ToughButterCup

Because thats what the guidance for POSIs says the gap should be.

The guidance I have read about strongbacks (in the context of both Easy Joists and POSIs) is that a strongback can only be installed during the construction of the floor - while the joists are exposed.

@Big Neil, that's a Meat Head. Here's a strongback, @Moira Niedzwiecka Its a bit like a spine.... Ian

Yeah folks, I know I don't need them. But I think I'll put some in just for the experience...... (Loads of old 4 by 4 dumped on the site from when we needed to shutter..... ?)

I don't need them in my floor because the span is less than 4 meters. But should I put one in anyway?

Lose the paranoia. Just get on with it. The onus is on them to give you proper guidance. Until then.....

Thanks everyone. @Dudda, that's exactly what I want to do: install the track and then make the shutters. And, if price is to be believed, I'll just be installing some stainless steel rods (resined in) in the concrete ready to carry the two tracks. M20, I suppose. Next, I'll need to beg borrow and steal enough money to build the shutters and install the tracks. I'm going to fantasise about this as a job for when the house is built.....or until SWMBO complains about too much insolation. Whichever comes first.

We'd love to install some external shutters on our South facing windows. Bit like these. Common in Germany -suppose that's why I like them - anyone installed something similar, or had external shutters installed? The end in mind is to reduce solar gain on on two 1800 wide South facing windows: one in the kitchen and the other in a bedroom. The kitchen shutters will be operated from outside, the bedroom from inside. Thanks Ian

Hmmm. There's a bit of me which thinks I should screw doublers to the ends of the joists. Maybe a triangle of plywood (right angle triangle) either side of 'endplate'.... hard up against the wallplate.

Thanks @ProDave and @JSHarris both. I'll try the techniques you suggest. Got some araldite and spare pencils... Lost a bit of sleep on this one last night. What's new eh? Nowt.

The BCO and I both asked Cullens (hanger manufacturer) about that and were assured they are correctly designed

And now down to practical nitty gritty bits.... The guidance from POSI says leave a 50ml gap between the wall and the first joist. Hmmmm.... look at this There's no way even an eight-fingered self-builder like me can whack that hanger in place. So,erm ? Put the hanger in first? Get Debbie to do it? Put up with the moaning and gurning? Its only the end of run / beginning of run joists that'll have this little quirk.

This is a painful topic. I am not arguing that it should not be discussed. Could I suggest to all, responses to this thread should be drafted with great care. Care not to give offence, care not to take offence. And care not to be offensive. Think also, please, of how some may read more (or less) into your post than intended. Perceptions matter. To answer your point directly, @gc100, an extremely high proportion of my build was sourced from Germany or Austria - the design rationale is German too. I agree with you, No Deal will add to the challenges I face. And so increase costs.

Well, if they don't @Russell griffiths, I'll just plonk my joists in their hangers, stick the floor to the top of the joists and Think of Engerland innit ....

A year ago, I wondered -not for long- whether I should do a summary of this thread. As I say, didn't take me long to decide.

I've learned my lesson. Never visit a BM. Order and have delivered. Too much temptation.

Strike A Light.... And the strange thing is that now, I could explain to the chippy how to put it right - and stand a chance of the fix being signed off by the BCO and the SE. Experience hard won is always more satisfying.

Your knees weren't (aren't ?) bad enough maybe. The intense juiciness of the stabbing, ice-pick pain is a strength-sapping challenge to self-control. And working alone (ahhhhhhh) all week - a risk just a little too far. OK @lizzie, @Hecateh, @newhome : MTFU

All right, you may laugh. Your hips and knees will go one day.... At least I know that on Monday morning when climbing on to the boards to fit the joists, I will not get a gasp-inducing stab in a hip or knee when crossing from ladder to trestle board. And - best of all - I'll be able to climb down in comfort. @Onoff: any way of motorising this? I have a spare lawnmower engine somewhere.

PMSL

Hmmm. £10 from Cheshire Roof Trusses. The point for me is the difference in specification. It's tiny. Anyway: live and learn...........

Right - first off, congratulations on your approach: sorting out the softy and smelly stuff first is quite rare I am told - and I know from experience that it is commonly dealt with last locally. A photo would help - your description is detailed, but the problem needs a good coat of looking at, I think.

Not allowable. Sorry The Management However, I see Procrastinator General, or Two Speeds: Dead Slow and Stop are both available.....

Yes. But. JSH warned us about VAT reclaims and ebay . So I avoid it for VAT deductibles.

Lucky this brouhaha about joists blew up. I wouldn't have noticed one little detail which, had a BCO picked it up I would, I suspect have been wailing and gnashing my teeth. ToolStation touts these nails as suitable for all (my emphasis) roofing applications that is 30 by 3.75..... Oh Yes they are! Oh no they aren't ('Tis the season innit.......) Had the POSI joist picnic not occurred, I would not have picked up that I need this spec... or 35 by 3.4 If you can buy these off the shelf, I take my hat off to you. I had to pop down to Cheshire Roof Trusses and pick some up today. Steve Grice , the designer there, was quite clear that I did in fact need these nails. Pushing on an open door with me... I just don't have the gall to pop down to TS and buy nails of a near-enough spec. Anyone know what building risk (as opposed to regulatory risk) I would be taking by using the shorter, fatter TS nails instead?