Attractive options for energy-efficient house design

Vanessa Howard of Roof Maker explores how taking a rigorously ecological approach to design can improve energy efficiency without compromising on aesthetics and individuality, focusing on rooflights. In 2017 the average UK household spent £102 per month on electricity and... View Article

Strawberry Fields forever home

When a couple decided to build their Beatles-inspired ‘forever’ home in a north London suburb, the speed at which their kit home took shape left them suitably impressed. Roseanne Field reports. From the street, Mr and Mrs Young’s house, while... View Article

Setting the standards for structural timber

Structural Timber Association board member and managing director for Kingspan Timber Solutions and Potton, Mark Stevenson answers self-builders’ queries on how to use structural timber, and why solutions are increasingly likely to be factory-built. The Structural Timber Association (STA) has... View Article

Exhibitors and experts set to inspire

Grand Designs Live will be back at Birmingham’s NEC from 10 -14 October as part of UK Construction Week, providing everything self-builders need for their project, all under one roof. Grand Designs Live, sponsored by Anglian Home Improvements, will return... View Article

Number 41 in full swing

Selfbuilder + Homemaker is following Andy and Sarah Ball as they build their modern, eco-friendly home in a popular Derby suburb. Sarah brings us up to date with its swift recent progress, including how they helped educate local children on... View Article

When to knock down and start again

Mark Stevenson, managing director of Potton and Kingspan Timber Solutions and self-build and renovation expert for The London Homebuilding & Renovating Show, on why self-builders should demolish rather than wait for empty land. Over 53 per cent of UK adults... View Article

Johanna Konta has self-build application refused

British number one tennis star Johanna Konta has had a self-build planning application refused under conditions set out in the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Konta put in an application for a four-bedroom timber-framed house to replace an existing... View Article

Devon council shares self-build knowledge

Teignbridge District Council, hailed a “trailblazer” in self- and custom-build homes, is to share its experience with Mid Devon District Council in order to help more people build their own homes. Charles Acland, self build officer at Teignbridge will offer... View Article

Preparing your garden for autumn

No matter the current condition or size of your garden, or whether or not you’re a keen gardener, the change in season will soon be here along with all of its leaves. There are endless opportunities to clean, refresh, protect... View Article

Extension builders are more in demand than ever before

Homeowners thinking of extending their homes are being advised to plan ahead, as builders report being busier than ever before. New research from MyBuilder.com, a website for homeowners to find tradespeople for their home improvement projects, has shown that extension... View Article

Dulux Trade announces ColourFutures™ 2019

Dulux Trade, the UK’s leading paint brand, has revealed its coveted ColourFutures™ colour palettes for 2019. Now in its 16th year, the Dulux Trade ColourFutures™ 2019 palette is selected to help professionals make colour and design choices for a wide... View Article

Extend your summer with a She Shed

The rising She Shed trend is a great way to create a beautiful garden haven and extend your outdoor lifestyle now summer is drawing to a close. She Sheds are becoming an increasingly popular ‘must have’ with women across the... View Article

Trend alert – Recycling & upcycling for your garden

The cost of keeping your garden in tip-top shape can quickly get out of control. Whether it’s overspending on plants at the garden centre or investing in some new garden furniture, the cost of being green fingered can be expensive... View Article

Four trends for A/W 2018

One of the most exciting things about the changing seasons is the introduction of new seasonal interior trends. And here’s what three of the leading home interest brands (The Rug Seller, I Want Wallpaper and Apollo Blinds have in store... View Article

Johanna Konta has self-build application refused

British number one tennis star Johanna Konta has had a self-build planning application refused under conditions set out in the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Konta put in an application for a four-bedroom timber-framed house, designed by Scandia-Hus, to... View Article