Monday, December 4, 2023

Metrotile - Tiles for Conservatory roof conversions

 

Metrotile: The Perfect Roofing Solution for Your Home

 

When it comes to choosing the right roofing material for your home, there are several factors to consider. You want something that is not only durable and long-lasting but also aesthetically pleasing. That's where Metrotile comes in. Metrotile is a leading manufacturer of high-quality roofing solutions that offer the perfect blend of functionality and style. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of choosing Metrotile for your home.


1. Durability: One of the key advantages of Metrotile roofing is its exceptional durability. Made from high-quality steel, these tiles are designed to withstand even the harshest weather conditions. Whether it's heavy rain, strong winds, or extreme temperatures, Metrotile roofs are built to last. This means you can have peace of mind knowing that your home is protected for years to come.

 

2. Low Maintenance: Unlike traditional roofing materials such as asphalt shingles or clay tiles, Metrotile requires minimal maintenance. The tiles are coated with a special protective layer that prevents the growth of moss, algae, and other organic matter. This means you won't have to spend hours cleaning or repairing your roof. Simply hose it down occasionally, and it will look as good as new.

 

3. Energy Efficiency: Another advantage of Metrotile roofing is its energy-efficient properties. The tiles are designed to reflect heat, keeping your home cool in the summer and reducing the need for excessive air conditioning. This can lead to significant energy savings and lower utility bills. Additionally, Metrotile roofs are also great for insulation, helping to keep your home warm during the colder months.

 

4. Aesthetics: In addition to its functional benefits, Metrotile also offers a wide range of styles and colors to choose from. Whether you prefer a traditional look or a more modern design, there is a Metrotile option to suit your taste. The tiles are available in various profiles, including slate, wood shake, and Mediterranean, allowing you to achieve the desired aesthetic for your home.

 

5. Environmentally Friendly: If you're conscious about reducing your carbon footprint, Metrotile is an excellent choice. The tiles are made from recyclable materials and are themselves fully recyclable at the end of their lifespan. By choosing Metrotile, you're not only investing in a sustainable roofing solution but also contributing to a greener future.

 

In conclusion, Metrotile offers a range of benefits that make it the perfect roofing solution for your home. From its durability and low maintenance to its energy efficiency and aesthetic appeal, Metrotile ticks all the boxes. So, if you're in the market for a new roof, consider Metrotile and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a high-quality, long-lasting, and stylish roofing solution.


Metrotile

Check out our other post regarding conservatory roof conversions below:
http://architecturalservicesandproducts.blogspot.com/2022/11/conservatory-roof-conversion.html

 

Sunday, December 3, 2023

Hiring an Architect and when to appoint them

 

When is the best time to hire an Architect?

If you are considering an extension, alterations, conversions, or a new build house then you should be considering hiring an Architect/ Architectural Technician.

Lean to extension with large sliding doors and VELUX rooflights
Architect plan of a Lean-to extension

There are various reasons for when to hire an Architect, such as what type of project it is i.e. if it’s a garage conversion then these types of projects are not really weather dependent, however you don’t want to build an extension to your property in the winter as frost/cold weather can affect concrete for foundations, laying brickwork and even Health & Safety.

With everything to consider such as the Architects time to measure, draw up plans, submit the paperwork and gain approvals can take 10-20 weeks, meanwhile trying to obtain tenders and appoint a contractor for doing the works can take considerable time as well.

This is why we would recommend if you were looking to do an extension to your property in the summer, then you should be starting the process with an Architect in the winter time, as even though your plans can be approved within 8-20 weeks, most good builders wont be able to start as soon as they are approved either.

How much will my project cost?

Most builders won’t be willing to provide accurate costs until the plans are drawn up and a technical specification is provided, especially if there is steelwork etc involved.

A rough guide is calculating m2 price for your project without plans, which the Local Authority calculate the estimated costs as per the table below.

Councils m2 estimated values

Most Architects may have good relationships with local contractors and can normally provide you with contact details for them. This is normally a good approach as the contractors would be more confident that the Architects work will be accurate and experience of reading the Architects drawings (most Architects have their own style).

How to choose the Architect?

A good indication that an Architect is worth appointing is…. how busy is the Architect (if they are busy then they must be doing something right). You can check on the Local Authority planning websites to check what projects they have recently been submitting and obtaining approvals. Also checking their website and social media pages for client reviews.

We would always suggest speaking to 2-3 Architects/Architectural Technicians regarding your project, however recommendations from friends and family are normally a good start. You need to choose an architect, not only based on price but also one that you feel understands your requirements, as you are going to be communicating on a regular basis with them….and they could be designing your biggest asset (your home).

Feel free to check out our other blogs.

https://architecturalservicesandproducts.blogspot.com/2022/12/different-stages-of-planning-permission.html
#architectsfees #architectblog #whentohireanarchitect

Monday, June 12, 2023

WHAT A SELF-EMPLOYED ARCHITECT/ARCHITECTURAL TECHNICIAN DOES ON A DAILY BASIS?

WHAT DOES AN ARCHITECT/ARCHITECTURAL TECHNICIAN DOES ON A DAILY BASIS?

In this latest blog, we are going to explain what is involved in a typical day of working as a self-employed Architect/Architectural Technician (Okay, maybe not every Architect, however from my experience this is the case).

A typical day starts at 5am…make a coffee and get to work for an hour or two before the kids wake.

Sometimes…. I will do some sketching; however, this is when I can get caught up with emails and even do some invoicing until 7:30am.

Time to go to the office for 9am, where we will have a coffee while going over the projects with the staff and set priorities for that day.

9:30-10am, its either time to visit a client’s property for a measured survey or a consultation.

Back to the office to file the survey and in to the to do list before lunch time, which is normally on-the-go so anything messy is not a great idea.

After lunch…. a few quotations from the enquiries/consultations from today/yesterday.

1pm, it's time to do some further information requests from the local building standards departments, which can range from additional sections, details, more information to specification or just chasing up information from 3rd parties such as structural engineers.

Between 4-5pm we will upload the additional information to the portal (where all plans get sent to Local Authority) of the various jobs and answer some emails/any missed telephone calls.

7pm and its time to start again until about 10pm, which on occasion I will find myself doing work on the floor of a basketball court while one of my children are training, in a hotel room or at home.

In between all this there will be phone calls, messages, emails, site visits, changes to sketches, banking, payroll, and general office duties.

If you are thinking about being an Architect/Architectural Technician, then remember it’s not all just drawing, however there is nothing better than seeing something built that you have drawn on paper and worked so hard to obtain the permissions.

How and why would you convert your garage?

GARAGE CONVERSIONS As an Architectural Technician for many years and surveyed 100’s of garages all over Scotland…. we have found a common th...