Happy Valley

We used Polysteels Warmerwall ICF - a polystyrene block not that dissimilar to Nudura. 200mm core on a back filled wall and 150mm core elsewhere. Have finished the ICF but we are about 5 months from moving in. Requires bracing which the company provide but it is useful as doubles of internal scaffolding to build the next floor. Should not need rebar reinforcement up to 4 storeys high but our structural engineer clearly did not read their information so lots of rebar in there also. There are useful metal strips inside the polystyrene to attach cladding or wall ties to. The ICF company and support have been excellent.

We had the same conversation with our concrete provider - 2 slabs and 3 ICF pours. They consulted their accountant who agreed it should be zero rated for VAT as the pump was used on all of the deliveries.

Looks great. We used waterproof concrete with our polystyrene ICF walls - not Nudura. This is on top of the waterproof concrete raft coupled with a water bar placed into the raft. We backfilled part of our ground floor (built into a slope) but clad the ICF walls using heavy concrete blocks which were then coated in a tanking slurry. Seemed like overkill to me but that's structural engineers for you.

Superfoil have come back with the following with regards to condensation: "The condensation risk analysis does show a miniscule risk between the OSB and EPDM layer, this is unlikely a cause for much concern and down to assuming a worst case for the EPDM layers vapour resistance."

I include absolutely every cost such as professional fees to demolition. Just over half way through our build and it is currently estimated to come out at £1775m2 including the garage. Had hoped for £1400 to £1500/m2 but material costs have pushed things north post covid. We already owned the land as are building in the garden so no cost attributed for this. If we would have to have bought the land would be looking at around £3000/m2. North West build and fairly complex design in ICF built into a hill. Not hands on other than project managing.

Thanks for all the responses. The roofing contractor says there will be no issue with interstitial condensation but this is beginning to concern me slightly now. So other than foil insulation already mentioned or the expensive and time consuming option of 70mm PIR insulation between the rafters/spars what other options do I have to improve the efficiency of the roof? The spars are 47mm x 200mm spaced with 450mm centres.

Thanks for that. If the Superfoil performs within 85% of it's claims then it will be within the expected design performance.

Superfoil is 60mm YBS quilt is 40mm

We will have a warm roof with 100mm of PIR. Below the roof we plan to staple multifoil insulation across the whole of the roof area and tape it up. We have the choice of Superfoil SF40 with an R value for a roof of 3.47 costing £1120 + VAT for materials or: YBS superquilt with an R value for a roof of 2.5 costing £595 + VAT for the materials. Obviously the Superfoil provides better thermal performance but is it worth another £535 + VAT to get there?

We ditched the log burner in our new build. Have an open fire in the current house and a log burner in the previous cottage. We love the cosiness of them in the winter but not the extra cleaning and drafts when not used. We have decided on one of them fancy electric fires instead that will be flush and be about the same width as the TV. Also I thought you we are only allowed to burn kiln dried wood nowadays. It's also one less hole in the house/roof. I won't miss lugging the coal/wood into the house as I get older.

No haven't heard of them ? . Storm, Bollington Brewery, Red Willow and Beartown are our local breweries (I don't count Robinsons as can't stand the stuff and slightly further away)

We have gone for a Hisense which is reported to operate at 39 DB. Gone expensive on the oven and hob but not on the fridge and dishwasher. Wine - pah. Real ale is the stuff to drink in these parts ?

Can you elaborate on this. Why is it going to go wrong?

Fantastic sounding project. We are not far from the western borders of the Peak National Park in Cheshire. I walk into the park from here on a few more lengthy strolls. Good luck with build.

Excellent work. Great to have a time lag video. I am not so technically minded. We have just poured our third and final concrete into the ICF above the large steels for sliding doors. Our mono pitch roof starts next week.

The warranty period is the only downside to our decision. It is a risk that we are willing to accept.

We do not require our appliances until around next April or May but have ordered them now for a number of reasons. Firstly the cost of shipping has gone up by around 4 to 10 times per item. Pre-pandemic you could get a fridge freezer to the UK for about £20 a unit. That is now £160 a unit. Costs per item will be going up massively to absorb this. This is purely down to container prices from the far east. Secondly the suppliers do not have stock of what we require - Neff oven and separate microwave/grill are the ones we are waiting for. The AEG induction hob (60cm) is waiting for us when the oven arrives and will be shipped then. Luckily we can store them safely until required.

The design of our warm roof has 100mm insulation between the vapour barrier and the steel coating and an additional 70mm underneath between the wooden spars. There is a suspended ceiling below all of this. Is it better to insulate above the suspended ceiling than to put the 70mm insulation between the spars? The reason to ask is that I am concerned that the heat will just go through the suspended ceiling and into the unused loft space.

We had waterproof concrete in a 2800mm high ICF retaining wall. The wall was clad in blockwork and tanking slurry brushed onto it prior to back filling.

How are you getting on with these units. Are you using them yet? These are one of my options (3x 1.1 unit) along with a Vent Axia Kinetic Advanced S - we are 160 sq m

They are not yet installed. Hoping for a January installation of all glazing and occupy sometime in the late spring.

My understanding is that you can claim for an AHSP install on new builds up until the end of March 2022. This website may assist: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/domestic-renewable-heat-incentive-domestic-rhi/apply-or-login

We are considering a recirculating fan/hood of some sort that does not vent outside. It would at least filter the worst of the steam and grease before getting to the MVHR duct.

I'll need to check the spec to ensure that they meet the BR requirements - the kitchen will need to be 60l/sec if not directly over the hob

We have provisioned for an MVHR system and already have the ducts through the necessary walls concreted.