Kgthomas

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense about the overhangs and looks well constructed.

Good to know, especially that the storms didn't move it. I live at the bottom of a mountain range and the house is in a dip between 2 hills, so do tend to get some wind coming through. Is your garage roof made from steel also? If so why do you have the overhang on both sides? Thanks

Definitely, that is my concern and was why I had considered having the roof on a steel frame extending to the slab. Though then the weight is more on isolated spots rather than spread and has the issues of rendering the block and steel.

Good to know about the 16x wall thickness for being without piers. Happy to have piers in it. Wanting to avoid putting partition walls in it as it is for use as a garage and if I did put a partition wall in it would be very close to one of the end so would still end up with a long wall with no partitions. Hopefully the piers will be sufficient

Yes I agree the price of steel in increasing quite a bit but block has stayed steady. So think given that and the extra issues with adding steel, think I agree 6” block walls and then roof makes more sense, that was my original plan until I was told I’d have issues with damp. Makes sense about planning where the piers will be to allow for racking etc. Need to think about that too. Thanks again

Thanks for that. I am considering going with concrete block with piers rather than steel frame. Will at least remove one issue. Would be planning to use 150mm blocks so that should help. Then that removes any risk of the steel rotting. Had a look at the silicone system you mentioned and understand what you mean. Thanks to everyone’s help I think this is becoming clearer in my head.

That’s a good idea, I will speak to them about that thanks ?

Sounds like the best plan ?

Had a look this morning on building control regs for NI. It does state a maximum floor area of 70m2 so don’t know if that will allow me to use the info I found. I will have to check with them. It says the wall has to be at least 90mm thick with piers every 3m. Doesn’t say anything about if the blocks are thicker. I was considering using 150mm anyway and the piers have to be at least 3x the thickness so that would work out ok. I think.

Thanks, I must check that out with building control.

Ah good to know. Did you build piers into the block work too?

Thank you so much for such a detailed response. It is great to know that you have a similar setup to what I have in mind and not having issues with damp. Makes sense to take the bellcast to just above the slab. The path around the slab will be below the level of the slab and if I slope the path towards the rear of the garage, as I have a land drain behind the garage. Using silicone to seal the bellcast and sand / cement with waterproofed below makes sense. Then paint to add another layer of protection. I do prefer the option of block and if I could include a steel frame for the roof then that should give good strength there too. Just need to look at options for getting mortar to adhere to the steel. I’ve seen an adhesive for attaching block work to steel from CT1.

Good to know you have done something similar and not had damp problems.

Thanks, you are right - first of I need to figure out how I want to build it. If going with the block and steel framing, I will have to see how I can get the mortar to adhere to the steel.

Have seen that you can get non drip panels for the roof also. Though was told if you put skylight panels in that’s where you are most likely to get condensation.