Knowledge library and Inspiration

The opportunity to learn on the job – or earn while you learn – is a structure that’s seen the appeal of apprenticeships soar in recent years. In fact, the latest government figures show that the number of apprenticeship starts in the first quarter of 2023/24 (August-October) were up 7% from the year before, with more than 130,000 people across England embarking on a new career.

Looking back on a century of manufacturing in Manchester – and what the future holds for Icopal.

Every year, we celebrate the rising stars in roofing with our Apprentice of the Year competition, inviting new pitched and flat apprentice roofers to test their skills. Here’s how they did…

Flat roofing projects can have a range of challenges, from working on live sites to meeting tight budgets. Find out how our IMA approved contractors overcame three of the common flat roofing challenges.

This year’s National Apprentice Week ended on Friday the 10th February which was also the final day of the BMI Academy’s tour of the UK’s colleges and training centres. The week aims to highlight the positive impact that the apprenticeship system in the UK is making towards the economy and showcase the opportunities that are out there for employers and apprentices alike.

BMI Academy continues their National Apprenticeship Week college tour with visits to Leeds College of Building, CITB Glasgow, Eastern Region Training and Derwentside College.

BMI Academy continued their National Apprenticeship Week college tour with visits to Fife College, Construction College Midlands, and South Lanarkshire College.

Day Three of the National Apprenticeship Week Tour: Dundee and Angus College

BMI Academy continued their National Apprenticeship Week College Tour with a visit to Edinburgh College. Here are the highlights.

BMI Academy have started their National Apprenticeship Week College Tour with visits to Bolton College and South Devon College. Here are the highlights.

The BMI Academy tours roofing colleges and training centres during National Apprenticeship Week. Find out about where they are going, and why.

To recap the BMI Apprentice of the Year competition we look at where a career in roofing can take you, as the judges share their career experiences to give insights to the prospective and future roofers out there.

We take our commitment to you and your roof very seriously. With the roof being key to your buildings performance, from waterproofing, to energy efficiencies and keeping its inhabitants safe, it’s essential that every step of your project is carefully managed.

Mat Woodyatt, BMI Technical Training Manager, tells us why you can with Cambrian - our engineered slate made with responsibly rescued natural Welsh slate waste - and how the Cambrian Slate brings together the best of all world's in terms of looks, performance, installation and flexibility.

Cambrian Slate blends the beauty of natural, responsibly reclaimed Welsh slate with the engineered advantages of a full BMI Redland system. We believe that Cambrian Slates look as good on the roof years later as when they were first installed so we revisited some sites where Cambrian Slate had been exposed to the ravages of time to see how they were looking now....

We offer moisture mapping as part of our survey process. Find out what this means and how it can help you with your flat roofing refurbishment project.

Last month saw the final of Apprentice of the Year 2022 take place. Every year, we invite roofing apprentices from across the country to come together and test their skills and knowledge in front of a panel of industry experts across both pitched and flat roofing. Take a look at the winners and the highlights from the two-day competition…

The construction industry is experiencing rapid change, new regulations, and innovative solutions that lead to new ways of working, ultimately requiring new skills and methods of installation.

Clay roof tiles have a long and storied history, dating back to the Roman occupation of England.

Pitched roofs are beautiful and durable, designed to withstand the elements and keep a building safe.

In a world that is constantly facing sustainability-related challenges, the building industry often remains a few steps behind.

In this article, we go through the story behind Bitumen Roofing, and answer some key questions on the solution.

As the construction industry has evolved, bitumen itself has transformed – with new materials added to bitumen to create “modified bitumen” that solves specific challenges.

Following both the industrial revolution and the impact of WW2 on housing stock, the UK needed to build homes quicker. Concrete roof tiles became a valid alternative to clay roofing and are still in use today.

Roof pitches across the UK can vary from very low pitches of 12° and 15°, upto 70°, the most common type of roof pitch will be at an angle of 40-50°. When working with a low pitch, the choice of tile you make can have a huge impact on performance.

Liquid Waterproofing membranes have been used in the construction and refurbishment of roofs for decades, and it's easy to see why. They can help provide cost and time efficiencies to projects as well as enhancing performance. In recent years the technology of liquid waterproofing systems has accelerated. Here's all you need to know about liquid waterproofing membranes...

To determine the most suitable flat roof felt system for your project, and the right combination of membranes and insulation there are 5 important steps to consider.

Interested in finding out more about Roof Shapes and Roof Types in the UK? Click here to find out more...