Soffit Vents vs. Air Bricks: Which One is Right for Your Home?

A practical guide to air vent types, their applications, and what stockists need to know In today’s construction environment, ventilation products aren’t just regulatory — they’re essential. For stockists supplying to the trade, understanding the variety of air vent solutions available empowers you to serve your customers better, meet demand, and ensure compliance on-site. In this edition of The Stockist’s Handbook, we break down the most commonly stocked types of vents from Stadium Building Products, along with their ideal uses, trade relevance, and how they support your customers' projects.   💡 New to this topic? Check out our last post: Why Ventilation Is So Important for a foundational overview.   🔍 Why Understanding Air Vent Solutions for the Trade Matters Trade customers rely on stockists not just for product availability, but for technical support and trustworthy advice. When you understand the different types of air vents and their applications, you can: Offer accurate guidance for residential and commercial projects Upsell compatible accessories and kits Align product ranges with Building Regulations Reduce returns and minimise site delays   🛠️ Core Air Vent Solutions for Trade Stockists Black Hole Ventilation Kits – Acoustic Airflow with Trade-Ready Performance Best for: Habitable rooms requiring airflow and noise reduction. These acoustic air vent kits are ideal for projects near busy roads or urban areas, where sound insulation is critical. A smart choice for housebuilders needing Part F compliance with added acoustic performance.   Core Drill Kits – A Fast Track to Through-Wall Ventilation Best for: Kitchen or bathroom extraction setups. Core drill kits offer a time-saving solution for installers, providing a clean and consistent method for venting through external walls. These are essentials for any stockist supplying to general builders or M&E contractors. Airbrick Kits – Durable Alternatives to Clay for Ventilation Best for: Subfloor airflow in new-build or renovation projects. Stadium’s plastic airbrick kits outperform traditional clay bricks in durability and ease of installation. Ideal for retrofits and consistent ventilation below suspended floors.   Cavity Liners & Extension Tubes – Complete the Ventilation Path Best for: Ensuring uninterrupted airflow through wall cavities. Often overlooked, these accessories are vital for a compliant and continuous ventilation system. Carrying a selection in multiple sizes ensures your customers always leave with the right kit. Hit & Miss Ventilators – Adjustable Internal Airflow for Trade Projects Best for: Internal room ventilation where control is needed. Popular for use in bathrooms, utility cupboards, and service areas, these vents allow adjustable airflow, perfect for public sector refurbishments and managed properties. Louvre Ventilators – Constant Airflow with Weather Protection Best for: External use in walls and doors. These fixed vents allow uninterrupted airflow while offering protection from rain and debris. They’re a trade favourite for commercial premises and utility rooms. Face Fitting Ventilators – Trade-Friendly Surface Mounting Best for: Retrofits and low-disruption installations. Surface-mounted and easy to fit, these are ideal for post-construction upgrades and quick fixes. Especially useful where internal space or wall depth is limited. Flush Fitting Ventilators – Discreet and Effective Ventilation Best for: Modern homes or commercial applications where appearance matters. These recess-mounted vents provide subtle airflow without compromising interior design, a growing trend in modern builds.   External Cowls – Weather Shields for Extractor Vent Terminations Best for: Bathroom and kitchen extractor systems. Designed to prevent backdraughts, moisture, and pests, these cowls enhance performance and protect ducting systems in damp or exposed areas. Airbricks – Essential for Ground-Level Airflow Best for: Traditional cavity and underfloor ventilation. It is lightweight, easy to install, and available in multiple finishes, a must-have for every merchant or trade counter. Through-Floor Ventilators – Ventilate Suspended Timber Floors Best for: Heritage housing and refurbishment projects. A go-to solution for older homes where airflow under floors is needed to prevent mould, rot, or rising damp.   Soffit Ventilators – Roofline Ventilation for Moisture Control Best for: New build roofs and loft conversions. Promotes airflow through lofts and roof spaces to reduce condensation. These are essentials for roofers and general contractors.   📘 Stocking the Right Ventilation Range For a full overview of our range, check out the Stadium Building Products Catalogue. Here, you’ll find product specs, size options, and volume availability, perfect for planning your stockroom or trade counter assortment. Need guidance on what to stock? Stadium supports stockists with: Volume pricing options Merchandising materials for in-store display Custom-labelled packaging on request Sales and technical literature   🌐 Suggested Further Reading To support your understanding or training resources, we recommend checking out: Approved Document F – UK Gov (official Building Regulations guidance on ventilation) NHBC Foundation – Guide to Ventilation (for residential ventilation best practices) These external resources can help enhance your product support and advice to trade customers.   📞 Ready to Partner with Stadium? We make it easy to supply high-quality, compliant air vent solutions for the trade, with fast lead times, dependable UK manufacturing, and support designed around stockist needs. 👉 Get in touch with us today to discuss stocking opportunities or technical support.  

If you're working on a wall or ceiling project, you've probably heard the terms plastering and skimming, and may be wondering what the actual difference is between the two. Although they’re closely related techniques in the world of internal wall finishes, knowing when to plaster vs. when to skim can help save time, improve results, and ensure you’re using the right tools for the job. In this guide, we’ll break down the difference between plastering and skimming and share the essential tools every tradesperson or DIYer needs to get the job done right. (Courtesy: Bunnings) What is Plastering? Plastering is the process of applying a thick layer of plaster (usually 6mm–13mm) to a bare surface, such as brick, blockwork, or plasterboard, to create a smooth, level finish. It's often done on new builds or renovations where the internal walls are rough or uneven. Plastering typically requires a full set of tools and materials, including: A Mixing Tray or Plasterers Mixing Bucket to prepare your plaster mix A Plasterers Bath for larger-scale work A Hawk for holding and applying plaster to the wall A Float for achieving a smooth, even surface Need the right tools for plastering?👉 Explore our full Product Catalogue to find essential plastering equipment.   (Courtesy: Homebuilding & Renovating) What is Skimming? Skimming is a finishing technique where a thin layer (around 2–3mm) of finishing plaster is applied to an already-plastered or plasterboard surface. Its purpose is to smooth out imperfections and create a flawless surface ready for painting or wallpapering. Skimming is commonly used when: You’re refreshing old or damaged plaster You're covering plasterboard joins You need a high-end finish without full plaster depth The tools you’ll need for skimming are often the same as plastering, including a hawk and float, but with an emphasis on finer control and a smoother finish. Want professional results?🎯 See our Product Catalogue for top-quality skimming tools and materials. Key Differences Between Plastering and Skimming Feature Plastering Skimming Purpose Base coat over brick/block Smooth finish over existing surface Thickness 6mm–13mm 2mm–3mm Surface Requirement Bare or uneven surfaces Smooth or pre-plastered surfaces Materials Used Bonding plaster or hardwall Finishing plaster (multi-finish) Typical Tools Mixing tray, bath, hawk, float Hawk, float, finishing trowel Tools of the Trade (All Available from Stadium Building Products) Whether you’re plastering from scratch or applying a skim coat, the right tools make all the difference. At Stadium Building Products, we supply everything you need to get a professional finish, including: Mixing Trays – Durable and easy to clean for all mixing needs Plasterers Mixing Buckets – Perfect for smaller jobs and manageable mixes Plasterers Baths – Ideal for large-volume mixing Hawks – Lightweight and comfortable for extended use Floats – Essential for smooth, even surfaces 👉 Browse our Product Catalogue now to get your hands on professional-grade plastering and skimming gear. Final Thoughts Understanding the difference between plastering and skimming helps you choose the right method and tools for your project. Plastering builds a solid foundation, while skimming perfects the finish. Whether you're tackling a major renovation or prepping a single wall for painting, having the correct tools at hand is essential. At Stadium Building Products, we’ve got everything you need — all in one place. Ready to Get Started? If you’re looking for trusted, trade-quality tools and materials for plastering or skimming, we’ve got you covered. Click here to view our full Product Catalogue and get everything you need for your next job. You can also contact us directly here.

In today’s airtight modern homes, ventilation solutions for healthier homes are more important than ever. While airtight construction improves energy efficiency, it often leads to poor indoor air quality if proper ventilation is not installed. At Stadium Building Products, we understand how crucial a well-ventilated home is for healthier living. In this post, we explore how poor ventilation affects your health and home, and the practical solutions you can use to improve it. (Image courtesy: iaq.works)   Why Poor Ventilation Affects Your Health and Home Poor ventilation occurs when stale indoor air doesn’t get replaced with fresh air from outside. This can lead to a build-up of: Moisture Pollutants Allergens Mould spores Common signs your home may have ventilation issues include condensation on windows, musty odours, visible mould patches, and persistent damp problems. If ignored, these issues can escalate quickly, affecting both the health of the occupants and the lifespan of the building materials.   How Poor Ventilation Affects Your Health We spend around 90% of our time indoors, so indoor air quality has a profound effect on our well-being. 🌍 Global Scale The World Health Organisation estimates that 3.2 million people die each year due to household air pollution (from cooking and heating), and when including outdoor pollution, the total reaches 6.7 million premature deaths annually. (Source) Even without cooking fuels, poor indoor air can be 2‑5 times more polluted than outdoor air, with indoor particulate levels up to 100× higher, contributing to ~3.8 million global deaths per year. These illnesses include stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, COPD, and childhood pneumonia. 🇬🇧 UK Social Housing A 2023 government analysis found 3‑4% of England’s ~4 million social homes—up to 160,000 households—showed notable damp and mould, with 1–2% facing serious issues. (Source) Exposure to damp and mould is a significant cause of respiratory illness in England, contributing to 2,800 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost in 2019. (Source) A coroner’s inquest into Awaab Ishak’s tragic death prompted stricter regulation (“Awaab’s Law”) in the 2023 Social Housing (Regulation) Act, mandating faster responses to damp and mould reports. (Source) ✅ Why These Numbers Matter Health consequences: Ranging from respiratory conditions to heart disease, vulnerable groups like children and the elderly are disproportionately impacted. Scale of risk: Millions of deaths globally show ithat ndoor air is a major environmental health issue. Local relevance: Tens to hundreds of thousands of UK homes suffer damp/mould issues, directly tied to poor ventilation.   The Hidden Impact on Your Home Poorly ventilated homes are more susceptible to: Damp and rot in walls and roof spaces Peeling paint and damaged plasterwork Insulation losing its effectiveness Higher energy bills due to humidity-related inefficiency Over time, trapped moisture can lead to costly repairs. Effective ventilation helps prevent these issues by allowing your home to “breathe,” keeping materials dry and durable. (Vent-axia MVHR unit)   Ventilation Solutions for Healthier Homes There are several ventilation options to suit different properties and needs. Here are some of the most effective solutions: 1. Trickle Vents Ideal for windows and doors, trickle vents allow a constant flow of fresh air into the home without major heat loss. 2. Extractor Fans Essential in kitchens and bathrooms, extractor fans remove excess moisture and prevent condensation build-up. 3. Roof Ventilation Roof tile vents, eaves vents, and ridge vents are key in allowing air to circulate through your loft or roof space, preventing damp and mould growth. 4. Air Bricks A traditional and simple solution that promotes airflow through subfloor and wall spaces, reducing the risk of dampness in foundations. 5. Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) For more modern, airtight homes, MVHR systems provide a consistent exchange of stale air with filtered fresh air, while retaining heat for energy efficiency.   Our Ventilation Solutions for Healthier Homes At Stadium Building Products, we supply a comprehensive selection of ventilation solutions for healthier homes, suitable for both new builds and retrofit projects. Our range includes: Black Hole Ventilation Kits Core Drill Kits Airbrick Kits Cavity Liners and Extension Tubes Hit & Miss Ventilators Louvre Ventilators Face Fitting Ventilators Flush Fitting Ventilators External Cowls Airbricks Through-Floor Ventilators Soffit Ventilators Ducting   Spotlight on Black Hole Ventilation One of the most innovative products in our range is our ‘Black Hole’ ventilator, expertly designed to tackle the common problem of occupants blocking vents due to uncomfortable draughts. Blocking vents can be dangerous, especially where gas appliances are involved. Our Black Hole range helps to: ✅ Reduce draughts through a clever internal vortex system ✅ Maintain safe airflow when appliances are running ✅ Minimise noise, light ingress, and insects ✅ Discourage vent blocking, supporting safer indoor environments Whether you’re working on a home improvement project or a large-scale housing development, our ventilation systems combine practicality, safety, and comfort.   Final Thoughts on Ventilation Solutions for Healthier Homes Ventilation is one of the most overlooked aspects of building performance — yet it plays a vital role in creating a healthier, safer living environment. By identifying problem areas and investing in the right products, you can protect your home, improve your wellbeing, and even reduce your energy bills. ✅ Ready to receive Ventilation Solutions for healtier homes? Explore our ventilation product range or get in touch with our knowledgeable team for tailored advice.