This week I have painted the outside of the doors and windows - something that was top of my list of this to do as I hated the white. I had bought Farrow and Ball 'Railings' but when I put it on, it was just too black so made the decision to go for 'Downpipe' instead. We are much happier with this colour.
Dan and Jack have left us for a couple of weeks and will be back when Laura's doors and windows are ready. Once her building is watertight, Dan can then plasterboard her side and I can organise Marcel to plaster.
The shed has been cleared out and is completely empty.
I have done lots of research on installing the oak flooring. I am going to put it down as a 'floating' floor, ie not glue or nail it down. I will only glue the tongue and grooves but the floor will lie on a damp proof membrane and a fibreboard underlay.
Step 1: Once the room is completely empty, I will give the concrete floor a good brush and vacuum, then seal it with a diluted pva.
Step 2: Pour a self-levelling compound over the floor to remove any slight differences in levels.
Step 3: Put down a 1000 gauge damp proof membrane.
Step 4: Lay 5mm fibreboard underlay.
Step 5: Put down oak flooring and glue the tongue and groove parts.
I have watched lots of YouTube videos on how to do this and it looks fairly simple. There are a few rules to observe, but nothing too complicated. I am going to borrow my Dad's electric saw machine so cutting will be quick and easy.
Today, the plasterboarding of the walls was finished. Dan and Jack then made a start on insulating and plasterboarding the ceiling. As this is inbetween the rafters it is quite slow work and awkward as they are having to kneel on the mezzanine and fit just above their heads. I phoned Marcel the plasterer this afternoon and he is going to pop in tomorrow to have a look. I have no idea of how busy he is but I hope he can fit it in fairly soon. I have lots of other things to be getting on with but it would be good to get painting! I think I am going to use Farrow and Ball Pointing 2003 as I have a large tin of it and we have used it in several rooms in the house.
The triangular windows for the gable end went in today so we are now fully watertight. They give an amazing amount of light due to the fact that they face south. It was a beautiful sunny day today so we got the full benefit.
Another busy day and the plasterboard has gone up on three of the walls. The tongue and groove boarding in the storage area underneath the mezzanine has also nearly been completed. I am debating whether or not to paint it or just varnish it.
Dan and Jack are now back on our side and are starting to fit the insulation, OSB and plasterboard. It is exciting to have them back as it seems ages since work was done on our side but it hasn't been that long in reality.
We were thrilled to see the new Church gates arrive back yesterday. Neil has done an amazing job and I couldn't be more pleased with them. They have the old hinges, bolts and brackets back on them and are an exact match to the old ones.
The roof is on and we are watertight! Actually that is not strictly true as the gable end windows are not yet finished but we have temporarily blocked the gap so the weather shouldn't come in. It is so good to finally have the roof completed. It looks just as I imagined and really suits the building.
