Full mag 2018

A Guide to
Construction

Season 5: Issue Number 19
2019

101 Embankment
A guide to wood flooring
Green roofing
How to build an extension
How to reopen a fireplace
Loft Conversion
North West UK
Resin or concrete?
Roof-light options

South West South East North West Midlands

01
02
04
06
08
10
12
14
16
18

North East Yorkshire London East England

01

101 01
Embankment

Construction work has started on 100 Embankment, groups, local sub-contractors, schools and
the second and final phase of the Embankment individuals who have all had a positive impact in
scheme in Salford’s Greengate neighbourhood.  helping to shape this new neighbourhood.”
The people celebrated as part of the 100 Reasons
As well as marking the start of work on site the joint campaign will feature on the scheme’s website, and
venture team also launched a new campaign called in social media and press and will be invited to join
100 Reasons, which will celebrate the wide variety the celebrations when the building completes in
of people helping to build the scheme and enhance early 2020. 
the community in the Greengate area. 
Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett also said:
The 166,000 sq ft, BREEAM Excellent office building “The start on site at 100 Embankment is a physical
is being delivered by Ask Real Estate and the demonstration of the continued development and
Richardson Family in a joint venture with a Tristan investment in Salford. Once complete this iconic pair
Capital Partners’ Fund and Salford City Council.  of buildings will provide a new corporate centre for
the city bringing more jobs and revenue for the
Representatives from the JV partnership and BAM local authority. 
Construction marked the occasion by completing
the concrete sealing of the 23rd steel stub which “This development is a key example of local
connects to the frame of the basement car park government entrepreneurialism, leveraging
below. This will form the base of the new 9 storey, investment from the local authority to kick-start
Grade A office building. This important milestone economic growth and bring in revenue. The council
means work can now start on erection of the steel makes a great partner for business and the people
frame above ground and the structure of the of our city benefit from the profits which can be
building will now start to take shape. invested back into our services. 

Commenting on behalf of the JV partnership, “The 100 Reasons campaign is a wonderful way to
John Hughes, Managing Director of Ask Real Estate show how investment of this scale is already having a
said: “The second phase of the scheme is now well positive impact on the lives of individuals involved in
underway and we are looking forward to seeing 100 the project and I look forward to hearing
Embankment emerge alongside its sister building their stories.”
101 Embankment. The success of 101 Embankment
in securing the Swinton letting is testament to the
schemes superb location and accessiblity. Being
right at the heart of the city centre and only a short
walk from the main transport hubs, shops and
restaurants Embankment continues to attract
significant interest from occupiers and we look
forward to now delivering the second phase.”

Explaining the idea behind the 100 Reasons
campaign he added: “The building’s location,
connectivity and local amenity will be celebrated.
We will also be working with Salford City Council
and BAM Construction to recognise the hard work
and achievements of the people who are delivering
this building and also those who are helping to
create a new community here in Greengate. The
campaign will allow us to acknowledge and thank
people including apprentices, local community

South East

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A guide to
wood flooring

Wooden floors make gorgeously sleek and stylish Multi-layered or engineered wood
options for your flooring throughout the house. Easy
to care for and hard wearing they’re perfect for any This consists of a plywood or veneered base, built
kind of decor. Here’s what you need to know when up with several layers of criss-crossed hard or
choosing the perfect boards for you. softwood boards, and topped with a layer of the
named timber. The construction of this flooring gives
Timber flooring can strike just the right note in any it strength and stability, so it’s a good alternative to
style of home. It looks natural, warm and rustic in a solid-wood flooring.
country cottage and, in a contemporary setting, it
can add texture and create an organic feel. Laminate flooring

The latest ranges of wooden flooring have tough, Made by producing an image of wood on a layer of
long-lasting finishes and are straightforward to plastic, which is laminated to a board backing. Top-
install. Whether you’re keen to do it yourself, or quality versions have convincing textured finishes,
opt for the installation service most suppliers offer, and are hard wearing and tough. Inexpensive DIY
they’re easy to lay down and can go over store versions may look flat and lifeless, and the
practically any floor surface as long as it’s sound, “wood” finish may flake or chip at the edges of the
dry and smooth. boards.

Reclaimed wooden flooring is a little more tricky, Vinyl
as it’s not as uniform and you’ll need to take advice
from the supplier on the finish and amount. Vinyl flooring is widely available in timber patterns.
Choose your wood flooring first – it’s an integral part Luxury sheet vinyl can be a good choice in the
of the room and colour scheme and may affect how kitchen or bathroom, and is considerably cheaper
paint and wallpaper colours appear. Although some than solid wood. Vinyl plank or block flooring feels
timber flooring – such as parquet, solid hardwood harder underfoot, but, as each floor is individually
and reclaimed boards – can be darkened or designed, it always needs to be professionally laid.
lightened by sanding down and re-varnishing, it’s
not a job you are likely to want to do very often. Suitability

Types of · Timber flooring can be noisy, especially in upstairs
Timber flooring
rooms; use rugs to deaden the sound of footsteps
Solid wood in busy areas and always use the insulation sug
gested by the installers.
Made from the named timbers, the wooden planks
are solid all the way through. Some types are suit- · Reclaimed timber flooring is usually well-worn and
able for installation as the structural floor, without is tough enough for most living areas, although you
needing a sub-floor underneath. should avoid bathrooms and kitchens.

Reclaimed timber · Solid or engineered wood flooring is suitable for
living rooms, dining rooms, halls and bedrooms.
This can be bought as bundles of planks, boards or
panels from reclamation and salvage yards, or as
whole floors from timber-flooring specialists. Prior · Laminates are suitable for living areas and
to installation, reclaimed timber flooring can look
very uninspiring. However, once it’s laid, it can look bedrooms, but avoid rooms with water, as seepage
incredible, so you need a bit of imagination. between the joins can cause planks to swell
or discolour.

· Vinyl look-alikes are good choices for bathrooms
and kitchens, conservatories and utility rooms, as
well as for main living areas.

02

Styles & Grades of
wood flooring

Timber flooring comes as planks (also known as but no more than that. Real wood flooring will age
boards), each of which can be made up of a gracefully, and the signs of wear and tear are an ac-
number of strips. A plank with a three-strip design ceptable feature – just as timber furniture ages and
has three narrow strips running the length of the picks up the occasional dent or mark. So will timber
plank. The floor will have a random strip pattern flooring. Laminate flooring cannot be sanded when
when laid. Planks can vary in thickness, depending chipped, damaged or scratched, although the best
on the depth needed. For example, the thickest quality ones are very hardwearing and scratch resist-
planks, at about 22mm, can be laid over joists as ant in the first place.
structural floorboards, while thinner planks, at about
7mm to 15mm thick are laid as overlay floors on to Save timber floors from getting scratched by grit,
an existing smooth, dry sub-floor. The surface finish dust and dirt by regularly sweeping with a soft brush
of timber flooring is also given a grading. Premium or vacuuming them. Also mop the floor once a week
or select grades are smooth, uniform and or so with a well-wrung mop. A detergent can be
knot-free. Moving down the scale, grades referred to added to the water, depending on whether the floor
as “natural” or “rustic” are less uniform and, in many has a hard (varnished or lacquered) or soft (waxed or
cases, more realistic and appealing. Only order your oiled) finish. Hard finishes provide a protective
flooring when you have seen a sample of the barrier for the wood, and offer a high level of
exact plank – strip, colour, grade and finish. Wooden protection, but are more difficult to repair if
Floors and the Environment Timber flooring is damaged. A serious scratch or dent in a lacquered
generally acknowledged to be ecologically sound, finish usually means the whole floor has to be
providing it is produced using timber from sanded back and then relacquered or revarnished.
sustainable forests. Reputable stores will only deal Waxed or oiled finishes are softer, and protect the
with manufacturers who use wood from certified surface by sinking into the wood itself. They’re most
sources. In the UK, the Forest Stewardship Council successful if you want to nurture an aged, worn
(FSC) scheme is widely recognised and includes look for your wooden floor. If waxed or oiled woods
a certified chain that tracks timber through every get damaged, the whole floor will not need to be
stage, from forest to retailer Trends There’s redone, as it is possible to sand back and re-wax or
currently a move away from narrow, pale woods, re-oil an isolated area. Vinyl wood-look flooring is
towards darker wood and reclaimed flooring. Oak is easy to clean; regular sweeping and mopping is all it
a perennial favourite, possibly due to its needs, and scuff marks can be removed by applying
middle-range colour options, and the fact that it a little white spirit using a soft cloth.
blends with virtually any colour scheme or style.
Extra-wide boards and planks (up to 76cm wide in
some cases) are becoming favourites too, many with
distressed finishes such as “smoked”
effects. For laminate flooring, choose designs with
V-grooves along the long and short edges of the
boards, and with textured surfaces, which look far
more realistic than completely smooth surfaces.

Longevity & Upkeep

Solid-hardwood flooring is incredibly hard-wearing,
and will last for many years. It can be sanded down
and resurfaced every five to seven years. Engineered
flooring will normally withstand one or two sandings,

North West



















Midlands

New Builds
Refurbishments

Extensions
Groundworks
Plumbing & Heating

TO DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT
PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL:

07772 178 293

[email protected]

A Richardson Plumbing & Building, The Granary, Alderton Hall, Mountford Bridge, Shrewsbury SY4 1AW

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Timber Engineering

+44 (0) 1746 714418
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.avtimberengineering.co.uk

Birch EMS Trusscut Saw

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Open Web Beam & Joist Machine

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Live Timber Deck

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Yorkshire

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All Plastering Undertaken Roofing
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CAS Structural Engineering Ltd • 12 West Park Harrogate HG1 1BL •

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/

@

























Reinstatement 10

Before you can begin using the fireplace, however,
there are a few essential checks to undertake.

· Damaged arches or lintels will need repairing and
the chimney must be sound and clear of any
obstructions.

· Any flue or chimney capping should
also be removed.

· Before installing a new appliance, bring in a chimney
sweep to clean and inspect the flue.

· Have the condition of the lining checked and a
smoke test carried out.

With chimneys in old houses, many years of burning
coal will have resulted in tars and salts being
absorbed into the brickwork, and if the redundant
flue becomes damp, these may soak through into the
plasterwork. Some form of false wall or dry-lining may
therefore need to be applied to the face of the
chimneybreast to prevent these showing through.

North East

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We have more than 30 Years of experience in providing Loft Conversions,
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loft how to plan and cost your
ccoonnvveerrssiioonn dream space

Could you have cash in your attic? Creating a new Whatever your situation, you will still need Building
room at the top of the house will not only add space Regulations approval and possibly a Party Wall
to your home, but can also increase its value Agreement with your neighbours.
Need more space? How about a loft conversion?
There are many good reasons to convert or extend You should always ensure that:
your loft. For a start, it’s possibly the largest bit of
unused space in your home, yet often the simplest · No more than 50 cubic metres of space is being
and least disruptive to convert. And it’s certainly more added to a detached or semi-detached house. For
cost effective and less stressful than moving house. If terraced houses, this figure drops to 40 cubic
you don’t have to extend, all you may need to do is metres. These figures take into account any previous
strengthen the floor, insulate and add windows. loft additions.

We’d always go for a loft conversion over a basement · You’re not raising the existing roof height or altering
conversion. Not only will the work take a fraction of the front of the building significantly. The back can
the time, it is far less expensive and and won’t involve usually be changed physically and cosmetically, but it’s
daunting structural changes, like excavating and wise to consult with your local council to be sure.
underpinning your foundations.
· As mentioned above, there should be 2.1
On completion, you’ll be rewarded by a light filled metres of head height in the main part of the
space and some potentially fabulous views of the conversion.
surrounding neighbourhood. You might also have
improved your home’s insulation and cut your heating · You must apply for planning permission for any
bills in the process balcony or terrace.

Is my attic space suitable for a loft conversion?

If you can measure 210cm from the floor to the roof
at the tallest part, you have sufficient head height for
a conversion. To make for a comfortable bedroom
or living room, at least half the loft space should be
at least this tall. However, you could consider plac-
ing a loo or bathroom under the sloping eave, where
headroom is less of a priority. Pre-war buildings with
steeply pitched roofs are often the easiest to con-
vert, but there will always be structural considerations.
Most lofts will need additional support from steel
beams to strengthen the floor and roof.

What is permitted development?

The majority of loft conversions fall under ‘permit-
ted development’ – in other words, you don’t need
planning permission to have one. This is good news,
as the planning process can be a long and tricky one.
However, special rules and guidelines govern con-
servation areas and listed buildings. If your house is
listed, you will need Listed Building Consent, and if
you live in a conservation area you’ll need permission
for any dormers or extensions.

12

Loft conversions – window large enough to climb through in each space.
know your building regulations Choosing the right windows is crucial for any
conversion, as the joy of such a space is the
1 Access to your loft space availability of daylight.

Building regulations stipulate that if the loft is to be · Dormer windows offer extra headroom as well as
turned into a bedroom, bathroom, study or playroom, light, as the glazed units are normally set parallel to
it must have a permanent staircase. The stairs leading the facade of the house, and a section of the pitched
to it need not be as wide as the steps on the roof raised to accommodate them. However, because
lower flights. The most minimal arrangements dormer windows change the exterior appearance of a
resemble a fixed ladder and a spiral staircase offers house, planning permission is sometimes required.
an attractive solution where space is tight. For example, you might be told your dormer can only
When weighing up the pros and cons of converting, go across two thirds of the total width of the property.
look at the space you will lose on the floor below to Or have to be sash windows, not sliding.
accommodate the new stairs, and check in particular
the head height available. · Skylights or rooflights are simple to install flat into
the roof, so if you’re look for a simple, fuss-free
2 Insulating a loft conversion option, they may be a better bet.

Part L of the building regulations insists on a good How long does a loft conversion take?
standard of insulation. The main reason for this is that
loft spaces can be subject to extreme temperatures, A simple loft conversion can be completed in 4 to 5
getting very hot in summer and feeling extra chilly in weeks and is the least disruptive type of extension.
winter. For walls and ceilings, specialists generally use More complex projects might take 15-20 weeks, plus
a rigid insulation such as Celotex insulation boards, any time it takes to get a completion certificate from
while a fibre blanket such as Gyprock Rockwool is the local planning office.
often used between floor joists. This insulation should
be 150-250mm thick in order to satisfy building  How disruptive is a loft conversion?
regulations for thermal, sound and fire insulation.
Soundproofing is also advised. Scaffolding is used for access until the staircase link-
ing the loft to the rest of the house is installed, so no
3 Fire regulations materials are hauled through the house and waste
can go directly down a chute into a skip outside. The
Fire regulations should be incorporated in your work will be noisy, but won’t create as much mess as
earliest plans. Building materials must comply with a ground-floor extension.
standards of fire resistance – your builder should have
this in hand. Find out more at the Fire Safety Advice Loft conversions – does the work
Centre. At the very least, you will need to fit a smoke need to be signed off?
detector in the hallway. However, any building with a
floor more than 7.5 metres above the ground should Whether or not it requires planning permission, your
have a sprinkler system. loft conversion will need to be signed off by your local
council. Once the work is done, they will inspect it to
In a two-storey home, internal doors around the check the loft complies with fire-safety and building
staircase must be replaced with fire doors to create regulations. You’ll then be given a completion
a protected path from the attic down to the certificate.
ground-floor exit. Your original doors can be
upgraded by ompanies such as Envirograf. Your architect can arrange for this to be done, but you
must make sure you get the certificate. Without it, you
If there are several rooms in your conversion, you could struggle to remortgage or sell your home in the
need to provide an emergency exit to the roof. The future.
easiest, most attractive option is to fit a fire-escape

South West

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Sketch Design Interior Design
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North West
UK fastest-growing
construction market

Construction activity in the North West has risen by Turner & Townsend’s data correlates with results from
31% since 2016, according to a report by Turner & Deloitte’s Crane Survey for Manchester, released
Townsend, making the region the UK’s fastest-growing earlier this year. The report pointed to
market, but the consultant has warned high demand is “unprecedented” levels of construction across the
pushing up construction costs. city with 1.5m sq ft of office space now under
construction, while the number of residential units
The consultant’s latest UK Market Intelligence report under construction rose by 60% last year.
said construction output in the region was up by Meanwhile, Liverpool City Council expects £1.4bn
30.7% in the first quarter of the year, compared with worth of development to be delivered in 2018,
the second quarter of 2016, with activity growing followed by a further £970m next year.
ahead of the West Midlands at 27.8% and the South
West at 27.2%. Paul Connolly, Turner & Townsend director, said:
“As market uncertainty continues to weigh heavily
In London, construction activity dropped by 5.7% over on the construction industry, output data in several
the same period. regions gives early signs of a correlation between
regional autonomy and resilience to the confidence-
However, the consultant warned the North West, sapping impact of an uncertain political future.”
along with the South West and the West
Midlands, were classified as “hot markets” where high “Notwithstanding this increased appetite, clients
demand and insufficient contractor supply have been need to remain cautious on what risk is actually being
pushing up tender prices. taken on and managed by contractors. The failure of
Carillion and the rising number of insolvencies
Tender prices are forecast to grow by 2.2% in the suggests risk transfer in the current environment
North West, which Turner & Townsend said was can be illusory.”
“modest” given the flurry of work going on in
the region.

This has given rise to an increase in single-stage
tendering, which has risen by over 10% over the past
18 months, while two-stage tendering has dropped by
5% over the same time.

14

North East

0191 607 0779

07702 687 230 07931 936 889

info@bespokebuildingandroofing.co.uk
www.bespokebuildingandroofing.co.uk

Newcastle’s Premier Building & Roofing Company

When you choose Bespoke you choose an Established & Reputable North East Building & Roofing
Contractor, giving you full peace of mind that the Guarantee you receive is a Guarantee you can trust.

We also offer Building & Roofing Finance, meaning you are now in a position to choose the Best
Contractor for the job, & not restricted by what you can afford, after all this is your property.

Bespoke do all the work from Start to Finish, including any Plumbing & Electrical Work.

Unit 21 Algernon Industrial Estate, New York Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE27 0NB

Tel: 01915 018 090

REFURBISHMENTS - BOILER REPLACEMENTS
DAMP & TIMBER TREATMENT
NEW BUILDS - EXTENSIONS
MAINTENANCE - INSURANCE WORK

Email: [email protected]
Web: www.capuletconstruction.co.uk

Tel: 01914 474 414

Experienced Professionals offer help at every stage of the Design & Renovation of the Room.
The Professional Team will be happy to help the Customers Arrange the Bathroom,
providing Comprehensive Support with the choice of Fittings.
The following products are available: High Quality Bathroom Ceramics that fits any Bathroom
Interior, Showers, Enclosures, Bathroom Tiles, Bathroom Furniture, Baths, Towel Heaters.
Shopping in KO Bathrooms in Durham is an investment that allows you to have a
Peaceful & Comfortable use of the Bathroom over the years.

The company offers a good price & a professional service that also includes
3D visualization of the Future Bathroom.
We have refurbished over 300 Bathrooms in past 4 years.
Professional Cleaning Services will clean your Bathroom.
The Best Service in North East
We don’t take any payment up front.
Don’t wait. Call us Today & be the next Happy Client.
Opening hours
Monday to Friday 9am - 6pm
Saturday + Sunday 10am - 4pm
29 Dragonville Industrial Park, Dragon Lane, Durham, DH1 2XJ

Resin or
Concrete?

Choosing flooring for a contemporary room? Con- Choosing Concrete Tiles
crete and resin are on-trend, practical and good look-
ing flooring materials ideal for a modern homeSleek Concrete tiles are a cheaper alternative to poured
and edgy, resin and concrete flooring are fast becom- concrete and are, in some cases, more practical. If you
ing the flooring of choice for contemporary homes. need to lift the flooring to fix underfloor heating or if
Perfect for kitchen floors and well-prepped bathroom a section of flooring is damaged, it is far easier to take
floors due to its durability and resistant to spills, dirt up individual tiles, than to remove a section of poured
and stains, concrete and resin are versatile flooring flooring.
options, which can be used in wet areas as well as
with underfloor heating. They are ideal for open-plan Tiles will have to be sealed and finished in the same
layouts and different zones will flow easily into one way as a poured concrete floor, but it is a job you can
another, while the simplicity of resin and concrete will easily do yourself. Concrete sealant is readily available
help create a feeling of space, especially with a glossy from DIY warehouses and it is possible to buy, or even
or polished finish. rent, a floor polisher for far less than you would pay a
professional to do it for you.
Choosing a Poured Concrete Floor
How much do Concrete Tiles Cost?
Most polished concrete flooring today is made from a
cement-based coating with added polymers, and ap- Concrete tiles are a great budget alternative to a
plied as a ‘screed’ by hand, rather than being poured poured concrete floor and cost anywhere from £2 for
like a resin. Architectural in appearance, concrete is a 45cm x 45cm tile from a builders’ merchant or DIY
ideal for creating an industrial look and can also usu- store. They are available in a range of shades, from
ally be laid on existing substrates, including existing very pale greys to dark charcoal, and can even be
tiles, as long as there is suitable stability, and that it is coloured. You can also pick them up in a variety of
free of movement and moisture. shapes, sizes and thicknesses.
Concrete flooring generally has a more natural ap-
pearance than resin and often comes in a choice of Renting a floor polisher from a tool hire centre
finishes — from smooth and polished to pitted, rug- will cost around £50 a day, £70 for the weekend,
ged, brushed and raked, as well as with travertine and or £120 for a week. These come with a variety of
stone effects. functions and attachments, so that you can grind any
unevenness and level the tiles before cleaning and
How much will a Poured Concrete Floor Cost? polishing them. On top of that, concrete sealant cov-
ers roughly 10 square metres per litre, and a 2.5ltr can
The cost of a poured floor is highly dependent on the costs £23.99.
work involved and the size of the room, so it is usu-
ally calculated on a case-by-case basis. The larger the Choosing Concrete-effect Tiles
room, the cheaper each square metre will cost, which
is one of the reasons a poured concrete floor is suit- Want the look of concrete flooring without the price
able for open plan areas. If a substrate or structural tag? Concrete effect tiles are usually made from
layer needs to be applied to the ground before the hardwearing porcelain. Many can be used both inside
flooring is poured, this will increase the cost of instal- and out, too. As for prices, expect to pay porcelain
lation.  prices – anything from £20 per square metre.
There are many finishes, polishes, seals and coatings
that can be applied to a concrete floor to achieve
a specific finish. The more specialised your choice,
the higher the cost. The broad quote given by most
concrete flooring companies is upwards of £100 per
square metre, with the average cost being £130per
square metre.