SureSet Launches New Range of Permeable Paving Slabs

SureSet, the UK’s leading supplier of resin-bound paving has launched a completely new range of paving slabs to complement the company’s existing resin-bound surfacing materials.

The new PermaSlab® range has been developed to provide landscape architects, developers, contractors and home owners with the opportunity to realise the benefits of resin bound paving, but in a standard 600 x 600 x 40 mm paving format.

Manufactured using the company’s proven resin bound technology, the PermaSlab® range provides a permeable surface (subject to an appropriate sub-base being prepared) which is ideal for paths, patios, steps and garden features.  The slabs are easy to cut, making laying a fast and straightforward process and enabling even more intricate designs to be achieved.

The product is highly durable, UV stable, and resistant to frost, oil and stains – ensuring that its appearance won’t fade or be compromised over time.  Initially available in Maple and Chestnut finishes, the range offers a choice of mellow golden tones and rich browns to give great design flexibility – with colours available to complement or contrast with other garden features. The surface is slip resistant and safe for children, as well as providing a smooth base for those with wheelchairs or children’s buggies.

Commenting on the launch, Kevin Weston, Contracts Director at SureSet said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be launching PermaSlab® to customers in the UK, having received a tremendous reaction at this year’s Ecobuild exhibition.  We’re confident that the product provides real benefits for both home owners and landscape professionals – a perfect combination of resin bound technology and a convenient, traditional format”.

For more information call the SureSet customer service team on 01985 841 180 or visit www.sureset.co.uk.

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New Rustins Premium Wax Polish Gives Furniture An Authentic Shine

Nothing beats real wax polish for giving both genuine shine and protection to wood surfaces – and Rustins, one of the best known experts in wood finishes introduces its new Premium Wax Polish.

Rustins’ new range of Premium Wax Polish is the perfect product to help wood furniture achieve an impressive classic sheen and glow, whilst protecting the wood.

Ideal for all types of indoor wood surfaces around the home and available in three popular colours – clear, a soft mid brown and a deeper rustic brown – the wax dries quickly and is virtually-odour free.

Simply apply a coat to the wood’s surface using a soft cloth or brush, working with the grain to achieve the best results. Once dry, buff the surface continually with a soft cloth to attain the desired level of sheen.

Rustins has been supplying homes with expert wood finishes for over 85 years. The product is available in 400ml tins and costs around £6.99, available from good local DIY stores. For more information, go to www.rustins.co.uk.

Bring The Outside In With A Glass Box

Turning your home inside out is the new way to truly modernise your home – with a seamless transition from the inside to the outside, glass box extensions allow the creation of a continuous, dramatic, floor to ceiling, frameless glass structure which effortlessly unifies the homes, the extension and its outdoor space.

Connecting your living space with your outside space, the glass box can extend your living area to subtly bring the outside in, ensuring as you relax sipping your favourite drink as the sun sets, nothing will spoil the view.

These modern structures allow the interior space to be flooded with natural light as they predominately consist of glass. But, as stunning as they may look when new, keeping them clean and attractive all year round can be hard work if appropriate glazing is not considered at the design phase.

Pilkington Activ™ self cleaning glass should be considered for all highly glazed designs. It has a dual action coating which works in two ways. Firstly it uses daylight then rainwater to breakdown and wash away organic dirt, continually cleaning itself and helping to provide a cleaner, clearer view. Ultimately, windows look cleaner for longer – making the difference between enjoying your new extension and spending the majority of time cleaning it!

It is also crucial when investing in a structure like a glass extension that it can be enjoyed year round. So selecting glazing that combines both self cleaning properties with solar control performance (e.g. Pilkington Activ™ Blue or Neutral), will help keep your glass extension cooler in summer, and when combined with a low-emissivity glass, such as Pilkington K-glass™, will ensure your space is kept warmer during the winter months too.

For more information about the Pilkington range and the most appropriate glazing available for glass box extensions visit www.pilkington.co.uk.

Gutter genius

One element that every successful garden is dependent on is water. In a country where rainwater is in abundance when least needed and restricted when required most, it can be a tricky resource to manage effectively. In heavy downfall, gutters fill with debris and overflow and downpipes and soakaways can block. Homeowners are no strangers to the potential damage which can be caused. Sankey, leading UK manufacturer of garden and horticultural products, has the perfect solution. A deluxe system that not only diverts rainwater to your water butt but filters it on the way. Protecting your plants, downpipes, soakaways, drains and property.

The GutterMate™ Rain Saver & Filter System is pure genius. Diverting water from the downpipe to your Sankey Water Butt is not complicated. Simply attaching a Sankey Water Diverter will do the trick. The GutterMate™ does this and so much more. It safeguards your guttering, pipes, soakaways and drains. The inbuilt filter system kicks in before water reaches either water butt or soakaway. No debris results in clear water in your water butt and protected soakaways, consistently providing pure water where you need it.

The GutterMate™ is the only diverter that filters and protects. Easily fitted at a convenient height, the GutterMate™ dispenses with the need for old fashioned bell or balloon strainers in the top of the downpipe. The filter can be cleared of sand, leaves and other debris in 30 seconds and with no ladder needed, protects both gardener and garden alike. When your water butt is full, the automatic valve system diverts excess straight to the drain, preventing overflow. Want to store all of your rainwater? Simply shut off the diverter and direct the main outlet towards storage tanks.

The key to water efficiency is reduce waste, not to restrict it. Approximately one third of water is wasted every year. Using rain water equates to zero energy consumption in relation to tap water. By using a GutterMate™ water diverter, not only do you save money on your water bills, but you lower your carbon footprint. Approved by the ‘Water Technology List’ and eligible for use in the Code for Sustainable Homes specification which more developers are now using, the GutterMate™ is the ideal product for the self sufficient gardener keen to make use of natural resource.

Part of the Fiskars group, Nottingham-based Sankey, a company of 155 years standing, is committed to identifying opportunities to use less, recycle more and support environmentally aware practices.

Available in black, the GutterMate™ water diverter retails at £17.99 and will fit all standard 68mm round and 65mm square downpipes. For further information please telephone 0115 927 7335 or visit http://www.rsankey.com

Tile Depot remodels management structure for future growth

Tile Depot, the UK’s largest independent tile and stone retailer is delighted to announce some important changes in its management structure, designed to facilitate the company’s plans for future expansion.

Earlier this month, Rob Gilbert, Managing Director and founder of Tile Depot became Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the company while Danny Steptoe, Financial Director, was promoted to the position of Managing Director. Danny now plays a key role assisting the Board with operational matters and continues to have full responsibility for the financial side of the business.

In addition, Graham Brown has been appointed as non-executive Director and Deputy Chairman to advise the Board on external matters and to help co-ordinate Board activity. Graham has extensive experience of growth within the retail sector, having held senior Board positions at MFI, Texas Homecare and several other large retail groups. With Graham as Managing Director, Ritz Video became the most prominent video rental chain in Europe before selling to Blockbuster. Graham is currently advising five major PLC’s on growth and internal management and is highly regarded within the financial and investments community.

Tile Depot was established in 1994 and now operates from 14 stores, all in prominent locations around London and the South East with its head office and 1,800sqm warehouse in Slough. There are plans to increase the number of Tile Depot stores to 30 in and around the M25 area by the end of 2012.

Rob Gilbert, CEO and Chairman of Tile Depot, said: “In order to grow in size and profitability it is important to have a strong management team and it is with this in mind that I have made these changes. I have every confidence in both Danny and Graham in their new roles, and we’re all looking forward to achieving the planned expansion of Tile Depot in an efficient and sensible manner.”
Luke Johnson, ex-Chairman of Channel 4 Television and writer of a weekly column in the Financial Times is also a shareholder in Tile Depot.

Tile Depot provides everything needed to complete any wall or flooring project, stocking a comprehensive range of ceramic, porcelain and natural stone tiles and an extensive selection of wooden flooring as well as underfloor heating and all adhesives, grout, trims, sealants and accessories, available to browse and purchase in-store and online at www.thetiledepot.co.uk.

For further information, contact Tile Depot on 08000 740720, visit www.thetiledepot.co.uk or email info@thetiledepot.co.uk.