Why the UK should think zinc

Zinc has been widely used in Europe for centuries but remains largely overlooked in the UK. Alex Murphy of VM Zinc looks at its key benefits and describes how to make zinc installations a success. Robust, easy to maintain and... View Article

Powder coating, by design

Richard Besant from Powdertech (Corby) provides tips on how to achieve the best possible coating appearance and integrity in the metal finishing process during design and manufacture. As with so many things, beginning with the end in mind can pay... View Article

Shaping our city skylines

Steve Thompson of EOS Facades shares his views on the latest developments in light steel framing for a variety of different living environments. The speed of construction coupled with enhanced quality and high levels of sustainability make light steel frames an... View Article

Facades for the future

Stephen Anderson of CMS Window Systems discusses what he sees as the bright future for unitised aluminium systems in sustainable facade design and build. The speed at which the building sector has adopted modern methods of construction (MMC) has been... View Article

The lowdown on lead

Lead remains highly specified but many construction professionals are unaware of the various types available or the quality standards. Boudewijn Tuinenburg of Midland Lead explores the sector’s knowledge of lead’s accreditations and green credentials. Over the past few months, the... View Article

Aluminium and sustainable cities – three exemplars

Specifying aluminium for windows, structure and cladding is an affordable way of creating durable architecture with performance benefits. Prof Michael Stacey reports. As part of the Towards Sustainable Cities (TSC) research programme, my practice Michael Stacey Architects, working with KieranTimberlake, architects... View Article

Smarter glass

Russell Shipton, marketing manager, ESG, explains why smart glass has come of age and why it has clearly got a bright future. The past 20 years has seen a dramatic increase in the use of glass as both an external... View Article

When scale, safety and style collide

For large scale, modern constructions, virtually anything is achievable in glass. Andrew Lake, Vetrotech UK general manager explains why selecting the right fire-rated glass system is therefore critical to the specifying process. From the dizzying heights of the Burj Khalifa... View Article

Aesthetics and functionality in glazing for historical buildings

Preservation efforts are primarily orientated towards maintaining historical structures and, if possible, cautious restoration. However, when material loss or irreparable damage threatens to halt the effort, alternative options need to be considered explains Ulrich Huber, Sales Manager EMEA, SCHOTT AG.... View Article

Legal Compliance for fire-resistant glazing

Steve Rice, director of technical affairs for the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), outlines the compliances and CE marking issues that impact all those responsible for making the glazing in a building fire-resistant. Making Insulating Glass Units (IGUs) with a fire-resistance characteristic... View Article

A study in glass

A landmark educational building featuring an innovative use of glazing has lit up a run-down part of the Spanish town of Torrelavega, writes Steve Menary. A mix of squares, circles and an innovative use of glazing has been used to create... View Article

3D printing shows its metal

Research into 3D printing using metal has produced the world’s first complex steel components and plans to print an entire steel bridge in mid air using automated robots. Stephen Cousins reports. The large scale application of 3D printing, or additive... View Article

European Copper in Architecture Awards 2015

An international team of architect judges has shortlisted ten projects for the 2015 European Copper in Architecture Awards, a celebration of the very best in contemporary architecture. By Chris Hodson. The seventeenth iteration of these popular, biennial architectural awards recognises... View Article

Bespoke Iron Castings

The principles of iron casting are pretty much the same as they have been for centuries; the technology, skills, materials and understanding have all progressed. Michael Hinchliffe, managing director, Hargreaves Foundry, gives us his view. Something foundries hear all too... View Article

A fresh approach to facade aesthetics

The sustainability and design life of zinc, copper and stainless steel facade and roofing systems have been major drivers affecting their growth. Improved cost effectiveness has also encouraged greater awareness of their technical performance and the scope they provide to... View Article

Metal offers a sustainable future

The Metal Cladding and Roofing Manufacturers Association (MCRMA) explains how metal building envelope systems contribute significantly to the sustainable design concept, thanks to its high recycled content, recyclability and energy efficiency. The Government has announced the end of the UK’s... View Article