Price can be a sticking point for many end-users before taking the plunge to buy a FEIN power tool, especially after having used competitor machines for months or years beforehand. JP Schoonbrood, owner of an…
Tagged under   power    tools 
Whether you’re transforming the aesthetics of a run-down period property or self-building a contemporary majestic design of your own, each and every project deserves a well-designed lighting scheme.
Tagged under   outdoor    lighting 
Beginning a self-build project that would result in becoming neighbours, Roger and Angie Stretton alongside Martin and Sarah Smith embarked on a project to create two modern, energy-efficient family homes. Seeking reliable, high-quality ironmongery and…
Tagged under   ironmongery    interiors    doorsets 
With a roof making up 40% of a home’s overall design, selecting the right tile can have a huge impact on a project. Here, leading roofing manufacturer, Russell Roof Tiles, provides its top 10 tips…
Tagged under   roofs    tiles    roofing 
When Perry and Christina Vann purchased an agricultural property in north-west England, they had grand plans to bring the building back to life, with all the latest mod cons. With panoramic pastoral views of rolling…
Tagged under   conservatories    extensions    folding doors 
Imperial Bricks has supplied its handmade bricks for a unique self-build barn-style family home in Canon Pyon, Herefordshire. The village is in a rural setting and any new development had to be sympathetic with its…
Tagged under   bricks    blocks    barn    style 
Did you know about the legislation surrounding septic tanks that are causing costly problems for home-builders, developers and owners? No? According to Richard Leigh, Group Development Director at Lanes for Drains, you’re not alone.
Tagged under   water    management 
This striking energy-efficient home is quietly nestled in the peaceful grounds of a Grade II Listed property in South Oxfordshire. A small stream curls around the front of the property, giving it a sense of…
Tagged under   home    automation 
Villa Geef is one of Damilano Studio Architects’ most recent residential projects. Nestled in the charming town of Sondrio, Italy, this exquisite build replaces an area that was once used as a break-out space for…
Tagged under   Villa    furnishings 
Having previously tackled an extension on Jeremy and Hannah Witt’s Victorian semi-detached home, Architect David Nossiter was delighted when the pair informed him of their next venture.
Tagged under   barn    extension 
Here Steve Mansour, Chief Executive Officer at CRL, gives self-builders, home renovators and new-build homeowners an insight into the longevity of the average new-build home.
Tagged under   newbuild    home    longevity 
The contaminated land regime in the UK is set out in a number of documents which outline a framework – or process flow, if you like. Much like assessing a risk in health and safety,…
Tagged under   planning    application 
Architect and TV Presenter George Clarke knows a thing or two about the quirks of styling all kinds of period properties; from Victorian and Mid-Century to cutting-edge and contemporary. With this in mind, Hillarys, a…
Tagged under   doors    windows 
The advance of autumn invariably means shorter days and longer nights – but in bathroom terms at least, there are still plenty of ways to see the light. Leading bathroom specialist Roper Rhodes offers an…
Tagged under   bathroom    lighting 
When you are choosing a pocket door solution remember that not all pocket doors are the same. You want to make sure that it will be easy to install, has a professional finish and will…
Tagged under   interior    sliding    doors 
Choosing the right garage door for your self-build or renovation project is one of the most important decisions you can make. Whether you are going to use it as a place to store your car…
Tagged under   doors    garage 
Remmers Epoxy OS Color New is a coloured Epoxy Self Smoothing resin system suitable for industrial and commercial applications. Its high mechanical strength coupled with excellent chemical resistance makes it ideal for industrial environments whilst…
Tagged under   resin    flooring 
The property based in Chelsfield, Orpington was having a kitchen-diner refurbishment and extension in a modern contemporary design. Dickens Developments – the contractor on site contacted ARP’s Area Sales Manager – David Capel, as they…
Tagged under   fascia    soffit    extension 
Buying flooring isn’t perhaps the most exciting purchase but get it right and it will completely transform any interior.
Tagged under   interior    flooring 
Fire pits are more than just beautiful features for gardens and landscapes, they are also vehicles for bringing people together. Here, modern fire pit designer and manufacturer, Paloform, explains what these heat-generating features can bring…
Tagged under   outdoor    heating 
World-leading provider of sanitary fittings, GROHE, explains the importance of the design of a showerhead and how best to future-proof your shower room.
Tagged under   showers    wetrooms    interiors 
The re-emergence of ‘multi-generational’ living is one of the most significant growing trends in the UK, seeing a 46% increase in the last decade. With the staggering rise in house prices leading to ‘generation rent’,…
Tagged under   prefabricated    homes 
In January 2013, David Cameron, the then Conservative Prime Minister, under great pressure from various sides promised a referendum on whether the UK would stay in the European Union or leave. Fearful of not getting…
Tagged under   garages    outbuildings    EU 
In the world of self-build, one of the challenges of selecting and specifying building materials is the sheer number of products on offer. A higher specification more often than not equates to a higher price…
Tagged under   landscaping    drainage 
The South West Homebuilding & Renovating Show, proudly sponsored by Everest, returns to Bath & West Showground, from 18 to 19th November.
Tagged under   homebuilding    renovating    show 
Ensuring you have the correct ventilation for your property and lifestyle, whilst ensuring you meet Building Regulations, can appear daunting, says Callum Graham, Self-Build Estimator at Nuaire.
Tagged under   heating    ventilation 
The clever use of Catnic’s SSR2 standing seam roofing and cladding system has created a stunning roof finish for a contemporary new-build extension in rural West Lothian.
Tagged under   roofing    cladding    insulation    extension 
Basement conversions are a great way to add space to properties where outdoor space for extensions is limited. This is the procedure that Simon Cassidy opted for when he sought to create extra living space…
Tagged under   smart    scale    basement    conversion 
Robert Griffiths and his wife Hilary had been living within their eight-acre development in the idyllic village Ashford-in-the-Water for nine years before they decided to restore the 1000-year-old corn mill sited on the estate.
Tagged under   development 
New YouGov research suggests a high level of anxiety around Japanese knotweed and alarming levels of misinformation.
Tagged under   japanese    knotweed    plant 
Two months after acquiring planning permission for a three-bedroom detached premanufactured home, 23-year-old Holly Thomson reached out to i-build to discuss the challenging process she underwent when obtaining consent for her build.
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Your self-build home is finally complete, but now you face the arduous task of moving in. Adam Jones, Business Development Director at ArrowXL – a UK-leading two-man home delivery expert – shares his top tips…
Tagged under   furniture    home    accessories 
Alex Hancock, Director at Wooden Windows, a newly launched specialist company, gives his expert advice on wooden vs uPVC and which windows are right for the property you are developing.
Tagged under   windows 
VELUX® has launched a new campaign aimed at educating homeowners on the benefits of replacing their old roof windows with VELUX roof windows to help them realise the potential of their homes.
Tagged under   windows    roof windows 
Following the recent introduction of government ‘Part Q’ security standards, Accsys Technologies has produced a global security assessment for door and window designs manufactured using Accoya wood.
Tagged under   windows    doors    security 
With flames almost indistinguishable from those of a real woodburning fire, the Gazco Reflex 75T boasts designs to suit both traditional and contemporary home styling.
Tagged under   fire    heating 
The new Syntesis® Flush Collection from Eclisse is a range of architrave free pocket door systems, concealed frame hinged door systems and an ingenious skirting board adaptor that allows your skirting to be flush with…
Tagged under   doors    interior 
With the trend for sustainable living reaching an all-time high, more of us are switching onto the benefits of growing our own produce and, as a result, many are taking the allotmenteering route.
Tagged under   allotments 
Will Gough, Commercial Manager for Spaceslide, explains how clever storage could boost your property’s value.
Tagged under   property    value 
Here, the Passivhaus Trust explains why self-builders and the Passivhaus standard are made for each other.
Tagged under   passivhaus 
The Northern Homebuilding & Renovating Show, proudly sponsored by Everest, returns to Harrogate Convention Centre, from 3rd to 5th November.
Tagged under   homebuilding    renovating    show 
Produced by the team at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre (NSBRC), the UK’s only permanent visitor centre for self-builders and home-improvers, the Big Green Home Show returns in October.
Tagged under   big    green    home    show 
Reflecting the growth of the UK’s self-build mortgage market, the Mansfield Building Society has announced the launch of a new advanced stage payment mortgage product in partnership with self-build specialist, BuildStore Mortgage Services.
Tagged under   finance 
Greater prefabrication offers more control over quality, productivity and predictability – making off-site construction a great choice for self-builders. Here Andrew Carpenter, Chief Executive of the Structural Timber Association, shares with i-build the reasons why…
Tagged under   timber    frame 
When the homeowners of a west London Edwardian semi-detached house sought to revitalise their home, they turned to Holloways of Ludlow to complete the extensive renovation. The renovation comprised a full refurbishment with ground floor…
Tagged under   kitchens    bedrooms    bathrooms 
From simple organic pattern features to soft geometric abstracts, Lorna Williams – Head of Product Design and Creative Branding at Amtico – discusses the prevailing aesthetically-led, yet functional, trends and future innovations from the world…
Tagged under   floors    walls    ceilings 
Situated in a heavily wooded site, ‘the Quest’ is a replacement self-build in Swanage, Dorset. Overlooking the picturesque Durlston Country Park, the sloping site – home to protected mature trees – played a key role…
Tagged under   retaining wall    stone 
The project for the refurbishment of a charming circa 16th-century farmhouse situated on the crest of a marvellous hill in the heart of Siena’s Chianti region in Tuscany, Italy, overlooking vineyards and woodland was the…
Tagged under   Italian    farmhouse 
The Internet of Things (IoT) is not a new topic. In fact, it has been a discussion point for decades and the first smart appliance, a toaster, was actually connected to the internet back in…
Tagged under   construction 
You have found the site or renovation project of your dreams and are keen to get started. The last thing you need are delays with processing your planning application. Here Sarah Chilcott, Managing Director at…
Tagged under   planning    permission 
The last 12 months have heralded the return of colour within interiors, with homeowners becoming increasingly confident in their decorating choices and embracing more dramatic, vivid hues. While the delicate neutrals and Scandi greys remain…
Tagged under   paints 
In recent years, Schueco’s focus has been on designing highly insulated glazed systems where the framing becomes ever more minimal, allowing the area of uninterrupted glass to become proportionately larger and thus visually more impressive.
Tagged under   doors    glazing    glass 
The Grade II Listed building located in Manchester City Centre is being refurbished by Quadriga Contracts Ltd as part of the NOMA regeneration scheme to provide Grade A office space, retail and leisure facilities.
Tagged under
Pocket doors are increasing in popularity in the UK but there are still quite a few people, builders included, who are not that familiar with pocket doors, and others who don’t realise how versatile they…
Tagged under   doors 
Supremely versatile and eternally appealing, bespoke wooden window frames will add the wow factor to your new home.
Tagged under   windows    wood 
Imagine a world where every detail of your dream home comes to life around you. Where you can perfectly craft each and every aspect to your taste. Welcome to the WeberHaus World of Living.
Tagged under   home    modular 
Introduced in the 19th century as an ornamental plant, this species’ spread across the country has been astonishing. Now thought to be present in every 10km² of the UK, this plant is a common sight…
Tagged under   garden    plants 
Art – the right piece of carefully selected fine art – has the power to transform a house into a home, to add life and character to blank walls and empty inner spaces. But if…
Tagged under   art 
Here, experienced home extensions building expert, Ryan Abell – Director and Site Manager at Abell Building Services – shares his checklist for keeping track of a kitchen extension project from start to finish.
Tagged under   kitchen    extension 
In 2001, young Architect Nicolas Tye bought a barn conversion in Bedfordshire, then took 12 months out to renovate it. 16 years on, Nicolas Tye Architects (NTA) is a prosperous practice with 20 staff –…
Tagged under   rooflights 
With building materials prices ever rising and constructors’ margins being squeezed, the quality and suitability of timber materials for self-build projects has never been more critical, writes Jim Coulson, Director at TFT Woodexperts.
Tagged under   structural    systems 
With its brands AXOR and hansgrohe, the Hansgrohe Group brings form and function to water with taps, showerheads and shower systems. Here, i-build reflects on the trendsetting themes that the brand sets for bathroom design.
Tagged under   bathrooms    design 
Here, Mrs Holst talks to i-build about the restoration of her home, an old powerhouse dating back to the 1900s, and explains why she opted for a rechargeable lithium-ion battery to power her restoration.
Tagged under   renewable    technology 
Natural daylighting within bespoke homes is a common request from many self-builders. The inclusion of large expanses of glazing brings many beneficial elements for self-builders and home renovators; from reduced energy bills and enhanced wellbeing…
Tagged under   doors    windows    glazing 
When Paul Withey took on his fourth barn conversion project in the rural area of Attleborough, he thought he’d be restricted to an oil boiler for his four-bedroom barn’s heating and hot water. However, after…
Tagged under   barn    conversion 
Derry and Susan Young have built a stunning five-bedroom property in the picturesque Scottish Highlands featuring a ground source heat pump and solar thermal to provide 100% of the property’s heating and hot water needs.
Tagged under   landscape    garden 
If you’re planning a self-build, whether a first-timer or an experienced hand, you’ll need funding in place to drive your home-building project through its various stages, and the chances are that at least part of…
Tagged under   legalities 
The Passivhaus standard is one of the fastest-growing energy standards in the world, and often dubbed the gold standard of energy efficiency and indoor comfort. There are currently over 65,000 Passivhaus buildings worldwide. Here, the…
Tagged under   selfbuild    community 
ESSE has unveiled a stylish, new flueless gas fire design called 'the Oval'. This striking rounded design joins the more angular shapes that the company already offers, and ESSE believes it will be just as…
Tagged under   fireplace    hvac    heating 
British kitchen manufacturer Mereway has extended its market leading Town & Country collection with a new painted woodgrain kitchen, Bridgwater. This latest door builds on the popularity of the painted shaker door but has a…
Tagged under   kitchen    wood 
Indian Sandstone continues to increase in popularity with British homeowners; however issues can occur before, during and after installation.
Tagged under   sandstone 
‘Eco’ or ‘sustainable’ homes have become popular in recent years. As many have become increasingly environmentally-minded and health conscious, and the cost of fuel in various forms as skyrocketed, there has been a growing desire…
Tagged under   eco    home 
Quietly nestled in the peaceful grounds of a Grade II listed property in South Oxfordshire is this striking energy-efficient property, home to the Barrett family. As a new home builder himself, James Barrett recognised the…
Tagged under   efficient    energy 
BSW Timber has just unveiled a brand new range of garden fence panels that has been introduced to complement its existing fencing components.
Tagged under   timber    fencing 
When it comes to getting your outdoor spaces ready for the months ahead, whether you’ve got acres of lawn or just a small patch, there’s no excuse for not being well equipped.
Tagged under   garden    lawn 
Here Dan Cook, Designer at luxury bathroom company C.P. Hart, explains how to achieve that spa-like feel in your self-build’s bathroom.
Tagged under   luxury    bathroom 
Whether you’re using render to revitalise tired walls, or to encapsulate that fresh finish – it needs to be cared for. Here, Dr Ross Savage, Head of R&D at K Rend, talks i-build through a…
Tagged under   render    waterproofing    walls 
A rise in self-build projects in rural parts of the UK has made finding the right wastewater treatment option for individual projects more important than ever before. Here Matthew Rolph, Managing Director at GRAF UK,…
Tagged under   water    management 
When Hazel Park, Lighting Designer at John Cullen Lighting, was approached to explore a lighting scheme for an architect’s London home, she knew the result would be extraordinary. Here, Hazel talks i-build through the outstanding…
Tagged under   lighting    skylights 
There’s a lot to be said for using locally-sourced natural stone when it comes to adding a touch of authentic class to a self-build project.
Tagged under   stone    project 
Everyone has to start somewhere. As a reader of i-build, you are clearly an ambassador for the self-build industry and innovative approaches to building, but for some self-builders renewable technology like ground source heat pumps…
Tagged under   heating    renewable    technology 
Three stone ruins standing strong on a hillside located on the northern edge of Penryn, Cornwall, was all the inspiration that Dan Thompson required for the design and build of a sympathetic barn conversion.
Tagged under   stone    renovation    home 
The idea of self-building one’s very own home is highly admired within the UK; with the idea of a dwelling suited to homeowners’ needs, inclusive of all amenities that have been tailored to personal specifications,…
Tagged under   garden    landscape 
Did you know it is vital that appropriate cover is obtained for listed homes as general insurance providers may only provide enough cover for a minimal ‘standard’ rebuild, leaving you to finance the shortfall should…
Tagged under   insurance    listed 
A new market report, that is the largest of its kind, has revealed that the self- and custom-build industry is growing at a rate of 6.25% year on year, marking its third consecutive annual spike.…
Tagged under   custom    build 
‘You pays your money and you takes your choice,’ an age-old adage, but never more true than today. Although it may be tempting to take shortcuts when having to buy a new piece of equipment,…
Tagged under   tools    equipment 
Quietly nestled in the peaceful grounds of a Grade II listed property in South Oxfordshire is this striking energy-efficient property, home to the Barrett family.
Tagged under   smart    technology 
The kitchen remains the heart of any home but due to a cultural shift in lifestyle it is becoming more important that it is a multifunctional space. As such, many people opt for semi-glazed kitchen…
Tagged under   kitchen 
Water softeners are becoming increasingly popular as more people understand the benefits of them in hard water areas. From a cleaner home to descaled pipes and appliances that result in cheaper bills, it’s no surprise…
Tagged under   water    plumbing 
Red Wharf Bay Sailing & Watersports Club is set in an area of outstanding beauty at Traeth Bychan on the Isle of Anglesey, North Wales. The member’s clubhouse has been sited here for over 50…
Tagged under   protection 
Roof window manufacturer VELUX® has added three more sizes to its world’s first curved glass rooflight range.
Tagged under   windows    rooflight    roofing 
Polyurethane foam can be used as a high performing insulant in self-build projects to meet or exceed today's standards. When used for airtightness or stabilisation under the roof or within the cavity it outperforms most…
Tagged under   insulation    roofing 
Combination Bathroom Furniture from Hudson Reed offers a unique range of space saving storage solutions for the smaller bathroom. The range is designed to be flexible, so you can create the look you want that…
Tagged under   bathroom    furniture    storage 
With roads across the country getting busier and the lack of choice when it comes to building plots, many self-builders are having to face the fact that affordable property and building plots will sometimes come…
Tagged under   fencing    security 
Oak is an affordable luxury that adds vitality, warmth and ambience to any development. Few people can resist the charms of oak, but aesthetics aren’t the only reason to use it, says Kat Hamilton from…
Tagged under   oak    wood    protection 
There is nothing quite like being able to touch and feel an appliance to determine its quality and find out more about its functionality and performance, says Luke Shipway, Product Manager at Caple.
Tagged under   kitchen 
L-Ments, an innovative prefabricated roof system that enables the installation of a fully insulated pitched roof in a matter of hours, has been specified for an eco-house in one of Britain’s leading tourist spots.
Tagged under   roofing    insulation 
Jason Pledger started his career as a Junior Architectural Assistant at a practice in Truro, Cornwall, in 1991, and today holds the title Design Director at Laurence Associates. Here, i-build talks to Jason about his…
Tagged under   architect 
James Gray and wife Claudia set out to transform 30 acres of farmland in north Essex into a unique timber home for the entire family. Energy efficiency was a key driver within their brief, so…
Tagged under   energy efficiency    insulation    barn    conversion    renovation 
John Nicholls has been designing and selling kitchens through its Banbury showroom for over 40 years, so the company understands that the kitchen is the heart of the home.
Tagged under   kitchen 
The Maryville Passivhaus is a continuation of research by Joseph Thurrott Architects into the reinterpretation of Scottish rural vernacular buildings to meet modern, low-energy demands. The owners, Ian and Mary Sweetland, have had a far…
Tagged under   passivhaus 
A traditional Scottish village in Stirlingshire may not seem like the obvious location for a contemporary Passivhaus project. For chartered Architect, Mhairi Grant and her Architectural Designer partner, Martin McCrae, however, the development of their…
Tagged under   passivhaus    home 
If you are a self-builder about to undertake a project involving the conversion of a barn, you need to consider the cost of and difficulty in obtaining a building warranty (Latent Defect Insurance), says Rosita…
Tagged under   barn    conversion 
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