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Generally, extensions can be a very tricky undertaking - where it can be quite difficult to have a clear comprehension of the rules, regulations as well as costs. Therefore before you rush in to kick start your ground floor extension project, it’ll be wise to get a good grip on the cost. In this article, we’re going to give you a rough estimate of the cost of a ground floor extension. Let’s take a look!

Just like several other home improvement projects, the cost of constructing a ground floor extension is based on a number of things which includes the size, materials used, your location, the quality of the tradesmen or company hired and lots more. For instance, if you happen to reside in London, the cost of your ground floor extension is going to be a lot higher than the other regions.

The single cost of a ground floor extension should fall within the range of £1,500 per square metre to about £2,000 per square metre. However, if you happen to live in London or the South East, this price can reach up to £1,900 per square metre to about £2,400 per square metre. These prices are for good quality ground floor extensions only. Basic or low quality extensions would naturally cost less while superior quality extension will cost more.

Now looking at the size of the ground floor extension, if you’re looking for a size of about 5m x 5m, you can expect to pay a price within the range of £32,000 to about £36,000. And as usual, in London or the South East, this price can reach up to £50,000 or even more. And that’s just for constructing the extension. If the other relevant costs like the 10 percent to 15 percent professional fees for the architect, planning application (if needed), building regulations and more, the price goes up.

The energy efficiency of windows is measured using ratings, varying from A, the most efficient, to G, the least efficient. This scheme is run by the British Fenestration Council (BFRC). To comply with Building Regulations you’ll need windows of energy efficiency at least level C.

If you just bought a Smart TV and you’re not certain whether or not you’ll need to purchase an aerial to be able to access your favorite TV channels, then you’ve come to the right place! So many Smart TV owners also face the same issue and seek an effective solution to it. In this post, we aim to provide you with an insight on this topic to help you make the best-informed decision possible moving forward. Let’s take a look!

The short and simple answer to this question is no, you don’t have to buy a TV aerial to watch your smart TV. However, it should also be noted that you won’t be able to access Freeview or any other terrestrial broadcasts for that matter without a TV aerial. What’s more? You’ll also be restricted to the content offered by your television’s internet streaming app. To unlock Freeview channels, you can consider purchasing an affordable and portable indoor aerial for that purpose. So, what can you watch on your Smart TV without an aerial? Well, without a TV aerial, you’ll only be able to access mod boxes or media from other sources like Blu Ray players, gaming consoles, computers and more. In the event whereby your Smart TV is connected to the internet as it’s designed to be, you can also make use of a plethora of streaming apps to access plenty of media online.

If you don’t want to watch you TV with an aerial, the best option would definitely be to connect your router or broadband through an ethernet cable and make use of the featured streaming apps.

Double glazing frames don’t just have to come in uPVC and are available in other materials including aluminium and wood too. Wooden or timber windows are more suited to properties with a traditional look and are often the frame of choice for listed buildings and homes in conservation areas. When properly maintained wooden windows can last well for years but can be up to three times more expensive than uPVC.Aluminium is the strongest and most durable option. As a metal it is highly resistant to the UK’s changing weather conditions and won’t rust, warp, crack or peel. Aluminium offers a modern appeal and is available in a range of colours.

What Size Of Oil Boiler Do I Need?

When it comes to oil boilers, there are three main types - the combi, system and conventional. Within these types, you’d discover there happens to be a wide range of sizes to choose from. First and foremost, we must note that the size has to do with the amount of energy they offer to your heating and hot water system rather than the physical dimensions.

The rule of thumb is, the larger your house (which implies the more hot taps, radiators and showers), the more powerful (bigger) the oil boiler you’d require. For instance, a four-bedroom apartment with three showers occupied by a family of four will definitely need a more powerful boiler than a a bungalow featuring a single occupant.

It is, however, important to also note that it’s not all about going for the biggest oil boiler. If you decide to choose an oil boiler with a much bigger capacity that needed, not only will you be wasting money on the initial purchase as well as installation, but also lose money operating it. And in a converse scenario, if you go for the cheaper and lower-powered oil boiler in an attempt to save up some money, you’re most likely to end up with tepid radiators while also frequently running out of hot water. Hence, the importance of determining the appropriate size of boiler for your particular household before purchase.

To determine the appropriate size, determining the number of bathrooms, radiators as well as the total number of people living in the property would be a step in the right direction.

Numbers of Radiators Combi System Boiler Regular

Up to 10 24 to 27kW 9 to 18kW 9 to 18kW

10 to 15 28 to 34kW 18 to 26kW 18 to 26kW

15 to 20 35 to 42kW 27 to 40kW 27 to 40kW

When it comes to the installation of an external door in your home or property, you’ll be indulged with a plethora of styles and options available in the market today. But as you would have imagined, not all of these options and styles are created equal. Not all can match the security and quality standards of a composite door. A door’s quality is greatly influenced by a wide variety of factors such as the materials incorporated as well as the overall design. For instance, going for a door made with low quality materials can as well be synonymous with leaving your door open while going out.

Composite doors are modern type of door used in homes in recent times. They’ve been design to combat the common flaws identified in singular material doors. The door puts together a perfect mix of materials which have been singled out due to their beneficial properties and effectively taps out the “old flaws. Composite doors are known to be highly resistant to weather conditions, no matter how extreme and unlike singular material doors, it does not react quickly to seasonal changes. And as a result of the insulating foam core of composite doors, they possess a higher thermal resistance than wooden doors.

Generally, a composite door is designed in such a way that makes it look as a wooden door featuring a very alluring wood grain. With the exceptional quality of the materials incorporated, the colours won’t fade, no discolouration will take place and ultimately, it doesn’t require much more than wiping with a damp cloth when it’s dirty as maintenance activity. In conclusion, composite doors are greatly designed modern doors which are manufactured using various materials. The premium quality provided by composite doors is unrivalled in the door industry.

How To Landscape A Garden

Are you thinking about landscaping your garden? Well, not only will this make your property more visually appealing, but can also go a long way to add value to it. Landscaping a garden can be a very difficult project which should be left to a reliable professional who can guarantee the best results the first time, especially if you lack proper training or experience in the field. This way, you get to save time and extra money that can result due to possible costly mistakes. However, if you’re confident enough about your skills, here’s a step by step guide to help you through the garden landscaping process.

• Start from the front yard. This is the first place you’ll see when you get home and visitors will admire when they stop by.

• Hardscape first. Tackle all the handscaping projects before setting out the plants. The hardscapes include the sidewalk, drive way, porch, decks, fencing and the likes.

• Toil in the soil. When it’s time for the garden, you can start by amending your soil with organic matter before you set out the plants.

• Plan next to your house. When it comes to landscaping a garden, functionality is just as important as the beauty. With that in mind, never allow your foundation planting to cover your house, but to embrace it.

• Selecting the right plants. Study the landscape, observe when the sun rises and sets and determine the best plants for those conditions, you can consult with a local garden centre for more information.

• Plant shapes and textures. You can include some design elements to your landscape simply by taking advantage of the plants’ shape and texture.

• Finishing touches. These includes adding stuffs like containers, window boxes, hanging baskets both to add a little more functionality and a bit more colour to your landscape.

• Maintenance. To enjoy your beautiful landscape for a longer period, it has to be maintained.

One of the most common problems in houses and buildings especially in recent times are structural deficiencies. There are two types of foundation owners as identified by foundation experts and structural engineer. These includes those with foundation problems as well as those who will. With the great increase in the number of field foundations as well as the continued ageing of already existing field foundations, the number of foundation deficiencies in the future is also likely to increase.

Foundation problems are caused by a wide array of reasons which can vary significantly from one place to the other. One of the greatest causes is soil diversity whereby soils in the vicinity may be of a single type, however there are soil types across the area may include clay, sandy loam, sand, rock or even a blend of these materials. While this can result in a big local plant palette which is to the delight of plant enthusiasts, it may not be that great for foundations. Consequently, the diversity in soil types and conditions makes it impossible to give a precise answer to a foundation problem anywhere.

Generally, when a tree grows very close to a foundation you’ll require the advise of a professional arborist consultant. The goal of an arborist consultant is to educate the home or property owner how trees can affect foundations. Therefore, the simple answer to the question whether removing a tree can cause foundation problems is yes. By checking all the related issues, foundation experts, arborist and others can determine whether or not removing a particular tree can cause foundation problems. As a result, before the removal of any tree you must ensure you hire the services of a seasoned tree surgeon who would know his way around without really affecting your foundation.