Homer92

Done it with Progressive on a self build mortgage, but got on a residential rate with Progressive when Architect issued completion cert. Will never be selling house - so I guess there's no real panic to get it.

NI Building Control Query - Recently finished my house got the last drawdown from mortgage using Completion certificate from Architect. Can I ask what is the incentive for me to get BC completion cert now? I've a few items to complete for BC and money is running dry so is there any rush getting them done?

I'm getting to stage of completing some external landscaping works. I like the idea of a 1m perimeter granite slab paving around the house but also a section of low level green hedge along the front elevation. Any experience of what type of hedge to plant? (Don't want green algae to residue on the white render of the house) What's best width of a strip of hedge/ topsoil to go with? I wont have he budget to tar the driveway now but should I finish the front of the strip with a pin kerb?

Ok thanks I wasn't sure you if you could pump screed. But I'm pretty sure the screeders talked about wheeling it when quoting, I'll get a few sheets of ply down. I thought there is a polythene layer on top of the PIR and under the UFH pipes. Don't want to tear it.

Some excellent reading in this thread! I'm having 150mm PIR, and 75mm sand /cement screed with my UFH, my question is how do I protect the UFH pipes when wheeling in the screed? And indeed the DPM and PIR boards? A ground floor of nearly 200m2 that's a lot of wheeling!

They are pressure testing it prior to any insulation is laid. They chose copper, they have used a plastic conduit (I assume Hep20) for rads upstairs. I will ask why they chose copper but I just assumed it was more heavy duty for floor loading above it. I'm just struggling to see how they could have been positioned in voids above and drop down, for eg. kitchen sink is under a window with a vaulted ceiling ? surely it has to come across the floor.

Is it uncommon to run these along the subfloor under the insulation? Plumber never discussed alternatives, they have started putting all copper domestic pipes on subfloor.

where is the alternative to locate them?

Great, thanks for replies. Plumbers pipes as in his domestic copper pipes (hot/cold from taps, toilets etc). How have people insulated around these with PIR board?

I am getting to stage to lay my floor insulation. 225mm floor depth - 150mm PIR Boards (2 layers of 50mm and 100mm) and 75mm sand/cement screed. UFH throughout ground floor. I have a few questions before I start - I was thinking of laying the 50mm board first so they will butt up tight to the plumbers lagged copper pipes and put the 100mm board over the top. It will save tracking the pipe lengths out of the 100mm thk board for plumber's pipes. Is this best way to do this? What is the DPC detail along the blockwork? Does it return up the blockwork and the insulation just butts up tight to it? For the 25mm thick edge perimeter insulation is it ok for it to sit on top of the first 50mm board or should it go down to the subfloor? Is a layer of polythene required on the subfloor under the insulation and if so what is it's detail when it reaches the blockwork? Sorry for all the questions!

Hi, I'm looking some help how to install a dropped ceiling and the detail required for it. I'm looking to create a dropped ceiling in two rooms like photo attached, I want to know how to hide the LED strip like the detail attached? Has anyone any experiences? I was going to fix timber studwork to the existing ceiling level and fix plasterboard onto it but not sure how to create the lip around the perimeter to hide the LED strip? Thanks

Just looking some advice, traditional block build and my windows are in with spayed foam around perimeter to seal air gaps. My worry is some are not sealed well enough, and I'd like to add tape. What's the best tape to stick to window and masonry block?

Quick query - I will have 100mm PIR board between sloping rafters and 50mm below, then in the voids 200mm rockwool between joists and 200mm above. Do I insulate between the vertical timbers? With the same as rafters 100mm and 50mm PIR, or does it not require insulation at all? Thanks

I'll soon be buying lots of PIR board too, my options between local merchants seem to be Xtratherm or Quinn therm. Any heads up on which is better product? Or no difference?

Thanks very much for the useful info!