Sustainable Building Products Advice Services Environmental UK

The Cost of Water Damage

noreply@blogger.com (Wholebuild) — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 12:48:00 +0000

This Winter has seen serious flooding affect many parts of the country, and many properties have been damaged as a result.

However it is a sobering thought that internal escape of water …..that’s water coming from burst or broken pipes or taps left running, or appliances with faulty connections inside a house or office that will account for more than £900m.this year!

A colossal figure for insurers to pay in terms of compensation.

And its not just the financial implications that are worrying there is the months of upheaval, precious items damaged beyond repair or replacement, and the ultimate increase in insurance premiums and Insurance Excess.

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5 Reasons to Invest in Cladding for your Home

noreply@blogger.com (Wholebuild) — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 11:31:00 +0000

When renovating your home or even building a new dwelling, most people are on the look out for affordable, efficient and stylish answers to their construction problems, and cladding is one such solution.

The term itself refers to the practice of covering one material with another, cladding the original material with the new.

Apart from purely aesthetic purposes, there are plenty of other reasons to consider cladding your home. Here are the top five benefits that all homeowners can hope to achieve.

Insulation

An important role of cladding is to provide insulation from both heat and noise to your home.

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Online Marketing

noreply@blogger.com (Wholebuild) — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:21:00 +0000

Are you looking for an online marketing service that gets you seen by the wider audience in unique ways?

Wholebuild delivers innovative and sustainable building solutions to property owners and building professionals.

On a B2C level, building product manufacturers and related service contractors come to Wholebuild as a company that can offer effective, practical and engaging ways that help to reach a larger audience to increase their online sales and new business opportunities. (Although non-related companies also our use our marketing services too).

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What is QMS?

noreply@blogger.com (Wholebuild) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 18:27:00 +0000

A QMS (Quality Management System) is a system designed to eradicate non-conformance to specifications, standards, and customer expectations in the most cost effective and efficient way possible.

Focused on customer satisfaction and continual service improvement, it is a method that is used for small and large scale organisations and has many benefits.

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LED Lighting Savings

noreply@blogger.com (Wholebuild) — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 10:48:00 +0000

Saving money on 'necessities' such as lighting has never been so important with rising electricity bills.

How much people actually understand about LED, the new lighting technology, may vary considerably, suffice to say that commonly asked such questions include: What are the benefits of LED Lighting, how do LED lamps differ from 'ordinary' lamps and how much can I save using LED lights?

Predominantly, the ordinary home has regular Halogen lamps in their light fittings which work at around 5% efficiency with up to 98% of this energy being transferred to heat - not the job the lamp was designed to do!

However, in comparison, LED lamps emit a miniscule amount of heat whilst still being able to deliver the same amount of light. In addition, the LED technology used in the manufacture of these lamps ensures they are more durable, lasting up to 50,000 hours depending on usage.

So if your LED lights are on about 16 hours a day, then your LED lamp would last about 8.5 years and about 35 years if the lights were left on for about 4 hours a day. On average LED lamps last 50 times longer than the regular products saving a significant amount of energy that leads to lower electrical bills.

Generally, an LED lamp can be used anywhere a conventional lamp is being used; LED lighting can be replaced to create the same amount of light - for residential or commercial environment, retail and offices, warehouses and factories.... saving all important capital on utility bills. Companies who understand the longevity of LED bulbs will also note that replacing LEDs saves additional money through savings made on lighting maintenance and storage of lamps.

If you are intrigued to see how much your business can save, then why not call 01892 882 540 and one of the LED lighting team will give an accurate assessment of the savings that can be made. They can also talk through some funding options that are available, enabling you to tap into these savings sooner rather than later.

Wholebuild can assist you in saving money and being 'Green', so if you have other questions related to how you can save energy, then give us a call on 01892 882 540.

LED for Street Lighting

noreply@blogger.com (Wholebuild) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 06:15:00 +0000

LED Technology is growing rapidly as householders, business owners and councils strive to reduce their energy consumption.

LED lighting can make measurable differences not just to energy consumed, the use of these A rated highly efficient lights can save money, time and the environment through lower energy bills, less maintenance and fewer lamps to landfill.

LED's are now being used routinely in new build properties such as new offices and in other commercial settings. As the price of LED lighting comes down further, there are new opportunities to replace street lamps with LEDs, saving councils thousands in tax payers money.

Web Video

noreply@blogger.com (Wholebuild) — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 07:25:00 +0000

The days of paper based marketing are slowly coming to an end; web videos and online interactive publications are growing in popularity as businesses realise that viewers prefer the entertaining interactive way information and marketing messages can be delivered.

But, just how powerful can a web video be to your business?

These video statistics show the power a web video wields as one of your business's marketing assets...and to whet your appetite, see some of our work.

Radiator Trends – Old meets New

noreply@blogger.com (Wholebuild) — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 11:54:00 +0000

In radiator-land, the latest trend is to combine contemporary radiators with traditional homes.

Mixing the old with the new, ask any interiors professional: It's one of the trickiest balancing acts in the business, but opting for a contemporary radiator in a traditional setting can be a simple way of achieving this look.

The XL radiator in chrome pictured in a hallway is a perfect example of the delicate old/new balance. While the floor is Yorkshire stone flags and the plaster is the original in plain white, the radiator is in highly polished chrome to completely contrast with its surroundings. The rough floor adds an organic contrast to the metallic shine and the rustic solidity of the floor works well with the chunky style and sharp edges of the radiator.

An ultra-modern contemporary radiator could immediately be assumed to out of place in a French chateau for instance, but by considering the finish of the radiator alongside the tones of any art or furniture in a room, you can create a highly sophisticated look.

By providing old nuances in rooms that are modern and new references in rooms biased towards the past, you can achieve a balance, rather than a divide, between the old and the new.

For more information contact Feature Radiators, www.featureradiators.co.uk or call 01274 567789 (10 lines) Follow us on Twitter @featureradiator

Wholebuild also features a number of other companies featuring contemporary radiator s. In addition to the inspirational images, there is also great consumer tips like: Choosing the Right Size Radiator with Online Heat Calculator

We welcome guest blogs and will link to your website; just call 01892 882 540 or email luke@wholebuild.co.uk with your submission. Content must be unique and be approximately 3-400 words long. Images make your post more interesting to viewers.

Happy days!

Building in Thailand

noreply@blogger.com (Wholebuild) — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 08:10:00 +0000

Having just returned from a fabulous trip to Thailand, I have been perusing photos that show a real mix of buildings ranging from the ramshackle to the salubrious.

Construction and building is on the up, but I wonder just how Thailand adopt basic codes and building standards to quickly put Thailand on the map alongside Malaysia, China and India.

The Government is trying to 'sell' Thailand as a beautiful holiday destination (and there is no doubt that the country has this commodity in spades), but discerning tourists are keen to have some creature comforts when staying there. The tourists appear to be well catered for but buildings for the poorer communities look like hovels with a disturbing lack of facilities.

When walking alongside these buildings, it makes you realise just how essential our own building regulations are in the UK, particularly where safety and energy efficiency are concerned.

Perhaps we'll take Wholebuild out to Thailand so that builders, architects and other building professionals can share best practice and turn some of these dilapidated buildings into 21st century projects that the nation is proud to own.

Architectural Services Get a Boost

noreply@blogger.com (Wholebuild) — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 03:03:00 +0000

There is going to be an even greater demand for quality architectural services, interior designers and project managers as a result of the Government’s plans to reduce the number of building regulations.

These potential changes will allow home owners to extend their dwellings much more easily, henceforth creating more work for the construction industry - an essential element for boosting the UK’s economy at this time.

Macdonald Design Ltd offer a complete package of architectural services including: Architectural Design, Interior Design, Project Management and much more.

The company was formed in 1985 by Stephen Macdonald; it has since grown and broadened its experience and ability to meet the needs of diverse commercial, residential construction, sports and public service sectors.

The company has been structured to offer an affordable and multi-skilled package of architectural services that can satisfy the needs of large scale commercial projects as well as smaller scale residential works.

Their project team for each client will be tailored to suit the project scale. They are happy to work on local projects (Surrey and Home Counties) from £30,000 upwards and major commercial projects nationally up to £10 million. Macdonald Design also offers a free consultation to discuss your architectural project.

Take a look at the collection of Macdonald Design’s case studies and find out more information about how the company operates and what can be achieved for your project.

If you would like the team to write a BLOG for your company profile, then get in touch with one of the Team on 01892 882540 or register at www.wholebuild.co.uk/registration

Building with SIPs Structural Insulated Panels

noreply@blogger.com (Wholebuild) — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 07:18:00 +0000

Structural Insulated Panels are becoming an increasingly popular modern method of construction for a new generation of house builders looking to build as quickly as possible whilst maintaining the highest standards for thermal and acoustic insulation, structural integrity and fire resistance.

The big question is, what exactly are Structural Insulated Panels (otherwise known as SIP’s) and what do they do?

Web Video Marketing - Get Seen Online

noreply@blogger.com (Wholebuild) — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 20:37:00 +0000

Using promotional videos to engage and draw customers to your business.

If 8 out of 10 internet users would rather view a video than read a page of text, how are you communicating with your ‘would be’ video viewers?

Continue reading

What Radiator is Best for Me?

noreply@blogger.com (Wholebuild) — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 13:36:00 +0000

Designer Radiators for Modern Living

The number and variety of radiator designs available on the market nowadays is extensive, but which one suits you best?

Consumers are confused as to why they should buy a traditional looking radiator over a contemporary one or contemporary over traditional.

Zehnder Retail are a leading manufacturer of quality decorative radiators, heated towel rails and electric radiators and has created a range of radiators and towel rails with proportions especially suited to all sizes of living areas, cloakrooms and bathrooms, with a choice of styles and colours to meet all aspirations.

Training Plumbers

noreply@blogger.com (Wholebuild) — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 13:30:00 +0000

In the beginning there was the apprenticeship and it was good!

Boys trained alongside a master and gradually absorbed his knowledge until they eventually took over.

Training Women Plumbers

Gradually qualifications have been invented and adapted to fulfill requirements. It was complicated!

This year the new Plumbing Diploma (which includes pretty well everything that’s gone before) hopes to clarify everything.

It all sounds fine and dandy. But is it?

Comply with Fire Safety Regulations with a Fire Risk Assessment

noreply@blogger.com (Wholebuild) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 14:02:00 +0000

Are you in the dark about Fire Risk Assessments?

Passive Fire Protection

Training on Fire Safety

You’re in business because you’re good at what you do, not because you’re an expert in Fire Risk Assessments.

Unfortunately, this means you could be in the dark when it comes to understanding everything your company is legally required to do in regards 'Fire Safety Regulations'.

So we’ll shed some light on why you need a Fire Risk Assessment..

Natural Day Light Brightens up Living & Work Spaces

noreply@blogger.com (Wholebuild) — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 15:58:00 +0000

Solarspot bringing natural light into
what was a darkened hallway

Installing a natural day light tubular system is an ideal way to brighten up dark or dimly-lit internal rooms during the day without the need to switch lights on.

Daylight is a free natural resource and it makes plays a significant contribution to sustainable building design.

Popular natural daylight systems available:

Sun Tubes, with their highly reflective internal mirrored surface, channel sunlight from outside a building via tubing into internal living and work spaces such as dimly lit hallways, dull kitchens, dark bathrooms, or drab office spaces ... anywhere which would otherwise need the lights to be turned on during the day.
continue reading....

Building Products for Part G Building Regulations (Sanitation, Hot Water Safety and Water Efficiency)

noreply@blogger.com (Wholebuild) — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 15:16:00 +0000

Part G building regulations are the requirements for the provision of sanitary and washing facilities, bathrooms and hot water provision as well as the safety of unvented hot water systems.

The majority of scalds happen in the bath; therefore the Government have included requirements to regulate water temperature. There has also been a recent introduction of a Water Efficiency Target into Part G building regulations which is part of the Governments’ aim to increase sustainability and reduce carbon emissions.