External finishes

Window Frames: Timber or PVCu?
Mark Brinkley compares plastic and wooden windows, weighing up the pros and cons to help you decide what type of frame is best for your project.

Modern External Finishes
How do you create that stark, elegant white finish currently so fashionable on contemporary homes? Clive Fewins reports

Character Building - Building in Flint
Laying flint walling is a slow and laborious process, the expense of which means few use this traditional material unless the planners insist. However, the finished results can be quite stunning. Clive Fewins reports

External Renders
It is hard to remember a time when render was more fashionable as a cladding material — Clive Fewins explains why this is the case and how to use it well on your new home

The 12 Steps of Self Build: External Appearance
In part 7 of H&R's 12 part guide to understanding the key decisions in self build, Mark Brinkley looks at external appearances, and the variety of styles, claddings, renders and rainwater goods available

External Appearance: Brickwork
Brick is the most popular material in lowland England. We show you how to get the perfect blend and detailing for this classic cladding choice

How to Guarantee Beautiful Brickwork
Creating a beautiful house in brick requires a great deal more than buying the best bricks you can afford - the key lies in the detail

Character Building - Old Style New Brickwork
It is the subtle irregularities in shape and richness of hue which gives period brickwork the character that is lacking in most new buildings. The secret to recreating the look lies in your choice of bricks, as Clive Fewins explains

Character Building - Traditional Brick Arches
Brick arches above door and window openings will add considerably to the character of a traditional style property whether finished in brick, stone or render but it is essential to get the details right. Clive Fewins reports

External Appearance: Building with 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

Traditional Stonework
Houses built in natural stone are perennially popular but creating an authentic looking wall with a stone face that meets current regulations is not easy, warns Clive Fewins

External Appearance: Timber Cladding
Plain timber boarding is fashionable, partly resulting from people’s love of barn conversions. There are several different styles: rough-sawn timber (featheredge) looks more rustic; planed timber (shiplap) can look more urban and sophisticated

Weatherboarding
Exterior timber cladding has surged in popularity on both contemporary and traditional style homes in recent years. Mark Brinkley explains how to make the right choice for you

External Appearance: Exterior Render
Complete your home with an external plaster finish. It’s better at keeping rain out than brick, and therefore the wetter the region, the more often render is used as a cladding

Character Building - Traditional Renders
Render is a simple and inexpensive way to create a traditional exterior wall finish, but how do you ensure that the mix you choose will stand the test of time? Clive Fewins reports

Character Building - Creating Bay Windows
A bay window will make the most of views and will add interest to a new house both inside and out, says Clive Fewins

Dormer Windows: How to Get Them Right
Delicate design nuances are critical in ensuring dormers on homes both new and old look right. But why are so many gotten so wrong? Clive Fewins explains

Positioning Windows
Where a house’s windows are placed is often the number one influence over whether the whole building looks well designed. Clive Fewins explains how to get this vital detail right

Windows & Doors: Dressings
Consider just how windows and doors sit within the overall design of your house. Obviously, the size, scale and placing of the joinery elements has a huge impact, but also consider window and door surrounds

Period Front Door Furniture
Finding the right front door furniture to suit your self-build or renovation project can be a problem and there are no easy solutions to keeping accessories in period. Clive Fewins has a few guidelines which might help

Windows & Doors: Front Doors
The choices and options for exterior doors are much the same as those for windows, though the considerations are a little different

Character Building - Oak Front Doors
Real English Oak front doors are making a big comeback in new builds and renovations but where should you look for a new door that combines quality and value? Clive Fewins reports

Windows & Doors: Patio Doors
Create light-filled interiors and alter your living space with French, sliding and folding sliding doors

Leaded Lights
Originally an expedient alternative to expensive pieces of large glass, leaded lights can add character and style to a home. But before you reach for the roll of stick-on lead, consider the alternatives, says Clive Fewins

Character Building - Oriel Windows
An oriel window can increase the size of a room cost effectively, allowing optimum use of a restricted site and, reports Clive Fewins, can often help overcome the planning problem of overlooking

Character Building - Window Shutters
The old fashioned window shutter is enjoying a renaissance not only due to its aesthetic appeal but also thanks to its many practical benefits, explains Clive Fewins