Luxury for less

Luxury for less

With increasing focus on creating bathrooms as design-led, luxurious spaces, Sophie Schofield of Ribble Valley Bathrooms gives tips on how to create a spa-like retreat without blowing the budget After the events of the past 12 months, the way we... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Kitchens & Appliances

When it comes to making the ‘heart of the home’ function as healthily as it can, you need to choose the right units and appliances for your space and needs. This selection helps you pick from some of the latest... View Article

47 is the new 50 – have you switched yet?

To build safer, stronger structures requires more than just top quality joist hangers; equally important is choosing the correct sized joist hanger. Regularised timber is now the UK standard, which means 50mm hangers are yesterday’s news. Unlike rough sawn timber,... View Article

Kloepping TSS New Website

For many years Kloepping TSS Limited have created and installed bespoke feature staircases all over the country. They listen to the ideas and visions of their customers and develop them into unique designs. Through close collaboration with architects and builders... View Article

Launch of The Timber Cladding Handbook

The Timber Decking and Cladding Association (TDCA) in collaboration with The Timber Trade Federation (TTF) have jointly published a new resource – The Timber Cladding Handbook.  Produced with support from the Wood Protection Association (WPA), Wood Campus and with technical input from Dr Ivor Davies, the... View Article

Case study: The Glebe, Cambridgeshire

A stunning five-bedroom house built to modern, energy efficient standards using SIPs Eco Panels and other innovative build technologies, whilst maintaining the traditional aesthetic of the surrounding village. Construction System: Sips Eco Panels Location: Cambridgeshire, UK  Materials: Full 169mm kit... View Article

Happy when it rains

Not only can a rainwater harvesting system be a first line of defence against flooding, it can also help you achieve long term sustainability in our unpredictable climate. Jae Lester of RainWater Harvesting explains In recent years the UK has... View Article

It’s time for timber

Andrew Orriss of the Structural Timber Association explains the basics around choosing structural timber, and why it holds so much promise for self-builds, particularly on sustainability grounds Structural timber is now used across over a quarter of all new homes... View Article

Small is beautiful

With an increasing value being placed on outdoor spaces, Ronan O’Dowd of Acheson & Glover shares his top tips on how to make the most of a small garden The Covid-19 pandemic brought a new appreciation for our outdoor space,... View Article

Forming an opinion

Chris Stride at ICFA discusses why self-builders, particularly those looking to maximise energy efficiency, should consider building with Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF) If you’ve been researching your new build project recently you will notice that the spotlight is currently on... View Article

Structural warranties – a guide

Advantage Home Construction Insurance (AHCI) navigates through the often complex world of structural warranties required by mortgage firms, providing some clarity for self-builders A structural defects warranty (also known as latent defects insurance) covers defects affecting newly built properties. Structural... View Article

Versatile wet rooms

Neil Whitehead from Impey offers insights into how to create the ideal wetroom or wet area shower space for every size and style of home The coveted wetroom shower space has many guises and, when thoughtfully planned and installed, can... View Article

UK Green Homes Grant scrapped

The UK government has announced that it has scrapped its flagship green homes grant scheme. The much-promoted grants scheme to help householders in England insulate their home will be stopped this week, and the money allocated to a seperate insulation... View Article

The easy way to specify a loft ladder

Premier Loft Ladders have made it even easier to download NBS product data from their web site. Where available, the specification can now be copied directly from the main product pages, as well as from NBS Source. Furthermore, architects and... View Article