<![CDATA[ Latest from Ideal Home in Exterior ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/exterior Mon, 27 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000 en <![CDATA[ Is your exterior house colour going out of style? Experts reveal the shades fading in popularity this year and the ones replacing them ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/exterior/house-colours-going-out-of-style-in-2026 bnKwjAyaYRsdCEmKoJ8Vr5 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ What’s the ideal porch size? I asked the experts how you ensure an addition to the front of your home is in proportion for maximum kerb appeal ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/exterior/what-is-the-ideal-porch-size nF5QcoLiMt5gcDjMF3FFJ3 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ This one reason is why I had to pay three times as much as I wanted to replace the windows in my home, but it turns out it was the right decision ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/doors-and-windows/upvc-replacement-windows-rejected-by-planners 695csbB7CUJ84SPV3evqRT Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ A pivot door could be a stylish addition to your home and elevate its kerb appeal — this is what you should know if you are considering one ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/doors-and-windows/pivot-doors SZUmfezvgH38Pc8xLWwPd5 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:00:00 +0000 Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:26:05 +0000 <![CDATA[ Will double glazing old windows strip them of their character and charm – or are there ways to do it sympathetically? I asked the pros how best to tackle it ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/doors-and-windows/should-you-double-glaze-old-windows nb6SRRe2MjPz5iKUFLBcqJ Fri, 13 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ If you spot any of these warning signs during heavy rain, then water could be getting into your home, and you’ll need to act fast ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/roofs-and-walls/signs-of-water-ingress vhDikNUwmiQwnYsR7B6zDP Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ What is solar control glass and could it be key to preventing your home overheating in summer? This is what the experts say ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/doors-and-windows/what-is-solar-control-glass 6YmiDe9GjrafzZXPgoWP3C Tue, 03 Feb 2026 15:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ What are sustainable drainage systems? They're not just a necessity — they can also protect your home as well as improve its kerb appeal, say the experts ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/exterior/sustainable-drainage-systems FzhCkERv6XzHF7LFcwNRkT Mon, 22 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Want a puddle-free driveway this winter? These expert-approved drainage tips are easy, affordable and surprisingly stylish ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/exterior/driveway-drainage-solutions cCszyc4D4S5BVTB5wwCQi Mon, 01 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ There's a lot to love about tarmac driveways – but my mum has one, and there are a couple of reasons she’s rethinking her driveway design ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/exterior/tarmac-driveway-pros-and-cons TZBHbtzufQ3LRed8VcKzC7 Fri, 26 Sep 2025 08:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ How to insulate a cold wall from the inside, and why the type of wall you have matters ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/roofs-and-walls/how-to-insulate-a-cold-wall-from-the-inside ZojkNPiBWAJ2RGepEYtgsj Tue, 23 Sep 2025 14:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ There's a lot to love about block paved driveways – but my best friend has one, and this is why she's rethinking her driveway design ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/exterior/block-paved-driveway-pros-and-cons SAcsAg8rZctt9Z6nm2MGRG Mon, 15 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Tue, 30 Sep 2025 14:38:51 +0000 <![CDATA[ This is what a cavity wall actually is, how you identify one, and whether you can alter one during a renovation, according to the experts ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/roofs-and-walls/what-is-a-cavity-wall nhf7UfH3QFwqcQQqUzQXJ3 Mon, 08 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Filling cracks in walls might seem simple, but skipping this crucial step can render your efforts useless ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/roofs-and-walls/filling-cracks-diy-reno-task-warning UJC9gPykrmfvuwZBPi6zfB Fri, 29 Aug 2025 08:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ After more than a decade in home renovations, I swear by these 4 genius ways to add space without extending ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/roofs-and-walls/how-to-add-space-without-extending VUbhbCewKTMU44nci5tChm Tue, 26 Aug 2025 14:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ 5 alternatives to bifold doors that will still maximise natural light and offer brilliant garden views ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/doors-and-windows/alternatives-to-bifold-doors RyZszrr8iitMXToV55Dbj6 Fri, 22 Aug 2025 08:00:00 +0000 Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:31:33 +0000 <![CDATA[ Renovation experts all agree that most wall removal mistakes stem from this initial blunder – here's how you can avoid it ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/roofs-and-walls/mistake-when-knocking-down-walls ptmM8CJgpgtim3cA2W7v77 Mon, 18 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:30:56 +0000 <![CDATA[ There are a lot of advantages to knocking down an internal wall, but make sure you consider these drawbacks before you commit ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/roofs-and-walls/pros-and-cons-of-knocking-down-walls bNE2GaY8fwvjD9A9pLwhbj Sun, 17 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:33:53 +0000 <![CDATA[ Thinking of going open plan? Make sure you know how to correctly identify a partition wall before you start knocking down walls ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/roofs-and-walls/partition-walls-explained dDi5UVN6QoTq3Yspk9bqa8 Fri, 15 Aug 2025 08:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Found a crack in your wall wider than a 10 pence piece? It could be something serious, say the experts ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/roofs-and-walls/when-to-worry-about-cracks-in-walls xZ7eUmKpfppdgTHuwmrBXa Sun, 10 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Mon, 01 Sep 2025 09:11:09 +0000 <![CDATA[ I’m a renovation expert and this is how much you should expect to pay to knock down an interior wall, and the factors that can influence the price ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/roofs-and-walls/how-much-does-it-cost-to-knock-down-internal-wall VnkFiK8rhuGi6gbhURoh7n Fri, 08 Aug 2025 08:00:00 +0000 Tue, 26 Aug 2025 09:32:31 +0000 <![CDATA[ Forgetting to do this one thing before removing a wall could have dire consequences, say experts ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/roofs-and-walls/one-thing-to-remember-when-removing-a-wall YfMQFN2CnzT2fiu69rpoyT Tue, 05 Aug 2025 14:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Building pros explain what a load-bearing wall actually is and why you should ‘never assume’ you can tell a load-bearing wall just by looking at it ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/roofs-and-walls/what-is-a-load-bearing-wall 2uCwujEmkfWsj8uRQiaA3T Mon, 04 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Tue, 26 Aug 2025 09:35:28 +0000 <![CDATA[ I’ve knocked down 8+ walls — doing it myself taught me these 5 lessons ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/roofs-and-walls/lessons-learned-from-removing-walls oYtWweoFYzCxadNDc2Rbbj Sun, 03 Aug 2025 11:01:00 +0000 Fri, 15 Aug 2025 09:54:49 +0000 <![CDATA[ Swapping your tarmac driveway for this smart paving solution can reduce your risk of flooding ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/exterior/grass-paving-for-driveway GnxJLVpfpbJRCPbgDdjWe Sun, 03 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I’m a serial renovator and this is how I’d remove an internal wall safely and when I’d advise you call in the pros ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/roofs-and-walls/how-to-remove-internal-walls iV6u2vhRczgRaarrHkDfwR Fri, 01 Aug 2025 08:00:00 +0000 Tue, 26 Aug 2025 09:30:03 +0000 <![CDATA[ There’s a lot I love about my gravel driveway, but these niggles are making me rethink my driveway design ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/exterior/gravel-driveway-pros-and-cons AxteuSGgCMt2H2GLgTsjqn Tue, 29 Jul 2025 13:00:00 +0000 Fri, 30 Jan 2026 11:27:34 +0000 <![CDATA[ I’m a serial renovator and these are the 8 roofing mistakes I see homeowners make, and how to avoid them ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/roofs-and-walls/roofing-mistakes-to-avoid VZYMZtRzhs35HY9ahuxgKV Mon, 28 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Do you know what type of roof you have? Here’s how to identify yours (and it’s surprisingly useful intel to have) ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/roofs-and-walls/types-of-roofs hF9a7qKjySdRMem47Nxk2j Sun, 27 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ 7 driveway mistakes that experts say could totally ruin the kerb appeal of your home — and what you should do instead ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/exterior/driveway-mistakes-to-avoid HZSRWEbbwRqsNzdBvduAu Fri, 25 Jul 2025 08:00:00 +0000 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:49:49 +0000 <![CDATA[ This is how you navigate the potential issues when replacing the roof on a terraced house, according to the experts ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/roofs-and-walls/how-to-replace-the-roof-on-terraced-house UkTmatzsvcHTi8sSfp9LTY Mon, 21 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Mon, 28 Jul 2025 09:13:13 +0000 <![CDATA[ There's a lot to love about resin driveways – but what are the downsides of this modern material you need to know about? ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/exterior/disadvantages-of-resin-driveways P8Wmbdsdr7GpJCorMhcLwZ Sun, 20 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Fri, 13 Mar 2026 14:26:05 +0000 <![CDATA[ This is how the different type of roof tiles compare on appearance, price and maintenance, plus how to tell what type you have ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/roofs-and-walls/types-of-roof-tiles LtBkXxdGe5bh7wA6D9i2mf Fri, 18 Jul 2025 08:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I found out how much it costs to resurface a driveway, but all homeowners should be aware of these 4 things that will impact the price ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/exterior/how-much-does-it-cost-to-resurface-a-driveway WUrLUHoGGwsikeARboNoyM Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:00:00 +0000 Thu, 11 Dec 2025 15:40:18 +0000 <![CDATA[ This is how to resurface a driveway, including whether you can do it yourself and how long before you can park on it ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/exterior/how-to-resurface-a-driveway hUL4AfSnudtDKEqiG5c34T Mon, 14 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Fri, 25 Jul 2025 09:05:14 +0000 <![CDATA[ I found out how often a roof needs replacing and the tricks you can try to extend its lifespan ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/roofs-and-walls/how-often-does-a-roof-need-replacing nwT5gRTJTN2cHcvBB2E999 Tue, 08 Jul 2025 14:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Exactly how much does a new roof cost? Avoid any nasty surprises with this expert cost breakdown ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/roofs-and-walls/how-much-does-a-new-roof-cost jEGbEp36V5K4QDK9dsfLjm Mon, 07 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 11:54:30 +0000 <![CDATA[ Is there a best time of the year to get your driveway done? This drive expert reveals the ideal weather ‘sweet spot’ for the best results ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/exterior/best-time-to-get-your-driveway-done CsdSj6tN5bcgWNMgc9rM6W Sun, 06 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:26:49 +0000 <![CDATA[ These are the 5 most common driveway materials – I compare their pros, cons and costs to see if one comes out on top ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/exterior/driveway-materials oTrQrQEt68gTc2YaYqajYd Tue, 01 Jul 2025 13:00:00 +0000 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:51:22 +0000 <![CDATA[ I waited 10 years to make this one change at home — here are 4 reasons I wish I'd done it sooner ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/roofs-and-walls/i-wish-i-didnt-wait-to-change-conservatory-roof XBZZ53M4ZMMTYMoNKw42qC Sun, 22 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ What is insulating render and is it a good solution to boost your home’s thermal efficiency? This is what the pros say ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/cladding-and-render/what-is-insulating-render BVe27a78xzMZuxE3eE2XUW Tue, 27 May 2025 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Torn between composite and timber cladding? This is how they compare on key factors and how you can tell which is right for your home ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/cladding-and-render/composite-vs-timber-cladding WRyywSy4Q6pJpGWZQKfvcn Sun, 25 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Which type of cladding should you choose? I spoke to the experts to break down your options ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/cladding-and-render/types-of-cladding M9YMNHYhccak5cV2hV2UrC Sun, 11 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:26:49 +0000 <![CDATA[ How much does house cladding cost and is it cheaper than render? Material costs compared, plus expert advice ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/cladding-and-render/how-much-does-house-cladding-cost sTjrHXBLWG8Y9RLanhs5H3 Sun, 04 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000 Wed, 28 May 2025 14:09:19 +0000 <![CDATA[ Is triple glazing worth it? Experts explain when the added cost is worthwhile, and when it isn’t ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/doors-and-windows/is-triple-glazing-worth-it VSR9BFoURnJZkR82PCZZQP Sun, 27 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ 5 things to know before cladding your home's exterior ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/cladding-and-render/things-to-know-before-cladding-your-homes-exterior FHoSj2DPBYWfitcUz6NeuE Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:30:00 +0000 Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:30:11 +0000 <![CDATA[ 5 things you need to know before installing a porch to avoid an expensive mistake ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/exterior/things-you-need-to-know-before-installing-a-porch izFkBjz8dA9Qhbpqdqjpek Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:00:00 +0000 Thu, 19 Jun 2025 09:26:56 +0000 <![CDATA[ What is a composite door? 4 front door specialists explain what they are made of and why they might be the ideal choice for your home ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/what-is-a-composite-door RkgN7MJ4hWYyntE5uW6fWM Tue, 18 Feb 2025 15:00:00 +0000 Thu, 27 Mar 2025 16:53:11 +0000 <![CDATA[ Should you choose an aluminium front door? I weigh up the pros and cons to see if the higher price tag is actually worth it ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/aluminium-front-doors y3oXxZMC6gazNRjGYAbe8M Mon, 17 Feb 2025 12:01:00 +0000 Thu, 27 Mar 2025 16:53:11 +0000 <![CDATA[ Is a picture window right for your home? Design pros share how to get them right to perfectly frame garden views ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/renovation/picture-windows kZ54ysj8LXJme9isLwqgnb Sat, 15 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0000 Mon, 18 Aug 2025 13:03:46 +0000