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my barn conversion

Keep track of what's happening with my Progress Updates.

If you read only one book before designing your conversion or renovation, then I recommend that you make it this one. I love patterns!

Location, Location, Location! pah, that's old hat we all know that the new mantra of home-building is Insulation, Insulation, Insulation.

Read more about - Lime mortar, VAT on conversions and managing woodland for fuel.

Tiling tips - learn from my mistakes!

Around an ongoing barn conversion project, this website draws together advice, information and references to aid all would-be and current barn and non-residential building converters and renovators.

Our approach takes on board 'healthy house', sustainable, ecological & environmental concepts to as great a degree as timescales and budgets allow.

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Environment for Children

Whitewashing update 2010

Built in bed

Building Progress ~ February 2010

Step 8 = roof

Step 7 = high level design

Stoneworks

Downstairs tiled floor

Coppicing ash trees

Tree Planting - Winter 2010

Latest Comments

On White-washing? by Whitewashing update 2010 | my barn conversion on March 16th, 2010
[...] wall. After finding it was ‘infested’ with stalactites and stalagmites, I considered whitewashing the wall, then eventually it was...

On We have stalactites in our walls! by Whitewashing update 2010 | my barn conversion on March 16th, 2010
[...] do about the leaky, south facing gable end wall. After finding it was ‘infested’ with stalactites and stalagmites, I...

On Boxing Clever? by Built in bed | my barn conversion on March 12th, 2010
[...] of practicality and desire. Practical because part of the construction can be used to solve my tricky carpentry challenge...

On Travertine tiling - pictures by Downstairs tiled floor | my barn conversion on February 18th, 2010
[...] time and money in planning, sourcing and then fitting. It’s been completed for a while now (since August 2009),...

On Gas Pipeline Woes by The four new English “eco-towns” | my barn conversion on February 10th, 2010
[...] my first thought was ‘glad they’re not on my doorstep’ , but then I have a bloody big gas...

On Building Progress ~ August 2009 by Building Progress ~ January 2010 | my barn conversion on February 8th, 2010
[...] foray into the world of tiling can be quicker and more effective than the last one, the thought of...

On Insulation by Logs | my barn conversion on February 5th, 2010
[...] Location, Location! pah, that's old hat we all know that the new mantra of home-building is Insulation, Insulation, Insulation...

On Logs 2 by Future Fuel | my barn conversion on February 5th, 2010
[...] Logs 2 [...]

On The Healthy House by Green Business on February 2nd, 2010
Thank you for this checklist - I might use it in future when building a green house of my own!...

On Air Source Heat Pump by Feed-in tariffs … coming soon to a roof near you!? | my barn conversion on February 2nd, 2010
[...] On Air Source Heat Pump by Pete on January 12th, 2010I'm in a barn conversion with a GSHP supplied...


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    Insulation ~ Cellulose Fibre

    Category: Insulation July 27th, 2008 by mbc

    Often made from recycled newspapers, cellulose fibre is a loose fill insulation.

    Description
    As a loose fill insulation it does not come in blankets, sheets or boards, rather as a loose fibres that are blown or laid into place and must be protected from drafts or breezes. Additionally, to maintain optimal performance it must be kept dry. It is treated with boron salts to provide insect protection and fire resistance. It can absorb and release moisture without significant impact on its insulating characteristics.

    Lies, damn lies & statistics...
    Don't agree? Know better? Got a real world example to share? Are you a manufacturer or supplier with something to say?
    This isn't a one way street, we really want to hear from you so please comment below or have your say on the forum...
    Great posts will be eligible from prizes from our forum competition!


    Features

    • Non-toxic & non-irritating.
    • Biodegradable.
    • Renewable.
    • Locks in carbon.
    • Low embodied energy. As little energy is consumed in its production, Cellulose Fibre has one of the lowest embodied energy ratings of all types of insulation.
    • Loose Fill. Easy to install - no tools required. Protection from the wind and rain is necessary. Can be applied by sprayer. Can be used to fill irregular shapes that may otherwise be awkward to insulate in and around.

    Note: Compression of the fibre must be avoided - without sufficient trapped air insulating effectiveness will be compromised.

    Performance
    Cellulose Fibre has a thermal conductivity or K value of 0.035 W/m.K.
    (Watts per meter Kelvin ~ a lower value is a better result)

    Cost
    Made on a relatively large scale from recycled materials, costs are reasonable.

    Representative cost:
    Usually for sale in bags.
    Approximate cost per square metre at 100mm depth is around £4.

    If you enjoyed that post, then read these...

    Insulation ~ Glass Fibre on November 26th, 2009
    Similar to mineral wool insulation, glass fibre is one of the most common forms of insulation in the UK - everyone knows that rough, itchy,...

    tag: 'Insulation' tag: 'Insulation' title (4)

    Insulation ~ Expanded Polystyrene on July 6th, 2008
    Expanded Polystyrene insulation is made from small beads of polystyrene that are heated to expand them.

    tag: 'Insulation' title tag: 'Insulation' (3)

    Insulation ~ Extruded Polystyrene on December 23rd, 2009
    Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) is made by mixing polystyrene and a blowing agent under pressure and then forcing the resultant fluid through a die.

    title tag: 'Insulation' tag: 'Insulation' (3)

    Insulation ~ Polyurethane on February 16th, 2009
    Often abbreviated to PU, Polyurethane is usually applied as a foam insulation sprayed onto the underside of roof rafters.

    title tag: 'Insulation' tag: 'Insulation' (3)

    Insulation ~ Phenolic foam on November 26th, 2009
    Phenolic foam insulation is made by combining phenol-formaldehyde resin (note the presence of formaldehyde, a hazardous chemical and known carcinogen), a foaming agent and a...

    tag: 'Insulation' title tag: 'Insulation' (3)

    Posted in Insulation | 1 Comment »

    A Room With A View

    Category: Barn Conversion Journal July 25th, 2008 by mbc

    I promised I’d post a picture of the view from the gable end bedroom so here it is.

    the view across the valley
    the view across the valley

    I’m pleased with the window and the view and light that it provides - the thick wall and small window provide a narrow glimpse of the outside. A slight shame in that a wider window could have really opened up the far-reaching view, but as this window was a late amendment to the plans I’m just glad it’s there.

    If you enjoyed that post, then read these...

    Corner bath? on November 25th, 2008
    The bath I bought doesn't quite fit into the bathroom if it's place along the same wall as the shower.

    category: 'Barn Conversion Journal' (1)

    Building Progress ~ December 2008 on January 15th, 2009
    The fact that I'm writing my December update in the middle of January tells a story of its own.

    category: 'Barn Conversion Journal' (1)

    Building Progress ~ November 2008 on December 3rd, 2008
    So apparently stoves are like hens teeth these days, demand for them has rocketed in line with spiralling fuel bills.

    category: 'Barn Conversion Journal' (1)

    The case for coal on November 6th, 2008
    Now here's a conundrum... First the facts: The barn lies just outside of the South Wales Coal Field. Our heating system will comprise of solar thermal water heating...

    category: 'Barn Conversion Journal' (1)

    VAT Reclaim - Preparation on October 31st, 2008
    I know that many UK readers of this blog are interested in Value Added Tax (VAT) in relation to conversion projects.

    category: 'Barn Conversion Journal' (1)

    Posted in Barn Conversion Journal | No Comments »

    Insulation ~ Sheep’s wool

    Category: Insulation July 22nd, 2008 by mbc

    Perhaps one of the most talked about and attractive recent innovations, sheep’s wool insulation is of particular attraction to those of us who to the woolly West or North of the UK. But does it live up to the hype?

    a sheep
    the donor!

    Description
    Sheeps wool is a renewable by-product of the farming industry. It has extremely low embodied energy is in plentiful supply and can act as a humidity regulator as it can absorb up to 40% of its own weight in water, the water being released when conditions change. It is a natural non-toxic, non-irritating material.

    Features

    • Non-toxic & non-irritating.
    • Biodegradable*.
    • Renewable.
    • Low embodied energy.
    • Adapts and fits well. Suitable for use in walls, floors and roofs.
    • Fire resistant. Wool melts and extinguishes itself in contact with flame.

    * Note: Some products contain polyester as a ‘lofting’ agent (an additive to ensure that the material maintains its structure and air trapping ability over its lifetime). This is usually a blend of recycled and ‘virgin’ polyester. The polyester is at a low enough concentration in the final product to not effect biodegradability.

    Note: Early products were somewhat stigmatised due to the reputed use of chemicals in the production process and to improve structure, durability, moisture & insect protection as well as concerns over chemical residues left by sheep dipping. Rubber or polyester and borax (a compound of boron which is a mineral salt of boric acid) tend to be used for these purposes now, thus mostly doing away with such concerns. Testing has concluded that the risk from sheep dipping is negligible.

    Performance
    At a density of 25kg/m3 sheeps wool has a thermal conductivity or K value of 0.039 W/m.K.
    (Watts per meter Kelvin ~ a lower value is a better result)

    Cost
    As production is still relatively small scale, cost is high relative to other materials.

    Representative cost:
    A 75mm x 400mm x 1200mm roll of batts costs approximately £90 (rounded) including VAT and covers 12.96 m2 therefore approximate cost per square metre at 75mm depth is £7.

    Lies, damn lies & statistics...
    Don't agree? Know better? Got a real world example to share? Are you a manufacturer or supplier with something to say?
    This isn't a one way street, we really want to hear from you so please comment below or have your say on the forum...
    Great posts will be eligible from prizes from our forum competition!

    Other Information
    It’s has even made it into the Independant Newspapers Top 50 Great Ideas for the 21st Century

    References:
    http://www.sheepwoolinsulation.ie
    http://www.secondnatureuk.com
    http://www.blackmountaininsulation.com

    If you enjoyed that post, then read these...

    Insulation ~ Mineral Wool on January 3rd, 2009
    Mineral Wool is an inorganic product manufactured from glass or rock.

    tag: 'Insulation' title tag: 'Insulation' (4)

    Insulation ~ Expanded Polystyrene on July 6th, 2008
    Expanded Polystyrene insulation is made from small beads of polystyrene that are heated to expand them.

    title tag: 'Insulation' tag: 'Insulation' (3)

    Insulation ~ Glass Fibre on November 26th, 2009
    Similar to mineral wool insulation, glass fibre is one of the most common forms of insulation in the UK - everyone knows that rough, itchy,...

    title tag: 'Insulation' tag: 'Insulation' (3)

    Insulation ~ Extruded Polystyrene on December 23rd, 2009
    Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) is made by mixing polystyrene and a blowing agent under pressure and then forcing the resultant fluid through a die.

    tag: 'Insulation' tag: 'Insulation' title (3)

    Insulation ~ Polyurethane on February 16th, 2009
    Often abbreviated to PU, Polyurethane is usually applied as a foam insulation sprayed onto the underside of roof rafters.

    title tag: 'Insulation' tag: 'Insulation' (3)

    Posted in Insulation | 1 Comment »

    Windows

    Category: Barn Conversion Journal July 21st, 2008 by mbc

    We have windows and a couple of doors, both big and small and all of them white. They’re not all in yet, but we’re getting there.

    a new white window…

    The windows are hardwood and were hand-made relatively locally from (sustainable we are told) African hardwood.
    I never intended to go for hardwood windows - softwood seemed [...]

    Posted in Barn Conversion Journal | 1 Comment »

    Insulation

    Category: Insulation July 15th, 2008 by mbc

    From a full Passivhaus design to a simple loft conversion the effective use of insulation has never been more high profile. One of the key features of current renovation and new building design is the effective utilisation of insulation to minimise heating requirements. Whilst in the UK we historically tended to think of insulation in [...]

    Posted in Insulation | 9 Comments »

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