The Options

So you moved into a property X number of years ago that has one or more roof windows - and now they need replacing. What are your options? Follow this step - by -step guide to save yourself the stress of finding out.

Step 1: Finding out the particulars

Gather as much information as you can about your roof window to give yourself a head start. Inspect the window for details of manufacturer, brand and size. You should be able to find a data plate somewhere along the sash of the window (viewable when opened) with manufacturer's codes. Take a note of these for later. You might be able to decipher the codes on the manufacturer's website to give you a size and glazing type, or you can contact the company's customer services for help. A roof window merchant company might also be able to help you with this.

If you can't find a data plate or brand details, or your skylight is very old and does not have these, don't worry. Contemporary roof windows are sold by their external frame size, so this is the only piece of information you'll strictly need to know. Measure the inside frame and add on several centimetres to give you a general idea, or better yet measure the window frame from the outside if it is safe to do so or get a roofer or builder to do it for you.

Option 1: Replace the pane

This is only an option if the existing roof window frame is in good condition, and you know the make and model. Most roof window brands sell replacement glazing panes for their windows, so the first port of call would be to contact the company by phone or email or to browse their website to find the correct product. You will usually have the option of purchasing glazing like-for-like or upgrading to a better glazing spec, e.g. from standard double glazing to safety glazing or enhanced noise reduction, or even triple glazed.

As most brands do no sell to the public directly, you will need to go through a merchant, such as a local builder's merchant, or search for roof window retailers online. The customer service staff should be able to help you if you're not sure what you're looking for. Remember to order the correct size - this is where the codes you copied down earlier will come in handy!

Option 2: Like for like

If your entire unit is worse for wear, you are best off opting for a whole new roof window. You can replace your window like-for-like if the unit is still in production, or with an equivalent sized roof window if it is not or you decide to opt for a different brand. Remember, roof window sizes generally go by the external frame size. If you are in any doubt regarding which of two sizes is closest to your existing skylight, you are best opting for the larger size, as this will be easier to fit (it is a lot less work to cut out a larger hole in a roof than to build up a hole to make it smaller). If you are opting for a larger size, it is worth checking with your roofer or builder that your roofing structure is able to accommodate it before you make the purchase.

Option 3: Upgrade

If you have to replace your roof light, this is an excellent opportunity to upgrade. Below are some examples of roof window features that you might want to consider when browsing for a replacement.

Window frame:If you have a pine window frame, you might want to consider upgrading to polyurethane coated white. The white is moisture resistant (perfect for kitchens and bathrooms), easier to maintain and provides a more contemporary finish.

Opening style:Most older style roof windows work on a central pivot, opening into the room itself, which can obstruct views. Top hung roof windows are also available - these cost a little more but have the advantage of opening all the way outwards from a top hinge, offering the best views and zero obstruction.

Automatic operation:Electric and solar powered roof windows are readily available. Common features include remote control operation - perfect when out of reach - and automatic rain sensors which shut the windows upon the slightest detection of precipitation.

Enhanced glazing:You can get laminated safety glass - ideal for windows above head height - noise reduction glazing to cut out external sounds, and triple glazing for the highest levels of energy efficiency.

Option 4: Total overhaul

If you really want to make the best of a renovation opportunity, you need to think one step further than an ordinary roof window. You could look into creating a roof terrace, which is a roof window system that opens out as a door, from which a small railed platform extends from your roof.  Another option is a roof window balcony system, which acts very much in effect like a pop-up balcony. The windows open outwards in a balcony style offering extended space and views, but fold back in line with the roof when not needed.

After all - as the chocolate advert says, why have cotton when you can have silk? We're sure this applies to houses too.

Whether it be a gift, a treat, or something slightly special for the living room that doesn't look like it's fallen straight off the IKEA production line (not that we'd ever knock IKEA), you've got a good chance of picking it up if you head to an independent homewares boutique. Stuffed with quirky, quality investment pieces, often handmade or bespoke, crafted with originality, funk and soul -- you might not know what you're looking for till you've seen it, but once you've seen it you'll know you  have to have it. Aah, there really is nothing like walking into the crispy un-sameness of a boutique!

Which is why you might be surprised to find that, like so much of our retail activity these days, it pays to shop online. Not only will you have access to a lot more items than in any one store, but you can also spend as long as you want in the browsing stage. Safe in the knowledge that no-one can judge you for lingering too avidly in front of the owl cushions or drooling heavily over the floral teapots - whatever your particular penchant. In general, you can riffle and peruse at ease, taking time to marvel or even baffle over the latest interior  trends (I hear moustache motifs are causing quite a stir this season...) before falling upon something just right.

So here's our shopping list of shopping sites to get you started:

1.        Giddy Kipper 

100% handmade and British - can that be anything but a good thing? Offering sweet, painted, beach-holiday-esque bits and bobs, we dare you not to fall in love with a bespoke door sign, hanging star or childish bookends within the first half minute or so on this site. These charming and affordable pieces will capture your heart, and there's even an award winning wedding section that's enough to get you dreaming (or make you nostalgic). It's clear that the husband and wife team behind this business put a lot of love into what they make, and it catches. Integrate a Giddy Kipper design into your home and I almost guarantee it'll make you smile every time you look at it. Feel-good interiors?  We're in!

2.        Howkapow

Talk about fun and quirky - Howkapow are up to their eyeballs in it (and it's another spousal affair). Showcasing the best new and innovative home and kitchenware, these hand-picked pieces from independent designers will have you salivating into your keyboards with undeniable cushion lust - or ceramics, or prints, or lamps. There's a creative jewellery section too, just in case there's anything left in the piggybank after you've covered every surface and filled every cabinet in the house with all the other delicacies on offer. We love their bushy-tailed cat cushions and 'I am not a doormat' um, doormat. All that shopping - phew! I'm exhausted just writing about it.

3.        Hunkydory Home

Worth mentioning for their print cushions if for nothing else. Patterns, colours and animal funk - delicious.  Hunkydory home offer a wide range of niche home products under one banner, from kitchen and dining to clocks and craft, not to mention their signature handmade lampshades of the bold and bright persuasion. Use these to set the tone in your room, adding depth at a height that most people neglect (that'll get the neighbours' curtains twitching). You could get the cushions to match the lampshades and really impress. 

4.        Pretty Dandy

Stunning vintage, new and handmade homewares that are elegant, decadent and wistful - if you're after class and beauty that's in a league of its own, you'll be enchanted by what this Pretty Dandy boutique has to offer. This is where to come for your statement pieces, designed to stand out rather than blend in with a room. For this reason, you'll find a bit less symmetry and a lot more bending and blending of patterns and themes - such as wall storage in the shape of a birdhouse or fabric footstools of random coloured shards. It all strangely works. My advice? Treat yourself to something special before it sells out, because it's a near certainty you'll never find another thing like it.

5.        Emma Bridgewater

Specialising  in inspired, hand decorated pottery and kitchenware, Emma Bridgewater - still run by the lady herself - is fast becoming something of a household name. Decorative patterns - created by Emma and her husband (I'm sensing a pattern here) and tested through many years' popularity - adorn quality crockery, much of which is available in bespoke or personalised versions. Equally perfect as gifts or to start your own plate and mug collection that you can relish building on in the years to come. This boutique doubles up as a workshop where you can participate in the creative process to produce your very own bespoke, hand painted treasures. I fancy one of their storage tins myself, to keep the biscuits in.

What tickles yours?

The National Self Build Association (NaSBA) is well known for its proactive promotion and lobbying efforts in support of Self Build --  most notably setting up what has become the widely influential Self Build Portal in 2010  (a comprehensive, interactive guide to self building). They also more recently co - organised the first ever Self Build Week - a successful national networking and marketing event that ran in May, helping to raise the profile of the self and custom build sector, particularly  by engaging the attention of the national media and politicians.

If the organisation's ongoing efforts are anything to go by, the push is only getting stronger. A spinoff from Self Build Week - which was organised in association with Grand Designs Live and supported by the Department for Communities and Local Government  - the organisation has unveiled a design competition that has the potential to inspire and make custom builders of us all. 

After all, who wouldn't want to take up the challenge to design a family home for four for less than £50,000 (price of plot not included)? Yes, as impossible as it sounds, this is the brief that entrants will have to keep to. 

Aptly named Self Build on a Shoestring, this contest definitely asks some exciting and pertinent questions for the recession generation - with the hopes of answering them too. First time buyers should pay particular attention. After all, if sustainable, attractive and functional homes can be easily constructed for up to 50 grand each, the question needn't be how to get on to the property market, but rather, housing crisis -what housing crisis? 

The premise behind the competition is not only to generate self build awareness and inspire the country to get building, but also to question how we relate sustainability and cost when it comes to home projects. Are we truly limited by the budgets we think we are, as our architects, surveyors and contractors relate to us according to canon? Or are there cheaper, sustainable and equally effective methods that we have yet to take collective advantage of as a population and as an industry? 

The 50 thousand budget constraint really pushes the boundaries when it comes to finding these solutions, and really gives hopefuls a chance to get their creative caps on when it comes to thinking outside, inside, perched on or sidey-ways-around the box. Other than the general condition that the house be 'easy to be build', and that it must understandably comply with UK Building Regulations, there really isn't much of a straightjacket when it comes to possibilities.. 

Did we mention that Kevin McLoud is one of the judges? 

So what are you waiting for! Get brainstorming for a head start - full details of entry will be revealed in July, but you can pre-register your interest on the NaSBA website here.

Who knows - this might just be the first spark towards your own custom build project or even a new career in design.

Have you ever wondered what kind of technology the most expensive homes in the world use? Look no further.

The most expensive home in the world, named Antilia, is located in Mumbai, India and is worth $1 billion. The house includes a 50-seat movie theater, crystal chandeliers in the ballroom that take up 80% of the ceiling, and is 27 stories! Don't worry about getting around though. Its nine elevators will get you up and down 550 foot tall home in no time. And if you ever get sick of the warm weather, there's a snow room with man made snowflakes.

If that's a little too much for you, check out Bill Gates' Home, Xanadu 2.0, in Medina Washington. This 66,000 square foot home comes with a 20-seat art-deco theater, pressure sensitive floors that detects who is in the house based on footsteps, and temperature, light and music adjustment from a chip.

And you thought your new big screen TV was cool. For a longer description of some of the coolest gadget powered homes, look at this inforgraphic.

This infographic is brought to you by Vivint. Be sure to check out Vivint to outfit your home with a state-of-the-art home automation system.

1. The Meaden Project  

The 'War and Peace' of self-build blogs, our first place offering goes to show that it's true -- you can't get enough of a good thing. Boasting over 75,000 blog views since its June 2012 inception, the Meaden saga is still going strong, and we, for one, are hooked. Hilariously candid and occasionally crude, the anecdotes just keep on coming, each one more interesting, cringe-worthy and 'lol' than the one before.  A self-build renovation plus new-build extension (not to mention stables and 'man-cave'), this wife and husband team have certainly bitten off a lot, but it's chew, chew, chew - and so far, it seems to be going down well.

From a self-builder's point of view, there is a wealth of instruction on offer, whether it be author Emma's name-and-shame policy of which suppliers to plump for (cleverly uses her blog hits as discount leverage) or the overarching philosophy not to be scared of a challenge.  It'll all come out in the wash, as they say (although when the caravan pipes froze last winter it doesn't sound like Emma and Richard washed quite often enough).

My favourite character? The Turdis. A real page stealer.

2. Agent-Mumpreneur's Blog   

This dual purpose blog of a dedicated mother come property agent is doubly good. Written from a vantage of concentrated knowledge and proprietary passion, this blog can't fail to impress. Witty, intelligent and darkly observant, our self-styled 'agent-mumpreneur' (part mum, part property agent, part entrepreneur) begins by addressing chosen issues from her specialised angles, before progressing to chronicle her near complete self-build project: what turns out to be a staggeringly impressive, breathtakingly contemporary affair, complete with lashings of blue lighting, glass and sustainable features. Wow. Less Highgate and more Hollywood, this is a thoroughly enjoyable read - if only we'd been in on it from the start!  

3. Self build diary  

Neil Grimshaw's charming, enthusiastic, and darn right funny insights into the self-build dramas of being an overstretched project manager overseeing the construction of his family home - including the arrival of a newborn baby half way through. To tent or not to tent? This is the inherent dilemma of the build, and there's even a clever running-table-thingy to track the number of days saved by tenting against the number of days that would have been lost through not weatherproofing. Tenting turns out to be a sensible investment, saving time and ultimately money in the long run. The most mysterious aspect of this blog? It's - um - mysterious, untimely demise just a few weeks prior to scheduled completion. What happened?

4. Self Build Bungalow Diary  

An endearing account of the self-build overtures of a professional joiner, embarking on a modest 75m2, 2 bedroom bungalow in the Midlands. Includes periodical pics that help move the story along nicely, for a sound sense of progression and vicarious thrill at watching it all come together in what seems rapid time, with (selfishly, sadly!) little or no hiccups whatsoever.

'Ojz''s musings on the ominous air-tightness test are shrewdly philosophical. As our sage protagonist recounts: "Air tightness test was last week. Achieved a ridiculously good result of 2.72 only be told that it's almost too good which is when you start needing extra mechanical ventilation. I don't understand how you can strive to achieve air tightness to then be told you did too well". Aah, the old 'overqualified' conundrum. You've happened upon one of life's great mysteries there, my friend...

5. Self Build House Whitstable    

This is a charming - if sporadic -- account of a dedicated self build in suburban Whitstable, again for a family home. Alison's words recount her family's plunge into the dreamer's abyss, succumbing to an alluringly vacant plot in a residential area (having never considered self build before). The design is charming - subtly 'boat shaped' with curved walls to resemble a hull - balancing contemporary lines with timeless ideals, managing quaint, yet universal appeal. And it overlooks the sea! Ultimately there is a lot to be learnt from their frustrated and fraught experience - battling planning authorities and utilities alike - all of which makes for a heart-warming and informative read. Currently a work in progress, we wish them all the best with the build. This story is sure to have a happy ending.

Inspired yet?

It's a common occurrence, battling through age-old manuals belonging to an increasingly spluttering and ailing boiler that is stubbornly refusing to do its job. This normally happens at the most inopportune times, such as a Monday morning, desperately trying to get to work, just as a cold snap hit and your feet turn to ice or when the in-laws come to stay. Of course, their boiler would never let them down.
In all seriousness, you may or may not know but a boiler of fifteen years old or more is probably not doing its job as well as you would like. As with anything mechanical, time can be unkind and as advances in technology are made, certain aspects of old boilers become outdated. Perhaps more seriously, older boilers can carry more of a health risk for you and for your family. Every year, families are needlessly killed by toxic fumes from dangerous old boilers. Most of these are tragedies that need never have happened.

The cost may seem daunting initially, but installing a modern boiler can actually see your heating bills decreasing over time. In fact, some statistics suggest that a new boiler plus manageable controls can result in bills being slashed by as much as 25%. All of this is because their efficiency far outweighs any older counterparts.  

For example, many regular boilers are fitted with a heat exchanger that works to use steam more than once as opposed to emitting it straight away. Reduced emissions equal reduced bills. For households with just one bathroom, a new Combi boiler is a good option. With this boiler type, the water used is heated as needed. Therefore, the boiler has an easier time and so does your bank balance.

Aside from cost, safety is a key issue as alluded to before. If your boiler is over a certain age, you cannot be certain that it was installed absolutely accurately. At present, all plumbers who fit gas appliances are registered with a scheme called Gas Safe, which assures customers of the highest quality of installation.  

Getting a new boiler installed is also a good opportunity for potential home improvements. There is little point in investing in a money saving boiler if heat is escaping through badly insulated walls and ceilings. So it might also be the time to ensure energy efficiency is in place across your home. Furthermore, many older properties will have boilers fitted in the most unusual of locations. Nowadays, companies such as Glow Worm Boilers offer units in all shapes and sizes for all types of spaces and properties. Therefore, having a modern boiler fitted means, space allowing, you can relocate it to a less obtrusive part of the house. That's something that is sure to impress even the most discerning of in-laws!

Jemima Webb is head of sustainability for a national housing company. She writes for a range of websites and publications on the subject of efficiency and recommends Glow Worm Boilers to clients who are energy aware.

Everyone who has ever stayed in the same place for a certain amount of time starts to notice things deteriorating after a while. Your home won't stay the same forever no matter how much you pray that it does. After a while you know it's time to spend money because you can't bear the thought of someone coming to your home and seeing it in such a mess. Do you have any idea what you will start with first and what things you can leave until a later date?

You'll obviously have to replace things that are broken and there is no getting around that, but there are a few changes you can make that will make the place look beautiful again. Even though there are things that haven't been touched before and you can't afford to do everything at the same time, you still feel satisfied because your home looks OK. If you don't know where to start we can look at some of those things now and you can leave everything else until you have more money.

Paint your walls

When you need to make a big impact the obvious thing is painting the walls because it covers the largest amount of area in each room. You don't even need to get someone in if you want to try it yourself and it might take you a weekend to paint each room. When you consider how much a tub of paint and some brushes cost it makes sense to do this before you try anything else. Either paint over the walls in the same color to make them look fresher, or you can start again with an entirely new color which might be more fun.

Replace tables and desks

When you bought tables and desks a few years ago they might have been expensive, but people are always finding ways to make things cheaper and everybody is always competing on price. Wooden furniture does start to look old after a while and buying some cheap ones to replace them doesn't mean they will look worse. You might be surprised by the quality you get from items that won't come close to breaking the bank. If something is really old and expensive you could just have it repainted and varnished by a professional.

Touch up the window frames

Windows take a very long time to deteriorate, but the same can't be said for the frames and when you start to see paint chipping off it's time to sand them down and touch them up. Flaking paint could make a perfectly good window look cheap and nasty and you don't want that. You might want to do the same on the outside because that is the side people will be able to see when they're walking past, but make sure you get a professional to do anything high up so you don't hurt yourself.

Look over the roof

Tiles get battered by the elements every day and it's no surprise they look old as the years pass. Some people don't mind having an old looking roof because they think it gives their home character, but others want it to be as fresh as the day the house was built. There is a way to make it look like this without replacing all the tiles, but it involves someone going onto the roof and cleaning it with a power spray before spraying the tiles with paint. It's always an option if you would prefer it to look new.

Shampoo your carpets

How much crap do you think falls onto your carpet over the years? Even if you hoover everything weekly it's not enough to get it all off. After a while your bright carpet could start to look dark and dingy. If you get someone in to clean it properly it can look almost new and it will make the room shine again. When you eventually get to the stage where you're sick and tired of having a carpet you could even look into laying wooden flooring.

This post is authored by Patrick of Geocrete. He believes that if we decorate your home in a certain manner, it gives us the illusion that our life is more interesting than it really is. He considers polished concrete flooring second to none.

Are you planning to relocate to a new commercial place for office purposes? Relocation can be a strenuous job especially when you are all by yourself. Before moving into a new place there are some things that need to be taken under consideration. The exterior as well as interior decorations need to be suited as per your convenience so that you can use it favorably for your business purpose. The easiest is contacting an interior designer for designing your office, but if you are thinking of an alternative, why don't you try and implement your creativity to design your own office?

1.Budgeting

Budgeting is one of the primary things that need to be taken under consideration as that would determine the interiors decorations that you would like to put up. It is easier to decide how you would design your interiors if you have an allocated budget beforehand. The main requirements should be focused on wall paintings, shelving and furniture's, the lighting and the area of work. These are the basic things. You can also add onto it by wall paintings, floor carpeting, etc depending on your budget.

2.Spacing and lighting

Before planning the interiors, it is important that one also thinks over the internal as well as external space. The internal space includes the workplace, the place where employees would be sitting and a place for the different departments. You should categorize the sections as per requirements. The external space includes the parking space and the no smoking zone which needs to be considered. Also, if you are planning for a studio, make sure that you have a green room as well.

Along with the spacing, it is really important that there is good and adequate lighting in all corners of the office. There should be large windows so that adequate amount of sunlight can enter in the morning and lighting to light up the place at night. Natural light should not be blocked from coming in as it helps in invigorating employees.

3.Remember about taking permission before planning your space

Before planning for your office you need to make sure that you take the consent of either the landlord or the person giving rent. Also try registering your office by the corporation so that it is legal. If you feel that you need to remodel any part of the room or space, remember to take permission from the owner.

4.Install partitions which are transparent

If you need to install partitions, the best would be installation of glass partitions so that one person can see the other and communicate accordingly. Glass partitions also help to get rid of the boredom which one might face sitting all alone. Also, it helps in increasing the light. Glass partitions are very easy to set up as well as remove as per requirement. They look elegant and are cost effective.

5.Interiors for the office

Plan what you would like for your office. For that you need to do a market research on things that are in demand. This includes shopping for proper and affordable furniture's like chairs and tables, cupboards, Storage places as well as containers, and rest of the accessories. Consider the budget, space as well as things required for comfort of employees.

The above are some of the most primary things that one must consider while designing a commercial space. Click here to consider whether you want to go for a contemporary look or a traditional look and half your problem will definitely be solved. Try following the other tips and get the best commercial space in town.

Below are a few tips which can help make your home more inviting for both you and your guests. Ways of making your home more inviting can be as simple as changing the layout of the books on your bookshelf or as extravagant as adding a granite sink to your kitchen. Whatever your budget may be, you'll find tips below to cater for every budget.

Add Some Flowers

Flowers can brighten bare space in a living room. For a floral look that's different from the norm, try lining them in a row. The key to keeping the design modern is to choose flowers that have clean lines. I recommend getting something like Purple Alliums. The long stems and simple circles are very contemporary. A minimal base is another way to create a current look. I personally love the small ceramic bud ones. 

Organise Your Books

Put your books to good use and use them as book ends. Small books are a great way of keeping larger ones in place. Organise them by using repetition and you'll give a shelf an instant lift. I've lined out my bookshelf with books of the same edition, but you can also categorise by colour.

Buy a Clear Coffee Table

A clear coffee table can instantly bring new life to your living room. It can also make your favourite rug really stand out. A see through surface makes the room seem bigger so it's especially great for small spaces. I use two glass nesting tables in my living room and they always receive complements. You could also try creating a fun display by pairing your coffee table books with related items. Try to get personal by incorporating your hobbies or love for travel. On my coffee table, I paired a small bottle of Sangria with some of my favourite travel guides.

Create a Unique Display

To create a unique display, try using empty picture frames and unframed pictures. A mix of frames of different shapes and sizes creates a sculptural effect without making the shelf appear too cluttered. Add some colour by incorporating a picture you love. To accent the antique look, we propped a classic portrait behind the frames. Modern styles work well too so pick whatever suits your style.

Put Your Chopping Board to Use

In my message area I use a chopping board as a centre piece. It's a great place to jot down notes and will eliminate lots of messy papers. I also arranged colour trays around the board. Not only are they cute, they're also perfect for storing your mail, keys and other miscellaneous items.

Jazz Up Your Dining Room

In the dining room I went for a fun informal feel. To set the mood I made the long table seem more intimate. You can do this by using a shortened runner that doesn't reach the end of the table. We made a centrepiece out of hurricane lanterns and wine glasses. Turned upside down they become a candle holder. Pastel shades create a fresh feel so we used light greens and baby blues for the place settings. Play around with textures; it's a great way to mix things up too. We combined fabric napkins with vinyl place mats. The combo is light and relaxed. Finally make your guests feel special and use place cards. But get resourceful and make them with something you have around the house. We made ours with left over napkins. It's an affordable way to craft a trendy design.

Update Your Kitchen

Update your kitchen doesn't need to mean replacing all your appliances. You can start simple by rearranging the order of your appliances. Rearrange them so they are both pleasing to the eye and practical. Purchase a solid block chopping board and have it on show on your counter top. If you want to create a more extravagant feel to your kitchen and you have the money to spend, a granite sink could be just what you're looking for - stylish, elegant, sophisticated. 

Organise Your Office

With an organised office, you'll be sure to get inspired. First, make sure you've got yourself an ergonomic and stylish chair. You can make an old one seem new by changing the cushion cover. I my office, I chose a decorative turquoise and white pattern. Next, you can add personal touches to your desk. Make his and her boxes to stash odds and ends. Turn your favourite mugs into pen jars. Make an inspiration board for any other home projects you're working on. Stash your postcards and everyday mail in an unexpected place, a vintage bird cage has a whimsical appeal. You can also clip items on a lamp shade. A white one atop a hand blown glass lamp gives the illusion of a bigger area. I like to conceal my shelves to mask clutter. A thin layer of an opaque fabric hides a messy workspace or books, and looks good too.