FIRST FLOOR EXTENSION. OPTIONS

I get asked quite a lot to provide extra accommodation to the first floor. This is due to a number of reasons from, The family growing or the existing children want their own bedroom and space. What I have shown below is a typical new 3 bedroom house having a master bedroom with en suite, airing cupboard and separate bathroom. As you can see from the existing layout the roof is over the ground floor garage with Utility to the rear and the roof over sails the Living room, Hall and cloakroom.
 It is ideal to build up off the existing footprint and usually cost effective and cheaper. I have shown three options that could be utilised within the growing family. The existing landing window provides valuable lighting to the top of the stairs, so by providing a sun pipe this light can be introduced into the scheme for the well being of the family.
 By taking away the old external wall outer leaf the new bedroom are made 150mm to 200mm wider which make all the difference. Also the wall to the top of the stairs can also be removed and hand railing Incorporated to open up the landing and get that spacious feel about the new layout.
  The new layout is all up to the needs of each individual family and their personal requirement. I have shown 3 possible ways of introducing extra  family space but the possibilities are endless.

Amazing Transparent Concrete

There are many ways in which this light transmitting concrete panels can be used. I wonder how You would use it in your home. According to the manufacturer 'World’s first commercially available transparent concrete Litracon® is a combination of optical fibres and fine concrete. It can be produced as prefabricated building blocks. Due to the small size of the fibres, they blend into concrete becoming a component of the material like small pieces of aggregate. In this manner, the result is not only two materials - glass in concrete - mixed, but a third, new material, which is homogeneous in its inner structure and on its main surfaces as well. Litracon® is a fully handmade product which results an exceptional and individual pattern of light in each piece.'

TIMBER CLADDING

                                                        Welsh Larch Cladding

The Larch House, The Works, Ebbw Vale

Grown in Pembrokeshire forests by Pembrokeshire Timber. Timber is usually imported but here we have a home grown timber. Larch is the most commonly used of the home grown timbers in the UK.  Oak and Sweet Chestnut are more durable options. Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar are acceptable alternatives. Other species may be used though their lower durability means they should be preservative treated before use. Welsh grown Sweet Chestnut can be supplied by Wentwood Timber.

                                                  Siberian Larch Vertical Cladding
Timber Cladding
is often used in Contemporary architecture and to break up expanses of glass and white render. But the array of options in material, profile and colour means it can suit the aesthetics of many a scheme . Specification should be given a thought as timber absorbs moisture so detailing is important.
The cheapest end of the timbers are softwood such as Pine and European White wood which needs to be treated with a preservative. The low capital cost is offset by the high maintenance involved in re applying a protective coating every couple of years. At a higher  price are the moderate softwoods and hardwoods (excluding sapwood) without the need for any chemical treatment and left to weather to a silvery grey with little or no maintenance required.
As a general rule the use of sawn-textured timber is recommended for cladding both aesthetically and because it will take and hold the penetrating stains better than finished timber

                                                          VERTICAL CLADDING





What makes timber cladding so popular in recent years. It is without a doubt the ideal sustainable construction material.
Carbon Storage
As trees grow they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use it to build their woody tissue. When these tress are felled and processed into timber, the carbon is stored until the wood product eventually decays or is burnt. Providing that new trees are planted as replacements for those felled, the use of timber does not increase the amount of atmospheric carbon.
Help in Meeting the Code for Sustainable Homes.
The use in timber in construction can help in achieving many of the performance requirements within the code, including credits within Mat 1, 2 and 3. Typically the use of timber in a low energy building can provide 10% of the total weighted score.
Low Carbon in Use
Timber Frame buildings can provide a great solution for the construction of an energy efficient fabric. Via timber frame you can deliver buildings with large qualities of insulation, improved air tightness and minimised thermal bridging.
Conformity with the Green Guide
The Green Guide has become the most recognised procurement guide for materials and systems. Nearly all timber products are rated as A or A+ within the guide.

                                                          Western Red Cedar

Timber Choice
Western Red Cedar
is among the popular softwoods used today which has a natural resistance to decay and moisture absorption. It can typically be installed without treatment if you wish to apply a finish, its low resin content can be stained or painted. One downside is that due to its low density it can be dented if knocked.
Douglas Fir
is another good softwood also grown locally but may require a coating to improve stability.
Larch
Home grown larch is denser than western red cedar makingit more resilient to knocks. Its availability in varying grades. Larch often requires pre-drilling for fixings so check with the supplier.
Oak and Sweet Chestnut
The temperate hardwoods, Oak and Sweet Chestnut are particularly hardy. Green Oak will weather with age to a silver-grey and no maintenance is usually required for 25-100 years. If however you want to keep the initial golden colour it will need regular treatment.
Both Oak and Sweet Chestnut contain high levels of Tannin which can leach out during exposure leading to dark streaks. The marks will however disappear after a couple of years weathering. Hardwood boards also need to be pre drilled before being installed.

Thermally Modified Timbers
In addition to the usual timber are an emerging group of Thermally Modified Timbers such as
Accoya
Thermawood
Kebony
Keywood
Platowood.
The process typically involves heating lesser durable softwoods such as Pine at high temperatures in order to remove moisture and resin and permanently enhance them. The timber may also be injected with chemicals. The result is a very durable and stable product.

                                                            Kenony Scots Pine
Profile
Both the direction in which cladding is installed and the Profile specified will have a big impact on the overall aesthetic.
Horizontal cladding will accentuate the width and Vertical cladding will accentuate the height. Some profiles can only be installed horizontally

                                               Board and Batten Vertical Cladding

                                     Ty Unnos with Welsh Sweet Chestnut Vertical Caldding

 
Credits to
Homebuilding and Renovating Magazine
Silva Timber..  www.silvatimber.co.uk
Vincent Timber  www.vincenttimber.co.uk