Skill Builder meets Grand Designs as Roger Bisby joins Dan Cox on his exciting Kentish oast house project.
What is an oast house?
An oast, oast house or hop kiln is a building designed for kilning (drying) hops as part of the brewing process. They can be found in most hop-growing (and former hop-growing) areas and are often good examples of vernacular architecture. Many redundant oasts have been converted into houses. The names oast and oast house are used interchangeably in Kent and Sussex. In Surrey, Hampshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire they are called hop kilns.
They consist of a rectangular one or two-storey building (the “stowage”) and one or more kilns in which the hops were spread out to be dried by hot air rising from a wood or charcoal fire below. The drying floors were thin and perforated to permit the heat to pass through and escape through a cowl in the roof which turned with the wind.
The freshly picked hops from the fields were raked in to dry and then raked out to cool before being bagged up and sent to the brewery. The Kentish dialect word kell was sometimes used for kilns (“The oast has three kells”) and sometimes to mean the oast itself (“Take this lunchbox to your father, he’s working in the kell”). The word oast itself also means “kiln”.[1]
The earliest surviving oast house is at Golford, Cranbrook near Tunbridge Wells. It dates from sometime in the 17th century and closely mirrors the first documentary evidence on oasts soon after their introduction of hops into England in the mid 16th century. Early oast houses were simply adapted barns but, by the 18th century, the distinctive tall buildings with conical roofs had been developed to increase the draught.
At first these were square but around 1800 roundel kilns were developed in the belief that they were more efficient. Square kilns remained more popular in Herefordshire and Worcestershire and came back into fashion in the south east in the later 19th century. In the 1930s, the cowls were replaced by louvred openings as electric fans and diesel oil ovens were employed.
Hops are today dried industrially and the many oast houses on farms have now been converted into dwellings.
MP LETTER TEMPLATE (copy and paste)
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Dear [INSERT NAME OF MP]
I would like to bring to your attention a national crime wave that is affecting a great many trades people, causing many to go out of business or suffer mental health problems. The crime is tool theft, and it takes place mostly at night from vans.
Following a petition from nearly half a million tradespeople. The Home Office has looked into ways of tackling this crime and consulted with police forces but, despite this, it is on the increase and it seems very little is being done to stop it.
Part of the problem is that the stolen tools are being sold openly at markets and car boot sales and the police seem reluctant or powerless to prevent it. The crime of handling stolen goods used to carry a prison sentence, but it seems to have been downgraded so those selling the tools have nothing to fear.
The sellers of these tools need to be challenged to prove that they have legitimate rights to them. If the law prohibits such a challenge, then the law needs to be changed. The sellers of these tools should be able to produce purchase documents to validate their purchase from legitimate sources and if they can’t the assumption must be that they are stolen.
Quite apart from the huge cost and distress to the victims of this crime it is also being used to finance drug dealing.
At a time when we are trying to encourage and train young people to join the building industry the loss of tools serves a devastating blow to those people who are working hard to make an honest living. Many of the victims have been robbed several times and are no longer able to obtain insurance. They deserve better from the forces of law and order and from their elected representatives.
I sincerely hope that you will take up the issue with The Home Secretary and our local police force to see what more can be done to tackle this crime.
A heat pump is a relatively new technology in the UK although they are widely used in Scandinavia and many parts of Europe where there is an abundance of renewably sourced electricity.
A heat pump takes energy from outside and transfers it into heat to be circulated around a heating and hot water system.
A heat pump uses electricity to run the components of a heat pump, principally a fan, compressor and circulating pumps to transfer the energy from the heat source into the heat sink or heating system.
Roger compares OSB 3 board and plywood and gives his opinion on the best option.
OSB OR PLYWOOD?
(from Champion Timber)
OSB board and plywood are both hugely popular sheeting materials used in modern-day property builds. Whether they’re being used in wall sheathing, flooring or roofs, they both have their own particular suitability and also their own downfalls. So which is best to use in your project?
OSB board
OSB board was introduced in the 70s as an alternative to plywood for load-bearing building applications. It’s made up of layers of cross-oriented strands of timber and bonded with a waterproof resin. Their unique formation allows them to withstand high levels of stress. They are more often than not covered by layers of plaster and paint to achieve a polished look.
Plywood
Plywood has been around much longer than OSB board and was the favoured sheeting material until the cost savings of OSB became apparent. Flexible, durable and hardwood plywoods are suitable for a variety of applications.
Both OSB board and plywood are flexible and durable options for any project. They are ideal for property builds as sheet materials for walls, floors and roofs and are also great for use in smaller projects.
Environmental factors
OSB board is made from a FSC mix 70% timber, meaning that it is composed of a minimum of 70% FSC certified wood/pulp and the balance is controlled wood or reclaimed material. Plywood is certified as FSC 100%.
The majority of the time OSB boards are the cheaper option and for this reason, are now favoured in most building applications. However, when it comes to DIY plywood still reigns supreme – most probably due to the natural wood appearance of ply.
Keyfix is setting new standards in the delivery of Non-combustible Cavity Tray Systems for projects requiring Document B compliance in buildings utilising steel frame systems in the external cavity.
The innovative non-combustible A1 fire rated Cavity Tray system is a practical solution to provide DPC protection over lintels, masonry supports, soffit systems and other elements in the cavity such as fire barriers.
• Self-supporting
• Integral Stop Ends
• Bond / coursing adjustability
• No sealants required
• Available for all cavity configurations
1. Classified A1 Fire Rated
Manufactured using only Class A1 Non-combustible Grade 304 austenitic stainless steel ensures a lifespan of 125+ years for the entire system. For coastal locations, Grade 316 austenitic stainless steel should be specified to ensure compliance with relevant British Standards and Warranty Provider requirements.
2. Rigid Self Support
The unique design of the Keyfix NCCT enables the stainless steel tray to be self-supporting across the cavity and requires no support from the internal structure, eliminating clashes with other components. Standard trays can be used to protect varying cavity widths from 50mm+.
3. Requires no Sealants or Mastics
The Keyfix NCCT is the only Cavity Tray of its type on the market with a mechanical dry seal at joints. The patented ribbed joint overlap eliminates the use of any sealants at joints which removes the possibility of installation errors caused by onsite conditions.
4. Integral Stop Ends
The Keyfix NCCT incorporates integral Stop Ends on each tray to ensure water is trapped and channelled outwards via the Keyfix NCW (Non-combustible Weep). The integral Stop Ends facilitate perp joint width adjustability of +/- 3mm between 7-13mm if required.
5. No Thermal Bridge
Completely self-supporting, the Keyfix NCCT is installed in the outer leaf with no connection whatsoever with the inner skin and therefore does not create a thermal bridge or differential movement issues.
6. Onsite Simplicity
The modular system incorporating integral Stop Ends, Non-combustible Weeps, and prefabricated external and internal corner trays with ribbed joints provide bond /coursing adjustability and removes the need for onsite fabrication. Detailed component schedules and location plans ensure easy planning and ordering with stock available quickly via our extensive distribution network.
Van theft has become a growing concern in many urban and rural areas, driven by the high demand for commercial vehicles and their valuable contents. Thieves often target vans for their cargo, which can include expensive tools, equipment, or goods, making these vehicles prime targets for criminal activity. The impact of van theft extends beyond the immediate financial loss; it can disrupt business operations, lead to increased insurance premiums, and cause significant inconvenience for the vehicle owners. Enhanced security measures, such as tracking systems, robust locking mechanisms, and vigilant awareness, are essential in mitigating the risks associated with van theft and protecting valuable assets.
Snickers Workwear and EMMA Safety Footwear lead sustainable business practices in their industries.
With COP26 and environmental responsibility all around us, the ‘The Circularity Gap’ is very much in focus for Protective Wear manufacturers and users alike.
It’s so important that by embracing the circular economy, global greenhouse gas emissions could shrink by 39%!*
That’s why Emma Safety footwear is a leader in sustainability having created the world’s very first ‘100% Circular’ safety footwear range and Snickers Workwear is at the forefront of sustainability in the workwear industry by sourcing the highest quality, most hard-wearing products with as little environmental impact as possible.
The combined result is environmentally-friendly, ergonomically designed working clothes and safety shoes that are not only designed to meet the physical demands that tradesmen and women face at work but will reduce your carbon footprint too!
The Milwaukee M18 FFN, DeWalt DCN692N and HiKOKI NR1890DC framing nailers are out for review on-site for feedback from real builders who use nailers every day. Will they be willing to swap their Paslode gas nailers for the latest battery-powered machines?
Cutting heating bills can significantly ease household expenses and contribute to energy efficiency. Simple measures such as improving insulation, sealing drafts around windows and doors, and using programmable thermostats can drastically reduce heating costs. Regular maintenance of heating systems ensures they operate efficiently, while switching to energy-efficient appliances or alternative energy sources can also make a difference. Additionally, adopting habits like lowering thermostat settings when away or sleeping, and wearing warm clothing indoors, can further reduce energy consumption. By implementing these strategies, households can enjoy a warmer home while keeping heating bills under control.
ABOUT
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The Mica Action Group are concerned Donegal homeowners who have come together, following observation of unusual and severe cracking problems to their houses.
The group are seeking to secure a full government-funded, administered and implemented redress scheme for all owners of dwellings in County Donegal whose houses are affected by structural cracking caused by defective building materials.
Find out more about the crumbling homes of Donegal scandal.
Taking working comfort and layering systems to a whole new level.Â
The Snickers Workwear climate control system includes functional base layers, insulating mid layers and weather-protective outer layers.
These technically advanced working clothes allow craftsmen and craftswomen to adjust to changing weather conditions on-site so they’re always working effectively – with maximum comfort and protection.
Take the new FlexiWork Inverted Pile jacket for example. This warm and versatile pile jacket can be used both as a jacket in cooler conditions or a mid layer when the weather is more inclement.
Made of laminated polyester fabric with a furry pile lining for optimal warmth and comfort, its ergonomics also feature shaped shoulders for a great fit and optimum freedom of movement.
Hi-tech, advanced fabric technology like this is integral to all Snickers Workwear’s Base-, Mid- and Top-Layer garments for both men and women that always combine well with the Snickers Workwear hallmarks of best-in-class durability, comfort, ergonomics and fit.
If you’re serious about creating a truly sustainable build, the importance of understanding the entire supply chain when considering and making decisions about what materials, methods and products to use is critical. Bringing insight from Bradfords’ visibility of the entire supply chain we’re working with customers to help them tackle building sustainably from source to fit.
The whole carbon footprint of a new building or building project is split into that associated with the products and materials used, the construction process itself, and the through life use of the building.
What does that mean in real terms? As a rough guide, 60% of the carbon is embodied in the manufacture and logistics of materials and products. A further 10% is to the construction process itself, and 30% during the through-life operation of the building once you or the occupier is living in it.
The through-life use is obviously something that you live with every day for the duration of the time that you reside in the house. If you’re planning to build your dream home, or indeed a home that is built to last, then there’s no surprise that considerable thought is given to the efficiency and comfort of the home once it is built. It is totally understandable then that the upstream embodied carbon in the products through manufacture and transport to site – which represents the majority of the overall carbon embodied – is given less consideration when planning the build.. The choices you make on what materials to build with are made early in your project and represent a very short-term part of the overall journey you take.
If you want to get the fundamentals right from the start, know that all materials will have a history, and the positives and negatives will need to be weighed up for each. You also need to consider the design of your home, where you live and your lifestyle, all of which will have a big impact on determining what the most environmentally responsible products are.
Unfortunately, there isn’t always a clear answer as to whether or not something is a truly sustainable material. While it might be obvious that some materials cause more harm than good, there isn’t always one single product than stands head and shoulders above the rest, especially when you factor in cost and crucially that the products need to do the job.
These are the kind of factors you’ll need to take into account to establish what exactly constitutes a sustainable product:
Lifespan
How long before the product will need to be replaced?  Don’t be obsolete – you don’t want to have to retrofit your dream home shortly after you complete it. And think whole house. There are lots of shiny products which have great credentials, but do they work together, and do they actually do what you want now and for the long term?  Plan holistically and plan early.
Buy local
You may stumble across a product made from sustainably sourced raw materials, but if it’s being shipped from the ends of the earth, the embodied carbon created as a result of its journey to your build will tarnish the overall benefits.
Selecting a local product can have a huge bearing on the overall embodied carbon of your home both in terms of the build phase and it’s through life. Putting the right foot forward from the start and choosing a local manufacturer goes further than you think in terms reducing emissions that your materials create in their journey from the product line to your site.
There are plenty of options when it comes to UK manufacturers and many who create niche sustainable products with great performance for the job they’re intended.
Overall cost
Really think about whether or not you can afford a particular product. You need to be realistic. If you spend inordinate amounts of your budget on one green feature you might be cutting corners in the future that results in a detrimental green impact. Again, think whole house.
But look one step further. What’s the real overall cost? High-performance sustainable products often attract a higher initial cost on-shelf price, but you need to look at the cost saving for the life of the product when being used in your building. The benefits are often huge, and you should bear in mind the government incentives that either already exist or are in the pipeline when looking at the overall cost.
Recycled – and recyclable – materials
Purchasing products with recycled content obviously saves natural resources but purchasing products that are recyclable at the end of their – hopefully long – life will help save resources for the long term.
And what makes a sustainable material? Timber is usually cited as the ultimate sustainable material. At Bradfords we only source timber from suppliers who ensure that their forests are entirely sustainable; nothing is chopped down until it’s reached a certain maturity and there’s at least a like for like replacement growing. But take a look at those other products which come from natural sources and understand what the manufacturer does to mitigate the use of those resources, as well as the ancillaries like water and heat which go into the process of turning them into the products you want to use.
Giles Bradford
At Bradfords we’re working with our suppliers to ensure we understand the environmental impact of the products we offer and to explore more sustainable alternatives without compromising on quality. We’ll be making sure that our teams are given the information to be able to help you make informed choices, as well as launching our sustainability hub before the end of the year, which will be packed with information and guidance.
Being self-employed can be an incredibly liberating feeling, knowing that you set your limits and your working hours and don’t have to answer to anyone above you.
However, this freedom comes with its own set of worries too. The responsibility for any mistakes with your business lies with you, and that includes the mistakes of people you employ as well.
As well as this, it’s important to remember that you are indeed running a business and therefore need to treat it like one. This responsibility adds a significant increase to your workload and is a big trade off for the added flexibility of being your own boss. Here are some of the most important things to remember as a self-employed electrician so you don’t get caught out.
Qualifications And Licences There are plenty of tradespeople out there that operate without the right qualifications. This tends to be because they’ve learned the skills they need to do the job and then wonder why they should pay to earn a piece of paper to prove that they can do that job. However, when you take a step back and really think about this, it’s understandable that members of the public would want to know that they can trust you and your alleged skillset.
Getting electrical qualifications, however dull you might think they’ll be to acquire, is the only way to prove you’re able to complete a job safely.
It’s also important to note that it’s actually the law for you to have the correct licenses and qualifications to conduct major electrical work on a property. It’s not worth the risk of getting caught, so do things the right way.
Health And Safety Assurances Whenever you install electrical equipment, it’s important to remember the risks of doing so. Over time, electrical components will degrade, and regular checks are essential.
In rented properties, it’s recommended that these checks should be done every 5 years or whenever there’s a change of occupancy.
You’ll need to organise an EICR or Electrical Installation Condition Report to ensure plug sockets and light fittings, among other things, are safe for use by tenants.
When it comes to new build properties or if you’re completely rewiring the property, you’ll be required to generate an Electrical Installation Certificate or EIC for the property.
Business Plans And Budgets As a self-employed electrician, you should remember that you’re running a business, whether you have any employees or if it’s just you.
This means that a business plan, as well as a budget, are key to your success.
Of course, you may be able to get by without thinking about these things, but the chances are you’ll run into many more complications than usual if you don’t spend some time organising and planning your business.
Managing your money without a plan, whilst trying to complete your contracts is not going to be an easy task, so spend some time preparing your funds before you get inundated with jobs and have no time for business management.
