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If it’s for those 3 windows in your pic I would go for shutters on a sliding rail above the window like an old barn door sliding mechanism thing. I think it would fit that exterior perfectly.

I do agree the tiles are a bit plumb colour but if you want the same colour throughout then you need to pick a RAL colour if you look on the chart there are probably a couple of hundred blacks. and the same with grey. stand further away and take a pic.

No sure how relevant as I think it will be material dependent, but FWIW: I don't think you'll want 30-40mm on top. We had a long circular drive and parking areas all on slopes. I used 50mm plastic gravel grid trays. Finish material was 20mm black basalt that I shipped in in 16 ton loads. It worked best with the absolute minimum (ie just one stone where possible) above the trays - just enough so that the trays disappeared from sight. Any more and grip on the slopes was lost and the spinning wheels could break up the partitions in the trays beneath. But with minimal coverage, much less likely to slip (except the courier company delivery vans obviously as they have their max launch control permanently engaged). The basalt was ideal being very hard and grippy. Where we are now (while flat) has a light cotswold stone gravel that's really not suitable - over time (needs work annually) it crushes to powder. Don't know where your proposed riverbed gravel fits on the hardness spectrum.

I’m too much of a whimp. I looked at one from Germany and apart from the unknown of import duties (thank you so much Brexit) the possible grief of maintenance worried me off of the idea. I would prefer to have a uk distributor who hopefully will carry spares for a good few years. I can dream.

Black is black therefore only matches our windows. Grey is not grey as far as the Weinerberger company go. Still don’t want a plum coloured roof. If I’m buying a dark grey tile that’s what I expect to get. Sorry if I’m being pedantic. It’s called attention to detail.

A quick image search brought up this - import duty and shipping to pay so not sure if the final price - but looks a different scale of price, many other came up also

Apologies, but mish mash where? I hope you wern’t expecting the facias etc to match the concrete tiles? The roof looks neat and presentable to me, and I’ve seen some PROPER shit-fests over the last 30+ years in the industry! The only way to get consistency is by adopting an approach where you use the same material throughout….eg things which are RAL matched with a painted or powder coated product / finish(es). Roof 90% complete here and no discernible changes until the material itself changes, eg when metal meets synthetic mill boards, and then again when they meet the powder coated drip, and that all changes at the windows. All discussed and chosen before the foundation was laid, to manage expectations vs results and provide time for procrastination / options / avoid disappointment; accepting these differences but choosing colours and finishes which would then compliment each other. It’s looking good currently, imho, so maybe hold off your final decision until the house has all of it’s makeup on, and the see if it’s actually way less ‘hideous’ than you think? You’ll also probably look at the roof for the first few weeks max, then completely stop caring about it when you’re making far more important choices indoors. Looking at these things through a microscope is a quick route to the loony bin, and this is a conversation I have with all of my clients, well in advance, so they stay sane. Storm in a teacup maybe ?

But should be quite low, only taken from 90% to 50% If it fails it because I always use, it's doing its thing 24/7 anyway as it's AC coupled battery system. The Axle VPP is none of those things. I was replying directly to a comment made by @scottishjohn on the scheme. It's a scheme to boost grid when available power can't keep up with demand, so pays £1/kWh plus you also get 12p from Octopus, so it pays a real £1.12 per kWh. It's a scheme that sits above the normal maths you should do, prior to any PV or battery installation. My normal import/export were costed and installed a long time prior to the Axle scheme coming along and it only helps boost the value of the battery.

Skips: I hate them. Specially this one: after ten years at this game, the last one (maybe) And I love them (other peoples). The day before they are picked up, I dream about them. Sad Bastard ======================================== Monument to ten years toil You hold the decade carved from sleep, Heavy tax of muscles, laughter, cash, and tears. Buried in your belly, dark and deep, Miscut rafters from the early days, Hardened mortar from a novice phase, (I know how to mix mortar now) Are stacked like layers of a lifetime spent. Each rusted panel of your hollow frame Has watched us age, yet stayed the exact same, (apart from the rusty bits) A silent witness to a spine well-bent. Ten winters bit our hands upon this ground, Ten summers scorched the dust into our skin, While every spare pound that our pockets found (well some of it was found down the back of someone else's sofa) Was swallowed by the walls we stood within. Now blueprints yield to final, finished stone, ( well cladding aksherly) And you receive the scraps of what has grown, ( to be fair some of it was rotten) The final clearing of a warrior’s field. Go ride the lorry down the tarmac track, Take all our toil, don't look back, For out of waste, a home is finally sealed. Still not signed off. Stuff it. Ain't gonna sell it anyway Little Miss Muffit. ( her from the LPA) Now other peoples skips - I just love em.

I really shouldn’t have moaned. Things just got worse. A right old mish mash of colours now. Hideous. This was not part of my vision. Any suggestions? I suggested roof tile paint to my husband. He was not happy.

Well done Nick. Will investigate.

I thought that. When I contacted them they clarified that it’s only the concealed (i.e. naked) units that can be hung from a ceiling. The briza units are a lot more attractive.

Less the cost of ‘wear and tear’; replacement of equipment over a 25 year period etc. Inverter will fail, batteries will degrade, solar panels will outlive you if you buy the right ones, so the maths need doing for sure to work out whether to invest in batteries or not. The max revenue is relative to lifestyle / number of occupants / EV household or no EV / working or retired (or WFH), E/W split or due South array, and more. It would be sensible to take 10-15% of the ‘income’ and set it aside for these inevitable lifetime of ownership costs. What’s the latest on V2G and V2H these days?

A quick google just brought up a dozen companies making hinges just for shutters. most available through Amazon if in the good ol US of A

Could you use parliament hinges. or go to france and buy what they use, they have a crank in the arm to kick the shutter out. order a set online then get your local blacksmith to knock something up. depends how rustic you want it. very common in Europe.

As a follow up we have now had 4 export events over a 4 week and a couple of days period. Overall with Axle and Octopus both paying me to export it added £20 to the bank account - not much but averaging over the year that's £240, for nothing, plus the £25 intro fee and they pay the GivEnergy Premium fee as well which is another £60 a year. So year one equivalent income £335. In winter I may have to top the battery up during cheap periods, but in summer it's all been PV generated electric.

I have the answer to your prayers! eBay itme No. 117265832903 I am reluctantly selling my lovely Fibre Master 750 Mk III diesel powered insulation blowing machine. We have used it to pump 30 tons of Warmcel cellulose fibre into our barn conversions over the last 8 years but sadly the project is drawing to a close and I have no further use for the machine. This is an ideal machine for a self builder looking to save money on their insulation costs. The machine also has a built in 110v generator. As you can see from the photo, the machine is scruffy but it runs and works very well. Here are a couple of links to videos of this type of machine in action: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Rcw3-JktI1k https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ug_tGUOmDO8 Included with the machine are: Control cable on a reel Plenty of 2 1/2" hose 2 off 50mm aluminium needles Homemade rain cover Full manual & diagrams Delivery and tuition are available by separate negotiation. It's a bargain at £900, you will easily recoup the cost even on a small project. Contact me on this forum or by phone (PM ME FOR MOBILE NUMBER TO DISCUSS) to avoid eBay fees.

Hello all, welcome have a 150sqm driveway which is currently compacted type 1. All our other paths are riverbed type gravel which I would like to lay on the drive it is also fairly cost effective. I have been looking at the concertina type gravel stabilisation which is a bit cheaper than gravel trays. What is the ideal depths I was thinking about 50mm trays or pull out grid then about 30 / 40mm loose on top. Any input or experiences would be greatly appreciated. many thanks, Dave

Ummm good point. Moreso when wet. And thinking further more leaves for the gutters! So maybe not such a good idea! Exmet??

I have the answer to your prayers! eBay itme No. 117265832903 I am reluctantly selling my lovely Fibre Master 750 Mk III diesel powered insulation blowing machine. We have used it to pump 30 tons of Warmcel cellulose fibre into our barn conversions over the last 8 years but sadly the project is drawing to a close and I have no further use for the machine. This is an ideal machine for a self builder looking to save money on their insulation costs. The machine also has a built in 110v generator. As you can see from the photos the machine is scruffy but it runs and works very well. Here are a couple of links to videos of this type of machine in action: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Rcw3-JktI1k https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ug_tGUOmDO8 Included with the machine are: Control cable on a reel Plenty of 2 1/2" hose 2 off 50mm aluminium needles Homemade rain cover Full manual & diagrams Delivery and tuition are available by separate negotiation. It's a bargain at £900, you will easily recoup the cost even on a small project. Contact me on this forum or by phone (07970 667909) to avoid eBay fees.

We are very exposed location and if high winds expected I remove the sail. Off the shelf item from local garden centre. Thin wall tubes rock about in the wind. Have thought about changing the steel work for some thicker walled and more robust. How about a strip of double glass PV panels on a free standing wooden frame to provide shade and electricity? Double glass look the same from top and bottom (black glass). Add a flat narrow walkway near house for doing your gutters?

thank you JohnMo - i have been toying with something like this as nice and simple - how does it get on with the wind? off the shelf item? Or kee klamp type tubes etc?

Selected with care and a view to the long term, plants are the best shade. But they weigh much more than I thought they would.

for the kee klamp/scaffold with vine wires idea thinking maybe even at an angle to reduce width required at top? dumb idea or not? thoughts appreciated - as brutal as you like !! other ideas too please?? I do like to break the norm can't be the first person with this dilemma!

We have a sail thing which covers a seating area outside. But it does provide shade to a set of french doors also. Whole sun exposed front of house has a large roof overhang, depending on time of year, time of day is quite good other times not so good.