New build

This is the roof of the summer house, i went a bit overboard really. Those are 6x2 treated. Btw, 6x2 doesn't always mean exactly 6 inch's by 2 inches its regularised down due to different cutting procedures basically it clocks in at about 147mm by 47mm, differs a fair bit. That only really impacts with joist hangers.

AA timber merchants in Ilford, a very well organised well run organisation run by a very nice guy called Paul. Your better off going down to a timber merchants and picking out timber, what you basically want to look for is straight lengths no bananas! everything comes in differing sizes, 2.1m 4.2m and so on. Basically timber these days is all mass produced and its all crap compared to what they used maybe 50 or a 100 years ago. That's of no concern really you use what you have access to. I used to send my orders by fax to this guy and his driver would bring them round, there's a post i should write about delivery's by the way. What I'm trying to do is not just give you technical knowledge but also trying to inform you of how to gain good local knowledge quickly.
So the keen eyed amongst you would notice the fact that there is insulation which has been covered, saying this would cause condensation and mould in the living space below since the condensation will have no way to escape when you cover insulation with ply on top. See blog on air filtration units

You may also notice that the roof looks heavy, its all 6x2's and a lot of them normally 4x2's and not as many. Now here's something not all of you will be aware of the wall plate that the joists rest on is made of concrete not 4x2 and i used a raft for a foundation :-)

Lessons to be learnt, you don't need to use 6x2's and you actually don't need to use so much metalwork but was having a lot of fun with this roof. If you wish you can send the plans to a roofing company who will build all the roof off site and deliver to you. I dont really see the point, sure its quicker but the roof below could take a direct hit. I suspect that as time goes by there is more and more pressure to create buildings cheaper and whats happening is that the cost of materials wont necessarily go down so the cost of installation has to be speeded up. What i find is that building regs are accepting more and more less quality. I had a building inspector just take a peak at this roof and he passed the entire building on the spot.

Bottom line is that new builds will no way last as long as buildings built in the past, not unless i was responsible for the new build.

I will do a blog on wood, hardwood, softwood and how to recognise good timber.