Conservatory Planning Permission

There are many advantages to getting a conservatory. As an extra room, they are versatile and adaptable, and can be enjoyed throughout the year. As well as adding value to your home, a conservatory is for many people a more affordable option when it comes to getting a home extended. Conservatory prices vary according to size and style, but on the whole, the nature of these extensions, with predominantly glass walls and ceilings, means that they are not as expensive or time consuming to construct as a typical house extension. As with any such project the question of planning permission arises. As a potentially expensive and time-consuming process, it is advantageous to avoid planning permission, if at all possible. Here is a guide to the question of conservatories and planning permission.

Do conservatories need planning permission?

Planning authorities place conservatories in the same category as house extensions and other additions to a property, and the good news is that in the vast majority of cases, these are considered to be permitted developments (PD), which means that they don't need planning permission. Conservatories are also exempt from Building Regulations in most cases, which makes them an even more convenient choice of house extension. There are exceptions to both the planning permission and building regulations exemptions, and these are outlined below.

Permitted development

There are a few conditions under which a conservatory is not considered PD, which means that if you want to add a conservatory to your home, you will need to get planning permission. If your property is within designated land (for example, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a World Heritage Site or National Park), any conservatory which has stone cladding, pebble dash, plastic or tiles is not PD, and nor is a conservatory which extends from a side wall. As with house extensions, a conservatory cannot take up more than 50% of the house’s curtilage to be PD, and cannot be forward of the house’s principal elevation and fronting a highway. There are also regulations about the height a conservatory can be in order to be PD. Four metres is the maximum for a single story rear conservatory. Most conservatory designs fall well within the size constraints of permitted development, so all in all, provided your property is not within designated land and you want the conservatory to go in your back garden, there is no need for you to get planning permission.

Building regulations

Conservatories are exempt from building regulations providing they meet the following criteria. The conservatory should be less than 30 metres square in floor area, and separated from the house by an external wall, doors and windows. There should be an independent heating system, which has separate temperature and on/off controls, and the windows and any electrical installation need to comply with applicable building regulations. It is also advised that the conservatory should not restrict ladder access to the windows of loft or roof conversions, in case of a fire.

For more detailed information about planning permission and building regulations for conservatories, check the governments Planning Portal website. www.planningportal.gov.uk

Guest post by House Extension Online

Modern Staircase Designs

Staircases sometimes go unnoticed. However, some staircases would be difficult to miss because of their ingenuity. Usually, staircases are built architecturally to add to the elegance of the home or building. A staircase's design can be planned to match the interior or exterior of homes or other buildings.

It is not known when the first stairway was created, just as not knowing when homes and buildings were designed with more than one floor. However, it is known that homes and other buildings with more than one floor has existed for many centuries.

Beautiful homes all have particular styling that includes various features. Several homes utilize specific architectural items that make it stand out from the normal straight designs. Many times, these items are designed and installed by Fontanot spiral staircases. Fontanot spiral staircases have a way of accentuating certain aspects of a home that leads to a specialized look and appeal.

There are specific styles and materials such as the techno, pixima steel, magia 10 and steel zinc staircases. Fontanot staircases provide a look of elegance to the existing structure. They are constructed one step at a time to sure-up construction.

Another popular staircase that Fontanot installs is called the winder. Winder staircases usually have a twist at the top, midway or bottom. They are not entirely spiral but are in the family. Winder stairs are constructed one step at a time, as well.

Fontanot are leaders in spiral and winder staircases. They specialize in conceptualizing designs that are contemporary, as well as installations of staircases for interior and exterior uses. These ideas transform the space into a modern project of art.

Fontanot staircases are known for their beauty and durability. Do-it-yourself enthusiasts will have no problem with assembly and installation. Various styles and constructions can be seen at http://uk.fontanotshop.com.

Home Climate Control – The Benefits of the Correct Climate

You probably have an Air Conditioned car, Work in an Air Conditioned office, so why not live in an Air Conditioned Home? Most of us take the facility to warm our homes for granted, but few appreciate the benefits of being able to control the climate of our homes. The benefits of Air Conditioning are to provide a comfortable environment at work or at home throughout the seasons. An auto changeover switch on most new units, allows you to set the temperature of the unit to cool or heat as required automatically.

The air within the room is re-circulated through filters to trap dust and pollens, in turn benefiting people suffering from allergies and respiratory problems. Also air purification is another benefit as an anti-fungus filter is used in most modern air conditioning units. This catches allergy-causing mites, smoke particles and odours, making the air in your environment clean and fresh.

In reality, our homes become even warmer during the summer months than the outside air temperature, through solar gains and additional heat-loads from within. Air-conditioning equipment installed can reduce the temperature within the home to a comfortable level, whilst at the same time reducing the humidity to eliminate the humidity associated with our UK summers.

In the past, CFC refrigerants used in air conditioning systems were found to harm the ozone layer. Since then, harmful CFCs have been phased out and are no longer utilised. Today’s systems use a new generation of refrigerants (HFCs) which do not harm the ozone layer. They are highly efficient and non-toxic, and can be used in homes and businesses. The systems installed by iClimate are class leaders in terms of economy.

Air Conditioning for your home is fast becoming a necessity, not the luxury it used to be. Due to this high demand, iClimate Solutions are able to match units to "fit in" with your décor. The units available now are no longer intrusive or unattractive because they are designed to aspire to most people's tastes and living conditions. The sophisticated designs not only improve your living environment, but they also provide you with perfect climate control. Most units designed are common for the bedroom, conservatory or whole living space. These units alone could increase the value of your property and considered a investment for the future.



This main features are as follows:

• Cooling and Heating ability
• Air purifying system
• Quiet operation
• Wireless controls
• De-Humidification ability
• Anti Bacterial Filter
• 24-Hour Timer
• Auto Restart option

Concealed units, typically installed during renovation works at a property, in ceiling cavities or floor units concealed by bespoke bookcases and enclosures. Conditioned air is discharged via bespoke air grilles a discreet subtle installation.

For further information on any of our product range or services for work or office use, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Sideboard Styles Made Easy: Storage Solutions Your Home Will Love

Whether you have inherited an old sideboard (and this wouldn’t be that surprising given how popular they once were) or have decided to get a new one, you might be wondering exactly what they are for. These long pieces of furniture that cling to the walls of a room can be used in countless ways and have a really positive design and practical effect on the house.

Traditionally, a sideboard was used in the dining room to store the crockery. Often it was the case that the everyday crockery was kept in the kitchen and only the good, ‘for use on special occasions’ stuff was kept in the sideboard, out of harm’s way.

These days the idea of having a ‘best crockery’ set is a little outdated. Which means that a lot of storage space has been freed up in the sideboard. The top surface is ideal for displaying ornaments or photographs. This long, flat surface provides a great focal point for centrepiece ornaments and the like. Or, if you’re looking for a more minimalist living space, keep the area clear.

The surface area also doubles up as both a buffet bar area and workspace. Often understated, the sideboard should fit into the room without getting in the way. It can be used for a multitude of other purposes, switching easily between them and offering great versatility.

The bottom storage section is perfect for toys if you have little ones. We know they love to get the toys out and play, so having a really convenient place to pack them away again quickly is very handy. If only you could get the little ones to do this without a fuss.

Sideboards are most often associated with the 50s and 60s (which explains why every grandma had one). However, don’t be fooled into thinking this was the only period they have been useful. The sideboard dates back to the 18th century and was considered an essential piece of furniture in French and French-style homes of the day. While it is true that its popularity has fluctuated since then, it is very definitely on the upwards curve again.

This is a guest post from Sainsbury’s. Just have a look at the wide range of sideboards available at Sainsbury’s and you’ll see for yourself.

Interior Design - Using Fondanot Products

Many people use Fondanot products to enhance the look of their homes. You can visit http://uk.fontanotshop.com to find quality staircases that will last a lifetime. These products are durable because they are made well. If you are looking for a way to make your home stand out, spiral staircases are a great choice. 

Fondanot spiral staircases can fit any stair measurements. Instead of spending a fortune paying someone else to build you a custom staircase, you can easily assembly these stairs yourself. Your home will look more luxurious and unique after you add a new set of designer stairs to it. You will be amazed at the difference nice stairs can make to your home's appearance, and these stairs are made to function properly too. You will be able to use them for many long years. 

You can choose from many different Fondanot products. There are many different styles to pick from. You can find the best looking staircases for your home whether you are looking for a modern design or a traditional look. This company offers something for everyone. 

Imagine how much better your home will look once you have installed a Fondanot spiral staircase into it. You can transform your home into something that is extraordinary. Pick out white or gray colored steel staircases or choose a more modern look with a bright red design or another color that you enjoy. You can pick out a staircase that will match your home's interior design and that will make it even better.

Using Oak to Make Your Home More Traditional

Oak has a rich history that can be dated back centuries – even as far back as ancient times – because of the sturdiness and supreme beauty of it. These trees have been used for a variety of purposes – home building, medicinal remedies, interior design, and more. Oak, particularly rustic oak furniture has a beautiful, vibrant history and adds a touch of sophistication to any room.

When it comes to designing the space that you call home, one of the best parts of using wood design is the individuality it brings to the space. While there may be oak furniture pieces that look alike, no piece is exactly the same. This is because of the unique grains that each section of wood brings to the overall piece. Oak has a distinctive look to it and it can even be described as enchanting or romantic when used in the right way.

Making it traditional

If you have more of an old-style design taste, you’ll probably gravitate to some more traditional oak designs. Consider your space and look at what you have to work with. Some parts of your home or apartment are fixed, but other parts you can design to make it your own. If you’re artistic, think about designing a front door or wall piece made of oak that can be used to enhance your living space. And don’t worry, you don’t have to be a carpenter – if you have a general idea of a design and present it to a carpenter as a potential project, you might be able to make your design a reality.

Or if this seems like too much of an undertaking, consider smaller furniture designs that you can incorporate into each room. For example, in the dining room area, find a rustic dining table that can add a touch of history and elegance to your home. Or, in the kitchen, look into adding an oak serving table. For the bedrooms, there are beautiful hand-made oak headboards or bed frames that can be used to add a clean, but historic look.

Combining traditional and modern

You don’t necessarily have to pick one design style or another. Many interior designers have successfully combined traditional and modern looks into something gorgeous and one of a kind. If your home has a more modern flair to it but you still wish to have some traditional accents, it’s easy to use small oak pieces to add more tradition in there. For instance, instead of getting a loveseat in the living room, find a couple of oak chairs or stools. Or, look for a large oak ottoman that you and your guests can use as a footrest or even a table.

Combining lighter color oaks with bright, modern fabrics is also a great way to combine the two types of designs together. There are thousands of fabrics on the market that can be an inspiration to crafting a special room. Or, if you live in a more traditional home with wood as the leading material, you can paint contrasting walls with white (or your favorite bright color) to make it into more of a modern, functional look.

Your home is your world and your escape, so make it into whatever you want. If wood designs are what speak to you, dive in and get designing. Wood designs truly deliver a message of power and beauty to a home. With the right combination of furniture and accents, your home can demonstrate the tradition, finesse, and style that you desire.

Granite Benchtop - Making the ultimate statement in kitchen design!

Kitchen is the heart of your home. Home owners desire granite Benchtops for supreme comfort, minimum maintenance and godly feeling of the natural stone. As observed, when a person from your friend or family enters the kitchen the first thing they notice is your beautiful and shining kitchen Benchtops. After its where majority of time is spent with families gathering, preparing tasty food and most of all entertaining life.

Granite Benchtops is preferred due to its high-price feature. It is perceived that despite presence similar in color, shape and size, some granite Benchtops are higher than others. Handling of natural stone is completed in various ways and stones which are crafted first are cheaper than those which come with more efforts. Then the price of the stone is dependent upon the amount of labor introduced in quarrying natural stone.

To save big amounts of money when renovating kitchens, you have the option of resurfacing your granite counter top. Instead of building a new granite bench top, you can simply remove the old counter top surface and have a brand new counter top. This option is considered to save you upto 70% in cost compared to getting a complete new granite benchtop.

Granite is preferred for its looks, maintained year after year with little efforts. Its usability is class apart. One can cut any amount of vegetables on the Benchtops and it will not show any mark. There is no problem in keeping containers with hot liquids on the stone as there will be no marks out of hot or cold surface. Besides, granite can be cleaned with a clean cloth regularly and the kitchen Benchtops will look as beautiful as installed on its first day.

Imitated granite is available in the market, but these are not successful as they begin to show wear and tear and show burn marks on them within no time. These are eventually replaced for their diminished looks, overtime. These Benchtops pose a problem for home owners who are deprived of looks and usability by installing imitated granite. Professionals are called time and again to sand and re-polish worktop, time and again.

Professional granite merchants have an expertise in assisting customers to buy the right material as per their budget and preferences. Customers are at ease to furnish granite kitchens with proper Benchtops, flooring and wall-cladding. Granite merchants are more than eager to advise customers with proper material, design and technical assistance.

Some people prefer marble over granite as they find marble more attractive. However, marble deteriorates after some time. In kitchens, it shows food-marks and in bathrooms, it shows water-marks, diminishing the effect of natural stone. Granite, on the contrary, shines as bright as during installation even after decades of installation. There is a large collection of granite Benchtops to choose from. Customers have the facility to avail first-hand designer services for granite for kitchen Benchtops. A designer works in close proximity of customer to maximize the functionality and cast a luxurious look to the place, within the prescribed budget.

Author Bio – This article has been written by James on behalf of IB Granite Benchtops Australia , pioneers in installing and supplying stone products to the building industry and private sector in Victoria. If you wish to makes the ultimate statement in kitchen design whether in the form of Benchtops, Vanity a kitchen island, or a piece of freestanding furniture; it can be the finishing touch of your kitchen‘s dream contact ibgranite.com.au