Timber framing continues and just a few problems to deal with.......

This update is a little later than I intended but I have been ill this week and not being very active.  However.... work has been going on apace in the joiners' workshop (soon to be garden room!) 

timber framing under way in the garden room extension

The original plan was to have structural insulated panels (SIPs) made off site and brought to be erected when complete.  However, what we are actually doing is making the panels on site.  The crane is booked for Tuesday 1st December to lift them all into place - that should make for some brilliant pictures - and the flat roof of the carport and service rooms at the back of the house is being prepared to take them. 

These wooden frames will be clad in board and packed with lots of insulation.The two largest panels are having to be made outside.  They will form the two ends of the new bedroom at the back of the house.

One of these two large panels forms the first floor wall to the left of this elevation (clad externally in vertical larch) with the lovely big window. The other mirrors it on the other side (not visible on this picture)

Using timber panels works really well because we are building over an existing ground floor structure.  these panels are much lighter than a brick or block construction and so we haven't had to strengthen the foundations at all. 

Now, it would be a strange project if everything was going fine with no setbacks - and I cannot lie - we do have some!  The first problem we have is that the fascia board on the garden room has turned out too deep and we are looking at ways of getting it reduced down by about 6 inches to give a more streamlined elegant finish - less shopfront!  (you can see this problem in the photos on the blog post The Big Reveal)  The second can be easily seen today as it rained hard last night and we have buckets set up all through the back passageways and service rooms catching water drips!!  The water is coming through where the flat roof is being prepared for the timber panels to be erected.  The original roof covering has been cut through for these preparations and water being water it finds its way in anywhere it can.   So, buckets are out all over the place and the electrician might be needed on Monday (these things always happen at a weekend don't they)  as some of the circuits are tripping out.  

Meanwhile I am still busy researching details like lighting - my copper pendant lights for the kitchen have arrived from Pooky.com and are lovely. 

External lighting is next on my list.  We are still getting quotes for the wood burning stove as they seem to differ wildly and I have to finalise the bathrooms this week!