i-build december 20

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COVER STORY

EASY STEPS TO ENSURE YOUR WOOD FLOORING MEASURES UP

D E C E M B E R 20 - I S S U E 77

www.crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Wood flooring is the ideal choice for any room and will make a striking and lasting impression, so make sure you get it right with these tips

CASE STUDIES

CASE STUDIES

INSPIRATION

MATERIALS

ADVISORY

THE SELF-BUILD DIARIES

'TIS THE SEASON!

PERFECTLY PORCELAIN

VIRTUAL HOUSE VIEWINGS

After her parents built their own home, Emma McMullan soon followed in their footsteps

Add some festive cheer to your interiors with in-season Christmas accessories

Find out why porcelain patios are proving popular amongst selfbuilders and renovators

Tips for those selling renovated homes and others that are buying properties with potential

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E

ditor's Welcome

I-BUILD DECEMBER 2020

EDITORIAL: Rebecca Kemp

rebecca@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Hannah Woodger

hannah@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

PRINT & DIGITAL ADVERTISING: Sam Ball sam@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

Jim Moore

jim@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

PRINT DESIGN MANAGER: Jack Witcomb

jack@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

DIGITAL DESIGN MANAGER: Matt Morse

matt@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

ACCOUNTS: Rachel Pike

rachel@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

SALES SUPPORT: Klare Porter

klare@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

PUBLISHER: Sam Ball

sam@crossplatformmedia.co.uk

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

Contributions are invited and when not accepted will be returned only if accompanied by a fully stamped and return addressed envelope.

No responsibility will be taken for drawings, photographs or literary contributions during transmission or in the editor's hands. In the absence of an agreement, the copyright of all contributions, literary, photographics or artistic belongs to Cross Platform Media Ltd. The Publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not necessarily represent the view of the publisher. The Publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearance or non publication of any advertisement.

Cover story:

Five easy steps to ensure your wood flooring measures up from The Natural Wood Floor Co.

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he much-anticipated ‘most wonderful time of the year’ has officially arrived, and this year it’s a little more welcome than usual. The typical “Christmas in November?” critiques have put their judgments to rest – with some even adorning their homes in decorations a whole month early. To celebrate, we have selected some of this year’s most delightful Christmas decorations for the most festive spread of them all. Turn to pages 06 and 07 to feast your eyes on some seasonal accessories.

Here at i-Build, we like to think that we cater to many within the home improvement realm, so if Christmas isn’t for you, turn to page 08 for an alternative interior theme.

2020 has been the most unexpected of years, to say the least; however, it has allowed us time to slow down and truly appreciate what we have and work on what we need to correct. For some, that improvement has been an enhanced sense of wellbeing, which, in turn, has led to many picking up long-forgotten

home improvements, some bringing the outdoors in and others getting crafty with DIY. This month, we’ve talked to Emma McMullan – better known on Instagram as @shankly_ house – about her stunning selfbuild home. While the main build was completed in 2018, lockdown provided Emma and husband, Mark, with the perfect opportunity to finish up some landscaping around their home. Learn more about the McMullan’s journey and discover what drove them to take the selfbuild route to homeownership by flicking to page 14.

Finally, on behalf of the team at i-Build magazine, I’d like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a prosperous and happy New Year!

Rebecca Rebecca Kemp Editor @ibuildmagazine

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ditor's Picks

@ibuildmagazine

ibuildmagazine

Download the i-Build app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Search 'i-build'.

See page 30.

01622 232723

Barham Court, Teston, Maidstone, Kent ME18 5BZ

CUTTING-EDGE CLADDING Millboard has launched a groundbreaking cladding collection

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SOPHISTICATION IN THE SHOWER Easy Bathrooms reveals Arabesco, the UK’s very first marble shower tray

LUXURY FLOORING WITH OSMO Give your wooden floors the treatment they deserve with Osmo's Polyx-Oil

I-B U I L D/ D E C/20

MODULAR

GREEN BUILDINGS NATIONWIDE

Houses, Flats & more up to 7 floors Traditional & Modern | Car Barns & Penthouses | Remodel & New Build | Trusses & Components

Helping Architects Build GRAND DESIGNS Sustainably & Profitably CALL US TO DISCUSS YOUR NEXT POJECT NOW

Benfield ATT, Caldicot, NP26 5PR info@benfieldatt.uk www.benfieldatt.uk 01291 437 050

December 2020 INSPIRATION

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Desired Designs:

08

Desired Designs:

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Home for Christmas?

It's time to add some much-needed festive cheer to your interiors with some in-season Christmas accessories. Here are a few traditional decorations we've picked out.

Baa Humbug!

If Christmas isn’t your thing, let’s push fast forward and look ahead to spring and one of the season’s most associated farm animals – sheep.

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Style Guide:

Roll Out the Rugs With underfloor heating and luxury vinyl tiles (LVTs) popular amongst home builders, many disregard the need for a rug in a bid for an ultraminimal, contemporary aesthetic. However, as well as comfort and warmth underfoot, rugs also provide many visual benefits for indoor spaces.

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ADVISORY

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Viewpoint

Purplebricks has partnered with interiors expert Kate WatsonSmyth to offer top tips on virtual property viewings for those selling a renovated home and those purchasing a house with the end goal of renovating.

Home Automation

Alex Josling, Director of CEDIA Member of Excellence, Seven Integration, explains the importance of hiring professionals for your home automation installation.

CASE STUDIES

MATERIALS

Roofing & Rainwater Systems

If you like the look of cast-iron but aren't too keen on the price tag, installation challenges and maintenance, a cast-iron-style plastic rainwater system could be your answer.

i-Scape:

Driveways & Outdoor Spaces Porcelain patios are proving popular amongst self-builders and home renovators. This month, we've talked to Simon Chudley at Tarmac Cement and Lime, to find out why the material is so popular.

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Cladding

Here, Millboard takes a look at the 10 top considerations for homeowners and self-builders when contemplating cladding.

Impressive Innovation

After her parents built their own home in 2001, Emma McMullan wanted to follow in their footsteps.

Flash-forward to 2020, and Emma and her husband, Mark, are happily living in their two-year-old selfbuild home surrounded by 2.5 acres of land.

Urban Sanctuary

In a former life, Rylett Studios was a Victorian laundry facility, then a ball bearings factory in World War II and, more recently, a collection of office design studios. Here, we talk to the current owner, Samantha, about how she and her husband, Jim, converted the building into a contemporary living space.

NEWS / PRODUCT GUIDE

I-DEAS

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i-Build: Balconies,

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i-Nterior:

Balustrades & Stairs Sculptural as well as functional, Bisca’s bespoke staircase stands proud in the centre of a large open gallery-style space, framed by full-height windows to show off the design, day and night.

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Product Guide

i-Build rounds up the latest innovative products in the marketplace, designed with your self-build in mind.

Carpets & Wood Floors This month, we’ve spoken to The Natural Wood Floor Co. for its top five steps to measuring your floor for real wood flooring.

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I-B U I L D/ D E C/20

DESIRED DESIGNS

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©GARDEN TRADING

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS? The season of giving, joy and that neverending melodic loop of 'All I Want for Christmas is You' is finally upon us, so, of course, it's time to add some much-needed festive cheer to your interiors with in-season Christmas accessories and decorations.

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hether we're staying home or venturing out, there's no reason we can't 'paint the town red' this Christmas.

It's anticipated that after such a disheartening year, many of us will be going the extra mile when it comes to decorating our homes this month. In fact, when lockdown began last month, many dusted off their ladders and retrieved decorations from up in the loft in search of some happiness to spread in their homes. And, now the official

I-B U I L D/ D E C/20

YOURS TO BUY

period has arrived, there's no holding back. This month, we'll see those traditional Father Christmas reds and deep pine forest greens adorning homes across the nation, while parents and children come together to make home-made keepsake accessories and delectables for the whole family to enjoy.

So, if you haven't already – and regardless if you've moved into your completed home or if you're still in temporary accommodation – get your Christmas spirit in full swing with these accessories – after all, 'tis the season!

1. Tartan Christmas stocking, Annabel James, £12.99 2. Jingle bell with hessian bows, Gisela Graham London, £6.99 3. Artificial Christmas swag, 21 inches, Homescapes Online, £7.99 4. Striped velvet cushion, Cielshop, £34.95 5. Brass and mirror star tree topper, Heavenly Homes and Gardens, £24

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6. Medium wood nutcracker ornament, The Contemporary Home, £14.99 7. Norway spruce Christmas tree (180-210cm), B&Q, starting from £39 8. Artificial wreath, 22 inches, Homescapes Online, £19.99 9. Red Advent wreath, Berries & Baubles, £95 10. Nutcracker tree train, Cox & Cox, £65

DESIRED DESIGNS

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OUR BRAND PICK

ox & Cox

YOURS TO BUY

Cox & Cox was launched in 2001 after Founder, Fiona Cox, found herself inundated with enquiries for a wall decoration she had made as a Stylist and Presenter on the BBC’s home makeover series Home Front. From that arose a desire to create a hand-selected collection of homeware products that couldn’t be found in traditional catalogues, with customers encouraged to find their own style, shunning trends and fads in favour of timeless pieces based on impeccable taste.

1. Red metal Christmas train, £145 2. Five wooden sleighs, £10.50 3. House log holder, £125 4. Three mini gingerbread houses, £14.50

HOT PRODUCT

TOP TIP

We're all crackers here!

What would Christmas be without those vivid-coloured party hats, 'hilarious' jokes and riddles and, of course, novelty playthings? A Christmas staple, crackers complement a well-dressed table and get us all in the festive spirit. Why not go all out this year with these high-quality options?

YOURS TO BUY

1. Peter Rabbit luxury Christmas crackers, Annabel James, £25.95

3. Brussels sprouts crackers, Annabel James, £15.50

2. Sophie Allport 'partridge in a pear tree' Christmas crackers, Sophie Allport, £18

4. Woodland tartan animal crackers (box of six), Gisela Graham London, £22.99

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Create your own home-made paper chains and Christmas decorations?

Going all out doesn't necessarily mean breaking the bank. Whether you've got kids or not, DIYing this Christmas will provide fun for everyone – no matter your age. So, get that mulled wine simmering, turn up those festive songs, grab your scissors and get creative with some coloured paper!

I-B U I L D/ D E C/20

DESIRED DESIGNS

esired esigns BAA HUMBUG! If Christmas, snow and the cold really aren’t your thing, let’s push fast forward and look ahead to the sunnier months of spring and one of the season’s most associated farm animals – sheep.

©Murag

water Thecloset

Wall art

For a more

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Hold the door

Felt storage

breed of sheep are

Trading’s home office

The Southwold is the

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most rustic of Garden

featured on a grey

collections. Handmade

background on Sophie

from Fairtrade felt in Nepal,

Allport’s new Sheep

the 100% sheep wool uses

collection. This sheep-

azo-free dyes to create

themed and -shaped

everyday natural colours.

doorstop is the perfect

It brings soft texture to

subtle addition for those

workspaces, to keep pens

looking to add a print to

and pencils stored neatly.

www.gardentrading.co.uk

their indoor spaces.

www.sophieallport.com

Thelapperfect cushion

Fun decorations

cushion, akin to a

decoration from

The most strokable

This playful sheep

Havanese puppy – just

Sophie Allport makes a

pink, The French Bedroom

wonderful spring and

Company’s Mongolian

Easter decoration and

sheep powder pink

is perfect for wrapping

cushion measures 40 x

around napkins, sprucing

40cm; however, due to the

up your table setting

long-haired fur, it is similar

or hanging on indoor

to a 50 x 50cm size.

plants. A lovely touch to

www.frenchbedroom

any dining table.

company.co.uk

I-B U I L D/ D E C/20

www.sophieallport.com

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Gazco eReflex 135R Inset Electric Fire

I-B U I L D/ D E C/20

DESIRED DESIGNS

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ROLL OUT THE RUGS As Christmas approaches and everything starts to slow, we often take the time to look about and appreciate everything that we've managed to achieve throughout the year, and with two lockdowns and more time spent at home, a lot of us have completed far more projects than other years. This period of analysing often brings to the fore elements we haven't yet considered – such as warmth, cosiness and that often absent homely feeling.

With underfloor heating and luxury vinyl tiles (LVTs) popular amongst home renovators, many disregard the need for a rug in a bid for an ultra-minimal, contemporary aesthetic.

However, as well as comfort and warmth underfoot, rugs also provide other visual benefits to indoor spaces – such as an added dimension of texture, a splash of colour and not to mention the ability to make some rooms look longer or wider. Here, we've looked a few options on the market.

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05 06 1. www.covethouse.eu 2. www.my-furniture.com 3. www.covethouse.eu 4. www.my-furniture.com 5. www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk 6. www.brabbu.com/home I-B U I L D/ D E C/20

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24/11/2020 13:34

I-B U I L D/ D E C/20

VIEWPOINT

WatsonK ate Smyth The Interiors Expert and Author of Mad About the House has partnered with Purplebricks

Viewpoint

Interiors Expert Kate Watson-Smyth on virtual house viewings Virtual viewings are on the increase, as a new study* by the UK’s technology-led estate agent, Purplebricks, shows one-in-six buyers would make an offer on a property without setting foot in the front door.

If your buyers are serious, have architects’ plans and drawings handy, so you can explain the renovation that’s been done. Before and after photos are always fascinating, but be selective, as showing a ramshackle hovel may be counterproductive.

I-B U I L D/ D E C/20

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o help navigate the new virtual housing market, Purplebricks has partnered with Interiors Expert and Author of Mad About the House Kate Watson-Smyth to give top tips on virtual property viewings. As the owner of a London Victorian property, which she renovated and styled, Kate is keen to pass on the tricks of the trade.

Kate’s virtual viewing tips when selling a renovated property are:

1. Finish the biggest jobs first

First things first, buyers want solutions and a clear path to a beautiful home – not a confusing problem to solve. Naturally, it’s best to present a completed renovation, but if that’s not possible, then at least try to finish the big tasks, or complete a renovation stage, rather than; for example, presenting a half-painted room.

2. Tell the story of your house and its renovation

Buyers will be interested in your personal experience, and this gives you the edge over brochures or clinical property description. Introduce your property before starting the virtual tour – say how old it is, how long you’ve lived there, what work you’ve done, and what you love about it. Even showing the prospective

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buyers photos of the various stages you went through during the renovation would help add that special touch.

3. First impressions still count

This sets the tone, so make sure it’s tidy with no piles of coats, bags and shoes spilling out and tidy away any DIY tools, paint pots or cleaning materials. If you have original flooring such as tiles or hardwood floors, ensure you keep coats and bags off the floor in order to showcase the original features at their best – try adding a row of shakerstyle pegs all along the wall to provide storage for coats and bags.

4. Let in the light

Make sure the doors to the other rooms are open so that it’s as light as possible – this is particularly important for period cottages which can be dark because of their small windows and low ceilings.

5. Show a full 360º perspective

Buyers may well be Instagram-savvy and wary of what you aren’t showing. Give a full 360º pan of each room so they can understand the space. Pan up and down as well, so you can highlight key features such as exposed beams or reclaimed tile floors. Explain where you found key pieces such as roll-top baths, or castiron Victorian fireplaces.

VIEWPOINT

6. Acknowledge problem areas If you have a small, dark room, dress it to be cosy and inviting and show how you use it – e.g. as a kid’s TV room or guest room. Point out further renovation options, e.g. where a stud wall could easily be removed to create one large room instead of two smaller ones.

7. Tidy up each room

Make sure the pictures are straight and the cushions are plumped. Explain the renovation you’ve done and how you styled the room to fit your chosen theme. Show the love and attention you’ve put into your home, so the buyer will assume it has been cared for, with time and money spent on it.

8. Moving maintenance

A bit of routine maintenance helps achieve a house sale. Your house may have been perfect when you renovated or re-decorated it several years ago, but it pays to do a refresh before selling: make sure all handles are present and fixed on, touch up any scuffed skirting boards and paintwork.

9. Clean the windows

You want your home to appear light, bright and well-cared for. While this may not actually show on camera, it will add to a general sense of cleanliness and a cared-for space.

10. Plan ahead

If your buyers are serious, have architects’ plans and drawings handy, so you can explain the renovation that’s been done. Before and after photos are always fascinating, but be selective, as showing a ramshackle hovel may be counter-productive.

Kate’s virtual viewing tips when buying a property to renovate:

1. Don’t judge a book by its cover

Look beyond the decor as this can easily be changed; you need to look at the ‘bones’ of the house to decide whether this is a renovation project you want to take on, with the potential to achieve your dream home.

2. DIY disaster or delight?

While introspecting the ‘bone structure’ of the property, ask if there are lots of original features. Does the fireplace work?

Are there floorboards under that carpet?

Ask what the buyer would change about the house as this will give a perspective on any issues that need to be solved.

3. Warm windows

Check the windows and count how many there are; are they double glazed, uPVC? These things can be expensive to add or replace. If the property isn’t double glazed, this will impact the temperature in the room, and single glazing will inevitably let out a lot of heat, as well as letting the cold in.

4. Orientation is key

Find out which direction the property faces – north or south? South will be hot in summer and the sun might shine in directly (lovely, but it will fade your sofa) whereas a northern light will be steady all day long.

5. Ask the seller to show you the outside

What is the view from the windows?

How close are neighbouring properties?

If you’re interested in the potential to extend, ask whether the house has been extended before and by how much, so you don’t get any nasty surprises further down the line with a house that’s already been extended to the limit.

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6. Look into the lighting

Are the lights on or off? Does the room you are seeing need the lights on all day, or is it filled with natural light? You don’t want a gloomy, badly lit room if it is one you’re going to be working from.

7. Size of furniture

Don’t forget to look at the size of the furniture. How big do you need it to be to meet your needs? How many people can sit around that kitchen table? Can you add a bench or fit in a bigger one?

Count the kitchen cupboards (and compare with what you already have).

8. Investment points

Bathrooms and kitchens are the rooms we most often want to change, but they’re also the most expensive to renovate. You might have to live with what you buy for a while, so have a close look at all the appliances.

9. Water pressure

Ask about water pressure in the shower (if it’s a live viewing, ask the property seller to turn it on). Is there room for a bigger shower or a freestanding bath?

10. Essential room for storage

People often forget to ask where the storage is, and it’s always key. Start with the hall – where would you put your coat if you were visiting? Where do they keep the big, awkward stuff like the vacuum cleaner? Is there room to create built-in cupboards or to convert a smaller room into a walk-in wardrobe? *OnePoll study of 2000 UK adults, August 2020

www.purplebricks.co.uk I-B U I L D/ D E C/20

IMPRESSIVE INNOVATION

The Self-Build Diaries: Mark and Emma McMullan

After her parents built their own home in 2001, Emma McMullan wanted to follow in their footsteps. Based on the north coast of Northern Ireland, Emma and her husband, Mark, always dreamed of countryside living and owning a large plot away from the main town. Flash-forward to 2020, and Emma and Mark are happily living in their two-year-old self-build home surrounded by 2.5 acres of land. Here, i-Build’s Editor, Rebecca, talks to Emma about the couple's homebuilding journey.

@ shankly_house

Follow this self-build story on Instagram

I had this discussion with my husband a few weeks back. I don’t think he took it too well to be honest!

My answer is yes; I would do it all over again – tomorrow, in a heartbeat. I loved the whole process.

RK: What was the vision and inspiration behind your new home?

EM: Our vision was to have a home that’s personal to us. To decorate from the heart, and to have a house reflective of our personalities. The process was supposed to be fun.

RK: How did you approach finalising your design brief ?

EM: We didn’t really need to go through

this whole process; the house already had full planning permission. We both knew the architect well from our secondary school days, and we just made a few minor tweaks to the plan until we got what we wanted. We changed a few internal wall positions, window sizes and door openings along the way.

We contacted the architect on a few occasions, mainly for additional copies of drawings etc. to help with material take-offs and the like. As we both knew him well, it seemed a lot easier to ask questions and change a few things.

RK: Did your project need to cater for any special requirements?

EM: We wanted to be able to drive the

entire way around our property, and due to the natural gradient of our site, we felt I-B U I L D/ D E C/20

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we needed a retaining wall, which we built using decorative products. Coupled with this, we had to invest in extra land drainage and groundwork.

RK: How and why did you choose this plot?

EM: We were scrolling through PropertyPal one

evening, and I noticed the plot for sale. Mark made the phone call the following day, and within a few days, we were on site. We had to jump a gate and walk up a gorgeous tree-lined lane in our wellies. I remember taking a look at Mark while standing in the field; we were both smiling from ear to ear and agreed that this was 'it'.

The land came with planning permission, which appealed to us, so we jumped at the opportunity.

We were very fortunate that we didn’t have to go through this whole process from the start. I don’t think my nerves could have handled it!

RK: Were there any challenging aspects to the project and build?

EM: With inclement weather over the winter

months, the main challenge was keeping our builder on programme.

RK: Did you project manage the build yourself ?

EM: My husband helped project manage the

contractor with the external shell. The entirety of the internal works was organised by ourselves.

My husband excelled here, and his professional experience came in handy.

IMPRESSIVE INNOVATION

RK: How did you approach material and product specification?

EM: Mark is a Quantity Surveyor, so

this is where his expertise came into play. We wanted high-end materials sourced from local suppliers.

RK: Did you install any renewable systems?

EM: No, this is something we didn’t

consider. We were getting married four months after our planned move date, and I suppose there was an element of cost involved that wasn’t factored into our budget. I would love to add 3.5kW solar panels in the future.

RK: How does the property respond to Passive House principles?

EM: We upgraded the quality of

insulation, and to help irradiate thermal bridging, we covered the entire external wall with a layer of thermal insulation.

RK: How long did the project take?

EM: We initially targeted

a 12month programme, however, this ran over slightly. And we moved in on month 18.

RK: Did you remain within the original budget?

EM: No, we changed a few things.

We did have a budget set, but like all things, and when building a house, you tend to go over.

RK: Please provide an overview of both the interior and exterior space.

EM: I would say our interior has a

contemporary twist, and we had a few bespoke pieces made to suit our needs. The interior is focused around a large central hallway which serves as the main avenue of traffic to adjacent rooms. The hallway flows into the main living area, kitchen-cum-dining area and utility. Our kitchen and sunroom are the heart of our home, and we spend a lot of time here. We wanted our kitchen to be the right size for entertaining friends and family, so a large central island was a must. It has a seating area, but we also have a separate dining area with double doors, which can be opened up to allow people to gather around. I like adding pops of colour throughout and using different textures and materials to create that homely feel.

The house itself is set on 2.5 acres of land. Our exterior was completed in wet dash and coining on both the

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house and double garage. We both loved the idea of natural stone, so the front of the house and bottom of the sunroom was finished by two stonemasons in Kilkenny limestone.

Our entranceway has two pillars with a wall and electric gates. Just recently, we finished a sizeable sweeping basalt retaining wall supplied by Tobermore and built by our family, who have a groundwork and paving business.

RK: How does the property respond to its surrounding landscape?

EM: As we are nestled up an

extremely private long lane – which is surrounded by green fields and trees – our home was built on a slight slope, which makes it feel like we are set within the land.

I-B U I L D/ D E C/20

IMPRESSIVE INNOVATION

RK: What was your vision for the exterior?

EM: As mentioned earlier, we wanted

to be able to drive right around the property and have a retaining wall with large steps leading up to the garden. We just achieved that during the first lockdown. Our lawn has now been sown. The next step is to section this from the field, with a lovely ranchstyle fence – where we can house a few horses eventually. We also want a raised patio area for entertaining in the summer evenings – the space we have in mind overlooks Knocklayd Mountain.

I also love the idea of incorporating a pergola, and Mark wants a water feature. Some nice big trees are on my wish list too.

We are still at the early stages of planting now the grass has established; however, at the front entrance, we have just planted some lovely shrubs and evergreens. A local nursery helped us pick what suited best. We will be going back here for help with the rest next year.

RK: Did you work with a landscaping professional?

EM: No, but we might later. Mark

is great at visually identifying what needs doing outside, but I need to see ideas on paper to see if it works for me. We need to consider the size of the garden and style of our house, as it will be framing the surrounding area.

Achieving balance is one aspect. Overall, we prefer a more informal look for the garden with a hard landscaping style – possibly using a range of materials from concrete, metal, wood etc.

RK: Is the final property everything that you hoped it would be?

EM: Yes, we love it. We are really over the moon with how everything turned out. We are making changes inside regularly, and it’s all starting to come together. We love the privacy and the solitude, especially in the summer months when all you can hear is the birds.

RK: What’s your favourite thing about your new home?

EM: I love our kitchen and living area, but I do love the land we have around it – the dog, Axel, would agree! We have a lot of room to play with and to improve over the coming years.

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IMPRESSIVE INNOVATION

RK: Is there anything that you would have done differently?

EM: I would have loved

a larger utility/boot room. And to change the window in the kitchen to a frameless design. But we have the space to improve and upgrade if needs be.

RK: Would you do the whole thing again?

EM: I had this discussion

with my husband a few weeks back. I don’t think he took it too well to be honest! My answer is yes; I would do it all over again – tomorrow, in a heartbeat.

I loved the whole process.

I would make a few different decisions. Before, I was very focused on the wedding. As this was our first build, it was all new to us. There were so many overwhelming choices – floor tiles being one and how quickly they discontinue. I feel we would probably take more time.

RK: What advice would you offer to anyone looking to self-build?

EM: Don’t get married

at the same time! No, honestly; if you’re thinking about it – do it, life is too short. It’s an enriching experience and offers a real sense of achievement.

Plan early and prepare for mistakes with your builder along the way. If you act quickly and you find a builder with good communication skills, small issues can be easily rectified.

@ shankly_house Follow this self-build story on Instagram

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I-B U I L D/ D E C/20

INSULATION ROOFING & RAINWATER SYSTEMS

Plastic rainwater system offers a cascade of benefits Whether a new-build, self-build or refurbishment project, the important role of rainwater systems cannot be understated in terms of aesthetics and the long-term integrity of a building.

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or those projects requiring a heritage aesthetic, castiron has traditionally been the go-to product despite its expense and the challenges with its installation and maintenance.

For these reasons, a plastic castiron style is fast becoming the must-have solution for self-builders and home renovators who want affordability whilst not compromising on performance and architectural integrity. Here, Brett Martin uncovers the raft of benefits of these systems.

It’s crucial that every UK building includes a high-quality rainwater system that will provide it with the maximum protection from these days of heavy and intense rainfall.

When specified correctly, this vital building component will remove rainwater quickly and efficiently and is a necessary part of any building’s operability.

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Historically, cast-iron rainwater systems have been a core component of a building’s fabric but as building design and efficiency has radically transformed over time – rendering cast-iron expensive and time-consuming to work with – builders have sought out alternatives.

At a fraction of the price to buy, install and maintain, modern plastic materials are an alternative to aluminium or cast-iron rainwater specification to deliver projects under budget and ahead of schedule – exceeding both the builder’s and the client’s expectations. It’s why the Cascade rainwater and soil system from Brett Martin fits the bill perfectly whilst helping contractors boost their profits at the same time.

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Installation efficiency

With significant additional weight, castiron rainwater systems can be heavy and difficult to install. Contractors must also be extra vigilant regarding health and safety and will require more time to lift and fix the system – leading to increased costs and potential delays in the installation process.

Almost every job will require both gutter and pipe lengths to be cut on site using specialist tools. To ensure long-lasting durability, they need to be fully finished on site using a primer, undercoat and topcoat, to ward off corrosion.

Even if the system used is delivered prepainted, any cut lengths, or site damage to the finished surface, must be protected to the same level by the installer. It should be noted that, in some cases, if the level of protection applied on site is deemed insufficient, any guarantee offered may be, quite rightly, invalidated, leaving the installer liable.

Because the plastic ranges are so much lighter than cast-iron, installation at height is less hazardous, being effortless to lift, easy to manoeuvre, simple to cut and quick to fit. The systems also benefit from external fixing lugs, enabling easy power tool access, which further speeds up installation. All gutter fitting joints have integral seals and flexible retaining clips, allowing the gutter lengths to simply click into place. No extra-cost fixing kits or nuts and bolts are required to make gutter joints, as with most traditional systems.

ROOFING & RAINWATER RENEWABLES SYSTEMS

A wealth of benefits

To ensure each rainwater system can be designed to meet every client’s demands, there is an expansive choice of options and gutter profiles available to suit most requirements.

From the domestic style of gutter to high-capacity systems for larger-scale commercial projects, plastic rainwater systems have been carefully designed to emulate original features, dimensions and detailing.

Once installed, the system is lowmaintenance as, unlike cast-iron, it is not vulnerable to rusting or corrosion and does not require regular sanding, priming or repainting to protect it from the elements.

With budgets increasingly stretched and tight deadlines dictating product specification, contractors must be aware of every product’s cost – in both materials and labour. Equally, the same applies to self-builders who desire quality and efficiency without breaking the bank. Innovative alternatives to traditional cast-iron systems, therefore, prove their mettle; with their price tags and specifications ensuring modern construction incorporates pieces of the past in its contemporary buildings.

www.brettmartin.com

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R yl e t t Studios: a laundry list of renovations An exceptionally designed, contemporary lateral living, fourbedroom home set within a historical Victorian building, Rylett Studios, in fondly known Starch Green, has come to market with leading west London estate agent, Finlay Brewer. In a former life, the building was a Victorian laundry facility, then a ball bearings factory in World War II and, more recently, a collection of office design studios.

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he current owners, Jim and Sam Strutt, have beautifully converted part of the studios into a unique, modern home, unlike anything else in west London, which is on the market with Finlay Brewer for ÂŁ2.275m.

The 2396ft2 home is set back from Rylett Crescent and is just moments away from leafy Wendell Park. The home is set across two floors, has off-street parking and also benefits from an additional mezzanine level study with a glass ceiling, a perfect tranquil place to work from home or watch the everchanging sky above with a coffee.

Upon entering the property, you are met by a wonderful bright hallway with ample storage and a statement staircase which lights up and changes colour, great for an evening of entertaining. Passing down the hall, there is a stylish family bathroom with highI-B U I L D/ D E C/20

spec fixtures and a useful utility room.

Further beyond, stylish curved walls lead to three good-sized bedrooms, one with an en-suite which features innovative waterproof resin on the walls.

The master suite can be found at the end of the hallway and features a clever frosted window that lets in lots of natural light, one of the quirky features kept by the current owners during renovations.

The master suite further comprises a large walk-in wardrobe and en-suite bathroom with his and hers sinks and a bath and separate shower.

The first floor is dedicated solely to the remarkable lateral living space.

As homeowners walk up the feature staircase, the first thing they will notice is the natural light pouring in from the high glass ceiling and original porthole window at the end of the expansive space. The glass ceiling and surrounding windows are controlled electrically.

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Here, i-Build Editor, Rebecca, talks to Sam about the ambitious project and finds out what drove the pair to choose this unique property.

RK: What inspired you to take on this project?

SS: We were looking for an alternative to the traditional Victorian terraced house that may be very practical but also very predictable.

RK: Had you always wanted to pursue your own project?

SS: Yes, but in all honesty, we never took it seriously!

RK: How and why did you choose this property to renovate?

SS: Serendipity; it came to the market

at the right time, in the area where we were looking and through the agent we were working with.

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FLOOR PLAN

1:

MEZZANINE

1: 2: 4:

5: 3: 6:

FIRST FLOOR

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RK: What style and age is the original building?

SS: It was built in the 1920s,

initially as a laundry facility (historically, there were a lot in this part of west London), converted to a ballbearing factory in World War II, then converted to design studios. About 10 years ago, the site was divided into three, and each subsequently had planning permission to convert to residential.

RK: How did you combine the original building’s style with the extension?

SS: The glass roof on the first floor is a

dominant feature of the original build and is integral to the overall design.

One central beam across the middle was replaced with a V-shaped girder (to maintain the structure), but we kept the shape of the girder as a reminder of the industrial heritage of the building. We kept the exterior windows to maintain the integrity of the outside design. Similarly, the metal pillars on the ground floor (supporting the first floor) have been kept (and painted in a contrasting colour).

RK: What was the vision and inspiration behind your new home?

SS: Maintaining the sense of light and space that comes from the glass roof and the balcony that we installed.

RK: How did you approach finalising your design brief?

SS: A lot of the design was developed

as we worked on the project in partnership with our builder. We also based certain aspects of work done on our previous house. In particular, the design of the kitchen (an essential part, as we are both keen cooks) replicated the layout and structure of our previous kitchen that we had renovated some five years earlier.

RK: How long did it take to gain planning permission?

SS: The property was acquired with

planning permission already granted.

RK: Were there any challenging aspects to the project and build?

SS: The layout of the ground floor was

predicated mainly on the position of the windows (knowing that we wanted four bedrooms). The issue regarding the staircase was providing ease of access without loss of floor space.

So, we installed a floating staircase, incorporating a lightbox underneath which emphasises the sense of space.

With regards to the glass roof, the challenge was not so much heat loss, but heat gain. Here, we installed blinds to manage the effect and replaced the old UV film on the glass. For storage issues, we used every part of the building to provide storage space.

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7:

7:

8:

7:

9: 8:

10:

GROUND FLOOR KEY

1: 2: 3: 4: 5:

STUDY KITCHEN RECEPTION TERRACE TV ROOM

6: WC 7: BEDROOM 8: EN-SUITE 9: DRESSING ROOM 10: SHOWER ROOM

RK: Did you work with an architect at any point in the process?

SS: We worked with a lighting

designer and an excellent builder, who was very creative and flexible in his approach to the project and prepared to work with us on the challenge.

RK: How did you approach material and product specification?

SS: Personal research,

recommendations and exhibitions.

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RK: Are there any particular materials that you would recommend to others looking to renovate or self-build?

SS: Neolith Beton for the kitchen worksurfaces (from The Marble Store), polished concrete floor for the main living space (Lazenby) and micro-cement for the floor and walls of the shower rooms (Topcret) – which is very versatile.

RK: How long did the project take?

SS: We allowed 12 months, and

the project lasted 14; but, we had moved in by then. It was completed in October 2016, and we moved in August.

RK: Did you remain within the original budget?

SS: Because we had little prior

experience, and because of the size of the project, budgeting was tricky. We ended up spending more than anticipated as we developed aspects of the project as we went along.

RK: What do you love most about the property?

SS: The light; it’s always different

and uplifting. And not just from the glass roof; the balcony is south-facing and, being on the first floor, is not overlooked. We have largely unbroken 180° views across rooftops.

The space is very different to anywhere we have previously lived, and it’s very easy to live within.

Plus, despite the double-height ceiling, it feels warm and cosy in the winter, thanks to the underfloor heating and the log-effect gas fire.

RK: Is there anything that you would have done differently?

SS: No – other than a few small

issues (like the positioning of the door entry system and some of the power sockets). We discussed solar panels, but the budget did not allow for the cost.

RK: What advice would you offer to anyone looking to renovate or self-build?

SS: Go to shows, exhibitions and showrooms. Find a good builder.

Concentrate on the energy performance of the build. Ensure you include plenty of storage.

Most new builds are woefully lacking in storage (in contrast to Victorian terraced houses with cellars and/or lofts).

www.finlaybrewer.co.uk

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I-SCAPE -DRIVEWAYS & OUTDOOR SPACES TARMAC CEMENT AND LIME

©Matipo Landscaping + Design

©Matipo Landscaping + Design

A growing trend for porcelain paving With outdoor living on the rise in 2020, many homeowners will already be starting to plan their garden projects for the new year. Here, Simon Chudley at Tarmac Cement and Lime looks at why homeowners are increasingly turning to porcelain patio in their landscaping designs.

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his year has seen many changes in how we live and use the space around us, but one of the biggest shifts has, of course, been the amount of time we have spent at home.

And the garden, in particular, has been a sanctuary for many in these tumultuous times.

Rather unsurprisingly, the time spent doing DIY or gardening rose by 147% in March and April, according to the Office for National Statistics. And the trend for spending time outdoors could be here to stay, even in the winter months – John Lewis has seen an 82% increase in demand for outdoor heaters compared to 2019, and a surge in demand for fire pits has resulted in some brands selling out.

So, what of the patio, the perfect space for outdoor entertaining and the focal point of many a garden?

Benefits

We’ve seen a substantial shift in customers turning to porcelain for their patio projects. Indeed, I-B U I L D/ D E C/20

the versatility of porcelain means that it mimics the best natural flooring products yet offers the additional benefits of easy maintenance and durability.

Let’s look at some of the benefits it can bring:

Style

The smooth and uniform appearance of porcelain paving offers a clean and modern finish. This makes it ideal for a huge range of contemporary designs. In addition, it’s suitable for indoor use too, enabling homeowners to create a seamless flow from the kitchen or conservatory, for example, right through to the outdoor space.

Maintenance

When a high-quality grout is used, simply using a hose to clean the paving will keep it looking great throughout the year. Maintenance will depend on the grout used. For example, if it’s a cement-based grout, it will need a sealant applied to it or adding at the time of mixing.

However, if the grout used is an

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epoxy- or resin-type material, it should not need any further remedial work.

Durability

The endurance of porcelain slabs makes them ideal in high footfall areas such as garden paths. Not only are they scratch-resistant but thanks to porcelain’s high density, it can withstand wear and tear.

Performance

After heavy rainfall, some ceramics will absorb water which will lead to cracking. In comparison with other types of paving, porcelain slabs are much less porous, making them resistant to the unpredictable British elements.

Laying a patio

When laying porcelain paving, the process is slightly different than with natural stone. Once you have measured and marked out the area, you should start by digging out the site to around 150 to 200mm deep, while maintaining a slight slope for drainage.

I-SCAPE - DRIVEWAYS & OUTDOOR SPACES TARMAC CEMENT AND LIME

©Matipo Landscaping + Design

A sub-base, such as ‘Type 1’, should be used to fill the prepared site and then sufficiently compacted to ensure a firm base. A highquality cement, such as Blue Circle Mastercrete, should be mixed into a mortar – approximately six-parts sharp sand to one-part cement or stronger and added on top of the sub-base at a depth of approximately 40mm. As porcelain paving is low-porous, a layer of priming slurry is essential at this point to help ensure adhesion of the pavers. A priming slurry can be made by mixing cement and a styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) liquid additive. This is the main difference between most stone paving and porcelain.

Before placing the paving, first coat the underside with a layer of the priming slurry to ensure adhesion. We’d advise starting from the corner and using a rubber mallet to fix the

pavers in place. Use spacers to ensure a uniform joint width between each slab. The width of the joint will depend on the jointing material used – for cementitious materials approximately 6mm and for non-cement-based materials as low as 3mm. Ensure you clean any mortar or slurry from the pavers before it has a chance to stick.

Finally, finish with a jointing compound for a professional finish.

Alfresco living

The trend for living and entertaining outdoors is only set to continue. Taking the steps to get the garden ready and the patio space transformed into a true living area can really help enhance the look and feel of your garden.

www.tarmac.com

Expert advice:

©Matipo Landscaping + Design

Top tips from George Jones, Owner and Operator of Matipo Landscaping + Design: “At Matipo, we are noticing a growing trend of porcelain paving being utilised in outdoor living spaces. Porcelain has been on the market for quite a number of years; however, the technology and installation methods have had huge improvements over the past two years.

When choosing the correct porcelain, there are a few variables to look out for. You want to make sure you have the correct thickness of porcelain for your installation method, whether that’s the full wet bed method preferred by landscapers, or the pre-installed concrete pad and adhesive method preferred by tilers. Both methods are structurally sound, as long as you understand the different properties of each method.”

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I-B U I L D/ D E C/20

CLADDING

TOP TEN considerations when cladding your home Cladding is increasingly popular across new builds and refurbishments as a tasteful finish for buildings of all types, with an innovative application making for the creation of some truly impressive facades.

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ere, Millboard takes a look at the 10 top considerations for homeowners and selfbuilders when contemplating cladding.

01. Aesthetics

How the cladding will look is first and foremost in most people’s minds.

Obviously, you want it to enhance your home. If it is a detached property, well apart from any neighbours, you have a freer hand in picking the material you think will give the most pleasing appearance. If other houses are in close proximity, though, you need to think about how your cladding will fit in. A poor choice could diminish not only your own home’s value but also your neighbours’.

Generally, while you might crave an avant-garde look, this could backfire if and when you come to sell, so if in doubt, err on the conservative side.

Consider too if you want to clad entire walls, or just sections. You could recreate an Edwardian look by hanging tiles on your top floor only.

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02. Legal restrictions

In some circumstances, your options may be restricted by the law.

Although planning permission is not normally necessary, a house may be listed, in a conservation area or subject to specific covenants, all of which could make cladding a no-no. Check before you even start planning: you don’t want to spend a lot of money cladding your home, only to have to spend it again on removing it!

03. The shape of your home

Not all houses have flat walls! If yours has curves, it can take real expertise to fit cladding, and some materials are more amenable than others. Individual stones or tiles are small enough to fit to curves relatively easily. Horizontal timbers are pretty much out of the question, but vertical timbers are often possible, particularly with some wood-look alternatives, such as Millboard cladding.

RENEWABLES CLADDING

08. Ease of installation

04. Consistency of appearance

Your house may look beautiful once it’s newly clad, but how will it look in five, 10 or 20 years’ time?

Some materials, like stone, will barely change over long periods, but others will be affected by the weather. The fading you get with some types of timber cladding can be exploited as the ultimate weathered look and is often very attractive, but there is a risk that the fading will not be even and that stains arise from metal fixings leaching or in areas that are excessively impacted by rain.

05. Durability

Closely linked to how your cladding will look in years to come is its intrinsic durability. Stone, brick and tile cladding should long outlast you, but timber and PVC options may need replacing at some point. Of course, how long any cladding lasts is often influenced by the next consideration: maintenance.

06. Maintenance

Different cladding materials demand different maintenance regimes.

Stone, brick and tile will need next to none. Timber may need regular treatment or painting, but the need for either can be reduced by using timber that has been treated prior to installation. Most often, this is done by

slowly kiln-drying it to remove most of the moisture within the timber.

By doing so, the risk of the timber splitting or warping is much reduced.

Some premium wood-look cladding, such as Millboard, requires very minimal maintenance.

With PVC, cleaning is the only maintenance required or possible, but it also means you cannot counter any unsightly discolouration that might appear over time.

07. Eco-friendliness

It might seem that if you choose a ‘natural’ product, like stone or timber, you are helping the planet out, but it is far from that simple.

Getting stone out of the ground is incredibly energy-intensive and leaves scars wherever it is done.

Drying timber also takes a lot of energy, quite apart from the detrimental impact on shrinking tropical forests if hardwood cladding is sourced irresponsibly.

PVC and resin-mineral materials are obviously forms of plastic, derived from oil, and can seem, therefore, like bad options. However, the impact over the whole life of the cladding is what matters – from obtaining the materials to transporting, forming and installing them, as well as their maintenance and ultimate disposal – and a man-made option could actually measure up well overall.

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Most cladding is installed onto a subframe of wood or metal battens which itself is constructed over a weatherproof lining.

Stone or brick are mortared in, while wood and PVC options are screw fitted. Generally, installation is best left to experts unless you are very confident in your DIY construction skills.

Cladding is often pre-formed to some extent, such as timber being tongue-and-grooved, to make installation easier and faster, and, therefore, helps keep costs down.

09. Cost

Installation costs have to be added to materials and maintenance costs to arrive at the true overall figure. For all its advantages on several scores, stone or brick cladding is usually by some way the most expensive option to buy and install.

Timber is often a more realistic option and has wide appeal, but costs vary greatly according to the type of timber and what treatment it has had.

Similarly, PVC and other synthetic options vary enormously. Keep in mind that whatever material you consider, options that are cheap to buy and install may be poorer value in the long run if they deteriorate and lose their initial appearance.

10. Weigh everything up

In the end, your choice of cladding material will depend on the combination of the above factors that fit your home and circumstances.

Check out all the options open to you, especially the different materials that are out there. Some of the new synthetic ones offer real advantages in durability, without sacrificing aesthetic appeal.

Finally, you may have to compromise somewhere along the line to meet your financial constraints, but beware of cutting costs to get your cladding up as cheaply as you can. As with so much, you get what you pay for, and cladding is an undertaking worth getting right first time.

www.millboard.co.uk I-B U I L D/ D E C/20

I-BUILD - BALCONIES, BALUSTRADES & STAIRS BISCA

In full view Sculptural as well as functional, Bisca’s bespoke staircase stands proud in the centre of a large open gallery-style space, framed by full-height windows to show off the design, day and night.

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rchitect firm Bramhall Blenkharn commissioned Bisca to design, manufacture and install two staircases and a connecting glass bridge for a new home in a Yorkshire village. As the property is in a conservation area and partly designated within the green belt, the architect had to ensure the scheme did not cause ‘visual harm’ to the surrounding landscape. The house is designed to reflect the character of the former agricultural buildings and the scheme uses materials found in the original buildings – brick, oak weatherboarding and a seamed, black zinc roof. The result is a significant visual improvement on the buildings it replaced.

The ground floor of the new building is a freeflowing series of living spaces, with the central core being a double-height glazed space housing Bisca’s magnificent sweeping staircase. A helical staircase forming sinuous curves from the ground floor up to a mezzanine landing fulfils the client’s brief for a curvaceous silhouette. A white-painted plastered parapet acts as an apparently seamless continuation of the ceiling above, extending from the landing into a sculptural structure.

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I-BUILD - BALCONIES, BALUSTRADES & STAIRS BISCA

Making the most of the abundance of natural light which flows into the space through the large windows played a key part in the design. Solid oak treads appear to float between the plastered parapet wall on the outer curve and a glass balustrade on the inside. A slim gap between treads allows glimpses of light to filter through, and the curved design of the stair is reflected in the treads, with curved front and back faces.

The painted parapet wall has an integrated oval profile handrail, which rolls over the front edge of the parapet wall all the way to the floor.

On the opposite side, an oak handrail caps the glass before finishing in a circular newel on the ground floor, mirroring the curves of the parapet. The inner handrail has incorporated lighting, washing gentle light onto the glass and treads below, a beautiful feature especially effective at night-time, with the staircase in full view from the outside.

The project incorporated an existing barn into the new building, to be designed as a self-contained annexe.

Bisca’s brief included a second smaller staircase and a glass bridge within the barn.

The barn staircase, with an open tread cantilever design, ensures that natural light flows throughout the space. Made in character oak, the treads resonate well with the barn’s solid oak beams and other rustic elements in the interior, including exposed brick.

The glass bridge houses discreetly concealed LEDs to illuminate the oak beams and project light to the centre of the bridge. The bridge and cantilever stair have swaged stainless steel uprights capped with a leather-clad handrail, handmade in Bisca’s own Yorkshire workshop. Each part of every staircase is made by the company’s team of in-house craftspeople, who are all multi-skilled and multidisciplinary. Each commission is designed exclusively for the space it is intended for.

Every Bisca design is wholly bespoke and, therefore, unique. Starting with a blank piece of paper and the client’s brief, all materials and components are individually sourced for each project.

Once the layout of the staircase has been defined, it is important to consider the materials and the aesthetics within the property.

Says Richard McLane, Design Director at Bisca: “Only 60% of a design is about the staircase, 40% is about how it interfaces with the property. This is where a specialist staircase designer will really make a difference to a project, taking into account interfaces, overall aesthetics, fixings, materials, loadings, head height etc., making sure every single detail is thought through before materials are procured and building begins.”

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www.bisca.co.uk I-B U I L D/ D E C/20

I-NTERIOR - CARPETS & WOOD FLOORING THE NATURAL WOOD FLOOR CO.

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easy steps to ensure your wood flooring measures up

Wood flooring is the ideal choice for any room of the home that will make a striking and lasting impression. Once you’re ready to make your purchase, it’s important to measure up, as knowing how many square metres of space you need to cover will help when it comes to working out the cost of the flooring.

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3. Convert it

ere are The Natural Wood Floor Co.’s five quick steps to measuring your floor for real wood flooring.

Measuring in feet and inches?

Follow the first step to get the area and divide the total by 10.76. This will convert square feet into square metres.

1. Do the maths

For square rooms, calculate the area of the room by multiplying the width by the length.

2. Make it easy

4. Plan ahead

If your room is L-shaped, simply divide the room into two easy-to-measure rectangle areas. Measure the lengths and widths of each space and multiply them by each other.

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Allow for wastage – between 5 to 10% for a board or strip floor, or between 7 to 15% if you’re opting for parquet woodblocks, the waste allowance is for unusable offcuts. Please note, there are

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more offcuts when the rooms are smaller or of an intricate shape.

5. Use supplier tools

You can input the room measurements into the price calculator on each product page of The Natural Wood Floor Co.’s website to see the price of your chosen flooring.

www.natural woodfloor.co.uk

I-NTERIOR - CARPETS & WOOD FLOORING THE NATURAL WOOD FLOOR CO.

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INSULATION HOME AUTOMATION

Why your home automation system doesn’t work You wouldn’t ask a plumber to design and install a spa just because he works with water and pipes. Likewise, you shouldn’t get an electrician to design and install a home automation system just because he works with electricity and cables. And yet many people do. Is it any wonder then that a system installed by unqualified people who have not provided a clear, documented delivery statement does not work how you thought it would? Alex Josling, Director of CEDIA Member of Excellence, Seven Integration, explains the importance of hiring the professionals for your home automation installation.

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our home automation system is something you are going to interact with several times every single day you are in your home. You will want it to work and meet your performance expectations. If it doesn’t, then you chose the wrong professional.

The world of home technology moves at such a pace, how can you be sure you are getting someone who has the technical knowhow to provide a solution that is technologically relevant today and will still be relevant in five or 10 years’ time?

Home automation is supposed to be about making life simpler. It’s about taking the stress away. If your system I-B U I L D/ D E C/20

doesn’t work, or adds to your stress levels, then the chances are it was designed, installed and programmed by someone who is not qualified to do it.

So, what do you get from a professional that you probably won’t get from John-down-the-pub’s computer whiz nephew?

Training

A properly trained professional will have years in training — they will have attended countless workshops and reviewed the latest white papers. They should have attended training courses and industryrecognised qualifications. Then there is the on-the-job training and, of course, that magical resource – experience.

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I would always suggest finding a CEDIA Member. CEDIA is a not-forprofit trade organisation representing the home automation industry. Their key focus is to educate its members and promote best practice. Choosing a CEDIA member means you are partnering with a company that has a demonstrated level of professionalism and competence.

Documentation

Part of a home automation system design is the documentation, and part of that documentation is a ‘functional specification’. Ask for one and keep it up-to-date and safe. This is your record of what functionality you can expect in each room, and it forms your source for recourse if you do not think you have got what you believe you have paid for.

It is essentially a room-by-room walk-through, listing everything you will be able to do in each room. What sources can you access on the TV? Will you be able to listen to tune-in radio stations in the bathroom? If you thought you would be able to access gate control from a keypad by your bed and you can’t, your functional specification document will tell you if that was part of the agreed project scope.

HOME AUTOMATION RENEWABLES

Performance expectations – networks and Wi-Fi

Everything in your home automation system will sit on your network. The communication is constantly flowing between devices and more often than not, to a cloud service too. So, having someone who understands how to design and install a reliable, robust network is absolutely vital. In fact, this should really have been the first thing I wrote about! If your network has not been professionally designed and installed, then I guarantee you will run into problems at some point.

A comprehension of network security, subnets, guest networks, VPNs and fixed IPs are all going to keep that communication flowing and everything working correctly. And possibly more importantly, keeping your home network secure from malicious attacks requires continuous training and monitoring of current threats. Does your M&E contractor do that?

Performance expectations – AV

Have you ever stood in a McDonald’s and listened to the music that is played through the in-ceiling speakers? As a low-volume background noise solution, you could argue that they do the job.

Nobody really listens to them anyway.

But if you want to be able to really

enjoy the music playing, or to understand what is being said, your speakers need to reach certain performance standards.

Creating sound is all about moving air.

The larger the room, the more air needs to be moved to create sound. So, thinking that a £50 pair of in-ceiling speakers are going to provide a pumping bass line at your New Year’s Eve party is probably expecting too much.

Although not strictly speaking ‘home automation’, most companies that provide home automation systems will also deal with the audiovisual solutions and will understand the physics of creating sound in a room and displaying images on a screen. It’s science, not guesswork, and there are reference levels, calculations and technical specs that will demonstrate a product’s ability to perform in your home environment.

So, granted, you may have a contractor on site who says they can do it all for you, and it may be cheaper. But what will be the real cost to you in the long-term? When your kids can’t get on the internet because the Wi-Fi isn’t good enough. When you can’t watch the match because the TV won’t switch on.

When you turn the lights off at night, and for some reason, the speakers on the patio start playing Queen’s greatest hits. A good home technology professional is worth their weight in gold.

www.sevenintegration.co.uk

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I-B U I L D/ D E C/20

LEGAL & BUSINESS PRODUCT GUIDE ADVERTORIAL: MILLBOARD | CMOSTORES.COM | EASY BATHROOMS | OSMO

Millboard launches groundbreaking cladding collection

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illboard has launched a suite of cutting-edge cladding materials that will cement the company’s reputation as one of Britain’s leading home and garden material manufacturers. In its 13-year history, Millboard has continually broken new ground, notably for its flagship UV-, split-, rot- and slip-resistant decking product that has been used in builds as prestigious as the Burj Al Arab, Kew Gardens and Wimbledon. The new range of cladding takes its cue from the first-rate attributes of the decking range. Available in two styles (‘V Groove’ and ‘Board and Batten’) and a wide range of colours, it provides the same assurance of UV resistance and eliminates the risk of warping, twisting or rotting. And just like the decking range, the cladding has been handmoulded from carefully-selected natural timbers, to provide an unmistakably organic look. From the smooth finish of the V Groove to the pleasing grain variance of the Board and Batten style, there’s a Millboard www.millboard.co.uk cladding style for every 0247 643 9943 property type. enquiries@millboard.co.uk

Brand launches UK’s first marble shower tray

I

f you Google ‘marble shower tray’, you’ll see that there are not any matching/relevant products (unless they are bespoke-made), yet demand for this product is rising (as seen by Google Trends data). Simultaneously, due to COVID, people are having fewer house guests, and bathrooms have become a more private area, where relaxation can be prioritised. In recent weeks, products which lend themselves to creating a ‘home spa’ have been on the rise, particularly at the top end of the market. Easy Bathrooms spotted this gap in the market and decided to launch the Arabesco, marbleeffect shower tray. It is one of the only ‘off-the-shelf’ marble shower trays available in the bathroom industry, meaning that it is a quick, easy and affordable option compared to bespokemade alternatives. It is www.easybathrooms.com available in black 0330 660 1120 or white. sales@easybathrooms.com

CMOStores.com strengthens its service offering

Create luxury flooring with Osmo

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n these difficult and disruptive times, CMOStores.com’s commitment to ensuring its customers can get what they want, when they need it, has put the builder’s merchant in a strong position to continue to respond to the market’s changing needs, with the company making significant investment in improving both customer experience and service.

CMO’s Commercial Director, Callum Tasker, said: “During the first lockdown when many businesses were forced to close, we quickly found that a significant number of new and returning customers were continuing to work on DIY or self-build projects. This time is slightly different in that many of our trade customers are still on site and, importantly, are still working to strict deadlines.

Throughout what has been an incredibly disruptive year, the demand for high-quality building materials has remained high, and we are committed to being able to meet all our customers’ needs, whatever they are www.cmostores.com working on and wherever 01752 692769 in the country they are.” enquiries@cmostores.com I-B U I L D/ D E C/20

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ive your floors the treatment they deserve with Osmo Polyx-Oil. With winter fast approaching, and the UK now in the second lockdown, it’s time to treat yourself and focus on creating your luxury dream floor.

Polyx-Oil is a premium wood finish keeping wooden surfaces in top condition. Ideal for solid or engineered wood flooring, it is a high-quality, water-repellent and tread-resistant wood finish based on natural ingredients. Offering all the professional features of a traditional oil-based finish, Polyx-Oil allows the natural texture of the wood to still be apparent. Polyx-Oil’s natural components penetrate deeply into the wood to create a micro-porous finish. This allows the wood to breathe naturally. After treatment, the wood is nourished from within and retains its elasticity. It becomes waterrepellent, stain-resistant and more hard-wearing. Osmo Polyx-Oil isn’t just great for wood; it’s the ideal www.osmouk.com finish for all of your 01296 481220 wooden projects. advice@osmouk.com

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