i-build Septemebr 2019

IN THIS ISSUE:

l SELF-BUILDS l RENOVATIONS l EXTENSIONS l CONVERSIONS September 19 Issue 62

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

HOW TO FIND A PLOT THAT TICKS ALL YOUR BOXES

20+

bold and beautiful patterned interior furnishings

THREE WAYS AN ARCHITECT CAN SAVE YOU MONEY

COVER STORY:

AHEAD OF THE CURVE Bumble bee shaped modular holiday cottage brings benefits to eco-conscious self-builders SKY’S THE LIMIT

HOUSE ON THE HILL

Why rooflights and lanterns can provide ample benefits for self-builders

Couple turn to Welsh Oak Frame for the perfect retirement property

+ SPECIAL FOCUS: l PORCHES

REVIVE ICONIC STRUCTURES Essential considerations before you restore and renovate oast houses

l KITCHENS l GRAND DESIGNS LIVE PREVIEW

Welcome Note

i-build www.i-buildmagazine.com

Editorial:

Hannah Woodger

hannah@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Print & Digital Advertising:

Sam Ball

sam@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Print Design Manager:

Jack Witcomb

jack@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Digital Design Manager:

David Perry

david@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Production Assistant:

Philip Coyle

philip@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Accounts:

Jackie Dearman

jackie@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Sales Support & Administrator:

Klare Porter

klare@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Publisher:

Sam Ball sam@crossplatformmedia.co.uk Barham Court, Teston, Maidstone, Kent ME18 5BZ 01622 232723

www.crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Welcome

to the September issue of i-build The reason people decide to self-build varies from case to case. Usually, homes that are built are created for the self-builder’s own benefit – a place that the whole family can enjoy for many years to come. However, in some instances the self-builder has other motivations to complete a project, financial security for example, and won’t even spend a night in the property.

This month’s issue of i-build profiles two impressive builds that have been constructed with the holiday lettings market in mind. Both projects now generate a sizeable income which allows the owners to live independently without any financial worries and pressures.

On page 12, you’ll be amazed at the striking appearance of Bumble Barn – a bee-shaped, sustainable Kent property that caters to lovers of the countryside. Malcolm and Lewana opted for an off-site structure which was delivered to site virtually complete. The high specification of the fixtures and fittings add to the uniqueness of this project, and is one of the many reasons that guests return again and again.

Meanwhile on page 18, Richard and Debbie unveil their ambitious house renovation, which was completed in spite of the tragic personal circumstances that came their way throughout the build. Thanks to a partnership with The

Travel Chapter, the family are now reaping the financial benefits with guests visiting from all corners of the world.

Elsewhere in this issue, we reveal how worktops can drastically transform a kitchen without breaking the bank, oast house renovation expert Mark Horner raises some important questions before you consider embarking on the restoration of this iconic structure and Welsh Oak Frame proves that a timber frame home can be built anywhere.

I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, if you’re coming to the end of your self-build and would like us to feature your dream home as inspiration for other budding self-builders, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Alternatively, if you’re about to embark on your self-build journey and would be keen for us to document your progress, do get in contact.

Hannah

hannah@crossplatformmedia.co.uk @ibuildmagazine

/ibuildmagazine

ibuildmagazine

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Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and return addressed envelope. No responsibility will be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editors hands. In the absence of an agreement the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographics or artistic belongs to Cross Platform Media Ltd. The Publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the view of the publisher. The Publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement.

Editor’s picks Choose English Brothers as your preferred partner in timber framing: See page 44 VELUX unveils a new campaign with Farrow & Ball to show the effect of daylight: See page 46 SmartConnect is an intelligent, SmartSecure option that uses a smartphone app: See page 48

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Cover story:

If you’re looking for an eco-build holiday let, this couldn’t tick many more boxes.

High-tech passive house, Bumble Barn, is named with the bee shaped body of the building in mind See page 12.

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48

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Contents

i-build www.i-buildmagazine.com

September 2019

24

26

38

12

28

Timber Frame

06

32

Roofing, Cladding & Insulation

16

ON THE COVER

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

Viewpoint

ON THE COVER

Paul Smith, Founder of MyPlot, discusses the challenges of finding a plot that ticks all the right boxes.

ON THE COVER If you’re looking for an eco-build holiday let, this couldn’t tick many more boxes. High-tech passive house, Bumble Barn, is named with the bee shaped body of the building in mind.

Contracts & Legalities

ON THE COVER

If you have a vision of creating your dream home from scratch, appointing an architect could actually save you time and money in the long run. Saint-Gobain explores further.

18

Rural Retreat

22

i-build

Richard and Debbie Heyes dramatically changed their lives when embarking on their own property venture in a conservation area in North Yorkshire.

ON THE COVER

Sabahudin Medic, Operations Director at Roof Maker, explores the increasing role rooflights and glazing systems are playing in renovation projects.

24

i-nterior

26

i-scape

A closer look at the different styles and roles of ironmongery in your new build or renovation project.

Round Wood of Mayfield provides a guide to Balau decking for your garden.

A centuries old technique has been combined with a modern design to create an architect’s Norwegian self-build home.

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Oast Houses

36

Porches

Sustainable Living

ON THE COVER

Ian and Julie Perrin turned to Welsh Oak Frame to deliver their dream retirement home. l SELF-BUILDS l RENOVATIONS l EXTENSIONS l CONVERSIONS

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

HOW TO FIND A PLOT THAT TICKS ALL YOUR BOXES

20+

bold and beautiful patterned interior furnishings

THREE WAYS AN ARCHITECT CAN SAVE YOU MONEY

ON THE COVER

Mark Horner Architects raises some important questions before bringing this iconic structure back to life.

Oak frame porches can help to create an extended space from the front of a property. The Oak Designs Company explores further.

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Kitchens

40

Grand Designs Live Preview

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Homebuilding & Renovating Show Preview

For blogger Kate, her tired and dated kitchen has been transformed using Aria worktops from Formica. i-build rounds up just some of the inspiring activities, talks and events going on at Grand Designs Live.

Discover steps to making your property ambitions a reality at the London Homebuilding & Renovating Show.

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IN THIS ISSUE:

September 19 Issue 62

12

Desired Designs

06

22

In this issue: 10

4

34

Product Spotlight

i-build rounds up the latest innovative products in the marketplace, designed with your self-build in mind.

COVER STORY:

AHEAD OF THE CURVE

Bumble bee shaped modular holiday cottage brings benefits to eco-conscious self-builders SKY’S THE LIMIT

HOUSE ON THE HILL

Why rooflights and lanterns can provide ample benefits for self-builders

Couple turn to Welsh Oak Frame for the perfect retirement property

+ SPECIAL FOCUS: l PORCHES

REVIVE ICONIC STRUCTURES Essential considerations before you restore and renovate oast houses

l KITCHENS l GRAND DESIGNS LIVE PREVIEW

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

The best days are grey Whatever the season, you can’t ignore the impact of a striking outside space. And with grey the colour of choice for today’s cutting-edge homes, we’ve developed decking to complement your contemporary designs.

Our new Brushed Basalt decking features the authentic enhanced grain of natural timber, without the drawbacks of rotting or warping, and its unique brushed finish mimics painted wood; satisfyingly dull, not artificially shiny.

Grey. Dull. Everything you’ve ever wanted. Happy days.

Discover our collections at millboard.co.uk

Live.Life.Outside.

Desired Designs

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1

©Mineheart

3 4 6

The colour and the shape

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Grey had its day, but now colour is dominating the interiors market coupled with bold prints and patterns. Here i-build rounds up some statement pieces to really inject life into your home’s decor.

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ifferent patterns can often work together if they’re of the same hues. Distribute patterns evenly throughout the room. If the majority are all on one side of the room the whole space will look unbalanced. Some people can be wary of pairing prints, but with a little guidance you’ll find that it is so simple and you really can’t go wrong. Whether they be leafy motifs, dogtooth, geometric, stripes, dots or diamonds, the result of these juxtapositions can be absolutely stunning.

Colour and pattern in the home can really lift your mood too. After the stresses and strains of your self-build journey, revel in the delight of these fun furnishings and look forward to coming home each day to these interior gems. Uplifting prints don’t have to break the bank either. You can incorporate striking pieces whatever your budget. Splurge at high-end designer stores or incorporate bargain finds into your decor – mixing these can work so well and you’ll be the envy of all your friends and family when you reveal their origin. So, what are you waiting for? Be brave, be bold and be inspired.

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1 CORAL lamp shade, €450, HolzDesignPur

2 Kirkby Design Arcade cushion –

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Eden, £POA, Sweetpea & Willow

3 Bohemia Dot Dash Print canvas storage pots, Ochre, £22, Bohemia Design Limited

4 Cult Living - Sigmund coffee table

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with Geometric Inlay, £379, White Marble, Cult Furniture

5 Eichholtz Forever table lamp, £490, Sweetpea & Willow

6 Eskimo Wool hot water bottle in blueberry, £39, Lapuan Kankurit

7 Diamond outdoor cushion, €26, H.O.C.K.

8 Pictave black small outdoor bean cube, €59, H.O.C.K.

9 Aspen armchair in Romo Nesma Briar Rose, £1379, Content by Terence Conran

10 Monochrome desk organiser, £1, Poundland

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1. Sugarboo Zig Zag Wallpaper, £150

2. Sugarboo Mr Boyd’s Animals Wallpaper, £180

3. Sugarboo Stacked Animals Wallpaper, £180

4. Sugarboo Stripes Wallpaper,

Desired Designs

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£180

4 2 3

Mindthegap Mindthegap’s products are rich in detail with high quality finishing.

The company wants people to create a lifestyle by using them.

Here in Transylvania, it designs, produces and supplies everything being inspired by the world culture. The company’s collection shows different styles and unique designs with a strong artistic identity and it loves to reuse iconic creations of the mankind.

i-build loves...

Sit tightly

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Invest in a statement armchair and inject pattern into your much-loved space…

1. Armchair|Naj Rare II, Covet House, £POA 2. Geometric pattern Sofa | colorful SIKA, Brabbu Design Forces, £POA 3. Maclaine Upholstered Armchair, Kings of Chelsea, £POA 4. Matador Armchair, Content by Terence Conran, £1195

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2

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Desired Designs

Light up your life As winter draws in, homeowners need to think about how lighting will function and accentuate the interior spaces within their home. From table lamps, pendants, wall lights and floor lights, there are so many options from which to choose. Here, i-build rounds up a few of its favourites.

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©made.com

4

Ring my bell

Nordic appeal

A pretty pendant light with lovely bubbling in the glass...

It’s made us see cowbells in a whole new light.

Masako’s an LED pendant that’s cleverly crafted. There’s an inner shade that’s frosted, while the outer one’s smoked, with a grey tint.

www.loaf.com

www.made.com

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2

Very versatile

Proud pastels The Kiki Pendant Light has a beautiful ceramic shade with a classic and timeless bell shape.

Kiki looks great suspended in a group of lights, or as a single distinctive feature light.

Reflecting the industrial aesthetic of the early 20th century, The Custom Form Miller Wall Light is a classic piece that will fit very well in a modern home.

www.gomodern.co.uk

www.vivalagoon.com

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WWII munitions lights

Absolutely flawless

These beautifully manufactured timepieces are complete with their original prismatic glass and feature cast manufacturers’ details on the bezel.

Overarching lighting, such as the Rey White Marble Arc Floor Lamp, is great for making a statement feature in your room while also adding height.

www.skinflintdesign.co.uk

www.danetti.com

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Viewpoint

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Find a plot that ticks all the boxes Building a home is a real bucket list event for a lot of people, yet so few make it a reality. In the UK, self-build can prove a complex process for the uninitiated, which often dissuades people from giving it proper consideration. Paul Smith, Founder of MyPlot, reflects on the challenges of finding the right plot.

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articularly for novice self-builders, finding the perfect plot of land is often considered the most challenging hurdle to surmount – a task that sees countless self-build dreams squashed before they’ve begun.

Technology has made the process of finding a plot of land much more straightforward than it used to be – gone are the days of knocking on doors and scouting neighbourhoods for plots of land at the weekend. Take MyPlot as a case in point – now you can find your plot and a directory of experts all on one single platform, stripping the

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complexity from the process. However, while plot listings make it more straightforward to find the perfect parcel of land, whether you’re looking for a smart suburb with a coffee shop culture or a rural idyll with silent skies, it’s important to understand what to look for and what to avoid.

While you need to love the location, practicalities must have equal weighting – a completely dispassionate approach may be too much to ask (remember your advisors will be able to help), but having a good understanding of the basic ingredients for a good self-build plot will stand you in good stead.

It’s a big ask, but try not to let your heart overpower your head.

Start with the basics – size, location and price.

Never compromise on those factors – while the view may be beautiful, if it means scrimping on outdoor space or the size of your kitchen, you may well live to regret it.

Once you have an idea of location, it’s also worth registering your interest in self-build with the relevant local authority – they will keep your details on their Right to Build Register, the aim being to match you with a suitable plot of land in that area.

Whilst plot listing sites can be really helpful, not every potential self-build plot will be marketed for sale. You can use aerial photographs and maps to try to spot possible development sites and, if you’re not afraid to knock on doors, do approach the landowners – they may well be interested in selling it.

Purchasing a self-build plot is much the same as purchasing a home when you’re considering location – make sure you do your research. Visit at different times of day, during the evening and on different days of the week. Note noise and any problematic traffic patterns, look at the local crime map and check out residents’ Facebook groups to get an indication of any issues.

Viewpoint

3 If you need to ask to view the site several times before making up your mind, then do – you don’t want to get this wrong.

You should also take some time to consider more practical considerations. This is where choosing your advisors early in the process can pay dividends – specialist planning consultants, architects and building contractors can all give you advice on whether it will be possible to deliver your ideal home on the plot you’ve found.

If you have a very modern, ambitious design in mind, but your plot sits within a neighbourhood of predominantly Victorian buildings, for example, you may struggle to secure planning permission. Look at recent planning submissions that have been approved – or refused – and work with your advisors to gauge the likelihood of success. If the gulf is too wide, it may be wise to look elsewhere.

If you’re looking at rural sites, don’t neglect the boring technical stuff – or worse, make assumptions. Make sure that there is suitable access to the site without the need to traverse third party land in any way, and that utilities are within easy reach.

Planning permission is a crucial consideration when finding the right plot of land for a self-build home. By asking the right questions early on, buyers can save themselves unnecessary stress and wasted time further down the line. The ease with which your home secures planning permission will depend to a large extent on where it is located. Land close to, or within, a conservation area or an area of natural beauty will of course come with much more stringent conditions than a plot of land within a developed urban location.

Those purchasing a property with the intention of demolishing it and building a new home on the land may find it more straightforward to secure planning permission, yet they will pay a premium for the privilege and may well find that it comes with more constraints.

While your self-build should be a home first and an investment second, it’s important to think to the future and make sure your money is well spent.

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the project, but every road and location has a ceiling price, so make sure you’re not likely to exceed it.

The property may well be your “forever home” but unexpected life events could mean you need to

4 1: While your self-build should be a home first and an investment second, it’s important to think to the future 2: While the view of a plot may be beautiful, if it means scrimping on outdoor space or the size of your kitchen, you may well live to regret it 3: By asking the right planning questions early on, buyers can save themselves unnecessary stress and wasted time further down the line 4: Purchasing a self-build plot is much the same as purchasing a home when you’re considering location – make sure you do your research

sell sooner than you’d envisaged and you’ll want to make sure it performs well as an asset.

The self-build journey isn’t without its challenges (although the reward makes up for it), so it’s important that you love the location and are completely committed to building your home, come what may.

Knowing what to look for and being clear on non-negotiables will get your self-build journey off on the right foot.

www.myplot.co.uk

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Sustainable Living

Bumble Barn is the creation of Oxfordshire-based modular eco-builders, Green Unit

Bumble Barn has a living sedum roof and high grade sheep’s wool insulation in the walls

Ahead of the curve If you’re looking for an eco-build holiday let, as a prospective builder or visitor, this couldn’t really tick many more boxes. High-tech passive house, Bumble Barn, is named with the bee shaped body of the building in mind.

T

he curved design of this spectacular three-bedroom holiday cottage also mimics the beautiful rolling countryside of the AONB Kent Downs surrounding it. A north-westerly facing fully glazed end wall invites visitors to lose themselves in stunning sunsets and later, in the vast night skies sprinkled with stars. This future focused building is perfectly placed in a peaceful, secluded hamlet along the old Roman road between coastal Hythe and medieval Canterbury.

Built for two passionate countryside advocates, Malcolm and Lewana Castle, Bumble Barn is the creation of Oxfordshire-based modular eco-builders, Green Unit. Designed around Passivhaus principles, these curved buildings use natural, low impact materials, a stunning living

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green roof, smart air quality sensors, infra-red underfloor heating and minimal carbon impact.

Called a ‘Green Unit ARC’, it was designed and manufactured offsite in modular sections in Culham, Oxfordshire and delivered to Great Field Farm virtually complete.

And the really interesting part for holiday cottage investors? It’s available to book through Original Cottages for between £910 to £1300 a week. With bookings rolling in, and an 8-10% return on investment predicted, the owners are thrilled they bit the bullet and built.

Eco-builders Malcolm and Lewana Castle first project managed their own home build, Great Field Farm, on a 45-acre patch of family-owned land in Stelling Minnis, Kent, more than 30 years ago. They’ve been building sustainably ever since.

Sustainable Living composted and had chickens. My father was an electrician and had dimmer switches long before they were standard. He also built his own house with triple glazed windows to save energy. He was well ahead of his time.

We spoke to Malcolm and Lewana to find out more.

Where did your inspiration to build and live passively come from?

Malcolm: The joy of nature has saved me many times. We want to preserve the beauty of the countryside for generations, and we like to share our love of learning about nature.

We’re just living like our frugal parents, but using technology. As a child we grew berries,

What have you discovered about eco self-building?

Lewana: When we built our own home, Great Field Farm, with a heat recovery system 30 years ago, the planners thought we were crazy and would need vents. But gradually it is becoming more normal. Around 12 years ago we built a holiday barn using ground source heat pumps we knew were being used in Canada and Sweden. Again, builders and plumbers didn’t believe it would work, but they do, beautifully.

Above: These curved buildings use natural, low impact materials, a stunning living green roof, smart air quality sensors, infra-red underfloor heating and minimal carbon impact Left: Electricity is supplied by the couple’s existing 50kW solar panel array

We want people to know that self-building can be reasonable, and it can be green. You don’t have to do it all yourself. Most of the build can be done off-site. We do like to introduce people to our way of life, and to share our knowledge of self-building in an ecologically conscious way. People don’t always think about how they can cut costs, but they can, and save the planet, too.

What’s the most rewarding part of house building and letting holiday cottages?

Malcolm: Building accomodation we’re proud of brings us both great pleasure. We enjoy explaining green technologies and how passive houses work. We like to think our enthusiasm for this way of life is infectious – after all, our guests return again and again!

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Sustainable Living

Below opposite: The kitchen units were sourced from Wickes Left: The couple used local suppliers for their British made Harrison beds

What are the building’s eco-credentials?

Malcolm: Bumble Barn couldn’t have a ground source heat pump due to its location, so solar panels provide the small amount of energy it needs. Bumble Barn has a living sedum roof, high grade sheep’s wool insulation in the walls, ceilings and floors, a heat exchange system, infra-red underfloor heating, and smart sensors to regulate pollen, CO2 levels, ventilation, heating and lighting. It used to be that eco-friendly buildings were thought of as low-tech. Now we’re using technology to massively reduce the carbon impact of both creating buildings and living in them.

What makes Bumble Barn special?

Lewana: Being inside Bumble Barn makes you feel wrapped, cosy. It has a low profile from the outside, so it doesn’t intrude on the landscape.

We fell in love with the concept and its unique curved design. We just had to find somewhere to put it. The land is beautifully placed with fantastic views and rolling countryside all around.

What do you pride yourself on offering your holiday guests?

Lewana: We’re pleased to offer our visitors the peace and freedom of outdoor space, combined with the warmth and comfort of

living in a luxury house. It’s the best of both worlds for people who want to go on holiday sustainably. We have 45 acres of arable farmland, paddocks and pretty gardens to explore, and guests are welcome to spot deer, hares, pheasants, birds and butterflies on a stroll around the arable field’s perimeter nature strip. We’re perfectly located for countryside, coastal and city experiences with Canterbury and Hythe in striking distance.

All our internal doors and wardrobes are oak and we used local suppliers for our British made Harrison beds and Parker Knoll sofas. The kitchen units are from Wickes. For the bathroom we sourced mosaic tiles from ebay and wall and floor tiles from Topps Tiles. Malcolm restored the dining table and coffee table – they had been sitting unloved in a barn for many years.

Why did you go into holiday lettings?

Lewana: We liked the idea that it could be built under cover in the winter and delivered practically complete. This meant disruption to our other holiday guests was minimal.

Lewana: While I was at home raising two little boys, I realised I had to make a living alongside this. It was quite by chance. I was looking for someone to ride our two ponies and through this, I met a local B&B owner who suggested I could also offer B&B. She sent me her overflow guests, and in return, I taught her daughters to ride. The business grew naturally from there. Malcolm is great at DIY, which helped in those early days!

What are your top tips for achieving a high-end, eco-friendly finish?

Lewana: We’ve chosen Fakro triple glazing units, underfloor infra-red heating, sheep’s wool insulation, a living sedum roof, Western Red Cedar cladding, and composite bamboo flooring.

Electricity is supplied by our existing 50kW solar panel array.

Sustainable Living

Opposite: The building was designed and manufactured offsite in modular sections in Culham, Oxfordshire and delivered to Great Field Farm virtually complete

Why did you want the building to be created off-site?

How much did it cost and what return on investment do you expect?

Lewana: The build cost £270,000 plus VAT. As it is classed as a commercial building, we can claim the VAT back. We’re expecting an 8-10% return on investment per annum.

How long did it take?

Malcolm: The off-site build started in November 2018 and the building was delivered to site in April 2019. We think that’s a pretty impressive turnaround.

www.greenunit.co.uk

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Contracts & Legalities

This image: Architects were born to measure – show them any space, and they know what to do with it Below right: RIBA (the Royal Institute of British Architects) is a good place to search for an accredited professional

Three ways the right architect could save you money You’ve done your numbers but adding an architect’s fee to your self-build project may seem extravagant and uneconomical. After all, the whole point is to save money, right? If you have a vision of creating your dream home from scratch, appointing an architect could actually save you time and money in the long run. Saint-Gobain explores further.

Architects minimise room for error Imagine the scenario. Your dream room is coming together after hours on Pinterest and flipping through magazines for design ideas.

You measure up and purchase your materials.

But as work kicks off, you realise the materials you’ve chosen don’t fit or work, you’ve used the incorrect metals and you discover planning permission is required.

This could be avoided by commissioning an architect during the planning stages. Architects are specialists who can take your brief and bring your visions to life. They can draw up the initial designs and manage budgets or you can work with them through to completion – it’s up to you. Before you buy your materials, and before you cut them, an architect can provide precise measurements, and offer professional advice on materials, design and cost.

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An architect possesses practical experience which is hard to replicate – he or she will foresee the pitfalls and help you to avoid mistakes.

Architects understand how to maximise space Architects were born to measure. Show them any space, and they know what to do with it. They can visualise how a room will look before it is even built.

For example, they can take your budget and cleverly alter your space to maximise natural light by relocating doors or staircases and adding roof lights. Often it’s about the illusion of space and that’s where the architect can bring their expertise.

Architects usually know what is legally permitted It is your land and space but it doesn’t always mean you can do what you want. You don’t want to be faced with a hefty fine by failing to comply

with building regulations. A good architect can advise and manage the process around planning permission and building regulations (e.g. fire safety).

They can ensure you have the correct approvals before your project can commence and prepare applications to your local authority.

They can protect you from heavy fines if your building doesn’t comply to regulations.

How to choose the right architect So, with all this in mind, where do you start when it comes to finding a qualified architect? RIBA (the Royal Institute of British Architects) is a good place to search for an accredited professional. They follow strict codes of conduct covering insurance, health and safety.

Fees do vary depending on location and what is required. Do speak to a few architects – some charge for a whole project or per hour. Discuss the scope of work and the costs from the outset and ensure a written agreement is drawn up.

The end result? Peace of mind and the avoidance of mistakes, which could ultimately cost you more further down the line.

build.saint-gobain.co.uk

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Rural Retreat

Rental business opens new chapter for family in Yorkshire Richard and Debbie Heyes, a couple in their 50s who have worked for the past 25 years in the public sector, dramatically changed their lives when embarking on their own property venture in a conservation area in North Yorkshire.

A

fter 10 years of being committed to renovating an old cottage and converting its attached workshop, the family is now enjoying the benefits of having a house worth twice its initial investment and making a living solely from managing the home as a rental property.

After having worked as a teacher and environmental health officer for most of their lives, Richard and Debbie welcomed the change with open arms and in 2008 embarked on a long, challenging renovation and conversion journey that has improved their lifestyle as well as their income.

Richard says: “We both realised that we have a genuine interest in property and agreed that if we wanted to have a nice big house then we’d have to do it ourselves. We made a bold move from Leeds into Hunsingore, North Yorkshire, where we found a 400-year old oak framed cottage which needed renovating. Attached to it there was a large woodturner’s workshop, which could be converted into a five-bedroom house.

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“The property sat in an elevated position but its state was so dilapidated that it was spoiling the beautiful views over the Nidd Valley and the farmland. It did take a great deal of imagination to see its potential but I come from a design background as a landscape architect and this knowledge came in very handy.”

The cottage part of the property used to be inhabited by a vicar as the parish church is right next to it and the workshop was run as a local woodturning business. The vicar retired to Spain and the Heyes family bought the assets through an estate agent for a total of £280,000, 10 years ago.

The unrenovated cottage was valued at around £180,000 so the plot and the old workshop cost around £100,000 at that time.

Richard and Debbie first renovated the cottage and, once it was finished, they and their two children moved in. They then spent over seven years converting the workshop into a large house, with Richard doing much of the building work himself.

Above: Richard and Debbie spent over seven years converting the workshop into a large house Above right: The property is almost fully booked by visitors from all over the UK as well as Hong Kong and New Zealand Right: Heading outside, double doors from the kitchen/ diner open out onto the decked area with garden furniture, a charcoal BBQ and a private hot tub recently added

He recalls: “I would come in from school, work in the house until it got dark, do all the preparation for the next day, go to bed exhausted and then be ready for it all over again. There was a lot of determination required and because we didn’t have a huge amount of money available we had to do it steadily across a few years.

“I carried out the large tasks like building the walls and ceiling, moving the floors and tackling everything else that was in my power to keep the costs down. At the very beginning, when I was stripping down the original roof, I fell through it, but luckily landed on some sheets of board that were leaning against the wall and didn’t get hurt. Being committed to doing the hard work pulled us through these rough times.”

Rural Retreat This wasn’t the only hurdle they had to surpass as a family. When they were working on the project for about a year, their son, who was about eight years old, became ill. He was later diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour which stopped everything in its tracks. He had to undergo a year of radio and chemotherapy, but now thankfully he’s fully recovered. After the break from the project, it took plenty of courage for them to dive back into it.

The old workshop had a garage attached but the planning restrictions were quite severe, being in a conservation and nobuild area. They couldn’t change the outside of the property and the floorplan but were allowed to knock down the garage and convert it into a large contemporary kitchen diner.

Richard adds: “We bought the place with outline planning permission, but it was basic, stating just that we could convert the property. But the initial plans weren’t what we actually wanted. It took us 10 months to receive approval on a new planning

application, which I put together myself.

Because the house was in a conservation area, the local authorities wanted us to keep the slightly industrial look of the house and also be sympathetic to the village feel. We couldn’t change the footprint and extend, couldn’t have chimneys or install windows which weren’t Velux.”

Despite all these restrictions, the couple managed to create a property with a distinctive look, which caters for their wish of having something modern-looking but with traditional materials. Inside, the house has a crisp, white touch and introduces a traditional twist through its exposed oak beams, vaulted ceilings and windows, which reflect the local style.

For all the showstopping features such as the kitchen joints, the beams, the staircase, the study and the library, they worked with local craftspeople. They built significantly on what was already there as, for example, the staircase is inspired by one previously found in the cottage. The original workshop was built around windows from a local hotel which is why, when you look at the front of the house, you notice arched windows that add plenty of character.

The industrial feel of the property, on the other hand, is enhanced by a wood burning stove in the living room which continues with a stainlesssteel flue on the external back wall because they weren’t allowed to use a chimney.

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Rural Retreat The ground floor now has three reception rooms, a utility room, a bathroom and a very large living room. Upstairs you can find four large double bedrooms, one with en-suite and an extra bathroom on top. Heading outside, double doors from the kitchen/diner open out onto the decked area with garden furniture, a charcoal BBQ and a private hot tub recently added.

Richard says: “We lived in the cottage for the first six years of the conversion. With money being tight, we wanted to rent it as soon as possible so

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we moved into the unfinished house and stayed in the bottom part which consisted of the kitchen, bathroom and a couple of rooms for the four of us.

With most of the building works still underway, we had a ladder to use as stairs but the added income was much needed for the finishing touches. Our initial budget to get us into the house, live there and rent the cottage was £200,000. Throughout the years, we ended up spending just over £230,000 for the main building works and the last £20,000 finishing it off. But we managed to

source extra money through claiming back the VAT on the project. Because it’s a conversion, we kept the receipts from builders and services and claimed back around £15,000 from HMRC.” At this point, when everything was almost ready, Richard and Debbie took the decision to do something totally different. They wanted a change, as the kids had grown and had started travelling the world. They still had the mortgage so the two thought of letting the house out and living in the cottage after their children had flown the nest.

But this wouldn’t give them enough income and that’s when the idea of letting the house to holiday renters came into play.

They got in touch with The Travel Chapter (home of holidaycottages.co.uk), invested some money in getting the house up to scratch; repainted it and made sure that it was kitted out properly and were ready to test the waters. The house was inaugurated on 30 March 2018, when they had their first renters. Seven months later, the property is almost fully booked by visitors from all over the UK as well as Hong Kong and New Zealand, who opt to relax on the decking, take a dip in the hot tub and enjoy the views for long weekends or a full week.

Rural Retreat

Richard explains: “I feel we have a very good relationship with The Travel Chapter. Jill’s advice has been invaluable in enabling us to get things right from the start. The team have been encouraging and supportive as well as securing the bookings.”

Speaking of achieving their goals, Richard explains that they targeted 35 bookings in their first year. He anticipates having an 80% occupancy rate by then and next year he anticipates the property will be fully booked. With their public sector wages being cut recently, the Heyes are now making a living out of the property. They quit their jobs and are enjoying an income of £43,000 so far. If the house is fully booked next year they will earn £50,000, which allows them to enjoy their financial independence.

In addition to this, they’ve also managed to increase the value of the old cottage as now, after spending £50,000 to renovate it, it’s worth £270,000. For the house their investment has now doubled. By spending £240,000 on the conversion and £100,000 on the land, its value is now estimated at over £700,000-730,000.

Richard adds: “I had to be workaholic for over eight years.

Keep a full-time job and build a house at the same time. It has been a huge challenge, but it has all been worth it. We’ve got a house that has doubled in value and now we’re relying on it for our income as well. It’s been a tough, long road but it’s paying dividends and has become a massive success story for us as a family.

“It’s been a joint achievement. I’ve done the physical work while my wife has held the four of us together. Being in the countryside has also improved our family’s wellbeing. The children, who contributed to the build as well, were rewarded with a bedroom each, a garden to play in, the possibility of going for adventures in the village and walking near the river; overall, enjoying the countryside and all that it had to offer.”

Asked how the future looks for them, they say: “We’d like to keep holiday letting for at least eight to 10 years. After that we’ll consider selling and downsizing. We’ll probably then buy a wreck in Portugal and renovate it. The current projects are a huge asset for us and our kids will get to benefit financially from them as well, so everyone’s really pleased with the results.”

To find out how you can successfully achieve the home of your dreams, venture to the Homebuilding & Renovating Show.

www.holidaycottages.co.uk www.homebuildingshow.co.uk

Above left: For all the showstopping features such as the kitchen joints, the beams, the staircase, the study and the library, they worked with local craftspeople Left: The industrial feel of the property, on the other hand, is enhanced by a wood burning stove in the living room Top right: Upstairs you can find four large double bedrooms, one with en-suite and an extra bathroom on top Middle right: Inside, the house has a crisp, white touch Bottom right: Elegant family bathroom

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i-build

The sky’s the limit for renovation opportunities Here Sabahudin Medic, Operations Director at Roof Maker, explores the increasing role rooflights and glazing systems are playing in renovation projects and the latest innovations available to homeowners to provide the highest standards in aesthetics, performance and efficiency.

Above: Many individuals are looking to increase the amount of natural light that enters their property, predominantly in living areas, such as kitchens and dining spaces Above right: Roof lanterns or modular rooflights that create a ‘glass ceiling’ effect are two of the most popular choices selected by homeowners Right: Roof lanterns are a popular choice, with the latest industry developments providing homeowners with solutions that feature sleek, aluminium glazing bars Opposite: For self builders working on a residential project within a Conservation Area, the specification of rooflights may initially present a difficult challenge

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U

K homeowners have spent a collective £295bn renovating their homes over the past five years, with the remodelling of kitchens offering one of the biggest investment returns according to a recent survey by Post Office Money*.

With the continued rise in the associated costs of buying a new home, it’s unsurprising that the ‘improve, rather than move’ trend is continuing to go from strength-to-strength throughout the UK. Of those Post Office Money surveyed, 59% of homeowners said they were renovating their property to simply improve its appearance, subsequently providing a long-term family home.

As part of these upgrades, many individuals are looking to increase the amount of natural light that enters their property, predominantly in living areas, such as kitchens and dining spaces. Glazing elements such as bifold doors and rooflights are being increasingly specified by fabricators on behalf of clients as part of renovation projects, with roof lanterns and pitched rooflights two of the most popular choices, particularly for single-storey extensions.

i-build For rear single-storey extensions housing kitchens and living areas, roof lanterns or modular rooflights that create a ‘glass ceiling’ effect are two of the most popular choices selected by homeowners. Traditionally, to achieve a ‘glass ceiling effect’, you would have to fit the same size rooflight in succession of one another across the ceiling, with space between each timber frame.

This would not only limit the amount of natural light that enters the room but significantly reduce the amount of glazing in the actual ceiling.

However, innovations within the sector, such as modular systems, enable the joining of multiple glass panels together in a line onto minimal steel support, which strengthens the structure without compromising the flow of light.

For a real stand out effect, a system can be created up to 10m long and 2m wide, and as there is no ceiling between each glass panel, homeowners can create an impressive vista of light throughout the home, providing a contemporary solution that works in perfect harmony with bifold or sliding doors.

Roof lanterns are also a popular choice, with the latest industry developments providing homeowners with solutions that feature sleek, aluminium glazing bars, which again provide homeowners with a contemporary product that maximises on all available natural light. This can be combined with opening options to provide additional ventilation, particularly useful for interior spaces such as kitchens, where cooking smells can often linger.

For homeowners that may be concerned about the sun bleaching furniture or the build up of hot or cold spots throughout the room, triple glazing should be specified as standard. Individuals should specify roof lanterns with impressive thermal efficiency, such as those products that offer a Ug-Value of 0.8w/m2K. Whilst triple glazing has traditionally had a reputation for being difficult to install due to its additional weight, many products now offer the ability to order flat packed, providing the ability to easily take individual parts up onto the roof to build at location, rather than require a crane to

transport a fully bonded product. This supports self builders in keeping the build budget and time scales to a minimum, as the installation of the rooflight is tailored to each individual property and its location.

Side returns are also continuing to increase in popularity for homeowners renovating their property, with many individuals living in urban areas looking to increase all available living space. Here wall abutments are an efficient and aesthetically pleasing choice of rooflight, enabling professionals to again create a ‘glass ceiling effect’ that maximises all natural light within a typically tight space.

Designed to enable natural light to flow into the inner areas of a house, that can become dark when an extension is added, some wall abutment rooflights can be installed seamlessly against walls at a pitch of 5° to 15° – eliminating the requirement for a gap between the wall and rooflight. This provides a product that delivers on all aspects of aesthetics, functionality and efficiency as the abundance of natural light entering the existing and new space ensures it is utilised by the homeowners to its full potential.

For self builders working on a residential project within one of the 10,000 Conservation Areas throughout England, the specification of rooflights may initially present a difficult challenge as all relevant requirements outlined by the local council must be adhered to.

In order to enhance and preserve the history of the area, the renovation project should help to improve the existing building and overall impression of the area, whilst also helping to preserve the structure that is already there.

Whilst many homeowners will have to specify rooflights that feature the iconic black metal bar, which replicates the visual appeal of the original Victorian cast iron roof windows of traditional properties, there are a range of contemporary innovations also available.

For example, by fitting a conservation skylight that is triple glazed, the overall thermal efficiency of the property can be improved, with some rooflights offering Ug-value as low as 0.6w/m²k as standard. This combination of traditional style with contemporary benefits reflects the very purpose of Conservation Areas, which aim to improve and enhance, rather than replace.

Whilst replicating the original Victorian cast iron skylight, some conservation models now feature a slim shaped split bar that is constructed of high-quality aluminium for better weathering and aesthetics. Unlike existing conservation skylights where the bar is sandwiched between the glass panes, the split bar is structurally bonded to the glass to eliminate the presence of a cold bridge, significantly minimising the risk of condensation forming and retaining the best possible thermal performance.

Latest product developments also combine the traditional style of glazing bar with modern technologies, such as remote control opening, which improves the functionality of the rooflight, supporting easy ventilation throughout the home.

www.roof-maker.co.uk *https://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/home-garden/ interiors/home-improvements-renovating-landscaping-ora-new-kitchen-can-add-40000-to-the-value-of-a-ukhome-a128596.html

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i-nterior

The hidden benefits of pocket doors As the number of first-time buyers hits the highest levels in over a decade, combined with a major decrease in the size of the average new build home – it’s no wonder homeowners are looking for innovative ways to save space in the home. This may explain the ever-growing trend in pocket doors in recent years as homeowners look for new ways to save space in the home…

Space saving

Aesthetics

Did you know that a traditional swing door can take up to 10 or more feet of valuable floor space? A pocket door system can free up this space by allowing doors to glide along a track and disappear into a cavity wall out of the way.

Single pocket doors used in smaller rooms hold the most valuable space saving benefits. For example spaces such as en-suites, bathrooms, storage areas, walk-in wardrobes, utility rooms and pantries – can all reap fantastic benefits from a sliding pocket door. Swing doors can often be inconvenient in spaces such as these, causing difficulties when attempting to open a door inwards.

Swing doors can also be inconvenient in areas where they open onto a narrow corridor or hallway, often causing an obstruction. Pocket doors can solve this by simply sliding into a cavity wall – leaving the corridor completely clear.

If you’d like to add some architectural charm to a room, pocket doors are a great way to do this – particularly when combined with the correct type of door.

Flexible living Bi-parting pocket doors are a great way to add a little grandeur and ‘wow factor’ to a room or to help break off rooms in an open plan design – for example when used between a kitchen and living room.

Ease of access is also another notable benefit of pocket doors, someone with restricted mobility may find a swing door difficult to manoeuvre through, particularly when using a wheelchair. Pocket doors create a completely clear opening, allowing for easy movement from room to room.

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Hardware can be combined with wooden or glass paneled doors enabling homeowners to create a traditional or contemporary appearance, depending on the existing decor.

They’re also a great feature to show off when giving a home tour and can also help attract potential buyers.

Choosing the right hardware There are a number of factors which must be taken into consideration when choosing a pocket door kit.

What are your door measurements? It’s important to choose a kit which effectively accommodates the weight, height and width of a door – particularly if you are using a large and heavy door.

Is the system to be used in a residential or commercial application? For areas of heavy use such as educational buildings, hospitals, hotels and offers, it’s important to understand how the kit works within the cavity – aluminium uprights will offer a more robust system.

You should also consider whether any extra features are required to add to the refinement of the product.

Pocket doors are often combined with soft close systems to allow gentle deceleration of the door into an open or closed position – this minimises slamming which can add to the lifespan of the product.

Is your pocket door to be used as part of a fire door set?

If so, you must ensure the system has been tested to FD30 and FD60 standards and should be fitted with a solid core FD30 or FD60 timber based door.

How do you want your pocket door to operate?

Pocket doors can be opened manually by hand or automatically by control switch, remote control or motion sensor.

It’s also important to choose a reliable and experienced manufacturer. When it comes to door hardware, quality is of the upmost importance – taking into account how many times a door can be opened and closed in a lifetime it’s important to choose sliding hardware which is robust enough to cope with this. A good piece of hardware should most certainly outlive the lifespan of its owner.

www.pchenderson.com

i-nterior

Adding finishing touches Choosing the right ironmongery can help turn your house into a home. However, with so much choice available it’s often difficult to know where to start. David Saxby, Senior Category Manager at IronmongeryDirect, offers tips and guidance on some of the best products to add a stylish touch to your property.

F

irst impressions count. So, when it comes to your home, the front facade of your property needs to look the part and arguably, the most important element of this is the front door.

Most front doors have a surprisingly wide range of fittings; everything from door knockers and letter plates, to handles, door numbers, bell pushes and lock pulls amongst other items. It’s therefore important to achieve a harmonised look and feel by selecting door furniture that works well together and in a style that complements the character of your house.

For those seeking to achieve a period feel, fittings in a pewter finish can add an authentic and exquisite touch to any property. The Olde Forge range is a great option, handmade from steel it has a wide selection of products available for both interior and exterior doors.

Selecting the Olde Forge Cottage Slimline Lever Handle for a main entrance would be an ideal choice, providing both style and security. For homeowners that are looking to create a grander impression, an impressive ring door knocker can be fitted which would complement the overall appeal further.

For interior doors, the Olde Forge Avon Lever handle complements any room by combining a timeless classic with a contemporary twist.

Don’t overlook windows

Get the look

to be considered. However, it can make a huge difference to overall room design.

For a fresh twist in a modern space, consider choosing on-trend copper or bronze handles and knobs. These can really stand-out, especially against a neutral background, and add a warm glow to any space.

Copper and bronze can also be contrasted with other metals to create a more luxe feel.

As warm toned metals, they can be complemented with chrome or steel which have a cooler hue. The Altro Hollow Square Cabinet Handle in stainless steel is a particularly good choice for high humidity areas such as kitchen and bathrooms, as it is resistant to oxidisation and corrosion.

As with choosing any ironmongery for your home, outstanding quality should be of the utmost importance. Hardware can be subject to considerable wear and tear so buyers should look for a minimum five-year warranty.

Within the home, cabinet furniture in kitchens, bedrooms or living areas is often the last thing

www.ironmongerydirect.com

In addition to boosting kerb appeal with your front door, there is also a huge variety of window furniture available which can add character to your property whilst also deterring would-be burglars.

To secure your windows when closed, a fastener is highly recommended.

The Hampstead Solid Curl Hook & Plate Window Fastener comes in soft antique bronze which possesses a more classic feel but is still ideal for both traditional and contemporary interiors. Featuring a decorative solid swirl, this fitting is ideal as an alternative to the standard stay and fastener designs.

For casement windows, a stay is required to secure the window when closed as well as enabling the window to be held in a semiopen position. These come in a range of finishes and can be positioned on the bottom of the window or the window frame.

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i-scape

“Balau has significantly increased in popularity in both Europe and America, with high-end customers recognising the attributes that make it particularly suitable for use as garden decking”

A guide to Balau timber decking You’ve completed your self-build or renovation, so now it’s time to turn your attention to the surrounding landscape. One low maintainance solution is to install decking, as this creates a stable and aesthetic base for you to enjoy the summer months. But how do you go about choosing a suitable material? Here, Round Wood of Mayfield unveils an up and coming timber option.

What is Balau timber?

Balau is a native Asian wood, where, given its durability, it is widely used within the construction industry. Over recent years it has significantly increased in popularity in both Europe and America, with high-end customers recognising the attributes that make it particularly suitable for use as garden decking.

Renowned for its colouration, Balau boards tend to range from light to dark brown. When the different shades are fitted together, an impressive, eye-catching, rich, dark and unique deck is achieved, especially when wet (perfect for an English summer).

Due to this beautiful colouration, Balau hardwood decking finishes any garden or landscape perfectly.

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Balau may contain some small microscopic holes called Pinworm holes. These are not a defect in the boards, but a natural occurrence called Pinworm, which is allowed for in industry guidelines. Pinworm is not detrimental to the structure of the striking timber.

How do I protect my Balau decking?

Some companies pre-finish their decking timber before selling, however, Round Wood believes in keeping everything as natural as possible.

There are many ways to protect and finish your decking and depending on how you want your decking to look once complete, some can be considered to be more advantageous than others.

Balau decking can be left untreated to weather down over time, or, can be treated with penetrating oils.

Treatex, which is also available at Round Wood, is an exterior wood finish that can slow the ageing process of your decking boards.

This particular decking oil is made on a base of natural, sustainable raw materials including; sunflower oil, soybean oil and rapeseed oil.

How do I repair damage to my Balau decking?

Some damages are to be expected once your decking has been exposed, not only to the elements but to children, pets, shoes and furniture. However, some scratches and scuff marks are quick to repair with the easy three-step method; Clean Sand back the damaged area Re-oil

1.

2.

3.

If your decking is discoloured, it may only need scrubbing with hot soapy water to give it a new lease of life. However, for mould and mildew, and faded or stained decks, you will probably need to use a cleaning product specifically made for cleaning and restoring decks. Make sure you always scrub in the direction of the grain of the wood so you do not rough up the surface and edges.

www.roundwood.com

GET IN TOUCH

RMANCE P FO

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D

PAS

24 APPROV E AS

ENHANCE D

Welcome to the Genesis Collection.

CURITY PE R SE

We’d love to hear about your project!

We looked at the various window and door systems on the market and realised that none of them offer the style, quality and performance that we’d want in our own homes. It was the attention to detail that was missing, so we researched the market for New Build and Renovation – and selected the best products in each sector. And then we set about making them even better. The result is the Genesis Collection, a suite of windows and doors that includes:

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It’s the attention to detail that makes the difference www.genesiscollection.co.uk 0800 138 38 38

TheGenesisRange

Timber Frame

The house on the hill Ian and Julie Perrin were exploring different parts of the country looking for somewhere to retire to when they came across the historic market town of Montgomery in Wales.

J

ulie and I were researching some family history here – my grandparents came from this part of the world,” Ian explains.

“We saw a Georgian house we liked in the town centre and afterwards we sat in the square eating an ice cream and said, we think we could be happy living here.”

Unfortunately the Georgian property wasn’t to be, though the couple were invested in the idea of a future in Montgomery. They were aware of a garden building plot with planning permission on the edge of town but weren’t comfortable with the idea of building, especially as this was a difficult site.

“The plot sloped diagonally upwards from the front corner to the back corner and was two metres higher than the lane,” Ian explains. “The neighbour’s sewer pipe also ran through the middle. We thought it was an impossible site, yet loved the beautiful countryside views with the historic castle on the hill, and that it was a short walk to the town square.”

Ian and Julie took another look and wondered if a kit house could be the solution. They went to the National Self Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon for ideas. It was here they saw the Welsh Oak Frame stand with an example of a real oak frame structure.

“This was our first introduction to oak framing and the method seemed right for historic Montgomery,” says Ian. “Welsh Oak Frame was a short drive from the plot so we went to meet them and they showed us around their local projects. We were impressed from the start, particularly with the care they took over the detailing in their oak – other companies seemed plain in comparison.”

However, the couple were still unsure whether to buy the tricky piece of land. “Welsh Oak Frame made it very clear that building on a plot like this wouldn’t be a problem and we felt confident and reassured enough with their ideas and suggestions to proceed,” says Julie.

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The plot sloped diagonally upwards from the front corner to the back corner and was two metres higher than the lane

Once the agreement was in place, Ian and Julie began the design process with Welsh Oak Frame’s Design Director, John Edmunds.

The couple wanted a house large enough to accommodate visiting family and a main open plan living area capturing the views. They liked the idea of a vaulted ceiling and a glazed front gable; features they’d seen in the Welsh Oak Frame brochure.

“Sometimes a front gable forms the hallway, but in our design we have a seating area at the window and a master bedroom above to take advantage of the picturesque views,” says Ian.

The 300m2 house has a double garage at basement level with the front opening onto the drive

The house would be energy efficient with an air source heat pump and rainwater harvesting, as well as a mechanical heat recovery ventilation system and underfloor heating. Solar was rejected as the feed-in tariff was no longer available.

“John interpreted our thoughts very well,” says Julie. “He produced a 3D walk-through that made it much easier for us to understand how the layout worked with the gradient of the site.”

The 300m2 house has a double garage at basement level with the front opening onto the drive, and the rear built underground with a utility and Ian’s hobby room for his model railway.

BUILDING TRULY BESPOKE TIMBER FRAMED HOMES SINCE 1929 Award-winning self-build specialists Insulation options from 0.10–0.18 W/m2K Nationwide architectural partners Oak framing options/oak hybrid systems Part or full project management optional FAST CONSTRUCTION

£

LOWER ENERGY BILLS FRIENDLY SERVICE

?

EXPERT ADVICE

Email us your plans now for a free quotation and appraisal: customerservices@englishbrothers.co.uk or call 01945 427985

www.eb-bespoke.co.uk

Timber Frame

The couple liked the idea of a vaulted ceiling and a glazed front gable

A void above the dining table means Ian and Julie can sit and look directly up through the landing to the top of the house

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The main living space is all at ground level with a dramatic cathedral ceiling soaring over the living area. A contemporary glass and oak stairwell leads to a spacious and light-filled first floor landing.

“A void above the dining table means we can sit here and look directly up through the landing to the top of the house and see the sky above us,” says Julie.

Welsh Oak Frame recommended a planning consultant to help the couple through the planning amendment to change the previously approved mock-Victorian design. Their drawings remained within the same footprint and took into account window restrictions on elevations that overlook neighbouring properties.

Building work began a month after planning approval with the next-door neighbour allowing the couple to bring a small digger through his garden, so they could create their own access in the 2m-high bank. As the site is in a conservation area, a planning condition meant an archaeological watching brief.

“They found the remains of a medieval corn-drying kiln where our entrance needed to be,” says Ian. “It was an interesting find but removing it held us up by three weeks.”

Welsh Oak Frame recommended contractors and a project manager to help Ian and Julie get through the complex groundworks stage, ready for the frame. The sewer pipe was diverted and a 3500L rainwater harvesting tank installed, which takes water run-off and flushes the toilets. Lorry-loads of excavated soil needed removing as the lower ground floor at the back is built below ground.

“This level needed overhead steel beams to support the concrete beams above, effectively creating the robust foundation structure the oak frame sits on,” Ian explains.

About six months into the project, the frame arrived. “It was really exciting for us – and the town!” says Julie. “The crane lifting the great timbers caused quite a spectacle. It took about three weeks to get the main structure up and then we really felt like we had a house.”

Ian and Julie continued the project managing alone, sourcing trades and materials, and being on site every day to organise deliveries. They also scrubbed the internal oak and treated it.

“We were told to expect the tannin to run out and stain the oak, which we then removed by scrubbing in oxalic acid and power-washing off,” says Ian. “It was a big job but well worth it as the oak looks stunning now.”

The couple moved in 19 months after the build started with the following months spent finishing off smaller jobs, and then the planting outside.

“There were lots of stressful times,” admits Ian. “But now we’re finished, those stresses have faded away. We had a very wet winter before we had the roof on and we hadn’t appreciated it would take three months for the floor screed to dry out, and that held us up.

“We’re both very happy living here – we’ve got the house we wanted in the town we wanted to live in – and that’s all credit to Welsh Oak Frame. They were always on hand to give us advice and come to site if we needed them to. Without them we wouldn’t have been able to take on such a great project.”

www.welshoakframe.com

FIBRE CEMENT SLATES

Detailed surface and square edge closely resembles natural slate

THRUTONE

Smooth surface and dressed edges offer a traditional and pleasing look

GARSDALE

Finely detailed surface and dressed edges that reproduce the attractive appearance of natural slate

BIRKDALE

RIVENDALE

The charm of a natural slate roof with all the economical, functional and environmentally friendly attributes of modern slate technology. Request a sample at eternit.co.uk

Smooth surface and square cut edges give a low profile slate at an economical price

Roofing, Cladding & Insulation

Coastal cladding solutions A centuries old technique has been combined with a modern design to create an architect’s Norwegian self-build home.

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ocated in Tønsberg, Southern Norway, architect Thomas Nesheim’s ambitious new coastal home is the product of unique design and the use of innovative materials. Blending seamlessly into the rugged landscape, the self-build home is characterised by the extensive use of charred Kebony cladding, which creates a striking finish to the rural project.

Kebony, a global leader in the production of sustainable modified woods, also allows the home to evolve throughout the day, changing colour in different lights and weather conditions and reflecting the stunning Norwegian sky at night.

The architect prioritised creating a home in Norway which would have a very special atmosphere and a close bond to the surrounding landscape. The distinctive charred finish of the Kebony timber provides the home with a rare aesthetic quality which perfectly chimed with Thomas Nesheim’s vision.

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First choice for cladding The design also allows for large amounts of natural light to spill into the home through the large glass windows and doors, whilst fostering the open-plan interior which fulfilled the architect’s brief.

Though charred timber has been used in Norway for centuries, the charred Kebony cladding was chosen above other materials such as larch due to its heightened physical property and the fact the material requires very minimal maintenance. The charred aesthetic also complements the natural, rugged appearance of the home’s coastal surroundings.

Located in rural Norway and close-by to surrounding forests and the coastline, sustainability and an awareness for the environment was a key concern for Thomas Nesheim and his young family, therefore selecting materials like Kebony were crucial to achieving his vision and upholding his criteria.

Developed in Norway, Kebony’s revolutionary technology is an environmentally-friendly process which modifies sustainably sourced softwoods by heating the wood with furfuryl alcohol – an agricultural by-product. By polymerising the wood’s cell wall, the softwoods permanently take on the attributes of tropical hardwood including high durability, hardness and dimensional stability.

Kebony’s ability to withstand all weather conditions made it the ideal material for the exterior cladding of this Norwegian home.

Thomas Nesheim, Architect, commented: “There are numerous factors that come into play when choosing cladding, but we wanted an exterior that would blend seamlessly into the terrain while also looking unique. Charred Kebony cladding was the perfect material for my home, and we are delighted with the result.”

Arnt Kristian Barsten, Product Manager at Kebony, added: “It is a great source of pride to hear that architects are choosing Kebony for use in their own homes. When choosing cladding, it is essential to consider a number of factors especially with regards to durability and maintenance.

“Timber is a living material and will change over time. This is why it’s important to make sure that the cladding you choose today is one that you will still be happy with for years to come. The style and character of Thomas’ new house is really something special, and we’re delighted that Kebony was able to play a key role in achieving this.”

www.kebony.com/en

Roofing, Cladding & Insulation Opposite: The distinctive charred finish of the Kebony timber provides the home with a rare aesthetic quality which perfectly chimed with Thomas Nesheim’s vision Here: The style and character of Thomas’ new house is really something special Below left: The self-build home is characterised by the extensive use of charred Kebony cladding Below: The charred Kebony cladding was chosen above other materials such as larch due to its heightened physical property

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Oast Houses

Left: Oast houses bring their own distinctive charm to the landscape Above: The renovation of an oast house is often challenging, as they were built by farmers for agricultural use

Renovation of oast houses Here, Mark Horner of Mark Horner Architects – a specialist in the restoration, extension and conversion of oast houses – reflects on the history of oast houses and raises some important questions before bringing this iconic structure back to life.

O

ast houses are special buildings used traditionally for the drying of fresh hops. They were either purpose built or adapted from older farm buildings. These iconic structures are located on the clay soils of Kent and Sussex, where hop gardens flourished in previous centuries and provided hops for the local brewing industry. Oast houses bring their own distinctive charm to the landscape, with their circular drying kilns or ‘roundels’ surmounted by conical roofs and distinctive cowls, and are highly sought after as character homes.

The roundels were constructed with a slotted drying floor with a fire underneath to dry the hops.

The roofs are steeply pitched to channel the air upwards to the cowls, which are made of timber and turn to face out of the prevailing wind, allowing the rising warm air out and preventing the rain from getting in.

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Tackling a challenging renovation The remainder of the building comprises a rectangular stowage with a storage floor at ground level, and a cooling floor at first floor.

The cooling floor is set down three of four steps below the drying floor; after the hops had been dried they were transferred to the cooling floor, then packed into bags by the packing machine that lowered them down to the ground for transportation to the local brewery.

The renovation of an oast house is often challenging, as they were built by farmers for agricultural use, not for human habitation.

Most of the 5000 or so known oast houses have either been converted into dwellings or demolished. Those that remain are usually tightly controlled by the Listed Building Officers of the local councils.

As with any renovation project involving a historic building, there are a myriad of things to consider: Is the structure sound or does it require major works to provide structural stability? Most oast houses don’t have foundations and would therefore require underpinning, moreover, the clay soils mean that the building is likely to have moved in its lifetime, particularly if there have been trees nearby.

Is the external envelope water tight? Does it require extensive repair works to the historic fabric – the windows, walls, roofs and such? How can it all be insulated while still allowing the building to breathe?

Can the internal finishes be upgraded to modern standards, while retaining the original character?

After all, when refurbished they must be able to meet the needs of the families living in them.

Does the layout of building lend itself to use as a house without losing any of its historic features?

Is there enough headroom to the stairs? Are there windows to habitable rooms? Can new walls be introduced to form appropriately-sized rooms?

Oast houses are generally narrow so it is best to avoid corridors that cut into the width and opt for an open-plan arrangement instead. There may be historic openings which could perhaps be negotiated as new windows; alternatively, it might be possible to glaze the oculus and let light in at the top under the cowl.

And finally, does the setting of the building present any challenges? Oast houses were generally built in close proximity to working farms.

Although initially daunting, with the input and guidance of a good architect, a really good conversion is certainly a worthwhile investment, creating a valuable property with a unique sense of character and style.

www.markhorner.co.uk

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Porches

Left: The combination of glazing and oak can look truly stunning and can be superb elements to incorporate into the front of your house Above: Oak frame porches are a great method of adding value to your property

Give your visitors the perfect welcome Oak frame porches can come in multiple designs and can help to create an extended space from the front of a property. They can provide shelter from the elements and cut out the favourite past time of fumbling around shivering in the dark trying to find the key in the dark and unlock the front door. The Oak Designs Company takes a closer look at this must-have addition.

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side from the practical benefits, porches also aesthetically improve the front exterior of your house and do well for kerb appeal. Oak frame porches continue to grow in popularity and are a great method of adding value to your property and making the front of your house stand out from the rest.

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The most cost effective oak frame porches are the simple floor and wall mounted types, commonly found with two external oak posts on pad stones. These benefit from straight-forward low cost foundations and not only look great but are also commonly used to replace old dilapidated porches. The down side of these is that despite looking good and providing shelter from the rain

they are normally open sided and cannot offer any protection from the wind. Due to their small size and simplicity these porches can, however, be applied to a large variation of other house types and styles.

There are much larger versions of the wall and floor mounted porch. Here, the oak frame’s stability normally relies on sitting on top of the same type of brick or stonework that is used in the build of the property. This works really well where you have buildings which have used different types of brick or stone work at the base of the property normally at least four layers above slab level.

They provide a large porch space which give you a lot more protection from the elements but can also give you the ability to turn the floor area of the porch into an extension of your own house internally normally through the use of boarding, glass and doors which can be done then and there or at a later date years down the line. Once these porches are closed off from the outside, they can help create hallways and an area to hang up jackets and store shoes away, stopping dirt and other filth being dragged through the house.

The combination of glazing and oak can look truly stunning and can be superb elements to incorporate into the front of your house especially to give it a fresh new look.

www.oak-designs.co.uk

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Kitchens

Left: Worktops are the biggest game changer in the kitchen, do your research and order samples

New work surfaces make all the difference in kitchen revamp When interior designer and blogger Kate Young first viewed her new home she knew it was the one. Despite the magnolia walls, brown carpets and the cream kitchen, she fell in love with the rural location, the views, the layout and the living area’s oak floors.

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he kitchen had beautiful stone flooring and was a good size, big enough for a large dining table. However, the kitchen units looked dated and the cheap brown worktops had seen better days. While everything was perfectly useable, Kate was itching to get it updated as soon as she could afford it.

As a blogger, Kate had to hold herself back from sharing the kitchen on social media, but after a few months, two things were crystal clear: the units were well made and the layout worked well. It was necessary to find the right aesthetic to make it all work together and tie it with the rest of the house. She fell in love with a pared-back overall scheme of neutral tones with black taps, while being certain she would have to repaint the kitchen units and jettison any cream tones.

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The search was on for new worktops; the simplest way for an impressive transformation given the scale of the surfaces. Initially overwhelmed by the sheer abundance of choice as well as budget constraints, Kate was striving for a classy, neutral aesthetic. While the look of marble would have worked for the space, it was too costly. Wood, too, was not ideal due to being high maintenance and tricky with the desired undermounted sink.

Reluctant to save for years before being able to update her kitchen, she kept looking, and realised she wouldn’t have to give up on her dream. The Aria worktop range combines the beauty of natural materials with the durability and ease of maintenance typical of solid core surfaces. As a fully waterproof and non-porous surface, Aria also enabled the incorporation of her long-standing wish for an undermounted sink.

A neutral, subtle design was needed to match the rustic countryside detailing.

Eventually settling on Polar White in 20mm thickness with matching upstands, the kitchen had to feel as light as possible.

Following the install, the repainting of the kitchen units was no longer necessary. The clear white worktops brought out a subtler tone in the cabinets, unlike the old brown worktops, which made them look very yellow. Replacing the dated old metal handles with leather ones was crucial to add to the sleek yet earthy new look and to add texture to the plain shaker style units. The icing on the cake to finalise the minimalist, contemporary design was a matte black tap and a white undermounted cast iron sink, matched with a new ceramic hob and a stainless steel oven.

Kate comments on the final result: “Our kitchen is the most used room in the house and the result has far exceeded my expectations.

I have a beautiful, practical kitchen which will last for a long time. As with every room in the house, always choose carefully what you invest your money in. If you have good solid cupboards try replacing doors only or just handles. Worktops are the biggest game changer in the kitchen, do your research and order samples!”

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Grand Designs Live Preview

Plan your visit to Grand Designs Live Grand Designs Live, proudly sponsored by Anglian Home Improvements, is gearing up for its biggest and most inspirational show yet! Whether starting out on your first renovation, building a new home, redecorating a room, looking for ideas for a small space or simply searching for inspiration, here are just some of the inspiring activities, talks and events going on every day at Grand Designs Live from 9 to 13 October!

M

eet Kevin McCloud: Based on the Channel 4 TV series, this exciting event will be presented by design guru Kevin McCloud; offering top expert advice as he leads educational seminars, dynamic debates and discussions with panels of industry experts.

National Home Renovation Week: Grand Designs Live has partnered with the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) to support National Renovation Week. Throughout the week, Grand Designs Live will host a series of events celebrating, promoting and educating visitors on renovation as a route to creating their dream home. Visitors will find a variety of talks, headed up by Kevin McCloud, featuring advice from experts in renovation and first-hand experiences from designers and homeowners who have refurbished homes from Grade III listed mansions, to modern townhouses, to 1970s bathrooms and beyond.

One-to-one expert advice sessions focusing on renovations will take place every day throughout the show, including topics

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covering everything from retrofitting a kitchen, modernising a bathroom, to bringing home fixtures and fittings up to date.

Get Expert Advice: The popular Ask An Expert service, will offer free 30-minute consultations with specialists across a range of home-improvement areas including finance, self-build and everything in-between. The show also launches the Home Renovation Clinic to offer visitors the opportunity to speak to expert members of the Federation of Master Builders about their upcoming home projects.

The Innovation Trail: Visitors can follow this all-new trail around the event; comprising nine ground-breaking brands that are changing the landscape and nature of home building and renovation. The trail incorporates the world’s first Milk Bottle House, by Six Miles Across London Limited (SMALL), which demonstrates the kind of green-minded and design-friendly innovation that Kevin McCloud, and Grand Designs Live, choose to champion. Modern Method of Construction (MMC) specialists Built & Spaces will showcase their

Above left: Visitors will find a variety of talks, headed up by Kevin McCloud, featuring advice from experts in renovation and first-hand experiences from designers and home-owners Above: Grand Designs Live, proudly sponsored by Anglian Home Improvements, is gearing up for its biggest and most inspirational show yet

innovative, adaptable and sustainable approach to construction through a 200m2 interactive space that has been custom created for Grand Designs Live. Other innovators include Kevin’s Green Heroes, Smarthaus, Green&Blue, Graven Hill, Composite Garden Buildings, BORA and Lutron.

Small Space, Big Change: After its success at the London show in May, Grand Designs Live’s Under The Stairs feature will be reimagined with a new series of eight installations, each imagined by a different interior designer. This competition will focus on the increase in the use of unconventional spaces and Grand Designs Live have chosen eight exceptional and pioneering finalists to bring their ideas to life.

Meet Kevin’s Green Heroes: Hand-picked

by Kevin himself, the new Green Heroes will make their debut at the show, giving visitors the chance to discover the very best designfriendly, eco-innovations of today; new brands to the show include BIOFASE Avocado Seed Cutlery & Straws, by 4eco Limited, handmade, biodegradable composite interior products from That’s Caffeine, By Atticus Durnell, along with fungus and yeast-based bioplastic Korvaa headphones, and Chip[s] Board, a biodegradable alternative to MDF, both designed by Finnish studio Aivan in collaboration with scientists.

www.granddesignslive.com

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Homebuilding & Renovating Show

Left: Self-builders and renovators who are keen to run their ideas past industry-leading property experts are encouraged to visit the Ask the Expert area

An education in selfbuild and renovation Plotting a dream: discover steps to making your property ambitions a reality at the London Homebuilding & Renovating Show.

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he number of new homes registered to be built within the London region has reached more than 5500 – a 58% increase compared to 3549 last year – according to recent reports from The National Housebuilding Council.

To help identify, appraise and secure the perfect plot to turn their property ambitions into reality, for the first time this year, visitors to the London Homebuilding & Renovating Show, returning to ExCeL from 4-6 October 2019, will be supported by masterclasses from the Land Hub, a self-build stage in collaboration with Plotfinder and Potton’s Self-Build Academy.

The show will also see the return of Sian Astley, lady-builder and project manager for BBC2’s ‘Your Home Made Perfect’ alongside Jo Dyson, Property Renovator, interiors specialist and founding partner of home design consultancy Mae House Design.

Sian will tackle themes ranging from fresh design ideas, cost-effective styling, and mixing traditional style with a contemporary edge, to underfloor heating and insulation, drawing upon her extensive knowledge accumulated over 23 years.

No matter the phase of a building or renovation project, attendees can access

42

reputable expert support and expertise on all aspects of self-build and renovation over the three days. Visitors will be able to find up-to-date information on a vast range of topics including renovating, building your own home, extensions and conversions, eco and heating, doors and windows, and more.

These topics will be discussed extensively by specialists at over 45 free seminars and masterclasses at the Masterclass Theatre, sponsored this year by Kitchens for DIY, a leading supplier of high-quality kitchens, as well as at the Self-Build Theatre, sponsored

by Self-Build Zone, a provider of site insurance and structural warranty.

The event will also introduce visitors to the Home Improvement theatre, sponsored

by Korniche, a market-leading manufacturer of aluminium roof products, which will host sessions on themes such as adding space and value, loft conversions and planning permission.

Consumers will also have the chance to discover innovative products and services from over 360 national and local brands. In addition, they will be able to interact with real case studies on site to discover the most

common challenges they might encounter during the build process.

Self-builders and renovators who are keen to run their ideas past industry-leading property experts are encouraged to visit the Ask the Expert area inside The Advice Centre, sponsored by Internorm, Europe’s leading windows and doors manufacturer.

Specialists include Director of Content and Product Development for Homebuilding & Renovating magazine Michael Holmes; Editorial Director of Homebuilding & Renovating magazine Jason Orme; Building Expert Bob Branscombe; Eco Expert David Hilton; Planning Expert Sally Tagg (planning expert); and Finance Expert Tom McSherry.

This section will also house the Ask the Builder zone, where members of the Federation of Master Builders will offer tips to visitors on hiring accredited construction workers.

For those interested in finding out more about the design, planning and construction process, the Ask the Architect area in The Advice Centre is a mandatory stop where chartered specialists from RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) will provide tailored advice and support via one-on-one consultations.

One of the most important stages of undertaking a building project is obtaining planning permission. Sally Tagg and her team of experts from Foxley Tagg will impart the latest information on new regulations and laws and find a realistic route to deliver the aesthetic outcome desired.

www.homebuildingshow.co.uk/london

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Product Guide

Here: Choosing to use timber as a means to construct new homes is a significant step towards building more sustainably Below: English Brothers is not like most timber frame manufacturers – it only produces one-off bespoke timber frames

The perfect partner for your timber frame Timber frame is just one of many types of construction. However, it is arguably the most flexible, efficient and sustainable method. At English Brothers, the company takes those key benefits of timber frame construction and uses them to maximum advantage.

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imber frame specialist, English Brothers combines expertise and knowledge of self-build, the very latest design and engineering technology coupled with the benefit of good old-fashioned experience (you can’t buy that off the shelf) and tops it off with a large helping of customer service.

As a manufacturer, the company takes its environmental responsibility very seriously.

Choosing to use timber as a means to construct new homes is already a significant step towards building more sustainably that would otherwise be the case. It’s obvious why. Timber comes from trees, and as trees grow they absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen at the same time. Plus, the more trees that are used the more that are planted, and the more CO2 is absorbed.

Apart from the environmental benefits, there are plenty of other reasons to use timber frame for your self-build project. The frame is an engineered product, carefully designed and

44

manufactured to ensure it can be delivered, erected and made watertight and secure very quickly.

Your build programme is less likely to be affected by adverse weather conditions than traditional masonry construction so continuity is improved, and this means you are far more likely to move into your new home on time.

Overall construction time is reduced too, sometimes by up to two months but a more realistic expectation is one month.

Timber frame construction also allows you plenty of flexibility when it comes to thermal performance.

If you choose an English Brothers timber frame, not only do you have virtually an infinite choice when it comes to thermal performance, but you can also choose the type of insulation you want to use.

Then there’s the cost savings which are two-fold: overall budget savings and reduced running costs. Timber framed construction is almost always less expensive than other forms

of mainstream construction. You will also save money when it comes to heating your home.

Building with timber frame means you have lots of options when it comes to thermal performance, but even using a fairly standard insulated timber frame system you’ll achieve excellent u-values and airtightness meaning you’ll need to put less heat into your new home to keep it warm.

English Brothers is not like most timber frame manufacturers. It only produces one-off bespoke timber frames, so it has set up its factory to be flexible enough to meet the needs of its self-build clients rather than high outputs as demanded by the big developers.

By not conforming to the more commonly accepted principles of manufacturing it can quickly adapt to changes to specification and design. All of its timber frame panels are assembled by hand, by a very experienced team.

www.eb-bespoke.co.uk 01945 427985 customerservices@englishbrothers.co.uk

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Product Guide

VELUX teams up with Farrow & Ball Roof window manufacturer VELUX and paint and wallpaper expert Farrow & Ball have come together in a new campaign which highlights the transformative effect that daylight can have on interior design.

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he campaign centres on the transformation of the Toomey family’s single-storey extension using VELUX roof windows and Farrow & Ball colours. Working together, VELUX daylight expert Grant Sneddon and Farrow & Ball colour expert Joa Studholme showed the couple how to make the most of the available daylight and how to choose colours that look great in their space and suit their lifestyle.

Sean and Sophie bought their 1950s three-bedroom terraced house in Swindon 10 months ago as they knew it had great renovation potential. The rear of the property originally had four small rooms that were dark, gloomy and completely unusable, but with the help of a local architect and builders, they took on their biggest renovation project to date.

Adding a single-storey extension, they created a large, open-plan kitchen and living room with three large VELUX INTEGRA electric

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white painted roof windows to provide as much daylight and ventilation throughout the space as possible. To access the garden easily, they also added bi-fold doors.

Grant Sneddon, Daylight Expert at VELUX, said: “Making sure that light penetrates deep into the room is important when you have such a big space, and roof windows do that as they offer twice as much daylight as a vertical window of the same size.”

Homeowner Sean said: “The roof windows with added rain sensors add so much daylight and air flow throughout the day, they’re a great way of bringing the outside in. Living in the UK, the weather can change in an instant so we feel reassured that they will close automatically if the rain comes on when we’re out.

“We also chose VELUX dark blue electric roller blinds to tie in with the interior of the kitchen, and awning blinds to help control heat coming in, particularly on bright days.”

Above left: To find the perfect colour complements for the modern fittings of their extension, Sophie and Sean enlisted the help of Farrow & Ball’s colour consultancy service Above: Three large VELUX INTEGRA electric white painted roof windows provide as much daylight and ventilation throughout the extension

To find the perfect colour complements for the modern fittings of their extension, Sophie and Sean enlisted the help of Farrow & Ball’s colour consultancy service.

Joa Studholme, Colour Consultant at Farrow & Ball, said: “When we chose colours for Sean and Sophie’s extension, we did it to reflect their personalities, to suit not only the way they live but to make the most of the daylight from their new roof windows.

“The daylight in the extension changes throughout the day and because our paint is so heavily pigmented the colours change a lot in different light conditions, which makes them feel really alive, particularly when you’ve got fantastic natural light coming from roof windows.”

www.farrow-ball.com velux.co.uk/extensions

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Product Guide

Vortice launches new single room heat recovery unit

Bespoke, double glazed timber windows Do your timber windows let in the draughts and cold weather? The Sash Window Workshop specialises in manufacturing and installing high-quality, double glazed timber windows in period properties.

All of the company’s new windows are made to order at its workshop in Berkshire, where the company’s skilled craftsmen will manufacture your new windows to your exact specifications.

The Sash Window Workshop recommends using Accoya or durable hardwood timber. These high-quality timbers are stable and durable, allowing for minimum maintenance alongside maximum lifespan.

For properties located in London and the South, The Sash Window Workshop can provide a supply and installation service. It also provides a supply-only service across the UK. On installation, all new windows are draught proofed to further improve the energy efficiency and help eliminate cold draughts.

Over half of the company’s orders come from existing customers and recommendations, highlighting their excellent customer satisfaction. The company is also proud to be a Which? Trusted Trader and has a 5-star Trustpilot rating.

The Sash Window Workshop aims to be as environmentally friendly as possible as evidenced by its FSC certification, meaning that its timber comes from sustainable forests.

In addition to complete new windows, The Sash Window Workshop also offers a wide range of services, including replacing external timber doors; installing new sashes into existing window frames; draught proofing and overhaul; and secondary glazing.

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

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Vortice has launched a new single room heat recovery unit which is quiet, efficient, energy saving and anti-allergic thanks to built-in filters preventing the release of pollutants and allergens into the surrounding air.

Easy to install and maintain, the Vort HRW Mono is an ideal alternative to traditional ventilation systems and intermittent fans. Suitable for recessed installation in outside walls of thickness between 285 and 700mm, it has a low voltage EC motor-driven fan and five speeds. There are two versions of the Vort HRW Mono, manual or RC (remote control), allowing the unit to be turned off and on and the mode of operation to be selected. The device includes LEDs for filter monitoring and diagnostics. The Vort HRW Mono has three operating modes; ventilation with heat recovery, ventilation with air extraction only and ventilation with air intake only and there is also the option to install temperature and relative humidity sensors.

www.vortice.ltd.uk sales@vortice.ltd.uk 01283 492949

Amazon Alexa SmartSecure advancement A smart tech advancement by FUHR benefits users of Carl F Groupco’s SmartSecure electronic door locking and access control brand in the UK. The development means that customers can now use Alexa-enabled devices, such as Amazon Echo, to control the SmartConnect app functions. SmartConnect is an intelligent, WLAN-based SmartSecure option that uses a smartphone app allowing residents to set access rights and manage security. The addition of Amazon Alexa, which can be asked to control smart home devices, is a significant SmartConnect advancement with straightforward set up. Amazon Alexa functionality is available with an update of the SmartConnect app, ensuring existing users can also enjoy its smart capabilities. Carl F Groupco’s technically qualified advisors are on hand to provide advice on the integration of Amazon Alexa with SmartSecure functionality and capabilities. In addition to complete new windows, The Sash Window Workshop also offers a wide range of services, including replacing external timber doors; installing new sashes into existing window frames; draught proofing and overhaul; and secondary glazing.

www.smartsecure.co.uk 01733 393330

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Product Guide

Plug and Glow 2

Oak framed garage kits by Round Wood of Mayfield If you’re looking for a traditional oak framed garage, you may want to consider the range of ‘Chippy’ kits offered by Round Wood of Mayfield.

Finding the right frame to build an exciting new part of your home can be daunting but Chippy is a good place to start, as they offer set designs and give a good pricing indication.

They are also excellent value, available on short lead times and may be exempt from planning permission and building regulations.

The range comprises of 47 standard designs, from one to four bays, in a variety of roof profiles. Additional options of half-bays, log stores, and side aisles allow for most requirements to be catered for (although modifications are possible).

Prices start at just £2395 for a one-bay garage kit, including the 150mm oak post frame, as well as softwood studwork, rafters and weatherboard.

All buildings are traditionally crafted using curved braces and perfectly cut oak pegged, mortise and tenon joints. Only green oak is used, which contracts over time to provide further stability. Frames are pre-assembled in Round Wood’s workshop prior to dispatch to ensure fit and ease of build.

If you are looking to buy a ‘Chippy’ kit as part of a project and are a keen DIYer putting these kits together may be an appealing challenge. Alternatively, Round Wood of Mayfield’s qualified team offer groundwork, assembly, and roofing services for your one to four-bay garage.

Round Wood supplies Chippy products nationwide from its base just outside of Mayfield. In addition to oak framed buildings, the company offers hardwood decking, oak and walnut flooring, joinery products and garden features.

www.oakframedgarages.co.uk sales@roundwood.com 01435 860260

50

Advance Appliances has launched Plug and Glow 2 – an improved version of the original Plug and Glow, small stainless steel boiler.

The new version now comes with bespoke software and is the same size – 120 x 195mm – as the original version. Plug and Glow 2 has 22 connections for ease of installation and a 13-amp plug fitted, along with being programmed twice a day with a five-day/ weekend option. The temperature can either be adjusted by a calibrated knob on the front of the case or controlled by an off-board thermostat. With a 2.7kW output, the unit can be plugged into any general household socket.

Plug and Glow 2 is CE marked and comes with a two-year guarantee.

www.advanceappliances.co.uk 01543 377723 sales@advanceappliances.co.uk

The wonders of Clearview wood burning stoves Manufactured entirely in Britain since 1987, Clearview wood burning stoves have many great qualities. They are very easy to light, burning for long periods unattended. They are approved for use in smokeless zones. Users have an exceptionally large, pleasing and clear view of the fire. Homeowners can save money, as wood is often the cheapest fuel. They produce five times more heat from the same fuel as an open fire. These stoves are so efficient there is no need for frequent cleaning. Plus there is no expensive servicing required. For inspiration and to view the range in person, visit one of Clearview’s beautiful showrooms in Ludlow, Stow on the Wold, and Whitchurch.

www.clearviewstoves.com 01588 650123

Lumi-Plugin – the revolutionary fire safety downlight Lumi-Plugin is a low energy, dimmable, LED downlight which is a ring of light in a recessed metal chassis. It has a hole in the middle to receive other components such as concealed fire sprinkler head, the world’s smallest mains powered, battery back-up, radio interlinked smoke alarm, the world’s smallest mains powered, battery back-up, radio interlinked heat alarm, 10-year battery powered CO alarm and PIR sensor. All of the above lights can have a three-hour emergency light battery connected to it. This unique product is designed to not only save lives but simplify and streamline your interior design.

www.lumi-plugin.com 0330 380 1329 info@lumi-plugin.com

The Norwegian Experience...

Delivering

䢢GREEN BUILDINGS 䢢GREEN BUILDINGS BUILDINGS 䢢GREEN 䢢GREEN BUILDINGS 䢢GREEN BUILDINGS 䢢GREEN 䢢GREEN BUILDINGS BUILDINGS Delivering Delivering Delivering Delivering Delivering Delivering

NATIONWIDE

䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢

䢢

䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢

䢢

䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢

䢢

䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢

䢢

䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢

䢢

䢢

NATIONWIDE

NATIONWIDE 䢢 䣊䣱䣷䣵䣧䣵䢮䢢䣈䣮䣣䣶䣵䢢䢨䢢䣯䣱䣴䣧䢢䣷䣲䢢䣶䣱䢢䢹䢢䣨䣮䣱䣱䣴䣵 NATIONWIDE

NATIONWIDE 䣖䣴䣣䣦䣫䣶䣫䣱䣰䣣䣮䢢䢨䢢䣏䣱䣦䣧䣴䣰䢢䣾䢢䣅䣣䣴䢢䣄䣣䣴䣰䣵䢢䢨䢢䣒䣧䣰䣶䣪䣱䣷䣵䣧䣵䢢䣾䢢䣔䣧䣯䣱䣦䣧䣮䢢䢨䢢䣐䣧䣹䢢䣄䣷䣫䣮䣦䢢䣾䢢䣖䣴䣷䣵䣵䣧䣵䢢䢨䢢䣅䣱䣯䣲䣱䣰䣧䣰䣶䣵 NATIONWIDE 䢢 䣊䣱䣷䣵䣧䣵䢮䢢䣈䣮䣣䣶䣵䢢䢨䢢䣯䣱䣴䣧䢢䣷䣲䢢䣶䣱䢢䢹䢢䣨䣮䣱䣱䣴䣵 NATIONWIDE 䢢 䣊䣱䣷䣵䣧䣵䢮䢢䣈䣮䣣䣶䣵䢢䢨䢢䣯䣱䣴䣧䢢䣷䣲䢢䣶䣱䢢䢹䢢䣨䣮䣱䣱䣴䣵 䣊䣧䣮䣲䣫䣰䣩䢢䣄䣷䣫䣮䣦䢢䣛䣱䣷䣴䢢䣉䣔䣃䣐䣆䢢䣆䣇䣕䣋䣉䣐䣕䢢䣕䣷䣵䣶䣣䣫䣰䣣䣤䣮䣻䢢䢨䢢䣒䣴䣱䣨䣫䣶䣣䣤䣮䣻䢢 䣖䣴䣣䣦䣫䣶䣫䣱䣰䣣䣮䢢䢨䢢䣏䣱䣦䣧䣴䣰䢢䣾䢢䣅䣣䣴䢢䣄䣣䣴䣰䣵䢢䢨䢢䣒䣧䣰䣶䣪䣱䣷䣵䣧䣵䢢䣾䢢䣔䣧䣯䣱䣦䣧䣮䢢䢨䢢䣐䣧䣹䢢䣄䣷䣫䣮䣦䢢䣾䢢䣖䣴䣷䣵䣵䣧䣵䢢䢨䢢䣅䣱䣯䣲䣱䣰䣧䣰䣶䣵 䣊䣱䣷䣵䣧䣵䢮䢢䣈䣮䣣䣶䣵䢢䢨䢢䣯䣱䣴䣧䢢䣷䣲䢢䣶䣱䢢䢹䢢䣨䣮䣱䣱䣴䣵 䣊䣱䣷䣵䣧䣵䢮䢢䣈䣮䣣䣶䣵䢢䢨䢢䣯䣱䣴䣧䢢䣷䣲䢢䣶䣱䢢䢹䢢䣨䣮䣱䣱䣴䣵䢢 䢢 䣖䣴䣣䣦䣫䣶䣫䣱䣰䣣䣮䢢䢨䢢䣏䣱䣦䣧䣴䣰䢢䣾䢢䣅䣣䣴䢢䣄䣣䣴䣰䣵䢢䢨䢢䣒䣧䣰䣶䣪䣱䣷䣵䣧䣵䢢䣾䢢䣔䣧䣯䣱䣦䣧䣮䢢䢨䢢䣐䣧䣹䢢䣄䣷䣫䣮䣦䢢䣾䢢䣖䣴䣷䣵䣵䣧䣵䢢䢨䢢䣅䣱䣯䣲䣱䣰䣧䣰䣶䣵 䣅䣃䣎䣎䢢䣗䣕䢢䣖䣑䢢䣆䣋䣕䣅䣗䣕䣕䢢䣛䣑䣗䣔䢢䣐䣇䣚䣖䢢䣒䣑䣌䣇䣅䣖䢢䣐䣑䣙䢢 䣊䣧䣮䣲䣫䣰䣩䢢䣄䣷䣫䣮䣦䢢䣛䣱䣷䣴䢢䣉䣔䣃䣐䣆䢢䣆䣇䣕䣋䣉䣐䣕䢢䣕䣷䣵䣶䣣䣫䣰䣣䣤䣮䣻䢢䢨䢢䣒䣴䣱䣨䣫䣶䣣䣤䣮䣻䢢 䣊䣱䣷䣵䣧䣵䢮䢢䣈䣮䣣䣶䣵䢢䢨䢢䣯䣱䣴䣧䢢䣷䣲䢢䣶䣱䢢䢹䢢䣨䣮䣱䣱䣴䣵䢢 䣖䣴䣣䣦䣫䣶䣫䣱䣰䣣䣮䢢䢨䢢䣏䣱䣦䣧䣴䣰䢢䣾䢢䣅䣣䣴䢢䣄䣣䣴䣰䣵䢢䢨䢢䣒䣧䣰䣶䣪䣱䣷䣵䣧䣵䢢䣾䢢䣔䣧䣯䣱䣦䣧䣮䢢䢨䢢䣐䣧䣹䢢䣄䣷䣫䣮䣦䢢䣾䢢䣖䣴䣷䣵䣵䣧䣵䢢䢨䢢䣅䣱䣯䣲䣱䣰䣧䣰䣶䣵 䣖䣴䣣䣦䣫䣶䣫䣱䣰䣣䣮䢢䢨䢢䣏䣱䣦䣧䣴䣰䢢䣾䢢䣅䣣䣴䢢䣄䣣䣴䣰䣵䢢䢨䢢䣒䣧䣰䣶䣪䣱䣷䣵䣧䣵䢢䣾䢢䣔䣧䣯䣱䣦䣧䣮䢢䢨䢢䣐䣧䣹䢢䣄䣷䣫䣮䣦䢢䣾䢢䣖䣴䣷䣵䣵䣧䣵䢢䢨䢢䣅䣱䣯䣲䣱䣰䣧䣰䣶䣵 䢢 䣊䣱䣷䣵䣧䣵䢮䢢䣈䣮䣣䣶䣵䢢䢨䢢䣯䣱䣴䣧䢢䣷䣲䢢䣶䣱䢢䢹䢢䣨䣮䣱䣱䣴䣵 䢢 䣊䣧䣮䣲䣫䣰䣩䢢䣄䣷䣫䣮䣦䢢䣛䣱䣷䣴䢢䣉䣔䣃䣐䣆䢢䣆䣇䣕䣋䣉䣐䣕䢢䣕䣷䣵䣶䣣䣫䣰䣣䣤䣮䣻䢢䢨䢢䣒䣴䣱䣨䣫䣶䣣䣤䣮䣻䢢 䣅䣃䣎䣎䢢䣗䣕䢢䣖䣑䢢䣆䣋䣕䣅䣗䣕䣕䢢䣛䣑䣗䣔䢢䣐䣇䣚䣖䢢䣒䣑䣌䣇䣅䣖䢢䣐䣑䣙䢢 䣖䣴䣣䣦䣫䣶䣫䣱䣰䣣䣮䢢䢨䢢䣏䣱䣦䣧䣴䣰䢢䣾䢢䣅䣣䣴䢢䣄䣣䣴䣰䣵䢢䢨䢢䣒䣧䣰䣶䣪䣱䣷䣵䣧䣵䢢䣾䢢䣔䣧䣯䣱䣦䣧䣮䢢䢨䢢䣐䣧䣹䢢䣄䣷䣫䣮䣦䢢䣾䢢䣖䣴䣷䣵䣵䣧䣵䢢䢨䢢䣅䣱䣯䣲䣱䣰䣧䣰䣶䣵 䣊䣧䣮䣲䣫䣰䣩䢢䣄䣷䣫䣮䣦䢢䣛䣱䣷䣴䢢䣉䣔䣃䣐䣆䢢䣆䣇䣕䣋䣉䣐䣕䢢䣕䣷䣵䣶䣣䣫䣰䣣䣤䣮䣻䢢䢨䢢䣒䣴䣱䣨䣫䣶䣣䣤䣮䣻䢢 䣊䣧䣮䣲䣫䣰䣩䢢䣄䣷䣫䣮䣦䢢䣛䣱䣷䣴䢢䣉䣔䣃䣐䣆䢢䣆䣇䣕䣋䣉䣐䣕䢢䣕䣷䣵䣶䣣䣫䣰䣣䣤䣮䣻䢢䢨䢢䣒䣴䣱䣨䣫䣶䣣䣤䣮䣻䢢 䣖䣴䣣䣦䣫䣶䣫䣱䣰䣣䣮䢢䢨䢢䣏䣱䣦䣧䣴䣰䢢䣾䢢䣅䣣䣴䢢䣄䣣䣴䣰䣵䢢䢨䢢䣒䣧䣰䣶䣪䣱䣷䣵䣧䣵䢢䣾䢢䣔䣧䣯䣱䣦䣧䣮䢢䢨䢢䣐䣧䣹䢢䣄䣷䣫䣮䣦䢢䣾䢢䣖䣴䣷䣵䣵䣧䣵䢢䢨䢢䣅䣱䣯䣲䣱䣰䣧䣰䣶䣵 䣅䣃䣎䣎䢢䣗䣕䢢䣖䣑䢢䣆䣋䣕䣅䣗䣕䣕䢢䣛䣑䣗䣔䢢䣐䣇䣚䣖䢢䣒䣑䣌䣇䣅䣖䢢䣐䣑䣙䢢 䢢

䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢

䢢

䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢䢢

䢢

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䢢

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For over 30 years Nordpeis’ woodburning stoves and fires have incorporated our Norwegian design and technical expertise to ensure guaranteed warmth in one of Europe’s coldest climates.

www.nordpeis.co.uk 51 iBuild_Nordpeis_HPV_Sep19.indd 1

30/08/2019 13:43

Product Guide

Brymec extends next day delivery service with new distribution centre Brymec, one of the fastest growing suppliers of specialist building services products in the UK, has increased its logistics capabilities with the opening of a new distribution centre, near Stoke, Staffordshire. The new 16,500ft2 site, based close to the M6 in Staffordshire, will increase Brymec’s stock storage capacity and ability to serve the north of England and the Midlands. Having this additional facility also means Brymec can offer its customers a greater choice of products on its next day delivery service. Six new members of staff have been employed at the state-of-theart site which has already completed the delivery of 4100 orders to 3715 sites across the UK.

www.brymec.com sales@brymec.com 0333 000 5555

Pared-back style with Harvey Maria’s new MSeries A celebration of nature, Harvey Maria’s MSeries is a collection of ultra-authentic wood effect floors for the mindful home. The new range takes a neutral pallet and gives it grain, providing a surface that’s clean, sustainable and beautifully practical; the perfect backdrop to a slow living lifestyle and pared-back rustic style. Beyond the tactile matt finish and gentle colourways, the new designs provide an alternative sustainable floor finish. They’re recognised for their low lifetime environmental impact and come with many clean air certifications. No harmful chemicals are needed for cleaning or maintenance – simply use a neutral detergent – and at the end of their lifecycle, the floors can be recycled.

www.harveymaria.com info@harveymaria.com 0330 330 1231

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Redefine your roof with Eternit slates Are you looking for stylish roof slates that are built to last? Eternit’s fibre cement slates help to create a unique exterior for your home, without compromising on performance. The Rivendale range is ideal for use on self build projects where a natural look is sought, as it combines modern technology with a traditional looking slate. Rivendale features a finely detailed surface with dressed edges and is available in striking Blue-Black and Cromleigh Graphite. The lightweight and easy installation of Rivendale makes it perfect for all refurbishment projects.

www.eternit.co.uk 01283 501555

Make a house a home with Königstone’s Monaco Königstone, renowned for durable, high-quality worktops, has added a new colour to the popular Königquartz portfolio: Monaco. The pale grey shade incorporates a marble-like effect with a natural-looking grain to create a unique and stylish surface. As quartz is one of the toughest natural substances in the world, it is a great material for a kitchen or bathroom worktop. The beauty of new colour, Monaco, is that homeowners can brighten the look of their kitchen with a lighter shade, without the fears of stains or scratches. The homeowner doesn’t need to worry about any mess as the quartz is highly scratch-, stain- and heatresistant, and can easily be cleaned with a damp cloth.

www.konigstone.co.uk info@konigstone.co.uk 0333 577 2903

Polypipe launches innovative new PolySoil range

Sustainable house benefits from copper rainwater system

Polypipe Building Products is at the forefront of innovation with the launch of a new, innovative range of soil products for the UK residential market. Ring seal soil systems have remained largely unchanged for several decades, so this exciting new launch makes PolySoil the most comprehensive and technologically advanced ring seal soil product in the sector. PolySoil is constructed from single-piece moulding technology that improves the performance and longevity of the soil system by having no snap caps.

Soil systems expand and contract depending on the temperature of the water running through the system, and it is possible that over time the integrity of a snap cap fitting can be compromised leading to failure.

If you are wanting a natural looking and eco-friendly rainwater system then copper gutters and down pipes from the Yeoman Rainguard range, as chosen by the owners of a charming detached residence in North Yorkshire, are the solution.

Yeoman Rainguard 125 x 70mm copper half round gutters along with 80mm dia. downpipes were expertly fitted to the property by local contractor Robertson Building & Roofing of York. Over time the bright finish will darken through natural oxidisation to, eventually, a beautiful green patina. This attractive finish looks perfect against natural stone, timber and red brick facades.

polypipe.com/polysoil 01709 770000

www.rainguard.co.uk info@rainguard.co.uk 0113 279 5854

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Light

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Plugin the functionality that’s important to you.

Lumi-Plugin is a revolutionary downlight that combines LED lighting with various plugins such as concealed sprinkler systems, smoke alarms, heat alarms, CO alarms, PIR sensors and/or emergency lighting.

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Call +44 (0)33 0380 1329 or email: sales@lumi-plugin.com

53

Product Guide

Left: PVCu (unplasticised Poly Vinyl Chloride) has been used in window and door manufacturing since the 1980s Below left: Aluminium is a highly durable material that can last up to 45 years when used in home fixtures like bi fold doors

Window and door materials: PVCu vs aluminium Windows and doors are the entry ways to your home, so when it’s time to replace them, it’s important to choose durable and resistant materials that will stand the test of time.

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he argument of which material is better to use for windows and doors between PVCu and aluminium has been in debate ever since aluminium became a popular window manufacturing material.

Recent figures suggest that the number of PVCu window and door fabricators are declining, or have begun to offer aluminium

systems, with a massive 40% increase in firms who offer both PVCu and aluminium products.

In 2015, almost 60% of bifold doors in the UK were made of aluminium, compared to only 27% made from PVCu, showing the rise and popularity of aluminium in UK households. However, both materials have been trusted for use in construction for decades due to their durability and resistance.

Why use PVCu? PVCu (unplasticised Poly Vinyl Chloride) has been used in window and door manufacturing since the 1980s, before aluminium was considered. It has been a material that has long been considered durable and strong, making it perfect for protecting your home along with these reasons: It is weather resistant It is a low maintenance material – a wipe down will make it clean and fresh It does not biologically decompose It can withstand strong force It is sustainable due to allowing itself to be reshaped under hot temperatures

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PVCu is much stronger than timber, and only requires replacing after 20 to 30 years and proves to be just as secure as aluminium, however security also depends on the choice of locks chosen to be used on your windows and doors. However, PVCu is a substantially better soundproofing material than aluminium, and is slightly more efficient at blocking out exterior noise.

Why use Aluminium?

Aluminium is a highly durable material that can last up to 45 years when used in home fixtures like bi fold doors from Quickslide. This material is the second most common metal used in construction after steel, and due to its ductility, it can be shaped and moulded for different purposes. It’s sleek, modern and minimal in style is often preferred in manufacturing fixtures for buildings along with these benefits: Unlike other metals, aluminium will not rust, so there will never be any unsightly rust patches and will stay good as new for the duration of their lifespan.

Provide more natural light Lightweight and strong, so it can support large glass panes 100% recyclable Corrosion resistant Although it can be more expensive than PVCu, aluminium may add more value to your home in the long run due to its longer lifespan. Choose windows and doors that suit your style and budget from a selection of designs from Quickslide.

www.quickslide.co.uk 03332 412240 sales@quickslide.co.uk

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ESSENTIAL COLLECTION New brochure available now

w w w.v a r d e s t o v e s .c o m For more information or to view the full range of Varde woodburning stoves visit our website.

Request your copy today: Web: www.lecico.co.uk Tel: 01234 244030

55 iBuild_Varde_HPV_Sep19.indd 1

30/08/2019 13:43Advert Atlas HBD portrait.indd 1 Half Page

28/03/2019 10:45

Surface360.co.uk formerly The Deck Tile co. has 50+ ranges of Levato MonoTM 20mm porcelain paving and now with coordinating internal tiling, offering seamless visual transition between internal and external spaces.

LEVATO MONO

TM

Porcelain paver system and coordinating internal tiling Low cost ongoing maintenance/fade and wear resistant • High slip resistance (R11C) & load bearing Vast choice for any Design scheme • Support system enabling a ‘floating’ floor installation over delicate waterproofing • Ideal for balconies, roof terraces, garden decks and piazzas

WWW.SURFACE360.CO.UK 0118 391 4120