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TORFLOOR RDB CHOSEN TO HEAT RENOVATED 1820’S HOUSE A recent renovation project carried out on an early 19th century town house in London’s fashionable Holland Park area, has made use of the innovative new TorFloor RdB system, manufactured by underfloor heating specialist, OMNIE. The specification was the result of the project team’s desire to reduce sound transmission between the different levels of the building, while taking advantage of the excellent heat delivery and other physical performance characteristics for which TorFloor has become renowned over the years. In common with the standard system, the RdB version is an ideal means of deriving optimum performance from heat pumps or, as in this case, a high performance gas boiler. TorFloor RdB is a dry install where the panel doubles as the structural decking. It also now forms part of OMNIE’s LayFast product offering: speeding installation time and offering the potential for overall project cost reductions. Furthermore fo

The Heating Trends with the most energy efficient outlook for 2018

The demand for energy efficient heating methods in the UK has grown massively in recent years. A good thing for the environment and a good thing, generally, for lowering the cost of heating bills - but is it a good thing for installers? Enter the combi boiler, the go-to option for the new build market. It accounts for well over half of the number of boilers being installed across the UK and is by far the favourite choice for developers. Why? Well, it’s not only down to its overall energy efficiency, which is increased when combined with underfloor heating, but also due to its compact size. And, perhaps more importantly the amount of money developers are able to save on installation costs because of its space-saving design. Across large European cities, we are seeing the redevelopment of tiny living spaces, usually reserved for student rooms or offices, being turned into micro apartments. Their rise in popularity, particularly in expensive larger cities like London, is down to

Tile files

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Time to tile The word trend is used a little over-zealously in the world of interiors and, in this case, I don’t think it accurately describes how the tiles featured here have found their way back into the spotlight. The styles below aren’t strictly new ideas but come bursting full of inspiration from traditional practices in North Africa or the Middle East, each with a unique modern twist. ‘Trend’ also doesn’t give these tiles the credit they deserve, they are timeless designs and should last a lifetime, or at least until the next big refurb… Zellige Tiles We’re kicking off with one of the most coveted tiles on the market - the zellige tile is made of natural clay and can be glazed in a variety of vibrant colours. The colour and finish are responsible for its surge in popularity. And it’s easy to see why - adding a splash of colour to your kitchen or bathroom using zellige gives the space exactly the right amount of exotic flair. It’s no wonder luxury retailers are having
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OMNIE design a range of Underfloor Heating with the installer in mind: It's no secret that ease of installation is a priority for installers when specifying a system. It can change everything, from your initial estimate for a job to getting it done in half the time. Whilst getting things done quickly is essential, so is the quality of the system. That’s why our team of experts at OMNIE HQ in Exeter don’t only think of the end result when designing our systems. We put the installer at the heart of what we do. A combination of innovative new technology and insider knowledge, make our systems a favourite with installers in the UK. A few things to look out for - The new Torfloor system from OMNIE stands out from the crowd: for good reason. It’s the only structurally certified flooring panel available in the UK. It’s an underfloor heating system and floor deck in one. So, the installation process for this system eliminates the need for temporary working floor d

Shh, don't make a sound: How sound proofing your home could improve your well-being.

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To form an understanding of the importance of acoustics and soundproofing in new builds, the Building Regulations for sound (Part E in England and Wales) are split into two sections: E1 and E2. E1 looks at protection from noise from adjoining buildings (flats, terraces, semis). E2 deals with sound transmission within the home itself. E2 is where you - the homeowner - can make a real difference to your internal environment. We all want to retreat into our homes and find peace and quiet, but that’s a lot easier said than done. In the UK the average person spends around 90% of each day inside, and a significant amount of this time is spent at home. One major noise irritant that affects over half of the UK’s homeowners is creaky flooring. In fact, research undertaken by the NSBC has shown that homeowners classify it as a major irritant - worse than noise generated from technology. ‘UK environmental consultants also believe that excessive levels of noise pollution can actual

Top tips to grow your plumbing business: for Installers by Installers

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Find and develop your niche. Is it commercial, domestic, a bit of both? Do you specialise in inner city jobs or are you based out in the sticks? Let the customer know. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket – meaning don’t just work for one builder and expect to get all their work. Be up to date on all of your paperwork. Build a reputation: easily done when you have a happy customer after a jobs completion. Word of mouth is still the most effective method of getting work for tradespeople - make sure your customers are recommending you. If you do any work for a high profile client such as a school or council building make sure people know about it via social media on your website (if you have one). Get a website. There are still a LOT of plumbers out there, who don’t have a website. Prospective clients want to know about you, the work you’ve done, and what customers say about you. The best place for them to get that info is online.

Renovate to Regenerate

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  Renovate to Regenerate  The upheaval, stress, and soaring costs of estate agency fees makes moving house an option that more and more people are deciding against - which begs the question why move when you can improve? Catchphrases aside, if it is time to regenerate and renovate your home breathing new life into it has never been so simple. Thanks to new materials, new technology and greater knowledge, underfloor heating solutions can be installed into your home with minimal disruption and fuss. Whether it’s the kitchen extension you’ve always dreamed of, or adding additional space to another part of the house, OMNIE have a range of underfloor heating materials that they can tailor to your exact needs. Even if you’re tackling the refurbishment of your house and fitting an extension as part of the same project you can install underfloor heating in both the existing, and new parts of your home. OMNIE’s Lowboard range is just 15mm, no taller than a 5 pence pi