MortarThePoint

What is the benefit of twin coil? Do you have solar thermal or something, or is it about giving you the ability to just heat the top of the cylinder?

Yes, internal storage. It's good. I've a load of Xioami Mijia as well but this has three pluses over those: - data logging - unencrypted BLE beacons making it easy to make your own data aggregator - Cheap AAA batteries I haven't seen a teardown so don't know the sensor they've used but their claimed accuracy is good. Not so cheap though at £11.50 if you get a pair

The Alto PDF lists it as 3m2 which is the same as the Gledhill. I can't see a number for the Valliant. I guess the greater the area the more quickly you can heat the water.

How are others coping on site with the cold temperatures? I thought I would share what I'm doing, which could probably be a fair bit better. We don't yet have central heating in the build. I've set up a cheap "Diesel Heater" from eBay that I'm using Kerosene in. There aren't many of the "All In One 5kW" type left on eBay like the one we have: Last night was properly cold, below -7C in Cambridge which is below most year's minimum (bottom third 1995-2021). We recorded -6.8C in the garage (no doors) and the kerosene heater upstairs in the house stopped at around 3am unfortunately (-6C in garage), so the temperature dropped there more quickly. We're putting about 2.3kW of heat in (heater set to 3Hz to make 5L last ~24 hours) from the Kerosene heater plus the log burner downstairs, but that stopped at around 10:30pm. I'm surprised the log burner can't raise the temperature downstairs more than ~7.5C but there are quite a number of drafts / weak points downstairs (e.g. Polythene over a 2.2m x 2.1m door opening which has some gaps). I'm quite pleased that we can keep the temperature in the house above 8C upstairs (bar it stopping) and above 5C downstairs in such an extreme outside temperature. I was hoping for 10C or above, but these are extreme temperatures (for here). Only upstairs is MF framed and plasterboarded so far. So far the loft only has 1 layer of 100mm / 150mm Loft Roll (44) with some areas not yet done. The walls have been blown with their cavity insulation (beads). All windows are in but not all doors. I have a dehumidifier running to take some of the water away that the heater will be producing. Garage: Upstairs: Downstairs: Cambridge Weather Station minimum temperatures calculated in Excel: ThermoPro TP357 Bluetooth Hygrometer Mini Room Thermometer: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B093PT1NL1/

Interesting, must be different then. Other that kWh/day heat loss, being stainless steel and the number of immersion heaters what else is worth looking for?

Hi @Nickfromwales sorry to call you out but you've normally got some good thoughts on these things.

The 275L tank has a heat loss figure of 1.64kWh/day so 68W which is better than the Gledhill Stainless Lite Plus (~80W) and Grant QR (2.1kWh/day) but a bit worse than the Valliant ones (1.5kW/day). Each 0.1kWh of heat loss is probably 0.025kWh of electricity, so at 40p/kWh that would 1p/day, £3.65/year. The Fabdec would be 16.4p/day so £60/year. It only has one immersion heater, is that a concern?

Does anyone have one of these or know anything about them. My ASHP quote (11.2kW Ecodan) has the 275 litre one listed as the tank included. This is all the information I have: DHW Cylinders.pdf The information from Alto Energy doesn't say it's an Excelsoir, but here is that brochure: https://fabdec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Excelsior-Brochure_221103b_lq.pdf That doesn't list 275 litre option, but Fabdec have no other range listed based on a quick look at their website (https://fabdec.com/en/water-heating/)

Ah, I think I may have misunderstood you. Are you saying that just having 7090 brackets at the top is sufficient and then there wouldn't need to be any ceiling ties at all? So like this:

Say the rafters are spaced at 600mm centres. Thus the shear load at the top end of each rafter is 1.64 * 0.6 (spacing) = 0.98 kN. Below is an extract from the Simpson brochure for the 7090 brackets. I have not copied it all but the bracket capacity changes depending the grade of timber and nails you use so please check this yourself. The main thing to take away from this is how you read the table. This table is based on Eurocode design and the value we are interested in is the characteristic value. In the previous post I showed how we worked out the DESIGN loads.. we worked out the loads and then applied safety factors. BUT we also need to apply safety factors to the Characteristic loads for resistance as we are using limit state codes.. which in this case is the brackets. Generally for simple timber design we apply a material factor of safety of 1.3. Thus you can see for the 7090 bracket the characteristic shear load with 35mm nails is 7.6 kN. We divide 7.6 / 1.3 = 5.84 kN which is well above the 0.98 kN. That was the loading on the top (ridge) ledger wasn't it so not near the ceiling ties. In the US Simpson do a nice Face-Fix Rafter Hanger (LRUZ) but it isn't available in the UK unfortunately. They have an SPR product, but that's for 6x2 and pretty expensive. Frame anchors are pretty discrete. I'm not sure which directions Fx,k , Fy,k and Fz,k are but if you pick the lowest one it's a characteristic capacity of 2.16kN for C24. Dividing byt the 1.3 safety factor that gives 1.66kN which is greater than the 0.98kN requirement so should work (?). They also specify use in pairs. I like how these look if using Simpson Strongtie CSA screws which have an axial pull out strength of 1.28kN for the smallest type (CSA4.0x30). I expect they would improve the numbers of the table above. Following the load and comparing this to the tensional Design Capacity of the lower ledger (ceiling level) which was around 1.14kN per fixing I think, so these frame anchors would be stronger than the ledger fixing if the ceiling ties were on the same c/c as the ceiling ledger fixings. If the ceiling ties were 1200mm c/c then there would be two ledger fixings per ceiling tie and their strengths would become comparable (2*1.14kN vs 1.66kN) though the ledger fixings would win (based on the FA's table). Is there any way the tensional load on the ceiling tie can exceed the shear load on the top ledger (which we know to be 1.64kN/m Design Load)? I can only think wind uplift might do that but it would need to overcome the weight of the tiles by that point and I suspect the roof would be in tatters at that point in a nuclear blast. Would it be the load of things resting on the pillars that are of concern?

Would it be possible to use hidden woodscrews like below? The fist one would require making a huge ladder shape before then raising it into place. The second could be added in situ and the 'blocks' could be angled to look more pleasing to the eye (?). I'm not artist 🙂

I was thinking at the top of the rafter where it meets the top ledger. I assumed the ceiling ties constrained the posts and ring beam laterally. Are you saying that the rafters themselves could do that by using a bracket on the rafter. Interesting! Would that be one bracket either side of the ceiling tie then? as you say, starts to look a bit mechanical. I had been thinking along the lines of the image below, but as the datasheet extract shows there is no information about lateral resistance.

The internet is full of people who know too little, but are happy to give their opinion and those who know a lot and are too scared to share. I take pointers as to aid my understanding in ultimately making a call on it. If I've paid for time, it's different, but someone being kind enough to share their knowledge can't be expected to have 'checked their working' as they would if one the clock.

@Gus Potter So kind of you to share some of your knowledge on this. It's interesting to see how it is all worked out the right way. Also, great rafter sizing tip! Are you happy with the ledger size (120 x 45)? So you'd definitely recommend hangers rather than a birds-mouth at the top? I was a bit low with my design load then (1.5kN/m vs 1.64kN/m). I compared the Design Load with the table's Approved Resistance (shear) as I wasn't so sure and felt better to us a lower capacity. Better to know what you're doing and use the correct figure though 🙂 You've picked the drill diameter 12mm fixing which is M14 I think (14mm thread). I'd think I prefer a greater number of small fixings so I think I would need either of: M10 at 0.8 / 1.64 = 487mm, could go with 300mm to match rafter pitch or 330mm to match brick bond M12 at 1.14 / 1.64 = 695mm, could go with 600mm but perhaps that's too aggressive Is that valid? So do you think the ceiling ties should be at the same c/c as the rafters or could they be every other rafter or even just at every post? Just at every post feels a bit weedy, but every other rafter (1200mm c/c) could make the ceiling area feel a bit more open. I'd go with 95 x 45 C24 for these. Matching and lining up the ledger fixings sounds good. If using fewer ceiling ties, particularly if only at posts, I was wondering about using short sections of ledger, perhaps 900mm long with 4 fixings. Would you screw (2no. 6.0mm x 100mm) through the beam / ledger to the ceiling tie or use mini truss hangers? I guess a nice feature of a hanger is it has a published load. Agreed, 2no. 200x 45 C16 or C24 should look nice and sturdy and exceed those two in strength. The architect has used 150 x 150 posts which obviously are stronger than 100 x 100. Sitting a 90mm wide beam on top of a 10mm column could look awkward though.

How heavy is that and over what length of timber? It looks like wallplate that's not bedded on mortar. Could you do that but with DPC or liquid DPC between the timber and mortar. If the latter, you could mix some sand into the bitumen/blackjack for 'grip' though not sure really needed as you have screws near

Rough weight on the beam above posts: area of tile per metre of beam: 2.5m - 0.5*(1.375/COS(46)) = 1.5m weight of tiles per metre of beam: 1.5m2/m * 77kg/m2 = 116kg/m Double to cover timber, snow load, someone standing on it and safety factor: 116kg/m * 2 -> 2.3kN/m The two middle posts each carry about 3.1m so vertical load on post is 3.1m * 2.3kN/m = 7.1kN Post Base: has plenty of capacity 85.7kN (extract at bottom of this post). Post: I don't know about the post (timber column) itself as I haven't found any load tables. The closest I have come is: "According the diagram above - the safe loads for 4x4 Douglas Fir-Larch Columns with lengths 7.5 feet (2.5 m) are approximately 8 kips (35.6 kN, 3624 kgf)." https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/wood-columns-safe-loads-d_1834.html (typo not comforting there as should be 2.25m not 2.5m.) 6x6 looks to be over 25 kips at the height proposed, so that's over 100kN so more than the base. However, the webpage doesn't specify constraint so that could greatly reduce the capacity though not by more than the factor of 14 margin I've got (or 5 for a 100mm x 100mm post if I wanted to downgrade). Beam: uniformly loaded at 2.3kN/m. Proposed 2-ply 50x200. I calculate using https://skyciv.com/free-beam-calculator/ about 4mm of deflection based on that and with freely rotating ends. (UDL of 1.2kN on a 50x200: Y=10800MPa, Iyy=33.3E6 mm4). That's span divided by 772 so OK. Constrained ends (by symmetry about the post) would reduce this deflection further.

Attached is a useful document that includes allowed loads for these types of fixings that are made by a range of suppliers (including Rawlplug LX). In brickwork it looks like M10 allows around 0.6kN for both shear and tensile loading. @Gus Potter would I be right in thinking the loading at the location circled in the previous post would only be tensile? I don't think there would be much and wouldn't it tend to be compression anyway? At the upper ledger, as a ball park calculation: Tile load: (1.375m / COS(46)) * 77kg/m2 = 152kg/m [1.375m lateral distance between beam and wall) That's carried by the ledger at the wall and by the beam at the posts, probably slightly more by the beam due to eave overhang (not factored in), assume 50% Double to cover timber, snow load, someone standing on it and safety factor 152kg * 50% * 2 -> 1.5kN per meter of ledger. Masonry anchor screw every 330mm: 1.5kN * 0.330m = 0.5kN of shear. That's a bit close, so maybe consider going up to M12 screws. Ankerbolt_Masonry.pdf

I'm trying to finalise my thoughts around this loggia we are having on the back of the house. The main two open questions are the attachment to masonry at eave level and the post bases to use. Masonry attachment: It's straightforward at ridge level, using a 50 x 125 ledger which will be bolted with anchor screws every 330mm (Flemish bond repeat). At that point in the structure there is mainly a shear load. Less clear is what to do for the timbers at eave level. I am planning to have rafters on 600m c/c coming down onto the timber beam, but fewer lateral joists. I definitely have to have them at the post locations. What about in between the posts that is a 3m gap? I had thought to use face hangers, but a ledger would be easier though the fixings would be subject to mainly tensile loading. A ledger going full length gets close to the tops of windows and doors (circled red). I could have sectional ledger if few 'joists'. Post Bases: I'm thinking to go with Simpson Strong Tie PPT post bases which would raise the timber 100mm up and avoid rot. That would require the concrete to come to the surface (or near). There is going to be a slab patio around this area.

Hi Annker, I got pulled away onto other more urgent bits. I have got a small room reads (GL8 round the edge and brackets in place). The brackets can be at 1200mm centres so that is one fixing per 0.48m2 or 0.72m2 depending on whether you are at 400mm or 600mm c/c respectively. I forget what centres the top hat hangers go in at but isn't it similar? I'll share some pictures and thoughts when I get back on it which will be in a couple of weeks hopefully.

I think it would be better if the top frame (orange) had the 4x2 on flat as that should stiffen the assembly against lateral forces. The ;studs' on 600mm centres should easily be able to take the weight of the rafters bearing on the top 4x2. I could position them to coincide with the rafters as well.

Thanks, I'll try to take some more photos. Makes sense, pole is good but need to be sure everything else is sound too. The total weight of the bay roof will be about 600kg (6.5m2 of tiles = 500kg). The timber against the face of the house will be taking some of the load but I expect the bay poles probably take more than half, so perhaps getting on for 200kg each. There will be a substantial beam (8x2 2ply shown purple below, 3m long) across between the bay poles which most of the rafters will bear on. At the sides it's less clear, but I am thinking I'll make a simple 4x2 frame (blue with some 2x2 as well) and use frame fixings to attach one side of it to the house brickwork (red lines). The bottom and top chords of these side parts is a 4x2 on edge backed by a 2x2. I thought I'd use the 2x2 rather than 4x2 on the inner side to allow more insulation. The front beam is 3m long so has quite a bending moment, but those side frames are only about 600mm, so not much moment I figure. Additional 4x2 and 2x2 frame work in orange above the purple front beam to make up the height and allow insulation infill. Bay pole positions shown in green. I had originally planned (even bought some) to use a masonry hanger for the side frames, but they typically cut into the brickwork and don't provide any lateral constraint. I can see one made by Parkes that is face fix, but can't see where to get it from and it feels like the 4x2 bolted (7.5mm frame fixings or M8 bolts) to the masonry will be just as secure. The rafter closest to the house wall will be bolted to the house wall so the vertical load carried by these side frames will be quite low. I am more concerned about the lateral constraint.

Lifting and moving the large central window was something I had dreaded. 3105mm x 1460mm so heavy and unwieldy. I roped in 3 friends the wife helped too. We had to flip the window as well. Carrying the window out of the house was the hardest bit and we used straps under the window and carried it out to trestles (strong). We couldn't use anything going under the frame for the final placement, so I put a short length of batten through the loop the window manufacturer had put on each end of the window. I don't trust such a loop to lift a large window like this so also screwed the small bit of batten to the frame (2no 5.0 x 50mm). I then screwed a piece of 4x2 across the front and back of the window with a block at each end for the screws to go into. This gave us convenient handles at a good height to do the precision lift. The wife guided the window into position using rubber window suckers (no force just precision). We got it spot on and the final lift was a breeze. I had rigged some timber braces to swing down onto the top of the window to stop it falling and the whole operation took less than an hour.

Windows came with Bay Poles and Bay Pole Jacks by Window Widgets. Their catalogue says they are rated to 2t (I think)so plenty of capacity there. An important thing to remember is to check them at the end of the installation as the bay pole may have crept off a tight seating and so the bay pole load would be left being carried by the windows not the jacks which would not be good. We had pretty smooth and level brickwork already, but I lightly touched it with a grinding cup to get it very flat and tweak level too. Need to allow some wiggle with the bay pole jack position as their position ends up defined by the window(s) (the large central window in my case). For me the cill was predrilled (Window Widgets suggest 20mm which I guess was what I had). It would be good to have a washer (guess M12 or M14) to put over the bay pole thread and to rest on the cill as that would help with the subsequent sealing. I had a large gap as no washer so glooped it up a lot.

Neat, so no heating until it's below 11C outside. I like the strategy but note the following drawbacks: - can't preferencially heat rooms being used (e.g. study during week day working hours and living room in evenings and weekends, or bathrooms at certain times of day) - without energy storage, can't take advantage of Economy 7 cheaper electricity - Increased wear on pipes / flow restrictors due to constant flow (?) No idea if that's a reasonable concern - home politics as the wife doesn't have a little box on the wall to tell what to do so she has to tell me instead Even so, it seems an excellent approach.

Awesome thanks. I guess there is a maximum outside temperature above which the ASHP turns off as it would be being asked for too little power.