MDF  is a staple component in most homes; the panel product has been around since 1966 when West Fraser’s CaberMDF  was introduced to the building market.   It can be sawn, drilled, shaped, and routed cleanly with minimum fuss, using hand or machine tools  and looks good as the sm ooth surface of the panels is ideal for painting , veneers, or paper foils. Photograph courtesy of Unsplash CaberMDF plays hide and seek around the home; it can be an architectural feature, fa s cia

Shorewood Homes  demonstrates an architectural ethos that juxtaposes classical with contemporary, balancing modern trends with historic detailing to create homes that are timeless, stylish, practical, and luxurious. The company’s design philosophy takes inspiration from period architecture which harmonises beautifully with the traditional character of Winchester. In Brunswick Gardens, each property is as visually elegant on the exterior as it is beautifully designed internall

Pyroguard, the world’s leading independent provider of fire safety glass, has been specified as part of the transformation of the former corporate office headquarters of telecommunications company Canal+ into an ambitious mixed-use development in Issy-les-Moulineaux, France.   Originally constructed in 2002, the 28,000 m² l’Eiffel building comprises eight superstructure levels and five basement levels. Its reinvention required far more than a conventional refurbishment; it de

A contemporary renovation project in Leicestershire has been completed with the installation of a comprehensive suite of high-quality residential doors from Hörmann UK, showcasing the brand’s ability to deliver cohesive solutions both externally and internally. The family home features a Hörmann sectional garage door and aluminium entrance door, complemented inside by a range of side-hinged, pocket, and fire doors. Carefully selected high-specification materials and contempor

Robust, a leading UK manufacturer of steel door solutions, has released OUTA-GATE, a new corrosion-resistant steel gate designed to deliver long term durability, security and aesthetic appeal across a wide range of applications in the commercial and residential sectors. Manufactured from Magnelis® steel, OUTA-GATE offers significantly improved corrosion resistance compared to standard galvanised products. This enhanced protection ensures outstanding performance in exposed env

Situated in the peaceful neighbourhood of Gilford, Northern Ireland, this ultramodern self-build is home to Clarke Graham and his family. Overlooking stunning views of the River Bann and the surrounding rural landscape, the property features six Keylite roof windows  that elegantly frame the picturesque Irish countryside.     The property owner, Clarke Graham,   set out to create the perfect family home with this extensive 2,600 square foot farmhouse-style build, completed wi

Leading window repair specialist, Associated Steel Window Services  (ASWS), employed impressive skills to bear during a two-year refurbishment contract addressing one of London’s best known retail landmarks. Within the project, the trio of shallow domed steel lanterns on an upper mezzanine level presented one of the most difficult challenges, both in terms of technical difficulty and logistical constraints.   Led by the client’s agent, Avison Young , and main contractor McLar

TORMAX UK was contracted by Spec-Al Facades to install its advanced iMotion 1301 door drives to automate a pair of heavy, bespoke swing doors, that form one of the main public entrances to the new V&A East Storehouse Museum. The iMotion door drives feature robust, gearless motor technology that delivers smooth, silent operation while comfortably handling the significant weight and height of the custom stainless-steel and aluminium door leaves. Their precise control software m

Soft curves, dappled details and minimal form – luxury architectural hardware brand Croft has drawn inspiration from the tactile elements of nature across a range of its core collections. From the sweeping movement of Lunar to the refined elements of Bark, each product captures a beautiful fragment of the natural world, all meticulously designed and handcrafted in the UK. Bark Croft’s newest launch, Bark is inspired by the rugged texture of bark to bring a natural yet contemp

Over the past decade, sliding doors have become the go-to choice for architects creating designs that bring in more light and space into their projects. Whether it is an extension, a renovation, or a self-build project, it’s easy to see the appeal - large panels of glass, slim frames, and seamless views of the garden. But as the demand for slim-framed doors has grown, so has the number of products on the market. And while those ultra-thin frames look fantastic, they can come

When a top development location became available in the leafy suburbs of a prime area in the South  of England, it was ideal for a successful businessman to build two homes for family members. As the slightly remote location could cause the properties to be vulnerable when the homes were  unoccupied, the family sought a chic solution for physical security that would harmonise with the  character of the architecture but give complete peace of mind.  They quickly chose Equilux

Rethinking urban living: The role of acoustic balcony glazing in inner-city high-rise living Cities in the UK are becoming taller and noisier. Between 2011 and 2021, the number of households living in a flat, maisonette or apartment increased by 21% to 5.4 million.​ 1  In London, over half of the homes built since 2002 are in high-rise buildings.​ 2     While high-rise living may address housing shortages, the quality of life for residents is often impacted by issues such as

Pyroguard, the world’s leading independent provider of fire safety glass, has developed a  thinner, lighter glass specifically for balustrades that achieves A2 fire-rated performance and contains less encapsulated CO2. In partnership with Q-Railing, a specialist in balustrade systems, the product has been successfully tested and is the first approved balustrade system of its kind to reach the market. The new Pyroguard Balustrades Evo range has been introduced to meet the grow

At the 2025 Steel Window Association  awards, the Commercial Project winner was West Leigh ’s Len House project. Andy Bawn, MD of West Leigh, tells us all about the company today. Len House, Maidstone – West Leigh’s meticulous restoration of this Grade II listed Art Deco landmark, featuring like-for-like W20 steel windows and doors, curved frames, and bespoke detailing to preserve its historic character   What is your core business? Andy Bawn, Managing Director for West Leigh

Vicaima, a major European player in the design and manufacture of advanced interior door solutions, has announced the launch of Dekordor® HD Expressions, a new collection of durable and versatile finishes. Engineered to fuse the authentic beauty of woodlook with additional resilience, the range offers a flexible solution that meets the dual demands of the modern construction market: providing architects and designers with sophisticated aesthetics, while assuring developers, c

Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS), a leading specialist in heritage fenestration and architectural metalwork, proudly supported the Glasshouse Street Christmas Charity Collection for The Whitechapel Mission , joining forces with BAM  and fellow subcontractors to make a meaningful difference this festive season. Pictured left is ASWS’ Site Manager Jono helping deliver their donations to The Whitechapel Mission over the Christmas period, while right is just some of the ge

A bespoke curved side sliding timber garage door by Rundum Meir has enabled a unique feature garage to be created as part of the extensive remodelling of a large private dwelling in southern England. A Rundum Original sliding garage door spanning 8m wide and 2.2m high was integrated within the new designs by BWP Architects for a major property renovation, transforming a house which had evolved in an uncoordinated and poorly designed way.  The door provides access to a large g

ISO-Chemie’s thermal insulating and load bearing bracket support system has been specified to provide energy efficiency improvements to an Edwardian property in Oxfordshire. The move sees WINFRAMER units retrofitted as part of an initiative to bring the poorly insulated solid walled house built in 1909 in Oxford, up to current energy efficiency standards, providing better quality accommodation for the homeowner along with long-term cost savings.   Passivhaus certified and fir

By Wojciech Brożyna - MD Aluprof UK  - The Architecture & Building Expo 2025 (ABX 2025) took place at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) in Dublin on 8-9 October 2025. The event served as a key meeting point for architects, architectural technologists, building professionals and specifiers from across Ireland and beyond. The show featured a broad exhibition scope from smart-home systems and modular building to insulation materials, security systems and façade solutions. This year

SFS UK ’s JB‑D Plus pre‑wall window installation brackets  have been specified by façade specialist Leay Ltd  for the £725 k window‑and‑curtain‑wall package on Chichester College’s new STEM Academy in West Sussex, a choice Leay says streamlines site logistics while guaranteeing the structural integrity of the double‑skinned façade. Established in 1937 and now a nationwide fabricator of Kawneer aluminium systems, the Aylesford‑based company designed, supplied and installed AA1