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Your Dedicated Home Improvement Magazine
Ireland’s
Spring 2016
home&build €2.95 / £2.50
SELF BUILDERS GUIDE
Only
€2.95
Homes in Donegal, Offaly, Antrim and Dublin DISPLAY UNTIL JULY 7TH
BARN CONVERSION HOME A barn becomes a sanctuary in Co. Antrim
ESSENTIAL INSULATION GUIDE 2016
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Over 10 pages dedicated to insulating your home
9 772009 866017 StripGROHE.pdf
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HOME & BUILD DVD'S see page 28 | DONEGAL HOME see page 34 | DUN LAOGHAIRE PENTHOUSE see page 52 ®
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Wherever you are
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Contents
Letter from the editor
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elcome to our new Spring issue of Home & Build. It’s that time of year when people are getting stuck into their self-build projects. So if your one of the many people across Ireland who has sat down with architects and is now ready to start digging foundations and get building, then we hope you find some inspiration from the homes we have featured in this issue. Every project starts with a blank canvas and it’s from magazines like ours and others, friends homes and driving around on daily errands that one gets inspired. We wish you luck with your project and if you think it will inspire others then don’t hesitate to give us a call when your build is complete. Steven Moon of McGarry-Moon Architects in County Kerry and his practice partner Jessica McGarry couldn’t wait to get renovating what was once a stone agricultural barn. That barn is now a beautiful home on our cover and I’m sure you’ll agree it shows what you can do with the right advice and foresight from experienced professionals. This unassuming residence is a responsive configuration of skilfully contained views from the interior and the manipulation of natural light combined with fluid and informal spaces. You can skip to page 10 to read about this new build project. With many people recognising the benefits of insulation and the grants currently available we decided to speak with a variety of insulation specialists from around the country for our essential insulation guide. These companies know all about insulation and have years of experience regarding the pros and cons of different types and ultimately what’s best for your property. We have included some information regarding grants and would advise readers to visit the relevant websites. We also have properties from across Ireland featured such as a beautiful home in Donegal overlooking the hills of Muckish, a plush penthouse apartment in the suburban seaside town of Dun Laoghaire and a run down cottage in Daingean, County Offaly that was transformed into a dream home. With Spring upon us we have one of Ireland’s leading garden designers Leonie Cornelius offering her hints and tips for the Garden you always wanted. Finally, in this issue we also take a look at the new Volvo XC90 R-Design in our motoring section, a host of new and handy gadgets in our New Gear section along with other relevant articles for your new build or renovation project. Enjoy this issue and don’t forget to pick up our next edition out in early July and available in all good newsagents.
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Until the next issue, Home and Build Team
Sales & Marketing Director: Anthony Kelly Production Manager: Keith Wealleans Graphic Designer: Colin Brennan Editorial Assistant: Emer Kelly Design & Layout: cleardesigns.ie
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For all advertising and marketing queries, contact Anthony on ph: +353 1 458 7672 or email: info@homeandbuild.ie Home and Build Magazine Ltd Ph: +353 1 458 7672 Email: info@homeandbuild.ie Address: The Loft, Main Street, Newcastle, Co Dublin © Home and Build Magazine Ltd 2016 ISSN: 2009-8669
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Contents
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NEWS 4 Latest news from the self building and home sector in Ireland COVER STORY 10 Amazing Barn Conversion in County Antrim INSULATION SPECIAL 15 In depth guide to insulating your home GROHE RED 30 The innovative GROHE Red with 5 stage filtration system NEW GEAR 32 The latest work tools and gadgets BREATHTAKING DONEGAL HOME 34 Overlooking the hills of Muckish in Donegal
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CAR REVIEW 38 We preview the all new Volvo XC90 R-Design NEW DRU MAESTRO 40 LUXURY GAS FIRES Featuring beautiful flames, high efficiency and smartphone controls
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TRANSFORMING A SPACE OF ANY SIZE 44 Making use of valuable space within the home STYLISH ELECTRIC STOVES FROM DIMPLEX 48 Over 60 years at the forefront of product development SMITH’S SPACE SAVER 50 New version of Smith’s Space Saver gives you extra space ‘CLARINDA’ DUN LAOIGHAIRE PENTHOUSE APARTMENT 52 It’s tough at the top... RUN DOWN COTTAGE BECOMES A DREAM HOME 58 Cottage renovations in Co Offaly LESS IS MORE IN YOUR GARDEN 64 Leonie Cornelius, hints and tips for the Garden TOP TIPS FOR FITTING INTERNAL SLIDING DOORS 74 Popular choice over a traditional hung door INTERNATIONAL HOME 78 Extreme Concrete Crossed House in Murcia
WEBSITE www.homeandbuild.ie for further information
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News
NEWS
Kingspan Insulation Reports Further Sustainable Success
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ingspan Insulation has published its latest Sustainability & Responsibility Report, highlighting a year of continued growth and sustainable development. To ensure transparency, this report has once again been conducted under the rigorous requirements of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Framework Level B+ and is backed with external assurances. The report highlights the continued work towards Net Zero Energy across all Kingspan Insulation sites. A range of energy saving measures have been implemented at the firm’s manufacturing facility in Pembridge, Herefordshire, and two new anaerobic digesters are now providing heat and power to the site. Kingspan Insulation is firmly committed to maintaining the highest standards in responsible sourcing. All Kooltherm, KoolDuct and Therma insulation products and cavity closers manufactured at its sites in Selby and Pembridge are now certified as ‘Excellent’ under the BES 6001: Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products standard. The report also provides an overview of the latest product developments, with the Kingspan OPTIM-R vacuum insulation panel moving into full scale production. The panels provide an optimum level of thermal efficiency, with
a minimal product thickness, and a number of new system applications have been brought to market, including the popular Kingspan OPTIM-R Balcony and Terrace System. A 172 mm thickness of Kingspan TEK panel has also been introduced. The new panels allow U-values of 0.16 W/m2.K, or better, to be achieved in both Kingspan TEK Building System and Kingspan TEK Cladding Panel applications, without the need for additional insulation. The report forms a key part of Kingspan Insulation’s programme of continued development, setting clear targets for the firm to meet in a number Lift and slide balcony door of areas over the coming years.
MB-77HS
Ultimate Door and Window Solutions Opens New Dublin Showroom
The MB-77HS “Lift & Slide” door product is an ideal solution for connecting interior space rooms or conservatories with the outside balcony, terrace or garden area. Providing both a smooth & silent slide action operation, it can bring the benefits of a beautiful day outside, into the living space. in addition, & by way of its design & operation, the MB-77HS is a great space saving opening & does not encroach the free space beyond the internal or external confines of the frame, without any compromise. Providing excellent weather tightness together with enhanced thermal performance, the MB-77HS complies with all of the requirements associated with this product type.
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eading Irish low energy window supplier Ultimate Door and Window Solutions opened its new extended Dublin showroom to the public in February. The showroom, behind the Red Cow Hotel in Ballymount, is 50% bigger than before and will showcase the company’s new EKO ONKNA range of Polish-manufactured low energy windows and doors. This new budget-friendly range features all aluminium, aluminium-PVC, and all PVC triple-glazed windows, and according to Ultimate Door and Window solutions, it can deliver passive-level performance at much more affordable prices than many passive certified units. “The really exciting thing about it for architects and for those who are architecturally led is that they do an all aluminium profile,” said Paul of Ultimate Door and Window Solutions. This extruded aluminium system can reach overall U-values of 0.57, Paul said, explaining that it’s the first aluminium window system to employ silica aerogel as a thermal break. “You can have quite large areas of glazing with it because it’s all metal,” he said. “Architects are really going to love it, it’s very contemporary looking.” “This new system also includes a very good aluminium front door in a number of contemporary styles which are cost effective,” he said. Ultimate Door and Window Solutions new showroom also features the
Available in two different options, with regard to the level of thermal performance,
• brings the outdoors inside
the MB-77HS is further categorised as “ST” and “Hi,” standard or highly insulated.
The design & arrangement of the system profiles enable luxurious openings of large company’s range of passive house certified windows and doors from leading dimensions, accommodating double & even triple glass unit compositions, which in conjunction the constituent parts technical solutions, help achieve Austrian manufacturer Internorm. Thewith showroom will& innovative be open from 9am • excellent weather performance a high level of thermal & acoustic performance. to 5pm from Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm on Saturdays. For more information, see www.ultimatejoinery.ie
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News
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Irish Period Houses – A Conservation Guidance Manual
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ublin Civic Trust is pleased to announce the launch of its flagship new publication Irish Period Houses – A Conservation Guidance Manual. The book is a complete revision of the previous edition of the book Period Houses, printed in 2001, which was a pioneering manual for best practice repair and maintenance of period houses in Dublin. The new edition, undertaken by the same author, chartered conservation surveyor Frank Keohane, greatly widens the scope of the manual with a comprehensive array of new topics now covering all of Ireland. Period houses comprise a distinctive part of Ireland’s architectural heritage. They require a careful approach to repair and maintenance to ensure that their unique character is preserved. Irish Period Houses provides invaluable information for the homeowner and building professional into the design of traditional houses, their construction materials and decorative elements, and expert guidance on how they can be repaired and enhanced with best conservation practice. It is the definitive reference guide for custodians of most period buildings in Ireland and for anyone considering taking on a building conservation project. The book is arranged into 25 easily navigated chapters, with subjects ranging from traditional walls and roofs, windows, internal joinery, damp, timber decay, decorative finishes and energy efficiency. A unique feature is the array of specifications from historic builder’s manuals and architects’ records which provide an invaluable insight into how Ireland’s buildings were originally assembled. Over 1000 colour illustrations and diagrams provide useful instruction on typical features and materials used in Irish traditional buildings, problems commonly encountered, and best practice solutions for conservation, repair, and replacement of elements where necessary. Unlike other guidance books that specialise in specific areas of construction or conservation, Irish Period Houses provides an holistic approach for the owner/occupier or building professional – ensuring that the right works are carried out at the right time, that the correct materials are sourced, and that all factors are considered when undertaking repair or refurbishment works. In the book, Frank Keohane distils experience from working on hundreds of historic buildings of all types and periods across Ireland. Many of the country’s leading building conservation contractors have also contributed to the rich array of instructive images and case studies featured, from farmhouses to stately homes, from cottages to suburban terraced houses. For anyone who owns, manages or occupies a traditional building in Ireland, or who is thinking of taking on a building conservation project, this is the must-have, definitive reference guide to the subject. Irish Period Houses is available to buy directly from Dublin Civic Trust through
its online store at www.dublincivictrust.ie priced €45 (€54 with package and postage). Bookshop sellers include: Eason nationwide Hodges Figgis, Dawson Street, Dublin 2 Dubray Books, across Dublin Irish Georgian Society, City Assembly House, South William Street, Dublin 2 Chapters Bookshop, Parnell Street, Dublin 1
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News
Velux Hits The Road With UK & Ireland Tour
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eading roof window manufacturer, the Velux Group, is on the road for the next four months to unveil its new white-painted roof window range to customers. The Velux 2016 Tour will visit 250 venues across the UK and Ireland from 1st March until the end of July to give installers and suppliers a first look at the new white-painted roof window range, developed to meet demand for a contemporary alternative to traditional pine. All installers who attend the event will have the chance to win over €95,000 of rewards and exclusive prizes on the day including a brand new Opel Vivaro van worth over €25,000, Makita Drill Sets and white iPad minis. Everyone who pre-registers at www.velux.ie/2016tour and attends an event will receive an instant win scratch card with a guaranteed Velux Reward worth between €7 and €65. Attendees will also be able to take a virtual tour of the Velux factory. For every Velux white-painted roof window bought in April and May, customers will receive €30 worth of reward vouchers, redeemable at M&S, Argos, Pizza Express, Thomas Cook and Ticketmaster. Ashley Nelson at Velux® said: “We’re launching our new white-painted roof window range over the coming months and want to give our suppliers and installers a first look at the new products. “Our team will be touring the length and breadth of the UK and Ireland over the next few months to show our customers how the new white-painted range will work for them. Customers should register on our website to let us know they’re coming and be there on the day for a chance to win a range of fantastic prizes.” The new white-painted roof window range from Velux will be available nationwide from April, and will become the standard roof window product in the market. Each component of every white-painted roof window is painted before assembly for a flawless low-maintenance finish and outstanding durability. Offering a contemporary white finish, Velux white-painted roof windows are treated with a high quality, water-based breathable paint and are UV resistant to preserve their bright, white look. To find your nearest event or to pre-register attendance visit www.velux. ie/2016tour Home & Build Spring 2016
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News
House prices up 2.1% nationally in first quarter 2016
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ublin house price increases are likely to lag those in the rest of the country in 2016 due to “affordability constraints”, according to the latest report by MyHome.ie and stockbroking firm Davy. The property website report found “renewed price momentum” in the first three months of the year, with asking prices for newly listed properties rising 2.1 per cent nationally and by 0.9 per cent in Dublin. However, MyHome.ie, which is owned by The Irish Times Limited, and Davy warned of low housing stocks and a future marked by “depressed” levels of homebuilding activity, with construction targets set by the last government likely to be missed. The upward nudge in prices in the first quarter of 2016 follows a spell of decline towards the end of last year. In Dublin, prices declined marginally in both the third and fourth quarter of 2015. The national mix-adjusted asking price for properties is now €208,000, while in Dublin, the corresponding figure is €290,000. Residential property transactions grew by almost 15 per cent in value terms to €10.7 billion in 2015, up from €9.3 billion in 2014 and €6 billion in 2013, according to the report’s analysis of the Property Price Register.
Bamboo.ie
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amboo Suppliers of Ireland, located in Peamount, Co. Dublin, offer a variety of bamboo poles and screens to refresh and enhance your surroundings. From projects in the home, office, retail window displays and restaurant to landscaping, building or interior design projects, Bamboo Suppliers of Ireland can cater to your requirements. Bamboo Suppliers of Ireland are the largest suppliers of raw bamboo pole in Ireland, with an unparalleled range of bamboo products. They specialise in supplying bamboo poles and bespoke bamboo products and have quickly gained a reputation for the quality and beauty of their workmanship. Fencing, cladding, gazebos, huts, trellises, arches, miniature bridges and water features, all created from a selection of highest quality grades of bamboo, are the basis of their landscaping/ exterior product range. Bespoke furniture and finely crafted indoor products complement the exterior with much more on offer. See www.bamboo.ie for full products range Contact Martin McNulty on 01-6281682 / 087-2617214 or email info@bamboo.ie
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TapcoSlate
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TAPCOSLATE –
SLATE, BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT!
TapcoSlate has recently achieved BBA accreditation for usage on roof pitches as low as 14.5 degrees on felt and batten installations.
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www.tapcoroofingproducts.com international@tapcoint.com Tel: 0044-1482 880478
slate, but not as you know it!
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minimum pitch capability of 14° and upwards lightweight & easy to cut NOW BBA RATED minimal waste & faster installation ON FELT & BATTEN ROOF PITCHES OF largest industry colour choice 14.5° 40-year warranty
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Roofing slate has for centuries been desired for its durability and aesthetic appeal, but it does have drawbacks with its weight, pitch restrictions and brittleness. British Board of Agrément (BBA) certified TapcoSlate combines all the positive features of this beautiful, natural product, but adds practicality and enhanced performance to create a beautiful roof that won’t break or delaminate, survives substantial impact, is very light in weight and can be used on lower pitches than those achievable with natural slate.
BBA
712 Ch estnut B ro
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Lightweight – as low as 12kg per square metre. Can be used on roof pitches as low as 14 degrees. Authentic slate appearance – combines the beauty of slate with modern technology. Easy to install with pre-marked nailing and exposure guides and spacers. Easily cut with a fine-toothed saw or sharp utility blade. No breakages – TapcoSlate will not crack, split or break when cut, dropped, or walked upon. No need to build in a wastage factor. Random edges and patterns with constant colour throughout. Built-in camber for tighter fit when fixed in situ. No sorting, clipping, or drilling prior to roof loading. Packaged in bndles of 25 for easy handling. 40-year warranty. Fully tested to BBA standards, including fire rating, wind, driven snow & rain, and water absorption. Overall installation costs are extremely competitive. TapcoSlate can be laid much faster than natural slate. home&build_jan_2016_half-page.pdf 22/01/2016 TapcoSlate is not made from recycled1plastics but is 10:55 manufactured
from recyclable virgin limestone and polypropylene. Tapco Roofing Accessories Tapco roofing products conform to the latest BS5534 guidelines for total dry-fix installations. Accessories for the roofing system include: Mechanically fixed Tapco Ridge & Hip Caps. Universal fitment for pitches from 14 to 55 degrees. The RidgeMaster® Plus and HipMaster roof ventilating systems complement TapcoSlate for pitches from 14 to 45 degrees. Patented internal baffles exclude windblown snow and rain while internal filters block out insects, leaves and other debris. Slate Vents – Cowl Vent, suitable for all pitches, cambered profile for tighter fit, aesthetically pleasing, easy installation (no clips), robust (no breakage), driving rain resistant, with 10k airflow. A low-line vent product is currently in development for pitches of 25 degrees and upwards. An R type adaptor is available for connecting pipework. Slate Dry Verge System, designed for use with most natural and manmade slates up to a maximum 6mm thickness. Available in 2 metre lengths and manufactured from high impact UPVC, black in colour.
k Red
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reviously, fully-boarded applications were required to achieve pitches below 22.5 degrees. This increases the potential to use slate on hitherto unconsidered projects. Benefits of TapcoSlate are:
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Cover Story
“We had done a few projects for the client before they asked us to restore the barn.� Home & Build Spring 2016
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Cover Story
IN COUNTY ANTRIM
A barn becomes a sanctuary...
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hen Steven Moon of McGarry-Moon Architects in County Kerry and his practice partner Jessica McGarry were approached by clients they had previously worked for in 2009 about the possibility of getting planning for the existing stone barn, they couldn’t wait to get stuck into renovating what once was a stone agricultural barn that was being used for storage into a family home with the overall project costing approximately €256,999. “We had done a few projects for the client before they asked us to restore the barn which was on the site that they had bought and they
Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Adam Currie
BARN CONVERSION
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wanted to market it for sale,’’ explained Steven Moon who designed the home with Ms McGarry. “Meanwhile they intended to build themselves a separate property on the same land. Once they saw the plans for the dwelling we would make of the barn, however they changed their minds and decided to move into it themselves with the client being Antrim-based property developer Loft Estates. They weren’t very specific with the brief they gave us, just that we should make a house out of it. They understood that it wouldn’t be very big as you can only do so much to a vernacular building without planning becoming a problem.
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Cover Story
“The barn was an existing stone agricultural barn that was in relatively good condition apart from having no foundation,’’ explained Steven Moon. “The building was still being used for agricultural storage before we spent 12 months working on site at the conversion.’’ This unassuming residence is a responsive configuration of skilfully contained views from the interior, the manipulation of natural light combined with fluid and informal spaces allowing us to create architecture that has some dramatic moments but does not overly dominate the character of the existing stone barn. The house is surprising which engages people and allows the dwelling a unique character without having to resort to reproducing a replica of the past,’’ added Mr Moon. The original two-storey building which dates back to the 1900’s measured 34 foot by 22 foot but McGarry-Moon’s clever design managed to carve a dainty but sufficient 1,200 square foot living space from this impression. “The original stone structure, the splendid views of ‘Slemish’ and the desire for comfortable understated interiors were the principles that focused us as architects. The preservation and consolidation of the stone structure was fundamental in achieving an architecture where the old and new complemented each other. Thus the residence was designed by fusing new technologies with older building techniques whilst incorporating sustainability ideals in order to create a rural architecture for the 21st century rather than simply remodelling or recreating the methods and manners of the past. “Approached from the north west this 110m2 dwelling has a restrained appearance, with a smooth texture of copper, contrasts and interacts with the warmth of the existing stone walls. The dwelling retains the integrity of the existing barn whilst hinting to the dynamic design within. The new building uses the foundations and outer walls of the old barn, but new metal framework is inserted in the interior to create the upper ground floor. All original openings are used without alteration in the lower ground floor,’’ explained Steven. “The living space cantilevers out of the existing stone barn and has an
altogether different, all be it rural architectural language,’’ he added. A century ago, Loughloughan Barn was a rubble farm building constructed with a side entrance, a half floor at upper level and 18in thick walls. These barns were never looked upon as architecturally important, yet today barns are referred as heritage structures and in the right hands, architecture is developed for conversion. This barn is such a prosperous example of one such heritage restoration that in 2015 it was long-listed for the Royal Institute of British Architects’ prestigious Manser Medal. “The layout is upside down with two out of the three bedrooms accommodated on the ground floor and the nonchalant living/kitchen space and main bedroom upstairs making the most of the views over the Braid Valley,’’ enthused Mr Moon. “The barn is set into a steep slope with an internal ground level to match so that the structure ‘falls’ from its north gable to its south. Immense under pinning was needed but the challenge didn’t stop there as the walls of the barn were attracted by gravity after a century spent held together by its roof, wanted to fall outwards and inwards once the roof was removed. “We had to rebuild parts of the stone in bits and pieces to prevent this from happening. In addition, the complete end gable had to be removed as it had a threatening structural crack which actually helped with the design as it is where I decided to position the cantilevered end of the new part of the structure,’’ he explained. The walls of the old barn were retained to the first-floor level above which the new structure was placed. The old walls have not been oppressed with the weight of the new addition as a steel frame was filled into the centre of the building, inserted within the walls; rather than on top of them with new foundations formed and are strong enough to effortlessly carry the upper level. The upper section contains the kitchen, living area and a master bedroom suite is a lighter weight timber-frame structure but its heavier zinc cladding and glazing are hanging from the steel to minimise load bearing. The zinc
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Cover Story
used on the roof and for partial cladding is South American which weathers to a patchy grey, lead-like finish with a part of the elevation clad in stained agba which is a tropical hardwood similar to iroko but it is slightly paler. The repairing of the original stonework was done by local tradesmen as it would have been the first time around. “We applied the traditional lime mortar because if you can put back the original you should as it also gives the best finish and really brightens it (the space) up,’’ said Steven Moon. “The original lime mortar had weathered away so it was relatively simple to put it back. You see some heritage buildings repointed with sand cement
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and when you try to redo it, it is extremely difficult as it’s so damaging to the building,’’ he explained. The main entrance to the house is at its centre, half a flight of stairs up with stairs leading down to the bedrooms and up a half-storey to the main living space. Triple glazing enhances the building which is partially heated by solar gain as the bulk of the glazing faces south. The eastern side of the barn remains solid, rigged out almost entirely in zinc to safeguard privacy as the conversion of further opposite vernacular buildings on the site is planned. The building has also been fitted with a heat-recovery ventilation system
“The house is surprising which engages people and allows the dwelling a unique character.” Spring 2016 Home & Build
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Cover Story
and there is also electric underfloor heating in the bathrooms. There are no radiators and the only clear heat source is the three-sided inset flame effect gas stove. The interior of the house is crisp white and it feels fresh with architectural elements seen in the railings of the staircase leading to the upper level. “This is one of our smallest houses but it’s a successful one for its meeting
of old and new. There’s something about the contemporary contrasting effect with old stone that seems to be attractive to everyone,’’ added Mr Moon. “A barn is a sanctuary in an unsettled world, a sheltered place where life’s true priorities are clear when you take a step back - it’s about love, life and learning’’ and we’re sure this is exactly what a run-down barn in recent years has become!
“The building has also been fitted with a heat-recovery ventilation system.” Home & Build Spring 2016
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INSULATION FEATURE SPECIAL
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Insulation Special
WHY INSULATING YOUR HOME SHOULD BE TOP OF YOUR LIST Home insulation is the most practical and cost effective way to make a house more energy efficient
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nsulation is potentially the most important feature that contributes to the home owner’s home’s complete energy efficiency and general comfort. Without proper insulation your house will need larger, more expensive heating and cooling devices which will need to work harder as well as consuming more electricity, gas or oil and increasing the home owner’s heating bills. Ideally, insulation surrounds the living area of your home forming a barrier between the living area and outdoor temperature extremes. In the energy efficiency field this is often referred to as the ‘building
envelope’. “When choosing insulation there are a wide variety of options to consider with regards to material, cost-effectiveness, thermal performance, sustainability and available thickness. At Kingspan Insulation we manufacture six types of insulation for a wide spectrum of applications,’’ said Tara McDonnell, Marketing Executive at Kingspan. The types of insulation stocked in Kingspan are Optim-R- Vacuum insulated panel, Kooltherm-Rigid phenolic insulation, ThermaPolyiosocyanurate insulation, Styrozone- Extruded polystyrene,
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Insulation Special
17 Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Webpress
Aeroboard-Expanded polystyrene and Ecobead-Expanded polystyrene beads. “Depending on the level of insulation already in your home, or if you are building a new build there are a number of insulation options,’’ added Ms McDonnell. External insulation such as Kingspan Kooltherm K5 can be used on existing homes with a solid wall or cavity wall build up. This type of insulation is fitted to the outside of the property and the waterproof render that is applied over the insulation providing a fresh appearance to your home. “For a new build, Kingspan Kooltherm K8 partial fill cavity wall insulation offers the optimum performance which eliminates the risk of moisture penetration by maintaining a clear cavity. Kooltherm K8 is easy to install and is normally held in position with cavity wall ties,’’ explained Tara. Cavity wall insulation such as Kingspan Ecobead can be pumped into the cavity gap in the block between the inner and outer leaf. This process is quick, simple and it does not disturb you or your family in the house. Kingspan Ecobead is ideal for renovation or energy upgrade projects on existing homes. Internal wall insulation such as Kingspan Kooltherm K17 or K18 is a great solution for either cavity or solid wall structures. Kooltherm K17 and K18 are insulated plasterboard’s that can be fixed to battens or directly to your internal walls. Once these are installed, you will notice a difference in the comfort levels of your home. These products are very versatile and they can also be used to line the ceiling of the attic. Kooltherm K7 is a very versatile product in that it can be used for pitched roofs at both the rafter and at the ceiling level between and over the joists. It is very easy to use and install. It can also be easily cut to fit between joists or rafters. Kingspan Kooltherm K3 floorboard is a premium performance rigid thermoset phenolic insulation board for use with solid concrete and
suspended ground floors which can be placed directly onto the concrete floor. “Kingspan Insulation are always looking for ways to make our customers lives that bit easier and with that in mind, we decided to create www. kingspanstore.com, which is the easiest way to order insulation online,’’ said Ms McDonnell. “There are a number of other home insulation options such as spray foam insulation,’’ added Tara. “The main benefits of E:500 Open Cell spray foam insulation is that we have had it tested and agreement certified by NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) and it is CE Marked suitable for use in domestic and commercial buildings in Europe,’’ said Managing Director of CPI Foam, Feargal Driver. “Before it is applied we install a breathable ventilation card. This is to ensure that the foam is not in contact with the roofing felt and the air space that is created allows the timbers to breathe naturally.
“Kooltherm K7 is a very versatile product in that it can be used for pitched roofs at both the rafter and at the ceiling level.” Spring 2016 Home & Build
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Insulation Special
“There is a misconception out there amongst the public that it is acceptable to spray direct to the felt and this is not the case. The building regulations state that an air space must be provided between the insulation and the roofing membrane, no exceptions,’’ added Mr Driver. “The benefits of this product are as follows; it is an airtight product, it is a water blown formula, there are no VOC’s, CFC’s, HcFc’s or Urea Formaldehyde, it is fully certified, it is the best product to achieve a better air tightness result. The product is also made in Germany to IS0 9001 standards,’’ he added. “There are so many options for homeowners to choose from, said Managing Director of Energy Efficient Homes, David Walsh. “We install and help design wall and roof insulation systems. Normally spray foam cavity wall cellulose, rock wool prime external wall insulation systems that will achieve the best thermal & airtightness values combined leaving the home owner with guaranteed performance. We keep coming across homeowners achieving great U values on paper and bad airtightness results on site. There airtightness results are rendering the insulation
systems inefficient to a very large degree. “When you are familiar with all the options and understand how they perform together you will build it perfectly from the outset and save money. When you are unsure you normally build in an extra measure or get a measure wrong which costs,’’ added Mr Walsh. “We can reduce the carbon footprint of your house,’’ said Director of Complete Insulations, Tom Farrell. “There is also an SEAI grant out there for insulating homes that we can apply for on behalf of the home owner,’’ added Mr Farrell. SEAI offer grants for a number of Retrofit Measures for houses built prior to 2006. The SEAI Grants allow homeowners to upgrade their homes with energy efficiency measures, thus reducing energy use, costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Measures include: Attic insulation, External, Cavity and Internal Wall Insulation, Solar Panels, and Boiler and Heating Control Upgrades. You can find more information at: http://www.seai.ie/Grants/Better_Energy_Homes/
“When choosing insulation there are a wide variety of options to consider.” Home & Build Spring 2016
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Insulation Special
HINTS, TIPS AND EVERYTHING ELSE
IN BETWEEN WHEN IT COMES TO INSULATION Insulation plays an integral role in keeping homes warm during the winter and cool throughout the summer.
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“It is recommended that the home owner hires an insulation specialist or contractor.”
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hilst it normally remains out of the spotlight, insulation is crucial to keeping utility bills low as well as maximizing comfort in the home. Homeowners have many options when it comes to selecting insulation for the home including fiberglass, spray foam and environmentally friendly materials. The most popular types of insulation are fiberglass insulation, spray foam insulation, cellulose insulation and mineral wool insulation.
is made from fiberglass, which is available as either batts or loose fill. The material is relatively inexpensive when compared with alternative materials and is also easier to install. This type of insulation is non-flammable and highly resistant to moisture damage and although this type of insulation has many perks, fiberglass insulation is made from fibers that can irritate your lungs and skin, so it’s important for homeowners to stay away from the home during installation. The installation process involves fitting the insulation between studs, joists, and beams.
Fiberglass insulation Fiberglass insulation is non-flammable and highly resistant to moisture damage which adds to its appeal for many homeowners. Most insulation
Spray foam insulation Spray foam insulation is mostly effectively applied to enclosed existing walls, open new wall cavities and unfinished attic floors. This type of
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EnergyEfficientHomes2.pdf
1
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(1890) 90 90 22 WANT A PRICE OR TO ARRANGE A CONSULTATION?
INSULATION & AIR TIGHTNESS
GET AN INSULATION QUOTE
Spray Foam Insulation | Cellulose Insulation | Silver Graphite Beads | Slow Pour Spray Foam | SIGA Tapes | Rockwool Prime
85% OF HOMES INSULATED USING INFERIOR METHODS & MATERIALS TO GET THE BEST ADVICE AND PRICE CALL DAVE DIRECTLY ON 087 975 0914 Roof Rafters
Spray Foam Insulation system is best for thermal and airtigtness performance
Roof & Floor Joists
Cellulose insulation for thermal & sound performance
Cavity Walls
Slow pour Spray Foam for a 100% Seal or Silver Graphite Beads for Value
Walls & Ceilings
A sealed thermally lined plasterboard system will improve airtightness
Air Tightness Test
Pre-test after all first fixing and insulation installation. Digital test upon completion
BEST ADVICE AND PRICE
Call the office (1890) 90 90 22 or Dave directly (087) 9750914 Address: Unit 1, Block 2, Drogheda Industrial Park, Co. Louth Crescent Building, Northwood Business Park, Santry, Dublin 9
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Insulation Special
Spray foam insulation insulation is usually applied by using spray containers, it can also be applied in larger quantities as a pressure sprayed, foamed in-place product. One of most notable advantages of spray foam insulation is that it’s best-suited for adding insulation to finished areas, abnormally shaped areas, and for working around obstructions. Cellulose insulation Cellulose insulation is an environmentally friendly choice for the home owners home. Cellulose is an organic, loose-fill material that is made from recycled paper. This type of insulation is usually treated with chemicals to ensure better resistance against moisture and pests. Moisture absorption can often weigh cellulose down, causing it to become compacted and reduce its insulating ability which is why it should be replaced every five years to ensure maximum efficiency. Cellulose insulation is installed by either blowing the material into place or by pouring it in to the desired location. This choice is also suitable for filling irregularly-shaped areas and working around obstructions. Mineral wool insulation or Rock wool insulation This type of insulation is comparable to fiberglass and it is also known as rock wool insulation. Despite their similarities, mineral wool is more expensive and can often be more difficult to find compared to fiberglass, however mineral wool doesn’t have the same irritating reaction that fiberglass does.
Cellulose Insulation
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Insulation Special
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This type of insulation can be blown into the desired area or poured out of bags. This insulation can withstand much higher temperatures than other forms of insulation. Mineral wool comes in loose fill that can either be blown into the desired area or poured out of bags. Whilst it is recommended that the home owner hires an insulation specialist or contractor, in some instances the home owner may prefer to insulate their house themselves so if you are thinking of doing a DIY insulation project, here are a few tips as to how to go about it! 1. Choose the right type of insulation: as insulation technology is always advancing there are numerous choices to be made. When it comes to popular types of insulation, there is fiberglass, blown-in cellulose and spray foam but certain types of insulation are more suited to different areas of the home. 2. Learn insulation safety precautions: Protective eye gear should be worn when working with fiberglass insulation as it contains recycled glass and metal particles. If these particles end up in your eyes, blindness could occur. Additionally, if you inhale the fumes that this type of insulation emits it can harm your lungs. 3. Don’t remove the insulation vapour barrier: removing the backing from fiberglass insulation is a serious mistake as the backing is known as the vapour barrier which is there to route moisture throughout your home. This insulation must be installed with the backing facing the inside of your home to prevent mould and rot from occurring. 4. Be aware of fire hazards when installing insulation: a reputable professional who knows how to install insulation is aware of fire hazards that is associated with improper installation. Threats include insulation in the attic being placed directly on recessed lighting fixtures or too close to water heaters. 5. Don’t ignore gaps: if there are gaps in the insulation installation, then moisture can penetrate the area compromising the insulation’s ability
Mineral wool insulation or Rock wool insulation
6.
to work properly. Too much insulation: Insulation controls your home’s air temperature by trapping air in the house instead of allowing it to pass through the walls and filter outdoors. If your home insulation is packed too tightly, the quantity of air that can be trapped is lessened and the insulation cannot work properly.
If you don’t want to go down the DIY insulation route, you will be trying to figure out who the best contractor is so you must make sure that: 1. the contractor you are hiring has a current license to perform work and is insured to proper regulations. 2. remember to choose a contractor who has been in business for a number of years as experience is unbeatable. 3. you must check their certification. 4. it is important that your chosen insulation contractor has more than one truck on the road especially if you are installing spray foam insulation. If there is an equipment breakdown on site, the contractor
Spreadwell Boskill Caherconlish Co. Limerick
External Wall Insulation Spreadwell are one of Ireland’s leading construction contractors specialising in the area of Sustainable Development and Energy Efficiency. Spreadwell are one of the largest installers of SEAI grant aided insulation works.
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
Spreadwell have an enviable record in the construction sector working with Irelands leading main contractors. Spreadwell are an Irish company who are proud to supports local business. We are committed to sourcing our materials from Irish suppliers and helping to keep jobs in Ireland.
Insulation Work
Construction
Plastering, Partitions, Ceilings
Spreadwell, Boskill, Caherconlish, Co. Limerick
Tel. 061 450 605
Save Money On Your Heating Bills Now! Mob. 087 267 7915
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Insulation Special
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“The Better Energy Homes Scheme provides grants to homeowners.” 5.
that has a multi-vehicle operation can send a new rig to the job at hand immediately. look for insulation contractors who maintain an online presence and read through their testimonials.
Last December, it was announced €20 million in grant offer schemes for local communities under the 2016 Better Energy Communities Scheme. The scheme, which is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), has supported 260 community energy efficiency projects over the last four years. As a result over 12,000 homes, community, private and public buildings have received energy efficiency upgrades, supporting several hundred jobs each. The Better Energy Homes Scheme provides grants to homeowners to improve energy efficiency in their homes. Landlords and owners of more than one property can also apply for a grant under the scheme. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Grants are available for the following energy-saving work: roof insulation, wall insulation (for example, cavity wall, internal dry lining or external insulation), heating controls upgrade, installation of a high-efficiency boiler (more than 90% efficiency) including a heating controls upgrade, solar heating and a Building Energy Rating (BER) after the energy saving work is carried out. You must get this BER to qualify for the grant.
You must have grant approval before you buy materials or start any grant funded energy-saving work. If you have already started insulation work, you will not be eligible for a grant. The grant approval remains valid for six months after the date is issued. A before BER can be done ahead of grant approval and it could prove useful if you are uncertain about your energy saving options or what to get done first. To qualify for a grant you must: 1. Be the owner of a dwelling built before 2006 2. Use a contractor from SEAI’s registered list 3. Use newly fitted materials and products 4. Have work done that complies with the required standards 5. Have a BER carried out after the works are done Use a BER assessor from SEAI’s National Register 1. You may not get a grant if: 2. You are replacing your existing boiler with a typical efficiency boiler of less than 90% efficiency 3. You replace your boiler but do not replace the heating controls 4. The measures do not comply with the required standards 5. The relevant measure (the work on your home) was already incentivised under another grant programme
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CPI SPRAY FOAM INSULATION
ELIMINATE AIR LEAKAGES When E:Zero E500 spray foam insulation is sprayed in place it expands by 100 times it’s volume and completely fills all cavities and voids creating an airtight sealed building envelope which eliminates air leakage and air infiltration.
UNIT 2 CHARVEY LANE RATHNEW CO. WICKLOW A67 XW92
INDOOR AIR QUALITY Our E:Zero E500 Open cell is water blown so the indoor air quality is enhanced. There is no fiberglass fibres floating around in your home. Our product is fluffy and soft to touch and is totally inert and does not degrade over time and will never need replacing.
BREATHABLE TIMBER
ENERGY EFFICIENCY Now more importantly than ever homeowners are very aware of the importance of reducing energy bills. When you have your home insulated with the most certified and “tested for use in Ireland” NSAI Certified E:Zero E500 open cell spray foam insulation this is achieved naturally with minimum disruption normally in 1 day.
We at CPI FOAM LTD have developed a breathable vent card that fits between the roof felt and the spray foam. This ensures that the 50mm air gap as per building regulations are met as per National Standards authority of Ireland NSAI.
FREE QUOTE CALL (0404) 66111 www.cpifoam.ie Spring 2016 Home & Build
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Insulation Special
Measure
Planning permission In general, you will not need planning permission for the measures that are grant-aided under this scheme, though you may require it for external wall insulation. This will depend on matters such as whether the insulation will affect the external appearance of the building or whether the building is a protected structure. Contact your local authority to check if you need planning permission. Grants are paid after the work is completed and you have paid your contractor. The following table shows the maximum levels of grant and the bonuses payable for extra measures.
Maximum value
Attic insulation
€300
Cavity wall insulation
€300
Wall insulation internal dry lining • Apartment (any) or mid-terrace house • Semi-detached or end of terrace house • Detached house Wall insulation - external • Apartment (any) or mid-terrace house • Semi-detached or end of terrace house • Detached house
How to apply You can apply online or else download an application form. Online applications will get a response within three working days whilst postal applications will get a response within twenty working days. The address to post applications to is: Better Energy Homes Scheme, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, P.O. Box 119, Caherciveen, County Kerry. Alternatively you can phone 1850-927000, email hes@seai.ie or visit www.seai.ie.
€1,200 €1,800 €2,400 €2,250 €3,400 €4,500
High efficiency (more than 90% efficiency) gas or oil fired boiler with heating controls upgrade
€700
Heating controls upgrade
€600
Solar Heating
€1,200
A BER assessment after works are done (maximum of 1 grant payable per home)
€50
Bonus payment after 3rd measure
€300
Bonus payment after 4th measure
€100
Registered with SEAI (No 12529) and all our work is carried out to SEAI standards.
01 895 4908
086 8825719
info@completeinsulations.ie
ONE-STOP-SHOP FOR ALL YOUR HEATING & INSULATION NEEDS
WALL INSULATION
ROOF & ATTIC INSULATION
BOILERS & HEATING
REDUCE HEATING COSTS BY UP TO 40%
IMPROVE YOUR HOME’S BUILDING ENERGY RATING (BER)
CREATE A HEALTHIER LIVING ENVIRONMENT
CAN ELIMINATE CONDENSATION ON WALL SPACE
LOWER YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
CAN BE USED ON EXISTING & NEW HOMES
ADD VALUE TO YOUR HOME
CONTACT US FOR A FREE HOME ENERGY SURVEY
DRY LINING | ATTIC INSULATION | HEATING AND BOILER | CAVITY WALL EXTRACTION | GRANTS APPROVED
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HOME & BUILD DVD’S DVD001
€20
DVD002
Access For Everybody DVD DVD005
€20
Foundations DVD DVD009
Carpentry DVD DVD006
€20
Plumbing & Electrics DVD €20
DVD010
€20
DVD014
€20
Self Build 2 DVD
DVD017
€20
Stone DVD
*All prices exclude P&P €4.95*
€20
DVD007
€20
History Of Buildings DVD DVD011
Renewable & Sustainable Energy DVD
Self Build 1 DVD
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DVD003
Concrete Slab DVD
Health & Safety DVD €20
DVD013
€20
€20
DVD004
Easyscreed & Superquilt Insulation DVD DVD008
DVD012
€20
Wet Trades DVD
€20
€20
Roofing 2 DVD
Stairs & Joinery DVD
DVD018
€20
Materials Technology Wood
Roofing 1 DVD DVD015
€20
DVD016
€20
Stairs Manufacture & Erection DVD
DVD019
€15
Workbook DVD
For more information on each product, visit www.homeandbuild.ie/shop
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Access For Everbody DVD
1
€20
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www.homeandbuild.ie/shop
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For more information on each product, visit www.homeandbuild.ie/shop
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Grohe Red
“This kettle hot water tap features an innovative 5 stage filtration system.”
GROHE RED
The innovative GROHE Red® system keeps up to three litres of filtered kettle hot water ready for immediate use at all times.
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n the past you would have needed a pot or kettle, but now you can have steaming water directly from the tap, delivering instant refreshment on demand. Take a moment to count up just how many times you need kettle hot water in the kitchen. Whether you’re looking forward to a nice cup of tea or coffee, or need to blanch vegetables or boil a pan of pasta for dinner, kettle hot water is a necessity. Now, with GROHE’s Red® tap, you can draw up to three litres of filtered kettle hot water directly from the tap without having to wait. The GROHE Red® is simple to use, eco-friendly and economical, and saves energy compared to boiling a kettle. It also reduces water wastage, as you’ll only use the amount of water you actually need, rather than boiling excess water in a kettle or pan. The tap is WRAS approved for all installations and also comes with a 5 year guarantee for ultimate peace of mind. What is special about GROHE Red®? This kettle hot water tap features an innovative 5 stage filtration system, which is unique in the market, delivering fresh filtered water. The GROHE Red® tap filters out heavy metals such as lead and copper and removes substances which impair the smell and taste, such as chlorine and organic compounds. This means that you’re left with fresh filtered water for that great tasting cup of tea or coffee. GROHE offers an option of a GROHE Red® Mono or Duo model, the latter of which allows
you to replace your existing tap as it incorporates standard mains hot and cold water. The Mono is in addition to your existing kitchen tap, and sits alongside it. Safety is paramount to GROHE, and the GROHE Red®’s stringent safety features include CoolTouch® and ChildLock®. GROHE CoolTouch® eliminates the risk of scalding on hot surfaces by using a clever insulation system, while the ChildLock® handle makes it practically impossible for children to start the flow of hot water from the tap, as a turn and pull action is needed. The GROHE Red® also features GROHE SilkMove® for easy and precise lever control. The GROHE Red® is available in GROHE’s striking and scratch resistant Starlight Chrome and Supersteel finishes, designed to make a statement in your kitchen that will last for years to come. Pick between a rounded or square spout tap to complement your kitchen décor perfectly. Please visit www.grohe.com/uk for more information on the GROHE Red® kettle hot water tap and the full range of GROHE’s products. GROHE will be on stand D15 at the House 2016 exhibition being held in the RDS, Dublin, from 20th to 22nd May 2016. For further information, please contact MT Agencies Ireland Ltd on +353 (0) 1864 3363
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GROHE KITCHEN
GROHE RED® DUO KETTLE HOT WATER IN AN INSTANT
Making tea and coffee
Cooking pasta
Sterilising baby bottles
Features and Benefits • Kettle hot water and mixer tap in one • Filtered water is beneficial for drinking • Childproof - safety lock on the handle • GROHE Cool Touch® - insulated spout, prevents scalding • GROHE SilkMove® - smooth handle operation
GROHE RED® DUO Mixer and boiler 4 litres 30058000
• GROHE StarLight® - stylish chrome finish • Economical - saves water and energy GROHE.COM/UK
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New Gear
NEW GEAR Timex MetroPolitan +
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any activity trackers look like props from futuristic sci-fi films. That’s great if that’s what you’re looking for, but for the guy who’d rather have a good-looking timepiece on his wrist, there’s the Metropolitan+. From one of the most iconic watch brands, Timex, the activity tracker/wristwatch blends technology with classic style. The analog design is complimented by a unique fourth hand, which shows how close you are to completing your daily goal as you wear the watch. That’s right, not only can you see data on the smartphone app (calories burned, activity, and, later this year, sleep metrics), but you can actually see info right on the face. Complete with two interchangeable straps (Black and Orange), an Indiglo night-light feature, and a battery life of 1.5 years, the Metropolitan+ is a good-looking watch and an impressive fitness tracker. The watch is water resistant up to 50 metres, has a 42mm case and is priced affordably. Price range from €140 www.timex.com
Skydome Cabins
S
kydome is a Russian company that firmly believes the house is the most important place in human life because it’s where decisions are made, children grow up and the place where our lives take place. We’re inclined to agree, but Skydome took it one step further by creating an entire line of Skydome Cabins designed to be stylish, durable and efficient. Each Skydome is dome shaped to provide better resistance to heat loss, additional strength, seismic resistance and energy resistance. It’s going to be hard to hang art in a domed structure like this, but with the amount of benefits the shape provides it’s a wonder more people haven’t designed something like this in the past. Building from a principle of less is more, these architects have constructed a quite practical dwelling as well. Made from 95% natural materials, it’s twice as light (weight-wise), twice as energy efficient and twice as strong as a conventional house. In fact, it’s constructed to withstand an earthquake of magnitude 7 on the Richter scale, and support a massive snow load of 700 kilos per square meter. They do all the work themselves and even set up an on-site camera, so you can watch the progress from anywhere in the world as they build your innovative new Russian house around the clock. Price range from: Currently unavailable
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New Gear
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Inception – Inspired Coffee Table
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telios Mousarris is a Cyprus-based designer that cut his teeth as a model maker for Fosters and Partners and designer for Duffy London. He’s since struck out on his own, but you can definitely see some of his previous experience shine through in the Wave City Coffee Table that is, quite obviously, inspired by the scene from Inception where the city gets folded onto itself. Made with a combination of wood, steel and 3D printing technology in a way that we probably wouldn’t understand even if Mousarris himself explained it to us, this is one of the coolest coffee tables we’ve ever seen. This is a piece of fine art that is in a category of furnishing, so don’t expect its price tag to be competitive with IKEA. The Wave City coffee table sells for about €6,500 Price range from €6,500 www.mousarris.com
The CAT S60 With Integrated Thermal Camera
C
aterpillar, the same people known for their tractors, heavy machinery equipment, and top-shelf work boots, are making a splash in the smartphone world this week with the introduction of their all-new Cat S60, the world’s first smartphone to feature a fully functional thermal imagine camera. Why? well, why not? Along with the thermal camera—by Flir, an industry leader in thermal imaging—the phone also features a 13-megapixel camera, water resistance up to five meters, and a one-millimeter-thick Gorilla Glass screen. The Cat S60 has a design that can only be described as robust – it’s extremely rugged and chunky, which is what many of Cat’s customers look for in a mobile phone (building professionals, etc). Cat has yet to release the exact dimensions and weight of the smartphone. It’s safe to say that it’s heavier and bulkier than anything else. However, Cat didn’t design the S60 to be bulky for the sake of it – thanks to its design and strengthened die cast frame, the S60 exceeds military drop tests and can be safely dropped from 1.8m (near ear height) onto concrete, which is ideal for both building professionals and clumsy consumers alike. With the Cat S60, the possibilities are endless. Price range from €650 www.catphones.com
Pandora Shipping Cabinet
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hipping containers have been repurposed into everything from housing to workshops, but there hasn’t really been a way to integrate their signature styling into an existing home, because they’re freaking enormous. Artist and designer Sander Mulder created a modular container cabinet dubbed Pandora that brings everything you love about the shipping container inside in one of four different colours. It has the same style, steel construction and closing mechanism as the ubiquitous corrugated shipping container you’re familiar with, but this one is purpose built with a glass or metal shelf and designed to display or hold everything from alcohol and turntables to knick-knacks and magazines. Price range from €1,200 www.sandermulder.com Spring 2016 Home & Build
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Donegal Home
BREATHTAKING
DONEGAL HOME Overlooking the hills of Muckish in Donegal...
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sufficient number of well-designed homes afford breathtaking views from the inside, with it taking a special effort to create a feeling of being in touch with the wildness. The coastal home known as ‘Teach Bing’ on Horn Head, Dunfanaghy in County Donegal was designed by brothers Antoin and Tarla MacGabhann of MacGabhann Architects as well as their fellow practitioners Eoin Bradley and Bjorn Patzwald also affords breathtaking views from the outside.
The house sits on Horn Head peninsula overlooking Sheephaven Bay. According to the architects, the house takes its architectural cue directly from its landscape, in particular from its rising of Muckish Mountain. “On one side of the mountain it’s rectangular and on the other side of the mountain it resembles a sleeping dog or pig. It has a complexity of form,’’ explained Architect Antoin MacGabhann. “We knew that the house had to cater for more than the view and the most important
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Donegal Home
Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Paul McGuicken
“The house was orientated to make the most of solar gain on its southwesterly aspect.�
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Donegal Home
thing wasn’t the concept of course, it was the clients’ brief. Their hopes and requirements were applied to our model and we also needed the house to be an economical, efficient design as we cannot take someone’s money and present them with an expensive design! “The house was orientated to make the most of solar gain on its southwesterly aspect which in turn naturally identified where the bedrooms, main living spaces and private courtyard should go,’’ added Mr MacGabhann. “This external space is like an extension of the interior with large glazed sections that slide back to merge the inside and the outside. The notable chimney visible from the exterior is the team’s architectural expression - the hearth of the home! “When you’re at the fireplace in a home, you’re at its centre which is a very symbolic thing and with the chimney so visible on the exterior it’s pointing at that living space,’’ he revealed. “The basic structure of the house is concrete cavity blocks and the house has been finished in traditional rough-cast wet dash render. The second key material is the zinc in the roof throwing back the sky. The roof has also been designed to funnel water into a cylinder towards the side of the house. “The multiplex shape of the house means there is enough going on inside that there was no need to give expression to individual areas with lots of different materials,’’ enthused Antoin. A lavish entrance hall doubles as a boat room which leads to the main open plan split-level kitchen and living space which also leads to the dining room. The house has a large footprint of almost 3,000 square foot with four bedrooms. The house features oak throughout, both on the floors and on
bespoke storage units that divides the lower seating level from the kitchen and also conceals a radiator with white walls and ceilings bouncing daylight! “We are absolutely delighted with the house,’’ said the clients. “There is a true feeling of calm from within. The interior space, clean lines and light add to this effect. The design blends seamlessly with the natural landscape outside and it is captured by the windows at the front of the house. “The design of the house mirrors the spectacular views we have of the Derryveagh Mountain range with both sea and mountain views. Nature was always at the very essence of our house project. It is truly a great modern family home,’’ they added.
CONTACT LIST ARCHITECT: MacGabhann Architects, Ballaghderg, Letterkenny, County Donegal. www.macgabhannarchitects.ie or 074-9129440 STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Michael Carr & Company, Unit 1 Northern Point Business Park, Sessaighoneill, Ballybofey, County Donegal. www.carrandco.ie or 074-9130321 CONTRACTOR:
Joseph McMenamin and Sons, Stranorlar, County Donegal. www.jmm.ie or 074-9131052
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“The house features oak throughout.”
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Car Review
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n late 2015 we previewed the Volvo XC90 and attended the launch at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. Dermot Bannon who is acting as a brand ambassador for Volvo was in attendance and spoke enthusiastically about the new SUV. You can spot the new XC90 in many of the new episodes of Room to Improve on RTE if you look closely. Since the launch we have been eagerly waiting to drive the newly launched model and we recently got our chance. This is quite easily Volvo’s most anticipated vehicle of the last few years. The new XC90 SUV may have the same name but it’s sporting an all-new platform, a new design and a new powertrain that is also offered in hybrid form and basically new everything. The range isn’t broad, with just three trim levels – but even the entry-level, dieselpowered Momentum is capable and luxurious. The cabin is vast and opulently appointed, with wonderful materials and impeccable attention to detail, while the drive and ride quality are excellent. There are three engine options – a 225HP D5 diesel, a 320HP T6 petrol and a ‘Twin-Engine’ T8 plug-in hybrid with 395HP. The diesel is all most buyers will need though – it’s quiet, powerful and reasonably efficient. On the road, this thing just glides along effortlessly and the 222bhp on offer from the turbodiesel power plant is plenty to shift this two tonne beast along with ease. The 0-100kph capability is just under eight seconds and top speed is 220kph. The engine goes nicely with the standard eight speed auto box which rarely struggles to find the right gear. On top of that, claimed economy (5.7 l/100km or 49mpg — realistically sub-40) and emissions (152g/km for a €390 annual tax bill) don’t make it unreasonable. Our test model was the luxurious D5 AWD R-Design model. It’s the sportiest XC90 and features a range of sporty upgrades. The outside of the car is treated to 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, silver-effect door mirrors, gloss black mesh front grille and tinted rear windows. The interior has leather/nubuck sports seats and perforated leathertrimmed steering wheel complete with gearshift paddles. Adrian Yeates, Managing Director of Volvo Car Ireland, said: “The XC90 R-Design makes the XC90 even more distinctive and dynamic than before. Its extra equipment ensures that the interior is as luxurious as it is stunning and its sportier looks certainly make it stand out on the road”. Having drove this test model for a week I can only agree with Adrian. The R-Design model captures the attention of a wide age demographic as it gets admiring glances from car enthusiasts who know it’s a high spec model to approving nods from the general public as it passes. I even had a gentleman skip through traffic in order to pull up alongside me and engage in a chat about the R-Design model. Not ideal in busy Dublin traffic but a testament to its overall appeal. With this being a Volvo we can’t not mention safety. There is an array of safety kit as standard and while very reassuring, the XC90 does however have a few surprises. Hit a bad bump at speed and the seat belt pre-tensioners will do their thing and you’ll find yourself being pre-tensioned into the drivers’ seat. The sensors which alert you to the proximity of other vehicles is a tad sensitive and flashes red warning lights of an impending crash if passing a car a little too close. It’s not a regular occurrence but worth noting. Should it affect your purchase of this fine SUV, absolutely not. This new XC90 without doubt has pitted Volvo right up against the premium brands and has firmly cemented the Scandinavian brand as a fully-fledged premium player. If you have the bank balance to afford this luxury SUV you won’t be disappointed.
Technical Specification Engine Size 2.0 Litre D5 AWD Fuel Type Diesel Power 225hp Torque 470Nm Acceleration (0-100km/h) 8 seconds Top Speed 216 km/h Consumption 5.7L/100km or 49 mpg CO2 Emissions 152g/km Road Tax €390 Base Price €63,450* Our Test Model €83,227*
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Car Review
Words: Anthony Kelly Pics: Home & Build Staff
Volvo XC90 R-Design
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“On the road, this thing just glides along effortlessly.� Spring 2016 Home & Build
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Gas Fires
NEW DRU MAESTRO
Luxury Gas Fires With Eco Wave Featuring beautiful flames, high efficiency and smartphone or tablet controls.
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RU is Europe’s leading manufacturer of contemporary gas fires and wood stoves. The Maestro range, which became available in autumn 2015, is its most advanced selection of gas fires yet, featuring a sophisticated new integrated burner, log set and the company’s exclusive Eco Wave control system. The newly designed burner system and log fire bed create the most authentic representation of a real wood fire than any system so far produced, with high and dense flames dancing around the realistic logs. Non Reflective Glass And Choice Of Interiors In addition, the Maestro gas fires feature new Clear View non-reflective glass fronts, which further enhance the illusion of a real log fire. These glass windows have an easy release system, which means they can be easily accessed for routine cleaning and maintenance. For the interiors of the Maestro gas fires, there is a choice of gloss black, classic brick or mirrored Ceraglass, which creates extra depth of vision and an even more spectacular fire display. Eco Wave App Smart Controls The introduction of the Eco Wave app control system enables the owners of the fire to create their own flame picture, vary the heat output and gas consumption and set the timer controls, all done using a smartphone or tablet. The range of the heat output is between 2.2 and 9.6 kW, so the fires can be set for mild autumn or freezing cold midwinter days and all points in between. The Eco Wave system is also programmed to send vital information to the DRU dealer about service intervals and help to diagnose any technical issues that require attention.
Balanced Flue System With Ease Of Installation DRU Maestro gas fires are balanced flue appliances. They can be installed in homes with or without a chimney, including the construction of a heatresistant false chimney breast if required. All approved DRU dealers are fully trained to install and maintain these highly advanced gas appliances. Front, Corner And Triple Versions Thanks to balanced flue technology, DRU gas fires no longer need to conform to a standard chimney location, and the new Maestro models are no exception. You can select from the standard Front model, with its large viewing window, or you can choose from the 2-sided Corner or 3-sided Triple versions, which provide more panoramic views of the fire and more options in terms of room location. High efficiency and flexible location options Thanks to sophisticated DRU gas fire technology, Maestro gas fires have an impressive energy efficiency rating of 84%, an exceptional performance that ensures significant savings on household fuel in comparison to ordinary gas fires. In addition, these fires are compatible with the exclusive DRU PowerVent® system, an extended, motorised flue assembly that enables the fires to be installed in previously inaccessible locations. This includes high rise apartments, lofts, home extensions, hotels, restaurants and much more. Because of these kinds of innovations, DRU appliances are frequently specified by builders and architects for both domestic and commercial new developments. DRU Maestro gas fires with Eco Wave app controls are available from specialist fireplace retailers throughout Ireland. For more information, visit: www.drufire.co.uk
“Maestro gas fires have an impressive energy efficiency rating of 84%.” Home & Build Spring 2016
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LONDON
NEW YORK
CHESNEY’S
Please contact jpdlsales@eircom.net to find your nearest dealer
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Sliding Doors
TRANSFORMING A
SOF PANYASIZEC E Making use of valuable space within the home
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Sliding Doors
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o matter the size of your house and regardless of how tidy you are, there will always be a certain amount of clutter or stuff shoved into a corner, a press or storage boxes and if or when children come along you can throw endless amounts of toys, books, bikes, soft toys and everything else into the mix but fear no more as the award-winning designer Orla Reynolds is on hand to offer some inspiration to people who want to make the most of their space as well as discussing interior design trends throughout 2016 as well as what are some of the best ways to transform a space of any shape or size. Ms Reynolds who trained professionally as a ballet dancer for 16 years before an injury ended her career. She then returned to college and gained a First Class Honours Degree in Furniture Design from the Dublin Institute of Technology in 2012. The inspiration for her furniture comes from the theatre and imagining the home as a stage. Each piece has an element of surprise, choreography and performance and transforms the space it inhabits. “In terms of colour, serenity and rose gold were named Pantone colour of the year. Serenity is a blue/ mauve shade and the rose gold is a blush pink,’’ said Orla Reynolds. “They are both calming colours to encourage relaxation. Mis-matching is a trend I like, whether this is with patterns with your furnishings or contrasting cabinet doors to different materials in your space. “Copper on fittings and fixtures. ’The good room’ is making a comeback,
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Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Webpress
“Colourful furniture is making its way into homes as a way to brighten a space.”
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whether it went or not I’m not sure but it’s getting revived,’’ she added. “I think firstly focusing on the clutter and organisation in the space is an important way of maintaining your space, the effects of this daily activity can transform the space into a better functioning one. “In terms then of the design, simply moving a couch from one wall to another can give a space a new lease of life. IKEA hacking has become a fun way to transform the furniture you have and of course updating your furnishings.,’’ imparted Orla. “I think the concept of a ‘quote wall’ or a ‘picture/memory wall are very nice,’’ revealed Ms Reynolds. “Walls are very empty space so it’s a nice way to add to them with a special quote or collection of special photos.” “Neutral tones will always suit any room and colour can be added through furnishings and accessories. “Personally I live in both worlds, the minimalistic world and the lived in, choc-co block look,’’ added a laughing Ms Reynolds. “It really depends on yourself and your lifestyle. I would maintain quite a minimalistic space but a home is a home and it needs to be used. A lived in space can have a lot of charm and character. “Over the last number of months, patterns are showing up a lot and mixing and matching of complimentary patterns and materials, imparted Orla. “Details such as subway tiles and the use of copper are things I like. In keeping with my own furniture style, colourful furniture is making its way into homes as a way to brighten a space, which I love.
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Sliding Doors
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“The units are constructed under the stairwell and fold away seamlessly into the wall space.”
Now that Orla Reynolds has discussed interior design trends as well as providing our readers with some perils of wisdom, another popular trend or show of creativity is the Smart Storage craze which is taking the people of Ireland by storm! Smart Storage Ltd specialises in discrete home storage solutions. The idea for Smart Storage was prompted by the growing ‘shoe crisis’ in the home of Paul and Clodagh Jacob, the husband and wife team who developed the business which specialise in under the stairs storage solutions. The story took off when Paul appeared on the 2012 season of Dragon’s Den’ and received an easier way to store the growing ‘shoe mountain’. Qualified engineers Mr and Mrs Jacob developed the idea when their two young daughters began to follow in their mother’s footsteps – developing a keen interest in footwear! “Smart Storage is now starting to come as standard in new housing developments,’’ said Faye Bollard of Smart Storage. “People with an under stairs loo, need not fret. Our three drawer unit fits perfectly in that left over triangle space. It’s not only understairs, we do some great loft storage solutions too with the range starting from €399. “The Smart Storage Unit is an Irish manufactured product that aims to
solve one of the most common problems facing the growing Irish household: - inadequate, accessible storage space,’’ added Ms Bollard. “The Smart Storage Unit is a custom designed storage solution to meet your individual needs, manufactured to fit under the main stairwell or attic space. It is designed to maximise the storage availability within these underutilised spaces by installing slide-out drawer units. The units are constructed under the stairwell and fold away seamlessly into the wall space using a soft close push panel mechanism. There is no ugly handles sticking out obstructing the hallway,’’ she added. The units are large enough to carry vacuum cleaners and sports equipment such as kit bags and football boots. The Smart Storage Unit is also ideally suited for shoes and school bags that are difficult to store with a growing family. The units can also be customised for individual usages if required, including wine storage, shoe racks or golf bags. Just tell us your requirements and we will design and fit a solution to meet your needs. The smart storage unit is installed by our expert fitters in approximately three to four hours and left primed and ready to be decorated to match your colour scheme.
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Best Ever Thrutone ENDURANCE
Ireland’s Strongest Slate Here’s how we’ve made Ireland’s best-selling fibrecement slate even better... Higher Density = best frostresistance on Irish market Added Fibres = highest flexural strength in Ireland
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Silicone Paint = unique water repellence Improved Paint Application & Rigorous Testing = highest quality standards BES 6001 Accredited = Environmentally Sustainable And Thrutone Endurance Slates are not only elegant and appealing, they come with a 20 year colour and 30 year structural guarantee for your complete peace of mind.
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Stoves Fires Electric
Stylish Electric
FIRES FROM DIMPLEX For over 60 years the brand has been at the forefront of product development and innovation and this range of electric fires are no different.
Auberry
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ffering a stylish, creamywhite design and variable output control, Auberry is the latest electric stove from Dimplex to include the revolutionary Opti-myst 3D flame and smoke effect. Auberry (AUB20) combines a traditional stove design with a modern, gloss enamel-style finish in creamy-white which suits any interior scheme.
Opti-V
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pti-V combines real fire footage displayed on a high definition LCD screen with a unique illusory technique to create a truly 3D effect of flickering flames - complete with smoke and burning embers.
Opti-V is available in two designs: • PGF10: LCD television screen with optional stainless steel effect frame, using low-energy LEDs and remote control with sound effect volume control. Named Best Overall Product in the prestigious Hearth & Home 2013 fireplace industry awards • PGF20: A double-width LCD television screen offering all the benefits of PGF10 with increased aperture for commercial installations and prestige projects.
SP16
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implex is going widescreen with the eye catching SP16 Wall Mounted electric fire, a contemporary design that makes a real style statement. The letterbox-style fire has a sleek black finish for an up-to-theminute look and features Dimplex’s award-winning Optiflame® effect with a glowing log bed. It adds the perfect finishing touch to a contemporary interior design or a striking modern twist to a more classic room.
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The Belling Range Cooking Collection
Inspiring generations of chefs since 1912.
Since 1912, Belling has been dedicated to creating cooking products that set the very highest standards in quality, innovation and design. For more than a century our products have inspired generations of home cooks and professional chefs.
Find your inspiration today. To explore the Belling Range Cooker Collection visit www.belling.ie or call Dimpco on 01-8424833.
SEE THE BELLING RANGE COOKER COLLECTION For Northern Ireland enquiries, call GDNI on (028) 38 337317 company AT WWW.BELLING.IE A or visit www.belling.co.uk
Belling and Dimpco are both part of the Glen Dimplex group of companies.
Spring 2016.indd 49 2015.indd 1 210x297 Mag May
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Space Saver SS80
SMITH’S SPACE SAVER SS80 Narrower Fit!
Smith’s Fan Convectors has launched a new version of its market-leading Space Saver plinth heater to fit 80mm plinth heights.
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he new slim-line SS80 kitchen heater from Smith’s is the only plinth heater available in Europe that fits IKEA-style 80mm plinth heights. In the first of a number of innovations for the product, Smith’s has designed a new Space Saver hydronic plinth heater to fit much narrower plinths found in kitchen designs popular from Scandinavia and Germany. Like its taller counterparts, installing the Space Saver SS80 frees up wall space for extra wall surfaces and more storage or desirable kitchen appliances, instead of home owners having to make do with a panel radiator. Jim Bennett, Smith’s Sales & Marketing Director, stated, “The Space Saver is a key appliance for the New Build and RSL markets, as well as for the mainstream consumer. It offers efficient, controllable warmth to kitchens where space is at a premium. Installers can use it to replace a radiator and because it will work off any wet central heating system, it’s a simple replacement that gives so much more to the end user.” The Smith’s Space Saver installs discreetly into the dead space under fitted units and is now supplied as standard with a stainless steel grille,
as well as being available in alternative finishes. The Space Saver SS80 is suitable for heating rooms up to 24m3 and could also provide an alternative heat solution for bedrooms and office furniture that also have plinths. It uses an extremely low water content when compared with a radiator and so it will heat up much more quickly than both radiators and underfloor heating, as well as affording users more responsive controls.
For further information, please visit www.smiths-env.com or contact MT Agencies Ireland Ltd on +353 (0) 1864 3363
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Penthouse Apartment
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he re-development of this penthouse apartment was particularly tricky as there was an entire block of apartment dwellers on the floors below. John O’Neill of John O’Neill and Associates had to build a new penthouse apartment before removing the building’s original roof, essentially Mr O’Neill had to build backwards. In January 2011, the owner of the original penthouse asked John O’Neill and Associates to build a new apartment with construction beginning in January 2013. The new penthouse replaced the original 150 square metre of living accomodation on two floors as well as a roof terrace. “Given that the residents below were all present during the works, we had no choice but to rebuild our new penthouse around the existing roof,’’ said
John O’Neill. “Logistically that was tricky, it was a really big challenge! It meant that we had a building within a building for a while,’’ added Mr O’Neill. “Having the contractor Gerry Jones of Jones Property Services on board as part of the design team was an important part of solving this logistical nightmare,’’ revealed John. A replacement two-storey dwelling was built around the existing singlestorey one. Once this ‘envelope’ was complete, the original mock-period ‘mansard’ roof - a structure which has two slopes on each of the four sides could be removed. The penthouse which is a two bedroomed home with stunning panoramic views from Howth to Wicklow sits atop Clarinda Close, a 1995 building in the
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Penthouse Apartment
53 Words: Emer Kelly Pics: John O’Neill of www.jona.ie & Michael Ó Mara
‘CLARINDA’ DÚN LAOGHAIRE PENTHOUSE APARTMENT REVAMP It’s tough at the top...
“A replacement twostorey dwelling was built around the existing single-storey one.” architectural conservation area of Clarinda Park in the south Dublin seaside village of Dún Laoghaire. This project revamp required close consultation with planning authorities before plans were submitted. “We found the conservation department very dynamic and positive to deal with,’’ explained Mr O’Neill. “Their attitude was that our new addition at the top shouldn’t be a pastiche of the original building. The new building should look new and vice versa. Ironically, that was complex too, since the original building was a bit of a pastiche of a period dwelling in itself. Yet our addition is definitely very 21st century.’’ “The use of DEAP in the design process allowed us to achieve the maximum amount of glazed area permitted under Part L of The Building
Regulations. The penthouse is clad in a powder-coated pressed metal panel and triple glazing system. Dublin is not a city where a penthouse culture exists. The first penthouses were built in the 1920’s and during the ‘property boom’ in Ireland developers referred to even the most mundane of top-floor apartments. Most of them lacked the key elements of ‘abundant glazing.’ The Clarinda penthouse has the elements that lack in other penthouse apartments in abundance from its built in sauna and a broad strip of dazzling limestone and black marble to its swish furniture and fittings. The apartment’s 1,614 square foot is almost double that of the original space, and Mr O’Neill has installed the maximum amount of windows permissible under building regulations.
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Penthouse Apartment
The main bedroom has all the trimmings someone would expect to find in the master suite of a power penthouse. The room is lined in comfortable carpet, it is encased in glass to enable the owner contemplate the views of nearby Sandycove and the sea from the comfort of their bed placed at the centre of the room. To the rear, the room has its own en-suite bathroom which has a built in wet room style with a super contemporary free standing bath as well as an adjacent sauna. These luxurious finishes, furniture and fittings were selected by Michael Ó Mara of MiD Interior Design Agency. From the entrance hall to the large open-plan living/dining and kitchen area, the floors are white limestone with black marble insets and the adjoining study has beautiful oak parquet underfoot. The kitchen is similar to a streamlined and glossy lacquered affair, instead it is a bespoke hand-
painted version with a chic Silestone island. At the centre of the space is an impressive oak spiral staircase, off which the rooms are accessed and which goes through the centre of the whole space. On the left to the entrance hall is a study with a small terrace that dominates the East Pier. “We laid out the accomodation according to orientation,’’ explained John O’Neill. “The main living, dining and kitchen area faces west, but there is a south-facing terrace. It gets the afternoon sun and the evening light. The study has a northern view over the harbour. The entire apartment hinges around the curved staircase which itself has a clear view of Sandycove.’’ The apartment has also been designed with built-in technologies meaning
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“The apartment’s 1,614 square foot is almost double that of the original space.”
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Penthouse Apartment
that its owner lives anything but conspicuously from an energy efficiency point of view. It has an A3 BER. An Ochsner Airthermal System was supplied by Eurotech and provides space, heating and constant hot water. This system works by extracting heat from the atmosphere through an ECO split air evaporator table which is located on the roof and through a state of the art heat pump and Buffer Tank system heats the apartment with an ‘A’ rated low temperature and high comfort underfloor heating. The intergrated system runs according to a weekly schedule for each room to match the owner’s lifestyle and his use of the space at any given time. The sensors also have the ability to learn about changes in room usage, lifestyle
and weather as well as regulating the temperature in advance without human intervention. There is also a heat recovery ventilation system throughout the lower and upper floors to provide air changes with the fresh air supply consisting of high efficiency (90%) central mechanical system. Potentially the best room in the apartment isn’t inside! It is the large roof terrace at the very top of the building which is accessed from the upper hall by a second curved stairs. The terrace has stone paving in two tones laid as long stripes that appear to mimic planks. The railing is made of a series of vertically cantilevered steel elements.
CONTACT LIST ARCHITECT: John O’Neill & Assocs, Architects & Interior Designers LTD 1 Irishtown Road, Dublin 4 www.jona.ie or 01-6678100
CIVIL / STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS: Clifton Scannell Emerson Associates, Castledawson Avenue, Blackrock, County Dublin www.csea.ie or 01-2885006
FINISHES, FURNITURE AND FITTINGS:
GLAZING AND CLADDING:
MiD: Michael Ó Mara Interior Design Century Court, 100 Upper Georges Street, Dún Laoighaire, County Dublin www.m-id.ie or 087-6153968 CONTRACTOR:
Jones Property Services Laragh, Maynooth, County Kildare
Structural Glazing Specialists LTD, Unit 1, Millennium Park Youghal, County Cork www.sgskglass.com or 024-82520 HEATING AND VENTILATION:
Eurotech Group, Rossulus Walk, Castleblayney, County Monaghan www.eurotechgroup.ie or 042-9749479
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Offaly Cottage
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run down cottage in Daingean, County Offaly was transformed into the dream home of David Feely and his girlfriend Jordana Ibrahim in the space of six months in 2014 with the help of Mr Feely’s family and Offaly architect Patrick Little of AXIS Architecture. He inherited the property from his Grand-Uncle. Eddie left it to him three years ago but he didn’t know where to start. “We discovered that behind the plaster, there was this lovely original stone work and these yellow brick arches. It was like finding a hidden gem so we really wanted that to be a feature of the property and that is when I asked my brother Mark for help as he runs his own carpentry business,’’ explained David Feely. “It’s a small site so we didn’t have a lot of room. We still wanted to have space to drive around the site and in and out of the driveway. Luckily for us, Patrick Little had the solution for us. He had his eye on the ball from the start. He told us it would be more practical and cheaper to go up rather than to go out. “The wood and glass rear extension was another brainchild of Patrick’s. He advised us to put a lot of glass at the back of the cottage because the garden is south facing and it would bring a lot of heat back into the house,’’ added Mr Feely. “Once the work started it was very much a family affair. My dad is the local butcher Dominic Feely and he would set up the scaffolding in the evenings and the following day I’d come home from work and lay out the timber for my brother. Once Mark finished up on his site, he would work all evening on mine. “We had a good system in place as my brother had some good men working with him so we rolled it out quite quickly,’’ revealed David who is a barber by trade. The property is a real talking point with locals, never more so than the morning of his brother’s wedding when a helicopter landed on the roof to bring the Feely family to the church! “My brother has always been into helicopters. The cottage has a rubber roof and apparently you can’t get a better landing spot for a helicopter. We all climbed up ladders at the side of the house and got in before the chopper brought us to the church.” “It (the reaction to the house) has been a bit overwhelming really but it’s great to hear feedback and to hear what other people think. The majority of people really loved what I’ve done with it and then there’s a few people that don’t like it. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. “The important thing is that I love it, we decided to build up rather than out because it would save both space and money,’’ he added. “I enjoyed working on the cottage a lot. I work as a barber so it was nice to get out and work in the outdoors especially when it’s on your own project. That extra motivation was always there. The paperwork side of things was the least enjoyable, we
“It’s a traditional building technique using hand formed lumps of earth.”
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Offaly Cottage
59 Words: Emer Kelly Pics: David Feely
RUN DOWN COTTAGE BECOMES
DREAM HOME Cottage renovations in Co Offaly
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Offaly Cottage
built the property in 12 weeks and then there was approximately another 12 weeks putting on the finishing touches so we were in the house in about six months. “It came in exactly at what my brother said I would need, €60,000. He was excellent throughout the project, organising trades men to come in at certain times, everything was very well planned and I owe a lot to him, it’s fantastic. I don’t take it for granted though. I realise I’m very lucky to be left the cottage and it’s turned out better than I could have ever imagined. It was a real family project; my mum and dad and brother and sister were great,
the house is something I hold very dear to my heart because my gran uncle Eddie lived here and we grew up in it (the house). “We were very close to him and he passed away three years ago at 98 years old. The cottage will never be sold. My brother and I had an idea what we wanted so Mark recommended we talk to an Architect so we got in touch with Patrick Little (Axis Architecture) and Patrick was excellent throughout the whole build and his ideas were excellent. I knew after our first meeting he was the man to carry the project through,’’ explained David. “One of Patrick’s ideas was to leave the original fire place where it was.
“It’s a small site so we didn’t have a lot of room.”
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It’s right in the middle of the cottage as you will see in the pictures. We then used the stone out of the back wall and built a fireplace out of that and put in a double sided stove. As the stove is in the middle of the house, it heats up the whole house very fast and it’s also a lovely feature. “I would love to work on a project like this again because it is very exciting and enjoyable once you get the planning and the finances sorted. If I had to give advice to anyone I would say where you live is important to your everyday happiness. I had this in my head throughout the building of the house and right now I couldn’t be happier!”
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Offaly Cottage
CONTACT LIST ARCHITECT Patrick Little, AXIS Architecture, 19 High Street, Tullamore, County Offaly. info@axisarch.ie or 057-9329628 CARPENTRY Mark Feely, Carpentry Works, Daingean, County Offaly. www.carpentryworks.ie or 087-2452285
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Floor Screed
EASY SCREED
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As the longest established liquid floor screeding company in Ireland, Easyscreed are the sole suppliers and nationwide installers of Easy Screed.
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he vastly experienced site and office staff have dealt with the installation of over 200,000 m² throughout Ireland. They are the market leaders in liquid floor screed installations in Ireland offering a professional, reliable and quality service every time. An Irish owned company, offering advice and expertise to architects, builders, home-owners, the underfloor heating industry, timber frame manufacturers, pre-fabricated building systems and the renovation market. Easy Screed is a self-levelling liquid, natural floor screed. A fast, efficient alternative to traditional sand and cement floor screed, Easy Screed is designed for smoothing and levelling floors before installation of the final floor finishes. Easy Screed is made from a blend of the highest quality materials available combining a mix of sand, water and an alpha-hemihydrate calcium sulphate binder agent. It contains no cement and therefore eliminates many problems generally associated with traditional floor screeds. Because of its unique high-strength properties, Easy Screed is poured in a much thinner layer than traditional screeds, from just 10mm when used for floor levelling and between 35mm and 50mm with underfloor heating. Easy Screed is a CE certified product, conforming to DIN EN 13454.
162 Richmond Road Fairview, Dublin 3
What is Easy Screed? EasyScreed is a self-levelling liquid, natural floor screed, alternative to traditional sand and cement screeds. Designed for smoothing and leveling floors before installation of the final floor finishes, Easy Screed is made from the highest quality natural materials available in Europe.
For more information, please give us a call +353 (01) 837 3555
Email: jerry.beades@gmail.com
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Web: www.easyscreed.ie
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Gardening
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ith the Summer months fast approaching, it is time for those who have a flair for gardening as well as the not so green-fingered of us in society to think about what to plant in our garden and in a way to make it come to life for those long summer evenings we will be able to enjoy sitting outside whilst not only looking at the beautiful clear blue skies over head, the smell of fresh cut grass but also to enjoy the injection of colour that has taken over the garden! According to expert gardener Leonie Cornelius she thinks ‘less is more’ in a garden as well as offering some tips as to what looks well in a garden, how to care for both an urban and rural garden as well as what makes a nice feature in a garden. Over the past few years, Ms Cornelius has worked on many exciting private and commercial gardens as well as interior and design projects. Her company Blume creates designs that are extraordinary in approach and Leonie’s design philosophy. Having established herself as one of Ireland’s leading garden designers, her work on the RTÉ One ‘Today’ show as well as her mentoring and presenting on the RTÉ ‘Supergarden’ programme sees her work being broadcast to more than 500,000 viewers. “Less is more in a garden,’’ said Leonie Cornelius. “I think this year the trends will tend to show lots of natural materials and plants. Garden designers are definitely looking at gardens in a more ecological and sustainable way and the best gardens are often the ones that look like real gardens but with that added magic. “Many garden trends will see inspiration from real nature scenes with large rocks, subtle woodland planting, yellows and whites and also with more emphasis on edible and medicinal plants, not just on their own but alongside ornamental planting. “With regard to materials, I think Bronze and Corten will be the materials to look at in the garden with their strong natural warm tones as well as warm Oak,’’ added Ms Cornelius. “Plants that get bought again and again are often the ones that do well in the Irish climate. Every year at Bloom in the Park we see certain flowers set trends and also push the sales of those plants as people see them in their natural environment and can then imagine them in their own spaces. “Foxgloves are a firm favourite every year and with the many varieties available from the tall Pam’s Choice in white with maroon flecks, to the smaller native purpurea, they never get tired. “This year I think we will see a bit of a resurgence in Roses as well as foraging and edible planting incorporated into the garden,’’ she added. “Perennial planting consists of plants that come back every year and for me this is the best way to plant up a sustainable and well-functioning garden. Evergreen specimens have their place of course and annuals are always a welcome addition but the real seasonal garden is an ever-changing space that grows, unfolds, blooms, turns golden and then hibernates. “Every garden is totally different and as a garden designer I have to look at the site, the history, the soil, the conditions, the clients. There is so much to consider and as every garden should be totally personalised it’s hard to pinpoint a few good plants, shrubs or
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Gardening
Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Leonie Cornelius
“I think this year the trends will tend to show lots of natural materials and plants.”
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“LESS IS MORE’’ according to Gardening expert Leonie Cornelius Leonie Cornelius, hints and tips for the Garden Spring 2016 Home & Build
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Gardening
or trees. “My own favourites are ever changing but some plants I can’t do without are grasses such as Stipa Tenuissima, a subtle green grass that gives wonderful movement to a scheme and has fluffy light plumes in late Summer and Autumn,’’ added Leonie. “I also love Hakonechloa macra, a fantastic perennial grass that has a vivid green foliage and is best planted en-masse. In my own garden I adore Nepeta (Catmint), Lavender varieties and Verbenas all in a border with the odd surprise of dark Opium poppy in between. I also love dusty pink Roses, whether climbing or bushes, there is always a place for roses, and the bark of Birch trees. One tree I adore is the Katsura tree, the Candyfloss tree. When this beautiful tree turns golden in Autumn it gives off a scent of burnt sugar,’’ she revealed.
As to caring for and maintaining both an urban and rural garden, Leonie says: “The best way to maintain an urban garden is to make sure it is designed right in the first place. “If bad choices are made at the start with regard to plant choice or material selection you will have inevitable maintenance issues. Trees, shrubs and plants need to be the right plant in the right place and suitable to the environment and then all plants chosen need to work together in a wellfunctioning eco-system, so this is a choice that is vital at the planning stages. “The same principle applies to the rural garden as the urban garden except you have more space and freedom to experiment...or make mistakes. In rural gardens you are dealing with issues such as wildlife-deer or other animals may have to be kept out to protect plants and trees and of course totally different equipment will be required,’’ she explained.
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info@bamboo.ie
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bamboo products
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Bamboo Ireland is leading the way with bamboo materials and products in Ireland. We offer a large range of products utilizing "one of the oldest building materials known to man" in many different forms. Proven to be stronger than than many hardwoods. Bamboo is very much like wood but technically speaking, it’s a tree-like grass that grows extremely fast, making it among the fastest-growing plants in the world. This rapid growth has made it one of the darlings of the green building world. For interiors we offer flooring and wall coverings, engineered panelling, beams and counter top and for exteriors, we offer poles, privacy screening and custom made fencing, X-treme decking and much more. We are sure to have something to meet your requirements. With a long standing and trustworthy workforce of designers and crafts people we offer services for fitting and maintenance of all of our products. We have built up a strong relationship with our suppliers and ensure the highest quality of materials at all times and pride ourselves on offering an excellent level of services with a range of guarantees provided with individual products.
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Visit us on line or call with us at our showrooms to discuss your ideas, we are conveniently located in between the N4 and N7 at Peamount industries Yard 2, Lucan Road, Newcastle, Co. Dublin.
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Gardening Whilst plants and shrubs are lovely to look at in a garden, water features have in recent times become very popular, but what does she think the best features in a garden are and why? “The best features in gardens are so subtle they become a part of a scheme. I love a pot placed on an old cut tree with just a little moss in it but surrounded with dreamy planting and birch stems. “The pot becomes a part of the whole scene, almost like a theatre stage. I am always drawn to water and love having water features in gardens. Whether large lily ponds or small Corten features like in my Bloom 2012 garden, water invites you in with its reflective property and gives a scheme depth,’’ said Leonie. “All garden styles have purpose and every garden is totally subjective. As a garden designer I see beauty in all styles and love to play around with different ideas. I have an underlying style myself of subtle naturalistic planting and
strong architectural lines but if a client wants something more minimalist then this can be easily done by just paring back the planting to say a smaller and slightly more minimal palette. Colour is vital in a garden and even if the garden has only greens there will still be different hues and shades of this strong colour all over. I am personally drawn to purples, whites, pinks and subtle blue tones but I love using strong colours too,’’ added Ms Cornelius. “Again, it all comes down to what your concept is and what the brief as a designer asks of you. I guess I am a bit of a colour chameleon. When I am asked to do a woodland garden I immerse myself in the subtle shades of the greens, whites, yellows and if someone wants a colourful summer border I love collecting a bright and fun colour palette and applying that to the space. “I love that side of my job, the ever changing briefs makes sure it never gets boring!”
“All garden styles have purpose and every garden is totally subjective.”
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Clear Designs
HAVING A CLEAR DESIGN
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Creating A Powerful Brand
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here was a time when one of the criteria for a ‘good’ logo was how it would look on a fax. Making sure that it was still clear and legible after a trip through a notoriously bad printer meant careful consideration of the size and detail of logos, and resulted in big-name brands producing books inches thick on how their logo was to be used. Times have changed, and whereas faxes are more and more rare (meaning they’re less and less of a concern for many businesses) it’s still worth keeping in mind where your logo will be seen today. For many businesses a card or a sign or a shopping bag might be it, but these days it might be your website, or even a Facebook or Twitter feed where you could be competing for attention with dozens of others. Making sure your brand is noticed is less about going big and bombastic as it is about clarity. Choosing a good design that clearly communicates what your business is about and how you do business is a proven way of attracting customers and inspiring confidence in your product or service, and shows that you have a clear idea of what you do. Our professional team not only has years of experience but also a passion for good design. We can bring you through every stage from the initial concept right through to a finished product – be it your logo, business cards, catalogues, menus, flyers, posters, websites – whatever you need – all with thoughtful, visual communications that make your message clear. Talk to us and see what we can do 01 445 9363.
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Flogas LPG
Former Kerry GAA legend
‘SIGNS’ FOR FLOGAS LPG Former Kerry football star Darragh Ó’Sé, one of the country’s most celebrated sporting legends, recently signed up to Flogas when he converted his family home’s heating system from oil to Flogas LPG.
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arragh’s ten year old oil boiler at his detached family home near Tralee had become increasingly inefficient and expensive due to high running costs which urged him to look around for alternatives. Darragh said “As an auctioneer and property consultant, I keep an eye on any property trends. I had heard about the benefits of LPG as an alternative fuel to oil and knew of several Kerry homes that had made the successful transition from oil to gas so I decided to take a look at it for myself. “ Darragh availed of a free home visit and energy survey carried out by local Flogas sales representative Mike Murphy. He was pleasantly surprised by the proposed savings and increased fuel efficiencies and very quickly opted for the conversion. By installing a new 24kw LPG boiler in his home instead of another oil burner, it means Darragh is now using a cleaner burning fuel resulting in a longer boiler lifespan, lower carbon tax, increased efficiency and, crucially, a fuel supply that is secure and safe from theft. In addition, by becoming a Flogas LPG customer, Darragh received his first 1,200 litres completely free of charge. Flogas has also partnered with National Energy Assessors (NEA) who assisted in Darragh’s application for the SEAI grant of up to €700 for the installation of a new LPG boiler. The NEA also offered a preferential rate for a new upgraded BER cert that was
achieved by installing the new LPG boiler. Once the go-ahead was given, a concrete base was delivered on which the new Flogas tank would be placed. Flogas then arranged the supply and fit of the new tank by a registered gas installer with new heating controls that included zone heating. Darragh said “I am delighted with the results and I can’t believe how quick the water is to heat up and how instant it is. We now have unlimited amounts of hot water for showers and switching from electric cooking to more controllable gas cooking has been of great benefit to the family. I’m also very pleased to have a theft free fuel. “ Local Flogas sales representative Mike Murphy said, “Darragh now has economical central heating, zone heating and a telemetry top up system that ensures his home never runs out of LPG. By also opting for the Flogas Easy Payment Plan, Darragh has the comfort of paying a fixed amount each month which is ideal from a family budgeting perspective.” As an energy solutions specialist, Flogas can design and implement a complete turnkey solution for your home so why not avail of a no-obligation free survey from ourselves or our network of Flogas-approved and RGII/Gas Safe registered installers nationwide? We’ll analyse your existing energy costs and outline the benefits and savings you’ll enjoy by converting to Flogas LPG. Contact Flogas at 1800 320 342 or gas@flogas.ie
“By becoming a Flogas LPG customer, Darragh received his first 1,200 litres completely free of charge”
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Sliding Doors
TOP TIPS FOR FITTING INTERNAL SLIDING DOORS Sliding doors have rapidly become one of the most popular choices over a traditional hung door when space may be limited in the surrounding area near a door way.
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Sliding Doors
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t’s not always ideal to have a door swinging onto wardrobes, a feature wall or covering an area where a piece of furniture could potentially sit. The most common use of these systems is for ensuites and dressing rooms, however because of the fire rated systems now available they are now being used in openings for all types of habitable rooms. A pair of double sliding doors can act as a perfect room divider especially within a contemporary designed property. Types of Sliding Doors Pocket Sliding systems are the most popular and have fire rated options
Words: Andy Purcell Pics: Solid Wooden Doors
“It is quite popular to have plastered reveals surrounding the sliding door to avoid the use of frames and architraves.”
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available. These are also the best space saving option as they slide into a wall cavity or pocket. Wall mounted sliding doors are most popular as glazed screens but can also be engineered doors. These systems are faced fixed to a finished wall with a pelmet covering the top hung track. They require a section of wall large enough to allow the door to slide over it when it is pushed into the open position, a much more practical option in larger rooms where wall space isn’t an issue. So to help, I’ve put together these great sliding door fitting top tips.
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Top Tips on fitting Sliding Doors 1. Have a glazed panel in your sliding door to give it a more modern look and get that extra bit of natural light into a room if it’s looking a bit dark. Keep in mind to use opaque glass for en-suites or that could leave a few red faces. 2. Glazed sliding doors allow you to see the inside of the pocket when half open/closed. Keep this in mind when forming the pocket as you may need to clad the inside of it to avoid seeing the unsightly structural internals of these systems. 3. There are many different types of sliding systems available. I always recommend using a top hung system with a floor mounted guide stud that sits within the pocket. This eliminates the guide channel
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you can sometimes get across the floor with some systems which only ends up getting filled with dirt and starts jamming the door as it operates. Not to mention the nightmare of having to recess it into the floor when installing it. If you have the option, have a solid (solid = non glazed) door design with a horizontal pattern/layout over a vertical pattern/layout. This is highly recommended if you cannot ascertain an accurate finished visual opening measurement at the time of ordering as it will give you the tolerance to make the visual opening any size you like when you come to install it and the door will still look centred when in the closed position. Try to avoid panelled doors with protruding beading as sliding doors.
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“I always recommend using a top hung system with a floor mounted guide.”
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The reason for this is that it becomes tricky to install and get fire ratings for (if required) due to the projection of the bead bringing the total door thickness up to anything from 45mm to 75mm. Sometimes even thicker with some of the bespoke beading available! This also makes it difficult to finish the frames as they can only finish up to the beading, leaving the frames sitting between 10mm – 20mm away from the door stile when in the closed position (depending on beading type). You can resolve this by using a recessed beading allowing you to have a panelled design but still retaining that all important door thickness. Or though it may look a more clean finish it is not recommended to have a sliding door close all the way into a pocket so the door edge sits flush with the frame. The main reason for this is that the recessed handle in the face of the door which is required to close the door can easily catch little fingers when it is sliding open into the pocket. It is quite popular to have plastered reveals surrounding the sliding door to avoid the use of frames and architraves if you don’t want the opening to look too busy. However this requires a very experienced plasterer to make this finish look as good as it sounds. This type of finish also makes it very difficult if you need to adjust the door in anyway in the future which brings me onto my next point. Always use an ENGINEERED door with sliding systems as they must operate with the most stable product available to avoid any maintenance in the near future. A sliding door is something you want to fit first time and not have to touch again until it needs to be removed for renovation. Where a hanging door is easy to adjust if it doesn’t shut correctly by adjusting the undercut or hinges, a sliding door will more than likely require its surrounding frames and architraves removed or even potentially a hole cut in the wall to get into the pocket if it is not operating correctly. This isn’t easy to patch back in on a wallpapered wall.
You cannot accurately install the surrounding frames/reveals around a sliding door without the door leaf itself being installed and adjusted first. Keep this in mind when selecting the finishes as any painting plastering oiling etc will need to be done after the door is installed. However, as long as the door leaf is sufficiently protected or masked this shouldn’t cause much of an issue. 10. Think about what is visible when the door is in the open position. If you are standing in the opening and look up, you don’t want to see an old piece of sawn and treated 4” x 2” behind your track! Cladding around the track in mdf for painting or timber in a matching finish to your frame is a must have. This doesn’t want to be something you notice once everything is finished and installed!
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Lastly, when forming the pocket for the sliding door, do not be tight with the amount of tolerance you allow inside the pocket. The more tolerance you allow either side of the door, the less chance it has in snagging the sides after some use. Most top hung sliding systems allow the door to move slightly from side to side as it follows the guide stud on the floor so it operates smother. I always suggest to leave anything up to 20mm either side of the door if you have the space to do so. About Solid Wooden Doors (SWD) Andy Purcell is from Solid Wood Doors (SWD). With an established reputation for commitment to innovative design, unsurpassed craftsmanship and excellent client service, Solid Wooden Doors offers the very best in manufacturing bespoke timber doors for residential and commercial purposes. www.solidwoodendoors.com or 0044-1932 851081.
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International Home
Extreme Concrete Crossed
HOUSE IN MURCIA The upper storey of this concrete house by Clavel Arquitectos cantilevers out from the lower storey by 10 metres, stretching towards mountain views in Spain’s Murcia region
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he residence is set within an area of Molina de Segura that is expected to become densely developed in the coming years. So Manuel Clavel Rojo’s studio sought to create a home that offers views of the Sierra de la Pila and Valle del Ricote mountains both now and in the future. The idea was to separate the upper and lower floors, orienting a groundlevel living space framing the garden and pool, and a first-floor bedroom block pointed towards the distant peaks. The two floors are pivoted 35 degrees from each other, allowing the upper
storey to cantilever 10 metres over its base. The residence is named Crossed House after this overlapping and pivoted arrangement. “This conceptual setup is materialised by a geometrical operation, the rotation of two elements, as if it were two construction toy blocks that are stacked and handled easily,” explained the design team. “These cantilevers, together with the rotation between both volumes, provide the necessary sun protection of the facade and pool residence.” The volumes are 20 metres in length and five metres deep, and feature rounded corners and window frames. Glazing is set away from the edge of
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the blocks to provide some shade from intense midday sunlight. “The expressive power of this formal configuration, very elementary in principle, is further enhanced by a subtle distinction between the two volumes: the edges are rounded according to the orientation of the main openings of each level reinforcing this way the autonomous nature of the volumes,” added the team. Windows are aligned towards favourable views, with the lower floor given a glazed flank that opens onto the terrace. The glazed ends of the upper floor provide two bedrooms with views over the landscape.
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A third buried volume forms the pool deck, which extends beyond the overhang of the cantilever. While the exterior concrete finishes have a rough texture, concrete floors inside are polished smooth. Other details include wood panelling, greypainted bookshelves and dark upholstery. “The surface’s treatment of the concrete volumes provides a contrast between the outside with a rough finish created by a shuttering of sandblasted pine strips and an interior of smooth finishes,” added the team.
“Glazing is set away from the edge of the blocks to provide some shade from intense midday sunlight.” Spring 2016 Home & Build
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