Thorfun

clean the gun? just leave the can attached and you never need to clean it. ?

that is an interesting idea and could be fun. although, with the cost of timber at the moment I'd be worried I'd over do it and would have to throw lengths away. we're not talking massive shadow gaps so hopefully UV damage will be minimal

We're planning on Shou Sugi Ban timber cladding (https://shousugiban.co.uk/range/charred-larch-cladding/) on the majority of the outside of our house with a shadow gap. We already have a black breathable membrane so we will need to paint the timber battens black to ensure they don't show through the shadow gap. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience as whether it's best to use an exterior paint or a wood preserver type product? and if any particular product is better than any other? and any other recommendations?

Our window company said to slate the roof first to ensure it’s fully loaded before installing windows. So that’s what we’re doing. Roofer starts in 2 weeks!

just to avoid confusion that photo was sent by the M&E company and is not my roof, but I hope my roofer can do as nice a job! I have full faith in him as he comes highly recommended and I've seen his work so it should look great.

Might be cheaper to source the insulation yourself so the TF company aren’t adding a profit margin.

friends had an MBC house and ordered their Rationel windows through MBC so it was all coordinated by MBC. is that not an option? Also, you can always just board over (or cheaper these days maybe use DPM?) the window openings while you wait for the windows/doors to be delivered. we ordered our windows off the TF drawings and I think it is very common as the TF is normally very precise. plus 3 - 6 months wait is a killer if waiting until the TF is up! oh, and in our on-going experience the TF will be delayed. in fact, everything is always delayed we're finding.

I'm shopping for insulation at the moment and I have found the Knauff stuff hard to come by so I've gone for Isover 32 batts. it's all the same thing, glass mineral wool so one manufacturer should be the same as another. I had quotes for Isover and Superglass and the Isover was just a little bit cheaper. Rockwool don't seem to do a 0.32W/mK insulation so we didn't look at them for the external walls but will check them out for the internal walls for sound attenuation.

in our research we found that the prices the TF manufacturers add on for factory fitted insulation was stupidly expensive and so we decided to go with an open panel timber frame and will fit the insulation ourselves. this way we save a lot of money and also can then choose the insulation we want. might not work for everyone though.

our solar PV company sent us photos of lead flashing details for the GSE trays. the roofer said no problem and will be using Code 4 300mm lead flashing so we're going that route.

got this from Travis Perkins today: Hi We're celebrating our 20th partnership anniversary with the Northampton Saints rugby team! It's one of the longest-running sports partnership in the UK, just saying ? To celebrate, we're giving you 20% OFF building materials and more online and on the TP App this weekend. Simply use promo code TPSAINTS20 at checkout. Sorted. Be quick, this weekend only!

so after a weeks delay due to material shortages the timber floor deck has finally arrived today and it is Egger Protect. so I now have no concerns about the impending weather. they're also using the Soudal PU glue that expands to fill the joints so should be nicely weather proof until I can get the roof on.

have you tried local builders merchants? I have 2 local builders merchants and both came back with cheaper prices for Recticel and EcoTherm PIR than I could find online. plus I have an account with them so don't have to pay upfront and I'm supporting local business. ?

everyone seems to have their own experience and opinion. our LABC officer was more expensive than the Protek private one and they're doing both BR and warranty. for us it was a no-brainer. like I said, it will depend on your own circumstances and, as with everything it seems, one size does not fit all.

I think it depends on other factors rather as well. for us it was cheaper to use the same private building control company for both BR and our warranty rather than using LABC for BR and a private for the warranty.

yep, fair point. all I was saying that I wouldn't discount the company on that alone and would give them a little slack and go and see a proper installation of the slider before making a final choice. as @Gus Potter said, they are a big ticket item and you want to make sure you've made the right choice as much as possible!

Yes and it is something we have discussed with the AC company. If we go that route I can take photos of what is required but I can’t help at the moment with what needs to be done to achieve it.

Raynaers are all aluminium. maybe it's the timber that makes the Internorm slider heavier? Also, remember that at a show like Grand Designs/Build It Live/HBR etc the stands might not be perfectly level and so could affect the movement of the sliders and make it seem heavier. we visited an Internorm showroom and I don't recall thinking it was too heavy.

We’re going for Norrsken windows and doors. Been an absolute pleasure to deal with so far and the price was a lot lower than Internorm and the quality looks good. They will also fit them so it’s all kept under one roof. Ours are due to be fitted in December so once they’re in I’ll have a better idea on the whole experience.

The whole basement (slab and walls) is wrapped in FIS Maxiprufe Plus (http://www.fisproducts.co.uk/product/maxiprufe-plus-2/) and also FIS waterproof concrete additive.

Exactly what happened to me

I'm an Erbauer fan! https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-eid18-li-ecd18-li-2-18v-2-0ah-li-ion-ext-brushless-cordless-twin-pack/542fv and a kit with 2 x 4Ah batteries https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-eid18-li-ecd18-li-2-18v-4-0ah-li-ion-ext-brushless-cordless-combi-drill-impact-driver-twin-pack/355jr both brushless as well.

I know this is a Makita love-in session but I'd just like to share another opinion. I also love my impact driver and I can't believe I ever did DIY without one! But I am fully part of the Erbauer ecosystem now and I bought https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-eid18-li-ecd18-li-2-18v-2-0ah-li-ion-ext-brushless-cordless-twin-pack/542fv this set. gave me an extra 2 batteries to go with my other ones and the tools are great for someone like me who isn't a professional and won't use it every day. just a potential less expensive option. ?

good to know. I'll find out tomorrow what our floor decking is and can report back!

ok. I guess I need to wait and see what turns up on the lorry tomorrow. it's too late for me to pay extra to get the Eggar Protect so I'll see what arrives and then re-asses.