Chris HB

@Iceverge do you how robust the structure/outsides are of these refrigerator units as I’m unsure as to how they are actually made? I’m assuming they’ll be fairly robust, but obviously not a steel container so a bit lighter overall.

Thanks @Iceverge that looks interesting. So I would just need to find someone willing/able to get in from Bolton to the Isle of Lewis then…

The Butt of Lewis, located on the northern tip of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, is renowned for its wild and windswept landscapes. This remote location has witnessed some of the strongest winds ever recorded in the United Kingdom. In 1962, the Butt of Lewis played a significant role in setting a world record for wind speed. The World Record Wind Gust: A Historic Event On January 1, 1962, an extreme weather event struck the Butt of Lewis, bringing with it an unprecedented display of nature’s power. A wind gust with a remarkable speed of 133.6 miles per hour (215.9 kilometers per hour) was recorded at the weather station located on the tip of the headland. This extraordinary wind speed established a world record at the time and remains one of the highest wind gusts ever recorded in the United Kingdom.

hmmmm… not sure that would last too long around here I’m afraid! There’s a good reason they built my walls at around 600mm thick 110 years ago and that it’s still standing!

I had thought about your and @Conor suggestion about a caravan, I have seen a static used like this and that had some serious strapping on it to try and keep it in place!

So PIR against the steel sides and studwork in front of it to create an air gap and then finish fixed to the frame? I was thinking of fitting some second hand double glazed patio/french doors across the end of the container just inside the external doors to help solve door insulation, as mostly the outside doors would be open to get the view/daylight light in anyway in a standard container

I take yours and @SteamyTea point about being better off building something timber framed from scratch. That’s not really any option as it would need planning and in the Outer Hebrides, winds are very strong, a friends 3ton timber stable block got blown away, and even shipping containers have been known to move! They seemed to be commonly used for storage, but another friend has one as an office space and with what he believed was quite basic insulation, it was surprisingly warm! Might have been an old site office mind you?

I did say it was basic! 🤣

This seems a very basic level of insulation that could be easily added… https://tpsolutions.eu/product/insulated-shipping-container-liners/ then maybe a light framing inside with additional infill insulation and plywood/OSB lining on top?

I did briefly look at ex-refrigerated containers which I guess are similar?

Shipping Container Insulation Options There are numerous videos online about this, all different, mostly US-based (tiny houses being a thing over there I guess), and some well let's just say, their methods might be open to question!? 🫣 I’m potentially looking/needing to get a 20' shipping container as part of my Small Mission Hall project in the Outer Hebrides. I’ll need it at some point to cover me as a temporary live/office workspace, plus for temporary storage of materials. I could then possibly also use it as a design/studio workspace. Have looked into second-hand site office containers, but their cost is prohibitive, and so many fake sellers to try and avoid! So what would be the best type of insulation for the floor ( I’m assuming it's best to do some form of floating floor here?), the walls and the roof? Is one type of insulation material good for all three, or am I better looking at horses for courses approach of different options for each location? As the container is the structure in reality, can insulation be stuck to the container insides (a lot of talk about using spray foam insulation?), or would I be better looking at some form of internal timber framing (this might be another question! 🤣) and allow an air gap behind to minimise the risk condensation?

Either route would be fully insulated to the max, along with the rest of the building 👍🏼 For hot water my thoughts so fare are; Electric shower in the bathroom and a mini under unit boiler for on demand hot water in the kitchen area.

Hi, I’m going to be at the will of building control/planning as to whether or not I can keep a suspended timber ground floor in my Small Mission Hall in the Outer Hebrides. Whilst I wait for the outcome, I wanted to look into both options. It’s a small building internally (7.500m x 4.500m) so I’m not having a main boiler/central heating system/heat source pump etc. so water is out, I’ll be going for an electric system. I maybe looking at a solar feed system as well. A replacement concrete floor with electric underfloor heating seems a little more straightforward. Possibly better because of its thermal mass acting a bit like a storage heater? However, is it possible to do similar with a replacement suspended timber floor and still utilise relaying the existing floorboards? Would the result (if possible) be equal in terms of its thermal performance compared to a concrete floor? What are the pros/cons either way? Any advice or suggestions welcome…

@Kelvin looking nice!

I thought they were doing a flush or at least a low profile window?

Exactly, they seem to have a very good reputation from those I have spoken to. They are built to deal with the local environmental extremes!

I’m thinking of adding two (or maybe four?) triple-glazed roof lights to my small building refurbishment. Nothing fancy or large, maybe 600mm x 900mm in size. It’s a small space (32msq) in the Outer Hebrides, so solar gain would probably be a benefit 🤣 I want them to finish flush to the pitched roof (not stand proud or be protruding) to avoid wind noise. They don’t need to be opening, as it's a single-volume space with lower windows. I know Velux have a widely recognisable brand name, but are they the best company/windows to use, or are there other companies I should also be considering?

Up at the top near Port of Ness

Thanks, every day is a school day! This might more be suitable for a finishing job, but I’m looking at just a holding job at this stage as the windows will be getting taken out in (hopefully) the not-too-distant future…

Eventually, I will be replacing the rotten single-glazed windows in my Small Mission Hall in the Outer Hebrides. However, until I get planning permission/warrants etc. sorted, they are what I have to live with. To make it slightly more windproof when the breeze gets over 60mph 🤣, I want to try and seal some of the gaps around the frames and the solid stone walls. Is some form of expanding foam the way to go, or are there other options I should consider? Am I right in thinking expanding foam is not that eco-friendly? Are there options on that front without having to spend a small fortune on what will ultimately be a temporary disposable fix…

Wood wool?

Current regulations require I have insulation installed, so unless I do that outside the building, then it’s not an option unfortunately

Yeah I have my doubts about OSB in its natural state, but it could look more ‘interesting’ when painted, possibly, I might have to reserve judgement and do a test piece to see… cement boards, emmmm, like your thinking on that! 😎

I was wondering if the fireproofing aspect was it’s main saving grace! I’ve seen some nice crisp/clean interiors finished in high grade birch ply which looked very cool 😎 OSB would be more rustic, but it’s a solid stone wall construction, so wouldn’t look that out of place. Although open to something contrasting or minimalist as well. Even different materials for different zones as it’s only a very small building, so I won’t be dividing it into rooms as such.

Having just stripped and dumped a tonne of old plasterboard, I’m loathed to go that way again. So on an internal stud framework, with all options open for consideration, what other materials could be used? Open to all ideas, pics or examples would be great! 😎 For example, just wondering if primed and painted OSB could work?