Working it from home

The hottest interior trends are making their way into the home office and what’s more, they could actually be aiding your productivity. Abby Chinery looks at the most desirable decor trends that you should be adopting. When it comes to... View Article

100% Design: the innovation showcase

UK’s largest design trade show returns to Olympia London on 20-23 September to dazzle with a global line-up of exhibitors and speakers united under the theme of ‘Elements’. Now in its 23rd year, 100% Design is the commercial cornerstone of the London... View Article

Pump it up

Max Halliwell of Mitsubishi Electric answers your questions on air source heat pumps and explains their particular benefits for self-builders What is so good about air source heat pumps versus traditional heating options for self-builders? The future of heating is... View Article

The sky’s the limit for zinc

Jonathan Lowy of VMZinc explains how Zinc can now be specified far more easily for a wide range of projects, whether it’s for a transformation of a tower block or creating a vibrant interior. Cast your mind back 15 years and... View Article

Sustained support for aluminium glazing systems

Mark Robinson of Sapa Group puts the case for aluminium as one of the most versatile as well as sustainable materials available to specifiers, explaining why the metal is increasingly featuring on the UK’s cutting-edge architectural projects. ‘Chain of custody’... View Article

The art of facades

Simon Gregory of Proteus Facades looks at how advances in facade materials and finishes are allowing architects to ‘sell the dream’ to clients of integrating art and design in our cityscapes, as demonstrated on a new research unit in London.... View Article

Rolling out the benefits

Darren Tutt of the Lead Sheet Association looks at the dos and don’ts of working with rolled lead sheet that will enable architects to get the best out of it. Rolled lead sheet is a beautiful material to work with,... View Article

Changeable weathering forecast

Ian Sutherland from Benchmark by Kingspan discusses how the use of corten steel can create a facade that will change over time to provide visual interest for years to come. Controlling the interaction between the natural world and the built... View Article

Tread with confidence

Complete Stair Systems’ Nick Rackham explains how to choose a custom-made staircase while sticking to a budget Astaircase is generally the first feature on view when entering a property, meaning it creates the perfect opportunity for a wonderful first impression.... View Article

Comment: Metal gutters fit for the future

Carlton Jones of the Metal Gutter Manufacturers Association (MGMA) explains the improvements brought by a new standard for metal guttering in the context of climate change. Extreme weather is now an all-year-round likely occurrence in the UK, ranging from flash... View Article

5 genius ways shipping containers are used every day

If you think shipping containers are only used for imports and exports around the world, it’s time to think again. While shipping containers play a vital role transporting the products that we enjoy every day, they can also be used... View Article

See the light

Omid Nikroo of Loxone UK shares some advice on smart lighting and why you should consider it for your build Lighting has been a ubiquitous feature in our homes since time .immemorial. Granted, the methods we use to light our... View Article

Bespoke v ready made: which is right for you?

Both bespoke furniture and ready-made pieces have their own set of benefits for self-builds – Selfbuilder & Homemaker speaks to two experts in the field to get their views on which way to go Once the walls are painted, the... View Article

Naturally beautiful

Stone Federation’s Matt Robb discusses what he sees as the unique visual appeal of natural stone, and what you should consider before using it in your self-build In a sector where aesthetics and durability are equally important and individuality is... View Article

Maximising the benefits from below

Toby Howard-Willis of JG Speedfit offers some advice on how to achieve the full benefit of an insulated underfloor heating system The self-builder market is increasingly looking towards underfloor heating (UHF) systems as a cost and energy efficient way to... View Article

Hiding in Plain ‘Site’

Mortar made from a sand and cement blend has long been one of the staple products across the UK’s housebuilding sector. However, just because it is tried, tested and familiar, doesn’t necessarily mean it is always the best product in... View Article

Bringing light home

Chris Chaney of Sunsquare explains how rooflights can improve daylighting, boost wellbeing and minimise a building’s energy consumption. Spiralling property prices plus a lack of appropriate accommodation to move into have led to many homeowners preferring to carry out significant... View Article

Realistic rainwater storage

Ian Crickmore of Polypipe Terrain explains how adopting rainwater harvesting systems can provide sustainable drainage solutions in space-constrained urban areas. Obsessing over rain is something of a national pastime, but capturing rainwater could help meet sites’ increased drainage demands, particularly... View Article