Category: Featured
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Why Concrete Joints Fail First & What to do About It
In liquid-bearing concrete structures, joints are where protective linings fail first. A monolithic film is asked to span a moving gap and stay bonded to both sides through thermal swings, settlement, hydrostatic loads, and start-stop operations. Over thousands of cycles, stress concentrates at the arris; micro-pinhole strings and edge-shear accumulate until the first callbacks show…
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Kitchen Trend Alert: Is The “Statement” Fridge The New Statement Range?
First came stainless steel high-end ranges (think Wolf and Viking) in luxury kitchens. Then came the UK and European imports such as Bertazzoni, AGA, La Cornue, and Lacanche. These pastel- and jewel-toned beauties, which can be priced anywhere from $7,000 upwards of $25,000 (or more depending on size), have been the crown jewel of the…
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Illegal working in construction: expanding right to work checks
Ahead of proposed changes to the right to work scheme, construction employers have an opportunity to voice their concerns and challenges. The UK government is inviting businesses, trade unions and industry associations in the construction sector to provide their views on the upcoming extension of right work checks to businesses hiring ‘gig economy’ and zero-hour workers. The…
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Concrete Events & Tradeshows for 2026
They’re the best place to see the new equipment and solutions first-hand. From the cast-in-place foundation to the high-rise placement and everywhere between, there’s a convention or tradeshow out there for every concrete contractor. Concrete Contractor has gathered a short list of events scheduled for 2026 that are specific to the concrete industry. (Note: This…
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Situational judgement: Navigating ethical decision-making
As a construction professional, do you always make the right choice when faced with a tricky situation? Get ready to test your ethical instincts. Recently, I sat an exam – probably the hardest one I’ve ever taken – designed to test my situational judgement. It involved 78 real-life scenarios, each presenting four possible ‘what to…
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Chrome fittings are back in fashion – here’s how to use them
After years of warm metals dominating interior trends, chrome has officially made its comeback – and this autumn, you can expect to see it everywhere, from hardware fixtures in bathroom designs to statement accessories in living areas. “Steel and chrome are making a confident return,” confirms Massimo Buster Minale, Founder and Creative Director of Buster…
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One fire every two days linked to domestic solar panels
Fires linked to rooftop solar panels are rising sharply across the UK, sparking concern among fire services and insurers. New figures show that incidents are growing faster than installations, raising questions about safety oversight in Britain’s clean-energy rollout. Experts say that while solar remains safe when properly installed, a surge in rushed or poorly maintained…
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PierTech Unveils Heli Max Grouted Pile for Stronger Foundations
PierTech® Systems, a leader in the manufacturing of helical piles, anchors, and foundation repair solutions, has unveiled its latest innovation in deep foundation technology — the Heli Max® Grouted Pile. This patented hybrid pile system is engineered to deliver exceptional load capacity, precision, and safety while maintaining the speed and efficiency of helical pile installation.…