What's New Here?

Catalogue edition — 4 sections, 17 entries

One measure per entry, written so a householder can work out whether the job is theirs to do, what it will involve, and what usually goes wrong. The sections run in the order the work is normally best taken: the shell of the building first, then the systems inside it, then the ground around it, then the surfaces you live with.

Newest In The Catalogue

Schematic of two wall sections meeting at a joint, with the joint filled by a marked sealing strip

Air Sealing Gaps And CracksBE-01Straightforward · Cool, still weather

Schematic cross-section of a roof with an insulation layer laid across the ceiling line

Attic And Loft InsulationBE-02Moderate · Any season

Schematic of a round thermostat dial with the pointer set part way round

Thermostat Settings And ZoningHW-01Straightforward · Any season

Schematic of a straight pipe run enclosed by a dashed insulation sleeve

Hot Water Pipe InsulationHW-04Straightforward · Any season

Schematic of a water butt beside a downpipe with a tap near its base

Rainwater Butts And DownpipesWO-01Straightforward · Spring

Schematic of an open paint tin with a band marked across its face

Low VOC Paints And FinishesMF-01Straightforward · Warm, dry weather

Building Envelope

The shell of the house: the layer that separates warm inside air from cold outside air.

Air Sealing Gaps And CracksClosing the small unintended openings that let outside air move through the shell.

BE-01

Straightforward
Cool, still weather

Attic And Loft InsulationLaying or topping up insulation at the ceiling line so heat stops leaving through the roof.

BE-02

Moderate
Any season

Schematic of a cavity wall showing two masonry leaves with the gap between them filled

Wall Insulation ChoicesHow wall construction decides whether insulation goes in the cavity, inside or outside.

BE-03

Trade work
Warm, dry weather

Schematic of a door in its frame with a seal marked along the threshold

Weatherstripping DoorsFitting compression seals and threshold strips so external doors close against a gasket.

BE-04

Straightforward
Before winter

Schematic of a window opening with a second glazing layer drawn inside the frame

Secondary Glazing And FilmsAdding a second sealed layer inside existing windows without replacing them.

BE-05

Moderate
Cool, still weather

Heating, Cooling & Water

The systems that move heat around the house, and the pipework that carries hot water.

Thermostat Settings And ZoningSetting controls so heat follows the rooms and hours that are actually in use.

HW-01

Straightforward
Any season

Schematic of two duct sections meeting at a marked joint above a floor line

Duct Sealing And BalancingClosing leaks in ductwork and adjusting flow so each room gets its share.

HW-02

Moderate
Any season

Schematic front view of a finned radiator panel with the vent marked at one top corner

Radiator And Baseboard CareVenting, clearing and reflecting so emitters give out the heat they receive.

HW-03

Straightforward
Before winter

Hot Water Pipe InsulationSleeving accessible hot pipe runs so heat arrives at the tap instead of the cupboard.

HW-04

Straightforward
Any season

Schematic of an outdoor unit with a fan beside a separate indoor component

Heat Pump BasicsHow a heat pump changes the way a house is heated, and what has to be ready first.

HW-05

Trade work
Any season

Water & Outside

Rainwater, drainage, fixtures and the ground immediately around the building.

Rainwater Butts And DownpipesCollecting roof water at the downpipe and keeping the overflow away from the wall.

WO-01

Straightforward
Spring

Schematic of a tap spout above a basin with the aerator insert marked at the tip

Low Flow Taps And ShowersFitting aerators and restrictors so fittings use less water without feeling weaker.

WO-02

Straightforward
Any season

Schematic of ground sloping away from a wall towards a drainage gully

Drainage And Ground LevelsGetting surface water to run away from the building rather than sit against it.

WO-03

Moderate
Warm, dry weather

Schematic of a single leaf shape with a central vein

Planting, Mulch And ShadeUsing planting and ground cover to hold moisture and shade the hottest elevations.

WO-04

Straightforward
Autumn

Materials & Finishes

Choosing surfaces, boards and coatings that last longer and off-gas less.

Low VOC Paints And FinishesChoosing coatings that release less into room air, and ventilating while they cure.

MF-01

Straightforward
Warm, dry weather

Schematic of two reclaimed timber boards with old fixing holes marked

Reclaimed Timber And SalvageWorking with second-hand timber and fittings, and checking them before they go in.

MF-02

Moderate
Any season

Schematic cross-section of a floor covering over an underlay layer on a structural deck

Floor Underlay And AcousticsChoosing what goes under a floor covering to deal with noise, level and movement.

MF-03

Moderate
Any season

Catalogue Status

This catalogue holds 17 entries across 4 sections.

Entries are written to be read and worked from. Nothing here is ordered, priced or supplied.

Start Here

4 sections · 17 entries · 5 index pages — Building Envelope Heating, Cooling & Water Water & Outside Materials & Finishes

Field notes

What's New Here?

Building Envelope

Heating, Cooling & Water

Water & Outside

Materials & Finishes