Interiors

The beginning of the 21st century saw a great many fresh ideas across the UK construction industry, from the adoption of digital technologies to a wider recognition of sustainability and the importance of reducing carbon emissions. Both innovations, we might add, that were whole heartedly embraced and harnessed by Vicaima in the development of its products and services.  However, alongside this forward-thinking approach, came the realisation that old habits in our industry are often difficult change, such as painting doors on-site, or the reluctance to consider complete door assemblies, rather than cobbling together a collection of disparate and non-compatible parts. The logic of cost-effective factory finishing or the long-term assurance provided by fully compliant door systems were still being ignored. Perhaps because it had always been done that way, or simply that the value of whole life costs were rarely discussed or that people to do a myriad of tasks on site, were always plentiful.

Housing associations and local authorities are being encouraged to consider shower waste water heat recovery (WWHR) as part of their long-term planned maintenance and retrofit programmes, with the technology offering a simple, low-maintenance way to help tenants reduce energy bills while improving the efficiency of existing housing stock.

Bathrooms in social housing have to work particularly hard. They may need to fit within a challenging existing footprint, withstand years of daily use, be straightforward to maintain and accommodate tenants whose needs can change considerably over the lifetime of a tenancy. For housing providers, good shower specification is therefore about much more than appearance. It is about making intelligent use of available space while creating bathrooms that are practical, adaptable and comfortable to use.

Space is often one of the first challenges, particularly when refurbishing older housing stock. A conventional bathroom layout may leave little room for a generous shower enclosure, while pipework, windows, doors and structural features can further restrict the options available.

Durability is a key factor in the specification of kitchen and bathroom flooring in social housing, and Beauflor cushion vinyl flooring is the first line of defence against premature wear and early replacement.

Every day flooring comes under attack and without the right durable solution, the risk of early deterioration, tenant complaints and repairs rises sharply. So, the specification of a floor that’s up to the task is important in ensuring a durable and lasting solution that reduces the risk of early replacement.

Premiere Kitchens has invested £3.25m in new manufacturing equipment for its Gloucester factory to give housing providers greater certainty across planned works, new-build and fast-moving void programmes.
For social landlords, manufacturing capacity matters most when it removes risk from a programme. A kitchen arriving late can hold up several trades, extend a void period and adding cost before a property is ready to let.

Utility bills are climbing again, making it important for housing associations to provide tenants with the opportunity to make crucial cost savings where possible. Karen Wise, head of product management at 
Triton Showers, reveals how modern electric showers can drive efficiency, inclusivity and compliance.

“Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain...” are the immortal words spoken by the Wizard of Oz to Dorothy in the classic 1939 film as it is revealed that all the magic is happening behind the curtain.

For more than 100 years, Thomas Dudley has been providing the magic behind the curtain. In the world of washrooms and bathrooms, that curtain is often a concealed cistern hidden behind a wall, within furniture, or integrated into a modern installation. While unseen by the end user, these products play a vital role in delivering reliable performance, water efficiency and long-term durability.