|
Welcome to Irish Association Of Self Builders
Coming Soon,
CD Rom version of Iaosb.Com
Following recent comments regarding the problems with dial up connections and lack of assistance from ISP providers we will be launching a CD Rom version of Iaosb.Com.
The benefit of the CD Rom would be the speed of page transfer and also helps visitors who wish to view the information in areas where there is no access to an internet connection.
As with the printed version, the CD Rom version will be copied onto the disc as of the date of request, therefore all the information will be upto date.
Just when you thought that you had budgeted for all of the extra costs of building a new house or adding an extension to an existing property another cost lifts its ugly head, The Development Charge. More.......
The Government has concluded its examination of carbon energy tax proposals and has decided not to introduce such a tax according to the Minister for Finance, Mr Charlie McCreevy, T.D. More.......
Natural Energy,
Once again we are being told that the cost of electric units are being increased by the ESB and the price of oil and gas is going up and up and up.
We know that unlike other countries there is no incentives for the self builder from the Irish government to go the green way on the choice of electric and heating systems but it is coming to a situation that if you are building a new home or even renovating an old one you should seriously consider the energy saving methods. There is no question about it that it will cost you a bit more at the begining but the overall cost in a long term will justify it.
We are sure that there are a few self builders that will think “ we are not planning to be in this house for the rest of our lives, so the long term cost does not matter”. For those self builders we would like you to consider this, after you have finished living in your house and you would like to see a return on your investment, you will put your property on the market and it has to compete against other houses for sale. When it is time for the house hunters to make a decision on “which house” on the market, you can be sure that they will go for the one with less running cost for the space provided.
For the rest of us, do remember that it is also our planet that we have to protect and we all have to do our share to save it.
Go Green
Insulating Concrete Formwork (IFC) System; 
An insulating concrete formwork (ICF) system, is based on large hollow lightweight block components that lock together without intermediate bedding materials to provide a formwork system into which concrete is poured.
Once set, the concrete becomes a high strength structure and the formwork remains in place as thermal insulation, with u-values ranging from 0.30 w/m²k down to 0.11 w/m²k - ideal for zero energy buildings. The building process is quick, tidy and precise, with lower labour and equipment requirements than alternative methods.
To find out more go to : Insulating Concrete Formwork
Water Table
If you start digging for the percolation test or for the foundation of your house and you see water filling the trenches, the chances are that you might have a problem with the water table in that area.
To find out more go to: Water Table
Stone buildings;
The effect of natural stones is getting more and more popular in buildings in Ireland. As a rule most of us like the traditional look on the outside of the building and stone buildings usually get the nod from the planning departments.
So, what is involved in having the stone effect walls?
The first thing you have to remember is that if you are having natural stones, you need to make sure that the foundation is wide enough for the extra layer of the stone wall, therefore heavier load requires wider support. On average, the approximate cost of natural stone including the stone mason is €130 per square meter. (depending on the type of stone).
The other options are a stone effect tiles which are stuck onto the block wall to give the stone effect. They look and feel like stone but currently there is only a few options available as far the colours.
And finally, you have a product like bradstone walls which are blocks  with stone effect surface. This would probably be the cheapest option as the block layer puts the blocks up as usual but the final result looks the same as stone effect. The cost of the blocks are approximately €45 per square meter. Again, there is currently not a lot of options on the colour but we have been told that they are working on new range for the coming year.
October’s Selfbuilding Exhibition:
Self-Building, Extending & Renovating Homes
Galway Race Course,
Ballybrit on 29, 30 & 31 October 2004
www.selfbuilding.ie
Tip of the month
Always be prepared for upsets.
Even with the best planning, things do not always go as planned. In construction you will always come accross a lot of problems that you never thought could happen. The best thing that you can do is to expect the unexpected and when the problems do rise you can handle them much better without causing yourself a huge amount of stress.
|
