colin7777

We have found a supplier for the doors, it is aluminium windows we are looking for as the company only provides doors. Just trying to find full aluminium windows rather than ali-clad

We are looking at slide and turn doors, but would just like so see what aluminium windows are available

Hi All, Currently our timber frame company has included ali-clad Rationel windows and door, but they do mot supply the patio doors that we like so trying to find aluminium windows and door at a sensible price. So far had one quote and they are 50% dearer than Rationel. I thought aluminium windows would be slightly lower price than ali-clad, have I got this wrong. Thanks Colin

Norwich area

What proof can I produce to claim the VAT as after reading many comments on here about building warranty I am considering not taking this out, am I heading for trouble ? Also, unless I have missed something there is no CIL covering my area so cannot provide this as proof. What else can I use

My Architect has decided to retire, I have gained planning permission but now need to find someone to produce Building Reg drawings. Am I likely to find a company or individual that would be willing to take planning drawings and produce a set of building reg drawings. What are the typical costs for Building regs for a simple 2 storey box shape timber building.

I have to use shiplap wood cladding on the external part of the building and it has to be cream colour so will need to be painted. Looking for the type of wood I should use, it seems that English Larch/Douglas Fir Shiplap Cladding is the cheapest option, is this suitable or should I use a different type of wood. Recommendations and where to buy would be much appreciated. Thanks Colin

Hi, this is a different package, it is Drawing Express ‘ by Trial Systems' in the UK. I don't have the package, it is my architect who uses the package but he doesn't know how to find the facility. It uses a tablet and pen so I guess it is selected somehow from the various areas on the tablet rather than selecting File etc from the screen. . Colin

Hi, Couldn't find an exact forum area to put this so sorry if in the wrong area. Does anyone know how to export DWG or DXF file from Drawing Express, I don't have the package but my Architect doesn't know how to do this but has said he will send me the file if I can explain how it is done. Thanks Colin

Hi, Have looked at this solution but as the boards do not offer fire protection I would still need to put fireboards underneath, I know some say a fireboard is not needed but all the recently built properties have been made to have fireboard placed under the floor by Building Control. With the metal web solution it looks like a fireboard and then insulation could be fitted within the web area although any solution could be a pain. Colin

Hi Russell, As we are on the Broads, we need to have piling with a steel ring beam as we need to maintain a void under the property to allow flood water to flow freely. Normally the ground floor is formed by solid timber joists or Wood/ Metal web joists, the concern I have with this solution is that you can not see what is happening to the condition of the wood and as it can not be accessed will not be able to maintain the wood and over time the whole floor will need to be replaced. I think most people take a chance and just know one day it will need doing, I'm just thinking to avoid it in the first place. I have looked at block and beam on top of the steel ring but it adds a lot of weight and will need additional piles. Colin

Hi All, Has anyone used the FastSlab system from CDI Innovative Construction Materials Ltd. I have emailed them for a quote but no reply from them as yet. I have searched on google but can not find anyone else who supplies or installs this type of fully metal Joist system. Regards Colin

The timber frame company have included 25mm service batten on the walls, has anyone put insulation sheets in the service batten area where no services have been run or even in where services run. If is can be done without causing any problems with condensation etc, what type of insulation and does there need to be space left where electrical cables are run. Colin

I received some samples of cladding but they are all like a satin / Matt finish. Does anyone know where I can get Fibre Cement Cladding that is smooth and has a gloss finish. Can it ever look just like gloss painted wood cladding. Thanks Colin

Hi, we are having to put a steel ring beam in due to flood risk. Our neighbours are currently building a timber house and their floor is approx 1 metre above ground level. They used wood joists and chipboard floor. The building inspector said it was a fire risk due to the gap between ground and floor and made them put 2 layers of fireboard under the chipboard. They said it was very difficult as they had under a metre of room to work with and it was a back braking job, the Tetris system may therefore may need fire protection, I have tried to get information as to the options we can use but it is a bit of chicken and egg as I cannot get an inspector to help without first producing drawings and I am trying to find the solution and then have drawing produced. So be careful if there is a gap between ground and floor as to the type of material that can be used. Regards Colin

Tried searching and couldn't find a post so hopefully the question has not been answered previously. We are limited by the overall height of the building due to tight design rules enforced by the Broads Authority and would like to know if there is a minimal height a ceiling has to be to meet building regs. I have seen reference to different heights but can not clarify if it is a requirement or just a guide, our bedrooms are down stairs and the ceiling height currently is planned to be 2200mm. Looking forward to having this clarified. Regards Colin

What are the typical activities that an Architect would deal with once planning permission has been granted.

Thank you for all the replies, it is their Ultima solution, there will be additional insulation added beyond the 89mm thickness frame and I did notice that some companies including Kingspan quote U values including plasterboard and also brick external construction, so I have tried to strip out the extras and compare based purely on the amount of insulation. My interest was why do all the other timber frame companies use 140mm frame and Kingspan offer 89mm frame. Is the frame going to be as secure with reduced thickness of wood Why don't others use 89mm frame as I am sure it must be a cost saving in the amount of wood used. Thanks Colin

Hi All, We have received a number of Timber Frame quotes, all have stated 140mm external wall frame thickness but Kingspan use 89mm external frame thickness. Would the thickness have any impact on the strength of the overall building. Is it a cost saving method that they are using and just creating larger profit as the prices are coming out similar to other quotes. Has anyone used Kingspan Timber frame, feedback welcomed Thanks Colin

Hi, around 12 metres by 6 metres 1 3/4 floors, just trying to get some views as to benefits of improving U values, never lived in a well insulated house

I know there are too many factors to produce exact information but in general if nothing else changed would you notice a difference between 0.20 and 0.17 U value used on the external walls. Would there be much cost savings in heating going for 0.17 instead of 0.20. Thanks in advance Colin

Our design needs to be on piles with a steel beam, there is a void of approx 800mm underneath that has to be maintained. Quotes so far from Timber Frame companies to provide wooden joists with cassette type floor which I assume includes insulation ? has been around £5.5k for an area of 65 sq metres. In my initial chat on this site, suggestions of block and beam and also a metal floor then cement screed has been suggested. Can anyone advise as to typical costs for the two suggestions above and also does £5.5k for a timber joist floor a reasonable price Any comments as to the pro's and con's of any of the systems much appreciated. Thanks Colin

Thank you to everyone help, the steel floor type solution looks like a brilliant idea that hadn't been suggested until on here. The reason I didn't really want wood is that the site gets very wet as water seeps up through the soil when river levels rise, especially November - March time. Fire protection could be added but just seeing if a single solution was available. Colin

Unfortunately, no bricks, rules seem crazy, wanted Cement/Fibre cladding but they say not allowed, must be 'Fire Risk' wood so it blends in, with what I am not sure as houses opposite are brick and others have render.

Hi All, Found plenty of useful information and amazed with some of the projects that people have completed. We have recently received planning permission to build on a small plot by the river, the house will be 12metres long by 5 metres wide for part of it and expanding to 6 metres for the rest of the length. One and three quarter high style according to the quotes we have had back from timber companies. As it is by the river in the Norfolk Broads the property has to be on piles with a steel ring beam, it will have a void under the building of around 800mm to allow water to flow if it ever floods. So first two questions of many; looking for ideas and recommendations as to how best to create the ground floor foundations, a neighbour used wood and had to then put fire protection under the floor. second question as we are only a metre away from our boundary, again fire protection has been mentioned, has anyone had similar sitiation and what have they done to meet building regs. Thanks Colin