Practical advice

How to Install Wet Underfloor Heating

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

Finding a plot and being safe with your investment: Content supplied by Castle Cover

Tips for budding builders to help them find a plot to build their dream home. This content has been supplied by Castle Cover.

Skills Academy - From Thomsonlocal.com

thomsonlocal.com has put together an online 'Skills Academy' which aims to increase the public's confidence when it comes to doing DIY round the house. Here they share their top tips to make working with tradespeople easier.

Selecting the Right Building Materials - An Advertisement Feature by Fermacell

This advertisement feature from Fermacell looks at the importance of selecting the right building materials when self building.

Insulation and Building Regulations - Kingspan Advertisement Feature

This advertisement feature from Kingspan explains insulation and building regulations for all of those renovation or extension projects you're planning to start.

The End of the Cavity Wall?

With the latest Part L changes the strictest to date, Mark Brinkley examines what it takes to get a masonry cavity wall up to standard and looks at the impact on other systems

Heat Pumps: Are they right for you? Part 1

Getting ‘free’ energy from the ground in the form of heat pumps seems like the perfect solution to all your heating needs — but does this technology apply to everything? Mark Brinkley investigates.

Heat Pumps: Are they right for you? Part 2

To help you decide if heat pumps are right for you, Mark Brinkley takes a look at the important financial implications of using a heat pump, from the initial set-up costs to the issue of payback.

Heat Pumps: Analysis Part 2

Tim Pullen continues his analysis of heat pumps.

Heat Pumps: Analysis Part 1

Following on from our introduction to heat pumps, Tim Pullen takes a closer look and asks ‘Do they really work?’

Heat Pumps: An Introduction

A heat pump is a device that moves heat from one place to another. It can be used to make things either hot or cold and it is the technology built into all the world’s refrigerators and air conditioning systems. Heat pumps are all the rage amongst the eco set - but does this innovative technology offer an answer to all self-builders?

How to Fit Solid Engineered Wood Flooring

More and more people are choosing to fit engineered wooden flooring as opposed to solid timber floors. An advantage of engineered flooring is that they are available in an extremely wide range of timbers and are also suitable for laying over many types of existing floor, such as concrete, unlike most solid boards.

Dave Smith, Joinery Product Manager at Magnet Trade, explains the tips and techniques necessary to fit solid engineered wood flooring.

PassivHaus: Analysis

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

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.

The 10 Experts Every Project Needs: Part 2

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 2, Melanie covers solicitors, designers and structural engineers.

Repairing External Cladding: Weatherboarding

Natasha Brinsmead explores how to approach – and solve – problems with your home’s external face. Certain types of weatherboarding will require more maintenance than others, this feature looks at what can cause deterioration and how to repair it.

Eco Challenge: "Help Us Build a Greener Home"

How does the theory of green energy relate to a live self-build project? Our eco expert Tim Pullen visits a site in Wales to help the owners, Peter and Jane Hilliard, make a sound decision.

Pillar Taps Explained

Almost every house will have at least one set of these. Gen up on how they work with this detailed diagram, and then have a go at installing them yourself.

How to Reduce Water Wastage

Not just the greener option — the Building Regulations now demand that we cut back our water use. Tim Pullen examines how much we need to save and how best to go about it

How to Solve Condensation

Condensation - it is a common problem in both period properties and newer homes, but just what causes it and what can be done to treat and prevent it? Natasha Brinsmead offers expert advice on how to spot it, treat it or avoid it altogether.

Condensation Solutions

Condensation - it is a common problem in both period properties and newer homes, but just what causes it and what can be done to treat and prevent it? Natasha Brinsmead offers expert advice on how to spot it, treat it or avoid it altogether.

You Can't Stop All Noise Travel

Advice from self-build expert Mark Brinkley on how to reduce sound travelling through the joining wall of two semi-detached homes - and why 100% sound reduction is impossible. plus advice on the soundproofing requirements in new builds according to the Building Regulations.

Question Time: Airtight Homes

‘Build tight and ventilate right’ is a much-uttered phrase in the world of green building, but what does it actually mean? Mark Brinkley provides answers to some common questions, including: 'What's the difference between airtightness and draught-proofing?' and How can you tell how airtight a house is?'.

Make the Most of Your Brickwork

Leave it to your builder and your walls will end up a functional, boring expanse. Mark Brinkley shares the art of good brickwork. Plus practical advice on laying your own bricks and different types of joints and bonds.

Feed-in Tariffs: How it Works

As part of our investigation into the Feed-in Tariff scheme, H&R looks at how the scheme actually works and how self-builders and homeowners can benefit from it.

How to Hand Mix Mortar - Bricky.com

An instructional video from Bricky.com on how to hand mix the perfect mortar. Plus step-by-step guides on how to mix cement using a mixer and some handy tips for working with mortar.

Wall & Ceiling Repairs - Build Your Skills Leaflet from Wickes DIY

A step-by-step guide to wall and ceiling repairs from Wickes DIY

Kitchens - Good Idea Leaflet from Wickes DIY

This leaflet from Wickes DIY is all about planning to make your kitchen safe, pleasant and relaxing to work in. It will also help to ensure that you have a kitchen to be proud of and which will add value to your home

Underground Drainage - Good Idea Leaflet from Wickes DIY

Wickes DIY stock a wide range of drainage products, whether it's to replace old drainage systems in the event of collapse, or install new during home improvements. The purpose of this leaflet is to provide you with basic details on what you may find underground.

Plastering - Good Idea Leaflet from Wickes DIY

Plastering is a traditional skill which presents challenges for tradesmen as well as for DIYers. The Wickes DIY Unique Plastering System has been devised to provide advanced products with enhanced features, which would not only benefit the serious plasterer, but also enable successful use by the confident DIYer.