i-Build January 2022

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FOCUS:

S ELF B U ILDS

R ENOVAT IONS

C ONVER S IONS

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EXT ENS IONS COVER STORY

O W DN A G NIV L U R NI G K S NI

UANUARY **

ISSUE 1(

A der lict barn in Iceland has be n transformed into a modern home and artis ’ studio tha perf ctly frames the sur oundi g views of mountains, meadows, a fjord and the open sea beyond

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CASE STUDIES

NEWS

MATERIALS

L TE H SHOWSBEGIN! 20 kic s of with thre show tha are ideal for final s g your self-bui d and renovati plans

SOMELIK I HT O T trends in heating your home with a stun i g

The hot es new fireplac this year

I-DEAS

C RIB KSRO NDA OFTILES FORO ERIP O REND S Dres your heritag pro e ty for suc e with comple ntary bricks and ro f tiles

ADVISORY

H OW H E T L O P BUILD CANO H YE L P U Help to Build makes the self- and custombuild ng route more ac es ibl than ev r

An award winning company with over 30 years experience offering Bespoke solutions for the domestic market across the South East.

Including water supply, sewage treatment and renewable heating.

Feasibility can usually be determined with a site postcode.

WATER SUPPLY & SOAKAWAY BOREHOLES & DRAINAGE SOLUTIONS Independent water supply for irrigation or consumption* Soakaways, drainage fields and other drainage solutions.

Members of the WDA, we have been constructing boreholes across the South East since 1984 and aim to provide the highest quality cable-tool percussion-drilled borehole service available. *subject to analysis and suitable filtration

RENEWABLE HEATING Reduce heating bills by up to 50% Worth investigating as energy prices soar.

Groundwater can be used as a heat source for an Open-Loop Ground Source Heat Pump which could meet all hot water and heating needs.

We are a fully MCS accredited and award winning company who aim to provide the highest quality service available in South East England.

Customers can rely on our advice and flexibility to suit individual requirements.

SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEMS Bespoke or package options Whether for domestic or commercial purposes, if there is no mains sewer connection a sewage treatment system may be the solution.

If you are not sure where to start contact us for an informal chat.

Our systems are designed to meet the needs of individual clients and comply with strict discharge legislation.

Servicing contracts are offered on all our installations.

enquiries@thehdgroup.co.uk | 01494 792000 | www.hdservicesltd.co.uk

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EDITORIAL: Rebecca Kemp rebea c r@ edtu h e m a id .com

Hannah Woodger

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PRINT & DIGITAL ADVERTISING: Sam Ball samr@ edtuh e m a id .com

Jim Moore

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PRINT DESIGN MANAGER: Jack Witcomb

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DIGITAL DESIGN MANAGER: Matt Morse

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ACCOUNTS: Rachel Pike aco c tnu s@redtuh e m a id .com

SALES SUPPORT & STATISTICS: Klare Ball

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PUBLISHER: Sam Ball samr@ edtuh e m a id .com

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

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s'rotiWelcome d I-BUILD JANUARY 2022

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ate it or loathe it; it’s here to stay for, what seems like, a never-ending total of 31 long days. That’s right, January is upon us.

Of course, that means the evenings are gloomy and bitter, the ‘great British weather’ is here with a vengeance, and we’re all trying to bypass the dreariness of the first month of 2022 by directing all our attention on New Year’s resolutions. Fortunately, we’ve wrapped up all the doom and gloom associated with this shunned period of the year and given it a constructive perspective for this month’s issue.

Firstly, The Stovax Heating Group brings us in from the cold into toasty and cosy interiors with roaring fireplaces.

Here, the manufacturer of stoves and fireplaces reveals the hottest fireplace trends of the year. Head over to pages 16-17 to find out more.

Next, Daniel Clarke from West Fraser shelters us from the elements with some top tips on speeding up the process of getting your build to the weathertight stage. In this article, he talks of a new, quicker approach that commercial developers are following and explains how you can do the same, while also keeping costs and safe working practices in mind.

Turn to pages 24-25 to read Daniel’s guidance. Also, Gemma Davis from Graven Hill, the UK’s largest self- and

custom-build development, uncovers a vision that will be on budding future homebuilders’ New Year’s resolution lists. In this article, Gemma runs through the Government’s Help to Build scheme and explains how it’s making the prospect of self- or custombuilding viable for more people than ever before. Turn to pages 10-11 to find out if self - or custom-building is finally the route you can take this year.

Conclusively, to wrap up this edition, we go from cold to sub-zero as we head over to western Iceland to check out the conversion of a derelict concrete barn that’s been transformed into a family home containing a working artist’s studio. Find out how Studio Bua worked with the building’s ruins to create a rustic, yet modern, design that perfectly frames the surrounding views of mountains, meadows, a fjord and the open sea beyond. Turn to pages 18-23 for this must-see renovation.

Rebecca Rebecca Kemp Editor @ibuildmagazine

@ibuildmagazine

ibuildmagazine

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

30 e hT Shoreway, St a M ry’s s I a l ,dn Chatha,m e K tn , 4 EM 3SL 01622 4 9 6150 r.w edhutmedia.com

Cover story:

Studio Bua worked with the building’s ruins to create a design that perfectly frames the surrounding views of mountains, meadows, a fjord and the open sea.

See page 18.

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Onyx Liv 3 Gas Stove

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DESIRED DESIGNS

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WA NT TO P L AY A GAM E ?

With the Christmas decorations packed away and the aJ nuary blues looming, now’s a great time to furnish your home and identify uses for empty spots. Have you considered making the most of your space and dedicating an area, or an entire room, to games and movies?

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e don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing” – that famous George Bernard Shaw quote that we’ve all come across time and time again. Whether it’s board games, videos games or trivia games, nothing quite brings the family together like a bit of friendly competition. That’s why many self-builders and home renovators incorporate games and cinema rooms into their plans and, it’s not I BUILDmJANUARYm**

YOURS TO BUY

just an option for those with children. These spaces are also prevalent amongst those working from home, providing a little sanctuary as a place to unwind and have fun. What’s more, games and cinema rooms are the ultimate entertaining space for friends and family and, for dull periods, much like the dreaded month of January; they also keep you occupied while you shelter from the bleak weather.

Here, we’ve assembled a few accessories, furnishings and, of course, games to consider for your very own room.

1. 100 movies to see before you die scratch poster, Yellow Octopus, $37.99

6. Vespa scooter chair, Smithers of Stamford, £890

7. Set of four playing cards 2. Philips NeoPix Easy 2 mini waxed linen coasters, Rebecca projector, Cuckooland, £149 Udall, £40 .3 ‘Playing Chess’ black and .8 Millenium Falcon ornament, white poster, Desenio, £12.95 Ionian Interiors, £499 4. Crossbow archery set with target, Yellow Octopus, 4 $ 9.99 5. Wooden bowling skittles game, Yellow Octopus, $89.99

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9. Vitascope make your own vintage movie projector, Yellow Octopus, 8 $ 6.99 10. Metamorphosis snooker table, Boca do Lobo, £POA

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NEW YEAR, NEW YOU! After last month’s extra Christmas helpings, most of us are on the healthy eating wagon. Here are a few kitchen appliances that can help you make healthier options for breakfast, lunch, dinner and, of course, snacking.

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Invisible Invisible Silent Invisible Silent Healthy Invisible Silent Healthy Environmentally Friendly Silent Healthy Environmentally Cooling System Friendly Healthy Environmentally Cooling System Friendly Environmentally Cooling System Friendly Cooling System

Eco Eco Alternative Eco Alternative Eco to Air Con Alternative to Air Con Alternative to Air Con to Air Con

Thermal Comfort Thermal Comfort Silent Thermal Comfort Draught Free Silent Doesn’t dry out your skin Thermal Comfort Draught Silent Free

Building Aesthetics Building Aesthetics No need for fan coils or cassettes Building Aesthetics No fan coils or cassettes on internal walls or ceilings No need for fan coils or cassettes No additional condensors required Building Aesthetics No coils on internal walls or ceilings No fan need for or fancassettes coils or cassettes

Fast and Easy to Install Fastinstallation and Easy to Install Simple Fast and Easy to Install Number of trades on site reduced Simple installation 1Fast x bondedand panel Easy to Install Number of trades on site reduced Simple installation

Carbon Footprint Carbon Footprint No gases used in the building Carbon Footprint No potential leakage No gases used in the building Reduced contribution to climate change Carbon Footprint Nopotential gases used in the building No leakage

Health Benefits Health Benefits Increased air quality Health Benefits Controlled humidity Increased air quality Reduced dust, allergens, and spread of germs Health Benefits Increased air quality Controlled humidity

Energy Efficiency Energy Efficiency 30-40% energy saving over Air Con Energy Efficiency Water transports 3500 x more energy than air 30-40% energy saving over Air Con Energy Efficiency 30-40% energy saving Air Con Water transports 3500over x more energy than air

Doesn’t rely on blowing air to cool a space Doesn’t dry out your skin Draught Free Silent Doesn’trely dryon out your skin Doesn’t blowing air to cool a space Draught Free Doesn’t rely on blowing air to cool a space Doesn’t dry out your skin Doesn’t rely on blowing air to cool a space

No potential leakage to climate change Reduced contribution No gases used in the building Reduced contribution to climate change No potential leakage Reduced contribution to climate change

Utilise your existing heat pump No No additional fan coils orcondensors cassettes onrequired internal walls or ceilings No need for fan coils or cassettes No additional condensors required Utilise your existing heat pump No fan coils or cassettes on internal walls or ceilings Utilise your existing heat pump No additional condensors required Utilise your existing heat pump

Controlled humidity Reduced dust, allergens, and spread of germs Increased air quality Reduced dust, allergens, and spread of germs Controlled humidity Reduced dust, allergens, and spread of germs

cool@radiana.co.uk

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Closed loop system 1 x bonded panelon site reduced Number of trades No maintenance required internally Simple installation 1Closed x bonded panel loop system Number of trades on site reduced Closed loop system No maintenance required internally 1 x bonded panel No maintenance required internally Closed loop system No maintenance required internally

Water transports 3500 x more energy than air 30-40% energy saving over Air Con Water transports 3500 x more energy than air

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VIEWPOINT

Viewpoint G

em a Dav i s is Customer Experience Director at Graven Hill

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He l p t o B u i l d : m a k i n g s e l f- b u i ld a c e s i ble fo r a l

Over the past couple of years, people’s attitudes towards the home have shifted, with research showing that 48% of people would like more space for an office or additional bedrooms.

As we become more particular about the home we choose, self-building offers the perfect solution. With an added level of flexibility, it has been hailed as the future of the housing industry.

However, up until recently, it has been seen as an option only available to the wealthy, but this is about to change, says Gemma Davis, Customer Experience Director at Graven Hill.

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n April 2021, former Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, announced the Government’s plan to introduce a new Help to Build initiative that would make selfbuilding a viable option for everyone.

Self-building statistics in the UK are considerably lower than our European neighbours’, with only around 13,000 houses being self-built each year.

By introducing the scheme, the Government predicts that self- and custom-builds will account for 30,000 to 40,000 new homes in the first year alone.

Allocated across four years, an initial £150m of funding will be available from the Government to get self-builders started. Working in a similar manner to the Help to Buy initiative, it will allow purchasers to secure a self-build plot with a 5% deposit, alongside the Government-backed equity loan. Due to the varying costs involved with self-build projects, the loan will be based on the estimated build cost as opposed to the property price. Unlike the Help to Buy process, where the funds are paid on legal completion, the self-build loan will instead be paid

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on practical completion. As there is no housebuilder involved, it will be paid directly to the mortgage lender.

The scheme will also extend to custom-build homes, which are ideal for buyers looking for a less hands-on approach. Still offering considerable flexibility, custom-build homes give purchasers the opportunity to tailor the internal layouts and finishes of a new-build property, by choosing from a menu of options. The earlier in the construction process that the plot is reserved, the more choice that buyers will have. Those using the scheme for a custom-build home will also have their loan paid on practical completion and directly to the mortgage lender.

As an additional bonus to the economy, the Government selfbuild scheme is also part of the wider Plan for Jobs, which will benefit smaller building firms. Increasing the number of self- and custom-build homes constructed each year will considerably boost the number of jobs available for SME builders. It is also likely to help the country in its bid to meet the net-zero-by-2050 goal,

VIEWPOINT

with research revealing that nearly a third of people said living in a house that was more sustainable was a key benefit of building a home. This may be done through the use of sustainable building materials, such as timber or recycled steel. Alternatively, it could mean installing eco-friendly systems such as double- or triple-glazed windows, mechanical ventilation systems or renewable energy infrastructure such as solar panels.

Introducing the new scheme is an important step towards giving househunters greater choice and freedom when it comes to finding a forever home. Without the option of a self-build loan, many people have been unable to take on the challenge of building a home in the past. However, with selfbuilding becoming more affordable,

the hope is that more people will feel able to purchase their own self-build plot. At Graven Hill, the UK’s largest self- and custom-build development, self-build plots have been hugely popular, demonstrating that there is a desire to self-build among the general population. People have simply not been given as much support as needed to explore this route until now. The Help to Build scheme will not only make selfbuilding more affordable but also more accessible to the everyday person.

The pandemic has led to our requirements for the home evolving considerably. With many people no longer bound by the geographical location of their offices, due to remote working, there is more opportunity to go to greater lengths to find the perfect home.

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Although self-building remains no easy task, there has never been a better time to consider taking on the challenge. Instead of settling for a doer-upper, buyers can have the opportunity to own something that they are proud of. Self-building creates communities filled with personality and will help provide the housing industry with the diversification it needs.

Prospective self-builders can now register their details and receive an email notification when applications for the equity loan are open. More information about the new Help to Build: Equity Loan can be found on Homes England’s affordable homeownership website: www.ownyourhome.gov.uk/ scheme/help-to-build/.

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IMPRESSIVE INNOVATION

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t the start of every kitchen design process, H. Miller Bros’ approach is always set out to find out what is unique about a project and a client to create something genuinely original. On this occasion, the client told H. Miller Bros that they dreamed of having a larger, functional, yet playful kitchen, so that they could enjoy family life with their three small children.

Co-Founder, Howard Miller, expanded the client’s brief to incorporate intangible things that he knew would make a significant improvement to the clients’ lives – striking a balance between removing clutter and allowing space for the joyful paraphernalia that comes with a young family.

Getting more natural light into the space and creating a route from the kitchen to the garden was also considered. Innovative ideas included a cork panel integrated into the cabinet fronts that was stained black to match the black front of the oven to bind the design together. It also acted as a bit of a sound absorber and sits over the splashback so that there is a lot of space to pin up the kid’s drawings, reminders, birthday cards etc. This curates an evolving backdrop of things for the family pin to it.

Howard also designed an over-counter corner breakfast cupboard with a pullout tray to store the usual appliances (toaster, coffee grinder, blender etc.) that typically clutter up worksurfaces. The client had also shared a picture of some antique oak drawers they loved, so H. Miller Bros tested various blends of wood stains to create a recipe to replicate it, albeit in a more contemporary cabinet style. Howard also discovered that the clients were music lovers, so designed the cabinetry knobs to be enlarged versions of the volume knob from their beloved 1970s record player.

The new space allowed for an island, which was designed as a big table in the middle of the room and enabled light and views through and around it. The sink run is a set of floating drawers that project from the wall, and the flooring continues under them to make the room feel more spacious. The full-height cabinets were hand-painted a calm, matte Farrow & Ball ‘School House White’, which contrasted with the ‘China Blue’coloured floor from the Coloured Flooring Company to give the design a playful tone. Howard also lined the bottom of all the drawers in the coloured floor vinyl to provide the family with a splash of colour when opened.

Finally, he included a giant larder cupboard with a cold shelf worktop, indoor storage, a wine rack and glass store, a hanging rail and one of the company’s signature solid oak bread boxes.

www.hmillerbros.co.uk

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LIGHTING & ELECTRICALS HVAC

Onyx Liv3

Th e b e s t f i r e p l a c e u p d a te s fo r 2 0 2 In this article, The Stovax Heating Group looks at the hottest new trends in heating your home with a fireplace this year.

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tove and fire technology has evolved drastically in recent years, with a host of enticing fireplace options now available to the self-builder or renovator. It can seem daunting when first researching the best fireplace solutions, but with this simple guide to the latest trends and top features, it will be easier to narrow down a decision.

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Woodburning and solid fuel stoves and fires are attractive for a number of reasons – the ability to go off-grid, for example, or the opportunity to make the most of a renewable energy with wood fuel.

Whether you are self-building or renovating, though, you will be looking for not only the latest in

Studio Air 2 freestanding with white decorative trim backcover

terms of design and style but also a woodburner that offers the most up-to-date functionality. The main thing to look for is that your stove or fire performs with an Ecodesigncompliant burn. Ecodesign appliances, such as the Stovax Studio Air, bring both the allure of a real flame along with a high-efficiency burn and minimal emissions.

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Gas fire technology has come on in leaps and bounds and nowadays rivals the real thing. With the ability to operate via remote control, plus some stoves and fires even offering control via your mobile device, there are plenty of choices out there for the renovator. One key feature to look for is non-reflective glass to allow for an uninterrupted display of the flames.

The Onyx Liv3 offers this very feature and an elegant cylindrical design for an uber-contemporary installation that is well suited to open-plan living – always an ongoing trend for selfbuilders. This particular stove also features EchoFlame Black Glass lining – a mirror-polished backdrop inside the firebox that allows the flames to be reflected, lending additional depth and definition.

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One huge trend is the fireplace media wall – the concept of incorporating your entertainment centre around the hub of the home, the fireplace. Media walls are more of a recent trend in interior design, and they are here to stay for 2022. They make an excellent opportunity to hide cables and house I BUILDmJANUARYm**

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HVAC

eReflex 150RW installed as three-sided design with optional mood lighting kit

Onyx Liv3

integrated storage, all the while forming the very heart of the living space.

Electric fires are the perfect companion for this, as they pose no issues regarding distance to combustible materials, such as the TV above or surrounding peripheral devices. Some electric fires, like Gazco’s

eReflex 150RW, come with various fuel effects, allowing you the choice of a result more akin to the traditional living flame or an entirely different contemporary aesthetic of the ‘crystal-ice’ effect.

Now that electric fires are being seen more and more in the home as the

fireplace of choice, some even offer the ability to be installed in a corner, showing multiple sides of the fire and fitting in with the homeowner’s needs.

Plus, if you’re looking for the latest in features, look for those with app control for the ultimate in fireside comfort.

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Whatever your choice when it comes to trends, the best people to speak to will be your local expert retailer, who deal with the latest products on the market available today and can assist with a bespoke service for you and the needs of your property.

www.stovax.com I BUILDmJANUARYm**

LIGHTING URBAN RURAL RETREAT SANCTUARY & ELECTRICALS

An Ic e l a n d i c w o r k o f a r t Studio Bua has transformed a derelict concrete barn in rural Iceland into a light and modern home and artist’s studio. The barn at Hlöðuberg, Skarðsströnd, is situated on a former farm overlooking the Breiðafjörður Nature Reserve in western Iceland. The beautiful rural site is surrounded by mountains, meadows, a fjord and the open sea beyond, making it subject to extreme weather and temperatures. Here, i-Build explores the newly-renovated property and talks to the Architect in charge of the project.

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or years, Artist Gudrun Kristjansdottir, who has exhibited work across the globe over the past 20 years, and her husband Ævar Kristjánsson, a well-known Icelandic Broadcaster, searched for a remote spot with a view before settling on this location. The land was previously occupied by a fragmented cluster of buildings, each with a specific character and in various states of disrepair. To kickstart the project, the pair enlisted the help of architecture firm Studio Bua to transform the entire farm, linking the existing spaces to create a cohesive landscape with a community of buildings that Gudrun and Ævar’s family and friends can use.

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The renovation and restoration of the concrete barn, originally built in 1937, is phase one of this project. After assessing all structures on the site, Studio Bua encouraged the Kristjánssons to transform the barn. However, due to the build’s remote location and the pandemic, many discussions had to be conducted via video, with explanations made through drawings and 3D models.

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space for both a home and a working artist’s studio. Here, finding the right balance between workspace and family home became vital. The space needed to be neutral enough to exhibit artwork and become a welcoming family home and a place to entertain guests. Gudrun’s work focuses on nature, using organic elements and forms to transform them into an abstract whole. For her, converting the barn was a similar process.

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The local landscape has been incorporated into the design where possible, with pebbles and volcanic sand from the beach used to fill holes in the existing structure and cover the mastic surrounding the windows. The new timber volume is clad in corrugated industrial Aluzinc, which embodies the lightness of the inserted volume. Aluzinc is one of the few materials that can withstand the site’s harsh environment and extreme weather. The corrugation references local building tradition and reflects the colour of the sky and surrounding meadow, changing with the seasons and weather. The cladding, roofing, flashing and downpipes were all locally produced.

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The ground floor has been conceived as a robust workspace containing an artist’s studio, kitchen and dining space. The small but efficient plan accommodates a double-height area at each end.

To avoid compromising the existing unreinforced structure, only two new openings have been added to the ground floor. One allows light to enter the kitchen, and the other acts as a separate entrance to the studio to accommodate large artworks. The existing and new openings have been diamond cut to give a smoothness that contrasts the rough external finishes and reveals, in section, the colour and texture of the irregular aggregate.

Light was integral to the scheme, especially in the double-height studio, which looks out onto the fjord. A rooflight allows for northern daylight and ventilation in the studio, while large windows provide further light to the home. A key challenge was to frame and capture views from the expansive landscape and relate them to the scale of the domestic interior. LED lighting has been used throughout to ensure that areas with less natural light are well-lit and all the spaces stay bright during the dark winter, with particular attention given to the task lighting in the artist’s studio.

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Despite the extreme conditions, the house is very efficient and sustainable. A ground source heat pump was installed, along with low-temperature underfloor heating and triple glazing on all the windows.

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RURAL RETREAT

Simplicity is at the heart of the modern interior design scheme. The detailed but calm interior has been kept neutral to ensure that it does not distract from the displayed artwork. The material palette was inspired by the colours found in the surrounding wilderness. The neighbouring meadows turn from yellow after winter, to green in spring, and purple in late summer. The interior has sophistication and control that contrasts vastly with the wild outdoors. The floors on the ground floor use polished concrete, while stained birch plywood has been used for the walls.

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Additional bespoke fixed furniture has been built from hand-stained plywood.

Studio Bua collaborated with Gudrun, who has previous artistic experience with staining, to experiment with various pigments and stains before deciding which to use. The kitchen uses a combination of bespoke steel and hand-stained plywood. At the bottom of the staircase, concrete was cast in situ with stones from the local beach.

To achieve a minimal aesthetic and minimise clutter, the architect firm designed a storage space for the studio and plenty of wardrobes and other storage solutions throughout the house.

The first floor is a domestic sphere containing the private areas of the house. For these, a subdued material palette inspired by local vernacular interiors has been maintained. Walls and floors are lined in white-stained pine boards. While a plywood staircase leads from the ground-floor dining space to a mezzanine sitting room that overlooks a double-height area. A new opening has been added for daylight and stunning views out onto the beach and the fjord beyond. The sizeable existing aperture on the end facade, initially used to bring hay into the barn, has been fully glazed.

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At the top of the staircase, a hallway leading to the private bedrooms and bathroom opens onto a view of the studio from above, offering a different perspective to the emerging artworks below. A pair of picture windows, placed on the axis of the first-floor hallway, frame views along the coast and towards the mountains. Meanwhile, the bathroom uses a palette of sky-blue and earthy red with chequered pale grey and white porcelain tiles.

Windows throughout the house use robust plywood internal reveals, which double as display shelves and a bench in the sitting room. The first-floor handrails and the fin balustrades in the double-height spaces are cut from the same plywood, using offcuts from the interior wall panelling.

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RURAL RETREAT

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Given the remote location, and for economic and environmental reasons, waste has been minimised where possible. All interior doors were reclaimed from the Reykjavik city recycling centre. While, a woollen curtain from Gudrun and Ævar’s previous 1960s family business inventory has been used as a room-partition in the atelier. Moving outside, the seating and patio table legs have been created from the concrete that was discarded when new openings were created.

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Here, i-Build’s Editor, Rebecca Kemp, talks to Sigrún Sumarliðadóttir, Co-Founder of Studio Bua, about the project.

RK: WaQ"IBEeq)V d Q)Qae)"QIBE)ecQO SS: We were contacted by Gudrun and Ævar after they

had visited another project that we did. The couple liked our work, and we quickly developed a good and productive relationship with them. The site’s location was beautiful, and the brief was great, so we were eager to work with them.

RK: H)k d d q)V c )!b "e Q e )E g "a b V d "g I IQq e k Q Q e e pQe "I )" O SS: We were determined to keep as much of the existing

concrete structure as possible to preserve the barn’s unique character and make use of the fit-for-purpose elements. The central part of the existing structure was built from thick and sturdy mass concrete with a corrugated steel roof. The quality of the existing concrete has been retained externally, with unusual lichen growth and local pebble aggregate creating the illusion that the barn is growing from the earth.

A roofless lean-to addition, which was completely ruined, has been left untouched and forms a sheltered courtyard.

The beautifully-ruined, foundation-free perimeter walls have been retained, enclosing a new walled garden where flowers, vegetables and herbs can be grown.

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I BUILDmJANUARYm**

RU R A L RE T R E A T

RK: W aQ kaI Q e j I )" a" d "IB EaQ )" b e "d Q e )!e O SS: The initial idea was to insert a

lightweight, two-storey timber structure into the existing space to add value to the barn yet keep its character. The renovation has been conceived and built as a piece of art. Incorporating the property’s natural environment was also important to Gudrun, who considers it a ‘living kitchen’ filled with edible seaweed, medicinal herbs, and fish.

RK: H)k d d q)V aBBE)ac f "a I "g q)VE d e I g" b E e f O SS: We worked closely with the couple

to finalise the brief to fit everything they required within the, somewhat limited, border of the existing structure. The result is a small and very efficient plan.

RK: H)k )"g d d Q Qa e Q) ga " B a"" "g Be E! II )" O SS: The building inspector and authorities

are in a town about 60km away. They had regular committee meetings, but they were in agreement, and we achieved permission after only a few months of procedures.

RK: We Ee Q e Ee a"q c a e "g "g aIBe c QI Q) Q e BE) e c Q a"d b V d O SS: The building is very remote. We had

several hold-ups in getting materials to the site. We also had some delays because of extreme weather conditions, where the building team couldn’t get on site. What’s more, we were also subjected to the pandemic in the middle of the building process, which meant both shortage of materials arriving in Iceland and limited site visits.

RK: D d q)V BE) e c Q !a"age Q e b V d O SS: In Iceland, we must have a building

manager, who is usually the main contractor or a subcontractor. In this case, the main contractor was also the building manager.

RK: A Ee Q e Ee a"q BaEQ c V aE !aQe E a I Q aQ q)V k)V d Ee c )!!e "d Q) )Q e EI )) "g Q) Ee ")jaQe )E Ie f b V d O SS: This really depends on where you

are building. We do, however, suggest using locally-sourced materials as much as possible. We also strongly advise only using sustainable materials and recirculating whenever possible.

RK: H)k )"g d d Q e BE) e c Q Qa e O SS: The design process and permits

took approximately nine months, and the build took over a year – primarily due to delays because of the pandemic. It was completed in spring 2021. Gudrun and Ævar were intimately involved, especially after the shell was finished. They stayed in a nearby house while works were underway, and they moved in right after it was finished.

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RU R A L RE T R E A T

RK: IIQe"IedIBacjee EqQ"g QaQq)V)BedQk)VdObe SS: Yes, we are proud of it too. Now

that we have had some distance from the onsite work, we can stop focusing on the details and start to see the work as a whole.

RK: II Q e Ee a"qQ "g Q aQ q)V k)V d aje d )"e d ffe Ee "Q q O SS: We took a long time to

develop this scheme. We changed the design several times to find the perfect balance for the clients and us. Therefore, in hindsight, I don’t think there’s anything we would have done differently.

RK: W aQ ad j c e k)V d q)V )ffe E Q) a"q)"e )) "g Q) Ee ")jaQe O SS: Find an architect who is willing to listen and that you have a good connection with.

RK: D d q)V Ee !a " k Q " Q e )E g "a b Vd ge Q O SS: Overall costs were £195K,

slightly over the original budget. The unexpected expenses were caused by delays in labour and higher material costs because of the pandemic.

RK: H)k d )e I Q e b V d "g Ee IB)"d Q) QI IVEE)V"d "g a"d Ic aBe O SS: One example is the interior

colour scheme which is inspired by the outdoors; reds and greens of the

seaweed, the ever-changing colour of the sky etc. We also used the pebbles from the beach to cast into the interior concrete stairs and as a way to finish the damage of the old exterior concrete wall.

RK: WaQ d)eIQe )ca c)!!V"Qq Q" )fQe EefVEb I!e"QO SS: Everyone seems to be rather

positive about it. A few of them have reposted some of the press we have gained. The building team consisted of a few local farmers too, and they are proud of the building.

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When asked what they like most about their brand-new home, Gudrun responded: “Combining family life and work is very important to us. The place is popular, not only for us but for the rest of the family too. It is particularly significant to have a home where you find peace to work and develop new methods in your artwork. And growing your own vegetables is another key benefit. There is a feeling of freedom and a natural flow of time in the house. My favourite spot is in the studio with the view of the fjord.”

www.studiobua.com I BUILDmJANUARYm**

LIGHTING & ELECTRICALS WEATHERTIGHTNESS

We a t h e r - c o n s c i o u s C a b e r D e k f r o m We s t Fr a s e r e a s e s s e l f- b u i ld c o n c er n s

In this article, Daniel Clarke, Housing Sector National Sales Manager for major board manufacturer, West Fraser (formerly known as Norbord), offers advice on speeding the process of getting a building to the stage of being weathertight, while also keeping costs and safe working practices in mind.

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elevision viewers who watch programmes such as Charlie Luxton’s Building the Dream or Grand Designs will know that few self-builders have drawn up detailed timetables for the work before they start on site; or can even say with confidence how long individual elements to the build are likely to take them.

The inevitable outcome in most episodes is disruption for both the client and their trade contractors as delays build up and costs mount.

Even for those employing modern methods of construction, such as timber frame, thin-joint blockwork or SIPS, rather than traditional building techniques, these time overruns and budget overspends can put a dent in the dream. And for those relying on I BUILDmJANUARYm**

self-build mortgages for their funding, such hold-ups will also result in stage payments being withheld.

The two most significant steps for most projects are getting out of the ground and finally managing to seal the outer envelope so that the wind and rain can’t do damage or prevent trades like plastering and joinery proceeding. Interestingly, commercial developers erecting multi-storey blocks of flats are now adopting an approach of making one or more intermediate floors completely watertight as the structure rises so that the levels below can be fitted-out.

Such a strategy would be impractical within the scope of most self-builds, but there is sound sense in ensuring the first floor, or upper level

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of a larger property, is at least resilient to the weather; rather than relying on temporary decking that has to be replaced later on during the job.

Whether the floor is being built using solid timber, some form of engineered timber or metal web joists, a far more pragmatic approach is to get on and install the permanent decking as soon as possible. This immediately creates a safe working platform that can help facilitate the installation of the roof trusses and provides valuable space for the stacking of materials.

This deck does, of course, remain vulnerable to the weather until the roof is battened and all the windows go in, but enhanced performance board products are available to mitigate the problem.

Well-proven across the sectors, CaberDek is a high-quality particleboard product from West Fraser’s range which is manufactured in manageable, 2400 x 600mm sizes, at a thickness of 18 or 22mm.

Significantly, it features a non-slip film

WEATHERTIGHTNESS

on its upper surface which is BBA certified to protect it from water ingress and frost for up to six weeks.

The range also includes CaberShieldPlus, which has a permanent waterproof coating on both sides, extending this period to 60 days.

While the boards can be nailed or screwed in place, many builders and floor cassette manufacturers now prefer to employ the special CaberFix D4 adhesive and joint sealer to bond the T&G boards across the joists in a ‘onebottle’ solution. The highstrength adhesive should also be applied to the top surface of noggins to help prevent movement.

Starting from one side of the room, a 6mm bead of D4 is applied direct from

the easy-flow nozzle of the 1kg CaberFix bottle, along the middle of the timber sections, within the area of the CaberDek panel which is about to be laid.

These perimeter panels should also be secured using screws or annular ring-shank nails at 200 to 300mm centres; driven flush or just below the surface.

A liberal application of CaberFix D4 should then be run along both the tongue and the groove of the edges being joined to ensure the full depth of the joint is bonded; with the result that a small amount of the adhesive is squeezed out as the two are pushed together.

This effectively seals the T&G joint, though for optimum performance, it is also recommended that at least five mechanical

fixings are made for every 1250 x 600mm pane; typically at 600mm centres or one into every joist. This can be achieved by ‘secret nailing’ through the tongue before it is hidden by the next panel.

After all the panels within a room or zone have been laid, any sections of the protective film which have started to come loose must be fixed down again using the CaberFix D4, with more of the adhesive being applied over all the visible mail beads and around all of the cut edges to the boards.

Once all building operations and decorative work is complete, the entire deck area should be cleaned and the protective film carefully peeled off, working from the short side of the boards to leave a

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pristine surface, ready for the laying of any floorcoverings.

Self-builders have long shown themselves to be environmentally conscious, specifying standards of insulation above the minimum required by Building Regulations and embracing renewable technologies. Timber-based products – which lock up carbon – are equally popular across the selfbuild market, so a system of flooring panels produced mainly from postconsumer wood, which is straightforward to install and can withstand the weather for six weeks, deserves the consideration of those wanting to cut waste and control their costs.

uk.westfraser.com I BUILDmJANUARYm**

RCI

Ta k i n g r o f d e s i g n s to t h e n ex t leve l As a key part of the external envelope and overall design scheme, it’s always worth taking the time to get the roof of your build right. Here, Matt Birchall from online builders’ merchant Roofing Superstore takes a closer look at some of the top trends that are likely to influence roof designs in the coming year and explains why investing in environmental efficiency will always be the best u s e of your time and money.

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roof is an essential part of any self-build or restoration project, and not just because it keeps the rain out. Protecting a structure from the elements might be the obvious purpose of the roof, but it’s by no means the only one. As well as creating a strong design statement, different types of roofs, and different roofing materials, can help reduce a building’s carbon footprint and boost energy efficiency. Being one of the biggest areas of a building, the roof also has the most potential. Here are just a few ways you can take your roof to new heights.

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Everyone knows about the importance of improving the energy performance of your home but understanding exactly how you can achieve this can be more of a challenge. One of the I BUILDmJANUARYm**

main discussion points of the last year has been the planned uplift to Part L of the Building Regulations and the introduction of the Future Homes Standard; with both focusing on the need to make buildings as efficient as possible to reduce heat loss and carbon emissions, and create homes that are healthier and more affordable to run.

As all properties can lose a significant amount of heat through the roof, any new roof design must consider the type and amount of insulation required to be able to achieve the new U-value targets and be as thermally efficient as possible. You must put some time, and budget, aside to ensure that you have insulated the roof as well as you can. The insulation required will depend on the type of roof, the property’s age, and whether the roof is to be ‘warm’ or ‘cold’.

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Generally speaking, a ‘cold’ roof is when the insulation is placed between or below the roof joists, which, in effect, only insulates the floor below – this is a common feature of flat roofs or attic spaces that aren’t going to be used as habitable space. On the other hand, a ‘warm’ roof would have insulation under the pitch of the roof in the joists – a must if you are planning to use the attic as an extra room. Speak with your roofing contractor to get advice on what type of insulation you need and where you should install it.

A b Ee aQ )f fEe I a E

This year expect to hear more about taking a ‘fabric-first approach’ as the wider construction industry pushes forward with the idea that the best way to improve efficiency is to focus primarily on the different materials and components that make up the fabric of building, before looking at other mechanical or electrical systems.

This method can be beneficial for self-builders too, as it highlights the importance of making sure that the roof area is as efficient as possible – both in terms of airtightness, to reduce heat loss, and natural ventilation, to avoid the associated problems of condensation, mould and mildew. This is where the use of roof vents can make a big difference, and there are plenty of options available to suit the needs of roofs, large and small.

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Roof windows are also likely to remain big news this year as the trend for converting attic spaces into useable areas to live and work continues. It’s essential to get the right balance of windows for the overall area of the room, though, so always bear in mind the 20% rule, which is an excellent guide to the optimal ratio between the amount of glazing to floor space.

When calculating the number of natural light sources, it’s also important to remember that other fenestration units, such as vertical windows, can complement a roof window so you can choose the best combination for your needs and budgets. But did you know that roof windows can let in twice as much natural light as vertical windows? This makes them a great option when space and money are limited as less glazing is needed to create brighter interiors.

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With so many different types of roofing tiles to choose from, much will depend on your individual taste and budget, but it’s safe to say that clay tiles will remain a popular choice for the next 12 months and beyond. The range of colours and styles available means that clay offers self-builders the scope to be creative yet are also a safe bet to source. The ongoing global material shortage and shipping delays could make getting hold of more bespoke tiles a bit trickier.

As sustainability continues to be a significant influence in the way people choose building materials, considering reclaimed rather than new tiles is another good option. This type of tile is excellent for adding authenticity to renovation projects, especially if you’re working on a heritage project or live in a conservation area. Clay or slate tiles that have previously been well maintained will almost certainly have a lot of life left in them, but stumbling blocks can appear if you can’t source enough tiles to do the job. It’s also important to remember that all reclaimed tiles need to be fitted in accordance with the current standards, regardless of how they were previously installed.

It’s always a good idea to check in with your roofing contractor so you can be confident that you are creating a roof that has a positive effect on the entire project in terms of thermal performance and energy efficiency. As well as all the latest product innovations, your merchant or supplier can also provide valuable help and advice to make sure you not only choose the best roofing materials to suit your project but also purchase the right quantities, helping to boost your build and your budget.

www.roofingsuperstore.co.uk

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LIGHTING & SYSTEMS RAINWATER ELECTRICALS

Plastic rainwater systems put rain in its place Critical to the success of any building, well-designed roof drainage will remove rainwater from a roof quickly and effectively and will ensure the long-term integrity of any home. For those projects requiring a heritage aesthetic, cast iron has traditionally been the go-to product despite its expense and the challenges with its installation and maintenance. For these reasons, plastic cast-iron style is fast becoming the must-have solution for self-builders and home renovators who want affordability whilst not compromising on performance and architectural intent. Brett Martin uncovers the raft of benefits of these systems.

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istorically, cast-iron rainwater systems have been a core component of a home’s fabric and operability. Still, as building design and efficiency have 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 specifications to deliver self-build and renovation projects under budget and ahead of schedule – exceeding both the builder’s and the homeowner’s expectations.

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With significant additional weight, castiron rainwater systems can be heavy and difficult to install. Contractors must also be extra vigilant regarding health I BUILDmUANUARYm**

and safety. They 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 suitable for cast iron. 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 pre-painted, 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

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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, further speeding up installation. All gutter fitting joints have integral seals and flexible retaining clips, allowing the gutter lengths to click into place simply. No extra-cost fixing kits or nuts and bolts are required to make gutter joints, as with most traditional cast-iron systems.

C aIQ E)" d e Qa "g a"d d Ea"age e ffc e "c q

The authentic detailing of Brett Martin’s Cascade cast-iron-style rainwater system makes it suitable for both home refurbishment projects where the original cast-iron system is being replaced and on new traditionally-styled homes.

Cascade was installed on six luxury homes in Gloucestershire to conform to the style of traditional buildings within the rural Cotswold landscape without compromising on drainage performance.

Located close to Cirencester town centre, Preston Leigh is a development of six, five-bedroom, contemporary-style houses featuring traditional Cotswold stone elevations. With the developer Ashford Homes’ commitment to high specification and exceptional detailing, the choice of a cost-effective rainwater system had to match the aesthetics of cast iron, whilst offering all the benefits of plastic materials. The size and pitch of the roofs also necessitated a highcapacity system.

RAINWATER SYSTEMS

To meet these requirements, the developer specified the Cascade 115mm Deepstyle Gutter and 68mm Round Downpipe in Classic Black. Designed to offer effective rainwater drainage on larger or steeper residential roofs, this semi-elliptical system also provides the potential to reduce downpipes due to higher capacity, which can provide substantial cost reductions and appearance improvements.

Commenting on the specification, Simon Tandy, Purchasing Manager at Ashford Homes, said: “We were looking for an authentic cast-iron look on these traditional Cotswold stone houses, and Cascade was far and away the best choice when compared to other

rainwater systems. It’s a quality, high-performance product with period-style detailing that looks just right.”

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 selfbuilders 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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I-NTERIOR RECTICEL INSULATION

E"gag"gkQ PIRbe"e QI aIIIQI dEje f)E )VI"g IQ)c I fVQVEe IVIQa"ab Qq Heat escape from poorly-insulated homes is a known contributor to excess CO 2 emissions. It’s a serious issue that needs urgent addressing if the UK Government attains its net-zero target and puts the built environment on a long-term sustainable footing.

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or homebuilders, going ‘above and beyond’ required energy standards will be crucial to future-proofing a property’s performance and negating the need for potentially costly, energy-profligate refurbishment.

Adopting Passivhaus principles, including using high levels of quality insulation within a building’s fabric, eliminates heat loss to create a construction with low environmental impact.

Ideally, this type of precision design and implementation in terms of the fabric’s material make-up would be seen as standard building practice in the UK. One day it might be so, particularly if property owners are minded to demand more from their home’s thermal performance to reduce its carbon footprint.

By focusing on the insulative composition of a property’s walls, floors and roofs, homebuilders can help fulfil that requirement.

W aQ !a e I P IR a Ee ab e "je IQ!e "Q " Qe E!I )f "IV aQ )" O

Polyisocyanurate (PIR) panels offer two key benefits when specifying insulation for a house built using Passivhaus principles; low thermal conductivity and durable performance. Such properties are a I B U I L D m AU U <A NmU A *R Y(m * *

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prerequisite for creating an airtight construction containing comfortable interiors.

There are other issues to consider regarding the insulation selection process. Insulation thickness needs to be decided based on the proposed elemental detail and U-value target. This will also inform whether the building’s design needs to be altered to accommodate the panels’ widths. The insulation’s durability, lifespan and useability – which can impact site hours and labour costs and, in turn, a project’s sustainability – are also to be taken into account at the design stage.

There are numerous benefits associated with PIR insulation. Its closed-cell structure means it has limited water absorption potential, allowing the thermal performance and reliability of the product to be retained over time. When it comes to installation, the PIR boards are light in weight, less cumbersome to transport and easy to cut.

Unlike its fibrous counterpart, PIR doesn’t shed fibres – which can be inhaled – and causes less irritation whilst being handled. This results in a more comfortable application for installers whilst the improved performance reduces energy use, thus benefiting the environment over the property’s lifetime.

I-NTERIOR - I N S U L A T I O N RECTICEL INSULATION

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With a lambda value as low as 0.022W/mK, the vacuum insulation panel (VIP) – a premium solution – provides excellent performance. This, coupled with its slim composition, means it requires less space to achieve the same U-value as other insulation materials. This is particularly beneficial to homebuilders looking to maximise interior living space in multi-property developments with limited plot sizes. It also helps overcome challenges in insulating flat roofs and roof terraces where insulation build-up is an issue. In some cases, VIP panels offer a thermal performance of the core of lambda 0.006W/mK, a greater insulation outcome achieved with a much thinner solution.

A site survey is always recommended before ordering a VIP solution. Since VIPs cannot be cut or altered on site, dimensions must be correct prior to ordering. This should also consider potential obstructions or openings, such as rooflight and drainage outlets, which would affect the layout of a vacuum insulation panel scheme.

As vacuum insulation panels are vulnerable to puncture, a protected VIP is recommended. If this happens, the VIP’s insulation value will degrade to roughly that of a conventional PIR material. A construction site could, therefore, pose problems for VIPs during their handling and installation. The best solution is to utilise a fully-encapsulated VIP panel within a high-density PIR protective shell.

This provides reassurance that the contractor can easily install the product, with the knowledge that the VIP’s excellent thermal insulation value will be maintained.

A contractor should always be aware of the insulation technology used in a roof terrace scheme, particularly for VIPs. They need to be mindful that VIPs cannot be cut or modified on site, which is a complete shift of mindset from when they use conventional insulation products.

Furthermore, VIP installers should always use the design layout provided.

Engaging with an insulation specialist that provides a complete project design is also recommended in flat roof and terrace applications. This creates a scheme layout in conjunction with the product delivery and ensures the quantity of material delivered is optimised to eliminate or reduce site waste.

Therefore, the design scheme must be followed precisely to avoid installation difficulties and product shortfall.

According to the Insulation Manufacturers Association (IMA), the average UK household spends around £1230 on fuel bills each year, which can be up to 50% more than necessary due to the lack of energy-saving measures being implemented in the home. Poorly-insulated building fabric is a major contributor to this domestic energy wastage and its negative effect on the environment. This enforces the message that it’s better to build correctly in the first instance by taking a fabric-first approach to constructing new homes.

In this instance, the thermally-proficient, durable properties of PIR and other high-performing materials, such as VIPs, are absolutely ideal.

www.recticelinsulation.com

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I-SCAPE SOLSEED LANDSCAPES

Edibleanscp: bountif l a d be utif l With the isolation experienced by many during the COVID-19 virus and the need to act as individuals against climate change, there has never been a better time to reconnect with nature. Landscaping for a new home offers the ideal opportunity to integrate edible plants into planting schemes to promote wellbeing and biodiversity, says Brett North, Owner of Solseed Landscapes.

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he connection between health and nature is increasingly being recognised. Using edibles in a landscape design encourages a deeper relationship with the garden or outdoor space. When there is something to be harvested or tended, our instinct is to nurture it. Imagine waiting for the first spears of asparagus to appear in spring or checking on the ripeness of the currants. This connection with a garden and the outdoors has been shown to increase health way beyond just the nutrition gained from the crop.

In fact, a four-year study undertaken by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), in collaboration with leading universities, showed that including a few plants in a bare front garden could reduce stress levels as much as eight weekly mindfulness sessions.

The findings are particularly significant in the context of stress arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and recent lockdown conditions.

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Other research shows that working with edible plants not only reduces stress and calms the mind but also builds connections and a sense of belonging.

Children, too, will benefit. The magic of growing their food teaches children responsibility and appreciation for their environment. An understanding of where food comes from also promotes healthy eating habits, while even the very young can benefit from the sensory aspects of an edible garden.

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Edible landscaping is not a new concept. Many ancient cultures used mixed planting to decorative effect and as a food source. Having declined in popularity over the centuries, the practice is now enjoying a renaissance as more people seek to follow a greener lifestyle. Incorporating edibles into the whole design is not just about putting in a veg patch but using the edibles as an aestheticallypleasing feature. In this way, a garden or outdoor space can be bountiful as well as beautiful.

I-SCAPE - E D I B L E L A N D S C A P I N G SOLSEED LANDSCAPES

As well as reducing food miles, packaging and transport, you could be enjoying highnutrition, high-value organic food, with an emphasis on freshness and freedom from pesticides. Moving away from conventional landscaping also offers the chance to encourage wildlife back into the garden.

As sustainability is an essential aspect of gaining planning permission for new-build houses, committing to include, and having a proven plan for, an edible garden could help gain approval.

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The aim is to create low-maintenance gardens that fulfil multiple functions, from the ornamental to the edible. Edible landscaping is adaptable to all sizes and scales of spaces of residential and even communal gardens.

Planning regulations are generally not an issue when it comes to planting, other than the requirement to keep bushes and trees trimmed

to avoid ‘neighbour nuisance’. The regulations will only apply where structures are introduced into the scheme, e.g. sheds.

In particular, planning guidance may be a barrier when it comes to rooftop gardens and balconies, which require careful consideration in respect of loading and health and safety compliance, as well as privacy.

Consulting a professional landscaper is recommended.

Edible landscaping does not have to be completely edible. At its most basic, the goal is to substitute unproductive planting with palatable alternatives.

The majority of edible plants used are perennial, for example, fruiting bushes and trees. Once established, they will continue to produce every year, and, in many cases, the yield will increase year on year. Using lots of perennials also introduces new plants into diets as the majority of what we eat are annuals.

Appropriate food crops to incorporate will depend on several factors ranging from climate to seasonality and harvest times and considering the time available to tend them. In terms of upkeep, just as with conventional design schemes, you can minimise management by matching plants in their preferred habitats and growing conditions.

Potentially suitable additions to a scheme include fruit such as figs, kiwis, apples, pears or peaches, and soft fruit as well as currant bushes, gooseberries and vegetables – including peas, beans, tomatoes, peppers and aubergines. The addition, too, of vibrantly-coloured vegetables such as Swiss chard and new varieties of deep-coloured lettuces, carrots and oriental vegetables can be striking.

Flowers also provide a visual boost. Marigolds have medicinal and culinary uses, with edible petals and are great for attracting pollinators or discouraging predators. Care is minimal, with all-year-round flowering and self-seeding habits ensuring continuity of planting through multiplication. The addition of aromatic plants adds colour and variety to the diet while creating a sensory element to outdoor spaces.

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By incorporating edible planting into landscape choices, homeowners can make a positive contribution to urban sustainability, connecting homes and communities while helping to conserve natural resources. At the same time, ‘growing your own’ will save money and help you stay healthy.

www.solseedlandscapes.com

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I-BUILD WIENERBERGER UK

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One of the biggest challenges with any period property renovation is sourcing bricks and roof tiles that balance all aesthetic and regulatory needs, including Listed Building Regulations when required and gaining approval from heritage organisations. Nigel Dyer, Heritage Service Manager at Wienerberger UK, explores how to find the best match.

and thanks to continued development and support, kilnfresh handmade products offer an increasingly viable alternative.

At Wienerberger, for example, we offer a dedicated heritage service, which is a specialist conservation and restoration service that supplies bricks and roof tiles to suit all projects, including bespoke, handmade roof tiles and fittings.

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t goes without saying that bricks and roofing are key to a heritage build.

The external brickwork is critical to the look. The roof, meanwhile, makes up a third of what you see, with it crowning every building.

The biggest challenge is, inevitably, that many heritage bricks or tiles are no longer mass manufactured, particularly when it comes to listed buildings.

Most self-builders working on a heritage project will need to source bespoke products, often by taking an original sample and reverse engineering it to create an effective replica. In many cases, they then must meet Listed Building Regulations and may need approval from Historic England or the National Trust. Concise planning and great skill are both vital to the whole process.

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The key is in matching the correct profile, colour and texture and ensuring that they are in keeping with the age and style of a building, as well as its surrounding environment.

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For some, the first port of call for heritage renovations might be reclaimed bricks or roof tiles, but this can come with its challenges. Reclaimed products are expensive, can be difficult to source and can come with additional labour requirements, such as chipping away old mortar. They are unlikely to come with the necessary product testing, certifications and guarantees too, even before you factor in the potential for significant wastage due to variations in colour or shape.

Fortunately, help is available from brick and roof tile suppliers,

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A huge amount of planning will go into a heritage project, which begins once the architect or project manager approaches their chosen supplier.

For bricks, a brick-matching service is usually offered or, if stock bricks can’t offer a close match, then bespoke products can be considered. Likewise, for roof tiles, the team will consider what existing products can be adapted and if a bespoke product is required. A series of in-depth meetings will usually be arranged to ensure all stakeholders are on board with the process, and factory visits are not uncommon – often so the project team can see a mock roof section which will illustrate the concept and enable craftsmen to design any bespoke fittings.

Other technical aspects might include non-standard installation, which can require special fixings. In fact, one of the biggest barriers to heritage

I-BUILD - P E R I O D P R O P E R T I E S WIENERBERGER UK

projects is often the competence of the roofer and, at Wienerberger, we will often work with the site team to offer our expertise. It’s a truly collaborative process that goes beyond simply creating the product and delivering it.

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Of course, heritage bricks and roof tiles are not restricted to period properties and listed buildings. We are beginning to see a trend with architects looking to use bespoke, heritage roof tiles on contemporary buildings as they seek to avoid the risk of modern buildings looking very similar.

When it comes to the roof (and, in some cases, the facade, using tiles to create a brick cladding effect), this traditional look will usually be achieved by using natural clay, which is one of the most enduring, appealing and versatile traditional roofing materials available.

Natural clay combines a mellow appearance with the ability to age beautifully. Tiles are handmade, then air dried and fired using the latest in modern kiln technology, ensuring the highest quality colours and textures.

If there’s one piece of advice I can give when starting a heritage project, it’s to do your research and see what support is available. Too many selfbuilders still rely on reclaimed bricks, but bespoke products can offer a viable alternative that is comparable on cost when you factor in reduced wastage and labour, not to mention additional benefits such as testing, quality and installation support.

www.wienerberger.co.uk

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LEGAL & BUSINESS NEWS SHOW PREVIEW: HOMEBUILDING & RENOVATING SHOW | 15TH-16TH JANUARY 2022

The Homebuilding & Renovating Show returns Fro m 1 5 t o 1 6 t h Ja n u a r y , a t Fa r n b o r u g h In t e r n a t i o n a l E x h i b i t i o n & C o n f e r n c e C e n t re , t h e Ho m e b u i l d i n g & R e n o v a t i n g Sh o w w i l re t u r n t o o f e r p ro p e r t y i n s p i ra t i o n t o h o m e o w n e r s .

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he South East of England has become the most popular choice for British homeowners, with six out of 10 aspiring to live in villages across the region, according to a recent article by Mortgage Introducer1, which says prices for homes in the South East jumped by 9.6% during the pandemic.

Such is the interest in self-build and renovation, more than 130 exhibitors showcasing thousands of products have signed up to take part in the South East Homebuilding & Renovating Show between 15 and 16th January at the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre.

There will be free daily seminars and masterclasses covering kitchens, bathrooms, doors and windows, extensions and conversions, eco and heating, architecture, design, financial services, planning permissions and much more.

A key area at the show will be The Advice Centre, sponsored by Internorm, where homeowners can discuss their project ideas with industry leaders.

Visitors keen to find out more about the design, planning and construction

process are recommended to book an Ask the Architect consultation, where chartered specialists can assist with consumers’ specific issues.

Members of the Federation of Master Builders will guide people booking an Ask the Builder session on hiring accredited, highly-skilled construction workers.

For specialist advice and tips on all aspects associated with self-build and renovation, 15-minute Ask the Expert consultations are available through interactive sessions to help assist visitors in achieving and realising their property ambitions.

On hand at this year’s show will be ‘DIY SOS’ and ‘60-Minute Makeover’ Interior Designer, Julia Kendell. With over 30 years’ experience as an interior design professional, property renovator and kitchen specialist, Julia will be imparting her knowledge on interior transformations that uplift and energise to have a positive impact on wellbeing.

She will be highlighting her brandnew ‘Virtual Room Design Service’ that provides online interior expertise to those needing help with creating wellfunctioning one-off rooms. farnborough.homebuildingshow.co.uk

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Other experts at this year’s South East show include property expert Michael Holmes. Michael has presented over 150 property shows for the likes of ITV and BBC, including ‘Good Bid Good Buy’ and ‘Build, Buy or Restore?’. He will be offering design guides at the show on home staples such as kitchens and extensions.

Also participating at Ask the Expert is eco-genius David Hilton, who will be hosting a session on how to best heat your home.

One-day tickets to the South East Homebuilding & Renovating Show are £8 in advance, and two-day tickets are £12 in advance (children under 16 go free). You can buy tickets by visiting the show’s website. https://www.mortgageintroducer.com/ village-house-prices-9-6-pandemic/ 1

NEWS SHOW PREVIEW: BUILD IT LIVE | 5TH-6TH FEBRUARY 2022

Build It Live exhibition dates announced for 2022 B u i l d I t Li v e w i l b e o f e r i n g a w h o l e w e k e n d o f e x c i t i n g s e l f - b u i l d i n s p i ra t i o n a t t h e Ke n t Sh o w Gro u n d f ro m 5 t o 6 t h Fe b r u a r y 2 0 2 .

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visit to Build It Live can help with managing a self-build or renovation project and provide inspiration for those looking to increase space or create new areas that are more suitable to the current trend of homeworking and leisure pursuits.

The exhibitions showcase all the latest innovations and allow visitors to experience new technology first hand. There will be dozens of daily, free demonstrations, seminars and workshops, including eco-friendly construction techniques and how to secure a plot for your build. You can also book free advice clinics with Build It’s experts, who can answer your questions about your own self-build, renovation or extension project.

V IQ)EIQ)BVdIQLje ca"BaEQcBaQe"b Ask the Experts

Experts from Build It Magazine will be on hand all weekend, giving free impartial guidance on any part of your selfbuild, renovation or home extension.

Don’t miss your chance to tap into the knowledge and experience of expert professional planners, architects, project managers, sustainability specialists and more. Their independent advice could save you thousands on consultancy fees. So, bring your plans, ideas and questions along and make sure you get to the show early to book your one-onone appointment.

Extensions Clinic

Find the answers you need to make the most of your budget and add space, value and the wow factor to your home at the show’s dedicated Extensions Clinic. From planning permission through to design ideas, specification decisions and getting real value for money, an expert team of architectural specialists will be on hand to guide you through the process and help you identify the best ways to achieve your goals.

Heating Advice Clinic

The Heating Advice Clinic helps you decide on the best heating system for your home. Do gas boilers still make sense? Are heat pumps low-carbon?

Can woodburning stoves be ecofriendly? Get the answers to all these questions and more.

The Naked House

The show’s first-fix cutaway home is inspired by the choices made for Build It’s Self Build Education House (find out more and book a visit at www.buildit. co.uk/ourhouse). From ICF blockwork to roofing, floor joists, windows and more, the Naked House gives you unrivalled insight into what it takes to build your own home.

Basement Advice Clinic

Building a basement is a costeffective way to create high-quality space without eating up prized

garden space – not to mention beat the planners. Yet it’s all-toooften overlooked in the UK. Head to the Basement Advice Clinic for impartial advice on what you need to know to successfully build, extend or convert a basement.

Build Cost Clinic

Want to get to grips with budgeting for your project? Then, head to the Build Cost Clinic to book an initial consultation with a qualified, experienced estimator who can help you better understand how much it will cost to turn your plans into the home of your dreams. Their advice will help you focus your design and specification choices, better understand builders’ quotes and could even save you money.

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Tickets are now on sale from the website. The standard ticket price will be £12 per person. Children under 16 are admitted free with an accompanying adult.

Open Saturday between 10am and 5pm and Sunday between 10am and 4.30pm. Tickets are valid on either day or can be used to attend on both days.

www.builditlive.co.uk

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LEGAL & BUSINESS NEWS SHOW PREVIEW: SURFACE DESIGN SHOW | 8-10TH FEBRUARY 2022

Surface Matter, Sweet Material

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The Surface Design Show returns for 2022

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ver 120 exhibitors will be exhibiting, including 35 new talents at one of the UK’s leading events for architects and designers. Many of the exhibitors will bring a range of new product launches, inspired by the show’s theme ‘Sense of Place’ to put humanity and the planet’s wellbeing at the heart of all decision making.

Surface Matter will be displaying its Sweet Material pop-up shop stand. The stand is inspired

by Surface Matter’s material studio in London Fields, which architects and designers describe as a “sweet shop for materials”.

Visitors to the stand will find anything from LED lights sprinkled like hundreds and thousands to chocolate bars made of compressed paper composite Richlite and circular Plasiciet lollipops.

Hosting debates, panels, trend forecasts and insights into the latest surface design innovations, the main stage is at the heart of the show.

There will be 16 presentations on the main stage during the show’s two and a half days. The opening-night debate highlights a younger generation of architects and designers and is entitled ‘Climate Change and Future Proofing’. New to the Surface Design Show is a series of Legends Live interviews, where an industry personality meets and chats with their ‘legend’.

Highlighting again at the Surface Design Show will be the Light School and its content partner, Light Talks.

Together, they are the home of architectural lighting.

Surfaces and lighting are natural friends – to bring out the best in the surfaces, they need good lighting. This year’s Light Talks theatre will

be organised in partnership with the Institution of Lighting Professionals and iGuzzini.

One of the highlyanticipated and unique parts of the show is the New Talent section. Supporting new talent is a key focus for the Surface Design Show. Over 30 participants will display a range of sophisticated and innovative designs this year, from textile designs featuring augmented reality to 3D tiles of eco-resin and waste materials. Many participants will also show a recurring focus on using natural materials and dyes.

New Talent is curated by Trendease International and held in partnership with Canon UK. Each year, visitors also look forward to Surface Spotlight Live, a focal point of inspiration for designers to touch and compare the very latest material prototypes.

Surface Spotlight Live will

www.surfacedesignshow.com

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highlight the show’s ‘Sense of Place’ theme and is curated again by trend and colour expert Sally Angharad and held in partnership with CD (UK).

2022 will be the 10th anniversary of the Surface Design Awards, which is, therefore, fitting that it received a record number of entries. The awards were created to highlight the importance of surface design and surface materials in the creation of buildings and to acknowledge excellence.

The judges have selected 48 finalists from nine different countries, and on the last day of the Surface Design Show, the winners will be announced at a breakfast ceremony. All the finalists, including the new Architectural Photography Award, will be featured on a display stand with Surface Design Show.

AVANTI ELECTRIC fires beyond imagination onyxfires.com +1

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LEGAL & BUSINESS PRODUCT GUIDE ADVERTORIAL: DR. SCHUTZ

Dr. Schutz PU Sealer – Making LongerLasting Flooring D r . Sc h u t z , t h e G e r m a n f l o r c a re c o m p a n y , o f e r s P U Se a l e r , a n i n o v a t i v e s o l u t i o n t h a t q u i c k l y a n d e a s i l y t ra n s f o r m s t i re d , d a m a g e d o r o l d f l o r s a t a f ra c t i o n o f t h e t i m e a n d c o s t o f a n e n t i re f l o r re p l a c e m e n t .

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s well as renovating any floor with a fresh and lasting finish, PU Sealer offers added protection for flooring areas prone to high traffic. Such zones with a heavy foot volume tend to wear very quickly when they don’t have a hard-wearing product applied. Not only can this cost money, but it can be a time-consuming issue to fix. By using the PU Sealer, you can keep flooring in excellent condition for many years.

The water-based, eco-friendly PU Sealer can be applied to most types of flooring, including vinyl, tiled and epoxy resin styles. Adding 40 microns of protective thickness to floors, PU Sealer extends the lifespan by up to six times and provides a lasting, clear matt finish. Thanks to permanent sealing, it protects against friction and discolouration from chemical spillages.

Due to the product’s unique water-based substance, the PU Sealer also reduces dirt adhesion and the time needed for www.drschutz.co.uk day-to-day maintenance.

01296 437827

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PRODUCT GUIDE ADVERTORIAL: TN INTERNATIONAL (TNI) | BLANCO | CORKSOL | HAIER

Strong partnership demonstrated with Kensington Scott Interiors and BLANCO

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ensington Scott Interiors provides a comprehensive,

high-quality kitchen design and installation service to suit all budgets. BLANCO takes pride in its partnerships with its kitchen retailers; Kensington Scott Interiors has supplied BLANCO sinks and taps since 2010, and the relationship has gone from strength to strength over the years. Only BLANCO sinks are stocked at the Tonbridge

TN International UK & Ireland acquires Chesterfelt in multimillion-pound deal

showroom, and this has been the case for 11 years. Popular choices with Kensington Scott customers are the ANDANO and ETAGON sink models. The ETAGON sink has a wide range of sizes, materials and colours to choose from, so it’s easy to see why it’s a

www.blanco.co.uk 01923 635200

favourite amongst buyers.

SprayCork scoops gold at Build It Awards for Innovation in Insulation

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TN Interna io l (Ti)N, owner of Scot ish n ulation manuf ct re Superglas , has cquired Ch sterf lt, manuf ct re s, in a multi-m l ion-p u d eal.

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ith its regional headquarters for Western Europe and North America in Stirling, TN International is one of the world’s leading producers of roofing, waterproofing and insulating materials.

The deal to acquire Chesterfelt adds production capacity to TNi’s building product portfolio, complementing the company’s ability to provide customers in the construction industry – particularly those based in the UK – with an integrated solution for the protection of buildings.

The addition of a UK-based production facility in the roofing sector will earn the environmental benefits of reduced transport miles and will also offer welcome service and logistics advantages to UK customers.

TN International supplies customers and end-users across residential, commercial and infrastructure sectors, including schools, hospitals, and other public facilities.

Established in 1978, Chesterfelt has over 40 years’ experience manufacturing and distributing bituminous waterproofing products from a manufacturing and warehousing facility in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The company employs 30 staff and supplies a wide variety of roofing projects from domestic properties to large industrial buildings. There will be no job losses as a result of the acquisition.

TN International’s Superglass facility in Stirling has an annual production capacity of 60,000 tons of glass wool insulation, following a £37m redevelopment in 2019. In line with TNi’s focus on minimising its environmental impact and supporting the development of more sustainable built environments, the product is manufactured using over 80% recycled glass, and once installed, can save hundreds of times the energy used to manufacture it.

orkshirebased CorkSol

is delighted to announce an exciting new win, with its unique SprayCork coating coming out top in the ‘Innovation in Insulation’ category at the Build It awards. This category is all about pioneering products which insulate buildings through new solutions. Judges voted SprayCork as the category champion based on its unrivalled environmental, acoustic and insulation credentials. It was noted that the product would be particularly useful to owners of period properties, where it can be used to better performance without compromising the

www.corksoluk.com 01484 442420 info@corksoluk.com

breathable fabric of a heritage home.

Haier’s Milan Experience Design Centre inaugurates its new offices

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his innovative concept is now housed in a 250m 2

space at Haier Europe’s Brugherio headquarters. 17 people of six different nationalities, with an average age of 30, are divided into three specialised disciplines (the strategy experience, the interaction experience and the product experience). Haier’s MED (Milan Experience Design Centre) was created at the end of 2020 and joined together with the brand and IoT teams, with the aim of extending and integrating the traditional product-centric approach to design, capable of leveraging connectivity, data, and consumer information to constantly improve the user experience and create home product ecosystems for the Candy, Hoover and Haier brands.

www.haier-europe.com/en_gb/ 0208 166 4977

www.tn-i.com info@tn-i.com

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LEGAL & BUSINESS PRODUCT GUIDE ADVERTORIAL: CABERDEK | GAINSBOROUGH SHOWERS

POLYX-OIL OIL ORIGINAL Especially Suitable for Wooden Floors

Natural Ingredients Highly Water Repellent Extremely Hardwearing No Sanding Needed for Reapplication

Frost-laden mornings? No problem with CaberDek in East Sussex self-build

Low-VOC

www.osmouk.com

E m b a r k i n g o n a re n o v a t i o n i s c h a l e n g i n g a t h e b e s t o f t i m e s b u t , w h e n s t a r t i n g a b u i l d i n g p ro j e c t i n t h e d e p t h s o f w i n t e r , t h e r a re b o u n d t o b e b u m p s i n t h e ro a d .

Gainsborough relaunches with new SLIM electric shower range

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elf-builder Tim Morris set about a complete renovation of his 1920s cottage in East Sussex in early January 2021. The project planned to demolish the existing ground-floor annexe, which housed a fourth bedroom, and then add a two-storey rear extension to create much-needed space in his family home with a family bathroom, a master bedroom with an en-suite, and an en-suite extra bedroom.

After battling through the cold months, the build soon started to take shape during the demolition and foundation stages. By April, Tim was ready to cover the joists on the extension to create a firstfloor surface to build on. But the British weather wasn’t finished with Tim just yet, and he faced the “lowest average minimum temperatures for April in the UK since 1922”, according to the Met Office.

Fortunately, Tim sourced West Fraser’s trusted CaberDek flooring with its peelable film from the merchant Parkers Building Suppliers of East Grinstead and protected the structure from the frost-laden conditions. “We were really pleased with the CaberDek,” said Tim. “It was easy to lay, and we used the CaberFix tape and CaberFix adhesive to create a fully watertight floorcovering. Even now that we have the roof on and no longer need the protection of the peelable film, I’ve kept it on to keep the boards clean, so I have a nice prepared surface to lay the flooring on.” uk.westfraser.com

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imple to install, the Gainsborough SLIM shower range has been designed to easily replace any brand of electric shower, with four (SLIM Mono) or eight (SLIM Duo) multi-fit options for maximum versatility. Tim Creedon, Sales Director for Gainsborough, commented: “With its powerful heritage of almost 50 years in the showering industry, Gainsborough is a respected and trusted British brand, and we are pleased to be reintroducing it with a dynamic new lineup of electric models to suit all bathroom environments. Designed for today’s modern bathrooms, en-suites and shower rooms, the new Gainsborough electric shower collection is perfect for property developers and landlords looking for a dependable, energy-efficient, space-saving shower that offers exceptional value and contemporary looks.

Effortless to install and maintain, the multi-fit options make this range an ideal replacement or new fit solution.” The SLIM Mono and Duo showers are backed by a two-year guarantee and Gainsborough’s expert customer support and service teams. www.gainsboroughshowers.co.uk 01959 560760

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PRODUCT GUIDE ADVERTORIAL: OSMO

The Dancing Woodman chooses Osmo q

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recent customer commission was for a rustic-look sliding door with a black steel industrial-style runner to be used as a bathroom door.

Aaron explains: “All of our furniture is made from 100% reclaimed, locallysourced wood. Our pieces feature the timber’s original characteristics, adding to the rustic feel, so we must use a wood finish that looks natural and preserves the natural beauty of the wood.”

All Dancing Woodman pieces are finished with two coats of Osmo Oil. For this particular project, Aaron used Osmo Natural Oil Woodstain in 701, which gives a clear, matt finish.

Aaron continues: “For this project, we wanted to use a quality oil that offers added moisture protection, as the sliding door was being used as a bathroom door.

I have used Osmo since I started my business, as the quality of the products is brilliant. The application is great, and they are straightforward to use. The Osmo Natural Oil Woodstain highlights the reclaimed wood’s natural features, something that I find fundamental to the look and feel of my products. The finished results are amazing, and my customer was delighted.”

Aaron used a brush to apply two coats of Osmo Natural Oil Woodstain,

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leaving each coat to dry in between applications. The product offers durable and fast-drying protection whilst enabling the natural wood grain to remain visible. It is very water resistant, helping to reduce any wood swelling and shrinkage. It delivers a microporous, breathable finish that does not crack, peel or flake, making it the perfect, high-quality finish for this particular door.

The project was a bespoke order, to begin with. However, it received so much positive feedback that Aaron decided to make this product a regular Dancing Woodman listing, which has been increasingly popular since its launch. Offering the option for customisation of the product also means that the door can be adapted to individual requirements, including changing the handles or offering different Osmo Oil finishes, resulting in a unique, highwww.osmouk.com quality piece 01296 481220 every time. info@osmouk.​com

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The new Ultimate 2

In hindsight we wouldn’t have called it the Ultimate.

Because we just made it better.

High Heat Output ‘Screed heat diffuser’ improves contact with the pipe, which has a higher heat output and faster warm up than typical low build-up castellated screed systems, as well as minimising thermal striping.

Ultimate 2 High Performance Panel

Impressively thin 18mm highcompressive strength insulation provides an excellent substrate for the 9mm thin levelling screed, giving an overall system height of just 27mm – including insulation.

One panel Unique pattern minimises hand-routing and eliminates the need for separate ‘straight’ and ‘loop’ panels.

Generic Low Build Up Screeded Panel

Peel & Stick 50% faster to install with our self adhesive panel. Simply peel and stick to the subfloor and pour the levelling screed over.

Pre-Primed Pre-primed at the factory to save you time and cost.

Got a project in mind?

Call 01392 36 36 05 or visit omnie.co.uk

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MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN

© OMNIE Limited 2021. All information correct at time of publication. Product information and performance characteristics are subject to change without notice. Please see omnie.co.uk for the latest information or contact your local representative.

OMNIE Limited, Unit 18, Apple Lane, Exeter, EX2 5GL 01392 36 36 05 customer.service@omnie.co.uk www.omnie.co.uk LowBoard®, TorFloor® and OMNIE® and the OMNIE logo are registered trademarks.

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