How about some foundation insulation?
I opted not to insulate the slab due to the way the building will be used. If I was to use it every day then that would have been a good idea. However, it's likely to only get used at weekends of the odd evening. This means I need it to heat up fast, so the heating will be installed above the floor insulation.
So, let's proceed with the slab.
Everything was now organised, the steel is in, there is four tonnes of aggregate tipped on my driveway and a pallet load of sacks of cement.
I decided to buy a little cement mixer rather that hire one because the cost of buying one is the same as hiring one for just one weekend and I have plans to mix more concrete in the future.
It was backbreaking work, but it was finally done, nice and level.
In the sidelines, my housemate decided to mix some more concrete in order to pour a nice solid pier for his telescope. The boxed section goes a metre down underground, so it's rather stable.
Anyway, back to the workshop.
I spent a few days keeping the slab wet and then after a week I deemed it fit for use.
I decided to bolt the sole plates down with chemical bolts.
Sole plates down, now we are ready for the walls.
So, due to the unique nature of the site, I had to construct the wall frames and clad them before standing them up, rather awkward, but achievable indeed.
Back wall frame complete, ready for Tyvek and cladding.
Here is a view of the left side wall being clad. You cab see the back wall with the inside of the Tyvek showing.
I should mention at this point that although the aim was to have all of the electrical energy needed for the project to be derived from my 1KW solar array, the only tool that would not work off my inverter was the little nail gun. The iron core of my 2KVA simply doesn't contain enough energy to allow the nailer to strike effectively. I was using 35mm nails and they would only go in about 10mm. So alas, I have to connect to the main electricity supply. The core of the transformer up the road can store a lot more energy
I had no problems with the cement mixer (which ran pretty much all day), various saws, SDS drill and charging the impact driver and hand drill.
Left wall now erect.
This is my timber pile slowly dwindling away.