Bruce Harper is the Managing Director of dwanged.com, the surplus building materials marketplace.Bruce’s Big Build is the story of his self-build project in rural Scotland. The Big Build is a 5 bedroom, low-carbon, sustainable family home, in which heavily-discounted surplus materials are being used wherever possible. Super-insulated throughout, with under-floor ground-source heating, the timber-framed house takes on a traditional farm cottage appearance at the front and boasts a very modern rear aspect from where a full-height wall of glass offers outstanding views along the local hills.Tumblr (3.0; @brucesbigbuild)http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_maz5gdn6001ruxaoho1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_maz5gdn6001ruxaoho2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>The remainder of the windows and doors arrived on site on Monday morning from Norway which have now been installed. </p>http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/32347044068http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/32347044068Wed, 26 Sep 2012 22:40:59 +0200Bruce's Big BuildSelf-BuildNorDanTriple Glazed Windows<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8ejef217z1ruxaoho1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8ejef217z1ruxaoho2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>With the first floor now screeded the flooring has now been laid and glued and fixed to the battens which the underfloor heating pipes run between. </p>http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/28928002934http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/28928002934Tue, 07 Aug 2012 22:25:26 +0200Bruce's Big BuildSelf-BuildFlooringUnderfloor Heating<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8ej20YlQ31ruxaoho1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8ej20YlQ31ruxaoho2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8ej20YlQ31ruxaoho3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8ej20YlQ31ruxaoho4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>With the underfloor heating pipes installed at the beginning of last week the ground and first floors have now been screeded. </p>http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/28927541986http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/28927541986Tue, 07 Aug 2012 22:17:58 +0200Bruce's Big BuildSelf-BuildFloorsScreed<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8eikcnM4Z1ruxaoho1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8eikcnM4Z1ruxaoho2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8eikcnM4Z1ruxaoho3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>Very happy with how the roof looks now that the slating is complete and is definitely an outstanding feature of the house.</p>http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/28926870625http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/28926870625Tue, 07 Aug 2012 22:07:22 +0200Bruce's Big BuildSelf-BuildRoof SlatesRoofing<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8ei3sCpxY1ruxaoho1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8ei3sCpxY1ruxaoho2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>After several weeks of deliberation I finally decided to change the roof construction to slate which began being laid a few weeks ago. </p>http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/28926211871http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/28926211871Tue, 07 Aug 2012 21:57:27 +0200Self-BuildBruce's Big BuildRoof Slates<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6197bwAZm1ruxaoho1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>My Dad and Brother travelled up from Hertfordshire for a few days this week. It was great to see them and show them the amazing progress that has been made.</p>http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/25661473165http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/25661473165Fri, 22 Jun 2012 21:09:10 +0200Bruce's Big BuildSelf Build<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m618zcPEMu1ruxaoho1_r1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Superb view from up here!!</p>http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/25661187585http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/25661187585Fri, 22 Jun 2012 21:04:00 +0200Bruce's Big BuildSelf BuildRoofDorma Windows<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m618nspKoH1ruxaoho1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m618nspKoH1ruxaoho2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/>http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/25660753559http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/25660753559Fri, 22 Jun 2012 20:57:27 +0200Bruce's Big BuildSelf BuildRoofDorma Windows<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m617q2Yw2t1ruxaoho1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m617q2Yw2t1ruxaoho2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>I ordered the sarking to arrive on the afternoon that the roof trusses were being lifted into position so it was there ready for the joiners to make a start on, first thing the next morning. </p>http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/25659525834http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/25659525834Fri, 22 Jun 2012 20:37:13 +0200Bruce's Big BuildSelf-BuildRoofRoof Trusses<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6178pngii1ruxaoho1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>There has been a lot of activity happening onsite over the last week so this has been my first real opportunity to update the blog since last week. It was brilliant to see the final trusses going up and finally get an idea what the house will look like from my original designs.</p>http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/25658898662http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/25658898662Fri, 22 Jun 2012 20:26:49 +0200Roof TrussesBruce's Big BuildSelf-Build<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5ifxuUq1g1ruxaoho1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5ifxuUq1g1ruxaoho2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>There’s always a right and a wrong way of doing things. Hiring a crane for the day was definitely the right way (and quickest way) of lifting the trusses into place. </p>http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/24955798740http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/24955798740Tue, 12 Jun 2012 17:20:17 +0200Bruce's Big BuildSelf BuildCraneRoof Trusses<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5i50kEZPq1ruxaoho1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5i50kEZPq1ruxaoho2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5i50kEZPq1ruxaoho3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5i50kEZPq1ruxaoho4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>The crane arrived on site first thing this morning and started lifting the roof trusses and Kerto beams into position. </p>http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/24948521317http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/24948521317Tue, 12 Jun 2012 13:24:00 +0200Bruce's Big BuildCraneRoof TrussesKerto Beam<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5bdx7P7jE1ruxaoho1_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5bdx7P7jE1ruxaoho5_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>Horrendous weather on site today but we managed to get most of the first floor panels in place. The scaffolding was also lifted in preparation for the roof trusses to go on next week. With high winds forecast for the next few days I have put the crane off until Tuesday. </p>http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/24695847568http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/24695847568Fri, 08 Jun 2012 21:53:00 +0200Bruce's Big BuildSelf BuildRoof TrussesScaffolding<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m55vmxHjqt1ruxaoho1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m55vmxHjqt1ruxaoho2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m55vmxHjqt1ruxaoho3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m55vmxHjqt1ruxaoho4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>The first floor panel arrived this morning which will go on later this week. I have booked a crane for Monday which will allow us to get all the roof trusses lifted into position and fixed in one day. </p>http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/24489205341http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/24489205341Tue, 05 Jun 2012 22:30:31 +0200Bruce's Big BuildTimber FrameSelf BuildRoof Trusses<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m55v62LFZV1ruxaoho1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A steel column has been sent to site 120mm short. To prevent this causing several days delay in progress while another is fabricated, I decided to form a reinforced concrete pad for the steel column to sit on. </p>http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/24488510289http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/24488510289Tue, 05 Jun 2012 22:20:25 +0200Bruce's Big BuildConcreteSteel ColumnSelf Build<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4wlwzlodD1ruxaoho1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4wlwzlodD1ruxaoho2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>The main steel frame section which will hold the full height wall of glass is lifted into place with only a few small adjustments needed. The house is really starting to take shape :-)  </p>http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/24145500152http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/24145500152Thu, 31 May 2012 22:22:10 +0200Bruce's Big BuildSteel FrameConstructionSelf-Build<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4wljeSCqk1ruxaoho1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4wljeSCqk1ruxaoho2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4wljeSCqk1ruxaoho3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4wljeSCqk1ruxaoho4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>The ground floor panels are now up. The first floor joists are due to be delivered in the morning. </p>http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/24144992714http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/24144992714Thu, 31 May 2012 22:14:00 +0200Bruce's Big BuildTimber FrameSelf-Build<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4wl6sdzfr1ruxaoho1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>The first of several loads from the timber frame manufacturer was delivered first thing this morning. </p>http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/24144508546http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/24144508546Thu, 31 May 2012 22:06:27 +0200Self-BuildTimber FrameBruce's Big Build<div class="post_content" id="post_content_23955356976"> <div class="caption"> <p>I finally ordered the windows, glass and external doors for the house today. I have gone for NorDan triple glazed units throughout.  It feels good to get another big decision out the way but definitely the right decision with the weather we are likely to get the majority of the year.  </p> <div></div> </div> </div>http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/23955533035http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/23955533035Tue, 29 May 2012 00:11:15 +0200Bruce's Big BuildNorDanWindowsDoorsGlassSelf Build<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4r68n3k6f1ruxaoho1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4r68n3k6f1ruxaoho2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>Scaffolding to three sides of the house are now up ready for the timber frames arrival on Wednesday morning. I have left out the rear section of scaffolding so that panels and joists etc can be easily moved into position. With that done I am going to get back on with the garage blockwork tomorrow.</p>http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/23954509195http://brucesbigbuild.tumblr.com/post/23954509195Mon, 28 May 2012 23:55:33 +0200Bruce's Big BuildSelf BuildScaffoldingGarage