Posts

The 2017 Grenfell Tower tragedy permanently altered the UK construction sector. Deep-rooted systemic issues with building design, specification, and regulation were revealed by the ensuing public investigation. Lessons learnt from Grenfell are still changing the building environment almost ten years later. For developers, funders, insurers, and building control authorities alike, fire safety is of the […]

Single ply roofing is becoming the go-to choice for modern flat and low-pitch roofs, but what actually is it, and why are so many projects choosing it?  If you’re planning a new build, extension or refurbishment, knowing what single ply roofing is (and what it isn’t) can help you make a smarter, longer-lasting decision.  Here, […]

Facade refurbishment will give your building a visual uplift, with smart lines, cleaner finishes and improved thermal performance. But behind the fresh cladding or renewed render is something more technical.  Working on a building’s external facade, you have to deal with access at height, structural interfaces, hidden defects, fire performance considerations, weather exposure and public […]

Before we understand racking (a key component in curtain walling), let’s discuss curtain walling itself. Curtain wall façades are exterior cladding systems used in various types of buildings, including commercial, industrial, and institutional structures.  Typically classified as a non-structural element, its main purpose is to resist external forces and provide an envelope (not to bear […]

Sustainability isn’t just a trend word; it’s a new way of thinking across many industries, and sustainable cladding materials in 2025 is just one aspect of it. When you’re comparing eco-friendly façade materials, it’s not just about how they look, but also their durability, how easily they can be repaired and whether they can be reused […]

It is absolutely vital to understand the commercial cladding regulations, and more so since the Grenfell Tower disaster. The regulations exist for safety reasons so that cladding is fire-resistant and installed correctly. Below, we take you through the most significant regulations you’ll need to understand and touch on fire safety requirements, plus materials you can […]

Cladding remediation costs refer to the expenses incurred during the replacement of unsafe external wall systems. They usually cover the investigation, design, removal and replacement of combustible cladding, as well as any interim measures needed to manage risk (e.g., waking watch) while works are being delivered. These costs became a national issue after the Grenfell Tower fire […]

Getting cladding right is a life-safety issue, and in the regulatory context of 2025, it’s also a law-related matter. Since the formal launch of the UK’s Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS) in July 2023, government funding has been specifically directed towards addressing life-safety fire hazard risks for residences over 11m tall in England. It follows the impact […]

Cladding will not only make your building’s appearance look more refined and elegant, but it can also impact its efficiency and longevity. But like any building material, lifespan isn’t guaranteed. Environmental, structural, and maintenance factors will all impact how long cladding is going to last, as well as the material choices you make. Whether you’re choosing […]

The Centre for Window and Cladding Technology (CWCT) is an organisation that sets standards for facade construction. This UK-based company, founded in Bath in 1989, has played a pivotal role in the construction industry by setting benchmarks for facade engineering. Beyond testing (which we’ll come to later), the CWCT offers a wealth of technical information. […]

Curtain wall or traditional cladding: which serves a commercial building better? It’s a question more developers are asking as UK building regulations tighten. What once was a matter of appearance is now closely tied to performance: air tightness, weather resistance, environmental efficiency, and so on. Curtain walls offer a lightweight, external skin that doesn’t load […]

Curtain walling does more than just make your commercial building look smart. These lightweight systems help to keep out wind and rain while letting in plenty of natural light. They’re not load-bearing, but they play a big part in how a building performs and feels. As energy targets tighten and building designs evolve, choosing the right […]

The UK building safety regime can be divided into two eras: pre- and post-Grenfell. The disaster, which saw 72 people killed in a high-rise fire, was labelled as the worst UK residential fire since the Blitz of World War II. Over 250 London Fire Brigade firefighters worked through the night to control the blaze, which was […]

Curtain walls are the signature element of modern architecture design. You can see them in high-rises and commercial complexes across the UK (and the world). Like every component of the building, curtain walls also have their downsides. They can develop weak links as they age, and if not maintained, can lead to problems like seal […]