Author: Jack Shackleton
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The Truth About Spray Foam Insulation
Spray foam insulation continues to be a hot topic. With a history of dodgy installations, and stories of mortgage woe, it’s fast becoming the bogeyman of the eco revolution. The House of Commons library has even written a paper about it. But as an interested (and quite cynical) reader, I’ve found it quite difficult to…
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Heat Pumps for Flats: Pros, Cons, and Costs
Can you get a heat pump for a flat? Yes, absolutely. In fact flats are often particularly suitable for heat pumps, due to their high levels of insulation. Unfortunately, there are obstacles too. Namely, red tape. Pros of installing a heat pump in a flat Pro #1: Low heat loss Heat pumps are not ideal…
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The 6 Types of Loft Conversion at a Glance
There are two main types of loft conversion: dormer and Velux. There are four less common types: hip-to-gable, pitched dormer, mansard, and piggyback. In most cases you’ll want a dormer or a Velux conversion. But I’ll give you a rundown of all six types, explaining where they’re suitable, their downsides, and if they need planning…
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Is Your Home Suitable for a Heat Pump?
In Britain, we have a dysfunctional relationship with the heat pump. They’re popular in the rest of Europe, and a proven way to electrify our heating. But still, people don’t trust them. ‘Heat pumps don’t work in British houses’, they say, ‘our homes are too old and drafty’. And, I admit, we are world leaders…
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The 5 Types of Conservatory at a Glance
There are 5 main types of conservatory: They are mainly determined by the size and shape of their roof. There’s also the Orangery, which is like a conservatory with more brickwork. Lean-to Conservatory This is the simplest type of conservatory. Modern and unfussy, and useful when roof height is a concern. Gable Conservatory Gable or…
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How Fast Do Houses Sell? (Using Real Data for the UK)
On average, it takes 59 days to find a buyer in the UK. This is followed by 98 days average during conveyancing, plus 14 days between exchange and completion, giving 171 days (or around 6 months) in total. But it varies. A lot. By region. By house type. By other things. I’ll explain how. I’ve…
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What are U-values and How do Different Materials Compare?
In the UK, a U-value is the critical metric for a building’s insulation. It measures how much heat can pass through a material. This is known as ‘thermal transmittance’. At its simplest level, a U-value is a number, and lower is more insulated. A double-glazed window might be 1.4, whereas an external wall might be…
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How to Insulate a Conservatory Roof
If your conservatory is too hot in winter and too cold in summer, the culprit is probably right above your head. The roof. Specifically, cheap plastic roofs, which have very poor insulation. The long-term solution is to change the roof entirely. Or to knock the conservatory down and start again. However, there is a cheaper,…
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Can You Advertise Directly on Rightmove?
No, you can’t advertise directly on Rightmove. Although, in a way, you sort of can. There’s a kind of loophole. Let me explain. Who can advertise on Rightmove? In order to advertise on Rightmove, you need to be an estate agent. Agents pay a fee to Rightmove, in order to show their listings. This is…
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The 10 Biggest Self Storage Companies in the UK
If you’re shopping around for self storage, it’s good to know the market. Which provider has the most locations? What are their key selling points? And that means you need a list. These are the top 10 self storage brands in the UK, as ranked by number of locations. Of course, you may have a…
