Category: Improving
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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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Are Conservatory Roof Replacements Worth It?
A conservatory sounds like a good idea. More space. More sunlight. No planning permission. And all for a reasonable price. At least, that’s what the salesmen said. And by God it worked. Britain is littered with conservatories. Unfortunately, many of them from the 90s and 00s are pretty unusable. Too hot in summer. Too cold…
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Black or Blue Solar Panels: What’s the Difference?
Black solar panels are the modern, more efficient technology. Blue panels are less advanced, and less efficient at turning sunlight into electricity. It’s like when Astroturf changed from sand into those tiny bits of rubber. Nowadays, installers generally offer black panels. You’ll only really get blue panels if you buy a house with them already…
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How Fast is Planning Permission Granted in the UK?
We’ve all heard horror stories about waiting for planning permission. It can severely slow down a project while your Local Planning Authority (LPA) consider your application. Many home improvements can avoid planning permission entirely by building under Permitted Development (hint: if at all possible, do this). However, some projects do need planning permission, especially if…
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How Much Do Loft Conversions Actually Cost in the UK?
Loft conversions seem like magic. All that cold, dusty space transformed into warmth and cosiness. And – whisper it – adding value to your property. Now for the reality check. Loft conversions are expensive. And disruptive. But mostly, they’re expensive. But how expensive? Like most building work, it depends hugely on the property. The only…
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How To Divide a Room in Two
Ok, it’s decision time. The kids are now too old to share a bunk bed. They’re certainly too old to share a room. One of them is a maniac, and the other is worse. They need their own space. So now what? Move house? Or… that bedroom is looking quite roomy, isn’t it? Could it…
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Should I make my AirBnB listing pet-friendly?
In most cases: yes. You can increase your AirBnB revenue by 11% by allowing pets. But there are some exceptions. And it can be fairly marginal. Certainly it’s not as huge as adding a hot tub. But common sense says that accepting people with dogs increases your income – and the numbers back it up….
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The Interesting Guide to Gutter-Cleaning
You’ve been putting it off, haven’t you. The gutters. A candidate for least-glamorous job on a house, but unfortunately you just have to do it. Why? Because if you don’t, your house will literally rot to pieces. Ok, that’s a bit strong. But it’s also true. If you don’t get the gutters cleaned, the water…
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Cost of New Windows in the UK
Windows are like unicorns. Everybody knows what they look like. They know that they’re expensive. But the rest is a mystery. The cost, in particular. I’m going to say it loud and clear: there is no ‘going rate’ for windows. In my research for this, I’ve read a hundred websites, forums, and personal accounts. There…
