Tree top views

Another site visit and more progress to see.  The roof deck has been laid and sealed with bitumen, ready to receive the tapered insulation and single-ply waterproof membrane.  The parapet walls are up to their full height, which gives us a really good impression of what the roof terrace will be like.  You feel like you're in the tree tops and the view is impressive.

At ground level the vertical timber counter-battens have started to be installed, ready for the addition of horizontal battens and finally cedar shingles.

The window company have been on site measuring up so not long now until it's weathertight.  Finger's crossed we don't get any snow in the next couple of weeks!

The view from the roof

The roof decking is laid and sealed, ready to receive insulation and single-ply membrane

Blockwork to full height on the front elevation

Timber counter-battens are the first step towards fixing the shingles

Last scaffold lift

A quick check on progress on Saturday was thwarted by the scaffolders working at the weekend!  We returned a few hours later and they'd finished the last scaffold lift and we could get up to roof terrace level.  The view is fantastic, over the tree tops to Dore Moor and the setting sun.  It also gave us a good opportunity to get some photos from a new viewpoint.

The study is going to be in the tree tops

At last we can see the view from the roof terrace

Roof terrace joists

View from the road

Roof Terrace

I had a meeting on site this morning with the sub-contractors who'll be responsible for the heating system and plumbing, including the air-source heat pump, solar thermal panels and underfloor heating.  One thing we need to do is agree on the best location for the solar panels, but it's hard to tell until the second floor is built and we can assess the overhanging trees.

The builders have made good progress this week despite the wet weather.  The roof level steelwork is in position and the joists have started going on.  This means that the proportions of the first floor rooms are becoming clear.  The main living space looks huge, but it does include the living room, kitchen and dining area, so it probably needs to be.

The next and final lift of scaffolding is due tomorrow which means we must be getting close to topping out!  It's all getting very exciting :-)

Roof terrace joists started

The main living space (seems huge!)

Internal exposed brickwork panel

The view from the roof on a misty morning

Upstairs Walls

We decided it was time for an update, but it's starting to get a bit too dark to be going after work.
The first floor walls are well underway with some of them up to roof level already.  The roof steelwork is being delivered later this week and it won't be too long now until we're topping out.

Unfortunately the builders are a few weeks behind programme so the estimated completion date is now in March next year.  We can't really get too upset as it's taken me long enough to get the drawings done!

Walls above first floor level

The cantilevered balcony appears to float

The back door and WC window