CalvinHobbes

Hello, was at the Belfast sef build exhibition and the guy at te Alpha Flow Screeds was pretty convincing. He said insulation board was rarely if ever put doing right, (gaps, not staggared etc) and they worked out cheaper and were loved by building control. They gave a good saps reading and you could reduce insulation elsewhere. (parahrasing)He also said there was no problem with supply. Is there anything I should ask or be concerned about? https://alphaflowscreeds.com/floor-insulation/ Cheers

Hello,on a tight budget but trying to get to passivehaus standard. Double glazing seems to fail after 10 years and triple is twice the price. Thinking about external inbuilt shutters to prolong life , can we do it so we can add them at a later date to normal windows easily? Is there a special lintel? Local family company does optima 22 range. Any opinions very welcome.

Yikes, that would be too scary for me.

Yes we did. Ah well, will go anyway. I might learn something. Just at planning stage so it should help us direct our spending.

Hi, just been watching a you tube video showing the extent of products that have asbestos. I know gas boilers are going to go extinct for environmental reasons but what else can you forseee turning into a toxic handling?

Yikes had planned to go Saturday afternoon, is it that bad?

So pleased to see your obviously well informed and researched post. We too should be starting in spring in the NW and we hoped to put in external blinds but I didn't know where to start. Do you know if it needs planning permission?

Why do people risk it?

Fair enough but this wasnt a sales man, the guy was literally on the factory floor making them. Will indeed contact Armitage Shanks and ask. Cheers.

Years ago I visited a factory which made toilets in Stafford and a worker there explained the grading of toilet bowls. He showed me how imperfections would catch the faeces and in addition if you get one with minimal blemishes you should get several layers of glazing would make the faeces not stick, reducing the need for endless cleaning products. He explained hotels tended to have higher grade toilets which stores like B&Q sold the lowest quality ranges. Recently whilst preparing to get building I visited a few bathroom stores - they just looked blank when I asked about the grade of the toilet. Is there any such thing now? I will skimp on many things (eg. the sink) but the toilet bowls I want to get right. Should I just look at hotel suppliers?

Our architect told us to go with sliding doors rather than bifolds which he thought gave a lot of trouble.

Cheers

He said that he would do a quote, we gave him what plans we had today, I have to get him the levels (should have them Monday). Ah right so it will likely be for block, roof & plastering. He did say supply could be an issue. Got the feeling he was thinking supply may be better by March).

So speaking to builder, he can start in 8 weeks or March. The 8 week option would be over the winter so 'mucky' with shorter working days. I asked him how long to get it up - he said 9 months. It's up to us to get plumbing electrics etc done, he is just doing blockwork I guess? (Blocks not timber frame). Anyway, does that mean it's more costly to start in late autumn? Is there a breakdown of stages available? Sorry totally green. Builder and digger man old friends of deceased dad so I know they will do their best to keep us right.?‍♀️

If you record outside your own land you get into GDPR.

Thanks, I will.

Much appreciated.

Hiya, my father (who passed) has a number of unused 2cm copper pipes stored for years in a shed. In addition I have one that was lying outside this last year (a bit green). We will be doing a self build shortly (dependant on pp) so please can you tell me could they be used, would a plumber be happy to use them re regulations etc?

We were hoping to build with blocks and use concrete slabs for the floors upstairs with a concrete staircase, all to cut down noise. Saw another thread re 10mm door space under door tosuit Mvhr confounding sound proofing.

Thanks Mike.

Glad to have found here, i have read through a lot of threads and have bookmarked lots of advice already, So we are knocking down 2 semidetached 1950's cottages (structural faults etc) and building 2 separate homes, one with a granny flat - all for family. Put in for planning permission (Northern Ireland) a few weeks ago - it's not up on the planning website yet, serious delays with staff working from home/covid. Architect asked us block or wood frame? Going with former mainly because I detest creaky floor boards so that includes not having a wood staircase. Haven't got construction plans yet, guessing architect is holding off for planning approval? Would love to be starting asap. Living in rented accomodation with 3 generations isn't ideal. This isn't a grand design, money in bank from sale of old house. Hearing horror stories re costs and supply of materials, hope things improve. Serious scandal in Donegal re mica in blocks (houses are crumbling/need tumbled), so between that and grenfell - want to be careful re sourcing things. Would like to put in external shutters (european style) and have a sink in our porch for hand washing. No experience worth in building, was hoping my father would have been here for it - he had plenty. Anyway, not to be. Hoping builder can act as project manager. Good to meet you all. Chris