Common New Build Faults And How To Spot Them Before Buying New build houses have been gaining a lot of news coverage in recent years due to being poorly built. There have been examples of new home buyers finding 100 - 400 faults on houses that cost up to £400,000 to buy, but what is the cause of this, what are the common faults found and how do house buyers prevent finding themselves with a faulty new build?   Why Is The Quality Of Recent New Builds So Poor? In 2017 the Government pledged that one million new homes would be built by 2020, which was not met. According to construction engineering group Calford Seaden, the reason for this was “a shortage of quality tradesmen available to deliver these homes”. Due to this, the Home Builders Federation’s own satisfaction surveys showed a rise in the number of customers reporting snags - from 93% in 2015 to 99% in 2018. How To Prevent Buying A New Build Home With Faults. If you’re currently looking for a new home or are about to move into one, the first thing to do is to fill out a snagging survey. But first, what actually is a snag? What Is A Snag/Snagging? A ‘snag’ can be described as a defect, fault or issue in a new build. This can refer to functional or aesthetic issues that mean something in the home either isn’t working or looking as it should. Functional issues are relatively easy to pinpoint as it’s clear when something isn’t working or fitted correctly, such as missing roof tiles or a faulty tap. However aesthetic issues are trickier to spot, as these can be very minor such as a cracked title or a stray bit of paint. What Is A Snagging Survey/List? The snagging survey/list checks the quality of your new build to make sure it meets living standards. It allows the new homeowner, to note down any repairs or alterations that are needed before moving in.   What Are The Common Faults In New Builds? If you’re currently looking for a new home or are about to move into one, here are some main things to look for while conducting your snagging survey. Find out more about snagging surveys below. 12 Things To Check When Conducting A Snagging Survey Loose and/or cracked roof tiles. Insecure and/or unstable walls, fences & gates. Loose and/or cracked guttering and downpipes. Loose and/or cracked brick and paintwork. Unfinished and/or poorly laid driveway. Insufficient garage insulation. Poorly fitted doors hinges and handles. Cracked and/or poorly sealed window frames. Uneven and/or loose staircase and banisters.  Improperly fitted or functioning kitchen appliances and fittings. Improperly fitted or functioning bathroom fittings and sealant. Uneven and/or unfinished paint, wallpaper and/or tiles. What Happens If I Find Issues With My New Build? Once you’ve finally moved into your home but then start finding issues with your new purchase, don’t panic. Warranty & Insurance Guarantee In the UK all new homes are covered by a free 10-year home warranty and insurance guarantee, which provides protection against problems with the home’s construction and many other eventualities such as; The Building Process If you have paid a deposit and something unforeseen happens with the building of your new home, for example, the builder goes out of business, either your deposit will be refunded or, if the construction is close to competition, the home will be finished. First Two Years The builder will rectify any problems picked up within the first two years that do not meet the warranty provider’s technical requirements at no cost to the homeowner. Years Three To Ten The warranty protects against issues with items such as staircases and internal plastering during years three to ten, as well as a range of structural defects too. Consumer Code Introduced in April 2010, the Consumer Code was designed to give purchasers added protection and was signed by all leading builders. It establishes a new independent resolution service to deal with disputes between the homeowner and builder where the owner has been left out of pocket and when issues fall outside of the warranty cover. According to New-Homes, the Code states that builders must provide; -          Clear and truthful sales material. -          Enough information to ensure all buyers are well-informed on such matters as layout, position and contents of off-plan homes. -          Clear and fair terms and conditions in the sales contract including termination rights. -          Realistic information on when the home will be finished. -          Accessible after-sales service plus details of the warranty and guarantees for appliances, etc.   We hope this guide has helped you with spotting potential issues with your new home. If you’ve already moved into a new home and are now finding faults, make sure to check your warranty and then contact the builder. You’ll be fully protected if the issues you’re experiencing are raised within the allotted time.

This January, Alexandra Palace will open their doors to one of the nations biggest 'end-user' Tool Trade Shows and My Tool Shed are in on the action! The event is running for 2 days, from Wednesday 29th January and Thursday 30th January 10am- 4pm. What is ToolFair? The aim of the show is to give the end-user - that's you, the trade and even the home DIYer - a chance to to see a huge range of tools and accessories. You'll have the opportunity to hold the tools, speak to knowledgeable staff direct from the manufacturers - about what it does, why it's better or different to another model and help you to make an informed purchase either on the day or in the future. We will be supporting one of the biggest names in tools ; DeWalt. The show is as much about learning as it is about shopping! Across the two days, you'll find our tools at unbelievable prices! We aim to be the most competitive across as many tools as possible, so you get excellent value for money! We are bringing along our own team members from My Tool Shed to help you through the tills for a speedy checkout and to give you our best customer service. My Tool Shed are not only offering superb deals on the day, but we also have some exciting give-aways too! For our first 70 customers we are giving away a FREE 5.0Ah Battery worth £55!* Don't miss our FREE Prize Draw to be in with a chance of WINNING a superb DeWalt Twin Kit worth almost £300! Toolfair is a great experience for professionals and amateurs, to be amongst like-minded skilled tradespeople, with a shared love of tools! You can ask any burning questions to staff, find out more, see demo's and take the tools home the same day! Register now! If you haven't yet, register online here for FREE Entry. *spend over £300.

Here at My Tool Shed, we thought we’d take a look to see how much some of the fastest-growing cities across the world have vastly evolved over the last 30 years. To highlight this, we wanted to go beyond just showing you stats and figures. As a result. we’ve created gifs that show five cities (Doha, Dubai, Las Vegas, Manama and Singapore) transforming from how they looked from the sky back in 1988, all the way through to last year and each year in between. So, read on and see how these cities have changed. Dubai The economic growth of Dubai eclipses most others. Its initial boom was, like most other Middle Eastern cities, down to its oil supplies, but what most people don’t realise about Dubai is that its supply was modest compared to neighbouring cities and countries. Consequently, Dubai focused resources on tourism and in 2002, reforms allowed foreigners to own real estate. The industry boomed overnight, which is apparent when you discover that oil accounts for only 1% of Dubai’s GDP. City Stats City Population End Of 1988 = 416,000 City Population End Of 2018 = 2,785,000 Increase (Number) = 2,369,000 Increase (%) = 569% Manama Manama is the capital and largest city of Bahrain. It’s been an important trading centre in the Persian Gulf historically, but its main growth recently has been a result of oil. In the ‘90s a concerted diversification effort led to expansion in other industries helping Manama develop into a financial hub in the Middle East. City Stats City Population End Of 1988 = 123,000 City Population End Of 2018 = 565,000 Increase (Number) = 442,000 Increase (%) = 359% Las Vegas Billed as the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas is the home of nightlife. Casinos, bars, clubs, shopping, fine dining, you name it, Vegas has it. Not surprisingly, it’s the most populous city in the state of Nevada, but you might be surprised to discover that it’s becoming favoured more and more by families and those retiring too. Las Vegas’s population was to hit 2 million in 2006 but thanks to a recession that number wasn’t met. However, it’s steadily recovering, now the 11th fastest-growing metropolitan area in the U.S. according to Forbes, with projected growth to 3.32 million by 2042, a 67% increase over 30 years, making it one of the largest expected population booms in the United States. City Stats City Population End Of 1988 = 642,000 City Population End Of 2018 = 2,541,000 Increase (Number) = 1,899,000 Increase (%) = 296% Doha Doha is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf in the east of the country and is the capital and most populous city of the state of Qatar. Not only is it the most populous, it’s also the fastest-growing, with over 80% of the nation’s population living in the city or its surrounding suburbs. The city was founded in the 1820s when it became an offshoot of Al Bidda, previously the largest town in Qatar and became the country’s capital in 1971. It’s recognised as one of the emergent financial centres in the Middle East and has its own purpose-built artificial island off its coast called The Pearl. City Stats City Population End Of 1988 = 226,000 City Population End Of 2018 = 633,000 Increase (Number) = 407,000 Increase (%) = 180% Singapore Singapore is technically known as a sovereign island city-state. Its territory consists of one main island and 62 other islets and has increased 23% in total size due to extensive land reclamation. It’s also one of the Four Asian Tigers, also known as Dragons or Little Dragons, which are the economies of Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan. These territories have become both world-leading international financial centres (Hong Kong & Singapore) and electrical component and device manufacturers (South Korea & Taiwan). They enjoyed rapid industrialisation and exceptionally high growth rates between the ‘60s and ‘90s and have served as role models for many other developing countries such as the ones included in the Tiger Club of South Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam). Johor Johor neighbours Singapore on the coast of mainland Malaysia. Its capital city is Johor Bahru, which is also the economic centre of the state. Currently Malaysia’s third largest city, it's one that’s rapidly growing with its population increasing 162% in the last 30 years. Similarly to Singapore, Johor Bahru hosts many of the world’s top electronics manufacturers but is considered far more of an industrial city rather than one for tourism. City Stats Singapore Population End Of 1988 = 2,877,000 Singapore Population End Of 2018 = 5,792,000 Singapore Increase (Number) = 2,915,000 Singapore Increase (%) = 101% Johor Bahru Population End Of 1988 = 375,000 Johor Bahru Population End Of 2018 = 983,000 Johor Increase (Number) = 608,000 Johor Increase (%) = 162%

Despite the number of articles about the digitalisation of the workforce and the notion that old-school trades are dying out, if you are able to master the craft, these ancient trades are still a viable option to earn a decent living. 10 Of The Oldest Trades And Experienced Worker Salaries 1. Designer/Maker Experienced Average Salary = £50,000 Typical Hours Per Week = 40-42 Job Age = 135,000 Years Old The first piece of jewellery to ever be made is believed to be around 135,000 years old. A professor in charge of a Neanderthal collection found that some eagle talons had numerous cut marks and realised that they must have been used as jewellery, which was further confirmed by an international team. Today, jewellery designers and makers are probably the best paid out of the old-school trades, with those experienced in the craft earning over £50,000. Example Routes To Becoming A Jewellery Design/Maker University University Of Creative Arts – Jewellery And Silversmithing – Bachelor Of Arts (With Honours) College Bath College – Jewellery Apprenticeship British Academy Of Jewellery – The BAJ Apprenticeship Programme – Jewellery Manufacturing Specialist Courses London Jewellery School – Diploma In Silver Jewellery 2. Carpenter Experienced Average Salary = £40,000 Typical Hours Per Week = 40-45 Job Age = 7,000 Years Old Tests on an old German water well constructed from wood is believed to be around 7,000 years old and is considered the first example of carpentry. Fast forward to the present day and carpentry is still a valued profession, with 240,000 employed today in the UK, with experienced carpenters making around £40,000 per year. Carpenters making around £40,000 per year. Example Routes To Becoming A Stonemason College Newcastle College – Carpentry And Joinery (Level 1 Diploma) Apprenticeship Dishley Commercial Interiors – Apprentice Site Carpenter & Joiner Specialist Courses City & Guilds – Carpentry Course 3. Stonemason Experienced Average Salary = £35,000 Typical Hours Per Week = 43-45 Job Age = 6,000 Years Old Around 6,000 years ago, man began shaping stone from primitive tools. Now thanks to the advancement of technology, shaping stone is far easier. It’s still a tough job but if it’s a craft that is of interest to you, the job is still in demand and you can make upwards of £35,000 doing it. Example Routes To Becoming A Stonemason College Building Crafts College – Advanced Diploma In Stonemasonry Apprenticeship Laing Traditional Masonry – Stonemasonry Apprentice Programme Specialist Courses Ministry Of Stonemasonry – Introduction To Stonemasonry 4. Glassmaker Experienced Average Salary = £50,000 Typical Hours Per Week = 42-44 Job Age = 5,500 Years Old The earliest man-made glass objects were beads thought to originate from Eastern Mesopotamia (a historical region of Western Asia) and Egypt, around 3,500 BC. It’s also thought that during the Stone age, man used obsidian to craft weapons and decorative objects. Glassmaking is, of course, made differently today but nevertheless is still a sought-after service and thus glassmakers can make a solid £35,000+ salary, once experienced. Example Routes To Becoming A Glassmaker University University Of Hertfordshire – Glass Art College Edinburgh College Of Art – Glass MFA Apprenticeship Apprenticeships.scot – Glass Industry Occupations Specialist Courses The Glass Hub – 1 Day Glassblowing 5. Toolmaker Experienced Average Salary = £30,000 Typical Hours Per Week = 40-42 Job Age = 3.3 Million Years Old The oldest stone tools date back 3.3 million years ago. They were discovered in Kenya at an archaeological site known as ‘Lomekwi 3’ near Lake Turkana. Around 20 anvils, cores and flakes were dug up and were generally quite large, with the largest weighing in at 15kg. The use of these tools is currently unknown. If you want to be part of quite possibly the oldest craft ever, then you can and will be able to earn around £30,000 a year doing so. Example Routes To Becoming A Toolmaker College Bishop Auckland College – Toolmaking Apprenticeship Coleg Gwent – Engineering Toolmaking Apprenticeship Specialist Courses Pearson – Engineering Toolmaking 6. Ceramics Designer/Maker Experienced Average Salary = £30,000 Typical Hours Per Week = 40-42 Job Age = 24,000 Years Old Ceramics designers/makers create products made from clay. Archaeologists have discovered ceramics that date back to at least 24,000 BC with the earliest examples found in what was once called Czechoslovakia. They were made from animal fat and bone mixed with bone ash and a fine clay-like material and were in the form of animal and human figurines, slabs and balls. Today ceramic designers & makers create everything from plates and cups to piggy banks and vases and can earn around £30,000 a year. Example Routes To Becoming A Ceramics Designer/Maker University University Of The Arts London – Ceramic Design – Bachelor Of Arts (With Honours) College Nottingham College – Ceramics For Beginners Apprenticeship Leach Pottery – Leach-Seasalt Apprenticeship Specialist Courses Clay College Stoke – Diploma Course 7. Furniture Maker Experienced Average Salary = £30,000 Typical Hours Per Week = 42-44 Job Age = 5,000 Years Old The first documented instances of furniture being used dates back to the Neolithic period (approximately 5,500-2,500 BC). Furniture was made from stone and some of the earliest examples can be found in Skara Brae in Scotland. Independent furniture makers differ from furniture designers as their pieces are usually one-offs, whereas if you are a designer, you create the look for mass-produced furniture. Independent furniture makers on average make around £30,000 per year. Example Routes To Becoming A Furniture Maker College City Of Bristol College – Furniture Making Apprenticeship The Edward Barnsley Workshop – Furniture Making Apprenticeship Specialist Courses The Chippendale International School Of Furniture – Introductory Course 8. Locksmith Experienced Average Salary = £30,000 Typical Hours Per Week = 42-44 Job Age = 4,000 Years Old Another one of the ancient trades is locksmithing. Locks originated in Ancient Egypt and Babylon. It was once believed that these locks were small and portable, used to protect goods from thieves on travel routes, but this is not true. It’s now thought that those types of locks would be too sophisticated for that period. They were actually made from wood and were relatively large and crude. The locks had pins in them and could only be moved by a big wooden key, which once inserted, was pushed upwards rather than turned. Locksmithing is still a valued trade today and you can earn around £30,000 per year. Example Routes To Becoming A Locksmith Apprenticeship The Master Locksmiths Association – Apprenticeship In Locksmithing Specialist Courses Gateshead Locksmith Training – Beginners Locksmith Training Course 9. Blacksmith Experienced Average Salary = £30,000 Typical Hours Per Week = 47-49 Job Age = 3,500 Years Old Blacksmiths work with different metals to make and repair decorative, industrial and everyday items. The craft can be traced all the way back to the Iron Age with the first instances hailing from what is now known as Syria. Compared to the number of carpenters (240,000) the number of blacksmiths pales in comparison. In 2010 there were only an estimated 600 blacksmiths working professionally in the UK. However, numbers are on the rise and if you want to go into this ancient trade you can make around £30,000 a year. Example Routes To Becoming A Blacksmith University Hereford College Of Arts – Artist Blacksmithing – Bachelor Of Arts (With Honours) College Chichester College – Blacksmithing & Farriery (Creative Blacksmithing) Specialist Courses Peat Oberon’s School Of Blacksmithing – The Beginner’s Course 10. Upholsterer Experienced Average Salary = £25,000 Typical Hours Per Week = 43-45 Job Age = 5,000 Years Old The earliest examples of upholstery date back to the Ancient Egyptians when the wealthy had their furniture cushioned. This was discovered when archaeologists found the tomb of Tutankhamun. On the pharaoh’s throne was a scene that showed him sitting on a padded chair, with further studies stating that these padded chairs were still fashionable 150 years later. As a profession, upholstery really began in the Middle Ages when wealthy homes started being fitted with padded seat cushions, decorative wall hangings and bedding began to emerge in what is described now as the textile revolution. Back in those days, the art was one of patience as workers had to use great skill and attention to detail, hand working pieces to completion. The job of an upholsterer can be one that is a freelance or self-employed role, nevertheless, you can still earn upwards of £25,000 per year. Example Routes To Becoming A Upholsterer University Robert Gordon University Aberdeen – Gray’s School Of Art – Upholstery College Brockenhurst College – Upholstery Apprenticeship The British Contract Furnishing Association – New Furniture Apprenticeships Specialist Courses The Sewing Shed – Beginners Upholstery Class

Research shows that sprucing up your garden can add significant value to the average price of a property, especially in urban areas, such as London. When many homeowners and potential purchasers look at houses, attention turns to how to make the most of any outdoor space properties may have. How Much Can A Garden Increase The Value Of A House? Did you know that a well-kept garden can add 20% to the value of the home, meaning the average UK house could see an increase of £46,542, with the Evening Standard going further stating an increase of £90,000 to homes in London? Not only this, but purchasers are willing to pay for that increase. A recent survey by Foxtons Estate Agents found that 62% of their customers said that a garden was important to them with a further 72% saying they’d pay more for a property with outdoor space. How Much Do Gardens In London Cost? Islington = £90,000 Merton = £60,000 Haringey = £55,000 Greenwich = £50,000 Lewisham = £50,000 Wandsworth = £50,000 Ealing = £50,000 Harrow = £50,000 Hackney = £40,000 Croydon = £30,000 15 Ways To Increase My Home’s Value With My Garden Cut The Grass The first thing anyone should do to make their garden space look better is to simply give the lawn a mow. It’s surprising what a difference something so simple can make. What also helps is making sure the edges are nicely trimmed as well as removing any leaves that have fallen, especially in the Autumn months. You can find all your garden power tools needs here including mowers, strimmer and blowers. Weed The Flower Bed Once the lawn is in shape it’s time to move to the flower beds and dig out those pesky weeds. If there’s any too tough to handle using your bare hands it may be a good idea to purchase a weed puller to help. Once they’re all out of the beds double-check any paved areas as well as the driveway. If weeds are getting through here, they’re likely going to be tougher to get rid of. If this is the case, we have a great selection of weed killers to help get the job done. Give The Fence A Fresh Coat Something else that really shows a home’s age is how worn the fences are. A new coat of paint will either show that the current owner is taking care of their property or help mask the house’s real age. Treat That Dreary Decking The same goes for any wooden decking you may have. All wood that is left outside to the element needs to be kept on top of and the best place to start is with treatments, stains and preservers. These will help protect the wood from all weather conditions. Perfect for the rather unpredictable, but usually poor UK weather. Garden Zones Decking, along with other patio or paved areas are great at making different zones in your garden. If you have the space, these are important for breaking up the garden space into separate areas used for different things. For example, the decking area’s is a place where you can relax and unwind, and the patio is where any outdoor eating may take place. Keeping these areas away from the lawn helps keep it from wear. Patch Up The Patio And Paving If you do have any patio or paved areas, make sure there are no cracks. This is particularly off-putting to young families as uneven or cracked paving could be dangerous to little ones. Enjoy The Sun With Outdoor Furniture People want to be able to enjoy the sun wherever they can get the opportunity. Having an area where the homeowner can go to sit back and relax or to entertain outside can be very attractive to potential buyers. If you’re looking for some inspiration, we’ve got a great range of outdoor furniture, fit for any sized garden. Pot Those Plants When you do have an area that is paved or decked it helps to add some potted plants to the space to keep the flow of the garden going. You want the seating area to be a part of the garden not disconnected. Water Features Having a water feature is the ultimate in pure relaxation and can help your garden become a place of blissful escapism. They sound expensive but you can get some fantastic water features for under £200. Outdoor Lighting Just because it’s gone dark outside doesn’t mean you should have to go inside. On summer evenings or just when you haven’t finished enjoying your outdoor space your garden should have adequate lighting in order to keep doing what you’re doing no matter how bright it is outside. Outdoor lights are also a great security feature! Keep An Outdoor Space Secure Speaking of security, it’s always nice to know that whether you’re going to be in or out, your garden area is going to be safe. All entrances/entranceways should be able to be locked so no unwanted guests can easily walk around or enter of their own accord. Keep It Private Similarly, passers-by shouldn’t be able to see into your back garden as you want to make this outdoor space one where you cannot be interrupted or feel like you’re being watched. Sometimes this can be tricky in built-up areas but there are measures you can take to keep your garden as private as possible. For example, tall-growing bushes could line those fences with see-through sections or how about climbing plants if space is restricted? Shed Did you know that 82% of estate agents and property experts agreed that a decent sized shed would add the most value to a property? It’s true. Sheds are fantastic for storing away unsightly and bulky objects that can ruin a beautiful garden view. My Tool Shed has a superb range of sheds perfect for any sized garden, and if space is really tight, we also supply smaller garden storage solutions too. Outbuilding If you really want to wow potential buyers, then why not give them an outbuilding where they can be completely uninterrupted, whilst being able to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors? This is perfect for those that perhaps work from home and don’t want to be cooped up indoors all day or for people who just want to keep dry outside even if the weather is being particularly British on that day. Whatever you prefer to show off we have a great range of garden buildings for whatever you or your potential buyer’s needs are. Keep It Low Maintenance Our final tip is possibly our most simple yet most important one at the same time, and that is to have a garden that is low maintenance. Nobody wants a garden that looks difficult to upkeep.

Celebrate with us! Ten years ago, in 2009, a big idea came from a family-run business in a small village of Hertfordshire. The idea was to bring together an extensive range of power tools and hardware to a new online platform. In fact, what very few people know, is that My Tool Shed grew from an office above a large aluminium warehouse. This metal-working industry was the bread and butter of the company, however it was the industrial tools that captured the imagination of the team and together we decided, we wanted to find out more.. Meetings with new manufacturers led to hand-shakes and the online catalogue started to grow. On October 13th 2009 our first sale for a Stanley Tape Measure went through our website, only 2 days after it went live! In 2017, we launched a new facelift to our website to improve the user-experience and showcase the best offers. The site is now super-fast and easy to use with a mobile thumb-friendly interface where even the biggest hands can’t mis-type! We’ve listened to our customers and looked for ways to make their lives simpler. Now it’s possible to store your card details, pay with PayPal or Apple Pay for an even faster checkout. 10 years on and My Tool Shed is one of the largest tool websites in the UK. At last count, we had 32,324 products live and our team add more products every single day! We are extremely proud of our successes but we always keep our feet firmly on the ground. It’s all thanks to you, our loyal customers, that we’ve enjoyed this journey and now it’s our turn to reward you and say thank you. Introducing our 10 Days of Deals! Plus Free Gifts, Competitions and more...  For 10 Days we will be offering Amazing Deals across our Best Brands! With lots of FREE tools! PLUS, if that wasn't enough.. there will be a chance to WIN a 50" HD 4K TV!*  Visit our Facebook page to find out how you can win! Start Saving from 6am on 11th October 2019 This amazing opportunity to save ££’s all kicks off early on October 11th 2019 at 6am!  During this event we shall announce all of our top deals on our My Tool Shed emails. Sign up here to be the first to find out! *prize may vary slightly from photo.

We are happy to announce Trend have partnered up with the British Lung Foundation! The amazing initiative will see a donation made to the BLF with every purchase of an Air Stealth, Air Shield Pro, T31A Vacuum or T35A Extractor. The British Lung Foundation are the only UK Charity looking after the Nation’s lungs. They have been researching lung conditions for 30 years, and strive to always improve care; and to prevent, treat and cure lung diseases. What is even more amazing is that you know exactly where your donation ends up! For every £1 they receive, 80p goes directly into looking after the Nation. Just 20p goes into running the charity itself. Some donation statistics: In 2018, the Nation donated £6.7million….the most ever! £3.45million of this came from donations. £3.22million came from supporters who left BLF a legacy in their will. So what will you be donating? For every Air Stealth Mask that is purchased (in either size), Trend will donate 20p to the British Lung Foundation.For every Air Shield Pro Mask that is purchased, Trend will donate £1.25 to the British Lung Foundation.For every T31A L-Class Vacuum that is purchased, Trend will donate £1.00 to the British Lung Foundation.For every T35A M-Class Extractor that is purchased (in either voltage), Trend will donate £2.00 to the British Lung Foundation. If you would like to find more about the British Lung Foundation and where your donations are going, visit their website here.

A hot topic in the construction industry today is whether building underground, rather than creating more above ground, is the way forward. According to various reports, it’s not that we’re running out of space, a theory that has been greatly exaggerated in the past, it’s to do with two main factors, city density and the environment. We can keep building skyscrapers and expanding our cities, but we are already approaching the limit for how high we can build, and we don’t want to sacrifice any more of the natural world with expanding cities. So, the only logical move is downwards, but is it possible? The simple answer, yes! In fact, there are some structures thousands of feet underground that are quite staggering that not many know about. Here’s a list of five of the most amazing underground constructions on, or should we say, in earth. 5 Amazing Underground Constructions Jinping Underground Laboratory The first on our list is the Jinping Underground Laboratory. Famed for being the deepest building in the world, this lab is located nearly 8,000 feet within the 14,500 feet high Jinping mountains in Sichuan, China. Inside they research Dark Matter, a mysterious substance that’s thought to account for approximately 85% of the matter in the universe. Surprisingly, it only took around a year to construct, which is unbelievable when it’s as far down as seven Empire State Buildings stacked on top of each other. Gjøvik Olympic Cavern The Gjøvik Olympic Cavern Hall is the largest underground auditorium and houses a multi-purpose venue that can be used for football, hockey, basketball, volleyball and tennis to name a few. Concerts, dining and events also take place here. It’s currently the home of local ice hockey team Gjøvik Hockey. Aside from the main venue hall, the underground building that took two years to build also has a swimming pool and a cafeteria, with the main auditorium able to hold over 5,000 spectators. Onkalo Nuclear Repository Have you ever wondered where spent nuclear fuel goes? Well, it cannot simply be thrown away or recycled due to its radioactive attributes that can last for an incredibly long time. As a result, spent nuclear fuel must be stored away in a secure location such as this place, called the Onkalo Nuclear Repository. Currently, under development, this nuclear repository sits over 1,400 feet underground in Eurajoki, Finland. Set to be constructed by 2023, once fully constructed, this will be the first specifically designed final disposal site of spent nuclear fuel. Areas of it will be sealed from 2020 onwards and will not be accessible by humans for about 100,000 years! Gotthard Base Tunnel Tunnels nowadays aren’t really seen as being that amazing, until you discover the Gotthard Base Tunnel. This mega underground structure, which carves through the Swiss Alps, is not only the deepest tunnel in the world but the longest too. At its lowest point, the Gotthard Base Tunnel delves to over 7,500 feet underground, 1.5x deeper than the Grand Canyon. It has two tunnels, one for each direction that both measure a staggering 57km long, over 3km over the previous record holder, the Seikan Tunnel in Japan, and takes a full 20 minutes to get from one end to the other. Mponeng Gold Mine Similarly to tunnels, mines aren’t usually anything to get excited over, however, the Mponeng Gold Mine stands out over the rest. Not only because it is the deepest gold mine in the world at a colossal 20,000 feet (which is over 7x the height of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world) it also has people working down there! That’s right, 20,000 feet underground there are people mining away to find gold. And it’s not a few people either, there are 5,700 people working in 150F/65C temperatures with a constant threat of earthquakes and flooding too.

Did you know that an average sofa’s estimated average carbon footprint is equivalent to 10.1 gallons of consumed gasoline? It’s true! Back in 2011, the Furniture Industry Research Association or FIRA for short, took it upon themselves to find out furniture’s carbon footprint and the results were quite shocking. Sample Of Findings* Data calculated from production through distribution* The findings highlighted that the production of many of your common household furnishings resulted in quite sizable amounts of CO2e. Everything from dining tables to footstools, you name it, there’s likely to be a carbon footprint, with the average piece of furniture consuming approximately 47kg of CO2e, which is the same as 5.3 gallons of consumed gasoline. Not only did the research show the overall carbon footprint but also what materials within the furniture contributed to it the most. Here’s a breakdown of an average sofa as an example. While this research was conducted a few years ago, it is still relevant today, as emissions from furniture manufacturing haven’t dropped by any great margin since. Source = Ricardo-AEA; Office for National Statistics  This research just amplifies the importance of upcycling when it comes to helping to preserve our planet. As a result, we’ve put together a list of our top tips on how to revive an old piece of furniture into something cool, fresh and looking brand new. 6 Simple Ideas For Upcycling Old Furniture Here are eight super quick and easy tips for bringing life back into an old piece of furniture. 1.     Start With A Deep Clean It’s surprising what a deep clean can do to your sofa or armchair, especially if it’s made from microfibre. And it’s not that big of a job either. Some rubbing alcohol, a scrub brush and a white or tan sponge are all you need to get your furniture back to its freshest. What You’ll Need Spray Bottle Rubbing Alcohol Scrub Brush Sponge How To Deep Clean Furniture Fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol. Spray all microfibre areas. With the sponge, scrub the microfibre thoroughly. Allow to dry. Once dry, get your scrub brush and, using circular motions, scrub the microfibre. If necessary, repeat for tough area  2. It's Tufting Time! Another fix for cushions that have lost a bit of their plumpness, is tufting. Not only does this divide up the stuffing and give it a cool look, but it’ll also help the stuffing remain in place. What You’ll Need Heavy Thread Extra Long Upholstery Needle Pins Marker Scissors Tape Measure How To Add Tufting To A Cushion Mark X’s on your cushion/s for tufting placement using measuring tape and pins. Repeat identically on the other side of your cushion/s. Cut a piece of thread doubled + 10” the width of cushion. So, if a cushion is 3” thick, your thread should be at least 16” long. Pull thread through needle then insert into one of the top points of one of your drawn X’s from the back of the cushion all the way through so it comes out at the same front marked point. Pull through leaving 5” out the back of the cushion. Insert the needle back into the cushion at the opposite end of the drawn X’s line and pull through to the back. Repeat this but starting at the other top point of the drawn X. Once complete you should have a threaded X on the front of your cushion. Slip the thread out of the needle and pull the ends taut, creating the depression of the tuft, then tie the ends together. Remove any long remaining thread and repeat for the other tufting marks.     3. Trim The Edges With Some Nailheads Adding nailheads to your furniture is a fantastic way to subtly liven up a plain item. Simply place them around the trim of your sofa, the headboard of your bed or wherever you feel it’s suitable and watch your furniture turn from boring to brilliant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br27fKtS3f4  What You’ll Need Ruler or Spacer Nailheads Rubber Mallet or Hammer Fabric Marker How To Add Nailheads To Furniture Begin by drawing a line where the nailheads will be placed, the same distance from the edge all the way around your piece of furniture, or wherever you desire your nailheads to be placed. We recommend placing the first nailhead in the corner and hammer it in on the line you’ve created using a hammer or preferably a rubber mallet, as these are less likely to scratch your nailheads. Next, measure your preferred spacing from the first nailhead to your second using the ruler or spacer and mark the desired location using the fabric marker, then hammer in your second nailhead. Repeat this process until all your nailheads are in place. Did You Say, Paint Your Sofa?! That’s right! If your leather sofa has faded, you can paint it back to its former self or pick a brand-new colour if you’d prefer. So, how do you do it? What You’ll Need Leather Bleach Soft-Bristle Brush Flat Paint Brush Rubbing Alcohol Acrylic Paint for Leather Warm Water Cold Water Hand Towel Sandpaper Safety Goggles Facial Mask Gloves How To Paint A Leather Sofa Clean the leather. Simply vacuum and wipe away as much grit, dirt and dust as possible in order to keep things smooth when painting. Mix the leather bleach with one pint of cold water. Use the soft-bristled brush to scrub the leather thoroughly with the mixture, then dry using a hand towel. Apply rubbing alcohol to the sofa with a washcloth and thoroughly scrub. This will remove the protective coatings, allowing the new paint to stick. Sand the sofa gently to make sure all the protection is removed. Next, you’ll need to prime the material using a solution made up of one-part acrylic paint to one-part water which will act as a base coat so that the later, undiluted coat of paint has something to adhere to. Use a flat paint brush and apply using long, even strokes. Once the second layer of primer solution is almost dry, apply a thin layer of undiluted acrylic paint across the entire surface, then keep layering as necessary and allow to dry. 4. Get Out The Sander Wooden furniture can become scratched, stained, dented and dull over time. Get these items back to their former selves by sanding and varnishing, giving them a new lease of life. Alternatively, once sanded, why not give your wooden furniture a new lick of paint? What You’ll Need -        Sandpaper / Hand Sander / Electric Sander -        Wood Conditioner -        Disposable Gloves -        Facial Mask -        Protective Goggles -        2-3 Tack Cloths -        Floor/Ground Protection -        Sponges -        Paint Brushes -        Woodstain -        Lint-Free Cloths How To Refurbish A Wooden Table First, put on your protective gear including goggles, gloves and face mask. Also set down any protective floor/furniture covering needed before starting. Next, begin sanding the table using coarse grit sandpaper, progressing to finer sandpaper. Make sure to sand with the grain of the wood and wipe away particles between switching sandpaper. If you’re using an electric sander, built in vacuums will help massively with this. Once all the dust from sanding has been removed, apply wood conditioner with a sponge and allow to dry. Then, apply the woodstain in an even layer, letting each section dry for a few minutes. Use a lint-free cloth to wipe away any excess. Sand and reapply stain until you have your desired colour. Do a final sand of the wood to smooth.   5. Reupholster To Feel Like New Reupholstering is quite a big job but can be very rewarding. There are many companies that will do this for you but if you’d prefer to do it yourself you can save yourself a pretty penny. A word of caution though, this is not an afternoon job so make sure you set aside enough time to complete the project. What You’ll Need       -        Tape Measure -        Fabric -        Scissors -        Synthetic Foam Padding -        Pencil -        Staple Gun -        Needle and Thread/Sewing Machine -        Zipper -        Screws -        Nails -        Wood Glue How To Reupholster A Sofa Measure your sofa and cushions before buying fabric. Consider buying extra (roughly 10% more than you think you’ll need) in case mistakes happen. Flip your sofa upside down and remove all fabric from the bottom. Flip back and remove the outside back and arms, the inside back and arms and then the deck. If the fabric is in good condition (i.e. not ripped up or missing) use it to help measure your new fabric. Measure and cut your fabric to the right size, using the old fabric as a guide. On seamed edges cut ½” from the old seam. On stapled edges add 2-3” more, which will be used to pull the fabric cover onto the sofa. Sew your fabric using a ½” seam allowance. Using a staple gun, attach the new fabric to your sofa. Reattach the sofa deck, inside arms and back. Then add your cushions and reattach the outside arms and back. Sources https://www.fira.co.uk/images/fira-carbon-footprinting-document-2011.pdf https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator https://www.lovelyetc.com/10-ways-to-transform-your-old-sofa/ https://www.remodelaholic.com/28-ways-bring-life-sofa/ https://sew4home.com/tips-resources/sewing-tips-tricks/tufting-tutorial-dritz-home-decor https://www.wayfair.com/ideas-and-advice/how-to-sand-and-stain-a-table-S5280.html https://www.stencilup.co.uk

Storage sheds are an essential part of garden life. Often the go-to place for lawn mowers, gardening tools and bike storage. Some have converted theirs into a ‘man-cave’ or maybe Dad has been inspired by garden workshops instead! Even fitness fanatics know how to enjoy a garden shed. These days the shed can be transformed into almost anything. So, if it’s a multi gym, a garden office or a hot tub cabin you're after, why not buy the ideal shed that works for you? No matter if you have a small courtyard or acres of lawn, sheds come in all different shapes and sizes. A great place to house all of the outdoors equipment and garden furniture. With an outdoor garden building, everything is easily accessible to help keep your garden looking tip-top! Are sheds waterproof? New timber sheds are usually first pressure treated with a preservative for a good level of water resistance and protection from weathering. The manufacturer should also give you an indication of how long it will last or what else you can do to improve moisture and minimise water damage. How to keep your shed waterproof? The best thing to do with ANY shed is maintain it. Maintenance is the key - particularly with wooden sheds. Assess the outside each year and give it an extra coat of wood preserver or paint to see it through the toughest of Winters. Painting your shed will also add a splash of colour to your garden. Get inspired with different shades from Cuprinol. It’s a lot harder to undo water damage on wooden sheds. But assessing the cause of the damage will help you to identify a solution. Floors are often the first place to go. If it’s damp, rotting or warped, following these steps; Empty the contents. Remove pressure from heavy items. Assess if you need new floor. Assess if you need a better shed base. A leaking shed roof is also another recurring problem. If yours is leaking, strip the felt and determine if the panels need replacing too. If you’re fortunate enough, it could be just a simple re-felt job. If you have window frames, the seals can go if the wood starts to rot. If the problem isn’t too serious, it may be fixable with filler. If not, then you’ll need to replace the frame entirely. Windowless sheds are available for future reference! DIY on a budget is one of the biggest crazes on social media at the moment. Pinterest and Facebook communities all sharing their latest transformations, fix-ups and quick fixes. With so much information available at our fingertips we’ve never been in a better position to figure out how to repair, re-build or improve our sheds. Seeking advice from others is helpful, but bigger jobs like new shed bases and re-felting may require a professional. If your shed is extremely weathered, leaking or deteriorating, then it could be time to buy new. Weigh up the cost of the repairs versus the cost of a new one. Be aware, that whilst these quick-fixes may do the job in the short-term, you could be looking at another maintenance project in a year’s time. What sheds are best? There’s no solid evidence to say whether a buying a metal, plastic or timber shed is better. With each material, there are pro’s and con’s and all three can unfortunately deteriorate at some stage of their lives. Wooden Garden Sheds Timber is not perfectly impervious to moisture, but so long as the roof felt is assessed and the frame is maintained, the windows remain sealed etc. – a wooden shed should give you a good 5-10 years of life. Air circulation is also necessary if outside temperatures drop as condensation can occur inside. Aesthetically the wooden garden shed, such as the Rowlinson 10 x 8 Premier Shed is the shed of choice. Homeowners favour natural materials over man-made. Their appearance seamlessly blends into the garden backdrop. Timber also offers a sturdy frame that remains solid against high winds and adverse weathers. You can also customise a wooden garden shed by building onto the wooden frame, adding shelving or racking etc. Best type of cladding for a wooden shed? There are two popular types of cladding for wooden garden sheds; Tongue and groove weatherboard. This is often found on shiplap sheds. It allows the water to readily fall off and offers a sound structure which will remain straight and square over time. Overlap cladding is a more rustic style ,with rough sawn pieces layered on top of each other. It's a cheaper option to tongue and groove and although rainwater will run off the sides, over time it's susceptible to warping and weathering. Metal Garden Sheds Metal is a practical material for any garden building. It’s durable and relatively light-weight and easy to build. They are one of the most secure sheds, certainly harder to break into or damage. This Rowlinson Double Door Metal ‘Ezee’ shed is a strong contender for bike sheds and tool storage, locking away valuables behind their double doors. Will a metal shed rust? Similar to the doors on metal garages, a steel shed will eventually be susceptible to rust and corrosion, but they are relatively low maintenance for at least a good 5 years. The galvanised layer protects the metal from the elements and prevents the formation of rust. Can metal sheds be painted? Yes! Try to keep your metal shed clean and coat the structure in a protective metal paint to continue its’ life for as long as possible. The great advantage of a metal shed is the metal shed roof oppose to the felt roof. Due to the low level of maintenance, they are also considered relatively cheap sheds. Plastic Garden Shed Less durable than wood or metal, the plastic shed is still a practical solution for the garden. Plastic sheds don’t require a concrete shed base. So long as the ground is flat. Usually they’ll come with a plastic floor included and can be installed almost anywhere. This means the outlay for plastic overall is a lot less. Often a plastic shed is reinforced with a steel structure so it’s a lot more solid than it initially appears. In addition, new models of plastic sheds like the Keter Newton has a ‘wood-effect’ shiplap design. Whilst still man-made, the colour palette with realistic design feels a lot more natural within a garden setting to earlier plastic shed designs. Are sheds easy to move? One of the easiest outdoor buildings to move is the plastic shed. It’s delivered flat-packed with assembly instructions and it’s as easy to build as it is to dismantle. If you’re simply moving it to another spot in the garden, then the whole shell can probably be lifted in one go. Plastic is also popular for homeowners who are moving up the property ladder and can take the shed along with them to their next house. Best garden shed for… ? Hundreds of sheds are sold each day in the UK. If you get the opportunity to visit a showroom, you can get a feel for the sheds by size and different styles. Educate yourself in the language of sheds! Research is fundamental before you invest. Get to know the difference between an 'apex shed' and 'pent sheds.' Or the benefits of a ‘44mm log cabins’ over ‘19mm log cabins’. Once you've done your homework and picked the shed you’d like, then you're ready to buy the best shed for your garden. What’s the best shed for small gardens? As a shed retailer, we take lots of calls asking us which sheds to buy for a specific use. It’s probably right to assume that if someone has a small garden, the property is proportionally small and they are lacking garden storage. Therefore, we would always suggest either one of our smaller 4x4 shed, wooden garden storage sheds or any of the utility stores, storage chests, storage boxes and mini stores. These take up little surface area but can be filled with lots of garden essentials. There are even wheelie bin storage and bike stores in our Rowlinson collection. What’s the best shed for a garden office? If outdoor space is plentiful, those looking for a room outside to work from home will find a great selection of sheds with us. The word ‘shed’ can cover all manner of outdoor garden buildings. However, for a home office we recommend exploring our range of log cabins or summer houses. These are tailored to be a more habitable space with larger opening windows for lots of natural light. Secure door lock will help to keep valuables like computers safe and heavy duty framing for a long-lasting outside building. If you’re browsing with us, we stock the complete Rowlinson range from the popular sheds summerhouses, wooden playhouses, contemporary log cabins, potting sheds, corner sheds and even pet houses! Whatever your final plans for your Great British Shed, remember these fantastic tips so you can enjoy these amazing spaces for as long as possible!