Is the Green Deal a Damp Squib?

Is the Green Deal a good deal for homeowners?  And will construction companies benefit from increased business because of it?

Opinions seem to be divided about this.

The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) insists that the Golden Rule ensures that householders utilising the Green Deal should not incur higher energy bills than they would have if the property was without the Green Deal.  However they hedge their bets when faced with changes in consumer behaviour because after all, the government can't legislate for that.  So they say. 

So it might be a good deal for homeowners, especially those who are not considered to be 'low users' (people who have already undertaken efficiency changes in their behaviours).

But what about the construction industry?  Will it see any benefits and when?

The FMB chief executive, Brian Berry, was quoted on EnergyLiveNews as saying that:

“A survey of our members reveals that 70% of FMB building companies do not believe that the Government’s proposals are technically, functionally or economically feasible to implement for most domestic extension projects.”

Does the FMB member response underline a lack of understanding about building in an energy efficient way?  I am curious as to why the proposals are not technically or functionally feasible.

I think the UK Green Building Council's blog takes a balanced view of the situation and its worth reading their piece on it.  The recent media hoopla about the so called 'conservatory tax' is naturally inflammatory.  But as the UKGBC points out,

At a basic level, they are something of a quid pro quo, the likes of which are common in building regulations. When households undertake something like an extension or loft conversion, they are increasing the energy footprint of their properties. These news rules are therefore built around a premise that if you’re doing something fundamental to your house that makes it more power hungry, you should do something that redresses the balance – such as improve their insulation, upgrade an old boiler or add better heating controls.

Seems sensible. But the Green Deal isn't just about the new proposals made by Andrew Stunnell at DCLG.  Is the rest of the sentiment behind the legislation that contentious?

What you think?  Are you a builder or otherwise part of the construction industry?  Do you think you stand to benefit commercially from the Green Deal?  Let us know @SMART_Build4

Best wishes,

 

EcoBuild Day One...what we saw.

Morning!  Just getting ready to head off to EcoBuild Day 2 but wanted to drop these in first.

First day at ExCel had a bit of a buzz on!  People were queued up outside all the hall entrances waiting for the show police helpers to let them through. 

I did a few hours on the CAP'EM stand and met some really interesting people.  A lady from Colombia who is hoping to replicate a CAP'EM style of eco-material assessment for South America, a Belgian designer trying to make insulation out of wood waste and a man from East Anglia involved in a really interesting retro-fit project.

Attended a brilliant seminar on Preserving the Fabric of Historic Buildings and then...I had a  wander.

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves!

So far I've loved the student innovation which is on display in the North Hall.  The '3D' artwork above was clever and shows up well in a photograph.  And the Thermafleece stand has an outstanding display of all the things that can be done with wool (see top pic).  After a day at EcoBuild, I felt like curling up inside one of the wool blanket covered 'O's and having a little nap!

Off to conferences on Collaborative Consumption and Green Interiors today.  Be on the lookout for some exciting blogging about an upcoming competition and to find out what the students at Huddersfield School of Art and Design are up to (think lightbulbs printed from a 3D printer...so cool!).

What are you looking forward to today at EcoBuild?

Best wishes,

Build4 is going to EcoBuild!

Good morning everybody! 

Just a quick note to say that we're going to EcoBuild this week.  We're looking forward to visiting other like minded exhibitors and ear-wigging at the seminars and conferences.

Come and visit us at the CAP'EM stand number N1160.   

Are you going to Eco-Build too?  What's the best part for you?

Have fun and let us know how you get on!

Best wishes,

Will you be at the Kent 2020?

Morning folks! 

 

CAP'EM and Build4 have just signed up to be at the Kent 2020! 

If you don't know about the Kent 2020, its the largest Business to Business event in the county and a really great day to meet the people doing business in Kent. 

We're looking forward to talking sustainable construction so come and find us in the Low Carbon Kent zone!

For more information about exhibiting or visiting the Kent 2020, Watch This Video! (Its really good...)

Best wishes,

If you go into the woods today...

You're in for a big surprise!  I was!  This month's featured product is timber.  And not just any timber but English Timber from the excellent local company English Woodland Timber.

A little background first.  English Woodland Timber saved Build4's bacon when they sent up a load of cut-to-size English Oak cladding for the completion of one of our installations just days before the centre was due to launch. 

English Oak Cladding (on the left)

For that, we are eternally grateful.  And the product is so beautiful, I invited myself over to see what else they had hidden away at their sawmills tucked away in the scenic South Downs of West Sussex. 

One snowy Wednesday I drove through the downs and this is what I saw...

The View from English Woodland Timber

English Woodland Timber is located in the most picturesque of settings, some might say that it is entirely appropriate for a business dedicated to a natural building material like timber.  The only neighbours seem to be those of the web footed variety...

The neighbours popped by for a winter walk

Sarah Farmer very kindly showed me around the place.  We started inside (since it was -3C outside) in the timber demonstration centre.  EWT received some funding from SEEDA to put together a demonstration centre showcasing different varieties of English Timber...

Hand drawn oak pegs

English timber Mock-Up

You can almost imagine what the tree looked like...

British Elm

Despite the cold, I was dying to get outside and have a look around the yard because that's where the story of the timber actually began.

It all starts with a tree...or at least with cutting down a tree...

The raw material

As a matter of interest, Sarah pointed out that this particular log's bark is indicative of a 'disease' that produces the most spectacular effect on the inside.  It is called Pippy and when the timber is sawn, the inside looks like this:

Talk about the character of timber!  Why would you use any other product?

The yard is full of the timber that has been sawn and is in the process of seasoning.  All of English Woodland's Timber has chain of custody attached to it and the system is so good that in most cases, you can pick up a tagged plank to find out exactly where that timber came from and who grew it.  It makes the whole experience feel more personal! 

Here are some of my snaps from the yard...

Wondering how they make the logs look like that?  Check this out...

This is one of their saws...

And this is another.  Check out that blade!

Once the logs are sawn, they go outside to season.  Interestingly, the seasoning process carries on and the logs dry out despite any weather they are exposed to.  They are then sent into the kiln which on a day like this was a dream at a sauna like temperature.  In reality, the kiln is brought up to 56C over the course of 2 weeks and then brought back down to the outdoor temperature.  Whatever the kiln temperature was that day, it felt like paradise compared to the great outdoors!

And once the timber is dried and ready to sell, it goes into the warehouse where people can come along and choose what they want.  EWT's customers are varied and so is their timber selection.  They have joiners/carpenters/furniture makers and many others who come along to buy their locally sourced high quality timber of many different varieties. 

On the day of my visit, Peter was busy with a cutting list for a furniture maker who was building a chest of drawers.  The craftsman had left a list of dimensions he needed and Peter was meticulously going through planks looking for the best place to cut the pieces from. 

The blue chalk marks are where Peter has marked out the best cuts for the customers needs

This man knows how to dress for the weather.  I love his hat!

I asked Peter where he learned to do this very detailed job.

I'm self taught, he replied.  I've been doing this for over 25 years.

Peter is not the only craftsmen at EWT.  I also met Philip who, in his spare time, has been helping kit out this building for a staff tea hut...

Just an average, run of the mill container right...?



Not quite run of the mill as you or I would think about it but certainly run from EWT's mill...

This floor was made from timber off-cuts from the mill



Philip is the man behind this 'warts and all' stunning floor (also note the framework for sofa's to relax on...).  If you want to learn a bit more about how this was made, go here.  It's definitely worth a read!

It's a rare treat for me to get out and visit the producers of eco-materials that we are showcasing at Build4.  Despite the cold day, this was a real highlight to my week.  The people at EWT are incredibly friendly and knowledgable but more than that, they know their products inside and out.  The difference between their timber and the timber you buy at a general builder's merchant is like the difference between night and day!

If your project needs special timber, ring them up and discuss your needs.  Odds are they will have exactly what you're looking for and it will be locally sourced to boot! 

Contact details here:
01730 816941
sales@englishwoodlandstimber.co.uk
http://www.englishwoodlandstimber.co.uk/

Thank you to all at EWT for making me so welcome!

Best wishes,

Making Headlines!

Back in December, we had the honour of a visit from two members of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).  Neil and Hayley came by to see how Build4 might be a place for their members to meet for training/seminars or meetings.

We gave them a nice tour and they took lots of photos.  And this month, they gave us a shout out in their member's publication Master Builder

The Grand Tour

Thank you for the press Neil.  We hope to welcome you and your members back soon!

Best wishes,

Back from the Monkey House

As I mentioned before, last week we had a project meeting in Apeldorn in the Netherlands.  Aside from the fact that the Netherlands is a splendid country to visit, our Dutch partners, Agrodome, laid on a brilliant meeting venue at Apenheul/Natuurhuis De St@art. 

Apenheul is home to 200 free ranging primates and is a conservation project started in the 1970s.  As a visitor, you can wander round the carefully created habitat and observe the monkeys going about their daily business. 

In 2011, Apenheul was augmented by the construction of a beautiful eco-building called DeSt@art which houses the offices of the Apenheul Foundation and Natuurhuis.  A well equipped educational centre is set up for visiting groups and part of that centre is one of Agrodome's demonstration centres.

Designed by the Dutch architects RAU,

'De St@art is designed to look like a gigantic wooden skeleton that forms a binding element between the Apenheul and Park Berg en Bos. The arrival of the building will introduce a new trail that runs through the park to the entrance of the Apenheul. To emphasise the perception of nature, parts of the building, such as the auditorium, have been constructed underground as much as possible'.

For more information and professional images of the building go here

These are just a couple of the images that I captured on our tour:

Their underground auditorium had fantastic acuostics because of the specially designed timber walls:

And Agrodome's demonstration centre, which is located on the ground floor with a lovely view of the grounds is set up for visitors to have access to all materials on display.

Wall Mock-Up

Duurzaam Coir

Homatherm Isulation

My favourites?


Easy to build Green Wall- I might try this at home!



BioFoam Insulation- like a polystryene but plant based

Quick Install Bamboo Flooring (laid like carpet)

Just a reminder- all of this brought to you by:

Truly an inspirational visit.  For any more information about the Dutch building products on display, get in touch!

Until the next time...