Mon, 25 May 2026 08:07:07 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=196 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=196 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 13:10:56 +0100 moogaloo
I do like the idea of a wood or tile finish as I have a vomitting cat, but wondered what else was out there beyone laminate, perhaps something greener?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=200 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=200 Tue, 17 Apr 2007 10:31:33 +0100 thedharmahouse
1st - 10th May 2007

English

A ten day, residential, certified Permaculture Design Course led by Steve Read. The course will cover the International Permaculture Institute Syllabus, including practical work projects around the community. There will also be the opportunity to practice yoga and meditation, and to walk in the beautiful surroundings of the Cévennes National Park.

Cost (includes 3 vegetarian meals a day):

€400 indoors / €350 camping (concessionary rate: €300 camping)

-----------------------

This course will be based on the International Permaculture Institute Syllabus:

Principles of Natural Systems
Methodologies of design
Pattern in Design
Classical Landscape Profiles
Soils
Design for Catastrophe
Buildings and Structures
Appropriate Energy Conserving Technology
Forests and Trees
Water in Landscape
The Cultivated Ecology
Aquaculture and Mariculture
Waste Disposal and Recycling
Wildlife Management
Seeds and Nurseries
Informal / Formal Economy
Land Access and Urban Systems
Legal Forms
Village Development
Commerce


Steve Read, a bit about him

With a background in environmental science, economics and ecology and a Bsc from Greenwich University, Steve worked for a while as a scientific researcher working on projects such as the cleaning of oil-fouled seabirds, Toxocara Canis prevalence in parks and open spaces around London and methane production from landfill.

He completed a 72 hour design course in Dolgellau in 1991 and 2 years later was awarded his Diploma of Permaculture Design. He became active with the PmC Association in the U.K. as representative for the South-east London Permaculture Group where he worked with others to set up a Local Exchange trading system, a 'box-scheme', courses and training and creating links to business and countryside.

Eventually he moved to Brickhurst Farm in Kent with the objective of setting up market gardens to supply the successful Box scheme. He took over the running of the Permaculture Association, running it from the farm and using energy from renewable resources. The Association later moved on to Chicken Shack in Wales and the farmowner decided to move in a different direction so Steve and his family moved to a derelict barn in Brittany which they have transformed into a house with solar water heating, bio-gas production, wind turbine, 'reedbed' grey water treatment and a Corbett system coppice orchard. The building was developed using traditional techniques and materials such as lime, hemp, clay and wood.

During all this period he has been consistently designing, running courses and giving talks all over the world, continually working to deepen his knowledge and understanding.

Studies of martial arts with Malcolm Edge in London and subsequently Aikido with Gèrard Blaise in Paris and a lifelong interest in Yoga have gone a long way to helping Steve develop both personally and as a Designer. The non-violence of true Aikido, the Ahimsa of Yoga and the Ethics of Permaculture merge seamlessly into one.

Currently he teaches Permaculture, Yoga, running 6 classes a week, and works as a consultant to people wanting to develop permacultures, researches the Coppice Orchard system of food production, works as a greenwood turner using a pole lathe and is busy building Varda style wooden living wagons for those wishing to live lightly on the planet. Steve has also written numerous tracts and articles on Permaculture and ecological development as well as the eco-philosophical book 'A Chivalry of Gardening'

---------------------------------

http://www.thedharmahouse.com]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=199 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=199 Tue, 17 Apr 2007 10:29:21 +0100 thedharmahouse
A solar energy course with Richard Komp, based in the Cévennes National Park in the south of France

17th - 23rd May 2007

English

We are very fortunate to be able to welcome Dr. Richard Komp, an expert in solar energy since the 1950's, in leading this in-depth course on all aspects of practical home-use solar energy. The course will be of a hands-on nature, with a group project every day, and lectures and discussions drawing on Richard's extensive knowledge of solar energy systems. This is an excellent opportunity to come and learn the skills to implement solar projects for use in your home.

This course covers both passive solar techniques and photovoltaics. Every course participant will receive copies of two of Richard's books: Practical Photovoltaics, and the course text The Maine Solar Primer, which has do-it-yourself plans and a good section on passive solar architecture.

All of our courses are kept small and intimate, providing you with a lot of one-to-one time with the teacher.

Cost (includes 3 vegetarian meals a day):

€250 indoors / €200 camping ( concessionary rate: €180 camping)

For more details and an in-depth course schedule, please visit our website:

http://www.thedharmahouse.com]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=193 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=193 Sun, 15 Apr 2007 17:51:34 +0100 covehithe and replaced it with a Vailaint combination boiler. She now wants, for enviromental reasons (and a provisional grant) to
have Solar water heating as well. Is it possible to intergrate solar heating system and tank in to the
Vailant system.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=175 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=175 Fri, 06 Apr 2007 20:28:55 +0100 Rachel June 3rd- a day of clay- in building: making clay plasters, pigments, earthen floors... £40 incl lunch
No experience necessary.
Contact; Rachel- www.quietearth.org.uk]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=135 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=135 Mon, 26 Mar 2007 14:47:30 +0100 LMNOP Specifically, the one that the CSBT (Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust) organize and found them useful/recommend?

Experiences and thoughts please. Thanks. :bigsmile:]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=187 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=187 Wed, 11 Apr 2007 10:11:17 +0100 steveleigh https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=188 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=188 Wed, 11 Apr 2007 10:15:34 +0100 fostertom The world's remaining rainforest is the size of America and is being destroyed at the rate of one Florida a year. When that's gone - no more oxygen.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=186 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=186 Wed, 11 Apr 2007 04:14:32 +0100 Alan Culverwell I am confused about outputs...
The Rayburn 355SFW puts out 55 000 Btu's, 16.1 kw as apposed to the Esse W23 that puts out 23 000 Btu's, you may stand to correct me, but the Rayburn seems to be more efficient in comparison.
It seems to me that the Esse w23 will not put out enough to heat our underfloor and radiators?
Alan]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=182 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=182 Tue, 10 Apr 2007 18:25:53 +0100 biffvernon Audience: Local planning authorities, members of the public and firms involved with householder development
Consultation period: 4 April 2007 to 27 June 2007

There's a nice little 21 question quiz to fill in. Download it from here:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1508888]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=121 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=121 Tue, 20 Mar 2007 20:47:58 +0000 Graham Bond The latest 'Fifth Fuel Special' newsletter from the Association for the Conservation of Energy states examples of what happens in practice.

E.g. "When drafting their latest Planning Policy, Milton Keynes Council tried to specify energy efficiency requirements covering all aspects of building construction, including insulation, central heating, etc. The Government Inspector objected to this saying that the Council should confine itself to matters like building layout and orientation. The Inspector also removed completely the requirement for carbon neutrality on site or contributions to the Council's carbon offset fund. The newsletter stated "In doing so the Inspector was ignoring the Govenrment's own Regional Planning Guidance, which urges local authorities to "encourage the use of energy efficient materials and technologies by using all the tools at their disposal".

And another...
Cambridge City Council was required to water down its planning policy requiring large developers to 'provide evidence of how they have minimised energy consumption, maximised energy efficiency and considered the feasibility of using CHP systems'. This was becuase, to quote the Government Inspector, it was 'unreasonable to the extent that it imposes more onerous requirements than the Building Regulations'.

The Draft Planning Policy Statement: Planning and Climate Change - Supplement to Planning Policy Statement 1
appears to overturn Government policy making Ministers' 'minimum' into the maximum.
Para 31 of the Draft PPS states "Planning Authorities should not need, however, to devise their own standards for the environmental performace of individual buildings as these are set out nationally through the Building Regulations"

The Local Planning Authorities: Energy and Efficiency Bill would enable local authorities to include in their local development energy efficiency standards higher than those required by Building Regulations, along with targets for generating energy from renewable and low carbon sources. The Bill will allow local authorities to impose similar requirements when determining individual planning applications.

DCLG Minister Phil Woolas. acting on behalf of his Secretary of State, Ruth Kelly MP, deliberately blocked the The Local Planning Authorities: Energy and Efficiency Bill.

Please write to your MP and ask them to:
* Take up the matter with Ruth Kelly - Secretary of State and Phil Woolas - Minister of State
* Sign Early Day Motion No 471 in support of the Bill
* Support the ACE's response to the consultation on the new draft PPS which has been sent to them.

You might also like to write to Ruth Kelly and Phil Woolas at Hosaue of Commons, London SW1A 0AA demanding that they support the Bill when it returns to the House of Commons

Further details at www.ukace.org/]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=179 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=179 Mon, 09 Apr 2007 10:05:45 +0100 Paul_B
I would like to use a solar panel to generate the electricity to run the system. So I am guessing I need some batteries to store the energy over a few days and then run the leaky hose from a low voltage pump to water the garden. From what I have read I would need deep cycle batteries to allow a greater discharge than a normal car battery.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Paul]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=176 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=176 Fri, 06 Apr 2007 22:10:25 +0100 biffvernon
(Just in case you'd forgotten what it's all about.)]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=147 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=147 Wed, 28 Mar 2007 08:49:54 +0100 floaty sarah https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=168 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=168 Tue, 03 Apr 2007 18:03:17 +0100 arthur Renewable energy is seldom a free lunch and it seems to me that opportunities to increase it are fairly limited.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=21 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=21 Sun, 04 Feb 2007 20:50:09 +0000 skier-hughes
Our house is very old, over 600 years in places.

The roof area is large, so to take our meagre amount up to 10" we'd be spending a fortune on thermafleece, whereas we could get grant aided, fitted normal insulation.

Should I let my heart rule my head or let my wallet rule this time?

Is one any better than the other?
Why?
How?

Graham]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=148 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=148 Wed, 28 Mar 2007 10:32:10 +0100 julia I believe it would be a serious boon for all the residents as, apart from the obvious benefits to the ecology, solar power would contribute enormously towards our enormous electricity costs and therefore greatly reduce our collective carbon footprint...
Any information offered would be greatly appreciated – I wanted to find out as much as possible about this, with all costs of supplies, fitting, percentages of electricity savings, etc, to take the whole idea to the residents & freeholders for a vote.
Yours truly, Julia.
p.s. I'm not sure about the idea/effect of wind turbines on the roof but any info you may have on this would help too!]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=160 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=160 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 20:13:16 +0100 sdsteinhardt https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=48 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=48 Wed, 14 Feb 2007 08:19:24 +0000 Katymac
I am assuming
Water Connection £1,000.00
Drainage £9,000.00
Electrics £7,500.00
Heating £10,000.00
Kitchen & bathroom £4,000.00
Landscaping
Car Parking 600sqm 25sqm -£8,000.00
Paths 50 sqm £1,500.00
Play area 180 sqm
Fencing @ £30 approx 125 linear m £4,000.00
Total £13,500.00 £13,500.00

Grand Total £45,000.00


Then either the money to pull down the barn & use the base (don't know how much that would be?) or the cost of the concrete base - which would be more expensive?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=158 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=158 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 17:52:11 +0100 Peter A https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=159 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=159 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 18:54:54 +0100 biffvernon
Sustainable Construction:
From Margins to Mainstream

A one day seminar for green building practitioners, architects, planners,
those involved in housing and regeneration,
the construction industry and academics.

Topics include:

· What are the drivers and barriers to widespread adoption of ‘best practise’ in sustainable construction?
· How can these barriers be addressed?
· What role can academic research and teaching play in promoting innovation?
· What opportunities are presented by developments in planning policy and regeneration such as Community Land Trusts and mutual ownership of housing?

11.00am – 4.00pm, Wednesday 2nd May

Centre for Alternative Technology,
Nr. Machynlleth

Contributors include:

· Phil Horton (WISE special projects officer, CAT)
· Peter Sedgewick (Pembrokeshire CC Planning Department)
· Duncan Forbes (Torfaen Community Housing)
· Pat Conaty (Land for People)
· Dr Larch Maxey (Swansea University)
· David Rodgers (CDS Housing)
· Tom O’Kane (Felinuchaf)

Free of charge (Includes Lunch)

Please book your place by 24th April

For information and bookings, please contact Richard Bickle on 07768 184882 or richardbickle@cooptel.net

Organised by Cardiff School of Management.
Funded by Welsh Assembly Government, Knowledge Exploitation Fund.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=60 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=60 Wed, 21 Feb 2007 21:34:28 +0000 ecoworrier In situations were replacing existing window units is not ideal or necessary ie. listed building.
Is it beneficial to have secondary double glazing or would single glazed units be sufficient?
Does the gap between the panes matter (when its more than 16mm), say as much as 100mm?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=88 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=88 Thu, 08 Mar 2007 20:50:07 +0000 Leo I'm a way off starting on this but need to make immediate changes to an existing system and want to avoid work which will have to be undone at a future date.
Also an analysis of the relative costs (financial and environmental) of electricity vs gas as the fallback for heat and DHW for this system would be useful - if anybody can point me to one.
thanks]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=152 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=152 Thu, 29 Mar 2007 12:58:16 +0100 moogaloo
So as I am getting the house rewired, I need to start thinking about lighting. For most rooms it is a simlpe case of puting normal energy saving light bulbs in. But what should I do in the Bathroom?

Halogen is better than normal lightbulbs but not as effecient as energy savers, LED looks promising but a lot of LED stuff does not allow you to replace the bulb, I have also heard talk of the need for an LED control box?

Any advice experience or suggestions in this area would be greatfully appreciated?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=146 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=146 Tue, 27 Mar 2007 20:20:54 +0100 Peter A But what about the upper floor void, how do you maintain the integrity of the vapour barrier or am I worrying unneccessarily, could really do with some advice from the Passivhaus/Canadian experts on air leakage.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=150 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=150 Wed, 28 Mar 2007 19:47:51 +0100 Katymac
But someone has suggested that I use a steel frame to "stabilise" the straw bales

I'm not sure they need stabilising but if they did would a steel frame have any advantages?

The idea (as I understand it) is to put up 4 legs outside the walls - stick a metal roof on top & go from there..........is that a good idea?

I have a feeling it will cost more]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=137 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=137 Mon, 26 Mar 2007 19:10:37 +0100 mook
i am *considering* sheeps wool insulation for a coffee shop refurb. i'm less interested in its thermal properties but more interested in acoustic performance. i need 100mm batts for a false ceiling between floors (35 sqm) and partition walls (10sq m).
has anyone got any experience of its effectiveness in this kind of application?
... also would its moisture retention properties help improve the climate in the building?

at a good deal more than twice the price of say acoustic rockwool i'm struggling to justify the expense.

are there any other environmentally friendly alternatives i may not have considered?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=143 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=143 Tue, 27 Mar 2007 09:46:51 +0100 annabel
Paticular areas that I am concerned about include: increased maintenance costs due to dust from construction site, the fragility of PV modules, how much shading is likely to reduce efficiency, whether planning permission is required, and of course the payback periods for both money and carbon emissions from manufacturing (I have heard extremely varied figures regarding this last point).

Any comments would be appreciated, thanks.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=104 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=104 Wed, 14 Mar 2007 21:25:29 +0000 William I have opted for a condensing gas boiler, with a seperate unvented cylinder to run my hot water and underfloor heating. I want to add solar water heating in the future.
I am told I need a twin coil tank ( one coil for future solar) and that the solar connection will be made to the top coil. Is this right?
I was on a manufacturer's web site which shows the solar coil as being the bottom of the two coils.
Which is correct?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=136 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=136 Mon, 26 Mar 2007 18:57:45 +0100 Keith Hall
My system has a massive water quantity -> 500 gallons so I've not done added any inhibitor but what is in this stuff made of and how can owners of large biofuel heating systems with accumulator tanks address the situation if the claims are true?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=61 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=61 Thu, 22 Feb 2007 07:56:12 +0000 ANGAND
Chipping off the render and starting again is not an option unfortunately. So we are considering other ways to rectify the situation. We’ve heard about a microporous product called Andura (used by many companies that advertise render repair and restoration) and Beeck’s silicate paints.

Can anyone advise us or share their experience? The walls are 65cm thick stone/rubble fill so inserting aeration bricks may not be possible.

thanks.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=128 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=128 Fri, 23 Mar 2007 11:29:16 +0000 Julian Timber frame extension, roof trusses at 600 centres, reclaimed concrete double roman 50's, breather membrane.
1. I want to use cloaked verge tiles - it seems sensible to avoid wet verges. But I don't see that many cloaked verges and wondered why? Anyone have any views on them?

2.If I do use cloaked verge tiles could I use 150mm strips of WBP as an undercloak instead of the asbestos/cement type? I would guess there maybe less condesation risk from a piece of WBP than from a cement/asbestos undercloak.

3. Plastic eaves protectors & plastic felt supports - is there an alternative or are they essential? All the plastic fittings are expensive. The existing roof has bitumen felt down over the fascia board - it's been there for years without miles of plastic and without any obvious deterioration.

Thanks
Julian]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=130 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=130 Sat, 24 Mar 2007 18:10:29 +0000 earthship
Introduction
Since visiting Taos, New Mexico in October 2005, my involvement in the whole earthship concept has grown. In July 2006 I became a Director of Earthship Biotecture Europe and in November 2006 Europe's First Planning Approval for an Earthship Dwelling, was achieved.

This spring Earthship Biotecture are offering opportunities to work alongside the the Earthship Commando Crew constructing the first residential Earthship in Europe to receive a building permit. The Earthship Commando Crew, led by Michael Reynolds, is based at our world headquarters in Taos, New Mexico. We are currently interviewing for positions in the program. We will be accepting 6 people per week for the duration of the 6 week long build. Fees for the program are $300 per week. Those accepted in to the program may sign up for as many of the six weeks as they choose. Participants are responsible for their own accommodation and food.For more information email Kirsten Jacobsen kirsten@earthship.org

Further Information.

For further details of the project please contact:-

Kevan - Check my account for e-mail details.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=122 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=122 Wed, 21 Mar 2007 17:17:52 +0000 Rosemary https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=14 Thu, 01 Feb 2007 18:15:23 +0000 ecoworrier it looks pretty useful.
Thanks in advance. :-)]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=57 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=57 Tue, 20 Feb 2007 08:30:33 +0000 Brian Beney https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=86 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=86 Wed, 07 Mar 2007 18:15:10 +0000 GBP-Keith
The plan for the story is to get each one to look around at the existing and new green building organisations and decide which one, if any would best suit their goals or needs. The contributors would also, hopefully compare what the green building organisations appropriate to them may be offering that exceeds, compliments (or not) the more long term established trade organisations that they may already be members of.

We want to present our readers with a broad picture of what is availabe, at what cost and what benefit. We may follow it up in the following issue with a layman's wiew of it all.

Apologies to Biff for any spelling errors.

Post feedback here on the idea or contact me direct if you want to get involved.

Regards Keith]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=29 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=29 Tue, 06 Feb 2007 18:26:46 +0000 Katymac
I am insistant that we have more - he doesn't want to put more down for it to be ripped up is 18m time

Can we insulate the roof rather than the floor - or will that have no value??

If we can....how??]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=93 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=93 Mon, 12 Mar 2007 11:02:07 +0000 GBP-Keith
http://www.buildingforafuture.co.uk/spring07/index.php" >Homepage

My editorial can be read here.

http://www.buildingforafuture.co.uk/spring07/editorial.php" >Editorial

Comments would be welcome.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=95 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=95 Mon, 12 Mar 2007 11:55:29 +0000 GBP-Keith I'll add a poll extension to this thread shortly where members can vote on the favourite and least favourite aspects of the mag.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=7 Wed, 31 Jan 2007 19:20:18 +0000 Katymac
Would straw bales be a cost effective way of insulationg my walls

Can I put them outside the concrete block walls (to save space)

How do I finish them off? Render?

How do I do the edges for windows/doors/roof?

Or are straw bales expensive?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=71 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=71 Fri, 02 Mar 2007 07:45:33 +0000 Katymac
Is this a practical option - does it provide electricity? How would I use that to heat the nursery?

Would it need filling like a car engine or would it be attached (like an LPG tank)?

Any ideas?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=69 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=69 Thu, 01 Mar 2007 09:08:34 +0000 nigel
I dont want a glazed roof due to poor performance in summer and winter.
I would prefer a solid thermally insulated roof but just been thinking another option may be solar glazing with an embedded pv array.

I know it will be expensive but just wanted to know if anyone had actually used any and how expensive it is and would it provide any thermal insulation in the winter.

Thanks]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=66 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=66 Sat, 24 Feb 2007 19:25:10 +0000 biffvernon
***THIS IS AN URGENT CALL OUT FOR ACTION!!***

300+ YEAR OLD WALLED GARDEN AND 15 TREES ABOUT TO BE DESTROYED ANY DAY NOW IN SALISBURY!!

In Salisbury this week, trees are about to be felled any day now to make way for the new Council Offices development and ridiculous glass office extension, that will not only be costly to built but very bad for the environment and CO2 levels. This will destroy forever a WALLED GARDEN THAT’S MORE THAN 300YEARS OLD, with two 18th Century walls, many beautiful big trees aging from 50-150 years, and inside the garden is a Victorian fountain at the centre of SALISBURYS ONLY PUBLIC POND!!

Tree’s to be felled include: Hornbeam, huge triple trunked tree, estimated 80years but grown up from an even older stump that’s possibly 150 years old. Also home to soon to be nesting bats. Sweet Chestnut, huge, about 70years old, Goats Willow, Pussy Willow, Sycamores, Hawthorn, 3 Yew trees, 3Apple trees, A Pear tree, Prunus and a Wellingtonia. There are also two other Hornbeams, one already cut down to a stump and the other half felled. Also an Oak and an Atlas Cedar / Cedar Atlantian will alledgedly be “saved”, but we cant see that they will remain unscathed as they are right in the centre of what will be the main works access to the soon-to-be building site.

The project seemed to be on hold, but now they are pushing ahead to fell the tree’s JUST IN CASE the development project goes ahead. It’s a great shame, as this garden is very old, more than 300 years and has fondly been known to Salisbury’s children as “The Secret Garden” for generations untold.

Please please come and help if you can, apparently they may have to cut down the remaining Hornbeam before next Thursday as that’s the DEFRA deadline as after that the bats will start nesting, so it may not even take that long. There are only 2-3 of us here, we desperately need more numbers- however many for however long/ short could really mean the difference of success/ failure. They were clearing bushes today and will fell the trees any day now or next week.

Thankyou,
Please contact
07790418023
oni@riseup.net
rainbowhalo@msn.com]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=50 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=50 Sat, 17 Feb 2007 15:27:50 +0000 Nick Parsons
Any comments gratefully received. Thanks, Nick]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=49 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=49 Fri, 16 Feb 2007 09:23:28 +0000 OJ https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=45 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=45 Mon, 12 Feb 2007 21:24:04 +0000 Katymac
The concrete blocks will need rendering so the idea is to insulate externally and then render

So far my options appear to be
Straw bales (no idea of cost)
Herakith boards (£67K?? - I must have it wrong:cry:)
Difflum boards (even more expensive)

Are they more conventional methods?

PS really don't have a clue do I?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=34 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=34 Fri, 09 Feb 2007 15:55:02 +0000 Katymac
I know I need to replace the roofing panels - but can I do anything in the meantime

I have thought about

Foil on the ceiling
paint the ceiling
polystyrene tiles on the ceiling


Any other ideas?:sad:]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=25 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=25 Mon, 05 Feb 2007 10:13:22 +0000 Tuna
Some of the claimed benefits of hemcrete focussed on insulation. Thermal scan images of two identical homes, one built with traditional materials, the other with hemcrete, showed the traditional home leaking heat. The explanation seemed to be that around openings and between floors, the traditional insulation materials tended to leave gaps or sag. Air gaps also encouraged dampness and so thermal bridging. The argument for hemcrete was that, as a rigid packing material it performed significantly better than traditional materials, even at thicknesses that performed averagely in hot box tests.

Sound familiar?

I wonder if the real world benefits of some of the 'newer' insulation materials are simply based upon the fact that they can be installed as a larger continuous surface that resists sagging and thermal bridging due to dampness? Are our traditional builds actually under-performing by some significant margin, allowing 'marginal' new technologies to match their in-situ results? Should our hot box test involve a hot box that more closely resembles an entire room - with all the detailing and openings and other real world issues?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=11 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=11 Wed, 31 Jan 2007 22:24:26 +0000 tony
Would you accept a window open all the time? a door? both halves of a patio door not there all winter?]]>