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Suspended floors are usually either made of timber or concrete with steel elements. Find out how they’re made and what to watch out for on site. In this article we cover: A suspended floor is one that’s built across walls, beams, columns or foundations, spanning across an open space or void underneath. Upper storey, intermediate […] More
Creative and function ideas to make the most of your understairs space. In this article we cover: No matter what your needs or design preferences are, there is an understairs storage solution for you. You can either use the space for long term storage or have it fit into your daily life. Because it’s so […] More
Things to bear in mind when building your floors if you plan to use underfloor heating. In this article we cover: Underfloor heating (UFH) systems usually consist of hot water being fed through a series of pipes, known as a wet system, but can also utilise electric heating mats. Either system is used to heat […] More
So you want to schedule your build and take charge of the construction programme of your self-build project? Here, structural engineer and architectural technologist Les O’Donnell explains where to start. In this article we cover: Project management costs run around 10 to 15 per cent of the total build cost and sometimes maybe more, not […] More
Rodger O’Connor of ROC Energy explains when it makes sense to apply for an energy grant from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, including: Favourite More
Working with concrete to make your floors requires a bit of prep, to protect it from the weather and from chemical or environmental conditions. In this article we cover: Defects in concrete can occur because of chemical and environmental conditions, construction or workmanship issues, or unexpected loading. A gradual loss of performance is usually described […] More
Some common mistakes tend to crop up on site when working with concrete; here’s what most commonly causes construction issues in Ireland. In this article we cover: Many problems with concrete can be designed out during the design phase. If the design and specification processes are properly carried out, it’s then down to the contractors […] More
Find out what type of concrete is suitable for the job at hand. In this article we cover: Specifying the concrete you’re going to be using can be a complex task, with five main methods for compiling the specifications. These are known as designated, designed, prescribed, standardised and proprietary. Every project has different requirements, so […] More
Dr Ciara Ahern chats about what energy upgrades and if they’re worth doing, issues people are having with heat pumps and heating systems and what can be done about it, plus what changes we can expect coming from Europe in relation to energy and the building regulations. More specifically, she covers: Favourite More
Here’s what you need to know to build structural timber floors, starting with understanding the potential strength of this renewable material. In this article we cover: Building our homes up off the ground is standard practice in the majority of the world’s wet or humid countries. It protects us from rising damp and rainwater runoff […] More
In this episode, David Magnier chats about his self-build in Co Wicklow: Favourite 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