Author Archives: Kimberley Musson

Collard Towers, Hilton, Cambridgeshire

Seasoned self-builders Sarah and Rob Collard have designed and built not just one family home but two, the second being ‘Collard Towers’. Sarah says, “A few years ago we bought a plot of land, demolished the existing house and self-built... View Article

Easy-to-use wall access loft ladder for modern family home

This New Forest family home features an impressive double-height landing space. A small hatch positioned 2.65m above the floor-level provides access to the loft, which offers useful storage and contains the boiler. The homeowners wanted easy access to the loft.... View Article

Haddonstone stars in 19th century church restoration

A two-year project to repair and extend a popular Greek Orthodox church in Hertfordshire has involved a variety of traditional trade skills and conservation techniques, as well as the sourcing of materials to match the style of the existing structure.... View Article

On the move – decorative casings for transport hubs

When it comes to durable and decorative casings for transport projects, the extensive Encasement range has them covered. The high volume and constant footfall created by passengers, imposes specific demands on column casings and wall linings, as they need to... View Article

King Edward IV Multi Academy Trust – Case Study

Forming part of the King Edward VI Multi Academy Trust, are two Camp Hill institutions for Boys and Girls. As part of the campus there are a number of outdoor pitches to cater for a plethora of sporting activities. Despite... View Article

Material Specification and Decision Making

Numerous considerations influence the selection of building materials, including aesthetics, performance, sustainability, costs, and a myriad of other factors. This survey endeavours to delve into the primary elements guiding Housebuilders’ choices regarding building materials, exploring how specific qualities and external... View Article

Fusing headline performance with massive running cost savings

A new ventilation with heat recovery option can achieve performance better than anything else on the market, meaning massive savings on energy bills. MFS-HR is the concept of the UK’s leading independent commercial air movement specialist, Gilberts Blackpool, who was... View Article

Vicaima Fire Doors: Safety and Innovation in harmony

In the realm of fire safety, Vicaima has established itself as a leading manufacturer of fire doors, setting new standards in the industry. With a commitment to quality and performance, Vicaima has consistently demonstrated its ability to produce fire doors... View Article

Design & aesthetics in hardened wood flooring

with Emanuel Lidberg In association with Bjelin, James Parker speaks to Emanuel Lidberg, head of design at Bjelin’s sister company, Välinge Innovation. In a very entertaining discussion with the timber flooring design specialist, James discovers why keeping up with fleeting... View Article

We need to look at lifespans, not one-use buildings

Across millennia, buildings have been altered to meet changing needs. Recent centuries have seen Georgian and Victorian houses become highly sought-after for their flexibility, enduring character and build quality. The potential of old factory and mill buildings has also been... View Article

SFS Highfix handles challenges of PV install on low pitch roofs

SFS Group Fastening Technology Ltd has drawn on its expertise in the field of fall protection to offer specifiers a foolproof and cost-effective solution to mounting photo-voltaic (PV) systems on flat or low-pitched roofs.  Importantly the Highfix product not only features the... View Article

Compelling reasons to encourage retrofit first

David Connacher, Marketing Manager at West Fraser, discusses the immediate need to retrofit our buildings to make them energy efficient and sustainable. The need to retrofit our buildings through improvements that make them energy efficient and sustainable into the future... View Article