"One of the biggest pains for driveway owners is oil stains. While most people will be happy to accept a little bit of dirt now and again, oil stains are a whole different story," says Jamie Welch, director of Terraform Driveways. "Not only do they look pretty unpleasant but they can also affect the integrity of the driveway itself."

In this handy guide, we offer up the most effective methods around to ensure that your kerb appeal won't be spoilt by oily patches littering your drive.

How to remove oil from a driveway safely

If you are keen to steer clear of harsh chemicals there is some good news – the majority of the methods here use products you may well already have at home. 

That said, it still pays to be careful if your driveway ideas include some well-stocked flower beds nearby.

"Some of the cleaning products that you might use to deal with oil spills could damage your plants or grass, so it can be a good idea to soak them with water before starting to remove oil stains," says Jamie Welch. "And remember that oil is a highly flammable substance, so if you use a method that requires rags or paper towels, you should make sure to dispose of these as soon as possible after you're done." 

1. Dig out the WD-40

WD-40 is useful for lots of applications around the home and garden – and oil stains on driveways can really benefit from use of this product – particularly if the oil hasn't had a chance to dry yet. 

Simply soak up as much of the oil as you can using absorbent kitchen paper before covering the area with a good spray of WD-40.

"Let it sit for five minutes then wipe it back up with some old rag. Finally, use dish soap and a heavy-duty brush with stiff bristles to scrub the area and then pour boiling water over it to rinse off any excess," advises Jame Welch.

2. Raid the laundry room for detergent

Laundry detergent is made for stain removal from clothes – so why not driveways? Both liquid and powder detergents can be used for this method. 

"Laundry detergent is a good option for removing oil stains because it contains surfactants and often a mild alkali," explains Jamie Welch. "These are molecules that increase the ability of water and other substances to mix, which makes it effective at dissolving dirt as well as oil. Remember that oil is hydrophobic so a surfactant can help to lift it even when it wouldn't naturally."

Create a thickish paste using your laundry powder and water, apply to the stain and let it work its magic for around 30 minutes. You can then scrub the area with a sturdy wire or nylon brush – the Roughneck Heavy Duty Tapered Block Wire Brush from Amazon is a great option that is easy to work with. 

If you are using a liquid detergent, simply pour it directly onto the stain before continuing as above. 

At the end of the process, use a hose to rinse off the whole area. Once dry, if any stains remain, repeat the steps above before admiring your newly-restored front garden driveway ideas. 

3. Combine bicarbonate of soda with water

Is there anything that can't be solved by bicarbonate of soda? From removing mould from walls to getting water marks out of wood, this wonder product is a bit of a miracle worker. 

When it comes to driveways, make a paste by mixing it with warm water then cover the stain with it. You want to leave it there to do its job for at least 30 minutes –although overnight is better if possible. 

"Get in there with a stiff brush and some dish soap or even laundry detergent and give it a scrub," says Jamie Welch. "You may need to put in some elbow grease to remove the stains from your driveway but if you do catch it soon enough and it's a fresh stain, it shouldn't be too difficult. Finally, rinse with clean water."

4. Experiment with sawdust and paint thinner

If your oil stains are proving more stubborn than you first expected, it might be time to get a bit scientific here and make your own heavy-duty concoction. 

"The most common poultice to make to remove oil stains from a concrete driveway is sawdust and paint thinner," says Jamie. "The sawdust works by absorbing the oil. The addition of the paint thinner (lacquer thinner would also work) adds an extra element to tackling oil stains. Paint thinner is used to remove or dissolve oil paint, so the logic behind using it to remove oil stains on concrete makes sense."

The mixture will need to sit for at least 30 minutes before you pull out a study broom to sweep away the oil-soaked sawdust and hose off any that is left behind. Finally, scrub the area with a nylon-bristled brush and washing-up liquid, then rinse well. 

5. Break out the oven cleaner

If you think about the main point of oven cleaners – to remove baked-on grease from your oven – it makes perfect sense that they would work when it comes to getting oil stains off your driveway.

"Oven cleaner can be a great option for porous concrete because it will effectively be absorbed into all the little holes," explains Jamie Welch. "Simply spray the oven cleaner onto the stained area and make sure that it is completely saturated. Then leave it for 15-30 minutes and get to work with a scrubbing brush and some dish soap or detergent to get rid of as much oil as possible. Finally, use a hose or pressure washer with clean water to rinse the area."

Oven cleaners can contain some pretty harsh chemicals so do wear gloves, goggles and preferably a mask too when using and test on an inconspicuous area first as even the best driveway materials can react to certain products. 

6. Ask kitty to share the litter

If you are a cat owner you will probably have a bag or two of cat litter lying around – and it could just help with your driveway stains. 

"The cheaper cat litters use absorbent clay, sometimes with baking soda and other ingredients included. More expensive cat litter sodium bentonite (which clumps) or silica gel pearls," explains Jamie. "For getting rid of oil stains, you are actually better off using the cheaper absorbent clay because you don't want it to clump up. You can sprinkle cat litter over the oil stains on your concrete driveway and leave it to soak up the oil for 30 minutes for a small stain or overnight for a larger oil stain."

After sweeping the litter away, give the area a good scrub with warm water and washing up liquid before repeating the process if necessary.

7. Invest in a commercial oil remover

For particularly large oil stains or those that just refuse to disappear, it might be necessary to bite the bullet and opt for a powerful oil remover designed for driveways. 

"These cleaning solutions are usually made of a concentrated alkaline soap that works by overcoming oil's hydrophobic qualities," explains Jamie Welch. "This helps to remove oil stains from even tough driveway materials like concrete, so are perfect for stubborn oil stains as well as large stains."

Be sure to check the instructions for use and also that the cleaner is suitable for your driveway material. Oil Eater Original from Amazon is particularly highly rated. 

FAQs

Could commercial cleaners damage the driveway?

In some cases, powerful driveway cleaners or stain removers could do more harm than good – and you don't want to cause damage that might incur further driveway costs. 

"The pH of the cleaning substance may not be conducive with the type of paving being cleaned and may cause a chemical reaction that could leave markings on the surface of the paving, which often could be irreversible," warns paving and landscaping specialist Andy Mclaughlin at RF Paving  "For example, if brick acid was to be used on limestone it would cause damage. On the other hand, the cleaning substance may be totally ineffective for the type of stain that is needing to be removed, so, to reiterate, it is very important to seek advice prior to cleaning with chemicals."

Can pressure washers remove oil stains?

"Using cleaning agents and high-pressure washers is standard practice as long as used in the correct way," says Andy Mclaughlin. "When using a pressure washer to clean, a general piece of advice is to direct the nozzle at a 45-degree angle to the paving and at a suitable distance, but for stubborn markings a cleaning solution may be needed."

That said, even with the best pressure washers, it is still really important to exercise a little caution. 

"If you wrongly use a pressure washer with a high PSI, you have the potential to cause irreparable damage to the surface of your driveway," warns CEO and director of MaidForYou, Delah Gomasi.

Driveway cleaning kit bag

If you fancy a budget-friendly driveway material that is also easy to lay on a DIY basis, why not take a look at our brilliant round-up of gravel driveway ideas?

That said, there are some serious design considerations to bear in mind if you are thinking of building an extension made wholly from glass – including the issue of overheating. There is also the not so insignificant matter of costs to think about – this is certainly not the cheapest way to add space to a house.

In this guide, we have asked the experts for their thoughts on the pros and cons of glass box extensions and, should this be a route you are determined to take, how to ensure the project is a success. 

What is a glass box extension?

There are many different design options when it comes to glass extension ideas – but what they all have in common is that they are constructed predominantly from, you guessed it, glass. 

"The design options for a glass box extension are endless," says Rebecca Clayton from IQ Glass. "From a full glass box with clear glass on all sides, to the introduction of solid elements, like a solid roof, a glass extension can be designed to suit your space.

"Unlike a conservatory, a glass room aims to create a smooth transition to the outside with full glazing, providing unobstructed views," continues Rebecca. "Where conservatories have large clunky frames, a glass room is made of frameless glass panels, offering a clean minimal look with more light and visibility. Depending on the design, some glass extensions have sliding glass doors or bi folding doors that open completely."

Frameless vs framed glass box extensions

While many people picture glass box extensions as being completely frameless, there are other options which, in some cases, can work better. 

Architect Jason Laity is director of Unity Architects Limited and explains how different systems worked better for two glass extension projects he has worked on recently.

"The glazing strategies between the examples shown here are slightly different. One is a frameless glazed solution and one is a framed glazed solution. Both benefit from high quantities of glass. Decision making on the systems can come down to cost, robustness, visibility and the requirement for an aesthetic rhythm."

Do glass box extensions suit period properties?

Despite glass box extensions usually being thought of as only suitable for those after modern extension ideas, they actually work brilliantly as additions to older-style properties too.

"Although a glass box is seen as a futuristic addition to a building, these types of clear extensions suit traditional builds as much as a contemporary new home," confirms Rebecca Clayton.

"Due to the inherent appearance of glass – it is clear – it allows you to see the traditional build behind and there is a clear difference between what is new and what is old," continues Rebecca. "These types of frameless glass extensions can sometimes appease planning officers that don’t want to disrupt the integrity of the building's original architecture."

"Glass extensions are common introductions upon conservation and heritage schemes," says Jason Laity. "This project typology frequently demands a light-touch approach. A glass extension can offer a sensitive development strategy and support the harmony between old and modern materials."

Do glass box extensions overheat?

One of the most common worries held by homeowners considering adding any kind of heavily-glazed extension to their home, be that an ultra-modern glass box or a more traditional conservatory, is that it will become unbearably hot in summer – so is this likely to be an issue you should be concerned about?

"General considerations relating to glass extensions include thermal performance, with the potential for overheating during summer months as a consequence of intense solar gains," explains Jason Laity. "Equally, a glass extension may not perform so well in winter months, when compared with a highly-insulated façade."

So how can extension overheating be avoided?

"The internal function of a glass extension in relation to sun angle and orientation is important," advises Jason.

"Solar control coatings are also popular for these types of highly glazed environments to reduce the amount of solar radiation travelling through the glass to reduce solar gain," explains Rebecca Clayton.

What type of glazing is best for glass extensions?

The type of glazing you choose for your glass box extension is hugely important in terms of both how well it performs as well as the amount of maintenance you will need to carry out to keep it looking its best. 

"Heated glass can provide the sole heat source for the extension space, solar control glass and coatings can provide effective solar protection and low maintenance coatings help reduce maintenance and cleaning on these large frameless glass structures," explains Rebecca Clayton.

How much do glass box extensions cost?

Not many people asking how much does an extension cost and looking at how to extend on a budget will be considering a glass box – and for good reason. 

"It will come as no surprise that cost is a significant factor when considering a glass box extension," says Jason Laity. "If you are certain that you want to include high quantities of glazing in your project, make this clear to your architect from the beginning of the design journey and ensure you have good cost management through the design development stages, so that you can track the impact of such a costly material."

It is really hard to put an exact price on any kind of glass extension as they are bespoke structures and each requires different types of engineering which will influence what they cost. Everything from access to the type of glass used will have an impact. 

IQ Glass say that, as a rough guide, you could expect costs of approximately £1,000/m2 for structural glazing and sliding glass door systems. 

FAQs

How do you clean a glass box extension?

While a sparkling and sleek glass box extension can be strikingly beautiful, there are certain maintenance jobs that go hand-in-hand with this style of addition.

"A cleaning, access and maintenance strategy should be considered, as glass is a material that requires ongoing attention in order to be visually impressive," explains Jason Laity. "The inadvertent attraction and collection of flies and insects should also be considered. It is usually an afterthought but you may want to design openings to allow flies and insects to escape." 

"All IQ Glass structural glass installations are designed to take a standard maintenance load," says Rebecca Clayton. "The strength of the glass used and the supporting methods of the structural glass ensure that all installations are able to take the load of a human in order to allow general maintenance and cleaning."

Do glass box extensions need planning permission?

Just as with any kind of extension, there will be cases where planning permission might not be required – instead the extension can be built under permitted development if it won't exceed specific parameters. Even if you feel certain that your extension will fall within your permitted development rights, you should still check with your local planning department to be on the safe side. 

In addition, if you are extending a listed building, live in a Conservation Area or an Area of Natural Beauty you will almost certainly require listed building consent or planning permission. 

While glass box extensions are a brilliant option for all kinds of properties, their cost and structural implications can be off-putting for some homeowners. If you like the idea of something a little more traditional, why not consider oak frame extensions as an alternative?

Applications were up 93% in April 2024 compared to figures this time last year, with the energy-efficient heating solution becoming more popular than ever.

We look at why ground and air source heat pump figures are rising and whether this trend is set to continue.

Heat pump applications rose by 93% annually in April

In April 2024, heat pump applications rose by 93% year-on-year as Ofgem revealed that more than 40,000 applications have been made.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme's two-year anniversary on 23 May 2024, marks a milestone, with more families in England and Wales benefiting from the low-carbon heating solution. Additionally, monthly applications between November and April averaged 2,136, up 49% from the previous period.

Claire Coutinho, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, said: "The latest numbers from our Boiler Upgrade Scheme show that for more and more families, the switch to a heat pump is starting to make financial sense."

Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance Lord Callanan said: "A 93% increase in applications year-on-year in April shows our decision to increase grants for heat pumps was the right one, making it easier for households to switch to cleaner heating. 

"Heat pumps are three times more efficient than gas boilers and more and more people are enjoying the benefits, without large upfront costs."

Government supporting heat pump installations

Heat pumps are becoming more affordable with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme offering £7,500 towards the cost of a heat pump.

Since the scheme's introduction over £148million has been distributed for heat pump installations.

A £5million Heat Training Grant is supporting training for heat pump installers, with around 3,000 professionals trained since July 2023 and 10,000 more opportunities by April 2025.

Cheaper electricity tariffs have also been introduced as well as greater permitted development rights for heat pumps to allow for easier installations.

Claire Coutinho said: "Our plan is to give families a helping hand, rather than forcing them to make expensive changes before they are ready.  

"Applications in April have doubled year-on-year, meaning more families are saving money."

Industry innovations driving heat pump adoption

The heat pump market has been entered by most heating suppliers, which has driven innovation in the sector.

Leading energy companies, such as Octopus Energy and British Gas, are now offering complete heat pump installations such as with the Cosy Octopus scheme or the ECO4 scheme, making them more viable to more households.

The heat pump industry is seeing rapid innovation with the development of smaller, hybrid, and high-temperature heat pumps. 

It is predicted that heat pump applications will continue to rise, although it remains to be seen whether the government will meet its target of 600,000 installations per year by 2028.

Can you really make the clean, uncluttered appeal of open plan living work when your living room needs to house a dining area, a study, sometimes a playroom and is often located off or near a kitchen?

The good news is that with the right approach to colour, lighting, layout, flooring and some clever interior design tricks, it is possible.  Along with the experts, we're here to help you figure out how.

Open plan living room ideas start with careful planning

Successful living room ideas of all kinds start with taking a step back so you can think ahead say the experts.

“Open plan living spaces have become the go-to for modern day living, offering a sense of space and fluidity whilst forming the heart of the home," says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director of Kelling Designs.

"They suit day-to-day family living perfectly, keeping everyone in one social space, whilst also being fantastic for entertaining. But, it’s important to create a space that is functional as it is beautiful, so careful consideration and planning at the earliest stage is key.

"Consider who’s going to be using the space and how they will use it," says Emma. "Will it be daily or just for those times when you’re entertaining? This will allow you to arrange your dedicated zones and furniture within them to allow for easy flow and movement." 

1. Create balance with symmetrical features

"Creating focal points in each area will help to anchor the spaces within the overall open plan room," says Emma Deterding. In this scheme, a log burner idea is used as the central point, around which the main seating area resides.

However, by adding a symmetrically designed shelving unit either side, which in turn helps to elongate the room, it creates other focal points that can be used to support additional zones.

On the left you have a small TV and seating area to take advantage of the views; to the right a small dining table and chairs. It's a good illustration of how zones can be created without installing walls and is a method Emma advises her clients to adopt when designing their open plan living room.

"When it comes to zoning an open plan space, the goal is to do this without putting up physical walls, keeping the sight lines open. Furniture can be utilised to create dedicated zones, with a sofa and armchairs defining the living room, whilst a dining table with chairs forming the dining area and a kitchen, perhaps with an island, zoning that space. 

"For the living room," continues Emma, "simply placing a console table or open bookshelf behind the sofa will help create a visual divide whilst still allowing light and views through the space."

This Global Wide Sideboard from Furniture Village has a pleasing symmetry that would work well as a rustic living room idea.

2. Use colour and lighting as a way to define use

In a smaller open plan living room where there may be less need for lots of furniture, but you still want to create a sense of multi-purpose use, colour is another tool you can put to use.

"Use complementary shades throughout the overall space," says Emma Deterding, "but specify a bolder colour for each zone. For instance, to clearly define the living room, you could opt for a bold shade of blue or green and use this on cushions, rugs and accessories in that area, opting for a different shade in the dining or kitchen areas."

Along with colour, it's also important to pay careful attention to your living room lighting ideas, says Marlena Kaminska, designer at ValueLights.

“When it comes to accent lighting, floor and table lamps are key in an open plan living room, acting as a pull for the eye into focal points. As more subtle fixtures, they also give off a softer glow which can’t be achieved with ceiling lighting, creating a cosy, relaxed feel. 

"Utilising lower-level lighting can also invite a more carefree ambience for any seating areas," says Marlena.

Emma also advises her clients to fit everything to dimmer controls and install a five-amp circuit where possible to allow you to switch all your lamps on and off from the main lighting control panel, to save time switching them off individually.

3. Divide a narrow open plan living room horizontally

If your long, narrow open plan living room idea means your kitchen, living and dining areas all need to cohabit in the same space, getting the proportions of each area right is key to your scheme's success.

“Don’t try to cram too much into a room, even if it’s a larger garden extension," says Abbas Youssefi, managing director of Porcelain Superstore:

“You’ll want to retain a natural flow between the different zones you create, so make sure people can easily move around the space. It’s a good idea to imagine your space being used – how would it feel with a mix of friends and family over for dinner? Where would people naturally congregate and how would they walk from the sofa to the kitchen?”

With this in mind, you can then start to formulate your living room layout ideas. Divide your space into appropriately sized zones, and in a narrow space, do this on a horizontal axis. By using a simple, lighter colour palette throughout, you'll also help to ensure the room feels larger than it is.

4. Use large stone or marble floor tiles throughout

“In recent years, the trend in open plan living rooms has been ‘bigger is better’ with large format concrete-effect tiles proving particularly popular," says Abbas Youssefi. "However, we’re seeing a move towards warmer design and this is having an impact in these kinds of rooms.

“Warmer doesn’t mean you need to ditch the grey however," he adds – good news if you're a fan of grey living rooms. "Instead embrace warm materials such as natural stone and travertine. With plenty of variance, there will be a lot of interest over larger floor areas to catch the eye, especially if you choose a high-quality replica."

Tiles not your preferred choice? There are plenty of other living room flooring ideas to consider.

5. Define your open plan living room with a feature ceiling

Although it can be easy to think of your ceiling simply as a space for installing lights, it's important not to forget what interior designers refer to as the fifth wall when creating your open plan living room ideas.

Instead of simply painting it and adding a pendant light or a row of spotlights, take inspiration from this ceiling lighting idea where panelling and hidden lighting turns the ceiling into a feature in its own right.

To maximise on the mood-creating effect of the design, Marlena also suggests, “installing dimmable or smart solutions is a great way of further tailoring the different zones, allowing you to adjust the brightness, colour and even time of illumination to suit the changing atmosphere of your room throughout the day.”

6. Divide your space with an open shelving unit

"Open plan living often means fewer walls for storage, so incorporating built-in units, floating shelves and multi-functional furniture with integrated storage will help keep everything stored away and reduce clutter," says Emma Deterding.

Open shelving can also act as a semi-permanent divider between the different zones, still allowing light through but equally acting as a clear visual reminder that the room serves more than one purpose. It's also a good solution in minimalist living room ideas where less is more when it comes to what's on display.

Try this Remi Wide Shelving in Concrete from Furniture Village if you're looking for living room storage ideas that suit a modern space.

7. Or fit a dividing screen that has lots of glass

“Having an open plan space can prove challenging when it comes to separating the different parts of your daily routine," says Marlene Kaminska, "and you’ll need to take care to protect the energy and ambience required for these various functions and moods. For your living room, it’s important to make sure this space is still somewhere you can unwind, relax and get cosy.”

So if you're keen on cosy living room ideas but love the open plan feel, internal window ideas can be an option that gives you the best of both worlds. Take inspiration from this small open plan living room where a floor-to-ceiling white divider allows light through the panels above, but still cocoons the seating area with a solid section on the lower half.

8. Add a workspace to an alcove 

If your job requires you to occasionally work from home but you don't need to create a complete home office design, a strategically positioned alcove could provide you with enough space for a simple desk and chair. 

Tucked away to one side, it won't detract from the light and airy feel of an open plan space, or encroach on your sofa space, but will still provide sufficient space for a few hours of work.

And, by colour washing the walls and shelves in the same shade of green as part of your living room paint ideas, the study nook effortlessly blends into the rest of the living room leaving you free to focus on the main goal of relaxation.

9. Bring in light from above

As there can be lots to fit into your open plan living room, it can sometime feel like windows simply get in the way. And while bi-fold doors or large picture windows may be the dream, installing them means sacrificing a lot of wall space in order to make them worthwhile.

Instead, if your open plan living room ideas centre around a single storey extension, look upwards as opposed to outwards. Three large rooflights, each located above your key zones of kitchen, dining and living will provide you with more than enough natural daylight to make your room still feel light and airy, but free up walls for furniture, seating and stunning living room decor ideas.

But, don't be tricked into thinking it will be enough light at all times of day, you'll still need to create a flexible lighting scheme.

“The main rule to follow in an open-plan living room is to create separate zones in the space – and lighting is one of the most important factors within this," notes Marlena Kaminska.

"As well as harnessing natural light, you’ll want to embrace the full range of lighting sources at your disposal, mixing and matching fixtures to create a comprehensive, layered lighting scheme. 

"To maintain an even balance of light in the space, begin by building a foundation of ambient illumination with recessed fixtures – ceiling downlights or track lighting are a good choice.

"For functional focal points, such as desks, stereo systems or bookshelves, wall lights can be the perfect solution," she adds. "This attention to detail adds depth and a sense of sophistication to your room, without encroaching on floor or surface space, complementing the clean feel of open plan living.”

“In kitchen areas, you’ll need to install tailored lighting solutions over practical zones such as your worktops and sink to ensure safety when preparing and cooking meals." 

10. Use matching materials for a cohesive living space

Once you've got the fundamentals right in your open plan living room – and by that we mean the architectural design, the layout, lighting, heating and even fixtures and fittings, it's time for the finishing touches. And while these may not seem that important at the start of your scheme, getting them right is even more important in open plan spaces.

Without the physical presences of doors to separate themes, colours or trends making them cohesive is essential – but also part of the fun.

Debbie Leigh, design manager at Iliv shares her advice on how to co-ordinate your looks. "In an open plan living room, try using different but coordinating fabrics to define the different areas of your room.  For example, in a living room/diner, you might use one fabric for the living room curtains and then a complementary design for the dining room window dressings and seat pads. 

"Open plan spaces offer a great opportunity to experiment with pattern and colour and can help to bring the whole look together, whilst also defining the various zones," says Debbie. "From upholstery to window dressings, there are endless avenues to venture down when designing your final space." 

11. Unite inside and outside for a roomier open plan living room

Should your open plan living room open onto a large external patio design idea, make the most of the connection by opting for the same flooring and colour scheme throughout.

Blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors will make your open plan living room feel like it never ends, adding light, extra living or dining space and a feeling of luxury to your home. And although this open plan ground floor has a central dividing wall, it doesn't stretch the full width of the room so that the tiles can fill the whole open plan area.

Keen to get started? Find out what the experts recommend as the best colour for a living room and consider these living room fireplace ideas as part of your plans.

Emma Deterding's final piece of advice? "You also need to consider the acoustics too, as open plan living room spaces can often be quite noisy. Consider soft furnishings such as rugs and acoustic panels to help absorb sound and reduce echoing."

Quilt has created an air source heat pump and units that can be hung onto walls to help blend into home's decor to help make heat pumps a more attractive option for homeowners.

The heat pump could see heat pumps not just be seen as a heating system but as feature inside and outside the home.

Unique wall-mounted design

Quilt's aim was to create a heat pump that blends inside and outside of homes seamlessly so as not to ruin the decor at the cost of energy-efficiency.

They achieved this by creating wall-mounted units inside the home that link to the heat pump. The heat pump can be mounted to a pad on the ground, with a bracket to a wall, or onto the roof.

The indoor units are around 7 7/8 inches tall, allowing them to fit into tight spaces above windows and doors. These units can also be painted or wallpapered to match interior designs and can even serve as light sources.

The Quilt wall-mounted units install and operate exactly like a normal mini-split heat pump but they are slightly smaller and lighter whilst also operating at just 27-47 dBA.

Bringing HVAC into the 21st century

Quilt’s system provides climate control for every room by using the Quilt Dial and App where homeowners can precisely manage their home’s temperature.

The Quilt Dial, featuring a high-resolution touchscreen, can be installed on walls or tabletops. The Quilt App, available for both iPhone and Android, not only controls the system but also offers real-time energy usage and efficiency reports.

The system also offers room-by-room control, advanced sensors to prevent energy waste, temperature preconditioning, and personal energy data reports to help homeowners manage their climate settings more effectively.

Aimed to accelerate heat pump uptake

Recognising that compromising aesthetics is a potential barrier to people installing heat pumps, Quilt aimed to resolve this with its new product.

“Designing the Quilt system has been an opportunity for us to bring thoughtfully designed products into homes that accelerate the adoption of our electric future,” said Mike Simonian & Maaike Evers, Co-founders, Mike & Maaike.

“At the heart of good design is understanding the context of people and their living environments. We worked very closely with Quilt to design a lasting and integral part of the home.

"The Quilt Dial's tactility invites interaction, the Indoor Unit's form allows for subtle integration or bold statements, and the Outdoor Unit's textures harmonise with your exterior space. Every element is thoughtfully designed to look and feel right at home.”

The Quilt system is not currently available in the UK but is being trialled in the US and Canada.

Whether it’s a dark basement in need of some extra natural light, a way to turn an open-plan space into a more broken-plan layout, or simply the desire to add a wow-factor to your home, internal window ideas can be the perfect addition to your self-build, extension or home renovation.

Intrigued? We've done the research and spoken to the experts to find out just how you can make them part of your home.

Internal window ideas can add more than light

Although the benefit of more light is a given when it comes to internal window ideas, they can also serve other, equally beneficial purposes.

“Internal glass windows and doors are a great solution when you not only seek to maximise natural light but also have an intent to lead the eyes for a consistent flow,” says Michelle Martin, senior marketing executive at IQ Glass.

“In addition, the acoustic performance of glass is great and works well for multipurpose rooms where you want to be able to easily create cosy areas without the use of normal walls which could feel restrictive.”

1. Use a glazed floor panel to add light above and below

For a jaw-dropping wow factor, remember internal window ideas aren’t just about walls, they can also be used in floors. Perfect for shining light down into basement conversions or for shooting light upwards into a windowless room, make sure you seek advice from a structural engineer before installing one.

“Low iron glass is always recommended due to the thick layers of glass generally needed to create the structural support to the walk on glass floor,” explains Michelle Martin.

“Anti-slip resistance can also be applied to the surface of a walk on structural glass floor for added safety, especially to an external glass floor,” adds Michelle. “There are numerous ways to do this, such as applying a sandblasted finish to the external surface of the glass floor to create an abrasive external surface. This makes the glass translucent which still allows for ample light transmission through the structural glass unit, whilst providing privacy and anti-slip resistance.”

If you prefer to keep your glass clear, other options include the addition of specialised ceramic inks to the surface of the glass in various patterns, or the application of indented patterns.

2. Turn open plan into broken plan with internal glazing

“Many of us enjoy the sense of space that comes with open plan homes,” says Paul Feldwick, product manager at Schüco UK, “but the communal aspect can be tricky when juggling responsibilities such as working from home. Internal glazing can provide a separate, quieter space yet still create a sense of connection.”

If you've designed a living room layout that contains two spaces with entirely different looks and purposes, large internal windows and opening doors will define the space - without dividing it entirely. 

Mirroring the large doors at either end of each room the internal glazing also creates a sense of symmetry that is pleasing to the eye.

3. Create a new room with internal glazing

If you have a narrow corridor connecting two rooms or an extension, adding internal glazing is a great way of creating a new and completely separate room. 

Perfect for activities, such as playing music, or perhaps to create a cosy home office idea, the new space can either be opened up for easy access at both ends, or closed when an element of privacy is required. And, as this scheme from ID Systems demonstrates, you don’t have to use the same frames on both ends of the corridor.

"This modern family home was transformed with the addition of a large open-plan extension at the rear," explains Edward Stobart, technical sales manager at ID Sytems, "and to provide a connection between the existing house the owners opted for the art-deco style sliding glass doors. 

"The doors are ideal for partitioning the open plan space, allowing the piano to be played in the snug without interrupting the rest of the family. The slender aluminium frames match the look of traditional steel framed glazed screens without the hefty price tag."

4. Use internal window ideas with sloped ceilings

If low sloped ceiling heights make you concerned that your rooms will feel oppressive, speak to your structural engineer about a glass wall and door system instead. 

With the right supports in place, a combination of fixed panels with opening doors, could turn a dark, cramped space into a light and airy series of rooms. 

“Space in our modern homes is at a premium,” says William Woods, manager at Super Slim Glazing who created this scheme. “Open plan living is now taking a back seat for broken plan, where we are seeking to keep the light and airy feel of open plan but creating individual spaces where we can work, rest and play.

“In response to this need, we developed a slimline system with a suite of doors that offer hinged, sliding, pivot, bi-folding, pocket and telescopic solutions,” explains William. “This means that regardless of the floor plan, with the right structure in place, dark and unused spaces turn into light and accessible spaces.”

5. Switch bare walls for stylish glass solutions

On the opposite end of the scale, if the type of ceiling you have in your home is much higher than normal, you may find yourself wondering what to do with a large expanse of empty wall space. The good news is, internal glazed windows and doors can equally work their magic - but in a different kind of way.

Rather than worrying about maximising light, instead focus on the aesthetics to avoid replacing a blank wall with boring bare glass. Have some fun with your framework and create a Mondrian style effect piece of glazed art, using a variety of rectangles and squares for an interesting visual effect.

6. Use your internal window ideas as a display area

Stuck for living room storage ideas? We love this internal window, which doubles up as a storage solution. 

While it still allows ample quantities of  light to enter into the rooms either side, by adding a wooden shelving system to match the window frames, there’s also an element of screening in place - perfect in this situation where a home office is located next to a more communal room

For those times when more privacy is required, simple roller blinds are an unobtrusive window treatment that are discreet but effective.

7. Add a simple single window to a stairwell

If your stairwell benefits from lots of light as it forms part of a new extension, but the rooms off it not so much, a simple single window can add light and connection to the rest of your home. This can be a fixed panel, or even a single opening casement window if you’re looking for some extra natural ventilation.

"Traditionally houses have been built with smaller, box shaped individual rooms and solid wooden doors," says Edward Stobart, "but as design trends have evolved over the past 20 years, more and more home owners have opted for larger, open plan living spaces and more external glazing. 

"More glazing brings more natural light," he continues, "and the real benefit of internal glazing is its ability to draw light further into the home to create bright and contemporary living spaces. There is no point designing a light-filled extension if it leaves the rooms in the rest of the house feeling dark and unappealing in comparison."

8. Use reeded glass between a kitchen and utility room

While the valuable addition of light is often the primary reason behind internal window ideas, it’s not always accompanied by the need for clear lines of sight. A prime example of this is when utility rooms without any natural light are positioned next to a kitchen. 

In this instance, opting for a more obscure glass finish, such as reeded or fluted glass still ensures the dark room benefits from extra light, but means the homeowners have to worry less about what might be on view when entertaining. 

9. Use arched internal windows to mirror external window styles

Continuity between your exterior and interior is one of the most effective ways to create cohesion when you're building a house. So if you’ve embraced curves or arches on doors, then mirror this feature in your internal glazing ideas. 

It’s a detail used to good effect in this scheme where a curved window separates the kitchen from the dining room. A standard rectangular window could have perhaps made the inhabitants feel they were being observed through a viewing panel, whereas the soft edges and detail of this design joins the spaces in a more relaxed and casual way. 

Adding an opening section that slides across also turns into a handy serving hatch and allows whoever is in the kitchen to still join in the conversation.

10. Showcase a swimming pool but get the technical details right

Considering swimming pool ideas for your basement conversion? If so, then be sure to get the technical details of your glazing specification for any internal window ideas right.

“If using a steel framed glazing system in a warm, chlorinated environment like a
swimming pool we recommend using galvanised steel profiles to provide corrosion resistance,” says Paul Feldwick. 

Schüco UK installed the windows and doors around the stairwell and door to the swimming pool in the basement level of this London home in order to maintain the pool area’s ambient temperature while still letting in natural light.

“The glass unit will also need to have high corrosion resistance, particularly the edge, seals and sealant,” adds Paul, “ so it is imperative to talk to your glazing manufacturer to get their recommendation. In addition, you should increase the maintenance schedule for a steel glazing system used in a harsh environment like an indoor swimming pool, such as inspecting the steel frame every year or two.

“It is also important that the system is thermally broken to accommodate the temperature difference between the pool room and the surrounding area,” explains Paul. “Sealed units with top quality seals are also required because of the moisture content in the air.”

Thermally broken glazing helps to manage condensation by reducing surface temperature differences, however remember that it is most effective when combined with other measures such as dehumidification and home ventilation. 

11. Remove walls in favour of seamless internal glazing

Back in the realms of basement conversion ideas, a fully glazed frameless wall can be an extremely effective way of removing the boundaries between new rooms, while still keeping the purpose and use of individual rooms intact.

To deal with the absence of natural light in the walls, the homeowners have also employed a number of additional techniques to add more light into the area. A rooflight draws light down, while integrated shelving lights, recessed ceiling spotlights  and the use of large mirrors help to avoid dark corners - essential in a home gym where safety is paramount.

Worried about sound transferring? “Glazed walls are also surprisingly good at reducing noise,” adds Paul Feldwick, explaining that one of the company's system provides sound reduction values of up to 44dB for fixed glazing and 37dB for a single-leaf door.

Keen to investigate internal window ideas further? We asked the experts to  tell us what’s currently proving popular.

“Internal steel framed hinged doors including steel look finishes are a growing trend, particularly the Parisian inspired internal arched doors,” says Michelle Martin.

Paul Feldwick agrees. “Traditional-style steel framed windows and doors have become popular recently and unlike some other types of glazing system, they look stylish when used either internally or externally."

"Over the past 10 years there has been a huge increase in the popularity of internal glazing, driven by the changes of the way we use our homes but also influenced by styles and home design trends," adds Edward Stobart. "Internal glazed doors and windows can become a statement of design. Sliding systems have been used not only to partition open-plan living spaces but also to divide walk-in wardrobes and even en-suite bathrooms from a bedroom – with the option of installing the system with satinated glass for privacy."

Paul’s top tip? “When choosing steel framed internal glazing consider using the same or a similar style of glazing system externally on the home to achieve a smart, cohesive aesthetic.”

For more window inspiration, take a look at some large window ideas and make sure you know your window sizes before you start to plan and cost up your new scheme.

The deputy leader of the Labour Party faced accusations she had failed to declare £3,500, which led to a Conservative Party minister calling for an investigation into her tax affairs.

Ms Rayner has now been vindicated after HMRC and the police both dropped their investigation against her. While, they did not give a reason for this, it did emerge that Rayner had carried out a  kitchen renovation to the property, potentially meaning she could offset this against the capital gain on the property, meaning no tax on the gain was needed. 

Rayner has since taken a swipe at the Conservative Party claiming the investigation was "a waste of police time".

What was Angela Rayner's tax probe?

Angela Rayner faced claims she had failed to pay capital gains tax on a council house she sold in 2015.

Rayner owned the property with her now ex-husband, Mark Rayner, and sold the house for £127,500, making a profit of £44,500. 

Of this, 52% would be subject to tax, though £11,000 is exempt, leaving £12,140 potentially taxable and therefore £3,500 potentially owed to HMRC.

What was Ms Rayner's defence?

Ms Rayner claimed she abided by all tax obligations and that no capital gains tax was owed.

Originally she claimed the property was her main home, which - if she were not married - would mean no capital gains tax was owed due to primary residence relief. However, despite being separated from her husband, Rayner was married at the time, meaning she and her husband could only declare one home as their main residence. Given they owned another property, which her husband claimed was his main residence, it raised questions about how no capital gains tax was owed.

It later emerged that Angela Rayner may have been able to offset her kitchen renovation costs to help resolve her tax problem as it qualified as an "enhancement expenditure". This meant if this improvement was £12,140 or more then no capital gains tax would be owed as there was no longer a gain on the value of the house.

'We have seen the Conservative party use this playbook before'

Ms Rayner has now been cleared by both the police and His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) 

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) conducted an investigation and decided no police intervention was necessary before passing information from its inquiry to HMRC who also cleared Ms Rayner of unpaid tax. 

Ms Rayner claimed the matter was a PR stunt by the Conservative Party as it was Conservative deputy chair James Daly who originally called for the investigation.

She stated: "We have seen the Conservative Party use this playbook before – reporting political opponents to the police during election campaigns to distract from their dire record. I am grateful to all those who have stood by and supported me and my family.”

Conducted by energy experts at Utility Bidder, the analysis used official government data to assess average energy consumption, CO2 emissions, heating costs, and hot water costs, ultimately awarding each local authority an ‘Energy Efficiency Score’ out of 10.

The study looked at 318 local authorities to create the Household Energy Efficiency Index to help homeowners combat energy price rises by learning from the areas leading the way in sustainability.

Knowsley has the most energy-efficient homes

Knowsley, Merseyside, was revealed to be the local authority with the most energy-efficient homes in England and Wales.

Knowsley topped the list with a score of 9.69, owing to its low energy usage, low CO2 emissions, affordable utility bills, and a high percentage of dwellings rated A-C for energy performance in 2023. The borough in Merseyside includes areas like Kirkby, Huyton, Prescot, and Knowsley itself.

Hackney followed closely with a score of 9.62, with other London boroughs such as Newham, Islington, Barking and Dagenham, Southwark, and Wandsworth also featuring prominently in the top 10.

Powys found to have the least energy-efficient homes

The ten least energy-efficient housing areas found that the Welsh region of Powys possessed the least energy-efficient households.

The area scored just 0.11 out of 10 as it ranked poorly across all evaluated factors, with particularly high heating and hot water costs.

London the region with highest energy-efficiency score

Although Knowsley has the best energy-efficiency score, London was found to have the best score of any region in England and Wales.

London achieved an energy-efficiency score of 9.33 with many homeowners in the capital leading the way for making their homes more sustainable.

James Longley, managing director at Utility Bidder commented on the findings, stating: “We aren’t surprised that London local authorities dominate the resultant rankings for energy efficiency, with Hackney ranking as one of seven London boroughs to make the top 10.

“As we’ve seen in our study, home energy efficiency can vary considerably depending on where you are in the country, which can mean higher bills and colder homes.

James offered a number of energy saving tips that were used by the most successful areas in the study, such as installing an air source heat pump, installing double or triple glazing, draught-proofing your home and using LED bulbs.

While people have always been interested in how to prevent overheating in homes, with global warming being an issue facing all of us, it is more important than ever to think about ways to build in design features that will keep your home cool naturally.

"2023 was the hottest year on record according to the World Meteorological Organisation and scientists have warned that 2024 is shaping up to be another record-breaking year of high temperatures," points out Becky Lane, CEO at Furbnow, a retrofit startup that helps homeowners reduce their carbon emissions.." There has never been a better time to take action and get ahead of the curve."

Here, we take a look at the best ways of keeping your house cool from a design point of view. 

What is passive cooling?

Natural cooling is very similar to passive cooling. In short, these terms relate to using methods or systems to cool a house that rely on the design of a building, using natural processes as opposed to those that use mechanical systems, such as air conditioning units. 

"The best way to prevent overheating is to plan for it with your architect at the design stage when building a new home or extension," explains David Hilton,  renewables and ventilation installer.

In short, natural cooling methods are those that are incorporated into the design of the house and its surroundings. 

In this guide, we take a look at the best natural cooling design ideas around and explain how you could make them work for you.

1. Ensure passive stack ventilation is possible

While there are mechanical ways of adding ventilation to your home in order to keep it cool, some of the most effective methods are entirely natural — such as passive stack ventilation (PSV) and cross ventilation.

"Passive stack ventilation (PSV) is a natural and low cost method of ventilating your home," explains Jeremy Brady, a chartered surveyor who spent many years working as a domestic energy assessor. "It doesn’t use electricity so you can reduce your electrical load requirements and it should be maintenance free.

"The concept of passive ventilation works on the principle that warm air rises and wind blowing across the face of your roof or walls causes negative pressure which sucks out the warm air," continues Jeremy. "So in its simplest form you could open a skylight window or a window at the top of your house. As this warm air gets sucked out at the top floor, cool air is sucked in through trickle vents in your windows and gaps around services etc. to replace it.

"Passive stack ventilation expands on these same natural principles in order to provide ventilation by way of extract vents within the wet rooms of your property such as ensuites, bathrooms and kitchens which are routed vertically to the outlet vents at the ridge of your roof. Replacement air is then supplied by trickle vents in your windows or wall vents."

If you like the idea of passive stack ventilation, then you may well love the concept of intelligent passive stack ventilation. 

"The intelligent PSV system works on the same principle but includes the addition of humidity sensing vents in the inlets and extracts. These detect humidity in the air and react by expanding or contracting which opens (increasing ventilation) and closes the vents (decreasing ventilation) depending on the humidity levels within the property," further explains Jeremy.

"These intelligent vents and trickle vents don’t require any electricity to operate as they tend to use nylon filaments within the vents that expand and contract relative to the humidity levels in the individual rooms within the property and should therefore be maintenance free. The main advantage of this system is that it will self regulate the ventilation."

2. Design in window shading

This is, perhaps, one of the most obvious ways of keeping a house cool and is a common method seen on houses in hot countries, be that in the form of simple shutters or more elaborate overhangs that form part of the fabric first architecture of a building.

Focus on the south-facing areas of your home as well as those that feature expanses of glazing and talk through the idea of roof overhangs, or a stylish brisé soleil, with your designer, both of which not only look great but also act like architectural visors for your home. 

Of course there are other options to consider too for those with existing homes, looking for quick and easy ways to keep the heat of the sun out of their houses.

“The easiest to add and most effective form of shading are blinds and shutters. A good energy tip for keeping your house cool is to close your blinds during the day and open them at night, this keeps the heat from the sun out during the day, and the cooler air in during the night," advises Becky Lane, CEO of retrofit and home energy efficiency expert Furbnow. "In terms of what to look for when shopping for blinds and curtains, we recommend double layered drapes, these are effective at keeping the sun out during summer, and the heat in during winter. You can also peel them back to single layered if you want a happy medium.”

3. Keep the exterior of your house light in colour

There is a reason there are so many picture perfect whitewashed villages all over hot countries such as Spain and Greece – they are painted in light colours to keep the interiors as cool as possible. Whether you are opting for house cladding ideas or painted render, really give thought to the materials you choose.

“Dark-coloured homes absorb about 70% of the radiant energy from the sunlight that hits the property," explains Becky Lane. "This heat can then be transferred to the interior of your home through conduction. 

"Inversely, light-coloured surfaces reflect the bulk of this energy away, stopping it from entering your home in the first place. Choosing a white, or lighter colour, to paint your home is an effective way of ensuring the heat doesn’t make its way in.

“Another tip is to install reflective foil to the underside of your roof to ensure it stops the heat being transferred in. You can do this yourself by stapling it to the ceiling of the attic, so it’s a really cost effective way of keeping extra heat out.”

4. Consider a cooling pond

Although the term 'cooling pond' sounds ever so fancy, this is really quite a simple concept.

In short, this is just a pond that is located next to the house. The air that passes over the water in the pond is cooled (just like a sea breeze) and this air is then drawn into the house by passive stack or cross ventilation (see above). In addition, any warm air passing over the water will suck up liquid moisture and absorb it as water vapour.

The water absorbed will then want to switch from liquid to gas, and it will need to pull in energy (from heat) to do this – further reducing the temperature in the house it enters. 

One other benefit – they can look pretty stunning and could even allow you to have a dip if designed as a natural swimming pool.

5. Don't neglect your landscaping scheme

It isn't just the house design that can affect how cool it remains internally – the way in which you design the garden landscaping ideas will play a part too.

If you live in a suburban area and haven't heard of an ‘urban heat island' before, let us explain. This is something that is caused by large areas of hardstanding and even other nearby buildings, which absorb heat in the day before releasing it at night meaning cool air cannot enter buildings when it normally might, as you sleep.

As well as planting plenty of shrubs and trees around your property you should also avoid too many areas of dark landscaping around your home, such as black tarmac driveways, dark-coloured patios and so on.

“A new trend we are likely to see emerge this summer season is to think outside the box – literally – and use shading," advises Becky Lane. "If you have the space, consider adding trees and landscaping around your house to offer shade. Deciduous trees are ideal as they provide the foliage to shade your house during summer, and lose their leaves in winter meaning more light (and therefore heat).” 

Keeping a house cool is just one element of building a futureproof home, but if you are about to embark on a self build project it would be very wise to familiarise yourself with Building Regulations Part O. 

Part O deals with overheating and ways to precent excess solar gain as well as to ensure new homes are built with measures in place to quickly remove excess heat from indoors.  

Although invisible to the naked eye, pollen can lead to a patchy, flaky finish when painting a house, according to DIY experts at both Ronseal and Toolstation.

"High pollen levels can stick to wet paint, causing an imperfect finish and potential flaking. Pollen can also stain the paint, especially if you’re using bright or light colours," explains Cara Yates, senior category manager at Toolstation.

Keep an eye on pollen counts

Cara Yates recommends checking the pollen forecast before starting your exterior painting project to reduce any chance of potential problems.

"Pollen levels peak from March to September, which is also the ideal time for exterior painting," she explains. 

"Since exterior paint takes 6-24 hours to dry, try to schedule your painting when pollen counts are low," she adds.

Choose mild, windless days to paint

Yates adds that painting during windy, warm days can have a significant effect on the quality of your home's paint job too.

She states: “High winds and warm temperatures play a key part in dispersing pollen from the ground which could then end up interfering with any wet paint on the exterior walls of your home. 

“Choosing a cooler day with lower wind forecasts will help prevent a patchy appearance whilst ensuring a quality long-lasting finish.”

Clean walls thoroughly before painting

Jimmy Englezos, Senior Brand Manager from Ronseal, emphasises the importance of preparing your walls before painting. 

"Regardless of how good your paint is, it can only adhere properly to a clean surface," he says. "Debris, dirt, or pollen on the wall will cause the paint to flake and look patchy."

Englezos advises cleaning exterior walls with warm, soapy water or sugar soap. "Make sure to remove any loose or flaky paint before applying a new coat. Once the surface is clean, allow it to dry completely before painting."

Avoid high pollen periods when possible, he adds, as a little planning can save time and effort, giving you the best possible results for your investment.