facades

For those seeking to elevate their architectural projects with a touch of refined elegance, the core Blockleys clay brick portfolio offers a range of solutions. Known for their exceptional quality and reliable production, Blockleys provides a range of premium clay bricks that seamlessly blend aesthetic appeal with durability. Whether for a residential development, educational space or a commercial building, Blockleys bricks deliver both sophistication and performance.

With a suite of sleek, understated shades of grey and black, these bricks lend a refined, modern edge to any façade. Muted greys, such as Bowland Grey and Sterling Grey, along with the deep blacks, including Black Smooth and Kelham Black, create a striking visual impact without overwhelming your designs. For those looking to add a more personalised touch, the Blockleys Synthesis blend allows for the introduction of complementary tones, adding depth and unique texture to the overall appearance.

Since the Building Safety Act came into force in October 2023, the construction industry has seen significant changes across all levels, from the way buildings are designed and constructed, to the types of materials that are used, and even how they are installed.

As is well known, a critical aspect of this is the ability of a material to resist the spread of fire and yet still perform its primary function.  This is particularly important when considering the membranes that are used for sealing around windows and façades.

The conversation around fire safety in high rise developments has never been more critical, and much attention is being given to the building materials used across large expanses such as façades and flat roofs. To achieve regulatory compliance, however, it’s crucial to pay attention to each and every detail. Will Wigfield, Product Manager – Building Envelope, ROCKWOOL UK, examines the fire safety implications of external amenities above ground level such as balconies, upstands and terraces, and discusses product certifications which help stakeholders to achieve the required performance.

James Hardie created fibre cement and thanks to our extensive research and development we are now on our seventh generation of fibre cement technology.  We are the world’s leading manufacturer of high-performance Fibre Cement products, which are a composite material made of cement, reinforced with cellulose fibres.

We are a trusted innovator and global industry leader, and our products enable endless possibilities for designing exceptional buildings whilst also delivering protection and long-lasting beauty.

Designing ventilated façades for building exteriors is a popular method in modern construction which introduces a series of performance benefits for occupants – but also raises specific fire safety considerations. Will Wigfield, Product Manager – Building Envelope at ROCKWOOL UK, discusses the benefits of ventilated façades and the merits of a total solutions approach to fire safety.  

In a ventilated façade system, the outside face of a building is formed by cladding panels fixed back to a load-bearing wall, creating a cavity through which air is free to circulate. This air space does more than just prevent condensation – in summer, warm weather causes a convectional air current which helps to cool the building, whereas in winter, air in the cavity remains still and provides an insulating effect.

In addition to tenant comfort, ventilated façade constructions give designers a high degree of creative freedom to produce striking exteriors that perform as well as they look.

High specification windows and doors from AluK are at the heart of a recently completed residential development on Cardiff’s Bute East Dock which combines both new build apartments and affordable homes.

Schooner Wharf is the first open market scheme to be developed by Cardiff Community Housing Association (CCHA), who were working in partnership with main contractors Morganstone.

Wienerberger is proud to announce the addition of the SVK Fibre Cement Façades range to its façades offering in the UK.