RobL

Hi, I'm planning to build a SIPS garden room - 3.6m x 3.6m. I can't do a slab because the only access to the garden is through the house and the missus doesn't want that amount of soil/clay being taken over the wooden floor. I'm thinking of piers made from 7 N blocks on hard core. Does that sound ok? I've seen things like easy pads and the swift plinths but this way it'll be cheaper. Groundscrews sound great but at a grand for what I need I think I'll pass. Can anyone think of an alternative? I plan the base to be SIPS because of the sound and thermal insulation (I intend to play music in there - doesn't need to be soundproof but just bringing down the volume as much as possible). Getting it done quickly and as easily as possible is definitely an atraction of the SIPS base and IPS construction rather than constructing a wooden frame and putting insulation in between. I can see that by using a sips 120mm floor I'm compromising the eventual internal height (it'll be next to the fence so max height 2.5m) but wouldn't I be using 6 x 2 anyway if I was doing a frame? I've been told that the SIPS base doesn't need to go on the framework - it is the base and frame. How would I attach the sips to the piers though? I've seen with the swift plinths for example that they have galvanised plates to fit on top. Does that mean you place the SIPS floor on the plates/plinths and then screw through? Sounds a bit like it would be easy to miss the holes for the screws in the plate. I think I might be missing something! Any ideas? I hope that all makes sense - please feel free to comment/criticise/advise. Thanks

Hi, just introducing myself..... I was a novice DIYer when I bought my house but over the last fifteen years I've done a lot of work (often very slowly and very carefully) but am very happy with the results. Nothing better than knowing things are EXACTLY how I want them! The next stage in my DIY career is a garden studio but this self-build house things is very appealing as well. Maybe something I can work up to.... I'd really appreciate people's advice and experience. Cheers everyone.