My Basket Congratulations to Carlos Carmo, the winner of our April Installation of the Month!
Nominated by our Sales Rep Paul Stokes, we are very pleased to show you the great work Carlos has been putting into this garden room.
Completing the Project
Right in time for some sunny weather, Carlos has completed this stunning garden room project.
Roofline
To protect the roofline from the English weather, Carlos has installed Square Leg Capping Board in white and Hollow Soffit Board also in white. To this, he secured black half-round guttering. Black guttering is consistently one of our most popular products, and it certainly looks good on this installation!
External Cladding
On the outside of the property, Carlos has installed Fortex Pro Shiplap 333mm cladding in a subtle yet sophisticated Misty Grey. This brightens up the outside of the garden room and will offer excellent weather protection and additional insulation for the property.
Looking for colourful, reliable, and versatile external cladding at a great price? Fortex is our most popular brand of external cladding, and for good reason. From Shiplap to Weatherboard to Shadow Gap, you are sure to find a Fortex board that meets your requirements. Plus, your customers will love the bold colours and wood-grain finish. Match Carlos with a Misty Grey cladding project, or choose from 10 other grained and UV-protected colour options. All available in 5m lengths and we can deliver directly to your site in the South East, saving you time and money. Get in touch to find out more by calling 0345 021 3333 or emailing [email protected].
Internal Cladding
Inside the garden room, Carlos has installed Zest Shower Panels in the design Mineral across the entire bathroom. This gives the room a luxurious finish, but also offers excellent protection against damp and mould, especially around the shower. This is an attractive and low maintenance choice for bathroom decoration.
Carlos also installed sections of Zest in Mineral as a splashback in the kitchen. This is an innovative use of internal cladding and ensures the space will be easy to clean. What’s more, it looks great and compliments the grey-tones of the kitchen units.
There has never been a better time to try our fantastic range of Zest internal cladding! You will save on average 47% per Zest panel compared to plyboard/MDF alternatives. These PVC boards are not only cheaper but are also more durable and lower maintenance than wood-backed alternatives. Zest boards are inherently waterproof and highly resistant to warping in damp environments. Moreover, Zest panels won’t ‘blow’ if water seeps behind the board, improving the longevity of your bathroom renovations. These lightweight panels can be easily cut to size and then installed using adhesive on the back of the board.
Choose from 16 versatile shower panel designs, some of which offer a high-quality matte finish to elevate the look of your project. These boards are available in 1m x 10mm x 2.4m panels and we can supply the full range of trims and joints as well as the necessary adhesive. What’s more, get personalized trade pricing for your next Zest project by chatting to your local Sales Rep.
While slate tiles offer properties a luxurious finish, they are difficult to transport, prone to damage, and often an expensive option. Synthetic roofing tiles offer developers and homeowners a low maintenance and cost-effective alternative. In today’s blog we are going to take a closer look at what makes synthetic roof tiles a great low maintenance option for construction projects.
What are Synthetic Roof Tiles?
Put simply, synthetic roof tiles are man-made tiles designed to mimic to the look of a natural material. Most frequently, these tiles are designed to look like slate roofing tiles. Here at Edge Building Products, we are proud to stock and supply Britmet Liteslate tiles. The following information is based on the manufacturing practices of Britmet.
Introduced in 2019, Britmet Liteslate is made from 94% recycled polymers. Through utilising recycled materials, by 2021 Britmet had recycled over 3 million KG of polypropylene through their manufacturing processes. Sustainability is a big factor in the development of synthetic roof tiles, as the process negates the need to quarry for natural materials. What’s more, the Litslate tiles are compression moulded to give it riven edges for an authentic finish. These moulds also allow Britmet to include a pitch finder on the back of the tile to aid installation.
Benefits of Synthetic Roof Tiles for your Next Project
Great Design and Colour Options
One key benefit of opting for a synthetic roofing option is the great range of colour options available to the homeowner, without the cost of sourcing the natural material internationally. Britmet Liteslate is available in Slate Grey, Amethyst, Ash, Oak, and Sunshine to give homeowners a great breadth of options. All tiles also feature riven edges and guidelines for installation.
Easy Installation
As the name suggests, Britmet Liteslate is a lightweight option compared to classic slate tiles. This not only saves you hassle and transportation costs but also makes the installation easier. The tiles are available in packs of 22, measuring at 297mm x 445mm. If the tiles need cutting, you will only require a fine-tooth saw or sharp blade – no specialist equipment needed. Plus, when installed according to manufacturer guidelines, the tiles have an excellent 50-year warranty.
Durable and Low Maintenance.
The most significant benefit when choosing synthetic roof tiles over natural materials is the unparalleled durability. Slate is highly prone to snaps, breakage and cracks, during transportation, installation, and then due to weather damage. Synthetic tiles, however, are made from robust polymers and are highly resistant to damage. Not only does this make cutting to size easier, but it also makes transportation simpler. What’s more, with effectively no maintenance required once the tiles have been installed, they can offer roofs fire, pest, and weather protection. As the tiles are lightweight, they can also be used on a greater variety of buildings making it a versatile and attractive option for lots of construction projects.
Find out more…
Synthetic roof tiles are a durable, easy to install and cost-effective options for your next roofing project. To find out more about Britmet Liteslate tiles visit our website or get in touch with our team by emailing [email protected] or calling 0345 021 3333.
Whether it’s a beach-front property, a traditional cottage, or a new-build in need of some personality, cladding is a fantastic way to bring new life to a home while also protecting the façade. Today we are going to take a closer look at the benefits of including fibre cement cladding in your next project, as well as the options available to you.
What is Fibre Cement Cladding?
Here at Edge Building Products, we are proud to stock and supply Hardie Plank Fibre Cement Cladding to our customers. The following information is based on the manufacturing techniques of Hardie Plank.
Fibre cement cladding is a composite cladding bonded with cement. These boards are composed of cellulose fibres that make up the bulk of the plank. These fibres are mixed with sand which provides excellent resilience and all-weather performance. Portland cement is used as the binding agent, and all of this is mixed with water to dissolve the cellulose fibres and harden the cement. The boards are then moulded to create the distinctive timber-look that is so popular with homeowners.
Fibre cement cladding is an excellent alternative to PVC cladding. We would also recommend it instead of traditional timber cladding, as, unlike wooden boards, this cladding is low maintenance, highly durable and offers enhanced longevity.
Benefits of Fibre Cement Cladding for your Projects.
Great Colour Options
Any product that is going on the front of a property needs to match your customers’ expectations. Hardie Plank offers an excellent collection of colours, ranging from classic shades such as Sail Cloth and Grey Slate, to bolder hues such as Boothbay Blue and Soft Green. Our customers are still loving this Anthracite Grey board! All of these boards are insured with a unique ColourPlus finish, designed to protect the boards from UV damage and colour fading. These cladding boards will continue to look great year after year.
Ease of Installation
Available with a 15-year warranty, the boards themselves are 180mm x 3.6m and can be easily cut down using a fibre cement guillotine. Hardie Plank also claim that you will install their boards 20% faster than other competitor products, saving you time and money on site. What’s more, these boards are highly versatile. Whether your customer is looking for the boards to be installed horizontally or vertically or is looking for a shiplap or open-jointed finish, you will be able to complete your project with ease.
Get perfectly matching trims for any Hardie Plank board at Edge!
Durability and Added Protection
Cladding is an effective way to add an additional layer of protection to a property, especially if it is susceptible to weather damage, such as on the seafront. Fibre cement cladding offers superior protection compared to timber cladding. For example, Hardie Plank boards have a A2-S1, D0 fire rating, ensuring excellent fire protection. These boards are also moisture and pest resistant due to their highly durable composition. Hardie Plank describes their boards as ‘future-proof’ as they are low maintenance and designed to last against challenging environmental factors.
Find out more today…
To find out more about Hardie Plank, or the benefits of fibre cement cladding, get in touch with our team by emailing [email protected] or calling 0345 021 3333.
Don’t miss out! There is only 1 week remaining on our big Spring offer. Enjoy 10% off all cladding and decking boards until 17th April!
As part of the new Spring budget for 2025, the government has announced plans to invest £600 million in training 60,000 new construction workers by 2029. This initiative is part of Labour’s plan to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years. Without a decisive intervention to stop the increasing skills decline in Britain, their ambitious construction plans will not be possible. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at the planned investment in apprenticeship schemes and what it could mean for your business.
Planned Investment in Construction Apprenticeships
Labour’s plan to build 1.5 million new homes will not be possible without the ‘engineers, sparkies, and chippies to actually get the job done’, says Rachel Reeves. However, according to the latest figures from the office of National Statistics, there over 35,000 construction job vacancies due to a lack of necessary skills and applicants – this is the highest of any sector. Therefore, training a new generation of construction workers, and supporting those looking to up-skill in the industry, is crucial to continued growth in Britain.
It has been announced that there will be £100 million of new investment to fund 10 new Technical Excellent Colleges, and a further £165 million to support existing colleges to deliver more construction courses. In addition to this, new foundation apprenticeships will be launched in August 2025, backed by £40 million funding.
What These Changes Could Mean for Your Business…
As the Government commits to funding educational opportunities for new people, the skills of our existing construction sector become more important than ever. Passing on knowledge, skills and experience to young people entering the industry is crucial to bridging the skills-gap and reducing unemployment across the sector.
That’s why, alongside new investment into foundation apprenticeships, the government has committed to providing employers £2,000 for every foundation apprentice they take on, on top of fully funding the training costs through the new Growth and Skills levy. A further £136 million will be invested to fund 40,000 industry placements each year to help get students ‘site-ready’ and improve the rate of students who take on full-time work in the construction sector after their studies.
These new initiatives will help to ease the financial impact of taking on an apprentice for small construction firms. The additional funding into college training to help make students ‘site-ready’ should also improve the working relationships between apprentices and their new employers. By taking on an apprentice, construction firms have the opportunity to introduce a student to their branch of work and train them in the skills necessary for their projects and builds. Many apprentices stay on long after they’ve finished their qualification, creating strong teams who have trained and learned together.
A Building Products Partner You Can Rely On
In this landscape of change and growth, we know how important it is for you to be booking in jobs and getting them completed without unnecessary delays. This is especially true if you’re training new staff! That’s why here at Edge we are committed to being a building supplies partner you can rely on.
We pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service every single day. Whether you phone, email, send us a message on WhatsApp, or visit one of our three trade counters, we are ready to help you get the products you need. Plus, we offer next day delivery direct to your site, saving you time and fuel.
Our team of Sales Reps – Ross, Paul and Curtis – travel across Hampshire, Sussex, Kent, and Surrey visiting customer’s sites, placing new orders, listening to feedback, and making sure our customers are getting the best possible pricing for each of their projects. Whether it’s a series of small home renovations, or a large-scale build, we are ready to be your supplier no matter the scale of project.
So, while you are busy getting new apprentices trained, passing on your crucial skills to the next generation of builders, electricians, plumbers, and carpenters, we will maintain high stocks across all our PVC building materials. From fascias and soffits, to guttering and window trims, and even larger items such as cladding and decking, we keep our warehouses stocked to make sure you have the supplies you need, when you need them.
Plus, we run a monthly competition for Installation of the Month, giving you the chance to show-off your latest projects, and win a £25 Amazon gift card! Each month we share the winners work on our customer newsletter, our blog, and on our social media, giving you lots of opportunities to share the win and perhaps even secure new work. That fantastic cladding renovation, or new set of windows you have installed could inspire a new customer to get in touch, so why not tag us in your next project to be in with a chance of winning!
Get in touch with us
To find out more about the products we offer, our trade pricing, or to place your next order, call 0345 021 3333 or email [email protected].
Sources:
GOV.UK, Government unleashes next generation of construction workers to build 1.5m homes. 23 March 2025, <https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-unleashes-next-generation-of-construction-workers-to-build-15m-homes>