Wednesday 11 January 2017

Bungalow workshop build stage one

The bungalow is up to 3.3m wide at its widest point. Which means we need to use 3.5m lengths for the roof joists and they're not so easy to just pick up at the local merchants. While we're waiting to collect these from Wenban Smith, we've been getting on with the "smaller" half of the build.

Despite the bright sunshine, it remains bitterly cold - and the wood is still wet from standing outside in the rain - it's going to take a bit of drying out before we even think about putting an outer skin on!


The frame for the patio doors fits quite snugly (there'll be another piece strapped to the horizontal to fill the gap at the top). The final slope of the roof is now set (the roof joist will be a solid length, not that piece with the nasty join in it - that was only to get the angles right). We wanted a fairly flat roof, and to make it pretty solid and sturdy, so that it can be walked on in the Autumn (to collect the apples off the tree). Just check out how high that tree is! That's a 2.5m roof. I'm 6' 4" and I can only just reach the very lowest branches, even on my tippy-toes!



If nothing else, having the bungalow where it is means collecting the apples will be a doddle this year.


[EDIT: next day]

After checking the prices with various local suppliers, I found that Chandlers at Hove Lagoon couldn't be beaten on price (and quality). Their 3.6m rafters for the roof (75mm x 47mm or 3"x2" for you old-school types) are fully equalised (planed and rounded) and pressure treated for less than a fiver a length! That's less than the rough-cut 2.4m lengths from B&Q (which were £33 for 6) and substantially less than nearly twelve quid a length that Jewson wanted for their similar timber (though only 3.3m long not 3.6m). For almost all building supplies (including stuff I've already bought) they're cheaper than most other providers.

Though, for some reason, I can't find anyone selling OSB3 sheets (18mm thick) cheaper than B&Q (http://www.diy.com/departments/osb-3-board-th18mm-w1220mm-l2440mm/27593_BQ.prd)

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