Sarking

The rest of the trusses are in place, and most of the sarking is completed. The sarking is 22mm softwood planks, and is traditional construction in Scotland. It leads to a better, stronger roof. On top of this will be laid a breathable membrane, which in addition to doing the same job as felt, will allow us to NOT have any ventilation above the insulation. This ventilation is usually there to provide some airflow, and help prevent interstitial condensation in the roof build up.The membrane, unlike traditional felt, allows the roof to breathe directly. So no vents top and bottom of the roof, which allows the more traditional look. The traditional look worked fine in the olden days, when roof had no insulation whatsoever.

Strawberry

We currently have one strawberry plant in our garden. When we move into the new house, we are planning all sorts of veggies and fruit.
We do have half an acre.

Above is one of the strawberries; I thought I'd better take a picture because i ate it 5 seconds later. It was very, very tasty.

Roof Beam

To support the rafters above the living room, a steel beam is installed, supported at one end on the gable panels,and at the other end on a double truss, underneath which will be a racking panel, to give the whole house some structural stiffness at this point.

The rafters will be toothed into the beam and a timber tie fixed to attach one side to the other, and make sure it they are seated nicely on top of the beam. Once the roof is sarked the whole thing will hold together.

planes

We are near a bombing range. Well, about 8 miles away, but you do see a lot of jets at times. I have no idea what they are, although I'm convinced I saw a Euro Fighter one day.


Like a big dart. Sometimes you see Chinooks, off to drop commandos in some loch or something.

Anyone tell me what these planes are?

Trusses Up

A busy day on site today...hah, that sounds like I was there doing manual labour, which I wasn't. Anyway, as you can see the roof trusses are all up. When I say roof trusses, I mean the prefabricated "room in roof " trusses, with gable ladders at one end. The steel beam which will support the rafters over the vaulted ceiling is in place. Pictures of that in a wee while.

It's really starting to look like a house now, which is a good thing. I meant to take a picture from along the road, which would show how well it is matching the cottage next door. Well in terms of height, without the chimbleys, it's the same. Which is good.

Apex panels up

Was a bit wet today. Boo. But this was progress as of tea time. The roof trusses have arrived are are laid to one side. The Apex panels have been installed to both ends, and a bit of scaffolding put up. Well, when I say a bit, I mean there is scaffolding all around the house.

Still looking very tidy.

Big Glass Rools ok...hopefully

This is one of the best features of the house. BIG WINDAES!
The two large areas of glass, one which is a huge fixed pane with a tall side opening, the other big sliding patio doors.
Between them is a steel post which supports a steel beam mid span.
The beam is supported at each end on cripple studs. In turn the beam supports the roof.
The steel post is supported directly on the blockwork in the sub structure.

The view from the living room will be great, and it will be nice to sit in a warm house and watch the rain belt off the windows.

Need to get a squeegee on a pole though.