Belvedere nuts and bolts
Planning and designing the Belvedere had taken us over two years as we’ve shown. With planning approval agreed, we could now start the business of construction. Carrying up all the material 40 feet from the road to the top of the garden took extra time and effort but the longest delays were the least expected – the time taken to source the 50 stainless steel bottle screws and rigging for the deck and to find a copper rain chain supplier. The original idea for the former had come from a gangway beside the Thames in London and for the latter from a house in Hawaii. So why not borrow some good ideas?
The sedum roof proved more complicated than we had initially expected. There was little experience in 2008 of building green roofs in Cumbria and the nearest supplier for the proposed system was based in Yorkshire.
We finally contacted Rachael Sunley, Cockermouth School’s Eco-centre coordinator where a large roof had recently been installed. She was able to recommend both the Index system they had used and an accredited contractor in Penrith. After this, fitting the roof construction into the overall staging and schedule was plain sailing.
The purpose of this sub-section is to provide you with information about the practicalities of building a belvedere, so it is arranged in six stages and in chronological order with over 40 photographs.
You may be interested in a particular aspect of one of the stages, in which case you can click on the image of interest. You may also wish to look at a sequence of photos or indeed the entire run. To do this you need only make a single click on an individual photo to bring up the slide show. Pressing the right arrow on the keyboard (or the left arrow to go back) will then advance you through the sequence of photos.
A. Constructing the base This involved cutting, assembling and securing the joists, which were made of stress graded timber (BS 4978 standard); and then laying the decking planks in accordance with the technical requirements of the Timber Decking Association (TDA).The BBQ patio area gave us flat working space. Ensuring the decking was level was critical to minimize subsequent difficulties with the building of the belvedere itself.
B. Creating the Belvedere framework This part involved the construction of an envelope with 100x50mm vertical timber studs and 150X150mm timber posts. It was completed relatively quickly by the end of the second week. The back section was erected first with the sides and front following. Scaffolding was then erected to enable work to be started on the side panels.
C. Clothing the shell With the good weather a protective shield for the Belvedere was soon in place. The studs/posts were lined externally with plywood sheathing, with a vapor barrier nailed outside with battens and a roof substructure created. Strong 3” x2” timbers were needed to take the heavy weight of the sedum roof. The hung folding glass doors and the two windows made off site could also be placed in position.
D. Securing the approach route Access to the Belvedere had been largely achieved via stone steps and a pathway, but it was clear for safety reasons a raised wooden gangway was necessary to provide a short corridor to the decking. Additional deep holes were dug for two posts to anchor both the steps and the gangway itself and handrails. Further advantages of this were that we did not have to uproot a large laurel which was providing cover for the belvedere; and we could leave intact two tree stumps whose roots were helping to keep the ground stable.
E. Laying the sedum roof The Index roofing system was installed by Brian Whittaker Roofing using pea gravel at the edges, light volcanic rock material for drainage, an exterior grade bitumen-based roofing felt, and a proprietary root-proof green membrane from the supplying company. This provided the base for the sedum blanket or mat. A timed watering system was set up – an essential element – to ensure a daily dousing of the sedum plants with sprinkled water for over six weeks. There is a 20 year guarantee on the roof. There is more detailed information about green roofs here. (http://www.safeguardeurope.com/applications/green_roofs_pitched.php)
F. Fitting out This part of the work carried out by Stanley’s Joiners to a high standard took the longest of all. It involved internally the laying of rustic oak T&G flooring, fitting of insulation in all voids, creation of access points for electrical power and lighting, cladding of internal walls and ceiling with pine T&G; and externally the fitting of cedar shingles, hanging the copper rain chain, the creation of a balustrade round the decking area with hardwood railing, a set of steps and installation of the 1100 mm high barrier with 50 separate adjustable stainless steel bottle screws and customized wire lengths. A heavy duty electrical cable too was laid in a covered trench from the house.
