#Plastic dormer window

[dakkapelhaarlem]

Ontdek de Beste Isolatie-opties voor jouw Dakkapel met Dakkapel Haarlem

Hier bij Dakkapel Haarlem delen we een nieuwe podcast over een belangrijk onderwerp voor huiseigenaren: Isolatie-opties voor dakkapellen! 🏠❄️🌞 Wil je weten welke isolatiematerialen het beste zijn om je dakkapel warm in de winter en koel in de zomer te houden? Of ben je benieuwd naar de energiebesparingen die goede isolatie kan opleveren? Luister dan naar onze nieuwste aflevering via de link hieronder. Wij bespreken verschillende isolatie-oplossingen die niet alleen je comfort verhogen, maar ook bijdragen aan een duurzamer huis. 🌍💡 Laat je inspireren en ontdek hoe wij van Dakkapel Haarlem jou kunnen helpen met de perfecte isolatie voor je dakkapel!

🎧 Beluister hier: https://rss.com/podcasts/dakkapelhaarlem/1614281

[earaercircular]

Roofing and lead substitutes from car windows: Dutch company is conquering the world with it

In the world, 1.3 billion square meters of roof are laid per year, often with bitumen. Millions of kilograms of lead are used for the finishing. In addition, 1.5 billion kilos of plastic waste from car windows are dumped or incinerated every year in Europe. The Dutch company Leadax came up with a solution to all these problems: recyclable lead substitutes and roofing made from discarded car windows.

Founder and CEO Roeland van Delden has been selling bitumen roofing, made from petroleum, for decades with parent company Bitufa[1]. This raw material is finite and causes a lot of CO2 emissions. Another commonly used roofing material is lead. Soft, bendable, heavy and very strong, but also poisonous. Lead pollution[2] in soil, water and food leads to kidney damage, brain damage, miscarriages, reduced fertility and behavioural changes. So something must change, he thought.

150 Eiffel Towers thrown away

At the same time, the world has a plastic waste problem. As we move towards a fully circular economy in 2050, we need to reuse and recycle that waste. In search of a raw material for a lead substitute, Van Delden arrived at polyvinyl butyral (PVB) in 2014, a type of plastic that is used as foil in safety glass, such as car windows and building windows. The strong material, for example, ensures that car windows do not break into a thousand pieces if a stone hits it while driving. Broken windows are now replaced and end up in the landfill or incinerator. In Europe alone, 1.5 billion kilos of PVB waste are thrown away every year, the weight of 150 Eifel towers. A shame, thought Van Delden.

Lead substitute

He decided to investigate whether he could turn that PVB waste into an alternative to lead or bitumen roofing. This is how Leadax[3] was born. “PVB is a so-called indefinite waste stream that we encountered. After a lot of testing and R&D, we launched the first product on the market in 2017: a circular lead substitute. We now sell these in sixteen countries,” says Leadax commercial director Bob Oostelbos.

The material replaces lead used to cover chimneys, cavity walls and dormer windows, including at monuments. In order to be able to replace entire roofs with bitumen, Leadax also developed sustainable roofing material made from recycled PVB. That material was launched in 2021 during the World Expo in Dubai[4]. It will soon be available in 26 European countries. “There were four basic materials in the world that roofing material is made of. We have now launched a fifth variant,” says Oostelbos.

Five times more sustainable

Leadax has had a life cycle assessment[5] (LCA) done for its products[6]. Among other things, it showed that it is 31 percent more durable than lead and about five times more durable than the most commonly used roofing material. The climate impact is small, for example because Leadax is made at considerably lower temperatures than lead. In addition, it uses recycled plastic and the material itself is recyclable. This is how it works[7]: the car windows that normally go to scrap, landfill or oven are separated into glass and PVB flakes at recycling company Maltha – part of Renewi,[8] among others. That PVB goes to the Leadax factory in the village of Wapenveld[9] in Dutch province of Gelderland, which turns it into roofing material. The factory generates its own electricity with solar panels. About thirty years after it has been applied to roofs, the covering is collected again and the material can be recycled.

Stop investing in bitumen

Leadax is growing fast. The company already has sixty employees, saw its sales grow by 50 percent last year and expects the same growth this year when the roofing is sold in even more countries. The sale of bitumen roofing by parent company Bitufa is still continuing. “But we are no longer focusing on further growth there, because we expect that market to decline. All investments go into the circular alternative Leadax,” says Oostelbos.

Medieval city crane

The lead substitute of the Dutch company is loved by owners of monuments and old farms. It looks just like lead and has the same strong properties, but is a lot more environmentally friendly. For example, the city of Utrecht had the roof of the reconstructed medieval city crane[10] clad with Leadax instead of lead. “Utrecht’s city council did not want lead to be used because this could pollute the surface water,” says Oostelbos. “This offered us the opportunity to show our product in an appealing project.”

Source

André Oerlemans: Dakbedekking en loodvervangers uit autoruiten: Nederlands bedrijf verovert er de wereld mee, in: Change Inc, 13-04-2023, https://www.change.inc/circulaire-economie/dakbedekking-en-loodvervangers-uit-autoruiten-nederlands-bedrijf-verovert-er-de-wereld-mee-39825

[1] Bitufa Waterproofing produces since 1979 SMART Waterproofing Solutions in 4 product groups: Non-lead Flashing; Flat Roofing Waterproofing; Road Solutions; Basement Waterproofing. http://www.bitufa.com

[2] Lead has no essential function in your body. Excessive exposure to lead through food, pottery, crystal glass, water and air, for example, can have negative effects on health. For example, it can cause anemia and increased blood pressure

[3] The history of our sustainable roofing materials began in 2014 when we started looking for a sustainable raw material for our lead substitute, which can also be recycled at the end of its life. We came across polyvinyl butyral (PVB), a type of plastic that is used in safety glass, such as car windows and building glass. This plastic film is very strong and ensures, for example, that a car window does not break into a thousand pieces when a stone hits it while driving. If this window is replaced, the plastic waste ends up in a landfill or in an incinerator. In other words, indeterminate waste. A shame for such a strong raw material. That is why we decided to give PVB a different destination. After years of research, development and intensive testing, we launched our first lead substitute, made from recycled PVB, on the market in 2017: 'Leadax Original'. Since then, our range of lead substitutes has grown rapidly and we also offer two self-adhesive lead substitutes: Leadax Easy FA and Leadax Easy SA. Together with our exclusive Dutch distributor VisscherHolland Bouw we make a difference for people and the environment. We produce the best, circular roofing materials, and they provide distribution, service and support to the points of sale. On this page you will find an overview of the points of sale. https://leadax.com/nl/ons-verhaal/?_ga=2.20187192.1201438081.1682262310-2025830176.1679753316

[4] The World Expo takes place once every five years and is the exhibition where the world shows its greatest innovations of the moment for six months. Leadax has the honor of waterproofing the Dutch Pavilion at World Expo 2020 Dubai with circular building materials, such as its lead substitute and roofing material. Both products are the most sustainable variant in their category. PVB waste from laminated glass, such as car windows, is used by Leadax as raw material for its recyclable products. https://leadax.com/nl/leadax-world-expo-2020-dubai/?_ga=2.128650252.1201438081.1682262310-2025830176.1679753316

[5] Life cycle assessment or LCA (also known as life cycle analysis) is a methodology for assessing environmental impacts associated with all the stages of the life cycle of a commercial product, process, or service. For instance, in the case of a manufactured product, environmental impacts are assessed from raw material extraction and processing (cradle), through the product's manufacture, distribution and use, to the recycling or final disposal of the materials composing it (grave). An LCA study involves a thorough inventory of the energy and materials that are required across the industry value chain of the product, process or service, and calculates the corresponding emissions to the environment. LCA thus assesses cumulative potential environmental impacts. The aim is to document and improve the overall environmental profile of the product.

[6] https://www.kiwa.com/nl/en/news/news/nibe-investigates-kiwa-certifies-leadax---the-new-lead/?_ga=2.195102764.1201438081.1682262310-2025830176.1679753316

[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbq3JEtiiv4

[8] Waste-to-product organization Renewi collects waste, processes it and turns it into new raw materials. Of the 14 million tons of waste the company processes annually, 65 percent is recycled or used for energy recovery through incineration. The company was created in 2017 after a merger of Shanks Group with the Van Gansewinkel Group. Renewi is listed on the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Amsterdam. The head office is in the United Kingdom. https://www.change.inc/bedrijven/renewi

[9] Wapenveld is a village in the eastern Netherlands. It is located in the municipality of Heerde, Gelderland, about 10 km from Zwolle and 100 km from Amsterdam. The village with 6,000 inhabitants, is situated where the valley of the river IJssel meets the Veluwe woods. The people of Wapenveld earn their living from agriculture (mainly cattle) and industry, mainly AKZO Nobel. Until 2008, Wapenveld was also home to the Berghuizer paper factory.

[10] The city of Utrecht is getting a piece of history back in the form of a medieval crane. From 1402 to 1839 there was a city crane at the current Winkel van Sinkel on the Oudegracht. This medieval building had completely disappeared from the street scene. Until September 10, 2022. From this moment on, the crane can be admired again at the Utrecht canals. With a sustainable adjustment. The traditional lead is making way for its circular replacement: Leadax Original. https://www.cirkelstad.nl/de-stadskraan-in-utrecht-herboren/?_ga=2.28427964.1201438081.1682262310-2025830176.1679753316

[reconroofinggutters]

Roof Coating Contractor Massachusetts

What is Roof Flashing?

Homeowners tend to just think that their roof is made up of three layers: the underlayment for moisture protection, the deck that holds the roofing structure up, and the shingles to protect the roof’s exterior. However, there’s a fourth component that homeowners tend to overlook: the flashing. As soon as a professional roof coating contractor in Massachusetts shows up at the customer’s home to discuss the roof replacement and discuss the project with the homeowners, the topic gets brought up and the customer wants to know if it is a necessity. So we thought we would write about it. Here’s everything you need to know about roof flashing.

What is the Roof Flashing?

The roof flashing is a strip of material that is attached to the weaker parts of your roof for additional protection. These weaker areas of your roof often include the skylights, valleys, chimneys, or even your dormer windows. It can be made of different materials such as like copper, which better suits historic homes; sheet metal, the most commonly used material; and rubber or plastic, which degrades over time due to exposure to the sun. Depending on which material you choose and how well you care for it, the lifespan of your roof flashing can vary.

To install flashing on your roof, don’t hesitate to turn to roof services from Just Quality.

Why is the Flashing Important?

As stated before, roof flashing is an extremely important part of your roof that’s attached to its weaker areas. The reason why it’s needed is that these weak areas are incredibly vulnerable to leaks during rainy days. With the flashing, you can easily protect your roof and your home from a significant amount of moisture damage, and roof repairs or replacements unnecessary.

Content Source: https://reconroofinggutters.com/what-is-roof-flashing/

[verratonthane]

What Is a Bungalow? Pros of Living in a Bungalow

A bungalow is generally a small, unmarried-tale residence with an open floor neelkanth verraton thane plan and an easy architectural fashion.

What Is a Bungalow?

A bungalow is a small cottage-kind domestic, generally constructed as a one-story house without stairs. Bungalows generally feature sloped roofs, open ground plans, big front windows, and extensive the front porches. Popular as unmarried-circle of relatives houses, bungalows generally have a living room, kitchen, and bed room within a one to 2 thousand rectangular-foot space.

Bungalows originated in the Bengal vicinity of South Asia for the duration of the British colonial occupation of India inside the nineteenth century. The Arts and Crafts motion ushered the American-fashion bungalow into prominence throughout the early 20th century, and variations of this style continue to be sought-after by house owners round the sector.

What’s the Difference Between a Bungalow and a House?

Bungalows are a small sort of house, while a house is a greater trendy time period for plenty kinds of unmarried and multi-circle of relatives dwellings. Bungalow-style homes are floor-level indifferent structures often featuring sloped roofs, dormer windows, constructed-ins, and front porches with overhanging eaves. Unlike traditional -story homes, maximum bungalows have minimum square photos and lack a 2d story.

Five Types of Bungalows

While the Craftsman bungalow (also called the American bungalow) refers back to the classic bungalow-fashion residence, there are a diffusion of various bungalow housing structures that a homeowner can purchase or construct.

1.            California: California bungalow layout makes use of stucco and wood, frequently with shingle siding. This one-tale bungalow-fashion features a sloping roof, a widespread porch with overhanging eaves, and an open floor plan. Builders do now not commonly use bricks to assemble this housing fashion. Stucco and wooden are the favored building substances and are often included with shingle siding. Architects Charles Sumner Greene and Henry Mathis Greene pioneered the California bungalow-style houses to in shape Southern California’s weather.

2.            Chicago: Brick-built Chicago bungalows normally characteristic one-and-a-1/2 testimonies above a basement, with stairs leading up to the porch from the street level. Chicago bungalows can also feature dormer windows and an enclosed lounge, even as the stairway front is placed at the aspect of the house. This housing fashion is rectangular and commonly capabilities a great basement.

3.   Mission: With huge, overhanging eaves and exposed rafters, a Mission-fashion bungalow has a hipped or gabled-type roof. They can also function smooth stucco or plastic siding and a Spanish-style tiled roof.

4.     Tudor: Seemingly contradictory to the bungalow topic, the Tudor-fashion bungalow functions more intricate design paintings, such as elaborate chimneys, designated doorways, and wall cladding. Tudor bungalows have steep-pitched, gabled roofs, and tall, narrow windows with half of-timbering. Tudor bungalows mixture medieval architectural design with the simple format of a popular bungalow.

5.      Prairie: Developed by means of a set of Chicago architects known as the Prairie School (together with member Frank Lloyd Wright), this fashion has piers to assist the porch roof, flat chimneys, contrasting wall materials, and Prairie-fashion home windows. The indoors can also characteristic ceiling beams and horizontal woodwork.

[premier-roofing-services]

Roofing Contractors Cromwell CT

Is Roof Flashing Important?

Homeowners tend to just think that their roof is made up of three layers: the underlayment for moisture protection, the deck that holds the roofing structure up and the shingles to protect the roof’s exterior. However, there’s a fourth component that homeowners tend to overlook: the flashing. As soon as a professional Roofing Contractors in Cromwell CT shows up at the customers home to discuss the roof replacement and discuss the project with homeowners, the topic gets brought up and the customer wants to know if it is a necessity. So we thought we would write about it. Here’s everything you need to know about the roof flashing.

What is the Roof Flashing?

The roof flashing is a strip of material that is attached to the weaker parts of your roof for additional protection. These weaker areas of your roof often include the skylights, valleys, chimneys or even your dormer windows. It can be made of different materials such as like copper, which better suits historic homes; sheet metal, the most commonly used material; and rubber or plastic, which degrades over time due to exposure to the sun. Depending on which material you choose and how well you care for it, the lifespan of your roof flashing can vary.

To install a flashing on your roof, don’t hesitate to turn to roofing services from Just Quality.

Why is the Flashing Important?

As stated before, the roof flashing is an extremely important part of your roof that’s attached to its weaker areas. The reason why it’s needed is because these weak areas are incredibly vulnerable to leaks during rainy days. With the flashing, you can easily protect your roof and your home from a significant amount of moisture damage, roof repairs or replacements unnecessary.

CONTENT SOURCE: https://premierroofsct.com/is-roof-flashing-important/

[carcasstohounds]

just realized that the zimmermans probably live in a mcmansion and uh. don’t know how to feel about that one.

[artblogart]

Saving money at home means making money

For some people it's a sport, but for others it's a necessity: cutting back. Not only here are the best saving tips. There are also many tips on Nibud.nl, Eendutjeopzijnkant.nl and Savingstest.nl. Saving 7,000 euros per year is possible if you follow all the tips correctly.

No curtains for the radiator

Make sure there is no large furniture in front of the radiator. And close the curtains at night. But come up with a creative solution for the curtains that hang in front of the radiator, because they block the heat transport to the room. Close all connecting doors.

Saving money at home means making money

Make it a habit to always close all doors behind you. Otherwise the air will circulate: drafts, moisture and wind will lower the temperature. Therefore, make sure that your letterbox is well draught-free, by building a box for it, or otherwise mounting a special letterbox or anti-draft strip. These tips alone save 30% on your heating costs.

Warm air rises

If you close another door to the top or, even better, close a hatch to the attic, you save a lot, because warm air rises. So the heat immediately hangs through the stairwell against the ridge of the attic and mixes with the cold outside air on the other side of the roof tiles. You will not enjoy that in the living room. That is why insulating your roof is so effective. Your heat can't go any higher. If it is feasible to place a hatch with a counterweight and a pulley in the stairwell or a simple door at the bottom or top of the stairs, then that is a real moneymaker.

Easily create compartments of still air under your floor

Underfloor heating is also important, but for a different reason. That's what the temperature feels like: no matter how warm you dress, if you have cold feet you will still feel uncomfortable. So ensure that the floor is insulated by stapling some plastic to the floor (the ceiling of the basement) in the basement. And then place some stationary air compartments in special heat-reflecting foil and you no longer have cold feet. You can buy the stuff ready-made, but you can also make it yourself. And once you have warm feet, the rest often follows. There is then less need to stoke higher.

Ventilating is actually cheaper

Smart ventilation at times when you don't need the heat. Just five minutes before you leave for work, study or bakery in the morning. Your house is still cold at night, so you don't lose too much heat there. Dry air heats up faster than moist air, so keep track. By default, set the thermostat one degree lower. And you immediately save 6 percent on your energy costs. A return of 6 percent on your investments on the stock market on an annual basis is not wrong at all. And not at home either. Efficiently lowering your thermostat an hour before bedtime to 5 to 9 degrees lower, it quickly saves 20 percent on your stick costs. If your house is already very well insulated, you can lower it by two degrees.

Take a minute shorter shower

A minute shorter shower saves double. On the water and the energy to heat the water. It saves a hundred euros a year. For the handy smart guys among us: you can come up with a system that stores hot shower water in a copper spiral, which then releases the heat to a radiator. If you have it done, you will pay much more on balance than the proceeds, but it is called WTW. So Google WTW for inspiration.

Find the heat leaks in your home with a heat leak scanner

There are heat-sensitive scanners for sale (including from the Home Owners Association) with which you can detect heat leaks in your home. Who knows, there is already a handy app for this. You will see the red spots light up. Those are the places where the heat leaks out the most. Such as windows, cracks, draft spots, doors, mailboxes, dormer windows, keyholes, walls, pipes, stove connections and roofs. Packing the lead Of course, hot water and central heating pipes also give off heat in your home. And that's a nice bonus. But not if it's under a floor or in a closet or in an unused basement or hallway. Wrap those pipes and in this way you push the heat to the places where you do like it: the living room. Placing reflective radiator foil behind your radiator reflects the heat where you want it. Instead of heating the wall, the heat now goes to you.

Finally

Earn and save with some simple tips that you can teach yourself. You don't notice it yourself after a while, because you are so used to it. Teach it to your housemates as well, which will immediately give you a double return. This way you can save a great holiday in no time.

Er zijn warmtegevoelige scanners te koop (onder andere bij Vereniging eigen huis) waarmee je in je huis de warmtelekken op kunt sporen. Wie weet is er ook al een handige app hiervoor. Je ziet de rode plekken oplichten. Dat zijn de plekken waar de warmte het meest weglekt. Zoals ramen, kieren, tochtplekken, deuren, brievenbussen, dakkapellen, sleutelgaten, muren, leidingen, kachelaansluitingen en daken.

De leiding inpakken

Warm water en cv leidingen geven uiteraard ook warmte af in je huis. En dat is mooi meegenomen. Maar niet als het onder een vloer of in een kast of in een ongebruikte kelder of gang is. Inpakken die leidingen en zo stuw je de warmte naar de plekken waar je het wel prettig vindt: den huiskamer. Reflecterend radiatorfolie achter je radiator plaatsen kaatst de warmte waar je die wilt. In plaats van de muur verwarmen, gaat de hitte nu naar jou.

Tot slot

Verdien en bespaar door wat eenvoudige tips die je jezelf zo kan aanleren. Je merkt er zelf na verloop van tijd niks van, want je bent er zo aan gewend. Leer het je huisgenoten ook aan, dat geeft dan meteen dubbel rendement. Zo bespaar je in no time een vette vakantie bij elkaar.

[anastasialovely]

Growth

Hello you,

My beloved that God knows who.

How long has it been since I last wrote?

To the very inspiration that I somewhat loathe.

Forgive me for my memory is hazy,

Can't recall even Malcolm and Marie.

I do not wish to write about you anymore;

But this heart of mine is striving for war.

As the owner, It's a little stubborn.

Have you got no clue from all these patterns?

The brain pleading for whats deserving,

my man with an anchor is probably starving.

I may never know when you'll come home,

Or will it be better to just be alone?

It all became uncertain,

when will you show up behind that dark satin curtain?

Do you wish to walk by the door?

Or would you rather climb the dormer window?

The butterflies that were once the energetic, fluttering, and breathing nuisance,

gradually became the stale, slow, and gone hindrance.

I can recall the feigning tranquility you brought with the wind that blew my blossoms,

How I adored the storm that caused the explosion

and here I am now, picking the petals

while unknowingly reminiscing the dead heat battle

creating a loop; a cycle.

"Cut the cable"

A soft whisper spoke,

It was my brain that awoke.

Now I learned the need to plant anew.

No longer surrounded with plastic flowers, no more pretending, no more cue.

[thecomposerofstories]

The Story of a Toy: The full story (So far, anyway, I still have a lot left to write, and any ideas are fully welcome! 💖)

~ The Story of a Toy~

UNDERSTANDINGS.

Amy didn’t understand it at first, why did play-time have to end? Why couldn’t they just play together, like they always did? But now she knew why.

Children grow up, and they leave. And her owner may forget the days they spent playing, and may not miss her the way she did, but Amy would remember, and as long as she did, she would be fine.

She hoped.

Her owner placed her carefully in a box, smiling sadly, as if she knew the small ragdoll she held was sentient, which was, of course, impossible.

Amy never understood the rule toys had to abide by, but always listened to them, because she had seen enough horror movies featuring dolls coming to life to know that humans frowned upon that sort of thing, and Amy, not wanting her owner to fear her or call an exorcist, stayed still.

But she had looked at her as if she were real. All those days spent running around in the park, lazing in the sun, her owner reading to her stories. Her owner’s favourite stories were always The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, and Alice in Wonderland. (Whom Amy’s owner had been named after)

Amy noticed that Dorothy, Alice and Wendy all wore blue, and travelled to fantasy worlds which by either flying, tornado, or Rabbit hole, respectively. And all were an allegory to leaving childhood. Which was an interesting coincidence. And much like those characters, Alice had to leave her childhood –and Amy- behind.

Shutting the box deftly, closing Amy in an only temporary darkness, Alice climbed up the steps of the attic.

Placing down the box beside the others, she left unceremoniously.

Amy moved her limbs dully, coming to life. She peered out from the box to get a closer look at her surroundings.

“Hello?” She called out tentatively. Using other objects placed within the box, -some books, old records, and a jewellery box- she clambered out, tumbling over. She coughed at the dust, adjusting her dark hair so it didn’t blind her. “H-Hello? Is anybody there?” She called out again, a little louder.

Nothing. She was the only toy there. Other toys had been sold, lost, and some had even lost hope in Alice and left. All but Amy.

Amy, feeling aloof and uncertain, just stood there.

I’ll wait, she thought. Someone, at some point, will open my box and play with me, or hand me off to a place where I could be played with… or something, hopefully.

And so the poor, steadfast ragdoll stood, waiting to be played with.

CHAPTERS

Reading was always a favourite pastime of Amy’s, a habit she had picked up from Alice. And it seemed to be reading that was keeping her sane. She read any books she could find:

Horror. (for days that she was bored and needed a scare, to give her an extra kick of adrenaline to keep her going,)

Picture books, (Her favourite was one about Dinosaurs, her favourite being the Tyrannosaurus Rex. In the book –Which to Amy didn’t seem that factually accurate- the T- Rex was described as ‘Fearsome and scary’, but she didn’t really think so, especially since she had read a famous quote: 'Green is the prime colour of the universe, and that from which it's loveliness arises', she reckoned anyone who was green would know that.)

Comedies. (Which made Amy laugh even if she didn’t get it.)

Even a huge dictionary titled: Strange Words and Their Meanings. (She adored going through the pages, memorising each word carefully.)

Over the years, Amy had read all of these books, more times than she could count.

Rest of the time spent in the attic she looked out of the window, while perched on a tower of boxes where she could look out but and no-one could see her. Like she didn’t exist. Either with a book or gazing dully out at the passing world outside, in her own little reverie.

Today was just like any other day. Or, it started out like one. Amy knew Alice’s parents had moved out of their house, a few months ago, and was wondering when someone else would come along.

Today was the day! A blue mini-van-like car parked itself in front of the garage, Amy guessed, a moving-van in tow. ‘Egg-Man-Movers’ was spelt along the truck, with funny looking literal egg-like man moving a bunch of boxes with the letters that spelt the name on the truck.

As the car stopped, a little boy, around six or seven, jumped out the car, holding two small figures Amy couldn’t quite see, though she was certain one was wearing a hat. The boy wore a hat, too, a red one. A woman also stepped out of the car, presumably the boy’s mother, and they both got a small creature, probably a baby, out of the car too.

Amy jumped down from the window sill, enthusiastically spinning and laughing. “It’s today! It’s today! A new owner! Yes!” She squealed, she did a fist pump in the air and danced around like some madwomen, spinning, until she tripped over her feet. Laughing, of course.

This was what she was waiting for! Amy loved reading, but do you know what she loved about it the most?

Starting new chapters.

NOTHING

Nothing.

Non-one.

Amy expected for someone to bring some boxes into the attic, notice her and take her out, but no. Why bring stuff with you if you’re just going to put it away and never see it was the only explanation.

Sometimes, she could hear the boy, and the mother, and the baby.

Sometimes, she could hear other voices coming from downstairs, too. The child’s toys, she figured.

They’re having so much more fun than me, I bet. Amy thought. She was never really a bitter person, but she couldn’t help but be a little jealous. OK, a lot jealous. But what could she do?

Wait.

That was it, all she could do. Stupid, stupid, stupid! She mantra’d in her head.

She was sick of it. She wanted to play! To have conversations! Where was the Adventure? While the toys in the little boy’s room were having much more fun than her. Amy elbowed a box in frustration.

A pile of old records and magazines fell on her head.

Yearsshe had been waiting. Decades, even. Amy used some spare chalk to keep track of the days she’d spent in the attic. Today was day number sixteen thousand, six hundred and eighty-six, to be exact.

Today was just another number, it was late afternoon. Amy stepped down from the boxes, covering the window with a curtain. She walked into the middle of the dusty room, thinking. Amy knew she could climb out the window, what if someone sawher? What if she slipped? What if, if she successfully got to a near window ledge, and the window was locked? What if the toys threw her back out for intruding? She couldn’t just stay here forever… but what if she did?

All these thoughts coursed through her cotton-stuffed head, her thoughts so loud she nearly didn’t hear the attic stairs being used, creaking with each step.

She was so shocked she ran and hid behind a vase, narrowly escaping being seen. Through a small hole in the box she peeked at the mother of the little boy and baby as she dumped some boxes and left.

TOYS IN THE ATTIC

“W-where are we?” a voice whispered nervously, other voices replied, “How am I supposed to know?!” “S-sorry…” “Let’s have a look!”

Amy stayed behind the shelf, peeking from behind a vase. She’d had been longing to speak to other toys for so long, so why was mind screaming for her to hide?

Four toys stepped out from the box. First, a rather foreign, futuristic-looking action hero who was a bit taller than Amy, with all sorts of fancy buttons and gadgets attached to them. “Which planet is this?” he asked his friend, a much taller, lanky ragdoll who wore boots with spurs and a cow-print vest over his checked shirt. he straightened his brown hat, taking in the surroundings. “It’s not another planet, Buzz, it’s just the attic.” He said calmly, or dryly, depending on how you read it. The third toy literally sprung out of the box, as he had a spring for a body with a dog’s head and backside at opposite ends. His springy body rattled and made a satisfying noise.

The last figure surprised Amy. A strange creature at first, well, all the toys looked strange and new to her, but this was by far the strangest.

He was a little bit shorter than the one in the hat, but only because he was hunched low, fumbling with his little arms. He was green, his scales made of plastic. Amy tried to place where she had seen a creature like that before, before it hit her: It was a dinosaur! A Tyrannosaurus Rex, to be exact.

She was so enamoured with the creature she leaned against the floral vase to get a closer look, as he observed the room with his friends.

But she leaned to hard, and the vase tipped and smashed. Amy ducked behind some plates before the strangers saw her.

The four toys turned to the sound of the noise, terrified. ‘Buzz’, as his friend had called him, pointed a shining red light attached to his arm at the broken pieces of porcelain.

“What was that?!” the Dinosaur whisper-screamed, hiding behind his friend. The Springy Dog turned to his friends, equally stricken, stating, “We gotta find a way outta here!”

The one in the hat nodded “You’re right, Slink.” he turned to the trap door at his feet, which got them there in the first place. He pulled at the latch, but it wouldn’t open. “It’s locked!” “And the dormer is sealed… it seems we’re trapped.” Buzz fathomed, after analysing the door on the floor.

The dinosaur started to freak out. “We can’t stay in here forever!” Buzz cut him off, “Come on, Rex, calm down!” This only made the poor thing ramble on more. “But what if Andy forgets we were in that box? We’ll be stuck here forever!” “Stop it!” the other three shouted at him, annoyed.

Amy felt the overwhelming need to go and comfort the poor thing, or, Rex, as they called him. She understood how he felt. It was dark and gloomy, (or Mirk, as Strange Words and Their Meanings would say.) She couldn’t blame him for being scared.

Amy wanted to help the other toys, but was confused as to how to introduce herself. She couldn’t just step out of nowhere, as Rex might just die of fright, and she didn’t want that.

Instead, she just kept listening to the other toys’ conversations.

“Maybe we can find another way out of here?” The one in the hat thought to himself. “Great idea, Woody!” Buzz praised, before striking a pose and exclaiming, “I’m ready for a new mission! Buzz Lightyear will have you out of this attic in a flash!”

The other toys just stared, deadpan, at him.

Slink spoke up, “It won’t be easy, we need to find something to light this place up first” Woody agreed, “Yeah, It’s getting dark, soon we won’t be able to see anything” “Oh, I don’t like this at all! I’m afraid of the dark!” Rex sputtered, Buzz shushed him “Quiet, I’m trying to analyse the problem” he thought for a moment, before declaiming, “We can use my laser for light!” he shined his laser into Slink’s eyes as an example. “I don’t think it’s enough to light the whole place up, Buzz.” Woody pressed gently, Slink scoffed, rubbing his eyes with his paws “Yeah, but it’s enough to blind me!” Amy giggled at their banter, as quietly as she could. “Maybe there’s some Christmas lights in here or something”

Woody though aloud, Rex nodded. “Yeah, there’s loads of old stuff here, we’re sure to find something!” Woody placed a hand on Buzz’s shoulder, “And you can always use your laser to see what’s inside the boxes” Buzz grinned.

“I’ll look in the closet!” Slink said over his shoulder, while Woody looked behind boxes with Buzz.

Rex gulped, standing in the middle of the room. He went to inspect the broken vase by the shelves. He was now so close Amy could see all the detailing in his plastic skin.

His eyes locked with hers, eyes wide, and he yelped in surprise. So did Amy.

“Rex! What happened?” Buzz called, his friends following him and rushing to the panicking dinosaur. Amy fell out from her hiding spot, finally exposed. What could she say? “H-h-hello…?” she said, awkwardly, to the other toys who stared at her.

FRIEND FOR LIFE

“Hello” Slink said first, going up to the frightened ragdoll and speaking softly. “It’s okay, we won’t hurt you, do ya have a name?” Amy got up from the floor, dusting off her denim dress nervously. “I-I’m Amy…” the ragdoll stuttered. Woody tipped his hat and shook her hand. “Well, nice to meet you, Amy, I’m Woody.” “Nice to meet you too.” Amy responded nervously. Buzz shook her hand next, firmer than Woody. “I am Buzz Lightyear, Space Ranger. I mean, well not really…well, it’s a long story.” Amy smiled. Slink was next. “I’m Slinky Dog, but you can call me Slinky or Slink if you want.”

Rex was last, he approached her more cautiously, shaking her hand nervously. “I’m Rex, nice to meet you, Amy.” he said warmly, before asking quickly afterwards, “Did I scare you? I’m supposed to be scary, ya’see, so please, tell me honestly.” Amy stuttered a response “N-nice to meet you, too, R-Rex, and I was terrified... But I’ve always wanted to meet a dinosaur.” Rex grinned bashfully, fiddling with his hands. “Really?” “Y-yes.” Rex giggled “I like you, Amy!”

Woody laughed and rolled his eyes. “You’ve made a friend for life, now, Amy. Do you know if there’s any way to get us out of here?” the cowboy asked, (not that Amy would know he was one at this point), but she answered, nodding, “There’s a window above those boxes there, behind that curtain.” she gestured at the tower of boxes in front of them, laid out in just a way that they looked like stairs.

Woody, Buzz and Slinky descended up the boxes. Rex looked at Amy, grinning. “Aren’t you gonna join us?” “Really? C-can I?” “Of course! We can’t just leave you in here! It’s scary! Besides, it’d be nice to have a you around!” Amy smiled, climbing the boxes to reach the others.

Once they reached the top, Buzz pushed back the curtain and while the other toys climbed out. Amy was last. She took one last look at the attic, before straightening her back and walking out on the window ledge.

ANDY’S ROOM.

A breeze hit Amy in the face as she stood on the window ledge outside. Her dark hair flew in front of her face in annoying tendrils. The sky had darkened considerably, which made it even more thrilling. Rex shivered, “Oh, it’s so high!” Amy nodded, looking down at the ground. Amy watched as the three other toys grabbed the drainpipe and slid down to the window just below. Woody waved from below “Come on! Someone could see us!” Amy stuttered “B-but what if I fall?” “You’ll be fine, I swear!” Amy smiled wearily. She gripped the drainpipe, took a deep breath, jumped and slid down to the side of the window.

She screamed internally, holding on for dear life. Her legs and arms wrapped around the pole, eyes looking down at the pavement where she would surely end up. She had only been still for about a few seconds, but it felt like a lifetime. Could she do this? Would she do this?

She jumped.

Landing in a heap, nearly knocking Woody and Buzz over.

Rex leapt next. He couldn’t properly jump, so Amy and Woody had to pull him into the window. “I’m alive!” Rex breathed, Woody rolled his eyes for what must have been the second or third time today.

Woody turned to Amy. “Welp, welcome to Andy’s room.” Amy turned to face the room.

It used to be Alice’s.

Now, everything was different. It was a strange feeling, nostalgia mixed with the feeling of being in a new place.

The shelf was always there, yes, still there, same colour, too, only with new bits and bobs and toys and books placed on it. Everything else was foreign and strange. Even the wallpaper.

Amy stepped on a desk that wasn’t there before, well, there was a desk there before, but it wasn’t this one.

Amy watched as the four other toys jumped down from the desk to a chair to the floor and copied their example, sort of. She fell in a tangle on the floor.

A group of toys surrounded the five, the first to speak was a funny looking creature with a mustache and a bowler hat with a Brooklyn accent, akin to the shape of a potato “Who’s the newbie?” he asked, Rex replied quickly “This is Amy, we rescued her from the attic!” Amy spoke up gently “Well, rescued is not a word I would choose, really, I’d say they more encouraged me to leave, I say they, but really-” a female voice cut her off “Well, whoever you are, welcome”

The speaker of these words was a porcelain doll, much taller than Amy, who smiled warmly yet dryly, with a skirt that flared out so wide it reminded Amy of a parachute. She carried a long blue cane, holding it professionally.

A small cluster of sheep made bleating noises at her feet. Amy guessed she must be a Shepard.

“I’m Bo Peep.” She stated, extending a hand. Amy shook it nervously. This woman radiated beauty, with her shiny porcelain skin and her golden curls. Amy felt slightly intimidated and uncomfortable under her blue gaze. “Hello, B-Bo, heh, that rhymes, doesn’t it? Nice to m-meet you, and I hope you don’t mind me asking, but are you that same Bo Peep from that nursery rhyme?”

Bo smiled, amused at the ragdoll’s nervousness and tendency to drabble, letting down her guard a little bit. “Yes, I’m the same Bo from the nursery rhyme.” The ragdoll grinned uneasily. She remembered when Alice was little, she would read nursey rhymes.

“Andy’s comin’!” a toy yelled, a piggy bank whom Amy hadn’t been introduced too yet.

The other toys zipped in different directions at lightning speed, Amy didn’t know what to do.

So she fell to the ground, inanimate.

~A Dinosaur's Distress~

REPLACEMENT.

“These toys are so much better than my old ones, Mom!” Andy called as he rushed into his room.

He placed the big paper bag with the words ‘Dinosaur Museum’ he was carrying on his desk. “I never knew how many cooler dinosaurs there were!”

Rex cowered, his vision felt like he was watching the whole scene through a fish-eye lenses. He lay frozen, watching Andy tear away the plastic wrapping and boxes the toys were in.

“Andy! Dinner!” Andy’s mother called. Andy trudged downstairs reluctantly down stairs. “Coming!”

Rex felt like he was being choked, his mind clogged with rambling thoughts.

He’d always dreaded this.

Shakily, he moved his limbs, walking towards the desktop. He twiddled with his hands nervously and winced, so wrapped up with what could be up there that he didn’t notice his friends were missing.

He called out tentatively, “H-h-hello…?” he squeaked. The room felt both big and small, a nauseous, nightmarish feeling. But the most horrifying thing was how Rex was alone. No-one could stop him from panicking this time.

The new toys arose and jumped, slithered, crawled, and trudged down from the desk, towering over Rex and cornering him so quickly it was as if they were always there.

“Andy don’t need you no more…” one toy –if he, or maybe it, could be called one- slurred, grey saliva clung to his teeth in thick, sticky ropes. His scales rough and uneven, grotesque muscles rippling in a sickly shade of orange.

“You’re weak. Pathetic. Andy needs a toy that deserves him.” A purple one said, sickly yellow eyes narrowing. This one had many horns adorned to its face and body like piercings. Rex had never seen dinosaurs’ like them before.

The toys seemed to strangely multiply, each one different. Each one better them him. Scarier than him. And much stronger than him. They all taunted him. His anxiety, his arms, his cowardice.

One grabbed his arm with sharp taloned fingers, snickering. “Look at this! What kinda toy factory allowed this thing on sale?” He snickered. Others did the same. Jabbing and poking him till he could take it no more. Rex screamed.

“Stop! please,” he sobbed, pulling away and backing up against Andy’s starry wallpaper. The grotesque creatures just laughed bitterly, prodding him and pushing him and even hitting him.

“Oh, does that hurt?” (Saying it hurt was an understatement.)

“Look at those stupid arms! So flimsy!”

“Look at you! who would want you?”

“Pathetic!”

“Idiot!”

Rex tried screamed for his friends “S-STOP! PLEASE! H-HELP!”

The toys sneered. “They can’t hear you!” the tallest, largest one slurred with his sickly tongue. He was the worst-looking of the lot. His eyes bloodshot and his arms long and rippling with muscle. His bumpy scales the colour of green toxic waste, so ugly looking it glowed. His voice sounded like an earth-quake, loud and booming, yet scratchy, like nails against glass. “But if they did, why would they care? You’re their punching bag. Even they make fun of you!”

They began to taunt him again. Rex tried to cancel them out, squeezing his eyelids shut.

They laughed. Rex screamed again, though it did nothing.

He began to lose consciousness.

BREATHE.

“Rex?” Amy whispered, nudging him a little. Rex had been placed on the bed by Andy, -Who was getting ready for school- and had fallen asleep. Amy had been reading underneath the bed up until he had started muttering in his sleep.

Rex bolted awake, breathing heavily and shallowly, hyperventilating. All the other toys in the room turned and stared at him. Amy looked at him with a concerned expression. He’d been getting more and more jumpy lately since it was declared that Andy was going to the Museum.

Rex jolted awake, shaking like he’d seen a ghost.

Woody, who was also on the bed, went to the dino to see what was wrong. Rex pinned his small hands on the cowboy’s shoulders. “Where’s Andy?!” He said urgently, shaking the confused cowpoke. Woody looked at Rex, bewildered. “Getting ready to leave for school? Is everything alright?” “NO! Everything is NOT alright!” Rex screamed hysterically “Andy’s going to the Dinosaur Museum, and I’m gonna get replaced!” “No he’s not! If Andy was gonna get a new toy, he would have made some withdrawals. And Hamm would know about it.” Woody argued. Then he turned to Hamm, who was on the desk. “Hamm, has Andy made any withdrawals?” the cowboy asked. Hamm looked solemn. “Nope, only deposits.”

“See?” Woody said, trying to calm the dinosaur down. He did. A little.

The toys heard Andy talking to his Mother from inside the room. “Mom, can I have some money to bring to the Museum?” “Sure! I’ll give you five dollars.” “Thanks Mom!”

Hamm watched them leaves outside from the window, with Molly, of course, driving away in the car.

Rex froze. “So it’s true… I am going to be replaced…” he said sadly, quietly, his stress building up from there. “What should I do… what should I do… WHAT SHOULD I DO WOODY WHAT SHOULD I DO!?” Rex screamed, his claws dug in Woody’s shoulders again, shaking him.

The some of the toys –Buzz, Mr. Potato Head, Bo and Hamm- swarmed around the bed. “Rex! Calm down! Please!” Rex couldn’t hear them. he kept fretting. “I’m gonna be replaced! I can’t deal with this! Woody, I CAN’T! “REX!” Woody yelled, shrugging him away.

Amy watched on from behind, unsure what to do. Rex was stressing out, hyperventilating and fretting, all the toys swarming around him, cocooning him in loud noise and emotions, yelling at him to quieten down or he’ll wake the neighbours. Amy moved in front of Rex quickly, to give him some space and probably calm him and everyone else down, when a hand smacked her in the face and she fell to the duvet cover.

Everyone in the room stopped. Amy lay motionless, next to Rex, who stood in silent horror. Her dark hair covered her like a curtain, she wasn’t moving.

Rex stood still, shocked. “A-Amy?” He stuttered. The other toys backed away. Buzz looked shook. He didn’t mean for that to happen…

Amy stirred. “R-Rex...? what happened…?” She murmured. Then it came back to her. “Are-are you okay?” she asked Rex, he looked taken aback. “A-Are you kidding? Y-y-you just got slapped! I-I should be asking you!” he said, still shaking after his outburst, his breathing still shallow, but his voice quieter, making sure his friend was alright. “No, you shouldn’t. You really shouldn’t.” She answered, while getting up, with deep concern for her friend. “Amy, you- you’re hurt!” Rex exclaimed. Amy touched her cheek were Buzz had hit her.

She could feel soft stuffing coming out of a small cut on her cheek, she gasped.

She turned to Buzz. “Why did you do that?” she asked softly, in shock. Buzz stammered. “I-I’m so sorry, Amy, I didn’t mean to hurt you…” he started. Amy then looked at him with a soft expression. “What about Rex?” the ragdoll replied. She spoke quietly, still dazed. Buzz gulped. “I thought it would…” “Would what?” “…I don’t know.”

Buzz moved closer to Rex. The dinosaur jerked back, still freaking out. Buzz put his hands up in peace. “Rex, I-I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have tried to hit you. It was a foolish mistake.” Rex nodded slowly, understanding “I-I understand.” He still looked shaky. He whimpered. He felt terrible. Stupid, stupid, stupid. He mantra’d in his head. How could he have been so stupid? How could he… all thoughts and sounds pressed against him, squeezing his chest.

Amy turned to Rex. “Rex,” she whispered softly, “What’s wrong?” Rex stayed silent for a beat before speaking. Despite not really having a throat, his voice came out hoarse. “I’m g-going to be r-replaced, Amy, and Andy’s going to get a-a dinosaur w-w-who’s much better than me…” he rambled. He shook, fidgeting with his hands.

The other toys weren’t sure what to do. Rex always was a neurotic, but seeing him freak out like this saddened them.

Amy locked eyes with Rex, backing away from him far enough to give him space to breathe.

“Breathe,” Amy told him gently, “Deep breaths, and you’ll feel better, I promise.”

He took one shaky breath. Then he took another. And another. And another. He could feel air coming in and out of him a bit more normally now.

That was a start.

“Do you want me to talk to you alone? You’ll feel better if you talk it out.” Amy assured. Rex nodded.

ASSURANCE

Amy was walking around the room with Rex, trying to calm his nerves. The other toys had gone back to their own business, a tad confused, and more than a bit worried for their friend.

“W-what about your cut?” Rex asked, Amy dismissed it with a wave of her mitten-like hand, like having her face carved up with stuffing peeking out was the most normal thing. “Don’t worry, I’ll deal with it later, I need to help you first.” She said calmly, absently brushing her cheek. It felt weird, kind of numb, but she would fix it later. Then she added, “And you shouldn’t worry about being replaced, either.” She thought for a moment, calculating what to say next. Could she dare to ask why?

They walked in silence for a while before Amy broke it. “Rex, why are you so worried?” she asked softly, hoping she wasn’t going to upset him. Surprisingly, Rex replied better than she expected.

“Andy g-got me from the Museum…” he started shakily. “The toy company that I was owned by and the Museum had an agreement to sell toys there…” his gaze drifted away from the ragdoll, into the past.

“…I remember the children pointing at me, saying “Hey, look how small it’s arms are!” and ‘and “Heh, look at his dopey face” … They were always more interested in the scarierlooking toys… not me.” Rex trailed off.

“I learnt that the Tyrannosaurus Rex is supposed to be the most fearsome dinosaur –no, creature- to rule the earth.

There were posters in the gift shop where I lived, before Andy. Scary, big pictures of dinosaurs, roaring and growling, scaring everyone… They were respected. And children thought they were cool.

I wanted that. I wanted to be respected. But whenever I try, I become an idiot. I can barely roar. I know everyone in this room thinks I’m annoying, and I don’t blame them. And I don’t hate them for it.

I just know, one day, maybe even today, Andy’s going to get a newer, respectful dinosaur, and I’m going to be abandoned. Discarded. Because I can’t even do what I was made to do. to be scary.

I want to be scary, because I know that’s the only way people will like me. I was alone in that gift shop; no one would talk to me… they hated me for being myself. For not being what they expected me to be.” he paused, before laughing ruefully, sadly. Trying to keep it together, trying to keep from crying. He’d been needing to tell someone that for a long time. “I must be acting really pathetic, huh? And your p-probably bored… forget what I said…” Amy shook her head as if that was the silliest thing she’d ever heard. “No, you’re just talking to me because you’ve had no one to talk to. You shouldn’t pretend to be someone you’re not just to be loved or feared. That’s crazy. We all like you for being you.

You’re special to Andy. And even if he does get a new dinosaur, Andy will play with the both of you. It’s like Woody and Buzz, remember when you told me how much they hated each other at the start?” He nodded. After Amy had arrived to Andy’s room, Rex had felt responsible to tell her everything that had happened to him and his friends. “Well, you’re sure to have a friend in that new dinosaur, if Andy gets one.”

Rex wasn’t so sure. “But what if the new dinosaur is bad? Like… evil?” “Well then, we’ll just do what Woody did and throw him out of the window the window.” She said, smirking. Rex laughed.

PATCHED-UP.

The rest of the day had gone without error, for a room as chaotic as Andy’s. Amy now sat down on top of Andy’s desk as Rex tried to sew Amy back up. She had politely declined at first, but Rex had insisted. He wanted to help, but also, unknown to Amy, because he had nothing to do but worry otherwise otherwise. Also, he felt safer when he was with his friend.

Amy noted the small hollows beneath Rex’s eyes; from all the worrying, she presumed sadly. The poor thing…

She watched as he sewed her cheek up with a needle and a small piece of thread while Amy was seated on top of some building blocks so Rex could reach her. Rex was, surprisingly, really good at sewing. Probably because his fingers were small and nimble. Checking the stitches weren’t loose, he tied the thread off. you’d never know the cut had been there.

Rex remembered, with guilt, how Amy had got the cut in her cheek in the first place. “I’m sorry about your cut…” Rex apologized.

Amy sighed softly. “Well what could I have done? I couldn’t just let you get hit.” “But it’s my fault he tried to hit me in the first place! If I hadn’t’ve freaked out the way I did, if I hadn’t been so dramatic, you wouldn’t have gotten hit! It’s all my fault…” he looked like he’d let her down.

But he hadn’t. “You couldn’t have acted any other way. You were scared, you couldn’t control yourself. and I understand that. And I promise that if you ever feel like that again, I’ll help you. I don’t care how hurt I get; I’ll be able to sew myself back up afterwards.” She smirked.

Rex sighed. “But I was being dramatic! And needy… while I’m whining about my own life… you were cooped up in that attic…” “You were anxious; everyone is dramatic when they’re anxious.” “You’re not…” Rex trailed off. “You’re much braver than me.” He admitted. Amy sighed. But not out of annoyance. “Yes, you are.” Amy countered. “If you weren’t, you wouldn’t be here. And it was brave of you to tell me why you were scared in the first place, it shows good character.” “… it shows good character to be a fraidy cat?” “Yep. When you’re scared, you become stronger by facing what scares. And I know you can face them, Rex.” Amy smiled at him. “What if I can’t?” “You can. And I’ll be right beside you if you need me, no matter what.” “T-thank you, Amy.” Rex stuttered, but grinning.

Well, if Amy thinks he could, he thought, maybe he can.

GLOWING.

Rex fiddled with his hands nervously in the remaining hour till Andy got home. Amy, Hamm, Woody, and Slinky tried to distract the dino with a game of cards.

“He’s coming!” Mr. Potato Head yelled, and the other toys ran back to their places. Amy helped Rex back onto the bed. The dinosaur in question had a pained expression on his face. And he whimpered, staring into space. Amy smiled sympathetically “You’re going to be fine, Rex, I promise.” She whispered reassuringly, before going limp as Andy burst into the room.

To Rex’s dismay, he was carrying a paper bag. Just like the one in his nightmare. Just like the one he’d came in years’ prior today. He felt sick. So this is it…Andy grinned and took the object out of the box, ripping it’s packaging. I’m doomed… Rex thought, he tried to focus on what Amy had said, but he couldn’t…

Rex wasn’t sure if he wanted to cry or laugh as Andy pulled out what he had bought.

It was a lamp. He had worked himself up. For a lamp. Its lampshade had a Jurassic landscape on it, with T-Rexes and Triceratopses and other dinosaurs on it.

Andy spotted Rex on the bed. His face lit up. “Look! It’s the most fearsome creature on the planet!” He grabbed Rex and a few other toys, and started playing.

This playtime, Rex was a ferocious, toy-eating carnivore, stomping across the saloon, eating all in sight. (Even cacti!) He had taken Amy hostage, and she screamed in his grasp, trying to swat him away with her soft cotton hands to no avail. “Help me! Help me please!” she screamed. Luckily, Woody and Buzz, (Ever the dynamic duo,) defeated Rex. Buzz had distracted him with his laser, and Rex followed it like a cat, entangling him in Woody’s lasso, (Slinky). Andy’s Mother then called him downstairs for dinner/tea.

As the toys sprung to life, happy about tonight’s playtime, Rex was undoubtedly the happiest. He grinned at Amy, who was beside him. “You were right.” He said, Amy beamed, “See? What did I tell you? Andy would never replace you.” Rex blanched. “Yeah, but why…?” “... Because who would?” Amy muttered to herself. She wasn’t sure if Rex heard, and she wasn’t quite sure why she had said it.

It was true that she was fond of Rex, but of course, not that fond. After all, he was a dinosaur, and she was a ragdoll, it would just be far too strange. And what if Andy gets another dinosaur... one with pretty scales…? Amy thought with worriment, before snapping out of it. Oh now I’m doing it! She mentally scolded herself, as she and Rex continued to converse.

That night, when Andy was getting ready for bed, the lamp was the only source of light. Silhouettes of dinosaurs patterned the walls with a warm yellowy glow. Rex watched the dinosaur shadows with amusement. Amy had been right. But say, if Andy ever did get a dinosaur, he or she, or they, for that matter, no matter how cool or scary they were, could never replace him. Also, he decided, if Andy did, it might not be so bad.

Especially if the other dinosaur was just as kind as Amy.

[ancharan]

The easiest way to explain the Du House is to start at the foundations and work your way up. Foundations have a metaphorical weight, after all. The conditions upon which the house is built are, ultimately, what determines how long it’ll be until it falls in on itself – or less dramatically, how long until the basement floods; how long before a strong wind knocks a wall askew; how long before the cracks in the concrete slab snake their way up through the patchwork of plaster under the chipping paint. But the Du house is not built on a concrete slab. I might be getting ahead of myself.

Let’s talk about the foundations. The Du house is made of brick. It’s a brick house; it has a stone foundation. Do you know much about brick houses? Most of them are actually veneers: shells, covering rotting wood and soft insulation and plastic sheeting to keep out what water it can. That’s after World War II, anyway. Bricks got expensive. Masonry houses went out of vogue. It was a little like paying for two houses at once, and only getting one house out of the deal. The Du house has a stone foundation. The stones cannot be found anywhere else in the world. That’s the nature of stones. You find them in one spot, you’ll never find another one exactly like it. Unless you cast a mold of it, anyway, but even then, you’d have to cut another stone to size, and it still won’t be a perfect reproduction, would it? Stone foundations are held together with pressure and mortar. If the mortar rots – well, let’s say it doesn’t.

If you got out of your car at the front gate – what kind of car is it? Doesn’t matter – you get out, you go to the intercom that’s bolted on the side of the ponderous wrought iron, and you press the cracked plastic button under the mesh of the microphone. It pops and buzzes. Words are probably exchanged here, but maybe not. Either way, in this example, the gate grinds open. A wrought iron gate on motorized hinges, then? Yes. It was added after the house was built. And the intercom. Obviously. It’s a fucking masonry home, you think those were original to the house?

The drive through the grounds is short and sweet. Well. It’s short. It takes you on a sweeping curve around the front door, then around the side, to a flat area that once held a stable. There’s a lot to take from that, if you cared to, but we’re not here to talk about the implications of the Du house having a stable or servants to work in the stable or horses to live in the stable. We’re here to talk about the heavy mahogany door that towers over you from under the awning. The door isn’t that large in reality – it’s honestly pretty normal for a house this size. How big is the house? Two stories, give or take. Somewhere between 1,000 and 2,500 square feet in living space, depending who you ask.

Anyway.

The door is not new. It has a modest handle; a slot for envelopes; a square pane of glass is set into the stained wood. Through it, if you craned your head slightly, you could see dim lights and a hallway. You probably don’t do that, though. There are no windows on either side of the door; only brick, layered and stacked in such a way as to imply the presence of an archway. There is a wrought iron railing on the stairs leading up to the door. It matches the fence surrounding the property. It’s a nice touch. It doesn’t match the door handle.

You’ve been waiting long enough, I guess. Let’s talk about the front façade. Sure, the foundation gives you an idea of the bones of the house; the drive up gives you an idea of the impression it cultivates; but what does it look like?

The Du house is symmetrical. It follows crisp, clean lines in a muddled, unclear way. The bricks are mechanically precise – surprising, given the age, to be quite honest with you. The windows are even. The gutters – from what you can tell – seem well maintained. There are two dormers. Their windows are dark. Curtains? The roof is shingled in slate. There are two chimney stacks. The roof has a wide overhang. The awning mentioned previously spans the width of the front door and little else; a single brass lamp dangles from a chain underneath it. As we have discussed: The Du house is made of brick.

The grounds around the house seem like they could do with a little attention. I will not say anything else about them.

In this example, just for the sake of the exercise, let’s say you go inside. The door might have been opened by a servant; it might have been opened by an inhabitant; you might have even opened it yourself, and then, it might have been either by your own hand or with the help of a Thunderbolt Twin Turbo hand-held battering ram. The front door opens to a foyer. What are the walls made of? Plaster. Wood. Crumbling mortar. They look good, at first glance. There’s a nice wallpaper covering them. It’s a kind of brocade, you think? It goes from dappled brown to dappled green. It’s a little hard to look at head on, to be honest. It’s like you brought the woods in with you. Warm incandescent bulbs buzz faintly from their wall sockets. They used to be gas lamps. Their enclosures are brass and clouded glass, polygonal frames and useless flutes. The ceiling is plaster. It’s pristine. The foyer has sparse furniture, and a heavy wooden staircase that unfurls down from the second floor.

There are three doors leading out of the foyer, but before we get to those, it might be best to orient ourselves a little. The house faces south. You approach the foyer walking north. There is a door to your east – a parlor, it seems; a door to your west, just before the foot of the stairs, which is closed; there is an archway at the far end of the hall.

I suppose it’s time to address that battering ram comment. You’re probably not directly holding it right now, but if you were, you’d be making a beeline for that archway at the far end of the hall, following the orders that crack and pop out of the two-way walkie talkie strapped to your vest. You’d be making a sharp left, drawing your service weapon and lining up outside a heavy door, just as you were trained to do.

You’re probably not doing that right now, though. Right now, there’s a bright red incandescent bulb flashing above the door that looks starkly incongruous in comparison to the rest of the house. The doorway might have once been a kitchen, or a servant’s quarters. There are tire marks on the floorboards in front of it, as if several heavy dollies had been forced over the slight threshold. You can hear a bright peal of laughter – it sounds rehearsed – and a man’s voice, admonishing and playful.

Let’s go upstairs. The stairwell ends abruptly at a locked door. It’s made of pine. It, too, is out of place in the rest of the house. The walls here are not plaster, but drywall, and the wallpaper looks fresh. It would not be hard to force entry into this part of the house, if need be. Do you need to? You can hear a kind of whirring in the distance. It smells faintly of gasoline.

If you’d been let in by a servant, you wouldn’t smell gasoline, by the way. This is due to the fact that if the circumstances had suggested the presence of servants, there would be no door here, and if there were no door, there wouldn’t be a line of Generac 5734 GP15000E gas powered generators behind it. But we know there’s no servants, because there was no stable. See?

[mnthpprt]

Chapter 21: Serendipità

I arrive at Leonardo’s room to find the door wide open. He’s not here. Sebastian sent me to get the dirty laundry, and I don’t want to go back empty handed, so I decide to go in and do it quickly.

There is a slight problem: the room is a complete mess. So much so, that I can’t  even find the hamper under all the stuff. There’s canvases of different sizes piled against a corner facing the wall, and books and notebooks towered precariously on top of any flat surface.

I finally spot the hamper, its lid covered by books, of course. The only reason I know it’s there at all is the pile of wrinkly clothes on the floor next to it. Leonardo must have been too lazy to move his things to open it. I am about to do that myself when an open notebook on top catches my attention.

Curiosity takes over my actions and I begin reading the page it’s on. I knew he wrote backwards, and despite that, it’s not too hard for me to decipher. I flip through different pages, all of them as messy as his bedroom, littered with sketches and formulas and coffee stains. I take a seat on the only place I possibly can, his bed, and become absorbed by the lopsided paragraphs in Italian.

“What a surprise, cara mia,” Leonardo greets me from under the door frame, startling me.

“I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to snoop,” I apologize, flustered. “I’ll just take the laundry and go. Sorry.”

Before I can fully get up, Leonardo stops me by sitting by my side. I notice he’s carrying something when the dark bundle in his arms meows in protest. I had no idea he had a cat.

“Oh! Who’s this?” I am immediately distracted by the cat wriggling out of his hold and walking over my lap, and I pet its head, earning another meow.

“He doesn’t have a name yet. I’ve just been calling him ‘cat’.” Upon hearing the word, the little animal turns back to look at him, and I thoughtfully watch, tilting my head.

“How about... ‘Lumière’?” I suggest. Leonardo looks at me. “His eyes are bright and shiny. Like yours.”

“‘Lumière’,” Leonardo smiles tenderly. “I like it.” His gaze falls to the notebook still in my hand and he leans closer. I can feel the heat coming from his body where he brushes my shoulder. “You need a mirror to read that.”

“Uh? Oh, this. I used to do it too as a child. I can read it just fine,” I explain, before I let out a chuckle. “Actually, it’s your handwriting that makes it a challenge.”

He looks offended for half a second but his smile returns with a shrug.

“That’s fair,” he laughs. “So, what do you think of it, cara mia? Interesting?”

“Very. But this...” I flip through the pages until I find a varnish recipe I saw earlier. “This is wrong. Zinc white decomposes when you mix it with a spirit, in a few years it would just look all murky and gross. You want to use raw linseed or dammar resin instead.”

“Good to know. I’ve only started experimenting with it, so I had no idea.” 

His breath tickles my ear, suddenly making me realize how close we are. I... kind of like it. Admittedly, I’ve found him attractive since we met, when he helped me calm down after the incident with Isaac, but I have not dared to do anything about it. I don’t think he is interested in me like that, although the way he looks at me sometimes makes me question it. Besides, I’ll only be here for about two more weeks, and once I go home I’ll never see him again. The thought of that saddens me more than I’m comfortable with, so I try to avoid it.

His rough hand on mine pulls me back to reality. The gesture makes my heart pound, and I become too aware of my own body on his bed, next to his.

“You’ve gone quiet, cara mia. Is everything alright?” he asks softly. The vibration of his voice makes my stomach flutter.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Lumière is adorable,” I change the topic. Recognizing his new name, the cat meows from the desk, where he has somehow gotten comfortable atop a pile of books. “How long have you had him?”

“About a year,” he answers, still not pulling away. It’s like he’s completely oblivious to what he’s doing to me. “I found him curled up on a grave after his previous owner’s funeral. He didn’t have anywhere else to go so I took him in.”

“Poor baby, that’s really sad. At least he has you to take care of him now... I couldn’t think of anyone better.”

“You really think so?”

“Of course!” I turn to face him. Big mistake. His face is a lot closer to mine than I thought, and now our noses are merely an inch away from touching. I try my best to play it cool, but my voice comes out quiet, something shaky akin to a whisper. “You took care of me.”

“And I would do it again without hesitation, cara mia. Always,” he replies in the same tone, sending shivers down my spine. We’re so damn close to each other. 

I’m at a loss for words. His golden eyes and his breath on my mouth are all I can think of. He does not move away, but doesn’t move closer either. Instead, his hand lifts from mine, leaving my skin cold and craving for his warmth back, and reaches for my cheek. This is killing me. He strokes my face delicately, almost lovingly, and I see the hint of a smile on his lips. No smile should ever look that sad.

Just before I can close the gap between us, he gets up abruptly.

“Lumière, non toccarlo!”

I turn to where he is now standing with an empty glass bottle in his hand as the cat jumps down from the desk. He must have knocked it over. I get up too, and quickly gather the clothes from the floor.

“I, uh... I should go,” I mutter. “Sebastian’s waiting to do laundry.”

“Cara mia,” he calls out as I reach the door, and I look at him over my shoulder. “I meant it.”

I leave without answering, but a smile grows on my lips once I’m out of his sight. I wonder what would have happened had Lumière not interrupted. The cat is cute, but now I am left full of uncertainty. Would he have kissed me? Or would he have pulled away regardless?

That night, I get out of bed and grab my cigarillos before walking out into the hallway in nothing but my nightgown and slippers. It’s been a long day of work, but I can’t seem to fall asleep. It happens often, but normally, I would go to the library to pass the time. I can’t do that today. Leonardo will be there, and I am not sure if I am ready to face him. I still feel like an idiot after this morning.

Instead, I make my way to the attic, where I know no one will bother me. I noticed the large dormer window that leads to the roof during the first week I was here, while helping Sebastian clean. I easily climb out of it and get comfortable behind a large chimney, leaning my back against it. The stars in this sky are much brighter than they are in my time. I light my cigarillo with the red plastic lighter I had brought with me from the Lourvre, and take a deep breath of smoke, which pleasantly burns in the back of my throat. The cool night breeze cools my skin through the thin sleeves of the nightgown, making the hairs on my arm stand on end, but I don’t mind. It’s somehow soothing, and I focus on the feeling as I watch the landscape.

The sound of cautious steps approaching startles me, and I turn around to peek from behind the chimney. Who would be up here at this time?

“Oh, hi Jean,” he must have come here to be alone, too, because he looks surprised to hear my voice. “Can’t sleep?”

He hesitates to come closer, and I pat the roof tiles next to me, making space for him to sit. To my surprise, he does.

“No. I usually come here to think,” he says quietly. That might explain why I never see him around, he’s practically nocturnal. I put out what’s left of my cigarillo and look at him.

“Sorry to steal your spot. I can’t sleep either.”

“Is it because you miss your time?” he asks after a long pause. I shake my head with a sad smile.

“Not really. Back home I have trouble sleeping too. I guess I just have a lot in my mind, a lot of thoughts that won’t shut up and let me relax,” I am surprised to find myself answering honestly. He nods, thoughtfully, and looks up at the night sky.

“I have that too.”

The silence that falls upon us is comforting. We remain like this for some time, side by side, each quietly thinking about our own woes.

[monkeygibber-blog]

How to design and build home extensions

You are able to bring out small works, including fitting an alarm box or any other little changes, without planning authorization. Subject to them falling in certain guidelines you can additionally carry out things as Loft sales, Roof modifications, and laying of Driveways and patios without the need to get certain permission.

And also this is true for the building of outbuildings, which includes sheds, garages, automobile ports, playrooms, workshops etc, assuming they're no closer than five metres from the key house. It's additionally frequently permissible to cover as many as fifty % of the back garden area with them.

In total instances remember... ... consistently consult the Local Planning Officer of yours before you go forward with the task of yours.

Taking or even erecting Down Fences, Gates as well as Garden Walls

Planning permission is needed if you would like to make fencing, garden wall or perhaps gate and:

- It is going to be higher than one metre alongside a footpath or maybe street in which the street is utilized by cars. Elsewhere it could be as much as two metres tall. - The right of yours to modify or maybe erect a wall structure, gate or maybe fence has been taken out by a preparation quality or even an article four direction. - The property of yours has been built, or perhaps is within the curtilage of, an outlined building. - The property of yours forms a part of a boundary having an adjacent listed building or maybe the curtilage of its.

Except if you're inside a Conservation Area, you won't have to use for planning authorization to take down a gate, wall, or a fence, or maybe to modify or maybe enhance a current fence, gate or wall (no matter exactly how high) until improving the height of its.

Automobile Ports For Shelter

Even though automobile ports could be much less well known than they had been, possibly as a result of DIY' kit' garages owning come to be more affordable to purchase, simpler to erect and supply much less protection than a storage area, they are able to be extremely beneficial in front of or even alongside a garage. This's all of a lot more therefore if the garage area sits back from the front side of the home with drive in front or perhaps alongside. Next, a carport is able to offer very good protection for automobile, watercraft, motorbike, or maybe low height car, and also shelter from the weather condition while unloading just before garaging.

With virtually all carports produced of GRP (glass reinforced plastic) along with translucent, composite glazed roofs. Visit http://bit.ly/2mj03vH for more transparent roofing sheets profiles. GRP is much stiffer than Polycarbonate but it has lower light transmission. It is not at all hard for these people to be connected to the edge of a home or maybe garage with side or perhaps freestanding pillars. Innovative cantilevered canopy styles can also be readily available that readily connect to any kind of wall, with very little or maybe no noticeable reinforcement. A lot of these also require very few, if any, other groundworks or foundations.

Planning for an automobile Port

Since they're regarded as to be' temporary structures', automobile ports do not usually need planning endorsement. The same is true for some ready-made, or' kit' garages. Nevertheless, you are going to need to view a selection of various other regulations, for instance, if the system is usually to be closer to the street as opposed to the front side of the home of yours.

You will additionally have to comply with any appropriate structure regulations, such as being a minimum of a metre using the boundary' despite the fact that in common terms building laws don't use to detached sole storey structures located greater than a metre coming from the boundary. Providing they're available on a minimum of 2 sides and also have a floor part of not over thirty square metres, automobile ports don't require developing laws endorsement.

Outbuildings

Generally, outbuildings (see below) are believed to be as' permitted advancement,' providing:-

- They don't estimate in front of every wall which forms a part of the' principle elevation'. - They're of sole storey construction, no a lot more than 2.5 metres tall with the eaves, no over four metres excessive at the ridge in case they have a two-pitch roof, or maybe three metres if they've some other kind of roof. - If in two metres of the boundary they are no more than 2.5 metres tall. - You will find no elevated platforms, balconies, or perhaps verandas. - At least fifty per cent of the area that surrounds the' original house' continues to be uncovered - Container, enclosure, or any pools sited more than twenty metres from a home at a National Park, the Broads, a location of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or maybe a World Heritage Site is restricted to ten square metres. - On' designated' acreage planning authorization is necessary for structures, enclosures, pools and containers at the edge of a property. - Any outbuilding sited within the curtilage of an outlined buildings will call for planning permission. - You obtain planning authorization for erecting some top walls or perhaps fences. However, there are actually individual guidelines for new roofs.

Hedges

Unless the property of yours is actually governed by a preparation quality or maybe restricted covenant on the deeds, without setting up consent is actually necessary for hedges. This might not use if, for instance, you reside in an' open plan' estate, or even in case the website type of a driver might be obstructed by the hedge at several times right after it's planted.

Porches

You won't need the authorization to put in a porch to any outside door providing it'll not:-

1. Exceed three square metres with the exterior of the covered region. 2. Be above three metres from the soil, assessed as a home extension. 3. Be within two metres of any boundary involving the home and also the public road.

If you do not have to apply

Unless the property of yours is actually a Listed Building or maybe inside a Conservation Area you typically do not need the authorization to fix or maybe replace windows, which includes double glazing, or maybe for a brand new or perhaps replacing staircase, or perhaps to repair or even change the roof or even insert roof lighting or even skylights (this doesn't include dormers). Nevertheless, you might need authorization from the landlord of yours or perhaps management company

This particular dispensation applies to provide:-

- No alteration projects greater than 150 millimetres from the current roof plane. - No alteration is greater compared to probably the highest portion of the first roof. - Side dealing with windows have obscure glazed; with any kind of opening being 1.7m over the floor.

Solar energy Panels

...maybe viewed as' permitted development', but presently there are essential exclusions as well as provisos, particularly in places that are protected, which should be noticed.

Preferring a Garage

Even though you are going to need to perform a great deal more preparation work for many garages, based on the circumstances of yours they might supply you with higher flexibility. For example, including electrical energy and water within the garage might provide it extra workshop as well as storage uses.

In the majority of cases, you might want to lay a floor, with a small fall to the entrance doors to make certain that just about any water or maybe spillages are able to drain, or perhaps be swept away, effortlessly. Although this must be sound and correctly built, flat when a' kit' storage area is actually gonna be constructed on it, often reinforced concrete having to pay slabs might be substituted forgetting to pour concrete.

While many garage kits come as timber, concrete or steel, newer self-assembly' traditional oak' style packages, like'Beamlock Buildings,' are increasing in popularity. This's since their look and styling likely up the importance of the property of yours more. Usually utilized to produce rustic, coach home, and other' traditional' automobile ports & garages, they're additionally useful for household extensions, home offices as well as yard rooms.

Planning for a Garage

To provide your proposals meet specific size plus location considerations, as well as giving vehicular permission to access a drive and also auto parking space already exists, you might be deemed to have' permitted development' rights. This implies you won't have to use for planning authorization for a garage area unless Conservation Area, or perhaps Listed Building orders impact the property of yours.

Planning Permission for a' Beamlock Building'

Much like other kinds of tiny growth, in case it's not very big a Beamlock system might fall within the permitted advancement rules.

Nevertheless, while it's usually better to consult any nearby Planning Authority (LPA), as a broad guide you are going to require formalized preparation and also some other consents if:

- The property of yours is a' listed' developing as well as your proposals impact this or perhaps are actually to be made in the grounds of its. - If the task of yours lies within an' Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' (AONB), a Conservation Area, a National Park, or perhaps equivalent. - The planned growth of yours is closer compared to probably the nearest portion of the initial home to the highway. - You plan to construct it within five metres of the' original house'. - Your proposed ridge level is going to be higher than four metres. - The task of yours lies inside a space in which planning permission is necessary for an agricultural structure.

When you discover you do have to apply for preparing consent, then some businesses, similar to the Beamlock Building Company provide typical preparation drawing kits at really low costs that will help you obtain approval. These may include things like roof floor tile samples, illustrations of designs that are well-liked (which will often be' tailored' to the needs) of yours along with structural engineering calculations. They might additionally have the ability to make the preparation program of yours for you.

Extending Above a Garage

In the event that you would like to make a 2nd storey in addition to your current garage, you might well need planning authorization. The planners of yours might additionally like you to determine this back from the front side of any current construction to ensure that it will not be more than dominant, or perhaps impact other considerations, particularly the visual features of the transformation of yours.

[evolutionproperties]

Just How Complicated is it to Renovate a Listed Building?

Whether you want to replace a single broken roof tile or build an extension, the correct specification of materials is vital to any work on listed and conservation area buildings. But you’re not on your own: there are set procedures to follow and experts who can guide you through them and help you assess everything you can – and can’t – do.

Can I extend a listed building? It is possible to extend a listed building, but you need to apply for a special form of permission called Listed Building Consent. Permitted Development rights do not apply to listed buildings and buildings in conservation areas, so you will also need to apply for Householder Planning Consent.

“Because there are no Permitted Development rights, standard loft conversions with box dormers are completely out of the question,” Kevin Clarke says. Any extension must enhance the existing building and not detract from the heritage value and historic elements associated with the house.

Kevin explains that any extension should be subservient to the original house. “This usually, but not exclusively, means it should be small and to the rear of the property,” he says. “The local planning authority and Historic England [or your local equivalent] will also expect materials and fenestration [windows] to match the existing house.”

If a proposed extension affects any trees on your property, be aware that trees in conservation areas are likely to be subject to Tree Preservation Orders. If you want to carry out work on trees that are not yet the subject of a Tree Preservation Order, you must give the local authority something called Notification of Proposed Works to Trees in Conservation Areas.

Does an extension have to be in the same style as the original building? A modern extension may be considered acceptable, but there are strict caveats, Kevin says. “The design must be of an exceptionally high standard. You will need to prove to the authorities that it’s an improvement on a more traditional alternative.”

Conservation officers can vary in their opinion about how best to extend listed buildings, as Denis Hayes explains: “Some look for something in keeping with what’s already there. Others believe a modern extension that contrasts with the original building and doesn’t seek to replicate it is more sympathetic. It’s subjective and you should seek advice about what might be most successful in your local area.”

What about repairing or replacing windows? “Original windows tend to be single glazed with a distorted or unperfected look,” Lior Brosh says. “Therefore, the council will assess the impact of any replacement or repair. It’s very likely they’ll ask for the replacement to be like for like.” This means the colour, material and profiles should be identical to the original windows.

“You need to be careful,” Denis says. “You can get modern replicas that mimic single-glazed sashes, but the frames are almost always too chunky and are often refused by conservation officers.

“In that instance,” he continues, “it’s always seen as better to repair than replace. You may be able to upgrade the existing glazing to improve the performance, but keep the same frame. Whatever you choose will need to be approved by your local conservation officer.”

Are there other glazing options? “The most common method to enhance acoustics and thermal buffering [insulation] in a listed building is to add secondary glazing behind the original windows,” Kevin says. This solution increases performance without changing the exterior appearance.

“But there are many high-quality heritage-style double-glazed options that are considered acceptable,” he says. “Quite often, Heritage England [or your local equivalent] and heritage officers in local planning authorities acknowledge that the existing fabric of the building is no longer fit for purpose. In this case, they will often approve an upgraded window or fenestration grouping on the assumption the aesthetics are on a like-for-like basis.”

Why is damp a particular issue in listed buildings? “Many period properties suffer from damp simply because of their age and the constant movement of the building,” Lior says. “Newer listed buildings might have a damp-proof membrane or damp course that over time has broken in one or more places.”

Once there’s a break, he says, the brick becomes a sponge and absorbs water. “If there’s no proper ventilation, bacteria can start growing into mould and rot, which can also affect human health,” he says. It’s very common and treatable, but must be tackled as soon as possible.

A lot of Britain’s historic housing stock, however, was built before modern plastics and damp courses were introduced into the construction industry and, as a result, can suffer from moisture penetrating through and rising up from the foundations.

“All old buildings were built to be breathable, with plenty of passive ventilation,” Denis explains. “They are what’s known as ‘hygroscopic’ in nature, meaning that any moisture is absorbed by the walls and released slowly over time.”

Therefore, be wary of introducing modern materials, such as insulation and vapour barriers, into older buildings, he says. “They can prevent air flow and ventilation, altering the performance of the building and causing major damage, including damp and decay.”

Kevin adds, “Many listed buildings have basements or cellars that have not been tanked or water-proofed internally, which subsequently causes damp. Trying to resolve damp issues like this on listed buildings can be costly and time-consuming.”

The correct specification of materials is vital, Denis says. “Engage with an architect as early as possible to discuss what is the most appropriate approach when upgrading a listed building element.”

What do I need to bear in mind if I want to repair or replace roofs, chimneys, guttering or drainpipes? “If the roof is made from a particular natural slate or the guttering from cast steel, you’d need to source the exact same product,” Denis says. “This can be expensive, both in material costs and the specialist labour required.”

It’s important that no material changes are made to the exterior of a listed building that alter it from its original state, he says.

“In a conservation area, a chimney needs to remain untouched, because it forms part of the streetscape,” Denis continues. “Chimneys are also often integral to the whole structure of the building. Many older properties have shallow foundations and the whole thing settles into the ground over time. As a result, removing the chimney could impact the structural integrity of a historic building. It’s always best to consult a structural engineer prior to carrying out any works involving a chimney.”

How do I insulate a listed building for energy efficiency? “It’s often incredibly difficult to do this,” Kevin says. “While windows can be upgraded on a like-for-like basis, walls, floors and roofs are trickier.

“Older listed buildings are unlikely to have a cavity to allow insulation to be pumped into the walls,” he says. “External insulation is ruled out because it would alter the aesthetics of the building. Dry-lining the walls internally is likely to be impossible, as it would require skirting boards, architraves and cornicing to be removed to achieve full coverage of the wall.”

Alternatively, look at improving insulation elsewhere, Denis suggests. “You can, for instance, upgrade loft insulation to reduce heat loss without any impact on original features.”

What about draught-proofing? “Draught-proofing is one of the most cost-effective and least intrusive ways of improving the comfort of occupants and reducing the energy used for heating,” Denis says, “and there’s little or no change to a building’s appearance. It also has the added benefit of reducing noise and keeping out dust.

“You can draught-proof the windows throughout,” he says. “Research has shown that this can reduce air leakage by at least 33%, significantly reducing the heating requirement needed for a room.”

Can I do anything about draughty floors? “If you need to insulate a wood floor because of draughts, the local planning authority will require you to carefully number and set aside the floorboards,” Lior says. “You’ll need to install the insulation without any damage to the floor joists and then carefully put the boards back in their original location.”

“Obtain professional advice on this beforehand,” Kevin advises. “This will ensure the process won’t adversely affect the thermal balance and breathability of the house or create condensation issues.”

“Whatever you have in mind for your listed building,” Lior concludes, “make sure you have all the drawings and information describing the work you want to carry out, so the local planning authority can assess and guide you through what can and what can’t be done.”

[roofingspecialist]

What Is a Mansard Roof?

A mansard roof is a type of home roof that has an upper portion. This portion is flatter than the rest of the roof, which means it is not the most suitable type of roof for extreme weather conditions. Snow and rain can collect on this part and cause damping. It also has poor drainage, which means it needs frequent maintenance and repair. Over time, this can lead to serious damage.

Convex-type mansard roof

A mansard roof is a unique style of roof that offers numerous benefits. Its sloping top allows for more room and is ideal for urban or rural areas. Additionally, it offers flexibility when it comes to future expansion. A mansard roof is an excellent choice for buildings with multiple levels. However, it is important to note that a mansard roof may require a permit depending on the local building codes.

When planning a convex-type mansard roof, you must ensure that your site is clear enough to accommodate it. This style is typically found on courthouses and towers. It is usually made of slate or wood shingles. The lower slope allows for dormer windows that provide proper ventilation and lighting and add extra interior space. However, it is essential to keep branches and other debris off of this type of roof to ensure that it looks its best.

The main disadvantage of a mansard roof is that it is not suitable for all types of weather. The lower slopes can accumulate snow and rain and cause the roof to become damp. In addition, the poor drainage system of a mansard roof requires frequent repair and maintenance to prevent extensive damage.

S-shape mansard roof

An S-shape mansard roof is a type of mansard roof with a curved upper slope and a flat lower slope. It is most commonly found on large buildings. However, an S-shape mansard roof has some disadvantages, including the potential for snow to accumulate on it and lead to leaks. Consequently, it requires regular maintenance and repairs.

A mansard roof is also called a French roof or a gambrel roof. It is a modified form of a gable roof. It consists of a truss with two slopes, the lower one higher than the upper slope. The sides may be flat, curved, or convex. A mansard roof can be a traditional or modern-looking structure. It is most often found on barn houses, a type of farmhouse, or a farm house.

A mansard roof allows more light into a home. It also enables better air circulation within the building. A mansard roof is also more flexible when it comes to modern design elements. It can easily blend with other styles of architecture and can enhance the aesthetic appeal of a building. Moreover, modern contractors use quality materials and modern designs to give the structure the look it deserves.

Cedar shake shingle mansard roof

A mansard roof requires special materials for its roof, such as cedar shake shingles or synthetic shingles. Synthetic shingles are derived from recycled plastic and are similar to cedar shake shingles, but they are more expensive than standard asphalt shingles. Cedar shake shingles, on the other hand, are natural wood shingles and are made up of six pieces. They cost more than asphalt shingles, but they will not slide down the mansard roof’s vertical sides.

One of the disadvantages of using asphalt shingles is that they are too heavy. Consequently, they won’t hang well on the mansard roof’s highest pitch side. To address this problem, a roofing contractor may use 12 nails, sealant, and other methods to secure them to the roof. However, these measures won’t prevent the shingles from slipping down, so other materials may be a better choice.

Another disadvantage of cedar shakes is the difficulty of maintaining them. In order to keep them looking as good as new, they need to be cleaned regularly. Experts recommend washing them with bleach and water every two to four years and letting them dry. They also recommend treating the wood with a cedar refinisher if necessary. As cedar is a temperamental wood, it needs proper ventilation. A good cedar shake installer will ensure that the ventilation is adequate to avoid moisture buildup and mold.

Synthetic roofing material mansard roof

There are many different options when it comes to the roofing material for a mansard roof. While traditional roofing materials are usually slate tiles or wooden shingles, you can also choose asphalt shingles, metal tiles, or any other type of material you like. If you’re looking to avoid the high cost of traditional materials, you may want to consider using synthetic shingles instead.

Another alternative is installing dormer windows on the mansard roof. These windows can increase natural light in your home and help ventilate the attic. The main disadvantage of a mansard roof is that it’s more susceptible to weather damage. Because of the low pitch of the upper portion of the roof, heavy snow and rain can accumulate on it and create leaks. In addition, mansard roofs often have poor drainage systems.

When choosing a roofing material, make sure to select a material that will provide the most protection. A synthetic roofing material can be lightweight but still provide traction. It’s also safer to work with than felt, and will last for months without fading.

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Know The Potential Benefits Of Skirting And Architraves Installation

Skirting and architraves installation is a job that installers can do to finish the installation of the architraves in the roof or roof structure. Skirting boards can be made from many different materials such as rubber, wood, or plastic as well as materials that give off a more classic look such as marble or cut stone. The architrave is another type of architectural detail often missed by homeowners and this is a prime example that you don’t have to break the bank to get the result you want.

With various Pergolas Solutions, you can get the look of real cut stone on a budget. They are usually installed on the front of a building and can be used to add shade to windows or create some extra privacy. While the architrave is technically part of the area referred to as architectural detail, they require a different type of installation than skirting boards. To know its potential benefits, read on below:

The reason most homes and buildings have skirting installed is that it's one of the best ways to cover up unsightly parts of a building's structure by creating custom-built trim boards around them; this includes dormers, chimneys, water tanks, attics, garages and roofs. You should also get skirting installed to hide the manholes and the devices that pass through your attic or roof, such as cables and pipes.

The architrave is a strip of wood or metal that can be placed on either side of a door or window frame. It’s important to note the fact that in most cases the architrave is only seen when the door or window is closed, but this doesn’t mean it should be overlooked. No matter which material is used, it should always match the material being used in other parts of your home for added continuity.

Both skirting boards and architraves can be fitted by any DIY expert if you want to save some money yourself.

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What is the Roof Flashing? The UNIFLEX Roof Coating Contractor is a strip of material that is attached to the weaker parts of your roof for additional protection. These weaker areas of your roof often include the skylights, valleys, chimneys or even your dormer windows. It can be made of different materials such as like copper, which better suits historic homes; sheet metal, the most commonly used material; and rubber or plastic, which degrades over time due to exposure to the sun. Depending on which material you choose and how well you care for it, the lifespan of your roof flashing can vary. To install a flashing on your roof, don’t hesitate to turn to roofing services from Just Quality. Why is the Flashing Important? As stated before, the roof flashing is an extremely important part of your roof that’s attached to its weaker areas. The reason why it’s needed is because these weak areas are incredibly vulnerable to leaks during rainy days. With the flashing, you can easily protect your roof and your home from a significant amount of moisture damage, roof repairs or replacements unnecessary.

The UNIFLEX Roof Coating Contractor is a strip of material that is attached to the weaker parts of your roof for additional protection. These weaker areas of your roof often include the skylights, valleys, chimneys or even your dormer windows. It can be made of different materials such as like copper, which better suits historic homes; sheet metal, the most commonly used material; and rubber or plastic, which degrades over time due to exposure to the sun. Depending on which material you choose and how well you care for it, the lifespan of your roof flashing can vary.

To install a flashing on your roof, don’t hesitate to turn to roofing services from Just Quality.

Why is the Flashing Important?

As stated before, the roof flashing is an extremely important part of your roof that’s attached to its weaker areas. The reason why it’s needed is because these weak areas are incredibly vulnerable to leaks during rainy days. With the flashing, you can easily protect your roof and your home from a significant amount of moisture damage, roof repairs or replacements unnecessary.