What is Self-build?
A general guide to self-build for those wondering what it’s all about

Daily Telegraph Homebuilding & Renovating Awards 2011

Why Self-build?
Design and cost savings are key reasons why people self-build...

My Building Project Estimating Service

FAQs for Beginners
What is life like as a self-builder, and what are the practicalities?

How to make open spaces work

Design advice

Advantages of Timber Frame Buildings - Content Supplied by Nordic Wood

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.

choose a timber frame when building a new home

Design Ideas for Sloping Sites

A look at the design implications of building your own home on a sloping site including upside down living, building regulations part M and wheelchair access, affect on kerb appeal and landscaping. For the construction and cost implications of building on a slope click here

A striking timber clad self-build home on a challenging plot in the Scottish Highlands. The steep site necessitated extensive foundations yet the resulting home, with its balcony, underfloor heating and expansive glazing, are surely worth it.

How to Build a Home on a Sloping Site

A sloping site is both a problem and a gift. The problem: it adds complexity and, therefore, cost to the project. The gift: when you’ve finished, you’ll have a much more interesting house. In this article we take you through the construction and cost implications for building on a slope. For design solutions for sloping sites click here

A spectacular contemporary self-build home built on stilts on a beautiful wooded site amongst the peaks of Perthshire. The four bedroomed timber frame detached home features larch cladding and a corrugated aluminium roof.

Wetroom Design

Whether planning for a dream bathroom or tucked away en suite, a watertight shower room could offer the looks and practicality you are searching for, says Melanie Griffiths

A look at wetroom design including whether it is right for your home, how to make one watertight, the drainage detail and tiles.

The Five Golden Rules of Storage Success

Storage is about much more than a new wardrobe — and planning for it will ensure your new home remains clutter-free. Claire Lloyd explains the rules for getting it right

A look at storage solutions for the home including designing in dedicataed areas of storage, finding storage solutions in small and awkward spaces and utilising storage to divide spaces.

Making Single Storeys Special

The negative associations with bungalows are a thing of the past with more and more people choosing to build single storey regardless of planning constraints. Michael Holmes provides advice on how to take this house type beyond the ordinary, and explains the different styles you should consider

design masterclass single stories

Folding Sliding Doors – See your World Unfold: Advertisement Feature

Folding sliding doors will give a fresh, new look and feel to your home. Install external folding doors to bring your outdoor space into your home or internal folding doors to create spaces that are lighter, brighter and more inviting.

Vufold - Oak Folding Sliding Doors

Hard Landscaping

From patios and decking to driveways, your hard landscaping has a huge impact on your finished home. Claire Lloyd explains the options

A detailed look at hard landscaping including patios, driveways and decking as well as the various materials available such as stone, timber, gravel and reinforced grass.

How to Get the 'Wow' Factor

If you’ve ever seen a gravity-defying staircase, ‘invisible’ door or show-stopping floor and wondered how it was done, then read on. Michael Holmes reveals the practicalities behind spectacular design features

A design masterclass on the 'wow' factors you can now put in your home including floating staircases, glass flooring, concrete flooring and pocket doors.

Create the Perfect Home for the Summer

Make the most of the sunshine with a home that celebrates all that is bright and warm – and extend summer well into the colder months – with these design staples. By Melanie Griffiths

Creating the perfect home for summer

Alternative Flooring

Whilst solid wood and stone floors possess an enduring, timeless appeal, there are so many other fantastic options — we guarantee you’ll find at least one you love here. By Melanie Griffiths

A look at various types of flooring available on the market today including carpet, vinyl, linoleum, cork, bamboo, laminate, concrete, ceramic tiles, leather and rubber.

Achieving The American Dream Home

If you are looking for a traditional house style that is cost-effective and lends itself well to modern sustainable construction methods, then take inspiration from American, or specifically, New England style-homes, says Michael Holmes

The American Dream Home

Bright Ideas for Bathroom Furniture

More than just providing functional storage, your bathroom cabinets can make a real statement. Claire Lloyd takes a look at the latest trends and reveals her top design tips

Bright Ideas for Bathroom Furniture

Wills & Kate: Dream Homes Special

Will they become Britain’s most famous self-builders? We couldn’t wait to ask three of our favourite house designers to design a speculative home for William and Kate

will and kate house

Classic Design Dilemmas Solved

Michael Holmes looks at five classic design dilemmas faced by self-builders and renovators — and reveals the best solutions

Design Dilemmas Solved

Stylish Interiors on a Budget

If you want stylish interiors – whether it’s in the kitchen, bathroom or elsewhere – that aim for places your wallet can’t reach, look no further. By Natasha Brinsmead

Budget Interiors

Patio Doors: Design Guide

Whether you have a huge sunny deck or a shady paved nook, make the most of your outside space with doors that open your home out to it, says Natasha Brinsmead

patio doors

Windows

The most important decision facing window buyers is which material to choose. Mark Brinkley considers the options and looks at style and glazing

Mark Brinkley takes a detailed look at windows including the different types of frame available, the different styles of windows and the different methods of glazing.

Airtightness: A Big Deal?

The Building Regs constantly push us towards building homes which are more airtight. Mark Brinkley looks at the implications and how airtightness is tested

Airtightness

How to Get Arts & Crafts Style Right

If you love the character and charm of the traditional country cottage but want to build a home on a more substantial scale, then Arts & Crafts could be just the architectural style you are looking for. Michael Holmes shares his tips for successfully achieving the look.

How to Get Arts & Crafts Style Right

Internal Finishing: The Options

What’s the best way to finish internal walls and ceilings? Mark Brinkley looks at the main options, their cost — and how to make the right decision for your home.

plastering, internal finishes

Do Homes Need Sprinklers?

While undoubtedly they make our homes safer, the cost of sprinkler systems means they are dismissed by most self-builders. Mark Brinkley explains why they deserve a second thought.

sprinkler

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs): How Do They Work?

We all know the benefits of SIPs, but do you really understand how they work, and the structural issues that using them raises? Jason Orme explains

SIP

Ventilation methods

Good ventilation is a necessity in any house. The regulations require it, and it has to be planned in. Mark Brinkley investigates the options.

window ventilation

Timber Cladding

Timber cladding is now a mainstream choice regardless of your home's style or where you are in the country. Natasha Brinsmead takes a look.

weatherboarding

PassivHaus Pioneer

Jason Orme catches up with Wolfgang Feist, the German pioneer of the Passivhaus standard.

Wolfgang Feist

PassivHaus: Analysis

Tim Pullen's analysis of Passivhaus - he asks 'is it all worth it?'

Stopppassivhaus

One of the UK's First Passivhauses

Mark Brinkley visits one of the UK's first Passivhaus self-builds in Yorkshire

One of first UK PassivHaus

PassivHaus: The Green Standard?

More and more UK self-builders are setting out to meet a German standard for eco homes. But what does PassivHaus mean, what makes a PassivHaus so special and, frankly, why bother? Mark Brinkley and Tim Pullen investigate.

Passivcertificate

The 10 Experts Every Project Needs: Part 3

Every single new house requires the skills of a whole team of experts. Melanie Griffiths lists the top ten people a building project can't do without, plus how to find them and what to pay. In part 3, Melanie covers planning consultants, quantity surveyors and plumbers.

10 Experts
« first ‹ previous 1234567 next › last »
1-30 of 192