LA STUDIO - MAY 2022 VISIT

 1s MAY 2022 - Main Door Threshold

Upstairs Threshold

Good start to the month, with an easy day.  I started by cutting 10mm strip of the Livyn flooring for the lengths of both West and East side walls to finish off the floors.  Additionally, I cut and fixed the Livyn for the Internal Threshold between both rooms, where the floor level in different and fixed the main boards with Expanded Foam to secure and make firm.  just got to let is dry firmly and will fix cut a little the East Side board which drops down and then fix firmly.

Main Door Threshold Oak

Also, having cut to side the Main Door Oak Threshold base, I concreted the stone base and having attached a few screws underneath to make secure, I created a concrete base for the Oak, so that it is now 1.635m from the top beam and matches the vertical measurement of the door frame that is being made.

I just need to trim a little off the side vertical to make the width 81cm for the frame to fix with minimal adjustment...hopefully!

MONDAY 2nd MAY 2022 - Beam Ceiling Board

Completed the Threshold Livyn Floor where is rises slightly from East to West Side, cut the upper edge to fit and join, then used the reliable Expanded Foam as glue and weighted down for an hour.  Perfect Job!

I also took lots of measurements of the Main Side sides to determine what has to be removed to make it 81cm on the right and will need to ensure the left side in level first, so job for later.

Did a few East Side Ceiling lengths with the Insulated Boards, including the light holes, which is seems to work.

Internal Door Threshold

Beams Ceiling Board

Yet again the way an Artisan acts before delivery is a sign for the success of a project and Johann of Serru@Metal contacted me again to arrange a visit to do a final measurement.  He explained he was in the process of making the staircase and needed to check.  Wonderful, as it fills me with confidence!

3rd MAY 2022 - Door Fixes

Did a few small tidy up jobs this morning including the bottom of the Main Door posts that had rotten and disappeared.  As done in La Maison to the old rear door, I mixed a strong concrete and applied to the cleaned area and before it had totally dried scrapped up to look a similar the the weathered wooden sections. Once painted it will blend in and look acceptable!

East Main Door Repair

West Main Door Repair

To make good use of the time I had, I also rendered the inner sections of the wall door opening to tidy up and used the rendered to grout the back door step I had created and to finish it.

Back Step Grouted

East Side Door

West Side Door 

WEDNESDAY 4th MAY 2022 - Downstairs Ceiling Board

A late start today as I had to take the Peugeot to the garage and then cycle the 14km back !  Tiring.

So made a start on the lining the Downstairs Ceiling with Insulated PB, which I thought would be the easier  way to create a void for the downlights.

On the East Side with the central beam the long lengths are 1.4m and i got all of these up, with light holes.

On the West Side the Long lengths are a full 2.4m board, taking all 3 downlights.  So now tomorrow, just the smaller lengths to cut and fix on both sides.

West Side Ceiling Boarded

East Side Ceiling Boarded

Things are taking shape and it is looking less like a building site and more like a finished project coming together.

Unfortunately, the doors and windows look to be ready in June, now.

THURSDAY 5th MAY 2022 - Downstairs Heat Mat and Tiling

Collected the car this morning and then started to lay the WarmUp Heat Mat in the East Side this morning and all went well, testing OK once laid.  I then mixed a a bag of the tiling adhesive to lay some tiles and verify how many bags to complete all 22sqm.  The bag suggest 5sqm, but as I had to cover the depth of the mat, as well a tiles I wanted to be sure and the 3sqm laid confirmed I will need 7 bags in total, so will need to collected another 5 bags tomorrow.

East Side View

East Back View

FRIDAY 6th MAY 2022 - East Side Tiling

Made an early start and collected the extra tile adhesive from Gedimat, then continued to lay all the full tiles on the downstairs East Room. 

Got all but 3 full tiles down, when the mixed adhesive ran out, so will leave than three until I do the cutting tiles and will now get the West Side WarmUp Mat laid tomorrow morning and then finish the East Side cut and lay tiles on Monday.

East Room Side Tiling

East Room Back Tiling

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SATURDAY 7th MAY 2022 - West Downstairs Heat Mat

As planned, I spent the morning laying the WarmUp Heat Mat to the West Room and all went well.  So now all ready to start full tiling this room on Monday.

West Side Heat Mat

West Back Heat Mat

I also picked up all the grout spacers from the tiles already laid and cut to size the oak board I will use as the floor support for the stairs.

MONDAY 9th MAY 2022 - West Side Tiling 

West Side Tiling

Succeeded in getting most of the floor tiles down this morning before the adhesive ran out! I realised I was having to apply a thick coat to because of the added layer of the heat mat and uneven floor, so now got additional 5 bags to finish and get the edges down this week.

Have counted that I need 70 tiles to finish the full tile laying and edge cutting. i have around 80 tiles left unused, so hopefully be OK!

TUESDAY 10th MAY 2022 - Tiling Bits

Hot today, getting up to 28 degrees but cool inside the West Side Room, where I completed the full tiles, after a bit of a shock.  I opted for the cheaper Interior Only tile adhesive, rather than the previous bags the were also suitable outside.  The consistency was different despite just enough water!  It was not as firm and went off more quickly! 

 I managed to get most of the full tiles done, not wanting to mix more that would not get used.  I cut all the part tiles  the West Room and started the East Room, BUT the tile cutter has had it and was not doing its job.  I gave up and this afternoon went and bought a new cutter and a bag of Grout Compound, so tomorrow should be able to finish the cutting and then fix all the partial tile.  On Thursday I hopefully will then be able to get the floor grouting done.

WEDNESDAY 11th MAY - West Side Tiling Laid

West Side Tiles Laid

I suspected a second hot day, so made an early start and the last bits of tile cutting was going well with the new device until the handle broke! Wasted time trying to fix it and eventually resorted to using the angle grinder to finish the last cuts of all the East Side edging

Eventually got all the West Side laid and decided to resist mixing another load of adhesive needed to start the East.  I will now finish the laying on the East Side edging tomorrow and then start the grouting tomorrow.

THURSDAY 12th MAY - Tiling Done and Grouting Started

Finished the tiling today, except some very small bits needed around the central wall and internal door edges. I used the last full tile to replace one by the main door that I have cut incorrectly, but still have lots of offcuts for the door edges.

Managed to do half of the grouting to the East Side floor, when it was time to stop!

East Side Back & Grouted

West Side Front

FRIDAY 13th MAY - Odd Jobs Day

Last night Johann confirmed we would install the Stairs tomorrow morning, so change the task plan for today and and got the Stairs Oak Base  Support installed in readiness.  

Also used the time to get the stone base in front of both the Main Door and Floor Window removed, as I have planned to install a concrete base in June when they are delivered and installed.  So, I also removed some wooden beam supports above the East Side Window opening to be ready for June.

East Window Beam Support

Stairs Oak Floor Support

Main Door Threshold

SATURDAY 14th MAY - Stairs Installed

Johann & team arrived at 8:30am as planned and installed the central stair support, then the aluminium treads as well as the hand rail up the wall.  The Oak Base proved to be slightly off, as he had changed the dimensions and not updated me.  Nevertheless, with a small mod I reduced the size and added some oak at the front and nice job done!

Stairs Bottom Base

Stairs Rising

Stairs Turn UP

Stairs UP Top

Very pleased with the result and much better effect than my original plan for a cheap standard wooden stairs.   Just a few adjustments to do next week when/if the gardening work is finished before going back to UK

Friday 20th May - Home Bound

Off back to the UK tomorrow. The final week has been devoted to the gardens, which are now in good order with all hedges trimmed and set good for the summer.

The only major task not done this trip, is the fitting of the main doors and windows, but this is now arranged for end June.

Here below as my updated Task Lists for my June Visit and some videos taken:

La Studio VIDEO 052022   

La Maison Jardin VIDEO 052022   

La Grange Jardin VIDEO 052022

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La Studio - April 2022 Visit

MONDAY 18th ARIL 2022- Arrival Preparation

So, arrived yesterday as planned and after a good journey.  As hoped, Leroy Merlin did a good job to delivery the electrical items I order on line and I found them in the Wood Store and Post Box.  Really pleased!

Today was a garden tidy day, but whilst I was waiting for the grass to dry, to make easy to pick up the grass cutting  I decided to start work on some easy tasks planned for tomorrow and get ahead!

I had unpacked the Glass Panel and proceeded to apply Expanded Foam to the interior  stone wall of the front west side and then to the outer edge of the panel.  I had is cut to a 50cm x 50cm to cover the 40cm x 40cm opening.  I west the stone first, after brushing to remove dust and ensure good adhesion.  I left it to cure  a little and then applied to the wall, supported by a couple a props.  After a hour I compressed the foam on both side and then after another hour removed most to the excess and smears from the panel.

Outside Looking In

Inside Looking Out

It is secure firmly and once the Insulated Plasterboard is secured tomorrow will be well supported and ready for final clean, before added a render coating to the the sides of the opening in the summer.

  I also did a test section of the Ceiling Insulated PB screwed to the Downstairs Ceiling and it has work out.  The clearance of 5cm allows the Light Fitting and downlighter to fit perfect in the space, with a hole cut for the electric supply and connection.

TUESDAY 19th APRIL 2022 - West Side PB

Having got a head start yesterday I was able to start the day well and got the Earth Cable installed cross the herb patch and into La Studio just above the main cable I had installed a year ago.

Also got the Rear Outside Cable installed and run around the room to where the fuse box is going to be installed.

Rear Socket Cable

Earth Cable Entry

Then down to the main task on apply a full and 1/2 Insulated Plasterboard to the front wall and cut a hole in the upper section for the Glazed Window. This is looking good and will be finished off, like the  others, with an oak frame inside the boarding to make it neat!  The oak arrives at home this week.

Finally, got the lower sections Insulated PB on the sides of the back door opening, after I had pack some foam into the frame.

Left Door Frame

West Front Wall

Right Door Frame

WEDNESDAY 20th APRIL2022 - Rear Wall Boarding

Today I completed the Back Stairs boarding.  I had already cut these panels to get Light Switches and Socket positioning and holes located, so it was just a matter of applying some adhesive dabs to the wall and presenting the boards.  However, it was not until this afternoon and clearing up that I realised I have not done the rest of the back wall around the window, as shown here!

Back Wall East

Back Wall Stairs

Back Door Threshold

As planned, I also completed the removal and levelling of the Back Door Threshold, to make it 2120mm from the top to take the door frame measurement that Adams will make and install in a few weeks....hopefully.  I will remove the supports tomorrow and finish the step next week.

Tomorrow, I will lay the levelling compound in both rooms downstairs to allow  3 days over the weekend to fully set and allow the laying of the cement insulation board for the Underfloor Heat Mat next week.

THURSDAY 21st APRIL - Boarding Finished

So another 5 hours of work saw the fixing of the Insulated Boarding complete and included the window side of the East rear wall, including the cut out for the window.  As I had the adhesive mixed, I also cut and fixed for small bits on  wood lintel and the side of the door opening.

West Front Lintel

East Back Wall 

East Front Lintel

Rear Door Threshold

I removed the wooden supports from the West Back Door Threshold, which has turn out OK, although not totally level across, but will be resolved when the door frame is fixed.

I then clear and gave the floor a vacuum in advance of start the levelling tomorrow, once I give it another vacuum.

FRIDY 22nd APRIL - Downstairs Floor Levelling

So, I am a day behind the schedule at the moment but should catch up next week,  However, today I got a levelling screed applied to the downstairs floor.  Having completed the East Side first I realised the plan to lay a 2-3mm layer to cover the concrete imperfection holes would not be enough and a more liquid mix would be needed for a thickness less than the 5mm I had achieved. 

I used the weber.niv fluid screed, which includes fibre threads in the mix to give added strength, which is not essential as the traffic weight should be minimal.   

I decided to leave the thickness and mix, but realised I would need 7 more bags to get the full coverage on the West Side, so off to Gedimat for more as soon as I have finished the East Side.

East Side Floor

West Side Floor

East to West Floor

I had just enough to complete the  West Side Floor and pleased with the finish.  It is not perfect, but the is more than good enough once the Cement Board is applied to leave a fixed smooth base for the Heat Mat.

So now next week I can leave this floor to completely dry and I should be able to get the Cement Boards, Heat Mat and Livyn Boards laid upstairs, before doing the same and they Ceramic Times laid downstairs in May.

SATURDAY 23rd APRIL - Dry Floors

No real work today, other than gardening tidy up.  However, I checked on the dry screed floors and all good! They dip a fraction in the middle of both, but this will be corrected when I lay the Cement Boards on Monday.

West Dry Screed

Threshold Base

East Dry Screed

Also, found a perfect piece of old Oak the right thickness of 3.5cm to lay and ensure the height is 1,635m for the Door Frame being made.  I trimmed the ends to 81cm with my chain saw which has a fine chain and makes the job easy.  Will also  need to trim the left side vertical to make the width 81cm.

MONDAY 24th APRIL 2022 - Cement Board Upstairs

Have changes the task plan sequence a little in the last few days, so decided to lay the Insulated Cement Board on the flooring upstairs in both sides today.  

East Front 

West Front

East Side

Grip Washer

Used 3cm screws and some excellent grip washers that I found on Amazon.  I wish I had discovered them to use on the Insulated PB.

Also tested both WarmUp Heat Mats out of the box and will need to do so at each stage this week to avoid an issue...hopefully.  As I intended to install a single Thermostat upstairs and there is an 11 & 12 sqm room, I needed to order a 15 and 7 sqm heat mat to provide good coverage and lay both across both rooms and have planned the layout, so tomorrow should see these down and a lite screed added before the Livyn Floor goes down later the week.

TUESDAY 26th APRIL 2022 - WarmUp Heat Mat Laid Upstairs

Succeeded in getting 95% of the Mat successfully laid in 2 hours and the last 5% took another 2 hours!  It was involved cutting the mat as directed to use up the the remain section in strip around the edging. 

Tested both mats and they registered correctly with the right Ohm  values for each mat.

East Room View

East Room View

West Room View

East to West View

Decided to delay the top screed on the mat until tomorrow.

WEDNESDAY 27th APRIL - Upstairs Floor Mat Screed

Good mornings work today to screed the Heat Mats upstairs, both sides to protect the wires and provide a firm base.  It does not need to be any thicker than the wire depth.

I buried the Heat Sensor into the Cement Board this time, as it can be too proud and be felt on the Livyn Flooring otherwise.

Mat Screed East-West

Mat Screed East Side

I will leave this now until next week to let dry properly, before laying the flooring next week.  So tomorrow I will lay the Cement Board downstairs and then the Heat Mat, before the Tiling on Monday.

THUSDAY 27th APRIL 2022 - Cement Boarding Downstairs

Laid the East Side Cement Board without any issues and started the West Side, bit realised I might not have enough boards to complete the job!  So decided to lay just full boards and as it turned out I was about 2 full boards short to cut up.  

I hunted everywhere for more, but no success as yet and cannot understand how I got the quantity wrong, other than overestimating what I have left over from using in La Maison ...c'est la vie.

West Side Floor Boarding

East Side Floor Boarding

The good news is that I am pleased that the overall floor level, once tiled will be correct and all is reasonably level across the rooms, with a light drop back to front as expected.

FRIDAY 29th APRIL 2022- Tile Layout Test

Had to reorganise the Task Plan for today and next week as a result of some other commitments over the next few days.   Had confirmation from WarmUp that the additional Cement Insulated Boards will be delivered on Wednesday 4th May, which is excellent.

Today I moved the 12 packs of Livyn Flooring onto the upstairs floor into both the East and West.  I took Ohm Readings of both Heat Mats again, now that the screed has dried and both where as expected.

East Side Tile Layout

I moved 5 packs of the Ceramic Tiles into the East Side Downstairs to mark their layout, as show here,  I was pleased that is confirmed the cutting would be minimise and the layout and level of the tiles to the Window/Door Thresholds will be good.

It is centred  on the internal door opening and should look good both sides and the flow through .

Once the additional Cement Boards arrive I will be able to lay the missing sections in the West Room and start the tiling, after the Heat Mats are laid and I get more tiling Mortier Colle.

So, over the weekend I will lay the Livyn Flooring upstairs

SATURDAY 30th APRIL 2022 - Upstairs Floor Laying

Normally I try not to do project work at the weekend, but as I have other things for 2 days next week I decided to do a few things to avoid falling too far behind the task list.

Having moved all the Livyn Flooring packs upstairs I was able to make an early start and early afternoon had completed all the laying, EXCEPT the door threshold between both room and a 11cm strip needed along the Side East Wall.  I was too tired and will finish these small bits tomorrow, as well and the main door theshold.

East Side Front Floor

East Side End View

West Side Front View

West Side Back View

Amazingly, this was a lot easier than when I laid the three areas in La Maison. perhaps because I have the experience of doing so, but also because there was little tile cutting and very little wastage.  Very pleasing!