Talk.Build

Recent reports confirm that bullying remains an issue in school washrooms and human nature being what it is; it is unlikely that such facilities will ever be completely safe, writes Sam Saunderson, Project Consultant at washroom design and refurbishment specialists, Interfix.  To counteract ...

There is no doubting the fact that first impressions count. Our first impressions are generated by an experience and our surrounding environment. This can all happen in the blink of an eye. Office receptions are a prime example of where first impressions count. We walk into a building and get an ...

Noise accounts for most of the complaints that local councils and the Environment Agency receive about environmental pollution and is a major cause of stress. Given that construction sites generate significant levels of noise, which is always varied and changing, what noise control methods do ...

Recent reports claim that Britain needs to build another 2,000 schools to cope with the pressure on class sizes caused by the immigration crisis. These, it is said, will be needed to teach an additional 729,000 primary and secondary school pupils by 2020. Education has always been a battleground ...

There are over 13,000 injuries a year from fall from heights accidents on construction sites, some 30 of these are fatal, according to the latest statistics available from the Government. It is the second largest killer after “struck by moving vehicle,” but the good news is that such ...

Self-healing concrete using bacteria to seal cracks has been talked about for more than six years. It’s a remarkable innovation which means that concrete could in theory last for ever. So why have we heard so little about it and why are we not using it on all of our buildings and ...

There have been consistent campaigns over many years to install smoke alarms in all buildings – and it is now standard practice on all new builds and major refurbishments - but sadly we do not appear to be taking the threat of Carbon monoxide poisoning in quite the same way. There are ...

Flooding continues to be a major problem worldwide as our population continues to grow. In the UK, Government advisors are still suggesting that homes and offices be built on flood plains in spite of the risks – so it would seem that the problem can only get worse.. The Chinese have ...

The introduction of unisex toilets in UK primary and secondary schools remains a contentious issue, particularly for some parents, but there seems little doubt mixed-gender washrooms will soon be accepted as the norm. There is no official record of the number of mixed-used toilets installed ...

It is now possible to go from green concrete to green roof in just three days. There will of course be many who say it cannot be done, but they are being proved wrong by a company that is leading the market with a new kind of waterproofing technology – and it’s confounding the ...

In a world of global warming, environmental regulations and our quest for a more sustainable built environment, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is clearly here to stay. A method for evaluating and measuring a product’s environmental impact during their lifecycle from cradle to grave, the LCA of ...

A proven all-rounder, mastic asphalt screed offers the versatility and speed of application that other more traditional cement screeds just can’t match.   With deadlines, timelines and budgetary issues taking centre stage on projects, it’s important to know there’s a ...

Bentonite, a clay substance which is often generated from the alteration of volcanic ash, is renowned for its water absorption. These properties make it a valuable material for a wide range of uses and applications, particularly as a waterproofing material in construction of belowground structures ...

In March, leading manufacturer Ibstock reported that it was delivering more bricks to end users and merchants than at any time in the previous nine years, which is good news for an industry which has had more than its fair share of ups and downs in recent years. It also completely makes nonsense ...

In recent years, due to an increase in flooding and public awareness of flood prevention, the permeable resin bound paving market has grown considerably. But as resin bound becomes more popular and the number of companies selling it increases, there is a growing number of people selling inferior ...

According to number of recent reports, the UK construction industry will need some 400,000 new workers every year until 2021 to meet the demand for new building projects. If the figures are correct then it is going to be a tough call, which in turn means looking at alternative methods of ...

Industry estimates suggest that portable ladders are used around two million times every day and according to the Health and safety Executive account for some 40% of falls from height accidents every 12 months. The statistics should not come as much of a surprise – everyone knows that ...

The construction industry has been experimenting with 3D printers since they were first invented in the 1980’s but in recent years as they have become less expensive, this technology is showing that it might well make a real contribution to buildings of the future. The technology can ...

When you consider the global population is set to increase by another 2 billion by 2050 and with 70% of the world’s population living in cities, there will an unprecedented demand for energy across the planet. The opportunity for architects and stakeholders to create buildings which reduce ...

Most people in the construction industry are aware of the enormous skills shortage in all of the building trades. Bricklaying is no exception and there are many anecdotal reports of brick layers earning the equivalent of a “Kings Ransom” as main contractors compete for their skills. So ...