Surrey Homes | SH28 | February 2017 | Wedding supplement inside

More documents

Info

“Old buildings’ construction is rarely in a perfect condition, may have a limited life and is often different from what we would choose.” moves (e.g. with moisture, prolonged loading, tree roots, vibration from traffic). If you’re thinking of extending, therefore, remember to accommodate ground movement. Under old buildings, it has been loaded, so has settled, over many years. Under new buildings, it’s still settling, so, when new extensions are keyed into old buildings, differential settlement can tear the two apart. To prevent this, new extensions should be tied across movement joints so they can slide down as the ground compresses under its new load. Unless so accommodated, even half a centimetre of movement can initiate a lot of damage. Similarly, as cement is inflexible, cement-bonded repairs introduce localised rigidity, which often causes cracks – into which rain enters, but can’t get out. Another difference between cement- and lime-mortar is moisture-diffusion rate: lime absorbs water a bit faster than cement but dries out much faster. Most pre-1930 buildings have solid walls. Lime-mortar lets these dampen with rain, then dry out. Cement-mortar repairs, however, mean they can’t dry fast enough, and only do so through the bricks, eventually destroying them. Vapour-impermeable masonry paint has a similar destructive effect. Whatever a solid wall is built of, however, driving rain can penetrate through the tiniest of cracks and leave it wet all winter. Rain-shields (e.g. slate-hanging, timber boarding) over such walls can easily remedy this. These must be rear-ventilated so that condensation dampness (and leakage) can dry out. After 1930, cavity wall construction and cement mortars became the norm, although some post-war buildings experimented with solid concrete or concrete panels. From about 1950, breezeblock inner leaves became common, and (because breezeblock is lighter than concrete block) also interior partitions. Although considered to be an insulation material, breezeblock is actually a very poor insulator. It’s also radioactive (being made from foundry waste) and too crumbly to fix handrails on to. Insulation blocks came next (and from 1985 were normally required by building regulations): these are more insulating but also too weak to anchor handrails, and most kinds are from similar foundry waste sources, so are also radioactive. Being in the form of radon gas, this radioactivity caused little problem when houses were draughty, but it isn’t something you want in an airtight house. The breezeblock interior partitions are easy to demolish, but the exterior walls’ inner leaf is part of the structure. This leaves you with a choice: seal the wall’s interior surface (and accept loss of its moisture-moderating capability); build an additional solid-block inner leaf (good for thermal stability but shrinking room size); increase ventilation rate to well above PassivHaus levels (but not enough to be draughty); or buy another house. Before the mid-twentieth century, most roofs had attics. Although sometimes obstructed by A-frame trusses, most have enough space to use for storage or as sleeping lofts. Many are big enough to use as rooms – hence the fashion for loft conversions. Trussed rafters, however, became common from the 1960s and 1970s. These fill the roof-space, rendering it unusable without major restructuring. Moreover, as they’re made of flimsy timber sections gang-nailed together, they’re prone to failure if notched or damaged. Chipboard floors also date from this era and, like trussed rafters, are still used. These give off formaldehyde, which is a health risk. Most more recent (British) houses have tiny rooms. If you want larger (but fewer and multi-function) rooms, it’s worth measuring floor depths. Are joists (floor depth less 30-38mm) sufficiently deep to span between external or party walls? If so, you can demolish partition walls to improve layout. If not, you can still demolish partitions, but will need to support floors with beams, and probably posts as well – or just put up with small rooms. Recently built houses also typically contain many more VOC-emitting substances than twentieth-century houses. Being new, these are emitting at peak volume. As you’ve paid for all this plastic and glue, you may feel disinclined to rip it out. Or perhaps this is another type of house not to buy? Most older buildings were well built, with better quality timber than that available today. In Britain, however, few were insulated, and, although minuscule insulation requirements appeared after the war and increased in the 1970s, 1985 and 1995, hardly any were insulated to current (2006 regulations) low-energy standards. Most old buildings were also draughty. Additionally, few were rodent-proof. Typically, therefore, they’re solidly built but cold, often damp and sometimes pest-infested. Moreover, many have suffered depredations from time (including rot and woodworm) and bodging by ill-informed ‘improvers’. Also, with age, lots of little things that we don’t normally think of tend to wear out (e.g. lead flashings crack), roof tiles embrittle, brass plumbing fittings de-zincify, water pipes corrode...). Like old cars, once you fix one thing, another needs attention – an unending process. Nonetheless, old houses are usually cheaper to buy, often have more character than new ones – and generally were more soundly built. If there are structural faults, therefore, it’s worth asking “why?” What has changed since they were built? Keypoints • Buildings from different times were built differently, using different materials • Repairs will cause damage to pre-1930s buildings if they dont take account of this • Lime-mortar-built solid walls dampen with rain, then dry out. Don’t hinder this breathability by using cement or vapourimpermeable paint This extract from The Eco-Home Design Guide by Christopher Day was printed by kind permission of Green Books. Order your copy, for £24.99, from www.greenbooks.co.uk. Use the code WEALDEN30 for 30% off and free UK p&p for purchases from the Green Books website until the end of <strong>February</strong>. • Few older buildings were insulated, and most were draighty. Many have suffered depredations from time and bodging • Before draught-proofing, evaluate radon (and other toxic gas) risks • Extensions should allow for differential settlement with movement joints. They must not be keyed in • Most structural faults are due to changed circumstances wealdentimes.co.uk 68
• New builds • Extensions • Basements • Loft Conversions • Renovations & Refurbishments • 10 Year Guarantee • Free Site Survey and Consultations HAYMAN DEVELOPMENTS LTD office number: 01372 279175 mobile: 07943 640832 email: adambhayman@gmail.com www.haymandevelopments.co.uk
Page 1:
wedding Supplement inside Inspirati
Page 4 and 5:
94 94 HIGH HIGH STREET GUILDFORD GU
Page 6:
need extra space...? THE SALE -- NO
Page 9 and 10:
Contents February 2017 THE WINTER E
Page 11 and 12:
Unlock a New Way of Living
Page 13 and 14:
tel. 01483 268 555 www.rogercoupe.c
Page 15 and 16:
HERON GARDENS The Frenches Redhill
Page 17 and 18: 2. 3. 4. 2. 3. 4. 2. The Knoll Wher
Page 19 and 20: The Audi A4 Avant quattro. Take it
Page 21 and 22: ENHANCE YOUR HOME WITH A Bespoke Oa
Page 23 and 24: Maker in focus... Until Saturday 25
Page 25 and 26: Affordable, Simple and Safe: Motori
Page 27 and 28: ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE See the full
Page 29 and 30: ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Had enough wi
Page 31 and 32: Award Winning Care Homes Sussex Hea
Page 33 and 34: AMERICAN SHUTTERS Over 20 Years Exp
Page 35 and 36: Editor’s Letter I’m always envi
Page 38 and 39: milnersinashtead MilnersAshtead Vas
Page 40 and 41: Words: Jennifer Stuart-Smith Photog
Page 42 and 43: Irresistible comfort In our unmissa
Page 44 and 45: Above: Cooper stands guard in the l
Page 46 and 47: Art For Your Future McAllister Thom
Page 48 and 49: “We had a very clear plan: we wan
Page 50 and 51: WE BELIEVE In making things properl
Page 52 and 53: We head up to the studio on the top
Page 54 and 55: The Month of Love Celebrating STUNN
Page 56 and 57: LIGHTING Get a fresh look VISIT OUR
Page 58 and 59: This page: The bathroom features a
Page 60 and 61: TWO FLOORS OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR LI
Page 63 and 64: This page: The master bedroom. Jame
Page 65 and 66: Ancona cushion cover, £8, PASX pas
Page 67: Eco Redefined Christopher Day expla
Page 71 and 72: Pre-book discounted tickets online
Page 73 and 74: Tickets on sale now Ticket Hotline:
Page 75 and 76: Wise Owl Cider Dry slightly sparkli
Page 77 and 78: Fresh Touch When Peter and Murielle
Page 79 and 80: Previous pages: In the orangery, pa
Page 81 and 82: schmidt-kitchens.com schmidt-kitche
Page 83 and 84: Above: The kitchen has been extende
Page 85 and 86: SHOWROOM OPEN MON - SAT 9AM - 5PM T
Page 87 and 88: Above: The music room walls are pai
Page 89 and 90: The Big Shutters Sale Visit us onli
Page 91 and 92: Previous page, top left & right: Th
Page 93 and 94: ExpEriEncE a rEal diffErEncE Upper
Page 95 and 96: Top: A guest room, painted in F&B
Page 97 and 98: the perfect show for planning your
Page 99: Weddings A Surrey Homes Supplement
Page 102 and 103: Butterflies & Bows Flowers, Balloon
Page 104 and 105: Pure form Photos: David Merewether
Page 106 and 107: Telephone 01737 226569 69 High Stre
Page 108 and 109: Pronovias Alana dress, £1600, The
Page 110 and 111: WEDDING & ETERNITY RINGS AT PRESTON
Page 112 and 113: Silk cami, from £120, silk kimono,
Page 114 and 115: Classic Car Hire is a privately own
Page 116 and 117: Experts in Luxury for Your Special
Page 118 and 119:
skinade.com Beautiful skin from the
Page 120 and 121:
SH Wedding Supplement sponsored by
Page 122 and 123:
WINNER Food and Drink Innovation Fo
Page 124 and 125:
WT Wedding Supplement La de da! vin
Page 126 and 127:
Cookery Courses ■ Chef’s Table
Page 128 and 129:
CHARLIEBROWN COLOUR SALE UP TO 50%
Page 130 and 131:
Our clients range from age 8 to age
Page 132 and 133:
Beauty Fresh in February freeimages
Page 134 and 135:
thinkaction Surrey Help is always n
Page 136 and 137:
Antique & Collectors’: 15 Februar
Page 138 and 139:
Garden pruning There’s always som
Page 140 and 141:
FOR ALL YOUR TREE SURGERY NEEDS ALP
Page 142 and 143:
HURSTPIERPOINT COLLEGE
Page 144 and 145:
Through learning, inspire all to ma
Page 146 and 147:
What’s On In February Children &
Page 148 and 149:
What’s On In February Weybridge K
Page 150 and 151:
LEEDS CASTLE CLASSICAL CONCERT SUMM
Page 152 and 153:
Jane Howard’s Fables from the Far
show all

Surrey Homes | SH28 | February 2017 | Wedding supplement inside

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?