We’re considering a new build project at the moment. Exciting times…..!
However, a debate with our architect arose about whether to incorporate underfloor heating. The crux of the matter is that it’s more expensive to install, but more efficient in terms of heat distribution and costs.
Umm, personally I’m all for it and the long term heat cost savings are fairly compelling in the current climate. However, who do you go to for advice installation. Well one company we found (but haven’t tried) are Nu-Heat. They claim to be the largest supplier of warm water underfloor heating systems to the domestic market. Interestingly they have also recently added heat pump technology, including ground source, air source and exhaust air to their offering.
Two things to consider here:
1. Underfloor heating is likely to save on heating costs, but costs more to install.
2. It’s likely to make your home more desirable when it comes to sale time.
Posted by Bob Bulmer on Fri 18th July 2008 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Construction
Paving blocks are brick type concrete blocks which are laid on a bed of sand and held in place by edging walls. Usually they are rectangular, but they do come in different shapes. Can be a very neat finish with curved borders to turf and flower beds.
Paving blocks tend to come in most commonly grey but also brown, red, beige etc. The blocks can be laid in a variety of patterns - similar to brick laying bonds. For driveways it is recognised that the herringbone pattern is most suitable for the type of loads encountered.
50 rectangular blocks standard 200mm x 100mm x 65mm cover approximately 1 sq m.
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Posted by Bob Bulmer on Thu 17th July 2008 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Construction
Crazy paving was a type of surface that became popular thirty or so years ago. Personally I think it’s appeal has waned but it does have it’s upsides.
For those who haven’t come across crazy paving - it is essentially lots of irregular shapes of slab fitted together on a bed of mortar.
The material usually comes in broken concrete slabs or stone bought by the ton. You can select your mixtures so that you get the affect you want. Obviously the smaller the pieces the more work involved in laying.
Sub base for driveway: 100 mm compacted hardcore covered by 125 mm of concrete.
Sub base for path: 100 mm of hardcore.
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Posted by Bob Bulmer on Wed 16th July 2008 at 12:34 PM, Filed in Construction
We’re going to be looking at different materials that can be used for paths and driveways. Things like amount of wear, appearance and cost are factors that we will be considering.
It goes without saying really, that the cheapest materials are usually the quickest and easiest to lay. Also, when budgeting consider other costs such as mortar, hardcore, or sand - plus any equipment you might need like a plate vibrator.
Our first look is at laying paving slabs.
These usually come in a variety of sizes in pre cast concrete. Many shapes are available but usually you can get hold of rectangular, square and even circular.
The strongest are hydraulically pressed and should always be considered when laying a driveway. Surfaces can be a variety of smooth or patterned designs and colours but most often they come in grey, beige or red.
The sub base for a driveway needs to be at least 4 inches (100mm) of compacted hardcore covered by 5 inches (125mm) of concrete.
The sub base for a path should include 4 inches (100mm) of hardcore.
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We recently had some minor building work done to our home. A skip was deposited on our front driveway and removed at the end of the project - end of story? I’m afraid not. The skip removal company managed to drag the skip along damaging a large section of the drive way surface. As the skip removal company refused to take responsibility and I lacked the time or energy to sue, this ended up being an infuriating/expensive episode.
It’s with this experience in mind that I took a closer look at a skip alternative called the Hippobag. Described as “cost-effective, hassle-free and eco-friendly alternative to the traditional skip” - the Hippobag is also a little bit kinder to your driveway!!!
The material is made from exceptionally strong polypropylene material, that can hold large amounts of waste and is available from DIY retailers across the UK. It comes flat-packed and in two sizes – the MIDIBAG, which can hold one tonne of waste, and the MEGABAG, which can take up to 1.5 tonnes.
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