Local Traders News » Roofers

Home Insulation Pushes Light Subsidies to be Scrapped

Danny — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 08:00:55 +0000

The Government is to switch their focus to the subsidy of all types of insulation- roof insulation, cavity wall insulation, under floor insulation – and are stopping the subsidy of energy saving light bulbs from next March. Chris Huhne, the Climate Change Secretary, is insistent that energy suppliers stop their promoting of energy saving bulbs such as compact fluorescent bulbs in DIY stores and supermarkets and start to instead promote more efficient methods of energy-saving, especially insulation. The Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) scheme will see the subsidies scrapped in 2011. The CERT are to shift focus to the insulation of UK homes and energy suppliers will be required to spend on promoting professionally installed loft insulation, cavity insulation and solid wall insulation.

Huhne states that the lowest income households – those that are more at risk of fuel poverty- will comprise of 15% of homes helped by the new scheme. He said: “Our plans will give a huge boost to the insulation industry during the economic recovery as we pave the way for the start of the Green Deal. This is the beginning of a massive and urgent increase in home energy insulation for the nation. We are demanding that energy companies work harder to make homes warmer, more environmentally friendly and cheaper to run, especially for those who need it most.”

Huhne predicts a £550 annual saving by households properly insulating their homes. The minister states that 3.5 million more homes across the UK are likely to gain under the scheme, a further 1 million rise on the 2.5 million homes insulated under the scheme since April 2008.

National Insulation Association chief executive Neil Marshall said: “We welcome this bold move by Government and recognition of the critical role that insulation has to play in reducing energy bills and tackling climate change. The introduction of a minimum level of insulation that must be carried out by the energy suppliers along with other changes such as stopping the promotion of CFLs will ensure there is a major increase in the amount of insulation undertaken.”

National Self Build & Renovation Seminars Held In Swindon This Weekend

Danny — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 08:00:17 +0000

During the 11th and 12th of July at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon there are dozens of seminars taking place aimed at home owners and trades men. They are all in aid of the making more space weekend and with so much happening their you will not want to miss it. whether your looking to develop your current home or build a new home from scratch.

Everything from extensions, loft conversions, basement conversions, property development and everything else will be covered with experts on hand to discuss any issues regarding planning permissions, local law, costs, expenses and regulations. The experts confirmed so far are architects: Opinder Liddar & Trevor Avery, design, planning, building regs specialist: Neil Davey and basement conversion expert: Mike Edwards & Sovereign Chemicals to name a few are ready to guide and advise you in any property matter you could possibly have. The event held in Swindon is going to give you all the information and insight you could neeed into anything property related. Along with all the on hand expert advice and information there will also be hundreds of exhibitors with features that you will not find anywhere else. From audio tours and hundreds of home design ideas to the trade village exhibitor area with over 200 stands.

This is the only place to be if you own your own home, are looking to develop property or just have a general interest in property development or trades. Tickets are available free onlne and it is advisable to book early to save disapointment.

Historical Church has Roof Repaired

Danny — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 08:00:15 +0000

A thirteenth century Monmouthshire church has re-opened to the public after 9 months of extensive repairs was completed on its aging roof. The re-opening is the culmination of three years worth of hard work from a group of local fund raisers who eventually raised £270,000 to get the roof repairs completed. The roof had been leaking on St Nicholas Church in Grosmont for a number of years and the historic churches spire had started to lean.

Roofers moved in to correct the correct the damage and the local church services continued across the street in the village hall. The disrepair the building was suffering from was not only confined to the roof, the floor of the historic structure was reconditioned and money was also raised to rebuild the drains and water runoff systems underneath the structure to prevent water entering the church in the future. Local plasterers were also able to complete plastering work to the internal walls to stop damp from setting in.

In an eagerly awaited ceremony conducted by the Rev Dr Jean Prosser MBE, the hard work of the renovation group was mentioned. He commented on how the community had really pulled together and paid special complements to one church goer who sold over 200 copies of a church literature magazine to raise over £1000. Other fund raising activities included wine tasting and musical events.

The restoration work has not yet been completed though as there are plans to fit a new kitchen to the church and install a new toilet which will be available for use by the community.

Apprenticeship Scheme To Conserve Our Heritage Buildings

Danny — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 08:00:32 +0000

The National Trust has launched a new scheme to recruit apprentices in traditional trades across the country. The trusts existing work force is ageing by the day and they felt that now is an excellent time to recruit new apprentices to pass their traditional skills onto. This program starting in September is a first for the trust and they are appealing for 16 -19 year olds with a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn. Competition for the 16 places will be tough as the starting wage for apprentices is £12,000 per annum nearly double the amount a usual apprentice is paid.

The trust has had to take action now to avoid future shortages in their skilled work force. With an average work force age over 50 many retirements are expected within the next few years. Apprentices will learn skills such as carpentry, joinery, stone masonry, lead work and plumbing. The 130 existing master crafts men will train their apprentices in the lead up to their own retirement and provide a mentoring service to ensure these essential skills are not lost forever.

Thousands of heritage buildings across the United Kingdom are going to need regular maintenance and renovation in the coming years. Without the apprenticeship scheme in place the trust would surely suffer and many of our beloved buildings would fall into poor states of repair. Our architectural heritage seems to have been sustained for future generations with the launch of this apprenticeship scheme.

Community Centre Faces Complete Replacement Roof

Sarah — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 08:00:57 +0000

Owned and managed by Bradford on Avon town council, the local community centre is set to face huge roof repair bills, to fix a leaking roof. St Margaret’s Hall , used as a frequent meeting place for the likes of senior citizens, usual community groups, and is due to be used for a Thai festival next week.

The replacement costs including reclaimed tiles are estimated to be within the region of £40,000 plus. At present, Bradford on Avon council is waiting for their assigned architect to get back to them with the full report, which will also determine whether the complete roof will have to be replaced.

Although the leak was discovered a couple of months ago, the water has only come through into the hall once, following one heavy night of rain. On a steady night of rain, the water seems to keep out, therefore it isn’t a project that is going to be rushed through, but planning costs and reports are underway for the future.

On the south side of the building, the tiles are generally in good condition and can hopefully be re used rather than having to source new roof tiles, but the tiles on the North side facing the river Avon have slowly become damp during the recent bad winter, and have deteriorated.

Local Mayor Isabel Martindale has stated in a recent report that they are not yet sure of how many tiles are in need of replacement, and will know more next week, once the report is back from their assigned architect.

Appeal To Repair Church Roof

Danny — Fri, 21 May 2010 12:54:31 +0000

They were shouting from the rooftops in Stoke on Trent after an historic church launched a bid for new funds. Seventy sheets of lead were stolen from the roof of Stoke Minster last month leaving the church with a £40,000 roof repair bill. Rector Lingwood scaled the church to launch the campaign from the rooftop of the 180 year old landmark. The insurance company covering the church have a capped payout of only £5000 for lead, so the church needs to raise a whopping £35,000 to pay for repairs to replace the lead and fund the labour to install it.

In the last month, there have been 4 attacks on church roofs in Staffordshire, leaving the police with something to ponder. Rector Lingwood started his service by saying that even though it’s a lot of money, he is sure that people will rally round and make sure the church roof is restored to its once glorious state. The church has a special place in the hearts of the people in the area, so I hope they will donate generously.

The people of the church are hoping the money will be raised as soon as possible. One woman said,

“The people of Stoke-on-Trent will give generously, I’m sure of it, even if money is tight, the amount will be found.”

Another said, “The roof was only repaired about 10 years ago, it’s disappointing and upsetting to see what has happened.”

Rector Lingwood finished by saying he hopes to have the amount needed to carry out the roof repair before the winter.

Creating Extra Living Space

Danny — Sat, 15 May 2010 11:10:53 +0000

Have you been struggling to sell your property, but desperately seeking more floor space for the children? If so then do not panic; the perfect answer is right in front of you just think up and out.

Extending your property can drastically improve your property there are so many options. If you have space at the side of your property then you can extend on the side as a single or even double storey extension to create extra downstairs living as well as those much needed extra bedrooms.

If you don’t have the space at the side of the property then a loft conversion can give you that extra bedroom and adding either a conservatory or an extension on the back can give you that extra space. Extending your house will not only give you all the extra space that you need, it will also add extra value on to the property and make the house more attractive to buyers.

If your intention is solely to add value on the property then you will need to find out the current market value firstly then plan out exactly what you are planning to do and find out the potential value for the end product.

Small changes can be made to a property but have a large impact like installing bigger windows or internal alteration such as knocking down partition walls. However this will only make the property appear more spacious.

If you are going to have an extension then it is advisable to call in the professionals before you start planning any major construction work as there are certain regulations and restrictions to adhere by.

It is advisable to use a official real estate or make sure that the builders are fully qualified and if possible ask for references of work to ensure that all the work is carried out to a very high standard otherwise it can devalue the property.

Replacing a Roof to Improve Your Property

Sarah — Tue, 11 May 2010 08:00:29 +0000

New roofs add value

As well as reducing the likelihood of more expensive repair work later down the line due to water damage and damp problems, a new roof installation can also be a good investment for your home in general. The fact that prospective buyers won’t need to endure the cost of inconvenience of a roof replacement can give you a good selling point, so it’s not only beneficial to reduce household energy bills, but can also add value to your property.

The cost of replacing an existing roof, can range anywhere from £10,000 – £20,000 depending on where about in the UK you live but the piece of mind that your home is more energy efficient, less likely to suffer damp problems, is structurally sound and looks good from the outside is worth the outlay.

Before committing to a roof replacement

Quite often, a shabby roof does not show the true signs of damage or effects caused by the problem for many years. A new roof is a massive investment for your home and can be a length job, so before choosing your installer/contractor, be sure to ask the right questions, such as –

What kind of warranty they offer
Whether they have public liability insurance
Whether they are registered with any professional bodies such as NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors
Ask to see a portfolio of their previous work, to see if you are getting the best for your hard earned money
Where materials are sourced from – useful in assessing quality and durability
If all their charges include their labour

Alternatively, let localtraders.com find a tradesperson for you and we can take the stress out of your roofing project by putting you in touch with the best local roofers in your area.

Reduce Your Energy Consumption With a Replacement Roof

Sarah — Fri, 07 May 2010 15:43:21 +0000

There are a number of steps you can take to keep your energy bills within your budget, which include locating and sealing drafts around doors, windows and from open chimneys, insulating your home and fitting energy efficient windows. However if your roof is not maintained adequately, your efforts could all be in vain.

An old, poorly maintained roof can cost you

Your roof is an important part of your home, responsible for helping prevent heat loss in particular during the cold weather experienced in winter. An old roof can not only look unattractive, but it could be resulting in a lot of hot air escaping through the rafters, meaning you’re paying out on your energy bills to heat the air around your home.

As well as losing heat, your worn out roof could be leaking water into your home which could have a number of consequences, both of which are unpleasant. You could have mould and bacteria growth in your home which can result in allergy problems, and even respiratory infections affecting the health of you and your family. Damp can also damage the structure of your home, requiring rafters and laths to be replaced, cause water damage to plasterwork in ceilings and walls and ruin items stored in your loft.

A fully trained and professional roofer is the best person to seek advice from when you need to identify any problems in or on your roof. They should be able to advice whether minor repairs could be carried out, or if damage is at an extent to require a replacement roof installation.

Support Earth Day By Making Your Home Greener

Sarah — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:12:16 +0000

Green living and sustainable homes are becoming more popular as people’s consciences tell them going green is the right thing to do for the planet and their common sense sees the added green in their wallets from money saved by reducing waste.

The options for reducing your carbon footprint are always increasing and taking steps to make your home more sustainable and energy efficient can range from a big investment to small steps which when added together can make significant reductions in your home’s carbon emissions.

Today, 22nd April 2010, is Earth Day, and forty years on from the first ever Earth Day, what better day to start making a change to the way you live and what your home consumes? Below are a few ideas ranging from small steps to bigger projects, but whatever you decide to go for, localtraders.com can help you find a reliable and reputable tradesperson who can help you green your home.

Step 1: Up on the roof

Water shortages could be a big problem in the future and for an island that is renowned for its rainfall, it seems such a shame to let it all go down the drain. The first simple step is to harvest rainwater from your roof and use it for watering the plants in your garden, helping keep your shrubs and vegetables growing strongly in summer and saving a precious resource. Speak to a roofing specialist to ensure your gutters are clear and connected properly so you can ensure you catch every last drop.

Step 2: Dull as dishwater

If saving water is up your street, you could go one further and speak to a drainage specialist about installing grey water harvesting to collect water from your sink, bath, shower or washing machine which then gets stored in a tank buried underground and can be used instead of fresh drinking water from the mains supply when watering veg or flushing your loo.

Alternatively you could install a low flush toilet and supply the water to it from a rainwater harvesting system, which again, a drainage expert can advise on and provide a quote, and bathroom fitters can help you design a low water using bathroom with water saving taps, showers and toilets.

Step 3: The great outdoors

As well as being a haven for you and your family, an easy way to green your home is to start with the outside. There are a number of options which a landscape gardener could help with by designing the ideal garden to incorporate as many or as few of the ideas below as you fancy:

plants to attract beneficial insects and bees
a wildlife pond to attract frogs
wild areas or shelters for creatures like hedgehogs
bird houses
vegetable plot
plants like buddleia to attract butterflies
install a composter or wormery

Step 4: A touch of glass

The windows in your home can be responsible for a lot of heat loss, especially if they allow drafts around ill-fitting frames. Single glazed units are poor at insulating your home and you can be wasting a lot of energy by not replacing old single glazed windows.

Investing in double glazing can be a good option; you can save money on your energy bills because you won’t need to have the heating on as high to keep the house at the same comfortable temperature.

If you already have double glazing but have drafts around your windows, filling holes can help keep your home warmer and is a cheap and easy problem to solve. If you want to go one further however, fitting triple glazing can keep your home warmer, or choosing energy efficient windows next time you replace your windows can make your home even greener.

Step 5: The heat(ing) is on

Whilst on the subject of energy efficiency, the next big area where inefficiency can waste a significant amount of energy and money is central heating. Upgrading an old inefficient boiler to a newer model such as a condenser boiler, or even looking at options such as solar water heating, ground source heat pumps or wood chip boilers can dramatically reduce your carbon footprint, increase the value of your home and reduce your energy bills.

Another option is installing a wood burning stove. Wood burners are able to improve the efficiency of a conventional open fireplace by up to 400% depending on the fuel you burn and the type of stove you choose. If you don’t want a lot of building work changing the structure and look of your fireplace, don’t dismiss wood burners straight away because there are a number of inset wood burning stoves on the market such as the 301 range from Esse. They can be installed in the opening of a fireplace, usually with the fire bricks removed, causing very little disruption, and depending on the age of your property, you usually don’t even need to line your chimney.

Step 6: A lick of paint

The brighter spring sunshine often highlights the dirty fingerprints on doors and walls in your home and puts you in the mood for a good old spring clean and fresh coat of paint for your home. An easy way to make your home greener is to choose eco-paint. There is increasing choice in environmentally friendly paint products, from clay paints such as the range from Earthborne, to the new range of more sustainably produced paint from Dulux, Ecosense. The reduced fumes and more sustainable production using more natural pigments and ingredients mean the paints have a lower impact on the planet.

Step 7: Take the floor

The range of eco flooring products is on the increase too, not only with environmentally friendly carpetting options such as seagrass, coir, sisal and paper, but the amount of wood flooring products and laminates that use FSC wood is growing.

When buying tiles, try and find tiles that come from closer to home to reduce transportation emissions, and where possible, find out if you’re buying red tiles other than terracotta how the pigment was added. Some tiles are produced using chemicals that can cause damage to both the environment and the health of the people making them.

Ideally support UK producers such as Johnson’s based in Stoke-on-Trent. They have a good environmental policy and recycle waste from the nearby ceramics industry in the tiles they produce at the factory in Stoke.

One last flooring option is reclaimed timber flooring or reclaimed terracotta tiles. This option can be more expensive but speaking to a flooring specialist can help you find out what the best options for eco flooring in your home are, and recycling old materials is one of the most environmentally friendly steps you can take.

Over to you

Whatever steps you decide to take to make your home greener and support Earth Day, you can be confident that you will be making your home a more healthy place and more sustainable place for you and your family to live.