Bathroom tiles: porcelain or ceramic, sizes, slip resistance and how many to buy
How to choose bathroom tiles: porcelain vs ceramic, large or small tiles, slip resistance for floors and showers, grout, waterproofing and how many to buy.
Better homes, smarter energy, beautiful gardens
Practical guides for your home, energy and garden
Independent advice on renovation, solar and energy efficiency, and landscaping — with UK prices, units and rules.
Three areas, one home
Start with the part of your home you want to improve.
Renovation & Building
Plan kitchens, bathrooms, roofs and extensions with clear costs, materials and step-by-step guidance.
View all · 11 topicsSolar & Energy Efficiency
Compare solar panels, heat pumps and insulation, and see what they could save on your energy bills.
View all · 10 topicsGarden & Landscaping
Design, build and care for outdoor spaces: lawns, patios, irrigation, lighting and pools.
View all · 10 topicsKey topics
Core subjects our guides cover in depth.
Free calculators
Estimate costs and quantities before you talk to a contractor. Every calculator shows its formula and assumptions.
Renovation cost calculator
Estimate a budget by floor area, scope and type of work.Solar savings calculator
Estimate yearly output and bill savings from a solar system.Heat pump cost calculator
Compare installation and running costs with your current heating.Paint calculator
Work out how much paint you need for your walls and ceilings.Lawn area calculator
Measure your lawn and estimate seed, turf and topsoil.Irrigation water calculator
Estimate how much water your garden needs through the season.Electricity cost calculator
See what any appliance costs to run per hour, month and year.Roofing calculator
Roof area, pitch and the shingles or tiles to order.Concrete calculator
Concrete for slabs, paths and posts — in cubic metres, yards or bags.Area calculator (m² and ft²)
Square metres or square feet for any room, floor or plot.Tile & flooring calculator
Tiles, boxes or flooring packs for any floor or wall.Decking calculator
Deck boards, joists, pads and screws for a timber or composite deck.Insulation calculator (U-value)
New U-value, thickness needed and yearly heating saving.
United Kingdom
Written for your country
Costs in pounds and metric units, with UK building regulations and government schemes.
Latest articles
Composite decking vs timber: pros, cons, planning rules and how much you need
Composite or timber decking? Compare maintenance, look, heat and lifespan, check when decking needs planning permission in England, and work out boards and joists.
Kitchen island ideas: size, clearances, seating, storage and services
How to plan a kitchen island: whether your kitchen is big enough, walkway space, seating overhangs, storage, hob or sink in the island, and lighting above it.
Paving slabs: porcelain, natural stone or concrete, laying on a mortar bed and how many you need
How to choose paving slabs: porcelain, sandstone, slate or concrete, sub-base and full mortar bed, falls for drainage, jointing and how many slabs to buy.
Pergola ideas: materials, sizes, positioning and what to check before you build
How to plan a garden pergola: timber, metal or louvred aluminium, size and height, where to put it, climbing plants, foundations and planning checks in England.
Raised garden beds: how to build, fill and plant them
How to build a raised garden bed: the best size and height, timber, metal or brick, what to put in the bottom, how much soil and compost you need, and what to grow.
Renovate once, save every year
Insulation, windows, heating and solar work best when planned together. These topics help you sequence the work.
How we work
Revivista is an independent publication. Our guides are researched from primary sources, checked for each country and updated when prices or rules change.
Sourced and dated
Prices, incentives and statistics are linked to their source and show when they were last checked.
Local, not translated
Each country edition uses its own currency, units, regulations and search terms.
Safety first
Electrical, structural and gas work is flagged clearly: some jobs need a qualified professional.