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Howdens, the UK's number one trade kitchen and joinery supplier, has chosen Richard Burbidge for the trade supplier's first ever offering of branded stairparts.  From mid-June, tradespeople will be able to buy products from Richard Burbidge's popular Elements metal stair system at all 778 Howdens depots across the UK. The partnership marks a major new chapter for Richard Burbidge.  We have been working with Howdens to help its customers respond to consumer demand for high-quality, on-trend stairparts. Combining oak and metal, the stylish Elements range features clean lines, and is made using FSC-certified and sustainably sourced timber.  Installation is quick and simple thanks to pre-cut balusters which simply slot into pre-drilled rails, meaning systems can often be fitted in a day. From Monday 13th June, builders, fitters and other tradespeople will have a choice of eight different Elements products: two handrails, two baserails, two black balusters (one for the stairs and one for the landing), and two fixing kits to secure the handrails to the newels. Josh Burbidge, Managing Director of Richard Burbidge, said "This is a huge opportunity to further support the trade sector by working in partnership with an industry leader.  Howdens is an established and highly respected UK business, and this collaboration will enable us to expand our reach and build brand awareness". The Elements system is strength-tested to UK domestic regulations.  The stairparts will feature in the next issue of Howden's trade catalogue and will also have a branded page on the company's website. Claire Toomey, Head of Category for Flooring & Joinery at Howdens, said "We're always looking to expand our product range and respond to our customers' needs.  Metal stair systems are a big trend right now, so there's demand among homeowners, interior designers and property developers for this clean, stylish look. "Richard Burbidge's Elements range is the perfect choice for our first offering of branded stairparts.  By stocking this line, our trade customers will be able to answer the demand from their own clients". At Richard Burbidge, precision engineering is used to create high-quality products sustainably and responsibly.      

  Decorative mouldings can add a small design feature, or totally transform the look and character of a whole room. Most commonly, mouldings are used to install a panelled wall in homes due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of installation. That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate guide to wall panelling, alongside a few words of advice from our expert and Product Manager here at Richard Burbidge, Zoe Goff to help you get started. Why install wall panelling? Wall panelling is a quick and affordable installation to add to your home with hundreds of different designs that can be created. From adding instant character to a room to creating a stunning focal point within your home, here’s just some of the additional benefits of this design feature: Breaks up a large room Creates architectural shape Adds protection to original walls Installs a level of insulation Zoe Goff says, “Wall panelling has many practical benefits that are not just aesthetic. It can conceal uneven surfaces and marks as well as protect walls in high traffic areas like hallways and doorways.” Design inspiration Using wall panelling to create a feature wall is popular design choice, whether that be floor to ceiling or wainscot installations. From contemporary square or even rectangle panel designs, this will have a transformative effect on any space by creating an illusion of depth, height and character. Not only this, but wall panelling can be installed against any décor or colour scheme to create a unique design. By experimenting with colour, you can introduce a whole new design trend into your space through a single wall. Zoe says, “Less can sometimes be more when it comes to wall panelling. Opting to panel just one wall instead of the whole room can help to create a focal point, as well as create less work.” “Square wall panelling works best if you really want to make a statement, whereas decorative panelling helps create a more delicate look. Wainscot wall cladding is also a popular choice for hallways, home entrances and smaller spaces.” How do you install wall panelling? Here’s some tips on how to get started: Plan and measure the walls. Map your design measurements onto the wall, using a tape measure, pencil and laser level mark to pinpoint where each panel will be. Choose your desired moulding from our collection. Cut the panels to length, taking care to sand the ends until smooth. Carefully apply the panels to the walls, making sure they’re symmetrical and before nailing or drilling any. Finally, add a lick of paint to complete your project. Check out our full step-by-step guide and how to video here. Why choose Richard Burbidge? Using Richard Burbidge’s collection of decorative mouldings, from scotias to quadrants, there are precision-cut, high quality mouldings for every project. Our stripwood collection are ideal for square wall panelling, whilst our decorative trims can help to add the final details and finishing touches to a wall. We'r stocked in thousands of stores across the U.K. Find your local Richard Burbidge stockist here. Happy renovating!