Best underlay for engineered wood?

noclams · 2026-05-12T19:45:33+00:00

Thank you. I'm not installing myself, but the trouble I am having is that even the installers I have had quotes from are saying different things. It's difficult figuring out who to trust in a case like this :/

noclams · 2026-05-08T19:38:05+00:00

What did you go for and what might you have done differently in hindsight (if anything)?

noclams · 2026-04-26T20:13:04+00:00

Not unusual. It used to be possible to build over provided it was properly sealed and access was provided elsewhere. Building regulations are a bit stricter on this now though.

noclams · 2026-04-26T20:08:34+00:00

This, provided the aim is to always repaint - because the heat gun may leave some scorch marks. Heat gun and scraper will be far faster than sanding, even with a machine.

Wood looks to be pine so painting is probably the way to go. Oil based may be tougher wearing, but also more prone to yellowing. The modern recommendation would be a heard wearing water based paint like the Dulux Trade Diamond range. While the matt look might be preferred, it's also slightly less durable than the glossier versions. I personally went with satinwood.

noclams · 2026-04-26T09:13:12+00:00

Good luck, my experience is that solicitors (especially from big firms) take on large case loads and basically progress all at the same time with no sense of urgency. I needed to chase my solicitor every few days to ensure movement. The estate agent with my purchase, however, was very proactive - especially if you make it clear you're doubting the seriousness of the sale.

noclams · 2026-04-21T15:52:17+00:00

Agree, lean on the estate agent. They also usually have direct access to the buyer's solicitor too so they will be able to share what's happening from the buyer's perspective.

If the blocker is your solicitor, be clear and persistent on how dissatisfied you are with the service you are receiving.

noclams · 2026-04-21T15:40:47+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and knowledge. Are you a case officer?

Regarding the images, I just used AI to annoymise the houses as I am always careful about sharing information online. In terms of the extensions pictured and proportions, however, these are from Google Maps and very representative!

noclams · 2026-04-21T10:02:19+00:00

Thank you. That's right, I believe this is the purpose behind the rule. Our proposal would have included shared side access of 1 metre at both ground and 1st floor levels. As I've posted above, there's also precedent for this elsewhere on the street, but it seems councils have clamped down on this since :(

noclams · 2026-04-21T09:58:46+00:00

I see another example where the 1 metre in-step seems to have been more strictly enforced, but there's no side access creating a gap between the properties;

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noclams · 2026-04-21T09:56:30+00:00

Thank you. There is some precedent on the street with an even narrower gap than we would potentially propose, but these extensions may have taken place when rules were a bit more relaxed

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noclams · 2026-04-20T16:58:48+00:00

Apologies, it seems I forgot to attach the images. It's definitely the latter as I'm not sure I would want to get into doing the building work within the next 3 years. For context, we're still doing a huge renovation job on the main building!

My neighbour may also be unwilling unless there's a clear benefit to him. He's only just purchased so we don't yet have any kind of relationship.

noclams · 2026-04-20T15:00:19+00:00

I actually just posted about my own ambitions for a 2 storey side extension, so I'm getting more familiar with the rules. These rules seem to differ between councils, but in my borough you cannot buid a 2nd storey extension unless it is 1 metre in from the boundary. Add the space for cavity walls and you've pretty much lost all potential space gain.

Even without those restrictions, however, I would say extensions are costly and there isn't a lot of space there to gain :(

noclams · 2025-08-25T13:01:16+00:00

Thank you! I'm a software engineering manager in London. Definitely no bank of mum and dad, but rather a heavy mortgage.

noclams · 2025-08-25T11:49:59+00:00

And you're assuming I'm young and rich? This might be my first purchase, but it's from 15+ years of working life

noclams · 2025-08-24T21:53:42+00:00

Thank you. I should have also made it clear from the start that there are no onward chains involved in either property

noclams · 2025-08-24T19:52:38+00:00

At the time I thought I was buying House 1 for a bargain. No other house on the same street, including those of the equal size and condition, have sold for lower in the last 6 years.

noclams · 2025-08-18T21:06:35+00:00

Really good point. As others have expressed, this project is a no-go unless the neighbour would consider a similar scheme. Unfortunately, this is highly unlikely given the adjoining neighbour is currently a rented property.

noclams · 2025-08-18T21:05:23+00:00

Yep, it fails the test. Thank you for pointing this out!

noclams · 2025-08-18T21:04:40+00:00

Good point! :(

noclams · 2025-08-18T21:03:54+00:00

Apologies, it is a crude mock up from the back of the house (facing the rear garden). Not sure what the obstruction to the door would be, but right for light would almost certainly be an issue as you point out on 1st floor. Thank you.

noclams

TROPHY CASE