BadgerBodger

Done

@Post and beam I like this brick a lot. How much we talking?

I’m not complaining, between this and carbon capture I think it’ll keep me in work for years to come

Yes. Not sure if this is permitted but we got quotes from Hutton and Rostron for our barn roof for just this. Unable to comment on how god they are as we decided against it as we are taking a “professional judgement” on the suitability of proposed changes to loading. As it was significantly cheaper…

I’ve used it commercially with reasonable success. Domestically I’m not sure I’d want it for the reasons indicated (staining and occasionally unclear water) We were considering RWH but the costs do seem to outweigh the benefits. We’re now looking at discharging rainwater into a lined pond with a perimeter land drain to soak away for excess.

I’m wondering why beam and block is the chosen solution? Especially in an environment where it isn’t typical (maybe even never used). Is it for an upper or ground floor? In most cases where beam and block isn’t used, my experience is that suspended concrete slabs are used, with a falsework/formwork arrangement to get you where you need to be… is it an upper or ground floor? What is more typically done?

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.