Insulation, roofs & round windows

Time is rushing by having to make serious decisions now since the roof joists are complete and it's looking like the roof will be watertight by Christmas before.

Every day I'm going up to the Ropewalk and we're trying to think of things that are coming up over the horizon.  Today was confirmation that we should have made a decision about the insulation in the roof space months ago rather than not getting on with it or at least confirming the standard rock wool rolls we not going to take the houses U value anywhere to what I want!  I'm convinced by having a warm loft will mean we can store things without them being subjected to extreme temperatures and things like pipes not freezing ever surely has got to be a good idea.

It may be an obvious thing to point out but it's always a shame that in a normal build the things we actually see see are things we probably have to compromise on as the finances are being strained ... We've trying to be organised by hopefully not doing this by employing a quantity surveyor etc but being told this way of insulating the roof is going to cost £5k+ isn't what I wanted!

East side facing towards the utility room, our bedroom and a good place the yard for car parking.

North side - cars from Polly's primary school it's that close.

Dave's round window far better than I ever expected giving lots of light to our bathroom.

West face looking towards our garden.

North east face where we'll drive the car in walk to the back door.

8 days makes lots of difference.

Well we went away for half term to try and find some sun.  I think probably at the best time in the whole project as the wooden frame was just into the first stage.  Is it slightly sad to drive by The Ropewalk at 8 pm on a Saturday evening when you haven't actually returned home from the airport? No, I didn't think so either especially as the girls were sleeping we wanted to see the progress but we weren't prepared for such a rapid development. Hurray it really does seems to getting on.

So things were chatting thinking about this week:-

1. We've been in contact with Nigel Davis QS to make sure we're on track financially.  Garry really wanted to know as he has been trying to get the best prices for all the materials.
2. I had an idea that we could make the study roof vaulted so we had an impromptu meeting with Harry and Garry and they think it's possible hopefully with a minimum amount of spend.

Dave, Garry and Harry having a chat.

The frame before 1/2 term

Tom working on the oriel window part of the study.

James next to the utility room.

Sunday 4th November roof is starting to look good.

Looking through downstairs from the sewing room / Flora's place!

This is where the stairs are going.

The play room from the dining room / kitchen with the block wall nearly finished.

1. Plumbing - I've spoken to Solar Sam having had a meeting with Andrew from 3f2 Carpentry - he's going to be in charge of the 2nd phase.  The plan sounds possibly complicated but it's so important to get a standard plan to then be able to put out to tender to the other plumbers.  The other part that I've learnt is to get someone to commission the system which we didn't have for the Longhouse build and we've had continual problems!
2. Oak cladding / weather boarding needs deciding as soon as possible.