Self Build Homes January 2016

IN THIS ISSUE

FLOORING

HEATING

PLANNING

LIGHTING JANUARY 2016 £4.25 www.selfbuildhomesmag.com

TIMBER

ALTERNATIVE

A RENEWABLE

FUTURE

BATHROOM

SPECIAL

BESPOKE TIMBER FRAME SPECIALISTS BAUFRITZ DESIGN THE PERFECT HOME FOR January A GROWING, 2016 FAMILY A

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January 2016

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CONTENTS

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January 2016

A TIMBER ALTERNATIIVE

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BATHROOM SPECIAL

THE BEAUTY OF BESPOKE

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HOUSE-FEATURE

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HEATING SOLUTIONS

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A HOUSE IN THE HOLLOW

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HEALTHY LIVING IN A TIMBER HOME

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DESIGN

Welcome

Welcome to the January issue of Self Build Homes. With the New Year under way and the end of winter just around the corner, it seems the perfect time to be planning for the seasons ahead. Whichever stage you are at, whether you are submitting a planning application, designing a timber frame home or simply just tidying up the garden in preparation for the summer, we have something for everyone.

With a focus on timber, this issue we show you some truly innovative timber frame self-builds, bespoke handcrafted staircases from the specialists at Bisca and how to maximise on appearance and durability with a great range of decking options from Arboretta.

We also have some great self-build projects to share with you, from redesigning a traditional ranch-style home into a modern living space, to the demolishing of Thornhill farm to build a spectacular, eco-friendly dwelling. Speaking of which, if you are considering of reducing your energy bills with the idea of becoming more energy efficient, Wandsworth Group show us the huge benefits to be had with their integrated control system to enable you to be more smart with your usage.

As always, we hope you enjoy the issue and we wish you a prosperous year of planning ahead for your ideal self-build project.

Vicki Editor, Self Build Homes Magazine

Publisher: Colin Woolley Publishing email: info@selfbuildhomesmag.com Production Manager: Alice Allwright Production email: production@cplmedia.co.uk PUBLISHED BY CPL Media Myrtle Oast, Kemsdale Road, Fostall Faversham, Kent, ME13 9JL Tel: 01227 750153 Website: www.selfbuildhomesmag.com

ADVERTISING Sales Manager: Simon White Email: simon@selfbuildhomesmag.com Publication Manager: Ryan Graves Email: ryan@cplmedia.co.uk

Sales Executive: Tom Thorman Email: tom@cplmedia.co.uk EDITORIAL Editor: Vicki Watson Email: editorial@selfbuildhomesmag.com Art Director: Ivan Boyanov Junior Designer: Matthew Head Email: design@cplmedia.co.uk Contributors: Karndean, Michael Clarke,

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January 2016

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NEWS

January 2016

THE DO-IT-YOURSELF ANSWER TO BRITAIN’S HOUSING CRISIS

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ommunity-led housing may seem like a marginal pursuit in the context of tectonic shifts in national housing policy, but a new project in Lewisham, London, offers a creative solution to Britain’s housing shortage.

On the Church Grove site in Ladywell, residents have been given a rare chance to build their own homes together. The council has taken the bold step of partnering with the Rural Urban Synthesis Society (RUSS), a local community land trust, on the construction of 33 sustainable, affordable homes.

There are many benefits to the scheme: self-building gives future residents a sense of ownership and influence that’s rarely achieved in conventional social housing.

Residents will be involved in design and construction from the outset, with guidance from architects and tradespeople; they can get to know their neighbours before they move in, and ultimately undertake collective management and maintenance.

The project also gives self-builders the opportunity to pick up new skills. There will be different levels of self-build, allowing people to get involved regardless of their ability and the time they are able to commit.

Some might be unemployed, looking for training and qualifications; others might have less time to devote to construction; while some people, such as elderly residents, may do less physical work but get involved in organisation and administration.

There will also be opportunities for volunteers and trainees, who are not going to be living on the site.

It also marks an alternative to much of the rest of UK self-build. The mass-individualistic, Englishman’shome-is-his-castle suburbanism implied by current government policy – a world of kit-homemanufacturers and commercial plot developers let off section 106 – would not get far in London or other cities.

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Councils look to radical alternatives to solve the UK's housing crisis.

The idea of collective building and living originated in Scandinavia, and is still somewhat middle class, but it is becoming more common in many European cities. About 10% of Berlin’s annual housing output is from “baugruppen” (building groups) creating dense, multi-story, urban schemes – as Lewisham’s will be.

The Church Grove project welcomes a diverse community of younger and older people as well as families, couples, students and single people.

The scheme will include homes of between one and four bedrooms, available on a range of tenures including social rent, affordable rent, shared equity and shared ownership.

The specific mix of properties and tenures will be tailored to suit the mix of residents that come forward for the scheme.

RUSS has around 200 members, including some prospective residents. Tenants for the social rented housing will be drawn from the Lewisham council’s housing list, while other homes will be advertised more widely.

Crucially, the Community Land Trust will link rents to incomes, rather than a percentage of soaring market values. Typically, a resale formula will allow part-owners to benefit from the appreciation of property in line with general wage increases, while avoiding hikes due to property speculation. This keeps homes affordable in perpetuity.

Lewisham’s vision is one of selfbuilding in dense, collaborative, and social places, inclusive of subsidised genuinely affordable housing for future generations. Making sites available exclusively for independent community-led development like this has got to be a part of the future for British housing.

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OXFORDSHIRE COUNCIL DECIDES TO ADOPT INITIAL GRAVEN HILL SELF-BUILD LDO

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utline planning permission was granted in August 2014 for up to 1,900 new homes at the site, which is the UK's biggest self-build development site. The Council held a consultation in the summer on a proposal to separate development into phases with a separate LDO for each phase and has now agreed to put in place an initial LDO for the first phase of up to 198 homes.

According to a report (12-page / 157 KB PDF) from the Council's head of development management, the area covered by the LDO is proposed to be divided into plots, each of which will have a "plot passport" setting out the requirements for building on the plot.

A LDO application submitted in September indicated that plots will be allocated for a variety of homes, from one-bedroom "coach houses" to fivebedroom "premium detached" properties and that 31 of the 198 homes are proposed to be affordable homes for shared ownership.

Self-builders whose proposals meet the requirements for building will be permitted to build on receipt of a notification from the Council that their plans comply with the LDO. The report said the areas subject to LDOs will not include those to be developed by the site's strategic developer, such as its village centre, school, community centre and pavilion and certain locations along key routes.

Planning expert Rebecca Warren of Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind Out-Law.com, said: "This is an interesting approach taken by the Council given that outline permission already exists. It does however provide an opportunity to test the market as regards self-build, allowing the Council to impose constraints through the LDO on the construction of this tenure type."

"Given that the outline consent remains extant until 2022 and the LDO expires after five years, this clearly gives the Council an implementable fallback position, should self-build not prove attractive," Warren said.

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DESIGN

Oak Framed Structures

THE BEAUTY OF BESPOKE

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ADD VALUE TO YOUR HOME WITH A BESPOKE, OAK FRAME STRUCTURE.

This round conservatory measures 6m in diameter and has a total of 12 sides and 9 windows for a 360° view of the garden. The addition of a log-burning stove keeps the room cosy and warm in the winter and a fan built into the lantern light at the pinnacle of the ceiling keeps it cool throughout the summer.

This oak frame cost £36,000 from Arboreta.

f you are looking for additional space, which will enhance your life and improve your home, a stunning, oak frame structure could be just the answer. The key is to look for luxury, bespoke, oak frame building designs, which will be sympathetic to your surroundings. There are a multitude of options to choose from to create an additional living space, which will stand the test of time, from kitchen extensions to distinctive garden rooms and orangeries.

Building an extension is one way in which to add value to your home, give you the additional space you crave and make it more appealing to potential buyers if you are struggling to sell your property or you are thinking of selling in the future.

When planning your extension, think carefully about how you would use the additional space to improve the layout and functionality of your property. Would your 8

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home benefit from an extra bedroom, a dedicated dining area or a garden room that provides additional living space? Your extension needs to have a clear purpose so potential buyers can see exactly how they too would use this space.

For the design, ensure the extension is sympathetic to both the interior and exterior of the origi-

This bespoke, oak-frame orangery designed and built by Arboreta features a roof light, which allows plenty of light to enter the space. The addition of French and folding doors provides easy access to the garden and brings a sense of the outside inside. An Arboreta orangery costs from £35,000.

DESIGN

This oak-frame annexe designed and built by Arboreta features full-height glazing at the front of the building to allow plenty of natural daylight to enter the main living space. It acts as self-contained accommodation with a living area, rustic kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. An Arboreta annexe costs from ÂŁ30,000.

interior and exterior of the original property so that it feels part of your home rather than an addon. If you are opting for a garden room, invest in a solid structure such as an oak frame that is built

to last and requires little maintenance, so when you come to sell it still looks in pristine condition.

For many households, the kitchen is the most important room

in the home and, as the trend for open-plan living remains popular, many homeowners are looking to extend their kitchen to accommodate a dining or living area. If you are planning to extend, look January 2016

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DESIGN

Oak Framed Structures

into the environmentally friendly options available. Take the time to research where and how materials are being sourced. If you are looking for an oak frame extension for example, ensure the wood has been responsibly sourced from sustainable forests.

Work closely with your designer or architect during the initial planning stages to explore the different building methods you can implement to ensure the process is kind to the environment. Consider the most energy efficient glazing and wall insulation available so this can be taken into account when designing the framework in the initial stages.

Or you may want to consider investing in a garden room, orangery or conservatory, which will enable you to appreciate your

gardening efforts. Opting for a sturdy structure such as oak framing will allow this space to feel like a permanent fixture and part of your home that can be used come rain or shine.

If you have a south facing garden, you will want to take full advantage of the natural daylight and this can be achieved by incorporating a roof light and French or bi-fold doors into the design as well as choosing full-height glazing. If you choose a roof light, your designer will need to ensure that it doesn’t interfere with any windows on the first floor of your property.

During the planning process, ensure the design allows for year round living- a garden room should be used throughout the

seasons, not just in the summer months. Prepare for the winter and think about incorporating underfloor heating and a wood-burning stove in the design so you can appreciate this additional space in the colder months.

Invest in a sturdy structure and a highly insulated roof as opposed to an entirely glazed roof as this will avoid your garden room from becoming too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter.

Ensure that the addition you choose complements the style of your main property so that it doesn’t look out of place. If you opt for a bespoke structure you will be able to work closely with your designer to create a sympathetic design.

This large oak-framed sunroom with a vaulted ceiling acts as an additional living space in the home. The glazing runs the length of the structure for panoramic views and French doors have been fitted on both sides of the sunroom for through-access. Arboreta’s sunrooms start from £30,000.

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January 2016

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DESIGN

A Timber Alternative

STYLE & CHOICE

SIMPLIFYING THE VAST ARRAY OF CHOICES AND SHARE THE LATEST STYLES

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ith a choice of timber, modified timber and aluminium-clad timber your selection should by based on your requirements. Modern wood windows are able to combat all aspects of weather and frames have a minimum estimated service life of 60 years or more when well maintained, whereas plastic often becomes discoloured and brittle as a result of exposure to the sun.

For houses in exposed conditions, or where maintenance access is difficult, such as coastal areas or high-rise buildings, you should consider ‘Wood-Plus’ alternatives, such as modified wood (e.g. Accoya™) or aluminium-clad wood.

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These premium solutions offer extended service life expectations of up to 80 years or more and longer maintenance intervals of 10 to 30 years.

Glazing: Double, triple or passive?

There are a number of things to consider when deciding on the level of glazing you require: STEP ONE - UNDERSTANDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY There are two ways energy-efficiency is measured. Simplest to understand is the 'Window Energy Rating' (WER) awarded by the British Fenestration Rating Council. This takes into account a number of different factors and then awards an A-E rating, just

like the ratings given to fridges, where A is the most efficient. A more common method is the 'U-value', essentially a measure of the thermal transmittance of the window (not taking into account elements such as solar gain that are included in the WER).

If you are judging the energy-efficiency of a window by its U-value, make sure you ask for 'whole window U-value', not a 'centre pane U-value'.

You should be looking for a window with an A-C WER rating, or a U-value of 1.4 – 1.6 W/m2K. STEP TWO - CONSIDER YOUR LOCATION

DESIGN

tion of the glazing unit, which can have different spacing between the glass, various different gasses and coatings to the glass itself. Generally speaking, the greater the energy-efficiency, the more expensive the Window. Wood and aluminium-clad wood windows are widely available to meet the most demanding requirements of double-glazed windows. Even traditional style vertical sliding sash windows (which are inherently more difficult to make completely airtight) are available with A WER ratings and U-values as low as 1.4 W/m2K.

If you have a lot of south-facing windows, it would be worth asking your supplier about special glazing to reduce the heat and glare of direct sunlight. If you live in a very noisy neighbourhood, it would be worth asking about special acoustic glazing.

STEP THREE – CHOOSE THE LEVEL OF GLAZING Double glazing: For most people, double-glazing will deliver a happy medium between energy-efficiency and cost. The energy-efficiency of a double-glazed window largely depends on the specifica-

Triple glazing and Passive windows: If you live in a very highly insulated house, you might want to consider triple-glazed windows. These can reach U-values of 1.0 W/m2K, and even down to 0.8 or 0.7 W/m2K (Passivhaus standards). You need to consider that triple-glazed windows are naturally more expensive than double-glazed windows. And you will get less 'free heat' from solar gain, both because of the three layers of glass and the chunkier frame required to hold the weight of the glass.

will offer their own installation experts.

Triple-glazed wood and aluminium-clad windows are widely available with U-values as low as 0.8 W/m2K or even lower.

Wood is not only an inherently good material for energy-efficient windows because it has naturally low thermal transmittance (it's a good insulator), but also because it has the strength to support heavy triple-glazing units without the additional steel reinforcements that can provide cold-bridging problems for PVC-U windows.

KNOW YOUR TOP HUNG FROM YOUR TILT AND TURN Modern wooden windows are available in a vast range of styles that will suit traditional and contemporary tastes. Your first decision is: Modern, traditional or specialist heritage. Then it’s about choosing a style that fits the purpose. Think about how you use that space in your home and practicalities like ease of cleaning in upstairs rooms.

The Wood Window Alliance has an extensive gallery of wood windows on their website www. woodwindowalliance.com created to help homeowners choose windows and doors to suit their home.

FINISHES One of the key benefits of wood windows is the complete on-going Getting down towards Passivhaus flexibility you have when it comes windows requires detail design to materials and finishes. Varnishchanges to the frames and seals to es and paint finishes mean you can eliminate any possible cold-bridg- choose windows that perfectly suit ing. And, at this level, care must be your building and personal taste taken to ensure the best possible as well as being a real selling point installation standards so that no for future buyers who want to heat is lost between the window make their own mark. and the wall. Many manufacturers January 2016

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FEATURE

THE HOUSE IN THE HOLLOW BECOMES A DREAM HOME When Ian and Rebecca Anderson throw open the living room curtains in the morning, they are greeted by the sight of a tumbling waterfall only a stone’s throw from their patio doors and wild birds in the Scots pines and broad-leaf trees beyond.

A TRANQUIL SETTING It was the appeal of this delightful aspect which persuaded them to embark on the daunting project of building their own home – and that was a decision they have not regretted for a second. Rebecca, 31, said: “It is so beautiful having the burn rushing past the house, so soothing. The house is built on the side of a hollow, so it slopes down towards the river and looks over towards the far bank.”

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For the Borders couple and their two young children, the site was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Ian was a third generation tenant farmer on Woodburn Farm – named after the river which runs by their house – at Roberton, six miles west of Hawick and the land became available through the landowner.

Their first instinct was to build a bungalow for the express purpose of holiday letting while Ian

continued to run his livestock farm. But as the couple discussed the project, they began to see it as a chance for Ian to change direction from a career which had occupied him since he left school at 16.

So they decided to live in the house themselves, funding the purchase price of the half acre plot – and some of the build costs – by the sale of the livestock and machinery on the farm. They also

FEATURE

sold a flat Ian had bought and renovated in Hawick to add to their cash resources.

However, while the site was an opportunity, it was also a considerable challenge because of its position in a pronounced dip on the side of a hill, and that was where Scotframe, the leading timber frame specialists, came in.

QUALITY & FINISH Ian had seen and been impressed by the quality and finish of homes which Scotframe had supplied in nearby Roberton and he and Rebecca started to investigate the Inverurie-based company’s huge range of off-the-shelf designs and styles.

In the end, however, they decided to ask Scotframe to create a

unique, bespoke home for them which would overcome the difficulties of the sloping plot and also meet their particular requirements.

Rebecca said: “We originally

obtained planning permission for a straightforward bungalow but, since we were laying the foundations anyway, we decided to convert the huge attic space as well. So now, though it officially is a three-bedroom bungalow with January 2016

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FEATURE

an attic conversion, it is actually a five-bedroom family house.

achieve what we wanted within the official guidelines.”

the wooden cladding on the outside walls.

“Scotframe also helped us to change the balance of the house, creating smaller bedrooms all on one level downstairs and much bigger, open living and kitchen areas with a change in level between them. The light floods into the living area through the patio doors and lets us take full advantage of the lovely views.”

Although the planning process ran relatively smoothly for the Andersons, the cumulative minutiae of building control regulations proved to be complex and time-consuming to deal with.

He even sourced a water supply on a nearby hill and laid a pipe down towards the house and the couple are now working on a two kilowatt micro-hydro turbine which will run off the burn and supply the house with electricity.

SOUND ADVICE Although Ian project managed the build himself and an architect was involved, Rebecca said that their main source of advice and guidance turned out to be Scotframe.

She said: “I know that Scotframe’s only responsibility was to supply and deliver the kit – which they did on time and on budget – but they went out of their way to do so much more. They seemed to know all about building rules and regulations and about how we could

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The house had to be fully compliant with disability regulations although there were no disabled people living there; light switches had to be at a low level and electrical sockets at a high level; foundations and drains had to comply with strict guidelines; and even low level windows had to have safety catches and safety glass if they were more than one metre above the ground.

With Scotframe’s technical and regulatory assistance, any outstanding issues with the building control department were finally resolved and Ian was able to get on with fitting the kitchen, laying the oak floors, painting and fixing

Rebecca said: “I am so glad that we were able to work with Scotframe. They were professional, flexible, helpful and technically faultless. Because of them, we now have a dream home. Without them, it could have been something of a nightmare.”

For further information contact Peter Hall at Scotframe, Inverurie Business Park, Souterford Avenue, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, AB51 0ZJ. Tel: 01467 626843 Email: peter. hall@scotframe.co.uk or visit: www.scotframe.co.uk

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DESIGN

Timber Living

HEALTHY LIVING IN A TIMBER HOUSE By: Barbara Fischer-Clark of Stommel Haus UK

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DESIGN

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uilding with timber has many advantages in particular its thermal properties. Timber buildings provide excellent energy efficiency if well designed and constructed.

However this article concentrates on one of the lesser well known benefits, the health aspects of

living in a timber house.

Timber has the wonderful property that it can bind pollutants, toxic substances, bacteria and fungi from the air we breathe. Have you ever wondered why a butcher’s block is made of wood – it’s exactly because of these properties.

The variation of air humidity in a house is influenced by the use of water in the bathrooms and kitchen, the weather conditions and, of course, the living and breathing of those living in the house. Wood has the ability to regulate humidity to a level which is beneficial to the human health, by absorbing excess water and releasing it again when the air humidity in a room gets low. This leads to constant air humidity and a hygienic atmosphere in the house throughout the year.

These verifiable properties of timber do not wear off during the entire lifetime of the house and the life of a timber house is unlimited if properly constructed; they always provide a healthy climate and an unrivalled feel-good atmosphere.

Experience and great skill is required to make the best use of these wonderful natural properties of timber. The contemporary timber houses from Stommel Haus are built with solid heartwood polar spruce from certified forests.

The diffusion open sandwich wall construction - which is devoid of any wood preservatives, toxic chemicals and also free of plastic membranes - in combination with the expert skills of qualified craftsmen guarantees healthy living in a “breathing” home.

House Owners Experience Besides all the technical and scientific arguments for the healthy atmosphere in a well designed and skilfully built modern timber house, at Stommel Haus we regularly receive letters from our clients about their improved health, for example from Michaela Dahn who writes: “I have had asthma for January 2016

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DESIGN

Timber Living

20 years and had to take cortisone in small doses every day to control the effects of mould and bacteria.

I also had to take bronchodilator medication; that is until we moved into our new house on 15th May. In the following weeks I found I could reduce the cortisone and at the moment live almost without it. My symptoms have decreased so much that I further reduced the use of the bronchodilator medicine. ...”. Another example is our client K. Görlitz who writes: “I always wanted to tell you how much our son Michel enjoys living in our Stommel Haus timber home.

His skin is much healthier now, clear and soft. His predisposition for eczema remains, but since we moved in we can see a definite improvement. Our worry about 22

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the eczema has gone and we live a normal life without itching skin, diets, visits to the doctors ...”.

Breathability and Air-Tightness of a Timber House – A Contradiction?

Current Building Regulations require improved air-tightness of a building which is important for the energy efficiency. Does air-tightness not contradict the claim of breathability? Not at all – when talking about air-tightness we speak about avoiding air leakages, for instance by providing high quality windows and properly sealed openings to the outside such as vents, outside lights and taps. Also the skilful sealing of openings for electricity cables and water pipes is important, as well as

the correctly sealed connections of walls and windows. Stommel Haus homes are typically 3x more air tight than British Building Regulations require.

When talking about breathability, we refer to the design of the wall construction, the materials used in the walls and the property of being diffusion open. By avoiding the use of any plastic membranes or any other materials which could cause condensation or the accumulation of moisture, the air humidity in the house stays at a perfect level. This natural control of humidity is a key feature of a well designed timber house and provides a healthy atmosphere for living.

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FEATURE

Planning Your Dream Bathroom

PLANNING YOUR DREAM A LUXURIOUS SOAK IN THE BATHROOM YOU BUILT

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t goes without saying that the beauty of building your own home is the ultimate freedom it offers. It’s that very special and precious freedom to create your own unique style to meet your own budget using materials and designs which you have chosen to suit your own personality and needs.

One of the most important spaces in your new home is the bathroom. Once regarded as the Cinderella of the house, it is now a very sophisticated space indeed; having to meet the complex demands of you and your family, incorporating the very latest in electronic wizardry and packed with safety features.

It is also the most technically challenging since it requires a knowledge and understanding of the regulations which dictate what you can and cannot

FIRST STEPS

Congratulations! Your biggest step of all has been taken and you’re well on the way to building your new home. Now it’s time to get down to the detail and in the bathroom it’s that attention to the finer points which are so important; probably more so than any other room in your new house.

Ask yourself what it is that you actually want from your new bathroom? Or bathrooms? Your needs, useage, style and budget all have an effect on product and design choice and, of course, the layout and installation.

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do, and construction skills not required elsewhere in the property.

Vonne Orgill, Chief Executive of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, the BMA, looks at the many and complex requirements of your new bathroom and reveals the excitement and satisfaction with which you will ultimately be rewarded when you choose your dream products.

There is nothing quite like your first long and luxurious soak in the bathroom that you built. Here are Yvonne’s ideas and suggestions for your task ahead.

You should already have some idea of the space the main bathroom will occupy so hurdle number one is out of the way. But what exactly will it be used for? Sit down and think about what you really NEED. Also consider whether you will want a separate shower room and a cloakroom to complement your main bathroom? Discuss it with your family. How will they use it? How will youngsters, the elderly, and those in your family who have special needs use the bathroom? Don’t just choose your new bathroom on looks alone.

Style does mean a lot of course, but how your bathroom will be

used by everyone is an important factor in the decision making and planning process.

And before you go any further, in addition to your needs, you have to finalise how you want to USE your dream bathroom. Do you want to use it as a blissful retreat to get away from it all; away from those cares and woes of everyday life and to recharge your batteries with a long relaxing soak in a luxury tub? More time is being spent in the bathroom away from the mad mad world outside so the space is becoming more personalised.

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VOGUE (UK)

NEW LUXURY HEATING SOLUTIONS BY VOGUE (UK)

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lourishing in its 25th year, leading British heating designer and manufacturer Vogue (UK), enhance its range of luxury heating solutions with the launch of its brand new Brochure: available now! Presenting an authentically rich collection of British and Continental heating solutions, Vogue (UK), is proud to offer a brand new comprehensive range of luxury towel warmers and design radiators for 2015.

Vogue (UK)’s new 2015 Brochure is organised into 6 easy-to-read product collections – Contemporary, Ladder Rails, Traditional, Design Radiators, Electric and Additions – with each collection featuring new product designs, pioneering technologies and optional extras by Vogue (UK).

The new (pictured) Smooth Towel Warmer from the Contemporary Collection is just one example of the latest luxury heating designs

by Vogue (UK). Crafted in high quality Mild Steel with a polished finish, the Smooth multi-rail is available in 800mm to 1200mm heights: giving the option of either 9 or 13 cross rails. Designed with round tubing and finished with precision mitred corners, Smooth is controlled by Vogue (UK)’s contemporary classic Arne Valve.

Also featuring Vogue (UK)’s new fixed wall brackets for the height of concealment, Smooth is suitable

for central heating systems and is available in a variety of RAL colours, contemporary and metallic finishes.

Yet another example of the latest luxury heating designs by Vogue (UK), the new (pictured) KEYS II Towel Warmer is crafted in high quality Mild Steel with a polished chrome mirror finish. KEYS II Towel Warmer is available in 1080mm to 1840mm heights, with a width of 500mm and 132.5mm depth. Giving a heat output of up to 656 Watts or 2237 Btu/hr, the KEYS II Towel Warmer by Vogue (UK) offers the choice of 6, 8 or 10 cross rails. Designed with square tubing and the highly stylish Piazza Valve with cubed aesthetic, KEYS II is markedly versatile, allowing for left or right hand mounting to the wall.

The pictured model illustrates the 8 bar design by Vogue (UK), showing a left hand mount so that towels can easily be accessed from the right. Suitable for central heating systems, as well as dual fuel or sealed electric versions, KEYS II Mild Steel Towel Warmer is priced from £371 including vat.

been increased to 30 years.

All of Vogue (UK)’s new and existing Mild Steel towel warmers and radiators have the newly extended Quality Assurance Guarantee of 15 years: another quality feature of KEYS II and Smooth. Brass and Stainless Steel Guarantees have

Vogue (UK) continues to offer unique products, maintain excellent quality standards, give extreme attention to detail and produce 100% luxury British heating products that offer mass market appeal, complimented by the best

For further information on Vogue (UK) or any of its latest product collections, please contact 01902 387000, email info@vogueuk.co.uk or visit www.vogueuk.co.uk 28

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FEATURE

Planning Your Dream Bathroom

Or is your bathroom a place to dash into, freshen up, and dash out again?

A bathroom which is used as a place for retreat will usually have a bath tub for that much-needed soak. But a bathroom used for a quick refresh will not. A standard bath filled for a long deep soak will use more water than for a quick shower.

Perhaps your bathroom, particularly in larger family households, will be rediscovered as a family meeting point and social hotspot.

You might want to enjoy an occasional coffee or something a little stronger, perhaps. You might want to make a phone call or three, check your social media, play with the kids or cuddle with your partner.

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would prefer a fully matching or coordinated suite from one BMA manufacturer. Or are you OK about choosing products which don’t have an overall theme or style? A coordinated bathroom from one manufacturer may appear more stylish, will be easier on the eye and will be easier to purchase. It may not, however, be the most sustainable. A more sustainable bathroom might result if the most water and energy efficient individual products are carefully selected from different BMA manufacturers and brought together.

And finally ask yourself, do you prefer a traditional classic look or the latest state-of-the-art, sleek, modern and minimalist styling?

As you can see, you have lots of questions to ask yourself, and your family. Before you go any further, write it all down. Time invested well at this planning stage will be well spent.

A LITTLE MORE DETAIL

Now its time to start considering the more technical aspects for your room. You have to design its layout carefully allowing for the prevailing Regulations, Codes and Guides which you must adhere to.

So you will know the size of the room and the location of the windows and doors and the run of the floor joists. These will all impact on the location and size of your main bathroom fixtures. The direction and positioning of floor joists will affect the ‘run’ of supply and waste pipes. Installation will be so much easier and quicker if the pipework can be buried between joists.

Cutting through joists to allow a pipe run is never a good idea since the floor will be weakened and in extreme circumstances the integrity of the whole building could be compromised.

Also consider the working or ac-

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tivity space you will need around each fixture. You must allow yourself plenty of room to navigate your bathroom. If you have a young family you will need to supervise their activities. If you have elderly or infirm people in the house then they too will need sufficient space for carers to attend to them and if a family member is wheel chair bound then floor space has to be adequate enough to allow their maneuvering. Think hard how much space between and around the fixture that you will need and, if you can, add a little more!

Just like the rest of your property your new bathroom is bound by a number of Building Regulations and Standards and it is important that you adhere to the rules. But it can all be a bit tricky and the last thing you want is to fall foul of the law. It would be impossible to go through the requirements of all the Regs here suffice to say you will need to conform with Building Regulations Part F (Ventilation), Part G (Water Efficiency), Part H (Drainage), Part P (Electrics) and the Code for Sustainable Homes, (the national standard for the sustainable design and construction of new homes) to name but a few.

Also bear in mind that the products themselves are governed by various standards. Make sure you choose ones which meet the current Water Regulations and CE Marking (where applicable). It is illegal to install non-conforming product.

There is lots of information on the web to help you further but to be perfectly sure you may need to seek professional help at this stage.

TRENDS TO INSPIRE YOU

Having seen some of the technical requirements of your new bathroom lets now look at some of the more exciting aspects of its planning - the trendy stuff!

The bathroom living space is evolving rapidly and is becoming much more interactive and very sophisticated indeed. Futurologists are already predicting developments such as fragrance being piped into your room and even the way the bathroom floor feels beneath your bare feet could change according to your mood.

Now that would be something!

The world has an increasing desire for gadgetry, and together with communication and social media we are building a techno-world around ourselves. The bathroom is not excluded from this. Remote and hands-free fittings and integrated lighting are giving the bathroom an incredibly high de-

gree of comfort and convenience.

The trend for touch sensitive or sensor-activated products is sure to continue.

The bathroom can be equipped with multimedia functions and communication media. This technology will be loved by youngsters, who have grown up with it, and loved by oldies who have found that new techy products are so easy and safe to use.

Control over water flow is a key feature in the latest bathrooms.

This not only lets you tailor your experience to suit your needs, but also offers water and energy saving benefits as you only use the water that you need meaning your monthly bills are kept to a minmum.

Latest gadgets can give you complete temperature control of your bath or shower water so you no longer need to dip your toe in first to see if it’s too hot or too cold. (Be January 2016

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FEATURE aware that this is a very dangerous practice!) Some systems can be controlled via a remote device

slumber.

More importantly, digital tech-

accidents we hear of in the news.

Digital systems are fully programmable to suit your particular

from up to 10 metres away so there’s no reason why you can’t fill up your bath from your bedroom and get some extra moments of

nology is family friendly and ultra-safe since water temperature is thermostatically controlled to prevent those terrible scalding

schedule so that you can type in your requirements to automatically fill the bath to your desired temperature at any given time of January 2016

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Planning Your Dream Bathroom

day. Apps for your mobile phone will allow you to programme your needs from anywhere. Yes anywhere.

Digital systems are fully programmable to suit your particular schedule so that you can type in your requirements to automatically fill the bath to your desired temperature at any given time of day. Apps for your mobile phone will allow you to programme your needs from anywhere. Yes anywhere.

There are some stunning gadgets that can be seamlessly integrated into your scheme which allow you to enjoy the multimedia that you would normally enjoy from your sofa. Bear in mind though that it’s better to think about these gadgets at the planning stage so that all the necessary services can be built in.

Hidden speaker systems can be installed into the ceiling so you

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can listen to music and control it from a waterproof remote control.

Some BMA manufacturers have produced shower heads with built in miniature speakers allowing you to stream music from your home’s internet router. Mirrors are also available with this integrated technology.

Colour and lighting are as important, if not more so, in the bathroom than in other living spaces. Dulux announced that its trending colour for 2015 is COPPER BLUSH. Replacing the cool blues and greens of recent years, this year’s palette brings a warmer range of pinks, reds and oranges which combine perfectly with neutrals and whites. Likewise the colour committee of the Pantone Color Institute (which meets in secret twice a year) have analysed colour trends around the world and have latched on to MARSALA, an earthy wine red.

These colours will look well in the contemporary space.

For lighting, controllable, multi-colour, energy efficient and safe LED lighting is top of the list.

Hand held controls can be used to alter the mood in the bathroom at the flick of a switch. And lighting inside the bathroom fixtures themselves can add to the feelgood feeling of chromatherapy.

Don’t forget though that certain bathroom tasks, shaving is one, do need a good bright light if the job is to be completed without incident!

Always remember that electrical fittings must be installed by a competent person and in accordance with the electrical regulations, standards and approved codes of practice.

Finally, with regard to the layout of your bathing space the on-trend

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must-have is OPEN PLAN. It may be too late if your walls are already constructed but it may be worth considering. Instead of the traditional separate bedroom and ensuite, the open plan arrangement puts bath and bed in the same space. It’s far from private, but it’s becoming a hit for the master bedroom. Open plan bedrooms and bathrooms are catching on since they come with certain advantages. With few interior walls, even the smallest of spaces can seem large and comfortable.

YOUR MAIN BATHROOM just a few years ago. Technological improvements in manufacturing PRODUCTS

Now to the main fixtures in yourbathroom - the WC, washbasin, bath, the shower enclosure, and taps and shower controls. Here style, together with functionality, make the big difference. And the choice is huge.

now allow the design of very complex clay pieces. These together with new ceramic recipes, improved engineering and advanced water-recycling and bacteria control mean that the humble loo isn’t quite so humble anymore.

The WC has perhaps changed the most in the last decade and designers have really gone to town producing them in styles which would not have been dreamt of

Stylish WC suites with a short flush of just 2.6 litres (compared with the UK average of 9 litres) save huge amounts of water and nearly all manufacturers have January 2016

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Planning Your Dream Bathroom

these water saving products in their catalogue. Think of the savings you could make on your metered water bill.

ufacturers’ bathroom brochures will quickly show what fabulous designs and really innovative designs are now available.

The growth in the use of ‘wall hung’ WCs, supported on wall frames, are increasing in popularity as are ‘rimfree’ WCs which are exceptionally hygienic. The shower toilet – a WC with integrated bidet - is also popular now and excellent for the disabled/less-able market.

Deep sided and rectangular WASHBASINS remain in vogue but sinuous organic shapes with elegantly thin edges and integrated worktops have hit the showrooms and there is a new trend towards washbasins without a visible overflow. Also washbasins sitting above an integrated storage space is a key long term trend for UK bathrooms. Vessel basins resting

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on ‘designer’ bathroom furniture which is supplied ready assembled in bold accent colours and rich gloss veneered surfaces, complete the treatment. Furniture is available in wall hung or floor mounted styles.

The most popular materials used in BATH TUBS in the UK are cast acrylic (plastic) and enamelled steel. But new materials are arriving on the scene all the time and designs in composites are an exciting development. Soft touch materials which are flexible and

FEATURE

warm to the touch have begun to appear and will be the ‘must have’ in the future.

Baths are available with clever internal shaping and they now use less water than ever before, helping in the push for sustainability.

They also help reduce your household water and energy bills. Some designs have won major awards in recent worldwide competitions.

Free standing baths, if you have the space, look amazing and make a real statement and wellness baths give the ultimate experience.

Most meet the requirements of the current Water Regulations, some beat the top limits and although they cannot be described as ‘eco-friendly’ they do not waste water.

increasingly ‘frameless’ in design.

Highly engineered systems with thicker safety glass and clever adjustable hinges and hand rails have improved their look and their upmarket feel.

SHOWER ENCLOSURES, together with low height trays and/ or wet rooms mean that showering products, more than ever before, are the most important choice a consumer or professional designer has to make.

Trays have morphed to ‘low profile’ and light weight designs.

These trays look great, are easier to step in to and are therefore less hazardous. Low level trays have shed height in chunks and are replacing the tired-looking standard tray. New ‘soft touch’ shower tray materials are adding to the show

Enclosures and bath screens are

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ering experience and the different colours now available create a totally new feel to the bathroom.

An alternative to a shower enclosure, which you might like to consider, is the WET ROOM which will have a major impact on your layout and design. A number of members of the BMA have created products which are simple, reliable and easy to install. Wet rooms are particularly useful where level entry to the shower is essential, for use, say, by someone in a wheelchair.

Wet rooms give a feeling of open40

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ness. They make the best use of the available space and don’t necessarily require a fixed shower screen or enclosure. Without steps in and out of the shower tray there are fewer chances of slips and trips, cleaning is much easier, and overall the hygiene level is excellent.

controls and thermostatic valves are more important than ever as the new campaign which is aimed at reducing scalding gathers momentum. You can read about the campaign and see the types of products available here - Hot Water Burns Like Fire www.hotwaterburns.org

TAPS AND SHOWER CONTROLS

Many new shower head designs have come to market - all of them Many new shower head designs have come to market - all of them looking really attractive and many of them are aiding the push for

Present bathroom technology at its very best. Style and engineering come together to provide the user with comfort and safety. Digital

FEATURE PURUS LTD: MANUFACTURER OF WETROOM FLOOR DRAINS AND LEVEL-ACCESS GULLIES FOR ALL ENVIRONMENTS

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urus Limited is the manufacturer of quality Swedish wetroom and level-access drainage products for domestic, commercial and industrial environments, including the BBA-Certified Minimax 50 and the Purusline Living linear channel. Now featured on BIMobject and recently installed in the 67-bed Lord Street Care Home in Redcar, Cleveland; the Minimax 50 is not only the world’s shallowest wetroom drain incorporating the patented NOOD no-odour water trap, which will not omit any foul air even when dried out; it is also extremely simple to clean and maintain.

To find out more, please visit www.purusgroup.com or contact Purus directly on 0113 289 3172.

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FEATURE

Planning Your Dream Bathroom Fortunately a really simple labelling scheme is becoming increasingly recognised in the market and all that information has been gathered together in one place, on the Web. It’s the European Water Labelling Scheme and as its name suggests it’s being seen across Europe, and beyond. Almost 8000 products from 85 well-known bathroom brands are registered with the voluntary scheme. Take a look here www.europeanwaterlabel.eu. You will also find a database of stockists and a handy calculator which will help you select products to meet the requirements of Building Regulations Part G.

built in, so reducing water and energy consumption.. Some shower heads have flow limiting devices built in, so reducing water and energy consumption. Interestingly, though, the great feel of a good showering drench has not been compromised and they are as enjoyable as the old water guzzlers.

These new shower heads, when fitted correctly to a standard shower (not an instantaneous electric shower) can save considerable amounts of water and ultimately save on utility bills.

A GUIDE TO CHOOSING Having loads of ideas for your bathroom buzzing around your head is great. But it can be a bit daunting, indeed confusing, when you start to choose your fixtures.

The process is further complicated if you want to know how much water (and hence, energy) a particular product will use. Where do you look for the information you need?

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Also try the BMA’s Bathroom Academy www.bathroom-academy.co.uk where you will again find lots of help in downloadable industry guides.

And use the Ten Steps to Choosing a New Bathroom w and Rate your Bathroom which put it all in perspective - downloadable from here www.making-life-easier.org. uk An exciting time!

Choosing and designing the layout of your new bathroom is probably the most exciting and rewarding project you will encounter. Enjoy it!

FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE BMA email: info@bathroom-associationorg.uk or telephone: 01782 631619 or visit: www.bathroom-association.org

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CEDIA UBM

KBB BIRMINGHAM RETURNS AS THE LARGEST

EVENT SINCE 2008

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elebrating its 30th year, kbb Birmingham will return to the NEC from 6-9 March 2016, making this the largest kbb event since 2008.

The show will arm the industry with foresight and product innovation as it centres on the theme of Future. Kbb will offer thought-provoking showcases of future design, as well as providing an insight into the latest launches from new and returning exhibitors.

Kbb Birmingham 2016 sees the return of great British companies along with new international exhibitors including Abode, AEG, Samsung, Blanco, Britannia, BSH Group, Caple, CDA, Cosentino, Formica, Franke, Hurlingham, Ideal Standard, Keller, Leicht, Merlyn Showers, Nolte, Perrin & Rowe, RAK Ceramics, Roca, Roper Rhodes, Rotpunkt and Sensio. For the full exhibitor list visit www.kbb.co.uk.

The theme of future will continue with The Innovation Awards, in partnership with Blum, celebrating the most technologically advanced products yet. The awards aim to discover a product, method or idea that will provide a new and interesting solution to kitchens, bathrooms or appliances, to help shape the future of the industry.

The winners will be announced prior to the show and the es-

teemed panel of judges includes kbb Sales Director Jon Johnston; David Sanders, Managing Director of Blum; Editor of Kitchens, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, Ruth Bell; Renee Mascari, CEO of KBB NTG and designer Hayley Tarrington-Robson from Day True. Visitors will also be able to cast an innovative eye over exhibitor products, by voting for the visitor’s choice award via the new kbb show app, sponsored by ArtiCAD. David Sanders at Blum, commented: “Blum is a company that has innovation at its heart and it’s a completely natural connection for us to be involved with the kbb innovation award which is at the heart of the UK KBB industry” Sales Director at kbb, Jon Johnston commented, “I’m really looking forward to kbb Birmingham 2016, the quantity and quality of the brands involved in this year’s show will, in my opinion, ensure the best event yet. The bigger than expected demand for space at kbb 2016 reflects that the UK market is an exciting one, not just in terms of the volume of demand for product, but the demand

for innovative product design and function. I would recommend visitors try and spend more than one day at the show.”

Visit www.kbb.co.uk to register for your ticket and for more information. Stay in touch with us on Twitter using @kbblive and #futurekbb.

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FEATURE

THE STABLES – AN OPPORTUNITY SEIZED

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ity trader Ajay Patel and his father Arvindray, who worked in the pharmaceutical industry before retiring, had no prior experience in property development when they seized the opportunity to create their perfect family home.

The family originally lived in South West London but decided to move for more space. The impressive residence – The Stables in Beverley Lane, Coombe, Surrey – is a 10,000 square foot, six-bedroom home entered through a thatched stables that has been converted into three self-contained one and two bedroom flats. The spacious home comes with two reception halls, a family room, cinema room with bar, and gym. Ajay lives there with his wife Karen, their two young children Maya and Zach, his parents, and his 93-year-old grandmother.

“We didn’t have any experience; it really was an off the cuff thing,” says Ajay. “It was more a matter of opportunity and circumstance coming together. Originally the site was owned by a friend of my parents. A developer bought 46

By: Alexei Ghavami

the house and split it into three plots.”

When one of the plots became available in July 1999, Ajay and his father decided to buy it. The half-acre plot had planning permission for a smaller house and came with beautiful circular stables that are Grade II listed. “Our proposals had to be reviewed by National Heritage,” says Ajay.

HOUSE STYLE The stables were built in the 1930s and influenced by the great British architect Edwin Lutyens – whose work on Tudor styled country homes was prominent at the time. “We had to replace a thatched roof on the stables to be in keeping with Lutyens’ style,” Ajay explains.

“And the materials and design of the main house had to follow suit. The brickwork is Tudor in origin and sourced from Bury St Edmunds. We couldn’t go for something ultra-modern, not that we would have wanted to anyway.

“The unique layout of the house is actually because we had to build it around old oak trees that were TPO’d.”

Despite all this, the planning process was relatively quick according to Ajay. “Our architect did a good job,” he

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FEATURE says. The family chose the architect based on their creativity and how well they responded to their ideas, which were complicated to say the least.

Ajay’s mother, Vanita, had a lot of influence over the design. “My parents live quite a holistic lifestyle

and designed the house with Feng Shui principles,” says Ajay. “One of the main things was trying to provide as much natural light as possible. To be honest I don’t know much about Feng Shui, but I know it drove our architect mad.”

A PLACE OF TRANQUILITY

Feng Shui is the Chinese philosophy of harmonising human existence with the surrounding environment. These ideas have been introduced throughout the property. The master bedroom has a large timber framed balcony that overlooks the garden, and the ground floor has been opened up

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FEATURE to maximise the flow of light. The use of natural materials is a key theme with marble floors throughout property as well as the timber doors, architraves, staircases and window frames – all in natural wood finishes.

Ajay and his father decided against employing a construction company, choosing instead to cherry-pick individual tradesmen.

“It was mainly through friends of my father,” Ajay recalls. “He spoke to friends of friends and came up with a few people.”

Ajay was living in town when construction on the main house commenced in 2006. “We had redeveloped the stables by then so my father was living onsite and project managing the build,” says Ajay. “He became quite internet savvy and sourced things himself.

He would speak to his friends in different countries to see if they knew where we could get things from. He sourced the windows from a company in the Ukraine and the marble from Turkey. He flew out there and handpicked the pieces he wanted directly from the mountain.”

NO EXPENSE SPARED Ajay and his father financed the project using equity from the sale of their previous family home and a small mortgage. Everything in the house was finished to the highest spec. The kitchen is bespoke and offers the highest quality fittings, with Granite worktops, an AGA triple oven, Gaggenau appliances including a wine cooler, combi microwave, steam oven, and built in coffee machine, and the double Sub Zero fridge/freezer as standard. The ensuite bathrooms feature Villeroy & Boch and Hans Grohe fittings, rainfall showers, Bette bath tubs, 48

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and heated mirrors.

The master bedroom suite is pure indulgence. The room features a vaulted ceiling and a walk-in wardrobe. But it is the octagonal wet room that stands out. The windows on each façade have sliver-plated Indian shutters, while the marble floor tiles have been cut into a geometric pattern to complement the shape of the room. The detail is exquisite.

The property is accessed through the circular stables, which has a cobbled central courtyard and a triple garage built into the side.

The house has all of the modern features you would need – boasting a Luton home automation system, a hard wired audio system with recessed speakers in every room, Aqua Vision in all of the en-suite bathrooms, CCTV entry phones with an alarm system, Sat/ TV/ADSL/Phone points in all rooms, and a sophisticated satellite system to top it all off. The property also benefits from under floor heating, air-conditioning and triple-glazed windows.

Practical facets include a three hase power supply in the garden for marquee entertaining and a laundry chute from the first floor to the basement utility room. Extra wiring has also been installed throughout the house to prepare it for new technology.

Every detail has been thought of with no expense spared. Work on the house was completed in 2008, taking nearly two years.

OVER BUDGET As with most self-build projects, the build time took longer than expected and ran over budget.

The build alone cost over £1.2m,

with significantly more spent on purchasing the site, furnishings, and professional fees. “One of our builders went bust, which stopped things for a while,” recalls Ajay.

“We also decided to do more work in the basement than we planned.

That was 20 percent over our original budget. Aside from that, the whole process went really well.”

Looking around the home, it’s obvious that there are a lot of cultural influences. “We are an international family,” Ajay comments.

“With my parents being born in Africa, having an Indian heritage, and living here in the UK for the past 40 years, they drew upon those influences. The bathroom in the master bedroom blends

FEATURE

African and Indian influences, and company in Hampshire. It seats 24 some of the furnishings have an people.”

African feel to them.”

Ajay’s favourite rooms are the dinA TOUCH OF LUXURY ing room and cinema room where Recreating a little bit of British so- he hides in basement watching sports and films. The cinema phistication, a lot of the furniture was sourced from the Savoy Hotel. room is completely soundproofed, which Ajay explains “is as much “When they closed the Savoy for refurbishment we went along to about good sound quality as it is to stop everyone upstairs throwthe auction and purchased some of the furniture,” says Ajay. “Most ing a tantrum”, and the screen has electric curtains just like the real of the bedroom furniture and all of the dining room chairs are from thing. “The mobile signal isn’t very good down there so I can the Savoy. Everything was reuplock myself away,” laughs Ajay. He holstered and refurbished. The dining table chairs were recovered claims that his Runco THX proand we had them stained dark. We jector offers better picture quality had a lot of pieces made too. The than many commercial cinemas in the UK. The dining room opens dining table is custom made by a

out onto the hallway and living room creating an ideal space for entertaining guests. “It’s fantastic for entertaining,” says Ajay. “My wife and I were actually married there. We had a marquee in the garden and a drinks reception in the courtyard.”

The entertainment doesn’t stop there. Ajay considered playing golf professionally for a short period after university – going on tour in Asia. He was keen to make space for his hobby in the back garden.

“I bought the old eighteenth green from Wentworth where I’m a member,” says Ajay. “I laid it in the garden and had an astro-turf practice green built on the side.”

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FEATURE A HOME TO BE PROUD OF Overall, Ajay is delighted with the outcome of his self-build project and is glad that he and his father seized the opportunity. His advice is to not go overboard but to not hold back on the finish either.

“With a self-build it’s easy to want something that you don’t end up needing,” Ajay remarks.

“You could also end up putting such an individual style on the property that you struggle to sell it. With The Stables, I think we’ve created something timeless that will be around for generations to come.

“If you’re putting yourself through all the stress and hard work, make sure you spend money on the finishings and that you are happy with them. Having a beautiful home is the reward that makes it all worthwhile. You don’t want to have regrets, thinking I should have done this or I should have done that.

“Also, be patient. It’s a very stressful thing to do. There will be ups and downs, but you will get there in the end. And make sure that you have some money put away for contingencies. That’s always important.”

When asked if he would do it again, Ajay’s response was unequivocal.

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FEATURE “If we found the right opportunity, definitely,” he replies.

TIME TO MOVE ON After living at The Stables for eight years, Ajay has decided to put it on the market. “The house was built as a home to live in. We didn’t intend to move on but my parents want to be more in the centre of town – and my wife and I feel that the house is too big for just the four of us.”

old stables and a large, new-build family home – will suit “a purchaser wanting to leave London for a large family house, with all of the leisure facilities to go with it”.

Whoever decides to buy the house will be purchasing a unique

family home that is set up for entertaining. Despite his affection for the house and all of the fond memories he has had there, Ajay is resigned to moving. Still in his thirties, he has time on his side – and will surely find another opportunity worth seizing.

“It’s such a beautiful house,” comments selling agent Jason Tebb from Ivy Gate. “It’s a shame but situations change and people want to move on for lifestyle reasons.

Self-build homes are truly unique, and if done the right way like Stabbles - are extre emely sought after.”

Jason believes the Beverley Lane residence – a good combination of

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h

aus work with their Clients to achieve inspiring and individual homes, which are so energy-efficient that they can achieve Passivhaus certification. haus describe their services as enabling an “armchair selfbuild”: their approach is to see things from a Client’s perspective and then add their extensive expertise to achieve all the necessary steps to realise a completed project. haus offer a free consultation with their Architect to appraise a Client’s plot and establish the viability of the project in terms of planning and budget. Once appointed for the planning stage, haus arrange the site survey, develop a Client’s brief, prepare design concepts, develop these into CAD 54

drawings, calculate an accurate cost estimate and when the Client is happy with both the design and cost, prepare and submit the planning application.

Following successful planning permission, haus offer a fixed-price design and build contract for the entire construction stage, including technical design, off-site fabrication and on-site erection, internal fit-out of services, finishes and fittings and landscaping where required. Clients can rely on haus to project manage their build efficiently, coordinating all the interfaces between specialist German and English subcontractors to achieve a unique home, ready to move into on time and within budget.

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BUILDING A HEALTHY HOME

Heating Solutions

POLYPIPE INTRODUCES A NEW WAY TO HEAT HOMES AND REDUCE ENERGY BILLS Imagine a solution which allows you to generate heat from the earth’s natural temperature and warm your home simply by using energy from the ground below your property.

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eothermal Pipe Systems, new from Polypipe Home Solutions, deliver this - and more - by providing your home with the ultimate in sustainable heat sourcing.

What are geothermal pipe systems?

When the sun hits the ground, the top layer of soil stores energy which is maintained at a relatively consistent temperature. Geothermal pipe systems harness this naturally warm temperature and use this ‘free’ energy to heat a home.

The system’s pipes are buried in the ground in a ‘loop’ - meaning homeowners don’t need to compromise on the aesthetics of their property - and pumped with liquid. As this liquid circulates around the pipes, it absorbs energy from the ground which can then be used to help heat the water used in a home’s central heating system.

How does this work?

Think of heating your home in a different way. Many homeowners currently ramp up the central heating to very high temperatures, to distribute heat around the radiators in a house, which uses lots of energy.

Geothermal pipe systems generate much lower levels of heat, but when combined with an energy efficient system such as underfloor heating, it provides exactly the same level of comfort without using a large amount 56

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of energy – helping to shave energy bills right down.

In a well-insulated home, underfloor heating systems will heat a home to the same comfortable level as radiators do, but they don’t need the same high temperatures to be generated in order to do this. As geothermal pipe systems don’t generate high temperatures, the two work hand in hand.

It’s worth bearing in mind that a geothermal heating system may not be the best option for those using mains gas but if it is replacing an electricity or coal heating system then it will easily repay itself, and quite quickly too.

Sustainable Living Installing a geothermal system is a perfect way of future proofing a property from rising energy bills and helps create a comfortable and efficient home, which practically heats itself.

Polypipe Home Solutions understands that homeowners are looking for more sustainable and cost effective ways to run their homes, without compromising on their standard of living. Geothermal Pipe Systems are the enabling products that allow geothermal heating systems to work and

are just the latest innovation from the manufacturer. They join underfloor heating, rainwater harvesting and heat recovery ventilation in its range of aspirational yet accessible solutions, which all add value to properties and provide eco-savvy homeowners with the comfort, efficiency and reliability they desire.

For further information, speak to a Polypipe Registered Installer, visit www.homesolutions.polypipe.com or call 01709 770 000.

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CASE STUDY

Biomass Boilers

HEATING YOUR HOME BIOMASS BOILER AND THERMAL STORE

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teve Grant of Chaldon in Surrey had been running his house on oil for many years.

When he decided to rebuild and refurbish his house, Steve took inspiration from his daughter who is undertaking a degree in Environmental Studies and decided to review all the systems in his home.

The analysis studied everything from water systems to fuel supply.

The review wasn’t taken lightly. All expenses were considered from installation to product costs, with and without grants available, as well as looking at the security of fuel supply for the future.

After the review process was complete, Steve contacted renewable energy experts Green Square to help finalise his decision regarding his heating and hot water.

The key to Steve’s installation was the choice of a thermal store with its extremely efficient technology to run his home system. Furthermore, opting for a biomass boiler which

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could be housed in his garage and run in conjunction with the thermal store, the system is more powerful than a traditional boiler, in less time.

Steve said: “As a family we are all very conscience about the environment however when we decided to rebuild and refurbish our home we didn’t jump straight into the green alternatives as we wanted to scrutinised every element to ensure we were getting the best value for money in the long run.

“I was astonished when I spoke with Green Square. Their friendly approach and practical solutions reaffirmed our decision to choose renewable energy products to heat our home and water.

“The short term has already seen our home running a third cheaper than when were reliant on oil which is clearly great news but also knowing that we are using a fuel source that can be grown rather than drilled for is the icing on the cake.”

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BIOMASS BENIFITS

THE BENEFITS OF BIOMASS

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ith winter upon us, now is a great time to turn to biomass for your heating needs and reap the financial benefits of the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). Mike Blakeley, IXUS Energy’s biomass boiler specialist, discusses the benefits of choosing biomass and how to prepare your home for it.

With the introduction of the government’s domestic RHI scheme earlier this year, now is a great time to discover the benefits that biomass can bring to your home. A biomass boiler is designed to burn wood fuels such as pellets, woodchips or logs instead of oil or gas and provides both heating and hot water.

As well as providing a greener fuel option for homeowners than oil or gas, biomass boiler owners are less exposed to volatile energy prices. Recent statistics from the Energy Ombudsman have shown that complaints about energy companies have more than doubled in the first six months of the year compared with the same period in 2013. With many of these complaints coming from customers dissatisfied at rising fuel costs.

We are often asked who is eligible for the domestic RHI scheme. The answer being that a boiler heating a single domestic property (that is, with a single Council Tax bill) will qualify for the domestic RHI, with all homeowners, landlords and self-builders eligible to apply. Anyone joining the domestic RHI scheme now will receive 12.2p for every kilowatt hour (kWh) of heat required to heat a property. Most homeowners can expect RHI payments to cover the installation costs over the seven year payback period, and are likely to save around 25 per cent on fuel prices by replacing oil with pellets.

However, the benefits of switching to biomass are not just financial. Biomass boilers provide energy efficiency, whilst being durable, clean and easy to use.

Unlike some renewable heating appliances, biomass boilers are also suitable for a wide range of properties and require no alterations to existing radiator or underfloor heating systems.

Preparing Your Home for Biomass The price of a biomass boiler can vary depending on the size of your property and the quality of the boiler you choose – and importantly the quality of the installation you choose. The financial benefits will outweigh the upfront investment, and the additional cost of opting for a good quality boiler and installation are always a sensible investment – and will pay dividends in the long term.

For more information about IXUS Energy, visit: www.ixusenergy.com

Different boilers are suitable for different homes, so it is important for installers to help homeowners choose a boiler that is right for them in terms of size and energy requirements. To establish the best option a site survey is vital at the beginning of the decision making process.

Your choice of boiler needs to match the chosen fuel which will be determined by a range of factors including local availability and access to your property. The customer must choose whether they want a fully automatic system or a manually fed boiler.

Storage space must also be taken into account. Fuel storage can often get overlooked, despite it being an essential part of a good installation. A system with poorly designed fuel storage will be a pain to live with.

Planning permission is often an area of uncertainty for customers. It is generally unlikely that planning permission will be required for a biomass system installation within a house, but a general rule is that if a customer’s flue exceeds the height of the roof by more than one metre, planning permission should be sought.

Building regulations do apply to biomass installations. Installers are required to take into account ventilation, noise and general safety, whilst regulations will also apply to any plumbing or electrical work carried out in relation to the project.

Mike Blakeley has worked with biomass for more than 30 years and heads up IXUS Energy’s accredited biomass training programme.

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EXPERT ADVICE

Practical Flooring

LET’S TALK FLOORING

WE SPEAK WITH LUXURY VINYL TILE EXPERTS, KARNDEAN DESIGN FLOORING, ON ALL THINGS FLOORING.

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t’s often the case that flooring is one of the last things to be considered in a house build or renovation project. However, it’s actually the place you should start. Subfloor preparation is key to achieving the perfect finish so it makes sense to start thinking about which floorcovering you’d like to use as early as possible to ensure the subfloor is prepped to the standard required for your chosen product.

When choosing your flooring, there are many things to consider from look through to more prac64

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tical aspects such as durability and how easy it is to look after.

Karndean’s floors are unique in that they offer both look and practicality. What’s more, with seven unique product collections, they cover everything from traditional parquets to rustic, vintage woods and oversized contemporary stone look tiles.

Recently, Karndean have introduced an innovative new product called Karndean LooseLay. This is a new format of vinyl flooring featuring a friction grip backing to hold the product in place. Quick and easy to install, it’s quieter than

click or laminate flooring and is also 100% recyclable.

Keeping it Green Many homeowners undertaking building projects opt to be as eco-friendly as possible. All of Karndean’s floors are 100% recyclable and have extremely low VOCs – this is backed by several third party “green” certifications.

What’s more, every bit of their manufacturing waste is recycled ina closed loop process. In fact, when their own factories don’t have enough waste to reuse, they buy in waste from other factories to recycle into their products.

EXPERT ADVICE

Warm and Toasty If you are installing underfloor heating it is important to select a floor covering that will work in conjunction with your chosen heating system. Karndean Designflooring can be used with underfloor heating systems up to 27 degrees, but they do recommend that every installation is discussed with the fitter as early as possible.

They provide full guidance to their flooring installers about sub-floor and adhesive preparation when laying Karndean floors over under floor heating systems. However, even without under floor heating, their planks and tiles are

softer and warmer underfoot han natural wood and stone products.

Latest Trends We asked what’s currently on trend and they told us they are seeing a huge uptake in parquet floors at the moment. There seems to be a real revival going on. What’s great about parquet is the design flexibility. You can go for more traditional herringbone, block or basket weave patterns,

or get a bit more creative. People have also been laying full sized planks in herringbone and chevron patterns, which looks stunning.

If you would like to see more from Karndean order a brochure at www.karndean.com

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BRITISH SPIRALS & CASTINGS

BRITISH SPIRALS & CASTINGS SUPPLY A STAIRCASE DOWNUNDER

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ritish Spirals & Castings have helped an Australian family home rise from the ashes by providing them with one of their external Victorian aluminium straight staircases.

The Thomas family were forced to rebuild their home in Victoria, Australia after it was lost following a devastating bushfire. They chose a period style design for the new property, featuring a spacious first story veranda with intricate cast lacework balustrades and frieze.

To complete the home, the family wanted a grand external staircase which drifts down to a landing plate and then diverges on both sides to the ground. After struggling to find an Australian manufacturer who could meet their requirements, they decided to look further afield as homeowner Michelle Thomas explained, “We researched online and discovered the perfect one to suit our needs – on the other side of the world! After making enquiries through the website, we were thrilled to discover it would be possible to have one shipped to us from the UK. The whole process was professional, thorough and really easy, whilst all done via email.”

Richard Harding, the Managing Director at British Spirals & Castings commented, “We are immensely proud that so many international clients put their trust and confidence

in our products. Our staircases are designed for local tradesman to install, and this just proves how achievable it can be. In this case we needed to pass the installation by Australian building controls, and so we had to interpret international building regulations and adjust designs in order to get our standard castings to apply.”

Michelle Thomas further said, “British Spirals & Castings were wonderful to work with, ensuring all measurements and design aspects were perfect; their communication skills and attention to detail were tremendous. We were emailed photos of the stairs in various stages

of production, which was really appreciated.

The daunting task of transporting it to Australia went smoothly, and the installation was also easy thanks to detailed instructions and photos.

The end result is a unique, ‘wow’ factor entry point to our new, period home. Not only does it look beautiful, blending seamlessly with the existing cast lacework, but how it came to be makes for a lovely story when visitors comment on it.”

For further information telephone: +44 (0) 1663 750 716, email: sales@britishsc.co.uk or visit www.britishsc.co.uk January 2016

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This Months Top 5

Pick of the Products

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