Improve Magazine Spring 2022

Spring 2022

IT’S TIME TO BRING YOUR DREAMS TO LIFE

New Building Regulations

Spring is here

Looking to have a new extension or have your windows and doors replaced? Read about the new regulations which come into force in June of this year.

Create the perfect indoor/outdoor space come rain or shine.

Go Green with Georgina Burnett – The Home Genie!

She’s the queen of going green and the TV upcycling star has become a familiar face on ITV’s ‘This Morning’. Georgina talks to Improve Magazine about her inspirational projects and bringing natural light into our homes, no matter the budget.

Spring 2022

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Stanier Road, Porte Marsh Industrial Estate, Calne, Wiltshire SN11 9PX T 01249 816 969 • F 01249 815 234 • E deceuninck.ltd@deceuninck.com Spring 2022

BEAUTIFUL WINDOWS MAKE BEAUTIFUL HOMES Deceuninck is one of the world’s major PVC-U window and door systems companies and has been established for over 30 years in the UK, with production, distribution and head office in Wiltshire.

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Contents CONSUMER ADVICE

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Energy bills are set to soar by 54% for 22 million households from the beginning of April, adding £693 to the annual bills of a typical household. The average annual bill will now stand at £1,971 a year for your gas and electricity. As us Brits will now be looking for ways to save money on our energy bills before the price hike, Improve Magazine speaks to personal finance experts Ocean Finance, who have shared 10 ways to cut your energy costs by £375 per year. Read about the new building regulations and why fenestration is a career of choice.

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COVID has changed the way we all live and how we use our homes, with many people continuing to work from home, either permanently or flexibly. The pandemic has shifted focus onto work/life balance for many of us, with our homes becoming the focal point for investment, with the need or the desire to create more space. Maximising space whilst sticking to a budget can be hard - as can navigating planning laws. A conservatory can be a fantastic way to add an incredible space without breaking the bank, and in many instances, can be built within permitted development, only needing to comply with building regulations.

LIGHT FILLED HOMES Many of us view our home and garden as two separate entities, with a firm boundary in between.

However, linking these two spaces to create the perfect indoor/outdoor living zone can make both areas look and feel bigger, lighter and brighter – regardless of the size of your property. Benefitting both mental and physical health, sunlight plays a huge part in our overall wellbeing. With clever architectural design, roof lanterns allow light to flood the home, adding daylight to rooms previously drenched in darkness. Bringing energy into the home and creating uplifting spaces, a rooflight or a few scattered ceiling lanterns can hugely enhance a property.

TIMBER WINDOWS & DOORS Probably two of the most famous landmarks in Wimbledon are Wimbledon Common, where the Wombles made their home, Doctor Who visited and aliens battled it out in War of the Worlds. Of course it’s also where the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament is held every summer, so there is no wonder the area is such a desirable location and where residents old and new demand high quality and performance from their homes. Bereco talks to Improve Magazine about the development why their timber windows and doors were chosen for the project.

E X T E N D I N G & R E N O VAT I N G YOUR HOME

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H E R I TA G E H O M E S & PERIOD PROPERTIES Brimming with rich history, conservation areas are blessed with the presence of architectural treasures.

From picturesque Tudor cottages and grand historic houses, to inner-city Victorian warehouses and contemporary model housing estates, conservation areas are nestled across beautiful urban and rural locations, from city landscapes to countryside towns. Protected by local authorities to preserve their nature, this means that homeowners of a property in a conservation area need permission before making certain changes to their home.

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INTERIORS Celebrity Journalist Angela Sara West @angela_sara_west chats with TV’s upcycling queen Georgina Burnett about how sustainability can make your home ‘sing’, whether ‘greige’ is still the way to go, how a pop of purple should be on your interiors radar, as well as how to make a healthy home. Plus, the possible perils of painting with Pantone’s Very Peri!

Click any of the contents to go straight through 4

Spring 2022

Spring 2022

IT’S TIME TO BRING YOUR DREAMS TO LIFE

New Buildin g Regulations

Looking to have a new extension or have your windows and doors replaced?

Read about the new regulation s which come into force in June of this year.

Spring is here Create the perfect indoor/outdoor space come rain or shine.

Go Green w ith Georgin a Burnett – Th e Home Ge ni

She’s the queen of going green and the TV upcycling familiar face on star has become ITV’s ‘This Morning’. a Georgina talks to about her inspiration Improve Magazine al projects and bringing natural no matter the budget. light into our homes,

e!

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Christina Shaw Editorial Director

Welcome to the Spring Edition of Improve Magazine!

Spring is certainly in the air and we’ve experienced some beautiful sunny weather of late. However, we always get fooled at this time of year and it’s often the case that we still need to keep putting the heating on now and again!

With many of us concerned about energy costs, there are some useful articles in this edition on how to save on heating and also how to draft proof your home.

Once the weather starts to turn warmer our minds wander into new possibilities, whether it be tending to the garden, refreshing the decor, looking at creating more space or replacing old windows and doors. A must read article if you are looking at home improvements is the New Building Regs, featured on page 10. We also take a look at how you can extend your home without breaking the bank and the home improvement projects which add the greatest value to your home.

The very lovely Georgina Burnett, ITV’s This Morning resident upcycler and The Home Genie, talks to Improve about colour, trends, trash and treasure, DIY disasters and making our homes sing!

Enjoy this issue as always.

GET IN TOUCH

All Enquiries Christina Shaw T: 01302 278756 E: christina@improve-magazine.co.uk W: www.improve-magazine.co.uk

Christina

The views contained herein are not necessarily those of Improve Magazine and whilst every effort is made to ensure information throughout is correct, Improve Magazine does not accept liability for errors. The views expressed by contributors and the content of letters, are not necessarily those of Improve Magazine and therefore cannot take responsibility.

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Improve Magazine is published by Lazenby Shaw Creative Ltd.

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Our Roots are in Nature.

Bespoke Timber Casement Windows, Sash Windows, Front Doors, Back Doors, and Patio Doors.

Book a free design consultation bereco.co.uk | 01709 838188 6

Spring 2022

Sustainable. Secure. Functional. Beautiful.

Budgeting tips, consumer trends & new building regulations

Click here to go back to contents

The following section covers...

• New Building Regulations • Careers & Training • Cutting Your Energy Bills

• Home Improvement Trends Podcast • Budget DIY

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W h a t ’s n e x t for consumers in 2022?

The Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme (DGCOS), which aims to protect consumers and raise standards in the glazing industry, has recently launched a new series of podcasts that discusses what’s currently happening in the window and door industry. As part of this series, Faisal Hussain, Chief Executive of DGCOS, is joined by George Clarke, architect, TV presenter and DGCOS Brand Ambassador, and Thom Emerson, Sales and Marketing Director of leading window and door supplier, Ideal Window Solutions. During the episode, they discuss home improvements trends, and in this article, Faisal discusses some of the highlights.

There is little doubt that these are challenging times. We are battling the rising cost of living against a big shift in our lifestyle’s brought about by the pandemic.

There are still some big economic challenges ahead: Inflation is at its highest rate for 30 years in contrast to an average 1% in regular pay; energy bills are rocketing - I have personally seen an increase of 50% on my energy bills since I came out of my energy deal in November last year, and I anticipate that is going to get higher and higher with oil prices at the highest in 7 years.

On top of all that, we have been spending significant amounts of time at home and this, too, has a massive impact on how we live and how we spend our money.

Right from the first lockdown, there has been a bounce in home improvements with a drive to making our homes more multi-functional to accommodate working from home, perhaps a home gym or a separate space where we can relax too because we were literally stuck at home.

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Photo: Ideal Window Solutions

GREENING UP After creating useable space in our homes, the next big thing on the agenda is the ‘greening’. This is a subject that has been brought very much to the forefront but irrespective of Net Zero targets, many homeowners are considering ‘greening’ their homes to reduce energy bills, save money and make their homes more comfortable.

As a nation, we have a huge Retrofit challenge ahead of us. We have the oldest housing stock in Europe which is great as we have beautiful building with historic features, but these properties are often drafty, cold, and hard to insulate.

A M U LT I - F U N C T I O N A L H O M E The stay-at-home policy forced us all to consider how we are using our space. As an architect, George spoke about how he’s used design to allow our homes to function in multiple ways. The home is no longer just a place to live, but a place to work. Many found this difficult, especially when you add home teaching to the mix. We need areas in which we can both live and work that have a degree of separation to provide privacy but done so in a way we can get more out of the space. George said he had a lot of fun designing multifunctional, playful furniture: a desk which turns into a dining table, a drawing board that flips to become a bench seat.

It was also really interesting to hear Thom talk about the change in approach when it came to conservatories and orangeries. Traditionally, a conservatory or orangery was designed to be an extension of the kitchen, but now they are an extra leisure space with large-span bi-folding or patio doors that allow us to bring the outside in. Some people have opted to decant a room from inside the house to the new ‘outside’ space, so that a home office can be created further inside where it’s quieter. The key driver is to make the house feel less cramped and because we are doing more in our homes, even having the impression of space is important to our wellbeing.

Photo: Ideal Window Solutions

There are many options available to us, such as high performing double and triple glazing, ground and air source heat pumps, solar, and investing in a combination of these could be paid back. On the flip side, not every product is right for every home. There is no point in installing a heat pump if your house has no insulation and single glazed windows. The units simply can’t work hard enough to heat your home.

Any good installer will advise you from the outset that the key is to improve the fabric of the building to get the most out your investment and make your home as energy efficient as possible.

There are other considerations to make when choosing the best investments to make, especially when it comes to windows and doors. Working with the right installer that can help you make the right decision is key. They should play a consulting role, not just out to get a sale, and this is something DGCOS strongly endorses through its membership. To hear more on this and other trends like DIY wish list, the impact of the upcoming change in building regulations, triple glazing vs double glazing debate, and how homeowners are adding their personality to their homes, listen to the full podcast to here.

DGCOS, the Double Glazing & Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme, mission is to protect consumers and raise standards in the glazing industry.

DGCOS members are committed to complying with the highest standards of consumer protection. For more information, visit: www.DGCOS.org.uk.

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N E W B U I L D I N G R E G U L A T I O N S C O M E

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H e re ’s w h a t y o u n e e d to k n o w The Building Regulations change in June this year and the updates to both Part L and Part F in particular, have great significance to homeowners, when looking to purchase new window and doors, whether in your main property or a new conservatory or extension.

These regulations apply to all materials, whether you choose to have PVCu, steel, aluminium, timber or hybrid products.

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If you are looking to build a new extension or have your windows or doors replaced, you need to be aware of these new regulations. The release of these documents form part of the government’s Future Homes strategy, which aims to reduce carbon emissions from new homes.

However, many parts of the new building regulations also refer to existing dwellings, so it is imperative to choose a supplier who is competent and compliant with the new regulations. Ensure you always obtain a Completion Certificate for any extension work, replacement windows & doors and for works around the home. You can read more about Completion Certificate’s here.

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S O , L E T ’ S S TA R T W I T H D O C U M E N T L Approved Document L sets a new U-Value/ WER limits, which requires the majority of replacement windows and doors to be more energy efficient, which will keep people warm by ensuring less heat escapes your home.

Building regs approval is required for replacement windows and doors and must comply with the new Approved Document L.

Installing double or triple glazing might cost you more initially but energy efficient windows will save you money in the long term, plus you’ll get other benefits such as reduced external noise and better protection from the outside elements.

You won’t need to apply for building control approval if your windows are fitted by an installer registered with a Competent Person Scheme. Once the job is done they can issue you a certificate of compliance with the building regs.

W H AT I S A U - VA L U E ?

The energy performance of a window or door is measured by its U value. In simple terms, if its colder outside than inside, the U value is a measurement of how quickly the heat from the inside leaks through the window. The U value is measured in W/m²K, which indicates how much heat transfers across the window through 1 m^2 when there is a temperature difference of 1 degree centigrade between inside and outside. The lower the U value, the better the insulation of your window/door unit.

The changes to Part L is an initial reduction in maximum U-Values for windows in new build homes from 1.4 to 1.2W/m²K, moving towards a more radical target of 0.8W/W/m²K for new build over the next five years. In existing homes, a reduction from 1.6 to 1.4W/m²K in windows and from 1.8 to 1.4W/m²K for doors.

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External windows are classed as ‘controlled fittings’ in the Building Regulations and need to meet certain standards when being installed or replaced.

You can read the full Approved Document L PDF here.

WER - WINDOW ENERGY R AT I N G S Similar to the rainbow labels found on quality household appliances, white goods and lightbulbs, windows that contain the WER rainbow label show they’ve been independently verified by experts for thermal efficiency.

When choosing your new windows and doors, look for the best thermal efficiency as well as aesthetics.

DOCUMENT F Approved Document F covers the need for ventilation in increasingly airtight homes, to ensure airflow is delivered efficiently and quietly. The most common approach to meeting the Building Regulations Part F is intermittent extract fans with background vents, more commonly referred to as trickle vents for windows, air bricks for walls.

Approved Document F provides guidance on building ventilation, including building air quality and preventing condensation in a domestic or non-domestic structure.

In a domestic property, ventilation must be circulated continuously throughout the whole building, extract ventilation must be used within an area of increased humidity or pollution, for example an extractor fan over an oven. Approved Document F will require that a trickle vent is inserted into your new windows and doors for them to provide sufficient ventilation to meet the government’s new standards.

If you put a trickle vent in a window you are increasing the chance of introducing outside noise. The more air that you allow through a ventilator, the worse the performance you will get with the acoustic performance.

This is a problem facing the window and door industry as it seems to contradict Document Part L, which is all about energy efficiency and keeping the heat in. However, the industry is tackling this with more aesthetically pleasing trickle vent products which are designed to keep outside noise to a minimum whilst providing the optimum air flow for a healthy home.

However you feel about having trickle vents installed into your shiny new windows, you should not be tempted to not specify trickle vents as problems could arise if you ever want to sell your home. If a solicitor sees that new windows or doors have been fitted after June 2022, and don’t comply with the regulations, you can expect expensive complications. It is essential that you employ a bona fide installer who buys from a fully compliant fabricator.

Speak to your builder or installer regarding the stipulations of Part F and ensure you are well advised.

You can read the full Approved Document F PDF here.

USEFUL LINKS DGCOS Double Glazing & Ombudsman Scheme (search for an installer near you) For further information on what restrictions are in place you should speak to your installer, or visit the governments ‘planning portal’. The ‘planning portal’ is the online planning and building regulations resource for England and Wales.

Information regarding building regulations in Scotland and Northern Ireland may differ and it is recommended you speak with your local authority for further information. https://www.dgcos.org.uk/about/building-regulations FENSA Government authorised scheme (search for an installer near you) FENSA is a government-authorised scheme that monitors building regulation compliance for replacement windows and doors. Each FENSA Approved Installer, from large national brands to small local companies, is assessed regularly by FENSA to ensure its compliance to building regulations is continually maintained. https://www.fensa.org.uk/about-fensa LABC Local Building Authority Control Independent advice - Front Door is an LABC website. LABC is a not-for-profit membership organisation that represents all local authority building control teams in England and Wales (with around 3,800 members in their national network). Their local teams will work with you to help you comply with the building regulations. https://labcfrontdoor.co.uk/about-us

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A Career of Choice The Fenestration, Glass and Glazing industry turns over an estimated £4.6 billion per annum, employs tens of thousands of people across over fifty career paths and is a significant contributor to the UK economy. The industry is dynamic and diverse and truly representative of today’s society and its products are the most technically advanced, thermally efficient and environmentally friendly ever.

A qualified and fully trained workforce is a critical part of the industry’s infrastructure, and essential to its ability to manufacture and install the vast range of products sold to consumers.

EXPERT VIEW In this issue we are talking to Mick Clayton, CEO of GQA Qualifications, the Fenestration, Glass and Glazing industry’s awarding organisation.

GQA writes the qualifications that those employed in the industry undertake to ensure they are competent to do their jobs and are able to deliver the highest standards of workmanship at all times. Their qualifications are delivered through over 200 centres throughout the UK.

Here Mick talks to us about some of the work they are doing to raise standards even further by focussing on the personal and professional development of the industry’s workforce; he talks to us about the incredible range of career options for those looking to join the industry as school or college leavers, or as career changers; and he tells us about some of their non-industry work, an example being a first of its kind qualification they have written in partnership with the European Scouting Federation (British Association) that enables the achievement of badges by the boys and girls involved to be registered as a formal qualification which they can carry with them into their careers as an early years achievement.

“Those who know me know I am passionate about people development.

Being CEO of GQA Qualifications is the perfect platform for me and those who work for the organisation to support people who want to be better at what they do, who want to develop themselves personally and as trades or business men and women. With over 100 industry relevant qualifications and over 50 designated career paths, we truly believe that the Fenestration, Glass and Glazing industry is a home for everybody, no matter what their skill levels or their career ambitions. So, let me tell you a little more about the 50 career paths that the industry offers, all with the opportunity for training, qualifications and career progression”.

I N D U S T R Y C A R E E R PAT H S “Whether you have children of a school age, at college or university or are in a job yourself and thinking about a change of direction the industry has something for you”.

“There are roles indoors and outdoors and career options whether someone wants to work with their hands or use their academic talents. As I mentioned, all career paths in the industry offer training and support for career development as well as formal qualifications and the other great thing about the industry is that it doesn’t matter where you start. With the right attitude and dedication supported by training and qualifications a person can progress from being a trainee installer to managing their own company or from being a trainee factory operative to becoming factory manager. These are common achievements in our industry, and many of today’s business owners have followed that route. I would encourage everybody to look at the Fenestration, Glass and Glazing industry as a potential career of choice”.

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WANT TO FIND OUT MORE? If you want to find out more about the vast range of career paths offered by the industry you should visit ‘Building Our Skills – Making Fenestration, Glass and Glazing a Career of Choice’. Here you will be able to see the vast range of roles that exist, and by using the simple filter system identify what might be appealing to you. You don’t need to know exactly what you want to do, but even knowing whether you want to work inside or outside is enough to narrow down the options so you can see the roles and rewards the industry offers through its careers paths.

You can visit the site by clicking on this link https://www.uboom.co.uk/affiliates/building-our-skills-careers-in-fenestration/

TRAINING THE INDUSTRY’S WORKFORCE Once in the industry it is essential that employees have access to training and qualifications, and GQA, as well as writing formal qualifications also provides a service to employers to enable them to accredit their own in house training programmes to help staff learn and progress.

Mick’s colleague Martin Sadler takes up the story: “We all recognise that offering training to employees is rewarding, it gives them a sense of belonging and can inspire them to be better at what they do – which brings its own rewards in terms of a sense of achievement, as well as being the basis for career progression further down the line”.

“Using our Accredited Training service means that employers can develop their own training to suit their employees or their customers’ needs with the GQA stamp of approval to show the quality of the training delivered. The GQA branded certificate we offer for employees is an important tool and highlights the third party endorsement we bring”.

“We recently undertook a great programme with AluK, specialists in the design and testing of aluminium products for the industry who wanted to add formality to the training they offer”.

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Darren Burford, Training Manager of the AluK Academy explained: “AluK provides training workshops in manufacturing, installation, product awareness and the use of the company’s design system. GQA provided third party accreditation for the workshops and our training days, providing invaluable guidance and support, especially in the development of our training programmes. GQA is a real advocate when it comes to raising standards amongst the workforce and we know that what we have done has been well received by our employees and our customers. This can only reflect well on how professional the Fenestration, Glass and Glazing industry is, and why it is a great place to forge a career for anybody considering their options”.

I N D U S T RY FA C T DID YOU KNOW? The Fenestration, Glass and Glazing industry is the place where a phrase we are all familiar with came from – Daylight Robbery.

In 1696, William III of England introduced a property tax which required those living in houses with more than six windows to pay a levy.

In order to avoid the tax, house owners would brick up all windows except six.

(The Window Tax lasted until around 1851, and older houses with brickedup windows are still a common sight in UK.) As the bricked-up windows prevented some rooms from receiving any sunlight, the tax was referred to as daylight robbery.

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OUTSIDE OF THE INDUSTRY We mentioned earlier that GQA also contributes outside of the industry, and a recent piece of work with the European Scouting Federation (British Association) saw them develop a first of its kind qualification.

In a departure from its usual sectors, GQA has helped the organisation to standardise its approach to assessments and thereby also ensure Scouts’ achievements are more readily recognised and transferable.

The units in the qualifications are based on the badges that Scouts work towards, but with the difference that they remove Scout troops’ slightly differing approaches to delivery. Scouts will receive training at Scout camps, and assessment will be carried out by Scout Leaders.

The new qualification is the ‘GQA Level 2 Diploma in Traditional Scouting’. This qualification has been developed to give individuals the opportunity to prove an understanding of some of the principal aspects of scouting. The qualification is mainly knowledge-based, but additionally includes some practical tasks. The qualification is at a level that makes it suitable both for candidates new to scouting or those who have been involved with it already. It has been written for Scouts to demonstrate to potential employers that they have commitment and drive for learning and development.

Sean Hayes, GQA’s Operations Manager comments: “It was great to be able to help such a worthy cause, and we look forward to seeing the first Scouts achieving their GQA qualification in the coming months.”

The fact that the new qualification is in ‘traditional Scouting’ is a reflection of their adherence to the key principles of the movement. Some of these include (but are not limited to) self-education through learning by doing (hands on training), working in groups where scouts are responsible to and for each other with only the minimum amount of adult supervision, emphasis on public service and services for the community”.

For more information about the work of GQA and how it supports learning and development in the Fenestration, Glass and Glazing industry visit www.gqaqualifications.com or to find out more about the career paths in the industry visit https://www.uboom.co.uk/affiliates/building-our-skills-careers-in-fenestration/

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10 EASY WAYS TO CUT YOUR ENERGY COSTS BY £375 PER YEAR Energy bills are set to soar by 54% for 22 million households from the beginning of April, adding £693 to the annual bills of a typical household.

The average annual bill will now stand at £1,971 a year for their gas and electricity. As Brits will now be looking for ways to save money on their energy bills before the price hike, personal finance experts Ocean Finance have shared 10 ways to cut your energy costs by £375 per year.

1 SWITCH TO SMART BULBS T O S AV E £ 1 2 6 P E R Y E A R Research shows that incandescent bulbs cost around £12.40 to buy and power annually, compared to just £2.05 for an LED smart bulb. Saving £10.35 per bulb, a house with 20 bulbs could save £207 every year by opting for energyefficient lighting.

Even with the upfront costs (approximately £161.39 to buy 20 smart bulbs), after two years you could save up to £252.61 by using smart lighting – which works out at £126.30 per year.

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2 I N S TA L L A F R E E S M A R T M E T E R T O S AV E U P T O £36 PER YEAR Getting a smart meter installed could save you £36.93 per year on gas and electricity, according to the government’s Smart Meter Roll-Out Cost-Benefit Analysis.

3 TA K E A N AV Y S H O W E R T O S AV E £ 8 0 P E R Y E A R Taking a navy shower means limiting yourself to just three minutes of hot water! You can get down to three minutes by doing all your soap and shampoo lathering with the shower switched off, then put it back on again to rinse. Reducing your shower time from 10 minutes to three can save you up to £80 a year, so it’s certainly worth a try.

4 D R A U G H T- P R O O F Y O U R HOME WITH SPONGES, OLD BLANKETS AND OTHER E V E R Y D AY I T E M S Over time, your home will naturally start to leak heat through draughts around your doors, windows and floor – or even the chimney if you have an older home. By draught-proofing your home you can help bring your energy bills down. Here are some of the most common draught-proof techniques: • Buy a cover for your keyholes.

• Fill in skirting board cracks.

• Put a sponge in your letterbox! This is a great way to keep the hot air in and the cold air out, but make sure there’s somewhere else to leave your post and let your postie know.

• Place a hoodie or an old blanket at the bottom of an internal door that lets out heat.

5 USE THESE LAUNDRY HACKS T O S AV E £ 5 3 P E R Y E A R Washing machines use a lot of water and energy to wash and spin all your dirty clothes. To save money, consider washing your clothes at between 30-40 degrees to reduce the amount of energy your machines need to spend on heating the water.

Try hanging up your laundry to air-dry it, too – this requires zero energy while using a tumble dryer can significantly hike up your energy costs. Plus, doing this can save you a third on your energy bills, and at £160 per year, this amounts to a saving of £53.

6 TURN YOUR APPLIANCES O F F S TA N D B Y T O S AV E £ 8 0 PER YEAR When we turn off our electrical devices, many stay in standby mode, which uses a small amount of energy the entire time it’s left on standby. When you shut your electrics down completely, you can save up to £80 a year on your energy bills according to the Energy Saving Trust. Another great tip is to unplug anything you’re not using – if it’s not plugged in, it can’t contribute to your energy bills.

7 R E G U L A R LY B L E E D Y O U R R A D I AT O R S You can increase the heat emitted by your radiators by bleeding them when needed. If they are working efficiently, then you won’t need to keep your central heating on for as long.

8 REARRANGE YOUR FURNITURE TO IMPROVE THE H E AT F L O W O F Y O U R R O O M In some cases, a simple rearranging of your living spaces could help you optimise the flow of heat in your house. If you have any furniture that covers or blocks a radiator, it’s likely that the heat from that radiator is being absorbed by that object. Have a scan around your living room, and if anything is blocking the radiator. You can then rearrange it to improve the heat flow.

9 DRAUGHT PROOF YOUR WINDOWS WITH THIS £ 2 . 6 9 TA P E Even if you have your heating on, you’ll find that your home won’t retain the heat if there are any gaps or holes that it can slip out of – such as in your window (especially if it’s single glazed). All you need to do is invest in some draught tape which can be purchased for £2.69 on Amazon. This type of tape is used to create a seal around the gaps in your windows that let any cool air in.

10 PLACE SPECIALIST FOIL B E H I N D Y O U R R A D I AT O R S T O B O U N C E T H E H E AT AROUND THE ROOM Putting specialist foil (£6.60) behind your radiators is another way to improve the heat flow in your home. The foil will reflect the heat and prevent it from going into the walls. If your home isn’t very well insulated, then this could help you prevent further heat loss. It’s also an eco-friendlier way of keeping yourself a bit warmer.

Credit: https://www.oceanfinance.co.uk/blog/6-ways-to-cut-your-energy-costs-even-as-bills-rise/

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S T O P

DRAUGHTS around the home, from as little as £100 “One of the biggest draught offenders is your letterbox. Over time, the openings can become loose and let precious warm air out – and of course cause cold air to seep into your home.

“A simple way to combat this is to invest in a letterbox cover to the inside of your door. Letterbox covers come with rubber seals around the openings to ensure they clamp tightly around your letterbox, thus resulting in a tighter fit and less air coming in – or going out of –your home. What’s more, they’re simple to install, and you can pick one up for around £10.

“When it comes to doors, if you have a wooden door – either to the outside or as a second door – and notice draughts coming underneath, installing a simple door brush to the bottom can reduce the amount of air that comes in and out. All it takes is a couple of screws to attach it to your door, and the bristles act as a barrier to keep your precious heat where it should be. Not only are they easy to install, but they can also cost less than £5. If you don’t want to install one to the door – or are unable to – a traditional draught excluder can do the trick. A long sausage shape, they sit in front of the door and stop air in its tracks.

Coming in all shapes and sizes, they’re perfect for tying into your décor and adding a bit of personality. You can usually pick one up for around £10.

“Windows can be another culprit when it comes to draughts.

Over time, the mechanisms can become looser, meaning they don’t close as tightly as they once did, so need to be tightened.

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Alternatively, your hinges may need replacing if they’re old.

Both issues can be easily remedied with a screwdriver or an Allen key (depending on the issue) and a YouTube video. If you do need to replace your hinges, this is probably less expensive than you may think; you can pick up a pair for under £10 online. If you’re not confident doing this yourself you will need to contact a professional to do this for you. However, this is much cheaper than replacing an entire window.

“Another issue that can occur with windows is related to the seals. Sometimes the window seals, also knowns as gaskets, can become brittle or flatten, meaning they do not compress correctly when the windows are shut. Just like hinges, these can be replaced relatively easily, and are a cost-effective way of making your windows eco-friendlier. If you want a temporary fix over the cold months, you can add an additional seal inside and along the closure to block out any unwanted draughts, as well as noise. They are usually simple to install thanks to their peel and stick nature. You can pick both of these up for around £1 per metre.

“If you don’t have secondary glazing, you don’t necessarily need to invest in it. Instead, secondary glazing film can help reduce the cold air coming in. Essentially a transparent glazing film that is fitted over entire windowpanes to prevent warm air escaping, they can be cut to size and are fitted

in place using a hair dryer. And at less than £20 per sheet, they’re much cheaper than replacing your windows.

“If you live in an older house with gorgeous original features, the chances are, you are losing warm air through your floor – especially if you have wooden floors. Older houses tend to have suspended floors to allow air to circulate. Although this is great for stopping damp, it can cause havoc in winter.

To ensure you’re not throwing money away, make sure your floors are airtight. For about £5, you can pick up a pot of wood filler, which you simply work into the cracks (along with some wood chips or sawdust for bigger gaps), and leave it to dry. Once it’s set, you can treat this just like your normal wood floor, sanding, varnishing and painting it for a professional finish.

“For those of you who have gaps between your floor and the skirting board, there are a couple of solutions. Again, you can use a specialist wood filler to make sure they meet, or you can use a regular sealant or caulk to glide across the space.

For a temporary solution, opting for a sticky foam seal, as mentioned above, will help to combat immediate draughts for the time being.”

Simple tips from the experts at Robert Dyas. www.robertdyas.co.uk Spring 2022

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The home improvements that will add the most value when you come to sell Research by MoveStreets, the property portal designed for the mobile generation, has shown that garden offices, garage conversions and kitchen renovations are money well spent when it comes to adding value to your home, while loft conversions and solar panels will actually cost you money when you come to sell.

The property market is off to its best start in 17 years and there’s arguably never been a better time to sell your home as stock levels remain low, buyers continue to flood the market and house prices continue to climb.

But when it comes to maximising the value of your home in current market conditions, not

every renovation project will add as much value as you think, particularly when you consider the cost of carrying it out.

MoveStreets looked at 12 common property projects, how much value they add to your home based on current market values and what’s left once you account for the cost of the work involved.

The research shows that the best way to add value to your home is with a garden office.

On average it will cost you almost £9,000 to complete, but it will add 8.4% to the value of your home. That’s £22,739 in the current market, meaning an overall value boost of £13,752 once the cost of the work is accounted for.

A garage conversion is also a smart addition to your home, costing £14,500 but adding £27,071, leaving £12,571 in added value.

Updating your kitchen could add just shy of £15,000 to the value of your home and will cost around £8,500 to do, leaving a profit of over £6,300.

Other projects that add value once the cost is accounted for include adding a conservatory (£6,000), redecorating your home (£5,500), renewing your boiler (£2,600), upgrading your bathroom (£2,000), replacing your windows for double glazing (£1,500) and replacing your roof (£892).

Landscaping your garden does add some value, but once the cost of the work is accounted for this added value sits at just £40.

However, those considering fitting solar panels or a loft conversion may want to think again. Doing so will actually cost you around £5,000 once the cost of the work is accounted for, so it’s probably not worthwhile if you’re thinking about selling in the near future.

Want to find out how much your home is currently worth? MoveStreets has just launched its instant valuation tool, working closely with great local estate agents to provide an accurate market valuation that takes your property’s unique features into account.

Check it out and see what your home is worth in a matter of minutes at https://landing.movestreets.com/valuations/ 22

Spring 2022

Reducing your household bills Expert comment on reducing household bills from Darran Smith, Technical Manager for Alpha Heating Innovation.

“The easiest thing you can do with your heating system to save on household bills is to simply set your room temperature one or even two degrees lower. By doing this, we estimate that you can cut heating bills by up to £105 a year in a typical home.

“Also, don’t waste energy on heating the whole house all night. If you have thermostatic radiator valves, turn them down or off in rooms that aren’t regularly used. Only heat the rooms you need to; and close the doors on rooms that you don’t use regularly. Aim to have a reduced temperature setting when you’re out of the house as well. Wi-Fi thermostats are a great way to control your heating remotely depending on your movements.

“You can consider setting your hot water at a lower temperature too. Most people shower and maybe have a dishwasher which means that you don’t need scalding hot water. By running a Combi boiler at 55ºC, you will make it more efficient and use less gas. The same goes for hot water cylinders where settings of 60ºC on the cylinder thermostat will be perfectly sufficient and still avoid the risks of bacteria or legionella.”

For further information about Alpha Heating Innovation, visit www.alpha-innovation.co.uk.

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ADVICE COLUMN

Misconceptions about heating Bills are rising sharply for many and it is vital that those who follow misconceptions around heating know what they are doing wrong so that they can save as much money as possible and set the thermostat at the correct temperature.

Jess Steele of BestHeating

You should turn the heating up when it’s cold outside - False In a recent BestHeating poll, 42% state they turn their thermostat up when it’s cold outside, but this isn’t needed as the thermostat is there to maintain the internal temperature, whatever the weather. It also doesn’t help to turn the thermostat up to try and heat a room quicker as this only makes the room warmer at the same speed. Doing either of these will cost you money without reward as it will not make a house feel warmer at all.

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Pets prefer a warm house - False More than a fifth of Brits set temperatures higher when they are not home and at night to look after their pets with 60% believing their pets want this, but this isn’t actually true. Large animals with thick coats tend to prefer temperatures low whilst only your hairless small cats and dogs prefer a warmer feeling. You should always provide your pet with a soft, warm bed, and open the curtains so the sun shines in, giving them a place to sunbathe.

It is cheaper to heat a house with an electric heater instead of a radiator – False Central heating is a lot cheaper to run than an electric heater, for every unit of heat put out by an electric heater it will cost around three times as much as a unit of heat from one of your radiators.

Obviously if you forget to turn off radiators in rooms you aren’t in then an electric heater will prove cheaper, but this isn’t being savvy with your bills.

Painting your radiators black can reduce energy bills – False This is a common myth built on the idea that black absorbs heat quicker so will transfer heat out at a better rate than white or other coloured radiators.

It’s more important to insulate walls to prevent heat leaking out of your home altogether. A good idea is to put reflective panels behind radiators, these will help cut energy use by reflecting heat from the radiator back into the room, preventing an escape through external walls.

It is better to have a big boiler than a small one - False Two fifths believe this to be true and the size of a boiler does matter but it must be in relation to the size of the house. Having a massive boiler in a regular sized home will make you waste money on your bills. Make sure you understand how yours works as a recent BestHeating survey revealed that 62% of Brits don’t know what the valves on a radiator or boiler do.

The amount of heat that you get from the boiler is determined by the size of your radiators, meaning that if you have a high output boiler but small radiators it is not going to have any effect. Finding a correct sized boiler that doesn’t work too hard and doesn’t have too much to give out is the most energy efficient and cheapest way.

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The UK fenestration industry is many things:

I N N O VAT I V E , W E L C O M I N G , C R E A T I V E , F R I E N D LY, H A R D WORKING AND HELPFUL and offers a multitude of opportunities

It can also be confusing and complex. The fenestration industry’s inter-dependent supply chain can lead to a lack of understanding about the products themselves. Something as simple as a PVCu casement window can be involved with up to nine different companies on its way to being a finished product, thanks to specialised manufacturing processes – and the absolute reliance these companies have on each other can lead to delays and frustrations.

Paul Garforth, Liniar’s Technical Director takes a look at the UK’s fenestration supply chain and discusses the complex stages involved in the manufacture of a PVCu window.

M A C H I N E R Y C O M PA N I E S “Specialised machinery is required to cut, mitre and weld PVCu profiles into the final product and not all machines are created equal. Choosing the right machinery makes all the difference and can affect the final quality of a fabricator’s finished product.

Tip: Choose the right provider too – Liniar’s sister company Avantek Machinery has great deals and machinery from stock – not just for Liniar fabricators!

SOFTWARE PROVIDERS “Specialised window fabrication machinery requires software in order to produce consistent results – and there are a few specialists who supply this. Fabricators choose which software company to work with and their systems company’s technical team typically assists with machine setup.

FA B R I C AT O R S

S Y S T E M S C O M PA N I E S “Where the process begins. Systems companies such as Liniar design a product and the tooling required to extrude new profiles. They test it to meet British Standards, ensure it’s recyclable and apply for any patents or Registered Designs for unique features within the product.

The systems company usually provides technical guides, customer brochures and sales documents. Marketing support can often be found on the company’s website, their logo should be on the profile tape and they’re often available to answer any questions you may have. Follow your systems company on social media, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter for an easy way to get up to date information and as another point of contact.

Tip: If you’re a Liniar installer, look for the Liniar Sales Guide, which will help you to understand the selling points of every single Liniar product!

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“Specialist window fabricators carry a huge amount of responsibility. They take the systems company’s design, tooling, software and profiles, choose their own machinery, and add their choice of hardware, glazing, spacer bar type and expertise to create a wide range of finished products – all of which have to meet the required building regulation specifications and all other UK legislation.

H A R D WA R E M A N U FA C T U R E R S “Finished windows and doors require hinges, handles, locks and other hardware – and suppliers are chosen by the fabricator. The range of styles and finishes is nearly limitless and varies between fabricators – so for a full list of what’s available, speak to your fabricator.

G L A S S M A N U FA C T U R E R S

TRADE OUTLETS

“Glass makes up the majority of the surface area of a window – so whether it’s double or triple glazed, is clear, opaque or patterned, has coatings like self-cleaning or UV resistant properties or has astragal or Georgian bars fitted, the glazed units have to be manufactured. Larger fabricators may have this process in house, but a majority of fabricators buy glass in from third-party specialists.

“Many fabricators have trade outlets – but it’s more common for trade counters to offer windows from different systems company brands. This means general trade counters may have limited support information available about their products; whereas those focused on one brand are generally more informed about their products and have more literature at their disposal.

S PA C E R B A R M A N U FA C T U R E R S

I N S TA L L E R S

“Tiny but significant, a spacer bar enhances the thermal efficiency of a finished window. The choice of spacer bar comes down to the glass manufacturer – and it’s essentially the bit which separates the panes of glass. Fabricators and/ or glass manufacturers choose the spacer bar suppliers they prefer to deal with.

Tip: Use a Window Energy Rating calculator such as the one on Liniar’s website to check the rating options with different spacer bars.

“The main point of contact for homeowners, installers purchase their finished products from fabricators, trade counters and even online. Their access to knowledge and support is entirely dependent on the seller – and it’s typically the installer’s reputation at stake if a product fails to meet expectations.

Tip: Get to know the products you’re selling and installing – including the correct fitting process, guarantees and aftercare.

So, the next time you look at your windows, please give a thought to the many and varied layers they’ve gone through and all the hard work and loving care that has gone into their manufacture!”

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B U D G E T

DIY tips for putting a little life back into your old furnishings Upcycling is a great way to make use of those old and tired furnishings, giving them a whole new lease of life. There are no limits to your creativity and not only is it cost-effective, it’s sustainable too.

Even the smallest little uplift can make such a difference.

The starting point is obviously to have a proper think about the furnishings you would like to upcycle and the kind of look you would like to achieve. To help you out in the process, the team at www.Hillarys.co.uk have put together some handy tips for successfully upcycling items around your home.

Preparation is key Preparation is the first step to a successful upcycle. It is so important to plan ahead and ensure you have all of the tools and equipment you’ll need along the way. The last thing you want is to get halfway through the project, only to realise you need one more screw or a paintbrush. Remember to wipe down all of your furniture before you start to strip off the dirt and dust.

The little touches make a big difference Whether it’s replacing a door, cupboard or perhaps drawer knobs, these simple touches will uplift your furniture and, believe it or not, make a difference to the whole room.

Why not opt for something that is unusually shaped and catches your eye or even a slightly larger knob than previously.

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A lick of paint Paint is the easiest way to breath some new life into your furniture, it can make a dramatic difference for little effort and money. A lick of paint can completely transform a dated piece of furniture into something modern, creative and stylish. Don’t be afraid to use multiple colours either and turn it into a real statement item to lift up your room.

Consider the original style It’s great to be creative and have some fun with your design but remember to examine the room as it is. We want the upcycled furniture to be transformed but in such a way to give the room an overall more stylish look, not clash with existing furniture. This ties back in with the first tip, it’s good to plan the updates you’d like to make and map out exactly how you’d like to upcycle the furnishing.

Wax/varnish Once you are happy with your work of art, be sure to give the furniture an even longer life by adding a layer of wax or varnish. Not only will this give your furniture an added shine, but it will protect it from knocks and fading. You’ll have a finished product that will span generations.

Spring is in the air! Time to bring in the light…

Click here to go back to contents

The following section covers...

• The WOW! Factor – Roof Lantern Case Study

• Reproduce Natural Daylight for a Better Quality of Life

• Create Indoor / Outdoor Living Space

• The Rise of the Pergola

Spring 2022

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A D D VA LU E TO YO U R P R O P E R T Y

ask for

by name

In the last 2 to 3 years the home improvement market has experienced a surge in interest in conservatory upgrades, in favour of installing roofs that would allow the use of the room all year round.

As that demand has grown, so have the product options offered to homeowners, which broadly come in 2 types: a solid roof offering, which is a

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complete replacement, and a clad over – or wrap around, where additional tiles and / or insulation are added to the existing roof.

Choosing between options can be mind-boggling, particularly when your priorities lay between value and efficiency.

As a homeowner ask yourself the following: • Do I want to add value to my property and help sell my house in future?.

• Do I want the best performance?

• Am I doing this as a quick fix or for the long-term?

• Is structural integrity important to me?

DO I GET ADDED VA L U E A N D W I L L MY HOUSE SELL I F I H AV E I T I N S TA L L E D ?

It will come as no surprise to be told that a standard conservatory adds limited value to a property. Generally difficult to heat or keep cool you either use it only occasionally or spend a lot of money trying to make it more usable.

On the other hand, a room with a “solid” roof, tiled, insulated, compliant with building standard requirements, will transform it into a proper room, with a traditional timber roof construction. And it will save you on heating costs!

So when it comes to selling your property, don’t be the homeowner that opted for an Icotherm roof AFTER they had originally been sold a clad-over, only to be told by the surveyor that they would not been able to sell their house. Why did that happen? Many cladovers keep the full existing roof structure and glazing underneath, effectively hiding it all with tiles on top and quick to install insulation.

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P E R F O R M A N C E , W H AT S H O U L D I BE LOOKING FOR?

STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY

Insulation A better insulated room will likely be one of the main reasons you are considering changing your roof. Most manufacturers will publish their U-Value (the measurement unit used to indicate how good something is at insulating). The lower the better. Icotherm roofs are specified at 0.16, whilst other are at 0.18. still good of course, but not as good. Icotherm will also manufacture for the Scottish market which required a lower U-value (0.12)

Cladovers and roofs cut on site by builders (vs sourced from a specialist manufacturer) do not have the benefit of being already building control compliant

Ventilation All roofs need ventilation (just check your own house roof) to allow air to circulate.

The only way to have proper circulation is to ensure the air comes in, and out again (using a chimney effect). Icotherm’s pitched roofs are specifically designed to permit this.

Doesn’t ventilation just mean draught? A correctly ventilated solid roof will allow air circulation where it matters the most: well away from the room it sits on top of, right under the tiles and above the insulation.

No condensation One of the main reasons for ventilation is to remove any risk of condensation.

Atmospheric gas turns into droplets of liquid when faced with sudden changes of temperature (something as simple as temperatures dropping in the evening). This is called interstitial condensation. Ventilation, by circulating the air, will prevent a build of damp.

So to make sure your selected solid roof will not create interstitial condensation: Ask your installer if there is suitable ventilation, that the design will stop cold bridging and prevent warm air from reaching the rafter and that there is a vapour barrier to stop the room’s atmosphere from entering the roof cavity

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Reputable roof systems companies like Icotherm have had their designs tested for structural integrity, condensation risk, insulation performance, making it easier to obtain building control approval. This will mean that all roofs are constructed following clear specification guidelines, and offer you, the homeowner with the reassurance you need.

Cladovers by their very nature (various components added to the structure) do not have their own calculations as they rely on an already existing roof.

That roof will not have been designed to take the added weight, and was most definitely not designed to be encapsulated in insulation and tiles.

Create a room that you can use all year-round

The solid roof company For conservatory roof replacements or new single storey extensions

Eco-friendly timber

Thermally efficient

Fully ventilated

Sustainably sourced timber, making for the ultimate green building solution.

The Icotherm roof helps maintain optimum temperature in the room, protecting from the summer heat and retaining warmth in winter.

Unique timber pod construction which speeds up installation and the roof is fully ventilated to prevent condensation.

To find an installer near you, email us on info@icotherm.co.uk Spring 2022

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The

WOW factor!

When Mr and Mrs Bevan decided to build a new kitchen extension, they would never of guessed the end result would be so stunning.

In this new build extension, MK Construction decided upon the Korniche Roof Lantern.

The award winning Korniche transformed the space and allowed for maximum natural light to flood in.

Self builders and homeowners around the UK favour the Korniche because of the well thought out design, which is engineered to perfection, plus the fact it is so easy to fit and literally transforms any space within the home.

The Korniche Roof Lantern looks great – Slimmer with fine architectural lines it has less frame, delivers more light and elevation. Flat roof extensions with Korniche become a much more vibrant and open space providing an architectural feature which looks at home in any traditional setting,

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and was recently the winner of the Homebuilding & Renovating Award for ‘Best Rooflight Supplier 2020’.

The Lantern is easy to specify, easy to build on-site and maintenance free!

The net result is a product that can be ‘Installed in minutes, glazed in seconds’ by the trade but also delivers a slim, refined lantern for the homeowner which is the strongest and one of the most thermally efficient Lanterns on the market today.

The Lantern is available in any square or rectangular size up to 6mx4m. The new Korniche Aluminium Bi-Folding Door is also available now.

Download brochures or obtain a quote: www.korniche.co.uk MK Construction 01993 244188 www.glazedextension.com

PROJECT OVERVIEW Build location: Washpool near Swindon Architect: Gordon Greenwood Name of builder/installer: MK Construction www.glazedextension.com Build details: New build kitchen extension Customer name: Mr & Mrs Bevan Customer comment: Mrs Bevan is absolutely over the moon with the new extension and kitchen and would highly recommend MK Construction Build time from start to finish: 16 weeks Improve Magazine asks: Why did MK Construction choose Korniche for the roof lantern?

“We use Korniche a lot, it’s a fantastic roof system. We love the engineering gone into making it, its easy to fit and always delivers amazing results.”

Mike MD of MK Construction

DESIGNED BRIGHTER

roof lanterns bi-folding doors

Homebuilding & Renovating Show

Visit Korniche Harrogate Nov 5-7th A348

Ask your builder or specifier about the multi-award-winning Korniche aluminium roof lantern and bi-folding doors

www.korniche.co.uk Spring 2022 REAL_HOMES_FP_ISSUE271_07/7/21.indd 1

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How to create the ideal indoor/outdoor living space come rain or shine Many of us view our home and garden as two separate entities, with a firm boundary in between. However, linking these two spaces to create the perfect indoor/outdoor living zone can make both areas look and feel bigger – regardless of the size of your property.

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With the unpredictable British weather, it’s important to consider practical solutions that will provide adequate shade and shelter throughout the seasons, from heatwaves in the summer to torrential rain, wind and snow in the winter.

Add a canopy or awning Thought to be more versatile than gazebos and parasols, the addition of a canopy or awning is one of the quickest, easiest and most affordable ways to transform any outdoor space.

Both practical and stylish, either of these easy-to-use external shading products will act as an extension of the roof of your property, offering instant shade and shelter from the sun and rain showers, whilst also withstanding wind speeds of up to 30mph (in some cases). If a manually operated system doesn’t appeal to you, opt for an electric motorised awning that you can extend and retract at just the touch of a button.

Install a pergola Modern pergolas with either sliding/retracting fabric or rotating aluminium louvered roofs (and sides) offer a more pragmatic and long-term solution to awnings and canopies.

Whether it’s in the form of a freestanding structure within your garden or adjacent to the house as a direct extension of the property, a pergola is a simple yet effective way to give the impression of an outdoor ‘room’ and provides complete flexibility to the user. If you already have a veranda or pergola that needs a bit of a re-vamp, why not consider highperformance external blinds that can be mounted to the top and sides to effectively shield from the elements and create a cosy and pleasant environment all year round?

Consider what your outdoor space will be used for To help you decide which type of external shading will work best for you and your outdoor space, you need to consider a number of factors such as any obstructions (trees, fences and guttering), the position of the sun when it sets/rises and finally, what your patio or garden will primarily be used for.

A canopy or awning with a lower projection will be sufficient enough to cover a small outdoor dining table, however, if you’re part of a big family that likes to entertain al-fresco on a regular basis, a larger projection is highly recommended!

Most pergolas come in standard sizes; however, some companies offer a customised design service and will be able to meet any specific requirements you may have by working to a bespoke brief.

Customisation is key To help create a comfortable indoor/outdoor living space that can be used all year round, invest in additional personalisations such as ambient white LED lighting that can be dimmed to set the scene for a romantic meal or turned up for a family gathering; infra-red heating that can be zone controlled; coated premium fabrics that generate a ‘self-clean’ effect and even weather sensors that can automatically retract a motorised awning if strong wind speeds are detected.

Whilst higher quality and more premium outdoor structures will already be designed to withstand heavy rain, gale force winds and even snow, opting for sliding glass, windproof zip screens or separate entrance doors will not only ensure complete control of the elements, but provide the ultimate luxury all-weather outdoor living space, 365 days a year.

Utilise all technology Finally, the latest technology means you can manage every element of your outdoor shading system digitally, from either a single remote or via an app on your phone. As long as you have a Wi-Fi connection, you can open and close the electric roof on your pergola in real-time (or set a timer to do it automatically), turn the lighting/heating on and off and even view the exact position of your pergola or awning – from anywhere in the world!

Stuart Dantzic Managing Director, Caribbean Blinds

For more information visit www.cbsolarshading.co.uk

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The new easy to control SUN@HOME smart lighting range from LEDVANCE provides tailored lighting to enhance well-being by providing the right light at the right time of day

New SUN@HOME range makes lighting

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g o o d

LEDVANCE launches new SUN@HOME smart lighting range that reproduces natural daylight for a better quality of life.

The new SUN@HOME range from LEDVANCE offers lamps and luminaires that use unique SunLike full-spectrum LEDs to increase well-being and performance in the home. The dimmable LEDs provide rooms with the highest quality of light (CRI >95), similar to natural daylight, with colour that can be adjusted across a wide spectrum of 2,200K to 5,000K. Commenting on the range, Peter Alexander, Head of Retail Sales UK and Ireland at LEDVANCE said, “Human Centric Lighting has been the most significant recent functional advancement in intelligent lighting, and our SUN@HOME range represents its next step. These products can make a real difference to personal routines, such as concentrationenhancing light during the day for working at home, and a high quality of light in the evening to prepare for sleep.

LEDVANCE are proud to launch a new lighting range that users can not only see, but feel.”

The SUN@HOME range fluctuates lighting in line with the human circadian rhythm, a 24-hour body clock that governs our natural cycles of activity and rest by managing hormone levels. Humans are known to be heavily influenced by variations in natural light throughout the course of the day. The SUN@HOME lamps and luminaires offer smart lighting solutions that counteract the listlessness caused by working indoors through their bright, white light during the day to increase concentration, improving performance and motivation. In contrast, the low blue light component of the full-spectrum LEDs improves sleep intensity at night.

Alongside their positive impact on well-being, SUN@HOME products can be easily controlled with the free LEDVANCE SMART+ WIFI APP or by voice command. The products can be smoothly integrated into the home network and controlled via WiFi without any additional hardware. The Smart Home controls empower users with even more intelligent functions, such as a natural wake-up with fade-in light or weatherdependent adjustment of the lighting.

The SUN@HOME luminaires even monitor the room climate with an innovative coating that disinfects ambient air by eliminating any pathogens that come into contact with it. This keeps the air free of germs, fungi and unpleasant odours to ensure room freshness and hygiene are preserved.

The new smart SUN@HOME lighting range from LEDVANCE includes home office desk lighting to create the ideal office working space. Easy to install Planon plus WiFi luminaire panels in different sizes with Frameless versions in further size options provide homogenous lighting for indoor spaces.

A Moodlight, FLEX strip lighting, Downlights, Spot PAR 16, Classic B25 and A40 lamps round off the range for a complete home transformation to wellbeing.

LEDVANCE lighting solutions come in environmentally friendly cardboard packaging with all relevant product information immediately visible on the outside of the box.

For more information www.ledvance.co.uk

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Caribbean Blinds External shading specialists Caribbean Blinds delivered a sleek and highly effective solar shading solution to complement a countryside garden setting in Burnham Market, Norfolk. This seamless addition to a newly built extension proves that a modern contemporary awning can be key in helping to regulate internal temperatures whilst adding valuable shade and shelter to the outdoor space.

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WHEN WAS THE PROJECT S TA R T E D / COMPLETED? After receiving an initial customer enquiry in June, Caribbean Blinds carried out a detailed site survey and consultation to discuss and ascertain the requirements with a fully detailed quotation and drawings provided post survey on the agreed specification solution. The order was placed less than two weeks later, and the team got to work designing and manufacturing the bespoke Cuba Awning which was then expertly installed during the height of summer in mid-July.

W H AT WAS THE ORIGINAL CUSTOMER BRIEF? Although the client’s recently built open-plan extension (including large bi-fold doors) created a feeling of endless space and successfully blurred the boundaries between inside and out, excessive solar heat gain meant their huge new living space was proving to be uncomfortable at times.

Because of this, the client required a quick and effective solution that would provide effective cooling shade to their indoor space, along with essential UV protection to prevent fixtures from bleaching whilst still maintaining the view out onto the garden of their countryside property.

A friend of the client had previously had Caribbean Blinds awnings installed onto their own property for the same purpose and had been delighted with the end result – a naturally cooled indoor space without their panoramic views blocked. On this recommendation, the client reached out.

Stuart Dantzic, Managing Director of Caribbean Blinds, explained: “After carrying out a detailed site survey and consultation, the client chose the Cuba Awning in Anthracite Grey to seamlessly match the bifold doors and appear fully integrated with the property.

“The modern, contemporary style of the Cuba Awning coupled with the strongest quadruple cable tensioned folding arms means it can easily withstand the sudden gusts of wind and breezy conditions that are commonly experienced in this countryside setting. Due to the single storey nature of this part of the property, the awning was specified on load bearing spreader plates to ensure a safe attachment to the façade.

“As a result, the client now has a dual purpose extension that they can comfortably enjoy on even the hottest of summer days, both inside and out, with the added bonus of an obstructed view and extra privacy from any nosey neighbours. The awning is unobtrusive when retracted and protects the interiors/furniture from bleaching by the sun, as well as preventing any glare on the TV screen.”

Taking less than a day to install with minimum fuss and maximum attention to detail (followed by a full demonstration and run through on how to operate the awning) the Caribbean Blinds team successfully met the client’s brief and transformed a major focus of the property to allow for comfortable, enjoyable living all year round, all whilst ensuring the overall design was in keeping with the modern look of the property.

Caribbean Blinds’ retractable awnings provide instant shade and shelter, offering full protection from the elements and resulting in the ultimate al-fresco living space. Compatible with both single and two-storey façades and with the ability to design and build bespoke brackets, they have been designed with every application, requirement and budget in mind.

For more information visit www.cbsolarshading.co.uk

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D A Y L I G H T I N G Create bright and uplifting spaces in the home Benefitting both mental and physical health, sunlight plays a huge part in our overall wellbeing. With clever architectural design, roof lanterns allow light to flood the home, adding daylight to rooms previously drenched in darkness.

Bringing energy into the home and creating uplifting spaces, a rooflight or a few scattered ceiling lanterns can hugely enhance a property.

R O O F L I G H T C O N S I D E R AT I O N S “Adding a rooflight to an existing roof requires a lot of structural consideration and more often than not would require the existing roof to be replaced, or at least reinforced with additional joists or steels to take the weight of the proposed glass. It would require a structural engineer to look at it to provide calculations and a suitable design.

You’re unlikely to need planning permission, as the work can usually be carried out under permitted development, however this is subject to the location, position and the age of your property. The work would require a competent builder or roofer to prepare everything prior to the fitting of the rooflight along with a FENSA registered window installer to ensure

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the work is carried out correctly and complies with building regulations.”

Enabling natural light to flood the home, a roof lantern can be positioned on any side of the building. For a light and sunny kitchen, adding glazing to a south facing aspect will ensure brightness all day long. For rooms that are naturally darker, incorporating a roof lantern is an effective way of transforming them into bright and airy spaces.

What’s more, with availability for cost-effective double glazed solutions and triple glazed options, a roof lantern will also provide homeowners with superior heat and sound insulation.

ROOFLIGHTS S TA R T F R O M £1,500 Thames Valley Windows has achieved the ISO 9001 certification and are fully compliant with all the relevant industry bodies including GGF and FENSA. They also hold the BSi kitemark for quality installations and surveys.

By Ryan Schofield Managing Director of Thames Valley Window Company

www.tvwindows.com

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the rise of the

P E R G O L A Spring is coming… is your garden ready?

As the cheerful Spring weather rolls in, and wishful thoughts of barbeques and blended indoor-outdoor living begin to bloom, there is no better time than now to invest in your garden space. But, with the Great British weather being so unpredictable, is it too early to get your hopes up?

Fear not, for Harbour Lifestyle, specialists in luxury and exclusive garden furniture, has revealed the must-have item for all gardens in 2022 – the pergola.

The humble pergola is, simply put, a rectangular outdoor structure that provides shelter and shade. Usually consisting of four posts and a roof, and occasionally removable walls, these structures can be either free standing, or attached to your home. Since December 2021, Harbour Lifestyle has sold over £300,000 worth of pergolas across the UK, transforming the gardens of the nation. But why are people so passionate about pergolas?

Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, people in the UK are spending an average of 46%1 more time outdoors than they did pre-lockdown. With that in mind, it is clear why the nation are looking to invest in expanding their indoor social space into their gardens.

With the great outdoors being the safer, healthier and more refreshing destination to socialise, pergolas are the ideal solution to introducing hybrid indoor/outdoor living into your abode.

According to Harbour Lifestyle, pergolas are multi-functional pieces of garden furniture which can be used to enhance and improve your outdoor experience. So, with so many uses to choose from, how do you achieve your desired look?

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Check out some of its top ways to utilise and style your pergola: C R E AT E A C O Z Y H U B For a romantic evening spent under the stars, a pergola is the perfect base to build your experience from.

Choose a large open space in your garden, ideally somewhere with tiles or decking, to begin building your alfresco sanctuary. Underneath your pergola, place a luxurious outdoor sofa set to snuggle up on, a coffee table for your midnight tipples, and a fire pit to keep you cosy after sundown. Adorn your sofa with chunky knit blankets and scatter cushions, and don’t forget an outdoor rug underfoot!

Illuminate your cosy hub with lightbulb string lights and lanterns for a dreamy Scandinavian vibe. If you’re looking for a little more privacy, why not include roman style drapey curtains, or rollable sides into your design?

HOST A HOT TUB If your garden is lucky enough to host a hot tub, why not create a weatherproof set up with a pergola? Place your hot tub underneath your pergola, sheltering it from everything the elements have to throw at it.

If you’re a lover of the outdoors, and want to immerse yourself into it as much as possible, why not train vines and creepers up your pergola frame?

Reconnect with nature by surrounding your hot tub with beautiful flora and fauna, utilising hanging baskets, potted plants and trellis wire to create a botanical experience so beautiful you will never want to leave!

AN EXTENSION AT A F R A C T I O N OF THE COST If you’ve always wanted to expand your home, a pergola may be the solution you are looking for. Less expensive than an extension or a conservatory, pergolas can be mounted to the side of your home to create a continuation of your living space.

Plus, nine times out of ten, you won’t actually need to attain planning permission to extend your space using a pergola.

You can flawlessly extend your interior into your garden using a pergola by continuing your interior style, outdoors. If your abode boasts a gorgeous industrial design style, continue this underneath your pergola with furniture and accessories featuring raw materials, bold lines, and dark, neutral colour schemes.

OUTDOOR DINING Pergolas are perfect for hosting dinner parties. Encompassing your dining table, pizza oven, and BBQ safely away from the elements, yet still allowing sunlight and fresh air into your space - adding a pergola to your outdoor dining setup can enhance any occasion.

To create a stylish, Mediterranean style dining setup, choose a table with a rising firepit, rattan or wicker style chairs, and beautiful tinted glass dinnerware. Don’t forget to incorporate plants, plenty of candles, and co-ordinating napkins for an authentic, holiday style experience.

Now you’ve got the dining setup, you need to provide the food! Whether you are inspired by Italian cuisine and opt for a pizza oven, or want to stay versatile with a classy BBQ, your pergola will provide the ultimate space to whip out your apron and tongues, and get cooking outdoors!

So, after discovering these inspiring ideas, are you ready to invest in your indoor/ outdoor living experience? Harbour Lifestyle offers a range of award-winning luxury pergolas at affordable prices, plus everything you will need to enhance it, from handcrafted dining sets to water resistant outdoor sofas.

To find out more about pergolas, check out Harbour Lifestyle’s blog here.

For more information about Harbour Lifestyle, please visit here.

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https://bit.ly/3C2AIco

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S M A R T l i g h t i n g

Today, smart lighting is transforming homes into something completely unique to the families living in it.

From transforming an entire room from a study to a home cinema with one tap, to choosing the right light setting to help you concentrate better, or relax after a tough day, or even converting the house into a discotheque in a second - smart lighting can do just this, and so much and more!

In light of this, it’s no surprise that smart lights are one of the most popular smart home devices right now, and undoubtedly be at the top of every refurbishment agenda.

SMART LIGHTING Smart lights replace your existing incandescent bulbs.

Conventional light bulbs work by flipping a switch on and off. Sometimes they are hardwired into a dimmer switch, allowing you to dim or brighten the lights. However, this is generally the extent of the functionality of traditional home lighting. Smart lighting, on the other hand, allows you to have more control over your lights by allowing you to tweak the colour via your smartphone, brighten or dim the bulb or even switch it on or off – to create the perfect ambiance for that is just right for you. They are still connected to your home's power, but each smart bulb and LED-integrated fixture allows you to control it wirelessly with your phone, tablet or smart assistant, such as Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.

Users can set timers that automatically turn off all the lights at a specific time or configure your lights to turn on and off when you're not at home, mimicking your presence.

The advantages of smart lights don't just stop at energy savings — there are other benefits to switching to smart lighting too: • Easily dimmable - Traditional bulbs require you to use a switch to control the lights, however, smart LED lights, can be controlled via the app or other smart accessories – eliminating the need to install dimmer switches.

• Energy efficiency – With a long and sustainable life, smart LED bulbs last much longer and generate less heat than the original light bulbs.

• Connectivity - Using your smart lighting system with other connected devices such as cameras, audio equipment, thermostats or home assistants allows you to create a connected smart home.

• Automation – With smart LED bulbs you can set timers that automatically turn off all the lights at a specific time of configure your lights to turn on and off when you're not at home.

• Instant mood lighting – Pre-set and customised light scenes create ambiance for any occasion.

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E A S E O F P L U G A N D P L AY Smart lights replace your existing incandescent bulbs, so it is an easy addition to any refurbishment plan – no re-wiring needed. Smart lights eliminate the need to rewire your home or hire an electrician to get things going. Simply screw the bulbs into your existing light fittings, connect to WiFi or Bluetooth, download the smart app, and enjoy!

With many pre-set lighting scenes on offer, and the power to customise your own lighting scenes to fit your mood, you may never have thought that you could improve your home lighting experience. With just the touch of a button, you can automate your home lighting, control your lights with your app or voice, or set routines to make it look you're home even if you're not Giuliano Ghidini, Signify UK&I Consumer Commercial Leader

Design your dream home with Liniar’s revolutionary PVCu windows, Queen’s Award-winning PVCu or fully aluminium bi-fold doors, lantern roofs, conservatories and outdoor products.

Ask your installer for Liniar!

Discover the Liniar difference at www.liniar.co.uk Spring 2022

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Y O U R H O M E – all year round 48

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BEAUTIFUL BI-FOLDING & PAT I O D O O R S Bi-Folding doors are a contemporary update for any home due to the fact that they can extend the feeling of outdoor living and provide an uninterrupted view of the garden. It’s a great way to bring more light into your home!

Available in a range of opening configurations to suit any application, Visofold doors can be folded internally or externally and with the opening at the side (so the sashes all fold one way), at one end (to create a single entrance door) or in the middle (to give the option of a double door).

Visofold’s flexibility makes it the ideal choice for projects where large, uninterrupted openings are required, with the system providing maximum light and space to give unimpeded views. The highly-versatile, easy-tooperate system is the perfect option for even the largest project, capable of opening up an entire wall, yet presenting a contemporary, elegant glazed façade when closed.

Sliding doors also provide maximum light and afford the most unobstructed views of any system when closed and with a wide range of systems and options, you can select and tailor a door system to exactly meet your own specific requirements.

With a choice of frame sizes, sliding formats whether two, three or four pane systems, together with a choice of high-quality hardware and a wide range of colour options, the slim lines of these elegant doors make them the perfect solution for any home.

Whether you are extending your home or building from scratch, The Bi-Fold Network has a product range to meet your needs.

CONTEMPORARY FRONT DOORS TO ADD KERB APPEAL The handsome range of entrance doors, available from The Bifold Network, will impress your guests and keep out both the elements and unwelcome intruders.

Alitherm doors are designed for use as open out or open in, single or double doors, internally or externally beaded with side-light and low threshold options.

Elegant, yet strong and durable Alitherm doors enhance the beauty of your home, keep in the warmth and let in more light because of the slim sightlines. Peace of mind is ensured by the enhanced security provided by a multi-point locking system.

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Your home

ALL YEAR ROUND

NEW WINDOWS IN A RANGE OF STYLES Alitherm Heritage provides the ideal Alitherm Network O P E N The UP Y OHeritage U R Swindow P A Cis E A N DBifold EN J O Yis one T Hof Ethe UK’s VIEW! solution for heritage applications such as listed building renovations and large scale replica-refurbishment projects where planning constraints are to be Visit us considered.

designed to be built as a series of horizontal modules which can be stacked using horizontal couplers to form a multi-part window featuring a specially online to drip DESIGN A BIFOLD DOOR design bar between modules.

www.bifoldnetwork.com See how a sliding folding door would look on your property. Choose the size, number of panels, colours and handle colour options to generate a design and receive a quote from one of our approved, local installers.

leading trade suppliers of Smarts aluminium bi-folding, patio, entrance doors and windows. The team at Bifold Network will help you from start to finish with your project, supplying products and fitting teams, throughout the UK.

Email us to find your local installer: info@bifoldnetwork.com like further help please call our friendly staff on 0114 231 3133 Contact us today toIf you findwould a local installer or call us for a friendly, no obligation chat.

www.bifoldnetwork.com Email us to find your local installer: info@bifoldnetwork.com If you would like further help please call our friendly staff on 0114 231 3133 50

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Your home

ALL YEAR ROUND

O P E N U P YO U R S PAC E A N D E N J OY T H E V I E W !

Visit us online to DESIGN A BIFOLD DOOR

www.bifoldnetwork.com See how a sliding folding door would look on your property. Choose the size, number of panels, colours and handle colour options to generate a design and receive a quote from one of our approved, local installers.

Email us to find your local installer: info@bifoldnetwork.com If you would like further help please call our friendly staff on 0114 231 3133

Timber windows & doors

Click here to go back to contents

The following section covers...

• Back to Front Exterior Case Study • Dual Colour Finishing

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• Contemporary Home in Wimbledon Case Study

Our Roots are in Nature.

Bespoke Timber Casement Windows, Sash Windows, Front Doors, Back Doors, and Patio Doors.

Book a free design consultation bereco.co.uk | 01709 838188 Sustainable.

Secure. Functional. Beautiful.

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CASE STUDY

Garden House, Farnham

Back To Front Exteriors had worked well with Bereco before. The brief from the client was for well detailed and proportioned, energy-efficient timber windows and doors, which would be vital to the success and quality of the renovation.

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Why Bereco?

Bereco were chosen for their beautifully designed, high performance, low maintenance, timber windows and doors that have high quality and will last a lifetime. Bereco worked closely with the designers, Back To Front Exteriors, to ensure the best possible specification.

Interesting Fact This Back to Front project was chosen to be featured as a case study for The Wood Window Alliance (WWA) and in advertorials in both Country Living and House Beautiful magazines.

As windows are the eyes of the house and such a key design feature, it was important to get them right. It would not have been possible to pull off a convincing transformation leaving the original windows or replacing like for like.

“Bereco timber windows work beautifully in both modern and traditional context giving the house a soft contemporary look while retaining the warmth of a family home.”

Alexandra Hull Designer, Back To Front

www.bereco.co.uk

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS The windows and doors needed to be of traditional style but with modern efficiency, security and performance.

The colour palette was of high importance to the client, Bereco utilised their expertise in dual colour finishing to match the clients modern rustic design scheme. Farrow & Ball Stone Blue & Cornforth White were chosen along with traditional hardware.

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CASE STUDY

Court View, Lambourne Avenue, W imbledon Probably two of the most famous landmarks in Wimbledon are Wimbledon Common, where the Wombles made their home, Doctor Who visited and aliens battled it out in War of the Worlds. Of course it’s also where the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament is held every summer, so there is no wonder the area is such a desirable location and where residents old and new demand high quality and performance from their homes.

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THE CONCEPT – A CONTEMPORARY VISION When Mrs Mansfield, the owner of the modest plot of land at 14 Lambourne Avenue, first met with Andrew Harper Architects the brief was clear from the outset; she was looking for a contemporary house for a large family, flexible for use as the family grows and develops over time. One which maximises the sloping site and views across London whilst incorporating the latest environmental standards in design, materials and technology.

A major part of the brief was to deliver a property that not only took advantage of available technologies but one that also maximised the site and layout of the new home; ensuring the positive effects of the external environment had a beneficial impact on the house. This was achieved with careful planning and consideration

by Andrew Harper and his team providing shading for the house through strategic landscaping and room orientation and in the utilisation of natural light to light and heat the property.

With a large amount of natural light required for a contemporary look, it was a essential that the home stayed energy efficient despite the vast amounts of glazing being used. After much research and sampling different types of glazing, Saint Gobain Diamant glass renowned for its high transparency levels and excellent direction of heat from the sun (passive solar gain) was selected.

Commonly found in large aquariums due to its super clarity, this glass was then incorporated into double glazed units with warm edge spacer technology from Swisspacer. This technology keeps the perimeter edge of the double glazed units warm resulting in a great reduction in heat loss through the glazing. The combination of timber windows and doors made from engineered hardwood, another highly insulating material, combined with the Diamant Glass and warm edge spacers offer A Rated energy efficiency to the property.

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“We use Bereco timber windows and doors on all our developments; they never fail to impress; their ability to satisfy any design we are creating from contemporary loft to traditional town house; in conjunction with their product quality and service are second to none and it shows in this most beautiful of contemporary homes.”

Martin Down Indigo Developments

THE REALITY – A CONTEMPORARY HOME A double front door from Bereco’s Creative Entrance Door Range introduces the contemporary theme prominent throughout this magnificent 8000sq ft home. This theme continues through to the stunning double height reception hall where the unique corner climbing timber glazed screen designed by one of Bereco’s own skilled CAD technicians provides instant impact and visual art.

Over to the west facing rear of the property, an LA style property emerges with expansive hardwood timber sliding patio doors and screens spanning four floors giving uninterrupted views from the bespoke Kitchen, Sunroom, Drawing Room and Games Room and flooding the rooms with natural light and offer the highly sought after view of centre court.

In an interesting twist Bereco timber Flush Casement windows and Flush French doors featuring ovolo mouldings internally and flush contemporary lines externally complete the look of this modern home providing the 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms with an unequivocal style.

www.bereco.co.uk Spring 2022

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Extending & renovating your home The following section covers...

• Future-proof Victorian Home • Large Span Sliding Doors • Save up to £1,500 on External Shading • Before & After Roofline & Cladding Transformations • Awning Trends for 2022 • Extending a Home Without Breaking the Bank • The Retrofit Revolution

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Start your #myresidence journey today!

AUTHENTIC TIMBER ALTERNATIVE WINDOWS & DOORS

Conservation Areas, Grade II Listed Buildings & Heritage Design The Residence Collection combines modern machining with traditional craftsmanship, specifically designed to aesthetically replicate the documented historical window designs from the 19th Century period.

01452 341 892 | residencecollection.co.uk | journey@residencecollection.co.uk Spring 2022

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Out with the dark and in with the

light When John Gahan decided to future-proof his semi-detached Victorian home in South East London, he took the opportunity to transform the dark, unwelcoming kitchen into one that was modern and light-filled.

Remodelling and extending the ground floor of his home made for a more practical space and would allow for ground-floor living should John ever need it as he got older.

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Photography: Ben Blossom

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Photography: Ben Blossom

Part of the brief he gave the architect, John Proctor of Proctor & Shaw, was to add light and create a comfortable, welcoming space. The north-facing kitchen at the back of the house was so dark that John had to turn on the lights even in the height of summer.

Proctor’s design extended into the side return to create an open-plan kitchen and dining room with a glazed roof and bi-fold doors with vertical glazing above, adding dramatic height and light. An intimate timber-lined snug with a box window frames the views into the garden and a glass wrap-around connects the original house to the new extension.

He explains why he recommended Schüco for the glazed units: “It’s a tall space and the Schüco system was the only one that offered the height we needed. With any other system we would have had to modify the design to get the full glazed height. Schüco fit the bill.”

John’s home renovation has given him an improved quality of life and created a home he can stay in as long as he wishes.

John explains: “I now realise the absolute power that a well-designed room has on one’s spirits. I practically live in the kitchen now. I can come down in the morning, even in the deep recesses of winter, and come into a place bathed in light and warmth – it lifts the spirits instantly.”

The snug is a favourite spot with its window seat overlooking the garden and the strip of glazing that runs up the west-facing wall and wraps over the roof.

“The wrap-around glazing was an inspired idea by the architect that brings in light and enables me to look straight up and see the stars at night. The large box window in the snug has also made the nature in my garden suddenly accessible to me. I enjoy sitting in the window seat watching the birds. I wouldn’t have known before that I had goldfinches in the garden, I wouldn’t have seen them,” comments John.

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The bi-fold doors open out onto a corner patio which catches the sun for most of the day during the summer months. The doors are fitted flush to the floor creating a flat transition from inside to out. Combined with the use of the same floor tile on the patio as in the kitchen, this creates a seamless merging of the indoor and outdoor spaces.

John has achieved his goal to futureproof his home while also creating a home that he never wants to leave.

Photography: Ben Blossom

For more information on Schüco and to find your local Schüco partner visit www.schueco.uk/view, call 01908 282 111 or email: mkinfobox@schueco.com.

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by

DUTEMÄNN

THE BEST BI-FOLD JUST GOT BETTER! •

NEW PANEL SIZE 1500MM WIDE x 2600MM HIGH

• NATIONWIDE NETWORK • 20 YEAR GUARANTEE

Tel 01322 771213 sales@dutemann.co.uk

www.dutemann.co.uk

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S T U N N I N G sliding doors to glide your carbon footprint down

Dutemänn Glide-S is the next generation of sliding door, boasting industry leading thermal insulation, a smooth lift and glide mechanism and maximum glass area. With impressive maximum height and width options Dutemänn Glide challenges traditional preconceptions of sliding doors.

Glide-S easily meets the requirements of the 2022 building regulations, which aims to limit your carbon footprint.

Should noise reduction be an important factor, a glass unit of up to 55mm can be glazed into your Dutemänn Glide-S.

Enhanced Energy Efficiency - this is possible due to the perfect combination of a thermal break zone, separating the internal and external aluminium elements.

Supplied through its nationwide network of approved installers Dutemänn is renowned within the industry as the best trade supplier.

Coupled with cross-linked polyethylene insulation inserted throughout the doors, the thermal performance can be further enhanced by the choice of glass unit; with Glide-S you can choose either double, or for maximum energy efficiency, triple glazing.

Dutemänn are at the forefront of any upgrades, whether its for a new build property, extension or refurbishment.

The latest developments in sliding and bifold doors means you can now have less panels and more glass.

When it comes to insulation, you’re covered. Keep your ‘heat in’ and the ‘cold out’ with a combination of state

You can personalise your doors using a choice of hundreds of RAL colours, however Dutemänn have taken time to stock the top six colours used in the UK.

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of the art thermally broken aluminium profiles and modern glass technology that reflects cold out and heat in. The complete range of Dutemänn doors can be either double or super insulated with triple glazing, just speak to your approved installer for their professional advice (Dutemänn can put you in touch with an approved installer near you).

Dutemänn’s products not only meet, but exceed security standards; meaning you can rest assured that not only are their doors highly functional, allowing light to fill the space, but they are also very secure. Dutemänn test to the highest security standard in the UK, PAS24-2016, so when ordering your door insist your Dutemänn approved installer has a certificate of proof to hand.

A brand new website is now available for you to view the full product range, including the Dutemänn Glide-S, stunning sliding doors, the Schüco ASS70FD bifold and kerb appeal entrance doors. You can now visit https://dutemann.co.uk/bifold-doors/ to view the range in the comfort of your own home and be inspired by some really aspirational photography.

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SUMMER READY SALE SAVE UPTO £1,500 ON EXTERNAL SHADING LOUVERED ROOFS | PATIO AWNINGS | EXTERNAL BLINDS From outdoor living to solar shading, we’ve got you covered, whatever the weather.

Proudly UK Manufactured Since 1987.

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e tr m o sc m a e r d making

ue

0344 800 1947 t

info@cbsolarshading.co.uk e cbsolarshading.co.uk w SHOWSITES IN | SUFFOLK | MIDDLESEX | SURREY

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the power to

W O W !

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Use a local Freefoam Registered Installer – they have the power to transform your home.

We all want to feel good about our homes and like them to be admired. One of the biggest changes to emerge from the pandemic has been the way we use our homes. After three lockdowns most of us will have spent more time in our houses than ever before, and with hybrid working becoming the norm, the home will continue to play an even more important part in our daily lives.

Many people are investing in a range of improvements to make their properties more spacious, to live and work in, more attractive and easier on the eye.

But where do you turn to with your plans and ideas?

Freefoam Building Products have established a network of local tradesmen – Freefoam Registered Installers – to turn your dreams in to reality.

From fitting new low maintenance PVC fascia, soffit and gutter, perhaps colour coordinated with windows and doors to transforming your home with long lasting external cladding available in a fabulous range of subtle contemporary colours.

USING A FREEFOAM REGISTERED I N S TA L L E R TA K E S A W AY T H E GUESSWORK • Suggestions and ideas on how to improve your home with low maintenance PVC building products.

• Professional local fascia companies – who have often been fitting fascia and cladding products for years.

• Experts who use Freefoam products every day and are familiar with the full range.

• Able to advise you on the best fascia or cladding options.

• Able to offer our free extended product guarantee – for up to 50 years.

• Available to arrange a FREE consultation and quote at your home.

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Before

BEFORE AND AFTER ROOFLINE This detached property had original timber fascia. The old brown paintwork was peeling resulting in the timber being exposed to the elements. The homeowners had already added smart new PVC windows but the roofline was making the whole property looked tired and unloved.

Local Freefoam Registered Installer The Purple Roofing Co worked their magic replacing with bright white PVC around the roof and the porch area. Matching the windows and complementing the contemporary style door the property has now got that instant kerb appeal, along with the benefit of needing little maintenance in the future .

Ready to replace your fascia?

Go to myfascia.co.uk and we’ll put you in touch with a local Freefoam installer.

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Before

BEFORE AND AFTER CLADDING Local Freefoam Registered Installer Glen Young helped this homeowner transform their home and make it stand out from the crowd with Fortex PVC cladding.

The house was built with feature tiles to the front elevation which not only instantly ages the property but over the years had become faded and dull. Working with Glen they chose to have Fortex embossed wood effect PVC cladding installed in an attractive subtle shade of grey. They have created a smart modern new look, with the added benefit of being virtually maintenance free.

Today the property looks good and will continue to look good for many years to come.

Your cladding transformation is just a click away.

Freefoam Building Products freefoam.com

0800 002 9903

info@freefoam.com

Go to mycladding.com and get started.

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Transform your space with Korniche

Industry leading aluminium glazing solutions. Designed and engineering for your home extension and self build projects

roof lanterns bi-folding doors

HB&R Homebuilding Renovating UK 0177 DPS.indd 1

DESIGNED BRIGHTER

Stronger

Slimmer

Warmer

Easy Install

Ask your builder or specifier about the multi-award-winning Korniche aluminium roof lantern and bi-folding doors

www.korniche.co.uk 08/07/2021 10:49

What will awning trends be like in 2022?

ONE OF THE MAIN TRENDS FOR 2022 WILL BE ALL ABOUT THE OPTIONS Consumers will continue to invest in lighting, heating, side screens etc – anything to enhance the comfort of being outdoors and to enable the space to be used all year round, even when it’s chilly, dark or breezy.

It is, therefore, also expected that consumers who already have awnings will look to upgrade or replace existing items for maximum effect.

Consumers also want flexibility with their options; take lighting and heating as an example. They want their lighting to be dimmable to set the scene / mood i.e. dimmed lights for a romantic meal, or full lights for a family gathering. The colour is important, with 3,500k (warm white) being the most 78

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popular choice. Fun fact - 5,000k is considered too white and anything lower than 3,000k too yellow/orange.

Consumers often want their heating to be zone controlled, so different areas can be heated based on the requirements of the people under the awning.

They also want these options to work in conjunction with other garden elements, such as perimeter (border) lighting, so will purchase receivers that allow these items to work off the same handset as the awning, and they are likely to opt for app control to allow for convenient operation of all said items from their smartphone.

Silver to slate grey tone fabrics will continue to be most popular This is due to: • it’s timeless look - works with any outdoor space • complimenting the popular anthracite grey metalwork • not showing the dirt like lighter colour fabrics Awning design - in particular, shape and durability level will change

Rise in popularity in Anthracite Grey hardware (metalwork) is expected to continue This is due to: • its contemporary and streamline look • being lower maintenance (doesn’t show dirt like typical white hardware) • forward planning on other home improvements (such as replacement windows and doors which will be changed from white to grey) • looking more expensive than traditional white

Consumers will opt more for flush fitting awnings for a seamless addition to the façade and squared edge designs rather than the previously common rounded design, as they prefer the simplicity and cleaner lines provided by squared edges.

Higher wind speed rated awnings ensure that the awning will withstand strong breezes and gusts of wind and consumers will opt for materials that are not only water resistant but additionally, clean themselves, so higher grade materials with self-clean effect coatings will be selected over typical fabrics.

Last but not least In the Easter of 2022, Caribbean Blinds will be making quality awnings affordable not just for the high midhigh end of the market, but for the mid-lower end of the market, for consumers who want a quality system that will stand the test of time and with the elements detailed above.

We can’t say too much until launch, but this will open up a whole new market for awnings that wasn’t previously available.

Stuart Dantzic – Caribbean Blinds

For more information visit www.cbsolarshading.co.uk

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Extending a home without breaking the bank COVID has changed the way we all live and how we use our homes, with many people continuing to work from home, either permanently or flexibly.

The pandemic has shifted focus onto work/life balance for many of us, with our homes becoming the focal point for investment, with the need or the desire to create more space.

Maximising space whilst sticking to a budget can be hard - as can navigating planning laws. A conservatory can be a fantastic way to add an incredible space without breaking the bank, and in many instances, can be built within permitted development, only needing to comply with building regulations.

A SYSTEM FOR MODERN LIVING

TWIN WALLED TOP CAPS

Liniar, one of the UK’s leading PVCu companies, has designed a range of conservatory roof systems that create stunning spaces. Liniar roofs are manufactured from aluminium, with thermally efficient PVCu twin-walled top caps and come in in many styles including double-hipped, Lean-to, Victorian and Edwardian as well as its popular lantern roof, Elevate.

“A common problem for conservatory roof manufacturers is in the preparation of their PVCu single-walled top caps.

Because of their flimsy construction, top caps often bend and splay when cut – making it impossible to perform a neat and accurate mitre and leaving the installer with ill-fitting parts.

Daryl Fradley, Liniar’s Secondary Operations Director, whose team produces roof kits for installers, explains what sets Liniar’s conservatory roof system apart from the competition.

“There are many elements designed into our roof system that make each roof both energy efficient and stylish.

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“One way to solve this can be aluminium top caps as they are rigid and easier to cut – but they can bring their own problems. They don’t have the thermal benefits of PVCu and are considerably more expensive. In addition, they are heavier to handle, scratch easily and are difficult to fit, plus the gasket often has to be added manually, costing valuable man hours.

“Designed to clip on effortlessly, Liniar’s twin-walled PVCu top caps are strong and durable and the design of the EnergyPlus roof top caps means a Liniar conservatory is one of the most energy efficient on the market.”

A PROFESSIONAL FINISH With an unparalleled range of foiled finishes, Liniar’s PVCu top caps can be precision laminated with woodgrain foils that are an alternative to timber – either inside, outside or both. And, unlike other roof systems, all elements are foiled, ensuring the whole installation matches for a stunning effect.

“Liniar’s overall roof design provides excellent sealing and eliminates leaks. This is achieved with the help of the patented, pre-shaped closed cell permanent memory foam, with a pre-applied primary seal, and a ridge cap which attaches, leaving no screw holes for water ingress. Our glazing bar end caps simply slide on and lock into position to the end bar clip.”

BETTER FOR Y O U R I N S TA L L E R Daryl concludes, “The Elevate lantern roof can be fitted in as little as half an hour, making it ideal for installers, as they arrive in kit form that has been quality checked and ready for installation.”

Each Liniar roof is bespoke designed to the exact specifications of customers and delivered as a complete kit for ease of installation.

Read more about Liniar’s conservatory roof solutions at www.liniar.co.uk/conservatories.

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G E T I N T O S H A P E A N D C O L O U R The retro look of steel windows, doors and screens is very much ‘in’. Crittall says they don’t have to be just rectangular and white…

Interior designers and home decor influencers say retro naturalistic greens, bright colours, skyblues, purple-blue hues, vibrant yellows, sultry black will make up the colour palette for chic home-owners this year.

The trend is for home-owners to be more adventurous in the shapes of windows and door styles too. As the ‘eyes’ of your home they deserve the attention - adding a deft touch of flair highlights your individuality and gives your home a unique characteristic style - that’s you.

SHAPE-UP Curves and rounded shapes are back – and authenticity and hand-crafted products are the hip buzz words. So, if you’re considering a new look, a window, external door, internal screen do not have to be the ubiquitous rectangular shape in white or black.

On-trend are steel-framed windows and external doors with arches and sweeping curves. Get inspired – think outside the box. You may want to make a style statement or maximise the view from your property with a sweeping panoramic style window or bring the outside in – the solutions are there. For example, floor to ceiling and ‘wideview’ window options and Sixties-style picture windows are making a comeback.

Echo the past with gothic and lancet shape windows or heritage style oriel bay and bow windows, ‘bulls-eye’ panes and rondels. Or capture the essence of the 1920s with Art Deco porthole style windows.

Go for bigger round, oval or even diamond shape steel windows for impact.

Internally, consider a dramatic steel screen set with different sized colour glass panes – reds, greens, blues – clear, opaque, or textured panes – squares, rectangles to create a

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wonderful talking point. Or introduce a brightly coloured glass motif like a flower in to an interior or external porthole window for elegance.

An exterior arched steel window and doors create that wow factor; image courtesy of Squib Photography / Three Spires Glass

SHOW YOUR COLOURS Russell Ager, managing director at Crittall Windows, pioneers of steel frame window manufacture for 160 years, says: “These days, you can colour-match almost everything in the home – décor, furnishings, appliances – even your window frames – inside and out.

“With the modern take on the ‘retro look’ now very much the vogue, steel windows are enjoying a big resurgence in popularity in homes including luxury minimalist warehouse apartments.

Adding that savvy splash of colour will ensure an even bigger wow factor.

“A wide choice of 46 standard – as well as custom-made – colours meets individual needs. There’s also a dual colour option.

“For impact, try a bold or a darker colour on the outside and a neutral/ white finish on the inside to match/ blend-in with the interior décor. They are available in any RAL or BS colour.

An interior steel window with vibrant colours makes a big impact; image courtesy of Metwin

“Crittall’s legacy of shaping and influencing design and heritage of delivering excellence can be seen worldwide. We have our imitators, but the style and quality of authentic Crittall products are never matched. Tailor-made to meet almost any individual requirement – shape or colour – steel windows, doors and Innervision screens are designed and fabricated to last a lifetime.”

The slim ‘timeless’ frames and sight-lines, the graceful elegance offered by steel windows, present a light delicate feel inside and out, giving consistency of design.

A welcome sense of airiness and space is created.

While for that minimalist look, there are most attractive grey, white and black options.

Every Crittall window, door and internal screen is made from high grade, recycled steel. Hot dip galvanized, means they are virtually maintenance free. Polyester powder coated, they also have a consistent, even, coating, not requiring redecoration for 25 – 30 years. An extensive range of classic and luxury hardware is available to complement your look.

A unique blend of precision machining and hand-crafted finishing for every bespoke product ensures style, elegance and value, whether your project is newbuild or renovation of an existing property.

w: www.crittall-windows.co.uk t: 01376 530800 e: hq@crittall-windows.co.uk Crittall® and InnerVision® are registered trademarks.

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l a n d s c a p i n g T H E M O S T C O S T- E F F E C T I V E F O R M O F H O M E I M P R O V E M E N T, P R O V I D E S G R E AT E R RETURN ON INVESTMENT – STUDY

UK homeowners that took to improving their gardens during the pandemic lockdown periods have invested wisely as they see property values increase greater than building an extension, or fitting a new kitchen, experts reveal.

According to the 2019 Post Office Money Survey, landscaping your garden could potentially increase the value of your property by a whopping 77%. This means garden landscaping provides a greater return on investment than building an extension, adding a swimming pool, or fitting a new kitchen.

The study, which was conducted over five years, was based on the mid-range asking price of a three-bed semi-detached home across the UK. It found that properties with garden landscaping added the most value to a home. Garden landscaping was proven to be the most cost-effective form of home improvement when selling while providing the best Return on Investment (ROI) compared to other types of home improvement projects. A home improvement like a new kitchen was found to add a property value increase of only 25%, with a building extension saw a 37% increase, and a low 7% increase was seen after adding a wet room.

Nexus Pro Systems is a UK leading manufacturer of paving jointing compounds for the landscaping and construction industry. Their head of operations, Tom Hamilton, said: “Our consumer trends data certainly supports that garden landscaping has been a significant growth area with homeowners, especially over the pandemic period.

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Particularly, during the lockdown period, we saw increased consumer demand for our Pro Joint Fusion ‘all- weather’ paving grouting product, which I can only assume meant that landscapers and DIY enthusiasts were actively rejuvenating their outdoor spaces come rain or shine.

“Indeed, many of our merchants based throughout the UK have reported a significant rise in consumer demand for all manner of landscaping supplies. I believe it is important for homeowners to know that investing into their gardens not only increases the kerb appeal of their property but also its saleable value.”

Foxtons estate agents conducted research revealing that simply having a garden will generally increase a property’s value by 20%. A high percentage of 72% of buyers were prepared to pay more for a property with a garden, according to the Foxtons research.

Data by Rightmove revealed that access to a garden was a priority for over 60% of buyers searching for a new home. On the other hand, the Royal Chartered Institute of Surveyors found that 80% of property professionals consider the demand for a garden will continue to increase.

“Any improvement that raises the value of a property can be significant. If you need to access funds quickly, borrowing against your property, whether with a further advance, refinancing to better terms or a second-charge bridge can be one of the quickest and cheapest methods. At the same time, if you are investing in a property to rent out, and will be borrowing to buy and renovate, don’t overlook the garden, given that improving it will certainly raise the overall Gross Development Value (GDV) and as such improve the amount and potentially the rate at which you will borrow,” said Alastair Hoyne, CEO of ‘Finanze’, an FCA regulated specialist property finance firm.

In their recent study, ‘MyToolshed’ analysed house prices across ten areas of London and found that a well-maintained green space could increase the average Islington North London house price of £848,710 by £141,451. Similarly, homes in Ealing priced at £786,507 could gain an additional £132,806 by rejuvenating their garden spaces. Properties could see profitable gains of £131,084.50 on a house priced at £796,834.00 in Wandsworth.

Sourced from a variety of UK industries, the above research proves that many UK homeowners who invested in landscaping garden improvements during the lockdown periods have benefitted from a quantifiable increase in the saleable value of their property.

NEXUS PRO SYSTEMS Nexus Pro Systems Ltd is a national manufacturer specialising in the supply of innovative products to the paving, landscaping, and driveway industries. The manufacturer has a UK stockist network of over 250 builders and stone merchants. It boasts a product portfolio that includes a range of paving ancillary products and a range of sealers and cleaners. There are also unique resin jointing systems for pointing between paving slabs and setts.

Email: jon@nexusprosystems.co.uk www.nexuspavingsystems.co.uk

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JOIN THE GROWING RETROFIT REVOLUTION FOR

high performance, energy efficient homes Russell Smith, Founder and MD of RetrofitWorks discusses how as more and more homeowners choose to make their properties green, what help is at hand for you to add value, optimise your home’s energy efficiency and ultimately, support the very real challenge against climate change.

UK homes use around 35% of all the energy supplied to the country and emit around 20% of the carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to climate change.

Furthermore, over 80% of those existing homes will still be standing and be occupied in 2050.

In summary, the Government is legally required to retrofit homes on a huge scale with an estimated 28 million existing homes to be made greener, which equates to one home being retrofitted every 35 seconds between 2022 and 2050.

However, retrofitting can be a complex proposition, involving significant amounts of time, researching and project managing suppliers, materials, architects and tradespeople.

And how do you know you’re carrying out the works in the right order, investing in the areas that will make the biggest difference?

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THE ROLE OF A RETROFIT C O O R D I N AT O R Taking a wholistic approach is absolutely critical and fortunately there are specialists like RetrofitWorks on hand to offer impartial advice, guide you through the process, shoulder the burden of project management and most importantly, with Trustmark accredited schemes, ensure quality of materials and installation. RetrofitWorks brings together the best in green building practice by working exclusively with Retrofit Coordinators who can offer impartial advice and ensure that works are being done well. A Retrofit Coordinator will assess your property and work with you to understand usage and create a bespoke report, or “whole house plan”, that shows what can be done to meet the goals of reducing fuel bills, carbon emissions and improved comfort.

Even with this report in-hand, doing retrofit the right way can be complex and likely to involve significant time (and hassle) spent researching, finding suppliers and managing the works. The Retrofit Coordinator can help oversee the whole project and act as a project lead/advisory throughout. They can help you decide what the priorities are, how you would like to proceed and facilitate local, registered contractors to deliver. Their advisory role also extends to inspector on completion of each phase by ensuring quality standards and expectations have been met, leaving you to enjoy your improved, more comfortable, healthy and energy efficient home.

A RETROFITWORKS SCHEME: COSY HOMES OXFORD, CASE STUDY Trish and Tim live in an end-of-terrace cottage in a picturesque Cotswolds village. Their home for many years, the cottage is a mixture of ages and styles from pre-1900, made of of solid ironstone - to 1970s. However, they had failing floor to ceiling glass patio doors, draughty double and single glazing, lack of insulation throughout, some rooms too hot in summer and cold in winter, and ultimately, the desire to get off oil and use the electricity from solar panels more effectively to be sustainable.

Having previously struggled to find the right tradespeople and the huge amount of effort to coordinate the project, when the homeowners discovered Cosy Homes Oxfordshire, they knew the approach was right.

As a result of their RetrofitWorks Whole House Plan, Trish and Tim decided to completely change their heating system, replacing the condensing oilfired boiler and oil tank with an Air Source Heat Pump; replacing their old hot water tank with a new pressurised hot water system with feed in from their existing solar thermal panels and the new pump; installing underfloor heating; installing new insulated wall material and adding triple glazed windows. As a result, the property EPC rating of D is now an estimated B; carbon emissions down from over 5 tonnes to 2.15 tonnes and most importantly, Trish and Tim have a sustainable, healthy, happy home that is playing its role in the fight against the climate crisis.

AUTHOR Founder and MD of RetrofitWorks and Parity Projects, Russell Smith sits on the Construction Leadership Council, Renovation Maintenance Improvement Working Group, The Green Jobs Taskforce, and is the recipient of the Ashden Award for Sustainable Buildings, the Observer Ethical Award and Building Magazine’s Award for Sustainable Refurbishment.

IN YOUR AREA

RetrofitWorks has several schemes currently running across the UK and at the start of 2022, the not for profit organisation launched its National Retrofit Service.

For more information on how you can benefit, visit www.retrofitworks.co.uk

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Heritage homes & period properties

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The following section covers...

• Educating the Homeowner on ‘Plastic’ Windows • Flush Windows

• Understanding Conservation Areas • Working with Planning Guidelines

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Educating the homeowner on ‘plastic’ windows PVC-U is a highly recyclable building material with a Building Research Establishment Green Guide to Specification A and A+ rating for domestic and commercial application.

Rob McGlennon

A new poll reveals almost half of UK homeowners would not purchase home improvement products containing plastics because of concerns about the impact plastic pollution is having on the planet.

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The findings of the independent survey conducted by leading pollster, YouGov found that 44% of total respondents flatly rejected the prospect of buying home improvements manufactured in ‘plastic’.

A further 27% were unsure and 29% said it would not dissuade them from buying them.

At the same time, of those surveyed, 69% said that windows in their homes were currently manufactured from PVC-U. This compared to 23% for wood, 7% aluminium, 2% other, while 14% of respondents were unsure of material used in the manufacture of the windows installed in their properties.*

When asked if they knew what the abbreviation ‘PVC’ stood for, 54% admitted that they had no idea.

“The results highlight a challenge for the PVC-U window and door industry”, said Rob McGlennon, Managing Director, Deceuninck.

“As a starting point it’s clear that for a lot of UK homeowners, plastic-building products are being tarred with the same broad brush as bottles, bags and other single use plastics.

“The increased awareness about the impact single use plastics are having, is great. For our industry, the fact that this survey reveals that consumers aren’t drawing a line between them and low maintenance, long-life and fully

recyclable plastic building products, is a warning of things to come – unless we act now and start to communicate effectively with the homeowner.”

PVC-U is a highly recyclable building material with a Building Research Establishment Green Guide to Specification A and A+ rating for domestic and commercial application.

This is founded on a recognised Reference Service Life of at least 35-years and that PVC-U can be recycled up to 10 times without impacting on performance.

Deceuninck has invested more than €15million in support of PVC-U recycling in one of the world’s most advanced recycling and compounding facilities.

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This gives it the capability to reprocess up to 45,000 tonnes of post-consumer and post-manufacturing PVC-U per year – the equivalent of preventing 3million windows from going to landfill annually.

Use of recycled material also delivering a reduction in CO2 emissions of 90,000 tonnes compared to virgin feedstocks as well as a 90% energy saving.

The Deceuninck commissioned study also found that 63% of UK homeowners surveyed said that they would be more likely to purchase home improvements, which they saw as being more ‘sustainable’** while 38% of said that they would be prepared to pay more for them.

“As we’ve highlighted, the survey isn’t all stick - there’s a lot of carrot their too. People will choose products which they see as more sustainable over those that they don’t, and are prepared to pay more for them”, continued Rob. For more information about Deceuninck’s product and service offer please call 01249 816 969, email deceuninck.ltd@deceuninck.com or visit www.deceuninck.co.uk. *Commissioned by Deceuninck, research was conducted online by YouGov between the 15th and 16th November 2021, using an online interview administered to the YouGov UK panel of 800,000+ individuals.

A total of 2000 plus interviews were conducted amongst a sample of 18+ UK adults (including Norther Ireland), of which 1,351 were homeowners. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

As well as educating the homeowner about PVC-u windows and doors, and continuing to invest heavily in recycling, Deceuninck’s range of choice is one of the best the industry can offer.

Further survey research undertaken by Deceuninck reveals some homeowner preferences.

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FLUSH WINDOWS Combining the style of traditional timber windows and doors with modern energy efficiency and security, the Heritage Flush Collection from Deceuninck is the perfect addition to both period and contemporary homes.

What are the most important things to think about when buying new or replacement windows? Energy efficiency, cost and security are all essential elements, but for many homeowners, it is style and choice of colour that is now right at the top of their list.

A YouGov survey, commissioned by leading window and door company, Deceuninck UK, revealed that 75% of homeowners consider choice of colour when looking at new windows, preferring to pick from a palette of greys, creams, blacks and woodgrain effects, rather than stick to plain white.

And while the report highlighted that homeowners are now more likely to opt for a colour when specifying their new windows, it also illustrated an increasing desire for products that offered a more premium aesthetic.

Given the choice between a standard or a flush style PVC casement, 62% of those surveyed by YouGov, stated a preference for the latter.

Deceuninck’s award winning Heritage Flush window combines outstanding aesthetics, with class leading performance. Rated A++ for energy efficiency, it offers exceptional weather performance and is available with either double or triple glazing.

Featuring sleek, slimline frames, it can be specified with high quality, heritage

style hardware, authentic Georgian bar options and traditional timber style joints.

Highly engineered, it features multipoint locking as standard and is tested to meet the rigorous standards of PAS24 for enhanced security.

Deceuninck’s Flush Sash forms part of the company’s Heritage Flush Collection. This includes a matching flush patio door, which has been designed to perfectly compliment the style, security and performance of the flush window.

Both are also compatible with Deceuninck’s market leading range of colours, with 30 standard options and a further 20 available on special order.

“Our Heritage Flush Collection is the end result of a considerable amount of R&D,” continues Rob. “That’s reflected in the quality and the attention to detail that has gone into both the Flush Window and the Flush Door.

“The fact that both can be suited with our full range of foiled finishes, makes them even more appealing,” he concludes. “From smooth Anthracite Grey for a contemporary, aluminium style finish, to Golden oak for a truly authentic timber effect, there’s a colour to suit any style and any age of property.”

For more information call 01249 816 969, email deceuninck.ltd@deceuninck.com or visit www.deceuninck.co.uk.

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C O N S E R V A T I O N

N A T I O N Why a change could be as good as a rest(oration)

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Brimming with rich history, conservation areas are blessed with the presence of architectural treasures. From picturesque Tudor cottages and grand historic houses, to inner-city Victorian warehouses and contemporary model housing estates, conservation areas are nestled across beautiful urban and rural locations, from city landscapes to countryside towns.

Designed to preserve the unique architecture that spans across our lands, conservation areas come with regulations that don’t just apply to ‘Listed’ buildings – it’s a designation that affects each and every property in the defined conservation area, no matter the size, scale or usage.

Protected by local authorities to preserve their nature, this means that homeowners of a property in a conservation area need permission before making certain changes to their home.

So how can homeowners achieve the dream home they desire while complying with conservation area regulations?

It’s all about understanding and choice: beginning with a thorough understanding of the purpose and impact of conservation guidelines, and an awareness of the choice and quality of contemporary solutions that meet those guidelines. With that choice comes opportunity – a chance to specify more sustainable, long-lasting products with fewer maintenance requirements, but the same heritage aesthetic – like the carefully designed windows which form The Residence Collection.

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U N D E R S TA N D I N G ‘ C O N S E R VAT I O N A R E A S ’ Local Planning Authorities are obliged to designate any conservation area within their remit that are ‘of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.’ What draws these 10,000+ areas together – a thread throughout history – is their aesthetic merit, and a mandate to preserve it.

So, if your home restoration falls within a conservation area designation, choosing appropriate materials like The Residence Collection’s purposefully designed windows may well be required by your local authority’s Conservation Officer.

SPECIFYING WINDOWS T H AT M E E T T H E S TA N D A R D With those guidelines in mind, it might seem that the way to go is to specify restoration or traditional products – in the case of windows, that’s often single glazing with timber frames. A technology unchanged since the Georgian or

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Victorian eras, chosen purely for aesthetics rather than functionality.

But times have changed, and so has technology, because conservation areas don’t apply to materials, or to functionality. If the best modern products present an appropriate outward appearance, there’s nothing stopping homeowners specifying windows with much higher sustainability credentials, and radically improved thermal and security performance with minimal maintenance requirements.

Windows like those designed at The Residence Collection are compliant with conservation area regulations, with traditional colours and finishes that perfectly match painted timber. They also maintain equal sightlines, matching heritage features like Georgian bars and hardware. Using documented historical window designs as their starting point, and the latest generation of uPVC for totally reliable performance - none of the warping, swelling, rotting or paint flaking on traditional timber windows can be found. Externally, they look like flush timber frames and internally, they’re warm, insulated and functional.

WORK WITH PLANNING GUIDELINES, NOT AGAINST THEM Whether your property falls within a conservation area or any other planning requirements based on preserving beautiful architectural heritage, it pays to work with those planning guidelines, not against them. Don’t try to shoehorn in unsuitable replacements, and don’t try to ‘make do’ with poor quality original features years past their best.

Your budget is best spent on windows and doors that you know will meet conservation guidelines, saving you time and money in the process. That’s why The Residence Collection works with Local Planning Authorities to approve the use of their windows and doors wherever possible, helping preserve properties for many years to come whilst continuing the aesthetic legacy of the past.

To find out more about Conservation Areas and the solutions that The Residence Collection provides, visit https://www.residencecollection.co.uk/planning-and-conservation/.

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Create a room that you can use all year-round

The solid roof company For conservatory roof replacements or new single storey extensions

Eco-friendly timber

Thermally efficient

Fully ventilated

Sustainably sourced timber, making for the ultimate green building solution.

The Icotherm roof helps maintain optimum temperature in the room, protecting from the summer heat and retaining warmth in winter.

Unique timber pod construction which speeds up installation and the roof is fully ventilated to prevent condensation.

To find an installer near you, email us on info@icotherm.co.uk 98

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Interiors

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The following section covers...

• Going Green with Georgina Burnett • Refresh & Reorganise Your Kitchen • Clever Use of Glass

• Creative & Inspiring British Interior Design • Add a Layer of Luxury

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Image: Veronica Rodriguez

G O

G R E E N

with Georgina Burnett – The Home Genie!

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Image: Matt James

Celebrity Journalist Angela Sara West @angela_sara_west chats with TV’s upcycling queen Georgina Burnett about how sustainability can make your home ‘sing’, whether ‘greige’ is still the way to go, how a pop of purple should be on your interiors radar, as well as how to make a healthy home.

Plus, the possible perils of painting with Pantone’s Very Peri!

She’s the queen of going green when it comes to interiors and boasts many famous fans of her inspiring work.

“Well, Tomasz Schafernaker is an incredible upcycler himself, so we often share pictures!” upcycling guru Georgina Burnett tells me.

With numerous other notable accolades to boot, the TV upcycling star says the biggest highlights of her career have been finishing successful projects.

“There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a vision become a reality – whether it’s one of my own properties or one of my clients’.”

Georgina’s become a familiar face on ITV’s ‘This Morning’. “Working regularly on the show has been amazing as I get to work with a fantastic team, chatting about what I love best – and the live element keeps me on my toes! It’s also been so lovely to hear feedback from viewers who have tried some of my ideas for the first time.”

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Image: Veronica Rodriguez

TRASH TO TREASURE ALL about sustainability, Georgina is a genius on turning trash into treasure. “I love the challenge of making something beautiful out of something ugly, but I find the actual process of upcycling incredibly therapeutic as it takes my mind off the stresses of life and gives me a well-earned break from technology!”

Highly influential in this field, she’s among those leading the way in environmentally-friendly home styling. “It’s all been so organic; I find the term ‘influencer’ really bizarre when I hear it! But then I receive all these messages from people who have never done any kind of crafting or DIY but are now upcycling, and I just can’t describe how much it thrills me to have provided inspiration.”

With sustainability such an important factor for her, this influencer’s innovative ideas have impressed and made an impact on the nation for sure. “I just try to make sure that as much as possible of what I use is recycled. I’m not perfect, but I’m such a womble, I do manage very well!”

Going green with interiors is big business these days… What gives Georgina the edge in this area? “Oh, there are so many massively-talented people out there, I’m not sure I could say I have an edge… I guess the fact that I’m very comfortable on camera from all my years of presenting and can film and edit myself means I’m able to reach a wider audience though – and hopefully inspire more people to upcycle.”

Image: Veronica Rodriguez

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F R O M W E AT H E R G I R L T O THIS MORNING’S RESIDENT UPCYCLING GURU A BBC weather girl too, Georgina is a DIY interiors and property expert and vlogger, and chats about property and interiors with Martin Roberts on Talk Radio, too. All this alongside being a life and business coach, assisting those looking for tips from a top adviser in her fields.

Often making an appearance on ‘This Morning’, seeing the show’s resident Home Genie busy creating all things green on our screens, she’s also showcased her handy lockdown DIY hacks, crafting tips and creations to keep kids busy and entertained, too. Her inspiring upcycling slots on ‘This Morning’ always go down a storm.

“I must admit, I wasn’t sure how welcome upcycling would be to a mainstream audience, but my slots have often been the most popular of the show. They have been received brilliantly, so it’s been very exciting!”

What does she love most about being part of the ‘This Morning’ team, alongside Holly Willoughby & Phillip Schofield, and now the hilarious Alison Hammond & Dermot O’Leary, too?

“I love the variety of what I do there… My name ‘The Home Genie’ came about because I cover all aspects of home improvement and I really get to cover that on the show – from decluttering, to DIY to home styling. It also makes me experiment more with upcycling. It’s a dream job as the people I work with on and off screen are so lovely, and I thrive on the thrill of live presenting.”

Upcycling guru Georgina says she’s inspired by a few other sustainability influencers. “One in particular is Chris Billinghurst from the House of Upcycling, whose team produce some extraordinarily-beautiful pieces. I also think Annie Sloan has been phenomenal in inspiring a nation of upcyclers.”

Her tips for being a top upcycler? “I would say make sure you have a really decent tool kit as it makes life so much easier and more enjoyable. Have a cupboard you can put any bits you save in and just have fun – never expect perfection but keep going with it until you are happy.”

TA L K I N G T R E N D S Any trends influencing her current projects? “I’m not really a trend follower… I just go with the flow and whatever is inspiring me at that moment.”

As for the interior design trends she’s seeing coming through in 2022… “I’m pleased there is still a big focus on sustainability, as this is genuinely a subject close to my heart – and something I’ve been banging on about in the interiors world for years!” she says.

“Bringing the outside in is along these lines and is still a strong theme,” Georgina explains, and she’s also embracing experimentation in the world of interiors. “There seems to be a move to experiment a bit more with colour as we move away from ‘greige’, which has obviously been a firm favourite for so long. Whilst this is still the ‘safe’ go to for most people, I’m seeing more accent colours infiltrating rooms. We will also see more purple, which hasn’t been on the list for some time.”

There is a particular trend she’s currently enjoying, which can really enhance the home. Georgina LOVES a bit of colour blocking. “I have done quite a bit of this, with plans to do more! It’s great for zoning a room, which is becoming more important as our homes are more multifunctional with the increase in working from home.”

COLOUR DRENCHING COMEBACK Forthcoming interiors trends that should be on our radar right now? “Colour drenching’s started to make a comeback.

It started in the fashion world, and I think we will see more rooms in all the same colour, or tints, tones and shades of it. You need to go floor to ceiling – including woodwork, furniture and furnishings – if you’re really going for it,” she advises.

“I’m doing a bit of this in a current project, but I can’t help but throw in the odd complementary colour myself as I just feel a room needs that energy you get from an accent colour!”

VERY PERI PERILS….

Any advice for using Pantone’s Colour Of The Year, Very Peri, to keep our interiors fresh and à la mode?

“I’ll be honest – Very Peri is not my favourite!” Georgina divulges. “I think we may see some disasters with people using this colour too much…”

Although she admits it can be a great accent colour when used in the right way. “So, I’d either soften it with pale pinks and greens, go for more of an analogous scheme with other variants of deep blue and purple, or use it sparingly as an accent colour in accessories and cushions. I don’t want to see whole rooms painted in it!”

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Image: Veronica Rodriguez

PROPERTY LESSONS – A STREETWISE ‘ANGEL OF THRIFT’ Investing in and developing properties since 2009, this sustainable TV star has seen many a lesson learnt. “My main lesson has been to recognise that these projects are never going to mean as much to someone else as they do to me! I’ve not been doing quick ‘get ‘em up’ projects; every one I do is a labour of love, so I don’t just leave it to other people to make decisions and make sure I’m always one step ahead of anyone who is working on it with me!”

She reveals each project has become bigger and bigger. “So, in turn has become more lucrative, but my husband calls me an ‘angel of thrift’, so I still don’t throw money at unnecessary aspects and can always achieve a luxury finish with less, but never cutting corners; just reusing and repurposing for the most part.”

The property and homestyling expert has even written an informative book on the subject – 'The Street-wise Guide to Buying, Improving and Selling Your Home' So, grab a copy of Georgina’s informative how-to guides and get streetwise!

A D D I N G V A L U E T O A F A M I LY H O M E – D O N ’ T F O L L O W FA S H I O N !

Her top tips on how to improve your home, and the golden rules to stick to for adding value?

“If it’s your home that you will be living in for quite some time, then make sure you choose the colours and style that make you and your family, or whoever you share the house with, feel good,” she advises. “Too many people try to follow fashion and then end up getting it wrong and despising a room! Do it well – so put enough time aside and see it through to the end.”

And, of course, “Reuse and repurpose,” she adds. “This is a way you can make your budget go further and help the environment at the same time!”

Image: Veronica Rodriguez

C R E AT I N G THE WOW How can we easily add the ‘wow’ factor to our home, whatever our budget, even if tight?

“Less is often more,” she says.

“So, think about decluttering rather than filling your home. I think it’s worth talking to a stylist – you don’t have to go the whole hog and pay for full interior designing, but just a consultation may help you to get it right and take you slightly out of your comfort zone to achieve the extraordinary – in a good way!”

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MAKE YOUR HOME SING “I also can’t stress enough how upcycling items of furniture can really make a room sing as you end up with a unique piece in whatever colour you want!” says this leading homestyler.

“If you’re just too scared to do it yourself, it would probably cost less to pay someone to do it than buying a new piece of furniture and sending the old to landfill!”

Image: Veronica Rodriguez

Georgina says getting the colours right is just key. “And this takes time and experimentation, so it’s not to be skimped. Rather than just painting small bits of wall with samples, do it on big pieces of lining paper which you then study on all walls in all lights.

Whatever the budget, always think of all levels of a room. There’s no point in having great cushions and carpet if it makes the room look bottom heavy, so think of the whole of the wall space and how you can get that colour scheme represented higher up.”

Image: Veronica Rodriguez

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A H E A LT H Y H O M E

DIY DISASTERS!

She also has advice aplenty for making a house a healthy home. “I think this should be publicised more, as many people seem to be unaware that your home could actually damage your health.”

Georgina’s experienced her fair share of DIY disasters over the years… “Although any DIY disasters have always been from trying to rush things. So, for example, reupholstering a chaise longue, which I started doing at 10pm one night and didn’t quite get the shape of the fabric right… I managed to save it though, and it looks great now!”

“This is particularly important if you have kids, or anybody has certain health conditions. Using breathable paint and researching the kind of flooring you use makes a huge difference. Also, filling it with air-purifying plants and making sure there is plenty of ventilation are key considerations.”

She says with DIY, it’s crucial to always set more than enough time aside, make sure you have the right tools, and really research what you’re doing rather than just jumping in.

A S U S TA I N A B L E SELF-BUILDER

“With most projects, a decent finish comes from spending time on the prep (which unfortunately isn’t usually the most fun bit!) Oh, and not starting at 10pm!”

Last year, she finished her first self-build. “It has been the ultimate upcycling project, turning a derelict garage into a house!”

Her tips for staying motivated and seeing a project through?

“Visualising the end result is key. I always imagine myself standing there with a glass of Champagne admiring the finish. I also like to look back at previous ‘to do’ lists to show me how far I’ve come.”

Would she undertake another? “It was interesting because I had always renovated older houses – so it just had different challenges! One of which was trying to finish it as the pandemic started… I’d love to build my forever home and make it totally sustainable, but finding the plot will always be difficult as you are going up against the big developers.”

Her latest renovation project is a historic home in Folkestone.

“I’m loving doing up a little cottage there! It’s where I started my property journey, and a place close to my heart… It’s not been a major renovation project, so I’m able to mainly enjoy it as an interior project.”

You can watch a series of videos showing the journey of her build on Georgina’s website www.TheHomeGenie.com.

LIGHT UP YOUR LIVES… How can we best bring in natural light, and brighten up our home through décor, no matter the budget?

“It’s very fashionable to put lots of glass into a build, and this does make a huge difference to the light, but also be warned that you can lose a lot of heat through glass, so it’s important to bear this in mind.”

So, what’s the solution? “Simply putting large mirrors opposite windows can make a big difference to light. To me, a room without plants is unfinished and it really helps to have them at lots of levels. So, have large plants extending from floor to ceilings… Plants hanging from ceilings, as well as tabletop plants, can really soften a room.”

And décor-wise? “Just go for simple,” she says. “Get yourself a colour wheel and choose the most simple types of schemes to easily get the ‘wow factor’ into a room. Learning about the colour wheel changed my life!”

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Image: Veronica Rodriguez

Image: Veronica Rodriguez

Image: Matt James

INTERIORS INSPO Where does she head for interiors inspo herself? “I love just seeing what people are doing on Pinterest, Houzz and Insta – I can get lost doing this sort of thing!! I’ve been doing a lot of work with Brewers Decorator Centres as well, as they have always been my go-to place for paint and other decorating items. If there’s anything I need to know about, the staff are always so knowledgeable.”

It seems she’s found her perfect match in her partnership with Brewers – www.brewers.co.uk – for which she is an ambassador. “For the past year, Brewers have been sponsoring some of my social media videos. It’s been fantastic as I genuinely love them as a brand, but it’s also given me the opportunity to make the kind of helpful videos I’d been wanting to make for a long time. You can check out the videos I’ve been producing, and will have coming out this year, on Twitter, Insta, Facebook and LinkedIn.” You can often catch Georgina at big go-to trade shows such as Grand Designs Live and Ideal Home Shows across the UK, too. “I’ll be at this year’s Ideal Home Show on the 15th and 21st March.”

F A M I LY V A L U E S She says she’s been concentrating a lot more on her family over the past year.

“Lockdown taught me to live in the now more, and I don’t want to miss the children growing up, so extra projects like writing further books will have to wait!”

“I’m really enjoying spending more time with the kids these days – and, of course, they get to help mummy with the upcycling, so everyone is a winner!!”

Image: Veronica Rodriguez

DOING THE GROUNDWORK WITH GEORGINA She launched her Great British Upcycle! campaign a few years ago, and a generous Georgina also continues in her philanthropic role as an ambassador for Groundwork – www.groundwork.org.uk.

“It’s a wonderful charity, which is always doing great work for disadvantaged communities,” she explains. “I basically do whatever I can for Groundwork as they are such a fantastic charity and very dear to my heart. I make videos for them and have been a judge at their London Upcycling Show alongside Tommy Walsh, who is also very keen on recycling. I’ve also presented at their Community Awards ceremony. So, basically, I do whatever I can offer!!!”

Georgina’s book ‘The Street-wise Guide to Buying, Improving and Selling Your Home’ is available on Amazon, and in Waterstones and other bookstores.

Signed copies are available from Georgina’s website, The Home Genie: GeorginaBurnett.com Follow Georgina on Instagram @burnett_georgina © Angela Sara West 2022 Insta: @angela_sara_west

Any further property projects in the pipeline? “Well, I’m currently working on my own Folkestone project, and have projects for a few home coaching clients – a couple of celebrities’ houses, in fact, which I’ll share at some point this year.”

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K E Y

C O N S I D E R A T I O N S

for choosing an electric fire There has been a significant rise in demand for electric fires in recent years.

A fantastic design feature for modern interiors, and available in so many different styles and sizes, electric fires afford the user a state-of-the-art, ultra realistic flame display with the added bonus of little to no maintenance.

Modern components give the appliance an indefinite lifespan and so it’s important to ensure that you select an electric fire that is right for your home, and your needs.

We spoke to Andy Hitchman, Managing Director of Solution Fires, who advises on several key considerations to be made in choosing the perfect electric fire.

SIZING UP Everyone’s home and room configuration are different, and there are an array of different sizes and widths to choose from, however it is important to pick a fire that is right for your space.

The larger models are perfect for creating a real statement centrepiece, whereas a more compact fire might be a better choice if you don’t have as much space. For example, our built in electric fires range in size from 75cm wide to 2m wide so we can cater to all types of homes. I would advise studying the dimensions of the model that you are interested in, and carefully measuring up your space to ensure the best fit.

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I N S TA L L AT I O N AND STYLE There are so many different models on the market now, so you’ll want to think about which style best suits your interior design choices.

From inset, wall mounted, built in, to floor standing suites that fit simply to a flat wall, the Solution Fires range also includes a modern cylindrical electric stove featuring three-sided glass for an optimum view of the log fuel bed.

If you are considering a bespoke media wall – which creates a stunning focal point, whilst neatly boxing off any messy cabling for a totally sleek finish - do take into account the size of your TV. Your fire ought to be either the same width or a little wider than the TV screen; if your fire is smaller than your TV, you risk creating a ‘topheavy’ effect and your fire looking disproportionate, or even being dwarfed by the screen.

FLAME EFFECT

USABILITY

Electric fires and the technology used have come a long way since they were first invented, but there is still a big variation in flame effect quality, and things like flicker speed and flame height have a big impact on how realistic the fire looks. Pay close attention to the flame effect and for authenticity, I would suggest choosing a model which comes with crackling fire audio, as this really gives you the look and feel of a real fire.

Usability is crucial, and due to technological advances Solution Fires can now be controlled with a remote handset, as well as through most smart phones, tablets, and watches via App control. This means that you can set your desired ambience from the comfort of your armchair, or even in advance of your return home - so I would recommend inspecting the controls and features if you want this luxury!

For more information, please visit

www.solutionfires.co.uk

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ADVICE COLUMN

REFRESH & REORGANISE

your kitchen this season

Cutting the clutter and reorganising your storage space can make your kitchen feel brand new, with a streamlined look creating a relaxed, happy vibe that’s easier to live with for the whole family.

When the kitchen is a hive of activity, used for home baking, home entertaining and even home working, where are the secrets to reorganising success? Here, Cimara King, Designer at Drew Forsyth shares her top tips for achieving minimalist heaven in your kitchen.

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Five ways to cut the clutter and streamline your space IDENTIFY STORAGE HOTSPOTS Make sure items can be placed where they will be needed; cooking utensils near the hob, crockery in an island drawer, deep drawers for large pans and baking trays, for example.

SHOW IT OFF Visible plate racks are on-trend and a useful way to make use of wall space, freeing up cupboards. Also consider wallmounting pot and pan racks for that classic, homely feel and add open shelving that encourage you to pare back.

CLEAR THE WORKTOPS Most countertops are full of small appliances that look much better when stored in a breakfast cupboard. This can be located close to the food prep area, with doors that open to reveal your coffee maker, toaster etc., so it’s all ready for the start of the day. When closed it creates an uncluttered look that takes the kitchen from daytime through to evening in style.

WORK OUT A SYSTEM A pantry needs its own organisation system if it is to work in your favour. Label boxes, designated areas for different food types and make sure new food is put to the back so that best before dates are adhered to. Heavy items should be stored lower down to save your back from heavy lifting.

G O TA I L O R - M A D E Bespoke furniture allows for the creation of internal drawer storage in exactly the size and shape you need it, while a separate space for chopping blocks, kitchen towel and other items frees up drawer and cupboard space, becoming a style point of the room.

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clever use of

G L A S S

This kitchen includes a run of cabinetry featuring a mixture of wall, floor and tall units, and an island running parallel in a contrasting colour with cabinets in Herringbone Kitchens Applegate range, a modern take on the traditional shaker style.

With units flush to the floor, cut-out handles and flat cut-out drawers, this design has a more 21st century feel to it. The beautiful polished worktops are a CRL quartz in the colour ‘Verona’. The inside of all the family’s cabinetry, is a gorgeous oak finish, complete with both loop & socket as well as ZZ traditional shelving. A fantastically unique element to this project was the long window behind the sink as well as the glass extension, bringing the outside in, along with plenty more light, perfect for making a small kitchen seem and look impactful!

Expert advice from William Durrant, owner Herringbone Kitchens on how to bring light into a space: “It’s always a big priority to keep a space bright and avoid it becoming too dark. Some of our favourite ways to make this happen is firstly to decorate with calming colours. Among the most popular relaxing tones are neutrals, blushes, soft blues and greens as well as greys with green undertones and tans.

Also, undoubtedly one of the most important factors of a healthy and pleasant space, is maximisation of natural over artificial light. Make your extension as light as you possibly can through clever use of glass, colours and fittings. Windows and French doors looking into the garden or skylights are all excellent choices.”

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PA N TO N E C O LO U R O F T H E Y E A R 2 0 2 2 :

V e r y

P e r i

A red violet infused periwinkle, Very Peri is a carefree, confident colour that encourages creativity and expression.

i n

t h e

h o m e

Rebecca Snowden, Interior Style Advisor at Furniture And Choice (FurnitureChoice.co.uk), shares how to introduce this dynamic colour into your home for a stylish update.

Add pops of Very Peri to a living room “Just as Pantone created Very Peri specially for the year ahead, channel that same spirit of discovery in your home for a lively start to 2022,” says Rebecca.

In the living room, use a light grey sofa as a chic yet grounding base for layering colours. Then introduce pops of carefree Very Peri through soft furnishings like cushions, artwork or pendant lights. “Match Very Peri with bright pastels like coral and turquoise and plenty of white to get a bright and creative space,” she adds.

Create a cosy, cocooning effect with Very Peri walls “Very Peri possesses the calming qualities of blues with a hint of excitement from its red violet undertone - resulting in a colour that’s soothing yet not flat or boring which makes it great for a wall update,” says Rebecca.

Identify a quiet space in the home like a reading nook or relaxation corner and paint Very Peri on the walls. “Choose a comfy grey armchair to complement this imaginative purple hue, and accent with metallic finishes to brighten the space.”

Just as Pantone created Very Peri specially for the year ahead, channel that same spirit of discovery in your home for a lively start to 2022 About Furniture And Choice We're a furniture company that brings together achievable room ideas, and feel-good prices. And we back it up with free delivery, and free returns. And 0% finance, and UK customer service. And thousands of independent 5-star reviews.

We're Furniture And Choice, and since 2005 we've made it easy to transform your home.

To find out more, visit https://www.furniturechoice.co.uk/about-us/

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Waterlane House P O O L S I D E

K I T C H E N

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Creative and inspiring British interior design specialists, Brandt Design, create a ‘room with a view’ with this poolside contemporary kitchen featuring its ultramodern Urban Furniture Collection.

Julia Steadman, Commercial Director at Brandt Design says: “We are wellversed in creating unique schemes for our customers, especially when it comes to balancing both the practical and extravagant elements of kitchen design. This newly completed kitchen living space is a great example of how enhancing the flow of the entire ground floor, will unify both the design and residents in the home. As trends continue to err towards multigenerational living, a one-size fits all kitchen is now a thing of the past and instead, multi-discipline interiors have taken over to welcome a new era of ‘high-performance’ kitchen living spaces.”

Waterlane House is a kitchen living space that is all things to all people, providing a perfect space to cook, dine, entertain and even swim in, thanks to the connecting swimming pool off the main kitchen. Featuring a statement bar-style island, bank of appliances, hidden larder storage and the latest premium appliances for the modern home, the kitchen is zoned by a run of bi-fold patio doors and practical roof

terrace with lantern window that floods natural light throughout the ground floor.

To accompany the urban flavour of the concrete effect, handleless slab doors is a deluxe 60mm porcelain worktop with square-edged profile, which completes the look and provides a practical surface to prepare and cook food. In the chef quarters, there is a fully integrated twin-set of Gaggenau combination microwave and steam ovens in Silver, as well as a BORA X Pure combined cooktop and extractor that sits alongside a Matt Back Sink by 1810 Company and Quooker Flex Black all-in-one hot water tap with flexible hose.

When admiring the pool, the homeowners can take advantage of the hidden breakfast station to their right. Featuring a Miele Coffee Machine with matching black toaster, marble effect countertop and splashback, this type of lifestyle solution is extremely convenient by creating a practical area to make coffee and prepare breakfast that disappears when not in use.

Matt black fixtures and fittings complement the industrial-style elements throughout the kitchen space like contemporary door handles, light switches, window frames and bar stools. Large format square tiles in matching graphite have been designed to run continuously throughout the ground floor and this ensures a direct connection between inside and out, so the kitchen and swimming pool area are intrinsically linked: whatever the weather!

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This attractive and functional contemporary kitchen by Brandt Design features: • Brandt Design Urban Furniture, Putty Concrete Pearl Grey finish with slab doors • 50mm Dekton Aura porcelain square-edged worktop, from the Brandt Collection • The 1810 Company Cavauno 720u Undermount Kitchen Sink, Matt Black finish • Quooker Flex all-in-one hot water tap with flexible hose, Black finish • Gaggenau fully integrated twin-set of combination microwave & steam ovens, Silver finish • BORA X Pure combined cooktop and extractor, Black finish Designed and installed by Brandt Design, the Urban Furniture Collection is priced from £15,000+vat with this completed project costing £82,000+vat.

Brandt Design Website www.brandtdesign.co.uk Email info@brandtkitchens.co.uk Hatch End 431 The Broadway, Uxbridge Rd, Pinner, Herts HA5 4JR | t 0203 758 4455 Hampstead 489, Finchley Road, West Hampstead, London NW3 6HS | t 0208 194 7888 Stevenage Oxleys Rd, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG2 9YE | t 0143 872 9062

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add a layer of luxury to the modern home Abode, award-winning designer and distributor of market leading kitchen taps, sinks, bathroom taps & showering solutions add a layer of luxury to the modern home with Pronteau, a high-specification range of 3 IN 1 and 4 IN 1 steaming hot taps with exclusive safety features and quality assured.

Paul Illingworth, Design Director at Abode says: “As construction output is set to return to pre-pandemic levels in 2022, we stand ready to assist our customers with a range of designs for every project and budget. The super-luxe and prime residential markets are set to be a key part of the UK’s economic recovery going forwards and our research shows that luxury is being redefined for a new generation of home buyers wanting added convenience in the kitchen, which is stylish and sustainable. We are therefore keen to convey why our Pronteau range is the steaming hot water tap of choice for future-proof, environmentallyaware design briefs and in support of this paradigm shift, we have also launched a digital Sink & Tap Specification Manual, specially curated for the luxury development market where Pronteau sits alongside our premium range of designer sinks and taps by Abode.”

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Recognised as a must-have kitchen appliance, the hot tap is now reportedly fitted in 40% of new kitchens, which is adding huge value to eco-friendly new builds and home updates with a series of financial rewards for the end user like reduced energy and water consumption.

Pronteau by Abode offers a range of WRAS approved steaming hot water taps, all regulated and approved under the Water Regulatory Advisory Scheme having undergone extensive testing to ensure these taps do not cause waste or undue consumption. What’s more, all components within the Pronteau hot water tap system are also WRAS approved; an essential accreditation that demonstrates Abode’s commitment to designing compliant products for the kitchens of tomorrow.

The Pronteau difference is founded on three core lifestyle elements: a superior style, heightened level of safety and sustainable operation. Extremely on-trend, each 3 IN 1 and 4 IN 1 tap in the collection offers:

STYLE 9 designs: Prothia | Prostream | Prostyle | Professional | Project | Profile | Province | Propure | ProTrad 2 model types: 3 IN 1, Domestic cold, hot & filtered steaming hot water | 4 IN 1, Domestic cold, hot, filtered cold & filtered steaming hot water 2 styles: Contemporary | Traditional 7 finishes: Chrome | Brushed Nickel | Matt Black | Brushed Brass | Urban Copper | Graphite | Antique Brass 2 spout options: Swan [c spout] | Quad [r spout]

SAFETY Why 98°C hot? During development, the company considered every aspect of safety, both for the dispensing of the steaming hot water and the maximum temperature for stored water in the boiler. By dispensing a steaming hot water from 75°C to a maximum 98°C, Pronteau steaming hot water taps are fully compliant with Part G(3) of the UK Building Regulations. Plus, all Pronteau hot taps are insulated which means the water is hotter at the end of the spout but the outside surface remains cool to touch.

Market-leading HotKey® design and technology helps guarantee safety and prevent accidents in the home. The steaming hot water is operated by a magnetic HotKey® which is placed on the front of the tap. This fob can then be hidden out of children’s reach, placed high up on a magnetic surface like an extractor or fridge-freezer, or on the back of the tap for optimum safety. Steaming hot water can only be dispensed when the HotKey is in the operating position at the front of the tap. Hidden inside the tap body, a proximity sensor detects when the HotKey® is nearby, activating the boiler to pump steaming hot water through a separate central channel to the spout and without it, the tap becomes an ordinary 3-way mixer tap.

Paul adds “We believe our hot taps are the safest on the market and exclusive innovations like our HotKey® open up Pronteau to a new set of homeowners living with dexterity problems or arthritis, especially when compared to competitor designs, which offer a less ergonomic mode of operation.”

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S U S TA I N A B L E The hot water temperature is set via the PROBOIL under sink boiler: an intelligent hot water boiler, offering fast and trouble-free delivery of steaming hot filtered water at the touch of a handle. The next generation in intelligent hot water boilers and rigorously field-tested, the PROBOIL Boiler range currently offers a 2-litre stainless steel tank, toolless installation and is an insulated model with low running costs, quick re-boil times and simple intuitive digital controls.

Abode Filter Recycle Scheme, which is 100% unique to Abode gives its customers extra peace of mind by ensuring redundant filters are recycled at the point of the product’s end of life.

The company will send the used filters to its approved recycle partner who responsibly oversees the separation of each component part where the plastic is ground down and ready for reuse along with the internal resin.

Currently, the Abode Filter Recycle Scheme includes both the [1] Pronteau PROBOIL2 / PROBOIL.2X Filter Cartridge PT1206 and [2] Pronteau PROBOIL3 Filter Cartridge PT1024.

Leanne Adamson, Marketing Manager at Abode says, “We are big believers in supporting excellence in kitchen design, which is why we have a dedicated team of Pronteauspecialists, as well as a Pronteau Install Fleet, Technical Support hotlines and customer website www.pronteau.co.uk, so our customers have the support they require, pre and post purchase.

We are so confident in the quality of our products, Pronteau taps carry a comprehensive warranty on material and workmanship, with all products in the collection akin to our premium range, Abode Distinctly.”

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For further information, please contact Pronteau by Abode: t 01226 283 434 | e info@abodedesigns.co.uk | w www.pronteau.co.uk For the latest company updates, please follow Abode on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn #WaterTheWayYouWantIt

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SHOWCASE SKYLIGHTS & ROOF LANTERNS

A BRIGHTER CHOICE THE MULTI-AWARD WINNING

ALUMINIUM LANTERN

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Unique timber pod construction which speeds up installation and the roof is fully ventilated to prevent condensation.

To find an installer near you, email us on info@icotherm.co.uk

w wus w online . b i f otolDESIGN dnetw o r k . cDOOR om Visit A BIFOLD See how a sliding folding door would look w ww.bifoldnetwork.com on your property. Choose the size, number Seepanels, how acolours slidingand folding door would look of handle colour options on generate your property.

Choose size, anumber to a design andthe receive quote of panels, and handlelocal colour options from one colours of our approved, installers. to generate a design and receive a quote from one of our approved, local installers.

Email us to find your local installer: info@bifoldnetwork.com If you would further helplocal please call ourinfo@bifoldnetwork.com friendly staff on 0114 231 3133 Emaillike us to find your installer: If you would like further help please call our friendly staff on 0114 231 3133

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To advertise here please call 01302 278756 or email christina@improve-magazine.co.uk WINDOWS & DOORS

BEAUTIFUL WINDOWS MAKE BEAUTIFUL HOMES Stanier Road, Porte Marsh Industrial Estate, Calne, Wiltshire SN11 9PX T 01249 816 969 • F 01249 815 234 • E deceuninck.ltd@deceuninck.com

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BI-FOLD DOORS

Deceuninck is one of the world’s major PVC-U window and door systems companies and has been established for over 30 years in the UK, with production, distribution and head office in Wiltshire.

BALUSTRADES & BALCONIES

12/08/2020 14:59

TRANS LEVEL FRAMELESS GLASS BALUSTRADE

TL 6020 1.5 kN TOP MOUNT TESTED ACCORDING TO BS6180

Impressive Glazing Solutions to Create a Fresh Contemporary Style

T +44 0161 804 9500 | F +44 0161 804 9505 sales@onlevel-uk.com | www.onlevel.com

devine by design inspiration for your home Completely transform your home and bathe your living space in natural light with our stunning range of aluminium windows & doors. Hehku specialise in the design and installation of bespoke aluminium bi-folds, sliding doors, windows, roof lanterns and sky lights that are meticulously designed to provide that extra special finishing touch to your home. Based in the South East our experienced team will work with you to provide a professional service with the highest standard of customer care. Our range of quality products have been carefully selected to be competitively priced, 100% British made, offer a unique set of safety features, deliver exceptional energy efficiency, offering an industry-leading guarantee of up to 25 years. We are pleased to be able to offer a 3 to 5 week lead in time from survey to ensure your project is finished on time.

www.hehku.co.uk

enquiries@hehku.co.uk 01634 298026

CHESHIRE PLAINS, ENGLAND

Spring 2022

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Start your #myresidence journey today!

AUTHENTIC TIMBER ALTERNATIVE WINDOWS & DOORS

Conservation Areas, Grade II Listed Buildings & Heritage Design The Residence Collection combines modern machining with traditional craftsmanship, specifically designed to aesthetically replicate the documented historical window designs from the 19th Century period.

01452 341 892 | residencecollection.co.uk | journey@residencecollection.co.uk 124

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