Next generation coatings and paints

Mike Turner of Ian Williams looks at some of the latest trends in coatings and paint products. Over the decades, formulations and applications have changed significantly and paint continues to be a dynamic sector, contributing heavily to the sustainability, aesthetics,... View Article

Combining dry screed with underfloor heating in retrofits

Incorporating screedboard and underfloor heating in your home can provide acoustic and thermal benefits. Janeeth Devgun of CCF, offers expert insight. Landlords and facility managers are increasingly looking to install flooring solutions that are not just easy to install and maintain,... View Article

A new dawn: Lambeth Borough Council

Lambeth Council delivered its first directly developed scheme in a decade – including the complex conversion of a heritage building into six social housing flats, writes Teodora Lyubomirova. At first sight, there’s nothing unusual at the corner of the busy... View Article

Refurb to reinvigorate

Updating a bathroom is no easy undertaking, but Chris Tranter of Bristan offers advice on how to tick all the boxes. When it comes to refurbishing social housing, there are several considerations to bear in mind. While the updates should... View Article

Relieving the pressure

Stuart Pearce of GeoSmart Information explains how SuDS can help mitigate the flood risk. Improving the country’s resilience to flooding is driving the need for a new approach to managing surface water runoff. Existing drainage systems and sewers have a... View Article

A network of opportunities

District heating schemes have gained popularity across Europe, but the UK is still trailing in the adoption of this energy-efficient heating method. Louise Howlett of RA Brown explains the benefits. While district heating is widely adopted in Northern Europe, it... View Article

Ready for a climate change

A regeneration charity has gone the extra mile by climate-proofing the external spaces at several social housing estates. Hannah Baker reports. Scientists predict that climate change is likely to bring more extreme weather events to the UK, significantly increasing the... View Article

View from the top

Allan Frizzell of roofing specialists Topseal looks at how innovation in roof coverings has taken the hassle out of flat roof maintenance. Flat roofs have a long history in the UK, and their benefits in terms of affordability and ease... View Article

Locking crime out

Robust door-access control is key to a safer community. Tim Rogers of security specialists Key Management Systems reveals the options. In a world where population numbers are rising rapidly and social pressures change by the day, concerns over personal security... View Article

Lighting the way – smart solutions for social housing

Andy Davies, head of business development and specification at lighting specialists Harvard Technology, explains how one of the UK’s largest operators of affordable housing, Peabody, gave tenants improved and safer lighting across its estate, whilst delivering significant financial savings, reductions in... View Article

A smart choice for rainwater and eaves systems

Specifying cheaper products is a false economy Ongoing maintenance requirements are a huge area of expense for social housing builders and operators, so choosing durable materials and products is a must. Brian Bell of Marley Alutec, explains how to get the balance... View Article

A hot topic: choosing smoke, heat and CO alarms

When specifying for housing developments – be they public or private sector – there can be no greater concern than tenant safety. With this in mind, it’s crucial to be aware of the most effective smoke, heat and carbon monoxide... View Article

Giving old multi-storeys a new lease of life

They may have been the necessary solution to post–war housing shortages, but concrete multi-storey buildings’ structural integrity has come back to haunt planners and maintenance teams. Nic Collins of Sika explains how they can be made fit for the future.... View Article

Don’t slip up: effective choices for communal spaces

Beware taking the cheap option when it comes to busy communal spaces – it could prove to be a false economy. Martyn West of Altro advises on how to make informed specification choices based on safety, durability and reducing maintenance... View Article

Smart lighting management

New generation monitoring and management systems for indoor lighting and LED solutions are bringing significant benefits to social housing. Tim McKernan from Harvard Technology explains. Lighting, which can accounts for as much as 40 per cent of a building’s electricity bill, has... View Article

Restoring pride in social housing

Building more homes is higher on the agenda than ever before, but future-proofing must be top priority for management teams, explains William McDowell of Rockpanel Group. Social housing tower blocks are easily one of the most controversial elements of post-war... View Article