<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Alvora Group]]></title><description><![CDATA[Designing luxury spaces, redefining elegance.]]></description><link>https://www.alvora.ie/construction-insights</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Wed, 13 May 2026 15:37:50 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.alvora.ie/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[The Difference Between A Builder &#38; A Design-Led Contractor]]></title><description><![CDATA[Why modern residential projects require more than construction alone “Modern homes are no longer judged only by how they are built — but by how carefully they are resolved.” The construction industry in Ireland is changing. For years, the word builder was enough. If someone could manage blocks, concrete, plastering, roofing and trades, that was usually considered the job. But modern residential construction has moved on. Today’s best homes are not simply built. They are coordinated, detailed...]]></description><link>https://www.alvora.ie/post/the-difference-between-a-builder-a-design-led-contractor</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0473bf7848442a572f0743</guid><pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2026 13:13:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_cc0cab057848411a9945d636bf4a2ab9~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Alvora</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Architectural Glazing Ireland]]></title><description><![CDATA[Why More Irish Homeowners Are Choosing High-Performance European Windows Over the last number of years, there has been a major shift within Irish residential construction toward Architectural glazing systems, slimmer frame profiles and significantly higher energy performance standards. As contemporary homes and modern extensions continue to evolve, standard off-the-shelf window systems are no longer meeting the expectations of many architects, builders and homeowners looking for higher...]]></description><link>https://www.alvora.ie/post/architectural-glazing-ireland</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a04692ae5f825d008b20b3f</guid><pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2026 12:20:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/abcf8b_d89cd51946b94fcc914f1fc5dc509196~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>The Alvora Project Team</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Complete Guide To: Board Form Concrete]]></title><description><![CDATA[Why exposed concrete is becoming one of the defining materials in contemporary Irish architecture For decades, board form concrete has been used throughout some of the most respected architectural projects in the world. In countries such as Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Australia and Japan, exposed concrete became a defining material within contemporary residential architecture long before it started appearing regularly in Ireland. What was once considered an industrial or commercial...]]></description><link>https://www.alvora.ie/post/complete-guide-to-board-form-concrete</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a04624ae5f825d008b1fe03</guid><pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2026 11:58:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/abcf8b_a9f4ec8109d54f5a8d1ee623d13494ed~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_474,h_592,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>The Alvora Project Team</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How Much Does A Home Renovation Cost?]]></title><description><![CDATA[A Detailed Guide To Renovation Costs, Property Types, Finish Levels &#38; Real Construction Budgets In Ireland Home renovation costs in Dublin have changed dramatically over the last decade. What was once considered a substantial renovation budget may now only cover a mid-range refurbishment once structural work, energy upgrades, labour costs and premium materials are factored in. At the same time, homeowners are expecting far more from their renovations: better layouts more natural light higher...]]></description><link>https://www.alvora.ie/post/how-much-does-a-home-renovation-cost</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a03220ae889759477a6b9a5</guid><pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 13:07:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/abcf8b_1fc34f2cf2c543bfaaf70656456ebcb2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>The Alvora Project Team</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Self-Build vs Main Contractor]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Reality Nobody Properly Explains Before You Start Building After decades around construction sites, one thing becomes obvious very quickly: Most people do not underestimate the cost of building a house. They underestimate the management of building a house. There is a huge difference. The actual construction — blocks, concrete, timber, steel, insulation — is only part of the process. The real challenge is keeping everything moving: at the right time in the right order with the right...]]></description><link>https://www.alvora.ie/post/self-build-vs-main-contractor</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a00f551ecab901137579d9b</guid><category><![CDATA[The Alvora Journal]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 10 May 2026 21:31:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/abcf8b_00187218446d4b69acf194ff22d13d88~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>The Alvora Project Team</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How To Build An A-Rated Home In Ireland]]></title><description><![CDATA[Complete Guide To Design, Insulation, BER, Heating, Ventilation &#38; Green Mortgage Rates Building an A-rated home in Ireland is not about adding solar panels at the end. It starts with the structure, insulation, airtightness, thermal bridges, heating system and ventilation strategy. A proper A-rated home should be designed as one complete energy system. SEAI explains that BER ratings measure a home’s energy performance on a scale from A to G, with A-rated homes being the most energy efficient....]]></description><link>https://www.alvora.ie/post/how-to-build-an-a-rated-home-in-ireland</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a00e97e0cf45a42cca8e69d</guid><category><![CDATA[The Alvora Journal]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 10 May 2026 21:06:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/abcf8b_ede0602a18e1432c98cc871e6f1084ae~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>The Alvora Project Team</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[ICF Construction Ireland ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Case Study: Cost, Time &#38; Energy Performance Compared With Traditional Building Method Case Study Overview This case study compares ICF construction in Ireland against three common construction methods: Traditional cavity blockwork Timber frame construction Standard reinforced concrete / block construction Insulated Concrete Formwork, known as ICF The aim is to compare ICF on the areas that matter most to homeowners, developers and architects: Build cost Construction speed Airtightness Thermal...]]></description><link>https://www.alvora.ie/post/icf-construction-ireland</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69fe110d4f7ebdc9f6aa6ebb</guid><category><![CDATA[The Alvora Journal]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 08 May 2026 16:42:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/abcf8b_42858dfc6baa425d9855ec87830a2dd7~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>The Alvora Project Team</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>