Shows
Whether you are thinking about your dream extension, or you are in the middle of a project, or you just like to keep up to date with what’s new in building, it’s good to take time to visit building and home shows, where you can see products, touch finishes, feel the weight of bi-fold doors in real life. Make a weekend of it, take the kids, or pop in for a couple of hours if it’s round the corner. Here are some websites to keep an eye on….
- National Homebuilding & Renovating Show: https://national.homebuildingshow.co.uk
- Grand Designs Live: https://www.granddesignslive.com
- Ideal Home Show: https://www.idealhomeshow.co.uk
- Pride Road: https://www.prideroad.co.uk/ideal-home-show/
There are also Stores around the country that showcase a range of suppliers
- Material Source in Manchester: https://www.materialsource.co.uk/studio/
- Building Centre in London: https://www.buildingcentre.co.uk
Websites and Stores
Below is a list of websites and stores located around the country that offer a variety of products. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list, but it may be helpful for those looking to explore different options:
External Doors:
- Crittal style aluminium doors, French doors with side lights: https://www.prideroad.co.uk/casestudy/semi-detached-house-extension-in-heaton-chapel-stockport/
- Bi fold doors express: https://www.expressbifolds.co.uk
- Crittal is the Superbrands of steel doors – gorgeous but very expensive. If you want steel doors, don’t go for an inferior brand: https://www.crittall-windows.co.uk
- Sliding doors are popular: https://www.prideroad.co.uk/casestudy/a-dramatic-upgrade-to-a-1950s-detached-house-in-bollington/
- Bifold doors are popular: https://www.prideroad.co.uk/casestudy/can-you-extend-a-linked-detached-house-in-bramhall/
Internal Doors:
There are several types of internal doors. if you live in period properties, either victorian or 1930s. Then you are likely to have doors in those styles whether original, reclaimed or new in the original style. They will either be varnished timber or painted. If you need new doors then you can get new doors to match. https://www.prideroad.co.uk/internal-door-options/
- Victorian will be a 4 panel door, 2 at the top and 2 at the bottom.
- 1930s have a single upper panel and 3 long thin rectangular panels below. – The top panels on both Victorian and 1930s can be glazed.
- If you have a 1950s house the style will be similar to the 1930s
- If you have a 1960s house the doors were likely to be flush veneered doors, so they look like flat doors in wood. – They might have been painted with beading stuck onto to emulate a period door.
- 1980s doors are a 6 panel door-like a Victorian door but with an extra 2 panels at the top, they look quite heavy on a short door!
- 1990s onwards were flush doors, sometimes with grooves to add detail in a range of veneers, or in oak, or painted.
- 2020s Crittal style is a trend for internal doors, 4 or 5 horizontal panels, fully glazed with thin frames, generally painted black. The glass can be clear, or reeded. Original Crittal is steel, but these internal doors are generally fabricated from wood. Acoya is a strong wood used for this purpose.
- suppliers include – Interior doors Manchester: Door World: https://www.doorworld.co.uk
Which category do your doors fit into or have you got something else? We are always looking for Inspo.
Roof lights:
- Always check that the roof light and the flashing is appropriate to the pitch.
- Some companies provide roof lights that can’t be used within 5 km of the sea.
- Some planning departments and conservation areas require conservation roof lights and the options are below
- Velux, is the brand leader in roof lights.
- Colour to match roofing materials
Velux roof lights:
- Heritage roof light, https://resources.velux.co.uk/heritage
- very slim gorgeous, suitable for conservation areas, pitch 20 degrees to 65mm, top hung, can’t be used for escape – but can use standard conservation windows for escape.
- cost 780 x 1180 Heritage window standard £848 and £142 for flashing – list price
- standard conservation manual top hung £700 and £178 for recessed flashing – list price
- standard roof light black every day £733 including flashing
- triple glazed mk06 £662 and £178 for flashing
- normal grey window £424 and £178 recessed flashing or £117 for normal flashings.
Options:
- automatic opening and electric openings
- either white or pine inside.
- can be fitted with blinds
Flat roof lights:
- Velux Vario, options include automatic opening, walk on, opening or fixed https://vario.velux.com
Ceilings:
- Exposed Beams https://www.prideroad.co.uk/casestudy/hip-to-gable-loft-conversion-to-1930s-semi/
- https://www.prideroad.co.uk/casestudy/an-orange-kitchen-extension-in-winsford-cheshire/
- Vaulted ceiling https://www.prideroad.co.uk/casestudy/doubling-the-size-of-a-1980s-house-in-wilmslow/
Wall finishes:
- Brick internal walls: https://www.prideroad.co.uk/casestudy/hale-barns-cheshire-stunning-detached-house-transformation/
- Wallpaper Lust Home Wallpaper – Unique Home Decor
Tiles:
- Fired earth https://www.firedearth.com
- Topps tiles https://www.toppstiles.co.uk
- Porcelanosa https://www.porcelanosa.com/uk/
- Mandarin Stone https://www.mandarinstone.com/
Windows:
- Ground floor windows are best matching in colour: https://www.prideroad.co.uk/casestudy/an-orange-kitchen-extension-in-winsford-cheshire/
- Black frames are popular:
Blinds:
- Jennys blinds https://www.jennysblinds.co.uk
- Reynolds blinds https://www.reynoldsblinds.net
Garden:
- Think about the amount of patio/deck and new turf needed.
Heating:
- Should you choose Underfloor Heating or Radiators for your home? https://www.prideroad.co.uk/should-you-choose-underfloor-heating-or-radiators-for-your-extension/
Lighting:
- Take drawings to Lighting by Lit Bramhall: https://www.lightingfromlit.co.uk
Flooring:
- LVT luxury vinyl tile – Karndean or Amtico were the household brand, but now there are others in the marketplace
- Laminate – cheap and cheerful
- Wood – engineered wood
- Other materials are available! Look at Marmoleum, rubber, bamboo
- For hard floors
- Ceramic tile – tops tiles
- Porcelain – mandarine stone
- Encaustic – fired earth will have nice ones
- Stone – slate, travertine,
- Quarry tiles – Swedecor Lisbon are a nice range of through colour mat tiles
- Terrazzo
Kitchens:
- Ikea if you want to manage the kitchen installation!
- Howdens the Builders favourite https://www.howdens.com
- Wren – reviews vary
- Plykea https://www.plykea.com
- DIY kitchens https://www.diy-kitchens.com
The following are in the North West:
- Appleton kitchens in Cheadle https://appletonkitchens.co.uk
- Byles in Bramhall https://byle.co.uk
- Design by Helium https://www.designbyhelium.co.uk
- Wood and Wire Hebden bridge https://woodandwire.co.uk
Utility Rooms:
Have a look at this post we wrote earlier! All I want is a Utility Room!
Bathrooms:
- small bathroom tips https://www.prideroad.co.uk/casestudy/creating-a-second-bathroom-in-a-1930s-house-for-a-blended-family/
Toilet/wcs:
- Pedestal WC: A pedestal WC, also known as a floor-mounted toilet, is a toilet fixture that sits on the bathroom floor and has a visible pedestal or base that supports the toilet bowl and the cistern. The cistern is usually mounted on top of the toilet bowl and is visible.
- Back to wall WC: A back to wall WC is designed to be installed flush against a bathroom wall. Unlike a pedestal WC, the cistern of a back to wall WC is hidden behind the wall, leaving only the toilet bowl visible.
- Wall hung WC: A wall hung WC is a toilet fixture that is attached directly to the bathroom wall, with the toilet bowl suspended off the ground. The cistern is usually hidden inside the wall, similar to a back to wall WC.
Sinks:
- Semi-recessed sink: As previously mentioned, a semi-recessed sink is partially installed into a vanity or countertop, with the front of the sink protruding out from the countertop. This type of sink is ideal for small bathrooms where space is limited or for those who want to maximize counter space.
- Recessed sink: A recessed sink, also known as an undermount sink, is installed underneath the countertop, with the rim of the sink flush with the countertop surface. This type of sink is popular in modern bathroom designs and provides a streamlined look with easy-to-clean surfaces.
- Sit-on sink: A sit-on sink, also known as a drop-in sink, is installed into a hole cut into the countertop, with the rim of the sink resting on the surface of the countertop. This type of sink is easy to install and can be replaced without replacing the entire countertop.
- Wall-hung sink: A wall-hung sink is mounted directly onto the wall without the use of a countertop or vanity. This type of sink is ideal for small bathrooms where space is limited and provides a clean, modern look.
- Belfast sink: A Belfast sink, also known as a Butler sink, is a large, rectangular sink with a deep basin that is traditionally used for washing large items such as clothes or dishes. This type of sink is typically made of ceramic or fireclay and is often installed in a traditional or country-style kitchen.
Shower trays:
- Standard shower tray: This is a traditional shower tray that is designed to be used with a shower enclosure. It is usually made of acrylic or stone resin and comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.
- Low profile shower tray: This type of shower tray is designed to be flush with the floor, creating a sleek, minimalist look in the bathroom. It is often made of acrylic or stone resin and is available in a variety of sizes and shapes.
- Walk-in shower tray: This is a low profile shower tray that is designed to be used with a walk-in shower enclosure. It typically has a gently sloping gradient to help water drain away and is available in various shapes and sizes.
- Wetroom shower tray: This type of shower tray is designed to be used in a wetroom, where the bathroom floor is completely waterproofed. It is often made of stone resin or stainless steel and can be either flush with the floor or slightly raised.
- Custom shower tray: This type of shower tray is designed to be customized to fit specific bathroom dimensions and requirements. It can be made from a variety of materials, including acrylic, stone resin, and stainless steel.
Baths:
- Standard bath: This is a traditional bathtub that is designed for use in most bathrooms. It is usually made of acrylic or fiberglass and comes in a variety of sizes and shapes.
- Corner bath: This type of bath is designed to fit into the corner of a bathroom, saving space while providing a luxurious bathing experience. It typically has a triangular shape and is available in both modern and traditional styles.
- Freestanding bath: A freestanding bath is a bathtub that is not attached to a wall or any other surface. It is often considered a luxury item and can be made of materials such as acrylic, cast iron, or stone.
- Whirlpool bath: A whirlpool bath is a bathtub that has built-in jets that provide a massaging effect while you bathe. It can help relieve stress and tension in the muscles, making it a popular choice for those who want a spa-like experience at home.
- Shower bath: This type of bath is designed with a shower screen attached to one end, allowing it to be used as both a shower and a bathtub. It is an ideal choice for those who want the convenience of a shower and the relaxation of a bath.
- Walk-in bath: A walk-in bath is designed for those with mobility issues or disabilities. It has a door that allows the bather to step in and out of the tub without having to climb over the side, making it a safer and more accessible option.
