Martin & Debbie Exley - self build, village in Oxfordshire

1991: Bought a bungalow with a large garden, had a view to extending in the future.
1994: Applied for planning permission to build in their garden.
1996: Commenced build. Looked to build quickly as they went into rented accommodation, following the sale of their own house, and as they had a young family looked to build in 6 months.

Read Build It and attended Regional Self Build exhibitions and learnt about Timber frame, Heat Recovery Ventilation, Central Vacuum Systems and Underfloor Heating.

Went with Timber frame for speed, Heat Recovery as their son suffered with asthma and Central Vacuum was always an 'interesting concept'. As no-one seemed to supply and install the underfloor heating at that time they did not go with that concept.

Comments following several years with the self build:

Timber frame was a frustration as the build offers poor fixings for pictures, cupboards etc. Although very pleased with the speed and thermal performance.
Heat Recovery was hardly noticed and just seemed to work. No draughts and no noise, Debbie commented 'I am not sure if it was worth the investment - it is difficult to measure' but asked why they initially chose the system she said 'it was primarily due to my son's asthma, something he doesn't suffer from now'!

Both Debbie and Martin agreed that the house was very pleasant to live in, and when inspecting the filter which had not been changed for a couple of years were astonished how black with pollution it had become.

With regards to the Central Vacuum they had only one word to say on the subject - 'Marvellous'.

For more information on these and other Villavent^® products and services, please call 01993 778481 or contact us