Ask the EXPERTS

Welcome

As I write, the multi-million pound Christmas TV ads

Inspiration

Built to reflect the clients’ affinity with Scandinavia

Product news

Great shopping ideas for your custom home project

Interiors notebook

It’s never too early to start looking for the finishing touches for your self-build

Your views:

Got a funny story, a gripe or some superb self-build advice? Write to us at buildit@castlemedia.co.uk or the address below for your chance to win a prize

Steps to success

First-time self-builders John Bearman and Stephanie Rogers faced a steep learning curve on this project, but meticulous research has helped them to realise an ambitious three-storey home that beautifully blends traditional and contemporary features

Adding an extra storey for just £59,000

Hard work and creativity have helped Will Rome convert his old bungalow into a two-storey home fit for modern living, all on an impressively small budget

Perfect match, perfect partners 3

Working with an architect helped Rachael and Anthony Locke realise the true potential of their idyllic, but prickly, woodland plot

21st century update

Mark and Stephanie Fernandez have transformed an outdated bungalow into a contemporary masterpiece fit for modern family life

Modular & modern

When it came to creating a bespoke Highland home on the fringes of a loch, Iain and Lesley MacDonald decided on a premanufactured structure that arrived in eight modules

Understanding smart home technology

Emily Smith looks at how the latest devices can enhance how you interact with your home

Cantilevered staircases

Could a gravitydefying flight bring wow factor to your home? Emily Smith investigates how to achieve this style

Are woodburning stoves really eco-friendly?

Woodburners have recently hit the headlines as potential causes of poor air quality – but is this a fair criticism? Sofia Delgado looks at how to ensure your appliance has the minimum impact on our environment

Ventilation options for new homes

Bringing fresh air in and pushing stale air out is a vital component of a healthy living environment. Chris Bates takes a look at the main solutions for whole-house ventilation

Timber frame vmasonry

Rebecca Foster gives the lowdown on these two structural systems to help you decide which option is the best fit for your project

Eco heating strategies for renovators

A major project can signal the perfect opportunity to upgrade your heating system. Nigel Griffiths reveals what you need to know about everything from getting insulation right through to selecting the best appliance and emitters

AVOIDING grand designs disasters

Architect Julian Owen takes a closer look at common selfbuild pitfalls and how to make sure your project doesn’t fall victim to them

Period homes: let the light in

Bright spaces aren’t confined to modern houses, says Alan Tierney, but you have to work carefully with older dwellings to let the sunshine flood in

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What is thermal mass?

Good use of thermal mass can help to reduce the cost of heating and cooling your home. Tim Doherty looks at how it works – and how to best integrate it into your building project

Did they secure planning consent?

Mike Dade takes a look back at four potential plots he’s visited in recent years, and lets us know whether the hopeful self-builders and renovators managed to gain permission to go ahead with their projects

Can I save money with builder’s merchants?

When it comes to sourcing materials, we all want to get the best possible deal. Mike Hardwick looks at what that means for self-builders – and whether merchants are the right place to put your money

10 WAYS to add kerb appeal

You’ll want your renovated house to be somewhere that wows guests and makes you proud when you pull up on the drive, so what are the best ways to make sure your property leaves a lasting impression? Architect Opinder Liddar investigates

Self-build mortgages

Looking for funding for your self-build project? Each month we round up the best deals from leading lenders – and update you on what you need to know about securing the right finance

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Next month…

February issue on sale 27th December

Focus on:

We catch up with Door Couture author and Urban Front designer Elizabeth Assaf to ask her about the details homeowners need to take into account when choosing a contemporary front door for their selfbuild or renovation scheme