Latest Posts
January 25, 2016 2:05 pm
Published by Summit Cladding
Why do we need to paint/repaint bargeboards and fascia? Painting bargeboards and fascia will protect the wood from deteriorating, which can lead to rotting roof trusses or water damage. Here are 7 simple steps on how to paint your fascia and bargeboards. Note: If possible, remove the guttering prior to painting bargeboards and fascia. This is also a great opportunity to clean your gutters. 1. Wipe & Sand Bargeboards and Fascia Using a warm wet cloth, wipe down your fascia and bargeboards. Sand lightly, if needed. (The wood may need light sanding if the present coat of paint is flaky.) 2. Treat With a Wood Preserver Use a clear wood preserver that is water soluble. After applying, let it dry... View Article
December 16, 2015 12:00 pm
Published by Summit Cladding
What Are Barge Boards? There has been a resurgence of decorative barge boards in the UK, with designs that range from minimalist and functional to decorative and ornate. Dating back to the 1400’s, barge boards are attached to the projecting edge of pitched roofs to protect the ends of the timber from weather damage. They have also historically served as an adornment, with a vast array of designs and shapes. Here are five historic and colourful examples of barge boards from around the world that just might inspire you. Golden Barge Boards in Thailand This Buddhist Temple in Thailand boasts some of the world’s most intricate barge boards. Crafted in gold, this is an example of ornate craftsmanship that can’t... View Article
December 1, 2015 8:22 pm
Published by Summit Cladding
At Summit Cladding we are consistently researching the best products in the industry. We feel responsible to bring our customers up to date with the latest in cladding technology. With that in mind and much time spent on measuring its quality, durability and design, we are pleased to offer James Hardie Cladding to our customers. Cladding London: A New Option with An Impressive Finish Cladding London, the Home Counties, Portsmouth and Southampton is no easy task, but that’s what we are working to do, one home at time. Our newest asset to this cause is James Hardie Cladding. Read on to learn a bit more about this innovative, ecologically friendly cladding material. Why Use James Hardie Cladding? Let’s talk about... View Article
November 16, 2015 11:47 am
Published by Summit Cladding
What is the planning regime for England in terms of fascia and soffit replacement? This is a quick review of the planning permission and building regulation rules on replacement and maintenance work. Overview of Fascia and Soffits A soffit is the finished board beneath the eaves of your roof, extending horizontally from the upper exterior wall of the house to the edge of the roof’s overhang. A fascia is a board vertically positioned just below the edge of the roof, which caps and protects the ends of the roof rafters and joists while helping to support the guttering system. A soffit connects to the fascia at a ninety degree angle. Fascia and Soffit Replacement: Planning Permission In the UK, replacement... View Article
October 26, 2015 9:00 am
Published by Summit Cladding
It’s autumn already and the weather has begun to remind us how passionately we love canopies. But not just any canopies. At Summit Cladding, we believe in making an entrance; and we have some design ideas to match this mantra. Here are some inspiring door canopy features that you will absolutely love. Canopy Installers Often Utilise Columns Columns can be decorative or structural in purpose. From an aesthetics perspective, few canopy features make as bold nor as impressive a statement. Imhotep originally introduced stone columns into Egyptian architecture as early as 2600BC. Since then, they have evolved into a range of materials including wood, fibreglass, metal and concrete. The effect is dramatic and popular in a variety of architectural styles.... View Article
October 1, 2015 9:00 am
Published by Summit Cladding
It doesn’t really matter what you’re buying; when you pay good money for something you want to know it will last. This is where property maintenance can get scary, because you put your trust in someone you may have never met before, hoping for a good job in return. Sadly, nothing lasts forever though and it pays to know what kind of life span you can expect from different jobs. So today we’re looking at flat roofs – something that typically need redoing at some point – to give you an idea of how long a quality job should last. Starting with the right approach The lifetime of your flat roof mostly depends on its original construction and the materials... View Article
September 28, 2015 9:00 am
Published by Summit Cladding
We have over three decades of experience working with cladding. That makes us quite particular when it comes to recommending cladding products to our customers. It has to be low maintenance, durable, cost effective and great looking. We wouldn’t expect our customers to use anything less, because we wouldn’t use anything less on our own homes. That’s why we are thrilled to discuss five reasons that we love James Hardie Cladding. James Hardie Cladding Strikingly Resembles Wood It’s startling how much James Hardie Cladding resembles wooden cladding- very few people can tell the difference! It’s actually made of fibre cement, a process that incorporates silica sand and wood pulp fused into board using pressurised steam. Its multi-dimensional appearance looks identical... View Article
September 1, 2015 2:34 pm
Published by Summit Cladding
Life has a habit of throwing unexpected expenses at us, but emergency home repairs have to be up there with the worst of them. It’s easy to take a fully functional home for granted until the whole family has to move out while major work is done – not to mention the expense of large-scale home repairs. You don’t have to sit back and wait for problems to develop though. A good maintenance routine combined with some easy fixes will keep the family home in good (and affordable) shape for many generations to come. Run quarterly checks To make home maintenance both manageable and affordable you need to keep a close eye on things. The changing seasons bring new challenges... View Article
May 5, 2015 2:43 pm
Published by Summit Cladding
The function of gutters is to manage the water flow around your home. Specifically, it is to keep water from pooling near the structure or running down the sides of your house; something that can end up costing you thousands in replacements and repairs. We’ve previously written about tips for keeping your gutter clean. Read on to discover ten reasons why proper installation and gutter maintenance is so important. 1. Insect Infestation When your gutters aren’t maintained, water builds up in them and attracts insects. Mosquitos, earwigs, carpenter ants, and termites will gather near moist gutters. They can enter your home and cause significant damage. 2. Animal Infestation Birds, squirrels, chipmunks and mice like to nest in gutter debris. Small... View Article
April 21, 2015 11:46 am
Published by Summit Cladding
Rogue traders, also referred to as ‘cowboy builders’, have been in the news this month, and with good reason. The NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors) estimates that England loses 1.5 billion from rogue traders every year. More disturbing still, victims are often vulnerable members of society, such as the elderly. The Real Price of Rogue Trading, and What You Can Do The cost of rogue trading amounts to more than just money paid for the work, but the cost of repairing the poor and faulty craftsmanship performed. The NFRC reports “Some tradesmen appear to be from legitimate firms, others will just knock at your door with tactics ranging from charging overinflated prices for shoddy work, to starting a job... View Article
