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Aluminium windows have a range of benefits that make them a great alternative to uPVC windows. Developments in technology have meant that modern aluminium windows now have the same energy efficiency levels as uPVC. Plus, their strength and flexibility make them a more attractive choice to many homeowners, particularly for more modern buildings.

Aluminium frames are typically much thinner than uPVC frames, allowing more light in and wider views. The metal can also be moulded to suit custom shapes, making it ideal for unusually shaped windows. Aluminium windows are available in lots of different colours, so can be designed to suit a wide range of interiors and exteriors.

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.

The most commonly used driveway surfacing materials are gravel, asphalt, concrete and paving - which can be block, slabbed or patten imprinted. Take a look at our product information pages to help you decide which one to use and which one will look best for your driveway.

Artex is a water based decorative surface coating is typically incorporated on both walls and ceilings so as to apply a pattern. During the peak of its popularity in the 1970’s, it was considered the height of fashion when it comes to interior wall designs however its major drawback remains the fact that it usually contains asbestos especially if it was manufactured before the laws governing the use of asbestos was changed in the year 2000. And asbestos, as we know it, can be deadly when disturbed and its fibres are inhaled.

If you have artex installed in your purchased property and you do not know when the artex walls were done, or perhaps you just want to change the aesthetic design of your home into something more modern and to your personal taste, then you may want to remove the existing artex from your property for good. If this is your wish then you’ve come to the right place.

To remove artex from your walls you can choose to do so using the steaming method or through the use of an external product.

Using the steaming method, you should know that it’ll be more labour intensive and time consuming. You need a lot of patience moving your steamer slow and steady because if left on a spot for too long can damage the wall behind the coating. Once the artex has been dampened with the steamer, you can then scrape them off with a handheld scraper.

A faster solution would be to use an external product to remove your artex.  For example, you can use X-Tex which is a water-based coating remover. All you need to do is paint the substance over your artex wall and leave to dry for about 30 to 60 minutes before peeling away the artex.

Underfloor heating are very commonly incorporated in new builds as the main source of central heating. They are also growing to become more popular alternative when compared to the traditional radiators. This increase in acceptance is caused partially due to the fact that underfloor heating can be fitted under almost all types of floors which includes tiles, wood, stone and carpets. If you’re looking to have underfloor heating installed in your home, then one of the first things you’d probably want to consider is the cost of making such an investment. If yes, then you’ve come to the right place! In this post, we’re going to shed some light on underfloor heating pricing to help you make informed purchase decisions moving forward. Let’s take a look!

First and foremost, you should know there are two main types of underfloor heating. These includes electric or dry system and water or wet system. Generally, electric system are less costly due to the fact that they’re relatively easy to install ( making them more suited for retrofits to existing properties ) while a water system installation requires a lot more efforts ( which makes it usually preferred for new builds or as part of a larger renovation project). therefore, if you’re considering getting a water underfloor heating system which will be connected to your central heating, then there’s a need to get a reliable and professional local plumber.

Generally, a wet system will usually cost within the range of £5000 to about £7000 to be fitted in a new build or a larger renovation project. Meanwhile, a installing a dry system is always cheaper. This starts anywhere from £170 for 10 square metres.

Artexing a ceiling can be a tricky job, but whether you’re considering hiring a professional or DIY, it’s helpful to know how it’s done.

Artex is available either in a paste or powder form. The paste is ideal if you’re making small repairs or additions to an existing ceiling. But, if you have a whole ceiling to cover, the powder is more cost effective. When you’re ready to get started, you’ll need to mix the powder up with cold water according to the instructions.

It’s possible to artex over plaster, plasterboard or paint. If you have a plasterboard surface, you should tape and fill any joints or cracks before you begin. Plaster and plasterboard both require a coat of sealant or primer first. You can usually artex straight over paint, but any gloss paint should be sanded down, and any dark paints covered with a layer of white.

Artexing can get quite messy, so make sure you empty the room you’re working in as much as possible, lay down sheets and wear protective clothing and glasses. You might want to practice on a piece of board before you start on the ceiling.

Start by using a brush or roller to cover a 500 square cm area with a generous layer of artex. Then use a brush, comb or roller to create your chosen texture. Every time you do a new section of ceiling, try to blend it with the other sections you’ve done. Don’t be tempted to cover the whole ceiling before you start adding texture – the artex will dry too quickly for you to do it all in time.

Artex usually needs 12-24 hours in a well-ventilated space to dry completely.

The importance of having your office heating and cooling system serviced on a regular basis simply can’t be overemphasized. Not only does it ensure the proper functioning of your system, but it also ensures it’s energy efficiency, helps you save some cool cash and and also ensures that a great indoor air quality is maintained. However, what discourages most business owners from servicing their air conditioning unit on a regular basis is the fear that the cost of doing so might be high and since the unit is not giving any issues yet, then any required maintenance efforts can be overlooked. The reality here is, no matter how high the cost of servicing your office air conditioning system seems to be, you’d have to pay higher to get it fixed when it starts developing series of faults that could have been prevented with proper maintenance. In this post, we’re going to consider the cost involved in the servicing of office air conditioning systems. Let’s take a look!

First and foremost, you should note that during an office air con service, the refrigerant will be recharged and the complete quantity of refrigerant is pumped out of the AC system weighed, filtered and dried. Once done, the AC system will be re-gassed with the quantity of refrigerant prescribed by the manufacturer. Furthermore, the quantity of the AC compressor oil is also changed with the same amount of fresh oil. A vacuum test will also be carried out to determine whether or not there are damages or leaks in the AC system which has to be fixed.

The cost of an office air con service depends on a number of factors including quantity and type of refrigerant required, location and more. On the average, the amount you can expect to incur to service your air conditioning system would be within the range of £60 to £90.

As an environmentally conscious homeowner, it’s very likely you would have heard of a wood pellet boiler or maybe even considering fitting one in your home or property. So if you’ve heard about wood pellet boilers, you’d probably want to know about it especially how it works. In this article, we’re going to walk you through the wood pellet boilers operating process. Let’s take a look!

✓ Typically, wood pellet boilers possess 4 major components, these includes a burner ( which ignites or burns the pellets), a hopper ( which stores unused pellets), a conveyor ( which works to carry the pellets from the hopper to the burner where its ignited) and lastly, a controller ( which responds automatically to your thermostat and appliances’ demands).

✓ In the event whereby your thermostat demands heat or if you happen to switch on a hot water tap or appliance, pellets will be automatically fed into the burner which in turn ignites it and set the firing rate to match the needed heating load.

✓ In a situation whereby more pellets is needed by your boiler, the vacuum or augur system will act by pulling pellets from your bulk pellet storage bin and automatically refill itself.

✓ The wood pellet boiler will clean the burn pot and heat exchanger areas ( moving ash into the ash bin), during and after the burn cycles. The ash bin will be emptied once for every 2 to 3 ton of pellet that’s ignited.

Other facts about wood pellet boilers

✓ The wood pellet boiler can be directly linked to existing plumbing and heating system, regardless of whether or not there’s an existing heating oil boiler remaining.

✓ Wood pellets can be stored in bulk in a storage bin outside your home as the bins are generally weather resistant and also very durable.