Suffolk meet-up?

[JohnnyB]

Thanks @zzPaulzz,  it was really interesting to see your timber frame and chat about various things,  it really is at an intersting stage to visit. 

It was good to meet a few more of the Suffolk BH members as well, a shame I couldn't stay for a drink and get time to chat to you all for a bit longer.

 

Our house is a little further on and is very different to Paul's. If anyone wants to visit I would be up for that, we are near Stowmarket. We will be starting to plasterboard the internal walls fairly soon but not slates on the roof yet, I still haven't ordered the solar panels, waiting for one more price back.

 

6 hours ago, zzPaulzz said:

I’m now investigating timber cladding fire stops

I used Envirograph CV Cavity Strip Barrier, ordered from Antifire, here.  They offered a discount when I asked for it.  They took a bit of prodding to answer questions at times but did get the strips sent out when they said they would and the price was the best I could find at the time.

Building control asked for it after checking the BR drawings so if you haven't been asked for it you may be OK without it.  I was told it is something they have started to ask for in the last year or two after one of the team went on a course and it was brought up. Apparently it has been in the regs for years but they weren't aware of it until relitively recently, I assume since the Grenfell disaster.

[zzPaulzz]

@JohnnyB Would love to visit your build. Thanks for the info on the cavity strips. 

[Alan Ambrose]

Yeah many thanks Paul, that was both interesting and fun to see everyone again. @LSB - you guys were missed.

 

@zzPaulzz poss to get a photo of your plinth / ravatherm / door threshold detail - we need something like that.

Edited July 19 by Alan Ambrose

[G and J]

@zzPaulzz thanks again for showing us around......it is always good to see these things in the flesh and share opinions/knowledge.

 

@JohnnyB good to see you, be great if next time you can stay for "the chat"

 

@Nick Laslett you remain a font of knowledge

 

@Alan Ambrose your slab next? @LSB see you there?

[LSB]

I'm really p'd off that life got in the way of us getting there and really want to see the next slab.

 

[zzPaulzz]

On 19/07/2025 at 08:17, Alan Ambrose said:

@zzPaulzz poss to get a photo of your plinth / ravatherm / door threshold detail - we need something like that.

Of course. Which door did you have in mind?

[zzPaulzz]

On 19/07/2025 at 14:07, LSB said:

I'm really p'd off that life got in the way of us getting there and really want to see the next slab.

 

@LSB annoying when that happens!

[zzPaulzz]

I’m going to need a telehandler for the day on the 1st August to off load my windows. Does anyone have a good source for one please? 

[Alan Ambrose]

I’ve used Target in Ipswich for some small stuff and they were v helpful. They stayed open a few minutes late one day so I could pick something up (a cat scanner I think) - which was beyond the call of duty. You probably want the smallest 6m one. Easy enough to drive if you’re careful, but not great visibility, so you need a spotter. Picking pallets off a truck is a bit tricky as you need a coordinated 2D motion to keep the forks level. Probably easy if you’re a video game player. Tru7 is probably the most aggressive price-wise but a bit bolshy with non-trade customers. Worth a visit as they’re close to you and amazing to see their yard - millions in kit there - e.g. maybe a couple of dozen diggers of different sizes. Think Tru7 will supply drivers too if you need. You might have a local company that has older kit and is cheaper. I’ve used Toddys in Martlesham a few times and is a bit like that.

 

p.s. figure the max weight and reach you need to select which model.

Edited July 21 by Alan Ambrose

[G and J]

Ours came with driver from tru7 but that's because they are on the doorstep and the telehandler was being used on the carriageway.

 

Where you are you really need to do is make friends with your local farmer.

 

[Alan Ambrose]

>>> Which door did you have in mind?

 

The front door is good - just interested in the relationship between the slab, the supporting insulation and the brick plinth. Probably obvious, but I don’t remember how the plinth works with the door opening.

[G and J]

A question are the suppliers installing your windows? If so why aren't they off loading?

 

G just read the above his view was that you really need an experienced operator - dropping windows doesn't bear thinking about.

[zzPaulzz]

4 minutes ago, Alan Ambrose said:

>>> Which door did you have in mind?

 

The front door is good - just interested in the relationship between the slab, the supporting insulation and the brick plinth. Probably obvious, but I don’t remember how the plinth works with the door opening.

Here’s one. Let me know if you need more. Or pop in 

[Alan Ambrose]

Thanks, that’s it. I imagine the Ravatherm is totally wrapped in dpm?

Edited July 21 by Alan Ambrose

[JohnnyB]

16 minutes ago, G and J said:

Where you are you really need to do is make friends with your local farmer.

That is what I would suggest. It will be the cheapest option, you only need them for a short while, and they will be used to the machine. Whether you can get one to commit to a time in advance at this time of year is another matter.

[zzPaulzz]

Turns out the windows will be delivered with a HIAB which should be fine.  21degrees sent me their generic delivery info which defaults to an attic. Phew! 

[Alan Ambrose]

It's roughly that time again...

 

Any takers? You're welcome at my plot but it is a bit boring atm with only a slab and some drainage there:

 

 

[marshian]

5 hours ago, Alan Ambrose said:

It's roughly that time again...

 

Any takers? You're welcome at my plot but it is a bit boring atm with only a slab and some drainage there:

 

 

1st Thursday was last week

 

Can't do this week - I'm at Prescott Hill Climb orgainsing a car show

[LSB]

We can do the 21st & 28th

 

[zzPaulzz]

Might be able to make either of those two dates though very busy at the moment so may have to pass this month, sorry. 

[JohnnyB]

You could visit our site. 

 

The slate roof won't quite be finished next week but it will the week after and we should be fitting the windows the week commencing the 25th.  There's very little plasterboard up yet but most of the sevices are in so there is quite a bit to see.

 

The closest pub is Battisford Punch Bowl, in the next village.  It is a community pub, run by local people, and I've been told it is good but I've not yet visited.

[Nick Laslett]

24 minutes ago, JohnnyB said:

You could visit our site. 

 

The slate roof won't quite be finished next week but it will the week after and we should be fitting the windows the week commencing the 25th.  There's very little plasterboard up yet but most of the sevices are in so there is quite a bit to see.

 

The closest pub is Battisford Punch Bowl, in the next village.  It is a community pub, run by local people, and I've been told it is good but I've not yet visited.

Sounds good. But a bit busy with many social events. Early Sept will work better for me. 

[SteamyTea]

41 minutes ago, JohnnyB said:

Battisford Punch Bowl

Does the local West Indian community call that pub 'The Batty Boy' by any chance.

 

[zzPaulzz]

1 hour ago, JohnnyB said:

You could visit our site. 

 

The slate roof won't quite be finished next week but it will the week after and we should be fitting the windows the week commencing the 25th.  There's very little plasterboard up yet but most of the sevices are in so there is quite a bit to see.

 

The closest pub is Battisford Punch Bowl, in the next village.  It is a community pub, run by local people, and I've been told it is good but I've not yet visited.

Sounds good. Hopefully I’ll have my cladding, fascias and barge boards done by then so will be less manic.  

[Alan Ambrose]

@JohnnyB 's site sounds at an interesting stage. Does Thurs 28th work then?