Professional Builder January 2021

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FRE E TO THE TRA DE

Professional BUILDING ■ FLOORING ■ PLUMBING ■ ROOFING ■ CARPENTRY ■ PAINTING AND DECORATING ■ THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR THE BUILDING INDUSTRY

JANUARY 2021

DOORS, WINDOWS & SECURITY THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASSS!

BILLY KEE

PRO FOOTBALL “WHY I’VE SWAPPED !”

FOR A LIFE ON SITE

EXTENSIONS & CONVERSIONS SPACE...THE NEW FRONTIER! QUICKSLIDE IS OPENING ALL THE RIGHT DOORS...AND WINDOWS FOR INSTALLERS

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contents

Total Average Net Distribution 112,628 1 July 2019 – 31 June 2020

JANUARY 2021 VOL. 43 NO.1 @PB_mag

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@probuilderonline

Professional Builder, Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF.

REGULARS 7 8 10 18 26 65 66

Editor’s Viewpoint News Letters Training & Upskilling Free-for-All The Doctor’s Advice Wise Howell

Professional INVENTORS’ CORNER

16 Inventors’ Corner – QuikCore

GENERAL BUILDING 52 NEW PRODUCTS 54 HB42 – Sealants and Adhesives

HEALTH & SAFETY 21 UK Power Networks

SPECIAL REPORTS

BUSINESS SOLUTIONS 24 Carpentry Estimator

FREE FOR ALL! In it to win it... page 26 see

12 12 Footballer Turned Bricklayer, Billy Kee 14 Hydrogen Gas Boilers

56 TOOLS & EQUIPMENT 53 NEW PRODUCTS 56 Makita – 40V Range 58 Dickies Workwear

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30 BUILDERS’ VEHICLES

44 EXTENSIONS & CONVERSIONS DOORS, WINDOWS & SECURITY 28 Quickslide – Door & Window Trends 30 Made for Trade 32 Dakea Ultima Energy 35 ERA DoorCam 36 Stella Rooflights 38 New Products

40 Continal – Underfloor Heating 42 Marley – Low Pitch Roofing 44 Actis – Barn Conversion 46 Temporary Kitchen Pod 48 Mira – Bathrooms in Extensions 50 Pasquill – Modular Extension 51 NEW PRODUCTS

60 LEVC – VN5 Electric Van 62 Renault – Trafic

HEATING & PLUMBING 64 Fernox – Inhibitor Test

PRESCRIPTION in with There’s no need to book ’s here she GP Alice Fitzgibbon – through every month, guiding you t tan some of the most impor today. e health issues builders fac her d Turn to page 64 to rea advice on gallstones.

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Total Average Net Distribution 112,628 1 July 2019 – 31 June 2020

MANAGING EDITOR TERRY SMITH EMAIL: tsmith@hamerville.co.uk DEPUTY EDITOR LEE JONES EMAIL: ljones@hamerville.co.uk GROUP ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER CRAIG JOWSEY TEL: 07900 248102 EMAIL: craig@hamerville.co.uk NORTHERN ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER IAN DUFF MOBILE: 07810 353525 EMAIL: ian@hamerville.co.uk REGIONAL ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER SAM SHANNON TINSLEY MOBILE: 07554 013302 EMAIL: stinsley@hamerville.co.uk GRAPHIC DESIGNER DONNA BOOTH GROUP PRODUCTION MANAGER CAROL PADGETT PRODUCTION ASSISTANT CLAIRE SWENDELL DIGITAL ASSISTANT JASMINE SMITH EMAIL: jsmith@hamerville.co.uk DISTRIBUTION MANAGER KARL CLARK PUBLISHER BRYAN SHANNON PRINTED BY WALSTEAD PETERBOROUGH PUBLISHED BY HAMERVILLE MEDIA GROUP Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts WD24 4YF Tel: (01923) 237799 Fax: (01923) 246901 Email: pb@hamerville.co.uk

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. © 2021 To be removed from this magazine’s circulation, please call 01923 237799 or email circulation@hamerville.co.uk.

Subscriptions to Professional Builder are available at the following rates: UK: 1 year (11 issues) – £30.00 post paid Europe & Overseas: 1 year (11 issues) – £50.00 post paid Airmail: 1 year (11 issues) – £65.00 post paid

viewpoint best wishes

Having failed dismally to predict a global pandemic, you will not be surprised to hear that we have taken a rather large sledgehammer to our previously trusty crystal ball. Instead, for 2021, we have decided to break with twenty years of tradition and present our very own wish list for each coming month. Who knows, like some of our more outlandish predictions over the years, a few may actually come to fruition.

JANUARY No debate about it, a global roll out of the best clinically proven COVID-19 vaccine, which will completely eradicate this horrible virus for good and let us all get on with the proper business of living our lives to the full once again. ✔ FEBRUARY It’s consistently fallen on deaf ears since it was first mooted more than a decade ago, but surely in the present climate there has never been a more opportune moment for the Government to finally bite the bullet and cut the current VAT on repair, maintenance and improvement work to just five per cent.

With the added bonus, of course, that – at a stroke – it will remove the cowboy operators’ cash advantage. ✔ MARCH An extension of the Stamp Duty holiday to help the backlog of home sales, and the frantic rush to complete before the end of month deadline, would provide a shot in the arm to an uncertain housing market. ✔ APRIL One extension which has been secured is to the Green Homes Grant, a move that should herald the arrival of a much wider retrofit strategy. Energy saving home improvements can be a huge source of work for builders, and wealth for the economy, if we have the ambition to properly address the condition of our existing housing stock. ✔ MAY Two bank holidays and at last the penny seems to be dropping (rather than the hammer on foot) as hapless DIYers decide that it’s probably best to spend the day on the beach rather than in A&E as a result of yet another unmitigated DIY disaster. ✔

JUNE Finally stop paying lip to service to the problem and see the powers that be take a mighty scalpel to the onerous amount of red tape and bureaucracy hampering the growth of so many small building companies. As we have repeatedly observed over the years, they have consistently been COSHed, SAPP–ed, Boxed, Marked and ‘CE’een off into submission. ✔ JULY At last, the England football team lives up to expectations winning Euro 2021 in style with Phil Foden and Will Greenwood scoring on the pitch this time! ✔ AUGUST A summer long heat wave as millions of staycationers enjoy everything this unlocked country has to offer for a perfect holiday. ✔ SEPTEMBER The late payment burden is confronted with genuine penalties for the worst transgressors, and more protection for the small builder. ✔ OCTOBER One of the largest oil fields ever discovered is located just a few miles off the Kent coast in the now post-Brexit clearly defined British territorial waters. The potential revenue could make the COVID-19 tax bill quite literally look like a drop in the ocean, states a clearly excited Chancellor, Rishi Sunak. ✔ NOVEMBER Having resumed in the spring after a COVID-19 ravished 2020, our highly popular Toolfair exhibitions sign off with a record attendance at the newly added Bolton Arena as thousands of tradespeople look for a pre-Christmas bargain on the very latest tools and equipment. ✔ DECEMBER After being confined to the North Pole last year, Santa and his socially distanced elfs return in all their former glory, and the nation can look forward to a truly magical 2022. ✔

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News Professional Builder

email your news to us at pb@hamerville.co.uk Tel 01923 237799

GREEN LIGHT The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) welcomes the extension to the Green Homes Grant, but government needs to go further. © highwaystarz/AdobeStock

“The Green Industrial Revolution needs to be more ambitious about the built environment if the Government is serious about creating a low carbon economy,” declares Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB. “Our existing homes contribute 20 per cent of all our carbon emissions and consume 35 per cent of our energy. A long term retrofit strategy is needed over the next two decades to make all our existing homes more energy efficient. Such a strategy has the potential to create hundreds of thousands of new jobs and save the NHS as much as £2 billion because of the cost of people living in poor housing conditions.”

BREATHE EASY

Vent-Axia has welcomed BEAMA’s Green Homes Compliance Scheme.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW001

STAR VEHICLE

Isuzu UK is proudly sponsoring the 2021 Master Builder Awards

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has launched its fifteenth biennial Master Builder Awards, a national competition that celebrates the very best of the UK’s builders. Not only will the lucky winner receive the deserved recognition from FMB, they will drive away with a brand new, yet to be released Isuzu D-Max pick-up worth more than £36,000.

Aimed at installers, the scheme provides guidance on how to ensure adequate ventilation when a building’s air tightness is improved through Green Homes Grant energy efficiency measures, such as insulation. The scheme is designed to help installers easily identify products through its Green Homes Compliance Scheme badge for accredited ventilation products.

The badge demonstrates that fans will meet Building Regulation requirements and deliver effective ventilation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW004

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW002

PUMP IT UP!

TAKE VAT!

Government plan sets target for 600,000 heat pumps every year by 2028

Slash VAT on repairs from 20 to five per cent urges FMB

“Increased deployment of heat pumps in homes and businesses is vital if the UK is to deliver Net Zero,” enthuses Laura Bishop, Chair of the Ground Source Heat Pump Association (GSHPA). “It will provide a massive stimulus to job creation across the country.” It has been widely accepted that UK will need to install at least one million heat pumps per annum over the next 10 – 15 years if this country is to decarbonise heat and deliver Net Zero.

“Cutting VAT is an oven-ready fiscal policy that will help to generate billions in economic stimulus and tens of thousands of jobs across the UK,” explains FMB Chief Executive, Brian Berry. Construction industry commissioned research shows 95,000 new jobs would have been created over the last five years if VAT had been cut to five per cent. It would also have generated an economic stimulus of £15.1bn to the UK economy.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW003

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW005

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HEALTH OF THE NATION ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

A ‘radical overhaul’ to occupational health is required, demands charity and chartered body BOHS ©dear2627/AdobeStock

The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) has responded to the latest statistics from the HSE that reveal the loss of over £10.6 billion to British industry, almost 40 million days lost to illness and 12,000 deaths a year from work-related lung disease alone.

The Society is particularly concerned that, despite years of effort to address respiratory illness, the decline in the number of deaths over the last decade has not been significant. It is calling for a “Sustainable Workplace Health” approach, which invests in trying to treat occupational illness rather than disproportionately focusing on safety.

FOR MORE DETAILS VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW006

SUICIDE RATE INCREASING

Bill Hill CEO of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity on the recently published ONS Suicide Statistics

FOR MORE DETAILS VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW008

DIRECT ACTION

Landlords are spending billions on emergency callouts, according to Direct Line – Business.

Over 2019 and 2020, they spent at least £5.68 billion on emergency callouts – with an average cost of £765 per callout, or £2,141 for every landlord in the UK. The most common time sensitive issue in a rental property is plumbing (48 per cent), followed by gas or heating (45 per cent), electrics (35 per cent) and locks (27 per cent).

FOR MORE DETAILS VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW010

Over half of Brits (53 per cent) said they would rather improve, than move this year, reveals research

by Attic Self Storage. Brits are also set to spend an average of £6,531 per household in 2021 sprucing up and transforming their abodes, with decorating being the top home improvement (69 per cent).

More than two in five (43 per cent) are looking to upgrade their garden and outside areas; almost a fifth (18 per cent) are looking to extend or build an outhouse; and 14 per cent a work hub.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW007

SEE THE LIGHT

NARM, the National Association of Rooflight Manufacturers, has launched a new safety campaign Toughened glass inner panes bring a risk of shattering and falling into the room beneath and there has been a number of worrying reports of potentially dangerous incidents involving poorly designed or installed rooflights. The NARM campaign will focus on a new symbol, designed to draw attention to the need for a laminated inner pane. This will be promoted to professional and end user audiences via on-line, printed and social media, together with detailed information regarding the dangers of inappropriate glass specification in rooflights.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW009

RUNNING LATE

Put paid to late payment, urges industry bodies

A significant number of roofers (23 per cent) reported concerns around payment, with one contractor reporting to have waited four months to be paid by a particular public sector client. That’s according to the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), whose member have also cited material shortages as an area of concern. The findings come as the government has introduced new measures to tackle the issue. Main contractors will now be required to demonstrate they have paid at least 85 per cent of invoices to sub-contractors within 60 days or they could be excluded from public sector contracts.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW011

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©suyujung/AdobeStock

Recent data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), has found that male suicides are now at their highest in two decades, and suicides peaked in the 45 to 55 age category. “As a male dominated industry, we know that construction workers will account for a huge proportion of these figures,” Bill explains. “A crucial element of our strategy is to provide more pro-active interventions to support the industry’s mental wellbeing.

This includes our free and confidential 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline, supporting app, and Mental Health First Aider course.”

Half of Brits set to improve, not move in 2021

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News

Professional Builder

MAKING A MARK

DHF guides its members on CE marking changes from 1 January 2021 DHF (Door & Hardware Federation) has hosted a series of webinars and produced briefing papers for its membership in relation to UKCA marking and what they need to consider. CE marking will no longer be recognised in the UK and UKCA will be the only recognised conformity mark for the UK market. UKCA marking will not be recognised in the EU 27 nor in Northern Ireland. UKCA will relate to goods that are currently required to carry the CE mark, such as construction products and machinery.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ENTER VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW081

The charity, which carries out projects and adaptations to help UK tradespeople and their families affected by illness or disability, has launched the fund to help UK tradespeople and their families left in financial difficulties as a consequence of COVID-19. BoB, as the charity is affectionately known in the construction world, has committed to match every £1 donated by the public all the way up to £10,000, creating an overall fund of £20,000. The cash will then be used to award grants of between £250 and £500 to tradespeople who have been left in financial difficulties.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ENTER VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW082

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GOOFS ON THE ROOF Dear Professional Builder I’ve been reading your Goofs on the Roof feature and have an example of my own. This is work carried out by a housing association and, despite them saying they’ll fix things, I’m still waiting. The bonding gutter does not run down the party line and is off centre. There’s also issues with the pointing to the house and they’ve also left a bit of the original soffits attached (the dark brown section between the grey looking soffits and the new white soffits). ● Sarah Witherley, via email PB: If you want to take a look at some of the jobs that tradespeople have been asked to put right then visit our DI-WHY? feature on the Professional Builder website WWW.RDR.LINK/BW012

A SORRY ESTATE Dear Professional Builder As I approach my 60th birthday, and reflect on all the changes to this industry since 1978, it occurred to me that the ‘cowboys’ of this modern day industry are not so much the unqualified tradesmen, but the greedy house selling solicitors who, with their complete incompetence in understanding a basic house construction, are making a mockery of the building trades’ attempts at bringing us up to a standard.

I did a five year plastering apprenticeship, night school for bricklaying, and have a good all round knowledge of house building, having been involved in six large house builds, so why is it when my daughter sells a bungalow, which I renovated for her, and have all the Part P certificates, and all the necessary Gas Safe certificates, the solicitor can demand indemnity insurance for the gas and electrical works?

My daughter’s boyfriend is selling his flat in East Grinstead and is getting massive hold-ups due to there being no FENSA certificates. This block of flats is ‘60s built with large concrete lintels, with over 30 units, every one of which has replacement windows. The solicitor is requesting this certificate for planning and compliance.

As I understand it, FENSA was a result of people pulling out load supporting windows and fitting non load supporting windows. But hey, don’t worry about it, just give me a few hundred quid more and get insurance! So, an electrician, or plumber, goes to huge expense to be Gas Safe or Part P registered only for a unqualified solicitor to say, “get some indemnity insurance”. So what’s the point of having all these qualifications for the trades when all you need is to get insurance recommended by a so called ‘professional’ with schoolboy knowledge on house construction? ● Kevin Lucas, via email PB: If anyone has had similar experience with estate agents then get it touch at pb@hamerville.co.uk

©Freedomz/Adobe Stock

BAND TOGETHER

Band of Builders has launched a new hardship fund to help tradespeople affected by the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

YOUR LETTERS...

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SPECIAL REPORT READERS’ LIVES

BUILDING A LIFE Former professional footballer, Billy Kee has hung up his boots for the life of a bricklayer – and it’s a move that’s helped saved his life. Lee Jones talks to the Accrington Stanley star about his battles with mental health, and the solace he has found in the trades.

he adoring fans are singing your name and you reward their support by firing home the winning goal – on a frosty day in January that childhood dream of playing professional football is one that many in the trades might fleetingly resurrect, but for bricklayer, Billy Kee it was actually a reality. The former Accrington Stanley centre forward was at the height of his powers when the pressures of performing provoked a crisis in his mental health. Today, Billy has swapped the admiration of the terraces for a hawk and trowel – and he’s never been happier.

“It came to a crunch point just a few years ago when I had to admit to my family that if I didn’t get out of football I felt like I was going to kill myself,” recalls the 29 year old. “I got incredible support from those closest to me and finding a trade has helped me build a new life.” In a sector which has had its own issues with the mental wellbeing of its workforce, and where it is estimated that two people in the industry commit suicide every day, the life of a brickie has proved to be Billy Kee’s saviour, but his path to redemption

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follows the same familiar tale of failing to come to terms with his condition at an earlier stage.

Billy embarked upon his professional career at the age of 16 when he signed for his boyhood club, Leicester City. He would go on to experience successful spells at Burton Albion and Torquay, but it

was at Accrington Stanley where he would flourish. In his four-year stay at the Lancashire team, the Loughborough-born forward would score 68 goals in 174 appearances, finishing the 2017/18 as League Two’s top scorer with 25 goals.

Indeed, Billy was held in such high regard at the ‘Accy’ that the club has accorded

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him the rare honour of retiring his shirt.

That was the public face of success but behind it was a tortured soul who had concealed the symptoms of mental health issues over the course of many years. “I actually suffered with bulimia from my mid-teens,” he admits. “It was something that I hid away for a long time, but when my parents caught me making myself sick I had to confess – but that wasn’t the end of it by any means.

“The more successful I got the more the stress increased. What fans, and others around the game, thought and said about me became all-consuming, which was exacerbated by being away from home and my family on a regular basis.

There isn’t anywhere you can really escape to when you’re playing at a professional level. You’re watching what you eat and drink all the time to keep your weight down, for instance, and, looking back on it, I don’t think I was ever really suited to that style of living. In the end it was something that I just couldn’t cope with. I would say that in the last four or five years of my career I rarely liked playing.”

“On site I’m busy all day, and tired at the end of it – when I go home it’s to my family.

That’s a lifestyle that’s so far removed from football that it’s helped me immensely.”

‘Trade-ing’ Places

When Billy first turned his back on football in 2017 it was a natural step to embrace a career in the building industry. “My dad was a landscape gardener and bricklayer and as a kid in the summer and the holidays I’d go out on site with him,” he recalls. “I remembered them as some of my happiest days, so I went back to working with him on site, but after about a month I felt compelled to play football again.” Despite continued support from both Accrington Stanley and the PFA Billy’s anxiety and depression was threatening to break him, and a confession to his dad of suicidal thoughts would see his family rally round and led him to permanently step away from the game.

Since then Billy has started as a labourer and apprentice with Stuart Knight Brickwork, and a year on is now spending more and more time on the trowel. “On site I’m busy all day, and tired at the end of it, and when I go home it’s to my family.

That’s a lifestyle that’s so far removed from football that it’s helped me immensely. I work with a great group of lads and I do

get stick about swapping football for a building site but when I explain it they understand. I’ve also started playing again, with local club Coalville Town. We’re top of the league, there’s no pressure or stress, and I’m finally enjoying my football. There’s no doubt that the therapy sessions I underwent as a player, and sharing the way I felt with my family made the decision a lot easier,” concludes Billy, “and that’s certainly a lesson that others can learn – hiding it away is not a solution.”

BUILDING MENTAL HEALTH

A male dominated workforce that is reluctant to confront the issue, and the social stigma that persists around conditions like anxiety and depression has driven the problem of mental health in the construction industry into the dark. Every working day, two workers in the sector take their own lives, and it is that statistic alone which should shine a light on the subject. The Lighthouse Club is already beacon for builders in crisis and has devoted considerable resources to building mental health. If you, or you know anyone, who has been affected by any of the issues in the article then visit the link below for support.

FOR DETAILS ON THE LIGHTHOUSE CLUB, VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW013

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SPECIAL REPORT HYDROGEN BOILERS

HIT THE GAS!

Two of the UK’s leading boiler manufacturers are supporting a new trial that features homes heated by prototype hydrogen gas units.

Professional Builder reports.

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he government’s on-going commitments to reducing carbon emissions has made finding a future beyond natural gas heating now more important than it has ever been. Indeed, if Whitehall targets are to be achieved it is imperative that the CO2 output from domestic properties is addressed, and hydrogen is increasingly be viewed as a viable option.

That’s why boiler manufacturers, Baxi Heating and Worcester Bosch have installed hydrogen burning boilers at ‘HyStreet’ in purpose-built demonstration houses at DNV GL’s specialist test site at Spadeadam in Northumberland. The site

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has been used to complete over 200 tests, researching and proving the safety of converting homes and gas networks to hydrogen.

The project is part of H21, a Network Innovation Competition project sponsored

by Ofgem. Northern Gas Networks is leading the project with partners Cadent, Scottish Gas Networks, Wales & West Utilities, National Grid, DNV GL and the Health and Safety Executive’s science division. H21 is demonstrating how existing natural gas networks can be repurposed to safely carry 100 per cent hydrogen.

For the first demonstration, both Worcester Bosch and Baxi Heating have

installed combi boilers into the houses on HyStreet. The boilers have been developed as part of the UK Governmentfunded Hy4Heat programme, which is also supporting the development of hydrogen-ready gas cookers, fires and gas meters.

As around 85 per cent of UK homes currently rely on natural gas for heating and hot water, repurposing the natural gas grid for use with hydrogen would mean a low disruption option for householders to decarbonise their heating without the need for extensive changes to their existing system.

Domestic properties are responsible for

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WHITE HEAT approximately 15 per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions. Therefore, tackling the impact of home heating is essential, and one of the most difficult challenges in achieving net-zero emissions, given the need to make adaptations in almost every home. A growing library of studies and reports conclude that all viable scenarios for the UK to hit net-zero include hydrogen as a vital component. That is why Government and industry are working on various projects across the UK. Tim Harwood, Northern Gas Networks’ Project Director for H21 said: “Seeing the boilers in situ at Spadeadam is an exciting step in the journey to realising our goal of a gas network transporting 100 per cent hydrogen to customers. The hydrogen boiler looks and feels just like the natural gas version we all have today and is just as user-friendly, showing that a transition could cause minimal disruption to customers.”

Dan Allason, Head of Research and Innovation, at DNV GL’s Spadeadam Research and Testing commented: “Eight out of ten homes in the UK use a gas boiler to heat their homes and provide hot water and replacing all gas boilers with electric alternatives could be extremely

costly. Both of the boiler manufacturers have developed options with their hydrogen ready prototypes to assist the switch to a lower carbon alternative.

“Having these fitted to the HyStreet demonstration project at Spadeadam gives gravitas to the proof of concept and public acceptability of appliances such as these.”

Baxi Heating’s Managing Director Karen Boswell added: “This is an important step forward on our hydrogen journey and we are delighted to be able to demonstrate this innovative new technology in a real life setting in the UK.” Concluding, Carl Arntzen, CEO of Worcester Bosch, said: “It is fantastic to see our prototype hydrogen boiler running successfully at this demonstration site. The boiler has operated seamlessly in its first month of operation and continues to provide both heating and hot water.

“It proves that hydrogen gas has great potential as a zero-carbon alternative to natural gas for heating and hot water in the UK and beyond. These initial tests are incredibly encouraging and will hopefully give key decision makers confidence to deploy hydrogen gas as a fuel for the future.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE POTENTIAL OF HYDROGEN GAS BOILERS, ENTER THE APPROPRIATE SHORTCODE: BAXI HEATING WWW.RDR.LINK/BW014 WORCESTER BOSCH WWW.RDR.LINK/BW015 HY4HEAT PROGRAMME WWW.RDR.LINK/BW016

Worcester Bosch has recently published a white paper focused on decarbonisation and developing the practical adoption of the Government’s ‘Net Zero’ carbon target by 2050.

Titled Fuelling the Future, the document outlines the challenge faced by the industry at large and assesses a number of the emerging technologies – including hydrogenready boilers, heat pumps and hybrid systems – that will all contribute to a cleaner environment.

Writing in the Executive Summary that introduces the white paper, Worcester Bosch CEO, Carl Arntzen highlights the need for the industry to “roll up our sleeves and start putting plans into action” and also recognises that there “is unlikely to be one singular answer for all applications”. Consequently, Carl reports, there is a requirement for a broader analysis and an investigation into “how best certain heat generating sources may be more suited to certain property types over others”.

Accordingly, Worcester intends that the white paper has been produced to “give an honest, impartial and technology agnostic view on the benefits, advantages and suitable applications for the UK’s future domestic heating requirements”.

TO DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE WORCESTER BOSCH FUELLING THE FUTURE WHITE PAPER, VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW017

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Professional INVENTORS’ CORNER

CORE SKILLS!

A quick thinking plumber with more than thirty years’ experience has come up with a new device for safer core drilling.

Professional Builder’s Lee Jones meets the tradesman and inventor

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essons of the painful variety can often have the most lasting impact, and when one plumber broke his thumb on site it would inspire a brand-new solution for the trades. “I was removing my core bit from my drill in the same way that pretty much every tradesman does it – and that’s by hitting a spanner with a hammer,” explains Devon based Ty Harnett.

“Unfortunately, I missed and fractured a bone. That put me out of action for a couple of weeks, incurring loss of earnings as a result, which gave me plenty of time to ponder that there must be a better way.”

It is a predicament with which many a tradesman can identify: Because the torque tension of a drill is so powerful, the core bit will bind very tightly on the equipment, which then presents a problem when you need to remove it.

Spanners are not designed to be hit with hammers. As Ty found to his cost –

A specially designed clip means the core bit can be easily removed from a drill or extension bar

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however commonplace it might be – it’s a dangerous and time consuming practice but, once you have successfully removed the bit, you’re then faced with the next challenge of how to eject the waste material. Again, the solution has traditionally been brute force, with the inherent risk of denting the metal construction of the core bit.

“It was easy to come to the conclusion that what we currently had on the market was not really fit for purpose but it’s much harder to come up with an alternative,” admits Ty. “I was, however, pretty determined and sketched out a design, from which some prototypes were

commissioned. I was then able to test these out on my own jobs and found the idea itself was sound – and the result is QuikCore.”

‘Quik’ Smart The 47-year-old plumbing and heating engineer’s focus was on producing a product that would not only prevent such injury, but also damage to the tools themselves. QuikCore features a quick release clip for easy removal of the core bit from the drill or extension bar, as well as an accompanying knock out tool that will safely punch the core from the core bit.

A simple solution, perhaps, but behind

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QUIKCORE IS MANUFACTURED IN THE UK AND IS AVAILABLE IN BOTH INDEPENDENT AND NATIONAL PLUMBING MERCHANTS. that concept lies some complex design work to ensure that the bit’s construction is up to the rigours of the job at hand, as Ty explains: “A core drill can run at anything up to 3,000rpm, so the clip had to be incredibly robust to withstand those stresses, but also easily removable by hand when required, and that’s where the real work was required. As well as using the device on site, during the early stages of the product’s development many years ago, I actually built my own test rig, for instance. To ensure that it was up to standard, it was a set-up that featured concrete blocks of different levels of hardness, on which the QuikCore was subjected to prolonged use. The design passed every test we could give it and it has since been patent protected.”

Ty has worked tirelessly on sourcing a manufacturer and distribution, all whilst maintaining his successful plumbing business, and has been rewarded with a product that is quickly establishing itself in the marketplace. “The beauty of QuikCore is that it works in exactly the same way as any conventional core drill, but it will do it quicker and safer,” concludes Ty. “Whether it’s boiler flues, waste pipes, soil or gas pipes for a plumber, or extractor fans for a sparks, they will A dedicated knockout tool allows the core to be not need to change their easily removed from the bit working practices, but will save time. It’s actually also available through electrical wholesalers and there is, of course, a market for builders as well.” Indeed, whatever your core skills this is one time-saving tool you should be “Quik’ to adopt.

For further information on the QuikCore visit www.rdr.link/BW018

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SPECIAL REPORT TRAINING & UPSKILLING

ACADEMY REWARDS Vickie Mather, Dulux Academy and Dulux Select Decorators Lead explains how the most iconic name in decorating is supporting the trades during these difficult times

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his has been a challenging year for those who work in the decorating industry, and at Dulux Academy and through our Dulux Select Decorators scheme we’ve devoted a lot of energy to supporting the industry through these obstacles in order to help them build back better.

We were quick to recognise the help we could provide in offering training to decorators in new ways while they were forced to down tools. That saw us launch a series of free online training workshops.

Dulux Academy Live features our expert trainers sharing their knowledge in interactive, engaging sessions delivered via video conference – offering an invaluable opportunity for professionals to learn from home.

Sessions cover a full range of subjects from the use of waterborne paints and tips for wallpapering, to spray advice, business skills and colour confidence. Delivered by the same experienced trainers who run our faceto-face courses, they offer a combination of practical advice and general discussions.

The popularity of these sessions has shown us that there’s a real appetite for this blended learning where some is done virtually and other

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elements are done in our state-of-the-art facility in Slough. We’ve recently introduced more 6pm sessions to cater for professionals who are back at work but still want to take advantage of the workshops and we’ll be adapting our training further in 2021 to cater to these new ways of working.

The Dulux Academy Podcast: Life as a decorator As well as going virtual, we’ve also recently launched a podcast – The Dulux Academy Podcast: Life as a decorator. It provides a voice for the nation’s professional painters and decorators.

Each half-hour episode, presented by Tony Pearson-Young from Dulux Academy, allows pros to share best practice, business tips and personal stories on subjects as diverse as mental health, the tools of the trade and how they are building their businesses up again.

Supporting Dulux Select members Our Dulux Select scheme is a community of experienced decorators who have passed a comprehensive workmanship assessment, with Dulux guaranteeing their work for two years after completion and delivering a host of personal and business benefits.

The Dulux Select Decorators Facebook group has grown into a forum where scheme members can share their concerns and worries with other likeminded decorators. Many told how they struggled during lockdown with feeling isolated. With no work on and no social interaction with clients the group provided a lifeline.

As a result, we were quick to identify the increasing mental health challenges facing the industry. It prompted us to partner with The Rainy Day Trust to provide confidential professional support and services for our members.

It is the only charity which exists solely to help people who have worked in the UK’s domestic improvement and repair industry, offering grants and financial support alongside training, counselling and legal services.

We were also fortunate that early in 2020, we launched a Mental Health First

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Aid Course for members. Before lockdown,16 volunteers had taken up the call and completed the course – and they have been a vital support in the last six months by lending an ear to provide confidential help and advice to others.

The Facebook group is also a space where decorators can discuss the impact of changing restrictions and regulations on ways of working – and share practical advice and on-the-job experience.

It allowed us to quickly identify that we could support scheme members by providing them with practical guidance on how they could return to work safety, including risk assessment templates and physical workplace safety signage that prepared them to talk to customers and quickly answer queries decorators across the industry were facing.

We have also worked hard in the last two years to build the social element of the

scheme, with new awards and family events. We’ve tried to ensure that having to go virtual this year didn’t stop this, with the Facebook group continuing to be a place of fun, light relief and banter, and the addition of online quizzes and virtual events.

And as lockdown began to ease in August, we supported members with an extensive homeowner advertising campaign, to encourage people to book in a Dulux Select decorator to complete their project.

Since March, the way we work has been transformed. We’re committed to continuing to support the industry by allowing decorators to improve their skills in new ways through the Dulux Academy and helping Select members adapt and be on the front foot to face any challenges that come their way. Together, we’ll emerge in better shape whatever the future may hold

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!

25 CANS OF ARMSTEAD PAINT MUST BE WON! Armstead is offering our readers 25 cans of its Durable Matt. The product is a professional quality matt emulsion that is scrubbable and offers good stain resistance.

This tough matt finish will hide surface imperfections and the stain resistance will help your walls look great for longer. It’s the ideal product to deal with life as it happens in living rooms, hallways, and even schoool corridors, and is perfect for a wide range of jobs.

TO ENTER THE COMPETITION VISIT PB’S WEBSITE AT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW019

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK A DULUX ACADEMY COURSE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW020 FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE DULUX SELECT DECORATORS SCHEME, PLEASE VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW021

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HEALTH & SAFETY STAY SAFE CAMPAIGN

Be Bright

Stay Safe

Think before you dig is one of the core messages from the UK Power Networks Be Bright, Stay Safe campaign.

Professional Builder’s Lee Jones looks at how the organisation can help you steer clear of contact with cables and electrical infrastructure. hen it comes to a close encounter with the power network there are rarely second chances. The least that could be expected from significant contact with electricity is serious burns, and at worst a fatality. Either outcome will have a devastating effect on a builder’s family, with life-changing injuries seriously impacting on their ability to earn.

Moreover, if an employer is deemed to have failed to implement the appropriate mitigation measures amongst their workforce, it is likely they will be deemed legally responsible for any harm to their employees.

The UK Power Networks, Be Bright, Stay Safe Campaign is dedicated to raising the awareness of the dangers of excavation around the underground network, and avoiding contact with overhead cables. It seeks to engage with everyone from contractors, to utilities providers to get that message across, and is at pains to emphasise the consequences of cable strikes. Thanks to the invaluable information it provides, however, the organisation can help the building industry avoid those tragic consequences, and represents an

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invaluable resource for identifying the location of electrical services.

So just what procedures should you be putting in place to make sure you don’t become a casualty? Tradespeople can be at risk not just when digging but when using lifting equipment, ladders, pneumatic drills or hand and power tools. In every instance the same rules apply – each job ABOUT UK POWER NETWORKS UK Power Networks is the country’s biggest electricity distributor, making sure the lights stay on for more than eight million homes and businesses across London, the South East and the East of England.

As a network operator it maintains and owns local power lines and substations and invests more than £600 million in its electricity networks every year.

should be planned, with extra time allowed to locate and mark out cables.

Excavation Before starting work you can request cable plans from either UK Power Networks or Line Search Before You Dig. Every job is money but digging without an awareness of what lies beneath can itself be very costly. Locate, identify, and clearly mark where those cables are and make sure everyone working on site is aware and understands. Underground utilities may not run in straight lines and can be routed around obstacles – or change depth – so it’s also important to confirm the location of cables by using a Cable Avoidance Tool (CAT). Buried services should be clearly marked before excavating – with trial holes dug if necessary – and, when you’re ready to make the earth move, do not use mechanical excavators or power tools within 0.5m of the suspected route.

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HEALTH & SAFETY STAY SAFE CAMPAIGN Domestic and commercial

The same principles apply when working in a domestic or commercial property and the advice is just as clear: Before drilling into walls, roof areas or floors use a cable detector, and know where the service cables enter the building. Communication is key so make sure you are aware of the location of wiring and that the trades that follow you on the job are just as well informed.

Overhead power cables

When working in the vicinity of overhead power cables look up and look out. Work away from overhead power lines when handling long items, such as scaffold poles, or when using lifting and digging equipment and make sure that delivery drivers are aware of their location. Similarly, starting demolition work before the electricity supply is disconnected could lead to injury or death.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE UK POWER NETWORKS BE BRIGHT, STAY SAFE CAMPAIGN, AND FOR DETAILS ON CABLE PLANS, VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW022 LINE SEARCH BEFORE YOU DIG CAN ALSO PROVIDE THESE PLANS AND YOU CAN FIND MORE DETAILS ATÂ WWW.RDR.LINK/BW023 TO ACCESS HSE ADVICE ON AVOIDING DANGER FROM OVERHEAD POWER LINES VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW024 FOR HSE GUIDANCE ON AVOIDING DANGER FROM UNDERGROUND SERVICES VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW025 THE ELECTRICITY NETWORKS ASSOCIATION HAS RECENTLY LAUNCHED A NEW EXCAVATION SAFETY FILM. TO WATCH THE FILM VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW026

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BUSINESS SOLUTIONS ESTIMATING

ESTIMATE TO ACCUMULATE Professional Builder’s Lee Jones hears from Simon Huddart about a new concept in trade specific estimating

ive that it is time consuming, and with no guarantee that you will ultimately win the work as a result, quoting for jobs can be one of the more frustrating aspects of the life of a tradesman. Some might resort to the services of a quantity surveyor, but this can be an expensive proposition. Moreover, whilst it is undoubtedly a highly qualified profession, QS practitioners might lack the trade specific and site-based knowledge necessary to produce a document that reflects the perspective of a particular trade in all its essential detail.

This was the experience of timeserved chippie, Simon Huddart, and the inspiration for Carpentry Estimator. “I’ve done a lot of work for main contractors over the years and often all you are given when you’re asked to price a job is the drawings and, if you’re lucky, an architect’s spec. Producing a spreadsheet or a bill of quantity from these is not necessarily a skill that every tradesman might have, and if crucial information is left off then that can cause real problems in terms of the profitability of the job for a subbie. That got me thinking that an estimating service that specialised in carpentry, where quotes are produced by

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someone with expert knowledge of that trade, would be a useful resource for building firms to draw upon.”

Since then Simon has set up Carpentry Estimator, where he applies the very skills that won him work on multi million pound contracts in the service of other tradespeople, producing a professional quote that can then be supplied to a potential client as a PDF document. So just how does it work in practice? “A builder recently sent me the details of a new build property they’d been asked to look at,” he explains. “From the five drawings they provided I was able to break it down to its constituent categories, whether that’s the timber frame, external walls, floor joists, and flooring, or the internal carpentry, like doors, architraves and skirtings. Every single piece of carpentry work that’s in that job is then measured, quantified and a rate placed on it. We charge per estimate, and rates will vary depending

on the complexity of the quote required, and if there’s any specific requirements we can talk those through.”

For smaller firms who might not have the resources to comprehensively price every job, Simon’s service can then step in, but he is confident it can equally apply to any size of job. As a result, the more jobs quoted for, the more work that could accrue as a result, and the more accurate the price the better the bottom line.

“Because my own expertise is in carpentry that’s where we’ve begun but ultimately there’s no reason why this can’t be extended to other trades,” concludes the Kent-based builder. “The principle of a quote being provided by someone with real experience in that trade would remain true but it would certainly work for plumbers, plasterers, roofers and beyond.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON CARPENTRY ESTIMATOR VISIT:

WWW.RDR.LINK/BW027

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Professional

BUILDER’S

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.

!

L L A R O F E E FR 3

PLASTERING TROWELS

MARSHALLTOWN PERMAFLEX FLEXIBLE PLASTERING TROWELS Marshalltown’s PermaFlex 11” flexible finishing trowel has a 0.3mm stainless steel blade and is made in the USA. It features a lightweight Xtralite aluminium alloy mounting and comfortable DuraSoft handle.

Designed to leave a perfect finish on a final pass with minimal pressure, the flat blade is ready to use from the box with rounded corners to avoid leaving lines.

You can master plaster with this high quality tool and, thanks to another great round of giveaways, you can get your hands on one for free. As ever, entries are via our website using the link below.

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DICKIES GENERATION WATERPOOF JACKETS Part of Dickies Workwear’s new Advanced Weatherproof Technology (AWT) range, the Generation Waterproof Jacket features a high level of waterproofing (10,000mm), while also being breathable.

Available in black, grey and navy blue, the jacket is a fullzip style.

Dickies is giving readers the chance to win one of three of these jackets of all trades.

Colour and size options are subject to availability and alternatives will be offered if needed.

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW029

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW028

25

X 500ML BOTTLES OF GLUE

GORILLA GLUE Thanks to Gorilla Glue’s water activated polyurethane formula, it will expand into materials to form a strong bond to virtually anything, making Gorilla Glue the perfect solution for a wide range of projects, both indoors and out. It’s also 100 per cent waterproof and resistant to extreme temperatures.

Stuck with us and you’re in with a chance of great prizes each and every month, including 25 bottles of Gorilla Glue.

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW030

JACKETS

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X 5 LITRES OF PAINT

LEYLAND TRADE SMART MATT Win one of four 5l tins of Leyland Trade Smart Matt – specifically designed to eliminate the risk of brush and roller marks showing on interior walls and ceilings, and to ensure previously painted areas can be quickly and easily touched up without having to repaint the whole wall or ceiling again – saving time and money. Also look out for Leyland Trade Smart Multi-Surface in next month’s ‘Free-for-All’ competition!

It’s the Smart move to get involved in our ‘Free-for-All’ feature – simply make use of the link at the bottom of this page and you can enter all of our competitions.

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW031

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! www.rdr.link/BW032 26

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doors, windows & security

INVESTING IN NESTING

As the promise of a prosperous 2021 beckons, Quickslide advises on how you can capitalise on growth in the home improvement sector Arch tops are a nice touch in an appropriate setting

arlier this year locked down, bored homeowners had a good look at the inside and outside of their homes and, when we were all allowed out again in May, the world of home improvements exploded – thankfully!

And, rather than that interest tailing off, it just keeps going, as demand continues to outstrip the supply of people and product. The colder days and nights are now prompting people to do something about draughty, cold windows and doors, adding to the continuing rush to do up the homes that everyone is spending so much time in now.

So, with people coming at you from every angle wanting their job done by next week, here are my thoughts on how you can offer them the best advice on the windows and doors you’ll be fitting for them – and how to make some decent money whilst giving your customers a great deal: ● Upsell! – No-one wants standard anymore. And with money available that would otherwise have been spent on foreign holidays and going out,

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people are more inclined to go with extras that they desire but not necessarily need. Encourage your

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Demand for bi-folds just seems to go on and on

customers to consider premium window styles such as flush sash, for example.

And look at all the extras….the more openings, top notch locks, handles and other window and door ‘furniture’ the more money they’ll spend – and the more money you make.

Have brochures to dish out! – Ask your window and door supplier for colour brochures that will show your customers everything they can choose from. Even in lockdown people welcome real paper brochures to thumb through.

Heritage sells! – Manufacturers continue to strive for the most authentic window solutions, especially with vertical sliding, box sash styles.

Offering a heritage window style is one thing but being able to offer the ornate details that look and feel just like they would on a traditional window is another. By researching and knowing the ins and outs of what’s available you can provide this type of customer with a much better experience as well as increased profits for you.

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ADE’S TEA-BREAK TEASER

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Details that increasingly knowledgeable customers of heritage-style windows may ask for include: Run-through horns with woodgrain foil on the end caps Colour-matched wool-pile Slim couplers = less chunky frame Corner joints: Fully mechanical on VS, ETL on Flush and manufacturers have even gone as far as to add an element of heritage on the otherwise classic casement windows with seamless welds.

Flush them out! – Flush sash windows have gained huge popularity in the last few years by offering a heritage style that looks good even in more modern homes and which provides a break from ‘standard’ casements.

Ali or PVCu? – Although a constant favourite for wide span sliding and bifolding garden doors, aluminium windows have gone from zero to hero in the past couple of years, and there are now lots of systems to choose from. Aluminium is ideal for homes that suit slimmer window profiles, and especially for properties that have a more modern, ‘architectural’ vibe, with anthracite and mid grey profiles a favourite amongst trendy homeowners.

The slimmer the frame the better.

Aluminium is usually more expensive than PVCu but for many locked down home improvers this is not a problem.

If it takes 8 professional builders 8 hours to install 8 bi-folds, how long does it take for 2 professional builders to install 2 bi-folds?

Find the answer on page 5

Heritage windows and doors add a stylish touch to most homes

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The Flush Sash style frame has expanded the market for heritage windows

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BIG windows! – Aluminium is also great for fixed floor to ceiling feature windows with slim frames and HUGE glass areas.

And shapes too… – Don’t persuade your customers to square up their original arch topped doors and windows when they can be replaced like-for-like – and usually without huge time penalties too if your fabricator has the resources in-house.

Colour-splash – More than 40 per cent of all replacement windows sold in the UK are now coloured or wood-grained or both. People are getting bolder, with more and more homeowners daring to opt for coloured frames that blend in with other elements of the home, or simply tone down the brilliant white associated with PVCu frames. Our paint facility allows us to match virtually any colour.

Bi-fold doors – Before the pandemic we recorded around 70,000 searches a month for bi-folding doors. After lockdown 1.0 this leapt to almost 140,000 searches in June alone!

There’s no denying it: bi-folds are still the number one home improvement want. Make sure you have a great range of bi-folds and sliding garden doors for customers that already have one eye on spring.

Don’t forget performance – Make sure your customers make the most of

Composite residential doors are getting more elaborate and homeowners are willing to pay for something out of the ordinary

performance options, with AA+ energy ratings, solar control glass on the sunny side of the building and even acoustic control glass. And don’t mess around with cheap hardware – just a few pounds more can massively improve the security of a home.

Windows and doors can make or break the extension/garden room/annexe/ garage conversion you are building for your customers. So it’s worth spending a bit of time looking at the incredible choice out there so that you can offer them the very best. Don’t just settle for off the shelf standard!

And after their skiing holiday is cancelled, you’ll be the first choice when they have that extra cash to splash on even more jobs around the house!

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON QUICKSLIDE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW033

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doors, windows & security

GOT IT MADE! Professional Builder puts the questions to Richard Gaunt of Made for Trade on the latest developments in the business and the product range It’s been two years since we were up at the factory in Stockton on Tees to present our highly sought after Charles Godfrey Award for innovation in respect of your new Korniche Roof Lantern. Little did we know then what was in store for us but, despite the considerable trading difficulties, you seem to have managed to maintain a really strong presence in the marketplace throughout 2020. How is business currently holding up for Made for Trade?

RG (Richard Gaunt) Since winning the prestigious Charles Godfrey Innovation Award, the Korniche Aluminium Roof Lantern has outperformed the lantern roof market, winning many more design awards with increased sales week on week. The COVID-19 effect meant production halted in April and May. However, since production restarted, sales to date have accelerated to such an extent that the Korniche Lantern’s sales are now 30 per cent up on the same period a year ago.

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Q What do you think are the overriding factors behind the product taking the market by storm given that there are a number of established competitors out there?

RG Great design features and precision engineering mean the Korniche Aluminium Roof Lantern can be fitted in minutes and glazed in seconds... with no silicone sealant required in the body of the lantern. Why? Because the manufacturing tolerances are so tight that it fits together snugly so water can’t get in, and if by any slim chance it does the internal drainage comes into play and guides it to the outside.

Added to that the aesthetics are pleasing to the eye, so all in all the Korniche Lantern has really disrupted the market and set new standards.

Back in 2018 we recall you had ambitions plans to move to a purpose-built factory out of town. Has this now come to fruition and what impact has it had on manufacturing capacity?

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RG To keep pace with the increased demand the company have moved the Korniche Lantern production process into a new larger 35,000sq ft unit specifically designed and set up for lantern production only. This is in addition to the 11,0000 sq ft production facility and new company headquarters acquired last year for the record breaking Aluminium Bi-fold Door and the new Korniche Aluminium Bifolding Door, which will be ready to hit the market in January/February 2021.

The new facilities have meant the company has been able to quickly expand production to meet the ever growing demand, and continue to develop and improve the customer experience, nullify raw material shortages, with higher stocking levels and with a new fleet of delivery vehicles controlling deliveries to our customers.

One of the most obvious consequences of the pandemic appears to be greater demand for more space within a property for day-to-day living and, of course, working from home. Work seems to be plentiful right now for those builders who specialise in extensions and conversions, and your product offering certainly appears to offer a perfect solution to those looking to meet homeowners’ new aspirations?

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RG Yes, the market has really changed, with the glazed extension taking the place of the traditional conservatory for the end user. So, when the system company Aperture went into administration earlier this year – our supplier of the Global Conservatory Roof – future supply issues loomed large. We, therefore, took the decision to withdraw from the traditional conservatory market as, year on year, it is losing market share to the brick built glazed extension.

Over the last few years, the major issue with glazed conservatories is that they are generally too hot in summer and too cold in winter whereas the glazed extension can be fully insulated, providing all year around comfort. The glazed extension becomes part of the home whereas the conservatory is always a separate addition and usually not part of the home central heating system. As well as further enhancing house values the glazed extension offers far more usable family living space, particularly when it incorporates the kitchen it becomes a kitchen dining lounge space. So, all in all, it’s a better option that always includes a bi-folding door or patio door – bringing the garden closer – and a Korniche Lantern, which allows more natural light to flow into the room.

We understand you have some big plans for 2021. Can you enlighten us as to what this may entail?

RG To complement the success seen with the Korniche Aluminium Roof Lantern and the Bi-Folding Door Made For Trade will have a new product coming to market early in 2021 and to house the production we are taking another 50,000sq ft of

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factory space. This new unit is sited a few miles from our Wynyard Park site, again with easy access to the A19 motorway.

MFT are very positive that the Korniche Lantern, Bi-folding Doors and Patio Doors supplied to trade counters up and down the country will continue to play an important role in the building products supply chain, and continue to be a very important role for the foreseeable future in the UK construction industry.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON MADE FOR TRADE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW034

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doors, windows & security

WINDOW SHOPPING With a performance that is amongst the industry’s best, the Dakea Ultima Energy range is offering installers a window of opportunity. Professional Builder’s Lee Jones talks to the company’s Andrew Birch about its triple paned solution.

quality product at an affordable price point is the Dakea mission and, unsurprisingly, it’s a message which resonates with installers. It is a philosophy that is exemplified in the manufacturer’s Ultima Energy range where builders can benefit from a focus on ease of installation, and the property owner from a roof window with enhanced thermal and sound insulation characteristics – and much more besides.

Customers in the market for a room in a roof are now increasingly considering triple pane products as an option and, with an excellent U-value of 0.99 W/m2K on the whole window, Ultima Energy certainly scores on energy efficiency, as Dakea Sales Manager, Andrew Birch explains: “It’s thermal performance means that our product compares very favourably with any of the premium solutions in the market, and excellent sound attenuation qualities makes it ideally suited to noisy neighbourhoods. If the windows are facing a busy terraced street with lots of traffic noise, for example, that’s a big consideration for the client – and a good selling point for us. It can achieve 50 per cent noise reduction on a standard window, in fact, whilst it’s also designed to reduce impact noise from rainfall.”

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It’s not just about the perfect combination of three panes either because the Dakea solution features Krypton gas, compared to the Argon found in many of its rivals’ units. “The former is a much denser gas,” explains Andrew, “with improved thermal characteristics.” Nor has safety been neglected, with a laminated pane on the inside, that prevents glass failing into the room in the event of it breaking, and a toughened safety pane on the outside. It’s a feature that has made Ultima Energy a popular choice not just in a domestic setting but in schools.

A package of thermal, sound and safety benefits already stacks up to a compelling argument for choosing Ultima Energy, but the concerns of the installers have been given equal billing. When it comes to accessories, for example, the manufacturer provides both the Insulation Foam Collar (IFC) and Roof Underfelt Collar (RUC) free of charge with the majority of windows in its Ultima and Better ranges.

The IFC is supplied in the same box as the window, and is pre-cut to fit perfectly, whilst the Quick Install collar (RUC) is made from one piece with no joints. That ensures 100 per water tightness, whilst its squared surface pattern will help you to cut straight, making installation even easier. “It’s about promoting best practice, getting the job done quicker and saving money,” enthuses Andrew. “With the combination of an RUC and IFC automatically supplied with your choice of roof window, a builder could be saving ½ an hour on site, and £40 or £50, whilst using an accessory which is designed specifically for that window is always

going to provide a better finish.”

Dakea offers a 20-year guarantee on its windows, and orders can be delivered to site in two to three days. The PRO.app offers easy access to the registration process for that guarantee from a smartphone, as well as a rewards scheme.

Ultima Energy is available in a choice of ten sizes, in a traditional pine finish or a popular white painted option. Two smaller windows will always spread more light into a room than one big one, which makes the standard 780 x 980mm still the most requested in terms of dimensions.

“Our goal has always been to develop a long term relationship with quality tradespeople,” concludes Andrew. “That’s why we’re offering a product range that covers the whole market, as well as all the support they’ll need. Essentially, we want to be the smart option for installers.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE ULTIMA ENERGY FROM DAKEA VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW035

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doors, windows & security

A new ERA

ERA is offering a simple feeling of security and Mark Humphreys finds out just how easy it is to achieve. ome security is big business nowadays, but it’s always been thought of as something a little elite or specialist, particularly when it comes to installation. Now though with technology at the fore it has become something both affordable and easy to install.... or so I was told.

When an elderly customer of mine recently asked me to instal a security system for her I had the perfect opportunity to find out. Having Googled through the pages and pages of home security websites I finally plumped for the ERA home security system, it seemed affordable, easy to instal and if it did what it said on the tin, pretty easy to use too.

The box of goodies duly arrived and, as ridiculous as it sounds, I was even impressed with the packaging, you kind of felt like you were opening a new mobile phone and I think we can all relate to that little bit of excitement.

My customer had plumped for the security flood light camera, the motion sensor camera, and the alarm system too, now the fun would begin.... installation.

Ok, well the cameras to the front and rear of the house needed a power supply which, luckily enough for me in this case, were available. The motion sensor camera to the front of the house required

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a plug socket, the floodlight camera to the rear required a spur. In short, if like me you are not an electrician then you would need one at this stage to run you some power and connect the camera, but it is, indeed, a very basic requirement and costs very little to get someone in to ensure it conformed to regulations.

The system itself I cannot fault.

Plug and play is something we all like the sound of in this complicated technological world, and my scepticism that anything as complex as

home security could be that simple was soon abated.

You simply instal the app, instal the product, scan the QR code on each item and it’s done....it really is that simple.

The whole installation took me no more than two hours (plus half an hour for an electrician) and that was with no previous knowledge of any home security set up before.

The app allows you to see from either camera at the touch of a button, you can see live or recorded movements as they happen, and you can set or disarm the alarm as easy opening your front door. With the fob provided it is, in fact, easier than opening your front door!

In short, the overall product cost was low, the instructions were simple and clear, the packaging was classy, and the end result is astounding.

So, there you have it............every cause for alarm!........you see what I did there?

A great affordable product that gives you and your customers peace of mind.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE ERA RANGE OF ALARM SYSTEMS VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW036

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doors, windows & security

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOF

Paul Trace from Stella Rooflight discusses the practicalities involved in specifying large rooflights

n recent years we have noticed a trend towards larger rooflights, with sizes regularly exceeding 2,500mm in width, height or both. While Stella can certainly accommodate these, one has to appreciate the practicalities of weight, transportation and cost.

It stands to reason that the larger the rooflight, the thicker the glass will need to be. Therefore, as rooflight sizes get bigger, their weight can increase exponentially. In context, our double glazed units comprising of 4mm thick glass weigh 20kgs per square metre and those using 6mm are 30kgs per square metre. Triple glazed units are 30kgs and 45kgs respectively. Add the stainless steel frames and hardwood liners into the equation and you can start to see how even a modest sized rooflight can weigh something akin to a small elephant! Indeed, it’s not uncommon for us to produce rooflights weighing in excess of 200kg.

It is important to consider how the rooflight is going to be lifted from the ground to roof level, and what the weight implications might be for the structure. Stella can weld stainless eyelets to the rooflight frame to aid the lifting process, and we would suggest doing this on frames which weigh in excess of 100kg, which is the point where we

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expect a crane might be required.

However, does the site have suitable access for any specialist lifting equipment, and has this additional cost been budgeted for?

The weight of an opening rooflight will also determine whether it is manually operated or requires electric actuation.

We would suggest that our largest manually operated rooflight be around 1,000mm wide or 1,400mm high. Anything over this size will generally require electric actuation to lift the weight and, in

the case of wider casements, to provide a tight seal. Manual operating casements are less expensive than electric, so there is a cost element that also needs to be considered when specifying larger opening rooflights. There is no maximum size in terms of what is possible to manufacture, although it is worth keeping in mind that a single piece of glass with an area over 5m2 becomes significantly more expensive.

Fortunately, there are alternatives to using large expensive single panes of glazing, such as introducing glazing bars to reduce the unit sizes, linking frames, and having more than one casement. This not only makes the rooflights easier to transport, lift and install, but can also reduce the price.

Another area for consideration should be the safety of large areas of glazing situated high up in a roof structure.

Regardless of size your rooflight should meet the BS 5516-2: 2004 patent glazing and sloping glazing for buildings standard.

This code of practice for sloping glazing defines that inner panes must always be laminated wherever rooflights are more than 5 metres above floor level (increased to 13 metres for panes less than 3 square metres) or are located over water (e.g. swimming pools). The Standard permits

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the use of toughened inner panes in other applications (for example where rooflights are less than 5 metres from floor level), but only where a stringent risk assessment for the particular application has been completed and has concluded that the use of toughened glass does not give any additional risk to those below the rooflight.

No glass is impervious to breakage so it is important to remember that roof glazing can and often does sit high above common areas in a home or office, so there will always be an element of concern if a unit were to break.

Certain industry bodies are calling for all rooflight glazing to include a laminated inner pane to provide greater security in the event that the glass breaks. There can be no dispute that laminated glass is safer because it forms a net when broken, which remains in one piece, whereas toughened glass breaks into little cubes and will fall down onto whatever is below.

However, laminating rooflight glass creates its own unique set of problems, as annealed laminate is prone to thermal fracture and heat stress.

This risk can be reduced by polishing

edges. However, the low-e coating is not practical for polished edges as there is a risk of damaging the coating. Swapping the low-e coating for a laminated glass with treated edges is likely to have a negative impact on the thermal performance of the unit. Using products such as SGG Cool-Lite on the outer pane can help as this has both solar reflective and thermal coatings, but these do not have a self-clean coating, which is an important consideration for pitched rooflights as they are usually positioned out of reach.

The heat is on Thermal stress is created when one area of a glass pane gets hotter than an adjacent area. If the stress is too great, then the glass will crack. The stress level at which the glass will break is governed by several factors. Toughened glass is very resilient and not prone to failing due to thermal stress. Laminated glass and annealed glass behave in a similar way and the thicker the glass the less tolerant it becomes, which is an important factor for larger rooflights.

Solar control glass either reflects

energy or absorbs it to reradiate the heat outwards. By its nature it gets hotter than clear glass and glass that is designed for thermal efficiency alone.

Whilst the majority of installations are within the operating tolerance, in some cases fluctuation in heat can put the stress beyond the limits. Laminated glass is also heavier, which needs to be remembered when planning lifting schedules and structural requirements.

In summary, while there is a growing trend for projects to include more and larger rooflights, it is not as straightforward as just adding them to the plans. Clearly there is so much more to specifying large rooflights than meets the eye and while your rooflight manufacturer will be able to provide recommendations, ultimately having a better understanding of what glazing is required, and involving a qualified structural engineer in the early phases, will resolve any issues you may have further down the line.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE STELLA ROOFLIGHT RANGE VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW037

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doors, windows & security product round-up

GATE AND FENCING HARDWARE

Designed to provide superior gate security, the GATEMATE® Euro Profile Long Throw Lock from Birkdale features a unique, hardened core bolt design, with a high-security six pin lock barrel and High Security Escutcheon, making it far harder to cut through.

Additionally, as the bolt used on the patented solution is of a greater length than those used on standard systems, the locks are not affected by a gap between the gate and gatepost.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW038

SASH WINDOWS

Traditional designs and operating mechanisms with modern smooth-running systems and durable timber frames – that’s the promise from Patchett Joinery for its range of Sash Windows. The units meet all of today’s thermal insulation, draft proofing, and noise reduction demands, whilst the wood sliding sash windows can be created to any specification, with the latest versions including curved frames.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW039

OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Ideal for high-level security illumination in commercial, retail, and domestic environments, is how Knightsbridge is describing its trio of LED floodlights in 6000K Daylight. The three floodlights come in 100W, 150W and 200W and 9200, 14100, and 18400 lumens respectively, with die-cast aluminium casings, and offer instant ignition, making them suitable for use with LED-compatible external sensors.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW040

BALCONIES

With the demand for outside space soaring, platform balconies have become the latest addition to the SMART Balustrades portfolio. Steel frame platform balconies are subject to planning, but can easily be attached to the walls of properties and are a cost-effective way to add additional space and value to homes.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW041

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COMPOSITE DOORS

A collaboration between Pearl Windows and Yale has delivered The Signature ‘Lakes’ composite doors collection. Security features include the Yale AutoEngage lock, Platinum 3-star cylinder, the TS008 letter plate, and a ‘slam lock’ feature, all backed by the door hardware manufacturer’s Lifetime Security Guarantee. This includes up to £3,250 towards repairs or replacements, insurance excess and securing the property, all in the event of a break-in.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW042

ROOFLIGHTS

Whether it is an orangery, full rear extension, basement conversion or roof terrace, TuffX Infinity rooflights are designed to increase the flow of natural light into the home and offer an effective modern alternative to roof lanterns. A sleek, contemporary yet low-maintenance aluminium finish, along with a hassle-free ‘drop and bolt’ installation that requires no additional assembly on site, makes the units popular with the trades.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW044

ROOF WINDOW

One touch of a pre-paired wall switch is enough to control the Velux Integra roof windows.

The technology can adjust windows, blinds, and shutters, whilst rain sensors automatically closing the units at the first sign of a downpour. Velux Active with Netatmo takes the concept further, with smart sensors that continuously monitor temperature, humidity and CO2 levels in customers’ homes and adjust their roof windows to create a healthier indoor climate.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW043

SKYLIGHT

It is the complete control of single or multiple skylights through Wi-Fi connected smart phones – and virtual assistants like Siri, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home – that makes Smartsquare from Sunsquare unique in the flat-roof skylight market. In addition to asking Alexa to open and close the skylight, users will be able to programme the Smartsquare to automatically open and close the skylights based on weather conditions, humidity, inside temperature, and sunrise or sunset, as well as the user’s proximity to the building.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW045

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extensions & conversions

PLAN TWICE, FIT ONCE nderfloor heating (UFH) can be fitted as part of any conversion or extension, whether that is as part of a conservatory, or combined with an existing radiator system as part of the wider renovation of an older building.

During my 20 years in the heating industry, fitting UFH in renovation projects is probably the area I’ve heard the most problems about, usually as the result of poor advice from a manufacturer, poor system choice, or a failure to adequately insulate the system – or all three.

In fact, fitting UFH in a conversion or extension can be pretty straightforward, provided you do your research before you choose the system, and you make sure the system is designed correctly to suit the building.

Not all UFH systems are the same, and they should never be sold as a one-sizefits-all product. Overfloor systems will suit certain types of property better than joisted or solid floor systems, for example, and once you have that knowledge and understand how to specify a system properly, it is easy to avoid a lot of the common design pitfalls.

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Chris Ingram, founder of Continal Underfloor Heating – and nine-times Chairman of the UK underfloor heating trade association – offers some top tips to ensure a problem-free underfloor heating installation in extension and conversion projects.

Know your building Fitting UFH in a renovation project can actually be easier than a new build, because so many of the decisions have already been made for you. You know how the existing building has been constructed, and the heat source is usually already in situ, which gives you a lot of the information you need to design your system.

A 15th Century barn renovation, for example, will likely have solid floors and little insulation, unless it has been added during previous works, and so you would install a different type of UFH system there than if you are simply adding a conservatory or single-storey extension onto the back of a 1950s property.

Whether your building has a heat pump or a gas boiler will also tell you a lot about

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the type of pipe spacing and flow temperatures you need, as will whether the conversion includes a kitchen, bathroom, or merely additional living space.

There are, of course, areas where fitting UFH in a renovation is harder than a new build. You are more likely to find

issues coming up around matching floor heights between the old and new property, and there are additional issues to consider if you’re adding UFH to an existing heating circuit or radiator system.

This is where it’s best to seek advice from a trusted, reputable manufacturer, such as

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People often ask what type of heat emitter is most efficient. There’s a simple rule of thumb – electric UFH is 30 per cent less efficient than radiators, while warm water UFH is 30 per cent more efficient than radiators.

There is still a place for electric UFH, however, particularly if you’re working on a small, isolated area like a kitchen or a bathroom. Unless your WC or en-suite is unusually large, however, you can simply run the UFH off the adjoining bedroom.

Insulation

Continal, who can help you iron out all these potential pitfalls at the design stage.

Pipe layouts

A lot of myths have started circulating in recent years about the best pipe layouts for a UFH system. One of these – that pipes must always be spaced at 150mm or 100mm regardless of the build or flow temperature – is utter nonsense, but it does sell a lot of pipe.

In a typical CAD plan, the pipework runs around in what is called a snail pattern. Many people believe this prevents hot and cold spots, but in a modern, well-insulated home, the temperature difference across the floor in even the largest room would be just a quarter of a degree at the surface – the occupants simply won’t feel it. Instead, a straight back-and-forth laying pattern works perfectly in almost all situations and is much easier to install, though you may need to run the pipes closer together by the windows, to ensure a higher heat output.

You may also need to close up the pipe spacing if you’re working in a bathroom or en-suite, as the baths and showers reduce the available floor area.

The closer the pipe spacing, the higher the heat output, though be aware that closer spacing also means you’ll use more pipe, and so may need a bigger manifold.

Snail patterns may still be the better choice if you’re working in an older property with very high heat losses – seek advice from a reputable manufacturer.

“During my 20 years in the heating industry fitting underfloor heating in renovation projects is probably the area I’ve heard the most problems about. In fact, installing UFH in a conversion or extension can be pretty straightforward.”

Regardless of the system you choose, you must fit enough insulation, otherwise you’ll lose too much heat into the ground, and end up just paying to heat the worms.

Beware those salespeople who we know are telling builders that the insulation that comes as part of an overfloor system panel is sufficient – it isn’t. You need to add at least 50mm of insulation below the pipe system, and possibly more depending on the type of insulation itself. If in doubt, ask your manufacturer or consider contacting Building Control, as they will be able to offer advice.

CONTINAL HAS BEEN ONE OF THE UK’S LEADING DESIGN AND SUPPLY SPECIALISTS FOR ENERGYEFFICIENT WARM-WATER UFH FOR 20 YEARS. THE COMPANY’S FULL RANGE OF UFH SYSTEMS FOR SOLID FLOORS, OVERFLOOR APPLICATIONS AND JOIST FLOORS, AS WELL AS A FULL PORTFOLIO OF CONTROLS AND ACCESSORIES, CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW046

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extensions & conversions

MAKING A PITCH Roof systems manufacturer, Marley explains how to create the perfect low pitch roof on an extension

hanks to the permanent relaxation in planning laws, this year many builders and roofers will find they are working on more single storey extensions. While homeowners often prefer the look of pitched roofs for this type of project, they do need to be carefully designed with both aesthetics and weatherproofing in mind.

As well as trying to match existing roof tiles, contractors will usually have to create a lower pitch roof for single storey extensions, due to the position of first floor windows, which can be restrictive and has implications for water run-off.

Here we give our top tips for creating the perfect low pitch extension roof:

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Top tips for a perfect low pitch extension ● While the planning laws have been

relaxed, you still need to match the new roof to the roofing material on the original property and in some designated areas, such as conservation areas, the homeowner will still need to get planning permission. ● If the tiles you want to use don’t go

down to the minimum pitch you need, consult the manufacturer for alternative options. We have a selection of low pitch tiles that can be used to match a

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traditional clay, slate or concrete aesthetic (see our pitch checker). This includes the brand-new Mendip 12.5, a concrete interlocking tile which has been designed for extension projects.

Its special weatherproofing channels mean that it can be used down to a very low 12.5 degree pitch. ● Never be tempted to use a tile below

the manufacturer’s recommended minimum pitch, even by half a degree, as it could invalidate your warranty! If you have to install at a lower pitch, then seek manufacturer advice as a weatherproof sub roof system may be required. ● If you need to match in with existing

clay tiles, there are some very good low pitch options on the market. For example, our Melodie clay interlocking tiles have a single pantile profile but can be used on pitches as low as 12.5 degrees, making them particularly

suited to extension projects. We also offer two other interlocking clay tiles which can be used down to 17.5 degrees, the Lincoln pantile and Maxima double roman. ● In low pitch projects, because driving

rain has to be considered, natural slate can be limited by geography. This means that pitches of 20 degrees can be achieved with natural slate, but it requires increased head laps and therefore more slates, with the consequences of additional weight.

However, there are some very good slate effect tiles that can replicate the slate look at a lower pitch for extension work. For example, our Edgemere range of thin-leading edge concrete slates give a slate look but are more cost effective and can be used down to pitches of 17.5 degrees without geographical restrictions. They come in a variety of colours and textures, including Riven, to help contractors match the slate aesthetic they need.

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● Extensions still need to comply with

Building Regulations and British Standards. Therefore, pitched roofs on extensions should be fixed according to BS 5534. You can get a free fixing specification for your project from our website, www.marley.co.uk/specritetool ● Consider using ventilation terminals if

mechanical extract or soil vents are to terminate through the roof tiling on low pitch roof slopes. This will ensure minimum pitches of the chosen vents are achieved.

Normal in-line contour vents can usually only be used down to a pitch of 20 degrees, so vents with cowls may be the best alternative as they will share the same minimum pitch as the tile. For low level roof space ventilation, continuous over facia eaves vent systems can be used.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON LOW PITCH SOLUTIONS FROM MARLEY VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW080

● A low pitch roof on an extension may

have to deal with an increased amount of water coming from a larger roof above, so it needs to be designed carefully with consideration given to where the water run-off will be.

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extensions & conversions

BARN-STORMING STUFF! A Devon builder whose company specialises in creating luxury bespoke homes is an enthusiastic advocate for the Actis range of insulation. avid Ball, site manager at Barnstaple-based Anderson and Evans, is midway through transforming a traditional pole barn into a dramatic 8,500 sq ft sixbedroom family home on a farm in Pippacott. He is insulating it with thousands of square metres of products from the Acris Hybrid range – materials he says he will ‘definitely’ be happy to use on future projects.

And he said that the discovery of the Actis cutter – courtesy of Actis South West area sales manager Tom Hendzel – has made his life ‘ten times easier.’

“I must admit, insulating is always a chore. But using Actis is more pleasurable than most other forms of insulation,” said David. “It’s clean, easy and quick and as good as I could possibly hope for! As far as insulation goes it’s as enjoyable as you can make it!” David has used the manufacturer’s products in the past, in much smaller quantities, whenever it’s been specified by the architect.

“It depends on the stage at which we’re commissioned, but if we get in there in time we can see if they can change the specification if they had gone down the traditional insulation route,” he said.

“When an architect specifies products to achieve the necessary U-value they sometimes specify rigid board. Where possible, if we can, we ask them to swap to something we prefer. As long as it can maintain a sense of integrity and ensure the required U-value, we would much rather use Actis than rigid insulation.”

A house of this size is obviously going to require an impressive amount of insulation. And in this case, David is using 470 sq m of insulating breather membrane Boost R Hybrid Roof, 370 sq m of

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insulating vapour control layer H Control Hybrid, around 400 sq m of 105mm honeycomb insulation Hybris in the walls, and a similar volume of 140mm Hybris in the roof underneath the Boost R Hybrid.

David is using the specific Boost R product aimed at roofs – cunningly named Boost R Hybrid Roof! It contains special features which set it apart from its sister product for walls, including the addition of a lap and the inclusion of built in adhesive tape.

“Until we saw Tom on site, we weren’t aware of the existence of the special cutter. We had been struggling with carpet shears and a Stanley knife. The cutter has made life ten times easier.” A piece of adjustable plastic on the tool, which is held in one hand, pinches the insulation or membrane and can be moved up or down to suit the thickness of the product, leaving the other hand free

to hold the material. Tricky areas, such as doors and windows, which require accurate and straight-angled cuts are made much easier and faster with the tool as it pinches and holds the product at the same time, increasing the ease and speed of installation.

The house David is building is a timber frame conversion under a Part Q listing of an existing traditional metal pole barn. In addition to the six bedrooms, a games room and garage, the central third of the building will be a vaulted open plan space with a glass bridge with full height living quarters at each end. He aims to complete the conversion in March or April 2021.

Anderson and Evans creates two to three individual homes every 12 to 18 months and specialises in listed buildings and traditional construction methods such as lime rendering, cob walling and stone walling.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON ACTIS VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW047

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extensions & conversions

When it comes to extensions and refurbishments, one company is helping avoid domestic dramas when ripping out a customer’s kitchen.

Professional Builder’s Lee Jones meets Richard Goodsir, developer of the Temporary Kitchen Pod.

THE POD FATHER he old saying that necessity is the mother of invention is never truer than amongst the trades, where many a builder has come up with his own solution to a particular predicament, but there are times when an idea can lead you in some unexpected directions. When Richard Goodsir wanted to create his own welfare unit for the bespoke new build projects his company, Open Space Builders

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undertakes, he realised that he could instead confront one of the perennial problems a client faces when considering an extension or major refurbishment.

“For the homeowner who’s having work done, washing up in the bath or cooking on a camping stove when they’re without a kitchen isn’t a whole lot of fun, essentially losing the heart of the home and having their daily routine turned upside down,” explains the Warkwickshire-based builder.

“Often homeowners don’t realise how much disruption to their normal life this can cause, and it could well put people off embarking on a refurb project in the first place. It was when I was reflecting on that I realised I could develop my original welfare cabin idea into a temporary kitchen for hire, and solve a lot of those issues.”

That was three years ago, and today the fleet of Temporary

Kitchen Pods are successfully supplying units direct to site from Scotland to the south of England, equipped, with all the mod cons on which we have all come to rely. “The principle is for a plug and play system,” continues Richard. “Minimum requirements are an outside tap for the water supply, two 13 amp wall sockets, a drain, gully or manhole approximately 10m away from the unit – and a space that can accommodate a 5.4m x 2.2m trailer – and you’re in business. Most of our installs are onto driveways but we’ve also delivered onto patios, and back gardens, but in every instance they’ve only been a couple of strides from the property.”

Trust in Pod

The Temporary Kitchen Pod features a cooker and hob, fuelled by Calor gas, together with a extractor, sink, hot water, washing machine, fridge and sockets for their own table top appliances, as well as worktop and cupboards. A family can make use of all those facilities in a heated

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space and from the comfort of a kitchen table with seating for four. Since the initial launch, Richard has introduced a larger model that accommodates seven, with the addition of a dishwasher.

Maintaining good client/builder relations is fundamental to the smooth running of any project, and helping your customer avoid the inconvenience associated with an extension or kitchen refurb is a very good place to start, but there are also gains to be accrued in terms of efficiency, as Richard reveals. “It allows the builder to get on with the job, without having to factor in the need to get appliances and utilities back in service.

They’re not moving sinks and washing machines, power and plumbing around – with the associated risk of damage – nor are they required to leave a kitchen in some kind of clean and functional condition at the end of the working day.”

“We get a lot of builders and kitchen installation customers, who have suggested a Temporary Kitchen Pod when quoting for the job. For them it can

be a commercial advantage over the competition to recommend a solution that will allow the property owner to maintain their existing domestic routines. If it is the homeowner that’s specified a unit, then the builder has invariably been very impressed and told us it’s something they’ll use on every job that they can.”

“The phrase we always hear that it’s

been a “Godsend,” concludes Richard.

“For families it’s not just a functional space but can become a sanctuary from the unavoidable disruption that comes with any significant build programme.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE TEMPORARY KITCHEN POD VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW048

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extensions & conversions

GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES Naomi Dennis, Senior Channel Manager – Specification at Mira Showers, explains how combining style, comfort, inclusivity and safety has enabled the shower manufacturer to provide specifiers with products that fit the bill in any bathroom space.

ast year was THE year for home improvements, with many of us spending far more time at home than we normally would. Having all that extra time during lockdown really made consumers look around them and notice all the things that needed to be done to improve their home space. It probably also made a lot of homes feel a lot smaller, so it’s not surprising that many people considered an extension or conversion to an existing room or loft space.

When opting for an extension or conversion where there is a bathroom involved, it is, of course, important to be able to specify products that suit the requirements of the room in question.

Many bathrooms that are part of an extension or conversion, may well be smaller than the main bathroom, and in smaller spaces, such as en suites. Finding the right shower to fit this type of room obviously places limitations on some larger products, and lessens the choice… or does it?

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Small wonders

One solution is to choose a product such as the Mira Minimal. Part of our mixer shower range, as its name suggests, the Minimal has an ultracompact design, making it perfect for space saving in smaller bathrooms, such as those that may be incorporated into extensions and conversions, without compromising on style.

It is an alternative design option to a bar valve that still delivers a high-quality showering experience, with a sleek design and premium finish, all at an affordable price, giving that wow factor to any small bathroom space. It’s also extremely compatible, working on all systems and pressures, even at low pressure.

For the installer, it comes with a fast fix kit which includes fixings and templates making installation easier, faster and more secure. The adjustable, moveable deluge head also increases installation flexibility.

For the consumer, it is easy to use with an intuitive single control for both flow and temperature. Users can also enjoy greater coverage with a luxurious 200mm deluge showerhead that is specifically optimised to maximise flow for a greater showering experience, and a 110mm single spray showerhead, so there’s no need to scrimp on luxury in smaller bathroom spaces.

What’s more, the dual outlet flows through both outlets at once, even at low

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pressures, and what that offers is a powerful performance, in a small package. And there’s also no need to compromise on the extras, with rub clean nozzles for easy cleaning.

It features Mira’s Nano-T Cartridge – our most reliable and advanced thermostatic cartridge yet. Its unique patented flat spring design technology, developed here in the UK, delivers precise thermostatic control every time – tested up to 200k cycles.

For upgrades, both the Minimal EV and ERD work from 50mm pipe centres, working from the same first fix, which makes it a direct replacement for the Agile and means upgrading to a dual outlet is seamless.

At Mira, we know that every project is different, so we’ve developed products that deliver consistent performance, even at low pressure. They’re designed to make your life easy. From universal fittings to templates that aid installation, we make sure you can specify and fit with confidence.

“Over the last 100 years we’ve listened to our customers, and channelled this knowledge into new product development” Over the last 100 years, we’ve listened to our customers, understood their needs and channelled this knowledge into our new product development.

We also know that meeting regulations

rdr.link Introducing rdr.link A new digital service for our readers With a wide array of online resources supporting the latest solutions – from videos to technical guides, PDFs to Podcasts – it can be a challenge to locate what you need.

To ensure you don’t miss out on these valuable resources, we are introducing rdr.link – a new, rapid service to transport you immediately to the online resources mentioned in our stories.

So, in articles you may now see things like: “To view an exclusive time-lapse video of the process use rdr.link/AA101” Simply enter rdr.link/ with the unique 5 digit code into a browser and it will take you directly to the mentioned resource – in this case the video.

Designed to help busy professionals rapidly locate more information – look out for & use

rdr.link

makes your job easier. So, through independent testing schemes, we ensure that our products comply fully with all necessary standards.

The Mira Minimal is covered by a fiveyear parts and labour warranty and a comprehensive five-year parts and labour guarantee.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MIRA VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW049

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extensions & conversions

ONE DAY EXTENSION! A new, single storey timber frame extension kit, which can be assembled in a day, has been released by Pasquill, a leading provider of timber roof trusses and engineered solutions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PASQUILL TIMBER FRAME EXTENSION KIT VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW083

he single-storey structure will comprise a flat roof and two walls, as well as bi-fold doors from an external supplier to help bring the outdoors in. Manufactured from aesthetically pleasing and sustainable timber, the extensions will have a small carbon footprint without compromising the structure’s performance or functionality. The extension does not require deep foundations, which minimises disruption to the homeowner, with the added benefit

T

Further emphasising the company’s determination to keep innovating even during lockdown, this winter has also seen the unveiling of a new virtual site measuring service.

Believed to be the first of its kind within the Roof Truss sector, it has been developed over the past six months but – with the added benefit of allowing contractors to reduce the amount of people who need to come to site – the service has been launched sooner to make projects safer during Covid-19, and the need for social distancing.

The new system will allow customers to precisely complete the measuring for their own projects, such as a cut roof, modified eaves and roof trusses, which are then built

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50 JANUARY 2021 PROFESSIONAL BUILDER

of a one load delivery and minimal groundworks.

Pasquill believe the timber frame extensions will appeal to anyone looking to improve their home that may have previously been put off by the cost or legal restrictions. A relaxation in planning via Permitted Development will now allow the extension of a house without applying for full planning permission, provided the structure is single storey and up to half the width of the original house.

“A lot of talented people at Pasquill

have worked very hard to bring this product to market”, declares Chris Powell, Sales Director, at Pasquill, “and I think the result is a brilliant, sustainable solution that will tick a lot of boxes for people.

There’s certainly been a rise in demand for this type of home improvement too, particularly since lockdown, as people simply want more space, and to work towards the homes of their dreams. This is a comparatively affordable way for small builders to help them achieve this.”

to exacting specifications by Pasquill.

Videos and a visual guide have been created to complement the service, demonstrating to users the steps to take to achieve accurate measurements. The dimensions will be given to the Pasquill design team before the final product moves onto manufacture.

“We really think this is a fantastic service that a great many of our customers will take advantage of”, enthuses Chris Powell, “particularly while social distancing is so vital. We put a lot of resources into research and development, especially when it comes to new and exciting technologies, and now everyone involved in Pasquill projects will be able to reap the reward.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE VIRTUAL MEASURING SERVICE VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW050

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extensions & conversions product round-up

PUSH-FIT PLUMBING

RWC has launched its first ever Reliance Valves range that features push-fit connections from JG Speedfit. The valves that are now available with push-fit connections include the Easifit Thermostatic Mixing Valve (TMV) – 15mm, the 312 Compact Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) – 15mm and 22mm, the Nickel-Plated Ball Valve – 15mm and 22mm, and the Automatic Air Vent – 15mm.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW051

SMOOTHING BLADES

Move seamlessly from spray to finish with the Graco ProSurface Smoothing Blades. The comfortable, ergonomic grip is made in durable PVC, which offers lightweight and easy clean-up. Blades are made in hardened stainless steel (INOX) for a smooth finish and less sanding, and have rounded edges for perfect smoothing without excess build-up.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW052

SHOWER PANEL

No grouting, ease of installation and cleaning, are just some of the qualities of the existing Mermaid shower panel system from Bushboard, not to mention a watertight guarantee and a seamless finish that requires no trims. The new Mermaid Elite features 12 finishes and is ideal for wet rooms, feature panelling, bath panelling and splashbacks. They’re 25 per cent cheaper than installing tiles, there’s less maintenance, they can be cut down and adjusted on site, and come with a 15-year guarantee.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW053

RENDER BEAD ADHESIVE

A new ready-to-use, high-strength Render Bead Adhesive from Parex is capable of bonding to a wide range of substrates. It is the first hybrid polymer grab adhesive especially created for the installation of external render beads. It can be used for bonding render beads to porous and non-porous materials including bricks, blockwork, stone, render boards, plasterboard, concrete, PVC/ stainless/aluminium beads, stonewall and EPS. GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW054

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GENERAL BUILDING DRY BAGGED MORTAR

Now available in 25kg waterproof, ready-mixed bags, Cemex’s M4 and M12 Natural Mortar is available in both a natural finish and in a wide range of colours.

The material is suitable for brick laying, block laying, repointing, general masonry repairs and for laying patio and paving slabs.

Additionally, M12 Natural Mortar is specifically designed for below ground and DPC environments where increased durability is required.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW055

TIMBER PANEL

Smartply Max FR B from Medite is the first Euroclass B board – the maximum Euroclass rating for a timber panel – manufactured in the UK and Ireland to feature wood flakes treated with flame retardant solution before pressing. This ensures its flame retardance is integral and maintains its structural integrity, unlike many post-treated alternatives, making it the safer choice for use within timber frame construction.

SLIP RESISTANT DECKING

Aluminium is the future of decking, according to Endurawood. Easy to fit, strong, durable and slip resistant, this wood alternative will not collect mould, algae and fungus, and water cannot soak through it, taking the hassle out of maintenance and increasing the safety of the people that use it. The company’s timber effect powder coated aluminium products include cladding, decking and architectural feature battens.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW056

DECKING BOARDS

It’s the flush insert that provides a smooth and continuous look to the 150 Aqua-Channel decking boards from EnviroBuild. If a continuous look is not desired, a gap insert can be used to create a more traditional look of gapped individual boards.

The powder coating delivers a high level of non-slip resistance, together with enhanced durability.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW057

Its most technologicallyadvanced anti-scuff formulation yet is what Dulux Trade is claiming for its Scuffshield Matt.

Creating a really smooth surface at a microscopic level is the key to lessening scuffing on walls.

As a result, it reduces the impact of plastic and rubber materials on the paint surface. Decorators can offer this hard-wearing water-based emulsion to both commercial and domestic customers.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW060

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52 JANUARY 2021 PROFESSIONAL BUILDER

“Strong and providing a flooring covering that is both robust and cost-effective” is the verdict on Norbord’s CaberDek flooring from Welsh passive housebuilder, PYC Construction. Project Manager, Ben Wilson, explains: “We use 22mm CaberDek on the intermediate floor of all our projects as it provides a great structure for a floor when coupled with our posi-joint system.” The product is also designed to withstand the elements for up to 42 days between laying the floor and fixing the roof.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW058

ACCELERATOR

MATT PAINT

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW059

FLOORING SYSTEM

To complement the recently launched Seal It Liquid Membrane, Bond It has now introduced an additional element to the system to combat the onset of the winter months. Seal It Accelerator is a gel-like additive that, once mixed with the Seal It Liquid Membrane, accelerates the curing process. This allows for installations to be carried out at temperatures below 5°C and permits work to be performed down to a minus 20°C. GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW061

CLAY TILES

Combining a heritage appearance with 21st century performance, the BMI Redland Rosemary Clay Classic tile, proved ideal when architect Gordon Delgano wanted to refurbish his mid-terrace house in an architecturally distinguished area of Glasgow. Suitable for pitches ranging from 35° to 90°, these tiles are often used for restoration and refurbishment projects and for new-build.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW062

Use our digital reader enquiry service for more information online

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TOOLS & EQUIPMENT SCREWDRIVER BIT SET

The RST 32 Piece Screwdriver Bit Set is a contractor’s range of screwdriver bits with a quick release magnetic bit holder and handy plastic case. The set contains 10 Pozidriv bits, 5 Phillips bits, 3 Slotted bits, 11 Torx bits and 2 x VP bits. Each are made from chrome vanadium steel making them wear and corrosion resistant and the bit holder has a keyless chuck and ¼in. drive.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW063

WOOD SCREWS

It’s the patented TENZ Stairs Thread Technology in the new A Perry TENZ FROM PERRY wood screws that means less pressure is required to install than conventional screws, reducing strain on users’ joints. Ideal for use with both soft and hard wood, the product features a thread design that reducing the friction along the thread. The oscillating screw means that wood fibres are gently displaced and not drilled or milled during installation.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW064

CORDLESS JIGSAWS

Two new members of the HiKOKI Power Tools MULTI VOLT range have been introduced – the CJ36DA and CJ36DB cordless jigsaws. Depending on the application, craftsmen can choose between the CJ36DA with top handle and the CJ36DB with barrel handle. The manufacturer promises the fastest cutting speed in their class power provided by 2.5/5.0Ah (BSL36A18) or 4.0/8.0Ah (BSL36B18) batteries.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW065

JACKETS AND FLEECES

Superior comfort and freedom of movement is what Snickers Workwear is promising for its new Neon Jackets and Fleeces. The FlexiWork Neon Fleece Hoodie, Jacket and Gilet are designed for working outdoors in the colder months and feature lightweight 4way stretch garments with a body-mapping design. The Elastane/Polyester fabric equally benefits from a water-and wind-repellent finish.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW066

VOLTAGE DETECTOR

Multi coloured LED lights, vibration and sound feedback alarms all feature on the FLIR Systems VP502 Non-Contact Voltage Detector. It will detect voltage on exposed conducting parts, or through insulation, identify live wires within electrical panels, switches, and outlets, and trace live wires and map circuits. An anti-roll case body and durable construction can withstand a 3-metre drop onto concrete.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW067

DISC CUTTER

Suitable for dry and wet cutting, the Makita Twin 18V DCE090 Brushless Disc Cutter features a powerful 36V brushless motor with a no-load speed of 6,600rpm and maximum cutting capacity of 88mm, and is powered by two 18V LXT Lithium-ion batteries. The tool includes the manufacturer’s Active Feedback Sensing Technology (AFT) which shuts down the current to the motor if the rotation speed suddenly slows down, as well as an electric brake.

GET MORE DETAILS AT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW068

Save time, make money all year with the reliable, easy to use and clean, pneumatically powered, vibration free Pnu-Point pointing tool.

sales@pnupoint.co.uk

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SEALANT & ADHESIVE

UP ON THE ROOF! Chris Burdett takes a look at two new products from HB42 The last time Professional Builder asked me to look at HB42 products I was really impressed with the company’s Ultimate All-in-One Eco Foils. The All-in-One sealant was strong and flexible, and I liked the fact that the foils were easy to load up in the gun. The good thing is that the Eco Foils produce 95 per cent less waste compared to the tube version and cuts the need for Single Use Plastics on site. Foils are the future as far as I am concerned.

Following that positive experience, I was looking forward to testing two new products from the company – the Ultimate Waterproofer and the Ultimate Liquid Grab. The first thing to say is that there are an incredible number of applications these two products can be used for.

Let’s take the Waterproofer first; HB42 says it is ideal for repairs to roofs, around chimneys, roof domes and gutter sealing and can also be applied to prevent wood rotting and metal corrosion. It can also be used in tanking applications, for sealing floors, fixings, plasterboard, wood and walls and shower trays too. Not only that, it can be used as a tile adhesive, can seal concrete foundations, balconies and can be

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used on stone, metal and polystyrene foam.

I used it to repair the flat roof on an extension. The good news is that you can apply the Waterproofer straight from the tub with a brush, trowel, or squeegee, so you don’t need to mix it. I used a brush and found it was really easy to apply. It’s waterproof straight away, very flexible and cured very quickly. Although it was a dry day when I used it, HB42 says you can apply it in damp conditions too, so you can fix leaks and seals if they have ruptured.

Ultimate Liquid Grab Onto the Ultimate Liquid Grab. This adhesive can be used for bonding shower wall panels, splash backs and cladding tiles. It is also good for bonding tile on tile and stainless steel. It is really powerful stuff, so it is basically suitable for all vertical and full surface bonding applications. Like I say, it is strong, and you have to apply it with a notched trowel, but it is really flexible and easy to work with. It goes off quickly too, and, like the Waterproofer, you can use it on damp surfaces. The company tells me you can vertically glue treated wood, enamel, tiles, hard PVC and stainless steel. It is also suitable for use on both absorbent and non-absorbent bases such as concrete and brick, stuccowork, chipboard, MDF, mosaic and gypsum-based products.

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN! HB42 is celebrating the launch of its Ultimate Waterproofer and the Ultimate Liquid Grab with Professional Builder by giving away 10 x HB42 Beanies. All you have to do to be in the hat – quite literally in this case – is use the link below and enter on the Professional Builder website.

WWW.RDR.LINK/BW069 FOR MOREINFORMATION ON HB42 VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW070

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056_PB_JAN21_Layout 1 01/12/2020 11:56 Page 56

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

Part 1

0 4 T A S N I G E LIFE B Selecting the right tool is never about the greatest possible power, but finding what is right for your trade and application. For many kitchen fitters, for instance, a 12V unit will fit into cupboards, is easy to carry, and will deliver all the force they’ll probably ever need. By the same token, there are some tasks for which many 18V machines still don’t quite have the muscle, and if you find yourself putting down your cordless and picking up a mains powered alternative for just that reason then the Makita XGT 40V Max range is for you.

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Over the next two issues, Professional Builder’s Lee Jones looks at the range of tools available under the Makita XGT 40V Max platform Take, for example, the new 40V combi drill. With a prodigious capacity of 20mm in steel and masonry and 76mm in wood at your disposal – and 39,000 blows per minute in impact drilling mode – it’s a machine designed for the kind of heavyduty tasks where an 18V might labour.

This combi is 15mm shorter than the 18V version, making it more compact, but it’s in power rather than size where it departs from its 18V sibling – all controlled by some rather clever electronic management. Where the torque settings were previously adjusted by a selector on the front collar – and provided 21 separate settings in each gear – the 40V features 41 in gear one, and 21 in gear two, providing significantly more control. These can be selected with the push of a button and are displayed on a digital read out on the tool.

As any tradesman will know, there’s no predetermined torque setting for a material and application. Instead it is a process of trial and error with experience as your guide, but the reward is consistency, especially in repetitive screwdriving applications.

With great power comes comfort and the combi will effortlessly drill into garden sleepers with a 30mm auger bit without complaint, or drive longer fixings that could traditionally only be put in with an impact driver – and it will do it with less drain on the battery.

Of course, with the amount of torque this tool generates, a side handle is required for safety, and that is now supported by Makita’s Active Feedback Sensing Technology (AFT), which will automatically shut the tool down to protect the operator if it binds up in the material. Competitor manufacturers might be able to boast similar systems, but these are often initiated by a gyroscope, which can then be triggered unintentionally if the machine is quickly moved sideways. By contrast, the Makita AFT system is again controlled electronically – by detecting a spike in the current – providing a quicker and more accurate response.

Compact it may be but, like a nimble flyweight, the 220Nm of torque available on the new Makita 40V Impact Driver, will pack a considerable punch. There’s

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brains as well as brawn at work here with some particularly useful features. There’s a choice of four power modes (Max, Hi, Mid and Lo), selected using a simple one touch control, in addition to six assist modes. The latter will automatically supply the power you need for the task at hand, whilst the memory mode will determine what material the drill is working on.

That’s a particularly useful feature, if you are installing TEK screws through metal and then wood, for instance. Where previously a builder working on a roof would have to manually switch from full impact to put the metal in and revert to a lower power for wood, with the right setting that tool will do it for you.

Conveniently, purchasers of most tool, battery and charger models will also receive an adapter to charge their existing 18V batteries on the XGT charging system.

It will also charge them quicker – 22 minutes for a 3amp hr, in fact, which is as good as any manufacturer can offer.

Improvements in the 40V battery are not just about power. There are larger side rails, better impact resistance, and damage to the chip is avoided by being contained inside the housing, whilst the waterproof triple layer structure offers protection for water and dust resistance.

Makita has been supplying 36V tools, such as reciprocating saws, that can utilise two 18V batteries to get up to the necessary power output but that does significantly increase the weight and size of the machine. You’ll also need to make sure two batteries are sufficiently charged and, of course, there’s the cost of a pair of batteries. The 40V XGT Reciprocating Saw is a more compact unit that

accommodates just the one battery but would be equivalent in power to a mains machine. Not only that but it will cut quicker and do much more within the power of a single charge. If you’re in the business of cutting joists on a regular basis, or are spending all day merrily chopping at pallets, then this is the tool for you to consider.

Recip saws are always higher in vibration, but with a quicker cutting action, exposure times for the end user will be

reduced. The 40V is a two-speed machine, within an easy blade removal mechanism that prevents having to touch hot metal after use.

Makita is at pains to point out that the introduction of the 40V does not herald the demise of the 18V LXT platform, but rather the introduction of a much greater range of options. What it delivers for the end user is the convenience of cordless with the heavy-duty performance of a mains powered machine.

IF YOU STILL AREN’T CONVINCED, MAKITA HAVE AN ON-LINE ‘BOOK A DEMONSTRATION’ FORM ON THE WEBSITE SO YOU CAN ARRANGE A LOCAL COVID SAFE VISIT AND TRY ANY OF THE XGT TOOLS – SEE THE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS WWW.RDR.LINK/BW071 NEXT MONTH, WE LOOK AT THE MAKITA MAX XGT 40V CIRCULAR SAW, ANGLE GRINDERS AND SDS MACHINES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON MAKITA VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW072

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Tibby Singh — www.TibbySingh.com

WORKWEAR

DRY RUN

Tibby Singh is home and dry with the latest in waterproof protection from Dickies Workwear

Just about everyone has heard of Dickies Workwear, but something that you might not know – as I certainly didn’t – is that the company began with bib-overalls in 1922, and were known as Williamson-Dickie. Since then, they have become one of the biggest workwear brands, and even I’m struggling to keep up with all the latest garments they’re introducing.

No one looks forward to working outside in the rain, but sometimes it’s imperative to get the job at hand done.

So, when I received the new Dickies Generation Waterproof Jacket, I was intrigued to see if it performs as well as its name suggests. The first thing I needed to do was to pick a rainy day – which wasn’t hard to do.

Its main feature is that it has waterproof fabric to 10,000mm. Now this didn’t mean much to me but, after some research, I found it means the fabric can withstand 10,000mm of water pressure.

This rating is suitable for avid skiers, snowboarders and mountaineers. This new Advanced Weatherproof Technology has reached new heights and on top of being waterproof it’s also windproof yet breathable. This is a breath of fresh air because some waterproofs feel like their suffocating your body and, even if the rain doesn’t get you, will drench you from condensation.

It has many other tricks up its sleeve, such as tapered cuffs, that prevent water from penetrating back into the arm. The centre full zip means it can be put on and taken off as quick as a magician. It has

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58 JANUARY 2021 PROFESSIONAL BUILDER

two larger than average, side entry pockets from which you could pull a rabbit out of. To top it off, it also has a convenient chest pocket to conceal other paraphernalia. As the days are shorter we barely see daylight, but the jacket has reflective tape for visiblity in low light, so you can’t do any disappearing acts. The Dickies Generation Waterproof Jacket is available in three colors, Black, Navy Blue and Grey. So, the next time the sky clouds over and the heavens open up, it’s not just perfect weather for the ducks.

Waterproofs play an important part of

keeping you dry. However, it’s also paramount that you also wear the correct base layers to keep yourself warm. Dickies also have this covered, with its Atwood Long Sleeved T-Shirt, with a close fit that defintely makes it fit for this purpose. It has splendid comfort courtesy of spandex in its construction.

Trousers are probably amongst Dickies more popular garments and one of the latest additions is the Dickies FLEX GDT Premium Trousers. As well as being flexible they are certainly durable, thanks to the generous use of hard-wearing CORDURA on the cargo pockets, hemguards and knee pads. CORDURA has high tensile strength fibres that will withstand long term wear, and that means it will take a while before these are worse for wear.

Finally, another garment I got to step into was Dickies new Medford Safety Boots.

Not only are these super smart but offer superior comfort. The composite toe-cap makes it feel like you’re wearing day-to-day shoes. These also have waterproof and thermal properties, keeping your feet dry and warm. Even after a long day you won’t have to put your feet up.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE DICKIES WORKWEAR RANGE VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW073

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builders’ vehicles 씱

THE END OF THE ROAD he UK has taken a historic leap on the journey to ending its contribution to climate change by saying it will ban the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030. The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has labelled the move as a “green industrial revolution” that will tackle climate change and boost jobs.

Critics, however, are warning that there isn’t enough time or investment to make the switch to electric vehicles feasible.

T

I’m confused, I thought the petrol and diesel ban was due in 2040?

The Government has moved the goalposts several times on this subject. In 2017, for example, it said it would ban all new petrol and diesel sales in 2040.

Then, in February of this year, it was announced that the ban was being moved forward to 2035. Now those targets have been moved again to 2030. Confused?

You are probably not alone...

Will I still be able to drive my petrol or diesel van in 10-years-time?

Yes, you will still be able to drive your van. The new rules will ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans. If you buy a diesel van in 2029, you’ll be allowed to drive it for the foreseeable future. However, that said, you may be charged a fee to travel across a major town or city.

Drivers of older, more polluting vans are already charged an extra £12.50 (on

How will the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles affect builders? Dan Powell from Honest John Vans answers your questions.

top of the Congestion Charge) to enter central London as part of the ULEZ scheme. From October 2021, the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emissions Zone) will be expanded up to the North and South Circular. That means any van that doesn’t meet the latest Euro6 emission standards will have to pay. We expect the number of clean air zones to grow over the next 10 years and it’s probably sensible to assume that owners of older vans will be asked to pay more.

Will the 2030 ban include hybrid vans?

No, hybrid vans are exempt from the ban until 2035. The Government says new vans can be sold if they can drive a “significant distance with zero emissions” (for example, plug-in hybrids or full hybrids), but it isn’t clear what the rules for these vehicles will be exactly.

Van manufacturers have already made huge strides in adding plug-in hybrid powertrains to their model line-ups. It’s probably safe to assume that vans like the Ford Transit Custom Plug-in Hybrid and the LEVC VN5 will be exempt from the blanket ban, but we’ll need to see the small print of the Government’s documentation (published in the next few months) to be sure.

I’m a builder who travels thousands of miles every year, will an electric van ever be suitable for me and my business?

We don’t have a crystal ball at Honest John Vans, but we are going to go out on a limb here and predict that electric vans will be the new normal by 2030. Van manufacturers are pouring hundreds of millions into electric vehicle development and vans are a key development area.

Over the next few years the price of electric vans will come down and their maximum range will increase.

Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen have already electrified their van line-ups. Vauxhall, Citroen and Peugeot have also launched new electric commercial vehicles. And just a few weeks ago Ford unveiled the E-Transit, with a 200+ mile range. Many of these vehicles can be fast-charged from zero to 80 per cent in around 40 minutes. The UK already has more than 20,000 public charging points for electric vehicles. By 2030, that number will be far, far greater.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON HONEST JOHN VANS VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW074

For more van advice visit: www.honestjohn.co.uk/vans or type “Honest John Vans” into your online search engine.

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builders’ vehicles

FARE PLAY! Will van users hail the arrival of a very distinctive and fundamentally different type of all new electric commercial vehicle? Professional Builder books a first pick up from the manufacturer’s headquarters in Coventry.

stablishing any sort of new foothold in the deeply closeted world of light commercial vehicles is no easy task, but then very few companies are as well equipped to break ranks – quite literally – than the London Electric Vehicle Company. As our intrepid fare reported from the back of one such cab earlier in the year, the imminent launch of its close sibling, the all-electric VN5 van, was already creating quite a stir amongst its potential competitors.

And then, with an easing of local lockdown restrictions in September, we were invited back to the midlands to see whether the hype really did live up to the billing, and embark on a revealing drive through the highways and byways of rural Warwickshire.

Anyone who has seen the new all electric taxi will be instantly aware that the VN5 has not fallen far from the LEVC tree, with exactly the same iconic front end design and it’s pretty much identical under the all-aluminium frame and plastic body panel skin as well. That means in power terms a 148bhp electric motor, combined with a 31kw battery and a Volvo sourced

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1.5litre turbo charged three cylinder petrol engine that acts purely as a generator and provides no direct power to the wheels.

What makes the vehicle stand out from the crowd (only Ford offers something along the same lines with its Transit Custom plug in hybrid drivetrain version) is that the VN5 has been designed from the outset as a PHEV rather than a conventional van with its traditional drivetrain taken out. The result is a much larger battery, which enables it to drive much further – up to 61 miles on electric power alone – and with an overall range of around 300 miles with a full tank of petrol. By investing many millions of pounds in the design process, and extensive testing, LEVC – which is owned by the Chinese manufacturing giant Geely

– have bought to market a truly pioneering modern day van which can be used in a zero emission zone for a full day’s work but has sufficient energy reserves so it doesn’t need to waste valuable time parked up for recharging.

V for Victory

Like all electric vehicles the VN5 is noticeably spritely away from a standing start but, thanks to the weight being shifted to the rear axle, grips the tarmac well. With automatic drive the vehicle is easy to get along with and provides a comfortable solid driving experience, although the gear selector technology taken from its Volvo associate can be a little confusing to the uninitiated. Also, with so much info to hand, it’s clear that the many features available to help maximise energy use on the road would require a lot more road trips to work out exactly what mode is best for a particular journey and driving condition.

As far as load carrying capacity there is the familiar box shape, which is at the larger end of the medium sized van class with 5.5 cubic metres of area and a payload of a respectable, but not outstanding, 830kg. The high load floor

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does mean that the rear wheel arches don’t intrude into the load area too much, whilst the internal walls are lined for protection. In a nod to its heritage, where it really does impress is on its turning ability in tight areas, with the rear wheel drive layout and taxi like steering rack allowing an extremely tight 10.1metre turning circle. There’s a steel bulkhead between the load area and a two passenger compartment with no option currently of a third seat addition.

Three VN5 variants are offered, Business, City and Ultima, although it’s fair to say that all are of a reassuringly high level, with AEB, front and side driver and passenger airbags, cruise control, 9in. touch screen and dual climate control as standard, as well as a 50kW DC rapid charging and minimum 11kW AC fast charging capability achieved via one of two charging ports on the nose of the vehicle with charging taking as little as thirty minutes via the DC source.

Clearly these are early days for LEVC, and its foray into the commercial vehicle market, so choice is currently very limited compared to that offered by the high volume manufacturers which dominate the sector. Presently, there is just the single panel van body style on offer, which comes with a single sliding door and offset barn doors at the back.

However, the company hasn’t invested this much time and money in staying niche forever and more models will almost certainly be rolled out over the next couple of years.

As CE Joeg Hofmann confirmed: “VN5 sets new green mobility standards in the industry and establishes a new and highly desirable electric van segment. We’ve applied our extensive knowledge from the taxi world to create a high quality, hardworking van with zero emissions and long distance capability. As well as offering favourable operating benefits VN5 fulfils the growing demand from business and consumers for cleaner more sustainable commercial vehicles.”

Of course, what it does have in common with many other plug in hybrid vehicles is a deep intake-of-breath list price. Starting at around £47,000 for the Business you can add a further five thousand on top of that for the top spec Ultima although, as you

might expect for the extra, you are getting one of the best equipped vans anywhere on the market. This can be off-set, of course, with the Government’s OLEV discount of 20 per cent off the purchase price up to £8,000 So the million dollar question… is all of this incentive enough for any tradesman out there who mostly works locally, wants to do his bit for the environment and to really stand out from the crowd? Time will tell, but there’s no disputing that the VN5 is an impressive bit of a metal and for the right business, most probably one requiring a daily routine of depot to city and back again, the impressive low running costs will quickly have a large chunk of that initial purchase price paid off. The 150,000 mile warranty for the van

and plug in drivetrain, plus eight years on the battery, with options to further extend suggest a long life, high resale value going forward.

There are, of course, numerous other eco options out there, and more coming on stream, which may be a better fit right now with the requirements of builders, plumbers and electricians, but the VN5 is most definitely a view into the future right now. And, given its overall driving performance, and market leading distance range, the van from the legendary taxi makers has to be amongst the first on the rank for those considering an electric option for their business.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE VN5 FROM LEVC VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW075

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builders’ vehicles

STAYING IN THE BLACK!

Buying a new van is never black and white…. but Renault may have made things a little more straightforward with the launch of a special edition of its popular mid-range Trafic

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t has always been pretty good in Trafic, but it would seem that Renault’s medium sized panel van just got even better! It follows the launch earlier this year of its special Black Edition, featuring a number of styling changes exclusive to the model.

It prompts the question, of course, why bother to go the extra mile when the impressively facelifted 2019 version is already a popular choice in a very completive market? Adding bits and pieces, like black alloy wheels, gloss black front grille and logo, special side graphics – plus the option of a full body kit consisting of lower front bumper, side skirts and rear spoiler – comes at a premium, of course. However, increasingly it seems it is a price some owners are prepared to pay to stand out from the crowd.

In usual circumstances it is definitely the sort of vehicle which would garner some appreciative comments from visitors to the Professional Builder car park.

Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, there has been more chance of catching some tumbleweed than the very latest LCV offering, although we did manage to put a good shift in with our test vehicle on the spookily deserted roads of deepest Hertfordshire.

In happier times last year, Professional Builder was at the launch in Portugal of a significant refreshing of the Renault van brand, which saw an industrial-sized scalpel taken to both the Trafic and its bigger brother the Master. Shared new features across the board included a new, more imposing modern design from its 2014 incarnation, new engines, bespoke

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cabin layouts to facilitate the growing demand for a moving office, improved driving comfort and greater on-board connectivity. For the Trafic the most noticeable difference is the front end, which has been cosmetically tidied up.

However, it is under the metal where Renault have invested most heavily, with a new 2.0 litre dci unit which uses something called variable geometry turbocharging to develop more power, and significantly better low gear pull under heavy loads. The new Black Edition version comes with a choice of two engines, producing either 143bhp or 168hp and, in official testing, claims to achieve an impressive 52.3mpg and 51,4mp with around 188gkm emissions of CO2. Whilst the infotainment options were a noticeable step up from its predecessor, we did get the impression on that earlier test that the sat nav was a little way short of its competitors. However, this has been addressed with the Black model featuring

built in sat navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Full LED headlights are also standard, as well as reversing camera and climate control.

With a good reputation for sharp handling and comfortable ride quality, steering and suspension have been carried over, as has the load area, which has the same smart load solutions, including the useful bulkhead hatch that extends the vans maximum load length to 4.1m. Standard vehicles come in two

GRANTS & FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS

lengths, and two heights, with the largest carrying up to 8.5 cubic metres.

Entry point for a new Trafic is around £23,550 but, as with your own business, you may have to work a bit harder to stay in the Black as that comes in at around £28,000 plus VAT. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE VEHICLES IN THE RENAULT TRAFIC RANGE VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW076

If you are interested in supporting the Rainy Day Trust please contact us:

www.rainydaytrust.org.uk

“Real solutions for real people” For many people surviving on a low income or pension, making ends meet can be a real struggle.

many. That’s why we offer grants to help people through difficult times.

When things go wrong, they can go wrong very quickly. When something like a washing machine breaks down, the cost of a new one can be out of reach. Repairing a leaking roof or a broken down car is simply unaffordable for

We assess each applicant individually, and tailor our help to that person’s needs. The service is completely confidential. Our helpline is open 5 days a week from 9am until 5pm and is reached by calling our helpline.

Call us on 0203 192 0486 or visit www.rainydaytrust.org.uk

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PLUMBING & HEATING

UP TO THE TEST

The Fernox Express Inhibitor Test and the same manufacturer’s Water Test App combine to accurately analyse, record and share a vital component of the health of a heating system.

Professional Builder’s Lee Jones finds out more.

We live in an age of information, where data is more visible than ever, and that makes properly recording it imperative.

When it comes to the vital work that installers undertake in servicing boilers, if manufacturers are to honour extended warranties, they will want to see evidence of the necessary checks being carried out, a reality which is now a central pillar of requirements under BS 7593:2019 and the Benchmark Commissioning Checklist. That means it will be beholden on the householder to ensure that the boiler is in specification to the maker’s instructions and, with the expertise of leading water treatment manufacturer, Fernox as your ally, that’s easier than ever before.

“Most systems that are installed in the UK will have an inhibitor in them, but it is this on-going testing, in order to maintain the correct level that the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will want to see,” explains Ernie McDonald, Global General Manager at Fernox. “If you have a system which is maintained with inhibitor then the corrosion issues relating to water are reduced significantly, which makes an annual check of the correct levels essential. Not only will it improve the efficiency of the boiler, but there’s also less chance of a failure. Through our own involvement with the likes of the

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Domestic Water Treatment Association (DWTA), however, and existing sales of inhibitor testing kits, we know it’s not currently something that’s being conducted regularly enough.”

The Express Inhibitor Test is a fast track towards the correction of that failing on every front. In the first instance, simply take a sample of water, and conduct a test using the dip strip provided. Within ten seconds it will change colour, which can then be compared to the colour chart label on the bottle. A fully protected system will have inhibitor levels of 100ppm or above – and will pass the test.

It is through the Fernox Water Test App that installers can then manage and log each test. Using the in-app camera, users take a picture of the test strip and select its colour to generate the pass or fail result. If the test passes, a digital certificate will be generated that acts as evidence that the test has been completed and the system is fully protected. Together with the test outcome, all the relevant details are documented, including information on the

property, the boiler, the date and time.

That represents a typical 20 second journey through the app, which is clearly an improvement in terms of time, accuracy and retention of the results compared to manual form filling, or sending off samples by post. If a test fails, installers can also demonstrate that action has been taken, such as re-dosing with Fernox Protector F1, and the whole process then recorded as part of the Benchmark Service Interval Record, with no need for a repeat visit to site. Each small, portable kit contains enough test strips to test 50 systems, whilst the Fernox Water Test App is compatible with iOS and Android devices.

Inhibitor testing is far from a new process, of course, but what the latest Fernox solution does is bring it into the modern age, harnessing the speed and convenience of digital technologies to provide faster and more accurate results which are then easier to record, retain and share.

TO SEE THE EXPRESS INHIBITOR TEST IN ACTION, VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW077 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT FERNOX AND ITS RANGE OF PRODUCTS VISIT WWW.RDR.LINK/BW078

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GOOD HEALTH NO.19 GALLSTONES

Let’s talk about

GALLSTONES...

THIS MONTH WE ARE GOING TO COVER GALLSTONES. AGAIN, A COMMON CONDITION THAT OFTEN NEEDS NO TREATMENT, BUT WHAT EXACTLY ARE THEY AND HOW DO THEY CAUSE PROBLEMS?

Gallstones are small stones, usually made of cholesterol, that form in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small organ that sits tucked away beneath your liver. It is a storage place for a liquid called bile. As the liver produces bile, it travels into the gallbladder through complications. These can be serious. One small tubes called the bile ducts. The gall complication is a condition called cholecystitis. bladder then releases bile into the digestive It means inflammation of the gallbladder. The tract when it is needed to help break down symptoms include high temperature, persistent the fats from your diet. There are different pain and sometimes jaundice (yellowing of the reasons why gallstones form, but most skin). Often people with cholecystitis will need commonly it is because there is too much admission to hospital for painkillers and cholesterol in the bile. The extra cholesterol treatment with antibiotics. will form stones as it is not needed elsewhere.

If gallstones are causing repeated episodes Many people have gallstones in their of tummy pain, or more severe complications gallbladder and are none the wiser. Sometimes like cholecystitis or jaundice, then surgery can gallstones show up when people have be performed to remove the gallbladder. Often investigations for an unrelated problem; this is this is done using keyhole surgery which is called an “incidental finding”. It is thought that simple to perform and has less complications as many as 1 in 10 adults in the UK may have than traditional surgery. You can recover gallstones, although far fewer than this will quickly after having your gallbladder removed have symptoms. The groups of people most and live a normal life without it. If the likely to develop gallstones are those who are gallbladder is removed, all you have lost is the overweight, females (especially if they have had ability to store bile. The bile produced by the children) and those aged over 40 years old. liver will instead empty into the intestine all the So what are the symptoms of gallstones? time, so it can still do its job in helping you Gallstones in the gallbladder may have no digest the fats in your food. symptoms. Gallstones that move out of the Gallstones are often diagnosed by a simple gallbladder and into the bile ducts may become ultrasound scan. If you have them, minimising stuck. The stuck stone will cause a sudden and symptoms by sticking to a low fat diet is often severe pain in the abdomen (tummy). The important. If you need to consider pain is often on the upper right side. It “As with almost any other condition, having your gallbladder removed, your might last for several hours before may refer you to a surgeon who will settling down. If you have this pain you keeping your weight down and haivng a GP discuss this with you. Depending on might also feel sick or even be sick. healthy lifestyle is the most important thing your health, surgery may not be the best These episodes of pain are known as option for you as it does come with biliary colic. Often biliary colic may be you can do to avoid gallstones” risks. If you think you might have triggered by eating fatty foods – a low gallstones, or experience episodes of fat diet is best if you have this as it can on-off abdominal pain, then visit your GP – we will try and help stop these episodes happening. As with almost every condition get to the bottom of it! we cover on this page, keeping your weight down and having a healthy lifestyle is the most important thing you can do to avoid FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON GALLSTONES FROM developing this condition.

THE NHS VISIT: WWW.RDR.LINK/BW079 Sometimes, people with gallstones can develop

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wise howell

Advertisement index Made for Trade ............................................................(page 23)

If anyone had said to me 12 months ago that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) would be a hot topic in the newspapers and on the TV and Radio News programmes, I would have either looked around for signs of a hidden camera, or waited for the punchline to the joke.

But with the Coronavirus pandemic, PPE has become a hot topic. So much so that everyone in the country now knows what those three letters stand for.

As builders, we always knew what PPE was, of course.

“No PPE, no Work”, and, “No PPE, no Entry” have been signs on construction sites for at least the past 20 years or so.

So it’s been interesting observing how the general public have adapted to following the same rules that builders have had to follow for years.

People who say, “ I can’t wear a face mask – it makes me feel claustrophobic”, might think a bit differently if they found they weren’t going to get a day’s work unless they wore one. (They might also think a bit differently if they had been at the bedside of one of my close building mates when he was dying from asbestosrelated lung disease.)

As builders, we all know the hassles and the inconveniences of wearing PPE. How a face mask makes your glasses steam up. How a hard hat makes you bang your head on the scaffolding clips on the lift above. How steel toe caps can give you blisters and bunions. How eye protection can distort your vision, so that you bash your thumb with the hammer, and how protective

gloves make it impossible to answer your phone. Yes, we know all this, but we’ve got used to it, and accept it.

Because we know that, for all the inconvenience, if PPE saves just one person’s life, then it’s been worth it.

Of course, there are always people who take shortcuts with PPE. People who wear face masks round their throats, rather than covering their mouths and noses – some building workers have been doing that one for years. The same guys who wear a hard hat wobbling around on top of a woolly hat, usually. Let’s just hope that when the virus comes your way, or the brick falls on your head, mate, you strike lucky.

There is one item of PPE that I am going to start taking a lot more seriously, though, and it’s nothing to do with the Coronavirus. It’s knee protection. I’ve been working in a house with brick floors, and doing more unprotected kneeling than I should have.

Now I’m suffering for it.

Knee pads are uncomfortable things to wear, so I’m thinking of investing in a pair of those special knee pad trousers. I should have done it years ago. But better late than never.

Stay safe!

Jeff Howell

E-mail Jeff via his website www.askjeff.co.uk

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Made for Trade ............................................................(page 25) Made for Trade ............................................................(page 27) Dakera ..............................................................................(page 11) Artex Ltd..........................................................................(page 47) Buckbootz ......................................................................(page 22) Eclisse UK ...................................................................... (page 17) ERA Home Security Ltd ............................(inside front cover) Fast-Form Systems Ltd ..............................................(page 49) Federation of Master Builders ....................................(page 4) Fernox ............................................................................(page 20) Festool ............................................................................(page 34) Glazing Vision Ltd ........................................................(page 33) Kyocera-Senco UK Ltd........................................(pages 38,39) Makita (UK) Ltd ..............................................................(page 43) Manthorpe Building products....................................(page 47) Pnu-Point Ltd ................................................................(page 53) Professional Builder online........................................(page 55) Quickslide ........................................................................(page 5) Rainy Day ......................................................................(page 63) Rocket Door Frames ..............................................(back cover) Rockwool Ltd .................................................................. (page 6) Safeguard Europe Ltd..................................................(page 51) Toolfair Exhibition ......................................(inside back cover) TuffX Processed Glass Ltd ........................................(page 45)

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THE TRADESHOW BUILT FOR THE TRADE PROFESSIONAL BUILDER

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