Specifile

28/10/2026

The smartest building is the one you never have to think about.

Doors that recognise you. Sanitary systems that manage themselves. Joinery that designs itself before a single board is cut. This is not a vision of some distant future. It is happening in South Africa right now.

The October edition of Specifile SPOTLIGHT features three brands pushing automation into the fabric of everyday buildings. ASSA ABLOY brings facial recognition access control to local shores. Geberit connects sanitary systems to smartphones and BIM platforms. Blum South Africa puts intelligent cabinet design directly into Revit.

Security that knows your face. Plumbing that thinks for itself. Cabinetry that plans itself. Three brands. One theme. Buildings are getting smarter.

Explore the full SPOTLIGHT here: https://ai.specifile.co.za/magazines/spotlight-automation-smarter-design-and-bim

Specifile SPOTLIGHT | Automation | BIM | BuildingAutomation

26/10/2026

Over-roofing existing steel roofs without costly removal and disposal.

The AshGrid spacer system creates a structurally defined cavity between old and new roof coverings. That cavity accommodates insulation, improving energy efficiency, acoustics and security in a single retrofit.

For building refurbishment and retrofit projects, over-roofing is a practical alternative to full roof replacement. The existing roof stays in place. The AshGrid system installs above it. New roof sheeting fixes to the spacer frame. The result is a thermally upgraded roof without the waste, cost and disruption of stripping the old roof.

Supplied by Isover, part of Saint-Gobain, the AshGrid system pairs with proven insulation options for enhanced thermal performance in a single assembly.

For specifiers working on building energy retrofits, the AshGrid system offers a structured, manufacturer-backed approach to over-roofing. The datasheet covers spacer profiles, loading calculations and insulation compatibility.

Explore the AshGrid datasheet on SpecifileAI:
https://ai.specifile.co.za/companies/isover/

Have you specified over-roofing for a steel roof retrofit?

22/10/2026

Industrial ventilation is not just about moving air. It is about moving the right air, the right way.

Krantz displacement air outlets deliver low-turbulence ventilation for production halls, foundries, and workshops. Unlike turbulent mixing systems, these outlets discharge supply air at low velocity and low momentum.

The result is a bundle of thin, adjacent air jets. These jets displace pollutants and heat from the occupied zone to the exhaust system.

That means better air quality in the work zone. Lower pollutant concentration where people actually stand and work.

Key features:

Discharge ranging from horizontal to vertical
Coverage zone directly below the outlet
Suitable for halls with significant pollutant emission or high heat loads
Available for floor, wall, or overhead installation
Applications include heavy and light pollutant removal, cooling and heating, and individual workplace protection.

Read the full technical datasheet on SpecifileAI.

21/10/2026

Cavity wall insulation that does both jobs. 🏗️

LambdaBoard is a polyisocyanurate rigid insulation board. It reduces thermal transfer and prevents condensation in cavity walls and roofs. High efficiency, slim profile.

Supplied by D&D Roof Insulations in Pretoria, serving projects across South Africa.

Explore the datasheet on SpecifileAI:
https://ai.specifile.co.za/companies/dd-roof-insulations/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=specifile_oct2026_datasheets&utm_content=lambdaboard_insulation_fb

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20/10/2026

Custom aluminium windows engineered for precise, measured-to-fit solutions across residential and commercial builds.

HVS Aluminium & Glass, based in Wellington, Western Cape, delivers custom fenestration tailored to project requirements. The made-to-order units are engineered for durability, smooth operation and clean sightlines, elevating both performance and aesthetics.

For architects and specifiers, custom aluminium fenestration offers flexibility that standard off-the-shelf products cannot match. Window dimensions, opening configurations and frame finishes can be specified to suit the building design, site conditions and performance requirements.

Aluminium frames also deliver structural strength with slim profiles, allowing larger glazing areas and more natural light. For projects where thermal performance, weather resistance and visual finish all matter, custom aluminium is a strong specification choice.

Explore the HVS custom aluminium windows datasheet and the full range on SpecifileAI.

https://ai.specifile.co.za/companies/hvs-aluminium-glass/

What fenestration performance criteria matter most in your current specifications?

19/10/2026

Three new Maxiflex datasheets cover high-speed and insulated industrial doors for warehousing, manufacturing and logistics environments.

The MaxiRoll self-repairing high-speed roll-up door handles openings up to 8000 x 8000mm with speeds up to 2.5m/s. Self-repairing capability reduces downtime after impact, keeping operations running in high-traffic environments.

The MaxiRoll P insulated self-repairing door extends to openings up to 10000 x 6000mm and is wind-load rated to Class 5. For large outdoor openings exposed to wind loads, this specification combines speed, insulation, and structural resilience.

The MF40 insulated sectional door uses 40mm polyurethane panels with standard, high or vertical lift track options. For temperature-controlled environments and industrial facilities, the MF40 delivers thermal separation and operational flexibility.

Maxiflex serves projects across South Africa with branches in Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.

Explore all three datasheets on SpecifileAI:
https://brnw.ch/21x6vrA

What industrial door performance criteria drive your specifications?

12/10/2026

Two building systems. One magazine. Real South African projects.

The latest Specifile SPOTLIGHT on Spring Aesthetics showcases two systems that solve hard problems on real sites.

Traviata Flooring took on The Key School for Autism in Parktown, Johannesburg. The original subfloor had collapsed. Open cavities of rubble and stone sat beneath the classrooms. Derrington Floors rebuilt the substrate from the ground up before installing 12mm Tru-Wood XL in Dominican Oak. The result is a warm, durable floor built for daily life in a specialised school. 🏫

Geberit HDPE drainage pipes bring welded jointing technology to hospitals, high-rise buildings and laboratories. Leak-proof connections that withstand thermal movement, chemical attack and decades of use. The Silent-db20 SuperTube adds acoustic insulation without extra ventilation pipes, saving floor space in high-rise construction. 🔧

Both stories are built on the same principle: the right system, correctly specified, solving a genuine problem.

Read the full SPOTLIGHT magazine on SpecifileAI:
https://brnw.ch/21x6kVq

This Specifile SPOTLIGHT on Spring Aesthetics September 2026 edition showcases two building systems for architects: Geberit HDPE drainage pipes with welded jointing and Silent-db20 SuperTube acoustic technology, and Traviata Flooring’s Tru-Wood XL installed over a full substrate rebuild at The Key...

09/10/2026

Award-winning architecture needs surfaces that do more than look good. 🏛️

The Domus Dei Church by Roos Architects took First Prize at the P.I.A. Voices Awards 2026. One precinct, five uses: services, concerts, training, exams, and community gatherings.

Union Tiles supplied a single material palette that holds up across all of it. Greystoke Lavastone handles the foot traffic. Black Slate adds texture. Glazed porcelain keeps the bathrooms calm and consistent.

The brief also called for accessible design. Ramps, enhanced ablutions, and adaptable spaces mean the finishes have to work for everyone who moves through. 🤝

What surface would you trust in a space like this?

08/10/2026

Up to 40% of a building's heat gain or loss goes through the roof. 🏠

Alucushion's Alufoil FR Lite Domestic Grade is a double-sided aluminium foil thermal barrier for residential roofs. Multi-layer, fibreglass scrim-reinforced, and built to outperform.

The key specs:

R-value: 1.64 m2 K/W (including air gaps)
Emissivity: less than 0.05
Fire rating: Class A/A3
Reaction to fire: B-s1,d0 (highest for this product class)
Compliant with SANS 10400-XA and SANS 10400-T:2024
40m rolls, 1250mm width, 44m2 effective coverage. Designed for tiled roofs and residential applications.

Download the datasheet on SpecifileAI:
https://brnw.ch/21x6fRm

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https://brnw.ch/21x6fRn

07/10/2026

Roads take a beating. Extend their life. 🛣️

Kaytech Sealmac geotextile paving fabrics absorb bitumen and form a stress-relieving interlayer. This slows reflective cracking and extends road surface life.

Suitable for road rehabilitation, patching and overlay projects across South African road networks.

Download the Sealmac datasheet on SpecifileAI:
https://brnw.ch/21x6ep2

Explore the Kaytech range:
https://brnw.ch/21x6ep1

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https://brnw.ch/21x6ep3