Author: Michael Inman

Steel prices currently stand at record highs, even dwarfing the previous peak recorded during the boom of 2008. In the past twelve months the hot rolled coil price has seen constant increases. A tentative sense of optimism was noted at the start of 2020, with low inventories and earlier steel production cuts exerting upward pressure…

Despite difficult economic times and negotiations still being carried out for the UK’s departure from the European Union, the UK saw an increase in housing construction when compared to 2016’s results. A recent report from the National House Building Council (NHBC) reported that there were 160,606 plan registrations for new homes in 2017, this is…

Architects are increasingly incorporating glass into their designs, offering the opportunity to connect indoor and outdoor spaces; helping to transform rooms into brighter, open spaces. However, substantial glass use in building design can be problematic when it comes to energy efficiency, with 10% of energy being lost through windows and doors. This means that large…

Before spending large amounts of money on advanced technology security systems, it is important to ensure your windows are completely burglar proof to help keep your property protected. A recent survey found that 35% of break-ins occurred through windows, highlighting the importance of making sure windows are secured at all times, even when you are…

Smart glass is often called switchable glass. Smart glass used as a window is called smart windows or switchable windows. So, what is so smart about this glass? The light transmission properties in the glass are altered when voltage, light or heat is applied. The most common use for smart glass is to switch glass…

There is currently a housing crisis in the UK and inventors and politicians alike are looking for ways to streamline housebuilding and, importantly, to bring down costs and build time. In the next 20 years, London alone will need at least 50,000 new homes annually – a figure which the city is struggling to even…

As a result of the recession, Brexit and the weakened pound, times have changed. Children who would have fled the nest to go off to university to never return home, are unable to get their initial foot on the property ladder. Forced to become savvier with their money, graduates are no longer willing to spend…

Last month, a record output was recorded in Britain’s construction industry, showing a surprise rebound. The Markit / CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 56.0 in May, up from 53.1 in April. Any reading above 50 is indicative of growth and this month’s reading was well above economists’ expectations of 52.6. This…

The future for the aluminium door and window market is looking bright, with opportunities in both the residential and commercial construction industry. Aluminium is become an increasingly favourable choice for windows and doors as it’s a very stable metal that minimises expansion and contraction with changes to ambient temperature. Aluminium’s counterpart uPVC contracts 3mm per…

The number of new build homes continued to rise last year to the highest level since 2007, increasing to 153,370 new homes. This is a 5% increase on last year when 140,500 homes were completed. Figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders also announced an 8% increase on the previous year –  a total of…