Dales Fabrications Launches New E-Commerce Platform

Building Products Index Ltd gutters, Pipes Leave a Comment

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Dales Fabrications has launched a brand-new e-commerce platform, giving trade professionals direct, 24/7 access to the UK manufacturer’s standard range of aluminium rainwater products. The platform will soon expand to include Dales standard fascia, soffit, and solar shading systems.

Dales Fabrications new e-commerce platform gives you 24/7 access to their standard ranges of aluminium rainwater products with instant pricing and direct ordering.

A faster, simpler way to order

By cutting out the wait times that often come with third-party distributors and traditional quoting, the online shop provides instant pricing, and round-the-clock ordering. Customers can purchase Dales complete range of gutter and downpipe components – including hoppers, stop ends, brackets, adaptors, and connectors – all manufactured by Dales to the same quality standard they have built their reputation on. Every product is available in 14 standard powder-coated finishes, applied in Dales’ Syntha Pulvin-approved paint plant.

Key benefits of the Dales online shop include:

  • Instant pricing
  • Direct ordering from Dales
  • Typical delivery within 10 working days
  • 14 standard architectural grade finishes available
  • 24/7 convenient online ordering
  • Flexible ordering with no minimum quantity

Through the site, you can currently order Dales entire standard range of aluminium gutters & downpipes, with upcoming additions set to include fascia, soffit, and solar shading systems.

Built for projects of every size

“Our new online shop makes it easier than ever for contractors to get what they need, when they need it,” says Andy Purdy, Managing Director at Dales Fabrications. ” Whether it’s a single replacement part or a full package of rainwater goods, everything is available instant pricing and direct delivery from us. It’s a faster, more reliable way to get the right products on site – keeping projects moving without unnecessary delays”

Designed to support projects of every size, the platform has no minimum order quantities, making it ideal for maintenance work, retrofit projects, and phased installations.

Through the site, you can currently order Dales entire standard range of aluminium gutters & downpipes, with upcoming additions set to include fascia, soffit, and solar shading systems.

Quality, Sustainability, and Support

Dales operates under ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications, ensuring consistent quality and environmental management standards. With nearly 5 decades of manufacturing expertise, the company prioritises quality, reliability, and sustainability across all its products and services.

While the new shop makes ordering standard components faster and easier, Dales continues to support architects and contractors nationwide with expert design advice and bespoke solutions for complex projects.

To explore Dales new online shop, visit: www.dales-eaves.co.uk/shop.

Order Gutters: https://dales-eaves.co.uk/shop/product-category/aluminium-gutters/

Order Downpipes: https://dales-eaves.co.uk/shop/product-category/aluminium-downpipes/

 

Axis Entrance Systems Case Study: Ipswich Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre

Building Products Index Ltd Automated systems, Automatic door system Leave a Comment

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INDUSTRY: Healthcare

CLIENT: East Suffolk & North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

CONTRACTOR: ARCHITECT: Barnes Construction KLH Architects Ltd

PROJECT:

The design and construction of a brand new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre at Ipswich Hospital for East Suffolk & North Essex NHS Foundation Trust.

The new Centre houses a dedicated urgent treatment centre (UTC), which is where our involvement on the project was, as well as a new emergency department (ED).

Working with KLH Architects and main contractor, Barnes Construction, our brief for the project was to design, supply, install and commission the low friction, manual sliding doors required for the UTC, specifically to the bays in the Resus and Majors areas.

CHALLENGES:

The main challenge for this project was a common one to all construction sites, which was completing installation and commissioning whilst other trades were also trying to complete their work. Great project management from main contractor Barnes Construction ensured this and other challenges were navigated smoothly and quickly, and the project delivered on time.

SOLUTION:

The solution to our brief was the specification of two types of door-sets from our award-winning Flo-Motion® range. The door types and their features included:

  • Seventeen Flo-Motion® T55 telescopic doors with a 1590mm clear opening width. Average force test reading on these doors was 9.11N
  • Two Flo-Motion® E32 single sliding doors with a 1650mm clear opening width. Average force test reading on these doors was 9.85N
  • The doors were finished in RAL7012 Basalt Grey with 600mm satin stainless-steel handles.
  • All doors were fitted with 32.8mm double glazed units incorporating interstitial blinds operated by a slide magnet for “tilt and turn” facility.

OUTCOME:

Our Flo-Motion® door-sets help realise the vision of KLH Architects and main Contractor, Barnes Construction, providing several significant benefits that optimise the experience for patients, staff and visitors. These include:

  • A department with excellent light transfer & a feeling of spaciousness.
  • Visibility between patients & staff with the blinds providing privacy options.
  • The ease of operation of our doors with an average force-test reading of just 9.19N.

Architectural Ironmongery for listed home in Northamptonshire

Building Products Index Ltd Ironmongery Leave a Comment

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View the Old Rectory project

Architectural ironmongery specialist Silver Kite was specified to supply door fittings and cabinet hardware to this beautiful, listed home which was being totally refurbished and extended.

The architect and interior designer wished to use fittings from both Silver Kite`s Arbor range and their Classic range of ironmongery.

Their unique Arbor range of fittings is made exclusively by them and encompasses door, window and cabinet fittings.

Each item of this extensive range is made by combining the beauty of natural wood with the hard-wearing quality of brass components. There are thirteen varieties of wood to choose from (all sourced from sustainable forests) and thirteen different finishes can be applied to the brass components.

For this project the design team had chosen the combination of rosewood and antique brass, with the rosewood to be specially prepared to look “used”.

Cupboard knobs were used in the study and mortice knobs and escutcheons used throughout with turnpieces on the bathroom doors.

Silver Kite undertook a complete ironmongery schedule for this project and supplied the hinges and locks, all especially finished in antique brass to match.

 

GROWING CONCERNS – SMART PERMEABILITY

Building Products Index Ltd Paving, Permeable Paving Leave a Comment

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Today’s wide choice of grass paving systems means that Specifiers now have a massive choice of products and specification. As a supplier of grass paving systems for more than fifty years, Grass Concrete see the need for a strict fit for purpose policy as the key to achieving sustainability in any construction project.

Take for example a daily used access road or housing development car park in daily use; “will the grass cover and then the structure stand up to that sort of regime” If the application is to slopes, “will it function as an armouring layer and will it offer grip?” These are the sort of challenging questions that that should be asked to ensure a correct specification.

the Grass Concrete policy is to guide clients to the most appropriate system: in-situ-concrete, pre-cast concrete or plastic systems. This strict fit for purpose policy is the key to achieving sustainability in any construction project, withcareful consideration of grass paving types, particularly when likely to be subjected to frequent traffic and weights of vehicles.

Sustainable Urban Drainage” is becoming an increasingly used term with planners and developers seeking to mitigate the implications of handling surface water run-off and its implications for the local storm water network, as well as introducing the prospect of rainwater harvesting for ecological design.

With a long-established track record of grass paving installations, Grass Concrete are uniquely placed to work closely with housebuilders and architects alike to recommend appropriate systems.

At Grass Concrete our 50 years plus of grass paving installations has given an insight into sustainable permeable paving and more recently with the attention around SUDS. Recent high rainfall and flash food puts extreme pressure on the drainage – sewer network and often it is not able to cope with this peak demand. SUDs schemes are designed to mitigate these scenarios

Grass Concrete’s view is that Smart Permeability is what is required

Incorporating SUDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage system) using GRASS PERMEABLE PAVING helps mitigate the implications of surface water run-off and its implications for the local storm water network.

It’s not simply about getting water from A to B, it is about what you do with it along the way.
Smart Permeability, using source control to manage the rate of permeability both mitigates downstream impact and provides essential root nourishment for grass coverage…………………..

Compare the systems

Sustainable grass cover is best achieved by a system that promotes permeability. The depth and shape of the soil pockets can have a critical part to play. Both Grasscrete and Grassblock offer substantial capacity for soils and root systems to promote maximum grass coverage.

A grass reinforced systems can permeate at up to 90% the rate of natural grass a safe lag time can be achieved. Storing water within the system with low risk of ponding, until the ground can naturally re-charge is a significant benefit.

Lag time is beneficial in the prevention of flooding and can be extended by introducing an underlying drainage blanket across the full extent of the paved area. The drainage blanket can be used to either attenuate permeation to the water table or be a vehicle for rainwater harvesting.

The Benefits include

  • CO2 Sequestration
  • Re-Oxygenation
  • Reducing Urban Heat Island Effect
  • Controllable Hydrology
  • Naturally Purifying Bio-filter

GRASSCRETE offer both cast-on site Grasscrete and precast Grassblock system and follow a strict fit for purpose policy as the key to achieving sustainability in any construction project.

To find out more Talk to the experts in grass permeable

 https://grasscrete.com/sustainable-paving/

Flyscreens for Commercial & Domestic Premises

Building Products Index Ltd Fly Screens, Screens Leave a Comment

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Since 1998, The Flyscreen Company have been manufacturing and supplying custom made screens for windows and doors. Endorsed by Environmental Health Officers as an effective method for insect prevention, our flyscreens offer reliable and hygienic protection against flying insects. Our products are suitable for commercial and residential properties, such as kitchens, factories, care homes, hospitals, and more.

We offer a wide selection of options to accommodate all types of apertures.

Stainless Steel Mesh

This woven insect mesh is durable and manufactured from stainless steel, Type 304 grade. It can be cut to size with a good pair of household scissors. We stock the mesh in 30m long rolls in widths of 75mm, 100mm, 150mm, 200mm, 300mm and 1.2m rolls.

Fibreglass Mesh

Our standard insect mesh is composed of woven fibreglass which is designed to keep flies, wasps, mosquitoes, and other insects out while allowing for natural ventilation through windows, doors, soffits, and other openings. It can be easily trimmed to size with scissors and secured with staples, battening or silicone.

Available in 30m rolls, our mesh comes in a range of widths from 100mm to 400mm, as well as 1.2m or 1.8m wide.

Rodent Mesh

Made with extra tough woven steel, this mesh is used by pest control professionals and construction companies. Used to prevent rats and other rodents, as well as proof against birds for solar panels. Available in 150mm width by 30m length.

Visit our website today to explore our brand new ordering system for made to measure flyscreens.

Stadon Level at 25 years

Building Products Index Ltd Packers and Shims Leave a Comment

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Where did that time go?!

As we celebrate this milestone, we are conscious that our success is as much to do with our loyal customers as it is with our popular products such as solid shims and flexible packers, interlocking wedges (WedgitR ), HDP and SPP (high density / high load) packers, as it is with the service commitments of our faithful and conscientious staff members.

We wish to thank all who have contributed to our quarter century of growth and stature as a leading supplier of levelling and packing componentry.

I am glad to put on record that we have not received in all of this time a reported failure of any of our products nor have there been any complaints about the highly maintained standards of service we present to clients.

We don’t rest on our laurels, however. We continue to press onward and upward in our journey with you our great trading partners.

Gratefully and sincerely on behalf of us all at Stadon Level,

Jeff Stacey (M.D.)

Tensile and Compressive Loads – Structural Waterproofing

Building Products Index Ltd Membranes Leave a Comment

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Tensile and compressive stress and strain are two common types. Tensile stress increases an object’s length, while compressive stress decreases it. These stresses help determine a material’s elastic modulus, indicating its stiffness.

Tensile and compressive loads are key in mechanics and engineering. Tensile load stretches materials, causing elongation. Compressive load compresses materials, causing them to shorten.

Tensile Strength

Tensile strength in structural waterproofing products is important to resist cracking and tearing under stress, preventing water penetration and ensuring a structure’s longevity.  High tensile strength is vital in areas prone to movement, where the waterproofing solution must withstand stretching and elongation without failing.

Tensile strength is measured by conducting a tensile test, also known as a tension or pull test, on a material sample. This test involves applying a gradually increasing tensile force to the sample until it breaks, while simultaneously measuring the force and deformation of the material. The maximum force the material withstands before breaking, divided by its original cross-sectional area, determines its tensile strength.

There are three types of tensile strength: Yield strength (A) is the stress a material can handle without permanent deformation. Ultimate strength (B) is the maximum stress it can endure. Breaking strength (C) is the stress level at the point of rupture.

A third-party tensile strength test evaluates a material’s resistance to breaking untder tension. Conducted by independent labs, it provides an unbiased assessment of mechanical properties. Results verify the material’s suitability for high-stress applications.

Not all third-party construction product testing is the same. The goal is to ensure product performance and compliance, but standards, processes, and rigor vary between testing bodies.

It’s important to follow manufacturer’s instructions for safety, optimal performance, and longevity of products and equipment. This prevents accidents, injuries, and damage, while maximising efficiency and meeting warranty requirements.

Tensile strength is vital for crack bridging products as it measures the material’s resistance to breaking under tension.  It enables the material to span and seal cracks without fracturing.  High tensile strength is essential to withstand the stress and strain from crack movement, preventing further damage and water ingress.

Compressive Strength

Tension is a force that pulls objects apart, while compression is a force that pushes objects together.

Compressive strength measures a material’s ability to withstand forces that crush or squeeze it. It represents the maximum stress a material can endure before fracturing or deforming significantly under compression. Essentially, it gauges how well a material resists being pushed together.

Compressive strength is vital for building materials, especially those supporting loads. It’s essential in concrete foundations, columns, walls, bricks, masonry, and insulation used in floors and roofs.

Foundations transfer the weight of buildings into the ground. Concrete, often used for foundations, undergoes compressive strength tests to ensure it can bear the load.

Columns are vertical structural members, often made of reinforced concrete, that support beams and floors. Their compressive strength is crucial to prevent buckling under heavy loads.

Load-bearing walls must withstand forces from above. Bricks, concrete blocks, and some insulation types need enough compressive strength for this purpose.  Floors and roofs must support the weight of people, furniture, and materials. Insulation in these areas needs strong compressive strength to avoid being crushed and losing its insulating properties.

Using materials with good compressive strength is vital for keeping a structure’s integrity.

Compressive strength of a membrane refers to its ability to withstand crushing or deformation under compressive force. It’s a crucial mechanical property, especially for membranes used in construction, insulation, filtration and waterproofing applications, where they may be subjected to significant loads.

Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for any construction or waterproofing product you use, regardless of general advice offered.

Manufacturer guidelines vary based on product types, materials, intended use, and regulations. These differences affect recommended installation, maintenance, and usage procedures due to each manufacturer’s unique processes and standards.

Ask Questions

We encourage you to ask questions about our products and services. Transparency and honesty are our core values. Enquiring helps us learn, understand, and grow. It allows us to gather information, clarify doubts, and gain deeper insights. By asking questions, we engage in critical thinking and problem-solving, essential for personal and professional development. This fosters communication, collaboration, and open dialogue, leading to better decision-making and problem-solving.

Training

Manufacturer training is vital for implementing best practices, enhancing skills, and boosting career opportunities. It keeps you updated with industry trends and new technologies, making you more competitive. Training also improves job performance, productivity, and confidence, leading to higher job satisfaction and personal growth.

Always Happy to Help

Delta’s office and field Technical Teams offer expert assistance to identify the ideal waterproofing system for your project, ensuring it meets your specific requirements precisely. For any inquiries about our products, we provide honest and accurate answers at all times.

Reach us at 01992 523 523 or drop us an email at info@deltamembranes.com.

No Space Like Home: A Nation of Movers – Or Improvers?

Building Products Index Ltd Doors, PVC-U, PVC-U, Windows Leave a Comment

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As UK house prices rise and hybrid working reshapes daily life, more homeowners are choosing to improve their current homes rather than move. Eurocell’s latest research reveals how this trend is shaping demand for home improvement and space optimisation across the country –  creating real opportunities for the construction supply chain.

A survey of 1,000 homeowners uncovers why space is at a premium, what people are planning to do about it, and how they’re funding those changes.

Changing Lifestyles, Growing Needs

Lifestyles have changed dramatically since the pandemic, and for many, the homes they bought years ago no longer meet their needs. According to the survey:

  • 29% say their home is too small
  • 43% have unusable space they want to convert
  • 60% will fund renovations through savings
  • Only 15% of Baby Boomers feel short on space, compared to 52% of Gen-Z and 40% of Millennials

Whether it’s a new home office, space for adult children, or a hybrid work setup, homeowners are feeling the squeeze – especially in urban areas. The trend isn’t just about square footage; layout and usability are key. Many period homes, for example, have large but underused dining rooms or out-of-date conservatories.

Regional Variation: Where Demand Is Highest

Not all cities feel the same pressure –  and the survey offers insight into where demand is strongest for certain types of home improvement:

London

With average prices nearing £687,000, 37% of Londoners say their home is too small.

  • 53% want to convert unusable space
  • 36% are considering an extension
  • 30% are looking at garden rooms

Edinburgh

The highest space dissatisfaction (44%) was recorded here.

  • Home extensions and garden rooms top the list
  • Millennials are driving most improvement plans

Bristol & Manchester

High house prices and hybrid working fuel the need for more flexible space.

  • 36% of Bristol residents say their homes are too small
  • 43% of Mancunians prefer to improve rather than move

Birmingham

More than 45% of residents have unusable space

  • Loft conversions, garden rooms, and conservatory upgrades are popular

Liverpool & Newcastle

Residents in these cities are among the most content with their space — but there’s still demand for modernising and reconfiguring existing layouts.

What Homeowners Want to Build

The data shows a broad appetite for home extensions, loft conversions, and energy-efficient garden rooms, especially among younger homeowners.

  • 47% of Millennials are interested in extensions
  • 38% across Gen-Z and Millennials would opt for garden rooms
  • 1 in 5 Millennials are considering a conservatory or conservatory upgrade

Interestingly, even Baby Boomers are looking to expand – likely due to multigenerational living or a desire for flexible space for grandchildren or hobbies.

How Are They Funding It?

Despite economic uncertainty, more than a quarter of respondents say they feel confident funding renovations – particularly as they view their homes as sound investments.

  • 60% plan to use savings
  • 17% will use credit cards
  • Among Gen-Z and Millennials, over 30% expect to rely on credit

This insight into funding choices helps suppliers and contractors position their services and payment plans accordingly.

For professionals working in planning, construction, and product specification, this trend signals clear areas of opportunity.

Product Manufacturers & Suppliers

  • High demand for energy-efficient upgrades like insulated garden rooms and conservatories
  • Messaging should focus on quick builds, low disruption, and planning permission flexibility
  • Target Millennial and Gen-Z homeowners, especially in cities with high space pressure

Architects, Designers & Surveyors

  • Focus on space optimisation, especially in period homes
  • Hybrid working means layouts must support flexible zones for living, working, and entertaining
  • Offer smart redesigns that convert underused or poor-quality space

Contractors & Installers

  • Renovation and retrofit work – not just new builds -is growing
  • Regional targeting is essential: focus on cities where dissatisfaction is highest
  • Offer solutions that minimise disruption and help customers navigate planning

Explore the Full Data

The full report includes a detailed regional breakdown and insights by generation, home type, and budget: www.eurocell.co.uk/blog/no-space-like-home

View the interactive survey dashboard:
charts.censuswide.com/J15216CWRS

Final Thought

Homeowners may be staying put, but they aren’t standing still. With planning applications increasingly tied to home extensions and conversions, the opportunity for built environment professionals is clear: align with the “improvers” and support them in creating homes that better reflect the way people live now.

To learn more about how Eurocell can support your housing projects, contact us today: commercialsales.profiles@eurocell.co.uk

Clark-Drain specified on ground-breaking carbon-neutral prison development

Building Products Index Ltd access covers, Drainage Leave a Comment

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Clark-Drain were chosen to supply key drainage and access components for the UK’s first carbon-neutral prison at Full Sutton, East Riding of Yorkshire. Delivered by Kier Group, the new Category C facility for 1,500 inmates has now opened and will operate fully on electricity, supported by solar panels, heat pumps and high-efficiency systems to significantly reduce its carbon footprint.

Among the Clark-Drain products specified were heavy-duty polypropylene access chambers, selected for their strength, durability, and ease of installation. Their lightweight yet robust design provided a practical solution that also supports the sustainability goals of the project by reducing embodied carbon and long-term maintenance demands.

For architects, specifiers and contractors looking for drainage and access solutions that deliver reliability and greener credentials, this case study provides insight into how Clark-Drain matches product performance to modern construction standards.

Want to see the product details, performance data, and how Clark-Drain’s solutions were incorporated on site?

Read the full case study here › Clark-Drain & Kier: UK’s First Carbon-Neutral Prison

Call 01733 765317 or email sales@clark-drain.com to discuss how Clark-Drain can support your next project.

 

Pumping Systems CPD: An Industry First

Building Products Index Ltd waterproofing Leave a Comment

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Written by Warren Muschialli

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new RIBA-Approved CPD training for specifiers, ‘Specifying Pumping Systems for Below-Ground Waterproofing Projects‘. 

A key component of Type C cavity drain waterproofing, pumping systems provide a safe method for water to exit a building. For architects and specifiers working on projects involving below-ground spaces, understanding the intricacies of sump pump system design and specification is essential.

Furthermore, our new RIBA-approved Specifying Pumping Systems CPD represents a first of its kind within the industry. It is the only CPD that focuses specifically on the correct specification and integration of pumping equipment for below-ground waterproofing projects.

Professionals in the construction industry have long recognised that pumps are critical to effective cavity drainage system design. However, no RIBA-accredited CPD has previously explored pump design, specification, and maintenance in such practical detail.

By addressing this knowledge gap, the Specifying Pumping Systems CPD empowers specifiers’ with best practice guidance. In turn, this helps specifiers correctly select and integrate pumping systems into the overall below-ground waterproofing design.

Specifying Pumping Systems for Below-Ground Waterproofing Projects

Our newest CPD covers a comprehensive understanding of pump technologies and best practices in pump selection for various applications. Specifically, this includes:

  • A deep dive into the specification considerations for below-ground pumping systems
  • The fundamental principles of pump operation, types of pumps, and the essential criteria for routine pump maintenance
  • The critical role of sump pumps within Type C waterproofing systems
  • Common risks associated with below-ground pump installations and how to mitigate them through correct system design

In addition, approval from RIBA shows the CPD has been independently assessed for technical accuracy, educational value, and relevance to the specifier. This gives the specifier confidence that the focus of the presentation is on construction best practice and technical waterproofing guidance.

Schedule Your Free CPD Today

As a result of our new CPD, we now offer a portfolio of six RIBA-approved CPD seminars. We deliver each presentation flexibly, whether in person at your office, online via webinar, or at our Newton Training Centre in Kent.

To arrange your free, RIBA-approved CPD, please contact our CPD Co-ordinator James Newton with your preferred dates. Alternatively, fill out the contact form at the bottom of this page.

Lastly, complement your knowledge of pumping systems and waterproofing design with one of our other RIBA-approved CPDs. We have presentations that focus on all forms of waterproofing, including ‘A Designers Guide to Type C Waterproofing to British Standard 8102:2022‘.