Professional Builder May 2023

Total Average Net Distribution 131,640 July 2021 –June 2022

EDITOR

LEE JONES

EMAIL: ljones@hamerville.co.uk

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EDWARD KELLY

EMAIL: ekelly@hamerville.co.uk

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TERRY SMITH

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Professional Builder is a business magazine for firms and individuals involved in all aspects of the building industry. It is available nationally –free to the trade through leading builders’ merchant outlets. © 2023

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a time to skill

There’s a time-honoured tradition in building that’s about as old as a hammer and chisel itself and that’s the handing down of all those hard earned nuggets of information from master to apprentice. With SME firms still training over 70 per cent of the industry’s new entrants it’s a practice that’s being upheld to this day. At the same time, however, what is now characterised as a skills crisis is being ever more keenly felt, and there is no doubt that more can and should be done.

The UK has 29 million homes that need to be lifted to a satisfactory level of energy efficiency. New build targets are increasingly becoming a moveable feast, but many would still argue that 300,000 a year should be the benchmark. Add to that the ambitions for renewables, such as heat pumps, and the picture becomes clear. The business potential that lies behind those numbers is enormous, and it is local tradespeople that will be undertaking a sizeable percentage of these projects, but a larger pool of workers, with a wider range of skills, is also what’s urgently required.

So what’s holding back these much needed new recruits? Stubbornly held stereotypes of what the construction industry is all about, poor careers advice from parents and teachers, and the championing of a university education over vocational occupations are now welldocumented as contributing factors.

A year on year decline on the number of apprenticeship starts has recently been arrested but there is the issue of retention to add to the problem, with far too many budding builders failing to complete their course of training. In addition, we’re still failing to promote the building industry as a viable destination for women and ethnic minorities.

It is equally true that time-poor tradespeople, faced with an overly complicated system, often find it difficult to find an apprentice and access the available grants. Indeed, all too many are not even aware that financial aids actually exist. Nor is there one resource on which potential employers can draw upon – but

that’s not the whole picture.

Trade associations, such as the Federation of Master Builders, and the National Federation of Roofing Contractors are invaluable sources of information, and are confronting the problem head on with some worthy initiatives. The NFRC has developed its own roofing careers service that is full of advice and support for employers, for instance. The FMB is currently working on a General Builder Apprenticeship Standard that will help to provide a multi skilled labour force that’s more attractive to contractors, whilst both organisations are in constant dialogue with their members on how to develop new talent. All the information you need to take on an apprentice is there if you care to look for it.

There is an old refrain that if you want something doing properly you need to do it yourself, and firms can no longer rely on others to progress the skilled tradespeople of the future. More companies need to be doing it themselves. In this issue we profile Ian Hodgkinson, founder of Hodgkinson Builders, and passionate advocate for what the sector can offer young people, as well as the value of a trainee to a business. It is inherently satisfying to pass on the skills and knowledge that you have acquired over a lifetime on the tools to an eager learner, for example, whilst the company will be able to nurture a member of staff who is trained to their requirements.

As with most things in life communication is the key to the solution. Colleges and training providers need to be reaching out to local firms that can accommodate new people on the payroll. Those that develop qualifications and courses must be talking to builders to make sure that their curriculum content is what’s actually need on site. Government should be making sure that support is available and that micro and SME companies in particular are aware that it exists, and all of us need to reiterate at every opportunity that the building industry is the place for the brightest and the best.

NEW BUILD BOOM

The new-build sector is currently fuelling 8% of all housing stock reaching the market across Britain, climbing to as high as 25% in some areas of the nation.

This data comes from Alliance Fund, with CEO Iain Crawford, commenting: “with stability returning and buyers continuing to act, albeit somewhat more tentatively, the outlook for the year ahead is considerably more positive”. This comes at the same time as the company’s Newbuild Buyer Demand Index which has revealed that homebuyer demand for new homes has crept up during the first three months of the year, increasing by 0.8% when compared to the final quarter of 2022. The index is based on the percentage of new-build properties listed for sale that have already gone under offer or sold subject to contract. Overall,

location, location

19.2% of all new homes listed have already been snapped up by eager homebuyers. Regionally, with current demand at 45.2%, Bournemouth tops the table as the most in-demand city for

safety first

An enhanced manual to the Building Regulations is now available

The Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety led by Dame

Judith Hackitt made a number of recommendations to enhance the safety of buildings, including to reinstate an enhanced manual to the Building Regulations. DLUHC has published an updated version, which has been designed to be clear and useful for a range of audiences.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS002

HOT PROPERTY!

Intact Software has conducted a data-driven index to uncover which UK cities, excluding London, rank as the top places to be a tradesperson in. The data points were the demand for the particular trade, jobs available, saturation of the market and an average hourly rate, giving an overall index score. Bristol was reported as the best city to be a Builder overall, scoring highly in job availability.

FOR A BREAKDOWN OF THE INDEX VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS003

FOR THE DATA FROM THE REPORT ITSELF, VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS004

WOMAN’s HOUR

Female plumbers are challenging the stereotypes and forging a career in the plumbing industry

Outdated stereotypes and poor career advice are seen as the main barriers for women considering a career in the plumbing and heating industry, according to a new survey from the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation. Fiona Hodgson, Chief Executive of SNIPEF, spoke on the survey results: “It is unbelievable that in 2023 outdated and sexist stereotypes continue to be made about what women can and cannot do… Thankfully, SNIPEF is finding a small but growing number of women who are challenging these misconceptions and entering the plumbing industry.”

FOR MORE DETAILS VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS005

Homeowners are planning property work this year

Eureka! has taken the pulse of consumers in relation to their home improvement plans this year. The RMI sector can take some reassurance from the fact that two-thirds of households are still planning work to their property that will require paying at least one tradesperson in 2023. Eureka has also uncovered which trades are most likely to be in demand in 2023:

● Plumber/heating engineers (46%)

Painter & decorators (30%)

FOR MORE DETAILS VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS008

COMMITTED to the cause

Construction industry benefits from engaged workforce

According to research from Inpulse, there are record high levels of commitment and engagement for construction workers. The industry has the top Engagement Index Score at 77%. Construction workers also feel 17% more positive about working at their organisation than others and ‘committed’ was the most selected positive emotion for this sector. Over 60,000 employees in the construction sector were surveyed for the index.

FOR MORE DETAILS VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS13

health of the nation

The Make It Visible campaign is shining a light on mental health

More than 150 people from across the construction industry have volunteered to help the Make It Visible initiative –a national drive to stop suicide and improve the welfare and wellbeing of the workforce. This is coordinated by the heads of Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity and Mates In Mind and aims to set a plan of action that can reach the boots on the ground. Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, said: “We have a moral responsibility to improve the welfare of our workforce and it’s great to see that with so many people on board the industry really does want to get behind this.”

FOR MORE DETAILS VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS014

here comes the sun

The energy crisis is helping solar soar

A solar photovoltaics and energy storage solutions manufacturer, GoodWe, is calling on both non-PV installers and existing solar contractors to invest in training, with interest in solar predicted to soar as a result of the Energy Price Guarantee increase. The company is offering free to attend training sessions as part of its GoodWe PLUS+ Installer Programme. The dates for these are the 9th, 11th and 16th May. More information can be found on the rdr link below.

FOR MORE DETAILS VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS15

Jon Davies CEO of ACA (left) with Bill Hill, CEO of Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity (right)

BUILDING LIVES

The bricklaying team at Hodgkinson Builders have found unexpected fame on the small screen. Professional Builder’s Lee Jones talks to the company’s MD – and one of the stars of the show – about their experiences

In March of this year the reality TV show, Brickies made it to BBC Three for a second season, reuniting the original cast with some entertaining new additions. Ian Hodgkinson, the company’s foreman, Jack – together with Ian’s young bricklaying team – proved one of the surprise hits of 2022, even vying for an award alongside Love Island, but for Ian there’s a much more compelling reason for appearing in the show.

“I was approached before the pandemic to be a part of a reality TV show based on a building site, and the ideas and its development went from there,” recalls the eponymous founder of Derby-based Hodgkinson Builders. “All my working life I’ve striven to improve the public’s perception of the sector, so what was most important to me was the image it conveyed

– and I think we’ve got that spot on.”

The Brickies production crew were filming over the summer months at various sites on which the Hodgkinson Builders’ team were working. As a reality TV show the programme is an unscripted account of the banter and bonds between

the builders, as well as the daily pressures on projects and the ambitions of the cast. Its success is intimately linked to just how relatable and likeable its stars really are, as well as their very human aspirations. It’s these that Ian identifies as some of his favourite moments from season one.

“I do believe that watching Tom looking to move on in life and better himself with a forklift qualification is very emotional. Likewise, with Kuda’s mission to buy a house and getting a company van, or Lucas’s development in the trade – you get to see them grow and develop as people, which is very uplifting. It’s about ordinary youngsters building lives for themselves and that’s something that’s resonated with its audience.”

At the same time, everyone involved has been surprised by the show’s success – not least Ian. Not only was a second season very quickly commissioned after the airing of the first but Brickies was also nominated alongside ITV’s prodigiously popular Love Island in the Best Multichannel Programme category of the

Leah and Jeorgia

(LtoR) Connor Mills, Jeorgia Purser, Leah Martin, Charlie Smith, Ian Hodgkinson, Lucas Robinson, Elliott Brailey, Jack Smith, Mervyn Purser.

Broadcast Awards. “We are at heart just very humble Derbyshire folk and it’s been an incredible journey for us,” Ian enthuses. “To be at the awards ceremony was an unbelievable experience.”

Whilst only two per cent of bricklayers are female, the Brickies cast included a pair of fledgling tradeswomen in Jeorgia and Molly, and their success is proof that barriers to entry based on gender can be broken down. “Both those girls work for me, and they’re judged on nothing other than how they perform on site. They’re employed because they’re good at their job. A building site run by a responsible contractor is safe, there’s welfare provision, and the level of mechanisation reduces a lot of the manual handling. If you’re prepared to work hard, then they’re welcoming places for just about anyone.”

Career progression

Through his passionate advocacy of all things building Ian has already developed a significant presence on social media. The Bricklayers Online Facebook group has nearly 50,000 followers, for example, with significant numbers on Twitter and Instagram. “I’ve not set out to be an influencer at all,” he reveals, “but what I do want to do is showcase the opportunities that exist for young people in the building industry, and that’s what Brickies is all about. We want to erase the negative perceptions that teachers and parents often have of the trades and promote it as a rewarding career path

with great earning potential.”

“From the mid ‘90s a culture started to develop where you were perceived as a failure if you weren’t university educated. That’s simply not the case. I’ve got bricklayers in my employ who’ve gone through an apprenticeship and are now earning £1,000 – £1,500 a week. They’re travelling around the country and a few of them have even built their own houses. You can start your own company, as I have, or go into project management –there’s any number of roads that will open up to you.”

In an industry which is failing to bring through the next generation – and experiencing a well-documented skills crisis as a consequence – Ian’s company is a shining light. Indeed, he estimates that more than 20 per cent of his current

staff have come through the business via apprenticeships. A brickie by trade, Ian’s company has been trading for more than 40 years, and his own story is a testament to the solid platform that a trade skill can provide towards future prosperity.

So, what advice does he have for those who might be looking to take on an apprentice? “It’s something that you need to be serious about, and work hard at, but there’s always lots of support on our Facebook groups. Talk to colleges and other learning providers, and recognise that taking on young people is an investment in your business. Do it right and you’ll get a loyal member of staff, who is trained in exactly the way you want, and will stay with you in the long-term.”

“There’s still so much ignorance about life on site,” concludes Ian. “What I’ve always tried to do is educate people about the modern realities of the building industry and, hopefully, Brickies will play its part in changing some mindsets. The trade has been good to me, and given me a decent living, but the most rewarding part of my career has been the kids we’ve trained and given the tools for life.”

IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HODGKINSON BUILDERS VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS021

TO VISIT THE BRICKLAYERS ONLINE FACEBOOK GROUP VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS022

FOR MORE ON BBC THREE’S BRICKIES VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS023

“The trade has been good to me, and given me a decent living, but the most rewarding part of my career has been the kids we’ve trained and given the tools for life.”

Lucas and Charlie

Jack the Foreman looking serious... Lucas the apprentice checking his work

A CLASS ACT

I’ve had many different jobs throughout my life but I’ve always had a passion for teaching. From my day job as a bricklayer, to working in a gym, to training people in taekwondo and even teaching Royal Welsh army cadets, I’ve always been good at sharing information. However, it wasn’t until my partner at the time spotted my talent for teaching that I first moved into assessing bricklaying. After 10 years as an assessor, I then transitioned into Further Education teaching.

I was inspired to enter teaching because of the lack of learners entering the construction field. There still seems to be a negative stigma of toxic masculinity attached to the industry, which I want to play an active role in changing. I was also inspired by another bricklaying teacher who I really admired, whose ways of teaching made me consider becoming a teacher myself and utilising the power of my existing skillset from working in construction.

As a Further Education teacher, I’ve found life skills picked up from previous occupations are transferable, and I can relate and articulate them into teaching methods to educate and inspire the next generation. Coming from a trade also

means I wear both industry sector and teaching hats which aid each other to get the best results.

The most rewarding part of being a Further Education teacher is watching the change in the learners. They’re generally nervous and sheepish on their first day, and over time as they build confidence they start to open up. A highlight of teaching is seeing learners produce practical work that is constantly developing and improving over the course of their studies. Once learners have completed their qualifications, seeing the progression is really powerful.

Becoming a Further Education teacher is relatively easy, all I had to do was complete an application form, do a fullday interview and a micro-teaching test. It was a very straightforward yet comprehensive process. You don’t need

an academic degree or prior teaching qualifications to get started; you can do teacher training on the job which means you can get started straight away.

Flexible working

There are plenty of opportunities to teach part-time, meaning that you can keep working in your current industry alongside teaching Further Education. I also do a lot of self-study and reading, and I’m currently doing extended learning with various online courses to further develop my teaching qualifications and improve the experience for future learners. Whilst teaching is my main career, I currently have the flexibility to teach Royal Marine cadets which also aids in my Further Education teaching.

I’d say that flair and flexibility are the most important qualities in Further

Bricklayer, John Ryan tells Professional Builder what he’s learned from inspiring the next generation through Further Education

Education teachers, as well as understanding the learners and being able to get on their level. When teaching I use cultural references they are aware of such as the latest music trends, fashions and news. Developing this connection, combined with the teacher training rigour, helps give a framework for teaching with the realness of keeping the learners interested by real life experience.

Digital learning

During the pandemic, I found it difficult to

felt that it was equally important to demonstrate the practical side. To enhance the experience for those in my class, I bought a Go-Pro camera and used Microsoft Teams to demonstrate bricklaying from my garage. I filmed empty construction sites to show learners how these sites are set up, narrating the different aspects of being on site to give a better feel for it. I also produced a number of home-made videos exploring old and new construction, developing the learners’ potential to understand

For anyone considering a career in teaching, my advice is to go for it and see where it takes you. It’s a great journey to start on, and you continually build and adapt to changes along with learning new skills yourself. Being a Further Education teacher is a complete cultural change from your norm; it’s a commitment to learning and the development of learners, as well as yourself. It’s a highly rewarding and positive experience for yourself and the learners. I recommend visiting the Teach in Further Education website if others want to explore teaching opportunities as you never know where the experience might lead you.

VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS024 TO FIND OUT HOW TO BEGIN TEACHING IN FURTHER EDUCATION. YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT THE TEACH IN FURTHER EDUCATION SUPPORT SERVICE FOR PERSONALISED ADVICE ON HOW YOUR SKILLS COULD LEAD TO

ALL SYSTEMS

It’s becoming increasingly important to prove that products are compliant, and when it comes to the combination of products used on site that can be a bit of a nightmare. Changes to the way building products are specified and installed are being driven by legislative and cultural updates. The good news is that this places pressure more on the manufacturers to ensure the products they’re providing are safe and meet performance standards. The trick for contractors is understanding the impact of changes on their day-to-day.

One of the trickiest areas is the collective performance of products when used together. Manufacturers, including Knauf, provide test certificates for systems – making it easier for contractors to select a solution that’s ready ‘right out of the box’.

Initially this can be uncomfortable as it can involve a change to familiar products and ways of working. The solution from manufacturers is to provide warranties that not only cover the individual products but also guarantee the whole system performance when installed as per the manufacturer’s requirements.

Putting it into practice

Building a partition wall would be a fairly ‘bread and butter’ job for many contractors and barring any specific performance requirements, would see contractors use a familiar approach. Go into a merchant, pick up the boards they’ve always used alongside the usual timber, fixings, and jointing compound.

Individually, they’re likely to meet performance requirements but when combined do they achieve the same performance rating? Especially on larger domestic and commercial projects, good enough is no longer enough. Compliance,

testing, and warranties are all being required at tender stage.

This is where systems offer the perfect combination of familiarity and performance.

Peak performance and protection Fire protection is an area where greater scrutiny is rightly placed upon the products in use. Understanding effective strategies for fire protection comes with specialist knowledge, however specific systems are available which help contractors be confident that they will achieve the performance levels required.

Taking partitions as the common example, individual products, such as metal partitions or boards, will have their own fire classifications. However, it’s the full system of products together that determines the partitions fire performance. Using just one manufacturer’s board is often not enough to gain certification.

Full manufacturer systems are made up of products designed to complement each other and are selected to perform together as a single entity. Such systems are tested as a whole unit so contractors using them can be sure their performance

Paul Midgley, Market Manager – Trade, at Knauf, explores how using systems can benefit contractors on paper and on site.

matches what’s required. This streamlines the potentially challenging task of meeting regulation standards, and it does it in a way that’s familiar for contractors.

However, proving compliance is only one part of the puzzle. The added benefit not only for contractors, but their clients as well, is the security which comes from using systems. Performance warranties are commonly tied to manufacturer systems and Knauf is no different.

Warranties such as the Knauf System Performance Warranty provide peace of mind that the products, when installed correctly, will perform consistently for the lifetime of the system. It also allows contractors to benefit from manufacturer technical support and the system is guaranteed in the unlikely event of unsatisfactory performance.

This extra level of protection is becoming more commonplace in project tenders. Building owners and customers are increasingly seeking out reassurances the products specified will perform as intended and will be covered if otherwise. We would advise, regardless of which products used, contractors ensure they’re covered by a full warranty.

The changes to the Building Safety Act also solidifies the need to prove that solutions are tested to the appropriate standards with documentation readily available. It can be an increasingly complicated space, so using proven systems supported by the manufacturer is an attractive way to meet the requirements of the Act.

The final piece of the puzzle, which goes with warranties, is training. Via the Building Safety Act, there is a mandate to demonstrate competency with the products and systems being installed, encouraging contractors to rely on manufacturers to provide proper training and support in newer systems.

Knauf along with many manufacturers, offers training and support covering for contractors. It covers the common issues encountered in specific situations and provides the knowledge on which systems are best suited to deliver the performance needed.

From faster installation on site to peace of mind postinstallation, system solutions are rapidly becoming the go-to for contractors needing to meet stricter demands from projects.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON KNAUF HIGH PERFORMANCE PARTITION SYSTEMS, VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS025

BUILDER’S BUILDER’S Professional Professional

We give our verdict on new products in our unique site tests, but now we want to give you the chance to try them – AND KEEP THEM – for yourself! All you have to do to enter the free draws is simply just type in www.rdr.link followed by the unique code.

FREEFOR ALL!

10 ESTIMATES

BUILD AVIATOR ESTIMATING REPORTS

Most builders spend 40 hour s per month on estimates on top of being on site. Give yourself a break with a free estimating report from Build Aviator to the value of £250 ex VAT. The full report includes product summaries, BOQ, a schedule of works and pricing sheets tailored to your project and rates, based on live material prices, and all prepared by an experienced, ex-trade estimator.

This month’s ‘Free-for-All’ is a pathway to more free time courtesy of Build Aviator.

FOR

1 TOOL BELT

REGATTA PROFESSIONAL COMPLETE TOOL BELT

The Complete Tool Belt from Regatta Professional is the perfect accessory for tradies. Featuring an adjustable belt, it’s packed with features and comes with multiple pockets. The durable rubber grab handle creates a perfectly portable piece.

Tool up with Regatta and this handy belt. Use the rdr.link below for entry details and to view full terms & conditions

BUNDLES

(INCLUDING ECOSEAL SLEEVE, DOWSIL 785+ FOIL, PAINTERS MATE FOIL, TRAVEL MUG AND BEANIE)

Geocel launched the eocSEAL system in a bid to provide the trade with a more sustainable sealant and adhesive alternative to cartridges. The ecoSEAL sleeve can be used an average of 75 times and recycled at the end of its usable lifespan. Once empty, the foils are eight times smaller than traditional cartridges, meaning less waste is sent to landfill, reducing disposal costs on larger projects. Trade favourites Geocel Painters Mate, Geocel THE WORKS PRO and DOWSIL 785+, 799 and 796 are all currently available in foils. Get stuck into this bundle from the sealant and adhesive experts at Geocel.

FOR

1 PAIR OF SAFETY BOOTS

UVEX UVEX 3

The uvex 3 has been specially developed for extreme heavy-duty work environments.

The sole features antifatigue, sports-inspired energy return technology to reduce strain on feet, legs and back. The jagged deep tread pattern disperses water and dirt to grip well on uneven, wet and slippery terrain. It also features impact protection for the ankles, climate management and waterstop technology to keep feet dry.

www.rdr.link/BAS030

Easy to Enter! It’s now easier than ever before to enter the competitions on our website. We’ve collected all the competitions on one handy page, meaning you only have to enter your details once!

The British weather permitting, the exterior painting season is now upon us, and Armstead is on hand with its range of masonry solutions. There’s a choice of both water- and solvent based, with Armstead Trade Smooth Masonry in the former category and the Pliolite Based Masonry product in the latter, but which paint should you be specifying and where does the Armstead Trade brand stand out?

Tony Pearson-Young provides us with the benefit of his considerable experience behind a brush and roller: “As with any water-based paint Smooth Masonry benefits from being easier to apply, quicker to dry and recoat, as well as being easier to clean out. The weather is clearly the greatest determiner of when you can and can’t paint outside, but contracts and customers may well demand that you undertake exterior works in some of our more inclement seasons, and this is where Pliolite Based Masonry comes into its own. Whilst you should avoid using water-based in temperatures below 10°C, and never paint with them below 5°C – simply because the paint won’t dry – solvent-based formulations dry through a chemical reaction, which means that they can be applied even when it’s below freezing.”

Whichever product you specify for your decorating project, as always, the road to success lies in the surface

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

preparation. “If you want the paint to properly adhere to the wall, provide a professional finish, and last for the duration, you must remove any dirt, contaminants and loose material by cleaning the entire area to painted,” explains Tony. “Any mould or algae growth, which can be more of an issue on

north facing elevations – or previously painted surfaces and where trees and bushes are in evidence – has to be removed with a fungicidal wash, whilst subsequent jet washing will provide the most thorough clean. Masonry paints do contain a fungicide that will help to prevent mould growth but will not kill

Tony Pearson-Young, Skills Development Consultant at the Dulux Academy, provides his expert insight into the Armstead Masonry range and successful exterior painting

“There’s a choice of both water- and solvent-based with Armstead Trade Smooth Masonry in the former category and the Pliolite Based Masonry product in the latter, but which paint should you be specifying?”

what’s already in place. Leave it there and the paint will peel.”

If the surface is unsound then a stabilising primer should be applied. Similarly, existing painted surfaces will ultimately start to break down, usually as a result of degradation from UV light. A simple test for this is to rub your hand against the wall. If any of the colour comes off then the application of a stabilising primer will again be required. Once that’s thoroughly dried it’s time to paint.

Application

Two coats would be standard unless the client has specified a strong colour change, especially going from dark to light, in which case a third coat maybe required. On very absorbent surfaces the wall will need to be sealed with a thinned coat of Armstead Trade Smooth Masonry made of up of 1 part clean water to 5 parts paint. As with any water-based paint the drying time of Armstead Trade Smooth Masonry is heavily dependent on climatic conditions, whilst the condition of the surface should also be taken into account. Painting on a flat exterior will inevitably result in a quicker drying time than a pebble-dashed render, for instance, and it is for this reason that Armstead recommends a recoat time of between 2-4 hours with a touch finish in 1-2 hours.

“Compared to working indoors, anyone who’s ever painted the outside of a property will tell you it’s much harder work, especially over something like

roughcast render or pebble dash,” continues Tony. “With these heavily textured surfaces the paint needs to be thoroughly worked into it, which means more elbow grease – and more product will be used. As a result, levels of coverage can vary widely depending on the substrate, with a guideline of between 6-12metres/litre. Provided all of the above is adhered, however, both the solventand water-based Armstead products are BBA accredited for up to 15 years.”

“Masonry paint is a thicker consistency,” Tony adds, “and you need to make sure that the paint is getting into the surface. That requires a long pile roller, the downside of which is that there could be more roller spatter. All it takes is a bit of breeze and it will carry onto an adjacent properties or cars. If you want to look like a considerate contractor, and potentially win more work in the local area, always ask the client and their neighbours if you can cover anything that could be in the firing line.”

For the homeowner colour is, of course,

king, especially when you’re making a statement to the world with the outside of your property. White and magnolia are still the most popular choices, but there is an Armstead water-based choice of more than 180 tinted colours.

In his demonstration Tony goes through some of the basic techniques of masonry painting, including stirring the tin contents thoroughly and decanting into a scuttle. As with any water-based paint rollers and brushes will be at their most effective when fully loaded, and need to be damped – without over wetting – first as a consequence.

Armstead Smooth Masonry products account for two thirds of Armstead Masonry sales. With the choice of either water- or solvent-based, the extensive range of colours, and its levels of durability, Armstead represents a solid solution for the trades.

A STEP AHEAD

Mark Robson, Product Manager at WernerCo, shares the manufacturer’s top tips on approaching different decorating tasks, and the best equipment which can be used to carry them out successfully.

As a painter and decorator, you never know what the next job may entail, so it is essential to have all bases covered when it comes to tools and equipment. Keeping your van stocked with everything you need will ensure you can complete any decorating job as safely and efficiently as possible, no matter the task.

FOR VERSATILITY: MULTI-PURPOSE LADDERS

Ladders are traditionally used by painters and decorators for a variety of different applications. Multipurpose ladders are a versatile choice for professionals, which provide efficiency and variety of use for a wide range of tasks, such as painting the exterior of a property, stairs, or any other part of the property which requires access to reach.

FOR EXTRA WORKING SPACE AT HEIGHT: PLATFORM STEPLADDERS

Often, painters and decorators are required to carry out jobs from height which require a wider working space. When the Work at Height Regulations 2005 prohibits overstretching or standing above a ladder’s recommended working height, choosing the correct product for the job is essential for carrying out work safely.

When it comes to painting wide surface areas at height, Stepladders with platforms offer a durable solution which feature a large platform to stand on, providing more comfort and stability for the user and helping to eliminate the risk of falling due to overstretching.

Werner’s range of platform stepladders offer users a wide platform which allows for free movement and increased reach when working at height, and also offer handrails for additional stability, which in turn, helps users to reduce the risk of accidents.

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS032

Offering multiple products in one, multipurpose ladders provide a costeffective solution when it comes to purchasing equipment, as well as allowing users to save valuable space in the back of a van, and time loading and unloading equipment.

Werner’s LEANSAFE X3 allows users to change seamlessly from a step to a leaning ladder in one easy adjustment, enabling the ladder to be used securely against walls and flat surfaces, external and internal corners, poles and wall studs, as well as having the ability to perform as a standard stepladder or extension ladder; allowing users to use one single piece of equipment for a variety of different applications.

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS033

FOR LOW LEVEL ACCESS: WORK PLATFORMS

Painters and decorators usually work to tight timescales and are required to move around a working space regularly. With this in mind, time spent moving equipment should always be taken into consideration, and professionals should ensure they invest in products which are lightweight, easy to set up and dismantle, and easy to transport – all the while, providing the right access for the job at hand.

Despite the height that ladders offer, there are other products available on the market which might be better suited to individual jobs. Work platforms are a great piece of equipment which meet the requirements needed to carry out jobs at low-level height, such as painting indoor walls. With height adjustability and a wide working space, work platforms can also be used for painting stairs, thanks to their ability to flatten their legs.

Werner’s Adjustable & Linking PRO Platform offers users both the height adjustment of a traditional platform height of up to 0.76m, but also combines the option of linking multiple

platforms together; meaning users can double, triple, or even quadruple the working surface, allowing them plenty of room to manoeuvre, as well as save time due to not having to step on and off the platform to move it around the working space.

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS034

FOR ADDITIONAL CONVENIENCE: HANDY ACCESSORIES

Painting and decorating involves working at height with your hands full, which can often be time consuming and dangerous. Users run the increased risk of accidents due to imbalance, as well as having to spend unnecessary time and labour making trips up and down a ladder.

Professionals should always make use of handy ladder accessories, which have been designed to provide convenience on the job. Werner offers a range of

Lock-In accessories which include paint cups, paint cup liners, job buckets, job caddies and utility buckets. This helps users to increase their productivity by having the tools needed to hand, saving unnecessary trips up and down the ladder, enabling them to carry out the

When it comes to approaching tasks while on a job, it is vital that rather than taking a ‘one size fits all’ approach,

professionals instead give careful consideration to the needs of the task at hand, and which pieces of equipment will provide them with the best means in which to carry out the task safely. In giving this consideration, professionals can not only work as efficiently as possible, but also take proactive steps in maintaining best practice and in turn, help to reduce the risk of injury.

‘SANDS’ LIKE A winner!

QWhat tool and abrasive trends are you seeing in the P&D sector?

Chris Proffit (CP) The tooling market is constantly evolving, but there is one constant trend we are seeing and that is businesses are investing in cordless tools. In addition, we are also seeing businesses looking to protect their workforce from dust particles by investing in extraction systems. From an abrasive side of things, we are seeing businesses invest in quality abrasives that provide them with consistent performance and a longer lifespan.

QCP will be a focus on new applications and

preparation methods, such as spray applications. We are also seeing businesses making a concerted investment in premium products, whether that be tools or abrasives, that have a long-life span and help them provide a superior finish on the surfaces being worked.

QCan you tell us about some of the latest products Mirka has introduced for painters and decorators?

CP Mirka’s product portfolio offers users a diverse range of products and abrasives and below is a selection that painters and decorators use on a regular basis.

DEOS 75x100mm – A low-profile design ensures the user can get closer to the surface, while being able to easily access hard to reach areas.

The tool is suitable for use across multiple applications, including stripping old paint and lacquer, and it is the only electric orbital sander on the market that has been optimised for net abrasives by incorporating more than 45 holes in the pad.

stainless-steel skimming blades have been designed for use across multiple surfaces including spray plastered or rolled plastered  walls and come in a variety of sizes from 15cm to 100cm. They have a lightweight focused design that reduces wrist strain and enables comfortable all-day usage.

Edge Protector – The Edge Protector attaches to the DEROS 650 (150mm) to prolong the lifetime of the backing pad, as it helps prevent damage to the periphery of the pad. The protector also safeguards adjacent surfaces as it avoids scuffing or damaging when sanding into corner and edges.

Mini File – This small tool helps remove runs or dirt nibs from surfaces. The file is two-sided, held in place via a magnet with one side coarse cut and the other is fine cut.

Chris Proffit, Business

Sector

Manager – Construction & Decoration, Mirka UK provides his insights into what’s new in the painting & decorating sector

QWhat are the benefits of dust-free sanding?

CP A dust-free environment ensures control of the sanding process and allows for multiple work phases to  be undertaken in the same room, delivering efficiency both for the business and in terms of tool usage. The lack of dust also reduces the risk of ‘dust pills’ and clogging as the dust can no longer collect in lumps on the sanding discs to the same extent. There is also no longer a danger that sanded dust will build up and create grooves on the sanding surface and fill up the disc and reduce its sanding capacity. This means that an abrasive such as Mirka Abranet maintains its aggressive properties over the entire surface much longer than traditional paper materials that have long wilted and faded, making sanding more even and efficient.

QTell us about the DEOS Delta?

What are some of the features decorators will find useful?

CP The DEOS Delta has an iron shape that allows the user to access hard to reach areas  easily and efficiently, while reducing the stress on arms and hands. Its low-profile design enables the user to get closer to the surface at any angle,

the user’s muscles, leading to a reduction in the risk of arm fatigue and potential injury. To complement the lightweight design, the Delta incorporates a powerful brushless motor and 3mm orbit for more effective removal of stock, while keeping vibrations at a low level.

QWhat are some of the advantages of the Mirka LEROS products?

CP The Mirka LEROS’ flexible and practical design offers advantages, such as ergonomic working positions, so there is less strain on the operator’s body and back. At less than 3.5kg, the operator can

random orbital movement enables it to respond precisely to the operator’s movements, so the overall sanding process is made easier.

The LEROS-S combines the benefits of the LEROS in a more compact design that enables it to reach enclosed spaces that other tools cannot access. It is also dual voltage, which means it works on sites as well as in homes. This enables the user to focus on the job at hand rather than having to worry about where to plug the tool in.

QWhat aftersales and technical support do you offer painters and decorators?

CP The tools have a two-year warranty as standard but if they are registered within 30 days of purchase on the Mirka UK website an additional year is added. Our experienced technical team is in constant communication with customers to understand their needs and requirements as well as offering the relevant technical support the customer might require.

In addition, as part of our full-service offering, we offer training programmes, which can be customised based on the business’ needs and requirements to maximise the efficiencies of the products and abrasives it uses. This usually results in subtle cost savings that add up over time, while also increasing productivity.

A ROARING TRADE

Following its own extensive research, Hamilton discovered that a large sector of multiskilled trades were looking for a range of high-quality decorating tools to be more readily available to them. Although previously devoted to the professional, full-time painter & decorator, that insight led to the brand’s decision to launch a range of decorating tools specifically developed for the multi-skilled trades. That was back in September 2021, and the manufacturer reports that the move has been a positive one.

Why a new range?

“We’re certainly not stepping outside of our heartland of professionals”, says Brand Manager Sarah Coussens, “we are instead embracing those multi-skilled trades and welcoming them into the fold”.

Hamilton will always be dedicated to the professional painter and decorator –the core for the company’s product development since 1746. With many more professional users now offering skilled decorating services it is right that this well-known brand offers a simple, comprehensive and quality range of products tailored to these needs.

“The multi-skilled trades also need access to products that offer innovation, quality and confidence – we’re generating even more decorating champions”, Sarah continues.

A range to meet specific needs

With the majority of such trade users purchasing from their local builder’s merchant or trade counter, the development of the Hamilton For the Trade range fulfils this need for increased availability.

“Speed and efficiency are proving to be key drivers for trade users, where a smaller selection of tools to cover a wider variety of applications and paint types is vital”, says Sarah. Hamilton knows that a more specialist selection of tools for specific applications is certainly more inline with the needs of the professional painter and decorator. Whereas ease of selection and keeping a handy set of multi-purpose tools is essential for a tradesperson who is multi-skilled, and not just decorating 100% of their time. This led to the development of the ‘For the Trade’ range.

Speedy!

“A key point from our research” continues Sarah, “was that speed is very key for

Hamilton’s For The Trade range is grabbing the attention of a wider audience

multi-skilled trades people. As they undertake a variety of jobs, getting a great finish fast is crucial. Our For the Trade brushes and sleeves have proven to be streets ahead in the speed stakes too!”

Tested against competitor products for speed of application, and the resulting coverage, the For the Trade 2” flat brush completed a panel door 25% faster than a leading competitor, with a more even coverage and no tramlines. This totals a time saving of approx. 30 minutes in the average house.

The 9” medium pile sleeve completed a similarly sized area just over 30% faster than a leading competitor. Sarah continues: “Not only was it faster, it took less dips in the paint kettle. This means that you’re using less paint, getting better coverage, and finishing the job quicker.”

A comprehensive range

The For The Trade range is available now at merchants nationwide. The range is simple, providing easy choice, and includes brushes, sleeves, frames, roller sets, tools and accessories.

10x 5 Piece 9” Roller Sets must be won!

This 5 Piece For the Trade 9” Roller Set contains high specification poly blend medium pile roller sleeves for good paint pick-up and a smooth finish on smooth and semi-smooth surfaces. The fabric is heat-fused to the core to prevent any unwinding. The frame has a 5 wire cage for roller security. The set is suitable for use with emulsion, and solvent-based and water-based eggshell paints. Use a medium pile sleeve for surfaces such as woodchip or lightly patterned, or a previously painted wall.

For your chance to win simply use the rdr link below and go to the entry details on the Professional Builder website: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS038

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!

SMART THINKING

It’s not just about colour anymore. Although the wealth of shades available to consumers is vast. And it’s not just about gloss or matt finish, although the standard of those finishes continues to improve, providing longer lasting, more professional-looking surfaces.

What’s really exciting, for anyone working in the paint and finishes industry, is the way in which advanced technology is continuing to push paint further into the future – and in turn, that’s driving development in the supporting accessories and tools.

As well as colour and texture, paints are now offering cooling, gripping, and protecting qualities that were never included in the past. Magnetic paint, self-cleaning paint, chalkboard paint –even Smart paint, which has the ability to turn your wall into a touchscreen –talk about futuristic.

It’s not just about being clever, of course. The research and development

market, as they do all genuinely have the future in mind.

Take self-cleaning paint. At first, this sounds like a simple, nice idea, something to save us all time on cleaning and maintenance. But this clever development in paint has massive repercussions and is great news for a more sustainable approach to painting. Self-cleaning paint uses nanotechnology – tiny particles of titanium dioxide add new properties to the paint and these actively react to light and water, reducing friction on the surface so that dirt cannot get a purchase, it simply slides off. This paint has much longer staying power. This is great news for the environment, and a fantastic development for the whole sector.

FrogTape

We are delighted to be responding to this kind of development – as the leading producer of masking and decorating tape, we need to make sure our products complement these future-looking paints and finishes.

Enter our new FrogTape High Bond Exterior Painter’s Tape. An exterior masking tape that can work with more modern, technically advanced selfcleaning paint. Our research team in the

US has created this tape for use on a range of painted surfaces such as wood, metal, vinyl, aluminium, brick, stucco and concrete, and engineered it to consistently adhere to self-cleaning paint technology. The fact that the new selfcleaning paint can shed dirt upon contact with water, does make adhesion difficult for masking tapes. So we needed to rethink the status quo.

With very high adhesion and a crepe paper backing, our new tape is ideal for smooth and rough surfaces and can hold poly paper in place for spray painting. It is easy to mask around exterior surfaces, such as doorways and windows, and offers 3-day clean removal without shredding or residue.

Creating cleverer products is a business choice – consumers are looking for convenience and sustainability wherever they can. Global packaging companies admit to using paper where possible, plastic where useful – and paint companies are all racing towards the minimum amount of emissions possible. Producing long lasting paints – ones that even work outdoors – that retain their colour, clean themselves, thereby only needing to repaint less frequently, is a great step. Other exciting developments include self-healing paint (it wraps and mends the wall!) and solar paint, which can infuse light particles, absorbing sunlight to provide power.

As surfaces and paint products improve, all of our building products need to evolve and adapt to work alongside them. It’s a challenge we are delighted to meet!

Paint is getting clever, according to Shurtape’s Jason Burns

painting & decorating

NEW WEBSITE

Offering the trade what is described as a more engaging and userfriendly experience, Valspar Trade has launched its new website. Visitors will be able to browse the brand’s new and improved product range, read product reviews, sign up to the Perfect Match community, enter competitions and much more.

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS040

PASTEL PAINTS

Vibrant teal and dreamy pastels are some of the most exciting new shades to consider when it comes to decorating projects this spring. Colourtrend has unveiled five new shades in its latest Colour Edit Volume 3. The palette combines a mixture of

MATT EMULSION

Dulux Trade Supermatt has been upgraded to include Airsure technology. The 99.9% VOC Free product is suitable for all interior walls and surfaces –including partially dry plaster. The manufacturer is also promising exceptional coverage and opacity, as well as a superior flow, which provides a smooth, clean finish.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS041

WALLPAPER

From delicate blossoms to macro-scale flowers, stylized textures or bouquets that look like watercolor paintings, SpaghettiWall wallpapers tell the story of nature on the wall. The Botanic collection offers a selection of graphics that can be colour and size customised. The wallpapers are supplied in

FULL PROTECTION

The Barrettine range of wood protection solutions combine sustainability with performance

Achieving sustainable construction is a continuing focus of both the trade industry and the main suppliers into the market, with many of the larger trade merchant groups now increasing recycled packaging requirements and encouraging supply of innovative new products with safety improvements. Barrettine continues to improve and update its range, working with trusted partners to source and evaluate the benefit of alternatives to

current base materials. The company has embraced these new demands and solutions whilst upholding a proud long-term record of supplying five star rated trade products into the market and continuing to raise standards for the construction industry.

The range of wood protection products offers trade performance and accreditations coupled with low odour formulas for conscientious application, making them accessible to not only the specifier for large projects, but also the

WOOD PRESERVER is a regularly reviewed 5 Star performing product which resists weathering and water damage, whilst also protecting against wet rot and wood-boring insects attacking the wood. Its microporous formulation allows water vapour to pass through, allowing the wood to breathe but repelling rain. It is available in a range of popular colours that enhances, nourishes and protects the wooden surface to provide long term protection.

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS044

is the cost-effective top coating for pressure treated and pre-preserved timbers, providing excellent protection against the elements. The product is suitable for sheds, fences, trellis, gazebos and any other outdoor wooden surfaces which need protection from the extremes of the great British weather. Like the Wood Preserver it is microporous, an essential feature to allow moisture to escape from any garden building, and comes in many popular colours. The product is easy to apply and soaks into the wood to offer long term resistance to water ingress.

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS045

UNIVERSAL PRESERVER (Primer) complements the range, offering the deep penetrative protection of the Wood Preserver as a protective base coat but with a wide compatibility of top-coats. It supports both oil and water-based coatings, including paints, varnishes and stains. This provides the essential wood protection against decay and woodworm, whilst supporting the vast variety of choices for customers’ top-coats.

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS046

jobbing builder. The natural base oils offer long-term trade protection by soaking into the wood, where they grip the wood grain rather than coating the surface, protecting from deep within.

Decking Oil is independently audited and accredited to the DeckMark quality assurance scheme, offering the ultimate protection for wooden decking and exterior stairwells. Available in clear and a range of popular colours, it saturates the wood grain to offer a durable barrier against weathering and repel rainfall, whilst of course remaining microporous. With additional UV protection and fade resistant colour pigments, it is ideal as an all-in-one solution to protect decking, but the optional Anti-

Slip Top Coat can take this one step further. Barrettine Anti-Slip technology provides enhanced safety where the surface risks becoming slippery due to shade, or orientation of the decking within the garden, increasing grip on any outdoor wooden surface, from decking, to stairs, to hand rails. It is rated as Low Slip Risk according to BS 7976-2 and is the perfect choice when greater garden safety is needed.

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS047

UV Protection Oil is the latest high-performance addition to the specialist range of ArmourFlex coatings from Barrettine, offering an efficient new solution to protect exterior wooden facades and vertical surfaces. The product carries the CladMark+ performance rated accreditation and has been formulated with a careful balance of UV absorbers and antioxidants, designed to capture the damaging UV rays from the sun and dissipate them safely away as heat. In turn, this averts greying of the timber and hinders swelling, shrinkage, splitting, and warping of wooden surfaces. With performance-tested resins the product also resists water and dirt, thereby reducing potential discolouration from fungal attack. The product is aimed at extending the service life of exterior wooden facades and surfaces and reducing ongoing maintenance costs, thereby protecting the customer’s investment in the long term.

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS048

As experts in trade performance with natural oil-based products, Barrettine is constantly reviewing and improving its range, keeping one step ahead of the regulations to ensure that users are receiving the most suitable technology available on the market. Recent innovations have included upgrading the range of formulations to deliver the same trade performance in a low odour format, to reduce their environmental impact. This improves ease of use whilst maintaining the high-quality performance expected.

Barrettine are an independent Bristol-based, UK manufacturer with over 140 years history, specialising in high-quality protective wood coatings for Professionals. With direct relationships with

global chemical suppliers, the manufacturer selects the best raw materials for their products to achieve the first-class durability expected from Trade-performance products. Through diligent product development, this allows them to answer modern construction challenges with innovative new solutions.

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE BARRETTINE RANGE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS049

FULL CIRCULAR

1st

CIRCULAR SAWS FOR CARPENTRY

In the first in our series of buyer’s guides for power tools, Makita offers some advice on the features to look for when choosing a new circular saw to add to your kit.

Any professional tradesperson will know the value of having a highquality circular saw in the back of the van for carpentry and woodworking tasks. However, with so many options available it is not always clear which one is the right one.

Cordless and brushless

For circular saws, cordless is often the best option as it allows a greater degree of flexibility and improved safety by removing the need to route and manage power cables. With the latest generation of tool and battery technologies, there are now options that match even powerful corded versions in terms of performance. For example, the Makita XGT 40VMax battery platform, which includes more than 100 products, has been designed to deliver the power and run-times

professionals require for even the most demanding tasks.

Furthermore, it is worth investing in a circular saw that includes brushless motor technology, such as the HS011G XGT 40VMax 270mm Circular Saw. Motors with brushes rely on contact between carbon brushes and a rotary electrical switch on the rotor to drive the tool. While this is effective, the contact causes friction that generates heat and wastes energy. In contrast, brushless motors instead use contact-free electromagnetism to rotate the rotor shaft, which in turn drives the tool.

Eliminating this wasted energy means a brushless motor can produce more torque, allowing the same results to be achieved with less power used. In fact, choosing a tool with a brushless motor can extend run times by up to 50% per battery charge for greater productivity and fewer recharges throughout a job.

Safety features

To create a safer and healthier working environment it is important to utilise dust extraction. However, it can be considered time-consuming and it may be tempting to disregard it, especially when time is tight or for those ‘quick jobs’. Therefore, selecting a circular saw that makes dust extraction as simple as possible will be a good investment. As an example, the Makita Auto-Start Wireless System (AWS), which is included on the HS011G, connects the tool to compatible dust extractors via Bluetooth to run the dust extractor automatically when the tool is in use.

To streamline dust management further, it is also worth considering highperformance cordless dust extractor units, which complement the flexibility and ease offered by cordless tools. The Makita VC006G XGT 80VMax (Twin 40VMax) M-Class Dust Extractor, which

also includes AWS technology, achieves airflow and suction power comparative to corded models.

Another consideration when selecting a circular saw is looking for one with safety features that will protect the user and the machine in the event that the blade jams in the material. For example, the HS011G includes Active Feedback Sensing Technology (AFT) that shuts down the tool if the blade rotation speed suddenly slows.

Guide rail compatibility

Guide rails are a very versatile piece of equipment and an invaluable part of any tradesperson’s kit where a high degree of precision and quality of cut are required. Freehand cuts using a pre-marked line are not usually that accurate and the rip fences often supplied with circular saws are useful but have limitations, especially when dealing with larger pieces of

tools and guide rails of different brands can be made compatible, usually with an adaptor, it is beneficial to select a guide rail from the same manufacturer. Many of the circular saws in the Makita range,

Blades

While it is often overlooked, the choice of circular saw blades is also an important consideration. High-quality blades will create a better, cleaner, more precise cut and can even improve the run-times per battery charge. Take, for example, the Makita Efficut saw blades, which are engineered to be thinner than standard options with a tooth profile that produces less resistance during operation to both accelerate the cutting speed and minimise energy usage. In fact, the blades make cuts 2.4 times faster than conventional saw blades and allow 2.4 times more cuts per battery charge compared to the standard equivalent when cutting wood.

As an essential piece of kit for many tradespeople, a high-quality cordless circular saw, with the right product features, can make work easier and safer.

“A high quality cordless circular saw –with the right product features –can make work easier and safer for tradespeople”

INTO THE WOODS!

Battery technology continues to advance and with it the range of jobs to which cordless is suited. Festool’s avowed approach is to take a purposeful approach and ascertain how technology might best serve the application in question, and optimise the results so that the products are perfect for the tasks at hand. The following represents some of the latest developments that see that ethos put into practice.

Cordless drills

As the name suggests, the 18 V CXS 18 and TXS 18 compact drill screwdrivers are available in the C and T design. The former allows for precise work in drilling and screwdriving whilst the latter ensures

All the attachments within the current Festool 18V cordless drill/driver range are also compatible with the new CXS/TXS 18. A chuck and bit holder in one, it is only half the size and 80 per cent lighter than a standard drill chuck making the tool an even more compact solution.

Reciprocating saw

It’s the brushless EC-TEC motor, switchactivated pendulum stroke and low level of vibration that allows the RSC 18

door frames or roof and wall openings through chipboard, this tool is an allrounder. The power of the pendulum stroke is continuously adjusted via an easily reachable switch, with higher cutting speeds allowing for better work progress in soft and medium-hard materials.

Thanks to the special chuck, the saw blade is quickly ejected when it needs replacing, so there is no danger of burning your fingers or hand when removing it. In addition, the clamped saw

The

Festool following

is loyal and growing – as is its product range. Professional Builder looks at some of the tools that will help tradespeople

ExoActive exoskeleton

Powered by an 18-volt battery, the ExoActive exoskeleton makes light work of strenuous overhead tasks by actively supporting tradespeople under their arms. For dry mortarless construction, painting, wallpapering, or installation jobs on walls or ceilings, the device provides the wearer with an added boost when their arms get tired and takes the load off their neck. By reducing the stress on the body, you can work more effectively, and focus more on the quality of the work

The required support level can be adjusted, its comfortable, easy to wear, with no restriction in your range of movement, and can be quickly adapted to the user’s individual body size. The ExoActive provides each underarm with of up to 50 Newtons, equivalent to reducing the load by approximately 5 kilograms and there’s three predefined working areas: from the waist up, from the chest up or overhead.

Ear protection

Workplace noise will not only damage the ears in the long term, it can also create potentially harmful distractions, and limit interaction with fellow workers. Small, light and convenient, Bluetooth® GHS 25 l ear protection from Festool turns the onsite volume down to a healthy level, whilst allowing you to make phone calls or listen to music. Thanks to built-in microphone technology, you hear only what you want

protection to speak to colleagues. Loud ambient noise outside the safe sound level of 79 dB (corresponding to EU standard EN352) is, meanwhile, blocked. When making phone calls, the microphone effectively suppresses disruptive background noise and the earplugs can be recharged in the charging case supplied, with up to 13 hours of runtime.

18V CXS 18 AND TXS 18 COMPACT DRILL SCREWDRIVERS: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS051 RSC 18 CORDLESS

‘PLY’ SOMETHING DIFFERENT

The Russia-Ukraine war has had a massive effect on access to a large number of timber products, particularly birch plywood. Whilst it’s true the majority of Birch world stocks come from Siberia, there’s a misconception that, because the UK no longer has access to this particular supply chain, this material is now out-of-reach to most world markets including the UK.

Thankfully, that’s not the case. In fact, there are a wide variety of alternative birch ply suppliers to be found across Europe, producing for the last 100 years to exactly the same standards as Russian counterparts, and at a competitive price point. Whether from Latvia, Estonia, Poland or Finland, there are other suppliers ready to step into the breach. For example, looking at our own portfolio, I immediately think of UPM’s Finnish WISA-Birch range, which is of excellent quality and in regular supplies to ourselves.

What to avoid

However, whilst like-for-like alternatives are available, the shortages caused by the conflict in Eastern Europe has also, unfortunately, seen a rise in lower quality and even imitation products. So, it’s important for builders to remember not all birch ply is manufactured equally and they should tread with caution when approaching non-Russian ply.

Whilst you can be sure that EUsourced products have undergone the strictest testing and quality control, the same cannot be said for cheap, less credible imports being seen by some as an identical replacement for Russian ply at a lower price. Let’s get this straight now, it’s not, and here’s why.

As readers will know, plywood is a multi-layer product in which the grain of each layer of veneer is alternated crosswise to create a strong surface. In Russia and Europe this is 11-13 plies for 18mm, whereas cheaper Asian imports only incorporate seven. Superficially, you might think you’re buying a better value alternative, but you’re actually purchasing an inferior one, on every level.

Even worse, our dedicated ply team has heard that some producers in Turkey, Kazakhstan and China are using individual laminates of Russian Birch, which are then manufactured into plywood sheets ‘in country’ to make a finished product. This is neither good quality or, for that matter, legal, and should be avoided at all costs.

So, my advice is: if you’re looking for a like-for-like non-Russian

ply, stick with officially certified European replacements to avoid potential disappointment when the cheap substitute doesn’t meet expectations.

Other alternatives

That’s not the whole story when it comes to Russian birch ply alternatives. Recent improvements in plywood performance and composition have also resulted in other, similar, sustainable products within the category. These new materials, which use a variety of different timber veneers, offer the same quality as birch ply,

ply products available. Created in response to the recent turmoil in the birch ply market, Globulus is an industry first. Essentially, it enhances the properties of poplar ply, a softwood, by alternating each layer with a robust blue gum eucalyptus veneer match, competing toe-to-toe with its birch counterpart for strength.

With a slightly pinker face, opposed to the creamier birch, in a long grain format, a look currently popular in the specification market, it offers a near identical alternative at a very similar price point to Russian Birch and non-Russian Birch.

There’s so much going on, and I’ve only scratched the surface of what’s coming online in terms of timber. However, having registered some concerns around birch ply availability, we felt it’s important to use this opportunity reassure readers that there are plenty of options available.

In most cases, these alternatives offer the same, if not better, quality than those products which are currently out of reach. Furthermore, as with Globulus and Weathertex, the scarcity of one material is creating the space for other high-performance timbers to come onto the market.

Ultimately, it’s about working with trusted suppliers. Unfortunately, the international situation has also seen a lot of inferior products come onto the market, from questionable sources. So, I’ll finish by reiterating the importance of working with materials partners who can prove their claims and credentials. A best practice operator will have nothing to hide, and ensure you only receive the highest quality materials when searching for suitable alternatives, especially for Russian birch ply.

“Ultimately, it’s about working with trusted suppliers. The international situation has seen a lot of inferior products come onto the maket. A best practice operator will have nothing to hide, and ensure you only receive the highest quality when searching for alternatives.”

GO BUY THE BOARD

QCan you provide an indication of what is within the West Fraser MDF range?

For general purpose joinery, CaberMDF Trade is a high quality, lightweight MDF with consistent density. Its smooth surface makes it ideal for painting or applying paper foils and veneers. It saws, drills and routs cleanly and easily.

CaberMDF Trade MR is a lightweight, moisture resistant board for general purpose joinery. It performs well in occasionally wet or humid environments. It saws, drills and routs cleanly without splintering or chipping.

CaberMDF Pro is a premium grade MDF with a consistent density for high quality finishing. Its smooth surface makes it ideal where intricate detailing is required.

CaberMDF Pro MR has all the premium qualities of CaberMDF Pro with added moisture resistance making it suitable for use in kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms or other situations where the environment is prone to humidity.

CaberMDF Industrial is suitable for use with all woodworking machines and hand tools. With a denser design, it is perfect for deep profiles and allows advanced finishing. CaberMDF Industrial is moisture resistant, making it ideal for kitchen and bathroom joinery.

QI need a moisture resistant board for kitchen and bathroom joinery –and in more humid or damp environments generally. Is there a West Fraser solution?

CaberMDF Trade MR, CaberMDF Pro MR and CaberMDF Industrial are all moisture resistant boards, suitable for occasionally wet or humid environments.

QIf I need a board that will take a high-quality paint finish. What should I be using? What paint formulation is best suited to MDF? MDF can be painted using oil-based paints.

QWhat about more intricate edge profiling and routing? What MDF solution would be right for those jobs?

CaberMDF Industrial delivers high levels of accuracy when being crafted using all types of woodworking equipment, from CNC routers to hand tools. The board can be used for architectural mouldings and designs with advanced deep routed profiles and painted finishes. As it does not splinter or crack, unlike natural timber, there is minimal waste or need for reworking.

QWhat screws does West Fraser recommend should be used with its MDF? Most types of screws can be used. Best results are obtained with parallel thread screws.

QWhat thicknesses does West Fraser supply its MDF in?

CaberMDF Trade and CaberMDF Trade

MR is available in 12, 15, 18, 22 and 25mm thicknesses. CaberMDF Pro is available in 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 19, 22, 25, 30, 36 and 38mm thicknesses. CaberMDF Pro MR is available in 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 22, 25 and 30mm thicknesses. CaberMDF Industrial is made to order.

QWhat safety precautions do I need to be taking when working with MDF? All wood related products create dust when cut or machined. We advise the use of appropriate PPE and ventilation when machining, cutting, drilling, sawing any timber product including MDF. For further information on working with MDF and wood panels, download our CaberMDF Safety Data Sheet from our website: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS055

QWhere can I find further information on West Fraser’s MDF range?

Our website has a wealth of information to help builders ensure they source the right board. There’s also a designated housebuilder page on the site: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS056

Professional Builder puts your questions on the West Fraser MDF range to the manufacturer

NET ZERO HERO

With the UK’s daunting net zero 2050 target enshrined into law, efforts to create practical ‘near zero energy’ houses are essential. With houses accounting for 40% of energy consumed, achieving the means of constructing new passive houses affordably using solutions such as timber frame systems is the realistic way forward for the sector.

Faced with spiralling construction costs, off-site construction has potential to be a cost efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional methods of construction. Its benefits are well documented and, while there are still barriers to its adoption, it can provide better working conditions, shorter time on site, and improved environmental performance in the construction process.

The importance of airtightness

Airtightness is a critical feature in Passive House, or any energy efficient home. Airtight membranes are primarily used to form the airtight barrier in passive houses and have several critical roles to play. When a building is not airtight, warm air escapes quickly and is replaced by cold

air, which needs to be heated to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. This is very energy intensive and causes occupant discomfort.

Airtight membranes are also designed to control vapour movement (i.e. Air and Vapour Control Layer – AVCL). By creating an airtight system, we are ensuring water vapour cannot freely move from the internal environment into the building fabric. A great deal of moisture is created in our homes from activities such as

cooking, cleaning and showering so it is important that this water vapour does not enter our walls and roofs, where it will cool and possibly condense. By prioritising the building fabric in this way, the passive house approach to design ensures high levels of thermal performance and superior indoor comfort.

Dara McGowan, Director at Partel looks into passive house design using breathable membranes and vapour control layers

construction as it can provide the ideal fabric for buildings to achieve low energy demands and meet the typical U-value requirements, 0.15 W/(m²K) or below in walls, for example. The factory setting enables a greater control over the quality, detailing and craftmanship needed to meet these high-performance building standards. It is also easier to ensure that a structure meets design specifications, and to check it for errors, when standardised and automated processes are used in a more controlled factory environment.

Offsite manufacturers have recently had to respond to the reduction in U-value targets to ensure their system is compliant with new regulations, lower airtightness targets and end user demands for more energy efficient homes. In doing so, many timber frame manufacturers have reviewed their wall build ups in pursuit of an optimised solution. While increasing insulation thickness is the obvious solution to lowering U-values, this is not always cost effective. In addition, it increases the wall thickness which can impact footings, internal floor area and the erection processes.

As an alternative, many manufacturers are exploring the use of reflective foil breather membranes and vapour control layers (VCL). When installed adjacent to a cavity, these membranes enhance the building element U-value – they help timber frame manufacturers achieve compliance

with Part L without having to increase stud depth. Reflective foil membranes are designed to perform their primary function (protect against wind and rain, or control water vapour) as well as improve the heat retention of a building element.

When these membranes are installed adjacent to a cavity, they enhance the resistance value (R value) of that cavity –remember, the higher the R value, the better. For example, a typical 25mm unventilated air cavity would have an R value of 0.18 m²K/W (equivalent to less than 5mm of PIR insulation) while the

Technical support

Regardless of the method of construction, it is important to work with a manufacturer who offers dedicated specification support from U-value calculation and optimisation to condensation risk analysis and assistance with compliance such as meeting with SAP assessors. They can advise you on the most suitable products and calculate a full suite of U-values.

The technical support team can also advise on air permeability testing as the new Approved Document Part L states all houses must be tested. This will provide peace of mind that airtightness backstop will not be exceeded. They also encourage a two-test approach on new wall build ups particularly with regard to the early phase of a new development.

Offsite methods of construction are a growing part of the market and are seen as one of the most attractive ways of delivering buildings that are high quality, sustainable and cost effective. The development of breather membranes and vapour control layers which offer high performance, and can meet new thermal and air permeability targets, is set to revolutionise the way timber frame structures are designed and built.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PARTEL EXOPERM MONO DURO 200 HIGH-PERFORMANCE BREATHER MEMBRANE: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS058

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ECHOFOIL IZO REFLECTIVE VAPOUR CONTROL LAYER: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS059

PROFILES

W.Howard’s whiteprimed range is available in more than 200 profiles and sizes, covering skirting, window boards, wall panels, door casings, linings and joinery. They are supplied either twice primed and ready for immediate installation or as a unique profile based on an exact specification. The FSCcertified, white-primed profiles are available in contemporary, period or classic profiles. GET

WOOD FILLERS

A range of fillers for wooden surfaces has been announced by Toupret — consisting of the ready to use Wood Filler and the powder Wood Repair Filler. The company says they are easy to apply and sand, can be drilled and screwed, and create

SCREWS

Two new sizes of Advanced Multi-Purpose wood and timber fixing screws has been launched by Spectre to help the trade comply with the updated Building Regulations for roof insulation. All new-build homes and extensions now need thicker insulation material, meaning longer screws are needed to provide a more secure grip. The range has now been expanded to include 6.0 x 200mm and 6.0 x 240mm woodscrews with more options on the way soon.

COMPOSITE DECKING

Composite decking is the fastest-growing timber decking alternative thanks to its low maintenance and durability while retaining a natural wood look.

Composite Prime for example contains a mixture of wooden fibres and recycled plastic shavings to provide an approximate lifespan of 25 years without the need to treat or seal the

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS061

CLAD TIDINGS

Last summer fibre cement cladding brand Cedral unveiled its online platform called Cedral Select Professional with the aim of putting homeowners in touch with certified installers across the UK. With 45 cladding contractors now signed up to the scheme, the trade seems to have shaken off its characteristic cynicism to embrace a new way of working.

Lisa Grosse, Brand Manager at Cedral, said: “One of our frustrations in the past was the lack of consistency across the installer market, which meant that, however great our products were, they were only as good as the team that installed them. Listening to contractors, we understood that one of their challenges was maintaining a consistent flow of new

projects. Getting good quality customers took up huge amounts of their time and often detracted them from what they were good at – installing cladding or roofing!”

Barriers to entry

One of the reasons the Cedral scheme seems to have hit the target, is the fact that it’s not easy to join. To become accredited, applicants must pass an initial installer assessment and only then is comprehensive product training provided. A technical validation is then completed on a recent job site to confirm the applicant’s ability to install Cedral products.

Commenting on his experience, Nathan Thomas said: “It’s a straightforward but robust process, if you know what I mean? I say that because I’ve

Lisa Grosse of cladding brand Cedral, and Nathan Thomas of south-west-based contractor Thomas Facades, explain the benefits of the Cedral Select Professional Installer Scheme

Nathan Thomas of south-westbased contractor Thomas Facades

come across other schemes that were frankly too easy to join, with no checks or balances on the qualifications of the installer or the quality of their workmanship.

“Once we’d completed a short application form, Cedral then assessed the quality of our work by seeing a number of recent jobs. In our case, they visited three of our projects – two recently completed and one current job. Overall, our work was up to standard. However, we were also given some constructive technical feedback on how we could improve on one or two finer points of our installs. We found this really helpful.”

Generating customers

“The big idea behind Cedral Select Professional is that we handle the initial customer engagement and ballpark pricing,” said Lisa Grosse. This leaves the installer to do what they do best –provide detailed quotes and then getting the project done.

Nathan Thomas agrees that this splitting of roles works well for everyone involved. He said: “The scheme is incredibly well run and provides us with a steady flow of qualified leads. We are able to begin sensible conversations with potential customers through the platform,

“Cedral’s investment in the platform gets us and homeowners off on the right footing, minimising misunderstandings and managing both side’s expectations. Cedral have also been really good when it comes to other marketing support materials, that have helped us stand out from the competition. The cladding and trim samples have been really well received by customers and the branded polo shirts and vinyls for the van have been great.”

Buyer confidence is key

A big part of the scheme’s success is the confidence it gives homeowners, in choosing a known, ethical product that comes with a 10-year product and workmanship guarantee. In addition to which covers the workmanship on the job.

Nathan Thomas adds: “It costs us about £20 a month, but is worth it as it gives customers real confidence in selecting Cedral, fitted by us.”

“Customers we’ve spoken to see initiatives like this as a breath of fresh air in the building trade. Cedral Select Professional makes everything transparent and above board, which gives homeowners the confidence to choose the product, which is then fitted by professionals. We were a bit worried that the additional cost of insurance would make us appear expensive, but not one customer has commented about this. People are happy to pay that little bit extra for a quality service, backed up by a 10-year product and 10-year workmanship guarantee.”

While manufacturer-backed schemes are not for every contractor, this one from Cedral seems to be hitting the nail on the head. Certainly, for the right installer, who sees the value of customer care and technical ability, it’s an ideal scheme.

Lisa Grosse said: “We’re increasingly keen to see installers take their training seriously – part of their DNA that sets them apart from the competition. The guys at Thomas Facades impressed us with their attitude here. The team of three are all qualified with IPAF cards, Gold Supervision CSCS cards, first aid as well as NVQs in passive fire, cladding and roofing.”

The acid test

Granted, there is an additional cost (and effort) involved in taking part in a credible manufacturing-backed scheme such as Cedral’s. Equally, there are tangible benefits. Nathan Thomas concludes: “Before we signed up last year, we just relied on other contractors to hand us jobs or use Google or paid ads to generate leads. In previous years we have started the new year looking for work; this year, I had three leads on the first day back to 2023 which were agreed the same week. That’s the difference the Cedral Select Professional scheme has made to us.”

A GOOD LIGHT

What’s the difference between aircrete and lightweight aggregate blocks? Jenny Smith-Andrews, Head of Marketing at H+H explains.

Anyone who works in construction will be familiar with the stacks of grey blocks that are a common sight on building sites. You could be forgiven for thinking these blocks are all the same, but that is not the case.

Building blocks can be dense aggregate blocks, lightweight aggregate blocks or aircrete blocks. Do you know the difference? Use of the term ‘lightweight block’ can be confusing as it can apply to both lightweight aggregate and aircrete blocks, but there are differences and benefits to building with aircrete that don’t apply to lightweight aggregate.

What is aircrete?

Aircrete is a lightweight concrete material that combines strength, durability and thermal efficiency with the ease of use that comes with a lighter material.

Aircrete is made using cement, lime, water and pulverised fuel ash (PFA) with a dash of aluminium. The aluminium causes a chemical reaction that forms millions of bubbles to create a lightweight block.

This light weight makes aircrete quick and easy to work with on site and its material properties make it easy to cut. It can even be cut with a handsaw making it a versatile building material. A standard grade aircrete block weighs 12kg less than an equivalent dense concrete block and 6kg less than a typical lightweight aggregate block.

Aircrete may weigh less but its performance is not reduced. Those bubbles give it better acoustic and thermal insulating properties than dense or lightweight aggregate blocks. Aircrete’s high thermal efficiency enables it to achieve low U-values, easily meeting the standard set out in the 2021 amendment

to Approved Document L. Using aircrete can also help to reduce heat loss at thermal bridges, another focus of the updated Part L.

Reducing heat loss

There are two types of thermal bridges: non-repeating (or linear) and repeating. Repeating thermal bridges are usually evenly distributed across the building envelope and follow a regular path. Sources of these types of thermal bridge include insulation bridged by cavity wall ties, stud walls and mortar joints.

Non-repeating thermal bridges are caused by discontinuities in the building envelope and occur at junctions between elements such as a wall and a floor or a window and a wall. Where any thermal bridge occurs in a build, heat is more able to transfer through the construction, resulting in greater heat loss from the building.

The relative effects of non-repeating thermal bridging become more significant as homes become better insulated so understanding how to build to minimise this is crucial.

Using aircrete can significantly reduce the thermal bridge effect at junctions, as it has better thermal resistance than dense materials.

Aircrete blocks used in separating walls can achieve added thermal benefits and limit heat loss at junctions with external elements. When used in conjunction with aircrete inner leaves,

heat losses at thermal bridges around party walls can be reduced by around 50% when compared to aggregate concrete block party walls.

In fact, as new Building Regulations increase emphasis on building fabric and thermal bridging, aircrete is a preferred material and this can include its use in foundations.

Strong foundations

The 2021 amendment to Part L recommends using aircrete foundation blocks where aircrete is being used in the construction of external walls to ensure continuity of insulation levels within the building fabric.

There are many reasons to use aircrete below DPC. Firstly, it is relatively faster and easier to lay as it weighs just one third of an equivalent dense aggregate block. In addition, only a single leaf of blockwork needs to be laid to form the foundations, as opposed to cavity construction which requires two leaves of blockwork and concrete infill. This means

works can be completed in less time, reducing labour costs.

Aircrete foundation blocks can also help to enhance a property’s energy efficiency by reducing heat lost into the ground while reducing the need for additional insulation.

High strength blocks

Despite being one of the lightest forms of masonry, foundations built with aircrete are fully load-bearing. At H+H, our Foundation Blocks Standard Grade are suitable for low-rise housing, but we also offer High Strength Grade Blocks, with a compressive strength of 7.3N/mm², that are ideal for three storey residences.

Standard grade aircrete blocks are already highly thermally efficient, however the H+H Celcon Solar Grade block prioritises combatting heat loss even more. With a compressive strength of 2.9 N/mm² this highly efficient block has a thermal conductivity of just 0.11 W/mK. It is sufficiently loadbearing for two storey dwellings and can be used below DPC.

So, next time you walk past one of those packs of grey blocks, take a closer look – they are more interesting than they first appear.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON H+H CELCON VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS065

THIRD IN THE SERIES: NO.3

A SUNNY FUTURE

The

for renewables,

Rise of renewables

Kevin says: “The renewables industry is currently booming, driven by a number of key factors. Firstly, the climate crisis is fast reaching a critical point, with governments around the world taking action to try and reduce its effects – such as the UK’s net zero greenhouse gas emission target, of

England forms a significant part.

Secondly, this will naturally lead to a reduction in the use of fossil fuels, such as coal, gas and oil, but in any case, the prices of these resources are soaring.

set to consistently increase,

Demand for installers

“Working to avoid the worst that climate change may bring, as well as the desire for us to become more self-

“In addition, the recent Spring Budget detailed further support and investment in renewable and sustainable industries. Whilst this is a positive step, it further highlights the need for skilled contractors who are able to facilitate the changes that are required. At the moment, demand for

demand

such as solar PV, looks

creating huge opportunities for capable roofing contractors. So says Kevin Taylor, Training & Technical Support Manager at Marley.

“How we create, distribute, use and conserve energy will change. Solar PV will form a large part of the green economy and is a great opportunity for roofing contractors –make sure you’re part of it.

systems. Moreover, some that are qualified are finding that electrical contractors are taking control of a job –and using the roofer as a sub-contractor –meaning the roofer loses a large proportion of their margins.

“However, this is an avoidable situation. Those roofing contractors who have upskilled their workforce to fit integrated solar PV are already seeing huge benefits with completely full schedules for lucrative roofing and solar PV installation work. In fact, some roofers can no longer accept any new job enquiries, such is the volume of work they’re having to deal with.

There’s no better time to train for solar PV

“With demand for all renewable technologies set only to rise, the need for roofing contractors to fit solar PV will also

“‘There is support for roofers from manufacturers such as Marley –whose Marley SolarTile® integrated solar panel provides an innovative, reliable and sustainable solar energy system – in terms of training and advice.

“In addition, for roofing contractors purchasing the full Marley SolarTile system, Marley is offering invaluable onsite training (for the first installation) to ensure customers maximise the

“At Marley, we want our customers to be prepared for the far-reaching effects of Part L. Of course, with change, there are potential threats to a roofing contractor’s business, however, there are also great opportunities provided they take full advantage of the wide range of resources and innovative new products that are out there to help and support them.

Change, sustain and gain

“We are moving from a fossil fuel economy to a green economy that will require a complete change to our infrastructure. How we create, distribute, use and conserve our energy will change. It is a huge task and we are only at the start of it. Solar PV will form a large part of that green economy and is a great opportunity for roofing contractors –make sure you’re part of it.”

PLUS POINTS

Banish inferior fixings

The UK market for wall plugs or rawl plugs has been stuck with plastic, coloured fixings for decades. We are one of the last countries in the northern hemisphere still relying on these little pieces of brightly coloured plastic to hang our shelves, fix up our shower screens and shower, hold our electrical installations, fix wiring, lights and basically hold anything we could ever hope for. Unfortunately, regularly in vain…

If you speak to any ‘trady’, 9/10 will say they are rubbish! They crack, they shrink over time, they spin in the hole and they never really take a screw properly (without completely crumbling at least). One thing is for sure they definitely don’t work for long or take any weight to remove them.

So why does the UK continue to use these little plastic terrors? If you think we don’t, we can guarantee you they will be in 99% of your homes and 99% of builders’ vans. We all know they don’t work but they are cheap…right?

Do we still want cheap fixings in our walls? That at the tug of a curtain or a pull of a shelf the whole thing comes tumbling down. A fixing that then leave a huge hole in our pristine plasterboard walls. A fixing, that over time see’s our curtain poles slowly sliding out of the wall. Or that one day,

when we all inevitably slip in the shower and see our shower screen clattering to the floor with a bang. Maybe we do…?

fischer has taken this on board and has developed a new version of the SX plug. The SX Plus. This plug has some great features to it but, best of all, it’s about the same price as all those red, yellow and brown plugs!

Hold firm

SX Plus is a nylon plug, that won’t shrink over time, won’t go brittle and snap, won’t turn in the hole and will actually hold up to 65kg in concrete, 35kg in brick and 20kg

fixing in brick.

The plug itself has some clever features. The new tip design prevents over tightening, pronounced ribs along the side of the plug stop rotation, a lipped edge stops the plug disappearing down the drill hole and 4-way expansion increases the loads that these, new style, reds, yellows and browns will take.

The special wings of the SX Plus fix the screw in place by simply inserting it. As soon as the plug is inserted, the fixing wings are pressed inwards, causing the screw to lock and be held in place –perfect for overhead applications. This means when installing overhead to fix a light, for example, you no longer need to continually hold the screw in place. When you need both hands free to level a shelf you can rely on the screw clicking into these wings for a lightweight hold.

fischer has redesigned a classic to increase the installation speed, increase the load bearing capacity and to generally make installation as simple as possible. However, we feel the most important target of this product, is to finally rid the UK of the worst fixings you could ever hope to not see in your home or van.

With the SX Plus it’s finally time to ditch the colour code, plastic nonsense and move to a cheap nylon alternative that actually does the job we all wanted the reds, yellow and browns to do.

with the SX Plus from fischer

Smith & Jones

IF THEY ARE TALKING WE ARE LISTENING!

AND YOU CAN TO, AS WE CATCH UP WITH SOME OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY’S MOST INTERESTING AND KNOWLEDGEABLE CHARACTERS ON THE NEW GROUND BREAKING PROFESSIONAL BUILDER PODCAST WITH SMITH AND JONES.

LEARN A NEW BUSINESS SKILL OR FINE TUNE AN OLD ONE FROM THE GUYS AND GIRLS AT THE SHARP END, WHO HAVE BEEN THERE, DONE IT AND GOT THE PB T SHIRT TO BOOT!

GARDEN VARIETY

As perennial as spring itself, the demand for opening up the family home into the garden will have the phones ringing off the hooks. There’s nothing quite like the promise of barbies and cocktails on the patio for exciting homeowners about opening up the rear of their homes with garden doors, with more styles and ideas than ever to loosen their purse strings.

Good old-fashioned sliders remain as popular as ever, with many homeowners now favouring the widest possible expanse of glass to give a wide, uncluttered vista all year round, rather than a maximum opening that, when closed, is full of frame. There are some incredible products out there now that offer maximum glass and minimum frame and homeowners sweeping the web will stumble across the most amazing panoramic doors. A cautionary note however: many manufacturers can produce superwide doors, but transport and handling can present big problems. These things need serious thought.

Bi-folds continue to be big

sightlines down to a minimum, whilst also offering a rather lovely woodgrain effect. These look as nice closed, as open, going some way to resolving the issue of frame visibility on bi-folds.

As the maximum opening that bi-folds offer continues to be a draw, a variation on this theme is the Indi-Fold folding/sliding door. These use individual, sliding leaves instead of the hinged versions on bi-folds which dramatically increases the flexibility of the doors as well as allowing furniture and pots to be positioned right up to the doors. Whereas bi-folds are pretty much open or closed, Indi-Fold doors allow the user to open one, or as many sections as the owner desires, with the leaves positioned anywhere along the track.

We are selling lots of aluminium heritage-style black ‘steel’ doors, both as French and bi-folds. These are a modern take on Victorian industrial-style doors distinguished by black mid-rails and can be matched with internal doors and room dividers to complete a look that is distinctive and very chic. And with modern thermal

ONSITE WITH

performance and easy maintenance too.

French doors remain highly popular, especially on period properties for which an emphasis on maintaining the original style is important. These look especially nice when flush sash windows have been chosen for the rest of the house, and the use of subtle colours are recommended to tone the frames down, on both PVCu and aluminium profiles.

Finally, get your customers to think about integral blinds built into the sealed glass units. So many extensions and orangeries are built with large glass areas provided by windows and especially garden doors, with little thought given to heat-build up. Integral blinds work well as they stop most of the sun’s rays from passing through the glass

Adrian Barraclough runs Quickslide, one of Britain’s leading window & door manufacturers.

Quickslide’s Ade reveals how you can make more with garden doors!

HOME COMFORTS

Origin is providing a plan for the modern family

The structure of the modern family has changed significantly over the last 10 years. The pandemic and cost-of-living crisis, plus a dramatic rise in interest rates and a steep increase in house prices, has made it harder for young people to get on the property ladder. As a result, children are living at home with their parents for longer.

A recent report from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) confirms that between 2011 and 2021, the number of non-dependent children living at home shot up by nearly 15 percent.

Today, the average age for ‘flying the nest’ has risen to 24.6 years old as the affordability of homes forces young adults to either remain at, or return to, their parental home. Two decades ago, the average age was 21.

While big renovation projects or extensions can help families alter their homes to suit their changing needs, most homeowners can’t commit to large scale projects while budgets remain tight. Ben

Brocklesby, Director at Origin, explains how builders can help families make the most of their homes using innovative glazing solutions.

Multi-generational living

A decline in ‘empty nesters’ means families need to update their homes to meet the needs of different generations all living under the same roof. According to RIBA, a quarter of homeowners want to reconfigure their homes to better suit their needs.

While open plan layouts have soared in popularity, they aren’t practical for the growing modern family. As more people now live, work, and socialise from home, different zones are needed for a variety of purposes and to suit all family members.

Broken spaces

Building walls to separate rooms is an obvious solution, especially with nearly 10 percent of families wanting a more versatile living environment by having rooms that

can be divided, according to RIBA.

‘Broken’ living spaces can be created using internal glazed doors. These allow for privacy and separate living areas when closed or can be opened to connect rooms for greater feeling of space.

The Origin Internal Door (OI-30) provides an elegant, stylish way to achieve this, while allowing natural daylight to flow throughout the home. Made from premium-grade aluminium, the

wide variety of options for glazing bar configurations, handle styles, and colours available.

With more people now working from home, the Origin Internal Door can also be used to create dedicated home office areas. According to RIBA, nearly 20 percent of homeowners want a home office. The Origin Internal Door can achieve this by using a combination of doors and screens with a corner post to create a new room in the home.

The kitchen hub

The kitchen has evolved from being a place for cooking to being the heart of the home, used for socialising and spending family time together. A survey by a leading trade kitchen supplier reveals that homeowners spend nearly seven hours in their kitchen each week.

As almost 70 percent believe the design of their home affects their wellbeing, it’s therefore vital that the kitchen is designed to meet homeowner needs. Natural daylight is key to creating this environment as it is proven to improve mood, productivity, and mental health.

Bi-folding doors are an excellent addition to a kitchen as they allow an abundance of light into the home and can be concertinaed and folded away to create an uninterrupted view. The Origin Bi-fold Door has a unique free-glide running system with two threshold options, helping create a seamless link between the home and garden. Made with aluminium for ultraslim sightlines, it can achieve U-Values as low as 1.1 W/m2. An ultra-secure 8-point locking system makes it one of the most secure systems available.

Despite budgets for large scale renovations remaining tight, builders can still help homeowners create their dream home which suits their changing lifestyles using clever glazing solutions. Origin uses data trends to ensure our systems continue to meet homeowner demand, and to help our Partners deliver the best possible solutions for modern family life.

ZIPTO IT!

It’s an experience every jobbing builder knows well – you walk into a customer’s nice clean house and look down at your boots with a bit of a sigh. Now it’s time to spend five minutes getting them off just so you’ll have to lace them up again when you’re ready to go or if you need to grab something from your van. Thankfully, Blue Steel has got a solution for this.

A number of the Australian company’s boots – like the Southern Cross Zip Sand S3 pair the company sent to me –feature a zip on the side. While I was first sceptical of this and wondered how practical it would be, I ended up very pleasantly surprised. The zip does actually make taking these boots on and off incredibly easy without compromising on a tight fit once there on. It is the side zip combining with the conventional laces that manages to achieve this. You can tie

the laces as tightly as needed and won’t have to untie them because when the zip is pulled down, the boots open up and lose their rigidity. While this was another concern of mine, (with regards to the ankle stability) I was glad to find the boots still manage to provide a good amount of support when on. This feels like a running theme with the boots in general – comfort

and accessibility innovations don’t come at the expense of the practicality of the safety boots. It all feels very well thought out. Another example of this is the small Velcro strap that goes over the zip on each boot. This provides just that extra bit of security to make sure the zips won’t catch on anything or undo themselves any time soon.

Fully protected

All the usual features of a S3 safety boot are here too, with water resistance, toe protection and mid sole protection. Just touching on that though, the toe cap is steel and not the more on trend composite. While this may seem like an oversight from the company, the opposite is in fact true. Steel Blue have intentionally done this as the supposed benefits of composite are not as clear cut as once thought. In fact, any weight difference between the materials is nullified by how much thicker composite must be to meet safety standards. In terms of temperature as well, although steel is a conductor, the boots have a thick lining under the toe cap, stopping your feet from getting too cold or too warm. The toe protection in the boots

Professional Builder’s Edward Kelly gets his hands (or feet!) on a pair of Steel Blue boots –here’s what he thought.

also benefits from a sturdy scuff cap to stop the material wearing down. This feels very solid and helps with overall toe protection too. Other features of the boots include Fresche QuatLock which offers long-term antibacterial and antimicrobial protection against fungus, bacteria and the odours caused by bacteria. Additionally, the outsole has heat resistance to 130°C and, as with all the company’s footwear, is designed to exceed slip resistance requirements.

Safety features aside, and as I briefly mentioned earlier, a lot has gone into making these boots comfortable. This, alongside the zip accessibility, is probably the biggest draw factor for them. The company certainly prides itself on its boots’ comfort, offering an 100% comfort guarantee that means you can get a full refund if you aren’t satisfied. The level of comfort when wearing the boots is a result of things like the materials used in the manufacture. Where the outside features ethically and environmentally sourced Nubuck Leather, the inside features a Baltico Lining. This lining makes the inside of the boots feel more like trainers, which will really come in handy with builders who are invariably on their feet the whole time. The lining also features perspiration wicking technology, which will regulate the temperature of your feet too –stopping them from getting too warm or hot.

Steel Blue also has its own patented Ortho Rebound Footbed in the base of the boot which aims to combat foot fatigue. This is made from Polyurethane and retains its shape and thickness to ensure support along the whole foot. As the finishing touch to the overal comfort factor, the boots combine all of this with strategically placed Poron pads in the sole under your foot’s peak stress areas.

Overall, it is mainly this comfort and zip feature that help these boots stand out from the crowd. They just feel easy to wear and look good at the same time. The tan colour and attractive design are also a big selling point, making them appear smart, which is always a plus when meeting new customers, and the company do also offer similarly comfortable accompanying socks. Bravo, Steel Blue!

‘Hartt’

WHERE THE IS

Clothing is one of the most brand conscious of sectors and workwear is no exception. Put simply, builders are loyal to tools and equipment that makes their lives on site easier and more productive, and they can now quite literally take comfort in the Carhartt product range. That’s because the company that was founded in 1889 in Detroit, Michigan is focusing on UK tradespeople, bringing some of its innovations in styling and garment technology to these shores.

TROUSERS

Of course, workwear is itself a multi-tasker. You’ll need to look good in front of the client, feel good through the course of a hard day on site, with clothing that’s durable, and built for movement. Carhartt’s Relaxed Fit Cargo Trousers (103335) fulfils that brief and more. One of the first impressions when putting them on is how comfortable they are, no doubt in large part to a 73% cotton construction, eliminating the coarseness that can accompany many trousers styled for the trades.

That’s a theme that’s continued with a relaxed fit, straight leg and stretch ripstop that offers the combination of room to manoeuvre complemented by the necessary ruggedness. There’s also reinforced cargo pockets, and an articulated knee means there’s no tightness when work inevitably brings you to your knees. The detail in the design can make all the difference and a leg

opening that will accommodate work boots will be welcome, whilst a zip pocket on the leg keeps your phone safe from all the onsite hazards.

Carhartt prides itself on its fabric technologies with its Full Swing and Rugged Flex concepts engineered to provide a greater range of movement. Cordura is a material that is renowned for its durability – even counting the US military amongst its adopters – and there’s a generous amount here; in the

reinforced kick panels, for example, and the pockets. Add to that triple stitching on the main seams and there’s a reassuring level of reinforcement. Multiple pockets include front ledge pockets, a fifth pocket in the right front pocket, ledge utility cargo pockets, a utility loop, and top full capacity back pockets. It’s worth noting that Carhartt also do a huge women’s range of workwear too, specifically designed for comfort and designed to withstand tough conditions.

Professional Builder steps out in style on site in Carhartt’s clothing, with trousers, a jacket and hoodie all capped off with a beanie hat.

HOODIE

The most comfortable of the quartet of garments we tried on was the Loose Fit Hooded Zip Sweater (K122). It has an

JACKET

As the moniker would suggest the Super Dux Jacket with Wind Fighter Technology (105342) contains rather more than might initially meet the eye. Super Dux clothing combines nylon lightness with abrasion resistance and this is ultra-tough gear that fights off wind and rain and flexes with your every move when you’re working hard on site. A Rain Defender coating provides water repellence, whilst Wind Fighter keeps breezes at bay. At the same time, the same Rugged Flex evident in the cargo trousers feature in this jacket, offering a good level of movement.

There’s a good level of pockets here but without so many you’re going to forget where you’ve put your keys, including a chest pocket, two lower front pockets with a zipper closure, an inside pocket and pen stall on the wearer’s left sleeve. There’s already a built in relaxed fit but this can be further accommodated to your needs with an adjustable cuff and hem.

BEANIE HAT

Since it was first introduced in 1987 the A18 Watch Hat has proven to be a very popular addition to the Carhartt collection. If the rest of your body is safely ensconced in layers of Carhartt clothing it makes sense to cap it off with head protection, and this is a warm option that will equally be at home wherever you happen to be in the great outdoors. It’s the thick acrylic yarn that guarantees the warmth with a soft to the touch, stretchy rib-knit into the bargain.

easy-wearing with durability built in. As the product name indicates, this is an item of clothing that’s built to be roomy but if you want a closer fit we’d recommend you take the next size down. What the extra space about your person delivers, of course, is a good range of movement. A range of colours includes black, carbon heather, and navy. There’s also two lower front hand warmer pockets, a full-length front zipper and stretchable elastane reinforced rib knit cuffs and waistband. If you like your brand names understated then the discreet Carhartt label sewn on the pocket will satisfy.

The Carhartt name is already well known in fashion circles thanks to its sister brand (Carhartt WIP), but the tailoring level and design is focused purely on hard working men and women in this, the manufacturer’s ‘legacy’ workwear range. What will attract tradespeople is a level of ruggedness and functionality that makes them a worthy on site companion. At the same time this is a manufacturer that prides itself on doing many things differently to some of its competitors in the workwear market and we’ll be exploring the range further in future issues.

“This is a manufacturer that prides itself on doing many things differently to some of its competitors in the workwear market.”

ON ANOTHER LEVEL

Professional

Singh finds his level with ToughBuilt

Levels are one of the most important tools for any builder. It’s a piece of equipment that is used by every trade and even more so for carpenters and joiners. I was, therefore, excited to test out ToughBuilt’s new set of levels –from box, torpedo, to pocket level.

First up was the Lighted Magnetic Box Level, which comes in three sizes – 48”, 24” and a 9”. It’s always good to have various sizes because sometimes the level doesn’t fit into the area you’re wanting to use it in – for example when levelling window boards. My initial reaction was that they look and feel very robust.

It’s clear to see they have been precision milled which ensures the surface is absolutely flat and horizontal, making them very accurate.

They have shock absorbing endcaps, which is a pretty standard feature on all levels these days. Although these need to be a tight fitting to make sure they don’t fall out, it can make them difficult to remove. ToughBuilt has, however, brought an end to that because these actually have a small integrated handle which makes them much easier and

The other two levels that have great build quality are the 9” Magnetic Billet Torpedo Level and the 360˚ Pocket Level. Both of these are ideal for the small tasks, such as levelling sockets and, if it’s a metal box, they can be stuck to the surface with their rare earth magnets. They also both have a groove to get an accurate alignment on pipe or conduit. On the Torpedo Level vials are set at 0, 30, 45 and 90 degrees whereas on the pocket level it has a 360 degree rotating vial to measure any angle – or even replicate any angle.

steel studs because it frees your hands up, making it much easier to work and level the studs. Or when you’re installing a steel RSJ, you can just stick it to the beam – which saves time having to keep checking it for level.

One very bright idea is the LED lit vials. Although it might seem like a gimmick, it is actually useful. Most sites are not adequately lit at some stage of the build so having this feature does help.

Builder’s Tibby

Lighted Magnetic Box Level

“I must say I am impressed with the build quality on these ToughBuilt levels which are built to last the tough conditions of a building site.”

Tibby Singhwww.TibbySingh.com

360˚ Pocket Level LED lit vials

9” Lighted Magnetic Box Level

9” Magnetic Bilet Torpedo Level

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

CRIMPING TOOLS

New additions to the KNIPEX range are designed to produce fast, safe and secure connections. From the compact and universal MultiCrimp crimp system pliers to the semi-automatic, electrically driven eCrimp system pliers with over 1,500 interchangeable, different crimp inserts, the company has a large array of products available.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS073

DRILL BITS

COMBO KIT

The DTD153Z 18V LXT Brushless Impact Driver and DHP487Z 18V LXT Brushless Combi Drill are now available to purchase together in a 2-piece combo kit from Makita. Housed in a Type 3 Makpac Connector Case for easy storage and transportation, the kit also includes two 5.0Ah 18V LXT BL1850B Batteries and the DC18RC Fast Charger which can be used across the manufacturer’s LXT range.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS074

What is described as a first for UK and European markets, Starrett and HellermannTyton, have partnered to introduce their first-ever range of drill bits. The product line offers a range of products for SDS Plus, SDS Plus Chisel, Flat Wood and High-Speed Steel drills. Designed to meet the requirements of professional users, the range can be used across the trades.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS076

SLEDGE HAMMERS

Fitted with a 36” ergonomic fibreglass shaft, the new Estwing Sledge Hammer will not rot or warp even when used in damp conditions. It is forged from durable alloy steel and is induction case hardened with an ergonomic handle featuring a textured rubber overlay. It is also thicker below the striking head to provide increased overstrike protection.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS075

SAFETY BOOT

The Carhartt

Carter Rugged

Flex

Waterproof S3

Pull On Safety

Boot is safe and durable. The S3 certification boots have an inbuilt fibreglass safety toe and protect against water penetration, sharp objects, and slippery surfaces, all while remaining comfortable.

Use

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS077

builders’ vehicles

LARGE! GIVING IT

Over the past few years, we have been invited to test drive most of what the commercial van world currently has to offer in terms of electrification but it’s fair to say that there was no obvious benchmark in terms of range, performance, and cost. That changed in the spring of 2022 when the mighty Ford entered the fray with the new E-Transit.

The company has dominated the UK commercial van market for almost sixty years and was clearly in no hurry to rush in where angels fear to tread. Whereas many electric vans still feel like stop gap solutions based on obviously converted diesel powered products, the E-Transit gives the impression of having been developed as a fully authentic variant of what is obviously an already extremely strong product line up.

For a start, at around £48,000 plus VAT the basic E-Transit is significantly less expensive than its closest large van

rivals and, with a targeted driving range overall of 156 miles, is also noticeably ahead of its rivals on this front as well. Interestingly, Ford, through extensive

As that famous other son of Essex, Ian Drury himself once sung, Ford has three good reasons to be cheerful about its new Ford E-Transit. Just don’t tell the blockheads!

withstood five years of use. That transparency is welcome in a sector which still has many issues to address in terms of the range anxiety associated with low temperatures, motorway driving and fully laden vehicles.

With an option for 115kW fast charging, topping the 68kWh battery pack back up to 80% can take as little as 34 minutes, while slower AC charging will achieve 100% in 8 hours with a three-phase supply wall box at around 12 hours on a common home connection.

The choice of 25 variants can be bit of a minefield in determining which one is right for your business and, whilst all feature the same battery pack, there are two power options. Our test vehicle was the 184hp version and would appear more than adequate for most users, although an upgrade to 269hp is available at a price. Two trim levels, Leader and Trend are offered, and both have more standard equipment than the equivalent diesel models.

Infotainment

One of the highlights of these is the Ford Sync 4 infotainment system with a really impressive 12-in. touch screen which can keep you fully updated as to how the vehicle is performing at all times. We did find something of an overkill about the amount of ventilation options to further distract you whilst driving but it’s a minor gripe overall. There is a rotary dial to control the single speed transmission and an automatic electronic handbrake. All of the electric versions feature additional crash structures, one to protect the batteries, others to replicate the structural role played by the engine that would typically be under the bonnet but is now used to house a lot of the van’s control systems.

The Transit’s reputation for refinement and performance goes before it, of course, and you would have to say that in some respects the E version is even more polished. It’s extremely quick of the mark, even loaded, and reassuringly quiet and composed at speed thanks to a completely re-engineered rear suspension system with coil springs in place of the diesel’s live axle and leaf spring set up.

As with all electric vans, the E-Transit can recover energy to recharge the batteries every time you lift off the accelerator. There is an L mode to heighten this effect, which takes a little getting used to, as opposed to the simple paddle system employed by some others although the process is far removed from the one pedal driving experience, where lifting the foot off can bring the vehicle to a rather disconcerting total stop.

An optional upgrade for the E-Transit, Pro Power Onboard, allows you to use the 68kWh drive battery to power external electric equipment, something which one imagines would be an enormous plus point for those tradespeople working on

site or rural locations. There are three plugs, one in the cab, two in the load area which delivers up to 2.3kW to a selection of tools. And fear not, the van is smart enough to warn you when you may be running out of sufficient juice to get home.

All the bits you would expect are covered by the same warranty as any other Transit although the electric drive gets a longer 100,000-mile warranty for extra peace of mind. With less to go wrong, Ford has also taken the step of introducing unlimited mileage service intervals, but you will need to book in at a dealer every year.

Alongside the official launch of the ETransit in 2022, Ford also announced the introduction of the Ford Pro concept, basically a complete eco system of support with everything from finance and telematics to servicing and charging infrastructure. Its available across the complete Ford commercial vehicle platform and is open to the one-man band right up to the muti vehicle fleet operator. In fact, you don’t even have to own a Ford to sign up. Even Mr Drury may have lost count by now!

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE FORD E-TRANSIT VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS079

“An optional upgrade for the E-Transit, Pro Power Onboard, allows you to use the 68kWh drive battery to power external electrical equipment, something which one imagines would be an enormous plus point for tradespeople.”

vehicles & plant

product round-up

VEHICLE FINANCE

In the face of rapidly changing prices and market conditions, Bobcat is now offering customers a selection of hire purchase financing options. The schemes cover loaders, mini-excavators, telehandlers and attachments, as well as the light compaction, compact wheel loader, small articulated loader and compact tractor ranges.

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS080

PICK-UP TRUCKS

The D-Max range from Isuzu offers a variety of body styles to cater to all needs. The Utility specification is aimed at businesses with features like vinyl flooring, cloth upholstery and automatic lights & wipers. A five-year/125,000-mile warranty and five-year roadside assistance are also provided, with a 3.5-tonne maximum towing capacity and 1-tonne payload.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS082

ENGINE RANGE

The Van Fuel Advisor –EV4me – from Volkswagen supports businesses in selecting the engine type best suited to their working requirements. The tool enables businesses to compare annual costs and indicative emissions. Taking into account factors including distance covered on a typical working day, and access to charging facilities, a specific

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS084

MINI EXCAVATORS

With a range of options to choose from, CASE has launched a number of new mini excavators, including battery powered, zero emissions models, such as the CX15EV. This unit weighs in at around 1.5 tonnes and features a 21.5 kWh lithium-ion battery, up to 16kW of peak power, rubber tracks and a comfortable operator station. GET MORE

ELECTRIC PANEL VAN

Mercedes-Benz is launching the new eSprinter. This longwheelbase panel van has a load capacity of 14 cubic metres and a gross vehicle weight up to 4.25 tonnes. The electric range is up to 248 miles (WLTP), with city cycle up to 310 miles, different power and battery levels are available and the 56kWh battery version can charge from 10 to 80 percent in as quick as 28 minutes.

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS081

SMALL ELECTRIC VAN

The electric powertrain of the Nissan Townstar EV Van delivers a zero emission range of 183 miles (WLTP) or up to 269 miles on the City Cycle. The van’s 45kWh DC charging enables battery charging from 15% to 80% in 37 minutes. The payload ranges from 600-800kg, depending on specifications, and there’s between 3.3-4.3 cubic metres of cargo space.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS083

ELECTRIC EXCAVATOR

A cleaner and more sustainable excavator is how SANY describes its electric SY19E. The LFP battery pack has been designed without cobalt, making it safe to operate as well as environmentally friendly. The low noise level (66 dB(A)) motor delivers a peak output of 15 kW and can charge in as fast as 1.5 hours (with a battery life of 6 hours).

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS085

ZERO-EMISSIONS EXCAVATOR

As part of its drive towards net zero emissions, Yanmar has introduced the SV17e. This all electric mini-excavator fits into the 1.5-2 tonne weight bracket and delivers a 23.5 kWh battery capacity. The company asserts the battery life of the excavator will be at least equivalent to the lifetime expected of a diesel machine.

TRADE MEDIA

UNDERFLOOR HEATING ADVICE

Installers who need to seek underfloor heating advice can consult Continal’s Live Chat service. Installers who are already browsing the company’s website looking for technical, product or installation advice can speak live to one of its experts, so they can have their questions answered quickly and efficiently, without having to wait.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS088

ROOFING GUIDE

A free to download white paper from Marley examines the main considerations of pitched roof design, installation, and ongoing liability. The paper compares individual component selection versus a full roof specification as well. It also covers the basics of roof design, including the assessment of pitched roofs and the range of components required.

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS089

FOUNDATION DESIGN

Prepared in partnership with RSK, the NHBC Foundation’s latest report, Building Foundation Solutions –Future Proofing Against Climate Change, is available to download. The document focuses on the increasingly important issue of foundation design and its application in making new homes more resilient to the effects of climate change.

GET MORE DETAILS AT:

SUSTAINABLE STONE

SSQ’s Environmental Product Declaration was found to be in accordance with the requirements of EN 15804:2012+A1:2013 and the BRE Global Scheme Document SD207. As a result, the company and its celebrated Riverstone phyllite, has been added to the BRE Green Book – a free-to-use database designed to help identify products with reduced environmental impact.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS091

Last month I wrote about mains water leaks, and the fact that Thames Water (my supplier) had gone to the trouble of sending one of their valued employees round to warn me that one of my WC cisterns was engaging in the “trickle down” effect (so beloved of our politicians).

It got me thinking of the time when I first started investigating dampness problems in buildings. It was August 1995 and the UK was in the grip of a heatwave and a drought (sound familiar?)

It hadn’t rained for months, and the clay soil in London was parched and cracking. Parks and gardens were shrivelled and brown. So why was my next-door neighbour’s front garden looking so green and luxuriant? It was like the tropical hothouse at Kew Gardens.

I’ll be honest – the talk was that she must have been breaking the hosepipe ban by sneaking out in the middle of the night to water her plants.

But more to the point, given that it hadn’t rained for so long, and the ground was so parched, how come my own coal cellar was smelling so damp and musty?

Thanks to an inquiry by a local radio reporter, a few of us gathered one afternoon in front of my house to record a piece about the misdiagnosis of water leaks as so-called “rising damp”. I remember that Roger Bisby – of this parish –was one of the assembled throng.

Long story short – Thames Water investigated and found a significant leak in a mains pipe under the pavement, on the other side of the road, about 20 metres away. The whole of the area – below the

tarmac and concrete paving slabs – was sodden.

That was the start of my interest in mains water leaks, and when I learned to distinguish a “gusher” – where water visibly spouts up in the air – from the more usual gradual below-ground seepage.

I was reminded of it just recently, when a new neighbour asked for help in how to deal with a “damp” problem. She showed me the offending area – a patch of peeling emulsion paint and pink gypsum plaster against an outside wall in the utility room. Could she just paint over it?, she asked,

So these days I always start by looking for water pipes close to any dampness problems, and in this case there were several – the mains feed to the combi boiler, the flow-and-return pipes from the boiler to a nearby radiator, the condensate drain running out through the wall, and a mains feed to the outside tap, also through the wall.

There will need to be a bit of opening-up of the area to see which of these is causing the trouble, but my money is on the outside tap. I’d be surprised if Thames Water haven’t already got the house logged for a visit from the meter inspector!

Jeff Howell

Here is a useful summary of all the adverts that appear in this issue of Professional Builder . Each is listed with its page number and a direct URL that will get you straight to the relevant online information

Alufold Direct Ltd..............................................................(page 21) www.rdr.link/BAS120

Brett Martin BLDG Products Ltd........................................(page 4) www.rdr.link/BAS121

Buckbootz..........................................................................(page 65) www.rdr.link/BAS122

Build Aviator........................................................................(page 6) www.rdr.link/BAS123

Continal UFH......................................................................(page 16) www.rdr.link/BAS124

Dulux Trade........................................................................(page 30) www.rdr.link/BAS125

Eclisse Uk Ltd......................................................................(pahe 11) www.rdr.link/BAS126

estimators.com..................................................(inside front cover) www.rdr.link/BAS127

F Ball & Co Ltd/Setcrete....................................................(page 26) www.rdr.link/BAS128

Faithfull Tools....................................................................(page 38) www.rdr.link/BAS129

Federation Of Master Builders Ltd..................................(page 58) www.rdr.link/BAS130

Festool................................................................................(page 57) www.rdr.link/BAS131

Fischer fixings UK Ltd......................................................(page 46) www.rdr.link/BAS132

GT85....................................................................................(page 51) www.rdr.link/BAS133

Hallstone Devlopement Ltd..............................................(page 44) www.rdr.link/BAS134

House Builder XL Ltd........................................................(page 63) www.rdr.link/BAS135

Kingspan Insulation Ltd......................................................(page 8) www.rdr.link/BAS136

Made for Trade....................................................................(page 17) www.rdr.link/BAS137

Made for Trade............................................................(pages 18,19) www.rdr.link/BAS138

Makita (UK) Ltd..................................................................(page 54) www.rdr.link/BAS139

Marley Ltd..........................................................................(page 36) www.rdr.link/BAS140

Origin Doors Ltd................................................................(page 23) www.rdr.link/BAS141

Origin Doors Ltd................................................................(page 33) www.rdr.link/BAS142

Origin Doors Ltd....................................................(bound-in insert) www.rdr.link/BAS143

Ox Group UK......................................................................(page 49) www.rdr.link/BAS144

PB Online......................................................................(back cover) www.rdr.link/BAS145

Pnu-Point Ltd......................................................................(page 38) www.rdr.link/BAS146

Podcast..............................................................................(page 67) www.rdr.link/BAS147

Quickslide............................................................................(page 5) www.rdr.link/BAS148

Reliance Water Control....................................................(page 45) www.rdr.link/BAS149

Robert Bosch Ltd................................................................(page 14) www.rdr.link/BAS150

Rocket Door Frames ........................................................(page 71) www.rdr.link/BAS151

Rocket Door Frames..........................................................(page 73) www.rdr.link/BAS152

Shurtape UK Ltd/Frog Tape..............................................(page 38) www.rdr.link/BAS153

SIXT....................................................................................(page 29) www.rdr.link/BAS154

Smiths of the Forest of Dean Ltd....................................(page 38) www.rdr.link/BAS155

Tarmac PLC/Blue Circle............................................(pages 24,25) www.rdr.link/BAS156

Tesa UK Ltd........................................................................(page 30) www.rdr.link/BAS157

Toolfair................................................................................(page 68) www.rdr.link/BAS158

Toughbuilt Industries UK Ltd..........................................(page 53) www.rdr.link/BAS159

Tuffx Processed Glass Ltd................................................(page 59) www.rdr.link/BAS160

Vortex..................................................................................(page 77) www.rdr.link/BAS161

Webfleet Solutions UK......................................................(page 48) www.rdr.link/BAS162

NO. 43 BACK PAIN (PART 3)

OUCH... I’ve put my back out!

This month we look at back pain associated with nerve issues – like slipped discs and sciatica.

Your spine runs all the way down your back from the base of your skull to your bottom. It is made up of vertebrae (the spinal bones), intervertebral discs (cushions that sit between the bones to help absorb shock), ligaments and muscles. The vertebrae have a ring like shape – this creates a hollow centre, called the spinal canal, where the spinal cord lies. The spinal cord is a collection of nerves all carrying signals from the brain to different parts of the body. This is how our brain controls what we do. All the way down from the neck, nerve roots leave the spine at every vertebra. Each nerve root has a different job and provides feeling and movement to different areas of the body. If something interrupts the signals in the nerves then function will be lost.

Having a slipped disc or a disc prolapse is a worry for many people who present with back pain. As people get older, the intervertebral discs shrink and are more likely to move out of position. Excessive exercising, lifting heavy objects incorrectly, operating heavy or vibrating machinery and being overweight can all increase the risk of disc movement. If a disc moves out of place it can cause back pain, and if it presses on a nerve root or the spinal cord itself, it can also cause symptoms such as weakness, numbness and tingling.

Here is an example: A man comes to the GP – he tried to lift a heavy slab at work, resulting in back pain, pins and needles in his right leg and tripping over his right foot. So, what has happened? The lifting mechanism has caused slipped disc on the right side of his lumbar spine (lower back). It is pressing on a specific nerve root which supplies the messages to tell the ankle joint it needs to bend upwards to lift the foot. As the messages do not get through, the foot is weak and floppy. There is pain from the nerve compression.

Each nerve root from the neck to the

IN THE FINAL INSTALMENT OF OUR BACK PAIN FOCUS, GP ALICE FITZGIBBON LOOKS AT CONDITIOS ASSOCIATED WITH NERVE ISSUES

runs from the lower back to the feet. It is made up of several nerve roots together. The symptoms of sciatica include pain in the buttock, down the back of the leg or in the foot and toes. It might feel like a stabbing pain, aching pain, burning pain, numbness, pins and needles or a general weakness.

bottom has a different job and the symptoms of slipped discs are different depending on where the spine is affected (eg. if it is the neck, the hands or arms will be affected). Slipped discs that affect nerve roots can often be managed with rest, exercises and pain killers and settle down with time.

If initial treatment does not work, further investigation may be needed by means of an MRI scan (X-rays are not helpful). In very few cases, surgery may be required to release pressure on the nerves. Any pain in the neck or back with symptoms affecting the arms or legs should always be seen by a doctor or physiotherapist so if you have symptoms,

So, what is sciatica? The sciatic nerve

Pain in the back might also be felt, but it is generally not as bad as the leg pain. The causes of sciatica are compression or irritation of the nerve. This might be due to a slipped disc, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal – a long term condition), general back injuries causing muscle spasm or inflammation that presses on the nerve or when a vertebrae slips forwards out of place in the spine (a condition called spondylolisthesis).

Sciatica can be a very painful condition. Most cases settle with timealthough this will take weeks (approximately 4-6 weeks but may be longer). Painkillers, exercises, keeping active and sleeping with a pillow between your knees may all help manage the symptoms.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON NHS PHYSIOTHERAPY VISIT

WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS092

ToughBuilt’s #KneelSmartKneelSafe campaign aims to see kneepads treated with the same sense of necessity on the jobsite as other forms of PPE like eye protection, hard hats or safety boots. After all, the consequences of not wearing kneepads can be every bit as devastating. ToughBuilt’s ultimate aim is to reduce the number of people who inadvertently end up with work related knee injuries.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE TOUGHBUILT RANGE OF KNEEPADS VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BAS093