smaller than those in water droplets it lets moisture out but doesn’t let water in. It also helps improve the building’s air tightness. The membrane not only keeps damp out, it boosts thermal resistance, keeping heat in.


[


Newer types of insulation can achieve a very impressive U-value using much less space


of the building combined with installing renewable sources of energy will make reach- ing zero carbon much more achievable.


• Thermal bridging – compressible flexible products make it easier to reduce or eliminate thermal bridging as the insulation tends to be much more forgiving, leaving no gaps through which draughts could emerge.


• Cleanliness – are you happy to wear gog- gles and a dust mask? If not choose one which doesn’t generate dust.


Here’s a checklist of factors to take into ]


account when selecting insulation. Some of them may not be an issue for your particular project but they may include criteria that you hadn’t considered: • Footprint – traditionally it was believed that to achieve greater thermal performance con- struction depths have to increase. But newer types of insulation can achieve a very impres- sive U-value using much less space. If your footprint is small this is more crucial as the more space taken up by insulation the less useable living space you’re left with.


• Overall thermal efficiency – depending on the products chosen U-values can get pretty low. Stepping up the fabric energy efficiency


• Ease of installation – do you want to use special cutting equipment? Again, if you’d rather not, choose one that’s easy to cut with standard tools.


• Speed of installation – Some products are quicker and easier to install than others. If you are paying for labour by the hour or are doing it yourself but would rather spend time doing something else it will make sense to choose one that is quicker to install.


• Cost – obviously the cost of the materials and the man-hours together are what counts here. Also look at how much wastage is produced – and whether you will have to pay to have it taken away. Some products generate very little waste, others more.


• The performance gap – this is the difference between predicted and real life thermal efficiency. Some insulation products have been tested in both situations – which means if you choose one of these you should know, pretty much how effective the end result of the product will be.


Enq. 214 P NELAND FURNITURE LTD – 01299 271143 Belthorn from Shaws of Darwen


The Belthorn from Shaws of Darwen is a British made, fireclay ceramic sink which can be inset or undermounted.


It features the Shaws logo on the inside of the sink, has a central 3½” waste outlet for basket strainer or waste disposal and is manufactured without an overflow.


The sink works perfectly with granite, marble or wooden work surfaces.


Visit the Shaws of Darwen website to see the complete range of sinks, taps and accessories available.


Tel: 01254 775111 www.shawsofdarwen.com Enq. 180 Get to grips with the new range of hand saws


• 100% solid wood kitchens – no MDF, chipboard or ply • Dovetail jointed drawers – mortise and tenon joints for carcases • Free design service, individual, hand drawn plans • Non-standard sizes, at no extra cost, to suit your kitchens dimensions • Fully assembled units; no annoying flat-pack assembly • Straightforward, easy to understand costing: prices include VAT & delivery • Knotted, primed and painted units are now available


Pineland is a privately owned, family company that has been established for over 20 years. We believe in listening to our clients, and our hand drawn plans, reflect our customers desires and opinions. The final design combines well planned functionality, with elegance and beauty, and our clients are often surprised how all this can be achieved at such a reasonable cost.


Visit our website: www.pineland.co.uk Email: enquiries@pineland.co.uk Or call our offices: CLEOBURY MORTIMER, SHROPSHIRE: 01299 271143 NORTHWICH, CHESHIRE: 01606 41292


Enq. 179


As most discerning craftsmen know, Hultafors’ can deliver just about any- thing you need for measuring, leveling and marking; striking, cutting and chopping; even prying and wrecking. So these really are a range of tools that can handle tough applications, last for ages and feel right when you’re working on site. Now there’s a new addition to the Hultafors Tools’ portfolio – a range of premium quality Hand Saws – with a handful of unique fea- tures. So what makes these saws really


different? Take a look at the unique blade tip for an easier start and ongoing sawing motion; the easy-to-use blade exchange system; the extra-stable pre- cision blade; the ergonomic handle and the unique blade protection system.


Enq. 181 52 selfbuilder & homemaker www.sbhonline.co.uk


Self builders around the country share their insulation experiences with us:


Simon Day who built a build-to-let in Canterbury said:


“Because of the low U-values achieved I decided that gas central heating is not nec- essary. As I’m renting the house I can save costs on gas safety certificates each year. I was stunned at just how quickly the property warms up and how well the heat was retained.”


Isle of Wight boat builder Phil Clabburn who is building a home for himself and his partner by the sea, wants to protect his purse from the utility companies so he was determined to make a super insulated home.


“Looking at the project scientifically, I had some key objectives I wanted to achieve: mega insulation, low energy usage and low water consumption. This has been achieved by simple technologies, not com- plicated, expensive ones which consume lots of electricity.


“Air tightness is crucial. I’m not going to build a boat that leaks so I won’t build a house that leaks.”


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