thaldine

No, separate: "any architects (and builders)" and "any builders (and architects)"

I'm looking for any builders (and architects) with some previous experience of constructing houses designed and built to passivehaus standards (along with "passive slab" foundations) who cover Strathspey and Badenoch. Any pointers gratefully received. Thanks

I'm looking for any architects (and builders) with some previous experience of constructing houses designed and built to passivehaus standards (along with "passive slab" foundations) who cover Strathspey and Badenoch. Any pointers gratefully received. Not solely/necessarily Passivehaus Trust certified architects though. Thanks

@ProDave I've had a hygrometer for a few years and when the indoor RH undergoes a drop (equally say from 65 to 45 or 50 to 30) as it does when windy the symptoms are at their worst. I'm not sure it is to do with the outright value of the RH but more the fact it drops quickly (possibly leads to the propensity of moisture to condense on a surface to lessen ?) Similarly, when RH is high it can be a bit of an issue too but not as bad as during an aforementioned drop (I wonder if this is because a good proportion of any moisture has been locked up as vapour hence the high RH). No, I've never spent more than a couple of hours in a MVHR equipped house. So when you mention good internal air quality do you put that down to any specific characteristics ? @JohnMo Thanks, I'd landed on the UFH and enthalpy exchanger so it's encouraging to hear it echoed that those may both be worthwhile in relation to the problem !

Hello, In all buildings I've so far lived in I have a problem with irritated nasal linings and congestion (not allergy related). Stepping outside relieves it rapidly and coming back indoors brings the symptoms back almost as quickly. Symptoms seem to be worse during windy and/or cold weather (especially when both windy and cold). I suspect the greater the propensity for moisture to evaporate within the home the worse the symptoms get. Based on that, what should I pay attention to in the design, bearing in mind the general guidance to avoid indoor condensation ? The planned build has 0.6 ac/h air tightness and vapour control barrier. Thanks, Trish

Does anyone know if anything akin to this is available in the UK ? https://aeroseal.com/aerobarrier/ ..and if so its merits and/or demerits ? Thanks.

Any ideas precisely why someone may get nasal congestion indoors when cold and/or windy weather ? Symptoms seems to be correlated with the amount of heating on. Stepping outside relieves it rapidly and coming back indoors brings the symptoms back almost as quickly. Is it simply down to the fact the cold winter air has (relatively speaking) less moisture in it so when that air is heated indoors it dries the mucus membranes out more, or is there more to it than that ? When planning a new build or renovation how might you design for a better indoor environment in this regard ?

Thanks, was unaware of the distended/compressed plate point. Still waiting to lift the boards to look but I don't think the floor joists are very deep. Still worried the floor boards will have issues with the heat that will be needed !

Thanks. yes, cold ventilated as suspended bungalow ground floor. Plan is to lap joists with airtight barrier, insulation with UFH pipes clipped on and spreader plates and a vapour control layer. Not considered any makes yet as not even sure proposed method is correctly conceived . The heat source is currently a combi boiler but would be nice to have the option to switch to a heat pump later. Small wood burning stove planned for front room.

Am I right in thinking that installing UFH below existing pine floorboards may be problematic in terms of what may happen to the boards once the heating is commissioned ? Does the answer also depend on whether the pine boards will be the intended final floor finish ?

Am I right in thinking that installing UFH below existing pine floorboards may be problematic in terms of what may happen to the boards once the heating is commissioned ? Does the answer also depend on whether the pine boards will be the intended final floor finish ?

Currently have what appears to be early 1990's double glazing. Is an appreciable reduction in road noise likely to be possible by fitting new glazing specified with sound reduction in mind ?

Right, I had assumed their problem was because they had a moisture concern regarding the roof timbers but you seem to be suggesting it might be the fixity to the roof covering itself that is their problem. I am trying to add a decent amount of insulation that is protected from wind wash and at the same time improve the airtightness.

Thanks @ProDave and @PeterStarck. Regarding the mortgage point , it seems to be less on the lenders/surveyors radar for floors than roofs/lofts. According to the posts they don't seem to differentiate between open and closed cell. Still not found an idiots guide on how to insulate and make loft/roof more airtight using traditional non-spray methods.

I'm looking at having Icynene installed under a suspended timber ground floor and underside of currently cold roof in modest sized 1950s bungalow. Motivation is to bolster insulation and also air tightness. Should I be concerned about how valid the breathability claims are in practice in terms of potentially causing timbers to be exposed to moisture that doesn't dry out ? Same for Icynene's lack of hygroscopic properties ? Also can anybody who's experienced it post-install confirm the odour does pass ? Thanks