All articles by Peter Mayer

  • Features

    What it costs: Flooring

    2010-03-26T00:00:00Z

    Level access showers can improve quality of life for disabled users. Peter Mayer of BLP Insurance looks at the design options and lifecycle costs for retrofitting them into existing floors

  • Features

    ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV pathology: Wind turbines

    2010-02-26T00:00:00Z

    The output, reliability and lifespan of wind turbines varies widely depending on a number of factors. Peter Mayer of BLP Insurance talks us through them

  • Features

    What it costs: Tiled cladding

    2010-01-29T00:00:00Z

    Tiles, shingles and slate can provide traditional and thermally efficient covering for external walls. Peter Mayer of BLP Insurance considers the options

  • ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV

    ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV pathology: Air permeability

    2009-09-18T00:00:00Z

    Reducing air leakage is a cost-effective way of improving a building’s energy efficiency and reducing bills.

  • Features

    What it costs: Heat pumps

    2009-04-09T00:00:00Z

    They are amazingly efficient, but setting up a ground source heat pump may be tricky if you haven’t considered all the factors. Peter Mayer of BLP Insurance gives us the lowdown

  • Features

    ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV pathology: Schools windows

    2009-02-13T00:00:00Z

    Cheap fixes are the wrong approach to installing manually operated windows in schools. Peter Mayer of ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV LifePlans explains some of the pitfalls and suggests how to avoid them

  • Green roof
    Features

    What it costs: Green roofs

    2008-10-03T00:00:00Z

    Green roofs may have environmental benefits, but what do they cost to install and maintain? Peter Mayer of ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV LifePlans talks us through the issues

  • ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV

    What it costs: Garage doors

    2008-09-05T00:00:00Z

    Residential garage doors come in a variety of shapes, sizes, finishes and styles. Peter Mayer of ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV LifePlans considers their maintenance issues and lifecycle costs

  • Features

    What it costs: Thermal insulation

    2008-07-18T00:00:00Z

    Insulation is an effective way to help meet ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV Regulations targets on carbon emission reduction. Peter Mayer of ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV LifePlans examines the effectiveness of different materials

  • Features

    What it costs: Bathroom pods

    2008-06-20T00:00:00Z

    Using modular bathrooms can save cash, labour and time, says Peter Mayer. So here’s a shower of useful information to consider when specifying and fitting

  • Features

    What it costs: BREEAM – how to get good grades

    2008-04-25T00:00:00Z

    Many schools must now have a ‘very good’ BREEAM rating to meet regulations. Peter Mayer of ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV LifePlans outlines the ways to get credits and the associated costs

  • Features

    Window pains: Different ways windows can fail

    2008-04-11T00:00:00Z

    Peter Mayer of ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV LifePlans analyses the different ways windows can fail and how to prevent them doing so. For a full guide to suppliers, log on to www.building.co.uk/specifier

  • Features

    Designs for life

    2007-10-19T00:00:00Z

    European structural design codes will introduce the concept of ‘design working life’ to British engineering. Peter Mayer of ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV LifePlans explains exactly what that means.

  • Features

    What it costs: CHP (combined heat and power systems)

    2007-08-03T00:00:00Z

    Peter Mayer of ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV LifePlans looks at the cost and environmental dividends from combined heat and power systems.With Combined heat and power (CHP) or co-generation systems, heat that might be lost as a by-product of electricity generation is captured for space and water heating. Locally supplied electricity incur lower transmission ...

  • Features

    What it costs: Rainwater drainage

    2007-06-01T00:00:00Z

    Keeping rainwater off roofs and away from buildings is essential to avoid inevitable damage and exorbitant repair costs. Peter Mayer of ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV LifePlans considers the costs and options for eaves gutters and rainwater downpipes

  • Features

    What it costs: Textile floor coverings

    2007-05-04T00:00:00Z

    The whole-life costs of textile floor coverings can be distinctly pricey for commercial and domestic buildings. Peter Mayer of ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV LifePlans reviews the options

  • Features

    What it costs: windows

    2007-04-05T00:00:00Z

    There are a lot of variables to consider when specifying windows. Peter Mayer of ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV LifePlans tots up the numbers for different options

  • Features

    What it costs: ceramic tiles

    2007-03-02T00:00:00Z

    Ceramic tiles have come a long way since ancient Egypt. Peter Mayer of ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV LifePlans considers the options

  • Examples of roof coverings image 3
    Features

    What it costs: roof coverings

    2007-02-02T00:00:00Z

    Reducing wind damage to roofs is one key to meeting the challenge of climate change. Peter Mayer of ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV LifePlans considers the whole-life costs of materials

  • Mechanical ventilation image 1
    Features

    What it costs: mechanical ventilation

    2007-01-05T00:00:00Z

    In many instances mechanical ventilation may be the only option to manage office environments. Peter Mayer of ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV LifePlans explores the options