Home is where
the hearth is

Percy Doughty explores how ambience shapes modern British homes and how self-builders can craft a truly warm, inviting space. As the nights draw in and temperatures begin to fall, the focus naturally shifts indoors. Across the UK, homeowners are re-evaluating... View Article

Creative colourful cladding

Lisa Grosse at Cedral explores how cladding can improve aesthetics, support thermal performance, and offer weather resistance, sustainability and long-term cost savings for self-builders. Whether you’re planning a transformation or a new build, investing in a beautiful exterior means thinking... View Article

Straw wall panels now a sustainable solution for self-builders

Neil Turner, Technical Manager at Ecological Building Systems, looks at how self-builders are increasingly choosing straw wall panels as a sustainable alternative to traditional construction materials.  “Straw has been utilised as a building material in the UK for thousands of... View Article

Additions to the Stelrad compact range

Stelrad has launched a range of 200mm and 1200mm high radiators in a variety of sizes. The new radiator sizes offer a helpful additional range to slot into specifications and installations up and down the country. The new 200mm sized... View Article

Cool breeze – reducing overheating

Vectaire’s Cool Breeze and Cool Breeze Plus are an effective solution for mitigating overheating in residential properties, meeting the standards used in CIBSE TM59 assessments and Approved Document O of the Building Regulations.  They use R290, an eco friendly refrigerant over 225 times more... View Article

Odour-Free, Silent Wastewater Treatment with the Klargester BioDisc

Thanks to the Klargester BioDisc sewage treatment system, managing your wastewater doesn’t have to come with an unpleasant odour lingering in your outdoor space. For half a century, the Klargester BioDisc has been at the forefront of domestic and commercial sewage treatment, revolutionising... View Article

The Radiator Company expands its Ellipsis range

Leading manufacturer of designer radiators and towel rails, The Radiator Company, has expanded its popular Ellipsis range, with a 30mm tube size option. The new model is available in both horizontal and vertical designs and provides even more choice. Distinctly... View Article

Common pitfalls in luxury renovation and how to avoid them

Having worked on over 40,000 projects from compact urban extensions to the grandest of Grand Designs TV new home projects, IDSystems has seen it all. Below, Technical Sales Manager Edward Stobart has rounded up the most common issues he has encountered in luxury projects,... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Bedrooms

Your bedroom should be the ultimate retreat – a space for you to relax and rest. We’ve compiled a range of products to suit every kind of style, whether you’re creating a room with a contemporary feel or something more... View Article

Make your bathroom work

The Bathroom Association’s Tom Reynolds shares practical advice to help self-builders design better bathrooms – sustainable, compliant and perfectly suited to modern living. Bathrooms are among the most personal and most used spaces in any home, yet they’re often one... View Article

From draughty to dreamy

When Deborah Shafier and her husband Alex set out to transform their Edwardian home in London, they wanted more than just extra space; they envisioned a cosy, sustainable sanctuary.  TEXT Alexandra Pratt IMAGES Juliet Murphy/Iguana Architects “We spent most of... View Article