Author Archives for Summit Cladding

Easy Fixes to Avoid Costly Home Repairs

September 1, 2015 2:34 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

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


10 Reasons You’ll Want to Clean Your Gutters

May 5, 2015 2:43 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

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


How To Avoid Rogue Traders in the Roofing Industry

April 21, 2015 11:46 am Published by Leave your thoughts

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


Over Cladding: A Solution Or A Bigger Problem

December 19, 2014 3:39 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

We receive a lot of questions about cladding and our professional opinion of over cladding. Read on to find out about our thoughts on over cladding. Why Does Cladding Need to be Replaced? Cladding that is made from timber will eventually rot over time, even with expert installation and diligent maintenance. PVC cladding lasts 10-20 years depending on the colour you choose. Eventually it will also need replacement. What is Over Cladding? Over cladding is the process of covering existing cladding with thin plastic. Potential Problems With Over Cladding Over cladding may seem like a clever solution when compared to replacing existing soffits and fascia completely. Home owners are sometimes persuaded to purchase over cladding because it costs less than... View Article


The Truth About Timber vs. PVC

December 5, 2014 3:38 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

PVC- What is it? PVC is an acronym for Poly(vinyl chloride). It was created accidentally by French chemist Henri Victor Regnault, and later by German chemist Eugen Baumann. It was refined over the following decades to use for commercial applications. By 1926 it was more flexible and its use was prevalent. Today it is applied in a variety of fields such as construction, clothing and furniture, healthcare, signage, and roofing. It is a superior material in many of these fields because it does not erode or leak, the way in which metal and wood can. PVC: What To Know PVC cladding will never rot or need to be repainted.  It requires little maintenance. It is available in a variety of... View Article


Tips on How to Keep Your Gutter Clean

March 24, 2014 3:34 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Water is one of the most prolific causes of property damage both internally and externally; if this water is not properly channelled away from the structure the effects can be devastating. Failure to keep your guttering clean will result in leaves and various other forms of debris building up to create blockages and sagging gutters that will cause damage and will have to be replaced. Gutter Maintenance Guttering and roofing both require regular maintenance in order to provide the necessary protection throughout the year. Roof damage is sometimes obvious to spot and repair, but blocked guttering is very often left unchecked until after the damage is done. Neglecting this essential maintenance can result in insect infestation, fungal growth and dry... View Article


Summer Front Door Canopy Installation

January 27, 2014 12:46 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

A front door canopy is a wise and extremely attractive addition to any property at any time of the year bringing protection from the elements and added style to your home. While the winter advantages of a door canopy are obvious, the benefits that a front door canopy can bring in the summer are often overlooked. The shade that a front door canopy provides offers welcome respite and protection from the sun when greeting guests, taking deliveries or simply entering and exiting your home. This shade also protects the door and its surroundings from the often severe light damage that is caused by the sun. Harmful UV (Ultra Violet) rays damage all wood preservatives and UPVC door structures over time... View Article