gravelld

I think these look ok: https://thebox-haus.weebly.com/posts/archives/11-2017 The other issue around ventilation was purge ventilation, but IIRC that's only covered by a window if there's no other mechanical ventilation (in a wetroom), correct?

For these rooms, so long as one of the windows in the room has an openable part, is that ok?

Just trying to do a bit of "value engineering". Currently my window spec (refurb) is almost all openers. I'm wondering about changing to fixed lights where possible, and reduce the existing wider windows to a 1/3 opener / 2/3 fixed light arrangement. Will hopefully save some money. For those I want to change completely to fixed lights, what regulations cover this? And are there any rules of thumb? Ventilation or means of escape? For example, we have two existing windows in toilets that we never open. But does their location mean they must always be openers for ventilation? What if we have a whole house ventilation system (it's planned to go in at the same time as the windows)?

Personally I'm not so sure on that. You're relying on it not getting wet *at all*. Would use EPS or XPS myself (almost all the systems manufacturers use the latter, although the evidence for that is a little scant).

Other suppliers: Isothane, Walltite. Generally pretty expensive. Consider cellulose?

I think this is only for buildings over 18m in height... as far as the regs go anyway. I guess you could do it anyway if you wanted to be sure, but the systems manufacturers will, I guess, tell you to sling your hook (which might be no bad thing).

Personally I feel the LT approach is superior to sticky block. Quite a few examples of it in this country but it's generally more popular abroad, especially the States. There was a company in Germany (Lignotrend?) who were making factory built LTs. UK examples I know of: Charlie Luxton's (using I beams in a new build) the Simmonds-Mills retrofit. A well known TF supplier has a solution too which somehow they appear to have got a patent for, but I probably misunderstand why they were granted that. They use EPS rather than mineral wool.

So long as you don't call it SWI I don't mind... (another example of pernicious Government terminology IMO!)

Well you can get prices for the materials by going to somewhere like EWI Pro, if that's what you mean? Take a look at https://retrofit.support/category/EWI-GL/

Torx or Robertson. Don't understand why there is so much Pozi-drive still in the UK (actually I do, but it's a shame...).

Two suppliers I have spoken to have warned me away from internal timber finishes in that they are more difficult to rectify in the case of scratching (to be fair, we do have young kids and a several kickable prospective doors). Similarly, stains when someone spill something on the window board? Just thinking...

I think this is a good idea. Must be worth at least running it by them. There must be a lot of construction projects dependent on the delivery of joinery. I wonder if there is any wriggle room in contracts to allow the balance to be altered if tariffs are altered?

I didn't really want this to become a discussion about Brexit, more a practical discussion about mitigation strategies around worst case, but hey-ho...

Just wondered if anyone had conducted any discussions or had mitigation plans in place in case a no-deal Brexit means blockages at ports... could be the cause of a lot of construction delays! If so what's your plan?

And that's assuming it was installed properly in the first place. Might be a good idea to hire an IR camera as part of your project.

Well, it depends on what standard we decide we need to fix to. EPCs (via RdSAP) are going to have to be redesigned, because air permeability is so important to heat loss that it can no longer be ignored. Furthermore the algorithm will have to be changed because simply slapping some PV on a house to get a C rating (I know, I've done it, and yet the house is also over 120 kWh/m2/annum - go figure) does not contribute to decarbonisation of space heating. Which all means that it's going to be pretty much the entire building stock, including virtually all houses being built right now, not just pre-2000. Plus obviously new houses have to be built to Passivhaus or equivalent standard, but that's pretty obvious.

Great work; Mr McCloud needed to be at his creative best to manufacture drama in this one.

Kooltherm's lamba is 0.018 - that's why it's often specified - it saves space. Not that that's the only reason you should decide on an insulant of course; for newbuild you have many more options.

What sort of problems? Interested in what you find next week!

Interested in your use of blowerproof... I notice they also talk about coating the entire wall in it. Did you consider this?

I don't have any personal experience. However from my reading it appears the main benefit of 3G is that of comfort derived from: - Lower radiative losses which particularly matter when standing close to the window - Lower down draughts from the glazing (the Ph minimum Uw for windows is based on this I believe) Pertinently, both of those points could have a big effect on curtain wall glazing, such is its expanse. As I say, no personal experience.

Sounds like you're looking to improve the right things for your family, good on you!

Why that way around?

My windows are generally specced out, need to decide how the windows are hung. T and T was dropped because of expense (and inconvenience as far as I could see). We have to make a decision between top and side hung; both are supported for our dimensions. To avoid me making an expensive mistake, is there anything I have missed or misunderstood here: Side hung benefits: - For ground floor, because the opening is on the vertical you have more of a usable gap as you open, e.g. allows passing things out easier (!) Top hung benefits: - Can be used easier over counter tops - Can open and not let the rain in - Looks more modern (to my eyes) - Less strain on hinges I'm thinking top hung upstairs and over counters, side hung downstairs... is this odd?

You start by making energy reflect its true costs. It doesn't. A carbon tax is the way of achieving this, and pretty much all economists agree it's the right thing to do.