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inspiration

Wow-factor extension Croft Architecture designed this glazed addition

Weybridge house

PROJECT OF THE MONTH Shortlisted for the RIBA

What’s on?

BUILDING WITH NATURE IN MIND 10TH MAR FREE,

need to know

The future of smart homes

spend v save

£55 per 3m Copper guttering’s attractive metallic look

product news

Great shopping ideas for your custom home project

3 of the best LOW-VOC PAINTS

1 Wall paint in Graphite, £41 for 2.5L,

interiors notebook

Add a touch of sophistication to your abode with dark accents; our picks will help maintain an inviting feel

Self build & custom build mortgages

Looking to fund your bespoke home project? Each month we round up the best deals from leading lenders and update you on what you need to know to secure the right finance

BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO finding land

The first step in your self build journey is tracking down a viable building site. Keep yourself ahead of the competition with Build It’s top plot hunting tips

focus on:

Edward Stobart, head of projects at IDSystems, talks to us about getting corner glazing right

Three phase dream build

What could have been a barn conversion project evolved into a knock down and self build, offering Deirdre and David Rook the beautiful oak frame home they’d long dreamt of

Waterside home raised on stilts

This impressive new house has no risk of being flooded thanks to its position, 2.2m above ground

Modern makeover

Alistair and Jude Eastman’s stylish refurb and extension has transformed their traditional semi into a stunning light-filled home 

Compact urban home

Neatly slotted into a tight east London plot, this two-bedroom, three-storey new house features an eye-catching concrete palette

Bright addition

Caroline and Gustavo Ordonez-Sanz have achieved the family home of their dreams by adding a modern extension to their Victorian property

10 AMAZING PACKAGE HOMES

Be inspired by these wow factor bespoke design and build projects

THE BEST OF BRICK

Want to add colour, texture and charm to your project? Whether modern or traditional, clever use of brickwork could set your home apart from the crowd

Home extension cost calculator

Want to add space and value to your home? Our ready reckoner, powered by the Build It Estimating Service, will help you gauge what size and style of extension will deliver the best result for your budget

Guide to sliding doors

Glazed units are great for bringing in light and connecting your indoor and outdoor spaces, but are the sliding variety right for your project? Anamika Talwaria investigates

Ordering roof tiles

Follow our practical guide to specifying your new roof covering – from sorting out the quantity and quality, through to the detailed decisions you’ll need to pin down

Timber special

BORDEROAK.COM Timber is a natural material that’s readily

Stunning timber homes

These beautiful new properties demonstrate the fantastic versatility of timber frame, oak and structural insulated panels in making your dream home ambitions a reality

BUILDING WITH TIMBER FRAME

This system is hugely popular with self builders – so is it the best solution for your project?

FIRST-TIMERS BENEFIT FROM TIMBER SHELL BUILD

Location Carmarthenshire Style Traditional facade, contemporary rear House size 317m 2 Construction method Timber frame Project route Design & full specification to wind and watertight stage Timber frame supplier Fleming Homes

BUILDING WITH SIPs

Could structural insulated panels be the ideal fit

AN EFFICIENT, WOW-FACTOR SIPS HOME

Location West Yorkshire Style Contemporary House size 523m 2 Project cost £1,505,000 Construction method SIPs Project route Shell build; architect-designed and main contractor project managed SIPs supplier SIPS@Clays

BUILDING WITH OAK FRAME

An appealing timber technique combining natural character with modern performance

A MODERN OAK COTTAGE

Location Worcestershire Style Traditional with contemporary elements House size 154m 2 Project cost A similar house would cost around £300,000  Construction method Encapsulated oak frame over brick plinth Project route Design, planning and full build (incl. project management) by Border Oak, with client fit out Oak frame supplier Border Oak

Timber doors & windows

Get the lowdown on the key things to consider when choosing wood-framed fenestration

THE EXPERT VIEW

Alex Alsop, director at Norrsken, explains how to choose the right windows and doors

ADVANCES IN TIMBER TECHNOLOGY

Simon Orrells reveals the cuttingedge timber solutions that can deliver a quicker, more sustainable and more cost-effective route to your dream self build home

9 STAIRCASE DESIGN IDEAS

Timber joinery is a classic option for the stairs in your home and these flights have turned this functional element into a focal point packed with wow factor

TIMBER FEATURES

Wood is a wonderful natural material, offering real choice when it comes to creating character

QUICK GUIDE TO OUTBUILDINGS

From garages to swish garden rooms, timber structures can add valuable and practical space

BEST VALUE ECO UPGRADES

Keen to make your existing home more energy efficient? Nigel Griffiths takes a look at the top sustainable retrofit measures that will offer real bang for your buck

AVOIDING UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF ECO UPGRADES

Everything in buildings is connected: the fabric, the

MAXIMISING daylight & views

Opinder Liddar lays out what you need to think about when creating a bright, warm home

Alan Tierney’s LISTED BUILDING RENOVATION

We catch up with Alan as lockdown delays fall away and the pace picks up on his heritage renovation project

What is permission in principle?

Mike Dade reveals how this little-known route to gaining planning could unlock the path to realising your dream self build home

Ask the EXPERTS

Essential advice on your problems with building, budgeting, DIY & planning from the most experienced names in the self build industry