All articles by Peter Mayer
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Features
What it costs: Flooring
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
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ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV pathology: Wind turbines
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
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What it costs: Tiled cladding
Tiles, shingles and slate can provide traditional and thermally efficient covering for external walls. Peter Mayer of BLP Insurance considers the options
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ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV pathology: Air permeability
Reducing air leakage is a cost-effective way of improving a building’s energy efficiency and reducing bills.
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What it costs: Heat pumps
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
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ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV pathology: Schools windows
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
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What it costs: Green roofs
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
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What it costs: Garage doors
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
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What it costs: Thermal insulation
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
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What it costs: Bathroom pods
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
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What it costs: BREEAM – how to get good grades
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
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Window pains: Different ways windows can fail
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
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Designs for life
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.
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What it costs: CHP (combined heat and power systems)
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 ...
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Features
What it costs: Rainwater drainage
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
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Features
What it costs: Textile floor coverings
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
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What it costs: windows
There are a lot of variables to consider when specifying windows. Peter Mayer of ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV LifePlans tots up the numbers for different options
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What it costs: ceramic tiles
Ceramic tiles have come a long way since ancient Egypt. Peter Mayer of ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV LifePlans considers the options
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What it costs: roof coverings
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
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What it costs: mechanical ventilation
In many instances mechanical ventilation may be the only option to manage office environments. Peter Mayer of ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTV LifePlans explores the options