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They used to do it with mortar, so it must work. Also, slate floors are often layed this way, where the slate can vary from 10mm to 30mm in depth (unless you get the calibrated stuff). The kitchen floor I dug up had about 50mm mortar with the quarry tiles pressed into it. You could add some SBR...

Also secondsandco.co.uk Last order with them I got a mixture of brands - some kingspan and the 25mm boards were some unknown make with and pink inside, that was less fibrous and more powdery than kingspan or celotex. You could probably specify exactly what makes you want.

You can put all the stuff in a barrel and roll / kick it around the garden. There was a product sold that was like this. Still needs to be cleaned out after each use. What's the problem with cleaning out the mixer ? A hose / pressure washer would do (wear goggles to avoid getting sand in your...

Thank you very much. That has given me a few ideas :shock: Simon.

Its a good idea, it will improve sound insulation :-) Simon.

If the top row is to be hidden under a barge board of some type, it doesnt matter if the top row is a bit messy. If not, you can get gable sets cut for you. Tell them the angle and number of bricks etc. Else a 12" stone/brick saw with diamond blade is needed to cut though - hire a petrol saw...

Trench flow mix does flow, but I got slightly different levels either side of some shuttering around a sewer pipe. Had to be bricked up differently either side (first couple of courses) ! Simon.

Round here, some such balconies in "reverse". French doors open outwards (into thin air !) and railings on the inside. Presumably this is some type of planning loophole. Simon.

If you want slips to match existing bricks, you may have to get them cut. Mine were to cover an RSJ that was exposed when a bay was removed. Covered with cement board, then the slips. Looks just like a soldier course that was layed. Simon.

I know this is easy to say, but you should have gone back to the structural engineer to design the whole roof conversion. They probably assumed the old hip was staying in place. Where information was missing from the plans the builder has obviously done whatever he felt like. The BCO is bound...

Its done in all manner of different ways. B&Q warehouse near me is done with DPC visible all the way round. I built my extension with it protruding all round and trimmed off with a sharp knife afterwards. But a few mm of mortar bridging it will not do any harm. Old slate ones were usually...

In newbuilds with boards over insulation, heavy wear areas have been found to dip slightly over time, which eventually leads to the chipboard breaking down and / or squeaking. Typically, areas around doorways etc. The method seems to be primarily a way of reducing build cost. However, should be...

If you've got the cash put a zinc roof on it. They are all the rage ;-) By the way, I did a 12 degree tiled pitched roof (mono-pitch, but joining onto party wall) using forticrete centurian tiles (they have baffles against driven rain etc). It looks fine in context, but I agree not sure about...

This is commonly done. The beams used these days are not really Rolled Steel Joists (which had sloping flanges), but universal beams and universal columns with parallel flanges. The column has deeper flanges. You would use a "column" (on its side :-) across the back and a beam fitting into the...

They have 2 ranges, the IT range and the range designed by the ficticious Mr Cooke and Mr Lewis. The latter are not bad, and price is OK when in the sale. In any case its a good idea to seal any chipboard edges and strengthen the units with some extra timber if you think it needs it. We...

A bit of a all-encompassing question. There are some good books on house renovation. How much you strip if back can depend on who is doing the work. If all contractors you want to minimise their time by having things as clear as possible. If lots of DIY, you want to reduce the need for...

If it is a non-bonded screed over insulation (probably with fibres etc) it should be done in one day to avoid differential movement. However (sounds like the case) if it is a bonded screed (bonded to concrete with cement slurry maybe with PVA or SBR), there should be no problem doing it in a...

There are, as you say, loads of variants with slightly different specifications. However, in my experience, if it has foil both sides and is the correct thickness, the BCO will be happy. The difference in thickness required would minimal. Simon.

Tip: Make sure you use dry timber. Damp stuff fresh from the timber yard can shrink and make the noggins become loose / fall out. Simon.

An interesting one, since many people take the approved documents to "be" the building regs. If you could show from the actual regs that something did not apply in some sort of appeal (with legal persons interpreting the rules), they would have to back down. But of course, "precedent" may have...