1st fix and appendix

I started a blog last weekend but the computer got stuck trying to upload pictures so I gave up. It's now been a couple of weeks since i've posted anything during which time Nick has parted company with his appendix! The useless appendage started giving him some trouble a few weeks ago and was finally removed last Saturday. Recovery is going well.

Quite a lot has happened with the house. On the exterior JoJu have completed the roofing system that goes under the panels and much of the house has been battened. All the windows that fit are in! We seem to have lost a few centimeters in the centre section so the 1st story windows here won't fit without some adjustments. Ian should be contacting SIPs UK to discuss, well find out progress this afternoon when he meets Nick.

Inside, plumbing and electrics 1st fix (bits to go in before plasterboarding) are mostly finished and the 1st floor underfloor heating pipes are installed.

Hospital admission for your birthday? Yes, please!

The small living area windows looking out towards the pond/tennis court. Front door stacked on the right. 

And from the outside ... it's a bit hard to see from the pictures but there is a sort of reverse bay here. The middle section is set back into the house creating corner window seats on the inside and a central recess for a seat on the outiside. 

Upstairs a reflective membrane on the floor will reflect the heat from the under floor heating pipes upwards. On the left you can see the clerestory windows that run the length of the house at the front. 

Gotta go xmas shopping now. Hope you're all looking forwards to festivities? I'm off work. Can't wait :-)

Windows delivery

Today saw the arrival of our windows. Very exciting!

It seems like a long time ago when we did our windows shopping. We priced up some of the more expensive elements of the house about a year ago to try and get a handle on the budget, so got a load of windows quotes in and chose a company we liked way back then ...

We wanted (and have got) timber, triple glazed windows. British built would have been nice but doubled the price so Greensteps is the company we have used in the end. Their price was very good, the product and hardware seemed good quality when Nick paid them a visit and they have been very responsive and helpful to all our enquiries. The windows are inwards opening, which is usual in northern Europe, and apparently gives a better seal - it will be interesting to see how we go with those. They are made in Latvia I think, or Lithuania. I was just looking on their website to see which and found a 'making of' video. Doesn't seem to say were the factory is though :-/

Windows! It's dark inside the house at the moment because it's all wrapped up - including the window openings. You can see the blue internal membrane behind the windows, for airtightness. 

Our big sliding doors that will look out the back of the family/living room.

We have another large opening between the main living room and the green house where we have sliding/folding doors - something Greensteps don't do. They are much less airtight (as Greensteps rightly pointed out) but we felt we could afford slightly reduced performance here as the greenhouse will buffer these windows from the elements. So we have splashed the cash and ordered some swanky double glazed doors that will open right out. Should make a lovely big space in the summer. Still awaiting delivery of these.