Home & Build Spring 17 by Clear Designs

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Irish Homes in Clare, Laois, Donegal & Wexford

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Contents

Letter from the editor

elcome to our new Spring issue of Home & Build. It’s that time of year when people are getting stuck into their self-build projects. So if you’re one of the many people across Ireland who has sat down with architects and is now ready to start digging foundations and get building, then we hope you find some inspiration from the homes we have featured in this issue. Every project starts with a blank canvas and it’s from magazines like ours and others, friends homes and driving around on daily errands that one gets inspired. We wish you luck with your project and if you think it will inspire others then don’t hesitate to give us a call when your build is complete. This majestical property is situated in Bodyke in eastern County Clare and it was due to the sharp eye of architect Peter Boyd of Boyd Cody Architects in Dublin helped the home owners have the home of their dreams for our cover property. The property is situated on a very beautiful site in Bodyke, Co Clare and was an old farmstead on the site before with remnants of the old house still there and the new house is built on top of the footprint of what was originally the former dwelling on the site. It’s a unique home and worthy of our cover I hope you’ll agree. You can skip to page eight to read about this new build project. With many people recognising the benefits of good insulation on both a new build and existing dwellings we decided to speak with a variety of insulation specialists from around the country for our essential insulation guide. These companies know all about insulation and have years of experience regarding the pros and cons of different types and ultimately what’s best for your property. Every home is different so don’t think it’s the same solution for each project. We also have properties from across Ireland featured, such as beautiful homes in Clare, Laois, Donegal and Wexford. We also take a look at the area of home entertainment along with a security and safe feature to keep your personal belongings and loved ones protected. Finally, in this issue we also take a look at another new car in our motoring section, a host of new and handy gadgets in our New Gear section along with other relevant articles for your new build or renovation project. Enjoy this issue and don’t forget to pick up our next edition out in early July and available in all good newsagents. Home and Build Team

Sales & Marketing Director: Anthony Kelly Graphic Designer: Colin Brennan Editorial Assistant: Emer Kelly Advertising Sales: Artur Syroka Design & Layout: cleardesigns.ie

For all advertising and marketing queries, contact Anthony on ph: +353 1 458 7672 or email: info@homeandbuild.ie Home and Build Magazine Ltd Ph: +353 1 458 7672 Email: info@homeandbuild.ie Address: The Loft, Main Street, Newcastle, Co Dublin © Home and Build Magazine Ltd 2016 ISSN: 2009-8669

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Contents

NEWS 4 Latest news from the self-building and home sector in Ireland COVER STORY 8 Beautiful property in a remote area of Co Clare INSULATION SPECIAL 17 A guide to insulating your home effectively NEW GEAR 32 The latest tools and gadgets FARMHOUSE TO A MODERN FAMILY HOME 34 Lory Higgins’ property in Co Wexford CAR REVIEW 38 We drive the new Audi Q5 STUNNING HOME IN RATHMULLAN 44 Picturesque property in the North West of Ireland

FARMHOUSE COTTAGE RENOVATION 50 Brian Burke and Julia Moran’s property in County Laois HOME SECURITY 60 The importance of keeping your home safe HOME ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE 66 Exploring your home entertainment options PLAYING IT SAFE 74 Safety comes first when purchasing a safe 78 INTERNATIONAL HOME Japanese home extension

60 WEBSITE www.homeandbuild.ie for further information

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News

NEWS New book release by Diarmuid Gavin

iarmuid Gavin is passionate about beautiful garden design and he knows that making your outdoor space work for you can change the way you feel about your home whilst also improving the quality of your life. Recently he has released a book entitled ‘The Extra Room’ where he teaches you how to approach garden design step by step to create the best garden you can. Starting with getting to know your garden, Diarmuid takes you through how to make some simple but important observations, such as when and where the sun rests in your site, examining what your soil is like, what your needs are and finding inspiration for your theme. Once you have your outline plan, you will be armed with your list of requirements and your list of desires – all you need to make your garden work for you. “Everybody rushes out after St Patrick’s Day if the weather is any way good because we’ve had five months of been locked away inside and we can’t wait to do our jobs and attack the things that have been annoying us (outside),’’ said Diarmuid Gavin. “The weather has been very mild over the last few months and the bulbs are pushing up much earlier than they should be. The cold weather can be useful as it stimulates other things such as fruit trees which creates really great fruit for later on in the year. “At the moment I am working on a big garden for the National Trust in England. It will be the first contemporary public park that they have ever commissioned and it is a great project to be involved in,’’ added Mr Gavin. “I’m hoping to bring our garden from the Chelsea Flower Show last year back to Dublin and I’m also planning another big public park in Britain with work due to commence in 2018. “I’m also going to be doing a tour of theatres around Ireland with an evening with me and there will be lots of other bits and pieces going on throughout the year which is great,’’ he enthused. The Extra Room is available to purchase in all good bookstores and it is priced at €22.99/£19.99. We have 3 books available to be won! Simply email the name of Diarmuid’s new book to info@homeandbuild.ie to be in with a chance to win. Good luck! An Evening with Diarmuid Gavin will take place around the country on: Thursday 25th May- The Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick Friday 26th May- Roscommon Arts Centre, Roscommon Saturday 27th May- Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo Sunday, 28th May- Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge

Thursday, 8th June- The Civic Theatre, Tallaght Friday, 9th June- Town Hall Theatre, Galway Saturday, 10th June- Pavillion, Dun Laoghaire Sunday, 11th June- Solstice Arts Centre, Navan

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News

Homeowners could get €10k in state aid for green retrofitting

he Minister for Climate Action and the Environment, Denis Naughten, has expressed concern at the impact climate change denial in the United States is having on consumer patterns here. He said the policies of the Donald Trump administration would be “very disheartening” for consumers. It made his job “much more difficult, because people are wary about putting a large amount of investment into something that has a long-term return, and now they are finding that one of the largest economies in the world is saying ‘This is all a figment of your imagination’, that there is nothing really happening, and there is nothing we can do to change that”. Mr Naughten was speaking at the opening of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland Energy Show in the RDS on Wednesday, where he announced details of a €5 million-a-year fund to help people to “deep retrofit” their homes. The scheme will allow for grants of up to 50 per cent of the cost of a home energy project under the auspices of the SEAI. The cash aid from the State could be worth €10,000 to individual homeowners.

Dermot Bannon (MRIAI) Launches RIAI Simon Open Door Campaign

he Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the Simon Communities have launched the thirteenth annual RIAI Simon Open Door campaign. RIAI Registered Architects across the country will offer one hour consultations to the public for a donation of €90.00, every cent of which goes directly to the Simon Communities in Ireland. Since the campaign began in 2004 over €600,000 has been raised by the Irish public and registered architects. Home-owners are being called on to log on to www.simonopendoor.ie to book a one-hour consultation with an RIAI registered architect in their area. All participating architects are giving their time and expertise for free. RIAI Simon Open Door will take place for one week commencing Saturday, 13th May – Friday 19th May 2017. The message this year is to “Add value to your house by consulting an RIAI Registered Architect”. Engaging a registered architect – whether on a new house, house extension or renovation – will save you time and money and add value. A consultation with an architect will outline a range of possibilities and gives homeowners the chance to explore the most economic and appropriate design to meet their needs.

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News

VELUX® Springs Fresh Rewards On Installers 40 of rewards for every VELUX white polyurethane roof window bought this Spring. VELUX® is offering its customers across the UK and Ireland a raft of rewards, redeemable at a range of top brand partners each time they buy VELUX white polyurethane roof windows this March and April. For every white polyurethane roof window bought during the period installers can claim €40 (£35) of rewards, redeemable at retailers including Argos, Ticketmaster, Milano, Dunnes, M&S, Argos, Pizza Express, Thomas Cook, and Currys PC World. Installers have until 12 May to claim their rewards from VELUX, but can only do so by registering to the scheme online at www.velux.ie/rewards. Originally developed for bathrooms, the VELUX white polyurethane roof window has evolved into a vast range of products ideal for contemporary white interiors and ceilings. They comprise a solid core of thermally modified timber encased in moulded polyurethane with a bright white finish. Typically, installers and customers choose this finish for more humid rooms like kitchens and bathrooms as the windows have no visible joints, ensuring a clean and moisture resistant finish. Almost the entire VELUX range is available in white polyurethane, from manual, centre-pivot and top-hung standard roof windows to combination solutions, and remote controlled VELUX INTEGRA® roof windows. Richard McArthur, marketing manager from VELUX said: “The VELUX Rewards scheme is a great way for installers to get something back each time they choose our products. During March and April we will be offering fantastic rewards for every roof window bought with a white polyurethane finish, which is ideal for humid rooms like bathrooms and kitchens. “We know that our customers enjoy rewards that allow them to give themselves and their friends and families a treat, so partnering with some of the country’s best loved retailers and restaurants is a great way to say ‘thank you’ for their continued use of our products and service. Whether you are a frequent installer of VELUX products or use them just a few times a year, it really makes sense to join VELUX Rewards and start earning points with every purchase.”

€

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€40 Rewards (£35) with every VELUX white polyurethane roof window Every time you buy a VELUX white polyurethane roof window in March and April, you’ll receive €40/£35 worth of VELUX Rewards. Spend these with our top brand partners – including M&S, Argos, Ticketmaster and more.

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First choice for kitchens and bathrooms

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Cover Story

A MAJESTICAL PROPERTY

IN COUNTY CLARE We look at a beautiful property in a remote area of Co Clare

majestical property is situated in Bodyke in eastern County Clare and it was due to the sharp eye of Architect Peter Cody of Boyd Cody Architects in Dublin that the home owners now have the home of their dreams. “The property is situated on a very beautiful site but the house itself is actually quite small. There was an old farmstead on the site before and the remnants of the old house are still there and the new house is built on top of the footprint of what was originally the former dwelling on the site,’’ explained Peter Cody. “There is an old free-standing gable wall still there so that is used to align

the house with the original footprint. “The client contacted me and he asked me to have a look at the project some time ago. He is a farmer and he farms the land around the property. “The idea to build the new house rather than renovating the outhouse came from looking at the accommodation side of things as the home owners wanted to keep the property small. There were buildings on the site before and it was nice that you could still see the remnants of them. It was nice to be able to convert part of the old dwelling and make it a part of the new dwelling,’’ imparted Peter.

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Cover Story

9 Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Greentec

“There is a lot of open space within the house, the ground floor accommodates the kitchen and living accommodation and then there are two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs. “There is a cantilever from the first floor so there is this outdoor covered area which faces west and although the rooms are of ample size they can extend out to the exterior and this covered area outside is sheltered by a wall. “On the upper floor, both bedrooms have a terrace, with one of the bedrooms having quite a large terrace underneath an old beech tree. All of the rooms have associated outdoor space. “The interior accommodation feels more spacious,’’ enthused Mr Cody. Working alongside Peter Boyd on the property was Niall Dolan of GreenTec Ecological Homes who specialise in the building of passive, low energy ecological homes along with commercial buildings. Mr Dolan got involved with the property as one of the home owners contacted him through a mutual friend. “It’s an impressive house and the sunken down kitchen is pretty cool. I’m not sure if sunken down kitchens are something that are going to become a new trend, it depends on the Architects. “I haven’t seen too many of them (these kitchens) around. “Throughout the house, all of the counter-tops and floors were done in

polished concrete which was tricky to do as a specialist had to pour and polish the aforementioned concrete as well as ensuring that he got the mix right. The counter-tops in the kitchen also had to be shuttered as they were cantilevering over the kitchen units and they too were grinded,’’ enthused Mr Dolan. “Work began on the house in January 2016 and it concluded in January 2017. There were tricky details throughout the build. The house is bespoke so those types of projects are always slower and the house is located in quite a remote area so it was difficult to get people to come and work on the project and sourcing the timber was quite a slow process. “Working on this project didn’t come without its problems but that was partly to do with the fact that it is in a relatively isolated area. The house is in off the main road and it’s situated in quite a beautiful spot. “The house is in quite a secluded spot with beautiful views and it’s near a small lake which is connected to the River Shannon. The intention of the house is to make the most of the views and surrounding area to enjoy the landscape,’’ said Peter. “There are also a lot of mature trees around the house and on the edge of the lake so the house is also surrounded by a very wooded area which makes it very majestic. It’s a very nice location.

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Cover Story

“It was a tricky build though as it was very detailed. The client wanted to keep the timber native (Douglas fir native). Considering the time of year that it was, the moisture content was very high and an alternative timber couldn’t be sourced unless it was imported and the client didn’t want that,’’ imparted Niall. “The timber was sourced from a company in Dublin and it took a while for the timber to dry out. The timber was left to sit in the house and it was covered, the stove was lit and a few other things to rush the process on a bit! “We had a bad winter last year and we had something like nine or 10 storms in a row. It was very hard to seal the house because as the house is a timber framed house, there is a membrane outside that has to be sealed to all of the windows with special tapes so it was very hard to keep the house dry. It wasn’t an ideal time to be sealing the house,’’ continued Niall. Another thing that had to be taken into consideration when building the house was the fact that everything to do with the build had to be done very precisely. Everything to do with the property had to ‘line up’ all of the windows and doors had to align with the beams. “From day one, the timber frame was ordered and the chimney had to be built beforehand. The airtightness of the cantilever was a tricky issue as well because there are exposed beams in underneath the cantilever and we had to

try to get the airtightness in on top of the exposed beams and underneath the internal floor. There are a good few tricky details with airtightness but we took our time with it and we got it done,’’ enthused Mr Dolan. As to the insulation and materials used within the house to ensure maximum heat, there was 250mm of aerobord put in on the ground floor as well as 120mm insulation put into the external plinth. The walls had 150mm of Metac insulation put into them on the outside and there was an extra 50mm of Metac put in on the inside. There was also a 120mm of Kooltherm type divily board put into the roof meaning the house is well insulated and airtightness is done throughout the house. “There is a heat recovery system in the house and there are pretty high levels of insulation used throughout the structure. The house is a very warm house,’’ explained Mr Cody. As well as an air to water heat pump which is said to be ‘running really well,’ there is also a heat recovery system in the house, it is a manifold recovery system which is ducted to all of the rooms with supplies in the floor as well as the extracts in the ceilings. There are also low output radiators upstairs and there is underfloor heating downstairs. “The home owners bills will be very low, probably €300 to €400 a year depending on the hot water usage,’’ added Niall Dolan.

“As the fir ages, it will look better over time.”

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Cover Story

â&#x20AC;&#x153;There were buildings on the site before and it was nice that you could still see the remnants of them.â&#x20AC;?

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Cover Story

“There is a heat recovery system in the house.”

As to both Peter and Niall’s thoughts on the final product: “We used a rough sawn Douglas fir and it was very successful and it was a very nice material externally. There is a nice texture to it and it has maintained its colour very well. The colour of the wood will lighten over time but it will remain grey. It is a fairly robust material, it has a fair longevity and there isn’t annual maintenance to it either. As the fir ages, it will look better over time which is very good.

“The home owners haven’t moved into the house yet but they seem to be delighted with their house. The house has been a while in the design and creative process so I think the clients are very much looking forward to moving into the property. They will be moving in to the property shortly,’’ stated Peter Cody. “The house is located in a lovely area. It was a very technical build but it was an enjoyable one too,” enthused Niall Dolan.

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greentec building

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Cover Story

CONTACT LIST Architect:

Peter Cody, Boyd Cody Architects Ltd, 36 College Green, Dublin 2, 01- 633 0042 www.boydcodyarch.com info@boydcodyarch.com Construction Management:

Niall Dolan, Greentec Ecological Homes Ltd, Main Street, Craughwell, County Galway 091-846703 www.greentec.ie info@greentec.ie Timber Frame and Cladding:

Matthew Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Malley, Woodford Timber Construction, Barkhill,

Woodford, County Galway 090- 9749937 086-2470081 www.omalleytimber.ie info@omalleytimber.ie Plumbing and Heating:

Donal Rabbitt, Western Energy Systems, Cahertymore, Athenry, County Galway www.wesenergy.ie donal@wesenergy.ie 086-8439784 Electrical:

Ciaran Fahy, County Galway 087-6200409

Concrete Work:

John Carroll, Concrete Concepts 086-8131996 Kitchen:

James Cummins, JCK Kitchens and Interiors, Main Street, Craughwell, County Galway 091-876529 087-9853162 www.jck-kitchens.ie info@jck-kitchens.ie Roofing

Kevin Ryan Priority Roofing and Cladding Limited Johnstown, Puckane, Nenagh, Co.Tipperary

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INSULATION FEATURE SPECIAL

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Insulation Special

CONTRIBUTES TO YOUR HOME Insulation is potentially the most important feature that contributes to the home owner’s home’s complete energy efficiency and general comfort.

ithout proper insulation your house will need larger, more expensive heating and cooling devices which will need to work harder as well as consuming more electricity, gas or oil and increasing the home owners heating bills. Ideally, insulation surrounds the living area of your home forming a barrier between the living area and outdoor temperature extremes. In the energy efficiency field this is often referred to as the ‘building envelope’. Homeowners have many options when it comes to selecting insulation for the home including fibreglass, spray foam and environmentally friendly materials. The most popular types of insulation are fibreglass insulation, spray foam insulation, cellulose insulation and mineral wool insulation. Fibreglass insulation is non-flammable and highly resistant to moisture damage which adds to its appeal for many homeowners. Most insulation is made from fibreglass, which is available as either batts or loose fill. The material is relatively

inexpensive when compared with alternative materials and is also easier to install. This type of insulation is non-flammable and highly resistant to moisture damage and although this type of insulation has many perks, fibreglass insulation is made from fibres that can irritate your lungs and skin, so it’s important for homeowners to stay away from the home during installation. The installation process involves fitting the insulation between studs, joists, and beams. Spray foam insulation is mostly effectively applied to enclosed existing walls, open new wall cavities and unfinished attic floors. This type of insulation is usually applied by using spray containers and it can also be applied in larger quantities as a pressure sprayed, foamed in-place product. One of most notable advantages of spray foam insulation is that it’s best-suited for adding insulation to finished areas, abnormally shaped areas, and for working around obstructions. Cellulose insulation is an environmentally friendly choice for the home owners home. Cellulose is an organic, loose-fill material that is

Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Webpress

INSULATION AND HOW IT

made from recycled paper. This type of insulation is usually treated with chemicals to ensure better resistance against moisture and pests. Moisture absorption can often weigh cellulose down, causing it to become compacted and reduce its insulating ability which is why it should be replaced every five years to ensure maximum efficiency. Cellulose insulation is installed by either blowing the material into place or by pouring it in to the desired location. This choice is also suitable for filling irregularlyshaped areas and working around obstructions. Mineral Wool insulation or Rock Wool insulation is comparable to fibreglass. Despite their similarities, mineral wool is more expensive and can often be more difficult to find compared to fibreglass, however mineral wool doesn’t have the same irritating reaction that fibreglass does. This type of insulation can be blown into the desired area or poured out of bags. This insulation can withstand much higher temperatures than other forms of insulation. Mineral wool comes in loose fill that can either be blown into the desired area or poured out of bags.

“Homeowners have many options when it comes to selecting insulation.”

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Insulation Special

When it comes to insulation there is also another option to consider with that option being an Insulating Concrete Formwork system which is manufactured in Naas by Amvic Ireland, especially when it comes to new construction or extensions. Amvic ICF’s consist of high-density polystyrene panels 1200mm long, 400mm high, and 64mm wide, spaced apart by high strength polypropylene webs. The forms provide a fully insulating, permanent shuttering system into which concrete is poured. Once cast, the solid concrete core not only provides the necessary structural integrity for the building, but also excellent sound insulation, fire safety, thermal mass and durability for the structure’s lifetime. The polystyrene panels of each block provides the thermal insulation to the structure, with U-values between 0.24 W/m2K and 0.13 W/m2K being easily achievable. The forms, being extremely light (only 3.5 kg each), are simple and easy to build, with all of the attendant handling and safety benefits. Amvic is the strongest insulating concrete form work system on the market. “Our system is best-suited to new home construction or extensions. We know from speaking to many customers over many years now, that a typical Amvic house will deliver near passive house standards of thermal performance,’’ said Pat Martin of Amvic Ireland. “The reason for this is three-fold. First of all an ICF system forms the shuttering for the concrete in the walls. It therefore has to, by definition, be all put in place properly and it has to be of the required strength and density. Otherwise it is impossible to pour the concrete. This means that the claimed U value in an a ICF house will be achieved. “In a very non-technical way, if you have an overcoat that is too big for you, you will have air moving between you and the coat and you’re not nearly as warm as you would be if it was the same coat only in the right size. The same goes for insulation. If the insulation isn’t fitted correctly to the structure, you will have air movement between it and the insulation, significantly reducing its effectiveness. This is never the case with Amvic ICF because it has to be fitted correctly, otherwise you can’t pour the concrete and this is why we keep getting the feedback about such high-thermal performance,’’ explained Mr Martin. “There are two other significant factors in how a structure will perform thermally. The first is, air-tightness. In most building systems, this is achieved by means of a membrane or an additional render coat installed by the contractor to achieve the air-tightness. “With ICF’s it is achieved by the concrete core with only minimal sealing

required around the windows and doors. The air-tightness therefore, is intrinsic to the system. If you build an ICF structure you’re going to get the insulation claimed because you have to and you’re going to get the air-tightness because you have to put the concrete into it and that is what concrete does,’’ imparted Pat. “The third factor when it comes to thermal performance is the thermal bridge factors. Again, on traditional and light-weight building systems a variety of different systems and details are employed to achieve the lowest thermal bridge possible, whereas on ICF’s the thermal bridge is almost zero because that is the way they are built. When you consider an ICF structure the key parts of the thermal performance will be achieved intrinsically. “We have more than 1,000 house equivalents built across Ireland, England and Europe over the last 12 years and the feedback is constantly that the houses are operating at or about passive house level of thermal performance for space heating and cooling. The non-technical outcome of all of this stuff is that people are living in nice warm houses and it is costing them very little to achieve it,’’ he enthused. “It (this system) has become an increasingly accepted system as a viable and highly effective solution for both one off and scheme houses,’’ said Pat Martin. “Uvalue Spray Foam insulation is made from polyurethane. Spray Foam Insulation is probably the most versatile of all insulation materials. Polyurethanes are used in the manufacture of rigid foam insulation panels, micro-cellular foam seals and gaskets, synthetic fibres like Spandex, carpet underlay and hard-plastic parts,’’ said Richard Bernes of Uvalue Spray Foam Insulation. “Uvalue spray foam has focused its energy on perfecting polyurethane spray foam insulation application, saving time, money and most importantly energy for its customers, while helping reduce the emission of harmful CO2 into the atmosphere which causes Global Climate Change and Warming. “This type of spray foam insulation uses CPI Foam’s NSAI approved E Zero 500 water blown spray form, as opposed to chemical blown spray foam, so when your property has been insulated your living environment is warmer and healthier than before we started,’’ explained Mr Bernes. “There are 2 types of spray foam insulation that we use, open cell and closed cell spray foam insulation. Open cell is primarily used in domestic applications and closed cell is used in agricultural, commercial and industrial applications. “Open cell spray foam, as the name suggests leave the cells ‘open’ or breathable, allowing water vapour to escape while maintaining an airtight seal. Open cell spray foam is used in domestic applications like your attic, roof and floors,’’ he enthused. “Closed cell spray foam is denser, rigid and impermeable to both air and water. Mainly used in commercial, agricultural and industrial application where moisture and temperature control are required. “Spray foam insulation can be used for: attic insulation, roof insulation, floor insulation, boat insulation, a breathable vent card and shed insulation. “When insulating a roof, the objective is to cover the entire area so basically every nook, cranny and gap whilst ensuring that the wooden timbers within the roof maintain their ability to breathe. This is achieved by installing a breathable card membrane or Vent Card between the rafters,’’ explained Richard. “Open cell insulation is then sprayed onto the membrane of the vent card to the appropriate depth ensuring that an adequate level of heat retention is achieved. This card creates the 50mm air gap required by building regulations. “Open cell spray foam should be used in insulating a roof as opposed to closed cell due to the fact that the open cell insulation has the ability to “breathe”. It allows moisture from the house to pass through the linked cells, into the 50mm space created by the vent card and ultimately removed through gaps in the roof tiles,’’ he added. The benefits of this system are that it allows moist air from the house to pass through and out into the external

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Insulation Special environment. It prevents any condensation that may form on the underside of the roof from dripping down into the attic space and it prevents the foam from having any other negative effects on the roof tiles, battens or felt membrane and it also a provides a firm base for the spray foam. “It is imperative that the vent card is fitted and that the vent card has the ability to breath. Some installers out there today have used cards that did maintain the 50mm ventilation channel but were not breathable and did not let the moisture vapour pass through them. In this case, moisture will build up causing wood rot, insect infiltration and encourages mould growth which, throughout the years, will shorten the life of your roof,’’ explained Richard Bernes. “Properly insulating your attic is one of the most important steps you can take to keep your home warm while dramatically driving down your utility bills. As is well known, heat rises, and up to 50% of it can be lost through an inadequately insulated attic. “Insulating your attic using spray foam is a very simple process and can usually be completed in less than a day with a minimal amount of disturbance and mess. There are two types of foam insulation: Open cell and closed cell,’’ continued Mr Bernes. “Open cell is a breathable foam and is the one used in attic insulation and roof insulation. The open cell insulation allows moisture laden air within the attic to permeate through it where it will then pass into the outside environment through gaps and through roof tiles. This combats the build-up of “cold wet air” within the roof which would lead to mould growth and timber rot. “First, a breathable card membrane/ Vent card is installed between the rafters. Then a 50mm ventilation gap is left between the vent card and the roofing felt to prevent the build-up of moisture, allowing it to dissipate to the outside. Next, the foam is simply sprayed onto the vent card to the desired

thickness. It’s as simple as that. “When it comes to insulation your attic, to begin with a breathable vent is fitted 50 mm from the roofing felt allowing a continuous air flow which removes moisture from the attic and allows your timbers to breath, then the foam is applied giving your attic a continuous airtight seal,’’ imparted Richard. “What is unique about spray foam insulation in comparison to traditional insulating materials, such as rock wool, fibre glass or cellulose, is that it expands into ever nook and gap of the roof space, providing an airtight seal which prevents the infiltration of damp cold air and more importantly wind,’’ concluded Mr Bernes.

“Moisture absorption can often weigh cellulose down.” Passive House Performance - Traditional Build Costs

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www.amvicireland.com Made In Ireland

Spring 2017 Home & Build

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Insulation Special

AND THINGS TO CONSIDER

As well as retaining the heat within your home, there are various other benefits to having your home well insulated including the prevention of fires and noise prevention.

s well as retaining the heat within your home, there are various other benefits to having your home well insulated including the prevention of fires and noise prevention. This article looks at both of these matters as well as reminding you of how important it is to shop around before selecting who you are going to get to insulate your home and some information about an SEAI grant. “In ICF houses you can’t hear noise coming from the houses beside you because you have a massed reinforced wall between the dwellings which easily exceeds the noise regulation requirements by a factor of two and this has a big effect on the comfort factor in your home,’’ explained Pat Martin of Amvic Ireland. “This whole question of noise especially as they are talking about increasing housing densities becomes ever more problematic. They can make light weight construction comply with the noise regulations in theory

Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Webpress

THE VARIOUS BENEFITS OF INSULATION

but it is the same as fitting thermal insulation because you are depending on a contractor being on the site to fit an insulation board and he has to fit it perfectly otherwise you don’t get the performance. “Similarly, the concrete wall also provides (in an ICF house) a fire stop. Concrete does not burn and that is intrinsic. Concrete will give you the noise performance (prevention of noise) whether you want it or not,’’ added Mr Martin. “It is worth remembering that there was a fire in a group of houses in Newbridge last year and they burnt to the ground within a few minutes. It would appear that this happened due to the lack of the correct fire stopping between the units. This incident happened during the day so nobody was hurt thank God. “I suspect if this had happened at night time, we would have been looking at fatalities. This question of fire and the intrinsic benefits of fire protection that comes with a mass concrete wall that you get with ICF is of real tangible benefit to people,’’ he enthused.

“There is fire stopping insulation on the market which slows the spread of flames.” Home & Build Spring 2017

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Insulation Special There is fire stopping insulation on the market which slows the spread of flames. This type of insulation does not produce dangerous toxic smoke and it also helps to protect the building’s load-bearing structure whilst protecting lives. “Anything that minimises the chances of a fire happening has to be beneficial and that’s where the ICF’s come in. You will have an eight inch fire stop and that will not burn,’’ imparted Pat Martin. Other things to take in to consideration before insulating your house is who you are going to select to do the job. It is important to shop around and get various quotes from various people but it is also important to remember that you want a company that will provide you with a quick, reliable and efficient service with the key emphasis at all times been placed on safety and quality control. If you are eligible under the “Better Energy Homes Scheme,” for government subsidies to help towards the cost of a heating and insulation upgrade in your home then speak with the specified person. As of March 2015 higher grant values and bonus payments have been introduced and the scheme has now become available to previous applicants to have additional works completed. If you are unaware of this aforementioned scheme, basically

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anyone who is eligible for it and who is keen to cosy up their home, save up to 50% on their heating bills and to do their bit against climate change you are asked to contact the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Currently, 335,000 other homeowners have got home grants from SEAI. Grants are available for roof insulation, wall insulation such as cavity wall, internal dry lining or external insulation, heating controls upgrade, the installation of a high-efficiency boiler (more than 90% efficiency) including a heating controls upgrade, a Building Energy Rating (BER) after the energysaving work is carried out (you must get this BER to qualify for the grant) and solar heating. You must have grant approval before you buy materials or start any grantfunded energy-saving work. If you have already started work, you will not be eligible for a grant. The grant approval remains valid for 6 months after the date it is issued. However, a before BER can be done ahead of grant approval and could prove useful if you are uncertain about your energy-saving options or what to get done first.

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Insulation Special

To qualify for a grant you must: • Be the owner of a dwelling built before 2006 • Use a contractor from SEAI’s registered list • Use newly fitted materials and products • Have work done that complies with the required standards • Have a BER carried out after the works are done Use a BER assessor from SEAI’s National Register. You may not get a grant if: • You are replacing your existing boiler with a typical efficiency boiler of less than 90% efficiency • You replace your boiler but do not replace the heating controls • The measures do not comply with the required standards The relevant measure (the work on your home) was already incentivised under another grant programme To apply for a grant, see below for what to do. Please note that you will get an additional €300 if you do three measures and an additional €100 for the fourth. Home owners will receive a grant for each measure. • This is what you do: • Decide what form of upgrade best suits your home. You can do this by talking to a good building contractor, architect, gas installer or energy

• • • •

advisor. Pick a contractor from our list of approved contractors (on this website). Fill out the online application form on the SEAI website You now have six months to complete the works on your home. You will receive a form in the post called the “Declaration of Works” – one for each measure (e.g. one for external wall insulation, one for gas boiler upgrade, etc.) filled in when the works are completed. Return the form by post to SEAI, P.O. Box 119, Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry along with the Request for Payment form. You will generally find your money in your bank account within four weeks. Your contractor may be selected for inspection. This is to maintain a good standard of workmanship. You now have a warmer home, lower bills and a better BER certificate!

Grants are paid after the work is completed and you have paid your contractor. Applications received from specific offshore islands are eligible for 50% additional grant support. If the cost of the work (including VAT) is less than the maximum grant amount, you will get a grant for the actual cost of the work.

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Black Fox Interiors

Innovative design services from

BLACK FOX INTERIORS Black Fox Interiors is a Dublin based design studio that offers bespoke services for any type of space or projects, from small budget to high-end refurbishments.

he creative behind our Dublin office is Dana Kallo, a young interior designer passionate about eclectic, quirky and colourful interiors that make a modern home. The studio’s philosophy is to design based on the clients’ brief, personality, and dreams, aiming to create interiors that can be lived in. In Dana’s views, beauty and aesthetics have value only when they are followed by purpose and function and this reflects in the work they do. At the beginning of this year, Dana brought on the market a new type of design service, unique in Ireland. The Black Fox Box is addressed to clients that have one or two rooms to design, want to be involved in the implementation of the project, and are looking to phase their renovations, completing the work in stages, when their time and budget allows it. The design box is an actual elegant black box, containing drawings, mood boards, colour samples, finishes like carpets, wooden floors, or tiles samples and all the design tools a professional would use to finalize the design of a room. Every box is created specially for a specific room and it’s a comfortable way of keeping everything related to the renovation & design process in one place. Since the beginning of the year, Black Fox Box has been a very successful service, most clients opting to go for this solution instead of individual consultations, one of the strong reason behind it being the fact that it has

a flat one-time fee. Developed by the same experienced designers, this is a convenient way of getting advice on refreshing a couple of rooms in one’s house, without having to book multiple consultations and piling up paid hours. Between the 21st and 23rd of April you can find Dana showcasing the Black Fox Box at the Colortrend Forum in Ideal Home Show. She will design a study set at stand M21, based on a box and you can see how easy it is to do the same, to design any room of your house, once you have all the right design ideas and tools from an experienced professional.

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Black Fox Inter iors www.blackfoxinteriors.com

+353 089 221 9185

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dana@blackfoxinteriors.com

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Create your own style and generate your own atmosphere with the modular MatriX range of gas fires.

• •

Variable flame step burner as standard Options available with: · Anti reflective glass · LED powered glowing embers · ITC smart (phone) remote control

For a brochure and your nearest stockist, please contact Glen Dimplex Ireland. Ph: 00 353 1 842 4277. Email: salesireland@glendimplex.com.

www.glendimplexireland.com Faber is a wholly owned subsidiary of Glen Dimplex Group

Spring 2017 Home & Build

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A Room Outside

A ROOM OUTSIDE

A Room Outside, at 54 Eastlink Business Park, on the Ballysimon Road is a family run business established 8 years ago by Liam & Caroline Whelan.

Room Outside, at 54 Eastlink Business Park, on the Ballysimon Road is a family run business established 8 years ago by Liam & Caroline Whelan and in 2016 we opened our first franchise in Glasthule, Co Dublin. We pride ourselves in stocking the highest quality brands and products and we stand over every item in our shop and we are always available for advice and tips to new and existing customers. Hot Tubs, Swimspas and your Outdoor Area are our speciality, we offer free advice and surveys to assist you in your Outdoor Area plan. We personally deliver and commission all of our Hot Tubs & Swimspas and are on hand to offer any advice and help until your Hot Tub or Swimspa is fully set up and ready to go and you are confident in the use of same. We offer a full aftersales service and we are always happy to help with any enquiries. Our aim is to provide best quality products at affordable prices and our range includes • The award Winning Big Green Egg & OFYR • ProQ Smokers and Accessories • Weber, Beefeater, BarrelQ, Lifestyle Pizza Ovens • Uuni Pizza Ovens, Eco Grills • Wide Range of Lumpwood, Charcoal & Gas all year round • Range of Picnic Baskets • Agents for Hydropool, Passion Spas & Villeroy & Boch Hot Tubs • Chemicals and Water Treatment • Saunas • Outdoor Heaters • Extensive Range of Kettler, Culcita and this year reintroducing the Australis Leisure Garden Furniture Range

Barbequing is at the heart of this company, with the largest Barbeque showroom in Munster carrying a wide range of both Gas and Charcoal BBQ’s with prices to suit every pocket. We run two annual BBQ Festivals to ensure that all our customers are fully up to date on the latest cooking methods when it comes to barbequing and smoking and an intro to all our new product launches. This years annual Summer Fest takes place Saturday, 10th June from 11am to 4.30pm with our resident BBQ expert Roger Beck, on hand to offer free advice. Call in and see first hand how to cook a five course meal from scratch using a wide range of barbeques from starters to deserts including Hams , Brisket, Cold Smoked Salmon, Pizzas and lots more. Also launching on the day our custom designed outdoor furniture showroom with a range of furniture exclusive to A Room Outside. Join our mailing list for all of the details and check our website and social media for our barbeque festival competition. A Room Outside 54 Eastlink Business Park, Ballysimon Road, Limerick Tel – 061 603686 Also 23/27 Glasthule Road, Glasthule, Co Dublin Tel – 01 4412009 Website – www.aroomoutside.ie Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter Email – info@aroomoutside.ie

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A Room Ouside 230_297 Advert.pdf 1 4/10/2017 2:38:38 PM

CMY

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New Gear

NEW GEAR Traeger Timberline Grill

raeger has been making badass pellet grills for decades. The new Traeger Timberline Grill leverages all that knowledge and engineering acquired over the years and pairs it with insights from regular folks and professional pitmasters to create a smart grill that will totally change your BBQ experience. Built on a patent-pending approach that they call “Smoke Science,” the Traeger Timberline creates and circulates pure, blue smoke throughout the double-wall, commercial-grade stainless interior that’s insulated from the outside world with an airtight lid. Those features allow the Timberline to maintain consistent temperature and ensure your food gets the maximum amount of smoke possible. Since the grill has a higher interior clearance, Traeger added a third rack inside so you have room for multiple meats and sides regardless of what you’re grilling, smoking, searing, baking, roasting, braising or barbecuing. There’s even a WiFIRE controller/app that lets you control the grill without having to get off the couch or open the grill. If it’s good enough for a professional pit master, it’s good enough for the rest of us Price range from: €1,400

www.traegergrills.com

Uvolt Watch

ever worry about a dead phone or carrying a portable battery pack ever again, because the Uvolt Watch can recharge your phone. The watch is built around a 600 mAh battery that sits just below the face and can easily be removed to charge your phone. You don’t even need to worry about carrying cables, because the batteries come with built-in cables for Lightning or Micro USB & USB-C depending on which model you select. Charging happens via a wireless receiver and included charging dock, or using the solar panel built into the face of the watch. They even built additional batteries into the bracelet links themselves, which will automatically start recharging the removable battery when you put it back in the watch. The square design with rounded corners houses an analog watch with minimal lines and decoration to increase the efficiency of the solar panels. The Uvolt Watch will be available in black, white, silver and rose gold if it reaches its funding goal on Kickstarter. Price range from €100+

www.kickstarter.com

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New Gear

Sobro Coffee Table

f you’re looking to keep the party in front of the couch without having to get up for chilled beverages the Sobro Coffee Table has a refrigerated drawer. Yes, you read that correctly. With Sobro you can have an entire game or Netflix season worth of beer, water, Red Bull, mixers or sandwiches right in front of you with enough space on top for all of your bowls of snacks or a pizza. That’s reason enough to back the project on Indiegogo, but wait, there’s more! It’s also a smart table. Connect your table via Bluetooth for precise temperature control, LED lighting control and to play music or TV audio through the built-in speakers—or just use the touch control interface in the tabletop. There are even outlets and USB ports on the side of the table to keep all your gadgets charged during important work sessions and draft parties. Price range from €500

Nokia 3310

hen news surfaced that Nokia was about to bring back its classic 3310, a phone you probably best remember for the epic games of Snake you played during math class, we thought long and hard about whether to even post about it. We mean, in terms of performance, it’s blown out of the water by just about every smartphone from the past decade. Then we got to thinking. As more studies nudge us to distance ourselves from social media and we seek to remove our faces from a phone screen 24/7, perhaps there really is a place for the simplicity of the old Nokia brick. So for that we say, Welcome back, old friend. The new version of the 3310 is here, and it’s coming with a colour screen, 22 hours of active battery life, and, yes, Snake. You’ll also have a physical keyboard, which is a feature some may truly miss. There’s a web browser and a camera but neither will match the performance of what you’re used to—and that’s okay; that’s not why you’re buying this. If you crave simplicity—and the more reasonable price tag that comes with it—maybe, just maybe, the Nokia 3310 makes a little bit of sense. Price range from: €50 www.nokia.com

Bang & Olufsen Speaker System

ang & Olufsen is known for its consistent ability to produce sound systems with both great sound quality and outstanding design. Now, the BeoSound Shape system solves a problem you didn’t even know they had. If you’ve ever had the privilege of listening to one of their systems, undoubtedly you noticed how good the system looked and that every note, high and low, was faithfully replicated. But the BeoSound Shape removes your ability to recognise the speakers in the room. With a chain of wireless, three dimensional hexagons, you can design your own arrangement of speakers, amplifiers, and dampeners, ensuring you get the best sound quality for your particular room. The product truly is modular, so if you want to make a honeycomb of sound on one wall, you can do that. If you’d rather line the entire room with a zigzagging surround system, you can do that too. And the speakers’ colour(s) can be customized to blend in with your existing room. Or they can clash like 90’s pastels. Everything’s completely up to you. Price range from: tbc

www.bang-olufsen.com Spring 2017 Home & Build

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Joe Fallon

n more ways than one, the farmhouse that Lory Higgins grew up in which is located in County Wexford was archetypal with its rectilinear courtyard layout and small windows. The house provided Mr Higgins’ with a very happy childhood and many years after leaving the house he called home and making a life for himself in Dublin, it was the house that himself and his partner Sandra got attached to in recent years followed by them deciding to make it their family home. The house which dates back to the 1800’s

was renovated by Lory’s father in the 1960’s with the renovation including the addition of a flat roof extension which contained a small kitchen, dining room and a boiler house. Mr Higgins’ is a Safety Engineer in Joe Fallon Architectural Design so when it came to looking for someone to design his ideal family home he didn’t have to look too far. Initially Lory worked as a dairy farmer for more than 15 years before he decided that he would leave farming behind and begin a third level course in construction engineering. The house renovation project was

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Joe Fallon

35 Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Joe Fallon Architectural Design

“The house which dates back to the 1800’s was renovated by Lory’s father in the 1960’s.”

FROM A SENTIMENTAL FARMHOUSE TO

A MODERN FAMILY HOME Lory Higgins’ property, Wexford Spring 2017 Home & Build

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Joe Fallon

his first major commission and with it being so close to his heart, it was a challenge and a renovation that he was very excited about. “Our health and safety Engineer is Lory Higgins’ and he lives half a mile over the road from me in an old farmhouse and he had seen the work I had done on our farmhouse and Lory and his partner, Sandra then asked me if I would be interested in doing some work on their existing farmhouse and that’s how I got involved with the project,’’ said chartered Architectural Technologist, Joe Fallon as to his involvement with this project with Mr Higgins’ acting as project manager to save costs. “The design process was very much tooing and frooing until we got something that nestled in and matched in with the old dwelling and that is how we came up with the curved roof eventually. “The house looks very well and it was shortlisted in the CMG building awards last year,’’ added Mr Fallon. “We started working on the project in 2014 and the family moved into the house in May 2015. Some of the major design challenges that we faced were: some of the old windows weren’t exactly lining up with one another so we got a state of the art con saw for the want of a better word and it basically

cut through the existing wall like butter and that gave us straight edges, because the old building was built with random rubble we were worried about the integrity of the building but we were lucky in a sense that the building contractor we got was Chris Gahan of GR8 Construction. He was a Structural Engineer and he was on board during the build and he was great for advice. “Chris shored up the building for us and that was great because it allowed us to put in square windows. Breaking out the old cottage was challenging as well. Once again the builder came into his own by shoring up the building to stop it from falling down whilst we put in the steel works to reinforce the lintels and things,’’ enthused Joe. Light was a primary issue as well as warmth alongside four good size bedrooms, including a master bedroom with an en suite, a family bathroom, a large kitchen, dining room, living room as well as a utility room, playroom and small office as both Lory and Sandra wanted to work from home. Mr Fallon’s remodelling of the property hinged on removing the stairs from the old farmhouse and relocating it to the porch and in doing so he immediately created a large amount of extra space. The move also provided ample room to create three well-proportioned bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor of the original building. The ground floor of the original house contained a downstairs parlour and beside this room was a water closet (toilet) and utility room which was accessed from outside the house. Now that the stairs was no longer in its original place, Joe recommended removing the gable end wall that was adjoining to the flat roof extension. The aforementioned 1960’s extension was converted into an open plan kitchen, dining room and sitting room with a new extension being built to add a utility room and a downstairs toilet to the side. This small-scale inclusion provided access to an outbuilding which was converted into a playroom/ office, with the flat roof of the extension replaced by a pitched roof to safeguard the roof line wouldn’t be broken. “It has been one of the nicest jobs we’ve done and Lory and Sandra were very nice and easy to work with. We had a few different battles (conversations)

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Joe Fallon

over things for the house but they were all healthy battles as we had different aspects of things that we wanted in the house but at the end of the day we have put in what we have put in and we’re all happy with it. The zinc was extremely expensive to put in but the finished look that we got opposed to putting in something cheaper was well worth the extra few bob,’’ he enthused. Whilst stripping back a property of its kind, a few unexpected surprises are expected! The chimney was leaking but thankfully only a few of the rafters had to be replaced but the chimney was in too poor a state to keep, with all brickwork being removed and a built ring beam being built on top of the remaining stone chimney with the chimney being rebuilt from there up. Two metal flues were installed for both fireplaces and the remaining void was filled with vermiculite to prevent heat building up in the open space. Fortunately, the majority of the roof slates were in good enough condition to be reused and these were kept for the outbuilding as well as on the back of some of the existing house with some new slates having to be bought to match at the front of the house. The existing farmhouse floors all consisted of a thin layer of concrete on top of clay soil and they were all stripped back and replaced with an insulated concrete build up. “Due to the way the old buildings were built years ago, the

depth of the house was more or less built as wide as the longest tree that they could find, there was no such thing as rolled steel joists or anything like so that so they (the builders) would cut down a tree and the length of the tree meant that was the length of a floor joist upstairs,’’ added Mr Fallon. “I’m very happy with how the house has seamlessly blended in to the landscape of the Wexford countryside and it is sympathetic to the house where Lory grew up. “When Lory and Sandra approached the practice first they had an open mind and they were wondering would they just knock it down and build a brand new house but I’m glad that they decided to restore and modernise the house that is of sentimental value to Lory as it was the house he grew up in,’’ explained Joe. “Sandra wanted to do the house up but Lory was in two minds. Now he is glad that he did the house up, they moved back to Wexford from Dublin and they have set up home in Wexford with his partner and their three young children. “The feedback from all of the locals is that they absolutely love the house and they love what we’ve done with the house,’’ concluded Mr Fallon.

CONTACT LIST ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE:

Joe Fallon Architectural Design Ltd, 1A Ryland Street, Bunclody, County Wexford www.joefallon.com 05393-77633 PROJECT MANAGER:

Lory Higgins loryhiggins@gmail.com 087-9087833 BUILDER:

Chris Gahan, GR8 Construction gr8developments@gmail.com

087-1308028

Gorey, County Wexford www.heitonbuckley.ie

ZINC ROOFING:

053-9421317

WINDOWS:

Munster Joinery County Cork and County Antrim, www.munsterjoinery.ie ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR:

Kiltealy Electrical Services, Mohurry, Kiltealy, Enniscorthy, County Wexford kiltealyelectrical@eircom.net 087-0505366

BUILDER’S MERCHANT:

ROOFER:

Heiton Buckley, Knockmullen Retail Park, Knockmullen,

Willie Colfer 087-22973378

Audsley Roofing Wexford, Twentyacres, Murntown, County Wexford info@audsleyroofing.ie 087-2588730 PLASTERING:

Paul Brennan 087-6109478 CARPENTRY:

Paddy Kehoe 087-9707820 Ger Dunphy 087-2219083 SECOND-HAND RANGE: Rayburn

www.rayburn.ie

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Car Review

Top of its class? Make no mistake, the Audi Q5 is a massively important vehicle for Audi Ireland and Audi globally.

hen the Q5 launched in 2008 almost a decade ago it was entering a tough market against some stiff competition. It proved a success in what was a growing market segment at that time and it eclipsed all expected targets. The Q5 that this replaces was by no means bad. In fact it was quite good but Audi has upped its offering and by doing so is trying to make something very good even better and that has the capability to be a class leader in the years ahead. Audi ended up selling more than 1.5 million first-generation Q5s, which became one of the brand’s key cash cows. “Never change a winning team,” company chairman Rupert Stadler replied when asked why the new model looks so much like its predecessor. “Furthermore, the new Q5 is considerably lighter, more efficient, safer, and easier to use thanks to up to 30 new assistance systems.”

Designed by Wolfgang Egger rather than by his more progressive successor, Marc Lichte, the new Q5 is a pretty and well-balanced vehicle like the A4 and A5 launched before it. This isn’t a cosmetic make over with a newer look and a hope to sell more units although at first glance that’s what you might suspect. Audi have really gone to town on the Q5 with all areas being overhauled. First off the new Q5 earns a more sophisticated look with the defining characteristics being the new grille, a front end that appears longer than before and a character line that links the headlights to the taillights. At the rear the Q5 sports a look similar to before, but the new LED lighting cleans up its rear lights. Now based on the new A4’s MLB platform and to be shared with next-generation A6, the Q5 grows in most key dimensions including the boot. The capacity rises by 10 litres to a max of 610. The new Q5 has grown to 4.66 metres long, 1.89 metres wide

and 1.66 metre tall with a 2.82 metre wheelbase. Despite its growth, the weight of the SUV has been reduced by up to 90kg due to the intelligent material mix of steel and aluminium used in the body and drag coefficient is down to a strong 0.30. So bigger but yet lighter which is impressive and that wheelbase of 2.82 has a 20mm growth and that will be felt first hand by your passengers experiencing a more comfortable and roomier drive. The power reaches the road through a sevenspeed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Audi’s new Quattro ultra all-wheel drive system. Our 2.0 litre diesel test vehicle will likely be a big seller with strong mid-range pull that not only makes overtaking easy but is also capable of putting a smile on your face. My only frustration is the stop-start mode which tends to leave you in some awkward situations at roundabouts. Well other places also but my experience was coming up to local roundabouts, stopping, waiting for a gap

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Car Review - well, except the middle rear is comfortable and there are a ton of electronics aboard. Standard equipment is more extensive than ever. Among the features included are xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED rear lights, the Audi MMI Navigation with 7-inch MMI colour display, bluetooth and USB charging function, Audi drive select dynamic handling system, twin leather and front and rear parking sensors. The LED interior lighting pack is now also standard across the family. Similarly, Audi smartphone interface, Audi Connect, automatic boot lid and full body paint finish are standard on both trim line options. The two trim lines available for the new Q5 in Ireland are the SE and S Line. Audi’s virtual cockpit is also available as an option on both trim lines. In the front the Q5 feels impressively spacious and has plenty of large storage spaces for phones, wallets, keys and anything else you tend to take on a journey.

On the safety side the Audi Q5 showed off its strengths in the latest Euro NCAP tests, during which it scored points for occupant protection, child safety and pedestrian protection, making it among the safest crossovers on sale today. Also contributing to the SUV’s rating were the driver assistance systems that are standard equipment. So, there was little wrong with the outgoing Audi Q5. However, this model tweaks every aspect to produce a much better vehicle. The look is sophisticated, the cabin nicely attired and it has the right driving dynamics too. I liked it when I attended the launch and had my first drive and after having some further time behind the wheel I got to appreciate the Q5 a lot more. It’s a refined car in which to travel and has an amazingly well built interior along with an efficient engine and good handling. It’s definitely worth a test drive if in the market for a premium quality SUV.

Words: Anthony Kelly Pics: Paddy McGrath

and then making my move but nothing happens. When the engine does come to life, the other car has now started moving to merge on to the same roundabout, the engine comes to life and propels you forward and you’re nearly in the middle looking like a bit of an idiot, and so eager to explain that I do actually know how to drive but it wasn’t my fault. Of course nobody cares and you just get those angry looks drivers give. I thought it was just me but did notice one or two other journalists had the same issue. It is the only negative I could find but worth a mention. On the more positive side light steering at low speeds helps with manoeuvring and handling is improved compared with the previous Q5. There’s also plenty of grip. On the inside the cabin takes a marked step forward in terms of both quality and the lengthy list of amenities contained therein. The materials are obviously off the top shelf, the seating in all positions

Technical Specification Engine Size 2.0-litre TDI Fuel Type Diesel Transmission S Tronic Seven-speed auto Power 190hp Torque 400Nm Acceleration (0-100km/h) 7.9 seconds Top Speed 218km/h CO2 Emissions 132g/km Road Tax €280 (Band B2) Base Price €47,500 Our Test Model €65,390

“Electric cars are becoming more common and Nissan is certainly leading the way.” Spring 2017 Home & Build

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P: 021-4876963 E: info@decostones.ie W: www.decostones.ie

Deco Stones, Unit 7 Westpoint Trade Centre, Link Road, Ballincollig Co.Cork

NO 1 COMPANY IN IRELAND SPECIALIZING IN

AUTHENTIC RECLAIMED BRICK SLIPS

OBTAINED FROM LEGITIMATE SOURCES AND ACCOMPANIED BY A CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN

STONE CLADDING

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WOOD COLLECTION SPANISH WOOD FLOORING BUILDING SUPPLIES

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DECO PLASTERS & PAINTS PORCELAIN FLOOR TILES FIREPLACE ACCESSORIES

100'S OF SQM IN STOCK | NATIONWIDE DELIVERY SERVICE | TRADE DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE Home & Build Spring 2017

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P: 021-4876963 E: info@decostones.ie W: www.decostones.ie

STONE CLADDING

BRICK CLADDING

WOOD COLLECTION SPANISH WOOD FLOORING BUILDING SUPPLIES

Deco Stones, Unit 7 Westpoint Trade Centre, Link Road, Ballincollig Co.Cork

3D WALL PANELS

DECO PLASTERS & PAINTS PORCELAIN FLOOR TILES FIREPLACE ACCESSORIES

100'S OF SQM IN STOCK | NATIONWIDE DELIVERY SERVICE | TRADE DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE Spring 2017 Home & Build

Spring 2017.indd 41

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Komandor

Ultimate Storage Solutions

FOR YOUR HOME

Whether you are buying a new home or simply want to do up your existing home Komandor Sliding Wardrobes provide a wonderful selection of contemporary designs to suit all tastes and requirements.

omandor Ireland is an expert in innovative custom-made furniture systems. From converted lofts to storage closets, Komandor products have a multi-faceted ability to adapt to any environment. We do not just provide furniture systems at Komandor. We offer complete storage solutions to complement your lifestyle. Spring is the perfect season to redesign your home. The Komandor newseason range of bold, bright colours and designs will give your rooms an exciting, fresh look; whether you are using our accessories to brighten up your rooms or completely remodelling your space. Komandor Walk-in wardrobes are one of the most popular products in our portfolio. They can be built in any room, not just the bedroom; increasing the useable space of that room and giving it definition. Even in small and unusual room, the concept works because all Komandor walk-in wardrobes are made to measure. Sliding wardrobe doors are a signature product for us. The systems we use are of superior quality and design omitting the need for a traditional front opening door; meaning your wardrobe can work in any space. Doors slide effortlessly and close silently and, with a variety of frames and colours to choose from, we will assist you in perfectly coordinating your doors with your roomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s colour scheme. We have a nationwide network of showrooms and designers across Ireland. You can visit us or we can come to you. Although we are a large company, our relationship with our customers remains local. Komandor is a 360 degree service from consultation and design to fitting and finish with an established reputation for superior quality and professionalism. We now supply our sliding door systems to over 42 different countries and work with over 12,000 businesses. We estimate that a Komandor wardrobe is fitted every 20 seconds somewhere in the world. Book your free consultation appointment with one of our designers today and find out how you can transform your home into a beautiful, functional living space. Bring us your ideas and together we will bring them to life.

CONTACT LIST Kilkenny

056 7722034

Donegal

074 9168055

Cork

021 4929399

Westmeath

090 6465884

Dublin (Balbriggan)

01 6906090

Limerick

061 603964

Belfast

0044 2890080068

Dublin (Long Mile Road)

01 4569674

Kildare

045 409431

Monaghan

042 9664500

Dublin (Sandyford)

01 2973064

Tipperary

0504-22984

Mayo

094 9060277

Galway

091 583469

Wexford

053 9198700

Tyrone

0044 2887741511

Kerry

064 6621859

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MacGabhann

STUNNING HOME

IN RATHMULLAN MacGabhann Architects in Donegal design home in picturesque North West

arton Levert which is also referred to as the Greenbox Studio is located in Rathmullan, County Donegal was designed by MacGabhann Architects in Letterkenny in recent years with the design team consisting of brothers Antoin and Tarla MacGabhann, Orla McKeever, Patrick McGinley and Claire Faulkner. The property which is located in a picturesque part of North West Ireland encompasses the client’s existing home as well as a designer’s studio and guest accommodation which forms a courtyard with the design of the house and its out-buildings taking inspiration from its surroundings of local

farmyards whilst ensuring the property was pragmatic. The engineer over the project was Michael Carr. Con Sheridan was the contractor who worked on the house and Tony Ringland was the contractor who worked on the studio. Rathmullan which means Maoláin’s ring fort is a small seaside village on the Fanad Peninsula. It is situated on the western shore of Lough Swilly and it is 11km north-east of Ramelton and 12km east of Milford. Rathmullan serves as an important historical village as it was the scene of the Flight of the Earls in 1607 which was a major turning point in Irish history.

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MacGabhann

Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Ross Kavanagh

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The studio itself is orientated to maximise its views.â&#x20AC;?

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MacGabhann

“The spatial arrangement of the courtyard springs from the typology of the rural building cluster.”

“I grew up with the female home owner of the property, then I went on to live in Berlin as did she and when I was there I met up with her and her husband and they moved back to Ireland in or around the same time as I did and upon their return home they approached my brother Antoin and I about designing the house,’’ said Tarla MacGabhann as to his involvement with the property. “Every project is the result of specific client requirements so with this property the clients wanted a house where the living area was flexible and so that they could move walls easily within the main living, dining and bedroom area. “At the time of designing the house, they wanted their work studio as a part of the house so for that reason we put all of the fixed elements in the concrete part of the house and then within the timber part of the house, the walls are made out of timber stud and the room (the big box) is sub-divided using shelving and stud walls so it means that it is a flexible space to move around as the home owners require and they’ve already changed the layout,’’ explained Mr MacGabhann. “The house has two elements to the property. There is the solid concrete part which has the stone slate roof on it and then the other part of the property is the timber part with a corrugated tin roof on

it which means the roof is light and flexible,’’ he enthused. Antoin MacGabhann Snr. was designing in Ireland since 1975, and his practice of MacGabhann Architects began to expand in 1997 with sons Antoin and Tarla joining. Since then the practice has grown to become an awardwinning office with projects successfully completed for public and private sector clients. At the practices core is client care, which they aim to provide through innovative and exciting design together with professional management and delivery. With every project they take time to understand their clients’ aspirations and requirements and use this as a basis for developing unique design solutions. The spatial arrangement of the courtyard springs from the typology of the rural building cluster of informal and often unplanned courtyards rather than the classical arrangements of the model farmyard. “When you are inside the concrete part of the property you are very aware of where you are within the property,’’ imparted Tarla. “There wasn’t problems throughout the build. We had a very good builder called Con Sheridan working on the project with us. He is also a

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MacGabhann

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MacGabhann local craftsman, he was very patient with us and he allowed us to experiment with different things. From beginning to end, the project took 18 months,’’ said Mr MacGabhann. The vertical nature of the corrugated cladding contrasts with the horizontal board marked concrete of the adjacent house, this contrast is accentuated by the mass and permanence of the concrete and the transience and delicacy of the corrugated metal. “In the concrete part of the property, high density polyurethane insulation in the cavity and in the timber part of the property, mineral wool is used for insulation. The cladding on the outside of the house is Cedar and Douglas fir is used on the floors inside,’’ he revealed. “It’s a very warm property.” The studio itself is orientated to maximise its views and any available sunlight; for this reason the roof is lifted up on one side to get western sunlight into the studio, and while the sunlight diminishes as it moves further west then the aperture of window reduces. This upturned roof also serves to draw the eye to the wonderful views. “We’re always working on a few (unique properties) and I would like to work on a property like this again,’’ enthused Tarla. “The style of the house is very unusual,’’ said Con Sheridan. “There were a lot of challenges with this house as we were trying to join the various elements of the property together and so forth. It’s an eye-catching house. A lot of work was done on this particular project. “Cedar was used at the front of the property and board concrete was used at the back of the house,’’ added Mr Sheridan. “It was interesting the way the home owners used a mixture of cedar and board concrete on the house. “It was a great property to work on,’’ enthused Con.

CONTACT LIST BUILDER: Con Sheridan, Lower Drumhalla, Letterkenny, County Donegal 086-6071617 MAIN CONTRACTOR: Tony Ringland, Glenwood Systems 0044 7905 172 445

ENGINEER Michael Carr, Carr and Company, Unit 1 Northern Point Business Park, Sessaighoneill, Ballybofey, County Donegal 074-9131060 www.carr.ie michael@carrandco.ie

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www.tradecraft.ie

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Brian Burke

THE GREEN GRASS IN LAOIS WAS

CALLING THE BURKE’S HOME... Brian Burke and Julia Moran’s property in County Laois, farmhouse cottage renovation

he Green Green grass of County Laois was calling Brian Burke and his wife, Julia Moran home from America in 2006 as Mr Burke had a vision of moving closer to his family. After he envisaged doing such a thing, Brian and his quantity surveyor wife Julia then began putting down roots with their young family as they rented a property in a part of Laois whilst they looked for a property to buy. Upon their quest of finding their new home, the couple found an old farm cottage which was in need of refurbishing and in spite of the cottage’s disrepair the property ticked all of the boxes for the couple as it was close to the children’s school as well as being a stone’s throw away from the motorway to travel to Dublin for work commitments as well as having ample space for Brian’s gardening business due to there being adequate sheds and outbuildings. Mr Burke was formerly a quantity surveyor but when he was working in America he began his career in landscaping which has gone from strength to strength. Two years ago, he won RTÉ’s Supergarden competition and he has since gone on to build award winning gardens at Bloom in the Park. Throughout the work on the property, Ms Moran acted as the project manager with her husband working on the layout of the outdoors. The refurbishment took place in four phases with work on the property beginning quite quickly as planning permission was obtained and processed quickly as the previous home owners had extended at the back of the property with Brian and Julia choosing to add to this extension. The first phase commenced in 2008 which saw the renovation of the existing cottage, the front door was kept to access the house and the second bedroom was used as the reception/dining room whilst the third bedroom was used as the sitting room. At the beginning of the renovation, a temporary kitchen which is now used as a utility room was installed as well as a new shower room. A new structural slab was installed throughout the existing cottage floor which replaced the original clay floor. Installing a new structural slab required excavations to a staggering depth of 600mm. All of the ceilings throughout the property were removed and replaced by following the line of existing rafters. Roof lights were also installed enhancing the farmhouse feel. A long hallway links the old and new parts of the house whilst resounding the cottage feel. Once work on the first phase was completed, the family were able to move into the original, long and rectangular footmark of the property. “We moved into the house in 2008. The design and the layout of the house came about as we were really trying to work with the existing cottage and because the cottage was quite narrow, at a very early stage we figured out that it could be the bedroom wing which it is now,’’ said Julia Moran. “Initially we wanted the house to be high (two-storeys) but because of the houses that are in the area we wouldn’t have got approval for a second floor that would have been to our liking as the top of our roof had to be in line with everybody else’s. “We always knew that we wanted an open plan system. In hindsight, I would have preferred to put in a cosy little sitting room because when you’re finished making dinner, you go to sit down and watch the television but then you get up to clean the kitchen because you’re always looking at any mess that’s left. It would be great to be able to close the kitchen door and go back to cleaning in there in a few hours time,’’ added Ms Moran. The second phase commenced in 2009 which consisted of building the back extension, the left hand side of the extension was built and made weather proof but it was not finished. The heating system was completed throughout the house as the underfloor heating and heat pump was installed. The lounge/ playroom was used as a sitting room and the open plan study area was used as the dining room with the third bedroom been converted back to sleeping quarters. In 2010, Home & Build Spring 2017

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Brian Burke

51 Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Dermot Byrne

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The couple found an old farm cottage which was in need of refurbishing.â&#x20AC;? Spring 2017 Home & Build

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Brian Burke

the penultimate phase commenced which saw the left hand side extension completed. Access through the original front door was shut and the second bedroom was allocated to one of the couple’s children. The open play study area was converted into a playroom and the lounge/ playroom was converted into a bedroom. Last year, the final phase occurred and it saw the addition of the front wooden porch at the main entrance to the house. The porch has a dual purpose as it is the quintessential place to remove boots whilst also preventing the cold from entering the property. “We refurbished our house when we were living in America so we were used to all of the work that had to be done and as I work in construction, nothing about the refurbishment (on this house) bothered me! We didn’t mind ‘roughing it’ throughout the work. “At the moment, I’m gutting one of the bathrooms. Originally I should have tiled it from top to bottom and I should have wall mounted the sink and toilet but I didn’t so at the moment I’m enjoying pulling this bathroom apart!” Throughout the work, the functionality of the house changed to meet the families requirements. An example of the rooms changing is, the space that was meant to be the utility room next to the open plan living/ kitchen/ dining area is actually an office. The house features underfloor heating throughout. When the family initially moved into the house, their plumber used a stove with a back boiler as the heat source for the underfloor heating. The underfloor heating system is selfmanaged by way of controls and outdoor temperature sensors. When the open plan extension was added on to the property, the couple installed a ground source heat pump to take over all heating and hot water requirements. With electricity as their only utility bill, they spend approximately €1,800 a year. Meanwhile, the living area has a new stove which provides more than enough heat throughout the cold months. Outside, the garden is divided into five zones: the old farmyard and sheds are a staging and storage area for Brian’s garden design and construction business, an animal paddock where the familial donkey resides, a family garden which features a play structure alongside a patio, lawn and planting. The rear and eastern side of the property consists of mature orchard and

newer fruit trees and bushes with the front garden consisting of a car park as well as a front patio and various densely planted beds. Over the last few years, the cottage has gone from its original size of 800 square foot to 2,800 square foot. The existing stones walls were battened out and covered with PIR backed plasterboard and the new cavity walls were pumped with EPS beads. 32.5mm insulated PIR plasterboard with 300mm fibreglass between the rafters was used on the new and existing roof. Materials used on the floor of the extension were 150mm hardcore, 50mm blinding, DPM, 150mm slab, 100mm insulation and 75mm screed. On the existing part of the property, the windows are new double glazed timber sash units, with triple glazed windows used on the extension. As to advice Julia would give to anyone who is interested on embarking on refurbishing their homes, she had this to say: “From the get-go I would say engage with an Architect, even if you have a friend who is an Architect ask them to point you in the right direction and it is well worth the money to hire an Architect and budget it. Make sure you have enough money to get everything done otherwise prioritise what needs to be done first and think about what can be done without for the moment. “If you can you should live in the house to try and figure out your needs. I’m sitting in my office at the moment (as I talk to you) and originally this was going to be a utility room. After we lived in the house for a while, I realised there was no point in having the utility room up beside the kitchen when all of the dirty laundry would be coming from the far end of the house so we put the utility beside the bedroom wing,’’ explained Julia. “I think a lot of people rush into things when it comes to their house because they think that they can’t live without certain things but they need to realise that they’re better off living in the house and engaging with it for a while whilst trying to figure out where everything should go. “It’s also important to remember that everyone’s house isn’t the same so certain things aren’t going to work in your house the same way, if at all, that they would in other people’s homes,’’ concluded Ms Moran.

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Renault KADJAR

From

€229

per month

With 5 years warranty* & roadside assistance Book a test drive at renault.ie Model shown KADJAR Signature Nav dCi 110. RRP €30,990. Price excludes metallic paint, delivery and dealer related charges. Maximum recommended dealer delivery charge €750. *5-year/200,000km manufacturer’s warranty as standard. Finance example KADJAR Expression + Tce 130. RRP €25,190. Deposit €8,460. Term 36 monthly payments of €229. APR 4.9%. Total cost of credit €1,992 inc doc & completion fee €75 each. Optional final payment €10,328. Excess mileage plus excess wear and tear charges may apply upon return of Vehicle. Offer is made under a hire purchase agreement. Subject to lending criteria. Terms2017 and conditions Offer Spring Home &apply. Build exclusive to Renault Bank. See renault.ie [Warning: You will not own these goods until the final payment is made].

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Brian Burke

CONTACT LIST QUANITY SURVEYOR:

Julia Moran, jmoranburke@gmail.com LANDSCAPING:

Brian Burke Gardens, www.brianburkegardens.com 086-4073688 WINDOWS:

Marvin Sash windows www.marvin.com INTERIOR DOORS:

Doras, Unit 7, Park West, Nangor Road, Dublin 12 01-6235444 www.dorasdist.com sales@dorasdist.com

OAK COUNTER-TOPS & SPLASHBACK (joiner):

Dairwood Furniture, Killenard, County Laois dairwoodfurniture@gmail.com 087-7947569 PLUMBING:

Anthony Ryan, Portarlington, County Laois 087-2493792 ROOFLIGHT:

Velux www.velux.ie KITCHEN:

IKEA www.ikea.ie

“If you can, you should live in the house to try and figure out your needs.”

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Your Lifestyle... Your Choice...

KITCHENS

LIVING SPACE

BEDROOMS

Phone: 083 165 1599 E-mail: info@gkkitchens.com

SLIDING WARDROBES

www.gkkitchens.com Spring 2017 Home & Build

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Stoves Awnings

Awnings.ie supply a range of awnings, canopies and blinds. We take a look at 3 popular examples below. For more information for your home or business contact awnings.ie

Box Awning

ox awning features an ironic and innovative design with compact round cassette made of powder-coated extruded aluminium. The cassette protects the fabric ensuring longer life and less exposure to weather and corrosive agents. A perfect synthesis between functionality and design, the awning fits harmoniously in any context, enhancing it. It can be installed on a wall or ceiling. Fabric collection of 400 waterproof colours and 100% Acrylic

Med Quadrar/ Leaning Pergolas

he elegant Gibus design shows personality with the frontal finishing leading oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gaze to follow the lines of a light and exclusive patented solution. Supporting frame in painted aluminium with a wall or ceiling coupling on one side,resting on a gutter supplied with legs and a ground fixing. Pitch awning with sliding cloth supported by 43x65 mm wind-breaker profiles with the 65x85 mm end with a great load-bearing capacity, sliding on 70x130 mm lateral guides. The horizontal profiles, the beam and the guides are in painted aluminium. In order to guarantee the down flow of rainwater the structure must have a slope between 8% and 19%. Transmission system on side guides and a highly resistant cog belt that rotates on ball bearings. Comprised of stainless steel brackets and painted cast aluminium components. Cast aluminium case with belt traction adjustment. Nylon slide unit with wheels equipped with bearings and stainless pins. Manual or automated movement system.

Phone: +353 (0)1 453 0032

Email: sales@awnings.ie

Phone: +353 (0)/ 45 844 800 Web: awnings.ie Single Module Freestanding

Showroom by appointment

odular leaning structure with strong Plana PVC opatex cloth, UV protection. None of the sophisticated movement technology or awning support and assembly details are on view, thanks to the smart frame (54 cm high). The awning slope enables lateral water drainage, through guttering inside the frame to the ground, through openings at the bottom of the supporting posts. Movement is transmitted onto lateral guides, 60 x 130 mm, with a high resistance timing belt, running on ball bearings. The awning is motorised by the SOMFYÂŽ system. The structure is possible with 2 or 4 supporting posts, measuring 150 x 150 mm, to cover an area up to 50 square meters. On request, a guard is available incorporated in the frame, to protect the awning when it is closed.

Johnstown, Naas, Co.Kildare

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Phone: +353 (0)1 453 0032

Email: sales@awnings.ie

Phone: +353 (0) 45 844 800

Web: awnings.ie

Showroom by appointment Johnstown, Naas, Co.Kildare Spring 2017 Home & Build

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BUILDING FOR GENERATIONS AN INTEGRAL PART OF

BUILDING HOMES IN IRELAND SINCE 1936

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Home Security

HOME SECURITY The importance of keeping your home safe

eginning with your garden you can do a lot to protect your property from being robbed. From prickly hedges and bushes to electric gates, security cameras, outside lighting, door and window security and alarms, there are a lot of preventative measures which can be taken. Gravel driveways offer better security than tarmac or other solid surface ones do due to the fact that people and vehicles can be heard approaching on the property on a gravel surface quicker than on other surfaces. In terms of deterrents within the garden, hedges can be a massive help especially if they are made of prickly shrubs or plants. Too much shielding from view can make it easier for burglars to break into the property without getting caught; the following shrubs and plants are just a few from a long list which are sure going to ‘prick’ if you touch off them. They are: Anchor plant (Colletia Paradoxa), Blackthorn/Sloe (Ilex Aquilfolium), Golden bamboo (Phyllostachys Aurea), Fuschia-flowered gooseberry (Ribes Speciosum) and Flowering quince (Chaenomeles japonica). There are two main types of electric gates- sliding and hinged. Both types of gate can be powered from the main house, alternatively they can be powered by batteries which are charged by a local solar panel. It is important to have a conversation with your gate supplier as to how the gates can be opened in the case of power failure or an emergency. An important thing to note is, never install a keypad or control advice where someone could be tempted to reach through or over the gate to operate it. Whether you opt for

sliding or hinged gates, they should be suitably wide so as ambulances or larger vehicles can pass through at ease. Sliding gates are essential if your roadway or drive goes uphill from your gate as this would prevent normally hinged gates from opening and they don’t intrude into your garden design or planning. Hinged electric gates look more traditional and they also have fewer moving parts than their sliding counterparts do meaning they need less maintenance. They are also cheaper than sliding gates. Installing security cameras is another invaluable option when it comes to securing your property. The visibility of cameras deters potential thieves. Whilst it is possible to install digital cameras that are set off by motion sensors, the majority of home owners settle for security cameras. The two main types of cameras are active cameras meaning there is someone watching and controlling the image with the other option being surveillance (passive) cameras that simply record everything in their field of view. A surveillance camera can be played back to look for evidence after an event has occurred. There is also another option when it comes to cameras and it is ‘true security cameras’ which are reactive in that they can detect motion and send alerts to the home owner or the respective security company via text or email. Outdoor lighting is something that is of major importance when it comes to securing your home also. If your home is well-lit after dark the average intruder will choose to go elsewhere. Whilst decorative or practical garden lighting are two ways of keeping your property and surrounding area lit up,

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Home Security

it is also a good idea to install some kind of security only lighting system as this system can’t be accidentally switched off from inside. The fittings for this type of lighting need to be placed high enough up a building so as they can’t be meddled with but also out of a burglar’s sight. When it comes to protecting the front of your property, you can install a dusk to dawn sensor which activates when it gets dark. It is important to note that you should only use these types of security lighting on parts of the house that can be seen by others, otherwise you will only be providing a good working light for an intruder to work by out of sight. It is all well and good installing cameras and outdoor lighting to keep your property safe but it is also important to select the correct windows and doors. The most secure and standard window and door system to look at is EN1627 which is directed towards installing powder-coated galvanised steel frames as the steel provides the inability to be bent or forced out of shape and the casing for an unapproachable multi-point locking system. These doors can be fitted with timber faces and laminated glass. It is important to note that by pushing the handle up on multi-locking windows and doors does not lock it in place, a key needs to be used to lock the locks. “There are several ways to secure your home or business. The very basic ones will be security doors, burglars usually try to break in through the back or front door. In our business, we sell composite doors which are made of steel with insulation and they are both warm and secure with multi locking systems, security pins and triple glazed safety glass,’’ said Maciej Godek of SM Solution. In terms of purchasing of sliding doors and windows, ensure that they can’t be lifted out of their tracks. Remember also that the greater part of French doors open outward which makes them easy to peer open with a crowbar. The majority of burglars get in to properties through the door so it is important to invest time and effort when it comes to researching your doors before purchasing them.

Almost every UPVC and aluminium door has a built-in multi-point locking system as well as hinge bolts in comparison to timber doors which will need to be fitted with an ample 5-lever mortice deadlock alongside to any sort of rim latch such as a Yale lock. A mortice lock should be placed one-third of the way up the door and the rim lock should be placed one third of the way down. Timber doors should be at least 44mm thick. You should also remove the key from the lock once you are inside your house and remember to keep your keys away from the front door to prevent them being stolen through the letterbox by an intruder using a hooking rod or a long-handled pole. When it comes to windows, you should use laminated glass on all ground floor windows. You should also try to select products that are internally beaded as these products prevent burglars removing the beads that hold the glass in place. “The next thing is your windows which are usually weak and easy to break. Our windows which are German Veka are made of reinforced steel which turn and tilt with security hinges around the leaf not as standard solutions, in addition while replacing your windows you can consider to fit safety or security glass instead of standard glass especially downstairs at the back and side of the house,’’ added Mr Godek. “We are specialists in selling and fitting internal, energy saving and antiburglary external doors and windows. The security and energy saving doors that we sell range in price €850 without glass to €1,200 with glass,’’ said Wojciech Jendrzejewski of Modern Style Home. “A door with a one side glass panel €1,700 and two glass panels from €2,000. These prices include installation. “The security and energy saving doors are Perfect 68 X and they are made from galvanized steel plate, 0.7mm thick and laminated of PVC with a filling of XPS foam. “These types of doors have two locks, the bottom lock has 11 bolts which come into frame with the top lock having three bolts. The doors have three

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“Burglars usually try to break in through the back or front door.”

hinge bolts which come into frame with the other side of the door,’’ added Mr Jendrzejewski. “The security and energy saving doors are Perfect 68 X and they are made from galvanized steel plate, 0.7mm thick and laminated of PVC with a filling of XPS foam. “These types of doors have two locks, the bottom lock has 11 bolts which come into frame with the top lock having three bolts. The doors have three hinge bolts which come into frame with the other side of the door,’’ added Mr Jendrzejewski. “Our products are high quality, modern and traditional design. We work all around Ireland and interested customers can call us for a free quotation, measurement and presentation of a catalogue as well as a sample of colours,’’ enthused Wojciech Jendrzejewski. A burglar alarm is also a must when it comes to protecting your property. The two main types of alarm are a remote signalling alarm which triggers a response at a remote motoring station, with the other type of alarm being an audio-only alarm, this type of system includes bells-only and automatic dialling alarms. A lesser known type of alarm is a speech dialler which allows the home owner to pre-record a message into the system. The message is then dialled out and played out to a series of phone numbers that have been pre-installed. When installing an alarm, it is vital that you hire a fully accredited and professional company. “Security roller shutters give you additional protection against burglars on top of the above. Our aluminium shutters are designed to use at residential premises. They give you extra security for windows and doors and peace of mind while in or away,’’ enthused Maciej Godek. “They are easily operated from inside by a manual pull strap or they can be automated with a remote control system. On top of that shutters are insulated and improve weather protection. “Burglars are usually looking for easy targets and they don’t want additional hassle and barriers. From our experience some houses are being broke into even several times a year but after additional security such as our security shutters are fitted they have peace of mind. “Breaking into a secure house requires more time, is more noisy and risky for potential burglars and at the end of the day they pick the easiest target with no additional security,’’ concluded Maciej Godek.

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DOMESTIC ROLLER SHUTTERS House owners are constantly looking for ways of improving the security of their property. They want to protect their premises from vandalism and burglary. Our Aluminium Domestic Security Roller Shutters protect both windows and doors.These Residential Roller Shutters give home owners peace of mind, whether their property is occupied or vacant. Nowadays in Ireland it is very expensive to heat houses. Everybody is looking to decrease heating expenses i.e. by wall and attic insulation. It is important to stress that the biggest amount of energy loss is through windows and doors. Our company is offering innovative technology which can increase thermal insulation and storm protection. Moreover, some of customers are looking for privacy and reduced noise level inside. Insulated Roller Shutters improve acoustic insulation and gives privacy. The apperance of your home is enhanced with our Houshold Security Shutters, and they might even increase the property value.

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SECURITY & IMPROVEMENT SOLUTIONS FOR HOME AND BUSINESS www.smsolution.ie

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Home Entertainment

HOME ENTERTAINMENT and its futuristic ways

A home entertainment system is an exciting option that provides the consumer with an immersive viewing and listening experience. It can be as simple or as extravagant as you want. We speak to some Irish professionals about your options.

ome entertainment is an area that more and more home owners are not only investing a substantial amount of research, time and money into but it is an area that is on the rise due to the vast progression in modern technology. For years, home entertainment systems, in particular home cinemas were only seen in the plushest of properties which in the majority of cases belonged to the elite members of society as well as a wide array of celebrities who we have become accustomed to showing off their luxurious properties in various magazines. Over the last number of years though this has changed and it is a case of everyone and anyone being able to have a high quality home entertainment system in their home whether it be a home cinema or a top notch television with surround sound. When it comes to purchasing this type of equipment, there is a lot to consider before you dive in with both your feet.

Whilst a home cinema system allows the home owner to enjoy a cinematic experience in the comfort of their own home, it is important to note that they come in a variety of forms from pre-configured ready to install versions to customisable models. The systems also vary in terms of their capability and size which essentially means that the home owner needs to think about how much they want to spend as well as the size of the room, as some systems lend themselves better to smaller rooms whilst other systems are more suited to larger spaces. It is also important to pay close attention to the receiver which runs the complete system as well as serving many functions. Home theatre systems can be divided into four distinct types. Among the most common are all-in-one home cinema packages, also known as home theatre in a box, which include all of the necessary components. Soundbar systems are among the smallest options, with a single bar shaped box containing multiple loudspeakers. A component system is customisable

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and consists of an A/V receiver, speakers, and other source components, such as a game console or Blu-ray player. Buyers can also opt for a separate system, which replaces the receiver with a discreet preamplifier/processor and power amplifiers for the speakers. Among the least expensive are the all-in-one home theatre packages and soundbar systems. Component and separate systems are the most expensive, but the exact pricing varies according to the actual speakers, receivers, and other devices added. Half of the budget should be allocated to speakers with the other half being allocated to the receiver and the remaining items. When it comes to buying speakers, they should be voice matched which simply means that the sound is similar when it comes to tone and quality. Your best bet is to choose speakers from a family of products within the same brand. The range of speakers available include floor standing speakers, bookshelf speakers, satellite speakers and sub-woofers. Floor standing speakers are the largest, resting on the floor and reaching as high as 1.5 metres. They are so large that they offer the best audio quality, especially in terms of bass. Floor standing speakers have high powered sound, but they can be rather bulky in tight spaces. Bookshelf speakers are smaller and they can easily sit on a shelf. They provide a good sound although it may not be good enough to fill a large room. Satellite speakers are the smallest of speakers and they are designed to be supplementary speakers. In most cases, they don’t have any bass because of their compact size and limited power. In terms of a sub-woofer, they come in an array of sizes. Many systems offer a powered subwoofer, which means that they include an amplifier that provides its own power rather than drawing from the receiver. Unlike other speakers, the subwoofer has the flexibility to be placed anywhere in the room because the human ear cannot actually detect which direction bass sounds come from. However, that is not to say

that the placement does not matter. Sub-woofers perform best when placed in a corner or near a wall. Another thing that home owners need to be aware of is the fact that many manufacturers offer wireless home theatre systems that reduce the wiring that is required during installation. However, these systems are not truly wireless as they always require a power supply. Instead, they earn the name because they do not require a physical connection to the receiver. Wireless speakers do not always offer the same quality of sound as wired speakers. Although, they can help to minimise some of the clutter that comes with a home theatre system. “Over the last couple of years, we have noticed that before the boom people would have spent on average €25,000 to €30,000 on an average home entertainment system for their house. Now the average spend is €10,000 to €15,000 as people aren’t spending that much money on these systems now because they don’t need to,’’ said Philip from Installer.ie. “People have the opinion that all of the good music systems and Sonos who we are main dealers for is wireless. When they are advertising, they say that it is wireless technology, it is actually wireless control. “If you want speakers built in, speakers are still hard-wired to where the amplifier is but your control is wireless from your mobile handset essentially,’’ added Philip. “It’s hard to see where this technology is going to go. The internet is the future and that is what we tell everyone. What we’re seeing in people’s homes is that it is about Wi-Fi and the majority of people don’t have their WiFi installed properly in their homes. “The future of the television is the internet with Netflix and live streams. It will be fascinating to see what way it will go especially when the television that literally sticks on to the wall is brought out,’’ enthused Philip. “Before you install a home entertainment system in your home, you need to look at the wiring and the technology, they are the most important things.

Edison Technologies SOUND VISION DATA

Nationwide Service Paul 086 - 8359660 Steve 089 - 4084567

Member

Home Theatre Design & Installation | Multiroom Audio Data & WiFi Networking | Smart Home Automation Surround Sound Systems | Large Screen TV & Projector Mounting | TV Distribution Structured Cabling www.edison technologies.net Spring 2017 Home & Build

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Home Entertainment

“Home cinema system allows the home owner to enjoy a cinematic experience.”

Before you buy anything you need to talk to the experts. We will always get electricians to wire on site because what happens is we usually end up in houses that are not wired correctly and then it costs more money and there is no need for that, all for the sake of having a ten minute conversation with someone about the correct wires to use.” “You have to have good access points around the house and preferably every television in your home should have a hard-wired internet point,’’ added Philip. “With Bose, they have Bluetooth wireless speakers to the premium

home cinema system for €4,500. Bose have also just released their brand new 5.1 speaker system which is pretty spectacular,’’ concluded Philip. “The home entertainment field is developing rapidly at the moment. Smart televisions and everything like that are going wireless and people that are building houses have to be aware of the wiring,’’ said Stephen Whelton of Edison Technologies. “If home owners want to install speakers in the future, it isn’t any harm to get the cabling done in advance. It doesn’t cost that much while building a house and you will save a fortune in the long-term. As good

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Home Entertainment

Installer.ie provides a comprehensive home entertainment supply and installation service, including TV installations, TV wall mounting services, whole house HD TV and Multi-room Audio and Video a comprehensive home cinema supply and installation and setup service including dedicated cinema rooms. We are the main agents for Bose & Sonos

OfďŹ ce: 01 663 8333

Call or Text: 085-2367171

hello@installer.ie

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Home Entertainment as wireless is, wires are always better and for a minimal cost at the start it is a much better way of going about things. “The attraction of having a home cinema in your home is because some people see it as a cost saving thing. It is another form of entertainment in the home and it’s handy for when you have guests over and children especially love it,’’ added Mr Whelton. “People love to show things off as well! With technology now, we can replicate the cinematic experience in your house. It was harder to do years ago but as technology has moved on it has become a lot easier. “We build specific home cinemas for people which would never have happened before. It was something that was very expensive years ago and I suppose it is getting more manageable for people now and they can see it as something that they can actually have whereas before it was for the wealthy,’’ he explained. “To have a home cinema built by us you’re looking at €5,000 up to €100,000. For €5,000 you would get a very good home cinema.” “For anyone who wants to install a home cinema, they need to do a bit of research into it and get a bit of advice because what they see in the shops today maybe isn’t something that is going to work in a few years time. It is important for them to speak with the professionals and to do their research,’’ enthused Stephen. “It is important to get the right products that will suit them. “Voice control and being able to operate your house from your phone are the big changes coming. In the next year, voice control is how you will operate your home and your home entertainment system. It isn’t coming at a major expense, it will come at a cost of a few hundred Euro’s rather than thousands,’’ concluded Mr Whelton.

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POLWOODFLOORS WE SUPPLY AND FIT SOLID WOOD FLOORS in our offer we have parquet, herringbone, chevrone, panels made from oak, ash, doussie, iroko, Merbau, Palisander, Sucupira, Teak also we have in our offer 3D wood wall decoration panels

PleASE CALL NOW +353 89 400 1438 www.polwoodfloors.com

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Flogas LPG

Make the Smart Move to

FLOGAS THIS SUMMER Neven has recently made the smart move from oil to Flogas LPG for his home. Neven said, “I’m so pleased that I made the switch from oil to gas heating. We now have a cleaner and greener way of heating our home. It was so quick and easy, and I just love the control that we get from cooking with gas.” Flogas LPG is already in thousands of homes throughout Ireland efficiently providing heating, hot water, cooking, gas fires and even gas tumbledrying.

LPG If your home is not on the natural gas grid, Flogas has a very special offer if you are converting from oil to gas or installing a gas heating system for the very first time. Sign up to Flogas LPG and you’ll not only get 1,200 litres FREE, we’re also offering a two-year interest-free loan of up to €3,000 to help with the cost of switching from oil to LPG (terms and conditions apply). If you switch, you’ll benefit from our price freeze promise for the first 12 months and there’s also an easy payment plan available. Customers also receive a free site survey, the removal and disposal of any existing oil tank and full system testing after installation. Your LPG is conveniently stored in a tank beside your house and our remote monitoring system means you can rest assured that you’ll never run out of LPG. You’ll enjoy the convenience of our easy monthly payment

plans as well. There has been a recent surge in the incidence of theft from residential oil tanks, which has left many owners out of pocket. With Flogas LPG, homeowners have peace of mind that their energy supply is secure and safe from theft.

Flogas Gaslight cylinders - The Lighter Way To Enjoy Summer The stylish and lightweight Flogas Gaslight cylinders are the smartest way to enjoy summer activities this year. Available in 5kg and 10Kg sizes, not only are the Flogas Gaslight cylinders about half the weight of the traditional steel cylinders, the semi-translucent exterior allows you to see exactly how much gas you have left. No more running out of gas when your local shop is closed. Lightweight, portable and rustproof, the Flogas Gaslight cylinders are as safe as steel and won’t leave rust marks on patios or decks. They fit all leading brands of LPG appliances, making it ideal for caravans, campervans, motor homes, barbeques and patio heaters. Call us anytime and discover how much Flogas can change your life for the better. Contact Customer Service on 041-9831041 or www.flogas.ie

Neven Maguire switched from oil to Flogas LPG for his home

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Flogas LPG

Model Karena Graham shows off the lightweight Flogas Gaslight cylinder

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Safes

Safety comes first when purchasing a safe

n these times it’s almost a must for all home owners to install a safe in their home to keep their valuables safe as no one wants to think about the possibility of coming home to find all of their precious possessions gone. Buying a safe is something that you must put a lot of time, effort and thought into before purchasing as you want to ensure that it meets your requirements and so forth. One of the first things you must think about before you start thinking about the safe you would like to purchase is to take note of what possessions are most important to you and how you would feel if they were stolen. If you’re unsure of what possessions you would miss, begin thinking of the things that are irreplaceable such as paperwork and identifying documents like birth certificates and passports. As well as paperwork, you may also store expensive jewellery or various other items in there. There are an array of safes on the market but not all are created to the same standard and it

is important to take this into consideration when choosing your safe. As cool as wall safes seem and appear to be, this type of safe can’t support too much weight. They are best suited to items such as photographs and paperwork. Although they are a very bulky option, floor safes are the ones that will give homeowners the most flexibility to store heavier items such as jewellery and hard drives. Another thing to consider when purchasing a safe is where you are going to put it and ensuring that you have taken the correct measurements of the space in question written down. You should account for the height, width and depth. The majority of safe interiors are measured in cubic feet so you should be able to multiply the height, width and depth and divide the total by 1,728 to get an accurate number in terms of the size of the safe. Don’t be afraid to buy a bigger safe than you require as you never know when you will require the extra space. A budget should be taken into consideration before purchasing a safe. A basic safe isn’t going

to break the bank but as you delve deeper into the world of safes you will soon begin to realise that there are various other types of safes on offer such as ones made from higher quality steel, extra locks or additional bolting. Something else to consider when purchasing your safe is what type of lock you want. There are three choices, dial, digital or key lock. “It makes perfect sense that a customer would flinch at the notion of paying more for a safe technician to open their safe than they paid for the safe itself in the first place. All through our 25 years plus of experience in the safe opening, we at Safe and Vault Services have had to give such quotes to customers to open the so-called ‘safes’ they bought in home supply stores and in discount shops,’’ said Will Hamill of Safe and Vault Services. “It can come as quite a shock that the ‘high security burglary safe,’ the weight and size of a shoe box and the hotel style electronic safe commonly sold have almost no insurance cover

Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Webpress

PLAYING IT SAFE

“A budget should be taken into consideration before purchasing a safe.”

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Safe & Vault Services, Unit 264B Greenhills Industrial Estate, Greenhills Road, Walkinstown, Dublin Spring 2017 Home &12 Build

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Safes

if any at all. “Many people do not realise that a real safe will have a European certified recommended insurance cover which details how much cash and valuables an insurance company can be expected to replace if the safe is burgled,’’ added Mr Hamill. “The cover depends on how long a regulated test, according to European EN1143-1 or EN11432 standards, takes to gain access to the contents of the safe. The test itself must have taken place in European Certified tested centres according to ISO/IEC 17025:2012 and certified by European regulated certification centres according to ISO/IEC 17065:2012. This might seem like bureaucratic overkill but there is such heavy regulation because of long-standing issues in the safe trade like misleading labelling, meaningless ‘certification’ from manufacturers and grossly un-secure after-market modifications. “Even with the regulated certification, it is important to buy the correct safe for your needs. Some locksmiths will sell S1 or S2 safes for domestic use,’’ explained Will. “They do have a recommended cash insurance cover of €2,500 and €5,000 respectively, however the testing for a Grade S1 or S2 safe only requires

them to resist an attack with small hand tools for one and a half to two and a half minutes. No time at all to a burglar. “We at Safe and Vault Services recommend certified Grade 1 safes for domestic use. Grade 1 safes have a recommended cash insurance cover of €15,000 cash (€150,000 cover for valuables) and can be expected to resist attack with the same tools for 15 minutes, far longer than a domestic burglar wants to hang around,’’ he explained. “A good safe technician can advise any customer on the best place to fit a safe and will ensure that the safe is affixed to concrete as standard in all installations. Affixing to concrete is vitally important- it doesn’t matter how long it takes to break into a safe, if the safe itself can just be taken away by a burglar to break into at their leisure. “It is for that reason that insurance covers are recommended, not absolute, and can depend on a number of factors. The full recommended insurance cover itself assumes that any safe less than one tonne is base fixed to a concrete floor or bolted to a concrete wall. Safes should also, if possible be hidden in wardrobes, under the stairs, inside cabinets etc,’’ stated Mr Hamill. “The purchase and professional installation

of a Grade 1 safe for domestic use should cost no more than €1,000. It may seem like a large investment but it is an investment in the security of your valuables. “A Grade 1 safe, offering a recommended insurance cover of €150,000 for valuables, is normally sufficient for domestic use. You may want to store an engagement and/or wedding ring, expensive watches, gold chains, bejewelled necklaces and antique ear-rings. If you add up the value of these, you might find you have tens of thousands of Euro’s or more worth of jewellery and valuables that need to be protected and replaced by your insurer if stolen,’’ he explained. “If you go for a cheaper, lower grade safe you might find your insurance company refuse to replace the full value of stolen valuables. If your safe is uncertified, your insurance company may refuse to replace anything at all. “Even aside from financial security for your valuables, a domestic Grade 1 offers a secure place to keep hard to replace documents like passports, deeds and policy documents with many offering 30 minutes fire protection for paperwork,’’ concluded Will Hamill.

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The new Golf. From €269 per month with 1.9% APR PCP Finance. With a range of new innovative features, such as Gesture Control, Apple CarPlay™ and Wireless Smartphone Charging, the new Golf is our most intuitive Golf yet. Visit volkswagen.ie to find out more.

We make the future real. Golf Range Fuel Consumption l/100km (high to low): urban 10.1-4.1, extra-urban 6.6-3.8, combined 7.9-3.9. CO2 emissions g/km (high to low) 180-102. Increased weight of a vehicle, including higher trim levels and the addition of options may have an affect on the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions produced. The CO2 and fuel consumption figures are obtained from tests on a representative vehicle of the type, conducted and approved in accordance with Council Directive 80/1268/EEC as amended by Directive 1999/100/EC (or later) on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to the carbon dioxide emissions and the fuel consumption of motor vehicles. Typical Finance Example: Golf Highline. Recommended OTRP €27,070. Deposit/Part Exchange €8,085.39. 36 monthly payments of €269. Optional final payment €9,992.10. Total cost of credit €841.49. Subject to lending criteria. Total cost of credit includes acceptance fee (€75) and completion fee (€75). Minimum deposit is 10%. Subject to lending criteria. This offer is made under a hire purchase agreement. Volkswagen Bank GmbH is authorised by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority in Germany and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules. *Features mentioned are optional extras. For further information, please speak to a member of our sales team. Model shown is for illustrative purposes only. See www.volkswagen.ie for details.

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International Home

JAPANESE HOME EXTENSION Architects use angled windows and tilted roofs for Japanese home extension

okyo-based Arii Irie Architects has added a series of corrugated-metal blocks to a 1980s house in central Japan, and used wooden beams and angular windows to prop up their mono-pitched roofs. The Architects have added a series of corrugated-metal blocks to a 1980s house in central Japan, and used wooden beams and angular windows to prop up their mono-pitched roofs. They were tasked by a middle-aged couple to design a new house next to their current residence, which was built in 1983. The clients decided to keep their old house as an extra space for their children and grandchildren to stay during holidays. The aim was to create continuity between the two buildings, as well as make the most of the temperate climate of Hamamatsu, a city on the southern coast of central Japan. The architects interpreted the existing mono-pitched home as four new volumes topped with large tilted roofs. They slope and overhang on the southern side to block strong sunlight, but lift upwards on the northern side to open the interiors to plenty of natural light. “They wanted a house

which would normally be used just for themselves and at times used in combination with the existing one, for their whole family,” the architects explained. “The group of roofs of the new volumes relate to that of the existing house, creating a sense of continuation between old and new,” said the architects, who named the project House with Gardens and Roofs. “Our aim was to create a whole, old and new altogether rather than emphasising the contrast between the two”. The roofs are elevated above the corrugated walls by wooden beams and glazing fitted beneath to create a clerestory window that brings natural light into the interior. “The roof is lifted up from the beams, making the indoor somewhat like covered outdoor space,” said the studio. “The project is an attempt to seek new relationships between indoor and outdoor, old and new.” Each of the blocks are occupied by different functions and feature large, sliding glass doors open to a series of outdoor spaces that are slotted in between each of the blocks at the rear of the house.

Home & Build Spring 2017

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International Home

A sand garden is placed in between the master bedroom and the open-plan kitchen and dining room, which also opens to a decked terrace, while the existing house and a music room block are separated by a grass-covered garden. The architects chose corrugated steel for the walls to help the blocks blend in with the surrounding cityscape, while the wooden construction is intended to reference the traditional building style typical of houses in Japan. It is also perhaps a nod to the dilapidated timber house, which constructed in the early 1900s, that formerly occupied the site and was owned by one of the client’s parents. Inside, the residence wooden beams, studs and roof all remain exposed. The walls and furniture units are made from oilpainted plywood, while the ceiling is lined with white-painted gypsum boards. A unique and impressive build I’m sure you’ll agree.

“The roofs are elevated above the corrugated walls by wooden beams.”

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Motors FP.pdf

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MOTORS IRELAND

22 VOLVO V90 CROSS COUNTR

“The Volvo V90 Cro ss Country is an appealing cross-ov er estate.”

Words: Anthony Kelly

Ireland Ireland

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The Volvo V90 Cross Country with its impre ssive lines and off-road ability is an appealing offerin g from the Scandinavia n car maker

he Volvo V90 Cross Country is a more off-road and capable version of the standard V90. Now, you might think Volvo is new to this market but you would be wrong. It was actually Volvo who first pushed the proposition of a capable estate way back in 1997 with the of the same things you V70 XC. Some see on this V90 Cross Country were V70 XC such as raised on the original ride height, 4x4 capabilitie s and protective body cladding and therefore it was a viable option to purchasing a jeep. Other manufacturers eventually followed suit but Volvo spotted niche first. Roll the clock the forward 20 years and what you see here latest offering but is the with many years’ experienc e building this type vehicle and I think the of V90 Cross Country reflects this. Volvo understan their customers and d this along with a track record in this segment is a

great combination.

For our photoshoot we went off the beaten track taking in hills, rugged lanes and rough old road conditions. This is exactly the where V90 Cross Country the excels. The Cross Country has a raised ride height of 65mm compared to the standard V90 along with front skid and Charcoal wheel plate arch extensions. All models come equipped intelligent four wheel with drive and this gives tremendous grip on road conditions. Just varying like the standard V90 range, you have two choices. The 2-litre engine four-cylinder turbodiese l D4 possessing 190bhp, the same 2-litre four-cylind or er turbodiesel D5 coming with 235bhp and new patented Volvo technology called ‘PowerPulse’. This is turbo lag and make to reduce power delivery smoother. Our test model was the D5 option. The D5 engine features two

Spring 2017 Motors

Home & Build Spring 2017

Photography

CROSS COUNTRY

Spring Spring2017 2017Motors Motors

Pics: Ralph McKeown

Ireland

IN SHOPS NOW! 11/04/2017 13:48

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Curiosity is calling The all-new Audi Q5

Q5 range fuel consumption l/100km: urban 5.6–5.3, extra-urban 5.1–4.6, combined 5.3–4.6. CO2 emissions g/km 138–120.

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