There will be a rooflight for most types of home. Terraced houses can certainly make use of a rooflight but the right type is required to make the installation a success. The most common types of rooflight, such as flat glass rooflights and roof pyramids, will need to be installed on flat roofs, which suits many terraced houses that have had an extension built onto the back. If you have a pitched roof it can still be possible to install a rooflight, but the options will just be more limited. You can check the specifications of each rooflight and ask an installation professional if you want to fully understand your options. For light in more awkward spaces, there’s also the option for a suntube. This will channel natural light down into the room, making it feel brighter than it otherwise could, and in a much more natural way than with artificial lighting.

Extensions and loft conversions can both be great ways to expand a home and make it more attractive. You can get so much more out of a home that has additional space added, so which option is going to be right for you?

Much of it depends on the current layout of your property. If you have space up in the eaves, it might be very simple to have a loft conversion carried out. If you don’t, then an extension might be a better option. It also depends on what you want the space to be. If, for example, you want a snug, then you could extend into your garage, upgrade the insulation and the door, and make it a central part of your home. It might not always be possible to create the exact space that you want up in the loft, and so an extension using a garage is a very good option.

A home office is the dream of many homeowners, but how do you ensure that you are adding value without paying over the odds for, essentially, transforming a room of your home? If you are thinking about having your very own home office extension, here are some tips:

• Build the structure away from the home. This could mean building a separate annex, or it could mean building a regular extension. Your family will love the extra space and you will get more peace and quiet this way.
• Choose a material. If you want something rustic, you could have a wooden home office. If you prefer something modern, think about building a brick structure, either on its own or attached to your existing home.
• Make sure you have the right planning permission. You will usually need planning permission of some kind to extend a home or to build a new structure on your land.

Expanding your home to give yourself more space is something that many people are doing, as it is a cheaper alternative than moving home. The property market is difficult to negotiate and many homes and deemed overpriced, so an extension or conversion can seem like a better option for you and your family.

One of the cheapest and easiest ways to expand your home is by using space that you already have, that is, as part of an outbuilding or similar. Lots of families make more use of their garage space by making it into a living space, either as a standalone flat or granny annexe, or as part of the existing house. This is easier due to the fact there is already a structure in place, and it might not even require planning permission. If you want additional space, you can always expand the house further as well.

Buying in oak timber supplies for a project is a big job and not one that should be taken lightly. There are various grades of timber you can buy, and different types as well, so you need to choose the right kind for your project. It’s always useful to buy timber supplies from a good supplier, who can be there to help and advise, especially if it is your first project of this nature. Once you find a good supplier, they can be a supplier for life, so it’s always worth thinking about it long term.

The first step is finding a timber supplier who can meet your needs with regards to what you want for your project. From there, it will be an easier task to buy timber supplies. Look for an online timber merchant; this way, you won’t have to find timber supplies that are nearby. All good online suppliers will also offer timber delivery, making it easy for you to get hold of your chosen timber. They can also generally offer you lower prices when you shop online, especially if you are buying timber in bulk. If you know you have other projects coming up, and you have enough storage space, then buy as much timber as you can in one go to keep the costs down.

These are some of they main considerations before you buy timber online:

• What will you be using the timber for? This will dictate the type and grade of timber you need. If you want timber to build a dwelling or outbuilding, it’s usually advisable that you don’t use green timber. This can shrink as it dries out (green timber is freshly cut timber), which can leave you with structural issues if you have built something like a garden office or a gym. Some timber suppliers will supply timber based on the type of project. So if, for example, you are laying solid oak flooring or you need structural beams for a roofing project, they can supply the right type of timber for these.
• What type of timber do you need? There are various types of timber you can buy – not just oak. These might include larch, cedarwood, redwood, and other hardwood and softwood options. You don’t just have to have oak – consider what other options there are to ensure you are making the right decision.
• What quantities do you need? You should make sure you choose a supplier that can offer you the quantities of timber you need. It will usually be cheaper to buy in bulk, so if possible, and if you will need more timber in future, buy in this way.
• Do you need specific sizes? Many timber suppliers will be able to provide custom milled timber, sized to your specifications. Try to find a timber supplier that mills its own timber on site, as this will cost less – they won’t have to outsource the cutting of timber for customers who are looking for custom shapes or sizes.

In the same way that windows may get covered in condensation, especially in the winter when the weather is generally damp, you may find that a rooflight can be affected by condensation as well. However, there are steps you can take to reduce this condensation and to make sure it doesn’t affect your home. One of the most important things to do is replace old rooflights. Sadly, rooflights that are older will not use such advanced technology, and are never going to be as energy efficient in your home. It will be cheaper in the long run to replace them rather than adding to them and improving them.

If you have a decent rooflight in your home, you are much less likely to have condensation. Choose a rooflight that is glass, or at least double skinned, and make sure they have adequate glazing to make sure they do not decrease too much in temperature.

A rooflight is an investment for your home, a feature that will improve your way of life and make your home ever more beautiful. It might even be able to improve the value of your property if used in the right way. If you are thinking about buying a rooflight and don’t know where to start, here are some key considerations: 

• Installation. Buy from a supplier who can also recommend installation professionals, so you know it will be installed professionally. 
• Aesthetics. Think about what you like aesthetically, whether you like a flat, modern rooflight or something that is more of a feature like a roof lantern. 
• Security. Make sure you choose an option that is highly secure and can’t be easily broken, to help prevent break ins. 
• U-values. The lower the u-value is, the more energy efficient the rooflight is. Modern rooflights often have very low u-values and will keep in plenty of heat. 

It’s that time of year where people are making their New Year’s resolutions. If you aren’t quite sure what you’d like to do to improve your lifestyle in 2017, why not think about doing something to your home? It doesn’t necessarily have to be something overly complicated, but it has the potential to make such a difference to the way in which you live on a day-to-day basis. Here are some of the things you might think about doing to your home in 2017:

• Building an extension. Ok, this might not be the most simple of projects to undertake. Chances are it will take a long time and a lot of planning. However, if you do decide that it’s the right time to extend your living space, it will make such a difference to your home (and might even add a great deal of value).
• Improving your fascias. Fascias might seem like a small matter, but they can really change the outside of your home. Getting them replaced or even just painted will make your home look as good as new.
• Converting your garage. If you have been thinking about making your garage a usable space, do it in 2017. You will really appreciate the space that you are able to free up.
• Getting some new windows. This will go a long way to improving your insulation and making your property look beautiful. It really can make such a difference to the outside and the inside.
• Changing the layout of your home. You can free up a lot of space by knocking down some walls and changing your floor plan to match your lifestyle. If you have a separate kitchen and dining room, perhaps consider making them one large kitchen diner to give you more space to enjoy with your family and friends.

Buying a house or flat to rent out is an excellent investment. It will bring in lots of extra money through rent, and even if you have a mortgage to pay on it, the rent should still leave you with plenty of profit if you buy carefully. You will need to make sure that you have got the property up to a good standard ready to rent out. Here is a quick general to-do list before your tenants move in:

• Make sure there is fire safety equipment. Check the regulations – these will differ in properties of multiple occupancy. However, it is generally good practice to make sure that your tenants have easy access to fire extinguishers and fire blankets.
• Check that fire doors are in place where necessary. These should again meet with regulations and will give you peace of mind.
• Redecorate. This won’t take a lot of work and you may even be able to do it yourself, but making sure that everything is finished off to a high standard can actually help you to increase your rental income by charging tenants more money.
• Get boilers serviced. If the boiler breaks down over the winter, this will be far more expensive and inconvenient, so make sure it is in good working order first.
• Decide whether you will go through an agency. If so, they will be able to find tenants and arrange contracts for you. If not, you will have to do this yourself and will need to ensure your tenants have your emergency contact details.
• Make sure there are plenty of electricity sockets fitted. This is something that is very easy for an electrician to install and it will make such a difference to a tenant’s quality of living – they won’t need to use extension cables for everything.

Follow these steps to make sure your tenants will be happy in your property and won’t have any complaints. It’s much more beneficial to have happy tenants who will enjoy living in your property and will want to keep extending their contract.

3D modelling is a process by which construction professionals are able to design and plan a building project using computer aided design software. It is becoming increasingly more sophisticated and people are relying on it more than ever within their construction work. It has been described as a revolutionary process that has completely changed the face of construction, allowing it to be efficient, safe, cost effective and environmentally friendly.

The process of using data to produce a 3D model is known as BIM – building information modelling. It is very useful for architects and designers as it can produce such detailed and lifelike results. It can be used to replicate buildings of all kinds, or even to replicate multiple buildings as was seen at a recent construction expo where a 3D digital model of London was showcased.

Video: First fully interactive 3D digital model of London https://t.co/Y8W2RGC3qY @VUCITY_ #BIM #LondonBuild #construction #planning pic.twitter.com/XffAuv7rg1

— UKConstruction Media (@UKConstructionm) October 31, 2016

BIM has become so useful to us because of the way in which it allows us to understand a building. It can simulate anything from doors and windows to the systems that will be used within the building, giving people a thorough understanding of how a building will operate.

Modelling has some very obvious benefits in terms of health and safety. The deep level of understanding it can give us is especially useful in the early stages of planning a building, as architects can ensure that their solutions are practical, realistic and safe. If any obstacles present themselves, BIM can be used to help overcome them safely. This can help to cut costs as well – issues should be far more readily apparent than they used to be, meaning that construction professionals won’t need to spend extra money fixing them. This is something that has been very much welcomed by the health and safety and construction industries alike. It makes the construction process and the actual use of the completed building much safer for everyone involved.

Innovations in modelling and CAD also have many ramifications for the energy efficiency of a completed building. By using these kinds of technologies, defects can be reduced, making it easier to construct buildings that will stand the test of time and use energy efficiently. Data can also be calculated to help the people who will occupy the building use it in the best way they can.

Whilst it is very useful when putting a building up, CAD design can also inform the way a building is taken down. It can allow construction professionals to asses how to dismantle a building to have minimal impact on the environment, and will ensure that materials are either reusable or suitable for recycling.