Housing Specification July/August 2023

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Welcome

The construction industry is expected to experience an acute recession this year driven by doubledigit falls in the two largest construction sectors: Private Housing New Build and Private Housing Repair, Maintenance, and Improvement (RM&I).

The CPA forecasts construction output to fall by 7.0% in 2023 before recovering slowly in 2024 with growth of just 0.7%, according to its Summer Forecasts.

With a flatlining UK economy, falling real wages, and mortgage rates now expected to continue rising over the next six months, households are likely to endure a difficult year and the demand for both new housing and improvements works will be hit hard.

Private housing output is worth £41 billion per year to the UK economy and is forecast to be the worst-affected construction sector in 2023. In this sector, activity was already forecast to fall due to the lagged impacts of the government’s calamitous Mini Budget and the resultant spike in mortgage rates last year, which led to a 30-40% fall in demand in 2022 Q4.

Private housing RM&I is worth £29 billion each year to the UK economy and activity reached historic highs between 2020 and early 2022 due to increased working from home and a ‘race for space’. Since March 2022, however, activity has been falling due to persistent inflation, rising interest and mortgage rates, and falling real wages.

CPA Economics Director, Professor Noble Francis said: “More than half of construction activity is provided by the three largest sectors: private housing new build, private housing repair, maintenance and improvement (RM&I) and infrastructure.

“The government’s previously stated ambitions - building 300,000 net additional homes per year, investing £600 billion in an infrastructure pipeline, delivering Levelling Up, and transitioning to Net Zero - all sound like hollow soundbites now given its lack of commitment and investment.

“It is essential that government uses its Autumn Statement later this year to invest in UK construction – an industry which employs more than three million people across its supply chain and provides the homes and infrastructure that are so vital for the country’s near-term needs and long-term productivity growth.”

Paul Groves Group Editor paul.groves@tspmedia.co.uk

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Truss rafters and "cold pitched roofs" have long been standard practice in mainstream UK housing. But is this large, unheated, and largely unused space the best use of our roofs?

The A. Proctor Group discuss the alternatives to this type of construction and explore the benefits of warm roofs and insulated panels in creating dwellings that are both energy and space efficient.

Read more on page 16-17

Contents

6-11

12-13

14-15

16-17

18-19

20-23

Innovations

Products in Practice

Front Cover Spotlight

Product Focus Association of Safety Compliance Professionals External Envelope

Grosvenor House, Central Park, Telford, TF2 9TW T: 01952 234000 | F: 01952 234003 www.tspmedia.co.uk | E: info@tspmedia.co.uk

Terms and Conditions - While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of all articles and information appearing in Housing Specification, the publisher does not accept liability for errors and omissions, printing or otherwise, that may appear in this publication. The journal includes photographs provided and paid for by suppliers. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any retrieval system without the consent of the publisher.

Action to tackle overheating in homes missing from Government plan

The UKGBC has responded to the Government’s National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) which sets the strategy for the next five years of responding to the rapidly changing climate.

The plan outlines how Defra and other departments will act to adapt the UK’s homes, buildings, and natural environment to deal with climate change, including new funding for research and projects to empower effective decisionmaking for climate resilience.

Earlier in the year, the UK’s Climate Change Committee called NAP3 a ‘make or break’ moment to improve the country’s preparedness.

Louise Hutchins, UKGBC Head of Policy and Public Affairs, said: “Extreme heat, flooding and drought hitting Europe right now leaves little to the imagination

about what climate catastrophe will look like, and makes clear that the UK’s homes and buildings just aren’t designed for this new normal.

“While the third National Adaptation Programme is an important step forward and sets out some welcome new initiatives including mandatory water efficiency labelling, it needed be an urgent and ambitions plan to adapt to increasingly severe, frequent, and extreme weather like last year’s heatwaves which took nearly 3,000 lives in the UK.

"That nationwide approach to adapt our homes and workplaces is largely missing. We need a national effort to install measures like shutters, insulation, reflective paint, and water-efficient fixtures and fittings in our homes and buildings and shady trees and green

spaces in our neighbourhoods. The Adaptation Programme points to the importance its forthcoming planning National Planning Policy Framework reforms for some of the answers.

"But the Government has an open goal in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, currently in its final stages in Parliament, to accept UKGBC-backed amendments that would align the planning system with our climate change and nature restoration goals, and put an end to a range of measures that make no sense given the climate emergency, such as new homes being built on flood-planes without proper protection.

“Over the next few months, UKGBC will be collaborating across the industry and with the government to build on this Programme and accelerate our pathway to greater climate resilience.”

Donaldson Timber Systems launches house range White Paper encourages heat pump technology

Leading UK offsite timber frame manufacturer, Donaldson Timber Systems (DTS), has launched the Donaldson Timber Systems House Range.

The range of 18 core house types includes cottage flats with a mix of 1 and 2 bedrooms; semi-detached and detached 2-bed bungalows; and a selection of detached, semi-detached, and terraced homes of 2, 3 and 4 bedrooms. DTS worked closely with experienced architects and planning consultants and designed the range in conjunction with a leading UK housebuilder to ensure the house types met regulatory housing needs across the UK.

The homes are designed to maximise the benefits of Design for Manufacture of DTS’

Sigma

The specified components are also consistent, using a limited range of window sizes and uniform bathroom and WC setting-out to ensure the efficient procurement of materials from a variety of manufacturers.

Each home also incorporates individual design flexibility to allow for changes like the addition of showers in ground floors; built-in wardrobes; additional kitchen storage; and space for air source heat pump hot water cylinders, so they are future-proofed for simple adaptions to suit lifestyle changes or improved energy efficiency.

With rapid and continued growth expected in the UK heat pump market up to 2028 and beyond, global certification body, Eurovent Certita Certification (ECC), has published a new white paper entitled, ‘Installing Efficient Heat Pumps: A Challenge of Environmental Transition.’

Detailing the difficulties and opportunities facing the UK heating market as it moves away from fossil fuel boilers, the white paper highlights the importance of installing highly energy efficient heat pumps, in the challenge to decarbonise over 30 million heating and hot water systems in homes and businesses by 2050.

‘Installing Efficient Heat Pumps: A Challenge of Environmental Transition,’ gives an overview of aerothermal and geothermal heat pumps, and the issues in achieving carbon neutrality. Covering the background of decarbonisation, the factors driving heat pump sales, and the obstacles faced by the sector at large, the white paper moves on to practical installation advice, highlighting the huge impact that installation conditions have on the energy performance of systems.

II closed panel timber frame system, as well as the site installation for both the superstructure and all follow-on trades.

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CPA responds to independent review of construction product testing regime

In April 2023, the Independent Review of the Construction Product Testing Regime led by Paul Morrell OBE and Anneliese Day KC was published.

The purpose of the independent review was to identify any potential weaknesses in the system and to make recommendations for improvement.

It undertook a critical assessment of the system for testing and certifying construction products and made recommendations for how the system could be strengthened to provide confidence that construction products are safe and perform as labelled and marked.

The Construction Products Association (CPA) has now published its response to the independent review. Their latest technical briefing paper outlines how the CPA intends to respond to this report, as well as how they hope to work with the Government moving forward.

Peter Caplehorn, Chief Executive of the CPA, and co-chair of the CLC Building Safety workstream said: “We are very pleased to see the publication of this independent Review. The report should be required reading for policy-makers and industry leaders alike, coming at a critical time not only for the future of the UK product testing and certification sector, but for the wider culture and practices of UK construction as well.

“The recommendations cover a wide range of urgent issues, including uptake of the Code for Construction Product Information from industry.

“The CPA and its members will be focusing on developing the necessary responses and actions in consultation with department officials. Our analysis and briefing paper is the first step in this work.”

In its response, the CPA is asking the government to help address some

of the complex challenges facing the construction products industry currently. There are many interrelated issues that the CPA hopes can be addressed off the back of this report.

These include:

• That government should respond and support the recommendations listed in the Paul Morrell OBE and Anneliese Day KC Independent Review of the Construction Product Testing Regime, including uptake across industry of the Code for Construction Product Information That government should work with industry to action its recommendations and create a shared roadmap for practical progress, including what constitutes a 'safety-critical' product That government move to address and give clarity to the CA Mark issue, ahead of the June 2025 deadline

Plans approved for major gateway Partnership renewed to build on £250m success

Watson Homes, has had plans approved to build 132 new homes as part of a mixed-use development on Green Street in Radcliffe, Bury.

Of the 132 new homes, 97 will be made available for affordable tenures via Great Places Housing Group.

The development forms part of the wider Radcliffe Strategic Framework, aiming to create a prospering community based upon a thriving and distinctive town centre.

The approved development will see construction of a mixed-use property comprising offices, retail and food and beverage units. Alongside this, the apartments will comprise a mix of one and two-bedroom homes. Designed by TADW Architects, the development will be highly energy efficient with a focus on sustainability including air-source heat pumps and solar PV panels. The office space will achieve a BREEAM rating of Very Good and will be home to Watson upon completion.

HOUSING leaders have renewed a crucial partnership – after revealing the huge successes it has delivered to Scotland’s market for affordable and accessible homes.

Since it was launched in 2018 the partnership has seen Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) support and collaborate with the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) helping its members to deliver £258.5m worth of projects.

Now the two organisations have agreed to continue the partnership for another year, further strengthening the connections which have already seen 70 housing associations bring 258 projects to fruition. SPA is Scotland’s largest free-to-join procurement organisation.

Its frameworks offer an efficient and compliant route to market for the construction, refurbishment, consultancy and maintenance of social housing and public buildings.

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Poor housing will cost over £135.5bn over the next 30 years

A new cost-benefit analysis published by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) has revealed that remedial work to England’s poorest housing could provide £135.5 billion in societal benefits over the next 30 years.

These benefits include savings to the NHS, lower energy bills and carbon emissions, higher asset values and improved economic opportunities as a result of better health. BRE’s latest report updates its 2021 research and outlines a 30-year cost-benefit analysis of the impact of improving poor housing in England. The Cost of Ignoring Poor Housing quantifies the enormous cost burden of England’s poor housing to wider society. It is costing the NHS more than £1 billion per year to treat people who are affected by poor housing.

For the 2.4 million homes in England identified as having one of the most serious health and safety hazards, remedial works would cost £9bn. If all this work could be undertaken immediately, there would be accrued benefits of £135.5bn over the next 30 years. This includes £13bn of savings to the NHS. Currently, the NHS is estimated to be spending over £1bn a year on treating people affected by poor quality housing. Based only on the NHS savings, let alone the wider benefits, the £9bn investment would pay for itself within 9 years. It is unlikely to be practically possible to identify and undertake all the work

required to make England’s housing stock healthy and safe immediately. To help target action, and as part of its latest report, BRE has designed a cost-benefit model that can be used to assess the costs and benefits of taking action on different hazards under different scenarios.

According to BRE’s research, improving the 65,000 homes with a Category 1 damp and mould hazard would only cost £250mn, unlocking £4.8bn in societal benefit over the next 30 years if this work was to be undertaken immediately. Gillian Charlesworth, CEO, BRE, commented: “Our analysis is a clear signal to policymakers that investing in the health and safety of England’s poor housing will deliver significant, long-term economic and societal benefits. Up until now, no serious attempt has been made to examine and quantify the longer-term costs and benefits if the worst health and safety hazards were removed from England’s substandard housing.

“Improving poor housing has huge implications for the life chances of the families who live in those homes, and benefits to society as a whole. Whether it’s a young family living with cold, damp and mould, or an older person at risk from falls, nobody should live in a home that’s unsafe. But our research shows there is much more than a moral case for tackling unsafe homes. There is also a powerful economic argument for England and the UK to deliver the improvements needed,

through targeted and timely programmes of work to reap the financial payback. By building on our previous research, we hope to further inform local and national government where the most problematic homes are and provide a foundation for dedicating strategic resources to remediate poor housing for the benefit of individuals, the national economy, and wider society.”

Linked to the launch of the new report, the Healthy Homes and Buildings APPG, together with the BRE, has unveiled the Healthy Homes Healthy Britain campaign and Healthy Homes Manifesto to embed health and wellbeing principles in future policy for future generations and call for positive change.

The Healthy Homes Healthy Britain Manifesto calls on all parties, future legislators and policymakers to recognise that serious, and sometimes, fatal health problems are being generated by the UK’s unhealthy homes and buildings.

NHBC launches Housing Association Insights collection

produced to shine a light on the important work of housing associations.

With private renters feeling the squeeze of the cost-of-living crisis and increasing numbers of people seeking social housing, the important contribution made by housing providers cannot be underestimated.

NHBC has brought together some of the leaders of housing association development to share their thoughts on this increasingly very important sector.

Available in print and to download, Built

On insight - a collection of industry insights from leaders in housing association development, has been

Examining the current state of the sector and the challenges faced by housing associations, as well as looking to the future of social housing, this collection covers everything from attitudes towards affordable housing, construction methods, diversity, the role of for-profit providers and more.

Contributions have been sought from development leaders at some of the biggest housing providers including L&Q, Places for People and Clarion among others. Timely consideration is given to the changing needs of residents, cost-effective construction and how to futureproof new homes. Contributors also share insight on planning hurdles, the role of women in the sector and how service delivery can be improved.

The collection also gives insight into the motivations of its contributors; from personal backgrounds and early careers, right through to their hopes for tomorrow, this publication portrays the people, as well as the developments they lead.

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RIBA ANNOUNCES SHORTLIST FOR 2023 NEAVE BROWN AWARD FOR HOUSING

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the four projects shortlisted for the 2023 Neave Brown Award for Housing.

in terms of amenity, carbon, context, community and culture – we must focus on them all.

“Collectively, these schemes help raise the bar for architecture with purpose, showing how forward-thinking design can enrich the lives of both residents and the wider community. Congratulations to all of those involved in the shortlisted projects.”

exhibition space to deliver free creative programmes for benefit of the local community.

In London’s Camden, the regeneration of an existing estate (Agar Grove Phase 1b) is a pioneering example of sustainable social housing, on track to become the UK’s largest Passivhaus (an outstanding energy efficiency standard) scheme.

And in North London, three housing blocks (Taylor & Chatto Courts and Wilmott Court, Frampton Park Estate) illustrate how outstanding design can integrate seamlessly into and enrich an existing urban environment.

The shortlist was selected from the 2023 RIBA Regional Awards winners by an expert panel of judges: Jury Chair Alice Brownfield, Director at Peter Barber Architects, Prisca Thielmann, Associate Director at Maccreanor Lavington, and Aaron Brown, son of Neave Brown, Design Director at Smith & Brown Ltd.

The winner of the 2023 Neave Brown Award for Housing will be announced at the RIBA Stirling Prize ceremony on Thursday 19 October 2023 at Victoria Warehouse in Manchester.

Named in honour of modernist architect Neave Brown (1929 – 2018), the award recognises the best new examples of affordable housing in the UK.

The four shortlisted buildings are all commended as exceptional examples of affordable housing, but the judges also note that each demonstrates, in its own way, how innovative architectural design can play a significant role in helping to address wider societal issues.

In Yorkshire, a development for older people (New Lodge Community) is embedded in the heart of the local area, with flexible design ensuring residents can age-in-place by adapting to their changing needs.

An apartment complex in east London (A House for Artists) offers an imaginative response to rising housing costs. In exchange for reduced rent, resident artists use a street-facing

Jury Chair and Director at Peter Barber Architects, Alice Brownfield, said: “This is a really exciting shortlist illustrating that housing design has a significant role to play in helping address wider societal issues and, moreover, that social and affordable housing is often at the forefront of this.

“From housing design that facilitates a rethinking of traditional rent models, protecting space for creatives in our cities with genuinely flexible and creative co-housing, to highly sustainable council homes and dignified housing for our aging population placed at the heart of a community. The projects evidence how exemplary design can be transformational to people’s lives.”

RIBA President Simon Allford said: “At a time when the cost of living is among the most pressing issues of the day, these examples of affordable housing outline possibilities for a better future. We need more homes, that are better designed

Taylor & Chatto Courts and Wilmott Court

A House For Artists

Agar Grove

New Lodge Community

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NEW DATA REVEALS MISCONCEPTIONS OVER TIMBER WINDOWS AND DOORS

British Woodworking Federation expert explores the main myths over timber and why we should rethink how it can be used in the home

over timber products and shares his view on why wood windows and doors offer great performance and value:

Myth 1: Timber windows are expensive

The improved durability of wood window frames means that they can last longer and therefore actually work out less expensive over their lifetime compared to alternatives.

Not only can wood window frames have a long service life - often longer than other common window materials - but they can also provide lower whole life costs when maintenance and replacement are factored in.

Myth 2: Timber windows are less energy efficient

A new survey of 1,500 UK homeowners has revealed signs that timber windows and doors are viewed positively by homeowners, but that there are misunderstandings over how they perform, their overall cost and how they are maintained.

The survey conducted by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) revealed that 59% of homeowners felt that timber windows offered a wider opportunity for design and style options than alternatives, and 56% thought timber windows were more sustainable.

Despite these positive perceptions, research also revealed a number of misconceptions over timber windows as compared to alternatives.

Fewer than half (40%) believed timber windows offer high energy efficiency performance, and more than half (57%) thought they cost more than alternatives to purchase and install. Almost two thirds (70%) believed timber windows have a shorter lifespan and will need more frequent replacement than alternatives.

Commenting on the findings, Helen Hewitt, Chief Executive of the BWF, said: “With the cost of living and energy

crisis ongoing, it comes as no surprise that cost and energy efficiency are the primary concerns for homeowners when selecting windows for their property. But there are still some outdated assumptions over timber windows’ energy efficiency performance. It’s really important that homeowners have the full range of information available to them to help them make informed choices.”

Kevin Underwood, Technical Director at the BWF, highlights the major myths

Timber is a naturally insulating material, and timber windows can offer better thermal performance than alternatives. However, the energy efficiency of a window is about much more than just the frame; the glazing and draught-proofing have a major impact on performance.

Myth 3: Timber windows will rot quickly and need replacing

When correctly maintained, wood window frames can last up to 60 years, with certain types of modified wood even boasting a lifespan of 80 years. This is due to major technological advances in the design of wood window frames and their manufacturing processes over the past two decades.

West Fraser

British Woodworking Federation

Engineered or modified timber, which is primarily used by BWF members in the manufacture of wood window frames, is vital to longevity.

Making use of the benefits

A Welsh timber frame specialist has been utilising SterlingOSB Zero, or the forerunners beforehand, for over 20 years to deliver bespoke building solutions including high-performance homes for councils and other affordable housing providers.

Treharne Homes prides itself on the quality and accuracy of its fabrication processes – even producing its metal web joists at its plant. The team employs West Fraser’s 22mm SterlingOSB Zero T&G panels for its wall and roof constructions as well as CaberDek panels for its floors. Founder and Managing Director, Delfrig

Treharne comments: “We use West Fraser’s SterlingOSB Zero to help take the racking loads in the timber frames and also as a sarking across a lot of our roofs where we offer both site assembly and modular roof construction. The product is also used for internal loadbearing walls and cassettes. We basically always try and tend (respond) to whatever the needs are of our clients.

“In a typical year, we will normally do around a dozen private projects including luxury homes with up to six bedrooms, leisure buildings and other structures. Then we also carry out some quite large social housing projects for the likes of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Swansea delivering dwellings of up to three or four bedrooms and including three-storey townhouses. In fact, we are just about to commence work on

two different sites for Swansea Council where the SterlingOSB Zero will be an important part of the build.”

Available in thicknesses of 18 and 22mm, the 2400mm length boards come in widths of 590 and 1200mm, while being manufactured using UK grown timber and with Zero added formaldehyde, SterlingOSB Zero has outstanding environmental credentials. Both the 18- and 22-mm thick panels are strong enough to meet most load-bearing applications, are BBA Approved and recognised by NHBC Technical standards for housing applications.

SterlingOSB Zero T&G also bears the coveted UKTFA Q-mark, a quality certification which provides a benchmark for manufacturers, and offers confidence to designers and end-users across the UK.

Transforming Timber - a knowledge library designed to promote the use of homegrown timber in the UK built environment – has been launched.

The online resource aims to provide the sector with the information and understanding it needs to make homegrown mass timber the material of first choice for specifiers, designers, and contractors.

Transforming Timber is the output of an Innovate UK-funded project led by Built Environment –Smarter Transformation (BE-ST) in partnership with Ecosystems

Technologies, Edinburgh Napier University and University of Edinburgh to accelerate the commercialisation of UK-grown timber products.

Making this move could significantly improve the carbon footprint of the UK’s buildings, while driving the value of homegrown timber through its use in higher grade, higher value products and applications.

By increasing use in commercial construction and housebuilding, the move can also reduce the UK's reliance on imported timber and create a new

manufacturing industry that delivers green jobs and supports a just transition.

Supported by a consortium of experts in timber manufacturing and engineering including the Timber Develo§pment UK (TDUK), Confederation of Forest Industries (Confor), and Scottish Forestry, the Transforming Timber website will provide the sector free-to-access content including information on life cycle analysis, value chain mapping, quality assurance test work, manufacturing compatibility and case studies exploring key areas such as post occupancy evaluation.

IS THE FUTURE WARM ROOFS?

The A Proctor Group have been supplying construction membranes for over 30 years, and then, as now, most of the mainstream housing in the UK was built using truss rafters with insulation placed across the ceiling. This type of construction, a “cold pitched roof”, leaves a large, unheated, and uninsulated void above the habitable spaces.

Prior to the common usage of trusses, which began in the 1960s, these roof spaces were made from a frame of cut timbers, which allowed a relatively easy path to convert the loft space in the future, as is the case in many older properties. Trusses make this process all but impossible, but at the time this space was still a useful storage area, often floored, but not really useful as living space.

This leaves the UK with a significant enclosed volume of unused space within our dwellings, by some estimates enough space to house the population of a city the size of Sheffield.

The issues with this type of construction have been recognised, and for as long as we’ve been supplying roofing underlays, it’s been suggested that such cold roofs are a dying trend. Since the 1980s progressive design wisdom was that this inefficient use of space would “soon” be phased out in favour of insulated, heated, and habitable roof voids, as is standard practice in many other markets around the world.

But in the 2020s, we still build roofs much the same way. Only now the issues surrounding these cold roofs are more pronounced, with modern regulations demanding thicknesses of insulation that rule out even using these spaces for storage. This increased insulation also increases the risk of thermal bridging at the wall/roof junctions.

It can even be argued that the traditional highly skilled slating and tiling commonly used in our roofs exacerbates the current critical housing shortages. Despite the army of tradesmen and apprentices working across the country, and showcases such as the NFRCs Skillbuild competition, houses cannot be built fast enough to meet demand, even where the will exists.

Single ply membranes or continuous sheets such as standing seam present a faster alternative, potentially more optimised for modern methods of construction, but these systems introduce a particular aesthetic, which may not always be desirable to clients. They also complicated the balance of air and moisture movement between the “primary” outer weather protection and the “secondary” layer, the roofing underlay.

So what are the alternatives?

The various types of roof configuration are illustrated and defined in the guidance document BS5250, the code of practice for the management of moisture in buildings. This management of moisture, and the inter-related effects on air movement and heat loss are central to effective and efficient design, even more so now with regulations demanding ever lower energy use.

We’ve introduced the cold roof, where insulation sits over the ceiling ties, already. In this type of roof condensation risks are mitigated using either roof void ventilation, or a vapour permeable underlay. Due to the size of the loft void and the cold outer surfaces, ensuring moisture control is accounted for is particularly critical in this type of roof.

Underlays which are both air and vapour permeable, such as our Roofshield®, are ideally suited to this as they can permit a greater degree of moisture flow.

In a warm pitched roof, the “loft” is within the heated space, and the insulation follows the pitch of the roof, usually between and/or over the structural rafters. This differs from a warm FLAT roof where the insulation is always over the structural deck.

In this configuration there are typically no cold voids in the construction. That means other factors such as minimising thermal bridging and air leakage, can be prioritised and the specification of insulation and underlay adjusted to reflect this.

A hybrid, or room in roof, construction typically has cold roof section at the eaves and ridge, with warm roof sections in between. This creates a complex mix of considerations, with ventilation paths and underlay specifications requiring more careful consideration than roofs which are entirely warm or cold. The different roof types and the junctions between them must be carefully considered to ensure moisture can move freely and evenly through the construction.

Finally, we can consider the most modern roof types, structural insulated panels, and cross laminated timber. While hygrothermally similar to warm roofs, these systems are characterised primarily by continuous insulation layers and hence greatly reduced thermal bridging.

The insulation here can be designed to remain unbroken between roof and wall elements, and this approach can be extended to vapour permeable

membranes also. A SIP or CLT dwelling with unbridged insulation layers and a high-performance air barrier such as our Wraptite® can easily achieve and meet even the most onerous energy performance requirements while avoiding moisture problems.

Combining this performance with modern methods of construction such as modular and volumetric offsite systems can deliver high quality at speed, but there will always be a place for the traditional methods and skilled trades in the industry.

Going 30 years into the future, will we still be using cold roofs? Who knows, but to meet and mitigate the challenges of net-zero, skills shortages and whatever unforeseen issues may arise, a tightly integrated design process with good communication is key.

As material suppliers we are in a unique position where we have ongoing dialog with everyone from regulators to designer to installer to building control officers. This insight into the entire process allows to assist in the optimisation of designs throughout the process ensuring whatever design is adopted is up to any challenge it may face.

Iain Fairnington Technical Director

www.proctorgroup.com

01250 872 261 contact@proctorgroup.com

CONTEMPORARY PORTFOLIO CREATES INSPIRATIONAL AND SUSTAINABLE ACCOMMODATION

Archwood House, a new purpose-built student accommodation scheme in Peckham, was commissioned by the University of the Arts London (UAL) to house its students. Tasked with creating proactive and forward-thinking spaces for residents to live and study in, architects Nelson and Long specified an array of solutions from Forbo Flooring Systems’ contemporary portfolio to make this happen.

spaces a more homely feel. Not only this, but Forbo’s Tessera Chroma carpet tiles are made with 62% recycled content by weight, aiding in creating a more sustainable scheme.

This was combined with Forbo’s Eternal de Luxe Decibel vinyl floor covering in the communal and studio kitchens. This solution served a double purpose: It reduced impact sound by 17 dB and provided an R10 slip rating, both of which were key to creating healthier and safer spaces for residents to live in.

Forbo’s Coral entrance flooring, Allura Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT), Tessera carpet tiles, Eternal de Luxe Decibel general purpose vinyl and Surestep and Safestep safety floor coverings were all installed throughout the building.

Comprising 343 bedrooms and 50 studios, Archwood House provides students with accommodation close to UAL buildings and is designed to provide students with the creative and inspirational spaces they need, to enhance their university experiences.

Nelson and Long worked closely with UAL to develop a design that would create spaces which were flexible and would allow residents to flourish in their surroundings.

Alicia Nelson, Co-founder of Nelson and Long commented on the brief they received: “Our client’s brief was to create innovative and inspiring spaces for UAL’s creative students to learn and grow in. Sustainability was top of the agenda too, so we needed to carefully consider the materials we specified to ensure we met the requirements.” With the project brief in mind, Alicia set about sourcing

materials that reflected the needs of the building: “Due to the variety of high-quality and sustainable products available within Forbo’s portfolio, as well as its reliable customer service, we opted for a variety of Forbo floor coverings for Archwood House, including its Allura LVT and Tessera carpet tiles."

Alicia also specified Forbo’s Tessera Chroma carpet tiles in the Pathway and Tuxedo colourways, which were installed in the bedrooms and the cinema room respectively to give the

With safety in mind, Alicia also specified a range of Forbo’s safety flooring, as she explains further: “As a genuine safety flooring with guaranteed lifetime slip resistance, as well as an R10 slip rating and a 36 PTV score, it was the ideal solution to ensure the safety of residents. Not only this, but it comes in a variety of colourways, such as the neutral wood décor we specified, which complemented the overall design.”

In addition to this, to maintain the condition of the interior floor coverings, Alicia opted to use Forbo’s Coral Classic entrance flooring system in the Mouse Grey colourway.

Forbo Flooring Systems - Enquiry 11

Multipanel demand doubles in social housing in 2023

Multipanel, the UK’s leading bathroom wall panel brand, has announced that demand for its panels have doubled within the social housing market in the past 12 months, and has launched a new product in response to the rise in sales.

Multipanel has launched a new type of profile, which will enable bathrooms to be adapted without the need to replace Multipanel panels, which have a 30-year lifecycle. Whether a floor needs to be replaced, or a bath taken out, the floor to wall profile will allow for seamless adaptation.

The new 103 floor to wall profile will have particular benefits for Housing Associations. With bathroom flooring enduring high levels of traffic, it will often need replaced more quickly than panels, which are high-performing and durable, coming a 30-year warranty. The floor to wall profile creates a discreet base to fit Multipanel above, while allowing sheet vinyl flooring to clip in underneath.

The new profile launch also comes at a time when bathroom adaptations in Social Housing are on the rise. With more bathrooms needing to be adapted to suit an aging population, and service users with additional needs, there is an increased demand for solutions that allow quick, simple yet quality specification for bathroom adaptations.

Multipanel - Enquiry 12

Double award win for Aico

Aico were delighted to receive the award for Customer Service Excellence on Wednesday the 14th of June from the ASCP Safety and Compliance Awards. In addition to this achievement, Aico were honoured with the Fire Safety Manufacturer of the Year award at the Fire and Security Matters Awards on Thursday the 15th of June.

Andrew Sturgess, National Specification Manager, Aico commented "These awards are a recognition of our commitment to excellence and passion for innovation. We are always looking for ways to improve our products and services, and we are constantly striving to be the best that we can be”.

Aico - Enquiry 14

Tighten

up over sealing

Another barnstorming project from Designer Contracts

When Designer Contracts was invited to get involved in an exclusive rural development of 11 new family homes, it signalled the start of a unique two-year installation project.

Said sales manager Lindsey Haystead: “It was a really beautifully executed scheme which we were delighted to have been part of and involved laying approximately 2,500 sqm of carpet through the 11 houses. We used our range, ‘Solar’ throughout the houses which involved some quite long landings and different floor levels. We chose Solar because it is a stain-resistant, two-ply twist which looked amazing when it was installed.”

Designer Contracts - Enquiry 13

ISO-Chemie’s UK sales and operations manager Andy Swift, who has been speaking at a new Air-tightness in Construction CPD event, explains why keeping a tight seal on things is so important.

As every housebuilder and developer in the UK knows, designing homes is as much about designing an efficient heating system as it is about anything else.

It’s no secret that efficient heating is at the forefront of the agenda by now, with debates about the most ecologically friendly way of heating homes sitting side by side (not always comfortably) with the outrage against rising energy bills. There is one solution, at least, which has proven wildly effective, comparatively cheap to enact and satisfies those on all fronts, and that is to ensure that the houses being built lose as little of their precious heat as possible.

That is why ISO-Chemie, whose gap-sealing tapes and solutions provide effective resistance against heat loss, is doing its best to get the word out there by touring the country giving CPDs to architects and specifiers. The message is clear, not only are the right products needed for the job, but also the right installation. Hence the need to go beyond simple marketing and into the realm of education.

ISO-Chemie - Enquiry 15

THE VOICE OF SAFETY AND COMPLIANCE IN SOCIAL HOUSING

The Association of Safety and Compliance Professionals (ASCP) actively calls for positive change and raise awareness of the sector and the unique challenges that it faces.

As the voice of safety and compliance for over a decade, the ASCP sees its role as providing a platform for members to stay informed, engage with each other, share ideas and develop best practice.

This is achieved through a variety of ways, ranging from specialist and bespoke training to an industry-leading and agenda-setting conference.

It has also invested in an exclusive member-only online Community Hub to work alongside face to face and virtual events in fostering collaboration across the sector.

With 1000+ members, The Community Hub is a one-stop-shop for finding and engaging with all the latest news and developments that affect safety and compliance across social housing and wider facilities management.

Members can network virtually and discuss challenges and best practice, as well as accessing a wealth of materials for download. The association focuses a lot of resources on issues that matter in

safety and compliance. It actively calls for positive change and raise awareness of the sector and the unique challenges members face. It maintains the only true way to raise standards is to learn and collaborate together, throughout the supply chain. It helps set the national agenda for safety and compliance in the housing sector.

For example, the ASCP’s Regulation 36a Campaign proved instrumental in the HSE implementing Regulation 36a MOT-style gas servicing in 2018. This has resulted in incredible savings for the sector.

The ASCP National Academy was established in association with CORGI Technical Services, to provide high quality training and qualifications to those with an involvement in, or responsibility for, gas safety, electrical safety and compliance.

Over CORGI’s 50-year history, ASCP has become the UK’s leading technical experts in compliance, gas and electrical safety training. It offers fully-accredited and regulated courses for both junior

and senior team members, to equip them with the skills and knowledge to succeed in their field of expertise.

Through bespoke courses - training modules can be built around the needs of individuals and teams – the ASCP can also help address particular challengers facing the industry.

Completing study with the ASCP National Academy provides a recognised qualification and the added reassurance of support and guidance from the team of expert. Courses and induction days are delivered online, at your premises or offsite.

The association also operates at the highest level, consulting with policy-makers and key stakeholders to ensure the sector has a strong voice.

Most recently, the ASCP welcomed the Social Housing Act now becoming law, having received Royal assent. This is a transformative piece of legislation that aims to improve the standards of social housing.

UNBOX OUR SYSTEMS EXPERTISE

Heating is just the start of it.

Before your next project even begins, The Vaillant Standard has your back. From an early consultation through to a complete heating system solution. Our future-thinking innovations are designed to keep your housing stock sustainable. Once you unbox The Vaillant Standard, you’re all systems go.

It introduces measures such as regular inspections of social housing providers, the power to issue unlimited fines to rogue landlords, and strict timelines for addressing housing hazards.

One of the key changes will be the new requirement for social housing managers to gain professional qualifications. This move is designed to further professionalise the sector – something that has been at the heart of the ASCP’s mission for many years. It is anticipated that approximately 25,000 managers will be required to have an appropriate qualification regulated by Ofqual equivalent to a Level 4 or 5 depending on seniority.

“We are in touch with DLUHC to ensure we can support members as this requirement develops,” said the association in a statement following the Act’s Royal assent.

“We recognise the importance of this Act and welcome its arrival as it aligns with our collective mission to raise safety and compliance standards, and we are committed to supporting our members

understand the many aspects of the Act and navigating the changes that result.”

At the association’s 2023 Safety and Compliance Conference in June at the Telford International Centre, a recordbreaking attendance heard from both key ASCP team members as well as industry leaders reflecting on a significant 12

months for the sector and looking ahead to future challenges.

The agenda was specifically tailored to cover a diverse range of the topics most relevant to the sector today, including; the ‘big six’ compliance areas, damp and mould, building safety, net zero and safety leadership.

The Ei3030 is the next evolution in Home Life Safety

Introducing the newest innovation in Multi-Sensor alarms from Aico, the Ei3030 Multi-Sensor Fire and Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm.

The flagship alarm in Aico’s technologically advanced 3000 Series, the Ei3030 combines individual Optical, Heat and CO sensors, for the ultimate fire and CO response. The Ei3030 also has a range of additional benefits, including built-in dust compensation technology.

The unique self-monitoring dust compensation mechanism reduces the risk of false alarms. The optical sensor chamber continually self-monitors minute changes in dust levels, automatically recalibrating the alarm’s trigger point when necessary to reduce false alarms. The Ei3030 can also be fitted in any room where both Fire and CO protection is required (excluding the kitchen) meaning coverage can be provided with fewer alarms.

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Vaillant launches new ecoTEC plus with next generation connectivity

Vaillant has unveiled the next generation of its much-loved ecoTEC plus boiler and a brand new myVAILLANT connect gateway. Responding to installer feedback, Vaillant has remastered its ecoTEC plus combination and system range incorporating a wide range of refinements, designed to improve both installer and end user experience whilst keeping the features and layout engineers know and love.

Rhe new models work with natural gas today, as well as being hydrogen-prepared for the future, while most models are also LPG convertible without the need for a conversion kit. The launch brings a refined layout for the ecoTEC plus model, with all components easily accessible from the front of the boiler to make routine maintenance and servicing effortless.

Vaillant - Enquiry 18

Quality Water Saving British Made Products from TYDE

TYDE, a Thomas Dudley business, are leaders in innovations such as fluid dynamics and water control technology and ensure each of their products are designed to last and meet the highest standards of quality. The water-saving Dudley Hydroflo Airgap Compact Delay Fill Inlet Valve is manufactured at TYDE’s manufacturing centre in the Midlands and is water regulations compliant. TYDE operate their own UKAS accredited test laboratory.

They are committed to providing a world class service in conformance with EN/ISO/17025:2017 with regard to the testing of WC related water fittings.

TYDE - Enquiry 19

Aico - Enquiry

WATER SAVING HYDROFLO

• Each delay fill flush saves 0.5 litres, saving upward of 6500ltr of water a year in the average UK 3 bed home

• With around 27 million homes in the UK, the saving with inlet valves alone would be the equivalent to 70,200 Olympic sized swimming pools

• If you consider that using the partial flush saves around a third so in a 6 ltr toilet this could save a home 13,000ltr of water.

Dwellings, 2019 edition. Ideal for residential new build, refurbishment and social housing applications where mould and condensation cause are a major problem.

Key Features

Ð Easy to install and can be cut to desired length on site

Ð Performance tested to BS EN13141-2:2010

Ð Designed for installation with Titon Ultimate® dMEV

Ð Material 0.6mm electrogalvanized sheet steel, fire class A1 ‘no contribution to fire’

Ð Terminal polyester powder coating meeting EN13501-1 classification A2-s1,d0

Ð Corrosion resistance - salt spray tested to BS EN ISO 9227:2012

MARLEY BRINGS TOGETHER CLAY AND SOLAR FOR SOCIAL HOUSING RE-ROOFING PROJECT

Denbighshire Council has become one of the first local authorities in the UK to pilot a new type of solar pitched roof system, with the aim of cutting maintenance costs and helping tenants reduce their energy bills.

The pioneering refurbishment scheme has seen Marley’s full roof system, combining its Acme Single Camber Clay Plain Tiles, together with integrated solar panels, installed on 110 homes.

The council’s specification required a like-for-like replacement for the existing clay roof tiles, but also required a pitched roof solution to minimise current maintenance costs, reducing the likelihood of future repairs and incorporating renewable solar technology to help tenants cut energy bills.

Opting for a full roof system that combined Marley’s Acme Single Camber Clay Plain Tiles alongside its integrated solar PV solution, SolarTile®, Denbighshire Council also specified JB red battens, underlay, dry fix, fittings for the project, all of which have been backed up with a 15-year guarantee, together with ongoing access to technical support from Marley.

Available in 8 different colours, the Acme Single Camber range combines the character of fired clay, with the precision of modern production techniques.

In addition, Marley’s Acme Single Camber range is also accredited to the BES 6001 Framework Standard for Responsible

Sourcing, which means that projects can get extra credits under BREEAM. For more information, visit: www.marley. co.uk/roof-tiles/clay-roof-tiles/acmesingle-camber-plain-tile

Marley - Enquiry 22

Up to 13% improvement in thermal performance with 0.032 W/mK*

BBA-approved for both full and partial fill applications

Energy-saving performance for the life of the home, without sagging or slumping**

Patented ROCKWOOL® NyRock technology powering low lambda, non-combustible stone wool

Match the cladding with Garador’s Horizontal cedar garage doors

Garador’s beautiful horizontal cedar garage doors are a top choice by developers and renovators, especially on properties where timber cladding has been used on exterior walls. Garador’s horizontal cedar garage door is constructed from tongue and groove natural solid cedar boards, a design that naturally complements timber cladding.

These timeless garage doors, with their precision crafted design, will enhance the appearance of any home. They also offer many additional advantages. The cedar used by Garador is a natural and renewable material and contains self-protective qualities; these cedar doors should last a lifetime if properly maintained. A wider board version, the Countryman design, is also available.

Garador - Enquiry 24

Wraptite protection for cliff top residential dwelling

The Wraptite external air barrier system from A. Proctor Group, selected as part of the redesign and extension of a residential property on the Essex coast, will improve energy efficiency and protection from the elements.

Designed by AFT Design architects, the works comprise a significant conversation project. The existing detached residential dwelling on the clifftop at Frinton on Sea was partly demolished and extended.

Both extensions comprise a light gauge steel LGS panelised system, including a sheathing board and Wraptite installed by Nexus Modular. In addition, a proprietary Wetherby rendered cladding system will subsequently cover the LGS panelised system.

Bill Attwell, Director of Nexus Modular, explains why Wraptite, the only self-adhering vapour permeable air barrier certified by the BBA, was selected. “We chose Wraptite for the breather membrane because of its strength and durability. In addition, the self-adhesive fixing of Wraptite, rather than the traditional staples and mechanical fixing, assisted with the durability in the high wind conditions prevalent on the cliff-side location.

“The erected LGS frame with sheathing and breather membrane had to be left exposed for some weeks until the render cladding system was installed, exposing it to the elements on an exposed clifftop site.”

A. Proctor Group - Enquiry 25

Neaco supplies balconies and sun terraces for luxury apartments

A major refurbishment project in Dorset has seen a landmark building completely transformed with the use of a BBA-certified StoTherm Mineral external wall insulation system designed by Sto.

Having previously provided office accommodation, the Crown Building in Poole now houses 57 new luxury apartments which benefit from outstanding thermal performance to help keep the residents more comfortable and to reduce their heating costs.

The StoTherm Mineral M insulation system was installed to the sheathing boards to create a drained and vented cavity.

This system uses mineral fibre, non-combustible insulation boards to combine excellent thermal performance with unrivalled fire protection.

Its efficient single-leaf construction makes it ideal for this type of refurbishment project as it allows the insulation to be added without reducing the existing room spaces inside the building. The dense nature of the system materials also provides a high degree of sound insulation to the Crown Building.

Sto-Rotofix Plus spiral fixings allow uneven and irregular substrates to be accommodated, enabling seamless rendered facades to be created with ease.

StoSilco stippled render was applied as the finishing coat for the insulation system. This silicone, resin render provides high levels of water repellence, making it an ideal facade finish for buildings in coastal regions such as the Crown Building.

Sto - Enquiry 26

Neaco developed a full design solution for modular walk-on balconies and sun terraces at Broadwater Road, a development of 24 luxury apartments in Welwyn Garden City from Bishopswood Estates Ltd. Main contractor, Total Construction Ltd, built the £6m project featuring Neaco’s aluminium decking and balustrade which are compliant with all relevant building regulations, offering a Euroclass A1 and A2 fire safety rating required for external wall elements on buildings above 18m in height.

Peter Collins, Construction Director at Total Construction, said: “Neaco provided excellent technical support, producing design drawings to meet the client’s visual concept. Their balcony and balustrade systems are designed for fast installation.”

Neaco - Enquiry 27

Meet Cambrian: A full system designed using recycled Welsh slate, to be fully weathertight and easy to install, for the perfect finish every time. It’s not just beautiful, it’s beautifully engineered.