Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

CLADDING on tower blocks is being ripped down across Britain amid fears it could contribute towards another deadly Grenfell-like fire.

Councils across the country have been testing materials on their own buildings heres what you need to know about the controversial building decor dubbed asilent killer.

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Cladding is a material which is wrapped around the outside of a building.

It is used to improve appearance and energy efficiency.

Colourful green and blue panels designed to improve insulation and soften the look of the brutalist concrete block were fitted to Grenfell Tower in Kensington, West London,as part of a 9million refurb completedin May 2017.

Dense foam boards coated in zinc rainproof sheets were spaced 30mm apart across the 24-storey building, which housed 120 flats and at least 500 residents.

Just two months before the Grenfell fireLondon Fire Brigadewarned all 33 councils in the capital about the risks of cladding on tower blocks.

The disastrous fire at the 24-storey block was started by a Hotpoint fridge freezer on the fourth floor.

Experts said the composite foam sandwich panels helped spread the fire quickly from the lower floors all the way up the block.

The material used in the cladding on Grenfell was the cheaper, more flammable version of the two available options, an investigation of the supply chain by The Guardian has claimed.

Fireproof cladding initially planned for Grenfell was reportedly downgraded so the council could save money.

Leaked emails seen by The Times reportedly show that Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO), who managed the building on the councils behalf, saved 293,000 by downgrading the material used to clad the 1970s tower.

Arnold Tarling, 55, of the Association of Specialist Fire Protection, said the foam went up like matchsticks.

And he said the waterproof zinc coating made it even harder for firefighters to douse the blaze.

He added: The cladding looks lovely, its cheap, complies with regulations and gives the building a high environmental rating. But its a silent killer.

Witnesses to the blaze on June 14, which resulted in dozens of deaths,described how the material went up like paper.

It has now been claimed the deathtrap cladding is banned in America and a fireproof version could have cost just 5,000 more.

And the claddings manufacturers clearly state in its brochure that it should not be used on a building above a height of ten metres (32ft), according to the Express.

The number of deadly tower blocks with combustible cladding similar to Grenfell Tower is 208, according to the government.

All of those blocks tested so far have failed fire safety checks.

Five tower blocks in Camden were evacuated as emergency safety work was carried out by the council, following the Grenfell Tower blaze.

Cladding has been ripped from other towers in areas including Plymouth, Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Portsmouth and Sunderland.

Fears were also raised that the same flammable cladding used on Grenfell Tower could be attached to UK hospitals, schools and hotels.

Ryhl High School in Denbighshire was closed after the county council found cladding on the building was made by the same company who produced that used on the tower block in London.

Concerns were also raised about cladding on three Premier Inns in Maidenhead, Brentford and Tottenham, because they did not appear to comply with government guidance for tall buildings.

Cladding like that used onGrenfell Tower has also been found at up to 30 NHS trusts.

Communities secretary Sajid Javid has slammed the slow progress of some authorities and landlords and said ministers will force them to take action if they do not ensure flats are safe.

He also said he was considering naming and shaming those councils and housing associations who had failed to provide samples for testing.

The BBC has reported that 60 tower blocks have failed new tests carried on both cladding and insulation.

In depth tests checked the cladding in combination with the foam insulation used in Grenfell.

Shockingly, the death trap combination was found in at least 60 other blocks only nine, based in Salford, have been identified so far.

The Department for Communities and Local Government will publish its full findings of the whole system fire test on July 28, the BBC says.

Tests were conducted by theBuilding Research Establishment near Watford and involved setting a fire underneath a mock up of the insulation system used at Grenfell.

Salford had already begun removing cladding, and said they had already expected the nine towers to fail.

They were built in the 1960s and were re-clad recently with shiny panels and insulation to cut energy bills.

According to planning documents, sub-contractors Harley were paid 2.6million to oversee the cladding installation.

A spokesman for Harley Facades told The Sun they worked on the refurb and installation of exterior cladding.

They said: The Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) panels are a commonly used product in the refurbishment industry.

Harley Facades Limited do not manufacture these panels.

The renovation works at Grenfell Towers were reportedlyinspected 16 TIMESby Kensington and Chelsea council,whose chief executive has now resigned.

Originally posted here:
What is cladding, why was it used on Grenfell Tower and how many tower blocks have failed the latest fire tests? - The Sun

David made this announcement to a large audience in a meeting

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Atlanta Siding and Windows Experts Company simply announced the new introduction in their line of services quality Sidings and atlanta windows. This introduction emanates from years of research, experience, and developments addressing the nagging issues of fear and lack of peace of mind of their customers. This company is optimistic that this new addition and introduction will bring about the needed solution to the perceived problem of people.

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Contact Information of Atlanta Siding and Window Experts:

Media ContactCompany Name: Atlanta Siding and Window ExpertsContact Person: SupportEmail: info@atlantasiding.netPhone: (404) 464-5088Address:1778 Delaware Ave NE City: AtlantaState: GA 30307Country: United StatesWebsite: http://atlantasiding.net

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CEO of Atlanta Siding and Window Experts, David Nelson Announces the Introduction of New Expert and Quality ... - Digital Journal

Anthony Plumbing, Heating and Cooling

Gary and Isaac were the techs who installed a complete HVAC system in my house. They were completely professional and really knew their stuff! They took the time to explain the whole process to me and answered every question that I had.I couldn't be happier with the job they did! I am so pleased with everything, from working with Mike the Comfort Advisor to Gary and Isaac's professional installation and caring attitude. I am already recommending Anthony to my friends and family, and it has only been two days! Thanks again for everything!

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5 out of 5

06/12/2017

Gary and Isaac were the techs who installed a complete HVAC system in my house. They were completely professional and really knew their stuff! They took the time to explain the whole process to me and answered every question that I had.I couldn't be happier with the job they did! I am so pleased with everything, from working with Mike the Comfort Advisor to Gary and Isaac's professional installation and caring attitude. I am already recommending Anthony to my friends and family, and it has only been two days! Thanks again for everything!

Lenexa, KSHVAC System Installation

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Andrewcame out today to do our annual inspection service on our air conditioneras members of the ASAP plan. Such a polite and educating man! He taught me things about my air conditionerand air cleanerthat will help them both last longer. We will definitely be recommending Anthony to others!

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Anthony Plumbing Heating and Cooling | AC repair in Kansas ...

Last year on the first day of school, temperatures in parts of the San Fernando Valley topped a sweltering 100 degrees. And though all classrooms in Los Angeles Unified have air conditioning, many of those systems are several years past their life expectancy.

Now, the district is undertaking massive list of $342 million in bond-funded critical repair projects for heating and air conditioning, or HVAC, systems. Nearly a third of the total, about $107 million, will be spent in the San Fernando Valley, which often sees the hottest temperatures in the Los Angeles area.

We have 30,000 classrooms. All of them are air-conditioned, said Mark Hovatter, the LAUSDs chief facilities executive. Of those 30,000 classrooms, we get a lot of trouble calls.

On a recent weekday morning, Hovatters office already had received 776 calls for service, a third of them in the Valley, and it wasnt yet noon. A typical school day might see 200 such calls, but the number this day was higher as custodians cleaning classrooms in preparation for the start of school checked air-conditioning units. The plan is to check every classroom in the district before school starts, said Angelita Khazei, deputy director of maintenance and operations.

Most of the air conditioning that were getting trouble calls on now are for units that are in excess of 25 years old, when the average life of an air-conditioning system is 20 years, Hovatter said. So were already five, six, seven years beyond the expected useful life for a large number of the air-conditioning units.

The need to upgrade these systems has been growing, and the amount the district spends on overtime work for emergency fixes has been rising, too. In 2015, LAUSD spent about $400,000 on overtime for system repairs by district staff; that rose to $670,000 last year, Hovatter said.

Worse situations are when you have a major system that goes down, and lots of classrooms are out, Hovatter said. That obviously becomes our absolute highest priority. But we just have systems that are old, and they just break down. On hot days, theyve got to run continuously. They dont get a chance to rest, and they just wont hold up.

A resolution passed this month by the school board requires that every classroom has working air conditioning, or that those without are prioritized for work. The highest priority are systems that serve a lot of classrooms or are at elementary schools, Hovatter said, because younger students are more susceptible to the heat.

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Times have changed. In the 1950s, air conditioning wasnt the standard in schools; now it is. Air-conditioned gyms used to be a luxury, Hovatter said. Now the district is working on making sure every district school has a gym that is air-conditioned (though some practice gyms dont have air conditioning). Gyms also are serving as backup classrooms when the AC goes out in regular classrooms on hot days, Hovatter said.

The list of projects is long, stretches across the district and will take time. The two largest projects are at Valley schools: a $17.2 million system at Richard E. Byrd Middle School in Sun Valley and a $12.5 million project at Van Nuys Elementary School, both slated to finish in 2021.

Some schools, like Byrd Middle School, need a complete new system. The last projects are expected to wrap up in 2022, but about three-fourths of the 67 schools on the list for repairs and new systems are scheduled to have the work done by the end of 2020. Projects at a dozen district schools have been completed, and projects at 26 schools are under construction now.

At Nestle Elementary School in Tarzana this week, Senior HVAC fitter Albert Del Toro and HVAC fitter William Van Lohn with the districts maintenance and operations division were making the final checks on a new system theyd recently installed in one of the classrooms. Del Toro closed the classroom door that led outside, and the temperature displayed on the thermostat steadily dropped.

We just have so much work going on right now, Del Toro said. Theres tons of units that were replacing.

Del Toro pointed up at the ceiling. This used to have ductwork that ran across. Its an eyesore, he said. Removing all that hardware had made the room more spacious and brighter. The new systems are much quieter and turn on with motion detectors rather than timers, he said, saving energy.

At Nestle, about 25 to 30 classrooms, plus other spaces like the library and offices, are set to get new HVAC units. Its a big project, and though some classrooms will be upgraded in time for the coming school year, the entire $3 million project wont be done until summer of 2020, according to the districts plans.

Air conditioning is one of our highest priorities, Hovatter said. Its not just unpleasant. Its, I cant teach today because I dont have air conditioning.

This story has been corrected to reflect that LAUSD has 30,000 classrooms, not 33,000 as the district had previously stated.

Original post:
As heat bakes Valley, LAUSD classrooms will cool off with $107M in upgrades - LA Daily News

When temperatures are rising and the air conditioner needs fixing or replacing, its best not to just call any old A/C company for help cooling down your home.

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To find all the other Best of Long Island contest winners, visit bestof.longislandpress.comNominations are now being accepted for the 2018 Best of Long Island program here.

Stan Gelber and SonsHeating and Cooling is located at 1079 Front St. in Uniondale. They can be reached at 516-538-0040 or gelber-sons.com

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Best of Long Island Spotlight: Top Air Conditioning Company - Long Island Press

Home Improvement Series 4/4: Weather Stripping for Energy Efficiency

Meredith TerHaar, WZZM 10:57 AM. EDT July 30, 2017

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. - The WZZM Weekend Morning News team is in the midst of a 4 week series about simple home improvement projects you can tackle yourself. We're getting some help from the experts at Home Repair Services.

Home Repair Services offers an extensive list of free classes at their 1100 South Division location in Grand Rapids. They even offer walk-thru inspections to look for necessary repairs for any homeowner living in Kent County.

Throughout this series Self-Help Program Coordinator Mike Zamarron will offer tips and assistance to show that it is in fact possible to take on many home improvement projects yourself.

This week, Mike shows Laura how to install weather stripping on a door frame. This easy improvement can result in significant savings on your heating and cooling bills.

For a schedule of classes and to learn more about Home Repair Services and what they offer, click here.

Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the WZZM 13 app now.

Have a news tip? Email news@wzzm13.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter.

2017 WZZM-TV

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Home Improvement Series Week 4: Weather proofing - WZZM

Hardwood floors can add quality and value to nearly any room in the house. Though theres no substitute for an experienced professional, you, too, can install hardwood floors with a little elbow grease and ingenuity. Take a cue from the experts at Don Dickel Floors and follow these instructions to install new hardwood flooring.

Step 1) Remove all base trim and undercut all door jambs. Sweep or vacuum the subfloor.

Step 2) Establish a starting point. (Pro tip: starting parallel to the longest wall will give you the best visual effect, as long as the subfloor is free from sagging). If a moisture retardant is used, overlap the seams by 2-6 inches.

Step 3) Measure the room across from where you want to start. Check the manufacturers recommended expansion for the product you are installing. Measure back from the wall that distance and snap a chalk line.

Step 4) The first two rows should be long straight boards. Lay the first row on the chalk line. Predrill the first row. (Pro tip: if you nail the first row behind the base trim line, you wont see the hole the nail makes.) Then blind nail the same board and the second board. Nailing should be 8-10 inches apart, closer for wider boards.

Step 5) Rack (lay) the floor. When laying out the floor, the end joints should be 6 inches apart. (Pro tip: for the best appearance, open the boxes and lay out the floor 10 rows at a time. Remove the boards you dont like.)

Step 6) Install the floor. (Pro tip: you are the final inspector of the wood. Check all pieces for dents or finish irregularities before you nail it down). Begin flooring installation with several boards at a time, nailing every 8-10 inches and 1 1/2 inches from the ends. (Pro tip: if you come across a board that is warped and doesnt want to fit, tip your nailing gun a little and hit it. That should bring the board in.)

Step 7) The final rows that cant be blind nailed will need to be top nailed. Predrill the hole with a bit slightly smaller than the nail, then nail it to ensure holding power (an 8d finishing nail is recommended). (Pro tip: always make sure your cuts extend close enough to the wall to be covered by the base molding.) Rip the last row so there is proper expansion parallel to the end wall. If it is less than 1 inch, glue it to the board preceding it.

Step 8) Install the base molding. Clean the floor and enjoy. (Pro tip: check with the manufacturer for cleaning instructions. Always follow the manufacturers recommendations for best results.)

To see this special section as it appeared in print, click here.

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Bangor Daily News - Bangor Daily News

MICHIGAN CITY When it comes to the scoop on product knowledge, long-term customer relationships and expert craftsmanship, owners John and Suzie LaRocco have it covered.

Their 41-year-old business, LaRocco Floor Coverings at 1615 Franklin St., is easy to spot. Theres a giant old-fashioned milk bottle on the roof.

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Proud to be a Mom-and-Pop - News Dispatch

Photographed by Ana Kamin for Lonny.

Floors are the foundation of a room. But while living with an unsightly fifth wall can cause some serious interior angst, (get outta here, 70s linoleum!), updating it can also be a major undertaking. So, to help make the prospect of an underfoot overhaul a little less daunting, we turned to Homepolishdesigner Ana Claudia Schultz.

Below Claudia gives us a flooring 101, sharing everything from quick fixes to timeless materials to exactly what professionals you should hire for the job. (And yes, in most cases, Claudia does not recommend updating your floors solo.) If youre tired of that cheap, outdated, or otherwise eye-offending situation happening south of your feet, read on and remedy that frightful floor with confidence.

Whats the first thing to consider when choosing a new floor?First you have to consider the room and its use. If the area is part of the rest of the space, then you need to consider whether you want to match it for fluidity or break up the space.

How much does replacing your floor typically cost?It depends on the material and price per square foot, and on the contractor's bid. It can be as low as $1.50 per square foot for flooring, to up to hundreds per square foot. Some contractors take the price of the material and match that for installation costs, or it's a flat fee. If the design is mosaic and a lot of labor, then it will cost more no matter what.

Photographed by Nicole Franzen for Lonny.

Can you pick out and install new floors yourself, or should you hire professionals?Do not install yourself unless you are more than handy, but also have amazing talent to do so. Even with engineered wood floors [you should hire help], because the installation may be easy but the finishing touches are just as important. How did you finish the edges? Does your baseboard cover the edges or do you not have baseboards and need to cut the wood perfectly on the edge? What about transition on a turn? All things to consider.

Who, if anyone, should you hire?A great contractor makes a great designer look amazing. Always hire a great contractor, with or without a designer. One of the roles of the designer is to make sure we help you make the right decisions once for the overall look for the room and home instead of re-doing and replacing it in the near future.

What materials are most durable? Best bang for your buck?Bang for your buck is porcelain, even for faux wood, and it's more durable than engineered wood. Natural stone is most expensive and least durable. You will need to constantly maintain it.

Are there any quick-fix options to improve the look of your floor without replacing it?If you have wood floors, always consider keeping them! Don't cover them up and re-stain them, even if they have a parquet pattern. Parquet has a bad rap, but it adds texture. Plus, it's always better than carpet.

Photographed by Amy Bartlam.

Current trends?Natural oak finish is back! And it's the least expensive way to finish your natural wood floors. White and bleached oak is "out", which was one of the most expensive options for staining.

Any flooring that never goes out of style?Wood, no matter what finish, because it can go out of style one year and a few years later, come right back.

Anything else to consider in choosing a new floor?You need to love it! Ignore trends. Love everything in your home and it will always put a smile on your face.

Photographed by Nicki Sebastian.

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Expert Advice: Help, I Hate My Floors! - Lonny Magazine

I was one of those kids with perpetually grass-stained knees who reveled in the acquisition of new scrapes and bruises and the accumulation of mud under my fingernails. Being dirty was an accomplishment. My big brothers were always dirty when they got home from work, always covered in sawdust or mortar and stinking of sweat and construction site dust. They were two of the coolest people I knew and I wanted nothing more than to be dirty, just like them.

With age came invitations to accompany them on jobs, which was inevitable. It was a family flooring installation business, and it belonged to all of us, even me. At work during my preteen years, I wore whatever clothes I owned that were too old or ill-fitting for school. I was fragile and spindly back then and did not look the part of a construction worker, but I took pleasure in dressing up (or down, as it were). I liked fetching tools and earning the rips in my pants and pulling splinters from my palms. I liked the fatherly banter from strange men on job sites, pointing out how I was really something and shouldnt my parents be proud.

At school, I experimented with different kinds of clothing. Id always loved reading The Baby-sitters Club, a series in which a main character crafts outlandish outfits, so I figured it would be fun for me to do the same. Homemade jewelry, oversized sweaters with leggings, vibrant skirt-and-tights combos. My creations werent well-received. Once, a classmate asked me out on a date as a joke while his friends stood nearby and snickered. Another poured a pile of outdoor debris, literally sticks and stones, into my backpack when I wasnt looking. As a middle-schooler, these moments felt excruciating. I retreated into my books and spent most of my time in the library, the second safest place in the world after my beloved construction sites.

At 16, I worked after school as an actual, paid flooring installer. I nailed hardwood and built tile showers and eventually started directing crews of men twice my age. I made decent money and bought work clothes that were practical and made me feel attractive. Low-cut, flare-legged jeans that looked good with a leather belt and tool pouch. Tees slim enough to show off my figure but loose enough for me to stick my hand under and fold them up to wipe the sweat off my forehead.

I felt confident in those clothes. I liked that I could walk into a hardware store or lumber yard and be taken seriously. I liked how the strange men had started looking at me with intrigue, as if I was really something but in a way that was different than before. By my junior year of high school, I had figured out how to dress for the acceptance of my peers: polos with logos, denim skirts, overpriced leather sandals. I made friends and even dated a couple of the more popular boys but I clung to the edges of their world with difficulty. It was only after the bell rang, after I slipped out of my itchy teenage skin and back into my grimy work one, that I felt comfortable. Everything else was just pretending.

Homecoming was in October. Id stopped by a little mall boutique after school, on my way to help one of my brothers install porcelain tile in a kitchen, and I had a small selection of dresses draped over my arm. I approached a saleswoman.

Hi, can I try these on?

She evaluated me slowly. Her gaze cascaded from the top of my head (ponytail tucked under a baseball cap speckled with dried thin-set mortar) to my T-shirt and jeans, which were technically clean but had seen better days, and on down to my crusted-over work boots. She cocked her head to the side and gifted me with a pitying smile that was somehow also a frown.

Aww, honey, she whispered. Of course you can.

She thought I couldnt afford them.

Another time I walked into the restroom of a busy lunch joint. A little girl was sitting on the edge of the counter waiting for her mother, who was in a stall. I smiled at the girl and took to washing my dirt-caked hands at the sink. The girl stared at me, her eyes wide with concern.

Mommy!? There's a man in here.

These moments didnt hurt my feelings the way the rocks had years before, but I do remember them. I remember thinking about my brothers, how Id been to restaurants and clothing stores with them at their grimiest, and Id never seen them on the receiving end of a pitying smile. And while I can't confirm this, I would bet their degree of cleanliness (or lack thereof) never caused onlookers to mistake them for women.

I installed full-time for a few more years and then quit. I didnt stop enjoying it, but tides do change and Im the type who can get tired of anything. I worked in retail for a while, then transitioned to office life, where, like in high school, I learned how to dress for acceptance. Cardigans, dresses, flats, funky accessories that doubled as conversation starters. Now I work from home as a writer and am pleased to once again have the rare luxury to wear only what is needed. Because I live in Florida, that means shorts and tank tops.

Somewhere along the way, I tossed my dirty old work clothes. I miss them at times.

I miss them on nights when a gang of blue-collar workers are laughing over a round of beers at the bar. I miss them on mornings when Im feeling particularly nostalgic, when I stop at a gas station and crews are fueling up, chugging cheap coffee, and icing down coolers of bottled water. I've missed them on so many occasions when looking like a man or at least like a member of the mens club would be more beneficial than looking like a woman.

I could always get some more clothes like the ones I used to wear, rub dirt on them, maybe pull a few threads loose at the seams. But of course, it's not really about the fabric. I miss the camaraderie of my crew, the weight of a tool pouch against my left hip, and how unbreakable I felt wearing outfits meant to be broken in. I miss being a dirty woman who made clean people uncomfortable. I miss using my jeans as napkins.

I could dress for the reactions I want, but theres no practical reason for me to wear a pair of crusty work boots out to the bar or mall. And if theres one lesson I learned from my roots, one thing about myself Ive come to terms with once and for all, its that I just like practicality no pretending.

Recently, I decided to install a backsplash in my kitchen. It had been years since Id used any of my tile tools, and when I dug them out of storage, I realized my sawblades were dull. I drove to a home improvement store to buy replacements.

There are multiple ways to cut tile. You can use a wet saw, which looks like someone flipped a table saw upside down and stuck it in a tiny bathtub. You can use a tool called a scorer. Or you can use nearly any small, handheld dry saw as long as you switch the toothed blade out for a smooth diamond blade. (Teeth are for cutting wood.) I prefer the last option, though it works best if the tile isnt too dense otherwise it will heat up and chip all to hell.

At the store, I asked an employee where to find their diamond blades. I was wearing a floral tank top, nice shorts, and a pair of Vans. He must have misheard me. He must have thought Id asked not for blades, but for a long-winded lecture about how they work and how tile can only be cut with a wet saw, no exceptions. After 10 minutes of this I went off to find the blades myself.

The backsplash looks great, by the way.

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I Miss the Clothes I Wore as a Construction Worker - Racked