Features

Most people have a vision of what their dream home might look like and a common step on the path towards making this dream a reality is to embark on a renovation project. Whether it manifests as a dramatic re-imagination or a simpler spruce-up, one aspect seems to crop up time after time; the idea of laying a beautiful hardwood floor, such as an Ambience Hardwood Floor.  Solid and engineered wood flooring has become a relative superstar of home and interior design; it adds an instant touch of class and elegance to any home, acting as a sure-fire remedy to the ills of dingy lino and slippery, faded tiles. Wooden flooring is equally at home as anything from a period piece to the very cutting edge of contemporary design and the sheer range of woods available ensure that finding the floor that complements the rest of your ensemble is effortless, regardless of your home’s colour scheme or styling.

As its name implies, timber frame construction is a method of building which relies on a timber frame as a basic means of structural support.

A brand new professional illustrated checklist has been created to help project managers and self-builders assure quality completion at every key stage of construction.

Washing machines, fridge freezers and ovens are essential appliances for a modern home - but they can be magnets for dirt and bad smells. Fortunately there are many tried and tested ways to keep your appliances clean and in good working condition without a concoction of chemicals.

Hardly a day goes by without the news reporting stories of either energy companies raising prices or an environmental disaster devastating peoples’ lives.

Despite the economic doom and gloom, the property market in Hammersmith has remained very active. Demand has outstripped supply for the last two years, meaning that houses in the area are in particularly short supply.

Window Energy Ratings and U-values are often quoted by builders and installers of windows and doors but what are they, how do they differ from each other and which one is most important for your project?

Window technology, like other areas of construction involved with supplying products for ever more sustainable homes, is going through somewhat of a revolution...

With energy bills rising, it’s important to keep track of every penny and every pound.

When you’re thinking about replacing your kitchen, it’s important to take some time to look at your existing kitchen and think about all the things you like or dislike about it.

When it comes to choosing replacement timber windows and doors current Building Regulations will ensure your comfort, help to reduce gruesome heating costs - and help the planet.

Continuing our comprehensive series examining build costs, serial self-builder David Snell looks at a typical receipt for installing the electrics, with a full breakdown of costs, including VAT costs.

Continuing our series examining build costs, serial self-builder David Snell looks at on-site drainage — with a complete cost breakdown and advice on how to reduce costs.

Continuing our comprehensive series looking at build costs, serial self-builder David Snell breaks down the figures for constructing the roof, including advice on which type of roof is best for your project and how to reduce build costs.

Installing underfloor heating is a popular option amongst self-builders. Not only does it present more useable room space, it provides real heating comfort while delivering a typical 10 to 12.5% energy saving over traditional heating systems. Here Robbens Systems presents a DIY guide to fitting your own wet ufh

Continuing our detailed series examining build costs, serial self-builder David Snell looks at a typical receipt for building the house’s superstructure. A superstructure is the part of the building that is erected on top of the foundations

In our comprehensive series looking at build costs, serial self-builder David Snell breaks down the figures for building the ground floor and explains what each payment covers.

In the first of our series on project costs, serial self-builder David Snell breaks down the typical expenses paid out on foundations and looks at what each figure covers.

When you begin searching for builders to help realise your home renovation project, there are several things you will want to keep in mind.

Making sure that your home is energy efficient, and environmentally friendly, is something that needs to be on every homeowner’s to-do list. Not only because of the economic difficulties that the world is seeing now but also because is Christmas right around the corner!

Successful self-building needs a mix of many qualities, but are you cut out for the challenge ahead? We offer advice on all the things you need to consider when embarking on a self-build project

You’re bedroom is supposed to be the place you escape to after a long day at work; the place you go to relax, rest and recuperate. It should be a place conducive with sleep, seeing as that’s the room’s main purpose, but it should also be your haven and a place where you can express yourself and your own style.

Bathroom furniture, bathroom vanity units, bathroom cabinets... Whatever you choose to call them, they’re a great look for the modern bathroom. A painless and often inexpensive way to fit out or update a bathroom, they offer coordinated good looks and storage that is, if not quite boundless, at least extensive.

At EDF Energy's goal is to help customers reduce their carbon footprint by using nature's resources to generate their own economical low carbon renewable energy. That's why EDF Energy has put together a range of home energy generation solutions including Air Source Heat Pumps and Solar systems.

Choose eco-friendly renewable energy to heat your home and water and you could receive a discount of up to £3,000† from EDF Energy. You could also receive a ‘Renewable Heat Premium Payment’ government incentive of £850†† for an Air Source Heat Pump and/or £300†† for a Solar Thermal Water Heating system.