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In general, no – you don’t need planning permission for a Velux window. The Planning Portal says that you don’t need to apply for planning permission to install a roof window if the following conditions are met:

• A roof window must not protrude more than 150 millimetres above the existing roof plane
No roof window or any other alteration can be higher than the highest part of the roof or stand out above the roof ridge
• Side-facing windows must have obscure glazing to protect privacy of neighbours and, if they open, they must be 1.7 metres above the floor of the room in which they are installed

You don’t need to apply for planning permission for a roof window because they are covered under permitted development rights. However, if you’re a leaseholder or you live in a building where your local authority has made an Article 4 Direction, you will have to apply. Usually, an Article 4 Direction is made when you live in a conservation area where any external home improvements could affect the character and look of the area. Luckily, there are special Velux windows that are designed to be more likely to be accepted by your local planning authority. They’re called conservation windows and, although there’s still no guarantee that they will be accepted, they are designed to look more traditional. Even if you don’t need planning permission for your roof window, you still need to follow any relevant building regulations for your local authority. The most important parts for Velux windows are section J and section L of building regulations, which refer to energy efficiency, thermal insulation and fire protection.

In life, only change is constant. So while making changes to your home you should ensure it’s one that’ll enhance and benefit your home in the long term. And more often than not, this means having to think outside the box from time to time.

When it comes to home improvement, there are a plethora of changes that can be made to enhance your home. But if you’re not sure or confused as to where to begin, why not start with what your visitors will first see when they come visiting - the door? Not only will the installation of new double glazed doors help to maximize your home’s selling power, but can also go a long way to increase the value of your property if you’d like to sell it in the future.

One of the most crucial components of the home that you can improve is UPVC doors and windows. This is due to the fact that replacing these components happen to be a great way of making your home more energy efficient, while also improving its visual appeal as well as several other benefits. So if you’re considering getting UPVC doors fitted in your home, you might want to know the cost involved. However, there’s no single and precise answer to this question as UPVC door prices vary depending on your chosen company. Therefore, it’s always a wise decision to obtain different quotes before making a decision. And fortunately for those who are having financial challenges, it’s very possible to obtain funding that’ll help cover your installation costs.

Generally, on the average, the cost of a good standard UPVC door including installation will cost within the range of £500 to £800.

One major problem several home and property owners in the UK and across the globe would rather prefer to avoid is blocked sewer pipes or drains. These blockages can spring up when you least expect and if left untreated, can result in water leakages from your sewer pipes which is capable of damaging your home or business facility. In extreme cases with severe blockages, it can lead to burst pipes which will be even more expensive to repair. If you’re looking for safe and effective ways to clear a blocked sewer pipe, here are some of the primary options that are available to you.

• Boiling water. If you want a quick and easy fix of your blocked sewer pipe, then this is for you. Simply pour some quantity of boiling water into the drain. In several cases, this will cause the particles causing the blockage to dissolve or loosen without having to resort to more drastic measures. However, it’s advisable to only use this method on either metal or ceramic pipes. Use hot and not boiling water on PVC pipes to prevent heat from loosing its joints.
• DIY Natural Cleaner. To use this method, simple create a DIY cleaner by incorporating bicarb soda (baking soda) and white vinegar. Pour the baking soda into the sewer pipe and follow it with the vinegar. Once done, cover the sewer pipe to ensure the mixture does not bubble out of the pipe. In some cases, you may need to repeat the process a number of times to make sure that the blockage is properly removed. After completion, simply flush your sewer pipes down with hot water.
• Plunger. This is a very common option that home owners use in clearing their blocked drains. Firstly, cover all overflow spouts before you start to plunge to get a strong seal. The strong up and down pressure produced by the plunger can go a long way to clear any blockages to ensure your pipes flow uninterruptedly again.

As the name suggests, composite doors are made up of multiple components or materials which includes uPVC and foam or solid timber core, just to mention a few. Individual materials incorporated manufacturing a composite door plays their own important role with unique properties which are perfectly blended to give the strongest and most durable door materials currently available in the market. These materials are pressed and glued together as they’re subjected to high pressure conditions.

The need to counteract the weaknesses found in most single material doors, ultimately gave birth to the development of composite doors - which puts together several materials with specific properties to cancel out each others’ excesses or weaknesses. Purchasing a composite door means a valuable investment in a sturdy door frame manufactured using the toughest and most robust materials. In other words, you’re increasing the security of your home, enjoying the weatherproofing qualities of the door and also giving you a peace of mind knowing both your loved ones and properties are safe, well protected and secured. Apart from the materials used in making the door, you’re also provided with an array of choices when it comes to the personalization of the door to your needs and taste. You can choose from a variety of colours, woodgrain effects, textures as well as finishes.

Overall, composite doors also requires little maintenance and are very durable. Due to the modern techniques used in manufacturing a composite door, the colour as well as beauty is guaranteed to last a very long time. What’s more? Generally, the composite is weather and fade resistant so you won’t have to worry about spending either time or money for the care or maintenance of your door even after frequent or heavy usage.

In general, you won’t need planning permission to install soundproofing. If you are installing soundproofing against a shared wall, you will usually need to follow the rules and restrictions set out in the Party Wall Act. In listed buildings and conservation areas, there may be extra restrictions on soundproofing.

Are you thinking about installing a new bathroom in your home? One thing that commonly crosses most homeowner’s mind is whether a task can be done by themselves without having to call on a professional for help and in turn, save them some money. So if you’re also thinking along this route, then you’re not alone!

Asides the kitchen, no other home project is probably more involved when talking about the systems as well as skills required. At times, it can be so complicated most expert DIYers will take a deep breathe before carrying out a remodelling job for a bathroom. Basically, bathroom installation will include electrical works, plumbing works as well as tile works which all requires a highly skilled tradesman. It’s the type of work where every square foot counts as it’s a dense, tight work. Apart from that, there are usually some frequent surprises here and there such as identifying rotting joists as well as sub floor underneath a leaking shower or terribly rusted cast iron plumbing stacks. And to round it all up, you’ll also have to deal with the time pressure that comes with a bathroom remodelling project as the room is a highly essential space within the home. As a DIYer you’ll be under immense pressure to get it all over with as soon as possible for continued usage.

The solution to all the problems is simply to call in a professional who can help you manage the project from start to finish. The advantage of this is that you’ll get a good job done and probably in a quicker time than you would have. However, the main reason why most homeowners might not want to hire a pro to handle their bathroom remodelling job is because of money. Ultimately, if you feel confident enough you can go ahead and do the task yourself. If not, then calling in a reliable professional would be your best bet.

Not always is the answer, unfortunately many of the products sold for household use by untrained professionals may not get rid of all the fleas in your home. If some fleas are left they will reproduce and you will end up with a flea infestation again.

You’d have probably heard of the positive impact of air conditioning systems in work environment, but if you’ve never experienced it or reaped the benefits as a business owner then it’s possible to remain unconvinced. If you’re a business owner thinking about making an investment in heating and cooling systems, then you’ve come to the right place! The short and simple answer to this question is yes, an air conditioning system will definitely help improve staff productivity.

In this post, we’re going to consider a number of ways in which an AC system can help improve the efficiency and productivity of employees in a work environment. Let’s take a look!

• It saves time. One of the biggest factors resulting in reduced employees’ productivity is wasted time. For instance, when the office is hot the workers tend to spend more time adjusting fans to cool off or getting water which implies less time to get the daily tasks done. Installing an AC system can help buy you back hours of productive work from your staff.
• It keeps them focused. When the temperature is too hot, employees tend to get both physically and mentally sluggish. Consequently, they’d have problems focusing on the job at hand which leads to silly mistakes and hard times solving basic issues. With an air conditioning system, you can help your employees increase their speed while also enabling them to think, move and work efficiently.
• It helps to decrease stress levels. In the modern era where the work environment is ever-dynamic and fast-paced, there’s the need to help your staff cool off if you wish to get the best output from them and that’s where an air conditioning system comes in.