A unicycling Kent builder who is transforming a chalet bungalow into a thing of beauty, and using Actis Hybrid insulation, has decided he may actually live in the home – despite intending to sell it once he completes the work!
Tony Shepherd, a third-generation carpenter who runs building company Riveroak Ltd, is testing out the Hybrid range for the first time, having used previous Actis products in the past.
“I’ve got the best job in the world”
The project, in Dymchurch, started life as an opportunity for Tony to do what he loves best – “driving vans, playing with tools, knocking things down and rebuilding them.” He hasn’t yet worked out how to combine riding his electric unicycle with building – but he’s working on it.
“I’ve got the best job in the world. I’ve spent my whole lifetime developing skills,” said Tony, who followed his father and grandfather into the carpentry trade.
“I’ve been doing this for 40 years. I’ve worked on some really interesting projects with some really lovely people. More recently, I’ve been developing properties, and I love it when they’re a bit unusual. When I bought this bungalow, which has private access to the beach, it was with a view to doing it up and selling it. But my wife and I have fallen in love with it. It’s homely and traditional, and passerby tell me it’s absolutely wonderful.”
The top floor of the original 110 sq m bungalow didn’t meet building regulations – providing an excellent opportunity for Tony to completely remove the roof, leaving just four walls, and creating a new roof with a vaulted ceiling, as well as adding a small extension to create a total of around 225 sq m of living space.
Actis allowed easy insulation installation
Having used a former Actis product in the past, Tony was keen to try some of its current range. Paul White from Youngs builders merchant recommended insulating breather membrane Boost R Hybrid, 125mm honeycomb structured insulation Hybris and insulating vapour control layer H Control for the roof, whose combined efforts saw it achieve a U-value of 0.14.
“What first strikes you about using the Actis is its cleanliness. It’s not like fibreglass or PIR board. It’s easy, clean, and you don’t have to wear masks,” said Tony.
Even if he and his wife do decide to move into the transformed bungalow, this is by no means the end of Tony’s quest to create wonderful buildings from inauspicious beginnings.
“Work gives you a sense of worth. Work is a therapy. Why would I stop?”
