In Focus

The presitigous Build It Awards is the only independent, expertjudged scheme celebrating the very best of self build and renovation. This month, we’re giving you a taster of some of the fantastic projects, products, ser vices and suppliers that have made this year’s shortlist

The decisions come thick and fast when you’re working on a bespoke home project. Who should design my home? What’s the best way to actually build it? Just how open-plan should the interiors be? Which heating system will give me the right low-bills, low-carbon balance? Should I allocate that £10k of budget towards better windows, adding more smart home functionality, or creating a bit more wow to the interior fixtures and finishes?

At Build It, we’ve got your back when it comes to specifying the very best options to suit your project goals and budget. The pages of this magazine are a fantastic place to start, as is our online sourcebook (head to www.self-build.co.uk/specifyto easily browse leading products and suppliers). And don’t miss the in-person touch points of the Build It Live shows (our 2025 line-up includes Kent, Oxfordshire and Devon – see www.builditlive.co.uk) where you can meet 100s of suppliers face-to-face. Then there’s our very own self build project, the Build It Education House. Explore the products we used, costs involved and implications of choosing alternative solutions online at www.self-build.co.uk/ourhouse.

Now in its 14th year, the Build It Awards is a valuable addition to your toolbox when it comes to shortlisting options for your dream home. Some awards are little more than social media popularity contests, so our independent judging process sets the Build It Awards apart. Spanning a total of 24 core categories – ranging from architects and designers through to timber frame, brick, glazed doors, roofing systems, heat pumps, cladding, specialist self build lenders and more – every entry is scrutinised in depth by a panel of experts, who whittle things down to a high-quality shortlist and, ultimately, the winners. Turn the page to see a range of suppliers who’ve made this year’s impressive shortlist – and look out for the February 2025 edition of Build It, when we’ll be announcing the winners!

1 Somerville Gardens by Coleman Anderson Architects, shortlisted in Best Architect or Designer for an Extension Project.

2 LUXORliving IP-RF WiFI home control system by Theben, shortlisted in Best Home Technology Product or Installation.

3 Legacy uPVC sliding sash window by Quickslide, shortlisted in Best Windows.

4 Loxton 3 Cooktop by Mendip Stoves, shortlisted in Best Stove Product or Installation.

5 The Moorings by MBC Timber Frame, shortlisted in Best Timber Frame Home and Best Eco Home

BEST WINDOWS

The ideal window for the self builder

AluK’s Flush HI 58BW aluminium window system is ideal for the selfbuild and home improvement market.

Buyers can choose from the slim 53mm or ultra slim 45mm sash to suit their property style and get a highperformance, virtually maintenance free and cost effective alternative to slimline timber or steel. They can also configure the window in a huge number of ways – with top hung, side hung bay and French window options available in a wide range of

RAL colours and sizes up to 1750mm wide x 2500mm high. The 58BW is manufactured in Wales by one of the UK’s leading aluminium systems companies. It has been engineered to meet the Future Homes Standard and is available on short lead times from AluK’s nationwide network or fabricators and installers.

Find out more: www.alukhome.com

Tel: 01291 639739

Web: www.alukhome.com

BEST SELF BUILD FOR UNDER £300K & BEST SIPS HOME

High quality buildings with real world budgets

Trace Architects have been nominated for best SIPS house and best house under 300k for the design of the 2500 sq ft Wildhaven.

The project develops ideas of how to build sustainably and for a very tight budget by using building techniques like SIPS, ground screw foundations and air to air heat pumps. Trace Architects offer experience with gaining planning on tricky sites, excellent design skills and buildings that can be built for sensible budgets - opening up the selfbuild experience to more people. We also design extensions and outbuildings using this approach bringing speed and cost efficiency to our projects. If you have a project or site then we provide a free initial meeting to discuss the project and offer advice.

Tel: 01491 579544

Web: www.tracearchitects.co.uk

BEST WINDOWS

Your one stop shop for all aluminium products

At Duration Windows, innovation and quality are central to our ethos, exemplified by the Royale Stepped Window.

Competing with steel windows, it features a slim 32.5mm outer frame for the most authentic steel-look design. Combining exquisite aesthetics, high-security locking, and superior thermal performance, it’s ideal for preserving the character of any property at a fraction of the cost of steel windows.