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Brief blog about the issues and solutions when renovating a dated 1950's-built bungalow.

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Read more about Temporary heat source for UFH: Willis heaters

Temporary heat source for UFH: Willis heaters

After various delays, the time has come to get some heat into the house, and as there have been a few on BH that have gone down the route of Willis, thought I would give it a go as well. Hopefully others will find the blog entry also.   Background: Renovated (3G passiv-rated windows, 120mm EPS EWI, 400mm loft insul, MVHR - not tested air leakiness yet) / extended (175mm SIPs) south facing detached house, East Kent 156sqm of wet UFH in 100mm concrete (with circa 300-375mm

• 159 Comments
• 41711 views

• oranjeboom
• January 7, 20206 yr

Read more about When things go wrong - Concreting of UFH slab

When things go wrong - Concreting of UFH slab

Been a bit quiet on BH as I've been busy elsewhere - rectifying Bodgit Builder's attempt at laying my concrete floor. I started a thread about that here:      Having taken ages to lay my circa 300mm of EPS and mesh-tied UFH pipework, I was keen to get a professional in to get me back on schedule and pour a flat, level concrete floor. No top layer screed. A few local companies quoted, one stated that they could not guarantee the pipework so I didn't go for them and the others I ha

• 23 Comments
• 6913 views

• oranjeboom
• March 27, 20188 yr

Read more about Fitting of new windows in EWI layer using EWI brackets

Fitting of new windows in EWI layer using EWI brackets

Original house contained cheap UPVC windows that were ill fitted and would not match the new windows in the two extensions. So the decision was made to fit new windows throughout with the original plan to go for alu-clad wooden, nut resorted to UPVC due to cost and worries on how some of the alu-clad windows were constructed.  Surprising how difficult it was to get quotes that were in an affordable category. Some companies needed numerous follow-up calls which was very frustrating in view of the

• 13 Comments
• 10273 views

• oranjeboom
• September 18, 20179 yr

Read more about It all began many years ago...

It all began many years ago...

Having rented all my life, desperation set in after being gazumped, shafted and outbid in the so-called 'property game'. But it's no game if there's no fun! Finally, after getting lucky with an honest and reliable estate agent, I came across a place on the fringes of a small Kent village.The empty property was snapped up by us as soon as we laid eyes on it. Overgrown, but cared for, it dates from the early 1950s and was (is!) structurally sound. Lots of vegetation on the plot and lots

• 7 Comments
• 3593 views

• oranjeboom
• June 16, 201610 yr