Green shoots of recovery

When Mark Rainforth bought a dark and dated bungalow on the outskirts of Sheffield, he wanted to work out a way of creating an eco-home befitting the beautiful location, but achieving it was not without its construction woes TEXT HEATHER... View Article

The power of neutral

Interior designer Lucy Bartley from lucyb home shows how a neutral kitchen look can be enhanced with careful lighting and design touches to deliver a special ambience The biggest advantage to a neutral kitchen is that it will instantly create... View Article

Get hip to SIPs

SIPs systems offer an extremely low energy and eco-friendly construction method that’s also incredibly strong and quick to build. Matt Banks of SIPs Eco Panels explains more about the options available As we move into an era of low energy... View Article

Timber or composite?

Deciding on the best decking option for your garden makeover can be challenging. Tony Hobbs of Southern Sheeting offers some advice to help you choose The trend for durable and premium wood plastic composite (WPC) decking is now firmly established... View Article

Seeing the light

A dark and run-down Regency villa has been rebuilt ‘from the inside out,’ with a new basement level and exciting glass features which draw in the light TEXT DEBBIE JEFFERY IMAGES MATT CLAYTON PHOTOGRAPHY “When we first bought this house... View Article

A new lease of life

When David and Martin Ratcliff set about adding a top-floor extension to their handsome Victorian terraced house in South West London, they had no idea their project would end up taking such a different path TEXT JENNIFER GRIMBLE IMAGES RICHARD... View Article

The great bungalow rescue

Years of wet and windy winters in rural Shropshire had brought the 1960s bungalow on Bob Griffiths’ farm to the point of near collapse, but he decided to give it a new lease of life Text Roseanne Field Tucked down... View Article

Functional flooring

Darren Trivett of Ridgespear Group offers insights into why developments in underfloor heating make it a practical option, and gives some installation tips The commonest forms of underfloor heating (UFH) involve circulating water through a high-performance plastic pipe, set within... View Article

Radiating future relevance

With energy efficient heating systems fast becoming vital components of new homes, Chris Harvey of Stelrad Radiators looks at some of the hottest ideas when it comes to radiator innovation for self-builds With the major changes taking place in the... View Article

Power your life

Mark Chewter of Plug In Solar explains why solar energy remains a great investment, and how a solar PV system can be used to help you meet Building Regulations, while saving money on your self-build home’s future bills With an... View Article

Queen’s Speech centres on planning overhaul

New laws aiming to enable the UK to “build back better and stronger from the pandemic” were unveiled in the Queen’s Speech, including an overhaul of the planning system to increase building rates across the UK. The Government’s new legislative... View Article

Exterior: The best paint for…according to an expert

With the sun finally shining, you might be prioritising renovating the outdoor areas of your home. When it comes to painting, it’s important to remember that paint isn’t just for indoors; you can easily bring your exterior to life with... View Article

What to do in the garden with an hour or less

When it comes to the maintenance of your garden, you would be wrong to think that every task is time consuming. Improving and transforming your outdoor space doesn’t require a lot of time, there are many small tasks you can... View Article

Kloepping TSS New Website

For many years Kloepping TSS Limited have created and installed bespoke feature staircases all over the country. They listen to the ideas and visions of their customers and develop them into unique designs. Through close collaboration with architects and builders... View Article

UK Green Homes Grant scrapped

The UK government has announced that it has scrapped its flagship green homes grant scheme. The much-promoted grants scheme to help householders in England insulate their home will be stopped this week, and the money allocated to a seperate insulation... View Article