Piers

@BigBuilder I'm interested in this too and have also been looking at windows24.com if only as a useful tool for comparing prices of window quotes in the UK. Also talking to other suppliers in EU for quotes at the moment. Have you made any progress since your last post?

We're in the process of getting quotes for aluminium windows and doors but I'm finding the sheer number of window profiles quite overwhelming. I'm struggling to understand how to attach a value to the different elements of the window. It probably doesn't help that window suppliers seem to give conflicting advice along with their reputation for impaired honesty. The suppliers that we've gone to have quoted for Cortizo and only seem to supply one or two profiles in any case. I'm aware of other brands/profiles such as Schueco, Aluprof, Reynaers and can see that they make a range of profiles of differing quality/performance. I gather that Schueco have the bext reputation and also are the most expensive. But beyond that I have no idea how to assess what constitutes a good value unit. I'm looking for an idiot's guide on how to assess whether I'm getting bang for my buck. Also, if anyone is willing to share the little things that they regret about windows they've bought. It'd be very helpful to understand the small nuances of windows such as opening mechanisms, life-span of gas fillers, issues installing etc - basically the stuff that doesn't show up on a data sheet.

Hello! I'm looking for some ideas on how to fix a potential thermal bridge in a garage/workshop building in which one zone will be heated (when in use) and the other zones will be unheated. We're planning to build on an insulated raft in (insulated) ISOTEX ICF. The thinking behind this is that if we ever want to convert the building into habitable space, we might as well have the walls and floors installed with insulation as it'll be a lot more expensive to retrofit. Architect.pdf We've identified a couple of elements where there's likely to be a thermal bridge (see PDF) Can anyone help with a solution? If you can sketch it out that'd be an added bonus.

@WestPinch2 Did you have any luck with the Psi values?

I realise this is an old post but having just received a quote for a new supply from SSE thought I'd share. From the quote, SSE are saying that we can't take a supply off an existing pole near our property as "LV POC off this PMT exceeds volt drop limits with new load". So they're proposing to run 430-475m from a pole a lot further away. It's all a bit unclear whether they're using HV or LV. The written quote says 430m of LV and the drawings say 475m of 300mm XLPE HV. Breakdown of Charges Description of connection charges Connections: 1 Domestic Lay approximately 430m of LV cable.£169,891.38 Total connection charges £169,891.38 Description of non-contestable charges HV pole termination at WHIW E4L5 200 for new s/s tee'd from White House PMT. POC and Network Assessment, Design Approval (where relevant) £185.00 Final connection £7,831.11 Inspection & Monitoring £2.00 Total non-contestable charges £8,018.11 Total charge to applicant £177,909.49 Seeing how cheap it is, I might just get two! Back to the drawing board....

Need them for SAP calculations. @SteamyTea thanks for your response. My SAP consultant tells me that the manufacturer/supplier would usually have a list of different non-repeating thermal bridging values - the measure of heat loss through the junctions between different construction elements expressed in w/mk. I've found online a table for Durisol: I have, of course, written to Isotex in Italy and asked them to provide but am hoping someone who's previously built in Isotex (or their SAP consultant) might already have such a table to hand.

Does anyone have a table of Psi values for Isotex they can share please?

Has anyone taken the plunge and ordered Isotex blocks directly from Isotex in Italy? We're still keen on the product but a little nervous about getting the supply (for obvious reasons) Also, if importing for a self-build, I'm guessing you can claim back the VAT? How about customs duty (if any)?

We're having a debate with our architect about the merits of installing cold vs hybrid roof and would like some input please. The house will have vaulted ceilings throughout and so we're not too concerned about ceiling heights being impacted by insulation below the rafter. The architect is proposing a cold roof with 150mm Celotex XR4000 between timber rafters, 75mm Celotex GA4000 below, 25mm battens, plasterboard/timber. Steel purlins will be within rafter zone. We're proposing a hybrid with 75mm above rafters, 175mm between (full fill), VCL, battens, plasterboard/timber. Rafters 175mm @400c Architect makes the valid point that the roof will be thicker externally and look bulkier with deeper fascias. Also we'll have to insulate an external balcony to keep a level finish. She also says "The airtightness variation between warm and cold roof is negligible, it mostly comes down to construction standards on site as both can be taped at the joints etc. The detailing of the VCL for a warm roof will be trickier on site for the eaves and balcony overhang vs keeping it internal for the cold roof." I've always thought of cold roofs as "the old way" to build a roof. Warm/hybrid roofs make more sense to me. I don't want to be dogmatic about this - just trying to evaluate if there is an "optimal" way to build it.

Just as an FYI for anyone building with Isotex or Durisol who is short of a few blocks. John Pye auctions are selling off the remaining stock fom Insulhub. They have ~300 Isotex and ~200 Durisol blocks for sale. Contact Chris Eckersley at John Pye.

I've just spoken to a John Pye auctions who are selling the remaining stock from Insulhub. They have about 300 Isotex blocks in stock and 200 Durisol. If you're interested let me know and I'll PM you the email address. Or just call John Pye and ask for Chris Eckersley

@Kelvin please can you send to me. I did a trawl through @Jeremy Harrisposts but there are ~600 pages of them!

If that's a question for me: I have no idea and wouldn't even know where to start.

This is the first energy report I've ever read and I reckon that 90%+ is generic filler content like "What is a heat pump". Does anyone have a copy of a good energy report that I can look at for comparison? I've attached my EC's report if anyone wants to have a look Grey Cottage Renewable Energy Feasibility Study v1 .pdf

They go as low as 0.12. Think their standard block is 0.15 and they also have a 0.19 option. In our EC's report he's assumed walls are 0.18 (I know not why) We're getting quotes for both 0.12 and 0.15 versions