If you haven’t heard of Thermodynamic panels yet then read on. These caused quite a stir when we had them on our stand at Ecobuild – for a very good reason!

Thermodynamic Atmospheric Energy Panels can generate 100% of hot water and heating requirements all year round. Unlike solar panel systems, these don’t rely on the sun. Instead they absorb heat energy from the atmosphere so this means they can even carry on working at night.

The system works even down to temperatures as far as -15°C. Panels can be mounted anywhere and although lightweight for ease of installation, the panels are robust with anti-corrosive properties. Be aware you need to be F-Gas registered and have completed an installation course to work with the panels! But don’t worry; we’re making it easier for you to comply by offering the courses at our Greenworks Training Academy.

We are the only national builders’ merchant to offer them and they’re a really great option for anyone looking for a simple and sustainable way of producing hot water and heating. Take a look at our branch locator at www.jewson.co.uk and pop into your local branch to find out more!

We have recently teamed up with Grono Lawns and have invited them to write a guest post for our blog this week.

Jewson, the UK’s leading supplier of sustainable timber and building materials, have struck an exclusivity agreement with Grono Lawns, offering the most realistic artificial grass ever seen on the market.

Remember the Astroturf of old? Artificial lawns have come a long way since then. The manufacturing technology is now so advanced that today’s artificial grass looks and feels just like the real thing – it’s no longer the spiky plastic carpet used by greengrocers. GRONO artificial grass is UV stable (unaffected by sunlight), has a 20 year life span, is child and pet friendly and gives you a maintenance-free lawn the whole family can enjoy all year round.

- No rain required
- No maintenance
- NO WEEDS
- No brown patches
- Mud becomes a thing of the past

Landscaping products will always be an important part of Jewson’s product range. Hosepipe bans in today’s unpredictable climate cause no end of problems for grass – installing a GRONO lawn gives you a garden to be proud of. GRONO Lawns have developed a range to suit every requirement – from our 30mm basic lawn to 50mm luxury grass – you won’t believe it’s not real!

Your local Jewson branch sells everything you need to install your stunning, easy-to-fit Grono lawn, including:

- Anti-weed membrane
- Mot Type 1
- Sharp sand
- Slate Timber Batons

There is also an easy to follow video on our website Artificial Grass

So if you want to beat the ban and effortlessly enjoy a manicured lawn all year round, visit your local Jewson Branch today. Remember, NO WEEDS!

A challenge. That’s what we shall call this self build project.

I’d like to say that nothing is ever as bad as it seems but now that we have the keys to our new property and are able to wander from room to room at a leisurely pace soaking up its true ambiance, I must admit to something approaching trepidation.

From the gargantuan pampas grass in the front garden to the mould clinging to corners to the damp that spreads like a bruise across sticky walls every last nook and cranny of our new property reeks of dilapidation. As I pace the floors stepping over the previous owner’s detritus, the wind howls through broken windows and I’m suddenly aware of the magnitude of the job in hand.

It was whilst mulling over how blind optimism can quickly turn into stark realisation that I was introduced to Jewson Self Build. As I waxed lyrical to a friend in the pub, who also happens to be a seasoned property developer, he mentioned that Jewson have a Self Build division and perhaps that would be a good place to start.

He’d heard good things. What had I got lose? Certainly no more sleep, that’s for sure.

Gary King’s partner Laura Warren shares her self build story

This weeks ‘Jewson Poll’:

As a freelance writer specialising in adventure sport and travel I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs over the years. I’ve raced to the North Pole in sub zero temperatures, been chased by an orangutan in a Sumatran Jungle and have leapt off a 900 foot dam in Switzerland attached to a giant bungee. In short I like things that raise the heartbeat and tickle the senses.

I’m of the opinion that with a little bit of invention and a big dash of enthusiasm most things are possible. It was with this in mind that my fiancé and I went in search of our dream home. We scoured property websites, signed up to estate agents’ mailing lists and even posted leaflets through the doors of a street of houses that we found particularly des res.

Everything that we looked at was either;

1. Renovated to the max – cheap kitchens, shiny laminated floors and garish colour schemes.
2. 1970s décor combined with a wildly optimistic asking price.
3. Too small.
4. No garden.
5. In the wrong location.

After six months of fruitless searching we happened across a property in Ruddington in Nottinghamshire. This charming village has good local shops, excellent amenities and a seemingly disproportionate numbers of pubs to its population – always a good sign.

From the second we walked in the front door and were hit by an aroma somewhere between a public toilet and a fetid dustbin, the mouldy walls and damp floor did their utmost to mask the house’s true potential. It was only after a couple months of deliberation and haggling with the vendor that we came round to the view that this might be The One. We would undertake a self build.

It may have been falling apart at the seams but it did have;

1. Three double bedrooms.
2. Potential for a loft conversion.
3. Off street parking.
4. A large garden.
5. An outhouse.

It was essentially a blank canvas and like all blank canvasses needed an awful lot of work to turn it into a work of art. We could restore this Edwardian end terrace back to its former glory and in doing so would create somewhere that we’d be able to call home.

We made an offer. It was duly accepted. We now are the proud owners of some bricks and mortar that, as they say in the trade, “is in need of modernisation.”

If this self build project doesn’t have the potential to raise the heart beat and tickle the senses then I don’t know what has. Let the journey begin.

This weeks ‘Jewson Poll’:

A Gloucester Rugby fan’s dream has come true with our ‘In the Mix’ competition. Gloucester local, Luke Thompson, has won the exclusive use of our hospitality box for the first home fixture of the 2012/13 season in the competition’s grand finale!

Rugby fans are familiar with our Gloucester rugby viral which showed a club member passing a rugby ball successfully into a cement mixer, from distances of 5m, 10m and 15m.

‘In the Mix’ gave match day fans the chance to try to do the same during the half time interval at home matches. Luke Thompson was crowned the winner at the Gloucester v Sale match.

Luke commented, “I was at Old Cryptian’s Rugby Club the night before discussing how funny it is that I was taking part in the final, when I clearly have the worst ball skills out of all of the players (hence why I play second row)! The fact I got it in with my usual one-handed pass technique was hilarious as I am always getting shouted at by our coach for not using both hands to pass. Hitting the rim on the 15m shot was a bit of a blow, but lucky for me I was given a second chance with the raffle and was lucky enough to win. It’s a fantastic prize and I cannot wait to enjoy it!”

Building or renovating your own home is a significant investment and can be hugely challenging!

Whatever the style or scale of project we have been working with self-build customers for many years and have a wealth of expertise as well as the building materials and renewable technologies available to make the build a success.

Over the coming months we will follow first time self builder Gary King as he embarks on the refurbishment of his Edwardian end terrace. We will show you first hand, through our blog and video diary, the progress of the refurbishment and how we are helping Gary through every step of the build process.

Our free self build consultation service has many benefits for the self builder, if you would like more info contact our Self Build Team today on 0800 032 8968.

This weeks ‘Jewson Poll’:

That’s right – it’s back and bigger than ever! The Lafarge Mastercrete National Merchant Promotion is on until the 29th June 2012. It means that until then, every time you buy a bag of Mastercrete Cement, you’re in with a chance of winning a ‘hands-on’ and action packed experience worth £100. It could be a day go karting, white water rafting, flying a microlight or driving a supercar – who knows!

Each week, 10 customer entry forms, online versions as well, will be drawn at random. The more times you buy the more chances you have of winning! Not a bad return for buying a bag of cement is it? So why not register at www.MastercreteCement.com and see some action this year!