Units & Measurements
A homeowner's decoder for the unit notation that shows up on quotes, datasheets, structural engineer's calculations and building regs: what W/mK, kN, N/mm², C24 and 1:40 actually mean, and where you meet them.
Volts, Amps and Watts: Your Extension's Electrical Units Explained
What volts, amps and watts each measure, how W = V x A ties them together, why circuits and breakers are rated in amps, and why a high-load appliance needs its own circuit.
Forces & Structural Loads: Reading kN and N/mm² on Your Calculations
A homeowner's plain-English decoder for the force and strength notation in structural engineer's calculations and on steel, concrete and timber: newtons, kilonewtons (kN), N/mm² (MPa), point vs distributed loads, and the C16/C24 and C20-C30 grade stamps.
Length, Area, Volume & Falls: Reading mm, m², m³ and 1:40 on Your Drawings
A homeowner's plain-English decoder for the everyday dimensional units on UK extension drawings, quotes and delivery tickets: why drawings work in millimetres, what m² and m³ mean for pricing, and how falls are written as mm per metre and as ratios like 1:40 and 1:80 for drainage and flat roofs.
Pressure, Temperature & Flow: Reading bar, degC and L/min on Boiler and Water Datasheets
Decode the units on UK boiler, water and gas datasheets: bar (water and gas pressure), degC (flow and curing temperatures) and litres per minute (flow rate), how they connect, and why mains pressure decides your shower and your combi boiler.
Thermal Performance Units: W/mK, R-value and U-value Decoded
Decode the three thermal units on UK insulation datasheets and building regs: W/mK (lambda), m²K/W (R-value) and W/m²K (U-value), how they connect, and the Part L 2021 extension targets.
Units & Symbols: A Quick-Reference Decoder for Your Build
Decode the unit notation on UK extension quotes, datasheets, structural calculations and building regs: W/mK, U-values, kN, N/mm², strength classes, falls, amps, bar and bagged quantities, in plain English.
Weight, Density & Bagged Quantities: kg, Tonnes and How Many Bags
A homeowner's plain-English decoder for the weights on extension deliveries and skips: kilograms and tonnes, density in kg/m³, and how to turn a cubic metre of sand, ballast or cement into a count of 25kg bags or bulk bags (~850kg).