How to choose a lead-free flashing

Klober UK’s Nick King details six things self-builders and their roofers should be aware of when considering lead-free flashing.  Not all things are made equal, and this saying can certainly be applied to lead-free flashing. From the material the lead-free... View Article

Materials matter

Cedral’s Lisa Grosse explains why overheating and resilience are key factors when making decisions about the facade and roof of your home. Homes in the UK weren’t designed for the extreme heat that has been setting records, and which is... View Article

WIN! With Dulux Heritage

Enter to be in with a chance of winning Dulux Heritage paint for your next project! About Dulux Heritage Dulux Heritage provides the perfect blend of modern style and substance for any project. It has been skilfully crafted by professionals... View Article

The home swap

Sharon and Jer Holland swapped their family bungalow in County Cork for a traditional stone farmhouse owned by Jer’s parents but in need of an upgrade TEXT Alexandra Pratt IMAGES Lynda Kenny This photogenic farmhouse in County Cork in the... View Article

Exterior Inspiration: Outdoor Living

Our gardens can be versatile living spaces, offering both a refuge to relax and enjoy nature, plus a great entertaining space on a warm summer evening. Here we have compiled a selection of products to enhance your outdoor areas, from... View Article

Embracing nature’s light

Paul Trace from Stella Rooflight discusses the importance of effectively introducing the biophilic benefits of natural light into the home. In an era marked by technological advancements and urbanisation, the longing for a connection with nature has never been stronger.... View Article

The natural choice

Neil Turner of Ecological Building Systems looks at why sustainable insulation offerings present a ‘natural choice’ for self-builders Natural insulation materials are experiencing a resurgence as self-builders are increasingly seeking sustainable materials that can offer similar performance, but with lower... View Article

Following a learning curve

Despite the tricky construction challenges presented by a crescent-shaped architectural design, a determined couple have succeeded in creating their dream ‘forever’ home in the countryside TEXT Jess Unwin IMAGES John Naccarato John and Debra Naccarato’s decision to embrace a striking... View Article

How to avoid running out of money on your self-build project

Homebuilding & Renovating Show expert Tim Phillips, quantity surveyor at Quantiv, says: 1. A quantity surveyor is useful for all project sizes Hiring a quantity surveyor might seem like overkill for a smaller self-build, but Phillips emphasises that a QS can... View Article

All in the detail

Jim and Jayne Smith have remodelled and extended a tired 1930s house, including rejuvenating the exterior with rugged local stone TEXT Debbie Jeffery IMAGES Dominic Jones “We were reminded of a bland 1980s Travelodge when we first viewed the house,”... View Article

Selfbuilder Diaries

For Eoghan, embarking on a self-build with his wife and son on the family farm where he grew up in County Kildare holds deep meaning, and sees him realise a further ambition to create a sustainable home in ICF. I’m... View Article

Cooking up your dream kitchen

To support self-builders who are looking to create their dream kitchen, Debra Hutt of Wren Kitchens shares her insights into how to get the most out of the process. With homeowners generally upgrading or replacing their kitchen space every 15-20... View Article

Sustainable steps forward for fires

Simon Bower of Percy Doughty discusses how the stove and fireplace industry has worked tirelessly to reduce emissions and improve sustainability On 1 January 2022, only wood burning stoves that comply with the Ecodesign Regulations were able to enter the... View Article

Passivhaus proves low carbon building is possible

Conceived more than three decades ago in Germany, the Passivhaus standard has shown what is possible when creatinghealthy, comfortable and low-energy buildings. There are now thousands of certified Passivhaus projects worldwide, ranging from homes and schools to commercial and healthcare buildings –... View Article

Upwardly mobile

Donald and Anne Alden have transformed their tired semi-detached Devon bungalow into a show-stopping two storey contemporary home – in a design which reveals spectacular views of the countryside TEXT Debbie Jeffery | IMAGES Tom Hargreaves “One minute we had a... View Article

Making it clear

Graham Lindsay of Weru UK outlines six key areas to think through when considering upgrading and installing new windows Your windows, along with your front door, often create the first impression of your home. But replacing older, tired, window systems... View Article

Marrying old & new, sustainably

Lucy and Marc Hudson’s sustainable renovation of a west London Victorian terrace successfully blends period style with modern textures and materials TEXT Alexandra Pratt IMAGES Pierce Scourfield/Mitchell + Corti With their first child on the way, Lucy, a doctor by... View Article

Choose to live in a place that benefits the environment

Pol MacDonald, a director of the Place team at SLR Consulting, says that traditionally people tend to choose to live somewhere due to its affordability and simple practicalities, however, through education we can change people’s thought process to consider an... View Article

Home Styling: Make your home work for you

Cathy Dean of interior architecture and design firm Studio Dean explores how thinking like an architect about how your home functions can transform the way you live your everyday life I love this definition of architectural interior design: “if you were... View Article