22 Building Fabric; Interiors; Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
The Building Safety Act’s principle of a ‘Golden Thread’ of information ensures that design decisions, product data, and maintenance records remain traceable throughout a building’s life
traceable throughout a building’s life. For facade design, this means evidencing not only fi re testing but also durability and maintenance planning. A system that fails prematurely can undermine both safety and sustainability,
leading to early replacement, higher embodied carbon, and greater cost. Durable, well tested assemblies help mitigate these risks by supporting consistent performance over decades.
BALANCING SAFETY, CARBON, & COST Specifi ers face the challenge of meeting safety, environmental, and economic targets simultaneously. On higher risk buildings, non-combustible or limited- combustibility materials are now the default expectation, yet these choices must also align with thermal targets and design aesthetics. Construction costs add further complexity. T e Royal Institution of
Chartered Surveyors (RICS) notes that UK material prices have risen signifi cantly, by around 30-40 % since early 2020 across many key categories. Although well tested systems can require higher upfront investment, they oſt en deliver long-term value through improved durability, reduced maintenance, and greater assurance of compliance.
THE PATH FORWARD As the regulatory landscape continues to tighten, facade compliance is best achieved through system-based design that addresses fi re, structural, thermal, and environmental performance in parallel. Full system testing, clear documentation, and lifecycle thinking now form
Cladding Remediation & Maintenance Feature
the foundation of best practice. For landlords, this means evaluating facade performance not only in laboratory conditions but across the building’s operational lifespan, linking design intent with practical verifi cation. By approaching facades as integrated systems rather than collections of
individual products, the construction industry can deliver safer, more effi cient, and lower carbon buildings that stand the test of time.
Joe Ragdale is technical director at Wetherby Wall Systems Improving the standard of fl ooring in social homes
With Beaufl or sheet vinyl, social housing providers can ensure their tenants benefi t from a welcoming fl oor that gives a better standard of living. T e positive impacts of providing social tenants with good quality fl ooring throughout their accommodation are well-documented. Flooring can help to create a ‘sense of home’, improving well-being, boosting integration and reducing loneliness, lessening fi nancial strain and giving a sense of pride. Social housing providers also benefi t, reductions in void rent loss, reduced void turnover and costs, reduced refusal rates and fewer complaints have all been cited as benefi ts of providing fl oor coverings. Beaufl or’s cushion vinyl fl ooring ranges provide landlords with an aff ordable and durable fl oor covering that’s still quiet and comfortable underfoot. Oſt en specifi ed in bathrooms and kitchens, they are also suitable for use in all areas of the home. With this in mind, Beaufl or off ers a wide range of designs across its social housing fl oors, allowing providers to vary fl oor design between rooms, or off er tenants a choice of styles. Natural or grey wood planks, light stone or dark slate, concrete, terrazzo or ceramic tiles, the designs capture popular domestic styles and many feature a textured surface for a more authentic look. What’s more, every design off ers an excellent level of comfort due to backings that absorb footfall. T e fl oors also have excellent thermal and acoustic properties too, for a surface that’s warm and quiet in use.
info@beaufl
or.com
www.beaufl
or.com Nuaire switches to 100% recycled plastic
T e Drimaster from Nuaire has evolved once more! T e Drimaster- Eco has swapped its casing from a virgin ABS plastic to a recycled plastic. T e switch will result in a reduction of 167 tons of equivalent embodied carbon over the period of a year. Tried and tested, Drimaster PIV units are installed in over a million homes in the UK, and are particularly popular with social housing providers due to their cost-eff ectiveness, speedy install (Drimaster-Eco can be installed in a loſt in less than an hour), longevity (many Nuaire Drimaster PIVs have been in operation for over 20 years), and non-disruptive nature for residents.
info@nuairegroup.com
nuaire.co.uk/residential/positive-input-ventilation Additions to the Stelrad compact range
Stelrad has launched a range of 200 mm and 1,200 mm high radiators in a variety of sizes.
T e new radiator sizes off er a
helpful additional range to slot into specifi cations and installations up and down the country.
T e new 200 mm sized radiators are available in K3 and K4 sizes while the 1,200 mm sized radiators come in K2 format. T ey come with a 10-year warranty. Head for the website for all the advice you need on the right radiators for your installations and heating system designs.
0800 876 6813
www.stelradprofessional.com Housing Management & Maintenance December/January 2026
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