Home transformations and improvements have been a major outcome of the events of the last two years . Homes have become places of work and leisure . People want to make their homes more spacious , convenient , comfortable , low maintenance and attractive , and many have used funds normally spent on travel and holidays on home improvements .

To illustrate this trend Freefoam Building Products have developed two new cases studies , featuring cladding and fascia products , to highlight how a large number of homeowners all over the UK are using low maintenance , cost effective PVC to update and re configure their homes to ensure they are fit for purpose now and in the future .

The first case study features Freefoam Fortex weatherboard cladding in subtle Misty Grey

fitted on two refurbished and extended dormers .

With teenage children the homeowner needed more space so decided to extend the dormers to create larger , more adaptable bedrooms . He explained “ We looked at replacing with tiles , and also thought about render , but then found information about cladding . Cost was a factor and we liked the Freefoam cladding as it was suitable for our budget .”

The second case study shows Freefoam PVC fascia , soffit and gutter fitted on a property in Yorkshire , installed by a local Freefoam Registered Installer .

The homeowners , both recently retired , bought their home from new over 20 years ago . Built with PVC windows , but featuring wood fascia and soffit , the roofline had over time degraded , and needed regular maintenance . Part of their retirement plans were to

update and modernise the house , and to make sure the maintenance was kept to a minimum to allow more time for travel .

The homeowner explained “ We liked the Freefoam products . We chose white and were pleased to find out that it came with a 50 year guarantee and felt reassured that there would be no more

tricky and costly maintenance . One of the other benefits for us was that the Freefoam installer organised the whole job . They arranged the scaffolding contractor so we only had to deal with one company . The fitting team were great and worked hard and got the job done quickly and efficiently , with not too much mess . We ’ re really pleased with the results .“

Louise Sanderson , Freefoam UK Marketing Manager summarised “ Our marketing team know how

valuable homeowner testimonials and case studies can be . We focus on generating good quality , relevant case studies to showcase our range of products and illustrate how they are being used to transform and improve homes around the country . We work closely throughout the whole supply chain with suppliers , installers and homeowners to shine a light on the excellent work that is happening throughout the UK .”

www . freefoam . com

Over 1,700 Optima windows and doors from Profile 22 were installed in a £ 38 million tenure-blind new build housing development in Harrogate , North Yorkshire .

Skipton Road is a new build development from Home Group built on former agricultural land in Harrogate . The scheme comprises of 214 apartments , detached , end terrace , linked detached , mid terrace and semi-detached homes with two to five bedrooms . Sixty percent of the homes are for private sale and 40 % for affordable housing , which is split across affordable rented and shared ownership properties .

A primary aim of the development was to create a tenure-blind community , with no discernible difference between private and affordable homes . This would ensure that all parts of the site are equally attractive and would contribute to greater community cohesion .

The aim meant the project ’ s specification was critical , with every element needing to provide exceptional quality and good value . The windows and doors specified for the contract were Optima from Profile 22 , the UK ’ s leading commercial window and door system ,

which had all the credentials required .

With the project needing over 1,700 casement and flush casement windows , residential doors and French doors , it was awarded to experienced Profile 22 Approved Contractor Kingfisher Windows , a leading manufacturer and supplier of windows , doors and conservatories .

For this project , the Optima windows had a textured Basalt foil on the external face to tie in with the development ’ s subdued material palette that reflects the surrounding communities . The internal face was white to provide an understated look that would complement any interior design .

Kingfisher Windows is an experienced commercial window contractor used to working on large scale new build developments . The company liaised closely with the main contractor and all the other trades on site to ensure fabrication and installation ran efficiently . As the project took place during the Covid-19 pandemic , the company also put in place additional health and safety measures to protect the health and wellbeing of all staff .

The project is due to complete in March 2022 and Sean Egan , Home Group director of development , commented : “ This is a prime site in a very popular town where there is a high demand

for housing . We intend to deliver high quality homes which will be sought after by those wanting to live in the area .”

Jonny Reynolds of Kingfisher Windows said : “ We were delighted to work on such a prestigious housing development with United Living and Home Group . The strength and quality of Optima products including the flush casement windows have delivered exceptional high-quality aesthetics and superb product performance that a project of this nature demanded . The attractive development will help to provide much-needed housing in the local area .”

www . profile22 . co . uk