So far, 2019 has brought us snow, a mini summer, high winds and torrential rain – in other words, a typical start to the British spring! All this will be taking a toll on your garden landscaping and structures, so now is the time to tidy, repair and clean. We look at four of the top jobs to ensure that your garden is a beautiful space for the summer.
Repair or replace fences After the gales of the winter, your fencing may well have taken a battering. Our sturdy Rustic Lap Fence Panels come in a range of sizes and will immediately smarten up your garden. Alternatively, paint your existing panels with Creocote, an oil-based wood treatment which will restrict weather damage and repel water, as well
Whether you’re a self-builder facing the build of a life-time, or an avid DIYer, now is the time to look ahead to the challenges of the new year. Regardless of the scale of the project in front of you, the basic principles of a successful build start at the planning stage. For some of us, ‘planning’ isn’t a skill that comes naturally. If entering the world of the project manager fills you with dread – do not fear, help is at hand. Here at D.W. Nye, we’ve guided hundreds of companies and individuals through their small and large-scale building jobs, so we’ve seen it all. We’ve put together some of our top three tips on where to begin and what to consider from the outset.
Start with questions
The first step relies heavily on research. The aim is to answer some of the most basic questions around the job, whether it’s building a house or laying a new patio – for example what is your end goal? How will it get built? What
In the depths of winter, our energy bills often sky-rocket. We are also increasingly aware of the environmental issues around our energy use, making the need to lower annual household energy consumption more important that ever. But how green are our homes and what steps can we take to make our houses more efficient? Here at D.W. Nye we’re used to helping customers deal with this issue, with experts on hand to guide you through the best options to beat the chill, and do our bit for the planet.
According to the UK Energy Research Centre, when it comes to energy usage we waste the equivalent to the output of six nuclear power stations. The Government is taking a hard line on this issue since committing to cutting carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. Shockingly, one third of this waste comes from heat escaping from draughty houses. The research warned that 25 million homes will fail to meet the standards required by 2050. So, one home every minute will need work.
With Christmas fast approaching, most of us will be looking forward to a well-earned rest. However, if the festive period means you’ll be turning your attention to the DIY jobs you’ve been putting off all year, or you’re in the trade and will be hard at work whilst others relax, then we’re here to help in the run-up to the holiday season.
It’s been another outstanding year at our six-acre site on the Sussex/Surrey border. From timber and natural paving to power tools and artificial grass - our stock range continues to expand and we’ve welcomed more customers through the door than ever before. Our team have also been busy raising money for our chosen charity, Born Free.
In the spirit of Christmas, we wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you to all our customers, both old and new, for your continued support. We take great pride in meeting you throughout the year to offer advice and answer your building and landscaping questions. This year’s trade days have also
Whether your family is expanding, or a loved one is moving back in, many of us dream of a little more living space. According to the latest statistics, household numbers are on the increase, with many of us caring for ageing parents in our homes, or welcoming back older children who can’t yet afford to get onto the propery ladder. But with house prices continuing to rise, the trend is to extend our existing homes rather than go through a stressful and expensive house move.
What’s more, creating extra square footage means that as well as solving your space issues, you’re almost guaranteed to add value to your home - up to 11%, according to a survey by the National Association of Estate Agents. An extra bedroom adds most value, followed by a kitchen upgrade, additional bathroom and a conservatory. Loft conversions are also an increasingly popular choice, enabling you to utilise every bit of space under your pitched roof.
Building an extension is even more appealing as the
Are you thinking of welcoming a four-legged friend into your home? There’s no doubt pets hold an important place in the nation’s heart. Pet ownership in the UK is at an all-time high, with 26% of households owning a dog and 18% sharing their homes with a cat. Love them as we do – there’s no doubt that they can cause havoc around the house.
From scratched-up gardens, ruined floors, and unpleasant odours, there’s plenty of potential for chaos. But don’t despair – our five top tips will keep your home intact and smelling fresh:
1.Protect floors: Carpets can soon take on a doggy odour, as well as becoming a magnet for hairs. Wearing rubber gloves produces static that helps to pick up dog hairs missed by the vacuum cleaner. Hard floors are the easiest to keep clean. Go for tiles or vinyls that can be washed down easily. Durable floor paint will withstand claws and is easy to keep fresh. Try Everbuild
Judging by the conversations taking place in our Kingsfold depot this month, it seems our customers have turned their attention to interiors. Now is the time to tackle any DIY projects on your to-do list before the family starts arranging to stay for Christmas.
But, before you dig out your toolbox and leap into action, it’s a good idea to consider the safety side of things. According to The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, over-ambition and lack of knowledge are two of the biggest factors in DIY incidents around the home. In fact, 200,000 people find themselves in A&E every year due to decorating mishaps. Luckily, accidents are easily avoidable if you take the necessary precautions.
Here at D. W. Nye, we’ve put together a checklist of things to think about before you begin:
Heads, shoulders, knees, and toes…
It’s important to select the right equipment for the job and that starts with the gear
Whether you work in the construction industry or you’re a weekend DIY-er, you’ll be painfully aware that any kind of building project can take its toll on your back. October 2nd - 6th is National Back Care Awareness Week, and a chance for us all to take a look at the way we work, and what we can do to prevent the misery of back pain.
According to the charity BackCare, which runs the awareness week, back pain affects about 80 per cent of the UK population at some stage in their lives. It’s one of the most common causes of missed working days throughout the country. Back pain costs the UK economy around £15 billion every year as over four million working days are lost as a result of the condition.
So how do you avoid becoming one of these statistics? It’s worth looking at the most likely triggers of builders’ back pain. These include:
Whether you’re a building professional or a DIY enthusiast, you’ve no doubt spent time browsing the internet when searching for new materials for a project.
While online ordering has plenty of advantages, sometimes there’s no substitute for visiting a builders’ merchants to view products ‘in the flesh’.
As a local family-run firm, we love to welcome customers to our four-acre site. You can find thousands of products on display, giving you the opportunity to check anything from the colour tone of a paving slab to the feel of our artificial grass.
There’s a huge range of timber supplies in a variety of lengths and sizes, both sawn and treated. Prepared timber is stored inside our warehouse to protect it from the elements, so that you can rest assured it will be ready to use indoors as soon as its needed.
Power tools and accessories can be tried out for size, whether you’re investing in a new top-of-the-range chainsaw or a great-value combi drill for everyday