Thinking of a self-build Passivhaus? What’s not to love?

Undertaking a self-build project is not for the faint-hearted and I always take my hat off to anyone considering this route.  You have to acquire, almost overnight, technical research and project management skills and the ability to make, often quick,... View Article

Conserving the nation’s history

Adrian Attwood, Executive Director at DBR Ltd, explains the nuances of conservation construction and the pitfalls to avoid From palaces to places of worship, the UK is filled with a plethora of centuries-old landmarks taught about in schools and visited... View Article

How to specify windows for your selfbuild project

Donna Muir, Workstream Lead, VELFAC Direct Modern window technology can deliver a host of performance benefits to any self-build project, from vastly improved insulation to more natural light, and not  forgetting the ‘wow factor’ of big windows or glazed screens.... View Article

Façade paints help selfbuilders take on a whole new look

Modern advances have enabled today’s paints to offer fresh potential for creating new façade design possibilities. Kevin Davies, Technical Manager of Sto UK, looks at some of the benefits which the latest developments offer to selfbuilders. In contrast to previous... View Article

Revamp, don’t replace

Lindsay Appleton of William Smith Group looks at how vinyl wrapping can enhance interior designs using architectural finishes, as part of the trend to reuse and recover furniture on sustainability grounds, rather than rip out and replace The trend for... View Article

The best bricks for your build

Jason Hughes of Imperial Bricks has tips on choosing bricks for your self-build Many self-build projects may be on hold while we work through the COVID-19 crisis, with homebuilders and renovators using the time to research the right products for... View Article

Balustrading best practice

Dominic Meakins of Demon Designs explores the different factors to be aware of when specifying glass or appointing a glass contractor for your self-build, in particular when it comes to getting glass balustrades right Stunning, unique features can be achieved... View Article

Climate control

A new Canadian engineering faculty building will research and develop solutions for clean power innovation, as part of the Government’s response to climate change. ADF’s Sébastien Reed speaks to its architect Venelin Kokalov about a project that uses glazing to... View Article

Colour me perfect

How can the trend for colour in the bathroom be utilised effectively and what other trends are coming through in the design of this smallest of spaces? Ben Bryden, Sales and Marketing Director of RAK Ceramics UK, offers us an... View Article

Minimising waste in water treatment

With “new” regulations governing the use of septic tanks in force, David Stagg, technical product specialist for sustainable water management authority Graf UK, talks selfbuilders and homemakers through their options for compliance. Selfbuilders and homemakers developing properties off the mains... View Article

Have you tested your metal?

A HVAC system is only as good as the pipes and components that hold it together so choosing the right material for this important job is essential. The wrong choice could compromise a specifier’s design requirements, leaving the whole system... View Article

Conservation rooflights – what lies beneath?

Paul Trace from Stella Rooflight offers an insight into steel framed conservation rooflights and the issue of rust, while highlighting some of the important considerations in the specification process. Often specified in both period and contemporary projects, a steel framed... View Article

Offsite manufacturing mitigates risk of working from height

Figures from the Health and Safety Executive reveal roofers account for 24% of work-related deaths in the construction industry. Working at height can be a perilous activity, particularly for the operators making lengthy modifications to products which could have been... View Article

Reflecting trends in hardware

Door and window hardware can have a massive visual impact on the aesthetics of a property, but what are the current trends that really work? Simon Boocock, Managing Director of CRL Europe, takes a look. While much focus is often... View Article

Putting lighting central to housing design

From Paul Cook, Häfele Business Development Manager Our homes constantly evolve, in terms of their functionality, feel and style. Recently, we’ve seen an increase in multiple generations living together, home working and consumers creating activity-specific spaces within their properties such as... View Article