Understanding Different Types of Air Vents and Their Uses

🧱 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.

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.