My Basket Congratulations to HV Building & Carpentry, the winners of our June 2024 Installation of the Month!
Nominated by Paul Stokes, our Sales Rep for the South Coast, we are pleased to award HV Building & Carpentry Installation of the Month based on their installation of Fortex cladding to a home on Bracklesham Drive.
The coastal bungalow property is being completely renovated by HV Building & Carpentry. They have already constructed a new loft space on the property, installing a series of Velux windows to let sunlight into the space. New, Misty Grey Fortex cladding has also been installed across the whole property, giving it a fresh new look and protecting the building from the coastal weather. Check out their social media to see updates as the project progresses. Recently, they had some drone footage of the build taken, showing the scale of work being completed by the team.
“The Fortex cladding is a brilliant product, easy to install and easy to maintain, especially on a seaside property.” Harry Vaughab, HV Building & Carpentry.
Harry and his team are also in the process of installing new fascias and soffits as well as guttering to the property. We are proud to be a trusted supplier of building products for this project and will be keeping in touch with Harry to see the progress of this build.
Harry and his team are no strangers to us here at the Chichester branch. Dave and Ian work closely with Harry at our Chichester trade counter, and we are so grateful for Harry’s high praise of their work:
“Dave is the best manager out there and does his very best at making our projects run as smoothly as possible…A big shoutout to Dave for always going the extra mile to help us out.” Harry Vaughab, HV Building & Carpentry.
HV Building & Carpentry are based in West Sussex and specialize in bespoke carpentry and building work. No job is too big or too small for Harry and his team, from external housing renovations to new kitchen and bathroom installations.
Customer reviews
“Harry transformed my bathroom and, wow, what a difference in just 4 days. We were all very pleased with it and they did exactly what I wanted. The floor tiles were Harry’s choice and match perfectly. Trustworthy, reliable, neat and tidy workers and reasonable prices. Lovely polite guys, would definitely use this company again.”
“I cannot recommend these guys highly enough. They are extremely professional, keep their costs reasonable, have an amazing, old-fashioned work ethic and very personable. They have just spent two weeks working on my house to fit build in wardrobes and outdoor furniture. They will be coming back to work on various other projects including an extension. Shows how good they are!”
“Professional team that complete as promised a quality finish.”
Fortex Cladding
Here at Edge we are proud to be a supplier of Fortex cladding. PVC cladding is growing in popularity as it is super easy to maintain. A quick wash of water every few months is all you need to keep the exterior of your home looking fantastic. Fortex offers customers a fantastic range of cladding in subtle colours, boosting the curb appeal of any property. White, Pale Gold, Sand, Sage Green, Misty Grey, and Slate Grey cladding, to name a few, are ready to be delivered directly to your site. Don’t sit in traffic, let us bring you the products you need, when you need them.
Try our handy visualiser tool today to find the perfect cladding for your project!
Want to be featured in a case study? Get in touch by emailing [email protected] or by tagging @Edgebp on social media. We love to see what you are working on.
Summer projects are officially underway, with outside renovations taking priority while we have a break from the winter chill. Come rain or shine, all anyone wants to do is be outside soaking up the warmth. It is likely that you are being contacted by homeowners who are looking to expand their outside seating areas or replace old decking. Let’s look at the latest in outside decking trends, and why composite decking is growing in popularity.
Decking Trends 2024
If your customers are looking for a modern, Pinterest-worthy renovation, then keep these trends in mind.
- Neutral colour palettes.
- Creating social spaces outside.
- Patterns and shapes.
While maximalism remains in-style for interior design, neutral and earthy tones are preferred for the garden. Wood, and wood effect panels are a common way of incorporating nature into garden design. Browns, beiges, and light greys are still among the most popular decking colours, indicating that neutral colour palettes are here to stay.
It is perhaps obvious that decking allows for comfortable social gatherings (without ruining the lawn). Nevertheless, there has been a rise in purchases of fire-pits, grills and outdoor cooking equipment, highlighting that the deck can be used for so much more than drinks with friends. With the right decking, homeowners can take advantage of the warm summer experiences to cook for friends and family. Some may even use their new decking space to install a hot tub!
Neutral colour palettes don’t need to be boring. There more people are opting to install multiple colours of decking board to give their garden a unique design. Interesting patterns can also be created by using decking with two different finishes, i.e combining a smooth and grained effect across the deck. Non-matching boards can also serve a functional purpose by differentiating between an outdoor seating area and the children’s play space.
Low Maintenance Decking
No one wants to get a splinter in their foot while trying to relax on a warm day. One of the most important factors in choosing a decking provider is how low maintenance their product is. Here at Edge, we specialise in providing our customers with quality, low-maintenance building products. We know how important it is for contractors to be working with reliable materials, to ensure their work is preserved for years to come.
Triton Decking is an excellent choice for most gardens. Triton decking is made from a unique WPC (wood plastic composite). This ensures that the decking is splinter-free and requires essentially no maintenance. The decking even boasts an anti-slip surface on each side of the board. With a realistic wood pattern and grooves, customers can still get the traditional wood-effect decking they are looking for with all of the benefits of a modern building material.
Composite decking is available in a range of colours, both subtle and bold, to suit the preference of any customer. What’s more, composite decking is mould and weather resistant, so it will retain its colour superbly. For most, this is a far preferable solution to painting their already splintered wood decking. Triton WPC decking also features two designs. One side of the board has a deep and realistic wood pattern, while the other has a regular groove pattern, mimicking the more traditional decking style. This allows for creative freedom when laying the boards, as you can mix and match the sides to create interesting patterns and textures across the decking.
Sustainable Materials
Composite decking is also growing in popularity as customers are continuing to view sustainable materials as an important factor in the buying decision. WPC decking is often considered to be more sustainable than wood decking as fewer natural resources are required in it’s manufacture. While wooden decking requires high quantities of treated wood paneling, WPC can be manufactured from plastic and wood waste. Sawdust, recycled plastics, and other waste materials can be recycled to form WPC decking, thereby reducing the natural resources required in production. Once it has been installed, composite decking only requires a wipe down with soapy water to stay looking its best. No harsh cleaning mixtures or varnishes are needed, reducing the cost and environmental damage of future upkeep.
As composite decking can have the same grain finish and colour as wooden decking, lots of homeowners are happy to choose the composite decking and reduce the carbon footprint of their home renovation projects. Additional benefits such as low maintenance, and manufacturers guarantees help to make the move to composite decking that little bit easier.
Get in touch
If you have any decking projects coming up, we would love to hear from you. We encourage trade customers to get in touch with us by calling 0345 021 3333 or emailing [email protected] to get discounted pricing across our range of decking projects. We are here to get you the products you need at the best price, delivered directly to your site.
Disclaimer: Triton decking will require maintenance and cleaning with soapy water and non-solvent products. The decking is liable to staining and fading due to its natural content. However, a co-extruded decking is designed to withstand staining and fading. It is important to always read the manufacturers guarantee and installation instructions.
Working in the construction industry requires creativity, ingenuity, and a flair for innovation. It is no mean feat to build a house, block of flats, or industrial unit. Things rarely go to plan, and contractors use their industry knowledge to complete projects to a high standard, ensuring longevity for the property owners. It is this kind of innovative thinking that is required for tackling the issue of waste in the construction sector. With construction, demolition and excavation waste collectively making up 25-30% of all EU waste, it is clear things must change. In this article, we will explore the role of recycled plastics in creating circular lifespans for construction materials, while still delivering durable and high-quality products.
Understanding Recycled and Sustainable Plastics
We are all aware of plastic’s reputation – one hit wonder products you throw away after use. While this may be true for packaging, or plastic in the culinary sector, in the construction industry plastic can serve a more sustainable role.
Lots of properties require retrofitting at one time or another. Guttering may need replacing, windowsills fixing, or elements of the roofline may need repairing. All these projects will inevitably produce some product waste. However, if the faulty materials can be recycled, the plastic can be re-molded into a new functional piece of construction material. This creates a circular lifespan for our plastic building materials, keeping them out of landfill.
As countries work towards becoming net-zero, it is imperative that we make the most of the resources already available to us. By reusing as much construction waste as possible, the sector will be able to lower the CO2 footprint of the average domestic household. There are also exciting innovations to be explored in reusing construction waste. For example, using recycled plastic as a key component of ‘green cement’. Cement is a resource heavy product, requiring large volumes of water and energy to produce. Therefore, green building solutions which utilise waste plastics are a fantastic avenue for ensuring that construction projects can go ahead while reducing the manufacturing carbon footprint and conserving natural resources.
Eco-Friendly Benefits of Recycled and Sustainable Plastics
As a company specialising in plastic building products, it is safe to say that we are fans of using sustainable materials. Plastic building products bridge a crucial gap between innovation and functionality. For example, insulation which includes plastic compounds, such as polyurethane (PVR) and polyisocyanurate (PIR) are not only thinner and lighter than traditional insulation materials but use considerably less energy in production and have improved energy efficiency in the home.
There are several notable benefits to the expansion of plastics in the construction industry. Firstly, they are often thinner and lighter than traditional counterparts. For example, Edge Cast-Iron Style PVC drainage is considerably lighter than cast-iron guttering, yet still brings traditional charm to a property. This means that more Cast-Iron style guttering can be transported in one van, reducing transportation emissions. The Cast-Iron Style guttering is also easier to install, is durable and is resistant to weathering making it an excellent investment for a property’s roofline.
Durability is the hallmark of quality plastic construction materials. Unlike wood fascias, PVC fascias are resistant to rot and bug infestations, and have the added benefits of being available in a broad range of colours. Plastic building products also typically have a life span of over 40 years. If this fascia is then recycled at the end of its lifespan and repurposed into other essential building components, then the environmental impact of this plastic is significantly reduced.
Innovative Thinking in Construction Waste
Although it is clear that there are numerous benefits to plastic recycling, the infrastructure for recycling is limited. Strategy& claim that currently only 1% of total worldwide building materials are recycled plastics. Recycling for construction waste is often privatized, and only available in select areas. It is not easy for contractors to separate their plastic waste from generalised rubble, and then to find a suitable recycling center.
Strategy& proposes that construction waste recycling centers should be commercialized, thereby allowing greater funding and expansion. Not only would this provide jobs for the local area, but the GDP of countries would also be boosted as the recycled materials can be re-sold by private businesses. Green building materials can form an important new area of manufacturing, supporting the economy of local communities and reducing waste in towns with large developments.
As we move closer to 2030, sustainable construction is going to become an important factor in net-zero plans. The expansion of accessible recycling facilities for construction plastics will have to be actioned by local authorities to allow everyone the benefits of eco-friendly building materials.
Final Thoughts
Here at Edge, we are committed to providing our customers with low-maintenance building materials that will stand the test of time. Durable, weather resistant, and easy to work with are the hallmarks of the products we supply. Moving forward, we will continue to support efforts for increasing the use of recycled plastics in the building sector. We will be following this issue and will continue to provide our customers with the information they need to recycle their waste plastics. We believe that recycled plastics and fantastic low-maintenance building products can become synonymous as we move towards a greener future.
Sources:
Modern Building Alliance, Environmental Sustainability of Plastics in Construction, https://www.modernbuildingalliance.eu/environmental-sustainability-plastics-construction/
Strategy&, How plastics can create sustainable building materials, https://www.strategyand.pwc.com/m1/en/strategic-foresight/sector-strategies/energy-chemical-utility-management/sustainableplasticsmaterials.html
Plastic Expert, Plastic waste in the construction industry, https://www.plasticexpert.co.uk/is-plastic-waste-the-perfect-building-material/
Lots of young people and their families will be looking forward to these summer months. After a difficult year of GCSE or A-Level exams, everyone deserves a break. However, for many students, the summer marks the start of a difficult decision – should they go to college or university, or start an apprenticeship?
In this past week the Conservative party announced plans to ‘scrap rip off university courses’ in England to fund ‘100,000 new apprenticeships per year’. In this uncertain political climate, it is more important than ever for young people to consider their future careers when choosing their pathway for further education.
A recent survey conducted by the Careers & Enterprise Company revealed that construction is one of the top career paths for students. Let’s look at why an apprenticeship in construction can be a lucrative and fulfilling career for young people today.
Why the construction sector?
The Careers & Enterprise Company surveyed 100,000 young people in schools. This survey revealed that by the time students reach their GCSE year (15 or 16 years old) construction is one of their top career choices. This is consistent with a growing trend of young people electing to participate in an apprenticeship rather than go to university. The Guardian reports that since 2018 the number of students studying construction has risen by 23%.
There has also been a boost in women finding work in the construction sector. Recent reports show that young women are interested in joining the sector as you can acquire skills that allow you to have a long-term career. Construction also offers a unique opportunity for people who would like to establish their own business.
The potential for a long-term career is an important factor for young people joining the construction sector. As the UK is currently in a housing crisis, and many properties will require retrofitting to comply with net-zero regulations, there are a variety of work options available.
Apprenticeship or University?
Since New Labour’s commitment to have at least 50% of people under 30 in university education, the divide between students in higher education and apprenticeships has grown. There is a perception that university education is more prestigious than an apprenticeship, and for many years parents have preferred for their children to achieve a Bachelor’s degree rather than complete vocational studies. A recent report of 1,000 young adults revealed that for 60% of them university was highly encouraged by their schools, and 48% felt that there is a social stigma attached to not attending university.
However, this perception is shifting. As university fees remain high – on average costing £27,750 for a three-year course – and accommodation fees are increasing with each financial crisis, university is an expensive route for lots of families. Moreover, although a Bachelor’s degree is a recognized mark of academic success, with an oversaturated graduate market, a degree no longer guarantees employment.
Apprenticeships, on the other hand, give young people the opportunity to earn money while they study. By getting hands on experience at a building site or workshop, they are learning valuable skills from qualified and experienced individuals. Many apprentices are also offered the chance to stay on at their workplace once they have graduated from their course, guaranteeing them work security for the foreseeable future.
Encouraging our customers to invest in apprenticeships.
Although here at Edge we are suppliers of building materials, not fitters, we can see the benefits our customers enjoy by engaging with apprenticeships in the construction sector.
- Skill Preservation – We know that our customers have a broad range of valuable trade skills. By training young apprentices, construction companies can maintain high standards of craftsmanship and innovation for years to come.
- Workforce Development – Apprenticeships create a pool of skilled young workers who are familiar with your company’s processes and values. Apprentices also appreciate the time taken to train them and often stay on for many years after their course has completed. This kind of company loyalty is invaluable in today’s market.
- Economic Benefits – Apprenticeships can be a cost-effective way of developing a skilled workforce. Many programs are supported by government funding, and you will save money on traditional recruitment.
- Local Reputation – By encouraging local young people to consider an apprenticeship in the construction sector, your company will become a household name as families discuss the benefits of an apprenticeship over a degree program. Collaborating with local schools also gives you the opportunity to speak to potential apprentices through school career fairs or by giving talks to students.
97% of construction companies have reported that working with schools and colleges encouraged students to consider a job in construction. Not only is this a great opportunity to network with other local businesses, but it also gives your company the chance to demonstrate to students how invaluable work in the construction industry is. As schools continue to prioritise enrollment in university courses, careers fairs and educational talks are a way to boost young people’s confidence as they consider taking on an apprenticeship course.
Insight from Edge
“Having worked in the construction industry since leaving school, I have always felt it an excellent industry to work in and particularly suited to apprenticeships. Apprenticeship schemes deliver genuine on-the-job work experience that can prove much more valuable than time spent in the classroom. It also offers the candidate the chance to earn while they learn and avoid a huge accumulation of student debt. With the industry currently facing a skills shortage I fully support any effort to increase our industry’s profile amongst those about to embark on their career.”
Kieran Napthine, Managing Director at Edge Building Products.
Sources: