Quinn lite block

deemy

Hi there, I was just hoping to get some advice if possible please. We are about to start an extension to our old stone built cottage. There is an existing kitchen extension - single story- at the back of the cottage already and we have just received planning to put a 2 bed 1 bathroom over it. At present, the outer leaf is block on edge and inside is timber stud. The timber stud has to be removed to take 2nd floor joists and roof. We are talking to builders at the moment and most are pointing us in direction of using a concrete block however one builder suggested using Quinn lite blocks. I'm not at all familiar with these tbh and wondering what peoples opinion are on these? I have searched the threads on here but still not sure Will they take the load just as well as a concrete block ? (We don't have an engineer, just an architect who seems indifferent to which block) And I've seen a few people mention having trouble with fixing units, plastering ect after..is this true? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. TIA

BryanF

We can't offer structural advice

But To answer your direct question, quinlites come in 3,5 & 7 kn strengths afaik, they are definitely a lighter solution and certainly have there uses. as regards fixings, what are you intending to hang of the wall?

Also I've got to ask:

Can you confirm with your architect whether his insurance covers structural design and certification?

Or ask has a structural engineer reviewed / checked/ specified the structural design

deemy

Hi BryanF, thanks for reply.
I'm sorry, I should have read all posts and I would have seen that structural advice shouldn't be given :-/ Could I be really cheeky and rephrase the question and ask ...does anyone know if they have been used as an inner leaf wall with block on outside leaf on a 2 story house with sound foundations?
For hanging ... I'm thinking kitchen units, tv and smaller items like mirror photos ect
I'm actually not sure at all about insurance tbh. Never asked, total novice here and a steep learning curve. This is something I never thought of. Thanks. We have paid the architect in full and hes finished with us. Don't think he will answer any more of our questions tbh. I have been trying to get in contact with him over last week or so to get more copies of plans to no avail
In his plans, the idea was to knock the whole present 1 story kitchen and rebuild ( mainly due to damp coming from leaking roof and down timber stud ) The builders we have got quotes from are following the plans and obviously charging huge amounts as pretty much a new build and tying into an old cottage but this one builder recommending Quinn lites is recommending leaving outer leaf.. treating it if necessary and build with Quinn on inner leaf....which of course is almost halving the price of the build.
If this is true, would we just be better off getting an engineer out to look at it and see if this is possible or trust the builder? I think I already know the answer to that I guess tho ( or should I go back and try architect for some answers...should he be also able to tell us this.? When I asked him a few weeks ago on last chat I asked would these be suitable, all he said was he never thought of Quinn lites and that was all he was saying , couldn't push him for anymore on the subject)

BryanF

So an architect did a sketch layout? Is that right?

Your kidding yourself if you expect the Internet to satisfy you that your building will stand up.

Your architect has given the design intent. He should deal with weathering, thermal & air-tightness etc if appointed to do so.

But you need an engineer to determine the support structure for your extension.

Could link to the plans( taking off the arch details)

deemy

I'm not sure what you mean by a sketch layout Bryan, sorry...clueless like I said. In his plans he has measurements ect and insulation thickness ect so would this be more than a sketch layout? There are no plug points, radiators ect .... he said he would include these in final drawings but didn't.
I would not expect the internet to give me a 'yes definitely go ahead and build with the Quinn blocks' but originally in the plans the architect has to knock the whole lot and builders quotes are going by this, bar 1. When I quizzed the architect a few weeks ago all he would say is 'I never thought of using them' and we haven't been able to get in contact since I'm guessing cause we have paid him in full and we are finished with him . Who knows..maybe he is on holidays and will get back to us...
He did give us the design intent but if something is going to cost almost half of what he proposes, then I have to look into it but being stupid with regards all this I thought Id ask if anyone else has been in a similar situation and built with these blocks. I can't afford to fork out a few more thousand to get plans re done ( however stupid that might sound for long term) ... And possibly after reading your reply, maybe an engineer is a must. I don't suppose anyone could give a guide amount on how much one would cost ? Thanks for reply Bryan F

Gumbo

deemy wrote: »

Hi BryanF, thanks for reply.
I'm sorry, I should have read all posts and I would have seen that structural advice shouldn't be given :-/ Could I be really cheeky and rephrase the question and ask ...does anyone know if they have been used as an inner leaf wall with block on outside leaf on a 2 story house with sound foundations?
For hanging ... I'm thinking kitchen units, tv and smaller items like mirror photos ect
I'm actually not sure at all about insurance tbh. Never asked, total novice here and a steep learning curve. This is something I never thought of. Thanks. We have paid the architect in full and hes finished with us. Don't think he will answer any more of our questions tbh. I have been trying to get in contact with him over last week or so to get more copies of plans to no avail
In his plans, the idea was to knock the whole present 1 story kitchen and rebuild ( mainly due to damp coming from leaking roof and down timber stud ) The builders we have got quotes from are following the plans and obviously charging huge amounts as pretty much a new build and tying into an old cottage but this one builder recommending Quinn lites is recommending leaving outer leaf.. treating it if necessary and build with Quinn on inner leaf....which of course is almost halving the price of the build.
If this is true, would we just be better off getting an engineer out to look at it and see if this is possible or trust the builder? I think I already know the answer to that I guess tho ( or should I go back and try architect for some answers...should he be also able to tell us this.? When I asked him a few weeks ago on last chat I asked would these be suitable, all he said was he never thought of Quinn lites and that was all he was saying , couldn't push him for anymore on the subject)

It sounds like you got your planning done by the Architect, but now you have no Construction Supervision.

Quinnlites can be used, in specific circumstances, taking account of roof load, possible roof load, loadings down through the walls and foundations used, and also how they are tied to the outer leaf.

Your Engineer, and only your Engineer can answer if they can be used on your specific project, do not let your builder guide you with structural elements, he has no insurance to do so.