Well it's been nearly 5 weeks since the last blog and this has been a result of slower progress on the build as things are being are being tidied up prior to plasterboarding and also being very busy coming towards the end of financial year in work (www.oldfieldsgarage.co.uk). I've also been back to the 90's on a friends Stag do. We also visited the Homebuilding & renovating show at the NEC last weekend, but I will write about that in another blog - some interesting ideas gained (some we wish we thought about earlier) and we've also found a few finishing products.
The slower progress I've just mentioned however, might not be as slow as I thought because I've just scanned through the last blog photos and actually we have done quite a bit (it has just felt slow).
We are very pleased with how level the screed finish is - which is exactly what we were hoping to achieve! It still won't be completely dry, but you wouldn't know from the how it feels on the top.
The external weatherboarding is completely finished - and we love it.I did underestimate the number of board slightly and we were 3 boards short. Fortunately because we used a local supplier (Powell & Co, Kingsland) we got it delivered as we needed it so it didn't hold us up. The only downside is that it isn't painted so we'll need to do this when we touch up the rest of the boards.
We've also had the handles fitted on the windows and doors - again we are very happy with the look of them. The only drawback is that fitting the handles has uncovered a problem with some of the handles catching the frames (but this is going to be resolved middle of next month and then they'll be re-finished to rectify the paint finish issues straight after).
In the last few weeks we've started and completed the insulation downstairs (a lot easier than the roof, which still isn't quite done) and it's now ready for the vapour barrier to be fitted. We've again used 100mm Kingspan Kooltherm, with the exception of a few areas where wiring made that difficult to get a good coverage and we've used Knauf frame insulation. Wherever possible we've topped the Knauf with 40mm Kingspan Kooltherm - it might be a bit over the top but as I've said before we aren't planning on ever moving so don't want to skimp on insulation.
We've also taken delivery of the kitchen, not ideal timing - it either means we're a little bit behind where I thought we would be now or I was a little over enthusiastic on timescales! We'll need to work around it until the plasterboard is done, which isn't perfect (but at least a delay isn't going to hold us up when we need it I suppose?!). The kitchen delivery man told me "our house looks sick" which is a positive!
We've got the plasterboarding and drylining scheduled for the fortnight from 28th April, so just need to finish the insulation upstairs (I've left the worst bits until last), make sure all the noggins are in place ready for plasterboard and anything we need a good fixing for on the walls (like wall mounted TVs). We've also got to fit the sound deadening between the floors and in the stud walls. The stairs are due to be fitted on the 10th May - which is really exciting as well.
In the next week though the internal brick wall will be built, we've loaded the bricks out ready to go and we'll also have the plumber doing the final bits of first fix. We are also starting to organise the external waste/drainage and a bit more moving soil around in the garden.
The slower progress I've just mentioned however, might not be as slow as I thought because I've just scanned through the last blog photos and actually we have done quite a bit (it has just felt slow).
We are very pleased with how level the screed finish is - which is exactly what we were hoping to achieve! It still won't be completely dry, but you wouldn't know from the how it feels on the top.
The external weatherboarding is completely finished - and we love it.I did underestimate the number of board slightly and we were 3 boards short. Fortunately because we used a local supplier (Powell & Co, Kingsland) we got it delivered as we needed it so it didn't hold us up. The only downside is that it isn't painted so we'll need to do this when we touch up the rest of the boards.
Weatherboarding finished!
Oops a few boards short
We've also had the handles fitted on the windows and doors - again we are very happy with the look of them. The only drawback is that fitting the handles has uncovered a problem with some of the handles catching the frames (but this is going to be resolved middle of next month and then they'll be re-finished to rectify the paint finish issues straight after).
Pewter door handles
Matching window furniture
If me doing any work makes it on't telly those 4 panels were what I was doing when it was filmed - anyone would think I saved some easy ones for filming purposes??!
My workshop by night
We've also taken delivery of the kitchen, not ideal timing - it either means we're a little bit behind where I thought we would be now or I was a little over enthusiastic on timescales! We'll need to work around it until the plasterboard is done, which isn't perfect (but at least a delay isn't going to hold us up when we need it I suppose?!). The kitchen delivery man told me "our house looks sick" which is a positive!
Kitchen in the bedroom
We've got the plasterboarding and drylining scheduled for the fortnight from 28th April, so just need to finish the insulation upstairs (I've left the worst bits until last), make sure all the noggins are in place ready for plasterboard and anything we need a good fixing for on the walls (like wall mounted TVs). We've also got to fit the sound deadening between the floors and in the stud walls. The stairs are due to be fitted on the 10th May - which is really exciting as well.
In the next week though the internal brick wall will be built, we've loaded the bricks out ready to go and we'll also have the plumber doing the final bits of first fix. We are also starting to organise the external waste/drainage and a bit more moving soil around in the garden.
