Construction Archives - Page 5 of 6 - Pinnacle Works Sussex

Designing the Ultimate Garden Fire Pit

Mar 17, 2021 | Construction, Decorating

A garden fire pit is a stylish, chic and popular way to make the most of your outside spaces.

Our team receives frequent enquiries about constructing bespoke garden fire pits – and as the weather warms and we all appreciate the benefits of spending more time outdoors, that’s only going to increase! Your fire pit style depends very much on the shape, size and aesthetic of your landscaping and what garden inspiration you want to bring to your home.

Here, we’ll run through some of the many benefits of garden fire pits to revitalise your outdoors and how you can adapt your entertaining areas to your own unique tastes.

What are the Benefits of Having a Garden Fire Pit?

There’s little more romantic and relaxing than having a softly cracking fire, warming your toes (and perhaps your marshmallows) as you chill out with friends, enjoy dinner with family, or catch up with your nearest and dearest.

While fires have always been an autumnal tradition, garden fire pits bring this instant ambience into year-round use.

A garden fire pit can be purely decorative or used for cooking and toasting.
Year-round use means you can have a cosy garden seating area, whatever the weather.
Fire pits provide gentle light, mood and atmosphere perfect for entertaining.
Being usable throughout the summer extends your garden space into the night.
Garden fire pits are safe, with flames properly contained and limited to your drum and fuel source. You can also add fire guards and covers if there are young children around.

Fire pits can be as straightforward or as intricate as you like – speak to us about your garden inspiration, and we’ll be delighted to share some design ideas with you. There are thousands of garden design styles to choose between, from slick, contemporary sunken seating areas to snuggly warm dens, functional outdoor kitchen spaces to casual family relaxation pods.

Another benefit is that having a fitted garden fire pit in your property can add value to your home! That depends on what fuel source you use, how well the fire pit has been maintained, and whether it’s a permanent installation or occasionally used in a seating area or deck.

Are Fire Pits Expensive to Maintain?

Garden fire pits are multifunctional, used for warmth, cooking, as a design statement, or entertainment. You can burn a wide range of fuels on your fire pit, and if installed correctly with stable foundations, they require little maintenance apart from periodic cleaning.

Examples of suitable fuel sources include:

Charcoal
Kiln-dried logs
Almost any dried wood – birch, oak, alder and ash are popular.
Smokeless fuels
Wood briquettes

Choosing an aromatic kiln-dried wood is a great way to bring a pleasant scent to the evening air and add to the atmosphere.

Maintenance is simple – you should remove ash and any debris from the garden fire pit, clean with a non-toxic solution, and rinse. Most fire pits only need a general clean from time to time and a deep clean every six months or so. It’s essential to allow your fire pit time to dry after it has been cleaned to ensure it will burn just as brightly next time you want to use it.

Most garden fire pits will burn for anything from three to six hours, depending on how regularly you top up the fuel source. They can be lined with sand to ensure the heat distributes evenly, and cleaning is a little easier.

With so many diverse styles available, Pinnacle can also fit bespoke seating areas, raised or sunken, around a standalone fire pit of your choice. Some homeowners prefer an option with a removable drum for easy storage when not in use.

Why are Garden Fire Pits so Popular?

There’s little doubt that what was once an unusual quirk is now something that millions of homeowners wish to install in their gardens – and the trend for fire pits has taken off significantly in the last few years. Many of the reasons relate to personal taste and how we value our gardens and want to maximise the fresh air and natural light we experience daily.

Particularly over the last year, when so many of us were confined to our homes, we have a newfound appreciation for how much our outdoor spaces bring to our lives. It is essential to ensure your property is somewhere you can relax, spend quality time, and enjoy the best that British summertime has to offer.

Garden design is also completely adaptable, and so you can create any seating area, decking, patio or landscaping that captures the personality of your home and family. Some of the most popular options include:

Using sunken rendered walls to create a sleek feel, with curved edges and a smooth finish to deliver a dedicated seating area for dining with guests.
Tiling your garden fire pit area, whether a bright pop of colour to inject energy or a subtle pattern, to blend in seamlessly with your garden design.
Creating shape with elongated fire pit designs, complementing your garden’s layout and bringing unused areas back into value.
Making your fire pit a focal and social hub of your garden, by building outwards from the seating area.

There are also multiple material options, ranging from modern concrete block to Mediterranean inspired designs, robust brickwork to traditional stone.

Whatever your garden inspiration might be and how you use your outside spaces, a garden fire pit can bring a new dimension to your property and expand your use of the outdoors. From warming winter evenings to relaxing summer nights, family dinner times to barbecue parties, fire pits bring a touch of luxury living that offers real benefits to our wellbeing.

For more information about garden design inspiration or to view previous garden fire pit installation projects, get in touch with the Pinnacle Works team to begin your garden transformation – just in time for summer!

Customise Your Own Home Bar – Indoors or Out!

Feb 21, 2021 | Construction, Joinery

Over the last year, we’ve all spent a lot more time at home than usual. Among all the challenges, it’s also been an opportunity to make the most of the sanctuaries that we call our homes. The Pinnacle Works carpentry teams have been hard at work creating bespoke timber creations for properties across West Sussex. Our number one requested design? Home bars!

Here we’ll run through some of our favourite ideas, and inspirations for unique home bars that bring a sense of fun and family to any property.

For help with bringing your imagination to life, or designing a bar that reflects the style and decor of your house or apartment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

A Social Summer Is Coming!

As the weather slowly warms, and the first green shoots of spring appear, the promise of a glorious summer is on the horizon.

Nobody yet knows quite what that will look like this year; but with hopes of pandemic restrictions lifting, we’re all anticipating social occasions, warm hugs and laid back BBQ days enjoying the sunshine, friends and family. Garden projects have increased by almost 50% during the pandemic!

Now is a great time to think about new planting, and restoring joy to your outdoor spaces after a long, cold winter. Along with cleaning off the grill, dusting off the paddling pool and getting the lawn back into great shape, installing a high quality, timber bar will transform your home into an entertainment venue like no other.

Outdoor home bars can be as large or small as you like, with tailored designs to fit neatly into any unused corners of your outdoor space and give it fresh purpose.
Customised finishes mean that, if you can visualise it, we can create it!
High-quality carpentry creates home bars to withstand the elements.
Bring an injection of colour, style and energy to empty patios – think twinkling lights, Hawaiian leis, or slick, pared-back contemporary city styling.

Staying in is the new going out; and whether you’re thinking of colour blocks and martini glasses or an all-out summertime fiesta, the skilled Pinnacle Works carpentry team can build it.

Lighting Solutions for Outdoor Home Bars

When you’ve got an idea about your bar’s theme and position, the next consideration is lighting. We have a range of suggestions from previous designs!

There are limitless options, and it’s well worth looking at other home bars since well-placed lighting can add ambience, fun, mood and atmosphere – and mean you’ll be out enjoying the fresh air long after the sun has set.

Fairy lights are a traditional outdoor bar lighting option, with a calming effect and multiple battery-operated options.
Wired light bulbs bring a sense of cool loft lighting, and can be bright and welcoming or dimmed and relaxing depending on your event.
Outdoor LED lights are an excellent solution for eco-friendliness and require very little installation time or running costs.
Hardwired lighting is available through the Pinnacle team, creating a long-term outdoor lighting solution suitable for year-round use.

Indoor Home Bar Designs

Of course, your entertaining doesn’t have to be reserved for the garden; and we’re all well aware that the British summer doesn’t make a lot of guarantees regarding the weather…

Through our established team of joiners and carpenters, Pinnacle can design home bars for kitchen and living areas as well as the outdoors. There are lots of great benefits to opting for a home bar design:

Space-saving entertainment area, which can slot into even tiny places.
Make the most of the footprint of your home by utilising every corner.
A cost-effective option, and suitable for kitchens, living rooms, conservatories and outdoor spaces.
Bespoke designs create a bar that aligns with the decor and theme of your home.

Our recommendations for the highest quality materials, finishes and construction methods are always adapted to the type of bar you would like, and where in your home this is to be fitted.

Bringing the Outside In

When you think of a home bar, it’s essential to understand that this doesn’t have to be a typical open top, rectangular construction.

Timber is a versatile, natural material with few limitations!

Covered bars can be used year-round as a dynamic outdoor space.
Weatherproof roofing protects your bar area whatever the weather.
Adding fire pits, seating areas, grills or an outdoor kitchen makes an outdoor bar so much more than an occasional entertaining space!
You can use trellises to encourage climbers to grow, blending your outdoor bar in with your landscaping.

We have created timber outdoor home bars with multiple functionalities; from outdoor games spaces for kids to relaxing lounge areas to sit down with a good book and enjoy the fresh air.

Canopies and roofs are an excellent idea if you’re looking for a cost-effective home bar that will add value to your quality of living, and allow you to spend time outside, even in the rain. Adding quality lighting, soft furnishings and perhaps even an outdoor music system truly creates a new living space – that can increase your garden’s usability and improve the saleable value of your property.

Outdoor Home Bar Design

There are all sorts of ways to adapt your outdoor home bar to your home:

Bars on wheels are a convenient storage option and can be easily packed away in the shed or garage when not in use.
Plant stands on bars add shelving for all of your barware and provide plenty of room to decorate your bar with some greenery to tie in with your garden.
Buffet stands or tiled bars are long-wearing and perfect for entertaining.
Using blackboards or blackboard paint is an excellent way of creating a unique bar menu for special occasions or themed family evenings.
Building a bar into a deck area can transform its uses, and be a fantastic spot for summer evening dinners.

If you’re considering an outdoor home bar, aren’t sure of the design options to fit into your space, or need some style inspiration to capture the right mood, get in touch with the Pinnacle Works team for everything from design tips to construction solutions.

Let’s make it a summer to remember!

Underfloor Heating – Warming Your Home From The Ground Up

Jan 7, 2021 | Construction

Let’s talk about underfloor heating. It’s not just a luxurious way to keep your toes cosy in the depths of winter but is economical, energy-efficient and a lot simpler to install than many of us think

There are so many reasons to opt for underfloor heating, and this form of home warmth isn’t reserved for contemporary new builds on Grand Designs – but is, in fact, one of the oldest ways of keeping a building comfortable! Originating in Roman times, heating under hard stone floors was created by harnessing basement fireplaces’ warmth, with chimneys running underneath the rooms.

Technology has come a tremendous way since the appeal of replacing clunky radiators with streamlined underfloor heating – so let’s explore how this type of home heating system works, and why it is a fantastic investment for your property.

What is Underfloor Heating & How Does it Work?

Of course, we all know that underfloor heating means running pipework underneath your floors, to keep your rooms deliciously warm underfoot.

But the practicalities are that the Pinnacle Works team fits piping or cables underneath any flooring surface, which usually draws on your same boiler, but distributes the heat differently. This technology puts less strain on your boiler than typical radiators, with a lower control temperature required to keep your rooms at a comfortable heat (around a 25 °C reduction in heat output!).

There are two primary ways of installing underfloor heating. The right option will depend on whether you are building an extension and creating a newly poured floor, or looking at a renovation project to upgrade your home.

Wet or hydraulic underfloor heating uses the same system as a radiator, with water heated by a boiler or eco-friendly heat pump. The pipes are laid with a screed to keep them in place, and concealed underneath your floor.
Electric underfloor heating is another option, often lower cost and faster to install in existing properties. It uses electricity to power the heated matting, containing the wires and cables. The downside is that the running costs tend to be slightly higher since an electrical system relies on your mains power supply, rather than water heated by your boiler.

If you’re considering underfloor heating for your building, feel free to get in touch for a chat about the best heating system for your home, style of property, and budget.

A lot depends on whether you’d like to heat specific rooms or floors, or the whole of your property – so give us a call, and we’ll run through the pros and cons!

What are the Benefits of Underfloor Heating?

Underfloor heating is a compelling option for many reasons:

Reliability

Radiant heat technology warms your home gently, without sudden fluctuations in heat output from radiators. Warming a house from the ground up means that you don’t have pockets of cold or hot air and maintain consistent temperatures.

Energy-Efficiency

Heating your property from under the floor is more energy-efficient, requiring less energy than multiple radiators. You don’t need a new boiler and can reduce energy costs by around 15% on average since underfloor heating runs at substantially lower temperatures.

Flexibility

Contrary to common misconceptions, underfloor heating isn’t just something available for new construction projects or extensions – our professional teams can install it retrospectively in properties of any type. You can fit either hydraulic or electrical underfloor heating under any surface – from laminate to carpets, tiles to stone, and traditional wooden floorboards.

Space Saving

If there is one key benefit to underfloor heating in addition to saving money on energy bills – it is being able to remove unattractive radiators from your walls, and make the most of the space on offer in your home! Heating cables are hidden perfectly beneath the floor, and take up zero room in your living spaces.

Safety

Particularly for parents with young children or busy households, leaving heating appliances unsupervised can be worrisome. Having your building’s heating cleverly concealed means there is no risk that small hands or inquisitive noses will come anywhere near to hot metal or sharp edges!m

Cleaner Air

Another lesser-known fact about underfloor heating is that it improves air quality. Radiant heat produces better Oxygen qualities and avoids the dust circulation caused by radiators, created by thermal currents of air rising to your ceilings and down again to the floor in a revolving cycle.

Easy to Fit

The Pinnacle Works heating team often installs underfloor heating in existing properties. We can usually complete an installation in just a few days whether you opt for electrical matting or a pumped water system. Electrical matting can be quickly fitted and tiled or carpeted over without any extensive construction work or disruption.

Seamless to Use

While we’ve all had a problem with radiator leaks, uneven temperature distribution or trapped air pockets, you have none of these issues with underfloor heating. Our systems require minimal maintenance once installed, and electrical systems don’t need much servicing to keep them in tip-top condition.

As you can see, there are multiple reasons that so many homeowners decide to opt for underfloor heating – and it’s flexible enough to be used in just one room as part of an extension project, or to be fitted through entire properties as a renovation!

The beauty of this heating system isn’t just in the cost-efficiencies, ease of running or safety. It’s that you never need to spend time changing radiator settings and that our dedicated thermostatic controls mean you can choose from automatic programming or schedules, so your home is always heated just as you like it.

Are There any Downsides to Underfloor Heating?

As with any design choice, it’s always worth thinking about the pitfalls – but it’s safe to say these are few and far between.

Initially, underfloor heating does, of course, incur a cost to supply and fit the heating system. However, the energy savings accumulate quickly, and an advanced quality system will pay for itself in a short space of time by reducing your heating bills. Another factor is that a heating system under your floors can increase your flooring height and, therefore, decrease the total volume of space in your home.

That said, low-profile hydraulic underfloor heating usually adds a minimal height of under 20 mm. An electrical underfloor heat pad can be as slimline as 3 mm – which is far outweighed by the space saved by being able to remove any pre-existing radiators from your walls!

If you’re interested in an underfloor heating system for your construction project and would like to have a chat about costs or installation times – or check out some of our previous work – do get in touch or visit our portfolio online! The Pinnacle Works team has years of experience in fitting every type of home heating system, so we’re always on hand to provide advice and guidance so you can make an informed choice about the safest and lowest-cost way to heat your home perfectly.

Breathe Life into Your Hallway with a Staircase Renovation

Dec 17, 2020 | Construction, Joinery

Our staircases are often overlooked when it comes to designing a fresh interior. However, staircase renovation is a deceptively simple construction project that can make an astonishing difference!

There are so many reasons why building a new staircase can make a substantial difference to how your property feels:

Your stairs are a focal point, often immediately visible when entering a property.
They define the style, flow of energy and feel of a home.
Elegant staircases and bespoke balustrades can completely transform your aesthetic.
Using innovative building materials and creative design can turn an old, tired staircase into a style statement.
Staircases can be cleverly reconfigured to improve your layout or open up more space and light.

While your staircase might be a practical way to move from one floor to the other, it is so much more than a place to sling your jacket after a long day – it is an integral part of your interior, and a modest budget goes a long way!

How to Update an Old Staircase

For a lot of homeowners, the idea of ripping out an old staircase and building something new sounds daunting; surely that’s a massive project! The reality is, working with an experienced renovation team such as Pinnacle Works makes updating an old staircase a breeze.

What matters most is the quality of the joinery, and having input into the design process, so you know exactly what finish, materials, and style your new stairs will incorporate.

You will find a multitude of ways to update an old staircase, ranging from a complete staircase renovation through to some gentle design upgrades that will make all the difference:

Replacing timber balustrades with sleek contemporary glass panels brings a modern and scandi chic vibe.
Swapping out rigid lines for sweeping curves creates a softer, gentler feeling that makes a property feel more relaxed.
Changing your risers can give a staircase a total facelift; think about wood, textures, carpets, or something less traditional such as steel, glass or polished concrete.
Updating newel posts or bannisters with something fresh and new will change the look of your whole staircase, with minimal work.

Of course, you can also look at a significant staircase renovation project whereby you replace the entire structure – which opens up a world of possibilities!

Think about how much floor space your staircase takes up in your ground floor.

Does it maximise your storage space?
Could you minimise the amount of your hallway that is out of use?
What shape and angle of stairs would fit perfectly with your style?
Do you find under stair areas dark, dusty and redundant?
Would lighting, contemporary materials, glass or a change of wood stain brighten your property?

As we can see, there are countless ways to use a staircase renovation to transform your building, so let’s look in detail at some of the most popular design projects the Pinnacle Works team delivers!

Diverse Materials to Make an Artistic Statement from your Staircase Renovation

Traditionally, staircases were wooden, from top to bottom. That’s wooden treads, bannisters, newel posts, strings, fascias – you name it!

Wood is an honest, natural, and versatile material. If you’re comfortable with the texture and feel, there is no reason not to stick with it, but perhaps look at different types, stains and colours of wood that might inject fresh energy into your living spaces.

It’s also worth checking out some more innovative materials, and how they are used to create an extension to your main rooms that turns your staircase into an asset that links the different spaces in your property.

Glass is ideal for minimalist staircases and avoids blocking the flow of light. It makes your home feel larger, brighter, and airier and creates a gentle reflection of lighting systems that delivers a soft ambience.
Contemporary glass panels can be fitted alongside contrasting soft carpeting, robust wooden finishes, and create a textural experience that clashes the sharp and the smooth to elegant effect.
Stainless steel and brushed metals can be utilitarian and sleek, but also bring a sense of polish and complement your joinery with bespoke curves, angles and balanced lines.
Polished concrete steps work wonderfully in renovations such as suites and apartments converted from warehouse and loft spaces.
Oak is an ideal choice for a family property, with a hardwood finish great at withstanding heavy use and being resistant to scratches and dents.

The only limitation on the materials you can use in a staircase construction project is your imagination; so don’t be afraid to consider unusual finishes that will create something truly unique!

The Benefits of Replacing Traditional Spigots with Glass Balustrades

Glass is big news in the world of modern staircase renovation, and offers a vast range of benefits that make it an excellent choice!

Safety – reinforced glass balustrades replace wooden balusters with a solid panel. This makes it excellent for family homes with young children and avoids any potential for worn balusters to break or snap under pressure.

Light – the properties of glass mean that it opens up lines of sight throughout your ground floor, creating less shadow, clearer visibility, and removes darker wood fittings to allow light to flow.

Bespoke – frameless glass panels create a stunning visual impact, without any visible fittings or fixtures to break up the harmony of a sleek, continuous glass staircase.

Reflective – as your glass reflects natural and artificial light back into your home, it makes even dim or dark hallways instantly feel warmer and more welcoming, by maximising the light sources available.

Options for a Staircase Facelift to Modernise Your Home

You can opt for a simple upgrade, swap out materials, or choose a complete staircase renovation, depending on your budget, design aspirations and preferences.

As building materials become more advanced, there is a broader choice than ever before. With options for adding storage space, using up-lighters and carefully place LEDs and spotlights, blending traditional and modern materials, creating sweeping curves, symmetrical geometrics or subtle lines, adding a new staircase to an extension or loft conversion, or replacing existing stairs, has never been so exciting!

Cladding your staircase risers is a fast, affordable design project, whereby you change the look and feel of the vertical aspect of your staircase to make an unused area into something special. Replacing your treads with new material, such as wood, metal, or even plastic, makes your stairs safer and protects your home from wear and tear.

Our homes are our castles, and by pouring some TLC and design inspiration into your staircase renovation, your property will feel brighter, fresher, and more inviting, whether you opt for a sleek, minimalist finish, or warm materials that evoke relaxation.

For help with choosing the ideal layout for your new staircase, or selecting materials that will complement your design scheme and bring your stairs up to date, get in touch with the Pinnacle Works team, or visit some of our previous renovation projects in our gallery!

Extending Up With a Loft Conversion

Nov 18, 2020 | Construction

As house prices rise, and families grow, a loft conversion is a popular option to extend the size of your home, increase the equity in your property, and perhaps see a sizeable return on investment!

But with any major construction work, there are always pros and cons to consider – such as how much time the extension will take to build, concerns about planning permission, and factoring in the dust and chaos. Let’s look a little deeper (or perhaps, higher!) into the advantages of a loft conversion, how you can utilise your building best, and what sort of loft design would enhance the feel and flow of your home.

What Is a Loft Conversion?

It sounds like a silly question; but in reality, multiple types of renovation can transform an empty attic area into an integral space in your property.

The three main styles of loft conversion, all carried out by Pinnacle Works, include:

Dormer window construction – a dormer window extends outwards from your roofline, in a box shape that increases the width, head height and light in your attic.
Mansard loft conversions – this type of extension increases the height of your external wall, usually on a shared partition with a neighbouring property, and builds outwards to increase the size of your loft space.
Hip to gable construction projects – lift the outer edge of a sloping roof, raising the height in line with your highest eaves, to create a vertical wall where the old roof sloped down to meet the building.

For a simple conversion, installing a dormer window, adding a staircase and insulating the walls and floors will create a new, usable space within your property. A conversion such as a hip to gable roof extension can deliver a completely new floor, so there are plenty of options to think about!

Loft Conversion or Building Extension?

If you’re looking for ways to increase your living space, without the costs and stress of moving and having to put your property on the market, you might be stumped in deciding whether an extension or loft conversion is the right way to go. For example, a side return extension builds outwards into the space running down the side of your home, and a rear-facing conversion could be a one-storey conservatory or a full two-storey extension.

It all depends on what you want to use the space for, what sort of capacity you have on the land within your property boundaries – and, of course, how far your budget will stretch.

Loft conversions tend to be the most cost-effective option, and are ideal for terraced properties, or those without extensive land to build on. They are also an excellent option for homeowners who want to expand their home, without eating into valuable garden space!

Key Benefits of Converting Your Loft

In return for the time, cost, and upheaval of a loft conversion, you’re going to want to be sure that the effort has a just reward – and we know this simple construction project transforms a property!

Some of the top benefits of converting your loft include:

Space, space, space! Most of us could do with more room to stretch, and with increasing numbers of people in the UK working from home, an attic is a prime opportunity to create a cosy home office without impacting on family life.
Having an extra room, or an entire floor, to expand into, means a bigger house, without impacting your layout, sacrificing any garden space, or encroaching on neighbouring properties (we all want to live harmoniously next to our neighbours!).
Adding value to your property. The average loft conversion adds around 20% to the value of your property – according to research conducted by Nationwide Building Society.

So – not only do you get more space, an extra room, a larger house, and save building on any outdoor land, but you also add value to your property. An attic conversion makes your home more saleable and with a competitive edge over other local property listings if you do ever decide to relocate!

What Can I Use a Loft Conversion For?

There are multiple ways you can purpose a loft conversion; and again, it all depends on your needs and those of your family.

Popular options are:

Home office – away from the hustle and bustle of family life!
Additional bedroom, guest bedroom, or ensuite.
Children’s playroom or games room.
Storage space, or a dressing room.
Larger bathroom.

One thing worth noting here is that if you decide to use a loft conversion as an additional bedroom, you’ll need to think about planning permission. We’ll explain this in a bit more detail below, but if the extension is ‘habitable accommodation’ it’s less likely to be considered Permitted Development.

That said, the cost of a loft conversion – typically between £20,000 and £60,000 depending on the structure, materials, size and design – is often quickly repaid by the increase in your property value. If you compare those costs and return on investment with the expense of relocating, and the uplift cost on purchasing a property with an additional bedroom, the idea of a loft conversion becomes even more appealing!

Do I Need Planning Permission?

Happily, most of the time, you don’t. Permitted Development rules mean that you can make renovations and changes to your property, without formal planning permission, provided they fall within a set of criteria.

If your loft conversion meets these rules, you are likely to be able to build under PD rights:

Doesn’t change the exterior of your property.
Increases the sidewall for a hip to gable conversion.
Creates less than 40 cubic metres of additional space
Has obscure glazing on any windows.

Where planning permission is required; say your building will change in appearance, or the additional space will constitute an extension, then Pinnacle Works is on hand to provide support throughout the application process. Planning Permission isn’t a reason not to proceed with a building renovation project either – but it’s wise to build in a few weeks to work through the process, and not to begin any work on your extension until all the approvals have been confirmed!

Does a Loft Conversion Impact the Insulation of my Property?

One of the lesser-known positives of converting your attic is that you often increase the thermal value of your house – rather than making it less energy-efficient, which is a popular myth!

When you build a new room, or rooms, in your loft space, this includes:

Adding stable flooring and insulation.
Installing wiring and pipework as required.
Creating an access point – usually an additional set of stairs.

Building regulations use a scale called a U-rating to identify the energy efficiency of your property. To achieve a lower U-rating, Pinnacle Works always ensures that your loft conversion includes high-quality insulation between and beneath the rafters, and between the walls and roof. By creating a well-insulated loft space, you avoid heat loss through your attic, as well as reducing energy bills, and adding a soundproofing quality to your new area.

The key to a successful loft conversion is in choosing a design that fits in with the style and shape of your building, meets with your requirements, and creates a seamless addition to your home. For more information about any of the styles of loft conversion mentioned, for an obligation-free quote, or to learn more about the renovation options available, get in touch with the Pinnacle Works team!

Benefits of Roof Lanterns and Skylights

Oct 28, 2020 | Decorating, Construction

As we look for new ways to elevate our quality of living and make the best of our homes, skylights and roof lanterns continue to grow in popularity.

Here we’ll run through the top benefits, and why a simple lighting enhancement can make a massive difference to your home!

Roof Lanterns vs Skylights

First up, let’s clarify what we mean when we talk about roof lanterns and skylights – since you might come across a lot of different terminologies that, essentially, mean the same thing.

– Roof lanterns sit on top of the construction of your roof, installed horizontally with a bespoke finish according to your design aesthetic.

– Skylights are windows installed in the roof of your property, set flush into the construction.

Both options allow your home to be flooded with natural light, with the primary difference being that a skylight is fitted in line with the roof. In contrast, a roof lantern sits above the roofline, increasing the design options and light capture.

Other options and descriptions include:

Sun tubes (also referred to as light tubes, solar tubes and tubular daylighting devices) – these fit into recessed light fixtures, and provide a route for sunlight to reach darker areas of your property.
Glass block windows – both a decorative statement and a way to improve lighting, a block window is built into an interior or exterior wall, with any combination of colours to create a dramatic impact.
Roof lights or ceiling windows – refer to skylights.
Lantern windows – like a roof lantern, but installed on any aspect of your home.

Now we’ve cleared that up, let’s consider why they are so popular, and why ceiling windows might be the fastest and most cost-effective way to revamp your living space!

Benefits of Overhead Natural Light

Daylight is essential; it improves our sense of well-being, helps us cope with those short winter days, and provides a warm, pleasant ambience to make our homes feel more welcoming.

Some of the powerful benefits available from installing overhead glazing include:

Natural Light: Dramatically increase natural light, ideal for enclosed spaces, smaller homes, or darker areas of your property.
Low-Maintenance: Improve the brightness and energy of your house without power costs or maintenance.
Improve Space: Add height to lower ceilings, making cramped rooms feel more spacious and airy.
Design Versatility: Creates a design statement, with no end of glass colourways, design structures, materials or innovative constructions that add value and style to your property.
Fast & Efficient: Provides a watertight, quick installation for the feel of a significant renovation in a fraction of the time.
Transformative: Transforms a bland, dull or dark space into an inviting and attractive area – thereby increasing the uses and functionality of rooms.
Flexible Finishes: Offer flexibility in terms of size, shape, structure and finish.
Energy Conscious: Are energy-efficient, both retaining warmth in winter and filtering heat in the summer, with toughened glass strong enough to withstand the wildest elements.

Roof Lighting Design Options and Ideas

Flexibility is one of the key things we love about overhead glass. While functional, self-cleaning glazing is at the height of innovative building materials, there are multiple ways to make your skylights stand apart as a unique room feature.

Some of our favourite design statements include:

Slim, modern profile roof lanterns creating volume and height with minimalistic styling.
Adding electric opening functions, for the ultimate feeling of bringing the outside indoors.
Using lighting and spotlights to create drama, with coloured glass being a fantastic way to draw together your room colourways and design.
Making your roof light the centrepiece for your space, and using symmetry around it to elevate the sense of balance.
Creating a sizeable contemporary roof lantern to cover the width of a room, with a geometric pyramid construction for a modern feel.

One of the top questions we get asked about overhead glazing concerns types of roofs – and whether you can choose any window or light feature, and what restrictions there are around how original you can make your design. We are delighted to confirm that these flexible options work in almost any scenario – and we are always on hand to take a look at your roofing and recommend the best solutions for your property!

Skylight design options:

Can be fitted into either flat or pitched roofs.
Are available as non-opening flat lights, or as an opening roof window.
Can be hung on a centre pivot, or be top-hung.

Roof lantern design options:

Typically fitted to a flat roof, or as an elevated feature above a ceiling.
Usually in a pyramid shape, although the design can be tailored.
Most often non-opening, with optional ventilation.

Practical Applications for Roof Lanterns

Roof lights work in any room, space or hallway, and are ideal in tall rooms to add interest and draw the eye upwards. They also work perfectly in dark, gloomy areas providing an instant injection of brightness!

Some of the most popular locations for roof features included in Pinnacle Works building projects include:

Extensions and Conversions

Construction projects are an ideal time to add style, flair and energy to your home, with a seamless skylight installation slotting in perfectly around other renovation works. Flat roof extensions are ideally suited to a modern roof lantern, spanning across kitchen extensions, living room conversions and home offices and playroom areas.

Kitchens and Bathrooms

Bathroom lighting is typically quite dim, with textured glass to aid privacy yet blocking out daylight. A skylight is an ideal addition, bringing freshness and light to a dull space, without opening any views into your bathroom, and helping to reduce moisture and condensation build-up.

Overhead lighting is also an excellent way to amplify visibility in kitchens, making cooking and entertaining comfortable and better ventilated.

Attic & Loft Renovations

Most attic renovations find a dark, dusty area that needs a jolt of professional renovation to bring them into use as a functional, and enjoyable room. A skylight is ideally suited to increasing overhead space, providing emergency escape points, and adding fresh air and ventilation to make your loft add value to your home.

We hope this has helped to explain the types of roof light available, and how they can transform your living spaces into bright, airy, and beautiful rooms!

For more information about the best-suited skylights for your property, design inspiration to help with crafting your own bespoke roof lantern design, or to uncover the possibilities yet to discover throughout your home renovation projects, give the Pinnacle Works team a call, or drop us an enquiry!