Bradfords Building Supplies has been working to provide the South West with building materials for almost 250 years. We’ve learnt a bit about the industry during this time and our in branch experts have put together this advice area for everything from inspiration for your home or garden, to information on building regulations and requirements. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please contact your local branch.
At Bradfords we understand that ‘fabric first’ is for most cases the starting point for improving the energy efficiency and comfort of a home, and we will never recommend a heating system until we understand the fabric state of a building.
Renewables, and in particular heat pumps, have been around for decades, but we know that in the UK, they’re still seen as the exception rather than the norm, and therefore viewed with some uncertainty, lack of knowledge, and scepticism. So this month we’re offering a bit of mythbusting.
A major factor in the performance of the building fabric is not simply the amount of insulation you install, but how it interconnects with other building materials and the other insulated elements within the design / installation.
Non-repeating (linear) thermal bridges are most commonly caused by discontinuities in the building envelope and can appear around openings such as windows and door openings, around loft hatches, rooflights, internal walls and floors junctions.
Good insulation and control of air infiltration are essential when trying to achieve low energy and low heat loss in new builds and retrofit buildings. Specific attention to detailing is necessary during installation for insulation to work effectively and to ensure unwanted air infiltration is eliminated as far as practicable. However, the work doesn't stop there. It is very common for the thermal seal in the insulation layer to be overlooked and performance is simply, and inaccurately, assumed.
As of June this year, building regs Part F, L, O and S were brought in or updated as part of the transition to the government’s Future Home Standards in 2025.
A major factor in the performance of the building fabric is not simply the amount of insulation you install, but how it interconnects with other building materials and the other insulated elements within the design / installation.
Non-repeating (linear) thermal bridges are most commonly caused by discontinuities in the building envelope and can appear around openings such as windows and door openings, around loft hatches, rooflights, internal walls and floors junctions.
No matter how well your patio has been laid and how high the quality of materials you use, you’ll still need to treat it with plenty of love in order to keep it looking its best. That doesn’t just mean regular cleaning, it also involves maintenance work that will prevent damage and prolong your patio’s life. Keep reading for a few top tips.
Focus at our recent @Builders Merchants Federation sustainability forum was on scope 3 carbon emissions...
