Category Archives: Building

Builders, Building, Building Energy Efficiency, Construction, Construction Equipment, Construction Tools, Contractors, Heaters, Home Improvement, Services

DIY Insulation Projects Could Save Over £2.5 Billion Pounds

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The recent snowy weather in December and January this year has left a revealing picture. A quick glance during the snow at your neighbours roofs would tell you who has and who has not carried out loft or cavity wall insulation. Quite simply, if the snow has remained on your neighbours’ roofs then their house is well insulated and heat is not escaping. If the snow however has melted, then heat is escaping from their house – and this, Tool-Net claims, could be costing us dearly. Informed estimates have placed the potential savings to us as a nation at over £2.5 billion.

A recent survey has highlighted that possibly only half of Britain’s 26.5 million households have any form of loft insulation and even fewer (less than 40%) have their cavity wall’s insulated. With the potential collective savings estimation, this is one DIY project households should not be sleeping on.

Tool-Net, a leading online power tool supply store, expressed surprise that so few households had tackled this simple DIY project. In recent years, the customer base for Tool-Net.co.uk has seen more and more DIY enthusiasts alongside the established customer base of trades people, using the site to source competitively priced power tools. It would seem, however, that mundane projects such as insulating a loft are not always the DIY enthusiast’s number one priority. Instead many are opting for more grandiose projects such as in-depth woodworking or building projects. Tool-Net claim they may be missing a trick. In the long run, some simple DIY tasks can end up saving the largest amount of money.

Tool-Net.co.uk offers over 6,500 power tools and power tool accessories giving consumers one of the widest choices available. Their comprehensive stock range includes saws, drills, grinders, nail guns, routers, sanders, lathes, nibblers, pressure washers and all types of power tools, fixings and consumables. Tool-Net stocks extensive product ranges from power tool brands such as Bosch, Fein, Makita, Rawl, Stil, Black & Decker, DeWalt and Hitachi.

A spokesperson from Tool-Net commented: “We have been surprised at the number of DIY enthusiasts rather than trades people who are now ordering power tools such as a Clarke Air Compressor rather than just a drill or saw. It means that people are increasingly confident enough to tackle complex DIY projects in their home. This is great – and we are happy to advise and support them. We’re just surprised that many people aren’t also doing the simple DIY projects, like loft insulation, that may not carry the kudos but can really make a saving and a difference.”

Via EPR Network
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Builders, Building, Construction, Construction Materials, Flooring, Home & Garden, Home Improvement, Masonry, Products, Renovation, Restoration

Calacatta Gold Subway Tile and Marble Mosaics

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It is believed that Calacatta Gold marble mosaics tiles polished and honed have always been the choice of kings in the ancient world for it strength and beauty. However the cost of this product and limited availability has put it out of reach and budget for most homeowners until now.

The Builder Depot has launched a new collection of Calacatta Gold marble subway tiles, floor tiles, mosaics and trims for 2011 creating affordability and availability for homeowners, contractors and developers of a much sought after Calacatta gold product.

In the same tradition of all Builder Depot collections the pricing is very aggressive. “This particular product and European quarry has been monopolized by a few distributors” comments a Builder Depot spokesperson “This has allowed the pricing of the product to be inflated, we are going to sell the same quality for 75% less than the competitors”

The main products on the Calacatta Gold collection are:

•Calacatta Gold 3×6” Subway Tile Honed
•Calacatta Gold 2” Hexagon Tile Honed
•Calacatta Gold Herringbone Tile Honed

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Builders, Building, Building Energy Efficiency, Construction, Environmental Construction, Green Building, Sustainable Architecture

BAM Wins Contract To Build The Co-operative Group’s New Manchester Home

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The Co-operative Group has today (24 June) announced that BAM Construction has been appointed to build its new home in Manchester.

BAM Wins Contract To Build The Co-operative Group's New Manchester Home

Construction of the £100m building, on Miller Street, which will be one of the most sustainable in Europe, will commence next month.

In recent months BAM has been working with the design team to help cost the final build and has prepared the site for the 15 storey building which will comprise of 325,000 sq ft of open plan office and support space.

Peter Marks Group Chief Executive at the Co-operative Group, said: “Our new building will be one of the most exciting and innovative in the UK and so it was essential that we appointed a company with the experience of working on other similar projects not only in this country but across Europe.

“During the past few months we have been working with BAM on finalising the specifications and costings and preparing the site. They have demonstrated that they have the right approach and so we have every confidence that they will help deliver a truly magnificent new home for the Group.”

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Builders, Building, Construction, Construction Materials, Contractors, Home Improvement, Steel

Olympia Steel Buildings Anticipates Strong Industry Growth

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Olympia Steel Buildings continues its steady growth as a leader in the pre-engineered steel buildings industry with fourteen locations in the United States and Canada, including offices in Pennsylvania, Florida, California, Colorado, Kansas, Texas, Ontario and now Virginia.

Olympia President, Arnold Davis recently announced the opening of a new office in Virginia, headed by regional sales manager, Mike Duffy, serving steel building and turnkey construction customers in both Virginia and North Carolina.

“Mike Duffy is exceptionally experienced in the building and construction industry, particularly in pre-engineered steel buildings and we are fortunate to have him come aboard with us,” said Davis. “We look forward to increasing sales in Virginia and North Carolina as the construction industry continues to expand in the coming months. We plan to be well positioned to serve customers looking to build with our pre-engineered steel building construction packages.”

“Olympia Steel Buildings offers not only pre-engineered steel building kits and metal buildings erection and construction services, we also offer complete turnkey construction packages,” explained Davis. “Our full turnkey building package includes steel building design, supply of pre-engineered steel buildings, and management and construction of the building or buildings, with all phases of development and building construction, including foundation, insulation, heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical, sheet rock, painting, doors and windows, all handled by an experienced team of steel building construction specialists.”

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Builders, Building, Construction, Contractors, Services

Despite Plummeting Revenues Property & Construction Organisations Make Great Efforts to Minimise Redundancies

According to Reed’s recent report ‘Meeting the People Challenge’, most employers now prefer to find alternatives to making mass redundancies, a significant departure from the response of UK plc to the 1992 recession. But is this really true, even in one of the economy’s hardest-hit sectors?

Despite Plummeting Revenues Property & Construction Organisations Make Great Efforts to Minimise Redundancies

Despite plummeting revenues, organisations in property and construction have made great efforts to minimise redundancies, instead using tactics such as cutting hours or freezing pay. Nevertheless some talented people have inevitably found themselves looking for work.

‘A number of heavyweight project managers are on the market,’ says Gavin Tufton, Business Manager at Reed Property & Construction. ‘It’s become so much harder for companies to secure project funding that some phenomenal candidates – people who previously would have enjoyed the pick of available roles – have had to take backward steps. Even then, many are struggling, as clients seeking long-term commitment will often be concerned that they’ll leave as soon as things pick up.’

Midas – regroup and redeploy

Midas, a company with interests in construction, retail, interiors, affordable housing and property development, has sought to minimise redundancies. ‘We’ve reduced working hours for certain workers not based on site,’ says Ian Bassett, the company’s Head of People. ‘But what’s worked most successfully for us is redeployment.’

Prior to the downturn, Midas’s operating divisions recruited people on a largely autonomous basis; these days, resourcing is far more centrally planned. ‘We’ve moved people from quieter to busier areas, providing the skill sets are there,’ says Bassett. ‘Around ten per cent of our operational staff have been redeployed. Our people understand the world in which we live and they’re much more open to considering relocation to take up redeployment; in fact, they regard it as a benefit of working in a wider group.’

The company has sought to communicate initiatives designed to help withstand the recession throughout the workforce, using tools such as the annual staff roadshow and internal magazine, as well as regular sharing of information on company performance with staff. This, along with an emphasis on treating people fairly and transparently, has been particularly helpful when jobs have had to be shed. ‘Most of those who were made redundant, or whose colleagues were let go, said they felt the process was managed well,’ says Bassett. ‘The feedback we received was that selection had been conducted fairly, people were consulted, and their questions answered openly and honestly. The part of our business that experienced the worst cuts actually expressed the highest satisfaction levels with the process. It’s a difficult time for everyone but people recognised it was done in a sensitive way.’

For more information on property recruitment and jobs offered by Reed Specialist Recruitment, please visit their website www.reedglobal.com.

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Baths, Builders, Building, Construction, Construction Materials, Contractors, Decks, Do-It-Yourself, Doors, Electricians, Flooring, Gardening, Hardwoods, Home & Garden, Home Improvement, Maintenance, Products, Remodelling, Renovation, Roofing Industry, Supplier

Ken’s Yard, New Nationwide Building Supplies Site, Goes Live

Ken’s Yard, a new nationwide building supplies website selling over 30,000 well known branded products on-line has now gone live.

Ken's Yard, New Nationwide Building Supplies Site, Goes Live

Behind Ken’s Yard are three experienced and respected traders in timber and building products, Charles McLeish, Joe McConville – previous owners of MGM Timber, and Ken McLelland – former Regional Director of Buildbase (see notes to editors). The board has been strengthened further by the addition of Charles Shaw, Chairman of the hugely successful 5pm.co.uk and former Chief Executive of Invergordon Distillers plc and Andrew Sutherland former UK Financial Controller and Company Secretary of Keyline Builders Merchants.

Aimed at the ‘serial’ project builder, self-builder and small building contractor in the UK and beyond, Ken’s Yard now provides the most comprehensive and competitive range of building supplies currently available on-line. These are supported by easily accessible advice from some of the supply industry’s most experienced, knowledgeable and professional experts.

Ken’s Yard is now part of the vanguard of suppliers changing the way building supplies are purchased and brings several ‘firsts’ to the market:

– Ken’s Yard currently sells 30,000 products which will rise to an estimated 45,000 in Phase 2.

– Ken’s Yard sells the full HOPPE door furniture range from Germany, one of only a few suppliers to do so, and is the first to sell the complete Carron Phoenix range of kitchen sinks, taps and accessories. It also supplies the complete range of Kahrs hardwood flooring products. Other well-known brand names are already in the pipeline and will be added in Phase 2. This includes the full JELD-WEN joinery products catalogue and the full Velux catalogue.

A unique building estimates service for extensions, refurbishments and new-build projects. This provides a massive timesaving for building professionals and enables them to get jobs costed quickly and accurately. This will initially be offered free as a launch ‘special’ to customers who spend £500 or more.

– Ken’s Yard is the only UK based website where customers can upload a drawing, or enter measurements to obtain a quote. Ken’s Yard handles the entire ordering process and items like roof trusses will be delivered direct to site within 14 days.

About Ken’s Yard:
Ken’s Yard is an independent on-line building products company founded after extensive research by an experienced team who care about service.

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Builders, Building, Construction, Contractors, Excavating, Home Improvement, Landscaping, Renovation, Road Construction, Services

J.D. Roy Excavating Celebrates Ten Years in Business

J.D. Roy Excavating, Inc., a leading site excavation contractor based in Manassas, VA, is pleased to announce that the company is celebrating its tenth year in business. When founded in 1999, J.D. Roy Excavating owned one backhoe and dump truck. The company now owns an extensive fleet of heavy equipment, performing turnkey residential, commercial and municipal site development work throughout Northern and Central Virginia with single projects ranging in value from $100K to over $3M.

J.D. Roy Excavating

Founder and president, Joe Roy is optimistic about the future and remains focused and active in the operations of the company. “We have been fortunate to establish critical relationships within the construction industry”, Joe Roy commented. “The key to our success has been the quality workforce we employ, as well as having a clear understanding of our capabilities as a contractor to provide the highest quality product for our clients. We are excited about the future and feel confident that we have successfully positioned ourselves as an organization to foster the future growth of J.D. Roy Excavating”, Joe Roy mentioned when discussing the ten year corporate milestone.

About J.D. Roy Excavating, Inc.
J.D. Roy Excavating is a Class A Virginia Contractor and performs all phases of site development work, including but not limited to, earthwork, site utilities, demolition, erosion control, paving, concrete flatwork as well as rock drilling and blasting. The company maintains a centrally located office and shop in Manassas, VA. J.D. Roy Excavating is a member of the Associated Builders and Contractors Virginia Chapter.

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Architecture, Builders, Building, Construction, Contractors, Decks, Doors, Glass, Greenhouse, Home & Garden, Home Improvement, Maintenance, Patios, Remodelling, Renovation, Residential Housing, Sunroom

An Insight Into Conservatories And The Effects Of The New Planning Regulations

It is now ten months since the introduction of the new UK planning regulations that came in to effect on the 1 st October 2008 and here, ConservatoryLand, a major manufacturer and supplier of DIY conservatories report on the effects that they have had on the conservatory industry since then.

David Bingham, director of ConservatoryLand says “I have heard reports from certain large conservatory roof manufacturers that the volume of their roof orders have increased but their sales revenue has actually decreased in 2009 compared to that of 2008.

This is thought to have been caused partly due to the new planning permission regulations which are causing consumers to opt for smaller conservatories with a view to keeping within the new size criteria for which you do not now require planning permission approval.”

The size criteria elements within the new planning regulations that could be affecting this are:

•  No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof

•  Maximum depth of a single-storey rear extension of three metres for an attached house and four metres for a detached house

•  Maximum height of a single-storey rear extension of four metres

•  Maximum depth of a rear extension of more than one storey of three metres including ground floor

•  Maximum eaves height of an extension within two metres of the boundary of three metres

•  Maximum eaves and ridge height of extension no higher than existing house

•  Side extensions to be single storey with maximum height of four metres and width no more than half that of the original house

•  Roof pitch of extensions higher than one storey to match existing house

Taking the above criteria in to consideration, it is clear to see why some manufacturers of conservatories and conservatory roofs are thinking that consumers are being guided in to buying smaller conservatories and are blaming this for a smaller average order value.

Here you can find more information about planning permission and building regulations requirements for conservatories.

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Expert Inside View Into Conservatories And What To Look Out For

David Bingham Managing Director of Conservatory Land has given an insight into the conservatory industry and the current trend he is seeing. With 20 years personal experience in the industry he has given some useful advice and tips for anyone looking to buy a conservatory.

Currently, one of the UK’s most popular and appealing home improvement projects for homeowners is adding conservatories to their homes. The choice is vast and if you are considering a sizable investment it is wise to start with the company itself. Choose a company that has satisfactorily supplied or installed conservatories for friends, family or someone else you know. The next step is to decide what type of conservatory you want, or more importantly, what type will best suit your property and keep within your budget.

Measure the space you have available and decide what size you would like and which style would look best. Choose a style and size that will provide you with a usable, furnishable living space whilst at the same time not looking out of place or out of proportion with your property. This step is the most important one so take your time as you will only get once chance to get it right. No one wants to end up with a conservatory that is too small to be of reasonable use or too large for the size and style of your home. David Bingham went on to say “I have heard so many times, customers saying that they wish they had purchased a larger conservatory so that there was more room to seat the whole family for dinner or for watching TV, so choose carefully, but don’t over do it, it needs to be just right”.

Conservatories

Once you have decided on the size and style, be it an Edwardian, Victorian or a simple traditional lean-to conservatory, you need to decide on the actual design. There are three main designs to choose from, dwarf wall, full height glass to ground and full height bottom panels.

Then there are the doors. The most popular choice are French (double) doors but in some situations, sliding patio doors or bi fold doors and be more suitable for some conservatories depending of their location on your home and how you intend to use your conservatory. The company you choose will be able to give you further advice on design options and supply you with CAD drawings to help give you an idea of how the finished conservatory will look.

Colour is also very important. Modern PVCu profiles are available in many colours with the most common being white, mahogany, rosewood, golden (light) oak and more recently cream has been introduced. White PVCu is usually the cheapest option. It is a good idea to choose a colour that will best compliment the fabric of your property and your existing windows and doors.

The final step is to decide on glazing types, both for the frames and roof and you don’t necessarily need the exact same glazing type in the roof as the frames. Frame glazing for conservatories can take many different forms. The very basic frame glazing used in conservatories is clear toughened safety class, usually made up in double glazed sealed units.

However, you may want a higher insulating glass to help keep your conservatory warmer during the winter months such as Pilkington K Glass or a solar reflective glass to help keep it cooler in the summer such as Pilkington Activ Blue which is also self cleaning – or even a combination of both to help keep your conservatory more comfortable all year round. Your conservatory supplier will be able to give you advice and associated costs regarding this.

Then there’s the roof glazing which is very important. There are two basic materials, polycarbonate and glass.

You should decide how you would like your conservatory to look and consider your budget as glass roofs for conservatories are far more expensive and often require additional reinforcement of the frames and roof, further adding to the cost.

The main disadvantage with polycarbonate is the ‘drumming’ effect which can become very loud during heavy rain. Glass roofs can be a better option for conservatories as there is far less noise during rainfall.

David went onto say “I have tried to provide this advice with a view to helping anyone buying a conservatory, whether it is fully installed or a DIY conservatory to make sure that they get exactly what they want and need. When it comes to conservatories, especially DIY conservatories, getting it wrong can be a very expensive mistake and I like to think that ConservatoryLand is one company that can professionally advise on these issues”.

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Building, Construction, Contractors, Glass, Renovation, Roofing Industry, Sunroom, Supplier

Lonsdale Metal Company Limited Has Secured A Deal With Network Rail To Provide Roof Glazing At More Than 40 UK Railway Stations

Lonsdale Metal Company Limited has secured a deal with Network Rail to provide roof glazing at more than 40 UK railway stations.

Roof Glazing

The North London based company has previously installed glass roofs for many Network Rail properties. Major work undertaken so far includes a 16,500 sq/m roof at Liverpool Lime Street, a 28,500 sq/m roof at Waterloo and an intricate canopy at St Pancras as well as glass roofs at a number of other stations including Carlisle, York and Derby.

While Lonsdale will be manufacturing the roof glazing, the company’s strategically located dealers throughout the UK will be installing the roofs.

Lonsdale’s sales director Richard Burgess commented on the deal, saying: “It’s really a question of the right product for the job at the right price. You only have to look up at most rail stations to see evidence of patent glazing from years gone by in various states of repair all over the country. The modern systems Lonsdale supply can be installed 60-70% cheaper than sloped curtain walling and at half the price of cassette style, linking panel type systems.”

Patent glazing can have a life span of up to 40 years, with very little maintenance required during that time, as well as an excellent safety record. Burgess added: “When you are suspending glass over the heads of thousands of members of the public who flow through these stations, you have to be sure everything stays put. At Waterloo, for example, there is over 264 tonnes of glass sitting up there. It is not the time to be specifying questionably inferior products and our systems are tried and tested.”

Key considerations for safety in roofing include regulations regarding non-fragility. Safety glass that stays in place even when broken and ensuring the system can cope not only with the usual design wind and snow loads, but also exceptional forces such as the vortex caused by express trains travelling through stations at speeds in excess of 100mph.

Burgess said: “I think our expertise in providing good, reliable technical information and the ability to perform structural and impact testing to comply with the latest regulations, gives engineers and designers the confidence they need and know they are dealing with the right people”.

Network Rail has committed to spending £2bn in a refurbishment programme across the UK.

About Lonsdale:
Established in 1946, Lonsdale Metal is the UK’s market leader for aluminium patent glazing and rooflight systems. Lonsdale has been responsible for recent installations at 10 Downing Street, Buckingham Palace and Legoland.

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Optima Products Launches New Environmentally Friendly USB Version Of Its Designer’s Guide

In line with Optima Products’ corporate responsibility and environmental awareness policies, the innovative glass partitions company has come up with a new, eco-friendly way of getting vital information to its clients.

optimasystems

Optima Products is now using an ingenious and eco-friendly alternative to the heavy paper version of their Designer’s Guide.

The Designer’s Guide contains in-depth information on office partitioning and other architectural and construction issues spread out over 100 pages of A4. In previous years Optima Products printed in excess of 1000 copies of the Designer’s Guide for its glass partition customers and associates. To bring the production of this year’s Designer’s Guide in line with the glass partition company’s energy efficiency and waste minimisation policies, Optima Products will be providing this fantastic portfolio of information on a small and stylish USB storage device.

This new system will save thousands upon thousands of sheets of paper, not to mention large envelopes, as well as cutting down on the huge postage costs that come with sending out bulky paper packages. This, in turn, cuts down on the amount of fuel used for delivery of the Guides, reducing Optima Products’ overall carbon footprint.

Shaped to resemble a capsule pill, the new USB format Guide will help thousands of Optima Products clients by ‘taking the pain out of detailing.’ It includes:

• The full Designer’s Guide
• 3D interactive Explore-a-Product technical specifications
• Detailed CAD drawings (.dwg files) for designers and architects
• Optima’s Project Photo Galleries
• 3D animations of the Deflection head and Nebula joint solutions
• In-depth case studies of Optima’s latest projects
• Links to Optima’s highly popular Optiman game

The new USB format Designer’s Guide is the latest in a long line of ingenious ideas from the glass partitions specialist to curtail the environmental impact of Optima Products business activities.

Managing Director, Nigel Westray said, “Our products are installed in the offices of some of the most prestigious companies in the UK, companies who are totally committed to Environmental Management, and it is only right that we meet or exceed their standards of environmental best practice”.

Optima Systems’ environmentally ethical practices recently earned the company IS014001 accreditation for its Environmental Management System and the glass partition company has also drawn up plans to make further emissions reductions across all sectors.

Paper copies of the Designer’s Guide will still be available this year by request; however Optima Products aims to faze them out entirely over the coming years.

To find out more about Optima’s eco friendly glass partition systems and services or to learn more about the Designer’s Guide, please visit: http://www.optimasystems.com.

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Two New Glass Doors By Optima Systems Can Be Used In Seamless Conjunction With Optima’s Other Glass Partitioning Products

Optima Systems’ team of technical engineers have come up with two exciting new products to add to the Optima range.

The two new glass doors are designed to glide smoothly open, saving precious office space and creating a sophisticated and sleek office aesthetic.

The two new products, the Framed Sliding Door and the Pocket Sliding Door, are very different and can be used in conjunction with different Optima glazing systems.

Traditionally, sliding doors and acoustic performance do not go hand in hand, but Optima’s new Framed Sliding Door ensures that this design dilemma is a thing of the past.

The minimal aluminium frame of the Framed Sliding Door incorporates full length brush seals at the head and base and compressible seals on the vertical ‘door stop’ edge for an enhanced acoustic performance.

The door is operated by pull handles which run on Optima’s ever popular Kinetic dual trolley rolling system. The base detail incorporates a discreet anodised channel to fully control the door’s travel, thus eliminating the potential for leading edge drift and ensuring a light yet solid operating feel.

Optima’s Framed Sliding Door is the perfect way to form a space efficient office entrance within Optima’s 117 single glazed partition system, without compromising on acoustic performance.

Optima’s Pocket Sliding Door provides an attractive solution where minimal detailing, space efficiency and acoustic performance are important considerations.

The door was designed as an addition to our popular Revolution 97 double glazed mullion-free partition system. The 12mm glass leaf door is suspended from Optima’s highly popular and proven Kinetic operating system which enables the door to glide effortlessly into the double glazed screen.

The door is designed to be operated by pull handles, providing the benefit of upgrading to floor deployment lockable handles if necessary.

For more information on any of the Optima product range, visit http://www.optimasystems.com.

 

About Optima:
Optima offers the highest quality service and innovative design to secure consumer satisfaction, ensuring that their extensive range of partitioning systems are able to meet customers’ exacting specifications, supported by technical expertise to achieve successful project completion.

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NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Jacksonville to Meet with Homeowners at Harmony in the Garden

On May16th, from 7pm to 9:30pm Harmony in the Garden, will be held at the St. Augustine Water and Stone Gallery. The event is hosted by businesses that offer top of the line products and services for homes and gardens. This evening offers discerning homeowners the chance to view ideas for their homes while in a luxurious setting with live music, wine, and cocktails, tastes of “Galanga” Fine Cuisine as well as door prizes from the Jacksonville area business hosts. Homeowners will also be able to enjoy renowned artists’ works displayed in a beautiful Zen garden. Collette Vale is reservations by phone at 904-808-8784. More information about the Water and Stone Gallery and their distinguished artists can be found at www.waterandstonegallery.com.

NiteLites of Jacksonville Outdoor Lighting provides both low voltage landscape lighting and architectural lighting to many homes and commercial properties in the Jacksonville / St. Augustine area.

NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Jacksonville provides the latest in energy efficient LED lighting technology, custom lighting design, professional installation, and outdoor lighting repair. NiteLites outdoor lighting fixtures are weather resistant as they are made of copper and brass and are acid-etched for a durable design.

NiteLites is national outdoor lighting franchise and offers additional information about landscape and architectural lighting online at http://www.NiteLites.com. Throughout the U.S. there NiteLites outdoor lighting locations in over 40 cities including: NiteLites Outdoor Lights of Asheville, Greenville, SC 29601, 29602, 29603, 29605, 29607, 29609, 29611, 29615, 29616, and 29617. NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Atlanta 30305, 30319, 30327, Alpharetta 30004, 30005, 30022, 30305, 30319, Duluth, GA 30097, Marietta 30062, Roswell 30075, and Aiken 29801. NiteLites Architectural Lighting of Augusta, SC, Blythewood, SC 29016, Chapin 29036, Columbia 29290, Elgin 29045, Irmo 29063, Leesville 29070, Lexington 29072, and West Columbia 29169. NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Charleston 29401, 29403, 29407, 29412, 29414, 29419, 29492, Daniel Island 29445, Goose Creek 29445, Hanahan 29410, Isle of Palms 29451, Johns Island 29455, Kiawah Island 29455, Moncks Corner 29461, Mt. Pleasant 29464, North Charleston 29405, Sullivans Island 29482, Summerville 29483, 29485, Wadmalaw Island 29487, and Wando 29492. Arlington 60004, Bradenton 34209, Bernardsville 07924, Brentwood 37027, Bridgewater 08807, Branchburg 08876, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Boca Raton 33433, Bonita Springs 34135, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Central New Jersey 08857, Cape Coral 33914, Centerville 45458, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Charleston 29412, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Charlotte 28269, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Chicago 60604, Chicagoland 60004, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Cincinnati 45243, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Clearwater 33755, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Columbia 29212, NiteLites Landscape Lighting of Columbus 43230, Covington 41011, East Brunswick 08816, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Dayton 45423, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Delaware 19898, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Fort Myers 33908, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Fort Lauderdale 33326, Franklin 37064, Greenville 29601, Hilliard 43026 , NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Houston 77095, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Indianapolis 46032, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach 32240, Jupiter 33458, Katy 77450, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Lima 45805, Livingston 27391, Lynchburg 24083, Madison 53707, Maryland 20854, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Middle Tennessee 37075, Millburn 07041, Morristown 07962, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Mt. Pleasant 29464, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Myrtle Beach 29597, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Naples 34109, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Nashville 37221, Newport 41076, New Providence 07974, North Augusta 29841, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Northern Kentucky 41012, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Northern Virginia 22124, Novi 48377, Oxford 45056, Philadelphia 19118, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Roanoke 24018, Sanibel 33957, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Sarasota 34243, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Southeast Michigan 48380, Spartanburg 29304, Springboro 45066, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of St. Louis 63005, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of St. Petersburg 33715, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Toledo 43699, NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of Tampa 33647, Valrico 33594, Venice 34293, Wilmington 19808, Washington, DC 20510, Watchung 08089, West Caldwell 07006, West Orange 07052, Westerville 43081, and NiteLites Outdoor Lighting of West Palm Beach 33414.

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XHHW Wire Preferred by Many Electrical Contractors Verse THHN Wire

HHW, an electrical copper building wire, is proving to be a favorite over the more standard THHN building wire by many electrical contractors and installers.

XHHW stands for Cross-Linked High Heat Water Resistant Insulated Wire. Today’s XHHW is manufactured to XHHW-2 standard meaning it is rated in wet and dry environments up to 90C. XHHW is found both in stranded and solid constructions and various jacket colors.

THHN stands for Thermoplastic High Heat-resistant Nylon-coated. THHN is also found in both stranded and solid copper conductors but uses a nylon coating for mechanical and protection for gas and oil.

The key difference between the two building wires is XHHW utilizes cross-linked polyethylene (XPLE) and THHN uses a poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) as the insulation over the conductor. XHHW performs better in the low temperature environments and has a higher K Value, or better electrical properties.

“We continue to see more and more customers request XHHW over THHN now that copper prices have dropped again. XHHW has better current carrying capacity giving it the ability to withstand meltdown better, and even with its marginal price increase, many customers make it their choice over THNN,” remarked Bryce Huett, President of Distributor Wire & Cable in Denver, Colorado.

XHHW typically cost 10-20% more than THHN but that gap is closing as cross-linked polyethylene becomes more and more available. It is worth noting that the nylon coating on THHN wire makes it stiffer than its building wire counter part. Installers always prefer a more pliable product when trying to pull their runs throughout a structure.

Distributor Wire & Cable is a nationwide electrical wholesaler for all types of wire and cable including XHHW and THHN building wire. For more information on their products and services, call 888-439-2947 or visit www.distributorwire.com.

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Building, Building Energy Efficiency, Construction, Heaters, Home Improvement, Products, Renovation, Supplier

Tankless Or On Demand Water Heaters At A Fair Price

Just the right air
We have just shopped around on the internet and found a new site JUST THE RIGHT AIR and found them to be as fair as anyone with price. Not only is the price fair but our tank is shipped out the same day. So if you would like to save money on a new tankless water heater go to instantaneouswaterheaters Demand (tankless or instantaneous) water heaters provide hot water only as it is needed. They don’t produce the standby energy losses associated with storage water heaters, which can save you money. Here you’ll find basic information about how they work, whether a demand water heater might be right for your home, and what criteria to use when selecting the right model. Just click here for pricing on several different models available at tankless water heaters and if you do not see what you want just call and you can get a price on any Tankless available today.

How They Work
Demand water heaters heat water directly without the use of a storage tank. Therefore, they avoid the standby heat losses associated with storage tanks. When a hot water tap is turned on, cold water travels through a pipe into the unit. Either a gas burner or an electric element heats the water. As a result, demand water heaters deliver a constant supply of hot water. You don’t need to wait for a storage tank to fill up with enough hot water. However, a demand water heater’s output limits the flow rate.

Typically, demand water heaters provide hot water at a rate of 2–5 gallons (7.6–15.2 liters) per minute. Gas-fired demand water heaters produce higher flow rates than electric ones. Sometimes, however, even the largest, gas-fired model cannot supply enough hot water for simultaneous, multiple uses in large households. For example, taking a shower and running the dishwasher at the same time can stretch a demand water heater to its limit. So even though you could have endless hot water, you can only produce so many gallons a minute. To overcome this problem, you can install two or more demand water heaters, connected in parallel for simultaneous demands of hot water. You can also install separate demand water heaters for appliances—such as a clothes washer or dishwater—that use a lot of hot water in your home. The ideas are endless like the hot water. The folks at justtherightair.com are there to help they have special articles and are available by phone to answer any questions you may have. Just contact Roger or Ryan Findley at 866-989-0789 with any help f r o m what to purchase to what is needed and how to install one You could also email them at rogfin@comcast.net or write them Just Right Heating & Cooling 1055 Foxwood Ct White Lake Mi 48383.

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Builders, Building, Construction, Home & Garden, Maintenance, Renovation, Roofing Industry

Just because your car didn’t receive hail damage doesn’t mean your roof is not damaged

About Integrity Roofing and Exteriors. Integrity Roofing and Exteriors is committed to the community it serves providing employment and resources for long-term cooperative growth. There commitment to 5 star customer service is unprecedented in the construction industry.

Integrity Roofing: Just because your car didn’t receive hail damage doesn’t mean your roof is not damaged.

Record catastrophic hail storms strike El Paso in 2007 and again in 2008. Integrity Roofing and Exteriors helps hundreds, not only rebuild, but sift through the complicated insurance process.

Integrity Roofing and Exteriors, the premier residential restoration firm in the Southwest, announced today that its El Paso office has helped home owners throughout the El Paso area this year, not only rebuild, but understand and work through the often complex insurance claims process.

“Most homeowners do not realize they have hail damage. Why? It is impossible to see damage from the ground,” states Brian James. “Homeowners need a trained professional who knows the difference between nail pops, blistering and hail damage. Just because your car didn’t get dinged up doesn’t mean the integrity of your roof hasn’t been compromised. The solution is to have a trained professional examine your roof up close. And since our company offers a no obligation, free, 35 point inspection, homeowners have nothing to lose – with one exception. If homeowners wait and do not file a claim in time, they may have to pay out of pocket.”

In addition to offering homeowners great workmanship and great customer service, Integrity has a team of insurance claim specialists that assist homeowners in understanding and working through the often complex insurance claims process.

I want to sing the praises of a local roofing company, Integrity Roofing and Exteriors. They completed my new roof earlier this year. They met with my insurance adjuster and myself, and made me feel very comfortable with the entire process. They kept me up-to-date with my project, and always returned my calls. Not only was the work that they provided exceptional, but I also loved the warranty that I received at no additional charge. They workers were very clean and professional, and my service was wonderful. I would recommend this company to anyone who needs roof work done.

Happy in El Paso, Robert Integrity has had to increase its production capabilities this year to keep up with demand. On any given day the company has workers in the area re-roofing homes, as well as helping with siding, gutters, and other exterior trades. With a strong commitment quality control, Integrity has one of the highest customer satisfaction rates in the industry.

About Integrity Roofing and Exteriors.

Integrity Roofing and Exteriors is committed to the community it serves providing employment and resources for long-term cooperative growth. There commitment to 5 star customer service is unprecedented in the construction industry. Call us anytime at: 915-241-5772. 

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Builders, Building, Construction, Environmental Construction, Glass, Supplier, Walls

Leading Commercial Office Partitioning Expert Optima Systems Has This Week Been Honoured At The Construction Marketing Awards 2008 In The Category Of ‘Best Use Of A Website’

The advanced drywall and office partitioning supplier triumphed at the Construction Marketing Awards 2008, taking home the coveted prize for Best Use of a Website.

Optima Systems beat off stiff competition from four other fantastic web presences including Warwickshire County Council & Carillion plc and Harris Associates on behalf of Watson Batty Architects.

The judging panel were won over by Optima Systems’ use of simple and easy to understand flash animations to convey important and complex information about the inner workings of each office partitions system, as well as the impeccable overall site presentation.

The website was created to showcase Optima Systems’ wide range of office partitioning, advanced drywall, frameless doors and architectural glass through detailed photography, product details, downloadable guides and 3D animations. The website also features a CRM dashboard where Optima Systems can moderate architect logins that control which technical document each architect sees.

The website was created by award-winning London design agency, Cyber-Duck. Danny Bluestone the managing director of Cyber-Duck received the award on the night alongside Optima’s website and marketing project manager Christian Mabey.

Danny noted, “It is a privilege to win this prestigious award with Optima Group. We were privileged to work with Christian Mabey from who had the vision and foresight to take Optima’s branding and marketing to the next level by carefully crafting a successful user experience with Cyber-Duck”.

The Construction Marketing Awards are globally recognised as a highly regarded mark of excellence in construction marketing and business development and recognise the creativity, innovation and effectiveness of a company’s marketing strategy. The black-tie awards dinner took place on 27th November in London’s trendy New Connaught Rooms.

For more information on the awards visit: http://www.optimasystems.com

About Optima Systems:
Optima offers the highest quality service and innovative design to secure consumer satisfaction and ensuring that their extensive range of partitioning systems are able to meet customers’ exacting specification supported by technical expertise to ensure successful project completion.

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Building, Construction, Construction Marketing, Glass, Home & Garden, Home Improvement, Products, Renovation, Walls

Glass partitions specialist, Optima Systems has been nominated for a coveted Construction Marketing award

Optima Systems is proud to announce that it has been shortlisted for a prestigious Construction Marketing award 2008. The company, who specialises in demountable office walls, has been chosen as a finalist in the Best Use of a Website category. The judging panel liked Optima Systems’ use of flash animations to convey important and complex information about the inner workings of each partitioning system, as well as the overall site presentation.

The website was created by award-winning digital design agency, Cyber-Duck, whose previous accolades have included a gold Communicator award for its own website, www.cyber-duck.co.uk, along with various other highly coveted awards for its client’s websites.

The Construction Marketing Awards are universally recognised as a unique and highly regarded measure of excellence in construction marketing and business development and recognise the creativity, innovation and effectiveness of a company’s marketing strategy.

The black-tie awards ceremony will take place on 27th November in London and will play host to some of the biggest names in construction.

For more information on the awards visit: constructionmarketingawards.com.

About Optima Systems:
 Optima offers the highest quality service and innovative design to secure consumer satisfaction and ensuring that their extensive range of partitioning systems are able to meet customers’ exacting specification supported by technical expertise to ensure successful project completion.


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Building, Cement, Construction, Products, Supplier

Cement Central Announced Today That It Has Partnered With Its Current Suppliers To Offer Cement Starting As Low As US$60MT

Cement Central announced today that in an aggressive move to combat the ever increasing cost of cement to Dubai, it has partnered with its current suppliers to offer cement starting as low as US$60MT, a major offset from the current price of US$90MT which seems to have become the norm.

From the Middle East to Russia, the cement industry is witnessing global robust growth amid a massive international construction boom. Cement & concrete companies are facing bigger challenges and higher demand by the day with companies continuing to invest in increasing capacity and sustainable technology.

With countries like Egypt & India suspending their cement exports the increasing demand is outpacing the supply from the UAE to Qatar to East Africa. In a region where $1.7 trillion worth of real estate is being constructed or being planned, price trends in the cement industry take on heightened significance.

The bad news for local property developers and contractors is that the price of cement in Dubai is constantly increasing according to figures published by Emirates Industrial Bank. This year alone, bills for bulk cement shot up by around 20 per cent – reaching more than Dh330 per tonne earlier this month, say cement buyers. While cement factories enjoy profitable times – some say they are taking advantage of high demand – the trend is putting strain on the construction industry.

Carlos Perez said “Even government projects are being affected” and quoted, Ebrahim Al Shehhi, director, UAE Ministry of Public Works as saying “As a ministry we are tendering two or three times for a project. Contractors are not coming forward because they don’t know what the price of steel, cement and electrical cable will be the next day.”

“A number of mega projects in infrastructure, tourism and real estate are currently in various stages — from designing, tendering to construction — and the same trend is likely to continue in the coming years and it will create regular demand for cement in the country,” said Carlos Perez, Managing Director of Cement Central. The massive scope of these projects and the fast pace of expansion is giving rise to high demand for various building and construction materials, especially cement. As local cement producers are unable to keep up with demand, more and more cement is being imported from other countries. This is where companies like Cement Central can aid with cement importing needs.

Cement imports have soared during the past three years as a result of the unprecedented construction activities here that accompanied the overall economic boom in the UAE and the region. The sharp increase in oil prices is a major reason for this boom.

A Cement Central client was quoted as saying “the shortage in cement had already caused an increase in operating costs, which had forced most companies to increase prices of concrete by an extra Dh40 per cubic metre and it was difficult to increase prices where contracts with clients exist, and that in such situations, ready-mix companies are taking on all the losses.” Being aware of the crisis facing contractors and builders in Dubai, Cement Central and its suppliers felt the need to step in and offer cement at competitive prices that wouldn’t break their budgets.

“Even though we distribute globally, our immediate focus is on emerging Middle Eastern and European markets” says Carlos Perez. We currently have a 60 million MT allocation geared towards helping the ever growing expansion in Dubai. Cement Central provides up to date pricing and procedures on its website www.CementCentral.com and welcomes broker inquiries. Our supplier’s contract will reflect their firm intent and ability to do business. We deal directly with large allocation holders and as a result, we pass along our competitive advantage and savings to you! Our clients and suppliers span the globe from the Americas to Europe and Asia and our extensive product and marketing knowledge make us the obvious choice.

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Building, Construction, Decks, Do-It-Yourself, Green Building, Hardwoods, Home Improvement, Products, Recycling, Renovation, Services, Wood-Composite Products

Correct Building Products, manufacturer of CorrectDeck CX with Microban antimicrobial product protection, expands composite deck recycling to include jobsite scrap

Correct Building Products(R), manufacturer of CorrectDeck(R) CX with Microban(R) antimicrobial product protection, has announced on May 9, 2007 a pilot program to collect plastic wood composite jobsite scrap, complementing its active recycling program.

This information is timely as spring deck building season arrives. Additionally, more consumers are expressing interest in “green” building products. What many consumers and contractors are unaware of is that Correct Building Products produces composite decking made from recycled materials that can be recycled again. Green-conscious consumers can select CorrectDeck composite products with confidence.

Made from Recycled
CorrectDeck composite decking is made from 80 percent recycled ingredients such as waste sawdust, recycled plastic and polypropylene recycled materials. Located in Maine, Correct Building Products harvests scrap from local lumber yards as well as collects polypropylene bins from retailers and post offices. The manufacturing plant recycles and reprocesses all manufacturing scrap at the factory, meaning all downfall is recycled. There are no emissions and zero manufacturing waste. “Most forms of plastic recycling transform the plastic into a less valuable product,” said Martin Grohman, president of Correct Building Products. “Upcycling is very rare, but these products ‘upcycle’ a low-value waste product like sawdust into a high-value product such as premium composite decking.”

Completely Recyclable
All CorrectDeck products are also completely recyclable as a finished product – free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) – and can be safely incinerated. CorrectDeck products are also printed with their resource content “60 Wood/40 PP” to make future recycling easier.

“Composite deck material is quite recyclable – it contains no thermosetting materials and is rot-resistant. In fact, recycling of composites is routinely done,” added Grohman. “We’re doing our best to promote recycling and to reduce the usage of unsustainably-harvested tropical hardwoods.”

Jobsite Recycling
The company will also be instituting a scrap recycling program to make efficient use of waste produced on jobsites. Recyclable materials include decking, railings and even installation sawdust. The test program includes a recycling container located outside CorrectDeck’s largest dealer, Hancock Lumber. “Once we get the process worked out,” noted Grohman, “we’ll expand the program as quickly as possible. Contractors have to pay to dispose of scrap. This free program will not only help them, it helps the environment.”

Correct Building Products(R) LLC is a $30MM+ producer of wood-composite products of all types, including CorrectDeck(R) and CorrectDeck(R) CX composite decking, RapidRail(R) and RapidRail(R) CX composite railing, and Dimensional Composite Lumber. Visit the website at www.correctdeck.com or contact Mike Descoteaux, Correct Building Products, 8 Morin Street, Biddeford, ME 04005, 207-284-5600, miked@correctbp.com for more details.

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