Windows

The need for new homes continues to rise, with an average of 240,000 new houses being built each year. This increase has resulted in added pressure being placed on construction companies and their supply chains to keep up with demand.

One solution which is aiding the industry and enabling houses to be built more quickly is the off-site manufacture of prefabricated building component products. Chris Pearce, Sales Director at Stormking, a UK-based manufacturer of Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) prefabricated products for the construction industry, explains how building off-site can benefit the new home construction supply chain and keep projects on track:

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. In a country where heating bills constitute one of the largest outgoing expenses in the average home, it is paramount that new homes offer the conditions to maximise the comfort level achieved per pound. Indeed, comfort is king when it comes to housing.

The increased cost of living continues to highlight the need for energy-efficient social housing, leading to greater scrutiny of the thermal performance of building components in new and existing buildings. With legislation also continuing to tighten in the wake of the Future Homes Standard, Russell Hand, Head of Product Management and Technical at REHAU Windows, explains how implementing Passivhaus-informed performance criteria in window specification can ensure properties remain sustainable and efficient.

The state of UK housing is in a profound sense of flux. Rising energy costs are further underlining the need for thermally efficient homes, especially for older properties. This is especially a concern in social housing, as the majority was built between 1945 and 1980 . Consequently, pressure is on building specifiers to select thermally efficient components when retrofitting existing homes or building new developments.

Birmingham-based window and door manufacturer Shelforce has been recognised with the highest official UK award for British business, The King’s Award for Enterprise in Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility).

Established in 1965, the awards have propelled UK businesses onto the world stage with an internationally-renowned symbol of excellence. Previously named The Queen’s Award for Enterprise, His Majesty The King has approved the Prime Minister’s recommendation that Shelforce be recognised.

Housing associations have a pivotal part to play in supporting the UK’s journey to net-zero but further change is needed if we’re going to get there.

The UK has some of the most energy leaking housing in Europe, much of it built in the pre-war period.

According to the National Housing Federation the UK’s 29million homes produce 58.5million tonnes of CO2 every year. That’s more than the CO2 produced annually by all car journeys.

To celebrate Scottish Apprenticeship week in March, fenestration specialist Sidey is set to officially launch its Training Academy.
In response to the declining skilled labour market, the company decided to create the Sidey Training Academy and begin an associated Modern Apprenticeship Program with the intention of growing its workforce and promising long term security of employment, to those engaged within it.

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.