Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer January/February 2021

001_PHPD_JAN-FEB21.qxd_Layout 1 25/01/2021 12:54 Page 1

PROFESSIONAL

HOUSEBUILDER &PROPERTY DEVELOPER

WWW.PHPDONLINE.CO.UK

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021

LEASEHOLD CHANGES PHPD takes a look at the recent changes to the leasehold system and what they mean for small builders.

EXTERIORS & LANDSCAPING

HEATING & PLUMBING

Care and attention to detail doesn’t belong only on the inside of a home. Create the highest quality exteriors you can, using the most sustainable methods.

Delve into the debate with PHPD and decide which is the best heating technology for your next project.

LAST WORD: THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY AT THE HEAD OF THE COMPANY

PHPD PAGE GRID_Layout 1 21/10/2020 17:53 Page 1

003_PHPD_JAN-FEB21.qxd_Layout 1 25/01/2021 12:55 Page 3

contents PHPD JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021 VOLUME 15 NUMBER 1

This issue Regulars 5

First Word

6

News

8

Developments

34 General Building Products 35 Last Word Cover story

Turn to page 8 to find out more about Tomlinson Homes’ latest development, Rectory Mews. Seven new luxury homes sit in and around a grade II listed rectory.

Exteriors & Landscaping 10 Entering the Steel Age John Abernethie, CEO at Birkdale highlights the rise of modern fencing solutions.

12 Prime Delivery Charles Taylor, sales director at Composite Prime explores the benefits of composite products.

14 Product Spotlight: House Exterior PHPD rounds up the best quality products and materials that will allow your next house build to sing your praises to the neighbours.

10 |

Steel: the modern fencing material

looks at the impact of Covid-19 on residential landscape design.

22 Lawn and Order Adrian Buttress, managing director at PermaLawn, discusses the difference between cheap and highquality artificial grass options.

23 New Products

14 |

Boost a home’s appeal with a quality garage door

16 Wall of Ground Housebuilders can utilise dry-built living walls for earth retention and noise absorption, as well as offering buyers something out of the ordinary. Grass Concrete explains.

18 A Step Outside Andrew Parsons, Technical Director at Sapphire Balconies, outlines some of the key elements of BS8579, the new British Standard for design of balconies and terraces.

21 Expert Comment: Landscape Design Richard Fox, Principal Landscape Architect and Head of Services for Lockhart Garratt’s Oxfordshire office

Heating & Plumbing 24 Heating on Trend As underfloor heating becomes increasingly popular, Nigel Sanger, Divisional Director Technical Support at RWC UK, explores how developers can tap into this growing trend.

26 Product Spotlight: Radiators & Heat Panels We asked some popular manufacturers of radiators and heat panels to provide some detail on what developers need to know before specifying and installing.

28 Straight to the Source PHPD follows the installation of a Grant renewable heating system into a new build home in Cornwall.

26 |

Designer to infrared – all things radiators explained

30 Chilling Out Steve Harris, Technical Services Engineer for Wavin Hep2O, highlights some lesser-known advantages of UFH systems.

32 Expert Comment: Future of Heating Martyn Bridges, Director of Technical Communication & Product Management for Worcester Bosch, discusses the prospect of electriconly heating in new builds.

34 New Products

Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer january/february

3

PHPD & LABM_PDF GRID_Layout 1 24/02/2020 16:09 Page 1

005_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 13:02 Page 5

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 Kerri Smith 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. © 2021

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

History Unleased It’s a system that has been described as “feudal”, and laden as the term is with imagery of pre-capitalist backwardness and social rigidity, it is not essentially an unfit one.

As with many of the winding back alleys, dead ends and nominal oddities that populate the sprawling map of British property law and custom, the leasehold system owes its provenance to a period in history well beyond the borders of what most would consider a reasonable, rational source for modern law.

Buying a house for Paying a cost for the right to live on a certain patch of land owned by an many people means aristocratic family was an obvious choice 800 years ago, as individual families were involuntarily entering into becoming more and more independent of landlords, taking more control over the land an obscure agreement with they worked and depended on and, most importantly, tenants had no legal apparatus an inaccessible tangle to resist demands for ground rent. of interested parties.

Enter the 21st Century, a more enlightened age, of course, and it becomes a whole lot more complicated to justify the ongoing practice of leasehold payments. Families no longer depend on and work the (small) square of land they inhabit as they once did, home ownership is promoted and held up as the gold standard of living under the promise of holding something that is yours and no-one else’s and there is an entire legal system whose aim is meant to be to protect ordinary citizens from harm, theft and exploitation.

The Government’s recent announcement that it was planning to enact the reforms to the leasehold system set out last year by the Law Commission takes a huge leap towards neutralising the leasehold system (although stopping well short of abolishing the system).

The announcement has largely been met by silence on the part of those who benefit from the system, and that includes certain housebuilders and developers who charge dubious ground rents to homebuyers. A few voices have raised objections that the system and its gatekeepers are a “necessary evil”, essentially standing between ordinary people in blocks of flats and houses and a form of chaos where the country is divided into 66 million separate squares of ownership.

Whether there is some merit in this argument is a debate for another time in another magazine. Indeed, the situation becomes exponentially more complicated when one takes blocks of flats into consideration. However what is still clear is that buying a house for many people means involuntarily entering into an obscure agreement with an inaccessible tangle of interested parties, each exacting their own price on the unfortunate buyer.

The fight against unfair charges and the leasehold system is a fight for better quality housing, for the provision of homes which add to a person’s quality of life, rather than those that simply provide a roof over one’s head. In short, the builders of good, local homes who cherish and respect their customers, their reputation and their local area should only see the removal of antique complications from the lawbooks in a positive light. Indeed, a rationalising and clearing out of some of our land laws would result in a much fairer system for SME builders and developers themselves.

The knots and nodes that contribute to the eccentric outline of the UK landscape are rightfully cherished, but when history conspires to stifle regional character and creativity, the map itself must be redrawn and the pens handed to the builders we trust the most.

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

Total Average Net Distribution 13,310 1 July 2019 – 30 June 2020

Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer january/february 5

006_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 13:12 Page 6

news In Brief n A new report released by the NHBC Foundation takes a look at how building methods have evolved over time and how Modern Methods of Construction will shape the future.

Read the report by going to www.rdr.link/du001

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

46% of skilled EU workers leave sector ew research released by The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford reveals that in 2019, a total of 113,000 EU-born professionals worked in the UK’s skilled construction and building trade. That’s a 46% decrease from previous ONS data, which listed 208,000 EU-born

N

construction professionals. Construction industry experts now warn that the exodus of skilled EU workers is the result of Brexit as well as Covid-19 and requires immediate government attention to avoid staff shortages.

Read more on our website at www.rdr.link/du005

n Pye Homes have promised to perform a 24-hour sanitisation clean on all new homes prior to move in. Alongside virtual viewings, the disinfectant fogging represents another tool to tackle Coronavirus.

Read more at www.rdr.link/du002 n Grant UK has now added a heat pump CPD course to its onine eLearning Academy. The zone is dedicated to specifiers and architects and is RIBA approved.

Access the zone by going to www.rdr.link/du003

Brett Martin rebrands

n A recent report by the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence, led by the University of Glasgow, determined that the overall quality of new homes in the UK remained “stubbornly low”.

Read the report by going to www.rdr.link/du004

rett Martin has announced the launch of its new corporate identity which will be rolled out over the coming months in a comprehensive programme including a new website, fleet livery, marketing and merchandising materials.

Commenting on the new branding, Charles Burns, Director at Brett Martin

B

Norbord leads the way with carbon negative status

N

orbord now holds a net carbon negative status across all its products and operations, locking up more CO2 than it emits.

Leading the way in tackling the issue of climate change, the company’s four European sites and three product ranges sequester a total of 1.1 million tonnes of carbon annually.

While carbon neutrality means that an activity releases net zero carbon

emissions into the atmosphere, carbon negativity signifies that an activity goes beyond achieving net zero carbon emissions. This creates an environmental benefit by not releasing carbon dioxide that would ordinarily be released into the atmosphere.

Read more on our website at www.rdr.link/du007

6 january/february Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer

said: “Our new identity expresses the energy and ambitions of the Brett Martin brand perfectly. We are focused on adding value through support for the customer and we have the people and products to make a real impact in the market.”

Read more on our website at www.rdr.link/du006

006_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 13:12 Page 7

ACO announces 2021 webinar series ollowing an enthusiastic response to its Autumn/Winter programme, water channel manufacturer ACO has announced its upcoming 2021 webinar series, running throughout February.

Flooding is an ongoing concern – as shown over the Christmas period - that will impact the design and delivery of construction projects throughout 2021.

ACO’s CPD series will cover some of the

F

key issues linked to drainage. All of the seminars are free to attend, and are suited to those looking to refresh their knowledge of drainage applications.

The programme builds on the success of last year’s series, and is comprised of webinars from across ACO Water Management and ACO Building Design.

Read more on our website at www.rdr.link/du008

Energy efficiency tops buyers’ list According to the analysis by online property portal Share to Buy, energy efficiency is the most important feature a new home must have in the eyes of potential home buyers. The trend has been on the rise for a few years, with reports showing that younger homebuyers are

B

willing to pay more for energy-efficient starter homes. Lockdown has accelerated the trend as more people look for long-term savings, placing it at the top of the list for more potential buyers than ever before.

Read more on our website at www.rdr.link/du009

Facts & Figures… n Total builders merchants’ sales in the three months from September to November last year were 5.7% higher than the same three period in 2019, with sales skewed towards landscaping products. Read BMBI’s November report by going to www.rdr.link/du010 n Overall construction output grew by 12.4% in the three months to November 2020 compared with the previous three-month period. Read the full report from the ONS by going to www.rdr.link/du011 n December’s IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction Total Activity Index showed housebuilding standing at 61.9, whilst overall construction activity stood at 54.6. 50 represents no change in activity.

Read the report by going to www.rdr.link/du012 n Demand for materials alongside difficulties with supply coming from Europe resulted in a sharp rise in building material prices in December. n The number of UK residential transactions over £40,000 in December 2020 was 129,400 – 31.5% higher than December 2019 and 13.1% higher than November 2020. Read the full HMRC report by going to www.rdr.link/du013 n Sales of construction plant in November were 4% below the same month in 2019, with overall sales in the first eleven months of the year 26.6% below the previous year. n The combined value of contracts awarded in December to the Top 50 construction companies was just over £5.5 billion with a total of 128 projects.

Read the full Barbour ABI report by going to www.rdr.link/du014

Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer january/february

7

008_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 13:22 Page 8

DEVELOPMENTS

GLOUCESTERSHIRE… Lime Grove by MELT Homes – a former school transformed into 19 homes.

Boutique property company MELT Homes is celebrating the official launch of Lime Grove – a new development in Tuffley, Gloucestershire.

The development’s 19 homes are being built on the former premises of Tuffley Primary School. Having stood empty since 2014, the dilapidated building had been in need of a new purpose.

MELT secured planning permission to create Lime Grove, a residential community that puts particular emphasis on sustainability. Already incorporating the

government’s Future Homes Standard 2025, which asks for new homes to be built without gas boilers, Lime Grove will be a completely gas-free development.

In addition, all properties will utilise Ground Source Heat Pumps, a highly efficient, renewable energy source that has a low environmental impact and reduces carbon output by as much as 70%.

Evan Maindonald, CEO and Founder, comments: “Integrating a new residential community into an existing neighbourhood is a delicate matter. We wanted to ensure that Lime Grove’s design combines

technical innovation with timeless exteriors that reflect Tuffley’s surroundings.”

Lime Grove recently scooped up three awards at this year’s UK Property Awards, including recognition for its architectural design and layout.

The existing structure of the school building is being protected and preserved but will benefit from a 21st century makeover to feature seven two- and threebedroom apartments. www.rdr.link/du015

008_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 13:23 Page 9

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

Heartenoak Meadows by Millwood Designer Homes – a ‘boutique development’ of 18 homes.

Luxury Kent housebuilder Millwood Designer Homes has made a return to the its traditional hamlet style with this year’s Heartenoak Meadows development.

Situated in the quaint Kent village of Hawkhurst, the hamlet of 18 properties will range in size from three to five bedrooms, each featuring an outstanding specification whilst charmingly complimenting the surrounding countryside with a modern take on traditional Kent architecture. www.rdr.link/du016

PRESTON… Proposed affordable housing scheme by MCI Developments – 73 properties including 1 and 2 bedroom flats.

MCI Developments has submitted a planning application for the delivery of a new affordable housing scheme in Preston. The proposal looks to transform a vacant site into a new residential development of 73 dwellings.

The proposed scheme has a wide range of properties comprising of 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, 1 bedroom maisonette apartments along with 2- and 3-bedroom houses. All the homes will be energy efficient and future residents will benefit from a well landscaped development. www.rdr.link/du017

KENT…

LN6 by Chesnut Homes – 131 homes ideal for young families.

Chestnut Homes’ LN6 development now has only a handful of homes left to sell, with the entire development’s construction reaching a conclusion.

The Lincolnshire housebuilder, which has been building LN6 off Westbrooke Road since 2015, has provided a total of 131 new homes across four phases.

Work on the final phase of 24 new homes began in February 2020.

The development’s proximity to the city centre, combined with attractive green open space on the doorstep, has proven a big draw for many home-hunters. www.rdr.link/du018

LINCOLN…

Rectory Mews by Tomlinson Homes – Grade II listed rectory building converted into homes alongside new properties.

Expected for completion in February, works on the Rectory Mews development as it is known, are being led

by Tomlinson Homes and will see the previously derelict Old Rectory site, which dates back to the mid-1700s, restored and converted into a prominent gateway residential feature in the sought-after Clifton Village.

Once finished, Rectory Mews will comprise four luxury homes within the Grade II listed building, each with its own entrance, outdoor space and garden, and within the beautifully landscaped grounds. A further three executive properties will be built with garden facing elevations, accessed through a private gated driveway. www.rdr.link/du019

Pemberton Road development by Esh Construction – 82 new affordable homes.

Esh Construction is poised to commence work on a £9.2m scheme which will deliver 82 new homes for affordable rent and shared ownership in Castleford.

The land is being jointly developed

by Leeds Federated Housing Association (LFHA) and WDH, with each registered provider managing 43 units and 39 units respectively.

Designed by Leeds-based Brewster Bye Architects and supported with Homes England funding, a mix of two, three, and four-bedroom houses will be constructed as well as four bungalows.

The scheme will transform a 2.2-hectare patch of unused grassland on Pemberton Road which LFHA successfully purchased from Wakefield Council in 2020. www.rdr.link/du020

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE…

WEST YORKSHIRE… Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer january/february

9

010_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 26/01/2021 10:38 Page 10

EXTERIORS & LANDSCAPING

Entering the Steel Age John Abernethie, CEO at Birkdale highlights the rise of modern fencing solutions, which deliver performance and installation benefits, as well as aesthetic value.

H

ousebuilders and property developers find themselves under intense pressure to increase the delivery of new-build homes across the country, whilst simultaneously being required to uphold some of the most stringent building regulations in Europe.

Amidst these competing pressures, clearly there is still a need to deliver profitable contracts. On top of all of this, the sector must also contend with the economic ramifications of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, which has greatly affected employment levels and consumer confidence.

Whilst a number of areas have to be addressed to meet these challenges – the role of new product solutions, which can deliver performance and installation benefits as well as aesthetic value, perhaps has never been quite so important.

Take for example the world of fencing solutions, which had seen little significant change until a new innovation drive, which has occurred in recent years. Historically,

housebuilders and property developers have been required to choose either a timber or concrete fencepost solution when specifying for outdoor environments.

Unfortunately, neither solution represented a truly ideal choice, with significant drawbacks associated to both.

For one, timber fenceposts tend to rot and warp over time and often need to be replaced during a property’s lifecycle.

Similarly, concrete fenceposts are difficult to install, requiring at least two contractors on-site, as well as offering very limited aesthetic value to homeowners.

However, new steel fencepost solutions are offering those in the sector an effective and exciting way to move

past these issues. New systems, like DuraPost by Birkdale, have been designed to offer housebuilders and property developers a stylish, easy-to-fit and durable outdoor solution, which is suitable with virtually any type of fencing.

During the manufacturing process of steel fenceposts, pre-galvanised sheet material is cut and cold rolled through specially made dies to create a unique Hsection profile. The result is a stronger product, which is able to achieve superior performance and when powder-coated, can provide additional corrosion protection. With a patented design and tested to withstand winds of up to 110mph, the galvanised steel solution is offered

New systems, like DuraPost by Birkdale, have been designed to offer housebuilders and property developers a stylish, easy-to-fit and durable outdoor solution, which is suitable with virtually any type of fencing

10 january/february Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer

010_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 26/01/2021 10:39 Page 11

with an extensive 25-year warranty agreement and requires no ongoing treatment or maintenance once installed.

What’s more, unlike other fencepost solutions, steel offers far more scope with regards to design, with a wide range of colours and styles available as well as matching accessories including gravel boards, post and rail caps. DuraPost, in

particular, is available in the popular Anthracite Grey, as well as Olive Grey, Sepia Brown and Galvanised Steel. It is also compatible with virtually any onsite fencing solutions or pre-made panels currently available on the market, ensuring it can complement any wider garden design.

For housebuilders and property developers, steel fenceposts do not only

represent a more long-lasting, designfocused solution; they also offer ease-ofinstallation. Unlike concrete fenceposts, which normally require at least two contractors to correctly fit, these lightweight solutions – up to 80% lighter than concrete – can be carried and secured safely by a single individual.

As well as helping those in the sector to effectively half the installation costs associated with the process, without compromising on aesthetics, the new system offers a more sustainable option over alternatives. To this end, the solution is made with 50% recycled steel and is 100% recyclable at its end-of-life, helping housebuilders and property developers to more effectively attain environmental targets, which they are increasingly mandated to meet.

Advantages of steel ● ● ● ●

Lightweight Strong No maintenance required Looks great

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/du021

Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer january/february

11

012_PHPD_JAN-FEB21.qxd_Layout 1 25/01/2021 13:32 Page 12

Exteriors & Landscaping

Prime Delivery Charles Taylor, sales director at Composite Prime explores the benefits of composite products in comparison to timber and how they can be used to add value to a development.

A

longside home interiors, which have undergone a thorough reevaluation under Covid-19, the garden has also experienced a renaissance, becoming the focal point of social lives and relaxation for many.

Homeowners are placing levels of importance on their gardens never before seen.

When buying quality homes, people will be looking for those with a quality garden that adds value to the home, rather than simply an empty space that fulfils the most threadbare requirements.

At a time when grass isn’t even guaranteed in a volume-built new build, it is important that the gardens in your project go the extra mile and offers buyers a ready-made solution that they can begin enjoying straight away.

When it comes to garden decking, composite decking is certainly something to consider, due to its low maintenance and durable properties. It also has the ability to stay free from cracks and splinters, increasing its lifespan and making it bare-foot safe for homeowners old and young.

Composites are manufactured from a combination of recycled plastics and

wood flour, which is a waste product of hardwood production. The wooden fibres and plastic shavings are then combined with colour pigments before being heated and extruded. The plastic content gives the boards a long lifespan without the need to treat or seal the decking, while the wood content enables the product to retain its natural look and feel.

The material’s versatility in colour and texture allows builders to create completely bespoke designs to tailor outdoor living areas. Although traditional timber decking has been the preferred choice of many for years, it requires annual painting and staining. This is in contrast to composite decking, the longterm simplicity of which could result in happier home buyers.

Composite decking’s unique formula makes it more durable than traditional products and it can be easily levelled to match the inside of a house, creating

greater accessibility and an easier transition between spaces.

Green alternative Making sustainable choices when it comes to developing and designing gardens is crucial to ensure we begin to combat the growing crisis around waste. Composite decking has a number of environmental benefits; as a result, consumers are choosing to switch to composite materials instead of using plastic, as they provide a much more sustainable and genuine alternative to timber.

The HD Deck range manufactured by Composite Prime is eco-friendly and socially responsible. Made using recycled plastic and FSC-certified oak wood flour, the products are sustainable, ethical and environmentally friendly.

One million plastic bottles are bought every minute around the world – and that number will top half a trillion by 2021.

Making sustainable choices when it comes to developing and designing gardens is crucial to ensure we begin to combat the growing crisis around waste

12 january/february Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer

012_PHPD_JAN-FEB21.qxd_Layout 1 25/01/2021 13:32 Page 13

Less than half of those bottles are recycled. As a result, consumers are switching to composite materials to encourage global challenges around plastic waste. Composite Prime has recycled the equivalent of 50 million plastic milk bottles and 121,500,000 plastic bottle caps from landfill and 280 plastic bottles per square meter of decking are recycled.

One of the key benefits of Composite Prime decking is also the ease with which the product can be installed. Whilst traditional decking options can often be laborious and tricky to take on, requiring specialist tools, the HD Deck range has a secret clip system that is easy to install.

HD Deck Dual decking boards developed by Composite Prime have a

Key Facts ● ● ● ●

Equivalent of 280 plastic bottles recycled per m2 Made from recycled plastics and FSC-certified oak wood fibers Requires no painting or staining Splinter-free

reversible two-colour option on each board which not only saves spaces in warehouses, but also offers the opportunity to lay a deck with contrasting colours to create a bespoke finish. The dual-sided board also makes it easy to refresh the deck by simply turning the boards over to reveal the new colour.

The boards are 3D embossed with wood grain to ensure they look natural, and are capped to increase protection against fading, staining and other potentially damaging elements.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/du022

Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer january/february

13

014_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 13:46 Page 14

Exteriors & Landscaping

Product Spotlight: House Exterior

Front of house PHPD rounds up the best quality products and materials that will allow your next house build to sing your praises to the neighbours.

GARADOR GARAGLIDE ROLLER GARAGE DOOR The new GaraGlide roller door from Garador is electrically automated, so homeowners can open and close their door at the touch of a button. The door itself is powered by a tubular drive motor and is supplied with two remote hand transmitters as standard, with the option of either a standard (433 MHz) or bisecur (868 MHz) hand transmitter design.

The door also features a wired optical sensor built into the floor seal to ensure that the door curtain stops, in the event of an obstruction. The optical sensor utilises light beam technology, whereby when the beam is broken the door will stop. An integrated LED light will illuminate the garage on those dark winter evenings. The door is also supplied with an internal crank handle for emergency release, so homeowners can still open and close the door in the event of a power cut.

The GaraGlide has been designed so that it is quick to fit, with a pre-assembled box cover system, pre-drilled guide rails and as little as 12 fixings all round. The GaraGlide has also been packaged so that it’s easy to transport to site; the entire garage door fits neatly into just two double-wall cardboard boxes.

Choose from 18 colours and timber effect finishes. Visit www.garador.co.uk or call 01935 443722 for details.

BALCONIES SMART BALUSTRADES Due to an increased demand for outside space from home owners and housebuilders, handrail and balustrades specialist Smart Balustrades has expanded its services – adding the installation of platform balconies to its portfolio.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, the firm has experienced an increase in enquiries for its bespoke installations, particularly from housebuilders looking to add outside space and new living areas to smaller properties.

Steel frame platform balconies are subject to planning, but can easily be attached to the walls of properties and are a cost-effective way to add additional space and value to homes.

For more information go to www.rdr.link/du023

14 january/february Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer

014_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 13:41 Page 15

CLAY BRICKS MICHELMERSH Starting this year, Michelmersh is bringing a core range of Belgian brick manufacturer Floren’s popular clay facing products directly to the UK market.

Founded in 1896 alongside the Campine Channel in Brecht, Belgium, and acquired by the Group in 2019, Floren.be has been producing premium crafted products sought after by vanguard architects across Europe for many generations. Offering sustainable building solutions using modernised technologies, created with the smallest ecological footprint, Floren’s products are highly desirable to architects designing sustainably built environments. Floren’s high-quality clay facing bricks are compliant with the most stringent production requirements and are tailor made to the customer’s exact specification.

For more information go to www.rdr.link/du024

FRENCH DOORS EUROCELL Eurocell is giving developers a new stylish feature for the exteriors of their homes in the form of a flush sash French door. The new door design uses the stylish profile, attractive chamfered glazing rebate and patented gasket cover trim of the company’s Aspect bi-fold door system, and offers a perfect complement to the seamless look of its Logik S Flush windows.

The view from outside is enhanced by the use of elegant butt hinges rather than the conspicuous exterior flag hinges dictated by a rebated door. This discreet, adjustable pencil hinge design preserves the smooth exterior lines of the frame and sash in keeping with today’s design trends.

For more information go to www.rdr.link/du025

016_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 13:50 Page 16

Exteriors & Landscaping

Wall of Ground Housebuilders can utilise dry-built living walls for earth retention and noise absorption, as well as offering buyers something out of the ordinary.

Grass Concrete explains.

F

or 50 years, Wakefield-based Grass Concrete, has built its reputation on its flagship permeable grass-paving system – Grasscrete. Indeed, the company has done a fantastic job of establishing the deceptively simple system in the minds of housebuilders and developers, but it’s not only at ground level where they are making an impression. Ever thinking ahead, the company has moved up from the ground level with a successful line up of Green Living Walls – landscape building blocks used for a variety of retaining walls.

Grass Concrete’s Betoconcept brand is a patented walling range designed to meet the demand for retaining walls that

combine reduced noise levels with attractive vertical landscapes, offering a real variety of planting options. Besides going green at ground level with permeable ground systems, developers are looking to enhance the green envelope vertically. Retaining walls on road highways or even the simplest garden or boundary walls now feature planting, colour, shape or textured finish.

Today’s housing developers are often restricted by space, despite the demand for greener environments. Living walls have proven themselves to be a useful option which satisfies both requirements and provide a viable, attractive alternative

16 january/february Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer

to what would be otherwise dull and uninspiring structures.

The Betoconcept Living Walls are unique sustainable building blocks that provide adequate soil pockets for all types of plants, shrubs and climbers. Good drainage and water capture help keep landscape maintenance to a minimum.

Quick Dry Build Solutions Grass Concrete’s retaining wall range brings together both structural integrity and a variety of landscape design options.

With individual interlocking blocks and dry build interconnectivity the range offers

016_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 13:50 Page 17

sizes for different types to suit small domestic applications or larger projects.

Dry built blocks interlock to form the required face angle, they are easy and quick to construct with a choice of plantable or stone-faced finishes. The contemporary colours include natural, buff, and red will fit in with a variety of environments and tone with natural landscapes.

The Betoconcept range features interlocking blocks made from high-strength machine pressed concrete, offering dry build solutions and noise absorption, excellent for external wall solutions in urban and rural areas. the ability to free-form wall layouts in single or terraced wall format. These interlocking units enable a quick and easy construction process and can cope with complex curves, ground embankments and weight surcharges.

The Betoconcept range features interlocking blocks made from high-strength machine pressed concrete, offering dry

build solutions and noise absorption, excellent for external wall solutions in urban and rural areas. Structurally, living walls can be simple interlocking blocks and dry build with free-form layout for relatively quick and easy construction process and can cope with complex curves.

Grass Concrete offers quite the range with Betoconcept, different shapes and

The Range ● Betotitan offers an impressive solution for extreme needs, with the ability to reach 22m high plantable with varying face profiles. ● Betoatlas will cater for structures up to 10.6 metres high in its dry build plantable format constructed either as a simple stem gravity wall or as a component of a Betonap geo-grid reinforced mass structure this 500mm wide wall offers a heavy-duty alternative. ● For low height walls up to 2.4 metres with a curved face profile Betoplus is a dry build interlocking plantable solution. ● Some retaining walls do not require a planted wall finish so a dry build with solid concrete Leromur system offers a split stone riven face and natural aggregate finish up to 10m.

For landscaping management, the blocks provide adequate soil pockets for all types of plants, shrubs and climbers. Good drainage and water capture with the stepped bank also helps keep landscape maintenance to a minimum. Using the depth for landscaping means significant growth can benefit both sound suppression and help get quick landscaping results across a wide walled area.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/du026

Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer january/february

17

018_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 13:54 Page 18

Exteriors & Landscaping

A Step Outside Andrew Parsons, Technical Director at Sapphire Balconies is a contributor to the BSI committee for balconies, in this article Sapphire outlines some of the key elements of BS8579, the new British Standard for design of balconies and terraces.

B

alconies and terraces are a popular way for housebuilders and developers to give occupants in modern residential buildings outside space – yet there’s been a lack of consensus in the UK on their optimum design. Published in August 2020, BS8579 provides a unified set of guidelines that relate specifically to the

design of balconies and terraces. While the guidance is not mandatory, it goes a long way to clarify many of the anomalies within the industry.

The new standard gives a clear definition between balconies and terraces, which is an important distinction as regulations refer to them separately.

This clarification is also especially helpful when it comes to insurance and warranties as these are different for balconies and terraces.

In addition, BS8579 makes a clear distinction between open and enclosed balconies, which has been

18 january/february Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer

previously stated by BS9991 (relating to fire safety in residential buildings). If the facing enclosure is over 50% of the relevant height it becomes classified as an enclosed balcony. Enclosed balconies are, by definition, an internal room, adding to the distance that any person needs to escape in the event of a fire. Also, Sapphire’s ‘Juliet’ has now been reclassified as a guarding rather than a balcony because you cannot stand on it.

Design considerations As part of its remit, BS8579 discusses the standards that need to be considered when designing balconies, including those relating to fire, drainage and accessibility.

018_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 13:54 Page 19

drainage. Pipe drainage would usually back towards the building and is really the only option for a concrete balcony. With using a metal balcony you can drain through to a series of metal drip trays below. This enables drainage in compartments and away from the building to the front edge of the balcony, this is known as ‘Edge Drainage’. Drained through balconies which allow water to drain straight to the balcony below are advised against for safety and nuisance to residents below.

Fire Where enclosed balconies are stacked the need for fire-separating floors and walls is triggered. At Sapphire we welcome the fact that guidance regarding the proximity of balconies, fire resistance and reactions to fires has been more clearly determined in the new standard.

BS8579 also recommends noncombustible material on all balconies, regardless of height. There has been considerable debate on safety and whether laminate or toughened glass should be used. This debate has driven extensive research by Sapphire into the testing of laminate glass products in isolation, and in full balcony scenarios, and our findings form part of a white

paper to analyse this critical point and provide clarity to our customers and the wider market.

Drainage Concern over water collecting on the balcony and dripping onto people or landscapes below has long been an issue for balcony specifiers and designers. If drainage isn’t done properly it can cause staining and other challenges such as causing a nuisance to residents below.

Drainpipes can be unsightly and prone to blockage, the good news is that this is not the only way of ‘controlled draining’ balconies in the new standard. BS8579 has two methods of ‘controlled drainage’, the first is pipe drainage, the second is edge

Accessibility The new standard gives guidance on inclusion design to ensure all occupants and guests have ease of access across a door threshold, and wheelchair users have the ability to turn and exit the balcony.

Among its guidelines on this matter BS8579 requires balconies to have an accessible threshold and a minimum 1500 x 1500 turning circle and also asks for 300mm either side of sliding doors for accessibility.

Structural considerations The psychological effects of movement on balconies cannot be underestimated.

That’s why designing a balcony with very little bounce and which therefore feels safer for users is a fundamental part of Sapphire’s three-fold promise. This brand promise states that every balcony we produce will be Rigid, Ready and Right.

We therefore welcome the new guidance on limitations, including a 5mm maximum deflection and a 2kN/m load to be designed into balconies. Minimum balustrade heights have also been the subject of much discussion and are clarified in the document. On high-rise buildings the effect of the wind is significant, so the need for shelter and containment is laid out in BS8579.

This new standard is a comprehensive document and it will be interesting to see how much of the guidance it provides is adopted by industry. At Sapphire, we hope it will offer much-needed clarification on some key issues and set responsible criteria for the design of residential balconies and terraces that deliver optimum safety and style for all users.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/du027

Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer january/february

19

PHPD_PDF GRID_Layout 1 22/11/2017 15:09 Page 1

021_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 16:06 Page 21

Exteriors & Landscaping

Design Brief

Expert Comment Richard Fox, Principal Landscape Architect and Head of Services for Lockhart Garratt’s Oxfordshire office looks at the impact of Covid-19 on residential landscape design.

T

he year of 2020 may be behind us, but with a new lockdown initiated there appears to be little respite from the Coronavirus pandemic.

One of the most significant changes has been the shift to home-working and the dynamic of working patterns evolving to meet the challenges that we face. Many people now see home-working as the new normal, replacing the traditional nine to five and commute with a more balanced, fluid approach to both life and work. For some, this has meant a better work-life balance.

However, for others the challenge of home-working has been more difficult. For those without the space to facilitate homeworking it’s meant that their homes, which prior to the pandemic served a single purpose, now have to fulfil multiple roles.

Appreciating the great outdoors These internal changes have also had an external impact. The outdoors has become an essential escape for many, whether that be private gardens, public open spaces or the wider countryside. The increased focus and enjoyment of nature and the great outdoors is seen as one of the few positives to arise from the pandemic, creating an appreciation of natural assets such as fresh air and green spaces.

However, the experience for those without a private outdoor space is a very different one. As a species that thrives on physical and emotional connections to friends and family, the reality of lockdown and restrictions on movement emphasises the loss of these important social interactions.

Therefore, it’s unsurprising that the hardship of lockdown has been accompanied by a resurgence in a

traditional sense of community. The need for community attachment and the desire to help neighbours and local businesses has once again been brought to the fore.

Meeting the new needs of the community As designers, we need to adapt to and plan for the changing requirements of a post-Covid world. The traditional model of residential masterplanning which focused on density and return no longer allows for the creation of the kind of homes and spaces that people now want to inhabit.

This is evidenced by a huge upsurge in the housing market, driven in part by the government’s Stamp Duty Land Tax holiday, but also by the desire to move out of densely populated urban settings in favour of more traditional suburban and rural locations where access to useable private gardens, public open spaces and the wider countryside is greater.

This means that landscape designers, planners and architects need to reconsider their approach to residential design, focusing on providing homes and places that allow people to incorporate the lifestyle changes that Covid triggered in 2020; and in turn to enhance society by creating homes and communities that have the capacity to accommodate change.

Green space at the heart of design By creating developments where access to green space sits at the heart of the design ethos, we can create greener and more accessible places. As a landscape designer, I have long advocated the use of a landscape-led approach, where the

The increased focus and enjoyment of nature and the great outdoors is seen as one of the few positives to arise from the pandemic provision and location of green infrastructure on site is at the heart of the design process - and in turns sets the framework for development on site.

By considering these factors at the outset, we achieve a much greater social and economic return from development.

Furthermore, while development densities may be reduced as a result of this approach, there is value in providing homes that are not only liveable, but which meet the changed requirements of a post-Covid world.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Richard Fox is the Principal Landscape Architect and Head of Service at Lockhart Garratt. Richard is a chartered member of the Landscape Institute. He specialises in landscape and visual impact assessments, landscape planning and design, and environmental impact assessments. He is also experienced in residential master planning.

For more information go to www.rdr.link/du028

Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer january/february

21

022_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 16:21 Page 22

Exteriors & Landscaping

Adrian Buttress, managing director at PermaLawn, discusses the difference between cheap and high-quality artificial grass options.

C

ertain artificial lawn systems may have an unbelievably attractive price, but if they start failing sooner than you think, the project can end up leaving homeowners disappointed and could even affect your reputation as a housebuilder. With this in mind, it’s inaccurate to only compare price when specifying an artificial lawn. Cost comparison in any industry is always on a like-for-like basis. However, in the grass market, that difference is far more than simply pile height and price.

There is only so far you can go when cutting production costs before you start hitting problems. When something is cheaper, it’s usually because you are getting less product. For example, while it all looks the same when it is brand new on the roll, that will change once the artificial grass has been exposed to the elements.

If something goes wrong down the line, even if the failures are down to the material itself as opposed to the installation, it will reflect poorly on your choices and reliability as a housing provider.

Lawn and order

The easiest way to test this is to pull the tufts from the middle of a sample – if you get good resistance and no shedding, the product is solid.

When purchasing artificial grass, you should also ask about the stich rate, which is the number of stitches per 10cm.

As a general rule of thumb, better quality grass as a higher stitch rate.

PermaLawn works with a renowned manufacturer with decades of experience The secondary backing material, which tends to be made up of either latex or polyurethane, holds the tufts in place and allows the fake grass to lie flat. One of the keys to a long-lasting fake lawn is artificial grass that has been manufactured with sufficiently high quantities of latex.

Making the right choice There are a few key signs that can help you spot poor quality products – ensuring your buyers enjoy the many benefits that having an ever green and ever mowed lawn brings for years to come.

A certain level of yarn loss is to be expected, but it shouldn’t be excessive.

22 january/february Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer

Generally, artificial grass made in Europe tends to be of much higher quality because of the European Union’s stringent standards and regulations that manufacturers have to comply with.

PermaLawn works with a renowned European manufacturer with decades of proven background and experience – ensuring the artificial grass we supply is well worth the money.

It’s also important to check the warranty that comes with your artificial grass – some cheaper options will only guarantee the product for five years, whereas PermaLawn products are guaranteed for seven.

Many stockists will have to wait up to 12-weeks for a delivery to be imported from the manufacturer, meaning there is less flexibility for builders in the planning stages. However, PermaLawn purposefully sits on 100,000m2 of stock all year round at our headquarters in Derbyshire and deliver just the amount you need for your garden.

Artificial grass is a smart, convenient and aesthetically pleasing solution. And for a lawn that lasts, and makes others green with envy, it is worth investing upfront in a quality product.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/du029

023_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 16:25 Page 23

Exteriors & Landscaping I Round Up OUTDOOR FURNITURE BARLOW TYRIE The Titan range of outdoor furniture from Barlow Tyrie makes a strong visual statement.

Chunky legs and surfaces lend themselves to a certain relaxed, rural lifestyle look. Building on the success of the immensely popular Titan range of rustic teak outdoor furniture comes the new, more compact Titan 180 Table and Titan 130 Bench.

Ideal for smaller family groups or smaller gardens. The table will seat up to six and the bench up to two. Larger tables, up to 3m long, are available. Titan is an ideal introduction to the Barlow Tyrie brand of luxury outdoor furniture because of its competitive, grade-B teak price point.

For more information go to www.rdr.link/du030

RENDER PAREX The launch of MPR, a new highperformance multipurpose render from Parex, will ensure builders can capitalise on a render which offers ease of application on a variety of masonry substrates.

Parex’s MPR multipurpose render is a weather-resistant grey render for internal and external walls which can be easily applied by hand or spray machines. This factory-produced render can replace site mix render with one product and gives consistent mix proportions and performance.

Suitable as a base coat for receiving a Parex decorative finish such as Crylane, Revlane+, Silicane or Siloxane, Parex MPR can be used on masonry and walls, including blocks made from concrete, clay, aircrete, and expanded clay insulation as well as shuttered concrete, stone and brick.

BAGGED CEMENT PRODUCTS LAFARGE CEMENT Three new cement products have been added to the Lafarge Cement portfolio. The High Performance and Instant Concrete products, for example, are both ready to use with no mixing required and are available in 20kg bags. In terms of application, the 40N strength High Performance Concrete is suitable for forming the base for domestic garages and driveways whilst the 15N strength Instant Concrete is said to be ideal for garden sheds, greenhouses and domestic footpaths and steps that require quick setting.

For more information go to www.rdr.link/du032

For more information go to www.rdr.link/do031

ALUMINIUM DECKING ENDURAWOOD Exterior cladding and outdoor living product supplier, Endurawood has announced that its decking boards have achieved a maximum pendulum test value (PTV) of 84 for slip resistance. A surface must obtain a minimum value of 36 in both wet and dry conditions before it can be classed as a low slip risk.

Endurawood supplies timber effect powder coated aluminium products for building and outdoor applications including cladding, decking and architectural feature battens to commercial and residential sectors.

Complying with British Standards BS:7976, a pendulum test must be conducted to determine the slip resistance of a floor to identify its potential as a health and safety risk.

For more information go to www.rdr.link/du033 Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer january/february

23

024_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 16:32 Page 24

Heating & Plumbing

Heating on trend As underfloor heating becomes increasingly popular, Nigel Sanger, Divisional Director Technical Support at RWC UK, explores how developers can tap into this growing trend.

A

ccording to the ‘Underfloor Heating Market by Component – Global Forecast 2023’ the market is on track to increase by 67% by 2023. For developers, the business opportunity of underfloor heating is huge, as it is generally seen as a more innovative and appealing heating technology to prospective buyers.

However, to make the most of this growing revenue stream, it is important to fully understand the benefits of best practices to maximise the potential gains.

For the end user, there are some clear benefits offered by UFH. Top of the list in today’s eco-conscious society is that UFH can heat a larger area at a lower temperature than a radiator, offering energy efficiencies and reducing heating bills.

With no need for radiators, UFH also offers more flexibility with interior design when it comes to room layout. This makes it ideal for both open-plan areas as well as compact living where space is at a premium. Most underfloor solutions can be paired with smart thermostats, which gives end-users more control over their heating, and tailors it to their needs.

But to fully realise the benefits of these systems, it is crucial to ensure that the project has been designed, installed, and commissioned correctly. So here are some top tips on how to deliver a successful installation.

Designing and planning the project Just as with any other project, planning is vital to ensuring that the job runs

24 january/february Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer

smoothly – from having the right materials on-site to reducing the time spent on snags and reworks. This is particularly true when mapping out UFH in the property. Pipework needs to be fully measured out, so that enough materials are ordered. Flow rates also need to be calculated to ensure there is sufficient water going through the pipes to heat the room effectively. Skipping the planning stage can cause project delays, result in under or over ordering, and even compromising the performance of the system altogether.

Many large UFH suppliers will have support teams in place who can help with the planning process to help reduce the risks stated above. Our JG Underfloor brand for example, offers an instant quote

024_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 16:33 Page 25

generator that can create a bill of materials from a simple project outline. For additional support, installers can share project details with our technical team to receive free CAD drawings and tailored advice specific to the heat source, floor type and covering they are working with.

One of the benefits of this technology is the ability to create multi-zone systems that can be controlled by individual room thermostats, allowing users to heat different zones at different times and temperatures.

Smart thermostats such as JG Aura offer additional control to homeowners, as heating can be managed for individual rooms from an app, with the flexibility to set heating schedules for each area of the house.

But to successfully achieve these benefits, it is critical that thermostats and control areas are considered at the design stage. Doing so will ensure that the pipework layout and wiring centre will support the number of zones.

Choosing the right type of pipe An important part of the installation process is to consider the pipework. It is best to use pipe that complements UFH installations. For example, the Polybutylene JG Layflat pipe lays flat and flexibly turns around edges while creating pipe circuits, helping speed up the pipe laying process.

It’s also recommended to cover the pipes coming up to the manifold with conduit pipes, as they act as a

Smart thermostats such as JG Aura offer additional control to homeowners, as heating can be managed for individual rooms from an app, with the flexibility to set heating schedules for each area of the house. protective sleeve, shielding pipes from accidental damages. The conduit also prevents excessive heat from building up in areas where pipes carrying hot water are close together, which can crack or damage the floor.

Following installation, there should always be a pressure test undertaken using water. A common misconception is that testing with air is enough. However, doing so will not allow the pipes to expand fully, simply because air can be compressed, while water can’t. It is also important to make sure there aren’t any traces of air in the system, which can have a detrimental effect on how the system runs.

Best practice is to perform a pressure test at 6 bar before any flooring or screed is laid. This will allow for any leaks to be detected and ensure the pipes reach maximum expansion. Specifically, with screed, maintaining the pressure until it has been fully laid and cured will also prevent it from cracking later.

As the old saying goes, by failing to prepare, you prepare to fail. It is always advisable to liaise with manufacturers to scope out the projects and plan accordingly. By doing so, the job can be streamlined, costly errors are prevented, and installation challenges can be foreseen and overcome in advance.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/du034

Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer january/february

25

026_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 16:49 Page 26

Heating & Plumbing

Product Spotlight: Radiators & Panels

The hot topic The homeowner’s main point of contact with their heating system is through the radiator or heating panel attached to the walls in each room of their home. These remain the most common method of heating a house and are hugely popular. We asked some popular brands of radiators and heating panels to provide some detail on their systems and what developers need to know before specifying and installing.

HOW WILL TRADITIONAL RADIATORS COPE WITH NEWER HEATING METHODS? Chris Harvey, Head of Marketing, Stelrad Demand for larger radiators is growing, especially as they are well suited to renewable heating systems.

Radiators are excellent emitters for these new lower temperature systems. However, for them to be as efficient as Elite K3 Radiator possible they must be sized properly at the outset.

As we head towards the Government’s stipulated deadline for installing fossil fuel driven heating systems, we will see the numbers of renewable heating systems increase and demand for bigger radiators – or in the K3’s case, higher capacity radiators but on a smaller sized radiator footprint – heading up.

A K3 radiator is a radiator which comes with three sets of panels and three sets of fins to ensure additional heat is emitted from a radiator only a little larger than a K2.

For more information go to www.rdr.link/du035

026_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 16:49 Page 27

WHAT CAN TRADITIONAL RADIATORS BRING TO THE HOME IN TERMS OF AESTHETICS? Steve Birch, Sales Director, Vogue UK The desire for versatile, energy-efficient solutions in the home has given us the opportunity to create new heating designs which are lightweight, non-polluting, durable and most of all, visually appealing.

Feature radiators and towel warmers are now considered central to a design and interior scheme.

We have seen the importance of global fusion like Scandinavian design and more recently Japandi décors, where east meets west.

This idea of ‘the world being your sourcebook’ will intensify in the home next year, as a bold mix of styles, finishes and designs continue to add personality to the modern bathroom.

There’s a wealth of added-extra design elements like fold-out shelves and dual-access bars, so you can put the ‘fun’ into functional with eye-catching and practical heating solutions, which will enrich any type of bathroom space.

For more information go to www.rdr.link/du036

026_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 16:49 Page 28

Heating & Plumbing

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES OF ELECTRIC RADIATORS? Vasco In recent years the demand for more economical and environmentally-friendly heating solutions has been rising and electric heating has evolved into an energy-efficient, user-friendly and durable solution.

This is especially true when used in combination with a heat pump and solar panels.

The plug & play concept of the electric radiator is a big appeal, as it ensures easy installation on the part of the developer and easy maintenance on the part of the homeowner. Also, the multifunctional thermostat provides stress-free operation.

Electric radiators offer a range of easy control options, with Vasco now offering three ways: manually with an RF thermostat, via home automation or via the company’s Climate Control app.

The Climate Control app enables homeowners to control the indoor climate with ease. The new EVolve Wi-Fi module, controls electric radiators via the home Wi-Fi network as well as underfloor heating and ventilation, allowing all to work together as efficiently as possible.

For more information go to www.rdr.link/du037

HOW DO INFRARED HEATING PANELS DIFFER FROM TRADITIONAL HEATING SYSTEMS? Oliver Baker, CEO, Ambion Heating Computer-controlled infrared heating provides the same levels of comfort within a room whilst using 60% less energy than a standard electric convection system and 3% less than air source heat pumps by radiating the floors, walls and surfaces of each room.

CCIR’s processors and sensors give it the unique ability to adapt to the environment it is operating in and optimise heat settings accordingly, enabling users to benefit from high-performance and cost-effective heating.

The systems also are easier to install, whether they’re being retrofitted into an existing building or installed within a new build, because they simply need wiring into the mains rather than plumbing in. Many homeowners prefer CCIR because the heating experience feels more natural and comfortable – once the fabric of the room is saturated with energy, it emits a comfortable, radiant heat.

Infrared can also reduce and prevent damp and improve the air quality within a building because unlike traditional central heating, it’s not reliant on circulating air, so there’s typically less circulating dust. The natural heat and improved air quality creates a much more comfortable living environment.

For more information go to www.rdr.link/du038

28 january/february Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer

PHPD PAGE GRID_Layout 1 20/01/2021 08:38 Page 1

030_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 16:53 Page 30

Heating & Plumbing

Q&A

Chilling Out Many developers are recognising the range of unique functions offered by underfloor heating that can actually make it a high-performance, long-term solution. Steve Harris, Technical Services Engineer for Wavin Hep2O, highlights some lesser-known advantages.

What are the key advantages of UFH? As pipework is installed beneath the floor’s surface, it is natural radiation that transfers heat into the room. This offers a range of benefits when compared to traditional convection heating. For example, traditional systems can harbour bacteria and dust which often have a negative impact on health, but in contrast, UFH systems have very little impact on air quality and help to keep the air clean.

Additionally, UFH systems are 20% more energy efficient than traditional heating systems. This means that customers can cut heating costs

significantly, while maintaining the temperature of their home for longer, using less energy in the process.

It’s unsurprising that UFH has grown in popularity over the years and is now identified as one of the most popular trends for homeowners because of all of these benefits.

Is UFH only effective when it’s under the floor?

It’s a very common belief that UFH can only be used under flooring, as the name would suggest. It can, however, be installed in many parts of a building envelope, including the walls of a room.

30 january/february Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer

This is hugely beneficial in areas of the home where the floor has a small surface, such as a bathroom, where radiators and traditional convection heaters would take up essential space. In such cases, UFH can be placed in walls to boost the output, although it is worth noting that the overall output in walls is 60KW per m², in comparison to 100KW of heat that is transmitted per m² in floors.

There are also instances of developers using UFH in the ceiling of a property. This is particularly beneficial in block apartments where there’s a void in the ceiling which is easily accessible and can be used for both the

030_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 16:54 Page 31

flat above and flat below. In this case, the pipework can be set into the concrete allowing the building structure to be heated or cooled. However, this kind of installation is less common in the UK, as air conditioning systems are rarely used.

Can UFH cool buildings?

Yes, and as summers get longer and the temperature gets warmer, the demand for UFH as a cooling mechanism over traditional air conditioning systems is rising.

Underfloor cooling systems use chilled water, sourced via air or the ground, which is circulated through the pipes to cool the building. The temperature is reduced through the transfer of energy by radiant heat exchange.

The key advantage is that installers can provide a cooling system that is essentially free to run and available day or night.

The majority of components required are identical for heating and cooling systems. The only key difference is that underfloor

Underfloor cooling systems use chilled water, sourced via air or the ground, which is circulated through the pipes to cool the building. cooling systems require slightly more complex controls which are capable of automatically changing from heating to cooling, as well as controlling the dew point when in cooling mode.

Underfloor cooling systems can only be used on a limited variety of flooring types – such as ceramic, stone or LVT – as these surfaces make it easier to maintain a constant floor temperature, ensuring it never drops below dew point.

This minimises the risk of condensation forming and therefore reducing any chance of customers injuring themselves on a slippery surface.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/du039

Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer january/february

31

032_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 16:57 Page 32

Heating & Plumbing

PHPD follows the installation of a Grant renewable heating system into a new build home in Cornwall.

D

evelopers are increasingly turning to air source heat pumps when choosing a suitable heating system which is not reliant on fossil fuels. New properties are built with excellent levels of insulation and installing heat emitters with large surface areas is easy to scope into the early phases of a build, two factors which contribute to the efficient and smooth running of a low temperature system, such as an air source heat pump. A recent build in Perranporth, Cornwall exemplifies this and shows why heat pumps and underfloor heating are an ideal match for new builds.

The property, which has four bedrooms, was designed to deliver comfort for its owners which also included the installation of a renewable heating system. A Grant Aerona³ air source heat pump was selected as the heat source alongside a new hot water cylinder and an underfloor heating system which have been installed to meet the space heating and hot water demand of this sustainably built home.

Tom Smith Plumbing and Heating Services, which specialises in renewable, eco-friendly technologies, completed the installation.

“The clients gave us a design brief and we came up with a system to suit the needs of their property,” says Tom Smith, the installing engineer. “Being an eco-friendly build, this property needed a sustainable heating system that would help

the client achieve a low carbon footprint.

The Monowave cylinder and 10kW Aerona³ heat pump were a perfect match and couple that with the Uflex underfloor heating meant it was an all-star Grant team of technologies we put forward and then installed into the property.”

The 10kW heat pump is one of four models within the Grant Aerona³ R32 air source heat pump range. Monobloc in design, the Aerona³ heat pumps are inverter driven units and are highly efficient, achieving an ErP rating of A+++.

The 10kW model’s excellent performance is marked by its high SCOP value of 5.22, demonstrating its efficient operation even when external temperatures are low.

“Grant Uflex underfloor heating has been installed throughout the ground floor and first floor of this property,” continues Tom. “By installing this underfloor heating system, both floors become the surface area through which heat can be evenly distributed into the living spaces of the home. This large surface area enables the client’s desired room temperatures to be met by the heat pump system while also helping the heat pump itself to work in its most efficient operation.”

“As a business, we are striving to deliver heating systems which are sustainable and in line with the eco-friendly ethos that many of our clients hold,” comments Tom. “I enjoy working with Grant’s products because they are installer-friendly, and the technical back-up and after-sales support is great. This installation was one of three eco-houses we have completed in Perranporth in the past six months and a mixture of Grant renewable heating

32 january/february Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer

Straight to the source systems have been fitted in all the properties, proving how greener, more sustainable heating solutions have helped our clients realise their goals of an environmentally friendly home.”

As this installation shows, for many developments and new build projects, the move to renewables has already started.

Grant UK says it has seen very healthy sales of heat pumps over the last 12 months, and a high uptake of heat pump training courses.

Being an eco-friendly build, this property needed a sustainable heating system that would help the client achieve a low carbon footprint.

Tom Smith, Tom Smith Plumbing and Heating Services “With a strong background in the off-gas heating market, Grant is currently involved in trialling renewable biofuels as one possible solution to decarbonising the harder to heat homes, and is also actively involved in the manufacture and supply of air source heat pumps and hybrid technologies, both of which are now seeing steady sales growth,” says Anna Wakefield, Grant UK’s Head of Marketing.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/du040

033_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 17:01 Page 33

Heating & Plumbing

Expert Comment

Is electric the answer?

Martyn Bridges, Director of Technical Communication & Product Management for Worcester Bosch, discusses the prospect of electric-only heating in new builds.

A

s we move into 2021, we take the next slow step towards our 2050 target of net zero carbon emissions. Still a way off, but policies, regulations and changes are already being developed to help us reach the ambitious targets. One such change is looking to install electric heat pumps into new build homes by 2025.

High density housing such as apartment blocks will probably opt for electric or district heating, but the majority will require an electric heat pump. In smaller properties of a high insulation standard there may be a resurgence in electric panel heating, but this is a minority.

It is safe to say that many new builds will need to turn to electric heat pumps, unless an alternative fuel such as hydrogen gas is introduced.

If a heat pump solution is selected, this will require more expense for housebuilders as they are a more expensive technology than the boilers they have been used to installing. This is due to its multiple components as well as larger, more expensive radiators and/or underfloor heating.

It is a whole new way of thinking, meaning builders – whether at the local, regional or national level – will probably be relying on equipment suppliers to provide the designs for this type of system.

If you put costs aside however, electric heat pumps will be suitable for the new build properties more than existing homes because you can start from scratch. When installing a heat pump system there will be a requirement to provide more space for hot water storage, and possible battery storage as well.

Overall, there will have to be an

increase in floor area to accommodate the equipment. Currently most new build properties have combi boilers and so don’t need a cylinder, this will have to change from 2025.

While new build properties are suitable for heat pumps, installer skills are in short supply. Although training courses and qualifications are being created to bring installers up to speed, this will still take time for the transition from boiler to heat pump to be possible.

Although training courses and qualifications are being created to bring installers up to speed, this will still take time for the transition from boiler to heat pump to be possible Education will also be required for the homeowner or occupier. User patterns will need to change, if the prospective purchaser is used to a boiler heating system. With a heat pump you cannot switch it on or off intermittently as you would with a boiler.

You must keep certain rooms at certain base temperatures because the heat pump is incapable of heating rooms quickly enough from a cold temperature. This is alien to many people as they find it difficult to understand that you must always leave the heating on.

There may also be an issue with the hot water. Most new builds have combi boilers which allow the owner to access hot water as soon as they turn on the tap. With a heat pump, you must heat up the hot water cylinder before any can be obtained. In a world where we are used to automation, these small changes may prove challenging for some households.

So, from a design and marketing perspective there needs to be a more thorough explanation of how a heat pump system works and how consumer lifestyles will need to adapt to using it.

Electric heating is hailed by many as the only way to remove carbon from home heating due to its connection to renewable production, such as wind. However, the practicalities show that although renewables are gaining traction, a cold snap can exert extreme demand for power from multiple sources and a compromise in the short term would be a mix of energy supply.

I wonder that if instead, the best compromise is for future new builds to opt for heat pumps due to their suitability. While carbon-free gas such as hydrogen can be used for existing homes because that can be done at minimal cost and disruption.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/du041

Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer january/february

33

034_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 17:08 Page 34

General Building Products INDOOR PAINT DULUX TRADE

Dulux Trade is strengthening its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of paint with the launch of a new product range that is 99.9% free of volatile organic compounds. Both BREEAM and LEED compliant, the products in the Airsure range can help developers meet the most stringent sustainability objectives.

The range will include new Airsure Diamond Matt and Airsure Vinyl Matt – offering higher quality, performance and coverage, while helping to minimise the impact on indoor air quality with a lower or equal carbon footprint compared to the standard formulations.

VOCs evaporate away from paint into the air even at room temperature. Once in the air and exposed to sunlight, they react with nitrogen oxides already present to create pollution, which in high concentrations can affect health.

For more information go to www.rdr.link/du042

ROOFING MEMBRANE A. PROCTOR GROUP Reflectashield TF 0.81 is vapour permeable roofing membrane manufactured by A. Proctor Group. The membrane has low emissivity and an enhanced foil surface designed to improve the thermal resistance of timber and steel frame structures. It is particularly well-suited to timber frame construction. It has significant added thermal benefits to those offered by traditional breather membranes. The water-resistant, nonwoven polypropylene foil faced laminate has a unique patented three-layer composition, providing excellent breathability, as well as secondary protection to the building during construction, and transportation to site.

For more information go to www.rdr.link/du043

WASTE DISPOSAL UNITS REGINOX

Designed to unobtrusively grind and flush away food waste, the four models in Reginox’s new waste disposal 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.

The new collection features four progressively powerful models – the RD50, RD60, RD70 and RD100 – all of which offer quality combined with value for money.

For more information go to www.rdr.link/du044

FLOORING PANEL NORBORD

Designed to reduce both impact and airborne transmitted sounds, Norbord’s CaberAcoustic chipboard flooring panel is specified by the UK’s leading housebuilders for a range of areas and projects. The portfolio comprises 28mm and 32mm variants of tongue-and-grooved particleboard panels with a 10mm sound reducing layer bonded to the underside.

This specially-designed layer, made in the UK from recycled felt, reduces impact noise transmission by up to 19dB. It also helps reduce airborne noise when used as part of the appropriate flooring system.

The board’s tongue-and-grooved edge profile gives a tight, easily-fitting joint and maximum strength when fixed using Norbord’s CaberFix D3 adhesive.

For more information go to www.rdr.link/du045

ADVERTISEMENT INDEX Baxi Heating UK Ltd ....................................page 29

Grass Concrete Ltd ......................................page 15

EcoTherm Insulation Ltd ..............................page 4

JCB ..............................................outside back cover

ERA Home Security Ltd ............inside front cover

RWC (UK) Ltd ......................................pages 26, 27

Garador Ltd ....................................................page 14

34 january/february Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer

035_PHPD_JAN-FEB21_Layout 1 25/01/2021 17:11 Page 35

last word Michael Strong, Chair at Granger Reis, leading executive search and consultancy firm within the property sector, looks at the need to improve diversity and inclusion at leadership levels by ensuring the right talent is in place across the sector.

Diversity Gains I

n recent years the professional housebuilding and developing sector has been making great strides towards bringing in diversity. But it still has a way to go. Earlier this year, the Investment Association wrote to 63 groups, many of which were from within the housebuilding sector, cautioning them about their lack of female diversity at board level.

The progress appears to be far more visible at board level, however, than in executive leadership. Amongst companies in the UK’s FTSE 100 Index, women held 39% of non-executive directorships but represented just 11% of executive positions and only 7% of CEOs. Within the property sector these figures are even worse with the latest report from Commercial Real Estate Women Network (CREW) showing that women hold just 9% of c-suite positions in commercial real estate.

Whilst there have been efforts to put more diverse candidates forward for director roles – Goldman Sachs, for example, has confirmed that it will no longer take a company public if all its directors are white, straight, and male – there is still a long way to go and a growing disparity between diverse representation at board and executive level.

This is a real issue for the industry as it is leadership teams that are at the helm of hiring, promotions, and workplace cultures. It is the responsibility of boards to ensure diversity and inclusion is baked into its organisations at a leadership level:

Ensure the executive team is committed to D&I Boards should work with executive teams to make sure they understand the importance of D&I as a vital part of creating a fair and equal workplace. This will also result in improved business performance. Harvard Business Review highlighted that by “recruiting and retaining more people from underrepresented ‘identity groups’” you are not just diversifying, but “also tapping their identity-related knowledge and experiences as resources for learning how the organization could perform its core work better”.

Pressure should be placed by boards on continuous D&I training for executive leaders to ensure leadership teams awareness and understanding of D&I issues are regularly renewed.

Create an executive team that will accelerate D&I culture and policies Culture is set by a company’s leadership team so boards should work to identify leaders who promote inclusive behaviour and embody such behaviours themselves.

Succession planning for senior positions is important as it avoids ‘quick hires’ that might not have been thought through with diversity and inclusion in mind. However, the right talent has to be in the pipeline first to achieve this. At Granger Reis, diversity and inclusion has always been at the heart of everything we do and is an integral part of all our searches. We use our knowledge and expertise to interview the right candidates

and ask the right questions to understand whether attitudes towards diversity are at the top of their personal agenda.

Psychometric testing enables us to obtain information from candidates that are more difficult to reveal during the standard interview process. Such tests can measure candidates’ suitability for a role based on personality characteristics, motivation, critical reasoning and intelligence to make sure they are not only the right person for the role but are also aligned to a company’s culture and values.

Set D&I targets for executive teams Lastly, boards should work with leadership teams to set firm and explicit goals for D&I to track progress and hold leaders accountable for results. By creating multiyear goals, companies can stay alert to any changes allowing them to respond and adjust if they are not being met.

These could be incorporated within performance assessments to ensure each person is held accountable.

Increasing diversity at board level is a great first step, but for professional housebuilders and developers to make a real and lasting change to its D&I culture, greater diversity is required at c-suite level. The role boards must play is to hold executive leadership teams accountable for inclusive workplace cultures and diverse talent pipelines.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/du046

PHPD PAGE GRID_Layout 1 20/01/2021 09:16 Page 1