These days, we have become increasingly reliant on mechanised systems to help bring comfort into our homes, but how much tech do you really need? In this article we cover: What a tech reliant home looks like What mechanised systems need to work at their best What the design implications are How tech impacts on […] More
The pandemic has focused self-builders’ minds on the already popular topic of going off grid, meaning no electricity, gas, water or sewerage connections. But how feasible is it to totally disconnect, asks Patrick Waterfield. In this article we cover: The prospects of freedom from utilities, a more sustainable lifestyle and overall greater independence, especially in […] More
Matthew and Hannah Sterrett of @ourweecountryhome share their story of building what they call the tin house: how it started and the obstacles they came up against. In this article they talk about: Contents Part 1 – Avoiding the rent trap – Skip to Part 1 Part 2 – The tin roof – Skip to […] More
An Oireachtas Committee was told buildings account for one third of all emissions in Ireland. Houses in Ireland today pollute as much as agriculture, if both operational carbon (the energy used to run the home) and embodied carbon (the energy it takes to build, repair and demolish) are taken into account. That’s a figure the […] More
Resident construction expert John Corless chats about flash points to consider when building your home, including: • Managing heat loss, U-values and airtightness• Ventilation• Insulation• Space and water heating including thoughts on PV• Intermediate floors• Roofs• Contracts• List of other considerations: security, waste, health and safety, equipment hire, etc. Michael Doherty of the Mica Action […] More
Local authorities are offering up to €50k for you to renovate a vacant property to live in. In this article we cover: In a bid to tackle dereliction and encourage people to move back to rural towns and villages, the ROI government is now offering renovators up to €50,000 to refurbish vacant buildings. Croí Cónaithe […] More
In this windows step by step guide, find out when and how to order your windows and what to expect at the end. In this article, we cover the stages of choosing and installing your windows including: Step 1: Design and shop around for your windows The planning stage is the best time to get […] More
The new building regulations came into force on June 30, 2022. Patrick Waterfield shares what you need to know. Draft Technical Booklet F1 was published at the beginning of this year and is now published in its final form. The change is expected to increase the cost of commissioning and constructing buildings. Carbon target This […] More
Graeme Taylor’s DIY lockdown project was to build a garden room to hang out in – a hut for barbequing and entertaining. In this article, Graeme talks about his DIY garden hut project: Tell us about your house, did you buy or build it? We got the house built through a small scale developer who […] More
Brian Corry of Selfbuild+ introduces self-builders to modern ways of building in Ireland today. In Part 2 he chats about: – Insulating Concrete Formwork (ICF) with Ballantine Building Solutions– Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) with FutureTek– Hemp block construction with Hempbuild Favourite More
Frames are an important part of making your windows and doors secure, but crucial too are their locks, latches, screws and hinges. When it comes to window and door furniture, you don’t have to settle for the factory standard, but remember that, unless you specify otherwise when placing your order, that’s exactly what you’ll get. […] More
Brian Corry of Selfbuild+ introduces self-builders to modern ways of building. In Part 1 he chats about: – Timber frame construction with Redwood Timber Frame in Dungannon– Structural polystyrene construction known as M3 with Passive Housing in Kildare– Steel frame and precast concrete with Future Cast in Leitrim For more about the building methods available […] More