This is a big show with a focus on saving energy – hardly surprising as energy prices have increased so much. This having the green effect as saving money is a bigger motivator than saving the planet.

There are big areas devoted to:

Insulation
Real Homes Live Seminar sessions from various experts.

Underfloor heating
In the Real Homes Live! Theatres.
Underfloor heating used to seem very glamorous and expensive, but it is more energy efficient. Simply, the heat is distributed where it is needed – your feet – to make you feel warmer. Rather than ending up at the ceiling level like conventional radiators which work (badly) by convection.

See our sections on:

Introduction to Underfloor heating >

Hot water underfloor heating >

and Electric underfloor heating >

Eco lighting
In the Home Entertainment & Technology Zone.
Much improved now, can get decent lighting levels out of energy efficient tubes.

See our section on Lighting technology explained >

Secondary glazing
Also known as double glazing or even triple glazing (which adds a sound and heat loss reducing third layer).
Check out advice for windows, conservatories, etc.

Green finishes
This is at Julia Kendell’s Interior’s Pavilion.
See eco paints, eco flooring, eco furnitures. Basically it is about sustainable matericla (bamboo, hemp, etc) and using natural solvents rather than dangerous ones. All the main paint manufacturers are into this now, in premium ranges (ie, people still mainly buy traditional paints).

See our section on Building and DIY Paint >

Heat pumps
See the Masterclass sessions.
Alternative off-grid heat and energy is the way forward, but one little used in the UK, unlike say Germany. UK prefers huge projects like the Severn barge, massive wind farms… is that to do with the vast bureaucracies needed to organise such projects?
What happened to all that about Britain leading the way for green tech?
The Sustainable Development Commission SDC has just been closed down…

We have a lot of pages on renewable energy, have a look around the site.

Solar heating
Solar panels, PV, thermal, costs and benefits.

See our section on Solar Energy >

Boilers
See our sections on Eco Green Homes > and use the navigation.

Water recycling
Go to The Advice Centre on how to save up to half of your water needs from grey water recycling. Expensive to install but saves money over the long term.

See Water use in houses >

There are also big section on Gardens, Design, Kitchens, Home Entertainment, Layout, etc.

To get tickets (£8 advance, £12 on door) go to The National Home Improvement Show site >

Repair this house

Unless your holiday is DIY… well maybe it is too hot to do much but if you feel the need for a sweaty workout try some of these. Feeling fit?

Garages and carports

Needs a lot of work, and help from at least on one other or you might have an accident. A garage is a large DIY Building project. Summer is a good time though as you might (well possibly) escape the rain. The job will take several days so be prepared for cover in case it does rain after all.

Garage and carports >

Garage door types and tips >

Garage doors and security >

Barbecues

Building a brick or stone barbecue is a good small job, no one will get hurt much if it is a bit rough, in fact it might add to the charm.

Build a brick barbecue or oven >

Garden – Water features

Might be too hot but have a go as this is a good time for building garden features like waterfalls, fountains, ponds etc – which are good for biodiversity.

Garden waterfalls and water features >

Garden fountains >

Green roof and vertical garden

You can also try a Green roof or vertical garden >

Garden – Swimming pools

This should have been done in the spring! Now you have to watch the contractors digging and making the pool while you sit and… don’t swim.

Swimming pool – above ground >

Outdoor buildings and outhouses

Sheds, garden offices, pagodas, pergolas, awnings, canopies – these can all be built or erected in the summer.

Make sure they are strong enough for the winter winds though.

Awnings and canopies >

Garden buildings general article >

Garden sheds and useful buildings >

Garden tool sheds and storage >

Roofing covered in tarpaulin

Roofs and roofing

Check your roof is OK in the summer as it is easy to fix when dry and with easy access.

Roof and roofing materials >

Lofts and attic conversion

As there is less rain, summer is an ideal time to do this kind of work. Better to start in the spring though as this is usually major work and can take 3 months easily, though outside roof and structural work is at the start only.

Make your own retractable pull-down loft stairs >

Lofts and attic conversion >

Cladding

Cladding is on the outside of the house so is best to repair or replace in the summer.

Cladding >

Window frames, damp proof courses dpc, gutters

Check these also in case of damage, disrepair, or blockage. DPC is easier to do in the dry. Windows and frames are better changed in the dry but it is a quiick job. If you are self repairing is a good time. Blocked gutters regularly cause floods, and if the top roof floods, you whole house will get wet.

Damp proof DPC >

Window frames >

Outside walls and fencing

You can also build any fencing, fences, walls, paving etc.

Fencing fences and outdoor walls >

Driveways and paving, patios

Garden patio furniture outdoor

All these features can also be made or repaired more easily in the summer.

Driveways and access roads and paths >

Painting and Decorating

Sounds obvious but if your family are more outside in the summer, it is easier to paint and wallpaper and decorate the interior. Also you can ventilate more easily. Although if you use our recommended eco solvent-free paint, that is not a problem, and your home will not smell of petrochemicals for years either.

Wallpaper and decorating >

Paint and painting >

OK that is twelve and some of these are combinations but you get the general idea! Good luck and don’t forget safety precautions.

Building site materials construction - sand

There are many small and large builders merchants all over the country which are happy to do small sales, as it is all money comin gin. Architects and trade people often get a discount (10% or so) from these places, but if you are regular or friendly you too might get a discount. We will be starting an online building supplies directory so keep a look out for that.

We will be adding:

• wholesalers
• building supplies
• green building materials
• green technology
• green roofing
• green house materials
• fabric wholesale for interior decoration and refurbishment and remodeling
• wholesale furniture
• online wholesale supplies
• construction material
• eco building
• wholesale wood and timber

This new section will address building materials and construction, with a green eco slant, as is usual for this site. Buy cheap wood, bricks, slabs, windows, frames, glass, roofing… the list is almost endless. Garden supplies and garden materials will also be included, as you can get through a lot of wood, timber, bamboo, decking, slabs etc doing up a garden.

Save money and get more satisfaction from your building projects.

We are excited by this addition and will let you know what is coming in this building and DIY blog.

See our section on Building Materials and Wood for some information >

Visite las páginas en Español de la construcción, bricolaje, jardines

Have a look at the Spanish pages now >

Consejos Auto Construcción, hágalo usted mismo, construcción de casas auto construcción, consejos para la casas, jardines y jardinería, información ambiente, más regulaciones, aseguramiento, hipotecas, cámaras, juguetes y más.

Visite las páginas en Español de la construcción, bricolaje, jardines >

Uso de metales en construcciones – cobre, plomo, aluminio, estano, latón, hierro, oro, plata, titanio >

Consejos de hipoteca – comercial y residencial – y consejos de aseguramiento >

Barbacoa en el jardin >

Construir una barbacoa >

Toldos de jardín y doseles – guías útiles >

Desvanes y Áticos – ¿Cuál es la diferencia? >

Túneles solares – también llamados conductos o tuberías solares, de luz, tragaluz o claraboyas >

Calefaccion por suelo radiante agua caliente y sistemas de calefaccion central >

Biochar machine

Terra preta (“black earth” in Portuguese) is a sort of enriched soil, dark in color.

Biochar and Terra Preta was first ‘discovered’in the Amazon Basin, where it has been used for over 2000 years.

Local peasant and small farmers and caboclos (mixed race, European and Brazilian Amerindian) in the Amazonian basin.

Biochar is a type of charcoal made by pyrolysis of biomass.
Unlike charcoal it is not burnt for fuel.

Biochar is used as a soil enricher, and as a byproduct, stores carbon that would otherwise enter the atmosphere. Carbon is locked into the soil.

Ever increasing pollution is causing poisonous effects for life on earth. It’s also the reason for Ozone depletion and global warming. Biochar is a fine-grained charcoal made from biomass used mainly for agriculture purposes. It is incredibly helpful in reducing pollution and carbon dioxide effects.

Biochar has been used for over thousands of years and is now getting a lot of attention for its ability to lessen green house gases.

Benefits of Biochar

Biochar is used with soil compost in order to provide rich fertilizer allowing soil to store more carbon in it.
Directly stores carbon that stays in the soil for thousands of years
It helps plants and vegetables absorb more nutrients from the soil

• Lessens soil acidity and groundwater pollution
• Biochar speeds up the decaying process in soil
• Making biochar results in production of a byproduct called bio-fuel which can be a substitute of diesel containing very little amount of carbon dioxide in it.
• It helps soil retain its nutrients for a longer period of time and lessens need for irrigation.
• Biochar production requires very little or no oxygen and less emission of carbon dioxide.
• It provides solution for animal wastes.

Production of Biochar

Biochar is made with waste from plants and agriculture matter called biomass. It is produced through a process known as pyrolysis. A kiln or furnace which needs low or no oxygen to burn with, is filled with organic material like wood, grass, farmyard scraps, animal manure, crop remains and other agricultural waste.

Pyrolysis process starts with heating furnace at 700˚C approx and adding organic matter into it. This slowly burning process results in production of three products : one is biochar which has the ability to retain carbon and the other is syngas – which contains carbon monoxide and little amount of carbon dioxide in it and third is bio-fuel.

Biochar, along with byproducts, is then processed in a gasifier through the process of gasification. This produces more refined biochar and bio-fuel. Syngas obtained from gasifier acts as useful energy to power pyrolysis furnace. Most of the carbon produced in the burning process is locked inside biochar therefore there is very less chance of carbon emission in air.

To fight against global warming and harmful gases with simultaneous increase in productivity, biochar is really an economic and environment friendly means to produce nutrient rich fertilizer, equally acting as a trapper for poisonous gases so it must be produced on large scales and governments must emphasize and assist in its production.
(by our bio tech writer)

See also:

Green DIY building advice >

Energy microgeneration >

Wiki biochar >

Some jobs are too big for DIY because

• too skilled or large scale – needs many builders to do it
• needs special equipment – diggers, scaffolding, etc
• needs builders professional insurance or professional sign-off – safety is most important

Roofing diy building - job for a builder?

But most of these factors can be solved by specific hire of equipment or builders (or labourers) for jobs. If you lack skills, hire in those specific skills for the job, or carefully learn first.

Some home jobs are done even by people who don’t think of themselves as DIY people. This includes

• painting, even quite large painting jobs are done by householders
• repairs - changing a fuse is a job
• interior design – where to put the new TV and sofa
• gardening and garden design – you don’t often call in a landscaping expert

For instance, making a wall, even a low one, by bricklaying is skilled, but can be learnt if you are keen. Bricks can be delivered, and even carried through to where you need them.

Foundations - this is a big job but say for an extension or shed, or garden building, can be done with a do it yourself approach – hire a small digger, hire people to do the ‘muck away’ – clearing the soil and rubbish – and have hardcore (rocks etc) and concrete delivered.

Roofing - another skilled and dangerous job – but can be ‘do it yourself’ if you are determined, depending on type of roof, height, etc

Generally though, these big building jobs are too much hassle, with too many risks, for a do it yourself approach.

It will also take far longer to try and do it yourself – speed is important in building work.

You also want solid quality work, which even your best DIY might not achieve.

With electrical, plumbing, energy, insulation, sound proofing, and other specific skills, you will need professional safety sign-off. A lot of the simpler work can be DIY though. It is just a complex area, so will take up a lot of time and energy.

Also builders costs are lower these days.

So we would have to say – if it needs more than two people to do (ie yourself and a friend, or a hired hand) then use a professional builder. Some people have even built a house themselves – although of course by the end, they will know a lot and not really be typical DIY enthusiasts!

Garden jobs are suitable for DIY as if the garden shed falls down it won’t kill anyone (perhaps the cat).

So start with a brick border, raised bed, or a brick or stone barbecue, a driveway or walls.

Timber building and use of wood is easier than using metal for DIY – and you will get an attractive result even if you are not totally accurate. It is also lighter and easy to work. Start with garden structures like storage and sheds, or fencing, decking etc.

Wooden building for roof gable - skilled large job

See our big sections on DIY building >

and Advice for Builders and Building process >

Build a brick barbecue >

Build a garage, plans and kits for garages >

Build a driveway >

Roof and Roofing >

It is easy to join – just create an account by registering your basic details, then add articles with images, videos, text, and links.

There are many sections including

* Architecture & Design
* Building & Construction, Plant equipment, Tools, Lease, Hire & Buy
* Building Advice
* Green advice & Info
* Landscaping & Gardening

We also have sections for

* Photography
* Websites and Internet
* Vans, transport, plant
* Software for graphics, architecture etc
* Educational toys
* Other – which is anything you want like hobbies, essays.

This is brand new so we haven’t got any articles in there yet!

The gardeners got there first and put them in, which was not the plan, but keeps people employed.

These are around the main entrance with the waterfalls, and a few other places.

See also Building DIY gardening advice >

And Green roof & Vertical gardens >

Some more pictures:

Miami Green condos Penang - 12 trees planted for Earth Day 2010

Miami Green condos Penang side area where the trees were planted for Earth Day 2010

Miami Green condos

Timothy Wooi hydro car Penang Malaysia

There is a series of talks at the British Council, Penang, Malaysia.

The Lecture Series is organized by Global Leadership Consultants in collaboration with Asian Global Business, GeorgeTown College and HELP University College. They use the British Council, Penang rooms as they share the building.

This talk on 18 March 2010 was about easy green tips to save energy, save water, and help combat climate change. Timothy went through the carbon cycle then on to quick tips to save water and energy. He showed many of his home made gadgets such as a folding bicycle and a coffee heater.

More details of Timothy Wooi’s energy and water saving devices on the site later.

And GeorgeTown College Penang >

Also British Council Malaysia Penang >

British Coucncil building Penang Malaysia

British Council sign on building Penang Malaysia

So it is interesting there is a talk on ‘Green Living’ covering issues in Penang. Which are many.

Timothy Wooi

GeorgeTown College,
No. 3, Weld Quay,
10300, Penang
(British Council Building)

Admission is free and to register, contact Mages at 04-262 7718

Or email mages@georgetowncollege.edu.my