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In general, no – you don’t need planning permission for a Velux window. The Planning Portal says that you don’t need to apply for planning permission to install a roof window if the following conditions are met:

• A roof window must not protrude more than 150 millimetres above the existing roof plane
No roof window or any other alteration can be higher than the highest part of the roof or stand out above the roof ridge
• Side-facing windows must have obscure glazing to protect privacy of neighbours and, if they open, they must be 1.7 metres above the floor of the room in which they are installed

You don’t need to apply for planning permission for a roof window because they are covered under permitted development rights. However, if you’re a leaseholder or you live in a building where your local authority has made an Article 4 Direction, you will have to apply. Usually, an Article 4 Direction is made when you live in a conservation area where any external home improvements could affect the character and look of the area. Luckily, there are special Velux windows that are designed to be more likely to be accepted by your local planning authority. They’re called conservation windows and, although there’s still no guarantee that they will be accepted, they are designed to look more traditional. Even if you don’t need planning permission for your roof window, you still need to follow any relevant building regulations for your local authority. The most important parts for Velux windows are section J and section L of building regulations, which refer to energy efficiency, thermal insulation and fire protection.

With the UK’s climate which can be harsh sometimes, getting an air conditioner is simply the best bet. Over here the summer months can get overbearingly hot, which does not stop the winter months from getting quite chilly. With a heating and cooling system installed in your home or property, you can easily lessen the effect of both situations, ensuring that your structure is relaxing and comfortable all year round. If you have also decided to get one and ready to take the plunge, then you’ve come to the right place. With a wide range of choices out there, there’s a need to have a checklist before you purchase a unit, in order to get one that’ll be just right for you. Let’s take a look!

• Determine the kind of system that’s suitable for your home. We have 3 major types of air conditioning systems which includes split systems, multi split system and ducted systems. While the split system represents a great choice for those looking to heat or cool or single room or large area, the multi split system is designed to power up to 6 interior rooms at once. Finally, the ducted air conditioning systems which is usually fitted within the roof and from the central unit, a series of ducts heats or cools each rooms.
• Consider the features of house. This includes the kind of house you own, the size of the room(s) you wish to heat or cool, whether it’s insulated, the number of windows the room(s) possess, the layout of the room(s) and lots more.
• Your budget. Air conditioning is an investment which will often require a substantial initial outlay which can be recouped after a long period. The amount of money you can spare will play a huge role in the kind of system you’ll get.

The simplest definition of an intruder alarm system can be gotten from its name. Basically, it can be referred to as a method or means through which a property is protected against intruders via a system of interconnected devices and components which alerts or notifies the owner or monitoring station whenever there is a violation.

The intruder alarm system is an integrated electronic devices network which works together and features a central control panel which keeps the facility secured against all potential home intruders.

An intruder alarm system, typically, features the following:

• Control Panel - Primary controller of the entire system.

• Interior and exterior motion sensors

• Security cameras, either wired or wireless

• Sensors, for both doors and windows

• An alarm or siren

• Window stickers & yard sign.

Depending on the security needs as well as budget, the intruder alarm system can be a simple one suitable for the basic protection of a home, or a more advanced one which does not only protects the facility but also goes a long way to make the users’ life a lot more comfortable. The later can perform a plethora of great functions in home automation such as access controls, and heating and lighting control. With the features of the property in mind, alongside the investor’s security needs and future expansion possibilities, an intruder system installation company can help select the best option for the home or property.

What’s more? The intruder alarm system’s manipulators or interface devices are modern touch panels that have been designed not only to showcase its visual appeal and intuitive operation, but also to ensure the smooth and easy control of the whole system by storing maps of the property on memory cards. And to the delight of both investors and potential investors, the system can also be controlled directly from mobile devices or PCs which features the necessary applications and internet connection. Click on the link to learn more about intruder alarm systems - https://alarm.quotatis.co.uk/3-ways-home-security-systems-keep-safe/

Sealing your driveway isn’t 100% necessary, but it is recommended. It will help keep your driveway in good condition and increase how long it lasts. Sealer should be applied approximately once every 2 years, or when your driveway begins to show signs of deterioration.

If you’ve never had Velux windows before, you might be wondering how to open them. If you’ve got very high ceilings and your roof windows are set high up in the pitch of the roof, you might not even be able to reach them. So how do you open them in this case?

When Velux windows are installed so high that they’re out of reach, the installers will often recommend that they install an electric switch for you to open and close your windows. They often come with a rain sensor, so you don’t need to rush up to the top of the house if there’s a sudden downpour – they will close automatically. You can also choose to have a remote so you can open and close your roof windows wherever you are in the room.

If you don’t have an electric switch, but you still can’t reach to open and close your Velux windows, you should be supplied with a telescopic pole when they’re installed. If you weren’t or you’ve moved into a home with roof windows and there isn’t one, you can buy them online. They have a hook on the end and can be extended to the correct length so you can hook it over the handle of the window and pull or push to open it.

If you’ve got a top-hung Velux window that can also be opened in a centre-pivot position, it’s easy to switch between the two. Simply ensure the window is completely closed before you start, then open the handle up – but don’t push it out. Then pull the vent bar down until the sash is rotated 180 degrees. Then secure the position by sliding the barrel bolts into the holes at either side of the bottom of the frame. Easy!

Is there a hole in your asphalt driveway you feel you can repair yourself? If it’s something you know you can confidently do then this step by step guide is just for you. If otherwise, then we’d recommend you hire the services of a reliable professional who can guarantee the best results while also saving you some time and extra money that could result from possible errors. In this article, we’d go over the reparation process of an asphalt driveway with a hole in it.

✓ Get the necessary tools. You’re going to need a broom ( to clean the area), caulking gun ( to fill the hole), a hand tamp a plate compactor or a hammer ( to level the filled in hole) and a weeding glove (just in case there are weeds growing in the hole).

✓ Prepare the area. Do this by weeding the plants or weeds that might have grown inside the hole and identify your asphalt filler.

✓ Wet your soil, if necessary. It’s important to note that this is only necessary if your soil is dry to help the filler stick properly.

✓ Fill in deep holes. If the hole goes down about 3 to 4 inches or more, simply fill it with any material like rocks, clay etc.

✓ Apply the asphalt filler. Fill the hole with the asphalt filler to about half an inch higher than the surface of the driveway.

✓ Level the filler. For a large hole, make use of a plate compactor or a hand stamp, but a hammer will be sufficient for smaller holes.

✓ Cover the hole, if necessary. If your home isn’t level, covering your hole with a piece of plywood is advisable.

✓ Clean off the seal. After the asphalt looks done and in place, simply brush away the debris from the seal to finish off the project.

Moving house doesn’t have to be a strenuous tasks. Follow up the guidelines I have compiled containing the ultimate moving guide featuring 12 tips to successfully move house, the main do's and don'ts to remember, and a room by room packing guide are simply below;

1. Declutter Your Belongings

Tidying is an essential task every now and then while considering moving house. Before even attempting to pack, you should decide what to sell, donate or throw out. By decluttering, you'll also keep your house removal costs down as there’ll be fewer boxes to move.

2. Book a Removal Company

Once you’ve tidy your physical possessions, you should book your removals company. You could attempt DIY if moving fewer belongings or moving within town but it would be a lot of added stress and time.

3. Create an Inventory

Creating an inventory helps to keep an eye on all your belongings to make sure nothing is lost throughout the process of packing.

4. Pack as Early as Possible

Once you compare surveyors, get conveyancing quotes, and set your moving date, then it's time to start packing.

5. Start By Packing Least Used Rooms

A good starting point will be rooms that are least used.The spare bedroom, garage  are usually easy places to start.

6. Arrange Your Utilities Early

It’s important to set up your utilities such as council tax, gas and home insurance early when moving house. Not only will this save you a lot of stress once you’re moved in, but you will have more time to settle in and relax in your new home.

7. Label Properly

You should label on boxes going to a particular room and a brief summary of what’s inside so there’s no confusion when you’re unpacking. If you don’t want to write a short novella on the boxes you can as well use tag to differentiate each boxes and where it belongs to.

8. Pack a Survival Box

Pack the things you need most every day and night in a separate bag and keep this with you at all times. Items such as medicine, face cream, toothbrush, toilet roll, change of clothes, phone chargers etc will all come in handy.

9. Visit Your New Area

You'll know your new home inside and out after you have carefully survey round the new environment, but what about the neighbourhood? Once the removal company is booked and you’ve started packing, go and spend the weekend in your new area, checking out the local pubs and shops.

10. Update Your Address

It’s a good idea to change your address with companies or organisations like the bank, the doctor’s surgery, car insurance company, local authority and post office 2 weeks before you move.

11. Check Council Tax Band

Many people will forget about taking care of their council tax when moving house. If you’re moving to a new area, there will be a need to set up new address. Check with your local authority for more details about your council tax band.

12. Register to Vote

Another important factor when moving house is staying on the electoral register. You will have to update your address and ensure you’re still able to vote. Luckily, it’s a fairly simple process and can be done through the government website.

If you’re considering getting a solar thermal system, one of the first things that comes to mind is the possibility of the system functioning properly during the cold months. The short and simple answer to this question is yes, a solar thermal system works in the winter. However, the downside here is that it’ll be a lot less efficient when compared to how it operates during the warmer months or summer. As a result of this fact, you’ll likely need to rely more on your boiler, immersion heater or any other backup heating system during this period as your solar thermal system will fail to contribute as much as it does during the warmer months. So what exactly is the reason why solar thermal is less effective and less efficient in the winter period? Let’s have a look!

As you know, solar thermal system banks on the sun’s energy to heat the water for your home’s use. During the cold months or winter, the sunlight becomes a lot less available when compared to the warmer months, as a result, there’s less sunlight that’s available to be used for its solar energy. And even more so at the periods when the days are shorter or skies are clearly overcast.

Also having a great impact on a solar thermal system’s output is heavy snow. Flat plate collectors normally have the capacity to cope better during snowy conditions as the light that’s able to travel through the snow will heat up the absorber plate - thereby making the snow slide off more quickly. However, the case is contrary with evacuated tube collectors which possesses a form of vacuum insulation that’s crafted to minimize the loss of heat, meaning they can’t generate heat to melt and cause the snow to slide off in a similar way.