ᐅ Building permit application submitted / unresolved technical details / looking forward to suggestions
Created on: 20 Feb 2015 18:13
L
Legurit
Hello everyone, our planner has now submitted the building permit application and asked us to consider a few things (on one hand, they want to start with the structural calculations, and on the other, to compile the documents for the tender).
17.5 cm (7 inches) sand-lime brick or aerated concrete: so far, we preferred sand-lime brick because of its thermal mass. We were told the cost is roughly similar. Aerated concrete offers about 25% better U-value (in our wall construction). Sand-lime brick, however, provides better thermal mass and sound insulation (though the latter is less important). Interior walls will be built with sand-lime brick. Can anyone strongly recommend one over the other? (cavity wall with insulation and facing brick)
Recessed spotlights or regular lamps: this might also be relevant for the structural load. I did a rough calculation – if we have to count €60 (euros) per spot, that could add up considerably. Some say spots are not ideal from a lighting perspective either. I’m leaning against them, my wife is in favor. Is this just a trend, or is it truly better than regular fixtures?
Tiles or other floor coverings: we have mostly tiled the ground floor. Now the question is what to choose for the upper floor – I would also lean towards tiles here. We had briefly considered cork – does anyone have experience with that?
Ventilation: it’s almost certain we will have a decentralized ventilation system with heat recovery—most likely cross-flow (no inverter - I know the pros and cons, but we would probably never feel comfortable with a central system). Does anyone have specific models to recommend or advise against based on whether they can sleep well with them or not? We have already visited five houses with central ventilation systems to “listen” and talk to the owners. Three of them have the system on the lowest setting or turned off because it bothers them (which kind of defeats the purpose). Am I allowed to mention companies here? I have read something about Blue Martin – they are expensive and supposedly very good – but it’s always hard for a layperson to tell if it’s just marketing.
Ground-source heat pump: is deep drilling better or are horizontal/spiral collectors preferable? Is it possible to cool with horizontal/spiral systems in summer as well?
Additional cost for engobed roof tiles: we need to decide on roof tiles, but the building supplier wouldn’t give us price details (they said prices would be sent directly to the builder). Can anyone roughly estimate the extra cost for engobed matte clay tiles compared to non-engobed matte clay tiles? Is it worth it or more about appearances during the first year?
Thanks for your opinions and best regards.
17.5 cm (7 inches) sand-lime brick or aerated concrete: so far, we preferred sand-lime brick because of its thermal mass. We were told the cost is roughly similar. Aerated concrete offers about 25% better U-value (in our wall construction). Sand-lime brick, however, provides better thermal mass and sound insulation (though the latter is less important). Interior walls will be built with sand-lime brick. Can anyone strongly recommend one over the other? (cavity wall with insulation and facing brick)
Recessed spotlights or regular lamps: this might also be relevant for the structural load. I did a rough calculation – if we have to count €60 (euros) per spot, that could add up considerably. Some say spots are not ideal from a lighting perspective either. I’m leaning against them, my wife is in favor. Is this just a trend, or is it truly better than regular fixtures?
Tiles or other floor coverings: we have mostly tiled the ground floor. Now the question is what to choose for the upper floor – I would also lean towards tiles here. We had briefly considered cork – does anyone have experience with that?
Ventilation: it’s almost certain we will have a decentralized ventilation system with heat recovery—most likely cross-flow (no inverter - I know the pros and cons, but we would probably never feel comfortable with a central system). Does anyone have specific models to recommend or advise against based on whether they can sleep well with them or not? We have already visited five houses with central ventilation systems to “listen” and talk to the owners. Three of them have the system on the lowest setting or turned off because it bothers them (which kind of defeats the purpose). Am I allowed to mention companies here? I have read something about Blue Martin – they are expensive and supposedly very good – but it’s always hard for a layperson to tell if it’s just marketing.
Ground-source heat pump: is deep drilling better or are horizontal/spiral collectors preferable? Is it possible to cool with horizontal/spiral systems in summer as well?
Additional cost for engobed roof tiles: we need to decide on roof tiles, but the building supplier wouldn’t give us price details (they said prices would be sent directly to the builder). Can anyone roughly estimate the extra cost for engobed matte clay tiles compared to non-engobed matte clay tiles? Is it worth it or more about appearances during the first year?
Thanks for your opinions and best regards.
That is exactly our concern – tiles are not suitable for children. We also considered cork – I know it from a friend’s place, and it doesn’t look great there and has quite a few water stains – though it is very comfortable, of course. There is also modern cork with a great appearance, but it is naturally more expensive.
At the moment, we have carpet – the only thing that is certain is no carpet... it collects so much hair from our little ones, and vacuuming it always turns into a workout.
At the moment, we have carpet – the only thing that is certain is no carpet... it collects so much hair from our little ones, and vacuuming it always turns into a workout.
We don’t want printed cork either. We talked to a builder today, and he wants to know by next Friday what we are looking for. He said €25 per m² (about $25 per sq ft) for tiles is reasonable – that at least gives us a rough idea of the tile price range.
He also mentioned that he needs a list of any potential DIY work we plan to do. We might be able to handle painting, although my wife prefers to have the ceilings painted by professionals. We know someone who does electrical work as a side job – is that a relatively independent trade, or should it be included in the overall contract? Unfortunately, we’re not skilled in construction – do you have any suggestions for tasks we could realistically do ourselves, without experience or talent?
Also, there’s still the question about recessed lighting throughout the house – does nobody here use spots? It’s hard for me to judge how that would look.
He also mentioned that he needs a list of any potential DIY work we plan to do. We might be able to handle painting, although my wife prefers to have the ceilings painted by professionals. We know someone who does electrical work as a side job – is that a relatively independent trade, or should it be included in the overall contract? Unfortunately, we’re not skilled in construction – do you have any suggestions for tasks we could realistically do ourselves, without experience or talent?
Also, there’s still the question about recessed lighting throughout the house – does nobody here use spots? It’s hard for me to judge how that would look.
Your questions, BeHaElJa, seem a bit confusing to me. Why?
1. When the building permit / planning permission is submitted, the structural engineering plan and the thermal insulation certificate must already be included. So why is there still consideration about making changes to these points or possibly having to redo the application?
2. Are you actually referring to recessed spotlights (point lighting, accent lighting) or rather to downlights (general downward-facing lights)? The latter can indeed also be used for general lighting, and personally, I would always opt for a mix of downlights and regular light sources. It’s recommended to plan exactly where these will be installed BEFORE ordering the suspended ceilings, including their brightness and beam angle.
3. The price difference in materials between standard (what counts as standard for you?) and engobed clay tiles may not help you much, since these tiles might not only be engobed but also come in a different size. This means the roofer has to adjust the battens accordingly, potentially changing the price. My switch from concrete roof tiles to engobed clay tiles for about 200 m² (2150 sq ft) of roof cost me around 3500 EUR, which I consider reasonable for the added value (appearance, durability).
Good luck
K1300S
1. When the building permit / planning permission is submitted, the structural engineering plan and the thermal insulation certificate must already be included. So why is there still consideration about making changes to these points or possibly having to redo the application?
2. Are you actually referring to recessed spotlights (point lighting, accent lighting) or rather to downlights (general downward-facing lights)? The latter can indeed also be used for general lighting, and personally, I would always opt for a mix of downlights and regular light sources. It’s recommended to plan exactly where these will be installed BEFORE ordering the suspended ceilings, including their brightness and beam angle.
3. The price difference in materials between standard (what counts as standard for you?) and engobed clay tiles may not help you much, since these tiles might not only be engobed but also come in a different size. This means the roofer has to adjust the battens accordingly, potentially changing the price. My switch from concrete roof tiles to engobed clay tiles for about 200 m² (2150 sq ft) of roof cost me around 3500 EUR, which I consider reasonable for the added value (appearance, durability).
Good luck
K1300S
Hello
I would only consider recessed spotlights suitable for the hallway, bathroom, and guest toilet. I find them somewhat inappropriate for other rooms and would handle the rest as follows:
In the utility room, technical room, and storage room, something that provides good and even illumination – fluorescent tube.
In living and bedrooms, something that can be adjusted for different situations – a combination of wall, ceiling, and indirect lighting.
Olli
I would only consider recessed spotlights suitable for the hallway, bathroom, and guest toilet. I find them somewhat inappropriate for other rooms and would handle the rest as follows:
In the utility room, technical room, and storage room, something that provides good and even illumination – fluorescent tube.
In living and bedrooms, something that can be adjusted for different situations – a combination of wall, ceiling, and indirect lighting.
Olli
@K1300S: Neither the static calculations nor the thermal insulation certificate were part of our building permit application—but of course, they need to be submitted before construction starts. That’s exactly the point—planning before ordering the precast concrete ceiling. How many downlights do you have per room, or are they only in certain rooms? Do you still remember roughly what a single spotlight cost—are the €60 (around $65) realistic?
For the roof tiles, it’s just a question of whether they are glazed or not—clay will definitely be used.
@wrobel: Okay, several people have said that—so only in some rooms. I only know spotlights from hotel bathrooms—they usually have five installed. But I find it annoying there. One is above the bathtub and always blinds me while bathing, another is above the mirror and makes it impossible to shave because it casts shadows everywhere (from your own face).
For the roof tiles, it’s just a question of whether they are glazed or not—clay will definitely be used.
@wrobel: Okay, several people have said that—so only in some rooms. I only know spotlights from hotel bathrooms—they usually have five installed. But I find it annoying there. One is above the bathtub and always blinds me while bathing, another is above the mirror and makes it impossible to shave because it casts shadows everywhere (from your own face).
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