saveasteading

I've got some old sealant that I should have thrown away because it was never much good. I will see if solvents are mentioned.

And good for who (whom?) . like in trickle down theory / jam tomorrow / Brexit.

You forgot Snibbo.

Off topic. You are excused not knowing this history. It was not a shortage, (The Irish Potato famine was) :but greed of the ruling classes. As perhaps is the Chinese case. It was after the Union of Parliaments, and many of the Highland Chieftains/ lords, now resident in London, became readily persuaded that they'd be rich if they abandoned the community / clan system, evicted the people and put sheep on the land. The people were loaded on ships with few belongings. Hence the very large numbers of Highland names in NE US and Canada. Some Lords were brutal, others less so. "Such a parcel of rogues in a nation" by Burns refers to Scots not English Lords.

Wiping out or evicting the natives whose land they required. That's a very extreme opposite of nimbyism. It happened here with the Highland Clearances, but we've evolved a bit since then.

But it isn't a joined up industry. As a contractor we were in competition with consultant led projects. The market, in time, found us... we hear you can give us the same performance for half the cost?. In reality it was about 2/3. I don't think that can be compared to the car industry. Actually it could a little if clients all went straight to expert contractors rather than concept-feasibility- planning-architect-SE-QS... then to 4 contractors instructed to quote 'as drawn' and the cheapest one selected.

I say: Embrace the reality of structure. The ribs are about 35mm and add a lot of strength. I guess we could use 140mm thick composite without the ribs, but nobody does. See right hand ribbed roof. The rest is slate.

There's an interesting article in "Building" magazine. Its about Cambridge as an example, but basically saying we build houses before schools and roads, with water and sewage tailing well behind. Nobody wants to put up the cash in the logical order, and the authorities don't insist. (Near me a house builder had cleverly cheated the LA out of improving roads first, and now, oh dear, they can't afford to do it.) And another article that new house sales had dropped 30+%. So they are building slowly. And another that multistorey isn't worth doing as a main contractor. And another that the client is often to blame for high costs, with the Architect wanting fancy buildings and not allowing contractor input to quality or value. And I've only read half of it.

As I didn't know that a traditional floor had linseed oil in it, you'll gather I know nothing. I had a house with clay paviors straight on earth, probably clay. There were worms.

see current discussion. Solar Gurus, please disect! It's only fair to say that I am not a fan of SS. Aesthetics? Yes if done very, very well. Practicality, No. Cost? I'm afraid they often get drawn on by a party who isn't paying or detailing.

admirable /scary. Please say more. I am reminded of the principle of puddling clay for canals and lagoons.

That is what I meant, but they may have to differ in geometry, and perhaps have added bearers/infill pads, to suit each particular panel. I really meant that the panel suppliers should be more engaged in advising on the subject. The clamps shown will grip very tight to whatever is between the jaws but might damage it. Plus will they rip a lightweight material (aluminum)? It would be easy for the panel manufacturers to design or recommend an appropriate clip. I feel they are deliberately avoiding the issue. Then there is the issue of how the panels themselves are fixed. It is usually a clip-on to an upstand cleat. How are they fixed down and can they withstand uplift? Were the designers advised to allow for solar panels? Or did they ask? My other issue is why one would pay a large premium for standing seam, then cover it. My experience of this is second hand. Having built a multitude of metal roofs, none had standing seam because I advised clients of the pros and cons. But our supplier, who had many options including SS, was very nervous about the number of buildings throughout Europe, Standing seam especially but also profiled, that were being solar panelled without consultation on dead weight or uplift.

Check the deeds, but it is very likely that the verge belongs to the council. Note the pole already on the area.

Quality guttering as on @Captain Scally yesterday?

The ones I have seen have a fan and louvre. This blows room air over the cold plate. Presumably they have published noise figures but I think most people accept, even welcome, the confirmation that cooling is happening. Because we spend as appropriate to budget and needs. It's easy to spend more.