A quality double act; roof windows and blinds

Daylight is one of the holy grails of modern living. Bright, well-lit spaces have clear health and well-being benefits. In short they make us feel good and unsurprisingly this is something we want from our homes. In this quest for... View Article

The soft/hard debate

Choosing your flooring is undoubtedly one of the most important elements of a self-build – but should you go for for carpet or hard flooring? Selfbuilder & Homemaker’s Roseanne Field weighs up the pros and cons Choosing the flooring for... View Article

Opening up the possibilities

Garage doors have improved hugely in recent years as the value placed on them by homeowners has increased. David O’Mara of Hörmann looks at the different options available and how to decide which is best for you Garage doors have... View Article

Embracing nature

Garden designer Elaine James and her antique dealer husband Ian used their combined skills to design a tranquil home around the ever-changing view of the north Yorkshire countryside. It can be blowing a gale across the field at the back... View Article

Smart answers on smart homes

Ben Johnson, director of Powertrac Electrical Services, a Berkshire-based smart home and electrical contractor, answers some of the frequently asked questions on smart homes. What is a smart home? In short, a smart home intelligently automates and allows you to... View Article

RIBA shows support for custom and self-build

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has shown support for custom and self-build in its latest policy document: Housing Matters: 20 Ways to Tackle the Housing crisis. In a bid to help improve the housing market, RIBA has listed... View Article
Lighting: LED by efficiency & style – YESSS Electrical

LED by efficiency & style

Kitchens and bathrooms are increasingly being used for more than just their functionality. Dave Simpson of YESSS Electrical looks at how recent lighting developments can be harnessed to maximise a room’s enjoyment. The 2016 Kitchen Trend Report, from interior design... View Article

Doors of perception

Kloeber’s Matt Higgs corrects some myths on sliding door performance, saying they are a thing of the past. The image in many people’s heads when they think of a sliding door is a thermally inefficient metal door which sticks on... View Article
Spiral Staircases: Controlled spirals – netMAGmedia Ltd

Controlled spirals

Antonia Harding of British Spirals & Castings dispels the myth that spiral staircases are dangerous and explains how they can be used effectively and safely in your project. With their architectural beauty and space-saving benefits, spiral staircases can be the perfect... View Article

HOA on how a Brexit might affect homeowners

Paula Higgins, founder and Chief Executive of the HomeOwners Alliance (HOA) has the following thoughts on the impact of a Brexit on Britain’s homeowners: 1. Interest rates: Most economists expect if we do vote for Brexit, it will lead to... View Article

Self-build property planning applications fall to six year low

Figures released by Barbour ABI today reveal that UK-wide self-build planning applications in 2014 have decreased by 28% compared to 2008. Barbour ABI, the chosen provider of the Government’s Construction and Infrastructure Pipeline, shows that 16,792 self-build planning applications were... View Article