Hecateh

I've always stuck with carpet - even during the 'laminate' years, the only thing that is persuading me off it is ufh. I've had electric ufh fitted in my bathroom and I absolutely love it. I think flooring is definitely a factor in the damage done by falls though. Even the choice of hard flooring will make a difference. Maybe I'll put crash mats at the bottom of stairs . There will definitely be a soft thick rug my the side of my bed

thanks I haven't seen that bit on the building regs - will have to look. Motivational - ahhh NLP - my kind of (semi)expertise

Wow - that's amazing - well done and long may it continue for 6 months at the beginning of this year I had a friend's son's fiancee living with me (from Taiwan). Whilst I cannot deny the benefits - having it freshly made in my fridge made me gag every time I opened the door. I can eat small quantities but I would definitely need a different way of storing it

(I meant windproof not waterproof) Thanks but .... That means absolutely zilch to me ... current place has unused chimneys and poorly fitted patio doors so I know it's crap despite adding cavity wall insulation

This is hugely what is driving this. I thought my current home was my forever home. Bungalod, liver here 18 years and it was build for my grandparents in 1951 However, needing to retire at 61 (whilst not physically unfit for work , driving 20k year mostly on motorways at rush hour wasn't sustainable) and not getting pension until 66, lead to a big rethink. I am still at a stage of 'use it or lose it' but future proofing is definitely in mind. My dad lived to 95 (average of him and siblings 84) Mum 92 (average age inc siblings 96 and one still going) so, all else being equal at 62 I have a good few years ahead of me. I have 2 children (41 and 39) and no grandchildren - so not likely to have any. My new place - 3 (sub) floors. It would be possible to 'live' on any one of the 3 floors as they all have a loo and running water. It would also be possible to fit stair lifts or a lift from lower ground to upper ground (in the corner of the lounge) So whilst I am looking for 'dream' now I am also future proofing so far as I am able. Not passive but hugely more insulated and windproof than the place I now live in. AND I keep telling myself, despite all the crap, it will be worth it in the end

I think that warm underfoot feel is today's equivalent of standing with back to the fire and feeling the warmth percolate

That was my initial idea and certainly have not ruled it out

The resin sounds good - am having a bound resin drive so could easily work with this thinking maybe engineered wood would be good upstairs - no heat but not cold though like the idea of ensuite/dressing being warm floor agree with you about carpet. Have always loved it but UFH really makes me think again

Would have had it if I had known about it earlier but my builder hasn't even heard of it so would be an extra expense at this stage - one which I would have considered if it hadn't been for the 15 to 20k hit I got on the the foundations staircase open as I want it to be. there will be a door ato my bedroom at the top which can b left open or not as required the rest will be open

No - but something I read on here has got me thinking that way. I've lived in a bungalow for 18 years and I know I don't 'do' stairs as well as I used to. However, in the month the builders have been on site I am using the external steps much better than I was. SO stairs are good to keep me active and supple but I live alone and often go a couple of weeks without family contact. So 'relaxed' stairs seem like a positive - along with smart technology to ensure my ongong independence.

definitely get where you are coming from. My current ultimate luxury is walking into the bathroom, where I have fitted electric UFH. That is so so nice. But I do love the feeling of soft carpet underfoot too. Need to take so many things into consideration. I think a rug by my bed and in one or two other places might help that transition. Carpet is really comfortable if it is warm or your feet are already warm. What's brilliant is being able to consider these things before hand. Even when making compromises it so helps to know the compromises you are making

Learning a whole new world of acronyms on this site - luckily can work a lot of them out and google usually supplies the rest (DHW = domestic hot water) My footprint has grown from an original estimate of about 60m2 as a straightforward bungalow before this split level option (still bigger than yours) The rest of your post is, I think, the kind of thing I'm thinking of as a possibility but not sure what it all means or the implications - and yes hard water is an issue. I currently have a softener added to my shower and use filtered water for drinking, kettle and coffee filter. (All a bit of a bugger as I grew up about 10 miles away with no scale issues) Do you have any more info about the implications of going this way Will also have an expanse of South West facing roof which god be utilised

Master ensuite not yet really fixed and won't be finalised until I can get in there and really visualise it. The washer/dryer is going in there somewhere - most washing is clothes. Almost happy to have it as one big room as modern ventilation should ensure no damp problems. A good size shower is a priority, may need disabled access at (hopefully not) at sometime. Bathroom is moving across to be a mini en-suite off bed 2 (next to the mid wall) as with a downstairs loo and an upstairs ensuite, it will only be used a couple of times a year, although this is the one that is on the entry level so will have to meet building regs for access. The then big utility will be a hobby come storage room - I refinish furniture as a profitable hobby so need space for diy and painting in there

Thanks what you have said is what I thought I wanted BUT having read so much on here, I'm starting to second guess myself. This group is so helpful. If I had been on here 18 months ago I think I would be in a very different place now

My thoughts, all along, have been to have wet underfloor heating throughout. Reading another thread, can't remember whose, has made me want to think about it a bit more. I will be living there alone and don't intend to move until I have to be carried out. (Hopefully in a box as the thought of .... no I'll not go there) House will be well insulated to modern standards BUT not passive by any means (didn't find this forum early enough) Options I am currently considering Wet underfloor heating and hot water coming from a combi Wet underfloor on the ground floor, electric elsewhere rarely used except in dressing room (I like a cold bedroom and other rooms won't be used that often) All electric including immersion heater for showers All electric with electric showers and instant hot water features to sinks Experiences, pros, cons or alternatives to consider please. Added floor plans for info with downstairs loo added and bathroom to become just a mini en suite off second bedroom. (Second bedroom and ensuite will get 3 to 6 days use a year)

I'm so glad this thread was reactivated - reading it has helped raise my awareness of the issues regarding architects that many people have come across. My job - pretty small and aiming for as economical as possible, clearly was never going to attract a decent architect inexpensively. Te 'design' my architect came up with was inspiring to say the least, my requests were either done or not done, if pushed she would just say 'it doesn't work' or can't do that' rather than telling me why or trying to find how to get me what I wanted. I've highlighted issues on other threads, along with thes her design shows a hump in my drive, in front of the front door and no provision for underfloor heating despite reminding her this requirement prior to her doing her final drawings. Feeling a bit less as though I've been stupid now (I had seen 3 others before her) mediocre would seem to be the norm at the cost level.

Pretty much along the lines I was thinking. There was potentially an issue that the windows below would have to be obscure glass as they are close to a boundary and the vellux were added for this eventuality however planning had no problems with the windows (one metre and 3 metres from boundaries). The only one I really want is the one in my bedroom, directly above where my bed weill be so I can lie in bed and look at the stars. That room I want to be fully vaulted, the rest I'm going to wait and see whether it is cheaper to fully vault all of it or to separate the rest off and and the ceilings as shown. This partly depends on the level difference between the floors as the builder thinks the stairs may well end up being 6 and 7 rather than 9 and 4 as shown These are last floor plans produced but I am now having an understairs loo on the lounge floor, and the bathroom is moving to be a small ensuite in the second bedroom, leaving a large boot/utility/hobby room.

Ceiling heights are set at 2.4m which puts the windows into the loft space

Not married - work partners - I'll go straight to him, I no longer have any confidence in her - Every dealing I had with her my confidence gradually ebbed away. Another issue she has left me with. Notice on the elevations there are velux windows. Now look at the cross sections DD and EE - So how are the velux windoes going to work b elevations.pdf e cross section.pdf

My design has an inset balcony to the main bedroom. It's only very narrow, just wide enough for me to sit out with a cup of coffee on a nice morning. Below are sections of drawings from my architect. My builder is now asking me how the gable end is supported as there is nowhere to support a steel at the roof side. It appears to me to be one more thing my architect has not addressed - or is it up to me to find a solution

Also have to remember that many HUtH programmes are repeats - many as old as 5 years. Google pics of Martin to get an idea of when any specific programme was recorded

I used to have 2 cats. Heard a rustling behind me one day and looked round - both cats were fast asleep on the sofa - but the noise continued. Looked to the cats food bowl to see a little dormouse tucking into the cat food. On a more serious not - it is starlings that get into my roof space. Admittedly this house was built in 1951 but it was supposedly sealed a few years ago. I have dead ones up there, and regularly hear them scrabbling about but I think most get out again

first image from Pinterest - http://residencestyle.com/architect-design/ credited but I can't find it on their site. Second image https://www.philipwattsdesign.com/bespoke/staircase-northampton I really like the second one but way out of my budget

Wherever I buy from I intend having it fitted by the lads doing the rest of the work. ... Unless I fall out with them before that. I#ve seen some work of theirs and it's excellent

I had a feeling this; or something like it may be the case, that's why I said 'according to Wren' and not 'Wren make the best kitchens' which is what they told me