http://local.self-build.co.uk/ Self-Build Provides Articles and Advice for any Self Builder 120 en-gb Articles@DirectoryM.com Articles@DirectoryM.com http://local.self-build.co.uk/ Self-Build Provides Articles and Advice for any Self Builder http://local.self-build.co.uk/Images/Image.aspx?Site=customDarkBlueWAdSense_en-GB This page provides useful content and local businesses that can help with your search for Radiators. You will find helpful, informative articles about Radiators, including "Contemporary radiators". You will also find local businesses that provide the products or services that you are looking for. Please scroll down to find the local resources in London, EN that will answer all of your questions about Radiators. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Radiators_London-p1580876-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Radiators_London-p1580876-London_EN.html This page provides useful content and local businesses that can help with your search for information on Bathroom Design. You will find helpful, informative articles about Bathroom Design, including "Soak up the style". You will also find local businesses that provide the products or services that you are looking for. Please scroll down to find the local resources in London, EN that will answer all of your questions about Bathroom Design. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Bathroom_Design_London-p1577991-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Bathroom_Design_London-p1577991-London_EN.html Prefabricated timber roof trusses are the most popular method of forming a pitched roof. They are generally only supported by the external walls, with a span of up to 11m, and are fixed together by metal nailplates. Trussed rafters are both economical and quick to erect on site and as soon as the underlay felt is on, your building is in the dry. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Roofs_and_Insulation_London-r1293120-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Roofs_and_Insulation_London-r1293120-London_EN.html There are three types of floor structure commonly used: the suspended timber floor, block and beam and the newer and lighter engineered timber I-joist floor. When RSJs are being used to support floor structures, they should be coated off-site with a rust inhibitor (eg. red-oxide primer) and lifted into position before the floor joists are brought in. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Upper_Floors_and_Ceilings_London-r1293119-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Upper_Floors_and_Ceilings_London-r1293119-London_EN.html The mortar itself needs controlling (gauging) in the mix to keep its appearance and strength consistent throughout the build. In the following article, you will find everything you need to know about building the external walls to your home. http://local.self-build.co.uk/External_Walls_and_Insulation_London-r1293118-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/External_Walls_and_Insulation_London-r1293118-London_EN.html SIPs come as individual panels for walls, floors and roofs, or in kit form, ready to be joined together to make a whole house. They can come with windows and doors already installed, plasterboard lining and first-fit electrics. A finished house built with SIPs can be clad with bricks, timber, render or stone. http://local.self-build.co.uk/What_Is_a_SIP_London-r1293117-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/What_Is_a_SIP_London-r1293117-London_EN.html Wind power is very site-specific. To get a high average wind speed of 5-6m per second (m/s), you would need to erect a wind turbine on a mast, well away from trees and buildings. To get a regular flow of wind, the turbine should be at least 10m above ground. http://local.self-build.co.uk/What_Is_a_Wind_Turbine_London-r1293116-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/What_Is_a_Wind_Turbine_London-r1293116-London_EN.html You can run trench/skirting heating around the perimeter of any room or conservatory, or even up a flight of stairs. Going round a curve such as a bay window is no problem as the panels are purpose-made for each customer. http://local.self-build.co.uk/What_Is_Trench_or_Skirting_Heating_London-r1293115-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/What_Is_Trench_or_Skirting_Heating_London-r1293115-London_EN.html As a general rule, only in towns and cities will planners be pleased to see hybrid garden species used in landscaping. When planting trees, it is important to set them in pits where the soil in the bottom has been well and truly loosened to at least a depth of 150mm, if not more. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Landscaping_and_Garages_London-r1293114-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Landscaping_and_Garages_London-r1293114-London_EN.html Smart systems can help to reduce energy consumption, too, by removing the human element – for example, switching off the lights and standby devices at bedtime. The more simple systems are, the better. It’s less problematical to install systems that consist of individual electrical circuits operated by sensors and switches without two-way wiring. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Systems_and_Certificates_London-r1293113-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Systems_and_Certificates_London-r1293113-London_EN.html Second- fix plumbing is the connection of the appliances, their testing and commissioning. Appliances include bathroom sanitaryware and radiators, as well as boilers and other equipment. Read on to learn more. http://local.self-build.co.uk/First_and_Second_Fix_Plumbing_London-r1293112-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/First_and_Second_Fix_Plumbing_London-r1293112-London_EN.html Before you engage on the first-fix process of installing the electrical cables, it is worth marking up the floorplans with your requirements. Even if an electrician isn’t registered, they have a legal obligation to issue you with a certificate once the work is complete, verifying (or rather taking responsibility for) the installation http://local.self-build.co.uk/Electrical_Installation_London-r1293111-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Electrical_Installation_London-r1293111-London_EN.html If you are unhappy at the thought of maintaining timber fascias and soffit boards around the edges of your roof, then cellular PVC-U is a good alternative. Plastic windows might be declining in popularity, but plastic fascias and soffits are on the increase. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Stairs_Doors_and_Roof_Facias_London-r1293110-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Stairs_Doors_and_Roof_Facias_London-r1293110-London_EN.html If you have closed your cavities at the openings with preformed cavity closures, the frames can be fixed against the flanges of them. The traditional vertical damp-proof course method will leave at least 50 mm of the damp-proof course sticking out and this should be turned in behind the frames rebated jambs. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Windows_and_Doors_London-r1293109-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Windows_and_Doors_London-r1293109-London_EN.html Managing your own build is a major commitment, and it is vital you understand the full breadth of the work involved. Don’t underestimate the size of the job nor the value a professional will bring to your build, as no matter how good you are, you’ll never match someone with years of experience. http://local.self-build.co.uk/On_Time_and_on_Budget_London-r1293108-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/On_Time_and_on_Budget_London-r1293108-London_EN.html Building an eco-friendly house may be simpler than you thought. There are now numerous natural avenues to wander down if you’re building from scratch or renovating. In fact, one of the hardest things about building an eco home is deciding exactly what ecological factors are most important to you. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Green_Building_Techniques_London-r1293107-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Green_Building_Techniques_London-r1293107-London_EN.html Very different planning policies apply depending on whether a particular piece of land is inside a built-up area boundary or not. Generally, policies allow house building within these boundaries but control it very strictly outside. Only housing intended to serve the needs of agriculture, replacement dwellings and, in some areas, infilling, are allowed. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Escape_to_the_Country_London-r1293106-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Escape_to_the_Country_London-r1293106-London_EN.html It’s true that a scruffy hole in the ground won’t get a potential buyer’s heart pumping – but, in the same way that a well-finished home with lots of attention to detail will always be more sellable, if your pool is well-built and maintained it’s more likely to prove a plus point. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Dive_In_London-r1293105-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Dive_In_London-r1293105-London_EN.html The mini excavator is the most popular of the heavy landscaping tools that can tackle in hours what would take days to accomplish manually. These 1.5-tonne machines can dig down to a maximum depth of 2m and have a ground-level reach of over 3m, making them perfect for trench digging, excavating a pond or heaping up earth to form a bank. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Landscaping_Tools_London-r1293104-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Landscaping_Tools_London-r1293104-London_EN.html For self-builders, planning the garden early can have several distinct advantages, not least that submitting a planting plan/landscape design with your initial drawings may help you gain planning permission. In fact, some local authorities will insist on this before they consider your application, as they want to see the house’s context with regards to trees and shrubs. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Landscaping_A_Practical_Guide_London-r1293102-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Landscaping_A_Practical_Guide_London-r1293102-London_EN.html Those of a ‘you-don’t-get-anything-for-free’ mindset will be glad to hear there’s one commodity available that won’t cost you a penny – rainwater. The large amount of rain that falls in the UK every month can be used all around the home and garden, reducing the amount of mains water your home consumes and, if you’re on a meter, pay for. No matter how much you use, no one will charge you for it or attempt to legislate it. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Water_Wise_London-r1293101-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Water_Wise_London-r1293101-London_EN.html Underfloor heating, both wet and dry, can be installed on most floor constructions, as long as there is enough space to build up the floor, taking into account doors, stairs, etc, and the floor can take the weight. The key to success is to choose the right floor-heating system for the construction. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Underfloor_Heating_and_Flooring_London-r1293100-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Underfloor_Heating_and_Flooring_London-r1293100-London_EN.html Hacksaws are a critical element of any plumber’s toolbox, and will be in use every day, whether cutting pipes, conduit or plastic trunking. Choosing the right blade and frame combination will make the job faster, easier and safer. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Plumbing_Tools_London-r1293099-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Plumbing_Tools_London-r1293099-London_EN.html Living on site works well if you’re project-managing your build or going to be very hands-on. As well as the obvious cost advantage of not having to rent or pay a mortgage elsewhere, being on site saves travelling time and enables you to be there to oversee the build; it also dramatically improves security. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Savvy_Storage_London-r1293098-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Savvy_Storage_London-r1293098-London_EN.html The ideal window offers plenty of natural light but little or no heat loss; a very few windows even offer a small net capture of heat. To check their energy rating, go to the British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC), which has rated a small but increasing number of windows. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Energy_Efficient_Windows_London-r1293097-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Energy_Efficient_Windows_London-r1293097-London_EN.html Costs will vary depending on the amount of service you require and the materials you choose. One of the big benefits is that design fees are usually built into the package price, meaning your fees up front will be reduced. This can come in very handy at the costly early stages of your build. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Package_Building_Companies_London-r1293096-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Package_Building_Companies_London-r1293096-London_EN.html When planning a kitchen there are a few common pitfalls, the biggest becoming seduced by the style of a kitchen too early. Design is an evolutionary process, and it is vital to get the fundamentals in place before gradually evolving the details, bringing in the question of style choice relatively late in the game. http://local.self-build.co.uk/How_to_Find_the_Perfect_Kitchen_London-r1293095-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/How_to_Find_the_Perfect_Kitchen_London-r1293095-London_EN.html One of the main obstacles in specifying materials is the sheer number of products on offer – it goes way beyond just choosing between wood or PVC-U windows. Here’s a taster of some of the alternative products you can use on your new build or renovation. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Alternative_Materials_and_Products_for_the_Self_Builder_London-r1293094-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Alternative_Materials_and_Products_for_the_Self_Builder_London-r1293094-London_EN.html Staircases are usually the only elements on the inside of a house that are double-height, and this opens up a whole realm of design possibilities that cannot be attempted anywhere. But before you set your heart on a high-drama glass and steel affair, however, it’s vital to first work out what the stair is doing functionally as well as how it will be best arranged in relation to the layouts of the floors that it serves. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Choosing_the_Right_Staircase_London-r1293093-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Choosing_the_Right_Staircase_London-r1293093-London_EN.html The builders’ packhorse has to be both strong and light enough to be manoeuvrable. So, what do you look for? From the bottom up, look for a thick (ideally six-ply) tyre that can be replaced when necessary. Painted steel frames and hods (the ‘barrow’ part) will do the job, but will rust as the paint is worn away. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Basic_Site_Tools_London-r1293092-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Basic_Site_Tools_London-r1293092-London_EN.html The trouble with the payback question is that it’s very hard to quantify, as it depends on so many things – the standard of insulation, services available and grants – but most heavily on the cost of energy and the price of the renewable technology. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Micro_Renewables_and_Payback_London-r1293091-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Micro_Renewables_and_Payback_London-r1293091-London_EN.html One of the major differences between building with oak and other wood is that it’s used when green – within two years of being felled and while still carrying a high moisture content, when the timber is still easy to work with before it hardens. Oak is fairly easy to maintain and does not suffer from any of the drawbacks often mistakenly associated with it, such as a high risk of fire or insect infestations. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Oak_Frame_London-r1293090-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Oak_Frame_London-r1293090-London_EN.html Underfloor heating (UHF) is usually cited as the only real option for use with renewable heating, as it maximises surface area and reduces flow temperatures. Also, with each reduction of 1°C in flow temperature the heat pump is between 2 and 3 per cent more efficient. However, since so many conventional radiators are initially oversized – to cope with raising the property up to temperature twice a day – there may be no need to replace them. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Combining_Micro_Renewables_London-r1293089-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Combining_Micro_Renewables_London-r1293089-London_EN.html Even before buying clothing and safety equipment, make sure that you, or your site manager, have an accident book and a first aid kit, which can’t just be a notepad with ‘accident book’ on the front. To comply with the Data Protection Act, pages must be perforated so that accident notes can be filed away and not left for all to see. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Tool_Safety_London-r1293088-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Tool_Safety_London-r1293088-London_EN.html Factors dictating the roof covering include the style of your house, your architect and even your local planners, as choosing something in the vernacular may well get your plans rubber stamped. Slate, clay and concrete tiles are the main tile choices in the UK, with slate holding sway in areas where there is a local supply. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Roofing_Materials_London-r1293087-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Roofing_Materials_London-r1293087-London_EN.html By law, all new and replacement gas and oil-fired domestic boilers (with a few exceptions) must be condensing boilers. There are three types: combination (aka combi); regular (traditional, heat only or conventional boilers) which unlike combis heat a store of hot water in a cylinder; and system, which are similar to regular boilers but don’t need an expansion tank and have the heating and hot water components built in, making installation quicker and easier. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Boilers_London-r1293086-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Boilers_London-r1293086-London_EN.html While beautiful basements can be created for a mere fifth of your construction budget (see Stuart Cowley’s scheme below), costs really depend on the size of your basement in relation to the volume of your property above ground. As a rough guide, in a new-build house going below ground costs just 2.4 per cent more per m2 than the same size works would cost if they were above ground. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Building_Basements_London-r1293085-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Building_Basements_London-r1293085-London_EN.html Wood burners lend themselves well to the trend of using multiple fuels or heat sources in a home, and can be used for both supplementary space heating and for water heating via a back burner (for both radiators or underfloor heating). As well as their excellent eco-credentials, they are generally easier to light, cleaner and safer than open fires, use less fuel and convert it into energy more efficiently, and make less ash for easier cleaning. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Woodburning_Stoves_London-r1293084-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Woodburning_Stoves_London-r1293084-London_EN.html One of the best ways to improve your home’s eco-rating is to make sure it is properly insulated. Not only will this reduce the amount of energy you consume, but it will also cut your heating bills significantly. Of course, all types of insulation are of benefit to the environment, but why not go one step further and choose a natural insulation material to snug up your home? http://local.self-build.co.uk/Making_Your_Home_Greener_London-r1293083-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Making_Your_Home_Greener_London-r1293083-London_EN.html ICF is an insulated in-situ concrete system comprising hollow blocks or panels, usually made of polystyrene, and ready-mix concrete. The blocks are stacked and fastened together with metal or plastic connectors to create the walls of a building and are pumped full of concrete to form the structure. The polystyrene is used as a permanent part of the structure. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Insulating_Concrete_Formwork_London-r1293082-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Insulating_Concrete_Formwork_London-r1293082-London_EN.html There is a huge number of elements to consider in a self-build, involving a host of organisations and professionals. These include legal services for buying the land, an architect for designing the building, assistance with the planning application and Building Regulations approval. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Self_Build_Part_10_London-r1293080-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Self_Build_Part_10_London-r1293080-London_EN.html So how should you make your new home secure? If you haven’t started your project yet, contact a Crime Prevention Officer (CPO) at your local police station who will be able to liaise with your planner, architect and builder to help them design and build your home with security in mind. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Secure_Living_London-r1293079-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Secure_Living_London-r1293079-London_EN.html Windows are one of the most important elements of any self-build or renovation – we bring you the lowdown on how to choose the right type for your home. With new self-builds, windows will naturally be part of the overall design when you apply for planning approval, and gaining it may involve specifying a particular style of window, for instance, if you are building in a conservation area. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Clear_Vision_London-r1293078-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Clear_Vision_London-r1293078-London_EN.html One of the simplest ways to keep heat in and save energy in the home is with efficient insulation. In the case of existing homes, we can add insulation, or extra layers of it. Read on to learn more home heating advice below. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Its_a_Wrap_London-r1293077-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Its_a_Wrap_London-r1293077-London_EN.html Redundant chimney breasts now housed back boilers set behind gas fire facades, while in the rural home, solid fuel stoves also incorporated integral boilers. In the 21st century the back boiler has been replaced by more energy-efficient heating systems (although the eco-friendly boiler stove remains). http://local.self-build.co.uk/Fireside_Tales_London-r1293076-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Fireside_Tales_London-r1293076-London_EN.html Colour brings character to any home but getting it right can be difficult – who hasn’t spent hours laboriously painting tester colours on the wall, only to end up in a fog of indecision? Fortunately, there are some simple guidelines to follow. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Using_Colour_Part_2_Colours_London-r1293075-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Using_Colour_Part_2_Colours_London-r1293075-London_EN.html New legislation now makes health and safety something that has to be physically planned into a project by all the parties involved, from concept to completion. Do CDM 2007 regulations apply to all projects? The CDM regulations provide for health and safety on any construction site where construction work is being carried out and affects all parties involved. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Safety_First_London-r1293074-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Safety_First_London-r1293074-London_EN.html Your first priority if you want to join the trend is to check with a local estate agent that developing your cellar would add to the value of the house. No such concerns apply if you are planning a new build, provided your plot is suitable – that is well drained and not subject to flooding, and allowing good access for excavation work. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Base_Level_London-r1293073-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Base_Level_London-r1293073-London_EN.html If you’re heading to the large DIY sheds for a sales bargain, choose your time well and research what you plan to buy in advance. Prices tend to be higher than builders’ merchants in the first place, so check that discounts do actually represent a real saving, especially if you have to store them and risk the possibility of damage. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Buying_in_the_Sales_London-r1293072-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Buying_in_the_Sales_London-r1293072-London_EN.html Although render has been used as a building material for centuries, the neat, tailored look of smoothly rendered surfaces are now a particularly popular choice for contemporary homes. It’s also a common look for seaside homes or buildings in exposed places, because it brings an extra layer of protection from the element. http://local.self-build.co.uk/Cover_Up_London-r1293071-London_EN.html http://local.self-build.co.uk/Cover_Up_London-r1293071-London_EN.html