100 years back builders built as they wanted working with architects swapping ideas,those days architect designed builder built simple and good system, talking of ireland they used for of dpc well before england.

generally cavity consturction introduction was brought in for heat retention,england favours to this day brick rather then blocks,the newer engineered bricks are very good with high tensile strength,blocks be lightweight or heavey cast
are are used down here and in continental europe,

poor water circulation has nothing to do with general plumbing of the property that is the waterways infurstructure of the outlining villages and city hall// goverment issue.

udon thani city has very good water pressure on the cold, hot changes depending on water storage in each dwelling.

sean

I have always been bemused by the lack of insulation in Thai houses and condos... Being a farang farang, I likes the A/C and so my electricity bill was always high.

Recently I've been toying with the idea of buying a pad. I looked at some 'renovations' in the BKK area and can honstly say that the finish, as I expected, was cr*p compared to the west - even condos going for 80-100,000 THB per square metre!

The best finish I've seen has been done by C & M (www.condobangkok.com). Admitted, they don't build new, but they really do a good job renovating. Finish is not perfect but is extremely good for Thailand and the best I've seen in Thailand. It might be worth giving them a bell to see what they can do to assist &/or take on - the market is very slow in Thailand at the moment...