Doors & Windows

Doors & Windows THE TOP FEATURES THAT THE UK’S MILLION POUND HOMES ALL HAVE IN COMMON

While most of us can only aspire to live in a million-pound property, that doesn’t mean that we can’t make our homes feel like a modern mansion.

Design inspiration is drawn regularly from the rich and famous, but which luxury home features are more accessible than we may think?

Windows and doors specialists, Genesis Collection have analysed property data to reveal the features that the UK’s million-pound properties have in common.

The investigation, which involved deep-diving into hundreds of properties across the UK that are currently available on the market, found a total of seven unique features that were a recurring theme throughout.

The good news? Lots of these home features are readily available to the wider public, which means everyone can draw inspiration and add a little luxury to their own spaces.

Floor to Ceiling Glass Doors

This feature was by far the most repeated design element encountered throughout the UK’s high-end properties. Whether sliding patio doors or aluminium bifold doors, the designs and colours varied by interior theme but the core design concept remained very much the same – floor to ceiling glass. As most of these properties also have large and beautifully landscaped gardens, it’s understandable why such a feature may be in high demand. However, the light inducing benefits of floor to ceiling glass are also popular, making this a highly sought-after element for any home.

Freestanding Bathtub

one common feature remained throughout – freestanding bathtubs. Whether the powder room was traditional in design, with Victorianthemed tiling and clean white features, or modern, with floor to ceiling marble, the inclusion of a freestanding bath is a clear indicator of a luxury home.

Kitchen Islands

Kitchen islands and bars with high stools have taken over million-pound properties right across the UK. Some come with a bar incorporated, for the ultimate in entertaining, whilst others include an oven and stove for additional cooking space. Regardless of their designs, an island brings extra storage and an extra touch of style, creating a focal point in any kitchen space.

Fireplace

Another stunning piece encountered in almost all million-pound homes currently on the market was a statement fireplace. Coming in a vast array of designs, a fireplace can easily compliment any interior theme, whether that’s farmhouse décor or minimalist chic. Similarly, to the kitchen island, a fireplace creates a focal point in any room and creates a highly sought-after cosy ambience.

Open Plan Space

Perhaps an interesting observation, each of the properties analysed all had a very similar approach when it came layout, with big open plan living spaces a theme throughout. Large kitchens continuing into dining rooms and dining rooms continuing into living rooms were all popular designs. Often, this open space is also extended seamlessly through glass doors into an outdoor the patio, creating the illusion of an even larger space, thus achieving a luxury look.

Have a Decorating Style

Although the decorative choices and colour palettes may differ from room to room, the general theme and style of each million-pound property remains the same throughout. This is standard practice within luxury properties, with consistency leading to an overall feeling within a property, no matter which room you’re in. There were many different decorating styles across the homes analysed, however, the vast majority seem to stick to one clear design, whether that’s classic, regal, or minimalist.

Bespoke Furnishings and Ornaments

Additional to structural and design features, each property also featured a selection of bespoke furnishings and ornaments that were present throughout. These included:

• Large mirrors • Contemporary artwork and ornaments • Marble • Feature Wallpaper • Large clocks

Whether you’re looking to make a larger home investment, such as updating your space with floor to ceiling glass doors, or you’d simply like to incorporate some luxury accessories into your home, there are so many ways to create an airy and sophisticated feel to your property, whatever the size.

Doors & Windows

REFLEX-ROL MAXI SYSTEMS

‘Blinds’ are out and ‘Solar Shading’ is in! With the advance of Solar Shading fabrics, we can now achieve g-values ( Total energy penetration degrees) of less than 20%, and that is almost, within a few % , on a par with external shading but without the maintenance issues. Solar shading has become highly technical and there really is no ‘off the shelf’ solution or a ‘one fits all’ scenario.

The Reflex-Rol MAXI solar shading system is ideally suited for buildings with overheating and glare issues such as: office environments, large glazed areas, hospitals, schools, private and public buildings. The clients we serve are architectural, interior design, construction planning, building management, health & safety professionals and residential. The principle which underpins our service policy is best professional practice. Best practice in solar control technology means supplying product and technical support of the highest standard and levels of professional competence.

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Reflex-Rol MAXI systems, in combination with Mermet fabrics, provide a technically advance, elegant solution to solar heat and glare control. Ideal for virtually any application, indoor or outdoor, small or large blinds, due to the functionality of the systems and the extensive range of fabric textures and colours available. Horizontal, vertical, inclined, shaped, Reflex-Rol has a solution for any window. Available in a wide range of headbox sizes with a variety of side guides and bottom bars also available. Hardware available as standard in white or aluminium, or why note have it powder coated to a RAL colour of your choice? All blinds include an invisible opening headbox for rear ventilation on the window side. The headbox serves as a stop to limit the upper position of the blinds as well as protection when the blinds are not in use.

Mermet coated fibreglass fabrics are suitable for solar shading, sound control and the provision of tensile structures such as canopies, stretched ceilings and wall panels. Ideal for both internal and external use, Mermet fabrics are ideal for digital printing; meaning pictures, corporate logos and such can be printed onto the fabric before it made into the final product this could be a blind, stretched ceiling or anything else your imagination suggests. Mermet fabrics also meet BS476, Part 6, Class O fire rating making them particularly suitable for use in schools, hospitals or other public areas and buildings.

Reflex-Rol has been providing shading solutions to the UK market for nearly 40 years, since 1983. Give us a call today to see how we can help you!

www.reflex-rol.co.uk info@reflex-rol.co.uk

Doors & Windows

How to increase your home’s kerb appeal on a budget ahead of the new year

But why is your home’s kerb appeal important? It refers to the attractiveness of a property and its surroundings when seen from the street. Essentially, it is where prospective homebuyers will draw their very first impressions of your property, and these initial reactions can be vital in the selling process and whether or not your house stands out.

Rightmove suggests that most house hunting journeys begin just after the start of a new year, while the sense of “fresh starts” is in the air. It typically takes prospective buyers a couple months to have viewed enough houses before feeling ready to decide; by standing out in this period, with some fresh appeal, you can up your chances of making a swift sale.1

Kerb appeal holds the power to increase your property’s value by 10%, on top of being a key factor in what might entice someone to follow up on your ad - whether it be in an agent’s window or online, it is clear that making kerb appeal a priority in the run up to selling is crucial.

John Evans, managing director at Stormclad, says: “After more than 20 years of working on home improvements, we understand the importance of ensuring that your home stands out for all the right reasons and is comprised of the best quality materials.

“Making large-scale changes and investing in quality products can be expensive however, so we have complied a list of ways to boost your kerb appeal without breaking the bank.”

As the autumn period arrives and the end of the year draws closer, it might be worth considering improving your property’s kerb appeal if you intend to hit the new year ready to sell and move.

A Quick Spruce Up

Giving your house a once over is an easy and usually cheap way to increase your kerb appeal.

A fresh coat of paint, whether a standard white or splash of colour, can make all the difference to the feel and character of your property.

Alternatively, giving worn brickwork a good clean with a pressure washer can leave your house looking refreshed and ready to sell with next to no cost - especially if you can borrow or rent equipment.

Doors

Updating the entrance to your home is widely recognised as one of the best ways to boost your kerb appeal. Doors are often front and central to a property and will most likely be the very first thing viewers interact with. Make sure yours is strong, sturdy and slick.

A piece of advice - although grey and black doors are the most sought after improvement at the moment, a study by CountryLife found that blue doors are the most commonly sold.2

With a wide variety of door materials and colours on the market, you will have no problem finding the right one for your home that fits your style and, most importantly, your budget. Don’t forget – you can have a door designed bespoke to you at a reasonable price if your perfect design isn’t out there.

Modern doors are more environmentally friendly, as they feature better insulative properties that not only help your home to remain a comfortable temperature, but also help keep heating costs down during colder times of the year.

Windows

Similarly to doors, windows are one of the first things a prospective buyer will be greeted by at your home.

Past simply keeping them clean - which will make your home look more inviting and boost the amount of light inside - ensuring your window style and colour match up with your home helps secure its character and makes it far more aesthetically pleasing, increasing its chances of being remembered by prospective buyers and thus making it easier to sell.

There is a wide array of window frames available in the market all with their own individual benefits, each bringing their own price point depending on budget.

Aluminium window frames are strong and can support large glass panes without the need for casements or frames, making them ideal for sleek modern looks and the more traditional timber windows have their place in maintaining original looks of buildings as they can comply with appropriate standards in conservation areas.

However, uPVC frames are the most popular choice as they have improved soundproofing, creating a sense of serenity and calm in your home. They are low maintenance and provide thermal insulation and boast great value for money, available in many colours to help pin down almost any look.

Carports

Carports act as a less costly and time-consuming alternative to a garage that can seriously boost your kerb appeal; whether you opt for either a lean-to or freestanding veranda, both provide a sheltered area outside your house. By creating a more versatile space than a garage, you allow for more flexibility too, at the same time as saving a few pennies – whether you use your carport for simply keeping dry, providing a bit of shade on sunny days, as a workspace or – you guessed it – protecting your car, you will be able to enjoy the best of both worlds by spending time outside under cover.

Although a carport may not automatically increase the value of your property, tailoring the material that your carport is made means it can be used as a statement piece or remain discreet to suit your property.

Best of all, carports often do not require planning permission, which lowers the time taken and saves at least £206 in householder application fees in England – bonus!3 Whilst investing in a conservatory may not be your first thought when looking to tighten your budget, they can increase the value of your home by around 5%.4

They add a large amount of kerb appeal due to their desirability and are an incredibly cost-effective way of extending your property, with equivalent square footage being half the price compared to a traditional extension.

Conservatories provide a flexible space and are often made to fit your exact requirements for how you want your space to be used. So in the long run, they’re worth thinking about.

Don’t forget – you can keep costs down across all areas of your home by taking advantage of sales and ensuring you buy quality products that require little TLC and that last a long time; this way, you will get a good return on your investment whilst also boosting your appeal and therefore hopefully landing that sale.

For more information on how you can cost-effectively increase the kerb appeal of your home, get in touch with home improvement experts Stormclad on 0115 970 8077 where you can discuss flexible finance options too.

Case Study COVERING ALL BASES: THE IMPORTANCE OF FLAT ROOF SURVEYS

Replacing a roof can be a costly and time-consuming job, but one that cannot be avoided or overlooked if it has reached a state of disrepair. Something that can often be overlooked, however, is a flat roof survey. Due to the simple fact that people tend to wait for problems to arise before addressing them.

But a survey can often mean the difference between extending a roof’s lifespan, removing the need for a replacement, and its failure. Sunny Lotay, national commercial manager at PermaRoof UK, gives an overview of the processes involved with and the benefits of incorporating this service into a flat roof’s life cycle. Flat roof surveys are undertaken to determine what the condition of an existing roof is and to pinpoint any problems or areas of concern such as waterproofing and structural issues, flashing problems, ponding water and much more. If left unidentified, or not resolved quickly and efficiently, these issues can have a longterm impact on the lifespan and structural integrity of the roof, leading to costly repairs or even premature failure.

While these surveys are generally performed visually, there may be certain cases that require some intrusion - such as core sampling - into the existing structure to help identify issues lying beneath the surface.

This assessment then informs and determines the correct flat roof system proposal to put forward. These could include a number of measures or fixes, such as thermal upgrade options, structural and drainage improvements, maintenance access walkways or fall arrest systems - to name just a few.

developer-update.co.uk Preparation is key

While people tend to wait until a problem occurs or, in some cases, just before a major project is about to start to have a flat roof survey undertaken - it’s best to opt for a more proactive and consistent approach.

A general annual check can help to minimise the possibility of issues developing and identify the areas that may only require some quick repairs or maintenance. As a rule of thumb, flat roofs should have a twiceyearly check to clear any debris or outlet blockages, ensuring the longevity of the roof and that it remains watertight for years to come.

In addition, as roofs age and issues start to occur, it is generally imperative that a roof survey is conducted as quickly as possible to determine when

a replacement will need to be made and to afford enough time to identify the correct system build and compliance is met.

While there’s not technically a ‘best’ time of year to have a roof survey done as it generally depends on a variety of factors, not least the condition of the roof, I would often recommend precautionary surveys be taken in the time leading up to late spring or summer. This allows time for any potential repairs to be made before the wet winter months take hold.

The process

Surveys can include a number of elements, from checking thermal regulation and fall of water discharge to structural soundness and whether there are enough outlets. Depending on the results of the survey, there might not be any action required. Therefore, when finding a specification manager to carry out the survey, it’s important that you opt for someone who is able to offer a no obligation, completely free of charge survey, core test and condition report, like PermaRoof.

There are a number of factors that need to be considered when preparing to conduct a roof survey, from checking the weather and ensuring all of the correct equipment is to hand through to what health and safety measures need putting in place and following during the time on site.

Depending on the roof size and complexity, a flat roof survey can take anywhere from a morning to, in some cases, a couple of days. Once the survey itself is complete, its time to compile the roof report and make the recommendations required. We strive to submit this within a week of completing the survey, in which we offer our proposal for the correct system and nominate three PermaRoof registered installers to quote for the project.

In practice

At a recent survey, a core test was undertaken at a residential block of flats in south London to ascertain the build-up of the existing roof. This test determined that it was a cold roof, with timber substrate and asphalt on top as the waterproofing element.

Through this report a recommendation was made to upgrade from a cold roof to a warm roof, using the existing asphalt roof as a vapour control layer, was specified. Consisting of a brand-new 120mm insulation layer, along with an 18mm OSB board and topped by the Firestone Rubbergard EPDM system, a watertight roof with a 20-year warranty was delivered – providing peace of mind for years to come, which would not have been the case without the survey being undertaken.

For more information on PermaRoof Commercial, please visit permaroofcommercial.co.uk, call 01773 608839 or email

flatroofing@permaroof.co.uk.