Could Suspended Ceilings Work Well For Your Commercial Building?

Building Construction 21.12.22
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Been looking up suspended ceilings? Wondering if they’d work well in your commercial building? Well, you’re in the right place to find out. In this blog, we’ll see what makes suspended ceilings ideally suited for workspaces and what other options are available.

What Is A Suspended Ceiling? 

First things first, what is a suspended ceiling? Even if you don’t know, you will have walked under hundreds of them throughout your life – they’re in most retail, education, healthcare and office environments. 

Suspended ceilings, also known as dropped ceilings and false ceilings, are most commonly made from a metal frame that forms a grid. Tiles are placed into each square to create a secondary ceiling that sits below the surface above.

The Benefits Of Suspended Ceilings

There’s good reason as to why most commercial buildings opt for a suspended ceiling… Because there are so many benefits. If you’re looking to refurb your commercial property and are thinking about ceilings, you’ll want to look at this list.

Quick Installation

If you’ve been updating your office, warehouse or retail unit, then time is of the essence when getting things finished. And that’s where a suspended ceiling can help keep your project to task. A whole ceiling can be finished quickly, making it one of the most convenient options when refitting or renovating a property.

Good At Concealing

That gap between the concrete ceiling and the suspended tiles isn’t dead space. It’s ideal for hiding the plethora of ducts, cables and pipes that a commercial building usually has. With a suspended ceiling, those ducts, cables and pipes are not only tucked away out of sight, with some suspended ceilings, they’re also freely accessible should you need to replace or repair them.

 

Flexibility With Design & Lighting

That same cavity above your ceiling tiles means you can design your lighting to suit the use of the space below. Need extra lighting above your checkouts? No problem. Want specific areas zoned? Then use different coloured tiles to give a clear indication. And the best bit is that is really simple to change at a later date!

Sound Proofing

Sound can really travel in big, open spaces, so if you have a space with an upstairs neighbour or your building has multiple floors, you’ll benefit from a ceiling that can help reduce noise. The gap between the top of the room and the ceiling tiles will help to lessen noise, but if you want maximum peace, then acoustic pads or panels can be added.

Acoustic pads and panels have been designed to block noise travelling through ceiling tiles. They’re ideal for open offices, units in shared spaces and workspaces that need a greater level of quiet and calm.

Affordable

Suspended ceilings are the most affordable option on the market. The materials aren’t expensive, and installation is quick, so it is a surprisingly cost-effective ceiling solution. 

Fire Resistant 

Ceiling tiles must adhere to British legislation and provide fire protection. Most tiles offer passive fire protection (they help delay the spread of fire) for between 30 – 60 minutes. You can opt for tiles and ceiling treatments that have a longer burn time if you want additional peace of mind.

A Lighter Space

A white suspended ceiling is excellent at bouncing light around a space, so if your room is a bit on the dark side, then a suspended ceiling can help brighten it up.

A suspended ceiling can have up to 0.86 light reflectance, which means the tiles can reflect 86% of all light back into a room. This can help reduce your lighting costs, as well as create a more tranquil environment with a better distribution of natural light.

Improve Energy Efficiency

Speaking of reducing bills, did you know that a suspended ceiling can also help bring down your heating costs too? There are two ways it can help; firstly, the lower ceiling means that you’re heating less space overall, so you reduce the heat needed to keep your property warm. 

The second is by adding ceiling insulation. Available as pads that are placed above the ceiling tile, these encapsulated wads of fibre stop your heat from escaping upwards. If you want to get better control of your energy bills (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?), adding an insulating layer is a good idea.

What Are The Different Types Of Suspended Ceiling Available?

Concealed Grid

This is when the metal framework sits behind tiles that meet edge-to-edge. The finished look is more high-end, with a continuous expanse of uninterrupted ceiling. 

Gypsum Board

Gypsum board – also known as plasterboard – is used in suspended ceilings when a smooth finish is preferred. It can be plastered to give a seamless finish.

Exposed Grid

This is the most inexpensive type of false ceiling. We install a metal grid and place ceiling tiles on the cross-hatched metal. When you look at the ceiling, you’ll see a tile framed by metal.

So, Could Suspended Ceilings Work For Your Commercial Building?

Based on the above, it’s hard to see how any other option can deliver as many benefits whilst also being so cost-effective. If your business premises needs a neat, tidy ceiling that helps to create a safe place for your ducts and cables, provides flexible lighting configuration, a great range of colour options, adds thermal efficiency AND improves your fire protection, then suspended ceilings should be your first choice. 

At GI Sykes, we have decades of experience installing suspended ceilings for all manner of commercial properties. Our specialist team can get your new ceiling up and ready with minimal disruption to your day. Just get in touch to arrange a no-obligation quote, and we’ll be happy to help you decide if a suspended ceiling is right for you.

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Is Window Spraying Worth The Cost?

Building Repairs 07.12.22
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If you own or manage a commercial, industrial or retail property, chances are, you’re no stranger to building maintenance and renovation. With every need that arises, you have to weigh up the value of the work vs the cost. So, if you’re considering updating your window frames, you’ve probably asked yourself; is window spraying worthwhile?

In this blog, we’ll share all the reasons why we think window spraying is a good investment, as well as cover when window spraying isn’t the right solution for you.

What Is Window Spraying?

First things first, what do we mean by window spraying? Well, it’s not the actual window we are referring to, but the frame. Using professional equipment and specialist paint, we can spray paint your window frames to any colour of your choice. 

Window spraying can be carried out on the three main types of window frame;

  • uPVC
  • Aluminium
  • Timber

The process is simple and quick, and leaves your windows looking flawless. But what calls for window spraying – and is it worth investing in?

Your Window Frames Are Ugly

To some, a window frame is a window frame, and it doesn’t matter what it looks like. To others, a faded, greying, or chipped window edging looks ugly and unkempt. If you lean towards the first opinion, here’s why we think leaving your window frames to decline is a bad idea:

Appearance Matters

While you might think no one cares about grubby windows, it’s been proven otherwise. A study found that shop exteriors that were well maintained directly impacted the intentions of customers. And it stands to reason – no matter if your customer base is business to business or business to consumer – you’ll make a better first impression if your exterior is looking tidy.

And window frames usually make up a significant part of that first impression.

A Slow Decline

If your window frames are missing chunks of paint or the surface feels rough to the touch, then they’re not adequately protected. Since your frames have to endure all weather, you can expect that, over time, the top layer or coating will start to degrade. Once that happens, you run the risk of significant damage occurring if left untreated. And trust us, when you’re comparing the cost of window spraying to total replacement, we know what comes in more favourably…

Match Your Brand

The colours available for window spraying mean that you can have window frames that complement the colour of your building (no more boring white!). Or, if you’re looking to really steer into your branding profile, you can have your window frames sprayed in your brand colours.

 

What’s The Worst That Could Happen?

Well, the world won’t end if you don’t opt for window frame spraying. But that’s not to say that there aren’t some pretty frustrating – and expensive – outcomes if you don’t take care of your windows.

Protect Your Frames From The Elements

While your window frames have been designed to withstand sun, wind and rain, it doesn’t mean that they’re impervious to damage caused by long-term exposure to the glorious British weather.

Frames can last anywhere between 10 – 50 years before they need replacing. You’ll start to notice signs of wear, and you shouldn’t ignore these signs. Make sure to include your windows in your regular maintenance check-up, and look for; 

  • Fading colour
  • Discolouration in white frames
  • Peeling
  • Chipped paint
  • Rust
  • Bubbling paint

These tend to be minor issues that can be repaired and restored by spraying your window frames. However, if your windows are warped or cracked, then you may be too late to save money with restoration work. You may have to bite the bullet and fork out for replacements. 

If you ignore the minor issues, they can become bigger issues. And if you ignore those bigger problems? Well, you run the risk of damp infiltrating your building – and damp in your walls is pretty catastrophic.

It makes sense to stay on top of upkeep with regular maintenance and invest in something that can add years to the lifespan of your window frames. And that something is window spraying.

Window Spraying Is Worth The Cost

In the face of compelling evidence, we think window frame spraying is worth the cost. Not only can you protect and extend the lifespan of your window frames, but you can also add colour and flair to your property. Even if you don’t fancy making a splash with vibrant window frames, you can still smarten up your building with a more traditional shade. Black or white are timeless, while anthracite has become the contemporary colour of choice.

How Much Does Window Spraying Cost?

So, we’ve established that it’s worth the cost – but what is that? Well, we can’t give an exact figure since every quote is different. We have to account for various factors that affect the cost, which include:

  • The current condition of your windows – the more degraded your window frames are, the more prep work we will need to do.
  • How many frames you want spraying – obviously, the more frames you have, the more you’ll pay
  • Where they are located – windows above ground level mean using scaffolding, which adds to the cost.
  • Colour choice – some colours cost more, particularly if they’re less common.

But since it’s helpful to have an idea of what the outlay may be, a ballpark amount is around £150 – £200 per window.

All of our work is carried out to a professional standard. Once complete, you won’t be able to tell that your window frames have been sprayed. The end result is totally smooth with a flawless finish. We also guarantee our window spraying work for 10 years, so you can have peace of mind that your newly painted frames will look good for years to come.

It’s Not Just Window Spraying

We don’t just spray window frames! We can help you with your doors, roller shutters, shop facias and even cladding. If you want to know more about our on-site spraying services, including window spraying, then just get in touch to arrange a free quote.

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3 Signs It’s Time For A Commercial Refurbishment

Building Repairs 28.11.22
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Commercial refurbishment can bring a new lease of life to not only your premises but to your workforce too. It’s much more than just updating a colour scheme or replacing broken furniture. When done properly, a refurb can invigorate your business, helping to boost morale, profile, and, ultimately, profits. 

But how do you know when your building needs commercial refurbishment? Here are 3 signs that tell you it might be time to call in the experts…

Sign 1: Tired Exterior

If you walk into your property each day cringing at the faded, damaged cladding then it’s probably time you took action. Cladding is a workhorse, protecting your building from the perils of the Great British weather and over time, it’ll start to show signs of wear and tear.

The most common issues we see with exteriors are; 

Milky, faded paintwork – Maybe you had a sign-up that’s been removed or an area that was covered by a tree that’s come down. You’ll notice a huge difference in the colour of your paint, with exposed cladding or walls looking dull, faded and sometimes, covered in a milky residue. This is the result of oxidation and exposure to UV light, and it can make your building look unkempt and poorly managed.

Rust – Rust is another form of oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction between oxygen, water and metal. Rust corrodes the metal surface, weakening it. If left untreated, rust can completely deteriorate metal, leaving holes and cracks that expose the vulnerable surface beneath.

Dented, damaged cladding – There’s nothing quite like the sinking feeling as you hear the crunch of metal on metal. If you’ve ever seen a vehicle reverse into a cladded building, you’ll remember the squealing, scraping sound or the hollow thud as damage occurs. While a dent might seem harmless enough, cracks in the protective coating that covers your cladding could be compromised, leading to bigger problems…like rust.

Cleaning or recoating your cladding is a relatively simple job for the experts. Armed with professional equipment and scaffolding, we can aid your commercial refurbishment by getting your cladding looking good as new in no time. If you want to know more about how we can clean, repair or recoat your cladding, take a look at the information here.

 

Sign 2: Dated Interior

While retro style is all the rage on the catwalks, it’s not so hot for your interiors (unless that’s your intentional aesthetic!). If the inside of your property is wearing paint from decades gone by, it might be time to sharpen up your image and invest in professional painting and decorating.

A new coat of paint isn’t just about freshening up your interiors, it can actually have a positive impact on your business as a whole. How, you ask? Well, in our experience, these are the hidden benefits of a commercial refurbishment of your building’s interior:

Improved Perception – A clean, well-maintained office, warehouse or retail unit makes people feel like you’re invested in them. Whether that’s your clients, customers or staff, when you show that you’re prepared to spend money on their comfort, they’ll repay you with loyalty and pride in their work or purchase.

A More Productive Environment – Much like a Marie Kondo-esque declutter at home, a commercial refurbishment gives you a reason to sort through your premises. Most businesses have a cupboard or drawer filled with old tech, broken chairs and reams of old paperwork. This is an opportunity to sort through everything to make better use of your space. That goes for the layout of your space too – is there a way to make your environment work better? Can you create zones or workstations that improve flow and productivity?

Get On Brand – Your branding goes much further than just the logo on the outside of your building. Bring elements of your brand into your decor, and you’re really starting to build a business presence. It’ll be noted by your employees, clients and suppliers and can do no end of good for your company profile.

We have a huge team of talented commercial painters and decorators who can help you make the most of your commercial refurbishment project. Use our expertise to shake up your workplace – a change is as good as a rest, after all!

 

Sign 3: A Leaky Roof

Well, water dripping into your property isn’t a subtle sign, it’s more of a big flashing neon one saying ‘get this fixed’. Commercial refurbishment encompasses repairing and maintaining your roof, so here’s what to look for;

Leaks – Well, duh. A leak in your ceiling is a pretty good indicator that something is amiss with your roof. Damage to your roofing can lead to water ingress, and, if left, can result in water seeping through to your ceiling. It’s pretty dire if it gets to this stage since you’ll need to pay out for repairs to much more than just the roof membrane. 

Bubbling – If you notice small domes appearing on your flat roof, it’s time to get specialist help. It means that air is creeping under the membrane, which means bigger problems are likely to happen. 

Splits & Cracks – Heat, frost, torrential rain, hurricane winds – your roof sees it all. It’s no surprise, then, that the membrane can develop cracks and splits. If caught early, these can be patched and repaired so you can delay the huge cost of roof replacement. 

There are more signs to look out for, and they’re covered in more detail in this blog, so if you’re worried about your roof, have a read and call us to get your roof problems under control.

 

Have You Seen Any Signs That It’s Time For A Commercial Refurbishment?

If any of the above are signs that you’ve noticed in and around your building, then it may be time to start planning your commercial refurbishment. It might sound like a mammoth undertaking, but at GI Sykes, we have a vast team of specialists who can make the process look easy. Whether you want to tackle your refurb in stages or take on the whole lot, we can create a strategy that suits you, your business and your budget. 

Talk to us about your commercial refurbishment requirements, we’re happy to offer advice and guidance with no obligation.

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Industrial Floor Coating Contractors Could Revolutionise Your Warehouse. Here’s How.

Building Repairs 14.11.22
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Industrial floor coating contractors have a superpower. And like all good superpowers, it’s not obvious at first glance – the real moment of truth happens when you take a long look at what potential has been unleashed. 

It might sound grandiose to talk about industrial floor coating contractors in such glowing terms, but trust us, some of our clients have revolutionised how they use their warehousing thanks to the hard work of our team. And they think we’re super.

So, how can a humble floor coating change the way you utilise your space? Read on to find out…

Revolution 1: A Safer Floor

Workplace safety should be front and centre of your risk assessments. A worn, slippery floor is a hazard that will eventually result in an accident. And besides the pain and suffering caused to the poor person who takes a tumble on your floor, the resulting paperwork and possible lawsuit (those ‘no win, no fee’ lawyers are like vultures) could cost you dearly.

So what can you do to prevent slips, trips and falls in your warehouse? Instruct industrial floor coating contractors to install epoxy floor coatings. This solution is quick, cost-effective and, above all, safe. We’ve applied epoxy floor coatings to all kinds of commercial and industrial buildings, from hospitals to warehouses, and every time we have delivered an outstanding finish that enhances the safety and appearance of a building.

Here’s how epoxy floor coatings can change your warehouse for the better: 

Excellent Durability

Epoxy resin offers incredible resistance to wear and tear. So if your warehouse has high-traffic areas, this floor coating can withstand continual use. There are different types of resin flooring, but every single one is guaranteed to last you through the years. A one-off investment will give you peace of mind day in, day out.

Level Out Uneven Floors

Did you know that you can use self-levelling epoxy floor coating to even out cracked and damaged concrete surfaces? Our team of industrial floor coating contractors will apply the coating, ensuring that it fills any dips and crevices, so all that’s left is a pristine, smooth floor that no longer has dangerous areas.

Easy Maintenance

The smooth finish of your new epoxy floor coating is really easy to maintain. Sweeping and mopping should be carried out regularly, but because there are no cracks or holes in the surface, you won’t find dirt, grime and bacteria lingering. And if you need a long-lasting sanitary option, at GI Sykes, we can install an antimicrobial coating that keeps your space hygienic and clean. 

Want to know more about the wonders of epoxy floor coatings? Read this blog.

 

Revolution 2: A Space That Works For You

Your warehouse may well be a lovely spacious working environment, but without organisation, it can become unproductive and unsafe. But how can you organise and arrange your warehouse without heavy investment in partition walls? How about floor markings?

Professional industrial floor coating contractors can help you delineate zones and areas within your warehouse using coloured floor coatings. These are just some of the most commonly used demarcations we have created using line marking and walkways.

Walkways

If your warehouse is a shared space between pedestrians and machinery, then a clearly marked walkway is essential. Not only does it keep your people safe from moving vehicles, but it’s also helpful for directing the flow of traffic. 

Designated Zones

Coloured flooring quickly and easily identifies zones within your warehouse. Have a packing team that operates independently from a returns team? Create specific spaces that have a clear boundary for a productive and streamlined workspace.

Visual Cues

If you have areas that require the use of PPE or have a particular hazard, such as water or loud noise, you can use markings to show this. Yellow hatching is often used to flag dangers, but you can use red to show that a hard hat or ear defenders are needed to enter. The key to creating a safe warehouse is simplicity and clarity, and our industrial floor coating contractors can help you plan your space.

 

Revolution 3: Professional Image

Ok, you might think that how your warehouse looks is less important than how it functions, and to a degree, you’re right. If your space is safe and well-organised you’re doing alright. But there is plenty of evidence to suggest that a clean, tidy and good-looking work environment boosts productivity and morale. And who doesn’t want a more effective team?

Picture this; your top client decides to visit your warehouse. They want to see where the magic happens. But instead of being wowed by your diligent and hard-working team, they’re rather put off by your tatty flooring and grubby-looking space.

All that can be avoided by investing in an industrial floor coating. Contractors can easily repair, replace or install a hard-wearing floor coating in just a few days, so you don’t have to worry about disruption, either.

What about a spanking new floor helps your business, then?

People Power

By keeping your warehouse looking neat and tidy, you’re showing your team that you respect and value them. You don’t expect them to work in an environment that feels uncared for and badly maintained – and you’re willing in spend money creating a comfortable, safe space.

Brand Image

Marketing 101 is projecting the image you want your clients to believe. If you want to be seen as a professional business that takes itself seriously, then having premises that reflect that is key. A run-down building with a scuffed-up, flaky floor gives the wrong impression, and when fixing it is so easy and affordable, why would you?

Added Value

If you ever plan to sell your business, or even if you’re just keen to maximise its worth for your own gain, ensuring that it functions and looks as good as possible should be high on your agenda. Potential investors want to see a business that takes account of the safety of its people. They also want to see a warehouse that is cared for and unlikely to cost them money to maintain.

 

Industrial Floor Coating Contractors: Starting The Revolution

That’s just three ways our industrial floor coating contractors could revolutionise your warehouse. There’s more, too – from slip-resistant coatings to anti-static systems – we can pretty much deliver whatever your warehouse needs. 

And it doesn’t have to stop with your flooring either. Just take a look at our website; you’ll find we can take care of your cladding, your roof and your guttering too. Want to chat specifics? Get in touch for a free quote today.

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Things To Consider Before Building Refurbishment

Building Repairs 28.10.22
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Building refurbishment is an exciting time; your property is undergoing a makeover and the anticipation of how it will all come together is thrilling. But before you get to the big reveal, a fair few steps must come first.

Here, we’re going to look at all the things you need to think about before you begin your building renovation project.

Why Are You Refurbishing?

The reason behind your decision to take on building refurbishment impacts the services you need to source, the budget you set and how much time your project will take. The most common reasons for a building refurbishment include the following; 

Rebranding

Maybe your company has rebranded and you want your premises to reflect your new corporate identity. Matching your walls, floors or furniture to your branding helps to convey a slick, professional image to your staff and clients.

 

Updating

Perhaps you have had enough of your dated and deteriorating decor. Typically, decor lasts around 5-6 years before it needs a refresh. So if your paintwork and flooring are looking tired and worn, it might be time to look at an update.

 

Outgrown

If you feel like your staff are tripping over each other and your offices are rather cramped, a refurbishment can help make the most of your building. By reconfiguring your space cleverly, you can maximise your usable area.

What Are You Spending?

Your budget dictates the extent to which you can go with your building refurbishment. Large or small, you need to spend your budget wisely. 

The best approach is to prioritise what needs doing and allocate your spending accordingly. So, for example, if your cladding is faded and bubbling, it’s going to be higher on your list than, say, the flooring that you just don’t like the pattern of. 

A staged approach to your building refurb works well if you are updating or adjusting your workspace. But if you’re going for the big impact of a rebrand, you need to do it all at once to avoid a messy, mixed-up look.

So, now you have your budget and list of building refurbishment priorities – what else should you think about?

Sustainability

There has never been a better time to make your building more sustainable. With green credentials influencing people’s buying choices, reducing your carbon footprint can help to make your business stand out. Not to mention the planet-saving stuff. 

Reclaimed and recycled materials can be incorporated into your refurb – and the new materials you bring in can be responsibly sourced. And by ensuring your property is in good repair, you are likely to reduce your heating costs, saving energy and money at the same time. 

Ensuring that your roof is in good order makes the most difference to your energy usage. A leaking, damaged roof is often the culprit for unusually high bills, so it pays to stay on top of your roof maintenance, even after your refurb is complete.

Timeframes and Schedules

Once you have decided to go ahead with your building refurbishment, you will want to know how long it’ll take. Obviously, that depends on the scope of your work, but mapping out an ideal timeframe helps your contractors understand your position. 

There are many aspects to scheduling work that might mean your ideal timeframe needs to be flexible, so you’ll also need to plan for work overrunning. Adverse weather, supply chain delays and unexpected issues can all play a part in construction – even with the most dedicated and hard-grafting team, like GI Sykes!

A good contractor will help guide you with a realistic timeframe for your renovation work. At GI Sykes, we’re always happy to work with a client to reduce any disruption as best we can – even working weekends to push a project along.

Picking A Contractor

So, we know that a good contractor will be transparent about timings – but what else should you look for when selecting the contractor to carry out your project?

Experience

Experience is always top of the list. You want to hire a company that has done it before because you feel more confident in their skills. The trouble is, every company claims to have ‘experience’ (we’re yet to see a website that says ‘new to the industry, happy to give it a go’!). 

So how do you qualify experience? Testimonials and case studies. Reading what others say about a company gives you great insight into what you can expect. 

Expertise
Expertise doesn’t always go hand-in-hand with experience. Expertise takes something more – a dedication to understanding and mastering a skill. That’s why, at GI Sykes, we handpick our team. We look for those that have outstanding expertise that can be relied upon in the field, so our clients know that they’re always in safe hands.

Breadth of work

If your building renovation project includes different trades, managing them all can be a headache. By choosing a contractor that provides a large number of services, you reduce your point of contact to one – and that’s much less stressful to manage. 

To give you an idea of the scale of what GI Sykes do, here’s a list of our most common building refurbishment services; 

  • Cladding Repair, Spraying and Coating
  • Roof Repair, Liquid Roofing, Roof Cleaning, Roof Coating
  • Epoxy Resin Floor Coating
  • Line Marking
  • Commercial Painting & Decorating
  • Commercial Building 

We can take on whole projects, managing scheduling and personnel, so you don’t have to. You will liaise with your contracts manager, who will keep you updated on our progress.

Availability

Once you have chosen your preferred contractor, chances are you will want the work started fairly quickly. Luckily, at GI Sykes, we can mobilise our team of over 65 contractors promptly to get your building refurbishment underway.

Ready To Start Your Building Refurbishment?

Now you’ve considered all of these points, you might be ready to speak to a professional contractor who can help make your refurb a stress-free, seamless experience. If you are, call us at GI Sykes; we will be delighted to talk to you about your project and help you get everything in place to give your building a new lease of life.

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Building Renovation: How To Plan Your Project

Building Repairs 14.10.22
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If you’re thinking about building renovation, you’re probably overwhelmed with all the things you need to consider and plan. Renovation work can be more stressful than building from scratch, thanks to the aspects you must include. But if you go into your project fully informed, you’re more likely to find the process easy to manage. 

So to help you, we’ve written a guide to getting started with your building renovation work.

Building Renovation vs Building Restoration

To begin with, let’s establish what we mean by renovation and how that compares to other construction work, like restoration. 

A building renovation project usually entails improving a property, as well as repair and remedial work. Renovation tends to take a property and enhance it by adding to the structure or smartening it up.

Building restoration typically involves returning a building to a prior state. Lots of buildings invest in restoration work if they have historic features that may have been covered up or fallen into disrepair. 

Another type of restoration work happens when a building has been affected by a disaster, like a fire or flood. We wrote a blog about fire and flood restoration, and you can read it here.

Starting Your Building Renovation

Getting started on your building renovation is the most daunting stage. This is when you map out your objectives, research planning permissions and source a reliable team of professionals to help you achieve what you’ve set out to do.

Your Objectives

What’s the reason for your building renovation? Are you updating the decor? Adding new floors to make space? Overhauling a building so it matches your brand profile? Whatever your motivation, you need to be clear about your goal. As your project unfolds, you may be distracted by things that come up – having a clear strategy helps keep you focused.

Planning Permission

If you are hoping to extend your commercial building, change the exterior dramatically, or your building is a listed building, you will need to find out if your plans require you to apply for planning permission. Commercial planning permission can be fairly complex, so enlisting the help of a professional is advised – we’ve heard of cases where new buildings have had to be razed to the ground because they didn’t comply with planning conditions.

Sourcing Professionals

To avoid serious mishaps like not complying with planning permission, you should use a reliable and trustworthy team of professionals to help you navigate your building renovation. When it comes to construction work, GI Sykes has decades of experience that can help complete your project quickly and within budget.

And it’s not just our expertise that means our building renovation projects are fast and efficient, it’s also our network of suppliers that prioritise our orders (thanks to our large order book!). We often get the best rates and a good supply chain so we can keep your costs within your budget and avoid delays caused by the supply issues that have plagued the construction industry for the past couple of years.

What You Need To Consider

You may have an idea of the work your building renovation needs, but there are some questions you need to ask yourself or a professional before you start booking contractors. These are; 

  • Do you need to get permission from your landlord?
  • Does your lease or tenancy agreement allow the scope of your project?
  • Will you need to change the category classification of your building?
  • Does your building renovation plan need an architect?
  • Will you need planning permission?
  • Who will do the work?
  • What are your timeframes, and what happens if you have a setback or delay?

Once you have answers to these questions, you’re in a great position to start getting quotes from contractors. We recommend getting a few quotes from professionals and comparing their different aspects. Price is often the first consideration, but going with the cheapest quote doesn’t mean you’re making a good saving. Equally, the most expensive doesn’t guarantee quality. You should also look at things like reviews, case studies and accreditations. 

What Your Project Needs

Building renovations cover a broad range of services, from simple painting and decorating to adding a mezzanine floor. But even with a ‘simple’ reno, the organisation can be tricky to manage. It takes time and consideration, from booking your preferred contractors to clearing the space. That’s why using a company that includes a project manager is highly beneficial – particularly on large-scale projects.

GI Sykes has a vast team of professionals, each specialising in their respective fields. We’re able to tackle multi-skilled projects without the hassle of having to manage different contractors and timescales. Some of the services we provide are; 

Extensions
Extensions come in all shapes and sizes, and your type of building may require specialist skills. Our team of 65 skilled building contractors have worked on pretty much any type of extension you can think of, from industrial unit to retail to hospital. 

We meticulously plan your extension to ensure that we minimise disruption to your business and keep to the timeframe. Your dedicated project manager keeps the team to task and means you only have one point of contact to deal with.

Rendering

If your building renovation includes smartening up the exterior, then rendering might be on your list of required services. We use the most durable and quality silicone rendering systems, so you know that your investment will look as good in years to come.

Partitioning

Partitioning is one of our most frequently requested building renovation services since many clients want to customise their premises to suit their business. We can quickly create boardrooms, offices, break rooms and other sectioned-off areas with quality partitioning that helps to insulate your property.

 

Cladding

If your cladding looks worse for wear, we can clean and repair it so it looks bright and well-cared for once again. We can even respray it if you fancy a colour change or want to cover up faded areas.

Cladding Cleaning

GI Sykes: Your Building Renovation Specialists

So, if you’re looking into building renovation and don’t know where to start, hopefully, you’ve picked up some pointers from this article. But if you’re still unsure how to proceed, call us. We’re more than happy to talk to you about your project and get your renovation project underway.

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Is Commercial Painting And Decorating Worth It?

Building Repairs 31.08.22
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Commercial painting and decorating is one of our most popular services at GI Sykes, but is it worth it? In this blog, we explore why getting a professional team to decorate your commercial property is a good idea and what you can expect from us. 

No Cutting Corners With Cutting In

If you have ever painted a room yourself, you know that the worst bit is cutting in. No matter how careful you are, there’s always a splodge of paint where you don’t want one. At home, you can probably live with the annoyance, but in a commercial environment, you want to portray a professional, sleek identity – so perfection is the only option. 

Commercial painting and decorating will always deliver a pristine finish. Our team of experienced decorators have been hired based on their skill and excellence, so your premises will get the five-star treatment.

Not Just Slapping Paint On

When you contract out your commercial painting and decorating, you can have a higher expectation of the finish you’ll get. Whether you want a uniform colour throughout your property, or you want something a little more adventurous, you’ll be impressed with what we do. 

Want your walls in your brand colours? No problem – we can get bespoke paint mixed in exactly the right shade. Want a pattern or design in your lobby? Happy to oblige! With a pro team, you can rely on us to ensure your new decor enhances your building and reputation. 

No Watching Paint Dry

As a busy business owner or property manager, you definitely have better things to do than watch paint dry. A full redecoration of a building can take days to complete, and you quite literally have to watch each coat of paint dry. Why give up your time to this arduous task when the pros can get it done more efficiently and to a higher standard?

Our team have systems in place to make quick work of commercial painting and decorating, so any disruption is minimised. They can even carry out the redecoration at times when you aren’t there, like weekends or holiday shutdowns.

We Have Better Kit

It’s not a brag; it’s just the truth. Commercial painting and decorating is one of our core services, and we believe in investing in the best products and materials. We don’t get our rollers and brushes from the big orange DIY store; we use specialist equipment that’s only available to those in the trade.

It means that we can rely on the finish of the job being impeccable. No wayward bristles embedded in the paintwork, no uneven texture – just smooth, clean walls and ceilings that give your building a fresh lease of life.

And that goes for the paint we use too – we use paint that has been battle-tested in commercial settings. It’ll withstand the daily grind that a busy work environment will put it under so your building will look good for years to come.

 

Better Value, Better Look

It might surprise you to know that our better workmanship is also better value. At the outset, it might seem like professional commercial painting and decorating is more expensive than grabbing a brush and tackling it yourself, but let’s just examine what costs are involved in the DIY approach.

  • Brushes, rollers, spray paint machines 
  • Dust sheets and protective clothing
  • Ladders and platforms
  • Specialist cleaning fluid for your equipment
  • Filler for any holes or cracks you uncover
  • Solution for prepping your walls and ceiling
  • A good quality undercoat
  • Highly durable paint suitable for high-traffic environments
  • Hours of your time

As you can see, the real cost of painting your property yourself is far higher, especially if you factor in any touch-ups or repairs you may need in the future (our work is guaranteed, so we’ll be back to fix any issues if needed).

 

No Risk, All Reward

When you book commercial painting and decorating services, you know that they are covered by insurance. Should someone fall or trip there’s no liability for you. If paint gets spilt on a laptop or carpet – they’ll replace it. But if it’s you or one of your staff up that ladder when it tips? That’s a big problem. 

Safety is a crucial issue, and it is one we take seriously. All of our team are trained to use our equipment safely and support each other while we operate. All of our work is fully insured and guaranteed, giving you peace of mind.

No Cleaning Up

Once you’ve done the back-breaking work of redecorating your office or warehouse, you then have to face the mammoth task of cleaning up. Unless you outsource, that is. Commercial painting and decorating means that not only do you get an impressive new look to your property, but it’ll also be left spotlessly clean. Think of it as a bonus!

So, Is Commerical Painting And Decorating Worth It?

Well, unless you like to lose time and money while standing up a ladder – then yes, commercial painting and decorating IS worth it. At least we think so. 

Like any service, the professionals just deliver a better quality result. So if you’re decorating because you want a slick, fresh appearance for your business, why would you take a chance on a bodged DIY job? Let the GI Sykes team loose on your commercial building and come back to an immaculate, superior finish that will stand the test of a bustling workplace.

If you would like to talk to us about our commercial painting and decorating service, including exterior painting, industrial painting and cladding spraying just give us a call on 01384 891 341 or request a quote here.

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The Pros & Cons Of Epoxy Floor Coating

Building Construction 27.07.22
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Weighing up the pros and cons of epoxy floor coating? Then this is the best blog for you. We’re going to take a close look at all of the benefits and drawbacks of this popular floor treatment.

As epoxy floor coating specialists, we have vast experience and there isn’t much that we haven’t dealt with or come across! So read on to see what we think makes it the ideal solution for many floors – and why it might not be for you…

What Is Epoxy Floor Coating?

Before we get to the good stuff, let’s first make sure you know what exactly epoxy floor coating is and what it’s commonly used for. 

In simple terms, epoxy is a type of resin floor system that hardens to create a solid coating, much like plastic. This coating bonds well to appropriate base layers, making it well suited to high-traffic areas.

Where Is Epoxy Floor Coating Best Used?

Industrial and commercial flooring benefits most from the durability that epoxy offers. The common floors that we treat are; 

  • Warehouses
  • Factories
  • Areas for machinery and vehicles
  • Walkways
  • Public buildings
  • Care homes
  • Showrooms

But this is not an extensive list – at GI Sykes, we have used epoxy floor coating in so many locations, we can’t list them all.

The Pros Of Epoxy Floor Coating

We’re not going to pretend that we’re not huge epoxy flooring fans – we even have it in our own facilities. But we do like to make sure we give an unbiased overview of the product so you’re more informed. We’re going to start with the key advantages of using epoxy coating on your floors.

Protection For Your Floor

While a little obvious, it’s the main reason people opt for epoxy as a floor coating. The thick layer of resin protects your floor like nothing else. 

Extremely Durable

There are different types of epoxy, and as with anything, the quality of the product plays a large part in its longevity. We only use trusted brands that deliver exceptional results and many of the epoxy floors we have applied are still going strong many years later. With the correct base, careful application and ongoing maintenance, your epoxy floor coating can last up to ten years.

Easily Applied

Epoxy flooring is one of the most convenient flooring solutions in terms of downtime for your property. Our team of professionals can quickly apply the coating and once it’s cured – you’re back in business.

No Skidding
Despite its glossy appearance epoxy floor coatings can reduce skidding if the right type is used – so fewer slips and trips!

Hygienic

One of epoxy resin’s superpowers is that it can be made to be antimicrobial. This makes it ideal for buildings that work with food, medical facilities or places where bacteria and germs need to be kept to a minimum. Even standard epoxy flooring offers a high level of hygiene and it’s non-porous and smooth, making it easy to keep clean.

Affordability

Epoxy floor coating is one of the most affordable flooring options on the market. Compared with alternative flooring choices, such as rubber, concrete or PVC, epoxy flooring is the best value.

Colour Options

You can even have your flooring coloured to match your company brand – epoxy floor coatings can be custom coloured if you are looking to reflect your brand or environment. Many businesses, particularly warehouse and industrial ones, colour code their flooring to denote areas of hazard or safety. Red flooring is ideal as an additional warning of hazards like moving vehicles, chemicals or other dangers, while green or blue work well for marking out walkways and safe zones.

 

The Cons Of Epoxy Floor Coating

With such a long list of benefits to epoxy flooring, you might be wondering what the disadvantages could possibly be! And although it is a shorter list, it’s important to know the drawbacks so you can make an informed decision for your building. 

Slippery When Wet
Ok, we know we said it’s anti-skid, but some epoxy coatings can be more slippery when they’re wet. If you know that your floor is going to be frequently wet, then you can take a couple of approaches. You can use a different floor covering in that area or, if you still want the benefits of epoxy, you can either have an additive mixed in, like grit, that creates a rough surface or we can use a specialist roller that leaves the surface textured.

Preparation Plays An Important Role
The durability and longevity of your flooring depend heavily on the quality and reliability of your base. Making sure that the floor that is being covered is clean, damage-free and prepared for the coating is one of the most important jobs. If damage is discovered or if the floor needs a deep clean to remove grease or oil, then this can extend the project. 

Maintenance Required

You can leave your epoxy floor coating to its own devices – but it’s not recommended. Ensure that your floor is regularly cleaned – but don’t reach for the Flash just yet. Epoxy flooring can build up a ‘haze’ over time when soap-based cleaners are used, there are specialist liquids you can buy to ensure your floor keeps its shine. A weekly vacuum and dust are also advised as this keeps grit to a minimum and prevents scratches and gouges. 

Hard To Remove

This is a big one to consider. If you think that you might want to remove your epoxy flooring in the future, then think carefully about having it installed in the first place. Epoxy floor coating is tricky to remove once applied and may even require a whole new floor!

Want To Know More About Epoxy Floor Coating?

So now you’ve heard the pros and cons. Hopefully, this has helped you come closer to deciding if an epoxy floor coating is right for your property, but if you’re still left with questions, then our team are more than happy to help. You can call 01384 891 341 or  click here to arrange a call-back.

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