Bungalow build log

Buffman · 17 Dec 2016 at 14:32

SPG said:
Why am i strangely attracted to a 1970s fireplace

The large lounge area is a 1990s extension, thus the fireplace is far more modern than that!

(I'm not sure if the whole lounge is an extension or just the back end of it so you might be right. - One of the pics indicating different styles of sub floor board which is why I suspect it).

Sized the walls today... The mrs managed to waste a whole pack of wallpaper paste by not stirring at correct intervals.. :X (Hopefully actually putting the wallpaper on tomorrow will be easier! But I'll hold my breath)

Also just measured the depth of the insulation in my roof and it's only 80mm!
On that note, is it easy to raise the level of a loft > 200mm? I've seen loft legs only does circa 170mm?? (and ideally I'd want ~300mm insulation?)

Anyone done their own insulation before? Everyone recommends me off it as it's such a horrible job (with glass fibre) but I'm worried anyone I get in will do a crap job!

Buffman · 24 Dec 2016 at 07:55

This is how I left the 3rd bedroom (fresh lining paper ready for painting)

(actually finished tho and room is since cleaned

)

Buffman · 26 Dec 2016 at 22:33

koolpc said:
Will you be painting on top of the lining paper?

Certainly will! (it's double sided for painting or putting wallpaper on top of it)

Lining papered the wall due to all the cracks in the wall (and it would need either re skimmed or covered with lining paper... I chose the latter.)

Hopefully the join lines won't be noticeable!

Buffman · 30 Dec 2016 at 18:03

Back from Glasgow for Christmas and first job was to buy all this...

Im removing all the old insulation (spurious ~80mm insulation) and replacing with 300mm and reboarding on top)

The Mrs has started on painting that other bedroom and

Buffman · 8 Jan 2017 at 19:59

koolpc said:
Pics when its done please

Not quite yet done but to give an idea....

it looks slightly more washed out in the photo than it is Irl (red feature wall and clay white on the walls) . I'm pretty impressed with the lining paper! I've only got 1 poor join in the room, that's what I get for wallpapering late at night after work! Won't be noticeable when furniture is in there anyways... I'm also quite critical so doubt most would notice.

Still been at it in the loft, reboarding the high level and fitted a nuaire drimaster system (positive input ventilation). Not yet got an electrician to plug it in tho! (going to get him to fit a bathroom extractor fan at the same time). Pics to come of the loft when it's done...

In the interim here's a picture of the largest wasps nest I got rid of.. :

Managed to find the old owners had put paving stones, kitchen doors and all sorts on top of the plasterboard ceiling in the loft! No wonder the plaster is cracked (particularly above the garage)

When reboarding in the loft I've been using my Christmas present, a makita 18v impact driver and this is how it makes me feel:

I think I'll get a drill in the same range, does anyone know if standard "drill drivers" are the same as corded drills for power? Thru plasterboard /most easier jobs? Or are they false economy?

**finally also put a picture of the layout on the Opening post also **

Buffman · 14 Jan 2017 at 19:11

Put some insulation in. I must have spent at least 6 days in here thus far!! Doesn't help the previous owne left all sorts hanging in the eaves! I've been removing all the old stuff also (not sure if that was a bad idea but hey!)

Got an electrician coming during the week and I'll fit my nuaire disaster then.

Buffman · 15 Jan 2017 at 15:41

koolpc said:
Is that crawling room only?

Yeah it's not particular big space! (only really useful for accessing the isolation valves above the shower etc.)

Ive left the boards above the garage at 100mm (smart idea from the Mrs!) so there's more headroom on that side). Hopefully the insulation and drimaster will resolve the condensation issues in my bedroom!

Finished (there and thereabouts) today and so glad to be done!

Buffman · 15 Jan 2017 at 19:28

Fit it myself, so wasn't an issue cost wise (I'll put some pics up once I've connected the ducting and stuff). Not sure of the electrics cost as an electrician is doing it as a package (with a bathroom extractor also). I'll give an update once all fitted/ in operation next week

Cost wise I think the nuaire was around £290 for the product (I bought the Eco HC thinking it has a heater but I must have not read it properly!) not too bothered as the heater is just another thing to end up breaking tbh.

Buffman · 19 Jan 2017 at 21:41

Installed the drimaster very quickly and seems to be lowering the humidity (haven't got particularly quantifiable results but walls are no longer wet!) I'll get a better idea of humidity %s after its been installed a few days.

Also got a bathroom fan installed and it appears I have 3 layers of tiles adjacent to my shower! (just retiled over the old tiles...). Fair scope of wall to reclaim there then when I do it up!
(impressive wallpaper I know!)

Buffman · 29 Jan 2017 at 15:53

Englander91 said:
3 layers of tiles! It must feel like a much bigger house given how many fixed wardrobes etc you've removed in various bedrooms and the like. I am interested in the Drimaster - can you hear it when it's running? DO you notice a draft/do you have one of the versions with a heating element?

hah 3 layers of tiles only in the walls of the bathroom... Which I've not done yet

You can only hear the drimaster running if you put your ear up close (with the fan on a high setting) when you're in the loft. Otherwise it can't be heard at all from beneath, it's suspended from a cable to the roof trusses, so no vibration/noise can easily be transferred.

Image of install here:

It hasn't created any noticeable drafts, and mines installed in a narrow corridor, which is the worst kind of installation point (near walls)

In terms of humidity it has significantly reduced the humidity issues in the bedrooms backing onto the garage walls. If I leave the doors open will be around 60% measured from hygrometer, was previously 80+% (roughly)
-Humidity will still get high ish in the nights when sleeping, but will be resolved just by leaving the door open which suits our lifestyle (both at work all day). I expect the humidity to improve even more so when I get a door between the bedroom hall and the kitchen.

I've been installing roof lap vents in the loft the last week or so, as the non porous roof felt has been condensing a lot of water in it, due to the additional heat in the house with the increased insulation (which I made sure to leave gaps at the eaves!). I've since resolved this issue with roof lap vents thankfully, very poor quality old bitumen felt.

Buffman · 5 Feb 2017 at 13:54

Finally have a 2nd bedroom/office. After routing cat 6 ethernet behind the skirting board I now realise why wifi was invented.

Also plastic skirting board was a bad choice... But done now :x

Buffman · 11 Feb 2017 at 19:30

Here's underside of drimaster

Unfortunately one of the wall plugs to fit the unit to the ceiling hasn't worked on that front right corner (not that you can really tell). But it's on the list of jobs to do.

Yeah it's good, as said above. The positioning could be better (not much I can do with the given layout) and I'm yet to get a door on the hallway, which I expect will improve bedrooms.

Spent all day mitre ing Scotia in living room today, it's an arseache to work out! (even with a mitre saw)

Buffman · 4 Mar 2017 at 20:29

recently finished off the living room (ish)

Got curtains
Ran speaker cable and internet cable behind scotia (now it's fully hidden) - I realise this cable is a bit long! but easy to cut
fitted scotia
bought a tv unit

Considering whether to insulate internally the next bedroom which I'm going to renovate which backs onto the garage... But not sure if it's worth the bother really.

Buffman · 4 Mar 2017 at 23:51

Yeah AVF Burghley 1250, very nice and not wild price. Shame it came missing a bolt but the customer services managed to send one out next day which I was impressed with

Buffman · 5 Mar 2017 at 15:53

snappyfish said:
What price did you pay for that version, Love this stand, White one for me seems it's £249

Got these speakers to sit either side

Yeah I paid 249 from curry's

Buffman · 2 Apr 2017 at 17:37

Recently:
Got the 3rd bedroom and hallway skimmed
(the hallway was previously done... But it was really bumpy from being mostly poly filla!)

3rd bedroom also had some old wardrobes in round the corner behind.. Which I've since removed. Was quoted £1k from an independent for some fairly standard fitted wardrobes! Thus I'm going to ikea..

and painting after the plaster dried.... Thus far, got a fair few coats to go!!

Wall mounted a new TV (thank the Lord for solid walls!)

Also got a new painting

Also got some hangers for putting coats on in bedroom

Buffman · 8 Apr 2017 at 09:16

They're Umbra coat hangers I got from Amazon

I've been quoted £475 for the following two doors, does that sound about right to you guys?

is it true that Howdens offer different prices for different carpenters? (ie different discounts?). I tried to phone Howdens and they wouldn't tell me how much the doors are!

That doesn't even include the £200 fitting!

https://www.howdens.com/doors-joine...rnal-hardwood-doors/dordogne-oak-glazed-door/

https://www.howdens.com/doors-joine...rs/internal-hardwood-doors/dordogne-oak-door/

Buffman · 22 Apr 2017 at 16:40

Yeah drimaster is still good, no problems there.

Just need to put finished pictures of that bedroom (need to put skirting and carpet in then its done)

Been doing the garden, took a lot of jet washing and cleaning! Also levelled out some of the stones today (broke out and re levelled)

Before picture from December but gives an idea of the growth!

Buffman · 14 May 2017 at 17:53

Got some matching speakers for the rear to match the fronts.

Finished spare bedroom (thanks to thread here fixing the electrics!). Just need to put covers on and a light shade

Also got some new wardrobes, carpet, curtains in spare room.

Also got a new bed and mattress in our bedroom

Buffman · 28 May 2017 at 14:13

Some new cushions and a speaker stand for the back left. Been grafting / de Weeding a lot of the front garden but dont really have pics. Going to put 4 in 1 seed down to get rid of the moss/improve the lawn.