Stratman

Don't know if this helps, but I'm currently considering this work-in-progress detail for vertical timber above and render on carrier board below. My understanding is that vertical timber cladding needs to be fixed to horizontal counter battens which are in turn fixed to vertical battens, whereas horizontal timber (or in my case render board) just needs to fix to vertical battens to maintain a continuous ventilation/drainage cavity. I've added a drip profile to help define the transition and throw water from the upper cladding off the cladding below.

I found this quite straightforward to calculate a soakaway size for early design purposes: https://www.cncbuildingcontrol.gov.uk/faqs/calculate-size-soakaway-required-extension/ Some of the other online calculation tools I came across look very complex and longwinded but I may have to bite the bullet later in the process.

Thanks @Redoctober. Yes, our layout has worked well for us; we just needed to flip the plans a bit for better orientation on the plot for sun, views and privacy, and I always wanted a slightly larger 'garage' that will effectively be my workshop. We also improved it by making a downstairs WC off the kitchen an ensuite bathroom off a bedroom on the ground floor for that future proofing as none of us are getting any younger. I'm finding your blog very interesting. It's encouraging to hear about the project progressing well despite various set backs like plot acquisition. Fortunately our plot has services terminated just inside its boundary for us to connect to so hopefully minimal service connection charges.

Hi everyone! Learning a lot from the forum and enjoying the content, so thanks. My wife and I are relocating to Pembrokeshire from Hampshire and embarking on a self build with a timber frame supplier. Finally in for planning (after three years of delay in Wales caused by the phosphates issue...) so fingers crossed. We've designed the house on the basis of our current house of nearly 20 years, but modified a little here and there to our ideal configuration and adding lots of wish list items like PV panels, battery, MVHR, heat pump and lots of insulation. I have been talking to timber frame suppliers for last few years and am out to reprice on the basis of the planning drawings (Scotframe, MBC, Fleming Homes & Frame Technologies). The timber frame feels like the easy bit as they are all so helpful, although comparing quotes like-for-like is proving a challenge. Now starting the daunting task of getting quotes from all other suppliers and trades, so I'll be asking for some help from the hub on that front as I'm getting a bit overwhelmed! Hope my questions won't become too tiresome.