1936 was a good year for history – the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, the abdication of King Edward VIII so he could marry his American divorcee girlfriend Wallace Simpson, Buddy Holly was born, public TV was launched for the first time in the UK and Jesse Owens won four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics much to the disgust of an up and coming dictator in Germany – Adolf Hitler. Manchester City won its first ever First Division title and Manchester United were relegated.

Reflecting the continued growth and diversification of the business, Style has rebranded as Style Group , expanding its partitions and moveable wall expertise to include an Acoustic Solutions range .   The new name brings together a comprehensive interior solutions portfolio under a single, cohesive identity, while maintaining the same regional teams, specialist knowledge and customer-focused approach that the company is well known for. Style Group delivers market-leading mov

Originally launched by Schlüter ® -Systems  nearly 40 years ago, the DITRA  uncoupling membrane revolutionised the flooring industry by offering functions such as load distribution, vapour management and reliable waterproofing.  Over time, these practical benefits have been developed further, creating a key family of products within the Schlüter-Systems portfolio, which today comprises around 12,000 established product lines. The low-profile membrane features a distinctive do

Toby Marlow, Building & Construction Director from Haddonstone, outlines why cast stone is the smart choice for modern construction and historical renovation... Natural stone, such as marble, slate and sandstone, has been a core construction material around the world for centuries; think the Taj Mahal, Palace of Westminster, the Palace of Versailles, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, for example. Weather-resistance, beauty, durability, and low maintenance contribute to the appea

Leading heating and plumbing distributor Navigator continues to offer a range of quality products that offer installers and specifiers ease of installation and peace of mind at competitive prices. The latest introduction is a comprehensive range of renewable accessories that will help today’s installers to embrace renewable heating system installation in a big way – and at an attractive price. Thorsys is driving the transition to a greener, more sustainable future with Naviga

James Hardie, the world leader in the manufacture of high-performance fibre cement building solutions, has announced the launch of the Conceal System for Hardie® Panel, a new mechanical concealed fixing system designed to deliver a flawless finish, improved durability and simplified maintenance for fibre cement soffit installations. Developed in partnership with KEIL®, the Conceal System for Hardie® Panel has been engineered specifically for use with 11mm Hardie® Panel and Ha

As illustrated by a recent commercial office project, cladding specialists are increasingly turning to SFS Group Fastening Technology ’s innovative TDBL- nonut®  fastener to ensure their installed systems achieve the objectives of the Building Safety Act, while at the same time, enabling fast and efficient installation. Launched last year, TDBL- nonut®  carries ETA-11/0191 approval, confirming that its patented thread shape, under-head locking detail and tri-lobular geometry

It was back in 2012 in its Living Planet Report  when the World Wildlife Fund  asserted that ,  if the Western developed nations continued with their pattern of consumption, we would need three  planet’s worth of resources by 2050. During the years  since then, consumerism and population have expanded across regions like Africa and parts of Asia, with supposedly sustainable activities such as sourcing the minerals required for electrical vehicles steadily scarring once pristi

By Paul Trace, Director, Stella Rooflight.. .....    Over the past decade, the specification of rooflights in historic and sensitive buildings has evolved significantly. Advances in performance, detailing and thermal efficiency have  broadened what is possible, while planning authorities and conservation officers have  become increasingly familiar with rooflights as a legitimate way to introduce natural light  into traditionally challenging spaces.  Alongside this progress, h

Flybox provides safe power connectivity within large internal spaces exactly where you need it. It provides all the benefits of a flip-lid floor box, which keeps sockets hidden under the floor until you need them, with the versatility of a lengthy fly lead. The result is easy access to power in all corners of the building – a socket where you need it, when you need it. Simply open the lid and pull the retractable fly lead to the location where a 13-Amp socket is needed and co

Protective coatings specialists, Bradite are making colour selection easier than ever with the launch of their first colour card. The card features a palette of shades available in their most-popular finish, One Can – a water-based primer, stain blocker and professional finish ‘all in one can’. Designed for simplicity and ease of use, this compact colour card showcases 54 curated colour swatches, combining proven shades from the worlds of interior design and exterior decorati

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

As homeowners continue to seek spaces that balance comfort, character and longevity, the design landscape for 2026 places a renewed focus on natural materials, elevated textures and refined colour palettes. Drawing on his experience as a judge at the prestigious British institute of Interior Design Awards, and his deep understanding of global design narratives, Paul Moody, Global Marketing & Digital Director at Havwoods, outlines the trends set to shape the year ahead - demon

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

Leading manufacturer of roofing accessories, Klober, is celebrating 25 years of its Permo Forte 145 underlay, one of the first vapour permeable membranes to transform the UK roofing market.   When launched back in the late 1990s, this type of vapour permeable membrane represented a turning point in roofing design. Permo Forte offered a breathable alternative to traditional bitumen felts, helping contractors tackle widespread condensation issues that had long affected roof per

The new Troldtekt® baffles present an elegant way to enhance room acoustics while respecting the existing architecture. The slim baffles are suspended vertically from the ceiling – giving the freedom to control the acoustics, visual expression, and even thermal indoor climate. Good acoustics are essential for well-being, focus, and comfortable conversation. Yet, in large spaces, a full acoustic ceiling is not always practical. In these cases, the new Troldtekt baffles provide

Providing a one-stop-shop for KBB trade professionals, independent retailers and specialists, Life Trade not only supplies high-quality, fully pre-assembled kitchen solutions – but it also supplies beautifully crafted made-to-order bedroom cabinets too. With the option of 16 bedroom ranges, customers have the choice of both modern and traditional designs to suit a range of interior schemes. From the brand’s most popular Belsay Shaker family to the contemporary Porter and Vene

Visit stand 401, 3-5 February 2026, Business Design Centre London Returning for another year, Tile of Spain is delighted to be exhibiting at the Surface Design Show in February 2026. Showcasing the newest collections from a selection of its manufacturers, the show offers visitors an opportunity to see the very latest in Spanish tile innovation, design and technology.     Earth Baltic Amber by Equipe Cerámicas www.equipeceramicas.com   Thanks to developments in manufacturing p

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

Ted Todd , specialists in engineered wood flooring, has announced the expansion of its highly esteemed Project Collection with the launch of six new extra wide, extra thick floors. Following the successful introduction of a 20mm thick construction option within the popular Warehouse Collection, Ted Todd have now extended this offering of enhanced construction to their most-loved toned floors in their pronounced Project collection, offering greater choice for residential and c