INDUSTRY COMMENT
What will be key to building the homes of the future?
George Emms, specification leader – UK & Ireland at Wilsonart, explains why the homes of the future will depend on modular construction and engineered surfaces
T
he launch of the latest National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in December 2024 has further clarified the Government’s ambitious homebuilding plans. Councils are expected to provide
a roadmap to constructing 370,000 homes annually, or face having a plan forced upon them. These compressed timeframes will undoubtedly affect all those involved in the residential construction supply chain, including specification professionals. Faster installs are likely to be expected without
a drop-off in quality in all areas of the home, including bathrooms. In such circumstances, it is easy to understand the appeal of modular, offsite construction. The rapid integration of panels and modules in a controlled environment enables the quick construction of high-quality properties, offering a viable solution for the large-scale construction the Government aims to achieve.
Solving skills shortages
Yet while offsite construction could potentially be the answer to building more high-quality homes in less time, issues still remain around skills shortages in the sector. Indeed, the Home Builders Federation has remarked that the UK ‘does not have a sufficient talent pipeline’ to employ skilled professionals within the sector, citing factors such as an ageing workforce, the end of free movement post-Brexit, and a lack of sufficient training opportunities. This pressure is especially evident when it comes to tiling, with the Construction Industry Training Board estimating that an additional 1,200 tilers will be needed to meet the Government’s revised housing targets.
The full potential of offsite, modular construction cannot be reached without ways of bridging gaps in available specialist skills. Yet while long- term planning will be required to create a more skilled workforce that can meet construction demand, this does not tackle the present and pressing need for more homes now. Given the need to do more quicker, modular construction stakeholders must find ways to streamline processes involving specialist labour such as tiling to avoid unnecessary project delays.
Tiring of tiling?
Contractors will need to think laterally and engage new strategies and solutions if they are to overcome this obstacle and finish fitouts to increasingly tight deadlines. Moving beyond established specification practices can present a challenge, and it is understandable why ceramic tiles have long been the go-to choice for bathrooms. Waterproof, decorative
and available at an array of price points, tiles can cover walls and floors, providing a high- quality and tactile finish that greatly appeals to prospective homeowners.
Meanwhile, misconceptions that alternatives such as panelling are cost-effective but not of requisite quality for residential construction has allowed tiling to endure as the preferred choice in these circumstances. Yet as engineered surface technologies and design options have advanced, more options are now available to contractors. The development of high- pressure laminate (HPL) options with waterproof composite (WPC) cores means specifiers can now consider completely waterproof bathroom panel systems. There have also been similar advancements in panelling aesthetics and technology. The Alloy collection offered by Wilsonart’s Wetwall brand of bathroom wall panels, for instance, is available in a choice of modern decors and solid colour options, in matt, gloss or shell finishes to provide a tactile, high-quality solution that works well with many bathroom design schemes. Significantly, these can provide the effect of marble, granite, engineered quartz and ceramics without the associated, prohibitive costs associated with these materials. Alongside this, Wetwall wall panel systems have been developed to provide additional benefits and unique properties that may appeal to building service professionals. Panels from the Wetwall Alloy Collection, for instance, are certified to British Standard EN 13501-1, fire rating B-S1-d0 (reaction to fire of construction products) and BS 476 parts 6 and 7 (testing methods for fire safety), assuring specifiers that the surfaces have undergone practical testing before specification.
Fitting and forgetting
Crucially for residential specifiers and contractors facing time pressures, these surfaces are quick and easy to cut and install within four to five hours for an average-sized bathroom without the need for professional tilers, compared to two days and beyond for tiling. Tongue-and-groove panel designs with a post-formed edge can be used to estimate a rough ‘dry’ fit for each panel on the wall before the surface is trimmed and placed into position. From here, an adhesive can be applied to quickly fix the panel in place over gypsum, fiberboard, cement or plaster subwalls, before using a colour-matched, long-lasting and anti- fungus sealant to create a neat, watertight seal. While specialists are not required to carry out fitting, joiners can be utilised during their period
18 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER APRIL 2025
on builds to further streamline installation and save more time on the modular, offsite projects. Technological advances in the engineered
surfaces space also mean specified panels provide further benefits beyond the construction phase of the build. Unlike tiles, panels are grout-free, making them easy to clean and maintain once the home is occupied. Similarly, most of the latest panel systems are designed to be 100% waterproof, protecting underlying walls from moisture damage caused by water ingress and condensation. As a result, specifiers and contractors can enjoy peace-of-mind that bathroom spaces fitted using panelling technologies will remain watertight without risks of reputational damage that might arise from installation issues later down the line.
Quality and quantity
In conclusion, the integration of advanced modular construction techniques and innovative materials including HPL panels in bathrooms spaces offers a promising solution to the UK’s ambitious homebuilding targets. Though challenges such as skills shortages persist, the adoption of high-quality, attractive and tactile engineered surface solutions can streamline construction processes and reduce build timelines, while still providing eventual homeowners with high-quality bathroom finishes. As the industry evolves, embracing these advancements will be crucial in meeting the growing demand for housing, ensuring that new homes are built efficiently without compromising on fitout quality. This approach not only addresses immediate construction needs but can also help set the stage for a more resilient and adaptable sector in the short-, medium- and long-term.
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www.bsee.co.uk
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