providing they share their choices at an early stage of the build of course.

Prime location While everyone’s ideal setting will vary, one thing all luxury homes share, is a location that is coveted, whether that’s on the beachfront, overlooking the lights of the city, or nestled in the country.

Andrea explains: “A location needs to suit an individual’s lifestyle – if they love walking and being out in nature, a rural setting will be their idea of luxury, while for those that love the sea, a coastal paradise will be the dream. For housebuilders, the challenge is to identify these prime spots and maximise them through design. Take our site in Ogmoreby-Sea for example. Located right by the sea and surrounded by incredible views, we designed the homes to be ‘upside-

PHPD and Waterstone Homes explore what it means to build luxury homes. down’ with the main living spaces on the first floor, to capitalise on these views.”

Privacy is also a key consideration.

Properties don’t necessarily have to have acres of gated land, but large gardens that are hidden from view with foliage or fencing are a must. More executive homes will also be on their own plot of land in small developments rather than large residential schemes where they are overlooked by several neighbours.

Space Generally speaking, premium homes are characterised by having more space than other homes, bringing benefits to those living there. Claire Gillard, Managing Director at Sunrise Interiors – the interior designers behind Waterstone Homes’ show homes, believes that space is key to achieving an air of luxury. She says: “To me luxury is having the space to move around your house effortlessly and make your house ergonomic and practical, enhancing your everyday life.

Being able to live in a house with plenty of space and light is an enviable luxury.”

However, with plenty of space comes the risk of filling it – something Claire

Luxury is also to have a sense of wellbeing in your home – to love living there – so surround yourself with the best items you can afford while bearing in mind the notion that less is more.

Claire Gillard, Managing Director at Sunrise Interiors

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advises against if you are looking to achieve that high-end look and feel. Claire says: “If you have room, don’t be tempted to fill it up. Having open, sleek, neat spaces is what encapsulates the air of affluence you find in niche homes. Use a few key pieces of furniture and artwork to accentuate your rooms, opting for a few larger pieces and staying away from clutter.

“Luxury is also to have a sense of wellbeing in your home – to love living there – so surround yourself with the best items you can afford while bearing in mind the notion that less is more.”

Premier quality High-end properties are made with highquality, long-lasting building materials and finished with an elegant touch. The construction, finishes, appliances, and design must all be an upgrade on what's considered standard.

“Think ‘Amtico’ designer flooring, marble,

hardwood, venetian plaster – any materials and brands that are considered a cut above the rest.” says Andrea. She adds: “This is particularly important for kitchens. As the modern-day heart of the home, a large, beautifully, but practically designed kitchen, complete with high quality worktops, flooring and appliances, is a must for a luxury home.”

For Claire, craftsmanship and a personalised touch is important: “Luxury is about skill and artistry. Features like quality joinery in beautiful wood finishes can really add a high-class feel. This can be achieved in a number of ways, whether that’s bespoke alcove shelving in a living room, sliding doors to hide a TV when not in use, or fitted wardrobes in a dressing room.”

Interior design Aesthetics are undoubtedly important in a luxury home, and for many, the deciding factor in buying one in the first place.

When it comes to design and finishing

touches, slightly greyed off colours are a great option according to Claire.

“If you’re looking to achieve a luxury look, colour tones which are slightly ‘greyed off’ look far more expensive than bright, bold and ostentatious options. Deep rich colours and moody neutrals work particularly well and lend themselves best to the light in our country.”

The feel of things is also important, so incorporating a mix of textures can add a sense of luxury. “Luxurious, soft and warm natural fibre fabrics like silk, cashmere and wool are great choices. If you can afford it, adding a beautiful throw on your bed or sofa, which you can use to cocoon yourself, is a great option, both for design and making you feel good.”

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dp033

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LUXURY living I Round Up SAMSUNG COOKING RANGE

Samsung Electronics has announced the release of its new Infinite Cooking range.

Comprising of an oven, available in two colourways, and a Combi-hob, these new products will be available in kitchen specialists across the UK and feature outstanding cooking technology combined with sleek, high-end design.

The range reflects the demands of consumers who are looking for appliances that offer greater cooking flexibility without compromising on exceptional design.

The Combi-Hob blends unrivalled functionality with high end design. With a built-in hob and extractor fan, this two-in-one appliance saves space, while the flush fit and streamlined design not only looks sleek, but also enables easier maintenance. With two dual flex zones, users can enjoy greater convenience heating multiple pans at different temperatures.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp034

AESTUS TOWEL WARMER Aestus is serving the growing desire for inspired shapes in the bathroom with its high-profile, multilateral Anglia Towel Warmer: a geometric-style heating solution crafted from high quality Mild Steel.

Blending Serpentine Style with contemporary functionality, Anglia offers ample hanging space owing to its maze-like design and high capacity 50mm square tubing.

The neat proportions of the towel warmer make it a suitable heating solution above a bath or next to the shower.

Designer bathroom heating is an easy way to add unique flair to a bathroom.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp035

ASQUITHS BRASSWARE Premium bathroom brand Asquiths from Roxor Group, has introduced Restore, a collection of classically styled brassware that will enhance any traditional bathroom scheme, to create a place of luxury.

The collection features stylish chrome finishes, with the much in-demand classic crosshead handles, white enamel dome collars and rounded spouts to deliver a true period look – yet designed with the latest brassware technology for performance and longevity.

Quality is assured with all brassware in the Restore collection, designed and manufactured to the highest levels of production.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp036

GAGGENAU COMBI-STEAM OVENS Gaggenau has introduced seven next generation combi-steam ovens in its 400 and 200 series.

To offer homebuyers an enhanced cooking experience, the oven cavity of the new combisteam ovens has been increased to 50 litres, filling the full width of the appliance. The increase in size allows consumers almost limitless choice when it comes to the dishes that can be accommodated inside the oven.

Recipes are then cooked to perfection thanks to the addition of a multicore temperature probe. The temperature probe offers accurate temperature reading, with a variance of one degree within a certain range. The probe features three temperature sensors and continually revises the estimated cooking time based on the sensors readings, ensuring that high quality results are achieved during each use.

CRANBOURNE STONE PORCELAIN STONE RANGE Specialists in providing bespoke high quality stone products for swimming pool and landscape designs, Cranbourne Stone has added a new porcelain range as well as expanding its natural stone collection with four new additions sourced from around the world.

The porcelain collection a 20mm thick stone with a slip resistant finish. This makes it perfect for any interior or exterior project. Cranbourne Stone will be stocking this superior range in their Hampshire factory, enabling them to produce pool copings and bespoke pieces in-house quickly and to specific requirements.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp038

PJH WETROOM PANELS PJH has extended its RefleXion Black Wetroom Panel range with the introduction of a new Black Leaf design to its 8mm glass collection.

Perfect for making a design statement in any bathroom project, this 1,200mm wide wetroom screen is manufactured from high quality 8mm toughened safety glass and the fine Black Leaf design is complemented with a matt black profile and support arm.

The panel features concealed fixings and Easy Clean glass treatment.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp039

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp037

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Luxury Living

Staying Connected Make sure you offer the latest in shower technology with Aqualisa’s new Smart Quartz Collection.

T

he recent launch of the new Aqualisa Smart Quartz Collection of showers shows that Aqualisa is firmly in the driving seat for innovative shower technology in the UK. The bathroom and wetroom are fast becoming an integral part of today’s smart home, with intelligent technology that not only makes possible exceptional control and ease of use, but also is unrivalled for reliability and easy installation. The new Aqualisa Smart Quartz Collection ‘ticks’ all these boxes, with intuitive control, stunning good looks and an unsurpassed level of personalisation and convenience.

The established Quartz name, universally respected by the shower trade, has been retained for this exciting new ‘headliner’ range. This evolution of the original Quartz digital shower creates a new generation of showers with an exceptional level of connectivity, including breakthrough voice activation, added to its established and renowned performance quality.

The next big thing for showering here in the UK has long been to establish Wi-Fi connection, app technology and voice activation as an integral part of the showering experience 56 april/may Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer

The latest chapter sees advanced smart technology adopting the iconic Quartz name to provide state of the art showering via a mobile app that brings Aqualisa fully into the emerging smart home environment.

Adding connectivity pushes the boundaries of smart technology and takes showering to new levels. The next big thing for showering here in the UK has long been to establish Wi-Fi connection, app technology and voice activation as an integral part of the showering experience – all things that come as standard with the new Smart Quartz Collection from Aqualisa.

App technology allows the homeowner to control the smart digital shower via WiFi, connecting through residential networks to the Aqualisa Smart Valve using safe and secure best practice for IoT/Connected devices. It utilises the simplest on-boarding techniques possible to establish secure and robust connection with the ASV via WiFi. It's voice activation and personalisation of the new showers that will make it stand out against the competition. It integrates with established smart home eco-systems via voice control – using Alexa.

The range consists of Quartz Blue, the introduction to the smart showering revolution for the new Collection, Quartz Classic, an already proven best seller now with added smart technology and top of the range Quartz Touch, which offers the most personal showering experience yet and to which devotees of the smart home will aspire. Every member of the family can activate their own personal shower requirement – created and saved on the App for the perfect, consistently repeated showering experience.

About Aqualisa Aqualisa designs and manufactures showering products that are renowned for their power, performance and reliability. The company also focuses obsessively on safety, quality, durability and, as you would expect, aesthetics – creating the best looking showers you can buy, with inspiring designs that will complement any bathroom or wet room and allow homemakers to indulge their own sense of style and individuality.

For builders, the new collection is a great proposition for new build, self-build or renovation projects, principally because the unique Aqualisa Smart Valve – the brains of the new smart collection – can be located up to 10 metres away from the shower itself, providing unbelievable flexibility in installation. Installers will find this new product range easy to sell, impressing their customers with the benefits of connectivity – voice activation being a major unique selling point. “‘Alexa turn my shower on’ will quickly become a familiar command in homes with a new Aqualisa Smart Quartz Collection shower”, says Aqualisa CEO, Colin Sykes.

“The Quartz excellence established from the early two thousands has now reached new heights and will offer homeowners the most sophisticated showering experience available. Despite the advent of the smart home and the arrival of a myriad of smart products, the suggestion, even five years ago, that showers would take this huge step into the world of smart technology would have been difficult to imagine. Thanks to Aqualisa, this is now a reality. It seems the most natural development for them to take, but we’re delighted it’s us introducing this technology to the UK and Ireland”, he adds.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dp040

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general building I round up SAPPHIRE BALCONY SYSTEM Sapphire’s Glide-On Cassette balcony system has risen to the logistical and timescale challenges posed by Kennet House, an office-to-residential development. Because the project was an existing building, anchors needed to be fixed to the existing slab, rather than cast-in. This meant ensuring balcony rigidity while the slab strength was uncertain.

Post-fixed brackets were chosen to connect Sapphire’s one-piece arms to the existing slab.

These allowed the Glide-On Cassette to be installed quickly and easily, while keeping deflection to a minimum. All balconies were delivered to site prefinished, minimising the need for on-site labour prior to install.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp041

GARADOR GARAGE DOORS Garador offers two “timber effect” steel garage doors in their up and over garage doors range, where a foil-coat is applied to the surface of the steel for a realistic appearance and durable surface that will last well. This gives the impression of a real woodgrain texture on the surface of the door, but has a lower price point and requires less maintenance than a timber door, which would require regular staining and treatment to help protect it from the elements.

There are two models to choose from, Wentwood and Sherwood, each available in either Rosewood or Golden Oak timber effect.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp042

TIMBER FOCUS CLADDING RANGE With the winter months coming to an end, Manchester-based timber specialists Timber Focus is highlighting its popular Factory Premium Black Featheredge and painted cladding range. Available in a range of styles, the range comes in three profiles: Standard, Rebated and Premium Rebated Featheredge Dutch Style, making it suitable for interior and exterior projects. The SertiWOOD painted featheredge is used for cladding and fencing applications.

The range is graded A/B and is treated and painted in a controlled environment to maximise quality. Sourced from sustainable forests and FSC certified, the range comes in a variety of lengths. Alongside the black colour, the product is also available in Grey and White.

The premium Dutch Featheredge comes in an extended coating warranty of a minimum of 10 years. It is supplied from a thicker and wider board that is 28x200mm wide, rebated and available in long lengths.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp043

JOHNSTONE’S TRADE SATIN PAINT Johnstone’s Trade has launched Aqua Guard, its most durable water based satin paint to date. This new, durable water based paint has been specifically designed to defend interior wood and metal surfaces against scratches, wear and tear and greasy finger marks in high traffic areas.

With Surface Protection technology, the paint creates a defensive barrier to ensure a long-lasting and premium finish.

This technology helps extend the maintenance cycle of a building, providing a high-quality finish for longer and prolonging the time between redecoration. The paint also has advanced application properties with improved covering power and long-lasting whiteness. The water-based technology, with quick drying and low odour qualities, also means that homebuyers don’t have to worry about lingering paint smells.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp044

NORBORD OSB RANGE Norbord’s new SterlingOSB Zero range features zero-added formaldehyde for safer construction and healthier buildings.

A new family of products comprises Zero 3, Zero Tongue and Groove, Zero SiteCoat, Zero Fire Solutions and Zero StrongFix. It is a precision-engineered OSB3 board for structural use in loadbearing and challenging conditions; as well as being popular in the aesthetics-led interior design industry. BBA approved and designed for humid conditions, it now contains zero added formaldehyde and is unique in the market by being the only ZAF OSB manufactured in the UK. Unlike traditional oriented strand board containing urea-formaldehyde or melamine-ureaformaldehyde binders, the new range from Norbord uses a methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (polyurethane MDI) resin to bind the thousands of strands that make up each board.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp045

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general building I round up

ALUK ALUMINIUM WINDOWS AluK’s 58BW ST aluminium windows replicate the look of steel frames so successfully that they were approved to replace the original Crittall windows in a landmark redevelopment recently.

With traditional square sections and sightlines of just 43mm in a fixed light, the windows are specifically designed for this type of steel replacement application and come with the benefit of impressive thermal and acoustic performance and high level security.

They form part of AluK’s versatile 58BW window range which allows fabricators to manufacture a huge range of traditional and contemporary window designs and configurations using a core range of profiles and ancillaries.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp046

DULUX TRADE WATER-BASED PAINTS

GEOCEL ECO PACKAGING

The decorating industry has seen a major shift in buying behaviour, with sales of water-based paint representing a quarter of the interior trim trade market in 2019. The latest market data reflects a growing move away from solvent-based products towards more sustainable alternatives that get the job done faster.

According to Dulux Trade, this increase is indicative of the significant improvement of the quality of water-based products like those in its own Trade Diamond range, as well as increased environmental concern. Architects, contractors and their clients are increasingly looking for a solution that reduces the longer-term impact of their work on the world around us.

Products like Dulux Trade Diamond Satinwood, the highlight of the waterbased trim range, are the result of years of research and development, offering quick drying, lower odour options, that give the same durability and professional quality finish as solvent-based paints.

With over 100 million plastic cartridges ending up in landfill every year, it’s vital the industry takes steps to reduce its consumption of plastics and packaging. The relaunched ecoSEAL system offers one of the simplest ways to make a positive impact – and can now be used with the sealants and fillers most commonly used on site.

By specifying the ecoSEAL system, organisations can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste sent to landfill from the sealant and filler products that are used on their sites every day. Working in conjunction with a unique reusable sleeve, users can now easily switch from traditional Geocel Painters Mate, Dowsil 785+, 796 and 799 cartridges, to more environmentally-friendly foils, which can fit into any standard gun.

The plastic sleeve is recyclable – and when empty, the foils are eight times smaller than traditional cartridges, meaning less waste is sent to landfill and disposal costs on larger projects are reduced.

Each sleeve can be used an average of 75 times and the system is lighter than alternative foil barrel guns. As the sleeve is clear, users can also always see exactly how much product is left.

Andy Cummins, Senior Product Manager at Geocel said: “With a re-usable sleeve that fits into any standard gun, the system is easier to use and more cost effective than the alternatives – it is the painless way to go green.”

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp047

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dp048

ADVERTISEMENT INDEX ACO Technologies plc ..............................................................page 37 A. Proctor Group Ltd ................................................inside front cover Beauxfort ......................................................................................page 53 Birkdale Sales ............................................................................page 27 Brett Martin Plumbing & Drainage ..........................................page 41 Caple ............................................................................................page 46 Domus Ventilation ....................................................................page 24 Etex (Exteriors) UK Ltd ..............................................................page 42 Garador Ltd ................................................................................page 35 Grant Engineering (UK) Ltd ......................................................page 23 58 april/may Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer

Grass Concrete Ltd ..................................................................page 39 Kingspan Insulation Ltd ............................................................page 17 Marmox (UK) Ltd ..........................................................................page 13 Norbord Europe Ltd ............................................................pages 4,54 Saniflo Ltd ....................................................................................page 51 Stelrad Radiators ........................................................................page 21 Tissino ......................................................................outside back cover Ubbink (UK) Ltd ..........................................................................page 24 Wavin Ltd ..........................................................................pages 9, 30,31

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last word Andrew Bowman-Shaw, MD for The Tree and Woodland Company is urging developers to be pro-active about trees.

It’s in the trees, it’s coming…

W ith the increasing awareness in climate change and the pressure to be more environmentally friendly, developers and planners need to think harder when it comes to the issues of trees on development sites. Existing mature trees are increasingly becoming an opportunity to enhance the ecological, landscape and wellbeing value of new developments; this in turn translates into increased commercial value of the houses within the development. Designing development around trees and woods with significant landscape and biodiversity value will also foster good relationships with local communities and planning authorities.

latter approach means that appropriate redesign of the site layout to integrate trees optimally cannot happen.

Rather, a considered and fully informed approach allows for the right trees to be retained and protected during construction, enabling new developments to have a sound population of healthy mature trees as a platform for further environmental enhancement post construction.

We recommend that new housing designs should contribute to sustainable development by enhancing the natural environment and ensuring that social and economic development takes place within suitable environmental parameters. In addition to trees, this process will be

We recommend that new housing should contribute to sustainable development by ensuring that social and economic development takes place within suitable environmental parameters.

Ancient and veteran trees have a huge impact due to their size and age and retaining these trees can provide a sense of history to new settlements, as well as a sanctuary for wildlife. Trees are of course a life form and can provide positive energy and wellbeing to people. The uniqueness, character and link to nature they bring to a location means they will be respected and appreciated by potential owners for years to come.

Tree surveys and the understanding of the tree population that they provide are important considerations at the design stage of a development, so that the best trees and the qualities they bring can be better incorporated into the final development layout. This is increasingly happening with the developers and architects we work for, but still trees are all too often only considered during the later phases of the planning application stage of the development process. The

determined by wider ecological considerations covering flora, fauna and habitat provision for these. New schemes should aim to enhance the value of wildlife habitat on site, by providing new habitat which more than offsets the loss.

When designing a new development, it is important to ensure a holistic approach to trees and existing wildlife features both on site and in the surrounding area.

Existing groups of trees and shrubs, ponds or streams can provide important wildlife habitat; where possible, it is important to retain a network of these as ‘stepping-stones’ for wildlife between habitats both within and adjacent to the site. Linear features such as hedges or similar linear planting are valuable as natural linking ‘corridors’ between habitats and should be retained or created where feasible. Other potential contributions to habitat creation and enhancement are the provision of nesting and roosting

opportunities for swifts, house sparrows and bats in new buildings.

Aside from the environmental factors already discussed, we’re all aware that many development decisions are made based on cost, profit and budget – this is business after all. However, this doesn’t mean that trees and wildlife habitat provision should be viewed as a “necessary evil”. Increasingly, society is valuing contact with the natural world, and numerous studies have proven that properties with mature trees, wildlife habitats and desirable landscaping are more attractive to buyers, shoppers, and tenants, and what’s more, they command premium prices.

In this context, the inclusion of suitable tree management, new planting and wildlife enhancement measures in your development planning application, you’re more likely to be provided planning permission and with less conditions. All planning authorities now require site improvements to mitigate against potential damage to natural settings and being proactive speeds up the consent process and reduces costs.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? The Tree and Woodland Company are experts in managing trees on development sites, and work in association with a company of professional ecologists. Their skilled arboricultural team provides preplanning surveys, arboricultural impact assessments, method statements and construction phase supervision in line with BS 5837 : 2012, to ensure the best balance is struck between environmental enhancements, charting a smooth path for planning applications, and gaining a good return on investment.

Visit www.treeandwoodland.co.uk for more information

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