Home Designer & Architect - February 2020

HOME-DESIGNER AND ARCHITECT

MAGAZINE FEbruary 2020

Rinnai and the art of Zen + Zen plus

RINNAI AND THE ART OF ZEN + ZEN PLUS Rinnai re-imagines home hot water & heating systems R

innai, global leaders in continuous flow hot water heating products and systems, is introducing the Zen and Zen Plus home hot water & heating system which marries established and proven manufacture durability with new technologies to offer great energy efficiencies, user control and, importantly, unparalleled level of comfort.

The Rinnai Zen and Zen Plus system will increase comfort and reduce energy usage whilst also providing a highly economically solution for today’s changing marketplace.

‘Our core expertise is the mass production of long-term reliable combustion products with advanced technologies – we are a global leader and make over 2 million water heating units every year for domestic, residential and commercial applications. We have been researching and monitoring the UK domestic heating market for several years until we had a proven system.

That time is now, and we are offering hot water heating units together with a superior performance combi boiler in 24, 29- and 35-kW outputs,’ says Chris Goggin, head of Rinnai UK operations.

‘We are not launching into the mass UK boiler market – that is, in our view, a saturated and oversubscribed market which is in the throes of a major upheaval in its structure due to the advent of online direct sales platforms.

We are offering something very different. And we are aiming to serve a market sector previously overlooked and almost ignored - the provision of luxury levels of hot water at affordable sums to the middle and top end of the marketplace.

‘Another major difference with the Rinnai Zen & Zen Plus is that the route to market is with installers. We are committed to working with installers as our route to market. The installer is still the major player and, in our view, always will be.

Some of the features of Zen & Zen Plus are: IOT controller as standard; Fast heating mode; DHW pre-heat function saving wasted water; Energy monitor function allows user to monitor energy usage; flue runs up to 30 meters, Rinnai boiler App for android and IOS; constant temperatureaccurate hot water delivery at continuous flow rates.

There is also smart Wifi controller and App benefits; The Rinnai app seamlessly connects to the controller in the property; the user can control the boiler remotely adjusting temperature, setting weekly and daily programmes, receiving alarm functions, monitor energy usage and set limits. The Wifi and boiler controller also uses GPS from the user’s mobile to bring on the heat when you are getting close to home to ensure the house is warm when you arrive.

Rinnai Zen & Zen Plus are available for use with both natural gas and LPG.

“

HOME-DESIGNER AND ARCHITECT

CONTENTS FEBRuary 2020

4 12 24 32 38

Industry News Heating Bathrooms Interiors Doors & Windows

CONtact US Ben Pritchard

Publication Manager

Jenna Burridge Editor

01843 581364

ben@homedesignerandarchitect.co.uk

01843 595818

jenna@homedesignerandarchitect.co.uk

industry news

Egyptian stone structure in a new guise: Embassy of Egypt by Promontorio The design of the Egyptian Embassy building in Lisbon is a modern interpretation of the long tradition of monolithic stone structures in Egypt.

In the process Promontorio Architects have skilfully combined the ideas of security and a safe haven with a representation of the culture, values and history of the country.

The new Egyptian embassy in the affluent Restelo district of Lisbon takes its place among numerous villas built in the forties and fifties and bordering the roads, whereby many of the villas have been converted into diplomatic representations. The architecture of the Egyptian building is largely determined by the high security requirements that an embassy has to fulfil.

The Egyptian embassy has a central position on the property and is surrounded by gardens. Access to the public entrance and the underground car park is provided through large security gates.

The monolithic building is comprised of various volumes offset and angled to result in several balconies and exterior areas. The façade is formed out of dark, precast panels of glass-fibre reinforced concrete (GRC), a material that displays a particularly high degree of tensile and flexural strength thanks to its combination of sand and glass-fibre. Installed as part of a post-and-lintel structure, the panels are covered in a bas-relief pattern produced using a mould custom-made for the project. The pattern, which imitates the geometric motifs of Egyptian culture in an understated way, creates interesting shadow effects that enliven the solid mass of the façade. At the same time the anthracite-coloured pigment of the concrete accentuates the Egyptian embassy’s monumental appearance and forms a strong contrast to the slender bronzecoloured window profiles.

Inside the building, sharp lines are drawn between private and public areas. Private uses are located in closed-off rooms, screened off from scrutiny from the outside world, and public ones are restricted solely to atrium areas, meaning visitors can be seen at all times in the building.

Panels made up of vertical timber slats start on the staircase balustrades and continue onto the walls, enveloping the spaces. The texture and grain of the wood create a pleasantly warm atmosphere in the solidly constructed building and form a contrast to the white stone slabs in the rest of the interior.

The large atrium, the building’s centrepiece, is flooded with natural light from a large skylight.

A lattice of traditional Egyptian patterns inserted below the glass lends interest by creating a play of light and shade on the white stone of the floor.

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Save the world, one city at a time: Reinventing Cities Calling all architects, designers, urban planners, entrepreneurs, artists, environmentalists and innovators: enter the Reinventing Cities competition

industry news

Nithurst Farm by Adam Richards Architects Nithurst Farm is a minimalist farmhouse located in Upperton, United Kingdom, designed by Adam Richards Architects. Situated on an open field within the South Downs National Park, the newly built family home is formed of structural concrete wrapped with brick, and topped with a black zinc roof.

The volumes progress in a step-motion, starting with the single-story entrance at the north and elevating into a three-story tower, expressed as a grid, toward the south. The entrance reveals a darkened vestibule presented in the form of exposed concrete walls.

Nine cities – Cape Town, Chicago, Dubai, Madrid, Milan, Montreal, Singapore, Reykjavik, and Rome – invite proposals from multidisciplinary teams of development experts and professionals. Teams can submit comprehensive plans to reimagine 25 outdated, underused areas across these cities, into carbonneutral, resilient urban development projects.

As the threat posed by the climate emergency becomes increasingly urgent, Reinventing Cities accelerates the decarbonisation of cities around the world to create new, more sustainable models of urban development.

Buildings account for about half of C40 cities’ greenhouse gas emissions. Common construction materials like steel and concrete are responsible for more than 30 percent of global resource

consumption. The reality of the climate emergency means a whole reimagining of how we build and structure communities.

The concrete is left purposefully raw, and are softened by brass accents and white oiled pine floorboards and reclaimed stone. As described by the architects, “The plan is tapered on the north-south axis, creating a false perspective that heightens the sense of a journey to the house’s principal destination, the south-facing sitting room.”

Photography © Brotherton Lock.

Reinventing Cities channels the innovation and creativity of businesses and individuals to illustrate the promise of cleaner, smarter development.

The first Reinventing Cities competition, launched in 2017, generated inspiring projects and proposals that will fundamentally change the way people live and work. Winning proposals included the largest wooden building in Iceland, the first zero carbon neighbourhood in Paris, the largest urban solar farm in Texas, and the first zero-carbon socialhousing project in Italy.

Learn more about the Reinventing Cities competition visiting C40reinventingcities. org and find out how to help us create the sustainable cities of tomorrow, today.

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industry news

Alligator park plan for £230m mixed use London site Developer Avanton is hatching plans for an alligator park and farm to be a feature of its £230m mixed use scheme in south London.

The Old Kent Road site contains an iconic gasholder which is set to be turned into a feature of the four acre housing and industrial project.

Avanton’s alligator plan would see the reptiles housed within a series of deep waterfeatures within the gasholder alongside a visitors’ centre and educational facility.

Part of the 48.8 metre high gasholder frame would be shrouded with special shielded glass to create a conservatory and the warm conditions alligators need to thrive.

Other alternatives being explored for the gasholder frame are to transform it into a striking art-like architectural feature within the gardens and parkland of the new development.

Within the skeleton of the gasholder there are optional plans for a pavilion, water features and gardens, providing a central feature for the residential and commercial buildings within the new development.

Performance Plywood Hanson Plywood share the benefits of Performance Plywood®for construction projects

The wood can be disfigured by fungi as well as attacked by wood boring insects including termites.

Marine Plywood has been used in construction applications in the belief that the product will be a higher quality of plywood. Marine Grade Plywood was not originally intended for construction applications, it was produced for the ship building industry.

Essential elements of plywood for EN 636–3:

In today’s world the availability of legal and sustainable hardwoods to produce Marine Grade Plywood is very limited, which makes the product relatively expensive to produce.

Construction specifications should be satisfied with products that are fit-for-purpose taking into account the application and the particular performance criteria required. With this in mind, Hanson Plywood have worked to develop and present a product that is specifically intended for the construction industry and offers full technical and environmental classifications.

Performance Plywood® is the result of this work and is a reliably branded hardwood plywood produced specifically for construction applications. It is CE marked and tested to meet EN 636 Use Class 3 thus making it suitable for use as structural components in exterior conditions. The product carries FSC® chain of custody and is FLEGT licenced to verify legality under the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR).

Use in Exterior Conditions EN 636-3 specifies the requirements for plywood for use in external applications as defined in Use Class 3, where the moisture content will frequently be above 20 per cent.

Use Class 3 is defined fully in EN 335:2013 but essentially it outlines situations in which wood or a wood-based product is above ground and exposed to the weather (particularly rain).

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Bonding quality The bonding quality of the plywood needs to comply with the requirements of Bonding Class 3 of EN 314-2.

Biological durability It is important to assess whether the durability of the plywood is sufficient for prevailing climate conditions. If it is not sufficient, then it is worth considering another solution such as the preservative treatment on the plywood. Guidance on factors affecting durability can be found in CEN/TS 1099.

When specifying plywood for Use Class 3, appropriate surface and edge coating should also be considered.

Legal and Sustainable Performance Plywood® is imported from Indonesia and is FLEGT Licensed. Following the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry’s implementation of a robust timber legality assurance system (SVLK), the country has fully complied with the legal requirements set out by the European Union. Indonesia is the first country to offer FLEGT Licensed timber products that are fully compliant with EUTR requirements. In addition to this attestation to legality, the timber in Hanson Performance Plywood® is sourced from FSC® forest management units.

Performance Plywood® not only adheres to a long list of applicable standards, but also follows a strict due diligence process. This ensures the product is safe, and fit for use in a multitude of applications, specifically construction.

www.hanson-plywood.co.uk

industry news

Bouygues to start £115m Canterbury Riverside scheme Bouygues has got the go-ahead to start Canterbury’s £115m mixed-use scheme in the Kingsmead area of the city.

The firm’s development arm Linkcity has exchanged contracts with the council and Hyde Group to bring forward the project on the site of a former coach park.

It will involve building a multiplex cinema and restaurants, 491 student rooms and 189 affordable flats.

Bouygues UK has been appointed as the main

contractor for the scheme, which will be delivered using modern methods of construction.

With all agreements now in place, construction will begin imminently.

The new student residences and commercial elements will complete in Autumn 2021, with residents moving into the new homes in 2022.

Town Centre Regeneration Reaches Milestone Plans to rejuvenate Stevenage town centre have taken a major step forward. Contractor Mace has submitted a planning application to regenerate 14.5 acres of the town centre, known as SG1. It will eventually provide more than 1,800 highquality new homes, 3,500 sqm of retail and commercial floor space, a new public square and a new park, as well as a Public Services Hub and a new primary school.

Inspired by the original building blocks and the unique heritage of the New Town, SG1 will also complement the new developments across the town that are already underway at the north end of Queensway and on the Town Square.

Kevin Cowin, Director at Mace, said: “This is an ambitious and carefully crafted proposal that expresses our confidence in Stevenage town centre.

We aim to revitalise the town centre by introducing new homes, vibrant activities, community facilities and inviting public spaces. Our vision is to deliver a thriving, successful and attractive heart to Stevenage which

will serve the needs of local people and businesses for decades to come.”

The planning submission provides an outline proposal for the 14.5 acre masterplan which is divided into 10 development plots. It also contains a detailed application for the first two plots in the first phase which includes the area of Swingate South Car Park and Swingate House, as well as the former police building on Southgate. The first phase proposes 760 new homes in the town centre. Future phases will add new retail and commercial floor space in addition to further new homes.

The creation of new green spaces and tree planting is a central theme for the masterplan proposals. There will be increased biodiversity and new planting in an attractive new Garden Square adjacent to The Hub and the historic Town Square, a new public tree-lined boulevard, and a new park and pond at the new Southgate Park to the south of Queensway. A new mini square which will be known as ‘Arrival Square’ is also planned to greet visitors at the bottom of the access ramp to the railway station and welcome people to the town centre.

Kevin Cowin added: “During our consultation on the SG1 masterplan over the summer, one of the key things residents and town centre businesses told us was the importance of creating attractive welcoming public spaces where people can meet and relax. Our planning application responds to what local people have told us.”

At the centre of the masterplan fronting onto the Town Square will be a new Public Services Hub for the people of Stevenage.

The Hub will be the focal point for a wide range of public services, including NHS health facilities, a new public library, the voluntary sector and Council services.

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uture plc, the international media group and leading magazine publisher, announces that leading architectural design company Resi is sponsoring the new series of the fast-growing Real Homes Show. The online TV show for homeowners wanting to make their dream home a reality has seen a 223 per cent increase in views since its launch in April 2019 and has now returned with a new season.

F

The aim of the new-look series is to help frustrated homeowners create their dream home in 2020 without having to spend a fortune. Episodes of the show will go live fortnightly over the next three months, offering viewers a step-by-step guide to extending their home; the lowdown on the smart tech gadgets that suit fit their lifestyle; and advice on interior design trends for 2020.

And building on the success of Realhomes.com, the UK’s fastestgrowing homes website with 2million users per month, season four of the Real Homes Show will also include no-nonsense consumer advice. Presenter and former Real Homes editor Laura Crombie will put in-demand items, such as pod coffee machines and mattresses in the box, through their paces to help viewers find the right products, at the right price.

As well as tuning in on YouTube, viewers can now watch the show across Realhomes.com following

Real Homes Show signs Resi architects as new sponsor for its fourth season The online TV show will help homeowners transform their properties on a budget starting January 2020 investment in a new in-site media player. Since its launch in April 2019, the show has clocked up three series and an impressive 525,000 views, and continues to grow.

Guest presenters will include tech expert Verity Burns; interior design and build expert Sian Astley, from the BBC’s ‘Your Home Made Perfect’; and homebuilding and renovating specialist and Future Home Interest content director, Jason Orme.

Will Benton-Diggins, creative lead at Resi, adds, “We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Real Homes Show, a show that empowers people to unlock the potential in their property.

Offering no-nonsense, practical advice, the Show is a perfect reflection of the values Resi stands for. We believe everyone should have the tools to grow their home, which is why as the leading architectural practice, we help design, build and finance projects, giving our customers the space to do the things that matter. Sponsorships such as this one help us reach even more people across the nation, helping them make their house a home.”

Paul Newman, brand director of Home Interest, says, “The Real Homes Show’s blend of seasonally focused, authoritative and entertaining content has really captured the imagination of homeowners. By leveraging the UK’s fastest-growing homes website, Realhomes.com, as a new distribution platform we’re now able to target our content even more effectively at a high-value audience of home extenders and interior design enthusiasts.”

You can watch the Real Homes Show now at www.realhomes.com/tv. The first episode of season four went live on 17 January.

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The Future Homes Standard - ATNA George Clarke rails against the government’s slow timetable on future homes.

The chancellor of the exchequer announced the Future Homes Standard in March 2019, but what is it?

Well, it’s a standard that is expected to set us on a course to reduce carbon emissions to NET-ZERO by 2050 and the government now sees housing as being a key part in that – which it should as some claim that homes account for a third of all greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. The government intends to introduce in 2020 ‘a meaningful but achievable uplift to energy efficiency standards as a steppingstone to the future homes standard’ with the intention ‘to make new homes more energy efficient and to future-proof them in readiness for low carbon heating systems’ in readiness for the introduction of a further uplift in standards in 2025.

So, a lifting of standards next year and then again in 2025 when the full Future Homes Standard is implemented.

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Ambitious Now, this standard is very ambitious. The government claims it will achieve a 75-80% reduction in carbon emissions compared to a home built to the current building regulations.

This will be done through very high fabric standards and low carbon heating systems, so a combination of higher levels of insulation, triple glazing in all windows (both of which we should be doing anyway!),heat pumps, heat recovery ventilation, etc, etc.

Their initial consultation seeks views on a number of things like this: Two options to increase Part L of the building regulations.

1. One is a 20% reduction in emissions delivered by very high fabric standards only (ie, insulation and triple glazing) 2. The other is a 31% reduction due to a combination of carbon-saving technology (ie. solar PV panels, etc) combined with better fabric standards, but not as high as option 1 so using double glazing rather then triple glazing.

don’t have time for 5 years of chit “ We chat to do what we all know is the right thing to do! “ George Clarke - Architect and TV Presenter

Now call me stupid, but I thought we already had to install doubleglazing under the current building regs! Surely we should be doing both at maximum ecological capacity.

It’s too little and taking too much time.

Improving the building fabric (triple glazing should have been introduced as standard 10 years ago!) AND installing heat pumps and panels!

And you may forgive my negativity when I tell you this.

Talking shop And then there is this.

The government ‘envisage research into the Future Homes Standard to commence from 2021, alongside the establishment of an industry Taskforce, with research continuing into 2023 . . . with the intention of consulting on the implementation of the Future Homes Standard in 2024.’

REALLY? Consulting on the implementation in 2024?

It could all be too late by then!

It was urgent a year ago!

Didn’t the government listen to David Attenborough’s People’s Seat address at COP24 in Poland in December 2018?

I actually can’t believe that speech was nearly a year ago when he said: “Right now (and he really meant RIGHT NOW!), we are facing a manmade disaster of a global scale… If we don’t take action the collapse of our civilisations and the extinctions of much of the natural world is on the horizon.”

We don’t have time for 5 years of chit chat and consultation to do what we all know is easy and is the right thing to do!

This ATNA government I hate being so negative. Believe me I’m one of the most positive and enthusiastic people in the world.

A complete joke A ZERO-CARBON HOMES POLICY was first announced by Gordon Brown in 2006. Every single new build home built in the UK by 2016 was to be zero-carbon!

That policy was completely scrapped by the Conservative party in 2015 when they won a majority government in the general election!

The policy of zero-carbon was scrapped “to reduce net regulations on housebuilders”! Rubbish!

It is 13 years since that policy was first announced by Labour. And now, 4 years after the Tories scrapped it, they announce the ‘Future Homes Standard’ as if it is something amazingly new. Oh, but they need 5 or 6 years to think about it. WHAT A COMPLETE JOKE! I support the idea of the Future Home Standard, just as I supported the zero-carbon homes policy that Gordon Brown announced in 2006.

But, government is far too slow and far too incompetent when it comes to doing the right thing in making the changes the home building industry and the environment desperately needs to see.

We need big change and action right now.

But instead, in the politically turbulent times, we’ll just continue with ATNA! George Clarke is an architect, writer, lecturer and TV presenter, a founder of TV production company Amazing Productions, and creative director of George Clarke + Partners.

But, for far too long, when it comes to raising building regulation standards, this government (and many before it!) have been what I’m now going to abbreviate as ATNA… ALL TALK NO ACTION! Are we really going to spend 5 years talking about whether to install more insulation, install triple-glazing and replace our gas boilers with low carbon air-source heat pumps?

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Heating

Panasonic are Finalists in the National ACR & Heat Pumps Awards 2020 Panasonic is pleased to announce they are finalists in two categories in the forthcoming and highly anticipated National ACR & Heat Pump Awards.

The two categories Panasonic has been shortlisted for are; Heat Pump product with the highly energy efficient Panasonic Aquarea T-Cap, in addition to the ACR Product of the year with the innovative Panasonic GHP VRF GF3 series. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Manchester on 23rd January 2020 at the prestigious Midland Hotel.

Panasonic Aquarea Air to Water T-Cap

The awards will be hosted by the face of Soccer Saturday, Jeff Stelling, and promises to be a fantastic ceremony that celebrates stand out achievements within the HVAC industry.

Aimed at residential installations, the Panasonic Aquarea T-Cap is a single outdoor heat pump unit, generating the perfect temperature, producing hot water, in an easy, cost effective and environmentally friendly way, by transferring heat instead of generating it. It is among the technologies listed on the International Energy Agency (IEA), with the goal of reducing CO2 emissions to half the levels emitted in 2005, by the year 2020.

Tony Nielsen, UK Marketing Manager of Panasonic commented “We are delighted to be finalists in two categories in the National ACR & Heat Pump Awards for both Heat Pump Product and ACR Product. These awards are highly regarded within the industry that highlight the standards that must be met to create innovative and energy efficient solutions, this is a priority within Panasonic and becoming finalists confirms our dedication and performance within the industry.”

These units have an extremely high efficiency, making it one of the most economical systems on the market. Up to 80% of the energy generated by the heat pump comes from the outside air, with electricity making up the remaining 20%, so not only is this an extremely cost-effective alternative, but it is also environmentally friendly. An air source heat pump is a great option to increase energy efficiency and can reduce overall energy bills by up to 60% (when compared to fossil fuel alternatives).

Panasonic GHP VRF Units

The Aquarea T-Cap unit captures ambient air from temperatures as low as -28°C, continuously heating the property, ensuring maximum comfort, and providing domestic hot water. Furthermore, the range is also far cleaner, safer, cheaper and more environmentally friendly than competing alternatives, which use mains gas, oil, LPG and other electrical systems.

Panasonic’s new generation of Gas-powered Heat Pumps deliver simultaneous heating or cooling and domestic hot water (DHW) for commercial applications, for example hotels and apartments where constant high-volume supplies are crucial.

The GHP GF3 series provides a host of attractive benefits which improve energy efficiency and seasonal performance, while contributing to significant energy savings for commercial buildings and facilities.

The Panasonic GHP GF3 units boast a heat exchanger that provides DHW in parallel to heating or cooling, by effectively capturing the waste heat generated by the engine during operation.

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This powerful heat exchanger means that the GF3 series can provide an impressive heating capacity of 100% and DHW at temperatures as low as -21°C without requiring a defrost process, optimising the system’s winter performance.

Tony Nielsen further added “Panasonic products focus consistently on innovation, reliability, ecological respect and connectivity.”

For more information on the above please do get in touch with our team via email, uk-aircon@eu.panasonic.com or telephone 01344 853182.

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Heating

BAN ON FOSSIL FUEL HEATING TO IMPACT NEW HOMES FROM 2025 Last year the Government announced that it had introduced a new consultation to set out its plans for the Future Homes Standard. This includes options to increase the energy efficiency requirements for new homes from 2020.

The aim of the new standard is to bring all of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, a target seen as one of the most ambitious in the world. New and existing homes account for 21% of emissions, and despite recent efforts to lower those emissions much more still has to be done.

With climate change now a major crisis and coinciding with the release of the CCC (Climate Change Committee) report last year, underfloor heating expert Wunda Group is raising awareness about what the standard means and how it’s over floor heating solution can help homes comply.

As part of the UK’s journey to the 2050 target, the Government has committed to bringing in its Future Homes Standard in 2025, and anticipates that an average home built using the new guidelines will have 75-80% less carbon emissions than one built using the current energy efficiency requirements.

It is expected that this will be achieved through very high fabric standards and a low carbon heating system. The standard was created to address the need to ban fossil fuel heating systems, such as gas boilers, from new homes by 2025 and how vital it is to replace them with low carbon heating systems.

This means a new home built to the Future Homes Standard might also be fitted with triple glazing and walls, floors and roofs that significantly limit heat loss.

Chapter 2 of the Future Homes Standard discusses how the roll out of low carbon heating systems will lead to world-leading levels of energy efficiency. An excellent example of a sustainable heating system is Wundatherm, Wunda Group’s leading underfloor heating product.

Compatible with sustainable heat pumps, solar panels or any existing gas/oil boilers, the Wundatherm underfloor heating

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system can run at temperatures as low as 35°C and can be laid by any competent tradesmen including builders, carpenters and tilers.

Once installed, Wundatherm only requires a plumber to connect the system to the heat source and an electrician to fit the simple controls, and is designed with a ‘fit and forget’ reputation that is reliable, durable, maintenance-free and futureproof.

Wundatherm is a new Rapid Response® system that’s extremely durable, incredibly easy to install and eliminates mess and drying time without the need to dig up floors.

The lightweight low profile boards are just 16 or 20mm thick, heat up in minutes and are suitable for any floor finish including carpet, vinyl, Karndean, Amtico, laminate, wood, ceramic and stone tiles. Once installed, floor heating pipe is laid into the pre-formed grooves in the boards and the system is ready for immediate use.

Wundatherm is extremely affordable and is virtually maintenance-free with a lifetime guarantee.

Wundatherm consists of pre-formed aluminium coated boards that deliver rapid response heating and are bonded instantly to the floor with spray adhesive.

Once in place, high output 16mm floor heating pipe is laid into the pre-formed grooves in the boards, looping around to a heating manifold, with up to 150 sq. metres taking two people just two days to install.

The Wundatherm system takes minutes to reach operating temperature, unlike screed which takes up to 48 hours, and creates a comfortable heat as the boards come factory fitted with thick aluminium for fast heat transmission and the continuous leakproof pipes carry a lifetime guarantee.

Heating To complement the whole system, there is a range of matched traditional hard-wired thermostats, as well as wireless and smart controls via an app on mobile devices to offer users complete remote control of the system.

The UK needs to help the housing industry to be able to deliver in 2025, so by implementing an achievable change to the current energy efficiency standards

in 2020, the economy is a step closer to making new homes more energy efficient and future-proof in readiness for low carbon heating systems.

Wunda prides itself on first class quality and customer service, providing free technical support six days a week, and provides the specialist service of detailed layout plans for all bespoke systems free of charge to trade customers. With these

layout plans to hand, tradesmen can have complete confidence in laying the boards and installing the Wundatherm system.

For further information on the Wundatherm underfloor heating system or a free estimate, call 0800 083 2677, email plans@wundagroup.com or visit the website www.wundatrade.co.uk Wunda Group is supported by Vantage PR

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Heating

Hounsfield Boilers shortlisted for best British boiler Leading Suffolk-based oil boiler manufacturer, Hounsfield Boilers, has made the shortlist for a prominent national award. The H&V News Awards showcase the very best products within the heating and ventilation industry and Hounsfield’s revolutionary Tuscan wall mounted oil boiler is up for ‘Domestic HVAC Product of the Year: Boilers and Heaters’. The winner of the award will be announced at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 30 April 2020.

Andrew Hounsfield, MD, set up Hounsfield Boilers in 2008 with a desire to revolutionise the domestic boiler and make products far more sustainable. He says: “I had worked for some of the biggest UK boiler companies, but I had become frustrated - manufacturers had become too price focused, which had driven down the quality of the boilers on offer. I decided to put the customer first and invent a boiler which would be built to last, whilst also minimising the lifetime running costs for the homeowner.

He added: “I also created a fresh new practical design that’s easy to install and service for the installer, whilst still delivering a value for money product.

Thanks to my engineering background I developed an oil-fired boiler that satisfied these objectives and also created a highperformance boiler with a host of features not found on any other in the marketplace.”

is on the up with two new recruits joining the team and sales are expected to increase as awareness of the revolutionary boiler grows. Andrew is delighted with recent sales performances and thrilled that his latest boiler has received such recognition. He says: ”We’re always proud that our oil boilers are In 2019 Hounsfield added popular with heating engineers and homeowners the Tuscan wall-hung boiler and it is wonderful that our Tuscan boiler has been shortlisted for this top gong! It’s great recognition to its collection which for the entire Hounsfield team that our Tuscan was quickly snapped up boiler has been nationally recognised and selected by heating engineers and as one of the best heating products on the market. homeowners. Production at the Hounsfield factory We manufacture all components onsite in Suffolk

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and proud to say that are boilers are Made in Britain.”

Hounsfield Boilers are designed and manufactured at Lion Barn Industrial Estate, Needham Market, which was set up in 2008 by Andrew after 30 years in the boiler industry. His boilers have become popular with plumbers and installers thanks to their ingenious design and durability; many of his boilers have found homes in some of the region’s most prestigious properties.

To discover more, visit www.hounsfieldboilers.co.uk.

SO QUIET WE HAD TO SHOUT ABOUT IT Ultra Quiet Ecodan The NEW LOW NOISE Air Source Heat Pump • An 8 dB(A) drop in sound output • Virtually eliminates the need for planning permission • Allows installation under Permitted Development

ultraquietecodan.co.uk

Heat Pump Product of the Year (Ultra Quiet Ecodan)

Domestic HVAC Product of the Year – Heating Units

Search #ultraquietecodan

heating To alleviate the very real problems of noise, keeping sound and air pollution outside, Vectaire has three new models in its vertical whole house heat recovery range. The Midi, Maxi and Maxi Plus are now available with integral acoustic attenuation lined with superior sound deadening materials for really low sound levels and tested by BRE. Sound pressure levels are down to <5.0, <5.0 and 6.9 dBA respectively. They are easy to install – nothing extra is required other than the unit itself – they are the quietest, lightest and smallest on the market. Efficiency, performance and economy remain the same as the standard models. “BY-AT” models incorporate summer bypass and frost protection, and commissioning is via an integral LCD. Windows can be kept firmly closed while these MVHRs provide energy efficient ventilation and a comfortable environment. Products are SAP PCDB Listed and manufactured in our own factory in the UK to ISO 9001.

Vectaire offers a design service ensuring units are installed in the best possible way to provide efficient, effective, low energy and very economic ventilation. Vectaire can also organise installation, commissioning and maintenance of these products and can supply all necessary accessories.

All Vectaire’s residential ventilation is detailed in the latest Low Energy Catalogue.

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You can have it all with Speedheat Creating an airy, open space for living calls for clean lines and minimum fuss – but you also need to keep cosy.

Speedheat electric underfloor heating can help to achieve it all. Installed with minimum disruption and no noticeable build up in floor height, Speedheat’s system is invisible under your choice of final floor finish. It is ideal for new build, renovation and redesign projects and comes complete with state of the art, unobtrusive controls. Speedheat spells the end to ugly radiators or trailing cables, with nothing to spoil the view. info@speedheat.co.uk

Heating

RINNAI CELEBRATES ITS FIRST 100 YEARS OF MANUFACTURING PRODUCTS TO SERVE ITS CUSTOMERS Rinnai, best known in the UK for its comprehensive range of hot water and heating home units, is globally celebrating its first 100 years of manufacture in serving its customers with a three-year period of planned anniversary related events to connect to the start of the company’s next centenary.

The Rinnai Corporation was founded in Nagoya, Japan in 1819 and today operates in 17 nations and regions around the world with sales of kitchen appliances, air conditioners, hot water heating & home heating units in over 80 countries.

Says Rinnai UK Managing Director Tony Gittings, ”The company has evolved and developed into a group that produces a diversity of products and services that directly benefit ordinary people in their daily lives.

“Our policy is to help enrich the lives of people in local communities by providing optimal solutions that fit the lifestyle culture, climate conditions, and the energy situation of each country around the world.

The three-year period is aimed at connecting the first century to the next one. The theme will be named - Connected in passion for the next 100 years.”

This follows the other significant corporate developments on the global presence of Rinnai - the issuing of a new logo and a new brand statement – ‘A Healthier Way of Living’.

In the UK Rinnai is the acknowledged leader in continuous flow hot water heating technology. The company offers a comprehensive range of A-rated units plus large systems for any size of site or application.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT RINNAIUK.COM

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Heating

Top tips to help the environment and your bank balance in Big Energy Saving Week Worcester Bosch provides top tips on energy saving as national campaign begins today ith Big Energy Saving Week 2020 now underway, leading boiler manufacturer Worcester Bosch wants to help homeowners across the country look at ways of reducing how much energy they are using and make energy bills more affordable all year long.

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The Energy Saving Trust estimates that, in a typical UK household, more than half the money spent on fuel bills goes towards providing heating and hot water. Therefore, having an efficient and cost-effective heating system is vital.

As the national campaign begins to help people cut their energy bills and get the financial support they are entitled to, Worcester Bosch shares its top five tips for energy saving: TIP 1: Take control of your heating Installing a room thermostat, a programmer and thermostatic radiator valves (which allow you to control the temperature of each room individually) could save you up to 10% per year. If you already have a full set of controls, turning down your room thermostat by just one degree could equally save you 10% over the year, and you’d barely notice the difference.

Martyn Bridges, Director of Technical Communication and Product Management at Worcester Bosch, provides useful context: “If you’re wondering about the most efficient way to heat your home, it’s best to tailor it to your lifestyle. That may mean keeping your heating on a low setting throughout the day to maintain the same temperature if you’re in the house.

If you’re out at work, only turn it on or up when needed – perhaps 30 minutes or so before you return home.”

TIP 2: Stop heat escaping If you’ve got radiators against outside walls, heat can be escaping. It’s worth placing foil behind the radiators in order to reflect the heat back into the room and there is purpose made foil available with an insulating layer attached that you’ll need to use for this. It’s also worth pulling

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any furniture slightly away from radiators as this helps to improve the circulation of air and make the radiator more efficient.

Martyn Bridges adds: “As well as avoiding heat escaping, it’s also important to allow natural heat in.

Ensure you open any curtains on the south side of the house during the day, as this will increase the solar gain into the house. At night, ensure they’re all closed properly to keep out the cold.”

TIP 3: Ensure you’re bathing efficiently If you’re going to have a bath, fill it a little way short of the level that you require with hot water first and then add cold water after. This way you aren’t likely to be using excessive hot water to “warm up” a quantity of cold water, you are simply adding the minimum amount of cold water to achieve the desired temperature and overall be more energy efficient.

Remember to always take care around small children.

TIP 4: Be careful in the kitchen Steps can also be taken to save energy in the kitchen. Martyn Bridges explains: “Our recent research found that 67% of Brits like to tackle the washing up by hand at least once a day, but we fear that many may simply be washing dirty dishes under a running tap. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that using a bowl to wash up instead could save you up to £25 a year.

“Additionally, take care to only fill the kettle with the amount of water you require, to avoid the cost of re-boiling and re-filling unnecessarily.”

TIP 5: Get savvy with smart controls Smart heating controls are the latest innovation to help you control your heating and understand your energy usage. They allow you to control your heating remotely from your mobile, which means you can manage the temperature of your home from wherever you are, at whatever time of day.

Martyn explains: “A room thermostat monitors the air temperature and enables you to set the level you want. If the room temperature drops below this level, the thermostat switches your boiler on. The setting we recommend is around 21°C for comfort when at home, but this should be programmed to a lower setting of say 17°C when not at home, in order to save energy and costs.

“A smart thermostat such as the Bosch EasyControl allows you to keep your home at the optimal temperature from wherever you are, whether that be the sofa, your bed, or out at work.”

For more information on how to save energy through your heating and hot water click here.

Unidrain is the perfect partner for Majamaja Revolutionary Eco-friendly Wooden Cabins ajamaja is a range of prefabricated, eco-friendly, self-sufficient wooden cabins designed to revolutionise our way of life. At just 25 square metres the cabin ensures you have everything you need to live comfortably without depleting the Earth’s resources. There are solar cells on the roof to provide electricity for the lamps and a water tank under the floor to provide clean drinking water.

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The thought process behind this revolutionary Finnish invention started with the concept of designing a completely self-contained holiday cabin. It had to be 25 metres square and when you stepped through the door everything you needed had to be easily accessible. Such as a dining table, this is also a bed that can in turn disappear into the wall to create additional space. You can

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take a shower or cook in the knowledge that you are not drawing unnecessarily on the planet’s scarce resources.

The invention may be Finnish, but Danish design is well represented in the form of minimalist linear drains from Unidrain; which are a perfect fit for the small cabins, where less is more.

The man behind this eco-friendly living space ‘Majamaja’ is the Finnish architect Pekka Littow, from the architectural agency Littow Architectes. The idea came to Pekka when he wanted to build his own holiday cabin located on a protected rocky island in Helsinki: “The island has not been civilised. That means no infrastructure, no sewerage etc. So I started to think about how to build a home in a place like this. I drew inspiration from various places,

including the military’s use of off-grid systems, and came up with the idea for this cabin where the thinking is ‘less is more’.

The cabins are self-sufficient, while everything is superfunctional and takes up as little space as possible. Fixtures and technology are combined in different ways.”

The result was these amazing wooden houses which run on solar energy and have water tanks that purify and re-use the water. This enables them to be constructed in inaccessible and uncivilised places. In the future, this could be essential for developing countries without any centralised utilities, says Tuomas Autio, one of the co-founders: “The cabins are ideal for those parts of the world where clean drinking water and sewerage are far from the norm. We have built a few cabins in Helsinki, with more on the way, but our goal is to create Majamaja villages all over the globe. The environment will really thank us for that,” he says.

Unidrain: established in 2003 they have gone from inventing the linear floor drain to creating a leading international brand, spreading Danish design ethics and Nordic minimalism to the rest of the globe.

Unidrain products and accessories play a key role in the look and feel of the most stylish bathrooms on the planet, from five star hotels in the Maldives, to the award winning Herman K in Copenhagen.

The sustainable cabins come in prefabricated kits as they have adjustable feet, none of the cabins need foundations; which allows them to be easily erected wherever required.

Danish design is the perfect match for Majamaja According to the architect behind it, Majamaja is an expression of the simple life. The cabins are practical because space is optimised and intelligent solutions are utilized for everything from the bed in the wall to the drain in the shower. Unidrain with their Danish design solutions are well represented: “The Danish design style, which is very minimalist, fits very well into these homes. I have chosen to install linear drains from Unidrain, as they are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The dimensions fit so well that I was able to design the shower cubicle around the drain. The result is really great and I am getting good feedback on it,” says Pekka Littow.

This unique design is not only available in Helsinki; the ‘Station F’ campus site in Paris, the largest of its kind in the world, now has a show cabin open for the public to view.

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bathrooms

JIS Europe first introduced the Sussex Range to the market in 1998. At that time although there were ladder rails on the market we were unique in that the rails were manufactured from 100% Stainless Steel.

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tainless steel is 100% recyclable, and manufactured from over 90% recyclable material. It will not rust, flake or corrode.

It is the sustainable, durable choice and can be used in all systems including open. We source our rails ethically and take our social responsibility seriously, from our sourcing to our manufacture to our charity initiatives.

We offer 3 formats of rail throughout the range: Electric, dual fuel and central heating only. We offer both polished and satin finishes as well as the Black Edition Range, manufactured from 100% stainless steel and powder coated black, hereby giving you the ultimate flexibility within your heating as well as visual requirements.

The cornerstones of our business are quality, stock holding and ultimately customer service. The three work hand in hand. We offer an extensive range of sizes and accessories, and constantly strive to bring new and interesting product to the market, whilst always marrying practicality and durability with design aesthete.

We have always maintained a policy of stockholding and all orders are dispatched for next day delivery when ordered before midday. This added to our extensive product range only goes to further improve the service we are able to offer.

Our staff are firstly and foremost polite, friendly and efficient, furthermore they are knowledgeable and able to deal with your queries. There will always be a friendly and willing person on the other end of the line ready to assist you.

We have a large selection of gallery shots, showing the visual diversity of our rails, on our website www.sussexrange.co.uk. Comfortable in both a modern and contemporary bathroom as well as the traditional, we think you will be impressed by the diversity of the images shown.

We are confident you will be happy with your purchase and are pleased to offer a 25 year guarantee.

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Should you wish any further details, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01825 722988 or info@jiseurope.co.uk

Black Edition Stainless Steel Towel Rails by JIS Europe 100% stainless steel towel rails 01825 722988 www.sussexrange.co.uk info@jiseurope.co.uk

bathrooms

New Origin Brassware and Acc

New Range Launches Copper, Matt Black, Brushed Nick VitrA, one of Europe’s leading bathroom companies, has expanded both its Designer Collection and the recently launched Signature Collection with a new range of brassware and accessories.

Subtle elegant design is the key theme of the outstanding new Origin brassware and accessories range from VitrA. Origin presents retailers, designers and consumers with a complete and versatile collection that is the perfect partner for contemporary sanitaryware.

There are over 150 pieces in the collection including monobloc taps in four heights, wall and deck mounted mixers, and both concealed and exposed thermostatic and manual showers with a choice of hand held or fixed overhead showers. Taps and showers are complemented by a comprehensive range of accessories. All pieces are available in chrome, brushed nickel, copper and matt black finishes.

“This is a beautiful comprehensive collection,” comments Marketing Manager Margaret Talbot. “The design-for-all ethos can be seen throughout with the choice of finishes, sizes and product types. It goes without saying that top quality materials have been used with cartridges that allow light fingertip control and deliver an efficient flow rate. There are products to satisfy the most demanding specification with basin mixers, baths, showers, wet rooms, WCs and complementary accessories. VitrA Origin also includes colour-matched bottle traps and waste covers . The exposed and concealed shower sy stems can b e installed using VitrA’s innovative Minibox and V-Box systems.”

Origin taps require an operating pressure of 0.3 bar. www.vitra.co.uk

Main image: Origin basin mixer shown in matt black on Plural monoblock basin also in matt black

developer-update.co.uk

bathrooms

cessories

kel and Chrome

VitrA Dedicates New Brochure to Brassware, Accessories and Showers VitrA Bathrooms has one of the largest collections of brassware and complementary accessories on the market, catering for every style and need. With designs that range from the pared down elegance of Origin with its exciting selection of finishes to practical, easy to use designs such as X-Line, Solid S and Suit L (featured on the front cover), VitrA’s brassware collection offers consumers and specifiers the ultimate in quality, longevity and choice.

Above: Showerheads from the Origin collection showing all finishes; (from top) brushed nickel, matt black, chrome, copper Below: Origin tall basin mixer in copper.

Thanks to the brand-new colour 130pp brochure, retailers, designers and consumers will be able to see the complete range in an easy to follow format.

The new brochure includes all taps, accessories and showers and is the ideal reference point for every need from a complete re-design to a fast facelift.

“We’ve designed the brochure to be very consumerfriendly”, says Marketing Manager Margaret Talbot. “The format makes it as simple as possible to find a product that fits with the customer’s technical and design needs. For example, we’ve included a step by step guide on how to choose a shower and helpful information for the eco-conscious.

The products are marked with icons to make it easy to identify features such as their required water pressure or thermostatic control.”

As well as looking good, VitrA brassware is tested above and beyond industry standards to ensure superior, trouble-free performance. Cartridges that control the flow of water are tested nearly 2 million times more

than European standard. There is a 10-year warranty on all brassware and 5 years on showers and accessories.

The environment is important to VitrA so products include different ecofriendly properties such as adjustable cartridges that can limit temperature and flow, and aerators that save water.

Alongside icons for water pressure, useful indices highlight which products are WRAS approved, water-saving and thermostatically controlled for safety.

The new brochure will be available to download from www.VitrA.co.uk/brochures

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Entries now open for The UK Bathrooms Design Awards 2020 UK Bathrooms, the leading online store for premium designer bathroom products, has launched its very first UK Bathrooms Design Awards and entries are now being invited.

The UK Bathrooms Design Awards 2020 is open to homeowners and professionals whether architect, interior designer or trade entry.

manufacturers and distributors for their help and support, these currently include Bayswater, Barwicks, hansgrohe, Keuco, Perrin & Rowe, Victoria+Albert, Villeroy & Boch and VitrA.”

Homeowners can choose to enter for either best design where the prize is £500 Love 2 Shop Vouchers, best traditional bathroom or best contemporary bathroom and win Villeroy & Boch Tableware worth £500. Whilst professionals can enter to win best architect/interior designer bathroom, best hotel/guest house/restaurant bathroom or best trades bathroom and enjoy the prize of £500 worth of products from www.ukbathrooms.com.

The expert panel of incredibly talented judges include: Amy Moorea Wong ex-Features Editor of Elle Decoration, Interior Design & Lifestyle Journalist and Writer; Darren Paxford National Sales Manager of VitrA UK Ltd; Sarah Evans Head of Channel Marketing at Hansgrohe UK and Graeme Borchard Managing Director of UK Bathrooms. Graeme added “Entries are now invited for all categories and this presents an excellent opportunity for professionals to showcase their projects in the media and build up awareness of their own brand. To enter simply visit designawards. ukbathrooms.com and complete the online entry form.”

Graeme Borchard, Managing Director at UK Bathrooms explains “As the leading online store for premium designer bathroom products we sell to thousands of homeowners and professionals and decided that it was time to give something back and to recognise some of the stunning bathrooms that are being created in homes and businesses across the UK. The UK Bathrooms Design Awards have been launched to recognise innovation in bathroom design, we’ll be looking at sources of inspiration, clever use of spaces, product choice, overall design and lifestyle features.”

Graeme continues “We are extremely grateful to our

The panel of judges will carefully consider all entries before making their decision In June 2020.

BIID reveal results of groundbreaking interior design fees research •

Results reveal wide range of fee structure pricing and FF&E supply models in use

•

Almost 60% of respondents said that they charged up to £75 per hour for their services, challenging assumptions that professional interior design does not represent good value for money

n the first report of its kind, the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) has published the findings of a new research project into interior design fees in the UK. At its recent annual conference Inside Knowledge 2019: What is an Interior Designer Worth? the BIID, with support from Houzz, the leading platform for home renovation and design, shared the results from their research collaboration, which explores how interior designers price their services.

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Harriet Forde, President of the BIID commented: “Fees continue to be a hot topic for the interior design industry and this research delivers a fascinating insight into how interior designers are pricing themselves in today’s competitive market. For many years, designers have been asking the BIID for information on fees, so this in-depth research has enabled us to build a clearer picture to share with our members.”

“As we’re always looking for ways to support the Houzz professional community, we are delighted to share these findings, giving interior designers greater confidence in how to value their services as well as providing homeowners with more transparency and a better understanding of how these professionals work”, said Inés Cid, Managing Director for Houzz UK. The Interior Design Fees Research reveals key insights from an in-depth survey of almost 250 interior design professionals from BIID members and the Houzz professional community. The results provide a wealth of industry insight which uncovers what interior designers are charging for their services, the difference in fee structures and business models in use, and how designers charge for sourcing and supplying of FF&E.

•

Fee Structures •

The designers surveyed were asked how they charge for their design work excluding any fees they charge for supplying furnishings, fixtures and equipment. 21% work on a fixed fee basis, 18% on an hourly rate and only 6% on a percentage of total project costs. Over half of respondents use a combination of fixed fee, hourly rate or percentage charges depending on the project and the client.

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Recipients were asked ‘What % of the total project cost do you charge?’ - the majority (53%) fell into the 6-10% banding.

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Of designers stating that they charge an hourly rate for their design services, the survey asked how much the company charged for the most senior designer. Almost 60% of respondents said that they charged up to £75 per hour and just over 40% stated that they charged between £76 and £150. No designer chose the category for over £150 per hour challenging the assumption that interior design services are excessively costly.

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When asked about whether businesses list their fees on their website, the vast majority (80%) of respondents chose no.

•

The survey asked; when do you charge for your services?

Interestingly this was the highest percentage answer of any question in the survey – 85% of respondents stated that they charge in stages throughout the project with only 12% saying they charge before starting and 3% saying they charge at the end of the project.

The research, published for the first time today, reveals an interesting picture of how UK residential interior designers are operating:

About the Profession •

The majority of interior design businesses operate as limited companies (58%), and a high percentage operate as sole traders (33%)

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The majority of businesses operate as sole practitioners, with a smaller percentage operating with teams of 5 or under

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The majority of designers polled (40%), work on 1-4 projects per year

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57% of respondents had a company turnover of £100,000 or lower in the previous financial year while 5% had a turnover of over £1 million.

Sourcing •

The survey asked how businesses charge for sourcing FF&E. The responses were split, with the majority charging a % handling fee based on the trade price, but closely followed by businesses charging the retail price and keeping the difference between the two.

Only 7% of designers said that they charge an hourly rate for the sourcing and supply of FF&E and only 5% said they charge a fixed fee for this service.

•

Interrogating that further, the survey asked designers who charge a percentage based handling fee for sourcing FF&E, what that fee is. For those that charge on the trade price the results reveal that 44% of respondents charge above 16%, 29% of respondents charge between 11 and 15% and 22% of respondents charge between 6 - 10%. Only 4% of respondents said that they charged less than a 5% handling fee.

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For those that charge on the retail price, 65% of respondents charge between 11 – 15%, 29% of respondents charge between 6 and 10% and 22% of respondents charge between 6 - 10%. Only 6% of respondents said that they charged less than a 5% handling fee, and no one selected over 16%.

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The survey asked designers on what legal basis they supply FF&E to their clients. Whether they work as an ‘agent’ acting on behalf of their client, whether they act as a ‘principal’ by purchasing FF&E from a trade supplier and then retailing it directly to their client, or whether they use a combination of both models. The results reveal evenly distributed results.

30% of respondents choose to work as an agent, 35% work as a retailer and 35% combine both models.

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For any respondents who said they work on a ‘retail’ model, the survey asked if respondents inform their clients exactly what they paid for the goods. 68% of respondents said that they don’t inform their clients of the trade price they paid for the goods that they are supplying. The remaining 32% said that they do inform the clients exactly what they paid.

Harriet Forde, BIID President comments: “The survey also revealed that designers biggest struggle when it comes to deciding on fees and charges is the challenge designers have in explaining the value of their professional design services to their clients.

The results reveal that many businesses struggle with knowing the market rate and then face the challenge of potentially underselling themselves. We hope this research paints a broader picture of the market for interior designers and their clients, as well as sparking much-needed industry conversation on fees.”

Visit biid.org.uk to view the research results in full.

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Interiors

Mapei’s high-demand training dates revealed for 2020 Mapei has unveiled its extensive list of training dates for 2020, as part of plans to continually utilise its impressive training facility based in Halesowen, West Midlands. ollowing a successful first year of training courses at the facility situated at Mapei Academy, a total of 51 days have been dedicated to training, covering Ceramic Tiling, Resilient Flooring, EWI, Resin, Ultratop Loft, Concrete Repair and Basement Structural Waterproofing.

each tailored training course. Bookings from distributors, contractors, designers and engineers are welcomed, and can be tailored to specific needs and requirements. All training delegates will receive presentation notes, refreshments, a buffet lunch, a factory tour and Mapei goodies.

EWI: January 23, March 26, May 28, July 30, September 24, November 26

There will be 12 dates dedicated for each of the Ceramic Tiling and Resilient Flooring training courses, 6 dates for both EWI and Resin Flooring, and 5 dates each for Ultratop Loft, Concrete Repair, and Basement Structural Waterproofing.

A team made up of Chris Myatt, Adrian Jennings, Neal Perryman, Adrian Jones and Jeremy Mann, as well as relevant product line experts, will be on hand to provide information and expertise at

The dates are as follows:

Concrete Repair: March 17, May 12, July 2, September 15, November 10

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Ceramic: January 7, February 4, March 3, April 7, May 5, June 2, July 7, August 4, September 8, October 6, November 3, December 1 Resilient: January 9, February 6, March 5, April 9, May 7, June 4, July 9, August 6, September 10, October 8, November 5, December 3

Resin: February 25, April 28, June 30, July 28, September 29, November 24 Ultratop Loft: January 21, March 24, June 23, August 25, October 27

Basement Structural Waterproofing: February 27, April 2, June 11, September 17, November 19 To book your place on one of Mapei’s coveted training courses, email ukmarketing@mapei.co.uk or call 0121 508 6970

BRINGING SURFACES TO LIFE EXPLORE THE UK’S LEADING DESIGN SHOWCASE

REGISTER NOW SURFACEDESIGNSHOW.COM

Interiors

Painting made easy with innovative new interior door The practice of painting doors on site has been getting harder over the last few years. A lack of skilled resource to carry out such finishing work is one factor, but also the spiralling labour and materials costs associated with this, not to mention the drain on time involved, all contribute to concerns for Housebuilders and Contractors throughout the industry. Now a solution has been presented by leading interior timber door manufacturer Vicaima. With the introduction of its innovative Primed 2 Go doors.

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ainting doors just got easier with new Primed 2 Go from Vicaima. With its revolutionary new surface fi­nish, Primed 2 Go reduces time on site and saves money by removing the need to sand or prime the face of doors before painting. This development has been achieved with the addition of a specially formulated ultra-smooth and opaque polymer face. The new surface means that even for less experienced painters, a professional fi­nish can be achieved more easily. Developed

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Interiors to accept a wide range of modern paints, and tested to EN ISO 2409/ DIN 53151 – grade 0-1, the surface ensures excellent paint adhesion with the majority of commercially accepted paint systems, including water based applications. The face surface of Primed 2 Go flush doors only require a wipe clean to remove particles and dust, before painting can commence, thereby saving time and money on site during the installation process.

As a Vicaima product, Primed 2 Go is manufactured to the same high standard as all of their doors.

Examples of which include: Hollow core doors with lock blocks on both sides making installation fully reversible and for performance applications Primed 2 Go doors are also available in both half-hour FD30 and one-hour FD60 fire rated. Both hollow core and FD30 doors have timber rails and are lipped on two edges, although these edges would of course require recommended treatment after fitting. Primed 2 Go doors are also available in both glazed options and with decorative grooves where desired, for added design flexibility.

Make life easy for yourself with Primed 2 Go: • Reduces site time and cost • Less materials required to complete fi­nishing • No face sanding required • Easier to achieve a professional ­surface finish • Ultra-smooth and opaque surface • New polymer face will accept wide range of paint types • Tested to EN ISO 2409/ DIN 53151 – grade 0-1 • All Primed 2 Go products are FSC® Certified For further inspiration and trend-setting ideas from Vicaima download a brochure today or visit the Vicaima website www.vicaima.com.

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Interiors

Mylands announces Spring 2020 Colour Palette Inspired by nature, hues of blue set a refreshing tone for the new year

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ylands, Britain’s oldest family-run paint manufacturer, announces its colour palette for Spring 2020 with blues in four contrasting tones, from bright and bold through to soft neutrals.

Mylands’ Spring 2020 colours include Walpole, Morning Blue, Observatory, and FTT 018 from its Film, Television and Theatre paint collection. Selected by Mylands’ in-house colour experts, the palette has been carefully curated to reflect the versatility and perennial popularity of blue - from the understated calm of Walpole’s off-white with soft blue-green tones, to the high-impact electric blue of FTT 018.

Blues give a fresh feel to a space and evoke feelings of calm. Often thought of a cool colour, Mylands’ blues will bring warmth to a space through the soft tones and depth of pigments. Each colour can be used on its own or combined with any others within the palette for a harmonious and sophisticated interior. They can also be used with contrasting pinks, greens or greys for a layered look.

Dominic Myland, Managing Director, explains: ‘We have selected this palette because we have seen them growing in popularity recently as result of their prevalence in many different areas, be it nature, art, interiors or fashion. It’s all about blue, its enduring appeal and its versatility. People are often drawn to blue as it is hopefully the first thing we see when we look out of the window in the morning and the last thing we see in the evening as those darker, blue black tones fill the sky. Light blue can be very soothing, and more saturated blues can be stimulating or act as a quieter backdrop for other colours within a space.’

Mylands Spring 2020 Palette: Walpole No.42: A delightful off-white colour with soft blue-green tones, named after Horace Walpole, man of letters.

Morning Blue No.32: This calming pale blue colour comes alive in morning light.

Observatory No.34: A deeply intense indigo blue inspired by the night sky.

FTT018: An electric blue for high-impact interiors. From Mylands’ Film, Television and Theatre range, this was first created in 2001 for the Harry Potter films. It was used for special effects and has a particular pigment in it that is not used in any other paints.

Mylands’ colours are created to be timeless and enduring, painstakingly developed and handmade by in-house experts at its London-based factory for the last 135 years. Its unique Marble Matt finish is made with crushed Carrara marble to make it highly durable and scrubbable, and perfectly finished in just two coats.

This, together with the high pigment content, ensures Mylands paints offer unparalleled quality in terms of colour appearance and durability.

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Pricing and available Finishes • • • •

Marble Matt Sample Pot Marble Matt 1L Marble Matt 2.5L Marble Matt 5L

£ 4.75 £26.00 £51.00 £91.00

www.mylands.com

BEDS

Sell the Room Everything you need: BEDS | LIVING | DINING

UPHOLSTERY | CABINET | INTERIOR ACCESSORIES

LIGHTING | FLOORING | FABRICS | SOFT FURNISHINGS

Register now at januaryfurnitureshow.com

Image credits: Ligh

Doors & Windows

BRING THE OUTSIDE IN Q: How can I use the outside space to achieve a seamless light-filled home?

A: Crittall’s Innervision internal sliding doors and screens and Corporate W20 windows and doors for external application provide the perfect solution. ummer, winter, rain or shine, merging your indoor and outdoor space can create a light-filled home, enhancing its look and feel as well as benefitting well-being.

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An outside area can be dramatically fused with the inside by opening-up living space to create a seamless transition between inside and out.

Adding bright, beautifully crafted walls of glazing and slim-profiled windows can reflect the timeless style of a period house, adeptly define spaces in a townhouse, minimalist urban loft, warehouse apartment or a self-build project.

If you’re planning an extension, combine some outdoor space with an internal

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area under structural glazing, removing barriers so you have a level threshold or create a courtyard with stunning full-length glazing - great ways to achieve impact and add value to your property.

Using natural light to define a space is a key element within a home’s design.

Glazing expanses within external walls give a greater sense of space and light to achieve a beneficial connection with the garden beyond. A clear outdoor view of a landscape, patio, borders, shrubs or trees can be good for our well-being.

Feel good factor Evidence suggests it’s important to have a feel good factor inside your home too. Our positive well-being depends on frequent exposure to light and daylight

is the most powerful says Russell Ager, managing director of Crittall Windows.

“Our homes play a big part in our sense of well-being and their design, lighting and exposure to natural light through windows and doors really do impact.

Steel framed windows are ideal with their inherent strength allowing large expanses of glass with elegantly slender frames and the slimmest of profiles.”

Lighten up the inside On-trend steel sliding doors and interior screens offer open plan living with a different dimension, so you can partition areas to create contemporary ‘zones’ without impacting light or space.

Crittall’s minimalist style windows and Innervision glazed steel screens with

htfoot Windows (Kent)

Doors & Windows sliding or hinged doors are designed for modern living, providing a sense of space. Innervisions’ understated beauty with clean lines, subtle detailing and excellent technical properties can transform your property. Combining style with functionality, a distinguished-looking installation makes a wonderful talking point.

Unmatched by other materials, slim profile steel windows and partitions give a retro-look with a contemporary twist; ideal for an extension with a dramatic steelframed glazed screen forming a light-filled area off the kitchen, or a partition from bathroom to bedroom.

Advanced glazing options mean bespoke steel framed screens maximise natural illumination without compromising your security. Cosy for comfort in the cooler weather, enhanced acoustic properties keep noise at bay.

Back to the future

Authentic

Crittall pioneered the original, iconic steel window frames almost 200 years ago. Modified over the years to meet today’s stringent regulations, Crittall windows, doors and screens are specifically designed for each unique application.

Every iconic Crittall window, door and screen is tailored for each unique application, reinforced as authentic Crittall with the addition of a manufactured plaque which is factory applied into the web of all opening windows and doors.

Custom-sized doors and fixed safety glazing in a choice of colours offer complete design flexibility. No other steel window system offers such an extensive range of window profiles and styles, including elaborate composite windows.

Alongside the plaque, Crittall’s network of Crittall Specialist Partners – nationwide suppliers and installers of Crittall products – provide a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Crittall’s managing director and network partner for all new installations.

An effective weather-stripping system with a double-glazing option up to 16.4mm, ensures excellent thermal insulation properties.

Ideal for replica refurbishment, the system’s large opening casements and slim frame make them particularly popular with conservationists and planners.

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

Image credits: Lightfoot Windows (Kent)

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Doors & Windows

P C Henderson Expands its Range of Rustic Top Mount Systems with New Stainless Steel Finish Sliding and folding door hardware manufacturer, P C Henderson, is pleased to announce the launch of a new stainless steel finish for its popular Rustic Top Mount system. aunched earlier this year, Rustic Top Mount offers a stylish contemporary twist on the company’s classic Rustic 100 system with its exposed steel hangers being mounted to the top of the door. Originally launched in a matt black finish, the company has now introduced a new stainless steel finish to the range in order to cater for a wider variety of taste and design preferences.

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Andrew Royle, Sales and Marketing Director at P C Henderson commented “Sliding door hardware isn’t just about space saving functionality any more, customers are using our hardware to create unique features in the home and workplace and - with its exposed steel hangers – Rustic is a great way to do this”.

The launch of the new finish comes off the back of an ongoing expansion of P C Henderson’s range of sliding barn door hardware. The company’s original Rustic 100 system is now available in matt black, stainless steel and most recently a unique ‘antique rust’ effect finish - along with a new fast fix soft stop accessory launched late 2018. Both the Rustic 100 and Rustic Top Mount have also recently benefitted from an increased weight capacity - now catering for doors up to 100kg.

Stephanie Lee, Marketing Manager at P C Henderson commented, “Expanding our range of sliding barn door hardware ensures that we are providing our customers with the creative capabilities to create a range of looks to

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suit virtually any application.

Whether teaming our hardware up with a reclaimed barn door, contemporary cottage door or vintage style glass framed door – we will have the hardware to suit”.

P C Henderson’s Rustic range caters for doors weighing up to 100kg and is available in 2 metre or 3 metre track lengths.

Fittings kits are available for when an extra door is required and a fast fix soft stop accessory can be specified to gently decelerate doors into the open or closed position.

For more details visit www.pchenderson.com .

Whether your project is big or small, we can help you achieve your glazing vision; you dream it, we’ll deliver it! Call us on 0208 997 2448, or email marcus@1stfoldinslidingdoors.co.uk

1ST FOLDING SLIDING DOORS • 26 Wadsworth Road, Perivale, UB6 7JZ | 141 Hook Road, KT6 5AR • marcus@1stfoldingslidingdoors.co.uk • T: 0208 997 2448 | F: 0208 997 0611

Doors & Windows

Fantom Magnetic Door Stop Introduced to the P C Henderson Range Leading provider of sliding door hardware systems – P C Henderson - has partnered up with Fantom to introduce a new magnetic door stop accessory to its range of products.

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he Fantom Magnetic Door Stop is an innovative door stop solution which uses a neodymium magnet installed into the base of the door to pull a floor pin up and stop a door in the open or closed position. The accessory has been expertly designed to offer a more discreet and concealed alternative to a traditional door stop and is set to be extremely popular across the DIY, building and construction markets.

Andrew Royle, Sales and Marketing Director at P C Henderson, commented; “What’s great about Fantom is that, unlike conventional door stops, it offers a completely concealed finish meaning no trip hazard and a cleaner finish. The striker plate is fitted underneath the door and the stop sits completely flush to the floor -meaning there’s no unsightly hardware on display and all moving parts are hidden”.

“We’re noticing more and more that our customers are coming to us expecting a full hardware solution - beyond our

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traditional sliding door hardware offering.

As a result - we’ve introduced Fantom to our range and will also be offering our customers with a new, extended collection of handles and flush pulls in October 2019”.

The accessory can be used with standalone swing doors, swing doors within folding systems as well as sliding doors - lending itself perfectly to a number of existing products within the P C Henderson range.

“Our Roomflex folding door hardware system lends itself perfectly to the new Fantom Door Stop. With no floor channel, the system is designed to be extremely discreet and so a concealed door stop which can be used to hold the swing door closed, removing the need for a latch or lever handle, will be very well received by our customers. Fantom can also be used with the majority of our sliding door systems as a hold open solution and also to prevent movement from sloping floors and drafts”, continued Andrew.

The Fantom Magnetic Door Stop can be used on a number of surfaces including carpets, tiles, concrete and wood and is available in a variety of finishes – meaning it can be used in virtually any swing or sliding door application. The product is available now from P C Henderson along with an optional 5mm packer (for larger door to floor gaps) and an optional 6 piece installation kit.

Visit www.pchenderson.com for more information.

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Industry News

Paul Trace, Director of Stella Rooflight offers some practical advice when choosing a rooflight for your home.

Rooflights, or skylights as they are often called, are an excellent way to illuminate your home as they let in light from the brightest part of the sky and are not generally affected by external obstructions, such as tress or other buildings. They provide an even distribution of light and can brighten the dark areas in a room that vertical windows could never reach.

Of course, in applications such as loft conversions they may be your only option to let in light. However, they are also a popular choice for other parts of the home where the ceiling has the potential to be opened up, and can make an excellent addition to kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and living spaces.

When specifying rooflights there are other aspects to consider beyond its shape, size, and the materials that it is made from.

However, with so many options available, choosing the most suitable rooflight for your home can be anything but straightforward and there are a few key things to consider when deciding which product is best for you.

Choosing the right frame The first thing to consider is the type of materials that are available for the rooflight frame. There are many different types of rooflight on the market catering for the modern contemporary style through to a more traditional look and feel.

Steel is the obvious choice for period properties and barn conversions, but they are now also being more frequently used in sleek new contemporary houses. Timber is a long-time favourite on homes of any style, but getting onto the roof to maintain the timber can be an awkward task. PVCu is also an option and is often the cheapest, but it will not provide the slim frames that metal is capable of, nor the natural look of wood.

The important thing is to select a rooflight that matches the look and feel that you are

trying to achieve with your home, as it should blend in with your roof and the materials used throughout the rest of the house.

Glazing options Once you have chosen the most appropriate material for your rooflight, you then need to consider the glazing options. Glazing can also be a tricky subject when specifying a rooflight, not least because there are so many different types of glass and glazing system available.

Aside from thermal performance you need to decide if you need toughened glass, for additional safety and protection against falling objects. Toughened glass does not mean that it is suitable to walk on, so if you need to stand on a rooflight it will require specialist glazing.

Self cleaning glass is another option. This technological breakthrough was introduced to the UK in 2002 by Pilkington, and is effectively the same as conventional glass, but with a specially developed coating on the outside, that once exposed to daylight,

reacts in two ways. Firstly, it breaks down any organic dirt deposits through a photocatalytic process, and secondly, when it rains, instead of forming droplets, the water spreads evenly over the surface and takes the dirt off with it.

It is kinder to the environment than ordinary glass and it is the ideal choice for situations where cleaning will be costly or difficult.

You also have the option for double or triple glazing. This is probably fairly obvious, but you should always opt for triple glazing if budget allows as this will have a significant impact on the thermal performance of the rooflight. Few rooflight companies will offer triple glazing as standard, so be aware of this when you are gathering and comparing quotes.

It is also possible to have solar control glazing, which incorporates invisible layers of special materials on the glass that has the dual effect of allowing sunlight in, while repelling solar heat. Allowing sunlight to pass through your rooflight while radiating and reflecting away a large degree of the sun’s heat means that your indoor space stays bright and much cooler than would be the case if normal glass were used. Solar control glass is not necessarily coloured or mirrored glass, although such finishes can be applied for aesthetic purposes if desired.

Conservation style rooflights If you have a Listed property or live within a Conservation Area, you may be restricted in the type of rooflight you are allowed to install and the chances are that you will need a traditional or conservation style rooflight that complies with strict building regulations.

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Industry News responsibilities concerning maintenance, as you could be expected to clean and maintain your rooflight as often as 4 times a year in order to keep your guarantee valid! Which is obviously not ideal for anyone who has neither the ability nor inclination to climb up their roof every few months!

Rooflights and environmental performance Consideration must be given to thermal performance and improving carbon and energy reduction in buildings. Part L of the building regulations is one of the tools used by the government to achieve these objectives. These regulations are subject to continual change and are set to change again in 2020, as the UK Government continues its drive towards greater thermal efficiency in house building.

The legislation around conservation rooflights state that new openings should generally be kept to a minimum and should be of a simple form that respects the building’s character.

making changes to the building fabric. An excellent resource to find out more on this topic is the Listed Property Owners Club, www.lpoc.co.uk.

Dormer windows are not usually appropriate, so any new window openings in the roof will likely need to be rooflights, and in most instances metal conservation-style rooflights which sit flush with the line of the roof.

Maintaining your rooflight

There are specialist rooflights that are manufactured for the heritage property market and conservation rooflights are easily recognised by their low profile which means they sit flush and remain unobtrusive to the building’s original architecture. Another characteristic is their slender appearance as conservation requirements stipulate that a minimal amount of framework should be visible, particularly if rooflights are placed next to each other.

Another feature of a genuine conservation rooflight is the glazing mullion (glazing bar) which separates the glazing into sections. This follows the traditional conservation rooflight design and not only provides a more authentic look but offers increased strength for the opening section. ​

Maintenance of your rooflight is often something that manufacturers will be uncomfortable discussing with you, as they are all too aware of the difficulty in achieving this. However, the fact is that, like most any other part of your home, it will require a degree of care to maximise its lifespan.

Proper maintenance is particularly important if you are specifying a metal product; in which case it is highly recommended that you opt for a 316 stainless steel frame. Not only is this a significantly stronger material that can withstand greater stress and tolerance levels, but more importantly it is much less susceptible to rust.

There are a number of manufacturers who claim to offer conservation roof windows but have opted to remove the traditional bar in favour of sticking something to the double glazed unit. Not only does this risk damaging self-clean glazing or worse, having it fall off after a few years, it also significantly detracts from the original conservation rooflight appearance.

It is widely accepted that mild/carbon steel will start to rust the moment that it comes into contact with the atmosphere. While steel rooflight manufacturers will protect steel with a paint application, the quality and level of maintenance provided by the homeowner will still determine the lifespan of the product.

Now in the UK, where it rains (a lot!), a mild steel rooflight which is in direct contact with rainwater on a regular basis is eventually going to rust without regular maintenance.

Furthermore, if you are fortunate enough to live within 5km of the coast, then the risk of the corrosion will be both fast and significant, due to the elevated salt content in the atmosphere.

If your property is Listed you will need to work closely with your local authority before

It is advisable to check the manufacturer’s warranty when it comes to your

Rooflights can have a major impact on the overall energy consumption of a building, cutting energy costs by reducing need for use of the electric lights. However, there are some products that perform well above the minimum recommended environmental standards that could bring about even greater benefits in terms of thermal performance. So deciding on the right materials, of which the choice is plentiful, will be key.

Whatever your choice of material it is important that you check the energy rating performance and U Values of the glazing. It is worth asking exactly how each product performed under test conditions as there are many variables within the test that will differentiate between an average performing rooflight and an excellent one.

Make sure you are comparing likefor-like As with most things in life, you tend to get what you pay for, and this is particularly true when comparing the rooflight market. Prices often reflect the quality of manufacturing and materials used to produce roof windows.

While prices may vary considerably, there is good reason for this and the difference in quality between the bottom and high end of th rooflight market can be night and day.

The rooflight may be one of the last things that you budget for, but it is also one of the most important finishing touches to your home. Opting for the cheapest product may come back to haunt you in the long run.

If you would like to speak to an expert about the right rooflight for your home contact Paul on 01794 745445, paul@stellarooflight.co.uk or visit www.stellarooflight.co.uk

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Council aids access with a platform lift Established in 1974, Frinton and Walton Town Council is situated on the Essex coast in the area of the Tendring District Council. They recently began accessibility works at the Council House, and Invalifts were contacted by a local architect to provide a suitable platform lift. Their popular MC2000 was chosen, as its compact footprint of 1250mm x 1560mm optimised the available space whilst giving a fully Part M compliant sized platform. troods Specialist Contractors based in West Mersea, Essex were appointed by the council as the main contractor and worked with Invalifts to provide a suitable site area. The building work requirements for the lift are quite minimal, consisting of a 60mm pit, an open aperture, single phase electrical supply at the top landing and a telephone line.

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The unit was supplied with a partially glazed shaft at the ground floor coupled with a fully glazed door to maximise light into the area. Solid panels with a solid fire door and long vision panel was used at the top floor. The lift was specified in standard white RAL 9010 to match the surrounding environment.

The client chose to have automatic opening doors to make entry into the lift as simple as possible, and remote call stations were positioned in prominent positions.

In order to comply with EN81-41, all enclosed lifting platforms require a means of two way emergency communication, so an autodialler with preset numbers was implemented, in case of emergency.

The MC2000 is supplied with a 12 month parts and labour warranty, 5 year parts warranty on the motor and gearbox and a 10 year parts warranty on the drive chains, alongside the service contract should ensure trouble free use for many years to come.

The overall alterations to the building have improved accessibility and the utilisation of space considerably, making the building more useable by the staff and the people of the area.

If you would like to know more about the MC2000 platform lift or other access solutions, please contact the Invalifts team on 0845 468 2543 or alternatively, email sales@invalifts.com

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Platform Lifts Our range of platform lifts includes the MC2000 lift (right) - a high quality enclosed platform lift with a unique chain drive, and the option of glazing on all 4 shaft sides.

With a fantastic guarantee, and small footprints available, this is a premier platform lift.

We also offer stair platform lifts and a range of platform lifts for both internal and external use.

The Platform Lift Experts

Tel: 0845 4682543 Web: www.invalifts.com

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