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Build It magazine Build It is the UK’s no.1 self build, renovation & extension magazine. Head to www.self-build.co.uk for inspiring real-life projects & expert advice

Build It is packed full of inspiring case studies, build advice, cost and finance guidance, expert Q&As and planning tips. If you're planning to build your own home, renovate or convert an existing building, Build It magazine is essential reading!

“Carbon emissions have grabbed the headlines for many years when it comes to sustainability, but water is just as import...
18/09/2026

“Carbon emissions have grabbed the headlines for many years when it comes to sustainability, but water is just as important, if not more,” says Nigel Griffiths, Build It’s sustainability expert. “Human settlement can only take place where there is a water supply, after all. Fortunately, we are a well-watered isle. But in parts of the country – especially the Southeast, where rainfall is lowest – there is pressure on water supply, which may in turn limit development.”

So, how can you create a water-efficient house that meets your needs? Reducing water demand starts long before you move in. Over on Build It’s website, Nigel looks at the specification choices that can make a difference, including efficient sanitary ware, low-flow showers and when rainwater harvesting makes sense. Click here now to read: https://ow.ly/nVWl50ZL7M7

📷: For Nathan Davis, environmental performance was as important as aesthetics when designing his new home. The timber house has been super-insulated using sheep wool and recycled newspaper insulation, with airtight detailing to minimise heat loss. Aluminium-clad triple-glazed timber windows, the air source heat pump, solar PV panels and rainwater harvesting system all contribute to low running costs. Photo: Chris Hewitt

When this family set out to create their dream home, the relationship between the house and its surroundings was just as...
18/09/2026

When this family set out to create their dream home, the relationship between the house and its surroundings was just as important as the interior layout. “We often speak about how a house relates to the outside, here they were given equal billing,” says Baufritz UK architect Anthony Cooper. Set into a sloping site, the home makes the most of its stunning views down the valley and the sea beyond, while the gardens and pool are carefully connected to the living spaces.

Designed and built by Baufritz, the home combines timber cladding, white render and large areas of glass to create a bright, modern feel. The sloping roof helps reduce the scale of the timber-clad element, while the site’s natural slope has been used to accommodate a basement level with direct ac-cess to the garden, pool, cinema rooms, gym and sauna.

Inside, the kitchen-dining area has become a favourite space for the homeowners. “It’s where family time is, where we spend time with our friends, it’s where I feel most at home,” says the homeowner. Upstairs, the bedrooms provide a peaceful retreat, with views across the surrounding woodland.

The house was constructed using Baufritz’s high-performance, eco-friendly structural system, with the house shell assembled on site in just two and a half days. “When you see it being built it’s incredibly solid, it’s incredibly well engineered,” says the homeowner. “It was quite amazing to see.”

Click here now to find out more about this striking Baufritz UK self build: https://ow.ly/7YYH50ZL7HC

📷: Baufritz

Timber cladding is an attractive external finish that works across a wide range of schemes and architectural styles. The...
17/09/2026

Timber cladding is an attractive external finish that works across a wide range of schemes and architectural styles. The cost of timber cladding, however, can vary depending on the type of timber you choose, the size and complexity of the project, and how much preparation and maintenance the cladding will require.

The broad selection of wood species means there are price tags at both ends of the scale. While a cheaper timber may help keep the initial cost down, it won’t have the same durability, performance and maintenance benefits of a more expensive solution. As with any external finish, it’s a good idea to consider both the upfront cost and the additional price of looking after the cladding over its lifespan.

So, how do you set a realistic budget? Over on Build It’s website, we’ve laid out everything you need to know, from the price of the timber itself to preparation, installation and ongoing maintenance. Click the link here to find out more: https://ow.ly/ylA150ZNTPZ

📷: Randell Design Group reimagined a traditional Dutch barn as a modern one-and-a-half-storey extension. To create contrast with the adjacent flint and brick surfaces, Russwood supplied a SILA Select Siberian Larch cladding with a Microtex finish and coated in SiOO:X Mid Grey. Photo: Julia Toms Photography

Choosing the exterior finishes for a self build or renovation is not just about how the house will look on completion. F...
16/09/2026

Choosing the exterior finishes for a self build or renovation is not just about how the house will look on completion. From timber cladding to metal, stone, slate, concrete tiles and fibre cement, there are plenty of options for the facade and roof. The materials you specify need to suit the architecture, budget and practical demands of the project, so it’s worth considering weather resistance, thermal performance and ease of maintenance from the outset.

So, which material will suit your project best? Over on Build It’s website, Cedral's Lisa Grosse explores the benefits of fibre cement cladding – including maintenance, installation and the key design features. Click here now to read: https://ow.ly/NgS950ZL7C3

📷: Cedral’s fibre cement cladding provides a stylish, low-maintenance partner to natural stone in this striking project

Looking for internal doors but not sure where to start? The type of material and design you opt for can have a major imp...
15/09/2026

Looking for internal doors but not sure where to start? The type of material and design you opt for can have a major impact on the look and feel of your home. There’s a lot to consider, from the way your internal doors are constructed and hung, to the finish and ironmongery.

With so many different options available, it’s important to do your homework. So, from materials to opening style, glazed elements and how much to budget, over on our website we share what to look out for when choosing internal doors for your home. Click the link here to read now: https://ow.ly/Um9l50ZNQiF

📷: Use your internal doors to make a wow factor statement. The contemporary design of this door from Urban Front adds architectural panache

Staircase ideas come in all shapes and sizes, but investing in the right design that meets your practical needs and ties...
14/09/2026

Staircase ideas come in all shapes and sizes, but investing in the right design that meets your practical needs and ties in with your home’s architecture can really transform a space and how you move throughout it on a day-to-day basis.

Staircases often take pride of place in a floorplan, and in many cases, they’re the first feature you see when you walk through the front door. Not only do they have to serve a practical purpose in connecting one storey to another, but with careful planning and consideration, a staircase can become an impressive focal point that defines the overall style of your property.

When it comes to gathering staircase ideas, there are lots of options as well as a range of materials that can be mixed and matched. For example, natural stone staircase designs are extremely durable, easy to maintain and will last a long time. Timber is a versatile material, with many species and the option to stain or paint it to evolve with your home’s design. Steel is strong but can be moulded to form sturdy spiral staircase designs and is ideal if you prefer an industrial aesthetic. Glass looks contemporary while letting in light for a bright space.

But with so many choices, how do you know what’s right for you? Over on our website, we’re taking a look at a collection of 36 excellent staircase ideas to inspire your project. Click the link here to read now: https://ow.ly/jTmT50ZLRFE

📷: This steel-framed, open-tread flight is the centrepiece of a self build project by RISE Design Studio. The industrial-style structure rises through the full-height, double-volume entrance hall, with a rooflight above flooding the space with natural light. Dark-oiled hardwood treads are paired with a slender steel balustrade and vertical balusters. Photo: Edmund Sumner

12/09/2026

Day one of Build It Live South West is nearly over – but there’s still one more day to go! The exhibition has been buzzing today, with visitors comparing products, meeting suppliers and booking one-to-one advice sessions.

Join us at Westpoint Arena in Exeter tomorrow until 4pm, for a packed day of inspiration, expert advice and everything you need to help make your self build or home improvement project a success. Speak to hundreds of suppliers, attend seminars, workshops and more – all under one roof.

Whether you’re just getting started or already have plans in place, come along, ask questions and get advice from the experts. Don’t miss out!

Click here now for two free tickets: https://builditlive.co.uk/sm26/

A few key details:

• Build It Live is open on Sunday 13th September from 10am to 4pm
• The event takes place at the Westpoint Arena in Exeter. For Satellite Navigation purposes use postcode EX5 1DJ.
• There's ample free parking at the venue, all within easy walking distance of the exhibition hall. This includes disability bays close to the entrance.

Build It Live South West returns to the Westpoint Arena in Exeter THIS WEEKEND and there’s still time to book your ticke...
11/09/2026

Build It Live South West returns to the Westpoint Arena in Exeter THIS WEEKEND and there’s still time to book your tickets! Whether you’re planning a self build or home improvement project, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss out on two days full of inspiration and expert advice – it could be invaluable to your project, whatever stage you’re at.

Get two free tickets (valid either day) at the link below – we’ll see you there!

https://ow.ly/4BNX50ZFitg

When Tony and Jo Hogg learnt that their rear garden was suitable for development, they chose to build on it rather than ...
11/09/2026

When Tony and Jo Hogg learnt that their rear garden was suitable for development, they chose to build on it rather than sell the opportunity to somebody else. Their brief was for a barn-style home with bedrooms on the ground floor and a vaulted living level above, where an exposed oak frame could take centre stage. Westwind Oak Buildings supplied both the oak frame and the structural insulated panels (SIPs) that wrap around it. On the upper floor, exposed trusses combining hammer beam and sling brace forms span the full-height living space, bringing warmth and character to the open-plan interior. The upside-down layout also makes the most of views towards Cheddar Reservoir.

The green oak frame was erected in just one day, while the SIPs provided an accurate, highly insulated envelope that could be assembled quickly around it. Tony’s background as a structural engineer also helped the couple resolve construction details before work began and co-manage the project alongside their builder. The £487,420 project exceeded the couple’s initial budget of £350,000-£400,000, with Tony and Jo drawing down pension funds and taking out short-term loans to cover the shortfall. “We’ve learnt that it’s important to have access to additional funds, otherwise it can be a very stop-start build,” says Tony.

Wondering what kind of house you can build for your budget? With reported build costs ranging from £77,000 to £2,040,000, over on Build It’s website you can find a hand-picked selection of real-life self builds shows what different budgets have achieved. Click here now to read: https://ow.ly/n55250ZKiQ5

📷: Colin Poole

Kevin and Christine Choules had already built an oak-frame home in Surrey in 1992, but their enthusiasm for self-buildin...
10/09/2026

Kevin and Christine Choules had already built an oak-frame home in Surrey in 1992, but their enthusiasm for self-building led them to embark on a second, more ambitious project. In 1999, they bought an uninspiring chalet bungalow on a desirable plot surrounded by 1950s Tudor-style homes, intending eventually to demolish it and build their dream house. Work and finances delayed the project for almost two decades.

When the time came Kevin wanted to take control of the design and project management. He sketched out a three-storey, five-bedroom house that would maximise the site while fitting in with its surroundings. Architectural designers from Oakland Vale then developed his ideas into drawings.

The couple chose a traditional oak frame combined with structural insulated panels (SIPs). Having found their previous oak-frame home cold, expensive to heat and lacking airtightness, they wanted to retain oak's warmth and character while achieving much better energy efficiency.

Planning proved challenging. The council rejected an initial proposal for two houses and required several changes to the proposed home's dimensions and roofline. Permission was finally granted in February 2017 and construction began the following month. The existing bungalow was demolished, the foundations laid and the oak frame erected in just one week. SIPs were then installed to create the insulated shell.

The finished design combines traditional character with modern efficiency, featuring exposed oak posts, vaulted ceilings, a galleried landing and a spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living area. Brick and timber finishes complement the surrounding homes.

Click the link here to read the full story: https://ow.ly/67CO50ZLMR7

Words: Sophie Vening 📷: Fraser Marr

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