i-build October/November edition

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i-build i-nterior i-scape

GRADE II RESTORATION

Issue 5

Inexperienced self-builders restore two listed barns to their former glory

October/November 14

i-build

ECO-CONSCIOUS TARGETS

Make the most of renewable resources by creating an airtight structure

COVER STORY:

Natural inspiration

CONTEMPORARY CURVED COTTAGE

An industry expert puts his skills to the test by building his own home

Making the landscape your focal point

EXPERT INSIGHTS:

l FINANCIAL l LEGAL l PRACTICAL l PRODUCT INNOVATION

Baufritz is passionate about creating a luxurious living environment that’s designed just for you. All our homes use an abundance of high quality, natural materials that are completely free of toxins, creating a harmonious atmosphere that looks beautiful, protects the environment and makes you feel good.

www.baufritz-ib.co.uk Find out more about Baufritz and contac t our UK office: enquiries@baufritz-ib.co.uk | 01223 235632

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Welcome to our October/November issue

Cover story: An unexpected self-build journey for architects Adam and Annelise Penton. See page 20.

i-build N www.i-buildmagazine.com

i-build i-nterior i-scape Editor:

Emily Smith

emily@mixedmediainfo.com Print & Digital Advertising:

Sam Ball

sam@mixedmediainfo.com

Steve Gull

steve@mixedmediainfo.com

Joe Cole

joe@mixedmediainfo.com Studio Manager:

Chris Lilly

chris@mixedmediainfo.com Senior Editor:

Hannah Frackiewicz

hannah@mixedmediainfo.com Production:

Jack Witcomb

jack@mixedmediainfo.com Artworker/Sub-editor:

David Perry

david@mixedmediainfo.com Accounts:

Simone Jones

simone@mixedmediainfo.com Managing Director:

Sam Ball

ow that winter’s short days have returned, ensuring your new home is prepared for unpredictable weather patterns is crucial. A key self-build consideration is making sure your building retains heat during colder months. Window specialists Reynaers at Home have estimated that 40% of heating energy loss comes from windows or the gaps around windows. To help your project be as energy-efficient as possible, this issue’s Green Living focuses on the importance of airtightness, from checking the performance rating of windows and doors through to specifying the right ventilation system.

In this issue, we also meet one couple who recently completed an outstanding example of airtightness in this month’s Sustainable Living. Architects Adam and Annelise Penton have no central heating in their new self-build home as it simply has no need for it. Intelligent glazing placement, good levels of insulation and an airtight design sustains heat and a wood-burning stove keeps the house warm when sunlight isn’t able to. Read the full story on page 20.

Other issue highlights include expert advice from a range of industry specialists, from painting to landscaping. Don’t miss the wonderfully different curved self-build design that faces extreme weather challenges on page 41, and unique barn restoration that presents a tough project for Channel Four’s Restoration Man George Clarke on page 28.

After a successful first year, the i-build team is delighted to announce that your selfbuild reference will be available monthly as of January 2015. Huge thanks to you, our loyal and ever-expanding readership; it is your support and interest in i-build that has made this possible.

We hope you enjoy this issue as much as we have enjoyed putting it together. As always, if you would like to see your self-build in i-build please contact me on the usual address with detailed project information.

Emily Smith Editor emily@mixedmediainfo.com @ibuildmagazine

/ibuildmagazine

ibuildmagazine

sam@mixedmediainfo.com

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

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

Cookers by Smeg: See page 57

Underfloor heating by Nu-Heat: See page 63

Fireplaces by DRU Fires: See page 66

3

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Nest Hive

Contents

The latest innovative on-trend designs to complement any interior.

Will Tell 12 Time Each issue i-build follows Will Anderson on his

i-build

self-build journey as it unfolds.

www.i-buildmagazine.com

i-build i-nterior i-scape

Desired Designs

Contents

7

58

15

Green Living

16

Viewpoint

18

Contracts & Legalities

20

Sustainable Living

28

Rural Retreat

34

Paints & Finishes

37

Windows

After insulation, airtightness is the most important factor determining the energy efficiency of a building.

Self-build consultant Adrian Hateley gives his insight into how to source reputable tradesmen.

A break down of the key permission considerations to think about when installing skylights.

Architects Adam and Annelise Penton have built a superinsulated home that pays homage to its stunning surroundings.

Kath and Marco Walker have transformed a pair of Grade II listed cow barns into a stunning family home.

Crown Paints’ Colour Consultant, Judy Smith provides a step-by-step guide to painting with gloss.

Incorporating a sun tunnel is a great way to bring natural light into a room with no windows.

07

40 Balustrades Bring safety into your home without obstructing views with glass balustrading.

42 i-build Experienced building professional David Maxwell 66 42

put his skills to the test by building his own home.

50 i-nterior A prestigious house in the Berkshire countryside 58

has been transformed to reflect the new owners' stylistic preferences.

i-scape i-build discusses whether the ethics of a company’s manufacturing process should impact your specification process.

: crets e S e Trad t for our

ed ou Look crets’ dott e. u e s S s i ‘Trade hout this sider g n u i thro are the n be These s which ca ding t d h insig able to bu ! invalu lf-builders se

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Desired Designs Patterned walls Reclaimed furniture A growing upcycling movement is making reclaimed furniture more popular than ever. Clio the Muse is one of London’s leading exponents of this trend. Her Boat Rudder Coffee Table has been created using rescued castaways and is priced at £495. We love Loaf's King Crate Mate shelves, which are made from reclaimed pine with a bleached timber finish. (www.cliothemuse.co.uk; www.loaf.com)

Marine-inspired bedrooms

Wallpaper is the perfect accompaniment to any interior theme and the market is full of blue and white styles. We love Kelly Hoppen's blue and white collection which is available from Graham and Brown in two designs at a reasonable £26 a roll. (www.grahambrown.com)

Coastal catalyst Keep memories of summer days by the seaside alive all year round with nautical palettes and rustic elements.

Decorate your bedroom with these coastal-inspired elements

by Ikea. The subtle stripes in the NYPONROS bedlinen would sit well on a white bedframe, such as the BRUSALI – currently in the sale at £195. (www.ikea.com)

Blue and white accessories This new range of nautical themed kitchen products from Gisela Graham ticks all the sea-faring boxes, from storage jars to mugs and jugs – prices start at £7.50. This collection would sit nicely beside Habitat’s Lind 12 piece porcelain dinnerware set that is edged with a hand painted leaf pattern in an inky blue hue. (www.tch.net; www.habitat.co.uk)

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Desired Designs

Clever homes i-build’s hand-picked selection of intelligent home technology to ensure your project is the latest in design innovation.

Modular heating Heating is crucial to any building, so why not add something that creates a statement? A modular system of bars form the T39EL electric towel warmer by VOLA. The number of bars needed is up to you and you have the flexibility of positioning them however you like. (www.vola.com)

Home automation Intelligent home automation isn’t just for futuristic filmsets, as The Loxone Miniserver controls everything from your lighting and heating to your PV system, all from a switch or phone app. Everything runs together from a central, intelligent nerve centre that’s simple to use and affordable too. (www.loxone.com)

Pneumatic lifts No, this isn’t a scene from Star Trek; it’s a recent South Kensington conversion that is home to a pneumatic lift.

This increasingly popular technology gives fast access to numerous levels of a building via a cylindrical, vacuum driven lift. (www.newmaticelevators.com)

Eco-refridgeration Responding to the news that Brits waste 15 million tonnes of food each year, with half of it being thrown in their own homes, home appliance specialist Hotpoint is giving consumers the power to be waste-warriors with their new Active Oxygen fridge freezer.

By releasing trioxygen molecules into the fridge atmosphere food stored will have 90% less bacterial growth and bad odours reduced by up to 70%. (www.hotpoint.co.uk)

Natural viewing

8

Samsung’s HU8500 TV series has a Curved UHK screen that provides a more natural viewing experience. What’s more, it converts lower resolution content, such as live TV and Blu-Ray discs, to sharper images so that you can view in more detail and clarity than ever before. (www.samsung.com)

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Desired Designs

Exposed bulbs The Jefferson Table Lamp by David Hunt Lighting makes a bold statement for any surface measuring D12xH33. It is available in both black and pewter. (www.david-huntlighting.com)

Boxed up Stay on-trend with industrial elements. We love these Box Pendants by Davey Lighting. The brass is treated to give them that sought-after weathered look and perfectly suited to any room, be it hallway, dining room or even porch. (www.davey-lighting.co.uk)

Hand-blown beauty

Bright sparks Following London Design Festival, i-build reports on the hottest designs in the field of decorative lighting.

Statement chandeliers

Curiousa & Curiousa lights are hand-blown in the UK without moulds to create beautifully unique statements. Each droplet of the Acid Cluster Chandelier suspends from a hand-crafted walnut disk and ceiling rose creating a glowing semi-opaque glass shade. This design is a pricey £9500, but individual pendants are a more affordable £375 each. (www.curiousaandcuriousa.co.uk)

We were drawn to Baroncelli’s gold chandeliers like magpies when they exhibited in London last month.

Check out the company’s showroom in The Imperial Laundry in London to fall in love with its alluring collection. (www.baroncelli.com)

Collaborative innovation New to the market, the MASAM lighting company is formed by the alliance of two artists, Said Njeim and Marianne Guély. Combining Said’s graphic and architectural lines with Marianne’s poetic design ethic, the pair have produced a bold collection with a carefully selected range of materials. (www.masam-editions.com)

10

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Time Will Tell

Left: Solar panels will provide energy for this ecoconscious home Below: The made-to-measure windows fitted perfectly into the frame

that our heating bills will be almost non-existent.

At the very top of our roof, three curious alien beings look down upon the solar panels and roof windows. These are our heat-recovery ventilation cowls, designed and supplied by Ventive. These days, mechanical heat-recovery ventilation systems are usually specified for low energy houses: whole house ducted systems, driven by fans. But why use a machine when you can get the result you need without one?

The system we are installing is entirely passive, driven by the buoyancy of the internal air and by the wind outside. They look pretty cool too.

Time pressure

Fast forward Every issue i-build follows Will Anderson as his self-build adventure unfolds. In this instalment, his project moves fast as winter approaches.

I

t took about a month for our timber frame to go up. That was quite slow by the standards of Touchwood Homes, however, their small team included two novices – my cousin and myself – both on steep learning curves. We climbed these curves as quickly as we could, hauled up by the patient and cheerful guys from Touchwood. It was a great experience.

The frame was complete by the end of August, which was fortunate as we had a slot booked with the Green Building Store to install our windows and doors starting on September 1st. On this date three Yorkshiremen turned up in a van with our made-to-measure, triple-glazed Ecocontract windows. The job didn’t take long, as the holes in the frame were, as expected, just the right size.

Nonetheless it certainly wasn’t straightforward, principally because triple glazed timber windows are incredibly heavy but must naturally be handled with great care. Thankfully all went well.

We also moved quickly to get our roof on.

Touchwood had left us with some chunky rafters and a layer of chipboard, the foundation for a seriously ambitious roof which will keep the heat

12

in, generate electricity and even provide us with fresh air – as well as keeping us dry, of course.

The basic design of our roof is a ‘warm deck’: a thick layer of insulation laid on top of the rafters that is finished off with a continuous weatherproof membrane. We used an Alwitra membrane supplied by ICB, who also supplied the exceptionally efficient Sunpower solar panels.

The roof membrane was installed by Steve and Ashton from SW Roofing, based up the road from us in Battersea, south London. Steve was an old hand and clearly took pride in the quality of his work, carefully welding together all the pieces of the membrane as if it was a gigantic tapestry.

Superinsulation One of Steve and Ashton’s first tasks was to cut and lay the insulation. Because we are building an exceptionally low energy house, we wanted an unusually large amount of this: 300mm of high performance Kingspan TR27 roof insulation. This was slightly off the scale for Steve and Ashton, who had never laid this depth of insulation before.

By the time it was all down, they were persuaded

The roof was a big job and took nearly three weeks to complete, during which time not a single drop of rain fell. We ended up hoisting a hosepipe onto the roof to make sure that the membrane did its job properly. Sure enough, all the water quickly ran to the one outlet at the rear of the roof where a temporary downpipe currently takes the rain away from the unfinished walls.

That’s the next task: the week after the roof was finished, I took delivery of seven thousand beautiful handmade bricks from the Northcot brickworks in Gloucestershire. It’s all been a bit non-stop and I am beginning to feel exhaustion creeping in. But there’s no rest for self-builders, let alone the wicked. Winter is coming and I need to get inside soon.

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Keep a tight rein on airtightness

Green Living

rooms get less sun than any other, and windows with a high Energy Rating will maximise what energy is gained from the sun so it can remain warm throughout the year.

Hugh Moss, Head of glazing specialist Reynaers at Home, comments:w “In our architects’ survey 57% of British architects said the most popular industry trend today in residential housing was energy efficiency.

When asked what most homes were missing, some 13% responded with the issue of sustainability.

“Energy used in constructing, occupying and operating buildings represents approximately 50% of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. In the move towards sustainability, construction and buildings in general have been highlighted as a major area for attention. Innovation and sustainable product design is key in reducing the amount of energy used both in the construction of buildings and in their everyday use.”

Of course, glazing is not the only factor determining a structure’s airtightness. Ventilation systems that filter the air in and out of a home are also at risk of allowing heat to leak. However, including a mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR) system creates a controlled and efficient living environment without the need to open a window.

Make sure that all your tradesmen are thoroughly briefed on your airtightness strategy prior to the build.

It only takes one weak element to allow all your careful preparations to go to waste.

www.reynaersathome.co.uk The eco-conscious self-builder knows that highly insulated walls and renewable energy sources boast green Main: The wrong glazing can allow a credentials, but ensuring a property is completely huge amount of heating energy loss Trade S e W c r ith 40 et: airtight is key to sustaining that precious heat.

Below: Big windows make the most of %o

A

fter insulation, airtightness is the most important factor determining the energy efficiency of a building. It’s estimated that 40% of heating energy loss comes from windows or the gaps around windows. With large glazing panels and bi-folding doors more popular than ever, make sure that you specify the right doors and windows for your plot.

When looking to buy windows it’s worth knowing that there are up to five levels of wind load resistance – from one to five – and three deflection classes – A to C. These measure a window or door’s structural strength. The higher the number, the better the performance.

The BFRC’s window rating system was introduced to meet the need for simple and accurate certification regarding the thermal performance of window products.

Each window rated by the BFRC has a unique label identifying its energy efficiency. Windows are rated on an A to G scale based on their total energy efficiency, which allows home-builders to quickly and easily choose the most suitable window for their needs.

As well as considering the outside climate, the levels of sunlight that enters a home need to be investigated before a new home design is finalised. North-facing

f a buil heat lo din s gaps a s put down g's round t windo o make w s are on ure tradesm s, en boa airtigh rd with you tness goals. r

a property’s surrounding landscape

15

Eyebrow Sub-brow Viewpoint

How to find trades and builders Self-build consultant Adrian Hateley gives his insight into how to source reputable tradesmen/contractors : t and effectively manage them on your project.

Secre

Traedn etalking toyysokuerep

M

Wh en, alwa ay the d sm trade to record ll as e y a diar time, as w ssed and iscu d s a w what d agreed an

any self-builders have a desire to be as ‘hands-on’ as possible, undertaking the majority of the build themselves or with the help of skilled family and friends. However, regardless of size or specification of the build, there will always be an occasion when experienced and certified tradesmen will be required, especially when installing electrics, gas and plumbing.

When you consider that much of your budget will go towards the labour costs of your tradesmen, you naturally need to ensure that you have the right person for the job at the right price. Unfortunately, due to the current lack of skilled tradesmen, there is talk that builders and contractors are ‘naming their price’, so it’s always best to shop around and get as many quotes as possible. The accepted rule is that self-builders should always get at least three quotations for every job.

It’s worth recognising that the best builders are rarely the cheapest – you are paying for quality and experience and the best know what they are worth. A tradesman can only accurately quote you on the information you provide, so be sure to be clear and concise with your instructions. Where possible, provide them with a copy of Building Control approved drawings detailing build specification and materials.

If they all come back very high, the chances are that you are trying to build something too big or complicated for your budget or

16

you might need to lower the materials specification. Always seek a fixed price quotation and be aware that if you make changes during the build, you might leave yourself open to ‘extras’ being added to your bill.

Whatever the quotation, there is always room for negotiation – granted, we as a nation are not comfortable with negotiating, especially when it comes to money, but if you are building to a tight budget, every penny matters. Just take heed that if you do try to negotiate a lower price than quoted, be mindful that you could be storing up resentment if the contractor perceives that you have taken advantage of them.

Making it official Many projects are successfully completed with no formal contract between self-builder and contractor other than a letter of appointment.

In its simplest form, a contract of works signed by both parties – you and the contractor – can be recognised as an official arrangement and is always useful in instances of dispute. Examples of contractual forms/contracts can be downloaded online through channels such as the Federation of Master Builders. If you have clearly outlined and discussed the schedule of works with your tradesmen at the outset, you may also wish to think about introducing penalty clauses in the contract – although be realistic that materials may not arrive on site when planned which could affect your appointed trades from doing their job.

Remember it’s your responsibility to consult

with tradesmen and schedule works accordingly.

Take time to get to know your contractors over a cup of tea and biscuits and take an interest in other building projects they may be involved in and their outside interests – this not only makes for a better working environment but your build might benefit from your contractors additional knowledge and expertise.

Tradesmen will often need paying on a weekly basis and may require to be paid in cash, so be sure to notify your bank in advance of cash withdrawals. Be on time with payments – if you are late with payments you could lose vital builders or contractors to another site and hence delay the progress of your build.

You may come across builders who require part-payment ‘up front’ for materials – bear in mind that any reputable tradesman will have an account with local builders merchant; failing that, there is nothing to stop you opening a personal account and buying materials direct. Always pay in arrears according to the amount of work done or the stage that the job has reached and, wherever possible, hold back a proportion of the money to provide an incentive for them to finish the job.

Who does what You need to decide from the outset how much or how little you can or want to do, and more importantly how much your budget allows.

Granted, there are contractors who would prefer to undertake the build from start to finish, but I would suggest that in the first instance you check to see that any ‘supply and

There are a number of routes to choose appropriate tradesmen such as:

•

Personal recommendation – this is always going to be the most preferred route, especially if it’s from another selfbuilder! There are a number of online discussion forums that provide a number of useful and informative discussion topics including recommendations.

However, don’t always assume that the quality of works carried out will meet your own exacting standards!

Viewpoint

Right trade, right price

•

Drive round your local area, take note of those builders who are most popular and if possible, drop in for a chat to see if they are interested in quoting you for a job. They may also work with associated trades, such as plasterers, plumbers and electricians, so be in a position to recommend those they prefer to work alongside and who are therefore more reliable.

•

Above: You may need to pay your tradesmen on a weekly basis Below: Make sure you get at least three quotations for each job

fix’ quotation allows you to reap the rewards of any discounts that may be available.

As a guide, most groundworkers working on single dwellings work on a labour only basis so you will be responsible for the hire of groundworks equipment such as digger, dumper truck and arranging delivery of materials on site and on time.

Specific skills possessed by bricklayers and carpenters are always labour only. Plumbers and electricians are often supply and fix but will usually accommodate the self-builder buying certain items such as underfloor heating, radiators and boilers. Plasterers can be labour only or supply and fix. Where they are supply and fix they tend to supply the ‘wet’ items but may leave the purchase of plasterboard to the self-builder.

Dispute resolution Unfortunately there are instances where disputes arise and rather than let things fester, in the first instance, take your contractor aside and try to resolve any issues. If this does not work, arbitration may be necessary, perhaps relying on the skills of your Building Control Officer. As a last resort, the small claims system is available and should be used for smaller amounts of money up to around £6000. Quite often, a solicitors letter threatening legal action is enough

Visit your local builders merchant – these provide a good source of names and recommendations and they’ll always tell you about the ones that habitually pay their bills on time and are, therefore, more reliable.

•

Specialist internet sites and companies that give you an easy, convenient, one-stop solution to finding the right tradesperson for your project.

to prompt settlement – at the end of the day, a tradesman has his reputation to uphold.

As the saying goes, ‘hindsight is a wonderful thing’ – so my advice is to have a back-up plan should things turn sour. This may involve keeping a record of approved sub-contracting companies in your area. In addition, some of the larger companies can have many tradesmen working for them who are available at short notice. Bear in mind that the quality and standards of new tradesmen may not perfectly suit and any last-minute contracting issues will incur additional costs.

Finding the perfect tradesmen is like finding gold-dust and invariably are used time and again by self-builders who have got the self-build bug!

Need Adrian’s help on your self-build project? Email him: hacons@tiscali.co.uk

17

Contracts & Legalities

Skylights:

know the facts Skylights are a light-enhancing feature that are rapidly gaining popularity for home-builders and enhancers, however regulations can sometimes limit grand plans. Here, i-build identifies key permission considerations for installing skylights.

S

kylights, or rooflights, have become a popular design choice for those looking to convert their basement or cellar. Typically, skylights can admit up to 40% more light into a roof space than a standard window, but create only minimal visual impact from outside and typically overlook the sky. As such they do not usually require planning permission. However, there are a number of potential issues to be aware of.

In England and Wales, you are unlikely to require planning permission for skylights unless: • The skylight projects beyond the existing roof plane by more than 150mm

18

• The proposed skylight installation occupies

a large area of your roof beyond what is considered a “reasonable” size • You live in a Listed Building or in a designated Conservation Area • A so-called “Article 4 Direction” or other planning condition is in place for the area in which you live

Building regulations Even if planning permission for a new roof window is not required, building regulations cannot be ignored. By law, any building or structural modification work must comply with building controls which stipulate minimum

standards for design and safety.

There are two sets of building regulations for roofs; work on an existing roof and the construction of a new roof, e.g. for an extension.

Be sure to pay particular attention to Parts J and L of Building Regulations; these deal with energy efficiency, thermal insulation and the protection of buildings against the threat of fire.

Approval under the Building Regulations will generally be needed for the installation of a new rooflight because: • The roof structure will often need to be altered to create the opening • The roof will need to carry the weight of the new skylight, which might require roof strengthening prior to installation • If a skylight is in close proximity to a boundary, fire performance must also be taken into consideration • Any rooflight installed must prove to have sufficient insulation against heat loss with effective energy performance According to skylight manufacturers Sunsquare, limiting heat loss is crucial. Aluminium, which most skylights are manufactured from, transmits heat/cold very efficiently. If the external temperature manipulates the skylight frame, it not only creates a skylight that acts as a huge heat loss area for a property but also opens up the possibility of serious condensation issues.

For a skylight to achieve true thermal performance according to today’s standards you should expect to see polyamide sections dividing all materials that sit across the internal to external parts of your building. This is the only effective way of maintaining insulation and, therefore, the climatic control of your home.

www.sunsquare.co.uk Make sure to check whether your planned sunlight requires planning permission

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19

Sustainable Living 20

Click here to take the video tour of this project

Sustainable Living

Every architect’s dream When architects Adam and Annelise Penton visited a plot for their development company they were so blown away by its natural perfection that it led them on an unexpected self-build journey.

A

dam and Annelise Penton were keen to view a plot at the end of a lane in rural Kent, thinking it might be a potential project for their development company, Abodenova Ltd. The plot was home to a condemned cottage which had remained vacant for many years, was structurally unsound and liberally covered in vegetation externally, with black mould and mice internally.

“At the time that we found the property, we were looking for a house to buy, but had never considered moving to this area or even that self-building was a viable option given our budget. It was so far out of our sphere of thinking,” explains Annelise. However, as soon as the architect couple set eyes on the Groombridge plot it was love at first sight.

“I stood outside and just knew that this was the place we should be for the rest of our lives. A plot that is

21

Sustainable Living

helping to develop the design.

Inspired by the vistas, slopes, woodland and aspect, the vision for the house was a low-maintenance, low running cost, low tech home maximising the natural beauty of the area, and responding to the site. The brief for their own home was relatively straightforward; to provide a four bedroom home within the restrictions of the planning, which specified a volume and maximum ridge height rather than a floor area.

It took approximately a year to gain planning approval from the Local Authority, once a bat and ecological survey had been carried out. As soon as the roof tiles were removed, Adam, Annelise and their two little boys moved into a twin-unit mobile home on the site, where they lived throughout the two years that it took for their new home to take shape.

As Adam and Annelise were physically building the house themselves, living on-site was ideal for the self-builders. The project became a second full-time job for them.

“The great thing about living on site was that Adam could work on the house during the day and I could look after the children, then after we put them to bed I would do a night shift on the build whilst he was down in the mobile,” continues Annelise. “Plus, the boys loved living in the mobile home. I had an 18 month old and a five year old and it worked really well for us.”

A carpenter assisted during the erection of the prefabricated timber-frame panels, which had been made

by Adam before starting on site. Skilled tradesmen were called in as required for elements such as plumbing, plastering and zinc roofing, but most of the project was completed by the couple, from fitting the ventilation system to wiring the plug sockets. south facing with magnificent views, on a sloping site at the end of a lane within walking distance to pubs, post office, bakery and an excellent primary school – what more could you want! Plus, it’s every architect’s dream to design and build their own house!”

Most importantly, despite being in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and greenbelt, there was planning permission on the site for a 3-4 bedroom house.

Suddenly, what had not even been a dream was reality.

Life on site Once the purchase of the site was completed, Adam carried out a temporary refurbishment of the cottage for the young family to live in whilst saving money for the build. This also bought the architects time to thoroughly study the way that light and views influenced the plot,

Above: Extensive glazing makes the most of the stunning views Right: The decking is made from a sustainable hardwood which weathers to the same colour as the Siberian Larch cladding

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When it came to product specification, owning their own architectural business – not to mention being married – meant that making material decisions came naturally. Annelise explains: “It’s amazing how quickly it all came together. We are used to helping clients make decisions, and know all too well how frustrating it is when they can’t make up their mind! Plus, we already had lots of contacts, which helped. We found that making a few key decisions allowed the rest to come naturally. For example, we knew we loved oak and that it doesn’t date, so we chose it for the floor. Then we wanted another wood for the worksurface and we knew we liked walnut and – as we didn’t want too many materials – used it for the staircase as well. It all just flowed from there.”.

Above: The self-build's two wings face different directions Below: The natural spring flows into a pond

Sustainable Living

source heat pumps and air source heat pumps, but realised that it was only useful if we were constantly inhabiting the building. If we went away for a week we would still need something to heat it up again, like a fire. With this in mind, it made sense to go for just the stove,” says Annelise.

Running the architectural practice and building in tandem meant that the project duration was longer than normal. However, it was completed in the period expected, taking approximately two years to construct and the house came in on budget.

The design has been composed to orientate the major spaces towards different directions. This has been done so that the family benefit from solar gain as well as superb long distance views, as well as having an outlook over the garden and woods beyond. The house is split into two smaller volumes based on traditional pitched-roof typologies, but detailed in a contemporary fashion. The northern wing sits on the site of the original cottage whilst the southern wing is twisted to face due south. This opens up a wedge-shaped space between, which forms the entrance and stair and a partially double-height

Eco-conscious specification The house has no boiler; the walls, floor and roof are insulated above Building Regulation levels and the house is predominately airtight. Heat is supplied by a log-burning stove which is centrally located and can be rotated to face different spaces. Hot water is provided by solar thermal panels on the roof, with electric immersion heater supplementing the winter months, run at night on low-rate electricity. There is a whole house ventilation system which incorporates a heat exchanger to pre-heat incoming air using the exhaust air. When the house was pressure tested at completion it exceeded its design requirements and was very close to being at Passive House levels. Underfloor heating is fitted throughout the ground floor, but the Pentons have never turned it on.

“We fitted underfloor heating because if we ever needed to sell the house in the future this would be a benefit. The wood-burning stove and natural sunlight are our only sources of heat. If it’s sunny outside then we don’t need to light a fire because our airtight home benefits from natural sun gain. We looked at ground

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Sustainable Living Above: The fireplace rotates so that it can warm both the lounge or dining room

Below: A curved wall covered in fake suede hides the downstairs bathroom neatly

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dining space that projects out into the garden. The house is stepped down the sloping site and is clad in Siberian larch, which has weathered to a silver grey, thus ensuring the house sits quietly in its rural setting.

A natural focal point There is a definite colour scheme that reflects the outside as it is viewed through the full height glazing throughout the home. The focal colour is the green seen through the windows. Materials and colours fold neatly right through the building using warm greys, olive greens and white all alongside the oak flooring.

Commenting on the scheme, Annelise says: “Choosing colours was really difficult and I was very particular about what I wanted. When we moved in every single wall was painted white as we just needed to get in. All the artwork on our walls have memories attached to them, be it from trips abroad or a connection to our past. You don’t need to go to an expensive outlet to find what you want, it’s just a case of ploughing through and looking.”

The house has created considerable feedback from the local community and walkers, the majority of which is extremely positive. The only problem the Pentons now face is an issue with the acoustics in the dining room. “We had an acoustic engineer in to look at it and something about the angle of the walls that makes the

room sound rattley. We have hung a rug on the wall as a piece of artwork and that really helps.”

“We do use our home as a showroom when we are talking to clients to get ideas across. So many people think they would never live in a modern house because it has no soul or character, but that’s just not the case. The house has worked very well, and we can honestly say that there is nothing we would have done

Sustainable Living Above: The family reupholstered vintage chairs with on-trend grey fabric Right: The stairs are made from the same material as the kitchen worktop Below: The walnut surface folds over the worktop to meet with the oak flooring

differently. We would do the whole thing again, however we aren’t looking to move for some considerable time as the house and its location gives us everything we want."

The self-build’s interior makes a feature of the landscape via the glazing, and the exterior responds to and merges with the surrounding landscape. P C Henderson's sliding door hardware systems were specified for the central dining space and garage of the self-build. The larch cladding and zinc roofing helps the house to blend into the woodland beyond. All furniture within the garden is timber, as is the decking area, which have weathered to the same silver grey as the home’s exterior cladding.

The garden is conceived as a series of spaces providing different uses and different aspects. It has been landscaped to enhance the natural features, such as the stream which opens out into a large pond. It uses the natural fall across the plot to create a series of beautiful waterfalls into pools.

The pool comes up to the corner of the decking which projects out on the west side of the house, affording views over the water, garden and to the woodland beyond.

The steeply sloping banks of the original site have been retained and planted to the side of the pond, and softened and planted down to the driveway. Timber sleepers form steps to enable easy access at key points down these banks. To the front of the house, there is a small area of driveway surrounded by flower and herbaceous beds. All of the driveway areas are

25

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Sustainable Living Right: The pitched roof becomes an impressive feature in the master bedroom, and is echoed in both children's rooms in the opposite wing of the self-build Below: This self-build makes the most of every vista, with expansive glazing that can be seen through glass balustrades in the open-plan living space

silent here, the spring feature creates a lovely relaxing sound for when sitting on the deck. To have a natural spring is phenomenal, but they can become a bit of a nuisance as others have sporadically appeared in the lawn!

“The house looks amazing because of the landscape.

We love to just sit and look at it. I love that the angles of the house are all there for a purpose – the northern block had to sit directly over the cottage so it is dictated by geometry, the southern block is twisted due south and the middle captures the lights and views.

“My advice is that if you don’t have direct experience of building, employ good professionals to help you through the process because there are so many pitfalls for the unknowing.”

Above: Solid wood flooring provides a refreshing contrast to the concrete structure Below: Prior to the build, the architects created an extensive collection of drawings to gain planning permission

www.pentonarchitects.co.uk

surfaced in cockle shells.

“When forming a new garden one should look to create a variety of spaces, respond to the natural contours and features, be aware of the path of the sun to create shade areas at different times of the day, and have spaces where the garden can be enjoyed even during the winter months,” continues Annelise.

“Our garden is an ongoing project. We bite off lumps of it when we can without abandoning the children too much. The spring has been turned into a feature pond, which will eventually tumble across a rockery before falling off the sprout into the water. Because it is totally

Right: The landing is a useful living space where the children can play unattended whilst still heard by their parents, no matter where they are in the property

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Retreat Eyebrow Sub-brow Rural

Radical restoration

When a pair of dilapidated listed barns were presented to Kath and Marco Walker, they ignored their own lack of building experience and answered its cry to be restored to former glory.

K

ath and Marco Walker were able to realise their ambitions of creating a dream home when they bought a pair of Grade II listed 17th and 18th century cow barns from their local farmer in Wellington, Herefordshire. The couple had big plans to create their own bespoke environment by renovating the barns themselves for their family residence.

“We never really had a plan to build our own house,” explains Marco. “But when we were offered the barn at a good price, my wife pushed it and asked for the second barn that was attached and before you knew it we were house developers! We just felt that the project

28

chose us. It’s right by my work and right in the centre of the lovely village of Wellington.”

Channel Four’s hit TV programme Restoration Man were fascinated by the originality of the purchase and keen to be involved, lending their expertise and skills to create a family home for the couple. The resulting programme not only documented the transformation of the couple’s new home, but talked viewers through the architectural and design processes undergone during the restoration.

Both barns originally formed part of a farm and have been used over the years for keeping cattle and for drying grain. The 17th century cattle barn has an oak frame structure and the

Celebrity help George couldn’t believe that a Grade II listed building could fall into such a level of disrepair.

In fact, it was so bad that the Walkers were allowed to take the 17th century barn down and build it again using as much of the original oak as possible.

Kath and Marco had never done anything like this before and had two young children to care for during the restoration process at the same time as project managing their build.

The young family felt really out of their depth.

“The build was a massive challenge; we were both novices. We were helped through several challenging times by an architect and were lucky to have a lot of builder friends. For example, a friend in the glass trade helped us to fit the windows properly to keep the heat in,” Marco explains.

Rural Retreat

attached 18th century barn is made from brick, with a combined space of 3000ft2. The older of the two barns was in a drastic state of disrepair, or “mindbogglingly knackered,” as described by the Restoration Man himself, George Clarke. He went on to say: “You seem to have more gaps and fresh air than timber building – I’m surprised they are still standing.”.

“We asked George to look over our original plans and to help us build a house we would love to live in. We explained how we lived and he changed our plans to suit us better.

On the show he usually spends about half an hour with the developers, but he ended up studying and changing our plans for over three hours.”

The project suffered many problems including a run of bad weather and an influx of mud, but they were determined to make it work. With the advice of Restoration Man’s architect and presenter George Clarke and the rest of their team Kath and Marco set out on the challenge to create their unique home.

Recycling materials Kath and Marco had a very specific idea in mind about how the end result would look and feel. “A lot of the material specification was out of our control because the barns are listed. We recycled a lot of the old material, including roof tiles, stone and 30% of the oak.

On top of that we went beyond the building regulations by using a thick layer of Kingspan insulation and high performance glazing,” continues Marco.

After discussions with the designers

Above: The project has given the barns a new lease of life Far left: The barns were extremely run down before the restoration Right: Original features remain key focal points

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Retreat Eyebrow Sub-brow Rural

Above: The interior design uses on-trend greys beside white walls Right: The living space is lowered by one step to create zones

Far Right: Beams make a statement beside pale walls Above Right: This open-plan space achieves a magnificent sense of volume

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Modern living “We really wanted to create a home for ourselves that felt modern, clean and spacious, but that wouldn’t erase the original idea of the building – it’s such a unique space that we needed something complementary, homely and stylish at the same time,” continues Kath. “Plus, with a young family it was also

Eyebrow Retreat Sub-brow Rural

and architects on the Restoration Man team they opted to approach flooring experts Floored Genius about the new Microscreed finish. When Floored Genius first visited the development site in 2013 they found the floor in a very bad state; the ground was uneven, unsightly and severely cracked in several places; the ground would need a strong, sustainable surface covering to be secure and remain durable.

Microscreed, which can sometimes be referred to as ‘waxed concrete’ is a modern, water-based mineral material, which doesn’t use any harmful chemicals in its composition; it’s hypoallergenic and eco-friendly. The product is multi layered and trowelled, with an overall thickness of between 2-4mm.

It won’t stain or tear and is less prone to cracking than a traditional polished concrete finish.

Above: The interior of both properties make the most of natural sunlight Below: Interior beams reflect the exterior cladding Below left: Both self-builds benefit from solar panels

extremely important that the flooring was not just safe and sustainable, but that we’d be able to manage the everyday wear and tear that family life can leave. In other words we needed a floor that would stand up to spills and scratches and would last long after the cameras had been switched off! With the aesthetic we had in mind we needed a surface that would allow us to keep the place looking as good as the day it was installed, without a great deal of extra work.”

A mixture of old and new The restoration took a little longer than predicted, totalling a year and four months

to complete, but only took the couple 5% over budget. The couple moved in only a few months ago and it is still a work in progress as the outside is yet to be transformed and one of the en-suites is still missing, however the structure itself makes a stunning impact.

The bricks and oak frame truly pay homage to its heritage and the oak structure creates a wonderful contrast beside the interior white washed walls.

The new structure responds neatly with the original building by successfully mixing old with new. Exposed timbers, wattle and daub sit beside a modern kitchen and bathroom amidst the vast, open rooms. The

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Below: The young family have plenty of space for storage Below left: The project featured on Channel Four's TV series Restoration Man

Rural Retreat

Left: 30% of the original oak was reused

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open plan living downstairs is achieved on multi levels. A peninsular bar separates the kitchen and dining room and the living room is lowered by a single step to create defined areas within the open space.

“We love that you can be cooking at the same time as chatting with someone in the living area or dining room. So many of our friends have commented on how sociable the

space is! It certainly is my favourite thing about our new home,” says Marco.

“After the TV show we received some very nice letters and a lot of people we have spoken to love it. Looking back, there are a few decorative elements that we would like to have done differently, for example we should have done the temporary staircase differently, but they are all superficial changes.

“There’s no way we would do it again.

We felt out of our depth to begin with, so once is enough and once we were in, we did take a while to settle, but it really is everything that we hoped it would be. My advice to anyone looking to renovate is to get a good architect and builder and be on site every day – you’ll be surprised how much you will be needed.”

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Paints & Finishes

A stepby-step guide to painting gloss As with any paint product, preparation is key, especially when painting with gloss. Here, Judy Smith, Crown Paints’ Colour Consultant, provides a step-by-step guide to using gloss properly.

P

reparation is paramount to a good finish with any paint product, but with gloss you’ll get noticeably better results if you spend a little extra time preparing the surface. The simple step of rubbing down the undercoat with wet and dry paper, for example, helps the gloss to flow on better, giving a shinier finish to the job.

Judy Smith, Crown Paints’ Colour Consultant, comments: “Keep things clean. Dust and other day-to-day debris can ruin even the best application. Ensure you’re prepared with all the right tools before you start. After all that, the actual gloss painting is straightforward.”

A gloss or satin paint, on interior wood or metal, delivers a tough, durable finish. Also remember that you don’t have to gloss in white! The market offers a number of colourful gloss shades to tackle anything from skirting boards to window frames. Great for vertical surfaces, non-drip gloss is perfect for doors or architrave, whilst quick drying gloss creates a good-looking finish in next to no time – helping homeowners refresh and touch-up previously painted wood.

“When selecting your gloss, experiment with colour,” continues Judy. “Remember the right shade can enhance any interior. My favourite is Crown’s Toasted Almond Non Drip Matt – perfect for complementing muted beiges or dusky purple on walls.”

www.crownpaints.co.uk

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ret: e Sec ts’

Trado Crown Parin‘How

t o Head channel f videos e e b d YouTu inting gui Expert, To’ pa Technical ter. with rk Bannis Ma

1 Lay new plastic disposable dust sheets in the area you plan to work in. If you use material dust sheets make sure they are completely dust free.

2 It’s much easier to paint a surface that’s clear of any interruptions, so remove any fixtures or fittings.

3 Before abrading a surface, be sure to remove all dirt present as sanding on dirt will force into the grain.

4 Lightly sand down the surface to help with adhesion and wipe down once complete. Remember to always sand in the direction of the grain. If the surface you plan to paint has several layers of old paint on it, you may have to start with a coarser grade of sand paper to get rid of any imperfections. Always finish off with a finer grade paper or you’ll end up with scratches that will show through the undercoat and top coat. Wear a dust mask for this part of the job! Once you’ve finished rubbing down, use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of the dust.

Paints & Finishes

Step-by-step:

5 If you’re painting a window or a door with glass panels, cover the edges of the glass with masking tape. Use a sharp Stanley-type knife to cut the tape neatly into the corners. This will stop any paint getting on the glass and allows you to apply paint more freely.

6 Brush sizes 12mm, 25mm and 50mm will cover most undercoating and glossing jobs. The better the brush, the better the finish, so spend that little extra as there’s nothing worse than returning to a gorgeously finished piece of work to discover a fine bristle dried to the surface.

7 Unless applying a maintenance coat, be sure to apply a layer of undercoat to achieve a smooth finish.

Once the undercoat is dry, apply another coat on top. Two layers of undercoat should cover any darker paint finishes underneath and also helps to build a better base for the gloss coat.

8 Stir the gloss paint. Load the brush and start painting.

Allow the gloss to flow out over the surface as you paint – don’t be tempted to over brush the paint or you’ll leave marks. Keep an eye out for runs in the paint – corners are particularly prone to them – and brush them out immediately.

9 Apply in the direction of the surface and be liberal to satisfy the porosity, especially with vulnerable ends. It's better to start painting in the middle and work outwards to avoid unsightly brush marks. With interior window frames, this means starting on the wood that sits the closest to the glass.

Above left: Remember to let the gloss harden for 24 hours Left: Use gloss and paint to create different looks throughout the home Main: Be sure to remove all surface dirt before glossing

10 Let the gloss harden for at least 24 hours. Avoid closing painted windows and doors completely for this time if possible, otherwise the paint may stick.

11 If you’ve put masking tape on any glass, run a Stanley knife along the join between the tape and the wood. This prevents the tape from pulling up the paint as you peel it off. Replace the latches and handles, and the job is finished.

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36

Windows

Light at the end of the tunnel While modern, urban living has restricted the space available for development, there are options that can help transform a design and property of any size to incorporate natural light.

N

atural light is essential to the quality of our lives and living environments. Daylight can have a hugely positive effect on both our physical health and mental wellbeing and is something that should always be considered at the early stages of design.

Many homes and buildings have bathrooms, hallways and cupboards with no access to natural light, leaving the area feeling dark, damp, unwelcoming and ultimately unused.

Although it’s difficult to ensure every single area of a house is exposed to natural daylight, the introduction of sun tunnels into a home can make an effective, affordable solution to bring natural light into dark and dim spaces.

Sun tunnels are designed to capture the rays of light on the roof and transport it through a highly reflective tube into the dull, windowless room below. They can also be a great energy saver, removing the need for lights to be switched on during the day by introducing natural light into even the most cramped and isolated spaces.

Owing to flat frames with clear and robust glass, a sun tunnel’s sleek design fits seamlessly with most decors. It also has the added

Sun tunnels are unobtrusive thanks to their flush design

† 37

Windows

Left: Light travels down a reflective tunnel to flood a room with daylight Below right: Introducing natural light into a dark space has an incredibly positive impact upon wellbeing

Pitched roofs Rigid tunnels are recommended when there is a straight, unobstructed path from the roof to the ceiling, and a flex tunnel can be employed when you need to work around loft space obstacles. Its ability to be installed seamlessly in both tiled and slated roofs, make sun tunnels an easy solution for any project.

Flat roofs Sun tunnels for flat roofs are designed to bring natural light into corridors, stairwells, bathrooms and cupboards, under flat roofs, where installation of a roof window is not possible. VELUX Flexible Flat Roof sun tunnels can be installed on flat roofs with a roof pitch between 0-15°.

benefit of fitting into spaces that regular roof windows do not – perfect for smaller rooms and areas, such as cupboards, hallways and bathrooms, Letting in four times as much light as a standard light bulb and bringing natural light into even the most isolated spaces, sun tunnels ensure that these small and cramped spaces no longer have to be closed off from the rest of the home. They can gain an increase in daylight and leave homes with a real sense of space and a brighter environment.

Paul Hicks, Sustainability and Design Manager from window expert VELUX, says: “Daylight is an absolutely vital component in any building or design project no matter how small or how big it is. Sunlight can have a transformative effect on day to day living and working environments, often meaning

38

every inch of space can be utilised to its full potential.

“Sun tunnels are a useful product for any installer. They have the ability to open up even the smallest of spaces to natural light and their flexibility and sleek design means they can be easily incorporated into any project.”

With many different varieties, installation lengths and materials available for both flat and pitched roofs, sun tunnels can be adapted to suit any style or type of building.

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39

Balustrades

Thinking beyond the balcony

Glass balustrades are great for offering safety alongside unobstructed views. Effi Wolff, MD of balcony specialist Balcony Systems, explores some interesting options for all types of properties.

G

lass balustrading has become a popular and cost-effective choice with self-builders and home improvers as its versatility to suit individual requirements permits a much wider range of design options compared to traditional alternatives.

Straight or curved glass panels offer virtually limitless creative opportunities for balustrading that are as beautiful as they are practical.

Clear glass keeps the views, lets in light and is virtually maintenance-free, apart from the need for occasional cleaning to keep it sparkling. It is also corrosion-resistant, making it ideal for harsh coastal or city environments.

Crucially, depending on the type of glass balustrading you choose, the balcony will require minimal or even no posts and have no glass clamps to obscure the views beyond.

The purpose of a balustrade or railing is to provide edge protection where a fall can occur, whether on a balcony, terrace, staircase or landing - indeed anywhere there is a fall of more than 60cm. The railing or balustrade must be able to withstand pressure applied on

40

it and not fail, fall over, bend too far or distort in shape. The pressure that is applied to the balustrade or railing is called a ‘load’ or ‘loading’.

Options and variations Glass balustrading systems vary; some incorporate posts and a handrail with the glass panels secured by clamps or other types of fixings. While structural glass panels require no handrail, they tend to be a lot more expensive and their ‘invisibility’ can be disconcerting to some.

A composite system combines the two types of post-reliant systems and structural glass balustrades in one. It unites the strength of an engineered handrail, glass and when needed, posts, to provide a spectacular and robust result. Infill panels come in 10mm toughened or laminated glass and are available in clear and tinted shades. Opaque glass can be specified for privacy.

Two types of systems are available, with either a 70mm diameter handrail or an aerofoil shape measuring 116mm wide and 51mm high.

Using the first system’s round handrail, spans of up to 3.3 metres are achievable without the need for posts. The flatter and wider ‘aerofoil-shaped’ handrail allows for spans up to four metres without any posts.

Where required, the rectangular-shaped vertical posts 40mm wide and 66mm deep sit behind the glass.

With this type of system, it is possible to have a 3 x 4 x 3m clear glass balcony without any vertical posts. This is because the specially-designed, load-bearing handrails can allow wide spans without posts, depending on their fixings. Where maximum spans are exceeded, the systems will require posts. Typically posts can be spaced at approximately 2m apart.

Cleverly, the balustrading system combines the strength and design of its components to deliver the ultimate in creative designs – and minimise the use of posts. This can be achieved by using the handrail strength to resist loading, fixing the handrail at the ends and using the glass panels to support the balustrade without the use of corner posts.

Corner mitre joint plates are supplied with a 3mm plate that fits between the mitred sections of the handrails. Made from polished anodised aluminium with rounded edges, the plate gives the

Balustrades Left: Glass and aluminium balustrading is a low-maintenance alternative to more traditional materials Above: Here, combining a curved glass balustrade with composite decking has transformed an old paved terrace vinto an inviting open space Below: A glass balustrade has made a statement feature of this double-height ceiling

handrail a smooth, neat and safe finish.

Light enhancing statements Glass balustrading can be used internally or externally; its transparency makes it particularly ideal for landings, galleries and loft projects, such as protecting the stair access allowing greater penetration of natural light to the stairwell. Or to make a dramatic, light-enhancing statement in a central ‘doubleheight’ area, as shown in the below fivebedroom self-build in Buckinghamshire.

For owner Alexa Collins, the balustrade is ‘the ‘wow factor’ of the house, linking the

upstairs and downstairs while reflecting the open-plan nature of the house.’ Although she had considered structural glass, Alexa chose the anodised aluminium handrail as it ‘gives a better feeling of security and matches the interior decor’. She adds: “The balustrade is much-admired by all who see it and people rush up to it.They feel safe leaning over and having a chat.”

Withstanding the elements Externally, curved or straight glass balustrading is equally at home in gardens, providing the perfect barrier for a pond, swimming pool

or terrace. An added bonus is that unlike traditional materials, such as timber or steel, the structure will never need expensive and time-consuming painting or repairs to keep it looking smart and as good as new.

That’s why the cost-effectiveness of glazed balustrading is not only measured in the immediate cost savings, but also in the longterm savings on maintenance over its lifetime.

At Crowborough, near Tunbridge Wells combining a curved glass balustrade with composite decking has completely transformed an old paved terrace into an inviting open space. For owners Deborah and Nigel Gooch, the end result is absolutely stunning.“To say it’s a transformation is an understatement. It really has transformed the whole garden and it all looks so much better and brighter,” says Deborah.

When planning their patio renovation, Deborah and Nigel, who have a young granddaughter, considered rope or railings to provide a barrier to the four-foot drop below.

“No one had fallen off in 14 years, but a twoyear-old might,” she continues.“Using glass met our requirement to keep the garden views and our installer’s suggestion to install composite decking was brilliant.The two products go together beautifully and have given us a lovely new outdoor space to enjoy.”

With its strength, cost-effectiveness and long-lasting good looks, glass represents a clear and easy-to-install alternative for all types of modern balustrading styles – whether inside or outside the home.

www.balconette.co.uk

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Eyebrow i-build Sub-brow

: Secretan e d a r g T plannin

e al If you'r us or unusu g io ambit t, partnerin projec interested a n with a turer can be c a f e. u n ma vantag d a r jo ma

Curved F in stone

The self-build features an interesting curved roof

With a very particular set of design challenges, experienced building professional David Maxwell tested the flexibility and craftsmanship of materials in his own self-build venture.

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ive years ago David Maxwell, Managing Director of George Martin Builders Ltd, set out to build a perfect retreat in the Scottish countryside. Having spent his entire working career building other people’s homes, the time was right to make his mark and build his own unique home.

“I’ve always wanted to build my own home and knew that if I could, I would do it differently,” explains David. “My whole career has been building homes for other people

i-build and following other people’s design briefs and specifications, but this time would be different.”

David found his perfect plot just outside Dundee that was both in a small rural community with beautiful views and just half a mile from the motorway. The design, completed by Fraser Middleton, Director at ARKTX, Chartered Architects was approved and received planning permission within a few months of application. By this time David was well on his way to realising his dream, taking

two of the most notoriously difficult parts of self-building within his stride.

The build of David’s four bedroom, four bathroom, 500m2 house was not however without delay or hiccup. With all his experience, David knew that the build could have been completed within 18 months, but instead it took five years. This was because, like so many selfbuilders, David was fitting the project around his other work. Although from the outset no specific timeframe was planned, the prolonged build

time could have been a problem had David’s circumstances been different. As it was, David and his wife were secure in their 30-year family home and were under no pressure to move or sell to fund the build.

Bespoke complications “As a builder with 40 years' experience, and an honest man who calls it as he sees it, there seemed to be a lot of square boxes around in the current housing market. So, wanting a

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i-build

Left: The guttering needed to fit neatly with the roof Below left: The guttering was supplied by drainage specialist Alutec

change as much as wanting to build to my own taste, I set out to build a wonderfully different curved country cottage,” explains David.

“But with curves come problems. With such an unorthodox design you inevitably end up asking a lot of tradesmen and manufacturers to create and work to bespoke standards, which can quickly become expensive if you’re not careful. Agreeing timescales and knowing how trades work together is vital if you want to keep bespoke designs on budget.

“One such example was the rainwater systems. Whilst sweeping curves make a beautiful roofline, they are somewhat of a challenge when it comes to guttering - in particular, to accommodate the front entrance, there is even a section of guttering with a positive gradient. I turned to a manufacturer that I knew and trusted, Alutec.

Unique specification “Finding a manufacturer who is willing to partner with you on a project is a real advantage, Alutec were very much part of the process and went on a journey with me, helping with the design and specification.”

David’s house also presented unique challenges because of its location. With extreme weather sometimes experienced in the region, particularly that of heavy snowfall, the envelope of the building needed to be strong and hardwearing. Again the guttering was a major hurdle as it had to withstand not only heavy snowdrifts sitting on top of it, but also huge amounts of surface run off during the thawing period. PVC systems would not have coped with the weight, whilst cast iron is both expensive to install and maintain because of its susceptibility to corrosion.

Alutec’s aluminium Evolve system however, provided a perfect solution. Made from marine grade aluminium, the system is impervious to corrosion and strong enough to withstand the weather, in addition to being virtually maintenance free for its entire lifespan – which, in normal atmospheric conditions, can be 50 years or more.

Endurance and economy “From the outset I wanted to build a property that would not just last but thrive in the Scottish climate, but being a detached, 500m2

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Eyebrow i-build Sub-brow

dwelling I knew this would not be easy,” continues David.

Exposed to the elements, insulation was key.

The walls have been built 600mm thick and to passive house standards, with 140mm thick roof insulation and fitted triple-glazed windows throughout. The result is that the entire house’s heating can be run off a 22kw biomass boiler, which is astonishing given the size of the house, as an average three to four bedroom house would have a gas combi-boiler of around 30kw.

Throughout the build David was mindful that he wanted his house to last but not to have a large impact upon the environment. The biomass boiler installed provides carbon neutral heating whilst the solar thermal panels David had fitted provide an additional 11.3kw of hot water on a sunny day.

Reflecting on the result “The physical impact of the house was important to us, but so was the look. There is no denying that it is quite a large house but the design and the curves have really helped to settle it into the landscape. The rolling hills

Right: The self-build materials needed to withstand extreme weather conditions Below: Stone has been used to make a focal point around the front door

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Eyebrow i-build Sub-brow

are mirrored in the house and because we sunk it into the ground, all you see from the road is the sweeping roofline. That being said, there has been a mixed response from neighbours with some loving it and others finding it difficult to see past its unorthodoxy,” says David.

Moving in “It is difficult to pull out a favourite feature within the build because all of it is what I wanted – which is the beauty of self-build – but if I had to pick out one part it would probably be the stone staircase, followed closely by the through fireplace.

“I feel the real test has been the transition between our old house and this one. My wife and I had been settled in our home for 30 years and even during the build my wife didn’t feel the draw to leave. But now we are in we do not miss our old house in the slightest. There is a comfort here not just from the super efficient and high quality materials, but also from the knowledge that this is what we want, to the letter, no compromise.

“I’m thrilled with our new home and I’m also thrilled that it came in on budget. It might have taken a little longer than we had hoped for but, in my experience, this is always the way for self-builds.”.

Expert advice Offering a final few words of advice to selfbuilders, David concludes: “If you’re going to manage a project yourself then sequencing effectively is going to be paramount. Learn how trades fit in with one another and if you can, pick the brain of an experienced builder. This way, when delays happen on site, and they will, you can minimise wasted time by organising effective interim work. Knowing how things fit together will also do wonders for lowering your stress levels, allowing you to see the bigger picture.”

www.marleyalutec.co.uk For more landscaping solutions – See page 65.

Above: Light reflects off the pale walls to create bright rooms Left: The kitchen benefits from a statement hood

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Smart Technologies

Savings

Build smart homes of the future today The launch of the 4iE smart WiFi thermostat from UK company Warmup plc promises to revolutionise how home heating is controlled and energy bills reduced.

S

ophisticated yet simple to use and install, the new 4iE intelligent thermostat from Warmup – one of the UK’s best-selling floor heating brands – provides builders with the opportunity to bring energy saving technology to self-builders quickly, easily and without complications. The greatlooking Warmup 4iE is compatible with most heating systems – combi and system boilers; and underfloor heating, both electric and hydronic.

Once installed the Warmup 4iE can be controlled from its touchscreen, or through smartphones, laptops and tablets via the MyWarmup web portal. Set up is very simple, and there is a choice of rapid pre-set programmes or an intuitive menu which can create personal, bespoke programmes for the user. Alternatively, the smart thermostat’s self-

48

learning capability allows the Warmup 4iE to program itself.

The Warmup 4iE will turn the heating on at the right time so it is at the right temperature when the household wakes up – even allowing for the weather too.

A Warmup 4iE thermostat also acts like a personal energy adviser; and completely independently of any utility companies. Based on Warmup’s research results on test houses throughout Europe and the UK, the Warmup 4iE will advise homeowners on the best way to change heating usage: so consuming less energy while maintaining their preferred levels of comfort.

The advice, which appears as easy to follow tips on screen, could lead to savings of £200 on an average UK heating bill.

Better still, because Warmup is independent of any utility company, once the Warmup 4iE has been installed, it will look at alternative energy suppliers and let you know how much money could be saved through switching supplier. This could save up to £380, according to price comparison service uSwitch.

The Warmup 4iE’s screen – through the use of WarmApps – will also display useful information such as travel alerts and the weather when required. It can also use your choice of photograph as a background so that it becomes part of a bespoke home interior.

Lifetime warranty Warmup offers an industry leading warranty of three years, with an upgrade to a Lifetime Warranty available.

The high-design Warmup 4iE comes in Bright Porcelain or Onyx Black with angled chrome edging that will reflect the wall colour, so it will complement any style of decor. The brightness of the screen is adjustable in both active and standby modes. And because it is installed just like a traditional three-wire thermostat, it’s easy to replace existing controls – including covering fixing holes from old thermostats without the need for additional plates.

With 20 years of research and development behind them, Warmup’s designers and engineers have produced a superbly user-friendly product that will not only be of immense benefit to self-builders – potentially slashing over £500 from heating bills – but it will also deliver a great chance to profit from the explosion in smart home technology.

www.warmup.co.uk 0845 345 2288 andrewstimpson@warmup.com

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i-interior

Luxury transformation When a young Russian couple bought a house on the prestigious Wentworth Estate in the Berkshire countryside, they were keen to transform the space to reflect their own stylistic preferences.

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i-interior Right: The Berkshire home has five bedrooms Far-right: A stunning chandelier makes a statement in the entrance hall Below: The sculptural dining room table has an ebony lacquered top

W

Far above: Interior Designer Natalie Rudlandl Above: Interior Architect Marina Demarchuk

e wanted to make our own mark on the property,” the couple explains. “It was cold and disproportionate, with high ceilings but low doors and windows. The house had no harmony and the interior looked clinical with no emotion; it was very modern, bland and minimalistic.”

With a vague understanding of the kind of look they wanted to achieve, the couple approached interior design specialist Alexander James Interiors to piece together a tailored look for the property.

The property is set over three floors, with the large double-height entrance hall leading to each principal room. Most of these rooms face south, overlooking the landscaped garden to the rear of the property and on the ground floor, double doors open up onto the patio.

On the first floor, there are four bedroom suites, two of which include dressing rooms. Bedroom five features a beautiful curved balcony overlooking the garden. A cinema room, bathroom and music room can be found on the second floor.

The brief was to transform the minimalist interior into an opulent environment for entertaining using rich, warm colours with patterns and textures. Considerable structural changes to the house also needed to be

considered within the substantial budget for this prestigious property transformation.

The project’s Interior Designer, Natalie Rudland explains: “When I first viewed the house, I could clearly see the potential. It’s a spacious, light property, with huge open areas that are ideal for entertaining.

“Lighting was paramount in the brief for this property as the client wanted several options through the day and evening to create different ‘moods’. We inserted recessed lighting into new cornicing throughout the ground floor, that could also be dimmed, and built in discreet lighting to the floating fireplace that we designed and installed. To increase maximum light and space into the kitchen and living room, we knocked through the wall in-between the double doors, and added one large glass panel.”

Changes made on the architectural side included the doors into the dining room being blocked in to become an office; large glass windows were inserted between the two sets of double doors in the kitchen and living room to create one large window, and let more light in; the kitchen was re-designed and built; an additional column was built in the kitchen as you stepped down into the family room and the steps were re-modelled and a second master bedroom suite was created on the first floor, with dressing room and en-suite.

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i-nterior

Proportion was also very important as the home boasted large rooms with high ceilings, so large pieces of furniture were needed to fill the space. Sculptural pieces were selected with a hint of gold running throughout to fit the opulent look and glossy finishes were applied to the furniture to bounce the light back around the room. Rich, warm fabrics with texture and pattern were selected to add depth and hold their own against the shimmering polish plastered walls.

Bespoke elements

Right and inset: Oversized curved sofas covered in textured, mottled fabric are a prominent feature in the formal living room against the back drop of the bespoke fireplace wall

A substantial amount of the budget was allocated to building works. This included a bespoke marble fireplace which is lit discreetly from below, giving the illusion of a floating hearth. The chimney breast was also brought forward making this a grand focal point in the room.

In order to create privacy while dining, an impressive bespoke fret work screen was designed, commissioned and installed to separate the dining and family areas.

Down lighters are used to highlight the intricate design.

A bespoke, oversized 2m2 mirror was commissioned for this property. An ornate frame in dark green and gold stipple features a channel within it containing LED lighting to provide a soft glow in the evening. The mirror

Above and inset: The minimalist kitchen has been replaced with a more traditional look

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Successful zoning

i-interior

height entrance hall. It was really important for me to find the right feature lighting to accompany the architectural lighting.”

Marina Demarchuk, the project’s Interior Architect, adds: “Starting with an empty canvas provides so much opportunity. With large open plan living areas, I used special lighting techniques to highlight different zones.

This was complemented by bespoke architectural features such as the handcrafted screen and mirror as well as the specially designed fireplace in the formal living room.”

The couple are thrilled with the end result: “We wanted functional spaces that connected and were great for family lifestyle and entertaining. Alexander James Interiors completely transformed the interior 360 degrees and now the property has the wow factor effect. The end result is an attractive wonderful home for us all to live in and entertain.”

www.aji.co.uk Below: The family room's high ceiling creates a sense of grandeur Below and inset: Patterned wallpapers and textured fabrics have helped to achieve the look that the couple desired

itself, with antique bevelled diamond-shaped panels, reflects the chandelier above the dining table and mirrors the fret work panel opposite it.

Alexander James Interiors worked closely with the kitchen designer to ensure that the kitchen aesthetics complemented the rest of the open plan scheme.

Having chosen an earthy green finish for the units, the black veined pale cream granite worktop was selected as a contrast and to create impact. Pale green glass splash backs were chosen to reflect the recessed lighting in the above units.

Significant elements of budget expenditure included designing and installing a large crystal spiral chandelier in the entrance hallway. Scale was very important as this was a double height entrance hall and all items installed in this room were large scale and drawn up first to make sure they were the right size, as shown in the drawing below. The high backed pleated chair was selected to mirror the shape in the chandelier, squares and hexagonals were used in other pieces to “play” with all the shapes in this room.

Impressive splendour “With the house itself being grand I focussed on maintaining grandeur throughout,” continues Natalie.

“Using a selection of warm and rich colours, together with bold patterns and textures, it created a warming and relaxing atmosphere with a rich gold accent. Large sculptural pieces of furniture were used to create impact in the open spaces. A magnificent chandelier was commissioned to complement the large double

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Fittings & Fixings

Left: The universal fixings are designed for use with all types of plasterboard installation

Fixings in a plasterboard wall.

IronmongeryDirect, which supplies over 14,500 different products to the trade, reports that in the weeks after the show, the fixings have become one of its top sellers.

Invention success

Dragons’ new invention a roaring success TV Dragon’s Den star Deborah Meaden and 19-year-old inventor Jordan Daykin have a roaring success on their hands, according to sales figures released by IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s biggest online and mail order supplier of ironmongery products to the trade.

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ales for IronmongeryDirect Grip It Fixings product have rocketed by over 600% since the show featured the invention in August, with tradespeople keen to get their

hands on the latest innovation.

Grip It is a revolutionary new design of universal fixing, designed for use with all types of plasterboard installation. The unique wing design makes the fixing easily removable and reusable meaning no parts get lost in cavity walls, and it can also support loads of up to 180kg. To prove the strength of the fixings in the Den, Deborah put her trust in the product by sitting in a chair suspended by chains from a number of Grip It

Wayne Lysaght-Mason, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, said: “Demand has rocketed for Jordan’s clever invention since it featured on the show, with sales well on the way to justifying Deborah’s decision to invest £80,000 for a 25% stake in the company which manufactures the product.”

The Grip It Fixing was originally invented by 76-year-old Grandfather Stan Daykin and his Grandson Jordan Daykin at just the age of 13 when attempting to fit blinds in a house. Jordan took the product to market in 2013.

Grip It is already trading in Germany and Belgium, with a patent pending in America where the market is seven-times larger than the UK. Jordan’s plan is to take the product to the rest of Europe and Australia as well.

Trustworthy service IronmongeryDirect orders can be placed as late as 8pm for fast next working day delivery – as standard, plus all ironmongery products are covered by a minimum five year guarantee. Customers can now take advantage of the new mobile app which makes it even easier for on-the-go searching for products, placing orders and tracking delivery status. If for any reason a product needs to be returned, customers can utilise the pre-paid returns label provided with the order.

IronmongeryDirect has been supplying architectural ironmongery to tradesmen for over 40 years. Starting out as a traditional shop and today, customers can browse over 14,500 products in the catalogue, online and now with the new app.

With a huge range of quality products in stock for next day delivery as standard, an award winning service and low trade prices, IronmongeryDirect is proud to be the masters of their trade.

www.ironmongerydirect.com 0808 168 2828 sales@ironmongerydirect.com Grip It Fixings are easily removable and reusable thanks to a unique wing design

54

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Kitchen

Tradition meets technology Design-led appliance manufacturer Smeg is now offering induction hob technology in a traditional range cooker aesthetic, by adding to its family of award-winning ‘Victoria’ range cookers.

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The 110cm ‘Victoria’ Traditional Four Cavity Range Cooker and Induction Hob has an impressive AA energy rating and is available in Gloss Cream and Gloss Black.

The main oven offers a net capacity of 63l and benefits from seven different functions, including Smeg’s special Circulaire function, which ensures heat is distributed evenly throughout the oven. It also offers closed door grilling with four cooking levels and a triple-glazed door for extra safety, an air cooling system, as well as easy clean enamel and a vapor clean function for quicker and more efficient cleaning.

The auxiliary oven also has a net capacity of 63l and is equipped with most of the same features, including seven cooking functions, closed door grilling with four cooking levels and a triple-glazed door. The grill oven has a net capacity of 36l, a closed door grill, air cooling system, two grilling levels and a maximum power of 2.7kW. While the induction hob features five different-sized induction zones, automatic safety cut-out and residual heat indicators.

Accessories include: oven trays, chrome shelves and handy telescopic shelves, which make it easier and safer for the user to remove trays.

appliance that offered the same traditional look but updated with the latest technology.

The TR4110I is perfect for those who love the design of the Victoria but want the ease-ofuse of having an induction hob to cook with.”

The TR4110I measures 1100mm width x 600mm depth x 885mm – 910mm height -without or with feet- plus an additional 135mm height upstand. Each cost around £2399.

Smeg was founded by Vittorio Bertazzoni Snr in 1948 when the company specialised in enameling and metal working. The name, SMEG, is an acronym for Smalterie Metallurgiche Emiliane Guastalla, which roughly translates as smelting and metal enamelling plant in Guastalla, Emilia.

www.smeguk.com 0844 557 9907 customer.service@smeguk.com

Stylish appliance Joan Fraser, Product Training and Development Manager commented: “Our TR4110 Victoria range cooker aesthetic is very popular with customers and has been awarded some brilliant accolades since we first launched it, so we wanted to create an

The new range costs £2399

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Eyebrow i-scape Sub-brow

Landscaping with a clear conscience With a visual appeal that is not easily surpassed, natural stone paving is a premium landscaping choice for budding self-builders. However, as worrying reports about unethical manufacturing practices continue to surface, choosing the right supplier can weigh heavily on the conscience – Malcolm Gough, Business Development Director at Natural Paving Products (UK), explains more.

58

track materials back to their original source. For these reasons, it is essential to look for natural stone suppliers that hold ethical trading memberships and can offer solid evidence that they have properly audited their supply chain.

i-scape

H

ard wearing and with a distinctive aesthetic finish, natural stone paving offers a number of benefits over concrete landscaping materials. Each piece of natural stone features a unique blend of colours and tones which enables self-builders to create completely bespoke designs in gardens and driveways – perfect for adding that extra ‘wow’ factor.

What’s more, as approximately 75% of the cost of hard landscaping is tied up in the installation process rather than the material itself, it makes sense for self-builders to splash out on the higher quality and more luxurious finish of natural stone.

This growing appetite for natural stone landscaping means that as a society, we are importing more stone than ever before from the developing world. India, for example, is a key exporter of granite, sandstone and limestone, offering attractive stone products at cost effective price points. Regulation of the Indian stone industry however is erratic, with corruption, child labour and illegal quarries presenting major problems – issues that cannot be ignored by those buying stone in the UK. For self-builders, this unstable Indian market makes confirming the quality of imported products problematic to say the least. Goods from unregulated quarries are inconsistent and it is often impossible to

Ethical standards A good starting point is to check whether suppliers are members of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), an alliance of companies, trade unions and voluntary organisations that work in partnership to improve the lives of poor and vulnerable workers across the globe. Sourcing stone paving from companies that commit to the working practices required by this alliance not only ensures products have been manufactured responsibly, it offers greater assurances about the quality and finish of the materials specified. The ETI’s experience has shown that the introduction of fairer working practices and better on site facilities improves both the productivity of the quarries and the quality of the materials they produce.

Left: Here, Blue Tulip Garden Design have used Cornsilk Sandstone Below left: Saffron Sandstone makes a lovely patio Below: Cornsilk Sandstone has been used in this garden designed and installed by Greenbelt Landscape

Above: An urban project needn’t be without a stunning garden like this vision of contemporary excellence

by John Wyer

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i-scape Above: Andrew Wenham works with a difficult landscape to create a stunning garden Left: Tom Hoblyn creates a garden that complements its property

However, in such a complex market, even the most closely audited supply chain can face problems. The stone industry has no certification schemes equivalent to the timber trade’s Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody programme and without such measures it can be hard for developers to have complete confidence that they are getting ethically sourced materials. Therefore, the only way to be absolutely sure of a product’s origin is to buy from suppliers that offer a complete end-to-end service.

Careful considerations Natural Paving Products, for example, has dealt with this challenge by investing in its own quarries. The company owns seven Indian quarries and is partner in two others, meaning it has full control over the products it supplies from the point of extraction, to end delivery. In addition, Natural Paving Products has recently invested in two

60

i-scape new factories in India, which enables it to produce the design-led, sawn styles of stone that are growing in popularity throughout the domestic market.

When purchasing imported Indian stone, self-builders should also give careful consideration to any quality marks provided by the manufacturer and take the appropriate steps to ensure any documentation is genuine. CE Marking for example, is now a requirement for products sold in the EU, but the significant cost of becoming fully CE Marked has led some of the smaller players in the Indian stone market to apply incorrect labels to their products and pallets.

Investing in the correct procedure is a substantial commitment. Again, working with suppliers that have full control over the supply process from sourcing the raw materials, to final delivery of products, is a good way to avoid this issue.

Moral investments For example, at Natural Paving Products, significant time and more than ÂŁ200,000 has been invested in the process of fully CE Marking our products, which included comprehensive testing, the introduction of factory production controls and the production of a detailed Declaration of Performance (DoP) for each product.

The challenges faced by the Indian stone market are not insignificant but the demand for natural stone from the West is such that the market will continue to grow, delivering a major boost to the country’s developing economy. Choosing to source materials from responsible suppliers that adhere to ethical trading principles, however, is the only way to ensure these benefits are felt right across the supply chain – filtering all the way to the worker at the rock face.

www.naturalpaving.co.uk

Above: Here, grey stone creates a nice contrast with the brick building Above left: Use different stones together to create separate zones Left: Pumice Sandstone Far left: Harvest Flagstones with a circle kit

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sustainable-buildingproducts.com Your essential new reference for sustainable building product information web | mobile | tablet

Energy savings

Here the castellated panel and tube have been laid as part of the LoProMax installation

From the floorboards up

Virtually any home can now enjoy the benefits of warm water underfloor heating thanks to LoProMax – an innovative new underfloor heating system specifically developed by Nu-Heat for renovation projects.

O

lder properties, those being extended or renovated, and even those with lower levels of insulation are now able to upgrade to an efficient, invisible heating system that will help towards keeping energy costs down.

The revolutionary new system features the highest heat output of any retrofit underfloor heating solution, easily reaching 120W/m², and offers fast response times equivalent to that of a radiator, all with a low height build-up of just 22mm.

LoProMax can be installed in a wide range of projects on both ground and upper floor levels over solid and timber sub-floors. The system uses a vacuum-formed castellated panel to securely hold the floor heating tube in place before covering in a specialist self-levelling compound, LoProQuickSet. The compound is highly conductive and provides a robust

The system integrates seamlessly with any radiator circuit and is the perfect partner for modern gas, oil and LPG condensing boilers.

The low running costs of LoProMax are a major plus point for any homeowner when compared to an equivalent electric underfloor heating system. For example, a 30m² electric underfloor system would cost approximately £720 per annum to run. LoProMax costs just £240 when working with a gas boiler – a huge saving of £480, or 30p per hour!

Nu-Heat creates a bespoke system design for every project as well as supplying everything you need to successfully install a LoProMax whole house system, including detailed design drawings, clear and concise manuals and LoProQuickset. Support from the experienced Nu-Heat technical team over the phone is also available if needed.

LoProMax is also available in OneZone packs, a perfect solution for installing underfloor heating in single areas such as extensions or bathrooms. OneZones are available in sizes 5m² - 60m² and can be ordered online.

Underfloor heating

and perfectly level floor surface which can be walked on after just eight hours and is ready for tiling within 72 hours – good news if your project is on a tight schedule. LoProMax is suitable for all floor finishes including tiles, limestone, marble, engineered timber and modern vinyls as well as carpet.

www.nu-heat.co.uk 0800 731 1976 marketing@nu-heat.co.uk This property was being renovated and included a new kitchen extension where LoProMax was installed

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Product Guide

Stay out of hot water As self-builders will know, there are rules and regulations to follow and consents to obtain when embarking on a project. What you might not know is that for plumbing systems, both installer and homeowner have a legal duty to comply with Water Supply Regulations.

These regulations cover the installation, use and maintenance of plumbing systems and appliances using a public water supply. Its purpose is to prevent mains water contamination and promote efficient use of water supplies to keep drinking water safe.

Failure to comply can be disastrous. Recent examples include blue toilet cleaner fluid coming out of the kitchen tap due to faulty WC inlet valve and a developer having to replace incorrect taps throughout a block of flats – at his own cost!

One way to keep yourself out of hot water is to use a WaterSafe Approved plumbing business.

WaterSafe installers give notification to the local water company of proposed works – where required – and issue customers with a Work Completed certificate which is a defence against prosecution if challenged by the water suppliers enforcing the regulations. A WaterSafe Approved plumber is also more likely to use WRAS Approved products which, if installed correctly, will meet the requirements of the regulations and can prevent the costly replacement of water fittings, appliances and in some cases, entire plumbing systems.

www.watersafe.org.uk 0333 207 9030 info@watersafe.org.uk

Patinated brass side sectional door Rundum Meir specialises in high quality, standard and custom made, exterior door systems that can be made from a range of beautiful materials including quality solid timber, copper, aluminium, bronze and glass. In plan the doors can be designed to be curved, straight or even wavy. A recent project involved a bespoke side sectional patinated brass door, which was fitted to match the external facade of a new build house in central London. Rundum exterior door systems have been used on listed buildings, award-winning new build, conceptual architecture, refurbishment projects and a high-profile passive house.

www.rundumuk.co.uk 0151 280 6626 danesh@rundum.co.uk

Energy efficient solutions Vent-Axia offers the next generation of electric heating technology with its range of energy efficient aluminium radiators.

Manufactured from 100% recycled aluminium derived from drink cans, the environmentally friendly Opal range is popular with specifiers, contractors and homeowners. Ideal for both new-build and refurbishment projects, the Opal boasts 100% efficiency with the radiators featuring dynamic fluid with high thermal inertia. Easy to operate, the Opal range comes with seven heating programs and three user defined temperature settings for comfort, economy and frost protection. Made from aluminium with innovative curved elements, all radiators are externally powder coated in white.

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

Contrast with colours JB Kind’s Eco Colours door range has six new design additions for 2014.

Complementing today’s neutral interiors this contemporary range of painted doors is both a style and budget pleaser.

The impressive painting technology means that a flawless timber graining effect can be created. From Eco Mocha’s soft walnut colour and ivory grooves, to Eco Argento’s ash grey with silver grooves, and Eco Miel’s honey coloured finish, there are so many choices. This FSC certified range is also supported by a flexible bespoke service and FD30 fire door options.

www.jbkind.com 01283 554197 info@jbkind.com

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When creating an energy efficient home, consider infrared heating panels for an affordable electric heating solution. Infrared uses little energy, is highly efficient and very natural to our bodies. Just like the suns warmth, infrared warms people and objects directly, heating the fabric of the building without the need to heat the air. This is warmed as a secondary effect, saving you money on your energy costs. Boasting easy installation, the panels fix to the wall or ceiling and wire to your choice of thermostatic programmer either per room or zone, offering flexible control. The heating solution is maintenance free for a long lifetime and has a five year warranty.

Product Guide

Infrared heating solutions

www.multiheat-energysystems.co.uk 01237 451759 info@multiheat-energysystems.co.uk

Selection, specification, sourcing and use The Timber Decking and Cladding Association (TDCA) is offering a material sourcing service where it will contact potential suppliers on your behalf to generate a list of those willing and able to meet your specific needs for individual projects.

Energy savings with the Domestic Boiler Manager Save up to 20% on home heating and hot water bills with Marshall-Tufflex’s awardwinning Domestic Boiler Manager system. Easilyinstalled and suited to both new-build and retrofit, DBM controls the firing cycle of gas, oil and LPG boilers, reducing unnecessary boiler firing. Not only does this, typically, reduce boiler running costs by 20%, it also prolongs the lifespan of boilers because they do not have to work as hard. The DBM’s software uses flow and return temperature data to calculate the most efficient boiler-firing pattern. This significantly reduces fuel wastage meaning that internal comfort levels are maintained and CO2 emissions reduced.

www.marshalltufflexenergy.com 01424 856610 info@marshalltufflexenergy.com

Make sure your security system includes liquid assets

This and designing for durability are common themes in the daily stream of enquiries received by the TDCA. In response, the organisation is urging specifiers and users of timber to tighten up on specifications by detailing the durability required in line with relevant standards, particularly for support structures as these can be overlooked.

Broadly speaking you have a choice to design to 15, 30 or 60 year desired service life for external timbers; 15 being the default for decking and 30 years for cladding. The specified service life is achieved through good design detail coupled with selecting materials of the right quality.

Sourcing accredited materials will help in the pursuit of acquiring durable products; DeckMark and CladMark are the quality accreditation schemes operated by TDCA for its members.

TDCA online resources covering this and other subjects are designed to help specifiers, designers and installers alike to design for durability.

There you will find technical help and publications free to download and if you can’t find what you need, you can use the association’s enquiry service.

Eaton’s Security business has announced the introduction of a new water detection solution that can be fully integrated into the company’s market leading Scantronic intruder detection system. A small leak can often remain unnoticed until it is too late and locating the exact source of the leak can be difficult, causing problems such as damp, rotten joists and floorboards, as well as compromising the safe operation of electrical circuits. DET-RWATER sends an alert to a control panel when the presence of water is identified via a series of radio sensors placed in strategic locations within a building. The system is designed to be unobtrusive and the radio transmission means there is no need to run cables.

www.tda.org.uk 01977 558147 info@tdca.org.uk

www.eaton.com 0870 054 5333 securitymarketing@eaton.com

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Product Guide

Prefabricated palace Neil and Stephanie Jackson love their new home, recently built by Baufritz near the banks of the River Thames in Buckinghamshire. Neil and Stephanie wanted a contemporary and sustainable house for their family, and chose Baufritz because of their exceptional design and construction standards. The design team worked through every last detail with them, and Baufritz’s prefabricated timber frame construction method meant that the house was erected within three days, and fully complete soon afterwards. The end result is a unique house that is contemporary, stylish and sustainable, and perfectly suited to the needs of Neil and Stephanie’s family.

www.baufritz-ib.co.uk 01223 235632 enquiries@baufritz-ib.co.uk

Gas fires with tablet app controls

Glazing flexibility The launch of Anglian Home Improvements’ new high-tech triple glazed windows will provide greater choice and flexibility for homebuilders, enabling them to fit triple glazing only where it’s really needed.

Specially designed to be warmer, quieter and safer, Anglian triple glazing is the perfect solution for rooms that need added insulation, such as north-facing rooms that rarely get any sunlight. It has been designed to look the same as Anglian’s double glazed windows, meaning homeowners can now choose to install triple only where they will really benefit from it yet still get perfectly matched windows, retaining the aesthetics and integrity of the home.

Anglian’s triple glazed windows have an extra pane of Low E glass – an invisible metal coating that enables the window system to harvest more free energy from the sun and reflect heat back into the room. The added warmth retained within the property can help to keep energy bills down and reduce the home’s carbon footprint. Meanwhile, the extra pane of glass reduces outside noise and makes the window harder to break, bringing greater security to the home.

As part of the product development process, the company has invested around £1m in a new state-of-the-art production line which has been installed at its factory in Norwich where it manufactures a wide range of home improvement products. The new production line includes a highly sensitive scanner that will detect even the smallest imperfection in the glass, rejecting any glass that isn’t faultless, as well as a pioneering system for filling the glazing units with argon gas using robotic assembly in a compression chamber in order to seal them perfectly.

www.anglianhome.co.uk 0800 500 600 customer.services@angliangroup.com

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DRU Fires is a long established European manufacturer of gas, wood burning and multi-fuel fires that was founded in the Netherlands in 1754. It has subsidiary companies in the UK and Belgium, and exports to many other countries worldwide.

DRU has a reputation as a designer and producer of ultra-contemporary and high technology fireplace products.

It has announced improvements to its popular Metro100XT series of ‘letterbox’ gas fires in time for the autumn 2014 season.

www.drufire.co.uk 0161 793 8700 info@drufire.co.uk

Built for bespoke living Carpenter Oak & Woodland specialises in truly bespoke oak frames; buildings that are as individual as you. For most people, building your own home is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s an opportunity to get exactly what you want from a living space, which is why all of Carpenter Oak & Woodland’s oak framed houses specifically designed to be individual. The company does not work from a set of standard designs; instead it creates unique structures that are built on your ideas, to make sure that your new home is exactly right for you. Be it modern or contemporary, large or small, it is something that’s exactly right.

www.carpenteroakandwoodland.com 01225 743089 info@carpenteroakandwoodland.com

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0845 4811977 eclisse.co.uk

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