Vinyl vs. Fiberglass Windows: The Comparison Windows are one of the most important parts of any home that we have. These windows are the ways by which you can actually see what is going on outside your home and they also provide a means for light to enter the house
When it comes down to making a garden building more environmentally friendly, there are a couple of key things that need to be considered in order to make this a successful process. Throughout the construction phase, it is important to keep in mind the initial purpose of the building. If
Black metal ceilings are a key feature of HSBC UK’s new headquarters. Armstrong Ceiling Solutions were specified for key features in a next-generation UK headquarters building because they are the architect’s trusted brand capable of supplying a complete system. Armstrong’s B-L302 jet black custom-mesh metal planks were complemented by the
A new state-of-the-art £4million recycling ‘super site’ in Bristol is on track to be finished by the beginning of April. ETM’s new Turmec Materials Recovering Facility (MRF) is set to be the most efficient and effective plant in the South West processing construction and commercial waste and will be a
A challenge faced by a lot of business owners is being able to effectively manage waste — whilst saving costs by doing so. We’ve teamed up with Reconomy, the UK’s leading outsourced waste management provider of 8 yard skip hire services, to find out how your business can save on
The former warehouse facilities of Ridgeons building merchants on Cromwell Road, Cambridge will shortly be demolished, making way for a large new housing neighbourhood, as Cambridge City Council looks to increase council homes in the region. Local construction firm Mick George Ltd will imminently complete the demolition works on behalf
Bi-fold doors are massively increasing in popularity. Their aesthetically pleasing design has seen them become a must have feature modern homes, and, as the days get longer and lighter, homeowners will no doubt begin to look to their next home improvement in the form of the installation of bi-fold doors.
Working on projects in a greenhouse is extremely enjoyable and can be a very rewarding past time. With so many different things to do and tasks to complete, you can set yourself some challenging yet achievable goals and teach yourself something new every day. From growing your favourite veg, to
Entries are now open for the 43rd BALI National Landscape Awards supported by Headline Sponsor Green-tech. The largest landscape industry awards in Europe returns on Friday 6 December at the JW Marriott, Grosvenor House, Park Lane London and BALI Registered members can now download the 2019 Entry Guidelines at baliawards.co.uk
PJ Plumbing Heating & Maintenance Ltd benefited from a total floor solution from Gaia, including insulation and screed works, to a new sports facility in Norwich. The sports hall, built at the Hewett Academy, is expected to be used by Jane Austen College, the Hewett Academy, Charles Darwin Primary, and
Vinyl vs. Fiberglass Windows: The Comparison Windows are one of the most important parts of any home that we have. These windows are the ways by which you can actually see what is going on outside your home and they also provide a means for light to enter the house as well. So, there is no doubt that choosing the perfect type of windows is really important. You need to weight your choices in order to come to a decision. Both fiberglass and vinyl windows are very popular choices amongst the builders and homeowners. Here we are going to build a comparison between these two materials. Appearance When it comes to window frames, vinyl and fiberglass might seem a bit similar. However, the vinyl windows come along with a proper join line which is situated in the corners. But then fiberglass has more of a wooden window look and appeal. The vinyl windows are mostly plain looking. When it comes to fiberglass, the color and style options are plenty as well. Installation The material vinyl is a pretty flexible one which can easily contract and expand as well. So, due to the flexibility, they are much easier to install and can be done quickly. Fiberglass tends to be a bit rigid and hence the installation is a bit difficult and it takes more time as well. You can choose Legacy Windows Service in New Jersey for the installation of windows in your home. Costs When it comes to the cost comparison, vinyl tends to be a little cheaper than the fiberglass material. So, most builders and homeowners who are in a tight budget can choose the vinyl windows for installation purposes. Durability And Strength Fiberglass is about 8 times stronger than the material vinyl. So, there is no doubt that it will be able to last a bit longer than vinyl. While vinyl windows can last until 30 years, fiberglass windows go up to 50 years and even more if necessary. The makeup of fiberglass windows is the reason for the strength. The fiberglass windows have glass fibers and that is what provides the strength to the material. Energy efficiency We have already established the fact that fiberglass has glass fibers in it which means that the material will not be able to expand or contract. So, it doesn’t conduct cold and heat. So, it is a better form of insulation than vinyl. Vinyl Windows Pros and Cons Pros Cheaper material No need to paint Doesn’t fade in sunlight Installation is easier Easily available Increase the value of the home Cons It will warp in the hot temperature Temperature fluctuations may cause expansion and contraction Poor air sealing Less insulation Fiberglass Windows Pros And Cons Pros The frames are thinner and have more glass fibers The insulation is a lot better for noise and energy control Doesn’t warp, expand, or contract Appearance is a lot better Increases the value of the home Cons It is an expensive material The installation process is difficult and takes more time Needs frequent painting Can fade in the sunlight So, that is all that you need to know about fiberglass and vinyl windows. Make your choice wisely!
When it comes down to making a garden building more environmentally friendly, there are a couple of key things that need to be considered in order to make this a successful process. Throughout the construction phase, it is important to keep in mind the initial purpose of the building. If your garden building is going to be utilised for the sole purpose of additional storage, less work and environmental factors need to be considered, whereas if you plan on using your garden building as additional living space, there could be further implications. Premier retailer of quality garden and leisure buildings GBC group have rounded up their top tips for making a garden building more eco-friendly. Design When it comes to design, there’s a key link between space and environmental factors. As with anything, smaller spaces are much easier to heat than larger ones, which makes them not only cost effective but friendlier to the environment. Be mindful of the size of the space you are choosing, if you don’t require a vast amount of space, select something moderate that will be kinder to the atmosphere. Placement of windows The placement of windows can have a significant effect on the eco-friendliness of your garden building. By working out the direction of natural breezes and the positioning of the sun throughout the day, you are able to optimise the amount of sun that will stream through the windows. This in turn should produce a heating effect and should reduce the amount of artificial heating required. Insulation Ensuring you insulate the building both appropriately and correctly is a hugely beneficial step in order to increase how environmentally friendly the building actually is. Using good quality insulation should create a consistent heating effect, by keeping the area cool in the warmer months and trapping heat in during the colder months. This in turn should reduce the need to run any electrical or gas heating and cooling units regularly. Using eco-materials Where possible, be mindful of the materials being used to construct the building. To help save money and minimise environmental impacts, try and source recycled plastic, glass and timber. This process should be much less damaging to the environment than purchasing the materials brand new. Solar Panels Although expensive and dependent on what type of outdoor building it you are considering, investing in solar panels is a potential option. As well as the huge environmental benefits, installing solar panels is a fantastic long-term financial investment within itself. There are a great range of solar panels available, and in most instances the more powerful of the systems simply wouldn’t be required. In general, garden buildings require very little electrical power, therefore the output wouldn’t need to be huge, so a simple set of cost-effective panels should work sufficiently.
Black metal ceilings are a key feature of HSBC UK’s new headquarters. Armstrong Ceiling Solutions were specified for key features in a next-generation UK headquarters building because they are the architect’s trusted brand capable of supplying a complete system. Armstrong’s B-L302 jet black custom-mesh metal planks were complemented by the manufacturer’s Bandraster grid and Axiom blind box on levels 1 and 2 of the “university” reception, marketplace (canteen) and break-out areas for HSBC UK’s new headquarters at 1 Centenary Square at Arena Central in central Birmingham. They were selected by regular Armstrong users TP Bennett architects who, while referring to the client’s design guidelines, wanted at the same time to innovate to create a new kind of headquarters for HSBC UK to focus on retail banking and training for 2,500 people. Located on nine acres of a key regeneration area for the city and the former home of Carlton TV, the 11-storey, 210,000ft2 building with three basement levels is constructed of steel frame with rainscreen cladding and houses offices, the HSBC university, a staff gym, restaurant and café, and an executive suite with catering. Extensive landscaping and external public realm works help to create a new “urban meadow” and public square at what is now known as Bank Court for developers ACDL – a joint venture between Miller Developments and Pro Vinci Asset Management. The Armstrong systems form the main feature ceiling in the university reception area and the key break-out and collaboration areas and comprise 283m2 of 1210mm x 687mm metal planks with 71% open mesh area along with 193 metres of 100mm Bandraster unslotted exposed suspension grid and 272 metres of 100mm Axiom Blind Box transitions, both also in jet black (RAL 9005). TP Bennett associate director and interior designer Francesco Tidona said: “We specified the Armstrong systems because they are a trustworthy company who are able to provide a full system which is convenient as it includes the mesh tiles and the supporting structure as well the proprietary Blind Boxes which we integrated with linear luminaires.” They were installed for main contractor GallifordTry over two months by a team of 10 from specialist sub-contractor Taylor Hart, a member of Armstrong’s national network of approved Omega installers. Managing director Phil Lewis said: “The Armstrong products were excellent, incorporating a Blind Box to allow M&E to install lights into the system in place of the Bandraster grid in various areas. The system was easily built and the colour march was of a high quality for each of the components.” More information is accessible via the Armstrong Ceilings website https://www.armstrongceilings.com/commercial/en-gb/.
A new state-of-the-art £4million recycling ‘super site’ in Bristol is on track to be finished by the beginning of April. ETM’s new Turmec Materials Recovering Facility (MRF) is set to be the most efficient and effective plant in the South West processing construction and commercial waste and will be a zero waste to landfill plant. And after just two months, it’s almost up and running. After clearing the site for the installation, phase one of the build started in early January and included the waste screen, the largest part of the MRF, being lifted into place and the plant’s largest conveyor installed. The plant will have 26 conveyors to efficiently move the waste around the site. Phase two started in the middle of February when walkways and bays started taking shape. The entire MRF can be accessed safely via walkways, separating operatives from vehicles and the plant at all times. And with phase three almost complete, it makes for an impressive site. “We are very excited to see it up and running,” said Amy McCormack, Director of ETM Recycling. “People have constantly been asking us when it’s going to open, and it has already opened more doors in terms of clients who want to come on board.” Having spotted a gap in the market for such a facility, Amy researched and visited several plants and engineers over a two-year period and has worked closely with Turmec to ensure the plant was designed and built to meet its exact waste inputs, so it is completely bespoke to ETM’s needs. The build has not been without its challenges, not least because ETM had to completely redevelop their existing site, which meant demolishing offices and building new surrounding walls and concrete floors. Amy said: “We believe our position in South Bristol is key and allows us to respond quickly to our clients’ needs and covers a large area, so we didn’t want to move to a new site. “This meant that we had to continue to operate and process waste whilst building the new plant on a very tight site, which was hugely challenging. “It has been a big learning curve for all of us, but now it’s almost there we can’t wait to see it in all its glory.” For more information, visit https://recyclingbristol.com/ or telephone 0117 953 3654.
A challenge faced by a lot of business owners is being able to effectively manage waste — whilst saving costs by doing so. We’ve teamed up with Reconomy, the UK’s leading outsourced waste management provider of 8 yard skip hire services, to find out how your business can save on expenses: The amount of waste businesses dispose of can cost up to 4-5% of their overall turnover, according to the CIPS — this can rise to 10% in more detrimental circumstances. If businesses are not putting one foot forward to reduce their waste disposal spend — it will soon become a more prioritised concern. With rising landfill taxes, as well as recycling and sustainability becoming a main concern within ethical business principles, creating a reliable waste management solution is more important than ever for any forward-thinking business that is looking to make a change. The duty of care Under British law, businesses in the UK have a duty of care and a responsibility to dispose of their waste using the most appropriate methods. The requirements that you should meet are broadly as follows: Adopt the Waste Hierarchy principles in order to keep waste to a minimum by preventing, reusing, recycling, and recovering waste where possible. Store or sort waste securely in a safe environment. Complete a waste transfer note for each load of waste that leaves the premises. Check to establish whether your waste carrier is registered. This can be done by visiting the official Environment Agency Do not let your waste carrier dispose of waste illegally. As a producer of waste, the legal responsibility for safe and correct disposal falls on you, and not the waste carrier. You have a responsibility to ensure safe disposal through an auditable document trail. Storing waste in a secure location Businesses should follow our simple steps to ensure that their waste is secured safely: Use suitable and EU-approved containers to prevent leakage. Label containers in a way which clearly stipulates what type of waste they contain. Use waterproof covers — where appropriate — so that no contaminated run-offs are created. Use lockable containers to safeguard your waste. Removing the waste In order to have non-hazardous waste removed from your business site, a waste transfer note must be completed — an alternative can be a document that contains the same information, such as an invoice. It’s important to register with the correct services to complete a waste transfer note — if you plan to have waste removed multiple times, you can create a series ticket. Regarding the waste transfer note, your business and the organisation that collects your waste should: Fill in the sections of the note that applies to them. Sign it. Keep a copy for two years. Be able to present it to an enforcement officer from the local council or the Environment Agency, if requested. Lowering the cost of waste disposal After initially seeing the costs of waste disposal, businesses soon look to the best methods of reducing future costs. However, this can be a leap in the dark if business owners are uncertain of how to do this effectively. The way forward for a business is waste segregation — but to ensure it works, it must be monitored closely to allow you to create a report to see the volume and cost of waste from your business. From this you can set your strategy, highlighting your own targets and goals to ensure the best results possible when it comes to disposal. Technically, environmentally and economically practicable (TEEP) is something that businesses should know about. This determines whether a business should segregate and store various types of produced waste within the business premises prior to its collection by a waste management contractor you have teamed up with. Although Britain is set to leave the European Union, legislation that was put forward in 2015 states that commercial and municipal waste generators are obliged to manage the disposal correctly. They can use a third party to achieve this, but businesses will continue to remain responsible. The reason businesses may need to split their waste into different areas is to do with the environment — will this have created a benefit or reduce a negative that already exists? The overall waste disposal Automated systems have been introduced to help businesses across the country reduce their spend — whilst also giving them a greater insight of their entire waste plan. Through waste management portals, each business can have tailored permissions that help provide them with an overview of waste statistics and management information. If you would like to evaluate the amount of waste your business produced internally, start by visually assessing how much is disposed on a regular basis (it might be a good idea to begin when your bins are empty, then see how much space you use). It will allow businesses to have a greater insight if they reduce the amount of waste collections — giving them more of a challenge to save on waste and save the business money overall. They will have to deal with the limited bin space they have for waste ensuring that every decision is important. Carrying out these evaluations are vital for businesses to save money, especially with the landfill tax on the rise. The landfill tax price is set to rise further to £88.95 from the 1st of April 2018. With the cost of landfill waste rising year or year, it’s clear that businesses need to ensure that their waste solution system is driven towards recyclable methods to keep the costs of landfill waste to a minimum. Sources https://www.gov.uk/managing-your-waste-an-overview/your-responsibilities https://www.gov.uk/managing-your-waste-an-overview/sorting-storing-waste https://www.gov.uk/managing-your-waste-an-overview/waste-transfer-notes https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/advantages-and-disadvantages-recycling-business-waste https://www.cawleys.co.uk/teep-waste-legislation/ https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69403/pb13530-waste-hierarchy-guidance.pdf https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/environment/waste-tips https://www.cips.org/Documents/About%20CIPS/Develop%20Waste%20v3%20-%2020.11.07.pdf http://www.letsrecycle.com/prices/efw-landfill-rdf-2/ http://www.letsrecycle.com/news/latest-news/waste-sector-creates-6-8bn-uk-defra-claims/ https://www.reconomy.com/portal#benefits
The former warehouse facilities of Ridgeons building merchants on Cromwell Road, Cambridge will shortly be demolished, making way for a large new housing neighbourhood, as Cambridge City Council looks to increase council homes in the region. Local construction firm Mick George Ltd will imminently complete the demolition works on behalf of Hill Partnerships Ltd. It is understood that Mick George Ltd have made considered efforts within the scope of the works to recycle much of the demolition materials for re-use, minimising traffic congestion within the area. More than 200 new homes are set to be built, with as many as 90 allocated for Council accommodation. A mixture of apartment blocks and houses will be created, alongside a park running through the centre of the site, car parking, a community building and access to the Chisholm Trail cycle route also. The new homes will be developed by Cambridge Investment Partnership, which is an equal, 50:50 Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) between Cambridge City Council and Hill Investment Partnerships, set up to optimise the use of the council’s property through investment in residential, commercial, and other uses to achieve social and financial returns. The 3.3-hectare former Ridgeon’s site will enable the council to take a big step towards delivering its programme to build 500 new council homes in five years, using the £70m funding secured in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough devolution deal, in addition to its own resources. The development will include at least 40% of the new homes as social rented council homes, owned and managed by the council, and let to tenants on the housing needs register at rents no higher than the Local Housing Allowance. Michael George, Managing Director of Mick George Ltd commented: ‘’This is yet another major housing development in Cambridgeshire that we’re pleased to be working in conjunction with Hills Partnership Ltd. We’re pleased that contractors and developers are taking advantage of the multitude of services that our business offers, and subsequently reaping the rewards.’’
Bi-fold doors are massively increasing in popularity. Their aesthetically pleasing design has seen them become a must have feature modern homes, and, as the days get longer and lighter, homeowners will no doubt begin to look to their next home improvement in the form of the installation of bi-fold doors. Studies have shown that the integration of bi-fold doors in a house, is perhaps more important to new buyers than a new kitchen or conservatory! What are bi-fold doors? Bi-folds are a type of door, usually made from aluminium or PVCu panels that are hinged together. Bi-folds usually consist of between two to eight panels, making them versatile and ideal for use wherever a transformation is required. Why are bi-fold doors so desirable and what will they bring to a buildings design? Stylish design – Bi-fold doors are no doubt aesthetically pleasing and their low-profile design, that ensures maximum glazing is achieved certainly contributes to this. The sleek doors are space saving and come in various materials, colours and finishes, to complement the design of most properties. Seamless progression from the inside to the outside – Bi-fold doors allow continual progression from the inside space and the outdoors. On warmer days, fully opening the doors will welcome in the summers breeze and allow the occupants to enjoy the sun. Boost natural daylight – Bi-fold doors, normally installed in kitchens or living spaces, are a fantastic way to flood a room with light. Maximising natural day light is great way to give homeowners their daily Vitamin D fix, benefiting their health. This will contribute to lifting their mood and increasing energy levels. Create a more welcoming and sociable environment – Blending home and garden instantly creates a sociable and welcoming space, giving the feeling of an extra reception room. It’s ideal to have a patio or decking immediately outside the doors, to allow the homeowner and their guests a place to relax and unwind of an evening or host a BBQ on a warm summer’s day. Increase the property’s value – Beneficial both as a developer and a homeowner looking to sell up and move, the installation of designs, like aluminium bi-fold doors from Quickslide are known to increase a property’s value by 5 to 10%. What to look out for when recommending or choosing bi-fold doors? Trusted manufacturer – It goes without saying, but when sourcing bi-fold doors, look for a reputable manufacturer that design around quality and endurance as well as aesthetics. This is really important, as if the doors are of poor quality you put the property at risk of draughts and rain water entering, quicker wear and tear as well as the possibility of the doors being less secure, if poor quality components are used. Energy efficiency – Look to the U-value; the lower the better. Bi-folding doors can offer excellent thermal efficiency, helping homeowners to reduce their energy bills. Weather permeability – Many designs exceed industry set weather standards, offering occupants the peace of mind that the doors will stand up to even stormy weather, and will not be subject to leaks. Security – The government’s building regulations require bi-folding doors to conform to PAS 24 standards in new builds and extensions. Look out for this when selecting bi-fold doors. It’s also recommended that even if replacing existing doors, you choose a bi-fold that has passed the PAS 24 testing. Also, take note at the locking system used, and whether there are options to upgrade to ensure maximum security.
Working on projects in a greenhouse is extremely enjoyable and can be a very rewarding past time. With so many different things to do and tasks to complete, you can set yourself some challenging yet achievable goals and teach yourself something new every day. From growing your favourite veg, to experimenting with seasonal plants, you can get lost in your own world of gardening and put your energy into something fantastic. For greenhouse beginners, it may seem like a minefield, with lots to know and even more to remember, but that’s not necessarily the case. If you start as you mean to go on and prepare properly, you’ll have everything you need to succeed with your greenhouse projects! 1. Light Sources First things first, before you get stuck into planting seeds, you need to ensure you have the right lighting. Lighting is an essential feature within the greenhouse, as you need both artificial and natural light to help your plants grow to their full potential. During the spring/summer time, you want as much natural light as possible flowing through into the greenhouse, however autumn/winter often requires a little more artificial light if you want to continue your projects into the colder seasons. There are lots of greenhouse lighting products available on the market, so it’s best to do a little research to find the best type for your greenhouse. 2. Greenhouse Heating Another essential feature within the greenhouse is heating. There are so many benefits to having heating in your greenhouse, especially during the winter months, but it’s important to know which is best for you. Professional gardeners would often recommend using electric heaters, as you find that they’re the most efficient and easiest to use. Depending on the size of your greenhouse, you need to ensure that you have the right amount of heating flowing through, to ensure you’re getting the most from this feature. Image Source: Two Wests & Elliot 3. Seeds to Start With After a few months of having your greenhouse, you’ll realise just how beneficial it is when it comes to growing certain produce and plants. Greenhouses come with many benefits, especially when the colder weather sets in, so it’s worth taking advantage of this and using your greenhouse to its full potential. For a beginner, the best seeds to be planting in your greenhouse are potatoes, broad beans, runner beans and peas. These will also be the most rewarding, as there’s nothing quite like growing your own produce and then going on to use it in your cooking. It’s important to remember, before you begin to plant your seeds, that you need to have the right equipment in order to do so. Stock up on containers, fertiliser, soil and the necessary gardening tools to ensure you have everything you need for the projects ahead! 4. Watering Schedule One thing that many greenhouse beginners often forget is when to be watering the seeds. Whilst it goes without saying that you need to water your plants frequently, it’s actually extremely beneficial to create a watering schedule. Having something to work with as a constant reminder will really help you to get into the routine of watering your plants on time and at the right times, as different plants can require different watering times and amounts. Image Source: Better Homes & Gardens
Entries are now open for the 43rd BALI National Landscape Awards supported by Headline Sponsor Green-tech. The largest landscape industry awards in Europe returns on Friday 6 December at the JW Marriott, Grosvenor House, Park Lane London and BALI Registered members can now download the 2019 Entry Guidelines at baliawards.co.uk and enter their scheme(s). BALI Registered members can take advantage of this year’s Early Bird discounted rates, with the first deadline for Registered Contractor, Registered Designer and Group members set for 24 April 2019. The Early Bird deadline for International, Affiliate Exceptional Service and Employer Excellence categories is 5 June 2019. For 2019, one new category has been introduced, International Award – UK-Based Registered Member, which is for BALI Registered members who are registered in the UK but have delivered a landscaping scheme overseas. Along with a number of band changes in other pre-existing categories, the exciting introduction and revisions were based on feedback from members and the BALI Awards adjudication panel. The 2019 BALI National Landscape Awards is expected to be as big and as grand as previous years with over 1,000 members, guests and VIPs attending the 2017 and 2018 ceremonies. Adjudicators, led by the Chair of the Adjudication Panel John Melmoe, will be visiting eligible schemes between June and August and the 2019 BALI National Landscape Award winners will be announced in September. Final adjudication to determine this year’s Principal, Special and Grand Awards will take place at BALI Landscape House at the end of August. Commenting on this year’s Awards, former Managing Director of six-time Grand Award winner Willerby Landscapes, John Melmoe, said; “The BALI Awards ceremony in 2018 was a runaway success and now the team at BALI Landscape House are turning their focus to 2019. It is credit to the members of BALI who have made the Awards into the most prestigious event in the industry calendar. A key way to showcase your company’s capabilities is to submit an entry into this year’s Awards. The entrants should be fully focused on submitting flawless projects, highlighting the significant contribution of your staff and the underlying desire for your company to excel. It would give me and my fellow adjudicators great pleasure to see you at this year’s Awards in December. Good luck with your entries.” BALI Chief Executive Wayne Grills is also looking forward to seeing if the high bar already set on quality can be raised even higher in 2019; “Ever since the Awards were first launched over 40 years ago the standard of entry has improved tenfold. This is testament to the quality of work delivered by our BALI Registered members, and, the overall quality of judging which helps BALI identify which individual or company is deserving of a prestigious BALI National Landscape Award.” BALI would like to thank those sponsors who have already committed to this year’s Awards: Green-tech Bourne Amenity British Sugar TOPSOIL CED Stone Group Crowders Nurseries Derbyshire Aggregates Easigrass Europlants UK Fresh Horticultural Careers Green-tree Topsoil Ground Control ICL Group idverde Johnsons of Whixley Landscape Institute MCM (SE) Provender Nurseries Ransomes Jacobsen Reesink Turfcare Van Den Berk Nurseries To view and/or download this year’s Entry Guidelines, check all Early Bird deadlines and enter a scheme visit baliawards.co.uk.
PJ Plumbing Heating & Maintenance Ltd benefited from a total floor solution from Gaia, including insulation and screed works, to a new sports facility in Norwich. The sports hall, built at the Hewett Academy, is expected to be used by Jane Austen College, the Hewett Academy, Charles Darwin Primary, and the new Wherry School, an independent specialist free school. “This is a great new facility for both our students and those from Hewett Academy, and a great example of how our schools work together across the Inspiration Trust,” said the head of Jane Austen College David Thomas. The company supplied tamper-proof room thermostats, a popular product in schools and public areas to the new facility. Named after Eileen Ash, a pioneering female test cricketer who lives in Norwich and is now 107 years old, the facility was officially opened in Autumn last year. Since then, the sports hall has been kitted out with new equipment, supporting a range of sports offered at the schools including netball, cricket, trampolining and basketball. “The Hewett Academy already has some of the best sports facilities in the city and we regularly welcome pupils from nearby schools for swimming, hockey and football. This brilliant new centre is a great way to continue that tradition,” commented Academy Principle Rebecca Handley Kirk of Hewett Academy. The system installed was Gaia Wet Underfloor Heating into screed, and placed in the changing facilities and lobby areas. “We worked closely with a trusted screeding contractor to deliver the total package including screed laid to falls in the shower areas. The project was a joy to work on, and there was great communication from PJ Plumbing and the main contractor from start to finish,” concluded Senior Account Manager William Theobald, who oversaw the project for Gaia.
