Timber types

How do you decide what style of house is for you? The materials you choose can heavily influence the space you create. Carpenter Oak talk through some of the timber choices open to self-builders who want to put wood at... View Article

Choosing the right rainwater system

Yeoman Rainguard’s Sally Moores discusses the variety of options available when it comes to rainwater systems, and how to choose the right one for your project With an abundant choice of rainwater systems on the market, there is certainly no... View Article

Grand gardens

Millboard discuss the various design approaches available to help self-builders achieve a truly ‘premium’ outdoor space Great outdoor spaces reflect the style and ambience of the properties that they belong to – and they also communicate the temperaments of the... View Article

Electric range cookers – at home in any kitchen

Stylish, versatile and easy to install, modern energy-efficient range cookers are enjoying a new lease of life in both town and country, as ESSE’s Mark Blewitt explains It’s an established rite of passage on the downshifter’s ‘road less travelled.’ Scour... View Article

A healthy home is a sustainable home

Heat recovery ventilation can make homes dramatically healthier, and going a step further with heat pump ventilation can also offer energy efficient heating and cooling, says Clarissa Youden of Total Home Environment With self-builders becoming more aware that they need... View Article

Going up the hill to downsize

Building a contemporary home had always been at the back of one West Sussex couple’s minds, but it wasn’t until downsizing became the sensible decision that it became a reality. Roseanne Field reports In a village in rural West Sussex... View Article

Clearly beautiful

Tanzeela Yasin of IQ Glass explains the aesthetic benefits of including frameless glass balustrades in your project, but also the safety considerations that you need to take into account. Frameless glass balustrades are becoming a popular glazing feature across many... View Article

Looking beneath the surface

David Sherry from Dreadnought Tiles explains the importance of looking beyond the marketing when choosing traditional clay plain tiles. The use of traditional building materials is widely recognised as a vital part of preserving the unique character of our old... View Article

The building blocks of driveway success

Lee Dunderdale of Bradstone spells out everything you need to know about block paving a drive, from planning, design and excavation through to the key aspects of installation, and finishing touches For those who have embarked upon a self-build or... View Article

The lap of luxury

Paul Bailey of Grohe UK offers tips to self-builders on how to add a luxurious feel to your bathroom, whether you’re working to a tight budget, or you are ready to ‘splash some cash’ The term ‘luxury bathroom’ is no... View Article

Windows of opportunity

The Browns had never considered building their own home, but the chance to create a ‘Glasshouse’ with views of the Forth Bridge and Edinburgh Castle was too good to miss. Roseanne Field reports Alan and Lucy Brown had been looking... View Article

Make room outside

David Coleman of Oak Timber Structures explains why the inclusion of an oak gazebo in the garden can add huge value to a property for the long term, and discusses the considerations to bear in mind With fewer people moving... View Article

Taking an alternative route to drainage

When building or renovating a home with no connection to mains drainage for the disposal of sewage, alternative options have to be considered. Burnham Environmental Services’ Mark Newbery explains further The UK currently has four different environmental regulators for surface... View Article

Debunking underfloor heating myths

According to Nigel Sanger of JG Speedfit, many self-builders and property developers are still cautious about installing underfloor heating (UFH) due to rumour and hearsay. Here he dispels the four most common myths Demand for underfloor heating (UFH) is rising,... View Article

A home for life

Mike Lord of Stiltz explains why more and more self-builders are choosing to future-proof their homes by including a ‘homelift’ Building your dream home can be a fantastically rewarding process. This is why, according to studies by the National Custom... View Article

Number 41 takes shape

Andy and Sarah Ball have made great strides on their sustainable Derby build since they last reported in Selfbuilder + Homemaker. Sarah updates on the recent progress. When you left Number 41 the last time round, the one tonne steel... View Article

Tackling timber humidity risk

Niall Crosson of Ecological Building Systems and Michael Foerster of pro clima discuss the need to ensure that unforeseen moisture trapped during timber builds can be released, avoiding damage over time Timber construction is undergoing something of a renaissance in... View Article

Perfect porcelain

The Stone & Ceramic Warehouse’s Chris Grainger discusses the compelling benefits of porcelain floor tiles, from efficiency, cost and maintenance, to the ability to create a precise visual result Choosing flooring for your new home is a big decision. While... View Article