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Horshambuilders have been on holiday. During this time over 3,000 comments were posted to the Horshambuilders.com blog, none of them were approved, why?

You may well ask but as most of the comments were clearly automated self promoting spams then very few will be asking.

Comments to Horshambuilders.com are very welcome providing they address the subject matter of the blog and add to its value.

It is posible that the authors(s) of Hair removal cream, Party bus rental, Israel carpets, Learn forex and a host of other web site owners are interested in Horsham builders but would they on the same day send 7 or 8 comments all saying variations on the same theme and not one of them adding value to the thread, I think not.

So persistent offenders will be added to my blacklist and sadly all 3000 plus of Horshambuilders.com back comments have been deleted as it would have taken too long to view everyone.

Any comments on this blog that say, I have just found your site and think the contents are wonderful will automatically go onto the blacklist.

Do you have high ceilings in your home that you feel are no more than an empty and wasted space? If so, you may be losing out on your homes real potential. Through loft conversion, you can transform your unused wasted empty ceiling space or attic space into a functional loft room or living area. You may be dissuaded by the mere thought of the inconvenience and cost that comes with the construction, but it comes with a number potential benefits that may just convince you to seriously reconsider.

From Wasted Space to Loft Conversion Extra Living Space

The typical vaulted ceiling or enclosed attic space can amount to almost 30% of the total potential space of a home. Unfortunately, this portion is usually left unused and wasted. By building a loft conversion instead of an extension or room addition, you can get an additional room without taking away space from your garden or lot area.

Also, as opposed to constructing extensions or basements, building a loft gives you maximum use of your home with lesser disruption to the existing structure.

Remodeling Contractors are the Cheaper Alternative

Its always cheaper to build than to buy, right? As the prices of property continue to increase steadily, more homeowners are turning to loft conversion to address their need for more living space. After all, you already have the space there, right? Its just waiting to be developed and used.

Creating a loft also tends to cost less because instead of adding to the house, you will be working within its existing dimensions and foundation.

Some homeowners have taken the do-it-yourself approach to building their lofts, but most find the process quite complicated and involving a large amount of work. Because of this, most people turn to remodeling contractors to do the task.

Build What You Need

The attic space offers a versatile area from which various types of accommodation can be built. Most homeowners want living additional living space, such as a bedroom, childrens playroom, or even an entertainment area. Others prefer to make it an office space. There are also those who just want more storage area.

It may entail a lot of effort, but building a room addition loft conversion can be a fun and rewarding experience if you decide to give a personalized take to the room being created. Think about how you would want the room to look. Decide on details like the color palette, space layout, furnishings and other design elements. Always remember that during this whole process, you are the boss.

Increase your Homes Value

More space means more money. It is generally believed that having a loft constructed in your home will add a substantial amount of value to your property. The exact figures are hard to determine, but on the average, it is said that a professional loft conversion can increase the potential price of a house to approximately 20%.

Because of these benefits, constructing lofts has gained popularity among many homeowners over the past years. If you decide to have a loft built for your home, it is advisable to seek the services of remodeling contractors to ensure a smooth loft conversion that is carried out to your standards.

Ecologically friendly building materials are becoming more and more popular. Where a few short years ago, you would have had a hard time finding “green” building materials, today they are plentiful and widely varied. Whether considering a remodel, or a new home from the ground up, architects, contractors and homeowners have many choices for environmentally safe, friendly and sound building materials.

Green Choices for Walls, Floors and Ceilings

When planning your new home or addition, what you use to make the walls, floors and ceilings can be as important as where you place them. Several green alternatives to plywood and sheetrock now exist that can make your building project much more environmentally compatible and safer for builders and residents alike.

EcoRock is a relatively new product that replaces gypsum-based sheetrock or drywall with sheets manufactured from 80% recycled materials. Sheetrock production is the third largest producer of greenhouses gases among building materials, right behind steel and concrete. Sheetrock manufacturing contributes 200 million tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere each year, due to the heating and “curing” process required. EcoRock uses 80% less energy by combining materials that react chemically to produce the same heat. This chemical process eliminates the need for the high-heat, high-energy process used to manufacture conventional drywall. EcoRock is also 100% recyclable, making it safe for landfills and available for reprocessing. It generates 60% less dust than conventional drywall panels, providing cleaner air for both construction worker and homeowner. It has proven to be 50% more mold and mildew resistant than conventional drywall panels. Overall, it is a much greener, safer, better choice for constructing walls and ceilings.

Plyboo is plywood made from sustainable, renewable bamboo. Bamboo, a grass, takes three to five years to mature, and can be harvested with much less environmental impact than traditional hardwoods. Bamboo can produce the same board feet of lumber in three to seven years that it takes an oak tree 100 years to produce. And it can do it again and again every three to seven years. It grows naturally on every continent but Antarctica and Europe. Natural groves need little to no fertilizing, so growing bamboo can have little to no impact on the environment. Finished Plyboo contains fewer VOC’s than conventional hardwood plywood. Plyboo’s LEED rating is far above that of hardwood plywood, while it is just as strong and versatile in use as its hardwood cousin.

Wheatboards are made of wheat, barley or rice stalks. The stalks are the by-product of the threshing process used to harvest the grain. Since the grains are a yearly crop, wheatboard is even more sustainable and conveniently renewable than bamboo. Wheatboard is commonly used in place of MDF, having a strength and versatility compatible to MDF, without the formaldehyde. Wheatboard has a higher resistance to moisture, is 10% lighter in weight than MDF, and has a superior screw and nail retention rating than conventional MDF. It falls between MDF and particle board, almost in a category of its own. While lighter and more environmentally safe than MDF, it takes paints better and is more machinable than particle board. It also has a stronger internal bond than both MDF or particle board. Wheatboard is a wonderfully green choice for floor underlayments, cabinetry, countertops and shelving and closet framing.

GigaCrete is a green alternative to drywall mud or plaster. It is made from recycled ash from coal-fired power plants. It has lower VOC emissions than conventional mud and plaster products, giving you cleaner indoor air. It is completely non-toxic. It takes less water and less energy to produce than conventional plasters. It contains no silica sand, making it easier to work, and live, with.

Green Choices for Kitchen and Bath Countertops

While granite may be all the rage for attractive kitchen and bath countertops, better, greener alternatives exist.

A perfectly green choice for countertops is Vetrazzo’s countertops made from recycled glass. The glass used is 100% recycled material, often from such varied sources as decommissioned traffic lights and last night’s wine bottle, and compromises 85% of the final product. Having somewhat of a mosaic appearance, Vetrazzo’s countertops are eye-catching, available in many appealing and attractive color choices. The individual quality inherent in the different glass products used to create the countertop makes your countertop uniquely yours. No two are alike. The countertops are comparable in strength, durability, scratch resistance and heat resistance to granite. They require similar care to granite countertops, without the environmental impact of harvesting virgin granite. Most of the granite used in North America comes from developing countries, requiring shipping from great distances. Most granite quarries do not practice fair trade, treating employees little better than serfs. Vetrazzo is manufactured in the US, utilizing a process that uses recycled ash and other materials in addition to the glass content as much as possible. Vetrazzo prides itself on its Sustainable Manufacturing process.

PaperStone is made from 100% recycled paper. It is believed to be the “greenest” home building material available on the market, as its manufacturer has created it from recycled materials and it itself is 100% recyclable. It comes in many stylish color and finish choices. It is also lighter in weight than granite, does not contain the VOC’s of particle board-laminate countertops and is just as stain resistant as most laminates.

Green Choices for Flooring

Bamboo, cork and even old fashioned linoleum are mush better, mush greener choices for your new floors than laminate, vinyl or traditional hardwood. Bamboo and cork are both mush more sustainable and renewable than hardwood. They carry fewer VOC’s than laminates or vinyl flooring. You may equate linoleum more with grandma’s house than your new home, but linoleum contains no PVC’s. The lack of these harmful pollutants makes it a safer, family friendly solution for baths and kitchens, two areas where cork and bamboo are not recommended.

Building green isn’t as difficult, or as drab as it used to be. Green building material choices abound. They are becoming just as wallet friendly as they are environmentally friendly, too. Going green isn’t just a passing fancy. It’s here to stay, and in a big way.

Just like with any woodworking or furniture building project, the key element in doing elegant work with PVC Plastic Pipe & Pipe Fittings, is craftsmanship. Work carefully and pay attention to details. Some people do not understand that making things from Plastic Pipe can lead to beautiful creations. That is what needs some explanation.

For example, making a project like the Platform Bed out of PVC Plastic Pipe is easier than making it as a woodworking project. For instance, making a bed with this much detail out of wood, would require cutting each piece to width, height and length. With our Plastic Pipe Platform Bed, you just have to cut the various pieces of Pipe to the lengths in the “Cutting Schedule” provided in the Project eplanset. The equivalent woodworking project requires making special joints. The Plastic Pipe project does not. The assembly of a Plastic Pipe Project requires the use of a rubber mallet. If you choose to build our Platform Bed, the alignment of all the pieces and gluing are made very easy, if you follow the Project ePlanSet instructions.

As another example, making a very simple project, like our Under Desktop CPU Holder out of CPVC Plastic Pipe, is much easier than making it as a woodworking project or a metal working project. All PVC Plastic Pipe fittings have a natural aesthetic beauty. It has something to do with the implied flow or flowing characteristics. Adding to the beauty and character is the way the socket bells of each fitting are expanded to fit around the Pipe.

There are, however, some inherent distractions to this natural, flowing beauty. But those can easily be corrected by the craftsman. For instance, Plastic Pipe fittings are made of injection molded Plastic. This requires the craftsman to remove all the flashing, and stubs from the sprues, spurs, gates, risers and flues. Knockout bosses, manufacturers logos, and mold parting lines all need to be filed or sanded flush and smooth to the contour of the fitting. All stick-on labels need to be removed. Also, the glue for the labels must be removed with a solvent if you dont, it will mess up your finish later.

The other item the craftsman can do to add elegance to a project is to round over the sharp corners of the Pipe Fittings socket bells. This can be done by hand filing, but that is quite tedious. The best way to do this is with a small wood router with roundover bit. As the Table below shows, the roundover bit should have a pilot bearing and be of the correct size for the socket bell wall thickness.

A small wood router can work well for this task. In fact, if you can gently hold the router in some sort of clamping or holding device like a vise, bit side up, then hold the fitting as you feed it into the cutter. Be careful not to squeeze the router case too hard. A router table may work, but sometimes it can be too restricting. Be careful not to get your fingers too close to the cutting blade. Also, it’s always a good idea to wear safety goggles, a dust face mask over your nose and mouth, plus ear plugs.

Platform Bed – Roundover Instruction

Nominal Fitting Diameter

Bit Cutting Radius
CPVC
(Beige Color)

1/2″ – 1″

1/16″
PVC
(White Color)

1/2″

PVC or ABS
(White or Black Color)

3/4″ – 2″

1/8″

3″ or More

1/4″

The photograph shows how the rounded over fittings look on the footboard of

the Platform Bed. They have even been accented with simulated brass trim. http://www.eplansets.com/

Since the beginning of time men have worked with wood to mould it into shelter and to serve many different functions. Really the only thing that has changed is the tools they use to make their projects. In fact, the basic concepts of drilling, sawing, and shaping have remained the same throughout time. It is only the speed and precision with which they are able to do it that has changed.

The 3 Most Important Pieces of woodworking Machinery

If you could only stock your workshop with three pieces of machinery, what would they be? Here are some reasons why these 3 pieces of equipment make a complete workshop.

1. Circular or Table Saw: This can be a handheld or table saw. A table saw offers more versatility as it can be angled for mitre cuts and allows jigs to be used for better precision in cutting long lengths of boards. A hand saw can make straight or curved cuts. Even materials other than wood, such as vinyl siding, can be cut with a saw with interchangeable blades.

2. Router with Table: A router allows for fancier cuts and more professional looking woodworking projects. The table beneath the router just makes the job easier. A guide fence keeps wood in place as it cuts. An adjustable table will allow you to work intricate details at a height that gives you the most control.

3. Jig Saw: When your wood projects are not limited to mouldings and flooring a jig saw allows you to craft all sorts of smaller, more detailed projects. You can create toys, decorations, carve signs or intricate fireplace mantels with a jig saw.

Of course there are dozens of pieces of woodworking machinery and basic tools that serious wood workers need. Usually the home improvement novice starts with the tools they need for their first project and build from there. In trying to decide what a good first project to tackle is and which tools are needed to go with it, one of the easiest and most affordable is to install wood mouldings. Crown moulding is inexpensive and requires learning how to make mitre cuts. There are corner pieces on the market that make the job even easier and the only machinery needed is a basic saw. An air compressor that has a hydraulic finishing nailer attached is also another great piece of machinery for installing wood mouldings or flooring.

Timeless Tools of the Trade

There are hand tools that are timeless and are still used the same today as they were even centuries ago. The chisel for example can shape a single piece of wood into a masterpiece. A good set of chisels today can still create the details of a router with precision based on the skill of the craftsman.

A hand square or set of squares allow for exact squaring of corners and edges. They are the first step in the old carpenters adage, measure twice and cut once. Squares make sure everything is right before making any permanent cuts.

Combining the best of the old and the new is most likely to create a workshop of woodworking tools and machinery that work for you. Soon youll develop a preference for the way one tool works over another and your inventory of machinery will grow to reflect the next big project on your list.

Premium Adirondack furniture is a purely American invention and a preferred choice where outdoor furnishings are concerned. The furniture originated in the Adirondack mountains and quickly spread outward. Although the popularity dropped off for a while, quality Adirondack furniture is back and more popular than ever. For many, it is not a choice of whether or not to buy premium Adirondack furniture. Instead, the choice seems to boil down to what kind of wood is the best where this premium outdoor furniture is concerned: Teak or Cedar?

Because Adirondack chairs and loungers are most common on patios or in gardens, the furniture must be able to stand up to the elements. Rain, sleet, snow, and insects are common enemies of woodso which is betterteak or cedar?

Western Red Cedar is a very popular wood with a very fine grain and beautiful natural appearance. With minimal care, Western Red Cedar wood resists moisture and decay very well. In addition, furniture made from cedar will be naturally insect repellant. The natural oils found within cedar are responsible for the weather and insect resistant properties of cedar. Western Red Cedar Adirondack furniture is a uniform color of red and brown but this will fade in time (when left outdoors) and turn into a silver/gray. Cedar is best when finished with a stain and tends to last longer with care. However, premium Adirondack furniture made from Western Red Cedar is a good choice in high moisture environments such as cottages and patios.

Teak wood is another great choice for Adirondack furniture because it, too, is naturally weather resistant. Teak wood is very high in oil and rubber concentrations which is why it is virtually impermeable to watereven untreated. Premium Adirondack furniture made from teak wood can literally be left outside for years without worry. Like Western Red Cedar, teak wood will also begin to gray with time when not treated or stained. However, unlike cedar, teak wood is very tight grained. While cedar is a soft wood, teak is very sturdy and difficult to knick and damage.

So, is the best Adirondack furniture made from teak or cedar? While teak is more weather resistant and durable, Western Red Cedar is a beautiful wood that adds a distinctive element to the furniture. In truth, both are great woods and both used to make quality Adirondack furniture. The best choice will boil down to personal taste.

For homeowners with decks, deck benches can offer some of the most functional and attractive seating available � especially if their deck has limited space available. Deck benches can offer an abundance of seating without having to clutter the deck with individual outdoor chairs.

There are two main categories for benches � those that are attached to the deck and those that are not. For a while, attached deck benches were very popular; however, they did not offer the most versatile seating so unattached deck benches soon started gaining in popularity. Because unattached deck benches can be situated into different seating arrangements, they are usually very well-suited for entertaining guests and creating comfortable gathering areas.

When shopping for deck benches, you will see that you have a variety of options to choose from. Whether your deck would be best enhanced by an intricately-detailed teak deck bench or a simple cedar bench, there are deck benches available to suit every need.

In addition to offering attractive seating, deck benches can also serve other purposes. If you have children who play on the deck and your deck always seems to be cluttered with toys, you may want to consider deck benches that double as storage benches, allowing you to keep toys out of sight when you are entertaining guests.

The color of a deck bench is very important. Some people prefer deck benches that match the color of their deck while others prefer a contrast in color. When shopping for your deck benches, always consider how the color of the bench will look when it�s sitting on your deck.

The prices for deck benches vary and how much you spend will be determined on the style of the bench you want and what type of material you would like the bench to be crafted from. The most basic of deck benches can cost less than a hundred dollars, but if you are concerned with getting a quality deck bench that will look great after years of use, the cheapest bench probably isn�t the best route to go. Well-made deck benches usually start at about three-hundred dollars and go up from there.

There may be snow on the ground but Horsham Builders are still worth contacting, they will have staff eager to talk to you and some jobs could be done straight away.

Now is the time to get your quotes for extensions, loft conversions or any other building work. Don’t leave it till the spring or you may find that all of the Horsham Builders are very busy.

Snow does make it difficult to dig out foundations but there is still an amount of work that can be done. Not only that but you may find that with less activity they will have more time to talk to you.

Planning does take time so any discussions you have with your Horsham Builders will speed up your planning application as most other people are leaving everything to the last moment. Building is a relativity slow process so any time you can gain at the beginning will pay dividends for completing the work early.

Sure snow is not good for builders but if you have a small job like repairing a brick wall then getting a quote in this week could mean that next week the work gets done.

Maybe there are odd jobs waiting to be done that you have been thinking of getting done, well now is a good time to find out the practicality of the job and a good estimate of the cost and how quickly it will be before the work can start.

If you are stuck at home because of the snow then your time need not be completely wasted.

For any building work or extensions to your home go to one of the many Horsham Builders rather than one that is far away. Ask friends and neighbours who have had building work whether they would recommend their builder. Here are some more tips to help you plan your extension and they might help you to avoid the pitfalls that could arise during the building process.

Be quite clear about what you are trying to achieve before you start building. If you change your mind during the building process it can be very expensive to make changes.

Get quotes from at least three Horsham builders. You will probably be surprised at the differences in cost. Don’t necessarily go for the cheapest quote – remember you usually get what you pay for!

Plan ahead to find a builder who has availability when you need it. Good builders can often be booked a year or so in advance.

Have a look at extensions that have been carried out in your area. Talk to neighbours to find out what difficulties they have encountered. Discuss your plans with your immediate neighbours. They are less likely to object to your plans if you have consulted them about what you are doing.

Make sure you are around and keep an eye on the building work as it progresses. This makes it easier when the builder needs to make decisions about precise locations of walls/baths etc that are not clear from the plans.

Whilst any of the Horsham Builders we may recommend are good, at the point of completion there are often lots of little things that need attention and you can pick these up by producing a ‘snagging’ list. It is advisable to get assistance from someone who has experience of this to help you produce the list. Present this to the builder and ask them to ensure the ‘snags’ have been addressed before final payment is made.

It is important to keep in mind the ‘look and feel’ of your existing property when designing an extension. Try to match the most prominent features, such as the roof, with those of the existing building and use similar materials where possible to ensure a sense of continuity. It is also a good idea to make sure that any new doors and windows line up with existing fixtures.

Think about the neighbours

Will your neighbours blame you or Horsham Builders for the final result? During the planning application process, neighbours will be able to air any misgivings regarding your proposed extension, so it is a good idea to ensure that the extension will blend in with the other properties on the street. Getting neighbours involved during the initial stages of design can save a lot of time and money later down the line if they do have any objections or concerns. Even if you are legally entitled to make changes that they oppose, it could be better to compromise than make potentially life-long enemies.

Hiring an architect

People can visit an architect for advice on what is and is not feasible with the space at their disposal, once they have an idea of what they want their new extension to entail. In Horsham most Builders know qualified architects who will be able to provide extension advice, on issues concerning planning permission and any local factors that may influence the modifications that can be made to a property, as well as drawing up detailed specifications. Many may offer to oversee the building of the extension as project manager, for an additional cost.

Planning permission

For most people extending a property, a successful application for planning permission will be necessary before any work can be undertaken. Planning seeks to control the way that neighbourhoods, towns and cities are developed, focusing on the way that land is used, the appearance of buildings, landscaping considerations, road access and the impact that a development will have on the environment.