Bricks & cladding

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Choosing Stone

If you live in one of the so-called ‘stone belts’, you may well have to build in stone to satisfy the local planners. You may actually prefer to build in stone – it’s usually very attractive – but it’s a great deal more expensive than brickwork.
Choosing Render

Mark Brinkley considers the different types of render, such as white, pre-coloured and lime render, and the purpose that render serves as an external finish.
Buying Bricks

Expert advice to help you make an informed decision about what bricks to build your house.
Cladding: New Façades for Ugly Homes

Often houses built during the 1950s, ’60s and even into the ’70s were built using cheap bricks or featured panels of concrete tile hanging or pebbledash — none of which do much in terms of aesthetics for the façade of a house. One of the very best ways...
Choosing Brickwork

Choosing the right bricks for your house's facade is a major decision as it's not something that can be easily altered once it's built. Smooth and contemporary or ‘weathered’ and handmade — there’s a brick to suit every project, here are some of the...
Timber Cladding

Timber cladding is more popular than ever - but how do you get it right? Our guide reveals all.