EDITOR’S LETTER

The huge variety of materials used to build and clad British homes over the centuries is what makes our built environment in this country so unique and special. In many ways, the modern-day self-builder is continuing this tradition — while decisions regarding cladding may or may not be dictated by the planners, when it comes to construction, we’re a pioneering industry that has not only embraced masonry and timber frame, but SIPS, ICF and even methods such as cross-laminated timber and straw bale, to name a few.

In many ways, deciding on a construction system is a chicken and egg scenario. Surely the design comes first, and the construction system that best delivers said design and/or matches the expertise of your chosen contractor, then follows? Not necessarily. Each construction system carries its own design possibilities and challenges; starting with a designer and/or package company well-versed in said construction method can sometimes be more cost-effective. With this in mind, we tasked architect Allan Corfield, an experienced SIPS designer, to explain how to get the best from this construction method. Next month, we look at timber frame.

Elsewhere, we turn our attentions to the changing seasons — more specifically, ‘winterproofing’ your building site (page 159) and draughtproofing old homes (page 169). H

Claire Lloyd has been a member of the Homebuilding & Renovating team for almost a decade. She’s renovating an old stone cottage with her partner Ed, a builder.