A work in progress

Jack Wooler speaks to Andrew Baddeley-Chappell, CEO of the National Custom and Self Build Association (NaCSBA), on why England lags behind the developed world on levels of self-build, and what can be done Self- and custom-build homes make up around... View Article

The path to green finance

The Government’s Green Homes Grant offers homeowners up to £10,000 for energy-saving home improvements. Jack Wooler explains how you can take up the opportunity, and enhance your project’s sustainability Able to fund up to two-thirds of the cost of energy-saving... View Article

The perfect front door

Bethaney Larkman, marketing manager at Distinction Doors gives practical advice for selecting the right entrance door for your self-build or renovation project An entrance door is a subtle yet effective way of enhancing your home. It is the exterior definitive... View Article

Small wonder

In just six months, Max Tillings and Katie Roach built their bijou coach house on an awkward infill plot, using reclaimed materials to complement the neighbouring Victorian property TEXT DEBBIE JEFFERY IMAGES MAX TILLINGS & KATIE ROACH Few people would... View Article

Get on top of sustainability

With the Future Homes Standard about to change how we heat and power homes for ever, self-builders wanting to future-proof their homes should consider integrated green roofing solutions, says Marley’s Stuart Nicholson Time is now ticking for everyone in housebuilding,... View Article

Unintended consequences

Lizzy and Rupert Atkins hadn’t intended to do a self-build, but when faced with moving out of the area they loved, they decided to embark on a major renovation project to transform an ‘ugly duckling’ Atkins had been living and... View Article

Looking up to meet new housing demand

Upward Extensions have the potential to provide a quicker and more cost-effective way of creating new affordable homes – and could be key to meeting current housing demands. Here, David Gatehouse at Langley Structures Ltd explains more about extending upwards... View Article

The beauty, range and versatility of natural stone

David Mahyari, CEO of boutique stone supplier SolidNature, explains the key to creating distinctive kitchens and bathrooms in self-builds. Natural stone should be a priority when planning a new kitchen or bathroom as it’s sustainable, versatile and adds an element... View Article

Sustainability, style and substance

Latest research from Waterwise estimates that over 2 billion litres of water is used each day across Britain through showering, the equivalent to almost 800 Olympic size swimming pools. With the Environment Agency predicting an extra 3.6 billion litres of... View Article

Going green on the Government

Offering homeowners grants of up to £10,000 for energy-saving home improvements, Jack Wooler explores the Government’s Green Homes Grant, explaining what it is, what it can do for you, and how to apply. Able to fund up to two-thirds of... View Article

Origami House

Eve Dennehy of Structur Communications explores Origami House, a one bedroom garden building at a family home in West London that features complex geometry in its folded plate ‘origami’ style roof. Over the past ten years the average age of... View Article

It’s time for timber!

Despite being commonly used within a wide range of building projects, timber still fights against the misconception that it’s too flammable for use as a construction material. Whilst timber does burn, the material is able to provide the highest levels... View Article

Keeping safe with passive fire protection

Despite its importance, there’s considerable evidence to show passive fire protection solutions are being ineffectively designed, specified and installed in buildings. In this article, Craig Wells, Sales Director at Quelfire discusses the benefits of passive fire protection and how specifiers... View Article

Take control of underfloor heating

Specifying products that not only contribute to a building’s overall efficiency, but enhance how the interior space is used too, will be high on any self-builder’s agenda. Choosing a heating system can have a huge part to play, not only... View Article

Slate: the perfect material for every architectural design

Slate is becoming more widely recognised for its vast design versatility, above and beyond traditional build and ideal for use across an array of modern roofing and cladding projects. Here Julian Gomez, Director of Marketing at CUPA PIZARRAS looks at the features and... View Article

Building productive IT Infrastructure post-Covid

In 2020, the Covid-19 lockdown significantly impacted businesses operating in the construction industry, with several non-essential building projects being placed on hold. Now, as the sector begins to adapt to a new normal, Matt Newman, Account Director at IT Managed Service... View Article