The Building Envelope

Responding to UK/Ireland specifier calls for high-performance door components, James Latham introduces FERRO,
a premium range of highly durable and weather resistant external door blanks from leading brand Moralt.

Comprising some of the most robust external blanks currently available on the market, FERRO blanks are made from top-quality natural and engineered timbers, with either paintable plywood, exterior MDF or decorative veneered plywood faces.

What sets the FERRO blanks apart from others on the market is that each one contains two thermally isolated solid steel stabilising bars in its core, helping to prevent bowing and warping.

Stone wool insulation manufacturer, ROCKWOOL®, has added to its suite of industry support resources with the launch of the Recladding with ROCKWOOL guide for specifiers.

Following the ban on combustible materials in relevant new buildings over 18 metres (ADB updated for England June 2022), many building owners are recladding existing buildings with non-combustible materials that comply with the updated regulations.

Stuart Nicholson, Roof Systems Director at Marley, believes working with a single source roofing manufacturer, who is on top of ongoing regulations, can mitigate risk in a changing industry landscape. 

Changes to Part L of the Building Regulations have been made so new homes produce 31% lower carbon emissions. It is the precursor to 2025’s Future Homes Standard which will require new homes are specified and constructed to be energy efficient, use low carbon heating solutions, and be zero carbon ready.

Designing and constructing future-proof social houses, which will serve their occupants for years to come and will not cause issues to the building users and building owners is paramount. Even with the most innovative design, the building is as good as the materials used in its construction, with roofs demanding special attention from architects and builders alike.

Social landlords turning to timber to reducing carbon and improving building performance  

High performance timber windows and doors manufacturer, NorDan UK Ltd, has announced a record 34 percent increase in turnover for a single year in 2022.

This has included significant growth in the UK social housing market, with social landlords increasing their purchase of NorDan products by 11 percent.

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 pitched roof system, with integrated solar panels, installed on 110 homes and surveys are already taking place for a second, larger phase.

The Crest Nelskamp Planum and G10 S PV integrated solar PV system is a quick and easy to fit system that works seamlessly with Crest’s Planum concrete and G10 clay roof tiles, offering a state-of-the-art solution for the completed roof.

With an increasing focus on sustainable solutions in the built environment as the UK looks to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, Crest Building Products offers the Crest Planum and G10 Clay S PV Integrated solar system. They are engineered to fit quickly and are installed at the same time as the roof, interlocking easily with Crest’s Planum concrete flat tiles and the G10 clay tiles. Crest’s PV Solar Tile solution provides an almost seamless, attractive finish to the completed roof, whilst supplying the homeowner or building owner with an instant clean and efficient energy supply.