Astrid Madsen is the editor of the SelfBuild magazine. Email astrid.madsen@selfbuildextendrenovate.co.uk
Leading insulation manufacturer Xtratherm has rebranded to Unilin Insulation after serving the Irish construction industry for over 30 years. Eight years in the making, this change marks the company’s evolution to one of Europe’s largest PIR insulation manufacturers and to a global supplier of building products to the construction industry. Self-builders will continue to benefit […] More
New climate data for thermal modelling of buildings will help building designers better take into account overheating. In this article we cover: Recent modelling data from Met Éireann shows that overheating is “expected to become more severe in the future”. On new builds, typical ways to prevent overheating include designing the house so that large […] More
We have compiled 96 house plans from houses built across the island of Ireland. Welcome to the House Plans Library, exclusively available on selfbuildextendrenovate.co.uk. We’ve brought together projects from across the island of Ireland to help you create your dream home. We have new builds, renovations and extension projects from the 32 counties, as featured […] More
In a bid to cut construction costs, the ROI Department of Housing recommends standardised specifications for social housing in new cost report. In this article we cover: In a bid to cut construction costs, the ROI Department of Housing published could reduce the square footage of social housing, and introduce standardised specifications for wall build […] More
In this episode, David Magnier chats about his self-build in Co Wicklow: Favourite More
Are renewables such as heat pumps, underfloor heating, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), worth it? Heat pumps and MVHR in particular seem to be the must-have pieces of kits to install in your home. In this Instagram Live we explore whether they’re worth the investment and what benefits they bring. Gavin Millar of BPC […] More
Rob and Janice McConnell have lifted the coveted Home of the Year 2023 trophy for their architectural new build in Co Antrim. In this article we cover: The ninth series of Home of the Year saw the three judges Hugh Wallace, Amanda Bone and Sara Cosgrove visit 21 homes across the country, choosing Rob and Janice’s home as the ultimate […] More
Due to capacity constraints, less than two out of three self-builders get their applications for sewage connections approved by NI Water, as the utility rolls out a new application portal. In this article we cover: Capacity constraints in the mains water and sewer networks are holding back development in NI, Gerry Curran of Northern Ireland […] More
NI was the worst performing region in the UK for workmanship on new builds while in ROI contractors that work with the energy grants continue to underperform, prompting the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to provide further training and supports. In this article we cover: NI builders were found in breach of good practice […] More
Gavin Millar of BPC Ventilation chats through the benefits of heat pumps and MVHR, including: Favourite More
The ROI government will sign off on a zero VAT rate for solar panels, Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan told media at the weekend. In this article we cover: The move, due to be signed off on by government the first week of April, will mean a saving of approximately €1,000 to the average […] More
What floor screeds are, how they’re most commonly installed in Ireland today and what to watch out for on site. In this article we cover: The screed is the upper layer of the floor ‘sandwich’ upon which the flooring is laid, so it must be finished level, flat and dry. Incidentally (and I have seen […] More