saveasteading

That looks great. I was admiring the gutters and dp's. Nice and big, and multiple outlets and the splays will get the water away super fast. Was this to do with the circumstances or simply good practice.. Then I noticed the comment from @Square Feet Sorry ft2 I completely disagree as I want shot of water asap and any leaks that may occur to be visible. And I think they look good. I'm a philistine who thinks that a building is there to keep us safe, warm and dry. The rest is secondary. I detest secret gutters, valley gutters, hidden pipes and afterthought drainage.

Any thoughts on the Mediterranean method? It seems simple and very diy-able with the inner and outer units, and only the small pipes and a cable to drill through a wall. The outputs aren't huge so it's one per room probably.... that is what seems to be the norm domestically and in hotels. I wonder if the different climate types make any difference to spec because they seem to be available here but at twice the price. Not that I'd buy an unknown brand like this.

I prefer to see that. These people used neither laser nor tripods ( I like to call them triffids) for the ground floor and just a stick to measure minimum thickness. Hence it simply followed the lumps and shapes above the pir layer. We wrongly assumed they understood levels. On the first floor, as shown, they had to use the laser as they had messed up the underlayer: we have a 5mm acoustic mat and they chose to lap the edges in some places. The downside of letting people work unsupervised at the weekend. So we pointed this out but that raising it all to the highest point would compromise our door frame heights. Hence it's not all one level, but to several zones. They aren't used to being checked on and managed I feel.

For anyone who hasn't seen it, pumped screed is incredibly fluid and that's why we have to seal all possible escape routes. The reality is that, although it looks almost like water, this material is mostly cementitious and gritty. Nearly all the water is absorbed in chemical reaction and it is solid-ish within an hour. But any gap can be disastrous. This went well. A few dribbles of water emerged through plasterboard below but that's OK. 20260618_142707_1.mp4

I was in the W Highlands recently and discussed this with a local. There are areas where many people have become alone and isolated. Apparently a large proportion / majority from England. They retire to having affordable housing with amazing locations. In time, things change and the remoteness changes from idyll to loneliness and vulnerability. 20 miles to town was a perk and becomes a sentence. The weekly Morrisons delivery may be the only contact. The original homes are usually in at least clusters for community. New ones are isolated with perfect views. Hence communities ask for volunteer drivers and befrienders. I saw several notices on the lines of this.... a nerdy photo: you can tell it was on my mind.

I don't know if it was much reported outwith the area. 2 weeks ago, a large area of Kent had the water turned off because the pipe system couldn't cope with demand. Yes there is a huge shortage of water, as reservoirs have not replenished. The aquifer will likely never be replenished until use is drastically reduced. But this was the pipework not coping with use on a hot day. I forecast this becomes the norm. Yet new developments are approved on the same system.

I meant beam to post.

That's what governments are for. Cities are much more efficient than spread out houses.

Not everywhere. House prices are falling and some construction is paused due to drop in demand in SE. Still not 'affordable ' .

Standard single skin steel cladding and the right screws for timber. There will then be considerable wind uplift so check the fixings to the posts. Likely to need some L brackets. I think I'd leave a gap at the house wall and just let the weather through.

I don't agree. Social and affordable housing us needed. In towns and cities, not the countryside. What we get is suburbia in the countryside, without services or transport.... or water. This is driven by developers. These are bought by emigrating townspeople and country locals still can't afford to stay. Alright I do agree that change is needed.

You know most of it because it is mainstream thought now. Factories are more efficient than craft works. Collaborate. Maintain networks. Wikipedia for a quick cram, then you'll be able to drop it into conversation too.

It's a big issue in the countryside everywhere. No new housing should be allowed without public transport. We get older, may be alone. An option if you have a community, is a minibus to town or to where a bus can be caught. Obv it costs money but that could come from high charges for planning gain (S106 etc) or from levies on wind and solar locally, with a ring-fenced fund and conditions. I've seen village signs in the Highlands asking for drivers.

I'm not even opening the links as am suspicious. You are appointed by some councils? Which? On what basis? You will provide a voucher? What for? That sounds suspicious. What status will any responses have? Who are cogworx? Do they know you are doing this? And more detail while you are at it.

And sometimes I don't even read the site for a day or so. Other times I'm sitting at an airport, bored and maybe write too much. Excuse me in advance please. And look, we are wandering off-topic.