Whether you’re buying your first home or creating your forever home, looking at custom home builder pictures online is a major part of the process. Whether you scour Pinterest, home-improvement magazines or Google, looking for inspiration is one of the best parts of the design and building process. If you’re wanting to
Work boots are defined as a pair of durable boots designed to protect the wearer’s feet from falling objects or compression while in the workplace. They are an essential part of an employee who works on a construction site’s PPE (Personal Protection Equipment). At the outset of this article, it
Your kitchen is the heart of your home. It’s where you cook for your family, where you entertain friends and bake with your kids. When you’ve got a kitchen that you love, you are more likely to eat a healthy diet, experiment with different foods and cook from scratch. It’s
The pernicious and invasive native weed commonly called Horsetail has been around since the Palaeozoic era, which lasted from 541 to 252 million years ago. That means it was thriving before dinosaurs, and it used to grow to 98 feet tall. So, I think it is fair to say that
Remodeling a kitchen is exciting, but also presents homeowners with an almost overwhelming number of options. One of the most important is the choice of countertop materials. Shoppers need to consider their budgets, decorating themes, kitchen functions, and the overall value of their investment. With these factors in mind, many
At a time when there’s enhanced awareness of personal and environmental hygiene, whether in the home or in the workplace, it’s reassuring to know that the moulded range of products from Knightsbridge – one of the UK’s leading manufacturer of wiring devices, accessories and lighting – possesses inherent anti-bacterial properties
SITECH UK & Ireland, the leading distributor of Trimble® technology, now offers an innovative progress tracking software solution that uses drones to help site managers map, measure and manage their sites more effectively. Trimble® Stratus, powered by Propeller, is a data analytics and visualisation platform that is designed specifically for
A commercial trash compactor is a type of machine that allows you to reduce waste products so that it can take less space in dumpsters, landfills, and garbage cans. Upgrading your waste management systems is noteworthy if the volume of waste materials need efficient processes. Any type of business looking
Yorkshire based window and door manufacturer Euramax is celebrating its 70-year anniversary. Incorporated in 1950 as a family run business, Euramax now employs 150 people, operates from a 205,000 square foot facility and manufactures over 3,000 products a week. Boasting an impressive number of firsts in its 70 years, the
Contractors must be prepared for the growing popularity of smart control technology in residential and commercial building heating systems, according to Warming The Next Generation, a new downloadable guide from polymer specialists REHAU. With space heating methods continuing to change and develop as efficiency and sustainability becomes an increasing priority,
Whether you’re buying your first home or creating your forever home, looking at custom home builder pictures online is a major part of the process. Whether you scour Pinterest, home-improvement magazines or Google, looking for inspiration is one of the best parts of the design and building process. If you’re wanting to stay on trend and create a kitchen that’s modern, unique and beautiful to be in, here are three of 2020’s biggest kitchen-design ideas. 1. Natural Lighting Our eyes are around so much light every day. From increased computer usage to overhead lighting we have to use, why not build on lighting the sun provides every day? If your kitchen is in a location that the sun hits often, you can add more windows or skylights to bring in the natural light. This idea will brighten up the space and make mornings less harsh as the sun works its way in. You will still need some overhead lighting for when it’s dark out, or you just want to have a different mood in the kitchen, but the additional lighting can be minimal or complementary to your natural-lighting ideas. 2. Butler’s Pantries Having enough space in a kitchen is key to making detailed dinners or hosting fun events. A butler’s pantry addition is a perfect way to give your kitchen extra space while hiding the mess that goes into cooking. It’s an enlarged pantry, more like a separate room, where you can put your dishwasher and have a ton of extra space for cutting, storage and hiding the clean-up that goes into hosting large dinner parties and events. If you’ve ever wanted a secret room like spies have and love to cook, a butler’s pantry can let you live out your hidden dream while crafting up the best recipes possible. 3. Bright Appliances If you love bright colors and vibrant hues but thought they only belonged in your Barbie dream house, think again. Bold colors in your kitchen appliances are one of the trendiest ideas to try. You can have subtle tones in your cabinetry, counter space and lighting but then choose bolder, more colorful pieces for your oven, stove or fridge. These choices can serve as statement pieces without being too overwhelming. You can create a kitchen that’s truly unique and that none of your friends have while also showcasing your personality and favorite colors. Kitchens already promote a sense of togetherness and happiness because who doesn’t love food, but cheerful colors enhance and build upon the positive mood of your kitchen. They say home is where the heart is, and creating an environment that radiates your personality, wishes and views makes your heart even fonder about your home. As current trends shift and update, you can work with custom builders to craft a kitchen that suits your family’s needs and desires. While it’s ultimately your choice in how you style, decorate and lay out your kitchen, looking at what’s trending keeps your ideas fresh and full of life.
Work boots are defined as a pair of durable boots designed to protect the wearer’s feet from falling objects or compression while in the workplace. They are an essential part of an employee who works on a construction site’s PPE (Personal Protection Equipment). At the outset of this article, it is essential to note that different types of work boots are designed for different environments. Therefore, when choosing a new pair of boots, it is necessary to consider your work environment and each pair of boots’ features. Work boots: A brief history Before we consider the different types of boots that are suitable for a construction site, let’s consider a brief history of the work boot. The Popular Mechanics online site notes that “finding the perfect work boots wasn’t always a challenge. The Romans had two choices of sandals: with or without hobnails for traction.” In the early 1800s, workers were provided with a more stable shoe and were offered a choice between buckles and laces. Just after this, shoemakers began to make a left and right shoe for each pair. Finally, steel-toe boots were produced towards the end of WWII. Work boot types: The raison d’etre behind the need for safety boots As the terms “safety boots” and “work boots” infer, the reason for manufacturing and wearing this type of footwear in factories and on construction sites is to protect the wearer’s feet and to prevent injury while on site. There are several different types of work boots, such as steel-capped or steel toe work boots, men’s waterproof work boots, and heavy-duty or lightweight safety boots. One of the most essential choices is between waterproof and non-waterproof footwear. A second fundamental choice that must be made is between lightweight and heavy-duty boots. Both of these choices must be made by considering the work environment as well as their application. The best way to describe how to choose a pair of work boots is to consider the following scenario: Let’s assume that you are a construction worker, and you are working on a building site building a 10-story office block. It is a long-term project, and you work outside in all weather conditions. The question that you are probably considering is: Should I get waterproof work boots? This question is answered as follows: This description of your working conditions dictates that you need a pair of heavy-duty steel toe waterproof work boots like the safety boots stocked by engelbert strauss. In fact, it is essential to have these boots. Any other pair, such as the lightweight waterproof work boots, will not provide enough protection for your feet while walking around the construction site. — To give you an example, imagine you’re in the middle of a local flood, or even at home, and you’re facing such a hectic time. That’ll be the perfect moment to have some top muck boots. Then you’ll be well equipped to overcome that situation safely. But these don’t adapt to every situation as stated before. Caring for your boots Now that you have decided on the right pair of boots to fit your unique requirements, the next point to consider is how to care for your boots. Therefore, the following questions bear relevance: How to waterproof leather work boots? Do you need to spray waterproof boots? Let’s answer these questions by considering each one individually. 1. Waterproofing leather work boots Walking around in wet boots is not ideal. You could end up with a nasty foot infection like Trench Foot. Trench Foot causes blisters, redness and irritation, pain, and numbness, and it can destroy your foot’s skin and tissue to the point where it falls off. Clearly, getting Trench Foot is an untenable situation. The other essential point to note is that even though your boots might be waterproof when you first purchase them, the boots must be maintained and the waterproofing layer renewed; otherwise, it will wear off, and water will seep through the outer layer. Therefore, it is essential to treat your boots regularly with a specially designed wax, paste, or cream such as Dubbin or beeswax. Before you rub this waterproofing treatment on your shoes, it is essential to ensure that your boots are clean. You can buy a cleaning cream that is designed to remove all the dirt and residue from the boots. Once your boots are clean and dry, it is time to apply the waterproofing to each boot. The final step is to take a clean, soft cloth and wipe off the excess wax, cream, or paste. 2. Spraying waterproof boots Boots and shoes can also be waterproofed by spraying a layer of silicone on the outer layer. It is essential to ensure that you don’t spray the boots’ soles with the silicone; otherwise, you might slip and fall when wearing your shoes. Finally, it is essential to note that you don’t need to apply a silicone layer to your boots if you use leather wax, paste, or cream treatment. It is a case of choosing one of these two methods to keep your shoes in good condition, ensuring that they remain waterproof and last a long time.
Your kitchen is the heart of your home. It’s where you cook for your family, where you entertain friends and bake with your kids. When you’ve got a kitchen that you love, you are more likely to eat a healthy diet, experiment with different foods and cook from scratch. It’s certainly worth taking the time to design the kitchen of your dreams, and a high-quality remodel can improve your home, and even increase its value. But a kitchen renovation can be exceptionally stressful. It’s perhaps the room that causes the most disruption to your home life. Trying to live without a functional kitchen is tough. It can cause stress and upset and make life significantly more difficult. If you are thinking about a renovation, or in the middle of one, here are some tips to help you reduce the stress. Create a New Kitchen Instead of trying to live without your kitchen, create a new kitchen in a different part of your home. But, keep things simple. Don’t try to move everything out, and don’t think that you’ll be able to create culinary delights from a corner in your lounge. Move out the essentials, and create a small yet functional kitchen in a different area of your home. Stick to the basics, don’t put any pressure on yourself, and do your best to keep it clean. Remember, you won’t die if you live off sandwiches for a week. Find Contractors You Trust Renovations become more stressful when we’re worried, or when we’re working with someone who we don’t think shares our vision or understands what we are trying to achieve. Take your time to find designers and contractors that you trust, and things will be easier. Eat Out When stress reaches its pinnacle, get out. Don’t try to cook, don’t worry about food, escape it all by booking a table at your favourite restaurant. Don’t Take Too Much On Being comfortable and relaxed at home helps us to manage other areas of our lives. When we can chill out at home with a grav glass, a hot bath, our favourite meal and a good book, we feel as though we can take on the world. When your house is in chaos, it stops being your haven. So, while you’ve got a lot going on at home, try to cut your workload. Schedule your renovation for a quiet time at work, or a time when you’ve got no birthdays or holidays to worry about. Have an Emergency Budget One of the biggest stresses when it comes to any kind of home project is money. Renovations often run over budget. We worry that we’re spending too much, or that we can’t afford to finish the job. So, reduce stress by budgeting more effectively. Make sure you’ve got an emergency budget so that you don’t have to worry if things go wrong, take longer than expected, or if you need to make changes along the way. Perhaps the best way to manage your stress is by remembering what you are working towards. Keep your dream kitchen in mind, and remind yourself when it all gets too much.
The pernicious and invasive native weed commonly called Horsetail has been around since the Palaeozoic era, which lasted from 541 to 252 million years ago. That means it was thriving before dinosaurs, and it used to grow to 98 feet tall. So, I think it is fair to say that there is no quick fix if you want to control it. But it can be done. Deep-rooted, spore-spreading Equisetum arvense is the bane of many a gardener’s life, spreading quickly to form a dense carpet of foliage up to 20 inches high and crowding out many less vigorous plants in beds and borders. However, if it is discovered on a construction site, it can cause a major headache for developers, who then have to prove to the satisfaction of planning, building control and certification bodies that it has been properly dealt with. Sometimes called a living fossil, Horsetail is related to ferns. It is easily recognised by its upright, fir tree-like shoots. The problem is that its creeping rhizomes can reach down to seven feet under the surface and, even if it is laboriously dug out, small remnants can quickly re-establish the invasion. It is not notifiable, but it is classed as problematic and can grow up through tarmac. It is not anything like as scary as Japanese Knotweed but its presence on a building site creates real problems which can be time-consuming and costly to resolve. The most common response is to dig the intruder out and remove it – this is the tack most usually taken by council inspectors – but this course of action can create its own issues. The spoil containing the weed can only go to landfill and, as every builder knows, landfill taxes are increasingly onerous. There are also the costs of transporting it in a safe and compliant manner. These costs can sometimes be enough to make a site commercially unviable. But the reality is that dig-and-remove should be the last, rather than the first, option. There are much more economical and environmentally sensitive ways to reduce the infestation and keep it under control. The key is to have a sustainable Horsetail management plan and to engage closely with the relevant local authority personnel in order to persuade them of its efficiency and to demonstrate that the plan will stand both the test of time and the plant’s determined nature. The next element of the plan may seem counterintuitive, but it involves retaining the Horsetail-contaminated material on site. This has the immediate benefit of stripping out the major costs in dig-and-remove. The obvious question is: what do you do with it on-site? The answer is two-fold. Firstly, the material can be stock-piled and used for landscaping, protected by a suitable geo-textile membrane barrier to prevent spread or obtrusion. Secondly, knowing that the weed will spread where it can, the strategy is to direct it towards grassed areas where it can be mown regularly. Frequent cutting exhausts the spore-bearing first shoots and allows it to be kept in check and even wholly eradicated over a number of years. Infestations can also be weakened with proprietary herbicides, though the waxy cuticles which prevent penetration must be compromised first. This can be done by bruising the plant before application or by use of appropriate adjuvents to enhance the efficacy of the herbicides. In the end it is all about management on site and developing a dialogue with local authority officials to convince them that the plan is viable and sustainable. To achieve this expert advice is indispensable – Horsetail is a cunning and resourceful enemy and it needs to be taken on by professionals who not only know how to beat it but also how to save their clients from the most expensive and unnecessarily complex options. Keith Gallacher is Director of Complete Weed Control Scotland.
Remodeling a kitchen is exciting, but also presents homeowners with an almost overwhelming number of options. One of the most important is the choice of countertop materials. Shoppers need to consider their budgets, decorating themes, kitchen functions, and the overall value of their investment. With these factors in mind, many buyers are drawn to granite. The elegant stone is sturdy, durable, and in demand by house hunters. However, anyone considering granite should speak with their contractor and make sure they understand the most basic facts about the stone. 1) Granite Is a Natural Material There are dozens of counter materials that look like stone, but many are replicas. Some, like quartz, are engineered materials that include resins designed to enhance the stone. Granite is a completely natural stone that is sold in slabs. Clients visit providers’ shops and choose the slabs that will eventually become their counters. The process of forming the stone into finished countertops is called Granite Fabrication and is provided by skilled craftsmen. 2) The Colors Come From Earth’s Elements Granite counters are considered luxury additions to homes, primarily because they are so gorgeous. Surfaces include stunning color patterns that are part of the stone that is quarried from the ground. According to Forbes, granite can have colors ranging from white to black, with many variations in between. The original slabs are actually igneous rock that contains various minerals, including feldspar, mica, and quartz. These elements provide the stunning hues that run through granite. 3) Countertops Are Usually Sealed Most homeowners have their granite countertops sealed to protect them and ensure they last as long as possible. However, granite is one of the hardest counter materials and does not actually need to be sealed unless it is porous. Depending on where it was quarried, the stone may not be porous. It is easy to find out by pouring a little water in a small area. If it is still on the surface in 30 minutes, the stone is not porous. 4) Granite Makes a Tough Countertop Surface Despite its fragile-looking beauty, granite can take a lot of abuse and still remain beautiful. Per SFGate home improvement specialists, granite resists scratches, stains, and bacteria. Owners can place hot pans directly on surfaces without harming them, although most avoid this to prevent weakening the surface. It is also possible to chop food directly on counters, but most people use cutting boards because the stone will dull knives. 5) It Is Easy to Take Care of Countertops Homeowners choose granite counters because they can be cleaned with just soap and water. Most other types of cleaners are too abrasive and could dull the finish. A lot of people have granite resealed every five years or so to ensure it always looks fresh. 6) Damages Can Be Repaired It is very hard to damage granite but heavy impacts may cause it to chip or develop cracks. It is important to have damages professionally repaired immediately to prevent the problem from worsening and causing pieces to break off. 7) Choosing Granite Is a Smart Investment Although the initial cost to install granite counters is higher than some other materials, homeowners usually consider it a wise investment. Granite’s timeless beauty matches any decor, and surfaces look beautiful for decades. Countertops also increase property values and can make it easier to sell homes. Granite is a stone that contains stunning colors caused by minerals in the ground. It is a popular material for kitchen countertops because it is tough, beautiful, and easy to maintain. Granite counters increase home values and last for decades without losing their beauty.
At a time when there’s enhanced awareness of personal and environmental hygiene, whether in the home or in the workplace, it’s reassuring to know that the moulded range of products from Knightsbridge – one of the UK’s leading manufacturer of wiring devices, accessories and lighting – possesses inherent anti-bacterial properties that can help in the fight against disease and infection. The Knightsbridge moulded range is produced using Urea Formaldehyde, a high-grade thermoset material which has properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria. In addition, Knightsbridge’s precision manufacturing methods result in fine, scratch free faces – avoiding dirt traps in which harmful microscopic organisms might lodge. The range’s high gloss, high quality materials’ resistance to scratching helps maintain product appearance over the longer term too. The range makes a positive contribution to reducing instances of the most commonly encountered bacterial forms such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Klebsiella Pneumoniae and E-Coli and Salmonella. From socket and switch socket outlets, plate and dimmer switch modules; through to coaxial media outlets, Euro and modular data faceplates plates; the range is truly comprehensive and easy to install. While there’s no substitute for proper cleaning and vigilance, Urea Formaldehyde’s established anti-bacterial properties help the Knightsbridge moulded range of wiring devices and accessories contribute beneficially to any home or commercial hygiene regime. For further details of Knightsbridge’s innovative wiring accessory and lighting products, please visit www.mlaccessories.co.uk or call 01582 887760.
SITECH UK & Ireland, the leading distributor of Trimble® technology, now offers an innovative progress tracking software solution that uses drones to help site managers map, measure and manage their sites more effectively. Trimble® Stratus, powered by Propeller, is a data analytics and visualisation platform that is designed specifically for earthmoving applications to help contractors track progress and productivity. Harnessing the power of highly accurate surveying and mapping capabilities, contractors are able to avoid costly delays and minimise rework. Unlike other industries that are embracing digitalisation, earthworks and construction have traditionally lagged behind and have been slow to innovate. For example, many construction companies still rely on traditional methods of surveying, such as pegs, to map a project. This often requires skilled surveyors that can make the necessary calculations and interpret the data. However, their time on site is limited, and it isn’t always easy to access this expertise when you need it. SITECH now supplies Trimble® Stratus to help construction companies digitise and overcome common surveying issues. The new package uses Trimble’s ® Connected Site solutions and delivers a new end-to-end solution for contractors. This means that contractors can place and activate their ground control points and then fly their drone to collect site data. Using Trimble® Stratus, you can then upload and view this data and share it between the site, office and across the team. This can help prevent miscommunication and ensure that everyone in the company is updated on site progress. “If manual surveys are inaccurate, construction companies can see a decline in performance and see delays that mean they fall behind schedule and go over budget,” explained Ian Barnes, Head of Business at SITECH UK & Ireland. “By using drone technology, surveyors can access highly accurate data to ensure operations remain on schedule. Companies can also remove employees from difficult to access and dangerous areas, like quarries, improving safety as well as accuracy.” “While other software tries to accommodate a broad category of users, Trimble Stratus is 100 percent focused on earthmoving and construction environments,” explained Jan Wouter Kruyt, Director of European Operations at Propeller. “The cloud-based platform is also really intuitive and can be used without surveying expertise ─ the drone images are processed in Trimble Stratus and then visualised as an interactive, measurable 3D terrain models. It’s easy to create and share measurements on these 3D maps. “The new package delivers several benefits for construction companies, including capabilities to compare designs and minimise rework by generating highly accurate survey data,” continued Kruyt. “Most importantly, having frequent up-to-date survey data on hand means that companies can complete projects ahead of schedule and under budget, something that’s becoming more important as companies try to get back on track following lockdown.” “Trimble® Stratus is ground-breaking for construction companies that want to enhance their surveying,” continued Barnes. “By harnessing the power of drone technology and combining this with a Trimble® platform, contractors now have access to highly accurate progress tracking with a solution designed specifically for earthworks projects like theirs.” Interested in using Trimble® Stratus to help you plan your site? Visit our website and find out more about what we offer https://www.sitechukandireland.com/sitech-drone-services/.
A commercial trash compactor is a type of machine that allows you to reduce waste products so that it can take less space in dumpsters, landfills, and garbage cans. Upgrading your waste management systems is noteworthy if the volume of waste materials need efficient processes. Any type of business looking to streamline its waste management will benefit from shifting to the commercial trash compactor. If your business also needs something manageable and smaller, you can consider the following tips to successfully buy an industrial trash compactor. Be Familiar with the Features Improving productivity is the ultimate solution for many companies. Ensuring that the compaction speed can keep up with the company’s productions is important. With the rates reaching around 300 pounds per hour, equipment like KenBay commercial trash compactors are fast and in no position to hold up the production process. The compaction rate of these machines is also high, so you may save enough space by reducing the volume of waste materials. Whether you save space with piles of cardboard boxes or waste removal, these pieces of equipment will reduce the dumping costs. 2. Know Different Types of Compactors Buying compaction equipment from a provider like Rotobale may be a great step for your business with a lot of wastes. If you generate around 40 cubic yards of waste materials every week, vertical compactors may be a perfect solution you need. However, for businesses that generate more than 100 cubic yards, self-contained or stationary compactors can serve them well. Self-contained compactors are designed to deal with granulated or waste materials, which may leak. Some of these wastes include medical and food processing yards. As for stationary compactors, you can use them in applications like: Warehouse Industrial Retail 3. Learn About the Maintenance Tips With unattended trash compactors, garbage may accumulate and overflow, resulting in unseemly piles of waste. As the litter continues to fester and pile-up, your equipment may become a breeding ground for bacteria that causes diseases. Because of that nature, your compactor may be prone to constant tear and wear, especially when used regularly. To prolong the lifespan of the equipment, you need to learn about the maintenance tips. Inspecting can be a better way of maintaining your equipment, and this should be done after every one or two weeks. With regular inspection, you’ll note the weak points and parts of the machine that require replacement. Consequently, you may also consider changing the oil filter, keeping the power unit clean, checking all connections for faults, and using quality all-weather hydraulic fluid. 4. Understand the Safety Measures Using commercial trash contractors may come with numerous hazards, so it may be important to ensure that your staff operates the pieces of equipment with precaution. All your employees should not handle your equipment without safety training; otherwise, there might be serious accidents with consequences. You can also consider two safety rules, which you can follow when using compactors. Firstly, you need to ensure the compactor’s door is closed before operating your equipment. Lastly, you should never open the door while the compactor is still operating because the risks can be massive. Apart from training your staff and considering safety rules, you should also consider: Keeping animals away for the equipment Understanding the loading limits Using a rod for moving compactors The Bottom Line! Many businesses, including hospitals and manufacturing companies, use commercial trash compactors. Smaller versions referred to as SmartPack Automatic Trash Compactor are quickly replacing ordinary trash equipment in fast service restaurants, airports, and cafeterias. You can also do the same for your business to save on removal costs, avoid diseases, and increase productivity.
Yorkshire based window and door manufacturer Euramax is celebrating its 70-year anniversary. Incorporated in 1950 as a family run business, Euramax now employs 150 people, operates from a 205,000 square foot facility and manufactures over 3,000 products a week. Boasting an impressive number of firsts in its 70 years, the company has also witnessed the paradigm shift from cost-effective windows and doors to luxury, double-glazed materials. Originally founded as Ellbee, the company’s journey began in Leeds, manufacturing aluminium window frames for narrowboats and the automobile industry before partnering with a glazing company to supply pre-glazed aluminium windows. In the 1990s, Ellbee became the first company in the UK to supply unplasticised polyvinyl-chloride (PVCu) windows to the static caravan market. It also became the first to develop an internal clamping system for efficient window installation, which is still widely used in the industry today. As the company expanded, Ellbee moved to its first of three factory sites in Leeds in 1964. In 1996, Euramax International was formed and in 2013 the company moved to its current facility in Barnsley. After the arrival of managing director Nick Cowley in 2019, Euramax broke into the portable building and modular construction markets. At present, Euramax manufactures and supplies PVCu windows, doors and composite doors for a number of sectors, including the holiday home and home improvement markets, as well as builders’ merchants, including Wickes, Selco and Travis Perkins. “Euramax has transformed into a company that adapts to support its customers’ marketplace,” said Nick Cowley, managing director at Euramax. “Following trends and analysing the requirements of our sectors has allowed us to expand our customer base to a number of home improvement customers and builders’ merchants, leisure home and modular home manufacturers across the country. “The caravan market has changed dramatically since the 1960s. StaticCaravans that were not highly regarded and were considered popular for those who couldn’t afford to travel abroad, have now been developed into impressive modern homes. As the style, size and purpose of these products developed, so did the requirements of Euramax’s products,” continued Cowley. “Energy efficiency was not a consideration in the original development of the caravan market. But, gradually the need for warmer accommodation was in demand. We knew that the market needed energy efficient windows, which is why we moved from supplying single glazed aluminium windows, to double glazed PVCu, which has better thermal properties. In fact, our windows are rated A for their energy efficiency by The British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC). “While the industry and its requirements have changed, our ability to consistently supply glazed PVCu windows to what is an ever-changing market has remained the same. Some of our longest serving customers include Willerby Holiday Homes, Atlas Leisure Homes and Carnaby Caravans. “Turning 70 is a great milestone for Euramax. There aren’t many window and door manufacturers that can say they have survived a recession. We’ve gone from barges to building and construction and I’m very proud of that. Who knows what the next 70 years will bring?” “In addition, we developed our unique hybrid PVCu and composite doors in 2019. We wanted to provide our customers with the best of both worlds as we found that composite options can become swollen in the summer,” added Cowley. “I don’t think our success this far would’ve been attainable without the dedicated team we have,” said Richard Banks, commercial director at Euramax. “Some of our employees have been with us nearly 40 years now. “During my time with Euramax, I have seen many changes in personnel, products and processes. However, the one thing that has remained consistent is the dedication of our employees to fuel our passion to listen to our customers and deliver the solutions they require,” said Banks. August 2020 marks 70 years of manufacturing for Euramax. For more information or to browse its products and the sectors it supplies, go to www.euramaxuk.com or call +44 (0) 1226 361639.
Contractors must be prepared for the growing popularity of smart control technology in residential and commercial building heating systems, according to Warming The Next Generation, a new downloadable guide from polymer specialists REHAU. With space heating methods continuing to change and develop as efficiency and sustainability becomes an increasing priority, REHAU’s new guide focuses on smart controls and their role in this shifting landscape. Specifically, it explores the use of underfloor heating (UFH), and its flexibility in commercial and residential properties when combined with such smart technology. The guide explores trends in modern space heating requirements in multiple environments, including co-working spaces and home offices. It goes on to outline the growth of smart controls within the heating and energy markets and offers practical advice for developers and contractors looking to implement smart control and underfloor heating technology into their projects. “We are moving towards a smart future and the role of technology in our everyday lives is increasing exponentially,” says Franz Huelle, Head of Technical at REHAU Building Solutions. “With guides such as Warming The Next Generation, we aim to raise awareness of this ongoing trend, the factors behind it, and what it means for building professionals. Equipped with clear, concise information about the future of UFH and smart controls, contractors and developers can ensure they are best placed to react to this growing demand for greater levels of modular control within residential and commercial buildings.” Referencing the introduction of 5G and the ever-growing smart technology market, the guide goes on to highlight the importance of keeping abreast of the latest smart innovations as the construction sector moves toward a connected future. Using REHAU’s own NEA Smart 2.0 UFH smart control as an example, it explores how internet connectivity, machine learning and geofencing technology can optimise space heating, simplify installation and maintenance, and give any building heating system flexibility and adaptability long into the future. Franz continues: “Alongside government bodies and contractors, suppliers have a major role to play in ensuring the country’s building stock is sustainable and efficient, and this guide is part of our commitment to achieving this. We want to show construction professionals that, regardless of their project’s size or complexity, expert advice and comprehensive, flexible solutions that improve overall sustainability are available.” For more information and to download Warming the Next Generation, visit: www.rehau.uk/smartguide
