This month we're releasing a comprehensive set of protected staircase, loft conversion, and fire stopping details designed to support material change of use, loft conversions, and new-build residential projects. Fire safety and means of escape are fundamental...

Timber Frame Flat Roof Detail (Warm Deck): VCLs, Insulation and Waterproofing Warm deck flat roofs are a common choice in timber frame construction. This junction has to manage waterproofing, vapour control and thermal continuity all at once, while still being...

Timber Frame Cold Roof Eaves Detail: Ventilation, Membranes & Insulation In this episode of the Detail Clinic, we break down a timber frame eaves detail for a ventilated roof space (cold roof), using a marked-up drawing to explain what each layer is doing and how...

Building Regulations Notes for Extensions: What to Include (Plus Template) If you regularly submit domestic extensions to Building Control, you'll know the drawings are only part of the picture. The accompanying notes — those pages of written guidance covering...

Timber Frame Window Head Detail: Lintels, Cavity Trays & Fire Barriers Window head details in timber frame construction can be difficult to fully understand, particularly when multiple layers overlap in a relatively small space. Structural support, moisture...

On the Detail Library, we're excited to release a comprehensive Passivhaus twin stud timber frame detail set, designed to support Passivhaus projects and ultra-low energy buildings. Passivhaus represents the gold standard in energy-efficient construction, requiring...

Introduction According to the Indoor Air Quality research briefing published by the UK Parliament in 2023, people spend about 80-90% of their time indoors. Given this statistic and knowing the fact that our environment has a direct impact on our health, it becomes...

Timber Frame Window Cill Detail: Cavity barriers, cills & membranes In this episode of the Detail Clinic, we're breaking down a timber frame window cill with brick cladding — a junction where moisture control, insulation, airtightness, and structure all come...

On the Detail Library, we’re introducing a comprehensive set of fire and acoustic details specifically designed for material change of use projects, where existing buildings are being converted into dwelling-houses and flats. Working on conversions and material...

Suspended timber Floor detail: Insulation, Support & Ventilation Timber frame external walls combined with suspended timber floors are a common arrangement in extension projects, particularly where new work meets older buildings. But this junction often raises...

Introduction Thermal mass is the capacity of a material to absorb, retain and release thermal energy or heat. It is an important property to consider when choosing building materials for our projects, especially as we work hard to reduce our CO₂ emissions, reduce...

Timber Frame Wall Detail: Breather Membranes, VCLs & Wall Ties In this episode of the Detail Clinic, we’re looking at a timber frame wall with brick cladding, breaking down how the layers are arranged and, more importantly, why they’re positioned the way they are....

On the Detail Library, we are very happy to share another selection of details in collaboration with Fluid Glass. These details include various arrangements for bifold, sliding and pivot doors. All the details are in a masonry cavity wall construction and explore a...

Detailing Party and Boundary Walls in House Extensions Party and boundary walls are one of those areas where technical design, legal requirements, and neighbour relations all collide. Get the detail wrong and you're looking at potential disputes, structural and...

Level Threshold Detail: Drainage, DPC vs DPM & Insulation Layers Level thresholds are one of the trickiest junctions to detail well. With drainage, moisture protection, insulation, movement and accessibility all coming together in a very small space, even small...

On the Detail Library, a new set of timber frame extension details is now available. These drawings cover a wide range of construction junctions including windows, doors, eaves, rooflights, and flat roof parapets. The details explore multiple installation methods for...

Door Jamb Detail: Frame Fixings, Airtightness & Compressible Seals Door jambs are one of those details that look straightforward at first glance, but once you start drawing them, it becomes clear how many layers are meeting in a very tight space. Airtightness,...

Window Cill Detail: DPCs, Sealants & Cavity Closers Window cill details can seem straightforward at first, but once you begin to look closely, it becomes clear how many layers are interacting at this single junction. Moisture protection, airtightness, insulation,...

Detailing a Side Return Extension: Structural Glazing in Lean-to Roofs Side return extensions, sometimes called infill extensions, are hugely popular in terraced and semi-detached homes. They are an efficient way to add space without losing much garden, and can...

Window Head Detail: Weep Holes, Cavity Trays & Airtightness Window openings are a key part of any external wall, but they introduce several challenges that need careful detailing. At the window head, water management, structural support, airtightness, insulation...