Ferdinand

Perhaps there is a separate half way point for te sweat investment. 80:20 for money spent ‘cos it was the big stuff. 20:80 for sweat ‘cos it is a self-fitout ! (Ignoring the contingency money which will inevitably go on posher finishes than planned if not needed so far to cover roots, newts or suits etc.) F

I think I would want to compare them with other similar products rather than the 11mm multipanels ... for those the popularity is based on the plywood not mdf as used by other competitors core, and the aqualock joints, and long experience. The simulated tiled ones seem to be 3mm thick made of plastic of some sort and are therefore a different animal. The good reputation of the others says they are likely to be good, but would not convince me to take a flier without a recommendation. But I am conservative on such things. F

Thanks. It seems that EBay are also offering 3% cashback via QuidCo today. F

Decision made. I am going for the Seek Thermal Compact IOS (ie Apple) version to match my iPAD. The best price I have found is £210 delivered via Amazon Prime. Does anyone happen to know of any offers, codes etc? Cheers Ferdinand

My normal approach to these is to build them out of OSB or anything else around, precut them and install across the joists above the first layer of insulation, the; put the next layer on top to be removable, and put a notice by the loft hatch. And drill the arrangement into tradesmen quite firmly. But that keeps the heat loss down. Yes to screws. F

I think as per usual, if you wait and swoop you will get what you want. I picked up lovely bath mixer taps at Wickes for about 2/3 off, and then there was whoever that got that bath suite at Buildbase at (was it?) 85% off. I picked it up through Pickfords Ebay site, which is one of those linked in my other post - I think it is called plumbtek or similar.

The most recent bathroom I had is detailed here Of the suppliers I dealt with Cheeky Bathrooms from Chester for the shower bath and screen, and JT Pickford of Rotherham for the modernist shower taps, Wickes for various heavily discounted bits such as loo, basin and bath taps, and Kitchen Warehouse for the Multipanels. I was happy with all of those, the quality and the prices, and in the past have been successful with showers and screens off eBay. But it is always hard work sweating the detail.for a good result, and someone - you or your installer - has to be the detail hawk and make sure it is all sourced and fits. F

Thanks all. I think I will be going for the Seek Or Seek standalone.

Usially the bottom layer would be the depth of the joists, say 100mm in an old house, then the next would be At right angles, say 170mm in an old house. That gives 270mm which is approx the recommended optimum. Self Builders will do what we want. Shorts LOL. Well at least it wasn’t a bikini.

Thanks. Will remove the several flower arrangements and take a look later.

I do not think mine can do that. They have this sort of mechanism: https://www.velux.co.uk/products/roof-windows/centre-pivot So if I shut them revers d the opening bar is on the outside. They can be held that way but not fixed.

Thinking of the current weather, can anyone recommend a secure way of holding a Velux Perhaps 50mm open when no one is home, or at night. Not a huge issue, but it is a little too close to next door’s carport roof for comfort. The window is a mid-pivot version.

You need a costing exercise. If you are running rads at ufh temperatures, they may take as long. I am sure there are timers available that would do the trick, or it may be as simple as opening the door a bit before your one hour if it is well insulated. How well insulated are you? If it s an extra 5% or 10% on an annual bill of £200, then it is perhaps cheaper not to have the control gear.

Yes .. 2 passive houses built using different techniques. Their project summaries are interesting especially for identifying holes they left and opportunities for future research. And limitations of the approach because people live differently. One of my interests is how this stuff can be applied viably to rental. I applaud your initiative but I was wondering whether there were other ways of adding greater research value. Are you in bed with eg any universities for monitoring, and possible funding? One area that would genuinely interest me would be to build 2 identical and certify one, so that we get a real number for the Passive House tickbox overhead.

Is this not repeating previous work? eg Lime House And Larch House in Ebbow Vale. And welcome.

No brainer imo. If it is integral, then imo do it ufh and make it a separate zone. Family did that 15 years ago and have not regretted it. People who converted mine n theory did that for the future conservatory but did not finish everything so we ended up with electric ufh just to have someth8ng in place. Think about levels and liveability. And also take the time to think through lighting and electrics. And make sure you record where everything is placed ? . Others will comment on the slab. I would also make sure that it is big enough to be considered a real garage, and that you have enough spaces outside to still be more than adequate if it is converted in the future. You could even convert it for a value boost when you sell in x years. F

Says tomorrow for me. So the question: how much in the sticks is Lancashire?

Join Amazon Prime on a trial and @Declan52‘s source will be guaranteed for tomorrow.

Perhaps it is worth me getting that Screwfix Trade account now. more info here: https://community.screwfix.com/threads/screwfix-price-match-the-good-and-bad-well-more-mad.185180/ Thread also mentions an allegedly good supplier called Isaac Lord, which sounds like something out of George Eliot. In Hogh Wycombe. https://www.isaaclord.co.uk/ F

Does that mean Screwfix have a price match policy? That is interesting. Do you happen to have a link?

On the same subject, these wheelbarrows I posted in discounts a couple of weeks ago may still be available at £10 each ie less than what I think is the usual cost of a new wheel if you are pursuing that option. Bodies could make quite good eg mint-restrictors or garden thingamajigs or more mixing wotsits. 65l mental barrows ... quite light ... with pneumatic tyres that are bicycle-pumpable.

just noticed ... I think the smaller one as it comes is sized to exactly fit the hole where a washer or fridge would go under a standard height worktop. So if you have those in your workshop...

@recoveringacademic Not sure if it is exactly what you want but useful to know about, IKEA do some mobile wooden kitchen trolley/islands, which might be suitable for this with the same different wheels or for smoother areas as they are. There is the BEKVAM at 58x50cm at £35. The height is 85cm and the wheels have brakes, and there are a couple of shelves underrneath. https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/kitchen-products/kitchen-islands-trolleys/bekväm-kitchen-trolley-birch-art-30240348/ And the FORHOJA At 1m x 43cm x 90cm high, which has 2 drawers, at £80. No wheel brakes on this one. https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/kitchen-products/kitchen-islands-trolleys/förhöja-kitchen-trolley-birch-art-80035920/ I have had one in my kitchen for about a decade. Very sturdy. Wheels are about 75mm beneath 2 legs, but 250mm wheels would fit nicely into the side of the legs and keep it level by drilling one hole each. Much less work than your other options if suitable. Ferdinand

Heh. Yes - I'm just doing research for when I want to live next to a river and grow watercress with a water reservoir that just happens to be the same shape as a small natural swimming pool ?.

If planning for the garage to be caravan and camper capable, then remember that winebagos tend to be up to about 11ft, and caravans are getting taller. Personally I like the idea of speccing at least one garage to be transit + ladder suitable, or even high top transit.