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What to Look for in a Reputable Construction Company

The UK’s construction industry is vast and multi-skilled. It covers an enormous range of projects, from large-scale developments and property builds to refurbishment projects for heritage homes, commercial renovation tasks and bespoke work such as carpentry, joinery, decorating and flooring.

Embarking on a building project can be an exciting challenge and an opportunity to adapt your living space, improve your home or enhance your property to transform it into your dream residence – but the skill, quality and reliability of your construction company are paramount.

Pinnacle Works regularly hears from clients dissatisfied with the standards on their construction site or realise that the money they invested into their home has not produced the expected results. We are often approached to correct sub-par workmanship.

Before you begin your construction project, here are a few important factors to consider when hiring a building firm or short-listing quotes.

Choosing Suitably Experienced Construction Companies

Expertise is one of the obvious priorities when selecting a contractor for construction projects. Still, you should consider the type of work you require because you may need a specific skill set.Examples include renovation work in sensitive environments, such as a refurbishment in a listed building, redecorating properties with traditional techniques, or building a new home with precise planning permission conditions and requirements.Likewise, you might need an expert builder to work in collaboration with your architects to fill a detailed design brief, so a general construction firm may not be the ideal solution.Here are some of the things we’d recommend you look for:

A construction company based in your local area – this allows you to look at past projects, review their portfolio, and assess whether they have successfully completed similar development work.

Access to reviews or feedback from previous customers to determine whether other clients have been pleased with the outcomes.

A range of skills, specialisms, and professionals within the construction team. Using one firm for the entirety of larger projects is cost-effective and highly efficient, where your builder can manage every task, from electrical to plumbing, brickwork to design.

A reputable company will be proud to share examples of their projects, explain how they operate and direct you to where other builds are located so you can get a first-hand look at the quality they deliver.

Working With a Reliable Construction Team

Watch any episode of a home improvement programme, and you’ll see that poor communication, delays, and lack of reliability are the top problems that mean projects run over budget and beyond the anticipated timescales set at the beginning.

Great building companies base their reputations on exceptional standards and focus on transparency – they’ll tell you if something is not achievable or recommend options to get to the finished outcome you’d like while remaining practical.

If your project involves creating a new building or expanding a development, it will be broken down into phases, starting with groundwork and progressing to foundations and structural engineering before the decorative stage begins.

Picking a construction firm with a strong track record of reliability will ensure the following:

You are always informed when something goes wrong and are given advice and support to make clear decisions about the best way forward.

You know in advance if there is an unavoidable delay. Specialist materials can also take time to source, and an established company may be able to recommend local organisations that can help.

Although it is natural to compare companies based on price, this differential may be less important than reliability because if your contractors regularly no-show, arrive late, or are working on other projects without informing you, the overall costs can spiral.

The Benefit of Solid Project Management

Site management is a fundamental factor that is sometimes undervalued – but outstanding communication, regular updates, and a named contact overseeing your construction can give you peace of mind that everything is under control.

It is also important to have a firm you can build a partnership with and feel comfortable explaining concerns, seeking advice, or discussing ideas.

Full-service construction firms normally have in-house designers with recognised accreditations – their role isn’t solely to construct the property, complete the refurbishment or finish your renovation but to listen to your aspirations and show you how you can achieve them.

Your chosen firm should be proactive about helping to address the potential disruption to local communities when working on a residential estate or larger construction project. For example, they can schedule delivery vehicles to avoid causing blockages to access routes during the morning and afternoon school run.

Conscientious, reliable, and professional builders will happily operate with other contractors if you have several on-site, adhering to all relevant health and safety considerations and ensuring your build is completed efficiently.

Finding the Right Construction Firm for Your Project

Construction can often bring about unexpected challenges, and a building firm with excellent reviews, project experience and a history of delivering fantastic standards will ensure everything goes to plan.It is worth researching local contractors with an established record in the type of interiors, development, or aesthetic you have in mind, as a pre-existing sourcing network, knowledge, and ability to work around likely issues are invaluable.

Pinnacle Works always welcomes customers to arrange a convenient time to talk to us about their project ideas and discuss opportunities to inject innovation into the process, such as adding future-proof materials and smart home technology that can make buildings cheaper to run and more comfortable to live in.

As a family-run company, our dedication to unparalleled customer support, professional standards and industry-leading construction, engineering, decoration techniques, and carpentry provides a comprehensive package of services, allowing you to leave your project in capable hands.

We operate across the south of England from our base in Chichester, covering the Greater London area. We can prepare detailed quotations, organise site visits, or share examples of similar or relevant builds to help you make informed decisions.

Original Source : https://pinnacleworks.co.uk/look-for-reputable-construction-company/

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The 6 Step Essential Checklist for Building Renovations

Renovating a tired, rundown building and breathing life into brickwork that has been unused for many years is a labour of love and often one of the most rewarding building projects you can undertake.

However, building renovations are never fast, or straightforward, and it is all too easy to rush a part of the process or make assumptions about the stability of a structure that can be disastrous – to both the project and your budget.

This checklist from Pinnacle Works runs through some of the advice from our skilled renovation contractors to help you sidestep common mistakes.

1. Commission a Full Survey

One of the typical errors is to start building renovations without knowing precisely what you are working with.

Structural or civil engineers can inspect the integrity of the building from the ground up, determining whether the property has solid foundations or needs preparatory work before you even think about decorating.

Refurbishment is secondary to renovation, so it is vital you address issues such as subsidence, poor condition walls, supporting brickwork or rot in the eaves to create a solid structure.

2. Map Out Your Plans

It is often necessary to hire a professional team of architects for complex property building renovations or those involving period, heritage, or protected properties.

The right solution for each aspect of your project will depend on countless variables, such as:

The intended use of the finished structure.

Planning permission restrictions.

Space available and potential to expand.

The size of the exterior walls, ceiling heights and presence of an attic or cellar.

Groundwork required.

Whether or not the building has live electricity, gas, and water.

An architect will start with the bigger picture, discussing your budget, expected timescales, planned use for the property and aspirations in terms of aesthetics, appearance, and style.

From there, they will break down building renovations into stages, deferring to you to make informed choices about things such as materials, tiling, and wall coverings – ensuring you know what your project will cost, how long it will take, and what it will look like when it is finished.

3. Complete All Necessary Paperwork

While it might be tempting to embark on building renovations as quickly as you can, missing a detail, failing to apply for planning approval, or forgetting about a licence or permission can be detrimental and stall work.

In some cases, you might employ an architect, surveyor or project manager (like Pinnacle Works) to assist with your planning application. Advice from professionals with in-depth knowledge of the planning rules and specific legislation applicable to your site can be invaluable.

You will need your architectural plans to proceed with a full planning application, although the exact procedure can vary between commercial buildings and domestic renovations.

4. Think About Project Management

Project management is more than just about keeping an eye on progress. In building renovations, it means having clear oversight of budgets, phases of work, contractors, and other aspects, such as releasing development finance at key stages of each job.

Many property owners imagine they will manage their own project, but this can take a substantial amount of time and effort, as well as commanding excellent negotiating and people management skills. If you hire a business to project manage, with you as the client, you must have absolute faith in their experience, abilities, and past form. Researching previous projects and asking for client testimonials can be time well spent.

Your project manager will commit to a certain number of hours or days on-site each week or month or might pre-arrange inspections and visits to see how things are moving forward. They are responsible for the logistics, material deliveries, tracking consignments, and ensuring each item or resource purchased aligns with your budget.

Although a third-party manager isn’t mandatory, they can potentially save you money by offsetting their fees in reduced downtime, delays or inefficiencies, which they will spot quickly.

5. Select Capable Contractors

Once you have reached the stage of breaking ground, building new walls or getting started with actual physical work, it remains essential to work closely with every tradesperson, construction firm or specialist company involved.

Most property redevelopment schemes will require several contractors to work alongside each other, including:

Architects

Plumbers

Carpenters

Bricklayers

Plasterers

Groundworkers

Electricians

Earth-moving firms

Glaziers

Roofers

Decorators

Each professional needs space to work safely and efficiently while coordinating each piece of the puzzle to avoid completing one element of your restoration, only to find that you have skipped a step and need to repeat a task.

The capabilities and professionalism of your contractors is a significant factor, so we’d recommend taking plenty of time to review past projects, compare quotations and speak with potential tradespeople before deciding who is the best fit for you.

Hiring Pinnacle Works is an excellent solution, as a full-service building firm that can provide qualified, capable crafts and tradespeople for the vast majority of work inherent in renovating a property, including specialists in renovations.

We are always happy to discuss our abilities and experiences, walk through your plans to raise any queries or make suggestions, or showcase some of our completed work to give you an idea of our exacting high standards.

6. Focus on Quality Over Quantity

Older buildings need time and money to be renovated, and routinely lack insulation, wiring and other basic resources we take for granted in modern structures. It is far better to spend longer on every phase and achieve a remarkable outcome than to focus on aesthetics – which is a little like papering over the cracks.

The fun bits, such as painting, choosing heritage wallpaper, reinstalling period fireplaces, or retrofitting door handles, cabinetry and bathrooms, always come last. It is best to regard redevelopments as a long, delicate process rather than a one-off challenge because so many things need to come together before the structure is likely to be ready to live in.

By thinking through each step, and making careful choices in terms of who you hire, the materials you use, and what you spend, you will have a well-managed, methodical redevelopment that exceeds your expectations.

Original Source -  https://pinnacleworks.co.uk/essential-checklist-for-building-renovations/

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Eight Home Renovation Mistakes to Avoid

Embarking on a home renovation project can be an exciting journey – with endless opportunities to reimagine your living space or reconfigure the layout of your existing structure.

Whether you have bought a run-down building as renovation project, or want to refresh your existing building, the first step is to have detailed plans of what you’d like to achieve, and what the finished result will look like. Property renovation is one of those things where playing it by ear never works. You must have a clearly phased project to ensure you don’t skip steps or forget something that means moving back to carry out retrospective repairs, or incur additional costs.

It’s also wise to consider the interior design, the period features of your home, and how you will use spaces and rooms practically rather than focusing only on the aesthetics – because your property needs to work with you!

We’ve listed our eight top home renovation mistakes to help you form a detailed plan and avoid typical errors that can be extremely costly, before you begin working.

1. Buying Furniture and Furnishings Too Soon

Once you get stuck into renovation work, all those soft furnishings, elegant furniture, and wall coverings you see jump out as perfect for the dream home you’re creating.

However, buying décor too early is often problematic because while the project is ongoing, it’s difficult to take accurate measurements or find clarity about how and where furnishings or appliances need to go.

Think about:

Buying beautiful antique pieces or contemporary furniture – only to find it doesn’t fit in the allotted space or would need to be taken apart to get through the door.

Purchasing curtains, blinds or shutters that look great on paper but don’t match the glazing or the windows.

Picking appliances or electronics without realising that there are no plug sockets close by.

Investing in carpets or rugs that look beautiful but jar with the style or theme once the work is complete.

Our advice is never to guess at measurements or buy anything on a whim unless you are 100% certain it will be right for your home! Even smaller accessories such as light fittings, door handles or taps can be a wasted expense if they don’t fit into the sink you have chosen or are too large or small for your renovated doors.

Provided you have technical drawings or plans with the correct dimensions, you can schedule purchases of bigger ticket items strategically, taking advantage of seasonal sale periods to keep your home renovation budget under control.

2. Forgetting to Check the Natural Light

We talk a lot about natural light in a home renovation context, because the aspect of your home, the size of your windows and the position of each room dictates how the space feels and works. If you’ve ever wall-mounted a TV that is unwatchable at midday, you’ll understand the importance!

Sunlight also changes throughout the day and the seasons, so it’s worth spending time in each area at different times to gauge the light’s quality, strength and softness to help plan your room layout. This process ensures you’ll choose the right colour schemes and décor to maximise natural light without making darker or smaller rooms feel claustrophobic or gloomy.

Larger-scale glazing such as patio doors, picture windows or bi-fold doors can all benefit rooms that don’t have ample sunlight and make a space more comfortable and attractive.

3. Not Checking for Planning Permission Rules

Many aspects of home renovation do not require formal planning permission, but if you need building regulations approval and fail to apply, you could find yourself in hot water.

Adding an extension, sunroom or loft conversion to your home renovation project is a fantastic way to create more space and the saleable value of your property – but the larger the scale of the work, the more likely planning application and permission rules will apply.

In most cases, you can apply retrospectively. Still, if the local planning department rejects your plans, it could be a case of restructuring the extension or even removing the work altogether.

Homeowners with listed properties or those in a conservation area should be particularly cautious and verify whether planning applications apply before undertaking any home renovation work.

4. Taking on Too Much, Too Soon

Renovating an old property is more involved than a simple redecorating project, and those plans we have mentioned are crucial to keeping track of progress and seeing how much you have spent.

It is very common to want to jump into a home renovation project with both feet first, but this is invariably a mistake

Trying to renovate multiple rooms simultaneously causes disruption and makes it impossible to focus fully on any one task or decision.

Monitoring a renovation budget is tricky, and if you spread yourself too thin, it is very easy to lose track and overspend on building materials and other costs.

Quality is crucial, so working on one space at a time gives you more capacity to concentrate on achieving the best possible finish before you move forward.

We would suggest you work first on the rooms you’ll need to live comfortably – think bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms.Once those areas are complete, you can get going with other spaces, such as hallways and living rooms.

5. Picking a Contractor Without Due Diligence

As an established renovation expert, our teams are always happy to provide quotes or pricing estimates and fully expect our clients to compare those rates, ask questions, or request advice and guidance throughout the planning process.

Picking a contractor without researching their skills, knowledge and previous projects can be a serious downfall if the building work fails to meet your expectations or you have to hire countless additional professionals for second fix jobs or to deal with structural issues.

House renovation is a big project, and you should take as much time as you need to explore budgets, construction methods, materials, layouts, techniques and finishes.

We suggest looking at previous work to verify that your contractor has an excellent track record and can back this up with customer testimonials!

6. Renovating Your Home Based on the Lowest Costs

Of course, costs are a necessary consideration, and however small or large your renovation project is, it must be affordable and well-planned. However, some perceived efficiencies will cost significantly more in the long run, and cutting corners is rarely advisable.

In some cases, the most qualified professionals can offer the most competitive pricing since they have existing material sourcing networks, knowledge about the right approaches to achieve your desired result, and efficient working methods to complete each phase faster.

We would suggest that any decisions are based on quality and expertise, not solely on the cheaper price.

7. Removing Structural Walls

You can remove load-bearing walls – but they need to have sufficient structural support verified by an accredited structural engineer to ensure that knocking through a wall doesn’t compromise the integrity of the building.

Removing walls to create open-plan living spaces has become hugely popular over the last two decades. Still, it isn’t a decorative job and requires specific calculations and an appropriate supporting beam or RSJ to bear the weight of the structure above. A structural survey may be required.

Knocking down structural and internal walls yourself can multiply the renovation project budget since the repair work required can be extensive.

8. Designing Spaces Outside of the Property’s Style

Any episode of Grand Designs is likely to mention ‘sympathetic architecture’ and décor ‘in keeping with the property’ – and for a good reason. When you start designing a house renovation, it is important to consider the original home’s age, appearance and functionality.

Disjointed architecture, clashing styles and haphazard shapes can be eclectic and interesting but invariably damage the potential to sell the property.

As an experienced renovation contractor, Pinnacle Works can steer you through the design phase and recommend materials, finishes and styles that will complement the original property aesthetic to create a harmonious, comfortable result. If you would like more advice about your home renovation project, creating a work schedule, or avoiding these common renovation mistakes, please get in touch! You can also browse the Pinnacle Works Blog for more informative guides and view our gallery for ideas and inspiration.

Original Source: https://pinnacleworks.co.uk/eight-home-renovation-mistakes-to-avoid/

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5 Things to Consider Before Hiring a Construction Company

Construction projects are never easy, and you surely don’t want to risk your dream project by handling it with someone unprofessional. No one who did a fantastic job constructing your neighbors’ house needs to be the best for your dream house.

 When commencing any new construction project, whether an individual home project or a commercial complex, it is crucial to hire a respectable company. Look for a professionally licensed company with a deep knowledge of the market.

 As you begin your research, we have laid out many helpful factors when hiring a construction company for your desired project. Read this article thoroughly to ensure you choose the best for yourself!

 Where to Start?

 Remodeling or construction can be brainstorming, but you should never hire anyone in a hurry. Slow down your pace, or else you can end up losing your money, time and even your dream project simultaneously. Before hiring anyone, talk to your known ones who have finished building their houses. You can also speak to different reputed construction companies over call. These things will help you to make an acquainted decision based on your selected factors.

Try to observe several things such as:

 Whether they seemed genuine or not.

Whether they are answering all your queries patiently     or not?

Whether they are forcing you to hire them or not?

Are they providing you with a realistic timeline date     for your project?

Do they agree to handle their list of references for     you?

 Note that a genuine construction company will never force you to hire them, and they will quickly provide you with a list of previous references so that you will have no doubts about their services.  

 1.      Price Of The Project

 It is undoubtedly the most critical factor when hiring a construction company. You must ask the company how much will be the total cost of your project. Talk to them about the quoted price of your project. Make sure to ask them about the complete in-depth pricing structure of the task, i.e. from starting till the end.

 It’s essential to have a complete structure of your plan to have a more realistic idea of the entire cost involved.

 Lastly, a comparatively low quotation price might seem convenient to you, but the services involved have a considerable chance of disappointing your future needs.

Ask them whether they will provide the full service of their own or will outsource a few. You can compare a few companies and choose the best for your project based on this answer.

 2. Experience of the Organization

 The next important thing to check is seeing their previous experience to evaluate if the company will meet your expectations for the project or not. It will be best if the company has an excellent organizational reputation in the construction and distributional and financial aspects.

Many organizations construct the same type of buildings, but you must always seek the one who specializes in working on a project like yours. So, evaluate the selected companies thoroughly and go for the one that already has experience working with a project like yours.

 3. Communication

 Never neglect the importance of good communication between clients and subcontractors. For a smooth and seamless project, hiring someone willing and available to assist you throughout your project is essential.  

 Word of mouth is still considered the best option to know the organizational reputation of the company. Ask them for their previous clients or sub-contractors who have worked with them before. If they readily agree to handle the list, they are genuine builders. You can now contact their previous clients and gather whatever doubts and queries you have.

 4. Realistic timeline

 When it comes to building, a whole lot of planning is required. As much as you want your project to be completed within the mentioned timeline, a genuine construction company will enjoy the same for you. A reliable and authentic company will consider the weather when planning your project. They have to check the availability of the resources, labour, the complexity of the building, and so much more. 

 So, it is essential to discuss the realistic timeline and ensure everyone agrees on when and how the building will be constructed.

 5. Project management

 Another significant factor of a genuine construction company will be construction supervision. This factor is significant for ensuring they work on your project as effectively as possible. Ask them the following question to ensure proper safety in your project:

How will they manage the project when they hire     subcontractors for different jobs?

How many people will be on-site in the absence of the     project manager?

How many people will be on-site with the architects,     engineers, etc.?

 We hope you find this article helpful!

 Hiring a professional construction company is the initial step to ensure that your project will be constructed as per your wishes and commands. You will be assured it will be built with the limitations and benefits of your town in mind.

 As you begin searching for an experienced Construction Company in your area, let’s say you search for builders in Chichester, these factors mentioned above will assist you through the process. They will guide you in selecting the right construction company for your dream projects.

 Original Source: https://etharcarter147.blogspot.com/2022/09/5-things-to-consider-before-hiring.html

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Renewable Home Heating with a Bioethanol Fireplace

While we may be amid a scorching hot summer, it won’t be long before the autumn chills start setting in.

Energy prices have soared as high as the mercury, and now is an excellent time to start planning for efficient home improvements to make the winter months more comfortable (and affordable).

Bioethanol fireplaces are becoming increasingly popular, as a low-cost, eco-friendly and stylish alternative to conventionally fuelled heating systems, without an artificial flame.

Bioethanol Fireplaces Explained

If you’ve not heard of bioethanol before, this fuel source works just like logs or gas, creating real heat powered by an ethanol-based liquid. The fuel is entirely natural and is made from sugar cane and maize plants as a greener option to heat your home without relying on fossil fuels.

One of the big plus points is that a bioethanol fireplace is a sustainable home feature but is also straightforward to use.Simply pour the fuel onto the burner. Once lit, the fuel will keep burning for around four to five hours, or you can close the lid on the burner to extinguish the flame.

Homeowners can keep a toasty warm fire burning all day long, without excessive expense, by topping up the fuel periodically and waiting for the burner to cool each time.

The Benefits of a Bioethanol Fire

There are several compelling advantages to replacing an old gas or electric fire with a sleek bioethanol unit, not least that the ethical fuel source is plant-based and releases no harmful substances or gases into the air. Millions of people are striving for carbon-neutral living, and trying to offset the planetary damage caused by fossil fuels, so a bioethanol fire is a perfect place to start.

The benefits aren’t limited to green credentials, either:

Cost-effective: the bioethanol fuel is considerably more affordable than gas or electricity, which provides a cost-saving, ensuring that a new fireplace pays for itself in very little time.

Quick installation: the installation is efficient and fast because your new fireplace does not need to be linked to mains gas or electricity supplies. This clean fuel does not even require a flue since there is no smoke or fumes.

Versatility: Pinnacle Works fits bioethanol fireplaces in a huge range of properties, including modern, minimalistic apartments and period homes. There are countless placement options since you can fit a fireplace in any room, rather than solely where you have access to a chimney or flue.

Stylish: modern, ethical fireplaces come in countless designs, with contemporary finishes for a stunning interior aesthetic.

Minimal Space: a new fire can slot underneath a media centre or be positioned in any discreet or focal point, with low-profile fireplace options for smaller living spaces.

Low Maintenance: bioethanol fireplaces can heat small or large spaces quickly, with an adjustable output. There is very little in the way of maintenance since the unit operates independently.

Comparable Costs of Heating a Home With a Bioethanol Fireplace

Many clients contact our design team with queries about affordability and ongoing costs, but bioethanol fires are very economical, from initial installation to upkeep. Running costs can vary because various fuel types are available, and you might opt to have a fire burning all day during very cold weather or just for a few hours in the evening.

The average fuel cost is around £2.50 a litre, which allows the fire to burn for approximately 3.5 hours at full heat output.If you choose an adjustable fireplace, you can partially close the box slider to reduce the heat and make the same quantity of fuel last for several hours more.

Good quality bioethanol fuels are available in bulk and can cost a fraction of the average residential utility charges to operate a gas or electric fireplace.

It’s worth playing around with the settings to experiment with your fuel, as you can adapt your bioethanol fireplace to your requirements. Larger spaces may require more heat, but putting the fire on the lowest setting will extend the use of just one litre of fuel for up to eight hours.

The beauty is that you don’t lose fuel if you turn off the fire without depleting the liquid. Rather, the fireplace stores the fuel source safely and will begin to use it the next time you ignite the fire.

Bioethanol Fireplace Safety

Indoor fuels for bioethanol fireplaces are safe even in enclosed spaces and are much better suited to families with young children and homeowners who require good air quality.

One of the issues with traditional log fires is that the smoke and ash can be abrasive and even cause breathing difficulties if any proportion of the smoke isn’t removed through a flue or chimney. Bioethanol fuels are specifically designed for internal use, and the carbon dioxide produced is minimal. There are no carcinogens to worry about, so a bioethanol fire is an outstanding choice for homes without great ventilation.

Of course, we always recommend taking a few basic precautions when handling any flammable substance, and even the safest bioethanol fuel should be stored away from children and pets.

Provided you follow the instructions on the fuel and fill the fire correctly (without overspill), a bioethanol fire is one of the safest modern ways to heat a home.

Switching to a Bioethanol Fireplace

Bioethanol fires have a range of benefits and produce a real burning flame for authentic heat, without artificial flames, emissions or smoke.

Please contact the team at Pinnacle Works if you would like any further information, or wish to explore the opportunities to replace your old fireplace with a sleek bioethanol alternative. Our skilled tradespeople will be delighted to work on your design project and create a unique fireplace that matches your required aesthetic.

With unbeatable air quality and economic and environmental features, this advanced fire system is a fantastic way to upgrade your heating.

Original Source :- https://pinnacleworks.co.uk/renewable-home-heating-bioethanol-fireplace/

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Period Property Maintenance and Renovation: Dos & Don’ts

If you need to update a period property or fully refurbish a listed building, the process may be more involved than for a modern home with a less sensitive structure.

There are many ways to renovate a unique older residence with sympathy towards the traditional materials used and achieve a striking result that blends heritage with convenience.

Here we draw on our years of expertise in listed and period property maintenance and renovation to share some of our tips to help you get started.

                     Contents [hide]

1 The Challenges of Period Property Maintenance

2 Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle

3 Explore Traditional Materials and Techniques

4 Choose a Contractor With Period Property Expertise

5 Apply for the Correct Planning Permission

6 The Highs and Lows of Period Property Maintenance and Renovation

 The Challenges of Period Property Maintenance

The charm of an older building is undeniable – but many require a great deal of maintenance, if not a wider renovation, to deal with the dampness and draughts common in period homes.

With some skill and knowledge, this doesn’t have to drain your resources. By enhancing the existing character, you can preserve and refurbish rather than trying to replace each element, one brick at a time. Some of the biggest issues can be that older homes are simply bigger than the buildings we construct today.

Therefore, rather than spending your budget on outbuildings, landscaping, or parts of the property that aren’t crucial, we’d suggest you begin with key spaces, such as the kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms. A systematic approach will ensure you prioritize those more important projects first. You will often find it far easier to finance ongoing works if you have already made improvements to the fundamental rooms within the property.

 Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle

 First – don’t discard any materials or flooring that don’t appear to be in immaculate condition. Heritage homes and listed buildings can be full of valuable materials and quality hardwoods that, even if they require maintenance or replacement, can easily be used elsewhere without buying anything new.

It can be tempting to start tearing down walls or ripping off old paper, but it is better to explore the available resources and live in the home for a short while to assess how you will use the space. Refurbishing what you already have might take longer than replacing each fitting, but original features add significant value and interest to the character of a period home. Think renovated floorboards, reconditioned balustrades, ceiling roses, light switches, stairways, glazing – all of these fixtures that you simply cannot replace like-for-like.

For example, you might need to rewire old electrics, but if you can retain those lighting points, switches, and handles, your finished renovation will be all the better.

Explore Traditional Materials and Techniques

Older homes were built slowly, carefully, and with selected materials chosen for their performance properties and longevity. You’ll find many period properties still with horsehair plaster and oak beams that would be prohibitively expensive today.

Traditional materials such as lime mortar may be harder to come by at your local DIY store. Still, an experienced local professional often has years of knowledge to share. If you can replicate these crafts, you can often restore or improve existing walls and installations rather than trying to tear back elements of the property that have stood for generations.

Once you learn about the history of your building, you might also consider how it was built and maintained and look into using contractors who understand those approaches, often passed down as a family trade. Although a set of power tools might seem more efficient for some tasks, they could be detrimental and too harsh or powerful for the delicacy of an older building.

Choose a Contractor With Period Property Expertise

Looking after an older home isn’t a job that all modern contractors can undertake because the materials, applications, techniques, and considerations are very different from a newer property.

Renovation is about much more than aesthetics and involves:

Specialist knowledge about working with certain materials.

Sourcing unusual fixtures or traditional building components.

Applying the correct techniques to augment the property’s character.

Protecting the structural integrity of the building.

Plastering, for example, would traditionally have been done with lime plaster and roofing with stone slate.

If you commission a local expert who has worked on similar period properties, they will be able to source those materials and apply them to prolong the building’s life and avoid replacing entire walls or ceilings unnecessarily.

Apply for the Correct Planning Permission

Generally, any property built before 1914 is considered a period home. Although planning permission rules vary between areas, you are more likely to need consent to alter or adapt a residence of this age.

If you have a listed building, you will certainly need formal permission to make changes to the structure and may be bound by rules about which materials you can use.

Some of the other factors to think about are:

Permitted development vs planning permission – even if your maintenance project appears to fall within the scope of permitted development, you should always confirm this with the local authority before work begins.

Conservation areas – homes that are not listed but are within protected conservation areas, or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, will require additional permission, normally following a site visit and presentation of detailed drawings.

Listed buildings – Listed Building Consent is additional to planning permission. Unless your list entry says otherwise, the protection applies to the whole property, inside and out, fixtures, and other nearby structures.

Ensuring you have permission and the support of the local authority is essential to avoid fines, legal challenges, or even criminal charges if you have failed to apply for mandatory consent.

The Highs and Lows of Period Property Maintenance and Renovation

Listed or period homes command care and attention from their present-day custodians. Although they sometimes feel like a labour of love, it is well worth the experience of living in a distinctive older property with a wealth of history.

Pinnacle Works are a full-service West Sussex building firm and are privileged to have worked on some very special local properties – if you need any support with your renovation or maintenance, please get in touch at your convenience. Our skilled contractors can support you at each stage, whether you are planning a full-scale renovation of a newly acquired period home or need professional advice to prepare for ongoing maintenance requirements.

Source:-https://etharcarter147.blogspot.com/2022/07/period-property-maintenance-and.html

[etharcarter147]

Six Crucial Tips to Consider Before Hiring a Building Contractor

Homeownership is a massive project with immense responsibilities and unique workloads. Whether handling just a tiny room or constructing an individual's home or commercial project, it's crucial to hire a professional contractor to help you create the dream project you have always dreamt of.

 Suppose you are considering building any new project or updating a commercial building or an individual project. In that case, hiring someone professional with enough prior experience, knowledge, and good goodwill is crucial. These pro contractors are experts in remodeling and building projects. 

 Don't Know Where To Start?

 Choosing the wrong Building contractor can cause delays, legal problems, and even subpar work. An efficient contractor can save your energy, time, and headaches by overseeing services related to home improvements, including- installing routings, painting, constructing kitchen cabinets, etc.; contact variable contractors and acquire as much information about them as possible. Try to observe a few things about them. Try to keep whether they sound genuine or not, reliable or not. Whether they are willing to answer your queries or not, ensure they provide you with a specific date for starting and completing your project. 

 A genuine contractor would provide will answer all your queries and doubt and will give you a list of references so that you can contact them directly.

 To provide you further assistance with your search, we have outlined a few essential aspects to consider before picking the right and reputable contractor: 

 Always Go For Recommendations First! 

 Try seeking advice from your friends and family and then further check it with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. You can even consider talking to a building inspector, who will know which contractor will meet your requirements. These inspectors generally know which contractor buys quality materials and pays their required bills on time. Some contractors work individually, while some work for a construction company. As long as both meet your requirements, these options should be considered.

 Conduct Phone Interviews

 Once you have considered the entire recommendations, make a list of the most genuine contractors. 

Before hiring a contractor, don't forget to ask these critical couple of questions to make sure whether they are the correct fix:

 ·         How much experience does your company have?

·         How much prior experience do you possess with this type of project?

·         What will be the approx cost estimation?

·         What will be the approx timeline for this project?

·         Is your organization wholly insured?

·         Do you have further references?

·         Do you hold all the necessary permits and licenses?

 The answers to these questions will undoubtedly reveal the company's reliability, availability, and how much time and attention they will give to your project.

 Conduct a Personal Interview

 The next step is to outrank a few contractors and plan a personal interview with them for further discussions. A genuine contractor will try their best to resolve all your queries and doubts. Face-to-face communication is vital to ensure you are putting your dream project in the hands of someone genuine and trustworthy. On a different note, don't let persona fool you. Thoroughly check their customer protection policies and your local Business Bureau to ensure they do not have any prior history of disputes with the subcontractors or clients. Every agency has had a few client disputes, but if the number rises from a few, you know it's not the right choice for you.

 Conduct a Proper Research 

 Ask for contractors' past handiworks and projects. It will help you to see their work and may even spark different ideas in your mind. Take enough time to analyze their work and try to look for the below-mentioned things:

 ·         Workmanship

·         High-quality materials

·         Quality of their previous projects

·         Client satisfaction details

·         Professionalism in their work

 Call up their former clients to find out how their projects went. Try not to rely on results alone. You can even try to visit their current project site and analyze it yourself. Observe whether the place is clean and safe. The workers are careful or not, etc. 

 Make Plans and a Detailed Contract Before Getting To Work

 If the work looks ethical and responsible, you should further choose the best out of all. It's time to start planning your project. Remember that a conscientious organization or contractor will want a complete set of blueprints and a contract for your project. The agreement must consist of the cover costs, the brand used in your project, proof of insurance, compensation rates for workers, start date and completion date, and a well-drawn blueprint. Make sure to add an individual section for lien release. It will protect you if the contractor neglects to pay his bills.

 Negotiate Payment Options

 At first, throw out your lowest bid! The most important thing is to observe all the points mentioned above. If you see the contractor has qualified for all those tests, it's better to spend extra money on someone you are comfortable with rather than on someone who is not reliable and genuine in their job.

Whereas some contractors work on a fixed bit, some work on a "Cost-plus" basis, which means they will charge you for the materials, labor, and timings. Ideally, there are some legitimate alternatives, but these should have some provisions for cost overruns.

Beware of fraud contractors, who might ask for full advance payment or entire payment in cash. It is why you should always prefer to make a contract before making any payment or before the work begins.

  Searching for builders in Chichester is not an easy task, and this is a decision you should never make in haste. Remember that your objective here is to hire a qualified worker who can ensure total efficiency in your work and manage all the necessary permits, labor, equipment, and inspections without a hitch.

 Updating surfaces and fixture is not a difficult task to perform, but if you are involved with projects such as a complete overhaul of the room, hiring a professional contractor might be worthy of the extra cost. Getting the job done at the very initial time will save a lot of your time and effort.

 Original Source - https://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/six-crucial-tips-to-consider-before-hiring-a-building-contractor

[etharcarter147]

Changes To Make For An Eco-Friendly Home

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With continuing rises in living costs and expected energy bill hikes as high as 50% in April, Pinnacle Works regularly speaks to clients exploring the options to make their homes greener and leaner.

There are massive benefits to making your property more efficient:

·         Reducing utility costs

·         Creating spaces that are easier to heat

·         Increases in market value

·         Accessing grants and support schemes

Let’s look at some of the most popular green home improvements, what you stand to save, and how it all works.

Updating Heating Systems to Reduce Utility Costs

Most properties rely on gas boilers to heat their rooms and water – but with gas prices getting ever steeper and the typical maintenance issues (and repair costs) to think about, a new heating system is a fantastic option. We’ve recently completed work on an eco-friendly exterior ground-source heat pump, encased in a beautiful outhouse with bespoke oak doors if you’d like some inspiration.

There are multiple advantages:

·         Switching an old gas boiler for a condensing model or a ground-source or air-source heat pump makes your home more sustainable, reducing CO2 emissions by a huge 15-30%.

·         If all UK properties replaced their gas boilers, energy bills nationwide would drop by £1.3 billion.

·         Air-source pumps are reliable and continue generating heat in outside temperatures from an arctic -15 °C, so they are dependable and low-cost to run.

In terms of pricing, a new air-source pump system costs around £7,000 to £11,000 on average, making it a big investment. However, you could save from £295 to £1,805 every year, with a system paying for itself in around six years.

If you’re interested in swapping your gas boiler for something more efficient, keep an eye out for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, due to launch in spring 2022. The initiative will offer upfront capital grants for homeowners to cover the costs of a heat pump.

Harnessing Natural Energy Through Solar Panels

Solar panels are one of the best-known eco-friendly upgrades, but they can take several years to pay back the investment.

The positive is that once you’ve fitted your solar panels, you can wave goodbye to huge electricity charges. If you have an aspect that soaks up a good amount of solar energy, you might find yourself living sustainably off the grid altogether. Fitting a new set of solar panels will set you back around £4,800 on average, but the perks include:

·         Utility cost savings of £165 to £440 a year based on typical household usage.

·         Income generated from selling excess power back to the grid.

·         Reliable electricity, with solar panels generating power even on dull days.

Warming Your Home with Quality Insulation

One of the main reasons energy bills become so costly is that homes are not insulated properly – so the heating remains on around the clock because the chill sets in the second the boiler turns off.

Insulation is one of the most affordable ways to make a home greener, and you can look at:

·         Replacing loft insulation.

·         Boosting cavity wall insulation.

·         Investing in underfloor insulation or heating.

The exact cost of fitting new, quality insulation depends on where the work is required and the size of your property, but simply insulating your loft adequately will save an average of £315 a year.

Underfloor Heating to Keep Your Toes Cosy

Underfloor heating is a wonderful addition to an eco-friendly home that is a joy to live in. It’s more discreet than blocky radiators or wall-mounted heaters and can be retrofitted to older homes as well as installed in new builds.

Heating pipes laid under your flooring use between 15% and 40% less energy than a conventional radiator, and the broad surface area means you can set your thermostat lower for the same level of warmth.

Effective Lighting With Energy-Efficient Bulbs

Light bulbs might not seem to make the biggest dent in your electricity bill, but the reality is that if you replaced every halogen bulb in your home with an LED light, you’d instantly knock off £40 a year from your running costs.

Energy-efficient alternatives are so much cheaper to use, better for the environment, and a priority for people wanting to live sustainably. You’ll also find that LED bulbs are cheaper to buy and last significantly longer than their counterparts – so you make a saving twice over.

The big benefit is to our planet – if every home in Britain switched to 100% LED bulb usage, we’d cut our carbon emissions by an impressive 1.7 million tonnes.

Controlling Energy Usage With a Smart Meter

As the winter starts to bite, it’s easy to be tempted to leave the heating running – which contributes to excessive energy usage and booming living costs. A smart meter is a simple, effective way to keep an eye on what you’re using and when.

For example, if you’re out of the house at work during the day, and the kids are at school, you can programme your meter to switch off when you leave and back on before you return, so your home is always warm – but only when you need it to be. If you’re concerned about your carbon footprint or your energy bills, knowing how you consume electricity can help you make good choices, such as only running the washing machine when you have a full load.

Smart meters work best when they come with a timer and thermostat and are equally useful for gas or oil central heating systems if you’re taking your eco-friendly renovation one step at a time. A timer, thermostatic radiator valves and a room thermostat will save the average three-bedroom property from £70 and 300 kg of carbon emissions every 12 months.

Replacing Old Glazing and Updating Window Frames

Double or triple glazing can work wonders to reduce the flow of heat that escapes through thin, single glazed glass panels that do nothing to contribute to an efficient home.

Families serious about being green can also opt for durable, professionally fitted wooden frames instead of UPVC to avoid the toxic compound emissions and pollution associated with plastics. Excellent quality glazing can reduce heat loss by a whopping 30% and save £110 to £140 a year on heating costs.

Reducing Water Consumption

Our final suggestion is to think about water usage – because, although your water bill might not sting as much as other utilities, you’re still using heating and electricity systems to warm the water you use and send it through your pipework.

Only boiling as much water as you need, investing in an eco-kettle, or upgrading to those incredible smart taps means you’ll use less electricity and avoid unnecessary water wastage. A low-flow shower head is also a great idea, which uses less energy while being just as powerful.

Adding Value to Your Property Through Green Energy Upgrades

We’ve mentioned a few indicative costs and savings to give a rough idea about the financial benefits of making your home more eco-friendly – but there is a tangible economic advantage that goes far beyond your household bills.

Whenever you sell a property or rent one out, you must present the buyer or tenant with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Your assigned rating indicates how efficient your home is and, therefore, what it will cost to run. A recent survey shows that 55% of homeowners want to make sustainable changes to the way they live, and 33% of buyers consider the EPC rating very important. While a higher energy rating might not seem like a pivotal selling point, in 2021, a better EPC added a £40,000 premium to sustainable property selling prices.

Even if it takes a few years to repay a green investment through your utility bills, it’s also adding value back elsewhere.

For more information about any of these eco-friendly home ideas or advice on the best projects to tackle your green property upgrade, please get in touch with the Pinnacle Works team. Our experienced, friendly team can recommend sustainable swaps that will pay the best dividends in energy costs and make your home warmer, greener, and easier to sell in the future.

Source: - https://pinnacleworks.co.uk/eco-friendly-home/

[etharcarter147]

Opening Up Your Home Interior with Structural Steels

Construction companies west Sussex

Removing unnecessary internal walls can radically transform your living space, creating wide, airy rooms and enhancing natural light. One of the most elegant options is to use structural steels, which can be a cost-effective way to develop larger living spaces without needing to construct an extension.

We often live in our homes as they are out of habit, but can create much larger areas to play with by knocking through and steeling spaces (as it’s known in the industry) to improve the ceiling height or layout.

Let us explain how internal structural steels work and some of the benefits of remodeling in this way.

Advantages of Incorporating Structural Steels to Augment Your Living Space

There are multiple reasons our clients look to enhance the area in their properties. Many have outgrown the home as it stands and want to find ways to improve the floor plan without the cost and inconvenience of moving or beginning a more disruptive building project.

If you love where you live, and want to maximize the room to breathe, then knocking through to create larger, more fluid rooms may be the answer.

Other advantages include:

Creating open plan living areas, maximizing usable space.

Increasing storage capacity by removing bulky walls.

Reimagining how your home works and bringing a new dimension to your residence.

Improving the light and airflow throughout your property.

Internal renovations are the best way to add value to your home, other than extending into your garden space.

Our structural experts can advise on the best ways to open up your property, whether you’d like more generous bedrooms, a bright family kitchen and dining area, or to make better use of conservatories and garages.

How Do Interior Structural Steels Work?

Almost every residential property has a mixture of walls, some of which are load-bearing and form part of the buildings’ structure, and others that are purely aesthetic. Load-bearing structural walls suppor

the upper levels of your home, so a structural steel beam is inserted to allow you to lift the division away without compromising stability.

Pinnacle Works can guide you through the process, but our engineers will consider:

The correct width and depth of the beam required to provide permanent support.

Where to position piers, which act as upright beams and support the steel.

Options to disguise structural steel, sometimes through a decorative finish, or by embedding the beams into the wall space for a seamless finish.

Modern properties often enjoy a natural look, featuring elements such as polished concrete, raw brickwork and exposed beams. If you prefer an unconventional finish, please get in touch for inspiration from some of our previous projects!

There are regulations around boxing in steel beams with plasterboard; compliant with fire regulations, although there are multiple options available to achieve the aesthetic you’re looking for. The remodeling process is relatively simple. However, you must work with an experienced contractor skilled in structural engineering.

Calculating the appropriate size and positioning of the beam is essential, as is looking at factors such as adjusting floor or ceiling heights, relocating plumbing or electrical wiring, and reconfiguring heating systems to adapt to your newly expanded space.

Choosing Which Internal Walls to Remove

If you have a firm idea of your ideal living environment, it may be simple to narrow down the options and create a floor plan that fits your family’s needs! Otherwise, we’d recommend getting a set of floor plans to reassess how you utilize your home and identify opportunities to expand upwards, downwards or sideways – without any foundational work required.

Another great option is to look at how the sun moves around your home during the day. Open plan living rooms can attract daylong sunlight, or you can combine separate, small rooms flowing from one end of your property to the other to enhance the feeling of space and brightness.

Structural steels are appropriate for any load-bearing wall, although as we’ve mentioned, we’d strongly advise consulting a qualified engineer before making any final decisions. There are few limitations, and larger structural beams can be concealed in the floor structure in the storey above to avoid a down stand, where the beam extends into the room below.

Remodeling Ideas for Open Plan Living

Kitchens are perhaps one of the most popular rooms to knock through, with many homes having separate areas for cooking and dining, often with a utility room that isn’t required. Knocking through a kitchen into a dining room opens up a huge range of design opportunities, from relaxed, casual dining spaces to ample kitchens to make mealtimes a sociable occasion.

Another common request is to design a structural beam project to remove internal walls between small bedrooms, or a box room (typically used for storage), producing a large master bedroom, perhaps with an ensuite and dressing room. Unused garages, sunrooms, utility spaces and cloakrooms all demand a considerable volume of floor space.

Revisiting your floor plan and evaluating which areas you use the most can throw up some exciting options!

FAQs – Using Structural Steels to Open up Your Home Interior

Let’s run through a few of the most common questions our team receives about making internal alterations to homes and removing interior walls.

Do I Need Planning Permission to Knock Two Rooms Into One?

Normally, you don’t. The only general exception is for listed properties, which require consent for any significant work, inside or out.

What Are the Benefits of Open Plan Living?

Traditional properties were built to maximize the number of rooms, which are often very small, dark, and less easy to make good use of.

Removing internal walls to open adjoining rooms is simpler than creating an extension. Still, a professional is required to ensure the correct structural steels are used to protect the property’s structural integrity.

How Long Does it Take to Knock Through a Load-Bearing Wall and Insert Structural Steels?

The exact project duration will depend on the size of the wall and beam and the finish you require on the newly extended room.

Usually, a project might take around a week to remove a wall, provided there is easy access, plus perhaps another week in total to insert the new joist, plaster the exposed sections of the wall, boxing in the beam and painting.

How Can I Visualise How My Home Will Look After Removing Internal Walls?

Please contact Pinnacle Works if you’d like any guidance about reconfiguring your living spaces to create enhanced light and room in your property.

Our teams have years of expertise designing outstanding open plan living areas and can help you visualize the finished project through advanced software graphics.

Source URL: - https://pinnacleworks.co.uk/home-interior-with-structural-steels/

[etharcarter147]

Underfloor Heating – Warming Your Home From The Ground Up

Let’s talk about underfloor heating. It’s not just a luxurious way to keep your toes cosy in the depths of winter but is economical, energy-efficient and a lot simpler to install than many of us think

There are so many reasons to opt for underfloor heating, and this form of home warmth isn’t reserved for contemporary new builds on Grand Designs – but is, in fact, one of the oldest ways of keeping a building comfortable! Originating in Roman times, heating under hard stone floors was created by harnessing basement fireplaces’ warmth, with chimneys running underneath the rooms.

Technology has come a tremendous way since the appeal of replacing clunky radiators with streamlined underfloor heating – so let’s explore how this type of home heating system works, and why it is a fantastic investment for your property.

What is Underfloor Heating & How Does it Work?

Of course, we all know that underfloor heating means running pipework underneath your floors, to keep your rooms deliciously warm underfoot.

But the practicalities are that the Pinnacle Works team fits piping or cables underneath any flooring surface, which usually draws on your same boiler, but distributes the heat differently. This technology puts less strain on your boiler than typical radiators, with a lower control temperature required to keep your rooms at a comfortable heat (around a 25 °C reduction in heat output!).

There are two primary ways of installing underfloor heating. The right option will depend on whether you are building an extension and creating a newly poured floor, or looking at a renovation project to upgrade your home.

·         Wet or hydraulic underfloor heating uses the same system as a radiator, with water heated by a boiler or eco-friendly heat pump. The pipes are laid with a screed to keep them in place, and concealed underneath your floor.

·         Electric underfloor heating is another option, often lower cost and faster to install in existing properties. It uses electricity to power the heated matting, containing the wires and cables. The downside is that the running costs tend to be slightly higher since an electrical system relies on your mains power supply, rather than water heated by your boiler.

If you’re considering underfloor heating for your building, feel free to get in touch for a chat about the best heating system for your home, style of property, and budget.

A lot depends on whether you’d like to heat specific rooms or floors, or the whole of your property – so give us a call, and we’ll run through the pros and cons!

What are the Benefits of Underfloor Heating?

Underfloor heating is a compelling option for many reasons:

·         Reliability

Radiant heat technology warms your home gently, without sudden fluctuations in heat output from radiators. Warming a house from the ground up means that you don’t have pockets of cold or hot air and maintain consistent temperatures.

·         Energy-Efficiency

Heating your property from under the floor is more energy-efficient, requiring less energy than multiple radiators. You don’t need a new boiler and can reduce energy costs by around 15% on average since underfloor heating runs at substantially lower temperatures.

·         Flexibility

Contrary to common misconceptions, underfloor heating isn’t just something available for new construction projects or extensions – our professional teams can install it retrospectively in properties of any type. You can fit either hydraulic or electrical underfloor heating under any surface – from laminate to carpets, tiles to stone, and traditional wooden floorboards.

·         Space Saving

If there is one key benefit to underfloor heating in addition to saving money on energy bills – it is being able to remove unattractive radiators from your walls, and make the most of the space on offer in your home! Heating cables are hidden perfectly beneath the floor, and take up zero room in your living spaces.

·         Safety

Particularly for parents with young children or busy households, leaving heating appliances unsupervised can be worrisome. Having your building’s heating cleverly concealed means there is no risk that small hands or inquisitive noses will come anywhere near to hot metal or sharp edges!m

·         Cleaner Air

Another lesser-known fact about underfloor heating is that it improves air quality. Radiant heat produces better Oxygen qualities and avoids the dust circulation caused by radiators, created by thermal currents of air rising to your ceilings and down again to the floor in a revolving cycle.

·         Easy to Fit

The Pinnacle Works heating team often installs underfloor heating in existing properties. We can usually complete an installation in just a few days whether you opt for electrical matting or a pumped water system. Electrical matting can be quickly fitted and tiled or carpeted over without any extensive construction work or disruption.

·         Seamless to Use

While we’ve all had a problem with radiator leaks, uneven temperature distribution or trapped air pockets, you have none of these issues with underfloor heating. Our systems require minimal maintenance once installed, and electrical systems don’t need much servicing to keep them in tip-top condition.

As you can see, there are multiple reasons that so many homeowners decide to opt for underfloor heating – and it’s flexible enough to be used in just one room as part of an extension project, or to be fitted through entire properties as a renovation!

The beauty of this heating system isn’t just in the cost-efficiencies, ease of running or safety. It’s that you never need to spend time changing radiator settings and that our dedicated thermostatic controls mean you can choose from automatic programming or schedules, so your home is always heated just as you like it.

Are There any Downsides to Underfloor Heating?

As with any design choice, it’s always worth thinking about the pitfalls – but it’s safe to say these are few and far between.

Initially, underfloor heating does, of course, incur a cost to supply and fit the heating system. However, the energy savings accumulate quickly, and an advanced quality system will pay for itself in a short space of time by reducing your heating bills. Another factor is that a heating system under your floors can increase your flooring height and, therefore, decrease the total volume of space in your home.

That said, low-profile hydraulic underfloor heating usually adds a minimal height of under 20 mm. An electrical underfloor heat pad can be as slimline as 3 mm – which is far outweighed by the space saved by being able to remove any pre-existing radiators from your walls!

If you’re interested in an underfloor heating system for your construction project and would like to have a chat about costs or installation times – or check out some of our previous work – do get in touch or visit our portfolio online! The Pinnacle Works team has years of experience in fitting every type of home heating system, so we’re always on hand to provide advice and guidance so you can make an informed choice about the safest and lowest-cost way to heat your home perfectly.

  Source Url :- https://pinnacleworks.co.uk/underfloor-heating/