Blog/News
Refurbish vs Replace: the whole-life carbon and cost case for facade restoration
For years, commercial landlords and property maintenance executives have favoured replacement as the definitive fix for a tired facade. But that mindset is shifting, largely influenced by public sentiment and environmental policy direction. The introduction of RICS’...
Wetter Winters, Hotter Summers: Why UK climate shifts are accelerating facade damage
If your building has looked a little greener, grimier or more sun-baked lately, you’re probably not imagining it. The UK’s weather is changing in a way that’s tailor-made for facade staining: wetter, milder winters that feed biological growth, followed by hotter,...
How can DOFF Steam Cleaning help my business?
According to a survey by facilities specialist ServiceChannel, more than half of consumers say they will avoid a business if the exterior appears poorly maintained. In fact, 95 per cent believe a company’s external appearance is one of the main factors influencing...
The importance of rainscreen facades in UK architecture
Rainscreen facades have become a defining feature of modern UK buildings. From university campuses to commercial developments, these systems combine design flexibility with practical performance to enhance energy efficiency, protect against weathering, and enable...
How facade design is shaping the future of energy efficiency
For all the talk of solar panels and heat pumps, one of the most powerful tools in the fight against energy waste is often overlooked. The humble building facade. It is the interface between a building and its exterior, often determining how much heat seeps in or...
Why ‘Part Z’ could redefine commercial property restoration
We recently explored how the construction industry is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, pumping around 39% of all global energy-related carbon emissions and 43% of all greenhouse gas emissions into Earth’s atmosphere. Although there’s still no UK...
Restoration Deep Dive: The whys and hows of commercial glass facade restoration
We’ve often looked to the past in the 30+ years of See Brilliance history. Recently, we explored the history and progression of glass facade architecture. There was much to learn; from the Shard’s references to sailboats and churches to the chamfered surfaces of the...
Proactive or reactive? How commercial facade restoration can reduce maintenance challenges
In 2021, a study by the professional body RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) found that 35% of the lifetime carbon emissions emitted by a typical office property are produced before the building ever opens. In other words, more than one-third of the carbon...
Why prefabricated facade systems could revolutionise commercial construction
The facades of commercial buildings have played a critical role in shaping our towns and cities for centuries. Notable examples of this go back hundreds of years when architects used glass to create grand and vast facade systems like the original Crystal Palace...