BadgerBodger

We lived with no mains for about 15 years (90s to late 00s, I was just a kid) We had an old Lister diesel generator. It was a different life, we were much more oriented around being outside and one was very much at one with the seasons. We lived in a very small house and had the power on for an our or so in the morning, and then a couple in the evening. Through winter it was on longer (from dusk while 2200). Our heating was mainly from an open fire but we also had a gas boiler from an LPG tank. There was no TV. We did have a water connection and a telephone line though! AMA

Dependent on the size of your screen, the bracketry and the stud centres, have you considered a surface mounted patress? This size of a lot of these modern screens and them being fixed mounted means you can often get away with this.

I get frustrated in my day job about professionalism… here was me hoping it would be different when it’s a bit more up close and personal! I’m now reminded of a time earlier in my career when I did a few Barn conversions… time heals all wounds. A reminder that the current job is always “the worst” and one has a tendency to look back with rose tinted spectacles! PS looks like we’re on. Panic over. Thanks for the support!

Precisely. Today I try again.

I think I’m going to be using an epoxy paint. Either a one part like crown epimac or maybe a two part like watco plant room coating. We’ve been using the resbuild SF with texturising additive for some industrial applications with plant usage that seem to hold up. Much cheaper than a “resin” floor finish with a couple of mm build-up.

This is it. I’m a PM in construction. I’m used to bad news, delays, failures, damage, combinations of the above. All I ever ask is that I am told what the problem is, the impact and the preferred solution. If the preferred solution to them doesn’t work for me we explore the alternatives. I get mental health. I really do. But even with this, SOME communication is imperative because generally, problems CAN be resolved, but not without a basic understanding of the scope of the problem which could be as simple as - apologies, don’t have the capacity to deliver X right now. If it works for you I can complete by Y.

Yeah. I’m going to simmer down. Like I say a conduit to vent. I appreciate the different perspectives though. Architect isn’t passing comment currently. I’m not sure they’ve had any contact/feedback either though. I suppose my frustration is the lack of contact. I’d actually be happy to hear that he’s gotten waylaid and things will just take a little longer than planned!

Voice of reason. It’s possible. But for two weeks? With no response? Could be. If I were ill I’d call my clients it would affect a deadline for. You’re right. Maybe I should pipe down. I suppose my problem is I want to move forward and worry that it is the case that the ship has been abandoned it’s not an ideal juncture to do so timing wise for my objectives.

Frustrating. Seems like my appointed engineer who has been for a site visit, quoted (contract terms signed and agreed) the desired scope and came for a design meeting with the architect with the view to complete a survey upon which the basis of his design would be formed appears to have has quite simply disappeared… Not responding to calls, texts or emails for a week. Not really sure why I’m posting except to vent my frustration to some people who might understand!!! We were supposed to be submitting for BR approval this side of Christmas. grrrr

The first one looks like an old wasp nest. The second is unclear but could again be an insect nest. The 3rd looks like there could be rot at what looks like the roof and ceiling rafter bearing end. But there is something else going on off screen to the left which is undeterminable but perhaps looks equally worrying

Everyone is an idiot. Including you.

Me too. And Staffordshire Railway BS from Buildstore.

I spoke with them last week and they were will happy to talk about the route to offering me something for a conversion property.

Yes, I’m inclined to agree. There doesn’t seem to be a single solution for all scenarios. interesting observation regarding the PIR and wiring. I imagine it’s a retained heat issue, something that can likely be overcome by oversizing the cabling for experience with other cable overheating issues. Something I’ll discuss with my architect for sure.

Considering @SteamyTeas comments you could consider a multitude of cheap “short term” solutions… EPDM, felt, pvc… the options are there…

I see no reason why not. I have installed single ply (read Sarnafil or equivalent) underneath kalzip before (a long time ago mind) on a modular solution where we wanted weathertightness quickly to allow for quick occupation of a building. We completed the roof post occupation. The final covering was effectively cosmetic only. Just be mindful that the overall cost will be greater.

@Annker I see. I can’t tell, are you planning to use a VCL or use the PIR as the VCL? If the latter… Would the infilled stud option with insulation between not be an option akin to mine then? The difference being your VCL sits outside in the “cavity” and the stud frame is on the “dry” side. An infilled stud allows for better optimisation of space if it is scant. Service routes could the. Be routed in the PIR or you could use a nominally deeper stud to allow the PIR to sit at the back and have service void to the front? I appreciate that may not result in a “warm batten” design but I would consider it as an option.

@Annker I am planning a barn conversion with IWI. I think we are considering similar strategies. Architects preference was for natural breathing solution but my preference was for a more commercial bag it up and stop it moving solution. In the most extreme case the external walls deviate 200mm from plumb…. We have an internal steel frame and are looking at currently looking at a minimum 50mm ventilated cavity, treated timber stud with PIR infill between. Likely 120mm. VCL to the inside face counterbatten and then PIR backed board to the front which will also be used to cloak the steel frame (potentially with and addition 25mm board to further limit cold bridging). Window openings will have VCL dressed through to the frame and the PIR bonded board will form the reveal which will vary I depth but be a minimum of 350mm deep. I’m considering the use of a breather on the outside face of the stud to protect the timber better but I think it might be unnecessary and make buildability challenging. Currently planning erecting stud frames at ground level and offering up for fixing to steel. If I were in your position, and wanting square wall I’d batten up at fixed centres and plumb with packers before affixing the next product. IMHO VCL could then be either to front or rear of PIR and dare I say it if you’re just driving improvement but without a specific figure you could just use foil faced PIR and tape with alutape… that’s the rougher side of me. Compromised VCL is almost always inevitable and I take one of two approaches I see as being practical and pragmatic. Either tape VCL to timber battens using some butyl tape strips then PIR backed PB could be directly affixed with the butyl tape “self healing) the fixing point OR (and this is how I always approach it) sandwich the VCL between two sheet products. In this case PIR and PB. The “trapped” nature of the fixing point and sandwiching between two impermeable products means leakage is minimal. The first option is a belt and braces version of the latter. Also might be worth considering a gypliner system… these can form a void of 30mm if I recall. Quick, easy, cheap and maintains a continuous cavity… https://www.british-gypsum.com/Systems/wall-linings/gyplyner-single#description Other variants exist

Yes, the one you see is decorative, there were 3 in total, all the same barring the flue that came from the cremator in one. It was an all electric crematorium which was interesting as t the time it was the second in the UK.

@saveasteading not the but thanks @JohnMo I’ll follow up on that!

@saveasteading I can’t remember the precise details but I recall the battens being approx 28 x 35. The panels were made up in a workshop so I’m not exactly sure how they were kept straight but it was furniture grade timber. The subframe was a ladder frame at around 450mm centres and the battens were double pinned and made good with wax at the same centres. The battens were left the oversail by 450, 300 and 150 mm to ensure a staggered joint and those were then pinned to the next panel etc. The reveals were a veneered mdf board. The timber was bought as soon as we got the design through which was then delivered and left to acclimate in the workshop for 3 months. This ensure we could select the most true lengths and so that we had timber from the same trees and area to ensure a uniform colouring. The cost was £€$¥ but the finished product was 🔥 The brickwork outside was almost as impressive… the eflourescence you see on the columns has gone now. The photos were taken professionally for Benchmark architects the lead designer. I forget who the engineers were. The project was for Hambleton district council in North Yorkshire. One of those jobs you’ll always look back on!

Nice @Russell griffiths. Oak CAN look great. Here’s something I did with an architect and a bespoke joinery contractor in a crematorium. The architect gave a concept, I designed a unitised solution, and the contractor fabricated and installed. A softwood frame with acoustic insulation within the frame, wrapped in acoustic fabric with the battens pinned to the frame in staggered lengths (uniformly so the next panel married up) and hung on a unistrut frame to shroud the building steel. Here we had composite panels forming the main roof which was cloaked in slate. The oak was treated with fire rated lacquer for spread of fire along with rated fabrics and mineral wool insulation.

I’m not sure that the cladding in itself would have any impact upon regulation compliance. The omission of plasterboard may be possible but the would be dependent on a number of factor such as whether the ceiling formed part of a fire compartment and/or part of the air tightness detailing. For example consider the following assumption - the vaulted ceiling has nothing but a roof above (which does not form part of an exit strategy for the floor above), it is a new build and it is assumed there will be a vcl lining to roof structure. In this case you COULD omit the plasterboard and timber line directly. However, it should always be considered that a good roofs function is not always only to keep the rain out but also limit the external environmental noise out too (in rural cases this might not be the case so much) and even the sound of wind and rain. Omitting the plasterboard may result in louder background noise dependent on the roof build-up above. The PB lining will also have some impact on the overall u-value of the roof (albeit timber will likely improve this value if used as a continuous lining) The simplest route would be to line with PB and then overclad with your selected material.

As I meander through the slow process of my purchase I am in a position to start some of the enabling works, first and foremost the provision of services to the plot. Amongst other aspects, with the project being a “conversion” I understand that the works associated should be rated a 5% (or at least as permitted under notice 708) and I am wondering how best to proceed with the works. Specifically, the planning permission is currently under the vendors name. I have read somewhere that to make your claim for a VAT refund as a self builder one must have their name on the planning permission. How is best to make this name change? I will be submitting for (or at least trying for) some NMA or perhaps even just as material amendments for ASHP, solar and some other more minor changes including an updated internal layout. Does this name change occur at this juncture automatically? In turn, the vendor is willing to make the necessary applications and payments for services installations. But, if he does so, the invoice would be in his name and I would not be able to to claim the VAT back at a later date because of this (supposing the name change on the planning permission). Would I be better making the application on the vendors behalf (as his agent whilst it remains his property) or just let him do it and forget about the £500 or so that in would get back? The are additionally some more novel factors in that the services will need to traverse the vendors remaining property to meet the new plot and up a private lane with which access is permitted. I get the feeling the latter option is a better option if only for ease and simplicity of easements etc. as whilst it’s his he can do as he pleases.

Sure, this is the band seal catalogue. There are a seemingly infinite number of variations on the theme… http://www.dureycastings.co.uk/uploads/DOCS/naylor-bandseals-brochure.pdf They can be bought from pretty much any builders merchant although they may carry a different manufacturer such as flexseal. The benefit with this is they are quite a tolerant connection in relation to size and position. Whilst the products I posted may not specifically be the correct arrangement alternative variations on size are generally available, you just have to take your measurements and search for them.