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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Features
Building 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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Features
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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News
Building 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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Features
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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Features
Building pathology: Schools windows
Cheap fixes are the wrong approach to installing manually operated windows in schools. Peter Mayer of Building LifePlans explains some of the pitfalls and suggests how to avoid them
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FeaturesWhat it costs: Green roofs
Green roofs may have environmental benefits, but what do they cost to install and maintain? Peter Mayer of Building LifePlans talks us through the issues
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News
What it costs: Garage doors
Residential garage doors come in a variety of shapes, sizes, finishes and styles. Peter Mayer of Building LifePlans considers their maintenance issues and lifecycle costs
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Features
What it costs: Thermal insulation
Insulation is an effective way to help meet Building Regulations targets on carbon emission reduction. Peter Mayer of Building LifePlans examines the effectiveness of different materials
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Features
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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Features
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 Building LifePlans outlines the ways to get credits and the associated costs
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FeaturesWindow pains: Different ways windows can fail
Peter Mayer of Building 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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Features
Designs for life
European structural design codes will introduce the concept of ‘design working life’ to British engineering. Peter Mayer of Building LifePlans explains exactly what that means.
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Features
What it costs: CHP (combined heat and power systems)
Peter Mayer of Building 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 Building LifePlans considers the costs and options for eaves gutters and rainwater downpipes
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FeaturesWhat 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 Building LifePlans reviews the options
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FeaturesWhat it costs: windows
There are a lot of variables to consider when specifying windows. Peter Mayer of Building LifePlans tots up the numbers for different options
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FeaturesWhat it costs: ceramic tiles
Ceramic tiles have come a long way since ancient Egypt. Peter Mayer of Building LifePlans considers the options
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FeaturesWhat it costs: roof coverings
Reducing wind damage to roofs is one key to meeting the challenge of climate change. Peter Mayer of Building LifePlans considers the whole-life costs of materials
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FeaturesWhat it costs: mechanical ventilation
In many instances mechanical ventilation may be the only option to manage office environments. Peter Mayer of Building LifePlans explores the options