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DIY & Building
The Amazing Pilkington Activâ„¢ Self-Cleaning Glass
Homeowners spend up to a total of 11.9 million hours a year cleaning windows, so Pilkington the global leader in glass manufacturing has come to their aid, by launching the amazing Activ™, the world’s first Self-Cleaning Glass!
Since glass is such a major feature of any house and conservatory, it can be very laborious and time-consuming to keep all the panes of glass clean; also the conservatory glass roofs need regular cleaning and can prove difficult to reach from a standard stepladder or upstairs window.
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Now the environmentally friendly Pilkington Activâ„¢ self-cleaning glass, which works with the weather to keep itself clean, can enable us to keep our windows sparkling, effortlessly and without the need for a costly regular window cleaner.
The unique new Pilkington Activâ„¢ self-cleaning glass employs a virtually invisible coating on the glass surface that reacts with Ultra Violet rays, to break down and loosen organic dirt (e.g. fingerprints, bird droppings, pollution deposits or tree resin).
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The coating is also hydrophilic, which means it attracts rainwater so that when it rains, the water flows down the glass in an even ‘sheeting’ motion effectively washing away the remaining dirt.
Read more about : Windows
B&Q Make Energy Efficiency Easy
Climate change is something we are all concerned about as the evidence of its increasing affect on our planet becomes obvious both at home and abroad.
We can personally do something to reverse this potential catastrophe by making our homes more energy efficient, which could dramatically reduce the amount of harmful carbon dioxide gas we release into the atmosphere.
This Autumn B&Q will make it easy to save energy around your house with its practical and exciting new range of energy efficient products, including wind turbines, solar panels and innovative heating and insulation products.
Read more about : Solar Panels, Wind Turbines
A Unique Helical Stair by Spiral Staircase Systems
Spiral Staircase Systems are leaders in bespoke contemporary stair design, building them from glass, acrylic, timber, stone and metal. Each and every stair is purpose designed for a specific site.
Spiral has achieved a first, by building a spectacular Helical Stair from glass supported on a single tubular stringer, which makes the spiral stair extremely elegant, giving it a sculptural feel that is rare with domestic stairs.
In order to support the toughened glass treads and balustrade panelling on a single helical stringer, Spiral designed a system of cast stainless steel brackets that not only perform the required structural task, but also keep the stair compliant with building regulations.
Read more about : Staircases
Sharp Solar Panels Can Power Your Home
Sharp Electronics, the global leaders in solar cell manufacture, have enhanced their solar power systems, to the extent that they can now provide an efficient solution even in cloudier climates.
Since solar power depends on the intensity of light, not necessarily direct sunlight, the Sharp solar panels efficiently convert the sun’s energy into a cleaner, more sustainable and almost infinite source of electricity for your home.
Fitting the Sharp solar panels will substantially cut your energy bills, increase your self-sufficiency and help you make your contribution to preserving the environment.
Read more about : Solar Panels
Period Antique Lighting from Fritz Fryer
A 25 year trading history has firmly established Fritz Fryer Antique Lighting as one of the UK’s leading specialist dealers in quality period lighting.
The company can provide just the right period piece for any traditional setting from their comprehensive stock of antique lights. All of the fittings have been restored by skilled craftsmen to the highest standard in their Ross-On-Wye workshops.
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The pendant light fitting featured is a Vintage French 8 Branch Chandelier with amethyst droppers, measuring 730mm x 560mm. Various sizes and styles are available, with prices starting at £480.
Care, patience and attention to detail are the hallmarks of the business and when combined with expert advice, you are assured of good value for your investment.
Read more about : Home Lighting
Paul Hodgkiss Staircase Designs
Paul Hodgkiss Designs is an inspired Scottish company, which is recognized world wide for the production of beautiful meticulously crafted furniture.
Paul has forged a unique and instantly recognizable style; his organic designs feature a blend of indigenous timbers and focus on the natural shape, colour and grain of the wood, ensuring the individuality of every item.
The staircase can often form a central focus in the home, offering many design possibilities, from Georgian sweeping curves to cantilevered elm slabs with elegant spirals, to contemporary slim runs.
Read more about : Staircases
Cat Ridge Tile from Maggie Curtis
This cute cat is just one of the unique roof ridge tiles available from Maggie Curtis, the freelance ceramic artist from Devon.
A vein of wry humour runs through much of Maggie’s varied and experimental work – some of her previous commissions have included a communion set, master models for a door knob manufacturer, a fountain and a full dinner service.
Maggie is able to create bespoke ceramic products for your home – most ridge tiles cost around £400, but of course the price varies with the size and complexity of the design.
Read more about : Roof Tiles
Summer Energy Saving Tips from Powergen
It’s not necessarily true that your power bill will take a nose dive in the summer – although your heating is off, there are plenty of other energy-guzzling appliances in use, like electric patio heaters, fans, garden gadgets and even hot tubs!
To help keep your bills down during the summer months, Powergen has devised this Five Minute Summer Saver Home and Away Hit List: Home
Read more about : DIY Advice
Roof Ridge Tiles and More from Maggie Curtis
Maggie Curtis, the ceramic artist from Devon is well-known for her bespoke roof tiles, such as this enchanting owl.
However one of her recent projects was rather different – a commemorative plaque for Appledore’s railway station, commissioned by the residents of Appledore.
It was designed and created as one large piece at Maggie’s workshop, cut up into 24 tiles and transported to Appledore Station for re-assembly. Photos of the creation of this plaque can be found on Maggie’s website.
Read more about : Roof Tiles
Brume Launch Basics Range
Brume, the window film manufacturer have just launched a new range of plain and printed film called Brume Basics.
The film is supplied in sheets of 1m x 1.2m and 2m x 1.2m, and you can cut it to size to fit your windows exactly. A 1m x 1.2m sheet will cover two standard windows.
Brume Basics film is supplied with fitting instructions, and is very easy to cut and fit.
Read more about : Window Film