Homebuilding and Renovating: insights from Glasgow's May 2026 show

20 May 2026

A member of the NetRegs team recently visited the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, held on 9–10 May at the Scottish Exhibition Centre (SEC) in Glasgow.

As we got off the bus and made our way to SEC on the quiet Saturday morning, we were met with the open and modern layout of this part of Glasgow, and the river Clyde to our left, conveying a welcomed sense of space those accustomed to dense city fabrics are not used to. A good start of the day and a good choice of location.

The venue, SEC, was perfect, and the event well organised. The sponsors of the event should be noted — as without their support the show would not run as it did. They were: My Name’5 Doddie Foundation (funding for searching treatments for MND), Fleming Homes (timber frame solutions), Korniche (roof lanterns, rooflights, sliding doors, glass partitions and bi-folding doors), Association of Self-Build Architects, DIY Doctor (home improvement free guidance website), the Federation of Master Builders, and Planning Aid Scotland.

The event featured over 140 exhibitors from across the homebuilding and renovation sector, alongside a programme of presentations, providing an environment conducive to successful deals for both businesses and visitors. A useful Advice Centre, where the visitor could have free one-to-one conversations with experts to clarify specific questions, was also running. It featured:

Ask the Architect, with a chartered architect from the Association of Self-Build Architects (ASBA).
The Planning Clinic, with a representative from Planning Aid Scotland, for planning permission queries.
Ask the Builder, for advice from a Master Builder, from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
The Home Energy Academy, for queries regarding energy efficiency and heating options in buildings.

Experts in attendance at the Advice Centre included (in alphabetical order): Aleksandra Jovanoska-Hannah (interior designer, from Skela Studio), Allan Corfield (architect, from AC Architects), David Hilton (energy efficient design and heating, from Heat and Energy Ltd), Marie Anne Messenger (interior and landscape designer, from Studio MA), Michael Holmes (property expert, director of content at Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine), Mike Cruickhank (self-build expert, with a self-build YouTube channel and online content), Paul Chambers (structural engineer, from AC Structures), Simon Rix (planning expert, from Planix.UK Planning Consultants Ltd) and Tom McSherry (finance expert specialising in mortgages for self-build, from BuildStore).

As NetRegs delivers a suite of services explaining to businesses their environmental best practices and legal obligation, we were naturally focused on what the event had to offer on the themes of sustainability in building, legal obligations of the building sector, and flood protection.

Energy efficiency and green building

We found out that the idea of making homes at the same time healthy and resource‑efficient is alive and well in the minds of the organisers and of those at the show. This was evident through a range of presentations and exhibitors showcasing solutions spanning the whole eco‑home approach, such as: high‑performance building fabric (including insulation, airtightness and reduced thermal bridging), energy‑efficient design and Passivhaus principles, sustainable building materials, low‑carbon heating and renewable energy systems, ventilation and heat recovery technologies, smart energy management systems, water‑saving measures such as rainwater harvesting, and design strategies that maximise natural light and solar gain and that use colour to influence mood.

NetRegs attended two presentations by eco‑building expert David Hilton — “Upgrading your home heating: your options explained” and “From old home to eco home: how to slash your fuel bills and make your home warm and cosy”. In these sessions, he highlighted how the type, characteristics, age and condition of the property — from traditional pre‑1920 buildings to more modern homes — need to be carefully considered, when choosing which insulation, heating and ventilation and other eco approaches to adopt. Poorly planned upgrades, he noted, can lead to unwelcome consequences such as condensation, mould growth, insufficient heating, overheating, inadequate ventilation or even damage to the building fabric, whereas well‑designed solutions can significantly improve comfort, indoor air quality and energy efficiency.

Over the course of the two days of the show, several other presentations on the theme of green building took place: “So you think you know energy? The New Scottish Energy Standards” by Rob Roy Homes; “Heat pumps decoded: lower your carbon emissions and heating” by Aira; “Heat pump sizing and system design simplified – why getting the design right matters” by BuildStore; “Heat pumps explained: facts, myths and real world comfort” by Daikin UK; “Fabric, airtightness and renewables: an integrated approach to quality housing” by 21 Degrees; “Building airtight, ventilate right!” by ADM Systems; “Ventilation rescue: turning mediocre dMEV and MVHR into high performance systems” by Paul Heat Recovery; and “Smart homes without the stress – how to get it right first time” by Theben.

Key takeaway: If you are planning a new build or green home improvements, you should seek expert advice early on — “ask the expert” —, so that you can identify solutions that are suitable for your specific property.

Planning

David Wood, from Planning Aid Scotland, presented on another important aspect of the building process: “How to get planning permission: the key to unlocking development potential”. Planning Aid Scotland is a charity that offers free, impartial and confidential advice on planning issues to members of the public and community groups. We recommend that you contact them early on, if you intend to build or make changes to a property.

Flood resilience

With one in eight residential properties at medium risk of flooding in Scotland, and tens of thousands more in Northern Ireland facing similar levels of risk, you really should pay attention and find out what the level of risk of flooding is at your home or business.

Doug-MacPhee, from the Scottish Flood Forum — a charity providing advice and information to individuals and community groups to help protect their homes and buildings from flooding and to recover from flooding — delivered a presentation titled “Introduction to property flood resilience.” He explored the topic of preparing homes in at-risk areas, to reduce the impact and damage, and the practical measures available to you. This eye-opening presentation showed there is a lot you can do to make a property more resilient to flooding.

Key takeaway: Find out if you are in an area at risk of flooding and, if so, make your property more flood-resilient; consult the Scottish Flood Forum for advice.

Presentations on other themes

Several other presentations, over the two days, covered the following other themes:

Self-building (by Tom McSherry, Mike Cruickshank and MAC+RAO)
Building financing and insurance (BuildStore and Protek)
Architectural and interior design (Allan Corfield, Staran Architects, Aleksandra Jovanoska-Hannah, and Clare Wade from Cat Lighting)
Building types and materials, including timber frame buildings (by Fleming Homes and Carpenter Oak) and aluminium in renovations (by Korniche)
Windows and doors (by Lacuna of Denmark and Ecowin Ltd)
Home improvements (by Michael Holmes)
Kitchen design (by Michael Holmes, Kutchenhaus Ltd and Ashley Ann)
Garden design (by Marie Anne Messenger)
How to find and manage builders (by Mike Cruickshank and the Federation of Master Builders)

Heritage

While not directly within NetRegs’ main areas of focus, one display that particularly caught our attention was that of multicoloured, patchwork Chesterfield leather sofas from Broadclough Furniture — a sight of beauty. We spoke to Jeffrey Lord, representing the business, who explained that this traditional craft is a dying trade. He expressed the ambition to establish a workshop to pass on these skills so that they are not lost. We can only hope that heritage crafts such as this one are preserved. Perhaps some readers of this blog may be inspired to get in touch and help bring this workshop vision to life.

The exhibitors

It was not possible to approach all the stands and talk to all exhibitors. Therefore, to avoid promoting one product or service over another, we don't report on the many products we saw and learnt about.

In addition to businesses, Greenpeace, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trust also had a stand presence at the show, reminding us of the importance of sustainability: business success, and building and renovation works, should be accompanied by preserving the environment.

In summary

We can only hope that both exhibitors and visitors came away with real value from attending the Homebuilding and Renovating Show: new business opportunities for participating companies; finding the product or contractor you were looking for; clarity on the next steps for a project; discovering inspiring innovations in green building; or simply enjoying a day well spent in good company. We certainly had a positive experience and recommend the show.

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