Callum Jensen, Senior Commercial Manager at Haddonstone, explains what architects and developers should consider when specifying cast stone... Specifying cast stone is about far more than achieving an attractive finish. For architects, housebuilders and developers, the decisions made at specification stage can have a lasting impact on a building’s appearance, durability, and whole-life costs. While it may be tempting to focus on initial purchase prices and ambitious delivery

International jury recognises biobased kitchen concept enduura® elba for design and innovation. Keller Kitchens, part of DKG, has received the Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2026 for its biobased kitchen range enduura® elba. This recognition highlights the sustainable and innovative direction DKG has pursued for many years. The Red Dot Design Award is recognised worldwide as one of the leading competitions for product and concept design. Each year, independent experts assess t

Available in three different dimensions and nine colours, the Schlüter-DESIGN-NICHE niche elements can be used to create a multitude of design highlights on walls while providing practical, integrated storage solutions. Designed for modern living spaces, the prefabricated installation elements are suitable not only for bathrooms and wetrooms, but also for kitchens, utility rooms and other areas throughout the home. Stylish and functional, Schlüter-DESIGN-NICHE is manufactured

Trianco’s new Activair R290 indoor heat pumps deliver efficient, low-carbon heating with outputs of 3.2kW and 5kW, advanced smart controls and remote diagnostic/monitoring capability; ideal for retrofit, new build and LA/social housing. Trianco’s new Activair R290 is a revolutionary indoor air/water heat pump designed for locations where an outdoor unit is unfeasible; examples are apartments without balconies or those with limited outside space. Developed to supply both heat

Sliding and folding door hardware manufacturer, P C Henderson, have recently re-tested their trusted external folding door hardware system, Securefold Pro, to the latest PAS 24 2022+A1:2024 security standard. Designed for residential and commercial applications with doors up to 100kg each, Securefold Pro has been enhanced to support specifiers, fabricators and developers working on upcoming housing projects. What is PAS 24 and why does it matter? PAS 24 is the UK’s benchmark

Taylor Maxwell, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of brick, façade and timber solutions to the construction industry, has launched SpecView, a new in-house visualisation service that allows architects and specifiers to see how façade materials will look across a full building before they commit to a specification. SpecView combines live visualisation with hands-on guidance from Taylor Maxwell’s brick and masonry specialists. Architects and Main Contractor design teams can bri

As urban living continues to shape modern home design, compact kitchens are becoming increasingly common. While smaller footprints can present design challenges, they also create opportunities for retailers, designers and installers to demonstrate the value of intelligent planning and innovative storage solutions. Paul Berryman, Head of Life Trade, says, “Creating a successful small kitchen is no longer simply about fitting everything into a limited space. Today’s consumers e

Tiles are no longer confined to kitchen splashbacks and bathroom walls. As homeowners become more confident in their decorating choices, tiles are increasingly being used to introduce colour, texture and personality throughout the home. From statement headboards and decorative bathroom details to tiled furniture and creative laying patterns, today’s interiors are embracing a more imaginative approach to surfaces. Maria D Arráez, Director of Tile of Spain UK, shares the new ru

Contemporary terrazzo colours featuring certified recycled content. Five HIMACS Terrazzo colours have been honoured with the prestigious Red Dot Design Award 2026 in the Product Design category, one of the world's most respected design distinctions. The award recognises a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional terrazzo aesthetics, combining expressive design with responsible material innovation. The award-winning colours, Terrazzo Ulivo (Q102), Terrazzo Nuvola (Q103), T

Königstone’s KönigZero new Taj Mahal is a stunning, marble‑inspired engineered stone that captures the soft veining and warm, creamy tones of natural stone while offering greater practicality. Designed to echo the elegance of Taj Mahal quartzite, it delivers a refined look with a non‑porous, stain‑resistant finish that won’t absorb spills or require sealing. Easy to clean and simple to maintain, it’s an ideal choice for busy kitchens and living spaces. For anyone who loves th

Incorporating hinges into a frameless glass shower door installation for a seamless look is now easy than ever, with Bellagio from CRL, available in eleven on-trend finishes and with a sleek yet high-performing design. Bellagio has a minimalistic and compact design, with a square cornered look that is elegantly modern, its clip on cover plates discreetly hide the screws. Choose from Chrome, Matte Black, Brushed Nickel, Polished Brass, Satin Brass, Gun Metal, Brushed Gun Metal

As homeowners continue to embrace more considered, design-led interiors, the demand for beautifully crafted finishing touches has never been greater. As part of their all-encompassing portfolio, Croft presents its collection of cabinet knobs, pulls and handles, offering homeowners an opportunity to elevate cabinetry through exceptional British craftsmanship and timeless design. Often described as the jewellery of the kitchen, cabinet hardware has become an increasingly import

Simon Woods, European Sales, Marketing and Logistics Director, West Fraser, explains Embodied carbon is not yet a legal requirement for most UK housing, but it is fast becoming unavoidable. For housebuilders, it is shaping up as the next major structural challenge after energy efficiency, with implications for design standards, material supply, planning consent, and investor credibility. Many large housebuilders are already preparing because early movers, as always, will find

Showersave, part of The Keystone Group and a market leader in Waste Water Heat Recovery Systems (WWHRS), has collaborated with Blairgowrie Community Recreation Centre to deliver waste water heat recovery technology, helping create a low-carbon, future-ready facility for the local community. Pioneered by Perth and Kinross Council, the £36 million facility located in the centre of Blairgowrie features state-of-the-art amenities including a 25m swimming pool, sports halls, fitn

As UK builders face growing pressure to balance performance, cost-efficiency, and environmental responsibility, SterlingOSB Zero provides a practical and adaptable solution. Its ability to perform across multiple applications means it can often replace several different panel types within a single project, simplifying procurement and ensuring greater consistency across the build. West Fraser 's SterlingOSB Zero is a high-performance, sustainable panel solution that meets the

Offsite construction has moved from niche curiosity in the 1990’s to mainstream necessity today as the industry is being reshaped by the demand for faster build times, higher energy performance, and precision‑engineered components. This shift places Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) at the centre of the transformation - driving manufacturers, developers and material suppliers to rethink how homes are designed, manufactured and assembled. Against this backdrop, products tha

Interpon, a brand of AkzoNobel Powder Coatings, has launched the Eco+ Cure energy calculator – a new expert-led, advanced analysis tool designed to help manufacturers uncover practical ways to reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, and shrink their carbon footprint across powder coating operations. Manufacturers across industries are prioritizing energy efficiency and emissions reduction alongside productivity and product quality. By unlocking deeper insights into

The conversation around silicosis has intensified significantly in recent months, with increased scrutiny into the industry. Earlier this year, PWS, one of the UK’s largest, best-invested, market leading fabricators of quality bespoke surfaces, reinforced its commitment to safe working practices, calling for greater industry-wide accountability. Proper regulation and safe fabrication when handling quartz are essential to ensuring the safety of workers and the environment, h

Instashade looks at some of the trends shaping outdoor living in Spring/Summer 2026... As outdoor spaces continue to evolve from functional add-ons into fully realised extensions of the home, InstaShade – premium partner of Grand Designs – reveals the key trends shaping how we live, entertain and unwind outside this season. With insight drawn from both residential and commercial projects across the UK, InstaShade’s latest trend forecast captures a market that is becoming mo

Cosentino, a global leader in the production and distribution of innovative surfaces for architecture and design, announces the launch of its new mineral surfaces brand, Éclos®. Éclos® marks a significant milestone for the industry, introducing an entirely new category: the “Inlayered Mineral Surface.” Based on Cosentino’s proprietary Inlayr® design technology, the brand expands Cosentino’s portfolio alongside Silestone®, Dekton® and Sensa®, combining a layered design system