selfbuilder Diaries

From reserving a serviced plot to moving into a high-performance home, Martin and Siobhann reflect on two challenging, rewarding years of self-building on the edge of the Lake District. If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be... View Article

Choosing a kitchen that lasts

Sebastian Aronowitz, founder of The London Kitchen Company explores why material choice is so important when designing a kitchen, deserving the same attention as the overall appearance. Kitchens are usually chosen for how they look. Layout, door style, colour and... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Home Office

With more of us working from home than ever before, it’s increasingly common for self-builders to create a dedicated working space. Find inspiration in our selection of products, whether your space will be a small-but-functional corner or a full blown... View Article

Heat pump evolution

James Parker speaks to Rick Clarke, product manager at NIBE, about why air source heat pumps are not the only answer, and how self-builders can benefit from an array of user-friendly smart tech to fine tune their heating’s efficiency. WHAT... View Article

Brighton to host free home renovation event

Householders in and around Brighton who are thinking about improving the comfort and energy performance of their homes will have the opportunity to learn from real renovation experiences at a free community event taking place on Wednesday, 18th March at... View Article

West Fraser’s weather-resistant CaberShield Eco

Continually investing in the improvement of its engineered wood-based panel products, West Fraser has received new BBA certification, confirming its environmentally-friendly CaberShield Eco is capable of withstanding constant exposure to the elements for a full sixty days: comfortably delivering extended practical and economic advantages for... View Article

How Can Bathroom Installations Be Made Quicker and Cleaner?

Kirstie Manning, National Specification Manager at Wilsonart, explores how improper waste disposal, shortages of experienced tilers, and health and safety concerns can create a host of delays on new-build housing projects. There are few industries where the old adage ‘time... View Article

The Value of Permanence

Croft’s Paul Clifford on why homeowners and designers are putting more emphasis on quality hardware As interiors continue to evolve in 2026, a clear and confident shift is emerging: homeowners and designers are moving away from fast, trend-led updates and... View Article

Rocking CaberAcoustic for a quiet life

Favoured by specifiers who need to consider solutions to noise pollution in today’s busy, building world, CaberAcoustic from West Fraser is a versatile, economical sound-reducing flooring system which reduces both impact and airborne transmitted sounds. It can be laid over concrete and timber floors... View Article

Case Study: Timbers in Woolverstone, Suffolk

Self build isn’t just about building a house – it’s about realising a long-held vision. At VELFAC, we know self builders want outstanding design, exceptional energy performance and a connection to the landscape. Our latest case study from Timbers in... View Article

Setcrete Creates Base for Great British Summer

MKM Stoke branch manager Paul Hodgkiss used Setcrete Exterior levelling compound to deliver a flawlessly smooth base that will withstand exposure to the worst of the British weather for a garden dome at his Nantwich home. A four-metre circular concrete base had already been installed,... View Article

Victorian Elegance Meets New Heights

When Ashley Williams set out to transform their Forest Hill rooftop into a private terrace, the design of their new spiral staircase evolved naturally from the area’s traditional and industrial roots. Planning permission had already been secured, but the property... View Article

Lofty ambitions with natural insulation

Neil Turner, UK Technical Manager at Ecological Building Systems, brings extensive hands-on experience working with natural insulation materials when advising on loft upgrades.  Here he advises on upgrading a loft with natural insulation. “When it comes to improving the thermal... View Article