Building standards online: how DIYers can look up DIN, ISO and EN standards
You are waterproofing a basement wall. You have the materials, the brushes and a free weekend. Then you read on the product data sheet: “Apply in accordance with EN 14967” or “Compliant with DIN 18533.” And you stop. What does that standard actually say? Do you need to follow it? And where on earth do […]
District heating connection in 2026: grants, costs and what you can do yourself
More and more neighbourhoods are gaining access to district heating networks. Energy companies and local authorities are laying pipes at pace to move entire areas away from gas. If your neighbourhood is next in line, you face a choice: connect or not. The good news: governments are making that choice considerably more attractive. Grants and […]
Grid Congestion: From July 1, 2026 Homeowners Join the Waiting List
Electricity grids across Europe are under serious pressure. In the Netherlands — and increasingly in other EU countries — the grid is at capacity in many areas. Until now, this has mainly been a problem for large commercial connections. Households with a standard connection were automatically given priority. That changes on 1 July 2026. From […]
Relaxed building regulations 2026: what is changing and what does it mean for you?
Across Europe, governments are relaxing building regulations to speed up housing construction. Ceiling heights may be lowered, doors may be narrower and staircases may be steeper. At the same time, significant public funding is being allocated to accelerate housebuilding. That sounds like good news if you are planning a renovation or extension. But is it? […]
Home Battery Record Quarter Q1 2026: 37% More Installations
The first quarter of 2026 was an absolute record quarter for home batteries in the Netherlands. Grid operators registered 9,417 new home batteries — 37% more than the previous quarter. Total registered capacity rose from 102.9 megawatts to 190.2 megawatts: an increase of 85%. In March alone, 3,961 new home batteries were registered, a rise […]
Upcycling and reusing building materials: DIY with second-hand supplies
A new hardwood door easily costs 300 euros. The same door from a demolished building can be picked up for 30 euros. That is no exception. Anyone who searches smartly for second-hand building materials saves a consistent 50 to 80 per cent on material costs. And you get materials that are often sturdier, more attractive […]
Smart Home Renovation: Save Up to 30% With Home Automation (2026)
With a smart energy management system — home automation — you can save up to 30% on your energy bill. Not by using less, but by using smarter. Your heating switching itself off when you leave. Your washing machine running when electricity is cheapest. Your home battery automatically charging during periods of negative electricity prices. […]
Stair renovation in 2026: trends, materials and costs at a glance
The staircase is the most underrated element of your home. You walk over it an average of eight times a day, yet during a renovation the stairs rarely get priority. That’s changing in 2026. More and more homeowners are discovering that a stair renovation is one of the fastest ways to give your interior a […]
What is gravel concrete?
Gravel concrete is concrete in which gravel forms the coarse aggregate. It is often finished with a washed, exposed gravel surface as a decorative treatment, producing what is known as exposed-aggregate paving or decorative concrete. Characteristics Gravel aggregate — rounded gravel provides the coarse stone in the mix Structural or decorative — used both as […]
What are gravel and chippings?
Gravel consists of rounded, natural (river) grains, while chippings, or crushed stone, consist of broken, angular grains. Both are used as aggregate in concrete and mortar, and as decorative surfacing materials, but their different grain shapes give them different properties. Gravel versus Chippings Property Gravel Chippings Grain shape Rounded Angular, broken Origin Natural, river-worn Crushed […]