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Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
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Housing - Renovation: Opportunity to renovate an old building

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthorian
    • CommentTimeMar 17th 2007 edited
     
    Hi, I am currently working doing day to day maintenance at quite an old building in Birmingham city centre. It's actually a collection of buildings - a cottage and 2 warehouses combined. The building is owned and run by Birminghams local Friends of the Earth group. It's kind of a community centre for environmentalists who are very interested in applying some green building in practice.

    Okay here's my question to the forum.

    We are in need of some fairly large building repairs but have neglected to plan long-term for this(naughty naughty). So not wishing to miss any golden opportunities is anybody available to quote or give some advice on the following 2 jobs

    1 - New flat roof (70 Msq)
    My thoughts on this were - EPDM membrane, polyurethane insulation, and maybe sedum/turf on top
    Our budget will be limited and I'm unsure as to whether any local roofers will be able to do the sedum/turf option
    2 - External cladding and insulation of an exterior wall. (100Msq, only 2 windows on upper floor)
    Again polyurethane then maybe some welsh grown red cedar cladding. This wall has no pointing and is suffering from damp. About 20 yrs ago an adjoining warehouse/factory was demolished whic was originally built against it.

    Pictures are provided in the following link.
    http://iansengineeringpage.org.uk/pics/roof/roof.html
    http://www.birminghamfoe.org.uk/warehouse.htm

    Also if anybody is passing through Birmingham city centre please feel free to pop in and check out our place.
    There's a vegetarian restaurant, wholefood shop, bike shop, meeting room for hire and more - all only 5 minutes walk from New St station.

    I have looked through a copy of the green building bible( I think it was called that - directory for green builders) but there was nobody in Birmingham and few people in the Midlands it seemed.

    Thanks - Ian Moore
    • CommentAuthorGBP-Keith
    • CommentTimeMar 19th 2007
     
    Watch your choice of grass roof membrane Ian.

    I'm a bit put off by EPDM as a membrane for grass roofs as I installed such a membrane here at my farm and in just ten years it has shrunk by over 300mm in each direction. That is significant as the roof is only 11 metres long x 6 metres wide. It has ripped itself off all the fixings and left me with the mammoth task of having to replace it. I think I'm going to go for a TPO membrane from someone like Flag. I thought about glassfibre but I've heard some bad rumours about that.

    Regarding your external insulation, you could use Rockwool in a timber frame attached to the brickwork and overclad with a breather membrane and the cedar.

    There always has been a shortage of ecobuilders in Birmingham. I lived there for almost two years in a tin cabin while I built the 'Centre of the Earth' at Winson Green because a local green builder could not be found.
    •  
      CommentAuthornigel
    • CommentTimeMar 19th 2007
     
    I used system platon on a turf roof 14 years ago and it has performed faultlessly in that time. I think its made of polypropelene.

    I also know of someone who has used a similar product called Oldroyd which I think is a TPO.

    Both can be diy as they are very easy to install.
    • CommentAuthorGBP-Keith
    • CommentTimeMar 19th 2007
     
    You're on the the right track there Nigel. I think Oldroyd is like Platon a rigid polypropelene on a roll. is it OK on very shallow slopes though like below 10 degrees?
    •  
      CommentAuthornigel
    • CommentTimeMar 19th 2007
     
    Oldroyd is distributed by safeguard chemicals. From memory I think you can use it below 15 degrees if you use additional sealant rolls on all the laps.

    They were very helpful to a friend who installed it and even sent someone out to give them free advice when they were installing it.
    • CommentAuthorian
    • CommentTimeApr 6th 2007
     
    Hi, thanks for the advice. I shall investigate the use of rockwool for use under the timber cladding as this may be a job which is done 'in house'. For the flat roof however this would have to be done by contractors and as they would hopefully be offering a guarantee they will likely only use materials which they really trust and are familiar with. That said we will have to assess the environmental credentials of the materials they use before we give them the job.

    Ian
    • CommentAuthorGuest
    • CommentTimeApr 6th 2007
     
    Ian,

    I know of a permanent flat roof system that should meet all your requirements. Its ideal for green roofs.

    Contact me at stephen_leigh@hotmail.com

    regards
    Steve
    • CommentAuthorJulian
    • CommentTimeApr 6th 2007
     
    Are we talking Roofkrete Steve? Ian I would definitely agree with Steve and will be using the same remarkable material on two areas of my house.
    • CommentAuthorGuest
    • CommentTimeApr 6th 2007
     
    Yes Julian. I was trying to be subtle with my post. :-)
  10.  
    sorry forgot to log in
    :bigsmile:
    • CommentAuthorGBP-Keith
    • CommentTimeApr 20th 2007 edited
     
    Posted By: nigelI used system platon on a turf roof 14 years ago and it has performed faultlessly in that time. I think its made of polypropelene.

    I also know of someone who has used a similar product called Oldroyd which I think is a TPO.

    Both can be diy as they are very easy to install.


    Nigel, what waterproofing system did you use under the Platon as this product and the Oldroyd product are only drainage components according to the manufacturers?
    •  
      CommentAuthornigel
    • CommentTimeApr 20th 2007
     
    Good quality mineral felt as used on flat roofs. - 2 layers.
    •  
      CommentAuthornigel
    • CommentTimeApr 20th 2007
     
    Posted By: (GBP) KeithPlaton as this product and the Oldroyd product are only drainage components according to the manufacturers?


    They are actually watertight and its unlikely the waterproofing will be used but it is advisable to have it.
    • CommentAuthorGuest
    • CommentTimeApr 20th 2007
     
    Thanks Nigel. Both are a little misleading in their advertising, it is not until you get the details that a separate waterproof layer is required. I guess it depends on the pitch as to how important another layer will be then!

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