Improve Magazine Autumn/Winter 2021

Autumn/Winter 2021

IT’S TIME TO BRING YOUR DREAMS TO LIFE

Kerb Appeal

Renovation over relocation. Creating stand out kerb appeal. Homeowners opt to express personality through the design of their doors and windows.

Master of the Home Makeover Changing Rooms with Laurence Llewelyn B o w e n . “A b e a u t i f u l h o m e i s a h o m e o o z i n g p e r s o n a l i t y. ” Autumn/Winter 2021

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Stanier Road, Porte Marsh Industrial Estate, Calne, Wiltshire SN11 9PX T 01249 816 969 • F 01249 815 234 • E deceuninck.ltd@deceuninck.com Autumn/Winter 2021

BEAUTIFUL WINDOWS MAKE BEAUTIFUL HOMES Deceuninck is one of the world’s major PVC-U window and door systems companies and has been established for over 30 years in the UK, with production, distribution and head office in Wiltshire.

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Autumn/Winter 2021

Contents 6

EXTENDING & R E N O VAT I N G Y O U R H O M E

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H E R I TA G E & P E R I O D PROPERTIES

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live, possibly forever – and in many cases, the way we work.

Even though many have now returned to offices, many more people have seen the introduction of a more flexible, hybrid way of working, where employees work partly in the office and partly at home. So however you are looking to adapt, renovate or extend your home, we have feature articles covering everything from roof lanterns & solid roofs, through to bi-folding doors, steel partitions, balconies and also internal and external shading options.

The difference between a listed and unlisted property is relatively simple. A listed building is one that has been officially recognized as notable by the UK government and as such, its details are published on the country’s national listing database. An unlisted building, by contrast, is not included in this list. If you’re thinking about buying a listed property then it may be worth considering whether you’ll need to make any changes to it or not before you do so and if doing so will jeopardize your current mortgage agreement.

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KERB APPEAL

83 INTERIORS

Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in homeowners choosing to renovate their properties, rather than relocating to a new home. A priority on the majority of homeowners’ minds is creating stand out kerb appeal, with many homeowners opting to express their personality through the design of their doors and windows.

Using the latest colour options, the ability to create a unique and eye-catching property facade is possible.

In this edition we are covering front door inspiration, aluminium doors, coloured roofline and maintenance.

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CONSUMER ADVICE & I N F O R M AT I O N

A YouGov survey commissioned by GQA Qualifications has brought to light fresh insights about the attitude of parents to vocational training and careers as an alternative to their children going to university. The GQA also commissioned a You Gov survey, revealing homeowner’s preference for qualified Tradespeople in the fenestration industry. We also take a look at a glass restoration project at Grade I listed Manchester Town Hall.

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SECURITY & TECH IN THE HOME

Window and door smart- sensor pioneer, Kubu, has partnered with revolutionary online smart home insurance provider Hiro, to bring prevention- first insurance to the glazing and fenestration industries. Hiro is clever. It takes a prevention-first approach to insurance by empowering members to protect their homes with smart tech, offering a fairer price on insurance for doing so. Getting a quote takes just seconds, while members subscribe to monthly payments and there are no lengthy contracts, and the policy itself can be cancelled at any time.

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Autumn/Winter 2021

Looking to make a style statement? Want to bring bling to the bathroom? Or maybe your living room’s dying for an injection of life... Whatever your design dilemma, Laurence Llewelyn- Bowen has the answer. As the autumn season sets in, generating its glorious palette of cosy colours, many of us are again inspired to update, elevate and revamp our homes. With more British homes containing an LLB product than any other designer brand, look no further than the legendary Laurence for inspiration! As an eminent authority on design, Laurence has a cult following around the globe. A familiar face of interior design for Littlewoods and a self-styled “homestyle consultant”, the dandy designer frequently serves as a highly-respected judge on top TV design shows.

101 IMPROVERS HOMES

We’ve seen many great home improvements including a full house refurb, pub shed builds and renovating old antique doors, but this one is a little different and we love the fact Chris has utilised existing space within his home. Read about our Improvers Homes’ Cinema Room Conversion. We all understand how important it is to bring natural light into our homes and what better way than a new bay window! Our Improvers Homes’ reader Kristyn Harris, sent us her lovely living room makeover.

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Christina Shaw Editorial Director

Welcome to the Autumn/Winter Edition of Improve Magazine!

Looking to make a style statement? Want to bring bling to the bathroom? Or maybe your living room’s dying for an injection of life... Whatever your design dilemma, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has the answer.

As the autumn season sets in, and with Christmas just around the corner, generating both seasons’ glorious palettes of cosy colours, many of us are again inspired to update, elevate and revamp our homes. With more British homes containing an LLB product than any other designer brand, look no further than the legendary Laurence for inspiration!

As well as revamping our interiors, more and more homeowners are looking to create extra space within our homes. So get ready for the best of the best entertaining season, Christmas! Whatever your home improvement project, we have it here.

Bi-folding doors to add the feeling of space and light? A new front door to add the all important kerb appeal? A wow factor kitchen extension or a garage encased in glass so you can show off your motor at all times? Click a section opposite and we’ll take you right through to your next dream project!

If you can think it, you can improve it!

GET IN TOUCH

All Enquiries Christina Shaw T: 01302 278756 E: christina@improve-magazine.co.uk W: www.improve-magazine.co.uk

Christina

PHOTO CREDIT: Front Cover Image – Kubu-Home / Dekko Windows / Infinity Windows and Doors The views contained herein are not necessarily those of Improve Magazine and whilst every effort is made to ensure information throughout is correct, Improve Magazine does not accept liability for errors. The views expressed by contributors and the content of letters, are not necessarily those of Improve Magazine and therefore cannot take responsibility.

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Improve Magazine is published by Lazenby Shaw Creative Ltd.

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Extending & Renovating Yo u r H o m e The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live, possibly forever – and in many cases, the way we work. Even though many have now returned to offices, many more people have seen the introduction of a more flexible, hybrid way of working, where employees work partly in the office and partly at home.

This new way of working has brought into focus how crucial it is to bring natural sunlight into living spaces. In addition to the popular trend for large expanses of glass, bifold and sliding doors, is the demand for external balustrading and the dividing or screening of decked and outdoor areas.

Click here to go back to contents

The following section covers...

• Balconies & Balustrades

• Bi-Folding Doors

• Roof Lanterns

• Steel Windows

• Solid Roofs

• Extended Shading

• Flush Windows 6

Autumn/Winter 2021

TRANS LEVEL FRAMELESS GLASS BALUSTRADE

TL 6020 1.5 kN TOP MOUNT TESTED ACCORDING TO BS6180

T +44 0161 804 9500 | F +44 0161 804 9505 sales@onlevel-uk.com | www.onlevel.com

CHESHIRE PLAINS, ENGLAND Autumn/Winter 2021

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BEAUTIFUL

Balconies & Balustrades In recent years the trend to make the most of your outdoor space has increased dramatically with home owners and families wanting to make the most of fresh air and the great outdoors.

In addition to the popular trend for large expanses of glass, bifold and sliding doors is the demand for external balustrading and the dividing or screening of decked and outdoor areas. As we well know, the great British weather isn’t always that reliable! Therefore, to make the most of our gardens and outdoor spaces we need to shield ourselves from some of the elements. Glass balustrading is perfect for this, especially frameless glass balustrading which provides protection from the wind whilst maintaining views.

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Furthermore, as frameless glass balustrades provide a sleek ‘all glass look’ they don’t impose on the eye, creating the feeling of space rather than restricting the sense of room.

Frameless glass balustrades are ideal for decked areas and balconies and perfect for creating secure areas for children and safe barrier protection from height. So, if you’re looking to get your garden or external space looking cool this Autumn then consider frameless glass balustrading to give protection from the great British weather, whilst maintaining the sense of space and unrestricted outdoor views beyond.

Autumn/Winter 2021

“Frameless glass balustrades are ideal for decked areas and balconies and perfect for creating secure areas for children and safe barrier protection from height.”

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Balustrades Used internally and externally balustrades support staircases, balconies, and provide safety and security. While various materials can be used to design a striking balustrade, glass balustrades have become very popular over recent years, because of the many benefits.

Balconies The idea of a home with a balcony is luxurious, having one can be bliss. There are multiple benefits of having a balcony which directly affects your health. Here are just some of the benefits of having a balcony in your home: Ample light A balcony will help bring in much more natural light into your living space. Natural light can help boost mood and productivity and add fresh air into a room. Sunlight also provides Vitamin D, which is essential for our health, especially in the darker months.

A place to work A fantastic place to work from home or complete school work. Fresh air helps with concentration and you can still protect from the elements with various canopy or screen options.

Good for health Spending ample time outdoors is known to benefit our immune system, improve eyesight, minimise stress, boost productivity and enhance your creativity. Spend your mornings and evenings chilling on your balcony. Sip your tea, listen to music and simply escape from the world.

Grow plants Use your balcony to create a micro garden, whether its for aesthetics, herbs, fruits or vegetables. Not only will it look beautiful but its a great way to be sustainable and its great for the environment.

Host a party Impress your friends and family with a cosy private space full of greenery and sparkly lights. Set up a barbecue and a bench to serve your food and drinks. Sit and gossip or simply stargaze, the opportunities are endless.

Your pets will love you Pets need twice as much fresh air as we do, a safe, secure area will reduce stress and anxiety. Pets tend to be the happiest when they have ample amount of time outdoors.

Exercise We all know how beneficial exercising is, to our mind, body and soul. Lay a yoga mat on your balcony and crunch away, or simply stretch and limber up, ready for the day ahead.

Aesthetics to your building Balconies look appealing and are a good selling point to any home, offering additional space, fresh air and natural light.

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Illusion of space The use of glass in a balustrade is popular in home design today because it helps to create the illusion of more space.

This is even more apparent if the balustrade is made with clear, see through glass. The illusion of more space makes the area appear larger than it is, something which is difficult to achieve if using metal, chrome, or iron balustrades.

Letting in light Glass balustrades will not block any light coming into a building, allowing the light to shine through, creating an open, airy feel even when indoors.

Easily maintained, strong & durable Glass is exceptionally robust. Glass balustrades will last for years, requiring little or no maintenance.

Glass is more durable than wood, which can be prone to pest infestation or corrosion. Over time, glass will continue to maintain its durability and will last for decades.

Safe and Secure Tempered glass is used to make glass balustrades, which rarely breaks, making it a great choice for any area.

Contact us to find your nearest supplier: Tel: 0161 804 9500 Email: info@onlevel-uk.com or Visit: www.onlevel.com

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Transform your space with Korniche

Industry leading aluminium glazing solutions. Designed and engineering for your home extension and self build projects

roof lanterns bi-folding doors

DESIGNED BRIGHTER

Stronger

Slimmer

Warmer

Easy Install

Ask your builder or specifier about the multi-award-winning Korniche aluminium roof lantern and bi-folding doors

www.korniche.co.uk

Large installation or tricky to reach glazing?

Motorisation is your friend...

The British Blind and Shutter Association explains why motorising your window blinds, shutters and awnings is not as complicated as you may think.

Credit: Markilux

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Autumn/Winter 2021

Credit: Decora

Credit: Markilux

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Credit: Decora

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Credit: Markilux

Autumn/Winter 2021

Credit: Markilux Credit: Markilux

An option which was previously written off as being exclusively for those with deep pockets is now something customers should give serious consideration to and can, sometimes, be the only option.

If you’re looking to shade a large, feature piece of glazing, or a window which is in a tricky to reach spot, motorisation is your friend. At just the touch of a button or a command to a home hub, shading products such as blinds, awnings and shutters can be operated simply and effortlessly.

Crucially, going down the motorisation route means the shading product complementing your glazing is inherently child safe. Window blind safety is the top priority for the shading industry and when opting for motorisation, the need for window blind cords or chains is eliminated.

And while it’s tempting to think motorisation is likely to be more attractive to younger customers who might be more technically savvy and have young children, members of the BBSA are reporting that customers from older generations are just as, if not more so, interested in this option.

From a security point of view, if you’re out for the evening or on holiday, you can close the blinds via the touch of a button on your mobile phone, so you can protect your property from prying eyes when you’re not there. The benefits of being able to open and close your shading while you’re away don’t end at security though.

With climate change rising up just about everybody’s agenda, the ability to open and close your window shading while you’re away from home is a game changer. In winter, open your shading in the morning to allow the sunlight to flood in and heat your room and then close the shading at sunset to trap the heat. In the summer, close your shading to keep the sunlight out and keep your room cool.

For more information on window blind safety visit www.makeitsafe.org.uk.

For more information on the benefits of solar shading visit www.shadeit.org.uk.

Controls range from simple switches all the way through to timers as well as automated wind and sun sensors. Mains voltage, low voltage and battery and rechargeable options are all available.

By Daniel Surey BBSA marketing and communications coordinator

To find your local accredited specialist visit www.bbsa.org.uk.

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H I G H LY

R AT E D Crittall’s Innervision range of steel-framed glazed internal fixed screens and doors for fire rated applications.

Alarmingly, annually in the UK there are around 200 firerelated deaths and some 37,000 house fires. It’s a no brainer ensuring you do all you can to reduce the risk of fire-related incidents in your home.

“More people are fitting fire-rated (FR) doors in their homes as they want to feel safer and be reassured should a fire occur. Along with installing smoke detector alarms, and checking your electrical wiring and appliances are safe, also 18

Autumn/Winter 2021

ensure your home has fire-rated interior doors,” says Russell Ager, managing director at Crittall Windows.

“They can save lives, prevent injury, protect against fire spreading by containing it, and the smoke and toxic gases emitted. An effective barrier against flames, FR doors provide invaluable – potentially life-saving minutes - in the event of a burning room and having to evacuate a property; they help reduce fire damage too.”

Crittall’s InnerVision range of glazed internal fixed screens and doors can now be specified for fire rated applications. The steel-framed system is compliant with BS476 Part 22 providing 30 minutes (FD30) integrity fire resistance.

The enhancement of the leading range of internal screens and doors has been achieved while preserving the unique slender steel profile, which is the hallmark of Crittall products, and now sets InnervisionFR apart from other bulkier fire rated systems. The FR doors and fixed lights seamlessly blend with an almost identical appearance, with the added benefit of peace of mind in the home.

Created to achieve transmission of light throughout a home’s internal living and homeworking spaces, InnervisionFR provides a combination of bespoke and modular options with high performance fire rated glazing and an extensive range of traditional or contemporary hardware.

The system matches Crittall’s Corporate W20 external windows and doors, reflecting the timeless style of a period house or the contemporary feel of on-trend industrial styles.

While enhanced acoustic properties effectively keep noise at bay – a welcome attribute for homeowners with an office, work-out room or entertainment zone/cinema.

Available in any RAL or BS colour, InnervisionFR can be supplied as fixed screens, single or double leaf hinged doors, and is hot dip galvanized making it virtually maintenance free.

Crittall® and InnerVision® are registered trademarks.

For more information about Crittall Windows please call 01376 530800, email hq@crittall-windows.co.uk or visit www.crittall-windows.co.uk

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A D D VA LU E TO YO U R P R O P E R T Y

ask for

by name

In the last 2 to 3 years the home improvement market has experienced a surge in interest in conservatory upgrades, in favour of installing roofs that would allow the use of the room all year round.

As that demand has grown, so have the product options offered to homeowners, which broadly come in 2 types: a solid roof offering, which is a

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complete replacement, and a clad over – or wrap around, where additional tiles and / or insulation are added to the existing roof.

Autumn/Winter 2021

Choosing between options can be mind-boggling, particularly when your priorities lay between value and efficiency.

As a homeowner ask yourself the following: • Do I want to add value to my property and help sell my house in future?.

• Do I want the best performance?

• Am I doing this as a quick fix or for the long-term?

• Is structural integrity important to me?

DO I GET ADDED VA L U E A N D W I L L MY HOUSE SELL I F I H AV E I T I N S TA L L E D ?

It will come as no surprise to be told that a standard conservatory adds limited value to a property. Generally difficult to heat or keep cool you either use it only occasionally or spend a lot of money trying to make it more usable.

On the other hand, a room with a “solid” roof, tiled, insulated, compliant with building standard requirements, will transform it into a proper room, with a traditional timber roof construction. And it will save you on heating costs!

So when it comes to selling your property, don’t be the homeowner that opted for an Icotherm roof AFTER they had originally been sold a clad-over, only to be told by the surveyor that they would not been able to sell their house. Why did that happen? Many cladovers keep the full existing roof structure and glazing underneath, effectively hiding it all with tiles on top and quick to install insulation.

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P E R F O R M A N C E , W H AT S H O U L D I BE LOOKING FOR?

STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY

Insulation A better insulated room will likely be one of the main reasons you are considering changing your roof. Most manufacturers will publish their U-Value (the measurement unit used to indicate how good something is at insulating). The lower the better. Icotherm roofs are specified at 0.16, whilst other are at 0.18. still good of course, but not as good. Icotherm will also manufacture for the Scottish market which required a lower U-value (0.12)

Cladovers and roofs cut on site by builders (vs sourced from a specialist manufacturer) do not have the benefit of being already building control compliant

Ventilation All roofs need ventilation (just check your own house roof) to allow air to circulate.

The only way to have proper circulation is to ensure the air comes in, and out again (using a chimney effect). Icotherm’s pitched roofs are specifically designed to permit this.

Doesn’t ventilation just mean draught? A correctly ventilated solid roof will allow air circulation where it matters the most: well away from the room it sits on top of, right under the tiles and above the insulation.

No condensation One of the main reasons for ventilation is to remove any risk of condensation.

Atmospheric gas turns into droplets of liquid when faced with sudden changes of temperature (something as simple as temperatures dropping in the evening). This is called interstitial condensation. Ventilation, by circulating the air, will prevent a build of damp.

So to make sure your selected solid roof will not create interstitial condensation: Ask your installer if there is suitable ventilation, that the design will stop cold bridging and prevent warm air from reaching the rafter and that there is a vapour barrier to stop the room’s atmosphere from entering the roof cavity

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Reputable roof systems companies like Icotherm have had their designs tested for structural integrity, condensation risk, insulation performance, making it easier to obtain building control approval. This will mean that all roofs are constructed following clear specification guidelines, and offer you, the homeowner with the reassurance you need.

Cladovers by their very nature (various components added to the structure) do not have their own calculations as they rely on an already existing roof.

That roof will not have been designed to take the added weight, and was most definitely not designed to be encapsulated in insulation and tiles.

Create a room that you can use all year-round

The solid roof company For conservatory roof replacements or new single storey extensions

Eco-friendly timber

Thermally efficient

Fully ventilated

Sustainably sourced timber, making for the ultimate green building solution.

The Icotherm roof helps maintain optimum temperature in the room, protecting from the summer heat and retaining warmth in winter.

Unique timber pod construction which speeds up installation and the roof is fully ventilated to prevent condensation.

To find an installer near you, email us on info@icotherm.co.uk Autumn/Winter 2021

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The

WOW factor!

When Mr and Mrs Bevan decided to build a new kitchen extension, they would never of guessed the end result would be so stunning.

In this new build extension, MK Construction decided upon the Korniche Roof Lantern.

The award winning Korniche transformed the space and allowed for maximum natural light to flood in.

Self builders and homeowners around the UK favour the Korniche because of the well thought out design, which is engineered to perfection, plus the fact it is so easy to fit and literally transforms any space within the home.

The Korniche Roof Lantern looks great – Slimmer with fine architectural lines it has less frame, delivers more light and elevation. Flat roof extensions with Korniche become a much more vibrant and open space providing an architectural feature which looks at home in any traditional setting,

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and was recently the winner of the Homebuilding & Renovating Award for ‘Best Rooflight Supplier 2020’.

The Lantern is easy to specify, easy to build on-site and maintenance free!

The net result is a product that can be ‘Installed in minutes, glazed in seconds’ by the trade but also delivers a slim, refined lantern for the homeowner which is the strongest and one of the most thermally efficient Lanterns on the market today.

The Lantern is available in any square or rectangular size up to 6mx4m. The new Korniche Aluminium Bi-Folding Door is also available now.

Download brochures or obtain a quote: www.korniche.co.uk MK Construction 01993 244188 www.glazedextension.com

Autumn/Winter 2021

PROJECT OVERVIEW Build location: Washpool near Swindon Architect: Gordon Greenwood Name of builder/installer: MK Construction www.glazedextension.com Build details: New build kitchen extension Customer name: Mr & Mrs Bevan Customer comment: Mrs Bevan is absolutely over the moon with the new extension and kitchen and would highly recommend MK Construction Build time from start to finish: 16 weeks Improve Magazine asks: Why did MK Construction choose Korniche for the roof lantern?

“We use Korniche a lot, it’s a fantastic roof system. We love the engineering gone into making it, its easy to fit and always delivers amazing results.”

Mike MD of MK Construction

DESIGNED BRIGHTER

roof lanterns bi-folding doors

Homebuilding & Renovating Show

Visit Korniche Harrogate Nov 5-7th A348

Ask your builder or specifier about the multi-award-winning Korniche aluminium roof lantern and bi-folding doors

www.korniche.co.uk Autumn/Winter 2021 REAL_HOMES_FP_ISSUE271_07/7/21.indd 1

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F E E L I N G

f l u s h Combining the style of traditional timber windows and doors with modern energy efficiency and security, the Heritage Flush Collection from Deceuninck is the perfect addition to both period and contemporary homes.

What are the most important things to think about when buying new or replacement windows? Energy efficiency, cost and security are all essential elements, but for many homeowners, it is style and choice of colour that is now right at the top of their list.

A YouGov survey, commissioned by leading window and door company, Deceuninck UK, revealed that 75% of homeowners consider choice of colour when looking at new windows,

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Autumn/Winter 2021

preferring to pick from a palette of greys, creams, blacks and woodgrain effects, rather than stick to plain white.

And while the report highlighted that homeowners are now more likely to opt for a colour when specifying their new windows, it also illustrated an increasing desire for products that offered a more premium aesthetic.

Given the choice between a standard or a flush style PVC casement, 62% of those surveyed by YouGov, stated a preference for the latter.

“Flush windows have been steadily increasing in popularity for years, but since the start of the pandemic, demand for them has sky-rocketed.”

W H AT A R E F L U S H W I N D O W S ?

With standard PVC-U windows, the casement profile stands proud of the surrounding frame, but with flush windows it is completely level. It’s a style that emulates the design of traditional timber windows and presents a much more elegant solution for older properties, especially when combined with a traditional colour such as Chartwell green, Agate grey, or a wood effect foil.

However, the beauty of flush windows is that they are not just suited to period homes. When optioned with a black or a dark grey finish, they are also the perfect match for more modern, contemporary buildings, especially as they deliver a very similar aesthetic to aluminium, but with a much more affordable price tag.

“Flush windows have been steadily increasing in popularity for years, but since the start of the pandemic, demand for them has sky-rocketed,” says Deceuninck’s Managing Director, Rob McGlennon.

“That’s come from a requirement for more space, people are extending or moving to larger houses away from cities, and because they haven’t been able to go on holiday, they’ve had the additional funds to be able to really push the boat out with home improvements.

“In many cases, that has created the opportunity to replace old, standard white PVC or even tired timber units, with a much more modern and more desirable product.”

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T H E H E R I TA G E F L U S H C O L L E C T I O N Deceuninck’s award winning Heritage Flush window combines outstanding aesthetics, with class leading performance. Rated A++ for energy efficiency, it offers exceptional weather performance and is available with either double or triple glazing.

Featuring sleek, slimline frames, it can be specified with high quality, heritage style hardware, authentic Georgian bar options and traditional timber style joints.

Highly engineered, it features multi-point locking as standard and is tested to meet the rigorous standards of PAS24 for enhanced security.

Deceuninck’s Flush Sash forms part of the company’s Heritage Flush Collection. This includes a matching flush patio door, which has been designed to perfectly compliment the style, security and performance of the flush window.

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Both are also compatible with Deceuninck’s market leading range of colours, with 30 standard options and a further 20 available on special order.

“Our Heritage Flush Collection is the end result of a considerable amount of R&D,” continues Rob. “That’s reflected in the quality and the attention to detail that has gone into both the Flush Window and the Flush Door.

“The fact that both can be suited with our full range of foiled finishes, makes them even more appealing,” he concludes.

“From smooth Anthracite Grey for a contemporary, aluminium style finish, to Golden oak for a truly authentic timber effect, there’s a colour to suit any style and any age of property.”

For more information call 01249 816 969, email deceuninck.ltd@deceuninck.com or visit www.deceuninck.co.uk.

*Commissioned by Deceuninck, research was conducted by YouGov at the end of December 2020, using an online interview administered to the YouGov UK panel of 800,000+ individuals. A total of 2000 plus interviews were conducted amongst a sample of 18+ UK adults (including Norther Ireland).

From this sample a universe of homeowners was profiled made up of 49% male and 51% female respondents. Of these 1% were in the 18-24 age bracket; 11% were 25-34; 18% were aged 35-44; 17% 45-54; and 53% were 55+. Socio economic groupings were 63% ABC1 and 37% C2DE.

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Y O U R H O M E – all year round 30

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BEAUTIFUL BI-FOLDING & PAT I O D O O R S Bi-Folding doors are a contemporary update for any home due to the fact that they can extend the feeling of outdoor living and provide an uninterrupted view of the garden. It’s a great way to bring more light into your home!

Available in a range of opening configurations to suit any application, Visofold doors can be folded internally or externally and with the opening at the side (so the sashes all fold one way), at one end (to create a single entrance door) or in the middle (to give the option of a double door).

Visofold’s flexibility makes it the ideal choice for projects where large, uninterrupted openings are required, with the system providing maximum light and space to give unimpeded views. The highly-versatile, easy-tooperate system is the perfect option for even the largest project, capable of opening up an entire wall, yet presenting a contemporary, elegant glazed façade when closed.

Sliding doors also provide maximum light and afford the most unobstructed views of any system when closed and with a wide range of systems and options, you can select and tailor a door system to exactly meet your own specific requirements.

With a choice of frame sizes, sliding formats whether two, three or four pane systems, together with a choice of high-quality hardware and a wide range of colour options, the slim lines of these elegant doors make them the perfect solution for any home.

Whether you are extending your home or building from scratch, The Bi-Fold Network has a product range to meet your needs.

CONTEMPORARY FRONT DOORS TO ADD KERB APPEAL The handsome range of entrance doors, available from The Bifold Network, will impress your guests and keep out both the elements and unwelcome intruders.

Alitherm doors are designed for use as open out or open in, single or double doors, internally or externally beaded with side-light and low threshold options.

Elegant, yet strong and durable Alitherm doors enhance the beauty of your home, keep in the warmth and let in more light because of the slim sightlines. Peace of mind is ensured by the enhanced security provided by a multi-point locking system.

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Your home

ALL YEAR ROUND

NEW WINDOWS IN A RANGE OF STYLES Alitherm Heritage provides the ideal Alitherm Network O P E N The UP Y OHeritage U R Swindow P A Cis E A N DBifold EN J O Yis one T Hof Ethe UK’s VIEW! solution for heritage applications such as listed building renovations and large scale replica-refurbishment projects where planning constraints are to be Visit us considered.

designed to be built as a series of horizontal modules which can be stacked using horizontal couplers to form a multi-part window featuring a specially online to drip DESIGN A BIFOLD DOOR design bar between modules.

www.bifoldnetwork.com See how a sliding folding door would look on your property. Choose the size, number of panels, colours and handle colour options to generate a design and receive a quote from one of our approved, local installers.

leading trade suppliers of Smarts aluminium bi-folding, patio, entrance doors and windows. The team at Bifold Network will help you from start to finish with your project, supplying products and fitting teams, throughout the UK.

Email us to find your local installer: info@bifoldnetwork.com If you would like further help please call our friendly staff on 0114 231 3133

Contact us today to find a local installer or call us for a friendly, no obligation chat. www.bifoldnetwork.com Email us to find your local installer: info@bifoldnetwork.com If you would like further help please call our friendly staff on 0114 231 3133 32

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Your home

ALL YEAR ROUND

O P E N U P YO U R S PAC E A N D E N J OY T H E V I E W !

Visit us online to DESIGN A BIFOLD DOOR

www.bifoldnetwork.com See how a sliding folding door would look on your property. Choose the size, number of panels, colours and handle colour options to generate a design and receive a quote from one of our approved, local installers.

Email us to find your local installer: info@bifoldnetwork.com If you would like further help please call our friendly staff on 0114 231 3133

IMPRESSES AT H A R R O G AT E H O M E

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Alutech’s versatile BF73 aluminium system was recently used by Huddersfield fabricator, ClearView, for a stunning9‐pane bifold door, with four panes travelling left and five to the right, in RAL7021 matt black grey, which they installed to the rear of an impressive property in Harrogate, West Yorkshire.

The project proved to be a real success and thanks to the client, ClearView was able to use the property in their recent TV advertisement!

ClearView is one of the largest manufacturers and installers of aluminium bi‐ folding doors in the North of England and has used Alutech’s BF73 system for its bifolds for over 3 years, favouring it for its ease of fabrication and installation. The appearance of the system also perfectly complements other products ClearView offers, allowing them to fulfil the entire project at the home in Harrogate, which also included a striking curtain wall entrance and matching windows, with some bespoke shaped frames.

Clearview Sales Director, Graeme Bowen said: “Over the last several years working with Alutech, we have found them to provide quality product which is backed up by a first-class service.” Alutech Systems Sales Director, Mike Moulds, added, “We enjoy partnering with customers that share our values of always going the extra mile for our customers. We’ve always been impressed by the professionalism and high standards that ClearView delivers to the end user.

It’s great to be part of such an inspiring project and

our BF73 bifold makes the perfect centrepiece.”

Alutech’s BF73 aluminium door systems have high levels of security, thermal efficiency, noise reduction and weather proofing and have been rigorously tested to open and close without effort, providing reliable operation for many years to come. Designed with the philosophy of having the least amount of aluminium as possible, to maximise the glass area and improve the view.

Contact Tony at Clearview today for a no obligation quote for your next project on 01484 810506 or email tony@clearviewdoors.co.uk.

To find out more about Alutech Systems, please call 01924 350 110, email chloe@alutechsystems.co.uk, visit www.alutechsystems.co.uk and find us on social media.

You can also enquire via the Improve Magazine website by clicking here.

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Choose a member of the Steel Window Association for your windows, doors and screens We all know the benefits of choosing bona-fide manufacturers and suppliers – especially when it comes to your beautiful home!

But how can you be sure you are safe with your choice? After all, the internet is mindboggling and we cannot always trust reviews.

A traditional and proven method still holds true today – pick a member of the relevant association and you will be there!

When it comes to selecting steel windows, doors, and screens, your go-to is The Steel Window Association – www.steel-window-assocation.co.uk. You will find all you need to know there!

The appeal of steel framed doors and windows has truly stood the test of time, spanning from old country cottages and warehouses built during the Industrial Revolution, to contemporary commercial and residential properties where designers strive for a minimalist appearance.

SWA members have a full understanding of the design, fabrication and installation process, and are fully versed on all technical standards. It follows that customers can have full

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confidence that window and door packages supplied by SWA members will deliver on energy performance, security and safety, while the strength and durability of modern hot dip galvanised steel frames guarantee a long, low maintenance working life.

Recognising the long term resilience and lasting aesthetic ‘appeal of steel’, there are also Steel Window Association member companies who specialise in the repair and maintenance, or even the full restoration of older style windows; as is often essential in conservation cases.

Choosing an SWA member to manufacture and install your steel windows and doors ensures that you are receiving the highest standard of fabrication, installation and customer service.

V E R S AT I L I T Y O F S T E E L The industrial style of steel windows is fashionable for your home while the strong, versatile material is ideal for external windows, double doors, internal partitions, and shower screens.

External steel windows can boast interlocked steel glazing bars, if specified, which make them incredibly strong and secure. They also require less maintenance than timber framed windows and are manufactured from a slimmer frame, giving more opportunities for light to enter your home.

Similarly, the increasingly popular Belgium doors have interlocked steel glazing and open up the space to maximise light entering your home through a pair of side-hung hinged opening doors flanked by fixed lights.

Steel is also great for internal partitions. They can act as room dividers to create a broken plan living space which gives you the privacy of separate rooms without compromising on space.

The elegance of stylish steel doesn’t stop there; it can also be used in the bathroom. A steel shower screen is the ideal way to combine industrial style with contemporary design.

The material is easy to clean and maintain, and increases the light entering your shower space. Weather seals can also be fitted to ensure the steel screen is fully watertight.

Double glazed steel windows with 16mm Krypton filled units are ideal for historical and/or contemporary homes. They are able to reflect heat back in to the room which helps with thermal efficiency. Single glazed steel windows can still be manufactured for listed, historic and conservation buildings.

BRING STEEL WINDOWS AND DOORS INTO YOUR KITCHEN Open plan kitchens are hugely popular as they allow more natural light into the space. However, there’s a lot to be said for separate spaces, so the development of broken plan kitchens arrived. Steel windows incorporate the best of both worlds with internal partitions to break up the space, as well as external windows that maximise the area for light to enter your kitchen.

External steel windows can be amalgamated into kitchen extensions as a replacement for exterior walls. This is a perfect way to bring light into your home and create the illusion of a larger room, blending the indoors with the outside. Steel windows come in a range of sizes so you can have large glass panes spanning across the space of the external wall which will not obstruct your view of the garden.

To convert existing open plan areas to the new trend of broken plan kitchen design, and create separate spaces, the same W20 steel profiles can be used as internal partitions bringing through the external design aesthetics to the internal space. This can be a small partition to separate an open pantry or utility room from the rest of the kitchen, or a large partition can take the place of an interior non-weight bearing wall. It’s the perfect solution to stylishly bring a broken plan scheme to the kitchen.

Steel partitions complement various interior schemes from mid-century modern designs to Scandi-styles with black steel windows reflecting a striking contrast to pale kitchen cabinetry.

Not only are steel windows incredibly stylish, the strong W20 steel sections allow for double glazed windows with thermally efficient units so your kitchen can stay beautiful and warm.

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LET THE LIGHT FLOW WITH STUNNING STEEL SCREENS Broken-plan homes give the appearance of more space while still maintaining separate areas. This is often achieved through the use of internal screens. Steel windows are the perfect material for these internal screens as they are strong and sturdy, and will let plenty of natural light flow throughout your home.

The trendy steel material is ideal for replacing a non-load bearing wall between your living space and kitchen.

It still provides two separate rooms but does not compromise on the natural light available. Although most popular between a living room and kitchen, any two spaces can be divided with steel screens. The internal partition can be made from steel windows and steel doors to allow design flexibility combined with practical functionality.

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And, as door thresholds are not necessary, your finished floor will remain intact, leaving the perfect stylish passage for light to run between the two rooms.

With plenty of design options available, steel windows can be used in a number of ways throughout the home. Each structure offers solidity without being overpowering and exposes more areas of the home to sun light, reducing the amount of blue light used and allowing you to reap the benefits of natural light, such as improvement in productivity, a boost in Vitamin D, and a lower costing energy bill!

W20 profiles are the preferred choice when it comes to internal screens.

The glazing bars are a mere 28mm wide leaving the biggest area possible for glass between them, opening up the most passages for natural light to enter a space. Internal steel screens are highly versatile and can include windows or doors up to a height of 2.4m.

Members of the Steel Window Association offer a UK wide service for the repair and replacement of various types of old metal windows, doors and screens, as well as being able to manufacture new fenestration which fully meets the requirements of the building regulations. Choosing an SWA member to manufacture and install your steel windows and doors ensures that you are receiving the highest standard of fabrication, Installation and customer service.

For further information on the Steel Window Association, please visit www.steel-window-association.co.uk.

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by

DUTEMÄNN

THE BEST BI-FOLD JUST GOT BETTER! •

NEW PANEL SIZE 1500MM WIDE x 2600MM HIGH

• NATIONWIDE NETWORK • 20 YEAR GUARANTEE

Tel 01322 771213 sales@dutemann.co.uk

www.dutemann.co.uk

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I N S P I R I N G

s p a c e s If you are looking for inspiration, you are in the right place! Because The Best Just Got Better!

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Supplied through its nationwide network of approved installers and renowned within the industry as the best trade supplier, Dutemänn is the largest supplier of the Schüco ASS70FD product range, within the UK. Dutemänn are at the forefront of any upgrades, whether its for a new build property, extension or refurbishment. The latest development in bifold doors means you can now specify each panel to be up to 1500mm wide x 2600mm high! So, you can now order a Dutemänn Schüco bifold door 4500mm wide with just 3 panels. “LESS PANELS MORE GLASS”.

When it comes to insulation, you’re covered. Keep your ‘heat in’ and the ‘cold out’ with a combination of state of the art thermally broken aluminium profiles and modern glass technology that reflects cold out and heat in. The Dutemänn Schüco bifold door can be either double or super insulated triple glazed, just speak to your approved installer for their professional advice (Dutemann can put you in touch with an approved installer near you).

You can personalise your doors using a choice of hundreds of RAL colours, however Dutemänn have taken time to stock the top six colours used in the UK, so you can have the BEST

bifold in the BEST colour with the BEST security delivered in a time that suits YOU! Dutemann’s products not only meet, but, exceed security standards; meaning you can rest assured that not only are their doors highly functional, allowing light to fill the space, but they are also very secure. Dutemänn test to the highest security standard in the UK, PAS24-2016, so when ordering your door insist your Dutemänn approved installer has a certificate of proof to hand.

Over the last decade, the Dutemänn Schüco ASS70 FD has proven to be the best bifold door you can fit into your property. Dutemänn are so sure doors made to their specification will give you a life time of effortless operation, they offer a 20-year warranty on every Schüco ASS70FD they manufacture.

A brand new website is now available for you to view the full product range, including the Schüco ASS70FD bifold, stunning sliding doors and kerb appeal entrance doors. You can now visit https://dutemann.co.uk/bifold-doors/ to view the range in the comfort of your own home and be inspired by some really aspirational photography.

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LET THE

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live, possibly forever – and in many cases, the way we work. Even though many have now returned to offices, many more people have seen the introduction of a more flexible, hybrid way of working, where employees work partly in the office and partly at home. This new way of working has brought into focus how crucial it is to bring natural sunlight into living spaces – and industry-leading PVCu window and door manufacturer Liniar explains why.

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F A M I LY WELLBEING These products not only increase the value of your property but the more natural light you bring in the more benefits your family are likely to see.

Sunlight naturally boosts your body’s production of essential vitamins B and D, as well as boosting your overall immune system and improving your digestion process.

This isn’t where the benefits end. In fact, sunlight has been proven to aid those recovering from illnesses – like COVID and surgery. In peer-reviewed medical research, it’s reported that there are higher recovery rates for patients whose rooms have windows versus those with no natural light.

For children, access to sunlight is more important than ever. Sunlight naturally boasts antiseptic properties, resulting in homes with conservatories, lantern roofs and plenty of windows having lower levels of bacteria – and in turn healthier families.

SHINING A LIGHT O N M E N TA L H E A LT H Whether working in an office or at home, productivity is always important.

Long periods of exposure to artificial light can affect mental health and, in some cases, trigger the same symptoms as Seasonal Affective Disorder such as depression, reduced productivity, tiredness and pessimism.

THE BENEFITS OF LIGHT The importance of light and its impact on our lives has been the subject of research for scientists, medical professionals and universities for more than a decade. Their results show adding light can have a marked impact on everyday life, including increased productivity, boosted mood levels, better sleep and improved vision.

These findings, combined with the increased amount of time families have spent at home over the past two years, means having more natural light at home has become incredibly important. For many homeowners, this has translated into an increased demand for glazed home improvements – including bi-folding, patio and French doors, lantern roofs and conservatories.

A study conducted by Cornell University found that workers who had ample access to natural light while they worked reported: • Decreased drowsiness • Decreased effects from eye strain including blurred vision • Increase in their ‘daylight happiness’ Adding a conservatory, lantern roof, more windows or doors with wide expanses of glass would help to provide all these benefits for those who work from home, as well as increased productivity and overall wellbeing.

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GET A GOOD NIGHT’S REST Light and sleep may seem like polar opposites, but natural light has a profound impact on your circadian rhythm (or the body’s natural wake sleep cycle). Too much time spent under artificial lights can impact your body’s natural rhythm and decrease its production of melatonin – the chemical that helps you fall asleep and sleep soundly.

A study from the University of Sao Paolo reports that families who have plenty of natural light in their lives not only slept better, with more normalised sleep and wake patterns, but also fell asleep much easier than those without access to natural light.

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FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE Since the start of the pandemic and the resulting increase in the time people have spent in their homes, the demand for conservatories and garden rooms that are turned into home gyms, home offices, crafty spaces or ‘man/she caves’ has skyrocketed. These new spaces often include glass doors of all types, lantern roofs or large expanses of windows – providing plenty of natural light.

These niche spaces can not only increase levels of happiness within families but also provide a much needed work/life balance.

Adding spaces with plenty of windows or access to sunlight allows our minds and bodies to be happier and healthier.

Dreaming of lightening up your living space with more natural light?

View the range of Queen’s Award-winning bi-fold doors, patio doors, French doors, lantern roofs and conservatories at www.liniar.co.uk and find your nearest stockist at www.liniar.co.uk/stockists to start making those dreams a reality.

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NEW BUILD CASE STUDY A modern, light-filled home that creates a

dramatic first impression

Rav and Joti Dhuna have refurbished and built homes for many clients through their company, the Design, Renovation and Build Team. In 2019, the couple put their skills to use redesigning their own family home in Farnham Royal, South Buckinghamshire.

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With four grown up children and Rav’s mother living at home, the family needed more space. Rav and Joti decided to demolish the existing house and designed a modern 4500 square foot, six-bedroom home to better suit the family’s changing needs.

Having worked in the construction industry for over twenty years, Rav was keen to use quality materials. He had used Schüco products in other projects and was impressed by their quality, durability and design, and therefore specified Schüco windows and doors to be used throughout the property.

As soon as they enter the driveway, visitors are bowled over by the stunning house. Rav is a car lover and eschewed a traditional garage door in favour of a Schüco ASS 70 FD bi-fold door.

Rav explains, “If you have a beautiful car, why wouldn’t you want to see it?

Rather than hiding the car away behind a garage door, the glazed bi-fold door allows it to be on display while keeping it secure. The door threshold is flush with the ground so the car can easily be driven in and out of the garage.”

A 2.5 metre-wide Schüco ADS 75 front door provides a grand opening into the double-height entrance lobby.

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Schüco entrance doors are individually designed for each home and combine contemporary design with reliable function and state-of-the-art locking systems.

An EI60 fire-rated glazed wall in the entrance hall showcases the supercar parked in the garage creating a real talking point for visitors to the home.

The first floor bedrooms boast gable end opening windows which echo the rooms’ vaulted ceilings and lend the house a distinctive look. These Schüco windows are a bespoke solution manufactured by Bifold Door Factory in West Drayton, Middlesex. The company fabricated and installed all the Schüco products in Rav and Joti’s home.

The family enjoy spending time together and entertaining friends, so they made a large open-plan living space the focal point of the ground floor.

Rav says, “We wanted to create a spacious, light-filled living area. Sevenmetre wide bi-fold doors flood the room with natural light and provide views over the garden. Further light is drawn in through the large roof lantern above the seating area.”

The family are enjoying life in their spacious, light-filled home designed to meet their needs.

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Photography by Matt Clayton

For more information on Schüco and to find your local Schüco partner visit www.schueco.com/uk, call 01908 282 111 or email: mkinfobox@schueco.com.

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Kerb Appeal Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in homeowners choosing to renovate their properties, rather than relocating to a new home. A priority on the majority of homeowners’ minds is creating stand out kerb appeal, with many homeowners opting to express their personality through the design of their doors and windows. Using the latest colour options, the ability to create a unique and eye-catching property facade is possible. Trends are changing for external building products particularly doors, windows and roofline. For many years white was right, the only option and the only choice. But now colour is in, and, more importantly, readily available.

Click here to go back to contents

The following section covers...

• Instagram Influence

• Aluminium Doors

• Front Door Inspiration

• Maintenance

• Coloured Roofline

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An inspired choice I N STA N T

K E R B

A P P E A L

EASY ON THE EYE

W E AT H E R R E S I S TA N C E

With 24 styles, the Dutemänn Haus entrance door features a range of architectural pull handles made with marine grade stainless steel. Options include brushed steel, coloured handles or contrasting colour handles.

Your Haus door is designed for use in all European climates.

All doors have been tested to, and have passed, the very latest testing criteria for both air and water resistance. Our frames have multiple rubber weather seals ensuring your home is safe, dry and warm, even during the harshest of weather conditions.

One of the best features of the Haus entrance door is the impressive size to meet the customer demand for wider and taller door sets.

LOCKED AND LOADED

View the range here: https://dutemann.co.uk/entrance-doors/

Your Haus door is supplied security tested to PAS242016. The locking system is premium German engineered automatic multi-point locks, which is the preferred specification for Secured by Design.

With options for electronic locking or smart-locking, you can upgrade to the latest technology, proximity devices, fingerprint readers, even retina technology with a Dutemänn Haus door.

T O U G H E R T H A N Y O U R AV E R A G E Each Dutemänn Haus panel is a massive 44mm thick constructed from two pressed aluminium sheets on the outer faces reinforced with laminated wooden sheets all encasing the highly thermally efficient inner core.

The result is a highly stable, thermally efficient product which is unaffected by extreme weather conditions. Glazed panels are bonded into openings for security and held in place with an internal bezel.

PA C K S A P U N C H The Dutemänn Haus Door range provides exceptional thermal performance. All of our door systems are manufactured to exceed current U-value building regulations. Our panels are 44mm thick constructed of two pressed panels of aluminium with a highly insulated inner core, this construction gives us a panel U-value of just 0.71w/(m2k) for both glazed or solid panels.

When we combine our panel with our superior high insulation door system, the whole Dutemänn Haus Door is as low as 1.2w/(m2k).

The combination of a thermal barrier, multiple weather seals and high performing glass maximises heat retention increasing fuel efficiency and helping to minimise fuel bills.

YOUR NEXT STEP Call Dutemänn on 01322 771 213 or email sales@dutemann.co.uk and their customer care team will put you in touch with your local approved installer.

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Be colour confident Freefoam de-mystify colour roofline and show how you can be confident with colour.

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Trends are changing for external building products particularly doors, windows and roofline. For many years white was right, the only option and the only choice. But now colour is in, and, more importantly, readily available.

From subtle shades of cream and green, to cool contemporary grey and black, the opportunity is now available to add colour windows and doors, and at the same time creating the complete coordinated look with matching fascia and soffit.

And Freefoam Building Products are the colour specialist manufacturing fascia and soffit in a total of 16 shades.

Available in a choice of eight solid smooth colours and eight woodgrain finishes.

SOLID COLOUR Freefoam set out to innovate and solve the key challenges of making a wide choice of colours that lasted. The colour range is manufactured using Freefoam’s patented ColormaxTM technology. An advanced process with a special blend of natural PVC compound. The colour skin and the foam core are intrinsically bonded together creating colourfast products.

Freefoam manufacture 8 colours as standard: White, Black, Leather Brown, Pale Gold, Sable, Storm Grey, Anthracite Grey and Dark Grey.

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WOODGRAIN RANGE The majority of colour windows and doors have a foiled finish, where the coloured foil is applied to white products in the final stages of manufacture. Freefoam use exactly the same foil finishes for fascia, soffit and window trims - so you can be sure that when you choose colour fascia it will match your windows perfectly.

Freefoam use market leading Renolit foil featuring built in Solar Shield Technology (SST) allows Freefoam to offer a ten year guarantee on all foiled products.

• Built in sun reflection • Reduced heat absorption • Reduced profile temperature and expansion

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Colour Guaranteed What makes the Freefoam colour ranges stand out is the unique 10 year guarantee. All products are designed and manufactured to stand the test of time.

Low Maintenance Everyone wants their property to look it’s best, but time is precious, so low maintenance products are a must. Freefoam PVC fascia and soffit needs very little maintenance, just the occasional wash down with soap and water to keep them looking good.

Colour Visualiser Making decisions about the exterior of your home can be tricky. Freefoam have made that choice easier. Our fantastic online colour visualiser tool allows you to experiment with

Colour Visualiser

different colour options to find the shade and combination that is right for your home.

Get a free Quote from a local installer Go to our site myfascia.co.uk and simply fill in your details online and Freefoam will put you in touch with a local tradesperson who is familiar with the product range and give you a FREE no obligation quote for new colour fascia, soffit and gutter.

Be colour confident So now you have all the know how and tools to be confident about choosing colour fascia and soffit for your home.

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How to

BOOST YOUR KERB APPEAL

A priority on the majority of homeowners’ minds is creating stand out kerb appeal, with many homeowners opting to express their personality through the design of their doors and windows. Using the latest colour options, the ability to create a unique and eye-catching property

facade is possible. As demand has risen, various designs have emerged, including attractive wood-effect which has been well received by UK architects as it creates the perfect aesthetic for new-build or renovation projects. When talking to our customers, we noticed a surge in the ‘improve rather than move’

Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in homeowners choosing to renovate their properties, rather than relocating to a new home.

mentality, illustrating that people are seeking high-quality profiles, systems, and doors to enhance their properties, ultimately investing more heavily in their current homes.

Because of this, it’s really important to ensure that people know the long-term benefits that premium products can provide, so an informed decision can be made to future proof their homes which suit their exact requirements.

WINDOWS U-Value is no longer an afterthought for homeowners, with many actively seeking the lowest possible value for their windows. Typically, generic modern, double glazing holds a value of <1.6 Wmk2, whilst the value of the latest innovative profiles are remarkably lower at <0.7Wmk2.

This significant improvement appeals to cost-savvy customers, as maintaining an energy efficient home is vital when trying to keep energy bills to a minimum. An increase in the environmentally conscious individual 58

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has also affected the demand for the best thermal insulation characteristics.

Profiles, therefore, need to be designed with this in mind, to create an exceptional living experience for the customer, whilst remaining environmentally friendly.

In many cases, window hardware is often overlooked, with a higher focus being placed on the glass itself. However, we are starting to see that built into most of the latest, innovative designs are various burglary deterrent features, with resistance class 2 tilt hardware and security corner transmission hardware becoming standard. This advancement in technology is becoming a staple with homeowners and UK architects, as the remarkable strength and durability provide a greater level of burglary deterrent, ensuring ultimate protection for the home.

DOORS Weru UK recently relaunched their front door offering with improved configurations and designs allowing its customers to take full advantage of the latest advances in materials, security, and energy efficiency whilst also having a beautiful front door by investing in a quality aluminium front door engineered in Germany.

The enhanced range of colours and finishes offer the opportunity to turn a front door into a truly exceptionally unique and personalised statement. Applications in sandstone, slate, concrete, ceramics, wood decor or fillings in real wood look give the door a particularly individual touch.

As people are living smarter in their homes with advancements in technology, there are so many innovative ways to create a smart home, and this includes the doors in the Atris range from Weru. Thanks to innovative sensor technology biometric fingerprint technology and blue-tooth security technology, in which a smartphone can double as a remote control, customers have the ability to get connected with their front door.

Consumers creativity is given free reign with exclusive design elements, such as glass art motifs for side panels and patterned glass, to create a personal light mood in the interior. Glass art motifs create an intriguing effect by refracting the light differently depending on the angle of view and can be further enhanced by incorporating LED lighting. These design options are available in addition to the large range of equipment packages of the aluminium doors.

For further information on Weru UK call 01253 341444 or visit www.weru.uk.

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FRONT OF HOUSE

For properties that are in need of an exterior update, Managing Director of Thames Valley Window Company, Ryan Schofield reveals his top tips for adding instant kerb appeal to homes.

R E VA M P T H E F R O N T D O O R “It’s important to note that all properties have a face value, particularly traditional houses. Don’t underestimate the impact of the colour of your door on the overall look of the property. Keep the style of the house in mind, as the wrong colour can devalue the property or reduce its appeal. In the long run it is best to restore the authenticity of the property and add value rather than go for a bright on-trend hue.

Neutral shades of grey and soft sage greens work well for period houses, as they reflect their natural surroundings and are in-keeping with the history of the home.”

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“Wooden front doors can be painted to give them a quick and instant refresh.

Strip and sand down any old paint – this will give you a clean, smooth surface to work with.”

“Paint with exterior primer and wait at least 24 hours before applying your chosen colour. Opt for a durable and microporous paint as this will allow the timber to breathe and won’t fade or peel over time.”

“Front doors are exposed to the elements, so choose a paint that can handle exposure to water, wind and snow.”

“A front door is also a high traffic area, so opt for a paint that’s durable and won’t chip or mark easily – we recommend using a semi-gloss finish which is a little more forgiving than a standard gloss paint.”

M A I N TA I N W I N D O W S “Peeling paintwork and dirty windows can make a property look tired and run down. In order to maintain the aesthetics and practicality of your windows it’s important to clean the frames once or twice a year, although you may need to do this a little more if you live near the sea where salt exposure is high, or if you live in a busy city and are close to major roads or industrial sites.”

“Water marks, dust and dirt will soon build up if you don’t regularly clean window glass. To clean window frames, start by opening your windows wide. Using a soft paintbrush, loosen any cobwebs, dirt and grime around the edges and hard to reach areas, then use a hoover with a soft nozzle brush to hoover around the frames. Next, mix up mild detergent with warm water and use a soft cloth to clean away any dirt. Make sure you don’t use anything with harsh chemicals as they may damage the frame finish. Wipe the window with fresh water to rise off any suds before wiping dry.”

Thames Valley Window Company offers an extensive range of front doors for traditional and modern properties with a huge array of RAL colours, glass inserts and handles to choose from. Windows are available in a range of designs inclusion sash and tilt and turn styles in uPVC, Timber and Aluminium frames.

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I N S TA G R A M I N F L U E N C E R

GETS SMART WITH KUBU

Instagram influencer, Katrina @greygoosehouse, has upgraded her cherished home with a new Kubu equipped composite front door, that was manufactured and installed by Infinity Windows and Doors.

With over 109k followers, @greygoosehouse has become a highly influential social media feed for all things that reflect interior design, home and interiors, and lifestyle inspirations.

But the introduction of a Kubu equipped composite door has been a decision based on security, reassurance and ultimately peace of mind.

Katrina outlines the rationale for this important investment in her home and said: ‘Kubu is a revelation for us as a family and as a busy business owner, I now know when my front door is locked or unlocked through the notifications which also tell me when our children have left and returned to the house. The clever geo-fencing feature has also proven to be particularly useful and in time when the window sensor is launched, it will form part of an important smart home network for us too.

She added: ‘It was also fundamental for me from an interior design perspective to pick the perfect hardware for my front door and not be reliant on an unsightly and bulky smart lock.

Overall, I’m thrilled with this new investment on our Grey Goose House.’

Lauren Bromley, head of brand for Kubu added: ‘Kubu is not just a lifestyle choice, but one in which is part of a more secure and ultimately smarter home. There’s little impact on manufacturing processes for fabricators and no additional works or cost implications for the installer, the clever bit is when doors and windows are activated by consumers with full support by us directly.’

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For information on smart doors from Dekko, visit dekkowindows.com.

For further information about becoming a manufacturing partner or Kubu Pro Installer then please visit kubu-home.com, e-mail support@kubu-home.com or call 0330 555 9545 for a free information pack. You can also follow them on all leading social media platforms @KubuSmart.

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I N S TA G R A M I N S P I R AT I O N FROM ENDURANCE Louise Sugars is the latest Instagram influencer to endorse Endurance Doors on her inspirational page @myhomegarden36 where she states that ‘I love interior design and all things home.’

It’s an Instagram page packed with ideas and interior design influences for the modern home, where she’s benefitted from a new Pentland style door in Raven Black with chrome hardware from Endurance Doors. She’s already enhanced the front of her home with a matching Ring doorbell, along with a contrasting white rose featured wreath, as shown on her post from the 9th August 2021 which has already enjoyed 1,480 likes.

Louise Sugars commented: ‘I wanted a door that was secure, looked great and that would provide years of maintenance free enjoyment. I’ve certainly achieved this with my new Endurance Door and having done some research on the internet it’s clear they are top of their game. It’s made a remarkable feature to the front of our home, and it feels solid too.’

Scott Foster, Group Head of Sales and Marketing at Endurance Doors added: “Louise is the latest Instagram influencer to endorse a solid core Endurance Door and for good reason, as we believe it’s the best in the sector from a design and performance point view. Like all of our doors, this one has been manufactured carefully without the use of a generic door blank in our facility in Brigg, Lincolnshire with a great deal of expertise and skill.’

For further information on the Endurance Solid and Secure composite door range, including the latest colours and finishes, please call the sales office on 01652 659259, visit https://endurancedoors.co.uk, or e-mail marketing@endurancedoors.co.uk.

You can also add to the Twitter following @EnduranceDoors.

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Consumer Advice & Information PARENTS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS ABOUT CHILDREN GOING TO UNIVERSITY OR INTO INDUSTRY - A YouGov survey* commissioned

by GQA Qualifications has brought to light fresh insights about the attitude of parents to vocational training and careers as an alternative to their children going to university. The GQA also commissioned a You Gov survey, revealing homeowner’s preference for qualified Tradespeople in the fenestration industry.

Click here to go back to contents

The following section covers...

• You Gov Survey (University or Industry)?

• Qualified Tradespeople

• Vocational Training

• Free Brochure

• Glass Restoration

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PA R E N T S S H A R E T H E I R THOUGHTS ABOUT CHILDREN GOING TO UNIVERSIT Y OR INTO INDUSTRY A YouGov survey* commissioned by GQA Qualifications has brought to light fresh insights about the attitude of parents to vocational training and careers as an alternative to their children going to university.

The survey took note of the views of over 1,000 parents asking them to give their opinions on the routes available to their children after completing their initial education. Did parents think that their children should go to university as so many have done in the past, or did they think a vocational career path was a better option? The survey spoke particularly about the Fenestration Industry, offering parents a brief overview of what the sector was, and what it delivered to the economy in the UK. “The Fenestration Industry was described as that which is concerned with the placement of windows, doors and glazing into buildings; is an industry instrumental to the construction of the glass sky scrapers which adorn every major city skyline in the UK; an industry that is worth over £4.6 billion per year, and has over 25 recognised career paths, all with training and qualifications available to those who choose to make their career in it.”

While only 8% of the respondents claimed to have any awareness of the extensive number of career paths in the Fenestration Industry that are open to their children, encouragingly over 75% of them were not averse to their children choosing the industry as a potential career.

Almost 60% of them agreed that for decades we have been sending too many young people onto university courses that do nothing to improve their life chances or help with their career goals, and with the skills gap and general need for staff across all industries at an all-time high, it’s encouraging that parents are now moving away from what had become a seemingly automatic process that sent their children onto higher education. Additionally, the survey revealed that just under 70% of those parents said they were not averse to their children entering the Fenestration Industry instead of going to university, and almost half revealed that they would actively like their child to explore vocational career opportunities first to give them a balanced view of the options available to them as part of the decision-making process.

Statement agreement Please think about this statement. "For decades we have been recruiting too many young people on to university courses that do nothing to improve their life chances or help with their career goals" As a parent, to what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

45.0% 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0%

20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0%

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Strongly agree

Tend to agree

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Neither agree nor disagree

Tend to disagree

Strongly disagree

Like or dislike child exploring vocational training/ qualifications Please imagine that your child was thinking about further/ higher education (e.g. A-levels, university etc.)... To what extent would you like or dislike your child to explore vocational training and/ or vocational qualification career opportunities FIRST as part of the decision making process, or would you have no strong feelings either way?

45.0%

40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0%

0.0%

Like a lot

Like a little

No strong feelings either way

Commenting on the survey, Mick Clayton, CEO of GQA Qualifications who commissioned the survey said: “While it's great that such a high proportion of parents are not averse to their children entering the Fenestration Industry, it's clear that we still have a lot of work to do to raise awareness of the sheer variety of roles it offers. With over twenty-five career paths available, all with the opportunity for ongoing training and formal qualifications, it is a great industry for anyone to consider as a home for their skills and career ambitions. Continuing personal and professional development are at the heart of what we promote at GQA,

Dislike a little

Dislike a lot

and we will continue to collaborate with industry employers, professional bodies and campaigning organisations to raise awareness of the industry and what it offers.”

“There is without doubt encouragement that parents are recognising the industry as a suitable place for their children to forge their careers and we will continue to work to raise awareness of the opportunities that are available.”

The full survey is available for download on www.gqaqualifications.com and for more information about the industry please also visit www.buildingourskills.co.uk.

Agreement scale As a reminder, the 'Fenestration industry' is the sector that constructs, places and glazes windows and doors in a building. It is one of the industries which is heavily involved in building many modern skyscrapers and buildings across major cities in the UK, such as the Shard in London.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with each of the following?

The Fenestration industry as a potential career path for my child

The Fenestration industry as an alternative to my child going to university

60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%

Strongly agree

Tend to agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Tend to disagree

Strongly disagree

Fenestration agreement scale

* All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 4506 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 15th - 19th July 2021. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK parents.

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GQA-COMMISSIONED YO U G OV S U R V E Y R E V E A L S HOMEOWNER’S PREFERENCE FOR QUALIFIED TRADESPEOPLE A YouGov survey* commissioned by GQA Qualifications has brought to light fresh insights from homeowners into training and qualifications amongst tradespeople in the fenestration industry.

The survey took note of the views of over 2,600 homeowners asking them to share their views about tradespeople carrying out improvement works in their home, and their thoughts about the importance of tradespeople having formal qualifications for their specific trade. The outcome was that over 83% stated they would have more confidence that a tradesperson would be able to do a job to a higher standard if they had a formal industry qualification. Over 84% agreed that they thought a qualified tradesperson was committed to learning the skills needed to do the job right, and over 85% agreed they thought being qualified showed that a tradesperson was truly committed to their trade and wanted to make a career out of what they were doing.

More generally the group considered all careers across all industries, and over 90% said they thought that formal training and qualifications are important for delivering better quality workmanship.

Commenting on these insights, Mick Clayton, CEO of GQA, the fenestration industry’s leading awarding organisation said: “Clearly, if homeowners are reassured by tradespeople coming into their homes who can demonstrate a formal qualification for their trade, then it is obvious that training and qualifications can create a competitive advantage for business owners who encourage their employees down this route. Looking at things from the point of view of employees, it also makes sense for them to seek out those employers who do offer genuine career development through proper training. For young people starting out in the world of work, it is obvious that joining a trade that offers accredited training and formally recognised qualifications should be their goal. If we can get parents underlining this when their children are thinking about choosing a career, then we will be headed in the right direction to attract newcomers to our industry.”

For more information on the range of industry relevant qualifications available in the Fenestration industry, and the other fifteen sectors in which GQA operates please visit www.gqaqualifications.com or call 0114 272 0033.

Tradesperson qualification - homeowner agreement scale For the following question, please imagine a tradesperson was carrying out Home Improvement works in your home and they had a formal qualification for their specific trade... To what extent would you agree or disagree with each of the following?

I would have more confidence that they would be able to do the job to a high standard I would think that they are committed to learning the skills they need to do the job right I would think that they are committed to their trade and want to make a career out of what they are doing 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%

Strongly agree

Tend to agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Tend to disagree

Strongly disagree

Tradesperson qualitfication - homeowner agreement scale * All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 4506 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 15th - 19th July 2021.

The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK homeowners.

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g l a s s

r e s t o r a t i o n AT G R A D E I L I S T E D MANCHESTER TOWN HALL GQA centre Absolute Training Solutions Ltd has contributed to the successful restoration of historic stainedglass panels at Grade I listed Manchester Town Hall by supporting employees of Recclesia Stained Glass through NVQ attainment. Grade 1 listed buildings, which are incredibly rare in the UK are those deemed to be of exceptional national, architectural or historical significance.

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B A C K G R O U N D I N F O R M AT I O N Recclesia Stained Glass, whose staff undertook the qualifications and carried out the works are specialists in the conservation and repair of glass in historic and listed buildings, churches, ancient sites and ruins.

MANCHESTER TOWN HALL

This is an incredible example of how traditional skills fit into a modern world, and an example of just one career path which is open to people thinking about the Fenestration Industry as a home for their skills and their passion.

The achievement of the NVQs was funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency, working in partnership with the European Social Fund.

This project involved the removal, restoration and installation of the glass in the Great Hall at the Town Hall building which is undergoing a major four-year refurbishment programme. The employees of Recclesia required a recognised NVQ qualification to fulfil the contractual obligations of the contract and approached Absolute Training Solutions Ltd to deliver the ESF funded level 2 qualification for five members of staff. Qualifications were undertaken by members of staff from the glass processing side of the business who were involved on the restoration element of the contract, and one member of staff who was responsible for the removal and installation of the specialist glass and its transportation to their studio in Swinton.

O U T C O M E A N D I M PA C T Katherine Walton, Senior Stained-Glass Conservator for Recclesia said “We are one of the few conservation companies in the UK that continues to maintain a full in-house staff of conservators and traditionally skilled craftsmen and women. This is one of the main reasons we are chosen to work on some of the UK's most iconic buildings.”

“The service provided by Absolute Training Solutions Ltd, and the European Social Fund enabled us to deliver the highest standards and ensured that all staff were fully qualified to meet the needs of the project.”

“Our staff have benefited immensely developing skills and knowledge. These qualifications will give the company the opportunity to access more projects in the future as more of our staff are now multi skilled with a recognised qualification. The company has benefited greatly from our staff gaining new skill levels.

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What the learners said...

Katherine Ladyman, Glass Processing Level 2 achiever continued: “I was motivated to apply for the course because I really enjoy learning new things and being creative.

The NVQ in Glass Processing has helped me expand my knowledge and gain new skills. I am happy that I have now progressed to a higher level which will further enhance my knowledge and understanding of the glass processing sector.”

Tomos Ball, Glazing Level 2 achiever said: “my motivation to apply for this course was to gain more knowledge of my job and the industry. I enjoyed the observations and the support provided to me by my tutor Roy. I was very happy with the outcome and the achievement of the glazing qualification. The experience will be valuable and will benefit me in the future.”

What Absolute Training Solutions said...

Speaking for Absolute Training Solutions, Roy Pusey the scheme tutor commented: “I was very impressed with the quality of the work produced by all the employees at Recclesia. The work currently being carried out on the Manchester Town Hall contract is of an extremely high standard and all staff have shown that they have the skills and the knowledge to meet their contractual obligations.”

What GQA Qualifications said...

Speaking for GQA the awarding body who write the qualifications taken by the team at Recclesia, CEO Mick Clayton said: “It is great to hear that what you might call traditional skills are still alive and well in the modern world and that there are people who want to learn them and carry on the traditions.”

“It is always great news when those people understand the value of qualifications as a way of further developing their knowledge, their skills and their careers, and I am delighted for all the team at Recclesia.”

“The project they are currently working on is a real landmark and something they will always be able to look back on with pride. Congratulations to them all.”

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Make an informed choice

Mercury Specialist Frames Ltd has just published a new retail brochure which showcases its aluminium window and door products.

Steve Cross, Director at Mercury, said “Our latest high-end consumer brochure features our range of quality aluminium windows and doors to help inspire homeowners and helps consumers make an informed choice.”

The new brochure has stunning lifestyle imagery throughout that showcases exactly why Mercury’s aluminium products are a popular choice with consumers. The photography is supported with information to help homeowners choose the aluminium windows and doors that are right for their homes.

It includes aluminium bifold doors, patio doors, designer

entrance doors, casement windows, heritage windows, sash windows and aluminium lantern roofs. Steve said: “The demand for domestic aluminium products has grown exponentially over the last few years as these products deliver the aspirational improvements that consumers are seeking. The focus on images in our new brochure reinforces the importance of the lifestyle element in choosing our aluminium products.”

There has been a considerable upturn in demand for domestic aluminium window and door products following the first lockdown especially for bifold and patio doors.

Consumers have had time to research their replacement window and door products and are looking for contemporary, slimline products more than ever. Steve said: “What was once considered the default material for commercial or architecturally-styled homes, has now become the products of choice for high-end properties and modern homes alike.

We have also seen an upturn for aluminium products in traditional properties and our aluminium heritage window collection is perfect for this market."

To request your free copy of the new aluminium brochure, contact sales@mercuryspecialistframes.co.uk or call 01452 383344.

FREE

ALUMINIUM BROCHURE

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Security & Te c h I n The Home Window and door smartsensor pioneer, Kubu, has partnered with revolutionary online smart home insurance provider Hiro, to bring preventionfirst insurance to the glazing and fenestration industries.

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The following section covers...

• Prevention-First Insurance • Smart Home Solutions

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KUBU’S SMART INSURANCE

S U P E R - H I R O

Window and door smart-sensor pioneer, Kubu, has partnered with revolutionary online smart home insurance provider Hiro, to bring prevention-first insurance to the glazing and fenestration industries.

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Kubu needs no introduction as the industry’s preferred smartsensor platform and the partnership with Hiro also marks a shift in positioning for the Kubu brand, as it will sit alongside other smart tech products. Kubu over the last 2 years has hit the market with a number of industry firsts, the first hardware range that can be updated with smart technology, the first sensor that can detect if the door is locked or unlocked. Now it is the first lock and smart sensor to be approved by an insurance company.

Hiro is clever. It takes a prevention-first approach to insurance by empowering members to protect their homes with smart tech, offering a fairer price on insurance for doing so. Getting a quote takes just seconds, while members subscribe to monthly payments and there are no lengthy contracts, and the policy itself can be cancelled at any time.

While Kubu is looking to revolutionise the way in which windows and doors are sold, Hiro is looking to instil the same step change in home insurance – truly helping members to protect their prized possessions, as well as offering financial support if bad things do happen.

Hamza Abbas, business development and partnerships director for Hiro commented: “I’ve lost count of the number of times I have left home in a rush, got on the train, and then tried to remember whether I locked the front door.

Kubu gives you that peace of mind. Our partners represent some of the most trusted smart brands in the world, and Kubu will form an important part of our future, both for us and our members.”

Ryan Bromley, group commercial director and head of tech for Kubu enthused: “Hiro are changing the way in which consumers purchase insurance and the fact that we had to prove the Kubu platform as part of a rigorous testing programme, shows the fact that we have proven technology. It also provides our customers with another strong USP and as an industry first, fabricators and installers can promote that once the Kubu smart-sensor is activated in their windows and doors, it will provide a tangible reduction on their home insurance and that’s never been done before!”

For information on smart insurance from Hiro, visit gethiro.com.

For further information about becoming a manufacturing partner or Kubu Pro Installer then please visit kubu-home.com, e-mail support@kubu-home.com or call 0330 555 9545 for a free information pack. You can also follow them on all leading social media platforms @KubuSmart.

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L U X U R Y L I V I N G

in Chelsea with Gira smart home solutions Gira, one of the world’s leading full-range suppliers of intelligent system solutions for commercial and residential property, bring the latest technology to a truly iconic new build property in London, designed by Nick Shipp Architects and located on the iconic Kings Road in Chelsea.

Bathroom bliss - Sophisticated marblework for a relaxing wellness experience Photo: Alexander James | alexjamesphotography.com

Setting a landmark design standard, Essoldo House is a corner building on Chelsea’s cosmopolitan high street, which boastseleven extraordinary homes, in addition to a remarkable roof terrace, cinema and three retail units on the ground floor. This luxurious high-rise building is situated on the south side of Kings Road, no. 279, which sits right between Old Church Street and Paultons Square and close to the world-famous Bluebird restaurant and café.

Vibrant, contemporary and highly sophisticated, Chelsea is one of London’s hot-spots with Kings Road being regarded as the suburbs beating heart brimming with restaurants, bars, designer shops and art galleries. On the corner of Old Church Street, aformer vintage cinema has been transformed into a four-storey property called Essoldo House. Designed by Nick Shipp Architects, this property defines the overall streetscape with its striking contemporary design and distinct tower-like bay window.

The eleven residential units comprise of three maisonettes and eight apartments, ranging from around 70-145 square metres in size. They all combine 21st century design and comfort with the character of traditional Chelsea, offering at least one balcony or roof terrace with views over the Borough. The building has underground parking and, of course, offers a concierge service for residents.

The absolute commitment to luxury in Essoldo House is visible in every detail with solid, high-quality oak floors, Carrara marble in all the bathrooms, and Porcelanosa kitchens, fitted exclusively with the latest generation of Miele appliances, including wine fridges and boiling water taps.

The building services are also state-of-the-art: all functions, from the air conditioning and lighting to the Sonos wireless

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Luxurious kitchen living space – The finest custommade furniture and state-of-the-art technology

Harmonious bedroom stainless steel switches blend into the big picture seamlessly Photo: Alexander James alexjamesphotography.com

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sound system installed throughout and the security system, are interconnected and can be controlled using an iPad, ensuring a smart home in its purest form.

Behind the scenes, a user-friendly Gira KNX system works in tandem with the Gira X1 mini server and the Gira S1, remote access module to ensure equally smooth and secure networking and control wherever the homeowner is. The switches and socket outlets of the Gira E2 design line in stainless steel also match the high-quality elegance of the interior in a special building – truly London’s finest – and all Gira products were installed by specialist system integrator Marquee Home Limited, part of theGira System Integrator Partner Program.

Homeowners can easily access and control the functions of their KNX installation remotely by using the Gira X1 app, so they can dim and switch lights, and adjust shutters and blinds, heating control, value transmitter, scenes, timer and much more. Camera images can also be accessed ‘live’, plus there are customisation options that include home screen personalisation so it’s even easier to keep an eye on the home, safe in the knowledge that all data is protected and encrypted by our Gira S1.

Home entertaining - Focus on quality with oak floors and contemporary art Photo: Alexander James alexjamesphotography.com

Tel: +44 203 936 8090 Email: sales @gira.com Unit 8, Firmdale Village, Ryan Drive, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 9ZB

Exterior image of Essoldo House – a new design icon for the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea

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Heritage & Period Properties The difference between a listed and unlisted property is relatively simple.

A listed building is one that has been officially recognized as notable by the UK government and as such, its details are published on the country’s national listing database. An unlisted building, by contrast, is not included in this list. If you’re thinking about buying a listed property then it may be worth considering whether you’ll need to make any changes to it or not before you do so and if doing so will jeopardize your current mortgage agreement. Trying to introduce modern glazing technology into period and listed property remains an ongoing challenge, particularly when it comes to listed properties. Conservation departments are protective of original heritage glass found in listed buildings

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The following section covers...

• Window Solutions for Listed Properties • Modern Glazing in Period Properties

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Finding the right window solution for your listed property If you’ve been struggling with finding the right window solution for your listed property, then this article is for you. We’ve got a few tips that we’d like to share on how to find the right window, and what some of the windows out on the market entail.

The difference between a listed and unlisted property is relatively simple.

A listed building is one that has been officially recognized as notable by the UK government and as such, its details are published on the country's national listing database. An unlisted building, by contrast, is not included in this list.

If you're thinking about buying a listed property then it may be worth considering whether you'll need to make any changes to it or not before you do so and if doing so will jeopardize your current mortgage agreement.

Listed buildings are generally protected by law and often can't be demolished without permission from the relevant authority. Your house may not be listed, for instance, but your loft or roof space could be - in which case you could face prosecution if you mistakenly demolish the building without permission.

Some buildings do require consent

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in order to alter them: this is called a Section 106 agreement and it can be quite complicated and time-consuming to get one.

Listed properties have been inspected by the government and are subject to taxes, whereas unlisted properties are not subject to taxes.

Listed properties have been inspected by the government and deemed safe to live in, whilst unlisted properties are not inspected by the government.

Therefore you can buy an unlisted property with no guarantee that it’s safe to live in. However, you can get a warranty if you buy one.

A grade listed building is one that is designated as being under the protection of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, which means you must get planning permission if you want to make any alterations or change its use.

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DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Government) states that to get the grade listed building class 1 or 2 listing certain criteria must be met to prove it is of special architectural or historic interest. See DCLG for more information.

Grade 1 listed buildings are often referred to as being of 'exceptional’ importance, while grade 2 buildings are 'particularly important' and warrant every effort being made to preserve them.

In order to change the windows in of your listed building, you will need to get listed building consent which is a special type of planning permission that can be granted by your local council. You’ll also need this permission if you plan to do any: • Demolition work.

• Make changes to the structure of permanent features.

• Extend the main structure.

Source: Shutterstock. Understand what grade your building is listed as

listed building consent, unlike normal planning permission.

So in order to find a window which the council will approve you will have to keep a few things in mind. You need to ensure that the window obviously fits the style and period of the building it will be added to. With most listed buildings being of age, it is good practice to choose a window with an old-fashioned aura.

Take a look at what other materials have been used in the building, think about the previous windows and how they could be improved. Finding out what they were made from will offer you a good insight into which materials are acceptable in your unique situation.

Make sure that the work can be completed safely and sensitively to the building, your council isn’t likely to accept any requests if it involves too much hassle or can potentially cause any damage to the building itself.

Source: Shutterstock. Understand the requirements of your new window

Your Council is likely to grant you listed building consent as long as they can ensure that the work carried out is done with respect to the property’s period and style. And is completed sensitively, with the use of details and materials typical of the period. The council doesn’t charge a fee for

And finally, seek advice from your local council themselves.

They’ll have a good idea of what is allowed and what isn’t as they are the ones who process the request.

This article was written by Joey Miller from Art Windows & Doors, a high-quality window and doors company in the UK. https://artwindowsanddoors.co.uk/

M O D E R N

G L A Z I N G

in Period Proper ties

Trying to introduce modern glazing technology into period and listed property remains an ongoing challenge, particularly when it comes to listed properties. Conservation departments are protective of original heritage glass found in listed buildings.

The climate agenda is driving the need for old properties to use less energy, and most heat is lost through large old windows. Berkeley Place renovates many Georgian listed properties each year, and our clients have an underlying desire to embrace modern energy efficiency technology and incorporate energy saving features. Glazing manufacturers produce special slim double glazing which is designed to fit in original timber windows, providing a more authentic appearance, while improving thermal and sound insulation. The problem is, it is illegal to remove historic fabric from listed buildings without consent from the local conservation department who will, presently say no.

Homes are the third largest producers of carbon emissions in the UK today, and 20 percent are over 100 years old. Around 500,000 homes are listed, with single glazing. Conservation departments will however, usually allow non-listed period properties in conservation areas to have slim double glazing to be installed, on a like-for-like basis.

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Interiors

Looking to make a style statement?

Want to bring bling to the bathroom?

Or maybe your living room’s dying for an injection of life... Whatever your design dilemma, Laurence LlewelynBowen has the answer. As the autumn season sets in, generating its glorious palette of cosy colours, many of us are again inspired to update, elevate and revamp our homes. With more British homes containing an LLB product than any other designer brand, look no further than the legendary Laurence for inspiration! As an eminent authority on design, Laurence has a cult following around the globe. A familiar face of interior design for Littlewoods and a self-styled “homestyle consultant”, the dandy designer frequently serves as a highly-respected judge on top TV design shows.

Click here to go back to contents

The following section covers...

• Changing Rooms with LLB!

• Trending Colours

• Beautiful Wardrobes

• Hybrid Kitchens

• Luxury Fires

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Angela Sara West chats with one of Britain’s bestloved interior designers about his worldwide success, design inspo, Changing Rooms, and how to brighten up your abode and create showstopping spaces this sensational autumn season.

M a s t e r o f t h e

H o m e

Flamboyant design doyen Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's distinguished stamp is emblazoned on countless homes and enterprises countrywide.

M a k e o v e r

CHANGING ROOMS WITH LLB! 84

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Looking to make a style statement? Want to bring bling to the bathroom? Or maybe your living room's dying for an injection of life… Whatever your design dilemma, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has the answer.

As the autumn season sets in, generating its glorious palette of cosy colours, many of us are again inspired to update, elevate and revamp our homes. With more British homes containing an LLB product than any other designer brand, look no further than the legendary Laurence for inspiration!

As an eminent authority on design, Laurence has a cult following around the globe. A familiar face of interior design for Littlewoods and a self-styled "homestyle consultant", the dandy designer frequently serves as a highly-respected judge on top TV design shows.

So, what, for Laurence, makes a ‘beautiful home’? “A beautiful home is a home oozing personality…” he tells me. “There’s nothing more uncomfortable than a space decorated by someone in a way that they feel it ought to be decorated. I hate ‘telephone voice’ interiors that come across all posh and end up feeling deeply unfriendly and really rather cold. Using beige doesn’t help… Rooms are at their best when they have chatty conversations with their occupants; when they’re full of references to the people that live in them, full of memories, and, most importantly, full of gin - never underestimate the importance of a well-stocked drinks tray!” he laughs.

“A beautiful home is a home oozing personality…”

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LLB STYLE A man of distinctive style, he savours breaking the rules with his designs… Among his private design commissions, a total rule-breaking, but taste-making, revamp of a new-build house for a client who wanted Hollywood regency with the wow factor became a firm favourite. “We played with scale and colour to make each of the rooms feel twice as grand and three times as large. My design practice has seen me using all of my love for James Bond villains to inspire some truly epic interiors, including a master suite based on the inside of a beretta gun barrel. It’s all pretty insane and the client loves the fact he can drive his orange Aston Martin into his bespoke office space and leave it there like its furniture.”

Exuding elegance and sophistication, alongside his unique designs, this discerning British gentleman’s dressing style also makes him stand out from the rest, with his sensational suits, flouncy regency shirts and fancy frock coats from the likes of luxury tailors Victor York in Singapore and high-end tailors on London’s Savile Row, which he then turns into bespoke pieces. “I never dress for anyone other than me.”

Laurence's showy style is reflected in his wardrobe. He has donated a few personalised pieces, including a two-piece Victor York suit and dress shirt, William Hunt silk dinner jacket plus a suit in Laura Ashley fabric (famously sported on Changing Rooms), to charities such as Shooting Star Children's Hospices, for which Laurence and his glamorous wife Jackie have been stalwart patrons since 2003.

SUCCESS SECRETS The secrets to his sensational success and longevity in the interiors industry? "No natural predators. And the fact that I've always been, and will always be, me," he reveals to me.

His business is very much a family affair, operating smoothly under the gently-guiding hand of his hugely-creative other half Jackie, his “Queen” and “muse”. "I've got a great team in the design office, including my son-in-law Dan, who runs it, and daughter Hermione, who administrates the sites," Laurence explains. "We're always on the lookout for interesting, quirky projects and clients who want something special… and to have a laugh doing it!"

“Jackie always teases me that I have to go a long, long way on the planet these days to be famous... But I do find it interesting that so many international television broadcasters feel it is so very important to have a British accent judging the home style of their contestants in their local territories.

It just goes to show that as far as the world is concerned, the way we British live is very much their ideal, and that our particular brand of highly-individual decorating and occasionally-suppressed nostalgia is absolutely how so many people all over the globe would love to configure the space they come home to.”

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Photos: Steve Thorp

REBOOTING CHANGING ROOMS Twenty five years on from when the TV show which turned velvet-and-purple-loving Laurence into a creative superstar first hit our screens, the in-demand designer continues to make waves in the design world. With showstopping concepts ensuring establishments are sexy and luxurious, he’s still shocking and inspiring the nation through his elegantly-executed, elaborate overhauls and outlandish OTT creations.

And after a 17-year break, Changing Rooms is back on the box, with Laurence returning to his ‘feather-ruffling’ role as extravagant designer extraordinaire in the cult interior design show, delivering interiors inspo in spades, with a 2021 twist...

“It was such an iconic series!” says Laurence. “Along with being about the transformation of a room through a makeover, it was also about the panto, the casting, the energy and the reality… And, of course, purple!”

Photos: Steve Thorp

PA I N T B R U S H E S AT T H E READY! Captivating his audience with his style and trademark jewel colours, sumptuous fabrics and a historical reference or two (with both interiors AND his fab outfits), the interiors guru first burst onto our screens in 1996 in the BBC's landmark lifestyle concept show, co-presenting with Linda Barker, Carol Smillie, Anna Ryder Richardson and 'Handy' Andy Kane. The classic game-changing home improvement programme turned its resident maximalist Laurence and his crafty colleagues into household names overnight.

“When we started the show back in the mid-90s, nobody dared to decorate out of their comfort style,” Laurence explains. “Our show brought interior design down from its ‘posh’ pedestal, inspiring everyone to pick up their paintbrushes and get arty in their own abode.”

Fun, fast-paced and full of drama, the 90s show revolutionised home decoration, with being creative with colour and design becoming the nation’s favourite weekend pastime.

The unprecedented home makeover series exploded viewers' interest in interior design and DIY, and BOOM... Britain was bitten by the home improvement bug!

The original ‘Changing Rooms’ ran until 2004, with the series, and this much-loved personality’se minently-elegant looks, revived on Channel 4 this September. Brought back to our screens on the very day marking the 25th anniversary of the first-ever show, Laurence reveals that still loves pushing people out of their comfort zone, and revels in the fact that he’s different.

“I love that people’s expectations when I walk into the room, they know that it’s going to be taken somewhere they would never take it to themselves,” he says. “In the early days, the first series, it was absolutely extraordinary… ‘Changing Rooms’ was the first real proper reality show… the first time that everything was kept in, even it didn’t work. It was the debut of what you saw on TV that was happening to real people, the first-ever kind of reality show where that was allowed to happen.”

B R I G H T E N I N G B R I TA I N With the original ‘Changing Rooms’ launching an interiors craze, early influencer LLB has single-handedly had THE most influence over the home in the last 40 years.

On a mission to “make Britain bright again”, and “remove beige from the nation’s palette”, the quintessentially-English designer has found his new special space on our screens, this time in partnership with Dulux, and hosted by Anna Richardson.

The TV legend says he took a lot of coaxing out of the stable to strut his design stuff again in the new upcycled series of the uplifting show. “Because I felt so old! But the minute we started, I literally REARED up and wanted to be part of it again… I love the fantastic sense of camaraderie it brings, the collaborative building together…”

The ‘Changing Rooms’ reboot offers an up-to-date source of decorating inspiration, each episode bringing interior design trends and painting techniques for viewers to try at home.

From craft effects and colour blocking, to murals and taking Dulux Simply Refresh and Dulux Heritage colours for a spin, the ultimate décor ‘It Gang’ team deliver a fresh lick of paint and design inspo as they go.

With the ‘controversial’ original series seeing more than its fair share of DIY disasters – who can forget that infamous teapot moment with Linda?!! - Laurence says this all plays a part in the joy of the show. “It’s all about the experience of what people are doing… I’ve been doing this all over the world, and it’s always been so manicured and choreographed and everything goes right, but ‘Changing Rooms’ is SO rock’n’roll, SO naughty, SO dirty, that actually if the paint doesn’t dry or the teapots break, that’s at the centre of the show.”

With fans longing for it to come back, he says there’s so much attached to the show. “It is the most extraordinary series… I’ve never seen reactions like it.” The recycled series sees room revampers given an extended timescale of two days to overhaul the space. “Which still gives us that element of challenge,” he says, and it’s very much ‘in the moment’, with viewers enjoying the evolution, which is among the materials that make the show work.

Laurence admits he wasn’t keen, initially, on starring on TV. “I remember the first couple of very negative responses, when we were just starting out and my children were very young.

This was before social media, but I received LOTS of letters from people writing in to say, ‘Well, they might not have liked it, but I did!’”

Ringleading the ‘Changing Rooms’ challenges, Laurence is joined by “joyful minimalist” creatives Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead of 2LG Studio, along with fun’n’resourceful carpenter and joiner Tibby Singh, together creating incredible makeovers and bringing modern-day homeowners’ designs to life.

He reveals that made him realise that taste is “absolutely subjective”. To each his own, as they say! “So I thought, in that case, I’m going to go on TV to encourage people to do it THEIR way, to just have a go and have some fun along the way.”

From coaching Clara Amfo as she painted a feature arch in her living room, to revealing the Dulux Colour of the Year every autumn, the show’s resident paint expert, Marianne Shillingford (Dulux’s Creative Director and in-house “Dr Dulux”) is a master of colour and at “unpicking decorating techniques that look complex and impressive and making them easy for everyone to have a go”. She’s teamed up with the Dulux dream team’s select decorators Steph Howles, Mike Katembela, Emma Gill and Georgie Baker, all busy bringing the designers’ wildest décor fantasies to life through their resourcefulness, hard graft and plentiful litres of paint.

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G R E Y- N A I S S A N C E & A L O C K D O W N C R A F T R E V I VA L As we finally emerge from that forced entrapment, Laurence is now busy making Britain brighter again. “We’re right in the midst of this grey-naissance comfort zone, and this is the show we now need after such a difficult 18 months, inspiring us to express ourselves with our own interiors and have a total ball in the process!”

Deep blush pink, lavender and turquoise… Colour and detail, statement furniture in curvy, organic shapes, plus playful paint effects in lively shades, the show showcases theatrical drama with a design style oozing empowerment, kindness and pride, creating homes that lift spirits.

Having formulated a career based on his creativity, he’s happy to witness the mass resurgence of age-old crafts. “There’s been a huge renaissance in creativity and I think people have got hooked on cooking, needlework and other crafts again.”

JUDGING LAURENCE The phenomenally-popular ‘Changing Rooms’ series led to copious copycats on other channels, with show-after-show copying its formidable format. Having shot to fame, multi-talented Laurence starred in a string of highly-successful home makeover series, notably ‘DIY: SOS’, in which he still stars today. There’s also been ‘Homefront’, Laurence’s own spin-off series, ‘Fantasy Rooms’, and he co-presented the Irish TV3 lifestyle program ‘Showhouse Showdown’ with fellow interior designer Neville Knott.

A judge on shows such as Fearne Cotton's ‘Interior Design Masters 2020’, his super-stylish authority on design has also made him a high-profile mainstay in Asia and Australia, where having spread some LLB love down under, ‘The Apartment’ puts its phenomenal success down to LLB’s role as the reality show's razor-sharp head judge. He’s been winning over Australian audiences with his witty critiques of contestants' renovations in ‘House Rules’, too, and also enjoyed adjudicating alongside former editor-in-chief of Australian Vogue, Juliet Ashworth in Australia’s ‘Instant Hotel’, bringing a very British way of design style and living to the rest of the world.

TO THE MANOR BOWEN His own beautiful home is a 17th-century manor house in the Cotswolds, formerly occupied by Quakerism co-founder John Roberts. In 2007, Laurence, his family and his historic ‘haunted’ house were portrayed in the Living TV series ‘To the Manor Bowen’, sharing their exciting exploits surrounding settling down in Siddington, and depicting their rural idyll ecstasies and gin-soaked despairs documented in an entertaining, colourful fly-on-the-wall show.

“It was good to move to a new area and it being so high-profile, because there was no escaping from it… we just had to get on with it!” explains Laurence, who moved his family from their former London home to the countryside close to Cirencester.

“I don’t think we’d have done quite so much to the house initially, so it condensed our experience of moving to the Cotswolds into something a little sharper, and it was such a huge hit all over the world.”

A springboard for many a creative, William Morris (whose richness to his patternmaking has influenced Laurance), CR Ashbee, the Guild of Handicrafts, and many others hail from here too.

“The film crew became part of the family. As for the ghosts, I think we overdecorated and scared them away with the wallpapers!” says the celebrity designer in his fabulously-irreverent style.

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LAURENCE IN LOCKDOWN He also reveals that having his family living with them, and embracing the joys of being grandparents, helped him and Jackie through the lockdowns, during which he delighted in the pause on his extensive travels to spend more time with his family.

“Although it sounds so glamorous dividing my time between filming commitments in Australia, Asia and the UK, I get very nostalgic for Britain and the British countryside in particular,” he explains to me. “Ultimately, all this travel takes me away form the family, which is always hard.”

He says he felt lucky in lockdown to have quality time with them. “I made it back from filming in Australia just in time. Both our daughters were back at home with their partners and the joy of our life, Grandson LLB - Albion. We were very much reviving the old-fashioned notion of homestead living where all the generations hang out together and help each other whilst having as much fun as possible. It really is a great way of living.”

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THE HOUSE OF LAURENCE

LLB’S TOP TIPS!

Boasting a best-selling paint range, along with bed linen, kitchenware, carpets, furniture, accessories, home fragrance and wrapping-paper collections, the LLB Home brand has consistently ranked in the UK’s top three designer home ranges for over 10 years, with his homewares collection, ‘The House of Laurence’, extending internationally.

With sustainability stronger than ever, how can we jazz up ‘junk’ and turn reclaimed materials into sophisticated pieces?

Renowned for his beautiful Baroque wallpaper designs for the British home décor company Graham & Brown, he also creates wallpaper for his signature collection at Brewers, such as his popular 2019 ‘Craney Day’ range. “It made full use of the voluptuousness of kimono textiles and stars cranes, which rapidly replaced pineapples as the country’s favourite exotic motif.”

With a long history in wallpaper, having more or less single-handedly revived the British wallpaper industry after years of decline in the 90’s with his high-impact, wow-factor design approach, LLB is justifiably proud of his best-selling wallpapers, available worldwide, and both the public and wallpaper world went WILD for Laurence’s wacky zebra wallcovering, after it featured on DIY SOS.

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“There’s no doubt we’ve become hideously lazy about buying newness for newness sake. The answer is so straightforward… rather than going for the easy-anddistinctly-bland flatpack solution, buy old... actually, buy antique. I love being surrounded by objects that have a history… touched, loved and lived with by generations of people before me. There’s nothing nicer than introducing elements that have a soft romantic history to them into a modern design scheme!”

His quick fix for how we can best attain that all-important kerb appeal?

“There’s slate or timber wood, of course, but with some properties, there’s a danger that you might compromise the resale value of your property. So, take what you’ve got and just rev it a little. Just tweaking the colour of the white would give it a real sense of kerb appeal,” he advises.

“There’s now a range of paints which can be used for painting UPVC, such as window frames and guttering. For example, that eye-catching white can be easily changed into a dark, kind of forest green, to create a much better relationship with the wonderful surrounding nature.”

The secret to getting the home right?

“It’s simple… make somewhere for you to live that follows your lead, don’t ever occupy spaces that you feel you have to live up to, be as individualistic as you possibly can. The way your home looks is the only place in your life over which you have total control, so enjoy all the possibilities that are available to you.”

Laurence’s top tips for turning blank’n’bland interiors into showstopping spaces?

“Colour, colour, colour! Come on, Britain, sort out your colourphobia!

Colour is the gateway to a whole new world... a Narnia of sensuality, glamour and luxury. Painting your living room a flaccid shade of MouseBack will never be sexy... except to mice!”

Catch ‘Changing Rooms’ on Wednesdays on Channel 4 at 8pm, and on Catch-up on All 4: www.channel4.com/programmes/changing-rooms For inside scoops, and colour & decorating inspiration from the show, visit: www.dulux.co.uk/en/changing-rooms

Follow Laurence on Instagram: @llewelynbowen Laurence’s showroom: @llewelynbowendesign © Angela Sara West 2021 Insta: @angela_sara_west Autumn/Winter 2021

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Caring for the planet

with Keller Kitchens

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Sustainability and the protection of our planet’s resources continue to grab headlines in all your favourite media.

We have all grown increasingly aware of how to make changes on an individual basis through avoiding single-use plastic, using reusable coffee cups and bamboo toothbrushes; and the next step is to be able to confidently choose brands and businesses that incorporate environmentally-friendly solutions into their strategies too.

Keller Kitchens, the high-quality Dutch manufacturer which has consistently designed and manufactured unique and luxurious kitchens, has also been at the forefront of environmentally-friendly developments.

2021 heralds Keller’s fifth year as a Carbon Neutral kitchen manufacturer.

As such, the progressive company has implemented a completely carbon neutral production process since early 2017, and 2021 is set to see further developments. One example of Keller’s sustainability policy is the generation of electricity with solar panels; recently, after installing new roofing and insulation, additional new solar panels were installed on the new factory roof taking the total to 8000. Others include converting waste into heat, biomass installation, “greening” the car fleet to all electric and environmentally-friendly packaging in terms of materials and processes.

Essentially, a new Keller kitchen won’t add any additional carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at all.

This achievement is an impressive reflection of the eco-friendly ethos

right at the heart of the Keller brand and demonstrates the ability to combine high quality, aesthetic kitchen design with care for the planet.

Keller believes in the “circular kitchen” and implements sustainability into every aspect of the kitchen lifecycle. This starts with using responsibly- sourced raw materials both from an environmental and ethical standpoint. The end stage of the circular approach has just as much eco-friendly foresight; Keller facilitates dismantling and recycling old kitchens at the end of their usage period so that materials don’t end up in landfill unnecessarily.

Keller compensates the emission that remains by having trees planted and contributing to wind energy projects.

This all-encompassing achievement establishes Keller as a pioneering manufacturer in the move towards sustainability solutions.

CHOICE AND FLEXIBILITY IS KEY FOR KELLER One of the many benefits of specifying and designing a kitchen from Keller is the vast choice and flexibility within the portfolios. With a pedigree spanning 85 years, the company knows that individuality in the kitchen design is just as important as quality. This is why Keller prioritises both to create reliable, durable and beautiful kitchen schemes.

For further information, please visit www.kellerkitchens.com.

EMBRACING THE S O P H I S T I C AT E D AND STYLISH M AT T B L A C K TREND When it comes to truly beautiful kitchen design, Keller Kitchens consistently delivers high quality and aesthetically striking options. This includes embracing new trends; one which is striding ahead is the matt black finish which adds instant sophistication to your kitchen.

In classic Keller fashion, full flexibility and a huge array of choices are available from colour and finish to furniture and handles. This versatile approach makes it easy to strike the balance between trend and individuality.

Keller Kitchens makes it possible to incorporate the matt black trend in the best way to suit your space.

Paired with concrete-look surfaces, metal handles and metal look doors make perfect partners in a matt black theme. This combination instantly creates a striking industrial style finish.

A sink and tap in gun metal is a sleek and modern touch that further adds to an industrial atmosphere.

For a real showstopping kitchen scheme, Keller Kitchens impressive array of lighting options can be utilised to add striking points of contrast amongst a dark colour palette. Pairing matt black cabinets with open frame shelving and strip lighting creates a bold focal point. The addition of a glass cabinet with hidden LED lighting, will also add a unique twist to the paredback appeal of an industrial influenced space.

Keller Kitchens uses the globallyrecognised Natural Colour System (NCS) and has kitchen designs that are available in 1,950 NCS hues with numerous different finishes. These can then be lacquered in silk gloss, high gloss and structured lacquer giving virtually unlimited design possibilities.

A matt lacquer finish in the 1,950 NCS colours has also been launched. Keller Kitchens manufactures all products in its own factory to ensure that the quality of materials and parts are of the highest standard.

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e x c e l l e n c e i n e l e c t r i c To p r e a s o n s t o choose a Solution luxury fire • Ultra realistic, contoured flame effect technology

• Fade in - ON, Fade out OFF, flame effect feature

• ‘One box solution’ for front, corner or panoramic views

• Supplied with remote control as standard

• Six preset illumination settings & one custom setting • Nine independent flame colours with adjustable brightness* • Nine independent fuel bed colours with adjustable brightness* • Nine independent downlight colours with pulse effect*

• App control for most smart phones, tablets & watches • Alexa voice control • Optional Scene lighting LED kit available • Optional Anti Reflective Glass available • Thermostatically controlled with ultraquiet fan heater • Seven day, twice daily, program settings

• High quality, hand decorated ceramic log fuel bed

• Fully ErP Compliant & low energy LED flame effect

• Crackling fire audio with volume control

• Plugs into a standard 13-amp 3 pin socket

• Customisable fuel bed set-up

• Optional 5 year warranty for added peace of mind

* The above applies to the SLE75, 100, 150 & 200 fires * With use of Solution App

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Solution Fires is a new generation of highly efficient, authentic and stylish electric fires. The focus of your living space, these fires have been designed and manufactured with optimal controllability of heat, light and sound as the critical elements.

Controllable from your handset, via Alexa or through the app on your smart phone or watch, you can customise your fireplace to suit your individual taste.

No electric fire, currently on the market, has the level of product features or attention to detail that solution fires have as standard, supported by a high level of genuine customer service.

For more information about our products, please visit: www.solutionfires.co.uk Autumn/Winter 2021

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bring in the blue

T H E B E S T I N S TA G R A M T R E N D S F O R USING BLUE IN YOUR INTERIORS Dulux Colour of the Year for 2022 has been revealed and the interior world is welcoming “Bright Skies” into the world.

This year, Dulux is calling us to “take a breath of fresh air” with our interiors and colour choices this year as we blow away the cobwebs of 2020/21 and look forward to the fresh, new beginnings of 2022.

Bringing Bright Skies and blues into our homes this year is an opportunity to bring a renewed sense of calm, serenity into our spaces and interior experts Furniturebox have compiled a review of the top Instagram interior trends for incorporating positive blues into our homes.

Easy Interior Tips & Tricks To Welcome Blue Into Your Home An analysis of Instagram interior design pages and trends have revealed the best ways to incorporate colours into your space in a natural and effective way -- be this maximalist colour blocking, or by subtly working the Bright Skies blue into our homeware accessories.

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Take a dive into the blue and see which colour focused interior trends are topping our Instagram feeds...

FULL COVERAGE Image: @averyfrankdesigns Bright Skies and over light wash blues are perfect for promoting a sense of serenity in your home, and those who feel connected to the colour should consider dowsing their bedrooms in this calming shade. The most outlandish trend of all the Instagram blue interior design trends, this ‘more is more’ approach fully embraces the cooling tones for a total breath of fresh air.

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COLOUR BLOCKING Image: @cathdelichtenberg For those who aren’t afraid to embrace the bold, one of the best ways to really make cool tones zing is colour blocking with opposite complementary colours, like orange and peach. Colour blocking works best with sharp, contemporary lines and shapes, which allow the eye to soak up the bold colours at play.

I M PA C T F U L W A L L PA P E R Image: @vintagehome17

SOFT BLUE SOFT FURNISHINGS

For those who are partial to a statement wall, light blue focused patterned wallpaper is a fantastic way to juxtapose this calming tone with an exciting and bold pattern. This design tactic works amazingly in alcoves to accentuate the space, bring in colour and light and help make the room feel larger.

Image: @renovatinghouse_no.9 Often, when working with colour, focusing on key pieces to work with is the best approach. Softer, corn-flower blues are great for drawing on when working with a neutral pallet, to give the room a grounded feeling.

A SUBTLER APPROACH Image: @thecollectivedallas

BACKDROP TILES

For those who favour a more minimalist, Scandi design approach, embracing new colours such as Bright Skies could feel quite alien. However, these soft blues work incredibly well with a muted palette and natural textures so bringing in a cool-toned blue through subtler tactics, such as accessories and soft furnishings, will allow you to embrace the new colour palette without drastically changing your style.

Image: @mango_manor Make your kitchen splashback part of your kitchen look with a bold backdrop tile wall to inject azure tones into your space. Making these tiles a feature, by tiling higher than normal, to accentuate the height of your kitchen.

www.furniturebox.co.uk

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R O T P U N K T

new design specials f o r t o m o r r o w ’s k i t c h e n Rotpunkt, award-winning zero carbon manufacturer of German kitchen furniture give rise to the growing trend for hybrid kitchen design with its latest collection of Design Specials: a series of core elements designed to elevate both the form and function of a contemporary kitchen.

Bi-Colour detail on Old Split Oak Wood door: Zerox furniture with Worktop: Sima Core, 20mm thick laminate worktop in Black Steel and matching gable-end footings

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Canopy storage in black, including extractor housing

Matt Phillips, Head of UK Operations at Rotpunkt says, “Kitchen designers are pushing the boundaries of open-plan living as consumer demand becomes more home-centered and dividing walls vanish and blended spaces morph and flex to accommodate cooking, dining, socialising, studying and working in one space. This increased desire for bold and creative solutions has led us to develop an innovative range of Design Specials to ensure our kitchen furniture continues to offer creatively beautiful added-extras to further support our customers kitchen wishlists.”

In fact, key design elements which elevate and enhance a rooms décor like statement lighting, reactive storage solutions and intuitive technology are at the forefront of today’s kitchen blueprints. When extra-special design elements are given the same attention as the furniture, you can look towards creating a holistic kitchen which is planet-friendly, future-proof and super-ergonomic as your household’s

needs change and develop. “I believe the role of the kitchen will continue to transform as it adapts into a dynamic living space, which now serves as a key player in family-life“ says Matt.

Added to that, the UK property market continued to soar, as new home owners seek to create inviting, customised spaces and you can now choose from the following Design Specials by Rotpunkt: • NEW lighting solutions: streamlined industrial-style pendants available in 1200mm and 1500mm lengths to enhance linear block kitchens. The latest in smart-enabled lighting so that you can control your kitchen and living illumination via a digital assistant or your smartphone, helping to make cooking and dining even easier, 24/7.

• NEW ceiling frames: canopy storage, which is suspended from the ceiling opens up a whole new design landscape around extractor fans, with room for trailing houseplants or cookware, if required. Drawing

the eye upwards, ceiling frames will enhance the height of the room add emphasise the cook zone, so it takes centre-stage for the keen home chef • NEW bi-colour styling: make a feature of a must-have two-tone palette with an eye-catching contrast in two heights on an island unit. Available in two heights at 130mm and 260mm, you can choose an option to suit you on notched cabinets, creating a unique look in a rich timber-effect or a dark colour for the ultimate high-fashion feel.

• NEW footings: ensure that your kitchen has the perfect silhouette from top to toe with the latest gable-end footings for a spacesaving ‘floating’ effect which is more refined than the traditional plinth or kickboard. When coupled with wafer-thin surfaces and extra-height storage, you can enjoy storage which is at a comfortable height as well as giving you up to 16% more storage capacity than a standard kitchen unit.

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Suspended pendant light, smart enabled

“In line with the belief that the kitchen is an organic part of the home which is integral to the fabric of family life in the 21st century, our drive to innovate is always balanced by practical considerations and the latest technology. We pride ourselves on creating high-quality hybrid furniture which is supportive, sustainable and trendsetting so that we are always ahead of the curve as a market leader” says Matt.

For further information on Rotpunkt UK, please email matt.phillips@rotpunktuk.com or visit www.rotpunktuk.com and www.rotpunktkuechen.de.

Rotpunkt kitchen ranges are priced from £12,500+vat

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Improvers Homes We’ve seen many great home improvements including a full house refurb, pub shed builds and renovating old antique doors, but this one is a little different and we love the fact Chris has utilised existing space within his home.

Read about our Improvers Homes’ Cinema Room Conversion. We all understand how important it is to bring natural light into our homes and what better way than a new bay window! Our Improvers Homes’ reader Kristyn Harris, sent us her lovely living room makeover.

Click here to go back to contents

The following section covers...

• Cinema Room Conversion • Living Room Makeover

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When Improve Magazine reader, Chris Bailey, got in touch with our team, we just knew we had to cover this project. We’ve seen many great home improvements including a full house refurb, pub shed builds and renovating old antique doors, but this one is a little different and we love the fact Chris has utilised existing space within his home Chris, tell us a little about the space you’ve converted.

When we first moved in we realised fairly early on we were the type of family that would just fill the garage with rubbish and use it as a bit of a dumping ground, so the plan was to do something with it, we were just unsure what. We did consider knocking through from the kitchen and expanding that room but didn’t want to just create a bigger room for the sake of it.

With the boys getting older everyday we settled on some form of entertainment space where we could spend time as a family or so the kids could invite their friends round and use.

The garage was a perfect space for a home cinema and with an entrance via an external door, it feels separate from the house, giving the kids a bit of independence in the safety of the home.

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L E T ’ S H AV E A R U N D O W N O F T H E P R O J E C T: • Space size Standard Garage size - 2.5m wide by just over 5m long.

Let the project begin!

• Why convert to a cinema room? We have always enjoyed our films and it seems to be our go to activity for the family to enjoy together. We also have a decent collection of Alternative Movie Posters and nowhere to display them so wanted to include them in the overall theme.

• Original budget? We never really had one. The plan was to get the building work done initially, so just the sealing off the garage door and the plaster work. From then on we would just do it a bit at a time buying a few items a month so that we never felt the financial pain. However that soon went out the window as some of the bigger items needed to be purchased! It made sense to buy the projector and sound system so that all the wiring could be located and put in behind the building work. We then needed somewhere to house it all so we used kitchen units at the back.

• Actual spend? So far, just under 5k. Still a couple of minor items to buy so we will realistically end up around £5,500 • Problems throughout? Fingers crossed none! Once momentum picked up everything seemingly went to plan!

A nice bit of plastering!

• Overcoming problems... The floor runs slightly downhill but this actually lent itself to the room, giving more of a cinema feeling. Finding the right sofas was probably the issue throughout due to the narrowness of the room. We also thought for a while we may need to raise the floor at the back to give the seating at the back additional height, but then we discovered sofa raisers which has been an amazing solution and costing much less than having to raise the floor!

• Timescale of the whole project? 2 months working weekends only • Did you have help? We had the timber frame and plasterwork done professionally, after that it was myself and my wife with the help of the inlaws.

• What do the family think? Kids love it and cant wait to show it off post covid and its especially come in handy for the Euros, the tennis, the golf and any other future prestigious sports event! Us adults enjoy it just as much as the kids!

Starting to take shape

No cinema room would be complete without drinks and snacks

• Any other ideas for renovations? None yet, we have talked about extending the kitchen out but will likely wait until the boys are older whilst they enjoy the garden space so much.

Voila! Looks fantatstic! Is our invite in the post Chris?

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In this case study we take a look into the home of one of our readers who has shared a Living Room Makeover!

PROJECT D E TA I L S • Living Room

We all understand how important it is to bring natural light into our homes and what better way than a new bay window!

• Total Renovation Time – 8 months (during a pandemic)!

This is the main focal point of this lovely living room makeover, sent to us from Kristyn Harris and her husband.

• New Bay Window (70mm Duraflex fully reinforced with ‘A’ rated glass)

“The whole ceiling needed replacing” explains Kristyn. “My husband is an electrician, so we were able to carry out that part of the re-model ourselves, including plastering the walls, new wiring and fitting the new wooden floor.

However, we had to call in the professionals when it came to our requirement of a new living room window. We wanted something simple and stylish, that would bring more natural light into the room.”

After much research, the couple decided to go with the advice of local window fitters PDS Wales with a thermally reinforced ‘A’ rated bay window and Beautiful Blinds, based in Hengoed. Both companies provided a professional and efficient service and all works were carried out during lockdown, with social distancing and mask wearing taken very seriously.

Kristyn is renovating a room at a time and we can’t wait to see more of her projects, upon completion.

• Window supply & install cost £1,695 (including VAT) • Chimney Breast Removed • New Ceiling • All Walls Re-Plastered • New Flooring • New furniture & furnishings Overall Cost: £13,500

BEFORE

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AFTER

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BEFORE

h t t p s : / / w w w. p i n t e re s t . c o . u k / I m p ro v e m a g a z i n e / _ c re a t e d / h t t p s : / / w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / I m p ro v e - M a g a z i n e - 1 0 9 2 5 6 7 2 4 1 7 6 1 5 4

AFTER

Do you have a renovation project you’d like to share with us?

Please email: christina@improve-magazine.co.uk.

Autumn/Winter 2021

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SHOWCASE SKYLIGHTS & ROOF LANTERNS

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