Creating a Comfortable Home in Every Season

Simple design strategies to manage heat and improve natural ventilation. As UK summers become warmer and heatwaves more frequent, keeping homes cool is becoming an increasingly important consideration for self-builders. Modern, well-insulated homes are designed to retain heat during winter,... View Article

A challenging undercurrent

Seasoned self-builders Frank and Kerry’s stunning cantilevered house in a picture-postcard location overlooking a gently curved stretch of the Avon is just how the experienced self-builders envisaged it, but a series of unexpected problems tested them to the limit. TEXT... View Article

Self Builders – Future-Proof Home Heating

As self builders continue to embrace low-carbon, all-electric homes, choosing a heating system that delivers both comfort and energy efficiency has never been more important. Electrorad’s Thermastore HHR Storage Heater has been developed to meet this demand, offering intelligent heat... View Article

Aeroflow – Premium German Electric Heating with Proven Performance!

When customers are looking for premium electric heating, Aeroflow continues to be one of Electrorad’s most popular solutions. Manufactured in Germany, the Aeroflow combines advanced electric heating technology with high-quality construction to provide responsive warmth and excellent comfort. Its unique fireclay... View Article

A flexible brick finish for garden rooms and outdoor projects

As more homeowners invest in garden rooms, outdoor kitchens and landscaping projects, there is growing interest in exterior finishes that combine style, durability and practicality. Eurobrick Systems is helping homeowners, self-builders and landscapers achieve an authentic brick or stone appearance... View Article

An Irish fairytale

When Naimh and John Willis fell for a 200-year-old cottage, they embarked on a sensitive, design-led renovation that honours their home’s heritage. TEXT Alexandra Pratt IMAGES Jess Glynn Mention a traditional home on Ireland’s west coast and a stone-built cottage... View Article

Preserving character with plaster

Neil Turner at Ecological Building Systems explores how natural thermal plaster products can achieve modern thermal performance requirements without compromising on the original architecture of traditional buildings. When it comes to renovating older properties, the challenge often lies in selecting... View Article

New look column radiators from Stelrad

Leading radiator manufacturer, Stelrad Radiators has introduced an Italian-designed new look, improved range of its popular Column radiators – in both its vertical and horizontal column radiator ranges. The most obvious changes are to the design of the radiators that... View Article

Underfloor heating delivers

Chris Stammer at BEAMA’s Underfloor Heating (UFH) Group explains how hydronic (water-based) underfloor heating delivers thermal comfort, improved air quality and design freedom – and why selfbuilders are ideally placed to make the most of it. One of the most... View Article

FMB finds Essex homeowners lose £448m to rogue builders 

Homeowners across Essex have lost an estimated £448 million over the past five years to unqualified or unlicensed builders, according to new constituency-level research from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) — as the trade body renews its call for mandatory licensing... View Article

Horizontal vs vertical cladding

Lisa Grosse at Cedral discusses the benefits and design possibilities of horizontal and vertical cladding styles.  Did you know that you can fit weatherboards vertically as well as horizontally on your home’s exterior? The creative use of cladding can change... View Article

Protect your project

James Parker speaks to Jake Fitness, operations manager at Self-Build Zone, about why specialist insurance is essential for protecting your self-build project, satisfying mortgage lenders and safeguarding your investment. DO I REALLY NEED TO INSURE MY PROJECT AGAINST SOMETHING THAT... View Article