Build It magazine

  • Home
  • Build It magazine

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!

Build It’s July 2026 issue hits the newsstands this week. Our cover home this month is Julian and Vanessa Gatward’s char...
28/05/2026

Build It’s July 2026 issue hits the newsstands this week. Our cover home this month is Julian and Vanessa Gatward’s charming oak frame self build, designed and delivered by Welsh Oak Frame. Based in Kent, the project started out as a renovation of the plot’s existing 1930s house, which soon turned into a full knock down and build project. “We realised we couldn’t get what we wanted out of the house without spending at least £500,000, and if we could afford that, we’d be better off knocking it down and starting again.” The couple met Welsh Oak Frame at a Build It Live event and loved their range of finished houses and designs, including the Hiltons’ award-winning house, which was crowned Best Oak Frame at the Build It Awards 2023. “We both really loved the idea of having a central gable at the front of the house with a beautiful porch, oak railings and dormers above,” says Vanessa.

The couple are delighted with their finished house. “Julian and I are very glad we took the opportunity to self build a brand-new house, rather than renovating the 1930s home, because in the end we got everything we wanted, and more,” says Vanessa. “Having the oak frame exposed inside the property is wonderful. It has given us a lovely, warm family home – we’re all very happy here.”

You can read the full story in Build It’s July 2026 issue, available now. Elsewhere in the issue our panel of experts are looking at how big your extension should be, the top 13 benefits of building with timber frame, the key considerations to note when purchasing a brownfield plot of land, and plenty more. Click here now to find out more about this edition and subscribe to Build It magazine today: https://www.self-build.co.uk/latest-issue/

📷: Nikhilesh Haval

Rooflights and overhead glazing will make a significant impact on the feel of your home, but the vast array of design so...
28/05/2026

Rooflights and overhead glazing will make a significant impact on the feel of your home, but the vast array of design solutions to suit self builds, extensions and loft conversions can seem mind-boggling at first. As an initial step in your journey to buying the best product for your situation, it’s worth getting your head around some of the terminology. According to Building Regulations, a rooflight is, “a glazed unit installed out of plane with the surface of the roof on a kerb or upstand.”

Some manufacturers also refer to this solution as a skylight or roof window – but it’s essentially the same thing. On the other hand, a roof window is, “installed in the same orientation as, and in plane with, the surrounding roof.” If you have a bigger budget, you might even be tempted by a roof lantern – an elongated, pyramid-shaped structure that sits on a flat roof. Each option provides an effective means of pouring sunshine into your home, as the glass is angled towards the sun, whereas a standard window sits vertically in the wall.

So, which glazing solution is right for you? Over on our website, the key considerations to bear in mind when choosing rooflights for your self build or renovation project, from costs to planning permission. Click the link here to read now: https://ow.ly/TyfR50Z1xz3

📷: The slim frame and invisible sash on this Velux rooflight provide maximum daylight. Available with double or triple glazing, this model offers excellent thermal performance and noise insulation

In many renovation projects, windows are replaced because they’ve reached the end of their life, not because the upgrade...
27/05/2026

In many renovation projects, windows are replaced because they’ve reached the end of their life, not because the upgrade was part of the original plan. Frames may be tired, seals may have failed, draughts may be affecting comfort, or the look and performance of the glazing may simply no longer suit the house.

When that moment arrives, the key question is not just whether to replace like-for-like, but whether it makes sense to step up to triple glazing. In many cases, it does. But it’s not simply a matter of adding another pane of glass. To get the full benefit, you need to look at the whole window, how it’s installed, and how upgrading will improve comfort and performance.

So, is it worth upgrading to triple glazing when renovating? Over on Build It’s website, Internorm's Thomas Hagen explains why window replacement is often the right time to upgrade beyond like-for-like. Click here now to read: https://ow.ly/MKmR50Z4AuG

📷: Plant-on glazing bars provide a heritage casement look in this charming project, without compromising the high performance of these Internorm windows.

Searching for your perfect plot of land can be a challenging process. Make it easier with a visit to Build It Live West ...
27/05/2026

Searching for your perfect plot of land can be a challenging process. Make it easier with a visit to Build It Live West on 30th & 31st May. Taking place for the first time at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, we’ll be hosting the land zone where you’ll be able to browse live listings for sale across the UK, get some top tips on how to secure the right site for your project, and chat to the experts about the different routes to homebuilding.

Click here for two free tickets (valid either day) and build your dream home with confidence: https://ow.ly/r3z550YZpHy

After a lengthy search for a new home, Anne Buchan and Jim Williamson were unable to find a house that would afford them...
26/05/2026

After a lengthy search for a new home, Anne Buchan and Jim Williamson were unable to find a house that would afford them the lifestyle on the water they desired, where they could pursue their shared interests of scuba diving and kayaking. They eventually found a perfectly located plot on the banks of Loch Carron with views to the Cuillin, Isle of Skye’s spectacular mountain range

The site was a designated croft, meaning that Anne and Jim would own the buildings, but not the plot. Months later, the couple put in a conditional offer, to be completed once the decrofting was confirmed, and planning permission for a single-storey home on the site had been granted.

The house was designed by Highlands-based architect Fraser Stewart. “It’s barely visible from the lochside; thanks to its natural materials and the green roof, it just blends in with the surrounding landscape,” says Anne. Some minor alterations were made to the design, with stone cladding changed for larch, a reduced footprint and a sedum roof rather than turf.

The property’s superstructure is made from timber frame, with steel used to create the curved loch-facing elevation and support the charcoal-grey, triple-glazed aluminium windows. Fleming Homes UK delivered it to site, where it was erected by a team of two specialist builders, with minor delays thanks to heavy snow.

Everything inside the couple’s lochside house is on one level, with the main living spaces and master bedroom making the most of those views. Ground-mounted solar panels and battery storage generate some of the house’s electricity, while internal comfort is provided via a woodburner, electric heaters and underfloor heating.

Click here to read more about this Build It Award-winning home: https://ow.ly/yW1n50Z1z6l

Words: Louise Parkin 📷: Rob Wilkinson

Oak frame buildings are a sought-after option for many homeowners, with their exposed wooden beams offering warm honey t...
25/05/2026

Oak frame buildings are a sought-after option for many homeowners, with their exposed wooden beams offering warm honey tones and characterful details. Oak framing is an offsite construction method, meaning it’s created in a workshop or factory by a specialist supplier. The frame itself is a structural oak skeleton, typically joined with traditional pegged mortise-and-tenons.

Oak frame has been used to build homes in the UK for centuries, with surviving examples dating back to medieval times. This time-honoured construction method has, therefore, never gone out of fashion and continues to be as popular as ever thanks to 21st century energy performance innovations.

So, what are the insulation options for an oak frame self build? Over on our website, Emily Batesmith explores how oak homes are constructed, how the insulation is installed and how this impacts the design and build process. Click the link here to read now: https://ow.ly/fnGb50YZq6m

📷: Striking glazing, such as in this project by Carpenter Oak Ltd, is often a feature in oak homes, but requires specialist knowledge to ensure performance over time

If you’re at the start of your self build journey and would like to know more about financing your project, build costs ...
25/05/2026

If you’re at the start of your self build journey and would like to know more about financing your project, build costs and budgeting, we’ve got everything you need at Build It Live, taking place on 30th & 31st May at the Three Counties Showground.

Drop by our build costs clinic and chat to one of our qualified estimators about your project and don’t forget to check out our ‘Funding Your Self Build or Renovation’ workshop by the very knowledgeable Tom from Buildstore, who you’ll also be able to meet at the ask our expert area for an impartial, one-to-one session.

Click here for two free tickets (valid either day) and build your dream home with confidence: https://ow.ly/VmhP50YZp9j

Got a burning question you need answering? At Build It Live West, our experts will be on hand all weekend with their hel...
22/05/2026

Got a burning question you need answering? At Build It Live West, our experts will be on hand all weekend with their helpful tips and impartial advice – simply book a slot and find the info you need, without the sales pitch! Taking place on 30th & 31st May at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, click here for two free tickets (valid either day) and build your dream home with confidence: https://ow.ly/FvR050YZoEp

Set within the urban Highgate conservation area of north London, Emil Eve Architects transformed this five-storey Edward...
22/05/2026

Set within the urban Highgate conservation area of north London, Emil Eve Architects transformed this five-storey Edwardian terraced house with a striking and impactful glazed kitchen-diner extension. The London-based architecture firm designed a double-height atrium to open up the home’s interiors, allowing garden views and plenty of daylight to filter throughout the home. The new lower ground floor leads out to a new patio and landscaped garden, bordered by brick planter beds that blend into the structure.

When viewed from the outside, the tall brick addition appears as two volumes with glazing defining the levels – a towering rectangular structure that’s reminiscent of the home’s previous rear bay windows. The fixed glazing and sliding doors were provided by IDSystems.

Looking for modern window design ideas? Over on Build It’s website, we shine a light on 43 amazing self builds, extensions and renovations, and speak to the experts about how you can incorporate the latest window design trends into your own house’s scheme. Click here now to read: https://ow.ly/sfmL50YXuNz

📷: Taran Wilkhu

Charlie Luxton Design remodelled and refurbished this mid-century modern bungalow on the edge of a village in Buckingham...
21/05/2026

Charlie Luxton Design remodelled and refurbished this mid-century modern bungalow on the edge of a village in Buckinghamshire. Working with the existing building’s fabric, the internal layout was rearranged to open up the spaces and improve the connection to the terraced garden and surrounding countryside views.

Looking for more bungalow renovation ideas? Over on Build It’s website, Kate Sandhu looks at how to successfully undertake this type of project and shares some inspirational transformations. Click here now to learn more: https://ow.ly/QIv550YYi4g

📷: Ed RS Aves

After a flood left Nicole and David Price’s London home in a bad state, they had the chance to adapt their much-loved ho...
20/05/2026

After a flood left Nicole and David Price’s London home in a bad state, they had the chance to adapt their much-loved house into their perfect property. A complete overhaul felt like a job to tackle, but a chance meeting with architect Stuart Archer (from Archer + Braun) provided a watershed moment for the project. The existing layout of the house was small and boxy with lots of walls and beams. Even though the property is south facing, the rooms inside were dark, so the area at the back of the house was remodelled to open things up. The whole house has been upgraded with new plumbing and electrics, insulation to the roof, new triple-glazed windows and underfloor heating.

The deVOL Kitchens design sits in the heart of the new space. It was designed to have the feeling of a more informal kitchen that had accrued over time, with a vintage vibe rather than a modern fitted kitchen. Features such as the haberdashery units with glass doors and the island on legs create the loose furniture effect that Nicole wanted. The worktops are from Rossi Stoneworks and the flooring is Russwood.

The total renovation cost £671,847 (£2,687 per m²), with the joinery and fittings coming in at £139,550, plumbing and heating at £55,944, and the floor and wall finishes £91,054.

Wondering how much you should budget for a new kitchen? Over on Build It’s website, we break down the different elements you need to budget for as part of a kitchen installation. Click here now to read: https://ow.ly/UvP450YXuqB

📷: French + Tye

Address


Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Build It magazine posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Build It magazine:

Shortcuts

  • Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company?

Share