Feeling Guilty slightly oT

[jocelyn plummer]

Have been to look at a new build. Interesting experience, sensitive Development, good room sizes, a few features, small gardens, all MDF and supposedly natural slate roof coverings, insulation unknown, all floor coverings extra----- easy maintenance ? Even our little Victorian Streets were new builds once. Ponders--- :roll:

 

[Flyfisher]

There should be no feelings of guilt when researching the competition. Just don't be too tempted by the dark side. :wink:

 

[AMc]

Have been to look at a new build. Interesting experience, sensitive Development, good room sizes, a few features, small gardens, all MDF and supposedly natural slate roof coverings, insulation unknown, all floor coverings extra----- easy maintenance ? Even our little Victorian Streets were new builds once. Ponders--- :roll:

If it's new (post 2006 construction) then it should have been insulated to meet reasonably strict Building Regulations Part L1A (IIRC).
That should mean substantially lower running costs compared to an equivalent house built a decade earlier - the 90's house near me have open chimneys which isn't possible any more. However the actual fitting of insulation makes a dramatic difference to the effectiveness and poor detailing can result in serious drops in performance - I was quoted 75% loss of efficiency with badly detailed solid board insulation

I have nothing against modern houses, but I have seen very very few that meet the room sizes and quality of detail in the period houses we've lived in.
I'd be very disappointed if it weren't possible to build a good, modern house and hopefully those will be the ones that become the period homes of the 22nd Century

 

[Feltwell]

New homes have their place of course. The problem I see with them now is that it seems not possible (or more likely economically viable) to build one without using insulated plasterboard on the walls to meet the building regs for insulation levels.

The use of plasterboard for the internal wall finishes always gives them a "stage set" temporary feel to me - not a solid feel like wet plaster on a brick or block background. I always get the feeling that you'll slam a door and the wall will wobble, like some dodgy old Austrailian soap opera!

My biggest dislike is the tiny plot sizes though - there are of course exceptions, but most developments are so squeezed onto the plots now, leaving a tiny space for an apology of a garden. Round here the trend seems to be to go up and build them with 3 storeys - the room sizes are better than they were a few years ago due to this, but you get a drive which an average car can just about squeeze on and a back garden about 10' deep at best.

But if we all liked the same things it would be a boring old world - and many people seem to like the "minimal garden to maintain" approach, it suits their lifestyle.

 

[robgil]

If I ever get the chance to build a new house it will have a timber frame , daub and lime plaster walls and a straw roof.

 

[Flyfisher]

I'd be very disappointed if it weren't possible to build a good, modern house and hopefully those will be the ones that become the period homes of the 22nd Century

I find it hard to believe that a modern house could not be built to a very high standard, though it does seem that economics is the limiting factor rather than any shortage of craftsmanship.

I assume that the 'new' period homes of the 22nd century will be similar to the self-selecting pool of existing period properties today that, in the main, have survived the ravages of time due to their quality of construction while their poorer quality cousins have fallen down or have been demolished.

 

[MdB]

New homes have their place of course. The problem I see with them now is that it seems not possible (or more likely economically viable) to build one without using insulated plasterboard on the walls to meet the building regs for insulation levels.

You have to have insulation. Nothing to say you have to have plasterboard. Our new walls have 100mm of Celotex in the cavity which was the important bit. We chose to put a layer of block on either side but it could have been anything suitably structural. Stone would have been fine (apart from the cost and difficulty in sourcing in our case).

 

[MatthewC]

New homes have their place of course. The problem I see with them now is that it seems not possible (or more likely economically viable) to build one without using insulated plasterboard on the walls to meet the building regs for insulation levels.

You have to have insulation. Nothing to say you have to have plasterboard. Our new walls have 100mm of Celotex in the cavity which was the important bit. We chose to put a layer of block on either side but it could have been anything suitably structural. Stone would have been fine (apart from the cost and difficulty in sourcing in our case).

Exactly. My Building Control Officer was very clear about Building Regulations. They do NOT say that you must do it in any particular way; rather, they say that if you do it their way then you will meet the regulations, but there is nothing stopping you from doing it in any other way by which you demonstrate compliance.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Well, at least I do not feel so guilty now. We just wanted to see behind the pseudo frontages, I agree that the gardens are somewhat short changed, but there is space between and around the dwellings. What struck us was the good ceiling heights, mind you our little viccy home has three layers of floors, so we've got used to low ceilings. Room dimensions were quite good with bigger windows than I expected .also a goood width to the staircase. Oddly, I can imagine a careful selection of my antique furniture in there.

Just really exploring all options bearing in mind our advancing years, it could make sense to free ourselves of property maintenance.
We also commented that if we were fortunate enough to find that elusive plot of land ( impossible round here) that a self build using our favoured building materials and similar footprint would be an amazing experience. Check out Bellway homes/Ampthill Heights. It should not be too difficult to pick out the 2 we looked at!

Anyway a lot can happen in two years, we'll probably end up in something characterful!!