18 minute read
Heating & Ventilation
Homeowners wishing to refresh and update their homes can look to five simple ways to add value to properties quickly, as suggested by home improvement experts. Whether you are looking to sell your home this year or simply wish to make changes to improve your living space, there are a number of ways you can add value to your property that will prove to be a worthwhile investment, lasting for years to come. As many of us are now spending more time indoors and working from home, it is important to consider upgrades to your home that can improve your quality of living and prospects of selling, so the home improvement experts at Stormclad have compiled their top suggestions for adding value to your home quickly. Managing director of Stormclad, John
Evans, said: “With everyone spending more and more time in the comfort of
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1. A new front door
A front door is one of the first things that guests – and potential buyers if you’re selling your home – will notice in a property, so making a good first impression is key. Whether you are looking to make a quick sale in the current market or just want to add value to properties for the future, a new front door will improve the focal point of any home and help with the success of a sale.
From the materials used, to the colour, glass and energy efficiency – there are many things to consider when choosing a new front door. The best way to begin is by ascertaining a realistic budget, so you can narrow down the most suitable options available to you. Aside from kerb appeal, a new front door will also help heat retention in your home, potentially saving you money on energy bills, as well as providing added security with the latest locking systems.
2. Replace existing patio and back doors
A new patio or back door can breathe new life into the interior and exterior of any property, adding unique character to all architectural home styles - from contemporary builds to period pieces - often maximising natural light in any property. With an array of patio door styles available including French doors, bifolding doors and sliding doors, a back door upgrade can be a great way to bring the outdoors in, further securing access points and depending on the door option, improving the view out to a rear garden or courtyard – something you may find yourself yearning for as you spend more time at home.
their own homes during lockdown, the start of 2021 is the ideal time to make new and valuable home improvements. “For homeowners thinking about selling their property this year to relocate – while it is now too late to take advantage of the stamp duty holiday before 31st March, it’s still worth ensuring your home is the best it can be to maximise your living enjoyment, and should the time come to put your property on the market, you know it will be ready for the future. “As home improvement experts with over 20 years’ experience, we have listed five ways you can add value to your home - from installing a conservatory, to upgrading windows and doors – giving your home a facelift will not only add value, but also guarantee quality fixtures that will last well into the future.”
Here is the list of five ways to add value to your home:
4. Refurbish your existing conservatory
3. Replace windows
Conservatories that may be suffering with damp or a leaking roof, or struggling with temperature control, may be in need of refurbishment. Refurbishment is a great way to utilise some of the old components or rebuild a new structure on your old conservatory’s base to provide a refreshed space. Consider transforming an underutilised conservatory into an entirely new room – such as somewhere to enjoy a hobby you have chosen to start in the new year. This can provide you with a tranquil place to escape to for some much-needed down time during lockdown, and will also demonstrate how the space can be used to potential buyers, if you’re looking to place your home on the market.
5. A brand-new conservatory
Replacing windows is one of the single biggest improvements you can make to your home, with the largest impact. Not only will new windows improve the performance of your home in terms of energy efficiency, by retaining heat and regulating the temperature during the summer months, but it will also provide added security and aesthetic appeal to your property. Windows are one of the areas most prone to heat loss in the home, with single paned windows capable of emitting around 84% of a room’s heat. To safeguard your home for the future and add sell-on value, consider investing in double glazing to retain heat in your property and save money. Older windows can look outdated, so replacing them with a durable frame such as aluminium, will transform the look of your home outside and in, and continue to look smart over time.
A brand-new conservatory extension is a great way to add a light and airy room to your home which can serve as a versatile space that could function as a dining room, living area, playroom or home office. This option may suit you and your family more than a traditional extension, as it will bring you closer to your garden or outdoor space, connecting you with nature, greenery and blue skies. It is a great option if you are looking to enjoy a peaceful setting, away from the rest of the house.
For more information or to speak to the Stormclad team, visit the company website here.
f i r m a n g l a s s . c o m Established in 1975 Firman Glass is one of the leading independent glass processors in the UK, manufacturing toughened glass, laminated glass and specialist sealed units. Based in Harold Wood Essex within 5 minutes of junction 28 of the M25 and half an hour from Central London we are ideally situated to service our ever growing and diverse customer base. Manufacturing all forms of processed toughened glass, with comprehensive stocks of clear float, low iron, satin, body tinted, mirrors, laminated glass, acoustic laminated and fire rated glass. w w w With some of the most advanced capabilities in place Firman Glass is able to manufacture high quality products for all markets sectors including architectural, retail, leisure and domestic Products • Toughened glass • Processing • CNC shaping • Laminated glass • Toughened and laminated constructions
f• EVA and Vanceva coloured interlays • Fabric and decorative interlays • Structural interlays
• Specialist insulating glass units • Anti–slip glass • Fire rated glass • UV bonding • Electric switchable glass • Heated glass • Decorative glass • Sandblasting • ColorfirmTM back painted glass Applications • Structural glazing • Glass floors
w• Partitions • Roof lights • Balustrades • Full height barriers • Canopies • Staircases • Treads and stringers • Shower screens • Shelving • Glass doors • Acoustic reduction • Fire rated
w w w . f i r m a n g l a s s . c o m Glass Excellence Established in 1975 Firman Glass is one of the leading independent glass processors in the UK, manufacturing toughened glass, laminated glass and specialist sealed units. Based in Harold Wood Essex within 5 minutes of junction 28 of the M25 and half an hour from Central London we are ideally situated to service our ever growing and diverse customer base. Manufacturing all forms of processed toughened glass, with comprehensive stocks of clear float, low iron, satin, body tinted, mirrors, laminated glass, acoustic laminated and fire rated glass. With some of the most advanced capabilities in place Firman Glass is able to manufacture high quality products for all markets sectors including architectural, retail, leisure and domestic Products w• Toughened glass • Processing • CNC shaping • Laminated glass • Toughened and laminated • • • Decoration Wall cladding Splashbacks constructions • Privacy • EVA and Vanceva coloured interlays • Technical Support • Fabric and decorative interlays • Nationwide Coverage • Structural interlays
• Specialist insulating glass units • Anti–slip glass • Fire rated glass • UV bonding • Electric switchable glass • Heated glass • Decorative glass • Sandblasting • ColorfirmTM back painted glass Applications • Structural glazing • Glass floors • Partitions • Roof lights • Balustrades • Full height barriers • Canopies
• Staircases • Treads and stringers • Shower screens • Shelving • Glass doors • Acoustic reduction • Fire rated
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Firman Glass,19 Bates Road, Harold Wood, Romford, Essex RM3 OJH Tel: 01708 374534 Fax: 01708 340511 Email: sales@firmanglass.com In association with www.firmanglass.com
• Specialist insulating glass units • Anti–slip glass • Fire rated glass • UV bonding • Electric switchable glass • Heated glass • Decorative glass • Sandblasting • ColorfirmTM back painted glass Applications • Structural glazing • Glass floors
w• Partitions • Roof lights • Balustrades • Full height barriers • Canopies • Staircases • Treads and stringers • Shower screens • Shelving • Glass doors • Acoustic reduction • Fire rated
w w w . f i r m a n g l a s s . c o m Shopspec_glazingexcellence-2018:Firman 01/03/2018 17:04 Page 1 Established in 1975 Firman Glass is one of the leading independent glass processors in the UK, manufacturing toughened glass, laminated glass and specialist sealed units. . Based in Harold Wood Essex within 5 minutes of junction 28 of the M25 and half an hour from Central London we are ideally situated to service our ever growing and diverse customer base. . Manufacturing all forms of processed toughened glass, with comprehensive stocks of clear float, low iron, satin, body tinted, mirrors, laminated glass, acoustic laminated and fire rated glass. . With some of the most advanced capabilities in place Firman Glass is able to manufacture high quality products for all markets sectors including architectural, retail, leisure and domestic
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Toughened and laminated constructions
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Structural interlays • Decoration • Wall cladding • Splashbacks • Privacy • Technical Support • Nationwide Coverage
• Specialist insulating glass units • Anti–slip glass • Fire rated glass • UV bonding • Electric switchable glass • Heated glass • Decorative glass • Sandblasting • ColorfirmTM back painted glass plications Structural glazing Glass floors Partitions Roof lights Balustrades Full height barriers Canopies
• Staircases • Treads and stringers • Shower screens • Shelving • Glass doors • Acoustic reduction • Fire rated
Glass Ex r m a n g l a s s . c o m Established in 1975 Firman Glass is one of the leading independent glass processors in the UK, manufacturing toughened glass, laminated glass and specialist sealed units. Based in Harold Wood Essex within 5 minutes of junction 28 of the M25 and half an hour from Central London we are ideally situated to service our ever growing and diverse customer base. Manufacturing all forms of processed toughened glass, with comprehensive stocks of clear float, low iron, satin, body tinted, mirrors, laminated glass, acoustic laminated cellence and fire rated glass. With some of the most advanced capabilities in place Firman Glass is able to manufacture high quality products for all markets sectors including archit • •ect Decoration Wall claddingural, retail, leisure • Splashbacks and domestic • • Privacy Technical Support • Nationwide Coverage
Glass Excellence
BLACK BARN: FORMER COTSWOLDS GRAIN STORE CAPTURED BY HANDOVER
Photography studio, Handover, share their captures of Black Barn – the 6,500 sq ft development situated north of the Cotswolds, completed in 2020 by multi-disciplinary architecture, interior design and delivery studio Rigby & Rigby.
Developed as a holistic scheme which is utilitarian in design, a key consideration was referencing Black Barn’s former use as an agricultural grain store.
The residence comprises accommodation in the main house with a Dutch Barn running in parallel, framing an inner courtyard space. By carefully respecting the buildings original form, the property was punctuated symmetrically with large-format windows to provide lots of natural light and ventilation.
“Black Barn was a unique opportunity for us to work on such a large scale residential photography project.” Explains Daniel Tuck, co-founder of Handover. “Whilst capturing the traditional architectural elevations was key, we often work to capture the more abstract perspectives when documenting such a visually striking property. Having seen the concept develop from drawing to completion, we gained an in-depth understanding of how Rigby & Rigby wanted to showcase this home and how their talented design team fully deserve their esteemed worldwide reputation.”
A central staircase and fireplace run along the length of Black Barn, reflecting the scale and depth within the double-height void. This provides circulation onto the mezzanine seating area from where a glass walkway provides access to private bedrooms with en-suites. At the southernmost part of the upper storey, a library is located with far-reaching views across the countryside.
Externally the architecture was simplified by enhancing the detailing around the cladding with a contrast of materials used from black liner multi-width timber and sheet aluminium, both materials being honest to the building’s former aesthetic.
The Nordic style interior design scheme was developed from its minimalist background to create the multi-functional and open plan living area for family living, entertaining, dining, breakfast whilst relaxation is found in the media room with pool table and bar overlooking the courtyard. The interior is comfortable with design classics from Flexform and Poltrona Frau and the new Rimedesio range for coffee tables. A custom ‘Skyfall’ rug designed by Rigby & Rigby in collaboration with Colbourns surrounds the fireplace and informal seating area.
One specific outstanding feature of Black Barn is the Dutch Barn which creates an inner shelter adjacent to the Japanese inspired courtyard space to the main house. The Dutch Barn features an annexe with a mezzanine bedroom, bathroom and kitchen/living facilities.
Also, Black Barn comes with a fully equipped gym, workshop garage - to house a classic bike and car, a covered BBQ area for the summer months and an adjacent kitchen garden for vegetables and herbs with an orchard to the rear nestled into a wild meadow.
D espite the UK Government’s shock announcement of the early closure of the Green Homes Grant at the end of this month, Panasonic Heating & Cooling has confirmed that its Green Homes and Green Install Cashback schemes will continue to provide support for Panasonic air source heat pump installations until 30th June 2021.
Panasonic’s Cashback Schemes to Continue Despite Government U-turn on Green Homes Grant
Jose Alves, UK Country Manager for Panasonic commented, “Panasonic had welcomed the UK Government’s scheme to help the sector and to help reach its net zero targets. We therefore have no hesitation in continuing with both our Green Cashback schemes to help both installers and homeowners to make the switch to renewable air source heat pumps, in a bid to help homeowners to decarbonise their homes and become more energy efficient. As the road to recovery begins, manufacturers, such as Panasonic, are stepping up to the challenge to meet the net zero emission targets by 2050. For example, Panasonic is increasing its offering of sustainable energy solutions as well as increasing online training availability for installers by offering specific and accredited training courses to help installers become more efficient and knowledgeable in correctly installing renewable air-towater heat pumps. Tony Lathey, Air-to-Water Product Specialist for Panasonic further added, “The scheme was an upfront grant to help towards the initial cost of a heat pump, with the full potential grant available from the domestic RHI. The good news is the domestic RHI grant is still available for end users until 31st March 2022, installing a Panasonic Aquarea Heat Pump can provide a grant of over £12,200 paid over of seven years.”
Homeowners will also still be able to claim upto £600* cashback on Panasonic Aquarea Heat Pump installations with their Green Homes Cashback scheme, plus heat pump installers will also still be eligible for £800* cashback on completion of five installs with their Green Install Cashback scheme until 30th June 2021 (*terms and conditions apply). Panasonic’s Aquarea range of air-to-water heat pumps is among the widest on the market, with systems available to suit all sizes of property and capacity requirements.
The recent UK Government announcement mentions that “the £300m previously allocated for the Government’s Green Homes Grant will now go into a programme administered by local authorities, targeted at lower income households. The new scheme will be delivered through the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme and Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Demonstrator, this will include green home improvements such as deep insulation, heat pumps and solar panels, helping cut over 70,000 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere each year.”
Through the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Revolution, the Government still plans to deploy 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028, and to get as many homes as possible to Energy Performance Certificate Band C by 2035.
How to SCORE MULTIPLE BENEFITS FROM ONE UPGRADE
The Tangerines aka Blackpool FC have extracted optimum benefit from a comparatively small upgrade.
The League 1 Club’s stadium, built in 2010, has already needed to refurbish the exposed areas of the façade due to the extreme climatic conditions faced as a result of its proximity to the sea. The club management called up the premier player in the sector- Gilberts Blackpool- to replace the now rusty plant screening and ventilation louvres. Now, two banks of Gilberts’ WGK75 kit-form louvres each 10m x 3m either side of the Stadium merchandise shop, and a further 4m x 4m screen by the north stand, have been fitted. To optimise protection, the aluminium louvres have been powder coated marine grade- in tangerine. “Our nickname is The Tangerines. As I wanted to create a talking point, it seemed logical to choose such a bright colour for the louvres, especially as Gilberts as a company has been actively encouraging the use of colour to brighten our built landscape,” observed Glynn Makin, Blackpool FC stadium manager. “I knew from Gilberts’ reputation that the company would be on target for quality and price too, which was an added benefit.” Adds Ian Rogers, Gilberts Sales Director, “You don’t get environments in England much more extreme than the North Sea/ Lancashire coast. We had to be sure that whatever we supplied would perform, balancing performance with value for money. WGK scored on all counts.”
Gilberts’ WGK75 features a unique clip-on blade that enables quick yet precise fitting on site. Once installed, it provides a good 50% free ventilation area whilst protecting from weather ingress. The WGK75 is part of Gilberts’ louvre product range, developed over the years to provide a comprehensive package to keep pace with the evolution of building design and structural interfaces. It includes standard, high performance, site assembled and acoustic louvres, available in a range of ratings for weight, ventilation, weather, insects and even bird ingress. Even fixings can often be tailored to individual site preferences. Innovatively, with its in-house design expertise, Gilberts has the capability to create bespoke configurations which can be both CFD modelled, and tested within its own laboratory to give customers complete ‘fit for purpose’ peace of mind. Gilberts also offers a comprehensive range of PPC,PVF and PVF2 coatings across its louvres, available in any RAL colour, applied to louvres of almost any size. Founded over half a century ago, and still familyowned, Gilberts is the UK’s leading independent air movement engineer. It is unique in its ability to design, manufacture and test all products- including bespoke fabrications- in-house, to the extent it even designs and manufactures its own tools at its 95,000 sq ft head office and production facility. Gilberts tel 01253 766911 E: info@gilbertsblackpool.com
