lizzieuk1

Hi all, We are at regs design stage. Building with ICF (woodcrete) SE to design all elements and we're struggling with decision for foundations, initially thought a raft would be best with the icf but, worried about a few things. First being cost! Second being our ground which is pretty much solid clay with 50cm topsoil. Third being the Hawthorn hedge 7m away! We've not done full ground investigations but have got a 3 borehole reports, from around 400m away triangulated around us, from the geological society site so, have a fair idea what the ground is like. Also dug a 1m pit which aligns with the borehole data (all be it a lot shallower- should we get plasticity tests etc done??) SE happy to design whichever foundation(has experience is many including rafts) - though hasn't yet looked at all the ground factors in detail, so that may well change. What we're really needing is some opinions on the choices. With clay & hedge are we best going for strip footings and an insulated slab? Or, should we still look at the raft option? Is the cost crazy compared to strip footings? Not keen on b&b (done that before) as ideally want all insulation outside the thermal mass if we can. Also, how easy will the floor to wall detail be with strip footing/slab and the ICF option? Having only done 1 previous new build there's still so much to consider and, as this will be our home, want to try and make the best long-term decision! Any advice/opinions gratefully received.

Do you think that was due to the manufacturer or just a 'standard' result with the upvc sash? Do you think timber/aluclad would have been better?

Thanks JohnMo Do you think its worth getting the glazed units separately, cost wise? And would we then fit those ourselves or supply the frame manufacturer with them? I'm really not keen on the 'stick on' bars so wondering how we can get an internal bar 🤔 I had seen the krypton ones so presumably they could be 2g to gain 3g values?? Have chatted again and we will look into timber a bit more as well, with modern paint application I think they could actually stack up reasonably maintenance wise & perhaps the u value would be reasonable too.

Hi 👋 been lurking a while, we're about to submit planning for our new build and hoping to get tips etc from you guys. (Have done 2 new builds with a main contractor on the shell so some experience but this will be our family home 'big build' and we want to do a more 'personalised' build) We've been looking at window options, would like traditional sash windows though ideally not timber, so aluclad or upvc I guess, has anyone installed vacuum glass? Feeling it would be aesthetically better in a sash than triple galzing and has obv thermal & acoustic benefits. Interested in anyone opinions on it and any ideas of cost compared to a triple glazed option. Also anyone know of any suppliers of sash windows with vacuum glass? Thanks all 🙂