The Building Envelope

Local authorities and housing associations across the UK face mounting pressure to deliver safe, compliant refurbishment and new build programmes, often within severely constrained budgets and challenging timescales.

Nowhere is this more evident than in high-rise projects, where replacing windows at height has traditionally meant extensive scaffolding, increased risk and significant disruption to residents.

One of the largest recladding programmes outside of London has recently been completed at the West Point residential complex in central Leeds. The transformative £24.5 million redevelopment represents a significant milestone in delivering safer, compliant, and future‑proofed façades for high‑rise buildings across the UK.

Marley has launched a new Technical Tools platform, providing architects and specifiers with a faster, clearer, and more transparent route to roofing specification.

Howard Trotter, Business Manager at Shelforce, has worked closely with local authorities for many years, explains why full-system testing and demonstrable test evidence are now essential for local-authority refurbishments.

As local authorities and housing associations continue to navigate one of the most tightly regulated eras our sector has ever seen, one principle is becoming non-negotiable; products going into people’s homes must be proven to perform, not assumed to perform.

Housing associations can strengthen their supply chain by partnering with roof system manufacturers who go further.

The provision of proven product systems, a wide-ranging product portfolio and accessible technical support are roof manufacturing ‘must haves’. It helps the housing association sector balance cost, efficiency and sustainability considerations when it comes to developing low carbon, energy efficient homes for tenants.

Imparting best practice specification, encouraging design skills and sharing essential product knowledge so the next generation of professionals deliver well designed, warm and sustainable future homes for the housing association sector, highlights the importance of manufacturers taking a wider view.

There are two essential tools for professionals working on slate roofing maintenance projects that offer simplicity, cost effectiveness and time saving benefits that will pay handsome dividends to roofers, gas engineers, solar PV installers, HEATAS engineers, builders, plumbers and maintenance teams working for housing associations, local authorities, housing contractors and the like. 

Selecting the right cladding system involves more than just the initial purchase price. The most cost-effective solution is a balance of upfront cost, long-term durability, minimal maintenance needs, and regulatory compliance. Valcan’s Ceramapanel (fibre cement) and VitraDual (solid aluminium) complete systems offer high-quality, non-combustible options that prove to be sound financial investments over their lifespan.