36 Building Fabric
As the sector moves from pilots to programmes, such models may prove essential in bridging the gap between policy ambition and practical delivery
Ongoing monitoring of internal conditions allows housing providers to assess whether homes are performing as expected and to intervene early if issues arise. For residents, this translates into greater comfort and reassurance. For landlords, it provides evidence to support funding claims, regulatory reporting and future asset planning. Importantly, performance data also supports a broader understanding of
how retrofi t impacts tenant wellbeing. Improved thermal comfort, better air quality and reduced damp can contribute to healthier homes, supporting wider organisational objectives around health, safety and social value.
SUPPORTING RESIDENTS THROUGH CHANGE While retrofi t is oſt en discussed in technical terms, its success ultimately depends on resident experience. Disruption, confusion or a lack of communication can undermine even the most carefully planned programme. Models that prioritise a single point of contact and clear communication
channels can help build trust and reduce friction. By coordinating survey, design, installation and aſt ercare through an integrated framework, housing providers can off er residents a more coherent experience, while simplifying internal management. T is approach also supports fuel poverty objectives. Homes that are warmer
in winter, cooler in summer and cheaper to run can make a tangible diff erence to household fi nances, particularly as energy costs remain volatile.
A REPLICABLE MODEL FOR A NATIONAL CHALLENGE T e question is no longer whether retrofi t will shape asset strategies, but how best to deliver it. Structured, end-to-end retrofi t models off er one
possible answer. By combining detailed assessment, tailored design, rigorous quality control and ongoing performance monitoring, they provide a framework that can be replicated across portfolios while remaining responsive to individual homes. As the sector moves from pilots to programmes, such models may prove
essential in bridging the gap between policy ambition and practical delivery, helping social housing providers meet legislative requirements, manage risk and, most importantly, deliver healthier homes for the people who live in them.
Luke Gale is channel marketing manager – housing, at Wienerberger AkzoNobel teams up with local partners to give Langley Pavilion a new lease of life
AkzoNobel has unveiled the vibrant transformation delivered through its Dulux Let’s Colour initiative in partnership with Viva Slough and Slough Borough Council that will see a number of Slough’s underused community centres revitalised through the power of paint and colour. T e bespoke colour scheme developed will be used across all Slough Council Community Centres involved in the project. T e Langley project was fully funded by Dulux, including donations of all paint and equipment, with additional support from AkzoNobel’s corporate volunteer programme as part of its wider social commitments. Slough was chosen due to AkzoNobel’s longstanding connection to the town, as the birthplace of one of the UK’s most trusted brands, with Dulux’s launch in 1931 and home to the company’s UK headquarters. T is partnership is the latest to form part of Dulux’s Let’s Colour initiative, which continues the brand’s mission to bring communities together through paint by working closely with partner organisations across the globe. Viva Slough is a community hub supporting the mental, physical and economic wellbeing of residents in Slough. Together, they share the same vision of positively impacting communities. For further information on Dulux’s community initiatives, visit the website.
0333 222 7171
www.dulux.co.uk/en/sustainability/lets-colour Eurocell launches SureSpec to set new compliance standards
SureSpec from Eurocell is the UK’s fi rst fully audited specifi cation-to-installation model for windows and doors. It was developed to eliminate the “specifi cation gap”, the common industry failure where high-performance designs are substituted for products that don’t meet the required spec during the construction process. T e updated building regulations are unforgiving. With the Building Safety Regulator rejecting a large portion of Gateway 2 applications due to documentation gaps, and the Home Energy Model (HEM) requiring exact carbon data, generic or altered specifi cations are a major project risk. Unlike standard specifi cations that are oſt en “recycled” or altered, SureSpec provides a locked framework in which Eurocell takes ownership of the entire delivery chain. It supports architects by providing NBS specifi cations with embedded carbon data, helps fabricators by delivering detailed, window-by-window manufacturing drawings that remove guesswork, and reduces risk for contractors through a mandatory on-site audit where Eurocell verifi es that the fi nal installation matches the original design intent. By removing driſt between design and delivery, SureSpec ensures that what is specifi ed is exactly what is manufactured, delivered and installed on each project. T is provides a level of compliance assurance currently unmatched in the UK market.
0333 005 6525
www.eurocell.co.uk/surespec Housing Management & Maintenance Spring 2026
Building Fabric Feature
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