The Metal Cladding & Roofing Manufacturers Association (MCRMA) recently welcomed around 100 professionals working throughout the metal roofing and façade supply chain to its 2026 Technical Conference, reflecting the event’s growing importance as an annual focal point for the development of technical skills and knowledge, as well as collaboration and networking. Held at the Telford Hotel, Golf & Spa Resort and sponsored by member companies Steadmans, Hambleside Danelaw, Fixing

Sapphire’s G30 balcony has officially been certified as a Passive House Component by the Passive House Institute when used with or without StubGuard – reinforcing the product’s thermal and structural performance. With designers under increasing pressure to deliver low-carbon buildings that meet stringent energy and envelope-performance standards, balcony connections have come under heightened scrutiny as a critical point of heat loss. Reducing thermal bridges is essential, as

Pamela Howat, Senior Technical Advisor at Proctor Group, explains the similarities and differences between membrane terminology. Construction membranes have a host of applications that directly impact on building performance and the comfort of building users. As a result, a lot of terminology comes with specifying and installing membranes. Over time, the term ‘vapour control layer’ (VCL) has come to be replaced by ‘air and vapour control layer’ (AVCL). This change has been dr

Pete Seddon, Head of Technical at Rinnai, discusses how high-temperature heat pumps are a vital tool to help minimise disruption during retrofit projects. Heat pumps are set to play a key role in the UK’s national decarbonisation journey, but can be problematic when being fitted in a domestic or commercial retrofit project, as a noticeable amount of disruption will occur during installation. Many changes to the heating system will have to be made including the radiators, pipe

Senior Architectural Systems is helping designers and housebuilders prepare for the forthcoming Future Homes Standard (FHS), with its aluminium window systems already engineered to meet the more stringent thermal performance requirements that will apply from 2028. Published in March 2026, the updated Standard confirms a major shift in the way window performance must be assessed. Under the new Home Energy Model (HEM), whole‑window U‑values must be calculated for the exact conf

A high-rise development in John Street, Newham, has been equipped with a comprehensive life safety solution from Advanced, incorporating SmokeGo smoke control and EvacGo evacuation alert systems to support a stay‑put fire strategy and enhance resident safety. The project, delivered as part of a wider life safety installation by Simple Life Safety Systems, required a robust and compliant approach to smoke control and evacuation alert across two buildings with different heights