Tag: building materials Essex

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Yard Expansion Completed at Collier & Catchpole Lawford

We are excited to announce the completion of a major 600m² external yard expansion at our Lawford branch, with the fantastic support of D A Cant.

This new expansion will significantly enhance the availability and accessibility of building materials and products for both collection and delivery.

construction lawford expansion

Thanks to our friends at C & W Fencing, who made essential upgrades to our front gates. The expanded space allows for quicker loading and easier access to the yard, so you can get in, get loaded, and get back to work faster than ever.

As part of this expansion, we’re excited to offer improvements in our stock ranges, including a larger selection of:

  • Bricks & Blocks – Offering everything from standard bricks to specialist blocks for all types of building projects.
  • Timber – A wide variety of high-quality timber products perfect for construction, roofing, and landscaping needs.
  • Landscaping Materials – From decorative aggregates to paving slabs and sleepers, we have everything you need to transform outdoor spaces.
  • Lintels – Stocking a variety of lintels for different structural applications.
  • Drainage Solutions – We provide a full range of drainage products, from drain pipes to manhole covers.
  • Insulation – High-performance insulation materials to meet energy-efficiency requirements for residential and commercial builds.

What’s Next?

With Lawford 2.0 officially open, keep an eye out for new products rolling in over the coming weeks. Whether you need bricks, timber, landscaping materials, or insulation, our Lawford, Colchester, and Ipswich branches are here to help.

Visit us today or explore our range online at Collier & Catchpole for delivery and collection options across Essex and Suffolk.

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How to Make a Bug Hotel Using Old Building Materials

Building a bug hotel is a fantastic way to reuse old building materials while supporting your local ecosystem by creating a safe haven for insects. Not only does it help with wildlife conservation, but it also attracts beneficial insects like bees, ladybirds, and butterflies to your garden that help pollinate plants and control pests.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your own bug hotel using materials you may already have left-over from previous projects.

bug hotel

What You’ll Need

Bricks and Blocks: To provide the main structure and framework

Old Timber: Any offcuts or leftover pieces of wood are perfect for making different-sized compartments

Roofing Tiles: Use old tiles to make a roof that shields the bugs from rain

Drainage Pipes or Gutters: These create tubular spaces that many insects love to nest in

Decorative Aggregates: Fill gaps with decorative stones, pebbles, or slate to add texture and additional hiding spaces

Bamboo Canes: Insert bamboo or other hollow tubes to provide ideal homes for bees

Broken Terracotta Pots: Perfect for additional hiding spots

Dry Leaves, Bark, and Twigs: These are essential for filling gaps and creating a more natural habitat for wildlife

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Choose Your Location

Select a sheltered spot in your garden that gets both sun and shade. Ideally, it should be close to flowering plants to attract pollinators.

2. Create the Base Structure

Use old bricks and blocks as the base structure for your bug hotel. Stack them like you would when building a wall, leaving gaps between them. Make sure the structure is stable.

3. Add Layers with Timber

Use old timber to create multiple levels in your bug hotel. The idea is to offer a variety of spaces where different bugs can thrive. Make sure you alternate the size of spaces to cater to different types of insects.

bug

4. Fill the Gaps

Use bamboo canes, hollow stems and drainage pipes to fill any large spaces. These tubular materials provide great nesting sites for solitary bees and other small creatures. You can also pack in twigs, dry leaves, and bark to fill smaller spaces. 

5. Create Hiding Spots

Insert broken terracotta pots and smaller stones from decorative aggregates to create dark, damp places for bugs like woodlice, centipedes, and beetles to hide.

6. Make a Roof

Use roofing tiles or slabs to make a roof for your bug hotel, helping to keep it dry during wet weather. You can also add slate chippings to give it a stylish finish while protecting the bugs from the elements.

7. Decorate and Finish

Get creative by decorating the bug hotel with additional materials you have on hand. Paint some parts of the timber if you like, or add moss and grass to encourage insects to move in quicker.

bee

By reusing building materials such as bricks, timber, and slate, you not only create a haven for insects but also reduce waste, making this project both eco-friendly and sustainable.

Creating a bug hotel is an easy, affordable, and fun project that contributes to the conservation of local wildlife while also adding a unique feature to your garden. Share your own bug hotel project (big or small) with us on completion for a feature on our social media. Good luck! 🐛