Useful Insights

Thirty practical reference sheets covering building materials, moisture, insulation, fire, fixings and finishes. Revised 4 October 2026.

Choose a topic to open its page in the PDF, or download the complete set.

1. 01

   Choosing building insulation

   Compare the installed system, rather than a manufacturer ranking.

2. 02

   Airtight window and door junctions

   Keep the air seal continuous while retaining designed ventilation.

3. 03

   Choosing a Principal Designer

   Building Regulations duties in England: competence for the actual project.

4. 04

   Buying plywood with confidence

   Grade and intended use matter more than a global company list.

5. 05

   Acoustic floors: the complete build-up

   An added board is one component of a sound-control system.

6. 06

   Fire-protective coatings

   Specify a tested application, with the required evidence.

7. 07

   Roof condensation: assess the build-up

   A reflective roof or a metal fixing does not by itself diagnose the problem.

8. 08

   Sulfrock boards: selecting an application

   Magnesium sulphate board use must follow the relevant system evidence.

9. 09

   New materials: promise and proof

   Distinguish research potential from demonstrated product performance.

10. 10

    Fibre cement: benefits and limits

    Select the exact board and detail the complete construction.

11. 11

    Damp walls and heat loss

    Moisture changes performance; there is no fixed percentage for every wall.

12. 12

    Choosing tiles for the job

    Compare intended use, installation and verified performance.

13. 13

    Waterproofing: checks before handover

    Use a complete compatible system and record concealed work.

14. 14

    Board fixings: specify the system

    The screw, board and support must work together.

15. 15

    Coastal homes: moisture and insulation

    Treat exposure, rain control and ventilation as one design problem.

16. 16

    Wall thickness: design it properly

    Thickness follows structure, insulation, fire and space requirements.

17. 17

    Plumbing: a project sizing checklist

    Pipe sizes depend on demand, layout and system conditions.

18. 18

    Rodent signs: investigate safely

    Droppings are a clue; shape and size alone do not confirm the species.

19. 19

    Modelled and measured energy use

    Both are useful when their purpose and assumptions are understood.

20. 20

    Concrete cracks: identify and assess

    Appearance alone does not establish the cause or structural significance.

21. 21

    Facade glazing: combine the properties

    Treatments, coatings and glazing units can be combined.

22. 22

    Fibre cement installation: key checks

    Use the current instructions for the specific panel and support system.

23. 23

    Terrix render in coastal locations

    Specify the product and complete system for the exposure.

24. 24

    Board thickness: select from evidence

    Thickness alone cannot establish an approved use.

25. 25

    Hemp and steel: compare like for like

    No universal ten-times-strength claim is justified.

26. 26

    Weather-resistant boards: the whole wall

    A board cannot provide storm or flood protection by itself.

27. 27

    Airtight homes need designed ventilation

    Comfort, energy performance and fresh air should be planned together.

28. 28

    Board fixing holes: finishing safely

    Repair and finishing depend on the board and the fixing detail.

29. 29

    Liquid waterproofing: choose the system

    GRP, polyurethane, PMMA and polyurea are families, not performance guarantees.

30. 30

    Loft insulation and summer comfort

    A roof can gain heat, but comfort depends on the whole home.