Template - Front page: Recipe: Messy cake showstopper

If you’ve been inspired by The Great British Bake Off, but have yet to master a piping bag, then messy cake decorating could be for you.

This is a style of cake decorating that creates maximum impact without the need for perfectly smooth frosting.

Teacher and messy cake maker Carys Burton, who is an expert at the art, explains how to make a strawberries and chocolate confection that looks every bit as good as it tastes.

Ingredients:

• Two round vanilla sponge cakes.
• White chocolate-coated, finger wafer biscuits.
• White cooking chocolate.
• Milk cooking chocolate.
• Punnet of strawberries.
• Punnet of raspberries.
• Lindt milk chocolate truffles.
• Ferrero Rocher.
• Strawberry jam.
• Chocolate sprinkles.
• Chocolate stars.
• Vanilla buttercream frosting.
• A ribbon.

Method:

1. Sandwich the two sponge cakes together with strawberry jam and place on a cake base.
2. Coat the outside of the cake with buttercream frosting.
3. Place the white chocolate wafer fingers upright around the outside of the cake, using the frosting to keep them in place. Take your time with this part to make sure they are straight. Once you’ve covered the sides, secure the wafers in place with a pretty ribbon.
4. To make the chocolate strawberries, first melt some white chocolate in a bowl. Hold a strawberry by its stalk, dip it into the melted chocolate and then place it on a plate. Add sprinkles or stars if wanted before the chocolate sets. Once you have coated around 6 strawberries, put the plate into the fridge to allow the chocolate to set.
5. Repeat step 4 using milk chocolate this time if you want two different colours of chocolate strawberries.
6. On the top of the cake, create a circle of raspberries around the perimeter.
7. Now start to add the chocolate-coated strawberries, Ferrero Rocher and Lindt truffles using buttercream to keep them in place. This is the really creative, eye-catching part of the cake.
8. For the finishing touch, decorate the base of the cake using Ferrero Rocher, Lindt truffles and chocolate strawberries.

For more messy cake inspiration or to contact Carys Burton direct, go to www.facebook.com/loveandcakecarys.

Template - Front page: Llanerch Vineyard: A vine place for some r’n’r

Nestled in the leafy Vale of Glamorgan, Llanerch Vineyard made its name as one of the pioneers of wine-making in Wales with its familiar ‘Cariad’ brand.

Today, however, Llanerch Vineyard is much more than a wine producer.

Modelled on the famous Marlborough destination vineyards of New Zealand, Llanerch has two well-regarded restaurants, five-star guest accommodation, hosts a popular cookery school and is even licensed for weddings.

One of the attractions of any vineyard is, of course, wine tasting. In the winter months, the tasting is held in a cosy spot indoors, but between April and October, it includes a guided tour of the vines by the owner for a real insight into how the wines are produced.

As testament to the popularity of the wines, they can now only be tasted at Llanerch. The entire 10,000-12,000 bottle annual production of Cariad wines is sold on site, either in the restaurant, at the bar or through its on-site shop.

The Hensol-based vineyard’s transformation came at the hands of Ryan Davies, who took over ownership in 2010. The site, which he viewed initially while looking for a site for adventure tourism, reminded him of his travels in New Zealand.

He saw potential to create something on the Marlborough model, so ditched the adventure tourism plan and, with family backing, put in an offer to buy the site.

Looking at the neatly planted rows of vines, it’s easy to see what inspired him.

Set away from the hustle and bustle of nearby towns and the capital city, Llanerch Vineyard offers a tangible air of calm, which has made it a popular escape for those looking for a day or two of rest and relaxation.

For something more upbeat, Llanerch also hosts celebrations. With up to 40 weddings taking place each year, the vineyard also holds Christmas party nights in the festive season, corporate events and family parties.

After all, who doesn’t fancy a party in a vineyard?

Llanerch Vineyard is in Hensol, Vale of Glamorgan. For more information go to www.llanerch-vineyard.co.uk.

Template - Front page: How did you rate Securahome?

By Tony Crutcher

Earlier this year Securahome contracted me to carry out some customer research.

While the company regularly carries out independent customer surveys, the directors wanted something in-depth to help them see all aspects of the business through the eyes of the people who matter most – their customers.

In total 2,700 past customers received surveys asking them to rate the company on a wide range of topics from punctuality and reliability through to technical knowledge and community investment.

With an over-all approval rating of 82 per cent, it’s fair to say that the results were positive.

Most impressive was the fact that Securahome’s number one attribute in the their customers’ opinions was an ability finish projects on time.

In an industry where issues such as inclement weather, planning application hold-ups and water authority permissions can cause unavoidable delays, this is a strong result and testament to the company’s experience and logistical expertise.

Quality of work, the showroom and the technical knowledge of staff were rated highly by customers, achieving average scores of six out of seven.

In line with its 22 years in business, the company’s stability and trustworthiness also achieved impressive scores.

Over-all, Securahome had an 82 per cent approval rating, with more than half of respondents rating it at 90 per cent or higher.

There were areas that could be further improved, for example the way the company communicates about its community investment work, and all of the results have been passed to Securahome’s directors for review.

As an independent contractor to the fenestration industry, I can say that Securahome’s performance rating, in the opinion of its customers, is remarkably high. These results are a credit to both staff and the leadership of the business.

Template - Front page: Raising the standard for solid conservatory roofs in South Wales

Solid conservatory roofs have become an incredibly popular home improvement across South Wales in recent times – and for a good reason.

What are Solid Conservatory Roofs?

Solid Conservatory Roofs are roofs which can be retro-fitted to most existing conservatories.  It makes a significant difference to the appearance and way people use the room.

Are there different types of conservatory roofs ?

There are two main choices for solid conservatory roofs.  The first is in a traditional style with a tiled effect.  The second option is modern, with a smooth, grey exterior and the ability to add large glass panels.

However we now have a third option.  New to the market is a conservatory roof that offers the best of both worlds.

Offering a tiled effect, the roof suits the architecture of most traditionally constructed south Wales homes. Yet it is allows you  to incorporate rectangular glass panels anywhere on the roof. This enables you to zone the areas where you would like most light.

Designed and manufactured by one of the leading conservatory roof companies in the UK. The roof is strong yet lightweight enough to be fitted onto an existing conservatory.

However, it is important to know it offers the same thermal efficiency as a traditionally constructed roof.

Nigel Hocking of Securahome says : “This is the first solid conservatory roof which offers great versatility.”

“It weighs roughly the same as a glass roof so can be fitted to most conservatories and has full building regulations approval.”

“The option to add glass panels means you can still have light flooding in, but the rest of the roof is highly-insulated for thermal efficiency.”

“It makes for a very flexible roof that really can transform a conservatory into a year-round room.”

Are they thermally efficient?

The insulation qualities of this modern roof and thermal glass is extremely efficient.  In fact, this means there is no need to separate your conservatory from the main room with a door.

“The ability to have the conservatory flow into an existing kitchen or family room creates a very versatile space,” Nigel added. “So many of us today want extra dining of family space. Particularly this tends to be in the kitchen area.  So, this roof helps you achieve that while using an existing conservatory structure.”

As with all of Securahome’s solid conservatory roofs, the interior ceiling has plasterboard so that downlights can be included.

Each roof is bespoke and manufactured to your specified size, tile choice and glass panels, before being fitted to the conservatory.

How long does the process take?

While the fitting is relatively quick, the design and manufacturing process, along with any building approvals can take time.  This means it’s wise to plan ahead for a roof installation project.

What is the final result?

Finally, we believe a solid conservatory roof will transform the way you use your conservatory whilst adding a real ‘wow factor’ to your home.

Template - Front page: Sleek aluminium windows and doors

Why not bring a truly modern appearance to your South Wales home? The new range of aluminium windows and doors from Securahome is hard to beat.

With slim sight lines and strong frames, aluminium allows for greater expanses of glass. The effect of this is to bring more light into your home.

It’s this trend for light-filled homes that has made architects look again at aluminium. Hence making it the premium choice for contemporary houses and extensions.

Sales manager Nigel Hocking explains: “Aluminium really is the architect’s choice for contemporary building whether it is a new home or for an extension.

“The new aluminium range is a great way of bringing that high-end, sleek styling to your home. It looks very modern, but also has a classic appeal thanks to the signature colour choices of grey, black and white.”

What are the advantages of aluminium?

Due to its strength, an aluminium frame can be up to 50 per cent slimmer than a UPVC frame, making it a popular choice for bi-folding doors. The strength of the frame means that the glass panes in aluminium bi-folding doors can be up to 1200mm in width. This is in comparison to a maximum of 800mm width for UPVC.

These larger panes help to create the ‘glass wall’ appearance that is a significant part of the appeal of bi-folding doors.

As an alternative to bi-folding doors, aluminium replacement patio doors can be a great way to introduce this trend to your home. Once again the slim, strong frame means you can opt for a larger pane of glass providing uninterrupted views.

The window range offers a choice of a contemporary square or a more classic frame with softened, sculptured lines.

Like our UPVC windows and doors, the aluminium range is low maintenance. The frames are powder coated to create a very durable finish with a lengthy guarantee against corrosion and peeling.

As you would expect from Securahome, all of the aluminium range are conform to the very latest British Standards. They carry the BS Kitemark and have multi-point locking mechanisms for security.

The aluminium range also exceeds building regulations requirements for thermal efficiency.  This can be further boosted with the use of high-performance glass.

Template - Front page: Choosing UPVC windows for your Swansea home

In our experience, UPVC is the most popular window choice for Swansea homes and for good reason. As well as being a very practical choice, today’s UPVC windows have come on leaps and bounds. This is in terms of both technology and design.

Design-wise, white is no longer the only colour in town.  Although it is probably still the most popular choice for Swansea UPVC windows.

Windows now come in a wide range of colours, from classic white through to woodgrain ‘foils’.  These woodgrain foils are in Irish Oak, Cream Grain or Anthracite Grey and imitate a surface texture that’s similar to timber.

There are lots of UPVC window styles to choose from. These include classic casement or tilt and turn windows.  Both options are a great practical choice to suit most homes.

For an older Swansea home, period style sash windows are a great choice. Especially as they provide a painstaking attention to detail.  These sash windows come with important finishing touches, such as period hardware, Georgian bars and decorative horns.

When it comes to period-style flush casement windows, the Heritage range offers a high-end level of detailing that sets it apart. Offered in an extensive range of period colours, this window comes with authentic butt hinges, handles and stays that really makes them a very real timber-alternative window for period homes and conversions in Swansea.

Whichever style and finish you choose, with the Swansea weather it’s best to opt for A rated to ensure excellent thermal efficiency. At Securahome, all of our UPVC windows are A+ rated to ensure that your windows perform well and look good. To understand more about window ratings, read our Window Ratings Explained guide.

When we set up Securahome two decades ago, we knew that security was paramount for Swansea homeowners. According to the Crime Prevention website, windows are the most likely point of entry for burglars.

Our window ranges include high levels of security features including multi-point locks.

Template - Front page: Designing the perfect UPVC conservatory for your Swansea home

When it comes to adding more light and space to your home, a UPVC conservatory is a popular choice in Swansea and the surrounding areas.

As a coastal area, Swansea UPVC conservatories need to be able to withstand the elements as well as look good inside and out.

At Securahome, we have two decades of experience in creating conservatories for homes across Swansea and South Wales.

All our conservatories, whether timber or UPVC, are built with A rated glass.

Should you opt for a glass roof, you can be sure that will be A rated and if you opt for solar control, it’s possible to exclude up to 83% of the sun’s energy. To keep the roof looking sparkling all year round, there is the option of self-cleaning glass.

For added thermal efficiency, solid conservatory roofs have become a popular addition to Swansea UPVC conservatories

Whether you opt for a tiled effect or a more modern finish, a solid conservatory roof means the option of plastered ceiling inside, with downlighters and even skylight windows for added natural light.

For even greater thermal efficiency, you may want to choose a solid roof extension

If you already have a conservatory, a solid roof can often be installed to replace an existing polycarbonate or glass roof.

The technology and materials used in today’s UPVC conservatories are light years away from the ones used ten or even five years ago. Adding a new roof and, if needed, changing to A rated windows can give your Swansea UPVC conservatory a whole new lease of life.

For more information on the different styles of conservatories available go to our Living Space pages. If you have a design in mind or need advice on what would suit your home, give our design team a call on 0800 808 3224 or drop into our Swansea showroom to discuss the various options available.

Template - Front page: Choosing the right UPVC doors for your Swansea home

There is little doubt that in Swansea UPVC doors have become one of the most popular choices for homeowners.

As we are blessed with a mild but often damp climate, older timber doors can swell or warp, making them hard to open after a few downpours or spells of warm weather and this has made UPVC doors a practical option for Swansea.

With so many homes in the area having UPVC windows, a matching UPVC door helps to create a smart exterior appearance for your home.

The technology and design of UPVC doors have really come on in recent years. Along with being low maintenance, UPVC doors offer Swansea homeowners good insulating properties, security and they don’t warp, making them long lasting.

If your property is near the coast or on a busy city-centre road, UPVC doors offer the added value of insulation against high noise levels.

There is also a far wider variety of designs, sizes and colours than ever before in our Swansea UPVC doors range.

UPVC entrance doors come in classic, traditional and modern designs with popular finishes such as Rosewood, Mahogany Irish Oak, Chartwell Green and Light Oak that offer the appeal of timber without the upkeep.

With A+ rated energy efficiency, UPVC doors can help cut down on draughts into hallways or living areas.

To bring more light into your home, UPVC patio doors and French windows are a popular choice. UPVC French doors can help to open up a room, with the added light helping to make it feel more spacious.

As a modern alternative to patio doors, UPVC bi-folding doors can help to really open up a room to the outdoors. Offering the ability to effectively ‘fold away’ a glass wall when the weather is good, these doors have become popular with Swansea homeowners looking to make the most of their garden and views.

To explore the wide range of styles available in the Swansea UPVC doors range go to our product pages. If you have a design in mind or need advice on what would suit your home, give our design team a call on 0800 808 3224 or drop into our Swansea showroom to discuss the various options available.

Template - Front page: Replacement windows in Swansea

When it comes to looking for replacement windows for your Swansea home, there’s a lot to consider.

Whether your home is contemporary, traditional, in a conservation area, on a busy street or near the sea will make a big impact on the best replacement window for your home.

Without a doubt the most popular choice of replacement windows in Swansea is UPVC double glazing. Available in a plethora of styles to suit everything from a newly-built home through to the more traditional properties we find across the county.

From tilt and turn through to sash windows and the timber-alternative Heritage collection, the UPVC window range at Securahome is one of the broadest in South Wales.

All of our UPVC replacement windows are A+ rated for energy efficiency and come in a huge range of colours, from classic white through to contemporary grey, traditional woodgrains and everything in between.

As many parts of the area are coastal, windows in Swansea have a lot to put up with!

If your home is near a seafront, you may want to consider aluminium windows. Sleek, contemporary, and built to withstand the harshest of environments, aluminium windows have become a popular choice for modern homes.

At Securahome our aluminium windows are highly resistant to corrosion and offer good thermal efficiency whatever the weather. They come in a variety of styles and colours to suit your home.

With a multitude of period homes and conversions across the county, timber windows are a popular choice in Swansea.

Often fitted in conservation areas, Securahome has many years experience of fitting timber replacement windows in Swansea.

Made from knot-free European Redwood timber that’s multi-layered to prevent twisting or warping Securahome’s wood windows are finished in long-lasting, micro-porous paint.

As you would expect, this range comes with a choice of colours, handles and accessories for the perfect finishing touch.

To get personalised advice on the perfect windows for your Swansea home, contact our design team on 0800 808 3224 or drop into our Swansea showroom, to see the range in full.

Template - Front page: Plan ahead for the perfect conservatory or orangery extension

When is the best time to start planning for a new conservatory or orangery?

It’s a question we are asked frequently at Securahome, and the answer is, as soon as you can.

With many conservatories, the process from consultation to build is quick and straightforward.

However if, for example, your house has previously been extended, if you want an orangery extension or if drainage needs to be moved it can take months rather than weeks to get any necessary approvals.

At Securahome, we act as project manager on every new conservatory or orangery build and frequently deal with extensions that require permissions.

In our experience it pays to allow at least 10 weeks for authority planning permission, with sewer agreements often involving a similar timescale.

When it comes to design, there are plenty of options to consider. Once you’ve spoken to a conservatory or orangery specialist, allow time to consider the layout and how you will use your new room as well as those all-important design features, before formal plans are drawn up and submitted.

This is your home, so it is important that everything is perfect.

In short – rather like gardening – to ensure that you are sitting back in your new room and enjoying the early blooms of spring, it makes good sense to set the process in motion while the autumn leaves are still falling.