i-build May 2016

IN THIS ISSUE:

l SELF-BUILDS l RENOVATIONS l EXTENSIONS l CONVERSIONS May 16 Issue 22

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20+

Moroccan-inspired accessories

WORKING AT HEIGHT: THE DOS AND DON’TS OF CLIMBING HIGH PROJECT PARTNERSHIPS: HOW TO SOURCE A TRUSTWORTHY TEAM

COVER STORY:

FULL TRANSPARENCY Shedding light on a highly glazed self-build

Get the look!

PURE PASTEL DARING DENIM

ARTS AND CRAFTS BUILD

THINK LONG-TERM WITH CLADDING

CONSIDERED ILLUMINATION

Self-builder carves his vision with attention to detail

Kebony discusses cladding options for your project

Expert insight and top tips for lighting your self-build

+ SPECIAL FOCUS:

l CLADDING l GROUNDWORKS l BUILD IT LIVE l GUTTERS, FACIAS & SOFFITS

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

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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

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Michael Abrahams

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Chris Lilly

chris@mixedmediainfo.com Production:

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David Perry

david@mixedmediainfo.com Accounts:

Simone Jones

simone@mixedmediainfo.com Managing Director:

Sam Ball

sam@mixedmediainfo.com

Welcome

to the May issue of i-build The relationship you have with your key project team members is integral to the success of your self-build. For many, this project is a once in a lifetime opportunity, therefore a lot is at stake.

Among the many inevitable challenges that you will encounter throughout your journey, experiencing despondent or difficult tradesmen should not be one of them. After all, you put your trust and money into these professionals – and equally, they are dependent on your direction – so establishing a good relationship is key.

In this month’s issue, the Federation of Master Builders talks to i-build about the importance of finding the right builder. Appointing a trusted and recommended contractor can seem like a daunting task, but with the right tools and platforms you can easily source reputable companies. Turn to page 15 to read how Zoe and Stuart Webber selected their team.

Meanwhile, on page 24, i-build catches up with Brian Murray who attributes much of his self-build’s success to his architect and designer, Nigel Collingswood at Qube Design. With a strong desire to replicate the Arts and Crafts period, Brian turned to Nigel to emulate the key detailing that he admired so much, and the

results truly do speak for themselves.

Elsewhere in this issue, our design pages showcase some of the leading home trends. If you’re tempted to bring an African theme into your home, then our Moroccan-inspired focus is bound to provide you with decorative inspiration.

Alternatively, if you’re after subtler tones, turn to page 10 for pure pastel indulgence. Meanwhile, we also focus on denim-inspired fabrics, ideal for a daring design statement.

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 home-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

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

Spray-applied plaster from Knauf: See page 55, new SketchUp version from Elmtec: See page 56, galvanised steel rainwater systems from Rainclear: See page 55.

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Cover story: Ken and Helen Cox navigated complex Conservation restrictions to achieve their dream home.

See page 18.

56

55

55

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Contents

i-build www.i-buildmagazine.com

May 2016

42

24

34

44

06

18

50

In this issue: Desired Designs

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

32

IN THIS ISSUE:

Kitchens

l SELF-BUILDS l RENOVATIONS l EXTENSIONS l CONVERSIONS

David Beckett, Sales Director at Caesarstone, explores the current trends of worktop design and material.

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

the Get ok! ls lo paste nim Pure l

Time Will Tell

34

Cladding

14

Viewpoint

38

Gutters, Soffits & Facias

16

i-build continues to follow Will Anderson as his self-build journey unfolds.

The Federation of Master Builders discusses the importance of finding the right builder.

Contracts & Legalities

Working at height remains one of the biggest causes of fatalities and major injuries.

18

Urban Sanctuary

24

Impressive Innovation

30

Groundworks

ON THE COVER

Ken and Helen Cox navigated complex Conservation restrictions to achieve their dream home.

ON THE COVER

For Brian Murray, his love for the Arts and Crafts period inspired his project from start to finish.

Servo-Rod explains why and when it is necessary to have a WRC drain inspection carried out.

ON THE COVER

Kebony discusses the most important factors one should consider when selecting a cladding material.

Eurocell explains why to take care in choosing your roofline so it will take care of you.

42

i-build

44

i-nterior

48

i-scape

50

Lighting

l

WORKING AT HEIGHT: THE DOS AND DON’TS OF CLIMBING HIGH

12

May 16 Issue 22

06

g de Darin

PROJECT PARTNERSHIPS: HOW TO SOURCE A TRUSTWORTHY TEAM

COVER STORY:

FULL TRANSPARENCY Shedding light on a highly glazed self-build

Take a trip to east Africa

20+ MOROCCANINSPIRED ACCESSORIES

ARTS AND CRAFTS BUILD

THINK LONG-TERM WITH CLADDING

CONSIDERED ILLUMINATION

Self-builder carves his vision with attention to detail

Kebony discusses cladding options for your self-build

Expert insight and top tips for lighting your self-build

+ SPECIAL FOCUS:

l CLADDING l GROUNDWORKS l BUILD IT LIVE l GUTTERS, FACIAS & SOFFITS

Subscriptions:

If you’re after the ‘wow’ factor, why not consider metal roofing and cladding?

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

This month, we discuss the host of different kitchen worktop materials on offer.

Secure and monitor your property with these must-have solutions.

ON THE COVER

Rebecca Crawford, Senior Designer at John Cullen Lighting, offers some tips for lighting your new home.

5

Desired Designs

1

2

3

4

5

6

Arabian Nights Add an aspect of adventure to your self-build scheme with these Moroccan-inspired pieces.

T

ake a walk down the mystical streets of a Moroccan medina by introducing bright, playful colours and cultural prints into your interior scheme. From heavy patterns to faded subtle prints, there is an aspect of the Moroccan theme to inspire all self-builders' schemes. The beauty behind a Moroccaninspired theme is the flexibility; the theme holds the option to create either a rustic and vaguely distressed scheme with glimmers of a faded colour and subtle details, through to a complete contrast of bold, vibrant colours that are sure to make a statement. From Moroccan-inspired seating arrangements, that are perfect for bringing your guests closer together during get-togethers, to slightly more contemporary pieces that have delicate traits of a Moroccan design, this theme is sure to brighten up your self-build.

6

1. Moroccan lidded basket,

£25.95, Decorator's Notebook

2. Kasbah mother of pearl mirror in

7

silver grey, £189, Atkin and Thyme

8

3. Medina table lamp, £ 193.35, Eco Chic

4. Christian Lacroix Souk Rug, £1194, Modern Rugs

5. Moroccan tile cushion, £35,

The French Bedroom Company

6. Scott large round ottoman, £349, MADE

7. Classic Moroccan table lamp,

10

£109, PUJI

8. Tangier Regatta blue and white cube, £83.45, IN-SPACES

9.

Bellissa Marrakech tile, £14.99, Tile Mountain

10. Moroccan Pouffe, £71, Sweetpea & Willow

9

1

1. Kasbah lamp large, from £99.95 2.

Moroccan Teardrop Glass lanterns, from £16.95

3. Ornate Moroccan lantern, from £8.95

4.

Desired Designs

2

Atlas lamp, £119.95

4 3

Myakka Since 1999, Myakka has specialised in beautifully handcrafted, hardwood Moroccan and Indian furniture.

Designs are produced by its own in-house designers and are manufactured exclusively for Myakka. With regular travels abroad to initiate brand new designs, Myakka has first-hand knowledge of Moroccan design. Myakka’s collection of Moroccan lanterns, in various designs and colours, are a great addition to any Moroccan-inspired theme, internally or externally.

Moroccan cuisine A Moroccan theme is not complete without incorporating a touch of the Moroccan cuisine into your scheme. Introduce a trace of Morocco to your dining equipment, better still, why not spice up your dining experience with Moroccan cooking utensils? A traditional Moroccan tagine will not only look good as a decorative accessory, but will also add an essence of flavour to your weekly menus.

2

3

1. Marrakech Decorative Serving Plate, £18, OKA

2. Pols Potten mosaic bowls, £23, Amara

3. World Of Flavours

Mediterranean Terracotta Tagine, £29.99, Kitchen Craft

1

4. Embossed metal bowl,

£16.50, The Contemporary Home

4

7

Desired Designs

Daring denim

Denim is a relatively daring choice for an interior decor. Yet, paired with muted colour tones it could provide subtle statement pieces to your scheme.

1

4

Reclaimed rejuvenation

Corner candy This accent chair will take pride of place in your bedroom, living room or hallway. It's homely, but still contemporary thanks to the clean lines and tapered wooden legs. The denim blue colour palette will contribute to a contemporary minimal scheme.

Every pair of jeans have an end of life. By removing the zips and buttons, and spinning fibres into a soft yarn, MĂślle recycles denim and produces it into soft denim cushions.

This chunky knitted cushion will bring a touch of texture to your scheme.

(www.made.com)

(www.bymolle.com)

5

2

3

External seating These fresh American trimaran stripe pouffes deliver contemporary style and evoke a summertime ambience. The pouffes are made of durable polypropylene and filled with polystyrene beads, making them perfect for the patio, poolside and playroom. They are UV-treated for outdoor use. (dashandalberteurope.com)

Adorn your walls

Pull out the carpet

Brighten your room with this trendy design in the hugely popular denim colour way.

This range is also available in two warming neutral options.

For those that want the very latest in trend-led designs, it is most definitely one to watch.

Tom Tailor’s braided rug is produced from denim and jute. The new smooth and comfortable carpets combine different structures and materials to create perfectly flat carpets. The denim and jute are woven by hand to create both a fashionable and natural look

(www.diy.com)

(www.tom-tailor.com)

6

Caressed in cashmere This beautiful throw is woven from a cashmere blend at Avoca's Mill in Ireland, creating the most luxurious throw you can imagine. The soft blues and muted neutrals make this a really flexible throw. It looks fabulous draped over a sofa or bed. (www.iapetus.co.uk)

8

Desired Designs

Perfectly pastel Incorporating pastel colours within your decor is a great way to tone down an interior scheme.

1

4

Soft and comfortable

A classic deign

Mölle’s super soft, comfortable linen cushions are produced from high quality European linen.

The chambray fabric for this cushion is woven with different colours of yarn, which gives it a beautiful colour and structure.

The Fellow sofa from Loaf comes with a removable cover. Showcasing a classic design, the sofa will continue to please as fashions and trends change throughout the years.

(www.bymolle.com)

(www.loaf.com)

2

5

Take your seat

Message in a bottle

The sophisticated Chloe button back club chair, upholstered in blue furla fabric, will make a beautiful accent chair in any room. The pastel tone makes this boutique-style accent chair perfect for a light and airy interior.

Barnaby & Co.’s sand bottle is available in two pastel colour choices, soft pink and aqua.

These pure porcelain bottles can act as a vase or a decorative bottle. The vase holds a matt texture with a rough sand-textured lower section.

(www.alexanderandpearl.co.uk)

(www.barnabyco.com)

3

Green with envy

Just one’s cup of tea

Mylands’ Cooper green no.36 paint is inspired by the green patina of weathered copper roofs. This colour is a great addition to any pastel themed decor. The Cooper green will enhance any pure accessories and furnishings seamlessly.

Nothing says British more than a good cup of tea. It provides the perfect excuse to come together for a natter and a catch up. This vintage-style teapot comes in a beautiful pastel blue and would accessorise any kitchen or dining room exceptionally. (www.tch.net)

(www.mylands.co.uk)

10

6

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Create a space for happier living

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11

Time Will Tell

Left: When the light comes through the stained glass window first thing in the morning, the staircase is lit up with colour Below left: The balustrades are rippling, organic and delicate

Stairway to heaven i-build continues to follow Will Anderson as his self-build journey unfolds. This month, he welcomes to the arrival of his bespoke staircase, designed by Metal Worker Jonathan Rowlandson.

I

t’s surprising how quickly you can get used to living in less than desirable conditions during a self-build. Like, for example, living in a twostorey house with no staircase. After two

years of building, I’m pretty adept at shimmying up and down ladders but the experience of actually living in The Orchard, and still relying on ladders to get around, tested my patience.

Cue Jonathan Rowlandson, Designer, Metal Worker and Staircase Maker extraordinaire. We’ve worked with Jonnie before, so we know he is capable of truly wonderful works of sculptural architecture in metal. The staircase was an obvious commission, but it took a long time to get everything else in place before he could begin.

A staircase is an obvious opportunity to let your hair down, design-wise. Yet, for reasons financial or otherwise, so many staircases are treated as purely functional objects with no life of their own. We took the opposite approach and have made the staircase the centrepiece of our house.

This is only possible because we have limited the house to two storeys. As soon as you reach three storeys, you have to hide the staircase behind fire doors to protect the fire escape.

Metal is a tough, strong material, so it is possible to build a staircase with it that looks remarkably light and weightless. This is what we have done, installing a curved, semicircular staircase that only just touches the wall that it rises beside. The balustrades are rippling, organic and delicate. The treads are made from 200 year-old reclaimed oak from a French barn – the only way I could obtain single unjointed boards that were wide enough at their outer edge.

It was a challenge installing the staircase: first the two stringers, then the metal tread platforms, then the balustrades and finally the oak treads.

It all took a lot of 'heave-ho' and quick welding.

However, the final result is a wonder to behold.

When the light comes through our stained glass window first thing in the morning, the staircase is lit up with colour and walking up it feels like climbing a rainbow.

www.buildingtheorchard.com

12

SketchUp 2016 is here!

Connected, refreshed and best of all....still SketchUp.

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.

• • • •

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

T: 01844 263750

W: www.elmtec.co.uk

Sub-brow Viewpoint Eyebrow

Trade

Secrets It’s vital : to of thing check the co s sure tha upfront, ma st given is t the quote yo ke u are not g during thoing to change e c o u rs of build ing work e s.

The perfect find Building or renovating can be one of the biggest decisions that you may make in your life so it’s important that you find the perfect builder.

T

aking your dream and turning it into reality is not something to take lightly, and securing the services of a builder you can trust can be as challenging as the build process itself.

For Zoe and Stuart Webber, finding the perfect builder to renovate their newly purchased first home in Lancashire was a challenge made easy with the use of the Federation of Master Builders’ (FMB) Find a Builder online service.

“You hear such horror stories where people have been let down, so for reassurance we posted our project on the FMB website,” Zoe says.

Their project, a 150-year-old barn, had been converted some 15 years or so before, but there was a ramshackle workshop just steps away, desperately crying out for attention.

Having tried in vain to acquire the services of a builder for their project, Zoe turned online after a suggestion from a friend renewed the couple’s hope in finding the right fit.

“A friend of mine, a landscape designer, told me to take a look at the website, that it might help us find someone. We had absolutely no

14

experience in this kind of thing so we wanted to use the services from the FMB and the guarantees that go along with it,” Zoe explains.

Finding the ideal match The Find a Builder online service can help take the hassle out of searching for a qualified and trustworthy builder and put you on the right track right from the outset. While there is typically nothing better than a recommendation from a friend, sometimes that’s not possible and that’s where the FMB can help.

“We did not begin our search with the Find a Builder service but ended up relying on it as we were not having much luck in our search to find a builder we could trust,” says Zoe. “We were new to the Lancashire area and did not know anyone in the building industry and were not happy with the suggestions we had been given.

“It’s about trusting your builder and the service; making sure that what you are getting is a quality service. One of the builders that we originally looked at gave us a quote on the back of a fag packet.”

Since 2011 all FMB members have undergone a strict inspection process on joining to make sure that homeowners can trust in the quality of services provided. By opting for an FMB member, clients are also supported by low cost insurance back warranties and a free of charge disputes service if problems are raised.

Using the FMB service allows you to search your local area for highly qualified builders around you project location. Desperate for someone to begin work on their barn project, Zoe was delighted when Martin Silcock, Managing Director at Tricklebank, provided a quote for the job.

“We discovered Tricklebank had experience working with lots of period properties, so we knew they would be sympathetic to our project.

Martin was enthusiastic and interested, and his quote included everything, right down to the last tin of paint,” says Zoe. “Tricklebank was definitely more expensive than some of the others, but at the same time we knew what we would expect from the quote we received. With some of the others we were never sure if what they quoted would be the final figure or if things would begin to pile-up.”

Martin put the couple at ease with his transparency in costing the job, and, although he was nearly £10,000 more than their other quotes, he found ways to make adjustments and reduce the cost of some items.

Viewpoint

It’s vital to check the cost of things upfront, make sure that the quote you are given is not going to change during the course of building works. Even down to the removal of waste from site, the quote should be agreed at the outset and the project should be delivered at that price.

“We didn’t actually have enough money to do the project, but we asked Martin if we could get started and save up as we went along,” says Zoe. “We had an open and honest dialogue throughout and he worked really hard to save money where he could.”

Trustworthy relationships Having a good working relationship with your builder is important, and that’s why references play an important role in the selection process.

Talking to prior clients is a great way to get an understanding of what you are likely to encounter with your builder.

With their project now all wrapped up, the Webbers have been overwhelmed by the support and care given by the full team at Tricklebank and the assistance they were given by the FMB services. It’s definitely a process that Zoe says she would return to if they ever decided to renovate again.

“We’re not daunted by the prospect of doing another project, in fact, if I ever had the opportunity, I’d get Martin to build us a house,” says Zoe. “However, if we were in another area where we again didn’t know anyone to help then I would definitely go back to the Find a Builder service.”

www.fmb.org.uk

Far left: For Zoe and Stuart Webber, finding the perfect builder was a challenge made easy with the use of the FMB’s online service Above: The 150-year-old barn had been converted some 15 years or so before, but there was a ramshackle workshop just steps away, desperately crying out for attention Below: The couple had an open and honest dialogue with the builder throughout the project Right: The Webbers have been overwhelmed by the support and care given by the full team at Tricklebank

15

Contracts & Legalities

Left: If you build your own house, you must make sure that all work at height is properly planned, supervised and carried out by people who are competent

The dos and don’ts of working at height Working at height remains one of the biggest causes of fatalities and major injuries, especially in the construction and manufacturing industries. Common cases include falls from ladders and through fragile roofs.

W

ork at height means work in any place, including at or below ground level, where a person could fall a distance to cause injury.

If you build your own house, you must make sure that all work at height is properly planned, supervised and carried out by people who are competent (having the skills, knowledge and experience) to do the job. This must include the use of the right type of access equipment.

To prevent or minimise risk when planning for work at height, consider what needs to be done and take a sensible, risk-based approach to identify suitable precautions.

Control measures There is a simple hierarchy of control measures (outlined below) which you should follow to minimise the risk of a fall from height. The hierarchy should be followed systematically, and only when one level is not reasonably practicable should the next level be considered.

Those in control of the work need to do the following: Avoid work at height where they can.

Use work equipment to prevent falls where work at height cannot be avoided.

16

Where the risk of a fall cannot be eliminated, use work equipment to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall if one occurs.

Always consider measures that protect all those at risk, or collective protection measures such as scaffolds, nets and soft landing systems, before you consider measures that only protect the individual, or personal protection measures such as harnesses.

Dos and don’ts of working at height Do:

Make sure the surface/access equipment in use is stable and strong enough to support the worker’s weight and that of any equipment. Any edge protection should be wide enough and strong enough to prevent a fall.

Work as much as possible from the ground or partly from the ground.

For example, assemble structures on

the ground and lift them into position with lifting equipment.

Take precautions when working on or near fragile surfaces, such as an asbestos cement roof, to prevent a fall or to minimise the distance and reduce injuries in the event of a fall.

Ensure workers can get safely to and from where they want to work at height, and also consider emergency evacuation and rescue procedures.

Make sure everyone involved is competent to do the work they are responsible for, including those who plan and organise it.

Choose the most appropriate equipment for the type of work being done and how often it will be used.

Provide protection from falling objects.

Make sure equipment used for work at height is well maintained and inspected regularly.

Don’t: Overload ladders. The worker and anything he or she is taking up should not exceed the highest load stated on the ladder.

Overreach on ladders or step ladders. Keep your belt buckle (navel) inside the stiles and both feet on the same rung throughout the task.

Use ladders or step ladders if the nature of the work is deemed to be ‘heavy’ or if the task will take longer than 30 minutes to complete.

Use ladders if workers cannot maintain three points of contact (two hands and one foot, or one hand and two feet) at the working position.

If this is not possible, consider an alternative safe system of work.

Let anyone who is not competent carry out work at height.

www.selfbuildonline.co.uk

Sub-browSanctuary Urban Eyebrow

A clear vision After having spent many years financing large-scale social and private housing, Ken Cox, and his wife Helen, were confident that they could finally take on the challenge of building their own unique home.

K

en explains: “I have had a lifelong interest in architecture and at one point seriously considered it as a career. I have lived in houses ranging in age from 15th to 20th Century. They all had their own personalities. The availability of a unique property in London, which I knew well, inspired me to build something that was tailor made for us. In addition, I had just retired having spent many years financing larger-scale social and private housing projects, which gave me the confidence to take on the challenges.”

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The couple had lived in close proximity to this unique plot, and Ken had known the original owner well. The plot was of a good size with a unique outlook. However, the original property was wholly out of keeping with its surroundings, it was somewhat dilapidated and cried out to be demolished. Ken explains: “I was able to talk to the planners and the local conservation society before acquisition and determine that they would look favourably on a complete rebuild.”

After nine months, planning permission was eventually granted.

Urban Sanctuary

Far left: Wide “industrial” steps lead down to a huge kitchen and dining area with sliding doors opening onto a very private patio area Left: The house was to take full advantage of its unique situation with uninterrupted views of the private 4-acre arboretum to the rear Below left: Given the amount of glass incorporated in the plans and the visual impact of that, particular attention was given to its design and specification Below: The couple approached the design brief by holding a design competition with a shortlist of four architects

Flexibility of use and quality were paramount to the family. “We wanted to construct a modern, well-built, individual inner London family home that would blend into its Victorian surroundings,” explains Ken. “We wanted it to be a comfortable home for the two of us when we were on our own and at the same time give us plenty of room for big family gatherings or formal dinner parties.”

The house was to take full advantage of its unique situation with uninterrupted views of the private 4-acre arboretum to the rear and Wandsworth Common to the front, both of which can never be built on. Helen adds: “We wanted to take full advantage of that to provide a light-filled interior and maximise views of greenery and the contrasting sky throughout the house.”

The design brief The couple approached the design brief by holding a design competition with a shortlist of four architects. Ken explains: “Each was given the same brief and asked to respond.

MG Architects, a local firm who won the competition, put forward the fullest response to our brief, answered every question and had put the time in to provide their ideas of an initial plan and layout whilst the others were still at concept stage. We then worked on those plans but there were remarkably few major changes overall between the initial proposals and the final outcome.”

The couple’s key hurdle was to comply with the stringent planning requirements imposed on them by the fact that the property is in a conservation area in a street comprising mostly grand Victorian villas.

19

Sub-browSanctuary Urban Eyebrow

There are also detailed covenants affecting the front and rear sightlines of the property which both Ken and Helen wanted to comply with out of neighbourliness.

Ken explains further: “Obtaining local authority and in particular the conservation officer’s consent to the detailed plans was a challenge. We hired planning consultants to guide us through that particular maze.

Piling to the perimeter and constructing a large basement area on a relatively narrow site adjacent to (and in part replacing) old boundary walls led to lengthy party wall negotiations. Meeting the planning requirement that we built to a standard of Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, which was in force at the time of seeking our planning consent, was a costly and protracted exercise.”

Handing over responsibility Due to the complex nature of the build, Ken decided against taking on the role of project manager as he explains: “Project management was beyond my competence and I had heard too many tales of disasters.

In any event, we were living in France while the house was being built so I would not have been able to be on-site sufficiently frequently. We used the services of a large national project management company, Faithful + Gould in addition to the architect. They held formal monthly progress meetings with all parties which I attended. The architect, Michael Cartwright, was at the heart of all our thinking and decision-making throughout the project from the earliest conceptual days through to the final snagging. He has been pivotal to the whole exercise.”

Above: On entering the house, the visitor is immediately struck by the light and “see through” views from the entrance hall and stairway Right: The pale bricks called Terca by Wienerberger blend in well with adjoining properties Above right: From the lounge, double doors open to reveal the mezzanine library area incorporating two discreet office areas Far right: The architect and consulting engineers specified much of the internal and external fabric of the building

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Urban Sanctuary Material specification was an integral part of the process, most of which was taken care of by the architect and consulting engineers. Ken adds: “The architect and consulting engineers specified much of the internal and external fabric of the building. Unusually, we had four direct contractors: main, electrical, mechanical and joinery who also submitted details of proposed materials and specification for approval. Managing the contractors and their interaction was a critical part of the project but we were helped immensely by long-standing personal relationships.

“Given the amount of glass incorporated in the plans and the visual impact of that, particular attention was given to its design and specification. From the beginning, the architect had wanted to use the Swiss “Sky-Frame” system because of its slender frames and good heat retention/sound reduction qualities.

This did lead to a number of practical issues in terms of delivery delays and installation scheduling.”

Overall, the project took a little under three years from inception. This was probably 6-9 months longer than the couple had originally

thought but an excellent result nevertheless.

Remarkably however, the couple’s costs didn’t overrun. “We spent a lot of time at the outset assessing and probing the anticipated costs,” explains Ken. “These included five iterations of a detailed breakdown of all the component parts.

No surprises were the watchwords. We obtained fixed price contracts from all parties and these were adhered to vigorously throughout the project.”

The build The house incorporates living accommodation on the ground floor and basement with two en-suite bedrooms on the first floor and two further bedrooms and a family bathroom on the top floor. On entering the house, the visitor is immediately struck by the light and “see through” views from the entrance hall and stairway. Double doors lead off the hallway to a lounge with a multi-fuel fireplace – the only traditionally styled room in the house. The room houses a surprise however: with a single press of the button the curtains close slowly, the light dims and a projector and screen drop from the ceiling to provide a home cinema.

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Urban Sanctuary

From the lounge, double doors open to reveal the mezzanine library area incorporating two discreet office areas and stunning double height windows overlooking the garden and patio. This is usually the point at which visitors gasp at the “wow” factor. Wide “industrial” steps lead down to a huge kitchen and dining area with sliding doors opening onto a very private patio area with a grand staircase leading up to the garden.

There is a large playroom or cosy retreat off the dining area which also has sliding full height glass windows so that the whole area can be opened up into an indoor/outdoor circulating space for parties or simply enjoying the great British summer. Further rooms off the hall to the kitchen provide for a bedroom, utility room, shower room and sauna whilst there is ample storage for kitchen overspill adjacent to the plant room.

Upstairs, the floor-to-ceiling glazing in all of the bedrooms means that they benefit from sweeping views of trees, the common, parkland or sky. In particular, there is a strong feeling of living in the trees from the second floor bedrooms.

The sizeable terrace at second floor level overlooking the common is the family’s favourite place to sit and enjoy a cocktail whilst watching the sun set over Wandsworth.

Visual impact The couple compares the property to a Tardis – to onlookers it appears sympathetic to the streetscape, but as you gradually make your way to the rear of the property you’re in for a surprise. Ken explains: “The front of the property sits quietly and comfortably with its neighbours; the pale bricks called Terca, by Wienerberger, blend in well with adjoining properties. Strollers on the common can see right through the glass staircase to the arboretum at the rear, opening up to an unexpected view that had been hidden for half a century.

“The magic is, perhaps best viewed privately from the rear where the visual impact is more dramatic with huge expanses of glass that reflect the trees and sky from every angle.”

Overall the project has been a huge success, and Ken reveals he would definitely turn his hand to another self-build if the right situation presented itself. “Although, we do love this house and the area we live in, and would not go seeking a new property,” explains Ken. “We might take many of the principles we learnt here in England over to our house in France however.”

www.brick.org.uk www.mgarchitects.org

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Above: Upstairs, the floorto-ceiling glazing in all of the bedrooms means that they benefit from sweeping views of trees, the common, parkland or sky Right: The front of the property sits quietly and comfortably with its neighbours

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Impressive Innovation

Skillfully crafted For many self-builders, their ambition to self-build is driven by the desire to have full control over their dream home and the choices that come with it. For Brian Murray, his vision for a traditional Arts and Crafts home inspired his journey from start to finish.

Securing the site From the outset, Brian required a property that provided enough space for his family and entertaining guests. He explains: “The property needed to contain a minimum of five bedrooms, a separate drawing room and a great entertainment space, including an indoor swimming pool and a cinema room.”

With such a clear vision in mind, it was no easy task to find the right plot. Brian had spent many months searching for an appropriate greenfield site that didn’t have restrictions – a rare find in his desired location, but eventually

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All images © Qube Design

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hen Brian set about building his dream home, he knew from the start that it would reflect his love of the Arts and Crafts period. “I’ve always found that when buying a property, you are so limited. By building my own home, I was able to control the quality of the materials, the specification and the small detailing, which often makes the most difference.”

Brian’s vision and inspiration was influenced by the architectural history of the area and the site’s location together with his love of the Arts and Crafts period, which includes simple design lines and the use of good quality materials and detailing. “I realised early in the design stages that this was going to be a complicated task,” comments Brian. “And that to achieve a quality end product I would need to employ an architectural designer to assist me. I employed the services of Nigel Collingswood at Qube Design and his design decisions proved to be key to the success of the build.”

he struck gold, as he explains: “I was very lucky to come across a site which originally was part of the adjoining property’s garden, containing tennis courts and an orchard. The site had an ideal setting, being open to the rear and looking over Moor Hall Golf Course with its frontage facing onto a mature copse/garden area. It also had a wide frontage and was set within a private road.”

The architect Nigel Collingswood had undertaken similar projects in the area and therefore had a good rapport with the local authority planning department. Nigel talks through the process: “A pre-application was made in the first instance. Design and policy issues were discussed with the planners and adjoining property owners and the final design encapsulated officer recommendations and took on objectors’ concerns. The pre-application approach then enabled a smooth run with the main planning application. In the end, the total time for both processes took four months.”

Despite a smooth sailing planning process, the build was not without its challenges. “We encountered challenges from day one with the site set up,” explains Brian. “The main challenging element was the indoor swimming pool where ground conditions required some considerable structural input and here there were also some waterproofing issues.”

As main project manager, Brian witnessed first-hand the day-to-day negotiations and complex issues which needed to be worked through. Fortunately, he was able to work closely with Nigel of Qube Design and the quantity surveyor. Brian explains: “I also employed a site manager and fortnightly meetings were held to discuss the programme, costings and general progress of the build.

“It was essential that I managed the build as I wanted every aspect of the build to be high quality and reflect my vision of the Arts and Crafts period. To help achieve this, the architect played an important part from start to finish.”

Impressive Innovation

Brian approached material specification by seeking inspiration from similar properties and researching the market via magazines and reference books. A lot of the material choices were also recommended by the designer who was also influenced by previous projects in the area.

As the building is extremely energy efficient, Brian took the decision not to specify any renewable technologies. He explains: “I took the stance that they would affect the visible appearance of the building, but we took great endeavours to make the build as thoroughly efficient as possible, and we also incorporated a whole house ventilation system to minimise heat loss.”

The programme

Brian’s vision and inspiration was influenced by the architectural history of the area

The original project programme was estimated to take 15 months, however due to some restrictions on site, bad weather and some contractual issues, Brian reveals the build process was extended to 26 months, longer than expected, but worth the end result. Just as the programme overran, so did the budget as Brian explains further: “The original budget exceeded as always on a project of this nature and size, which was due to design and material changes and unknown site issues, together with the extended contract period. But I’m happy with the end result and very pleased with the estimated value price of the property on completion.”

The site had an ideal setting, being open to the rear and looking over Moor Hall Golf Course

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Sub-brow Impressive Innovation Eyebrow For Brian and his family, their new home has truly realised their vision for an Arts and Crafts home, while capturing a clean, contemporary feel internally, without losing the quality and comfort of traditional features. Meanwhile, the exterior space provides excellent circulation and amenity areas for both function and leisure.

The external environment has a seamless relationship with the property itself, which was really important to Brian: “It was important that the building should sit well within the site’s location and immediate setting, and when completed provide the feeling of belonging to its position with the street scene.”

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By going to considerable efforts to ensure that the building sits well within its surroundings, the home has received a wealth of compliments from the local community. Brian adds: “We have had nothing but praise from the local residents and some have commented that it’s the best on the road, which is very satisfying and rewarding.”

The finished product Despite a wealth of praise by family and friends, Brian does admit there would be some slight amendments if he had the chance. “As with everything, nothing is perfect and as you would expect, if I had

the time again I would change some of the layout, but all in all I’m extremely satisfied with the finished product,” he explains. “My favourite aspects of the building are the materials and detailing, which was achieved by my designer who was able to interpret my Arts and Crafts vision – notably, the entrance door’s stained glass.”

The roof is also a dominant feature of this luxury Arts and Crafts self-build home.

Brian had always envisaged having a dark handmade tile, but on researching the market he discovered most of the dark tiles have been sprayed or painted artificially.

Sub-brow Eyebrow Impressive Innovation

“Having such a dominant roof, we were keen that it should not look in any way contrived, and we wanted to use a tile with a genuine clay colour, that would have some variant of colour and texture on its surface,” explains Brian. “We were therefore very pleased to come across Dreadnought Tiles at a self-build exhibition. Dreadnought had just launched their Classic range of handmade tiles and offered a choice of four natural clay colours. Their Staffordshire Blue tile didn’t quite offer the varied shades of purples and lighter blues that we were after, but they agreed to produce a Dark Heather tile especially for us, which they have now incorporated into their Classic range.”

Roofing features Nigel at Qube Design incorporated a number of different features into the roof, which adds further interest to the build. His design allowed for two storeys within the roof space and uses many dormer windows, differing roof levels and sprocketed eaves. By using sprockets, Nigel has created subtle lines and given elegance to the building and he has accommodated the pitch transitions by adjusting the tilt of the bonnet hips. The sense of quality and attention to detail is emphasised by the use of special shaped hip finials that accommodate the curved shape of the adjacent bonnet hips.

Only small format tiles could achieve the complex roofing features central to the design of this elegant home. This choice of tile was clearly a key decision given the prominence of the roof. Brian was determined not to use an artificially coloured tile. He wanted some variation

of colour, texture and shape in the tile that he chose.

Reflecting on his experience, Brian reveals he would certainly take on another self-build but maybe with a few differences. “I’d perhaps look at a different architectural style, maybe more on a smaller scale and a cottage theme, but not too small. Looking back on my experience and the lessons I’ve learned, I would definitely advise prospective self-builders to take

Above: From the outset, Brian required a property that provided enough space for his family and guests Above right: The internal and external spaces are extremely connected Right: Brian’s selfbuild includes an indoor swimming pool

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Sub-brow Impressive Innovation Eyebrow

Set the tone: Expert advice from Dreadnought Tiles

their time in deciding what their vision is and collate a firm brief to give to the design team.

“If you’re looking at embarking on your own selfbuild, employ a good designer, one that you can talk to openly. The more you firm up your design before works commence, the more control you have over the cost of the programme. A good design team, quality tradesmen and materials are essential.”

www.jfaqube.com www.dreadnought-tiles.co.uk

Above: The roof is a dominant feature of this luxury Arts and Crafts self-build home Below: Dreadnought Tiles agreed to produce a Dark Heather tile especially for the project

Surveys in this country have shown that people like houses built from traditional materials, and a plain clay tile provides the means of adding individuality into houses with a durable, maintenance-free product, the mellow appearance of which will become more attractive with time. This characteristic is not found in synthetic products.

The use of a plain clay tile roof enables an architect to incorporate prestige, character and individuality into a building, by means of the use of details that other large roofing units do not allow. For example, hips, valleys, dormers, towers or vertical cladding. Roofs with mixed colour tiles, create added interest especially on large expanses of roof where the colours and shadows generate a unique character. No other tile blends like a Dreadnought, their subtle natural shades will give your roof an enduring quality.

Dreadnought's beliefs have never altered. For 200 years, Dreadnought have believed in the enhanced beauty imparted to a building by the natural colours of clay. If you compare our samples with those of other manufacturers you will see the difference between our natural colour and the artificial stains of other manufacturers.

Both the colour and the shape of the roof can play a big role in setting the tone for your building.

Adding features to the roofline, such as a sprocket or an eyebrow window, can add prestige and elegance to the roofline.

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Groundworks

prevent any damage to connecting drains or sewers. The website www.planningportal.gov. uk suggests that if you are wanting to build a new driveway to consider incorporating a slope and choosing specific materials (like gravel) that will allow rain water to escape, preventing the risk of flooding. A sloped driveway may still require a WRC inspection depending on where sewage and drainage pipes are located and how deep they are, so it’s worth having one carried out.

What does a Servo-Rod WRC drain inspection consist of?

Step 1 – a drain camera is inserted into the drain. The CCTV drain camera is introduced into the drain via the appropriate access point and pushed or powered through the pipe.

Step 2 – an operator observes and records.

WRC drain inspections: why?

When you are looking into building an extension, it can be easy to get carried away with the finer details such as decorating your new space, and the guests you can invite over. It’s important to know that before you start thinking about the interior aspects, there are a few official steps that need to be taken.

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hen deciding what size extension you want, you need to know what actions you are expected to take before you will be allowed to build.

You may, for example, need to have a WRC drain inspection carried out.

being presented. That way you won’t have to endure any nasty surprises that could prolong or prevent a build from taking place.

The legalities

Even if it is something simple like wanting to build a drive outside your home, there are things that you can take into consideration to

By law it is your responsibility to ensure the safety and care of any drains throughout your property, and this will extend to drains or sewage lines that you are planning to build over, or even near.

Severn Trent, for example, requires you to declare whether you are building over or near a public sewer so that necessary action can be taken to prevent any issues either for yourselves or the community.

It may be worth considering a drain inspection which will consist of a camera being inserted into the drain, an operator observing and recording and blockages, and a report

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What if I’m not having an extension?

As the drain camera travels along the pipe, the image is relayed to a monitor screen above ground. The operator will then log the blocked drains and record the location of the blockages along the entire length of the blocked pipe.

Step 3 – a drain survey report is provided.

The drain survey report is then provided which lists the type and location of any defect. This can be backed up with photographs, video or CD evidence together with a site plan showing the drain’s location.

The results Once you get your results, you can move on to the next stage of planning your extension. If there are issues, it is better to find the problem early on to cause as little inconvenience as possible. Servo-Rod can advise you on what steps need to be taken next and what kind of engineer needs to be consulted so that everything can be approved for your new build as soon as possible.

www.servo-rod.co.uk

Above left: By law it is your responsibility to ensure the safety and care of any drains throughout your property Left: It may be worth considering a drain inspection before your build process begins

SUPERIOR PROPERTIES DESERVE SUPERIOR HEATING SYSTEMS

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Efficient, reliable and suitable for both new build or renovation projects, our awardwinning range of ground and air source heat pumps are also the ideal partner for underfloor heating systems, delivering greater efficiency and a level of comfort you’ve never experienced before.

To find out how you could enjoy lower heating bills and generate ongoing income, simply call our dedicated sales team on 0808

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Kitchens

Topping off kitchen design in style Worktops play a huge role in the design of the kitchen and as such need to look good as well as being practical. David Beckett, Sales Director at Caesarstone, explores the current trends.

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s well as providing a practical surface on which to prepare food, worktops have a very big impact on the overall look and feel of the kitchen. Taking up such a large expanse of space, the eye is naturally drawn to the work surface and of course it is always on show, so it is important that it is chosen with both its looks and its practical advantages in mind. Engineered quartz worktops are increasingly gaining popularity amongst designers and homeowners due to their outstanding qualities. Quartz is an incredibly strong material that easily withstands the wear-and-tear that comes with modern living and is practically maintenance free. Best of all, from an aesthetic perspective, it is possible to choose from a broad selection of colours and textures to find the perfect design solution for the home.

Hard at work First and foremost, it is crucial that the work surface chosen for the kitchen is hard-wearing and able to withstand the general wear-and-tear of day-to-day life. With food preparation being a primary use, hygiene and ease of cleaning is key. A non-porous material, such as quartz is particularly suited to this environment, as it is designed specifically to offer a hygienic solution for moist and humid surroundings. Resistant to mildew, and thus to mould and bacteria, quartz is simple to keep clean and germ-free. Even if the environment is damp microbes and the like cannot breed, helping to significantly reduce the spread of potential viruses and illnesses.

While materials such as marble and granite are popular options for contemporary and classic kitchen design, they can be difficult to maintain, requiring the use of special cleaning agents to keep them germ-free and will need to be resealed over time. Quartz, on the other hand, requires minimal maintenance to keep it looking as good as new and won’t need to be resealed. In fact, the hard, non-penetrable surface is simple to clean with just soap and water or a mild detergent.

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Materials such as granite, stone and wood, while all popular options for kitchen surfaces, can be difficult and costly to repair should they get chipped or scratched. Again, quartz is a hard-wearing alternative, offering up to four times the strength, while being highly resistant to stains, scratches and cracks. Quartz worktops also shrug off most household chemicals so they won’t be damaged by an accidental spill and can even handle direct heat up to 150°.

Trend setters Practicalities to one side, selecting kitchen work surfaces is as much about creating the right statement in terms of style, depending on the overall design of the space. Rather than simply looking like a cheaper alternative to the real thing, a high quality quartz surface emulates the look and feel of materials such as granite and marble, offering the best of both worlds.

A quartz work surface enables the latest trends in kitchen design to be introduced, with dozens of colours available, as well as a wide choice of styles and various thicknesses and edging profiles.

In the contemporary setting, simple minimalist surfaces work well with solid colours offering contrast to cabinetry and sleek edge profiles adding to the modern appearance of furniture and appliances.

There is a trend too towards combining complementary or contrasting colours and worktop thicknesses, particularly in larger, open-plan spaces

Kitchens Left: Caesarstone’s London Grey worktop from the Classico Collection works in harmony with stainless steel appliances and crisp white cabinetry in the open-plan kitchen Below left: With the appearance of marble and all the durability of quartz, Misty Carrara from Caesarstone is available in two thicknesses of 20 or 30mm Below: Pure White from Caesarstone’s Classico collection is a quartz work surface which is non porous, scratch and stain resistant

in order to define zones for cooking, eating and socialising. Being available in a wide range of colour choices and various thicknesses, quartz worktops lend themselves to this look, while for added practicality enable clever design features such as soft ridge edging to prevent water spillages, or the combination of a thin surface on a bank of cabinets with a chunky worktop on an island unit to add definition. Where thick work surfaces were once the norm, super-slim worktops are the hottest look in kitchen design, with profiles as slim as 15mm helping to achieve a simple, minimalist finish.

The trend for uninterrupted flows of surfacing from the horizontal into the vertical also continues apace, with seamless, ‘one-piece’ looks working well from the work surface to sinks and splashbacks and similarly to cabinet ends and island unit sides. With such a look though, consistency in the detail of the surface is key, something that is virtually impossible to achieve with materials such as marble, making quartz surfaces which emulate the look of marble once again being a suitable alternative.

With worktops making such a big impact visually on a kitchen’s design, choosing a surface that successfully combines form with function while tapping into current trends will give long-lasting results.

www.caesarstone.co.uk

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Cladding

Cladding solutions with modified softwoods Given the huge range of products on offer in today’s market, it can be an overwhelming task to choose which material is best for any given project. The most important factors that one should consider when determining the best cladding materials for a selfbuild project is the performance and appearance of the material.

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ladding can be used to blend in with the surrounding buildings or to create an eyecatching design feature. All cladding will protect a property from the elements, whilst some cladding materials can also help to improve thermal insulation. Most notable cladding materials used for self-build properties include; wood, brick and render.

Increasingly, there has been a shift towards sustainability in construction, along with a return to natural alternatives to brick or cement.

Hardwood and softwood Above: All cladding will protect a property from the elements, whilst some cladding materials can also help to improve thermal insulation Left: Timber has become a key player within the industry Right: Beyond structural concerns, aesthetic appearance is of great importance Above right: With a good selection of materials and the right know-how, it is possible to install environmentally friendly, attractive and affordable cladding for a self-build project

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Timber has become a key player within the industry both as an aesthetically attractive building material, but also due to the element of sustainability it can add to a development if sourced responsibly. Timber cladding is fast becoming the most prominent material for self-build projects, offering properties a natural and fashionable look.

Another common reason for selecting timber is the durability of the material. Hardwoods are more durable than softwoods and show superior qualities for construction. Nevertheless, hardwood is typically more expensive and market supply for sustainably managed, slow-growing species can be very volatile. Softwood can be grown quickly in a sustainably managed forest, so is likely to be more eco-friendly than hardwoods. However,

Cladding © Hundven-Clements Photography

© Hundven-Clements Photography

they tend to absorb water and deteriorate over time, which often means they are less durable and therefore unsuitable for external cladding since they require regular maintenance and will need replacing in relatively short time frames.

© Hundven-Clements Photography

Sustainability A third of the world’s rainforests have disappeared in the last 50 years, in part due to a high demand for tropical hardwood for use in construction. Sustainability will soon become increasingly important as builders, developers and architects are under mounting pressure from legislation, consumers, demand on resources and the need to meet the demand for new housing. Modified softwood offers a solution to this issue, creating a sustainable option for high quality timber in construction without the associated environmental damage of hardwood deforestation.

A comparative study by environmental consulting firm, Bergfald & Co, showed Kebony one option in the modified softwood market to have a carbon footprint of less than 6%.

Products, such as Kebony, have been used in a range of projects, paving the way for a future in which wood is an integral and sustainable part of the construction industry.

Maintenance and stability The stability of timber, and maintenance requirements, should also be high on the agenda when selecting cladding materials.

Dimensional changes due to moisture being gained or lost, can lead to wood splitting, warping or a loss of structural strength.

Modified timber has the ability to bypass the need for maintenance, painting or varnishing, meaning that it is hassle-free and contains no harmful toxins or chemicals.

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© Hundven-Clements Photography

Cladding

Case study: An eco-friendly renovation Whilst environmentally-friendly construction technology has advanced rapidly over recent years, the cost of using such technologies in building can sometimes mean that sustainability features are lower on the overall design agenda. Adding cladding facets to your home can already be a stressful, expensive and complex process before sustainability is taken into consideration. However, with a good selection of materials and the right know-how, it is possible to install environmentally-friendly, attractive and affordable cladding for a self-build project.

Aesthetics Beyond structural concerns, aesthetic appearance is of great importance. Hardwoods, such as mahogany, have a darker colouration, while softwoods, such as pine or fir, are far lighter in colour. Modified timbers have a great variety in their colour, with some types of modification, such as acetylation, not altering the initial colour of the parent wood, thus allowing for a more durable wood with a light colour. Others materials, such as Kebony or thermally modified wood, have a deep brown colour, mimicking the appearance of hardwoods.

Cladding can play an important role in construction, providing an attractive, durable, exterior finish which is in keeping with both contemporary and more traditional designs. Timber is reusable, biodegradable and is one of the least carbon producing construction materials – depending on the type of wood used. The versatility of this timber cladding has reaffirmed timber’s place as a vital, sustainable material in construction.

www.kebony.com/en

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Above: Cladding can play an important role in construction, providing an attractive, durable, exterior finish which is in keeping with both contemporary and more traditional designs

The Lersch family bought a dilapidated farmhouse and were keen to preserve the historic building. They sought to develop an annex to extend the existing residential property and redevelop the original triangular-roofed farmhouse building. Some sections needed to be demolished – with other parts requiring significant attention.

The design was heavily influenced by traditional, gable-roofed farmhouses with the build intending to modernise the antiquated aesthetic in a minimalistic manner. The beautiful setting was also paramount to the design and inspired the openness of the building’s sides. Glass and aluminium have been used extensively throughout. Both the roof and facade of the extension are clad with Kebony, chosen by the architects as it helped maintain the traditional-style of the original farmhouse.

Initially, Kebony cladding has a deep brown colour, but when exposed to light and weathering over time, the colour of the wood softens to adopt a delicate silver-grey patina, perfectly in keeping with the light tones of the wood panelling on the inner walls of this farmhouse.

The wooden cladding gives the barn its striking external appearance and creates a natural look and feel, with the additional benefit of integrating sustainability into the build.

To further the eco-friendly credentials of the build, the ground floor is made of recycled concrete and houses an intricate heating mechanism. Architectural innovations continue to the downpipes and gutters. These are cleverly concealed behind the cladding to ensure that water is drained away behind the facade, whilst snow sliding from the roof is directed away from the gutter.

“ From finding

a roofing contractor to the latest technical advice, NFRC has it covered.

”

info@nfrc.co.uk | www.nfrc.co.uk | @TheNFRC

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Facias, Soffits & Gutters

Understanding your build’s roofline Roofline components are the essential parts of your roof that protect your home from the weather – mainly wind and rain in the case of the UK. Chris Coxon, Head of Marketing at Eurocell, explains what they are, how they work and discusses what materials to choose.

W Top: The gable end of a house or terrace has a bargeboard under the roofline Above: The gutter is simply a narrow channel at the edge of the roof that collects and diverts the rainwater

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ith the possible exception of drains, roofline products are the parts of a building that few people notice until they fail because they are hard to reach and often out of sight. But the five main elements – fascias, gutters, soffits, bargeboards and boxends – are essential as they bear the brunt of anything the weather has to throw at them.

Fascias, in particular, protect the roof space and rafters of the home and, if allowed to rot, can lead to roof rafters being damaged – as well as spoiling a home’s appearance if they are old and discoloured. The fascia board is the long, straight board that runs along the lower edge of the roof and is fixed directly to the roof trusses. It needs to be structurally strong and durable because it not only supports the bottom row of roof tiles, but also carries all the guttering – and all the rain that sweeps into the gutters from the roof.

The larger the roof area, the greater the volume and weight of water that runs into the gutter when it rains. As a result the fascia board may have to support many kilos during a downpour.

Everyone knows what a gutter – sometimes known as an ‘eaves trough’ – is: simply a narrow channel at the edge of the roof that collects and diverts the rainwater.

This is then directed via a downpipe (sometimes called a leader or conductor) from the roof edge to the bottom of the building where it is either discharged into the sewage system or collected. Some sustainable building designs collect rainwater for uses that do not require drinking water, such as flushing toilets or washing clothes.

Soffit is a general construction term that refers to the underside of a flat, horizontal surface but, in roofing terms, means the board that covers the space between the external wall of the property and the edge of the roof. Soffit boards are usually screwed or nailed to rafters,

Facias, Soffits & Gutters

known as lookout rafters, and abut the fascia board, so they are usually made of matching materials.

The amount by which the soffit board extends beyond the external wall varies a lot, depending on the design, from a few centimetres to more than a metre. In some cases the soffit boards are ventilated. In other climates this is so they can cool the attic space, but in the UK the ventilation slots are designed to ensure that your loft is well ventilated at all times, preventing damp and protecting the rafters from rot.

The gable end of a house or terrace has a bargeboard under the roofline. Historically, bargeboards were fixed to the projecting gables of a roof to give them strength, but now they are both cosmetic and protective because they cover the ends of the horizontal timbers or purlins of the roof to which they are attached. Without the bargeboards, the timber ends would be exposed, which would both look very poor and would expose the timbers to rain and rot. The condition of the bargeboard can often make or break the look of a house, and over the years it has evolved into some very attractive shapes.

Boxends are also found on gable ends, where they accommodate the fascia, soffit and bargeboard at each corner of the house into a neat, tidy right-angled shape: the roofing equivalent of a ‘hospital corner’.

All five of these elements must work together because if one fails then it has an impact on the others and, eventually, on the performance of the roof. There is a wide choice of models and materials for gutters, downpipes, fascia and soffit boards, such as low-maintenance PVC-U. While every self-builder wants an attractive product, there are more practical factors to consider such as weight because, assuming the building is more than one-storey tall, someone has to heft all the materials.

Above: Soffit is a general construction term that refers to the underside of a flat, horizontal surface Left: The amount by which the soffit board extends beyond the external wall varies a lot

Construction professionals use an approach called Whole Life Costing (WLC) to select building components and, while it is intended for commercial and industrial buildings, it is a powerful tool for calculating the lowest cost options for the entire life of a building. In the case of roofline products, it means that you should look at maintenance costs, and the cost of access in particular, when assessing which material to use. Updates to the Working at Height regulations mean that jobs that could once be done from a ladder, such as painting soffits and guttering, now require either scaffolding or a ‘cherry picker’ (an elevated work platform).

So, the materials need to be both maintenance-free and durable to represent good value for money. The products that meet these criteria will often carry a 10 year or 20 year guarantee as well as being manufactured by companies that have some history behind them. These products may not be the cheapest option in the short term but will save you the hassle and the expensive bills for repair and maintenance over the life of your home.

www.eurocell.co.uk

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Build It Live Bicester Preview

Drive your self-build project forward Find out all you need to know about building a truly individual home with a visit to Build It Live. Taking place on 11-12th June in Bicester, on the borders of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire, the exhibition is being run in association with Graven Hill – the UK’s first large-scale, self-build project with over 1000 self-build plots.

T

he exhibition aims to provide a stressfree route to creating a truly individual home, with the opportunity to meet industry experts who can provide invaluable advice and top tips for your project.

Whether you are looking to self-build on Graven Hill, or on a stand-alone plot; or if you are considering renovating, converting or extending an existing property, Build It Live is sure to provide the ideas, inspiration and information you need to drive your project forward.

Receive free one-to-one advice from Build It Live’s independent experts on how to turn your project into a reality, including how to find land, choosing the right design and what is possible with and without planning permission.

At the inaugural Build It Live Bicester you can discover thousands of cutting-edge and traditional products and meet over 150 of the UK’s most innovative suppliers. There are around 30 free, information-packed seminars and workshops, developed to address specific problems and inspire confidence when taking on a building or renovation project.

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Companies exhibiting at Bicester include: Potton which offers stylish self-build homes, Carpenter Oak with its bespoke oak framed houses and York Handmade Brick which offers unique products for inspirational buildings. John Nicholls will be tempting visitors with its contemporary and traditional kitchens and bathrooms, Kloeber will be displaying its latest glazing solutions including bifold doors and Byng Joinery will present its quality timber sash and casement windows and custommade bespoke staircases in pine and oak.

Below are some of the enticing exhibits this year: The Naked House: See a section of a new build as it comes together after first fix – a fascinating insight into how things are installed, from ICF blockwork and underfloor heating, to the roof trusses and floor joists.

Find a Builder: Talk to the Federation of Master Builders who can guide you through the process of finding the right contractor for your project. Access their database of trusted builders in your area.

Self Builders’ Own Stories Live: Gain inspiration and confidence from Build It readers who have

realised their self-build dreams. Hear their stories in the live theatre, on the show floor.

Eco Friendly Building Techniques: Take part in taster sessions and demonstrations covering a range of sustainability issues – including renewable energy and environmentally friendly building techniques. Also see the free seminar on Building a Sustainable Home at 15.30 daily.

Graven Hill Zone: Find out about opportunities to build your own home on Graven Hill and join the live Q&A to discover how to reserve a plot and what a ‘Plot Passport’ contains.

Self Build Academy: Attend free taster sessions from Potton’s Self Build Academy – providing essential knowledge for all selfbuilders. Amongst these talks will be a session specifically focused on Graven Hill.

To find out more about the show, and to purchase half price tickets, enter promotional code TIBUILD16 via Build it Live’s booking website.

www.builditlive.co.uk/booknow

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Eyebrow i-build Sub-brow

Heavy metal If you’re wanting your self-build to stand out from the crowd, specifying metal roofing and cladding such as copper or zinc will do just the trick.

Adding instant wow factor and robustness, these unique options have contributed to a number of award-winning projects – pure testament to their quality and demand in this growing sector.

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oofing and cladding materials are required to give a long life, be aesthetically pleasing, be easily and economically applied, require little or no maintenance and be environmentally friendly. Copper, steel and zinc embody these qualities better than any other material.

Over the long-term, metal roofing and cladding is the most cost-effective. A typical metal system can last over 100 years whereas other roofing and cladding materials need to be replaced, sometimes more than once, during that time.

Maintenance A properly installed copper, steel or zinc product is a once-and-once-only job, with little or no maintenance required. Copper and zinc gradually develop a durable patina, which reforms if damaged, while stainless steel is inherently resistant to corrosion. No chemicals are needed – the roof is resistant to decay and naturally fire proof.

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i-build

Metal types Copper: This elegant metal is prized for its ability to develop a self-protecting and virtually maintenance-free verdigris patina that ensures a long lifespan of 100 years or more. If left to age, copper will mellow from bright, golden-bronze tones through dark browns to a characteristic blue-green finish. New products include mesh-style claddings with colour-preserving coatings that can create a highly individual look.

Aluminium: Aluminium cladding is durable, hygienic, lightweight, low maintenance and recyclable.

ACM is a popular choice in the industry, due to its flexibility and ease of fabrication. It is impervious to termites and other insects, and because it allows the wall to 'breathe', there is a very low risk of leaking. Aluminium composite cladding can be fitted with insulation on the back or underneath in order to improve its energy efficiency.

Image: © Chris Wright

Steel: Steel is a relatively cheap metal, but it needs to be treated to prevent it from rusting. Stainless steel is more expensive but creates a striking, reflective effect. You can embrace rust by using corten steel, an alloy which forms a stable outer layer that is weather resistant and a beautiful browny-orange colour.

Zinc: The use of zinc in self-builds is gathering pace, mainly because of the visual aesthetic that subtle, pre-weathered colours provide. These are mostly specified to give a stylish, contemporary appearance totally unlike traditional slate and tile roofs, but it shouldn’t be forgotten that zinc has been used throughout Europe for more than two centuries. For more standard work, however, zinc’s versatility and adaptability enable it to be used for roofing, facade and rainwater systems, its natural, self-protecting patina reduces maintenance costs to a minimum throughout a design life which often exceeds 80 years.

Left: The traditional barn shape and reflective metal sheeting take their references from the local building vernacular, courtesy of MVRDV and Living Architecture Below left: Vieo, supplied by Euroclad, is available in steel, aluminium and can even be manufactured from zinc Below: Self-builders are increasingly opting for zinc to clad their homes, using products from specialists such as VMZINC Above: This copper extension at Hollin House has been clad using KME TECU Bronze, from SIG Zinc & Copper

Copper, zinc and stainless steel are much lighter than other roofing materials and require less structural support. There is a consequent reduction in cost throughout the whole project.

Environmental costs Today’s self-builder, and the industry as a whole, is increasingly looking at environmental costs. Copper, zinc and stainless steel are completely recyclable, thus lowering demand on resources and energy.

Very formable and ideal for cladding complicated details and shapes, copper, zinc and stainless steel can be dramatically modern or discreetly traditional.

Whether it be the luminous green of copper, the rich warm matt grey of zinc or the sheen of stainless steel, a metal roof enhances any building.

Jargon Buster Cassette Panel: Cassette Panel provides a classical way of installing large sheets of material to largescale, repetitive projects. The sheets are mechanically fixed with rivets, screws, clips and hooks and installed directly to a rail/gutter support system.

Standing Seam: Standing Seam is a style of profile for cladding. As the light and temperature changes so does the visual texture of the panel. Standing Seam is installed onto plywood for support, with a continuous 20mm ventilation air space behind the plywood.

Rainscreen Cladding: Rainscreen Cladding is the attachment of an outer skin of cladding with a ventilated and drained cavity to a new or existing building. The system is a form of double wall construction that uses an outer layer to keep out the rain and an inner layer to provide thermal insulation.

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Eyebrow i-nterior Sub-brow

Concrete LCDA Worktops available from Holloways of Ludlow, where bespoke kitchens start from £30,000.

Image courtesy of Nicholas Yarsley.

The perfect ingredient Your new kitchen’s worktop will greatly impact on both the functionality and aesthetics of this vital space in the home, so it’s crucial that you choose the right product for you. Here, i-build provides some vital considerations, tips and inspiration to help you specify that all-important surface.

K

itchen surfaces endure a constant stream of activity. Food preparation is among one of the key roles for the worktop, therefore when planning your kitchen design be sure to factor in plenty of counter space. It is often the case to lead with the aesthetics and not take into account how you will actually operate in your kitchen. Consider depth and length generously, as these will determine how practical your kitchen is, and it will ultimately dictate how you furnish your surfaces.

Howard Noh, Managing Director of a leading worktop supplier, Tristone Acrylic Surfaces, comments: “To be practical, a worktop should be at least 90cm long. It should also be deep enough to overhang your units by 20-25mm.

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Concrete The arrival of concrete worktops to the market, such as this new industrial-look worktop from Caesarstone, has really cemented homeowners’ dreams and visions for an industrial-chic interior scheme. Made from a general purpose mortar mix, it is injected with colour to bring warmth and character. If you are on a tight budget, this may not be the right product for you, but if you are willing to splurge throughout your self-build this would be the perfect opportunity.

Not only does this look better than worktops that end abruptly at the units, but it also means spilt liquids miss the units and head straight for the floor as opposed to dripping into drawers.”

He continues: “Check the depth of your units before ordering worktops as not all are the same depth. You also need to consider your drawer and cupboard fronts – some fit flush into the unit carcasses, others sit in

i-nterior

The three Cs Gary Baker, Managing Director of CD (UK), sole distributor of DuPont Corian explains: “There are three Cs in each kitchen design scheme – convenience, customisation and colour. In the world of self-build, your imagination has no limits, but making the most of the space you have available still means that understanding the age-old relationship between the three points of the kitchen triangle – the sink, fridge and cooker – is central to unlocking the potential in your plan. Everything you need can be found in the solid surface material DuPont Corian. Available in more than 90 colours, infinitely thermoformable to make any shape you specify, it is the ultimate in hygienic, seamless, enduring colour, style and practicality. A high-tech mix of natural stone and acrylic, Corian offers all the advantages of an organic substance, married with the benefits of a consistently reliable synthetic product.”

Care & Maintenance: Of Quartz You Can Silestone by Cosentino is the leading name in quartz surfaces, manufactured in slab format from 90% natural quartz. If you’re considering installing the revered worksurface in your kitchen, here are some tips to keep it in perfect condition: For grease stains apply a small amount of 409, Windex, or a common household cleaner to the stain and rub softly with a sponge until it disappears.

Lime scale can be removed using white vinegar or household lime scale removers.

For difficult stains, sprinkle 409, Windex, or a common household cleaner on the affected area of the Silestone product for two minutes.

To recover a non-natural sheen, a multipurpose furniture spray that is suitable for the countertop can be used.

front of them, adding to the finished depth of the units. Finally, when choosing the thickness of your worktop, bear in mind that chunky worktops add a sense of quality, so it is often worth paying a little extra for thicker surfaces.”

Materials There are a whole host of materials on offer for kitchen worktops but your choice will depend greatly on the intended scheme within your property. Wood or concrete?

Natural or engineered stone? Stainless steel or marble? Whichever you decide, ensure you are purchasing from a reputable supplier, as quality is key. Some surfaces are more robust and easier to maintain than others, but each have their pros and cons.

Marble If you’re looking for an exquisite material that exudes luxury and elegance, consider marble, or marble effect, worktops. Your choice of hues includes solid white, solid black and a range of variety colours in the rose, yellow, grey, green, white and black spectrums.

Marble is heat-resistant. In the kitchen, it stands up well to hot pans and pots.

However, homeowners must be advised that sharp knives can scratch the surface, or heavy pots/mugs may chip the marble.

Wood For natural warmth and character, solid wood worktops are perfectly suited to both traditional and contemporary kitchens.

Bespoke kitchens are available from Holloways of Ludlow

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i-nterior

As it’s a natural material, every piece will vary in grain and develop with character over time, which means you have a unique and original surface. One of the conditions of installing a natural wood worktop is the maintenance, as these surfaces will require regular oiling. You are generally expected to treat them every three months, but the results are worth it.

Solid surface Solid surface worktops, such as Corian or HI-MACS, provide all the benefits of stone worktops, such as granite, marble, quartz etc, however being blended with acrylic, it produces a countertop that is totally hygienic and is completely non-porous. Therefore, it does not harbour germs and bacteria, it won’t stain, and it requires virtually no maintenance.

Look Book: Complementary Tiles Now that you’ve chosen your worktop, here are some stylish tiles that will help complement your kitchen’s decor.

For further information, visit www.wallsandfloors.co.uk.

2 Forma Mentis kitchen from Valcucine, worktop in Granite Cardoso stone

1

3

4 1. Ceramic Honey Wood tiles, £19.95 per m2 (floors)

2. Ceramic Antique crackle Metro Tiles, £35.95 per m2 (walls)

Granite Granite surfaces are ideal for any area of the kitchen, and will even make a striking island worktop. It is especially low maintenance, and incredibly durable – being able to withstand high temperatures. Alongside this, granite is water resistant and impervious to most stains.

Kitchen specialist, Granite Transformations, advises: “For traditional kitchens, go for the look and feel of natural stone worktops, choosing either Italian granite or ultracontemporary recycled glass. Black or white surfaces, some with mirror fleck, give an upscale look and check out the latest porcelain worktops too. Waterfall ends, right down to floor level, look elegant and stylish.”

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3. Clay Victorian Unglazed

5

Hexagon Tiles, £71.95 per m2 (floors)

4. 98% recycled glass

Bewitched Hexagon Mosaic tiles, £13.45 per sheet (walls)

5. Porcelain Aspect

hexagon tiles, £24.95 per m2 (walls and floors)

6. Ceramic Lucy Tiles, £64.95 per m2 (walls)

6

Inex-online.com Interior and exterior design inspiration

The comprehensive online specification portal for interior and exterior design professionals. in+ex inspires the design community with the latest news, on-trend products and high-profile interviews.

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Eyebrow i-scape Sub-brow

Safe and secure If you’ve just built your own home, it’s likely to be your pride and joy. So why leave it unprotected?

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here are a number of routes you can go down to ensure that your home is kept safe, even on a budget – small deterrents can prove just as effective as the latest state-of-the-art security systems.

Borders and access Fences and gates are an obvious place to start.

A strong and secure perimeter fence and gate, featuring strong locks, will create a protective boundary which is in line with Police advice to homeowners. The overall fencing design – including posts and fittings – should be sufficiently sturdy to frustrate any attempts to

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push it over, remove any panels or parts, kick it through or climb over, but must also be in keeping with the local landscape.

If your total fence height is less than 1.8m, it is likely that it can be scaled and objects can be passed over it. Where possible, and subject to planning permission, a fence should be 2–2.4m high. If this is not an option, think about adding an anti-climb deterrent such as a spiked topping or trellis.

Motion sensor lights As well as aesthetic benefits, motion sensor lights can alert you of any activity outside. For

best effectiveness, position motion detector sensors to cover the walkways leading to your front and back doors and the driveway.

If improved security is a priority, position the lights to cover all the approaches to your house, including fence gates, the patio door, the darker areas of your garden, and around trees and bushes. Good lighting can’t guarantee security, of course, but it’s one of the best low-cost ways to get unwanted intruders to back away.

Low-budget deterrents l Opt for gravel paths or driveways as you will hear people approaching l Add shingle around windows and doors to sound out any trespassers l Stock your garden with ‘defensive’ plants such as berberis or crataegus monogyna l Regularly cut back shrubs or bushes so burglars can’t work without being seen

i-scape

Here, James McCann, Director of JMC Technologies, (www.jmcsecure.co.uk), recommends five of the top home security apps that will enable you to keep a watchful eye.

iVideon Average rating:

iVideon is a high quality, cloud video surveillance service which is accessible, reliable and very user-friendly.

Features:

✓ Instant connection to security cameras ✓ Live streaming available via internet to any device ✓ All data saved on cloud storage ✓ Easy expansion to multiple cameras ✓ Share camera links over social networks ✓ Embed surveillance feeds on websites and blogs

Video Relay Far left: This Yale 650TVL Indoor/Outdoor Bullet Camera features 20m Infrared Night Vision Left: If you're thinking of getting a home CCTV system for the outside of your property, you must comply with privacy laws Above: The system is a DIY installation Below: Yale CCTV gives you one security solution to fit all projects

Average rating:

CCTV The benefits of installing a good CCTV system for your self-build are vast. CCTV systems are a great deterrent to potential thieves. Once they realise that your home is protected by a closed circuit television system they invariably choose to target a different property. The prosecution rates for criminals targeting homeowners who have a professional CCTV system installed is many times higher than that for those without CCTV. Knowing you are well protected gives a feeling of security that should not be underestimated (ask anyone who has been burgled how they felt immediately after it occurred). Products likes Yale’s 650TVL Indoor/ Outdoor Bullet Camera featuring 20m Infrared Night Vision, are ideal for that added peace of mind.

www.yale.co.uk

Video Relay allows you to monitor a security camera, view real time video and communication with live two-way voice audio, provided you have a compatible security system and a Video Relay account.

Features:

✓ Motion sensor that activates camera ✓ Review any activity captured ✓ Alerts when the doorbell rings ✓ Save video & pictures directly to your smartphone ✓ Access via app or secure internet portal

Alarm.com Average rating:

Monitor and control your home in real time and from anywhere, with interactive security, video monitoring and home automation solutions giving you instant awareness and remote control.

Features:

✓ Arm/disarm your security panel remotely ✓ Control your home’s energy efficiency ✓ Watch recorded clips from your security cameras ✓ View real time live video monitoring ✓ Lock/unlock doors ✓ Search your complete system event history

i-Security Average rating:

i-Security allows you to monitor live video feeds from multiple cameras through surveillance systems and view cameras remotely.

Features:

✓ Up to 64 channels of live view display ✓ Multiple server setup through single server connection ✓ Megapixel resolution ✓ Support snapshots ✓ Can support physical control depending on the

nature of the camera

AtHome Camera Average rating:

AtHome Camera turns your device into an all-round video monitoring system, enabling you to keep an eye on your home from afar and also receive instant alerts whenever an incident occurs.

Features:

✓ Watch live streaming 3G/4G/WiFi while on the move ✓ Receive instant notifications when motion is triggered ✓ Schedule recording to automatically start or stop ✓ Communicate using built-in mic & speaker ✓ All connections are encrypted for optimum privacy ✓ Pan, tilt or zoom your IP camera remotely ✓ Store recordings on cloud

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Lighting

Illuminate your self-build When it comes to lighting your self-build, it is important to think about it early on in the process – never let it become an afterthought. Being able to start from scratch with a self-build is an exciting opportunity as you can really let the building stand out from the rest. Here, Rebecca Crawford, Senior Designer at John Cullen Lighting, offers her top tips for lighting up your self-build.

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common occurrence within properties is that a grid of downlights are positioned in military formation with the thought that lots of downlights will create a brighter space. All too often, this actually makes it gloomier as the walls and ceilings remain dark whilst the floor is washed with a bland blanket of light.

Well-designed schemes What makes a well-designed scheme stand out is its ability to highlight the most beautiful, and sometimes lesser noticed, details within a room.

Start with the obvious; items such as artwork or curtains and blinds can be lit using downlights recessed into the ceiling. A key tip here is that the positioning is crucial to what you want to light – never position the downlight too close or too far from the wall as this will result in the light pooling too high or too low on the wall. Using a downlight with a wider beam width can ensure a soft wash of light onto the required space.

Reflecting light off of the vertical surfaces within a room is perhaps the simplest way of creating a larger and brighter space. This effect is particularly useful when lighting basement conversions, as all too often there is no natural

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Lighting

daylight to brighten the space.

A worthy lighting scheme shouldn’t stop there, more layers should be added in order to create different moods and scenes within one space. Add a circuit of five amps sockets, so that all of your table and floor lamps can be dimmable as one.

The warm ambient light created through shaded lamps is often unachievable elsewhere, and can be of great comfort throughout the Winter.

Accent and external lighting Accent lighting is a simple and utterly effective way of focusing one's eye on the smaller details within the room. Highlighting fireplace jambs, doorframes and textures with small, low wattage LED uplights can completely transform a space and create a playful, yet elegantly lit space.

Whilst the lighting within the room is crucial, external lighting is equally important. If you are looking to use a lot of glass within the property to enhance natural daylight, pay close attention to the effect of this at night. Once it becomes dark, all of the glass will act as a mirror. Consider adding a bright level of light immediately outside and then beyond into the garden. This will instantly draw your eye outside and create the illusion of your interior extending into the beyond.

Whilst it is crucial to consider all of the above, using shadow is just as important. After all, in order to see the light you must have its natural counterpart.

Circuiting Once you have established various layers of light, consider your circuiting. You should always try and distinguish the circuits by their desired effect. For example, ceiling recessed

downlights for peripheral light to artwork, curtains and general wall washing on one circuit, accent downlights for light to a coffee table on a second, lamps and/or pendant lights on another, followed by accent lighting such as uplights to a fireplace on a final circuit.

Energy efficiency In order to meet the relevant building regulations for your self-build, you do need to ensure that your lighting scheme is energy efficient. Quite often, the easiest source to look at to meet this criteria is LED. I still find that there is a fear of LEDs being too harsh or cold in colour temperature.

However, they have come a long way since the days of the first blue and glarey LED downlights.

Fundamental factors to look out for when choosing LEDs is their high Colour Rendering Index – 90+ is a good figure to look out for. The colour temperature should be consistent throughout as you don’t want your eye drawn to the mismatched

colours. Typically we opt for 2700K within all of our schemes as it produces a beautiful soft glow without being too cold or overly warm.

In control Lastly, don’t forget to overlook how to control your lighting. Ensuring that you can dim all of the circuits is a key starting point as this can transform a bright working kitchen into an ambient supper time scene. Using rotary dimmers is enough for smaller rooms. However, should you have five or more circuits within one room, you might want to look at integrating some form of simple lighting control unit. This way, you are able to transform your space at the touch of a button with a variety of different scenes. Whole home control systems are another aspect to look at. Don’t feel like you need to use this just because you are building a new property.

Quite often, simplicity is best within the home.

www.johncullenlighting.co.uk

Top left: Whilst lighting within the room is crucial, external lighting is equally important Left: Using a downlight with a wider beam width can ensure a soft wash of light onto the required space Right: If you are looking to use a lot of glass within the property to enhance natural daylight, pay close attention to the effect of this at night Top right: Fundamental factors to look out for when choosing LEDs is their high Colour Rendering Index – 90+ is a good figure to look out for

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Product Guide

Graefe bespoke doors complete prestigious property Located in the London Borough of Hillingdon, the prestigious Northwood was voted one of the top 20 wealthiest suburbs in the UK by The Daily Telegraph.

Backing onto Northwood Golf Course, Kings Oak House is immaculately finished, boasting seven bedrooms, eight reception rooms and a gym, sauna and cinema room.

Graefe bespoke internal doors were chosen throughout the property, adding to the elegance and grandeur.

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andpicked by the client, Graefe’s various veneer species, and finishes, reflected the style of each room within Kings Oak House.

Julian Smith, of Kingshall Estates, managed the project. Julian chose Graefe for the project because “they looked like they could achieve the design and finish we were after that fit within our budgets”.

Producing premium real wood veneer products since 1837, Graefe’s skilled craftsmanship, and use of the highest quality raw materials, has earned itself a reputation for unrivalled quality.

Right: Various connecting doors, including those for the bathroom and laundry room were flush, painted in either white or grey Below: American White Oak, in three different finishes, was chosen for the property in a mixture of single, double and sliding doors

American White Oak, in three different finishes, was chosen for the property in a mixture of single, double and sliding doors. The basement doors leading into a lounge/bar area, cinema room and gym were in Graefe’s Pembroke design, which features a recessed central panel and raised beading, painted in grey with the beautiful woodgrain visible through the paint.

Bedroom doors were also in Graefe’s Pembroke design. Crown cut veneer was book matched with recessed panels and styles and rails to put a modern twist on a traditional panelled door. The doors were whitewashed to a luxurious finish, which was mirrored throughout the entire top floor. Various connecting doors, including those for the bathroom and laundry room were flush, painted in either white or grey.

The doors were the finishing touch to the lavish modern build. Julian concluded: “We were very happy with the finish, the overall quality was very good. I would recommend Graefe as a company and will use their products again on further projects.”

www.graefe.co.uk 01844 219609 graefe@graefe.co.uk

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Product Guide

Left: Although the systems work perfectly with combi boilers, in this instance it was used in conjunction with ground and air source heat pumps Below: Polypipe’s Red Floor Plate Solid Floor system was specified for the ground floor of the farmhouse due to its ability to provide an ambient temperature throughout the property

Country mansion goes green with Polypipe underfloor heating A rural mansion in Surrey has had Polypipe underfloor heating installed throughout as part of its large-scale, high specification build. Renewable energy specialist, Worcester Renewable Energy, specified Polypipe to provide Burrows Lea Farmhouse with environmentally-friendly heating in conjunction with a ground source heat pump.

P

olypipe’s Red Floor Plate Solid Floor system was specified for the ground floor of the farmhouse due to its ability to provide an ambient temperature throughout the property, and for its environmental credentials over alternative heating systems. Although the systems work perfectly with combi boilers, in this instance it was used in conjunction with ground and air source heat pumps, which extract warmth from the air around the property or the earth in the garden. This process further reduces the amount of energy boilers need to use, consequently improving energy rating performance and reducing CO2 emissions.

Water-based underfloor heating continues these environmental benefits by operating at an average water temperature of 50°C, rather than the 80°C used by traditional radiators, and therefore requires a lower temperature rise from the boiler. This means that to produce an equivalent heat output, the water can be stored at a much lower temperature, lowering household energy costs.

As underfloor heating systems become more sophisticated, their cost efficiency is increasing.

As previously set out, the system runs at lower temperatures to radiator systems, while

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individual rooms can be heated to the desired temperatures without needing to switch on the heating in every room.

The first floor of the mansion benefitted from Polypipe’s Overlay system, which is the ideal solution for heat pump installations and first floor rooms as it can be laid directly on top of existing floors, offering much higher outputs at the low flow temperatures delivered by heat pumps than other systems that are installed beneath floors. At only 18mm in depth, the Overlay systems allow underfloor heating to be installed in projects where other underfloor systems would require expensive excavation or where the existing floor would be raised to an unacceptable level.

Darren Stockall at Worcester Renewable Energy, said: “When specifying the system for Burrows Lea Farmhouse, we needed to consider aesthetics as well as performance.

The property has been designed and built to visually impress and wall-mounted radiators would not be in keeping with the feel of the space. We also needed a system that would work alongside a ground source heat pump, for practical and environmental reasons.

Polypipe’s underfloor heating systems were the obvious choice.”

Dave Foster, Heating Manager at Polypipe, added: “The owners of Burrows Lea Farmhouse needed a heating system that was costeffective, discreet and environmentally-friendly.

Working alongside Worcester Renewable Energy, we were able to fulfil all their heating needs, providing the property with the perfect heating solution.”

www.polypipeufh.com ufhenquiries@polypipe.com 01709 770000

A new wire-free home automation and monitoring system can now transform any house or apartment into an intelligent home.

Ingeny@home brings together domestic electrical systems and devices to help effectively manage and check lighting, heating, CCTV, smoke alarms and leak detection, as well as operating window blinds and multi-room audio solutions. It is the most costeffective system of its kind currently available, at just a quarter of the price of a traditional, hardwired home automation solution. The intuitive and easy to use Ingeny@home App is suitable for a range of smartphones and tablets, combining all home automation needs into a single interface.

Steel puts plastic in the gutter In an industry often driven by price, Rainclear Systems does not compromise on quality. In contrast to inferior and less eco-friendly PVCu, Rainclear’s galvanised steel rainwater system is highly durable, made from a high percentage of recycled metal and is 100% recyclable at end of life.

Q: How do I calculate what I need?

If you have a drawing for your project, you can send it to Rainclear and it will work out exactly what you need. If you don’t have drawings, Rainclear can talk through your project with you.

Q: Why is the lifetime value of steel cheaper than plastic?

When replacing your guttering, the material is only one element of the cost.

Installation and scaffolding costs can amount to a significant part of the overall cost. So, when you consider having to replace plastic 2-3 times, to steel’s single 15+ year life cycle, steel then becomes the obvious choice for long-term protection for your home.

www.ingenyathome.co.uk 0208 621 6109 info@ingeny.co.uk

Knauf sprayapplied plasters make light work of TV superhome Fairways, the Isle of Wight superhome showcased in September’s Grand Designs, features large areas of impeccable plastering made possible by spray-applied MP75 Readymix Plaster from Knauf. Designer, Lincoln Miles commented: “It’s a joy to see immaculate large surfaces of a contemporary house against the jaw-dropping backdrop of the woodland and foreshore to the beautiful Solent.” The house itself was built on behalf of Bram and Lisa Vis for a budget of just under £2m with concrete walls and blockwork. The choice of spray-applied plaster was both an aesthetic and pragmatic choice, as the project involved plastering 7500ft2 of concrete, blockwork and plasterboard to a tight schedule.

www.knauf.co.uk 01795 424499 kd@web-response.co.uk

Vitripiazza: a paving for all seasons

Rainclear is offering a 25% discount on this range throughout May. Plus, if readers would like to have a smart new steel sample box to see the quality themselves, Rainclear will send you one free of charge.

A new vitrified high-end Italian porcelain paving product is the latest addition to Natural Paving Products Limited’s extensive portfolio of quality paving. Aimed at the designfocused homeowner who demands a quality product at an affordable price, Vitripiazza is highly durable, resistant to attack from moss, mould, salt and pesticides, is frost-proof, easy to clean and virtually non-absorbent (<0.1%). Manufactured in nine colours across three ranges, all are available in two thicknesses: a more textured 20mm thick exterior flagstone and a 10mm slightly smoother sister indoor product, making it simple for customers to create a seamless transition from home to garden.

www.rainclear.co.uk 0800 644 4426 sales@rainclear.co.uk

www.vitripiazza.co.uk 0330 333 8030 sales@naturalpaving.co.uk

Q: Why copper?

Copper has natural anti-fungal properties which makes it ideal for a rainwater collection system, alongside attractive rainwater storage tanks. The water collected can be used for cleaning cars, and the chlorine and limescale-free water will make bubbles go further – the pH balanced water is also ideal for watering plants.

Product Guide

Ingeny@home lets you take complete control

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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.

W

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

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Product Guide

Left: The technicians at Mumford & Wood have innovated improvements to the existing and coordinated products in the Conservation range, enabling a new higher-level of security without any visible difference Below: Conservation sash windows carry additional security features that meet the requirements of Document Q Building Regulations, for the new build housing sector

Think security, think Mumford & Wood Mumford & Wood Conservation sliding sash windows are now SBD certificated to meet Approved Document Q – Security.

Recognised as one of Britain’s leading manufacturers of high-performance, tried and tested timber windows and doors, Conservation sash windows carry additional security features that meet the requirements of Document Q Building Regulations, for the new build housing sector.

“

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T

o the untrained eye, the Conservation sash window looks no different to its predecessor, so much so that even burglars won’t see this until they have struggled with the security features and, of course, timber offers better strength to weight ratios than any other frame material,” says Frank Buckley, Managing Director of Mumford & Wood. “High-levels of thermal, acoustic and airtightness come as standard and our products surpass the requirements of Part L Building Regulations.”

The technicians at Mumford & Wood have innovated improvements to the existing and coordinated products in the Conservation range, enabling a new higher-level of security without any visible difference. These windows and doors join a certificated line up in the Conservation collection which includes; SBD certificated casement windows, French doorsets, bi-folding and entrance doors.

The security standard demanded by Building Regulations, to which products are tested, is known as PAS24 but prior to this all products must be tested and rated for weather and airtightness to meet BS6375 (Parts 1 & 2). “It is pointless having safe and secure windows and doors if you cannot keep the weather at bay,” continues Buckley.

“While the requirement to meet Part Q applies to new buildings only, existing homeowners will want these security benefits applied to replacement products for the upkeep and maintenance of their properties, as well as for major refurbishments and extensions.”

Independent research carried out on behalf of the British Woodworking Federation’s Wood Window Alliance (WWA) scheme, of which Mumford & Wood is a leading member, has proven that timber windows and doors made in accordance with their standards will last for 60 years or more and that, over time, will be carbon negative. Conservation products are manufactured

from engineered Siberian larch wood components that provide ultimate levels of strength and stability. With the benefits of double glazing, and optional glass specification, these products offer ultimate levels of thermal and acoustic performance with a peace of mind when it comes to security.

Further information about products in the Conservation collection is available via Mumford & Wood’s website where the style guide, aftercare manual, detailed CAD drawings, NBSPlus and NBS BIM files can be downloaded and details about RIBA-assessed CPDs can be viewed.

www.mumfordwood.com 01621 818155 sales@mumfordwood.com

Glass & Stainless Limited offer a range of architectural glazing solutions to enhance the aesthetics of any building. Our systems include:

G-GLAS BESPOKE GLASS Available in a variety of different thicknesses and finishes from screen printed to curved.

G-CUVA CANOPY SYSTEMS & POINT FIXINGS High quality 316 grade components are used in either connecting rod or universal wall mounted system.

G-LINE SLIDING GLASS DOOR & PARTITIONING SYSTEMS To suit a wide range of applications from fixed and non-fixed panels and have the ability to mount to a wall, ceiling or glass.

G-RAIL ALUMINIUM AND STAINLESS STEEL RAILING SYSTEMS Premium quality modular balustrade systems designed to offer flexible solutions to everyday challenges.

G-CUBE GLASS SHOWER CUBICLE SYSTEMS Hinges, handles, knobs, channels and clamps.

G-FLOR BESPOKE GLASS FLOORS Made to measure bespoke glass floor individually tailored to suit your home, manufactured on a either a supply and install or supply only basis.

Request a copy of our 2015 brochure at glassandstainless.com

Get in touch:

0843 504 4545

sales@glassandstainless.com

www.glassandstainless.com

Glass & Stainless Limited | Martins Court | West Street | Congleton | Cheshire | CW12 1LB

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