Here is some information you may want to know about corner beads.
What are corner beads?
A corner bead is a metal material that is used on the corner where the two ends of a drywall meet. This creates a sharp and polished finish. Corner beading makes the edges strong to prevent any type of damage.
Do you have to use corner beads?
Yes. You should always use a corner bead for internal corners. However, external corners only need to be beaded if they have been rendered.
What is a rendered wall?
Rendering is applying cement on the external walls of a building to create a smooth or textured look.
What is the difference between rendering and plastering?
Plastering is for internal walls whereas rendering involves around external walls.
How do you get a corner bead to stay in place?
This needs to be firmly in place and affix with drywall screws.
When it comes to searching for the perfect property, many people are unsure about what a maisonette is. This results in property buyers being hesitant and skeptical about purchasing a maisonette. If this is how you feel, read on to find out the advantages and disadvantages of these buildings.
What is a maisonette?
A maisonette is a self-contained living area/ flat, with its own private entrance. Maisonettes are commonly located above shops, offices, garages, or on top of ground floor maisonettes.
Now you have an understanding of what a maisonette is, let’s get into some of the advantages and disadvantages of the buildings.
The advantages of a maisonette –
Nice amount of living space
If you are living by yourself or have a small family maisonette can provide the perfect space. They are usually a bit bigger than a flat but smaller than a house.
They are a more affordable option
Purchasing a maisonette is usually a more affordable option than buying a house. Similarly, maisonettes share some qualities with flats. If you were to carve out the space of a maisonette in a block of flats, a maisonette would be about 20-25% cheaper than the equivalent space in that block.
Able to have more privacy
As we mentioned in the definition, maisonettes have their own private entrance, rather than a shared one. Many owners like this because it gives them privacy and personal space.
Furthermore, the disadvantages are –
Shared facilities
There are some disadvantages to take into account when purchasing any property. One of the main ones for a maisonette is shared driveways and gardens, with the neighbours. This can cause issues for some people especially when it comes to parking.
Difficult to get a mortgage
Although it’s not impossible to get a mortgage on a maisonette, it is often not an easy process. The criteria are generally stricter than those of a typical house mortgage. However, if you’re planning to buy with cash, it shouldn’t be an issue.
Noisy neighbours
If you live in the ground floor maisonette, then there is always a chance of having noisy upstairs neighbours walking above you.
A front extension is commonly seen as a porch. They allow you to add depth and dimension to the front of your home. Whilst shielding it from the elements and adding it for aesthetic purposes.
Front House Extension Rules to Follow –
Some of the rules are as follows:
The size of the house extension should not be greater than the land around the house.
You can make an extension higher than the existing roof.
You need to make sure that the materials you are using are the same.
If your house is situated near the public highway; you cannot build an extension under permitted development rights.
Reasons to extend the front of your home –
Adding a front extension will increase the value of your home. In the UK single-storey extensions are a popular choice and can add up to 5 – 8% value to the property.
If you are looking for more space, it is cheaper to extend your house rather than buy a new one.
Extending the front of your house is often the easiest type of extension. It doesn’t require you to move out of your home. As well as, it may not affect major rooms in the house.
Will you need planning permission –
Whenever you plan to add an extension, there are some rules that you need to follow. Like any other house extension, there are some limits on how high, wide, and far you can go. If the design does not comply with these rules, then you have to apply for planning permission.
Permitted development rules for a front extension –
Does not front onto the road
A single storey
Is at most three meters out from the original house
Is not more than half the width of the original house
It does not mean that this process is negative. It is just difficult and can make your project stressful. Furthermore, it can take many weeks to complete and will cost you extra money. Anyhow, if you are following the rules then you can skip this process and build an extension. You can add a room to the front of your house without any worry.
The rules with this type of extension are very strict. The reason is that you are extending towards the front of the house. It means towards a public highway and hence there are stringent rules.
A location plan is a document that may be required by a planning authority, as a part of a planning application. A location plan provides an illustration of the proposed development in its surrounding area.
It must be based on a up to date map and at an identified standard metric scale.
A site location plan should include:
A 1:250 or 1:2500 scale
A red line marked up to show where planning is sought, or with a blued line to show any other property owned on the plan.
A larger area of land than a ‘block plan’. (Often called a ‘site plan’)
The general locality of a site requiring planning consent
Mapping features like property outlines, roads, and other geographical boundaries
A north point and copyright information.
Will you need a location plan?
Most planning applications need a location plan which shows the proposal in its surrounding context.
How much does a location plan cost?
In addition, locations plans can vary on costs depending on the scale chosen, the mapping chosen, and the company. A plan at 1:1250 scale typically costs between £8 and £20. Whereas, a 1:2500 scale plan costs between £55 and £75.
The difference between a location plan and a site plan –
A location plan is different from a site plan, which is specifically focused on providing more detail of the development within the site boundaries. However, a block plan may give a slightly wider illustration of the immediate area surrounding the site.
How to get a plan –
If you are unsure about what you need or how to apply for a locations plan, you can get in contact with Pro Arkitects and we will be able to help. Furthermore, use the contact us button down below and a member of our staff will be able to advise and assist you.
Are you looking for easy ways to increase your house value without extending it? Then read on for the best rooms to renovate, to bring up the value of your house.
Kitchen renovations –
Kitchen renovations are one of the most popular projects to do. Every home buyer will always look out for how the kitchen looks because it is known to be the heart of the home. Nowadays, like most things, the modern style kitchens are most wanted. You can increase the value a little bit by working on cupboard doors making the kitchen look better. Having new sleek doors can open the place up and create a whole new atmosphere. However, you can increase the value by a big some by working on the worktops and tiling, or even adding new kitchen appliances. A kitchen renovation can raise the value up to 12%. However, before you begin make sure you have planned this correctly as this can take time and be expensive.
Bathroom renovations –
Another popular choice is to renovate your bathroom. Much like the kitchen, many people want to modernise the bathroom because they often come with outdated appliances. This can increase the value of your home to around 7-8% however if this is done incorrectly it can decrease the value of your home by a lot. When renovating a bathroom, you should take into consideration the trends people want. For example, wet rooms, marbled surfaces, or stream-lined storage. Little things like that can raise the value.
Renovating the bedroom –
After a long day, the bedroom is the only place people want to be. So, it is important to have a space where you feel comfortable and relaxed. This is why when it comes to renovating you want to make this room enjoyable. As well as, if you are planning to have an open house for potential buyers, they will most likely be more interested in the house if it is decorated nicely.
An area of outstanding natural beauty is land protected by the Countryside and rights of way act 2000 (CROW Act). It protects the land to conserve and enhance its natural beauty. The CROW Act sets out the roles and responsibilities that different organisations must follow to manage AONBs.
How many areas of outstanding natural beauty are there?
There are 46 AONB in the throughout England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Areas of natural beauty cover about 18% of the UK countryside.
No other country in the world has Areas of outstanding natural beauty.
Are AONB and national parks the same?
So, national parks are legally obliged to provide public recreational opportunities. Whereas, areas of natural beauty are not. In addition, Natural England is responsible for designing AONBs in England and advising the government and others on how they should be protected and managed.
What is the largest AONB?
The largest AONB is the Cotswolds, which is 787 square miles. However, the smallest AONB is the Isle of Scilly, which is 6.2 square miles.
Where are the UK’s areas of outstanding natural beauty?
Many people wonder when the best time of year to start construction and build a home is. Out of all of the seasons, spring is usually the best time to start your project. However, materials are often cheaper in the autumn or winter, this is because there is less demand.
Why is spring the best time to build?
There are multiple reasons why spring is the perfect time to start building your dream home. Here is a list of the reasons:
The weather is better –
In spring the weather is getting warmer and the skies stay clear which is perfect for working outdoors. Because of this, there will be fewer issues when it comes to the logistics and building of your construction projects. Whereas, if you start your project in the winter, the cold, wet, and harsh weather conditions can make it difficult for the builders to work. Starting a project in the colder weather is also not ideal for you as a homeowner because you are open to the elements, and it could take longer because of delays.
The days are longer –
Due to daylight saving times, in spring you get more hours of sunlight to work with. This is easier for builders because if they get behind schedule, they are able to work later without the worry of it getting dark. The longer the days the faster the project will be completed. So, doing construction in the spring/ summer is beneficial for both the homeowner and the contractors.
Get a head start on the build –
Summer is generally the busiest time of year for contractors and builders. So, the longer you wait and put off the construction the harder it will be to find contractors. This is why spring is the perfect time to start scheduling contractors, electricians, plumbers, etc.
Tree surgery is a highly specialised job that requires evidence of the correct knowledge, skills, and experience. A tree surgeon carries out various work on trees, including identifying hazards, assessing the tree’s health, planting, felling, pruning, and maintenance.
The difference between an arborist and a tree surgeon –
What is arboriculture?
Arboriculture is the cultivation, management, and study of individual trees, shrubs, vines, and other woody plants.
Although many people think the two jobs are the same, they’re actually quite different. An arborist requires more formal education, in order to be certified, they must go through extensive training. Such as,
Firstly. courses in tree biology, tree growth patterns, and much more
A long certification program with the international society of arboriculture
Pass the final exam after the program
Finally, continue with ongoing education to maintain certification
The arborist assesses the trees and their condition. If the trees are showing signs of a disease or insect infestation, the arborist is able to diagnose it and create a treatment plan.
Whereas a tree surgeon may not have as many requirements as an arborist, they still require extensive experience and knowledge. Tree surgery must be performed by a trained hand. Tree surgeons are responsible for accurate removal. They know how to cut down trees so it doesn’t damage nearby buildings or other trees.
Generally, an arborist will take their diagnosis and give it to a tree surgeon, who will take the course of the treatment.
Tree protection orders (TPOs)
Some trees have TPOs placed on them by local authorities, to ensure the responsible management of trees in the area. To carry out any work on the trees, permission must be sought out from the local authority before work commences. Any trees in conservation areas must be treated the same as those with TPOs.
A TPO makes it a criminal offense to cause or permit someone to cut down or uproot trees protected by that order, without the local authority’s permission. Anyone found guilty of such an offense is liable to prosecution, and an unlimited fine.
How much is a TPO fine?
The maximum fine for destroying trees is £20,000. And it costs £2500 for anyone who doesn’t completely destroy trees but has carried out some other works without consent.
If you are looking to add more space to your Ashford home then a loft conversion can be a great option. However, if you are unsure if you will need planning permission then read on for further information.
Here are a few things you should know and research before installing a loft conversion:
Most loft conversions are considered permitted development, which means you won’t need to get planning permission as long as the building work fits a certain criterion. So, if you go for a simple conversion, you wouldn’t need to worry. Although, you will need to get planning permission if your plans exceed certain limits and conditions. For example, extending or altering the roof space beyond its current boundaries.
However, if you live in the following you will have to apply for planning permission
Flats
Maisonettes
Converted houses
Houses created through the permitted development right to change use
Non-dwelling buildings
Homes in areas where there may be restrictions that limits the permitted development rights.
You shouldn’t need planning in Ashford if you follow these conditions:
Firstly, the extension doesn’t go higher than the highest part of the roof
The materials are similar in appearance to the existing house
The extension doesn’t reach beyond the outermost part of the existing roof slope at the front of the house
Your house is not on designated land. Such as, national parks, conservation areas, areas of outstanding natural beauty and world heritage sites.
The roof enlargement doesn’t overhang the outer face of the wall of the original house.
Side facing window openings are 1.7m or more above the floor
Finally, your head height is above 2.2m
If you are still unsure if you need planning permission then you can contact us here. Feel free to ask any questions and get helpful and informative advice.
The main differences between commercial and residential –
A commercial building is a building that is used for commercial use and not used as a residence. Such as,
Firstly, industrial facilities
warehouses
business establishments.
Land investments
Office buildings
Storage units
Whereas, residential construction is where living accommodation is built. For example,
apartments
Flat
Detached homes
Condominiums
Townhouses
Finally, housing cooperatives
The differences of Building materials –
Every building design calls for different building materials. This means that each project will require a unique set of materials in terms of quality and quantity.
The materials used for residential properties can differ majorly compared to those used on commercial property. Most homes are made of timber frame construction since it is considered more affordable and can be structurally strong. However, most commercial buildings require steel and other complex building materials.
The differencess in Cost –
The costs for residential and commercial development vary massively. The cost differences are not only from the materials but also costs related to overhead, labour, and equipment.
Funding for commercial and residential construction is completed using different protocols.
People pay for commercial construction by:
A corporation with bank financing
A government agency
A wealthy owner or developer
Whereas, some people pay for residential construction by::
Bank loans
Insurance loan
Cash
Government agency/ non-profit
Codes and permitting –
In addition, both commercial and residential properties require permits and building codes. The regulations in commercial property construction are greater and are generally stricter than residential construction.
Commercial construction projects have pre-set guidelines regarding the materials used. The laws are enacted to ensure that the following aspects of the structures are addressed.
Firstly, electrical systems
Plumbing
Construction materials
Size
Design
Techniques for construction
Following these requirements until the end will benefit the project in the long run. Safety is important for both residential and commercial structures.
