i-build February 2019

IN THIS ISSUE:

l SELF-BUILDS l RENOVATIONS l EXTENSIONS l CONVERSIONS February 19 Issue 55

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IS YOUR SEPTIC TANK SYSTEM COMPLIANT?

20+

Fantastic fringed accessories to add the finishing touch

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CHECK YOUR ROOF?

COVER STORY:

A HOMAGE TO THE HIMALAYAS HIDDEN IN THE HIGHLANDS Discover a sustainable self-building project that celebrates local craftsmanship

DEMOLITION OR RESTORATION? Find out the route one family chose with an inherited derelict linhay

AN INSIGHT INTO OAK FRAMES What you can expect when building with an oak frame

EMBRACING RENEWABLE HEAT TECHNOLOGY

Everything you need to know before 2025

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Welcome to the February issue of i-build

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Editorial:

Paige Smith

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Rebecca Kemp

rebecca@mixedmediainfo.com Print & Digital Advertising:

Sam Ball

sam@mixedmediainfo.com

Grant Jeffs

grant@mixedmediainfo.com Print Design Manager:

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Sam Ball

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Welcome Note

i-build

In this issue of i-build, we take a look at two families who have decided to create two very different holiday lets – but both are equally as stunning and inspiring.

First, we discover one self-build couple who used their love for the Himalayas to create a sustainable ecotourism business with self-built bespoke log cabins. This luxurious hideaway located in the middle of the wildest glens, highest mountains and largest lochs in the region is a celebration of local craftsmanship and truly inspiring self-build. Turn to page 10 to uncover a little bit of the Himalayas hidden in the Highlands.

Elsewhere in our latest addition, we explore how a 30-acre piece of land – home to a ruined linhay – was passed down through the generations of one family, until recently when it was lovingly restored and turned into a gorgeously compact holiday let. To follow the journey of the linhay that refused to fall down from the brink of demolition to the end of its renovation, turn to page 18. @ibuildmagazine

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If you’re at the very early stages of your selfbuild journey and you’re still trying to decide if an oak frame is the right direction for you, turn to page 24 where Oakwrights gives you the low-down on what to expect. On page 26, you can find out if you’re checking your roof as often as you should be, and on page 28, we discover how much of an impact your staircase will actually have.

I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, if you’re coming to the end of your self-build and would like us to feature your home as inspiration for other budding house-builders, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Alternatively, if you’re about to embark on your self-build journey and would be keen for us to document your progress, do get in contact.

Paige paige@mixedmediainfo.com

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Barham Court, Teston, Maidstone, Kent ME18 5BZ T: 01622 232723

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Editor’s picks

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The Nestor Martin stove is an eye-catching must-have: See page 38 Earthborn has launched its new classic colour card: See page 39 Discover Duragrain finishes which will instantly transform any garage door: See page 39

39 Cover story: Discover a secret hideaway with a difference.

See page 10. © Tim Winterburn

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Contents

i-build www.i-buildmagazine.com

February 2019

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18

24

22

06

28

10

In this issue: Desired Designs

10

Impressive Innovation ON THE COVER

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22

24

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ON THE COVER

A look at the latest innovative products and styles for your new home.

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This month, i-build talks to husband-and-wife self-build team Mike and Pawana Spencer-Nairn about the sustainability of their ecotourism business Eagle Brae. The development comprises self-built bespoke log cabins in a picturesque Highland setting.

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Rural Retreat

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ON THE COVER

The ruins of an old linhay sited within a woody 30-acre site just north of Devon have been transformed into a humble abode by Nick and Caroline Welch. Bought by Nick’s grandparents in the 1930s, the land has been passed down through the generations, and today houses the Welch’s renovated environmentally-friendly cottage.

Timber & Oak Frame

i-nterior

ON THE COVER

i-DIY ON THE COVER

Futurebuild Preview

36

Product Spotlight

l SELF-BUILDS l RENOVATIONS l EXTENSIONS l CONVERSIONS

Download the free app to your tablet or mobile. Search 'i-build'

IS YOUR SEPTIC TANK SYSTEM COMPLIANT?

20+

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CHECK YOUR ROOF?

COVER STORY:

A HOMAGE TO THE HIMALAYAS HIDDEN IN THE HIGHLANDS Discover a sustainable self-building project that celebrates local craftsmanship

Catering to the in-vogue trend of upcycling, i-build talks to Harris about recycling and reusing. The decorating brand offers readers a step-by-step guide on bringing new life to wooden chairs.

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IN THIS ISSUE:

Fantastic fringed accessories to add the finishing touch

The transformation of a once dark narrow space within a period Victorian property has seen the refurbishment of a dark staircase reconstructed into an elegant, sleek centrepiece.

i-scape

ON THE COVER

Are you envisioning an oak frame for your self-build or home renovation project? In this month’s oak frame focus, Oakwrights offers a 10-step process to achieving your oak-framed dream home.

ON THE COVER

Have you ever carried out a routine check on your roof? Are you aware regular inspections can save you a lot of well-earned money? In this article, Roof Stores looks at how examinations can benefit you.

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Renewable Technology

UK heat pump manufacturer and installer, Kensa Heat Pumps, explains why self-builders should embrace renewable technology within new-build projects. Here, the heat pump manufacturer tells why self-builders should take action ahead of the six-year Committee for Climate Change (CCC) warning.

RCI

February 19 Issue 55

06

ON THE COVER

Newground ensures your system is compliant with The Environment Agency’s (EA) regulations surrounding the discharge of septic tanks. Read up on the changes and assure your tank meets the spec.

ON THE COVER

One of the most anticipated events for the built environment returns with an alteration to its lineup, with new and exclusive features and, perhaps most importantly, a new title. Running from 5 to 7th March, Futurebuild is a the ideal place to source new materials and discover innovations for your house-building project. i-build rounds up the latest innovative products in the marketplace, designed with your self-build in mind.

DEMOLITION OR RESTORATION? Find out the route one family chose with an inherited derelict linhay

AN INSIGHT INTO OAK FRAMES What you can expect when building with an oak frame

EMBRACING RENEWABLE HEAT TECHNOLOGY

Everything you need to know before 2025

+ SPECIAL FOCUS: l STAIRCASES & BALUSTRADES l UPCYCLING l FUTUREBUILD

Subscriptions: You can subscribe to receive i-build each month free of charge at i-buildmagazine.com/subscribe

RESTORING AND REPLACING TIMBER WINDOWS AND DOORS Providing tailor made solutions for your project

Conservation Area and Period Property Specialists

01344 868 668

www.sashwindow.com 5

Desired Designs

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Image ©frauMaier

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Rather retro

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Towards the end of last year, tassels and fringing were a prominent fashion feature on the catwalks; so it was only a matter of time before the trend crept back into our interiors. There is an abundance of ways you can include this look into your self-build, so here i-build gives you some advice to help you avoid creating an old-fashioned 1970s nightmare with this trend. ringed ceiling lights are a great way to make a bold statement – why not invest in a quirky fringed chandelier to add a real wow factor to your self-build entrance. Or if a subtle look is more your style, a fringed lamp will add just the right amount of interest and intrigue to a gloomy and otherwise dull corner of a room. Adding a few cushions with a fringed edge to your space is a safe introduction to this trend – you can mix and match these fringe finished accessories with a few solid coloured cushions to create the illusion of texture and depth.

Blankets, bedding and wall hangings are just a few other subtle ways to add this trend to your self-build. If you’re feeling brave you could add fringed curtains to your interior, but a sweet and easy alternative is to add simple fringed tiebacks instead. If you’re after fully embracing this trend and want to create a really retro room, add some fringed furniture including sofas, footstools and if you’re lucky you may even be able to discover the occasional chair with a fringed finishing touch.

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1. Wink pendant light, Nedgis, €495

2. Eichholtz fringe chandelier, Sweetpea & Willow, £2355

3. Fringe yellow velvet lamp,

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Abode Living,£120

4. Pascha pendant lamp, FRAUMAIER, £POA

5. Mogg Madama pendant light, Go Modern Furniture, £330

6. Skyscrapper standing lamp, Covet House, £POA

7. Eichholtz Chambers armchair, Sweetpea & Willow, £1495

8. Comodino clipper, Amerigo Milano, €1940

9. Eichholtz Etoile chair, Sweetpea & Willow, £675

10. Sevillian sofa, Covet House, £POA

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9

velvet cushion, £30

2. Fray bedlinen set, £30

3. Burgundy fringe cushion, £32

4. Burgundy Fringe Cushion, £32

Desired Designs

1. Leighton Ochre

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4 2 3

The French Bedroom Company The French Bedroom Company’s style was born out of a fascination of French designs, textures, craftsmanship, heritage and history. The collections are fun and feminine – with quality at the core. Beautifully made French designs combine with quirky and contemporary lighting and accessories to create interiors that are eye-catching, elegant, inspiring, chic and, most importantly, unique.

i-build loves...

Fringed finishing touches An easy way to add this trend to your self-build is with some cute cushions.

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1. Marie velvet fringe

cushion, Abode Living, £55

2. Freya cushion cover, AUDENZA, £24

3. Tallulah cushion,

Sweetpea & Willow, £50

4. Blush pink fringed cushion, The French Bedroom Co, £45

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Desired Designs

Cool cacti Incorporate these spiky succulent accessories into your self-build.

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Image ŠPixers

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Interesting ornament

Fun and funky Make sure you keep all your precious jewellery and trinkets organised and tidy with this fabulously funky gold cactus jewellery holder.

The ideal accessory for a contemporary decor.

Designed for floral displays, this stylised cactus vase looks just as good on its own as an ornament. The textured ceramic cactus vase has a green glaze and a single hole at the top for flowers.

(www.melodymaison.co.uk)

(www.abodeliving .co.uk)

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2

Bold and quirky

Tropical touch

The Halfah Grass Cactus is handmade in Morocco using halfah grass, also known as esparto, a natural plant fibre.

These bold and quirky cacti are the perfect summer bohemian home accessory and create a unique focal point in any space. Available in four sizes, make a statement with these fun decorative woven plants.

Entirely handmade in Spain, this cactus wireless lamp will bring a touch of the exotic into any room in your home. (www.nedgis.com)

(www.bohemiadesign.com)

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Magical lamp

Pack a punch

This decorative lamp consists of three aluminium pots of silver and once lit, three beautiful cacti will appear on your walls like the popup books that have been the inspiration of the Designer Chen Bikovski.

Give your self-build a tropical glow with the Neon Cactus Lamp. This quirky table light might not have any spikes but it still packs a punch in the design stakes. Comprising a cactusshaped green neon light sitting in a terracotta plant pot, this trendy tropical plant light is a great way to add a funky lighting feature to a living room or bedroom.

(www.ksl-living.frm)

(www.redcandy.co.uk)

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Impressive Innovation

Mike and Pawana Spencer-Nairn left Jersey in the Channel Islands and moved to the UK in 2005 to realise a remarkable Scottish Highland experience in the wilderness.

They created Eagle Brae, a sustainable ecotourism business with self-built bespoke log cabins – a true celebration of local craftsmanship. Due to their success, they’re now adding three more lodges to the current portfolio of seven, which are anticipated to be ready by the end of 2019.

Impressive Innovation

A Himalayan hideaway in the Highlands

All images ©Tim Winterburn

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Impressive Innovation

Impressive Innovation

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fter finishing his Sanskrit studies, Mike spent a gap year in India and fell in love with the Himalayas and his soon-to-be wife Pawana, whom he met in 1998 during a return trip to her home village in the Himachal Pradesh state, between Kashmir and Nepal, where her family runs a guest house. They married in Jersey and had two children, after which they returned to the Himalayas to build several properties and carry on the legacy of her family.

What started as a passion slowly turned into a business opportunity in the UK. Traditionally, the UK market had been oversaturated with standard kit chalets in tourist areas. As Mike’s family had owned 8000 acres on the Struy Estate, Inverness-shire since the 1930s, they had considerable building and developing experience, which Mike had inherited.

So Mike and Pawana seized the opportunity to create a luxurious hideaway located in the middle of the wildest glens, highest mountains and largest lochs in the region, putting a Himalayaninspired self-catering destination on the map.

Mike says: “The original idea was to build a Himalayan village, replicating what we’d done previously. We wanted to call it the Himalayan Highlands but that plan was a non-starter as the local building control and planners made it clear that we couldn’t meet several regulations.

At the same time, we weren’t able to get any of the craftsmen from the Himalayas over here as it was impossible to source visas. So we had to recalibrate our plan and opt for the best thing we could do from there. It turned out quite different in the end but I think it’s probably been the right decision. These log cabins have an extra wow factor and they’ll sustain throughout the years.”

Eagle Brae is formed of a series of seven handbuilt cabins which enjoy their own patch of land and are private. They have an open-plan design, a living room, a kitchen and dining area combined under a cathedral ceiling and an upper-floor mezzanine with carved balconies. They also include a double bedroom and bathroom and some have an additional en-suite bedroom upstairs.

Staying true to their Himalayan roots, the lodges have been created with materials sourced from that region, as Pawana’s brother-in-law is a master wood carver so he and his team took care of the decorative panels throughout the cabins. Every single one is a work of art from the inside out, boasting traditional Scottish motifs. These display massive red cedar logs which are sourced from British Columbia and blend into the surrounding wilderness. Their names are all inspired by nature: Buteo; Loxia; Aquila; Tringa; Parus; Sylvia and Strix.

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Impressive Innovation

Impressive Innovation “We were very keen to celebrate local craftsmanship so nothing at Eagle Brae is made on the production line,” explains Mike.

“Everything has been handmade, from the furniture, the kitchen units, the rugs and the tweed curtains to the chandeliers; which I made myself and are one-off pieces.”

Mike even liaised with Nigel Tyas Ironwork to measure and custom-make individual brackets and fixings for every single curtain pole in Eagle Brae’s seven cabins.

Before the project took off, Mike worked as a business analyst in the finance industry.

He used his expertise to conduct rigorous due

diligence through in-depth research, looking carefully into the options, having a very specific vision of the end result and sticking to the dream. He explains: “We’ve been heavily involved from the get-go and during the construction process we lived one and a half miles away in a local village called Struy, so we could monitor the progress closely. I walked around with a GPS, decided which cabin went where, designed the layout and the floorplan and came up with all the business ideas.

“The process took about eight years and we were ready to open in 2013. The first five years were spent on the red tape, surveys, planning

and seeking grant assistance. The next two years were focused on the infrastructure.

There was nothing here on site so we had to spend time putting in the roads, plots, sewage, draining, a hydro scheme to generate our own electricity and much more. The last year was for the actual building works.”

To be sympathetic with the surrounding wilderness, the cabins are self-sufficient utilityand energy-wise. Aside from introducing green insulated roofs and eco-friendly wood burners, Mike and Pawana also commissioned a proven diviner to identify their own water supply.

Armed with two metal rods and a crystal, he

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Impressive Innovation

Impressive Innovation located three borehole sites. They later drilled one of the sites and found water at the exact depth and yield expected. With the help of a pump powered by a micro-hydro turbine house submerged at the bottom, the water is treated and driven to the storage sites. The microhydro scheme also allows them to power a 75kW turbine for domestic electricity which is unobtrusive to the guests and the wildlife.

Although the accommodation is largely carbon-neutral, Mike and Pawana also took into account the fact that the visitors’ journeys will have a positive footprint so they introduced a carbon payback scheme which allows customers to compensate for the effects of their journey by planting a tree near the village.

In addition, the cabins are installed with their own efficient wood pellet burner produced locally for underfloor heating. These allow them to clean each ash pan just twice a year thanks to their almost 100% combustion levels.

For the three new log cabins, the foundations are already laid, the blockwork and the underbuilding have been done and the plots are already serviced as all the infrastructure was put in initially during phase one .

Mike explains: “The log work was commissioned in Canada and we’ve rebuilt the pieces here.

The first storeys have just been completed and everything will be packed into containers at the beginning of March. Three Canadians will come over in April to help set them up but other than that, we’ll mostly do the rest of the work ourselves, including project management.”

Phase two Although they went over budget at the start, spending around £4.2m, they’re planning to take advantage of their current experience to lower the building costs during phase two. Mike adds: “This time around, we will be the main contractor and directly employ electricians, plumbers and all the other professionals we require as we now know what we’re doing and are taking a completely different approach, cutting out the intermediary.” This will also help them save on materials as they’ll be buying everything themselves.

www.homebuildingshow.co.uk www.eaglebrae.co.uk

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Rural Retreat

A labour of love Hidden within the 30-acre site of Butterhills in the north of Devon, the beautiful Linhay has been rescued from a state of ruin.

B

utterhills is owned by Nick and Caroline Welch who live there with their two teenage children. Nick’s grandparents bought the land and dwelling that makes up Butterhills in the 1930s, where Nick and Caroline decided to make it their home in 1989. Caroline explains: “Butterhills had been passed down through the generations and we made the beautiful valley, meadows and woods our home in 1989, which is where we live with our two teenage children. The Linhay sits hidden within the picturesque 30-acre site of Butterhills, north of Devon. We desperately wanted to prevent any further deterioration to the Linhay and give the building a meaningful purpose to reach its full potential.”

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When deciding what to do with the ruins of a linhay, the initial plan was to prevent further deterioration by converting it into an open camping barn for friends and family to use.

But following redundancy, Nick and Caroline decided to develop it into an off-the-grid holiday let to provide a source of sustainable income for the family.

Many people would have simply demolished the fragmented, unloved shell, to start from scratch. But Nick and Caroline have lovingly converted it into a stunning, environmentally-friendly cottage. Accessed via a cart track, the Linhay’s location gives a feeling of total seclusion whilst being a 10-minute drive from the bustling village of Braunton.

“Restoring the crumbling ruins of the Linhay was the main priority when we undertook significant renovations of the fragmented, unloved shell.

“Simplicity was the keynote and we wanted to retain as much of the Linhay’s character as possible – in its original life we knew that the building would have had a mezzanine where animal feed would have been stored so we decided to reinstate that across part of the building as a sleeping platform. The other main requirement was for a shower room extension at one end. All plans were drawn up by a local architect friend, Victoria Needham, and it was built to current Building Regulations.

“The Linhay needed to be as low impact as possible and be virtually off-grid as there are no mains services running to it, we also wanted it to be year-round accommodation for guests so hot water, heating and good insulation was important.

The only access to the Linhay is along an unmade cart track and the planning dictated that we weren’t allowed to improve or change the surface of the

Rural Retreat

track, which meant everything had to be brought in by 4WD or using our little old grey Fergie tractor and trailer. The lane to our house is very narrow and winding so we relied heavily on local suppliers using small vehicles to deliver materials or we had to meet them on the top of the down with the tractor to offload larger deliveries. We started the build at the end of 2017 and carried on through two lots of snow in March 2018, which was not the best weather for an off-grid build and at times there was severe danger of all of us getting trench foot as we trudged through the mud! Our petrol generator had to be replaced halfway through the build as it simply couldn’t cope with the loads put upon it – at one point Karl, our Builder, was having to turn the cement mixer by hand. When digging the footings for the shower room we encountered veins of extremely hard, blue compacted slate which again had to be dug out by hand using a Kango hammer drill, iron bar and brute strength! Incredible to think that the Linhay and the stone-banked cart track were built before power tools and constructed using the very stone we were digging out.”

The project started in 2014, with materials sourced locally from the surrounding environment. Oak trees in the Butterhills wood were felled and milled to provide the roof timbers. The stonework in the main section of the Linhay was repointed and restored – inside and out – with lime mortar.

“The project took approximately seven months to complete. We didn’t set ourselves a deadline but hoped to finish in time to welcome summer guests – our first guests arrived on August bank holiday and they’ve been arriving steadily ever since.

“Nick, a Building Services Engineer by trade, had the skillset to introduce a sustainable water supply, plumbing and solar electrics – which was vital as the site is off-grid. The 12V solar lighting is powered using a single solar panel and the battery storage is housed in an old apple crate on a shelf above the back wall.

All the cabling has been run in copper pipe with bulkhead lights and 12V LED bulbs and upcycled wooden bobbins with sisal rope for light pulls – designed to be in keeping with the rustic and agricultural look of the building.

Caroline, who took responsibility for the Linhay’s interior design, decor, furnishing and detailing, explains: “I used a mixture of materials, such as slate worktops and oak flooring, to reflect the natural surroundings, and created a plywood wall feature in the living area to bring the outdoors in. Instead of artwork, large mirrors line the walls to create a sense of depth and add light.

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Rural Retreat

“Letting in natural light to the Linhay was important,” explains Caroline, “it was so important to gain as much light as possible in the shower room, which led me to choosing the stylish fixed flat rooflight by Roof Maker for its clean, sleek design, which mostly consists of glazing and minimal frame.

“The rooflight is a fantastic feature and all of our guests at the Linhay have loved it – you can be in the bathroom and you simply need to look up through the branches of the oak trees and watch the buzzards swooping overhead.

“It also offers a lovely view of the Linhay’s gable end with ancient stonework and cedar soffits and fascias – a great contrast with the clean lines of the rooflight and shower room.

When first installed, the rooflight brought so much light into the space that we kept thinking the builders had left the site lights on!”.

All in all, with the help of a local architect, civil engineer, surveyor, ecologist, builder and carpenter, and, of course, the oak from the wood – the Linhay was lovingly brought back to life. The project was completed within a budget of £50,000, including all fixtures, fittings and furnishings.

“We wanted as little impact as possible on the surrounding area so the landscaping was minimal – gravel from a quarry two miles away which matched the stone of the Linhay, some oak posts with synthetic hemps threaded through and Nick’s ‘henge’ border of stones which were dug up from the site when excavating the footings. The natural surroundings, the water meadow and the woodland behind form the perfect backdrop.

Nick created several oak sleeper benches – one under the kitchen window, perfect for enjoying a cuppa in the morning sunshine and several lower ones around the firepit which was fashioned from an upcycled washing machine drum and a wheel rim.

“It’s even better than we ever dreamed – the most magical beautiful space which has been enjoyed by all our guests. We have had fantastic reviews and great feedback. We’d absolutely do the whole thing again; it was the most rewarding, enjoyable thing we’ve ever done and see it as our legacy to this beautiful valley.”

This is a story of a labour of love and a building that refused to fall down. A story that truly shows what can be accomplished when choosing restoration over demolition. Caroline and Nick already have exciting plans for more Butterhills-based projects in the future.

www.roof-maker.co.uk

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Rural Retreat

Renewable Technology

Self-builders urged to embrace renewable heat technology News that the UK is aiming to ban gas grid connections to new-build homes from 2025 serves as a clear indication that the development of sustainable eco homes of the future should, in fact, be the homes of today. Here, Stephanie Gregory, Marketing Manager at the Kensa Group, explains more.

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ith just six years to go until the threat from the Committee for Climate Change (CCC) could become a reality, UK heat pump manufacturer and installer, Kensa Heat Pumps, advises selfbuilders to take action now and explore the more beneficial alternatives to gas boilers to ensure a lower cost, lower carbon development whilst Government subsidy, the Renewable Heat Incentive, exists to offset the additional costs for using renewable heat technology over fossil fuels.

The CCC’s stark warning comes in light of dramatically increased household emissions in the past year, blamed upon the stalled uptake of insulation in existing homes and renewable technology. The spike has caused the UK to deviate significantly from its already ambitious legally-binding climate change targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 (on 1990 levels). This has triggered the CCC, an independent Government advice body,

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to recommend that a sustainable heat pump infrastructure must be rolled out to replace and ban new gas grid connections by 2025, if we are to meet our climate change obligations.

The phase out of fossil fuel heating in buildings has been met with some concern, mostly due to a lack of awareness about the alternatives. Kensa Heat Pumps reassures that the transformation needn’t be as onerous as it may first seem.

Embracing ground source heat pumps Savvy self-builders in rural off-gas grid locations have already embraced the low-carbon and low-cost sustainable infrastructure of ground source heat pumps due to their clear advantages over oil and LPG. For those pursuing a self-build or renovation in a rural area, ground source heat pumps are the ideal choice given their reliable year-round heat, and non-reliance on volatile fuel prices – not to mention an oil boiler typically costs 21% more to run.

The benefit of a guaranteed income for seven years through the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is also a clear carrot to encourage self-builders to utilise ground source heat pumps, offsetting the additional cost for the technology compared to the traditional fossil fuel alternative.

Using the carbon intensity factors proposed for SAP 10, the software that demonstrates compliance with Building Regulations, an oil boiler emits almost five times as much carbon as a ground source heat pump, so there is no justification for their continued use when far more appealing options are available (and sensibly supported by a Government who understands these facts).

The headline-grabbing ‘ban gas grid connections from new builds in 2025’ introduces the benefits of ground source heat pumps to an audience less familiar with researching heating alternatives. For self-builders in areas where gas is available, questioning what the alternative heating infrastructure could be, a ground source heat pumps hold the answer.

Renewable Technology

Whilst individual self-build projects featuring ground source heat pumps offer admirable eco merits, the true value of ground source heat pumps becomes apparent when they are deployed at scale. For those looking at converting multiple buildings, such as barns to holiday lets, or self-builders developing more than one dwelling, connecting these buildings to a shared pipework infrastructure in the ground, which feeds low-grade heat energy to individual heat pumps inside each property, creates a mini infrastructure mimicking a gas framework; yet brings with it a far lower carbon and financial cost, in addition to no air pollution, no requirement for servicing or maintenance, no need for planning, and 20 years of Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) income, as opposed to seven under the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive.

This communal system is referred to as shared ground loop arrays. It is a system design Kensa has pioneered since 2012 and is already being widely used across the UK, from whole estates of social housing tower blocks to clusters of holiday lets and luxury newbuild developments.

www.kensaheatpumps.com

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Evo heat pump Manifold Slinkies

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Timber & Oak Frame

10 steps to a bespoke oak-framed home Here is a step-by-step self-builder’s timeline for building an oak-framed house so you know what to expect throughout the journey.

01

View a plot

Purchase your plot

A self-build is a big decision with many considerations to be made along the way. The timeline begins with finding your ideal plot of land. You can find multiple plots available for purchase by looking in local estate agents, papers and on websites, alternatively you can seek help from online services such as ‘BuildStore PlotSearch’. With over 8000 genuine building plots available, and planning permission guaranteed, it won’t take you long to find a plot of land for your oak frame project.

When purchasing a plot it’s important that you have a clear budget in mind, not only for the land but also the completed build including professional services and materials. This should involve gaining an understanding of local planning policy, nearby precedents of new builds and any protected areas the site lies within. To aid this process, many councils offer a pre-application advice service which can provide very useful written feedback on your proposal.

02 Discuss your plot with a designer

designer, concept scheme

Your project begins with an initial desktop appraisal by an architectural designer. At this point, if a site visit is required, your designer will visit the plot and assess the opportunities it presents, including its key views and unique aspects. This is also a chance for you to discuss your ideas, aspirations and budget in person.

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03

04 Appoint an architect/

Having appraised your site, and considered your wish list, your designer will put together a design quote and contract, laying out the services on offer. Typically, this includes design development, reasonable design drafts and a formal set of submission drawings to support a planning application. In tricky contexts, a planning consultant may be recommended to help.

05 Design development and planning permission Once a design quote has been agreed and formalised, your designer will begin developing ideas for your bespoke home. Testing and the development of ideas can be done in both 2D and 3D modelling software transforming the initial concept sketches into a fully fleshed out design.

After your design is agreed, your drawing package will be prepared and submitted to your local planning authority for approval. It takes a minimum of eight weeks for permission to be granted. Depending on your plot and procurement, your designer may suggest alternative types of planning application, including an early pre-application stage, if necessary, to provide the best opportunity to gain permission. Your planning strategy will typically be agreed with you accordingly.

A separate fee is payable to the local planning authority for each application. This should be advised in your design contract.

A specification is a written document, which can be read in conjunction with your drawings and any schedules by your principal contractor or supplier’s building company.

It describes the building fabric, materials, standards and workmanship required in constructing the building project.

They are particularly useful for tendering a project, ensuring that all the builders are quoting for the same standard of fit and finish. A specification covers aspects of a project that are difficult to convey through drawings alone.

Your chosen architectural and frame design company will be able to supply you with a full National Building Specification (NBS), typically for an additional cost. That said, a full written specification is not always necessary.

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06 Detailed design; oak frame design and Building Regulations When planning is approved, the next step is to ‘work up’ your Building Regulations package. It is worth noting that Building Regulations consent focuses on matters such as the safety and structural issues associated with buildings.

Your designer will further develop your approved planning drawings into a comprehensive set of detailed drawings for submission to either the local council building control department or a private inspector.

Following submission, the inspector will review your drawings for compliance and will issue their consent, often with certain conditions. This ‘plan check’ is coupled with a series of site visits at key stages of construction to ensure the building is being constructed in accordance with the consented plans. These are coordinated by your principal contractor.

The next stage of your oak frame project is to be handed over to a frame design team, who will transform the initial concept frame prepared by your architectural designer into a fully realised, detailed and jointed frame, considering the size of each timber, and how they are connected together.

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Apply for services

It’s important to give due consideration to the services for your plot before work starts on site. For instance, the cost of connecting them may inform your heating strategy, which needs to be outlined at the Building Regulations stage (such as LPG, heat exchanges/air or ground source heat pumps, or biomass boilers for off-grid sites). As well as deliberation surrounding all-important services for your site, much consideration also needs to be given to foul and surface water drainage, as well as connections for broadband and electricity.

Timber & Oak Frame

08 Specification and tender documents

Appoint your builder

Depending on the level of involvement you want in your project can help to determine the builder you choose. For example, a full ‘turnkey service’ can take the stress out of your build as you appoint a design and build expert to project manage from start to finish.

However, you may want to project manage the build yourself, coordinating your structural frame, pre-insulated wall and roof panels with one team, while using a separate local builder that you know to do the rest. When you have chosen the route you want to go down, it is important that you get references from your shortlist of builders and choose a company that you feel you can work with and will realise your dream. There are also CDM 2015 Regulations to adhere to throughout.

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Begin your build

Typically, your principal contractor will prepare the site, undertake any demolition and complete any services and drainage work below ground. Simultaneously, your designer will prepare a detailed 3D model, followed by your oak frame and enclosing panels being manufactured. Normally your site crew will be on site for four to six weeks, leaving you with a complete shell, including the oak frame, external walls, first-floor deck and roof structure, allowing the next trades to move in swiftly to complete your dream home.

www.oakwrights.co.uk

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RCI

How often do you inspect your roof?

A leaky, broken or damaged roof can be a costly and timely expense to UK homeowners. A simple routine check of your roof could save you a lot of money in the long run. In a recent survey by roofing expert, Roof Stores, results show that the British public really aren’t very proactive when it comes down to inspecting their roofs. Shockingly, over half (57.4%) said they’d never inspected their roof.

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ot only this, but around the same number said they’d never checked either their attic for leaks (56.9%) or have never cleared out their gutters (50.5%).

Why should you inspect your roof?

Roof systems can deteriorate from normal wear, severe weather conditions (e.g. wind and snow loads) building movement (e.g. settlement, material contraction/expansion) and even improper design, so it’s vital that you inspect your roof regularly in order to identify any issues that have developed or may soon occur.

How often should you inspect your roof?

Regular inspections of your roof will lead to early detection of problems. We advise that you perform annual formal visual roof inspections

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when your roof is free of snow and materials, and informal inspections after any severe weather conditions occur.

How much does it cost to repair water damage?

If you do not conduct regular inspections on your roof, guttering system and attic space, you could find yourself having to pay out a substantial amount of money to repair any resulting water damage. According to studies, the average homeowner spends between £850 and £3200 repairing water damage, which can be easily prevented with regular inspections.

Inspecting different roof types It’s important to understand that different roof types require different inspection techniques and can be susceptible to different issues. Below we have a guide on how to inspect different roof types.

Asphalt roofing When asphalt shingles age, they become brittle and the granules can detach from the shingles.

Inspect your roof for bare spots as well as torn or warped shingles.

Metal roofing Commonly steel, copper, aluminium or galvanised iron. Most metal roofs have a life expectancy of about 50 years. Perforations, pits, rust or corrosion can help determine the age of the roof. Check the seams, corners and joints for loose, dried out or peeling caulk or another seam material.

Slate and/or clay tile roofing These normally have around 75-year or lifetime warranties, but they can leak sooner depending on the quality of workmanship. When inspecting, you should avoid walking on these materials as they are liable to break under the weight.

Wooden shakes or shingles Again, avoid walking on this material. Instead, simply inspect using binoculars or from a ladder.

Weather will deteriorate wood shakes and shingles over time. See if there are missing, rotted, warped or broken shingles or shakes. If a third or more of the roof is damaged, the whole roof needs replacing.

www.roof-stores.co.uk

Energy efficiency plays a very important role when it comes to building a house. The prefabricated manufacturer Hanse Haus offers the right solution as it builds perfectly insulated houses in timberframe method for low energy consumption!

WHY IS ENERGY EFFICIENCY A STANDARD AT HANSE HAUS? A Scottish family living on the beautiful coast of the British North Sea, owned an old building, being exposed to wind and weather; the heating costs were enormously high. They decided to build a new one with Hanse Haus - and in the end they moved into a house that can now cope with the extreme coastal weather conditions and above all, it's economical to heat.

How is this possible? To minimise thermal losses, thicker continuous thermal insulation is used in outer walls, roofs, windows, doors, basements and flooring to better retain heat and use less energy. In wood frame construction, Hanse Haus focuses particularly on narrow spacing between the wooden

beams on the inside walls, as well as the external walls. The walls are fully insulated with mineral fibre insulation, the insulation is bonded within the wall to prevent sinking or slippage, ensuring that thermal bridges do to form.

In addition to the very good insulation properties of the walls, Hanse Haus ensures the roof structure is also perfect for excellent heat insulation. It not only keeps the house warm in the winter, but also protects it from excessive outside heat in the summer.

No matter if you dream of a passive house or a plus energy house, efficiency is simply a standard at Hanse Haus!

Read more about the Scottish family, their new house and the hanse haus wall construction by scanning the code or on www.hanse-haus.co.uk/case-study

i-nterior

Totally transformed Bisca refurbished the staircase in a multi-storey Victorian property, transforming the entrance hall in the process.

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hat was once a dark, narrow space with clunky dark timber newels giving a cluttered appearance, has been completely renewed with glass balustrades, a beautiful curved handrail, whitepainted sides and underside and sleek-looking treads and risers.

The original timber newel posts at the foot of the stairs were removed as were the timber spindles. A laminated glass fin balustrade atop a white-painted side panel was fitted on one side and a curved glass panel with a new handrail which was integrated into the existing one to the other side.

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Bisca retained and refurbished the original handrail adding and integrating a new part where the newel posts were taken out. The result is an apparently seamless, beautifully curving handrail from ground to top floor.

Oak treads and risers on the lower flight give way to oak treads with painted risers as the stairs climb to the second floor. The glass balustrades are slotted into the treads, which gives a clean, unfussy look to the staircase, showing the side view zig-zag effect of the treads and risers.

www.bisca.co.uk

i-nterior

Before image

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i-DIY

In this article, decorating brand Harris explains how to upcycle a wooden chair the easy way so you can join the upcycle revolution.

STEP 1 Wooden chairs generally live their lives in the kitchen and are subject to spillages; be sure to give the chair a good clean using a rag with some warm soapy water then leave it to dry.

STEP 2

How to upcycle a wooden chair Upcycling is all about taking your worn and loved items and giving them a new lease of life. We all have some old furniture around the house which could do with a fresh lick of paint.

While waiting for the chair to completely dry, put down the dust sheet. Use a coarse sanding block to sand back the chair and key the surface. This will help the paint to stay on the chair. Wipe the dust off with a damp rag and leave it to dry.

STEP 3 Apply a stain blocker using a 2" flat brush, this will prepare the surface for painting and stop any stains coming through the paint when it dries. Leave the stain blocker to dry.

STEP 4 Choose a brush based on the chair, and feel free to use different brushes for different areas.

For example; a round brush may be better for more detailed areas and a flat brush for the seat. Apply one to two coats of your chosen colour. Allow the chair to dry completely between coats while you choose your style.

STYLE 1 – Smooth If you want a smooth finish, apply a third coat of paint that you can sand back. This will make the chair super soft to the touch.

STYLE 2 – Distressed For a distressed look, use a fine sanding block.

Distress the chair outside if possible because this can create an awful lot of dust which is best kept outside of your self-build.

The trick here is to distress in areas where everyday wear-and-tear would occur, such as corners and edges. Ensure all dust is removed from the chair before the final step.

STEP 5 Apply varnish using a 1" flat brush to protect the paintwork. Leave to dry.

Finally, stand back and admire your new-look chair.

www.harrisbrushes.com

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Show Previews i-scape

Discharge legislation is changing – is your system compliant?

The Environment Agency (EA) introduced new rules regarding the discharge of treated sewage by systems installed and in use on or after 1st January 2015.

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f you have a septic tank you need to identify, whether it discharges to a river or stream (surface water discharge) or it discharges to a drainage field, as of 1st January 2020 discharges to surface water from both old and new septic tanks will no longer be permitted by the EA. If you have a septic tank that discharges directly to surface water, you will need to replace or upgrade your treatment system by 1st January 2020.

Where properties (domestic or commercial) with septic tanks that discharge directly to surface water are sold before 1st January 2020, responsibility for the replacement or upgrade of the existing treatment system should be addressed between the buyer and seller as a condition of sale.

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It is not uncommon for a septic tank or soakaway to be located on neighbouring land. If this is the case, it is important to act quickly as the responsibility to upgrade lies with the owner of the septic tank, whether the soakaway is on their land or not. The upgrading process could raise issues between neighbours which could result in the process being slowed and the deadline potentially being missed.

If your system requires replacing or upgrading due to its discharge location, you have three possible options: Connect to mains sewer Install a drainage field so the septic tank can discharge to the ground instead Replace your septic tank with a small sewage treatment plant.

Only small sewage treatment plants can be permitted to discharge to a surface water such as a river or stream. A small sewage treatment plant (also known as a package treatment plant) treats the liquid so it’s clean enough to go into a river or stream.

It is possible to apply for a permit for discharge to surface water from a septic tank, however, these are only granted in exceptional circumstances. It is advisable to contact the EA before applying.

Discharging to ground Discharge from septic tanks and sewage treatment systems can be made to ground via drainage fields.

Discharge to a soakaway borehole can only be made from a sewage treatment systems and must be permitted by the EA. Permits must be applied for in the following circumstances: if you discharge: To a well, borehole or other deep structure More than 2m3 (2000 litres) per day.

If any part of the building your system serves is within 30m of a public sewer, the EA will not allow you to start a new discharge. If there is a good reason why you cannot connect to the sewer (e.g. a river or a hill in the way), then you must apply for a permit from the EA.

www.newground.co.uk

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Show Preview

Futurebuild set to tackle issues facing the built environment Futurebuild is returning to the ExCeL, London, in March 2019, and will place a focus on exploring and tackling the biggest challenges impacting the built environment. The event will be a unique destination for visitors to gain unrivalled insight and hands-on experience around the latest innovations, products and materials.

T

he three-day programme has been developed with leading partners from across the industry, and will offer visitors a wide range of opportunities to broaden their knowledge, including free CPD-accredited sessions.

Time for Action – the challenges and commitments Central to Futurebuild will be the ecobuild conference, where self-builders will be inspired to take action on the most pressing challenges through insights and knowledge sharing from leading experts. With a theme of ‘Time for Action’, the conference sessions will be collaborative forums where visitors will help develop plans for change and propose actions for a more sustainable future.

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Futurebuild will tackle a total of 13 challenges throughout the event, including: how to overcome the housing crisis; how to apply innovative technology and techniques to deliver homes; how construction can break down barriers to reuse and remanufacture and tap into a circular economy; how to put health and wellbeing at the centre of design; as well as how to strengthen environmental protections.

New and exclusive features Outside the conference arena, Futurebuild will be bolstered by a range of new and exclusive partnerships and features.

As an official UK Government Innovation Partner, Futurebuild will be hosting the Innovation Zone with the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and Innovate UK.

At the zone, BEIS will be showcasing the work of the Energy Innovation Programme and demonstrating how it is delivering the Clean Growth Strategy. Focusing on true innovation, it will provide a platform for investment and knowledge exchange across three areas: a dedicated three-day seminar series; an exhibition featuring innovative companies BEIS and Innovative UK has provided funding to; and a ‘Business Bar’ in collaboration with the Knowledge Transfer Network – providing one-to-one advice and support on accessing funding.

Among these is the Knowledge Forum – a dedicated area where industry-leading partners, academia and professional bodies will offer a comprehensive look at the biggest issues facing the built environment. Hosting CPD workshops, the Knowledge Forum will provide useful solutions and guidance for self-builders.

The Waste Zone will return with new and expanded features, including the new Circular Economy Hub. Curated by Architect, academic and Author Duncan Baker-Brown, the dedicated marketplace will feature hand-picked brands exhibiting in unique beach hut-styled stands and showcase how waste can be a valuable industry resource. The exhibition space will be complemented by the ‘Waste Talk’ seminar programme, which has been expanded by 50% from last year’s programme to meet demand.

In an exclusive sector-first, Futurebuild is also partnering with GIGA – a leading organisation driving greater accessibility of international building product certifications via cloud software. This will come to life through a new Futurebuild product directory and a dedicated new area of the event – the mindful MATERIALS Certification Pavilion.

An immersive experience Market-leading brands and influential trade organisations from across the globe will be showcasing their latest innovations and contributing to the extensive knowledge programme at Futurebuild 2019. This will include forward-thinking brands such as Cemex, Velfac, Fisher and Paykel, Internorm, Bauder and Smart Systems.

To ensure visitors gain a truly immersive and in-depth experience, these brands and institutions will be hosted across six curated hubs: Buildings, Interiors, Materials, Urban Infrastructure, Offsite and Energy. Each hub will provide a platform for self-builders to gain deeper insight and develop relationships around the most important developments and opportunities.

www.futurebuild.co.uk

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Product Guide

The perfect addition to the home There is a myriad of choices when it comes to garage doors, but one style seeing a rise in popularity due to its numerous benefits is the sectional garage door. Hörmann, a leading manufacturer of garage doors, prides itself of its vast range of sectional doors that suit any property.

S

ectional doors open vertically and are made up of separate sections rather than a single panel, they can be fitted in any garage opening and offer more passage width than up-and-over doors, making them appropriate for wider vehicles, such as four-by-fours.

One of the reasons sectional doors are becoming more common is because they offer the most thermal efficiency. With thermal efficiency a hot topic, most homeowners will have given thought to their window glazing or cavity wall insulation. However, it is also important to consider the impact a poorly insulated garage door can have on the home.

Often, rooms situated directly above or to the side of the garage can have issues with temperature, being chilly in the winter and stuffy in the summer. This can lead to higher

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energy bills and can also make the garage unusable, which isn’t ideal if you want it to be a workspace or, as is becoming popular, a gym.

To help regulate the temperatures and keep the garage useable, Hörmann has created the ThermoFrame. This innovative solution is fitted to a sectional garage door and will improve the insulation values by as much as 15% due to the thermal break between frame and brickwork.

This frame style also provides excellent protection against wind forces of up to 120k/h and from heavy rain.

There are a number of different types of sectional doors to choose from. There is the option to choose from single-skinned steel LTE doors, which is ideal for freestanding garages that do not need any thermal insulation, or double-skinned insulated LPU 42 doors.

To further help thermal insulation, you can also opt for the LPU 67 Thermo door, which offers up to 10% improved insulation, compared to a sectional garage door, due to the 67mm insulated panels. Another option is to choose the premium version which includes the fittings, frames and connection rails being powder coated in Grey White RAL 9002, as well as the tandem rollers for very quiet and gentle door travel.

Alternatively, if your existing windows and doors are timber, then there is the option to have LTH Hörmann doors with solid timber infill.

In terms of style; wide, thin or square panels are available, and it is even possible to add triple glazing. Plus, new for 2019, you can add stainless steel house numbers or house names to the exterior of your garage door for added personalisation.

The finish of a garage door is what will really give your property maximum kerb appeal.

For steel sectional doors, you can choose from 15 preferred colours, 200 RAL colours and six Decograin decors. As from March this year, Hörmann has added 24 digitally printed Duragrain decors to its existing collection.

All door surfaces are protected to minimise rust allowing you to enjoy your new door for a long time, plus rain will run off them without leaving any streaky marks – making them capable of withstanding the inclement British weather. Also, a non-brittle, 4cm plastic frame shoe covers the frame where it is prone to rusting and offers long-term protection against corrosion, even with waterlogging, which is a unique offering from Hörmann.

Hörmann sectional doors are tested and certified in accordance with the high safety requirements of European standards. The inclusion of double tension springs, double cabling on each side, finger trap protection and trap guards on the side frames provides you and your family with safety during daily use.

Another benefit of Hörmann doors is security. When the garage door is closed, the anti-lift kit automatically engages in the operator’s boom stop, then locks immediately and is secured against forced opening. This patented door latching functions purely mechanically and, in contrast to competitors, continues to secure the door even when the power fails.

www.hormann.co.uk 01530 516888

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LEVATO MONO

PORCELAIN PAVING TILES

External 20mm raised paving system & coordinating internal 10mm tiling

Cement, Stone & Timber Effect Tiles.

Residential & Commercial Applications.

Easily Installed Over Existing Flooring.

Impact Resistant & High Load Bearing.

100% Non Porous.

Excellent Slip Resistance.

Ideal for Balconies, Roof Terraces, Gardens, Decking, Piazzas & Interiors.

W: surface360.co.uk T: +44 (0)118 391 4120 E: info@surface360.co.uk

Product Guide

Nestor Martin stove adds wow factor and warmth to any home When you want a centrepiece for the living room, dining area or open-plan space, a freestanding stove instantly becomes the hub of the home.

Combining classic good looks with an eyecatching ivory finish, the S23 from Nestor Martin is a traditional multi-fuel model that features patented Woodbox combustion technology and an optional remote control for easy use.

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Timber windows and doors crafted to suit your property Established in 1994, The Sash Window Workshop has been manufacturing, installing and repairing bespoke timber windows for 25 years. All new joinery is made in its workshops in Berkshire by specialist craftsmen and come with extensive guarantees.

Part of the hugely successful S-Series, the 7kW S23 multi-fuel convection stove features a large double-glazed glass window with an uninterrupted view of the panoramic flames inside as well as thermostatic temperature control for the ultimate in comfort. Keep cosy when you need to, and cool things down a little when the temperature rises. DEFRA-approved, the S23 can be used in smoke control areas such as urban and city living, with your choice of a top or rear flue connection and an under-grate air control if you wish to burn coal rather than wood.

What’s more, with the Nestor Martin S23 you can benefit from overnight burning. Simply load it up before you head off to bed then shut it right down.

No need to build a new fire in the morning, and you also have the advantage of Plexus air control, a riddling grate and long-life cast iron internal protection plates too.

Nestor Martin is one of the oldest stove manufacturers still trading today.

Established in 1854, its stoves are designed to efficiently burn natural gas and can be adapted to burn propane. They are also tested to meet the highest standards of performance, safety and emissions for both gas types.

The Sash Window Workshop specialist team of craftsmen and installers are experts in their field, and the company will work with you to ensure it provides a tailor-made solution to meet your specific requirements.

The company works hard to replicate as closely as possible the proportions and designs of traditional sash windows, whilst incorporating the latest manufacturing techniques. This allows you to retain the classic look of your windows while benefiting from modern improvements, such as double glazing.

The quality of timber and joinery construction methods is of paramount importance to the lifespan of the product. The Sash Window Workshop uses Accoya or durable hardwood for external-facing timber. These high-quality timbers are reasonably forgiving of any subsequent lack of maintenance or neglect, combining minimum maintenance with maximum lifespan.

The Sash Window Workshop offers a wide range of services, including: new timber windows and doors, with a supply-and-fit, or supply-only service; new sashes into existing window frames; draught-proofing and overhaul; secondary glazing and re-glazing existing timber windows.

The company is FSC-certified, FENSA registered, a member of The Guild of Master Craftsmen and the ‘Which’ Trusted Trader scheme.

To obtain a free, no obligation quotation, contact the company via the details below.

www.eurostove.co.uk 01934 750500 info@eurostove.co.uk

www.sashwindow.com 01344 868668 info@sashwindow.com

The finishing touch As the ethos of ‘don’t move, improve’ continues to sweep across the UK, simple updates to the home to improve its aesthetic appeal are becoming commonplace. One way to update your home is to replace your garage door and choose a door finish that maximises your property’s kerb appeal.

Hörmann, a leading manufacturer of garage doors, has developed 24 new Duragrain finishes which will instantly transform any garage and give it a new lease of life. Duragrain is an innovative printed finish, which is compatible with the hugely popular sectional door offering from Hörmann.

www.hormann.co.uk 01530 516888

The latest edition of the essential architect’s guide to ceramic tiles The 2019 edition of the Specifier’s Guide to Ceramic Tile & Calibrated Natural Stone, which explores all the latest ceramic tile design trends and advanced installation techniques, is now available in print and online at www. specifiersguide.co.uk. Now in its fifth edition, the Specifier’s Guide has established itself as an annual industry bible and provides an essential specification tool for architects and designers.

Content includes informed analysis of global tile trends, along with reports on the latest technology and sustainability; as well as some truly inspirational case studies. Ancillary products – from backer boards and anhydrite screeds to entrance matting and water-based sealers – are also examined within the guide.

www.specifiersguide.co.uk 01892 752400

Earthborn introduces its brand-new colour card

Bi-fold doors or folding doors are high on the ‘must-have’ list for anyone improving their home or adding a new extension due to their ability to instantly change your living style by providing an unobstructed opening onto your patio or directly into your garden.

FD2U timber bi-fold doors are manufactured from engineered timber to ensure structural stability and to help prevent twisting or warping. The range is available in standard eucalyptus hardwood with European oak also available to special order. All folding sliding doors are factory finished with either RAL colour paint finish or translucent stain finishes.

Product Guide

Bring the outside in with Folding Doors 2 U

www.foldingdoors2u.co.uk 01621 834123 sales@foldingdoors2u.co.uk

Steel windows and doorsets complete four-storey tannery conversion Steel Window Association (SWA) member, West Leigh, has won the gratitude and admiration of a client local to its south London premises, for the quality of the firm’s W20 window and door package which completed the renovation and reconfiguration of an old Victorian tannery building. Sanjay and his architect could see the potential for opening up and extending the building while restoring its character. Having carried out a phase one renovation in 2008, Sanjay and his main contractor, Kraft Electrical, have now completed the transformation; with the SWA’s West Leigh having produced a bespoke package of W20 windows and doorsets to replace the old timber sash windows.

www.steel-window-association.co.uk 0208 543 2841 info@steel-window-association.co.uk

Schueco UK now has a display stand in National Self-Build Centre

Earthborn has launched its new classic colour card. Overstated colour is trending and with Earthborn’s seven new hues, each imbued with fresh, fluid energy, you can carry your space to a new, contemporary realm. The new colours are Bobble Hat, a majestic blue, Hippo Hooray, a well-balanced grey, Hobgoblin, a green with a subtle hint of blue, Delilah, a coral hue, Flutterby, a not quite white, Lady Bug, a richly-toned burgundy, and Tick-Tock, a timeless shade offering warmth, freshness, light and shade. The seven new colours are added to the classic range of 72 colours, available in Claypaint, Lifestyle, Eco Chic and classic Eggshell finishes.

Schueco UK, a leading specialist in aluminium systems for the residential market, now has a permanent static display at the National Self-Build and Renovation Centre (NSBRC) in Swindon, Wiltshire. Schueco UK’s stand (no: TV 82) features its very latest slimline sliding door system, a contemporary panoramic design facade with narrow sightlines and glass-to-glass corner, a concealed vent window system, entrance doors with designer panels and door control system. In addition, there is a TV monitor showing a gallery of project installations. Visitors will be able to use a scanning facility to request further information and brochures.

www.earthbornpaints.co.uk sales@earthbornpaints.co.uk 01928 734171

www.schueco.com mkinfobox@schueco.com 01908 282111

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ULTRA SLIM SLIDING PATIO DOORS, BIFOLDING DOORS AND CONTEMPORARY ROOF LANTERNS Allow natural light to flood into your home with our range of contemporary roof lanterns, aluminium sliding patio doors and bifold doors complete with solar control double glazing.

High specification products designed to add the WOW factor to any home at affordable prices.

sales@foldingdoors2u.co.uk

01621 834123

www.foldingdoors2u.co.uk