K78

They are not expensive either.

That isn’t the case for the majority. I spent 12 years managing mortgage advisors. Building control sign off and a survey satisfy most. When I think of some of the severely rotten old houses I’ve bought with self cert and buy to let mortgages. They aren’t that fussy. Even lease issues can be covered with a £150 indemnity policy. Their biggest concerns are your income, outgoings, equity and credit score. HBOS lend against some construction types other big providers don’t. Such as the old council “tin” steel framed corrugated houses you see in some areas.

I went the makita LXT and dont regret it. Their new diy budget range is awful though.

They are definitely an option, and not as expensive as the were. Im going to experiment this week. I’m going to make a mould like in this video. But line the bottom with reclaimed pallet wood before I pour the concrete. I’ll add coconut fibre to the mix and go 1” thick. It’s worth a try. If it’s awful it my satisfy my curiosity and I’ll move onto something else.

I’m thinking of buying some bamboo tomorrow. i want to block a gap in some trees that overlook my site( bamboo would be ideal), and create a instant 4m long hedge. Am I correct in thinking the clumping root varieties are non invasive and don’t require barriers etc? If it is a issue I will use an alternative.

I’m not bothering with one.

I know I’m in the vast minority. But it I don’t plan to have any PV. Living in the north west and without FIT I see little point. Am I missing something?

It seems that fibre reinforced concrete solves the weight problem. https://anthonyconcretedesign.com/board-formed-concrete-feature-wall-toronto/

I stumbled across this site http://www.imi-beton.co.uk/surfaces/concrete?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxMG3l9Ks4QIVUOJ3Ch3AEwp0EAAYASAAEgKn5PD_BwE No doubt crazy expensive. The product in the pic looks good though.

The cheapest product I can find is shapecrete. Still too expensive to do on the scale I intended. It’s not really the colour I wanted anyway and I’m not sure why he bothers with the rubber?

I just checked that site out. It’s a good resource. I initially thought it would be as simple as this. I know this looks like a 70’s fireplace but I though the same method would work with timber If only ?

This is a good example. https://www.dezeen.com/2013/12/02/timber-clad-seaside-house-concrete-interior-ultra-architects/

That’s crazy. I had no idea 0.7m high 60mm thick concrete would create that amount of force. Might be time for a rethink. Now I see why there are no YouTube videos on this. The risk of a blowout is the reason I wouldn’t consider a poured retaining wall.

That’s a great idea. My biggest concern was tying the concrete to the blocks, as it’s heavy. I love the rough look of concrete. Would be a sin to paint it.

It’s a option worth considering. I did wonder about using reclaimed concrete sleepers, but the weight would be crazy.

Im going to have a chat with the joiner and groundworker tomorrow. I’m thinking of shuttering the walls starting from the bottom up, and doing each wall with 4 separate, vibrated pours on top of each other.

That’s a good idea. I did want to build with block and ewi. The cost of EWI and the associated renders put me off. My reasons for using durisol(or similar) is that it is easy to dry stack and cut, the insulation is built in, It’s weather proof and is really easy to chase cables for electrics. Perfect for the diy approach. My groundworkers have done shuttered retaining walls before. They suggested one for my site but it was too expensive and I didn’t want to risk a blow out on a 4m x 14m wall. The joiners are both experienced and I know them well. Half the battle is having people you trust on site. As soon as many tradesmen hear “self build” they think £££

I appreciate your opinion. I mean that sincerely. But I don’t see where the high level or skill or knowledge are required. It’s not like I’m building a structural wall with shuttering and concrete. Its a basic concept unless I’m missing something? If done in stages I can reuse the shuttering. So the timber cost won’t be huge. I will have bare durisol that will need to be plastered anyway.

I think i would take peters advice and do it in stages. I appreciate its not as easy as I first thought. Thankfully my retaining wall nightmare has prepared me for almost anything.

That is a interesting idea. I’m not scared of hard work. With the assistance of 2 joiners and 2 labourers I think it’s worth a go. Honest answer is cost. A shuttered concrete house would not be cheap and I honestly think the cost of EWI in the uk in nothing short of extortion. It is ridiculous. I heard about a icf produuct where you can remove the inner leaf to expose the cured concrete. I imagine it is a lot more expensive and not as self builder friendly as durisol style blocks.

I’d be open to that approach. If anything it’s easier and more diy friendly. Would the concrete bond to durisol while curing, or would it need a base coat like a cement wash? I’m not familiar with plaster and how it behaves, which is why I posted the thread. I was thinking I’d be able to apply a thick enough coat before I applied the shuttering. But as Declan says it will slide. Damn gravity. I’ve got 2 good joiners on site. My upper floor is open plan with a exposed roof structure. Shuttering would work well and I could still do it in sections to save on timber. I would be more of a challenge downstairs due to ceilings as you say. I’ll think of something else for downstairs.

I want to secure one side of my plot before my build starts. The area has a lot of roots and the ground is glacial rock underneath the top soil. My arm is still vibrating from trying to dig a trench with a spade 2 yeas ago. I’m using 2m steel posts and security fencing. The type you see around schools and parks.

The moulds/shutters would just be lengths of 6” timber with batons on the back and spacers on the front. Thick coat of Portland directly onto the durisol, then drill through the spacers into the durisol to attach the shutters/moulds until the cement cures. It is really simple in my head. But I’m not explaining it very well. I agree the walls in the pics are shuttered solid concrete

Im planning on doing my whole interior like this. Im taking a diy approach. I’m not using a contractor. 2 joiners, 1 builder and 2 labourers will be helping. All on mates rates. Durisol or similar is the route I’m taking. I like the dry stack blocks. They make sense for my situation (unskilled idiot who can’t afford a building contractor) ?

I worry about replacement parts for makes I’m not familiar with. The Hyundai has a 3 year warranty too