As an alternative to traditional construction materials some people are turning to timber frame houses, and it is easy to see why they are becoming so popular. Firstly, they are quicker to construct than brick built houses and the flexibility of timber framed construction to be either traditional or contemporary makes it a popular choice. Another benefit is the energy-efficiency of this building method which means it is a great option for those wanting to be eco-friendly and for those concerned with the damage caused to the environment by the production of conventional building materials. As timber frame houses are built with a high specification of insulation they allow builders to achieve high levels of energy efficiency, so energy costs are low. The design of the timber framed build can vary from a small, bolthole by the coast to a large timber framed home or anything in between. The services of an experienced architect will be needed and will give you the opportunity to discuss your ideas and settle on a design with which you are happy. The architect will then be able to draw up the plans and apply to the council for the relevant permissions and advise on how to proceed.

Having major renovation work carried out on a property can be a stressful experience especially if the whole project is being managed by a third party so how easy is it to project manage it yourself and keep controlled over the decisions that will need to be made on a regular basis?

If you have little or no experience with construction work then it is without doubt going to be a steep learning curve for you however, the rewards will be tremendous when the project is completed, and you can look back at what you have achieved.

The main consideration when project managing renovations is to be clear about the budget restraints as this can quite quickly get out of hand meaning that you will go over budget. Shopping smart, which is sourcing materials and fittings from auction sites or end of line sales can save hundreds of pounds.

It is important to have an idea of the schedule of work to be carried out and the order in which tasks need to be done. For instance, first fix electrical and plumbing work needs to be completed before plastering. Building contractors will be able to advise on this issue and it is important to seek their advice and work out a schedule before work commences.

Commercial gates come in many different shapes and sizes, and with a variety of different functionalities too. Understanding the range of commercial gates available will help to speed up the process and knowing what you are looking for means finding the right retailer will be made a whole lot simpler. As a starting point, look at gates from specialist manufacturers who specialise in commercial security and access control products; then, think about whether you need something off the shelf, something bespoke and what your budget might be for the supply and installation of a new set of commercial gates for your business property.

The main benefit of commercial gates is clear: simple, streamlined access control that you can be confident in. Commercial gate systems are almost all automatic to help you manage access control more effectively and simply. In fact, though, it also improves security considerably and is an excellent security measure for you to think about. This is especially true of some types of gate which will give you added security if this is something you want and need, for example, in the case of your office building being in a very busy area. You will also find commercial gates in many different styles and appearances – looks matter for commercial properties too so the gates you select need to look the part. In this respect, you will be able to choose gates with different colours and finishes to suit your property perfectly.

There are different types of commercial gate you can choose. These are the most popular options:

• Commercial sliding gates. You will get ultimate convenience and efficiency from a sliding gate for your commercial property. The gate will be easily operated by a motor to open smoothly as required, meaning there is no strain on components and the gate will last you for a long time. These types of gates can also be a very good space saving solution if this is something you need, and it will provide superior levels of security for your property as well.
• Commercial palisade gates. If you are looking for a high security solution, palisade gates will be your best bet. They have an anti climb design with no possible footholds making them highly secure and making your property more impenetrable. The gates will need to be tall enough to provide adequate protection, so ensure that you order the correct height and size as needed. Palisades provide you with plenty of options, as they can be used as swing, sliding or cantilever gates. They can also be manufactured in different colours to match with other fencing.
• Commercial swing gates. When shopping for gates with budget at the forefront of your considerations, swing gates will be the ideal option. They tend to be the most affordable type of commercial gate and they are available in a huge range of sizes. They are highly popular and you can choose from a single leaf gate or double leaf gates depending on the configuration you need to suit your business premises.

Property values and sales have increased greatly recently which is a bonus for homeowners who are interested in selling their property but for those who do not want to move imminently what are the best improvement projects to undertake that will add value?

One of the best ways to add value to a property is to create additional rooms or living space. As long as these additions are completed professionally there will be gains to be made. A loft conversion is a popular option if the height inside the loft is high enough so that you can stand upright in a large proportion of It. A reputable builder will be able to advice you on the feasibility of this construction and the essential regulations and permissions that will be needed from the local council’s building department. Roof lights will need to be installed to allow natural light to enter the room and upgraded insulation of the roof space will also be needed.

Installing a conservatory is often chosen when homeowners are seeking to add space to the family living area and can be a straightforward enterprise as smaller conservatories can be built without the need for planning permission. It is sensible to think about the design of the conservatory if you want to be able to use it all year round as this will have an impact on the roofing materials used and the heating and cooling systems that will be necessary for your comfort.

Now that the Covid rules are starting to be a lot more relaxed, many companies are once again looking at how they can continue to grow their businesses. A recent survey that has been carried out by the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA), shows that employee numbers in the construction industry have risen and are expected to continue rising for at least the next 12 months. The number of skilled operatives and other operatives that have been employed has risen around 40% more than the previous year which is more than it has done for several years.

Although there is an increase in demand for construction workers, getting the materials and products is becoming a bit of a challenge. Without the materials, many jobs simply cannot be completed which then leaves the workers with anything to do.

Costs for construction firms have now hit an all time high. This could be because of the challenges that many companies are having at getting the materials through.

No one knows exactly what may happen over the next 12 months and a lot of it is dependant on Covid and whether we have to have any more restrictions imposed as if so, this may again have an effect on the construction industry and supply chain.

In many industrial and commercial environments, there are more requirements than usual when it comes to managing that particular environment. Different areas need to be managed in certain ways for efficiency, productivity and above all, safety. Industrial sound proof doors can be key in managing these types of environment and are a highly popular type of door to choose. They have a whole host of benefits and can be personalised depending on individual environments’ needs.

If a sound proof door is needed, then an insulated door might be one of the best buys given this criteria. The insulating properties of the door will help to control temperature but will also give it additional acoustic properties, namely controlling noise levels and keeping them at an acceptable level. At the same time, the building owner or manager can also benefit from many of the other properties that come with a well insulated doorset, like strength and security performance. Many doors have been put through rigorous testing to prove their security credentials so they are highly effective in this kind of commercial environment.

What Materials are Insulated Soundproof Doors Made From?

Insulated soundproof doors are most commonly made from steel as this is a strong, robust, secure and high performance material that will benefit the property in many ways. The door may have an aluminium frame for fitting it into brickwork.

Steel is a naturally well insulated material and there may be additional insulating properties built into the door as well. To further enhance insulation, the door may be thermally broken – both the frame and the door itself. There may not be any glazing in a security door because of security reasons, but if there is, usually look for this to be thermally broken as well. To check on the insulation levels of the door (a well insulated door will also usually be more sound proof), look at the u-value. A low u-value indicates that the door is energy efficient and will not contribute to as much heat transfer, i.e. losing heat from inside to outside.

About Sound Ratings: How to Understand the Noise Reduction That a Door Will Provide

When buying a door with specific sound proofing properties, there will be a an Rw assigned to it. This number will tell you the sound insulating abilities of this particular door. It stands for weighted sound reduction index and it is used for doors, walls, windows and other objects that may need to be sound proof. The Rw rating is measured in decibels and if the number is higher, this means the sound proofing properties are greater. When looking at a sound proof door, always look for this Rw number to indicate the level of noise reduction that you can expect to achieve with that particular product.

Noise reduction will also depend on the way the door is fitted and its environment. For example, if there are gaps left around the door where there shouldn’t be, then this will compromise the product’s ability to block out sound. Different size gaps around the perimeter will contribute to different levels of noise insulation being lost. It is very important that the door is fitted and used as intended and that the surrounding environment is well prepared, and is adapted to the installation of the sound proof door. Only in this way can the product achieve the results that it is intended to, as the environment matters as well. For this reason, many single leaf and double leaf sound proof doors are generally installed by the manufacturer, supplier or a professional door fitter who will ensure it is working effectively in situ. Installation is also important if the door is external and will need to act as a security measure too.

In conclusion, the door may not always be the first thing that springs to mind when thinking about sound proofing but the right doorset can contribute to greatly increased levels of sound proofing. There is no need for a padded studio or individual sound proof room, as the right kind of door can do a great job and achieve excellent levels of sound proofing. Insulated doors are a very good starting place when noise levels need to be reduced in commercial spaces and they bring with them a whole host of other benefits as well, like security and good thermal insulation. All in all, an insulated steel door set can be one of the most beneficial purchases in a demanding commercial environment where noise levels need to be managed.

If you work in the building or construction industry, it is vital that you have the correct type of insurance and at the right level. There are so many different insurance providers and different types of policies out there, that it can be hard to know exactly what you need. If you give incorrect information when taking out an insurance policy, even if it is not intentional, you may find that your insurance isn’t valid and that you have no cover. The problem is you will often only find this out when a problem arises and you need to make a claim.

In some industries, insurance is more important than others and construction is one of those industries. Many jobs within the construction industry can be quite dangerous and require a lot of knowledge. If you make a mistake it may not only be your life that you are putting at risk, but you could be potentially risking the people you work with and people that may use the property after you have finished the construction work.

When looking to take out insurance cover, make sure you get a few different quotes. If parts of your business are quite complex then you may need to go to specialist company or at least talk to them on the phone to ensure they can offer you the level of cover that it needed. Always ensure that you are completely honest and that never try and skimp on a policy to save a few quid each month. Often lots of people get insurance cover as they have to have it and therefore just take the cheapest, but in the construction industry it is so important that you are covered for the correct thing. You may need to take out a number of different policies such as public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance. These will cover you should you do something wrong which results in someone else getting injured or if you give bad advice which causes financial loss to another party. You may also need to take out insurance to protect your tools and equipment and also personal injury insurance should you get injured whilst working. These premiums can all add up but it is simply not worth the risk not to have them. Also some companies will not work with you if you do not have the adequate level of insurance.

Drums trolleys are specifically designed for moving drums and cylindrical loads, due to their shape and construction. They can be used when:

• Moving drums
• Loading them onto lorries, shipping containers etc.
• Unloading drums to store them
• Reorganising drums and stacking them i

The drum will be loaded onto the trolley, often with a jack, and will then need to be secured to make sure it will not move whilst it is being relocated.

A drum trolley can improve safety when loading up drums and moving them; drum management and logistics become significantly easier and more efficient as well. The usual safety standards must be followed though, such as not overloading a drum truck because they will come with a specific capacity. They must also be used safely in the manner intended. If a drum trolley is not easy to manoeuvre or it is not big enough, a different size must be obtained – some drum trolleys have handles to make moving loads easier.

The regulations concerning manual handling have been well-established for years, and yet many workplaces are still not adhering to and implementing the correct manual handling techniques. The health and safety of employees when working with large or heavy loads is vitally important as failure to follow the regulations can lead to serious injury or death and can result in legal ramifications for the company involved.

The regulations set by the Health and Safety Executive are that an employer must avoid the need for hazardous manual handling so far as is reasonably practicable, carry out a risk assessment for any handling that is unavoidable and reduce the risk of injury from manual handling as much as is reasonably practicable.

Employees are required to participate in the risk assessment process, attend any relevant manual handling training and implement good manual handling techniques whenever they are carrying out such tasks such as good posture and lifting techniques.

Simple steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of injury include planning the lift, reducing the distance of the lift, ensuring you have a good grip of the item to be lifted and wearing appropriate clothing. More detailed guidance is available by visiting the HSE website.

If you have a job where you need to work at height, you will need to use the right safety equipment including harnesses, fall restraints for equipment and safety gear such as gloves and helmets. Companies should have policies to protect you if you are working at height, even if you just do so temporarily – make sure you have a full understanding of what is required of you and how you will be protected, including the gear that you will need.

Whilst all construction and other companies need to have policies to protect staff, it is also important to understand that you are responsible for your own safety when you are working at height. It is up to you to take the right steps to ensure safe working practices. If you do not have the right training to work at height, you should never be asked to do so – if you are, make it clear that you are not willing or able to do this until you have the relevant experience and equipment.