With the imminent referendum on whether or not Scotland should be an independent country from the rest of the UK taking place this week, the GGF can reassure all Scottish Members that the levels of service and the benefits received will continue regardless of the outcome.

Nigel Rees, GGF Group Chief Executive stated, “Our Scottish Members, like all our Members

As the property market regains its confidence, the UK’s fastest growing home show is coming to London for the first time as a combined event designed for both self-builders and remodelers. The new London Homebuilding & Renovating and Home Improvement Show proudly sponsored by Anglian Home Improvements will take place from the 26-28 September at Olympia, London. The exhibition will offer visitors the chance to benefit from an extensive range of products and recommendations from more exhibitors than ever before and tips and bespoke advice from an extended expert panel on how to successfully complete a project from start to finish.

Piers Taylor, award-winning RIBA architect and co-presenter of BBC2 series ‘The House that £100k Built’ will be making his first appearance on the London expert panel to inspire visitors with quality interior design and architecture recommendations to help homeowners make the most of their projects. Charlie Luxton, sustainable architectural designer and presenter of More4’s ‘Building the Dream’, will be making his awaited comeback to the London event and will also appear alongside other homebuilding and home improvement professionals including Michael Holmes, editor-in-chief of the Homebuilding and Renovating Magazine.

The National Federation of Builders (NFB) and the National House Building Council (NHBC) are jointly hosting a series of fringe events at this year’s political party conferences. The purpose of the events will be to call for new housebuilding to be a priority for the next government. The events will consist of a panel debate on the future of housing at the Labour and Conservative party conferences. At the events, audience members will have the chance to ask politicians and housebuilding experts the tough questions of how and where we build the new homes.

The events will be supporting the wider “Homes for Britain” campaign with the aim of ensuring that housing is high up the political agenda as we approach the next general election. The NFB will also be launching its manifesto for the 2015 election at the events.

Our speaker line up is as follows: Labour Party Conference – The future of housing: how and where will we build the new homes? 17:30 – 18:45, Sunday 21 September Central 5 (Secure Zone)

Leading commercial fabricator Solar Windows has just completed a large scale project for Wales & West Housing (WWH) under a framework agreement which represents the latest phase in a successful twelve year association between the two organisations.

Originally ‘partnered’ together in 2002, Solar Windows remains a key supplier to WWH and continues to manufacture and install REHAU PVC-U windows and doors for the housing association’s ongoing maintenance and replacement programme.

Most recently, Solar has installed 450 casement and tilt and turn frames in the REHAU TOTAL70C system in the West Lee housing complex in Cardiff, to replace single glazed aluminium windows which were in place previously.

This was part of a major refurbishment project designed to improve both the energy efficiency and security of the 130 flats and maisonettes within the complex. Alongside cavity wall insulation, the double glazed windows are key to improving the comfort levels for residents and reducing their energy costs.

The windows have been foiled in a Rosewood woodgrain finish and those which overlook the busy Cowbridge Road East in Cardiff

Comment to be attributed to Michael Dall, lead economist at construction intelligence specialist, barbour abi

In response to the Output in the construction industry:july 2014 and new orders april to june 2014

“It’s encouraging that new orders are continuing on a positive trajectory, but with the rate of growth slowing from recent quarters, today’s announcement still isn’t the silver bullet we need to dispel all concerns about the performance of the construction sector.

“What is particularly interesting in today’s figures is the growing strength of new orders in the private commercial sector and especially for office contracts where we’ve seen an increase by 29% in Q2 versus Q1 this year. “Early indications from our monthly Economic and Construction Market Review however, point to a summer slowdown on the commercial

frameXpress is well recognised for providing the highest standards in terms of products and performance, and both attributes seem to prove hard to beat. This is accredited not only to product performance but also the guarantees of the flexible, nationwide delivery service that are now benchmarks which customers recognise and have come to rely upon.

The company offers a bespoke delivery service to customers across the UK that is setting them apart from competitors which is resulting in a growing number of companies choosing to install products from the portfolio.

In-house manufacturing that can be delivered either to factories or direct to site within 5 days, gives customers an edge and is a further example of the frameXpress commitment to customer service.

As a company, frameXpress has established a formidable reputation for quality, durability and reliability and is renowned for providing superior standards from manufacture through to output and final delivery.

An all weather louvre roof system for patios and terraces has been launched by Fledmex® UK, and the company is currently looking for UK installation partners. The German system fits with the growing outdoor living concept and allows owners to experience an alfresco environment when the louvres are open and enjoy a fully weatherproof haven when closed.

The Fledmex louvres can be opened up to 90 degrees to release hot air and provide a manageable climate on sunny days. The amount of shade on the patio can also be managed by adjusting the tilt angle of the louvres. In the event of a rainshower the louvres can be easily closed either manually or by electric motor/remote control, and outdoor events such as barbecues no longer need to be at the mercy of the British weather.

Industry buzzes after NFA shortlists announced

Voting has been live for less than two weeks when this was written, but the announcement of the shortlists on Monday night saw an explosion of activity within the industry.

It had been an epic 7 month long nominations process which saw over 200 separate submissions from all 13 represented sectors of the UK fenestration industry. That was a level of engagement which went way beyond what was seen in 2013, confirming that the National Fenestration Awards have made significant progress since it’s inaugural year.

On the evening of Monday 8th September, the lucky finalists were emailed privately to be informed of their success, with the shortlists and voting being made public soon afterwards. These are this year’s finalists by category:

As contractors across the UK continue to gear up for increased growth, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has joined the Build Show as an Event Partner – bringing its significant expertise to the show’s programme of training and skills-focused seminar content.

Founded to support training and skills in the construction industry, the CITB takes a lead role in developing training strategy and influencing supply and funding for the whole construction sector. As part of this, the board works closely with governments, employers and training bodies in a variety of capacities – providing advice, financial support and research, as well as delivering specialist training facilities and services.

“There is a real appetite for personalised products with homeowners now using them widely to individualise their properties,” says Mark Atkinson, Sales Director at Hurst Plastics. “Our unique digital glass printing service allows installers to create a completely bespoke glass design for a customer’s front door and bring an individual touch to their home.

Andersen windows from Black Millwork have been used in an exclusive and highly energy efficient development in Suffolk. Built by Brian Sabberton Ltd, the eight homes that form the Clearview development offer traditional style with superb modern performance.

Constructed using local vernacular facing bricks and clay roof tiles, Clearview offers traditional aesthetics whilst incorporating the latest technologies to ensure outstanding performance and minimal on going maintenance requirements. Internally, the eight homes benefit from underfloor heating with individual room thermostatic control and solar thermal hot water heating, providing luxurious and economical comfort.