Many of our clients nowadays are creating open plan kitchen and family spaces in their homes. Often we are building them extensions and removing walls to open up their ground floor, so they can spend more quality time together as a family and also use the new kitchen/living space for entertaining. An open-plan kitchen-diner can also create the illusion of extra space. Fewer rooms means fewer walls, fewer doors, and a longer run of flooring, making your home seem bigger and br

You can extend your home in several different directions. This could be building up into the loft, excavating down to create a basement, or extensions to the front, side or rear. A lot of home owners choose the latter because it can transform the entire property. There are lots of potential design ideas for rear extensions. A sensitive extension If you plan to use your permitted development rights to create the extension, you need to ensure it is sensitive to the main buildin

Planning permission can be a thorn in the side of home owners, developers and even architects. If you fail to get approval for a project it can increase the timeframe and cost. Fortunately, Thames Design and Build can help as our main area of expertise is extensions. A good extension can add a lot of value to a home but you must ensure you get planning permission if it is necessary. Not every project will require planning in some cases the project will fall under permitted de

As you look out your window on these cold, snowy winter days, it probably doesn’t feel like you should be thinking about extending your home. However, now is exactly the right time to start the process to be finished during the summer. Unfortunately, the weather here in the UK is not the most conducive for external works from late October through until about February or March – as there are more rainy days and less daylight hours. At Thames Design & Build we usually advise cl

Due to the national shortage of PIR (Celotex, Kingspan etc.) insulation, we did some research into alternative solutions at Thames Design & Build. We came across Actis Insulation, which have a product called Hybris, which can be installed between studs, rafters and joists as an alternative to PIR board in lots of situations. When this is combined with their HControl Hybrid or Boost Hybrid products, the required U-Values for Building Regulations are easily achieved. The pros a

At Thames Design & Build we have recently found that many of our clients seem to be opting for sliding doors as opposed to bi-fold doors, so is the fashion changing? Below are some pros and cons of sliding versus bi fold doors: Sliding Doors Pros * large glass panes possible * Wider overall width available * Open and close in line, not protruding * More traditional as a replacement * Up to two thirds opening * Narrow frame widths * Works well with curtains and blinds *H

The Pamborises loved the idea of a new family home and moved to Ewell to achieve this. What they missed was a real family hub to share and so they engaged Thames Design and Build to realise their vision The Pamborises live in their 1920s house in Thorndon Gardens, Ewell, with their 20- month- old toddler. They moved from Earls eld, where they had a two-bedroomed at, to enjoy more of the family lifestyle they wanted with their young daughter. The house that they fell in love

There are many benefits of using one company for the whole of your project from design through to construction. One that has been highlighted to me on numerous occasions lately, is the benefit to the client of having one company taking responsibility for the whole project. Too often I hear of situations where designers and builders are blaming each other for issues arising on site, which often lead to long delays and additional costs to the client. When one company is respons