Latest Posts

Replacing the Door Canopy on a Period Property

April 9, 2016 9:59 am Published by

If you’re lucky enough to live in a period home, then you will be only too aware of the many issues which can arise when it comes to maintaining and replacing the fabric of the building. Hopefully these are tasks which you won’t have to undertake too often but things do wear…and even the most solidly built home can suffer from centuries of wind and rain! One of the most distinctive parts of any older home is often its entrance. Architects of the past were notoriously interested in creating beautiful, practical entrances which would both impress and delight passers-by and residents alike. Door Canopies Door canopies appear on houses of varying ages and on buildings of all types; grand mansions... View Article

Cleaning and Maintaining Gutters – Little and Often is the Key

March 9, 2016 9:58 am Published by

Regularly monitoring your roofline for tell-tale indications that there may be a problem with your gutters is the best way to ensure that the fabric of your property remains in good condition. If you keep a weather-eye on your property’s exterior then the chances are that when repairs are deemed necessary, they will be less costly than they might be if you only check once in a blue moon. Gutters are a vital part of your home’s protection; directing water away from the walls, windows and doors of the building they stop moisture from gaining access to the interior where it can cause real and sometimes permanent damage. What am I looking for? When you live in a building or... View Article

Bargeboards & Fascia: Best Paint Techniques

February 15, 2016 1:00 pm Published by

We’ve previously discussed the 7 steps to painting fascia and bargeboards. We also wanted to provide some best practice methods for applying the paint. Paint application is important in order to achieve a smooth, uninterrupted finish that shows off your finish in the best possible light. The following are painting techniques that have helped us professionally preserve our bargeboards and fascia for decades. Tip #1: Try to Paint the Entire Section at Once When painting, every time you stop and start mid section, you’ll end up with noticeable stop/start marks on the face of your bargeboards or fascia. Try to get the entire section painted evenly in order to achieve an even finish. Speed is important here, but try not... View Article

Fascia & Bargeboards: Painting in 7 Steps

January 25, 2016 2:05 pm Published by

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

5 Creative Barge Board Designs

December 16, 2015 12:00 pm Published by

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

Summit Cladding: James Hardie Cladding

December 1, 2015 8:22 pm Published by

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

Fascia & Soffit Replacement: Planning

November 16, 2015 11:47 am Published by

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

Door Canopies Features You’ll Love

October 26, 2015 9:00 am Published by

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

How Long Will My New Flat Roof Last?

October 1, 2015 9:00 am Published by

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

5 Reasons We Love James Hardie Cladding

September 28, 2015 9:00 am Published by

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