external works

Housing associations can strengthen their supply chain by partnering with roof system manufacturers who go further.

The provision of proven product systems, a wide-ranging product portfolio and accessible technical support are roof manufacturing ‘must haves’. It helps the housing association sector balance cost, efficiency and sustainability considerations when it comes to developing low carbon, energy efficient homes for tenants.

Imparting best practice specification, encouraging design skills and sharing essential product knowledge so the next generation of professionals deliver well designed, warm and sustainable future homes for the housing association sector, highlights the importance of manufacturers taking a wider view.

Access to local investment funding has enabled Cornwall based housing providers to access financial and sustainability benefits, leading to the use of Marley’s full roof system with integrated solar panels.

Charitable social housing provider, Coastline Housing, based in Redruth, Cornwall, is committed to tackling ongoing housing challenges for the local population. 

Empire View and Gantry Court are nine-storey residential blocks close to the centre of Southampton. Due to fire safety concerns, in 2021 works began to replace the existing bricks works, replacing with a rainscreen cladding system.

One of the greatest modern challenges for housing developers is the sustainable management of surface water runoff, with more than 3.2 million properties at risk of flooding in England1.

The social and economic costs of flooding are high, and the Association of British Insurers believes that annual losses could reach £1.4 billion by 2040 – much of which is attributed to urban flooding. The surface water management action plan, standardised by Local Government, outlines key principles for residential designers and developers to comply with, to ensure sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) are
in place.

Hazel Verschuere, building products director from Deeplas, highlights some of the wide-ranging PVC-U product choices that can deliver budgetary and operational advantages for housing associations.

Housing associations must continually optimise the support and services they provide, while at the same time delivering high levels of tenant comfort and satisfaction.

As a result, it is important product specification choices take account of upfront costs, material performance, aesthetics, and ongoing maintenance commitments. Of these, any reduction in repair and maintenance can help cut financial pressures.

The Dulux Trade Commercial Colour Services team has been hailed for their expert design support on a council owned social housing regeneration programme that saw residents take a lead role in decision-making.

The initiative by Exeter City Council followed the principles of their Better Homes For Local People strategy that promises full and transparent consultation and involvement with those affected by building and renovation projects from the outset.

With the changing climate, the past three years have seen an upsurge in subsidence affecting housing in the UK and this trend will continue. With 2.5 million properties, Housing Association's require a fast solution that mitigates the need for properties to remain vacant or tenants decanting. In 2018-19 the government reported 2,674 cases of solid wall repairs to their local authority stock of 1.5m homes, with 3,900 planned repairs for 2020. If only half of these cases are subsidence, at an average repair cost of £6000, that equates to a £10m+ annual subsidence repair bill. By applying the government figures to the 2.5m HA stock, annual subsidence repair costs could be anywhere between £20-30m. Furthermore, when those figures are considered over decades over £300million could be spent.