Weekending Sunday 14th August 2022
So, arrived as planned with a good journey getting me here at midday and WOW! in the 6 weeks absence the Berberis Hedging had gone wild adding 500mm in some places, so the plan for the week as changed to garden tidy, especially with the heat being experienced. Exterior temp has reached 37c and 34c in shade.
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| Oak Top Tressle Table |
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| Tiled Front Threshold |
Also, removed a little of the oak threshold to the front door, as I had already decide to tile the area now that the door is installed and confirms it is possible. Just need to grout the three tiles now to finish off.
MONDAY 15th AUGUST 2022 - Downstairs Taping & Filling
So a week behind the plan due to the heat and need to do a tidy up on the garden, I have started the planned work.
This morning I taped all the Insulated Plasterboard joints downstairs and and gave them a plaster coating, which went better than I expected. Need to sand and perhaps give another light coat, but I am ready now to start upstairs and then the ceilings, which should take the extra 2 days planned.
TUESDAY 16th AUGUST 2022 - Upstairs Taping & Filling
Started early and thank goodness, as it was 28c and heavy today. Managed to get all of the lower wall joint taping, and filling completed. So now ready for the ceiling tomorrow, so also made sure all of the fixings on the Insulated PB were secure and not proud.
Finished the grouting of the tiling at the front door, as well as cutting the oak right angles beading for upstairs around the stairwell against the flooring, just need to do some adjustment and fix firm.
WEDNESDAY 17th AUGUST 2022 - Ceiling Taping & Filling
Managed to get both upstairs ceilings done and think I have made a reasonable good, but will need more work before it is finished. Where the top flat section meets the front and back slope walls, I not only used mesh to strengthen the plaster coat, but finished with some jointing paper tape and it has gone well.
Have to used another tub and different make of plaster joint which was slightly different to apply, but there was no problem, once I got used to it.
Still have to do the lower section of the the front and back walls to do, below the main Purling Beams, but that should be completed tomorrow, with luck!
THURSDAY 18th AUGUST2022 - Lower Ceiling & Wall Taping & Filling
Got both sides completed on the lower ceiling below the Puling Beam filled today, in hot temperature and the plaster was go off by the time I got to the last sections. Manged to fill all the retaining screw holes as well.
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| West Side Ceiling |
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| East Side Ceiling |
I have realised I need to leave the filling plaster to dry completely before sanding and will then need to do some level filling of the boards that are unlevel as a result of the beams to which they are attached. So will leave that until later next week and tomorrow will cut and apply the Oak Frames to the Glazed holes.
FRIDAY 19th AUGUST 2022 - Oak Surround to Glazed Holes
Had a good end to the week when the cutting and filling of the Oak Wood Surround to the original holes in the walls. I cancelled the original plan to get small windows made to let light in, when the cost of wood increased too much in January and came up with the idea of sealing with toughened glass.
As shown here, I think they look really good and especially as the total cost is 10% of the original expected cost!
Had a problem after I just started when my Chop Saw gave up and I had to revert to using the Circular Saw to get the mitre joints, but at least it was easier than a hand saw!
So now, on Monday I can move on to cutting the Oak for the Stairs Balustrade, secured to the floor and the purling beam, with 3off galvanised poles running across for security.
MONDAY 22nd AUGUST 2022 - Oak Surround to Glazed Light Wells
Easy today, but still took all morning to fix the Oak Window edging on all six glazed light wells. I also fixed the upstairs stair well oak edging, which looks good and has been both sealed and nailed to the main oak beams. Once the Balustrade Posts are fully installed and secure, I will seal the edging and flooring with Grey Mastic to give a fine finish, as well as wood glue and sawdust to hide small gaps.
Had confirmation that the new chop saw is on its way, so should be delivered tomorrow!
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| Oak Edging |
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| Stair Well |
TUESDAY 23rd AUGUST 2022 - Balustrade Posts started
Amazon and DPD did the business again and the new chop saw arrived at 10:00am, so was able to start work with minimal delay and succeeded in getting all three oak posts fitted with the Strong Boot Fixings as shown with the bolt holes drilled. Just some fine adjustments to do, but tomorrow will cut two main beam tops to fix to the Purling Beam, that will be screwed into countersunk holes and then pegs added for a traditional feel!
However, before the fixing I will drill three holes in all the posts to fix Galvanised poles across the long and short sides at 30cm gaps for security.
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| Short Edge |
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| Long Edge |
WEDNESDAY 24th AUGUST 2022 - Balustrade all installed
I makes you feel so good when months of planning produce a good result and today saw the completion of the Balustrade to secure the stairs. A few minor mistakes and imperfection, but nothing that some final adjustments will not mask.
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| Cross Room View |
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| West Side View |
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| East end View |
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| Front View |
FRIDAY 26th AUGUST 2022 - Downstairs Oak Door Creation
Had a rest day yesterday, as I had a lunch date with friends, so today I decided to make and fit the new Oak Door dividing the downstairs rooms. I used the oak T&G strips I ordered in the UK. I cut the back & front ends and then glued each length as I assembled each. I used the original old hinges and marked them up on the door to drill and them bold the hinges through oak cross supports of the rear.
Very pleasing to see the end result, match the original door and in keeping with the look of La Studio.
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| Back East Side |
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| Front West Side |
WEDNESDAY 31st AUGUST 2022 - Upstairs Oak Door Installed
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| Upstairs East View |
Had friends staying last few days so no work, but today got the Upstairs Oak Door made and fitted to divide the two rooms.
Got a bit complicate due to warped oak, but managed in the end and fitted new door support pegs into the wall and the door hung.
Have had to chip away some of the edge stone to allow the door to close and will need to continue this tomorrow to finish.
THURSDAY 1st SEPTEMBER 2022 - Upstairs Oak Door
Work continued to properly fit the Upstairs Oak Door that needed the stone chipped away on the hinge side of the wall to allow full closure. It took a lot more work than I expected and I had to secure the hinge holes with resin as well. As a result of placing the hinges on the edge, it pulled the door in a bit and left a larger gap on the closure side, so I will need to get an oak post to fill the gap.
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| Upstairs Back West |
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| Upstairs Front East |
I also glued both Trestle Table tops and place a cross braces on one top to sit on the trestles. Will do the other tomorrow.
Friday 2nd SEPTEMBER 2022 - Mixed Tasks
Good day which started with completing the second Trestle today, with extra top supports, so just need to do some filling on both and drill peg holes in the under table support through the trestle leg brace for added support.
Also, I unscrew the metal stair treads and added a thin rubber strip to the back edge to eliminate the tinny sound as you step on each.
I measured up each door frame and ordered two 2m Oak Posts 6x8cm for each opening, as the door stop to fill the upstairs gap and finish both off in October.
Having bought some L-shaped Beading I finished both sides of the East Main Beam Downstairs where the plasterboard meets the beam.
Finally, I fitted 3 more fuses to the the Resi9 Fuse Box and positioned it on the wall near all the cable feeds, ready to start connecting next week.
As I cleared up I noticed a big mistake, in the absence of West Side Downstairs Light Switch for the Downlighters!!! Really do not understand how I messed up here, but have determined how to fix it next week with minimal disruption.
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| L-Shaped Beading |
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| Missing Light Switch |
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| Resi9 Fuse Box |
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| West Downstairs |
On Saturday I couldn't resist fixing the missing light switch, s uncovered the junction box in the ceiling, fixed a cable for the switch, cut a hole and wired in the planned light switch. So now next week I just need to make good!
Monday 5th SEPTEMBER 2022 - Guttering Overflow Trench
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| Trench prepared |
Started laying the water excavation trench for the guttering today from back to front of La Studio and then onto join the water waste at the back of the barn. Encountered lots of large stone on the route down, so a tough exercise. Hopefully tomorrow will get the front and back downpipe holes down and then level right and can then get the galvanised guttering hung and order any missing parts that might be needed.
Tuesday 6th SEPTEMBER 2022 - Guttering Overflow Trench
The hard work of yesterday paid off today, as I got all the piping laid and fixed in place this morning and managed to get the soil and gravel back over to protect. Just need to let is all settle and tamper down, before the extra grey gravel is delivered to finish off.
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| Down the garden |
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| Soil Coverage |
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| Up the garden |
Thursday 8th SEPTEMBER 2022 - Tidy up & Roof Clean
I have been preparing for my departure this weekend and scarifying & seeding the grass in both gardens. Today I took a trailer load of breeze block and cement rubble to the recycling centre, as well as having another attempt to remove all the accumulated Moss Growth, especially from the rear of La Studio roof. Nearly all complete, with jut the upper central section of the rear to do and will then give the roof a fungicide treatment in the autumn.
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| Front Roof |
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| Garden Tidy |
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| Rear Roof |
So that is it for this visit, although the hot weather out an end to my plan to plaster fill all the boarding joints, I will add that to the plan for October, as well as fitting the Galvanised Guttering and finished the rear patio and grey gravel.
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