saveasteading

Interesting, thanks. So the ASHP runs as standard, and slightly undersized, and the WBS is used when necessary for room heat Is that a wood-burner with back boiler, or a plant-room burner? logs/ chips/ pellets? What about hot water? I agree re noise, and it can be screened to some extent. I have been designing buildings for decades and had not heard of decrement. Reading to be done. Seems complicated, linking U value and thermal mass. Perhaps more important in hot countries, keeping heat out? I like rock / earth wool when it is the waterproof type as it fills voids tightly, whereas foam board is a bit approximate. Survey only by my daughter and her husband so far. Lots of photos and videos for me, and they knew what I needed to see from a joint inspection of a similar building. I am a Chartered Civil Engineer, and have been contractor for 30 years. Also we have done up 4 places before, so know the pitfalls, or some of them. Will need to see it all close up, and soon. Agreed re the floor and not digging. Would not want to undermine in the slightest. The floor is concrete, fairly modern and flat and clean. Therefore it will be left in place in lieu of hardcore, then dpm, ins and screed on top. Plenty headroom, and we could always trade off an inch or so of insulation and put it elsewhere: but I think it is ok for 4 metric inches. Will have to cut in locally for drains, and burrow under the walls.. I have read blogs where people have been told to break up the concrete and then put down stone. A lack of understanding or thought by the designer (?) not the Building inspector's problem, and the poor owner does as told. Not with my money you don't. Money, complete lack of sustainable thought, and unnecessary risk to the building. I was hoping to see more stone buildings in this hub, as there will be a lot of scope for not reinventing the wheel. For example, in one blog , I learnt to stick on bituthene to the bottom 1m of the wall, linked to the dpm...what a good idea, and probably standard. It's great that you, and others, run this hub. Oh one more thing. for a laser survey to produce a 3d drawing. In expensive Kent we pay about £600 to £800 but up your way it is over £2,000! Is that just lack of competition. We will get the tapes and level out. Thanks again. don't feel you have to answer all the above! Para 1 I'd like to know though.

Hello all. we are awaiting legal completion, so excuse lack of address and details for now. It is not superstition, but experience. Highland will do for now, and it is quite big. I am juggling my own experience in commercial projects with the more relevant experiences in your projects. Conversion of farm steading, not new, but will be airtight and well insulated. question 1 space and water heating. My thoughts are to use ground or air source heating but also have oil or propane as security, and as best capital outlay value. Plus a wood burner. I feel that most of you are going for AS with perhaps electric backup. in commercial buildings i have specified and used AS many times, but never GS as the ground is heavy clay where we live. AS is noisy though. And solar panels? I think underfloor is a given for a new floor, which we would have. I'd love to hear your opinions. question 2. rock wool or foam board in the walls and roof (see how I am avoiding trade names)? I was tending towards foam to keep it skinny, but I like good quality rockwool, and see it on some project photos here. thanks

Hi, I am new so excuse if this is too late for you. btw I have already learnt a lot from your and other helpful messages about farm conversion. I know about new construction in England, not renovation in Scotland. In situ or beam and block floor? I would say in situ is more controllable, cheaper and more adaptable to change and penetrations. Beam and block is useful if on a big slope as the sleeper walls bring you cheaply and reliably to level. also handy for tricky locations where you can carry all the parts, but couldn't get a lorry. also depends on the dimensions as to how long the spans are and the number of sleeper walls. From looking at some other projects online, I have been shocked at some people breaking out concrete slabs then laying stone instead. If there is a slab or stone at the right level, then this will be another plus for in-situ. Insulation. I tend to go for default air pressure figure, simply to save the cost of the test. Correct me if I am wrong , but for a conversion are we not obliged only to do the best we can? 'Reasonably practicable' having regard to circumstances including cost. Obviously we want to save energy, and do what we can with insulation, but trading the elements is also allowed.

Looking forward to discussions and knowledge exchange with you all. It seems like a very practical and helpful Hub. I am particularly interested in the conversion of steadings, but have a lot to learn. I have extensive knowledge and experience as designer and contractor, but in England, newbuild, commercial. However this project will be private, renovation, Scotland, so I have a lot to learn.