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Rodger O’Connor of ROC Energy explains when it makes sense to apply for an energy grant from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, including: Favourite More
Working with concrete to make your floors requires a bit of prep, to protect it from the weather and from chemical or environmental conditions. In this article we cover: Defects in concrete can occur because of chemical and environmental conditions, construction or workmanship issues, or unexpected loading. A gradual loss of performance is usually described […] More
Some common mistakes tend to crop up on site when working with concrete; here’s what most commonly causes construction issues in Ireland. In this article we cover: Many problems with concrete can be designed out during the design phase. If the design and specification processes are properly carried out, it’s then down to the contractors […] More
Find out what type of concrete is suitable for the job at hand. In this article we cover: Specifying the concrete you’re going to be using can be a complex task, with five main methods for compiling the specifications. These are known as designated, designed, prescribed, standardised and proprietary. Every project has different requirements, so […] More
Dr Ciara Ahern chats about what energy upgrades and if they’re worth doing, issues people are having with heat pumps and heating systems and what can be done about it, plus what changes we can expect coming from Europe in relation to energy and the building regulations. More specifically, she covers: Favourite More
Here’s what you need to know to build structural timber floors, starting with understanding the potential strength of this renewable material. In this article we cover: Building our homes up off the ground is standard practice in the majority of the world’s wet or humid countries. It protects us from rising damp and rainwater runoff […] More
In this episode, David Magnier chats about his self-build in Co Wicklow: Favourite More
NI was the worst performing region in the UK for workmanship on new builds while in ROI contractors that work with the energy grants continue to underperform, prompting the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to provide further training and supports. In this article we cover: NI builders were found in breach of good practice […] More
Gavin Millar of BPC Ventilation chats through the benefits of heat pumps and MVHR, including: Favourite More
What floor screeds are, how they’re most commonly installed in Ireland today and what to watch out for on site. In this article we cover: The screed is the upper layer of the floor ‘sandwich’ upon which the flooring is laid, so it must be finished level, flat and dry. Incidentally (and I have seen […] More
A solid ground floor relies on the existing ground underneath to support it; this is how they’re made. In this article we cover: A solid ground floor should not be confused with the similar term solid floor which generally applies to any floor construction that does not contain hollow spaces or voids. Just to complicate […] More
By planting out your garden with winter in mind, the starkness of those shorter days won’t seem so bad. In this article we cover: Winter can be long, but it is not boring or still when you plant it with life. And if you bed out with seasonality in mind, you will have a sustainable […] More
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