Insulating Your Home in the Right Order (Roof, Walls, Floor, Glazing)
What order should you insulate your house in? From draught-proofing and the roof to walls, floor and glazing. With target values, costs and payback.
Fitting burglar-resistant locks and door hardware: SKG cylinder, door restrictor and window locks
Make your home burglar resistant yourself. SKG stars explained, cylinder sizing, anti-snap protection, door restrictors and window locks, with costs.
What is a ZZP’er?
ZZP’er is the Dutch term for a self-employed person without staff (zelfstandige zonder personeel). Many construction tradespeople in the Netherlands work this way. Difference with employment and what changed in 2025.
What is a spandrel?
A spandrel (in Dutch zwik) is the triangular area between an arch and the rectangular frame around it. The transition from square to dome and a wedge-shaped peg share the Dutch name.
What is a cantilevered staircase?
A cantilevered staircase (floating staircase, in Dutch zwevende trap) has treads fixed into the wall on one side only, so they appear to float. Structure, wall and fixing requirements, pros and cons.
What is a floating screed?
A floating screed rests loose on an insulation or acoustic layer and touches the walls nowhere, reducing impact sound. Build-up, edge strips, sound bridges and common mistakes.
What is a swing bolt lock?
A swing bolt lock (in Dutch zwenkschootslot) is a narrow lock for aluminium and steel doors whose bolt swings out instead of sliding straight. How it works, hook bolts for sliding doors and what to look for.
What is a swellable waterstop?
A swellable waterstop (hydrophilic strip, in Dutch zwelstrip) swells on contact with water and seals construction joints in concrete. Types, how it works, installation and the difference with expanding foam tape.
What is an expansion gap?
An expansion gap (in Dutch zwelnaad) is the free space between a floating wood or laminate floor and the wall so the floor can expand and shrink. Width, where you need it and common mistakes.
What is expanding grout?
Expanding grout (non-shrink grout, in Dutch zwelmortel) is a slightly expanding cementitious grout that cures without shrinkage. Uses (base plate grouting, anchoring, filling joints), properties and tips.