Dreadnaught

Keep in mind that the window frame has a much lower u-value than the glass, whether 2G or 3G, and the frame can represent a surprisingly large proportion of the total face. Perhaps focus less on 2G v 3G but look closely at the frames.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-hamer-70254111/

And what's the decrement delay of spray foam in comparison with EPS or blown cellulose? A useful question @Russell griffiths?

This is a good podcast on airtightness. Some of you may know Paul Jennings, a professional air tightness tester. Some interesting comments about different building systems, tapes and tips on taping. Interestingly he named two tape brands as being the best: ProClima and Siga, with ProClima being slightly better at dealing with self builders. https://www.houseplanninghelp.com/hph227-whats-the-best-way-to-build-an-airtight-structure-with-paul-jennings

@Hecateh Do you mean the "The Big Build - Isle of Sheppey" episode? https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08tpkpb

@PeterStarck When you said "higher levels than the minimum PH level" did you mean to say that or perhaps "higher levels than minimum building-regs' standard level", or some such, instead? I am planning to go to PH levels of insulation but not beyond.

Brick slips. Thanks Peter, corrected.

Interesting thought Russell. Why do you think a brick skin is superior to brick slips? Is it just cost or are there other things too? (Its a topic that I am thinking about at the moment for my build.)

I believe it is better too have the supply and exhaust vents on the same face of the building (but separated by an acceptable distance to prevent cross flow). The reason for being on the same face is that, in that orientation, the wind pressure is likely to be balanced across supply and exhaust.

Might that include brick slips (an option I am considering)?

Interesting comment. Could you explain this a little more? (My planned house will have a big flat roof, hence my interest.)

I am following this discussion with interest. I too am interested in a through-the-wall chute, external and through a gate pillar or fence section. I too am concerned about parcels and would like a larger letter plate so at least small parcels will pass, preferably bigger ones too. I am also considering a separate parcel box of some form. Nothing I have seen so far quite meets the needs.

@Red2000, welcome. What a helpful and insightful post, thank you! I read it carefully and took notes. I hope you'll be sticking around to share your experience in other posts too.

Welcome @katy. Having light coming from more than one direction is important in my opinion. In my build, I intend to have at least two directions for natural light to enter each of the main rooms. A second point is that roof lights are more effective than windows at bringing in natural light (I intend to have lots), but of course that's rather dependent on the shape of your building (mine is a flat-roofed bungalow).

Thanks all. That's reassuring. I will probably use his service therefore.

I have had a quote from a surveyor which looks good and friendly chap too. But I notice by looking at his website (and checking on the RICS site) that he is not a member of RICS or anywhere else as far as I can see. Does it matter? He seems to be an experienced Total Station operator and surveyor, and has testimonials on his webssite. The work is a full topographic survey of my plot.

Might this be the natural territory of a local family solicitor, not a specialist? Might a one-hour free consultation with such be a useful double check of your plans for how to proceed?

As posted here, a recent scientific paper also suggests that MVHR alone is insufficient to clear the pollution that cooking generates. A further reason for a externally-vented cooker extractor perhaps.

This scientific paper addresses internal air quality in Passive Houses with MVHR. It suggests a significant source of internal PM2.5 is cooking and that MVHR may be inadequate in removing such contaminants, even in boost mode. It also looks at contributors to air quality, such as CO₂ and formaldehyde. It is a current paper, with a forthcoming publication date of 15 October 2018. The houses monitored for the study are in Colorado, USA. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/authShare/S0360132318305183/20180907T163100Z/1?md5=5e4246e165b6c901268110a047c99c37

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-45450278 Television wildlife presenter Johnny Kingdom has been killed in an accident on his land. The film-maker, photographer and author, who specialised in his local area of Exmoor and north Devon, died on Thursday night. Police confirmed emergency services were called to a field near Wadham Cross in Knowstone, Devon, to reports that a digger had rolled over.

Welcome, @Rob99. There are lots of people here who will be able to answer your questions!

Welcome aboard, @IainH. Sounds good. Where abouts are you located?

Me too.

Welcome @Sean003point5. Love that curved roof line shown in the plans!

Welcome @Tyke2! With your knowledge, I look forward to learning from your questions and answers.