How To Get an Organic Roof

One of the main pleasures of self-building or project managing the development of a home is autonomy; not least, autonomy over the ethical and aesthetic direction of the whole.

More easily put, if you want to boost the ethical and environmental credentials of a home you are building, one of the key considerations you might want to make is the inclusion of a so-called Organic Roof. Not only does the inclusion of grass or flowers on the roof of a property make up for lack of garden space and go some way to offset the carbon footprint, but it is also not to be underestimated in terms of contemporary appeal and wow factor. Added benefits include excellent levels of natural insulation and sound proofing.

Organic roofs are typically grass or meadow like in structure, and not surprisingly, with the ever increase in environmental awareness and lack of affordable garden space in big cities, are an increasingly attractive prospect for home builders and home-improvers alike. 'Green roofing' is an interesting phenomena, and although still relatively unknown, is undoubtedly gaining credence in the architectural and property development spheres. Far more than just a flash in the pan, high spun idea, organic or green roofs are very much a thing of the present, and surprisingly easily to implement.

If you are seriously interested in trying this out, a little research into the different options is of course required. For a basic self-build, involving a simple sedum grass outlay, this channel 4 guide to grass roofing gives you the insight you need to get started.

For a more ambitious, tailored organic roof, consider employing the expertise of a specialist company such as organicroofs.co.uk. They will provide you with a quote and take you through all the planting options, allowing you to budget and plan, in sympathy with the rest of your project. If you are unsure what you want, take a look at their case studies for inspiration, and don't forget to surf the net to see what else is out there.

To maximize the ecological benefits of an organic roof, opt for seasonal wildflower, utilizing local species of flora.

 

The Importance of Using British Standard Cables for your Building Project

Before you understand the importance of using British standard cables for your construction project, it is important that you first of all understand what British standards are and what British standard cables are.

What are British standards?

These are documents that state the maximum and the minimum requirements for construction. The documents also state the criteria and the specification which should be used which serve as definitions and guidelines.

British Standard Cables

These are electrical cables that are manufactured according to the British standards.

Importance of British standard cables in construction

For any construction project, it is important to buy cables that meet the British standards. The following are some of the reasons as to why you need to buy these cables:

Since the cables meet the criteria for the British standards, you can be guaranteed that they are durable. It is important to remember that if you buy expensive cables for your construction project, and they meet the standard they will last longer. If they do not meet the British standards no matter how expensive you bought them they will not last as long. On the other hand, it is understandable that building contractors are on a mission to save money on their projects and might compromise on the standard of the cables. Cheap is always expensive especially when it comes to electrical cables.

When you purchase British standard cables, you will save a lot of time. This is because you will not spend a lot of time on repairs due to faults caused by poor quality cables.

Since the British standard cables are made of good quality material, the chances of the cables becoming faulty and in need of replacement within a short time are minimal. Thus you won't have to spend money on endless repair projects and replacements. This is because the cables are able to withstand a number of things including frequent fluctuations in the electric current.

Low quality products which do not meet the British standards stand a chance of complete destruction when they are subjected to the extreme of things such as high voltage. On the other hand when the British standard cables are subjected to high voltage, they might get damaged but not completely beyond a repair.

The cables which do not meet the British standards are risky to use in your building project because they can become faulty and cause accidents that could have been prevented in the first place. They can easily cause electrical fires which could be avoided. Cables that meet the British standard on the other hand are safe to use and less likely to expose anyone to injury.

When you purchase the standard cables, you will avoid liability exposure. This is because when an electrical fire occurs and it turns out it was because of the use of substandard cables, you stand a chance of loosing large amounts of money over law suits.

British standard cables meet the legislation standards of the environment. When you purchase these cables, you will also partly meet the environmental standards in your building project.

Constructing a Steel Garage

A steel garage may come in a variety of colours and styles. These buildings may be used in various applications including agricultural, residential and commercial use. Although steel garages may vary as per the manufacturer, generally the basic approach to building them is similar. The structure may be completed in the same manner as wood garages using materials such as shingles for covering the roof or wood siding or aluminium on the walls.

A steel garage may be an excellent addition to one's property. They are fairly inexpensive, sturdy, easy to erect, long lasting and versatile, therefore they may be modified to size in order to include either a workshop or any other feature. They come in kits together with building instructions and require a solid foundation most preferably poured concrete, however the other tools will be already in the work kit of the homeowner.

Many communities have their own regulations about steel buildings, so ensure to check with local zoning and building authorities before you start. It can be helpful to carry along the product specifications you are considering prior to making a purchase as this will allow you to install the garage which meets your personal needs and also satisfy building codes.

Measure and then mark the steel garage perimeter using builder's twine and stakes as per the garage kit specifications. Measure diagonally then compare the distances. If the two diagonals are similar, the construction site is square. Depending on the recommendations of the manufacturer, excavate 8-12 inches for a foundation. Build wooden forms with 2x6 or 2x4 boards for concrete depending on the recommended depth of the foundation and this should be staked safely in place. Check the building square. Using a mechanical or hand tamper, compact the soil. Lay down gravel about 4-6 inches depending on the depth recommended and compact using a tamper.

To the apex of the wooden forms, pour concrete and then level using a long board. Smoothen using a trowel and also concrete finishing tools. Put anchor bolts upright inside the concrete as the instructions recommend. The bolts must be delivered with the kit. Use oil to coat the tops of the bolts to prevent the concrete from getting inside the threads. These should be accurately placed to match the holes in the underside rails of the walls. If you are not sure of the measurements then create a wood pattern in order to line up these holes accurately.

Lay out steel components in their planned spaces for ends, roof and side walls. A number of manufacturers recommend assembling the walls and then erecting them as one unit, fastening them in an upright position using anchor bolts. Others recommend bolting in place bottom nails and then adding top and side frames and finishing with siding. Ensure you follow the directions and erect all the four walls and then fasten together as per the directions on the kit.

Install roofing as per the kit directions. A number of kits have steel rafters which are then covered with panels. Others may be having pre-built roof panels which are lifted then bolted in place. Fix doors as per the directions on the kit.