Opinion

The folly of manufacturing and installing artificial grass cannot carry on

21 July, 2023

Reader Mark Canning responds to an article by Artificial Lawn Company that fought back against artificial lawn misinformation.

Builders' merchants critical in championing water and energy saving technologies

Tom Reynolds, Chief Executive at the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, underscores builders’ merchants vital role in pushing for water and energy conservation.

Mitigating the effects of extreme heat

The hottest June since records began underlines the need for heat-combatting insulation, according to Mark Cooper, Actis UK and Ireland Sales Director.

Fighting against artificial lawn misinformation

Now that Welsh Climate Change Minister Julie James has done a U-turn on banning artificial lawn, she continues to make erroneous statements about its effect on the environment. Sam Baylis, Surveyor and Sales Professional at Artificial Lawn Company, speaks out against the misrepresentation of a product and an industry.

Working in the warmer weather? Be careful!

Summer has arrived and with that comes a new set of challenges for those working outdoors in warm weather. What guidance can merchants pass on to customers working with concrete and cement during the summer season? Paul Lees, Head of Commercial at Tarmac, offers his advice.

The benefits of sustainable material sourcing

Jane Marsh, Editor-in-Chief of Environment.co, explains how to overcome common challenges in sustainable material procurement.

Meaningful change can lead to net zero

Jane Marsh, Editor-in-Chief of Environment.co, explains how optimising procurement can help decarbonise the construction industry.

Why flat roofs sometimes have the edge on pitched roof design

James Wilinson, Design Team Manager at Gradient, examines the reasons to opt for a flat roof rather than a pitched roof design or pitched roof extension.

Laing O'Rourke to use low carbon concrete for all new projects

Dura Products MD Steve Bennett believes the decision was admirable as reducing embodied carbon is key for the construction industry.

The future of heating in off gas grid homes

Jonathan Hancock, Product Manager at NIBE Energy Systems, reviews the advantages of choosing ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) to hear off gas grid homes.

How inflation impacts the building industry

Jane Marsh, Editor-in-Chief of Environment.co, highlights the key areas where inflation impacts clients, contractors and their supply chain contacts.

Sustainability in practice: The journey to Net Zero

Colin Donnelly, Health, Safety & Environmental Manager at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions, discusses the company’s journey towards Net Zero, and how organisations can implement more sustainable operations.

Home improvement market faces a challenging 2023

Allan Jeffrey, CEO at Ultra Decking, believes sharp decrease in consumer spending combined with rising costs will continue to impact profits.

The perfect alternative to plywood

The shortage of birch plywood is a cause of concern in the timber industry, with many suppliers and contractors looking for alternative places to source from. Ireland-based engineered wood panel manufacturer MEDITE SMARTPLY may offer the perfect solution.

A year of opportunity

NIBE Managing Director Phil Hurley highlights the key policy decisions needed for 2023 to accelerate decarbonisation and heat pump rollout across the country.

Trade retail's huge digital challenge

Hannah Foley, Director of Digital, Wolseley Group, argues that the digital evolution of merchants is a mammoth task.

Energy security starts at home

Simon Storer, Chief Executive of Insulation Manufacturers Association, believes the best way to resolve our energy crisis is to insulate our homes.

Why home security is top of the wish list this Christmas

Tommy Geddes, Commercial Director for George Boyd, offers his advice on the pre-holiday upgrades or retrofits for fully functioning home security that builders merchants can pass onto their customers.

Seizing opportunities

Tom Reynolds, CEO of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, argues that opportunities still exist despite an economic black cloud.

Public shared spaces have a role to support communities

Russell Kirkham, Group Marketing Director at Marshalls, comments on the role public shared spaces and the built environment industry have to support individuals, businesses and communities in light of tax increases, public spending cuts and the rising cost of living.

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