Expansion Of The Concrete Network

Expansion of The Concrete Network

As the UK’s largest independent concrete supply network, The Concrete Network (TCN) has been working hard to bolster its strong start – and build towards an even stronger future.

Developing the network

After moving to our new offices on 21st April 2018  and expanding to 20 members of staff – TCN really hit its stride as it gained over 130+ independent Network Partners. It is the close relationship we hold with our partners which allows us to deliver such an efficient, reliable and unrivalled national service. Whether it’s for commercial construction purposes or a home-based DIYer carrying out some weekend building, we know our customers look to us for a prompt and stress-free supply of concrete every time.

Supporting local charities

Since our establishment, The Concrete Network has always kept an eye to the future. Besides building our wide online knowledge and resource base for customers, we have also looked for ways to integrate and help towards important local causes. We are proud to have partnered with Herts Young Homeless (hyh), a local independent charity that, since 1998, has supported vulnerable people throughout Hertfordshire.

Herts Young Homeless provides close and ongoing support to 16-24-year-olds struggling with family issues, facing homelessness and caring for adults with mental health issues – as well as striving towards preventing homelessness through education and mediation. The Concrete Network believes in this goal, and through our partnership with hyh, we are supporting their efforts with great pride and commitment.

Aiming for expansion

As The Concrete Network continues delivering a straightforward, optimised and extensive service to all its customers, it’s safe to say that the future is looking bright. We’re always building for the future here, and we aim to expand both the business itself and the services we offer our clients. Not only do we aim to grow our network of trusted partners across the country, but we also are looking to grow our concrete pump hire services to ensure even the most awkward pour sites can be accommodated. At TCN, we aim to make it as easy as possible to address all your concrete requirements.

As we recruit more staff and build more job opportunities across The Concrete Network, we can offer our customers a superlative service wherever they’re based, however much concrete they require, and regardless of how complex their project.

If you’d like to learn more about The Concrete Network and any of its services or operations, then don’t hesitate to contact us via email, or call us on 0800 030 9623. Our team is always happy to help.

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Small is Beautiful: How to Make the Most of a Small Garden

Everyone needs a place to escape. For some people, this is their garden. But if your outdoor space is small and confined, it may feel unappealing.

The good news is, you don’t need acres to have a stunning garden. Beautiful and tranquil escapes can be created in the smallest of spaces, whether you have a balcony, courtyard, or little garden – it just takes a little imagination…

Choose Small Furniture

In a small garden, it’s important not to swamp or overwhelm the available space. So, when selecting furniture, choose something that’s functional, practical and size appropriate. A small bistro set would be perfect, or build your own DIY seating area to fit the space. Alternatively, choose fold-up furniture such as deck chairs and tables that can be easily collapsed and stored in the shed or garage, creating more space when necessary.

Create an Illusion

You may use mirrors indoors to make interiors feel brighter and bigger, but have you thought about using them outside? They can create the same illusion, making them ideal for small gardens. Use in a narrow garden to make it feel larger, or behind seating to double the area. Just be aware that when it’s really sunny any light bouncing off these could cause potential fires, so it’s best to make sure that you can easily cover up or take these down to avoid this happening at the height of summer.  

Think About Scent

To make your garden a relaxing place, you need to invoke an additional sense: smell. To do this, choose heavenly scented flowers, such as lavender, sweet pea, honeysuckle, jasmine and mint, to promote relaxation and make your garden smell as good as it looks. When you’ve only got a small garden, space for planting and growing such flowers will be limited. Prioritise some of the smelliest flowers first to create a nice aroma, adding other plants if there’s still room.

Work Vertically

You want your garden to feel beautiful but covering the area with plant pots will make it feel cramped. Instead, make use of the vertical space. Use trellis and climber plants, put up handing baskets, create a wall garden, and hang decorations, such as bunting and fairy lights, to add style. This can also minimise plants being affected by pests and disease, unlike those on the ground. You could also draw wildlife to your small garden by hanging up bird feeders or bird boxes on the wall or fence.  

Go Stripy

This is another illusion trick that can make a small garden feel bigger. Using stripes can help to draw the eye, so paint in stripes on the fence, wall, or floor, to boost space. Make sure to choose similar colours that will contrast without being too bold, such as cream and beige, or silver and grey. If you’ve got children then they’ll love to get involved with this and, with a little direction and supervision, it can be great fun.

Section the Space

You may be tempted to design your garden as one area, but sectioning can actually provide more depth. Give your garden purpose by using raised plant beds, having a mini herb garden, styling a seating area, or having a small grassed section. It’s often best to draw up a sectioned plan first, so you can efficiently work out what will go in each space and that there’s enough room for everything. Remember to include any vertical space in this plan too.

Designing a small garden is easier than you think, it just requires a little more planning and creativity. Hopefully these tips have inspired you to beautify your small garden, so you can create a space that is relaxing and practical.

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7 Ways to Cut Remodeling Costs Without Sacrificing Quality

Remodeling a home is seen as a large investment which should not involve compromising when it comes to quality. If your budget is not what you would like it to be, there are still ways you can go about it and do a quality remodeling.

Go by the list

Have you noticed that you spend significantly less money if you carry a shopping list? It also prevents you from forgetting things. If you want to bring structure into your home remodel, create a list of all the little projects involved in it. You can further elaborate by setting a budget per remodel and per each item on the list. You can record your expenses and tick off things as you go through them one by one. You can also use it to schedule projects as it is wise to do them in a certain order to avoid doing the same job twice.

DIY

Let’s start from the obvious shelf, shall we? Doing things, yourself, as opposed to hiring contractors to do them is often the quickest way to save money while remodeling. There are plenty of tasks you can perform without major consequences even if you are a beginner. These involve painting, laying floors, tiling, to building furniture, reupholstering, and doing the actual construction work, depending on your skill level. To help you out, being DIY has never been easier, since there are so many available tutorials on pretty much any project, targeting all the major issues and offering different approaches.

A DIY Architect

Not every project requires the work of an architect. There are even some smaller projects that don’t even require building permits. If you are looking to replace certain features, feature for feature, or laying a new roof of similar materials, it is pretty much safe to draw the plans on your own. However, if the work does require building permits for example demolishing a load-bearing wall be sure to acquire the proper permit beforehand.

Know your DIY limits

It is nice to have a hands-on approach; however, it can turn out to cost you more in the long run unless you are confident you can get the work done without causing any structural, or otherwise permanent damage to your home. If you are doing large structural remodels, redoing the attic, or building a large extension, you will need the help of an architect, not only to draw a plan which will grant you a permit but to tell you what you can or cannot do.

According to Sphere Constructions company, the same goes for any DIY stuff involving plumbing or electricity, as well as prep work you think you can do for contractors. Plumbing and electricity require permits. Prep work, including demolish, is essential for doing the actual job well, and often contractors won’t give you warranty as they did not do the prep work themselves.

Reuse and work with what you have

Old tiling or dated wooden floor does not always require ripping out and replacement. You can simply refinish certain surfaces such as kitchen cabinets, windows, floors, and decks. Perhaps the existing materials can impose certain limitations, but you can compromise and find equally beautiful solutions while preserving money. Perhaps your old floor can no longer get that honey-like light wood color, but it can look brand new with a coat of a dark color. Furthermore, if you can preserve some of the building materials, doors and windows during the demolishing faze, you could reuse them later on in the project, or for a future one.

Know where to shop

If you are dedicated to getting a lower price, you need to know where to look for the things you need. Even though you may think that large supply stores can afford to have better prices, smaller retailers will often offer more attractive discounts and payment plans to attract the customers. Also, make a note that stores have end-of-season sale and that you can get excellent deals if you only plan ahead of time and allow yourself a couple of weeks or even months to fish for discounts. Garage sales, auctions, and generally places with used goods can often guarantee you unique finds at affordable prices.

Do things gradually

Remember, you don’t have to finish everything at once, as long as you have a liveable home. Don’t get your credit card out, as often, it sounds like a good payment plan and you can get the credit card points of the purchase, but you will incur interest rates which make this affair less than cost-efficient. If you enjoy that with a credit card you do not have to pay everything at once, you can simply put money aside and wait till you have enough cash to continue your project.

Remodeling with money is much easier then on a budget, but as you can see it’s not all that bad. On one side when you are on a strict budget the project is much more hands on, you are more engaged more in control. And some people love that, they need to manage everything but on the other hand you waste much more time then when you just pay a construction company to do the whole job.

Hopefully this article showed you the correct path.

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Top Trends for a Bedroom Makeover

Upon entering your bedroom, relaxation should sweep over you. Given, this does depend on how tired you are. However, your bedroom’s interior design plays a big part in how inviting it is to you. It needs to appeal to your senses and reflect your own personal style, whilst being warm and comforting. With current trends constantly shifting, it can be difficult to keep track. That’s why we’ve delved into modern décor to bring you this guide. Here’s some interior design trends you can try in your bedroom today.

Mirrored Furniture

Creating a spacious environment in your bedroom makes it feel bigger, and the illusion that mirrored furniture creates is exactly that – one of space. Because it reflects the rest of the room, your bedroom feels instantly larger. Not only that, but it will help to distribute natural light. This added boost of light will make the room feel much airier than it did before. A mirrored chest of drawers works really well, although a small bedside table can work just as well. It’s all about finding what works best for your bedroom’s size, as you wouldn’t want it to overpower other aspects of your décor. If you’re lucky enough to have a built-in wardrobe, attaching floor-to-ceiling mirrors to the doors is a way of achieving a much-loved style without purchasing new furniture.

Textured Wallpaper

Say goodbye to boring wall designs. In your bedroom, plain and uninspiring doesn’t cut it. Textured wallpaper is perfect for adding character to your walls. The variety of designs emerging both in stores and online is massive, leaving enough choice for you to either match your existing design, or go for something completely new. Detailed designs embossed in thick wallpaper – or a more standard striped or dot pattern – create the texture. From there, the colour choice is down to you. Because of the three-dimensional nature of the wallpaper, colours stand out more and your walls become a bigger feature of your bedroom’s décor. Use the wallpaper on every wall, or just on one to create one large feature wall.

Colourful Headboards

His is a simple, yet incredibly effective, way of adding colour to your bedroom’s design. The bed is often the main feature in a bedroom, and adding a splash of colour via the headboard is lovely and subtle. If you’re feeling a little risky and would like to experiment with a certain colour, a headboard is a much smaller commitment to painting your walls that colour. Why not try it out on a small scale first? You could grow to like it, or decide it isn’t quite for you! You can buy from a store, or you could try re-upholstering your old headboard as a DIY project. If you pair the colour with a matching bedsheet and pillows, the colours tie in together to really make your bed stand out.

Grey Laminate Flooring

As one of the most popular flooring colours in recent times, grey flooring has taken a firm hold on modern interior design.  When it comes to designing your bedroom, laminate flooring should be a definite consideration. For starters, it boasts great durability due to its construction using multiple layers. Because the design is digitally printed onto a top layer, there is no end to the design options on the market. If you were looking for grey flooring made from real wood, your options would be fairly limited. With laminate, however, you can choose from a huge range of styles, each varying in exact colour, texture – each with their own individual character. Grey is a beautiful colour that remains neutral, meaning you can make a statement with other elements of your interior, without making the design as a whole confusing or too busy.

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Ensure your Garden is Immaculate by Servicing your Garden Machinery

As the summer months approach and you want to start tackling your garden, you will be reliant on your garden tools and machinery to help you do the job. It is important to care for these items, as well-maintained tools can last many years. You want your garden to look its best for the summer – servicing and maintaining gardening tools and machinery will help you to achieve this.

Lawnmowers

Mowers are likely to be one of the most expensive items of garden machinery you own, so it is important to perform regular maintenance on your lawnmower. If fuel-powered, always run the fuel down before storing it over the winter months. For any type of mower, you should brush and hose down the blades, rollers and grass box. Height adjusters on the mower should be greased from time to time so that they do not seize up. If the blades are blunt, look at having them sharpened or replaced by a local supplier. For fuel-powered mowers, you should always ensure that there is no grass or dust in the filters, as this could potentially damage the engine. It is also worth regularly checking the clutch and throttle cables for any wear and tear. Before you start regularly using your mower in spring, top up the oil to prevent the engine burning out.

Power Tool Care

Power tools can make jobs in the garden so much easier, but they too can be expensive to replace. Simple maintenance or servicing means they should last longer and work more effectively. As with any electrical garden tool, make sure you check the plugs and cables for any signs of damage. Replace anything faulty so that your tool is safe to use. It is recommended that you spray any metal surfaces of power tools or garden machinery with a thin layer of all-purpose oil so that rust cannot accumulate. Contact your local supplier if you want a power tool servicing or if you need to sharpen or replace any of the blades.

Sharp and Effective

Even with regular maintenance and care, some blades on garden tools and machinery will become blunt over time. In some cases, you can sharpen them yourself using a fine metal file. If you are not sure how to go about this or think the blades may need replacing, it would be best to contact a local supplier to get their advice. If you find rust on any of your garden equipment, remove it with a wire brush and apply some oil. Don’t forget manual tools such as spades, forks and garden shears, which are also prone to rust.

Caring for you garden tools and machinery will improve their longevity and effectiveness. An immaculate garden requires hard work, knowledge, time and the right equipment. Servicing and maintaining your tools will bring out the best in them.

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What are the different types of garage door you can buy?

With so many options swamping the market, choosing a garage door may seem like a painful process. However, with some simple know-how of the key types available, you can swiftly make a decision that offers the security, functionality and kerb appeal you’re searching for. We provide a basic summary in this article – for more detail on the different types of garage door then check out this comprehensive garage door buyers guide.

What are the different types of garage door?

Garage doors are an important investment, serving to protect your car and most valuable belongings, whilst also adding to the external beauty of your home. And with the addition of automation, any style of garage door can become the epitome of convenience and practicality.

The different types of garage doors available include roller, sectional, up & over, and side-hinged. Not only that, but there are a huge variety of materials, colours and finishes available to create a truly tailored look to complement your exterior and impress visitors.

Roller Garage Doors

Durable, secure, and easily customisable, it’s easy to see why this style has been unfailingly popular over the years. As a classic style, roller garage doors lift vertically and curl round at the top, and will have either be fitted with or without an overhead box to accommodate the ‘roll’. Often viewed as the most compact doors on the market, their design is unbeatable at saving space which makes it an ideal solution for homes with shorter, narrower driveways.

Sectional Garage Doors

Usually constructed of 4 – 8 horizontal panels, this design folds away into the garage ceiling space section by section. Sectional garage doors are well-engineered options that known for being secure and having sterling insulative ability. A broad spectrum of sectional style options are available to homeowners to ensure your door perfectly suits the exterior.

Up & Over Garage Doors

Simple, inexpensive, and popular throughout the world, up & over designs consist of one single panel that swings vertically on hinges and stows away against the garage ceiling. Bear in mind the door opens outwards, so it’s important you leave enough room on your driveway to accommodate this motion. This long-standing, reliable design is easily personalised

with a range of automation, material, glazing and colour options.

Side-Hinged Garage Doors

Distinctive and unique, the side-hinged garage door is recognised by its opening motion which mimics that of double-doors. This offers a more homey look for customers who want to bring a touch of traditional quaintness to their property. Side-hinged garage doors are also perfect for garages that experience high levels of foot traffic, giving pedestrians easy, quiet access at all hours of the day and night.

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What type of skip should I use for home renovation?

Whether you’ve bought an older property that you intend to renovate, or you’ve got big plans for the property you’re currently in, there are numerous challenges that face you. The first thing to do is make sure you know why you’re renovating and what you hope to get out of it after all the hard work.

Why renovate your house?

To extend your living space. Some people aren’t keen on leaving their home when they need more space, so it makes sense to simply extend what they already have. This involves taking out walls, extending roof spaces and building new spaces – it could also involve the transformation of unused areas such as cellars and garages.

For greater efficiency. Technology is always advancing, but your home is stood still once built. In as little as a decade your heating, electrics and insulation could be outdated. This is particularly a problem for homes which are now several decades old, using old wiring, pipes and windows. Renovating these aspects of your home can mean taking up floors, cutting out sections of walls and pulling out old items like radiators, boilers and windows to make room for new ones – all in the name of a more comfortable home with lower bills.

Sprucing up the exterior. While the inside of your home might be perfect, some people like to go one step further and update the exterior of their home. Often involving masonry work for the aesthetics of the structure itself, but it might also involve more practical adaptations, such as those related to access and guttering.

Repairs and restoration. Has your home been damaged recently? Or maybe it’s suffered decades of wear and tear? The repair and restoration of your interior is another reason to renovate. Update your decor throughout or just tackle damaged units, fixtures and fittings. The phrase “out with the old, in with the new” has never been more appropriate here.

Which skip is best for a house renovation?

When you’re renovating your home, it’s likely that you’ll be generating a lot of waste – whether it’s old furniture and fixtures or general construction rubble. You could pile it all in your car and make multiple trips to a local authority site, but this could double the amount of time spent on the renovations and it really isn’t ideal for any vehicle because of the mess and the heavy loads.

The easier way to take care of your waste is to use a skip hire service from a licensed waste carrier. But which skip is best for your house renovations? Let’s take a look at the best available options:

7 yard – A small, but robust skip, this is the ideal size for any small building or garden projects, including small home extensions which require the clearance of rubble and other materials.

12 yard – If you think you’re going to be undertaking a bigger renovation – or numerous projects around the house – a 12 yard skip will allow for general mixed waste in a much larger quantity.

Enclosed – Both 7 and 12 yard skips can come as enclosed units, something which you might want to consider if you want to avoid other people using your skip or to deter fly tippers dumping their waste.

Remember, once you’ve filled a skip you can always order another, so don’t let the skip overflow or, worse, attempt to get rid of additional waste by fly tipping! Organising skip hire has never been easier and it means you can concentrate on getting your house renovations completed.

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