As you are all aware, the world has come to a standstill, and with it, so has our extension. Since our last update, there has been some progress, just not quite to the stage I had hoped we would be at. Nevertheless, we have progressed enough that I can move on with plenty of jobs to keep me busy… for quite some time.
When I last blogged the extension, we had just a shell of a building. The electricians had (after a long wait) arrived and were working on the first fix of the electrics, and the partition walls were going up. Thankfully, we are way past that part. Play catch-up with that post (here).
So, Extension Update 3
Once the framework went up, the insulation went in. Thick foil covered panels of thermal insulation (called Kingspan) were fitted in between the framing, then sealed with thermal tape. The pink board is a fireproof panel, used only on the walls that adjoin neighbouring properties. The pink ‘strapping’ on top, creates a service void, which is where the electrics will run.
I’m not sure if mentioned before, but there is also a thick layer of insulation below the poured concrete floor. This extension is gonna be TOASTY!
As this was happening, the plumbers came in to lay the first fix of plumbing, before the chipboard floor went down. The reason for a floating floor over the concrete, was to provide a service void for the plumbing, and to maintain continuity from the kitchen to the dining room; you would notice the difference underfoot, if you stepped from wood, to concrete. I can tell you, there is no difference. Yay!
You may be wondering why the RSJ has been framed-out so low. No? Well, I’m telling you anyway. It’s because the gas flue has to vent 600mm away from any opening windows (you can see the combi-boiler in the corner)… and the pipe has to have a degree of drop to it. To avoid having an odd bump in the ceiling (which would forever annoy both of us), the builders decided to run the flue along the beam. It means that we lose a little height in the dining room opening, but it also means that we wont die, so… yay!
Once the electrics had been run, the plasterboard went on and the extension’s rooms began to take shape. You can really see how much the shower room eats into each space. If it wasn’t for this, we could’ve had a big run of doors along this wall. It’s fine though… I’ve made my peace with it.
Just as the interior was shaping up, so was the slate roof, which thankfully, is finished.
Opening Up
One of the most exciting moments, was when they took down the partition to open up the interior. Up until this stage, we couldn’t really get a feel for the space as ‘one’. Fragmented, it felt like the extension was going to be too small and a bit of a waste of time and money. I had many a sleepless night over this.
As soon as we saw the partition taken down, I felt a massive wave of relief wash over me. Opened up, it felt a good size and I could instantly see how it will work with our plans.
Before the main kitchen could be fixed up, a little further destruction was required. The old cupboard (or ‘press’ as we would call it here in Scotland) was removed and a hole opened up for the cooker extractor.
Finished Spaces
Well, not quite. We are very clearly missing a few important features, such as doors, windows, heating, and final fix electrics… but we have the spaces. As lockdown was announced, our finished door frames were making their way to Aberdeen to be glazed. One more week would have seen the builders finished. I’m glad that that they decided to crack on with the extension interior despite having no doors or window (there was a long delay from ordering to arrival) as it means we can really fine-tune the plans for each room.
So, the last few images are pretty much where we are at today. The plasterer started and was very quickly finishing up just as the lockdown came in to force. Over the last week I’ve managed to install the ceiling rose (still waiting on the coving) and get the whole kitchen/diner mist-coated to seal the plaster and provide a base for painting. I can crack on with painting as I had bought the supplies months ago. YAY for past Malcolm!! I’ll be saving that image for later though! We don’t have flooring, or a kitchen, so who knows when this space will be finished. We don’t mind though… in fact, we count ourselves as being very lucky and we are very thankful for what we have.
P.S Apologies for the lack of my ‘Five Things I Love’ Friday posts. They will return, but for now, posting may be a little sporadic, for obvious reasons.
Stay safe, lovely people.
