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How do you transform a dark and uninspiring interior without losing the rustic and traditional appeal of a home? That was the challenge facing architect Lydia Robinson, as she began a renovation project on two traditional miners cottages in Bristol, Somerset.

The brief wasnt straight forward: make the most of the aesthetic beauty of the interior while adding a brighter contemporary finish. However, the result was a juxtaposition of new and old that resulted in the project being awarded Best Renovation Project in the Daily Telegraph Homebuilding and Renovating awards.

According to Lydia, the part natural light plays in turning a dark and seemingly small interior into a bright and open space cannot be underestimated, so she chose fixed flat roof lights from supplier, Roof Maker.

Period features offset against modern fixtures and fittings ensured a cool, contemporary finish while a real sense of the past is said to be ever-present.

Fixed flat roof lights and bi-fold doors have an immediate benefit, as the period features are enhanced while light from above enhances the original character of the kitchen. The fixed flat roof lights are offset against the wooden beams below on the kitchen ceiling to project the natural light.

Lydia said: Roof Maker roof lights were installed in both kitchen extensions of our miners cottages. We placed them close to the original cottage wall and new extension in order to get light into the deep part of the plan and through to the centre of the cottages.

The roof lights have both achieved and exceeded our ambitions by capturing an edited section of sky which provides delight and light. Looking up though the roof light from the contemporary industrially inspired extension back to the existing cottage provides an interesting juxtaposition between new and old.

You can find out more about this award winning renovation here.

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https://roof-maker.co.uk

The Master Fitter Challenge has been a key feature at every FIT Show so far and once again the competition will challenge the skills of some of Britain’s finest window, door and roof installers. Felt by many to define the FIT Show by highlighting the crucial aspects of installation, this year the event will be held in the biggest ever finals Pavilion with finalists skills being tested on the installation of bi folding doors (provided by ALUK), roof lanterns (from Atlas), residential composite doors (from Apeer) and casement windows (Epwin Window Systems). And to add a further twist Edgetech’s Trufit pre-compressed foam sealing tape is part of this year’s challenge. Appropriately, industry competent persons scheme FENSA is the overall sponsor of the Master Fitter Challenge.

The Master Fitter Challenge is a real test of installer skills but, says Mick Clayton of competition managers GQA, the skills being tested should be well within the capacity of every installer working in the industry today: “What finalists are being asked to do are tasks they will encounter on a daily basis,” explained Mick. “What we look for is just how skilfully, thoughtfully, thoroughly and safely they carry out those tasks because there is a chasm between a good and bad installation as we all know. But there is nothing here that should deter any professional installer from entering.”

Mick’s comments are the final rallying cry as entry for the 2017 Master Fitter Challenge closes at the end of March, with the next FIT Show not taking place for another two years.

The FIT Show’s Paul Godwin emphasised the rewards for what will amount to a just couple of days spent competing at the FIT Show and in the most exciting environment: “We have cash prizes totalling £10,000, £5,000 of which goes to the overall winner. We provide overnight accommodation for all finalists and they are our guests at the FIT Show Gala Dinner at which the winners are announced and presented with their cheques.

“But every winner so far has told us it was the pride that counted, that they had competed at what they do on a daily basis and shown they were the best amongst other great professionals that also made the effort to compete.”

The closing date for entries is March 31st. The process is very simple explained Mick Clayton: “Fill in the entry form on the FIT Show website to start the ball rolling. One of our assessors will call and ask some pre-qualifying questions. The next stage is we come and see you work on site during a normal installation; and after our assessors report their findings the lucky six then get to compete over two days at the FIT Show. Competing is simple; it’s how well you compete that is the difference.”

The Master Fitter Challenge is open to all professional window, door and roof installers subject to minimum professional requirements and competencies. Closing date is 31st March. Enter now at: www.fitshow.co.uk/master-fitter-challenge/application-form.

The Master Fitter Challenge has been a key feature at every FIT Show so far and once again the competition will challenge the skills of some of Britain’s finest window, door and roof installers. Felt by many to define the FIT Show by highlighting the crucial aspects of installation, this year the event will be held in the biggest ever finals Pavilion with finalists skills being tested on the installation of bi folding doors (provided by ALUK), roof lanterns (from Atlas), residential composite doors (from Apeer) and casement windows (Epwin Window Systems). And to add a further twist Edgetech’s Trufit pre-compressed foam sealing tape is part of this year’s challenge. Appropriately, industry competent persons scheme FENSA is the overall sponsor of the Master Fitter Challenge.

The Master Fitter Challenge is a real test of installer skills but, says Mick Clayton of competition managers GQA, the skills being tested should be well within the capacity of every installer working in the industry today: “What finalists are being asked to do are tasks they will encounter on a daily basis,” explained Mick. “What we look for is just how skilfully, thoughtfully, thoroughly and safely they carry out those tasks because there is a chasm between a good and bad installation as we all know. But there is nothing here that should deter any professional installer from entering.”

Mick’s comments are the final rallying cry as entry for the 2017 Master Fitter Challenge closes at the end of March, with the next FIT Show not taking place for another two years.

The FIT Show’s Paul Godwin emphasised the rewards for what will amount to a just couple of days spent competing at the FIT Show and in the most exciting environment: “We have cash prizes totalling £10,000, £5,000 of which goes to the overall winner. We provide overnight accommodation for all finalists and they are our guests at the FIT Show Gala Dinner at which the winners are announced and presented with their cheques.

“But every winner so far has told us it was the pride that counted, that they had competed at what they do on a daily basis and shown they were the best amongst other great professionals that also made the effort to compete.”

The closing date for entries is March 31st. The process is very simple explained Mick Clayton: “Fill in the entry form on the FIT Show website to start the ball rolling. One of our assessors will call and ask some pre-qualifying questions. The next stage is we come and see you work on site during a normal installation; and after our assessors report their findings the lucky six then get to compete over two days at the FIT Show. Competing is simple; it’s how well you compete that is the difference.”

The Master Fitter Challenge is open to all professional window, door and roof installers subject to minimum professional requirements and competencies. Closing date is 31st March. Enter now at: www.fitshow.co.uk/master-fitter-challenge/application-form.

The PatioMaster brand continues to go from strength to strength with one of their key fabricators opening the doors to an impressive new factory. PatioMaster South East, based in New Romney, Kent, recently moved to the purpose built premises after construction was completed at the end of December. After a smooth transition the new offices and factory floor were already up and running in January.

“The move was all about giving us room to increase the scale of our manufacturing process. As the company has continued to flourish, we simply outgrew our last premises and made the move as part of our greater plans for growth and expansion,” Director Simon Spiers explained.

“At 4,500 square ft the custom-built factory is more than twice the size of the previous site. With a much larger and more modern space we have been able to create an improved working environment for all of our staff, helping them to better help our customers. We’re still situated to reach all of our existing customers but are now more equipped to meet their ever-growing requirements.”

To further increase production the company has also made additional investments in new machinery which now enables the factory to manufacture a new 70mm outerframe and increase their offering. In fact, as a result of the total investment the factory team has already been able to boost output and hopes to meet an overall target of 40% increase in productivity. In doing this PatioMaster South East have positioned themselves as a reliable fabricator with the means to keep on fully providing for their customers as they continue to expand their own businesses.

Carmen Velilla, Brand Manager for PatioMaster adds: “PatioMaster South East has been an authorised PatioMaster fabricator for nearly 15 years and the business is a great success solely due to their combination of in-depth knowledge of the industry, careful planning and the determination of a great team working towards producing and promoting a product they believe in.”

Patiomaster South East offers a range of sliding patio doors to the trade in the South East of England.

To find out more about call 01797 366955 or visit www.patiomaster.co.uk

A Carlisle-based Swish customer has completed a large scale renovation project where 15 casement windows and three stable doors were specified in the Swish 24/7 system.

The complete project was supplied and installed by Swish installer, World Group, and took around 12 months to complete and wasn’t without its challenges, as Director Matthew Spooner explains.

“Cumbria may be an area of picturesque villages and attractive lakes, but it offers many challenges in terms of wind exposure due to our geographical location, so getting the right product to meet the environmental needs was crucial. The property wasn’t that old, however certain parts of the building were exposed and it meant a complete refurb was required and all windows and doors required replacing. The homeowners had chosen quite an unusual stone for the property’s exterior, and they were keen to find replacement windows and doors that stood out against this and made a striking impact. Many hours were spent going over samples and colour swatches until we got the balance right, and the results are fantastic! Irish Oak on the exterior and white inside were the colours of choice and along with bright chrome hardware, the property wouldn’t look out of place on Grand Designs!”

The homeowners commented: “We are thrilled with the work that World Group have completed on our home’s renovation. The colour of the windows and doors is lovely and we were also impressed with the way all the staff were considerate, knowledgeable and took pride in their work. We would not hesitate to recommend them for a wide range of property improvements – they offered a great product at a great price!”

Completed in early 2016 the project also included a Juliet balcony to the master bedroom and some external PVC cladding. The products chosen completely fitted the homeowner’s brief to not only look stunning, but also to protect their home from the elements, and would-be intruders. The World Group range of Swish 24/7 products offer unrivalled thermal properties, with energy efficient 70mm five-chambered profiles to significantly reduce energy consumption, and advanced security features, including the sought-after SBD Accreditation.

The Swish 24/7 range is so versatile, it can be used to manufacture virtually any frame for virtually any property. Slim sculptured sightlines are designed for easy manufacture and easy-clean maintenance, and five chamber 70mm front to back construction means it can be used to manufacture internally and externally beaded casements, tilt/turns and French windows as well as inward and outward opening residential doors, French doors and tilt/slide patio doors. Available in a large number of colour choices, it appeals to all styles of property.

Having worked with Epwin Group before on a number of projects, World Group has been offering quality home improvements in in Cumbria, South West Scotland and the North East of England for more than 30 years and also offers dedicated support and services for trade customers.

www.epwin.co.uk

Recent press coverage has cast severe doubts on the security that entry level door locks, usually fitted as standard, can provide. Unsophisticated locking cylinders are seen as easy to snap, risking break-ins and all that they entail. But innovator Whiteline has taken the sensible step to make basic locks history and to ‘up’ the specification for every door it sells. Now every composite and PVCu door they produce, including Stable Doors, Patio Doors and Bi-Folding Doors, are fitted with a BSI Kitemarked cylinders. Each features an Anti-drill, Anti-bump, Anti-pick and Anti-screw door barrel that comes with a 10 year mechanical guarantee, fitted as standard. Problem solved.

A further enhancement to security across their broad range of doors is the introduction of the new ‘Ingenious’ door lock, on PVCu Residential and French Doors as standard. This new lock features 5 duplex hooks, 2 roller cams and a one piece keep for improved security, together with a latch snib to prevent the householder from accidentally locking themselves out.

Best of all, for Whiteline customers the new locks come at no extra charge and are the foundation for an overall initiative that will secure comprehensive PAS024, Secured By Design and Document Q accreditation. Now that’s a better story to tell.

Tel: 01323 723724

www.whiteline.co.uk         www.PlatinumNRG.co.uk

‘Don’t compromise’ will be the message radiating from Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions’ stand (N20) at this year’s FIT Show.

The Atlas team will be on hand to show visitors the clean, minimalistic range of Atlas products and explain why they shouldn’t accept anything less when choosing their glazed roof or rooflight.

Claire Miller, marketing manager at Atlas Glazed Roof Solutions, explains: “The glazed roofing market is growing rapidly and there are lots of systems out there. The Atlas roof system is still however the best on the market, delivering the ultimate appearance of ‘more sky, less roof’. We’ll be showing our visitors that it is the strongest, best looking and most thermally efficient roof available and we’ll be telling them why they should accept no imitations.

“It’s not all business during the show though. We have a great rapport with our customers and this means that we’ll be bringing a light-hearted element to our stand too. Customers often talk about being part of the ‘Atlas family’ so we’re inviting them to come and have a bit of fun with us. I can’t reveal any details yet, but I can say that we will be giving them a rare birds-eye view of us!”

The Atlas stand will feature new innovations such as the Skyroom lean-to, plus industry-leading Atlas glazed lanterns and the ultimate Flat Rooflight.

The Atlas roof is a fully aluminium, slim-line, thermally broken system which delivers contemporary style, unrivalled aesthetics and outstanding thermal performance.Designed to give the homeowner supreme aerial views, the Atlas roof boasts low sightlines to ensure that it is unobtrusive from the outside, whilst maximising the sense of space and light on the inside.

Externally, it is the sleekest, low profile system available, which is 50% slimmer than its nearest competitor, claim the company. The roof can easily be adapted to accommodate varying roof pitches and there are no boss or hoods to intrude on the roof’s slim-line ridge. When double glazed, the roof rafter can achieve a U Value of 0.9 W/m2k.

On the inside, it features an internal ridge, said to be 60% slimmer than its nearest competitor and hips which are 38% slimmer. To maintain equal proportions, all internal bars are 40mm wide, unlike other systems which alter the width at the ridge. Hidden tie and rafter bars add to the roof’s simple, uncluttered design.

For further information, please contact Atlas on marketing@atlasroofsolutions.co.uk or phone 02838 327741.

PVC-U systems supplier, The Veka UK Group, has invested £35,000 in new machinery for the company’s workshop. The Burnley based firm has upgraded to a newer, more efficient Urban three-head welder to replace an older model.

The workshop is an area of the plant dedicated to development work, ensuring that The Veka UK Group can work alongside customers and hardware suppliers to partner on various ‘exciting’ projects, as well as continually testing and improving product ranges. It includes a host of test rigs and facilities to fabricate and assess all variants of Veka and Halo products and there are three full time members of staff working in this department.

The Burnley based company claims to have made capital investment well in excess of £20m in recent years and this latest investment of £35,000 takes the collective value of workshop machinery to around £500k.

MD of The Veka UK Group, Dave Jones, said: “The Veka UK Group is always proud to invest in technology for our plant, as it represents an investment in UK manufacturing and the ongoing partnerships we share with our customers. We’re committed to improving facilities wherever possible, including the workshop, and the new welder will make this department run even more efficiently; further improving the high levels of service we offer.”

www.vekauk.com

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