It can often be the case that when planning a self-build project, conservatories, extensions or orangeries are not considered integral parts of the build, but something that can be added on at a later date. However, deferring your conservatory could be costlier, may require additional planning consents, could mean restricted…

Steve Rooney, Sales Director at Gaia Climate Solutions, explains why we are warming to the idea of heat pumps.

When Landscape Gardener Peter Child bought a plot of land on the very edge of the ancient Ashdown Forest, his vision was to take inspiration from the land and work with local resources to create a genuine organic country hideaway.

Andrew Reardon, Senior Selfbuild Account Handler at self-build insurance policy expert ProAktive Selfbuild, discusses when and why you might want to consider non-negligence cover.

Many of us dream of building our own home, from designing the perfect living space, to hunting for those all-important finishing touches, but most of us think this will always be a dream, rather than becoming a reality.

When building the home of your dreams, external accessories are often overlooked and left as an afterthought. Hot tubs are great features for outdoor living, but how do you prepare this area before installing a hot tub?

Rooflights are a great way to boost the levels of natural light in your home. Ideal for loft conversions, extensions or renovations, the possibilities are endless. Here, i-build provides some essential guidance and inspiration for these high-performance systems.

When it comes to adding those cosmetic finishing touches, it is well worth allocating a healthy budget from the outset to achieve that high-quality overall scheme you truly deserve. Forget traditional paint and wallpaper, why not get close to nature by investing in a statement wallcovering?

Creating a cinema can help bring the magic of the movies, the tension of the big match or the thrill of online gaming to your home. But where do you start? Connected AV offers some essential guidance.

Whether you’re designing your bathroom from scratch or renovating an existing space, here Matki’s Managing Director, Nicholas Cunild, uncovers the latest shower enclosure trends for 2016.

With a self-build there is so much to think about. Furniture and accessories may be the final consideration, but it is worth taking the time to think, research and plan the big budget rooms at the initial planning stage, saving money and making the most of the space in the…

Often overlooked, mortar contributes greatly to the exterior aesthetics of a property. Iain Betts, an expert in mortar from Tarmac’s Building Products division, discusses how opting for coloured mortar can give a new home a designer edge that makes it stand out from the crowd.

Embarking on a self-build project is both an exciting and daunting prospect, but one thing that can make the experience a lot smoother and more enjoyable is having the right tools for the job. Here Nathan Ford, Application Specialist at FEIN, gives advice on the ‘must-have’ items in every self-builder's…

Andrew Reardon, Senior Self-build Account Handler at self-build insurance policy expert ProAktive Selfbuild, dicusses the implications of signing JCT clause 5.4B.

According to a new report published by AMA Research, the self-build housing market is set to grow by 5% in value in 2016. Andrew Hartley, Director of AMA Research, explains more.

When it comes to lighting your self-build, it is important to think about it early on in the process – never let it become an afterthought. Being able to start from scratch with a self-build is an exciting opportunity as you can really let the building stand out from the…

If you’ve just built your own home, it’s likely to be your pride and joy. So why leave it unprotected?

Your new kitchen’s worktop will greatly impact on both the functionality and aesthetics of this vital space in the home, so it’s crucial that you choose the right product for you. Here, i-build provides some vital considerations, tips and inspiration to help you specify that all-important surface.

If you’re wanting your self-build to stand out from the crowd, specifying metal roofing and cladding such as copper or zinc will do just the trick. Adding instant wow factor and robustness, these unique options have contributed to a number of award-winning projects – pure testament to their quality and…

Roofline components are the essential parts of your roof that protect your home from the weather – mainly wind and rain in the case of the UK. Chris Coxon, Head of Marketing at Eurocell, explains what they are, how they work and discusses what materials to choose.

Given the huge range of products on offer in today’s market, it can be an overwhelming task to choose which material is best for any given project. The most important factors that one should consider when determining the best cladding materials for a self-build project is the performance and appearance…

Worktops play a huge role in the design of the kitchen and as such need to look good as well as being practical. David Beckett, Sales Director at Caesarstone, explores the current trends.

When you are looking into building an extension, it can be easy to get carried away with the finer details such as decorating your new space, and the guests you can invite over. It’s important to know that before you start thinking about the interior aspects, there are a few…

Working at height remains one of the biggest causes of fatalities and major injuries, especially in the construction and manufacturing industries. Common cases include falls from ladders and through fragile roofs.

Building or renovating can be one of the biggest decisions that you may make in your life so it’s important that you find the perfect builder.

When purchasing a piece of land for a self-build project, it’s important to do your homework to ensure there are no hidden risks associated with the plot. Rebecca Hickey, Head of Product at Landmark Information Group, explains more.

A driveway can dramatically change the exterior of your property, and when planning a new driveway project, there are a number of aspects that you will need to consider; how much space is needed to park, if the drive needs to complement an existing garden, and if any lighting is…

When choosing ironmongery for your new home, such as door handles, hinges, locks and latches, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of choices available. Whether opting for a modern or classic feel, selecting the right door and window hardware is important to create the ultimate finishing touch.

With increasing concerns over the environment and fuel prices steadily rising, a homeowner from Leicestershire made the decision to build himself an energy efficient property.

i-build catches up with specialist self-build architect Allan Corfield of AC Architects. Here he talks about the importance of the client’s happiness and the benefits of hiring a RIBA-approved practice.

In 2014, Vince and Anne Esposito decided it was time to move out of their family home. Having always dreamed of living in the country, the couple started to look for home in rural Northamptonshire but struggled to find a house that met their living style and was within their…

Fabulous flooring expert, Harvey Maria, is leading the way with the latest flooring trend – zoning – which offers a clever way to define the space in your home.

Developments in modern glazing and the manufacturing process of timber windows mean they offer a range of added energy efficiency benefits that rival uPVC. Adrian Wade, Sales Director at JELD-WEN, a leading manufacturer of timber windows, doors, and stairs, discusses how a window choice can greatly impact a home’s energy…

The choice of material for self-builders is of paramount importance. Here, Andrew Carpenter, Chief Executive of the Structural Timber Association (STA), discusses how structural timber frame can help to ensure housing projects are made weather tight quickly, and completed on schedule and on budget.

Andrew Reardon, Senior Selfbuild Account Handler at self-build insurance policy expert ProAktive Selfbuild, explains the risks of opting for non-traditional construction methods when it comes to insuring your property in the future.

In this article, Solus Decor outlines the benefits of installing these simple yet effective fire pits and offers some inspiration from applications across the world.

There’s a host of striped flooring options available to suit your floor layout, interior decor, budget and, of course, personal taste.

At an architect’s new timber frame home in Cork, Ireland, high racking strength and airtightness were crucial in the internal lining specification.

Brilliant Lighting was recently tasked with illuminating a stunning Grade II listed, 15th century Hampshire barn, as part of a major conversion project. The restoration included the addition of a sympathetic new build, constructed in traditional Hampshire flint and a contemporary glazed link.

English oak continues to deliver superior timber frame designs. Tom Barnes of Vastern Timber explains the advantages of English timber and what should architects and designers know to ensure successful implementation.

Used to add more space to a property for an expanding family, or create an extra room, conservatories are a wonderful way to extend the home. With benefits such as added natural light, energy efficiency and open-plan space conservatories and orangeries can make brilliant additions to your self-build or renovation…

With a wide variety of sanitaryware designs available on the market you may be finding it difficult to select the right scheme for your new bathroom. Here Helen Shaw, Marketing Manager at Roper Rhodes, sheds light on sanitaryware options, durable materials and ways to save space for your self-build bathroom…

With less than 400 PassivHaus certified properties so far completed across the UK, the ultra-low energy standard from Germany can still be viewed as nascent in this country, though there are many compliant components and technologies available to assist in these designs, such as the mechanical ventilation and heat recovery…

Sitting on the site of a demolished and undistinguished 1950s farm worker’s cottage just outside Bath, and in the Bath and Bristol Green Belt, Springfield Farm is a contemporary and individual home designed specifically to meet the needs of its owners.

Andrew Reardon, Senior Selfbuild Account Handler at self-build insurance policy expert, ProAktive Selfbuild, outlines the Health & Safety responsibilities of the self-builder.

Is this the year you finally build your dream timber frame home? Hayden Martin, Managing Director of Fleming Homes, offers his top 10 tips for getting your self-build project off to a flying start in 2016.

If a self builder decides to build a property on an area that has previously been flooded, it’s vital that they take the proper precautions to ensure that flooding wither doesn’t happen again. With the help of The Water Gate, homeowners can be assured an extra level of protection, as…

Paint is constantly progressing. From magnetic paint to writable paint, innovative methods are commonly being used in paint solutions. John Stephans, CEO of IdeaPaint, explains the benefits of using erasable paint in your self-build or renovation project.

Forward thinking company Mira Showers recently brought together a panel of experts to reveal eight must-have bathroom trends to look out for this year.

Building your dream home is a fantastic achievement. Despite the hurdles and challenges, seeing your vision come to fruition is a rewarding experience and is welcomed with open arms. Yet for children, the change of surroundings and fear of the unknown might seem a daunting prospect.