Heating is expensive. Especially in winter. You can blame basic thermodynamics for this. The tendency for heat to radiate outwards and try its hardest to escape as temperature levels normalize in a region is a basic fact of life. As a direct result of this, heating a room can be
Located along the Vltava river, Prague’s Dancing House is a hotspot for tourists and admirers of architecture. While its sloping structure gives the illusion that the building is dancing, the design offers nothing in the way of structural benefit. But would a building without such an eye-catching design feature gain
As we collectively begin to map our recovery from the Covid-19 crisis, the ways the UK will achieve the target of net-zero carbon by 2050 is coming into sharper focus. Here Elaine Toogood, head of architecture at MPA The Concrete Centre and contributor to built environment event Futurebuild explores the
In June 2017, a 220-bed Holiday Inn Express opened in Manchester — just 38 weeks after construction began. Modular construction continues to reach new heights, but the industry must still consider ways to make commercial buildings stronger, safer and more environmentally friendly. Here, Nick Cowley managing director of aluminium building
The Co-operative Group’s headquarters in Manchester exhibits world-class sustainability, with features such as exposed concrete that acts as a thermal sponge, a rainwater recycling system and a cogeneration combined heat and power (CHP) biofuel boiler. With sustainable commercial buildings on the rise, which eco-friendly features should designers invest in? Here
Wavin, the UK’s leading manufacturer of plastic pipe systems, has launched StormForce – an innovative single-source solution to stormwater management. Developed to streamline the stormwater management supply chain, StormForce will see Wavin handle the entire design, supply and installation of stormwater tanks and their associated infrastructure, from capture and attenuation
~ Endurawood releases infographic on how aluminium supports the construction industry’s environmental footprint ~ UK building and outdoor living product supplier Endurawood has released an infographic outlining the benefits of aluminium as a construction material. The supplier, which specialises in wood-effect aluminium products for applications including cladding, decking and architectural
Welsh-manufactured Durisol UK is supplying the primary construction materials for the first phase of a new Cambridgeshire housing development. Cityglades at Ditton Meadows, Cambridge, is a development of 14 two, three and four-bedroom homes. Each home is complete with a self-learning system that can adapt heating, lighting and security according
Safeguard Europe’s Dryzone high-performance plasters collection is a range of breathable modern plasters designed to stop salt migration and aid drying on damp walls. All four variants in the plaster range have been scientifically developed and tested to provide excellent resistance to hygroscopic salts whilst providing a highly breathable surface.
The built environment contributes around 40% of the UK’s total carbon footprint. Unfortunately, around half of this is from the energy used in buildings. Whilst many newly constructed dwellings are designed to be more energy-efficient, a major priority is decarbonising the existing building stock, of which 80% will still be
Heating is expensive. Especially in winter. You can blame basic thermodynamics for this. The tendency for heat to radiate outwards and try its hardest to escape as temperature levels normalize in a region is a basic fact of life. As a direct result of this, heating a room can be an incredibly wasteful endeavour. In order to ensure you’re not pouring money down the drain, there’s a couple of different things you can do. Even if you have enough money to throw around, taking a few minutes to ensure you’re being energy efficient is something that you might want to get into the habit of. Especially as energy efficiency regulations and evaluations become more common across the globe. Bleeding Radiators This is something that you can do very quickly and easily. But it can make the biggest difference in terms of improving just how efficient your heating system is. No system is perfect by any means. Even inowadays, as time goes by, pockets of air can build up at the top of your radiator. These pockets of air prevent your radiator from being filled entirely with hot water. As a direct result, your radiators won’t heat up as quickly and might not get as warm as you’d like. Debris can also build up throughout your entire heating system. This can be flushed out by bleeding and refilling your system a handful of times. Radiator Reflectors Radiator reflectors are a cheap and relatively simple innovation. Radiators are relatively efficient in the sense that most of them are room facing. But there’s still one key part of the radiator that often goes to waste – the back end. Radiator reflectors mount on top of your radiator and travel down the back. They stop heat from being radiated backwards into the wall and reflect it back towards the rest of the room. A simple and cheap solution that can help you save a few pounds that, otherwise, would go towards wasted energy. Upgrading Radiators If the steps above don’t net you enough of an increase in efficiency, it might be time to consider upgrading. There’s a massive variety of companies out there that produce high quality and modern radiators. Looking to upgrade, I went with Trade radiators which are a good choice if you’re also thinking about redecorating. There’s enough variety in there to have you set up for pretty much any aesthetic you could have planned out. Modern Heating Controls These are a must for anyone who’s worrying about efficiency too. Most modern heating control systems are wireless now, which can be a bit of a double edged sword. Losing your remote, for instance, can be a nightmare, especially if you’ve set your heating up on a timer. Most modern heating control systems are relatively cheap. They’ll often allow you to program your heating in time with you waking up in the morning, arrive home from work or for any of the other times you’ll find yourself coming and going. Ensure your systems have frost control settings. If you’re off on holiday during the winter, you’re going to want to enable this. Frost control will only kick in when the temperature in your system drops low enough for the pipes to freeze. Water expands as it freezes, which can make your pipes burst. By setting up your frost control system, you will be protecting not only your pipes and heating systems, but your whole house.
Located along the Vltava river, Prague’s Dancing House is a hotspot for tourists and admirers of architecture. While its sloping structure gives the illusion that the building is dancing, the design offers nothing in the way of structural benefit. But would a building without such an eye-catching design feature gain the same appreciation? Here, Nick Cowley, managing director at exterior cladding and outdoor living product supplier Endurawood, explains how cladding can take building design to new levels. Cladding has been popular in the construction industry for decades. It offers many benefits including thermal insulation, weatherproofing and protection of the building’s structure. Cladding does not support the structure of a building, but instead acts as a second skin to the exterior. The National BIM Library (NBS) categorises cladding into categories such as H10 for patent glazing, H21 for timber weatherboarding and H51 for natural stone slab features. While cladding offers a range of practical benefits, its design potential is often overlooked. All a façade Apart from adding style and colour to a building’s design, cladding can also be used as an architectural enhancement. Building design is important and, particularly for high rise structures, it can be difficult to distinguish one building from the next. Cladding can transform a usually overlooked building intoan eye-catching display. While cladding is traditionally applied to the entire exterior of the building, it can be used to decorate and accentuate specific areas. A façade is a simple addition that can dramatically improve the appearance of a building. For example, The Center for Wellbeing in Edinburgh, Scotland used timber cladding to create a 3D façade of the organisation’s name, Thistle. The façade creates an exterior that provides a friendly welcome, just like the staff on the inside. Low maintenance Unlike other common exterior finishes such as pebbledash or paint, which can become tarnished from weather conditions, cladding is built to last. As one of the main purposes of installing cladding is to provide a weatherproof barrier for the building, cladding must be able to withstand harsh weather conditions. While some cladding materials are naturally more durable than others, they still require additional treatments to increase their durability. These treatments can vary depending on the material. Aluminium cladding from Endurawood is corrosion, freeze and frost resistant and non-porous. Aluminium reacts with oxygen in the air, which forms a thin layer of oxide on the surface of the material. This works to eradicate corrosion caused by moisture, pollution and mould growth, which reduces maintenance and costs, maintaining the building’s design. Refurb over replace Typically, some building refurbishments require a substantial amount of work when undergoing upgrades. However, minor refurbishments to the exterior can be resolved with cladding. Using cladding to refurb is a quick way to improve the appearance of a building. Building Abseiling techniques allows virtually any job to be carried out by our experienced technicians on buildings or structures without the need for expensive and disruptive methods, such as scaffolding or cradles Cladding is versatile enough to be applied by a homeowner or installer for larger projects and is usually applied with ease, which means it’s ideal for both home and large-scale refurbishments. Without its unique design, it’s unlikely that the Czech capital’s dancing landmark would attract as many tourists as it does today. While architects must always consider the structural performance of building materials, design remains an important consideration. Alongside its weatherproofing and insulation benefits, cladding can help take building design to new levels.
As we collectively begin to map our recovery from the Covid-19 crisis, the ways the UK will achieve the target of net-zero carbon by 2050 is coming into sharper focus. Here Elaine Toogood, head of architecture at MPA The Concrete Centre and contributor to built environment event Futurebuild explores the role of the UK concrete and cement industry in tackling climate change. The UK built environment sector’s aspirations to ‘Build Back Better’ are rightly centred on delivering positive social, environmental, and economic outcomes. But it’s critical that decisions are based on clear facts, accurate data and shared action. As much as construction needs to avoid a carbon rebound in the short term, it’s equally vital that we plot a clear course now for the longer journey — to achieve a meaningful net zero. Those that design our buildings and infrastructure, as well as the people that shape our legislation, must therefore have their actions informed by data and evidence rather than purely by rhetoric. It’s no secret that in some quarters there are currently widely held misperceptions and negativity around the use of concrete. In reality, concrete often remains the right choice of material due to numerous critical performance benefits including its sustainability, passive cooling potential, and flood and fire resistance. The facts are important. Global figures are often quoted, almost always missing the fact that 95 per cent of the concrete used in the UK is manufactured here, using locally and responsibly sourced materials. The UK concrete and cement industry has a strong track record. It has been measuring and reporting on various sustainability metrics for over a decade now, already having delivered a 53 per cent reduction in absolute carbon dioxide emissions since 1990 — meaning it is decarbonising faster than the UK economy as a whole. This clearly isn’t the end of the journey. The UK concrete and cement industry is fully committed to delivering net zero, reducing emissions from production and supporting the Government’s target. Taking action Critically, the concrete and cement industry plans to do this without offsetting emissions or offshoring production facilities. It believes that net zero should be achieved by reducing emissions from the construction materials manufactured in the UK, rather than by simply replacing these with imports and moving the problem abroad. The aim should be to retain jobs and economic value in the UK whilst ensuring that the UK takes responsibility for the emissions it creates. This collective early action by industry means it is already possible to construct buildings and homes with a lower environmental impact across their long lifetimes by using contemporary low carbon concrete. However, the truth is that many projects are currently conceived without adequate consideration and measurement of whole lifecycle carbon impacts. All too often short-term embodied carbon in building material selection takes precedence over the carbon emitted across the full lifecycle of an asset. Specification decisions and carbon measurement should rather consider the longer-term operational performance of a building or structure, together with its flexibility to adapt to its users’ needs and recyclability at the end of life — as well as the materials used to construct it. Lifecycle Carbon Assessment To do this however, it’s essential to have more, better informed and intelligent conversations about material specification, adopting responsibly sourced, sustainable supply chains and an increased focus on Lifecycle Carbon Assessment (LCA). While LCA has great potential, it’s clear that more data transparency and robust, consistent standards are needed. Uncertainties, assumptions, and omissions in LCA studies and environmental product declarations (EPDs) suggest that accurate and like-for-like comparisons across building materials are still extremely complex. Currently, these studies are not facts but interpretations — with multiple variables and estimated calculations — and so should be treated as such. Urgent attention needs to be given to developing robust LCA techniques and standards to ensure carbon is assessed evenly and in the most effective way, and not informed by a material bias based on perceptions and should focus assessment at a building level. It’s equally important that material efficiency and building longevity are put at the heart of design so that we build less and invest resources more efficiently. This is an essential part of a future circular economy and key to unlocking greener, more sustainable assets and infrastructure. This is particularly key as society continues to adapt to climate change, where we need to ensure our buildings help to look after us, save energy and are appropriately designed to cope with future weather conditions. By building with concrete we can take advantage of its potential to reduce maintenance needs and greatly enhance energy efficiency through its use of thermal mass. Now more than ever, we need to be applying measures to help ensure long term resilience to overheating as a result of climate change. Of all the adaptation measures, a building’s fabric, along with its form and orientation, are the most fundamental to get right. End of life When it comes to end of life, there are no unknowns with concrete. It is 100 per cent recyclable and can be crushed for reuse as a cost-effective material for hard core or used as a recycled aggregate in new concrete. Despite construction waste often being framed in terms of ‘tonnes of concrete’, in truth all is reused and almost none ever goes to landfill. Moreover, 90 per cent of hard construction and demolition waste is recycled as aggregates. Looking forward, R&D teams are working to deliver a wave of innovative new concrete solutions. Already, high-performance concretes that are lightweight, ultra-thin and thermally insulating are helping architects and engineers to shape a safe, exciting and sustainable built environment that uses less primary finite resources. Pollution eating, self-healing, water permeable and bioreceptive concretes are just some of the wave of new materials being developed that in time will further contribute to lowering emissions, and a greener urban environment. Together, all of this work can drive decarbonisation. It should also help to drive more informed and intelligent conversations about
In June 2017, a 220-bed Holiday Inn Express opened in Manchester — just 38 weeks after construction began. Modular construction continues to reach new heights, but the industry must still consider ways to make commercial buildings stronger, safer and more environmentally friendly. Here, Nick Cowley managing director of aluminium building product supplier Endurawood, explains why modular builders should use aluminium to enhance their commercial construction projects. Considering the Census Bureau’s 2019 Survey of Construction states seven months as the average completion time for a single-family home, constructing an entire hotel in less than ten months is impressively rapid. As well as helping to produce more residential buildings, modular construction is aiding the production of many commercial buildings. School classrooms, restaurants, hotels and public offices are being constructed using modular methods of construction (MMC). MMC provide many advantages, such as quicker completion times and reduced waste, but considering the materials used in the project can optimise projects even further. Aluminium is lighter than many traditional construction metals, making it easier to manage on and offsite. This, alongside several other benefits, helps to support the quick completion times that modular builds are renowned for. Minimal maintenance Originally developed as a solution to quickly rebuild homes after the Second World War, modular builds face the misconception of being temporary structures. However, if the correct materials are considered at the start of a commercial project, the end result can be as durable as the modular build’s neighbouring shops and offices. While commonly used metals such as iron and steel must be treated with a substance containing a corrosion inhibitor, using a naturally corrosion resistant material will lengthen a modular build’s lifespan. Aluminium gains natural corrosion resistance from a layer of aluminium oxide that forms on its surface when it’s exposed to the atmosphere. This layer protects the material from further oxidation, enhancing its resistance against weather conditions and chemicals. Aluminium’s natural protection benefits commercial buildings for numerous reasons. Firstly, it increases the durability of the building, reducing maintenance and therefore keeping refurbishment costs down for the building owner. Secondly, using aluminium preserves the building’s design, making it appear newer for longer. In an increasingly competitive market, people are more conscious about appearance and design of the facilities they use. Rust can diminish the exterior of a building, making it less likely to appeal to customers than a building that looks brand new. Supporting sustainability Prefabricated buildings are far easier to disassemble and relocate to different sites, thanks to their pre-assembled parts. Therefore, if a building has become obsolete or disused, its modular parts can be repurposed so that they don’t go to waste. If modular construction techniques became the norm, the requirement for new raw materials would be substantially reduced. This makes modular buildings inherently more sustainable, but project managers can further boost the sustainability of their commercial project by considering material choice. Sustainable materials are especially important when designing new modules, which have not been recycled from past projects. Aluminium is an infinitely recyclable building material, meaning it can be reused multiple times without diminishing its original qualities. In fact, nearly 75 per cent of all aluminium ever produced is still in use today. Replacing emission-heavy metals with aluminium can help to reduce the carbon footprint of a commercial modular project. Choosing aluminium can further boost the sustainability of a building by reducing its energy output. Aluminium absorbs heat and is freeze and frost resistant, making options such as external aluminium cladding a thermally efficient alternative that could help to lower a building’s heating bills. Securing safety Finally, aluminium can improve the safety of a commercial building. Regardless of a building’s purpose, safety must always be at the forefront of its design. We’re aware of the disasters that have occurred when material safety standards have not been met, and it’s vital that these inconceivable mistakes never occur. While aluminium is not fireproof, it acts as a flame retardant when it starts to melt. This means that aluminium provides additional protection against the flames, reducing the potential damage to the building and those inside it. All Endurawood products are manufactured to meet international fire safety standards and its decking systems are highly slip resistant. Endurawood can be applied to many areas of a commercial building, such as decorative external battens to improve building design, for outdoor decking areas and for privacy enclosures to conceal building waste. Endurawood delivers safety in all conditions, providing the peace of mind for those involved in the construction and use of the building. Modular construction brings many advantages to the construction industry, but using materials that can enhance the method’s advantages is key. Aluminium can create a commercial property that is more sustainable, safer and with less maintenance requirements — achieving a build that can match the dizzyingly fast heights of modular’s existing success stories.
The Co-operative Group’s headquarters in Manchester exhibits world-class sustainability, with features such as exposed concrete that acts as a thermal sponge, a rainwater recycling system and a cogeneration combined heat and power (CHP) biofuel boiler. With sustainable commercial buildings on the rise, which eco-friendly features should designers invest in? Here Nick Cowley, managing director at aluminium building product supplier, Endurawood, explores the options. In 2018, the business sector accounted for 18 per cent of overall UK carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. With the race to combat climate change on, businesses are looking for ways to lower their environmental impact. With the building and construction industry accounting for almost 40 per cent of global emissions, building re-design is a good starting point. Fortunately, many sustainability changes also benefit a business’s bottom line. Renewable energy systems Large commercial buildings can hold thousands of workers, and therefore require a large amount of heating and power. It’s important to put systems in place to save these resources where possible, and source them in a more sustainable way. Building managers must ensure all equipment uses the most up to date technology, which can significantly increase efficiency. For example, air source heat pumps (ASHPs) can absorb heat from the outside air, which is renewable, and use it to heat the internal building. This heating method is highly efficient, with every one kilowatt (kW) of electricity supplied producing two to three kW of heat. The process can also provide air cooling and water heating depending on the model, and even work in minus temperatures. Another way to source your own renewable energy is to install solar panels. Solar panels emit no carbon emissions and use zero water in operation. Installing solar panels has the additional benefit of lowering energy costs, as you aren’t subject to energy supplier prices. Producing your own solar energy can save between six to ten pence per kilowatt hour (kWh). Extra insulation Energy usage by the UK commercial sector increased by 258 kilotonnes of oil equivalent (ktoe) between 2017 to 2018. An impactful way to reduce the figure is to increase building efficiency. Building managers should ensure all windows are rated A for efficiency. Strategic placement of the windows can confer other benefits, such as increased daylight, which naturally warms rooms and further lowers the use of electricity. An additional option is the installation of window films, which can add an extra layer of insulation and even reflect unwanted solar energy to reduce air cooling energy requirements. External cladding can provide further insulation, while protecting the building from weather damage. Cladding can also be used for architectural enhancement, giving the building a sleek and unique look. Green solutions Green roofs, also known as living roofs, involve covering flat or slightly-sloped roofs with a waterproof membrane and then cultivating a layer of vegetation on top. The systems deliver an environmental benefit by removing CO2 from the surrounding air and lowering energy usage by adding extra building insulation. Living roofs also present ecological benefits because they can provide a steppingstone habitat for wildlife. Business benefits include lower energy bills and increased soundproofing, with just twelve centimetres (cm) of substrate reducing sound by around 40 decibels (dB). Additionally, a rain harvesting system can be fitted to the top of the building. Rain harvesting systems collect rainwater that falls into the gutter and transport it to a storage tank. The stored rainwater can be pumped out when needed, and used for various, non-potable uses such as flushing toilets. By incorporating rainwater into the building’s water supply, reliance on mains water supply can be reduced by around 40 per cent. Eco building materials Embodied carbon is a significant concern in the construction industry, which is already renowned for its high levels of emissions. And it’s not just carbon we should worry about, building materials can use glues and solvents that contain volatile organic compounds (VOC), which can form ozone and particulates in the atmosphere, as well as being harmful to human and animal health. In addition, large volumes of building materials can go to waste, ending up in landfills. The UK Government’s most recent figures found that construction, demolition and excavation generated 62 per cent of waste in 2016. To combat this waste, sustainable buildings must be built using materials that have a lower environmental impact. Widely recyclable materials, for example, are an ideal starting place for designers that require durable materials that are better from a recyclability standpoint. Aluminium has one of the highest recycling rates of any metal, namely because its scrap still contains a high value. This means that used aluminium can be melted and reused, without diminishing its original qualities. Furthermore, recycling aluminium only requires five per cent of the energy consumed during its initial creation, and recycling one tonne of the material saves 15,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, making excellent environmental and financial sense. Endurawood is an aluminium building material that looks like wood, and can be used in a range of building applications, such as cladding, railings and enclosures. We believe that greener is better, and use VOC free coatings and lead-free finishes in all our products. Endurawood’s weather resistance and superior durability means it will remain flawless for years to come, but when end of life arrives, it’s 100 per cent recyclable. The Co-operative Group’s Manchester headquarters sets a shining example of sustainability, and with businesses becoming increasingly conscious of their environmental impact, many are following in their footsteps. By incorporating features such as green roofs and solar panels, and using environmentally friendly building materials, commercial buildings can become more sustainable and work towards a greener future.
Wavin, the UK’s leading manufacturer of plastic pipe systems, has launched StormForce – an innovative single-source solution to stormwater management. Developed to streamline the stormwater management supply chain, StormForce will see Wavin handle the entire design, supply and installation of stormwater tanks and their associated infrastructure, from capture and attenuation to dispersal. With StormForce, Wavin aims to simplify project management, increase efficiencies and minimise risk for developers, contractors and civil engineers when it comes to implementing quality sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) within essential infrastructure. As part of the end-to-end service, Wavin will first consult and advise on site, identifying and resolving site-specific issues and ensuring compliance with statutory and environmental regulations and best practice, before value-engineering the optimum design. The required products and components will then be manufactured by Wavin to the highest standards and then finally installed by fully trained and accredited StormForce partners. The installation will also be underpinned with a five-year warranty. BBA-approved stormwater systems available as part of the StormForce service include Q-Bic Plus, the most accessible, inspectable and cleanable attenuation tank on the market, compliant with Ofwat’s new Design & Construction Guidance; AquaCell, the ultimate modular solution for a variety of applications, from landscaped to heavily trafficked areas; and a range of inspection chambers and accessories. Martin Lambley, product manager for stormwater management at Wavin, said: “The industry has needed a solution like StormForce for a long time, and we’re delighted to now offer a turnkey solution for customers when it comes to stormwater management. With every detail managed by Wavin under a single contract, developers no longer need to coordinate multiple providers or worry about elements not being completed on time or to the right standard. “By handing the responsibility over to Wavin, customers can have total confidence that the project is being taken care of by stormwater specialists, and that, from start to finish, all aspects will be taken care of efficiently, to the highest quality and in accordance with industry regulations and best practice.” Stewart McKechnie, site agent at Nationwide Engineering, an initial StormForce client, said: “StormForce really does deliver. One-source supply and surface water management is totally sorted, so we can get on with the build. It’s fast, compliant, sustainable and top quality – what more could you want?” To book a consultation or get a quick estimate with Wavin’s dedicated stormwater management experts, visit www.wavin.co.uk/stormforce
~ Endurawood releases infographic on how aluminium supports the construction industry’s environmental footprint ~ UK building and outdoor living product supplier Endurawood has released an infographic outlining the benefits of aluminium as a construction material. The supplier, which specialises in wood-effect aluminium products for applications including cladding, decking and architectural facades, understands the multiple advantages of using aluminium over traditional building materials. Currently, the construction, operation and maintenance of the built environment accounts for 45 per cent of the UK’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions — a figure that demonstrates the industry’s impact on the environment. Concrete, steel and timber are globally used building materials that have been trusted in the construction of buildings for years. These materials, however, can prove harmful to the environment — with concrete responsible for eight per cent of the world’s CO2 emissions, steel production claimed to be one of the most carbon emitting industrial processes in the world and the use of timber, which encourages deforestation. Aluminium is formed through chemical extraction of bauxite, an ore that is mined to create alumina, which is smelted to form pure aluminium. Although this process emits CO2 emissions,aluminium is highly recyclable. Apart from its environmental benefits, aluminium is also lightweight and naturally corrosion resistant. “The potential that aluminium has to improve the quality of a build, plus reduce overall emissions, is greatly underestimated,” said Endurawood’s managing director, Nick Cowley. “Aluminium’s inherent corrosion resistance can improve the durability and quality of a build and its lightweight means that it’s more manageable onsite. This requires less energy and transport to handle the material to and from site, helping to further reduce fuel consumption in the industry. “Its lightweight property also makes aluminium a suitable candidate in modular and offsite construction, as the easy installation and handling of aluminium supports quicker completion times that modular construction is renowned for. “While the production of any metal is not hazard free, the effects of aluminium production can be counteracted by its circularity potential — a quality that is not applicable to building materials such as concrete. Endurawood uses volatile organic compound (VOC) free coatings and lead-free finishes, making it more environmentally friendly to use,” added Cowley. “The UK’s population is expected to reach 70 million by 2031, increasing the demand for more buildings and homes. With almost half of emissions produced attributed to the built environment, it’s vital the industry makes changes to reduce this figure. Relying on a lightweight, eco-friendly building material such as aluminium, could certainly help to support this.” For more information about Endurawood’s products, applications and the advantages of aluminium, visit www.endurawood.co.uk and download the infographic.
Welsh-manufactured Durisol UK is supplying the primary construction materials for the first phase of a new Cambridgeshire housing development. Cityglades at Ditton Meadows, Cambridge, is a development of 14 two, three and four-bedroom homes. Each home is complete with a self-learning system that can adapt heating, lighting and security according to the owner’s routines, therefore saving time, money and the environment. “It’s a pleasure to work with an emerging and ambitious house builder that has the vision to embrace new technologies and help move the industry forward, for the benefit of all stakeholders,” said Neil Bussey, Durisol UK’s managing director. In line with embracing cutting-edge technology, Cambridge-based development company This Land is departing from traditional build methods and building eleven of the first phase homes from Durisol insulated concrete formwork (ICF), a woodcrete ICF made from recycled wood. “As a responsible developer, we must do what we can for the environment, so we are delighted to be using this modern method of construction. It means our homes will hold more heat in, and our customers will benefit from using less energy,” added Dave Gelling, managing director at This Land. The Durisol will introduce thermal efficiency and performance in the new build homes.
Safeguard Europe’s Dryzone high-performance plasters collection is a range of breathable modern plasters designed to stop salt migration and aid drying on damp walls. All four variants in the plaster range have been scientifically developed and tested to provide excellent resistance to hygroscopic salts whilst providing a highly breathable surface. They have been shown to out-perform both competing renovation plasters and sand/cement renders. The pre-blended plasters – Dryzone Damp-Resistant Plaster, Fast-Set Plaster and Hi-Lime Renovation and Hi-Lime Finishing Plaster – form part of the Dryzone System for replastering after Dryzone Damp-Proofing Cream or Dryrod Damp-Proofing Rods have been used to create a remedial damp proof course. The plasters are ideal for replacing existing plaster that has already deteriorated (having already also tackled the cause of the damp); or for use in new-build and conversion projects to limit potential damage caused by minor ingress of dampness during the lifetime of the building. They are also suitable for use in other situations where residual damp will be present, such as after treatment for penetrating damp or as part of a flood repair project. These highly effective Safeguard renovation plasters can be applied to walls while they are still damp and, by controlling salt migration and allowing walls to dry out by evaporation, the walls achieve a higher thermal resistance, reducing the risk of future condensation. New to the range is Dryzone Fast-Set Plaster, which cures in around two hours and is suitable where speed of application is crucial, such as where tenants may have to be decanted or where disruption needs to be minimised. It is also ideal for smaller areas, repairs and dubbing out uneven walls. Like its stablemates, Dryzone Damp-Resistant Plaster has a porous structure which controls salt migration, allows walls to dry out by evaporation. However, it provides enhanced salt protection compared with competing products and is so especially suited for use on highly salt and damp contaminated walls. The Hi-Lime Renovation Plaster and Hi-Lime Finishing Plaster are especially suitable in heritage situations. As, in the presence of rising or penetrating damp, lime plasters can start to fail and are not as breathable, modern hybrid materials such as the Hi-Lime Plaster pairing are far more effective. Tests have shown the hi-lime plasters allow up to 40% more water transmission than a traditional mix of 3:1 sand and lime and up to 240% more than 3:1 sand and cement over a 14-day period. Dryzone Damp-Resistant Plaster and Dryzone Fast-Set Plaster have been shown, also over two weeks, to diffuse over 80% and 70% more water vapour than 3:1 sand and lime, respectively too. Other properties include a low compressive strength, ensuring that the plaster can easily be removed later without damaging underlying brickwork. The Damp-Resistant Plaster, Hi-Lime Renovation Plaster and Hi-Lime Finishing Plaster also offer conformity to the EN998-1 CE Standard as ‘Renovation Mortars’. With a complete range of renovation plasters within the Dryzone System, Safeguard now offers a complete suite of products to deliver – post-damp cause diagnosis – permanent damp proofing solutions, from preventing moisture ingress through to specialist replastering and mould-resistant decorating materials.
The built environment contributes around 40% of the UK’s total carbon footprint. Unfortunately, around half of this is from the energy used in buildings. Whilst many newly constructed dwellings are designed to be more energy-efficient, a major priority is decarbonising the existing building stock, of which 80% will still be standing when the UK is to meet its carbon-neutral status by 2050. In light of Energy Efficiency Day, Stacey Lucas from Sontay explains how the presence of building sensors optimise energy performance in both new and older buildings, driving the stock towards the all-important smartness and efficiency that is essential to the current and future health of our environment. Building sensors, installed as part of an efficient central management system, offer an ingeniously smart and effective way of remotely monitoring elements such as temperature, air quality and ventilation. In doing so, not only do they help maintain a healthy indoor climate for the occupiers’ comfort and peace of mind, sensors give property owners more agency over energy usage; a benefit that not only helps reduce heating and lighting costs, but also facilitates a significant reduction in a building’s carbon footprint. Their usage could therefore be crucial in driving environmental initiatives, such as the UK government’s pledge for carbon-neutral status by 2050. It is in no doubt, then, that sensors have found themselves at the heart of what we call smart buildings. According to the ‘Smart Building: Energy efficiency application’ document produced by the European Commission’s Digital Transformation Monitor, a smart building is defined as ‘a set of communication technologies enabling different objects, sensors and functions within a building to communicate and interact with each other and also to be managed, controlled and automated in a remote way.’ Sensors are smart devices that sense when and how a building’s energy performance can be adapted, consistently monitoring, measuring and evaluating data which feeds into a central management or control system. The rise of smart sensors A control system’s sustenance, sensors play an essential role in the energy-efficient operation of a smart building. Sontay’s smart sensors in particular offer full environmental sensing in a single device. This ingenious sensor can measure a myriad of elements including temperature, RH, CO2, light level, and occupancy or local devices independently. Typically, traditional sensors require up to seven cable inputs into a controller, making for a lengthy installation. A Sontay smart sensor, however, only needs a single cable connection to perform the same duty with greater efficiency, and can be mapped to any device or freely programmed into a building’s network. Efficiency can also be related to the health and wellbeing of occupants, as well as the climate. In terms of air quality, airborne volatile organic compounds (VOC), pollutants which are found in paints and other building materials, are known to have a detrimental effect. The same harmful chemicals are also present in hand sanitisers, aggressive cleaning products and detergents, the demand for which has been unprecedented since the onset of the coronavirus crisis. Air quality sensors are able to measure VOC levels and alert the control system or occupants of the need to take action when a potentially hazardous reading is recorded to allow for ventilation to kick in. There are also sensors available which prevent the unwelcome pervasion of CO2 in an over-inhabited space. A CO2 sensor with an LED traffic light-style display is a potential remedy for this issue. When showing green, the sensor is indicating that a room isn’t over-occupied and the risk to air quality is low. Should the sensor show amber, it’s a sign that windows require opening or fewer people need to be in the room to maintain the same healthy indoor environment. When the sensor turns red it is a call to action, as it indicates there is not enough ventilation and possible over occupancy in the room. At these last two stages, if a sensor is connected to a building management system, it will activate relevant ventilation procedure in order to ensure a space’s occupants do not feel uncomfortable. Controlling a whole host of elements including heating, cooling and lighting, smart building sensors can ensure dwellings run as energy efficiently as possible. Although small in size, sensors offer fierce capability, and will go some way to enabling both new and older buildings perform well into the future, for the benefit of our beloved environment. It only seems natural, therefore, to celebrate the humble building sensor on this Energy Efficiency Day.