June Issue 11
i-build www.i-buildmagazine.com
i-build i-nterior i-scape
INTERIOR DESIGN INSPIRATION
How to fill your home with on-trend colours and patterns
INNOVATIVE GLAZING
Windows that will utilise views and flood your home with natural light
COVER STORY:
Contemporary country house
RADICAL RURAL EXTENSION
Self-build couple values location and traditional oak frame
Stunning modern home exploits surrounding vistas
EXPERT INSIGHTS:
l FINANCIAL l LEGAL l PRACTICAL l PRODUCT INNOVATION
Download the i-build app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Search 'i-build'.
Cover story: A breathtaking contemporary home takes advantage of its location by using extensive glazing. See page 20.
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i-build i-nterior i-scape Editor:
Emily Smith
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Welcome to the June issue of i-build
T
imber cladding and expansive glazing are both popular choices for contemporary self-build designs and come with numerous advantages, ranging from sustainability to natural aesthetics. This month’s Sustainable Living presents a property that is the perfect example of how to successfully combine these trends. Full height glazing covers entire walls to take advantage of the surrounding views and large tilted triangular skylights shower the interior with sunlight. The first floor exterior is clad in western red cedar which will weather naturally over time to match the colour of the surrounding woodland. Read more about this project on page 20. Although timber cladding has aesthetic advantages, homeowners must be aware that it will change in appearance over time. Many examples of cladding remain the same for many years, others will fade and change colour. It’s important, therefore, to thoroughly understand how the wood you choose will weather. For a thorough understanding of which species to use, don’t miss expert advice from cladding expert Vastern Timber on page 42. As always, this issue is packed full of case studies and expert guidance that will appeal to any self-builder, regardless of style preference. For those who favour traditional building design, this month’s Rural Retreat is a large oak frame extension. Homeowner Lesley explains why they chose this construction concept: “My husband was brought up in a traditional Welsh farmhouse, which was long and low with exposed beams in the ceilings. We fancied the idea of creating a traditional looking house which appeared like it had been around for a long time, but that had all the modern conveniences, such as high insulation, large spaces and lots of light.” Read about how they achieved this on page 28. We hope you enjoy this issue. If you are coming to the end of your self-build journey then get in touch and let us know all about it – you might even find your home in a future issue of i-build! Don’t forget that you can access this resource on the move via i-build’s dedicated app – simply search ‘i-build’ in App Store and Googleplay to download for free.
Emily Smith Editor emily@mixedmediainfo.com @ibuildmagazine
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Editor’s picks Pear Platt, Woodfalls Farm, Gravelly Way Laddingford, Kent, ME18 6DA T: 01622 873229 F: 01622 320020
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Bi-fold doors by Origin: See page 54
Staircases by British Spirals & Castings: See page 56
Decking by Dura Composites: See page 56
3
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The latest innovative on-trend designs to complement any interior.
Will Tell 12 Time Each issue i-build follows Will Anderson on
i-build
his self-build journey as it unfolds.
www.i-buildmagazine.com
i-build i-nterior i-scape
Desired Designs
Contents
7
42
14
Green Living
16
Viewpoint
18
Practical advice on the risks and rewards of owning a thatched property. Self-build finance expert, Rachel Pyne offers advice for acquiring project funding.
Contracts & Legalities Why local authorities could do more to support self-build projects.
20
Sustainable Living
28
Rural Retreat
36
Drainage
38
Bathroom
A stunning contemporary home takes advantage of both its location and energy efficient resources. A country property undergoes a dramatic transformation thanks to a huge oak frame extension. Everything you need to know about choosing the right rainwater system for your home-building project. How to create a luxury spa experience within your own bathroom.
Decor 40 Interior A closer look into how small focal items have the power to transform a room.
42 i-build Timber cladding within building design is more
46
popular than ever.
46 i-nterior Be inspired by the simplicity of a white palette 28 20
52
in this interior design showcase.
i-scape Create your own Garden of Eden by using leftover building materials and household waste.
: crets e S e r Trad out for ou ted
Look crets’ dot e. Se issu ‘Trade hout this sider g n u i o e thr are th n be These s which ca ding t d insigh able to bu ! s u r l a e v d in uil self-b
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Desired Designs
Copper-bottomed trends
Copper tones continue to be extremely fashionable within any room. 1
3 2
4
6
5
7
T
he last few years have seen the copper trend remain at the forefront of stylish interior hues, and it’s not looking to go out of favour anytime soon. This metallic finish looks great, whether beaten, aged or super-shiny. Copper creates a warm, rugged look that embraces a raw and natural feel and works well alongside other materials, especially leather and reclaimed wood. You can introduce this trend into your home as much as you dare, either in small details such as picture frames and candle holders, or within a dramatic statement piece like a cladded wall or dining room chairs. Another great way to introduce copper accents into your interior scheme is via lighting. Tom Dixon’s range of copper pendant lights are key pieces in this trend, while Blu Dot’s ‘Real Good Chair’ copper dining chairs offer a dramatic way to put an extra shine on mealtimes – both available from Heal’s. In the kitchen, gorgeous Mauviel copper pans are the ultimate evocation of a trend that’s as practical and hardwearing as it is beautiful.
1. Scribble Copper Wire Pendant Shade, £70, Alexander & Pearl
2. Archeo Copper Bathtub, Kallista
3. ZHIVAGO Wallpaper in copper, £82, Nat Maks
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4. Copper Mirrored Round
Coffee Table, £180, 4Living
5. Weber Copper Blush
Cabinet, Out There Interiors
6. Metal Bow Copper Lamp,
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£275, 4Living
7. Copper Hummingbird Mirror, £185, Puji
8. Vogue Copper & Grey Lounge Chair, £1395, Alexander & Pearl
9. Château 150,
£38,000, La Cornue
10. Copper Clad Tay, £3210, Drummonds
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Desired Designs
Full bloom If last month’s Chelsea Flower Show ignited a passion for floral patterns, fill your home with bold botanical prints. 1
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Floral comfort
Vibrant versatility
Botanical prints aren't just for the walls, as this bed by sofa.com demonstrates. The Sophie Bed is the result of a design collaboration with emerging East London design house, Occipinti, who has created a collection of fabrics for the furniture company. (www.sofa.com)
Be bold by using a strong pattern that suits your interior colour scheme. The decorative details in this vibrant botanical print by John Lewis turns tradition on its head. (www.johnlewis.com)
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Eastern promise
Home comforts
Surface View has spotted a growing trend for eastern art and design in interiors. With exclusive access to designs from the V&A archives, the Ashmolean Museum and the Warner Textile Archive, it has created a timeless and beautiful collection of eastern-inspired artworks including this Pink Floral Wallpaper Mural. (www.surfaceview.co.uk)
The bedspread is the perfect opportunity to bring floral pattern into your home. This bold pattern by Marks and Spencer pairs bright floral tones with a dark, luxurious background. (www.marksandspencer.com)
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Bold and beautiful
Fashionable floors
Floral designs need not be small and quaint as these tropical motifs in luxuriant colours from Harlequin prove. Amazilia is a collection of fabrics and wallcoverings based on extravagant motifs in magnificent colourways. (www.harlequin.uk.com)
Introducing a bold floral rug is a great way to bring this trend into your home. We love this Kodari Garland Rug in pink by Kelaty. This rug is hand knitted from handspun wool and is available in a number of stock sizes, as well as custom sizes. (www.kelaty.com)
Desired Designs
Velux's New Generation Cabrio Balcony system
Window of opportunity Shower your home with natural light by using expansive glazing on doors and windows. 1
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Bi-fold beauty
Simple yet effective
This house extension benefits from a five by five corner by-fold configuration, with the far set operating around a 90° angle clear opening. This set-up provides a completely frameless corner, with unrestricted views of the garden. (www.origin-global.com)
Panoramic paradise Large panoramic windows and doors offer uninterrupted views of this home's surrounding woodland and hills beyond. It welcomes maximum light thanks to skylights and large expanses of glass. (www.reynaersathome.co.uk)
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Views and vistas
Twist on tradition
This home in Oslo, Norway, used extensive glazing within an eye-catching design using Kebony wood. Situated on a hill, the large windows allow the homeowners to take in spectacular views. (www.kebony.com)
Made-to-measure Conservation bi-folding doors are designed with Brio operating gear and an openout configuration is fitted to a top hung track system. Flush hinges are attractive and unobtrusive helping to preserve the style of these attractive doors. (www.mumfordwood.com)
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Glass ceiling Despite the negative connotations, a glass ceiling is not a barrier when it comes to self-building, rather it is a great way of filling an interior with natural light. (www.cantifix.com) © Luke Hayes
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Instead of using many small windows, this barn conversion by Snook Architects has integrated several large windows that create a dramatic architectural statement as well as the practical benefits. (www.snookarchitects.com)
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Sub-brow TimeEyebrow Will Tell
Left: The conservatory will sit above the porch Below left: Will's self-build is really starting to take shape
Back to square one Each month we follow Will Anderson as his self-build journey unfolds. This issue the last few rooms are added to his new home.
S
elf-build is supposed to follow an orderly progression starting with groundworks and moving onwards and upwards: structure, roof, windows and doors, first and second fix, final finishes and Bob’s your uncle. That’s what the tidy timetables in the popular books on the subject say, at any rate. But, of course, few self-builds are rarely that straightforward. The Orchard is a case in point. It’s not that things
aren’t going to plan, though undoubtedly everything is taking longer than anticipated, but rather that the plan involves a dual timetable. For just as I was beginning the first fix of the weather-tight building, the scaffold came down and we started work on the porch and first floor conservatory right at the front of the building. These two rooms are both unheated spaces outside the insulated envelope, so they did not form part of our super-insulated
and airtight timber frame. Instead, they are being built in the manner of the Victorian houses around us: solid brick walls, lots of draughts and a complete disregard for energy efficiency. All of which is rather refreshing after our extreme efforts to prevent heat loss in the main part of the house. The porch is a traditional ‘buffer zone’ between the front door and the airtight inner door. It will be a cloakroom, a larder, a fruit store, and perhaps in time a brewery. It will have no windows other than the fanlight above the front door as it is intended to be a cool space, assisted by the solid brick walls. Solid brickwork – a wall with full brick length thickness – creates opportunities for decorative brickwork that are rare today, given that bricks are now mainly used for facing walls and so are only laid end to end. For the porch wall, the bricks were laid in Flemish garden bond: three stretchers and one header, then repeat. We picked out the headers in darker bricks to bring out the pattern. Above the porch is the much warmer conservatory, with windows facing east and south. The timber frame company that supplied and erected our engineered timber frame, Touchwood Homes, also put up the traditional green oak frame for the conservatory. However the two frames could not be more different: the former is airtight, invisible and stable; the latter is full of gaps, open to the elements, and likely to move and shrink as it dries and weathers. As with any green oak structure, it will in time become twisted, cracked and characterful. The windows will be fitted with traditional leaded lights, to complete the Arts and Crafts look. Even the floor between the two rooms was a reminder of how easy things used to be. No need for joist hangers, sound-proof insulation, plasterboard or swanky floor finishes. It was just a matter of banging in some two-by-eight joists – with the help of some resin anchors – and screwing down simple floorboards on top. All done in an afternoon and a perfectly good job. I am not arguing that everything in construction has got too complex and we should go back to the old ways. I am very happy to have spent the time and money necessary to build an ultra-low energy house. I’m just pleased that every morning I will be able to open the open the conservatory door, step out into a traditional building, and feel the draught around my ankles.
www.buildingtheorchard.com
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Green Living
A thatch made in heaven For many, renovating a thatched property is the epitome of rural living, but misconceptions often deter buyers. NFU Mutual, the UK’s leading rural insurer, offers practical advice on the risks and rewards of owning a thatched property.
C
laims for fires in thatched properties during 2014 are expected to cost NFU Mutual in the region of £4.6 million once all settled. However, the number of fires in thatched properties accounted for less than 1% of all fire claims in domestic properties handled by the insurer during the year. Nicki Whittaker, a High Value Home Specialist at NFU Mutual, says: “Maintenance and fire are the two most common concerns voiced by
14
prospective buyers, but statistically a thatched roof is no more likely to catch fire than a conventional roof. It is simply a matter of taking precautions and making sure you understand and take steps to minimise the potential risks involved.” A new thatched roof should last between 15-35 years, depending on the type and quality of materials used, whilst maintenance on a typical three to four bedroomed home will usually include replacing the roof ridge every 10-15 years.
While thatched roof homes are no more likely to catch fire than homes with a conventional roof, it is important to remember that if they do ignite the fire is very difficult to control and the results can be devastating, with some buildings being partially or totally destroyed. Nicki continues: “As 90% of thatch fires relate to chimneys and the use of wood-burning stoves, making sure your chimney is swept and inspected on a regular basis and that it is appropriately lined can all help to reduce the fire risk.” Check out the National Society of Master Thatcher’s to find your nearest registered member or speak to Thatching Advisory Services if you are unsure about the condition of a thatched roof.
www.nfumutual.co.uk
How to maintain the perfect thatched roof: 1. Take time to stand and look at the condition of the thatch. 2. If fixings are exposed it could indicate it is nearing, or is at the end of its life. 3. If gullies are appearing – vertical deep patches of rot – these will require the attention of an experienced thatcher. 4. Wet patches on the eaves could indicate the thatch is leaking. 5. If the roof is covered in heavy moss, it could mean that the thatch is unable to breath and is therefore unable to dry out properly. 6. Although a high quality ridge will only need replacing every 12-15 years, a poor quality ridge may only last 5-7 years. Sometimes, however, the ridge may look shabby, whilst still serving its purpose of keeping water out.
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Viewpoint
Top tips for self-build finance Tips from the experts are always useful when embarking upon a self-build, especially when it comes to the subject of finance. Utilising BuildStore’s wealth of expertise, Group Sales Director Rachel Pyne offers some advice on this topic.
B
efore you head out to visit your local high street lender or building society, it’s worth noting that the traditional routes of obtaining a mortgage simply may not apply to your home-building project. Building a house from scratch is a huge undertaking and it requires a more specialist approach. Where traditionally a house buying mortgage is released in a single lump sum, a mortgage for a self-build is released in stages, as the build progresses. In most cases, interest is only paid on the amount you have drawn down during construction. All lenders have different self-build criteria, so it’s important to speak to an expert who can look at your project individually and find the right finance, both for your project and your personal circumstances.
Chicken or egg? – land or finance? Finding land can be one of the most challenging aspects of self-build and it’s easy to get carried away with your pursuit of that dream plot. But before you invest time and commit to a plot there are certain questions you need to ask yourself: Can you afford to purchase your plot outright? Will you need money to purchase the plot? Do you need to sell your current home first to release equity? What percentage of deposit is available to you? This is important to establish as some lenders don’t lend on land, whereas others will
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– but with varying amounts – from say 50% to 85% of the plot value. Like the ‘chicken and egg’ scenario, at BuildStore we are often asked whether it’s best to find land before applying for a mortgage, or vice versa. It can be extremely beneficial to carry out preliminary research into your ideal location on plot-finding websites such as www.plotsearch.co.uk which will also give you a good idea of plot prices, availability and borrowing requirements. However, unless you have the funds to initially purchase land, until you have a mortgage approved you will not be in a position to secure that dream plot.
Budgeting and planning To obtain funding, lenders will want to know how much you estimate the project will cost. When it comes to your build costs, land will roughly cost 40% of the overall cost of a project, but this does of course vary geographically. Materials and labour usually account for a further 45% and the final 15% will be made up of insurances, professional fees and utility costs – items often overlooked causing a shortfall in funds. Using tools such
as BuildStore’s online build cost calculator will greatly assist in the budgeting of your build. Make sure you factor in elements such as your ongoing living costs as these can also affect what funds you have available to put into your project, and indeed the timing of when you can input your own funds if you are relying on the sale of your existing property during the build. A lender will want to see detailed plans for the property, projection costs and planning permission details. It’s worth bearing in mind that this application process can take on average five months. You will have to be clear on all aspects of the project including the trades and materials being used. Key project factors – such as build time, construction method, materials, location and schedule of works – will impact on which type of lend is suitable.
Find the right mortgage scheme for you Your self-build mortgage will be as personal as your build project, so by utilising expert advice you will be able to determine which is the right mortgage scheme for you.
Thoroughly research which type of self-build mortgage will best suit your project
Viewpoint
Arrears stage-payment mortgage: The traditional type of self-build mortgage is on an ‘arrears’ basis. The first payout during the build usually comes after the foundations have been completed – some products will only release after becoming wind and watertight – and a valuer has visited the site and signed off works. This means that you will have to find the money to get up to this point in the build - for land purchase, materials and labour. This type of mortgage is best suited to those who have sufficient savings to fund the early stages of the build as well as sufficient savings for the deposit on the land. Advance stage-payment mortgage: Not every self-build has funds to secure land or get to first build stage. With BuildStore’s unique Accelerator Mortgage Scheme, funds are released for each stage of the build at the beginning rather than the end of the stage giving you the cash you need to buy materials and pay your builder. It also lends a generous percentage of the costs – up to 90% of the cost of the land and up to 90% of the cost of the build.
Review your rate It makes financial sense to review your mortgage and financial commitments once your build is complete. The average end loan-to-value on self-builds is 58% with the average cost-to-value being 72%. Operating on a ‘whole of market’ basis, with access to all of the top lenders, as well as mortgages available on an exclusive basis, BuildStore can provide you with a level of expertise and knowledge not available by going direct to a lender.
www.buildstore.co.uk
Additional tips:
• Financial consultations from BuildStore and ‘Ask the Expert’ clinics are available at most major UK self-build shows.
• Take advantage of special offers –
the UK’s largest plot-finding website PlotSearch is currently offering a free six month trial www.plotsearch.co.uk.
• Make the most of social media – use
Twitter to get financial advice using #selfbuild to find a community where you can share and receive tips and advice.
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Contracts & Legalities
Self-build support Brian Kilroy, Business Development Manager at BLP Insurance, welcomes the Government’s funding incentives for self-builders’ construction costs in London, but says that local authorities need to lend a helping hand.
London self-builds will benefit from new government plans – read about this Hackney renovation project at i-buildmagazine.com
W
e applaud any initiative that makes it easier for aspiring self-builders to fulfill their ambitions. The recession put many people off making such a large investment of time and money in their home and with many lenders shying away from the self-build market access to funding was hard to come by. However, on its own, a £5 million pledge by the Mayor of London is not enough and more needs to be done by the wider lending community to help fund and drive this critical sector bus also by local authorities, who hold the planning strings, to make sure selfbuilders get the support they need to contribute to the house-building market. This additional funding should give aspiring self-builders a foot on the ladder and help those who would otherwise struggle to save for a
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deposit as well as affording construction costs. It is a step in the right direction and if it takes off, we would like to see more funding pledged across the country to allow others access.
Lending a helping hand Local authorities now have a duty to step up their game and if they play it right, they can use it as an effective strategy to help hit their housing targets. We’ve seen some movement in the Private Rented Sector, but local authorities also need to recognise private developers and the burgeoning self-build and custom build markets. Self-build has gained more government support in the last year and local authorities have started to get behind the market by relaxing planning rules and regulations to some degree. This is a good start, but we desperately need measures that are more tangible to help
us to see more projects coming to fruition. Building your own home is a big project to undertake but the rewards can greatly outweigh the hoops that homeowners need to jump through to make it happen. Self-building provides the opportunity to build the perfect home to suit your lifestyle and put your own stamp on something and help is at hand to guide you through the process. A recent survey carried out amongst 118 UK homeowners conducted by BLP Insurance found that 55% of homeowners would be keen to undertake a self-build project, a 5% increase since 2013. 55% of those homeowners who would consider building their own home blamed lack of available funding as the biggest thing stopping them from getting started.
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Sustainable Living 20
Country house When a London couple were searching for a house in the country, they found the ideal plot, the only problem was the dated brick cottage that stood within it.
knock it down and build their dream home in its place. The inspiration for the new home was the surrounding vista. The couple wanted a contemporary house that would sit neatly within the landscape. It needed to exploit the surrounding views and create a sense of bringing the outside indoors. Internally, a free flowing layout would meet their particular style preferences, as would the use of timber, stone and glass in both construction and finish. Understanding their vision, the couple used the RIBA website to find their perfect architect. After interviewing six architectural practices whose work appealed to them, they then invited three of those practices to propose a building based on their ambitions.
The house is situated within the Sussex countryside on a plot that was previously home to an unimpressive brick cottage
Sustainable Living
A
London couple wanted to buy a second home as a retreat from the buzz of city life. They were looking for somewhere with amazing views and a connection with the landscape of the South Downs. They came across a small unremarkable nineteen fifties brick cottage, positioned within a stunning 12 hectare site. The position was exceptional, however the property did not suit their passion for modern architecture. The homeowners explain: “When we found the site that we loved we knew that the existing house on the land would not suit us. The obvious decision was to build a new house in a way that, for us, would both maximise the views and meet our needs exactly.” In 2012 they bought the property with the view to
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Sub-brow Eyebrow Sustainable Living
They continue: "The architects’ responses to our brief, their initial interpretation of our needs and the way in which they worked with us during this process were all very important factors in picking the right architect for us. We chose Wilkinson King because of the quality of their previous work, their diligent and sensitive approach to our brief and their highly developed communication skills." The main building work took 17 months, but the entire project – including all the design stages, demolition of the existing house, new construction, ancillary building and extensive landscaping – took two years. The budget was increased to include an anciliary building and landscaping, both of which weren’t accounted for in the original budget. The team faced many challenging stages during the project, but nothing that couldn’t be overcome – such as the extra time and effort needed to ensure planning permission for such a contemporary design within this rural location. Another example was when the unpredictable UK weather flooded the site, resulting in the building work taking longer than originally anticipated.
Above: The property features red cedar cladding Left: It benefits from stunning views of the surrounding countryside
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Sub-brow Eyebrow Sustainable Living The finished home is the perfect retreat from hectic London life. It is entered from an arrival courtyard and formal, landscaped garden on the north side. It is at this point that the first sight of the magnificent context is revealed and framed through a large glazed opening in the otherwise solid facade. Here the building is transparent, from front to back, connecting the garden with the meadow and the landscape beyond. On entry a double height reception space introduces the first floor and its timber construction. This space acts as a winter garden with glass screens as wind breaks. The ground floor is glazed on the southern and western elevations so that the views can be enjoyed from the open plan living spaces. The kitchen can be screened by perforated felt sliding screens. The master bedroom, to the east, has a lowered sitting area and small private sunken courtyard garden which can also be directly overlooked from the bathroom. The views from each of the baths was an important part of the couple’s brief. The first floor floats above the ground and provides shading, for the living spaces, from the summer sun. The first floor and roof construction is made entirely from cross laminated timber. The roof is made from a series of triangular tilted planes, which form a folded, undulating surface mimicking the distant hills. The fabrication of the CLT panels, with its sophisticated laser cutting technology, not only allowed this highly complex form to be made but was extremely cost effective. It
Above: Full height glazing surrounds the ground floor Right: The property's ridged roof is formed from cross-laminated timber panels
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Sub-brow Eyebrow Sustainable Living
Sub-brow Eyebrow Sustainable Living
Roof plan
First floor plan
took only 10 days to be erected on site. These timber panels are expressed internally and also form the finished surfaces of the interior giving a warm and tactile quality to these more intimate spaces. The timber is treated using a translucent white lacquer to prevent the timber yellowing over time. There are three bedrooms and a study, which overlook the double height space. The folded roof above each bedroom floats over the en suite bathroom. The bathroom walls stop below the ceiling allowing the entire surface to be read. Environmental separation is achieved using a glazed infill panel. The cantilevered timber stair brings the materiality of the first floor through the house to the basement. The first floor exterior elevations are finished in western red cedar which weathers naturally over time to match the colour of the meadow grasses and the
Above: Tilted ceiling panels fill the home with light Below: Wilkinson King Architects designed the home Left: The home benefits from an impressive double height entrance hall
wood of the tall trees which surround the building. Sliding pocket windows and louvered shutters, on the southern elevation, are concealed within the timber facade. Heating and hot water is provided by a biomass boiler located in an ancillary building on the other side of the arrival courtyard. The house is built to high environmental performance standards and is highly energy efficient, making best use of natural light and solar gain in the winter months. The property recently won an RIBA Award in the South-East region, as well as a special award for Client of the Year. The couple add: “The house is more than we could have expected it to be. The fact it has won several prestigious architectural awards demonstrates the success of the house, but for us, living in the house is better than our expectation. We are spending more time in Sussex than we had planned. The views from the house and garden are stunning and seeing out from various points, such as the upper floors through the double height area, is a delight each day. “We absolutely love our garden, designed
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Sustainable Living
Sustainable Living by Landscape Architect Andy Sturgeon. The way it connects to both the house and the landscape beyond is a triumph. We are looking forward to observing how it will mature over the years. “Incorporating wood into the upper floors of the house was an important element for us from the beginning. The form of the wooden roof and how it is reflected inside the house is great. The best thing is that we can relax and enjoy the countryside around us. “Looking back there isn’t really anything we would have done differently. I suppose a case could be made for employing an independent project manager.” Offering some words of advice to anyone else looking to build their own home, they conclude: “Prepare in greater detail, and at an earlier stage, than you think you need to. It’s never too early to think about fittings, colour schemes, lighting and furniture layouts. The earlier you plan, the less decisions you will have to make under time pressure. Finding an architect and other consultants that you trust and that you will get along with is very important. Building a home is a long journey of decisions, frustrations and collaboration and it is important that you get on well. Don’t be afraid to ask the obvious questions to ensure that you are getting exactly what you think you are.”
Key Contributors: Architect: Wilkinson King (www.wilkinsonking.com) Garden Designer: Andy Sturgeon (www.andysturgeon.com) Photographer: Paul Riddle (www.paul-riddle.com)
Above: The homeowners wanted the design to respond to the landscape Below: The home sits within 12 acres Left: Extensive use of glass and timber-clad walls work well together
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RuralEyebrow Retreat Sub-brow
Character and charm Lesley and Wyn Jones challenged themselves by rearranging the layout of an existing property and adding an extension to dramatically increase its size. Here, Lesley describes their self-build journey.
Above: Lesley and Wyn created their ideal home by extending an existing property Right: The property is surrounded by stunning Welsh landscape
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Rural Retreat
L
ocation was important to us and we were looking for a long-term family home around Montgomery, Carmarthenshire. We had recently sold our first, jointly owned home, after completing a couple of internal renovations and external landscaping, which we’d both thoroughly enjoyed. Wyn had built a house previously on his parents’ land and being a Chartered Surveyor and Estate Agent, he had a great deal of useful knowledge and contacts for this sort of project. We had looked at several existing properties to
purchase in Montgomery but none of them ticked all our boxes and it is not a town where properties come on the market that frequently. Neither of us liked the idea of living in a modern house with a small garden and neighbours over the hedge. We didn’t want that many rooms – four bedrooms and two reception rooms was our aim – but we wanted them to be large and full of light, with lots of outdoor space around us. The original property was advertised in the newspaper as a five bedroom, detached house, 1.5 miles outside Montgomery. We arranged a viewing
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Rural Retreat and realised it was a pair of 1940s brick semi-detached houses which had been knocked through into one unit. It still had both staircases leading to two bedrooms on each side and an upstairs bathroom had been removed to produce a fifth bedroom. All the rooms were quite small, no central heating, dodgy roof, small upstairs windows and loads of ramshackle farm building around
Above: The family love their new home Right: The two children share a large room that has a mezzanine level Below: Full height glazing makes the most of surrounding views
the house – but the views in one particular direction were great. We could both see its potential as a renovation project but it was Wyn who very quickly came up with the idea of extending and re-orientating the house and was the driving force behind the Oak-framed idea. He was brought up in a traditional Welsh farmhouse, which was long and low with exposed beams in the ceilings – all painted black of course! He fancied the idea of creating a traditional looking house, which appeared like it had been around for a long time but that had all the modern conveniences, high insulation, large spaces and lots of light. Together we went to look around three modern, oak-framed properties and then I was convinced too.
Grand ambitions An offer was made on the house and whilst the sale was progressing we contacted an architect to draw up some plans. Our idea was to build a two storey, extension at right angles to the existing house, thus creating a T-shaped property, with the new space facing the best views. All we wanted was a living room and kitchen downstairs and two large bedrooms upstairs, with a central staircase and landing connecting them. Our brief was that we wanted to maximise the room sizes, dependent on permissible length of
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Rural Retreat
timbers, loads of windows on at least two sides of each room, but none of the fancy design extras, which always end up costing more money. We chose an architect who was familiar with the design of oak framed properties and – with almost no amount of tweaking required – we submitted his drawings with our planning application. The extension doubled the size of the existing dwelling’s footprint and our architect advised us that if this application was being submitted in his county of Herefordshire, it would be very unlikely to succeed. Then started the nervous wait; the sale was finalised and much of what we were planning to do with the existing property depended on whether planning permission would be given. Luckily, it was not a long wait as we received approval only three months after we had submitted the application. Finally we could decide what we wanted to do with the existing part of our new home. The plan was to renovate it and move in within five months – especially as our second baby was soon due! We decided to build the concrete pad for the oak-framed extension, but nothing more for five years or so, until we had replenished our savings. We put the extension project out to tender and ended up choosing Welsh Oak Frame as the company with whom we wished to proceed.
Not such a long wait After living in the old part of our house for two years, I think it’s fair to say, I pushed for starting the extension early – why not have the benefit of the extra space, sooner rather than later? So, the crane arrived and the first timbers were erected. Within 12 days, the oak frame was up and we could finally see the shape of our new home. We were very familiar with our plans – especially as they had been up on the utility wall for over two years, where we looked at them nearly every day when passing! We made some alterations whilst it was still a paper plan, such as omitting a door in the kitchen, removing a partition wall in the boy’s bedroom and increasing the amount of fenestration in the living room. Welsh Oak Frame then created detailed plans of each room, including a simulated walk through, so we had a very good idea of what we were creating. I feel I should say we had loads of challenging aspects to the build but the truth is, if we did, I can no longer remember them! That could either mean we didn’t encounter big problems, or I have a bad memory, or my husband sheltered me from some of the heartache, or using a professional company such as Welsh Oak Frame meant we avoided many of the possible pitfalls! I know Wyn found the hardest bit the scheduling of all the trades, so that we had things done in the right order but he managed this wonderfully. We recieved lots of good advice from other people whose oak-framed houses we’d looked at, our
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Rural Retreat skilled builders who’d worked on the old part of our house and from Welsh Oak Frame. The choice of wood and infill panels had been done for us but there was the question of brickwork, render, internal plaster, heating, lighting, doors, windows, latches, lighting, switches, bathrooms and flooring! For me, that was the hardest part; not the making of each of these decisions but the amount of them there were to make! It’s worth noting that we are not a couple who see something we like and buy it. When we know we like something we’re then prepared to do a search to see what is the best price we can acquire it for, or compromise on a close match if it’s significantly cheaper. We didn’t necessarily use traditional suppliers for our materials either; our granite worktops came from a local stone mason, who historically had dealt in granite gravestones. Our kitchen floor comprises of patio slabs which we bought in bulk for the outdoor paved areas and then polished, sealed and waxed for an indoor look. Our hearth is an old piece of slate that was used to salt pigs in the outhouse of our old property.
Time and budget We moved into our completed extension less than eight months after we started the project. We had been advised that it would take around six months, however, we were happy with this change in the time frame. It helped greatly that we were living on site and many
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nights we would be up until midnight working on the property: oiling wood, painting walls or plasterboard, even cleaning floors, all ready for the next step in the process required the following day. I remember that in the end, all the trades had finished on the Friday and we moved in over the weekend. We were on a deadline because we were renting out some of the old part of our house, as we didn’t need the extra two bedrooms and kitchen. We’re both quite decisive people too, so even if we needed to revise something that we had spent ages planning, it didn’t cause us too much worry. I did receive one piece of memorable advice: “When building you have two main variables, time and budget – one or both of these is going to slip, so decide which is the most important to you and be prepared to give some slack to the other!” In our case, I believe trying to bring it in on budget was the most important. Invariably, any self-builder will encounter additional costs but the only one that sticks in my memory is a sun tube which we put in the landing which connects the old part of the house to the extension because we’d lost a window there and wanted some extra natural light.
Perfect family home The new extension has greatly improved our house and transformed quite an ugly building into a good-looking, sizable family home. It stands proud of the front garden
Rural Retreat
and is approached by stone steps, set into a retaining wall up to Jacobean-style porch – our only concession to a fancy bit, as my husband would say – where the first floor is proud of the ground floor, so the person waiting for the door to be answered, has some shelter! A second oak door then opens into the hallway, where an oak staircase goes straight up to a galleried landing on the right hand and a corridor takes you down to the old part of the house with the dining room ahead of you. To the left of the hallway is the kitchen and to the right is the living room, both with bedrooms above. The living room is just short of 6m2 and the south facing wall has six floor to ceiling panels of glass, the middle two which open out onto the patio. There are two more windows in the room and a recessed fireplace with a wood-burning stove set on a slate hearth. Although we have underfloor heating in the room, we rarely have it switched on because the sun on all the glazing seems to do the job for us! All the ceiling and wall beams are exposed and have been treated with an oil product which gives a golden, natural, matt appearance to the Oak. The kitchen has oak fronted, fitted cabinets in a U-shape around one half of the room, with dark, mottled granite worktops and a breakfast island in the centre of the room. There are three windows in this room and the wood is all similarly exposed and treated. A door from the kitchen leads to the utility, which is
Above: The property's exterior colour has been matched to the pale interior render Left: Wyn was inspired by the traditional Welsh farmhouse that he grew up in Far left: The lounge benefits from a woodburning stove
part of the old house and then to the back door and on to a washroom. Above the porch, on the galleried landing is an office space. We had originally thought we might partition the space off as a separate room but thankfully we decided against it as we would lose the light which floods into this area. All the ceiling joists and purlings are exposed here, as in the two bedrooms. The master bedroom is the smaller of the two, due to an en-suite and fitted wardrobes. The space above the bathroom provides attic storage and the false ceiling enables vents to be hidden and inset lighting to be used. The largest bedroom is shared by our two boys and measures over 5m2. There are hanging ropes for swinging and a rope ladder which leads to a mezzanine floor above half of the room, where they play table football. It has four windows of three sides of
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Rural Retreat
were surprised at the size of the extension, when it first went up but then again, so were we! We’ve planted lots of hedges around the property and quite a few trees, which are now beginning to establish themselves. There is a decked area with a playhouse and wildlife pond in one area and a wind turbine in the field behind us which provides for most of our electrical needs. We’ve also dug a bore hole and have our own septic tank, meaning our outgoing costs are kept to a minimum.
Dream home We do consider ourselves lucky to have this house but as various people have quoted in the past: The harder you work, the luckier you get. This home is exactly what we wanted and because we’ve put so much of ourselves into it we both feel connected to it. I can remember oiling the beams with Wyn in our living room by flood light on a winter night, with the woodburner fired up but no glass in any of the window or doors. Or the day when I was loading our eldest son into the car, only to hear our two year old shouting down from three flights of scaffolding, “I’m up here Daddy!” My favourite room is the sitting room – it’s cosy and homely in the winter and lends itself superbly to Christmas decorations and family gathering. Then in the summer it’s bright and airy, and with the double doors open you feel totally connected to the outside. I don’t think Wyn has a favourite room as such, he just loves the wood, particularly the vaulted ceilings on the first floor. Lots of people ask us if there’s anything we would have done differently and the only thing I can say is I would have put a oak flooring in the dining room, rather than carpet, but that’s in the old part of the house. Wyn wanted one wall of our bedroom to be fully glazed too, but I didn’t – even though we only look out on fields it was not something I was keen on, not least because you have less wall space for furniture! We are very happy with what’s been created and e av you h e g in hope we are able to pass it on as our d buil les, tim When ain variab or both family home for many generations o m et – one slip w t g o the room and is a fantastic sized to come. ud yt and b ese is likel bedroom and playroom. We would do another self-build h t f o When we rendered the panels of again because it’s a great feeling to be the extension we were looking for a a part of creating something which you’re rich cream/pale yellow colour. We were proud of. Not many people would be lucky given the advice to use Southampton sand in enough to find the perfect ready-made home in the with the mix, so that it would give us the desired colour right location, so self-build cuts down on the level of but also negate the need for painting the exterior. We compromise needed. I would compare it to a good party were able to have this colour matched for an exterior with a few drinks: it’s great fun while you’re doing it, you paint to be used on the render on the old part of our feel totally shattered afterwards and make promises that home. So we’ve ended up with a coherent design that you’ll never do it again but before long you find yourself looks like it was always meant to be together. hankering after another good night out! The feedback we’ve received from the local community has all been good. I think a few people www.welshoakframe.com
s: ecret S e d Tra
Above: High vaulted ceilings alongside the pale walls make the space feel bright and spacious
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in + ex
Inex-online.com Interior and exterior design inspiration
The comprehensive online specification portal for interior and exterior design professionals. Inex takes visitors on a virtual journey, inspiring the design community with the latest news, on-trend products and high-profile interviews.
www.inex-online.com
Search ‘inex’
35
Drainage
Come rain or shine
Often when starting a new build project, rainwater and eaves systems are not particularly high on the agenda, but ignoring correct specification can have catastrophic effects. Here, Tony Wereszczynski, Technical Director of rainwater system specialist Alutec looks at how self-builders can get it right, taking into consideration the technical requirements, performance, cost and aesthetics. 36
S
elf-builders already account for a significant proportion of the new housing market –7-10% or approximately 12,000 homes per year – and with government plans to double the size of the market over the next decade, this figure is only set to increase. But for too long the aspirations of ordinary people to build their own home have been thwarted by barriers and red tape. With so much legislation to adhere to, it makes sense to seek guidance from specialist manufacturers that can provide advice on all aspects of the different planning and design stages, to ensure the correct rainwater and eaves systems are chosen for the property. With real potential for lasting and expensive damage if incorrectly specified, rainwater systems are a vital part of the
building’s external envelope. There are several key factors that need to be taken into account when assessing the suitability of a rainwater system and ensuring it satisfies Building Regulations and British Standard requirements. The process should involve calculation of the roof area and selection of the appropriate rainfall intensity, to establish peak flow rates for comparison with the gutter capacity. Reference should be made to BS EN 12056-3: 2000 which provides detailed information on rainfall throughout the UK, by geographical location and frequency of occurrence. Another important issue is the capacity of each system, which varies depending on profile, size and whether the gutter is fitted level or to a fall. For design purposes, eaves gutters are normally sized to ensure the
Climate factors Looking forward is the key. Climate change is affecting rain patterns throughout the UK to such a degree that current metrological data on rainfall intensities cannot be relied upon. Therefore a higher degree of rainfall, in particular flash storms, must be taken into account when designing a roof drainage system. Indeed, with a run of severe winter weather over the last few years, the sheer weight of snow sliding from roofs caused countless damage to gutter systems throughout the UK, which should be taken into consideration and appropriate solutions allowed for. Another factor that should be considered is the inclusion of a leaf guard system if the property is in the vicinity of trees, to ensure the gutters are always clear and not overflowing, which can lead to blockages. Potential savings can be high, predominantly linked to the ancillary costs that can be avoided if the design is right. For example, careful thought needs to be given to the position of gutter outlets, bearing in mind the flow characteristics of the rainwater system. It may be possible to reduce or eliminate the number of rainwater pipes, underground drains and manholes required, thereby introducing economies through good design. Having said all that, it’s important to remember that while rainwater and eaves systems have an important functional role to play in the performance of a building, this does not mean self-builders must limit themselves when it comes to the design opportunities they offer, as all aspects of a building’s exterior can contribute to its ‘kerb appeal’.
Aesthetic considerations Depending on the character of the property being built or renovated, the overall aesthetics of the system and how this fits in with the style of the building will be very important. Rainwater systems for example, are available in a wide variety of profiles so it’s worth considering how these will complement the other design elements within the building’s external facade. For instance, the sleek lines of a contemporary designed property work well with more angular shaped rainwater systems, so it’s worth looking out for square profiles that provide high capacity and a minimalistic
modern appearance. Conversely, for properties reflecting a more traditional look, cast iron styles are a popular choice and - certainly for period refurbishments - there comes a requirement to replace like for like. There’s no doubt that by using cast iron for this type of work, the initial installation will look beautiful. However, the regular re-painting that the system will ultimately require is time consuming and expensive, not to mention the installation difficulties that come with such a heavy material. Many self-builders are now seeking modern, low-maintenance alternatives to period building products, either for refurbishment projects or traditionally styled new-builds. Aluminium fits this requirement perfectly and is being used more and more, as people become increasingly aware of its benefits over other materials. For example, Alutec has recently introduced a Tudor downpipe system, designed to classic aesthetics with twentyfirst century performance standards, as well as longevity and durability associated with an aluminium solution. However, there is no need to stick to traditional colours and self-builders should bear in mind the eye-catching effects that can be created with more unusual choices. If opting for a brightly coloured system, look for products that benefit from an architectural grade polyester powder coating, this results in a durable, colour stable decorative finish that will last for the design life of the product.
and easier installation than other systems currently available. What’s more, the Evoke system is easy to handle and can be modified on-site using conventional carpentry tools and skills, meaning specialist contractors are not required. With such a wide range of creative options available in the market, rainwater and eaves systems do not need to be an after thought but instead can play a fundamental part in setting the character of a building’s exterior. Whatever the case, it’s always worth seeking advice from a specialist manufacturer’s technical team for specification guidance and support to ensure these important building elements offer the best in terms of performance and aesthetics.
Drainage
calculated run-off does not exceed 90% of the gutter capacity.
www.marleyalutec.co.uk
Technological advances Eaves systems are another fixture that can be used to inject some character into the building’s exterior but are an area that is often overlooked by self-builders, as the choice of products has traditionally been somewhat limited. Coloured PVC systems are costly and short lived, with a lifespan of only 10 years. Sheet aluminium systems offer better durability but are complex to handle and require a specialist contractor to install them, pushing the costs up for the self-builder. However, recent technological advances have enabled the creation of truly flexible systems that offer a number of benefits over plastic or sheet aluminium alternatives. Alutec’s Evoke fascia and soffit range, for example, is a lightweight system that uses aluminium composite panel (ACP) to offer greater durability, longer colour fastness
Far left: Carefully consider the position of gutter outlets Above left: Contemporary designs work well with angular shaped systems Above: Rainwater systems can be tailored to fit any roof design
37
Bathroom
O
ne of the many benefits of self-building is that it offers the opportunity to create a bathroom that most people could only dream of. However, with so many luxury options available on the market, making decision on which products are best suited to a home can become a nightmare. A useful insight into what other people deem to be the desirable bathroom features has been unveiled within research findings by online bathroom retailer ukBathrooms. Whether it’s due to the current economic condition, or just a lifestyle shift, at home spa experiences seem to be growing in popularity, with men and women regularly choosing to pamper themselves within the walls of their own homes, rather than splashing the cash on attending a local spa or beauty salon. Over 1000 homeowners aged 18 and over were asked if they would like to recreate the spa experience in their own home. Those who answered yes were then asked: “If money was no object, what at home spa features would you have in your dream bathroom?” They then chose from an extensive list of bathroom spa features to reveal which are the most popular.
Research findings
Home spa bliss A new study conducted by an online bathroom retailer has revealed that the majority of Brits would like to recreate an at home spa experience in their bathroom with whirlpool baths and saunas/steam showers as the must have features of a dream bathroom. 38
An outstanding 65% of the participants would love to have a hydrotherapy/whirlpool bath. With prices ranging from £200 - £5000, these baths are perhaps not the most unobtainable option on the list but they were by far the most popular choice by respondents. Over 27% of woman and 25% of men selected to add this feature to their dream bathroom. Ranked in second place was the sauna/steam shower with 55% of participants dreaming of their own – 20% of women's votes and a slightly higher 25% of men’s. A steam shower does attract a higher price tag but features an enclosed shower cubicle that includes a steam generator to produce heated water vapours to fill the cubicle. The respondents for this survey really seemed to appreciate the benefits of a good shower as the third most popular feature was a massage shower, with 46% opting for this. These showers feature a range of jets, which as the name suggests, massage the user to provide an invigorating shower experience. 38% of participants dream of their own sensory shower with lights and aromatherapy, whereas 28% wanted a home foot spa. Commenting on the results of the research, Peter Gregg, Director of ukBathrooms.com, says: “Visits to a spa can be pricy, especially if you like to visit frequently, so it’s no surprise that people would love to recreate this experience themselves at home. Initially the outlay would be expensive, however over time the cost benefits would out way this and of course the availability of spa features such as a whirlpool bath or sauna or steam room whenever you want without leaving the house.” Most people aim to create a bathroom experience
Bathroom that allows you to feel refreshed and energised in the mornings and encourages relaxation and the ability to unwind in the evenings. The bathroom is one of the few rooms in the home dedicated to solitude – some might go as far as to call it the last personal sanctuary. Whereas the bath is considered a place of lengthy relaxation, showers are known to be more practical, especially when time limitations are a factor. However, time constraints needn’t affect this idea of the bathroom’s power to rejuvenate as technological advancements in both shower and bathtub design have shifted attitudes.
Above: Massage showers are growing in popularity Left: Whirlpool baths offer the perfect opportunity for relaxation Below: Home bathrooms with spa-like features are more popular than ever
a bigger budget then consider a whirlpool bath over a standard bath to get that spa feeling at home. Whirlpool baths are wonderfully relaxing, and again, benefit the whole family. However, if money is no object then installing a steam room or sauna in your bathroom can be the ultimate touch of spa luxury at home.”
www.ukbathrooms.com
Relaxation and rejuvenation Peter continues: “When you consider relaxing after a long day, listening to the fizz of bubbles as water jets help massage away your stress and strains from that day, it is easy to understand why whirlpool baths came top of the list. Having the convenience of a sauna or steam shower at home would save you a trip to the spa or gym, so you can understand why these were popular for the research participants. “There are a wide range of spa bathroom features available on the market. In my experience, massage showers provide the most popular and cost effective choices for many families. If you are remodeling with
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Interior Decor
Making a house a home Belinda Hall, founder of online craft marketplace Home of Artisans, explains how small focal items have the power to turn a house into a home.
T
he word ‘home’ has numerous connotations and, of course, many definitions. However, whether you own a small inner-city apartment, a palatial residence or a country cottage in a remote village, what is it that will make your property feel like your home?
What makes a home? Filling your space with items that you love will make you feel at home. However, with the influx of homogenous styles and furnishings, it can be time consuming to create a truly unique look that defines your own personal style – the definition of which is the first hurdle. Understanding your style preferences will help you to create aesthetically pleasing surroundings. Take time to define your personal style. You might find that it has been determined by past experiences – perhaps places you have travelled, family heirlooms, friend’s homes or even interior trends. Look at the clothes you wear – what are the predominate colours in your wardrobe? Use the internet to view variations of interiors or use magazine cutouts to create a scrapbook that will display your own instinctive taste. Once you know what you love, you will understand why you are drawn to certain objects over others. Whatever the influence, the pieces displayed in your home will communicate with visitors about what home means to you.
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It’s from these influences that we gravitate towards the array of decorative objects and pieces we select, buy or acquire inorder to create a sense of home. It is these small details and objects of beauty that add so much to interior spaces.
A personal gallery Place both small and large focal pieces around your home to create a sense of your own personal gallery that is all about you, your taste and your experiences. It’s worth recognising that not everything needs to match. Sometimes a mix of styles can work perfectly together, making your home feel personal and individually styled to suit you and your aesthetic needs. With so many varying interior objects to be had, from small to large, bold to subtle, bright to neutral, take your time to collect objects that really appeal to your definition of home.
Location, location, location Although not the most obvious decorative opportunity, the floor is a key element of a room that is suitable for stylistic infusion. Beautiful woven carpets and rugs can bring instant impact, warmth and texture to any space. Whether you are looking for aesthetics or a soft feeling beneath your feet, the floor is an important element not to forget. For many, the only things suitable to hang on a wall
Above: Otago Design Below: Ben Esthop's beautiful wood and resin pieces
Interior Decor
sits within a frame, for example artwork or mirrors. Of course, both art and mirrors are perfect decorative opportunities and should be very carefully selected, particularly when considering a piece with a large monetary investment. However, there are other types of objects that can be hung to create a wow factor within a space, often with a nicer price tag than artwork or mirrors. Have you ever seen an amazing piece of textile, or a quirky object that you bought from a market, but were unsure of how to display it? Perhaps an African ceremonial featured hat or beautiful hand carved plates from Australia? Objects such as these can be framed, hung or simply positioned high to create an instant wall feature that only looks nice, but works as a focal point with the added benefit of a story. Our homes are full of surfaces that create the perfect opportunity for decoration. Side tables, mantle pieces, book shelves or indeed any available flat surface is often better. Displaying unique glasswork, woven objects, a set of feature ceramic vases, a sculptured piece in bronze or wooden feature item are all suggestions that will bring personality and variety into your home decor. Some pieces will work together and some won’t, but this doesn’t mean they can't be included within the same interior scheme. Place items where you think they work and move them around until they feel right – following your instinct and aesthetic vision will help when it comes to establishing what works where. When placed correctly, objects are the perfect opportunity to bring your home to life. They are
transportable, can change the feel of a space remarkably quickly and, if you change your mind or style preferences, they are also sellable.
Haven for craft lovers
Top: Violante Lavoria rug Above: Blue Bloom plate Left: Lucy Burley Ceramics
The inspiration for Home of Artisans came after experiencing how, when abroad, the local talents had such a reliance on passing customers. The company's mission is to bring local talent to the global market through a global, online marketplace. Items range from competitively priced ceramics to prized sculptures. Various countries are represented through artisans, from India to Italy – not forgetting the UK. Home of Artisans has created a platform which simultaneously gives the discerning, culture loving customer access to beautiful handcrafted homeware, while supporting the ethos and livelihood of talent from some of the world’s most remote and creative communities of craftspeople.
www.homeofartisans.com
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Eyebrow i-build Sub-brow
Out of the
Woods
While timber cladding has boomed in recent decades, it has become particularly popular in the self-build market, and for good reason. Here, cladding expert Vastern Timber explains why.
: Secret Trademore elaborates
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ctor er or In larg eathering fa ing w , dd s la d c il bu one ry from twill va l to the nex ecies p pane s ing the our s o o h or y so c right f . that's key is d il bu
i-build
A
pplying wood cladding is one of the easiest ways to give a building design that extra ‘something special’. The range of textures and finishes is literally infinite, depending on the species and grades used, as well as the natural and unique weathering effects that will occur dependent on exposure and location – not forgeting the added bonus of wood’s inherent sustainability, especially when it comes from well managed UK woodlands. For many self-builders, the sustainability of wood is of course one of the main attractions. Many self-build projects incorporate a wide range of energy efficient and sustainability technologies and techniques and it is often the case that self-build projects push the envelope with regards to sustainability. However, self-builders planning on incorporating timber cladding into their designs need to understand that there are very specific influencers on how the cladding will behave over time. Many examples of cladding still look beautiful 10 years after installation, but in other cases it has not fared as well. So to achieve a satisfactory result, people embarking on self-build projects should gain a better understanding of the different types of weathering – both natural and human influenced; how particular species will react in the modern environment; and the effect that elevation and aspect will have on the speed and consistency of weathering over time.
Changes in appearance Timber cladding is often used in a natural and unprotected state. Common cladding species typically used are naturally durable and do not need protection if they are not in ground contact. This is an important benefit, especially for self-builders, as the application of surface treatments can prove costly and time consuming. However, when left in its natural state, timber will naturally weather more quickly than when protected, and will also be more prone to environmental influencers, such as sunlight, moisture and even pollution.
Above: Timber cladding will change in appearance over time Below: Timber is a popular choice for contemporary buildings
Common unexpected changes in the appearance of timber cladding can include extractive staining in woods like oak, sweet chestnut and western red cedar, where soluble organic compounds in the wood migrate in the presence of rain to leave staining. Also, black and green mould which is caused by a lack of sunlight and perpetually damp conditions. Particulates in pollution can settle on the cladding surface to create a blackening effect. Finally, natural surface bleaching – which can be an attractive feature – will be undesirable if it is uneven due to different levels of exposure to rain and sunlight.
Understanding species However, most of the problems associated with untreated timber cladding can be addressed through having a better understanding of the behaviour of various species and their suitability for different environments, as well as giving more consideration to the effects of elevation and shading. Additionally, there is always the option to apply a surface treatment to the timber cladding which will further mitigate weathering problems.
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i-build
Above: This new home benefits from attractive timber cladding Left: British cedar will develop a silvered tone over time
Oak and sweet chestnut have become very popular woods for cladding projects. These species are heavy in tannic acid, which is very reactive and brown in colour. In some cases these species have been used to clad the top storey of buildings while the lower storey has featured bright white render. In such cases rainwater can cause the tannins to leach out from the wood, often resulting in staining on the render. Also, ferrous particulates common in urban road pollution will react with these extracts to cause an unattractive blackening of the surface. Another example is Canadian cedar, which is the most popular species for cladding. In unpolluted rural areas,
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and on designs that have considered weathering factors, uncoated Canadian cedar will develop a beautiful silver/ grey colour. The species itself is not problematic. However, its inappropriate use in the wrong environment and a failure to consider specific weathering factors can result in an unattractive patchy appearance.
Location is key Timber cladding is often used on large buildings with numerous elevations and overhangs. With such projects, each panel will invariably face a different set of weathering factors, such as exposure to rain,
Top left: Timber cladding offers the opportunity for interesting application design
i-build snow, ice, and differing amounts of UV light and wind. As a result there will be a huge amount of differential weathering to consider, and these weathering effects can be highly noticeable if not enough consideration is given to aspect and elevation, or where detailing serves to compound the issue. The effects of detailing, such as overhangs and recesses, will be accentuated by a northern elevation. For species which leach extractive compounds during the early stages of weathering, the semi shelter afforded by overhangs can prevent the brown liquid from being washed away, leading to unsightly and prolonged staining. With so much to consider, the correct
approach for self-build architects and designers thinking of specifying timber cladding for their projects is to take a broader view of the project and the specific environmental and design influencers that will have a direct effect on the timber used. These key influencers include the aspect of the elevations, environment, the proximity of other buildings or trees that might provide shade to some areas, design and management of water run-off and, of course, a consideration of the reactivity of different species, particularly in polluted urban environments. Oak, sweet chestnut and western red cedar are more reactive. Larch and thermally modified timbers are less reactive and therefore potentially better
suited to harsher urban environments and more complex designs.
Long lasting finish Timber cladding provides a beautiful and highly desirable facade for self-build designs and will undoubtedly continue to grow in popularity as the self-build market increasingly embraces sustainability and aesthetics into projects. As a natural material, timber needs a little extra understanding and consideration to ensure long term successful implementation, but it’s certainly worth the effort, and correct application of species will always result in a long lasting finish that turns a self-build design into something special.
www.vastern.co.uk
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i-nterior
50 shades of white Whether self-building, renovating or just redecorating, the interior design scheme of your finished home is one of the key areas that visitors are certain to notice. Here, be inspired by the power and simplicity of working with white in this stunning design showcase and industry insight. 46
i-nterior
T
he white-on-white interior design of this townhouse layers abundant shades of white, using texture and nuances of tone. This captivating, alabaster design is home to a contemporary selection of white items of furniture that have been used to create the perfect ‘gallery space’ for displaying eclectic works of art. Unique works of art adorn the
walls, bringing bright punches of colour and intrigue to the rooms while alluring white pieces of furniture, such as the egg chair and Twiggy-style lamp in the living room, add a subtle glamour.
Industry insight The space has been put together by Suna Interior Design – an award-winning boutique
interior design consultancy – as part of a show home project for the London Portobello Square development. Interior designers Helen Fewster and Rebecca Tucker head up the London-based studio ensuring that a high level of attention is dedicated to each client and project. The team has worked on numerous projects from four storey townhouses to beautifully refurbished
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i-nterior
apartments, exclusive serviced apartments and luxury hotels. Rebecca created this bespoke design for development company Catalyst By Design's townhouse in their new development, Portobello Square in Portobello. Rebecca comments: “We wanted to design something unique, involving the local community. We wanted to create a talking point, something that hasn’t been done before and so this design was born, unique in that it revolves around the colour white. This white design then forms the backdrop for the select works of art that hang on the walls. The artwork brings colour to the design in a unique way. It’s very important that the design is strong enough on its own. The fantastic works of art are the piece de resistance, adding glamour and making the design completely unique.” The white palette creates the feel of a gallery, however, subtle greys and blacks
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i-nterior Above: White surroundings are the perfect backdrop for vibrant artwork Left: This interior proves that white is a versatile tone Right: Wood floors complement the simple colour scheme
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Eyebrow i-nterior
Eyebrow i-nterior Sub-brow
have been used to soften the scheme and lend the design perfectly to the domestic market, meaning the appearance is not clinical, but instead homely and welcoming. In the bedroom, grey curtains soften the palette, as do a variation of textures – used especially within the bedroom spread. The more traditional application of pattern on walls and plain ceiling is turned on its head here, as the ceiling plays host to a bold elaborate faux plasterwork pattern and the walls remain pure white.
Complementing tones The lounge appreciates the white theme, but pares it with a wooden floor and large patterned rug to soften the look. “The wooden floor that runs from the stairs up through the house also breaks up the whiteon-white backdrop. In the living room we used a dusty grey and off-white rug to ensure that the room has more of a softer feel to it,” explains Rebecca. The use of spotlights in another unobtrusive element of the design and the white lamps are barely visible within the scheme, meaning that their light blends seamlessly within the space. Because white is at the core of this interior design, the clean and simple concept lends itself to statement areas – much like that of a gallery. This means that the artwork becomes the focal feature of the room, whether a bold pattern or not. For example, in the lounge many of the wall art pieces are un-complicated and subtle, but the simplicity of the neutral surrounding allows each element of the piece to be appreciated .
The perfect backdrop This luxurious townhouse is unique in that it is simultaneously a successful show home and a pop-up gallery. The artwork has all been supplied by local, London Westbank Gallery, situated in Westbourne Grove. Each work of art has been specifically selected to hang in its own space. Rebecca adds: “It was important that the townhouse should feel like a home, not just a gallery. To this end we worked with the gallery to select the best works of art in order to create the best design possible. It was important to get the right combination between show home and pop-up gallery. This is partly why we went for the whiteon-white colour palette – to better show off the artwork, while still enabling ourselves to
design a luxurious interior design, befitting of this home. “We’ve created a confident, statement scheme – a talking point. We’re absolutely thrilled with the result. Fifty shades of white – a rousing and exciting design, eclectic, contemporary design at its finest.”
Above: Textiles have been used to soften the palette Top: Greys break up the white scheme Left: An elaborate faux plasterwork pattern adorns the ceiling
www.sunainteriordesign.com
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Eyebrow i-scape Sub-brow
: Secretpost e d a r T com er the
g ov ery Turnin ork ev pitchf ing with a weeks or us l wil of t c le u p d u co tor pro aking ra le e c an ac ster bre rage fa mpost. encou co f o down
Waste not want not Many self-builders find themselves at the end of a project with a beautiful home surrounded by a bare garden. However, there are many ways to create a beautiful garden by using resources already on your site.
A
ny self-builder or renovator will have long dreamt of finishing their project and moving into the completed home is a euphoric feeling. However, whether small or large, it’s inevitable that the garden will have faced some tough months, probably weighed down under building materials stacked high and possibly even left over machinery. It may be that you have a beautiful home surrounded by left over
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construction materials, as well as an exhausted budget incapable of fulfilling any garden design ambitions. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to create your own Garden of Eden by using leftover materials and household waste.
Reusing build materials Many find themselves at this stage with no budget to bring in a garden professional, as well as a garden full of leftover materials, from bricks
and tiles to old masonry and plasterboard. Before you order a skip, think about how some of these materials could become part of your garden design. Why not lay a path with leftover brickwork, use left over timber to make a unique garden bench or make a pizza oven using abandoned tiles? Not only is reusing leftover building materials environmentally efficient, but it will also save you money and create a unique aesthetic.
Waste water/drinks Cardboard Coffee grounds and filters Non-citrus fruit Vegetables Tumble dryer lint Egg shells Hair Leaves Manure (chicken, cow, goat, horse, pig, rabbit, sheep) Newspaper Pine needles and cones Sawdust and wood shavings
What NOT to compost: Ashes from coal or charcoal Dairy Diseased plants Fish scraps and bones Citrus fruits
i-scape
What to compost:
B&Q’s resident DIY expert, Project Pete shares his tips for reusing building materials in garden design: “Building waste such as broken up brick and block is ideal to use as hard core for either creating solid base for a patio or used for landscaping. You can also get creative to great effect with other materials; for example, copper pipe can be can be used to make garden features for climbing plants to grow around - the copper will turn green over time which adds a rustic effect. I’ve also seen old bath taps used to create a water feature by connecting them to a water pump and hose!”
Making use of household waste All flowers, plants and trees get the majority of the nutrients that keep them alive and in bloom from the soil in which they are planted, so starting a compost heap at home is a great way to produce quality plant food for free. A compost also greatly reduces the amount of waste you send to landfill – almost 50% of the contents of the average dustbin could be used effectively for compost. There’s no trick to creating your own compost, you just provide the ingredients and let nature do the rest. The rich, dark and crumbly end product will be full of good nutrients that can work wonders on your garden. Most people prefer to use a compost bin. This will prevent any animals from getting into your heap and stop any bad smells emanating from it; whilst also retaining the warmth and moisture that’s necessary for good compost and allowing good air circulation. A compost heap can also be started on the bare earth and kept covered with a tarp, this way worms will be able to get in and aerate the pile, helping the materials to breakdown faster. Most types of kitchen and garden waste are fine to
throw on the compost heap, but there are a few things you’ll definitely want to avoid. Knowing which materials to compost can be a little complicated as too much of the wrong things could end up damaging your plants. It is therefore important to make sure that what’s in your bin is good for your garden and for feeding your plants. Ordinarily, compost can take up to nine months to break down to usable level, and even longer if you have a lot of fleshy fruit peels or other large items in there. Turning over the compost with a pitch fork every couple of weeks will help the process along, there are also a range of compost accelerator products available which add extra microbes and enzymes to the mix, encouraging faster breakdown.
www.diy.com
Manure (bird, cat, dog) Meat, fat, grease, oil or bones Treated wood Weeds
Above left: 50% of average dustbin contents could be used effectively for compost to feed your garden Right: Leftover timber creates a great opportunity for unique garden furniture Top right: Your home-build is likely to have created leftover materials that could work wonders within your garden's design
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Doors & Windows
Turning your house into an Origin Home From bi-fold doors that open up rooms and merge inside with the out, to elegant windows that let in more light, and made-to-measure blinds that add a touch of inspiration, the Origin Home is a complementary product range to transform your home into a masterpiece.
M
ade bespoke for your home in Britain, Origin’s bi-fold doors and windows are available in 150 different colours as well as authentic woodgrain finishes, ensuring there’s a style available to suit any property type. Origin has also created nine eclectic colour palettes, each with 10 colours,
ranging from bright primary shades to candy pastels and deeper earthy tones. This colourful take on a home improvement favourite is designed to give you the opportunity to express your creativity and individuality through your choice of door colour. Due to the bespoke nature of Origin’s bifolding doors, the interior and exterior door frames can be any combination of different colours. So whilst the outside of the doors can match the external fixtures and fittings of the house, the interior frame can be a different colour to match the room.
Bespoke options
Above: Bi-fold doors are a great way to bring the outdoors in Top: Bespoke options mean these doors and windows are suitable for any project
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Aluminium doors and windows are rapidly becoming the first choice for homeowners as frames don’t rust, rot or warp. In fact, Origin’s doors and windows come with a 20 year guarantee – twice the industry standard. The Origin Bi-fold Door is completely bespoke and is available in a wide range of configurations, ranging from two door sets through to eight door sets. Visually striking
corner sets are also available, which open up the entire corner of a room for a complete panoramic view. Additionally, Origin’s bi-fold doors come with zero lead time, so you can have yours delivered when you want them. The Origin Window is a perfect match for the bi-fold door and is elegantly designed with a flush casement finish. The aluminium window frames offer the right combination of strength and weight, allowing for narrow sightlines, whilst providing the best possible thermal and acoustic performance. In an industry first, the Origin Window also comes with an astounding one week lead time. To complete the look, Origin’s electric roller blinds are the perfect finishing touch to any surrounding. Designed to provide shade from the sun as well as adding the ‘wow-factor’ to an interior, Origin blinds can also help reduce carbon footprints and save energy as the additional insulation they provide helps reduce both heat build-up in summer and heat loss in the winter. Origin’s design team can help you, your interior designer, builder or architect make the ideal use of your space, however big or small. Origin can turn a dark corner of a room into the light-filled focal point. Origin has a wealth of experience in designing and manufacturing, and this expertise and innovation has seen its products become the number one choice for UK homeowners.
www.origin-global.com 0808 168 5816 info@origin-global.com
oversized doors now available steel reinforced natural hardwood doors entrance doors internal doors garage doors passive house certified doors made and designed in UK
urbanfront.co.uk 01494 778787
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Product Guide
Renovation project benefits from four bespoke staircases
Exclusive partnership Dura Composites has announced that it has entered into an exciting agreement with International Timber to act as the Exclusive UK Timber Importer of its fast growing innovative composite timber decking and cladding product ranges. The addition of the highly durable and eco-friendly Dura Composites range sees International Timber expand its already impressive portfolio of products to appeal to many audiences across the residential, construction and architectural sectors. As the largest supplier and distributor of timber and panel products in the UK, International Timber combines specialist technical sales expertise with unrivalled choice, and thanks to this agreement, the company is now able to offer customers a premium timber composite alternative to both softwood and hardwood decking and cladding. Importantly for International Timber, both the Dura Composites decking and cladding range are 100% Forest Stewardship Council certified, as is becoming expected in the industry for natural wood products. What’s more, both ranges are manufactured from up to 87% recycled materials meaning that eco-project specifiers are well catered for too. Stuart Burns, Director of Dura Composites, comments: “This exciting agreement with International Timber is a logical step forward for both companies, and we are anticipating high demand as more clients are exposed to the new technology. Composite decking and cladding products have seen a phenomenal growth in popularity over the past five years because they offer the aesthetic beauty of timber, coupled with the benefits of high technology, easy installation and low maintenance. We are immensely proud of the high quality products we offer and International Timber is recognised for upholding the highest quality standards in all its operations, so we are therefore delighted to be partnering with them.”
www.duracomposites.com 01255 423601 info@duracomposites.com
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An attractive detached house dating back to the 18th Century, situated on the edge of the historic village of Hurley-on-Thames, has benefited from a truly bespoke British Spirals & Castings staircase; in fact not just one staircase but four! Richard Harding of British Spirals & Castings comments: “There were a number of challenges when designing these staircases, as some of the original ideas did not comply with building regulations and it was a very difficult design due to the headroom on the stairs that ran underneath the main stairs. We worked closely with the owners to get a design which complied with the building regulations and gave them the wow factor they were looking for.”
www.britishsc.co.uk 01663 750716 sales@britishsc.co.uk
Boost for Mori dMEV Elta Fans’ Mori dMEV decentralised mechanical extract ventilation unit has been awarded high commendation in the H&V News ‘Domestic H&V Product of the Year – Sustainability and Safety’ award. David Ball, chairman of Elta Group, says: “We are delighted that the judging panel has acknowledged the many features and benefits that Mori dMEV brings to the ventilation market. It’s a fitting tribute to the hard work and innovation the team has put into its development. This product is the most efficient dMEV unit ever produced and has provided our dedicated residential team with a fantastic product which has already been warmly welcomed and acclaimed.”
www.homevent.co.uk 01384 275 803 residential@eltafans.co.uk
The beauty of a real timber door KAT now offer handmade solid timber doors manufactured from Accoya or Engineered Hardwood. The primary KAT offering is four styles of door which probably account for 80% of residential doors sold. These doors are available in any height and width; the customer chooses size, colour, glass design and hardware. KAT also offer a totally bespoke service where the company's extensive network of design partners are free to create virtually any timber door style by copying a traditional or contemporary door, or alternatively, designing something unique. With a 50 year guarantee on Accoya against warping, shrinking and cracking, it’s easy to see why KAT customers are specifying real timber.
www.katuk.co.uk 01625 439666 enquiries@katuk.co.uk
Gavin Kirkbride, owner of Lily handmade furniture, has dedicated his life to creating stunning hand-carved furniture. Based in North Yorkshire, Gavin’s pieces are bespoke and made in 100% solid oak. In order to ensure maximum wood protection, Gavin uses Osmo’s Polyx-Oil and Wood Wax Finish products. Many woodwork professionals across the UK enjoy using Osmo UK’s wood finishing products. Osmo’s Polyx-Oil is suitable for the protection of all wooden flooring and furniture, providing hardwearing and durable protection. Renown for enhancing the wood’s true beauty, Polyx-Oil is available in a collection of seven products offering a range of specialised effects and qualities. Polyx-oil is suitable for humans, animals and plants when dry due to its natural and environmentally friendly composite.
Compact keypad for security system Siemens has introduced two new compact keypads for the SPC intruder detection system. The SPC intruder detection system uses touchkeys instead of traditional mechanical keys and the key interface illuminates only when touched. With a depth of just 17.5mm, these keypads sit unobtrusively on any wall. Model SPCK520 offers display and speech output and model SPCK521 adds an ID card reader. The new keypads support EM and MIFARE card technologies. Advanced user authentication eliminates the inconvenience of repeated PIN code entry on systems that are armed and disarmed many times daily. Users can download prerecorded or customised audio files to the keypads. These audible messages assist users when various system events occur. The large graphical display provides a wealth of information at a glance. For instance, users can access detailed information about doors that are open or ajar and therefore preventing the system from being armed. The keypads supply system information and offer various ways to configure the parameters of the SPC system on-site – without additional tools such as a PC. An optional plug-in RF module allows the keypads to be used as RF receivers for communication with wireless detectors nearby. This eliminates the need for separate RF receivers. In addition, the keypads have push-wire terminals so that installers can secure the wires of connection cables with a single push action. For flush mounting, Siemens offers a special frame that allows the keypad to be installed flush with the wall. An optional metal enclosure is available for installation in concrete walls.
www.siemens.co.uk 01291 437920 sam.lord@siemens.com
www.osmouk.com
01296 481220
Product Guide
Quality finish for quality furniture
info@osmouk.com
Maintenance free rainwater systems Yeoman Rainguard’s XL Aluminium rainwater systems were chosen for Bridge House, a stunning new build property in Norfolk. XL Aluminium 75mm diameter downpipes along with 125x100mm MOG gutters, finished in a Black textured polyester powder coating, were installed on the property. The powder coating ensures that the pipes and guttering will offer years of maintenance free service and will not be susceptible to colour bleaching. The push fix jointing mechanism ensures easy and quick installation. The XL Aluminium also comes with ecological credentials as 95% of the materials used to manufacture the gutters and downpipes are recyclable.
www.rainguard.co.uk 0113 279 5854 sallyann@rainguard.co.uk
Renewable offgrid heating An off-grid family home on the Scottish isles of Orkney is benefiting from a Windhager FireWIN Klassik 12kW biomass boiler in replacement of its previous inefficient oil-fired system. The wood pellet boiler has replaced the family’s AGA as the primary heat source for their home, providing central heating and hot water to the property at a significantly reduced cost. The homeowner was spending as much as £1450 on energy with their oil system but is now benefiting from over £14,000 from RHI payments, as well as a lower cost of £1300 spent on wood pellets each year.
www.windhager.co.uk 01225 892211 info@windhager.co.uk
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Sub-brow London Build 2015Eyebrow Preview
from a sparkling evening of awards and entertainment, the London Build conference kicks into overdrive. Simon Wright from Crossrail will be speaking about building Crossrail and Balfour Beatty’s Head of Sustainability, Dr Paul Toyne, will then be speaking about the role of construction in delivering legacy projects. The final afternoon of London Build will see conference sessions continuing with a presentation from Richard Griffiths, the Director of Policy and Communications at the UK Green Building Council.
Outstanding line-up
Construction boom spurs new event London Build 2015 is the new construction exhibition to focus on the construction boom in London and the South of England. The event will take place at the O2 London, accommodating in excess of 200 international exhibitors and thousands of quality attendees showcasing the latest projects, developments and investment opportunities.
B
oth days of the show will see over 50 top level speakers from across the industry and local government, discussing the latest strategies and project forecasts through presentations and interactive panel discussions, as well as 36 hours of CPD accredited training workshops. The first day of London Build is shaping up to be a truly spectacular affair. The conference venue will be opened by Jamie Ratcliff from the Greater London Authority who will be speaking about the construction boom and opportunities that are coming up and ongoing in the Capital. Following on from that Peter Shipley will be speaking about the need for the Thames Tideway Tunnel as part of the programme, which will also see Nigel Hardy from TfL speak
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about the Road Modernisation Plan, and some outstanding panel discussions which will be announced closer to the time. As day one of London Build 2015 draws to a close, attention switches towards the London Construction Awards, hosted at Indigo at the O2. The Awards will be recognising achievements by those that have played a defining role in delivering exceptional quality, innovation and service; and in driving the London construction industry forwards. The evening also features a Gala Dinner, exclusive presentations from industry leaders, a wide-array of live entertainment and comedy-sets from celebrity acts, including the superb Jimmy Carr. Not all things are made equal, but day two of London Build will be just as good as the first. As exhibitors and many attendees return
The conference sessions will be complemented over the two days by a number of CPD accredited training workshops – situated across three workshop venues within the exhibition. These workshops will be presented by special guests and regulars of the CPD roadshow circuit, including RIBA, BRE Global, Tata Steel, CompeteFor, BSRIA, Supply Chain Academy and many more. The event is officially supported by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). As part of this partnership the LCCI will be moderating two panel discussions at London Build 2015 on the topics of skills shortages and regeneration. LCCI Chief Executive, Colin Stanbridge will be moderating both sessions, which will feature Richard Threlfall, KPMG, and Debbie Akehurst, Land Securities as panellists, with several more to be announced. In addition to the LCCI, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) are supporting London Build 2015 as lead event partners, providing fantastic support as well as getting involved in the conference, workshops and awards.
www.londonbuildexpo.com
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What a difference Origin makes! The weather’s perfect, the table’s set…so simply open up your Origin Bi-fold Doors and eat out! Custom-made and precision-engineered, they glide open with minimum effort, let in more light and open up your living space like never before. They look brilliant alongside Origin’s bespoke electric blinds and aluminium windows too, with a huge choice of colours and finishes across the entire range to create the perfect matching look. It’s true - in an Origin home, almost anything’s possible!
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