Diagram outlining a conventional boiler system.

One slightly confusing aspect of boiler systems is the use of the term “condensing”. The major difference between a condensing and standard boiler is that the condensing boiler captures some of the heat that would otherwise be lost, meaning less energy is lost in the process of heating the water. Since 2005, all new boilers that are installed must be condensing boilers, and so whatever kind of boiler you buy it will invariably be of this type. As a condensing boiler it will have either an A or B rating for energy efficiency, putting it at over 88% efficient, and saving you a substantial amount of money in the long run.

The three types of boilers that are available for your home are the conventional boiler, the system boiler and the combination boiler; the pros and cons of which will be outlined below.

Conventional Boiler System – This style is also known as the open vent or the regular boiler, and works on the principle of storing water in tanks located in the loft, while heating the water in a cylinder that is usually found in an airing cupboard. Due to the space required for this system, it is not really suitable for smaller houses or bungalows, and as the water requires time to heat up there is also the danger of running out of hot water and having to wait for it to reheat. Apart from these problems, the system is capable of providing constant water pressure throughout the house, regardless of how many taps are being used at the same time.

System Boiler – Also known as the sealed system, this is similar to the conventional boiler system, but without the need for a separate water tank in the loft. There is a need for a water cylinder in the airing cupboard, and so once more this system is not suited to houses where space is an issue. Apart from this, the system boiler can provide constant pressure hot water throughout the house from multiple sources; but again there is a limit to how much hot water can be used before the system must reheat the water.

Combination Boiler– Frequently referred to as the combi boiler, this is the more modern option when it comes to installing a boiler system in your home. There are no water cylinders or tanks needed, and so they are suitable for every size of house, although this has its own problems in that water pressure can drop when more than one tap is used to provide hot water. The benefit of a combination boiler is that the hot water is instant and infinite, no matter how long you run the tap, shower or bath for; and so this makes it perfect for large families who will be using a large amount of hot water in a short period of time.

With a system boiler, there is no tank in the loft.

The prices of these systems can vary from £500 to £2000, and all depends on the size of the boiler you require and the work that needs carrying out to install it. The best idea would be to call in a professional and have them provide you with a quotation, so that you know exactly how much you will need to pay. No matter where you live, whether you are looking for plumbers in North London, Glasgow or Manchester, you will be able to find a reputable, reliable and expertly knowledgeable plumber who will be more than happy to offer the complete service from quotation to installation. Just make sure they are Gas Safe Registered before you let them start their work! You can enter the company’s post code or company name into the Gas Safe website, and this will let you know straight away whether they hold the necessary qualifications to carry out the service you require.

Natural stone can be used throughout your home.

If you are looking to revamp your house, there are a few options available to you. Only natural stone can be used around the house in many different areas and forms, including floors, worktops, cladding, and roofing; even in the garden to provide beautiful landscaping.

Many companies in England can provide natural stone for your home, including Burlington Stone, www.burlingtonstone.co.uk, who mine all of their materials in quarries located in the Lake District. When you contact a company who specialise in the manufacture and installation of natural stone, you will be able to decide the exact colour and finish of your stone to ensure you are completely happy with what you are getting.

Stone has many excellent advantages over other materials, for with what other material could you boast a hardwearing, water resistant, reasonably priced and sanitary result? Natural stone also has a non uniform look to it, as it is a purely natural material, and so you will not end up with a standard, plain finish. Many households now have a bathroom or kitchen floor that is made up of natural stone tiles, I have one myself, and I can vouch for their ease of cleaning, great look and hardiness!

A great look as well as hardwearing, only with natural stone.

For traditional roofing, stone is the only way forward. If you look at the roof of any grand, old building you will be likely to find a slate roof, and it is only with this material that you get the contrast of roof and sky that adds to the visual impact of the structure.

Landscaping opens up a wide range of possibilities for stone, as it can be used for a patio, in a rockery, as part of a water feature or a hundred other places! The uses are almost endless, and are as vast as your imagination.

Gate Materials

Whilst the majority of gates are constructed from either timber or metal, in recent years many manufacturers have turned to alternate materials such as aluminium due to the fact they are lighter in weight and will require less maintenance because they do not rust or rot when left exposed to the elements for long periods of time.

Metal gates are popular amongst many styles of property and are very effective at preventing unwanted intruders from gaining access to your property. For driveway gates, home owners usually prefer the gates to be around 6ft high to make them difficult to climb. Added design features such as spear tops not only add design but will also put off people climbing the gates for fear of becoming impaled on the top.

To make metal gates durable, they tend to be either galvanised or zinc plated. Where garden gates are simply made of raw metal, the best option is to apply a coat of good quality primer as soon as possible once the gates have been installed to prevent rusting from occurring. Alternatively, some styles of garden gates can be specified to be powder coated in the factory so that all is required is to simply install the gates and the job is done.

In comparison, wooden gates will require much more maintenance to keep them looking their best. If timber is left exposed to the weather for long periods they will start to rot therefore most homeowners looking for a maintenance free option will tend to steer towards metal as the material of choice.

Again, like metal gates, a wooden garden gate or driveway gate is available in a number of styles depending upon the look the homeowner desires. Timber gates will vary in cost greatly depending upon the species of wood they are made from. Softwoods will be at the lower end of the price scale whilst hardwood gates will be at the top end with prices being at a premium. It will therefore pay to shop around to see the best deals available for your chosen gate designs and sizes.

Gate Designs

With literally hundreds of designs available to select from, ranging from modern garden gates to traditional driveway gates, home owners can turn their ideas into reality at a reasonably affordable price. When selecting the design you require, remember that if the gates are highly visible from the street then they will need to fit in with the homes architectural style.

One final point to note is that when looking to install new gates to the home, you need to consider if the structure you plan to hang the gates off is strong enough. Gates are heavy and if in any doubt you should consult a builder who will inform you if you are required to install new metal posts or timber posts that will support the weight.