Imperial Bricks prove ideal for rural Cheshire developments
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December 13, 2018
Lockwood Homes is a dedicated residential development company specialising in bespoke family homes, primarily in the Cheshire area. Committed to the highest quality standards, owner Paul Lockwood uses Imperial Bricks for new-build houses and renovating and extending older homes. He has recently completed a small development of three executive homes in the Cheshire village of Holmes Chapel, selecting Imperial’s Reclamation Handmade metric bricks for the project.
Paul explained: “We selected them because they offer the perfect blend of traditional and contemporary style. Although it wasn’t a conservation area, the development was close to existing cottages, so the houses had to be built to blend sympathetically with the neighbouring properties. Having handmade bricks in traditional colours and finishes available in metric sizes is a real advantage, as they fit with modern blocks and lintels.”
The local area has seen a marked increase in housing development recently, with several new estates of mixed housing. Paul wanted his development to stand out from the crowd, saying: “Given the volume of new-build construction in the area, we really wanted to use materials which set us apart from the mainstream housebuilders. The Reclamation Handmade blend give the homes the traditional look we were after.”
Paul also used Imperial handmade bricks for a one-off house in the Cheshire village of Over Peover, a new-build cottage-style property which has been designed to include period charm with a surprising contemporary twist, creating a large family home. Paul selected Imperial’s 3” Reclamation Handmade for the job. This is a rustic red multi handmade brick which undergoes a special ageing and weathering process to produce a reclamation finish, without any of the drawbacks (expense, supply reliability, wastage and quality issues etc.) associated with genuine reclaimed bricks. Fully frost-resistant and F2 rated, the Reclamation Handmade is an ideal alternative, perfectly matching bricks found in traditional buildings around the Midlands and North of England. An important factor is the sustainable supply – some developers have reported delays of up to a year for brick deliveries.
Paul continued: “Imperial Bricks helps Lockwood Homes build properties that blend into the existing environment more seamlessly. We can offer all the benefits of modern timber frame and energy efficient buildings with the look and feel of a traditional property. We have direct contact with Imperial’s Area Sales Manager to make sure we always have the right product for any specific site in sufficient supply quantities.”
