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Homebuilding & Renovating Show
The National H&R Show 18-21 March 2010 at the NEC in Birmingham

Houseplan for a new 2 storey home in the style of a traditional long house with 3 bedrooms

Practical advice

Things I've Discovered About Choosing Doors

We talk to serial self-builder, developer, author and property TV show presenter Michael Holmes about his own door choices.

Make bleeding radiators a thing of the past - Advertisement Feature

Aladdin Auto Vents eliminate the need to carry out the regular chore of bleeding radiators. This advertisement feature from Heatandplumb.com explains how they work.

Aladdin Auto Vents, available from heatandplumb.com

Removing Walls: DIY Advice

Open plan spaces work really well with modern lifestyles and removing a wall is a good way to achieve this, but before you take a sledgehammer to your walls, here are a few expert tips and pointers.

Advice on removing loadbearing and stud walls

How to Create a New Open Plan Space

Open plan spaces work really well with modern lifestyles, but before you take a sledgehammer to your walls, investigate what effect their removal will have. Natasha Brinsmead looks at stud walls, partition walls, supporting walls and loadbearing walls and how to go about removing them.

Advice on how to knock down walls to create more living space

Solving Damp

Old homes and damp can unfortunately go hand-in-hand. Natasha Brinsmead explains how to spot it, how to identify it and how to treat it, as well as taking a look at what can cause damp.

Carbon Monoxide - Be Alarmed

New campaign warns the public of the dangers of Carbon Monoxide poisoning, and how they can be avoided.

Campaign to reduce deaths and injuries caused by Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

Can we convert two homes into one?

Is it possible to buy up the next-door neighbour's property and knock through? Would it be cost-effective? What are the planning and legal requirements? And how would it affect the resale?

Damp Checklist

Before spending money on any expensive treatments, carry out the following checks to find the source or possible causes — you might just find the solution is far cheaper than you at first thought.

Restoring Timber Floors

Solid timber floors add warmth and natural beauty to the home and are one of the most sought-after original features of period homes, so restoring tired old boards to their former glory is a job well worth doing, says Natasha Brinsmead.

Showers Explained

Whether fitting a new shower in an old house, or building in an area with poor water pressure, take a close look at the inner workings of a traditional gravity-fed system with an in-depth explanation of each shower part.

A look at the inner workings of a vented shower

All About Staircases

Occupying such a prominent position in the home – particularly in open plan layouts – the staircase needs to be perfect, but there is far more to a great design than at first meets the eye. Natasha Brinsmead examines the different styles and materials that can be used for stairs, and looks at the all-important building and safety regulations.

How should I inspect an old house?

Experienced Chartered Surveyor Peter Glover offers some invaluable advice to a H&R reader on how to survey an old house for renovation. Plus, some useful tips on how to find out about the foundations.

How To Make Small Spaces Bigger (Without Extending...)

Not everyone has the budget – or the desire – for an enormous house, but who couldn’t do with just a little more space? Natasha Brinsmead gives you the best ways of not just creating the illusion of bigger rooms, but of how to actually increase the space available.

Garden Offices

An increasing number of people are choosing to work from home ― but hate having their home office on top of them all the time. Mark Ramuz reports on an easy and popular alternative ― the garden office.

How to Self Build or Renovate in the Countryside

Claire Lloyd explains how to go about getting the good life by building or renovating a home in the countryside, and why the practical issues of living off mains may not be the big drawback you might imagine.

How to build steps for your garden

A step-by-step guide from ratedpeople.com

How to replace a doorframe

Save money on your self-build or renovation by replacing a doorframe yourself with this DIY Step-by-Step guide from Ratedpeople.com.

How To Fit A Garden Fence

Erecting a fence is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to gain instant privacy. Follow Ben Field’s step-by-step guide to define your home’s boundary in just one weekend.

A Step-by-Step DIY Guide to Fitting a Fence

How to Insulate Old Homes

Improving energy-efficiency standards in existing homes isn’t easy, but it is worthwhile. Mark Brinkley explores the options.

Loft Conversions: A step-by-step guide

Unused attic space can become valuable living accommodation quite easily — and at surprisingly low cost. H&R talks you through the process.

How to Save an Old Staircase

An original staircase is a treasured feature in any period home, but years of use can leave it looking and feeling its age. Chris Healy reveals how to give your tired old staircase a new lease of life.

Extending Your Home: Case Studies

As part of the '20 things you need to know about extending your home' feature, Michael Holmes looks at 5 different extension case studies.

An extended cottage in a conservation area

20 Things You Need To Know About Extending Your Home: Part 1

Michael Holmes – veteran of over 30 projects – shares his advice on what you really need to know before extending your home. Part one looks at design, planning approval and building regulations.

20 Things You Need To Know About Extending Your Home: Part 2

Michael Holmes – veteran of over 30 projects – shares his advice on what you really need to know before extending your home. Part 2 looks at costs, saving VAT, DIY and hiring builders.

An extension on a Grade II listed 16th century farmhouse

Solutions for Insulating Walls

Making the walls of an old house more energy efficient can be a difficult challenge, particularly if it has solid walls. Michael Holmes explains the options.