Outdoor Living
The National Self Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon lent a green-fingered hand to anyone wanting to make the most of their outdoor space. The Centre presented a special Outdoor Living event that educated and inspired visitors to create or update their gardens, patios and courtyards, just in time for the summer.
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Feature Seminar
“Landscaping the Garden – Creating a Garden that Suits Your Lifestyle”
The presentation helped customers realise that gardens need not be a chore, whether they were keen gardeners or busy professionals that were looking for a low-maintenance garden to relax and entertain in. The Seminar, conducted by Winerberger, helped customers learn all about the basics of garden design and construction, whilst getting inspiration for garden design and outdoor living.
Demonstrations
The Centre’s demonstration areas hosted eight different product demonstrations each day, where visitors could learn about and compare the latest innovations and materials, including the newest outdoor lighting and audio systems; sun rooms, conservatories and garden offices; and hot tubs by Jacuzzi.
“Home Automation – An Affordable Luxury”
BPT Security Systems Ltd
Once the preserve of the super rich, Home Automation is now firmly fixed as one of the luxuries that self builders and renovators can incorporate into their projects without breaking the bank. From automated gates to remotely operated awnings and shutters, this presentation by one of the leading providers of Home Automation products, showed how customers could incorporate luxury into the exterior aspects of their home.
“Outdoor Sound – Music in your Garden”
Duet A/V Ltd / Speaker Craft
With gardens becoming more of a centre for entertainment and relaxation, why not bring the luxury of indoor living outdoors. Say goodbye to dragging out CD players on ungainly extension leads with a permanent audio system for the garden. Presented by one of the leading providers of outdoor sound, this seminar demonstrated how easy it is to install a high quality yet unobtrusive sound system into your garden.
“Outdoor Innovation – Gardening at the Touch of a Button & Other Innovative Features
Konnectiv - Smarthouse
With gardens becoming more of a centre for entertainment and relaxation, why not bring the luxury of indoor living outdoors? Say goodbye to dragging out CD players on ungainly extension leads with a permanent audio system for the garden. Presented by one of the leading providers of outdoor sound, this seminar demonstrated how easy it is to install a high quality yet unobtrusive sound system into the garden.
“Outdoor Lighting – Lighting up the Garden”
Leax Ltd
Bringing indoor luxuries into the garden shouldn't have to stop when the sun goes down. Transform your garden into a magical experience by incorporating discreet but effective outdoor lighting systems. Presented by one of the leading providers of outdoor lighting systems, this seminar showed how easy it is to install a high quality yet unobtrusive all-weather lighting system into the garden.
“Decking (open demo) ”
Kent Self Build
You can use your garden to the full by incorporating decking into your design. For those looking for more than standard treated timber decking, Kent Self Build were demonstrating their Twinson natural decking. Made from 50% wood waste Kent Twinson Decking has a 20 year warranty, needs no chemical treatments and is not slippery even when wet, making it perfect for all seasons.
“Outdoor Living – A Room in the Garden”
Simply Self Build by Benfield ATT
More and more of us are taking advantage of modern technology to work from home and significant numbers are setting up home offices in their own gardens in order to separate work from home life. Whether it's a home office you are looking for or simply a hobby room (or sun room) for total relaxation, the dream of outdoor living - once an aspirational choice for many - is becoming a reality. In this demonstration, one of the leading companies in the outdoor living field explained the possibilities and potential for making outdoor living space in your garden.
“Balconies – A Room with a View”
Balcony Systems Ltd
Balconies offer the opportunity to truly extend the home into the outside of your property. Combined with a fully-folding door which can open up an external wall completely, the inner and outer space of your home can seamlessly be brought together whenever you choose. This presentation explained the benefits of fitting a balcony to your property and some of the things to consider before you start.
Jacuzzi – For the Ultimate in Outdoor Living Luxury!
Jacuzzi UK Bathroom Products Group
For the ultimate in luxury, why not consider installing an outdoor hot tub? Jacuzzi UK, recognised innovators of whirlpool baths, explained the available options and showed how customers could create their own piece of paradise in their back garden!
Weekend Self Build Seminars 1-5
In addition to the above, one of our anchor speakers guided customers through the basics of self build in our 5 part programme. From finding land and financing a project right through to choosing builders and buying materials.
Parts 1 & 2 - Can anyone do it? & Finding a plot or project
Every year approximately 20,000 people will either build a new home or substantially renovate an existing but dilapidated house. Become reassured that the opportunity exists for us all and learn how to organise your finances right at the outset. As for plots and properties, these exist all over the country. Learn the basics of how to find them first and how to make an initial assessment.
Part 3 - Design, planning and making new space
Design, planning and budgets go hand in hand. All must be in harmony for your project to be a success. Whether new build or renovation, find out how to develop your ideas, select a designer and secure your planning consent.Part 4 - Choosing your builders and buying your materials
Managing cost means managing the two things you pay for – materials and labour. Find out how to save time in choosing your materials and suppliers and understand the process for identifying, selecting and appointing your builders.
Part 5 - Project managing yourself with sub-contractors or a builder
Could I really manage my own building project? Thousands of people do at many different levels, and so could you. But in making this decision you should learn what is really involved and how much time you will really need.