Take Two 21Apr 25, 2017 9:03 am I went to a body corporate meeting last night - the land is community title - and there are battens on the roof rafters in preparation for colorbond! I couldn't see that any delivery of roofing material had been made, but it was getting dark, so I'll keep my fingers crossed for this still happening this week. It would be nice to have roof so that the laundry, which has finally dried out, doesn't become waterlogged again. I'm also looking forward to seeing the house without the addition of scaffolding. Variegated Take Two 22Apr 29, 2017 7:34 pm Several discussions this week with the Builder. Windows have been the main topic of conversation, with a quote received from a local manufacturer. I have always wanted casement windows for this build, and the quote for tilt and turn windows with uPVC frames is cheaper! Given the mechanisms in such windows is quite complex, this seems rather strange. The quote includes the front door and the laundry door, because they too need to seal properly to meet Passivhaus standards, so I've spent a bit of time looking up frosting films for privacy and security purposes. I had no idea that there were so many available! So, having thought I had chosen most of what I needed, I have some further decisions to make now. The suggestion was also made that perhaps the ceiling in the living area could be raked like that in the studio. In the plans the height is 2.7m, and I thought about this quite a bit. I've decide that I will leave this as it is, and allow the studio space to be the hero. The hallway is 2.4m, so walking through that and coming into a room with a 4 m ceiling should be a bit of wow factor. I have also this week finally received quotes for water tanks. I want stainless steel - which are not as expensive as you might think - but no local manufacturers, and some won't deliver to Canberra. I think that $650 isn't too bad for two 22600 litre tanks from about 6 hours away. And we are finally talking about joinery for the kitchen - I have been waiting for my kitchen with a decent amount of bench space for such a long time, so this development is really exciting. Variegated Re: Take Two 23Apr 29, 2017 11:30 pm Yeah, once you step out of the standard (i.e. bog cheap) window ranges, there sometimes seems to be no rhyme or reason to window prices. We've been pleasantly surprised by the comparative lack of expense of uPVC vs. "mainstream" (e.g. Stegbar/Dowell/Trend etc.) aluminium-framed double-glazing, and we're locking the uPVC windows into our design now. Have you made a decision yet about which ones you're going with? We're also looking at water tank options, too - what's the reason(s) for going with steel, and where are you getting yours from? That seems to be a pretty good deal you've got there. Take Two 24Apr 30, 2017 6:13 pm Algernon, I'm going to go with the uPVC tilt and turn ones.Given that the "cheaper" windows are already at the $27000 allowance for windows (although that does also include the front and laundry doors), and that they are quality windows, don't really see that there is any point in spending more money and waiting for longer. Stainless steel tanks - better water quality, completely recyclable, often warrantied for many years, can be expected to last for 40-50 years, so will not need to be replaced by me. The land was burnt durng the 2003 fires. Colorbond metal tanks have a plastic liner bonded to the metal, but it is only rated to 70 degrees, so in the unlikely event of another fire, such tanks would also need replacement. Looking to have as few hassles once the house is completed as possible. I'm still waiting on another quote, but if it doesn't come in this week, I'll go with what I have from designertanks.com.au They are based in Victoria. There is about $900 difference in price between a stainless steel and ordinary metal tank at 22500 litres. Variegated Take Two - now with roof! 25May 04, 2017 6:11 pm So today, I have gutters and barge boards Half round gutter on south west side of studioLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ and roof windows North roof windowThe top of the windows is almost exactly level with the top of my head, so they will be a good height for sitting and looking too.Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ South roof windowLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Roof window above shower in ensuite from ground floorLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ and insulation Insulation under colorbondLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ and about 1/3 of the roof Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Looking a little lighter in colour than it actually is.Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Another length of insulation being installedLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Variegated Take Two - roof almost completed 26May 13, 2017 12:23 pm Colorbond now in place, the plan was to complete the roof on Friday with ridge capping and the edging at the ends. Liking how this is looking, even though the colour should have been the same as the garage. Not going to lose any sleep over it, it matches the garage door. North side roofLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ South sideLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Screens on the roof windows are very fine and can barely been seen, (and therefore don't photograph well) and I'm told they are easy to remove and replaced if required. Looks like it is not far away from plumbing - Plumbing connectorsLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Temporary stairs are now in place to the attic floor - taking up most of the room in the studio! Much easier to carry things upstairs - like gyprock. Was told that sheeting in the attic will start soon. Temporary stairsMuch easier (and safer) than a ladder!Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I'm pretty happy with how the house is going - even if I am conscious of a strong wish to go faster! Variegated Take Two -Roof pitch 29May 13, 2017 4:16 pm Hillsbuilds, Thank you - it does look quite neat. It's really a simple shape, but has quite of lot of únderpining' to get there. The roof pitch is 35 degrees, so it's fairly steep. Glad I'm not having to climb up it to work. Variegated Take Two - roof insulation 30May 13, 2017 5:04 pm Algernon, From my research, the roof blanket that has been installed under the colorbond sheeting is somewhere between R1.3 and R2.3. I'll ask them when I'm next visiting what thickness the roof blanket is as this is what makes the difference. In addition to this, there are batts to R5.0 to be installed as well. The non-strawbale walls will have R4.5 batts, and the slab is insulated to R1.5 Variegated Take Two 32May 14, 2017 6:15 pm That's a good question Algernon - I actually don't know. We were aiming for 8 during design, but I can't find anything in the documentation I have.,but I don't have a copy of the building approval application. I would think that passivhaus standard would easily reach 8, and I'll see if I can find out. Variegated Take Two 33May 19, 2017 8:23 pm No carpenters on site this week when I visited, but there were plumbers instead! Roof is completed with ridge capping and ends all nicely finished off, but no photos of that due to rain. The quite large overhang of the roof means that the rooms below are staying quite dry, even if there are some puddles on the southside that I don't think will ever dry out. They have been shaded by the scaffolding, but it does provide some food for thought about how the immediate surrounds of the house should be "landscaped". It is much easier to understand the space in the attic, particularly the storage space behind and beside the wardrobes, now that the roof is on, and there is not just lines of framing. The attic is the "private" space in the house, and I love being able to be in MY space up there. Attic showing storage space behind and beside wardrobeLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ There are some downpipes - not necessarily connected to the roof , so there is some considerable runoff making holes in the ground below. It would be nice to have the tanks very quickly to catch this water. There was a surprising (at least to me) amount of water given that it wasn't raining heavily. DownpipeLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ First fit plumbing is happening, and so there are water lines to bathroom, kitchen and across the hall ceiling to pierce the attic floor. The cold water piping for the ensuite appeared as I watched. Kitchen taps connectionLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Water from the bathroom on the way up to the ensuiteLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Ensuite water connectionLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Progress is being made. Variegated Re: Take Two 34May 20, 2017 8:35 pm Good timing for the roof completion given all the rain last night! Do you have good slope and drainage away from the house? Take Two 35May 27, 2017 12:53 pm Progress this week is subtle - the site didn't look different at all when I drove up! But there are lots of things happening - most of which are not particularly photogenic, but I'll show you anyway. Hot water pipe has joined the cold water one to the ensuite. Hot and cold connection to ensuiteLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Ceiling frame in living room has been installed. Living room ceiling framingThis view won't be available after gyprock - immage taken through the ensuite framing.Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Frames for windows in the straw bale walls are in place. South window in StudioStill a bit wet around the site following last weeks rainLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Western windows in studioLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ There is framing to support the soffits which will finish off the eaves. Under eave framingLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ and the scaffolding was being removed! Tradies removing scaffolding and frame for glass doors in StudioLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Now that some of the scaffolding is down, the frame for the entry foyer has been raised. The space feels so much bigger now. And Rum, the site supervisor has grown! Rum - in snazzy checked coatNot the best photo, given her head is in the shade.Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Variegated Take Two 36Jun 04, 2017 3:42 pm Disappointing small progress this week. No-one on site when I visited on Friday. Some changes - Under eave finishing on the gable ends has been completed on the eastern side, and begun on the western side. Eaves - western gableLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The installation of the ventilation system has begun - Ventilation system junctionLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Ventilation systemDucting to the ground floorLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Hope that the next week brings somthing more substantial. Variegated Re: Take Two 37Jun 04, 2017 4:02 pm Well, every bit of progress is a move in the right direction, and probably the most important bits to get right are the parts you can't easily see. A lot of people seem to concentrate on how things look, and disregard function. I'm assuming that's ducted HRV? Which system are you going with? Take Two 38Jun 04, 2017 4:52 pm Algernon, You're right - it is important to get the behind the walls things right. These will be the things that make the house 'work' in the way I want it to. It's one of those days when I'm really over living in small rented flat a which has a LOT of air leaks - particularly when I can't find the documentation on Ventilation systems. So yes, it is a ducted energy recovery ventilation system, but I can't remember which one. As I am building an esky - better have some way to ensure I don't have a condensation problem! Variegated Take Two 39Jun 09, 2017 7:30 pm Today most of the ground floor was taken up with STRAWBALES. Strawbales in the lounge/dining, the front foyer, the studio area and the study. Bales in Studio and StudyLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Bales in front foyerLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ There is even the beginning of strawbale walls in the living room. Eastern wall with "persuader"on top of the balesLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Northern wall from the insideLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ North Wall of lounge roomLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Much rejoicing!! There is also eave sheeting in place in three of the four small 'verandah' areas on the north and south side living areas. North eave of studio with sheeting in placeLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ And rolls of Wall Protection Membrane in the guest bedroom. Solitex ExtasanaThis external envelope wrap is to provide weatherproofing, protect the structure of the house and enhance insulation performance.Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ So great to have some (much more visible) progress. And Rum continues to keep on eye on things. Rum, making sure her Dad isn't leaving without herLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Variegated Take Two 40Jun 16, 2017 9:18 pm All those strawbales from last week have turned into walls! I now actually have a house. South studio wall from the atticRum the site labrador finds straw much better than bricks - particularly when it is being your bed!Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ West wall in studio Not quite finished yet, but still a majestic feelingLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ East living room wallElectricians have also been for a look this week, and have left the orange conduit to be sunk into the strawbale wall prior to rendering. You an also see the ducting for the Ventilation system up in the ceiling.Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The final brick in the wallThe last half bale for this part of the wall being bashed into positionLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Front doorLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ A (nearly) whole houseLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Next week the walls will be tied together, trimmed and prodded into shape, ready for rendering. Can't wait. Variegated Hi Mofflepop, I would recommend finding a building designer to prepare plans, they should design to your specified budget. The benefit is you can tender the project out… 9 20354 Hi, We're building a double-storey in Perth and I'm undecided with the kitchen sink situation. I'm set on having the main sink with dishwasher in the scullery - and… 0 20893 2 2963 |