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You need a ventilation system to get fresh air into your home, so what are your options and how do they stack up? In this article we cover: I was first introduced to the passive house standard in 2013 and went on to become a certified passive house designer. Since then I’ve been involved with […] More
How do you know if the windows and doors you buy are eco friendly? Here’s our checklist of what to look out for. In this article we cover: Your architectural designer will consider your window configuration at the design stage, taking into account energy efficiency but also natural light which is a proven mood enhancer. […] More
Architect Mark Stephens, who is based in Co Mayo, chats about how to get planning permission in ROI including: Favourite More
The 12 variables that determine whether the home you’re planning to build or renovate is sustainable. In this article we cover: This summer stood out as one of the hottest on record, marked by devastating floods and raging wildfires across various regions of Europe. These alarming events have underscored, once again, the urgency for a […] More
New builds rarely have chimneys nowadays so what are your options when installing a stove in your home? Do I need a chimney to install a stove? Yes, but don’t worry if you don’t have one in your property! Nowadays, many stoves can be installed with a prefabricated flue system such as the Stovax Professional […] More
This hillside garden in Co Clare takes advantage of the views and the Burren’s natural landscape. In this article we cover: As a garden designer based in the west of Ireland, I’ve worked on homes in some beautiful locations – lush green countryside, native woodlands, and a spectacular coast – this region has it all. […] More
When influencer Caroline O’Neill took on her self-build project, she knew she was going to need advice from a company she could trust for her heating, plumbing and bathroom needs. That’s why she sought the help of Bassetts Bathrooms, Heating & Renewables Northern Ireland. When building a house, it goes without saying that you have […] More
Some self-builders are getting refused planning permission in one part of NI when they could have been approved in another, due to the ‘unfair’ roll out of the new Local Development Plans says planning consultant Mervyn McNeill. In this article we cover: “If you’ve applied for planning permission and paid the appropriates fees then you […] More
If you’re going to be building with timber frame, you’ll have to decide whether you build your walls with an open or closed panel system. In this article we cover: When designing the timber frame structure, it is really useful to consider which dimensions to use for the structural grid or layout in order to […] More
How to build DIY French drains, arguably the simplest and possibly the oldest drainage system around. In this article we cover: Water is essentially lazy. While capable of capillary action, it will always choose to travel the path of least resistance. The key to ensuring water does not travel upward through your structure is to […] More
A handy checklist of what needs to be in place before you start organising your build schedule, and what to prepare yourself for. In this article we cover: By now, all of the information that you will need to create a working programme should have been covered during the design and preconstruction phases. But here’s […] More
Changes to restrictive planning rules for those building in the countryside will be published “shortly”, according to ROI Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, meaning locals only provisions are to remain in place for the foreseeable future. In this article we cover: There is still no timeline for the publication of the Sustainable […] More