CrossTeam Properties Offers Advice on Home and Garden Improvements

Aeon stainless steel radiators are renowned for their quality and style. In fact Aeon has actually been credited with the creation of designer radiators which have become a focal point of bathrooms as opposed to just a necessary practicality. In the past radiators were often considered rather unsightly but these new brands of designer radiators are simply stunning and enhance the bathrooms they are installed within.

All Aeon radiators are constructed entirely from 304 grade stainless steel which is a non-corrosive, durable and environmentally friendly material. You are guaranteed longevity when you purchase one of these designer radiators. They combine style with heat output and there is no shortage of options available with 450 styles in their current catalogue, meaning that there is bound to be a radiator to suit your bathroom and your own personal style.

Aeon radiators are sector leading since the entire unit is constructed from stainless steel including the radiator valves. All components which come into contact with wet surfaces or water use the 304 grade stainless steel while 430 grade stainless steel is used for components which will remain dry at all times. TIG welding technology ensures that all joints become one with the actual radiator unit. At no time will these radiators show any sign of discolouration, flaking or peeling and Aeon is so sure of this that each radiator comes with a twenty year guarantee for your piece of mind. The quality truly is second to none.

If you’re considering a significant property development project, whether with your own home or somewhere you’ve acquired to renovate, there are a few things to bear in mind before you start. Unless you’re a very accomplished all-rounder, with excellent building skills, you’ll be grappling with a lot more than DIY. You can certainly help keep costs down if you’re confident with painting and decorating and if you can stretch to plastering, too, significant savings can be made. Depending on how adventurous you aim to be, calling on the advice of architects would be a wise early move, not least because they can also advise and apply for, any planning permission you may need before you begin. Prominent extensions and major internal alterations usually require the local planning department’s approval. Unless you have the required permission for building projects that alter the form and use of the building, you’ll be breaking the law.

In addition to planning permission, you’ll need to be familiar with the relevant building regulations. These generally don’t apply to minor alterations, like repairs, a new central heating system or installing a new bathroom or kitchen. However, new extensions or changes to elevations, including significant internal renovations, like loft conversions, will require building regulation conformity. Again, architects can ensure that the legal requirements are complied with, as can chartered surveyors and master builders. You need to be prepared for all of the costs involved with the fittings for a property. The main expenses will be the kitchen, so plan for every cost from appliances to granite worktops.

Always remember that if your project affects any wall between your property and another, you’ll need to obtain a ‘party wall agreement.’ This obliges you to pay to rectify any damage to the integrity of the party wall that any building work on your part might cause. A simple motto, ‘plan before you build’.

Over the past few years there has been an increase of people renting properties rather than buying. This is due to the current economic climate, high house prices and the reluctance of banks to give big mortgages to first-time buyers.

Flats are amongst the most popular properties to rent especially in major cities like London, Birmingham and Liverpool. There are also more properties to rent on the market, as the housing market slows forcing new developments to rent out their properties instead of selling them.

Finding a property to rent is relatively easy nowadays, with many estate agents having their own websites which list available properties for a specific area. These websites have pictures and maps of the properties, giving a brief description and price so you can find what you’re looking for. Viewing can also be booked through the websites so you can see the properties in person.

With no end in sight for the current economic crisis, the best thing to do especially for first-time buyers is to rent until the housing market stabilises.

DIY installation of underfloor heating kits has become increasingly popular over the last few decades. Electric underfloor heating became prevalent in the 1960s but was at that time somewhat difficult and costly to install. This was because electric cables were laid in thick concrete pathways within the floor.  Water underfloor heating, which had been popularised in the early twentieth century by the American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, used a system of concrete water pipes connected to the main water supply.

Nowadays however, underfloor heating DIY has become relatively straightforward, with underfloor heating kits sold in many DIY shops or online. Kits will include a full set of instructions as well as technical support options, and the material is straightforward to use and light in nature.

Electric cables, heating mats or water pipes have to be carefully placed in the selected underfloor area, with close attention to an equal distribution of the material. Electrical control wiring is a key requirement. Also, before the material is laid out it is important to measure the amount needed in order to cover the entire selected area.

When laying out water underfloor heating pipes it is important to remove air from the system before first use.  This is done in the same way as in a regular water radiator system. Testing the thermostat is also important before final use. When first using the system, it is advised to raise the temperature gradually over a number of days so as not to overload the system.

If you’re planning a significant bit of property development, it would be wise to begin by employing architects. If you can afford the fees, they’ll ensure that any necessary planning permission is obtained. They’ll not only design your dream plan in detail, but ensure it conforms to current building regulations too. To economise on the project, rolling up your sleeves and getting stuck into the DIY aspects, such as painting, decorating and even, if you’re able, some plastering, will save you a significant amount of cash. The more sophisticated aspects of the project, however, will usually mean calling in another expert. A good, reliable builder is worth his weight in gold. Don’t randomly select one from Yellow Pages though, always go on trusted recommendations and ask to see examples of their work. Good builders are usually proud to display their handiwork.

Project management is pivotal. You’ll need to calculate out labour, materials and price schedules and wrap these up into a contract. Avoid paying hourly or daily rates, you need to know the price for the complete job and that the contractor will deliver. However, you should always allow an extra 10% for contingencies.

Work out all your major purchases at the design stage, including materials and items likes basins, baths, appliances and granite worktops don’t be left having to improvise as work proceeds as this can be very expensive. Upgrading your home involves installing basics that you shouldn’t compromise on, especially if it’s going to be significantly larger, like getting a new, more powerful boiler, expert plumbing and electrical installation. Most importantly, throughout the construction phase, daily communication with your builder will prevent expensive misunderstandings.

When using a bathroom everybody wants to be comfortable and enjoy a pleasant experience. A well maintained bathroom often signifies a lot about the rest of the household. One way to keep your bathroom looking pristine and in good order is through the use of a bathroom accessories set. This can include soap dishes, tumblers, lotion dispensers and many other accessories to add to the look and style of your bathroom.

Ranging from toilet roll holders to towels, be sure that the bathroom accessories that you choose complement your theme and style.

If you’re concerned with design and style you have many options from which to choose, including modern or contemporary styles, natural styles that bring out a theme of nature, traditional styles right down to simple, intricate, yet delicate styles.

If cost is the major concern, there are many favourable bathroom accessories for those on a budget, which you can find both online or in your local retailers.

If quality is the key, bathroom accessories come in a vast abundance of materials including durable glass; brass, stainless steel and chrome finishes, all designed to last for years in a well used bathroom.

Yet it doesn’t end there with the soap dish or the toilet roll holder. Bathroom accessories can also include the bathroom furniture. A common feature of today’s modern bathroom furniture and bathroom accessories includes the bathroom mirror set. Again with many styles to choose from, whether it is a plain wall mirror, a special cut glass mirror or a mirrored cabinet, the bathroom mirror is a vital aspect of any modern bathroom.

A garden gazebo is a great way to add some class to any outdoor function you may be hosting. However, choosing the right garden gazebo for your purposes can be tricky as there are many factors to consider.

Garden gazebos have grown in popularity since they became cheaper and easier to erect. However, the lower prices can mean poor quality materials, which are only good for a short lifespan of the gazebo.

A top quality canopy gazebo will cost a lot more than many standard types. If you intend to use the gazebo regularly for entertaining throughout the summer months then you should pay a bit more for a really durable and attractive structure.

If you see your garden gazebo as something more permanent then you should consider building a wooden gazebo. This will cost more than buying a high standard canopy version but it will last for longer and a wooden outdoor gazebo will become a useful permanent fixture in your garden.

Many people hastily buy a gazebo and erect it without much thought and careful consideration of where to position it in the garden. Pick a sunny but sheltered spot; gazebos do not like high winds!

You can see what a gazebo will look like when erected, as the stores will have show models on display. This will give you the perfect opportunity to see which style, size and quality is best for your garden.

If you like to walk around your house barefoot, then you will know that the sensation of stepping on to warm tiled floors is absolute bliss. Underfloor heating feels like a real luxury. Whereas radiators heat a room through convection, allowing hot air to rise to the ceiling and then to fall as it cools, underfloor heating is much more efficient.  It radiates heat more evenly throughout a room and will keep your feet warm and the environment at the set temperature. The way that heat rises evenly throughout the whole room is very pleasant compared to the hotspots, cool zones and draughts created with traditional heating systems. Also, an underfloor heating kit is a perfect solution when you are building an extension or conservatory, as it is easier to install, doesn’t require wall space and is separately controlled.

Underfloor heating systems are controlled by programmable thermostats that control the temperature in every room, making them extremely flexible. They can be set to lower temperatures than conventional central heating to achieve the same level of comfort. The lack of radiators and pipes in a room with electric underfloor heating keeps it free from visual clutter as well as being easier to clean. This means that when designing room layouts the positioning of components such as pipes and heaters does not restrict you. Underfloor heating is hidden, but the controls are accessible for easy maintenance. Best of all, the cost of installing floor heating is comparable to, and often less than conventional systems, particularly when building or renovating a home.

Kitchen and bathroom floors covered in new stone tiles can look absolutely gorgeous, but old, cracked tiles can look like a set of crooked, broken teeth. You don’t need to be latent architects or have sophisticated building skills to get rid of an old tiled floor; your DIY skills will suffice. It’s strangely gratifying, but while painting, decorating and plastering all require a degree of patience, you can just let rip on this one.

Arm yourself with a long-handled tile scraper, lever under a tile and push. If it won’t lift easily and it really is satisfying when it does, you might have to break the tile up with a club hammer, gentle taps will do the job. Generally, though, you’ll be able to slip that strong, broad blade through the grout and push through the adhesive, bang goes another tile.

Sadly, this is rarely the end of the story. You’ll almost certainly be left with clumps and splodges of adhesive residue. The best solution is to melt them into docile mush with a hot air gun and use a stripping knife as you go to scrape the mess away. If this works, all you need to do before laying your new floor covering is seal the area with a coat of diluted PVA. If you’re out of luck and the old adhesive is too stubborn to remove, your best bet is to cover the area with a layer of plywood or hardwood and get on with setting those new tiles. You’ll end up with a DIY job that looks like real property development.

Fixing a bookshelf, bathtub or basin to a hollow wall can be a nightmare, unless you strengthen it first. Many buildings have internal ‘stud walls’, which are constructed from sheets of plasterboard fixed between timber studding. Happily, strengthening them is relatively easy; all that is needed to complete the job will be a touch of painting and decorating. You won’t need to be an architect, basic building skills will do.

To strengthen the wall, you’ll need to locate the timber studs beneath the plaster, taking care to check that there are no cables or pipes running through the area you want to work on, using a cable sensor. Work out which studs you’re going to use as upright supports for the horizontal timber bridge you’ll be using to strengthen the wall. The bridge will need to be at the correct height and of sufficient length for your fixing. Place it on the wall using a spirit level and draw an outline around it.

Drill holes into the plaster at each corner and then use a pad saw to remove the plaster between studs. Clear out the strip of plaster and recess the studs, where your bridge crosses them, using a chisel. First tap in some rows of horizontal chisel grooves to the thickness of the bridge then pare the wood out. You might need to recess your bridge, too, if it’s very thick or you’ll weaken the studs. Fix the bridge into place on the studs and screw it into position, using screws of sufficient size to carry the load. Finish off with a little plastering followed by a lick of paint and hang your fixing.