The Stockist’s Handbook: The Best Heavy-Duty Buckets for Builders — What to Look For

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.  

🧱 Introduction: Stocking the Right Ventilation for the Right Job When it comes to ventilation in domestic construction, few components are as misunderstood or overlooked as soffit vents and air bricks. Both play critical roles in keeping homes dry, breathable, and compliant with regulations. For stockists, understanding when to recommend or stock each option means delivering the right product and advice to installers, contractors, and merchants. In this edition of The Stockist’s Handbook, we break down the key differences between soffit vents or air bricks, explore when each is typically specified, and showcase the trusted products available from Stadium Building Products.   🔍 Soffit Vents or Air Bricks: What’s the Difference?   Feature     Soffit Vents     Air Bricks     Application     Roofline ventilation (eaves)     Subfloor or wall ventilation     Installed in     Horizontal soffit boards     Brickwork at or below DPC level     Main purpose     Prevent condensation in roof space     Reduce moisture in underfloor voids     Airflow style     Passive, continuous airflow     Localised cross-ventilation     Appearance     Circular or rectangular grills     Brick-sized louvred or slotted units       🏠 When Should Trade Customers Use Soffit Vents? Soffit ventilators are the go-to choice for pitched roofs with eaves. Builders often install them in new builds or roof refurbishments to prevent damp and mould in loft spaces. Key advantages: Easy to install in plastic or timber soffits Inconspicuous once fitted Supports compliance with Part F of the Building Regs   🧾 Stadium Soffit Vent Products: BM406 Series – Circular Soffit Vents Colours: Brown (BM406/B), White (BM406/W) 88mm outer diameter, 76mm spigot Centres for roof pitches over 15 degrees. Free air space: 25 cm² Rated input: 12 kW Pack size: 20   BM407 Series – Rectangular Soffit Vents Colours: Brown (BM407/B), White (BM407/W) 145mm x 85mm faceplate, dual 75mm dia. spigots Free air space: 45.6 cm² Rated input: 16.1 kW Centres for roof pitches over 15 degrees. Overlapping double 76mm (3”) holes. 🧱 When Are Air Bricks the Better Choice? Air bricks are best for subfloor ventilation, wall ventilation, or serving combustion appliances. They’re often specified in refurbishment projects, timber floor installations, or homes with suspended floors.   Benefits include: Designed to match brick dimensions Various finishes to suit regional building styles Used with cavity liners or sleeves for through-wall systems   🧾 Stadium Air Brick Options:   BM481/T – Standard Airbrick (Terracotta) 216 x 76mm Free air space: 72 cm² Rated input: 21.4 kW Pack size: 50   BM483 Series – Multi-Fit Brick Colours: Terracotta (BM483/T), Sand (BM483/S), Brown (BM483/B) 216 x 76mm Free air space: 46 cm² Rated input: 16.2 kW Pack size: 10 Ribbed finish for mortar grip   BM486 Series – Double Louvre Airbricks Colours: Terracotta, Rustic Red, Sand, Brown 216 x 152mm Free air space: 125 cm² Rated input: 32 kW Pack size: 10   BM487/B – Square Hole Airbricks Brown finish 66 cm² free air space Rated input: 20.2 kW Pack size: 10   BM413 Series – Weep Ventilator Colours: Grey (BM413/G), Sand (BM413/S), Terracotta (BM413/T), Brown (BM413/B) 104 x 65 x 10mm Internal insect and water battier Pack size: 25   📦 Soffit Vents or Air Bricks: What Should Stockists Keep in Stock? For builders and contractors, both are essential. As a stockist, you should: Offer a core range of both soffit vents and air bricks Provide multiple colours and finishes to suit regional requirements Bundle with liners, sleeves, and cavity extensions to upsell complete solutions Ensure staff can advise on application use cases   📘 Related Reading Curious how this fits into wider ventilation systems? Check out our previous guide: 👉 Why Ventilation Is So Important   🌍 Useful Trade Resources NHBC Standards – Subfloor Ventilation Approved Document F – Ventilation Regulations   📥 View the Full Range Browse our full ventilation range, including soffit vents and air bricks, in the Stadium Product Catalogue.   📞 Ready to Order or Need Technical Support? We help stockists offer ventilation products with confidence. 📩 Contact our team today for pricing, merchandising, or product advice.  

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.