Hello, first time self-builder from Co. Down, N.I.

[JohnW]

Hi All,

Let me begin by saying a big Thank you to all the contributors in this forum (and the old eBuild) for the wealth of information & invaluable advice provided. I have spent the last 4-5 months reading a lot of the threads and have found they can go 2 ways; they either confirm my thoughts or convince me that I need to do more research on each given topic. 

 

I have no previous experience of building and as a first (and hopefully last) time self-builder (I use that term loosely as I will most likely be using a main contractor), I am finding the whole process absolutely mind-boggling and fascinating.

 

We received planning permission in August 2016, but have since changed those plans to the extent that we had to re-apply at the start of December 2016. We are hoping to receive planning permission within the next 2 weeks.

 

If granted, we will be building a 196.5sqM, 2 storey detached house in Newcastle, Co. Down, Northern Ireland.

 

At this stage the build is likely to include the following; (this may change following input from this forum)

• Block built cavity wall (external 100mm block, 200mm cavity, internal 100mm)
• Full fill cavity insulation with grey beads & glue
• Air Source Heat Pump
• Zoned UFH throughout
• MVHR
• Aiming for maximum U-values of 0.15 for Walls & Roof 
• Triple glazed windows
• Sealed small wood burning stove
• LED lights throughout

 

I look forward to participating and hopefully contributing in the coming months.

 

JohnW

 

 

[ProDave]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

 

You may be aware that there are quite a few in Ireland, north and south on here so you should have a good source of local knowlede as well as general building advice.
 

[Guest Alphonsox]

Hi and welcome

We're (still)  building north of you. There's lots of Norn Iron building knowledge on these boards so get those questions asked.

Good luck with planning.

[JohnW]

Quote

Thanks for the warm welcome.

 

Alphonsox - am I right in thinking that you shared a detailed spreadsheet for tracking expenditure with recoveringacademic some time ago? If that's correct, would it be possible to get a copy of it please?

 

[Guest Alphonsox]

Sure - I'll dig it out

[JamieM]

Good luck with the build. Newcastles a nice part of the world (lived there for nearly 20 years). Hopefully you can add some views of the mountains into the house design.

[vfrdave]

Welcome @JohnW I am one of the NI contingent on here.  I'm in dromara and hoping to get started within the next 6 weeks or so.

 

Good luck with your build.

[Declan52]

Spent most of my childhood summers in Newcastle at shannaghmore. Welcome and good luck.

[JohnW]

Thanks @vfrdave, you're only a few miles from where we live at the minute, Annsborough area. Good luck with your build.

Cheers @Declan52, it's a great place to live., we're very lucky to have got a site there.

Edited February 5, 2017 by JohnW

[JohnW]

Thanks @JamieM, yes hopefully 4.8m bi-fold doors opening out to a view of Slieve Donard.(see attached photo)

[Steptoe]

I was able to see Slemish from my bedroom window as a kid.

 

[Guest Alphonsox]

On 03/02/2017 at 22:28, Alphonsox said:

Sure - I'll dig it out

 

@JohnWThis may take a little longer than I hoped. The original version is on a laptop I don't have with me. It will be another 2-3 weeks before I can get my hands on it.

[JohnW]

No worries @Alphonsox, thanks for looking. I'll maybe ask @recoveringacademic if he has a copy handy.

 

Thanks

[vfrdave]

@JohnW I think I have a copy of @Alphonsox costings spreadsheet in work will dig it out for you tomorrow.

[JohnW]

@vfrdave, cheers, thanks.

[JohnW]

On ‎03‎/‎02‎/‎2017 at 16:34, Alphonsox said:

Hi and welcome

We're (still)  building north of you near Portaferry. There's lots of Norn Iron building knowledge on these boards so get those questions asked.

Good luck with planning.

@Alphonsox I read in another thread that you have built/are building along similar lines to myself, namely ASHP, UFH etc... I noticed that you mentioned you did not install any heat upstairs (brave move), can I ask what U-value your walls, floors & roof are, what construction method you used and what air-tightness you achieved?

 

Also, how is the, no heating upstairs, working out in practice?

[Guest Alphonsox]

29 minutes ago, JohnW said:

@Alphonsox I read in another thread that you have built/are building along similar lines to myself, namely ASHP, UFH etc... I noticed that you mentioned you did not install any heat upstairs (brave move), can I ask what U-value your walls, floors & roof are, what construction method you used and what air-tightness you achieved?

 

Also, how is the, no heating upstairs, working out in practice?

 

I haven't installed UFH upstairs but I have wired every room for electric panel heaters or towel radiators. This allows me to install heating should I later discover I need it. It's too early to say whether we will or not - Even in today's hurricane the house is maintaining heat well, so I am hopeful the heat loss calculations are accurate. The truth is we wont know until we move in.

 

The house is timber framed with a blockwork and render skin. Our U-values are 0.1 floor and roof, 0.12 for the walls. The windows are triple glazed Rational units but I cant remember what the average U-value was for them. Air permeability was measured at 0.55 m3/m2/hr (approx 0.5 ach if my calculations are correct)

[JohnW]

Thanks @Alphonsox those are very impressive U-value & air permeability figures. Thanks for the information.