It has been hard work, but the walls are almost there on the garage
extension.

I've decided to put in an extra mid support 1/3 the way along the 15
foot span of the 5" x 2" roof beams, also of 5 x 2. Timber is on site
and I've settled on using metal cladding roof which is due for delivery
on Friday - hence the next question. The cladding was a little more
expensive than corrugated plastic or the bitumen sheet, but it seems
likely to be more long term robust.

I'm advised that condensation on the underside of the cladding might be
a problem and to install some form of insulation to help prevent it.
What is the best way to incorporate insulation and what material?

It is just a bit of a general purpose work shop area, so I'm trying to
keep costs down.

Incidently I had the 15' x 8' concrete base delivered as a mixed on
site delivery. I have nothing but the highest praise for the company
who turned up on site, mixed it then barrowed it 100 feet up the drive
to lay it, then even helped to level it on one of the hottest days in
June with only the help of my grandson - due to the fact that they
wanted to deliver three hours earlier than arranged, whilst I was still
stuck at work. I got home and it was all done - they had even filled in
an extra section intended as an overspill to be finished off with a
hand mix.

They said they sometimes arrive on site to find their customer has
expected them to be able to just lay concrete on top of grass with
loose bricks holding the form work in place, so they were quite pleased
with the fact that everything was laid on for their delivery.

Some months ago I mentioned I had got myself one of those cheap laser
levels (£19-99) which optically produces either an horizontal line,
vertical line or both, with the head producing the line suspended like
a plum bob.

Well it has proven to be one of the best gadgets I've ever bought. I
first bought it part way through decorating - adding a what ever they
are called (wooden horizontal trim part way up the wall?).

It has really come into its own building this garage extension. What I
did was set a 3" x 3" wooden post solidly in the ground to one side of
the intended base- before I even started digging out the base, on which
I could site the levels head (no use of tripod). I then made up a 3 x 1
stick marked out with how far to dig, top of concrete for the form work
etc.. Using laser and stick to hammer in 12" long pegs over all of the
area to be dug , such that their bottom depth was the to be dug depth.
Dig until the peg falls over and you are there. Perfectly flat and
level undisturbed ground and no need to shift more soil than you
absolutely have to.

Form work was level throughout to just a few millimetres. Much more
accurate than I had managed twenty years ago with a water level and
much simpler. The only problem was having to wait until dusk to use it.
Its now providing accurate levels on its adjustable height tripod for
the walls.



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Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk