Glenn Thompson MCIAT
GT Building Design
6 Generals Walk, Donaghadee
Northern Ireland, BT21 0HT
📱 0771 991 2695
☎️ 028 9107 8398
Advice & Support
If you have any questions, need advice or discuss your project please get in touch. Glenn would be more than happy to help you.
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Why choose a Chartered Architectural Technologist?
A CIAT registered professional or Chartered Architectural Technologist is similar in many ways to an architect. The training received is different but often interweaves and the service offered in many cases are identical. The general feeling in architecture is that architects are at the artistic conceptual end of the spectrum, whilst technologists provide the technical knowledge and backbone to deliver projects. Find out more.
What is a Chartered Architectural Technologist?
Chartered Architectural Technologists specialise in the application of building science and technology to architectural and construction projects. They have specialist skills enabling them to manage the design process and use their technical knowledge and expertise to provide innovative solutions. Find out more on the CIAT website.
Your Home and Planning Permission (A guide for householders in Northern Ireland)
This publication from the Planning Service is to help you understand if you need planning permission for works carried out around your home. It also tells you how to go about making a planning application if one is needed. Smaller domestic works can fall into permitted development rights, however I would advise that a "Certificate of Lawfullness" should be made if a full application is not necessary.
Building Control NI, What we do.
Building Control have a statutory duty to enforce Building Regulations & responsible for ensuring construction standards laid down by Parliament, are enforced in your local Council. The standards include health, structural stability, fire safety, energy conservation and accessibility. These standards are enforced through plan assessment and site inspections. When a building is completed they will issue a Certificate of Completion. Building Control are there to offer professional help and impartial advice on your project and to answer any queries you may have on regulatory issues.
Planning an Attic Conversion? (A guide from Building Control)
This leaflet provides guidance on how to achieve compliance with the Building Regulations when carrying out an attic conversion. When the intention is to provide one or more rooms in an attic, a Building Regulation application is required. Not all attics are suitable for conversion and issues may prevent conversion being a practical solution such as low head height or not enough space. Where the intended use is to store lightweight items such as suitcases, general household items, etc., then the provision of loose boarding is generally satisfactory and an application would not be required provided that the access to the area is by ladder and not by a new or fixed staircase.
Vario By Velux Flat Glass Rooflights
Learn about all the different ways that you can design with daylight using Vario by VELUX Rooflights. Explore how you can bring your daylight dreams to life, with a huge variety of shapes and features, creating the ultimate blend of natural light for your home. Available in two external colours Jet Black (RAL 9005), Traffic Grey (RAL 7043).
Velux Attic Conversions (By Velux)
Discover how to renovate your loft into a daylight filled space to relax. Explore homeowner projects that will provide you with hints, tips and inspiration to help you maximise the potential in your loft conversion. Take a look at their loft conversion picture gallery for ideas and inspiration on how to inject daylight into your project.
Spray Foam Insulation in your Home. A clear, impartial guide.
Spray Foam is a form of insulation material that can be applied to roof spaces, walls and floors however, there is often limited understanding and its impact on valuation, home surveys and lender decisions. Spray foam insulation may seem like a simple way to reduce heat loss in your home, but it should be viewed as a serious modification. This consumer guide aims to inform homeowners on the ways in which spray foam insulation could impact a property.
Is it better to extend or move house? (By Ideal Home)
Deciding between building an extension on a house to better match your needs or just moving on to your next home can be tough. Deciding whether you should extend should be based on whether an extension is right for your home. An inappropriate or poorly executed extension can reduce the value of your home, should you choose to sell in the future. A professionally designed extension almost guarantees to be beneficial to your house value.
Radon Gas In your Home: What you need to do!
Long-term exposure to radon increases the risk of lung cancer, particularly in smokers. Radon exposure is the second greatest cause of lung cancer, after smoking, and is estimated to cause 30 deaths per year in Northern Ireland. Little is known about this by the general public but you wish to find out more by clicking the link above.
Prevention of carbon monoxide poisoning in your home
Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas produced by the incomplete burning of any carbon fuel such as natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). This can happen when a gas appliance has been incorrectly fitted, badly repaired or poorly maintained.
CO can also build up if flues, chimneys or vents are blocked. Solid fuels, such as coal, wood, petrol, as well as oil, can also produce carbon monoxide when they burn.
CO can be deadly and is especially dangerous because you can’t see, taste or smell it, and some symptoms mimic the effects of viruses and even a bad hangover. It’s important to know the physical symptoms of CO poisoning to ensure you seek help quickly.
Dealing with condensation, dampness and mould
These are a major source of problems and can absorb a significant proportion of repair and maintenance resources. This document will help you to identify different condensation and dampness problems and to develop and implement appropriate technical solutions.