Find a Shop Fitter you can trust in Dursley.

The energy efficiency of windows is measured using ratings, varying from A, the most efficient, to G, the least efficient. This scheme is run by the British Fenestration Council (BFRC). To comply with Building Regulations you’ll need windows of energy efficiency at least level C.

Solar PV panels work by converting sunlight into electricity. They’re made up of photovoltaic cells, which take in the sun’s rays and turn it into direct current (DC) electricity. The current is then channelled into an inverter, which converts it to alternating current (AC).

Once converted to AC, the electricity is ready to use. It’s fed through a meter and into your property’s consumer unit, and is automatically used to power appliances and heating systems. Your system will automatically switch between your solar electricity supply and the national grid, and export any solar electricity you don’t use to the national grid.

Artex is a type of interior surface coating, similar to plaster. It’s used to create decorative textured finishes on ceilings and walls, so it takes longer to dry than plaster.

Artex is actually a brand name, but it’s used to refer to similar products made by other manufacturers too. It was particularly popular in the 1970s, but is still used to create attractive wall and ceiling finishes today.

It’s important to get the right size solar panel system for your commercial property. Solar panels are usually installed on pitched roofs, although they can be fitted on stands on the ground if you have some unused outdoor space. The more panels you install, the more power you’ll generate, but there’s no point buying more panels than you have space for.

Solar panel system sizes are measured in kW. 4-10kW solar panel systems are usually too big for domestic properties but are ideal for smaller commercial properties. Here’s an idea of how many panels and space you’ll need for a few different system sizes:

System size, Number of panels, Area required (approximate)

4kW, 16, 23m²

6kW, 24, 35m²

8kW, 32, 46m²

10kw, 40, 58m²

Bear in mind that solar panels can’t be less than 30cm away from a roof edge, so you’ll need more space than the area that the panels take up.

Once you’ve chosen the perfect feature to suit the shape and style of your bathroom, it’s time to start putting it to good use. Read on for a step-by-step guide on how to install a bath, but first of all, below are the preparatory tools;

Preparation

Before you install a bath, there are some things that needs to be taken into considerations.Once you have decided where you are going to install your bath, use an electronic detector to make sure there are no hidden pipes or wires in the walls where you will be securing the fittings. It is also advisable to choose walls that have a stud so that you can attach your fittings so strongly.

When assembling your bath, lay it on top of a rug or blanket to ensure it doesn’t get scratched, and remove any protective film from the areas you will be working on, such as around the drain and tap fittings, as well as the sides where the bath will sit against the wall. Always turn off the water at the mains beforehand.

Note: The installation process will vary, depending on the design of your bath. It is always necessary to consult the manufacturer instructions alongside this guide.

MATERIALS

• Drill and appropriate drill bit
• Screwdriver
• Spirit level
• Tape measurer
• Hammer
• Pencil
• Caulking gun and silicone sealant

You’ll also need an extra pair of hands to help manoeuvre the bath into place.

Step 1

Attach the legs and the fittings by securing the appropriate bolts and channels, and then attach the feet.

Step 2

Measure and adjust the bath's position, Once you are sure that your bath is level, mark the places where it will be secured into the walls and floor. If your bath comes with wall fittings, use your pencil to mark the place where they will be secured to the walls. Do the same for the floor fittings.

Step 3

Prepare the wall for the fittings, align it with the wall at the location you marked and use your spirit level to make sure it is even. Drill holes and secure in place, making sure you use fittings that are suitable for the type of walls in your bathroom.

Step 4

Secure your bath by moving the bath back into the final position and align it with the holes you created, or on top of the timber batten. Once again, check that it is level. Turn the water back on and check for any leaks.

Step 5

Seal around the rim, fill it with water and trace silicone sealant around the edges, where the rim meets the wall. Allow it to dry for the recommended time.

This is one of the most common question when it comes to domestic cleaning and reasonably so. Before you embark on a task such as this, it’s always crucial to have an idea of the price range so you can set a budget and start to plan. However, as simple as it may seem, this is actually a very tricky question to answer as the price house cleaners charge per hour is dependent on a number of factors. These factors include location, number of rooms, frequency of cleans, the cleaner’s experience, number of cleaners in the local area, number of bathrooms, agency charges as well as optional extras. Hence, the price house cleaners will charge per hour for delivering their services on your personal space will mostly be tailored to your home’s needs.

In general, the cost you can expect to pay to have your house cleaned typically ranges from £12 to £23 average cost per hour. Prices in more rural areas tend to vary a lot more, which is mostly dictated by the number of businesses that are operating in the area. Therefore, the total cost of your house cleaning project will depend on the number of hours spent on the job plus other optional extras. Furthermore, you should also put into consideration the agency cost per hour ( if you choose to go through this route to source your house cleaners). In general, you can normally expect to pay between £4 to £10 per hour in agency fees in addition to the rate the average cleaner would expect for the area, based on how competitive the market for agencies is in your area.

Are you interested in opening up the back of your home during the summer months? Or perhaps you’re just looking for a cool way to beautify your home and add more value to it. Patio doors offer you a great means to achieve your goals and even more so, with a plethora of styles you can choose from. So if you’ve decided to to install patio doors in your home, you’d probably also want to know exactly how much they cost so you can set a budget and start planning.

Generally, depending on the type of patio doors you wish to have installed, be it bifold, French or sliding doors, the price can vary within the range of £400 to £5,000.

There are a number of influencing factors that can play a huge role in the determination of the total cost of patio doors when looking to have them installed. These factors include: the type of patio door, choice of material, size of the door as well as double or triple gazing.

Based on the type of patio door, the cost of various patio door styles are given below:

• Bifold Patio Doors

The cost of bifold doors is usually affected by the material as well as number of panels to be used. The potential cost is usually within the range of £1,200 to £3,000 upwards.

• French Patio Doors

French patio doors when installed with aluminium frames are often very expensive. They’re mostly used with uPVC at the new build homes’ rear in the UK. The potential cost is usually within the range of £800 to £3,000.

• Sliding Patio Doors

These are usually made from aluminium, wood or uPVC. With wood being mostly used for internal doors. The potential cost is usually within the range of £700 to £3,000.

How Long Do UPVC Conservation Last?

UPVC conservatories are common features on residences across the UK for a good reason. Not only do they give you the extra living space you so much desire within your home or property, but they also go a long way to add value to your property. So if you’re also thinking about constructing a UPVC conservation within your home, you’re probably not alone! One of the several benefits of the structure is also its longevity, however this is dependent on a number of factors. Let’s take a closer look!

Modern UPVC windows will normally last between 20 to 25 years, however some are able to last much longer provided they’re properly maintained and top quality materials are used. And thanks to improvements in colour technology, the finish on UPVC tends to last much longer too.

Some of the factors that can go a long way to determine the longevity of your UPVC conservation includes the type of roofing materials used, how well it’s being maintained, the location or placement of the structure, replacement of individual conservatory parts, as well as insulation.

The type of roofing material for a UPVC conservation can either be glass, polycarbonate or tiles. The glass and polycarbonate roofs usually lasts for a minimum of 20 years when it’s properly installed and provided with the necessary upkeep. Meanwhile, tiled UPVC conservation roof are generally expected to last up to 50 years which is significantly longer than the counterparts - glass and polycarbonate. Interestingly, they require little to no maintenance and are also very unlikely to get damaged during the upkeep.

It’s also very important to make use of a reliable and reputable company to have your UPVC conservatory installed. This is because your structure can only be as good as the company responsible for its installation. So if you require a structures that will last for decades, you should pay great attention to the company you’ll hire.