You are currently viewing the United Kingdom version of the site.
Would you like to switch to your local site?
LESS THAN 1 MIN READ TIME

UTILISING THE LOFT

The innovators at Smartroof have developed an award-winning system that puts redundant loft space to good use. The SmartPUC (Prefabricated Utility Cupboard) turns existing attics into storage space for low-carbon technologies, such as heat pumps, hot water cylinders, MVHR and solar PV inverters. By moving these technologies to the roof, homeowners can free up floor space in their homes, maximising their storage solutions. Produced off site in a factory-controlled environment, the SmartPUC system can be installed in a day and when in place, trades can connect the technologies safely. Find out more at smartroof.co.uk

Unlock this article and much more with
You can enjoy:
Enjoy this edition in full
Instant access to 600+ titles
Thousands of back issues
No contract or commitment
Try for 99p
SUBSCRIBE NOW
30 day trial, then just £9.99 / month. Cancel anytime. New subscribers only.


Learn more
Pocketmags Plus
Pocketmags Plus

This article is from...


View Issues
Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine
February 2025
VIEW IN STORE

Other Articles in this Issue


Homebuilding & Renovating
FROM THE EDITOR
One of the key things I learned when
EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL Editor Beth Murton Brand Development Editor Claire
MEET OUR EXPERTS
From funding a renovation project to advice on choosing heat pumps, our team is here to help…
INSIGHT
Octopus Energy launches world-first solar donation trial
A round-up of the latest self-build and home renovation news, products and events.
DOUBLE IMPACT
IMAGE: IDSYSTEMS “If you jumped on the colour-drenching
BOOK OF THE MONTH
IMAGE: (TOP RIGHT) GETTY IMAGES; *ACCORDING TO NEW
SELF-BUILD SITE
A new self-build site has been proposed for
KITCHEN UPDATE
A quick way to update your kitchen, the
HEAT PUMP PROBLEM
One of Britain’s leading green entrepreneurs, Dale Vince,
BUILD EVENTS
18–19 JANUARY FARNBOROUGH HOMEBUILDING & RENOVATING SHOW
BEAUTIFUL BASINS
West One Bathrooms has extended their Kast Basin
FAUX PARQUET
Walls and Floors’ new Sonoma Brown is a
THREE STRIKING SHOWER PANELS
1 NATURAL EFFECT Elemence shower panels from Naturewall
REAL PROJECTS
Positive energy
Rob Elkins incorporated a suite of eco technology and sustainable principles when designing and building his family home
Together we thrive
A heartwarming collaboration between a retired couple and a group of young volunteer builders has resulted in a unique and accessible timber eco-home on a Herefordshire smallholding
Brick-clad homes
While the humble brick makes the ideal material for walls and floors, both inside and out, exposed brickwork can add instant character to a home of any age, as these projects from throughout the UK demonstrate…
Northern soul
Replacing an old side extension and reconfiguring the layout has brought new life to this South Yorkshire home for a family of four
Creative thinking
In order to overcome initial planning concerns, Angus and Justine Flockhart opted for a dual-roof rear extension that cleverly minimises its impact on the neighbours
PLANNING CLINIC
PRE-APPLICATION ADVICE
Seeking planning expertise at the earliest stage possible could be key to your project being granted the necessary approval
EXPERT ADVICE
12 tips for building on land you already own
Find out how to make the most of your garden plot by following these steps
GUIDE TO RENOVATING
When it comes to renovation projects the buying process is often different to the norm — as are the lending opportunities available. We delve into the world of renovation finance and buying at auction
Self-build for beginners
MANAGING YOUR OWN SELF-BUILD
How to cut the cost of your kitchen extension
If the addition you want seems beyond your means, here are 20 ways to make your extension spend go further
DESIGN MASTERCLASS
How to design the perfect hallway space
As well as adding a touch of elegance, chevron-style flooring can help to elongate a hallway space and draw your eye through to the room beyond
FOCUS ON
WOODBURNING STOVES
Installing a logburner adds warmth and style to your home. What should you consider when choosing one ?
5 WAYS WITH PICTURE WINDOWS
5 ways with... PICTURE WINDOWS
Include this style of glazing in your project to frame a view or increase light in a space
EXTENSION MASTERCLASS
HOW LONG DOES AN EX TENSION TAKE TO BUILD?
Knowing the key stages of an extension project and how long each one is likely to last is key to planning your project timeline effectively
HOW TO KEEP YOUR EXTENSION SCHEDULE ON TRACK
1 Plan ahead “Ensure all design decisions and
IN DETAIL
Green roofs
Roofs covered in vegetation have been around for thousands of years, but the latest systems provide eco credentials as well as a beautiful view
BUYER’S GUIDE
THE ULTIMATE BUYER’S GUIDE TO Self-build insurance
When taking on a build of any kind, you need to ensure you have the right policies in place to cover the project from start to finish, and even after completion
BUILD COST CLINIC
HOW MUCH DOES CENTRAL HEATING COST?
Whether you’re fitting heating in a new home or upgrading your existing system, here’s what you need to include in your budget…
ASK THE EXPERTS
ASK THE EXPERTS
Got a burning question about your self-build, extension or home renovation project that you need answering? Why not drop us a line by emailing homebuilding@futurenet.com and your question could be answered by one of our magazine experts
GREEN CLINIC
ONE HEAT PUMP OR TWO?
Although one heat pump is considered the norm, here are the situations when it might make sense to double up
MOODBOARD
Bathroom trends
Introducing the key looks that are set to define bathrooms this year, where luxury, warm colours, layered textures and smart tech provide next-level indulgence
HOW GREEN IS YOUR HOME?
OFF-GRID HEATING SOLUTIONS
Off-grid heating offers sustainability while mitigating escalating energy costs — we spoke to the experts about the pros and cons of the five main options
AMAZING HOMES
Brick and mix
IMAGE: POLINA NENASHEVA Originally designed by renowned 20th-century
GETTING STARTED
How to create your dream kitchen extension
From deciding where to extend to working out the layout of the space, there’s lots to consider when adding more space to your home
REAL PROJECT
DESIGNED WITH FAMILY IN MIND
WORDS: ELLEN FINCH PHOTOGRAPHY: MALCOLM MENZIES BEFORE Planning
INSIDE AND OUT TRANSFORMED
BEFORE This three-bedroom Victorian house was purchased by
SEE-THROUGH SOLUTION
When Sam and Sarah Irvine moved into their
LINKED-UP EXTENSION
Faye Perkins and Matt Roe increased the size
SELF-DESIGNED KITCHEN
Charley knew when she found a new family
FRAMING THE VIEW
Removing an old boiler room gave homeowners Paul and
6 WAYS WITH… GLAZED DOORS
GLAZED DOORS
Create a connection between indoors and out with these stylish solutions
4 WAYS WITH… ROOF GLAZING
ROOF GLAZING
Innovative designs to ensure your extension benefits from maximum natural light
6 WAYS WITH… STATEMENT GLAZING SOLUTIONS
6 ways with... STATEMENT GLAZING
Make your windows and doors the focal point of your space with these wow-factor looks
DOs AND DON’Ts
THE DOs AND DON’Ts
Experts share some of their top tips for getting the most out of designing a kitchen extension
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin
origin-global.com
ECOHAUS
www.ecohausuk.com
Tom Raffield
www.tomtaffield.com
Homebuilding & Renovating
KORNICHE
www.korniche.co.uk
Homebuilding & Renovating
www.homebuildingshow.co.uk
OAKWRIGHTS
oakwrights.co.uk
Rocket Door Frames
www.rocketdoorframes.co.uk
EASIPANEL
www.easipanel.co.uk
gbsol
www.gb-sol.co.uk
SELF BUILD PORTAL
www.selfbuildportal.org.uk/members
kinewall
kinedo.co.uk/kinewall
Robeys
robeys.co.uk
ALUCO
www.aluco.co.uk
Vastern Timber
Ross collection
sashwindowsuk.com/tellmemore
DEUREN
DEUREN.CO.UK
Homebuilding & Renovating
www.magazinesdirect.com/HBRFEB25
CARPENTEROAK
carpenteroak.com
WELSHOAKFRAME
welshoakframe.com
STUDYBED
www.studybed.co.uk
IDSYSTEMS
idsystems.co.uk/therdge
DIRECTFLUES
directflues.co.uk
STILTS
www.stilts.co.uk
BAMBOO FLOORING COMPANY
www.bambooflooringcompany.com
AIRFLOW
PENMAN COLLECTION
www.penmancollection.com
STOVAX
stovax.com/HRB
UK STRUCTURES
www.ukstructures.com
SELFBUILD FLOORS
www.selfbuildfloors.co.uk
Mendip Stoves
SASHWINDOW
www.sashwindow.com
kloeber
www.kloeber.co.uk
TURNER TIMBER
www.turnertimber.co.uk
NORSCOT
norscot.co.uk
LEWIS
EVOLUTION WINDOWS
www.evolutionwindows.com
SUNFLEX
sunflex.co.uk
SELF BUILD ZONE
www.selfbuildzone.com
Plotfinder
plotfinder.net
Homebuilding & Renovating
radiator outlet
radiatoroutlet.co.uk
Protek
PROTEKSELFBUILD.CO.UK
Homebuilding & Renovating
makita
Makitauk.co
Homebuilding & Renovating
DEUREN
www.deuren.co.uk
RAINGURD
www.raingurd.co.uk
ECONO LOFT
www.econoloft.co.uk
Quooker
Quooker.co.uk
Homebuilding & Renovating
REGA VENT
www.regavent.co.uk
BORDE ROK
www.BORDEROK.com
BC DESIGNS
BCDESIGNS.CO.UK
Charlton & Jenrick
charltonandjenrick.co.uk
Jct expert
jctinsurance.com
SIPS
clays.com
Zebedee
Homebuilding & Renovating
www.caberhouse.co.uk
JM DANIEL BUSINESS
vatrepayments.co.uk
UK STAIR PARTS
www.ukstairparts.co.uk
TELE BEAM
WWW.TELEBEAM.CO.UK
CARAVANTASTIC
CARAVANTASTIC.COM
TRIDENT
www.tridentbuildingrenovationltd.co.uk
Farmhouse Flagstones
www.farmhouseflagstones.co.uk
HebHomes
HebHomes.com
WARWINGS BUILDING
www.warwingsbuilding.co.uk
TED TOD
vatclaim
www. vatclaim.co.uk
Worcestershire Caravan Sales
www.worcestershirecaravansales.com
BAUFRITZ
baufritz.cu.uk
KITCHEN EXTENSIONS
HARVEY JONES
harveyjones.com
SOLAKITCHEN
www.solakitchens.com
KORNICHE
wwwkorniche.co.uk
The EDGE 2.0
idsystems.co.uk/theedge20
KLÖEBER
www.kloeber.co.uk
NAKED KITCHENS
NAKEDKITCHENS.COM
Chat
X
Pocketmags Support