best building methods in 2016

gooner99

What build did you go with, plan to go with, or recommending to clients in 2016.

Timberframe, SIP, ICF, block with EWI, block with cavity and internal slab, block with wide cavity, OTHER?

tedimc

I'm finalising a renovation, but if I was building from scratch I would go with a cavity wall, 6-8 inch cavity with 75-100 of cavity board.

Then pump the remainder with walltite. I would probably put the inner leave on it's flat. I'd only use cavity board as it would be too costly to pump the full 6 to 8 inches.

I'd also put in a basement!

B-D-P--

Currently going with
cavity walls, xtherm 150mm insulation, no inside slab. UFH and A2W.

Done a power of research and talked to few recent builds, Seems to be the best way.
My research showed Timber is not quicker, It doesnt take long to throw up some blocks and timber certainly isint cheaper.

gooner99

tedimc wrote: »

I'm finalising a renovation, but if I was building from scratch I would go with a cavity wall, 6-8 inch cavity with 75-100 of cavity board.

Then pump the remainder with walltite. I would probably put the inner leave on it's flat. I'd only use cavity board as it would be too costly to pump the full 6 to 8 inches.

I'd also put in a basement!

Interesting. I wouldn't have thought half filling the cavity with boards and then the rest with bead would work out cheaper than fully pumping it.

I'd imagine the bead would force any boards back to the inner leaf?

gooner99

B-D-P-- wrote: »

Currently going with
cavity walls, xtherm 150mm insulation, no inside slab. UFH and A2W.

Done a power of research and talked to few recent builds, Seems to be the best way.
My research showed Timber is not quicker, It doesnt take long to throw up some blocks and timber certainly isint cheaper.

Did see that xtherm products at the self build show. Didn't get a chance to get a close look. Is it the full fill boards your going with and does it have an Irish certification?

How are you finding them.I take it you went with the 150mm boards that it fits snugly in the 150mm cavity?

Are you using all the accessory items like the preformed corners?

tedimc

gooner99 wrote: »

Interesting. I wouldn't have thought half filling the cavity with boards and then the rest with bead would work out cheaper than fully pumping it.

I'd imagine the bead would force any boards back to the inner leaf?

Walltite is not a bead - it's a closed cell expanding foam basically. As it's closed cell (normal expanding foam is open cell) it's airtight and water resistant. It flows in like water and then takes a few minutes to expand and cure fully.

By using the boards, you are basically cutting down on the amount that needs pumping in, but still getting the air-tightness benefits. The walltite will also push the boards back tight to the inner cavity and fill any gaps. It will also expand in around windows, doors, etc. creating an airtight layer around them.

It works out about 3+ times the price of bead.

gooner99

Be sure and check out the product carefully. There have been reports of walls spreading and cracking. I asked one of them at the self build and he said the pump the foam at a slower rate to avoid this happening.

tedimc

I have already got it done and you are dead right - it could bust a wall wide open if put in too quickly or incorrectly.

There are only a handle of certified installers in Ireland for this very reason.

Another issue can be the cracking of new plaster due to the heat generated drying out the plaster too quickly.

gooner99

So I guess you need to hold off on the plastering for a while after installtion?

mrsWhippy

What are your thoughts on open cell foam in between the attic joists for improved airtightness?

delfagio

I heard this also regarding the closed cell foam fill that it can cause the block walls to push out and crack if not done properly. Wasn't aware there were certification for this in Ireland.

We built using SIP's. So we're almost a year in the house now and I'm still finishing rooms, odd jobs, painting etc. But overall very happy

insular1

tedimc wrote: »

I'd also put in a basement!

Why a basement? Always like the idea of a basement but never seen one in a new build in Ireland.

Johnnyhpipe

insular1 wrote: »

Why a basement? Always like the idea of a basement but never seen one in a new build in Ireland.

Every gym/cinema/wine cellar/sauna in Ballsbridge new builds is in the basement. Plenty of them around.

insular1

Would it be used much or at all in new builds outside Dublin where land is less of a premium does anyone know? Or is it not really worth the hassle/expense?

Johnnyhpipe

If you can avoid it then whats the point - unless you're mega rich! As a guide, if your house is costing €2k/m sq then basement area will work out approx over €6k/m sq

insular1

Ouch. Nope definitely not mega rich so won't be going that route 😂 For some reason I thought it might be cheaper! I've a lot of learning to do.

tradesman

gooner99 wrote: »

Be sure and check out the product carefully. There have been reports of walls spreading and cracking. I asked one of them at the self build and he said the pump the foam at a slower rate to avoid this happening.

Do you have a link to any of these reports?