TDBL nonut® Follows Golden Thread For BSA Compliance

As illustrated by a recent commercial office project, cladding specialists are increasingly turning to SFS Group Fastening Technology’s innovative TDBL- nonut® fastener to ensure their installed systems achieve the objectives of the Building Safety Act, while at the same time, enabling fast and efficient installation.

Launched last year, TDBL- nonut® carries ETA-11/0191 approval, confirming that its patented thread shape, under-head locking detail and tri-lobular geometry together ensure that the fastener remains firmly in place and cannot be loosened. It represents a game-changing alternative to traditional nuts and bolts, allowing easy installation from one side of the structure: backed up by full testing and analysis.

The contract concerned a two-storey building where the architectural cladding specialist involved was seeking greater certainty over performance to discharge its obligations to the client and design team. The situation prompted its management to engage with SFS Group Fastening Technology as a trusted manufacturer serving the roofing and cladding industry.

A representative involved in the project explained: “It is essential for contractors to have a robust fastening between a curtain wall and the substrate – in this case, a steel frame system. The product selected over a traditional ‘tech screw’ was the TDBL-nonut®, which carries full ETA testing. As a result, nonut provides the robust data needed to support compliance with the Building Safety Act.”

Vincent Matthews, Head of UK Marketing for SFS comments: “The client was seeking a failsafe means of connecting their curtain wall system to the building’s structural steel frame which would offer them technical certainty, through the design process, back to the main contractor. The Building Safety Act is looking for everyone involved within a project to provide the Golden Thread: to offer a demonstration of the technical values, and how they all come together, and SFS TDBL- nonut® provides this set of data which can be used for a product and support the requirements of the Building Safety Act.

“Significantly, the TDBL- nonut® provides a tri-lobular start to the install procedure, which makes the operative’s life easier by reducing the torque load transmitted back into their hand and arm; the thread then becomes effective around the full 360^o as it connects with the components. Finally, the impact overdrives the TDBL- nonut® to ensure a reliable and secure connection that is warrantable under the ETA.”

The project team further highlighted the benefits of SFS’s support: “From the outset, SFS’s assistance proved invaluable. Their technical experts guided us through detailed calculations and product selection to ensure the right fastening solution was used. The TDBL-nonut® impressed us with its simplicity and reliability — drill, drive, tighten — making installation quick and consistent. It’s a robust, time-saving product supported by excellent technical expertise.”

TDBL- nonut® is a case hardened, thread forming fastener available in a diameter of 8.6 mm with a length of 16 mm and in a diameter of 10.6 mm - with lengths of 23, 30 and 50 mm as well as a new lower profile flatter head version of each. Further installation details and design values can be found within the assembly instructions, ETA and product literature.

For further information, call 0330 0555888 or visit https://uk.sfs.com/

James Hardie Launches Conceal System For Hardie® Panel, A New Concealed Fixing Solution For Fibre Cement Panels

James Hardie, the world leader in the manufacture of high-performance fibre cement building solutions, has announced the launch of the Conceal System for Hardie® Panel, a new mechanical concealed fixing system designed to deliver a flawless finish, improved durability and simplified maintenance for fibre cement soffit installations.

Developed in partnership with KEIL®, the Conceal System for Hardie® Panel has been engineered specifically for use with 11mm Hardie® Panel and Hardie® Architectural Panel, providing a concealed fixing solution that removes the need for visible rivets while maintaining strength, performance and ease of installation. The system utilises a self-undercutting anchor fixed from the rear of the panel, creating a smooth, uninterrupted surface finish.

The system has been developed in response to a growing demand for concealed fixing solutions for soffit installations, where long-term durability, access for maintenance and high-quality aesthetics are critical. Unlike traditional face-fixed systems, panels installed using this system can be removed and reinstalled without drilling new holes, creating easy access and reducing damage to the panels. 

Building on the proven performance of Hardie® fibre cement panels, the new concealed fixing system is compatible with industry-recognised framing systems and is supported by a comprehensive installation guide, giving architects, specifiers and contractors confidence in both design and on-site application.

James Moore, National Panel Manager at James Hardie, said: “The system represents an important step forward in concealed fixing technology. By working closely with KEIL®, we’ve developed a solution that delivers the clean aesthetics designers want, while also making installation and future maintenance simpler and more efficient for contractors.”

Christian Schmidt, CEO at KEIL®, added: “Working in partnership with James Hardie has allowed us to apply our expertise in concealed fixing technology to a system specifically engineered for fibre cement panels. The result is a robust, precision-engineered solution that delivers both long-term performance and a high-quality aesthetic finish.”

As with all James Hardie solutions, customers specifying Hardie® Conceal will have access to dedicated technical and project support, including specification guidance, technical advice and access to James Hardie’s network of approved partners. https://www.jameshardie.eu

What is Shaping 2026 Trends? With Havwoods

As homeowners continue to seek spaces that balance comfort, character and longevity, the design landscape for 2026 places a renewed focus on natural materials, elevated textures and refined colour palettes. Drawing on his experience as a judge at the prestigious British institute of Interior Design Awards, and his deep understanding of global design narratives, Paul Moody, Global Marketing & Digital Director at Havwoods, outlines the trends set to shape the year ahead - demonstrating how the brand’s extensive and carefully curated timber portfolio enables truly future-proof, beautifully crafted interiors. With an emphasis on responsibly sourced timber with an incredible portfolio of species, colours and patterns across multiple surface applications, Havwoods continues to lead the conversation on timber surfaces that deliver both beauty and durability.

Warm Neutrals

“Soft, comforting tones, including warm neutrals, clays and muted browns, remain central to 2026 interiors. These shades help to create a cocooning, grounded atmosphere and work effortlessly alongside natural materials such as wood and stone. Their versatility means they can be used to soften contemporary spaces or bring balance and warmth to more traditional settings. Designers looking to incorporate this palette often gravitate toward gently toned timber flooring, which enhances the sense of calm and natural harmony. Some of the lighter oaks and subtle honey hues of our extensive flagship Venture Plank collection are a great example, offering colours that sit quietly within the scheme while reinforcing the trend’s understated, nature-led character.”

Look Beyond the Floor

“In 2026, timber planks as wall panelling and wood veneers will continue to introduce warmth, texture and architectural depth into a space. Designers and homeowners are increasingly using wood to create feature walls that feel refined rather than rustic, favouring slim profiles, clean lines and soft, natural tones that enhance a room without overwhelming it. This trend celebrates timber as a tactile, calming backdrop, which is ideal for living areas, bedrooms and transitional spaces where a sense of quiet luxury is desired. Premium veneers such as our Elegante range, introduce three-dimensional natural beauty to walls, ceilings and curved architectural features, whereas materials such as Brezza, from our Italian Collection, exemplify the type of contemporary timber surface that works beautifully on vertical applications, helping to create interiors that feel both grounded and elevated.”

Tactile Texture

“Tactility continues to grow in importance for 2026, with interiors increasingly celebrating the authentic aesthetic of natural materials. Designers are gravitating toward surfaces that showcase visible grain, natural wood textures and handcrafted patterning - elements that add depth and character, while maintaining a sense of calm. This renewed interest in organic texture is also encouraging the use of innovative, wood-based surfaces that offer subtle variation and a crafted sensibility. Havwoods’ TreeAzzo range introduces a modern, terrazzo-influenced approach to timber, showing how pattern and natural warmth can be combined in a refined, contemporary way. Used on floors, kitchen surfaces, tabletops or vertical applications, these softly tonal surfaces help bring movement and a comforting, tactile dimension to interior schemes.”

Creating Zones with Flooring

“With open-plan layouts continuing to dominate residential design, flooring has become an effective tool for subtle spatial zoning. Homeowners and designers are increasingly using pattern variations - such as herringbone, chevron or Versailles panels - to guide movement, define living areas or frame dining zones without relying on physical partitions. These shifts in plank formats help to introduce architectural rhythm and layered visual interest whilst maintaining a cohesive overall aesthetic. A wide choice of formats enables specifiers and homeowners to create gentle transitions that enhance both functionality and flow within open-plan spaces.”

Sustainability as a Design Essential

“Sustainability remains a defining design driver for 2026, influencing not only the material choices but the wider aesthetic and ethical direction of interior spaces. As homeowners seek environments that feel meaningful, enduring and genuinely connected to nature, materials with clear provenance and low-impact credentials are becoming central to every trend conversation. Havwoods’ long-standing commitment to responsibly sourced timber, reduced-waste manufacturing and transparent material assessment aligns seamlessly with this shift. Our products and supply chain are supported by the industry’s most respected environmental certifications, demonstrating how you can achieve a refined, luxury finish without compromising environmental integrity. Through rigorous supply-chain responsibility and ongoing carbon-reduction initiatives, Havwoods supports the growing demand for interiors that are not only beautiful, but consciously crafted for the future.” www.havwoods.com/uk