i-build June 2016

IN THIS ISSUE:

l SELF-BUILDS l RENOVATIONS l EXTENSIONS l CONVERSIONS June 16 Issue 23

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20+

Get inspired!

OUTDOOR LIVING / HOT TUBS / ROOF LIGHTS

China blue decorative accessories to enrich your self-build

MAKE A STATEMENT: ADORN YOUR FEATURE WALL WITH A BOLD, UNIQUE TILE

COVER STORY:

Let there be light Couple transform home into light and airy family abode

OPEN UP YOUR GARDEN: EXTEND THE INVITE TO WILDLIFE WITH THESE FRIENDLY ACCESSORIES

PASSIVHAUS EXPERIMENT

START IN THE KNOW

CEMENTING YOUR VISION

Garden plot provides the perfect spot for a sustainable self-build

Why it’s crucial to consider your interior scheme at the planning stage

How mortar can play a key role in the overall design of your home

+ SPECIAL FOCUS: l TOOLS & EQUIPMENT l HOMEBUILDING & RENOVATING SHOW l AUDIO VISUAL

Delivering British architecture with German technology Hanse Haus is a premium German supplier of turnkey, pre-manufactured ultra-high efficiency homes.

Founded as a carpentry business in 1929, it now erects some 400 timber frame homes annually Europewide and has been active in the UK since 2006.

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Hanse Haus Email info@hanse-haus.co.uk Telephone 0800 302 9220 www.hanse-haus.co.uk

www.i-buildmagazine.com

Editor in Chief:

Hannah Frackiewicz

hannah@mixedmediainfo.com Editorial Assistant:

Rebecca Kemp

rebecca@mixedmediainfo.com Print & Digital Advertising:

Sam Ball

sam@mixedmediainfo.com

Steve Gull

steve@mixedmediainfo.com

Michael Abrahams

michael@mixedmediainfo.com

Rebecca Stratten

ree@mixedmediainfo.com Studio Manager:

Chris Lilly

chris@mixedmediainfo.com Production:

Jack Witcomb

jack@mixedmediainfo.com Artworker/Sub-editor:

David Perry

david@mixedmediainfo.com Accounts:

Simone Jones

simone@mixedmediainfo.com Managing Director:

Sam Ball

sam@mixedmediainfo.com

Welcome

to the June issue of i-build For many self-builders, before they’ve even begun their project, it is likely they already have a wish-list of products or systems that they’d like featured within their new home. These could range from a luxurious freestanding bath, bi-folding doors that invite the outdoors in, or for those petrol-heads, a double-bay garage.

Plenty of light is often a high priority for the discerning self-builder, so products such as rooflights are found to be a musthave on the specification checklist. In this month’s edition, we have delved into the subject of light, starting with one couple’s journey to transform their modest London home. On page 24, you can read how Tania and Mike Voaden created a larger, and brighter, home with the help of VELUX roof windows. Architectural Designer, Charlie Luxton, rounds off the story by explaining how homeowners can go one step further by incorporating automated systems.

Meanwhile on page 50, i-build brings together a host of case studies and issues relating to rooflights, such as obtaining planning permission and the wider

performance benefits.

Elsewhere in this edition, i-build offers some inspiration for creating a statement wall using extraordinary tiling solutions, such as wood-effect, split slate and stone.

Meanwhile, audio visual specialist Connected AV runs through the vital considerations when integrating a home cinema into your self-build.

I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, if you’re coming to the end of your self-build project and would like to offer your home as inspiration for other budding house-builders, please don’t hesitate to contact me at the usual address. Alternatively, if you’re just beginning your self-build journey and would be keen for us to document your progress, do get in touch!

Welcome Note

i-build

Editor in Chief hannah@mixedmediainfo.com @ibuildmagazine

/ibuildmagazine

ibuildmagazine

Download the i-build app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Search 'i-build'.

Editor’s picks Pear Platt, Woodfalls Farm, Gravelly Way Laddingford, Kent, ME18 6DA T: 01622 873229 F: 01622 320020

Secure front doors from Urban Front: See page 54, Lightweight roofing from Roofing Megastore: See page 58, Window and door systems by Black Millwork: See page 55.

www.mixedmediainfo.com Terms and Conditions:

Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and return addressed envelope.

No responsibility will be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editors hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographics or artistic belongs to Mixed Media Information Ltd. The Publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the view of the publisher. The Publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement.

Cover story: A London couple has transformed their stylish home into a spacious, airy family abode.

See page 24.

58

54

55

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Contents

i-build www.i-buildmagazine.com

June 2016

57

38

44

54

10

06

14

In this issue: 06

Desired Designs

14

34

Furniture

Viewpoint

36

Sanitaryware

16

Contracts & Legalities

38

Audio Visual

18

Urban Sanctuary

42

Homebuilding & Renovating Show

24

Impressive Innovation

ON THE COVER

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

A new report published by AMA Research reveals self-build market value is on the rise.

ProAktive explains that by adding the contractor as a joint insured, you waive the insurer’s right to subrogate a claim.

ON THE COVER

A vacant plot at the bottom of an architect’s garden provides the perfect spot for a Passivhaus experiment.

ON THE COVER

One London couple has transformed their stylish home into a spacious, airy family abode.

Shower manufacturer Matki unveils the 2016 trends for shower enclosure design.

Essential guidance from Connected AV on installing a home cinema into your self-build.

i-build reveals the highlights of this month’s Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show at Sandown Park, Surrey.

44

i-scape

Tools/Equipment

48

i-nterior

32

Bricks/Blocks

50

i-build

ON THE COVER

How opting for coloured mortar can give a new home a designer edge and make it stand out from the crowd.

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

Relax, unwind and indulge in pure luxury with these outdoor hot tubs and jacuzzis.

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Nathan Ford, Application Specialist at FEIN, gives advice on the ‘must-have’ items in every self-builder’s toolbox.

ON THE COVER

Top tips from the designers at J&S House of Design on furnishing your new self-build home.

ON THE COVER

Create the ultimate statement wall by using slate, wood-effect or stone tiles.

Let light and air into your new home by incorporating state-of-the-art roof windows.

5

Desired Designs

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Image © Laura Ashley

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5

Into the blue

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A China blue scheme is full of vivacious colour palettes and vibrant prints that are sure to add an element of excitement to your self-build.

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traditional China blue colour palette stages a ‘pale, greyish-blue’ colour.

However, today’s designers and manufacturers have progressively created this theme to showcase a more vibrant colour. Vivid patterns found within the China blue scheme are similar to the delicate patterns found on traditional Wedgwood ceramic designs, but with a focus on Chinese culture. Patterns and prints showcase aspects of Chinese culture such a koi fish, exotic birds and trailing flowers. This scheme will not only add a touch of excitement to your decor, but will also attribute to a more delicate, neutral scheme. This scheme has been around for many years and many may remember these prints from parents or grandparents' interiors. Here, i-build has selected a mixture of traditional China blue items with complementary, contemporary designs that will create an aesthetically-intense scheme for any self-build.

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1. Cobalt blue bud vase, £13.95, Annabel James

2. Shakiraaz bedspread blue floral, £109.80, Eco Chic

3. Mulberry Home China Paste the Wall wallpaper, £169, John Lewis

4. The Kae Collection royal blue

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chair, £485, The French Bedroom Company

5. Indian block printed blue and white cushion, £24.95, Decorator’s Notebook

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6. Lockley large pouffe,

£880, Sweetpea & Willow

7. China Blue porcelain stool, £100, Laura Ashley

8. Reproduction Arne Jacobsen Egg chair, £399, Pash Living

9.

Lodden fabric, £59.00 per m2, Fabrics & Papers

10. Classic cobalt blue tile, £179.95

per m2, The Winchester Tile Company

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1 1. Bird and Flower hand-painted bowls, from £10

2.

Bird and Flower hand painted small bowl, £10

3. Bird and Flower hand-painted mug, £9

Desired Designs

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4.

Bird and Flower hand-painted large bowl, £17.50

4 3

ALSO Home ALSO Home is a lifestyle brand, established in 2008. The company has been born from years of travel and sourcing all over the world. All products in the ALSO Home ranges have a story to tell, including its modern take on traditional Vietnamese-style ceramic. Hand-painted in Vietnam by local artisans, each bowl is lovingly painted using cobalt blue to give it a fresh, clean look on white ceramics. Featuring birds and leaves with pretty and delicate flowers, the two sizes of bowls are a wonderful addition to any kitchen, garden table or dining table. The flora and fauna adds a touch of spring or summer, whatever the time of year

Ceramics Many prints within the China blue scheme are inspired by historic Chinese pottery. In particular, the willow pattern which was developed by English ceramic artists inspired

by Chinese-imported, handpainted, blue and white wares.

Ceramics are the perfect way to incorporate the China blue scheme into your decor if you are searching for more of a subtle scheme. Adding dashes of prints around your home will brighten up your space, yet still tie in with a refined scheme.

1. Allertons Willow jug, £55, Lovers of Blue and White

2. China Blue large

porcelain vase, £60, Laura Ashley

3. Oriental ceramic urn,

1

£68.35, iDecorate

4. Chinese plate with flower design, £250.64, St Barts

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2

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7

Desired Designs

At one with nature

Sit back, relax and listen to your natural surroundings with these wildlife-friendly designs that are sure to attract the local wildlife.

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4

Bugs Alive

Take flight

Bugs Alive is a combined insect hotel catering for solitary bees, butterflies, moths, beneficial insects and garden creepy crawlies. The tower is innovatively sectioned to inhabit each insect with viewing points, which is a great addition to those with children.

The Wildlife World Barn owl box has been developed jointly with experienced owl conservationists to ensure it provides a safe and suitable nest site for breeding barn owls. It is an attractive barn-shaped design, which uses lightweight, yet durable materials.. (www.wildlifeworld.co.uk)

(www.edenproject.com)

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2

Jump in

Home sweet home

Frogilo is a summer and winter home for toads and frogs. This little house provides shelter for frogs and toads from their predators, while providing an attractive and functional addition to a pond scheme.

This hedgehog house has been tested and designed by the Hedgehog Preservation Society and its hedgehog carers. This hedgehog-nesting box incorporates an integrated entrance tunnel and hog nesting section. This product is offered as a standalone, camera-ready box with a wired or wireless camera installed.

(www.arkwildlife.co.uk)

(www.gardenature.co.uk)

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Buzzing around This beehive is an interactive box with individual trays for inspection and easy cleaning.

Bees are excellent for pollinating in the garden, and can help to increase fruit yields. The product is made from solid timber, constructed from FSC supplied wood. (www.greenfingers.com)

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6

Through the garden fence Jacksons Fencing has produced a hedgehog-friendly gravel board, helping to increase the population of hedgehogs. The addition of a large hole into the gravel board, allows hedgehogs to roam freely. A reinforced strip along the top of the board ensures the integrity is not weakened by the hole. (www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk)

Desired Designs

Step outside Summer is finally here. So make the most of the weather, step outside and enjoy the sunshine with these outdoor living pieces.

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4

Light it up

Lounging around

The Big Joe is Kamado Joe’s most versatile Kamado and can easily accommodate three full racks of ribs. Designed with thick-walled, heatresistant ceramic that keeps meats moist and a felt gasket that seals in smoke and flavour, the Big Joe is a work of expert craftsmanship.

The Isla collection is the latest addition to the Marine Bean range and combines comfort with the flexibility of modular furniture. This has been achieved through the development of a unique internal structure; comprising multiple ‘reticulated chambers', which support the beanbag.

(www.kamadojoe.com)

(www.coastnewzealand.com.au)

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5

Burnt to a crisp

Into the shade

Living It Up's Colorado Chimenea, with a black finish, is a fantastic way to heat your garden or patio for those late summer evenings. The bowl and flume are the perfect design to spread heat around the garden and keep the smoke away from you and your guests – sending it straight up into the air.

KSL Living’s Parasol Feuille Icarus is the perfect addition to any garden that lacks shade.

Ideal for your guests to gather around during scorching hot days, this parasol comes in 20 colours from white and red to camel and black.

(www.livingitup.co.uk)

(www.ksl-living.fr)

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Perfectly chilled

Sit back

Taking your drink from room temperature to perfectly chilled five times faster than a household refrigerator, Blastcool is perfect for those who love to entertain and are looking for a piece of technology to add to their outdoor living spaces to really make a difference this summer.

The luxurious Plump garden sofa from outdoor furniture expert Expormim, looks and feels like an indoor sofa, but it has a high resistant aluminium frame and quickdrying, mould proof foam cushions, making it a perfect addition for those laid back days in the sun.

(www.blastcool.com)

(www.gomodern.co.uk)

Ventilation

Ventilate right with MVHR

Left: These units take the stale air from inside the home and extract energy from it via a heat exchanger to recover heat that would normally be lost as part of the ventilation process

Self-builders are continually encouraged to make homes as airtight as possible to maximise energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprint. This means it is vital that adequate ventilation is in place to protect against Toxic Home Syndrome. Here, John Kelly at Airflow Developments looks at how intelligent ventilation can deliver fresh, healthy air, drive down energy expenditure and ensure homeowners benefit from a well-connected home.

M

aking properties airtight so that they are capable of retaining warm and cooled air effectively is playing a fundamental role in delivering 2025 emission’s targets. However, a sealed building can be more susceptible to damp, mould and condensation, especially in areas such as kitchens and bathrooms where higher levels of heat and moisture are generated. Without effective ventilation this can cause the building fabric to deteriorate and lead to potentially serious health problems for homeowners.

Toxic Home Syndrome is a condition where a person’s health declines as a result of poor indoor air quality caused by pollutants. As of late, the extent of the problem has been revealed with reports such as ‘Every Breath We Take: the lifelong

impact of air pollution’ being published throughout national newspapers. Worryingly, the report warns those exposed to poor indoor air quality are at risk of major health conditions such as cancer, asthma, heart disease and obesity.

When we take into account that we spend more than 90% of our time indoors and that the average adult requires 15,000 litres of clean air every day, we begin to see how crucial today’s advanced ventilation solutions are.

One such ‘whole house’ ventilation solution is Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR). Essentially, these units take the stale air from inside the home and extract energy from it via a heat exchanger to recover heat that would normally be lost as part of the ventilation process.

This energy is used to prewarm clean, fresh air that

These units take the stale air from inside the home and extract energy from it via a heat exchanger

Below: It is important that self-builders consider quality ventilation solutions

It is important that self-builders consider quality ventilation solutions

is continually being brought in from outside, which is then filtered and circulated around the home.

For example, our ADROIT range of residential MVHR units achieve over 90% heat recovery efficiency, providing unbeatable air quality and energy efficiency levels for homeowners.

The ADROIT ventilation system, which can be controlled via a computer or portable device such as a laptop, smartphone or tablet, can not only help achieve real-time monitoring and flexible management of indoor air environments, but also ensures homes are as energy-effective as possible.

Easy to use and with an intuitive colour display, the control panel is a responsive interface, which provides a step-by-step guide for homeowners to successfully manage the ventilation unit.

Importantly, the units are also designed with four profiles to choose from – Home, Away, Boost or Fireplace, giving users the ability to program the units according to their personal routines and preferences.

It is important that self-builders consider quality ventilation solutions that can be controlled at home or via mobile devices and are commissioned to be as energy-efficient and effective as possible. Not only will this help increase the appeal of the property and protect it against unsightly marks caused by damp, moist air, but it will also ensure homeowners are breathing in healthy, clean air continuously – helping to tackle Toxic Home Syndrome.

www.airflow.com info@airflow.com 01494 560800

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Sub-brow Viewpoint Eyebrow

Trade

Secrets Future g : build m rowth in the s elfarket is li kely to underp Govern inned in part be b m forward ent aims to d y rive change in build se the selfctor

Self-build market set to grow

According to a new report published by AMA Research, the self-build housing market is set to grow by 5% in value in 2016.

Andrew Hartley, Director of AMA Research, explains more.

R

ecent developments in the self-build housing market in the UK reflect the wider problems of the housebuilding sector. Demand remains strong and output could be so much higher without the constraints of land and financial support. The UK continues to have one of the lowest rates of self building – around 10% of new private sector

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housebuilding, compared to countries such as Austria, Belgium, Italy and Sweden where selfbuild rates are above 65%.

However, the last couple of years have seen a great deal of activity in the self-build sector through Government incentives and greater media exposure, and an improvement in the general economy, has also helped the market

increase in value, by an estimated 5% in 2015.

Estimates of volumes vary according to different definitions, but AMA estimates current self-build completions at around 12,000 dwellings.

Councils are now actively trying to enable more self/custom-build development, and local community groups are progressing with neighbourhood plans and Community Right to Build projects, while the Government has also established its Right to Build scheme.

The Government has also taken steps to raise the profile of self-build through a series of measures including easing constraints in planning, cutting taxes for self-build developments, providing a number of funds to assist individuals and communities to self-build, and by releasing public land for self-build projects. There is also increasing activity from developers, including some large housebuilders, to enable multi-unit self/custom-build projects and a growing number of new entrants into the ‘custom-build developer’ market.

Despite these positive influences, self-build completions are still below Government targets and a number of challenges still constrain growth in the sector. The main challenges to undertaking self-build projects continue to be access to land and finance, with additional challenges in the planning process and associated regulations.

In the current financial climate, self-builders attempting to obtain a mortgage still face a more restricted choice of lenders in the market willing to lend money on a property which has not yet been built. As a result, significant personal financial deposits by self-builders are still required.

Viewpoint Product systems in the self-build market are a mix of timber frame and traditional methods, with kits continuing to represent a significant share of the self-build sector. In terms of key distribution and material supply channels in the self-build market, builders and timber merchants represent the largest distribution channel with an estimated share of around 50% of the total materials market in 2015, followed by self-build specialists, online channels, specialist distributors etc.

Future growth in the self-build market is likely to be underpinned in part by Government aims to drive forward change in the self-build sector, which is now receiving more attention in the form of grant funding, tax reductions and an easing of land and planning constraints.

The Government’s Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act, which gained Royal Assent in March 2015, will now require local planning authorities to establish local registers of custombuilders who wish to acquire suitable land to build their own home. It also requires local authorities to give consideration to the demand on their local register when exercising planning functions.

The Government’s Housing and Planning Bill also includes several measures to facilitate self and custom-build, including placing a duty on councils to allocate land.

Our value estimates suggest steady forecasts, with self-build values rising by around 5% in 2016, reflecting an expectation in a modest rise in self-build volumes and material and labour costs. Thereafter, the self-build market is expected to grow steadily by around 7-10% per annum to 2020. In terms of the number of selfbuild dwellings, forecasts can vary widely.

Top left: The self-build market is expected to grow steadily by around 7-10% per annum to 2020 Left: Councils are now actively trying to enable more self/custombuild development Centre: The last couple of years have seen a great deal of activity in the self-build sector Above right: Product systems in the self-build market are a mix of timber frame and traditional methods, with kits continuing to represent a significant share of the self-build sector

Government plans, announced in 2011, to double the output of self-build housing to provide an additional 100,000 self-build units by 2021, are likely to be tempered by a number of factors, including the uncertain economy and wider housing market, a reluctance of lenders to make mortgage funding widely available, constraints in the planning system and ongoing difficulties surrounding the availability of land for self-build projects – all long-standing but generally unresolved issues to date.

Saying this, new measures are being introduced to alleviate some of these issues and our forecasts for the self-build sector are positive in the medium term.

The Self Build Housing Market Report – UK 20162020 Analysis report is published by AMA Research, a leading provider of market research and consultancy services with over 25 years’ experience within the construction and home improvement markets.

www.amaresearch.co.uk

15

Contracts & Legalities

Some builders or even architects may want you to sign a document which effectively adds the contractor as a joint insured to your insurance policy

Understanding joint insurance Andrew Reardon, Senior Self-build Account Handler at self-build insurance policy expert ProAktive Selfbuild, dicusses the implications of signing JCT clause 5.4B.

J

CT is an acronym for Joint Contracts Tribunal and is a huge subject. Not the most exciting of subjects I know, but you may well come across this at the beginning of your build and not be aware of the impact on your self-build insurance.

Some builders or even architects may want you to sign a document which effectively adds the contractor as a joint insured to your insurance policy much the same as a wife/husband etc would be. You have no legal obligation to sign the document, nor is there any issue with the contractor asking you to sign it, however it does impact on your insurances should you do so.

Making a claim By adding the contractor as a joint insured, effectively you waive the insurer’s right to subrogate a claim. So for example, you have the contractor working on site doing some plumbing which involves some hot work/soldering.

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The contractor leaves for the night, however the area is still hot and ignites some timber stored in the property. Subsequently the property catches light and the property burns to the ground (a total loss claim). Ordinarily, your insurer will look to claim its losses back from the third-party – in this case, the contractor – however because you signed JCT clause 5.4B, the contractor is treated as a policyholder and the insurer cannot claim those losses back.

Now, this isn’t to say that you shouldn’t sign the clause. However, you must make your insurer aware as it is likely to affect the premium you pay for the policy. Failure to do so may result in your insurer declining your claim as it is a material fact and the insurer will not have collected the correct premium for the increased risk.

ProAktive is an expert in its field and has provided self-build insurance for over 30 years.

www.selfbuildonline.co.uk

By adding the contractor as a joint insured, effectively you waive the insurer’s right to subrogate a claim

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Sub-browSanctuary Urban Eyebrow

Details in the fabric When Architect, Bernard Tulkens, bought his home in Hackney, there was a piece of land at the bottom of his garden accessed by a gate.

From the outset, Bernard knew it was an ideal infill plot for a self-build scheme, with direct access to the roadside and in a residential location.

B

ernard’s original plan was to use the project as a test ground for his interest in sustainable design, while building a home that his children could one day move into. While the scheme has achieved the first of those objectives with a certified Passivhaus build and a quirky, contemporary design, the property is now the home of Bernard’s in-laws who have brought a lifelong interest in antiques into the modernist space to create a stunningly eclectic home.

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Explains Bernard: “The house is not a self-build in the traditional sense because I didn’t build it so that I could live in it myself. However, I was the architect, the project manager and the client on the scheme.

“What I hadn’t anticipated was building a home for a retired couple, which, potentially could have influenced the design. Building it as an experimental project for my children meant that I had much more freedom to explore construction methods and put sustainability to best practice with very contemporary styling.

Passivhaus challenges When Bernard started designing the house, one of his biggest goals was to ensure that it delivered a high standard of sustainability and he looked at various sustainability standards to provide design cues.

“The problem was,” Bernard continues, “many of the standards are not really measureable in terms of outcomes and I didn’t want a situation where the project’s environmental credentials were not as credible as they first appeared.

“I started to look at Passivhaus accreditation as a best practice standard for sustainability. Not only was it tried and tested, it was also measurable. And those measures are very exacting with clear targets for air tightness and

U-values delivered through the integration of a considered ventilation strategy and a ‘fabric first’ approach.

“However, as I was already involved in the project as an architect, client and construction coordinator, I made the decision to appoint accredited Passivhaus designer Peter Rankin to help with the PHPP (Passive House Planning Package) calculations and review the design against Passivhaus standards. This collaboration was critical to the project’s success in achieving Passivhaus accreditation.”

In fact, the house is one of only five Passivhaus homes in London and the first to be built in Hackney, despite the borough’s reputation as the ‘coolest’ in the capital. The Passivhaus Institut was established to promote and control Passivhaus standards some 20 years ago, therefore Bernard felt confident in using them as the basis for his design.

In many ways, however, the plot was not ideal for a Passivhaus build. Located in a conservation area, it was subject to planning restrictions on the height of the property. As a result, Bernard designed the house as a two-level home with a basement and ground floor

Urban Sanctuary

“As it turns out, the energy efficiency, impressive U-values and bare interiors have provided an ideal home for the in-laws because the blank canvas and industrial feel of the interior creates a dramatic contrast with their antique furniture, while the Passivhaus specification gives them a comfortable living environment and extremely low energy bills.”

Above: The dark zinc finish of the external walls echoes the black single ply flat roof Right: The south elevation is overlooked by a four-storey building so the house relies on a reduced level of solar gain from the west Left: The house is one of only five Passivhaus homes in London and the first to be built in Hackney

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Urban Sanctuary

and a topsy-turvy layout that features the bedroom and bathroom on the lower ground level with the living/ dining and kitchen areas on the upper ground floor.

Bernard comments: “Passivhaus usually relies on maximising the thermal value of solar gain with highperformance insulation. However, the south elevation is overlooked by a four-storey building so the house relies on a reduced level of solar gain from the west, with only a small window on the south-facing wall and a triple layer of Gutex wood fibre insulation.

“As a client, this might have made me nervous, but as an architect the additional challenges made the project exciting because it was all part of creating a design strategy that could work with the limitations of the plot and still deliver a great home to Passivhaus standards.”

Impressive U-values Because Bernard was Architect, Project Manager and Client while still operating his busy architectural practice, Tectonics, the build process took several years and numerous design revisions. Planning was secured in 2010, with excavation and drainage following in 2013 and construction beginning in earnest in 2014/15. It was 10 years earlier, however, that Bernard had first come across the building material that was to become pivotal to his approach to both building the structure and insulating it.

Bernard explains: “It was back in 2004 that I was first introduced to CLT (cross laminated timber) as an engineered timber product with good structural properties and low environmental impact. It was over 10 years later that I used it for the first time on my own build!”

CLT provided an ideal approach for the above ground section of the build because it meant that the structure could be constructed with minimal joints, aiding air tightness. It is also a breathable material fabricated from raw wood, which complemented both the Passivhaus goal of a diffusion open structure and the idea of using renewable resources.

It was the CLT supplier that signposted Bernard to the insulation strategy for the property, which is fundamental to a fabric first approach to Passivhaus certification.

Bernard worked with environmental building products specialist, Ecological Building Systems, to develop the specification for this part of the build.

Explains Senior Technical Engineer at Ecological Building Systems, Niall Crosson: “Our portfolio of products has been handpicked to enable the construction of more energy-efficient homes based on a fabric first approach.

We work with specifiers and self-builders to help them determine the best combination of products to achieve their designed U-values, which, in this case, was a proclima airtight vapour membrane followed by a triple layer of Gutex single ply wood fibreboard insulation.”

Following the CLT assembly and installation of highperformance windows, the pro-clima DA airtight, weatherresistant vapour layer was used to completely encase the ground floor structure and taped to seal joins, preventing

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Above: The property is now the home of Bernard’s in-laws who have brought a lifelong interest in antiques into the modernist space Right: The energy efficiency, impressive U-values and bare interiors have provided an ideal home for the in-laws Above left: Bernard's house tells the story of its sustainable construction in its interior Left: One of Bernard's biggest goals was to ensure that the house delivered a high standard of sustainability

Sub-browSanctuary Eyebrow Urban the free movement of warm air and vapour out of the building, while reducing the risk of condensation. Joins were sealed using pro-clima VANA tape.

The Gutex insulation was then adhered to the structure in three layers of varying thicknesses: a 140 and 120mm Gutex Thermosafe Homogen and a 60mm weatherresistant Gutex Ultratherm board. The system was secured using 500mm HECO Topix screws installed, as per Niall’s calculations, to satisfy the significant suction and shear loads such as depth of insulation and cladding creates.

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Urban Sanctuary

Niall continues: “The Passivhaus standard for thermal performance is no more than 0.6 ac/h @50pa and the house has achieved 0.29 ac/h @50pa overall, with a U-value of 0.10 W/m2K for the upper walls where the Gutex insulation was installed. Bernard started with a target U-value and we helped calculate the specification from there, with the completed structure checked and verified by the project’s Passivhaus Consultant, Peter Ranken.”

The CLT and Gutex build-up sits neatly on top of the basement level concrete structure and the house is clad in a ‘raincoat’ of continuous zinc above ground level. The dark zinc finish of the external walls echoes the black single ply flat roof.

Scalable success The stripped back look of raw materials and exposed services continues inside the house. Bernard decided to leave the wood and concrete finishes on the walls and ceilings and the ducting and pipework for the highperformance MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) system is also on show.

Bernard continues: “The house tells the story of its sustainable construction in its interior. The MVHR unit extracts air from the warmest parts of the house – the kitchen and bathroom – and uses it to pre-heat incoming fresh air. Combined with solar gain and high-performance insulation, this means that the home remains at a comfortable 21°C all year round, with the only additional heat coming from two electric towel rails. When your

Above: Planning was secured in 2010, with excavation and drainage following in 2013 and construction beginning in earnest in 2014/15 Left: The stripped back look of raw materials and exposed services continues inside the house

specification has achieved that and ensured that heating costs are less than £14 per month, why not make a feature of it?”

With the one-bedroom house totalling just circa 100m2 (94m2 for the Passivhaus measuring method) it’s easy to assume that it’s the modest size of the house that’s keeping the heating bills so low. However, Bernard states that the U-values may actually be improved in a scaled up property using the same high-performance insulation and ventilation.

He adds: “As my first Passivhaus scheme, this was definitely a labour of love, but I am now looking at a new project in South London and would definitely take a similar approach and work with experts like Ecological Building Systems and Peter Ranken again.”

www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com/UK

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Impressive Innovation

Room to breathe To meet the growing needs of their growing family, Tania and Mike Voaden have transformed their stylish home into a spacious, light and airy family abode.

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hen Tania and Mike Voaden bought their stylish home in Kentish Town, North West London, 15 years ago it had everything they were looking for. The location, on a quiet cul-de-sac, the period features, preserved thanks to the street’s conservation status, and the space, two sizeable bedrooms, ticked all of the boxes for this new family.

As Tania and Mike’s family has expanded to include three children, now aged 10, seven and

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four, the once-spacious house began to feel cramped. The Voadens were left with a difficult decision – they could either move to a bigger house, or renovate the much-loved family home to suit their new needs.

“When my husband and I bought this house 15 years ago it was the perfect size and location,” says Tania, the homeowner and an Administrator at a local primary school in Kentish Town.

“Even after our first child, we had enough

space. But by the time our third child arrived there just wasn’t enough room to live comfortably and we felt we needed a bigger area for our children to play and to grow. We also wanted another bedroom for the kids, so they didn’t have to share one small room. We were left with a bit of a dilemma, but we absolutely loved the house, the street and the area and felt really strongly about extending rather than moving altogether.”

Not only did the Voadens feel short of living space, they also felt passionate about creating a

The addition of just five VELUX roof windows in increasing natural daylight in the home has been a revelation for the family

Impressive Innovation

The use of VELUX Centre-Pivot roof windows, in white polyurethane finish, allowed for the maximum amount of daylight and fresh air to enter the home

Tania and Mike made the decision to create a larger, brighter, open-plan kitchen/living room at the back end of their property

lighter and airier home with higher ceilings and more windows, bringing aspects of the outside in.

“Our home had always felt considerably dark due to its cottage style and position. It’s also surrounded by mature oak trees leaving it in the shade, even on the brightest day,” explains Tania.

With no real source of natural daylight, the family was shadowed in darkness and noticed the effects of living in a home lacking in brightness. Mike and Tania grew tired of the clutter and lack of ‘breathing space’ in the house. They knew what they wanted to do, but just weren’t sure how.

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Impressive Innovation

Tania said: “As a family we love the outdoors and the kids have always been active and eager to get home from school to play in the garden, so it was a bit trying at times when we’d come home to a gloomy house in the winter months and they’d be stuck inside a confined space. I also love cooking and spending time in the kitchen preparing family meals, but being in a dark, cramped space meant it was becoming a mundane task rather than an enjoyable part of my day. We were desperate to seek help and advice on how to transform our home to suit our lifestyle.”

With the help of Martins Camisuli Architects, Tania and Mike made the decision to create a larger, brighter, openplan kitchen/living room at the back end of their property, to remove a disused and cramped attic to allow daylight to filter throughout the home and to add a third bedroom above the newly-created extension.

“Martins Camisuli Architects came highly recommended to us by family friends,” says Tania. “It was fantastic that we were able to see first-hand the quality of their work in

Right: The Voadens set out to increase their family living space, and what they got in return is a bright and airy home Below: The architect’s solution was to add VELUX roof windows to all three of the bedrooms Opposite: The rooms are flooded with natural daylight and are kept well ventilated

a number of homes in the area – it really put our minds at ease that we were making the right choice. We particularly liked the way the team used simple but effective design to make the most of the space available.”

Leading on the project was MD Sebastian Camisuli and one of his first recommendations was to introduce natural light from above throughout the house.

With Fortess Grove sitting in a conservation area, there were limits on external fenestration meaning that the Voadens were restricted from using large picture windows to allow light in. Sebastian’s solution was to add VELUX roof windows to all three of the bedrooms, the upstairs bathroom and in the newly-created kitchen, giving each space a real wow factor. The use of VELUX Centre-Pivot roof windows, in white polyurethane finish, allowed for the maximum amount of daylight and fresh air to enter the home, while keeping the look clean and contemporary throughout.

Tania said: “When we enter our home now, we are struck by the sense of space and it has been lovely to come in and leave some of the chill behind while still being bathed in seasonal daylight. I can now head to the kitchen when I’m home from work and prepare food in natural light rather than in the shadowy recess of our old kitchen. The same goes for the kids when they want to play indoors on colder days. They can now enjoy playing inside the home just as much as outside as their rooms are flooded with natural daylight and are kept well-ventilated so they feel fresh.”

The addition of just five VELUX roof windows in increasing natural daylight in the home has been a

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Sub-brow Eyebrow Impressive Innovation

Impressive Innovation

Considering roof windows?

Go one step further!

Charlie Luxton sheds light on his view of home automation…

revelation for the family. The Voadens set out to increase their family living space, and what they got in return is a bright and airy home that perfectly integrates both old and new aspects of the building. Both Tania and Mike are now proud to welcome people into the home, with the transformation not going unnoticed by their guests either.

Tania added: “We definitely feel the benefit of increased sunshine and everyone who has been to see the house immediately comments on how light and airy it feels.

We’re all feeling the benefits already with all of the rooms now full of natural daylight and fresh air – giving the home the spacious feel we’ve needed for so long. Mike and I are already planning our first party as we know that we have room for guests to move around and enjoy the surroundings and extra space!”

www.velux.co.uk

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Above: Both Tania and Mike are now proud to welcome people into their home

Home automation is an area of architecture that, until recently, I have been ambivalent about. There were a number of good reasons for this.

Firstly, architecture doesn’t always go as smoothly as planned and there can be complications with planning issues etc. Secondly, when everyone was talking about smart homes and ‘the internet of things’, the best reason they gave for embracing this brave new world was when you run out of milk, your fridge will order more!

However, home technology is really changing fast and for the better and what’s more it is becoming affordable and reliable. The introduction of wireless controls and open platform programming has meant that a myriad of devices from different manufacturers can be linked into one control system.

The possibility of windows opening and lights and ovens coming on as you’re on your way home, all controlled by your phone and not some gargantuan suitcase of a controller, is actually here. The ‘nice to have’ entertainment and security potential of smart homes is great, but where home automation is becoming fundamental is for sustainable housing. To really drive down energy needs, some level of automation is key.

To that end, in our practice, we are increasingly using roof windows to provide more than natural light, but also to provide secure, responsive ventilation. Simple internet-enabled actuators connected to rain sensors and thermostats are turning windows and increasingly roof windows into a crucial part of sustainable homes.

Affordable and reliable without the need for miles of cabling, the new smart home really will be a better home.

SketchUp 2016 is here!

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SketchUp, Connected Reference, sync, comment, report, and share: SketchUp 2016 is more connected than ever to the projects, information, and people you work with.

Simple, intuitive, just right Every day, we obsess over making SketchUp seamless and efficient. Here’s what our obsession yielded in SketchUp 2016.

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Enhanced inferencing and tool improvements Customiseable Utility Trays on Windows Refreshed Textures LayOut Layers

SketchUp Pro licensing is now friendlier than ever before. Every SketchUp 2016 download starts with a 30-day trial of Pro features.

Contact Elmtec, Sketchup’s distribution Partner in the UK

E: sales@elmtec.co.uk

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W: www.elmtec.co.uk

Tools/Equipment

Left: The trick is to know which tools can do lots of jobs well and which tasks are best completed with a specialist tool Below: Knowing which tool does what best is not always as straightforward as one would hope

The right tools for the job Embarking on a self-build project is both an exciting and daunting prospect, but one thing that can make the experience a lot smoother and more enjoyable is having the right tools for the job.

Here Nathan Ford, Application Specialist at FEIN, gives advice on the ‘must-have’ items in every self-builder's toolbox.

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he world of power tools is extremely diverse and knowing which tool does what best is not always as straightforward as one would hope. While buying specialist or niche tools for individual tasks might be costeffective for the time-served professional, it isn’t always for the DIYer – the trick is to know which tools can do lots of jobs well and which tasks are best completed with a specialist tool.

Starting with the category of multifunction tools, there is one that clearly rises to the top of the list. The oscillating multi tool (OMT) market has exploded in recent years and for good reason, their versatility and durability has made them a must-have tool across nearly every trade.

Sanding, cutting wood, cutting metal, cutting plastic, grout removal, polishing, and rasping are just a few of the tasks OMTs can carry out.

The best OMTs have a combination of power, comfort and a quick accessory change.

A high-powered machine with variable speed is best, as it will give the user greater control to produce a higher quality of finish. Comfort is also extremely important with OMTs, because

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of the oscillating movement. All OMTs vibrate, but the best have innovative anti-vibration and noise cancellation features, these will make them much nicer to work with in the hand. The speed of accessory change will also make a big difference. Because OMTs are so multifunctional, inevitably users will be changing the accessories often and if this process is difficult or long-winded then it will become a real bugbear. FEIN’s new OMT range features its new Starlock accessory mounting system, which enables accessory changes in less than three seconds without the need for additional clamping removable parts like a pin.

The other multifunction tool that springs to mind is the power drill and screwdriver. Whether it’s making multiple screw connections, drilling wood, plastic or masonry, a power drill is an essential part of the self-builder’s tool bag. Things to look out for in a good drill include a brushless motor for added reliability, high torque rating for the tougher jobs, comfortable weight and balance for prolonged use and extra features like an LED light, drill bit holder and battery read out display.

Specialist tools that self-builders should consider for specific tasks include collated screw guns if there is a large amount of dry-walling or stud wall erection and angle grinders for cutting metal, pavers, mortar or cleaning and polishing surfaces.

A consideration across all power tools is whether to go cordless or corded. Both have their merits but for the self-builder I would recommend cordless.

Battery technology has come a long way in recent years and many cordless tools will now produce the same power that you get from their corded counterparts. Run-times have increased massively too and the best kits come with two batteries minimum and a rapid charger (offering recharge times of around 35 minutes).

To make the most cost-efficient investment in power tools look out for relevant combination sets and manufacturers that have one battery compatible across multiple machines. For instance, FEIN offers a number of OMT and power drill combination sets that bring the two most versatile tools together with interchangeable batteries.

www.fein-uk.co.uk

Call us today and tell us what you're searching for...

At J&S House of Design we know that searching for that wow design can be difficult but you know it when you see it. With stunning designs for kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms we are able to create that individual and creative solution that we know you want to achieve. No matter what budget you have set for your project you should not have to compromise on a great and creative design solution.

Why not let us show you how, visit www.jshouseofdesign.co.uk or email sales@jshod.co.uk.

Kitchens - Bedrooms - Bathrooms

Call us now on 01865 596768

30 Years experience in getting it right

Bricks/Blocks

A unique edge Often overlooked, mortar contributes greatly to the exterior aesthetics of a property. Iain Betts, an expert in mortar from Tarmac’s Building Products division, discusses how opting for coloured mortar can give a new home a designer edge that makes it stand out from the crowd.

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large part of a self-build’s appeal comes from the ability to tailor every element and create something that perfectly reflects the tastes and aspirations of the owner. This also applies to the external design which has to maximise kerb appeal.

A feature which is still regularly overlooked, despite having a huge impact on the look and appeal of a property, is the choice of mortar, specifically its colour. Ideal for

Above: In addition to the beneficial aesthetics, a coloured mortar can help to maximise economies in other areas of a build Below: Greys and dark tones are starting to become more common in the mortar world

masonry and roof tile bedding on projects of all sizes, mortar colours that go above and beyond the standard natural or buff options, can completely change the aesthetic appeal of a completed home.

Alternative mortar colours are seen much more often in commercial markets where architects have more forgiving budgets and greater creative freedom that allows them to consider the type of mortar being used, alongside a wider range of brick finishes. Whilst natural or buff coloured mortars will blend in with the most common brick choices, matching the mortar exactly to the brick type can create a sleek, uniform effect. This works particularly well with modern and contemporary housing designs which continue to grow in popularity.

As with interior trends, greys and dark tones are starting to become more common in the mortar world.

They are successful at turning simple brickwork into a statement by reinforcing the shadow effect of a joint; especially when used alongside a lighter brick tone.

More daring colours, such as shades of red and yellow, also provide a greater degree of creative freedom. This is essential for creating a building that will truly stand out from the crowd and make a unique design statement.

Plus, if the property is in an area where the local stone or brick is very distinctive, such as the yellow stone found in the Cotswolds, then using a match service to find the correct colour may be necessary to complement surrounding buildings.

In addition to the beneficial aesthetics, a coloured mortar can help to maximise economies in other areas of a build. The nominal cost of coloured (in comparison to standard) mortar will enhance the appeal of a lower quality brick for instance. As mortar accounts for around 17% of the brickwork area, it has the ability to transform the appearance of the completed build at a much lower cost.

Furthermore, choosing a reputable manufacturer which supplies factory-produced mortar will ensure consistency and quality for an overall high quality finish.

A reliable production method and the inclusion of synthetic iron oxide pigments also removes the potential risk of fading and wash-out, which can happen if the mortar is coloured with separately purchased pigments.

Plus, factory-produced mortar is likely to be much more predictable and reliable in terms of the final colour once applied and dried. The industry-recognised and respected ‘Y reference’ is actually owned by Tarmac and was developed to help builders achieve an accurate specification.

Ultimately, each individual building product should be considered carefully as they play a small but significant role in the overall design and look of a completed property. With mortar making up a large proportion of an external facade, considering coloured options is a simple and achievable way of making a statement and further reflecting the personality of the owner.

www.tarmac.com/mortar

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Furniture

Planning for your furniture – what you haven’t thought of With a self-build there is so much to think about. Furniture and accessories may be the final consideration, but it is worth taking the time to think, research and plan the big budget rooms at the initial planning stage, saving money and making the most of the space in the long run.

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our architect will have planned out the space and layout of the house; however, most people find visualising rooms at this stage difficult, so you are effectively in the hands of the architect. Based on their experience, they will instinctively map out WCs, basins, baths, showers and sinks for you in their plans. This is generally the accepted starting point for a build, but at this stage some thought to each room’s lighting, controls and placement for plumbing is crucial, otherwise trades may fall back on traditional first fix positioning, limiting your choices when it comes to furnishing and accessorising rooms.

semi-recessed basins and back-to-wall pans on a single furniture unit, are finally being replaced with wall-hung WCs, countertop basins on wall-hung furniture and illuminated mirrors with integral storage. A favourite in Europe for decades, the UK’s developers and consumers are becoming increasingly confident with wall-hung options which are space-saving, make cleaning easier and really add the wow factor you’re looking for.

Obstacles like floor-fed plumbing works can be avoided in the planning stage if you have already considered the type of sanitaryware and furniture you want in the bathroom.

Hotel-inspired bathrooms

Bedrooms and walk-in robes

Mid to high-level hotels continue to be the inspiration for UK bathrooms. Traditional floorstanding WCs, with pedestal basins, or

J&S House of Design’s experience shows that ladies are going to look for ways to incorporate a walk-in robe into any self-build or renovation, it seems

to be on every woman’s ultimate wish list. This obviously needs to be looked into at the planning stage. Where a walk-in is not an option, fitted wardrobes in bedrooms not only make the most of the space, but can incorporate entertainment systems and floor-to-ceiling storage hidden behind full length mirrors.

Besides the need for adequate wardrobes and drawers, whether fitted or not, additional furniture in the bedroom can be kept to a minimal, a bed with a statement headboard for visual impact and small bedside tables are really all that is required; the rest depends on size and taste, for example TV stands, chaise longues and ottomans.

Formal elements like dressing tables and stools are now generally incorporated into en-suites or accommodated in the walk-in robe.

Kitchens – the heart of the home Your kitchen really is the heart of the home and current trends are to keep them open-plan, adjoining a dining or family room. The most common mistake when designing or furnishing a kitchen is that you base your choices on what you have had before or grown-up with. These influences, although helpful, can distract from what designing a kitchen should really be about, which is the way it will be used and how it fits in with the rest of the house.

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Furniture You need to ask yourself questions on how the kitchen will be used in terms of the styles of cooking, entertaining and social factors. On top of that are the practical aspects of storage and accessibility; do you have mega bowls you need to store? Is your mobility limited? Will you be able to reach everything? From the answers to these questions you can start to build a picture of the kitchen you need, and explore the possibilities of furniture and accessories. Do you need an island for additional storage, or so you are not staring at the wall while preparing food? Do you need a breakfast bar so people can sit out of your way while you’re cooking or clearing up? Do you want to be on your knees searching through cupboards, when a system of large drawers will effortlessly slide their contents out to you? What you have always known shouldn’t be the starting point for choosing your furniture and accessories in the kitchen.

The current trend for LED lighting adds ambience and will illuminate crockery collections and cooking areas, but is another element best considered at the planning stage. It is not until you really think about how you use the kitchen that you’ll realise you might like these elements.

Of course, all choices of furniture and accessories depend on your aspirations and budgets, but by thinking about them in the early stages of a self-build you can save space and money in the planning. Thinking about how you use each room in the house will give you insight into the right layouts and the right furniture. For example, your architect may have placed a kitchen sink in front of a small window, but if you spend time washing and

preparing food you’ll want a sink that enables you to face your guests or family. Don’t be frightened to embrace wall-hung furniture in the bathroom for its contemporary design and space-saving options, and ensure first fix plumbing is positioned correctly. There is no need to clutter the bedroom when either a walk-in robe, larger en-suite or fitted wardrobes are possible; use a headboard to make the design statement.

By thinking of furnishings at the planning stages you can really innovate with design, incorporate technology and entertainment systems and enjoy the spaces you create by adding your personal accessories and additional pieces to complete and enhance your home.

www.jshouseofdesign.co.uk

Top centre: Your kitchen really is the heart of the home and current trends are to keep them open-plan Far left: All choices of furniture and accessories depend on your aspirations and budgets, but by thinking about them in the early stages of a self-build you can save space and money Top: You need to ask yourself questions on how the kitchen will be used in terms of the styles of cooking Above: A bed with a statement headboard for visual impact and small bedside tables are really all that is required to make a statement

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Sanitaryware

Left: The glamorous Boutique Walk-In offers a luxurious sense of space Below: This Eau Zone Plus Ultra Bespoke shows a seamless, totally frameless appearance

Splash out on your new bathroom Whether you’re designing your bathroom from scratch or renovating an existing space, here Matki’s Managing Director, Nicholas Cunild, uncovers the latest shower enclosure trends for 2016.

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athroom design has changed dramatically over the years. Shapes, finishes, colours and textures drift in and out of fashion and the number of products on offer from a variety of national and global suppliers has ballooned.

The importance of the bathroom in the house is growing. People are apportioning relatively more space to the bathroom than they did in the past and are investing more in its contents with a mind to enjoying it as a relaxing space as well as to building value in their homes. Current trends that we have noticed are as follows:

Curves ahead There is a resurgence of curved styling in the bathroom. The stark, angular lines of recent years have mellowed to a friendlier, softer look echoed across various elements of bathroom furniture. Curved shower enclosures have always been popular but are now beginning to assert themselves more strongly at the luxury end of the market. When elegantly designed, with minimal and highly polished framing, they can

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look superb in the bathroom and are a neat and effective use of space.

Spa statements With larger spaces to work with, walk-in showering configurations are ideal for a luxurious spa and boutique environment. Wetrooms have been extremely popular and give a wonderfully spacious, open feel to a bathroom. However, for those wanting to keep some areas of the bathroom dry but still achieve a Wetroom feel, using a walk-in shower enclosure with an integrated tray fitted flush with the floor tiles is perfect for the best of both worlds.

Products such as the glamorous Boutique Walk-In offers a luxurious sense of space. This particular product is available in sizes of 1200, 1500 and 1700mm with a height of 2056mm, made from 8 and 10mm solid safety glass with chrome plated details.

Go bespoke Customisation has been a key development of recent years in a number of industries and

the bathroom industry is no different. Bespoke shower enclosures in a myriad of sizes, shapes and finishes allow people more control in aligning that area of the bathroom to their own preferences.

Whether it be angled glass for a loft conversion with sloping ceilings, a cut side panel over a dwarf wall or outsize enclosure to create a real wow factor, bespoke enclosures can be tailor-made to requirements and are increasingly popular.

Practicality should never stand in the way of true beauty and luxury in the bathroom. The impressive Eau Zone Plus Ultra Bespoke option shows the frames cleverly recessed into the wall to provide a seamless, totally frameless appearance.

www.matki.co.uk

Can a house really be made out of straw?

Forget everything that The Three Little Pigs fairytale taught you; straw bale construction is a natural and affordable self-build construction method.

Would you like to see

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your self-build project in our next issue?

Get involved: Know any budding self-builders? The i-build website and magazine have already become an invaluable resource, and subscriptions are absolutely free! Visit i-buildmagazine.com /subscriptions

Whether you're halfway through your build, or sitting back and enjoying the finished article, we'd love to hear from you!

Tell us about your renovation, conversion, extension or new build:

hannah@mixedmediainfo.com

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Audio Visual

On the big screen Creating a cinema can help bring the magic of the movies, the tension of the big match or the thrill of online gaming to your home. But where do you start? Connected AV offers some essential guidance.

Planning When should you start thinking about your cinema room?

The answer is simple – as early as possible! Think about it before you start creating any plans to submit for planning applications. Whilst it is possible to plan and install a cinema room yourself, appointing a specialist professional will make life much easier. For a list of industry certified professionals near you, check out industry body CEDIA’s website (cedia.org.uk). They will work with you and your architect and help you get the best out of the room taking into account, room size and height, acoustics, viewing angles, speaker positioning, equipment and even seating.

Type of room First of all, think about how the cinema will fit into your home. Will you have a dedicated room for it? Or would you prefer to have it integrated into a living space like a lounge

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or playroom? The former means your emphasis is likely to be on the quality of the equipment and the overall cinema experience, whilst the latter may mean that the focus is more on the interior design aesthetics of the equipment.

Sources and kit If you are lucky enough to be able to dedicate a room to your home cinema, think about where your source equipment will go. This is all the equipment you’ll play your media from, be it Sky/Virgin, Blu-ray player, games console or online media streamers like Apple TV. It may be tempting to place it all under the screen, but a dedicated space for an AV rack or shelving can help keep equipment cooler, easier to service and even quieter – you’d be surprised how noisy the fans can be in some equipment.

Above: Nothing beats a large projector screen for the proper immersive cinema experience Above right: Whilst it is possible to plan and install a cinema room yourself, appointing a specialist professional will make life much easier Right: It can be an advantage to have a TV that can be used in brighter light for daytime use and a projection screen for the family movie night

Audio Visual All images © The Cinema Company

TV, projector or both?

If you are able to have the room as dark as possible, then nothing beats a large projector screen for the proper immersive cinema experience. However, projectors aren’t suitable for every room. If you are unable to shut out most or all the ambient light (for example in areas with glass walls or large windows), or simply don’t want to sit in darkness whilst watching the big match on a Saturday afternoon, then a large TV may be a better option. Prices are quickly falling and indeed at the time of writing, a quick Google search for 75” TVs has several models dipping below £3000.

If you are considering a projector and screen we highly recommend speaking to a professional.

They will be able to calculate the best screen size and recommend a projector suited to the room, depending on where it is to be located and how bright it needs to be. Additionally, we can recommend the best projection screen for your property. Whilst it may seem like you can just project on to a white wall, the job of a projection screen is to reflect light back at you, the viewer. A

flat painted wall will often scatter the light in all directions, whilst a projection screen will help focus it back at you resulting in a sharper picture. That’s even before you start thinking about additional extras like acoustically transparent screens that would allow the speakers to be hidden behind it.

Finally, if you’re still not sure whether to have a TV or a projector, why not have both? Particularly in mixed-use rooms, it can be an advantage to have a TV that can be used in brighter light for daytime use and a projection screen for the family movie night.

Many AV receivers – often known as amps – have dual outputs that allow you to choose which one you are using without having to swap cables around.

Speakers The most common surround sound setup is known as 5.1 surround. This consists of three speakers around the screen (left, right and centre) as well as two speakers at the rear of the room.

The “point one” aspect relates to the subwoofer that handles all the low frequencies. There are

variants of this setup such as 7.1, 7.2 and even up to 11.2, although more speakers doesn’t necessarily mean better sound! You are often better to budget for a good quality 5.1 system, rather than getting as many speakers as you can.

However, one recent development to counteract this argument is the introduction of Dolby Atmos. This system uses two or four additional speakers (usually in-ceiling) that produce an incredibly lifelike re-creation of overhead sound. These setups are known as 5.1.2 – where the additional “point two” refers to the number of additional speakers. Whilst this may stretch the budget to start with, it’s worth cabling for these additional speakers now as they could be added at a later date when budgets allow.

Furnishing A cinema room should be decorated with lots of soft furnishings. Hard surfaces like tiled floors reflect sound, meaning it will bounce around the room, resulting in a muddled sound.

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Audio Visual Dress the room with carpets, heavy curtains, plush sofas and even upholstered walls to absorb reflected sound. A good integrator can advise on soundproofing your room even further during the construction stage with acoustic grade plasterboard and wall panels.

Don’t have a dedicated room?

Don’t worry, there are a lot of products out there that allow you to integrate a home cinema as discreetly as possible into an existing lounge, den, playroom or even open-plan living spaces. Projector screens and even projectors can drop down from a recess in the ceiling to help hide them when they’re not in use. Speakers can be disguised as artworks (artcoustic. com) or even plastered into the walls completely (amina.co.uk).

Even TVs can be hidden behind mirrors (PictureFrame.tv).

Above: A cinema room should be decorated with lots of soft furnishings, such as carpets, curtains and softs Right: Ensure to future-proof your system as much as possible Below: A good integrator can advise on soundproofing your room even further during the construction stage

DIY Whilst a good integrator will advise on the correct cabling, if you are set on doing it yourself, then ensure you future-proof your system as much as possible.

Run speaker cables for any additional speakers you may want to add at a later date. Ensure you have the latest specification of a HDMI cable between your TV/ projector and your sources and it’s always a good idea to run some additional CAT6 Data cables between them as well for networking and upgrades.

How much will it cost?

The age old question we always get asked! At the very entry level, you could pick up a TV and 5.1 system and get going for £1500-£4000. A mid-range professionally installed and fully integrated cinema could be anything from around £10,000 to £30,000 upwards. Top of the range? The sky is the limit!

Finally, we’ll repeat what we said at the start of the article.

Find a good integrator, and get planning. It might not seem like a big deal but making sure you have the right kit and the right cables at the start will save headaches in the long run and will allow you to upgrade in the future.

www.connected-av.co.uk www.thecinemacompany.com

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Smart Ventilation with Heat Recovery

Take Control, at Home or “On the Go” The Problem

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Modern self build buildings are increasingly well insulated, which leads to health affecting

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pollutants being trapped in your home, which can lead to the development of Toxic Home

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Syndrome – with over 15,000,000 UK homes at risk.

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The Solution

Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) can help to prevent Toxic Home Syndrome and improve your indoor air quality by removing these pollutants and supply your home with pre-warmed, filtered,

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Over 90% heat recovery Triple filter for fresher, cleaner indoor air Internet control by smartphone, tablet or PC 4 user profiles to fit around your daily routine Save energy, better air quality 100% summer bypass to help prevent overheating in the summer

clean air – improving your health and saving on your energy bills.

What is MVHR?

MVHR is the process of filtering out airborne pollutants from your home, and replacing it with clean, fresh, filtered air whilst reclaiming the heat that would have otherwise been lost from the extracted air. out after work

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Homebuilding & Renovating Show

Left: Bring along your plans and questions and get tailored solutions from self-build and renovation experts Below: Join The Homebuilding & Renovating Show in its seminar theatre for bite-sized sessions Bottom: The Homebuilding & Renovating Show brings together thousands of the freshest ideas from suppliers based across the country

Meet the experts and bring your plans to life The Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show proudly returns to Sandown Park, Surrey, from 25 to 26th June. The show is a platform for the freshest, most inspiring ideas and more than 220 exhibitors will be ready to guide you through the latest products and innovations.

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as your goal this year to finally do that extension?

Are you halfway through updating your interiors?

Maybe you’ve been dreaming of building a secure, sustainable house from scratch? A visit to the Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show at Sandown Park, Surrey, this June will give you practical help to turn your plans into a reality.

Over two days, you’ll be able to talk to architects, designers, legal experts, craftspeople and self-build specialists – not to mention suppliers of everything from flooring and roof tiles, to interior paint and storage solutions.

500+ free one-to-one advice sessions Bring along your plans and questions and get tailored solutions from self-build and renovation experts in a 15 minute free, one-toone session at the Advice Centre.

220+ key suppliers Whatever the product, there’s nothing quite like seeing it in real life. Only then can you get a feel for the quality and picture it in your home. The

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Homebuilding & Renovating Show brings together thousands of the freshest ideas from suppliers based across the country, all in one space.

20+ educational masterclasses Smart, secure, sustainable – whatever you want your project to be, masterclasses can help. They’re short sessions jam-packed with detailed advice on specific talking points, all from the brightest minds in the world of homebuilding and renovations.

12+ in-depth daily seminars Join The Homebuilding & Renovating Show in its seminar theatre for bite-sized sessions that give practical answers to common questions, covering topics ranging from interior renovations to building extensions.

Each seminar is 30 minutes long and all are designed to leave you full of ideas.

www.homebuildingshow.co.uk/ibuild To get 2 for 1 show tickets for just £12*, visit The Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show's website. *£1.50 transaction fee applies. Offer expires 3pm 24th June 2016. Children 16 and under go free.

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i-scape

Life of luxury When building the home of your dreams, external accessories are often overlooked and left as an afterthought. Hot tubs are great features for outdoor living, but how do you prepare this area before installing a hot tub?

Hot Tubs at Home recommends draining your hot tub's water every three months

T

here are three key factors that you will need to consider before installing a hot tub: a solid, level base is required, alongside an electrical supply and of course a hose pipe will need to be placed close by. Site surveys are commonly carried out before the installation occurs from suppliers, which will cover these three factors.

When considering where to place your hot tub, contemplate the direction you would like your hot tub to face. Where would you like it to sit within your garden? Will you be overlooked?

Ensure that you situate your hot tub in a tranquil space within your external space to make the most of your hot tub.

Running costs Of course, hot tubs differ in running costs depending on size, capacity and heating and will cost less in the summer than in the winter. An approximate total running of a hot tub ranges from around £8 – £10 per week. However, this is

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dependant on how you will use your hot tub and the environment it is situated in. For example, if your hot tub is located in an open area where winds are high, your weekly cost will be at a higher end. Whereas, if your hot tub is undercover and is used minimally, costs will be at a lower end.

Gazebos are commonly used to house a hot tub, which also prevents external elements, such as leaves and stones, from falling into the hot tub.

Electrical Permanent water supplies are not necessary for a hot tub, however a suitable electrical supply will be required to run a hot tub. Hot tubs have specific regulations to adhere to – British Standard BS 7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations – that fall into the same category as swimming pools.

Ensure that your electrician, appointed to install your hot tub’s electrics, is a qualified electrician and do not personally attempt to install the electrics yourself. Outdoor cabling must be protected from damage. This can either be achieved by layering

protective ducting below ground, or by using steel wired armoured cables. Electricians can calculate the size of cabling required.

A rotary isolator switch is recommended for installation so that hot tubs can be isolated in case of an emergency, or for service work. A rotary isolator switch is an on/off switch that should be installed more than two metres away from the hot tub, so that bathers cannot be in the hot tub whilst touching the switch.

www.outdoorlivinghottubs.co.uk

i-scape

Maintenance: Top tips for your hot tub

Image: © Hot Tubs at Home

Maintaining your hot tub is easy, if you know what you’re doing. Here, Hot Tubs at Home offers its top tips for taking care of your hot tub.

Cirulcation Run your hot tub's circulation system every day.

Check your hot tub's owner’s manual to determine how long your spa’s circulation should be run.

If your hot tub has a separate circulation pump that runs continuously, simply make sure that your system is always in good working order.

Cleaning Use a skimmer net to remove floating debris.

Brush and vacuum the hot tub.

If you have a skimmer basket, empty it once or twice a week.

Clean the oily ring that forms at the waterline using a hot tub surface cleaner and chamois leather. This fast-acting product breaks-up oils and debris at the waterline so you can easily wipe the surface clean.

Draining & refilling Outdoor Living Hot Tubs, supplier of the Jacuzzi J235, recommends to hire a qualified electrician to undertake electric installations

Drain the water every three months.

Clean the hot tub's surfaces with your surface cleaner and rinse thoroughly.

Refill the hot tub with fresh water.

Add recommended chemical products in the order and amount determined by your test strips.

Filtration Remove the cartridge.

Rinse with a garden hose weekly to remove loose debris. A hose-end nozzle is best, as a pressure washer has too much pressure.

Every time you soak your filter, every month, use a specially formulated filter cleaner according to label instructions. This will dissolve and loosen the built-up oil and dirt.

Thoroughly rinse the cartridge again.

Ideally, the cartridge should be allowed to dry before being returned to service, this helps the paper fibres to fuse back together again before being returned to water, maximising your filter's efficiency.

Return the clean cartridge to the filter housing.

Filters should be replaced every 12 – 18 months to ensure good water quality and bather comfort.

www.hottubsathome.co.uk

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i-scape Image: © Hot Tubs at Home

Health benefits: The ultimate relaxation Not only will a hot tub look great in the external surroundings of your self-build, but it will also offer great health benefits, ultimate relaxation and improve the wellbeing of the end user.

For years, hydrotherapy has been used to treat muscle injuries and rheumatic disease. There are different ways in which you can use hot tubs to aid injury recovery and improve health and wellbeing. Combining hydrotherapy with aromatherapy will ignite calmness, resulting

in muscle relaxation; there are a number of aromatherapy products available for hot tubs on the market that you can include in your bathing ritual. 15-20 minute minutes soaking in a hot tub can replenish the body and help muscles to relax. Exercise can also take place within the hot tub from abdominal and leg, to shoulder and neck exercises, providing an aesthetically pleasing, yet beneficial addition to your garden for the whole family to use.

Research matters Choosing the right hot tub for your self-build can be confusing. There are many hot tubs available on today’s market hosting various styles, models and brands.

Here are a few tips from Outdoor Living Hot Tubs to consider when selecting a hot tub: Research hot tubs online – scour the internet for information on hot tubs.

Many homeowners in the UK own hot tubs; read though their reviews via websites to get an idea of the type of hot tub you require.

Take caution when buying online –

Design trends Jennifer Angood, Co-director at awardwinning spa company Hot Tubs at Home, sheds light on the current hot tub trends and luxury designs to look out for: "Cascade hot tubs are increasingly becoming the most superior spa in the industry by far." Cascade spas have one edge removed offering uninterrupted views of your external space, a great addition for an external self-build scheme.

don’t be fooled into thinking that you’ll get a better deal online, physically view some hot tubs before you buy.

Hot tubs are a long-term investment and will add value to your home. More often, cheaper hot tubs are of poor quality and will cost you more to run or repair in the long run.

Manufacturing hot tubs – all hot tubs are different. During your research look for reputable hot tub manufacturers and search their websites for product and technical details.

Above: Jennifer Angood, Co-director at Hot Tubs at Home, has seen an increase in popularity for Cascade spas

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With an emphasis on open, modern and light designs, our staircases are supplied to create a real ‘wow’ factor and a focal point within a dwelling.

For a quotation for any of our staircases, please email us any drawings or pop into our staircase showroom in Romsey, Hampshire.

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i-nterior

Best application You may find that covering your whole lounge or bedroom with a statement tile may be a bit overkill. Instead you may want to consider creating a feature wall that is likely to bring out the character of your property. Louisa Charlotte, expert Designer at Walls and Floors Ltd, offers some essential guidance: “When deciding on a focal point in a room it is fundamental that you look at the functional layout of your chosen space, think about how the room will be used, then consider the furniture arrangement. The best way to achieve this with ease is by adding or enhancing an existing

Wonderful walls When it comes to adding those cosmetic finishing touches, it is well worth allocating a healthy budget from the outset to achieve that high-quality overall scheme you truly deserve.

Forget traditional paint and wallpaper, why not get close to nature by investing in a statement wallcovering?

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all surfaces and tiles have come a long way in recent years. Thanks to the environmentally-conscious homeowner, clients and specifiers are looking far wider than the traditional ceramic tile by considering more natural materials. Stone, wood, slate and glass tiling products have surged in popularity. In the self-build market especially, these options can often be seen as an extension to the building’s structure itself. Wood effect tiles for instance can blend seamlessly with a timber frame house, while glass tiles would perfectly complement a highly-glazed build.

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Above: Rustic wood tiles from www.wallsandfloors.co.uk Top centre: Ivory Split Face Mosaic Tiles from The Stone and Tile Company Right: The Formelle Milano Cotto glazed ceramic tiles from Reed Harris have a luxuriously glossy finish

i-nterior

Look Book: Statement Walls If you’re feeling uninspired by paint or wallpaper, why not add texture and tone to your walls with a glass, slate, stone or wood-effect statement tile?

2 feature; is there a chimney breast or fireplace that you can adorn? If there is a possibility to build a focal point around an element that can potentially control the temperature, this is an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed.

"Alternatively, you may find if you have a large, empty space, creating a feature wall can work just as well to create definition and character within your interior.

“I find in an organic scheme natural materials work best, however they are often not practical due to positioning or conditions within a room; for example, not everybody will have a natural brick wall – especially in new build housing.

Brick-Slip effect tiles allow you to create an extremely natural looking brick wall giving you the opportunity to add those darker more refined areas often needed to balance a whole room – it is important to keep in mind both natural and ambient lighting when selecting a surface texture. Split Face tiles, made from natural slate pieces, would also create a stunning display, building intense character to your theme.”

Louisa continues: “Sometimes you may find yourself struggling with layout options (especially in larger spaces) due to existing fixtures in your home; try continuing the floor surface over one wall. Wood effect tiles are perfect for this. Now looking more natural than ever, they provide a cosy chalet feel as they adorn the wall space.

For extra charisma, I would recommend using a Herringbone style layout, one of the hottest interior trends to date!”

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3 1. Cole & Son Geometric Tile wallpaper from Kensington Design 2. Ruvido Hexagon tiles from Walls and Floors

3. Canyon Cream Stone Mosaic

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i-build

Rooflights: The advantages

Sky’s the limit Rooflights are a great way to boost the levels of natural light in your home. Ideal for loft conversions, extensions or renovations, the possibilities are endless. Here, i-build provides some essential guidance and inspiration for these high-performance systems.

W

hile planning permission is rarely an issue when it comes to skylights, you need to take proper advice before you take out a section of your ceiling. When it comes to legislation, Sunsquare’s Managing Director, Justin Seldis comments: “In my line of work, wrangling over planning permission is less common than you might think. This is usually because a skylight falls in as part of an already agreed extension, or it’s a replacement of an existing window. But just because it is rare, doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen.

So I have put together all the information available on this issue to ensure you don’t get into trouble.

“In England and Wales, the insertion of new roof windows is subject to the current limits and conditions stipulated by the Government’s Planning Portal. This comes under Schedule 2, Article 3, Part 1, Class C permitted development. That all sounds fairly complex but it boils down to this: 1. Any alteration cannot project more than 150mm from the existing roof plane.

2. No alteration can be greater than the highest part of the existing roof.

3. Side-facing windows must be obscure glazed with any opening to be made 1.7m above the floor.

“If your project fails to comply with one or more of the above, then your development won’t

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be permitted and a second application would need to be resubmitted following amendments to your plans.

“Generally pyramid or lantern skylights are more of a problem as they stick above the parapet and can create an eyesore to neighbours,” explains Justin.

Start with the basics - Daylight is free! It's an obvious statement, but few people actually take note that by utilising more natural light in their homes means a lower electricity bill.

Now then, Mardy Bum - Studies have proven that natural daylight has a positive effect on mood. Daylight has been associated with improved mood, enhanced morale, lower fatigue and reduced eyestrain.

Bye-bye mold - Most diseases, including chronic respiratory problems, are often associated with bacteria and fungi built-up in damp areas. With the ever-changing weather in the UK, it can be hard to avoid these things growing in dark, dank rooms without correct lighting. Natural daylight can decrease the production of these harmful annoyances.

Beautiful buildings - Natural light is one of the most appealing lights, and is used by most interior designers to showcase a building in all of its glory. It can be a difficult technique to get right, but when it is used correctly it encompasses all of the above benefits whilst showing a home in its best light!

www.howellsglazing.co.uk

Listed buildings “If the property in which you want to install a new skylight is a listed building, or in a designated conservation area, then you should check with your local planning authority before carrying out any work.

“Additionally, there may be specific types of planning restrictions that mean certain works which could normally be undertaken will be the subject of control. It’s important to note that planning laws in Scotland are rather different than those in England and Wales,” Justin continues.

“Planning permission for roof windows is often required for even the most straightforward of skylight designs and Scottish property owners should contact their local authority to work out the best way forward.

“Similarly, homeowners in Ireland should also contact their local authority for advice because failure to obtain permission where it

is required can result in penalties – including imprisonment.

Building regulations Justin adds: “Building regulations are an issue quite separate to planning permission and should always be taken seriously. After all, the removal, addition or alteration of a skylight can have a detrimental impact on a roof which can, in turn, make a building unsafe. Even if planning permission is not required, building regulations cannot be ignored.

“By law, any building or structural modification work must comply with building controls which stipulate minimum standards for design and safety.

There are two sets of building regulations for roofs – work on an existing roof and the construction of a new roof. Be sure to pay particular attention to Parts J and L of Building Regulations; these deal

i-build Historic barn breathes new life

with energy efficiency, thermal insulation and the protection of buildings against the threat of fire.

“Approval under the Building Regulations will generally be needed for the installation of a new rooflight for the following reasons: To install a new rooflight, the roof structure will often need to be altered to create the opening.

The roof will have to be able to carry the weight of the new skylight. If the roof is not able to do it will need to be strengthened prior to installation.

Any rooflight installed must prove it has sufficient insulation against heat loss with effective energy performance.

In the event a skylight is in close proximity to a boundary, its fire performance must also be taken into consideration.

Roof structure and performance Justin continues: “To install a rooflight in a roof you will often need to cut part of one or more of the roof’s rafters or joists away. You will need to fit a new support for the cut ends of the rafter or joist in question. Adjacent rafters or joists may also need strengthening, as they will be supporting the load transferred from the cut rafters or joists.

“Any room that a skylight is designed to serve will also need to be well-ventilated. This can be achieved using the skylight itself for both rapid and background venting.

“In terms of energy performance, any window or door must comply with the minimum requirements of the Building Regulations in relation to the amount of heat that can pass through a window or door,

When Mr & Mrs Shackle purchased a listed cottage and outbuilding in the heart of the historic market town of Cirencester, they had very clear ideas of the high standard in which it was to be renovated. Following extensive research for the most suitable rooflights to match their high specifications and to meet the requirements of the Conservation Department, the Shackles selected the Lumen Conservation Rooflight. This product, which authentically replicates a traditional Victorian design, is specifically designed for installation in period properties. With a low profile design and fine lines of steel, the Lumen Conservation rooflight blends beautifully with the modern day architectural look the Shackles were trying to create.

Lumen rooflights also benefit from a high specification of glazing including Pilkington Activ self-cleaning glass, a solid American Ash timber liner and a choice of solid brass winding mechanisms for the interior aspect.

It is these quality touches that have really impressed the Shackles.

www.lumenrooflight.com including the frame. This is known and measured as a U-Value. This U-Value should not be exceeded,” concludes Justin.

www.sunsquare.co.uk

Wonderful ‘walk-on’ rooflights A stunning 1930s detached property situated in the sought after borough of Golders Green in North London has been transformed during a full refurbishment programme. And, in order to bring the gloomy, traditional home to life and equip it for 21st century life, products from roof light manufacturer Xtralite were commissioned to bring natural light into the property. Of prime consideration during the project, was the necessity for the rooflight to be ‘walk-on’ and Xtralite was able to provide the perfect solution to this with its X Glaze traversable rooflight, which also delivered thermal qualities and strength. The walk-on units, which are able to be fitted directly to a builder’s kerb, comprise a 44.9mm double glazed glass system and a versatile monopitch which has a double glazing unit of 28.4mm. All units have a low E coating and are Aron filled to give a U value of 1.1W/M2Ko. In this case all frames were specially polyester powder coated to match the client’s choice of vertical glazing. www.xtralite.co.uk

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Product Guide

Buying land with existing planning permission usually results in the land being more expensive, but it is often the easier option

Four things to consider before starting a self-build project Building one’s own home has become popular within the UK. Relaxation of Government regulations have been aimed at easing the uphill struggle often associated with acquiring land and gaining planning permission in an effort to help tackle the pressing issue of the UK’s national housing shortage. Here, Oliver Grimshaw, Head of UK Sales at Hanse Haus GmbH, outlines aspects to consider before starting a self-build.

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inding the perfect plot can be overwhelming. There are numerous elements to consider, such as pinning down an ideal location, size, outlook and planning, whilst working to a fixed budget.

Be specific and narrow your search by focusing on a specific geographical location, rather than searching over a large geographical location. Bear in mind when buying land the key principle is the more work the land needs the cheaper it is.

Obtaining planning permission can also be a confusing process, sometimes taking years to complete. Buying land with existing planning permission usually results in the land being more expensive, but it is often the easier option.

Design for now and for the future Consider how you can create the best house to suit you. It is an opportunity to express your

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personality through architecture.

It is easy to get carried away, trying to pack your new home with every design feature or home gadget you come across without considering practicality. Think carefully about what you need and heed advice from professionals. If considering using a package builder, think about using one of their recommended specialist designers.

Think long-term. A self-build home allows its owners to plan ahead and include features that will not only fit their present needs, but those in 10, 20 or 30 years’ time.

Be budget smart Careful budgeting, and the discipline to stick to it, is key for anyone undertaking a self-build.

Running out of funds part way through a build is all too frequently the nightmare scenario that will sap the joy from a self-build.

Before embarking on your self-build

Oliver Grimshaw is the Head of UK Sales for premium German supplier of premanufactured, high-efficiency homes.

Founded back in 1929, Hanse Haus now erects some 400 homes annually Europewide and has been active in the UK since 2006. With over 85 years’ experience in the construction industry and boasting more than 30,000 completed homes, the company is also a certified builder of the remarkable Passivhaus; a home that loses almost no heat through its walls, roof and windows, thanks to extremely high-levels of thermal insulation.

journey, it is essential to plan and set a budget.

Calculate all of the costs before you start planning – accurate calculations are essential.

Choosing a reputable pre-manufactured home supplier, such as Hanse Haus, will ensure that costs are 100% fixed after contracts are signed, however other costs will still rear their heads such as building insurance and legal fees.

Borrow wisely Mortgages aren’t just for pre-existing properties. Take the time to research money lenders, meet with your local bank manager and assess the best route forward for financing your self-build. Self-build mortgages work differently to residential products, as funds tend to be released in stages, rather than in a lump sum. This primarily reduces the risk to the lender, but also aims to help ensure self-builders do not run out of money during a project. Good, long-standing, financially-stable fixed price package builders should be able to offer you payment terms which work for your lender, without you having to worry about that nightmare scenario, in which the builder goes out of business during the build.

www.hanse-haus.co.uk info@hanse-haus.co.uk 0800 302 9220

Make your dreams a reality

National Self Build & Renovation Show

The NSBRC’s own team of experts along with architects, project managers, designers, planners and eco consultants, will be on hand to meet for one-on-one sessions

Produced by the team at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre (NSBRC), The National Self Build and Renovation Show returns from 17 to 19th June, following its busiest ever event in January.

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he show offers a packed three days of live demonstrations, free seminars and case studies along with an unrivalled line up of experts on hand to share their advice. It’s an exciting and inspirational event that is not to be missed.

With 53% of people in the UK interested in building their own home, the exciting line up of seminars at the show will cover everything you need to get started. From planning news to budgeting, plot finding and building regulations, these talks are a great way to pick up a wealth of valuable information, for both newcomers and skilled professionals alike.

Over 200 exhibitors will be showcasing their latest products and technologies with experienced representatives on hand to demonstrate, answer questions and offer their professional advice. Guided tours of the National Self Build & Renovation Show’s fantastic educational zones, featuring its life-size ‘Renovation House’ and brilliant ‘New Build Journey’, are the perfect way to help visualise these products as part of your finished project.

The NSBRC’s own team of impartial experts along with architects, project managers, designers, planners and eco consultants, will be on hand to meet for one-on-one sessions throughout the show. Offering free advice, they will happily

Whatever stage your project is in, there will be an expert available to offer feedback and support on every step

talk through your ideas with you, no matter how big or small, and offer their expert opinions and guidance on even the trickiest of questions.

Whatever stage your project is in, there will be an expert available to offer feedback and support on every step, no matter how big or small.

Whether that’s where to start, the best building methods and materials for the job, advice on the latest legislation or just checking that a quote sounds reasonable.

Show highlights include over 20 seminars, live demonstrations, case studies and panel debates each day, alongside guided tours of the NSBRC’s fantastic life-size educational exhibits, free self-

build course taster sessions and one-on-one expert advice.

The National Self Build & Renovation Show is easy to get to with the NSBRC located right on Junction 16 of the M4 and parking is plentiful and free. The show runs from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th June with tickets priced at £12 per adult. i-build readers can claim free tickets by booking through the NSBRC’s website and selecting booking code: I Build Magazine.

www.nsbrc.co.uk 0345 223 4455 national.centre@nsbrc.co.uk

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Product Guide

Left: Although Urban Front doors come as standard with a 5-point locking system, you can still specify what best suits your lifestyle Below: A motorised locking system that locks the minute you enter your home may make you feel more secure

Second-to-none security Most of us don’t realise the amount of choice there is when it comes to choosing the security for our front doors. A lock and a deadlock is what most homeowners want, until you tell them how many options there are and what endless opportunities are available. Here, Elizabeth Assaf of Urban Front bespoke contemporary front doors, offers some insight into what questions to ask about the security of front doors and entrances.

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ere are a few questions to ask yourself about homes and entrances first, before deciding on that most important element – the security.

How much security is required?

If the property has gates for instance, the security of the front door may not be so essential. Does the area have a good track record when it comes to break-ins? Is a front door required that has multiple locking options?

A motorised locking system that locks the minute you enter your home may make you feel more secure in an area which may be near a river or by a busy road. On the other hand, a single lock may be sufficient if you live in a secure development or area. Although Urban Front doors come as standard with a 5-point locking system, you can still specify what best suits their lifestyle.

Is the property large?

Is the front door required to be opened remotely from another floor or even when you are not present? In this case, an electric latch may be required on the lock, which allows you to buzz people in when you are at home. An electric latch or a motorised lock can be selected, the latter being much more secure.

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Does the front door need to be controllable using a phone App? It is now a much easier option to have a lock or entry system attached to your phone as they are controllable at the touch of a button. Not only can you open your blinds and turn on your heating remotely, but you can open doors too.

Would a fingerprint entry system benefit you?

Fingerprint entry allows you to enter or remove up to 100 fingerprints at any one time. This is a great system if you have teenagers who are constantly forgetting or losing their keys.

Would it be best to have obscured glass in the entrance?

Letting your post sit on your internal doormat may seem a good idea until someone can see it from the outside, making it very obvious that you are not home.

Have you thought about the security of the glass in the door, or in the side lite?

High security glass is sometimes misunderstood and confused with laminated and toughened standard double glazing. Security glass is much more than laminated and toughened glass and when used correctly, can be tougher to get through than a wall, but can be very costly.

Do you need a letterbox in your door? Have you considered where it will go and how it affects the security of your door?

It should be easier to make decisions about security if you ask yourselves these questions.

If in doubt, always ask your supplier to give you as much information as possible regarding any testing they have done for their front doors and what certifications have been reached.

A letterbox in the middle of your door may make it easier for an intruder to access a lock, although with difficulty, it is best to give them no way in, if you can.

www.urbanfront.com info@urbanfront.co.uk 01494 778787

Exhibiting its premium quality timber fenestration on stand 759, Black Millwork’s stand at the Homebuilding and Renovating Show is not to be missed. Black Millwork’s range of windows and doors will be on display throughout the two-day show. Black Millwork’s latest range of aluminiumclad windows will also be making an appearance. Available in a variety of RAL colours and bespoke shapes and sizes, the range delivers U-values as low as 0.7W/m2K – lower than the Passivhaus standard of 0.8W/m2K. Highlights from the company’s Andersen portfolio will also be on show, with Black Millwork’s stand being the only place to see these premium American products.

www.blackmillwork.co.uk info@blackmillwork.co.uk 01283 511122

Energy saving refurbishment with Remmers iQ Therm System

Vent-Axia’s Sentinel Kinetic Advance commended at Energy Show Vent-Axia is delighted to have been commended at the Energy Show 2016’s Product of the Show Awards in Dublin. The company gained recognition in the Best Energy Efficient Product category for its unique Sentinel Kinetic Advance Mechanical Ventilation with heat recovery unit. The Sentinel Kinetic Advance impressed the judges through its exceptional energy efficiency and App control. The Sentinel Kinetic Advance provides energy-efficient ventilation and pioneering control. Designed for airtight, thermally efficient, new build residential and light commercial properties, the Advance is the best-performing MVHR unit in its class and offers near silent, energy-efficient and high-pressure operation.

www.vent-axia.com 0844 856 0590 info@vent-axia.com

ISO-BLOCO WIN2WALL for improved sealing

A listed 19th century former schoolhouse overlooking the Dublin mountains was recently renovated and extended to create an energy-efficient family home. So that the exterior facade of the existing property was not altered, internal insulation was installed to the interior of the stone walls. Due to the build-up of condensation behind conventional insulation when applied to single leaf construction, it became apparent that a ‘breathable insulation system’ was required. Remmers IQ Therm was chosen as it has the highest level of insulation for given thickness of breathable systems. The original U-value of the wall was approximately 3.3W/m2K and was improved to 0.33W/m2K.

New ISO-BLOCO WIN2WALL multilevel sealing tape from ISO-CHEMIE, combines excellent performance with competitive cost and is specifically designed for sealing the perimeter joint between windows, doors and walls. ISO-BLOCO WIN2WALL enables windows and doors to be quickly and easily sealed from inside the building. The product will seal gaps from 2 to 8mm, which will accommodate the vast majority of UK window installations, and will come in two widths to give the extra thermal insulation equivalent to A Rated (40mm tape), or A+ and A++ windows (65mm tape). WIN2WALL is also weathertight to 600Pa and has excellent acoustic insulation properties.

www.remmers.co.uk 01293 594010 sales@remmers.co.uk

www.iso-chemie.co.uk 01207 566874 p.thompson@iso-chemie.co.uk

Increased security with External Marine Grade Gate locks The Borg Gate lock has been specifically designed to suit metal box section gates and comes complete with an external keypad and internal side lever handle. This gate lock offers increased security, with users unable to engage the handle until the correct code has been entered. Produced with a marine grade finish, this product provides optimum resistance against corrosion and is ideal for homes located in coastal areas often exposed to harsh weather conditions, such as rain, snow and wind. The Borg BL3400 External Marine Grade Gate lock is priced at £119 each or £113 if bought in bulks of five or more.

www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk 0808 168 2828 sales@ironmongerydirect.co.uk

Product Guide

Black Millwork top-notch windows at doors at Homebuilding and Renovating Show

Protection against forced entry Ideal for use on uPVC and aluminium doors, the Borg BL6100 Code Lock has been specifically designed to easily fit to lift and turn multipoint locks. The lock is the only product of its kind on the market as it boasts a unique double-button press design, which allows each digit to be used twice in the code, providing greater levels of security. The handle also protects against forced entry as it stays permanently clutched until the correct code is entered. The Borg BL6100 Code Lock is priced at £189 each or £179 if bought in bulks of five or more.

www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk 0808 168 2828 sales@ironmongerydirect.co.uk

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Product Guide The TC integration is accessible from the file menu, and will allow users to upload, pull down, and update SKPs from Trimble Connect project folder

Connect with SketchUp 2016 With the latest release of SketchUp 2016, SketchUp is integrating Trimble Connect directly into its software.

As a refresher, Connect is Trimble’s platform for storing, syncing, referencing, sharing, and collaborating on design and build projects. Sign up for a free account and start uploading .skp, .pdf, .dxf, and .ifc files.

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ith this integration, SketchUp is packaging the current Trimble Connect extension into the installer. The TC integration is accessible from the file menu, and will allow users to upload, pull down, and update SKPs from Trimble Connect project folders. As you’re modelling you can even pull in and update reference SketchUp models as if they were locally hosted components.

Learn more about Trimble Connect In SketchUp 2016, a context click on a component gives you the opportunity to reload, or swap out, a new component directly from 3D Warehouse. This action will reload every instance of that component in your model, similar to the same action in the components browser, so it’s a helpful method for working with proxy models. And if your component was downloaded from 3D Warehouse, you can also use the context click to quickly access its 3DWH details page.

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With this release, LayOut’s reference objects are now web-friendly. That means your LayOut projects can reference and update files that are stored and synced with services like Dropbox, Google Drive and Trimble Connect Sync.

When you reference a file from any of these services (.skp or otherwise), LayOut will notify you when an update is available for your ‘web reference.’ Say goodbye to missing references when different people are working on the same .layout document within a cloud sync folder that also contains the referenced files.

SketchUp is proud to announce its first step towards an extension ecosystem for LayOut. Using this new API, developers can now create and customise .layout files from SketchUp models. Practically, this means that other applications can import or export the .layout file

format using the C API. (This includes creating a .layout file from SketchUp). SketchUp has several sample scripts for developers to try out at release, along with a blog post where they can learn more.

Learning and utilising SketchUp’s inference engine makes for fast and precise modelling. In this release, SketchUp has oiled that engine to provide slicker inferencing and locking across the board. This improvement is actually an entire set of smart tweaks SketchUp has made to inferencing and locking.

You can download SketchUp Pro 2016 for free on a 30 day trial. After this time, the software will revert to SketchUp Make.

www.elmtec.co.uk/sketchup 01844 263750 sales@elmtec.co.uk

Product Guide

Create your own lifestyle with UK design and German precision engineering Meisterstueck-HAUS, a German offsite house manufacturing company, has gained a reputation in the UK for combining UK design flair with the latest technical advances in low-energy construction and sustainability at a sensible cost.

Above: Close cooperation between MeisterstueckHAUS, the architect and clients, has produced bespoke houses built to the most exacting standards Below: Recent projects have seen outstanding UK architects' designs delivered in the standard Meisterstueck-HAUS construction system

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ecent projects have seen outstanding UK architects' designs delivered in the standard Meisterstueck-HAUS construction system – highly insulated, closed timber wall panels, with bespoke windows and front doors already installed, assembled onsite within days.

Close cooperation between MeisterstueckHAUS, the architect and clients, has produced bespoke houses built to the most exacting standards, all exactly as the architect and client envisaged. As one client has stated: “The MSH team, both in the UK and in Hamlin, did an outstanding job for us. We asked them to build a big, complex, original design on a difficult site in late October, without compromising on their very high construction standards. Not only did they deliver everything we wanted, but they did it exactly on schedule and exactly on budget. I genuinely can’t imagine why anyone would have a house built by anyone else.”

Meisterstueck-HAUS homes deliver on the energy performance front as well; when photovoltaics are installed, along with lowenergy heating systems and a controlled ventilation system with heat recovery, a Meisterstueck-HAUS can generate more energy than it uses – a Plus Energy house.

This is only possible with a highly insulated house shell and outstanding airtightness results – and this is what Meisterstueck-HAUS delivers.

www.meisterstueck.com h.gross@meisterstueck.com 0845 003 1383

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Product Guide

Suppliers include: Roofing Megastore has specifically chosen its suppliers to cover its whole range of profiles. The company has an outstanding relationship with these suppliers, which are used to bring its customers the best quality service possible.

Britmet Britmet Tileform is the UK’s only lightweight metal roofing tile manufacturer and provides a wide range of lightweight tile effect roofing systems.

Onduline Onduline specialises in manufacturing bituminous corrugated roofing materials.

Its lightweight eco roofing system is used worldwide for many agricultural, industrial and DIY applications.

Roofing Megastore offers a wide range of lightweight, quality products and materials

A user-friendly method of sourcing roofing supplies Roofing Megastore is a source for all things lightweight roofing.

The company is dedicated to providing quality roofing materials, with a focus on service, quality and competitive pricing. With extensive experience in lightweight roofing, installations and specifications, Roofing Megastore can assist in providing solutions to solve roofing needs.

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oofing Megastore provides a user-friendly, comfortable and convenient method of sourcing roofing supplies, whilst ensuring you are in safe hands with the company’s vast knowledge.

Whether customers require a conservatory roof replacement or vertical cladding for an industrial building, the company offers a wide range of lightweight, quality products

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and materials and can assist you on productspecific requirements.

The company’s website allows visitors to easily select what is required for a project and can assist visitors in making the right choices for particular requirements. When visiting Roofing Megastore’s homepage, visitors are offered an option to choose what building they require. Next, options are provided detailing the style of roof that is required, so that visitors know exactly what the appearance of the different profiles will be. From here, visitors will be able to view the various styles offered and can simply choose a product that falls into their desired category and begin creating their required roof.

Decra Decra products combine great strength with very low weight, offering exceptional durability. Decra roof tiles comprise a core containing galvanised steel with a multilayered protective coating, which are proven on many types of new build and refurbishment projects.

Tapco Tapco craft architectural roof tiles which mirror the natural detail of slate and cedar in all their charm. The memorable elegance, stunning colour and unparalleled toughness that Tapco delivers is undeniably real.

EcoSystems EcoSystems offers a state-of-the-art formulation which provides a strong, pliable and attractive roofing option for homes or building applications.

Lightweight Tiles Lightweight Tiles employs recovered materials and combines them with a composite base. It also has a natural stone granulate made from recycled polymer which provides a long-lasting finish.

www.roofingmegastore.co.uk 01295 565565 sales@roofingmegastore.co.uk

Welcome to Roofing Megastore Ltd, your number one source for all things in lightweight roofing.

Roofing Megastore Ltd have extensive experience in lightweight roofing, installation and specifications, all to help solve your roofing needs. With these ingredients combined it allows the customer to have the most user friendly, comfortable and convenient way to shop for your roof supplies, whilst knowing you are in safe hands with their vast knowledge.

At Roofing Megastore you are never short of options. They supply most of the reputable suppliers in the industry; each supplier can offer you something completely unique. Roofing Megastore has specifically chosen their suppliers to cover the whole range of profiles you may desire.

They have outstanding relationships with these suppliers which are used to bring their customers the best quality service possible.

Roofing Megastore are proud to supply products from the following brands, plus many more:

WIn a FREE iPad Go to www.roofingmegastore.co.uk for details

www.roofingmegastore.co.uk

i-build readers get a £10 discount!

Simply enter the code IBUILD at checkout.

01295 565565

Follow us on social media!

Simply search ‘Roofing Megastore’

sales@roofingmegastore.co.uk

EACH HOUSE A MASTERPIECE

German German engineering engineering and and factory-built factory-built homes: homes: the reassuring choice for self-builders. the reassuring choice for self-builders.

Your Your design design or or ours. ours.

Flexible stages Flexible stages from from shell shell house house to to turn-key. turn-key.

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www.meisterstueck.com 0845 003 1383