Water tight, plumbing and more insulation!

The cold and clear weather I think has made everyone a little happier.  Once again a cold spell (it was -7oC last night in Bruton) focuses me on insulation.  This year I can actually see it in place rather than just thinking how lovely it would be to have a warm house that didn't take a huge amount of fossil fuels to heat (and money).  The insulation is pretty substantial TLX gold, 130 mm celotex and then on the inside TLX silver - it probably doesn't probably mean a huge amount when I say the U value will be around 0.012?  

Ok I think I've come to the decision that we're going to try without connecting gas boiler to the system and I also don't think we're really be needing heating up stairs.  All the bedrooms open out to the landing where the lovely warm air from downstairs will rise.  If that's not sufficient then a small electric oil fired radiator might be a cost effective solution rather than installing radiators in every room.

The TLX gold covers both the roof and 1st floor ready for the oak cladding

So the focus what can be done before and after Christmas.  We learnt that the windows from Rawlinson were delayed until the week of the 7th January.  I don't think this has messed things up apart from Dave and Garry having to find a solution to fitting the oak weather boarding before the windows are fitted.  We just praying that the colour for the outside of the frames are as good as we thought or true to what we have in our heads.

Polly looking a bit nervous on the scaffolding with Flora, Isla, Garry and Dave

The other pressing issue has been trying to get a plumber to work with Solar Sam he's been finding it hard as most of them are booked out after Christmas.  There may be a few possible ones in or around Bruton which would be great if we can get something decided that was within our budget.

Solar Sam unveiling the new Navitron panels that will provide a decent amount of our hot water for 9 months per year.

The oak weather boarding waiting to be nailed on to the outside of the 1st floor.  They're turn a silvery grey after a few years.

We're meeting Andrew next week to discuss and agree an order of priorities list. We've devoted from after Christmas to starting work on 7th to investigating flooring, white goods and many more things.  The house at last feels like it's getting to be real house especially now the rain can't drip in apart from the large open windows.  The plan is to get the plumbing and electrics 1st fix straight after the New Year.