saveasteading

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.

It doesn't change the location or the general layout or build quality. It would be part of a list of merits on the sales particulars, and not near the top. Some other target will have become fashionable by then, or the criteria will have changed. And you need some fresh air. So keep the money. A passing few thoughts. Will aerobarrier still be performing in 40 years? Will dust gradually filling these pinprick do the job for no cost? Are greater leaks appearing over time due to weather, deterioration of seals and other erosion.

They are made for cooling. The ones I've looked at do heating but not very efficiently: better than an electric heater still.. but maybe not much use if it's minus 10 outside.

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.