The top Buildingtalk Newsletter stories from last year plus construction prospects for 2014

Howard Chapman, Buildingtalk Editor, writes…

We begin this first Buildingtalk newsletter of the year with a quick look back at some of 2013’s most read stories. Almost 500 readers used the link to the Buildingtalk website to read all about the Geberit toilet installed at The Shard, with this highest loo in Europe featuring in a list of the ‘world’s must-pee places’

Other top stories included: footballing legend Bryan Robson pictured on Buildingtalk looking for rooflights at Howells; Schueco showing how they can complete complex 3D facade designs with spectacular shapes using standard profiles; Jaga launched the UK’s slimmest all-in-one heating, cooling & ventilating radiator; and a report on my visit to the Mitsubishi Electric project at Kingston on Thames providing the first UK renewable heat from rivers.  

This week’s Markit/CIPS report shows output, new orders and jobs in house-building, commercial projects and civil engineering are all on the up. The latest Glenigan Index showed an overall 15% rise in projects in December compared to the previous year plus retail starts doubled in Q4 and Education project starts were up 35%. You can follow Buildingtalk on Twitter to get all the latest breaking news.

Below we have this year’s first pick of new product and project summaries. You can use the links below to access the full stories and downloads. If you have news for 2014 to share with the industry, do send details to me via [email protected]  

TOP 10 STORIES

Conservatories and porches must meet Local Government requirements

Plastic boardwalk fitted at lake made from recycled films and bottles

Fire rated glass offers a reliable fire protection solution

Thermocable monitor uses cloud and satellite technology to detect leaks

Fire resistant sliding door provides protection against flame and heat

Security doors offer protection against theft and fire at bank

Noise reduction product praised for its sound proofing abilities

Transitioning to Certified Installer status Webinars being hosted

Specifiers can access new information with NARM Technical Documents

CAD download in 3D available for the design of Changing Places toilet

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Novus property maintenance and refurbishment solutions at Homes exhibition

LATEST STORIES AND CASE STUDIES

Geodesic dome skylight offers natural light for new building at Lake Attersee in Austria

Underfloor heating systems can enable easy eradication of dust mites

PVC cladding with wood effect fitted at coastal town properties

Quickset cement with improved setting performance cuts time and cost

Energy efficiency is a key agenda for the Fabric First Academy

Lighting and electrical products featured on click and collect website

Rainscreen Board installed at Campus as part of external wall build up

Roof cladding and glazing solution work specified for cultural centre

Sustainable systems for construction demonstrations at Ecobuild 2014

Hot dip galvanised BeamClamp® type BB fixings used for rail link

Link to FASTRAK CAD & BIM on Buildingtalk

TWEETS OF THE WEEK

London Olympic stadium £154m conversion by Balfour Beatty will include world’s largest cantilevered roof

Photos of 10 key buildings that changed the look of England

Commercial construction growth December fastest since August 2007; home values up 8.4% in 2013, best since 2006

60% of construction firms expect growth in 2014 says latest Markit/CIPS survey + construction sector grew for eighth straight month

Help to Buy scheme for new-build homes begins in Wales – catching-up with the rest of the UK