Simon Woods, European Sales, Marketing and Logistics Director, West Fraser, explains Embodied carbon is not yet a legal requirement for most UK housing, but it is fast becoming unavoidable. For housebuilders, it is shaping up as the next major structural challenge after energy efficiency, with implications for design standards, material supply, planning consent, and investor credibility. Many large housebuilders are already preparing because early movers, as always, will find

For architects seeking to design grand, timeless entrances for prestigious projects, few architectural features are as effective and enduring as the portico. It often evokes classical architecture (Georgian, neoclassical) and gives a building a sense of prestige and permanence making even a modest house feel more substantial. Haddonstone, the UK-based specialist in cast stone, is seeing continued interest in its portico range as designers look to combine timeless aesthetics w

fermacell® gypsum fibreboards and fermacell® Therm25™ dry screed elements set new standards: as leading building materials in timber and drywall construction, they achieved C2C Certified® FullScope and C2C Certified® Material Health at Silver level in accordance with Version 4.1 at the first attempt. “For our customers, this Silver-level certification represents tangible added value,” says Tobias Bennerscheidt, Director of Marketing & Segments at James Hardie Europe GmbH

BRCK Group PLC has entered into an agreement to acquire H.S. Jackson & Son (Fencing) Limited, known as Jacksons, in a deal worth over £20 million. Jacksons is a premium fencing, gates and perimeter security specialist, designing, manufacturing and installing timber and steel fencing systems for infrastructure, commercial and residential markets. Frank Hanna, Chief Executive Officer of BRCK Group The acquisition marks a further step in BRCK Group's ongoing diversification stra

Offsite construction has moved from niche curiosity in the 1990’s to mainstream necessity today as the industry is being reshaped by the demand for faster build times, higher energy performance, and precision‑engineered components. This shift places Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) at the centre of the transformation - driving manufacturers, developers and material suppliers to rethink how homes are designed, manufactured and assembled. Against this backdrop, products tha

Following the launch of its 2026 colour additions earlier this year, HIMACS continues to strengthen its offering of responsible material solutions with SCS-certified pre-consumer recycled content to extended to further colours across its collections. Among the latest updates, M633 Aurora Sage from the Aurora & Marmo collection now incorporates 6% recycled content enhancing its refined, stone-inspired aesthetic with iadded sustainability. Within the Solids collection, S235 U

Premier Loft Ladders have made it as easy as possible specify loft ladders and flat roof access hatches. NBS product data, CAD drawings and BIM models are available for many of their products, covering a wide range of requirements; from Passivhaus certified loft ladders through to high-performance fire rated models. Product data and BIM models can be found on NBS Source and can also be copied directly from the Premier Loft Ladders web site. The NBS authored loft ladder BIM mo

The conversation around silicosis has intensified significantly in recent months, with increased scrutiny into the industry. Earlier this year, PWS, one of the UK’s largest, best-invested, market leading fabricators of quality bespoke surfaces, reinforced its commitment to safe working practices, calling for greater industry-wide accountability. Proper regulation and safe fabrication when handling quartz are essential to ensuring the safety of workers and the environment, h

The conversion of a Grade II listed building, with a history spanning over 130 years, requires thoughtful and imaginative planning at the best of times. However, this is all the more important when the building holds a special affection and relevance for a town steeped in an illustrious military past. In this instance it was more than just bricks and mortar. The building has a lineage dating all the way back to 1894, when the Duke of Connaught, Queen Victoria’s son and Gener

As part of a full restaurant redevelopment, Pesto at the White Swan in Wythall sought to increase covers while enhancing the dining experience for customers, preserving the existing building’s character and welcoming pub aesthetic. A Solarlux Atrium Plus enclosed glazed canopy and Proline S sliding glass doors were selected to extend the dining area, providing an adaptable, contemporary indoor-outdoor space that can be enjoyed year-round. A bespoke glazed atrium designed t

A strong and reliable supply chain is essential to the continued growth of offsite construction in the UK, and the collaboration between West Fraser and Kirkwood Timber Frame Ltd is a clear example of how aligned partnerships are helping to deliver high-quality timber buildings at scale. Founded in August 2021, Kirkwood Timber Frame has quickly established itself as a dynamic manufacturer of open and closed panel timber frame systems, supplying projects across Scotland, the H

Two of the timber industry’s leading bodies – the STA (Structural Timber Association) and the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) – visited West Fraser in Inverness recently to see for themselves the impressive SterlingOSB Zero manufacturing process in action. Daniel Clarke, Senior Key Account Manager at West Fraser Celebrating four decades of producing SterlingOSB board products, now the SterlingOSB Zero portfolio, the Inverness plant employs 140 workers and was the first faci

Set directly on the shoreline at Pevensey Bay, this beachfront home has been completely remodelled and reimagined to make the most of its coastal setting. The brief was clear: transform an existing property into a contemporary, light-filled home with uninterrupted views of the sea and a seamless connection between inside and out – all just a stone’s throw from the sea. Complete modernisation and update Designed by Meloy Architecture and Design, the renovation stripped the h

Leading brand in innovative pods, booths and office screen systems for modern, flexible work environments Spacemann, along with dealer Tsunami Axis, has completed a workspace project for a biotech company in Cambridge. The objective was to create functional, adaptable, acoustically balanced environments within a compact footprint, without compromising on visual cohesion. As the client’s operation expanded, the workspace needed to support a variety of working requirements -

Cosentino, a global leader in the production and distribution of innovative surfaces for architecture and design, announces the launch of its new mineral surfaces brand, Éclos®. Éclos® marks a significant milestone for the industry, introducing an entirely new category: the “Inlayered Mineral Surface.” Based on Cosentino’s proprietary Inlayr® design technology, the brand expands Cosentino’s portfolio alongside Silestone®, Dekton® and Sensa®, combining a layered design system

“Since our founding 70 years ago, West Fraser has recognised its responsibility to the environment and society, while delivering solid financial performance. Guided by our values and leveraging strategic partnerships, we aim to integrate sustainability across all aspects of our business.” - A full copy of West Fraser's carbon negative fact sheet can be downloaded here. West Fraser’s UK operations are officially verified as carbon negative, demonstrating industry leadership at

Interpon, a brand of AkzoNobel Powder Coatings, has launched the Eco+ Cure energy calculator – a new expert-led, advanced analysis tool designed to help manufacturers uncover practical ways to reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, and shrink their carbon footprint across powder coating operations. Manufacturers across industries are prioritizing energy efficiency and emissions reduction alongside productivity and product quality. By unlocking deeper insights into

Already the largest range of available from stock steel panel radiators on the UK and European market the Compact radiator range from Stelrad Radiators has just grown even more with the addition of a further 26 models – in its new 500mmm high range – thirteen in K1 format and thirteen in K2 format in sizes from 400mm x 500mm right up to 2000mm x 500mm and from 1137 Btu/hr output up to 10,195 Btu/hr output. These additions are being made to the range in response to customer fe

Avoidance of climate-harmful emissions through Armacell products 63% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2035 from 2024 baseline 30% reduction in Scope 3 emissions over the same period Decarbonisation roadmap rooted in purpose of driving energy efficiency Armacell, a global leader in flexible foam for the equipment insulation market and a leading provider of engineered foams, announced the Group’s robust climate action plan. Armacell's vision and focus is to continuousl

Designed for reliability, ease of installation and long-lasting performance, the Navigator taps and showers collection brings together a versatile range of modern and traditional styles for every bathroom and kitchen. The collection includes a comprehensive selection of taps, showers, and accessories designed to meet the practical demands of everyday installations while offering clean, contemporary aesthetics alongside timeless designs. The Navigator tap range is fully WRAS a

As UK builders face growing pressure to balance performance, cost-efficiency, and environmental responsibility, SterlingOSB Zero provides a practical and adaptable solution. Its ability to perform across multiple applications means it can often replace several different panel types within a single project, simplifying procurement and ensuring greater consistency across the build. West Fraser 's SterlingOSB Zero is a high-performance, sustainable panel solution that meets the

As the demand for frame-style and Art Deco-inspired shower screens continues to rise, CRL’s Quadrato Shower System is a cutting-edge solution that combines style, versatility, and ease of installation. This innovative system provides designers with the creative freedom to transform ordinary bathrooms into stunning, on-trend spaces. The Quadrato Shower System by CRL offers a sophisticated and customisable look, leveraging the elegance of metal flat bars to create a striking gr

Instashade looks at some of the trends shaping outdoor living in Spring/Summer 2026... As outdoor spaces continue to evolve from functional add-ons into fully realised extensions of the home, InstaShade – premium partner of Grand Designs – reveals the key trends shaping how we live, entertain and unwind outside this season. With insight drawn from both residential and commercial projects across the UK, InstaShade’s latest trend forecast captures a market that is becoming mo

FP McCann has successfully supplied and installed its high-performance Precast Concrete (PC) Cladding System on The Regent, which is now completed and ready to move into, part of the high-end urban residential scheme at Camden Goods Yard in NW1, London. The landmark project scheduled for completion in 2027, is being delivered by managing developer Berkeley Group in association with key stakeholders Camden Council and Morrisons Supermarket. The 8-acre brownfield site next to